"Kids come down stairs please, your mother and I need to talk to you." The youngest, at 6 years old, Joey, was lying on his big brothers floor coloring. Danny, his elder at 13, was at his desk trying to do his math homework. "Danny, did you heard daddy" he exclaimed jumping up, "we gotta go." Joe jumped up and flew down the stairs. Danny and his younger sister, Erin met in the hallway. "What'd you do now Danny?" His 11 year old sister badgered.

"Nothing" he grumbled,while thinking to himself, "that I know of." The older siblings met their parents in the living room. "Have a seat" their father said, looking as stoic as ever. Their mother, Mary, was their fathers direct opposite. Bubbly, outgoing, and you can tell her every emotion, because its usually written on her face. "Frank, you could smile, you're scaring them" Mary jokingly poked her husbands side. "Sorry kids, we just wanted to talk to you. Nothing is wrong and no one is in trouble." Frank said glancing from one child to the next all seated on their couch. "Kids, you know I haven't been feeling the greatest and taking it easy the past few months" started Mary, she hurried on before anyone could say anything, "well there is something we have been keeping from you, but now we figure it is safe to talk about it."

"Mom are you sick?" asked Erin frantically. Startling Joey he grabbed Dannys hand with tears starting in the little boys eyes. "Damn it Erin, just let them talk." shouted Danny, quickly looking at his dad, then mom then the floor realizing what he said. "Daniel Reagan, watch your language and apologize to your sister," his mother states "then please all of you be quiet so we can finish." "Sorry" Danny grumbles while still staring at the floor not wanting to meet his fathers eye.

"Thank you Danny, now as I was saying. I haven't been feeling the greatest. And I know your all going to be surprised, but we need to tell you..." Mary looks up at Frank smiling. The kids all look at Frank to see his smile as well. "Well kids, to put it plainly" Frank begins "We're having a baby."

The kids all look at one another. Then back at their parents. Then they all started talking at once.

"When?"

"Howd the baby get in there?"

"Why didn't you tell us sooner?"

"Is it a boy or a girl?"

"Are you kidding?"

"Alright kids, quiet down and we will answer what we can" Mary said chuckling out loud.

"Mom, when will the baby be here?" asked Erin.

"Well, because I was so sick, we didn't want to tell you guys right away. There was, and still is a chance he might not make it all the way." Mary starts answering. "He?" both Erin and Joe looked up. Laughing that she let the cat out of the bag, "Yes, HE," she said "and He will be here in about 4 months."

"What do you mean he might not make it?" asked Joey.

"Well Joey," started Frank "Your moms been sick, and it was a scary beginning. Not all babies make it to be born. And we were worried because the baby wasn't growing. The Doctors say we didn't have to worry anymore. He is getting bigger and stronger every day."

Joey shook his head, to show his dad he understood.

"Oh, another baby in the house!" exclaimed Erin. Being the only girl, she is also a mother hen. She loves taking care of people and helping her little brother whenever she can. "What is his name?"

The parents looked at each other, Frank shook his head to Mary and she replied "well it looks as if your father just decided to agree with my chosen name...his name will be Jamison Francis Reagan. But we will all call him Jamie."

Later that night, before bedtime, Mary and Frank decided to visit with each child, to make sure they were really feeling OK with what happened today. First stop was Joe. "Hey Jojo can we come in?" asked his mom using his favorite nickname. "Of course mama." They sat on the bed, Frank motioned for him to sit in between them. "How do you feel about having a baby brother Jojo?" Joe looked at his mother thoughtfully before he starts to speak. "I'm excited. I get to have a little brother! Danny is a teenager now and likes playing with his friends more then me." Joe said wrinkling up his nose. "And Erin is OK, but she is a girl, and always trying to be like mama to me. I might be 6 years older then him, but I will never be mean to him, I will always include him. I'm going to teach him everything. Jamie is going to be my best friend!" His father reached over and pulled him onto his lap. "And you son, are a good boy. And you're going to be a great big brother!" Both Mary and Frank gave Joe a hug and a kiss, and tucked him in for the night.

