The next morning it was decided that Bob alone would drive them to the airfield. Rachel and the kids were going to stay for another three days before returning to Hawaii. As they said their goodbyes, Maggie tried hard to not cry, but as her only surviving son held her in his arms she sobbed. After holding her tightly for a couple of minutes Danny pulled her to arms length and kissed her forehead. "It's okay Mom, please don't cry"
"I love you son and I'm so proud of the man you've become. Promise me you'll be careful"
"I promise you Mom" He kissed her again, "I'm always careful, I promise. Once Rachel and I get settled we want you and Dad to come for a visit okay?"
"Yes, yes I would like that"
"Now you take care of Pops for me alright?"
"I always do Daniel, for forty two years now!"
Danny smiled, "I love you Mom and I'll call you soon"
Taking her son's face into her hands she kissed him, "I love you"

As Danny moved to talk to Rachel, Steve embraced Maggie.
She whispered into his ear, "Please take care of my baby Steven"
Parting, he kissed her cheek and responded softly "I will Maggie"
Placing a soft hand on his still bruised cheek she spoke, "I love you like one of my own dear boy. Thank you for loving my Danny. Please take care of yourself and never forget how much you are loved. You did everything you could for Matthew and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. God bless you Steven"
She reached up and kissed him as he responded in a voice tinged with raw emotion, "Thank You Maggie. I love you all very much"

After saying goodbye to Rachel, Gracie and Charlie, Bob drove the men to the airfield and after exchanging goodbyes the men boarded the plane and soon they were in the air and heading West to San Diego, California. Danny had picked up some Dramamine and Steve took that as the plane began to climb.

Danny watched his partner carefully. He had tipped his head back and his eyes were closed. His jaw was clenched tightly and his facial muscles were tense. Danny was sitting directly across from him and he spoke encouragingly, "Hang in there partner, you're going to be alright…..try to relax"
"I'm okay Danno…just dizzy"
"I know. Relax your breathing, nice and slow…...relax Superman, niice and slow"
Danny continued talking soothingly to him for several minutes until he saw the tension leave Steve's body.
A short time later Steve said softly, "I feel like I'm losing my mind D'…" His eyes remained closed as he continued, "Why can't I just let it go? I can't change what happened. No matter how much I want to change it….I can't"

Danny unbuckled and sat forward in his seat, "Steve, you don't have to do this. I can have the pilot take us back to Washington. You don't HAVE to do this"
Danny saw the tear slip from Steve's clenched eye as he replied in a soft pain-filled voice, "No Danny, you're wrong…this is something I have to do. I have to see that she's okay….I have to"
Steve reclined back in his seat and Danny sat back, not speaking, simply watching his friend and praying that this trip would bring him the peace and closure he so desperately needed. While this was his hope, he couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of dread. Steve was clearly depressed and if this didn't go well the consequences could be devastating.

The men sat quietly, deep in their own thoughts throughout the remaining five hours of the flight.
With the time change, they arrived in San Diego at about one thirty in the afternoon. Soon they were in a rental car and with Steve giving directions that Kono had found in researching Emily, Danny drove them towards her home.

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They parked across the street from the two story brick home with a meticulously landscaped lawn. They sat quietly for a while before Danny asked, "How do you want to do this Steve?"
"I'll go to the door soon…just give me a few more minutes, okay?"
"Take your time babe. We're not in any hurry"
They sat another fifteen minutes before their attention was drawn to front door of the house. Danny heard Steve gasp at the sight before them. She was exiting the house with twin boys at her heals. Even at this distance Danny instantly noted her beauty. She had short cropped blonde hair and as she turned towards them they noted that she was clearly pregnant. They watched as the family moved to the SUV parked in the driveway and one by one she picked the boys up, hugging and kissing them before placing them into their car seats.

Danny glanced at Steve. Tears pooled in his eyes as he stated, "Follow her Danny"
The men followed the SUV about two miles where Emily stopped at a park. They parked a few feet away and watched as she unloaded the boys from the vehicle. Steve smiled as he watched the toddlers reach up and take their Momma's hands. Steve exited the car and Danny joined him as they followed Emily.

Steve approached Emily from behind as she was taking the jacket off her second son. Both boys had blonde curly hair and cherub cheeks. They were bouncing up and down with excitement and jabbering wildly pointing and saying, 'swing and slide'
She didn't hear the men approach but sensing eyes on her she turned. Her mouth dropped open and she brought a hand to her mouth as she said breathlessly, "Steve…."
He smiled at her lovingly as he responded, "Hi Emi"
"Oh God Steve" They both moved and instantly they were sharing a warm embrace.
They were interrupted in mere moments by two little boys tugging at her pant legs and calling out, "MOMMY, SLIDE….MOMMY!"
They chuckled as they parted with Steve stating, "Well these two definitely not too excited to meet me are they?"

