Chapter Ten
-" Catherine called Kono on their way home and asked her to be her maid of honor, and she was thrilled. Her best friend in the Navy was assigned overseas and wouldn't be back in April. She called Rachel and asked if it was okay to ask Gracie to be a junior bridesmaid; Rachel said yes. She was going to call Danny but decide against it. She calls Gracie, and she squeals with delight. She called Mary and put on her speaker so Steve could hear. Hi Mare, I was wondering if you would like to be my bridesmaid. Are you serious? Yes, yes. I waited a long time to see my big brother get married. From our first meeting, I could tell by Old God that you two were soul mates. They blush and laugh. That's enough Mare said Steve. Joan can be our flower girl. She going to love that. Do you have a date? Yes September 25th. I still have to find the place and other stuff. I will be calling you and asking your opinion about stuff. I will find a place where you can get your dress there. That's awesome, and I can't wait. Love you guys. Love you too. By this time, they were home. Steve got her bags out of the car, and they entered the house.
-"Unbeknown to them, the team had put us a banner saying congratulations with balloons. They made their way upstairs and found champagne chilling next to their beds with chocolate strawberry, cheese, crackers and grape. The card said we couldn't be happier for you two and just a little something to keep the celebration going. Love your Team and Ohana. They were touched and grateful to have such wonderful friends. Well, you heard what they said, keep the celebration going.
-"Steve, I have got a lot of wedding plans to do; it is only four months away, and hopefully, we can find some decent on short notice. Okay, I am going for a swim and will put the tray in the frig for later. Great, I will be in the living room working my magic. I am sure you will. They both head downstairs. Catherine is getting frustrated. So far, all the places she contacted were booked; some have been booked a year in advance. She calls Kono to vent to her. Catherine, I am your maid of honor, and it is my job to help you. I know you are working and do not want to interfere with that. You won't. I called Adam to see if he knew someplace since he owns a bunch of hotels. That's great, and thanks. I let you know if he finds a place and vice versa. Once we get that we can work on the catering and flowers and music. There is a dress shop, so we can check it out later. Sounds good. Kono called back an hour later. You are in luck, Sista's; Adam came through. One of the hotel owners that he knows has an opening. I send you a link so you can check it out. I think it is perfect. They have a wedding chapel on site, and you can walk through the enclosed walkway to the reception area. They provide any flower and table decoration any way you want. He said you need to decide really quickly. He holds it for at least 24 hours. I got it, and I am checking it out now. OMG, it is perfect. Tell Adam thank you so much. I am going to book it now. Great, I let Adam know so his friend can double-check to make sure it goes to you. Yeah, she screams as Steve walks in. Now I can start with the rest. Thanks Kono. You are the best, and we talk later.
-"What going on? Adam found us the perfect place with one of his hotel buddies. She shows it to him. That is beautiful. We need to go see tomorrow. Can you go with me? What time because I have a meeting with the governor about my return to Five-0 now that I am cleared for light duties. How about we go in the afternoon, around three o'clock? Yeah, that should work; he loved that she was so excited about getting married. Do you want to see if we can track down Doris? I don't know If I want to open that can of worms, but part of me wants her here. You know she always likes you from day one. I still remember that first day she asked me if I loved her son. Thank God Kamekona showed us before I could find a way not to answer. He kisses her and pecks her lips after every question. Do you love her son? Yes, I do, even then. Remember she broke in and we thought it was a burglar downstairs. I told you not to go downstairs but my stubborn Lieutenant didn't listen, and he smiled. I'm just thankful she didn't get in late that night while we were you know what, and heard us like Mary. I told you I forgot to tell you Mary was in the house. You had me busy all night. We were making up for lost time after not seeing you for four months. She hit him in the arm. I am going to stop by the office, I figure you want me out of your hair while you do wedding stuff. He kiss her and see you later. She sat on the sofa and was focused on her wedding plans.
