The Importance of Family
So yeah, I meant to have this chapter posted earlier but things happened that I couldn't control and I couldn't. But now I'm back and you are getting the next chapter you so desperately crave. Really hope to have another one posted by the end of the weekend, if my school work doesn't get in the way. Anyways enough with the talking, go read.
Title: The Importance Of Family
Author:
cancer22
Summary: Danny decides it's time to introduce Steve to his family. Steve is only slightly nervous. Part One of The Love Like This Series
Pairing: Steve/Danno
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: Chapter Two ~2000, Total~11000
Disclaimer: I do not these boys but the family members are of my own creation so please don't sue me CBS. You wouldn't get much of nothing anyways because I literally own nothing. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Author's Note: This fic has been beta'd by
simplyn2deep. She is a lifesaver and I am so happy she took the time to look over this for me.
Chapter Two
They landed in Newark after nearly a ten hour flight with an hour layover in between and quickly made their way to baggage claim in the busy airport.
"How about you get the bags while I go fill out the paperwork for the car," Danny suggested to Steve who simply nodded in agreement. Danny found Steve once he finished the paperwork, a pair of keys in his hand and the two of them made their way to the parking garage where the rental cars were kept. Danny found the car that he had chosen, a black SUV, and opened the back door so Steve could put the bags in while he climb in the driver's seat before Steve had a chance to ask.
Danny pulled out onto the main highway without so much as batting an eye as he turned his attention to Steve. "Okay quick recap," he began, merging into the lane. "There's my mother Madeline who's a retired school teacher and my father Anthony is a retired firefighter. They spend their days doing whatever it is that retired people do. I think my dad plays golf now and my mom occasionally substitutes."
Steve could feel his stomach leap to his throat at the sight and feel of Danny's driving. Never before had he seen Danny race between cars at such high speeds and the other cars didn't seem to be bothered by it all. It took all he had not to brace his hand firmly against the dashboard. He finally tore his eyes away from the road to look at Danny.
"What subject did your mother teach?" he managed to splutter out as Danny rounded a corner.
"English, why?"
"No reason," smirked Steve. "Except I now know where the extensive vocabulary comes from."
Danny rolled his eyes and frowned. "Must you mock me all the time?"
"Yes Danny I must."
"Bite me," growled Danny.
Steve leaned over enough so that his breath ghosted over Danny's cheek. "Anytime babe," he whispered teasingly before moving away.
"None of that in my parent's house," replied Danny, smirking as he made another turn. "Anyways I have two sisters. Cecelia the oldest, four years older than me and she is a stay at home mom. She's married to Paul who's a lawyer, an ADA to be exact, and they live in Philadelphia."
"They've been married for twenty-two years right."
"Right, got married right out of high school and they have three kids together. Casey is twenty-one and a junior at NYC; she an Art major. Then there's Pauline who's fifteen and Natalie who's ten, all girls. You getting all this?" he asked when he noticed Steve's eyes focused on the road.
Steve smiled playfully. "I got it all the first time you told me."
"Oh really Mr. SEAL, if you have it all then tell me about my other sister."
The smile never left his face as he leaned back, relaxed for the first time since he entered the car, and closed his eyes. "Okay. Your other sister's name is Elizabeth but everyone calls her Liz and she a year younger than you and the third oldest. She's an RN and she has been married to Mitchell, a firefighter for seven years. They have a five year old named Aaron and they currently live in New York."
"Okay so maybe you have been listening."
"I listen to everything you say Danno."
Danny rolled his eyes disbelievingly. "If you say so," he mumbled to himself as Steve continued smiling like an idiot.
********
Danny pulled up to his childhood home thirty-five minutes later and immediately turned off the car. He glanced over in Steve's direction and could tell the other man was nervous. With a smile, he leaned over and placed a soft kiss on Steve's lips causing his partner to smile. "Would you relax," he replied, cupping Steve's cheek. "I have a good feeling about this."
Steve grinned back. "You do huh."
"Yes I do and in case you didn't know I have great instincts."
"I'll take your word on it," he whispered, giving Danny one final kiss before he opened the door and got out, Danny right behind him.
They walked up to the door and Danny didn't have a chance to knock when the door suddenly swung open.
"Daniel Evan Williams! Come here and give your mother a hug." was the first thing Danny heard before he was instantly pulled into a tight embrace.
"Hey Ma. It's good to see you."
