Hi everyone,

I have just realised how long it has been since I have updated this story. Almost 2 years. Can't believe it went by so quickly.

I have a new chapter for you and a couple more for this story are ready to update.

Hope you enjoy.

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Chapter 27

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Steve sighed quietly as they walked through the mall, it was packed with people all carry arm loads of bags. He was struggling a little to walk through the crowded walkways with the crutches and some people were trying to give him room to move and others didn't care much at all and he had been knocked a few times by some of those people. Steve watched as Grace pointed at another store she wanted to go into and saw that it was packed with more people.

"Danny leave those out here with me." Steve said as he moved beside the store a short distance from the entrance so he wasn't in the way.

"You ok?"

"I'm fine. It's very crowded in there."

"Steve are you ok?"

"Yes Danny, leave the bags with me. You'll find it easier to move in there as well."

"Alright. You going to be fine out here?"

"Danny." Steve said with a slight annoyance in his voice.

"Ok."

Danny placed the bags down beside Steve and let Grace guide him into the store. Steve sighed in slight relief as he leaned against the side of the store. He really wanted to get off his feet. It wasn't so much the walking, it was the dodging of people that was putting the strain on his body.

"Steve? Where's Grace and Danny?" Clara said as she and her husband appeared from the crowd.

"They went in here." Steve said as he pointed to the store. "It's pretty crowded in there so I told Danny to leave the bags with me and go in with Grace."

"You ok dear?"

"I'm fine thankyou Clara."

"Dear we saw the look of relief on your face when you leaned against the wall just then."

"I'm fine really."

"Well we have all been here a few hours now. When Danny and Grace come out why don't you and Danny go and reserve us a table. Grace can help us round up the others and meet you there."

"You sure?"

"Yeah it will probably take half and hour or so to find everyone."

"If you are sure."

"We are. Oh look, here they are."

Danny and Grace walked out of the store with a bag each in hand and walked over to them.

"Ma, Pop, didn't think we would find you both this easily."

"Well we saw Steve here all by himself. Figured we would start to regroup before it gets too close to lunch time." Clara said. "We thought you and Steve could go and reserve our table at the usual place and your father, Gracie and I will go round up everyone else."

"Alright. Sounds good."

"Give us your bags, we can make a quick pitstop to the car to put them in there." Danny's father, Eddie said.

"You going to be alright with all of these Pop."

"We'll be fine. You two go on."

Danny handed over the bag he had just picked up in the store and helped his father pick up the bags they already had, giving a few light ones to Grace to carry.

"See you soon Danno, Uncle Steve." Grace said before quickly following her grandmother, a little too happy.

"Bye Monkey."

Danny and Steve watched as Grace led her grandparents back to one of the cars. They had to take two, one so Steve wasn't cramped and could stretch out and two because with the whole family shopping they would need the extra room.

"She seemed a little too happy, don't you think?" Steve asked with a chuckle.

"She did. I have a feeling it has to do with ma and pop's idea for us to go to the restaurant. I think they may have planned this."

"I think so."

"Come on Steve, let's go sit down." Danny said and he squeezed Steve's arm.

"Lead the way." Steve said as he stood up straight and leaned on the crutches.

"Thankfully we aren't far from the restaurant. We just have to go downstairs."

Danny walked beside Steve as they made their way through the crowds. Danny led them to a set of lifts close by and they used that instead of stairs or escalator.

As they arrived at the restaurant Steve was glad to be able to move without worry of someone bumping into him or having to move quickly. Danny walked ahead and greeted a gentlemen with a smile and hug.

"It's good to see you Danny. It hasn't been the same without you all here at Christmas."

"Well I was able to get this Christmas holiday off."

"And who is this with you?"

"This is Steve, my partner. He just got back from deployment yesterday."

"Lovely present for you, Danny. My name is Santino, I see you have had a rough time, but glad to see you are alright."

"I have sir, thankyou."

"Let's get you both seated. I'll move your table a little so rest over here for now."

"It's fine don't go out of your way." Steve protested.

"It's fine, large groups are normally seated in the middle of the room but with your leg it would be best for you to be by the wall. Sit, I'll be back shortly."

"Danny…" Steve said trying to get him to speak up.

"Don't bother, he's always like this."

"Danny it's busy enough as it is without moving tables around just because of me."

"He's always tries to accommodate all his customers needs. Let's sit for now." Danny said as they sat at a spare table that they were directed to.

Danny sat beside Steve, not across from him so he was closer. Steve rested the crutches beside him and looked over to Danny who was watching him. Steve smiled and reached out for Danny and squeezed his hand.

"What is it?"

"It's just nice to not have to wonder in we will get called into work."

"It is but that isn't what you are thinking."

"You know me too well."

"I do." Steve chuckled. "So?"

"I was thinking of how lucky I am to have you and Gracie in my life."

"I think the same thing everyday. You and Gracie are the best thing that ever happened to me."

Danny went to open his mouth when he saw the sneer from someone at the table beside them. Steve's face went blank when he heard what they were talking about.

"Can you believe Santino would let those two in here. He is normally good at keeping those sorts of people out of here."

"I know, it's disgusting. Same sex relationships should be illegal."

