This chapter has been EDITED and added to! Sorry about that.
I've also added Chapter 29….so two chapters in one day. YAY!
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Maddie called while Steve and Danny were having lunch together. Steve thought he would be happy to hear her voice again, but it only made his heart ache a little knowing she was so far away. They had a brief conversation that ended with a promise to talk more when Steve got home that night. He ended the call and noticed Danny giving him a "look".
"What's that look for?" he asked grumpily.
"What look? I don't have a 'look'."
Steve rolled his eyes, "You know how you say I have these certain looks? Well, I hate to tell ya, Danny, but you have them too. And the look you're giving me right now means you have something on your mind. So what is it?"
Danny didn't say anything right away which was surprising since he never seemed to be at a loss for words. He looked at Steve long and hard before Steve noticed his expression softening. Danny looked away for a moment before turning back to look at his friend.
"You know I want you to be happy…..and I've always got your back…..right?"
Steve's eyebrows shot up as he smiled at Danny, "Yeah, except for when you're arguing with me. Which is most of the time." He took a drink of his coconut water still grinning.
"I'm trying to be serious here."
"Okay….okay….sorry," Steve answered apologetically. "Go on."
Danny sighed, "I just hope you know what you're doing."
Steve brows furrowed, "What's that supposed to mean?"
Danny put his hands up, "Don't get defensive…..because that's what you always do. I'm just saying that I hope you know what you're doing with Maddie. I know she's your high school sweetheart and all, but…"
"I never stopped loving her, Danny." Steve voice was uncharacteristically soft as he interrupted Danny and looked towards the ocean. When Danny didn't say anything, he continued. "I know it sounds crazy, but I never forgot her…..I never got over her…and I never stopped thinking about the 'what ifs'". He turned back towards Danny. "I know you're probably thinking it's crazy for me to ask them to move back here, but…."
This time it was Danny's turn to interrupt, "But…..I'm happy for you. Really….I am. I just don't want to see you get hurt. I mean, you and Maddie haven't been together for a long time. You've probably both changed a LOT since then. Not to mention, she kept a pretty big secret from you for almost 16 years."
Steve stopped him. "Let me ask you something: Is there anything…..I mean anything….that would stop you from spending time with Gracie and Charlie?"
"Of course not."
"Okay, so now I'm asking you to trust me. I know what I'm doing. I want to get to know my daughter…..and I need Maddie in my life again."
Danny had known Steve long enough to have a pretty good instinct about when he was being truthful, and everything in him at that moment said Steve was ready for a family of his own even if it was by unconventional means. He had also noticed a much softer side of Steve since Maddie and Stephanie had shown up. He offered Steve a big, genuine smile.
"I'm happy for you, buddy. I mean that." Danny said as he reached over to clap Steve on the shoulder.
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Steve finished out the week and even managed to make it through the following weekend before he felt as if he was going crazy.
He missed his girls.
How was he possibly going to make it through the next several days without them? They talked on the phone every night and even did quite a bit of "FaceTime" but it wasn't good enough.
At work the following Monday, Steve paused doing some routine paperwork when he noticed the date.
It was November 15th.
Maddie's birthday was on November 17th and damned if he hadn't thought about her on every single November 17th since he'd had to leave her.
He made an impulsive decision and quickly got online to find a plane ticket to L.A. As far as he was concerned, Maddie wouldn't spend another birthday without him.
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Two days later….
Steve's flight arrived at LAX on time which was a miracle considering how many flights into that airport were delayed for one reason or another. He exited the plane and made his way out with the other passengers and was happy to see Stephanie and a friend of hers waiting for him. She walked up to him quickly and threw her arms around his neck for a hug.
"Mom's gonna be so excited!" she said happily. "I can't believe you flew here for her birthday! We've missed you."
Steve returned the hug and kissed her cheek, "I've missed you too."
"She's going to kill me if she finds out I left school early."
Steve chuckled, "No, she's probably going to kill ME too for letting you girls drive to the airport by yourself."
Stephanie smiled up at him, "Something tells me we'll be forgiven. After all, you're here to celebrate her birthday!"
She introduced Steve to her friend Jessica who was not only one of Steph's best friends, but who also had her own car. The girls had both skipped out after lunch to meet Steve at the airport. Steve wasn't sure yet how he was going to explain that one to Maddie, but hoped that his charm would be all it took to gain her forgiveness.
Jessica gave Steve a friendly smile as she reached a hand out to shake his hand, "It's nice to meet you, sir. Stephanie's told me a lot about you."
He stole a glance at Stephanie, "Hopefully all good things?"
"Of course," Jessica answered with a laugh.
Steve looked at his watch and realized they only had a couple of hours before Maddie would be home from work. If he was going to make up the surprise he'd panned, they needed to hurry. After getting his things into Jessica's car, he moved to get behind the wheel. Jessica tried to protest, but realized quickly she wouldn't win the argument. It became very apparent to her that, while this may be her car, Steve McGarrett would be the one driving them home.
"Sorry, kiddo," Steve said with a wink, "I'm driving." He reached out his hand for the keys which Jessica dutifully placed into his palm.
"Told you so," Stephanie laughed as she looked over at Jess. It was obvious to Steve that his daughter must have told her there was no way he would 'ride shotgun' and let teenagers drive him around; After all, he rarely even let Danny drive.
It was a 'control thing' Stephanie explained. Jessica looked between both of them before giggling and looking back at Stephanie, "So that's where you get it from!" .
