Epilogue~

The digital clock had barely switched over from six fifty nine am to seven when pattering feet charged over to Grif and Simmons bed and pounced on them.

They both groaned not entirely surprised by the attack when small hands started shaking them "Come on get up! Daddy you promised to teach me to surf when I turned seven and I'm seven now! Coooommmeee onnnn waakkkeee up!"

Grif said tiredly "Simmons remind me again why we gave Alani your bed and not her own room?"

An equally tired grumble answered "Because she's too young to stay in a room by herself."

Alani jumped up and down as hard as she could manage "Wakey wakey the sun's already high in the sky!"

Simmons sat up accepting defeat as the excited girl continued shaking her lazy father trying to budge him.

Grif's arm shot out of the covers pulling her down into his side as Alani squeaked trying to get free. Grif said "Yeah! Get her Simmons!"

Simmons played along tickling her mercilessly making her squirm and shriek as loud giggles escaped.

After five minutes of torture he stopped chuckling himself "Alright that's enough you we don't want you getting too hyper before breakfast."

Alani's eyes lit up "Yeah! Aunty Donut went all out and made chocolate chip pancakes, bacon, eggs, toast, cereal and a huge bowl of mixed chopped fruit!"

Simmons raised an eyebrow "And how do you know that?"

Alani smiled innocently "I caught him making it when I went to get a glass of water whilst I was trying to pass the time."

Grif poked her belly "So that's why you're so heavy this morning."

Alani bounced again "I didn't eat any of it because I wanted to wait for you guys. So pleeeeeeaaaaaaaase tell me you're getting up because I'm starving and it looks really good!"

Simmons said "OK we're up and we'll be there in a minute."

Alani tore out of the room singing "Yeeessss! Pancakes! Ooo la la! Pancakes! Full of le le flay vaaaaa!"

Grif sat up ruffling his hair yawning and normally Simmons would force a breath mint down his throat along with a lecture on how gross morning breath is but today he sighed "Can you believe she's seven already?"

Grif replied "Considering I didn't believe I was pregnant and got proven otherwise nothing really surprises me anymore."

Simmons shot him a weak glare "Do you have to have to sound so blasé?"

Grif got out of bed falling into his natural slouch "It's too early for you to use words I may or may not understand, now come on we have a birthday girl to spoil."

They walked side by side towards the kitchen as Simmons said "Yes we do but no sneaking her oreo's when you think I'm not looking."

"Aw come on it's her birthday and she loves them!"

"They're also bad for her teeth and make her extremely hyper!"

"You know what will make her loose her teeth? The amount you make her brush them one of these days they'll be nothing left to brush."

It was an age old argument without any heat to it and when they entered the kitchen they found Alani at the head of the table, in front of a pile of food wearing a party hat, with Sarge and Donut at the other end leaving spaces for Grif and Simmons to sit by their daughter.

They stopped for a second and stared at the girl that had slightly tan skin with dark red hair which could almost be mistaken for brown brushed away from her mischievous green eyes that were flecked with an amber spiderweb pattern.

Neither knew that they were both wondering what they did right to deserve their daughter.

Alani beamed at them "You're finally up! Look Grampa gave me this neat tablet so I can do electronic sketches and never run out of paper or worry about loosing my pencils since it has over a hundred color options that I can mix and match if I want! Oh oh and Aunty Donut gave me some sea themed bed sheets and a bunch of hair styling stuff."

Her fathers smiled back then Grif wandered out into the hall whilst Simmons said "That's great honey, we have something for you too."

Alani tilted her head to one side "What is it?"

Simmons said "Grif you need a hand bringing it in?"

Grif called back "Hey I used to lug this thing around by myself I don't need help now."

There was a tumble and a curse.

Donut asked "What exactly did you guys get her? I've been trying to coax it out of Grif for months now!"

Sarge said "Knowing Grif probably something ridiculous like a bed on wheels."

Simmons commented "You know Sir they have those in hospitals."

"Sure they do Simmons and I suppose they have special operating rooms."

