Hi everyone,

Here is the next chapter. I am hoping to post a chapter for each story once a month, at least my Hawaii Five 0 and Hobbit stories. My Yugioh ones are going to take a little longer while I try and find some inspiration for those. I am not giving up on them, it may just take a little longer.

Enjoy.

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Chapter 28

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"If you'll follow me, I will take you to your table."

Steve nodded as he stood up and Grace quickly grabbed the crutches and held them out to him. Steve smiled and took hold of them and nodded for Grace to go first before following her and her grandparents over to the table. Steve went to the side of the table that was against the wall and leaned his crutches against the wall before sitting down. He sat next to the head of the table so that he could keep his injured leg out of anyone's way. Grace sat down to Steve's left while Danny's father sat to Steve's right at the head of the table with Clara across from Steve.

"Where is everyone else?" Steve asked.

"Oh they are coming. Should all be here soon." Clara said. "Still a little busy shopping but they are close to being done."

"Glad they didn't see what just happened." Steve said.

"Why were those men upset?" Grace asked.

"They just didn't like that we were getting special treatment I guess. Santino moved the table so it was here instead of in the centre of the restaurant so I didn't hurt my leg."

"That's not nice. You just came back."

"I know but it doesn't matter."

Grace nodded and looked up seeing one of her cousins coming over with their parents and quickly changed seats so they were down the end and started chatting away. Bridget sat down next to Clara with her husband beside her.

"Why was Danny out their talking to the cops with Santino?"

"There was a little altercation in the restaurant."

"Oh what happened?"

"Couple of guys didn't like that Danny and I were here together or that Santino moved our table so it was easier for me."

"You would think they were back 50yrs ago when it was frowned upon to be gay. I guess you get a bit of it in Hawaii too?"

"Not as much as you would believe. It is more accepted in Hawaii than it is on the mainland, I guess. We haven't really had to deal too much with anything like that."

"Well that's nice." Clara said.

"Hi everyone how are you?" Nicole said as she approached the table.

"Nicole, how nice to see you again." Bridget said. "How's the family?"

"They are great thanks for asking." Nicole replied. "Now here are the menus and the drinks menu. I will leave you to have a look through and will come back in a few minutes to get your drink orders." Nicole said as she handed out the menus to everyone that was there and placed menu's in the vacant seats.

"Where is everyone else?" Eddie asked.

"Stella is having a little issue with Eric so they may be a little while." Bridget said.

"What's he done now?" Eddie asked.

"Oh just the usual."

"That boy." Eddie said.

"Leave it be dad. Let Stella and Danny work it out with him."

"I do believe you will have a guest after Christmas Steve."

"He is welcome in our home, just like the rest of you are."

"Let's see if that is the same after his visit." Bridget said.

Steve just smiled at that just as Santino and Danny walked back inside the restaurant and the rest of the family were not far behind. Danny stood next to the register with Santino and spoke with him for a few minutes as everyone else made their way over and took seats at the table. Steve could see that Stellar was stressed out and upset while Eric was just indifferent that everyone might know he was causing strife for his mother.

Soon Danny was making his way over to the table and sat down beside Steve and Steve raised his arm and wrapped it around behind Danny's shoulder resting on the chair.

"The cops would like a statement from you tomorrow, just to back up everything."

"I could have done it now you know."

"Yeah I know but your leg is sore so let's just keep you off your feet as much as possible shall we." Danny said quietly so no one overhear.

Steve shook his head turned his attention to the rest of the table. Steve smiled as he looked down the table at Danny's entire family. It was strange for him. Steve's entire family apart from his father's parents and his sister were all dead and he wasn't close with any of them. The only other family he had was his pack and it still wasn't like this.

"Alright babe?" Danny asked quietly.

"Yeah I'm alright."

Steve was soon pulled into conversation with Danny's father as they ordered lunch. Steve was relaxed talking with Danny's family. They would shuffle around through the afternoon and into the evening. Only Steve remained in his seat as it was too difficult to move around and set his crutches out of the way. It was a couple of hours after dinner and they were having coffee before they left, when Grace came over.

"Danno?" Grace asked and Steve could tell she was tired.

"Yes Monkey?"

"Are we leaving soon? I'm tired."

"We are soon."

Steve pushed his chair back and taped Grace on the shoulder and held out his arms. Grace moved closer and Steve picked her up and set her on his uninjured leg. Grace curled up on his lap and fell into a doze.

"You know, this is the happiest I've seen Grace this whole trip." Danny's father said.

"What do you mean? She wasn't happy to see you?"

"Oh no, she was most definitely, but she was missing something. She was worried for you."

Steve looked to Danny who nodded sadly, and Steve looked down at a dozing Grace. Guilty that he had caused that worry in her and Danny. Guilty because he knew there would be another time when he would have to go again.

"Relax Steve, there is nothing you can do about it. Its over now." Danny said as he sat beside him and his arm was this time wrapped across the back of Steve's chair. "You're here now and she is ok."

