**First of all let me apologize for taking so long to post another chapter! I have been sick, and yadda, yadda, yadda...no one wants to know about my stupid life! Anyway! I hope you all like this chapter! Thanks for all the comments and story "adds". I really apprreciate them all! I know this is kind of a long chapter, but oh-well! It makes up for the pther one being so short! Hope you all enjoy! Please review! Love to you all!**

P.S. I know I should have said this before, but I don't own any of this! Yeah, if I did...oh boy, can't even go there! ;D

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Chapter 4

"Nope, she already has that"

Steve sighed, starting to feel frustrated. He and Danny were standing in the local toy store attempting to pick out something for Grace's birthday. It seemed to Steve that everything he picked up was either "too young" or "she already had it". "What am I supposed to get an 8 year old?" Steve asked himself over and over. When they had arrived at the toy store he had immediately walked over to the toy soldiers and guns. Danny asked him if he was trying to turn Grace into a GI Jane. Steve just looked at him with a confused look on his face. Danny laughed and proceeded to turn him around and lead him over to the 'girly' section of the store. Steve couldn't believe all of the 'crap' (as he thought of it) they had for girls to play with. What ever happened to just Barbie's and babydolls? That's what Mary had always played with. At least he thinks that what she played with.

"What are you getting her?" he asked Danny, frustration radiating through his voice.

"I am getting her a squishy, pink football" Danny said proudly. "She asked for one, so that's what I am going to get her. Of course I will also take her shopping and get her a few outfits for her to keep at my place. Ones that Rachel and Step-Stan don't approve of. Ya know, t-shirts and shorts. Nothing fancy. Things she can get dirty in."

Steve's face lit up. "I know what I can get her" he said happily.

Danny looked at him warily.

"What?" he asked.

"I'll get her a Navy t-shirt, and a gift card so she can get some other stuff to keep at our house." Steve said happily.

Danny's heart flip-flopped when Steve said "our" house.

He grinned up at the taller man.

"What's that grin for?" Steve asked.

"You" was all Danny said.

He pulled Steve's face down and kissed him sweetly. Steve smiled down at Danny when the kiss ended. He looked into Danny's baby blue eyes and got totally lost. He wanted to kiss the man in front of him until neither of them could breathe. He wanted to take them both to new heights, ones they would never be able to reach with anyone else. He leaned in to kiss Danny again, but Danny stopped him with a hand to his chest.

"Ummm, maybe we should wait until we get home to do this" he suggested. "Yeah, we should" Steve replied, his voice a little husky.

"Lets get the rest of Grace's presents and go pick her up for her birthday" Danny said turning to walk to the register. Steve grabbed his arm, stopping him.

"I love you Danny" Steve said seriously. Danny cupped Steve handsome face with his hand,

"I love you, too".

They smiled and walked to the register and paid for the squishy, pink football. They then went to Grace's favorite store to get her a gift card, and then to Pearl Harbor and bought Grace a Navy t-shirt. Danny had said he would wrap everything when they got home. They stopped and picked Grace up. Rachel of course had to remind them she had to be back no later than 10 am in the morning. She was having a "proper" birthday party (that's what Rachel called it) at the country club with her friends.

"Of course, dear" Danny said sarcastically to his ex-wife as they all hopped in Steve's truck.

When they got back to the house Chin and Kono were waiting for them. As they all went in, Danny took the presents upstairs to wrap them. Steve went out to start the grill and Kono, Grace, and Chin all started getting the food ready. They grilled hamburgers, chicken, pineapple (of course), and corn on the cob. Kono had made her famous Chantilly cake especially for the birthday girl. They all sang "Happy Birthday" to Grace and watched her blow out the candles. After cake it was time for presents. Chin's present was first. Grace giggled with glee when she pulled out the latest "Magic Tree House" book. There was also the "Big Time Rush" CD. Grace ran over than hugged Chin.

"Thank you Uncle Chin! I love them!" she told him holding onto him tightly. Kono's present was next. It was in a big pink bag with lots of yellow tissue paper. Grace squealed as she pulled out a fluffy purple unicorn Pillow Pet.

"It's the one I wanted" she said excitedly.

"There's more" Kono told her with a mile wide smile.

In the bottom of the bag were several tiny bottles of nail polish, and a nail grooming kit. Grace "oohed" and "awed" over all the different colors. She then hugged Kono and asked sweetly

"Will you help me paint my nails later?".

Kono laughed.

"Of course sweetie".

Danny just shook his head. He just hoped Grave wouldn't ask him to paint her nails!

"That would be a trip" he thought.

Next was Steve's present. Steve was worried that she wouldn't like it. As Grace pulled out the Navy t-shirt she jumped up and down shouting "yes, yes, yes!" She immediately pulled the shirt over her head, and then to everyone's amazement, struck at very ninja-like pose. One hand behind her head, one out in front of her, legs spread apart, like she was ready to 'karate chop' anyone who moved. She ran over and jumped up into Steve's arms.