"They do have those Sir."

Grif appeared in the doorway looking slightly more disheveled "That closet is freaking small."

Donut hummed in sympathy "I know I have such a hard time coming out of there these days."

Simmons stood up "I thought you said you had it?"

Grif waved a hand "Oh ye have little faith, Alani to make good on my promise we'll need this to do it on, happy birthday honey." He pulled a surfboard into view.

They could tell it was old as it was worn in places but it had obviously been well taken care of and the paint had been reapplied fresh so the orange and maroon flowers made it seem brand new.

On the nose of the board there was 'Lightning Dexter' in faded orange paint that now had a fresh bright red 'Alani Short stuff' added underneath.

They watched her for her reaction and they weren't disappointed as she charged over hugging him tightly around the middle "I love it! I love it! I love it!"

Grif hugged her back with his free arm "Your welcome but don't forget Papa pitched in as well."

Alani quickly shot over to Simmons giving him an equally tight hug and a kiss on the cheek saying "Thank you!"

Simmons grinned "It was Daddy's idea, I still think he's nuts and a master of bluffing."

Alani soon returned to the board running her hands over it in delight.

Grif said "Excuse me? And what exactly was I bluffing about?"

Simmons pointed at the faded title of 'Lightning Dexter.' "Knowing you I bet you bought the board on a whim then used it a grand total of once finding out you sucked at surfing and that it was too much energy so you quit leaving the board to gather dust."

Grif tried to scowl but it ended up more of a pout as his daughters happy energy was infectious.

Donut snickered "I have to admit he's right that does sound like something you would do."

Sarge added gruffly "Exactly because when would a dirtbag like you find the will to actually do something physical in your spare time."

Grif propped the board against the wall gently trying to shoo Alani back to the table saying back "You guys would be surprised what I used to do. Hey short stuff come on eat first, surfing lesson later."

Simmons pulled out her chair "I agree, come on we don't want Donut's spread going to waste."

Donut opened his mouth but Simmons quickly pointed a finger at him "If you say anything that is weird, strange, or not age appropriate today I will paint your armor in last seasons colors."

Donut clutched his chest "Why would you be so cruel!?"

Alani clutched the surfboard "Noooo I want to go surfing now you promised we would go today! Pllleeeaassseee!"

Grif said "We'll go as soon as you're done eating."

Alani blinked at him "Promise?"

Grif nodded "Sure pinky promise."

Alani ran to the table shoveling pancake, eggs, and fruits into her mouth at record speed whilst Simmons watched horrified "Alani slow down you're going to choke!"

Alani ignored him draining a large glass of strawberry milkshake in seven large gulps "I'm done! Can we go now?"

Grif and the surfboard were dragged out the door before he had time to protest.

Simmons shook his head staring after where they had been a second ago and Donut cooed "Aw they grow up so fast what a healthy appetite she's got."

Simmons massaged the bridge of his nose saying "She gets that from Grif."

Sarge crowed "But that energy she devotes into the things she does she gets from you! Such a good girl! If only she'd devote that time into advanced mechanics dang lazy Grif genetics."

Grif and Alani were kitted out in swimwear sitting on the surfboard on the ocean that she was barely able to keep still for as her excitement grew.

That was until a thought hit her "Daddy how are we going to surf without any waves?"

Grif replied "Don't worry when Papa and I decided to do this we made sure you'd actually be able to use it. Hey Lopez fire up the machine!"

A grumpy sound was heard as well as whirring.

Alani looked around trying to see what was going on when the board rose and fell with a small wave.

She clutched on trying to keep her balance then she looked at her dad saying "Woah! What's happening?"

Grif chuckled "We had Lopez rig up a wave machine so we wouldn't been sitting out here like ducks all day. Look who's come to join the party."

Alani looked to the shore to see her Papa, Aunty Donut, Grampa, Aunty Sister, as well as her Uncles Doc, Caboose, Church, Wash, Tucker and her best friend Junior all relaxing watching her.

