A/N: I'm not sure where the last week went, but I really didn't intend to take so long to get this chapter up. Sorry about that.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters and make no money doing this. I'm just having fun playing with them. All mistakes are my own.
Chapter 69
"Have you decided what to do about Grace returning to school?" Beth asked Steve and Danny as they sat around the kitchen island. The others had headed out after the little girl went up to take her shower.
"I'm honestly not sure. We meet with them tomorrow at 10. I don't want her to fall any further behind, but I worry that just sending her back full-time will be a bit much. Then I worry that I am being to over-protective. Then I worry that someone will say something they shouldn't around her and it will set her back." Danny started rambling.
"What you're saying is that you are every bit as confused about what to do as most parents would be in a similar situation?" Beth reached across the island and covered his hand with her own.
"Yeah. Pretty much." Danny's shoulders slumped, his entire body leaning heavily against his partner. He hated not knowing what to do.
"What do you think? Between raising three kids and teaching, you have more experience than either of us do." Steve looked every bit as overwhelmed with the decision as Danny did.
"Meeting with her teacher and the school's director is a good step. You need to know what they are willing to do. I would also suggest asking Grace. She has mentioned school a few times, so I know she is expecting to return soon." Both men agreed. "As far as keeping her from falling behind, I can help with that. If you get any school work she needs to make up while you're there, we can start working through it." Danny stared at her, a puzzled expression on his face. "As Steve pointed out, I was a teacher for years. I'm pretty sure it is within my realm of expertise to help make sure Grace does not fall behind."
"Sorry. Yeah. I suppose it is." He shook his head, trying to clear his jumbled thoughts.
"Perhaps you two should head to bed. If you're forgetting things like that, you must be tired." Beth grabbed the empty glasses from the island. "I think I hear Grace coming down to say goodnight."
A few seconds later, the little girl appeared in the kitchen. Her hair was still wet from her shower, and the Navy t-shirt she wore looked more like a dress than a shirt. She left Steve pull her onto his lap before scooting a bit so she was seated across one of his legs and one of Danny's, leaning back against them.
"Well it looks like tomorrow is going to be a big day. I thought we might help with the painting, and then while your dads go to your school I am going to do a bit of cleaning." Beth broached the topic of the school meeting casually. Grace was already aware of it, but there had been little conversation about it.
"When will I go back?" The little girl's voice warred between caution and excitement. She missed her friends, but she was also smart enough to know that people would talk about what happened.
"That's part of what we want to talk to Ms. Jones about. You have missed almost two weeks already, so we need to find out what you need to make up. My guess is you'll need to go back this week. Maybe Wednesday?" Danny suggested.
The room fell silent for several long seconds as Grace thought about it. "Okay. That means I can spend Tuesday with Grandpa, right?"
"Something tells me we won't be able to stop the two of you if we tried, so yes. You can spend Tuesday with Grandpa." Danny laughed. "But you will probably have some makeup work for school too. Grandma said she would help you, but we won't know how much there is until tomorrow morning."
"Maybe we can see if Grandpa remembers anything from fourth grade while we're at it." Beth grinned. "If you guys don't have other plans, Paul and I thought we might all go visit the house. We're closing at the end of the week, so we'll have a few days to get anything done that we need to before our stuff arrives. It's in good shape, but I'm sure there is stuff to do. There always is with a house." Beth yawned as if the idea of getting a house ready to live in was exhausting.
"I think it's time for all of us to hit the rack." Steve lifted Grace with him as he stood, turning her so she could wrap her legs around his waist. "What do you say we take this party upstairs?" The other two adults rose and followed him toward the stairs.
"You ready for bed Monkey, or do you want to read for a bit?" Danny asked.
"We're almost done with the first book. I bet we could finish it tonight." Grace answered over Steve's shoulder. "Can we all read together?"
"As long as we don't break the bed." Danny laughed at the idea of all four of them on the full size bed.
"Why don't I grab the rocking chair that's in my room? The fourth person might be the difference in whether or not we crash to the floor." Danny's mom suggested.
"I'll grab the chair. You go get comfy." The detective pointed her toward Grace's temporary room as he ducked a little further down the hall. By the time he returned, the other three were settled onto the bed, though Steve looked ready to jump up.
"Why don't I take the chair and you can sit here?" The SEAL offered.
"Nope. You stay put. I'll just use your lap as a pillow while I listen." Danny placed the chair right next to the bed and Steve's long legs, plopped down, and proceeded to curl himself up so his feet where underneath him, and his arms and head were rested on the SEAL's thigh.
As Grace cracked the book open, Steve began absentmindedly running his fingers through Danny's locks. It was several pages into the book before the first quiet snore floated up from his lap. Grace snickered as Beth and Steve both fought the urge to laugh.
