Summary: .Hello all you beautiful people. I hope you all have had a better weekend then I had. Reason being, sick. Yes I have had all the symptoms that are placed on a NyQuil bottle and then some. I've been drugging myself up so I'll be better by tomorrow when I have to go back to class. I hope I am because I have too much to do this week to not go to class. Presentation and two test, just saying. Anyways I should probably start working on my homework so I'll let you go ahead and read. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Please, you've seen my writing. You know exactly how this show would broadcast if I had anything to do with it. That's how you know it's not mine.

Author's note: Finally got it beta'd and it was done so by the wonderful jerseybelle who did such an amazing job on my Torchwood fic I just had to have her read through this one. You better be glad she did. Thanks once again for the help jersey.

Life Is What You Make It

Chapter Three

Two days had passed and Steve had yet to hear from Danny. Not that he was waiting by the phone like a teenage school girl or anything but he believed a phone call would have been nice. Especially after Danny promised to call.

'Well technically, he didn't promise,' Steve thought to himself as opened and closed the refrigerator for what seemed to be the hundredth time in the span of five minutes.

Finally, after willing himself not to pick up the phone and call Danny himself his phone rang. He answered it quickly, not even bothering to see who it was. "McGarrett," he answered nervously.

"Hey, it's me, Danny. Did I catch you at a bad time?"

"No, no I'm not...it's not a bad time at all. Why?"

"Well, I said I would call you and this is me calling you."

"Oh, okay."

"Also, I was wondering if you had any plans for this evening."

"Why?"

"Well Grace reminded me that since you had us over for dinner it's only fair that I reciprocate by doing the same for you."

"You're inviting me over for dinner?"

"Yeah, but only if you don't have anything else to do."

"Oh, no, I don't have anything to do tonight. I was just gonna watch a little television, that's all."

"So you'll come over?"

"Of course. Just give me your address and the time and I'll be there," replied Steve as he grabbed a piece of paper and pen from the drawer. He listened carefully, gathering all the information he needed for dinner with Danny and Grace.

Steve stood nervously outside Danny's place, clutching the bottle of wine like his life depended on it. He had been standing at the door for several minutes, too anxious to stay in his car but too nervous to knock. Finally, after gathering up enough nerve, he raised his hand to knock when the door suddenly flew open and Danny appeared smiling.

"Sorry," he said, leaning against the door. "I couldn't take it anymore so I decided to put you out of your misery."

"You knew I was out here," blushed Steve completely embarrassed.

Danny smiled. "We heard you when you pulled up. Grace and I had a bet going about how long you were going to stand out here before knocking."

"Glad I could be a source of entertainment," smirked Steve.

"Yeah, thanks for that. Please, come on in."

"I brought this for you," Steve stated, holding up the bottle of wine as he walked through the door. "Didn't know what you were serving but I thought it would go great with dinner."

Grabbing the bottle from Steve's hand, Danny gave him another smile. "Red, my favorite."

"This is a nice place," stated Steve as he looked around the room.

"I wish I could take credit for it but I'm only renting the place for the summer," replied Danny as he closed the door. "I like it and so does Grace."

"Still, it's great."

"I know, just make sure not to break anything."

Steve chuckled. "I'll try. Where's Grace?"

"She's in the kitchen giving the meat sauce a stir. I hope you're ready for a classic Italian dish. Spaghetti with homemade meat sauce. My great, great grandfather's recipe."

"Sounds wonderful. It's been a long time since I had a home cooked meal. Well, one that I didn't cook, anyway."

"Follow me." Danny led Steve through the living room and directed him towards the kitchen where Grace was standing at the stove stirring the sauce in the pan. He didn't even have a chance to announce their presence when Grace turned around and ran towards Steve.

"Uncle Steve," she cried out as she wrapped her arms around his legs. "You came."

Crouching down slightly, Steve returned the hug. "Hey, Gracie."

"Did you see me stirring the sauce?"

"I did and I can say that you're so good you could do it professionally."

She let go of his legs and looked up at him, nose scrunched. "I don't think that's a real job."

"Well," shrugged Steve nonchalantly. "Maybe not but if it was, you would be great at it."

Danny moved past both of them and made his way over to the stove. "Okay, this is perfect," replied Danny after he dipped a spoon into the sauce and took a small taste. "As soon as the garlic bread is ready it will be time to eat. Grace, you mind setting the table?" he asked, pointing to the dishes sitting on the counter.

"Oh, I can do it," volunteered Steve, grabbing the plates. "It's the least I could do after being invited over dinner."

"Alright then, Grace, I guess you should go wash up."

"Okay, Danno."

Steve watched Grace leave the kitchen before moving towards the table. Quietly he placed the dishes in their correct places and at the same time watched Danny take the bread out of the oven. He quickly put his head down when Danny suddenly turned around to face him.

"Thanks for doing this by the way," replied Danny as he leaned against the counter and watched Steve sat the table.

"Thanks for inviting me over, Danny. I'm very happy you called me earlier."

"I was simply returning the favor. Just because I'm from Jersey doesn't mean my mother didn't raise a gentleman."

Steve finished setting the table and walked over to Danny, crossing his arms and grinning. "Maybe I should send her a card, thanking her for turning you into the man you are today."

