***** I received several PM's stating people hadn't received notifications of these two chapters posting Saturday, so I am re-posting - Hope you enjoy! *****
As they followed Emily back to her house Danny glanced at his partner, "Are you okay Steve?"
Steve turned to face Danny, "Yeah brother…yeah….I'm good. They named their firstborn after Chad and me…...that blows me away man"
"I don't know why it surprises you? How many little boys are named after two American hero's?"
"We're not hero's Danno, we were just doing our jobs"
"That's such bullshit and you know it. It takes a special type of man to join the Military yet alone to become a SEAL"
"I'm no different than anyone else who served. Now Chad? Yeah, I agree... he was a hero"
"You know what babe? You don't have to die to be a hero…..."
The short drive back to the house over, they pulled into the driveway behind Emily and after helping get the boys from the vehicle, they made their way into the house.
"Steve, Danny..…I need to get the boys down for a nap or they won't make it dinner. There's plenty to drink in the fridge, grab whatever you'd like and please make yourself at home. I'll be back shortly"
The men each grabbed a Pepsi and then they moved into the living room. They looked around the room at all the pictures prominently displayed. Pictures of the boys and of Emily and Tom's wedding. Pictures of Emi's family, her parents and brothers. Pictures of Christina and Chad…and a picture of Chad and Steve. Steve recognized the photo and he remembered when it was taken like it was just yesterday. They were dressed in their SEAL fatigues, their arms draped across each others shoulders. Steve was smiling broadly and looking at Chad whose head was tipped back in laughter.
Danny asked softly, "Where was that taken?"
"Serbia. We had been assigned to take out a team of assassins that had targeted a high ranking Governmental Official. Everything went like clockwork and we walked away unscathed. This was taken right after we took out the last man….." Steve became very quiet before adding, "What does it say about us Danno? We had just killed four men and we were celebrating…."
"Steve, come on man….why were you celebrating? Maybe because you two had just risked your lives for your country and you survived! Please babe, don't do this to yourself. Look at me Steve….." Danny grabbed his friend's forearm and stated firmly, "Steve, LOOK AT ME!" Steve turned to face Danny and the Jersey detective again saw the pain, the torment in his partner's eyes. "Please listen to me. It's been only two weeks, you almost died. You've been through hell and back and you're overly emotional right now. I'll tell you every day, every hour if you need me to….you ARE a hero my friend and I am honored to be your partner and your friend. Now you have been waiting years to see Emily and to get closure, she's happy and that's what you want right?"
Steve's eyes glistened with moisture as he said softly, "Yeah Danno, it's what I want…thank you buddy"
"You're welcome"
Steve sighed deeply, "Hey, I've got to use the head, I'll be right back" He walked down the hallway and as Danny heard the door close he ran this hand through his hair as his mind raced, 'God I hope this isn't too much for him' Steve's words from earlier this morning on the plane echoed in his mind, 'I feel like I'm losing my mind D'….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', As worried as he was, he would have been mortified if he knew that only a few feet away behind the closed bathroom door, Steve was popping another three pain pills.
5050505050505050505050505050505050
Emily was coming down the stairs as Steve was exiting the bathroom.
"They're sleeping soundly. You two wore them out!"
Steve chuckled, "That was fun. They're great boys Emi"
"Yes, every day is an adventure" As they moved into the living room to join Danny, she asked "You haven't had kids Steve?"
"No…not yet at least. Maybe someday I'll settle down"
"I hope so. There's no feeling that can compare to parenthood Steve. I hope you discover that'' As they joined Danny she added, " I hope you both like steak, Tom is stopping to pick them up on the way home. He can grill almost as good as you Steve!"
Danny chimed in, "I have to admit SuperSEAL here is mighty skilled with the grill"
Steve smiled, "Emily that sounds great, thank you"
They moved out onto the deck and the next couple of hours flew by as Steve and Emily chatted about their past and reminisced. Danny sat and listened to the old lovers talk as if no time had passed between them. He knew this was going to help Steve eventually, he could see that but he still worried about how it would affect him short term. Depression was such a hard thing to grasp, the human mind can take even the strongest person down paths that they would usually never take. He knew no man stronger than Steve McGarrett, but even he was only human. How much torment and sadness can one man endure? How much...…
They talked until visitors arrived to surprise Steve. Emily's parents and her younger brother emerged from the house and the joy on all their faces was evident. Steve stood and embraced Joe and Stella Tate and brother Peter. After introducing them all to Danny they all sat to visit and a short time later the jabbering of the twins came across the baby monitor. Emily and her Mother went in to get the boys as the men continued to visit.
That evening was filled with good food, good conversation and lots of laughs. Danny saw that not only was this going to help Steve, it was helping Emily and her family as well. Steve had come to get closure and while he would get that as far as his relationship with Emily, something even more important had been forged with this visit. They were no longer lovers and never again would be, but their love and friendship had been re-kindled in just hours. After dinner, Emily's family left with the promise that they would all stay in touch. Emily excused herself to go give the boys a bath and Danny stepped into the yard to call Rachel and Chin leaving Steve and Tom alone on the deck.
