CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

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 4, 2012

(Half an hour later, Sam and Steve are sitting on a deserted section of beach not far from their house looking out at the waves as they wash up on the shore. They are sitting right next to each other, though they are not touching at the moment, and both are lost in thought. They've been sitting here like this ever since Lt. Cmdr. Denning gave them the results of Sam's pregnancy test, talked with them for a few minutes, and then left them to see other patients. Finally, Steve looks over at Sam.)

"How 'ya doin', Beautiful?"

"I don't know, Steve. I'm not sure how I feel right now. You?"

"Right there with you, Sam."

"This is hard. I'm so mixed up right now I don't know which way is up."

"Yeah, I know what you mean. I do know that I love you, Sam, and we will get through this; all of it."

"Steve, I want to talk with Capt. Stewart. I never . . . I never sat down and talked with anyone when my parents died, and I think. . . I think it's time I did; especially now."

"I think that's a good idea, Sam. You've carried all that pain and anger and grief inside you for a long time. It's time you faced it head-on."

"Yeah, me, too. Steve?"

"Yeah, Sam?"

"I can't do this by myself."

"You don't have to, Sweetheart. I'm here; I'll always be here for you, Sam."

"I know."

(Emily is putting both her grandparents through their paces with no mercy whatsoever. She was not at all pleased when her Mommy and Daddy both gave her a hug and kiss and headed out the door, and, even if she does adore "Gan-ma" and "Gan-pa", they are most definitely not Mommy and Daddy. Mike has run out of ideas to entertain the little girl and even calm, unflappable Libby is getting a little frustrated. Emily is definitely in a temper and it seems that nothing and no one is going to bring her out of it except her parents. Both Libby and Mike look relieved when the doorbell rings because any distraction is most welcomed at the moment. Mike goes to the door and returns moments later with Grace, Caroline, and Danny in tow. As soon as Caroline spies her niece, her eyes tear up and she goes straight to her mother and takes Emily into her arms hugging her tightly and burying her face in the little girl's long, dark, silky hair.)

"Hello, Emily. Aunt Caroline has missed you, Sweetie."

"Aunt Caralin! Love you!"

(And, of course, Emily's words only make Caroline's tears start sliding down her beautiful face. She quickly wipes them away, however, and gives both her parents a kiss before sitting down at the table with the baby in her arms. Grace, who has already kissed her grandparents and is currently sitting on Mike's lap, smiles at the baby and starts making silly faces and noises to amuse her little cousin. Danny, looking better than he has since the accident, pours himself a cup of coffee and sits in the chair across the table from Caroline.)

"Where's Sam and Steve? I noticed his truck is gone."

"Um, they had a couple of errands to run this morning so Mike and I volunteered to stay with Emily. Would you all like some breakfast? I can make omelets in no time and, Grace, I made chocolate chip pancakes for Emily and there's still some batter left. Want some?"

"Sure, Grandma, I love your chocolate chip pancakes!"

"Okay, then. Caroline? Danny?"

"Omelets sound great, Mom. Grace wanted to hurry up and get over here, so we just loaded up and came. Thought we could talk Sam and Steve into going out for breakfast, but looks like we're a little late."

"Omelets, it is. How are you feeling this morning, dear?"

"I feel great, Mom. It's a little weird knowing that I missed two months of my life, but . . . I'm okay. I'm still not a hundred percent, and I have some work ahead of me, but I'm okay."

"Want Unka Danny!"

"You do? Well, all right then, Kiddo, go see your Uncle Danny."

(And Caroline laughingly hands Emily over to her husband and watches as he expertly sits the baby on his lap and has a conversation with her. A twinge of pain shoots through Caroline as she thinks about how good Danny would have been with Gabe, but she is determined to keep a positive attitude and quickly banishes the thought. Libby places a plate of chocolate pancakes in front of Grace, who has moved to a chair of her own, and the little girl looks over at Emily and begins to give her instructions on how to properly eat pancakes much to the amusement of all the adults, but Emily is paying very close attention. Mike excuses himself for a moment and heads toward the front of the house. Pulling his cellular phone from his pocket, he hits the speed dial for Steve and waits.)

"Mike."

"Wanted to give you a 'heads up', Steve. Caroline, Danny, and Grace are here at your house. Didn't want you and Sam walking in here unprepared."

"Thanks. We'll be home in a little while. . . . Your Dad says Caroline, Danny, and Grace are at our house. You up for this, Sam?"

"Yeah. You?"

"I'm good as long as you are."

(Ten minutes later, Sam and Steve walk into their kitchen and Sam heads straight for her sister and the two young women hug each other. Steve quietly moves to lean against the counter and crosses his arms over his chest. Danny immediately picks up on the fact that there's some tension in the air, but doesn't say a word. Mike catches Steve's eye and sends him a look which asks a question and Danny doesn't miss that, either. He and Caroline and Grace have walked into something at the McGarrett's. The question is, what.)