Both of them knelt down as Emily addressed her boys, "Boys, we'll go to the slide in a minute but I want you to meet a friend of Mommies…..a very dear friend. Steve I'd like you to meet Chad Steven and Christopher Thomas"
Steve held out his hand and Christopher reached out to touch him. As Steve's glance turned to Chad, the little boy surprised them by taking several steps forward and wrapping his tiny arms around the SEALS neck. Emily smiled at the reaction of her sons as Steve was clearly very touched by their responses.
Steve and Emily stood and he looked into the eyes of his first true love he said, "They're beautiful boys Emi"
"Yes, they are truly blessings"
Steve motioned towards her expanded belly, "And another one on the way, congratulations"
"This one's a girl. We're very excited"
Steve turned to Danny, "Emily, I'd like you to meet my partner Danny Williams"
She stepped towards Danny with open arms and embraced him, "Hello Danny Williams, It's nice to meet you"
"It's nice to meet you Emily. If you're comfortable with this, I'd love to take your boys to the playground so you two can catch up on things"
She grinned at him, replying "They're pretty rambunctious"
Steve smiled, adding "Danno's an awesome Dad Em, he can handle them"
She knelt back down, "Boys, Mommy is going to sit on the bench right here and visit with Steve. This is Danny and he's going to play with you okay?"
The boys both squealed, "Yes, yes, yes…slide"
As they reached their hands up to Danny, Emily added, "Now you both be good and stay right with Danny and do what he says"
The said in unison, "Yes Mommy" And pulling Danny's fingers the three made their way to the SLIDE!

Steve and Emily watched as Danny walked away from them, a toddler clinging to each forefinger.
After several seconds Steve turned to her, "You look wonderful Emily and it appears that you're happy"
She reached out and took hold of his hand as they moved to sit on the bench. "I am Steve. I'm very happy"
The SEAL smiled broadly, genuinely, "Good. That's why I came. I needed to know that life had turned out well for you. Tell me about your husband, please tell me everything"

She smiled back at Steve. They were talking as if no time had passed at all, "I'll tell you everything but first I need to apologize to you"
He looked at her with a puzzled expression, "Apologize for what?"
"For not contacting you after we separated. You tried to reach me and I shut you down…..I'm so sorry"
"It's okay Em, I understood…..you were in great pain"
"Steve, so were you. I was so selfish and there have been so many times when I have wished that I had handled things differently. I need you to know that I never blamed you. No one in my family, or Chad's ever blamed you. Chad was his own man and may I add he was just as stubborn as you are. He died a hero, protecting his country and unfortunately Christina wasn't strong enough to continue on without him. No one was to blame, it was a tragedy but we were both so blessed to have known them. It took me a long time to fully accept that, but never once did I blame you and I am so sorry that I shunned you…please forgive me"

Tears welled in his eyes as he squeezed her hand, "There is nothing to forgive. We all grieve differently and while I can't say there haven't been times when I have blamed myself, I promise you that I never felt you blamed me"

She lifted his hand and kissed it before proceeding, "After you left I did not date anyone for over a year. Then my friend convinced me to go on a blind date with her cousins best friend Tom Brenner, he had just started his own law practice and we clicked immediately. He was very understanding of what I had gone through and he never pushed or rushed the relationship. On the one year anniversary of our first date he proposed to me. We were married eight months later, and a year and a half later the twins were born. Needless to say, life has been a whirlwind. What about you Steve?"

He told her of how he had immersed himself in work moving up the ranks to SEAL Commander. He told her of his Father's death and of his Mother's re-appearance. He told her about 5-0 and he told her of Catherine.
They were still holding hands as she responded, "I'm so happy you have found love again Steve. No one deserves it more than you" She then inquired, "What happened to you Steve, all the bruises?" He told her what had happened to Matt, not leaving out any details.

She looked into his beautiful blue eyes and stated, "I never doubted the depth of your honor and character. You are an amazing man Steve. I am so happy you came, how long can you stay?"
Their thoughts were interrupted by the squeals of delight coming from the swings and they both chuckled at the sight of Danny running between the two swings and pushing the boys who screamed, "HIGHER, HIGHER"
They turned their gazes back to each other as Emily said, "He's so good with them. You said he has kids?"
"He has a nine year old daughter, Gracie. They're family to me Emi. Danny's the best friend and partner I could ask for, and Gracie…..I couldn't love her more if she were my own"

"So you didn't tell me, how long can you stay?"
"Not long. One of our team members was injured a couple days ago in Washington. Danny and I had flown from there to New Jersey for his brother's funeral. We flew in here from Jersey his morning, but we have to get back to Washington as soon as possible"

"I understand. Can you at least stay until morning? I'd love to have you both to our place for dinner tonight. I've told Tom so much about you, you've got to meet him"
"Oh Emily, I'm sure he has no interest in meeting me"
"Are you kidding me? He has heard so much about you and Chad from me and my family. Steve, HE named our boys. He will never forgive me if I let the man his firstborn son is named after get out of town without introducing you to him"

Steve smiled, "Alright then, I graciously accept. We'll get checked into a Hotel, what time would you like us to arrive?"
"Don't be silly. We have plenty of room. You two will stay with us"
"That's very kind, thank you"

Gathering up the boy's jackets the two joined Danny and the boys on the playground. Emily watched as the two men took the three year olds down the slide and onto the monkey bars. They went on the swings and up through a maze of tunnels giggling and laughing the entire time. She smiled as she watched her first love. Life sometimes leads you down paths you don't plan on taking and although she loved Tom with all her heart she couldn't help but wonder what might have been...

******* MORE TO FOLLOW – HOPE YOU'RE STILL ENJOYING ********