11

Over the next few days, Steve began to fall into the routine of his new life. He became more and more used to living under the same roof as two females. The frou-frou stuff he noticed in the cabinets when he was looking for his razor seemed almost normal to him. Having Sarah's toys scattered all over the house made him smile. Having Chrissy cook his meals brought back comforting memories of his early childhood and made the whole situation feel much more normal. The only thing he couldn't get used to were the sporadic times when Chrissy accidentally left her bra on the bathroom door handle. It surprised him, and also proved that it had been a while since she lived in the same house as a man.

On the third day at the safe house, Sarah began pulling out board games Chrissy packed. Initially, she didn't ask anyone to play with her; she simply pulled out the game pieces and studied them. Steve couldn't help but grin as he watched her carefully analyze the board games. She seemed to find something of value in the small things that normal people take for granted. She shook slightly as she pulled the game pieces close to her face, obviously excited. The first day, this action alarmed Steve, but after Chrissy explained that it was just a signal of excitement, he relaxed a little.

Sarah didn't notice Steve standing five feet from her. She was so involved in her "project" that she didn't notice when anyone came into the room or left it. In that way, she reminded him a little of himself, so intent on one thing that nothing could cause distraction. In his case, he concentrated so hard on his work that his personal life began slipping away. It was how he'd lost Catherine. Sarah brought some painful realizations to the surface, and it had Steve pondering his life and goals.

Finally, Sarah glanced up and rested her eyes on Steve. She sang, "Hello, Steve."

Steve laughed, "Hey, Sarah. How are you?"

Sarah nodded, "I'm good. I'm playing the board game, see? I'm practicing."

Steve bent down and rested on his haunches, "I see that. What game are you playing?"

"I'm playing Candyland. Look, I've got the red piece. I like red. It's one of my favorites."

"That's a good color. It suits you."

"Would you please play Candyland with me, Steve?"

"Sure, but I'll warn you, I haven't played this in a while. I might be rusty."

"You're a grown-up. You should be good at this game."

"I hope you're right."

Chrissy heard the outrageous laughter from the top of the staircase. It puzzled her. What in the world? She knew it was a stupid question, though. Sarah laughed all the time when she played by herself and Chrissy could never figure out what it was about. That was when she realized Steve's laughter was mixed in with her daughter's.

Flying down the stairs and through the hall, Chrissy stopped dead in her tracks as she peeked into the living room. Steve and Sarah sat across from each other, a Candyland board between them. Deciding not to interrupt them, she did not enter the room. Instead, she remained hidden behind the wall, just wanting to see the moment unfold from a distance.

Chrissy heard Sarah ask, "How long has it been since you played Candyland, Steve?"

Steve sighed, "A very long time."

Sarah continued, "You played it last year?"

Steve shook his head, "No. It's been a lot longer than that."

"How long?"

"Probably twenty-five years or more."

"Wow. That's longer than I've been alive. I'm eight."

"Yeah."

"Did your mommy and daddy play with you?"

"Sometimes, but most of the time I played with my little sister."

"Where are your mommy and daddy, Steve? Where are they?"

Chrissy felt a lump rising in her throat. Poor Steve. That was not an easy question to answer, especially not to a child. Besides, it was hard enough to talk about something that horrible at all. She wondered how he would handle it.

Steve replied, "My mommy and daddy are in heaven, Sarah."

Sarah fixed her eyes on Steve, "Are they okay? Will they be there forever?"

"They're fine, Sarah, and yes, they will be there forever."

"I love my mommy. I don't want her to go to heaven."

"Don't worry, Sarah. As long as I'm here, she won't. Nothing is going to happen to your mom."

"Mommy is fine? Nothing will happen to Mommy?"

"No, nothing. You and your mom mean more to me than anyone in the world right now. Nothing is going to happen to you or your mommy."

"Those bad men won't come and hurt me and Mommy again?"

Steve's jaw clenched at the thought of anyone hurting a woman or a child. "No. I'll do anything to make sure they don't come anywhere near you."

That was the moment Chrissy fell head over heels in love with Steve McGarrett.