Grace.
(Chapter Seven)
"Well, the party turned out good huh?" Steve asked after closing the door on the last guest.
"It was great, Mac. A little overwhelming but great. I loved that our Ohana wanted to show us their support." Bailey replied.
Bailey got up and slowly started to clean up the mess from the party. Steve watched her carefully making sure she didn't do too much. After she got all the garbage in the trash he made her stop.
"How bout I put the leftover food away and put the dishes in the sink? You go to bed. You gotta be tired." Steve suggested.
"Alright. You gonna come up when you are done?" Bailey asked agreeing to Steve's suggestion.
"Uh…until things get back to normal I thought I'd sleep down here on the couch," Steve replied feeling a little guilty.
"You mean until my memory returns? No, sorry that's not going to work for me. Mac, you're my husband. Look I want to remember us, probably more than you want me to remember us, but that's not going to happen as soon as either of us wants if you're down here and I'm up there." Bailey told him.
"You really want me to be your husband. You don't even remember marrying me and you want me." Steve stated in disbelief.
"I may not remember, but I know me. I wouldn't have married you if I didn't want you. If I didn't love you. So, just come to bed when you're done down here alright?" Bailey asked.
"Whatever you want Vi," Steve said with a relieved sigh.
"Careful Mac, once I get my memory back that sentence may end up biting you in the butt," Bailey told him playfully heading up the stairs.
Steve watched from the bottom of the stairs to make sure Bailey was safe until she reached the top, found their bedroom, and entered it.
"I'm gonna hold you to that Vi," he said softly once she was out of sight.
Steve began to clean up the downstairs. When he had reached the coffee table he noticed that Bailey had left her memory book behind. On it was a sticky note that said, "Read Me." followed by another sticky note that read, "Yes, you Commander." in Bailey's handwriting. Steve stopped cleaning, picked up the book, sat down on the sofa, and opened the book.
Grace's 12th Birthday Party.
I'm standing in your kitchen. I've just finished making the buttercream frosting for Grace's twelfth birthday cake. I can hear you and Danny in the next room going back and forth at each other about whether the Happy Birthday banner is crooked or not.
"It needs to be a little higher and more to the right," Danny says.
"It's perfect the way I've got it Danny." you disagree.
"No, it's not the guests are going to smack their heads on it." Danny counters.
"No, they're not," you tell him.
I walk into the room with a spoonful of buttercream frosting for Danny to taste.
Danny sees me and says "Bailey please help me out here would you?"
"Banner trouble?" I ask.
"Yes, will you please tell this big neanderthal that I am right and that the banner is too low?" Danny pleads.
"Here try this. It's the buttercream for Gracie's cake I want to make sure I got it right." I reply holding out the buttercream for him to try.
"Why are you asking him? Buttercream is my favorite," you tell me.
"So I've been told. But he is the birthday girl's father." I tell you pointedly.
Danny gives you a smug smile, then turns back to me and tastes the buttercream frosting on the outstretched spoon. He smiles and licks his lips. I try to suppress a blush. I have a crush on Detective Williams and him doing that does not help.
"It's perfect," Danny tells me once he's swallowed the buttercream.
"Good. I'll frost the cake and have it piped before the birthday girl gets here." I say and move to return to the kitchen.
"Wait. So what do you think of the banner?" you call out asking me.
I walk to the middle of the room to get the best view I can of it. I tilt my head first one way and then the other. Regarding it from both angles before frowning.
"Honestly, I think you should take it and the streamers down. Grace is turning twelve not five. She's almost a teenager. You might as well have put up a pin the tail on the donkey game if you wanted to make it look like a little kid's party." I tell you and Danny honestly and retreat back to the kitchen.
"Where are you going?" I hear you ask Danny.
"To take down the stupid pin the pineapple on the tree game we set up on the back porch," Danny replies.
"So what do you want me to do about the banner?!" you demand loudly.
"You heard Bailey. Take it and the streamers down. My daughter is turning twelve not five." I hear him faintly reply.
I chuckle softly as I frost the cake. I was surprised that Detective Williams had taken my suggestion. I had only been with the team for six months and was not really in a position to be giving such opinions or advice. I concentrate on frosting the cake and piping the words "Happy Birthday, Grace." on it so the next time my attention is grabbed it is Kamakona coming into the kitchen with food for the birthday party.
