'Firsts' written by EmptySky, betaed by Celeste6.
Chapter 21: First time Grace talks about college
Danny: 42 years old
Grace: 17 years old
A clear sign that Danny has been staring at the numbers in front of him for too long is that they become blurred. He pinches the bridge of his nose and squints his eyes before widening them on purpose to clear the haze. Danny leans further over the tech table, careful not to touch anything that might make the listing on the screen disappear. Standing next to him is Steve, who eyes the same documents, only on a screen by the wall. It's unnerving to have to go through the murder victim's bank account statements in order to find out where all the money the not quite innocent accountant embezzled went, trying to find a clue to his murderer. It's not an easy task, checking the countless transactions. Both men are fed up but need to keep looking, despite having been at it for hours. Chin has been on the phone for most of the time, or out with Kono to question possible witnesses.
"You done?" Danny asks and switches to yet another account statement at hearing Steve's soft grunt of affirmation, rubbing his tired eyes.
Danny looks up when Steve suddenly taps on his back. He's momentarily confused, skimming over the figures thinking that Steve finally spotted something he hasn't seen yet, but then he notices Steve pointing out something behind his back. He straightens and turns around in time to see Grace enter through the glass doors.
"Hello, Grace," Steve greets her with a hug.
"Hey, Uncle Steve," Grace returns the hug with one arm and clutches onto her purse tightly at the same time. She seems distracted by something and lets go of him quickly, turning towards her father's direction. "Danno, do you have a minute? I've got to talk to you."
"Sure… What's the matter?" Danny asks, frowning.
"Can we talk in your office?"
Danny shares a brief look with Steve, who has his arms crossed in front of his chest while trying to downplay his tension by looking easy going and neutral. Something is going on, though neither knows what exactly.
"Okay. Let's take a break. We've been staring at those documents for too long anyway," Danny suggests and moves forward at Steve's nod.
He takes Grace by the arm gently and leads her towards his office. He worries when Grace barely reacts to Chin's friendly wave, too busy playing nervously with the hem of her cardigan. Danny closes the door behind them and leads her to the couch, sitting down next to her. It doesn't help settling the mood - if anything, Grace seems even more nervous now. Her tension is nearly palpable as he watches her suck her lower lip inside her mouth and clutch her purse even closer. He waits a moment but speaks up when Grace remains silent.
"Are you going to tell me what's going on, or should I guess, or what? Are you okay?"
Grace smiles wryly and takes a deep breath. She shifts slightly until she's turned facing him. Danny adjusts his position and looks her over attentively, reaching out and gently touching her knee as silent support.
"You can tell me, whatever it is," he adds.
"Alright. I want to tell you something, and I want you to hear me out, okay? Here we go. Dad, I love you very much. You're the best Dad I could have wished for and I'm so proud I can tell people that you're my father. I don't know if I've told you that enough."
Grace realizes that the beginning of her talk only makes Danny more nervous, not knowing what to expect, so she quickly resumes talking.
"This probably sounds like something extremely horrible is about to follow, doesn't it? Relax, it's not that bad. At least I don't think so. I'm not pregnant or anything…"
"Just tell me," Danny sighs a breath of relief.
"I'm not sure how much you and Mom talk these days, but we've had some arguments lately. She thinks I'm not taking school as seriously as I should and that I'm neglecting my education because I keep avoiding talking about college. Mom and Stan both talked to me about their jobs and gave recommendations, and it felt a lot like pressure to me. We fought a lot because I wouldn't talk about it. There is something I didn't tell anyone, though. And I hope you're not mad at me. But I wanted to do this by myself. And for myself. Without anyone's help, without anyone trying to meddle with it or attempting to change my mind. The truth is that I did apply for college. Different ones, even."
Danny doesn't speak, just looks at her. He has calmed down and encourages her to go on, though judging from the faint smile on his lips he knows what she is trying to tell him. She opens her purse and pulls out a big envelope.
"I did it, Dad. I'm going to college!"
