A/N: This is basically just a series of 'missing moments' between Danny and Linda Reagan and their family throughout the seasons… Some are longer than others, some are extensions of particular scenes/episodes and others I have just imagined happening throughout the series. Anyway, I had fun writing it and I hope you enjoy reading it.
Danny leant against the door-jam; watching his youngest son playing with his new birthday presents on the living-room floor, his brother eagerly watching on. Linda glanced across at him, his back to her. She walked towards him, resting her cheek against his shoulder, her arms snaking around his waist.
"So, how long did it take you to put together the truck?" She asked with a smile, nudging him.
"I might've had some help." He admitted. Linda nodded with a grin, observing Jack and Sean drive the remote-control truck beneath the coffee-table.
"Jamie?"
"Grandpa."
She shook her head with a laugh, releasing her husband and turning into the kitchen, packing away the last of Sean's birthday cake into the fridge.
"That kid is growing up way too fast." Danny said, leaning against the bench.
"Tell me about it. Hey, do you remember the day he was born?" She asked quietly smiling at him.
"What are you kidding me? That was one of the scariest days of my life." He answered pouring them each a mug of coffee. She accepted the offered mug with a small smile; it had been an unexpectedly difficult birth, but thankfully she and Sean had both come out the other side of it, happy and healthy. She poked her head around the door-frame, watching as Sean drove the truck over a pile of brightly coloured wrapping paper.
"That was a good day, for the most part."
"It was."
"Do you think he had a good birthday?" She asked over her shoulder. Danny smiled, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
"Yeah, I think he did." He dropped a kiss into her hair. "You're an incredible mother, you know that?" Her hand held his arm as she gently pulled out of his embrace, moving to capture his lips with her own.
"Hey, give it! It's my turn!"
Linda sighed, breaking the kiss. "And, I think it's bedtime." She said quietly, patting his chest before heading into the living-room and expertly ushering the boys upstairs. He smiled, bending to pick up the scattered wrapping paper from the floor. It had been a good day. He thought quietly to himself. It was a good life.
"Everytime I hear that a cop has been shot - I hold my breath 'til I know Danny is okay." Linda said quietly, meeting Sydney's gaze. "And even though I feel awful for the other families, God forgive me – I'm so relieved it's not my Danny." Her eyes watered as she glanced out the café window, the sudden sound of sirens making her jump. She laughed quietly, rolling her eyes at Sydney with a smile.
"Okay, I gotta run - I'll see you Sunday." Linda said, kissing Sydney's cheek quickly.
"I'll be there." Sydney nodded, her heels clicking on the concrete as she trotted up the bustling street. Linda sighed; her conversation with Sydney ran through her mind as she headed towards the boy's school.
I hold my breath 'til I know Danny is okay… She had never told anybody that. If she was honest with herself, it was something she did nearly every day - holding her breath until her husband came home. She thought of Joe. Joe's passing had been a hard loss for the Reagans. All of them were still coming to terms with it in some way. They all missed him. She could barely comprehend the idea of losing Danny…
She shook her head, pushing the thought from her mind as she pulled up in front of the school. Linda hastily checked her cell for any calls from Danny. Nothing. She pocketed it, scanning the hordes of schoolchildren for her boys. She smiled, watching Jack and Sean leap down the front-steps towards her, their school-ties askew. Piling them into the car, she headed home glancing at her two boys in the backseat as they animatedly recounted the events of their day.
Danny wasn't home yet. She stared at the ceiling, she couldn't sleep. Glancing at the clock, she sighed grabbing her cell from the bedside table. Nothing. Throwing back the covers, she padded down the hall to the room that Jack and Sean shared. Quietly she poked her head through the open door, thankful they were both sound asleep. Linda wandered downstairs, pausing on the top step as she heard the scrape of the front-door lock.
She breathed a sigh of relief as Danny walked in, his coat over his arm, his face drawn. She watched silently as he dropped his jacket and keys onto the small hall-table before glancing up at the staircase, his eyes falling on his wife. His face broke into a tight smile as she hurried down the stairs towards him. Danny opened his mouth to speak as she threw her arms around him, holding him tightly. He was home. She could breathe.
"What are you doin' up so late?" He murmured; his face buried in her neck.
"What do you think?" Linda asked, rolling her eyes before kissing his forehead. He smiled, pressing his lips to hers.