Jessica moved to get into the tiny back seat of her Volkswagon Beetle and Stephanie got up front beside her dad. Seeing Steve struggling to squeeze his 6'1" frame behind the wheel of such a small car was comical. He moved the seat back as far as it would go, but it was still a tight fit. The girls couldn't help but chuckle at his predicament. Steve gave them a playful scowl and rolled his eyes.
"My gosh, Steph…Even your 'eye roll' is like your dad's!"
Steve may not like the fact that Stephanie had a teenager-ish 'eye roll', but he was almost proud that it was like his.
They made a stop at a grocery store since Steve planned to make dinner that night. Then, they made a final stop at a local florist to pick up a bouquet of Maddie's favorite flowers. As the florist arranged the flowers into a pretty vase, the girls walked around the shop.
"I can't believe he's getting your Mom flowers." Jessica whispered. "I thought you said he was this hard ass alpha-male."
"He is ," Stephanie whispered back. "I mean, he used to be a Navy SEAL, for Pete's sake. AND he's a 'Lieutenant Commander'…..so I think that's pretty high up." She looked over to find Steve watching them as he gave her a quick wink. "He also has a soft side, though. And it's obvious he and my mom still have a thing for each other."
"Well, I think it's super sweet…..and romantic that he's surprising her and making dinner for her birthday." Jessica let out a little sigh. "Plus, he's friggin' gorgeous."
Steph lightly punched her arm, "Seriously? You too? I mean, he's my dad."
Jess smiled at her friend, "I know….and I'm sorry….but seriously, girlfriend. You lucked out in the gene department. Just sayin'". She reached out to hug the friend she'd known since they met the first day of kindergarten. "I'm happy for you, Steph. I really am…..He seems like a good guy."
The threesome made their way back to Maddie and Stephanie's house. The girls left together to go to Jess' house for the night and Steve started dinner preparations. He had an hour to go before she got home.
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6:30 p.m…..
Maddie walked into her house to the smell of garlic and baked bread. "Steph….." she called out. "I'm home!" Curiosity overtook her as she made her way towards the kitchen. She rounded the corner and gasped in surprise at the sight of Steve standing at her kitchen island. He was wearing a blue dress shirt and black pants.
He's always looked amazing in blue, she thought to herself.
It matched his eyes.
Standing before her at that moment, he was the most gorgeous thing she'd ever seen as he poured them each a glass of wine. He looked up at her and smiled.
It had only been a few days, but dear God, she'd missed that smile.
He lifted one of the glasses up as if toasting her. "Happy birthday, Maddie-girl."
Her purse fell at her feet and her mouth gaped. "Wh…..What are you…..doing here?"
"It's your birthday," he said as he picked up the glasses and walked towards her. "You didn't think I would forget your birthday, did you?"
She still looked stunned. "Did…..um…did Stephanie…tell you?"
He put a hand to his heart as if his feelings were hurt. His eyes told her otherwise, though. There was a very familiar twinkle in his eyes that warmed her to her toes.
"I remembered on my own," he said as he handed her a glass and took a sip of his own. "I've always remembered…..Every. Single. Year."
He saw her swallow as her eyes grew a little misty.
He took another step towards her. "No matter where I was or what I was doing, November 17th was a day you came to my mind." He used his free arm to pull her towards him and leaned down to kiss her. After what turned into a wonderful "hello" kiss, they reluctantly pulled apart.
"Never again," Steve whispered as he put his forehead against hers and closed his eyes.
Maddie leaned back to turn her big, beautiful, hazel eyes up to him, "What do you mean?"
"I'm never missing another birthday." Steve answered.
"And…..Stephanie?"
"Steph's with a friend for the night." He answered.
"Really?" she smiled. "Soooooo, I have you all to myself?"
"Yes ma'am."
Maddie pretended not to be affected by the sultry look she saw in his eyes even though she was feeling tingly…everywhere. She looked towards the stove and tried to act casual. "Okay, so what's for dinner?"
"Chicken alfredo with broccoli, salad with Italian dressing, and something special for dessert." He wiggled his eyebrows at her causing her to giggle.
Then, realization struck her and her smile softened. "That's what we had…" Her voice got quiet as she felt a wave of emotion again.
"…..The last time we spent your birthday together," Steve finished. "It was your 16th birthday and I took you out for a date to your favorite Italian restaurant."
"Chicken alfredo has always been my favorite," she whispered as she looked up at him adoringly. How could he remember her on her birthday every year? And how could he possibly still remember her favorite meal?"
"But how did you know it was still my favorite?"
Steve shrugged, "Lucky guess…" When Maddie gave looked at him suspiciously, he rolled his eyes. "Okay…Plus I may have asked our daughter. Just so I could make sure." He put a hand on her lower back to lead her towards the table. "Come on…..It's gonna get cold."
He led her over to a table that had been set with her best dishes; Her mother's china, as a matter of fact. Maddie had never found much reason to use them….before now.
This was perfect.
Candles were lit and another bottle of wine was chilling in a carafe. Steve pulled out her seat and put a napkin on her lap as she sat down. Then, she noticed the bouquet of flowers displayed as a centerpiece and gasped again.
Blue hydrangeas and white peonies…..Her favorites.
"You even remembered my favorite flowers?" she squeaked.
"I remember everything, babe." He leaned down to kiss her.
He walked away to put food on their plates as she watched him and sighed happily to herself.
This was the best birthday ever.
