THROWING DARTS

Based on the Hawaii Five-0 Series Finale | Season 10 Episode 22: Aloha

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CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

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MCGARRETT HOUSE - JULY 20, 2020 - 2200 HOURS

Steve pushed the wheelchair out of the way and slid onto his knees when he found Catherine sobbing on the bathroom floor. He didn't bother pulling her into his arms. He simply covered her body with his and held her as she cried.

"I got you." He whispered as he laid beside her, wishing he could shield her from the pain. "I got you, Cath."

Catherine flinched as his body touched hers. She cringed while tears continued to roll down her cheeks.

For a long time, they laid on the bathroom floor. Catherine cried while Steve held her. Neither felt the need to say anything further. Eventually, Catherine fell asleep. Whether she had cried herself to sleep or simply succumbed to the overwhelming exhaustion, Steve didn't know. As her breathing steadied, he gingerly lifted her into his arms and laid her in bed, taking care not to wake her up. Steve slid under the covers beside her and pulled her into his arms. One arm snaked around her body while his other hand rested protectively over her belly. "I got you." He murmured as he drifted off to sleep.

MCGARRETT HOUSE - JULY 23, 2020 - 1100 HOURS

"Brought you a snack..." Steve smiled as he kicked open the bedroom door with his foot and carried in a plate of fruit and a glass of water.

"Thanks." She replied listlessly as she stared at the open book on her lap.

Over the last few days, Catherine had been nothing but a perfect patient. She took the pills that had been prescribed to her on time, she let Steve carry her up and down the stairs, and she didn't argue or protest when he hovered. Frankly, the fact that she had been so placid and docile concerned him. Catherine was many things, but lethargic wasn't one of them.

Eddie bolted into the room and jumped up on the bed. Steve was about to scold him, but decided against it. Eddie loved Catherine and the feeling was mutual. He nuzzled his snout underneath her hand, begging to be rubbed. "Hey buddy." She mumbled as the dog licked her hand. Steve sat on the edge of the bed and replaced the book on her lap with the plate of fruit.

"You ready for your appointment today, Mrs. McGarrett?" He grinned as he handed her her updated drivers license and social security card. "Came in the mail today."

Catherine sighed as she fiddled with the velcro on her wrist brace, "I hate civilian doctors."

"Me too." Steve agreed. "That's why I called and got you an appointment with an OBGYN at Tripler."

For the first time in three days, her dull eyes flashed with the lively, intoxicating brown that he loved. "Really?"

Steve nodded. "Yeah." She chuckled quietly. "Figured you didn't want to have to explain… all this…" He motioned to her many injuries.

Catherine picked up a piece of pineapple and popped it into her mouth. "Thanks." She mumbled.

He hesitated and chewed on the inside of his cheek. Steve sighed, "Cath, you know you can talk to me...right?"

She stopped chewing and stared at the plate in front of her. "What do you want me to say, Steve?" She swallowed her bite and then looked him in the eye for the first time in days. Her voice was curt and ill-tempered.

Steve shook his head in shock and exasperation, "Anything!" He exclaimed. "You've barely talked to me in the last seventy-two hours!"

"What am I supposed to tell you?! That this isn't how I expected the first few weeks of being married to go? That I was an idiot for going to meet Coen without you?! That I put our baby at risk because I had a fucking hunch?! What kind of mother does that, Steve?!" She yelled as tears filled her eyes. "I knew I was pregnant and I went after him anyways! I taunted Basayev and basically just pissed him off enough and he fucking stabbed me! I could've lost the baby AGAIN because of how stupid and reckless I was! I have one job, and that's to protect this baby, and I already failed at that!" She shook her head as her body trembled, "I should've died in that hellhole. If you hadn't shown up, Coen would've walked in that door and finished the job. And if he hadn't, the fucking sandwich man would have."

Steve gave her a quizzical look, "Sandwich man?"

Catherine stared at him as if he had grown a horn out of his head. All of a sudden she grinned and started laughing, "I, uh, I never figured out his name… He was the first person who came into the room after I woke up and he brought me a sandwich, so I just nicknamed him the Sandwich Man." The more she explained it, the more hilariously ridiculous it sounded.

He laughed and tilted her chin up with his finger, "See? This is what I mean. You can tell me things, Rollins."

