Chapter 15

Grace looked up at Steve with a grin on her face. She had been planning today for weeks and wanted everything to be just perfect. She had asked Steve to help decorate the house with blue, yellow and green streamers. There were balloons everywhere and on the dining table were three place settings with colorful plates and napkins.

"Come on," Danny's voice yelled from the next room. "Hurry it up, will you."

"Do not take off the blindfold," Grace yelled back with a giggle." We're coming out now."

"Ready?" Steve looked down at the girl.

She nodded vigorously as they headed out into the dining room.

"Okay, Danno, you can take off the blindfold," Grace said.

When Danny took off the soft material covering his eyes, his grin nearly matched Grace's. On a plate were three slices of chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting. On each piece was a lit candle. Steve came over to Danny and carefully set a silver and blue hat on his head.

Together Steve and Grace began singing 'Happy Birthday'. There were unshed tears in Danny's eyes by the time the tune was over.

"You missed your last birthday, Danno," Grace explained as she held the plate in front of him. "But I had Mom save some of the cake for when you were better. But then I thought I'd keep it for your next birthday so you didn't completely miss it."

"Thank you, monkey," Danny said.

"You know you have to blow it out and make a wish," Steve said.

Danny hesitated for a moment before blowing out the three candles. Grace and Steve both clapped as the girl set the plate down on the table.

Steve watched as Grace set a piece of cake at each setting. She'd already brought out a pitcher of iced lemon tea. He watched the exchange as Danny hugged Grace to him when she set the cake in front of him. This past year had been one of the hardest Steve could remember in a long time. A year ago Steve almost couldn't have imagined. One year ago Steve had been sitting in a hospital chair clinging to the slim hope that his friend was still alive. He still woke up at times hearing Danny scream and saw him fall into the shaft. But that was being replaced more and more with the current image. Danny was walking with a cane. He had been put on medications to help with his mood swings. He still had trouble using his left hand but he was learning to compensate. He had been back to work in a limited capacity but was itching to be back full time.

There were moments this past year, Steve had wanted to walk away. But he would never leave a member of his ohana. His own mother had, his father had been murdered, and had only recently become reacquainted with his sister Mary. Danny may not be blood family but he was just as much ohana. He had watched his friend struggle to get his life back. He had kept his word about being an ass at times. Steve had found himself praying more in the past year than most of his adult life. He wasn't sure what he really believed but he did know it was nothing but a miracle that Danny was still here.

Steve watched as Grace hugged her Danno and he returned the hug. This image of Danny holding his child and smiling Steve was going to keep. He didn't need to make a wish, he had his ohana brother again.

"Happy birthday, Danny," he said aloud as he sat down.

"Hey, thanks, man," Danny smiled back at him. "I already got my wish. I've got my life back."

(Okay, that is the end of this story. I have really been amazed and grateful at the response to this story and I thank everyone for reading.)

A/N: I did ask my mom who is a baker, and yes, cake can be kept safely in a freezer for a year.

Thanks again everybody.