"Thank you Uncle Steve! Now I can be a super SEAL too!" Everyone laughed, especially Steve.

"You sure can baby" he said then giving her a kiss on her cheek.

"There is one more thing in the bag" Danny said to his very wound up daughter. Grace looked and pulled out the gift card to her favorite store. She let out a "whoop!" and then began to dance around. She suddenly stopped and looked at Steve.

"Will you go with me and Danno?" she asked seriously.

"Sure Gracie, if you want me to" he answered, his heart so full of love for this precious little girl.

"Now, it's time for my present" Danny said.

He put the wrapped box in front of Grace. Grace looked at it for a minute trying to figure out where to start opening it. Then she grabbed one end and just started tearing. Once she got the paper off she opened the box. She squealed once more and picked up the squishy pink football.

"Can we play football right now Danno, please, p-l-e-a-s-e?" she pleaded with her dad.

"Maybe Uncle Chin and Aunt Kono will take you out while I clean up?" Danny suggested.

"Sure, let's go Gracie" Kono said as she took the little girls hand and walked out the sliding glass door to the lanai. Chin followed the girls and slid the door shut. Steve and Danny silently cleaned up all the wrapping and tissue paper, and the dishes. Steve was putting the dishes in the dishwasher when Danny put a hand on his arm. Steve turned and looked at Danny.

"C'mere" Danny said as he pulled Steve toward the living room.

As soon as they were in the living room and out of the view of everyone outside, Danny pulled Steve close and kissed him firmly and passionately. Steve's arms encircled Danny and he kissed him back almost feverishly.

"I need you" Steve whispered as Danny kissed a hot, wet trail of kisses down his neck.

"I need you too" Danny whispered back.

"Tonight…I…am going to…blow…your…mind" Steve told Danny breathlessly. Danny audibly growled and kissed Steve once more.

"Once Grace is asleep" he reminded him.

As they finished one last kiss Grace came bounding in the back door.

"Come on Daddy and Uncle Steve, you're missing all the fun"

She grabbed each of the men by their hands and proceeded to attempt to drag them out of the house. They all spent he rest of the afternoon playing "football", swimming, and ending the evening with Grace's favorite movie (at least her favorite for the time being). Danny was starting to think he could quote "Despicable Me" in his sleep. But hey, as long as it made his "Monkey" happy, he didn't care.

Grace had fallen asleep on the couch between her "Danno" and "Uncle Steve". Chin and Kono took their leave and told the men they would see them later. "You want to put her to bed?" Danny asked Steve, "I'll lock up down her and meet you upstairs."

Steve gently picked Grace up and snuggled her close. He had never thought about having children of his own, he had never found the right person. At least he hadn't until he met Danny. Even though Grace wasn't Steve's biological daughter, he loved her like he was his own. He wanted to protect her, and like Danny, would go to the ends of the earth to do that. He tucked her into her bed in the guest bedroom, made sure her night light was on, and kissed her forehead. "I love you Gracie-girl" he whispered.

He turned to leave and noticed Danny standing in the doorway watching him. Danny walked into the room and kissed Grace's forehead and told her "Danno loves you". Both men left the room quietly walking down the hall to their bedroom. As soon as the door was closed they both jumped at each other. Their mouths searching the others like a hungry animal.

"We…really…shouldn't do….this with….Grace…here" Danny said between kisses.

Steve stopped dead in his tracks. Those words and the thought of Grace accidentally "catching them" doing something was enough to quelch his desire. "You're right" he said quietly. "I can wait until tomorrow, if you can" his eyes locked with Danny's.

"Yeah, I can wait" Danny said huskily.

They both changed into their pj's and got into bed. Danny laid his head on Steve's chest.

"You are really amazing with Grace" Danny told Steve honestly.

"Thanks" Steve said sleepily.

"Night babe" Danny yawned.

"Night"

3 AM:

"Daddy?" Grace called out.

Danny ran into her room.

"I'm here baby, it's ok, Daddy's here" he soothed her hair back away from her face.

Steve had come in right behind Danny and now stood at the door.

"Is she ok?" he asked.

"Yeah, just a bad dream." Danny answered softly.

"Daddy, can I sleep with you?" Grace asked in a still frightened voice.

"Sure Monkey"

Danny scooped her up in his arms and started out the door to his and Steve's bedroom. He laid her down in the middle of the king sized bed and each of the men lay on either side of her. They all fell into a peaceful sleep.

Steve was the first the first to wake up. He realized there was a little person laying on his chest. Grace was sleeping peacefully sprawled out across his chest. All Steve could see of Danny was his blond hair sticking up, but his arm was laid out across Graces back and Steve's stomach. Steve felt more content in that moment than he had felt in many, many years. This was his family, his ohana. He loved them so much. He just hoped he could always keep them safe.