A/N: I confess to getting agitated writing this. I really wanted to start writing up another idea I had, but I wanted to finish this. So, the result is what I think is actually quite a sweet ending, but one which probably should have had a couple of chapters inserted before it. Anyway…
Two weeks later…
The combination of the light emanating from the morning sun and the internal body clock of a SEAL once again wakes Steve slightly early. He wakes facing the door, and he glances to the clock; just after half past seven.
Steve smiles as he touches a hand to Danny's arm which is wound around his waist, hand tucked ever so slightly into the waistband of Steve's sleep pants.
With a hazy smile, Steve turns, gently waking Danny in the process and capturing his lips in a sweet kiss. Danny wakes quickly, and meets his kiss with movement of his own before the floorboards outside their door creak. They pull away from each other, and Danny drops his head back to the pillow as Steve props himself up and looks in the direction of the door.
When Grace's head inevitably pokes through it, Steve smiles and beckons for her to come forward. As she clambers over Steve to take her place inbetween them, he can feel the burning of her skin against his chest, and he knows that she's had a nightmare. It's not the first time that excessive heat has cause Grace to wake up scared and alone. And when she does, she immediately seeks out Steve and Danny.
Danny's eyes are still closed, though he wastes no time in wrapping an arm around his daughter, and so Steve looks down with what he hopes is a comforting smile. "You okay Grace?"
Danny's eyes flash open and he watches the exchange for Grace's answer. She just nods and shuffles back further into Danny's embrace. "Bad dream. I'm fine now." With that, Grace reaches out a small hand, wrapping it around Steve's much larger one and tugging it close to her chest. Steve understands, and he holds on whilst moving closer to the centre of the bed, pecking a kiss to the girl's forehead as he settles.
"Sleep for a while longer Grace. We're going to have fun today." And Steve knows it's true.
Because whilst Steve and Danny will never be able to offer the financial incentive that someone in Step-Stan's position is able to do, and whilst they'll never be able to offer the normal family that the majority of Grace's classmates will have, what they do have is special. Yes it's unconventional; the long hours at work, the same-sex relationship, the very-vocal Danny and the mildly-insane Steve do not make for a normal couple. But what they have is brilliant. Grace may come from a 'broken home,' and she may occasionally tire of all the moving about, but it's worth it. Because in the last few months; Danny has gained a life partner, Steve has gained a family, and Grace…Grace has gained a father. And in that moment – and those kinds of moments aren't all that rare – Grace is sure that all of the moving about and arguing has been worth it. Steve has people who love him, her father is happier than she's ever seen him, and though her Danno is no longer hers, that's okay, because Grace is more than happy to share.
A/N: And that's it. Thanks for sticking with this fic till the end. I'd love to hear from a load of you, let me know what you think. And for anyone who has enjoyed this, I'll be uploading the first chapter of a new McDanno fic tomorrow. See you there! x
P.S. There are plenty more McDanno fics to come. I have at least five more already complete, so if you've enjoyed what I've published so far, an author alert may be a good idea.
