Steve McGarrett regulated his breathing, matched his strokes to the count in his head and then let everything become autonomic. His thoughts took him back over last night and the last six weeks. His conversation with Catherine hadn't happened like he planned. He'd been about to tell her about his daughter when fate interfered in the guise of a hostage situation and 'spilled the beans' for him. Now, he had to figure out how to salvage his relationship with Catherine. He also needed to figure out how to be a dad to a grownup daughter.
Arianna stood on the lanai watching as Steve paddle boarded his way out into the ocean. It wasn't hard to guess why he'd gotten up an hour earlier than normal. No one had been stupid enough to mention Catherine's departure, but the mood had dampened a little and the party broke up earlier than it would have. Arianna waited a minute more before she turned back to the house with a plan.
She found a yawning Mary plunking a wide awake Joan into a high chair. "Morning."
"Is that what it is?" Mary asked, rubbing her eyes. "You know, there used to be a time when six a.m. was when I hit the sack, not crawled out of it."
"Not a morning person then?" Arianna observed.
"Not so much," Mary replied. "Can I get you some coffee?"
"Actually, no. I have something I need to do. Would you mind telling Steve I'll be back if I'm not here when he's done with his workout?" she asked.
"What in the world would you have to do at the crack of dawn?" Mary questioned.
"I need to try to right a wrong. So, you'll tell him?" Arianna pleaded.
"Fine, but if you're not back by noon, I won't stop him from tracking you," Mary conceded.
"Thanks, Aunt Mary."
"Hey! What did I tell you about that?" Mary said but she wasn't sure the younger woman caught her protest as the girl was already heading for the bedroom.
Arianna stopped for pastries before going to her destination. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door.
Catherine hadn't slept well. She'd spent a large portion of the night oscillating between emotions. She certainly wasn't prepared for an early morning visitor nor was she prepared for who the visitor was.
"I know I'm one of the last two people you want to see right now, but I'm hoping you'll hear me out," Arianna said.
"Does Steve know you're here?"
"No," Arianna replied.
Catherine had to be honest, a part of her wanted to turn the girl away but she also wanted to know what she had to say. "I'll make coffee to go with those pastries."
Cath led the way to the kitchen, pulled out some plates and started the coffee maker. Arianna sat at the table patiently waiting for the older woman to stop puttering and join her. Catherine leaned against the counter. Every line in her body rigid with tension. The gurgling of the automatic drip the only noise. The two women looked anywhere but at each other's face. Arianna noted that the other woman needed a new pair of slippers. Cath wondered what type of conditioner the younger girl used as her hair looked really healthy. The smell of coffee got stronger. Catherine finally sat after she was able to pour two mugs.
"Is it okay if I give you a little background first?" Arianna asked. At Catherine's nod, she continued. "My mom was so young when she had me and she never really grew up. I was a never ending babysitting job. When I found out that there was a possibility that I could figure out who my father was, well I started imagining what it would be like to have a real parent. When I found Steve, I was selfish and insecure. I wanted this new found thing to be solely mine. Steve honored that despite his own interests. He kept our relationship a secret for me."
Catherine listened to the younger woman, absorbing the information. "What about Danny and Chin knowing?" she couldn't help asking.
"I have to be honest. At first, I hated that they knew but I couldn't do anything about it. Uncle Danny is sneaky and pushy and he grows on you. You end up saying yes without realizing it. As for Mr. Kelly, well that was my fault. Mine and my temper's, so..."
"Why are you telling me this?" Cath asked.
"I don't know you and I don't know anything about your relationship with my dad but I've gotten to know Steve a little bit and I know that he places ohana above everything. I admit that I deliberately played on that because I was insecure. I wanted him for myself and I was stupid because I didn't stop to consider that it might make problems for him. That's not what I ever wanted to happen so I'm trying to fix it. Dad is a good man and I don't want him to be hurt because of me."
