Mari & Ilna: What can I say? I'm enjoying this adventure every bit as much as I was on day one. Maybe more.
REAL Worlders-thanks for all the enthusiastic support. You guys are the best.
Another Domino Falls
"It's super exciting Casey is going to USC, isn't it?" Grace said as she stood to clear away the dishes.
Steve and Catherine smiled brightly and nodded. "Very exciting," they said in unison.
Grace, Gabby and Danny had joined Steve, Catherine, DJ, and Angie for a Saturday afternoon trip to the zoo. The plan was to stop for dinner on the way home so no one had to cook but when the crowd at the shrimp truck was larger than expected they'd all decided to head back to the beach house and throw some burgers on the grill instead.
The adults lingered over dessert and coffee while DJ and Angie worked on a LEGO creation at another table under Cammie's watchful eye.
Steve and Catherine had gotten the distinct impression several times over the course of the day that Grace had something she wanted to tell them. More than once she had broached the topic of future plans by mentioning what some of her friends and classmates were going to do after graduation but each time the conversation veered off in a different direction. They hadn't pressed the matter because they wanted her to reveal whatever she had to say in her own time.
"I'm gonna miss her but we can FaceTime as often as we want, and this is a great opportunity for her, and we'll still see each other during breaks …"
Steve and Catherine exchanged a glance and with a soft smile made an unspoken agreement to give Grace a little nudge.
"Leave those dishes, sweetheart," Catherine said. "We'll get them later."
Grace placed the dishes in her hand on the counter of the outdoor kitchen and returned to her seat beside her father.
"I can't believe in six weeks you'll be a high school graduate." Steve shook his head.
Danny nodded. "Tell me about it."
"You'll be heading out into the world …" Steve continued leadingly.
"Whatever you decide to do I know you're going to be successful," Catherine added confidently.
Grace looked at Danny who gave her an encouraging smile. She took a deep fortifying breath and said, "Speaking of that, there's something I want to tell you guys. I wanted you to be the first to know after Danno and Gabby. And Nonna of course."
Steve's eyes met Catherine's and they both smiled. "What's up, Gracie?"
The teenager clasped her hands in front of her. "I've made a decision about college."
She looked at Steve and Catherine and beamed.
"And?" Steve said teasingly. "Come on. Spit it out. The anticipation has been killing us all day."
"How did you know I'd made a decision?" She looked accusingly at her father. "Did you tell?"
Danny held up both hands. "I didn't say a word."
She looked at Steve. "Am I that easy to read?"
"Not to everyone," Steve replied. "I can just tell when you have something on your mind. I've had a lot of practice over the years reading the signals."
"We wanted you to take your time and tell us when you feel comfortable," Catherine added.
"Thanks," Grace said. "I've known which way I was leaning for a few months now but I hadn't made a final decision and then when I finally did Casey found out about USC and I didn't want to step on her announcement so I decided to wait a few days."
Catherine was once again impressed by Grace's maturity and kindness in wanting her friend to have some time alone in the spotlight. "That was very thoughtful of you."
"So," Grace began to bounce in her seat with excitement, "As you both know my initial list of colleges I was interested in was pretty long."
Danny held his hands up several feet apart and muttered, "Understatement."
Grace chuckled then continued. "In the end I applied to five schools. Two here in Hawaii and three on the mainland." Her eyes lit up and a smile spread across her entire face. "I got accepted at all five!"
"Congratulations!" Steve said proudly.
"That's quite an accomplishment," Catherine squealed. "Way to go!"
Angie picked up on the rising excitement level and came over to see what was happening. "Way go!" She raised her arms in the air.
"What's happening?" DJ asked as he joined his sister.
"Grace got accepted at every college she applied to," Catherine explained.
"That's great," DJ said enthusiastically even though he wasn't 100% sure exactly what that meant. He could tell everyone else was happy and that made him happy.
"Go Gwace!" Angie squealed.
Steve tickled her tummy and lifted her onto his lap. "So…. how long are you gonna make us wait before you tell us which school will be lucky enough to get you in the fall?"
Grace grinned mischievously. "Just a little longer. First, I wanted to say that you guys know how much I've always loved planning parties, and how much it meant to me to be included in the planning of your wedding."
Catherine smiled. "We couldn't have done it without you."
"I really loved doing it," Grace said. "And helping with your wedding was when I realized that it isn't just the party I love. It's finding out what people want their celebration to be like and then finding a way to make it happen. It makes me happy to make other people happy."
Steve smirked. "Which is pretty amazing considering your father is the world's biggest fun killer."
"I am not a fun killer," Danny huffed. "Heaven forbid I actually ask you to stop and think once in a while before you rush into things."
"You'd think you know by now I'm not a stop and think kinda guy," Steve shot back.
"Like you have to tell me that," Danny pfffted. "I have a front row seat to most of the action."
"Before you two get going I'd like to remind you Grace has something she wants to say," Gabby chided them good-naturedly.
"Go ahead," Steve said to Grace. "Your father will never admit he's a fun killer."
"Because I'm not," Danny insisted.
"So anyway…." Grace laughed. "Since I've been working at the Ko Olina I've come to realize that this thing I love to do so much really could become a career for me. I can make a living helping other people make their dreams come true."
"That sounds wonderful," Catherine said excitedly.
"You're great at it," Steve said. "Anyone will be lucky to have you plan their event."
"I talked to Boris and he helped me go over the pros and cons of the Hospitality Management program at all five of the schools I was accepted to," Grace said, her excitement on the edge of bursting. "We narrowed it down to two. University of Hawaii and University of Colorado."
"Soooo…" Catherine said eagerly. "Which is it?"
"Come this fall I'll be a proud freshman at …."
Danny gave her a drumroll.
"The University of Hawaii!" Grace squealed as she got up and raced across the deck to hug Steve and Catherine.
"Congratulations, honey!" Catherine bubbled.
Angie threw her arms in the air again. "YAY!"
"You're staying here on the island," Steve said as he hugged her. "I'll bet your dad is thrilled."
Catherine elbowed his ribs. "Among others."
"Congratulations, Grace," DJ smiled and accepted a hug from his cousin.
"U of H has a really great program and Boris said I can still work at the resort a few hours a week if I want and maybe I can get an internship there." Now that the dam had broken Grace's words tumbled out quickly. "I'm not gonna commute. I'm gonna live in the dorms. Even though I'll only be 20 miles from home I still want to get the full college experience."
"Except for coming home to do laundry and raid the refrigerator," Danny said.
"And don't forget borrow money," Steve chuckled.
Danny barked a laugh. "Of course."
"We're so excited she's gonna be close to home," Gabby said happily.
"I am too," Grace agreed. "But I want to be clear that I picked U of H because it was the best choice for me. I know Danno has teased for years about chaining me to the house so I couldn't get too far away but I know that was just … well …. Danno being Danno. I never had a doubt he would support me whatever decision I made. Even if it had been going to college on the mainland."
Danny beamed. "She really thought this through. I couldn't be prouder."
"I'm so proud of you Gracie," Steve said, his voice choked with emotion.
"Thanks." Grace leaned into his side. "I was hoping we could go for a walk on the beach later. Just the two of us. There's something I need to talk to you about."
Steve looked at Danny whose expression made it clear it was nothing to worry about.
"Sure, sweetie," he said. "How about we take care of these dishes then we can go."
STAY TUNED MONDAY for Grace and Steve's discussion
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