The Professional

AvalonReeseFanFics

A/N: And here we are my wonderful readers! The last chapter in the story! I'd like to thank everyone who went on this ride with me! Thank you for reading this story, for all the reviews and the favs + follows! I really appreciated all of you. I hope you guys like our happy ending here, and I hope to see you guys on my other stories! High-Guardian, I hope you enjoyed your B-day gift! Thanks for always reading myself and being a good friend!

Epilogue

It had been an interesting week.

Between her best friend always being in her house, to Steven and his ex always being in her house, to her meds taking her off the planet sometimes, it had just been a wild time.

It was like every time her eyes closed a new cast of characters would show up for when she woke up.

Steve was always there, either just before he eyes closed, or when she woke up. A couple of times she woke up to him talking with Sarah, except that was most likely arguing. Sarah was over protective and since coming back she had been extra over protective of her.

She woke up several times, to Steven arguing with her mother. That made more sense, her mother was… well her mother. And Steve wasn't letting it her get away with it.

And Catherine was in her house.

Her mother literally let her have the guest bedroom. Sarah was sleeping in Rowan's room, Steve had to sleep on the couch, but Catherine got the spare bedroom. He didn't seem to spend a lot of time with her though, in fact he seemed rather annoyed that she was there. Catherine actually spent a lot of time with her mom.

Her mom really liked Catherine.

To be honest, most of the week was a blur.

Rowan remembered it in flashes and pieces. A lot of it was her mom yelling at Steven, Sarah yelling at her mom, Trevor yelling at her mom for some reason, and Steve and her cuddling.

He was very much in the habit of just latching onto her and leaning her against him. Sometimes he put her right into his lap. She didn't mind it when he did that. She felt safe. Like nothing could get her, not even her mother, so long as she was nestled into his side.

She had meant to ask him how long he planned on staying, but then she'd get groggy and forget.

She assumed at one point she'd wake up and he and Catherine would just no longer be there. But they were entering into the second week of her childhood home being jammed packed with extra people and Steve and Catherine were still there.

It almost seemed like Steve was waiting for something, but she wasn't sure what.

It had something to do with her though, because sometimes she'd catch Steve, Trevor, Sarah, and sometimes her dad, all standing there in a sort of semi circle watching her. It was weird and she wanted to ask them what that was about, but then she'd get groggy and forget to ask about that too.

On that particularly day they were doing a cook-out. Her dad had started on the grill and at some point Steve had taken over. That was normal too, Steve was a bit of a control freak, and he definitely thought he was the king of the grill.

Everything was quiet, and normal.

Her mom hadn't pitched a fit yet, and seemed intent to be talking Catherine to death about her garden. Trevor and Sarah were sitting and eating, and Steve and her dad were grilling.

That left Rowan on one of the beach chairs, relaxing under the sun and enjoying the peace.

She must have dozed a bit because suddenly she was waking up to Steve putting his hand on hers.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," he said softly.

Rowan smiled sleepily at him. "It's okay, I can't get used to these midday naps. Gotta get on a real-people-sleep-schedule soon."

Steve's smile was a fond one. "Well, don't you worry about that just yet. You just worry about feeling better."

"I am feeling better, thanks."

"Burgers are almost done, did you want to me to fix one up for you?"

"That would be nice," she said almost sleepily. It was stupid that she was this tired. She hadn't been this bad when the court case was going on, but maybe she was still running on left over adrenaline at that point. Now that it was all done, she felt like she was a hundred years old. All she wanted to do was sleep.

And Steve was so good about that. He'd curl her up to his side, on put her on his lap and he'd let her sleep the whole day away. He also wouldn't let her go up and down the stairs. He was forever carrying her up to her room or to the bathroom. If it was up to him she wouldn't walk at all.

But my god did she love being in his arms. The second she was in his arms she could drift off immediately.

"Right, well, before I do that, I was wondering if… uh. I mean. I uhm… I wanted to talk to you… maybe get some advice?"

Rowan turned to him with a patient smile. "Sure, what's up?"

"Well… there's this… uh… this girl," he said. "And she's great and I really like her, but things haven't been… I unno… linear? But uh… I really like her… like… I think I love her and uh… I was thinking of proposing even though we're not really… I'd say official or together… and I'm worried… I'm worried…"

It was Catherine.

He was in love with Catherine. It made sense, after all. That he would be in love with Catherine. She was prettier than Rowan, smarter than Rowan, more like the girl that Steve would go for. He was obviously trying to telling her that things between them would be over.

Why did that hurt so much?

She could say it was all the pain she was in from all her injuries, or the morphine she was on, but the truth was she loved him.

She loved him more than anything and he was leaving her for his ex.

