When Steve got a phone call in the middle of an op, he thought his world was about to end. He knew receiving such call was a possibility. He knew the risk and the dangers it can pose upon his family. But it was no way he could have been prepared for the fear and agony it occurred within him.
He won't believe it.
He can't believe it!
He underestimated Victor Hesse.
Because for all his intel on this particular elusive arms dealer and terrorist, for all the guy was dangerous… Never would he thought Victor would go for children!
Steve's children. His pups!
. . . . . .
When Catherine told him she's pregnant, Steve's whole world became upside down and inside out.
He had been stunned speechless. He and Catherine were not even an item. They were just friends! They hang-out as and when they are on the same base, helped each other out with little, little things, totally be each other's wing man if needed, and tease each other mercilessly to hell and back.
And now she's pregnant and Steve knew without a doubt that it's his baby.
It must be that one time in Spain. He'll admit, they were both quite drunk then and had just completed a gruelling mission. There was a celebration of some kind at the time and they had indulged. Things happened!
Once it finally registered that he is going to be a father, intense joy and possessiveness hits him in full measures. This was his kid, his pup! His head was chanting minepackpupprotectlovemine already and it imprint deep within every edge of his soul. Steve was extremely pleased with the news.
But then, Catherine was talking about whether or not he wanted to keep the baby or should she get an abortion, and all his enthusiasm went into a screeching halt and out the proverbial window.
Steve nearly tore Catherine's head off at the suggestion right then and there. Terror had gripped him and he was horrified and utterly dismayed that the option was even on the table. That was completely unacceptable!
Catherine knew what family meant to him. With how his own dad sent him away and his sister was separated for him, the fact that he was having a kid of his own was the most precious.
Which is why she asked him what he wanted to do. As a Sentinel, Steve would not allow any harm to befall his baby. It doesn't need to be mention that the law heavily favours him on this matter. If Steve wanted to keep his kid, then he is going to do it as a single father. Catherine had expressed her intention to sign away all her legal and parental rights. Catherine was very career oriented. She's more interested in rising up the rank and solidify her Naval career. She has no plans for a family in her immediate future.
Steve had never been so sad, so heartbroken right then. Despite that, he understood. Don't get him wrong. He's over the moon at the prospect of having ohana of his own. But Navy life is not an easy life. There are many things he needed to consider now.
With a baby on the way, his priorities shifted. He needed to think an alternative position if he wanted to remain in the Navy. He can't be an active combatant while his baby was just born. Not only he can't be separated from his kid, his instinct won't allow him to be anywhere else but by his pup's side. And frankly, he has nowhere else he rather be.
. . . . . .
When Steve told his Aunt Deb about the news, she was ecstatic and delighted. Aunt Deb knew first-hand how important family is to him and by extension, how important this pregnancy was to him. It wasn't all his Sentinel instincts coming into play either – though having said instinct made him ten times worst.
Steve had fully manifested his Sentinel gift not long after his mother passed away. He had felt so unbearably alone that day and had gone up to the Petroglyphs at the Ko'olau Range to clear his head when his senses went online. He had been damn lucky that there were Guides hikers nearby and sensed his distress and notified the SGC. He did the required training, they tested his spectrum levels and helped him assimilate and embrace his abilities, nature and instincts. One of them was the possessiveness and overprotectiveness of a Sentinel.
It was Aunt Deb who weathered his moods and his sentinel instincts. Being driven off his territory by his own dad nearly did more harm than good. He was supposed to be sent to Military Academy following his mom's death but by separating him from Mary, whom Steve had cared for and protected had zoned him so hard while on the flight. The SGC tried to contact his dad but for some reason, he was unreachable at the time. Aunt Deb was contacted and after it was explained the situation, the SGC had Steve brought to the local Medical Branch while waiting for Aunt Deb with Mary. Once Aunt Deb and Mary arrived and he was out of the zone, needless to say, he can't let go of Mary at all. Mary was the same too.
Yeah, Aunt Deb knew what family meant to him and she was happy for him.