-" Steve arrived at the office and said Good morning all. I thought you were coming back on Tuesday. That's right, I just thought I'd stop by to check on everyone and see how things are going. Check my email and get rid of the ones that I don't need because I am sure there are a lot. Congrats again, and compliment on how awesome the party was. They were working on a case but were at a standstill waiting on some information they needed. Steve really wanted to jump in, but he was not officially back on duty, so he let them handle it and was confident they would.
-" I am going to my office and start on those emails. Danny came in shortly. How does it feel to be an engaged man? It feels wonderful. I should have done this a long time ago. How Catherine? She is great in wedding planning mode. She kicks you out of the house so she can get things done. Rachel did, and boy, let me tell you, do not ever say pick what you want. It doesn't matter to me. It will not go over well; you get you don't care because I'm not important to you. I learned my lesson and was present from then on, even if I couldn't tell the difference between a mauve or purple tablecloth. Catherine did say she wanted me to be involve some so I will. Do you know when it will be a good time for me to come over and visit with her? No, I don't because this week we have a bunch of appt. I will ask her and let you know. Thanks buddy. Steve, I am really sorry about my behavior. I promise it never happen again. I know you are, but next time, when I tell you to stay out of it, please stay out of it. You got it. I need to get some of these emails done now. Sure, and Danny left to go back to his office. He knows Steve said he forgave him, but he hasn't asked him to be his best man. Before all of this happened, he was sure he would have asked him by now. He hopes he comes around to ask him. Later Lou came in. Sorry to interrupt, but man, I am so sorry for what I did and participated in hurting Catherine. I would like to stop by and visit if she up to it. I told Danny we have a bunch of wedding appt this week but I will check with her and let you know when is a good time. Lou, the next time I tell you all to stay out of my personal life and I know what I want, you better listen. I will, man, and thanks again, Steve. He also was waiting to see if Steve would ask him to be a groomsman, but he hadn't yet. They pretty sure he asks Chin already. He knew it would take time for their relationship to go back to where it was. It was his and Danny fault for trusting Lynn. He hopes it will.
-"Steve finishes his email and says goodbye to everyone, and he sees them on Tuesday. He calls Catherine to see if she wants him to pick up dinner. She says yes because she is too busy to cook. He laughed and said, okay, fiancée and Love you. Love you too. He picks up dinner and heads home. She is still sitting on the sofa, typing away on her computer. Hey you, hey. I got an appt for the catering and flowers. They all said they were open on our date. I need to do our invitation; I can do mostly all of myself online but will have them print. That's great, Cath. I had no doubts that you would get the ball rolling. How do you feel about wearing your dress white? I stand up there naked if I need to because it means I am finally marrying you. Okay sailor, I don't think the world is ready to see Steven J. McGarrett in all his glory. Dress white will do. They laugh and then a quick kiss. You know both Danny & Lou asked me for a time when they can come over and visit with you. They are really ashamed of themselves. I know Steve and I believe it, but I am just not ready to talk with them about it. I have so much going on, and I don't want anything to bring down my mood. Let me get all my wedding stuff nailed down. Maybe the end of the next week or the following. Sounds good and besides, it serves them right for their rude behavior. I am not trying to punish them, and I know they are sorry, but you know some of it was mean. I just never thought Danny for sure would go far because we were friends and worked together. Lou, I could see because he didn't know me that well. He probably blames me for you taking him down that day, taking his gun, and embarrassing him in front of his team. He wasn't as hurtful at Danny. I know, I tell them on Tuesday you let them know by the end of the week. Deal.
