Thank you guys for sticking with this story. I hope you guys are enjoying it so far!

Chapter 3

"Good morning." Steve said rolling over to her. Jo barely opened her eyes and peeked at the man smiling over her.

"Even better with you." She mumbled. He chuckled and pulled her into his arms, holding her gently.

"I'm so glad you're home for a little while. Safe and sound in Hawaii." Jo said as she ran her fingernails lightly over his bicep.

"Yeah. It feels good to be home. Even if it's only for two months." He said. Jo's mind wandered as he continued to talk about the various things he planned on doing while home for his leave.

"What are we doing Steve?" she asked, interrupting him. He looked down at her, where her head was resting on his chest. She lifted it and put her palms over his abdomen and she propped her head up, looking at him. He looked up at the ceiling and took a deep breath.

"I don't know Jo." He said.

"I see. Look, I get it. You don't want to be in a relationship because you're always gone, or so you say." Jo rolled her eyes.

"What is that supposed to mean?" he asked.

"I don't know. Maybe you're just scared of commitment. Super Seal Steve McGarrett is scared." She smiled and sat up in the bed.

"I'm not scared." He said defiantly. Jo nodded and slid to the edge of the bed. She flung the covers off of her and stood to get dressed.

"I've got to get going soon." She said.

"Oh that's right, you leave for Europe today." He smirked as he sat up in the bed. Jo nodded and pulled on her panties. She'd been looking forward to her vacation to Europe for months. She needed a serious break from school.

"How long will you be gone?" he asked as she pulled on her pants and clipped her cell phone onto them.

"2 weeks." She said pulling on her bra and shirt. Her frustration was growing by the moment.

"You know, I've been thinking about shore duty." He said suddenly. Jo turned quickly and smiled at him, all her frustration evaporating.

"Steve." She said quietly. He chuckled and nodded. "I could use a little while on light duty." He said. Jo leapt back onto the bed. Steve caught her and they laughed as he rolled her under him.

"But just for a little while Jo. I'm not talking long term. Please understand that. When you come back I'll put in for shore duty." he said. Jo nodded and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. She knew he didn't want to hurt her, he was warning her. He was Navy, he lived and breathed it, and she knew that. He would go back out, but at least she got him for a bit longer.

Jo rode silently in the backseat of the blacked out SUV as her son played with the belts of his car seat. She glanced out the window at the passing scenery. She missed Hawaii, it was so pretty and green. The water was a beautiful blue with large powerful waves. Maybe it wasn't just Hawaii she missed. Maybe it was the people in Hawaii. Mary, her best friend, the girl she hadn't seen or spoken to in three years. Steve, the man who had shared her bed, the man she'd loved with all her heart. Yeah, she missed them.

"Marry me?" Steve asked as he took her hand in his. Jo's mouth dropped open and she let out an awkward chuckle.

"Steven, you're insane." She said shaking her head.

"No, no I'm not. We've been together now for nearly three years. I can't keep going out on the water and wondering if you're here, single and free to do as you please." He smirked.

"No Steve, we've been sleeping together for nearly three years. Not once did you ask me to be your girlfriend. And let me get this straight, the only reason you want to marry me is because you're afraid someone else will scoop me up, or I'll sleep with someone else?" Jo asked, shifting so that her beeper was no longer poking her in the side.

"Can I start over?" he asked. Jo smirked and nodded.

"Look, first let me say I'm sorry for saying that in such a crazy way. Second, I'm sorry for never asking you to be my girlfriend. We've both been so busy at work we haven't really had time to actually date. And third, I want to marry you for so many reasons. Being afraid someone will realize how amazing you are and scoop you up is one of the many reasons." He smiled. Jo chewed her lip and leaned forward, her beeper poked her side again.

"Give me some more reasons." She said propping her chin on her hand.

"Let's see…I want to marry you because of the way you lean forward and give me all your attention shows me how much you care. Because you listen to all my ship talk and take it in. Because you nibble you lips when you're nervous. I want to marry you because of the way you feel in my arms, like you're supposed to be right there, tucked safely under my chin. But mostly, I want to marry you because I love you Jo. I love you more than I've ever loved anyone. I didn't know at first what this feeling in my chest was, I didn't understand why my stomach knotted up every time I saw your face, but I figured it out. It is love, a deep love that will never go away. So please Jo, will you marry me?" he asked as he captured her other hand in his. His fingers curled around her small hand and she smiled as her heart swelled and tears ran down her cheeks.

"Don't do that Jo." He smiled and lifted his hand up, using his thumb to wipe away some of the tears, just like he'd done when he'd left.

"Happy tears." She smiled through the tears.

"So is that a yes?" he asked. Jo nodded as tears kept running down her face. Steve smiled broadly and stood up, pulling her up into his arms.

"Yes, yes Steve McGarrett, I'll marry you." She whispered into his ear.

"What ya looking at mommy?" Luke asked from his car seat. Jo looked over at her son and smiled softly as he looked up at her with his big blue eyes.

"Just houses baby." She smiled. Her son looked up at her and nodded as he turned his head back toward the passing street. Jo chewed the inside of her lip slowly and smiled as she remembered her wedding day.

"God you look amazing" Mary said as she lifted one of Jo's flowing curls and twisted it around her finger, spraying it with hairspray to keep it in place.

"Extra hairspray is needed for crazy hair like yours." Mary chuckled. Jo swatted at her and laughed.

"Ladies, we're ready." Jo's wedding planner said as she stuck her head through the door. Jo nodded and stood. Mary took her hand and they walked out the door. They approached the sliding glass doors where John Mcgarrett was standing waiting for them. Jo smiled as Mary passed her hand to him. John had become almost like a fill in father for Jo. He cared for her and he'd been kind to her and treated her well. She couldn't dream of asking another man to walk her down the aisle. Mary gave her a peck on the cheek and then headed out the doors and toward the beach.

"You're father would be so proud of you Jo. You've done so much with your life. I know you wish he could be here with you in person, but he's here in spirit. My son could not have found a better wife." John said. Jo smiled as tears made their first appearance. She knew she would shed more throughout the day, but not this early.

"Alright Jo, here we go." John said as the wedding planner waved them forward. John pushed open the doors and they stepped through, the walk was short from the back of the home to the beach. The sand was cool on her bare feet as she began the trek down the make shift aisle in between the many chairs filled with their family and friends. The flower petals tickled her toes as she passed over them gracefully, and when her eyes lifted to the end of the aisle, her breath hitched in her throat. Steve stood next to the Minister wearing his best suit. He was gorgeous. His eyes slid up and when he looked at her, more tears welled in Jo's eyes. The look he gave her was one full of love, admiration, and adoration. It was all those things and more. They approached Steve and John gave Jo's hand to his son. Steve nodded to his father and squeezed Jo's hand as she stepped up next to him.

"You look outstanding." He said. Jo smiled and a tear ran down her cheek.

"God I hope those are happy tears." He smiled.

"Very happy." she whispered.