Disclaimer: All publicly recognized characters are owned by their creators: SM, CBS etc.
A/N - Another chapter done! This one gave me fits. I really struggled since it is a bit of a transition chapter to move things along. As you may have noticed, I forgot about Lou! Don't know how that happened, but thankfully we aren't too far into it and I was able to fix it. The plan is for the next chapter to be the meeting and then the following one the barbecue.
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Danny made his way over to the field where Grace had cheer practice. Because of his schedule he wasn't able to make it over to see the actual practices like some of the other parents, so this was a rare treat. In the stands he could see Rachel sitting with a couple of the other parents. He recognized Kealani, Rose and Mahina's parents.
"Hello everyone" Danny greeted.
"Daniel, I didn't realize that you would be here tonight." Rachel returned amongst the hellos by the other parents.
"It wasn't in the plan but we were able to wrap up early and I thought that since I had some more information about the concert I would head over here and let you all know rather than play telephone through you or Grace." Danny answered the unspoken question.
"Ah yes, we were just talking about it" Kealani's dad, Sam, said "The girls are super excited. I lost rock, paper, scissors with my wife, so I am going to the concert while she sets up home for the sleepover." All the parents chuckled with understanding.
Verna, Rose's mom, said "I will be the other one going. My husband has a business trip that ends on Saturday, so I volunteered."
"Great! Rachel might have mentioned that I will actually be there too. Five-0 was tasked with security for Isabella given McGarrett's background and her concert at Pearl-Hickam on Sunday." Danny said.
"Yes, she let us know." Leilani, Mahina's mom said. "Now we just have to coordinate getting the tickets on Friday. I understand they go on sale at 10am, so I would suggest someone go online and order them and we can sort the money out after. I would say $100 per ticket is more than reasonable. We are also happy to help cover the cost of your tickets as well" she said to Sam and Verna.
"Well actually, I was informed today that I would have access to tickets for free due to my working the concert" Danny stated.
"Really Danny? I didn't think you could accept gifts." Rachel questioned.
"Yeah, special circumstances. I cleared it already and it is fine." Danny replied "So I will call them up tomorrow and let them know we will need 6 tickets. They will probably be left at will call for you and you will be able to pick them up there."
"That would be amazing! Thank you for letting us know. It will make things a bit easier since we just finished planning our summer holiday and this came up unexpectedly." Sam said. "Practice is wrapping up, but just to be clear, we are going to take the girls home from school and they will get ready at our house and go from there to the concert. We will have them overnight and you will pick them up the next morning. Tickets will be at will call and Danny will be at the concert working security. All set?"
All the parents agreed and started to gather their things as the girls made their way over. Grace had been held back by the coach about something as Danny looked over to check.
"Are you sure accepting the tickets is OK, Danny?" Rachel questioned again.
"Yes, I am not going to say anything to the other parents but I am glad that Grace hasn't come over yet. The tickets are a personal gift. I was informed today that Steve is married! To, you guessed it, Isabella!" Danny replied with a wave of his hands.
"Oh my! Really?" Rachel looked taken aback at the response.
"Oh yes. No one is supposed to know for security reasons, but she flew in early and surprised us all at HQ today. She is going to lay low for the next couple of weeks until she is 'supposed' to arrive and start doing some publicity. Obviously, since I didn't know, Grace doesn't know. Steve wants to tell her this weekend and have them meet. So, if she asks just tell her that we worked it out. They were a gift for working the concert." Danny said.
"Oh my." Rachel said again, "I am trying to get my head wrapped around the fact that the Commander is married. Are you OK?"
"Yes, I mean it was a surprise. I had no clue. They have been married for 5 years but for security reasons, his and hers, have kept it quiet. I don't know. It is weird but typical." Danny answered.
"Danno! What are you doing here?" Grace asked with a bounce in her step as she made her way over to her parents.
"It was a surprise. I don't make it over to see you often and since we wrapped early I thought I could see you. Also, I wanted to see your friends' parents about the concert and work on some of those details. How was practise Monkey?" Danny asked
"Oh, I am so excited about the concert. Rose and Mahina and Kealani are all super excited too. It is going to be amazing. I wonder where our tickets will be? When we buy them can we choose where we sit? Practise was good. The coach wants me to try flying next week. She wants to make sure we have a backup." Grace answered with her usual enthusiasm.
