Disclaimer: Ideas are fictional; not making any money on this. Hawaii 5-0 belongs to CBS. That's okay because none of this would work on TV.

Family Life, Chapter 15

February 2022

Steve went for a swim while Danny napped. Steve hadn't been able to have a proper run or swim since Danny went in the hospital and he was suffering for it both mentally and physically. Steve was not naturally the most patient person in the world, and he had used every ounce of his patience this week. Steve thought that he had been mentally prepared for Danny's surgery but he knew the minute that he and Danny walked into the pre-op ward that he was not.

The smell was the first thing that Steve noticed. Places of medicine have a particular scent of antiseptic soaps and cleaners. His stomach clenched when the aide led Danny to his room. His Danny was always so robust and full of life. Danny's life force had been somewhat diminished with the pain.

The next blow was watching Danny change into that horrible gown and climb onto the bed. Only sick people go to bed. Danny wasn't sick. Then the lab tech came in to draw blood. The anesthesiologist came in for her pre-check and sedated Danny. The worst moment was watching Danny being wheeled down to the OR.

Steve wanted to flash his badge and bull his way into the OR with Danny, but even he knew that would be a terrible idea. Mom and Dad could tell that Steve was stretched to his limit. Dad finally sat next to Steve and put his arm around him.

"It's okay Steve. We'll get through this together. You do whatever you need to do. Mom and I are here to back you up."

Steve choked a sob back; there were so many times that Steve wished for John McGarrett to give him this kind of unconditional support during those dark years after his mother's death. He appreciated it now more than he could say. Steve finally nodded and grabbed Dad's hand to accept his strength for now.

He was so relieved when Dr. Lee came out to say that Danny was out. Steve even managed a smile when the doctor explained that he was compelled to put Danny to sleep. His relief was short-lived when he was called to the recovery area. Danny looked like death warmed over. It soothed Steve to stroke Danny's hair almost as much as it calmed Danny.

After that, it was three days of bedside care with only a daily break to shower and nap at home before returning to the four walls of Danny's room. Danny did well enough after the rough first 24 hours after surgery. They both looked forward to Jack and Jesse's daily visits. At least they didn't have to worry about the boys. Mom and Dad took wonderful care of Jack and Jesse, and they took over daily management of the household. The kitchen was well-stocked and the house was spotless when then came home.

Steve thought back to the doctor's final orders that morning. "I want to see Danny in two weeks in my office. I'll take the staples out then and we'll see how you're moving around.

Danny was insistent about ditching the walker in lieu of the cane. The doctor told him it would be okay as long as he had someone nearby to help him, and to use the walker if he went outside at least for the first few days. Someone had to help him up or down the stairs. He encouraged Danny to walk regularly and continue with his physical therapy. A physical therapist would come to the house three days a week for the first three weeks. Then Danny would be well enough to go to out for therapy.

"Danny, you and your teammates have a terrible reputation for following doctor's orders and taking enough time to recover properly. I'm telling you upfront that I won't sign off for your return to work for at least six weeks. You'll be on restricted duty for several weeks after that. You've been through major surgery. You body is traumatized. That's why you can't move your leg very well. Even after your knee heals, you need to give your body time to get up to full-strength."

"It will be at least six months for your energy to return to where you were a year ago, but without the constant pain you've experienced you will feel so much better before then. The surgery was an attack on your immune system, so take extra care if you get a cold or the flu. Spend the extra time with those boys of yours. Are we clear?"

Danny was so anxious to bust out of the hospital that he would have agreed to run naked in the parking lot. Steve was in similar condition so both men nodded meekly and thanked the doctor for his care. A few hours later they were in the Camaro on their way home.

Now Steve was gliding through the water. Steve let all the tension fall away as his muscles started to burn with the exercise. He knew the instant the endorphins kicked in. He was both fatigued and energized when he came ashore. Mom was sitting in one of the chairs watching the boys frolic in the surf. He quickly joined in their play until hunger set it. They toweled off as best as they could before heading in for a warm shower.

It was Danny's choice for his first meal home and he wanted wings from Side Street. Dad made the run for food while Steve supervised the boys upstairs. Danny wasn't up for sitting at the table so Mom moved a folding table to the living room so they could eat as a family. Danny had a tray set near his chair for his meal.

Danny only managed to eat about half of his usual portion and a little of his side dishes. He desperately wanted to wash the hospital stench off but he knew that he would only manage the stairs once today. It was important to eat with his family tonight.

Steve watched his husband closely and knew that it was time to get Danny upstairs. Danny grabbed the railing on one side and had his cane in his other hand. Steve had an arm around Danny's waist to steady him if necessary. Danny was a little shaky by the time he made it to the bedroom so he stopped to sit on the bed. He carefully pulled the bandage away from his incisions, wincing as the tape pulled at his leg hairs. His leg was still very swollen but the incision was clean. Steve's face turned pale at the sight which was pretty impressive considering what Steve had witnessed over the years. Danny tried to distract him.

"Did the boys stay in here all three nights while we were gone?"

"According to Mom and Dad, they did. They switched sides so that they could both sleep on your pillow. I guess your scent was a comfort to them. Are you ready to take your shower?"

