#Gordon Kastumoto

[j--halstead]

This has been a long time coming (no seriously like over a month at this point. my b) @ohmyolicity sent me this request literally weeks ago and I’ve been swamped with job interviews and exams and practicals and everything under the sun that I finally finished it before I start by end of senior year bender (:  this is also 5K words and it got out of hand because I forgot there were going to be 5 of the little one shots 

PROMPT: Four times Magnum was on a date with Abby but had to leave because of Higgins and the One time Abby leaves 

one

Business for Magnum had actually been booming lately, which he wasn't sure was a good thing or a bad one but he wasn't complaining. Neither was Higgins, considering he paid her his bills and got the Ferrari detailed at that place she said Robin prefers. Tonight he had brought Abby to a new restaurant right on the water that she had mentioned a couple weeks ago, back when his wallet was pretty thin.

"Thomas, I still don't know how you got these reservations. I've tried and they're booked for weeks."

 "Oh you know how it works on this island. You know a guy who knows a guy." Actually, the owner was an old client. He hired Magnum to prove his wife was cheating, and well, Magnum nearly got his head blown off with a shotgun when he got caught.

 Magnum picked at the plate of calamari between them, watching Abby take in the atmosphere. This was their fourth date and it's been going great in his opinion. Being a lawyer, she's busy just as much as he is so, unlike other women he's met, she understands the crazy hours.

 After he apologized for pretending to be Dr. Tomas Caballo, Magnum and Abby realized they actually have a lot in common. Obviously he knew, from her little speech ending their fake first date. But once he told her who the real Thomas Magnum was, she was quick to give him a second chance at a first date.

 "Did you wrap up your case? The one with the twins?"

 Magnum sipped his wine. "Yeah, it was a happy ending for once. Always like when that happens." He reached over and held her hand. "What about your case?"

 "My case actually settled out of court, so I guess also a happy ending." She popped a piece of calamari into her mouth, eyes dancing over Magnum's face. It may be a small island, but there are over 350,000 people here. And Abby was happy that she managed to run into him. The restaurant around them buzzed, but it seemed like they were in their own little world. "Since we've both had some crazy weeks I thought it would be nice if we spent some time together and I took the a couple days off."

 They both paused when the server brought their meals out. Magnum thought over what she was saying. Spending a couple days together might be a slightly bigger step, but it might be what they needed. "Yeah, yeah that sounds amazing." Just as the words came out of his mouth, Magnum's phone started barking.

 Abby laughed at the ringtone. "Seriously? Dogs barking?"

"It's Higgins, I thought it was appropriate because of the lads." He stood up and pushed his chair in. "I'm sorry I'll only be a minute" he said as he bent down to kiss her cheek.

Walking outside, Magnum answered the call after getting some looks about the barking. "Higgins, what's up?"

 "Sorry to interrupt your date but your clients are here. And they don't seem happy. They mentioned something about you needing to look into another photo they received. I guess your case was not closed."

 Magnum ran a hand down his face and sighed. "Did you tell them I'm not around?"

 "I did. They're demanding to see you." Juliet hesitated before she spoke again. "Thomas, I can handle this for you if you'd like, but they do seem adamant on speaking with you tonight."

 "Thanks Higgy, but I should wrap it up." He looked into the restaurant at Abby. He felt awful, but he had to finish the job. "Just- can you let them in the guest house to wait til I get back?"

 Magnum heard Juliet apologize again before he hung-up and walked back to the table. His hand brushed against Abby's shoulder before he sat down. She looked up at him smiling, but the smile slowly dropped when she noticed he didn't move to pick up his napkin or fork or knife.

 "You have you go, don't you. That's why Higgins called?"

 His eyes dropped to the table as he spoke. "I am so sorry, Abby. I know how much you were looking forward to this." He scratched his beard as he continued. "And it looks like my case isn't over, so our couple days together might have to wait."

 Abby reached out for his hand. "Thomas, I understand how this goes. Go, do your thing, help people." Magnum pressed his lips in a thin line. Finally, he nodded and stood up, pulling Abby up by the hand. He kissed her cheek before slipping out, leaving enough cash with the server to cover the bill.

two

It was rare that Magnum's cases went to court. Even rarer that Magnum himself had to go to court for it. But ever since he started seeing Abby, he didn't mind being in court. She was typically in the courthouse. And when she wasn't, her office was close enough that if Thomas had court, they could meet up.