"It's McGarrett now." She smiled and flashed her wedding ring that peeked out of her cast. "Remember?" Steve stood up and tugged his t-shirt off. His jeans were quick to follow. Catherine's eyebrows raised, "As much as I'd love to have sex right now, and trust me, that's a lot... I'm, uh, a little incapacitated." She giggled.

Steve helped her lean forward and began to carefully remove her robe. "You know I love you, right?"

Catherine smiled, "Mhmm."

Steve slowly unhooked her sling, wrapped his arm around her torso, and lifted her up into his arms. "You haven't had a shower in days and we have to go out into public." He admitted sheepishly as he pecked her lips with a grin as he carried her to the bathroom. "Hold on to the sink." He murmured as he helped her balance on her one good leg. Steve quickly turned on the shower and let the warm water run. He helped her shimmy out of her underwear and quickly dropped his boxers before scooping her up and stepping under the stream of water.

"Careful, Sailor." Catherine giggled, "You fall and drop me and we'll both be down for the count.

Steve smiled as he lowered her onto her foot. "Turn around." His voice was coarse and commanding as he poured a generous amount of body wash on the loofah. He began tenderly caressing her body with the suds, taking care to avoid her cast and bandages. Catherine closed her eyes and melted at his touch. "Stay focused, Mrs. McGarrett." He chuckled.

Catherine smiled, "I'm just enjoying it." She turned to face him and rested her forehead on his shoulder as his hand worked the sponge across her shoulders and collarbone, circling across her breasts, and moving down to her growing baby bump.

Steve lingered on her belly and placed both hands on her stomach. His nose nuzzled against hers as he placed a slow kiss on her lips. "Turn back around." He murmured as he helped her to turn and stand under the stream of water. He set the loofah on the shower ledge and popped open the top of her shampoo. Steve began to massage the shampoo into her hair. "You wanna know something?"

"Hm?" Catherine glanced over her shoulder at him.

Steve smiled, "After you left, I, uh, I went to throw away all your stuff, and I found your shampoo and ended up sitting on the bed for two hours with the lid open, just smelling it."

Catherine laughed quietly, "So you tried to get high on coconut and hibiscus shampoo?"

"No." He chuckled, "I just missed you and liked having something that still smelled like you."

"I guess now's a good time to tell you that I stole your cologne." She smirked.

Steve laughed, "I knew it! I couldn't find it anywhere! You sneaky, little thief!"

Catherine turned to face him as the water washed the shampoo bubbles from her hair. "I used to spray it on my pillow." She shrugged, "Kept it in my pack at all times… it, uh, made wherever I was sleeping feel like home."

Steve's brow furrowed as he ran his fingers through her hair, helping her rinse her long tresses, "Do you still have it?"

"The cologne?" Catherine asked as she tipped her head back. "Yeah."

Steve grinned, "I want it back. They discontinued it and I liked it a lot."

Catherine laughed, "Fine."

He turned the water off, stepped out onto a bath mat, and quickly wrapped a towel around his waist. He reached over the edge of the bathtub and lifted her out with ease. Steve carried her into the bedroom and wrapped a towel around her shoulders. He walked back into the bathroom and grabbed another towel, then opened the medicine cabinet and pulled out an assortment of bandages. He headed back to the bedroom and knelt in front of her. Steve carefully peeled back the layers of gauze and tape around her thigh before gently patting it dry with the towel. He inspected the gruesome stab wound for a minute before dabbing it with antiseptic and covering it with new dressings.

"Thanks." Catherine mumbled as he placed the last strip of tape over the bandages.

Steve helped her into a loose dress and re-secured her casted arm in the sling. He sat behind her and began to methodically brush her hair. "I guess this is what they meant by 'in sickness and in health'." He chuckled.

Catherine looked down at her feet, embarrassed by the fact that she couldn't do anything for herself. "I think we've made it through all the conditions of our vows in less than a month."

He pressed a kiss to her shoulder and smiled, "All in, remember?"

"I remember." She smiled as she felt Steve finish brushing her hair, "I can just wear a hat or something."

Steve shook his head and before she could protest, he had her hair woven into a simple braid and secured it with a hair tie. "Who knew learning to braid and tie knots in the boy scouts would still be coming in handy." He grinned.

Catherine beamed as she leaned back against his chest, "I think you're gonna do just fine with a daughter." She glanced down at the towel that was still wrapped around his waist. "You better get dressed! We've gotta go!"

