Summary: We are finally here guys. The last chapter of The Importance of Family. After months of prolonging the post I am happy that I have come this far, all the way to the end. Before I let you read I just want to say thank you to everyone who has read this story, reviewed, commented whether on this site on to yourself, and favorited you are awesome. Seriously, I write because I like making others feel good and when they read my fics and a smile is brought to their face I feel better about the world itself. So thank you and don't worry, I'll be back. Remember, this fic was the first part in the 'Love Like This' series which means the McDanno adventures are far from over. Now go read. Enjoy!

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.

The Importance Of Family

Chapter Six

Saturday consisted of Danny dragging Steve to all his favorite places in the city which included Frankie's Sub Place. Even though Steve complained about Danny's cholesterol as the man ordered extra fries to be placed on top of his roast beef sandwich he had to admit that turkey melt was delicious. Afterwards they made their way to the Jersey Shore so Steve could see what all the hype was about and possibly have a 'Snookie' sighting.

"So that's what you did that day you were sick and I made you stay home from work," Danny teased when Steve let slip that he knew who Snookie was. "You watched a Jersey Shore marathon."

"Shut up Danny," he hissed in response. "I couldn't find the remote and you ordered me to stay in bed or else."

"Yeah babe but Jersey Shore," Danny snickered. "Seriously I'd rather cut out my tongue than watch those idiots on T.V. with their fist bumping and smushing and grenades. It's an insult to all hard working Italians."

Having watching said marathon Steve immediately noticed Danny's complaints about the show. In-depth complaints that only a watcher of the show would know. Grabbing Danny's arm, he forced him to come to a halt. "Danny," whispered Steve, peering down at Danny. "How do you know what they do on the show if you never watch it?"

"Uh Saturday Night Live," stuttered Danny, turning his head away. "They make fun of the show all the time."

Steve simply placed an arm around Danny's shoulder and smiled broadly. "If you say so Danno."

Danny glared. "Shut up."

They visited a few other places, making sure to stop and get souvenirs for Chin, Kono, and Grace before Danny took Steve to another favorite of his, Sal's Steakhouse where the two enjoyed their last night in Jersey together over a steak dinner.

They woke up early Sunday morning, taking quick showers and packing their things before going down to the kitchen for a quick breakfast. When they arrived they found Madeline making pancakes, bacon, and toast and Anthony sipping on a freshly brewed cup of coffee. Danny and Steve were able get food first but it wasn't long before the entire kitchen was filled with noise as everyone awoke and all the adults demanded coffee.

"So when is your flight back to Hawaii?" Paul asked as he buttered his toast.

"Nine but we probably should leave in the next thirty minutes or so to go through security," Danny replied. "Then it's a ten hour flight with a two hour layover in LA before we're back home."

"Two hours, sounds brutal," Elizabeth grimaced. "What are you going to do during that time?"

"My sister Mary is going to meet us at the airport and we're going to have lunch together," Steve answered with a smile.

Madeline smiled as she placed another warm biscuit in front of both Steve and Danny. "That's good. You boys will be with a familiar face and not stuck in some airport bored out of you mind."

"Ha," chuckled Danny. "Bored and Steve do not belong in the same sentence Ma. Trust me when I say he would find something to blow up."

Steve scowled at Danny. "You're so hilarious Danny."

Danny smirked and gave Steve a playful shrug. "What can I say; it's a Williams' trait."

"It really is." added Elizabeth, who fought back a laugh

Cecelia nodded, her eyes twinkled in merriment. "We're very funny individuals. It's because of this that many people feel inferior to us," she stated, flipping her hair over her shoulder. The room erupted with laughter, the three Williams siblings laughing the loudest all while leaning against each other.

"Are they always like this?"

"Every time they're in the same room," grinned Mitchell as he slid out of the way before Elizabeth could hit him in the arm. "But it's something you get used to." Paul nodded in agreement.

"Yay me," replied Steve sarcastically, rolling his eyes causing the whole kitchen to erupt into laughter once more.

Once Danny was finally able to speak again, he placed his plate in the sink and looked over at Steve. "Hate to cut this short babe but we should really get a move on."

