"Salvation: Forever and Always: Our Ohana"
CHAPTER FOUR
Title: "Salvation: Forever and Always: Our Ohana"
Author: Michelle Heath
Rating: MA for adult situations and language
Summary: Story #7 in the Salvation series. Mr. and Mrs. Tony Montgomery announce the birth of their son.
Disclaimer: I so do not own Hawaii Five-0; unfortunately! All original characters are the property of the author!
Date Written: September 5, 2011
A/N: Hello, everyone. I would like to sincerely and profusely apologize for not having updated this story in a while. I've been a bit "under the weather", but am much better now. Thank you for reading and reviewing, and I hope you continue to enjoy this story! Michelle
(Libby solves the problem of anyone having to pick Kono up for dinner by telling all three young women that she and Kono are going shopping after lunch and, since they dropped Kono's car off at the Montgomery's house on their way to the base for lunch, Kono will simply return to the Thrasher's with Libby and either Sam and Steve or Caroline and Danny can drop her off at home after dinner. None of the three younger women dare to argue with Libby, and, after having a perfectly delightful lunch, Sam and Caroline head back to Flight Ops and Kono and Libby head off on their shopping expedition. . .
A few hours later, Mike Thrasher smiles as he hears the sound of laughter coming from the direction of the kitchen as Libby and Kono enter the house from the garage. Walking into the kitchen from the den, his smile widens as he sees the numerous bags from several different stores both his wife and Kono are carrying into the house. Giving his wife a kiss on the cheek, Mike deftly relieves Kono of the bags she's carrying before giving her a quick kiss on the cheek, as well.)
"Well, it looks like you ladies had a good time this afternoon. Is there anything left out there for other shoppers?"
"Of course there is, dear. We just picked up a few things we needed for the new bathroom, and you certainly didn't expect us to go shopping without picking up some things for the baby, did you? Anyway, did you make it to the commissary? The rest of the children will be here for dinner in a couple of hours."
"Yes, Libby, I went by the commissary and got everything we need for dinner. The chicken is marinating, the vegetables have been washed, cut up and are ready to be cooked, the things for the salad are washed and in the refrigerator just waiting to be put together, and the beer is on ice in the big cooler. All we need are the children."
(In spite of their wives telling them that Kono's fine, both Steve and Danny are more than a little apprehensive about "their girl's" state of mind after what they've all gone through for the past several weeks. However, when they arrive at the Thrasher's house later that evening, they can see for themselves that Kono is doing just fine. Lana and Chin are already there and they, too, are very relieved to find Kono laughing and joking like she hasn't since before Tony was deployed. Sam, having an agenda of her own, heads into the house and, after kissing her parents hello, heads straight to the bar to look over the wine selection. Finding the bottle she wants, she quickly hides it behind several other bottles and turns toward the kitchen with a perfectly innocent smile on her face.)
"Steve, would you mind running down to that wine shop down the road and getting a bottle of . . "
(But Mike interrupts Sam before she can finish speaking.)
"There should be a bottle of that wine you like in the bar, Sam."
"There isn't, Dad."
"Are you sure? Because I could have sworn there was a bottle in there."
"It's not a problem, Mike, I'll be right back."
(And Steve is out the door before Mike can say another word. Walking out from behind the bar, Sam joins everyone else in the kitchen.)
"Samantha, I know for a fact there was a bottle of that wine in the bar. Why on Earth did you send Steve out to get some more?"
"Because it was the only way to get rid of him for a few minutes, Dad."
"Why ever would you want to get rid of your husband?"
"Steve's birthday is coming up and I want to throw a surprise party for him, and this was the only way I could think of to be able to talk to all of you about it without him around."
"Ah. . . Well, dear, I'm assuming you've already planned this op, so read us in."