"You must really care for him to put all this out there," Catherine observed.
"As I said, he's a good man. Even if he wasn't my father, I'd love him as a friend," Arianna replied. "I'm pretty sure you're in love with him. Can you find it in your heart to not blame him? At least let him tell you his side of the story."
Catherine couldn't help but be moved by the girl's impassioned plea. "I promise to hear him out."
"Fair enough. I'm going to go now before Dad sends out the search party," Arianna said, standing to take her leave.
Catherine touched her arm. "Thank you for coming and explaining."
"I should be the one saying thank you for listening. One last thing. I know you're still angry and it's justifiable as long as it's directed at the right person."
"I'll try," Catherine replied. She waited until Arianna rode away before she closed the door. She had to hand it to the girl, she was pure McGarrett. Maybe calling Steve tomorrow instead of waiting till Monday wasn't implausible.
Steve picked up his towel to dry himself off when he heard the roar of a bike coming from the front of the house. He didn't remember Arianna saying anything about having to go somewhere. He glanced at his watch, 07:30, and felt a pain of disappointment that she'd took off before breakfast. Pushing open the lanai doors, he looked up to see his daughter coming in the front door. "Hey! You've been out already?"
"Yeah," she whispered sheepishly. Steve stared at her until she gave him the details. "I went to see Catherine."
Steve's shock was obvious. "Why would you do that?"
She shrugged. "I caused the problems, it only stands to reason that I should do what I can to fix them."
"Thank you," he said gathering her in a hug.
"Don't thank me yet. She's still pretty mad. I just want her to be mad at the right person."
"Sweetheart, you weren't the cause of our problems," Steve said.
"Yeah, tell me another one. How about some breakfast. I'm starving," she rejoined.
Taking the hint Steve said, "I make a mean omelet."
Mary was pouring some type of oat rings onto Joan's tray while sipping at a large mug of coffee. "Oh look, Joan, the gang's all here."
"Morning, Mary. Hey, Joan, you have a kiss for Uncle Steve?" Bending down he rubbed his nose against the baby's nose causing her to giggle and spit chewed cereal onto his face. He took it in stride, wiping his face with the towel Arianna handed him. "Well, I've had worse on my face."
"I don't think I want to know," she said.
"That's good because if I told you, I'd have to kill you," he teased.
"Yeah, yeah. I've heard that before," Mary joined in mimicking the younger woman's words. "What's on the agenda for the day?"
Arianna was too busy watching Joan try to put her cereal in her nose to have seen Mary talk so Steve answered, "Haven't made any plans. You have any suggestions?"
"Well, Joan has outgrown all her clothes, so I was thinking we could hit the mall for part of the day. Then there's a free kid's day activities event at Ala Moana Park. It has activities for all ages," Mary said.
Having caught the last part of Mary's speech, Arianna added, "My friend Ellie takes her kids every year. There's something for everyone. They have a blast."
"You really want to go?" Steve asked stunned.
"Sure. Why not," Arianna replied.
"Even the mall?" Steve pushed.
"I must have missed that part. I" she cut off as she saw the look on Mary's face. "I'm going to need a good breakfast if we're going to the mall first," she finished.
"Well then, let's get you fed," Steve exclaimed.
Breakfast became a 'pick on Steve' fest. Mary heckled, Arianna teased and Joan babbled her two cents. Steve was getting ready to throw the larger two pests in the ocean when his phone chimed. Pulling it out, he was surprised to see a text from Catherine.
If you're willing, I would like to meet you for lunch tomorrow. Say noon at Kamekona's
I'll be there he quickly texted back. He looked up to find two pairs of eyes watching him. "What?!"
"Nothing. Go take a shower so we can get going," Mary said feigning innocence.
Steve knew better than to argue so he followed orders. Arianna offered to do the clean up so Mary could get Joan ready. She set about getting the dishes loaded into the washer when her phone vibrated.
