A/N: Warning. This chapter made me sad. But the Hawaii Ohana needed to say good-bye to Mary. So, today is a two-fer. I am posting this chapter now and will post a happier chapter later in the afternoon.
Thanks to everyone who has commented, faved or followed. I am enjoying playing with the characters and how their at home lives would be. So many writers do the cases and whump much better than I.
Steve buckled Joanie into the back seat of his truck. The plan was for everyone to meet them at the beach where Malia's ceremony had been held. Danny had arranged for Rachel to bring Charlie so that Joan would have someone to play with and Rachel could mind the kids during Mary's paddle-out. Steve was slightly taken aback that Danny was now on such good terms with his ex that he could ask for the favor, but he appreciated the fact that Rachel was willing to do it.
When they arrived, Steve was surprised at the turn-out, just as he had been at Mary's LA memorial. He had not realized how many people his sister knew or how fast the word would spread. He was grateful to his band of Ohana that were there to support him.
He knew that Danny, Chin, Leilani, Kono and Adam would be there, but he was somewhat surprised to see Lou Grover and his wife, Duke Lukela, Charlie Fong, Kamekona, Flippa, Max Bergman with Sabrina, Mindy Shaw, Jerry Ortega, and Mamo, plus quite a few others he didn't know. Not everyone was planning to paddle-out. Some were just staying on the beach in a show of support.
Steve had tried once again to get in touch with Joe White, but this time he wasn't even able to reach the man, only his voicemail. He had left several messages on Joe's phone, and while he was disappointed, he wasn't really surprised that Joe hadn't called him back.
Steve gently handed the urn containing his sister's ashes to the Kahuna and turned to grab his board. Before he could get to it, Grace ran up to him, grabbed him around the waist and wrapped herself around him, but didn't say a word.
Steve hugged her and kissed the top of her head, while quirking an eyebrow at his partner, who had approached them carrying two surfboards. He was surprised Danny was letting her do this.
"It was important to her. She wouldn't take no for an answer, no matter how times I said it. She's going to stay right between Kono and Chin, aren't you Monkey?"
"Yes, Danno. You said they would be the best ones to stay with because Uncle Steve needed to concentrate on the ceremony and you're still not so good on your board."
Danny blushed a little at the comment, and seeing that, Steve reflected again on what a good father Danny was. He would rather release his pride and let Grace know that he felt someone else could protect her better, than take any sort of chance with her safety.
Since he had already greeted Rachel and Charlie and turned Joan over to them, he headed for the water, with Mary's mourners behind him. Everyone paddled out and when he drew into the circle he was pleased to see that Grace was obedient as always, with her board right between Chin and Kono. Adam had let Danny have the spot next to Kono so that Danny could still feel close to his daughter, since he couldn't be right next to her.
Steve's mind wandered a little during the ceremony, and then his eyes began to as well. His eyes ranged from the mourners gathered on the shore, to the cars in the parking lot and then around the people arrayed on blankets in the sand. He picked out Rachel and the two children and noticed that there was a woman kneeling in the sand who Rachel was speaking with. Just as the ceremony was nearing completion, the woman stood up and hurried away, and Steve realized that she had the same build as his mother, but he couldn't leave the circle to check before the ceremony finished.
The Kahuna completed the ceremonial words, gently emptied the ashes onto the water, and everyone threw their leis into the water on top of the ashes. The ceremony was complete. Steve immediately angled his board and paddled furiously to shore. He could distantly hear Danny calling his name, but didn't stop until he reached his destination.
"Rachel, who was that woman talking to you just now?"
"I don't know Comman…Steve. She just stopped and complimented how beautiful the children were. She must be partial to little girls, because she was really enamored with Joan. I felt sorry for her because she told me that she had once been very close to Mary, and didn't want to miss her ceremony."
"Is that all she said?"
"Pretty much. She seemed rather broken up. It is odd, though. She was keeping an eye on the ceremony and as soon as it looked like the Kahuna was close to being finished, she left right away. If she was a friend of Mary's, I would have thought she would wait to give you condolences."
"No, it's not odd at all. Not for that woman. Anyway, thanks again for keeping an eye on Joan. I hope you and Charlie will come with to Kamekona's."
"Thank you for the invite Comm, Steve. But, I believe we will head for home. My condolences once again, on your loss."
Steve nodded and holding Joanie turned to see his Ohana waiting for him. They were planning to gather at Kamekona's. It may have been a little too casual for someone else, but for his sister, it was just the sort of memorial service she would have planned for herself. Sunshine, friends, food and a beer or three.