 A father had hired Magnum to find the drunk driver that killed his son and fled the scene. But once Thomas let the name slip, the father found him and beat him beyond recognition and got himself arrested for aggravated assault. And that is how Thomas found himself standing outside the court house. His phone was buzzing with notifications from TC and Rick, but he ignored them all and waited for Abby to answer.

 Walking towards her office, Magnum pulled his phone out and silenced all the texts, calling Abby instead. It rang out to voicemail so he figured she was in a meeting or on another call. "Hey, uh, it's me. Thomas. I just got out of court if you still wanted to meet up for lunch. I'm going to walk to your office just incase you don't see this."

 While he waited for the crosswalk sign, he checked his texts and saw the guys asking about his case. He had one from Kumu, reminding him that she's on the mainland for the week at a family event, and to check in with Higgins every now and then.

 Higgins told him the other day that she had business to deal with. Something about the estate and meeting with people. Honestly, he stopped paying attention after a few minutes and couldn't remember. In fact, he couldn't remember the last time that he had actually spoken to Higgins. She hadn't been around the estate in the morning when he was walking back from his row on the beach, and Thomas can't remember seeing her last night either.

 Whether she was just in the main house, or completely of the estate, Thomas felt like he should at least try to call her. If not for anything else other than he hates when Kumu gets mad.

 As Thomas pulled his phone back out of his pocket, Katsumoto's contact popped up. The two weren't involved in a case recently so Thomas stepped to the edge of the sidewalk and stopped to take the call.

 "Detective Katsumoto, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

 "Magnum. When was the last time you heard from Miss. Higgins?"

 With that, Thomas' stomach dropped. "Yesterday morning I think. But I was just about to call her so if you let me call you back, I'll find out where she is." He heard the detective sigh. "Okay that's not a good sound so why don't you tell me what's going on? Preferably before Kumu or Robin comes after me for not looking out for her?"

 "Uniforms found the Range Rover, crashed into a telephone pole. Her weapon was still under the seat, phone and wallet both still inside. CSU found a good amount of blood inside the car."

 "Higgins is O+ if you're trying to match it." At the sound of his name being called, Thomas' head snapped up. Abby was walking right towards him. He managed a tight smile before giving his attention back to the phone call. "I'm coming down to the station. I know her better than anyone else on this island and you know if you don't let me help then I'm just going to go off on my own."

 A groan came through the phone. "Fine. But only because I don't need you going all cowboy trying to find her."

 Abby stepped closer when she noticed Thomas put the phone away. Taking in the regretful look on his face, Abby could already make a guess. "You have to go."

 "Higgins is missing. I've gotta find her, Abby." He watched Abby sigh reluctantly, but nonetheless, she was okay with it. She kissed his cheek and gave him a light shove before watching him jog towards the Ferrari.

Sixteen grueling hours later, Thomas and Katsumoto found Higgins, hands and feet secured to the legs and arms of a chair. An old colleague of Ian's tracked her down and brought her to an abandoned  warehouse. Thomas was the first through the door. Two shots brought down the man responsible and, without pausing for a moment,  he was on his knees by her side in seconds.

 "Magnum, EMS is only a couple minutes out." From his experience, Thomas knows her injuries were solely to cause pain. Broken ribs and fingers, her face severely bruised, and a deep cut to the side of her head that would explain how she was grabbed and the blood in the car.

 "Thomas?" The warmth from his hands resting on her cheeks brought her back to consciousness.

 "You're alright, I got you." He watched her try to stand which caused her to collapse in pain. "Yeah, no. Don't do that." Thomas kept his hands resting on Higgins. One laid on top of her knee, his thumb dragging soft circles against the fabric of her jeans. The other slid into her hair. He was trying to get a better look at the gash and see if it was still bleeding. Once Katsumoto cut off the zip ties, Juliet's hand moved to cover Thomas'. She caught his attention and Juliet breathed a sigh of relief seeing his eyes. Her head leaned into his hand more, finally letting her guard down and relax knowing she was safe with Thomas.

three

Thomas had been staying at Abby's place a couple nights a week and that's how he knew this was getting serious. The first few nights he didn't truly plan on it. They had gone out and she invited him inside after and he did the walk of shame in the same clothes the next morning. Recently, he started keeping a go bag in the Ferrari just in case. Tonight though, tonight Abby had other plans.

