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.

Danny and Steve were awake before Grace on Christmas morning. They were content to cuddle for a while. Danny reckoned they only had a few more minutes before Grace came in to announce that it was Christmas at last. He was correct.

They heard her feet hit the floor and run down the hall. Grace didn't even detour to the bathroom. She didn't tap on the door or peak to see if they were awake. Grace threw the door open and took a running jump onto the bed. Steve was grateful that he was awake and protected his favorite parts.

"Danno, Daddy, it's Christmas. Can we go downstairs now?" There would be no cuddle time with Grace this morning. She was jumping on the bed, something she never did (at least while Steve or Danny were in the room).

"Yes Grace, we can go downstairs AFTER we make a pit stop. Meet us back here and we'll all go downstairs together." Danny knew there wouldn't be a chance later. The instant Grace left, Danny turned to Steve. "We'd better move it. Our daughter will show no mercy." He gave Steve a quick kiss and ran to the bathroom.

Less than three minutes later, Grace was in. Her hair was brushed; so were her teeth. Danny could tell that Grace had washed her face too. Steve came out of the bathroom so they could head downstairs. Danny put his Santa hat on while Steve snuck in to start the coffeemaker and find the camera.

The first present was from Stan and Rachel. It was a beautiful child-sized tea set. They had picked up several unique gifts for Grace during their travels. Steve knew that it would be something that Grace would keep to pass down to her children someday. There were other gifts for Grace, but Danny saved the large box until last.

It was a large doll house, sized for Barbie and Joe (who were cohabiting). It not only included the usual living room and bedrooms. There was a command center and a HumVee in the garage. Steve knew someone (Danny was almost tired of hearing that phrase) who made custom houses.

Steve and Danny spent a long time deciding what to get for each other. Steve got an assist from Mom Williams; during her Thanksgiving visit, she told Steve how a box of Danny's most precious memorabilia was lost during his move to Hawaii. She spent several days compiling a list of the items in the box.

Steve became an expert on eBay over the last few weeks. Emelina agreed to take the shipments for him so Danny wouldn't have a clue. The look on Danny's face when he opened box after box made Steve's efforts so worthwhile. Some of the items were easy: yearbooks from Danny's high school, the baseball autographed by the Yankees the last time they won the World Series, his senior ring. Others items were more difficult. Steve had a replica of Danny's baseball uniform from high school custom made. So was the trophy Danny received as MVP when his team won the state championship.

Danny was stunned by his gifts. "Babe, how did you know? Where did you get all this stuff?" He had tears in his eyes. He knew just where he wanted each of his treasures to go. He leaned over to give Steve a hug. It wasn't a man-hug; it lasted for a while. Danny needed a moment to get his emotions under control. It was the most thoughtful gift anyone had ever given him.

"Your mom mentioned what happened when she was here. She helped find some of the Jersey businesses for the uniform and trophy. As for the rest, let's just say that I'm very well known on eBay." Steve was thrilled that his gift was so on target.

Danny spent an equal amount of time, although somewhat less money, on Steve's gift. With help from Rachel and his family, Danny collected a mountain of early pictures and film clips of Grace. He knew that Steve missed Grace's early years, and he saw Steve sometimes study younger children as though trying to imagine Grace at that age.

Danny created a thick photo album filled with pictures of Grace as a baby, a toddler, and then as a little girl. He also created a DVD containing some of the same pictures as well as home movies. One of the Kelly cousins helped with the presentation so Danny could add narration and music.

The look of reverence on Steve's face as he turned page after page of the album brought tears to Danny's eyes again. He saw tears tracking down Steve's face too. "Danny, this is amazing. I've wondered what she looked like when she was born, and when she first walked."

"Babe, there's more." Danny took the DVD from the box and slid it into the DVD player. Grace's image popped on the screen. Even Grace stopped what she was doing and crawled between Steve and Danny to watch.

"Danno, that's me." Grace was fascinated. She had seen some of the clips before, but it was so much better to see them in order with Danny explaining some of the action. Steve was fascinated and charmed by baby Grace. He would always regret not being part of her life then, but now at least he had a glimpse of her early years.

Steve needed a hug now. It was a family hug. "I think this is the most perfect Christmas ever. Thank you Danny. Does anyone want breakfast?" It was time to move on before he dissolved in a puddle of emotions.

"I'm hungry. What's for breakfast?" Grace loved all of her gifts, and the house was her favorite. But hunger won over the need for play.

"How about sausage and waffles?" Steve was hungry too. Danny fixed the sausages while Steve mixed the batter for the waffles. They would need to think about dinner preparations in a little while, but they lingered over breakfast. It had been a perfect day so far, and they wanted to spend as much time as possible together. Grace even stayed to help with the clean up, although neither man would ask her to help today.

Steve decided to add a fruit salad to the menu while Danny made some cranberry sauce. Steve also cut up some veggies for snacking on before dinner. It would go with the fruit and cheese platter. By the time the ham went in, it was time for Steve to pick up their guest.

It took a few minutes for Steve to find the correct floor of the hospital. It was a step-down unit where patients who didn't require full-time nursing could go if they didn't have anyone to help them when they were discharged. He found his SEAL, Lt. Mike Davis, in a semi-private room. His roommate had recently returned from Afghanistan; he had been wounded by shrapnel from an RPG. Steve was pretty sure he had shoes older than this kid. He was young and very homesick.

Steve made a quick decision. "Soldier, are you well enough to get a day-pass?"

