2024 Holiday Marathon Part 5
Memories in the Making (1/2)

Steve smiled slowly, the grin spreading across his face as he surveyed the kids, Cammie and both cats. For someone who'd pushed aside thoughts of holidays for so many years, he thought how much he now loved this time of year with family, friends, the kids and Catherine. Always Catherine, the reason for it all … who was already seated on the floor, cup of coffee in hand, as she watched the children's excitement at the gifts under the tree.

"Are we ready?" he asked, taking a seat beside her and stealing a sip from her cup.

She smiled. "Absolutely."

"Can we open presents now?" Angie pleaded, her eyes reflecting the tree lights.

"Yes, go ahead," Catherine replied, setting her cup down and to the side.

DJ was looking at the gift tags. "Yours are right in front, Angie, you go first."

"EEEEEEE yay!" The seven year old squealed.

Catherine laughed, "Go ahead, baby girl, why don't we all start with our presents from DJ?"

Angie reached for the package her brother was holding out, little hands tearing through the bright reindeer patterned wrapping paper.

"I can't wait to see what he got her," Steve whispered to Catherine.

With one quick motion, Angie ripped off the paper to reveal the t-shirt emblazoned with a Five-0 badge and the words 'Future Team Member.'

"I love it so much!" She flung herself at her brother for a hug. "Thank you, DJ, it's perfect!" she beamed, holding it up to her chest. "I can't wait to wear it!"

"Great idea, buddy," Steve said, and DJ's face lit even further with a huge smile.

"This is for you, Mom." The eleven year old held out a small box wrapped in a sparkly pattern.

"Thank you, sweetheart," Catherine said, carefully peeling at the paper.

"Hurry, Mommy! What is it?" Angie urged, excitement bubbling over.

Catherine opened the box, revealing a pair of red sea glass earrings. "Oh, DJ!" she gasped, a hand flying to her mouth. "They're beautiful, honey." She swiped at a tear and wrapped him in a tight hug, kissing his cheek. "I love them." She removed them from the box and put them on. "Thank you, they're perfect. They match the necklace you guys had made for me." She leaned down to kiss his forehead, her eyes glistening with pride.

"You're welcome, Mom. This one's for you, Dad," DJ said, his smile growing as he held out a box wrapped in red and green paper.

"Thanks, buddy," Steve said, taking the gift and giving DJ a look filled with so much love and pride, Catherine wiped another tear.

"I knew part of it and I kept it a surprise!" Angie announced.

"You did, great job," DJ held up a hand for her to high five as Steve opened the present to reveal a lock box engraved with his family's writing:

Love you, always and forever - Catherine;

You're the best Dad in the world. Love, DJ;

I love you Daddy! xoxox Love, Angie.

We love you, Cammie, Pumpkin, Luna & Felix

Ohhh, that's a very good present, DJ! And there's what I wrote! See, I put hugs and kisses.

As Steve read, he cleared his throat, and when he spoke, his voice was thick with emotion. "I… This means more to me … than you can imagine," he said, his voice barely above a whisper when he pulled his son into a heartfelt hug.

When the emotions lightened, Angie bounced in place. "Can I be next? Pleeeeease? I want to give DJ his present first!"

Catherine chuckled, her heart swelling at the sight of her daughter's uncontained excitement at giving her beloved big brother his gift. "Of course, baby girl. DJ, are you ready?"

"Ready!" DJ replied, grinning at his sister.

Angie dove into the pile, sorting through the colorful wrapping until she found the right box with her handwritten tag: To DJ love xoxo Angie. "Here it is!" She presented it with a beaming smile. "Open it! Open it!"

"Okay, okay!" DJ laughed, taking the box and shaking it lightly. "Hmmm... what did you get me?"

"It's a surprise!" she squealed, practically vibrating with anticipation.

He ripped the paper away and blinked in genuine surprise. "A gravity maze? No way!" His eyes widened as he pulled the game out and inspected it closely. "This is really awesome, Angie, thank you." He wrapped her in a hug.

Angie beamed. "You love it! Yay!"

"I do. We can build some of the mazes together, what do you think?" He asked, making both parents share a soft smile.

"YES!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands together. Giggling in delight, she reached for another brightly wrapped box, her excitement bubbling over as she handed it to Catherine. "This one's for you, Mommy!"

"Thank you, baby girl." Catherine took the box, her eyes flicking to Steve as she carefully unwrapped it. The paper fell away to reveal a soft throw blanket, and as she unfurled it, the images of her family smiled back at her.

"Oh!" She gasped, fingers brushing over the blanket's fabric. "This is amazing, baby girl. I love it. My beautiful family."

Angie nodded enthusiastically. "It's our family! That's you and Daddy, and me and DJ and Cammie, Pumpkin and Luna!" She glanced at Cammie with a beaming smile and was rewarded with a nuzzle. "We gave the lady a picture of Felix and she put him in, see?"

Catherine pulled her in for a hug. "I see. I love it so much, sweetheart. Thank you." Her eyes misted again, and she included DJ in the hug. "I have the best kids in the world."

"Daddy, come here!" Angie waved him in. "Family hug!

Steve wrapped an arm around Catherine's shoulders and pulled out his phone. "Say cheese!"

"Daddy's turn!" Angie announced when they'd snapped the photo. "Here, Daddy! Here!" Angie handed him a wrapped, square box, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Steve opened it, revealing a cube.

"It's for your desk at HQ. Turn it!" Angie squealed, jumping up and down.

As he twisted the cube, each side revealed a different picture: one of him with Catherine at the beach, another of him holding Angie as a baby, and one of him laughing with DJ at a baseball game. The whole family and ohana, one with everyone and all the pets, and of course, one of the family at the zoo with Felix. His heart warmed with each image.

"Wow, baby girl, this is incredible," he said, his voice thick. "I love it."

"Me and Grandma went to the place that makes them," she explained proudly. "And I picked out all the pictures."

"It's perfect, I love it so much. Thank you, baby girl," Steve said, lifting her into a hug and kissing her cheek.

# Marathon continues tomorrow!