It's been a couple of days since Dani's surgery, Hank had taken off to help her and left Antonio in charge of the team. He and Dani stayed downstairs during the day and went upstairs when it was time for bed, one afternoon while Hank was making lunch Dani was roaming around the house. She looked at all the pictures of Hank, his family, and a few of the team. When she looked at a picture of Justin she wondered what it would be like to have him for a brother.
The six and a half year old then went upstairs, she noticed one room always stayed closed she figured it was Justin's room. Slowly she went over to the door and opened it, the bed was still made, the closet and dresser still full. Hank didn't have the heart to get rid of his son's stuff it was the only reminder he had. Dani went in the room and looked around, as she looked around she came across a photo album.
Sitting down on the bed she went through it, there were a lot of pictures of Justin with his parents, a few with Erin, but one picture stood out to her. She found a picture of Justin with her mother, even though her mother died when she was a baby she found a picture of her and always kept it. How did Justin know her mother?
Hank noticed it got too quiet in the living room he checked to see it was empty, he then went upstairs to check. He noticed the door to his son's room was open, he looked to see his little girl looking at a photo album.
"Whatcha looking at sweetie". Hank said.
"Pictures". Dani replied.
"Oh yeah? Can I look".
"Ok". She then looked to her father. "Daddy, can I ask you something".
"Anything honey".
"How did Justin know my mommy?"
A confused look was then planted on his face. "What are you talking about Dani?"
"I found this picture of Justin with my mom, I didn't know he knew her".
She handed the picture to him and he looked at it in shock. How did his former CI know his son? One thing he always made sure of was to not mix his personal life into his work. When he looked at the picture it was taken almost seven years ago, if he did the math correctly in his head. Dani's almost seven, the picture's almost seven years old. If he did the math correctly...it couldn't be. Could it?
His mind was overloading with all this, maybe Erin might know. Justin confided in her more than anyone.
"Dani, what do you say after lunch we head to the District to see everyone?"
"Really?"
"Yup".
Hank then picked her up and carried her downstairs, something still on his mind. Was his son Dani's biological father? Once they got downstairs he set Dani in the chair and then brought her a plate of chicken tenders with mac and cheese he then got his plate and began eating.
His mind couldn't leave the fact that his son knew Serena, how'd they know each other? Where'd they meet? So many things more roamed his mind. He needed to know the truth. After they were finished eating the six and a half year old went up to her room and changed. Hank then took two plastic bags and dropped Dani's cup in one and his in another. He was gonna get his answers.
Dani had changed into a white t shirt with a flannel, she wore blue shorts and wore her tan boots, she left her hair down because she had wanted Erin to do it. Quickly grabbing some hair stuff she put it in her Frozen backpack and left her room. Hank heard his daughter coming and quickly hid the bags by shoving them in a bag.
"Ready daddy". Dani tells her father.
"Let's go sweet pea". Hank smiled.
When he looked at the six and a half year old he then saw how she sorta looked like his son. She had Justin's nose, his mouth, the shape of her eyes. Looks didn't matter he needed to know if the little girl he's raising is his granddaughter or not, but no matter what she's still be his little girl no matter what the results say.
The father daughter duo then set out for the District, as Hank drove he couldn't help but glance in the back and look at his precious little girl. Had this been some miracle or something? An act of god maybe? He could have another part of his son and for seven years he never knew. Could this have been why he felt attached to her? He had many questions but he knew he'd never get the answers because his son and Serena are gone.
He made a mental note to get Serena's last known address maybe she left something behind before she died. Hank remembers when Olive took Daniel and left his practically broke, he had lost his son and then his grandson now he has a second chance at being a father and a grandfather. Something then popped into his head. How was he gonna tell Dani the truth?
Her whole life she believed and thought Marco was her father, how would she react if she found out her adopted father's son is her real father? Would she still accept Hank as her father? Would she treat him differently? One thing he knew is once he found out the truth he wasn't gonna tell Dani right away, she's too young to understand.
About ten minutes later they arrived to the District, Dani got excited and wanted to jump out right away but couldn't due to her side. As carefully as she could she got out of the car just as Hank rounded to the sidewalk he left the bag in the car the young girl grabbed her father's hand and they went in.
Trudy was at her desk as usual she was reading her paper when her friend and goddaughter walked in she quickly rounded her desk and hugged the two.
"It's so good to see you two". Trudy said.
Dani giggled. "Aunt Trudy, you saw us yesterday. You and Uncle Mouch".
"I know it's just so good to see you".
Hank and Dani then headed upstairs while Trudy went back to her desk, Sean and Kim then headed over to her.
"Hey Sarge, how come you're never happy to see us?" Sean asked.
"Because you're not my favorite and I'm always happy to see you". Trudy replies.
"When?" Kim asked raising her eyebrow.
"I'm smiling on the inside, my heart is smiling right now".
"You actually have a heart? I thought it was covered in ice". Sean joked.
She then shot him a pointed look. "Get back to work patrolmen".
The two then left while Trudy got back to her reading. Dani was going up the steps with Hank right behind her, the six and a half year old loved making entrances when heading to the squad. The team was busy with their paperwork and didn't notice their boss or Dani.
"Hi everyone!" Dani says excitedly.
Everyone then looked over to see the little girl and she took turns hugging everyone, Hank then walked over to his surrogate daughter.
"You got a sec". Hank said quietly.
"Yeah". Erin replied.
The two then headed to his office and shut the door, taking a deep breath Hank looked to his surrogate daughter. Erin looked at her father figured very worried. What was going on?
"Hank what's wrong? Is Dani ok?" Erin's voice full of concern.
"Did Justin ever mention Serena Taylor to you?"
"Not that I can recall. Why would he know Dani's mother? How would he know you're CI?"
"Dani was in Justin's room and found an old photo album, this picture was in there".
Hank handed over the picture to his surrogate daughter and she stared at it in shock. Why didn't her brother ever mention this? If she had to guess Justin didn't want it to come out that he was with his father's CI. Erin was still in shock to speak that's when she was handed another picture.
"Here's a recent one of Dani. Tell me what you think".
Looking between the two pictures Dani had her mother's long blond hair, emerald green eyes, she had Justin's nose, his mouth, the shape of his eyes.
"That picture is almost seven years old". Hank pointed out.
"Dani's almost seven". Erin realized. She then looked at her father figure with wide eyes. "Hank do you thinkā¦
"I think Dani is Justin's".
