A/N: I originally intended for yesterday's chapter to take the place of my Monday posting, but a "Guest" left a nice review and asked if there would still be a chapter today. I can't resist my reviewers! Someone also was wanting to see how Danny told Charlie, which wasn't something I had written, so this chapter and the next chapter were written in response to that. I'm glad for that comment, because I really like how it ended up working into the story. So, thanks again for your reviews!


Danny had a lot of time to think on the drive over to Rachel's and when he and Steve arrived, after they had greeted the children and gotten them settled watching TV in the den, he pulled Steve and Rachel aside in the kitchen.

"Listen you guys, if it's okay with you, I want to just proceed with tonight like normal. Have dinner and put the kids to bed. Maybe Steve and I can stay here overnight. Then in the morning, I want to take everybody over to Steve's. We can get breakfast together and I can take Charlie out on the beach and talk to him. Is that okay, Rach?"

Danny hadn't realized until it had come time to tell Charlie the news how much Steve's house had become his home. When he thought about telling Charlie at Rachel's it just didn't seem right. The only place he could even picture delivering the news to Charlie was out on the beach behind the McGarrett house. He realized that for better or for worse, Hawaii was becoming his heart home more and more with every passing day. He held his breath waiting for Rachel's response.

Rachel struggled for a few minutes. She wanted to be present when Danny told Charlie and she had thought they would do it that night together at her house. As she considered Danny's question, she realized it was important to him to do this himself. After giving it her due consideration, she nodded her head at him. Danny instantly relaxed a bit.

"Thank you. I'll tell Charlie and then you and I can talk to him some more. Then we need to tell Grace. After that we need to tell Joanie. Obviously it's going to be a little different how we tell each of them. But, I want them to be able to ask us any questions they need to and I think it would be helpful if Steve is there. You know Grace might have concerns that she won't talk to either of us about, but for some reason she is always able to open up to Steve. Is that okay, buddy?"

Steve swallowed nervously. He thought of Grace as if she were his own child and he knew that she felt comfortable asking him a lot of things that she hesitated to talk to Danny or Rachel about. He wanted to be sure to handle her questions in a way that would comfort the young girl. He finally nodded at Danny.

"Yes. That's fine, Danny. I'm here for all of you. You know that."

Danny nodded firmly and then ushered them back into the den and got the kids into a lively discussion about what they would order for dinner. The final determination was Hawaiian pizza for Steve, Rachel, Grace and Joanie and pepperoni pizza for Danny and Charlie. They ate pizza, watched a movie and everyone was in bed at a reasonable time.

The next morning dawned sunny and bright. Everyone was up early and they organized the kids for the ride over to Steve's house. They were really excited to have a full day of sun, surf and fun. They all loved swimming and playing on the beach so the whole group was really looking forward to the day.

After they had squared away breakfast and everyone had changed into their suits, Danny looked meaningfully at Rachel and Steve and receiving their small nods in return, he stood up and gestured to Charlie.

"Hey, Tiger. Come and take a walk with me, okay? There's something I need to talk to you about."

Charlie trustingly popped up from the floor and grinned up at him. He always loved when he could spend special one on one time with Danno or Uncle Steve, and they always tried to fit some of that time into their schedules for him.

Danny and Charlie settled into the chairs by the beach. Danny reached over and took both of Charlie's hands into his bandaged ones.

"Okay, buddy. Now, I know your Mom told you about how all our friends were being tested to see who would be able to help with you not feeling good all the time, right?"

"Yeah, Danno. Mommy says I has to get some new marrow put into me and they have to find someone special to get it from, so everybody's being tested. She said it might hurt me a little, but then I would be all better."

Danny's eyes glistened and he swallowed convulsively. He hated the thought that this little guy was sick, but he had to push through and tell him the news.

"Yes, Tiger. That's exactly what's happening. Now, when the doctors did the test, they found out something important. Something that nobody knew until that test. Something that Mommy and me didn't even know until then. It turns out that I am your real Daddy. That mean daddy that was here before is not your real Daddy. He's not any kind of Daddy to you at all. I am your real Daddy. So, I get to be the someone special that gives you the marrow."

Danny held his breath waiting to see the reaction. Charlie sat considering for a moment and then the biggest smile came over his face and he threw himself into Danny's arms and wrapped his arms around his neck.

"You're my Daddy, Danno! You're my real Daddy! Now me and Gracie are just the same! We have the same Daddy and the same Mommy and the same Danno."

Danny laughed out loud. Trust Charlie to come up with a way to have it make sense to him. He was now the same as his beloved Gracie.

"That's right, Tiger. You and Gracie are just the same and you have the same Mommy and Daddy. Don't forget, I will always still be your Danno."

Charlie settled on Danny's lap and nestled himself into Danny's arms. They sat there for quite a while just enjoying being together.


A/N: Short chapter today - longer one on Thursday!