Okay it is about time to bring the kids back into the story. The next chapter would be heartwarming but we have to get past the case first and some planning for the next chapter. R&R it would make me so happy!

Kono's POV:

While I was in the hospital with the kids Chin and Danny was updating me on the case and as much as I was angry at Rourkela, I knew I couldn't do anything about it because he ran away. At least now I know that Wo Fat is dead and that it was most likely in the hands of Rourkela. The kids also felt a shift in my moods each time Chin would update me in any changes to the case.

Keith's POV:

I knew something important was going on due to the minor changes to my moms moods each time after a phone call, which wasn't that often but I didn't want to dwell on it too much. In a week would be my father's funeral and we would all be paddling a board out to the ocean in our backyard. I wonder how Uncle Danny would handle it, I know he hates swimming but I never knew why.

Auntie Mary would be coming into town a few days later to also say goodbye to dad, Hilary still cries at night so mom gave her one of dad's old military t-shirts, mom went home and got changed last night and came back wearing dad's old t-shirts, I ended up wearing similar style as to my father, black cargo pants, dark blue t-shirt and a plain light blue rolled up long sleeve suit shirt. When mom seen me in those clothes she teared up a bit a said that I looked so much like dad. I mean I couldn't complain, I am dressing like how dad usually dresses and when I stepped into Hilary's room she called "daddy" but when I got closer to her she saw that it was just me and she got disappointed. I felt sorry for her because she's my little sister and I can clearly see that she is struggling with everything.

Danny's POV:

Well since our suspect decided to run to a different state, I called up some of my buddies in Jersey and they told me that they will help me search for that guy and if I ever need to head over to help out with the investigation I would always be welcome. After that I and Chin closed the case, at least in our end until he decides to come back.

We both then headed off towards the hospital and to be close to Kono and the kids. To say Steve's death didn't bring all of us closer would be an understatement.

3 DAYS LATER

Mary's POV:

When I landed at Honolulu International Airport and left baggage claim I saw the kids and my sister in law, Kono standing there. Steve's funeral was in 4 days and everything is planned, during the next 4 days I will be spending time with Hilary, Keith and Kono, they were the only real family I have left, aside from Danny, Chin and Grace. When I got back home I was given the extra bedroom which was across from Hilary's.

Walking around the house I saw the mementos of my brother scattered around the house. It seemed as if nothing was changed since that morning. Steve's old dirty shirt was left on the couch where he would normally leave some of his clothing.

Chin's POV:

I knew Mary was back home, considering everything. I am planning on heading there after lunch, but for now I was at home watching TV, to get my mind off of everything that happened recently. Memories flashing through my mind from the past 2 years, and each and every one of them included Steve, at how well he treated my cousin, of how happy she was when he decided to enlist himself into the reserves, but it took him losing his father, Kono wasn't happy on that part. John loved his grandkids and they loved him. Before he was killed by Hesse they would live together in one house, the very same house they are living in now, Kono and the kids were lucky, at the time when Hesse broke in and killed John they weren't home, but they were shopping, or who knows what else could have happened.

THURSDAY

Kono's POV:

The day of the funeral has arrived and everyone started to arrive, we all paddled out to the ocean except for me and the kids, including Mary. Instead we were on a small boat. I standing the whole time on the not so stable boat, each time a wave would come it would float up, but years surfing allowed me the skills to balance better than most people. I was holding my husbands ashes in a urn while the kids were sitting down with their heads also down.

Once we got to where we needed, the boat was in the middle of the circle formed by the people who came by paddling on their surfing boards. The ceremony got started and the ashes were spread in the ocean, forever mixing with the water, and laid adrift for eternity.

Once the ceremony was over we all headed back and everyone left except for the people closest to my husband, we all gathered together in my leaving room in silence and we all realized that today has been an emotional rollercoaster for all of us. The kids were crying and so were I. memories started to flow through everyone's minds and each one involving Steve somehow.

I was staring out into the horizon, but to be more precise I was staring at the ocean and its vastness. I felt small all of a sudden in such a huge world, tiny, insignificant even, but I knew in this small patch of ocean that we "own" Steve would always be protecting me and the kids.

Thanks for reading this chapter, at least 7 more chapters to go. Please leave a review.

Mahalo!