Guardian
A/N: Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters and make no money doing this. I'm just having fun playing with them.
Chapter 25
Chin's car was already in the driveway when Kono pulled in right behind the Camaro. The women were ready when Steve called and wasted no time heading over. If Grace wanted her ohana there and she was going to have it.
Hopping out of the car, Catherine went to retrieve a bag out of the trunk. Noticing the curious looks from Steve and Danny, she laughed. "We stopped and picked up a few supplies on the way home last night."
Steve noticed the logo for the sporting goods store and smiled. "Thanks! I'm sure we'll appreciate those." The girls had evidently followed through on getting the pads for sparring.
The five made their way into the house, following the sound of Beth and Chin's voices to the kitchen.
"We started pulling lunch together." Mama Williams announced, looking up from the cutting board. "Nothing fancy, just some veggies and sandwiches."
"Thanks ma." Danny gave her a quick peck on the cheek.
Plates piled with food and drinks in hand, the group ventured out to the lanai to eat. It was far to beautiful to stay cooped up inside the house.
Conversation focused on the houses Beth and Chin and looked at that morning. It had been a productive morning and she thought a few of the houses had real potential. One in particular was only a few minutes away.
When everyone was finished, Grace looked at her dads expectantly. She knew her grandmother's arrival was imminent and wanted to be prepared.
Clearing his throat, Danny tried to decide the best way to explain. Eventually he needed the adults to understand the larger threat, but he didn't want to spell it out in front of Grace.
"Rachel's mother called this morning." All eyes immediately turned to him. "She'll be arriving in Honolulu in about," he glanced at his watch, "20 minutes. She requested that we bring Grace to her hotel to stay; however, after discussing it at Dr. James's office we've agreed that we will invite her here."
The adults remained quiet, somehow knowing there was more to it. The tone of his voice when he said 'requested' implied more.
"Due to the strained relationship between Rachel and Mrs. Bradley, Grace hasn't had a very close relationship with her and is a bit nervous about the coming visit. We'd like all of you to remain here when she comes; hoping that it will makes things a bit easier."
Everyone immediately agreed. If Grace needed backup, she had it.
"Additionally, Dr. James suggested that Grace have a code word she could use with any of us to indicate she needs a breather from the situation."
"Smart thinking." Chin nodded his head approvingly. "What's the word?"
"Surfboard." Grace replied, smiling at Kono. The little girl was becoming rather proficient at surfing thanks to the Hawaiian.
"So if she uses that word with any of us, find a way to slip away with her for a bit. The rest of us will keep Dianne distracted. We'll also use that word at the funeral on Tuesday." Steve offered.
"Don't worry Grace; we've got your back." Catherine squeezed her shoulder reassuringly.
Strategy in place, the ohana cleared their plates before deciding to come back out and relax a bit. When Danny's phone rang, they all looked expectantly.
"Detective Williams." He answered grudgingly.
"Daniel, I'm getting ready to get into a taxi at the airport. Have you reconsidered our conversation earlier?"
Closing his eyes, he tried to remain calm. "Mrs. Bradley, we understand that you want to see Grace, but given the circumstances your reunion with your granddaughter needs to happen somewhere she is comfortable. If you want to see her this afternoon, why don't you come here?"
"Fine. Where exactly is here?" Her tone was sharp.
He'd expected more of a fight, but quickly gave her Steve's address. "We'll see you soon."
Phone call ended, Danny shrugged. "She's coming here from the airport."
Grace had a feeling her Danno wanted to tell the other adults something, but didn't want to say it in front of her. "I'm gonna run to the bathroom. I'll be right back." She trusted them to tell her if it was something she needed to know.
When the door closed behind her, Steve shook his head. "I swear that kid is too perceptive sometimes." Looking to Danny, the Seal decided to explain the additional concerns. "We think there may be more to Dianne's visit than just wanting to see Grace. Her comments this morning made it sound like she might try to take her back to England." Shocked gasps erupted all around them.
"Like hell!" Beth exclaimed, surprising all of them.
"She hasn't come right out and said it, but I made a call to Governor Denning just in case and we have his support. I should actually give him a call and let him know she's coming. Excuse me." Rising from the chair, he ventured toward the driveway to call the politician in private.
"McGarrett, how are things?" Denning didn't bother with the usual pleasantries.
"Mrs. Bradley is on the way here from the airport. Grace is quite apprehensive about her visit. Apparently she and Rachel argued a lot, so she had no real relationship with her grandmother."
Steve heard the sound of a car door closing and assumed he'd caught the Governor on the way to an appointment.
"Is the team there?"
"Yes, sir. They met us here for lunch and have been briefed." The Seal realized this was starting to sound like a Five-0 op more than a visit from a family member.
"Good. I have one quick appointment, but will follow up with you as soon as that is over."
McGarrett was surprised by how invested Denning appeared to be, but appreciated the support. "Thank you, sir."
