McDanno - A True Hawaiian Love Story

Chapter 14: 1 Week Later

Danny's P.O.V.

I woke up with a jolt, grasping my side. It's been a week since the transplant and I've been waking up with spasms every morning. I clenched my fist as I got out of bed, trying not to cry out. I slowly walked over to my dresser and grasped the metal cane the surgeon gave me. I took short, careful steps towards the door, trying not to have another spasm. Damn that surgery and damn McGarrett for getting shot. I immediately swore under my breath, feeling guilty for my selfishness.

I took a deep breath and hobbled into the kitchen ever so slowly. I sat down at the table soon after, surprisingly almost out of breath. I was still on medical leave, and I didn't mind the vacation, but I was nearly going insane without the risk of Steve almost wrapping us around a telephone pole every morning in the Camaro. I chuckled at the fond memory.

This triggered something else; someone else, that I haven't thought about in over a week now. It's been seemingly forever since we talked. That night in the hospital was the last time we talked. I gripped the table, my nails digging in. I was getting kind of tired of this perpetual dick-around that was going on. I should know by now, Steve is the polar opposite of anyone with any remote sense of empathy or compassion.

My thoughts were interrupted by the shrill sound of my phone on the counter. I reached over and just managed to grab it. The caller ID read Rachel. I sighed and pressed the bright green button. "Yes, sweetie" I said facetiously. She chuckled politely, almost nervously. It didn't take me a long time to figure out something was wrong.

It was silent for a moment, "Rachel?" I said after a while, worried she got disconnected. "Yeah, Danny." She said ever so quietly. I sat bolt upright, suddenly terrified, "Rachel, what happened?" I asked sternly. When she didn't respond instantly, I continued, "Did something happen to Grace?" I could feel her hand shaking, "No no nothing happened to Grace." She took a deep breath, "Danny I need to tell you something important."

"Danny, there's nothing that I want more than to allow Grace to spend as much time with you as the world allows, but.." She paused, sniffling. I was still, silent unsure of what was happening. Suddenly, it begun to make sense. The day I knew was coming, had finally arrived. It almost happened before, but I knew there was a deal breaker this time. I sighed, "Where is it this time?" I said impatiently. I could almost hear her gasp over the phone. I smiled, "You forget I was a cop, eh?" She laughed slightly.

"No I didn't forget, but it might have slipped my mind how terrible I am at dancing around the subject. Remember that?" She laughed out loud, a true, genuine laugh. So sweet, reminding of our first moments together. It was silence for a while, "Charleston." She muttered. "Huh?" I said, still in a trance. "Charleston, South Carolina." She said more sternly. I was about to say something, milliseconds away from objecting, but she cut me off immediately. "Before you say anything, you need to know I already filed the papers weeks ago awarding me full guardianship of Grace so either you come with us or you stay here, your decision." These last words were  sharp and painful, just as I deserved. I nodded as she hung up.

I stood up slowly, putting the phone on the table. All my movements were slow, indecisive; it felt like I was outside of my body, watching myself from far away. I was being enveloped in a blinding case (ironically enough) of tunnel vision. The idea of moving away from Hawaii was okay, but to leave Steve was absolutely terrifying. I realized I couldn't wait any longer, I needed to tell him. I knew what to say, but not how how to say it, I thought to myself as I walked out of my house. Oh, damn that blue eyed boy.