 He had just finished brushing his teeth and went to put it back in the travel case when Abby walked into the bathroom. "What are you doing?"

 "Uh-" Thomas hesitated, not knowing what he was doing wrong. "I was just brushing my teeth?"

 She walked up to him and grabbed the hand that was holding said toothbrush. "You do this every time you stay over. Why not just leave it here?" Oh, hm, ya that's what was wrong.

 Thomas really liked Abby, seriously he did. But he really didn't do the whole serious, live-in relationship thing. Not since Hannah. The only woman he's sort of lived with is Juliet. But even then, they each have their own house. Even if they do wander into each other's almost everyday, and eat most meals together, and work together.

 "Just, like to keep my bag complete. You know, in case I need to stay over somewhere else." He awkwardly scratched the back of his neck and tossed the brush in the bag, zipping it up, and tossing it in the corner of the room. He noticed Abby walk in the bedroom behind him. "You have court early right? We should probably catch some sleep."

 In the nights that Thomas has been there, they created somewhat a routine. He climbed in 'his' side of the bed, waited for her to climb in, and shut the lights off. Thomas leaned over and kissed her forehead gently. "How about I cook breakfast in the morning? Higgins always says a good breakfast can change your entire day." His lips trailed kisses down the side of her face with a smile.

 "Yeah, I think that sounds good." She inhaled deeply, trying not to get annoyed, and turned to kiss him back.

 Lately, it seemed like every time they were together, every conversation Thomas mentioned Juliet Higgins. In a way, Abby gets it. They live at the estate together and she helps him on his cases sometimes. And Juliet's nice, but she can't help but get annoyed. No matter how many times Thomas denies there was ever anything between the two of them, Abby is convinced there is something. But she pushes it to the back of her mind because he's here with her, and he seems happy to be. She leaned towards the warmth coming from his bare chest and let his arms pull her closer and within minutes she was asleep.

 The mellow sound of a Hawaiian song filled the room. With how dark it still was, Thomas knew that it can't be an alarm. After rubbing the sleep out of his eyes and waking himself up to be a little more aware, Thomas realized that the song is his ringtone for Kumu. But picking up the phone showed that it's almost three in the morning. His mother always told him nothing good happens after two am.

 "Kumu?" Thomas' voice was barely a whisper in hopes that Abby didn't wake up.

 "Thomas, I'm so sorry to call so late."

 "No it’s okay. I know you would only call if it were important." Thomas heard shuffling and mumbles in the background. Then he heard a loud speaker and some beeping. "Kumu are you in a hospital?"

 Within seconds, all the worst scenarios began running through his head. Someone was badly hurt, or dead. Someone close enough that Kumu was calling him and not HPD. Higgins, most likely, but maybe Rick or TC. But that would only happen if they were both in there and that would be the-

 "Did you hear me Thomas?" He hadn't. He had been so wrapped up in his head that he didn't realize Kumu was speaking, or that his breathing was getting very rattled, or that Abby had woken up and turn on a lamp. "I said it's Juliet. They think she'll be okay but she's still in surgery."

 "Wait, what? Surgery?" Thomas could feel Abby's eyes burning into him. "I'll be there in ten." Hanging up without letting Kumu get another word in, he got out of bed and grabbed his clothes out of his go bag. "That was Kumu, she's at the hospital with Higgins." He pulled a pair of jeans on and slid a gray tee over his head as he walked over to where she now sat up in bed. "I'm sorry I woke you. You should get some sleep." Thomas took her face in his hands and kissed the top of her head. And with that, he was out the door.

 Kumu sat at Juliet's bedside when Thomas came bursting in. She watched as his eyes immediately landed on the woman in the bed and then watched him inhale so deeply it was as if he was reminding his body to breathe.

 "They were just coming out to tell me they were done when you hung up on me." His eyes snapped to the older woman. She motioned to the chair on the other side of the bed for him to sit. "Appendicitis. She called me and said she was in excruciating pain and couldn't walk or drive herself. The doctors said she's lucky she made it here just before it burst."

 Thomas reached out and picked up Juliet's hand in his own. She was colder than anyone should be in Hawaii, and paler than usual. Kumu walked behind Thomas and stopped for a moment to put a hand on his shoulder. She knew that he was at Abby's tonight, or else he would have been the one to drive Juliet in. And the fact the he left her in bed to come here says a lot. She just doesn't think either of the young couple knows what they mean to each other.