TRIPLER ARMY MEDICAL CENTER - JULY 23, 2020 - 1430 HOURS

Steve sat awkwardly in the waiting room of the women's care ward while Catherine meticulously filled out the stack of intake paperwork that the receptionist had given to her. He glanced over and nodded at the only other male in the room in a show of solidarity. He rested his ankle on top of his knee and bounced his leg to rid himself of the nerves.

Catherine's eyes cut over at him, "You doin' okay, Sailor?"

"Yeah." Steve's whole body was jittery.

"Did you have too much coffee today?" Her eyebrows raised.

Steve shook his head, "No.. Haven't had any… why?"

Catherine rested her braced hand on top of his leg. "You gotta calm down." She smiled. "Deep breath. Four seconds in." Steve rolled his eyes but followed her instructions anyways. Catherine smiled, "And four seconds out." Steve exhaled slowly. "Feel better?"

Steve nodded, "Yeah." He grinned.

"Catherine McGarrett?" A young nurse stood at the door and called her name.

Steve stood up and wheeled her back into the doctor's office. Catherine had reluctantly agreed to go to Tripler in a wheelchair. Having both arms out of commission and only one good leg made using crutches impossible, and the thought of Steve carrying her around bridal style in public was even more embarrassing.

Steve did his best to stay out of the way while her height, weight, and blood pressure were taken. Finally, they were escorted to an exam room. The nurse shut the door and left them to wait for the doctor. Steve helped Catherine out of the wheelchair, picked her up, and set her on the exam table.

Catherine's feet dangled off the edge as if she were a child. "I think this is why adults are still afraid of going to the doctor." She joked.

"Why's that?" Steve's brow furrowed.

"Because your feet don't touch the floor when you're sitting up here… makes you feel like a kid." She shrugged with a laugh.

Steve chuckled, "You're right." He crossed his arms and leaned back in the chair beside her.

"You're doing it again." She chided.

Steve cocked his head, "Doing what?"

"Flexing your arms when you cross them over your chest like that." She grinned, "You already got me pregnant, Commander." She winked.

A proud grin spread across his face, "I did, didn't I?"

Catherine blushed as the obstetrician knocked and stepped inside before closing the door behind her. "Commander and Mrs. McGarrett, I'm Captain Abigail Chase." The blonde doctor stated with a smile as she wheeled the ultrasound station closer to the exam table. "I'm one of the OBGYNs here." She sat down as she reviewed Catherine's medical history. "I see here that this is your first prenatal appointment, but the records that were sent from the Navy hospital in Rota show that everything looks good thus far. So, we're just gonna take a peek today and see how baby's doing and then we'll get you on track with check-ups, okay?"

Steve and Catherine exchanged nervous glances as the doctor began to set up the ultrasound machine. Steve reached over and held her hand, and gave it a gentle squeeze. Captain Chase frowned as she read through a page of Catherine's chart. "Mrs. McGarrett. It says here that your most recent injuries…" She pointed to Catherine's cast, "Are due to an abduction?" The doctor's eyebrows shot up.

Catherine exhaled slowly, "Yes ma'am. I'm, uh, I'm former CIA and former Navy Intel." She forced a smile, hoping that her explanation would suffice. "Occupational hazard."

The doctor nodded, "I see." She smiled, "Can't say I'm not a little surprised, usually in my line of work it's the men who come in all beaten and bandaged." She closed the file and patted Catherine's knee as she pushed her rolling chair to the side, "My apologies for not addressing you by your rank, and thank you for your service." Captain Chase dimmed the lights in the exam room as the black and white screen flickered on in front of them. "Are you ready to see your baby?"

Catherine laid back on the exam table as Dr. Chase moved the ultrasound wand across her belly. Her eyes widened as they saw a tiny little body appear on the screen. The doctor tapped a button on the machine and the room was filled with a strong rhythmic thumping. "That's her heartbeat." The doctor stated. "Everything sounds great." Steve leaned over and rested his head against hers as he kissed her forehead. That little bit of affection sent shivers down her spine. Never in a million years had Catherine thought that one day she would be married to Steve McGarrett, pregnant, and she certainly never thought that the most coy man she'd ever met would be shamelessly affectionate right in front of an Army doctor. Captain Chase's words brought her out of her daydream, "Two little arms and two little legs, her head's perfect, and her body size has you right at fifteen weeks now, so we're gonna put your due date down as January the twelfth."

