Disclaimer: Ideas are fictional; not making any money on this. Hawaii 5-0 belongs to CBS. That's okay because none of this would work on TV.
Supper on the lanai was an animated affair. Steve did an exceptional job manning the grill. They had a crisp green salad and grilled veggies. Cocoa puffs were an exceptional finish to the meal. Mom and Dad got their second wind sitting out in the fresh air watching the waves roll on the shore. Mom wanted to help clean up, but Steve and Danny insisted that for her first day, she should just relax and enjoy the view.
Later, Steve and Grace went in for a swim. Danny and his parents walked along the beach enjoying the feel of the waves on their feet. Finally, Mom asked the question that had plagued her since Steve walked out of the house in just his board shorts.
"How did Steve get those horrible bruises? It looks like he's been beaten."
Danny sighed, wondering how much he could tell his parents. "Steve made a visit to North Korea to help a friend, and she betrayed him. The man who killed Steve's parents beat and tortured him."
Mom went pale and started trembling. "How did he escape? Was he badly hurt?"
"Our team went in with some Navy SEALs who owed Steve a favor. We found him and brought him home. He's healing physically quickly, but it was a really bad experience. He didn't think that he would make it out alive. I'm only telling you this in case he seems a little emotional while you're here. It's a big help to have family here."
Now Dad was stunned. He knew that Danny showed bravery every day as a cop; this was way beyond the normal call of duty. "You went to North Korea with a SEAL team to bring Steve home?"
"Dad, I couldn't leave him there alone. Chin, Kono, Lori, and I had to at least try to help him. We were relieved when the SEALs showed up just as we were leaving. You'll meet them on Thursday; they're coming for dinner. They have no family here and we wanted to give them a family Thanksgiving."
They watched Steve and Grace play tag in the water. Steve would chase after Grace and let her slip out his grasp. Then, Grace would chase after Steve and he would accidentally fall so she could catch him. Finally, Mom spoke again. "He looks like he's doing okay."
"Yeah, Grace always helps ground him. He's a little better every day. We'll go into the office tomorrow and finish filing our reports. I think it will help when the last of the paperwork is complete. We're taking a couple of half-day vacation days on Tuesday and Wednesday to show you around a little and help prep for Thursday. And I'm sure a few days of mothering will help him shake off the rest of it."
Mom smiled at that. "I'll be sure to give him a little extra attention then. He's really good for you and Grace. I knew that even before we met him this summer. It's different seeing you both here. I loved watching you in the kitchen together. I don't think I ever saw you and Rachel work so well like that."
"Mom, Rachel and I were never a team like this. I was always conflicted about my job versus home. She never understood that I really was doing the best I could. I don't have that with Steve. We both work really hard to balance everything, and Emelina really helps out a lot. She is Chin's cousin, so she knows what to expect from the job. Emelina is coming over tomorrow to show you the shops. You said that you wanted to pick out some of the food yourself for Thursday. Her daughter, Ali, is one of Grace's best friends."
Dad was impressed that Danny had made such a good life for himself and Grace. "It sounds like everything has worked out well for you. Mom and I were really worried about you right after the divorce, and even more so when you moved here. Even after what you went through last week, I've never seen you look so relaxed and happy."
"I am happy Dad. I never thought that I would say that again. I have Steve to thank for everything. It's hard to believe that he's the same person I met last year. He was so closed off after years of being alone."
Mom laughed at the notion. "Well, he's certainly not like that anymore. I saw the two of you hugging in the kitchen when you thought no one was watching. He had such a look of love on his face. It matched the one I saw on your face, Danny. And look at him with Grace."
Steve had Grace slung over his shoulder and was walking toward the house. Grace squirmed and giggled with each step. Steve put Grace down and turned the hose on to wash away some of the sand they carried with them. Grace squealed when the cold water hit her legs. She grabbed the hose from Steve and returned the favor.
Danny shook his head and laughed. "No, that is definitely not same man I met last year. Well, maybe it is. I think this Steve was trying to break out of his shell even then. Did I tell you that he paid for Grace and me to stay at a resort for the weekend that first week? She got to swim with the dolphins and everything. She talked about it for weeks."
"I remember you telling us about that. That was Steve? I thought for sure you two were going to slug it out."
"I guess we did slug it out. I would rant about something, and he would just shrug it off. He never seemed to mind when I yelled at him. After a while, I figured out that he was baiting me on purpose. Even now, he'll say something totally outrageous just to wind me up. Do you know what your precious granddaughter told us yesterday afternoon? She said that some of her friends were already wearing training bras and maybe she would ask you to take her shopping for one this week. I'm pretty sure the look on my face matched the one on Steve's. She gets that from Steve, I just know it." Danny laughed now at the memory, but he was pretty horrified about it yesterday.
Mom and Dad thought the whole thing was pretty funny. When Dad could finally speak, he told Danny, "No son, that's exactly the kind of thing you used to do to your sisters. It is pretty funny, you have to admit."
"Actually, she was crying a little when we left Stan and Rachel's house yesterday. She's never been away from her mother this long. I was relieved to see her smiling again."
Mom asked another question she had been hesitant to bring up. "How are things between Rachel and Stan? Last summer, you said that things were pretty rocky between them."
Danny thought about how distressed Rachel had been when she first returned from New Jersey and how radiant she looked yesterday. "They are doing much better. We had dinner at their house the night we told Grace about their trip. Steve and I ended up fixing most of the meal; you know how Rachel gets flustered in the kitchen. I think it must have struck a chord with Stan. We had them over here for dinner a few weeks later, and Stan had a chance to see how we worked and played as a family."
