Malama
Chapter Seven
Disclaimer: *Weeps* Maybe for Christmas...
Steve watched his wife sleep; her eyelids flickering with whatever she was dreaming about.
After her small breakdown, she had held Kaia and told Steve over and over again, how she was fine, and to stop worrying.
He couldn't help but compare her words to those she spoke before her operation.
At least this time, he knew she was lying.
He could see how tired she was, the dark circles under her eyes stood out in stark contrast against her pale skin.
Kaia bounced happily in her arms on the bed, and Maddie kept on smiling, right up until the nurses came in and told them that visiting times were over.
The smile vanished, replaced with a grimace that Steve hated.
''Stop staring at me,'' She muttered.
Steve grinned at her, ''You're my wife; it's my prerogative to stare at you...''
Maddie glared at him, ''Shut it.''
He held up his hands in mock surrender, ''How are you feeling?''
Maddie sighed, shrugged and kissed Kaia on the cheek, ''I'm fine.'' She blew a rasberry on the young childs' stomach. ''Aren't I, Kaia?''
Steve chuckled, ''If you say so. If you need anything, call me. I can be here in 10 minutes...''
Maddie laughed, ''Yeah, if you break every traffic law known to Danny.''
Steve smiled at her, ''Get some rest.'' The smile faltered a little. ''You're gonna need it...''
Maddie frowned at him, ''Huh?''
''Nothing.'' He replied, taking Kaia from her.
The little girl looked very upset to be taken from Maddie, but brightened a little when Maddie pulled a funny face at her.
Once Steve fastened her into the stroller, he made his way back over to Maddie's side.
''You will call me if you need anything?'' He said.
Maddie nodded, ''I will, I promise. But try to get some rest yourself okay? Kaia needs you.'' She squeezed his hand. ''I need you.''
He leant over the bed railing, and kissed her softly. It felt like an entire liftime since he had last kissed her.
She sighed as he pulled back, ''I love you, Maddie. You know that, right?'' He asked, gently.
She cupped his face in her hand, ''That I remember, Super SEAL. I love you, too.''
After one last kiss, he and Kaia left the room.
H50H50H50H50H50
Maddie tossed and turned all night, unable to get comfortable.
Her head didn't hurt exactly, but it felt different; more airy. Like she was floating slightly.
And where the stitches were, it itched like hell.
Finally giving up on sleep, she turned onto her right side and stared at the heart monitor at the side of her.
It beeped steadily, the noise burring into her skull and bouncing around inside her brain.
Huffing out a breath, she shoved the ends of the pillow against her ears, trying to block everything out.
Slowly, her eyes grew heavy and sleep claimed her.
She was too far gone to register that there was more than just her heatbeat filling the room.
H50H50H50H50H50
Steve walked into the nursey after being unable to sleep, and sat down quietly in the rocking chair next to the crib.
Kaia was sleeping peacefully, her hands clenching tightly every so often.
Even now at almost nine months old, he would be struck again by the fact that she was his. His daughter.
When she had uttered her first word in the hospital, he had felt such immense pride. Then the look on Maddie's face when she asked if it was okay...
Steve had never been an overly emotional man; at least not in public. He let people know he cared in his own way.
But Maddie, Kaia and the team; they were Ohana.
Maddie would always be Kaia's mom, if not her mother. But the twins? He still hadn't told her about them...
H50H50H50H50H50H50
Maddie sat and stared at the clock on the wall in her room, waiting for visiting hours.
Steve had called that morning and asked if she felt up to seeing Kaia again. Maddie had told him to stop being an idiot and get his ass to the hospital.
She wasn't stupid; she knew he wasn't telling her something. Whether or not she had to worry about it, she wasn't sure. But until she knew what the hell was going on at home, she would worry a hole through her bottom lip, and chew Steve out as soon as he walked through the door.
Only she knew she wouldn't, because it wasn't fair on Kaia.
And since when was Maddie the shout first ask questions later kind of person? That was Steve's role in the world.
She groaned and layed back on the bed.
Closing her eyes and trying to get some semblance of peace in a noisy ward, she listened the beeping heart monitor still attatched to her.
Beep Beep...
It was annoyingly loud, but at least she could block out the rest of the patients and nurses.
Beep Beep...
Just as Maddie was seconds away from falling asleep, her door opened and a young looking nurse walked in with her dinner tray.