"I'm fine, babe."
She nodded with a small frown, her arms around his neck, deciding not to press him –knowing that dealing with an officer down would be killing him, would be making him think about Joe. She smiled; her fingers in his short hair. "I know. I'm just happy to see you."
She took his hand tugging him up the stairs. He followed her wearily, grateful to be home. As he headed for their bathroom, Linda crawled back under the doona listening to the sound of the shower. She felt her eyes begin to flicker closed as Danny slid into bed beside her, staring at the ceiling just as she had previously been. She scooted across to him wrapping her arms around his torso pressing small, feathered kisses to his collarbone. His arm encircled her tenderly as his breathing steadied and he fell asleep. It wasn't long until she joined him, their breathing falling into rhythm.
"Jack, did you finish your homework?" Linda asked, balancing a basket of laundry on her hip. He nodded rinsing his glass in the kitchen sink.
"Sean's done too."
"Good job, Daddy'll be home in a little while for dinner." She replied heading towards the living-room; he shadowed her - grabbing a sweatshirt that had fallen out of her basket. "So how was school?" She asked absent-mindedly switching on the radio as she began to fold and sort the laundry. Jack nodded.
"It was good." Linda smiled from behind one of Danny's sweatshirts as Jack picked up his Jets jersey from the basket, folding it carefully and placing it neatly on the couch beside him. She paused, watching her eldest as he did the same with his younger brother's jersey. Sean bounded into the room, gently colliding with Linda's hip. She laughed, ruffling his hair.
"Here, you can put the clothes on the coffee-table." She instructed with a small smile, handing him a newly folded shirt of her own. He nodded with a grin, moving the laundry.
"Hey, I like this song." Jack declared suddenly, moving from his spot on the couch and turning the volume dial on the stereo. The sounds of "Spirit In The Sky" filled the room. Linda raised her eyebrows.
"Really? You like this song?"
"Yeah!" He nodded, dancing a little before breaking into an air-guitar solo. She laughed, getting caught up and dancing along with her son. Sean jumped zealously on the couch, laughing loudly as he watched his mother and brother dance around their living room.
"Come here, buddy." Linda said lifting Sean from the couch and swinging him around, the sound of their laughter drowning out the rest of the song.
Danny slammed the car door, relieved to be home. He ran a hand across his face. His day had sucked. He trudged up the front steps, pushed open the front door and for the first time that day; smiled confusedly.
His smile broadened as he closed the door behind him, watching his wife and two sons dancing enthusiastically to the chorus of "River Deep Mountain High" around the furniture of their living-room, waving various items of laundry above their heads.
"Daddy!" Sean shrieked, throwing the pyjama pants he'd been holding into the air and launching himself at his father. Danny caught him with a chuckle, pulling Jack in for a hug as well.
"What is goin' on in here?" He asked grinning, ruffling Jack's hair.
"We're helping Mom do laundry."
"Really?" Danny asked making his way towards Linda and pointing to the stereo, his eyebrows raised in question, as the boys resumed dancing. "Is that Tina Turner?"
"Yup." She nodded with a laugh, kissing him softly; bringing his world back into focus. He beamed at her.
"Hey." He whispered, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She kissed him again, tossing the tee-shirt she had been holding onto the couch. She tugged on his hand; pulling him close, her hips moving towards his in time with the music. Shrugging out of his jacket with a grin, Danny joined them; dancing unreservedly with his family, watching as his wife twirled Jack beneath her arm, dipping him with a grin as he shrieked with laughter.
He felt the weight of his day lift from his shoulders as he watched Sean attempt a lopsided version of the Twist, his eight-year-old laughing so hard, his shoulders shook.
"I think he learnt that from watching 'The Blues Brothers' with Jamie." Linda giggled into Danny's ear, as his hand found her waist pulling her flush against him, his body swaying with hers.
As the last chords of the song began to fade, Linda turned from his embrace, announcing over her shoulder;
"Alright boys; let's go wash up for dinner." Forming a conga-line with Jack and Sean, leading them dancing towards the kitchen. Danny shook his head with a laugh, turning down the radio and following the sounds of his wife and children chatting and laughing into the bustling kitchen, feeling lighter than he had all day.
"Okay, so are you gonna tell me what happened today?" Linda asked, unzipping her dress in the wardrobe. She glanced over at her husband, who was busy plugging in her cell-phone. Danny shrugged. His eyes not quite meeting hers.
