Chapter 3
"I gave you the key, right?"
Myah had already double checked several times, but felt obligated to open the pocket on her little purse backpack once again. "Yep, I got it."
"And you're sure you're okay with working on it by yourself?" Mary bit her lip as she glanced Myah's way.
"Yeah. I mean I was already going to be there by myself. And your trip sounds super cool." It may have been her imagination but she thought Mary had seemed extra attentive and almost apologetic about anything she asked Myah to do that day.
"I know," Mary sighed, but sounded happy. She had informed Myah that morning that she and Joanie had been invited to join a friend for a spa weekend at a resort on Maui, due to a family member canceling at the last minute. "That massage table is calling my name. And their childcare is supposed to be the best. Joanie's going to have a blast." She pulled into the parking lot of Lolani Palace. "You can text if you need anything. And help yourself to any snacks. We always have the best snacks, don't we, Joanie?"
"Okay. I'll make sure to send you plenty of progress pictures."
"No, don't do that. I think it'll be cool to walk it and see the finished product. I'll pretend we're on Fixer Upper." Mary grinned.
"Are you sure? What if there's something you don't like?"
"Don't worry about it, I know it'll be awesome. Oh, and by the way," Mary hesitated. "I don't want you to get in trouble or anything, and I know Steve can be stupid strict. So just blame me, if he gives you any trouble about the credit card thing."
"Oh, I will." Myah responded, but couldn't help but smile. She couldn't deny the slight ache in her belly whenever she thought about the day before, but also wasn't sure what she should have done differently. She was thankful Mary was willing to at least own up to her part. "I'll see you guys in a couple days. Have fun!" She waved until they were out of sight and then turned to enter the building. "Hi, Mecca." She recognized the officer on duty at the front desk, and quickly completed the familiar routine of signing in and clipping on the visitor's badge she was handed.
Chin was the first person Myah saw when she entered the team's briefing room on the second floor. Immediately she ran to him and threw her arms around his waist. He reciprocated with a strong squeeze.
"How's Malia? I'm so glad she's okay."
"She's doing all right. She's a tough lady."
"Is she still in the hospital?"
"Yeah, but they're thinking they'll release her the day after tomorrow."
"Could I visit her?"
"Yeah, I think she'd like that. I'll see if I can take you tonight, alright?"
"Definitely. And I was thinking, if she needs someone to stay with her at home, like if you're working, I could do that. I always helped… my mom." Myah was startled when tears pressed against her lids as she spoke, and she swallowed hard. Malia was kind and gentle and out of all the women she'd met on the island, reminded her the most of her mother. Myah could hardly bear to think about how close they'd come to losing her.
"Hey." Chin said kindly, looking a little choked up himself. "I appreciate that. I can't think of anyone better."
"Hey MJ." Danny greeted her, joining them at the briefing table, as did Lou.
"I hear you're tied up with painting projects." Lou said, reaching over to ruffle her hair.
"Just Joanie's room to finish. But I'll have it done by the time Malia comes home." Myah assured them. "Plus Mary just told me she doesn't want any progress pictures while I'm doing it, so it's not like she's going to be able to change her mind about anything. Again." She couldn't help a small eye roll as she spoke.
Lou laughed. "You know if you go into interior design you're going to have to deal with finicky customers all the time."
"Oh, I don't want to go into design." Myah said quickly. "This is just for fun."
"So you've got other plans then?"
"I'm going to be a helicopter pilot… I think."
"What?" Danny protested. "Why would you want to do that? I think you need to keep your feet firmly planted on the ground."
"Hey now, we need good pilots." Chin spoke.
"It's okay, Uncle Danny. I have a back up plan." Myah shot him a little smirk. "I could always run a shark feeding tour. I hear there's a need for that too."
"Absolutely not. I am putting my foot down. Anyway, get your stuff and let's get out of here."
"Where are we going?"
"I don't know, you want to go get your dad, or not?" Danny smiled.
"He's home?!" Myah grinned.
"He will be."
"He said he has Shelbourne with him?" Chin asked.
"Yeah." Danny shrugged. "He didn't give me any details but he said I could bring MJ if she was being good."
Myah shot him a look of mock offense. "Which of course, I am, thank you very much."
"Yeah, you've been a little better behaved this time around." Danny's lips quirked in mirth as Myah glared at him.
"Have you ever heard of forgive and forget?"
Danny shook his head. "You're forgiven, but I never forget anything."
The ride to the airport seemed to take longer than it should have and Myah was just unbuckling her seatbelt when Danny shook his head at her.
"You wait in the car, babe."
"What, why?" she couldn't keep the smallest trace of a whine out of her voice, and Danny raised an eyebrow.
"I'm sure it will be fine, but I want to actually get eyes on whoever or whatever it is that your dad has brought home."
