/ / / Grace \ \ \

Steve stretched out in bed and turned over to look at Danny, he knew Grace would be getting up soon and would want to go swimming even if she's barely been able to walk alone when they came back from the dance the night before. Normally Steve didn't bother to lie about in bed unless he and Danny were keeping one another entertained but this morning he just wanted to wait until Danny woke up. Steve ran his fingers along Danny's ribs until his…fiancé, Steve smile, pulled away and opened one eye to glare at Steve.

"What?"

Steve grinned at him. "We're going to get married."

Danny rolled his eyes and turned over. "Leave me alone, you kept me up half the night."

Steve moved with him until he was plastered to Danny's back. "You're not in a good mood."

"I'm tired, go and bug Grace."

"What are we going to tell her?"

"That we're getting married," Danny said with a full body shrug. "But later when I'm alive."

Steve kissed the back of Danny's neck. "You want to tell her today?"

Danny twisted around and threw an arm over Steve's waist. "Why wouldn't we, she's here and I think we should tell everyone."

"You don't want to wait?"

Danny pinched Steve. "Why would I? She is going to be so excited."

Steve kissed Danny. Danny pulled him in closer and ran his fingers through Steve's hair. "Steve, Babe, I asked you to marry me, or civil union me, or whatever and we're going to tell everyone. May as well invite the whole family over."

Steve grinned at him.

"You already did."

Steve shrugged. "I haven't done anything but we're having everyone over for a barbeque lunch."

"It's," Danny arched to check the clock. "Just after 6am how the hell have you already invited people?"

Steve grinned. "I sent a text message last night."

"Then why do you look like you thought I was going to keep it a secret."

"I invited them when you were at the dance, it has nothing to do with the whole getting married thing." Steve said with a shrug. "Just a way to catch up after a hard case."

"Well then," Danny said. "I think it's great timing. Now go back to sleep."

"I'm awake," Steve said kissing Danny again.

"I hate you," Danny said as he rolled them over and pressed Steve down into the bed.

/ / / / /

Danny sat on the beach blanket and napped while Steve and Grace practiced her snorkelling. He'd been so close to sleeping again when Grace had knocked on their door, she'd asked Steve if he was swimming today and had seemed so sure he must not feel well since he was still in bed. They'd all decided to come down but Danny's book wasn't nearly as interesting with his eyes half closed so he'd put it down and fell asleep.

Wet drops of water woke him up. "Go away, Steve."

"How did you know it was me?" Steve asked and Danny felt him drop down onto the blanket next to him.

"Did you have fun?" Danny asked instead of answering.

"I did." Grace said. "Steve said we're having lunch with everyone."

Danny nodded slowly.

"Are you going to wake up, Danno?" Grace asked and he felt her sit on his other side.

Danny shrugged but didn't bother to open his eyes. "I'm good."

"I'm going to build a sandcastle." Grace said and bounded away.

Something wet and heavy landed on Danny's stomach, he knew it was Steve's head without looking and lifted his hand to card through his wet hair.

"Are you really that tired?" Steve asked.

"It was a long day yesterday," Danny said.

"Do you want to go back to bed while Grace and I got to the shops and buy what we need for lunch?"

"No, I'll come with you."

Steve laughed. "I'll go and have a shower and Grace and I can go while you get some sleep."

"No." Danny opened his eyes and sat up. "I'm good."

Steve looked at him like he was insane. "You," he looked to see where Grace was. "You were almost blown up yesterday. Your body would have been pumping out so much adrenaline and other things that I'm surprised you made it out of bed at all. On top of that I did keep you up late last night."

"Well worth it," Danny said with a smile.

"Gracie, do you want to come with me to the shops to get the stuff for the barbeque."

"Okay," Grace said and ran down to the water to rinse out her pail and other toys. "I'll go and have a shower."

Danny wriggled out from under Steve and stood up. "Come on, babe. Let's go and get things sorted out."

"Stubborn," Steve said and shook out the blanket.

"Ha. Pot calling the kettle black." Danny threw over his shoulder as he started towards the house.

"Will you at least stay home and clean up the place?"

Danny nodded as he walked back to the house. "Fine."

Steve grinned behind him and packed up their things. He went upstairs to have his own shower and when he came downstairs Grace was sitting across from Steve looking confused.

"Come sit down Steve," Danny said.

"Am I in trouble?" Steve asked.

"No," Grace said. "I think I am."