The adults finished their coffees before settling the bill and gathering the children. Danny stood and moved Steve's crutches within reach before taking Grace from him. That proved harder that it should have been. Grace was holding on tight to Steve and not wanting to let go. Steve was slowly able to loosen Grace's hold on him as she wined in her sleep before he climbed to his feet and followed everyone as they left.

Everyone was saying goodbye to Santino as they left and headed out to the car. Steve followed behind everyone as he was moving slower now. The pain was starting to set in now that he had stood up and was moving and his pain meds were wearing off.

They all gathered off to the side of the parking lot as they were now having to split up and find their cars and head home. Steve followed Danny to their car with Grace going with her grandparents. They took two cars even though they didn't need too, but with all the shopping it would be easier to fill one car with everything and then split up between the two than all fit in one with all the shopping. This way everyone was comfortable.

Steve slid into the passenger seat and slid the crutches into the back. Danny got into the driver's seat and looked at Steve who was looking pretty exhausted.

"Babe, you ok?"

"Yeah I'm fine. Just getting tired is all."

"Well when we get back to my parents, you head straight upstairs and I'll get you a glass of water and put Grace to bed."

"I can help with putting her to bed."

"Babe, you look exhausted. You are better of going straight to bed than trying to help put Grace to bed. You can help tomorrow if you are up to it."

"Alright, but if Grace wants me to put her to bed I will."

"Ok."

They travelled in silence for a little while before Steve spoke up again.

"What are you going to do about your sister's son?"

"I don't know. I guess I will just have to see what he will be like when he is with us. I do know I am going to have to give him a good talking to, which I have done previously. Hopefully as he will not be home it might make him think."

"Don't be too hard on him Danny."

"No, I will be. He is lucky he is not locked up."

"What?" Steve said in surprise as this was the first he was hearing of this.

"Okay, couple months ago he gets popped in a stolen car. Make a couple phone calls, get the charges dropped. That's what Ted meant yesterday by stealing cars. If he had been caught with drugs then I am not sure I could get him off as easily."

"Yes I remember now. We will just have to see what happens when we get home."

Danny soon pulled into his parent's street just as his parents and Grace climbed out of their car that was already parked in driveway. Grace was in her grandfather's arms as it looked like she had fallen asleep. Danny pulled in behind them and Steve opened his door as Danny closed his own and walked around the car and held the door open; Danny took the crutches and leaned them against the car and helped Steve climb out. Steve took the crutches and started up the driveway at a slow pace.

"Head upstairs babe, I'll be there in a minute."

Steve nodded and continued his way into the house. He came to the stairs and left one of his crutches against the wall out of the way but in sight so no one could accidently trip over it. He didn't feel up to trying to conquer the stairs on both crutches.

Steve made his way upstairs fairly quickly considering how stiff and sore he was feeling. Steve made it to the room he was sharing with Danny and changed his clothes before collapsing on the bed. Steve didn't even realise he had fallen asleep.

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Danny made his way to the stairs not much later to find one of Steve's crutches by the stairs. Danny grabbed it on his way passed and continued upstairs and to their room to find Steve already changed and already asleep. Danny smiled as he turned the light down and went to see Grace who was also almost asleep.

"You are supposed to be asleep."

"I was waiting for you and Uncle Steve."

"I'm here but Steve has already fallen asleep. I think we may have worn him out."

"Is he ok?"

"Yeah just tired, just like you are. A day of rest tomorrow and he'll feel better."

"Nana and Pop were talking about taking me and my cousins to see a movie tomorrow."

"I think that's a wonderful idea."

"But I want to stay with you and Uncle Steve."

"Grace, Steve isn't going anywhere. You only get to see nana and pop every couple of years, same with your cousins. I think you should spend as much time as you can with them before we leave."

"Ok."

"Besides you'll probably find Steve will not be very good company tomorrow anyway."

"Why?"

"Because he'll be tired and tired of me making him rest." Danny said making Grace smile. "Sleep Monkey, it's late."

"Night Danno."

"Night Monkey."

Danny kissed Grace on the forehead and left the room. Danny headed downstairs quickly to see his parents and say goodnight before getting a couple of glasses of water. Danny returned to see Steve still in the same position he was in earlier. Danny really hated the idea of waking him, but it was necessary. Danny quickly changed and sat beside Steve on the bed.

"Steve wake up." Danny said as he gently shook Steve's arm. "Babe wake up."

Steve woke with a groan as he looked around. Looking at Danny, Steve frowned, not sure why he was woken up.

"Sorry babe, but you need to take your meds before you sleep."

Steve groaned as he sat up and took the meds and water from Danny. Danny turned off the light and laid down bedside Steve who was laying on his side looked at Danny.

"Night Danny."

"Night babe."

Danny faced Steve and wrapped his arm over his side and held him close like all the times Steve did to him, before falling asleep.

~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~ End of Chapter 28 ~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~

Hope you liked it. Please review.