"Okay." Myah sighed. "You think it could be a thing?"
"I have no idea. But I want you safe in here until I do."
"I will man the getaway car." Myah saluted him.
"Considering your DNA, that is not a comforting thought at all. I'll be back. Be good."
Myah nodded and settled down, pulling out her phone. She sent a text to Nahele and then began to mindlessly scroll through instagram, all the while keeping her gaze focused on where she had last seen Danny. She honestly hadn't thought until now much about who or what Shelbourne could be. She supposed maybe it was some sort of evidence file that Joe had been privy to. She wondered if Joe would be returning with Steve and decided she should probably get comfortable in the backseat out of deference for the longer legs that were hopefully coming her way soon. She had just squirmed into the back seat when movement caught her eye. Steve's tall form registered first and Myah immediately brightened. Danny was walking next to him, hand gesturing rapidly in usual form. A tall, thin woman was next to Steve. Was Shelbourne a woman? There was no sign of Joe.
Steve opened the passenger side door and the woman slid gracefully into the front seat, immediately looking back at Myah, who suddenly felt shy. Danny pulled open the driver's side and slid in next to Myah, followed by Steve into the driver's seat.
"Come here, kid." There was very little room for a reunion, but Myah leaned forward and Steve reached an arm over the seat and pulled her head in tight against his shoulder and held her there for what seemed like a long moment. Myah didn't mind, but she got the feeling he was gathering his thoughts and possibly using her as a reprieve. She was far from being offended by this and was happy to be his safe place and so relaxed her head against his chest. He quickly kissed her hair and then released her.
"Myah. This is Doris McGarrett. My mom. Doris, my daughter. Elle's daughter." Steve started the engine and Myah tried to process what she'd just heard. She shot a stunned look at Danny who gave her a quick shrug and an expression that said he was almost as much in the dark as she was.
"It's nice to meet you, Myah." The woman spoke. She had thick cinnamon colored hair that was cut in thick layers around her face. "I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. She was a lovely person."
"Thank you." Myah managed to respond faintly.
"Do you like living in Hawaii?"
"I do, yeah."
Danny snorted next to Myah and she glanced his way. His forehead was creased and his lips pressed tightly together. He did not look happy and Myah wondered again what in the world was going on.
Steve's phone rang and when he answered the tension was clear in his voice.. Myah didn't understand everything from the one-sided conversation, but gathered that Chin was in some sort of trouble.
"No governor, my man had no choice. Frank Delano grabbed Officer Kalukaua and threatened to kill her if he was not released from prison."
Myah gasped at his words and again looked at Danny. He sighed and gave her knee a quick comforting squeeze.
"It's all right," he whispered. "You saw her yourself, you know she's alright."
"You didn't tell me she got kidnapped!" she whispered back.
"I didn't think you needed to know." he shot back pointedly.
Doris looked back at them. "Sometimes things have to be on a need to know basis Myah. For everyone's safety."
Myah thought that the eye roll Danny responded with could probably put hers to shame any day of the week.
"I remember Chin ho Kelly." Doris continued softly, so as not to interrupt Steve's conversation with the governor. "He was a few grades ahead of Steve in school. A good boy."
Danny nodded. "A good boy turned into a good cop." His voice still sounded defensive, but Myah was briefly caught up in the moment of imagining Steve and Chin in school together. She knew they had both played football, but realized she didn't know much else about their childhoods. Both jocks, apparently.
"Almost losing his wife like that…" Doris shook her head. "It makes me think of Steve's dad, you know? What he must have gone through."
Myah wasn't sure how much longer she was going to be able to fend off the curiosity that was overwhelming her at this point. As far as she'd ever known, Steve's mom had died in a car crash when he had been a teenager. Steve's dad had suspected fowl play which was why he'd sent Steve and Mary away, while investigating it further. Myah couldn't even imagine what Mary was going to have to say about this.
"Yeah, well the good thing for Chin is, he doesn't have any kids asking why isn't mommy going to be coming home or what happened to mommy." It seemed a slightly odd thing to say and when Myah saw Doris's eyebrows shoot up and her lips part slightly in surprise, she felt for certain his sentence had been worded the way it had on purpose. Doris turned and fixed Danny with a focus that reminded Myah eerily of Steve when she was in trouble. She shifted uncomfortably and was thankful to not be in the hot seat for once.
"Are you married?"
"Uh, no, not anymore."
"Kids?" Doris's questions were rapid fire.
"I do have a daughter named Grace. Best thing that came out of my marriage."
Doris gave him a tight lipped smile. "Ever think about going for round two?"
Myah wondered where all these questions were leading. In her opinion if anyone in the car should be answering questions, she thought it should be Doris. Steve was still on the phone but she glanced his way and wondered if he had ever suspected his mother was alive. Danny's response brought her back to the rapid fire exchange going on between the front and back seat.
