A/N: The last couple of weeks seems to have gotten away from me thanks to work and other general chaos. Then the muse went into hiding for a bit. Alas, it returned with a vengeance today while I was traveling, so you have a new chapter. Please forgive any mistakes as in an effort to get this out to you without further delay, my beta has not reviewed it first.
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 81
Sitting on the edge of the bed lacing up his boots, Steve watched Danny putting the finishing touches on his hair.
"I hope she isn't as nervous as I feel right now." Danny met Steve's eyes in the mirror. "She's been fine at Sacred Heart since moving here, but I can't shake the feeling that something is going to go wrong."
The SEAL rose from the bed, moving to lean on the bathroom door frame. "I know. I'd feel better if yesterday's meeting had gone smoother."
Finished with his hair, Danny headed for the door. "Me too. Think they'd notice if we sent an undercover to keep an eye on things?"
"They might." Steve trailed right behind him. "Though that doesn't mean I'm opposed to the idea."
Danny stopped in front of his partner, looking into the taller mans eyes. He knew Steve wasn't kidding. He'd find a way to send someone undercover into the school if he thought it would help. Hell, he'd probably manage to hide an entire SEAL team inside the school armed with detailed tactical plans covering everything from Grace getting a paper cut to a terrorist invasion of the building.
By the time the pair appeared in kitchen, Grace was already there helping Beth take the breakfast things into the dining room.
Laughing at Danny's expression, Beth shrugged. "I know you don't normally eat a full sit down breakfast before work, but I couldn't help it."
Steve stepped forward, accepting the cup of coffee she held out. "I think we get it." His eyes dart to the dining room where Grace sat with Paul.
"We better start eating if the three of you are going to get where you need to be on time." Danny's dad called, prompting the remaining three to take their seats.
As the meal wound down, Steve leaned back in his seat. "Would you two prefer the truck or the car while we're at work?"
Paul and Beth looked at each other for a second before he replied. "I think the car should do. Though if it's okay I might borrow the truck Friday so I can get the supplies to start working on some of the projects once the house is officially ours."
"That's fine with me. If you realized you need the truck before then for anything just give one of us a a call and we can swap out." Steve offered.
"I really don't think we plan on going anywhere today anyway." Beth noted.
"You don't need to sit around an empty house all day, ma. Take the car. Go explore the area. Work on some of that shopping list you had for the house. Barring any major case activity, we'll be home we pick up Grace from school, so you have several hours to roam free without feeling like you're neglecting someone that might need to be fed." Danny teased.
"Well, when you put it that way, I suppose we could go out for a bit." Beth started clearing dishes. "Now we'll take care of these. You three need to get going."
"Yes, ma'am." Steve, Danny, and Grace all rose to gather their things and head to the truck.
Pulling into a spot in front of the school, Steve couldn't help the feeling of entering enemy territory. He knew it wasn't, but this was the first time since finding her at the Edwards house that he would be apart from Grace for a significant period of time. One look at Danny made it clear his feelings were much the same.
Looking around the area, there were about a dozen kids making their way up the stairs, some waving at the parents while others did their best to pretend they didn't exist. Steve spotted Ms. Jones and was a bit relieved to see her wave, implying she might be waiting for Grace's arrival. A few feet from the teacher stood a little girl about Grace's age with two men.
"Nikki!" Grace squealed from the back seat, spotting the girl and confirming Steve's guess regarding her identity.
"You ready, Monkey?" Danny asked, removing his seat belt and preparing to get out of the truck.
"Yes." The sight of her best friend and teacher increased her enthusiasm for the day tenfold.
Steve and Danny hopped out of the truck, Steve stepping to the rear door to help Grace climb out. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she gave him a tight squeeze, smiling as he hugged her tightly before lowering her to the ground.
"Don't worry, Daddy. I'll be okay." Though there were times the men being worried about something might scare her, this time it actually made her feel a bit better. School was familiar, so even though she knew someone might say something to upset her, she didn't feel physically threatened. Her Danno and Daddy being worried just meant they cared, and knowing that made her feel safer.
Walking between the two men as they crossed the drive to the stairs, she held a hand from each of them. Leading the way toward Ms. Jones and Nikki, Grace was happy to see them both. She'd missed her friends at school.
As they approached, Nikki and Ms. Jones both stepped forward to greet Grace. Ms. Jones gave her a quick hug before letting her go to Nikki. It was clear they both pleased to have her back. The two girls quickly started chattering away as Ms. Jone turned to speak to Danny.
Not wanting to lose the opportunity to meet Nikki's dads, Steve stepped toward them.
"You must be Nikki's dads." He stopped in front of the pair. "Grace has told us a lot about you."
