AN: I hope for everyone who celebrates the occasion had a lovely Valentine's Day :-) Mahalo goes to "jodm" for helping me with some Chin canon.
* The word "Lokelani" means "a small red rose" in Hawaiian while "Xīnxīnxiāngyì" stands for "soulmate" in Chinese.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the original characters, locations or canon information depicted in the series "Hawaii Five-O". I'm just borrowing them for my pleasure and hopefully the enjoyment of others.
Lokelani
Lying against the warm shade of the harsh mahogany surface, its delicate claret petals were a beacon to the occupants of the bureau. Just a single stem. A simple and pure work of nature that beheld the secrets of one's heart and soul.
One by one, the detectives filed in and filed out through the koa wood door of McGarrett's office. With each passing step and without fail, a stolen glance washed over the object that permeated an aura of innocence and intrigue. Not wanting to pry yet too curious to simply ignore its presence, the detectives' eyes instinctively scanned the area surrounding the item, expecting to find some sort of clue as to who had sent it. While it seemed obvious as to whom it was sent, no one wanted to vocally address their question to the receiver.
A warm tingle fluttered from inside Danny Williams' chest triggering a youthful grin to erupt on his boyish face as he recalled a memory from not so long ago. Clutching the file in one hand, he stopped momentarily to exchange a greeting with the person who sat behind the desk before moving onward.
Without a word to his colleague, Chin Ho Kelly's wondering gaze fell over the mesmerising piece that brought back fond recollections of a day he would never forget. February 14th, 1946. The day he proposed to the love of his life. His Xīnxīnxiāngyìn. He shifted his gaze to the young Hawaiian man who walked beside him. It was clear that Kono Kalakaua was equally entranced.
Five-O's second youngest member by two years slowed his pace and fell behind his companion. A pang of guilt knotted his stomach as he was instantly reminded of what he had forgotten to do that morning before leaving for work. He remembered how her soft brown eyes and enchanting smile were the first things that he saw when he woke up. Even the bright glare of the Hawaiian sun that filtered through the window was muted to a dull glow in her presence. Lokelani. An idea quickly formed in his mind involving a romantic dinner for two that evening and a bouquet of fragrantly sweet plumeria flowers. He swallowed hard and tore his eyes away from the rose just as a joyous greeting broke him out of his reverie.
"Good morning, Kono, Chin!" Jenny Sherman's chirpy voice spoke volumes. There was no hiding her flushed cheeks as her eyes met the detectives'.
In unison, the gentlemen replied before retreating to their boss's office in time for the morning briefing.
Jenny lifted the stem from her desk and smiled down at the small red rose. She traced her fingers over the red satin ribbon that spiralled down its length finishing in a neat bow. Threaded through the ribbon was a tag. The petite secretary lifted the small card and read the words written on it in black ink. A tear threatened to escape and roll down her face but she somehow kept her composure as the intercom buzzed, bringing her back to her daily routine at Five-O.
Pau