"I'd actually rather get kicked in the face with a golf shoe."
It was said so dry pan that Myah had to stifle a giggle.
"Mmm, so what, you've taken a vow of celibacy, or…"
"No, I didn't say that… I actually am seeing somebody, we're just… uh taking it very slowly."
Myah wrinkled her nose and mouthed "Gross," at Danny. Looking exceedingly uncomfortable he started to respond, but Doris spoke again.
"Yeah, well, why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free, right?"
"Okay, this is getting very personal, don't you think?" Danny shot a pointed glance at Myah. "Especially in front of a fourteen year old? Or maybe you didn't know she was fourteen-"
"Don't you want your daughter to see you in a healthy relationship?"
Danny's eyes widened and he shot a look at the back of Steve's head, before answering, "Respectfully, I don't think you are in a position to be giving me parenting advice."
"You know what I think Danno?" Doris smiled in what looked like satisfaction. "I think you are afraid of commitment."
"That's incorrect and I prefer Danny."
"Oh, really? Because that's not what I heard my son call you. He must think you like it."
"He thinks a lot of things that aren't true. He's delusional, actually. And no offense to the gene pool, Myah."
Doris opened her mouth to respond but Myah beat her to it this time. "Actually Uncle Danny is a great dad and he moved here to make sure he could be close to Grace. And the Danno thing is special." She didn't know what she'd expected Steve's mom to be like, but certainly not like this. So far this woman was abrasive and acting far too familiar, especially considering that as far as Myah knew, the other three people in the car had thought she was dead!
"Son of a bitch!" Steve slammed his phone down into the cupholder, and glanced back at Danny. "He wants a full inquiry into the Delano release."
"Steven!" Doris reprimanded. "Elle's daughter can hear you!"
Steve took a brief breath to calm himself. "I'm sorry."
"Yeah, watch your mouth, Steven." Danny's eyes were still sparking fire.
"That goes for you too, smartass." Doris scolded him immediately.
Danny sat back and made the motion of zipping his lips shut before folding his arms across his chest.
Myah sat with her lips parted in shock. What was even going on here? This was the strangest most out of character exchange she'd seen in a while. At this point she had no idea what was going to happen next and she didn't like it. Steve caught her gaze briefly in the rearview mirror and then said softly to Doris.
"She's my daughter now too."
"Right, right, of course. I should have known that with everything that happened, you'd start a more non-conventional family."
At this point, Myah honestly couldn't tell if her words indicated approval of Steve's actions or not, but she was thankful to hear Steve correct her. She had just started to call him Dad without thinking twice and the last thing she wanted was to start second guessing herself again. Not that it was that hard to start thinking of him as Dad… the unbidden thought flashed across her mind, as Lacey's words a couple days prior rang in her mind. Easy to call him Dad, easy to forget your Mom…
Danny's phone rang and Myah actually found this to be a welcome distraction.
"Talk to me, Lou." He listened for a moment before turning his phone and tilting his head back in frustration.
"What, Danny, what?!" Steve was clearly not in the mood for any more surprises.
"Wo Fat's on the island. Lou thinks he joined up with Delano when he went after Kono and Malia "
Steve's jaw clenched. "When was he last spotted?"
"About thirty minutes ago."
Doris's expression was tense. "Steve, if he finds out I'm here…"
"Okay, that's not going to happen. I'm going to put you someplace safe, and we're going to hunt down Wo Fat."
"Okay… where do we start?"
"You don't start anywhere. Doris, you're on ice until this whole thing blows over."
Myah couldn't help but notice his use of her first name.
"Steve, I survive two assassination attempts from the PLOs, so I'm pretty sure I can handle myself, thanks."
"I understand that, but I'm not going to risk losing you again."
Myah wondered if Doris caught the hint of vulnerability in his voice. It wasn't something she was used to hearing and it made her heart ping a little. She hoped Doris would settle down.
"I'm taking you somewhere safe, and I've got just the person to make sure you stay there. Myah, that includes you too."
"What?" She was caught off guard. "Why do I have to?"
"Because at this point Wo Fat could use any of you as leverage, and I won't risk it. No arguments." His pointed look stopped her response before she could get it out and she sat back against the seat with her arms across her own chest, mirroring Danny.
"Kamekona?" Steve was on the phone again. "You got eyes on Nahele? Yeah? Listen, he needs to go dark. I'll tell you more later, but you've got my boy. I'm counting on you."
"Drop me off with Nahele?" Myah asked softly and winced at the stern look Steve pinned her with.
"Well, you've certainly got the dad look down." Doris stated, dryly.