Steve grinned as he saw tears peek out of the corners of Catherine's eyes. Seeing their daughter on the screen melted away every bit of pain and stress they had been through in the past few weeks. "And I will confirm USNH Rota's prediction that you're having a baby girl." Captain Chase smiled as she turned off the machine and raised the lights. Steve helped Catherine sit up as she smoothed out her dress. The doctor handed Steve a file folder stuffed with papers. "That's just some information on things to avoid and some good things to do. Make sure you're taking your prenatal vitamins every single day. Any exercise you were doing before you got pregnant is fine to continue doing, just don't overdo it. You'll definitely start to notice that you get tired a lot more quickly now, so don't push yourself. Rest, drink lots of water, and try to relax." She smiled as she stood up. "Just a little unsolicited advice: start thinking about a name. A lot of couples find that having a name picked out early helps them bond with the baby before they're born."

Steve and Catherine nodded and extended their gratitude to the doctor. After they had checked out and scheduled her next appointment, Steve wheeled her out to the truck.

"Steve?" Catherine asked quietly as he helped her into the passenger's seat.

Steve looked up at her, "Yeah?"

She clicked her seatbelt as he slid into the driver's seat. "Can we make a stop before we go home?"

"Sure." He nodded. "What'd you have in mind?"

NATIONAL MEMORIAL CEMETERY OF THE PACIFIC - JULY 23, 2020 - 1700 HOURS

"Hey, Doris." Catherine smiled as she brushed the dust and grass off of her late mother-in-law's headstone. "I've got some news… I'm pregnant. It's a girl!" The tears pricked at her eyes, but she laughed them away. "I still can't believe it…I just.. It doesn't even seem real." She looked over at Steve who was sitting a few yards away by his father's grave, probably having the same conversation. "You know, I, uh, I took your advice and left the company.. But somehow it still followed me." Her voice cracked, "I'm scared, Doris. Today someone called me Mrs. McGarrett, and I realized that I have your name now, just like you said." She cringed and chewed on her lip, "You loved Steve and Mary so much that you were willing to leave them just so that they had a chance at being safe. You sacrificed everything for them." She whispered. Catherine tore the brace off of her wrist so that she could wipe her tears away, "God, I just… I'll never be able to fill your shoes." She swallowed the lump in her throat and exhaled slowly, "I just hope I can love this baby as much as you loved Steve and Mary and me."

… … …

Catherine knocked on the door as she glanced around at the SWAT officers stationed outside the safehouse. She didn't have to wait long, because Steve immediately whipped open the door and gave her a coy smile as he stood in the entryway. He glanced back over his shoulder as he took another look at the ghost that was currently sitting on a couch, flipping through a magazine. "Thanks for coming." He mumbled nervously.

"Thanks for calling me." Catherine smiled, trying her best to put him at ease. It was obvious that he was on edge, and the reason for that was sitting twenty feet away from them. Catherine put her hands on her hips and rocked between her heels and her toes. "So, uh… your mom faked her own death and she's Shelburne…" Steve raised his eyebrows and nodded. She smirked, "Well if you didn't have mommy issues before this…"

Steve wrinkled his nose and hid a smile as he nodded, "Cute."

"I try." She grinned.

Steve tilted his head towards the house, "C'mon. I'll introduce you." He put his hand on the small of her back and led her into the house. "Doris." He barked as the red-headed woman set her glasses aside and stood up. "This is Lieutenant Rollins. She's on leave from Naval Intelligence."

Doris smiled and extended her hand to Catherine, "He refuses to call me 'mom'."

"Nice to meet you, ma'am." Catherine smiled as she shook Mrs. McGarrett's hand.

She couldn't get another word out, because Doris immediately cut her off. "Lieutenant Rollins, I told my son I didn't really need anyone to look out for me." She crossed her arms.

Catherine cut her eyes over at Steve and tried to subdue a laugh. Luckily, her tone was nothing but the picture of professionalism. "Oh, he's just being overprotective, ma'am. It's a SEAL thing. And please, call me Catherine."

Doris nodded and looked between her son and the beautiful woman he had introduced her to. "What does my son call you?"

Catherine's eyebrows raised at the brashness of the comment that Doris had made. "Former intelligence agent..." Steve quipped as he pointed to his mother and shifted awkwardly between his feet. "Needs to know everything."

