Christmas Request
Chapter Two
Zebraboymom
Disclaimer: They do not belong to me. Santa, don't make me beg.
Author Notes: Christmas Eve and a special gift from Kono to the team. Of course there will be more fluff. For those of you who were wondering, in this chapter you will find out the gift Kono got the boys. You'll also find out one of the gifts Steve got her.
After the best night of sleep she could remember in a while and one of the best dreams, Kono woke up to her telephone ringing. It was Steve.
"Hey Steve."
"Morning Your Highness. Want to come over early and help me get ready for tonight?"
"Sure! What time?"
"Any time after I hang up this phone."
"I'll see you in an hour then. I need to shower and grab some breakfast."
"Okay, I guess I can wait that long."
"Can I bring my little buddy?"
"Am I going to be picking up lawn fudge all day?"
"Nope. I'll take care of it."
"Okay then. What did you name him by the way?"
"Buddy. See you soon."
Steve chuckled as he hung up. That girl killed him sometimes.
True to her word, Kono rang his doorbell exactly one hour from when he'd hung up. He couldn't wait to see her again so he jogged to the door and jerked it open.
"Hey."
A big dimply smile greeted him.
"Hey yourself."
"Come on in."
Kono was practically bouncing on her feet.
"Oh, Steve. The tree is beautiful!"
"Thanks. Danny helped me decorate it. Maybe next year…you could help me."
A look passed between them as they stood just drinking in the tree and the Christmas Spirit…or was that the excitement they now had in their relationship? It didn't matter. Kono caught sight of Steve's table out of the corner of her eye.
"Steve McGarrett, you aren't done wrapping presents?"
Steve gave her a guilty look.
"Help me?"
Kono tapped her foot and tried to give him a hard look before she gave up and grinned.
"I'm terrible at keeping a straight face. Come on. I love wrapping presents."
"I knew we belonged together."
Kono pretended not to hear him. Otherwise she wouldn't know how to respond. All she knew was the butterflies were back in full force.
"I'm not going to have to wrap my own present am I?"
"You mean presents? Nope. I made sure I did that last night after you dropped me off."
They spent the rest of the morning wrapping all of Steve's gifts. There were ones for the guys and Grace as well as one for Komekona and some other friends he had on the islands. He wrapped one for Joe too. His old commander had promised to stop by tonight. They put all the presents under the tree and then headed into the kitchen.
"Come here you."
Steve placed his hands on Kono's waist and lifted her easily up on the counter.
"I'm going to show you how to make my famous steak marinade. It was my dad's recipe."
"Can't wait."
Kono listened and watched with interest while Steve mixed the ingredients for the marinade. When he was done, he bathed the steaks in it and returned them to the refrigerator to marinate for the rest of the day. He washed his hands and Kono handed him a towel to dry them. When he was done, Steve stepped between her legs and rested his hands on her waist. This was all very new to both of them, but it felt very natural.
"What should we do now?"
Kono grinned at him.
"Surf, silly."
"Oh yeah, there's that."
He didn't move right away and they had a brief staring contest before he lifted her back down on the floor. He slid his hands up her arms to her shoulders and squeezed.
"Guest bedroom is on the left. You can change there and I'll meet you on the beach."
Kono patted his chest.
"I won't be long."
The afternoon flew by. Steve finally started the grill while Kono showered and then he jumped in. The guys arrived together and Kono let them in.
"What are you doing here so early?"
"Well, Danny, if you must know, I spent the day."
"Hey. How come I wasn't invited?"
"We were surfing, Goof."
"Oh. Glad I wasn't invited after all."
Steve came out with his head still wet and shook hands with the two men. Joe wasn't far behind them and Komekona as well. A few other people Steve knew came by and the BBQ was in full swing.
Danny and Chin sat at the table watching Kono and Steve interacting at the grill.
"Is she standing a little too close for you?"
"What?"
Chin turned around in his seat and looked at the couple. They were smiling at each other again. Danny pointed at them.
"And they're smiling at each other again. I'm telling you something is going on. I know it."
Chin turned back and smiled at him.
"Are you surprised?"
"Me? No. I could see that one coming from a mile off. They're carbon copies of each other."
"I'm happy for them. They've both had enough bad times in their lives. Maybe together they can find some happiness."
"You have no problem with the big guy and your cousin?"
"Why? Do you?"
"No…I was just hoping to have my own chance with her."
"Ah, so that's it. Sorry Dude. She likes them tall dark and handsome."
"Sheesh. Who can compete with Super SEAL anyway? Well, I hope they make each other very happy and have lots of little Kove babies."
