Here's the next chapter.
Enjoy.
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Chapter 32
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Kono pulled into Steve driveway and turned off the car and helped him out. Chin pulled in not a minute later and Eric out of the car very quickly.
"Uncle D, you have been holding out on us."
"Eric."
"Sorry Uncle Danny. But seriously why would you want to come back to Jersey when you have all this here."
"Eric."
"I mean this is awesome."
"Eric!"
"Yeah?"
"Get over here and help us with the bags."
Eric walked over and helped Danny unload the cruise as Kono opened the front door and Steve followed her in. Steve sighed glad to finally be home after so long. He saw more of Grace's toys around the house making him smile. Glad to see that she was settling in well.
He heard Grace come inside helping Chin bring her bags in and up to her room. She was chatting to Chin the whole way about their holiday's mostly about when Steve had arrived. Chin was smiling and listening and asking questions the whole time.
Danny came in behind them with Eric and the rest of the bags and showed Eric to the guest room that he would be staying in before coming back downstairs. Chin and Grace weren't far behind them.
"Uncle Chin, are you and Auntie Kono staying for dinner?"
"Oh, not tonight Gracie, you must be tired." Chin said with a smile.
"You guys are welcome to stay for dinner. You did come out and pick us up."
"We would but we have previous plans with family tonight." Kono said with a smile and put her hand on Danny's shoulder. "Maybe another night before you guys start work."
"Steve will be a couple of weeks off but I'm back next week." Danny said with a smirk making Steve glare.
"But I won't be here." Grace said looking upset.
"We can plan dinner for when you are over, okay? You were yawning the whole trip back in the car." Chin said with a laugh making Grace pout at him. "When Danny knows what day he has you next we will plan a bbq and you can tell us all about your holidays."
"Okay. Maybe you can help me paint my surfboard."
"New surfboard?" Kono asked.
"Yeah. It was Uncle Steve old one. He gave it to me for Christmas. My own and I can paint it however I like."
"That's awesome. I would love to help you design it."
"Yay!"
Chin and Kono said their goodbyes and Danny saw them out. Steve headed into the kitchen and grabbed a glass out of the cupboard and poured himself a glass of water. Steve looked out the window at the ocean smiled. It felt good to him to be home. He did enjoy his time in New Jersey but this is where he preferred to be. Steve heard Danny shut the door and the lock slid into place before he heard both Danny and Grace making their way into the kitchen.
"Danno, can I go outside?"
"Sure Grace, let's all go relax outside while we wait for dinner. What shall we have?" Danny asked.
Steve followed the two to the living room and then outside to the lanai. Steve made his way slowly down the stairs and they headed over to the chairs and sat down. Grace sat on Danny's lap while she thought of what they should have.
"Pizza."
"Pizza? You didn't get enough in Jersey?"
"Nope. Besides the ham and pineapple isn't the same as it is here."
"You… ah! Steve, you have corrupted her."
Steve chuckled as Grace looked up at Danny with a bright innocent smile. Steve looked behind to see Eric walking outside and over to them.
"Wow, Uncle Danny. This place is awesome."
"It is very nice. Steve's family took really good care of this place. Steve not so much."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Steve said with a smirk.
"Shall I mention the time that your old Navy buddy was here."
"Ok I get it."
Eric looked between the two confused before walking to the edge of the lawn and down to the sand. He walked down to the water's edge.
"Eric we are having pizza. Do you want your usual?"
"Yeah, that would be great."
Danny pulled his phone out of his pocket and called up their usual joint and placed their order for delivery and then sat back as Grace had migrated down to the sand and started building a sandcastle. Danny looked to Steve who was looking quite relaxed and slightly tired.
"Ok babe?"
"Yeah."
"Well, I know after dinner Grace will crash and Eric will disappear to the spare room. So, we can have an early night."
"That sounds good."
"Want to eat out here?"
"Yeah, I really don't want to be inside right now."
"Well, I'll go get some plates and drinks."
Danny left Steve to watch over Grace and Eric as he organised drinks and plates. He looked out the kitchen window to see Grace running up to Steve with something in her hand. He watched Steve take a look at it before holding it up to his ear before holding to Grace's. Grace had a huge smile on her face as she took over holding it to her ear as she said something. Steve nodded his head as he spoke and listened to what Grace was saying. Danny still couldn't believe how lucky he was to have such a wonderful daughter and an awesome partner. He didn't know what he did to deserve it but didn't care.
Danny picked up the drinks, plates and cups and walked back outside and down to where they had the table and chairs set and placed everything down as Grace came racing over to him with a smile on her face.
"Danno!" Grace yelled before she reached him. "Look what I found."
"That awesome Monkey. It's very pretty." Danny said as he saw the large shell in her hands.
"Have a listen. You can hear the ocean."
Danny smiled and picked up the shell and held it to his ear, hearing what she could hear.
