CHAPTER TWELVE

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: November 3, 2012

(Her body a thoroughly sated boneless mass, Sam lies in Steve's arms after he has just made love to her so sweetly she nearly cried and sends up a prayer of gratitude for the strong, brave man she calls husband. Her love for Steve is so strong that she is convinced that, should anything ever happen to him, she will simply stop breathing. Knowing that he feels exactly the same way about her brings a smile to her lips and she somehow finds enough strength to push herself up so that she can look down into the handsome face she dearly loves and brush a soft kiss against Steve's mouth.)

"I love you, Steve."

"I love you, too, Sam. Forever and Always. . . Whoa, what's wrong, Beautiful? Why are you crying?"

"Can't help it. My sister's well on her way to recovering, we have a beautiful, sweet daughter, and I have you; I am a truly blessed woman."

"Ah, the 'tears of joy' thing."

"Yes, and don't you dare make fun of me, Steve!"

"I'm not making fun of you, Baby; I happen to agree with you."

(And, moving like lightning, Steve gently flips Sam so that he has her pinned beneath him; much to her extreme delight.)

"We're both very blessed, Sam. You are my other half and, I know I've said it before, but I honestly believe that God created you for me and me for you."

(And, before Sam can say a word, Steve dips his head and takes her mouth with his in a kiss that nearly takes her breath away. His hands move sensuously over her body and, tearing his mouth from hers, he begins to gently nip her jaw and then her neck until he finds the "sweet spot" at her collarbone, and Sam is again swept up in the heat of desire. . . .

As soon as she is through the door, Grace races through the kitchen and "launches" herself at Caroline who is entering the den from the hallway which leads to the bedrooms. Grace hugs Caroline fiercely and Caroline has tears in her eyes at the effusive greeting from the little girl; even Rachel is misty-eyed as she sets two huge bags on the kitchen counter. Once Grace has stepped back to give Caroline a visual assessment, Rachel steps forward and also gives Caroline a hug; an action that surprises Danny somewhat, but Caroline seems to take it right in stride.)

"I'm very glad that you're feeling better, Caroline; you've been greatly missed the past couple of months."

"Thank you, Rachel. I have some lost time to make up for; especially with Grace."

"Indeed, you do, and I want you to know that Grace may spend time with you whenever you and Danny would like. Grace has missed you terribly these past weeks."

"Rachel, that. . . That means a lot. Thank you."

"You're quite welcome, Danny. It means a lot to Grace, as well. Now, Grace asked me to make some of her favorite dishes for dinner, so I hope the two of you will enjoy my chicken casserole, five-layer salad, and creamed potatoes. Oh, and there's a chocolate fudge cake for dessert."

"Wow, Rachel, you must have been in the kitchen all afternoon. You didn't have to go to all that trouble for us."

"Of course, I did, Danny, I want Caroline to be able to spend time with you and Grace without having to worry about anything else. That means that you're going to be in charge of cleaning up after dinner."

(Caroline and Grace have walked outside to the back deck so Danny and Rachel are alone in the kitchen.)

"Not a problem. . . . Rach, thank you; really, this means a lot; to both of us."

"You're welcome, Danny. I'm just glad that Sam was finally able to get through to Caroline. I know how upset Grace was, and I have a fairly good idea of how devastating all this must have been for you. . . I truly am sorry about the loss of your son, Danny. I can't imagine how either of you must be feeling."

"We're going to get through it together, and, when the time is right, we'll try again."

"Good, but please don't rush Caroline into having another baby. She's probably going to need quite a bit of time before she'll be willing to even think about another pregnancy."

"Yeah, I know. I had a long talk with her doctor, Capt. Stewart, before we left the hospital and he said almost the same thing. I'm just so thankful to have Caroline back that I'm not about to rush her into anything."

"Good. I'm going to tell Caroline and Grace goodbye now, but I want you to know that . . Well, if you need to talk with someone; I'm here."

"You never cease to amaze me, Rachel. Not many women would do what you've done and are doing for your ex-husband and his new wife."

"I'm not most women, Daniel."

(Out on the back deck, Caroline and Grace are sitting on one of the comfortably cushioned loveseats with Caroline's arm around the little girl and Grace is, once again, happy to be with her stepmother. Although Rachel cautioned Grace to be careful about asking Caroline any questions which might upset her, there is one question that Grace wants answered that simply won't wait.)

"Mom?"

"Yes, Grace?"

"The doctor didn't think it would be good for me or Emily or Eric to come see you while you were in the hospital, so I haven't gotten to see you in such a long time, and . . . "

"What is it, Sweetie?"

"Do you still love me as much as you did before you got sick?"