Madeline Williams was a few inches shorter than her son but just as feisty. Her once blond hair now gray hair was pulled back into a stylish bun. She pulled away and gave Danny a loving kiss on the cheek. "It's good to see you too kiddo," she grinned giving him another kiss. "Real good."
They pulled apart and Madeline finally took notice to the tall, tan man standing behind her son with a soft smile on his face. "Oh, and who is this handsome young man hiding behind you."
Danny stepped to the side to give his mother a better view of Steve. "Ma this is my partner Lieutenant Commander Steve McGarrett. Remember I told you about him."
"With all the things you've told me how I could forget," Madeline smirked Madeline.
"I hope they weren't all bad things," Steve said with a smile.
"Well that's for me to know and you to find out."
"Really Ma stop it before McGarrett here wets his pants."
"I'm just kidding Steve," she finally smiled as she reached out and pulled him into a hug. "It's nice to finally meet you."
Steve stood still for a second, absorbing it all in, before wrapping his arms around Madeline and hugging her back. "It's nice to finally meet you too."
"Good, now get your butts in here," she replied as she ushered them both inside and closed the door. "You can get your bags later but right now you should eat something. I made some sandwiches because I know for a fact that my son is hungry and airline food sucks."
"Yeah it was pretty atrocious."
"Not to mention that you're far too thin. Have you been eating?"
"Ma," groaned Danny as he began following his mother.
Steve smiled to himself as he followed the two Williams' to the kitchen. He paused for a moment when he noticed all the family photos on the wall. His home had a few pictures of his mother, father, and Mary scattered around but they were few and old. Danny's home had a mixture of both. They were all black and white, still shots but none posed. All of the family was doing various things, as if completely unaware that there was even a camera in their presence. There were a few of Danny, one of him younger, perhaps in his teen years throwing a baseball in the backyard with a younger Matt. Another picture of Danny in his dress blues at what appeared to be a party, maybe his graduation from the Academy with his badge in his hand and a wide grin on his face. His sisters, parents, in-laws, nieces, nephews, and Grace. There was even a picture of Rachel holding a baby, who he assumed was Grace as a newborn, on the wall. Every picture, every family member looked...happy.
"Hey what's the hold up," Danny called out to him from the kitchen.
"Coming Danno," Steve replied back as he walked to the kitchen where Danny was sitting at the bar with a sandwich in one hand and a beer in the other. He took a seat beside Danny and Madeline slid a plate with a sandwich over to him. "Thank you Mrs. Williams."
"Please, call me Maddie," she smiled at Steve as she handed him a beer as well. "Danny was just telling me about your last case, the one with the double homicide."
"Let me guess I almost got him shot, again," Steve smirked, taking a bite out of his sandwich.
"Something like, that yeah," she replied back.
Steve took another huge bite out of his sandwich and grinned appreciatively. "This is delicious Maddie."
"Yeah Ma," agreed Danny as he grabbed another one from the tray. "Just what I needed."
"Thank you both for the compliments," Madeline smiled. "Oh Danny when I told your sisters you were coming home for a few days they just insisted on coming home this weekend too to see you and meet Steve. I tried to tell them that it wasn't necessary but you know how your sisters are."
"Yes Ma, I know exactly how those harpies are."
"Daniel," she scowled. "What have I told you about calling your sisters names."
Danny sighed but responded. "That it's unfitting of a not only a brother but a man to use derogatory words to describe a woman," he finished, rolling his eyes in the process as if he's been saying this for his entire life.
Madeline slapped Danny playfully on the cheek and smirked. "That's my boy."
"Ma," scowled Danny, wiping his cheek.
Steve let a chuckle escape as he watched Danny be manhandled by his mother which in turn earned him a glare from his lover. "Sorry."
"Just shut-up."
"Danny," scorned Madeline again. "That's not how we talk to guest."
"Yeah Danny, that's not how you talk to guest," Steve repeated, with a smirk.
He glared at Steve hard before mumbling an "I hate you" under his breath while Steve snickered and continued eating his sandwich.
As they ate, Danny and Madeline swapped stories about everything that had been going in their lives while Steve watched contently. He was happy to see Danny so happy.
"So Ma I was so caught up in talking to you I forgot to ask about Dad. Where's the old man?" Danny asked.
"Oh he's out golfing with a few friends," Madeline replied as she gathered up the trash and put the tray in the sink. "The doctor says the calmness of the sport is good for his blood pressure but I think he's wrong. When your dad comes back home he's angrier than he was before he left all because he can't put the ball into the hole."
