Danny had thought, things have finally looking up for him. For the first time after the divorce, he was given a solid two weeks of vacation time with Grace. It was a rare opportunity and a miracle all on its own. He has been trying for ages to get permission from his ex-wife to take his Gracie for a holiday.
Rachel has always been difficult on that front. Apparently, it's okay for her to take their daughter on a vacation, especially out of state kind. But she has issues with him taking their daughter for a trip because – and this little titbit came from his Monkey, when she heard Stan asking Rachel why she didn't allow it – she apparently have a nonsensical fear that Danny will take their daughter and run and disappear.
Hah!
It was tempting though. With how tight Rachel control his time with his daughter, going as far as cancelling his weekend with his baby when it suits her, there was in a darker part of his mind, he wanted to get back at his ex.
Lucky for Rachel, he's not that kind of an asshole. Unlucky for her, he is now in a committed relationship with a certain Navy Seal who has the power and backing to make things difficult for her if she tries to get in between his visitation with Grace. Again.
But that is neither here nor there. He was just happy that he got to have his baby girl for that duration. Period.
That euphoria lasted for a while, until he had an epiphany and a revelation while on a phone call with his precious baby. When it hit him just what type of vacation that was already planned was going to be, Danny listened to his Monkey in horror.
Gracie was extremely excited. She was practically vibrating through the phone, eager to spend time with her Danno, impatient for the vacation to start – all gushing about going on a safari adventure with him.
A safari adventure. They will be going on a safari trip. A type of vacation that Danny did not planned.
A vacation that was organised by a certain Neanderthal animal with his baby girl.
An adventure that was already booked and paid for, apparently. And since the reservation was all but confirmed, Grace was over the moon.
Danny was not happy.
He stormed into Steve's office, totally irritated, slightly furious with his lughead of a caveman for his underhanded scheme. And completely blaming himself for not keeping a closer eye on his Monkey and his Neanderthal when he saw those two whispered quietly when his baby girl demanded a shave ice with her Uncle Steve. Really, Steve offered to plan their perfect family vacation. That should tip him off! "Steven! What nonsense you've put into Gracie's head?!" With hands resting on his hips, Danny glowered fiercely. Really, if fire can emit from his eyes, they will be blazing right now. "What did you say to her, huh? What did you do?"
Said Neanderthal of the Navy Seal looked up from his paperwork, blinking owlishly – because Danny can be a hurricane sometimes – and was confused for a minute, before he cotton on what might got his Danno miffed with him. Steve laid back in his chair and looked up at his irate partner calmly. "It wasn't my idea, Danny. Grace expressed her interest in going on a safari adventure. A full safari experience. She wanted to know what it was like," was all Steve told him. As if that explained everything. It did not.
Danny did not like that one bit. "Well, that is all well and good. Except that I did not promise her anything of a wildlife excursion. How come she was so excited that we are going on one?"
"That's because we are. The reservation has been confirmed a few days ago. I took a family package deal and the safari's excursions was inclusive to the price. Try to keep up, Danno. Grace is looking forward to it." Steve answered coolly and with a shrugged.
Danny gaped at the audacity behind that statement. And he was also very tempted to hit that stupid face. Really. So tempted. The nerve…!
Instead, Danny flailed. His arms rose upwards to convey his ultimate frustration. "What – What the… Do you have any idea how expensive those excursions are? Where am I going to get the money, huh? And plus, I wasn't planning for it to be an extreme adventure. I wanted something relaxing, yeah. Something that I can bond with my baby girl with. This safari wasn't what I had in mind or was it even under the consideration!"
"Then it's a good thing that I took care of everything." Steve interjected straightforwardly. He knew if he did not intervene, Danny's rant will reach a new heights and then this argument will not get anywhere. As it was, Danny was glaring all the more. Steve sighed heavily. "It was all Grace's idea, Danny. She knew you'll never be open to it if she ask you. Which was why she came to me." Steve stopped short before he ploughed through. Best get the next bit out of the way so that he can proceed with soothing Danny's very rough feathers. "You don't have to worry about the expenses, babe. It's already paid for. Everything is booked and locked – hotels, plane fares, rental rides… Everything."