"Okay," replied Steve, following Danny's actions and then upstairs to their room.

They finished packing quickly and before they knew it was time for them to go to the airport. Just as Danny was zipping up the last suitcase when his mother knocked lightly on the door and walked into the room. "Are you boys done?" she asked.

"Yeah," nodded Danny. "Just finishing up. Was there something you needed?"

"Nothing of importance just wanted you to know it was really good seeing you again kiddo," smiled Madeline as she pulled her son into a warm embrace.

The response was immediate, wrapping his arms around his mother and holding her tightly. "You too Ma," he whispered softly and gave her a peck on the cheek.

"Maybe next time you come to our side of the world you'll bring Grace to visit."

Danny grinned as they pulled apart. "Hopefully we can make that work," he replied. "Or maybe you and dad can come visit us in Hawaii."

Madeline returned the grin. "Now that sounds like a really good idea. It's been forever since we've had a proper vacation."

"You totally should do that Maddie," chimed in Steve with a smile of his own. "You could stay at the house if you want," he offered. "And if not I'm pretty sure Chin and Kono know somebody who could get you a really good deal on a hotel room."

"They do have a lotta cousins on that island," chuckled Danny as he gave his mother another quick peck.

"We just may take you up on that offer."

"I'm gonna go ahead and take these downstairs," Steve stated as he lifted up the suitcases only to be stopped by Madeline's hand on his shoulder.

"Hey Steve can I talk to you for a minute?"

He shot Danny a questioning look only to have Danny shrug back. "Don't look at me."

Not wanting to be rude Steve nodded. "Sure Mrs. ...I mean Maddie."

Danny reached out and grabbed the suitcases from Steve's hands. "I'll just take these down to the car," he replied as he walked out of the room and down the stairs.

Madeline and Steve stood in silence for a few seconds before she finally found the words she wanted to say. "Before you leave I just want to say thank you."

Steve looked at her, bewildered by her words. "For what?" he asked.

"For saving my son," she stated with a smile. "After Rachel, the divorce, and then the move I wasn't sure if Daniel would ever be himself again. As a mother I worried, tremendously but then one day I get call from Danny saying that he has been drafted by a psychotic Rambo wanna be to work on the Governor's elite task force. He also mentioned being shot but that didn't deter my happiness because I heard it. That spark that had once died out had been reignited and you were the cause. I didn't lose my son because he was saved by your love and in the process I gained another son."

Steve hadn't realized it before but this is the moment he had been waiting for and it was the moment that meant the most to him. As he listened to the confession carefully, he let the fact that she accepted him sink in under his skin and into his heart. He also willed himself not cry. He was a Navy SEAL after-all, he was trained to keep his emotions at bay but at the current moment he was finding it particularly hard. "Thank you for the compliments," he finally replied, teary eyed and smiling. "But the truth is Maddie I should be thanking you for bringing Danny into this world. He's the man he is today because of you and Tony. Because you raised him to be a head strong, loving individual who wants nothing more than to do good in this world and keep it safe for those he loves. I'm lucky I'm one of those loved ones. It's more than I could have ever asked for."

Madeline didn't even try to hide the tears that fell from her face. Wrapping her arms around Steve, she hugged him tightly. "Let's just call it even," she chuckled happily

He returned the hug full force and continued to grin as they pulled apart. "Okay." Steve checked the room one final time to make sure he and Danny had everything they'd brought with them, and he made his way to the door.

"One last thing Steve."

"Yeah Maddie," replied Steve, turning around.

She walked over to him and grabbed his hand. "I know I can never could replace your mother," Madeline began, "to be honest I wouldn't even know where to begin, but if you ever want to talk to me about anything don't hesitant to call."

"Maddie I wouldn't want-"

But Madeline cut him off by reaching up and patting him lightly on the cheek. "Don't you know kiddo, you're family now and that's what family does."

This time he didn't try to stop the tears that were gathering in the corner of his eyes. "Thanks Maddie," he whispered gratefully.

"Anytime."