His dad, on the other hand, was not so happy with him having a baby still early in his career… and told him so, right to his face.
And Steve? Steve was furious!
The explosive row they had was spectacular.
"How dare you," Steve growled dangerously. "How dare you fucking told me to give up my kid for adoption. Where the hell you get off thinking you can order me what to do."
"Steve, be reasonable," John admonished. "You are an active SEAL. You're deployed most of the time. And when you have down time, you're hardly settle down enough before you're tour again. Having a kid now is not a good idea."
"I don't want to hear that from you!" Steve snapped. "You lost your right to have a say in my life when you send me and Mary away without even the courtesy of telling us why. So shove it and keep your opinion to yourself."
"Son, listen to me. Having a baby will hold you back!"
"Just because you can't handle raising kids when things gets tough, doesn't mean I can't. So let me put it plainly… stay out of my business! I will not give up my kids like you did!"
It would have been easier had his argument with his father was left at that. But somehow, John was really against him keeping his baby. It was all very mindboggling and alarming. And he kept sending over the adoptions forms. It all came to a head when Steve got a call from an adoption agency wanting to make an appointment with him to explain to him the process of giving up his baby for adoption. Steve doesn't know what excuse John gave to the adoption agency or how he can get away with them in the first place… but enough was enough.
Steve brought in The SGC to intervene on his behalf. He hired the SGC's legal department and take John to court; suing him for Bond Interference and obtaining an Injunction on John at his attempt for forcing an adoption. The legal action was intended for John to stop interfering with his life and he had hoped that they can settle it out of court. However, much to his chagrin, John was determined that Steve was making a huge mistake.
The audacity and the gall of trying to separate a Sentinel with their unborn pup were met with disbelief by the SGCs. No one was that stupid to come between a Sentinel and their child as that can cause a Sentinel to go feral with justification. Not only it was dangerous, but it has psychological impact on the Sentinel. Even at the pregnancy stage, the Sentinel would have imprinted on their young, swiftly followed by the protective instinct to love, cherish, protect and defend their pup at all cost. That instinct will take a few years to settle down. Trying to separate them will be most unwise.
Unfortunately, the SGC can't do much to John as he was latent. The best Steve could hope for was the Injunction to cease and desist. However, Steve was uneasy with this whole affair and definitely felt threatened by his own dad. So, after talking with Aunt Deb at length, and with advice of the SGC's legal counsel, he filed a restraining order.
Hopefully, in the future, maybe the restraining order can be rescinded. But for now, it remained so long as his dad continue to be unreasonable.
And it was a good thing that he did. Because the next check-up rolled around and Catherine had her ultrasound done, Steve was in shocked once again.
He was having triplets!
Steve was beyond euphoric with this wonderful news. He was being triple blessed! The thought of having three pups of his own… he felt that he was complete for the first time in a long time.
Catherine, however, was not pleased with the new development. She had known from the previous check-up that she was carrying twins. And that was fine by her. She knew Steve would be over the moon. But the latest ultrasound has just revealed a hidden third baby. So, yes. She was not ecstatic.
Catherine had stared at the doctor, wide eyed with shocked, she had turned towards him and punched him at his solar plexus for all he was worth. "Steve McGarrett! This is all your fault!"
Steve, having being winded a bit by Catherine's sharp jabbed, backtracked a bit. "How come it is my fault? Cath, what did I do?" Steve asked, bewildered.
Catherine glared at him from where she lay. "You asshole! Do you have to be an overachiever?"
Steve stared at her back, incredulously. "You can't blame me for that... I don't even have twins or triplets in my family tree!" Steve raised his hands in surrender when Catherine was seconds away from growling, and she wasn't even a sentinel or a guide!
Catherine fidgeted at that. And the doctor looked on in amusement. "Well, I do... But still... Triplets!!" She tried to hit Steve again, kicking him if she have too. "I don't mind twins. Seriously, I know you'll love them… but triplets is bit much!"
"Cath, come on!"