The two men both paled at Steve's words. Though neither stepped back, the looks in their eyes said they were considering it. It took Steve a few seconds to realize that with his stress over Grace's return to school, he was probably looking more over-protective SEAL on a mission than dad trying to meet other parents. The badge and gun weren't likely to help either.
"Grace adores Nikki, and speaks very highly of both of you from all of Nikki's stories." He tried to relax and look less threatening.
"We've heard a great deal about Grace as well." One of the men stepped slightly forward, extending his hand toward Steve, but still looking cautious. "You must be Commander McGarrett. I'm Greg, and this is Nate."
Steve accepted the offered hand, shaking it firmly.
"Nice to meet you both, but please call em Steve." McGarrett heard Danny approach, and reached back for his hand without thinking. "This is Grace's father, Danny. Danny, meet Greg and Nate, Nikki's dads."
"It's a pleasure to meet you." This time it was Nate that extended a hand, suddenly looking much calmer. "We were so sorry to hear about Grace's mother. How is she doing?"
"Better than we could have ever imagined." Danny answered with a sigh.
"That's good to hear. Nikki has been quite anxious to see her, but we weren't sure how to contact you, nd didn't want to be intrusive."
Reaching into his pocket, Steve pulled out his wallet and grabbed a card. Retrieving a pen out of another pocket, he scribbled quickly on the back before handing the card to Nate. "That has my office number and email on it, but I added our cells to the back." The other man accepted the card, looking a bit surprised. "Listen, I know we just met, but like I said earlier, Grace adores your daughter. We don't really know any of the other parents here, but since Grace is with us full-time now we'd like to remedy that. Anyway, the point is, we'd like to have the three of you over for lunch Sunday if you're available."
Nate continued looking surprised, leaving Greg to recover from the unexpected invite and reply for them. "I don't believe we have any other plans, and I'm sure Nikki will be delighted to see Grace outside of school. She's wanted to do something with her since we moved here."
"We're aware that the girls weren't able to do that before," Danny spoke, glad Steve had filled him in, "but we look forward to changing that. My parents are moving here from Jersey and will be watching Grace in the afternoons. I believe you'll find all of us a bit more inclined to welcome Grace's friends for visits."
All four en were smiling now, the earlier unease fully dissipated once it was clear Steve wasn't actually mad, and intended no harm.
"That's great to hear. Nikki will be thrilled." Greg replied warmly. "We'll email you our contact info so you can reach us. I suspect we won't often get the chance to meet in the morning like this, but Nikki was adamant that she meet Grace out front his morning, and we weren't about to refuse."
"We appreciate you letting her do that. Seeing her really seemed to make Grace happy." Danny was grateful they'd been willing to take the extra time. "I suppose we should all get to work." Judging by their attire, both men were headed to their jobs as well.
"Yes. We probably should." Greg nodded.
"I'll email you the address for Sunday once I get your info." Steve commented before they all headed toward the parking area.
Back in the truck, the pair watched as Nikki's dads got into their respective cars and drove away.
"That went well." Danny commented with a smile, pleased to have met the pair.
"It's a good thing you showed up when you did. I think I intimidated them."
"You think?" Danny laughed.
"I didn't mean to." Steve turned to look at him, a small pout on his face.
"Let me see, the head of Five-0, a decorated Navy SEAL approaches two gay men looking like he's heading into a fight, and you wonder why they looked a bit scared."
"Shit. I really didn't mean to." Steve looked guilty.
"I know that, and I think they figured it out about the time you grabbed my hand. Homophobic military guys probably don't run around holding hands with their male work partners."
"But if half the island already thinks we're together, and possibly married, why would they think I had an issue with them?"
"Maybe they weren't in that half. Maybe they've had some rough encounters before and it had more to do with general caution than you specifically."
"Well, I guess my next Monday night I can be reasonably assured of not scaring people into thinking I'm a homophobic asshole." Steve shrugged, throwing the truck in gear and pulling away from the school.
"You have a point. Once the interview is out there any question on that front will be negated. Speaking o, how bad do we think the questions they send us to review will be?"
Steve gave Danny a sideways glance. "Sam and I agreed to have them send all the questions they receive for us to review, not just the ones they would actually consider asking, so I'd imagine we're in for some interesting ones."
"Why all? Why not have them weed out the ones they know won't fly?"
"Part morbid curiosity and part desire to know the kinds of jerk things people have the balls to ask. Seemed like a good chance to get a feel for what may come our way without having to be face to face with the jack asses saying it."
Face contorted in a contemplative expression, Danny nodded slowly. "Fair point."
"Thank you." Steve smiled as he drove. "Plus, Sam and I thought there would probably be some that would be to damned funny to miss."
"Again, fair point." Danny laughed, conceding his partner had a point.
/ GUARDIAN/
The next point will be back at HQ and if you're nice some of Grace's perspective of her first day back at school.