Ensoleillement
By
Landon Richardson
Disclaimer
The character of Steve McGarrett, Danny Williams, Chin Ho Kelly, Kono Kalakaua, Jenna Kaye, Meka Hanamoa, Amy Hanamoa, Adam 'Toast' Charles, Eric 'E-train' Russo, Stan Edwards, Rachel Edwards, Grace Williams, Mary McGarrett and Lori Weston do not belong to me in any fashion. I am merely using them for my own entertainment purposes.
The character of Danielle 'Danni' Richardson, David Russell, Libby Russell Josh Richardson, Summer Richardson, Ronnie Chen and Kevin Matthews do however belong to me so please don't use them without asking permission first. I might have missed some people out so if you come across someone you don't recognise then they belong to me as well.
Author Note
Plot bunnies are seriously deadly, just when you think everything is sorted and you have everything planned, they jump you and that's it, you can't focus on anything until it's done.
So here we go, take this as a gift and run with it because I'll be shooting the next plot bunny which tries to sneak up on me.
This is A/U, like completely A/U. It's set in 2011 and 50 is pretty much the same but there are some changes, for example Danny's sister has moved to Hawaii which means that Eric is here as well. You'll see a lot of Eric as you'll find out… I won't tell you anymore of the changes, I feel like it be better for you to see them as they occur!
Anyway please enjoy
Overall Summary
Danni moved to Hawaii to get away from everything and to heal after the death of her husband. What she didn't expect was Steve McGarrett bursting into her life and taking over it. Danni isn't sure she's ready for another relationship but that isn't going to stop Steve from trying to convince her otherwise, by any means necessary. (McDanni)
Chapter Summary
Danni Richardson yawned as she pulled her car to a stop in her space, taking a moment to gather her belongings together before she climbed out of the car and locked it behind her, stretching her arms over her head and wincing when she heard a crack from her back
Overall Romance
Steve McGarrett/Danni Richardson (McDanni)
Chapter One
Danni Richardson yawned as she pulled her car to a stop in her space, taking a moment to gather her belongings together before she climbed out of the car and locked it behind her, stretching her arms over her head and wincing when she heard a crack from her back. Shaking her head, she made her way slowly to the bakery across the street from where she was parked, keeping an eye on the surrounding area. It was early, still only five AM so the roads were mainly empty of traffic. She stopped by the entrance, her eyes flickering up to the sign and smiled, unlocking the door and stepping into the room and looked around her taking it all in.
She felt peaceful here, something which surprised her when she thought back to her reasons for being in Hawaii in the first place. The pain was still there, she doubted it would ever fully leave, but at least it was becoming bearable. The change of scenery had been the right thing to do and leaving her old career as a Homicide Detective back in New Jersey was a good idea as well. She had too much counting on her to go down in a hail of bullets, taken out by some kid or drug peddler.
She wasn't sure what had made her open a bakery up here of all places. She hadn't picked Hawaii, she had planned to go somewhere colder, somewhere which had seasons but her eldest son Josh had watched a documentary on the place and for some reason it had stuck with him and he had pleaded that they went there. Danni had agreed, eager to encourage the first bit of enthusiasm that Danni had seen from him since she had broken the news that his father was never coming home again.
She had always loved baking and had a talent for it, finding the motion of it relaxing and therapeutic. She had more than enough money to afford it and a house and so she had gone for it, unsurprised and a little amused and grateful when her twin brother had decided to join her in Hawaii as well now that his time as a medic in the Ranger core had come to a natural end with him being transferred into the reservists.
They had been in Hawaii for six months now and the bakery was a success, busy enough that Danni had to hire extra people to work with her. Amy Hanamoa was a no nonsense woman who also happened to have the kindest, warmest heart of anyone Danni had met. She had taken one look at Danni when she had come to interview and wore her down until Danni hired her. It was a decision which Danni had never regretted, the two of them becoming great friends. Danni dealt with everything out back while Amy was out front. It was an arrangement which suited everyone. They had four other workers who Danni had hired: Adam Charles, a young man in his late twenties who insisted everyone called him Toast who was one of the smartest men Danni had met, Eric Russo who was seventeen and tended to work the late and weekend shifts so he could afford university. Ronnie Chen was in her early twenties and newly arrived on the island and finally Kevin Matthews who Danni tended to work with the most.
They were a strange mismatch of people but they were family and Danni wouldn't change any of them.
Shaking her head, she glanced down at her watch, thankful that David wasn't started his shift at the hospital until midday meaning he would deal with the morning rush while Danni dealt with things here. They shared a house with enough space that they could live there without being in each other's hair. The garden out back was merely an added bonus in Danni's eyes.
Danni blinked when she heard a knock on the door behind her and glanced over her shoulder to see Toast grinning at her through the glass. She raised an eyebrow at him, turning back to the door and unlocking it, allowing him in and shot him a questioning look.
"I thought you were on the late shift with Eric today?" She asked him curiously, tilting her head to the side as she headed towards the counter. Service was due to start in an hour and a half and the morning rush was always on of their busiest times.
"I was" Toast answered her with a lazy grin as he followed her round the counter, turning the plugs back on as he spoke. "But Ronnie rang me last night and she's got an early class this morning which was actually meant to be in the afternoon and asked if we could swap. She checked with Amy first and Amy said it was cool so Ronnie will work with E-Train instead. That cool with you Blondie?" He asked, suddenly sounding concerned as he looked towards her.
"As long as one of you covers then I'm fine with that Toast" Danni assured him. "Just for future reference though, when you swap shifts with someone, drop me a quick text message or something just so I'm aware of the change."
"You got it, I think Ronnie thought Amy would tell you, so I'm guessing it was just a miscommunication or something." He told her with a shrug as he grabbed his apron from the stand and pulled it over his head, looking towards her. "You heading out back?" He queried, nodding when she made a sound of acknowledgement.
"I don't think you've worked a Monday morning here have you?" Danni queried, smiling when Toast shook his head, tying the bow at the back of his apron before waiting for instruction. "Okay it's pretty much the same as any other day except we need to double the portions. The coffee machines are already on, so can you take care of the beans and then start making the sandwiches up, I'll get the ovens started and the pastries in" She informed him, clapping her hand on his shoulder and squeezing as she passed before she entered the kitchen and glanced around her, her smile growing at the sight of her domain before she pulled her sleeves up, pulled on her apron and began working.
The hour and a half seemed to zoom by but they were on schedule. Everything in the oven which needed to be in there was in there. The first round of pastries were out in the cabinet ready to be served. The coffee was brewing and the majority of the sandwiches were made up. She glanced towards the clock, and walked out.
"Everything ready here" Toast informed her, catching sight of her questioning look.
"Amy's late in today because she has an appointment so I'll be helping you out front" She told him. "I've got a timer on for the stuff in the oven so I'll have to disappear for a bit but between us and the fact that Kevin is due in at ten, I don't think we should have too much trouble." She said, glancing towards the door to see a small queue forming. "Go and unlock the door and let's get this day started."
Author note
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