Yeah. Catherine was not happy.
Aunt Deb had laughed herself to hiccups.
. . . . . .
Steve had thought long and hard about how to proceed with his future, especially with his career. And to be straight about it, he really don't know what to do.
Being an active Sentinel, Steve was encouraged to joined a fast-track training program that specialises for Sentinels from the moment he signed-up with the Navy. The specialised training – under the auspice of Naval Sentinel-Guide Division (NSGD), a Navy branch that managed and supervised all Sentinels and Guides in service – allowed him to strengthen his gift and maximised his ability and at the same time, opened doors for him as he climb up the rank. He'd have the options to whichever post he preferred once he raised to a sufficient rank. There was also the fact that, by going through the specialised training, the Navy can utilised him better. His future was pretty straight forward.
He eventually became a Navy Seal and later joined the Navy Seals' Special Branch – sometimes it was jokingly called Sentinel Branch – where they are trained better, got first dibs on the top classified missions that was more in-line with their skillset that was more often than not means extremely dangerous to borderline suicidal missions with sometimes no extractions if captured, advanced rank faster and the salary are higher than average and the hazard pay are paid a hell lot more. It was a unit made up of Sentinels and Guides for missions that required their specialty. The best of the very best. He was all set to die for his country!
With a triplets on the way, he can no longer be in active duty, much less be part of Seal's Special Branch. But he also haven't thought to be anything other than the Navy.
So, he had contemplated with the idea of resigning from the Navy. Maybe look up a new career with something that doesn't require him leaving his pups. Maybe starting up his own business or going into Private Security and Investigation…
However, resigning right now might not be the best option for him. With the babies coming, he needed the money. A lot of it. Even though he has a lot of cash saved up, thanks to him being a Seal's Special Branch and the hazard pay paid quite a very large and hefty sum; three pups to care for might not be enough.
Not to mention, starting over will require tremendous amount of time and resources just to get it off the ground. Time and resources that he'd rather spend on his pups. He can't stress that enough….
There was also the fact that he needed to get a house and be prepared for the triplets' arrival. Before, he only have himself to care for. So he can lived as simple as he liked, a studio apartment is all he needed. Now that he has pups, his lifestyle needs to have a major overhaul.
So, after spoken with Aunt Deb, Catherine, his teammates and his commanding officer; Steve decided to remain with the Navy and take up posting with Naval Intelligence, one that doesn't require him to deploy – not that he can anyway – and will not impede his own growth within the rank.
. . . . . .
His pups were so small!
Barely fifteen inches. With four pounds and give or take a few ounces between them. Two boys and one girl. Turf of black hair and sea green eyes, just like him – Don't ask him how he know that. He just knew, even if the pups have yet to open their eyes and all babies have blue eyes upon their birth, but he knew his pups will have his eyes – All wrinkle and fragile that they can fit in his palm.
Steve was utterly terrified!
They are perfectly healthy. They are smaller than the doctors would have like, even for triplets on average, but none of them have any birth defects or illness. To his extreme pleasure – all three of them are Sentinels.
The triplets will be in NICU for a while. They might be healthy, but better to be save. So, as a precaution, they will be at the ward for a few days longer. As much as it galled him to leave his pups and not immediately take them home after, he does wanted his pups hail and whole.
That doesn't stop him from visiting them every chance he got, just cradling them close with skin on skin contact though. If he kept rumbling in content while at it, the nurses did not say anything.
Additionally, this will also give him and Catherine time to sign off any necessary documents and get the legal and parental rights issue out of the way. There was a lot of paperwork involved and Catherine was spoken to privately by a number of lawyers and SGC personnel to make sure that this was really what she wanted and wasn't coerced in any way, shape or form. He would be fine with the standard type of parental rights severance. But Catherine wanted to go a step further. She doesn't want her name to be on the birth record! Which lengthen the process a bit. The reason she wanted to go the extreme length was because of her terrible, terrible family. She had a fallout with them. Bad blood all around. They are an unworthy bunch according to her and unfortunately have the money to make things unpleasant for them if her family suddenly remembered she existed and wanted her back into the fold. They'll definitely try to get the pups if they knew of them. That's why she practically disown them. They were bad people…
It was never confirmed, but Steve may have a hunched. He believed that Catherine's family may have connections with the underbelly of society. That's not to say her family is a criminal family, just have business dealings every now and then. Catherine came from a rich family. Very well off. And she used to have 'Trust Funds'. However, her family's arrogance wasn't just for show. And they may have a few favours saved up. They were not happy that Catherine broke away from their mould.
