A/N: This took a bit longer than I would have liked. The weekend was hijacked, as expected, by my husband, work has been crazy, and I decided to go ahead and post the first of what should be 3 chapters of my plot bunny crossover story, Ohana Till the End of the Line. Any guesses on which fandoms that that one fits into? It's up on both FanFiction and AO3. Check it out if you're interested. The gang is all there (include Grace).
Second, this is actually going up before my beta reader works her magic simply because it's taken me a few days longer than usual to get it written, and I feel like a rat making you guys wait.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters and make no money doing this. I'm just having fun playing with them. My beta reader is awesome, but all mistakes are my own.
Chapter 80
Passing a dish of roasted potatoes around the table, Steve listened as Grace finished telling her grandfather about the HPD bear that Duke and the others had given her.
"You know, I was thinking we might invite a few people over for dinner Saturday. I bet Duke, Max, and Charlie would all like to see you." Steve suggested.
"Can we invite Kamekona and Governor Denning too?" Grace asked, her enthusiasm for the idea evident.
"Of course." Steve's cell phone buzzed in his pocket. Fishing it out, he checked the screen and smiled. "Dianne is safely back in England. She says to tell you all she misses you already." He fired off a quick return message before setting the phone on the table.
"I'm glad she made it, though it does seem strange not to have her here." Beth commented.
"It's a shame I missed seeing her this time." Paul frowned. "From what you've all said, she's a far different woman than I remember from our previous meetings."
Conversation died down as everyone settled in to eating. The afternoon outside left them all with quite an appetite.
"Grace, are you going to read more for us tonight?" Kono finally asked. "I know you've gotta get to bed before it gets too late since you have school tomorrow, but maybe we could sneak in a chapter." The Hawaiian winked at the little girl.
"Why don't you go take a shower while we clean up, and then you can read for a bit. Kono's right though. No staying up late tonight." Danny grinned as his daughter immediately scooted back from the table, grabbing her dishes to take them to the kitchen.
"Yes, Danno." Her voice trailed behind her.
The others took their cue, grabbing dishes and filing their way into the kitchen. Still not quite familiar with the flow of things in the McGarrett house, Paul stood back and watched as everyone else fell into an easy rhythm of putting away leftovers, cleaning dishes, and restoring the dining room to order.
By the time Grace emerged from the stairs in her pajamas, book in hand, everyone was situated around the living room. Beth patted the spot on the couch between her and Paul, wrapping an arm around her granddaughter as the girl settled into the spot.
Looking around the room, Steve wondered if everyone on the team was going to keep showing up in the evenings just so Grace could finish reading the book to them. He'd look at one point and knew there were 18 chapters, and they were just about to start chapter 3. Factoring in a chapter a night on school nights and more on weekends, he decided he could see the team sticking it out. Honestly, he imagined they would be nightly fixtures for at least another week or two depending on how cooperative the Hawaiian criminal element was and how Grace's re-introduction to school went.
Closing the book at the end of the chapter, Grace gave each of her grandparents a hug before slipping off the couch to say goodnight to everyone else.
"You've got all your stuff ready for the morning?" Danny asked as he squeezed her tight. He knew it was important she return to school, back to a normal routine for a nine year old girl, but it still made him nervous.
"Yes, Danno. My homework is in my backpack, and Daddy ironed my uniform while you were helping Grandma with dinner."
"He did, did he?" Danny looked over her shoulder at his partner. "I didn't realize they taught you how to iron in the Army."
"Navy, Danno!" Grace scolded.
"Believe it or not, I learned how to iron from Dad when he had to prep his uniform, but given the exacting specifications of uniform inspections at Annapolis and in the Navy, I had ample opportunity to become quite proficient with an iron." Steve smirked at him, trying not to laugh at Danny's expression.
"I'd ask if you know how to sew too, but I already know the answer to that." Danny cracked a grin, fondly remembering Steve coming to the rescue to make a Kamekona sized Santa suit fit him in time for Christmas with Grace. "Somehow I imagine she's going to go to school with the most impeccably prepared uniform there."
Grace continued giggling at her dads as she said goodbye to Cath, Chin, and Kono. The three were preparing to head out so everyone could settle in for the night.