"What did you call them?"
"You know. If you take Kono's name and Steve's name and put them together you get Kove."
"Where do you get these ideas anyway?"
"The internet? I don't know."
Pretty soon the other guests left and the closer group of friends went inside to open gifts. After they opened their presents, Joe and Komekona said goodnight as well. Joe hugged Kono and made an observation when she stepped back by Steve.
"You two look good together. Don't let your job dictate your life. I made that mistake and I lost someone I loved with all my heart."
The two of them looked into each other's eyes.
"We won't."
Finally the four friends were left together.
"Okay, let's really get this party started."
The gifts went from serious to funny and the four friends had a great time together. Kono died laughing when she opened one of her gifts from Steve to find a pair of bejeweled flops with a note.
'Now your fur flops will have a friend.' The joke was lost on Danny and Chin.
"When did you have time to get these?"
"When you were walking Buddy after we got the shaved ice."
"Am I missing something here? You two went Christmas shopping together?"
"Well, sort of. We ran into each other by accident."
"Uh huh."
"Seriously Danny. It's true."
"Uh huh."
Danny gestured between the two of them.
"So how long exactly has this been going on?"
Steve looked at his watch.
"About 24 hours? Give or take an hour."
Kono was getting frustrated. She had kept her gift to the team for last.
"Okay, let's forget about how long Steve and I have been…in…a…relationship and open my present to all of you."
"Fine, but this isn't over."
Steve grinned and slapped him on the back.
"Okay Kono, what are our gifts?"
Kono handed each of them a small box. When the three men opened the boxes, they folded back tissue to find a card with the word ohana done in a beautiful but not feminine script. It was really amazing and looked like it had been designed, but it was just a card.
"Uh, Cuz, want to explain this?"
"I got us all tattoos."
"You what?"
"Well. We're always talking about being Ohana to each other and I thought we could all get them tattooed over our hearts. Even if we break up as a team someday, the idea of our heart being ohana fits. It will forever remind us of what the team means to us. I love all you guys so much. I thought we could all go together and support each other while we get them. It will be my first tattoo."
Kono looked at all three of them with an expectant gaze.
"Uh."
Danny looked like he was going to faint.
Chin had a look of affection.
Steve was smiling at her in a way that had her breathing faster. He was all in. She could tell.
"Let's do it. What a thoughtful gift."
"Are you kidding me? She gave us the gift of pain Steve. Pain."
"Oh come on Danny. It's not that bad. Honest."
"Easy for you to say. You already have like a dozen."
"Please Danny?"
Kono's chocolate brown eyes melted his heart.
"Okay, fine, but this better get me a kiss or something."
Kono bounced over to him and pecked him on the cheek.
"That's just for starters."
"When do we get them?"
"Next Saturday. We have a slot for the whole morning."
As everyone started leaving Danny whimpered.
"What did I get myself into?"
"Merry Christmas Danno."
Chin and Danny left together and Kono stood on the porch as their cars disappeared from sight. Steve stepped into her space when he knew they were too far away to see.
"So, a tattoo."
"Yep."
"Right over my heart."
"Uh huh."
"Ohana."
"Are you really okay with it?"
"I think it's an amazing idea and for me it will mean more than just ohana."
"What do you mean Steve?"
"When I think of Ohana, I will think of you. You've become home for me this last year and a half Kono. You're the heart of this team and I love you for it."
Kono couldn't speak.
"I…"
"Shh. Don't say anything. We have all the time in the world to explore whatever is happening with us. Okay?"
"Okay."
"Will you come over tomorrow and watch Christmas movies with me and eat leftovers?"
"Sure. I'll even leave the leftover haupia here."
"Now you're talking. Listen Kono. I want to take you on a real date. Would you spend New Year's Eve with me? That is unless you already have plans."
"With our schedule, when would I find time to date? I'd love to spend it with you."
"Great. Now I believe I heard the word relationship used by you, about me, in mixed company. If that is the case, then I would like to play the "relationship" card and demand a show of affection, proving said relationship."
"What in the world are you talking about?"
Steve pulled her tightly into his arms and nuzzled her hair, drinking in the vanilla and coconut smell of her shampoo.
"I'm saying I want to kiss you again and this time without an audience. I've been wanting to kiss you all day."
"Well far be it for me to stand in the way."
She slipped her arm around his neck and pulled his head down to hers. The kiss began slow and sweet and quickly became passionate. When he finally pulled back, they stared into each other's eyes and smiled.
"Merry Christmas Kono."
"Merry Christmas Steve."