Christmas Request

Chapter Four

Zebraboymom

Disclaimer: They do not belong to me. A travesty

Author Notes: I know it's been a week since I updated. I'm so sorry. Life, work, Children's Christmas musical. It all keeps me away from writing sometimes, but here's a nice fluffy chapter to make amends. New Year's Eve and New Year's Day and a talk with her Grandmother prompts Kono to own her feelings for Steve. Last chapter with lots of holiday fluff.

Kono walked out in a short sundress and he had to laugh when Steve looked her over. She was wearing the flops he gave her.

"You look great!"

"Thanks."

"Shall we?"

"Yes, let's."

"I like your shoes."

"I bet you do."

They parked in Steve's favorite spot down the beach a ways from the festivities. Steve hopped out and ran around to Kono's side. He opened her door and she looked up at him in surprise.

"Please don't hurt me. I just want to do something special for you. Okay?"

Picking up the large beach bag she had brought along, she held out her hand.

"I know. It's kind of sweet actually."

She didn't let go and leaned into him as they strolled down the street towards the hotels. Steve couldn't believe how lucky he was to be with this woman. She literally took his breath away.

After they got their hands stamped, the first stop was for drinks and food. They made their way to the first of seven stages where music was being played and ate together at a big table where Kono recognized some of her cousins. One of them, Lalani, crooked her finger and Kono excused herself for a few minutes.

"Who's the hunk?"

"Steve McGarrett."

"As in your boss?"

"Yep."

"When did this happen?"

"I'm not exactly sure, but we just sort of finally gravitated towards each other."

"Is it serious?"

Kono caught Steve's eyes and he smiled at her with that grin that took her breath away.

"I need to go Lalani. I'll talk to you later."

"You bet you will. I want details girl. He's amazing."

Kono looked back at Steve.

"Yeah. Yeah he is."

Steve slipped his arm around her back and rested it at her waist when she sat back down.

"What was that all about?"

"Nosy cousin."

"Ahh."

"She just hasn't seen me in a relationship in a while."

"And why is that Officer Kalakaua?"

"Well, if you must know. Nobody measures up to the guys on my team. One guy in particular makes it hard to think about being with anyone else."

"Really?"

"Come on, let's dance."

"Uh…"

"Surely you know how to dance."

"I do."

Steve slipped his hand into hers and they made their way to the dance floor. The rest of the night was a blur. Dancing, another stage, drinks, another stage and so on until Steve looked at his watch and realized it was getting close to midnight.

"Come on."

He wrapped his arm around Kono's shoulder and led her out to the beach. They walked down pretty far, almost to the water and found a place between a few groups of people already settled on the beach. Kono took a blanket out of her big bag and the spread it out on the soft sand.

"I love that you're always prepared."

She sat down and he slid down next to her…extremely close to her.

"How many times have you come down here for this?"

Kono had to think.

"Since high school, so a long time. I only missed if I was away at a surfing competition. What about you?"

"Enough times. I wonder if our paths ever crossed and we actually met each other."

"No. I'd remember you."

"And why is that?"

"I just would."

Steve smiled.

"Should I be flattered?"

"Yes."

They could hear the music playing from the hotel speakers behind them. Suddenly a DJ came on and made an announcement.

"Okay folks. It's almost midnight. Let's start the countdown."

Everybody around them started to yell.

"10, 9, 8, 7, 6…"

Steve turned to look at Kono and she turned to him as well. Even in the dark her eyes were sparkling. Steve reached his hand up and ran it through her hair. As the world around them erupted with cheers of Happy New Year, Steve's lips found Kono's and they were lost for several moments. Only the loud explosions from the fireworks pulled them apart.

Steve pulled Kono over in between his legs and wrapped his arms around her waist. He rested his head on her shoulder and they watched the amazing display overhead. Kono could feel Steve's thumb caressing her stomach through the thin fabric of her sundress. She relaxed against him. This was heavenly. Her only thoughts were what an incredible new year it was going to be. They were cheek to cheek.

Both of them tried to concentrate on the display, but they couldn't stop thinking about how close they were at the moment. Steve turned his head and nuzzled her cheek with his nose.

"Having fun?"

"Best time ever."

"Me too."

Steve kissed her again and she leaned back into it. They continued to watch the show, but the kisses continued as well. When it was over they stayed on the beach and let the crowd thin out. Steve lay down on his side facing Kono. She did the same. They leaned their heads on their hands and talked. At one point Steve put his other hand across her waist and pulled her to him for more kisses. When it looked like the biggest group had left they stood and folded the blanket. Steve took the beach bag and slipped his arm around Kono's waist for the trip back to his vehicle. When they reached Kono's place Steve spoke up.

"Want me to come in and check your tattoo again? I can put some more cream on. Does it hurt?"

Kono smiled.

"I'd love it if you looked at it."

They made their way into her kitchen once they were in the house. Steve lifted Kono up on the counter and she pulled her dress to the side so he could take a look. It didn't look too bad. He swallowed hard as he looked at the swell of her breast right where the tattoo was. He looked up into her eyes and they smiled at each other. It was like a sweet secret now between them…well…and the guys. Steve gently rubbed more cream on it and bent to kiss her chest just above it. He then moved his lips to hers and things got heated pretty fast.

Kono was afraid to let things go any further, so she pushed back and Steve lifted her gently back down.

"Your turn."

Steve pulled his t-shirt over his head and Kono did the same thing for him. She splayed her hand across his chest and leaned in to repeat the kiss he had given her, but she kept it short and sweet.

"You're coming to my parents' house tomorrow right? Danny and Chin are coming too."