She couldn't really blame him though. This had all been so much, he was probably tired of constantly having to rescue her. Glad that it was over and he could wash his hands of her and all her drama… and her horrible past that the trial had brought to light.

"It's okay Steve," she whispered. "It's okay. I know you're just… you know… trying to be nice, but it's okay."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," she said with a sharp nod. "She's going to say yes."

"You think?"

"Yeah."

Because she would say yes. Any girl would be lucky to have him, turning him down would be the stupidest thing in the world.

"Thanks."

He turned to her again and to her horror she had started crying.

"Oh… Rowan…"

"No, no, this is nothing, I swear," she said. "It's the morphine, I'm just… it's okay. I understand I do. You deserve to be happy and she… she makes you happy."

"Yeah, she really does."

"It's always sad when things end, even when you're okay with it. And I am I swear, I'm just sad, and high and that's… just ignore me, okay? Go… go propose, you could use the gazebo, it's my mother's pride and joy, it's super romantic…"

"No, I'm going to do it right here," he said.

Would it be horrible to ask him not to propose to someone else in front of her? Probably not but she was already making a scene.

Maybe she could call Sarah over and she could help her get somewhere else, anywhere else before it happened. Naw, she wasn't that fast. Maybe she could get Sarah to be the distraction, she would, she was a good friend like that.

Steve got up to leave, or at least she thought he was going to leave, Catherine was across the backyard from them, but he didn't leave her side.

Instead he stepped in front of her, turned around and then got down on one knee in front of her. Rowan was immediately confused, her poor foggy mind not catching up.

"What are you doing? Catherine's over there."

Steve's smile just widened. "Oh, you silly girl, I wasn't talking about her. I was talking about you."

He was what?!

He pulled a ring box out of his pocket and the world got a little more fuzzy around the edges. This time, not because of the medication but because she was starting to panic. This wasn't really happening… was it?

"I have both your dad's permission and Sarah's. She was very clear that her permission mattered more," he said. "And I don't mean that you belong to them, or anything, I was just being respectful. I was going to ask even if they said no."

He opened the ring box to this diamond encrusted carriage ring with a fire opal as the main gem. He definitely had Sarah's input about the ring.

"I know we were never uhm… official, and I'm totally willing to have a long engagement if that's what you need but uh… I figure with your track record it's better to ask now before something else happens… so … uh… will you marry me?"

Rowan's tears were now ones of shock and joy because she couldn't believe this was happening. She hiccupped softly before offering him her good hand.

"Yes. Yes to you, yes to marriage, yes to everything."

Steve smiled, sliding that ring onto her finger and then leaning in for a kiss while the family cheered and clapped around them.

The second he pulled away Sarah was darting forward.

"Do you like the ring? Tell him you like the ring," she ordered then before Rowan could assure her that she liked the ring, she continued. "He argued, but I know you best and I know how much you love your opals."

"She's right, I do love opals, specially fire opals."

"We may have argued but I clearly went with her idea in the end," he said.

"Speaking of going with my idea. If you're moving to Hawaii we're coming with you. Me and Evelot I mean."

Mm, and Steve would have to meet Evolet before the end of this trip.

"We have time to worry about that too…"

"And you're not allowed to Elope. We'll do a destination wedding to Hawaii, but no eloping before we get there," her father warned. "I've been promised a walk down the aisle, and you two best not forget it."

"Well I think…" her mother started and Sarah turned right away.

"Are you finishing that sentence on a positive note?" she asked and when her mother faltered she shook her head. "We talked about this Mrs. Pierce. You got nothing nice to say don't say anything at all."

Her mom glared at the back of Sarah's head but didn't argue.

Rowan focused in on the man she loved. Who somehow, despite everything, managed to find a way to love her back. She wasn't sure how she had managed to get this lucky.

But she knew she was never going to let him go.

H5O-H5O-H5O-H5O

3 years later

After talking things over, both Steve and Rowan agreed to a long engagement.

Steve eventually had to return to Hawaii as his job was demanding him back, and Rowan spent her time tying up loose ends, packing her stuff and fending off her mother who was adamant on talking her out of moving that far.

As soon as Steve left, her mother had felt right at home again. She kicked Sarah out, and no longer let Trevor talked to her in that disrespectful tone. She refused to believe that the whole Stepanov situation was Trevor's fault in any way, and regarded her engagement to Steve as a way to run away from the problems she had caused over the last few years.

She read her the riot act about how abusive Steve was, and how if Rowan went to Hawaii she'd be cut off from her support system and his abuse would only get worse.

But Rowan didn't care.

Less than a month after Steve left to go back home, Rowan was ready to move too. She sent all her stuff to Hawaii and then she hopped on a place and sent herself to Hawaii.

She was still on her crutches but much better, and Steve was there at the airport to meet her.