She waved at them getting enthusiastic waves back from Caboose whilst Donut was fussing with a camera and Simmons was keeping an eye on them.

Grif said "Hey Alani you want to have a run with me before you try?"

Alani loosened her death grip as she got excited again "Yeah let's do it!"

Grif smiled "Alright then, Lopez kick it up to the top notch!"

The waves rising and falling around the board grew bigger as Grif paddled them around facing the waves, "You ready for this kiddo?"

Alani gulped as a big wave approached them "Uhuh."

Grif waited for the right moment then stood up easily driving the board along the wave, Alani yelled in delight staying sat down on her knees, Grif turned the board easily and said "Stand up if you want you won't rock us."

Alani carefully got up keeping her balance as Grif moved them in smooth turns not making any sharp moves so she wouldn't fall over.

The wave curled as they got closer to shore, Grif said "Looks like you get a tube on your first time out, hang on."

Alani laughed stretching an arm to touch the water curling around them in a watery tunnel in a second it was over as Grif steered them out and rode the remainder of the wave until they were soon on shore again.

Grif shook his damp hair breathing out heavily "Wow I haven't done that in a long time."

Alani tackled him "That was so awesome! Can we go again!?"

Grif messed up her hair "Not right now you got to start on level one and see how you get on from there first, did you hear me Lopez? Turn it down again."

Sister said "Wow Dex I didn't think you could still move like that anymore!"

Grif stretched his back "Yeah that makes two of us."

Simmons walked over to them grinning "OK you win I can see why they called you Lightning Dexter now."

Sister glanced between them "He didn't tell you?"

Grif elbowed her in the side but she didn't run off like he thought she would.

Simmons frowned "Tell me what?"

Sister said "Dex was champion junior surfer three years in a row back home until he got sent here."

Alani looked at her Dad with huge eyes "Really Daddy? That's soooo cool! Did you hear that Junior?"

The alien said back happily "Honk!"

Grif shrugged "Eh it was nothing really, anyway you wanna go again short stuff but this time you're going to go alone alright?"

Alani all but pulled him back to the water "What are we waiting for? Let's go!"

Simmons called after them "Hang on a second I'm not sure that's a good idea!"

Sister snorted "Chill out they'll be fine Dex is a great teacher."

Church heard that and said "Yeah if he was coaching an eating contest maybe."

Sister looked at Simmons for his reaction all he said though was "What? I can't really disagree with that."

Sister agreed "True. Anyway back home he used to spend like forever in the water after some girl dumped him or something."

Tucker called out "It was because she turned out to have dick!"

Sister continued "Whatever! Anyway the guys used to really like me and it drove Dex crazy so he used to drag me along to the beach so he could watch me and sometimes he'd teach me to surf if I was in the mood. Sometimes I didn't want to and if some other kid was struggling he'd help them get started and stuff."

Simmons didn't look away from the water where Grif was now waste deep holding the board talking to Alani, he guessed that he was instructing her on what to do, before he gently let go.

She stood up managing to keep her balance for a couple of seconds then fell off but Grif was there making sure she was alright and walking her through it again.

Simmons relaxed smiling softly at them "I guess you're right."

Church shouted "Hey Reds are any of you going to help us get this barbeque going or not!"

Caboose said "Ooo the coals are glowing like my night light can I touch them."

Washington took his hand stopping him from burning himself "I don't think that would be a good idea."

Church snorted "Why stop him? Go ahead Caboose if you want to loose a few fingers I'm not going to stop you."

Doc and Donut moved to Caboose's side, Doc saying "Have you hurt yourself? Because I have a new cure of mint balm I could rub on that."

Donut clutched his harm "And you don't have to worry about day to day care because I can look after you, I held Grif and Simmons hands throughout their illnesses and they pulled through good as new and I still have my outfit tucked away in my closet!"

Tucker laughed "Oo a sexy nurse huh? Bow chika bow-wait-No no no no."

