Sammy and Ilna, love you to the moon. REAL McRollers and Readers, thanks doesn't seem like enough, but thank you always.

Compassionate Hearts

Catherine pulled into the driveway with DJ in the back seat. He definitely had something to say, and she gave him a few seconds to work it out in his head.

When he spoke his tone was serious.

"Mom, do you think they're really okay?" he asked, breaking the silence.

Catherine glanced at him through the rearview mirror. "Who, sweetie?"

"Those ladies. The ones you helped Dad and the team rescue." His voice was steady. "Did they have enough to eat? Like, really enough?"

Catherine's heart swelled with pride at her son's empathy. "They're safe and doing well, sweetheart. They're getting the help they need … emotionally, physically, everything. And they're going back to the mainland very soon, to their families."

DJ's shoulders relaxed a bit, but his eyes still held concern. "I was worried about them being hurt, and if they didn't eat enough while they were… you know, trapped. I'm really happy they're okay."

"They're being cared for, I promise. And Dad and I are so proud of that caring heart you have." Catherine smiled softly. She and Steve had answered DJ's questions about the case when they'd arrived home on Friday, and as always, told him if he had any more questions or thoughts, he just needed to ask.

"Thanks." His smile reached his eyes. "I was thinking maybe we could send something to them and the volunteers. Like for their trips home."

"That's a wonderful idea," Catherine said. "How about we put together some toiletry bags and bake some cookies for the women and volunteers and I'll drop them off?"

"Like we do for the people shelter! That'd be awesome." His posture relaxed completely at the thought of helping, even a little bit. "Thanks, Mom."

"Thank you for always being my sweet boy, even though you're not exactly my little boy anymore."

She had cut the engine and turned to face him, thinking it wouldn't be long before he'd be sitting in the front seat, when they both looked up to see Angie fling open the front door to greet them with Cammie at her side.

"Mommy! DJ! Me and Daddy are making tacos with lots of toppings. And some guacamole!" Angie said as way of greeting and DJ's eyes lit up, his earlier worry seemingly gone after his discussion with his mother.

"Tacos sound great," Catherine said, her own smile widening. "Your brother and I are ready to help."

DJ was also smiling when he unbuckled his seatbelt and hopped out of the car, his earlier seriousness replaced with excitement.

As they grated cheese, chopped tomatoes and chatted about their days, DJ brought up the Cubs. "Did you see the first spring training game is February 20th? Grandma said she's getting me a new jersey, cause mine is too small."

"Can I have your old one? Please?" his sister asked with a huge smile.

"Sure, we can wear 'em when we go to the games," he readily agreed.

"Thanks! I'm gonna tell Grandma when she calls to say good night." She held up both hands. "But right now I'm gonna go wash my hands because they're a little cheesy and sour-creamy."

Her brother grinned and when she scampered towards the sink, glanced up at Steve, who'd finished assembling tacos and was helping Catherine put them on a platter. "Mom said we can put together gift bags with toiletries and stuff for the ladies you guys helped. And bake cookies for them and the volunteers."

Catherine nodded and smiled softly. "Totally his idea."

Steve bent to kiss his son's head. "That's a great idea, buddy, I know they'll appreciate that."

"Thanks, I wanted to do … something and Mom helped me think of the gift bags."

"Great minds think alike," Steve caught his wife's eyes and smiled. "We'll get them together after dinner. We have bins of stuff in the garage."

After the bags of toiletries were put together and packaged up with some cookies and other treats for her to drop off with the coordinator, the kids had gone to sleep and Catherine joined Steve on the couch, a soft sigh escaping her lips as she tucked into his side. "He really wanted to do something to help."

Steve's expression turned serious. "He's got a good heart. Just like you."

Catherine turned in his arms and pecked his lips. "You've got a pretty good heart yourself, Commander."

Steve leaned back, taking her with him, a smile lighting his eyes. "He's gonna be an amazing adult."

"He is. I knew he had something on his mind, and then he asked about the victims, and mentioned wanting to help them."

"He's incredible," Steve mused. "How he can turn hearing about something dark into a way to offer help."

Catherine nodded. "Most adults would just forget about it after a day or two. But he really gets it." She turned her head, resting her chin on Steve's shoulder. "He even asked if they had enough to eat while they were trapped. That still breaks my heart, but it also makes me so proud, you know? He's got this compassion that's just... rare. And he cares about everyone."

Steve nodded, his fingers playing with the fabric of her shirt. "Like when he noticed that Mrs. Ookani's garden was looking a little neglected last summer. He offered to help her pull weeds."

Catherine agreed, her voice softening. "He's so sweet and compassionate."

Steve leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "You know, I remember being so worried I'd screw up when Angie was born." She felt him smile against her skin. "Parenthood seemed scarier than every mission I ever dropped on all together. You, I had zero doubts would be the best mother ever, I had ten million questions a day for Danny." He chuckled. "But here we are doing it and we have these damn amazing kids."

"Here we are," Catherine replied, lacing their fingers. "We're still learning as they get bigger, but we're doing it like we do everything."

They murmured the next word simultaneously, "Together."

# End - thanks for reading!

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