He let her leave the room first and immediately followed after her. As he descended down the stairs his eyes instantly began searching for Danny. When Steve finally found Danny, surrounded by the rest of his family, he ran over to his partner and pulled him into a tight embrace, not caring that his entire family was watching.

Danny was taken back for a second but then wrapped his arms tightly around Steve returning the hug. "So I take it the talk was good," he asked, smiling.

Steve pulled away slightly and gave Danny a warm smile. "It was better than good Danno," he replied back. "It was everything."

Suddenly the sound of someone clearing their throat made them pull even further apart and turn around to find the entire family grinning ecstatically.

"If you're done we have something to give you before you leave," replied Cecelia as she pulled something from behind her back.

"You got me a present," asked Danny dumbfounded.

"Not you Danny, Steve. We got a present for Steve," she stated, walking over to Steve and handing him the wrapped gift.

Steve said nothing as he glanced in Danny's direction, wondering if his partner had anything to do with the gift. When Danny shrugged nonchalantly Steve did the only thing he could – he opened it. His eyes and mouth widened at what he saw. It was a framed photo him at the party held the night before. Steve hadn't even noticed that his picture was being taken but there he was. Standing next to the kitchen table, laughing with a beer half-way to his lips and Danny's arm around his waist.

Cecelia grabbed the photo from Steve's hands and walked over to the wall. "In case you hadn't realized this wall is very special to us. Nobody but close family is allowed on this wall because it holds memories; personal moments captured in time for us look back on and remember the happiness we felt. And now, you belong on this wall with us because I have a feeling this isn't the last time you'll be visiting the Garden State." With a final smile she hung the picture on the wall right beside the one next to Danny's and turned back around. "Perfect."

"I guess what we're trying to say is welcome to the family Steve," smiled Elizabeth as she walked over to Steve and threw her arms around him. Cecelia quickly followed suit, along with the rest of the family, and soon Steve found himself with an arm full of Williams'.

Steve didn't mind at all, happily accepting the hugs and smiling as he watched Cecelia add his picture to the wall. This time he didn't stop the tears as he looked out at Danny's family. At people who he'd met a few days ago and already they accepted him as one of their own. In the span of four days he had gained so much and was so grateful for it all. "Thank you so much," as he wiped the fresh tears from his cheeks.

Danny didn't hesitate, throwing his arms around both his sisters and pulling them close. He had never been worried about his family not accepting Steve; he just didn't know they would be this accepting this quickly. It made his heart swell with pride and happiness. "I love you guys so much," he whispered, kissing both of their cheeks.

Each returned the kiss and pulled away smiling. "We love you too," replied Cecelia with Elizabeth fully agreeing. "Now you should really get going."

"Yeah son wouldn't want you missing your flight." Anthony gave Danny a firm hug and smiled softly. "It was good seeing you and remember I love you."

"Thanks dad I love you too."

"Take care of each other," requested Madeline as she gave both men a quick peck on the cheek.

"We always do," answered Steve, nodding.

With one final round of hugs Steve and Danny exited the home, hands entwined as they walked towards the car.

It was quiet for a while as Danny concentrated on the road ahead of him when suddenly he gave Steve a quick glance spoke. "So I guess you had a good time."

"That would be an understatement Danno because I had a great time. Meeting your family, words can't describe how incredible it was for me. Thank you for loving me enough to share them with me."

It suddenly felt as if all the air had been sucked out of the car and Danny's tongue had become ten sizes too big for his mouth. "So," he managed to choke out. "You think you could handle another Williams' family gathering?"

"Danny not only can I handle it but I already can't wait till the next one."

"That's good because Ma wants to know our Christmas plans."

Steve laughed happily as his hand fell on top of Danny's and the two continued their drive to the airport, both smiling broadly.

A perfect way to end a very fluffy story, don't you think. Really hope I didn't offend anyone with the Jersey Shore comment but come on, you have to admit the cast are kinda idiots. Not judging, just saying. Hope you guys enjoyed it and I really hope you stay tuned to the next part of the series which hopefully will be posted soon. It will be a one-shot that will prelude to a longer fic. One hint 'bended knee' Until next time,

Put off for tomorrow what you don't want to do today

Ladycizzle