"As for the seats, usually you are able to choose where they are when you buy them. But we won't be able to do that for this concert." Danny told her and raised his hands to say 'hold on' as her face fell, "I was actually informed today that I would be getting free tickets for you and your friends, so they will be wherever they are assigned. I don't think it will be a problem."
"Really?" Grace squealed bouncing on her toes.
"Yes, really!" Danny answered. "Also, I wanted to let me know that Uncle Steve has some people in town and wanted to have everyone over for a barbeque Saturday. Does that work for you?" he asked looking at Rachel and Grace.
Rachel nodded her head, understanding the implied message of Danny's question. "We don't have anything scheduled on Saturday so it shouldn't be a problem" she said.
"Oh, who's in town? I love going to Uncle Steve's! Maybe we can go early and I can do some surfing with Kono?" Grace bubbled.
"I am sure we can work something out. I know Kono was planning go early to do some surfing on Saturday so it will be fine." Danny answered. "I will check with her to see what time she is planning to go over there and let you know what time I will pick you up. But I won't keep you any longer. I know your mom wants to get home for dinner." he finished pulling Grace in for a kiss to her forehead.
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The rest of the team made their way home and took advantage of having an evening that ended on time rather dragging into the night. Chin and Kono told their respective significant others about the barbecue planned at McGarrett's for the weekend.
Lou had court all day so was in the dark about the developments that had taken place.
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Steve and Bella were able to keep it together enough to be able to make it home. But after, all bets were off. It had been 3 long months since they had seen each other in person. Skype and phone calls just weren't enough to satiate the need they had for each other.
"Haʻo wau iā ʻoe" Steve whispered into Bella's back as they lay in bed luxuriating in being reunited. He ran his fingertips along her spine; tracing each bump. "I know we've been doing this for years, but I don't know if I can keep being apart from you for so long." he continued. It was always easier for them to start these deep conversations without looking at each other. Neither of them were known for speaking their feelings openly. "It was one thing when I was on missions and you were touring but now that I have settled back here I think we need to re-evaluate things."
Bella continued to lay on her stomach and enjoy the feeling of his hands on her. She was quiet for a minute as she put her thoughts in order. She had been thinking the same thing for a while now too.
She shifted a bit to grab the hand of the arm she was laying on and traced the veins and scars that marked his hands. "I think so too. I've been thinking the same thing. It's stupid but I miss you more now that I know where you are all the time." She huffed a laugh as she turned so they could finally look at each other. "I was thinking that this tour is almost over and rather than go back to Forks or San Diego I would settle back here instead. My contract is also up for re-negotiation so I was going to be taking a bit of break anyway unlike last time. I want different things now. I need different things now, we need different things now." Bella continued earnestly.
"Yeah?" Steve questioned. "I don't want you to do anything you don't want to or feel like now that things have changed for me that I expect you to change."
"Steve, when have you ever expected me to change who I am for you?" Bella asked. "You have accepted me warts and all from the beginning. If anything you have helped me grown into the person I am now. I've been thinking about this a lot the last month or so. For some weird reason every time my contract comes up for renewal I go through this self reflection. You know - you've just never been around for it. I blame Old Quil, but for me it's like this performance review - only for my life, given how much of my life is wrapped up in it. It's a time for me to reflect on what I have done right and what works for me and what I want to change or don't like about what has happened." Bella explained. "Anyway, after Edward left, you know how I was, but my dad really helped me to see who I was and start to accept and like that person. Spending time with Billy and the Pack after everything helped too. Hell, they helped me get the confidence to take that singing job! You know confidence in myself has always been my huge stumbling block. I feel like I am finally the person I was always meant to be. The changes that I, we, are going to make are because we are married and joined our lives together." Bella finished.
Steve leaned over and ravished her mouth. "You don't know how happy that makes me." he said and continued to kiss her.
"Probably about as happy as I am!" Bella said as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "There are still a lot of details to work out and talk about over the next month." she warned.
"I don't care. We will work it out." Steve returned as he pushed the sheet further down her body and continued to kiss his way down. "We can talk more tomorrow. Now, I am going to continue to make up for lost time."
"Hmmmm. You may proceed." Bella hummed enjoying the attentions of her husband.
Needless to say, no more talking took place that night.
The next day Steve and Bella continued to make up for lost time until they could not put off getting ready for their day anymore.