Steve stated, "Tom, thank you for your kindness. I'm sure you never expected to find me in your home"
Tom smiled, "I may not have expected it, but I'm glad it happened. You're very special to Emily. You're her first love, she loves you and she always will and, I accept that. I have heard nothing but good things about you Steve and it's obvious from your career choices that you are a man of high integrity and honor. When I met Emily, she was still reeling from Christina and Chad's deaths and the loss of you. I don't have to tell you what a beautiful person she is, inside and out. I feel very blessed to have her and our children and I thank God every day for my good fortune. I've done everything I can to give her the love and security she needs and deserves, but deep down I've always known she would never find complete peace until she saw you again. I love her with all my heart and I want her to be at total peace. I've told her several times that she should contact you"
Steve responded, "Really? Why hasn't she tried to get in touch with me?"
Tom replied, "I think she was afraid to. She had lost so much and when I say that, I mean you. She knew she had broken your heart by not being able to stay with you and honestly Steve…..her biggest fear has been that you were blaming yourself for everything and she was afraid to see what happened to you. Seeing you today, hearing what you've done with your life and knowing that you've found happiness is going to lift a huge weight off her shoulders and I am so grateful to you"
Steve smiled, "It sounds like I'm not the only one who needed closure, huh?"
"No you weren't. And I echo what her parents said, I hope this isn't the last we hear from you. Good friends are hard to come by"
"Thank you Tom. I will definitely stay in touch. Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course, anything"
"Naming you son….."
"You don't understand how I could name my firstborn after other men?"
"Yes, I have to admit it did surprise me"
"When we found out we were having boys, honestly it just seemed like the thing to do. When you name your child, you automatically think of naming them after someone you love and respect. What happened to all of you was tragic but the events are a huge part of who Emily is. She loved you both dearly and although I had never had the honor of meeting either of you, from all I had heard I deeply respected both of you. And then of course we named Chris after Christina. When I first suggested it and she was cried…..I knew it was the right thing to do"
Steve shook his head, "Wow…..I don't even know what to say other than I am truly honored, and thank you"
"You're welcome. So she tells me you need to leave in the morning?"
"Yes, we need to get back to the rest of our team"
"Then, I need to go take over for her with the boys so you two can talk"
As the men stood and shook hands Danny came back up onto the deck. Steve inquired, "How's Kono?"
"Chin says she's doing great, she's tired though. They took out the chest tube and there are no signs of infection"
Steve smiled, "That's fantastic"
Tom looked at Danny, "I'm happy your friend is okay. I'm going to go relieve Emily and finish up with the boys Danny, can you give me a hand?"
"You bet, I'd love to"
As Steve watched them disappear into the house he silently thanked God for bringing such a fine man into Emily's life.
5050505050505050505050505050505050
Moments later Emily joined Steve.
He asked, "Is everything okay?"
She smiled, "Yes, they love bathtime" She sat next to him, "Steve, I can't tell you how happy I am to see you. I have to ask…...over the years, did you ever think about us? Did you ever wish things had turned out differently?"
Steve reached over and took hold of her hand. His lips quivered as he answered emotionally, "I've thought about that so many times Emi. We both knew back then that we couldn't stay together, it was just too painful for both of us. Seeing where we both at now…..we were right. That doesn't mean I don't love you, because I promise you Emily, I never stopped loving you. You were my first love and you will always hold a special spot in my heart, but I now honestly believe if we had stayed together it would have destroyed both of us. You have a wonderful husband and an amazing family and I'm so happy for you Emily, I really am. I came for closure and my heart is happy today"
Emily leaned over and embraced Steve. "You're so right Steve, we needed to be apart in order to heal. I feel very blessed to have been loved by you and I am so happy that you're back in my life. I too, have always loved you and I treasure your love and friendship more than I can say. I needed closure as well and you have given that to me. Seeing what you have done with your life is not surprising. You were an amazing man then, and nothing has changed. I am truly happy Steve, and I'm so glad to see that you are happy and healthy. Thank you so much for coming"
They sat together and visited for almost an hour before Tom and Danny joined them with the boys.
Later, once the boys were down for the night, they all sat and visited until the early morning hours.
The next morning Emily fixed them a wonderful breakfast and much too soon, Steve and Danny were saying their goodbyes. As Steve embraced Tom, he said quietly "Please take care of her Tom"
His new friend responded, "I will Steve, I promise"
Steve then embraced Emily and as they parted she gave him a peck on the lips, "I love you Steve, take care of yourself and please stay in touch"
He smiled at her replying, "I love you too. Next time, you all need to visit me in Hawaii"
Tom laughed, "She's been trying to get me to take her there for years"
Steve added, "While now you've got no excuse buddy. I've got plenty of room for all of you and I'd love to show you around paradise"
Tom again shook his hand, "I'm sure we'll take you up on that offer soon"
"Good….thank you both and make sure you call me when that little girl of yours arrives…..bye now"
As Danny pulled from the house he saw his partner watching Emily in his side view mirror as they drove away.
******* So did Steve get the closure he needed? I hope you're all enjoying. Thanks for reading and remember, I love reviews! *******