"I told you you're not in trouble, Steve and I have something to tell you."

"Okay."

Danny grabbed Steve's hand. "Last night Steve and I decided to get married."

Grace squealed so loudly they both flinched and threw herself at them. "Really?"

"Yeah, Monkey, you don't mind do you?"

Grace tugged them both in with an arm around their necks. "It's excellent."

Danny could feel Steve sag next to him and he tightened his grip on Steve's hand.

"We're telling everyone today but we wanted you to know first." Danny said.

Grace pulled away and grinned at them.

"I'm so pleased you're happy," Steve said.

Grace hugged him. "You'll be my step-dad too."

Danny smiled at Steve who looked like he'd just been punched. Steve turned to him with big eyes. "He sure will, Monkey." Steve hugged Grace back with a smile.

Grace pulled back and turned to her dad. "Do I get to be in the wedding?"

"Of course," Steve and Danny answered together.

"Can I get a pretty dress?"

Danny laughed. "We will buy something beautiful but we don't know when we're getting married yet so we're not going to go and buy it today."

Grace sagged. "Okay."

Danny pulled her into a hug. "What should we get to celebrate; we don't have time to make my mother's famous pineapple upside down cake."

"Cocoa puffs?" Grace asked. "Or a chocolate crunch mocha cake?"

Danny looked at Steve. "Both really good ideas, what do you think, Babe?"

"I suppose since Gracie isn't going to get a dress until we decide when we're getting married then she should get to choose."

Danny laughed. "You are so easy. Okay, are you two going to get the food or what?"

"Are you staying here?" Grace asked.

Danny shrugged. "I need to get the place looking good for our guests."

"Okay, Danno," Grace threw her arms around him again. "I'm so happy about you and Steve."

"Me too, Grace."

Grace smiled and pulled away. She grabbed Steve's hand and the shopping list Danny had written before leading them both out to the car. When he was a couple of streets away from the house he asked Grace to send a text message for him.

I tidied up last night, you only need to get out the picnic plates and cutlery - Steve

"Daddy said you're manipulative." Grace informed him.

"I do hope he didn't swear."

"That's okay Uncle Steve, I just pretend I can't read those words."

Steve laughed.

/ / / / /

Doris drove in just behind Steve and Grace.

"You're early," Steve said as he grabbed the bags while Grace unlocked the door.

Doris came over and grabbed a couple of bags. "I wanted to help you out."

"We're got it under control," Steve said. "But you are welcome. Come in and I'll introduce you to Gracie."

"She's here?" Doris asked.

"Her weekend," Steve said. "And she had a Father-Daughter Dance last night."

Grace ran out to him. "We have to be quiet Uncle Steve, Dad's asleep."

Steve grinned. "Good. Grab the last bag."

She was watching Doris as she nodded and went to grab the bag.

"Gracie, this is my mum, Doris. She's here for the barbeque."

"Hello, Mrs McGarrett," Grace said politely before she turned and walked back into the house.

"Why is Danny sleeping while you're looking after his daughter?"

"We had a couple of aborted bombings yesterday. Don't mention it but it was hard on Danny."

"Must have been a cakewalk for you," Doris said before she walked inside.

Steve followed her in, he wasn't about to tell her what had happened while they'd been caught by that motion sensor, especially not with Grace anywhere where she could hear. Danny was sprawled on the couch when he walked inside. There were plastic re-useable plates and cutlery on the coffee table and he was snoring quietly with a plastic fork in his hand. Steve walked into the kitchen where Grace was sitting at the table and sorting the vegetables into ones for the fridge and ones for the salad. He put down the last of the bags and started adding things to the table. When everything was unpacked he realised his mother was standing at the entrance to the kitchen and silently watching them.

"Everything okay, Mum?" Steve asked.

"You have done this before."

"We have barbeques all the time, Chin and Malia come and Kono brings her boyfriend sometimes but Uncle Chin doesn't really like Adam but this time Max is bringing Sabrina. Cath isn't going to be coming with anyone though is she?"

"Nope," Steve said and slid the rolls towards Grace for cutting. "But that's okay; you don't have a date either."

Grace grinned at him. "The look on Danno's face would be funny though."

"You call your father Danno?" Doris asked.

Grace nodded slowly. "It's my name for him, Steve is allowed to use it though because he loves Dad too."

