Disclaimer: see chapter one

Author's note: I am so sorry for the delay in this chapter; time has seriously just gotten away from me. This chapter was just supremely hard to write because I wasn't sure where I wanted to go with it, but I think it version will suit the big picture of the story well. All mistakes are mine and I apologize in advance for any mistakes.

It only took a matter of minutes after their ceremony for Steve to call off the rest of the day. Once he was back at the house with Danny pushed up against it moving his mouth in the most delicious of ways, Steve knew he couldn't even begin to think about functioning at work. So reluctantly moving away from the warmth that was his Danno, Steve quickly called Chin and Kono and called off for the rest of the day telling them they could knock off as well and hung up, he had to get back to his Danno.

They spent the day celebrating their now unbreakable bond just enjoying the warmth of each other. Danny wished that they would could a lot more time together like this, wrapped around each other cocooned within the warmth sheets of their bed, but dinner wasn't going to make itself and Danny was looking forward to tonight. He was looking forward to sharing their news with their ohana; he knew that once they got over the shock of the suddenness they were going to be happy.

"Stop thinking so much." Steve quipped from the other side of the kitchen breaking the comfortable silence that had broken out across the room. Danny turned an amused smile spread across his face. "I can hear you all the way over here." Steve stopped stirring his marinade and quickly walked across the room swiping Danny into his arms. "Everything is going to be fine."

"I know that, I'm not worried about it at all. I just hope that Grace isn't too upset that she wasn't included, you know how bad things are over at Rachel's right now." Steve nodded his mind flashing back to the worried conversation that Danny had had with Victoria. She had told him that Grace was feeling a bit unwelcomed at home with Rachel with the new baby and the custody battle. Grace had expressed feelings of wanting to live with Danny and Steve all the time because she thought they actually loved her. The conversation still broke Steve's heart to think that Grace would feel like that.

"I think she'll understand once we explain to her in the right way. Plus she loves us and we'll figure out a way to include her in something." Danny nodded closing his eyes as Steve kissed Danny's temple before going back to finish his marinade. Danny took a deep breath, Steve was right. They continued to work in comfortable silence until they heard a car pull in the driveway, Danny knew without even checking the time who was here. Since dinner was Grace's request he had asked Helen to drop Grace off a little earlier than usual, he wanted her to help in any way she could. Who knew that it would give them ample time to break the news to her.

"Danno!" Grace exclaimed a smile spreading across her face. She had been having such a bad day but seeing her Danno so relaxed and happy had completely turned it around. She flung herself into his waiting arms and soaked up all his warmth.

"Hi monkey, I missed you." Grace wiggled further into his warmth smiling even wider as his comforting scent washed over her. Danny could tell that something was bothering her but he didn't question it deciding to wait for her to open up.

"I missed you too Danno." She lifted her head almost as if she could hear Steve's footsteps and quickly jumped down from Danny's arms before taking off and flying into Steve's arms laughing at his spun her around. Steve and Danny locked eyes as Danny motioned for Steve to take Grace into the house.

"Hey Danny, here's her things along with a special outfit she picked out for tonight."

"Thank you. How was she today? She seemed a little off when you got here." Helen sighed and looked around out of habit before opening her mouth.

"Charles are being extra fussy today always wanting Rachel to hold him so Grace felt a little left out because she wanted Rachel's help in picking out her outfit for tonight. She was pretty unhappy all day until we left the house. Rachel also had a meeting with her attorney about the custody hearing and Grace might have overhead some of Rachel's unkind words." Helen felt uncomfortable tattling on her boss in a way but as her father Danny had a right to know about things concerning Grace.

"Thank you Helen for dropping her off and helping to keep her as removed from this as possible. Steve and I really appreciate it."

"It's not a problem at all Danny. I hope you guys have a fun night." Danny nodded and watched Helen get back in the car and reverse out of the driveway before turning back towards the house. He stopped and smiled when he saw Steve showing Grace how to make a proper salad, even giving her a dull knife so that she could learn how to properly cut up vegetables, he loved how much care and attention Steve had for Grace. Danny turned making his way up the stairs to drop off Grace's bags.

"Daddy?" Grace asked as Steve added cherry tomatoes to the salad.

"Yeah?" Steve replied putting his knife down and looking at Grace as she swung her legs against the cabinets.

"You and Danno got married didn't you?" Steve stopped short for a moment wondering how she had figured it out before his finger reached out to run along the ring on his finger.

"Yes Gracie we did. I love Danno very much and I want to be with him forever." Grace looked at Steve with such a look that Steve just knew the question floating through her mind. "We wanted you to be there, I've always thought that when Danno and I did marry that you would be right there since I pledged to be there for you and love you forever. But it was such a quick decision that we couldn't wait, but I want you to know that you were there with us in spirit. Do you understand?" Grace thought about it for a moment before nodding. "You mean that world to me and Danno and I want you to always know that you will always have a place here with us. You know what you could for us?"

"What?" Grace couldn't help but wonder about what Steve could possibly need her to do for him.

"We want to have a big party to celebrate with everybody, like a reception of sorts, and Danno and I have no idea how to do that. But I think with your help we could make the best party ever. You could help design the cake and even help pick the flavor."

