***** HERE IS THE FINAL CHAPTER, HAPPY READING AND I'D LOVE TO HEAR WHAT YOU THINK! *****
Two days later, Steve was released from the hospital and as he and Danny pulled into the driveway of the McGarrett home they were greeted with the fabulous aroma of ribs on the grill.
Gracie came racing from the house followed closely by Tyler.
"UNCLE STEVE! UNCLE STEVE!"
She flung her arms around the SEAL's waist as her Daddy called out, "Be careful Monkey, Uncle Steve is still hurting"
Steve waved a hand at his partner, "I'm fine Danno. Gracie's hugs are the best medicine there is!"
The little girl looked up at her adored 'Uncle' asking, "Are you feeling better Uncle Steve?"
"I sure am now that I'm home baby girl. Thanks for being here" He bent down and whispered to her, "Hey, is Sam here?"
She giggled nervously, "Uh huh…he's grilling with Uncle Chin"
"Smells like ribs?"
"Yeah, and chicken and corn-on-the-cob"
"Yum, that sounds great!"
Tyler grabbed Steve's upper arm, "Are you okay?"
"I'm glad to be home kid"
Danny stated, "Okay Superman I know you like to skirt around questions but that's NOT what he asked, now are you okay?"
Steve grinned, "If you must know, I'm a little bit dizzy Danno….but I'm good"
Danny shook his head as he moved to his friends side, "You're dizzy but you're good…..typical McGarrett BS"
Gracie gasped and looked up, "DANNO! You said a bad word!"
Danny grew red-faced as he said, "Sometimes Monkey, your Uncle Steve just pulls those words from me!"
They all chuckled as Gracie ran ahead of them and Danny and Ty helped Steve into the house.
Tyler and his family, along with Sam had been staying at the McGarrett home while JJ had returned to Hawaii and was staying at the Hilton with Owen and his family. They were all here tonight though for a barbeque and a celebration. A celebration in remembrance of their three brothers lost and a celebration of those loved ones saved.
Chin, Kono and Gabby had coordinated a wonderful barbeque along with potato salad, coleslaw, pasta and broccoli salads, fresh fruit and Steve's favorite, Kono's special coconut cake with cream cheese frosting.
As they entered the house Danny asked, "Do you want to lie down for a bit before dinner?"
Steve looked at Tyler, "I told you he was a mother-hen didn't I?"
Tyler grinned as he said, "Dad….that's NOT the question he asked you is it?"
Steve chuckled, "Oh God, not you too!"
They all laughed as Ty and Danny responded in unison, "Answer the question!"
Steve smiled and said quietly, "No guys, I don't need to lie down…I'm good, thank you both"
The men made their way into the kitchen where Kono, Gabby, Amber and Carmen Robinson were busily preparing the food.
Kono raced to Steve's side and embraced him, "STEVE! Welcome home!"
"Thank you Kono, it's great to be home" His eyes fell on the large coconut sheet cake on the counter and he asked, "Is that what I think it is?"
"Yes it is"
"Oh baby, yeah!" Steve looked at the others saying, "That is the most UNBELIEVABLE cake you will ever taste!"
After everyone exchanged hugs and kisses, the men made their way out onto the patio.
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They had a wonderful night of good food and good conversation.
They all enjoyed getting to know Owen and his parents, Mark and Debbie Alexander. They learned that he was an only child who had grown up as an 'Army brat'. Mark Alexander had served with distinction rising to the rank of Major General before his retirement five years ago. The love and pride they had for their only son was evident.
As the night progressed, individual conversations took place. After Sam took Gracie and Jia out into the water and Tyler was off in a corner talking with his Father, Steve took the opportunity to take Amber off for a quiet conversation.
They sat at the water's edge on wooden deck chairs and Steve reached over and took his daughter-in-laws hand into his.
"How are you doing sweetheart?"
"Honestly Steve, I'm scared. He's not the same man"
"Amber, he's scared too. He's gone through a life-altering event and it has changed him but he needs you more than ever now honey. He needs to know that no matter what happens you'll be there for him"
"I will be there Steve. I love Ty with all my heart and I'll do whatever I need to do to help him…..it's just…I don't know what to do"
"Amber, I can tell you exactly what you need to do. Be there for him, listen to him and love him. Whatever he goes through with the SEAL's the one thing that you can do for him is just be there"
"You make it sound so easy"
"It's not going to be easy….you're going to feel scared and you're going to feel helpless, but please believe me, what he needs more than anything in this world is your love and your support. He needs stability and you can give that to him" He squeezed her hand and continued. "I love my son with all my heart and you make him very happy. He loves you Amber, and I love you. I am here for both of you and I need you to promise me something"
"Of course Steve, what is it?"