"Steven!" Danny exclaimed, very much in a snit. But Steve will not have it. He is done with Danny throwing a temper.
"Danny! Don't complaint. Try to look like you're happy and excited too. You don't want to break Grace's heart, do you?" Steve said firmly.
Danny gaped at Steve, feeling a little scandalised. That stupid Seal did not just uttered a sacrilege in front of him. Nope. He better not. "That's not the point! And you shut your mouth about my Gracie. Of course I'll do anything for my Monkey."
Steve looked smug, having won that argument. "Then cheer up, Danno. It's not that bad. Despite the type of adventure it was, it is a relaxing vacation from a certain standpoint. And you still got to bond with Gracie, yeah? She wanted this experience it with you. It'll be the best memory you two will share and it'll be the best vacation ever." Steve said fondly, while pulling Danny closer towards him. "Come on, Danny. For Gracie!"
Danny grumbled under his breath. Allowing himself to be manhandled and plopped into Steve's lap. He knew Steve had won this round. They will be going on a safari holiday whether he like it or not. Continuing to be miffed about it seemed pointless. And Steve's right. He won't disappoint his baby. If his Monkey wanted a wildlife type of holiday, then they'll be going to that safari trip. End of.
God help him.
Danny sighed contently, letting go all of his frustration. He was calmly basking in an impromptu cuddle, really, he was luxuriate in it, when a certain information resurfaced at the forefront of his memory. Danny shifted back a bit and stared at Steve, wide eyed. "Wait! Did you say plane fares? As it actual plane fare? We're having a vacation outside of this pineapple infested hellhole? As in, off this island?"
"Yeap." Steve nodded, affirmed.
Danny immediately looked conflicted. And for good reason too. "Steve. Rachel will never allow it."
"I already talk to her. It took some convincing, mind you. But she relented in the end."
For the second time in less than half an hour, Danny was dumbfounded. "How did swing that? What tactic did you used to get Rachel's approval? Because let me tell you, babe… Rachel can be stubborn, and she won't change her mind when she decided on something. No matter how many times she was pestered. So, how?"
"Through Stan." Steve answered him.
Danny blinked, stupidly. He did not expect that. At all. "Stan?"
Steve looked at Danny, sheepishly. He was sprouting a stupid grin that Danny has a weakness for and was looking a tad bashful as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah. I may have scared him a bit. Met him by chance and we ended up chatting a bit. I hinted about my time spending outdoors – you know, when I was in full-time service – and laid it a bit thick with everything about nature and wildlife – especially the mud, smell and bugs. The end result was him more than a little discomfort. So it's all good."
Danny gasped. That was very vague. He couldn't make head or tail out of that sentence. "What? Wait – what? Huh??" Yeah, he very much couldn't imagine how Steve get through Stan.
Steve pulled Danny tighter against him and held Danny firmly. "It was what Grace and I had planned. It was part of a two-pronged attack. I did some fast talk before hand, while Gracie focus on driving Rachel nuts by being inquisitive about all things wildlife and the outdoors. Now, if she wanted to take Grace, she'll have to endure all those gritty little detail, yeah."
Danny mouthed the words, 'gritty little detail' silently, before snapped out of it. "And it work? That plan actually worked?"
Steve smiled, roguishly. All smug and pleased with himself. "Like a charm, Danny. You have no idea. Look, you got to understand… Rachel doesn't have a choice. She can either take Grace to a Safari holiday or someone else takes her. And to be frank about it, her decision is a no-brainer. Rachel and Stan can boost all the money and luxury in the world – but neither of them are the outdoorsy type. Whale watching is one thing. She can never lower herself for a Safari – under the hot and humid weather for long hours."
"Neither am I, Steve. I mean, it's a bit out of comfort zone. But I can handle it if it makes Grace the happiest little girl in the world. What I'm having trouble – What pisses me off if I'm honest – is what she was hinting at. I can do excursions, I can do the river Safari. I am even willing to do the night-time joyride – even if that activity is what scares me the most. What I can't deal with is that you, you outdoorsy Neanderthal animal, is apparently; you promise Grace a Safari…. In Africa!" Danny berated his stupid putz with the biggest glare-pouting face Steve have even seen to date.