Disconnecting the call, he ventured back to the lanai. Grace had returned and was sitting in the chair he'd, vacated wrapped in one of his shirts. As he approached, she jumped up so he could sit before climbing onto his lap to curl up against his chest.
Sitting next to them, Danny smiled lovingly at the pair. While he was always slightly jealous of any attempt on Stan's part to take his place in Grace's life, he felt nothing but a deeper love for Grace and Steve when he saw them together. Of course, he knew that the Seal genuinely loved their daughter and it wasn't some asinine competition for her affection.
Steve caught him staring and arched one eyebrow at him in question.
"It's nothing. Just thinking how much I love you two." He answered quietly.
"We love you too." Grace and Steve answered in unison.
Hearing a vehicle pull up, the adults all struggled to appear calm. They'd wait to see how Rachel's mother acted before getting to defensive.
In an effort to be civil, Danny rose to go greet his ex-mother-in-law. Rounding the corner, he took a deep breath and reminded himself to stay calm.
"Mrs. Bradley, I hope your driver didn't have any trouble finding the house." She had a car and driver. Rachel's mother would never drive herself or stoop to the level of taking a taxi.
"He was competent enough. Now where is my granddaughter?" She demanded, not bothering to actually greet him.
"She's out back with everyone else." He gestured in the direction they would take. "Follow me."
The detective could feel her glaring at the back of his head as he walked. When the reached the others, she stepped around him.
Danny noticed that his daughter was standing immediately in front of Steve, her hand holding onto his where it rested on her shoulder.
"Grace, come here and say hello." She opened her arms stiffly, eyes shifting to the series of unfamiliar faces. Aside from Danny and Grace, the only person she knew was Mrs. Williams.
The detective watched as Steve squeezed her hand encouragingly before she hesitantly released his hand and stepped forward.
"Hi Grandma." Grace was clearly nervous as the older woman gave her a cautious hug.
"Are you ready to come to the hotel with me?" Mrs. Bradley asked as if everyone was on board with the plan.
Grace immediately broke free and practically flew into Steve's arms. Lifting her easily, the Seal held her close. "Sshh, it's okay Gracie." He whispered in her ear. "You're safe."
"Mrs. Bradley, we've already discussed this. Grace will not be staying at the hotel with you." Danny fought to keep his voice level, the sight of his now terrified daughter making his blood boil.
Beth and the others converged around Steve and Grace. From her position, Grandma Williams could hear her granddaughter mumbling "surfboard" against her Daddy's shoulder.
"Grace, why don't we go in and fix some drinks for everyone." She reached up and brushed the hair from the little girl's eyes.
After the Seal gave her a tight squeeze and a kiss on her head, she let him set her down and grabbed Beth's hand to go in the house.
"What have you told her? Why is my only granddaughter afraid of me?" Dianne all but shrieked.
"Have you considered what she's been through in the last six days? Considered the fact that trying to take her away from her father to some strange hotel is not what is best for her?" Danny was about to snap.
"But I'm her grandmother." Mrs. Bradley nearly shouted.
"When was the last time you saw her?" Steve challenged. "How many times has she actually seen you, talked to you in her life? You may be related to her by blood, but that doesn't mean she's going to automatically trust you." The Seal's voice was tight. The rest of the ohana knew just how true those words were for him.
"Is there a problem here?" An unexpected voice interrupted the confrontation.
"And just who do you think you are?" Dianne turned to face off with the new stranger.
Extending his hand, the visitor spoke. "Sam Denning, ma'am, Governor of Hawaii."
Taken aback by this unexpected turn, she shook his hand.
"And why are you showing up at lowly cop's house?" She had never paid attention when Grace tried to explain what Daniel and Steve did. She only barely remembered that Steve was his boss in whatever little group they worked.
"Is that really what you think they are? Just some lowly cops?" He couldn't hide his shock. "I can't imagine Rachel or Grace ever having described them that way."
"That's all he's ever been." She pointed at Danny. "A cop that ruined my little girl's life and turned her against me."
"I assure you, Detective Williams, Commander McGarrett, and the rest of their team are anything but lowly cops. My Five-0 task force is the most well respected law enforcement team in this state. They are the ones that I trust above everything else."
The team was almost as shocked as Dianne at his declaration.
"I don't care what they are, Grace is the only family I have left and I want her to come with me. She deserves to be with family." She didn't sound nearly as confident has she had earlier.
"Take a look around you. This is her family. I have no doubt that every person here would lay down their life to protect that little girl." The entire task force and Catherine all stood a bit straighter at his words, crossing their arms across their chests as if daring her to argue.
"But she's all I have left!" Mrs. Bradley stared at them.
Denning softened his tone a bit when he spoke again. "And I assure you that no one is trying to stop you from spending time with her, but if you have any ideas about taking that little girl from her father, from her ohana, you better reconsider. There is not a single judge on this island that would let you take her. I can assure you of that."
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A/N: Reviews are greatly appreciated.