"The most important thing in the world is that he has to talk about things. If he lets things bottle up inside it will eat away at him. He has to talk…he has to. I have learned that hard lesson myself…." Steve's eyes closed as he continued, "I tried to be the tough guy, always holding my feelings inside. I had my brothers and we talked….we shared the grief but I never realized how much things were affecting me, until I met Danno. I've told him things, shared feelings with him that I have never shared with another person. Having someone to talk to other than my SEAL brothers has given me a sense of peace that I never even realized I was missing. I look back now at the years of pain I suffered needlessly because I held so much shit inside. Amber, I don't want my son to go through that and I need your help to assure that he doesn't"
"I will be there Steve. I will be there, I promise you that" Tears were sliding down her cheeks as Steve squeezed her hand tightly.
"Amber, he's going to have nightmares. He'll have them for the rest of his life"
"He's had them already. He's woken up sobbing…..I just hold him until he calms down and falls back asleep"
"You're handling things perfectly"
"Do you still have nightmares Steve?"
He hesitated slightly before saying, "Yes….at least a couple of times a week. They get worse if I'm drinking or if I'm overly tired. If I'm on any pain medication the nightmares become extremely graphic and realistic…. I've told him that I want him to call me any time, night or day if he needs to talk and sweetheart the same thing goes for you. I will always be there for both of you"
They stood and embraced as they both cried for their beloved Tyler. Steve continued to hold her in his arms as they watched their loved ones frolic joyfully in the warm Ocean water. Steve felt the young woman shiver in his arms but he knew that she was strong enough to be there for Tyler…and he now knew that everything would be okay.
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A couple of hours later Rachel stopped by and visited for a short time before leaving with Gracie.
The group sat on the patio overlooking the Pacific Ocean and as the sun set many tears were shed tears as they shared stories about Dino, David and Javier. They talked deep into the night before it was obvious that Steve needed sleep. Danno lingered after everyone left and soon it was just he and Steve along with Ty, Amber and Sam left visiting.
A short while later Danny stood saying to Ty, "Why don't you help me get your old man inside will you Ty?"
Steve put up his hand, "Whoa, whoa Daniel…..that's the second time you've referred to me as Ty's old man. What are you saying partner?"
They all chuckled as Danny said, "Well you are getting up there you know"
"Really? I'm only a couple of years older than you partner"
Their attention turned to Tyler as the young man said, "You are kind of old Grandpa" Steve's mouth dropped and Tyler added, "What, can't you speak?"
Steve stood as he looked at Amber and said softly, "You're pregnant?"
Danny smirked, "That's pretty much what Grandpa means Steven! Wow, this is great news!" They all stood and moved to embrace each other.
Stepping back from his Father's embrace, Tyler asked "Are you happy Dad?"
The smile on Steve's face was huge as the words stumbled from his lips, "YES! Yes…Oh my God, this is GREAT!"
Steve took his son's face into his hands and planted a kiss on him, then turning to Amber he kissed her and pulled into a warm embrace whispering, "I'm so happy for you sweetheart"
Pulling back, Steve, Danny and Sam watched the young couple hug and kiss and Steve asked, "How long have you known?"
Tyler spoke, "We found out three weeks ago. She's seven weeks along now"
Steve's smile was still huge as he asked, "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"We didn't want to tell you over the phone. We were going to tell when you flew to San Diego next month to visit, but we decided not to wait"
Steve threw his hands up in the air, "A baby, WOW…..A BABY!"
Danny chuckled, "Grandpa McGarrett…..priceless"
Everyone's recovery moved along well and soon Steve was back at the helm of 5-0 and Tyler was back with his team and involved again in the treacherous missions undertaken by the elite SEAL Team 7.
Seven months later Steve received the phone call that his first grandson had been born.
McGarrett Kevin Robinson (to be known as Garrett) entered the world weighing in at 7 lbs, 5 ounces, He had a headful of dark brown hair and big beautiful blue eyes, just like his Grandfather and namesake.
THE END
***** I hope you enjoyed the story and as always THANK YOU for reading and reviewing! I hope you'll take a moment to give me a final review because they make my day! - My next story will be up soon, HAPPY READING! *****