By the time they got to the table, Danny and Max had already arrived. After being fussed over for several minutes by his 'Uncle Danno' as Danny demanded to be called, Sawyer was placed back in his car seat and on the chair between Ally and Steve. Once she was sure that Sawyer was comfortable and content, Allison turned back to the conversation.
"So we're just waiting for Kamekona and Chin?" She asked, noticing they were the only two missing.
"Chin's already here," Danny informed her. "He's over there."
Allison looked in the direction he was pointing and saw Chin standing alone on the beach, looking out over the water.
"Poor guy," She said sadly. "Does anyone mind if I go and talk to him?"
Her question was met with shaking heads.
"I was just about to do that myself, but you can take the first shift," Danny told her before taking a sip of his beer.
Allison nodded before pushing her chair back and heading towards her heartbroken friend.
"Chin, I'm so sorry," She said quietly as she stood beside him and snuck her arm around his waist. He put his arm around her shoulder and squeezed gently, but when it became clear he wasn't going to respond she continued. "And I'm sorry I couldn't come to the service this morning too, but I had no one to look after Sawyer."
"Don't worry about it, I understand," He assured her.
"She was an amazing person," Allison said a few moments later, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them. "When I was in the hospital after those men took me, I don't know what I would've done without her. She got it, you know? She understood that I didn't need to be babied like Steve and the nurses thought and she put up with all my whining about wanting to leave without getting frustrated once."
"She had the patience of a saint," Chin smiled. "Just look how she waited for me all those years."
"That wasn't patience, Chin. That was love." Allison insisted. "I could tell the moment you two walked into that hospital room that she loved you, even if it was 'complicated'."
"I know. I just wish I hadn't been so stupid and let her go the first time, when I had a choice." He admitted. "I'm so grateful that she gave me another chance, but thinking about the time I wasted, it kills me."
"You did what you thought was right, what you thought you had to do to protect her," Allison assured him. "I get it completely and I'm sure Malia did too."
"I know you do, but don't make the same mistake I did, Ally."
Allison sighed, understanding what he was trying to say, and dropped her arm from his waist before moving away slightly.
"Chin, I-"
"If you love him," Chin interrupted, pulling his gaze from the ocean to the girl in front of him. "Then don't make excuses for why you can't be together. You'll regret it."
"But I'm not doing it for me or for him," Allison reminded him. "I'm doing it for Sawyer."
"I know," Chin nodded. "But there's always a way. It's just something to think about."
With that, he turned back to the ocean and Allison, despite being unconvinced by his words, knew the topic wasn't up for debate. So with a heavy heart and plenty of thoughts to ponder, Allison turned and headed back to the restaurant.
Once Danny had convinced Chin to join everyone inside and Kamekona had arrived, the party started. Allison wasn't even sure what they were celebrating, if anything at all, but as usual was just enjoying the antics of the Five-0 team. Steve seemed to be enjoying himself as well and by the time everyone was done eating a few hours later, he had consumed enough alcohol for both himself and Allison, who was unable to drink due to the fact that she was still breastfeeding.
"Don't you think you've had enough, boss?" Chin teased as Steve stopped a waitress to order another beer.
"Nah, I'm a Navy Seal!" Steve reminded everyone, his apparent lack of volume control a good sign of how intoxicated he was. "I can handle my alcohol! Besides, I've only had a few."
"I think you passed 'a few' about eight beers ago," Kono laughed, sipping her own drink.
Steve glared playfully, knowing it was true.
"Well I think after everything I've had to deal with lately, I deserve a little something to take the edge off," He informed the group.
Allison rolled her eyes, knowing that she was more than likely one of the things he was referring to and from the look of annoyance that flashed across his face, Steve had noticed. However, as he opened his mouth to comment, Sawyer beat him to it and filled the restaurant with his little cries.
"Hey, what's wrong, buddy?" She asked, immediately jumping into action.
Sawyer had been extremely well behaved all night. He slept most of the time, despite Allison's worries that all the chatter would keep him awake and even when he did wake up, he sat quietly, happy to just look around and take everything in. The only time that he caused a fuss was when he needed changing, but it had only been an hour since then and Allison had fed him at the same time so there didn't appear to be any reason for his little tantrum.
Allison shushed him and rocked the car seat, but it did nothing to silence his cries so she quickly unbuckled him before resting him against her shoulder and rubbing his back.
"Do you want me to take him?" Steve asked, his words slurred slightly.
"Um, no. I think we're good..." Allison assured him, unimpressed by his drunken state. Steve simply shrugged and started on the beer that had just been placed in front of him. Allison sighed, but was relieved that Sawyer's cries quieted once he knew he was safe in his mother's arms. However, he was still obviously upset and he squirmed and whimpered to make sure she knew.
"Is he okay?" Kono asked a few minutes later as everyone else had turned back to the conversation.
"Yeah, he's fine. I think he's just not used to all the noise interrupting his sleep," Allison said. "Which is why I think its best that we go home."
"How are you getting there?" Danny asked causing Allison to shrug.
"A cab, I guess,"
"That's silly." He informed her. "Take Steve's truck."
"Hey!" Steve protested. "How will I get home?"
"With me," Danny shrugged. "There's no way you're driving yourself anyway."
"But I'll need my truck in the morning," Steve pointed out. "So maybe I should go with Allison and she can just stay at my house."
He smiled proudly as if he had come up with a brilliant solution, but the look on Allison's face showed that she wasn't in agreement.
"But all Sawyer's stuff is at the safe house," She reminded him.
"Fine, then I'll stay there with you guys,"
Steve spoke as if it was no big deal, but Allison still didn't look convinced.
"Steve, I don't think that's a good-"
"I'll sleep on the couch, Ally," He rolled his eyes. "I know we're not together anymore."
"Fine." Allison said curtly. She wasn't thrilled with the plan, but arguing with her drunk ex-boyfriend in front of his colleagues seemed more painful than just letting him pass out on her couch.
So after saying goodbye to the rest of the team, Allison found herself carrying her son who, after being put back in his car seat, was screaming as if the world was about to end and being used as a crutch by his highly intoxicated father.
Authour's note: I meant to update sooner than this, but I had a busier weekend than I anticipated! I'll probably have another update ready tomorrow or the day after though :)
Thank you to everyone who has already reviewed, favourited or followed this story!