"Lookin good sista." he tells me after he's placed the food on the counter and seen the newly finished cake.
"Thanks. I was just about to call the birthday girl's father in to take a look before I popped on the cake dome and put it in the fridge." I say to him.
"Take it from one who knows food. That cake looks absolutely perfect." Kamakona replies.
"What looks absolutely perfect?" Chin Ho asks entering the kitchen with Danny.
"The cake," Kamakona tells him.
Chin Ho and Danny both look at the cake. Danny turns it around inspecting it. Chin Ho smiles and nods his head signaling that he agrees with Kamakona.
"It looks beautiful. Grace is going to love this cake. Thank you for doing this for me last minute babe." Danny compliments.
I'm pleased he likes the job I've done. The cake is last minute. You and Danny had gone to get one that he had ordered a couple weeks beforehand but the night before it had met with an untimely accident. Danny was frantic about where he,d get a cake in time for Grace's birthday. I called him just after the cake mishap. He told me what happened. I asked what kind of cake Grace likes and offer to make a replacement. It may not be as good-looking as the bakery's cake but it would at least be a cake with frosting, the words Happy Birthday and some roses piped on if he likes. Danny took me up on my offer and I spent the night making Grace's cake from scratch. I decided to whip up the buttercream and frosting at your place while you and Danny got your house ready for the party. Now that it was over I was just praying that Grace liked the cake as much as her father anticipated she would.
I pop the dome over the cake and put it in the refrigerator. Kamakona has brought shrimp in various styles for the party. I steal a garlic one off its tray and scuttle out of the kitchen with Chin Ho and Danny to see who else has arrived. I wander over to the coffee table to see Kono and Adam. Kono is setting up birthday gifts on the coffee table. Chin Ho's, yours, Danny's, Kamakona's, Kono's, Adam's, and my gift are all that are on the coffee table so far.
"Looks good," Danny says to Kono.
"Thought that this might be the easiest place for pictures, but boss man thinks we should do it outside in the back," Kono says.
"Ahh, what does he know? It's my daughter's birthday party." Danny grumbles.
I grin, turn, and head to the backyard. The back door is open. I walk out it and see that you have the grill set up and are already busy making burgers, hot dogs, and ribs for the party. I walk over to the cooler, open it, and grab two beer bottles out. I pop the cap off of them, walk over to you, tap your arm with the bottom of one and offer it to you.
"Thanks, Bails," you say to me.
"Your welcome Commander," I reply.
"You know you can just call me Steve," you tell me.
I can't though. I don't feel like I can call you that it feels too intimate to call you by your first name. I have no idea why but at this moment it does.
"I'll try to remember that," I reply.
You smile at me and take a drink of your beer. I am already aware of what a handsome man you are, but your heart belongs to Catherine. At least that's what I believe and with that logic in mind figure even if you weren't my boss I would never have a chance with you. It is so amazing to me how I turned out to be so wrong.
I drink my beer and then hear a young girl's voice say "Bailey!"
I turn to see Grace. I smile, walk over to her and give the Birthday Girl a hug.
"Happy Birthday, Princess," I say.
"Thank you. Danno's inside fussing. He's worried about you telling him to take down the streamers and birthday banner. I told him that it looks fine." Grace tells me.
"I can make him and the Commander over here put them back up if you want." I offer.
Behind me, I hear you snort and spit out your beer. I can't tell if it's from indignation or you are desperately trying not to laugh. I assume it's the latter as Grace looks up in your direction and has a huge smile plastered on her face. A few moments later we are joined by Captain Grover, his wife, Rene, and his son, Will. Grace grabs Will's hand and the two of them are immediately off. I stay and talk with Rene for a while, while you and Captain Grover chat and laugh. Eventually, I excuse myself and go back into the house. I roam around the house chatting with the guests but mostly Adam. He and Kono's wedding is fast approaching. Adam and I have become close friends in the short time I've worked for Five-0. I've also become close with Rachael's husband Stan, like me and Adam, Stan is something of an outsider and we are all just trying to get comfortable in the circle that is around us. After a while, I realize I need to visit the restroom. I excuse myself from my current conversation, Jerry, and the validity of Area 51 and get myself to the appropriate room. I knock on the door and hear a faint sniffling sound. It sounds like the birthday girl.