"Sounds like Pop," Danny chuckled as he handed his mother his empty beer bottle. "But he'll be here soon right."
"Another hour or so maybe. He knows you're here for the weekend. Why?"
Steve watched as Danny's eyes widened and in that instant Steve knew Danny wouldn't be able to hold it in any longer. "I'm gonna go the bags from the car," said Steve suddenly as he stood up from the stool and made his way out of the kitchen.
"Danny why don't you help him," Madeline began to suggest when she felt Danny's hand on her arm.
"Actually Ma there's something I need to tell you. It's about Steve and me."
"Daniel," Madeline smiled sweetly as she patted her son's hand softly. She could tell that her son was nervous about something and needed a little reassurance. "You know you can tell me anything right."
"Yeah I know...I know and that's why I gotta tell you this now before I lose my nerve." Danny led his mother to the free stool beside him. He waited until she was seated before rubbing his hands over his face and sighing. "See the thing is I'm not as alone in Hawaii as you think. I met someone and we've been together for a while."
"Well how long is a while," she asked.
"Around six months," answered Danny avoiding his mother glare. "And before you start, I didn't tell you about them because I was scared about how you'd react. Because the thing is my new relationship is a little unconventional." He paused for a moment when he noticed his mother's confused look on her face so he decided to simply let it all out. "What I'm trying to tell you Ma is that Steve and I are more than just partners at work."
"I'm sorry-"
"We're a couple. I'm with Steve, we are a couple and I love him."
She sat there, silent, just staring at Danny while he continued avoiding her eyes. Madeline had to admit that she hadn't seen the confession coming but it was there, out in the open and Danny was waiting for her to respond. "So Danny, just to be sure that I heard you correctly, you're dating Steve and the two of you are in love."
"Yes and please say something else, anything else but 'that's fine,'" Danny pleaded desperately.
"And how do you know that's what I was about to say?" asked Madeline, crossing her arms.
Danny smiled softly. "'Cause I know you mom. You always walk around like everything's just fine and dandy when in reality you're pissed and angry but you won't talk about it."
"I'm not one for conflict Daniel you know that."
"I do but the last thing I want is for you to say you accept me and Steve when you don't and you start resenting me. I want you to be honest with me."
"Well what do you want me to say?"
"I just want you to be honest with me," answered Danny, frowning. "I'll be disappointed if you say you can't accept my relationship with Steve but I'll be even more disappointed with you if you lie and say you're fine with it."
"Will it matter what I say."
Danny shook his head adamantly. "No, because I love Steve and when this weekend is over with I'm going home with him."
She paused for a moment before reaching out and grabbing Danny's face, forcing Danny to look at her. "Then I'm happy for you," she smiled.
"Ma-"
"Look Danny, listen," Madeline began. "After your divorce from Rachel I was scared you would never be the happy, fun loving, full of life son I raised. And when she moved Grace all the way to Hawaii, I could hear the pain in your voice every time you called and it broke my heart." She paused for a moment and let out a shaky breath. "But as the months went by after you joined Five-0 I could hear the old Danny in your voice whenever you called to tell me about Grace or how your week was going. It was especially brighter when you talked about Steve. I guess a part of me knew that you two had a deeper connection than most partners. Now I know that you were simply in love."
Danny had to use every ounce of willpower he had not to let the tears fall that were beginning to build in his eyes "Oh mom."
Grabbing both of Danny's hands, she held them close to her heart, smiling the entire time. "You are my son and I love you very much, and as your mother I want nothing more than for you to be happy. So if being with Steve, loving Steve, makes you happy than I am happy for you."
"Is that the truth?"
"That is the God's honest truth," she grinned lovingly as she gave Danny a peck on the cheek. "I think Steve is good for you, Hawaii is good for you, and I pretty sure your father and sisters will say the same."
"You think so."
She got off the stool and continued to grin while Danny did the same. "I know so kiddo," she replied reassuringly. "In fact I'm pretty sure Cecelia now owes Liz some money."
"Why?"
"They bet on whether Steve was more than your friend since you talk about him constantly. Liz won."
Danny's mouth dropped open as he leaned against the counter to steady his balance. "What!?"
At that very moment Steve walked back into the kitchen wearing a goofy smile. "What did I miss?"
Danny looked back at his mom who simply grinned at him before making his way over to Steve and wrapping a hand around the back of his neck. "You don't wanna know babe," replied Danny, pulling Steve down for a kiss. "You really don't wanna know."