Myah didn't say anything for the rest of the drive, as both Steve and Danny had to make several calls. They finally drove into an unfamiliar neighborhood, of simple large houses, several of which looked unfinished. There were several officers in helmets and bulletproof vests standing on the deck. Myah's chest started to tighten and her concerns about her own plans started to dissipate, as the reality about the seriousness of the situation set in. She knew Wo Fat was a dangerous criminal and remembered what he had done to Steve in North Korea. Her heart started to pound as she followed Doris towards the house. Steve caught her elbow and pulled her aside at the steps.
"Let me see your phone, kid." Myah handed it over and watched as he switched it off. He handed her a flip phone.
"What's this for?"
"I don't want anyone being able to track your location. You can use this phone if you absolutely have to make a call, but don't do that unless it's absolutely necessary, you understand me?"
"Yes, sir. Is your number in there?"
"No… don't you know it?"
"Uh… no. I never needed to."
"Well, you've got some homework." Steve said, shaking his head. He swiftly began entering contact info into the phone, clearly in full on work mode.
Myah swallowed, feeling overwhelmed at how rapidly everything was happening. She could not believe how in a matter of minutes she had gone from riding in a car to pick up her dad to being kept at a safe house with armed guards. "I was supposed to go visit Malia tonight." she said softly, pushing out her lower lip.
"It's too dangerous, Myah." Steve said. He handed her the phone and focused on her. "With Wo Fat on the loose and Frank Delano targeting our families…" he swallowed. "Thank God Kono and Malia are okay." He grabbed her in a tight hug and Myah hugged him back. The knowledge that she and Nahele could just as easily have been targeted was starting to make her head spin. "It's going to be okay. We're going to nail those two, I promise. You just need to sit tight."
"I guess you want me to get to know your mom?" Myah asked, her tone wary.
Steve exhaled and let out a mirthless laugh. "I don't know. I honestly don't. I know you've probably got a million questions, and when we have time, I'll tell you more, but I still don't know everything. Long story short, my mother was in the CIA. Her past caught up to her and she faked her own death and has been hiding out ever since. Codename Shelbourne."
"Oh." Myah was taken aback. "And you had no idea?"
"None."
"Have you told Mary?"
"That's not exactly a conversation I want to have over the phone. Do you know where she is? I sent a police officer to check on her house and she wasn't home."
"She and Joanie went to Maui. Her friend had a spot open up for a spa weekend that they'd already paid for."
"Okay, that's perfect." Steve nodded. "Alright, kid, inside."
Myah passed by SWAT officers on the way in and noted Doris having made herself at home on a couch, reading a magazine. The house was well furnished and heavily decorated, but was far from being homey, looking more like a display home.
"I'm going to the bathroom." Myah said softly, excusing herself. She splashed some water on her face, and wondered if they'd be allowed to watch tv. It seemed like a trivial thing to worry about when her dad was going hunting after the crazed murderer running around. She was scared and felt she understood the seriousness of the situation, but at the same time couldn't help but worry about herself and about the awkward situation she was preparing to endure. She couldn't believe Doris had faked her own death, not even telling her husband apparently. She wasn't sure if Steve was more angry or confused and maybe at this point, he wasn't sure either. Myah swallowed hard, and allowed herself to wallow for a moment, wishing that she and Danny had just picked up Steve and been able to go home and relax. Steve could have given her a martial arts lesson, Nahele could have brought home dinner from the shrimp truck and they could have relaxed outside, with Danny there giving Steve trouble. At some point, she could have told Steve about the issues she'd had the day before with the women in his life, and seen what his reaction would be regarding the emergency credit card that had been used for a very expensive non-emergency and then about his ex-girlfriend finding what was obviously an engagement ring in his dresser. If he wasn't too angry with her for the part she'd played in those events, she thought she had a few questions for him as well.
Myah decided she'd delayed as long as she could and exited the bathroom, almost brushing against Doris who was heading into the small kitchen.
"Do you want some tea, Myah?" she asked smoothly. "I was just about to make some for myself and Catherine."
Myah froze and then slowly followed Doris's hand motion towards Steve and a slim woman with long dark hair. She was in civilian clothing but had a pistol holstered on her hip. Myah adored her dad, but frankly felt she was about done with meeting women in his life. She wished again that she hadn't inadvertently discovered the engagement ring, because that secret knowledge made this meeting even more awkward than it already was.
Steve jerked his head towards her, and Myah slowly made her way to his side.
"This is Lieutenant Catherine Rollins. She's on leave from Naval Intelligence and she's in charge while I'm gone."
"Hi Myah." Catherine smiled. "I'm so glad to meet you." She sounded sincerely friendly and Myah felt herself relax a minuscule amount.
"Hi. So you guys work together? In the Navy?"
"On and off." Catherine responded. "We met in the Naval Academy a long time ago."
"I bet you have good stories then." Myah complimented herself on her achieving her usual friendly tone in spite of her discomfort, which of course, was elevated since she had to pretend she had no previous knowledge of the woman in front of her.