Steve ruffled Grace's hair and started to wash the salad. Grace cut the buns and dragged out a step stool to reach the big bowls Danny put buns in for barbeques. When she'd finished she climbed up next to him on the counter and shredded lettuce while he cut the rest of the salad.

"Should you be sitting on the kitchen bench?" Doris asked.

"Probably not," Steve said and threw Grace a wink. "But we won't tell Danny."

"Tell me what? Gracie, off the counter. Hello Doris."

"Danny," Doris said with a nod.

Danny walked over and gave Steve a kiss on the shoulder before he stood in front of his daughter. "I fell asleep so we need to go and get the table outside ready."

Grace nodded, stole a handful of carrot and bounced off the bench. "I'll get the music."

"Need any help, Babe?" Danny asked grabbing some of the cut carrots as well.

"I need more carrots but I've got this."

"Okay," Danny grabbed more carrots and handed them to Steve before digging into the cupboard for the plastic cups and heading out past Doris.

"I hope you brought some bathers," Steve threw over his shoulder. "We normally go swimming, though Malia probably won't be able to come in yet."

Doris came to stand next to him. "So, you and Danny's daughter seem to get along well."

"Of course," Steve looked at his mother. "I told you, Danny and I have been together for a while, Grace lives here when Danny has her why wouldn't we get along?"

Doris fiddled with the cherry tomatoes. "Well you are her father's boyfriend it would make sense if she didn't like you."

"I don't think Grace knows how to dislike anyone, except Janie, a girl at her school but she is nice. She and I have always gotten along well."

"I see. You say that but you should watch yourself, make sure that they don't take advantage of you."

"Advantage? Danny doesn't take advantage of me and Gracie always accepts it when the answer is no, unless she's tired."

"Danny is asking you to look after his daughter and get ready for a picnic while he relaxes. You are partners if you were both dealing with the events of yesterday and yet you are the one doing all the work."

"Doris, you don't understand what occurred yesterday and I cannot tell you where Gracie might hear," Steve looked out the door but could only see Danny at the table; he assumed Grace was next to him but he wasn't going to take the chance if he wasn't sure where she was.

"You aren't seeing what he's doing here Steven, he and I spoke and I know he's not the right type of person for you."

"Is this because he's a man?"

Doris stared at him. "You don't think I know about Shane when you were in high school?"

"You knew about him?"

"I knew that you and he were making out in the locker rooms at school. You really were never any good at hiding what you were doing."

"Mum, you don't need to worry about Danny; he isn't taking advantage of me."

Doris shook her head at him. "Steve, you really should listen to me. You're being blinded by your feelings."

"Mum," Steve said firmly and was about to talk when he saw movement out of the corner of his eye. He turned towards it and found Grace standing there glaring at his mother. "What can I do for you Grace?"

"Dad wants to know if you want him to clean the barbeque."

Steve smiled at her and she focussed on him her face clearing. "Tell him that's my job and to keep his hands to himself."

"Okay, Uncle Steve." Grace threw another look at his mother before she spun around and left. Steve watched until he could see her outside before he turned back to his mother.

"She seems to take after her father in that too." Doris said watching him.

"I think anyone would be like that after someone insulted their father. Now, yesterday there was a man with known terrorist affiliations who we were chasing, he had a bomb and Danny was stuck by a motion sensor. He had to stand there still and wait while we got the bomb people out thinking that at any minute the damn thing could blow up and then he went and pretended that nothing was wrong for his daughter. I told you there were reasons that he was sleeping, you don't know everything there is to know about us so don't pass judgement when you don't know what is happening."

"So, he's the only one who was affected by yesterday if you were chasing after a bomber?" Doris asked.

"He was the one who couldn't walk away; I'm just the one who wouldn't."

Doris looked at him surprised. "What do you mean wouldn't."

The front doorbell rang. "I wouldn't let him get blown up alone," Steve left the kitchen to open the front door.

"Hey Steve," Malia said brightly before she walked inside.

"Hi Malia," he pressed a kiss to her cheek and smiled at Chin who walked in behind her. "Danny's out the back, I have a few more things to sort out but Doris will take you out there."

Doris looked at him for a moment before nodding and leading them outside. Steve went back to organise the last of the food, cutting just a little more harshly than he had been before.

/ / / /

This was going to cover more but it was almost 5000 words and still being written so I've cut it here, I think the picnic should take some time to write. Not sure if there will be an update tomorrow. I love writing Grace. Enjoy...