"We are going to be late!" Bella was saying as she dug through her suitcase. She was all discombobulated this morning. Usually when she and Steve spent anytime together it was rushed and he was up and out early the next morning for training or de-briefings. Being able to get ready together was throwing her all off since she kept getting distracted by her sexy husband.
"It will be fine. I will get us to the Palace in plenty of time. Cath isn't expected until later. I think we said 10, so we still have plenty of time to make introductions this morning." Steve soothed.
"Introductions?" Bella questioned.
"Yeah, did you notice someone missing yesterday?" Steve returned with a smirk and eyebrows raised implying she should know what he is talking about.
"Hmm. Oh, Lou wasn't there!" Bella caught on.
"Yeah, he was in court all day yesterday and missed the big reveal. Danny let me know he had checked in with him and Lou said his testimony was done so he should be in the office today." Steve informed her as he finished getting dressed and grabbed his badge and gun.
"OK. Do you think the rest of the team will have told him before we get there?" Bella asked.
"Oh no, they are going to enjoy his response when we tell him." Steve said with a chuckle. "You ready?"
"Yeah." Bella answered as she checked her pockets for her cell phone. "I'll text Embry on the way to let him know to be at HQ by 10 for the meeting with Cath."
So saying, they made their way downstairs. As they reached the door, Steve grabbed his keys as well as another set.
"Here. This for the front door and this is for the lanai." Steve said pointing to the appropriate keys as he handed them to her.
Bella stood there for a minute, not moving. "OK. Yeah. Right." she said when she took the keys from him.
"Are you OK?" Steve questioned.
"Yeah, of course. It just hit. I live here now too!" Bella told him with a laugh. "This will be the first time we actually live together since we got together!" she finished and leaned over to give him a kiss.
"I know. Let's go, we aren't going to hear the end of it anyway." Steve said as he dragged Bella out the door to make their way to HQ.
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On a day the team didn't have any cases, they tended all get into the office around the same time. Early, but not obscene like when they are working a case. This morning as was the norm, Chin got in first and brought up the background information they had pulled up on Bella the day before, followed by Danny and Lou and Kono coming in last. Her hair was wet, so she had obviously hit the beach for some early morning surfing first.
"So what did I miss yesterday? I will tell you, sometimes I wonder if catching the criminals really makes up for having to sit through the torture of testifying in court. I am on the fence after yesterday." Lou greeted Chin and Danny.
"When we talked last night you didn't say if there were any problems. I assume it all went well." Danny asked in part to deflect from Lou's original question.
"It went fine. But how many times are they going to ask the same question. The defense gets worse and worse each time. The guy was clearly guilty. In fact, he confessed! But now, he was 'under duress'. Whatever. It's done and should be finally finished next week if the DA is anyone to go by." Lou answered. "Now, yesterday? What happened?"
"Well, we are officially on stand down for the rest of this week to wrap up this last case and prep for our next assignment. That is what this is" pointing to the background information on the monitors. "We are coordinating the security for a concert series at the end of the month for the holiday weekend." Chin stepped up to answer.
"So, what is outstanding for the case? What do you need me to do?" Lou answered prioritizing the last case to be addressed first so they could close the book on it.
"Just your report from the arrest and interviews. Whenever you can get that done today or tomorrow would be good. We are having a meeting, all of us, at 10 so fit it in where you can." Danny answered.
"Will do. So why are we the ones running security for this concert? Isn't that more the responsibility of the singer and HPD?" Lou questioned as Kono walked in.
Danny and Chin looked at each other. Chin realized Danny had kept the news to himself. He certainly didn't want to be the one break the news they found out yesterday, so went with the easy answer which made Kono start laughing.
"Well, she is doing a public concert on Friday night and then a concert at Pearl-Hickam on Sunday for the military families. I guess with Steve's connections they thought we were the better ones to coordinate everything." Chin answered with a snorting Kono in the background.
"I guess that makes sense. But why is Kono laughing?" Lou asked puzzled.
Chin and Danny look at each other again.
"And where is McGarrett? I would have thought he would be here by now." Lou questioned further which sent Kono back into hysterics laughing so hard she was bent over.
"Kono get control of yourself. It isn't that funny." Danny said.
"Nnno, it isn't, but the looks between you two are hilarious." Kono laughed through her answer but started to gain some control.
"OK, now I am worried. I assume nothing is wrong with McGarrett or you would have told me and Kono wouldn't be laughing. But what is going on?" Lou asked at close to shout.