********
Like it, love it, let me know because it would totally make my day
Title: The Importance Of Family
Author:
cancer22
Summary: Danny decides it's time to introduce Steve to his family. Steve is only slightly nervous. Part One of The Love Like This Series
Pairing: Steve/Danno
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: Chapter Two ~2000, Total~11000
Disclaimer: I do not these boys but the family members are of my own creation so please don't sue me CBS. You wouldn't get much of nothing anyways because I literally own nothing. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Author's Note: This fic has been beta'd by
simplyn2deep. She is a lifesaver and I am so happy she took the time to look over this for me.
Chapter Two
They landed in Newark after nearly a ten hour flight with an hour layover in between and quickly made their way to baggage claim in the busy airport.
"How about you get the bags while I go fill out the paperwork for the car," Danny suggested to Steve who simply nodded in agreement. Danny found Steve once he finished the paperwork, a pair of keys in his hand and the two of them made their way to the parking garage where the rental cars were kept. Danny found the car that he had chosen, a black SUV, and opened the back door so Steve could put the bags in while he climb in the driver's seat before Steve had a chance to ask.
Danny pulled out onto the main highway without so much as batting an eye as he turned his attention to Steve. "Okay quick recap," he began, merging into the lane. "There's my mother Madeline who's a retired school teacher and my father Anthony is a retired firefighter. They spend their days doing whatever it is that retired people do. I think my dad plays golf now and my mom occasionally substitutes."
Steve could feel his stomach leap to his throat at the sight and feel of Danny's driving. Never before had he seen Danny race between cars at such high speeds and the other cars didn't seem to be bothered by it all. It took all he had not to brace his hand firmly against the dashboard. He finally tore his eyes away from the road to look at Danny.
"What subject did your mother teach?" he managed to splutter out as Danny rounded a corner.
"English, why?"
"No reason," smirked Steve. "Except I now know where the extensive vocabulary comes from."
Danny rolled his eyes and frowned. "Must you mock me all the time?"
"Yes Danny I must."
"Bite me," growled Danny.
Steve leaned over enough so that his breath ghosted over Danny's cheek. "Anytime babe," he whispered teasingly before moving away.
"None of that in my parent's house," replied Danny, smirking as he made another turn. "Anyways I have two sisters. Cecelia the oldest, four years older than me and she is a stay at home mom. She's married to Paul who's a lawyer, an ADA to be exact, and they live in Philadelphia."
"They've been married for twenty-two years right."
"Right, got married right out of high school and they have three kids together. Casey is twenty-one and a junior at NYC; she an Art major. Then there's Pauline who's fifteen and Natalie who's ten, all girls. You getting all this?" he asked when he noticed Steve's eyes focused on the road.
Steve smiled playfully. "I got it all the first time you told me."
"Oh really Mr. SEAL, if you have it all then tell me about my other sister."
The smile never left his face as he leaned back, relaxed for the first time since he entered the car, and closed his eyes. "Okay. Your other sister's name is Elizabeth but everyone calls her Liz and she a year younger than you and the third oldest. She's an RN and she has been married to Mitchell, a firefighter for seven years. They have a five year old named Aaron and they currently live in New York."
"Okay so maybe you have been listening."
"I listen to everything you say Danno."
Danny rolled his eyes disbelievingly. "If you say so," he mumbled to himself as Steve continued smiling like an idiot.
********
Danny pulled up to his childhood home thirty-five minutes later and immediately turned off the car. He glanced over in Steve's direction and could tell the other man was nervous. With a smile, he leaned over and placed a soft kiss on Steve's lips causing his partner to smile. "Would you relax," he replied, cupping Steve's cheek. "I have a good feeling about this."
Steve grinned back. "You do huh."
"Yes I do and in case you didn't know I have great instincts."
"I'll take your word on it," he whispered, giving Danny one final kiss before he opened the door and got out, Danny right behind him.
They walked up to the door and Danny didn't have a chance to knock when the door suddenly swung open.
"Daniel Evan Williams! Come here and give your mother a hug." was the first thing Danny heard before he was instantly pulled into a tight embrace.
"Hey Ma. It's good to see you."
Madeline Williams was a few inches shorter than her son but just as feisty. Her once blond hair now gray hair was pulled back into a stylish bun. She pulled away and gave Danny a loving kiss on the cheek. "It's good to see you too kiddo," she grinned giving him another kiss. "Real good."
