Sammy and Ilna, you're always a source of light. Love you guys.

REAL McRollers and Readers, we love you all.


Practical and Romantic

Steve was opening a package that had been delivered to HQ as Danny entered his office with a folder of evidence. "Valentine's Day present?" He indicated as his partner pulled two boxes out of the safety wrapping.

"Yeah, part of it, anyway." He grinned and put them on his desk before turning to face his partner.

"Wait, you're not gonna tell me what it is? I told you I got Gabby the spa weekend and we're having dinner at Azure."

"You did." He smirked. "Is that the Kolani file?" He reached for the folder.

"It is, and I still want to know what's in the boxes," Danny said as he handed it over.

"I ordered Cath those chocolate covered cherries. And we got cookie bouquets for Angie and DJ. Did you see the pearls Chin got Lelani?"

"Yes, I saw the pearls. Cookie bouquets are perfect for the kids; Angie will go ballistic and you're diverting."

Steve had every intention of telling his best friend, he was just having fun watching Danny get worked up.

"This is practical and romantic." He tapped a box.

"It's some kind of combat gear, isn't it?" Danny shook his head.

Steve tried to hide a grin.

"It is, it's gear. I knew it, what'd you get?"

"Hey, the lipstick taser was a Valentine's Day present."

Danny shrugged. "Okay. Okay, you win that one. Your freakish choice of Valentine's gift saved Cath and Gabby and helped her get them away from that scumbag, Pants."

"Nothing freakish about proper gear. I think wanting my wife safe is romantic." Steve raised his brows. "So, do you still wanna know?"

Danny folded his arms. "Of course I want to know."

He reached onto the desk and lifted the boxes. In the first was a wooden desk rack with 36 slots.

"Alright, I'll bite, what is that?"

"Challenge coin display." Steve smiled. "Cath has dozens in a box. It's from Cammie and the kids. They helped pick it out."

He unfolded his arms. "Okay, that's very Catherine. Let's see the gear."

Steve grinned. "And…" He opened the second item. "From SOG," he noted the knifemaker of choice for the SEALs. "Their new single-handed utility tool."

"And that's both of you in a nutshell. Wait, there's two - you got a matching set?"

"Actually, yeah."'

Danny chuckled. "Perfect. Perfectly, one hundred percent you. Because your other hand might be holding on while you hang out of a moving vehicle or punching some piece of crap in the throat."

Steve nodded. "Exactly. Look at this, the blade opens with a button push and the cutters slice through wire." He returned the items to the box and put them back on his desk. "It'll be great for camping, too."

"So when you're holding Angie back from doing a flip off a tree stump you can cut vines with your other hand?" He smirked at his best friend and Steve barked a laugh.

"Now that you mention it, yeah. Hey, did you get Gracie something or is that … you know, not cool because she's in college?"

"Grace will never be too old for a pound of chocolate caramels." Danny's eyes glinted happily at the thought of his daughter. "And I will buy her a valentine forever, whether or not she thinks she's too old. Which I promise, where chocolate is concerned, is not even a possibility. I still send my mom and Nonna gifts." Danny pointed, a knowing expression on his face. "I have zero doubts Angie will be a grandmother herself and still love a cookie bouquet from her Daddy. And Catherine will always be DJ's first Valentine."

"Good." Steve smiled. "That's good to know. "

"Because you guys intend to do the same."

"As long as we're breathing," he responded.

"Then Angie will be sharing valentines with her own kids … well, maybe not if they're cookies," Danny grinned. "I remember taking turns with Rachel hiding in the pantry to eat candy when Grace was about three."

"Seriously?"

"Hell yes. Sometimes you just want a candy bar or a bag of chips and they're in bed, or past their junk quota for the day or whatever…" He stopped and barked a laugh. "You've totally done it."

"Maybe," he admitted with a grin.

"Knowing you and Catherine, you took turns climbing on the roof to suck down an MRE or whatever you were craving."

"Garage, actually," Steve laughed.

"And there you have it." Danny nodded with a satisfied smile. "Rite of parenthood, my friend. Just like the guy who just about remembered chocolates is getting presents for Catherine from the kids and the dog." He clapped Steve's shoulder, just as his phone rang. "Please don't say we caught a case."

"McGarrett." Steve's expression said it wasn't a case and his partner visibly relaxed. "I'll stop on my way home, thanks again, Joseph." He smiled as he ended the call.

"Everyone okay?"

"Yeah. Everyone's great. Since we're having the party Sunday, we're doing Valentine's Day tomorrow night with the kids. Joseph offered to pick up the cookie bouquets for us when he was running errands today."

"So when are you and Catherine celebrating?" Danny asked as he held out a hand for his keys. The day was over and they were ready to call it a night and head out.

"We'll figure it out, depending on the kids' bedtimes after the cookies." Steve pocketed his phone and grabbed Catherine's packages from the desk. "We actually did a belated celebration the following weekend last year."

Danny held up a hand with a grin. "Which I need to know zero details about. In the meantime, go home and get ready to celebrate Official Day. My kid outdid herself." His eyes shone with pride. "Feels like DJ was always in the family, and on the other hand I can't believe it's been a whole year since you officially adopted him," he said as they exited the offices for the parking lot. "Definitely something to celebrate."

Steve's smile was bright and content. As much so as his best friend had ever seen.

"And we can't wait."

# End. Thanks for reading!


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