Steve made it exactly forty-three minutes after he walked into HQ before he blurted, "Arianna's going to have a baby. I'm going to be a grandpa," to his team as they stood around the tech table. The facial expressions varied little; complete surprise being the most prevalent. Danny looked proud and smug at the same time. In a rush, he was receiving back slaps from the guys and a bear hug from Kono.
After he recovered from the congratulations, he addressed Danny's smug look "Okay, you now have a face. What's with the face, D.?"
"I'm proud of you, babe, and I just made fifty bucks," Danny replied.
"Let me guess, Arianna," Chin said. "What were the stakes?"
"She said he'd make it till lunch," Danny answered.
"Foolish girl," Chin declared.
"Hey, I'm right here and I can hear you," Steve pointed out. Despite common perception, he knew when people were taking digs at him.
"Yes you are, babe," Danny agreed.
"Well?" Steve prompted impatiently.
"Not so sure you're going to get an apology, boss. If you're honest, you have to admit that you have poor impulse control," Kono said.
Steve shrugged and gave everyone his goofy grin. "How about we get to work? Chin, Lou, can I see you in my office?"
The rest of the day filled up with a bank robbery. Luckily the crooks were exceptionally stupid, practically leaving a neon trail to their stash house. Steve gets to use tear gas; Danny has the opportunity to rant about unorthodox methods; Chin used his shotgun to clothesline one of the bad guys, it was a good day. They wrapped up the paperwork by five and were out the door.
Arianna arrived early to Kamekona's. She wanted to make sure she could handle the ocean or if they'd need to change venue. She was not at all surprised by the presence of Uncle Chin and Lou, firmly ensconced at two separate tables. She bought coconut water and resolutely ignored them both as Lou got up to join Chin, giving her his now vacant table. Her dad was such a dork.
Her leg was bouncing slightly and her lip might possibly a tad sore. Kai was giving island time a whole new meaning. He finally ambled her way to drop down across from her. It was clear that he wanted to be anywhere but where he was. "Thanks for coming, Kai."
Chin and Lou covertly watched the pair. They were a little surprised the punk appeared to not be able to sign at all. It made it so much harder to follow the conversation. It became very clear it wasn't going very well.
"I wanna strangle that punk," Lou growled.
"Me too, but she'd kick both our asses if we interfere," Chin said.
"Yeah, the only other women I am afraid of are Renee and Kono."
"How is it we know the scariest women on the planet?" Chin queried. Lou hung his head in answer.
"She looks upset," Lou observed. "Was that the sign for slow down?"
"It was. He must be talking too fast," Chin confirmed.
"Not gaining points," Lou stated. Chin nodded.
"Yous need to work on your undercover skills, brahs," Kamekona bellowed at them. "Ain't no one here believing yous here to do anything but spy on the keiki."
"Well they certainly do now," Lou agreed giving the big guy a baleful glare.
"She's not little you know. She can hold her own," Kame' pointed out.
"Then why do you keep calling her a keiki?" Chin asked.
"Cause she's McGarrett's," he answered as if that would explain it.
The two didn't have a chance to reply before Chin had an armful of Arianna to deal with. She wasn't crying. She wasn't talking. She was doing her best to hug the life out of him. Lou and Kame scanned the area for Kai but he was long gone.
"How about we take you to your dad," Chin suggested.
Arianna shook her head violently and pulled away. "No. I'm fine."
"Arianna," Lou coaxed warmly.
"No, really I'm fine. It's what I expected. I really needed a hug."
"You sure?" Chin asked again.
"Yep. I'm good. Thanks to both all three of you though. Kai probably would've bolted if he saw Dad. He left a real good impression at the PT office."
"I'm sure he did," Lou chuckled.
"Well, I'm thinkin' that it's time for some food. There ain't nothin' that a good shrimp meal can't cure," Kamekona bellowed.
Both detectives noticed Arianna's instant pallor change. "Maybe food on an upset stomach isn't such a good idea," Chin suggested.
"No's, now the perfect time. It'll calm what ails ya," Kamekona protested.
"Thanks, Kame', I really appreciate the offer but I'm not all that hungry," Arianna said.
"If yous sure," Kame said hesitantly.
"I'm sure. I'm going to Dad's and then I'm headed home to grade papers."
The men reluctantly let Arianna go. Chin pulled out his cell phone to give Steve a heads up. He was tempted to follow her but she really seemed to be okay. The whole situation was something Chin was glad he wouldn't find himself in anytime soon or you know, hopefully never.
By the time Arianna reached the house on Piikoi Street, she'd worked up a good head of steam. She'd also decided that all men are irrevocable idiots with the exception of those in her ohana and even then she wondered sometimes. She slammed the car door and stomped into the house, intent on getting a drink before she faced her dad. The house appeared empty as she made her way to the kitchen. She had a glass in her hand and was taking large sips when she glanced out the window. Steve sat down by the beach with an ice bucket full of drinks by his side.
She took her glass out to plop down in the second chair. It was al long while till she blurted out, "He wants me to have an abortion."
"What did you tell him?" Steve asked.
"You know a good lawyer or if Ellie could give us a reference cause I said I would get him the termination of parental rights papers as soon as legally possible."
"You've never said if you plan on keeping the baby after it's born."
"Yeah, I know. Either way he has to terminate his rights," she answered evasively.
Steve snorted. She was picking up too many of his habits. "That's not answering the question."
"Honestly, I don't know. I'm not sure I'm ready to have a kid. I've been on the other side, remember."
"If that's what's holding you back, princess, you are not your other. You have a good head on your shoulders, to quote your grandfather. Besides you have a boat load of family to help out."
"Mom had Gran and Gramps to begin with," she pointed out.
"Your mother was also only sixteen and somewhat selfish to begin with," he rebutted.
"Yeah, maybe."
"Arianna, I'll support whatever decision you make," Steve assured.
"You want me to keep it though, admit it," she guessed.
"He ducked his head shyly. "Maybe."
"Maybe?"
"I might have been thinking about what it would be like to have a little one around all the time. I know Mary brings Joan around but it's not the same," he said.
"I don't know. I still need some time I think. Can we not talk about this for a while? I don't care what topic we choose as long as it's not about the baby. Please?"
"All right, tell me what you have planned for your students this year," Steve said.
They chatted about inconsequential things for a while. Eventually they moved inside to throw together a meal. Steve still got a twinge of contentment or maybe it was happiness as he watched Arianna move about the house as if she'd always been there. It was definitely happiness at having his daughter in his home. Arianna left shortly after supper. The house felt empty.