Sarge moaned "Oh woah is me spending another day playing happy families with the Blues and all because of a child of Grif! Moan groan."

Alani called out "Guys look I'm doing it!"

Alani managed to make it to shore before she happily paddled back out to sea.

Sarge called after her "Well done girl! Paddle like you mean it!"

Alani answered "OK!"

Sarge added "That's it move those arms! Thata girl! Oh woe is me praising a Grif."

Grif shouted "Hey Simmons you gonna come out and join us?"

Simmons blinked "Uh... I don't think I can be much help."

Alani said "Come on Papa its fun!"

Simmons melted at her pleading expression and waded out into the water "OK but just for a bit since the food will be done soon."

Grif leaned on the board "Food? Hope it's done soon I'm freaking starving."

Alani looked guilty "Are you alright Daddy?"

"Yeah I'll be fine, now how about you take Papa for a run."

Simmons stared at him "Me!? I don't know how to surf!"

Grif was already manhandling him onto the board "You'll be fine Alani's getting the hang of it and the waves are gentle plus whilst you do that I'm going to get something to eat."

Grif was wading back to sure leaving Simmons and Alani floating on the water.

Simmons growled "Grif get back here!"

Grif ignored him making his way to the BBQ where Church was expertly flipping burgers he said "Not done yet so don't even think about it or actually do. I don't care."

Grif sat on the ground "How much longer are those going to take? Because dude I am starving."

Tucker sat beside him handing him a drink which he accepted "If you keep going like this you'll give Church a run for the money on pig of the year."

Church snapped "Oh up yours Tucker!"

Grif downed his drink in one burping loudly after "Yeah well the difference is unlike some people I didn't get breakfast this morning."

They watched as Simmons shakily followed Alani's lead in standing up on the board although he did tumble off three seconds later.

Alani peered into the water looking for him when he came up from behind pulling her in as well and Grif was pleased to see that Simmons was laughing it off rather than getting all serious as he usually did doing things.

Junior was walking up and down the shore line letting out the occasional "Blarg."

Grif asked "Hey what's up with your kid?"

Tucker noticed what he was talking about and said "Oh that. He's just worried that if he goes out of his depth he'll sink to the bottom like a stone and he's too terrified to learn how to swim at the moment since someone put all these ideas in his head."

Church whistled innocently ignoring Tucker's glare boring into the side of his head.

Tucker carried on "But anyway we're working on it and I'm sure it won't be long until Ali convinces him to go out there anyway."

Grif snorted "You know Simmons will try to stuff your mouth with soap if he catches you calling her Ali again."

Tucker shrugged "He can try but now I have the image of Sister in a swim suit to keep me busy."

Grif shoved him "Don't look at my Sister." As an afterthought he shouted "PUT SOME CLOTHES ON!"

Sister said back "You can't make me!"

"Oh yes I can!"

"Stop ruining my life! What are you going to do next!? Have Wash follow me around!?"

Wash looked up from table he was setting up with Caboose's help "I wouldn't do that!"

Sister flicked a hand "Whatever."

Church announced "All right food is now officially done. First dibs goes to the chef and the birthday girl and who's the chef again? Oh that's right me. How do you like that Red?"

Grif got up "Look it can be the scraps for all I care but as long as I get food I'm happy. Simmons! Short stuff! Come back in grubs up!"

He could tell Alani was torn about whether to take a break to eat or to keep going but the smell of food must have wafted their way as she made no protest to returning to shore.

Junior met her and they started chatting, Grif didn't know how they could when all he said was 'Honk' or 'Blarg' and if he ever dared to say 'Bow Chika Honk Honk' around his daughter he was going to be short a few tentacle things, Simmons looked flushed and a bit tired as he walked back carrying the board with his cybernetic arm.

Grif offered him a drink and said "So what did you think?"

Simmons accepted it gratefully saying back "There is a lot more to it than I thought and you make it look so easy which means I can't decide that's impressive or degrading."

Church yelped "Tucker get your worm out of the steaks!"

Tucker said back "I told you not to call him that anymore!"

