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A Million More
Tropics Bar & Grill - Hilton Hawaiian Village
The familiar servers, Meg and James, served pitchers of drinks as everyone gathered for Steve's birthday dinner.
DJ and Angie ran up to their uncle as soon as they spotted him. "We have a lot of the special sheet cake we made at home left so we had a piece for breakfast, Uncle Danny!" Angie said as she took his hands and hopped with glee. "Mommy and Daddy said it was okay 'cause it was a special occasion and if we brush our teeth an extra long time."
"Now that's the perfect way to start a day," Danny lifted her for a hug while wrapping his free arm around DJ.
"Daddy was gonna meet us here but he came home first to change his pants," the little girl supplied as she glanced at her father with a giggle when her godfather placed her on her feet. "The ones he wore got dirty catching bad guys and then when he helped the kitty the other pair from his go bag ripped!"
"Daddy saved the cat, though," DJ said, proudly. "Aunt Gabby and Grace got here a little bit ago. We ordered appetizers for the table and we ordered our favorite."
"That's my boy," Danny held out a fist to bump, knowing his nephew meant the coconut shrimp they both loved. "Hey, happy birthday again," he said, hugging his partner when Steve walked up. "You need to carry a third pair of pants…"
Steve rolled his eyes. "Thanks and it was a one off."
"Trashing two pairs of pants in five hours or being Steve Irwin? I had a front row seat, you know."
Before Steve could answer, Angie asked, "Tell us about Daddy saving the kitty again, Uncle Danno."
Seeing Kamekona, Esther, Max, Sabrina and Jerry entering, Danny nodded. "Go greet your birthday guests, I'll tell Miss Angie the parts you undoubtedly left out…"
Steve bent to kiss Angie's head. "Gonna rehash it, huh?"
Danny laughed, saying, "Have you met me?" as his best friend moved to greet their friends
Catherine stood with Jenna, watching Angie tell the Allen siblings, Jess and Jadon the sheet cake story. "She put a party hat on Cammie, and being Cammie, she left it on through the whole birthday song."
"As the birthday boy says, 'Smartest dog on Oahu."
"Definitely. I did have to explain the cats would not be as cooperative, and that Kaitlyn would agree, so she took the win with Cammie and settled for them helping us 'sing'."
At the long, T-shaped table configuration, Joseph sat with Elizabeth and Grandma Ang, their expressions soft as they shared a quiet moment of reflection.
Joseph said, "He looks so … content. And look at Catherine and the kids. I can't imagine missing their daily lives. Best move ever, to quote Jabob." before kissing his wife's cheek.
Grandma Ang nodded, her blue eyes twinkling. "Family is everything and we have a beautiful one. Born and made, and no one deserved that more than they do."
Across the room, Grace and Cody exchanged knowing looks as they observed the joyful chaos of the celebration. "Kaitlyn is looking pretty happy since she decided to take the gap year," Grace said.
Cody grinned, his eyes following his sister as she chatted animatedly with Danny and Kono and blushed under Danny's praise, her cheeks flushed when she said, "Thanks, Uncle Danny. I can't even tell you how much your support helped."
"Yeah, she's making the best decisions for her future. I'm really proud of her."
As the dinner began and appetizers came out, the sound of a familiar voice cut through the chatter. "Happy birthday, McGarrett, you look pretty good for an old guy with two kids, a dog, two cats and a goat…""
Steve snorted a laugh as Carrie and John came up to wrap him in a hug. "I'm not even two years older than you, Stagler… "
"But I'm so much hipper and cooler." She kissed his cheek as John laughed and Catherine moved to hug them.
"Come on," Danny said as huge appetizer plates were placed on the table and everyone took their seats. "Let's get this party started." He rubbed his hands together with enthusiasm. "I'm starving, and a free meal for Steve means he'll try to eat my share…"
Glasses clinked in a toast to the birthday boy after everyone laughed at Steve's "Then you better stop talking and eat, Danny…"
Between appetizers and dinner, Steve stood and talked to the friends and family that were there to help him celebrate. Wrapping an arm around Grace, he said, "Almost as perfect as my surprise party…"
"Awww, thanks. As an adult, I know why you hate surprises, but you were such a good sport. Love you, Uncle Steve."
"As an adult…" he repeated and shook his head, kissing her temple. "I may never get used to that, but I was so …" he sought the right words, "honored that you wanted to plan a party for me. And that you want to celebrate all my birthdays. You're the best, Gracie."
