Sammy & Ilna, thanks for being the best of everything.
REALMcRollers & Readers we love you all.
Oblivious will always be special to me. I hope you enjoy this installment.
OBLIVIOUS: Come Rain or Come Shine
Steve and Angie walked through the aisles of the garden center, the flowers and plants around them creating a colorful backdrop.
She tugged at her father's fingers, her eyes filled with excitement. "Daddy, can we buy some sweet hay for Felix?"
Steve chuckled, swinging their hands. "Sorry, baby girl, it'll go bad before we get to the zoo on Wednesday. We can bring him some treats then, but for today, are you ready to buy the mulch and a few flowers?"
"Yes! Can we bring the goat shaped cookies? Felix's whole family loves those."
"We definitely can," he said with a chuckle. "Now let's get the mulch picked out."
As they carefully selected their plants, Angie glanced across the butterfly bush area and something caught her eye.
A group of women nearby seemed to be stealing glances in their direction.
Curious, she squeezed Steve's hand, pointing discreetly.
"Daddy, those ladies are watching us."
Steve glanced over, an amused smile playing at his lips. "Hmm? They're probably just looking at the flowers, baby girl."
Angie wasn't convinced. Having her father's observational skills and her mother's perception, the first grader could sense something was up.
Motioning Steve down to her level, she said, her voice barely above a whisper, "I don't think so. They keep smiling at us. I think they like you." She tilted her head at him. "Like, like-like you."
Steve's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What?" When did she get old enough to pick up on anyone like-liking anyone, he thought, then remembered Danny's many stories about grammar school age Gracie teasing him when some of her classmates' mothers wanted to know if he had a girlfriend. "Like I said, they might be looking at the flowers."
Angie shook her head, her eyes on him. "Or maybe they have McGarrett-aritis."
Steve's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and amusement on his face. "McGarrettitis you mean?"
With a tiny grin, she explained, "Like Mommy says when ladies have a crush on you. I think it's because you're very, very handsome and brave. Mommy said she doesn't worry though, because you love her so much."
Steve couldn't help but burst into laughter, marveling at his daughter's matter of fact delivery. "Baby girl, you're something else."
Just then, a boy a little older than Angie approached them. The young boy's dark hair was in a crew cut and he was grinning.
"Hi mister. I'm Aiden, we're on vacation, my mom wants to know if you're a single dad or not."
Steve pressed his lips together. Angie clearly had developed radar like Catherine's.
He smiled warmly at the boy. "Nope, I'm happily married to Angie's mommy."
Before Steve could say more, Angie interjected, "My daddy loves my mommy very, very much. Aunt Carrie says they're soulmates."
The young boy nodded, seeming perfectly satisfied with her response. "Cool. My mom was asking." He glanced up at Steve. "Cause she and her friends think you're cute. Bye."
As the boy ran off to rejoin his mother after a quick wave, Steve turned to Angie. "You know you never have to worry about me or mommy liking anyone other than each other, right?" He asked. He wanted to make sure that while Catherine teased him about it, their daughter was absolutely confident that he didn't notice because he didn't care. He would never care because he had Catherine.
Angie grinned, nodding proudly. "Yep, that's what Mommy said. And you and her always stick together."
"And of course she's right." He bent to kiss her head. As they waited for the mulch to be brought to the truck, the multitude of blooming flowers served as a reminder of the butterfly bushes he and Catherine spent hours enjoying.
After they'd paid the cashier and were waiting outside the garden center, Catherine pulled up in the highlander, her smile radiant when she spotted them. She stepped out of the car, her eyes lingering on Steve and Angie, who were engrossed in a conversation.
Grinning, she approached with a playful look in her eye. "Okay, what's all this secret chatter about? Plotting operation mulch?"
Steve turned to Catherine, a smile spreading across his handsome face. "Just having a little father-daughter chat. Angie noticed something and pointed it out."
Catherine crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow teasingly. "Oh, I bet. Our little force of nature is very observant. What've you two been up to?"
