Sammy and Ilna, love you guys.

REAL McRollers and Readers, thank you for being the best. We love you all.

Happy belated Saint Patrick's Day to Sammy and all our Irish and Irish for the day friends.

What's in a Name

As they sat around a table at the Irish Rose Saloon & Restaurant, Steve grinned at Angie's gusto as she enjoyed her corned beef and cabbage.

"This is so good," she said as she took a break for a sip of lemonade, then reached for a piece of soda bread. "DJ said parts of us are Irish," said. "Which parts?"

Steve chuckled, ruffling DJ's hair. The ten year old was having a huge corned beef sandwich with waffle fries. "My father's family was originally from Ireland. McGarrett is an Irish name."

"Even though we're locals and we're American?" She tilted her head in thought.

"Yes," he explained, "We're locals and that means you're a Hawaiian because we were born in the state of Hawaii, like Uncle Danno is a New Jersian because he was born in New Jersey. You're American because you were born in America. Your heritage is part Irish.

DJ smiled. "That's because no one is native to America or Hawaii unless their families originated here or on the mainland."

"That's right, buddy," Steve nodded.

"People whose families came from Hawaii are native Hawaiian, like Uncle Chin and Auntie Kono," Angie stated a fact she understood. "And Kame and Uncle Duke."

"Exactly."

Catherine smiled. "I looked it up a few years ago. McGarrett is Irish and means son of Gerald. It also means brave, strong and sword." She looked at Steve. "Which is perfect. You'll never guess what the family motto is."

DJ grinned. "I can't guess, you'll have to tell us."

"Semper fidelis. That's Latin, it means always faithful."

Steve barked a laugh. "Wrong branch, but I'll take it."

"That's so cool. What's Rollins mean, Mom?"

"Rollins is English, it means son of Roll or Rollo's son. It also means land. Both family crests have a knight's helmet."

"I love that," DJ said, "I love learning about our names and the history behind them."

Just then the server came by and gave the kids small green leprechaun chocolates and said, "Those are for after dessert, but I wanted to make sure all the kids get them in case we run low." With a wink at their thank yous, she moved on to the next table with children.

Not long after they'd finished eating, a local band started playing Irish tunes, filling the pub with music. Angie's eyes lit up as she swung her feet to the music. "Can I be all done so we can dance?" She asked. At Catherine's nod the six year old said, "Dance with me, Mommy!" and tugged at her hand.

Catherine couldn't resist and stood, letting Angie pull her onto the small dance floor.

DJ watched with a grin, sipping on his lemonade. "Do you know any more stuff about our name?"

Steve smiled. "Just what it meant, and about the crest. Aunt Deb knows a lot, you can ask her when we call."

DJ's eyes widened. "I'll totally ask her. I can't believe it means brave and strong, it's perfect because you're both."

"Thank you, buddy. And so are you," Steve said, "One thing Aunt Deb will tell you is if strength runs in our family, so does a pretty big dose of fearlessness."

Father and son shared laugh, with DJ saying, "And that's definitely Angie."

Catherine returned with Angie and leaned back in her chair. She'd heard the last part of the exchange and it put a smile on her lips. She loved seeing Steve sharing stories from his past without any hint of sadness. Pulling out her phone, she googled the name and read, "This says McGarretts were protectors of the innocent, always standing up for justice. Your ancestors faced many challenges, but they never wavered in their beliefs. They fought for what was right, no matter the cost," she finished.

"Just like Dad!" DJ nodded, his imagination running wild. "Maybe they were knights! There were always brave heroes in the family."

"You already have a lot of those qualities yourself," his mother said. "Every day, you show kindness and bravery," she praised and his smile grew. "And you, baby girl, are brave and fearless."

"I'm brave like Daddy and you and DJ." Angie beamed. "And Uncle Danno always points to Daddy and says, 'Fearless,' when I finish a gymnastics routine.

When the server approached with dessert menus, Steve grinned at the kids when she asked, "Are you guys brave enough to split the kitchen sink dessert? It's got lots of chocolate chip mint green ice cream and the cook even made green whipped cream."

Back at home and ready for bed, DJ mentioned that first names have meanings, too. Angie immediately asked, "Can you tell us about ours? Instead of story time? Pleeeease?"

Catherine laughed, saying "Okay, hop in bed and I'll grab my tablet," while Angie scrambled under the covers and DJ took a seat at the foot of the bed with Pumpkin in his lap, Cammie next to him and Luna watching from Angie's pillow.

"Here we go, Catherine sat on the floor next to Steve and read her tablet. "Steve or Steven comes from a Greek name, stephanos," she read, "It means crown or garland. A garland is like a wreath."

Angie's eyes were wide. "A crown, like a king! That's very very awesome, Daddy."

He leaned up to kiss her cheek. "If you say so, baby girl."

Catherine smiled. "Daniel is Hebrew. It means, "God is my judge, or loyalty." She beamed at her son. "No one is more loyal than you and your Uncle Danny. Let's see what Joseph means." She changed the name in the search. "The name Joseph comes from the Hebrew, too. It means to add or increase."

"Maybe that's why you're so good at math!" Angie said and all three chuckled.

"Maybe," her brother said with a grin. "What's Angie's name mean?"

"The name Angeline is a French diminutive of the name Angela," Catherine read the information she already knew. She'd looked up both children's names in the past. "Which comes from the Medieval Latin word Angelus and means 'messenger.' It can also mean little angel." She smiled softly when Angie gasped, "Nonna calls me that! Piccolo angelo is Italian for little angel. Nonna said. I'm gonna tell Grandma Ang tomorrow!"

"She'll love to hear that," her mother said. "Let's see what Elizabeth means." She grinned. "It's also a very old Hebrew name and it means oath to God. An oath is an important promise."

"Angie always keeps her promises, so does Grandma," DJ pointed out.

"It's very very important to keep a promise," Right Daddy? Angie said.

"Right, baby girl. In our family we keep our promises. Let's see what Mommy's name means."

"Catherine comes from the Greek word katharos, which means pure," She read.

"And it's perfect because no one has a purer heart than your mother," Steve said with absolute conviction, eliciting a soft smile from his wife.

"There's a link to see famous people with your name from the Oahu News site," DJ said, peering over his mother's shoulder. "Click it, mom."

Catherine read the brief list of well known people with her name. Stopping after Catherine Zeta-Jones, she let a little surprised "oh!" escape her lips before she read, "Lieutenant Catherine Rollins, USNR, Chief of Staff to the governor of Hawaii."

"Mom's on the list!" Dj announced with absolute glee.

"It's a list made by our local news outlet, sweetheart, that's why."

"It's cause you're awesome, Mommy!" Angie clapped. "Look for Daddy!"

Clicking through the alphabetical list, Catherine stopped when under Steven, she saw, "Commander Steve McGarrett, Head of the Governor's Task Force, Headquartered on Oahu."

When Angie announced, "Daddy and Mommy are famous!" Steve barked a laugh. "Only because the list was made by the Oahu News, like Mommy said."

"You should be famous for being the best mommy and daddy," she said sleepily and DJ nodded his agreement.

"She's right, You're the best." He scooted off the bed and hugged Catherine. When Steve finished arranging the covers over his sister, he hugged his father. "Just like your names said. Strong, brave, pure of heart. That's why you're the best mom and dad."

Looking at Steve with a watery smile, Catherine bent to kiss her son's cheek. "Sweet boy, you and your sister are like your names, too."

Steve stepped up to peck her lips and smiled. "Like Aunt Deb always says, 'what's in a name'."

# End Thanks for reading!

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