"I learned from the best," She kissed his cheek and indicated her father and Catherine who were talking with Duke and his wife a few yards away.
"You definitely did."
Catherine caught her husband's eye from across the room, her smile soft and radiant. Approaching him she pecked his lips and rubbed his bicep.
He raised an invisible glass in a toast to the woman who had healed his heart and brought light back into his life. "This is … so many people. I know we have a huge family now, but seeing most of them together…" Catherine read the unspoken, 'for me' and squeezed his hand. "It's really nice. Thanks for this."
"You are very welcome. The kids, Grace, the Allens and everyone else were so excited to take you to dinner."
He kissed her lightly and smiled at the room full of people. "I'm a lucky guy."
They'd rented out the restaurant and Grace had brought music for the evening so when dinner was over, Angie was first on the floor. "Daddy, come dance with me!" Angie squealed, twirling in circles.
Steve laughed, and without missing a beat, joined the six year old and took her hand as she spun happily in circles to the music while DJ grabbed Catherine's hand and they began dancing as well.
"Come on, everyone!" Jacob said, tugging Jenna out onto the floor as Jadon said, "Let's go, little sis," to Kaitlyn. When the youngest Allen added, "We can work off dinner to have room for extra dessert!" Grandma Ang chuckled. "Never change, Jacob," she said and Elizabeth nodded. "Best enthusiasm, ever. He's going to make a magnificent teacher."
As Steve handed Angie a Shirley temple and she scurried away from the bar with a huge grin, Chin and Kono approached and the former clapped him on the back. "Happy birthday, brother. You deserved this celebration."
Grabbing him into a hug, Steve smiled. "Thanks, Chin, that means a lot… thanks."
"You're the best," Kono added, wrapping him in a hug. "It's nice to be able to show you how much we all appreciate you."
"Right back at you both," Steve said, truthfully.
As the party wound down, Catherine walked up to him with the kids, her hand reaching out to touch his arm as their daughter asked, "Are you happy, Daddy?"
Steve knelt to her level and looked both kids in the eyes. "Happier than I ever thought possible, thanks to you two and Mommy."
DJ understood on a far deeper level than most kids his age should, while Angie was just thrilled her daddy was happy with his birthday celebration. "I love you, I'm happy you had a great birthday," the ten year old said with absolute joy in his huge brown eyes. When he released his father from the tight hug, Angie was in Steve's arms in a heartbeat. "I love you, Daddy. You're the best daddy ever."
Steve cleared his throat as he stood and wrapped an arm around Catherine, who was beaming at him as he whispered, "Love you guys, so much."
"Night to remember?" Danny said as he, Gabby and Grace said their goodnights.
Steve nodded, his expression reflecting the emotions swirling inside him. "I couldn't have asked for a better birthday."
"I can't wait to take you on an adventure this year," Grace said as she hugged him. Pulling back with a smile she added, "Snorkeling at Sharks' Cove. You pick the day."
"See what you did?" Danny teased, knowing his best friend would love the excursion. Shark's Cove had deep sea excursions through underwater tunnels and around massive reefs, but he knew spending the day with Grace would be the best part of it for Steve.
"What? Gracie chose. And it's a great choice," he kissed her temple.
"Because you've influenced her ideas with crazy adventures." he couldn't hide a grin. "And so yet again I'll say, do not let a shark eat my daughter."
"Danno…" Grace chuckled and kissed his cheek. "No human sushi, promise."
"Only because I trust you," he told her and shook his head. "Let's get going. Happy birthday, you crazy beast…" he glanced at Angie and DJ, "person. I shouldn't, because you drive me insane, but I love you, babe."
"Love you, too, Danny." Steve said with a smile. "Thanks."
Not long after, Steve, Catherine and the kids were alone in the now empty restaurant, the remnants of the celebration scattered around as the staff cleaned up.
He turned to her and smiled, nodding to where Angie was dozing, her head on her brother's lap. DJ's own eyes were drooping as they sat on the small wicker sofa in the welcome area. Steve wrapped her in a brief embrace. "Let's get them home."
"I'll wake DJ, you carry the dancing queen," she said with a chuckle.
As they left the restaurant, DJ leaning sleepily against his mother and Angie fast asleep in Steve's arms, the little girl murmured, "Happy birthday, Daddy."
Linking their fingers, Catherine quoted Nonna's familiar birthday message from the skype greeting earlier at the party, and whispered, "Count your candles, count your years, count your blessings."
Smiling at his wife, Steve squeezed her hand. "Here's to a million more."
# End thanks for reading
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