-"So are you are still in the middle of wedding stuff or with a wolfish smile & raised his eyebrows and h looks at her; I could take a break right about now. Say no more fiancée, and he picks her up and throws her over her shoulder; she kicks her legs and says put me down Commander. They thoroughly enjoyed their afternoon rump and got up to go downstairs for dinner and a movie. She would also see if she could check something else off her wedding list. Oh, send me the email of everyone you want to invite. My list won't be too long: the Team, some Navy and Seal friends, some HPD folks like Duke, Kamekona, Flippa, Mary, Joe, and a couple more people. Do you think Danny will bring Melissa as his plus one? Probably, I know they are still together even though he loves Rachel. That his business and I, the good friend, will not meddle in his love life as he did mine. Catherine said you don't think Lynn will cause any more problems, do you? I hope not but I am ready if she does. Okay. I am going to do something online, so if you want to get a swim in, that's fine. I might just do it or a run. See you shortly. She booked their dress appt and was told there was a store in Mary's hometown. Her, Gracie, and Kono will go next Wed for a fitting. The shop also had a tux setting for men. Steve is wearing his dress white so just Joe, Chin, Danny, and Lou would need one. When Steve gets back she will ask him about colors. For sure, blue would be one.
-"Things are looking good. She was thinking about what she should do about work. Look for a firm similar to Billy's or try a new field. She was pretty sure she wasn't going back to Five- 0. One, she did think she could work with Danny & Lou now; she wouldn't feel as comfortable as she used to. Last time with Steve, they both worried too much about one getting shot, and it did crowd their space being together all the time. She for sure about that but didn't know how to tell Steve.
-"She heard a knock on the door, and she looked through the window and thought she saw a ghost. It was a man that looked like Billy. She was a little scared so she asked who he was and what he wanted. He said I am sorry to bother you at home, and I will explain everything. Look, I know the Commander is here, so I wouldn't dare try something with him. I know I think you are seeing a ghost, but I am not. Something told Catherine she could trust him, but she still went to get her gun and then opened the door. He sees the gun. I should expect that. Tell me what you want. He said I am Billy's cousin; even at a young age, we looked so much like everyone thought we were twins. His Mom and my Mom were identical twins. Even though they didn't have twins, it was weird we looked so much alike. Billy never mentions you, but he never really talks about his family. We had a falling out because I pretended to be him to steal a girl he was dating. I apologized through the years, and finally, before he was killed, we talked, and he said we are family and life is too short. He told me all about you. How you once dated but now are friends, and you were going to go into business with him. Do you have any proof? He pulled out some childhood pics of them together, an email Billy sent him, and his birth certificate and driver's license. She asked him to sit down while she took pics and would invest father. What do you want with me? I am going to take over the company Billy started, and I want to see if you would go into business with me. Billy said you were the best and could be trusted. Are you serious? Yes, I am, and I offer you the same pay and benefits you had with Billy. You know Ohau and have a lot of contacts, and besides doing it for myself, I feel like I owe it to Billy. I have to talk it over with my fiancée and get back to you. That's all I ask.
-"He was getting up to leave, and Steve came into from the kitchen. What the fuck, and who are you? Commander by name is Willie Harrison; I am Billy first cousin. I heard a lot about you. I will be going now, and it was nice meeting you both. I hope to hear from you soon as he looks at Catherine. Cath, what did he want? He said his mom and Billy are identical twins, and ther kids came out looking like one another. He is taking over Billy's company and wants me to come work for him. I told him I needed to discuss it with you, and plus, I wanted to check what he said was the truth. Do you think you take the job? Steve was jealous when she worked with Billy, and now this Willie. Steve, you have nothing to worry about, and we don't have any past relationship, so there is nothing to worry about. I trust you Cath. I tell you what, once I check it out, I will most definitely talk to you before I take it. Sounds good. Steve was still leery but he did trust her. You get all your wedding stuff done. Yeah, for today. Do you want me to do some steak on the grill? Yeah, and I make us a salad. They went to the kitchen to get dinner started. They had dinner and watched a movie. They both were sort of tired but had some fun in the shower and went to bed, and Steve was feeling content with a hint of worry about Catherine possibly taking a new job.
A/N Will Steve truly be okay with Catherine working with Billy cousin?