Catherine's lips quirked a smile. "You bet I do. We'll talk later. I need to do a quick walk about around the perimeter of this place."
"We'll be right back." Steve told Myah and she nodded. She sighed when Doris beckoned her into the kitchen.
"Milk and sugar? This pantry is surprisingly well stocked."
"Uh… sure." Myah answered. She normally preferred honey, but then again she didn't normally drink tea in a safe house surrounded by SWAT.
"So what do you think of Catherine?" Doris asked. "Does she come around a lot?"
"I've never met her before." Myah answered honestly.
"Really?" Doris sounded surprised. "There's definitely something there." She shook her head. "I'm honestly surprised Steve hasn't gotten married by now. I think he struggles with commitment too." This last sentence was said almost to herself as she stirred the tea.
"I don't know… he committed to me and Nahele." Myah offered. She didn't see any reason to hold back. This would be a long day if they weren't going to talk to each other.
"Well, of course, because he saw a need to be met. He's always been ready to be the hero."
Myah wasn't sure why the woman's choice of words bothered her. Steve absolutely was her hero, and Nahele's too. For some reason though, when Doris said it, it made it sound like she was a hole to be patched or dirt to be mopped up.
"Have you spent much time with Mary?"
"Yeah, a bit."
"Steve told me she adopted a little girl too. Joan."
"Yeah." Myah smiled. "She's adorable. She looks just like Mary, seriously."
"Do you have her number? I'm going to call her tonight."
"I…I don't…" Myah was about to say she didn't know it, but then remembered that it was one of the only numbers she had memorized. Joanie's preschool class had given the children the "homework" of learning their phone number and home address. They didn't have a home phone so Myah had helped Joan learn Mary's cell number instead, and had as a result learned it herself. "I don't think they're home."
"Well, where are they?"
"They're with a friend this weekend."
"A boyfriend?" Doris was starting to emulate the rapid fire questioning technique that she'd employed on Danny in the car and Myah felt herself growing increasingly tense.
"I don't know. I think it's just a friend."
"Well, what's her number?"
Myah has listened to Steve and Danny discuss interrogation techniques just enough to realize that the questions had been asked with the plan of circling back around to the first one, but with enough speed to confuse her into answering something she hadn't intended on. Steve had said pretty specifically that it wasn't a conversation to be had over the phone and Myah was pretty sure he wanted Mary to hear the news from him. No doubt, Mary would prefer that as well. "I'm really sorry… I can't tell you that." Myah shifted back and forth, wishing she was anywhere else.
Doris narrowed her eyes in thinly veiled frustration. "Myah… I just want to see my daughter. And meet my granddaughter. Wouldn't you want to see your mother again if you could?"
Myah's eyes widened in shock and she took a small step backward. She couldn't believe that Doris would use her deceased mother in an attempt to manipulate her into giving her the information. She had assumed that eventually Steve's mother would welcome her as an adopted granddaughter, but the woman's words now caused a protective mental barrier to slam into place, as well as a spark of fury.
"Yes, but my mother didn't leave me on purpose. She actually did die."
Doris's nostrils flared. "Young lady, I will not tolerate that kind of disrespect. I hear that kind of thing from you again, and I will take you over my knee and-"
"Enough!" Steve entered the room.
"Steve-"
"No, Doris, stand down!"
Doris narrowed her eyes. "Did you just tell me to stand down?"
"Affirmative. Myah, give us the room."
The floor plan actually didn't allow for much room to be given, but she obeyed him immediately, turning on her heel, and stepping back into the sitting area. Catherine was standing by the couch. Myah deliberately slowed her steps so she could hear what was being said in the kitchen.
"Listen, I'm going to make something very clear." Steve was speaking. "As far as my daughter is concerned… you don't get to lay a hand on her. Ever."
"So you're raising her to be rude and disrespectful? That certainly wasn't how I raised you."
"Stating the truth isn't rude or disrespectful. I'm damn proud of that girl. And frankly, at this point I'm questioning just about everything I remember about how I was raised."
"I guess it's really easy to say things like that when you're not the one in the situation. But you're right… I'm sorry. That was out of line. I'm sorry, Myah." Her voice easily carried and Myah nodded. She knew that Steve would have known she would overhear his words, but regardless it was immensely comforting in their current situation to hear that her dad had her back. Myah glanced at Catherine, whose eyes were wide and eyebrows were raised. Myah imagined she was second guessing what she'd gotten herself into.
Steve strode back into the room. "I need to go. Cath, SWAT is right outside if you need anything."
"Don't worry. I'm going to look after them as if they were my own."
Steve chuckled and then pulled Myah against his chest. For just that minute he blocked out the rest of the room and she was able to relax. Steve took hold of her chin and his expression was serious. "You be good." he said firmly, and for once Myah didn't feel like he was just telling her to behave or follow the rules. He was telling her to stay safe and to keep her head about her, even with his unpredictable mother present.