"I was ready when we came in the door, but I wanted to stay downstairs with the boys for a while."

"I know. I know that you could probably do this by yourself, but it will go much quicker if I help. You're going to want to take a warm shower, and you know how fast that can sap your strength."

"You're right, and it's not like you've never stripped me down or washed me. Let's just get to it."

Danny let Steve pull his shoes and socks off and then stood to let Steve remove his clothes. Danny went into the bathroom to relieve himself while Steve ran water in the shower. He saw a plastic seat in there and started to protest.

"Danny, it's only a precaution in case you get dizzy. Mom insisted on it, and the PT department at the hospital recommended it too."

Danny decided to let it pass. He wanted to stand under the hot shower too much. Steve stripped down and helped Danny into the shower. He held Danny for a few minutes to enjoy the warm spray. Danny had such a look of nirvana. His back, shoulders, and hips hurt from sitting too much.

When Steve decided that Danny had as much as he could handle, he quickly lathered Danny up and rinsed him off. He had Danny sit so it would be easier to shampoo his hair. Danny moaned as Steve massaged his scalp. Then Steve quickly finished his shower and helped Danny out.

Steve wrapped a towel around his waist and dried Danny before helping him into sleep pants. Danny went back to the bedroom and sat on the bed. He knew that he would not be able to lift his leg onto the bed. Steve came out after a few minutes, dressed in shorts and t-shirt, and walked out into the hallway. He called for the boys to come up for their showers and brought a pillow and an extra pillowcase back for Danny.

"I was talking to Jan in the next room. She had her first knee done last year. You can't elevate your knee because you need to keep your knee straight, but she suggested putting a pillow length-wise under your leg. It's a softer surface than the mattress but it will keep your leg extended."

Steve let Danny get into position and then gently lifted his legs onto the bed. He centered Danny's leg onto the pillow. Then he went downstairs to fill Danny's cooling machine with ice and some water. He wrapped the pillowcase around Danny's knee before securing the sleeve on top of it. Steve turned the machine on and watched the instant relief on Danny's face.

"Oh my God, that's almost as good as sex."

"I'm trying really hard not to be offended by that remark. I bet that I could blow you and make you take it back."

Danny snorted and cocked his eyebrows. "I would take you up on that but I know that the boys will be in as soon as they finish their showers. Can I have a rain check?"

"You bet. How about a little making out until then?"

Steve carefully leaned over to kiss Danny. The kiss started out sweet before turning a little dirty. He didn't want to turn Danny or himself on too much, but he knew from experience that Danny needed the contact. The hospital has such a way of dehumanizing you. The care can be meticulous but people come in and prod or poke at you constantly. Their touch is impersonal without being unkind.

Danny reached up to run his fingers through Steve's hair. He could hear footsteps in the hall and reluctantly ended the kiss. The boys came in with their damp hair combed and their storybook in hand.

"Can we read to Danno? We promised to be careful."

Steve carefully situated the boys on the bed and listened to Jesse start the story. He went downstairs to see if he needed to help with anything. Mom and Dad had finished with the kitchen and were settled in to watch a movie. They insisted that they were content and that Steve was welcome to join them.

"That's okay. I can watch a little TV with Danny upstairs after the boys go to bed. I'll send them down for their goodnight hugs before I tuck them in. There is something I wanted to discuss briefly if you don't mind.

Dad paused the movie and waited.

"Danny and I talked about you moving here. We agree that it's a great idea. Cliff came by and offered to walk through the house next door to see if it needed any major repairs. Danny and I walked through the place last summer when we had that problem with Catherine. The house looked okay from what I remember but the décor is a little outdated. I had a minute to talk to Cliff and Finn about it when they came by to visit Danny yesterday. They have some surplus materials left from the building renovation that Dad worked on. They offered to have a crew come in and install new cabinets and flooring throughout the house. They'll update the bathrooms including a really nice master bath and paint everything."

"I appreciate that Steve, but I don't know that we have the budget for that. We thought that we could maybe paint before we moved in but not anything that extensive."

"Dad, Cliff kept talking about what a great job you did. He said that the budget came in ten million dollars less than the last job because there was no rework. They were thrilled when the building passed all the inspections the first time. They thought that it was the least they could do. Consider it a bonus for a job well-done."

Dad was choked up at the praise and the generous offer. "Then I guess that we'll accept the offer. I don't know what else to say."

"We say 'mahalo' here on the island."

"Then mahalo it is."

Steve gave each a hug before going upstairs to join story time. He had an extra spring in his step as he walked into the bedroom. Jack was reading now while Jesse stroked Danny's hair. He saw that his dad did it often and Danny seemed to like it. Danny was trying desperately to stay awake but he was exhausted.

When Jack finished the chapter, Steve joined the boys on the bed. They watched TV for a bit before the boys tucked Danny in for the night. Steve waited while they went down to say goodnight to their Nana and Poppa. Then he tucked them in for the night.

Danny was asleep when Steve came back. He set his watch alarm for Danny's next dose of pain medication and settled in for the night. He wasn't really interested in the TV but he was so happy to be sharing a bed with Danny again. He turned the lights off and held Danny's hand while he watched TV. Steve too was exhausted and soon joined Danny in sleep.