Guardian
A/N: 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 35
Grace saw her Danno and Daddy heading toward the water, but saw Steve hold a finger to his lips before she called out to them. She wasn't sure exactly what he was up to, but since Kono and Cath had their backs to the beach, she could easily venture a guess. Not wanting to give anything away, she continued playing.
Kamekona and Chin also spotted the pair from where they stood in the surf with Grace's grandmothers. They quickly averted their gazes, hoping that if it came down to it they could make a case that they hadn't seen them coming. After all, neither man wanted to get on the wrong side of Kono and Cath or of Steve and Danny. They trusted that their fellow males wouldn't throw them under the bus when all hell broke loose.
As the approached the edge of the water, Grace called. "Uncle Chin, did I show you what Daddy taught me how to do?"
"Nope, you haven't. Why don't you come over here and show me." He knowingly played into her scheme to distance herself from the targets. If a small war broke out between the four adults it was safer for her to be out of the crossfire.
Watching as the little girl crossed the few feet between them and Chin, both Kono and Cath shrieked when they were lifted unceremoniously and thrown out into the deeper water. The Navy woman landed a bit further out having been launched by McGarrett, but Williams still managed to get Kono out a ways.
Breaking through the surface, they both came up yelling at their attackers. They weren't injured and had never been in any real risk, but they would get even.
"Danny!" "Steve!" There was no question who was behind it.
Grace's laughter was enough to save Danny and Steve from any immediate retaliation. The pair was smart enough to know any attempts to out maneuver the Seal in on his own turf was futile, but they would bide their time.
"You should have seen your face, cuz." Chin tried to stifle his laughter, but largely failed.
"Well maybe if someone had warned us…." Kono let the accusation hang.
"Would have if we'd seen them." He shrugged innocently, hoping the two women bought it.
"Right." Cath and Kono both leveled a glare at him before turning to face off with Danny and Steve. Soon water was flying everywhere as the four splashed around, not caring how childish they may look.
Chin, Kamekona, and Grace joined the four after a couple minutes of laughing at them.
Beth observed the smile on Dianne's face at the scene before returning her focus to her eldest. She knew things were hard on him and it made her very happy to see him relaxed and having fun with this extended family. She hated to think how lonely and sad he'd been those early months in Hawaii, but saw now that without that he never would have become part of Five-0, never would have had the chance to build this new family.
"It's good to see them like this, isn't it?" Dianne spoke quietly next to Beth. Not waiting for a response, she continued. "We never had a big family, never really created memories like this with what family we did have. My parents were always so strict and careful not to make a mess and that level of discipline continued in my own house long after Rachel left. Seeing this, seeing them, it's hard not to image how much different life could have been. You only have to open your eyes to see the love between them all."
Beth wrapped an arm around her as they stood in the waist deep water, watching all the kids play. "That is very true. Though you have to remember they weren't always like this. The early days were different as they all tried to feel out their roles. Remember the stories they told you, these bonds were formed through time, trials, and a willingness to let each other in. Though the willingness took a bit longer with some than others."
Seeing the group was not likely to tire out any time soon, the two ladies retreated out of the water. Grabbing one of the blankets, they brought it down by the sandcastle and stretched out atop it.
"I gather you've only actually met the team a couple of times, so how did you end up so close to them all?" Dianne was quite curious and hoped that Beth's story might give her some idea of what the future would hold for her.
"Most of my headway with Chin and Kono was made by cooking when I came to visit Danny. Apparently the best way to win over anyone in law enforcement involves their stomach." She laughed at the memories of those first meals with Five-0.
"Things with Steve were more involved. We started hearing about him as soon as they met. What was initially a myriad of complaints about the new partner that all but kidnapped him changed over time it was clear they were close. He'd found an unlikely friend and ally. Then Daniel brought him up to Jersey when he and Grace came to visit. They hadn't admitted anything to each other yet and he tried to play it off that he was trying to keep Steven from staying here alone for the holiday, but even then we could see the love between them. It was evident he cared deeply to make Steve travel all the way across the country just so he could keep him close. Even as stoic as Steven tried to be, watching him with Grace was enough to melt even the coldest heart." She fell silent for a moment, lost in the memories of that visit.
"Shortly after they returned, we noticed the weekend video calls with Grace were always here at the house. Steven initially tried to stay in the background, not really participating, but over time he couldn't resist the force of the Williams clan and allowed himself to be included. Week over week we could see the way he interacted with them, see how much he loved them both. On top of that we'd chat with Grace and Daniel at other times and he always came up as did Chin and Kono on many occasions. Since the team is often here at some point in the weekend, we occasionally get to see the cousins on the video calls. At some point they all just started to feel like family."
"I can tell they're all thrilled that you're going to be staying on the island. Hopefully they'll be equally happy if I'm able to come visit more often. I'd love to think I could make it at least a couple of times each year." Mrs. Bradley was determined to make up for the years she'd lost.
"I'm sure they would love that." Beth smiled and pointed to Grace perched on Steve's broad shoulders. "Looks like she went for the high ground."