"I will."
They heard the click of the door as Steve locked it behind him.
"That came out wrong." Catherine said, looking embarrassed. Myah could only guess that she was referring to her choice of words in caring for them like they were her own. She decided the situation was going to be awkward any way they looked at it, and feeling emboldened by Steve's hug and words, decided she might as well be physically comfortable while they waited things out and so flopped onto the large arm chair in the room.
"Tea's ready."
Myah had to give Steve's mother credit. She carried the tea tray out as confidently as if she were hosting in her own home. "Thank you." She took a sip of the tea and nearly scalded her tongue. Trying not to give away her mistake, Myah set the cup down on a coaster and picked up a magazine. "Oh, score! Housewife's Rhythm!"
Catherine cocked her head. "I'm glad you're excited about the reading material, but I wouldn't have pegged that for your first choice."
"I've read all of these." Myah motioned to the small selection of magazines on the table next to her chair. "They're all staples in hospital waiting rooms. But this one is particularly spicy."
"The Housewife's Rhythm?" Doris sounded incredulous, but also sounded more sincere than she had since Myah had met her a few hours earlier.
"Oh, yes. Their advice column is basically a gossip column, and their relationship and romance section is extremely educational, if you get my meaning. And of course, the embarrassing moments section is hysterical. Shall I read aloud?"
"Go for it." Catherine gave her a wave of approval. "I think we could all use a little humor."
The magazine lived up to Myah's memory and it wasn't long before they were all laughing. Myah had just finished a story about a woman who had gone up to the attic to retrieve something from storage and stepped through the drywall which was directly over her husband's boss and his wife at a dinner party, when Doris started to reminisce.
"Steve was always climbing on things when he was little. He looked so innocent in his camouflage footie pajamas, but he was such a daredevil. Called himself G. ."
"That doesn't surprise me at all." Catherine said. "Born to be a SEAL."
"What did he like to do?" Myah asked. "I know he played football."
"Well, he was also in Boy Scouts. He really liked that, and I did too. I was always the Den Mother of course."
For the first time that day Myah could actually picture Doris doing something motherly. "I can picture that, keeping all the rowdy boys in line, but probably having the best treats."
"You've got that right." Doris nodded. "I was known for my rice krispie treats. He also played the guitar."
"I didn't know that." Catherine said, sounding surprised. "I've never heard him play."
"Well, he mostly played in his room. I can't remember him ever playing for people, but I loved to listen through his door. I guess it wasn't something he kept up with." A genuinely sad look crossed Doris's face and Myah wondered if she was allowing herself to recognize that she'd missed a lot of her children's lives and that she couldn't just drop back in and assume everything was going to be the way it was before.
Would your mom recognize you? Myah bit her lip at the thought and couldn't help but explore the idea for a moment. In the few months she'd lived in Hawaii, she knew her appearance had started to change. There wasn't a scale in the house, but she was definitely down a clothing size, thanks to consistently eating nutrient rich whole foods. She didn't think she'd ever have the slender body type that Kono did or Mary, but she hoped that looking strong and fit would be just as good. The physical activity that Steve made a regular part of their homelife had flipped her previously sedentary lifestyle on its head. And mom would like that, she told herself. She always encouraged me to work really hard at taekwondo when I was little. The unbidden voice was relentless. But now you're doing different things. You changed your room. You changed your style. Myah glanced down at her outfit. Her raggedy denim jeans were extremely soft and cuffed above her ankles. Her top was a coral colored racerback tank top. Back when her mom had the energy to shop for her, Elle had favored cute tops with animals or hearts with matching leggings. Myah suddenly realized Catherine had spoken to her. "Sorry, what?"
"Do you know if Steve still has a guitar?"
"I don't know. I've never seen one at home. But I don't make it a habit to go through his room." Dangit. Why on earth had that been her choice of words? Myah felt certain her guilty conscience had to be completely obvious to her companions as her cheeks flushed red. She shook her head, trying to clear her mind. "But… uh… I think it'd be cool if he did. I think Nahele wants to get into music. I'm pretty sure he thinks no one can hear him singing in the shower, but I definitely can." Myah grinned at the thought of her big brother. "And I haven't told him, but he actually doesn't suck."
"Nahele." Doris seemed to be trying his name out on her tongue.
"How is he?" Catherine asked. "I met him the last time he was on the island but I had no idea Steve was planning on adopting him. I mean, I think it's great, I just didn't know."
"He's good. He works a lot for Kamekona and is always trying to get me to play basketball or football with him, which is frankly an exercise in misery for me, but it makes him happy, so…" She shrugged. "I think Dad's going to get him a car soon, so that'll be cool."
"It sounds like you two get along pretty well." Catherine observed.