Caboose piped up "I want to join in too! What are arguing about?!"

Alani said cheekily "Your mom!"

Donut hi-fived her "Oh that was burn you just got burned dude!"

Doc twiddled his thumbs "Oo I'm sensing vibrations."

Tucker said "Don't panic that's just Church."

Church snapped "Tucker I swear if you don't cut it out I will spit in your food!"

Simmons stared at her "Alani Simmons Grif!"

Alani pointed at Junior "He said it! I just translated."

Junior offered a feeble "Honk."

Sarge patted her shoulder "Good girl don't play nice with the Blues!"

Simmons rubbed his forehead "Can we just agree to not have phrases or comments like that from either of you please?"

Grif managed to grab a burger at last which he practically inhaled before he said "Aw chill out Simmons it wasn't even that bad."

"Yes but today it's your mom and then it's a string of curse words that would make Wash blush."

"I think you're exaggerating just a bit."

Donut clapped his hands "Before you guys stuff yourselves silly remember there is cake!"

Grif and Simmons yelled "NO!" Gaining everyone's stares.

Simmons coughed "It's just that you made breakfast Donut so you shouldn't have."

Donut smiled "Oh it was nothing and I think it went really well, so without further ado ta-da!"

They breathed in relief when he presented a normal double layered cake that was orange on top, red on bottom and had white frosting flowers as decoration with seven lit sparkler candles around the neatly written HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALANI on top.

Doc whistled "That is really good Donut maybe we should have a bake meeting every week to swap tips."

Wash said "As interesting as that sounds I think the young lady would like to blow out her candles."

Alani kissed Donut's cheek hugging him "Thank you so much Aunty Donut!"

Donut 'awwed' "It was no problem sweetie!"

Junior cleared his throat then said "Honky honk honk blarg honk, honky honk honk blarg honk, honky blarg blarg honk blllaarrgg, honky honk honk blarg honk."

Church commented "Since he's probably the best singer out of us I'd say this would be a good time to blow them out."

Alani looked to her Dad's for approval they gave a nod so she scrunched up her face thinking of a wish then once she thought of one she blew them out in one breath.

Except because they were sparklers three of them re-lit making the kids laugh Alani and Junior made a game of blowing them until they stopped and by then the pair of them were in stitches.

Tucker handed them a piece of paper "This guys is a treasure map and if you follow the instructions it'll lead you to buried treasure that's somewhere in the canyon and Wash and Caboose are going to go with you because they're strong and can protect you from the dangerous monsters you might face."

The kids looked at each other saying "Ooo" Alani turned the puppy eyes on her Dad's "Can I go!? Pleeeassseeee!?"

Simmons said "You can if you eat first-SLOW DOWN!"

Alani stuffed the last piece of cake in her mouth and Junior made short work of his steak.

She said "Thank you for the food, see you soon, love you bye! Come on Uncle Wash! Hurry up Uncle Caboose!"

Caboose followed after saying "Yes! I am good at finding things! Like once I found Andy and we were best friends and then he hid away from me. Good times."

Grif asked Tucker "There really isn't anything dangerous is there?"

Tucker answered "Nah Caboose is going because he's a big kid so this will keep him busy for a while and Wash offered to tag along to make sure they're careful, meanwhile we parents get a breather to recharge our batteries."

Church chewed his way through his second slice of cake "I got to admit Tucker this was a great idea."

"You're just saying that because you get seconds fatty."

"This slice is super thin like the last one!"

Donut plonked beside him "You know if you're looking to loose weight I know this great diet to get you started on, to begin with you only eat food beginning with vowels."

Church glanced at him slowly "Uh yeah I'll think I'll pass."

"You sure? It's a great weight shaking program."

Tucker snickered "Yeah Church it wouldn't hurt for you to shake some weight."

"I'm not fat!"

Donut said soothingly "No one's saying you are, but have you considered you might just be a little bit over the heavy line?"

Tucker commented "If the heavy line begins elephant and ends in whale then yeah I totally agree."