"I agree. Santino is even moving their table so the injured one is out of the way. If he's going to be out in public he should just expect to be placed where they were and not expect special treatment. Bet he is like that because of his choice in partners."

They continued going on like this for a good minute and Danny had just about had enough. Danny slowly started to let go of Steve's hand when Steve tightened and shook his head.

"I'm not going to let this continue."

"Danny don't."

"This is a family restaurant and I won't stand to have young ears listen."

Danny stood and slid his hand form Steve's grip before walking towards the men. Steve turned in his seat but didn't try to stand because he wouldn't be much help, he did however have his hand on his crutches. Danny took a few more steps towards the table as the men stopped talking and looked at him.

"What do you want?" One of the men said with a sneer.

"I was hoping that you both might stop. This is a family restaurant."

"Why don't you and your gay boyfriend leave. I think what you people do is disgusting."

"We are here to meet with our family for a lunch just like everyone else is. Your language is not appropriate."

"Are you going to make us?"

"I don't need to. You can either stop or get escorted out."

"I don't see anyone that would make us leave. You're not a cop."

"Actually I am. I still have some guys on the force that would be happy to escort you out of these premises."

Both the men stood up making Steve tense and a few tables around them become silent as they saw what was happening. Santino looked over seeing what was happening and quickly got one of his staff to call for security and the local police before hurrying over.

"Now gentlemen I am sure we can settle this without any issues."

"You can. Kick these queers out of here and everyone will be happy."

"I am sorry sir, there is no reason for me to have these men removed. I am happy to serve both straight, bi sexual, transgender customers here. I will not be discriminating against anyone."

"This is disgusting. Men should only be with women and women should only be with men. Its against nature and against god."

"Sir, they have the same right to come into my restaurant as you do."

Steve watched as security and a couple of police officers walk into the restaurant and speak quietly to the worker at the entrance while a couple kept an eye on the conversation. It was starting to get heated and all the customers in the restaurant were silent now as they were all watching what was going on. Swearing and cursing was being thrown around now that they weren't getting their way and they were asked to pay for their meal and leave.

"I have yet to finish my meal and I won't be leaving till I have. They can leave as they have yet to order."

"I am sorry, but you are no longer welcome in my establishment."

"Sirs, if you would please come with us?" A security officer asked stepping into the conversation.

"We will not. We have every right to finish our meal and not be subjected to their behaviour."

"Sirs, you have been asked to leave. I will not ask again. Please come with us." His partner asked.

"No make those two leave and everything will be alright."

The security guard motioned to the cops at the front of the restaurant, getting details from the staff member. The cops quickly headed over as the gentlemen sat back down and refused to leave. Danny recognised one of the cops as an old colleague when he was still in New Jersey and gave a slight nod of recognition so that they didn't agitate the men any further. Danny and Steve both had a feeling that this wasn't going to end well.

Just as the cops reached the table Steve noticed Danny parents enter the restaurant with Grace and quickly shook his head at them and held his hand up slightly to halt them. Danny's father noticed first and held Grace back and quietly spoke to the worker to figure out what was happening. Grace also seemed to realise what was going on and stared cautiously at what was going on.

"Gentlemen you need to come with us."

"As I have told these two we are not leaving, we will finish our meal while the two inappropriate guys, can leave so everyone can eat in peace."

"Sir's we will not ask again. You need to come with us."

His friend stood with a nod of his head realising that they were serious trouble now. The one causing the commotion still sat there not going to move without assistance. The police officers moved and ceased his arms which set the man off. The security guards had to get involved as well to restrain him. There was a lot of swearing and yelling involved that had even people outside the restaurant looking in as they walked by.

The gentleman was quickly restrained and escorted out of the restaurant along with his friend. Grace quickly ran over to Danny and wrapped her arms around him.

"What is it Gracie?"

"Do you have to go now?"

"We will see monkey."

"Excuse me everyone." Santino said getting everyone in the restaurant to look at him. "I would like to apologise about the disturbance. Please enjoy your meals and I will come around to everyone shortly. Thankyou very much."

Santino turned to Danny and Steve who now had Grace attached to his side.

"Danny I am sorry about this."

"It's not your fault Santino. Some people are just like that."

"They've been a little vocal before you came in."

"And on the booze." Danny said nodding to the two bottles on the table.

"Yeah."

"Its fine, don't worry."

"Well the table is ready. I'll have Nicole escort you all over. I will go see the officers."

"I'll come with you in a second."

"Danno!" Grace whined.

"I will have to Gracie. Hopefully they just need a quick talk or Uncle Steve and I can go tomorrow."

"Do you want me to come with?" Steve said as he went to stand.

"No, you Neanderthal. You can join ma and pops over at the table. Gracie, he's your responsibility. Think you can keep him in line for a few minutes?"

"Hey!" Steve exclaimed with a smile while Grace smiled and nodded.

"Very good monkey." Danny said as he kissed Grace on the top of her head. "I will be back soon."

Steve and Grace watched as Danny walked out with Santino before Nicole approached.

"If you'll follow me, I will take you to your table."

~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~ End of Chapter 27 ~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~

Hope you liked it. Please review.