"Grace? Is everything okay? Can I come in?" I ask.
The door unlocks and opens a crack. I let myself in, close the door and lock it behind me. Grace is on the floor, behind where the door was opened.
"What's going on sugar? Are you alright?" I ask crouching down.
"I got a birthday present I didn't want." She tells me.
"You haven't opened your presents yet honey." I remind her.
"No. Not that kind of present. My shorts are ruined." she informs me.
"Oh. Yeah, I'd say that's a birthday gift no woman wants. But it's normal." I tell her gently.
"It's gross and I don't have any other clothes or stuff with me," Grace says
"Ah okay. Well for the moment roll some toilet tissue on your hand, take it off, and place it in your underwear. I will be right back with your mom and we'll get you sorted." I tell her.
"Thanks, Bailey," Grace says quietly.
"No problem princess. Just wait here, I'll be right back with Rachael." I reply
I unlock the bathroom door, open it just enough to get out, and close it behind me. I hear Grace lock it again and go in search of Rachael. I find her in the kitchen chatting with Kamakona about food.
"Excuse me, but I need to borrow her for a minute," I say to Kamakona with a smile.
"No problem," he replies.
I lean over and whisper in Rachael's ear, "Grace needs you in the bathroom. She started her first period."
"Oh poor girl, not exactly great timing," Rachael replies in a low voice.
"I didn't think so either. C'mon, I'll guard the door while you talk to her. She says she doesn't have any spare clothes and I'm guessing no supplies either." I say.
"Thank you Bailey and no she doesn't," Rachael tells me.
We walk back to the bathroom. I knock on the door and tell Grace softly that I'm back with her mother. The door unlocks and opens slightly again. Rachael enters the bathroom and closes the door behind her. I hear it lock again as I lean against it to guard it.
"What's going on Bails?" I hear you ask.
I turn my head and there you are Commander. You were probably wondering why I was blocking your bathroom door.
"Female Emergency," I tell quietly.
You look confused for a moment and then your face clears in understanding.
"Oh, umm…is there anything I can do to help?" you ask awkwardly.
I think for a minute and then reply, "Yes, would you mind going out to my car? I have a light sweater on the passenger's side seat. Could you get it for me?"
"On it," you reply and hold out your hand.
I fish my keys out of my shorts pocket and put them in your hand. I watch as you turn around and head for the door. If I'm being honest Mac, I'm enjoying watching you walk away. As I may have said earlier I've always thought you are a very attractive man. It takes only a minute or two and you are back with the sweater. You hand it, along with my keys back to me.
"Thank you," I say.
"You're welcome. Let me know if you need anything else, "you tell me with a smile and rejoin the party.
I knock on the bathroom door and call out, "It's me."
The door unlocks and cracks open admitting me once again. I walk in, close the door behind me and lock it.
"Here, I got my sweater from my car. I thought Grace could tie this around her waist for the time being." I tell Rachael.
"Thank you, Bailey," Rachael replies taking the sweater.
"Come up with a plan?" I ask concerned.
"I need a fresh change of clothes and apparently some pads. Could you take me and mom to get them?" Grace asks clearly embarrassed.
"Not a problem, birthday girl," I reply reassuring her.
"Are you sure Bailey? I could ask Stan or even Danny but Grace is not a fan of either of those options." Rachael says.
"Danny will probably need to be told at some point, but I'm guessing you guys would rather do that after this is taken care of. So let's go do that." I say with a smile.
Rachael nods and says "Thank you, Bailey."
"Here are my keys. I'll join you guys in the car in a moment. I'm going to tell the Commander that we have a last-minute errand to run. So he can run interference with Danny if needed." I tell Rachael handing her my car keys.
"Good idea," Rachael says accepting my keys.
I unlock the door and exit the bathroom, leaving Rachael to help her daughter with the sweater and get her out to the car. I head back to the grill where I am hoping to find you. And I am partly right. You are standing on the porch having a beer with Chin Ho. I walk over to you and rest my hand on your arm. You look down at me, good lord am I short compared to you, and I give you a look signaling that I need to speak with you. You excuse yourself from your conversation with Chin Ho and follow me a little distance away from the guests.