"We'll see you at HQ in the morning." Chin waved as he opened the door.
"We'll be there." Danny confirmed, since Steve was tangled up in a hug whispering something to Grace.
As the door shut behind the others, Danny watched his partner and daughter, seeing her lean back slightly from his embrace, nodding at something he'd said. She leaned in, giving the SEAL a quick kiss on the cheek before heading up to her bedroom. Steve rose from where he'd been kneeling on the floor, watching her until she was out of sight before turning around and catching Danny observing him.
"What?" Steve asked as if he was surprised someone was watching him.
"Just curious what all that was about."
"I was reminding her about protocol for while she was at school. Making sure she knew she could call us if needed, and reminding her that sometimes people say things without thinking." Steve shrugged a bit with the last statement.
"All good reminders." Beth chimed in, not sure if the boys even remembered she and Paul were still standing in the room. "I think we're going to turn in for the night. I'll make sure breakfast is ready in time for everyone to eat before you head out in the morning." She gave each of them a quick hug before grabbing her husband's hand and heading up the stairs.
"Want a beer?" Danny asked the SEAL. "I don't think I'm quite ready to call it a night yet."
Steve stepped toward him, closing the small distance between them. Wrapping his hand around the back of Danny's neck, he leaned down, warm breath hitting the shorter man's neck. "One beer. Then I get to make good on my promise from earlier."
The detective swallowed, his brain failing to come up with any verbal response to those words. Instead he nodded, leaning in slightly to inhale the unique scent of McGarrett before pulling away to retrieve the drinks.
The SEAL followed behind, a smug grin on his face at his ability to leave Danny speechless. Accepting a bottle from him, the two made their way out to the beach. Dropping into their chairs, they clinked their bottles together before taking a drink.
"To surviving another day." Danny commented.
"Just surviving?" Steve questioned.
"No. It was a good day, but part of me feels guilty about having so many good days."
"You know Rachel would want you both to keep moving forward. Think about what you would want for Grace if the situation were reversed."
"I'd want her to keep living, not just surviving." Danny spoke quietly, lapsing into silence for a few seconds before looking at his partner. "Thanks. I know you're right, I guess sometimes I just need a reminder that it's okay."
Steve reached across the small table, wrapping Danny's hand in his. "Anytime. Why don't you and Grace do something with just the two of you on Saturday before we have everybody over?" Steve suggested as the pair sat staring over the water.
"Tired of us already?" Danny looked cautiously at him, unsure about this sudden shift in the conversation.
"No. Not at all, but you really haven't had any time with her to yourself lately. I worry that you're going to feel like I'm encroaching on your time with her. I love it when we all do things together, but if you think about it, running and swimming is becoming something she and I do together. I know we've only gone a few times, but that time with just she and I means the world to me. You've gotta have some of that too."
Danny stared at his partner in silence for a few minutes. "I guess I've been so busy being glad that you're helping her deal with all this shit that I hadn't really thought about it. You're right though." Part of Danny was loathe to admit such a thing when he was still trying to make sure Steve wasn't afraid he was going to have his new title ripped away from him.
The SEAL stared back at him. "I just don't want you to think I'll be upset when you want time alone with her. She may be our daughter now, but she's been your daughter for 9 years. I get it, and I don't want to create a problem by always being in the way."
"First," Danny shot up from his chair, turning to face Steve, "you will never be in the way when it comes to spending time with her. Yes. You were right, I should make a point of finding something she and I can do together. It is important that she have that one-on-one time with each of us. Don't let that make you think I agree with you being a problem by being in the way. Family doesn't work like that. Have you considered the fact that for the last several months I have had virtually no time completely alone with her, and I've been fine with it? Every weekend I had her we were staying her. Yes, you'd make yourself scarce, hide in your office or go run or some such thing, but you've been a constant presence in my time with Grace for quite a while now. Did I ever give you any indication I minded you being with us?"
"No, but …"
"Stop. There is no but. That little girl loves you. I love you. You are not ever going to be in the way." Danny crossed his arms, standing between Steve's legs and glaring down at him. "Now if you're finished making ridiculous comments, do you have any recommendations for this bonding time? It needs to be something you wouldn't necessarily want to do; otherwise, she'll be upset that you aren't included."