"Oh, she would love that," smirked Danny, laughing softly. "Getting credit for her years of hard work is what she thrives on."

Smiling, two men stood there, close but not touching. They were so focused on each other that they didn't even notice Grace standing behind them with her arms folded.

"Can we eat now?" asked Grace, tapping her foot heavily against the floor, trying to appear angry.

Scooping Grace up in his arms, he pressed a sloppy kiss against her forehead and squeezed her tightly. "What do you think, Steve," he smirked as Grace laughed loudly. "Think we should let this little monkey have dinner?"

Steve pretended to ponder Danny's question before reaching out and tickling Grace causing her to laugh even harder. "I think we should."

"Okay then, let's eat," replied Danny as he put his daughter down and went to the kitchen to grab the food.

They sat down and began preparing their plates. Once Steve finished he took a bite of his food and moaned in pleasure. "Danny, you weren't kidding when you said this was amazing," grinned Steve as he took another bite. "I can't remember the last time I had a home cooked meal this good."

"I'm glad you're enjoying it but I can't take all the credit 'cause you see, I had a very wonderful helper guiding my every step."

"Well I'm thanking both of you."

The conversation continued heavily throughout the course of the meal, Steve enjoying learning more about Danny and Grace's life in New Jersey. He learned that Danny liked baseball more than football and his favorite team was the Mets. Grace enjoyed ballet but wanted to take karate classes. She also managed to add, again, that she wanted to learn how to surf while she was in Hawaii but Danny was still against it.

"There are sharks in the ocean and last time I checked they eat people," Danny growled when the subject was brought up.

Steve simply laughed and continued the conversation, letting himself be immersed by the happiness that was flowing through him.

An hour after dinner Danny sent Grace to her room to get ready for bed while he cleaned the dishes. Once again Steve volunteered to help so the two of them were at the kitchen sink washing dishes and talking. Steve had just finished drying the utensils when he turned and leaned against the counter. "Hey, Danny, I was wondering-"

"Yeah?"

"If you and Grace didn't have any plans for tomorrow would you like to do something?"

Letting the dish in his hand sink back into the water, Danny looked up, a small smile on his face. "Something like what?"

"I don't know," shrugged Steve nervously. "Maybe somewhere you could do a little sightseeing."

"Grace has been dying to visit the USS Arizona. They talked about it last year in her class and she's been wanting to visit the site ever since."

"I know a guy who works there. He was a friend of my dad's and he also served with my grandfather. If I ask nicely he could probably get us special passes for the tour."

"No," replied Danny, shaking his head. He wanted to spend more time with Steve but not if it meant expensive gifts. "Steve you don't have to go through any trouble."

"I know, but I want to," Steve stated with a smile as he leaned closer to Danny until they were touching. He knew he shouldn't stand that close to the other man, especially not when he was harboring certain feelings but Danny was like the sun. And all Steve wanted to do was reach out and touch him. "I like spending time with you and Grace. I guess what I'm trying to say is that when the two of you are around I don't feel so alone."

Steve's words caught him off guard and Danny found himself at a loss for words. "That's...that's very good to know," he finally said when his brain could function again. Danny was about to say something else when Grace ran back into the kitchen and tugged on Danny's shirt.

"Can I watch some T.V. before I go to bed?" she asked, sporting her best pout.

"Sure, Monkey," replied Danny.

"Yay," Grace shrieked happily as she ran into the living room.

The moment was lost and Steve found himself unsure of what to do. He decided that it was time for him to leave. "I should probably get going," he suggested, pointing towards the door. "It's been a long day."

"Yeah, I guess I'll see you tomorrow," replied Danny sadly, trying his best to hide his disappointment. He had been hoping that Steve would stay longer so that the two of them would have a chance to talk some more but it appeared that wasn't about to happen.

"I'll call you tomorrow."

"Sounds good."

Steve started to lean forward and grab Danny's shoulder but pulled his hand away at the last minute. "Bye, Danny."

What Steve started to do, Danny finished. Reaching out and pulling Steve down into a hug. "Bye, Steven."

He stood there for a moment, holding Danny in his arms and relishing in the fact that they were actually touching before forcing himself to pull away. Smiling giddily, he hugged Grace goodbye before walking outside. He had just fastened his seatbelt when his phone began ringing. Looking down he saw that it was Danny. Steve was scared to answer, fearing that Danny would be calling to apologize for the hug. "Miss me already, Danno?" he asked chuckling.

Unknown to Steve, Danny was standing outside, leaning against the front of the house with his phone to his ear and a smile on his face. He couldn't let Steve leave without speaking from his heart. "I just wanted you to know that I feel the same way, about not feeling so alone when you're around. I like spending time with you, too," he finished, waving at Steve from the front of the house.

Steve's heart jumped in his throat as he watched Danny wave at him with a wide grin on his face. It was more than he could possibly ask for. "That's really good to know," replied Steve happily, continuing to watch Danny until he hung up the phone and walked back into the house. Steve remained parked for a few more moments before driving off.

Shorter than the last chapters but still a fairly good length. If you liked it let me know and hopefully you did. Until next time,

The greatest shame in life is not giving up but never loving at all,

Ladycizzle