Angie, beamed at her mother. "Mommy, guess what? Those ladies," she pointed at the group that had sent the boy over, "have McGarrett-aritis!"
Catherine's eyes widened in mock astonishment, her laughter filling the air as she pecked Steve's lips. "McGarrettitis strikes again, hmmm?! Can't say I'm surprised she noticed. You're a big girl of six," she kissed Angie's cheek, having stooped to hug her hello. "Only a matter of time til she spotted it."
Steve shook his head and chuckled, wrapping an arm over Catherine's shoulder. "Can't help it if she's extraordinarily perceptive."
That evening, after a 'planting party' where Danny and Joseph helped her and and Steve spread the mulch, Catherine told the story of the day as Elizabeth and both kids laid dinner out on the deck.
"Ahh, Catherine, my friend, don't forget where that perception came from. The student becomes the master," Danny pointed out, nodding towards the little girl who was chattering away to her grandma and brother as they carried bowls from the outdoor refrigerator to the table.
Amidst the playful banter, Elizabeth strolled over. "Dinner's ready, come on, before the food gets cold." She affectionately smiled at Steve. "What's this I hear about more McGarrettitis?"
Steve chuckled, shaking his head. "Your granddaughter noticed. She also pointed out I'm happily taken by your amazing daughter." His smile grew soft when he looked at his wife. "No woman in the world could ever compare to Catherine."
Elizabeth beamed. "That's why you two are a fine example of what true love looks like."
"And so are you and Joseph," he pointed out, making his in-laws grin and Catherine beam at her folks.
Up on the deck, Angie, hearing the tail end of the conversation, reached out to hug Catherine, her eyes lit up with a confident twinkle. "Mommy don't ever have to worry about anyone having McGarrett-aritis, cause Daddy loves her forever and always."
Catherine's heart warmed at her daughter's absolute confidence in their relationship. She knelt down, wrapping her arms around Angie. "That's right, baby girl. And you know what else? We love you and DJ forever and always, too."
DJ, who had been happily observing the heartfelt moment, chimed in with a grin. "All for one, one for all, like they said in that movie."
"Exactly. Family is forever, and you have a fantastic one." Danny ruffled his nephew's hair.
As the sun began to go down, Angie and DJ put on some music and danced around the deck with each other and the adults.
As he twirled his goddaughter into a spin, Danny smirked at Steve and Catherine, who were swaying together between himself and Angie and where Elizabeth was dancing with DJ. "So, partner, planning on joining Dancing with the Stars anytime soon?"
Steve chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, that's a hard no, I'd rather stick to catching bad guys."
"I agree," the detective said as he lifted a giggling Angie into a hug. "The world's not ready for my moves, either."
Catherine joined in, teasing her husband, "You'd probably win on call in votes," she said, "with McGarrettitis and all."
"Don't want any other dance partners except…" he said with a nod towards their daughter as the song ended.
Angie clapped her hands together, her excitement contagious. "Grandpa, can you dance with me now? Beaming at her brother she said, "Isn't this the most fun? I love dancing!"
In that moment, with Angie's infectious laughter ringing in his ears, Joseph held out a hand to his granddaughter, waiting for the next number to begin to play. Elizabeth hugged DJ and kissed the top of his head, thinking he'd gotten so much taller over the summer and sighed.
Danny smiled contentedly and moved to change the songs, watching everyone chuckle knowingly when a Sinatra ballad drifted over the deck.
He couldn't be happier that no matter what challenges his best friend had come up against or how many admirers his oblivious partner unknowingly attracted, Steve and Catherine's bond was unbreakable.
"Uncle Danno…" Angie's voice cut through his thoughts.
"What, Angie?" He grinned at the little girl who was spinning in her grandfather's arms. "Play Mommy and Daddy's wedding song next, okay?
Scrolling to Come Rain or Come Shine, he looked up to see the absolute love for each other in Steve and Catehrine's eyes. With his grin morphing into a smile, he complied.
# End thanks for readin
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