"Well what kind of stuff did you do with her before you started coming here?" Steve asked.
"Nothing that she wouldn't expect you to be involved with." Danny admitted.
"So what kinds of things did you do when you were growing up? Think of stuff you enjoyed that you'd like to share with her."
"We used to bowl. Rachel hated bowling though, so I don't know that Grace has ever been." Danny admitted. "She swore it was too disgusting with the shared shoes and balls."
"Can't say bowling was ever something I really did." Steve commented. "Were you any good?"
"Played in the department league for a while." Danny shrugged, flopping back into his chair, staring out over the water. "I wasn't our best, but I wasn't the worst either."
"Then there you have it. Teach her to bowl. Let that be the thing that you two do together." Steve smiled at him.
"But it's fun to do as a group too." The detective didn't like the idea of Steve never coming with them.
"So you two go practice together however often you want, and then from time to time we go as a family. Heck we could invite the whole ohana. I bet it'd be fun."
"Too bad Rachel made me get rid of my balls and shoes." Danny frowned at the ocean. "What are you laughing at?" Steve was doubled over in his chair, laughing so hard he could barely breath.
"Balls … you … got rid of …" Steve gasped the words as he continued laughing.
"My bowling balls, you crazy Neanderthal. I'm pretty sure you are well aware that I still have the others." Danny shook his head, but joined the SEAL's laughter. "I can't believe you."
"Speaking of," the SEAL's countenance changed, eyes darkening as pulled his long frame from the chair, "I believe we have a conversation to finish from earlier." He dropped to his knees in front of his partner.
"We do?" Danny's voice was almost a squeak.
"Yes, Daniel. We do." Steve had Danny trapped in the chair, his body forcing the detective's legs apart as his hand gripped he sides of the chair, leaving no escape.
"And which conversation would that be?" The detective almost choked on his words as Steve's mouth grazed his neck. A faint growl from the SEAL was enough to make him shut up and stop playing stupid.
"We're the only ones still awake, so I think it's time I present my side of the argument. The side that says neither Rachel or I are in any way physical overqualified to be with you." Slipping his hands around Danny's hips, he jerked the shorter man forward, forcing his legs to spread further. Steve lifted his head from Danny's neck, eyes locking on his partner's. "Why do you persist in this ridiculous belief that you are somehow not attractive enough for me?" His eyes blazed with desire, making Danny's shift nervously, unable to hold his gaze. Leaning forward, Steve kissed his partner's mouth, gently teasing with his tongue. "Have I given you a single indication that I'm less than pleased with your body." He brushed his nose across Danny's cheek, capturing an earlobe between his teeth.
"Ummmm." The detective stuttered.
Danny whimpered when Steve released his hold, sitting back on his heels. "Really? Considering everything we've done in the last couple of weeks you actually have to consider that question?" His eyes bored into Danny's unrelenting. "What am I doing wrong that's making you second guess this? That's making you second guess how much I want you in every way imaginable?" Steve's hands caressed Danny's thighs through his shorts.
"Nothing." The Jersey native sighed.
"But she did, didn't she?" Steve guessed. He knew Danny was generally a pretty confident guy, so this insecurity had to be rooted somewhere. This time Danny just nodded. "Daniel, I'm not her. Whatever line she fed you to make you think you weren't good enough, she had it all wrong. I hate to speak ill of the dead, but I get the feeling she was one of those people that was never going to be completely happy with life. She couldn't admit it was her issue, so she had to find fault with those around her. Unfortunately, that meant finding fault with you. Her issues don't make a damn thing she said to tear you down true."
Danny nodded again. As much as he hated to admit that he'd let Rachel fuck with his head, he knew Steve was right.
"Seriously though, you could gain 20 pounds and die your hair purple, and I still wouldn't care. Yes, I enjoy looking at you the way you are now, but as I've said before, there are many more reasons why I love you other than just your body." Steve spoke low, his eyes still fixed on Danny's, his hands trailing over legs from hip to knee. Reaching the hem of his partner's shorts, he dipped his finger around tickling the sensitive skin on the back of Danny's knee.
/ GUARDIAN/
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