Myah nodded. "Yeah, he's a cool guy." The fact was, she was incredibly thankful to have someone to figure out the journey of being adopted with. Nahele never held back from teasing her, but it had never been mean spirited and she knew he'd throw himself under a bus if it meant protecting her. That all was a little more personal than she was willing to share with Catherine and Doris however. Which seemed a shame, considering they were respectively an almost fiance that could have ended up as a stepmother and a grandmother.
The afternoon sky was starting to change color, making everything a warm yellow. All the windows were covered, but the light still managed to filter in through the shades. When Catherine got up to do yet another perimeter check, Myah found herself yawning and decided to close her eyes for a bit. Considering the situation and the company, she was amazed she could even think of sleeping, but supposed the activity of the day was catching up with her.
"Is she asleep?"
Myah had no intention of deceiving anyone, but she was very close to nodding off and so did not say anything in response. She was vaguely aware of Catherine sitting down in the chair opposite Doris.
"So…" Doris said. There was a small shuffle of paper and Myah assumed she had laid her crossword puzzle aside.
"So…" Catherine responded.
The air between them had definitely turned awkward and Myah's curious nature called her back from sleep in full force. She kept her eyes closed and her breathing neutral however. She had long had a propensity for eavesdropping which she knew was a bad habit and had not served her well in the past. Steve had attempted to break her of the behavior, going straight to the seat of the problem, quite literally, with his hard right hand. At this moment, however, with so many unanswered questions, Myah couldn't help but think of it more in terms of gathering information.
"Do you love my son?"
Myah was just as unprepared for the question as Catherine was, and barely managed to keep up the facade that she was asleep. She desperately wanted to hear the answer to the question.
"I… care about him very much. We've been through a lot together."
"But do you love him?"
Catherine's phone rang at that moment, and she answered with the sound of relief evident in her voice. "Steve?" Her expression immediately changed to one of concern. "She's right in front of me. Why?"
"Have we been compromised?" Doris sounded panicked. "Is it Wo Fat?"
Myah sat straight up, her heart pounding and not caring that she had probably given herself away.
"I need you guys to come upstairs with me, right now. Steve's on his way."
Myah obeyed and ran up the stairs after Doris who turned at the top of the landing. "I want a gun." Myah was wide eyed as Catherine pulled a second pistol from the back of her belt and handed it to Doris. "Keep the door locked. Don't let anyone in, you understand?"
Doris gave an inpatient shake of her head and readied the pistol. "Sweetheart, I've been doing this before you were born."
Catherine nodded and exited the room, pulling the door behind her. Myah thought her heart was going to pound out through her ears.
"Myah, get into the closet." Doris pulled the door open to reveal a walk-in closet that was oddly filled with hanging dress suits.
"What about you?"
"I'll be fine. I'm going to push the dresser in front of the closet door. Now go!"
Myah stepped into the closet, and ducking behind the clothing, made her way to the back. She heard the soft scrape of furniture and knew Doris had moved the dresser to block the door. The narrow opening at the bottom of the door had initially allowed a small amount of light to creep in, but with the dresser in place, it was pitch black. The air was stifling. The only sound was her ragged breathing. Myah felt tears press against her lids, feeling panic starting to press in. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable! Myah felt a breath of relief when it was Steve's voice that played in her head, and she recalled the moment he'd said it. He'd had boxing gloves on and was working with her on her movement and her blocking. She was struggling with keeping her arms in the right place and although he wasn't applying hardly any force, getting bopped over and over in the head had sent her on a mental tailspin. You can stand there and feel sorry for yourself, or you can choose to embrace what's happening. You're letting your discomfort control you. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable! Myah took a deep breath in, held it to the count of four and then released it to the count of four. Combat breathing. It was going to be okay. Steve was on his way. Catherine was checking the perimeter. Doris had actually made move to protect her, the way a grandmother should.
In spite of her attempts at breathing and calming thoughts, Myah's heart dropped into her stomach when she heard the crash of the door outside. With the dresser in place, she couldn't understand the mumble of voices. At the sound of three gunshots, Myah thought she might throw up. She sat with her head in her hands for what seemed an eternity and then she heard Catherine calling her name and the sound of furniture being moved. Unsure what she was going to see, Myah accepted Catherine's hand as she stepped out into the room and blinked at the light which suddenly seemed far too bright.
Steve's shout cut the air as they heard the door open downstairs. "Myah! Myah!"
Myah wanted to cry, she was so thankful to hear his voice, but she also noted Doris tearing up.
"We're here, Steve!" called Catherine. "Everyone's alright."