(And for the next several minutes, Sam proceeds to do exactly that. There are a few questions and suggestions, but everyone has his or her assignment for executing Steve's surprise party well before he returns. When he does get back with Sam's wine, she makes sure that she thanks him properly. As is usually the case, the men gradually end up out on the deck near the grill while the women congregate in the kitchen to talk while putting together the salad and steaming veggies. When Danny and Chin step inside to get the chicken out of the fridge, they find the five women enjoying a lively conversation and Kono is right in the middle of it. In very short order, they are sitting down to dinner on the Thrasher's back deck. Kono has given up on trying to get everyone to stop treating her like an invalid, and simply sits back and thoroughly enjoys being waited on hand and foot; especially when all she has to do is mention that she would like some more chicken or salad or water and Steve, Danny, or Chin jump to do her bidding while their wives and Libby and Mike look on in amusement. Lana, who has developed a wicked sense of humor since becoming a part of this particular family, can't resist teasing the guys.)
"Well, ladies, I don't think any of us has to worry about being looked after when we're pregnant."
"No kidding. The guys will have it down to an art when the next baby comes along."
"Well, these three will, Caroline. We may have to do a little training with Tony."
"No, Sam, I think Tony will be okay. In fact, he'll probably have to give these guys some 'Daddy' training."
"Hey!"
"Oops! Sorry, Danny. Although, it has been a while since you dealt with a newborn. You might need a refresher course."
"I'll have you know I can change diapers with the best of them, Lana!"
"Good, then babysitting Eric won't be a problem when Tony and I want to go out, will it?"
(But before Danny can answer, Kono's cellular phone rings and one glance at the caller I.D. has her on her feet and moving toward the door leading into the den instantly.)
"Thank God. I was beginning to think Tony wasn't going to make it back before the baby's born."
"Just because he's calling doesn't mean he's going to be back in time, Chin. It just means he was able to get a call through to Kono."
"Yeah, Steve, I know, but I've got my fingers crossed. I do not want to be around Kono if she has to deliver that baby without him."
"Kono will be just fine, dear. Actually, it's you boys I'm worried about."
(Although Steve, Danny, and Chin all send Libby disbelieving looks, Kono emerges from the house with a smile on her face and holding her cellular phone in Libby's direction before any of them can speak.)
"Tony would like to speak with you, Libby."
"Hello, dear, how are you? . . . That's good. . . You're very welcome, Son, and don't you worry another moment about your sweet wife and that precious baby. We'll take excellent care of them for you until you get back. . . . Of course, you can, dear. . . Steve?"
"Hey, buddy. . . . I do. . . Yes. . . Hey, Tony? We'll see you soon. Hang on. . . Kono."
(And taking her phone from Steve, Kono disappears into the house again for a more private conversation with her husband. Although Steve's demeanor doesn't change one iota, Sam sees something in his eyes that worries her and she has a feeling she knows exactly why Tony wanted to talk to Steve. Not wanting to put a damper on everyone's good spirits, however, Sam keeps her thoughts to herself. . . .
Several minutes later, Kono comes back outside and sits back down at the table. The relief on her face is evident as she fills everyone in on the parts of her conversation with Tony she's willing to share.)
"They're all okay, but he still doesn't know when he'll be home. He did say they were doing everything they could to complete their op so they could get home, but . . He . ."
(In a heartbeat, Libby and Sam both realize what's about to happen and Libby beats her daughter to Kono's side by a couple of seconds reaching Kono as she bursts into tears. Murmuring gentle words of comfort to the crying, young woman, Libby puts an arm around Kono and ushers her into the house. Chin, looking totally confused, finally speaks up.)
"I thought being able to talk to Tony would make her feel better."
"It did, Chin, but not knowing where he is or what he's doing or when he'll be home is killing her."
"I get that, Sam, but still. . . Must be those pregnancy hormones again."
"It has nothing to do with her pregnancy, Chin. Excuse me."
(The table is unusually quiet after Sam makes her quiet utterance and heads inside to join her mother and Kono. Mike, looking straight at Steve, finally speaks up.)
"Years ago, Libby used to say there should be a special medal for women who loved SEALs because they had to deal with a great deal of heartache and uncertainty. I never realized exactly what she meant, what she went through every time I was called out on an op, until a few years ago when I saw Sam go through the same thing. I believe the two of you had been in Miami for a few days and you got called out in the middle of the night. Sam flew to Washington and stayed with us until her leave was up. That's when I found out you were going to be my son-in-law one day. I took one look at Sam and knew she was in 'the club.'"