"You most definitely can." Danny said before handing it back to Grace. "Why don't you go place on the table by the door and then wash your hands as dinner will be here soon."
"Okay."
Grace headed up to the lanai and then went and washed her hands. Danny went and sat down beside Steve and reached out and grabbed his hand. Steve squeezed his hand and continued to look at the water. Erik was still walking around down at the waters edge taking in the area.
"Glad to be home?" Danny asked.
"Yeah I am. Don't get me wrong New Jersey was nice, but this is home."
"I understand babe. This place is home for me too."
"Really? You don't want to move back to New Jersey?"
"No. I love New Jersey and always will but this is home now." Danny said with a smile. "Grace is here. You are here. This is home."
Steve smiled and brought Danny's hand up to his lips and kissed his hand while giving it a squeeze. Both fell into a comfortable silence before Grace came outside calling for Danny.
"Danno, dinner is here."
"Alright Monkey."
Danny stood and helped Steve to his feet before heading inside for his wallet to pay the delivery driver. He brought the pizzas out to the table and everyone soon dug in.
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Danny had just finished cleaning up after dinner and was just tiding up when there was a knock on the door. Steve was resting on the couch when the knock sounded. Danny looked into the living room to see Steve moving slowly to get up and Erik just sat there.
"Erik get up and answer the door." Danny said.
"Why me?"
"Let's see, you are not injured and can see Steve is struggling. Move!"
Erik grumbled as he stood and Steve looked at Danny and saw him shake his head before walking back into the kitchen muttering to himself about ungrateful youths. Steve chuckled and looked over from where he was to the front door and saw Erik open it to reveal the pack doctor.
"Hello." The Doc said surprised to see someone other than Steve or Danny opening the door.
"Hey, who are you?"
"I'm Steve's doctor. Is he here?"
"Yeah. Isn't it a little late for house calls?"
"Not when you work with law enforcement."
"Erik, thankyou, you can go upstairs now." Steve said from the couch. "Doc, come on in."
Erik shrugged and headed upstairs and semi slammed the door shut. Steve winced at the curse that Danny let out in the kitchen and he and the Doc looked over as Danny stormed out with a quick 'hi' to the Doc before going upstairs and opening the door and shut it. Both Steve and the Doc could hear Danny angrily argue with Erik over his behaviour.
"Who was that?" The Doc asked.
"Oh that's Danny's nephew Erik. He's here to get an attitude readjustment."
"Sure Danny is the right one to do that?" The Doc said jokingly. "Given his own attitude." The Doc said making them both laugh.
"So why are you here Doc?" Steve asked when they calmed down.
"Well, I knew from a couple of your doctors in the military that you were injured, and your care was handed over to me for when you arrived back in Hawaii. Especially given who we are."
"Ah."
"You knew you would have to see me anyway so why try and hide it." He said with a chuckle and shake of his head. "Come on. Let's go up to your room for some privacy and take a look at all of your injuries and how they are healing."
Steve with some help got off the couch and headed upstairs and the doc shut the door as Steve removed his shirt and pants, leaving him in his boxers. He could now dress and undress without much pain so he could do it without help. The Doc set his bag on a chair in the room and had Steve sit on the bed and started to remove the bandages that were still on.
Steve heard Danny leave Erik in the spare room and go downstairs and finish up in the kitchen before coming upstairs. There was a knock before Danny opened the door and slipped inside.
"Hey Doc, sorry about that. How are you?"
"Its fine and I'm good, Danny. How are you?"
"I'm good now. Knee twinges a bit in the cold." Danny explained at the frown. "How is our crazy alpha?"
"He is healing well. Stitches can come out in a week or so and couple week after that we can look at the brace to come off, we can look at some rehab and see where we are at."
"So, no return to work?" Danny asked.
"Not yet. In a couple of weeks, he can return to desk duty." The Doc stressed. "Not field work. After rehab we can look at the return to field work."
"I'm right here you know." Steve said looking between them since they were talking about him like he wasn't there.
"Oh we know babe. But if I was to ask you, you would tell me something different than what the Doc said." Danny said and rested his hand on the back of Steve's neck. "I only ask him because I care."
Steve sigh knowing he was stuck behind a desk making the others chuckle at his defeated tone. The rest of the check-up was a breeze and soon Steve was putting his clothes on as the Doc put his things away. Danny helped Steve to stand up and gave him the crutches and they headed back downstairs.
"I think that is everything. Did you need anything else from me?"
"No, thanks Doc. You didn't have to come by tonight but thankyou."
"It's no problem. I was in the area."
"Thanks heaps Doc. Saves me having to drag this one to see you." Danny said.
"Hey!"
Danny and the Doc laughed at him before saying goodbye and the Doc headed out. Danny locked the doors and shut all the lights off as Steve headed back upstairs before Danny joined him. Both had a shower before getting ready for bed and settling in for the night. Both were pretty tired after the early start and long trip.
~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~ End of Chapter 32 ~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~
Hope you liked it. Please review.