"Really? Can I draw it out too?" Steve nodded happy to see joy swimming in Grace's eyes. He was so glad that she seemed to be okay with their sudden union. A silence passed over them as Grace thought about what Steve had told her. "I'm happy you guys got married. You make Danno happy and I love you for making my Danno whole again. I know that sometimes adults just have to do things without kids, it's easier sometimes." Steve nodded and smiled even chuckling a little bit.

"I think you're right Gracie, you're such a wise young lady." Grace beamed at the compliment.

"Does this mean you're really gonna be my daddy?" Steve paused for a minute unsure of how to answer her question. Danny, who had been in the doorway for the entire conversation, pushed off the doorframe and entered the kitchen.

"Would you like that monkey?" Both Grace and Steve turned to Danny and Grace nodded without a moment of hesitation. She wanted Steve to really be her Daddy. Danny looked at Steve, who looked all kinds of lost, and nodded. "Alright then I'll talk to Chris and we'll take care of it." Grace leaned forward and kissed Steve's cheek jolting him back to awareness. "I think it's about time too."

"Sure is Danno." Danny laughed at Grace's sudden country accent and scooped his daughter up to have a quick family hug. As Danny rested his head on Steve's shoulder while Grace rested between them, he couldn't help but think it couldn't get much better than this. They stay wrapped together for a little bit before Danny pulled away and set Grace down.

"Your guests will be here soon, so you better get ready. Steve and I will set the table and make sure the food's all good to go." Grace nodded and ran up the stairs with Jack, her best friend even if he was a dog leaving Danny and Steve alone.

"Thank you Danny, that's the best present you could ever give me." Danny waved his hand dismissively squeezing Steve's hand with his free hand.

"It's the right thing to do; you love her just as much as I do. And plus if something were to happen to me you would still be able to see her." Steve nodded taking the chicken and steak out to the grill.

It was a flurry of activity as Danny worked to set the table and make sure they had drinks chilling for their guests. Grace the best host greeting each guest with as much charm as Steve. It was hilarious for Steve and Danny to watch Grace working the room like a pro, even going as far as to completely charm Chris. It was hilarious to see Grace wrap Chris around her little finger. Danny's nerves set in as they all sat down to eat. He and Steve had talked in the kitchen about when they were going to share their news and both decided that they would do it before dinner.

Steve sensed Danny's nerves from his end of the table and smiled reassuringly at him before standing. He cleared his throat and waited for everyone to turn their attention to him. "Before we eat, Danny and I have some good news to share with you guys." Steve nodded at Danny, who stood up and moved to join Steve at the opposite side of the table. "As you guys know Danny and I have been together for awhile and given some recent events, we decided that it was time to take our relationship to a more permanent basis. So this morning we met with the governor this morning and decided to have a civil union." Steve stopped looking around at their guests. Mary looked up at him with a knowing smile and tipped her wine glass at him in congratulations. Danny caught the look and shook his head he should've known that Mary would already know. Kono sat back with her mouth open in surprise yet her eyes were smiling. Chris wasn't surprised, given his relationship with Mary, and Chin? Chin wasn't surprised in the least. He had seen the rings the moment they had walked in the door, as a newlywed himself he could see Steve playing with the ring on his finger to make sure it was still there.

As the silence wore on Danny became even more nervous. Finally Chin stood up raising his wine glass with one hand while holding Malia's with the other. "It's about time you put a ring on it McGarrett. I'm happy that you have found such unconditional love and support, both of you. Ho'omaika'i 'ana." Chin raised his glass in a toast a warm smile across his face. Malia raised her glass as well giving Steve and Danny a warm smile.

"I can't believe you didn't let me plan a proper wedding, but Ho'omaika'i'ana all the same."

"Auntie Kono you can help me plan the reception. Daddy and Danno said I could help." Kono smiled at the young girl and leaned down hugging her to her side.

"I'd love to help you Gracie, we'll make it the best reception ever." Grace nodded smiling up at Danny and Steve. Chris and Mary shared a look silently congratulating each other on a job well done. Everyone raised their glassed toasting the happy couple and Steve smiled pulling Danny against his side letting the love of their ohana wash over them.

"Danno I'm hungry." Grace slightly whined earning chuckles from the adults around the table. Danny nodded and reached down smoothing her hair as he kissed her head.

"Yeah let's eat." Chatter began to fly between the adults and Steve smiled as he looked at his ohana. He knew they could have been angry, but thanks to Grace's quick thinking they were able to avoid any major blowups. He just hoped that breaking the news to Danny's family would go as smoothly.

Later on as everyone moved out onto the lanai to enjoy the sunset Steve looked at the group and raised his beer bottle to the rest of the group. "Mahalo nui loa na ho'olaule'a me la kaua." They had made it through the tough part, but Steve knew that Rachel was going to flip out when she heard that not only were Steve and Danny legally together, but that Steve was also planning on adopting Gracie. Steve looked down at the ring on his finger and smiled, she could bring it because Steve wasn't backing down.

Translations:

Ho'omaika'i'ana: congratulations

"Mahalo nui loa na ho'olaule'a me la kaua: thank you for celebrating with us.

A/N 2: yet again I'm so sorry this chapter took so long. I hope that this chapter lived up to your expectations, even though their reactions weren't that dramatic it's all a part of the big picture. Plus this is just the calm before the storm. Let me know what you thought and until next time ~thatredheadgirl~