"Can't say I blame her. She looks so at home with him." Dianne felt a tear slip down her cheek. Swiping at it, she risked a glance at Beth and saw the other woman had noticed. "I don't know why I'm crying…"
"It's okay, Dianne. You have plenty of reasons to cry. No one here will judge you for your tears. Just remember that you have plenty of reasons to be happy too. We can't replace the family you've lost, but I'm reasonably certain I speak for them all of us when I say we'd like you to consider us family."
The English woman reached her hand across the small space between them and clasped Beth's. "Thank you. It's all just been so much to take in so quickly. Losing Rachel hurt badly, but when I thought I was losing Grace to I just didn't know what to do. I thought taking her with me would be the only way to keep her close. I can see how wrong that assumption was now. She would have hated me for taking her away."
Beth pulled her upright a bit and wrapped her arms around the crying woman.
/
Kneeling on a stool next to her Daddy, Grace carefully listened as he explained what how he was seasoning the fish for the tacos.
"Now, we'll let those sit for a few minutes before we go put them on the grill." Steve slid the dish full of fillets across the island.
"Grill's ready when you are, babe." Danny's voice rang out from the doorway. "What else can I help with?"
It was just the three of them in the kitchen. After everyone had cleaned up from the beach, they'd let them grab drinks before ushering them off into the living room. As much as they all loved Mama Williams' cooking it was time for her to get a break.
Steve had started to chase Danny and Grace off to join the others, but quickly released that wasn't going to be easy. The little girl's puppy dog eyes were his undoing. And really, who was he to argue when she said she wanted to learn how to make fish tacos.
"We already made the guacamole and pico de gallo. Just need to get the lettuce shredded and I was going to make some rice and some black beans to go with it." Steve ran through the inventory. "Oh yeah, need to mix up the dessert too so it can chill."
Both Grace and Danny licked their lips at mention of his dessert. The concoction that involved a graham cracker crust, chocolate pudding, Cool Whip, and other sugary goodness was one of their favorites.
"Why don't I take the first three and you can focus on dessert." Danny's grin made Steve laugh.
"That works. Heaven forbid dessert not be ready." He nudged his partner with his elbow when he appeared at this side. Danny just grinned as he leaned up to give the Seal a quick kiss.
"I'll help Daddy." Grace volunteered, eyes sparkling as she watched her two favorite men messing with each other. After spending so much time around fighting at the Edwards' residence their playfulness and affection made her feel at home.
"Can't blame you there, Monkey. Licking spatulas for dessert sounds far more promising than licking spoons for the black beans and rice." Danny and Grace started pulling out the necessary ingredients, utensils, and dishes for their respective tasks.
Steve leaned against the island and smiled as he watched the two move around the kitchen so comfortably. This big house full of memories that often haunted him was home again with the two of them here and he looked forward to making lots of new memories.
As Grace set the last of their supplies on the island, he carefully lifted her back on to the stool so they could get started.
"You want to start mixing while I prep the crust?" The Seal asked.
"Sure thing, Daddy." She pulled the cookbook closer and started measuring out the ingredients.
Danny snuck the opportunity to snap a few pictures of the cooking duo before settling into his own duties.
Once the graham cracker crust was ready, Steve glanced at the clock. He needed to get the fish on the grill. "Gracie, do you think you can handle putting the rest of it together while I start the fish?"
Her wide-eyed expression and huge grin made the Seal smile more broadly. "Really?" She sounded surprised that he would trust her to finish it alone.
"Absolutely. You've helped me make it before, so I'm know you can handle it." Giving her a kiss on the forehead he grabbed the platter of fish.
Before Steve could escape the kitchen, Danny caught his wrist from where he stood at the stove. "Love you," he whispered before giving him a kiss.
"Love you too." The Seal murmured against his lips before heading out of the room.
With just the two of them left in the kitchen, Danny watched Grace from his spot by the stove. He could tell she was focusing hard, trying to make sure she didn't mess up anything with her new responsibility. The recipe was an easy one, something he was perfectly confident she could execute perfectly on her own and he thought it was very sweet of Steve to give her that chance.
Pulling his phone from his pocket again, he snapped a couple more pictures of Grace hard at work.
A few minutes later, she turned to face him. "All done!" Hopping down from the stool, she looked at the dish for a moment. "Danno, can you help me put it in the fridge?"
"Your wish is my command." He playfully bowed in her direction. "Grab the door?"
Dessert safely stowed, Danny went back to the stove, preparing to put the rice and beans into their serving dishes. "Why don't you take the clean platter out to Super Seal so he can bring the fish in when it's ready?"
Grabbing the dish, the little girl scurried toward the back door. Seeing her granddaughter headed out, Beth jumped up.
"I bet that means dinner is almost ready. I'm going to see if Danny needs a hand getting the table ready."
Dianne rose from her seat. "I'll lend a hand as well." She followed Beth through to the kitchen.
Ten minutes later, all nine of them were seated around the table to enjoy their dinner, an extra chair being squeezed around the already full table. To an outsider, it would have looked like quite the odd gathering, but to those present it was simply a family dinner.
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