 He didn’t know how long he sat there, people were moving in and out of the room without bothering him. Kumu came back with a coffee and took her seat on the other side of the bed. She was engrossed in a magazine when she noticed Thomas sit up slightly. She watched his hand move to caress the side of Juliet’s face and within seconds the other woman’s eyes started to flutter open. Kumu said something about getting the doctor, giving them a moment.

  “Hey, you’re alright. It’s just me.” He watched her eyes scrunch shut before they opened again, fully and focusing on him. He felt her lean into his hand as she started to wake up. ”You know,” Thomas’ voice was soft as he spoke. “I really hate getting calls that someone’s in the hospital. Let alone someone I- I’m friends with.” Juliet caught his slip but was too tired to do anything other than push it to the back of her mind. She just smiled as much as she could at him. And if neither of them let go of their joined hands resting on the bed when Kumu returned, well then no one mentioned it after that.

four

"Thomas!" He had pulled Abby under a wave, sputtering a laugh when they both surfaced.

 "Come on! The water's perfect and you wouldn't even go past your knees." He floated back, hands brushing against rocks in the sand. "Don't tell me you can't swim."

 Abby rolled her eyes. "Thomas, why would I move to an island in the middle of the ocean if I couldn't swim?"

 A grin spread across Thomas' face. "To find a charming, handsome man who just happens to be an ex-Navy SEAL to teach you to swim."

 The two had been rescheduling for weeks. Between his cases, her cases, and just crazy things not lining up, they needed a day to themselves. One of the perks of living at Robin's Nest is the stretch of private beach on the property. Kumu was swamped with tour's all day and Higgins was dealing with some things for the property, so he was sure they would be the only ones around.

 "I came here for a fresh start" Abby's words were whispered. She waded through the water until she was waist deep. "And I just happened to find a very charming, very handsome man. And this man just happens to live on one of the largest estates on the island.

 Thomas made his way over and stood, wrapping his arms around her. "A fresh start? Picked hell of a place for it." He peppered kisses down her cheek before stopping on her lips. Abby's hand threaded through his short hair, deepening the kiss.

 Thomas' phone could be heard barking from back on the beach. "Just let it ring out" she whispered against his lips. She nipped at his jaw, moving down his neck and feeling his fingers dig into her waist. The barking continued for a few moments until it finally silenced. He wrapped both arms around Abby's waist and whispered in her ear, "Hold your breath." In the next moment, he fell backwards and pulled her with him underwater where he pressed his lips against hers.

 Pushing against his chest gently, Abby stood up for some air. Her head tossed back with a laugh when Thomas stood and seaweed was in his hair. Another voice cut through the air and caught their attention. Higgins was standing where the sand met the grass of the yard yelling for Thomas.

 "Higgy!" Both Abby and Thomas began shuffling towards the sand. Abby had never seen the other woman anything but calm and right now she definitely was not. Thomas was visibly worried as he began to jog through the water. Abby slowed, watching as he ran through the shallows and up the sand. "What's wrong? What happened?" He watched Higgins' eyes scan over him as if checking for injuries, her hands were shaking.

 Abby continued until she was close enough to hear, but not too close to feel as if she were invading their space. After the first few times being at the estate, or just around Thomas and Higgins, Abby had realized that the two had a special bond. Going through horrible things can bring people together.

 "You didn't answer your phone. I've been calling and you weren't answering and I thought-" Juliet trailed off. She ran her hands through her blonde hair trying to calm herself. Her chest was heaving with each quick breath and her eyes were shut tight.

 "Higgins." Thomas reached out and placed a hand on her arm. "Hey, Juliet. Slow down. What happened?" He can honestly say that she had never been this shaken up about anything in the time he's known her, except for once. And he hoped it wasn't related.

 When her eyes opened he saw tears threatening to fall. "I thought something happened to you." She saw a protest building on his lips, or more likely more questions. "An old friend at MI6 just called. Ian escaped and they believe he's coming back here. So when I called and you didn't answer I thought about Richard and I thought the worst had happened."

 Juliet's words were piling up in Thomas' mind and she wasn't even aware. He knew that the only thing that could get her to react like this was Ian. Without even thinking he pulled her into a hug. His hand rubbed her back while the other rested against the back of her neck, trying to calm her down. He could feel her hot breath against his bare chest. Thomas honestly forgot that Abby was feet away, back on the beach. All he was concerned about in that moment was keeping Juliet safe.