As Danny and Chin were working out exactly what to say, Bella and Steve made their way into the office
"What's so funny?" Bella asked Kono.
"These two." Kono answered waving her hand between Chin and Danny. "They didn't want to say anything and have been dancing around what happened yesterday."
"Well, it isn't really our news to tell, now is it." Danny interjected.
"No, you're right Danny. It is our news to tell." Bella agreed and walked up to Lou to introduce herself and shake his hand. "Hi, you must be Lou Grover. It's nice to finally meet you."
"Ah, nice to meet you too." Lou shook her hand and responded a bit bewildered. "Who are you?"
"Bella McGarrett." Bella answered. "Steve's wife."
Lou shook his head as if to clear it.
"What?!" Lou asked. "Since when are you married!?"
Steve jumped in then, "I, we've, been married for 5 years but aren't really public with it."
"Given our careers it has just been safer if people don't know that we're married." Bella said.
"I can understand, him" Lou said pointing to Steve, "but what do you do that would make it easier for people not to know you are married?"
"Do I look a lot different?" Bella asked gesturing to the publicity photo on the monitor.
"I'll take this one." Kono said after seeing dubious looks from the men. "Yes, especially when you are dressed as a feminine Steve in cargo pants even if you do pair them with dressy tops. It doesn't quite match up with photos of you."
"Is it because I look better now or in the photos?" Bella asked with glint in her eye. Steve laughed.
"Ah, I am not sure what you are looking for here." Kono answered.
"Well, I don't pick out my clothes for publicity photos. A...friend, does and she swears that her choices are best since she knows fashion. But if you say I look better as myself, then I can argue with her a bit more about her choices!" Bella answered with a bit of triumph in her voice. "Honestly, I don't care about clothes at all except to see if they fit ok and are they comfortable which is why I was so excited when Steve told me about cargo pants."
"Of course! I should have guessed!" Danny interjected.
Bella looked at him with a question, but ultimately ignored him in favor of drilling back to her point. "In the beginning it was best, because I was purposefully creating this other identity and didn't want people to confuse the two. But now, I am in a different place. AND, she picked out one of the worst outfits for the last shoot." Bella finished stridently.
"OK. I guess this is for me too, since I know none of the guys will touch this with a 10 foot pole. You look more confident and yourself in these clothes." Kono gestured to what Bella was currently wearing. " In the photos, it does the job you want which is to be a different person." Kono answered.
"So what you are saying is I'm stuck with her." Bella said with a little pout. Just then, her phone dinged with a text.
Yes, you are stuck with me forever! You know you love me! - Alice
Bella stuck her tongue out at her phone. Steve laughed again since he had been on the receiving end of quite a few Alice induced rants from Bella.
"Now hold on. Hold on. We seem to have gotten off topic. I repeat, since when have you been married! And even if the public couldn't know what about your team. How could you keep that from us?" Lou asked a bit hurt.
"Like I said, we've been married for 5 years now and it was just safer. It wasn't a slight against you, any of you, that I didn't tell you about Is. I just got in the habit of not talking about her except to those who knew her. She has been touring and hasn't had a chance to come to Hawaii before now." Steve answered.
"Did any of you know?" Lou asked the rest of the team.
"No, no, not really." came from Danny, Kono and Chin.
Lou zeroed in on Chin. "What do you mean, not really?"
"Well, you have to remember I knew Steve's dad. I drove John to the airport when he flew out for the wedding, but I didn't know who she was or if they were still married." Chin answered.
"So who knew about you guys?" Lou asked.
"Well, Mary and my dad were there for the wedding. Some of my teammates who were there when I met her and Cath." Steve answered.
"Oh, my whole family knows Steve." Bella answered and got a dirty look from her husband. "But you have to realize that I really don't have any friends outside my family and Cath. Well, that sounded pathetic, but I just haven't had time or inclination to make any 'new' friends." she finished. "I don't know if that is better?"
"Well, we are going to change that!" Kono answered.
"Right, so let's focus on some work. Lou, do you want to start in whatever paperwork you have outstanding? Cath and Embry, Is's security, will be here at 10 for a meeting about the concerts." Steve stepped in to hopefully derail any further interrogation. "Chin, Danny and Kono do you want to start doing a work up of what we need for coordinating the security? Is can answer questions you have until the meeting."