It explained Catherine's desire to rise up the rank. Her family cut her off when she told them she's joining the Navy. It was safer for the triplets if she were not their mother, she told them honestly. And Steve really wanted to hate her for it. But he gets it. And begrudgingly gave his blessing… and she really didn't mind and was happy to know them as Aunt Catherine.
Despite all that, Steve walked out the registration office with three birth certificates with the names he'd chosen for his pups.
. . . . . .
It was a relief that his pups were angels. Perfect little cherubs. They hardly fussed and generally well behaved.
Except during nap time. They were fussy during nap time.
His triplets are clingy little hellions. They can't be separated, at all! They don't like being in their individual cot! Steve put it down that they're used to being so close together like when in the womb.
Ronan, his eldest, will look around for his siblings and if they are not within arm's reach - he would pull his siblings towards him. Adrian, the middle sibling, would fuss a little because he can't sleep without his twin brother next to him. An echo from their time in the womb, he suspected. Mira, his baby girl, was cool as a cucumber, basking in her brothers' protective and possessive embrace. Put her in her own cot, and she wailed to high heaven.
The same with strollers. He burst his budget getting a high-end, top-of-the-line, four-in-one Triple Stroller – nothing but the best for his pups – and they are bulky as they are extremely wide and very, very expensive. Mary was already jokingly telling him to get that Wagon Quad Stroller when the pups are older. She even found one that came in camouflage pattern – God help him. Their seats must be facing each other. If they're not in sight, they'll be fussy and won't settle down! Poor Aunt Deb was exasperated when all three got upset at the same time. She swore they all got their clinginess from their father...
Which was a total slander!
He was also eternally grateful to Aunt Deb. Once he told her he needed to buy a house, Aunt Deb flatly told him to move in with her. Her reasoning was that Steve needed all the help he could get during the first year alone. To say nothing that Steve was a first time parent three times over, he'll be way over his head! But, with him moving in with the triplets plus Mary, they'll be all over each other. The house Aunt Deb currently living in was too small.
So he got a bigger house, in an upscale neighbourhood, with Aunt Deb and Mary moving in with him. Aunt Deb's house was rented out to provide her with an income, as with caring for the triplets, her singing career was for all intent and purpose – on hiatus. Mary was pissed off that she had to change school during her sophomore.
Catherine stayed with them during her pregnancy. She had been desk-bound and base at the station once it was decided to see the pregnancy through. As the pregnancy progressed and her belly expanded, she swore she'll never going to be pregnant again. All the pregnancy experience – the hormones, the nauseous phrase, the swollen ankle and the lack of sleep – was too much for her. Catherine was never one to slow down.
Meanwhile, Steve had completed one last deployment before his transfer to Naval Intelligence. He had also taken his Officers Development Course that he had been putting off and was advised to complete them if he wanted to get a fast track to a commission. Already, his last deployment came with a promotion.
Once the babies were born, Catherine couldn't get back into active duty fast enough. But Aunt Deb managed to talk her down from getting back into combat duty so soon. It took some persuading. Catherine was stubborn. She did not like to languish during her post-maternity.
One thing Steve insisted is that his pups will have breast milk as it was vital for the pups' immune system. He begged Catherine to at least provide that while she can. The scowl she gave him would see him dead if it weren't for his cute pups. As it was, she wanted to deck him when he put the Breast Pump in front of her. She wanted to take medication to dry up her breast milk. He had to resort to bribery with paying for the unlimited spa massages for the next year while she provide the triplets with breast milk. That, and a steak or two.