"Congratulations, Grace!" Danny leans forward hugs her tightly, his chin resting on her head for the moment. "That's great news! Your mother did ask me to talk to you about college, but I figured you'd talk about it when you were ready, and that we still had time even if you took too long. I didn't think you'd already applied to colleges yet, though. So…? Don't keep me in suspense!"
Grace gives him an odd smile as she looks straight in his face, gaging his reaction.
"I was accepted at Penn State and I'll study Forensic Science."
Danny's eyes dart to the envelope and quickly back to Grace. When he realizes she is telling the truth, he holds his breath and takes the acceptance letter she's holding out to him. He skims it over quickly before looking back at her, not knowing what to say.
"Dad, I've thought about this for a long time. Choosing a profession is not something you do lightly, especially since I'll probably be working until I'm sixty-something. If I have to work that long, I figured I better be very certain it's what I want to do. Work plays a big role in life, and I know that my decision now determines what I'm going to do with mine. I've always looked up to you, you know? You chose a job you love and that fulfills and satisfies you. It's important work, and you do what you do with your whole heart. It probably wasn't always easy for you, but you stuck to it in order to help others. I want to honor you somehow, and this is a good way to do that."
"Monkey…"
"No, listen. I have to do something that makes sense, that actually helps people. I can't do something that only focuses on making as much profit as possible in a short period of time, or that just benefits myself. I don't mind Mom's or Stan's jobs, I guess their jobs are important too, but they're not for me. I'm not like that. I want to do something that makes a difference. I don't have the guts to put on the uniform and be like you. And I know you wouldn't want me to, since it is kind of dangerous. So I thought about what I'm good at, and what I enjoy doing. I sat down and made a list. I thought about my options and I really do think this is the best decision."
"Are you certain that's what you want?" Danny is in awe, not sure what to say, overwhelmed.
"One hundred percent. It is what I want. You do your job every day, and indirectly make my environment safer. Studying Forensic Sciences will allow me to repay you for that, and I hope I'll do a halfway decent job. I'll get to support your work and your ideals from another side. I could help out when you need facts to back up what you figured out, or push you forward when you're stuck. Though I know I most likely wouldn't get to analyze things you brought in, to avoid a conflict of interest in court. But this is it."
Danny draws her close, kisses the top of her head and squeezes her tightly. He briefly wipes at his eyes and laughs when he sees she teared up as well. He vaguely registers Steve hovering near his office, attempting to be inconspicuous while trying to assess whether everything is okay or not, but he ignores his partner for the time being.
"Then, I'd like to congratulate you for making an adult decision. Thanks for coming and sharing the news with me, Grace. Also, thank you very much for not becoming a police officer."
"Mom would have killed me. Though she still might."
"Listen, Grace." Danny moves back and looks at her seriously. "Of course I wish that you'd continue to come to us - your parents - for advice, and listen to what I have to say. Your mother probably feels the same. But at the end, you have to make your own decisions. Even if you do something I don't agree with, I'll always support you. I want you to be happy, and for you to do what you feel is right. I'm incredibly proud of you, regardless of what you do. I couldn't love you more if I tried. Let me know if you need me to talk to your mother."
"I haven't told her yet. I'm still a bit dazed, since I only got the letter today. I wasn't even sure they'd take me. Thank you, Dad. I love you."
"Love you, too. Can I tell the others, or do you want to keep the news to yourself a little longer? Steve looks like he's about to burst into my office."
"Sure, you can tell them. I just wanted you to be the first to know."
Danny wraps her in his arms and holds her tightly as they get up from the couch together.
"Pennsylvania, huh?"
Grace nods. "Yeah, Eberly Campus. About one hour from Pittsburgh. Don't even think about transferring and following me there! This is the best job you've had, okay? I want to come back to you and Hawaii once I'm done, so please stay. I'll be fine."
Danny sighs, but relents and wipes at his eyes once more. Grace leans against him and they walk out, their arm wrapped around each other's waist. They halt in front of Steve, who eyes them attentively and raises his eyebrows when Grace nudges Danny to prompt him to speak. Danny shares a smile with her, feeling himself tear up once more, before proudly sharing the news.
"My baby is going to college!"
A/N: 5 more chapters after this. Thanks for your support, all of you :)