 "I'm right here, I'm fine Juliet, I'm okay." Thomas felt her nod against his neck. "We'll find him, and I'll double check all of the security cameras and sensors and the gate when I get back up there. But I promise you," his lips dropped to brush against the shell of her ear. "This time, I'll let you put the bullet in him."

 She took in a shaky breath and put both hands against his chest. Looking over his shoulder quickly, Juliet noticed that Thomas wasn't at the beach alone. "Right, well, let me know if you need anything regarding the security measures and I’ll let you get back to your date." She watched as his eyebrows pulled together. "Abby, she's down at the beach. Or did you already forget her name?" Juliet meant it teasingly, but neither were in the joking mood and Thomas wasn't budging.

 "I'll drive her home, I should get to work on the security system." Neither had moved in minutes. Thomas' hands were now loosely around her waist, keeping her closer than he probably should with his girlfriend standing feet away. Juliet had left her hands on his chest, fingers pressing into his chest.

  Juliet sighed "Thomas, he's not on the island, it's okay. Go back to her." Giving him a gentle push, Juliet tried (and failed) to smile. Thomas copied her sigh when both of his hands dropped. He watched her walk back towards the main house for a moment before going back to Abby.

plus one

Thomas had started cooking dinner almost an hour ago. Abby was coming over soon and he kept messing up the fish he bought. He wasn't usually a big fish person, but she had opened him up to trying new things and he wanted to do something nice for her.

 The past couple of days he could tell that something was off. Whether it was just him overthinking, or if there was something going on, he wasn't sure. But Thomas knew that having her over to the guest house would be just what they needed. The views, the breeze off the water, and the peace and quiet, as long as the dogs behaved themselves and stayed away from the guest house.

 His phone beeped with a text from Higgins letting him know she let Abby through the gate. That was another thing that was weird. Every since he and Abby started getting serious, Higgins was rarely around to berate him about anything. She still helped Thomas with his cases, but she was popping over less and less and she kept the dogs away from bothering him.

 Women were always a confusing area in Thomas' life.

 Hearing the car door shut, Thomas tossed a piece of fish on the grill and turned the oven to low to keep the vegetables warmed. He left the beers in the fridge for now, knowing that this wasn't a wine meal or night.

 "Hey, sorry I'm late. My meeting with a client ran late and then traffic and-" Thomas cut her rambling off, cupping her face and pressing his lips against hers gently. "I meant to call." Her words were whispered against his lips as she pulled away.

 "Don't worry about it." Thomas grabbed her bag and placed it on a chair in the living room. "I've got some of that fish you like on the grill, and asparagus in the oven." He started scuffling around between the kitchen and the grill out back.

 Abby's been to the estate before, and she's been in the guest house before so she's seen the few personal items that Thomas has placed around. A few pictures of him with Rick, TC, and Nuzo. One of him and his dad when he was little at a Tigers game. And one of him and his mom at his BUD/S graduation. But there was one she'd never seen before. It was of Thomas and Juliet Higgins. It looked like they were somewhere on the property, but it was how they looked in the picture that struck Abby. It was a candid photo, Juliet was laughing with her head tipped backwards while Thomas stared at her, a smile on his face, almost in awe.

 While she understood that Juliet was a part of Thomas' life, she didn't know how big. Abby turned to watch him, mumbling to himself while he checked out the fish. He brings Juliet up in conversation almost every night they've been together, and she's never been the jealous type but there was something about his tone and the look on his face. He's in love with Juliet Higgins and he doesn't even know it. And from what Abby has seen between the two's interactions, Juliet feels the same.

 "Abby?"

 "Sorry, what did you say?"

 Thomas laughed softly. "I said you might want to check the fish, I still don't think I'm cooking it right." He stood at the grill, but his eyes wandered out to the grass. Over his shoulder, she could make out Juliet walking after the dogs. His eyes never left her.

 Thomas is a good man, one of the best she's ever met. And Abby knows that he would never intentionally hurt her, but if she's being honest: Thomas was never hers to begin with.

 "Thomas." Abby slowly moved to where he stood at the grill and closed the lid on it, getting his attention back. "Just come sit," she saw a protest on his lips, probably about the fish. "It needs to cook and the smoke will help."