"Unless it's apparent." Doris cut back. "Catherine, would you like some tea? I was just about to make myself a cup."

Catherine smiled as she peered at Steve out of the corner of her eye. "That would be great, thank you."

Doris grinned and nodded. "You?" She looked at Steve.

"I'll pass." He nodded as he stood with his hands on his hips. Doris lingered for a moment and looked between the two of them before walking into the kitchen with a bounce in her step.

Catherine waited until she was in the other room before she let her guard down. "She's something."

Steve moved to stand in front of her and crossed his arms over his chest. "Yeah."

"So have you told your sister yet?" Catherine asked quietly.

Steve's eyes darted over in the direction of the kitchen, "No, uh, I don't really feel like I can tell Mary this one over the phone…"

"Milk and sugar okay?" Doris suddenly appeared, popping out into the doorway.

Catherine glanced over her shoulder, "Uh, yeah, sounds perfect."

"Cath, listen, I, uh, gotta go. Okay? Keep the doors locked. SWAT's right outside if you need anything." Steve explained nervously.

Catherine took a step forward and placed her palms on his chest. "Listen, don't worry. I'm gonna look after her like she's my own mother."

Steve held her hands against his body as he tilted his head at her comment.

Catherine felt his heart race and his breathing pick up as he pressed her hands against his chest. "That came out wrong." She stated defensively as she started to pull away.

Steve's eyes locked with hers as a tiny smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "I didn't think so." He watched as her lips stayed pursed as to hold down her brilliant smile. The joy in her eyes, however, couldn't be tamed. "I'll call you when I can, okay?" He glanced over his shoulder to make sure that his mother was out of sight before he pecked her lips quickly and darted out the door.

… … ...

Doris sat in the living room as she finished her tea. Catherine paced back and forth and peered out the windows as she looked up from her crossword puzzle. "Hey. Perimeter's secure. Come join me." She smiled as she set the newspaper aside.

Catherine left the window and shook her head, "No, I really shouldn't ma'am."

"Cut the 'ma'am' crap, Catherine. Neither of us is in uniform. Now, come on. Please just sit down for a few seconds. You're making me nervous." Doris rambled with a smile as she reached out for her mug. Catherine glanced over her shoulder once more before making her way to the couch. After a moment of awkward silence, Doris asked the one question Catherine had been avoiding for years. "So… Do you love my son?"

She couldn't hide the shock on her face, "Do I?"

"Love." Doris finished for her.

Catherine stammered as she tried to compose herself, "Uh, wow. Um..."

Doris smirked, "I'll take that as a yes then." Panic and fear were plastered on Catherine's face, but Doris continued as if they were just talking about the weather. "Don't worry, dear, I won't tell him." She shrugged. "How long have you been together? Must be a long time if he trusted you enough to ask you to come babysit me."

"Uh, we've, uh, we've been friends for a long time. We worked together in Naval Intelligence before he went through BUD/s and joined the SEALs." Catherine explained.

"How do you like the house?" Doris smiled innocently.

Catherine tensed, "It's, uh, it's nice. Great view." Doris was obviously not your average protective mother. She was a mama bear with government training.

"Is, the, uh.. The room upstairs… Is the frame of the bed still wood? You know, Steve's father actually built it..." She smiled.

"It is." Catherine nodded.

A victorious smile crept across Doris's face, "So you and Steve sleep together often?"

Catherine nearly choked on the tea she had sipped. She coughed and sputtered until she finally composed herself. "I, um… That's not really appropriate to discuss while I'm working, ma'am."

Doris rolled her eyes. "Fine. I got my answer anyways." She grinned. "Ask me an inappropriate question and we'll call it even." She leaned over and rested her elbows on her knees and stared at Catherine.

"Why'd you leave him?" Two could play at this game. Catherine had been cornered and now she was showing her claws.

"I like you." Doris smiled.

Catherine raised an eyebrow. "You didn't answer, Mrs. McGarrett."

Doris laughed quietly. "I have a feeling one day you'll join the ranks of the 'Mrs. McGarrett' club." She muttered.

"Why'd you leave Steve and Mary?" Catherine asked again.

"So Steve has introduced you to his sister, has he?" Doris grinned.