Maddie tried unsuccessfully to quell the nausea building in her stomach, at the sight of the unidentifiable 'food' on the plastic tray.
''How are you feeling?'' The young nurse asked, kindly.
Maddie refrained from rolling her eyes, and threw the nurse a small smile. ''I'm fine.''
''Jessie?'' Maddie read from her nametag. ''Do you think I'll be able to get rid of the heart monitor soon? I don't see any reason why I would need one anyway...''
Jessie frowned a little, ''Well I'll ask Doctor Archer, but I'm pretty sure she won't remove it until we know for sure that they're okay.''
''They?'' She repeated, confused.
Jessie looked just as confused as Maddie felt. ''The babies...''
Maddie laughed, ''Good one, you almost had me there!'' Her laughted died pretty quickly at the deadly serious look on Jessie's face. ''You're serious.'' She stated.
Gripping the covers tightly in her fists, she asked if she could use the phone privately. Jessie smiled at her hesitantly and left the room.
Maddie took a calming breath, before pressing send.
A could of rings later and...''McGarrett.''
Maddie sighed; she was using the hospital phone of course he wouldn't recognize the number.
''Steve,'' She started.
''Maddie! Are you okay? Did the doctor say something?'' He said in a rush.
''STEVEN J MCGARRETT, YOU GET OVER HERE RIGHT NOW!'' She shouted down the phone, before she could stop herself.
A pause then the sound of squealing tyres, ''I'll be right-'' She hung up.
Glancing down at her hands, she saw they were shaking slightly.
Well, that can't be good... She thought as she felt her anger drain away into nothingness.
H50H50H50 (Last night in the nursery)
Steve didn't realize he was dozing until the doorbell rang loudly, making him jerk in his seat.
Rubbing his eyes, he hurried out of the nursery and down the stairs.
Out of everybody he expected to see standing on his doorstep, he did not expect Catherine Rollins.
''Catherine.'' He growled. He had to give her credit; she didn't show any signs of intimidation.
''Steve. We need to talk.'' She replied, shortly.
He raised his eyebrows at her as he let her pass.
Once she was settled on the couch, Steve glared at her until she sighed and started talking.
''What I did was wrong. I see that now. Which is why I wanted my daughter back, to make it up to her.''
Steve couldn't help the humourless chuckle that escaped his lips, as he listened.
''Steve, I made a mistake. And I regret it. But I can't change the past, all I can do is ask you to help me...'' She added.
''Help you? How?'' He said.
Catherine stood and picked up a photo frame of Kaia, Maddie and him.
''Give me access, and I'll let her adopt the baby,''
''Kaia. Her name is Kaia.'' Steve ground out.
Catherine flushed, ''Of course. Sorry.''
Steve sat in the recliner and ran a hand through his hair.
''After everything you've put us through, what makes you think I trust you with my daughter?''
She sighed again, ''I need help. After I had her, I thought that she was the reason you didn't want me. I couldn't love her. I left because I knew I wouldn't be a good enough mother to her.''
''That doesn't explain why you came in here, tried to kidnap Kaia and almost killed Maddie!''
Catherine spun around to face him. ''What?''
Steve glared at her again, ''She almost died from the fall. You almost cost me my family. Now you want me to grant access to a nine month old baby?''
''She's my daughter too.'' She whispered.
''You lost the right to call her that when you walked out.'' He snapped.
''I'll do anything! Okay, I know I need help...I can't do this by myself.''
Steve growled under his breath, ''You'll sign the papers?''
Catherine smiled sadly, ''I will. But only if I can have regular access.''
He was quiet for a while after that; thinking over everything they both had said.
''I'll talk to Maddie. How can I contact you?'' He said, finally.
She held out a piece of paper with her cell number on it.
''I need to see her. Maddie. I need to apologize.'' She said hopefully.
Steve shook his head, ''I'll think about it.''
Catherine nodded, knowing that was all she could ask for. She made her way to the door, but stopped with her hand on the door handle.
''I tried you know. But then I realized; I shouldn't have to try. It should come naturally. Kaia deserved better...'' With that she walked out into the night.
Steve lost track of how long he stood in the same spot staring at the photo Catherine had placed on the side.
H50H50H50 (Just after the phone call)
Maddie was pissed at him.
And he figure he knew why.