 She led him to the couch and sat to face him, holding his hand between her two in her lap. "I'm not staying for dinner tonight. Thomas, I've had this feeling, like a voice in the back of my head. It keeps telling me that this isn't right." His brow pulled together. "You are such an amazing man. You have the biggest heart, and you can't cook for your life but you tried anyway because you know I like fish, and you watch the Dodgers with me even when they play the same time as the Tigers."

 "I don't understand."

 "You do everything you can to make me happy. But you deserve someone who can make you just as  happy. And I don’t think that’s me." Looking down at their hands, Abby took a deep breath. "I think that this needs to end because your heart is already someone else's."

 As if on cue, the dogs started barking at each other and Juliet's voice drifted into the guest house.

 "I'm not upset, I truthfully saw it in the beginning and tried pushing it out of my head. But the way you look at each other, that's something special." Abby leaned over, squeezing his hand between hers while she kissed his cheek. "She loves you, Thomas. And I think you already know you love her. So just take the leap."

 And with that, Abby grabbed her bag and walked out the front door. This left Thomas with his thoughts, and so many questions. He'd always known Juliet was attractive, and they just click because they've both been through a lot. But they fight all the time. But then again, they've never truly been mad at each other. And maybe he did have feelings for her, but she couldn't have them for him. Could she? Thomas always thought that she didn't date because she closed herself off after Richard's death. But she'd been flirty with him, which never happened ever before. And he truthfully couldn't picture his life without her in it.

 So that was it. He had to act on it now before he got too scared. Abby's words hung heavily in his head, he had to take the leap. And if Thomas' didn't know, he would've thought he had been speaking out loud. Because the next thing he knew, there were footsteps out by the grill.

 "Magnum are you aware that your grill is smoking?" His eyes snapped up to her and taking one deep breath, he took the ten steps to outside. "Are you trying to burn the guest house down?"

 Thomas stopped inches away from her, and he knew she had to think he was crazy at this point. And if she didn't, well she might in a couple seconds. Slowly, he lifted one hand and threaded it in her hair, pulling her against him within seconds and closed the gap between them. He caught her bottom lip between his and held his breath. Waiting three seconds, Thomas pulled away.

 "Thomas." Within seconds, Juliet pulled Thomas by his shirt and sealed their lips again. His hands dropped to her waist, fingers flexing against her hips and eliminating any space that was between them. Juliet's hands gripped the ridiculous floral shirt he was wearing, leaving wrinkles in it when she finally let go. Seconds passed like hours and by the time they both caught their breath, neither knew what to say. Until Thomas did.

 "Juliet," his breath tickled her skin as he let the words she never expected to hear tumble out. "I'm in love with you."

[miggyfan]

Miggy 31

31. A kiss after a small rejection

 “Moving forward”

 It had happened so fast, no one could have prevented it.

When Magnum had answered the call, Katsumoto had seen his face turn so pale, he thought he was going to have an aneurysm.

The P.I didn’t give any informations to the cop, he just shouted : « I need to go home ASAP ! It’s an emergency ! »

Of course, knowing the kind of tumultuous life Magnum and Higgins live, Gordon didn’t waste any time.

He put on the siren and rushed toward Robin’s nest, as fast as he could.

He just hoped that they were going to be on time, seeing the worried look on Magnum’s face, he would never forgive himself, if anything bad had happened, because he had call the P.I to consult on a case and took him away from home, while his partner was in danger.

The minute they stepped into the estate, a disheveled Magnum ran as fast as he could toward the main house, jumping over the koi pond, nearly breaking his neck on the japanese concrete slab.

Then he stopped abruptly in the middle of the living room, grabbing Gordon shirt so tight, the cop thought that something really bad had happened, and that they were too late.

« Don’t make any sounds, and be as quiet as possible… » Magnum whispered, without looking at the detective.

Magnum slowly walked toward Higgins who was on the floor in the middle of the living room.

He had so much emotions in his eyes, that Kastumoto thought he was going to cry.

Thomas crouched down next to his partner, taking her hand in his, squeezing it tight in his palm.

« Please Higgy… Tell me I'm not too late ? » Said Magnum in a low tone.

« No you’re not… You came right on time… » Replied Juliet, in a trembling voice.

