Summary: So I have decided that it was time for me to post a story or better yet the first story in a series that I have written for HF0. I started writing it sometime at the beginning of the year and took a break from it before beginning to write on it again. I finally finished it but it took me a while to get it beta'd but I did (a month ago but lets not talk about that) and now it's time to post it. It's full of happy fluff, embarrassing family tales, and AU because it so would not take place in canon, unfortunately. So enough talking from me please go ahead and read and I hope you enjoy it.

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 One

It was one of those rare mornings where Steve and Danny had the day off. After they worked a grueling case that took nearly a week and a half to solve and drained them both mentally and physically, they were under strict orders to take the weekend off. The team had also been informed that they were ordered to take a week-long vacation in a few weeks. Steve, of course, didn't want to be out of work for so long but after he got menacing glares from his entire team, he had no choice but to concede.

Danny and Steve sat at the kitchen table, Danny drinking copious amounts of coffee and Steve reading the paper, when Danny slowly lowered his mug and snatched the paper out of Steve's hands. "So Steve I've been thinking-"

Steve immediately interrupted with a smirk. "Oh no this isn't gonna be good."

"Shut-up you goof," Danny replied as he rolled his eyes. "Like I was trying to say I've been thinking that with our impending vacation time in a few weeks, it would be a great time to visit my home state."

"So you want to use those days off to go see your parents?"

"Yeah I do but here's the other thing, I want to take you with me."

Steve stopped, mid-way of reaching for the paper, and pulled his hand away. "Wait...you want me to meet your parents?" he somehow managed to sputter out never moving his eyes away from Danny.

Danny gave Steve a nod and a smile. "And my two sisters and their husbands and their kids. I know once my mother finds out we're coming a gathering is being held and a party is gonna be thrown."

"I don't know what to say."

"Just say you'll think about it. I really want them to meet you." He picked up his mug again and slid the paper back towards Steve.

"If I say yes am I going to meet your family as just your partner or as the guy you're currently sleeping with?"

"Both. I know I haven't told my folks about us, but that's only because this is something I can't tell them over the phone. You don't drop life altering news in between 'how's the weather?' and 'guess who I recently ran into?' It just doesn't work that way."

"Oh."

"That's why I'm gonna tell my folks about you and me the moment I step foot in the door. Well, maybe not the exact moment because if I know my mother it will probably be a while before she lets me breathe. But I'm gonna tell them. That I can promise you."

Steve suddenly let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. His relationship with Danny was new to him...the both of them and he didn't know just how deep their commitment ran. But meeting the parents? That was huge and completely Danny's decision. Maybe this was Danny's way of showing that he was fully committed to their relationship.

"Steve...Steven."

Steve blinked, for what felt like the first time in over a minute, to find Danny inches away from his face with narrow eyes. He couldn't help but grin. "Danny-"

"Are you even listening to me?" Danny asked.

"Yeah...yes."

When he noticed the goofy smile plastered on his partner's face, Danny suddenly found himself at a loss for words. "Yes that you're listening to me...or are you saying yes about the other thing."

Grabbing Danny by the back of the neck, he pulled him even closer. "Both," Steve replied happily. "I've been listening to every word you've just said and yes, I would love to meet your family."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," Steve smiled, closing the gap between them and pressing their lips together for a soft chaste kiss. When they pulled apart both men wore matching smiles.

"Okay...that's good. I'll go make some calls."

All Steve could do was chuckle as he watched Danny walk away before picking up his paper to continue his morning reading.

The weeks passed quickly and before either of them knew it the day of the trip had finally arrived. As they boarded the plane Steve suddenly felt extremely nervous. He couldn't help but wonder if Danny's family would accept them as a couple of if they would-

"No. Just no."

Steve looked down to see Danny shaking his head, frowning. "What?"

"No you do not get to fill your mind with negative thoughts before you've even stepped foot in Jersey."

"But Danny-"

His hand reached out to grab Steve, squeezing it for reassurance. He knew that while Steve had said yes to the trip there might be a part of man that was still somewhat reserved, scared even. "No buts," Danny reply adamantly. "None whatsoever because no matter what happens during this trip we are leaving together. Do you understand that?"

"Yeah Danno, I got it."

"Good. Now get your ass on the plane."

The plane ride was long and Danny found himself falling asleep halfway through the trip, Steve's hand still gripping his. Steve, too nervous to sleep, let his mind wander to all the different reactions Danny's family could have about their relationship.

They could be happy and accept him as part of their family. Disappointed that Danny decided to shack up with a man instead of finding a new girl to help him raise Grace. Danny's family was important to him and after the ordeal with Matt he wasn't sure if they would be able to handle another shocking blow. He was broken out of his thoughts as Danny's head fell on his shoulder. Looking down at his partner and realized that Danny was doing this for them. He wanted them to be together and he wanted to give his family a chance to accept them. A chance that Steve prayed they took and grasped tightly because he would never want to come between Danny and his family.

"You're my family too you goof," Danny mumbled out, opening an eye to stare longingly at Steve. "So stop worrying already."

Steve wasn't sure how Danny knew what he was thinking and he didn't care. Especially if Danny continued to wake up next to him every day for the rest of their lives.

Did you like it. I really hope you did. Next chapter: Danny tells his family the nature of his relationship with Steve. Hopefully that chapter will be up in a few days. Lets keep our fingers crossed. Until next time,

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

Ladycizzle