Catherine sat back on the couch and eyed the fiery woman across from her. "You're avoiding the question and that's making me jump to some terrible conclusions about the kind of parent that you are."

"You're good." Doris smirked. "You should join the CIA. Pays way better than the Navy." She crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair. "You really want to know why I left, Catherine?"

Catherine nodded.

"Because I love my kids. I loved my husband. And when you have that kind of love for someone, you wouldn't think twice about dying for them." Doris stated harshly.

"But you didn't die." Catherine snapped back. "You left."

For a split second, Doris's face flickered with pain and regret. It was quickly masked by her quick-witted facade. "I died every day for twenty years, Catherine." She stated coldly. "I regret leaving, but I did what I thought was in the best interest of my family. And if I had to do it again to protect Steve and Mary, I would. Love isn't always rainbows and butterflies and first dates and champagne toasts. Sometimes love means dying to yourself and doing what's best for someone else."

… … …

Catherine giggled. "I think I get it now, Doris." She smiled, "I remember that day like it was yesterday… The first time that Steve introduced us.. You and I, we got into this battle of wits. And, of course, you told me I should work for the CIA… You always had the ability to see into the future didn't you?" She placed her hand on the cold granite and silently wished for the ability to have just one more conversation with her mother-in-law. "But I get it… because I'd die for Steve. And for our daughter. Because that's what parents do." She smiled as she heard Steve's footsteps swish through the grass towards her. "I'll talk to you soon, okay?" She whispered before Steve scooped her up and carried her to the truck.

… … ...

As they drove down the highway, Catherine glanced over at him nervously. "Steve?"

"Yeah?" He looked over at her before turning his eyes back to the road.

Catherine nervously adjusted her sling, "I thought of a name for her…"

His eyebrows raised in delight, "Oh yeah? Whatcha got? Hit me with it, Rollins." He grinned.

"Shelby?" She suggested quietly.

Steve sat in silence for a few minutes before a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Shelby, like… Shelburne?"

Catherine nodded. "Do you hate it? I mean, it's not the most modern name, and if you don't like it or don't wanna name her after your mom, I get it…."

"I love it." Steve grinned. "I do, I love it." He couldn't wipe the smile off of his face. "Do you, uh… do you have a middle name picked out?"

Catherine shook her head. She and Steve rode in happy silence for a while. As they pulled into the drive, Steve lingered in the car. "What about 'Jo'?" He suggested.

"Jo, like Joe White?" Catherine smiled.

Steve nodded and shrugged, "Yeah. He, uh... he and Doris kind of brought us together in a way… you know? So after him... and there was this book my mom would read to Mary when she was a kid, and one of the girl's names was Jo."

"Jo March." Catherine beamed, "Yeah, from Little Women."

"Shelby Jo McGarrett." Steve stated as if he were testing the waters with the name.

Catherine laughed, "It's a little southern."

Steve shrugged, "Your folks live in Texas, she'll fit right in when we go visit." He grinned.

"Shelby Jo McGarrett." Catherine repeated as she smiled from ear to ear. It was the kind of smile where joy leaks out of every part of your face. Catherine had that same smile eight years prior when Steve hadn't corrected her when she had slipped up about protecting Doris like she was her own mother.

Steve tugged the ultrasound photos out of his shirt pocket and tore one off the strip. He tucked it on the dashboard and smiled. "Nice to meet you, baby girl."

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AUTHOR'S NOTE

SURPRISE! I thought this was the perfect little moment to drop the baby name on you guys, so tell me what you think!

I can't wait to see your feedback on this chapter so THANK YOU for taking your time to leave a review!

A FEW THINGS:

1. If you wanna talk about all things H50, Throwing Darts, or writing, follow me on Twitter! XOMaggieMG

2. Why isn't there a lot of Quinn or Lincoln Cole? ANSWER: Honestly, it's because we didn't get to see a lot of them on the show. (which is a huge bummer because their characters had a lot of potential) It's really hard for me to accurately write in their voice because we saw so little of them.

3. The flashback of Doris and Catherine meeting is a little inaccurate from the show, because as you all know, Doris's question of "Do you love my son" was interrupted by Kamekona. I really wanted to revisit that to see how it would have played out if their conversation hadn't been interrupted.

This chapter took FOREVER to write! It's quite literally DOUBLE the length of my normal chapters, so I can't wait to see what you thought!

XO,

-Mags-

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