When Steve entered the room, he grabbed Myah in a hug so tight, she couldn't breathe. She choked back a sob at her relief to be safe and back in his arms. She wasn't sure what directed her to do it, maybe it was seeing the tears on Doris's face, or maybe it was the vulnerable tone she'd heard in Steve's voice earlier, but she reached out an arm for Steve's mom, inviting her into the hug. Doris came with uncertainty, but Steve drew her in all the way. Myah honestly would have tried to include Catherine as well, but she was standing by the door. Myah felt Steve nod his head at his friend, or whatever she was, and hoped that she felt sufficiently thanked.
It was several hours later that Myah found herself at home, tossing and turning in her bed. It wasn't a matter of discomfort as her mattress was of good quality and it wasn't a matter of fatigue, as she was exhausted and frankly unexcited to be expected to wield a paintbrush the next morning. She knew Kamekona was down in their living room, sleeping with one eye open, as he'd promised. She knew the alarm system was set. She also knew Steve wasn't home yet, and until he was home, the world just wasn't right. Every sound was frightening, even if they were familiar sounds from the settling beach house. Finally she grabbed the soft pink Mexican blanket that was folded across the foot of her bed, wrapped herself in it, and walked across the hall to Nahele's room, where she knocked softly.
Nahele was laying on his back in bed, holding his phone and listening to music. He removed an ear bud when Myah entered his room. "What are you doing?"
"I can't sleep."
"So go read. Or listen to music."
Myah poked her lip out at him. "I can't. Lights out at ten for me and no phone."
"So what do you want me to do?"
"I'm just going to lay on your floor."
"Seriously?" Nahele sat up as Myah lay down.
"Yeah… is that okay? I won't bother you."
"You're already bothering me." Nahele's words lacked conviction and he laid back down. "No talking." he warned and tapping his phone, he set it to play so Myah could hear the soft guitar music too.
She enjoyed the music for several minutes and felt her muscles relaxing. "Hey did you know Dad used to play the guitar?"
"What did I just say?!" Nahele seemed to then register her words. "He did? When?"
"When he was a kid. His mom said he was really good."
"That's cool. I didn't know." They returned to listening to the music and Myah was just starting to drift off when there was a soft knock and the door opened. Nahele sat up as Steve entered. Steve scanned the room as he always did and took in Myah stretched out on the rug, but went straight to Nahele, bending over and hugging him, ruffling his thick dark hair, before sitting down on the edge of bed and looking at Myah.
"What are you doing in here, kid?"
"Just… uh… making sure Nahele wasn't scared."
"Right." her brother scoffed.
Steve shook his head and smiled. "I'm home. Nobody needs to be scared."
"What about WoFat though?" Myah asked. "Where's your mom?"
Steve shook his head. "I have no idea, but hopefully far away from here. As long as Wo Fat's on the island she's not safe. So I put her on a plane and told her to pick a country. When I eliminate the threat… she can come home."
"How will you find her?" Myah asked.
Steve shrugged. "Same way I did before. She wrote a note for you guys. I don't know what it says." He pulled a folded piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to Myah.
Sitting up, she unfolded the note and read aloud:
DEAR MYAH AND NAHELE,
I'm SORRY I DIDN'T GET TO TALK TO YOU UNDER BETTER CIRCUMSTANCES, MYAH. I THOUGHT YOU HANDLED YOURSELF VERY WELL TODAY. NAHELE, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING YOU TOO. HOPEFULLY SOON. EVEN IF STEVE DOESN'T CALL ME MOM, I HOPE YOU'LL CALL ME GRANDMA.
LOVE, DORIS (GRANDMA)
Myah pressed her lips together, trying to hide a grin, as she looked up at Steve. He let out a tired laugh, indicating that he had resigned himself to the whole situation.
"Alright, I need sleep, and so does everybody in this house. Bed. Now."
For the second time that night, Myah crawled back underneath her covers, but this time was able to relax and drift off into what she hoped would be a dreamless sleep. There were still things to worry about and problems to solve, but for now, her family was safe and at home. There would be time the next day to worry about everything else.
H50 H50 H50
Author's Note: Happy Saturday to my fellow H50 fans… Thank you so much for taking the time to read and review… seriously… you guys are absolute gems. I noticed a couple of reviews seemed to take a couple days to actually show up… I did get them via email, so rest assured I was able to read and enjoy. It's fun to see different reactions regarding what's happened and of course what should happen, lol. Myah appreciates those of you who are staunchly on her side. I will say that setting boundaries and standing up to people is something I still struggle with and I hope that Myah can learn that lesson much sooner than I did. I watched this episode several times and man, I am so conflicted about Doris. She just puts things into a tailspin. Of note, I also have not decided yet what I want to do about a love interest for Steve. There are times I really like Catherine in the show, but I really can't stand how she lied and left him… way too much like Doris, imo. I truly am undecided at this point, but am curious who you guys think he'll end up with? I'm very intimidated by the idea of writing an OC for him, but am considering it. Anyway, have a great weekend.