Church scowled at him "You know what Tucker? Sometimes I really hate you."

Sarge moaned sadly.

Grif said "What's wrong with him now?"

Simmons got another drink "No idea. Sir are you OK?"

Sarge stared woefully after Alani "What's wrong? Wrong is that one of my best creations has voluntarily run off with the Blues! I shouldn't be surprised since she is the daughter of Grif but still the betrayal cuts deep."

Grif offered a very sarcastic "Wow and you think I have issues."

Simmons sighed "Don't worry Sir I'm sure she's just learning about the Blues."

Sarge perked up "Jumping jiminy cricket! You're right Simmons! My little in your face to nature would never fully turn on me! Great job girl you just might go far yet! Then again you are a Grif so you might get distracted by something shiny and forget your goal."

Church tossed a thumb in Sarge's direction "Is he always like this?"

Grif answered "Pretty much. HEY SISTER I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO PUT ON SOME MORE CLOTHES!"

Sister shouted back "NO WAY! I'M GOING TO TEACH THE DOC GUY TO SURF!"

Grif got up after her "NOT ON MY DAUGHTERS BOARD YOU DON'T!"

Church looked at Simmons and asked "So still enjoying being associated with that?"

He didn't to ask what he meant as he watched Sister and Grif tumble into the sea splashing each other as they argued whilst Doc shied off to the side making placating gestures with his hands.

He looked just bit further up the beach to see Alani and Junior who were studying the map intently making sure they were following the directions right as they looked for buried treasure with Caboose and Wash on their heels.

Simmons was content watching them and felt deep down in whatever was left of his gut that he wouldn't trade them for anything.

That night Simmons was on Alani's bed with the sleepy little girl cuddled into his side as he read a story to her.

Grif popped his head in smiling at the pair of them "Still not asleep huh?"

Alani shook her head "'M not tired Daddy."

Simmons sent an exasperated look Grif's way "She's been saying that for the last hour."

Grif nodded pretending to be serious "I guess she really isn't tired then, since it's getting lonely out there without you guys can I join you?"

Alani moved closer to Simmons making room space on her small bed now covered in sea themed bed sheets "Yes you can Daddy."

Grif cuddled up behind her kissing her hair "Did you have a good birthday short stuff?"

Alani nodded "Yeah I got to surf and find buried treasure and the cake was great and Uncle Caboose gave me a piggy back and..." She yawned continuing "A whole bunch of other stuff."

Simmons said "We've just finished another chapter do you want to wait until tomorrow for another one?"

Alani thought for a minute than said "Only if Daddy sings Papa."

Grif hummed "I think that's do able."

Simmons closed the book and sat it on her bedside table as Grif started singing "There's no place I'd rather be, then on my surfboard out at sea, lingering in the ocean blue, and If I had one wish come true, I'd surf till the sun sets, beyond the horizon."

Alani smiled as her eyelids closed against he will.

Grif carried on "A wiki wiki mai lohi lohi, lawe mai i ko papa he'e nalu, flyin by on the Hawaiian roller coaster ride, a wiki wiki mai lohi lohi, la we mai iko papa he na lu, pi'i na nalu la lahalaha, o ka moana hanupanupa, lalala i kala hanahana, me ke kai hoene i ka pu'e one, helehele mai kakou e, hawaiian roller coaster ride."

Steady breathing and closed eyes gave away that she was fast asleep so Simmons and Grif carefully got off the bed and covered her up.

Simmons kissed her forehead saying softly "Goodnight honey sleep well, love you."

Grif said quietly "Sweet dreams short stuff, love you."

Simmons switched off her lamp as Grif tucked her stuffed red dog in with her then whispered "Want to go watch a bit of TV before bed?"

Simmons said "As long as it isn't a scary film I'm in."

"Nah it's some chic flic Donut put on."

They closed the door leaving it open slightly in case she needed to call them for anything.

Alani cuddled her dog closer and mumbled "I love you too."

~The End~