"I guess he really was tired." Steve continued stroking his partner's hair, afraid that stopping now would cause him to wake.
"Good thing he already knows how the story ends." Grace watched her dads. She loved seeing her Danno so relaxed and happy with her Daddy. Glancing up at Steve's face, she saw him watching Danno. It made her feel all kinds of warm and fuzzy to see the look on his face. Turning the page on the book, she looked over and shared a smile with Grandma Williams. They didn't have to say a think to know they were both thinking the same thing. Those two belonged together.
Not wanting Steve to notice she wasn't reading, Grace picked back up on the next page. She could tell he was paying attention as he would make an occasional comment about something in the story. Before too long, she finished the final page of the book.
"Have you and Danno finished The Chamber of Secrets yet?"
"Not yet. Guess that means we'll have to read that one together." Steve leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "For now though, we better all get some sleep. Think I can maneuver Danno into bed without dropping him?" He gave the little girl a devilish grin.
"He's heavier than he looks." She grinned back. "I tried to help him off the floor the other day and almost fell over."
Deciding she was right, a sleeping Danny was going to be difficult to move, Steve softly tickled his ear. Danny swatted at his hand as if it were a fly before rousing a bit. "Did I fall asleep?"
"No, Sleeping Beauty. You were just proving some ambient noise to help set the atmosphere for reading." Steve teased as Danny sat up, untangling himself from the chair.
Finally getting upright, Danny was grateful that Grace met him at the edge of the bed on her knees to give him a final hug and kiss goodnight. "Love you, Monkey. I'll see you in the morning."
"Love you too, Danno." She squeezed him tight before releasing him to turn back to Steve. "Love you too, Daddy."
"Love you, Gracie. I'll see you after my swim in the morning. I better get up extra early if we're going to get the first coat of paint on in the morning."
"I'll get her tucked in. You better to make sure Daniel actually finds the bed." Beth met Steve at the corner of the bed, giving him a quick hug. He headed after his partner without argument.
When they heard the guys' bedroom door shut, Beth and Grace both giggled a bit. "Looks like we wore your dad out today."
"Yep. Those two are too cute." Grace had a huge smile as she spoke of her dads.
"That they are. I'm glad they quit being silly boys and got it together."
"Me too." Grace crawled back up to the top of her bed, sliding underneath the light blanket her grandmother held up for her. "I love you, Grandma. I'm really glad you get to stay here."
"So am I, Gracie. So am I." Beth sat on the edge of the bed, brushing a stray hair from Grace's eyes. "There is no place else I would rather be." Placing a kiss on her granddaughter's forehead, the older woman slipped from the room as the little girl's eyes started to drift close, a smile still plastered on her face.
Beth had to wonder if her son and Steve realized just much the two of them being happy actually meant to Grace. For that matter, she wondered if they had a clue how much it meant to their entire ohana. Everyone was very clear in their support, especially in terms of the upcoming media attention, but she knew it ran deeper.
Beth was very glad that Steve had co-opted her son onto his task force. For all that Danny had fussed endlessly in those early days, she had truly never seen him happier and more at peace with himself in a relationship than what she witnessed every time she watched him with Steve. No doubt the two would drive each other to the brink of insanity sometimes, but there was also no doubt they would find their way back from it as well.
Closing the door to her own bedroom, Beth pulled out her phone and looked at the picture Kono had snapped earlier in the day. It had taken very little to convince her to share it. Attaching it to a text message, she sent it off to Paul with a quick note to let him know she was very happy he would be joining them the next afternoon.
/ GUARDIAN /
Stretched out in bed, Danny nestled against Steve's side sleeping soundly, Steve had his hand wrapped around his phone. He wasn't sure why Danny had crashed so hard this evening, but he was glad he getting some much needed rest.
Eying the clock, he guessed Dianne should be calling any moment to let them know she landed safely in New York. It was only a few minutes later when the screen lit up between his fingers.
"You make it?" He questioned without preamble, his voice a hushed whisper.
"Yes. The flight was pleasantly uneventful. I gather you are the only one still up." Dianne guessed.
"Yep. Danny hit a wall and zonked out earlier than expected, but I've been waiting for you to check in." Steve watched the gentle rise and fall of his partner's sleeping form.
"Well, now you can stop worrying and get some sleep. I know you have a lot going on tomorrow, so I'll text when I'm boarding the plane for England."
"Sounds like a plan. Stay safe and let us know if you need anything." Steve knew she was right.
"Get some sleep, Steven."
"Yes, ma'am." He heard Dianne's soft laugh at his reply before disconnecting the phone. Setting it quietly on the night stand, Steve rolled onto his side, wrapping himself around Danny's warm body. Less than five minutes later, he was sleeping just as soundly as his partner.
/ GUARDIAN/
A/N: Hope you all enjoyed. Please take a few seconds to leave a review.