CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN
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: March 27, 2013
A/N: I have never been to Washington, D.C. but a friend of mine who lived there for several years asked me to mention Nick's Riverside Grille in Georgetown as it was one of her favorite restaurants. In reality, Nick's dress code is casual/business, but, for the purposes of my storyline, I made it more upscale. My apologies for any confusion any of you who have actually been there may have had; it's that "dramatic license" thing again! Thank you to G.E. for sharing your memories with me; I would love to visit our nation's capitol one day! Michelle
(They arrive at the restaurant right on time and are shown to their table. Libby and Lana have decided that they will take care of Emily and Eric during dinner so the sweet babies' parents can enjoy their meal without having to worry about feeding their children. Sam finds herself seated between her husband and Joe Monroe with Caroline and Danny directly across from them. Grace is sitting between her grandparents and keeps casting inquisitive glances between Caroline and Danny and Sam and Steve. Her Grandpa had answered her last question in the car about Aunt Sam's and Uncle Steve's "discussion" and why Danno was going to kill Uncle Steve by mumbling something about them playing a joke on each other, but Grace Williams is not stupid and she is still not satisfied with the answers she's been given. Aunt Sam and Uncle Steve are acting particularly "sugary" tonight and Danno has a small frown on his face while Mom is trying really hard to keep from laughing. Deciding that she will wait and see what happens, Grace turns her attention to her Grandpa who engages her in a discussion about what she might like for dinner. Sam and Steve have their heads together as they quietly discuss the menu choices but they're not fooling anyone; they're actually using the oversized menus to hide the fact that Steve is taking every possible opportunity to drop a soft kiss on Sam's cheek and then whisper something in her ear that has her blushing prettily. Tony has apparently decided that Steve is running a pretty good op and he begins to do the very same thing with Kono. Chin looks up from watching Lana playing with little Eric and catches the frown that has taken up permanent residence on Danny's face. Caroline catches Chin's attention, points to her husband, and rolls her eyes which causes Chin to laugh out loud and now Danny's glowering at him. Joe Monroe, getting his first up close and personal look at the Five-0 ohana, is enjoying himself immensely as he watches the interactions and reactions all around the table. Mike watches Lt. Cmdr. Monroe watching everyone else for a while before leaning over toward the younger man.)
"We're quite the handful, Commander. Some days are worse than others."
"Admiral, you have a wonderful family. I've known and worked with Cmdr. McGarrett and Lt. Williams for a while and consider it an honor to serve with them both, and, now, I have the opportunity to get to know everyone else, as well. You don't find this kind of supportive dynamic in all families, Sir. In fact, I'd say support systems like the one you all have is rare; you're all very fortunate to have one another."
"Well, Son, now that you've been in on one of our little 'family ops', you're part of the family, too. When we get back to Hawaii, Libby and I would like to have you and your wife over for dinner one evening. We'd like to express our appreciation to Mrs. Monroe for your assistance with this op."
"Thank you, Sir, but you and Mrs. Thrasher don't have to go to all that trouble. I was glad to help out, and Deana, well, Sam's been there a time or two for her, so she had no problem with me accompanying you on this trip."
"Even more reason for the two of you to have dinner with us, Commander. Libby and I are very glad that both our girls have so many people in their lives who care about them and we consider their friends to be part of our family."
"Thank you, Sir; I'm honored."
(Danny's scowling gaze is now bouncing back and forth between Sam and Steve and Kono and Tony and Caroline and Chin are doing their best not to laugh. Finally, having had enough, Caroline leans over and whispers something in Danny's ear that changes not only the expression on his face but his whole attitude, as well which causes Chin to give it up and actually laugh out loud. Grace is, by now, completely confused and she thinks, again, that grown-ups surely can act silly sometimes. Her Uncle
Steve has caught on to her confusion and leans toward her with an understanding smile on his handsome face.
"I know you think grown-ups are silly, but you'll understand one day, Gracie."
"I'm not sure I want to understand, Uncle Steve."
"Being in love is the most wonderful thing ever, Nugget; as long as the person you're in love with is also in love with you."
"I don't know about that, Aunt Sam, I've seen you and Uncle Steve and Mom and Danno fight sometimes and it doesn't look too wonderful then."
"That's true, Grace, but the wonderful part comes when you kiss and make up."
"And that, Monkey, really is wonderful."
(Grace looks at the smiling faces of her Mom and Danno and aunt an uncle and decides she wants another opinion.)
"Are they telling me the truth, Uncle Chin?"
"They are, Grace, but you have quite a bit of time before you have to start worrying about falling in love with someone."
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