The next morning was horrible as Steve, MaryAnn and Danny made the arrangements for the wake and funeral services. Steve wanted John buried with Catherine and it would be a military service. They would be buried next to Steve's mothers grave and he also pre-paid for an adjoining plot for himself.
Once the arrangements were done, Danny brought MaryAnn and Steve back to his house and then he drove off to see Gracie and Rachel.

Gracie came racing to the door, flinging herself into her daddy's arms, "DANNO !"
He hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead, "Hello Monkey, I've missed you so much"
"I've missed you too daddy. Don't you have to work today?"
"Nope. Your Mom and I have to talk to you about something very serious though baby"

The nine year old was smart. Her daddy was a policeman and she knew at a very young age the dangers involved in his work, "Are you okay daddy?"
"Of course I am! I'm right here, you can see I'm just fine!"
"Your eyes are sad Danno. Is Uncle Steve alright?"
"Your uncle Steve is going to be fine, I promise you"

Picking up on her father's words she added, "He's GOING to be fine? What happened Danno?"
"My dear child, you know your father too well. Let's go sit with Mommy and talk. Can you get a coke for Danno?"

"Sure" He set her down and taking her hand they walked to the kitchen. Danny sat at the table as Grace fetched him a coke and a few seconds later Rachel entered the room.

She came to Danny's side and hugged him, "I just put Charlie down for a nap"
Once they were all seated, Danny took Gracie's hand in his. Danny had run this conversation over in his head a million times the last couple of days. Steve's family was killed by a madman and how could he tell his daughter this without terrifying her?

"Sweetheart, some bad people broke into Uncle Steve's house and they hurt Catherine"
"Is she going to be okay?"
"No monkey, I'm afraid not. Catherine died sweetheart"
Gracie's voice became very soft, "Is the baby okay Danno?"

"No honey, the baby died too. The baby was a little boy and his name was John. So when I tell you that Uncle Steve if GOING to be fine...I mean it Monkey. He's just very very sad right now"

"I'm very very sad too Danno" Tears fell from the little girl's eyes and her daddy leaned over and lifted her out of her chair, setting her into his lap and holding her to his chest, "Me too Monkey, me too"
Rachel reached over and grasped Danny's hand tightly.

They sat talking quietly for about an hour. And Gracie drew a picture for Steve of the ocean and a pretty rainbow.
"He's going to love the picture Monkey"
"Can I see Uncle Steve today Danno?"
"Maybe tomorrow okay?"

"Will give him a kiss for me and tell him how sorry I am?"
"You know I will baby. Danno loves you"
"I love you more..."
Danny hugged her tightly and then Rachel walked him to his car.

"Thank You Danny, you handled that perfectly"
"I didn't want to scare her Rachel..."
"Danny, she had to know"
"What about the funeral?"
"I will bring her. Stan wants to come as well if that's okay?"

"Of course, you're all welcome. I'm sure Steve will be very grateful that you came. Do you really think Gracie should come though?"
"I do Danny, she's old enough. She understands"
"Okay...the wake is tomorrow from 4-7 at the Muhallo Funeral Chapel and the service is Friday at eleven o'clock at St. Francis Church"

"You take care of Steve. I'll get Gracie there and she can sit with you if you'd like. You just let me know. Stan and I are here for you Danny. Let me know if there's anything you need me to do"
Danny kissed Rachel on the cheek and embraced her, "Thank You Rachel"

Chin called Danny when he was on his was back to the apartment to let him know that Steve's house was ready and that he was heading up to see Kono.
"How did Gracie take the news"
"She's very sad but I think she'll be alright. Rachel and Stan are going to bring her to the funeral"

"None of this is easy brother, just hang in there. I'm going to go sit with Kono for a couple of hours, Malia is going home to make several casseroles for us for the next few days so how about if we meet you at Steve's at around six o'clock for dinner"

"Thanks Chin, that sound great. Tell Malia thank you and send our love to Kono"
"Will do, we'll see you later"