Their next stop was Erin's room. "Knock knock" "Come on in" sang out Erin's sweet voice. They walked in and took the same stance as in Joe's room. Once Erin was settled between them, with her head resting comfortably on her fathers shoulder, her mother began to speak. "How are you feeling about having another brother?" she asked gently. "Its OK mama. I mean, yeah, I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't love a baby sister, but the boys are OK too." thinking of her answer, she added "well Joey is anyway." Her mother smiled at her attempt on humor, knowing full well that her and Danny didn't always see eye to eye. "Baby, your mom is really going to need your help around here. She is going to be sore and tired, and when she is tending to Jamie, she is going to need your extra help with Joey. I don't want you to think you having to mother him..." Franks voice trails off choosing his words wisely. "But I just might need some help from you, thats all baby." piped up Mary, finishing Franks thought. "Mom, Daddy, you know you can count on me. I will help you the time. And I'll even help with Danny. Help keep him out of your hair a little!" said Erin giggling. She was happy to know her parents thought she was responsible enough to ask for her help. "Alright sweetheart, go back to your book, lights out by 9." Frank said softly. "We love you princess" "Love you too, and I'm going to love Jamie, I already do!" Erin replied.

The parents left their only daughters room, dreading their last stop. Danny left the family room before the other kids, and had stayed in his bedroom the rest of the night. "I hope this goes as well as the others" states Mary. "Well you know its not going to. I love him. But he is our stubborn boy." says Frank as he knocks on the bedroom door of his eldest son. They hear shuffling but when he didn't answer right Frank says "Come on son, we know your awake, open the door." Danny knows they wont barge in on him, but he also knows he will be in trouble if he ignores them. "Come in" he grumbles not getting up from his desk. "What you working on Son?" asked Mary trying to lighten the conversation some. "Stupid Math, I don't understand it, and its not like I'm going to need it to be a cop anyway." he responded looking up at his father "Dad look, I'm sorry about what I said to Erin...she wouldn't let mom talk...it just slipped..." "Danny," interrupted his father "Son, thats not why we're here. We just wanted to talk." Danny spun around in his desk chair so he could face his mom who had already sat on his bed. His father moving to join her. "Danny, are you OK with the baby? You left awfully quick. And you didn't seem happy." questioned Mary. "Sure. I'm...OK" said Danny after thinking for a few minutes. "Son, whats bothering you?" asked Frank gently. Again, Danny said nothing. "Come on Danny-Boy, talk to mama." said his mother, noticing his smile at the old name she only calls him when trying to get him to open up. "Naa. Its fine ma. Really." Frank is deep in thought, "son, whats on your mind?" "Honestly guys. Its fine. I mean, I'm 13, in just a few short years I'm gonna be leaving home. Gonna be a cop. By then the baby will only be what, 5, 6 years old? Ill barely even know him." spurted out their oldest child. "Son, this is only slightly true. You will get to know him. Family first. Always. We need you. You're the oldest. We are going to need your help watching over your sister and brothers. Teaching them. Protecting them. Keeping them safe. I'm very proud of the man your becoming Danny. And I know you wont let us down." said Frank thoughtfully. "I hear ya pop" said Danny quietly, letting what he said sink in. "Alright baby, finish your homework. Bed by 9:30 please" says his mom kissing the top of his head.

Frank and Mary headed down the hall to their bedroom. Frank wrapped his arms around his wife. That went better then expected. Mary laughs and says "I'm worried about Danny. I want all my kids to have a relationship, a friendship. I'm just scared my last wont have a chance with my first." "He will," starts Frank "We have taught the kids everything about family and about family values. Jamie and Danny might not be the best friends we hoped, but Danny will protect him. Teach him. Just like he will always protect Erin. And teach Joe. He is a good boy. They are all good kids. And in a few months, we will meet our last boy."