They pulled apart and Madeline finally took notice to the tall, tan man standing behind her son with a soft smile on his face. "Oh, and who is this handsome young man hiding behind you."
Danny stepped to the side to give his mother a better view of Steve. "Ma this is my partner Lieutenant Commander Steve McGarrett. Remember I told you about him."
"With all the things you've told me how I could forget," Madeline smirked Madeline.
"I hope they weren't all bad things," Steve said with a smile.
"Well that's for me to know and you to find out."
"Really Ma stop it before McGarrett here wets his pants."
"I'm just kidding Steve," she finally smiled as she reached out and pulled him into a hug. "It's nice to finally meet you."
Steve stood still for a second, absorbing it all in, before wrapping his arms around Madeline and hugging her back. "It's nice to finally meet you too."
"Good, now get your butts in here," she replied as she ushered them both inside and closed the door. "You can get your bags later but right now you should eat something. I made some sandwiches because I know for a fact that my son is hungry and airline food sucks."
"Yeah it was pretty atrocious."
"Not to mention that you're far too thin. Have you been eating?"
"Ma," groaned Danny as he began following his mother.
Steve smiled to himself as he followed the two Williams' to the kitchen. He paused for a moment when he noticed all the family photos on the wall. His home had a few pictures of his mother, father, and Mary scattered around but they were few and old. Danny's home had a mixture of both. They were all black and white, still shots but none posed. All of the family was doing various things, as if completely unaware that there was even a camera in their presence. There were a few of Danny, one of him younger, perhaps in his teen years throwing a baseball in the backyard with a younger Matt. Another picture of Danny in his dress blues at what appeared to be a party, maybe his graduation from the Academy with his badge in his hand and a wide grin on his face. His sisters, parents, in-laws, nieces, nephews, and Grace. There was even a picture of Rachel holding a baby, who he assumed was Grace as a newborn, on the wall. Every picture, every family member looked...happy.
"Hey what's the hold up," Danny called out to him from the kitchen.
"Coming Danno," Steve replied back as he walked to the kitchen where Danny was sitting at the bar with a sandwich in one hand and a beer in the other. He took a seat beside Danny and Madeline slid a plate with a sandwich over to him. "Thank you Mrs. Williams."
"Please, call me Maddie," she smiled at Steve as she handed him a beer as well. "Danny was just telling me about your last case, the one with the double homicide."
"Let me guess I almost got him shot, again," Steve smirked, taking a bite out of his sandwich.
"Something like, that yeah," she replied back.
Steve took another huge bite out of his sandwich and grinned appreciatively. "This is delicious Maddie."
"Yeah Ma," agreed Danny as he grabbed another one from the tray. "Just what I needed."
"Thank you both for the compliments," Madeline smiled. "Oh Danny when I told your sisters you were coming home for a few days they just insisted on coming home this weekend too to see you and meet Steve. I tried to tell them that it wasn't necessary but you know how your sisters are."
"Yes Ma, I know exactly how those harpies are."
"Daniel," she scowled. "What have I told you about calling your sisters names."
Danny sighed but responded. "That it's unfitting of a not only a brother but a man to use derogatory words to describe a woman," he finished, rolling his eyes in the process as if he's been saying this for his entire life.
Madeline slapped Danny playfully on the cheek and smirked. "That's my boy."
"Ma," scowled Danny, wiping his cheek.
Steve let a chuckle escape as he watched Danny be manhandled by his mother which in turn earned him a glare from his lover. "Sorry."
"Just shut-up."
"Danny," scorned Madeline again. "That's not how we talk to guest."
"Yeah Danny, that's not how you talk to guest," Steve repeated, with a smirk.
He glared at Steve hard before mumbling an "I hate you" under his breath while Steve snickered and continued eating his sandwich.
As they ate, Danny and Madeline swapped stories about everything that had been going in their lives while Steve watched contently. He was happy to see Danny so happy.
"So Ma I was so caught up in talking to you I forgot to ask about Dad. Where's the old man?" Danny asked.
"Oh he's out golfing with a few friends," Madeline replied as she gathered up the trash and put the tray in the sink. "The doctor says the calmness of the sport is good for his blood pressure but I think he's wrong. When your dad comes back home he's angrier than he was before he left all because he can't put the ball into the hole."
"Sounds like Pop," Danny chuckled as he handed his mother his empty beer bottle. "But he'll be here soon right."