"Yes sir, I believe so." Private David Ryan had been a little intimidated when he realized that he was sharing a room with an officer, a Navy SEAL at that. It was a little unusual, but there were few patients on the floor. The doctors thought it was better for patients who had no local family to at least have the company of a roommate.

"I'll see the charge nurse to arrange it while you get dressed, unless you have an objection to a home-cooked meal and the company of some of our friends." Steve couldn't leave the soldier to spend the afternoon alone on Christmas day, not when there was room at his table.

When Steve walked out, Dave looked at Mike. "Is he serious sir? He would just invite a stranger for Christmas dinner?"

"Dave, that's Steve McGarrett, former Navy SEAL and current head of 5-0, the governor's elite task force. And yes, he would. He jumped out of a plane to catch one of my teammates for a mid-air hookup. Several of us spent Thanksgiving Day at his house. I guarantee the meal will be first-rate. I'll warn you that he lives with his 5-0 partner, Danny Williams, and Williams' daughter, Grace. They will be one of the first couples to have a civil ceremony early on New Year's Day. If you have a problem with that, you can bow out now."

"No sir, a couple of guys in my unit were gay. I was proud to stand and fight with them. Besides, I would do about anything to get out of here for a few hours and eat some real food." Dave was almost dressed when Steve came back in.

"Okay, I've got your pass. By the way, I'm Steve McGarrett. You're Dave Ryan?" Steve shook hands with Ryan. "I hope you're hungry. Some of my 5-0 team, really they're more like family, are joining us for dinner."

Steve and Mike caught up on SEAL Team 9 during the drive home. Steve learned that this was Dave's first trip to Hawaii so he pointed out some of the landmarks as he drove. Kono and Charlie were already there when Steve arrived with his guests. Steve made the introductions. Everyone remembered Mike, and Dave was warmly greeted. Lori and Max arrived a few minutes later, and Kamekona arrived soon after.

Dinner would be ready soon, but Danny and Steve put out the veggie, fruit and cheese platters and served drinks to tide everyone over. Besides the ham and fruit salad, potatoes au gratin, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and glazed carrots were on the menu. Dave was on the brink of being overwhelmed by the group until Kamekona walked in. He obviously wasn't in law enforcement and seemed an unlikely addition to the group, yet everyone greeted him like an old friend.

Dinner was served around four. The dining room table was able to seat all the guests with the addition of two extensions. The table was beautifully set with a linen table cloth and napkins, china, and wine glasses. The 5-0 family who were familiar to the drill helped get all the food out while everything was hot. Max poured the wine and Charlie sliced the bread.

Steve said the blessing at Danny's request. "Lord, thank you for the blessings we have received. Please bless this food and everyone here. Bless those who will not celebrate today with their families because they are protecting us. Bless our friends and family who cannot be with us today. Amen."

There was a chorus of amen's followed by a lot of plates and dishes being passed around. The meal was delicious, made even more so by the warmth of goodwill shared by everyone at the table. Dave was amazed to hear that Steve and Danny baked the bread and pies they would have for dessert. He liked Danny almost immediately; Dave was from eastern Connecticut and knew a lot of Danny's favorite haunts. Steve was a little more reserved by nature, but Dave liked him too. He was impressed by the open affection Steve showed to Danny and Grace.

Steve asked each person to name their favorite Christmas gift as a child. The results ranged from a surfboard (Kono) to a microscope (Max) to roller blades (Lori). Grace proclaimed her dollhouse as her favorite, which led to a revelation about how Steve and Grace used Barbies and Joes to plan imaginary missions. Danny thought that Steve might be embarrassed for the others to find out about his games with Grace, but he didn't seem to mind. In fact, Steve was proud of the missions Grace planned by herself. She and Ali even planned missions together when they had the time.

Cleanup went quickly after dinner, and the group spent some time on the lanai as the sun set. Dave enjoyed sitting in the fresh air with the friendly group. Dessert was served later with coffee or tea. Besides the pie, Danny assembled a tray with an assortment of Christmas cookies and some of Steve's beer cake.

Rachel and Stan had a nice chat with Grace using her laptop and webcam. Steve and Danny took plenty of photos that morning and uploaded them to share. Danny had a Facebook page set up solely to post pictures and videos of Grace for Rachel and Stan. Rachel had set up a similar page to share with Grace. Both Rachel and Danny agreed that no other 'friends' would be able to view their pages to ensure that the information would remain private for Grace's protection.

Charlie and Kono offered to drop Dave and Mike back at the base, but Steve insisted that he would see to it. Since Max, Lori, and Kamekona were ready to leave, Danny and Grace rode back to the base with Steve. He drove the Marquis to accommodate the larger group. Steve took the scenic drive to show everyone the beauty of Oahu on Christmas night. There were fireworks in different locations, and the lights were beautiful. Dave and Mike were a little tired by the time that Steve, Danny, and Grace walked the men back to their room. The men shook hands and Grace hugged her new friends before they left.

Grace was very tired and very happy when Steve and Danny tucked her in that evening. The men were a little weary too. The day was busy, but neither could remember a happier Christmas. Danny remembered the last couple of Christmases with Rachel; there was always tension between them that took the shine off the day. He felt in harmony with Steve; that was the only way he could describe it. Whatever he said or did, Steve accepted him as he was. Steve still teased him, and both loved their daily banter sessions. But Steve never asked him to change who he was or what he did.

They sat on the lanai finishing the last of the wine from dinner. Their chairs were close so the men sat shoulder to shoulder. They said little, content to hold hands. Shortly before midnight, they went to bed. There was one more gift they wanted to share.