"What's up?" you ask me.
"Rachael, Grace, and I need to run an errand. Can you keep Danny busy until we get back?" I ask.
"Sure. I'm guessing that this is about that emergency earlier." you agree.
I nod my head and reply, "Thank you, Commander."
"Your welcome, and it's Steve." you remind me.
"Right," I reply and head off to my car.
I make a quick detour to the bathroom. I take care of the necessary need, wash my hands, and exit. I get to my vehicle and get in where Grace and Rachael are already waiting for me.
"All set," I tell them and start up the car.
We drive to the closest drug store. I park and the three of us go inside. Rachael and I find the sanitary products aisle. We take Grace down it and Rachael helps her daughter select the appropriate pads. I stand there waiting. I remember thinking that one day if I was lucky enough I would be doing this with my own daughter. I want to make sure I am as kind and empathetic as Rachael is with Grace. We go up to the cashier and Rachael pays for her daughter's pads. Grace looks slightly embarrassed and I remember when it was me, except it wasn't my mother helping buy these items it was King. On the way back to the car I spot a small clothing store for girls in Grace's size and I point it out to Rachael. She smiles and asks Grace if she would like to get a new outfit. Grace agrees and the three of us cross the street and hurry into the store. Rachael goes to the undergarment section and finds some clean underthings in Grace's size. Grace and I browse the clothes until we find a lovely party dress that Grace likes. Rachael joins us and agrees that the dress is beautiful. Rachael and I find Grace's size and the three of us go to the cashier. Rachael and I place the items on the cashier's desk. They are taken and scanned and the total is given.
"You mind if I cover these?" I ask Rachael.
"Not at all," Rachael replies happily.
I pay for the items and we go back to the car, Grace carrying the bag. I unlock the car and suggest that Grace change in the backseat while her mother and I stand guard. Rachael agrees that it's a good idea. Grace gets in the backseat and changes. She knocks on the window when she is done. Rachael and I look at each other and chuckle. We get in our respective seats and I drive us back to your place. On the way back Grace tells us that her other clothes and underthings are in the clothing store bag. Rachael and I nod and Rachael says she'll put the soiled clothes bag in Stan's car and get them washed up with she gets home. We arrive back at the party. Grace is first out of the car and races into the house to show you and "Danno" her new dress. Rachael and I get out of the car and I wait for her while she takes care of the soiled clothes. As we are walking back to the house Rachael stops me.
"Thank you for everything you've done today." She says to me.
"A girl only gets one twelfth birthday and it's no fun when she gets her first period on the same day. I just thought it would be nice for Grace to have good memories of it instead of maybe seeing it as a ruined birthday party." I reply feeling now a little embarrassed myself.
"You've been absolutely wonderful," Rachael tells me and gives me a hug.
I return the hug and we rejoin the party just in time for Danny to announce that it's time for the birthday girl's cake. The rest of the party goes on without any further incident that I recall. Grace is happy with all of her gifts and gives me a hug before I go home. I remember promising you that I will come over the next day and help you clean up. You take me up on my offer. Danny walks me to my car and gives me a hug. He thanks me one last time for everything and I get in my car and go home
Steve smiled as he read finished reading the memory. He had figured that the "Female Emergency" had had something to do with Grace and was glad to know how it had turned out. It was great to know that even back then their Ohana had totally accepted Bailey and she had swung right into action when needed. Steve finished putting the food away and any stray dishes in the sink. He checked the house one last time and noticed he had almost forgotten Vi's memory book on the table. He went and retrieved it, then headed upstairs book in hand. When he entered their bedroom Vi was already lying down in bed. She looked asleep. Trying not to wake her up Steve put her memory book on her nightstand. He then changed out of his clothes and slipped into bed in his underwear.
Once in bed, Steve turned and looked at his wife. He smiled, leaned over towards her, and kissed her on her forehead.
"Good night Vi," Steve said softly as he laid down and closed his eyes.
"Good night, Steve," Bailey mumbled sleepily in return and fell back asleep.