Despite the many hiccups and troubles, Steve won't change it for anything in the world.
. . . . . .
When his pups were five years old, Steve thought they are old enough that he could get back into active combat. Getting back to deployment was hard but after being base-bound for so long, Steve was itching for some long overdue action.
He had start off with short-term missions, and as his children get used to him being away from them for a lengthy set of time, and slowly he take up major assignments.
Victor Hesse was his latest major assignment.
He had investigated Victor Hesse thoroughly. He had searched for information and compiled his assessment top-bottom-sideways. Had cross-referenced and triple-checked the data extensively.
Victor Hesse was a mean son of a bitch. But even Steve didn't think Hesse would stoop so low as to target children, outright.
His oversight was going to cost him his pups!
Steve gripped their convoy vehicle so hard that he clawed at the surface as he listened to Victor Hesse crowed over the phone. All the gloating about messing with him was set aside in favour of Steve taking in the situation with his family. His extensive hearing narrowed down to the sound of Mary's laboured breathing as she tried to stay strong in the face of an enemy. Near her, Steve can hear his pups whimpered in fright, bundled together by the sound of it.
As Hesse taunts continued, Steve stood still and silent. For all he felt his world was ending, even if he felt overwhelmed with terror and unimaginable fear for his children and Mary, he will not give Victor the satisfaction of him begging for his family's life. He knew the drill. Knew the score. Victor Hesse will see his family dead in the end.
That doesn't stop him from wanting to be there to protect his family!
" Say goodbye to your sister and children, McGarrett," Hesse flaunted with satisfaction. " I'll do your children last. I'll let you hear the dying cries of your kids as I shot them full of holes for you to find."
Steve snapped.
The next thing he knew, there was a disoriented feeling and a loud far away roar that was his wolf. Like being in a submerged water, Steve open his eyes to Victor Hesse standing in front of Mary, who was shielding the triplets, gun pointing directly at them.
Seeing red, Steve growled menacingly, teeth bared, hackle raised and claws protruding sharply from his paws.
Victor's eyes widened at the sudden appearance of the giant wolf.
With a leap, Steve attacked. His fangs pierce viciously on Victor's throat, biting it tightly and brutally. He tore the flesh wide and blood was spraying from the wound. Victor tried to shoot him, trying in vain to fight him off, but Steve will not be deterred. He took another ruthless bite and practically severing Victor's head from his body, killing him instantly.
Seeing Victor dead in a pool of blood, Steve howled, loud and clear, in triumph.
Out of the corner of his eyes, Steve saw Mary pushed herself up, and attacked Victor's accomplice with a feral screech. The accomplice tried to run but Mary grabbed him and they began struggling. The accomplice was terrified and had figured out, too late, that this was a Sentinel's abode. Mary fought back, wildly. She went feral protecting her niece and nephews. She was so far gone that she didn't realised her fingernails had turned to claws or that her spirit hawk had materialised and had clawed and pecked the hostile mercilessly.
Then the door burst open and the SGC squad came bustling in. The cops and Aunt Deb not far behind. Mary went down when a tranquiliser hit her on her shoulder.
Steve towered protectively over his pups, growling threateningly at the strangers invading his house. His triplets hurdled close to him, using his bulk and fur to hide themselves. Heedless of the blood coated on his fur.
The SGC personnel stood back, not wanting to agitate the giant wolf any further as it was obviously protecting the pups. Aunt Deb was trying to soothe her grandniece and grandnephews. Meanwhile, the emergency medical team was checking over Mary and was ready to transport to the SGC medical centre.
Steve looked down at his children. And the sight that greeted him both makes him very pleased and bittersweet.
His pups have manifested their own spirit animals.
His pups were terrified. They each was gripping their spirits companion while also holding on to him. Ronan in particular, was snarling and was hurdling in front of his siblings, shielding them.
Whining low, Steve licked his kids. Assuring them and himself that they are unharmed and safe.