"Rachel told me later that Stan really changed after that night. Stan started helping with the dishes after supper, and more importantly, he even changed with Grace. You noticed that she calls him 'Daddy Stan' now. She talked to me about it, and at first I had a problem with it. Steve finally pointed out that it was best for Grace to have all of us loving her the way we do, even Stan. Six months ago, I would have predicted that they wouldn't make it. Now, I think that Rachel and Stan are becoming a happy family."
"That's good to hear, Danny. Grace seems to be thriving with whatever the four of you are doing." Dad had worried that Grace would be caught in the middle again if Rachel's second marriage disintegrated.
"Yes, she is. She's making all A's on her report card; the teachers love her. She seems to absorb all the love and give it right back to us. You should have seen her tucking Steve in bed last Wednesday. That was the day that we got back from North Korea. Steve was drugged to the gills on Vicodin; I had to help him to the bathroom because he was so stiff and sore. He told Grace that he wouldn't be able to tuck her in and asked if she would tuck him in. She pulled the covers up and smoothed them out. Then she kissed him and told him that she loved him. I wished that I had a movie camera. She was so serious and sweet with him."
Mom stopped walking and hugged Danny. "Oh Danny, that's exactly the kind of family life we've always wanted for you. I'm so happy we got to visit you this week. Things will be crazy when we all come in next month for your ceremony. There will be no chance for us to talk like this. Now this old lady is getting a little tired. I know it's too early for us to go to bed. We'd be up a three in the morning if we turned in now. But I'd like to go back to the house and put up my feet."
Dad seconded the motion. "Is it too late for us to watch the football game? Do you even get to follow the New York teams over here?"
"Dad, Steve has the mega-package on his satellite dish network. He sets up his system to DVR all the games. We can go in and watch the game now if you're ready. I think we have a beer with your name on it. Steve and Grace are probably finished with their showers and waiting for us to come in."
Sure enough, Steve and Grace were scouting out some cold drinks in the kitchen. Grace had her hair neatly braided, courtesy of her Daddy Steve. Steve was making popcorn in the microwave and dancing a jitterbug with Grace to pass the time. They stopped when Danny walked in with Mom and Dad.
"Hey, Grace and I were getting ready to send a search party out for you guys. I've got the football game queued up. The Giants are playing the Eagles. Eli is having a good year. Dad, can I get you a beer? Mom, what would you like to drink?"
Dad accepted his beer. Mom surprised him by taking a beer too. "Steve, I enjoy a cold one as much as the next Williams. Don't look so surprised."
They passed the evening watching the football game. At half time, they adjourned to the kitchen for a simple supper. Danny had discovered a wonderful deli that carried some of the East Coast meats. They had a choice of pastrami or corned beef sandwiches with spicy mustard and Swiss cheese. Danny brought out some kosher dill pickles and potato salad to go with the sandwiches.
They ate their meal in the living room just as the third quarter started. It was a close game, but the Giants lost. Mom and Dad turned in for the night after Grace went to bed. They wished her a good night and watched in fascination as Steve and Danny tucked Grace in. Steve picked Grace up and hugged her close. "I really had a good time playing with you today. We're going to have such a good time while you're here. I love you Grace, always and forever." Steve kissed her on the cheek and tucked her into bed.
Grace patted Steve on the cheek. "I had a good time too. I love you Daddy."
Then Danny sat on the bed next to Grace. "You need to keep an eye on Nana and Poppa for us tomorrow while we're at work. I so happy you're staying here full-time for a while. I miss you so much when you're not here. Danno loves you." Danny leaned down to give his precious Grace a goodnight hug and kiss.
"I love you too Danno. Don't worry, I won't let Nana and Poppa get in too much trouble." Grace gave Danny once last hug and closed her eyes. Grace had played hard and was asleep in minutes.
Steve and Danny went downstairs to clean up after wishing Mom and Dad a good night.
Clara was still moved by the scene in Grace's room. "Dear, did you see how they tucked Grace in? It's hard to reconcile those two sweet men with the story Danny told us today. Steve is a Navy SEAL. They are the toughest of the tough. The man we just saw is one big softie for our granddaughter. Our daughters married very well, but I never saw either of their husbands talk to their children that way. Grace is a very lucky little girl. And we're all lucky to have Steve in our family. I know he'll take good care of our Danny and Grace."
Ed had to agree. "I know sweetheart. I admit that I still had my doubts about Steve even after their visit last summer. I didn't say anything because Danny was so happy. I don't have any doubts after today. Steve is obviously devoted to Danny and Grace. Now I'm falling asleep on my feet. That bed looks mighty inviting. I say we get some sleep."
Steve and Danny came upstairs as soon as they finished packing their lunches for Monday. Steve knew that Danny was reluctant about making love with his parents in the next room. He estimated that it wouldn't take more than a day or two for Danny to get past it. That was how long Danny held out in Jersey last summer. Danny took his shower as Steve pulled the comforter down and changed into his sleep pants. Steve turned the lamp off as they both settled in the middle of the bed.
"I had a really good day Danny. Thanks for sharing your family with me. I think I'm ready to go in tomorrow. I wasn't sure how I would feel going back to 5-0. Sometimes it's hard to get back to normal after a mission goes sour like this one did. You and Grace helped me get back." Steve was curled into Danny breathing in his clean scent.
"I had a really good day too, Steve. Mom and Dad are so happy to be here. They've always wanted to visit Hawaii, but the prices were a little too steep for them. You did a good thing bringing them here." Danny kissed Steve, keeping it chaste in deference to his parents' presence next door.
"It was my pleasure Danno. I guess that I'm still not 100% yet; I can't keep my eyes open." Steve yawned as he struggled to stay awake for a little longer.
"That's okay. Even super-SEALs need their beauty sleep. Get some sleep." Danny raked his fingers through Steve's hair until felt the tension leave Steve's body. "I love you Steve" were Danny's last words before he too succumbed to sleep.