How the hell am I going to explain this? He thought a little desperately.
He had been to the house to check on Kaia and Holly, the sitter, when Maddie had called him.
As soon as he heard her voice he knew she knew there was something wrong. He didn't say anything about it, only that he would be right there.
It took him 10 minutes to the hospital and another 3 to get up the the ward.
He found her sitting up in bed, staring at her hands, mouthing to herself.
''Maddie?'' He said.
''Shut up, I'm counting!'' She replied.
Steve frowned, ''What are you counting?''
Maddie rolled her eyes at him, ''Sheep, Steven. I am counting sheep. Idiot! What the hell do you think I'm counting?''
He opened his mouths to reply but she held up a hand.
''Steve please just tell me the truth. And tell me now. Am I or am I not...'' She trailed off, helplessly.
''Pregnant.'' He supplied.
Her eyes widened to an impossible size. ''Am I?''
Steve sat down on the bed and took her hand in his, ''Maddie I couldn't tell you until we knew it was safe. But...yes. Yes, you're pregnant.''
He saw the tears pool in her eyes, and pulled her into a tight embrace.
''But...but I can't have kids!'' She pulled back to look at him. ''I was told when I was twenty-three and recovering from a mission, that I would never have children! Steve I can't be pregnant...I can't.'' She choked out.
Archer had stated that there was something in her medical file that said it was possible that Maddie couldn't conceive a child, but nothing was definite.
And she was definitely pregnant now.
He rocked her back and forth and waited a few minutes until her breathing calmed down a little bit.
''Steve?'' She whispered.
''Umm?'' He replied softly.
''Why did Jessie say 'Babies'?''She sounded as if she already knew the answer, but was just waiting on confirmation.
Steve took a deep breath, ''Because we're having twins...''
H50H50H50
Danny, Chin and Kono arrived a couple of hours later to visit Maddie.
She had stopped crying, and now sat with a hand pressed against her stomach with a look of wonder on her face.
''You told her then?'' Danny muttered to Steve.
Steve grimaced, ''Yeah...after a nurse dropped it into the conversation.'' He knew it wasn't fair to blame the nurse. But it had made things ever harder, and he could hold a grudge with the best of 'em.
They stayed for a few hours before getting ready to leave. Just as they were saying their goodbyes, a small knock sounded at the door.
Steve hurried forward and tried to get rid of her.
Maddie stared at the door incredulously as the dark haired woman stepped around Steve and looked eyes with her.
''What the hell is she doing here?'' Maddie asked acidly.
Danny, Chin and Kono all took a step back from the bed in surprise.
''Catherine, this is not the time!'' Steve growled.
''Not the time for what?'' Maddie asked, frowning.
Steve sighed and shook his head, ''Okay. Fine. Maddie just hear her out.''
Maddie pursed her lips, but remained silent.
Catherine took a deep breath and moved closer the bed.
''I'm here to apologize.'' Maddie raised her eyebrow. ''For the accident. You almost died, and that's my fault. For that, I apologize.''
Maddie threw a glance at Steve, he nodded to her; he believed her.
Slowly, Maddie nodded. ''For what it's worth, I don't don't blame you for that. But still...thank you for coming here.''
She pulled back the covers from her legs and swung her feet to the ground.
Catherine, after chancing a small smile for Maddie was turning to leave.
Maddie stood up, ignoring the dizziness and called Catherine back.
As the woman turned back to her, Maddie looked her in the eyes. And punched her in the face.
Steve shot forward, but the smarter members of Five-0 stayed back.
Catherine put a hand to her jaw and whispered, ''I thought you said we were good...''
Maddie smiled at her, ''That wasn't for me.''
The woman frowned in confusion.
''That was for leaving a baby on a beach by herself.'' The smiled turned to a smirk. ''Now, we're good.''
A pause, then Catherine nodded and held out her hand. Maddie shook the offered hand, then watched as the woman left.
The room was silent as they waited for Maddie to speak.
''Steve?'' She said.
''Yeah?'' He stepped forward again, this time so close she could feel his body heat.
''Could you go and get a doctor in here?''
She felt him tense, ''Are the babies okay?''
Maddie nodded, ''Yeah, they're fine...'' She shook her hand out.
''But I think I may have broken my hand...''
A/N: Thanks for reading! Sorry for the long-ish wait again, I'm really bad at updating...
