Chapter 9

BethBobby

Sorry for delay: it was ALevel results week and if I write when I'm stressed it all comes out a jumbled mess. But now I can write because I'M GOING TO UNI :D (Uni of Bolton to study English!)

Which means lots of updates because I leave in a month and I'd like to have either finished (or pre-written) the whole fic before I leave as I know how hectic life's going to get when I go to uni.

Stick with me, I AM NOT GIVING UP ON IT. Xx

505050505050505050

'Oh how do I know?

If I should stay or just go,

The bottom line is this way that I'll never know.

Stay with me'

You Me at Six – Stay With Me

505050505050505050

Catch-up: 'After what seemed like an age, the doctor came around the corner.

Steve was up first, everyone else a moment later and Mary could see her brother analysing the doctor's expression before the doc had even had chance to speak.

The doctor was frowning.

Shit.'

Steve felt his stomach drop as he looked at the Doctor's face.

'Are you Steve?' the Doctor asked shaking the SEAL's hand.

'Yeah. Is she okay?' Steve asked not giving the Doctor chance to introduce himself.

He heard the roughness in his own voice and realising just how much it would kill him if Grace wasn't ok.

'She's fine.' The Doctor smiled a little.

Steve let out a breath he didn't even realise he was holding before rubbing his face in relief.

'She collapsed due to exhaustion which, with her current situation, we can most probably link it to stress. We're running tests to make sure there's definitely no underlying issue, so we'd like to keep her overnight for observation. I'd just like to see her get a good night's sleep and some food.' The doctor explained.

Steve nodded 'can we see her?'

'Sure, but if she starts to look tired then can I ask you to leave and let her sleep?'

'Yeah, is it okay for me to stay with her? I don't want her here on her own. She has nightmares.' Steve replied.

The doctor nodded 'one of the nurses is looking after her Grandfather and explained what happened. May I suggest that you allow me to refer her to a therapist?'

Steve nodded again, knowing that this was the only thing he could do to help Grace get over what she had seen and been through. There was only so far 'being there for someone' could help and Steve knew that the little girl, his little girl, needed the help.

He didn't want his own objection to therapists to cause her harm in the long run.

'Yes, I think that's the best way to go.' Steve agreed.

The doctor gave a small smile, 'I'll get onto it and be back to check on her later.'

'Thank you doc.' Steve shook the man's hand again.

'If you need anything, or have any more questions, ask at the desk for Doctor Tae.' He said, before beckoning for the group to follow him.

505050505050505050

When they got to Grace's room, Steve went in first.

The little girl turned to look at him as he entered.

'Hey sweetie.' Steve said as he saw her face relax.

'Uncle Steve.' She said, reaching the arm that didn't have a drip attached out to him.

'Hey, hey what's wrong?' Steve rushed over, seeing the tears brimming in her eyes, and pulled her to him.

'I didn't feel good and I thought that you might be mad if I said. Step Stan told me not to whine and I'm sorry.' She sobbed 'Mommy used to know when I was sick.'

'I know she did, Mommy was amazing.' Steve pressed his nose into her hair, hugging her close.

'You never have to worry about telling us you're sick Gracie.' Steve saw Kono move to sit on the bed.

'Yeah, we won't ever be mad. You can tell us anything, no matter what it is, what time it is, you can call us at work or if you're at school and we'll listen.' Steve told her rubbing her back.

'Really?' Grace asked.

'Grace, you used to call Danno all the time, you can call us like you used to call Danno. We won't be mad. We all love you like Danno did.' Kono told her.

Steve felt the little girl nod into his chest and he smiled at Kono.

The rookie smiled back and stroked Grace's head.

Chin and Mary came and sat down on the other side of the bed.

'Hey Gracie, you have to get better soon anyway. You have to come surfing with me and Kono while you couldn't come today!'

Grace turned to him and smiled before nodding enthusiastically 'yeah.'

'You have to get Mary to have a go! She hasn't surfed in years.' Steve told Grace.

'You have to surf.' Grace said to Mary.

Steve saw his sister smile, he knew she hadn't surfed since their mother had died, that had been their 'thing'.

'Sure kiddo, why not.' Mary said with a small nod.

Kono turned her head as they heard the door behind them click open.

'Mom, hey.' She said.

Steve saw Chin stiffen and prepared himself to stop any comments aimed at his colleague.

' Chin.' Mrs Kalakaua addressed him.

'I'm glad to hear that she's okay, when I heard from Kono that she was sick it broke my heart.' The older woman said, her attitude changing completely as she neared the little girl and pulled her into a hug, dragging her out of Steve's arms.

Grace didn't seem to mind and Steve was glad to see that she hugged the woman back, seeming to have adopted her as a kind of 'Grandmother' figure.

Steve felt relieved, the kid needed women in her life that were constant, rather than Cath in his, who was there for a day and then gone for months on end.

'I heard you were looking for a nanny.' Mrs Kalakaua turned to Steve who nodded.

'News travels quickly on this island. Yeah, when I go back to work I need someone to be able to pick her up from school and be able to make her her dinner if I have to stay late. Mary can't do it because she's going back to LA soon. Her life is there now so it would be unfair to ask her to stay.' Steve smiled at his sister who smiled back sadly.

'Well, I'd be more than happy to. It saves hiring someone to do it. All of our children are grown up and I and my husband aren't quite ready for retirement from kids yet. We'd love to do it. If that was okay with you. She'd have a familiar face.' Mrs Kalakaua said.

Steve was shocked; her offer had taken him aback.

'That would be amazing. I couldn't let you do it for nothing though.' Steve said.

'My price is keeping Kono safe. Both of you.' She looked at Chin.

'Mom!' Kono moaned 'I'm a big girl, I can look after myself.'

'I know that, but you're too hot headed for your own good sometimes.' Mrs Kalakaua told her daughter.

'Hey Gracie, how would you like to go and stay with Mrs Kalakaua when I'm at work for an hour after school?' Steve asked the little girl, who was looking up at the woman who held her with a smile.

'Yeah!' Grace nodded 'can I Mrs Kalakaua?'

'Sure you can.' The older woman smiled 'and you can call me Kalei, not Mrs Kalakaua.'

'Thank you Kalei.' Steve said gratefully to her.

'Thank you Mom.' Kono told her mother.

'That's okay, she needs a good Ohana.'

'Ohana means family.' Grace said suddenly.

'Yeah, it does.' Steve agreed.

'They say it on Lilo and Stitch. Ohana means family, family means no one gets left behind or forgotten. Like Danno and Mommy, they're still my Ohana even though they're not here but I'll never forget them.' She looked at her hands.

'That's right.' Chin smiled and Steve got the feeling it was directed at more than just Gracie.

Chin's Ohana had been taken away too in order for him to protect them.

505050505050505050

Hope you enjoy it! Review and tell me what you think?

Too unrealistic, not good? I can take crit, it helps me to improve, so say what you think!