Immediately after, Steve awareness return to his present body and he grinned viciously. He vaguely registered Freddie's presence, calling out to him as he legs gave out and his world fade into black.
. . . . . .
When Steve woke up next, he was clearly in medical bay. The muted and blank walls and sterile scent gave it away. He eyed the ceiling above him in an uncomprehending manner. His head felt heavy and he felt lethargic. He can't even concentrate. Eyeing the IV that was attached to him, Steve saw he was on Sentinel grade pain meds. It's no wonder he couldn't concentrate.
He wondered how long he has been asleep as he doesn't remember ever coming back to base.
Turning his head aside, Steve nearly jump and salute at the person seating calmly not far from him. Now he really must know how long he was out. Last he check, he wasn't on home soil.
"You are the most troublesome sailor I have the misfortune to meet, do you know that?" the person commented flatly.
"Admiral Anderson, Sir." Steve blinked. He wondered now what the fuck had happened that brought one of the admirals to see him. And not just any admiral. The head of NSGD to boot.
"Don't you 'admiral' me, Commander." The newly reveal admiral chided frustratingly. "I've had quite the day today. I have been getting calls from a lot of people. A lot of very high profile people! Such as the Alphas of LA and the Primes. The Primes, McGarrett! What the fuck happened while you were on that mission?"
"Victor Hesse happened, sir," Steve answered.
"I get that, Commander. Then you drop like a ton of brick. Near drove your team into a panic frenzy, especially when they can't find any wounds except for scrapes and bruises." the admiral drawled.
"Must be my charm, sir," Steve told him with a straight face. Inwardly, Steve cursed. Just what the hell was in those meds. He was in the present of an admiral, for Gods' sakes. He was usually better at controlling himself than this.
Thankfully, the admiral snorted. "Save your cheekiness for someone who will appreciate it. The migraine you're giving me it's not worth my dime. Sentinel Ellison was most put out. Something lid his ass on fire. Whatever is going on with him is making the Alpha pair under his command in agitated state."
Steve eyes went wide at the mentioned of Prime Sentinel of the United States. Twice now the Primes were mentioned. Something must have happened while he was asleep. While it is true that Sentinel Ellison have a vast interest with Sentinels and Guides currently serve in any and all military branch – having spearheaded the welfare of all Sentinels and Guides in service, thus the creation of a Special Division in all military branches thereafter – he didn't think his mission warranted a special attention from such a prominent Sentinel.
The admiral sighed tiredly. It was obvious he had a long day and the admiral looked worn out. "I have been briefed by Lieutenant Hart as well as statements from the rest of the Seal Team. The call we got from the SGC explained why you zoned afterward. I'm sorry that your family was targeted, son. The Alphas of LA wanted you to know that your family is save under their personal protection. Once you're more stable, you're free to join them."
Steve paled and his mouth felt dry as a desert. Now his memory came back to him, he wanted to get out of this med-bay as fast as possible. He was twitching to move. To get up, grab his stuff and go. He needed to see his family, his pups, with his own eyes. "Yes, sir."
The admiral stood and turned to leave. When he was at the door, he turned to Steve with an obvious amuse glance at his face. "You should know, McGarrett, that Sentinel Ellison commanded that you behave from here on out," the admiral grinned wickedly. "Said if you add another grey hair on his head, he'll personally take it out of your hide."
Steve's jaw dropped. No Sentinel worth their salt would want to attract the Prime Sentinel's attention. Sentinel Ellison was a scarily powerful sentinel and the man's personal special training exercise were ruthless! Steve's batch had been groaning and hurting in places they didn't even know existed for weeks!
What the admiral was basically telling him that if Steve was out of the line again, he'll be on the next plane out for a remedial training with said Prime. And considering how the Prime Sentinel once said he have great potential and a bright future, he knew that Sentinel Ellison would make it hellishly demanding and extremely arduous, just for the heck of it.
Steve groaned and lie back down, heavily. His energy all but spent.