He had wrapped her up in his arms and held her tightly for way too long, and then took her bags from her and refused to let her help in anyway.

When she got to his place she found that he had been unpacking her stuff for her. There was still more stuff to arrive, but it was clear that he was more than willing to let his space become their shared space. She had never felt so welcomed anywhere before in her life.

And do you know who was super excited to see her?

Mischief.

The second she heard Rowan's voice that cat was out from under the desk and all over her. Weaving through her legs, jumping up to put her paws on her thighs so Rowan could pet her. Steve said it was the most active that cat had been since he had taken her in.

Oh yes she let him pet her now, and he could pick her up, but she missed Rowan, and he knew that.

Eddie, too, was happy to see her.

It was like everyone was happy she was in Hawaii.

Until Danny showed up.

Danny was currently staying with Steve because he was having issues with his own place. Pipes he said, but Rowan could tell that Steve didn't believe him. He was there to check up on Steve, to talk him out of what he was doing because, just like her mother, he thought this was a completely stupid idea.

He even tried talking to Rowan about it. About how stupid it was that they, two virtual strangers, who only had gotten to know each other under duress would be engaged. It was destined for failure and he wanted to protect his best friend from heartache.

Fair.

But Rowan wasn't there to hurt Steven and it was just as likely that Steve would break her heart so Danny's arguments sort of fell on deaf ears.

For the first little bit they had been a little awkward. They were getting to know one another better, and Rowan was waiting for him to realize that she wasn't what he wanted. That her past was too much for him to handle. Steve kept waiting for her to realize that his work was too hectic, too dangerous, to unpredictable for her and she'd leave.

But that didn't happen.

After a year they were fully into their routine. No more awkwardness at all. And they faced one of their biggest changes. Sarah moved to the island.

With her came Rowan's godchild and her unofficial niece. Evolet.

This was a big deal because Steve had never met her before, and if she decided that she didn't like him his relationship with Rowan was going to be over.

Yes, Grace loved him, and so did Charlie, but this was the child of Sarah, who was notorious for giving people a hard time. He wouldn't have been surprised if Evolet was exactly like her mother in that regard.

He was, however, completely surprised to find that this was not the case after all. They had one day out on the beaches, and she was smitten. So was Steve for that matter.

Turned out he was worried for nothing. Evolet was sweet and kind and well… a typical eight year old kid.

She even got along with Charlie, even though he was younger.

Sarah and Danny however, did not hit it off. Turned out that Rowan had been complaining about Danny's treatment of her to her best friend. That meant Sarah was on the defensive for her, and she was just as sarcastic and witty.

Their first interaction was literally wonderful. Steve had never felt so vindicated in his life. Danny sat there faltering after Sarah hit him with witty remark after witty remark. It was the best dinner ever.

Rowan's parents and brother came to visit often. At least twice a year. Her Christmas and Birthday were done together, so they stayed a whole month. Then they'd come a second time for whatever reason they wanted. Her mother, now that there was distance between them, was willing to be much nicer and more supportive of her daughter. That and Steve had made it clear that if she was rude to Rowan while in his house, he'd kick her out.

And he wasn't above getting her deported either.

Still her mother was certain that, by the end of the year, Rowan would be back in Victoria with them, or embroiled in another disaster. But with Rowan away from Trevor she was just as Steve remembered her to be. Completely manageable.

She had even gotten a job as a song writer with Atlantic Records.

And they had celebrated all night after she had sold her first song.

Of course their relationship wasn't perfect. They had their fights, they had their moments where they thought things were going to end, but they had gotten through it. They had gotten stronger.

But it had been three years, and not only were they still together they were still engaged.

Steve had almost been okay with this. This version of them that was engaged and living together. Married in every sense except for the paperwork, but Rowan wanted to get married, so obviously he'd have to go through it.

He kept telling her to pick a day and he'd be there.

Obviously he'd be more involved in the planning, but until she picked a date he wasn't going to worry about it.

Then earlier into their third year living together, she gave him a date.

She gave him a date and all of a sudden Sarah was always in his house because, as Maid of Honor, it was her job to help plan the wedding. Steve put in his input, though most of it was Rowan and Sarah having two different options of the same thing for him to pick between. He always did his best to pick whatever Rowan was leaning towards, whatever she seemed more excited for.

And so finally, after knowing Rowan for four years, and being with her for three, Steve McGarrett was finally going to marry her.

H5O-H5O-H5O-H5O

"Don't be nervous."

Danny had to stop saying that to him, because the more he said it the more he got nervous.

"I'm not nervous."

Except he was. Oh he so was.

This was a big step for him, this was a lot of commitment, and he wasn't sure he could handle it. He was starting to feel a little bit like he had when he was younger and on the stage for the talent show.