Going to Kiddo's day at the park. Want to tag along?
She grinned at Ellie's invite. Sorry. I'm going with my cousin. If we see you I'll introduce you
Cousin? I know all your family!
I'll explain if we meet up otherwise I'll call you tonight
You'd better!
It didn't take them long, even with all the baby paraphernalia, to get on their way. Arianna couldn't hide her grin when she noticed that tape had been added to hold the post it note over the siren switch in place. They made it to the mall as the stores were opening.
"I have three stores I want to go to," Mary stated. At the identical eye rolls she received, she ordered, "Oh, grow up you two."
The first stop was solely baby and toddler stuff. Arianna amused herself and Steve by holding various outfits up to his face, trying to find one that would match his eyes. The second stop held a bit more variety. While Mary searched for Joan's size, Arianna took random appliances off the shelves and got Steve to describe to her how that item could be used as a weapon. By the third department store, Mary'd had enough.
"You two sit out here in the main area and watch Joan! Do not try to teach her how to get to the second floor without using the stairs or elevator!"
"Mary, she can't walk yet. That lesson won't happen until she's at least two," Steve protested. Mary walked away with a "Hurmph."
The pair slouched down in the surprisingly comfortable mall chairs with a sigh. "Mission accomplished," Steve gloated.
"Thank god," Arianna replied.
Arianna leaned back and closed her eyes. Steve kept up situational awareness, hooking his foot on the stroller and moving it back and forth when Joan started to fuss. He stood up to take her out of the buggy when she didn't calm down after a few minutes.
Alerted by his movements, Arianna opened her eyes to observe her father pick the baby up and start to cuddle her only to wrinkle his nose and hold her at arm- length. "She's not live ordinance you know," she said with amusement.
Turning to face his daughter as he couldn't sign while holding the baby, he said, "I know that. She needs a diaper change."
As he moved closer to her, Arianna waved her hands in protest. "Don't even think about it," she ordered guessing his intent.
"But there's no changing stations in the men's rooms here," Steve reasoned.
"So use the family bathroom. You're not getting me to change a crappy diaper," Arianna shot back.
"Well, she needs cleaned up," Steve said as if changing the phrasing would help.
"So man up, Uncle Steve. It can't be worse than falling in to an open sewage pit," she retorted.
Steve scanned the area like he was trying to find Mary or a body he could pay to take care of the soiled diaper. He wasn't picky.
"The smell's getting worse," Arianna pointed out helpfully.
"Fine. Where's the restrooms?" Steve caved, pulling Joan in closer.
"How should I know?" Steve started towards the directory only to be halted by Arianna's laughing, "Don't forget the diaper bag."
He pivoted on one foot, stomped back, grabbed the bag and stalked away like a man on a mission. Arianna continued to laugh while she snapped a couple of pictures with her phone. She was still giggling when Steve returned ten minutes later looking like he'd been through Hell Week again.
While he was gone, an elderly couple had stationed themselves in the chairs on the other side of the sitting area. Arianna smiled politely at them when she caught them staring at her. Their curiosity grew upon Steve's return. They even whispered to each other as he got Joan back into the stroller.
Steve plopped himself next to Arianna and signed, "Glad I missed that specific point in your childhood."
She would have responded but the elderly lady chose that moment to address them. "It's so refreshing to see such a progressive couple. How old is your baby?"
As Steve translated, the words sank in. Mary returned before either of them could reply. "I see you two managed to stay out of trouble and Joan is still in one piece."
A look of (mis)understanding crossed the elder gentleman's face. "Alice, come on. Let's leave this family alone. I think they're like those people on TV. You know, the ones with several wives. Good for you, sonny, by the way."
Mary didn't bother to ask for an explanation. She pushed the buggy towards the exit, expecting her two companions to follow. Arianna knew they were still under surveillance so she turned and threw a jaunty wave at the older couple as she wrapped her other arm around her dad's waist.