Yes, that was what horrified him the most. Grace had mentioned the words 'Safari' and 'Africa' in her exuberant babbles. It was what alarmed him the most.
His glare sharpened when Steve suddenly burst out laughing. And by laughing, he meant laughing uproariously. Body all shaking uncontrollable, head tilted back, with Danny still seated on his lap.
Once Steve stop laughing like a loon, he clarified. "Danny, babe… I didn't promise Grace a safari in Africa. I simply told Gracie that since she never been to an excursion before, we'll start small... See if she likes it. There are a few of notable safaris on the mainland. So that's where we're going. The Africa bit is a vacation when she's older, if she truly, really like this sort of thing."
"Steve… she is really excited about Africa."
"She's excited about travelling to beautiful exotic places. Don't worry, Danno. I'll clear it up to her."
"Why do we even have to go so far away? You do realise that we have a Zoo here in this brightly hot pineapple infested island? Why can't we book an excursion closer to home?"
"We're Five-0s, Danny. If we stay in Hawaii, neither of us can stop the temptation of commandeering a case."
Danny ended up snorted when he heard that. He couldn't help it. That's the most outrageous thing he heard thus far. "That's you, you animal. Remember how we met? Our first day, within the first quarter of an hour, give or take a few seconds; and you took over your father's case from me. I never have any problems about commandeering, my friend. That's you!"
. . . . .
Alright. So Danny would never admit to Steve that the trip wasn't so bad. It was actually kinda of nice. And yes, like Steve's said, it was mostly relaxing.
The only activity they were doing was going on a guided tours. And by guided, he meant seated on a protected modified four-by-four, as they drive through hundreds of acres through the terrains. Guided by two tour guides besides a tracker and the driver, they spend hours on the excursion, hoping to see some of it's wildlife that the Safari had to offer. So far, they came across Giraffes, Zebras, Cheetah, Elks and Bisons to named a few. They're hoping to see some Rhinos next.
Words can't described how nauseated he felt when he saw a coalition of cheetah, feeding! Lucky for them, they were a bit at a distance, so the guests had to use the binoculars to take a better look. They even got a special view of an animal, mating. Now, that was embarrassing. Thrilling, but awkward.
Of course, through it all, the guides explained everything – facts about the animals. Fun facts were what they're all excited for. Their habits and habitats. Even the little titbit about mating seasons and how long the duration and all that.
Danny found himself gripped Grace tightly while she stood up and staring exhilaratingly at a pride of lions. Snapping pictures to her heart's content and were having the time of her life. Those little lion cubs were adorable as they gave out tiny little roars and tussle about with their siblings. But the lioness was too close for Danny's comfort. And all the animals roamed freely. Steve – the asshole – were also having the time of his life and was talking and asking all sorts of questions at their tour guide.
There's even a petting zoo and a wildlife centre that they will visit the next day. Grace is looking forward to pat the young ones and a chance to feed them. While Steve is interested to tour the centre. The nerd in him was no doubt salivating at the prospect of learning something new about the animals. Danny, however, was just glad he'll get to stay on solid ground and stretch his legs. After a full day of riding on a jeep on rough terrains, he could do with some calm stability – even if that stability is a leisure stroll through another establishment.
The experience was overall enjoyable and his Monkey and his Neanderthal got to bond over their shared enthusiasm. At this rate, Africa might be possible. Heck, he won't be surprised that his beautiful-wonderful-adoring husband already have a plan in the works.
How was this his life, huh.
. . . . .
Years down the road. Danny Williams cursed until he was blue in the face and ranted up a mighty storm. All the while kicking himself for jinxing it a back then.
Both he and Steve are taking a year off from the taskforce on a sabbatical. A long overdue sabbatical, where they will be touring the world. Travelling for pleasure. Enjoy some much needed relaxation and revitalisation.
And what do you know – Steve did have plans for a luxury-classed Wilderness Safari holiday – in Namibia.
. . . . .
Review on your way out!
- Elvina P.