Grace would be coming today.
Steve had made breakfast, they'd eaten and read through the papers, making small talk. Steve had cleared away the dishes, pottered around the house and Danny had babbled and paced and been of no use at all to him until eventually Steve couldn't take any more.
"Danny, go out on the beach," Steve said, putting his hands on his shoulders. "Take a walk or just go sit. Remember how you need to find a place to be quiet and be calm? Maybe you should figure out where that is here for you?"
"But what if they arrive and I'm not here when she comes in?" Danny asked with a frown.
"I said go sit on the beach," Steve said giving him a small shake. "Not take off for a few hours. Believe me you will know when she gets here."
Steve cupped his face, leaned in and gave him a quick kiss before pushing him playfully away. "Go on, go."
Danny found himself shooed out onto the lanai and he sighed as the heat of the sun hit him, warming him through. Steve was right, he needed to calm down. He did as he was told, heading down towards the waterline. He wouldn't go far, just a little walk to clear his head. He walked at the waters edge, tide soaking the bottom of his pants but he didn't mind, they'd dry quick. After a short while he turned back, wondering how long it would be before Rachel arrived with the family. He absently looked at his watch, the same one Steve given him back at the cabin. It was a little after ten and Steve had said they'd be there by eleven. He kicked at the water before turning towards the house. As he made his way up he heard a voice and paused, squinting as the sun got in his eyes, seeing a small figure running towards him.
"Daddy, it's my daddy," Grace was shreiking and it took him by surprise before she flung herself full force into him. "Daddy, daddy."
Somehow he ended up on his knees, Grace all limbs as she clamoured to hold him with all of herself, arms around his neck, legs around his waist, face pressed into his neck and soaking his skin with tears.
"Gracie, Grace?" Danny said as he held her, so tight he knew he could be hurting her, but she didn't seem to mind, she was holding on just as tightly back. "Grace, baby, it's okay, it's me, it's okay."
Grace had dissolved into tears, body shuddering as she cried, heart thumping against his. "Daddy, I missed you Daddy."
"I know baby," Danny said against her hair. "I missed you too."
"I knew you weren't dead," Grace mumbled out. "I knew, I knew."
"I'm sorry Gracie, I'm so sorry," he said, rocking her in his arms. "Danno's back now, I'm not going anywhere."
They held each other for a long time there on the beach. Through blurred vision Danny could see Rachel, Stan and Steve on the lanai letting them have their time together. Eventually Danny got to his feet, pulling Grace up into his arms. She was taller and getting heavy but he didn't care, carrying her up to the house as she held on firmly. As he climbed the steps Rachel stood up, a watery smile on her face as she went to him and gave him a hug of her own, Grace sandwiched between them.
"God Danny, we've missed you," she said, giving him a kiss on the cheek before pulling back a little and looking at him closely, taking in the changes. "I'm so glad you're home."
"Me too," Danny smiled, pulling her close again for another hug. When she stepped aside he found Stan standing nearby, Charlie in his arms. The baby was big now, the most changed of all of them.
"Danny," Stan said extending an arm and shaking his hand firmly, giving him a warm smile. "Welcome back."
"Thanks," Danny smiled. "Good to be back. Wow look at the little man. He's huge now."
Stan smiled, the kind of proud smile Danny could understand, one of a father who loved and adored his children. Grace gave Danny a kiss on the cheek and smiled.
"He's got five teeth now Danno, haven't you Charlie," she informed her dad, reaching out to tickle her little brother. Charlie laughed, showing off his teeth as he did so, clearly besotted with his sister.
They all sat down, Steve put out some refreshments and Grace curled up by Danny as he held Charlie on his knee, who stared at him curiously.
"This is Danno Charlie," Grace told him and the baby looked at her like he understood every word. "He's my real daddy. I've got two daddys see? Your daddy and my Danno. You can share Danno with me too if you want."
Charlie made some noises, as if he was talking back and Danny laughed, making the baby laugh in return. Grace smiled and rested her head on her dads arm. "He likes you Danno."
"Of course he does, whats not to like," Danny teased, making faces at the baby. Charlie liked the game, reaching up a hand and toying with his mouth as he chattered nonsensically to him.
He was aware of the others watching him, like maybe in the next minute he'd flip. He knew it was something he was going to have to get used to, at least until things got back to normal. Looking up he caught Steve's eye and gave a small smile, receiving one in return before Steve turned his attention to Rachel and Stan, drawing them into a conversation, knowing Danny felt a little overwhelmed by the attention.
Eventually Stan took the baby to change his diaper and asked Grace to go with him. She stayed by Danny, staring up at him with an unsure expression, as if he'd dissappear if she let him out of her sight again.
"Go help Stan Grace, please," Rachel urged and Danny gave her a quick hug and kissed her cheek.
"Go help Stan with Charlie, give me a chance to talk to your mom okay?" he encouraged and Grace reluctantly stood up, understanding the adults wanted to talk. Steve made himself scarce too, but just to the kitchen where he could be in hearing distance if Danny neded him. Danny looked at Rachel and gave a wan smile as she stared at him, leaning over to brush his cheek gently.
"It's good to have you home Danny," she assured him again. "When you were taken, everything was so chaotic, I didn't know how to cope or what to tell Gracie. I didn't really know how to handle everything as the time went on."
Danny realised she was trying to apologise, for the memorial, for trying to move on. He took her hand between both of his and shook his head. "You did what you had to do, for Grace, for yourself. It's okay Rachel, I'm not angry or upset about it."
"We just didn't know what to think," Rachel said, eyes welling with tears. "I didn't want to believe you were alive and unable to get back to us, to Grace, but I didn't want to believe you were dead either. But I watched her struggling every day, I thought it may have helped her move on. We didn't know what was for the best."
"You put her first," Danny said with a nod, "That's your job. I didn't fight hard enough, if I'd fought harder -."
"Danny," Steve warned from the doorway. Danny knew well enough not to blame himself for what had happened. Danny clamped up and glanced round at him.
"Sorry," Danny apologised.
"Don't apologise," Steve said gently. "Just don't blame yourself either."
"You did what you needed to to do to survive," Rachel added, giving his hand a squeeze. "And we got you back. That's what matters. You're here now."
"The next few weeks, things are going to be hard," Danny tried to explain. "Trying to get back into, life."
"I know," Rachel said with a nod, smiling. "Believe me we're all here to make sure that happens as smoothly as possible."
"It's just, there may be days I can't -," Danny started before stopping, taking a breath. "I still have moments where I doubt all of this."
"Okay," Rachel replied, nodding again. "That's okay. Will you be going back to work?"
"We, I, I don't know yet," Danny shook his head. "I don't think I'm ready for that, I'm not sure when I'll be ready for that."
"We'll think of something," Steve said as he leaned on the door frame. "One day at a time, remember Danno?"