Guardian

A/N: Hopefully you guys didn't just faint in surprise with a second chapter going up today. This one had a mind of its own.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters and make no money doing this. I'm just having fun playing with them.

Chapter 40

Slipping downstairs, Mary found Beth already awake and in the kitchen with a freshly brewed pot of coffee.

"Hey. I didn't think anybody else would be awake yet." She nodded when Danny's mom held up a cup, silently asking if she'd like coffee.

"I'm not the only one. Your brother is already in the water." The older woman turned her gaze out the window, checking to make sure he was still going strong.

Catching the expression on Beth's face, Mary smiled as she joined her by the window. "You care a lot about him, don't you?" Her voice held a certain sadness. Though she would never begrudge Steve the love and care of a mother figure, she missed having that in her own life.

Beth handed her the cup of coffee and wrapped one arm around the younger McGarrett. "I care a great deal for all my children no matter how they may have landed in my life. Hopefully with Paul and me moving here we'll be able to count you among those children."

Unable to resist, Mary leaned closer to the petite woman as she blinked back the tears that pooled in her eyes. Sniffing quietly, she took a drink of the coffee.

"Thanks." They stood silently for a moment. "I told Steve that I might actually think about moving back in a few months. LA just doesn't feel like home anymore and I guess I'm hoping I can find a more settled place with the family here. I just don't want to get in the way and ruin it for him."

Guiding the younger woman toward the island, Beth slipped onto one of the stools and waited for her to do the same.

"Mary Ann, I don't believe your brother or anyone else in this family would think you were getting in the way. I know you've had your rough spots, but watching this bunch together I can tell how much having those he loves close means to Steven."

Mary just shook her head. "It seems like he's changed so much since he first came back. Danny's been really good for him. I'm really glad they finally figured it out." She stared down at her coffee for several long seconds before looking back to Beth. "I'd never forgive myself if I caused a problem and messed it up for them."

She was so caught up talking that she missed the sound of footsteps approaching until Danny appeared a few feet from her.

"Hey, there's nothing you can do that will mess this up. We finally got it right and I'll be damned if I let anything tear it apart. That being said, I really do hope you decide to move out here sooner rather than later. I think the giant goof would feel better knowing you're close and quite frankly, so would I. Plus, having an extra aunt around to help with Grace will definitely be a good thing."

Danny accepted the cup of coffee that Beth pressed into his hands as he pulled a stool around the island to sit at the corner next to Mary.

"Thanks, ma." He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before placing his hand on top of Mary's on the island. "We don't want you to feel pressured into moving before you're ready, but know that we genuinely look forward to having you close."

"Thanks Danny. It's good to know." She smiled back at him.

"So, apparently Grace and I slept straight through my crazy Seal sneaking out to swim this morning. How long has he been out?" The detective somehow knew his mother would know. She had an uncanny ability to keep track of where everyone in the house was at any given moment in time.

"He's been out for nearly an hour, so I suspect he'll be headed back in soon." She turned to look out the window again as she spoke. "Looks like he's headed back toward shore now."

Hearing the sound of car doors slamming outside, Danny glanced up at the clock. "Well, Kono did say they would come bearing contributions for breakfast." He hopped off the stool. "I'll go let them in. Grace should be down in a minute."

Opening the door, he was a bit surprised to see Dianne arriving with the other three. "Well, that was some impeccable timing."

"Actually, Daniel, they insisted on coming to get me this morning." She threw a fond smile at the other three.

Cath, Kono, and Chin smiled sweetly at the two of them. They'd all agreed Rachel's mom did not need to be left alone or at the mercy of a driver, no matter how competent, on this day. For the three of them today was all about strength in numbers and providing back up for their ohana.

"We brought food." Chin raised the bags he carried up.

"Do I smell malasadas?" Danny leaned toward one of the bags.

"Some police groups have bomb sniffing dogs, we have a malasada sniffing detective." Kono ribbed as she walked passed him. "Guess we all have to have our talents."

Ushering them all inside, Danny followed them into the kitchen just as Grace arrived downstairs. She glanced at the clock and seemed surprised it was still early given that everyone was here.

Noticing her observation, Chin set his bags down and moved to give her a hug. "We thought you might appreciate having us here early today." He leaned back slightly and met her eyes.

She nodded, understanding after their conversation the day before and leaned back in to give him a second hug. "Thanks Uncle Chin."

By the time they rose and looked toward the rest of the group, the women were busy pulling things out of bags and taking inventory of what they had. They'd brought a bunch of malasadas and fresh fruit, so Beth just decided she'd scramble some eggs and cook up some sausage for anybody that wanted some protein.

When Dianne started pulling the eggs out of the fridge, Beth rested a hand on her shoulder making her pause. "You don't have to help."

