A/N: So I hope that first chapter wasn't too bad, lol. This chapter doesn't have too much McDanno, but it explains alot about Steve and his daughter. Hope you enjoy it!
Steve stood there completely still, shocked. "Excuse me? I think there's been a misunderstanding." As soon as he said that, he saw the girl who had been hiding behind Ms. Scott appear more clearly. "Madison?"
"You remember me?" the girl asked, surprised.
"Of course I remember you sweety. I don't know if you know this but I've known you since you were born. Your mom and me were very good friends. You've grown so much since I last saw you! How old are you now? 14? 15?"
Ms. Scott jumped in, "Mr. McGarrett, I think it's better that we talk about this inside, privately," looking towards Madison.
"Of course, come in."
"There you are babe, what took so long?" Danny asked, until he saw the two girls witn Steve.
"Danny, I'll explain later. Could you wait outside with Madison for a little?" while pointing towards the girl. Danny looked at her; she couldn't be older than 16, with her black hair down, long and wavy. She looked uncomfortable.
"Yea of course babe. Come on Madison, how about we go out back?"
After they had left the room, Steve and Lexi sat down. "I'm really confused here Ms. Scott, you're telling me that Madison is my daughter? I've known her since she was born and her mother, Shannon, and me have been close friends for years. She told me who the father was, that he was a bad guy that she had gotten mixed up with and had gotten her pregnant accidently. As soon as she told him he was pregnant, he left. I haven't talked to her in a while, but-"
"Actually Mr. McGarrett, I probably should have told you earlier, but Shannon, she's um.. she past away. 2 months ago. I'm so sorry, I thought you had known. After she died, her will was brought to light and described how she wanted Madison to be put into her biological father's care, which is you. When Madison was about 7 years old, the man you thought was her biological father, Kyle, came back into Shannon's life, claiming he had changed and wanted to be there for them. After months together, they got married, but a couple years later, Kyle started to become abusive. I was first brought into the situation then because I had to ask Madison about the bruises she had that her teachers at school had reported. She claimed she got them playing softball and Shannon was too scared to say anything about Kyle, so they stayed together. At first, it appeared that Shannon's will had gone missing, so we had no choice but to leave her in Kyle's custody. Recently, however, the will turned up."
Steve was speechless. How had all of this gone on without him knowing? Him and Shannon had been friends when he was on duty in the Navy since his first few years. He'd thought she would have told him if something was going on. Sure they hadn't talked a lot recently, but still. "So you're saying that, what, Madison's mine?"
"In Shannon's will she wanted Madison to be in your care, instead of Kyle's for obvious reasons. Of course we had to determine if she is indeed yours, so we did a DNA test, and yes Mr. McGarrett, Madison is your daughter."
There were so many feelings and thoughts going through his mind and body right now. He was a father? He didn't know anything about being a father, he didn't exactly have a good example as a kid. Could he do this? He'd already missed so much of her life, was he ready to just jump in and be a father? He certainly couldn't leave her in the care of that abusive asshole. Okay breathe, Steve. You're a Navy SEAL, you can do this. "So how exactly does this work?"
"Well, provided that you're willing to take her in, we-"
"I am. I mean, um, I will take her in. She's my daughter," he said confidently. He could do this. He was feeling excited, he has a daughter!
Lexi smiled brightly, "That's great Mr. McGarrett, god knows that girl needs a good home. How it works is I will fill out all the paperwork and drop by again tomorrow with it ready for you to sign. Now I have to warn you, even after you sign the papers and make her legally, in your care, she could still be taken away from you. Kyle is fighting to keep her."
That dick. There's no way I'm letting him near her ever again. "How is he allowed to do that, he should be in prison for fuck's sake!" he replied angrily.
"I understand your frustration sir, but there's nothing we can do. Madison and Shannon were never willing to confess the truth so we have no legitimate proof that he abused them," she replied sadly. "I've known that girl for a very long time and she's been through a lot, you need to understand that this won't be easy. She's undergone intensive psychological and emotional abuse."
His heart broke to hear that. How could he have let this happen? Why didn't Shannon tell me? "I understand ma'am, but she's my daughter and it's time I be a part of her life."
"I'm so glad to hear that, sir. So, I should be back tomorrow around noon, if that's alright. Madison can stay here tonight or come with me and I can bring her back tomorrow, it's up to you."
"She can stay tonight, if she's okay with that. Maybe you should go ask her? Also, how aware is she of the current situation?"
Lexi sighed, "Well, she knows you're her real father and that she might be moving in with you. That's it. Let me go ask her."
As Lexi walked outside, Danny walked back inside. "So what the hell was that about Steve?!"
"Where do I even begin. Long story short, Madison is my daughter and is being put into my care because her mother, who I've known since my early Navy days, past away 2 months ago. Her mother, Shannon, was married to a very abusive man, who Madison has been staying with since Shannon's death. God Danny, I can't imagine what that girl has been through. Danny, how am I going to do this? Do you think I can do this? Shit."
"Steve, look at me. Everything is going to be fine okay. You'll be a great father, I've seen how you are with Grace, you can do this babe. I have total faith in you. And don't forget you have me...and Kono and Chin. We got your back. I'm with you till the end okay?" Danny looked straight into Steve's eyes and could see the pure, raw emotion there. Fuck. He loved this man so much. "But, I just want to make sure that you've thought this through babe. Being a dad, well it's hard work. Are you sure you're up for it?"
Steve looked him in the eyes and nodded. He could so do this. He had Danny after all.
As Lexi walked back in, Madison in tow, she answered, "Madison will be staying with you tonight, then." She looked at Madison, "Now if you need anything, you call me okay sweetheart?" Madison nodded at her. Lexi gave her a hug, and walked closer towards Steve and Danny. "I think it's time I officially introduced you. Madison, this is your father, Steve McGarrett, Steve, this is your daughter, Madison DeSilva."
Steve looked at her with such fondness and stuck his hand out for a handshake, but took it back, and gave her a hug instead. Moments later, he felt arms wrap around him. Steve knelt down and asked, "Do you remember me at all sweety?"
She looked at him with a sad smile. "I remember when you came to visit me and mom for my 8th birthday and won me a stuffed animal at the carnival." She bit her lip and looked up at him, "I still have it. Over the years, mom would show me pictures of you and how you were such a great man. Even if I wanted to, there was no way mom would let me forget you." While they were talking, Danny was showing Lexi out.
When Danny returned, he looked at Steve and saw the pure love in his eyes as he talked with Madison. Yeah, Steve could definitely do this.