"Another hour or so maybe. He knows you're here for the weekend. Why?"
Steve watched as Danny's eyes widened and in that instant Steve knew Danny wouldn't be able to hold it in any longer. "I'm gonna go the bags from the car," said Steve suddenly as he stood up from the stool and made his way out of the kitchen.
"Danny why don't you help him," Madeline began to suggest when she felt Danny's hand on her arm.
"Actually Ma there's something I need to tell you. It's about Steve and me."
"Daniel," Madeline smiled sweetly as she patted her son's hand softly. She could tell that her son was nervous about something and needed a little reassurance. "You know you can tell me anything right."
"Yeah I know...I know and that's why I gotta tell you this now before I lose my nerve." Danny led his mother to the free stool beside him. He waited until she was seated before rubbing his hands over his face and sighing. "See the thing is I'm not as alone in Hawaii as you think. I met someone and we've been together for a while."
"Well how long is a while," she asked.
"Around six months," answered Danny avoiding his mother glare. "And before you start, I didn't tell you about them because I was scared about how you'd react. Because the thing is my new relationship is a little unconventional." He paused for a moment when he noticed his mother's confused look on her face so he decided to simply let it all out. "What I'm trying to tell you Ma is that Steve and I are more than just partners at work."
"I'm sorry-"
"We're a couple. I'm with Steve, we are a couple and I love him."
She sat there, silent, just staring at Danny while he continued avoiding her eyes. Madeline had to admit that she hadn't seen the confession coming but it was there, out in the open and Danny was waiting for her to respond. "So Danny, just to be sure that I heard you correctly, you're dating Steve and the two of you are in love."
"Yes and please say something else, anything else but 'that's fine,'" Danny pleaded desperately.
"And how do you know that's what I was about to say?" asked Madeline, crossing her arms.
Danny smiled softly. "'Cause I know you mom. You always walk around like everything's just fine and dandy when in reality you're pissed and angry but you won't talk about it."
"I'm not one for conflict Daniel you know that."
"I do but the last thing I want is for you to say you accept me and Steve when you don't and you start resenting me. I want you to be honest with me."
"Well what do you want me to say?"
"I just want you to be honest with me," answered Danny, frowning. "I'll be disappointed if you say you can't accept my relationship with Steve but I'll be even more disappointed with you if you lie and say you're fine with it."
"Will it matter what I say."
Danny shook his head adamantly. "No, because I love Steve and when this weekend is over with I'm going home with him."
She paused for a moment before reaching out and grabbing Danny's face, forcing Danny to look at her. "Then I'm happy for you," she smiled.
"Ma-"
"Look Danny, listen," Madeline began. "After your divorce from Rachel I was scared you would never be the happy, fun loving, full of life son I raised. And when she moved Grace all the way to Hawaii, I could hear the pain in your voice every time you called and it broke my heart." She paused for a moment and let out a shaky breath. "But as the months went by after you joined Five-0 I could hear the old Danny in your voice whenever you called to tell me about Grace or how your week was going. It was especially brighter when you talked about Steve. I guess a part of me knew that you two had a deeper connection than most partners. Now I know that you were simply in love."
Danny had to use every ounce of willpower he had not to let the tears fall that were beginning to build in his eyes "Oh mom."
Grabbing both of Danny's hands, she held them close to her heart, smiling the entire time. "You are my son and I love you very much, and as your mother I want nothing more than for you to be happy. So if being with Steve, loving Steve, makes you happy than I am happy for you."
"Is that the truth?"
"That is the God's honest truth," she grinned lovingly as she gave Danny a peck on the cheek. "I think Steve is good for you, Hawaii is good for you, and I pretty sure your father and sisters will say the same."
"You think so."
She got off the stool and continued to grin while Danny did the same. "I know so kiddo," she replied reassuringly. "In fact I'm pretty sure Cecelia now owes Liz some money."
"Why?"
"They bet on whether Steve was more than your friend since you talk about him constantly. Liz won."
Danny's mouth dropped open as he leaned against the counter to steady his balance. "What!?"
At that very moment Steve walked back into the kitchen wearing a goofy smile. "What did I miss?"
Danny looked back at his mom who simply grinned at him before making his way over to Steve and wrapping a hand around the back of his neck. "You don't wanna know babe," replied Danny, pulling Steve down for a kiss. "You really don't wanna know."
********
Like it, love it, let me know because it would totally make my day