"I know, but if I sit still I'll start thinking about later today and I just can't…" Her voices dropped off.

"In that case, you want to tackle the eggs while I do get the sausage going?" She received a quick appreciative nod and smile from Mrs. Bradley as they set to work.

The sound of the lanai door closing was nearly missed amidst the breakfast prep and general chatter in the kitchen, but Grace heard it.

Giving Chin a small smile, she slipped off in the direction of the door to find Steve.

Spotting the little girl as he turned from the door, Steve closed the distance between then and dropped to his knees to embrace her. Her face said it all, she'd come for a hug and he was more than willing to supply one.

Resting her head on her daddy's shoulder, Grace closed her eyes and let the heat of his sun warmed skin sooth her. She'd woken earlier snuggled into Danno's arms and they'd stayed that way for quite a while before they'd finally gotten out of bed, but now she needed the reassurance of the Seal's presence.

When she finally loosened her grip on him, Steve sat back on his heels and looked at her. "Everything okay?" His hands still rested on her upper arms.

She nodded. "Yeah. Everybody is here in case I need them, but I just needed one of your hugs. They brought food." Smiling at him, she knew he was always hungry after his swim.

"Think I have time to grab a quick shower?" He arched an eyebrow as he asked.

"You better hurry. Grandmas are making the eggs and sausage to go with the malasadas and fruit." She watched as he rose back to his full height.

"Then I better hustle." He leaned back down and gave her a quick kiss on the top of the head. "I love you, Gracie."

"Love you to, Daddy." She watched as he disappeared up the stairs. Turning around she saw Danno leaning against the wall. When he opened his arms to her, she quickly went to him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Love you too, Danno."

/

Straightening his tie, Steve watched Danny in the mirror as his partner fidgeted with his shirt cuffs. He sent up a silent prayer that the next several hours would go as smoothly as possible.

He worried about how Dianne was going to hold up, but his primary focus would be Grace and Danny. Fortunately, Catherine had pulled him aside earlier and let him know that she would stay close to Rachel's mom and offer what support she could.

Feeling like he was being watched, Danny glanced up and met Steve's eyes in the mirror. He tried to offer up a reassuring smile, but it fell short. Before he could muster up anything to convince his partner he was okay, the Seal crossed the distance between them.

When the long arms wrapped around him, pulling him close he didn't even try to fight it, but let himself go limp against the protective frame of his partner.

Holding Danny tightly, the Seal kissed the top of his head before whispering reassurances. "Remember Danno, you're not alone out there today. I'm there for whatever you need and the rest of our ohana will be right there with us too."

He felt the shorter man nod against his chest even though he didn't speak. They stood in the silent embrace for several moments, Danny drawing strength from Steve's warm and solid presence.

When he finally stepped back, the detective couldn't help let out a small laugh. Seeing his partner's concerned face, he offered a better smile than he'd managed earlier.

"I just realized that apparently it's a Williams' family thing, trying to hide in your hugs when we're getting overwhelmed." Steve's arched brow told him he hadn't quite connected the dots. "I could give you plenty of examples, but I was watching this morning when you came in from your swim."

Nodding his head, Steve continued to watch his partner. He knew how Danny felt about his role with Grace, but some small part of him still feared being told he was out of line.

"It's very nice to know that we can rely on those hugs right now. Hopefully you don't get tired of having one of us constantly climbing into your arms." Grabbing his suit jacket off the bed, Danny slipped it on before handing Steve's to him.

Accepting the jacket, the Seal let his fingers linger on Danny's longer than was necessary. "I'll be here for as many hugs as it takes. Pretty sure I can even fit both of you in my arms at once if needed."

Shrugging his jacket on, he grabbed his partner's hand and they headed for the door. Entering the hall, they were greeted by the sight of Kono, Cath, and Grace emerging from the little girl's room. The women had accepted her offer to get ready with her, understanding that she really didn't want to be left alone to get ready for her mother's funeral.

They released her hands as soon as they spotted her fathers and watched as she immediately positioned herself between the two men. Hearing doors open down the hall, they turned to see Dianne and Beth came from one room and Mary from another.

The eight headed downstairs and found Chin in his suit waiting in the middle of the living room.

The house was uncharacteristically quiet as they all gathered for the final moments before they would pile into three vehicles and head to the church.

"We do this together." Steve's strong voice finally broke the silence. "Everyone stays with at least one other member of the family and uses the code word if needed." They'd discussed it earlier and decided that any of them could use surfboard rather than strictly limiting it to Grace.

Everyone closed in around Steve, Danny, and Grace in one last family hug before they had to face the rest of the world.

/

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I feel like this was the warm up for the main event.