And Danny was not helping him.

"He's fine," Nahele said coming to stand beside him. "And you look great."

Steve smiled at the kid. He was very grateful he was there to be the voice of reason.

"Thanks buddy."

This whole wedding was an intimate affair. They had decided to save money on the actual wedding so they could go on Rowan's dream honeymoon to Paradise Island, Bahamas. That meant the wedding was taking place in their backyard, on the beach. They had Kamekona catering, Flippa as a DJ, and Grover as the officiant.

There were only two people up with him as groomsmen. Danny, as Best Man, and Nahele. While Rowan had Sarah and Kono.

It was surprising, but apparently Rowan and Kono had gotten close while they were working together. The two face timed all the time. It was weird, because Steve didn't really hear from Kono all that much but she was in constant contact with Rowan.

It was also weird because Adam was in attendance and Kono and him were still a little awkward after the divorce.

They had both promised to behave for the wedding though and that was all that mattered.

The couple had invited their friends and family to join them, and since this was going to be quick, they were all standing instead of sitting.

Steve was waiting on the beach, with his two groomsmen, is his dress blues, cap under his arm, waiting for the bride to put it on. He hadn't seen Rowan all morning. Basically he woke up and she was already gone, or well, Sarah was pulling her out of the house.

"You can't see the bride until the wedding! It's bad luck!" she had cried as Rowan was taken away from him and Steve had struggled with that.

He liked Rowan to be where he could see her… just in case. But he understood the tradition and didn't want to upset either girl so he had let it happen. And then immediately called Danny to come over to stop him from being nervous about not having Rowan in sight for that long.

But now they were late, or behind schedule, and he was worried that the ever impetuous Rowan had changed her mind. God if she changed her mind after all of this, Steve was literally going to die of a broken heart.

"Don't worry, every bride is late," Grover said seemingly picking up on why Steve was nervous. "Why, Mrs. Grover was at least twenty minutes late down the aisle for me."

That caused Steve to smile, cause those two had been married forever and were going on strong. Definitely less worried.

"She could also have smartened up and run for the hills," Danny added.

And there was that worry again.

"Oh stop it," Junior called from where the crowd was waiting. "You're just being cruel on purpose."

Danny glared at him but turned back to Steve and said: "If she did run, I've got a case of beer back at my place, you can cool there while we dismantle this."

There wasn't much to dismantle though. There were fairy lights strung in the trees and that was a bout it. They didn't really decorate that much. Other then a photo booth they set up for their friends to take pictures, with wedding theme props, all they'd really have to take down is the buffet style set up Kamekona had in his kitchen.

Steve was about ready to nominate anyone else to be his Best Man, damn even Eddie could do a better job at this point, when the music suddenly started, signifying that finally, finally the bride was coming.

Steve hastily put his cap back on his head and for some reason sucked in his breath. Was it stupid to be this excited to see his soon-to-be-wife?

She had been hyping up the dress since she had picked when she bought it four months ago.

Evolet and Charlie came down the aisle first. Evolet in a nice light pink dress, Charlie looking like a mini Danny in a black suit and matching pink tie. Evolet was throwing rose petals around, and Charlie had the rings on a pillow.

They took their places, Charlie beside Danny, and Evolet over by Rowan's mom.

Kono came down the aisle with Sarah, arms intertwined, the two of them also throwing rose petals up into the air.

They too were in blush dresses, it was why his groomsmen had blush ties. The ties to match the bridesmaids and, black to match him.

But with the bridesmaids down the aisle that meant the moment was waiting for was coming next.

Rowan came down the aisle on her dad's arm looking every much the radiant bride. Her hair was curled nicely but down. Her make up was subtle, and there was lei crown on her head, pinned in place with diamond studded stars.

The dress was made of two parts, he knew that. The first was a blush dress. It was mini, and sleek, with a deep v-plunge and spaghetti straps. Then there was the part of the dress went over it was a slip of white lace decorated with luminous stars. IT was completely see-through. It's sleeves were wide brimmed and elbow length, the neckline higher on her throat and circular, and the length was to the sand. Rowan was barefoot walking towards him.

She was the complete antithesis to his staunch and brightly shined up dress blues.

It was perfect.

It was them.

She was handed off to him, and Steve found that he could not stop smiling. This was happening, it was finally happening and he was no longer nervous at all. He was just excited. Excited for the next chapter of his life to start.

Rowan took both his hands in hers with a large smile of her own just as Grover clapped his hands.

"Well alright, let's get this party started!"

Steve focused in on the woman his heart belonged to.

This was everything he dreamed of and more. He had his friends, his family, the people he cared about. And best of all he had the girl.

His life could not get any better than this and he had The Professional to thank for it.

xx The End