"Plan on having the four of us share our tattoos with your parents?"

"No! Absolutely no. You wouldn't tell them would you?"

Steve grinned. He loved to tease her.

"What's my discretion worth?"

"Dinner at my house with all your favorite Hawaiian dishes."

"That is definitely worth it if you include your mom's haupia."

"Done."

"I better go."

They walked to the door hand in hand.

"I had an amazing time tonight Steve."

"Me too."

"Night."

"Night."

Steve lingered at the door and Kono almost called him back as he headed reluctantly down the sidewalk.

It just felt too soon to be asking him to stay over even though she wanted it with all her heart. Once she watched him pull out of her driveway, she closed the door and a small tear slipped down her cheek. She hoped she hadn't blown it by not asking him to stay. Later in bed she relived the entire night. It had been wonderful and she didn't feel worried about them at all.

It was New Year's Day and Kono was sitting on the veranda at her parents' house watching Steve and the guys play football on the lawn. She had her ankle elevated and an ice pack across it. She had been playing earlier and had gotten quite aggressive until she took a really bad spill and Steve heard her ankle snap as she sprained it badly in a hole. He had carried her up and placed her gently on a chaise lounge before pulling her ankle into his lap and examining it. Deciding that it was just a sprain, he wrapped it in an ace bandage and elevated it before he plopped an ice pack on it and kissed her on the forehead.

"Stay Girl." He had teasingly ordered her.

Kono watched the rest of the game enjoying every minute of his shirtless machoness. Her grandmother watched her expressions with interest.

"How long have you been in love with him Keiki?"

"I'm not…"

"It's very understandable. He's very beautiful to look at and he has conviction. There's also a hint of danger there as well. What woman wouldn't want to be with such a man? Those tattoos alone could drive a woman wild."

"Grandmother! You're making me blush."

"Well? I'm old, not dead. Can't I appreciate a young body too? Now tell me how you feel about him. I can see he means so much to you."

"I…I don't know where to even start."

"When did you start to have feelings for him?"

"I don't know…since the beginning? The first day I met him on the beach I knew I was in trouble. He's perfect for me. Looks, humor, strength and character. When I'm with him I always have a good time. He makes me feel…"

"Loved? Tell him Kono. Do not wait. When I was young like you there was a man who moved me in that way and I let him slip away because I did not think I deserved him. You do Keiki. Let him love you. He is so obviously head over heels in love with you."

"Do you really think so?"

Kono's eyes wandered out to where Steve was standing wiping the sweat off his face with his arm. He gave her a dazzling smile and turned as Chin threw him the football. After making a goal he ran back up the lawn towards them. Mounting the steps two at a time, he bent to sit on the lounger with her. He kissed her on the forehead and took her hand in his.

"My granddaughter says you are quite serious about her Commander."

"Grandmother! That is not what I said."

Steve chuckled. He really liked this woman. He saw where Kono got her spunk.

"I am serious about her."

Kono's mouth dropped open.

"You are?"

Steve ignored her and kept his eyes on her grandmother.

"Most definitely. I'm just not sure how she feels."

"Oh, I think you'll be pleased to know how she feels. She just needs to get over herself and tell you."

"Grandmother!"

"In that case, will you excuse us?"

Steve scooped Kono up in his arms and carried her down through the yard to the beach. Danny, Chin and the other guys whistled, catcalled and teased them as they passed.

"Go Steve!"

"Wait! I saw this movie, An Officer and a Gentleman."

Steve didn't say a word. He kept right on walking all the way to the water's edge.

"Tell me you love me."

"Steve…I…"

He waded out into the water.

"Tell me Kono."

"Can we just slow down for a minute?"

Steve held her away from his body over the water.

"Say it."

"I…"

"Last night I wore my heart on my sleeve and I thought you were doing the same. That kiss at midnight…well all those kisses at midnight meant something more than Happy New Year and you know it. Now tell me you love me or I'll drop you right here clothes and all."

Kono was laughing now and Steve was smiling down at her with such affection she thought her heart was going to burst.

"I'm not sure."

Steve tickled her and let one arm drop. Kono slid out of his other arm a little. She let out a screech.

"Okay, okay. I do."

"Do what?"

"Do love you."

"Yeah?"

"Oh yeah."

Steve held her close and backed up from the waves, sitting in the sand with her in his lap. He slid one hand up into her hair and the other one cupped her cheek. His lips pressed softly to hers until she had to pull back and catch her breath.

"Wait just a minute here. You haven't said it back you know."

"Hmmm. You're right."

He ducked his head for another kiss, but Kono's fingers trapped his lips.

"Uh uh uh. Say it."

He rolled her over onto the sand and settled over her.

"I love you. I love your smile. I love your personality. I really love your body. I love your tattoo. I love your mind. I. Love. You. How's that for a declaration?"

"You'll do. Now no more talking."

"Why Miss Kalakaua, are you getting bossy?"

"Depends. Do you like it?"

"I do."

Kono smiled softly at him.

"What now?"

"Now we get to know each other on a whole new level. I for one can't wait. Am I still on for dinner and may I kiss my girl now, please?"

"I'm your girl?"

"Have been almost since the day I met you."

Kono reached her hand up and ran it through his hair.

"Me too."

"I have one final request."

"Anything."

"Kiss me?"

"Willingly."

No more words were needed.

A/N: The end or actually the beginning in my mind. Merry Christmas, everybody. Thank you for all the alerts and reviews. I truly love all of you and the Hawaii Five-0 ficdom. See you all on the flip side. I hope to have some time during the holiday break to do a few one shots, but we will see.