CHAPTER TEN

Title: "Salvation: Forever and Always: Elusive Dreams – PART III"

Author: Michelle Heath

Rating: MA for adult situations and language

Summary: Story #9 in the Salvation series. The bonds of family bring the Five-0 ohana even closer.

Disclaimer: I so do not own Hawaii Five-0; unfortunately! All original characters are the property of the author!

Date Written: October 31, 2012

(The ringing of Steve's cellular phone brings him from a deep sleep to an instant state of awareness, and he snags it from the bedside table before the first ring is complete. Glancing at the caller I.D., he sees his father-in-law's name and number pop up and answers softly asking Mike to hang on a second while he gently eases out of the bed hoping not to disturb Sam. He glances at the clock on the bedside table and determines it's 1830 hours as he moves with the grace of a panther out into the hallway and resumes his conversation.)

"Sorry about that, Mike. I didn't want to wake Sam."

"It's okay, Son. Is she still asleep?"

"Yeah. It's the first real rest she's gotten in quite a while so I don't want to wake her up if I can help it."

"And I understand that completely, Steve, but Libby insists she needs to come over there and check on both of you."

"Both of us?"

"Yep. Is Emily still at the Montgomery's?"

"She is, but I was about to call and see if one of them could bring her home."

"I'll call them and Libby and I will go by their house and pick up Emily. You can expect us in about forty-five minutes. Want us to pick up something for dinner on the way?"

"That would probably be a good idea."

"You haven't left Sam since you've been home, have you, Son?"

"No, Sir, I haven't, and I'm not inclined to leave her now, either."

"Understood. We'll pick-up Emily and dinner and see you in an hour or so."

"Thanks, Mike."

(Ending the call and moving noiselessly back into their bedroom, Steve sees Sam's beautiful emerald green eyes looking up at him and he sits on the side of the bed, leans over, and gives her a gentle kiss.)

"How long have I been asleep, Steve?"

"A couple of hours. You feeling any better?"

"A little. I'm just so damned tired."

"I don't doubt it. The last couple of months have been hard and today had to be really tough on you."

"Where's Emily?"

"Kono's and Tony's, but that was your dad and he and your mom are going by there and pick her up after they pick-up dinner."

"Guess I need to get up and get dressed."

"No, Sam, you don't need to do anything you don't want to do, Baby. If you want to stay right there, I'll bring dinner to you."

"I know you would, Steve, but I want to get up. . . I can't lie around in bed half the day and all night."

"Yes, Sam, you can, but, if you want to get up and get dressed, you can do that, too."

"I love you, Steve McGarrett, more than my life, and I thank God for you every, single day."

"Right back at 'ya, Beautiful."

"How long before they'll be here?"

"An hour, give or take. . . Bet I can make you feel much better before they get here."

"Bet you could, too, but I'd rather wait until after Mom and Dad leave and the baby's asleep. I'd kind of like for us to take our time. That okay with you?"

"Absolutely. . . Sam, I'm going to be right here, Sweetheart; I'm not going to leave you, promise."

"I know."

(The Thrashers arrive fifty-seven minutes later with little Emily and take-out from Sam's favorite Mexican restaurant to find Sam and Steve in the kitchen setting out plates, forks, and glasses. The moment Libby sets Emily down on the floor, she runs to the kitchen yelling, "Mommy!" and "Daddy!" at the top of her little lungs. Sam, a smile instantly appearing on her beautiful face, opens her arms and bends down to sweep her daughter up in a tight hug. Little Emily giggles happily and plants a loud, wet kiss on her mother's cheek and Steve, wanting his share of their daughter's kisses, slips an arm around Sam's waist and takes one of Emily's little hands in his large one and kisses her little fingers.)

"Hey, Baby Girl, did you have a good time at Eric's?"

"E-ric! . . . Want Daddy!"

(And Emily holds her little arms out to her Daddy and Steve immediately takes her from Sam and gets a loud, wet kiss of his own. Sam giggles in delight and leans across their daughter to give Steve a kiss on the other cheek and the look he sends Sam says it all; Steve McGarrett is a very blessed man and he knows it. Standing in the doorway to the kitchen, Libby and Mike watch the scene in front of them and, when Mike looks at his wife, he sees that she completely understands why she has no need to worry about either Sam or Steve; no reason at all. In fact, Libby is all misty-eyed and on the verge of tears, so Mike places a hand at the small of her back and gently nudges his wife into the kitchen so they can start getting dinner on the table.

Libby explains that Capt. Stewart felt Caroline would be better able to deal with everything if she were in a more comfortable setting, so he discharged her from the hospital and Danny took her home. They were going to pick Grace up on the way and have a family dinner together just the three of them. After dinner, Libby insists on helping Sam clean up while Steve and Mike play with Emily and then the Thrashers take their leave so that Sam and Steve and Emily can have their own family time. Looking over at his wife while they are waiting at a traffic light, Mike suddenly understands what's wrong with Libby. Gently taking her hand in his and bringing it to his lips so he can brush a soft kiss across the back, he smiles when she looks over at him questioningly.)

"You have absolutely no one and nothing to worry about at the moment, do you, Libby?"

"I . . No, Mike, I don't. All seems to be well with the children, thank God, and . . ."

"And you don't know what to do with yourself."

"Well . . . No. I don't."

(Mike's expression turns predatory and Libby knows exactly what that look means.)

"Good. I believe we should take some time for ourselves, Libby."

"I think you may be right, Mike."

(And now both of the Thrashers have something to look forward to when they get home.)