Apprehension filled the room, everyone was holding their breath, and then it happened…

Pudgy little hands released their grasp on the soft fabric of the couch…

Tiny bare toes wiggled slowly…

As he rocked tentatively from side to side, Tom’s chubby little legs finally obeyed him, and he took a step forward under the amazed eyes of his parents.

Both of them had their eyes focused on the very little person in front of them, fear, concentration, excitement, a roll coaster of emotions running wild in their heart, as their little boy was trying to take his first steps.

Gordon couldn’t believe it !

He was going to kill Magnum !

He thought that someone had broken into the house.

He had feared that an incident had happened in the household of Robin’s nest.

Instead, Magnum had made him drive the police car with the siren on, to show up on time at his home, to witness his son’s first steps.

Katsumoto wanted to strangle the P.I, but he could admit that it was hard to stay angry at the cute baby smiling at his parents, showing his dimples, while trying to maintain his balance on his chubby wobbly little legs.

Tom lifted his left foot and stepped forward, feeling the cool wooden floor under his plump little feet.

He squealed with delight and patted the ground with his foot, very amused by the sound of his step filling the room.

Tom expectantly stretched his hand toward his parents, waiting for their support.

Thomas and Juliet outstretched their arms toward their baby, while cheering on him to encourage him to move forward.

Tom’s little steps were hesitant and slow, but Magnum and Higgins were patient. They knew how lucky they were to witness this small feats, so little moments like this were savored, and treasured endlessly.

« Come on Tom… Come to Daddy ! » Encouraged Magnum, with a smile.

They watched with rapt attention, as their little boy lurched himself forward with increasing sureness.

They exchanged proud gazes, as Tom took a few shaky steps toward them.

But as soon as the baby caught sight of the lads sleeping on the floor next to his parents, he let out a happy squealed and propelled himself toward the dogs, dodging his father’s arms to stumbled and nearly fell on the huge dobermans.

Fortunately, his daddy’s quick reflexes kicked in, and Magnum gently caught his son in his arms, right before he would hit the floor.

Magnum toppled onto Juliet with his son safely secured in his arms. 

He let himself fall on her, sending his whole family into an adorable sprawling mess, with a fit of giggles.

Katsumoto shook his head in his disbelief, but he couldn’t stop his lips from curving upward into a little grin, as he watched the Magnum’s family celebrating their cute little exploit.

He thought about his own son, the passing of time, and how fleeting these moments could be.

Maybe Magnum was right, by using any means necessary to enjoy those precious little moments, because once they were gone, there were no way to get them back.

Gordon left the estate with a smile on his face, and called his son the way to the precinct.

 In Robin’s nest, Magnum was trying to encouraged his son to walk toward him again, but Tom kept his face buried in the crook of Juliet‘s neck, and refused to be taken away from his mother.

« Come on Tommy, you don’t want to play with daddy ? »

But Tom replied with a loud : « No !... Mama ! » Making Magnum pout a little, by the small rejection.

Juliet who was laid down on Magnum’s chest with her son nestled between her arms, gently stroke the baby’s back as he was starting to fall asleep against her.

She tenderly kissed her husband to chased the pout from his lips.

And she smiled seeing Magnum’s blissful expression as her soft lips connected with his.

She giggled as he kissed her neck, her hair and wrapped his arms possessively around her.

« I think our little explorer here is getting tired… » Said Juliet in a low tone.

She stretched her arms to slowly caress her husband’s cheek, seeing the dejected expression on his face.

« Don’t be sad, he’s just sleepy, after his nap you’ll have him all to yourself… » She added to cheer up her partner.

Magnum tightened his embrace around Juliet and his son, enjoying their warmth against him.

« Am I the only one who’s thinking that he’s growing up too fast ? »

« No, you’re not the only one… It’s scary and exciting at the same time. One day he’s so dependant on us, and the next he’s walking by himself, ready to explore the world, and to me it’s terrifying… But it’s our job to show him the way, and be there when he will stumble… And I know that with a father like you he will be safe… » Replied Juliet, while running her fingers through his hair.

Magnum leaned under her touch, enjoying the softness of her skin against the stubble of his cheek.

He tilted his head toward her, to gaze into her hazel eyes through his lashes.

It was soft against rough, her icy cold precision against his hot and reckless behavior…

They were so different, in so many ways, but seeing the baby resting between them, he thought that they balanced each other quiet well after all.

[storieswrought-a]

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