"Nothin'." She raised her eyebrows, tugging an old grey NYPD tee-shirt of his over her head.
"Really?"
Danny turned around, finally facing her. He exhaled, watching as she folded her arms across her chest. "Uh – we, we um - thought something bad was gonna happen… But, uh we got there in time… And it didn't."
"Uh-huh, and you tried to call me a hundred times, because?"
"I didn't want you and the boys in the City…" He sighed, resignedly "But I couldn't reach you, because the stupid battery died on this thing." He added, raising her cell-phone to demonstrate his point. Linda nodded, climbing into her side of their bed.
"I know. I'm sorry about that, honey... You're okay though, right?"
"Yeah, I'm okay." Danny answered tiredly, joining her and leaning back against the headboard. "I just… I couldn't get a hold of you…" He said quietly, glancing across at her. Linda's face softened - he had been afraid. Whatever it was, it must have been bad.
"What happened? Tell me." She leant towards him intently, her hand on his arm as he ran a hand across his face before explaining the events of his day to her. He heaved a sigh, his brow furrowing as she entwined her fingers with his.
"New rule; cell-phone is always charged, alright?" He said, nudging her gently. She nodded, shuffling towards him. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer.
He was here. Alive, unharmed. He was alright. She stared into his eyes; she could still see the concern there, the love he had for her, for their family... They sat quietly for a few moments before she kissed him; slowly, deeply, passionately. She wrapped her arms around him, her lips never leaving his as she sunk into the mattress beneath him.
Standing in the kitchen, Linda wedged her re-charged cell between her shoulder and her ear as she placed four clean dinner plates on the bench. She smiled, her brow creasing as she listened to the numerous messages Danny had left for her, the previous day. She could hear the intensity, the desperation in his voice as the messages progressed. She bit her lip, snapping the phone shut as she heard him enter the front door. She pocketed it, watching as Sean and Jack hugged him enthusiastically. Letting go of them with a smile, he caught sight of her.
"Alright you two, can you please go set the table?" Linda asked as they ran past her, her bright blue eyes meeting Danny's.
"Hey, how was your day?" He asked pulling off his jacket and draping it on the bannister beside her, quickly rolling up his shirt sleeves as she walked towards him.
Standing on her tip-toes she wrapped her arms around his neck, clutching him tightly. She felt his strong arms wind around her waist, his large hands covering her ribs. She scattered lingering, tender kisses to the underside of his stubbled jaw, below his ear. She felt Danny's arms loosen around her as she stepped back from the embrace.
"I got your messages." She said quietly meeting his gaze. He glanced away sheepishly, ducking his head with a small smile. "I love you." She breathed as his hands cupped her cheeks. He brushed her lips lovingly, moaning softly as she deepened the kiss.
"Table's done!" Sean called from the kitchen. Linda smiled, her cheeks flushing subtly as her eyes met his once more. Wordlessly she took his hand, pulling him towards the kitchen their fingers entwined.
"Okay, upstairs." Linda instructed with a grin, as Jack and Sean tumbled through the front door. "Both of you." She added quickly kissing Jack's hair, taking his football-bag from him as he bounded up the stairs behind his brother. "Uniforms in the hamper!" She called, peeling off her coat. Danny shrugged out of his winking at her as she followed the boys upstairs.
He grinned, watching her go before collapsing onto the couch. He was exhausted. He loved Saturdays. Saturdays had become their day – a day for just the four of them. He loved spending the day in the park; watching his boys play sport, hanging out with his wife. Some Saturdays they slept late; the morning sunlight spilling through the window his body entwined with hers, Linda's soft lips against his. Others were busy – they were up early and out the door, off to various sporting events - and some Saturdays he had to work, though he tried to get home as soon as possible to spend the night with Linda and his boys. His eyes closed as he adjusted himself comfortably on the couch. He loved Saturdays.
"Yes honey, I'm ordering the pizza right now." Linda held up the phone for her eldest son to see with a grin. "Go get in the shower." She added, placing clean pyjamas on the end of each of their beds. She rolled her eyes, as he raced down the hall towards the bathroom. She smiled, listening to her sons chatting excitedly about the touchdown Jack had made that afternoon as she dialled swiftly.
Linda descended the stairs heading for the laundry, a large basket laden with dirty sport-clothes in her arms. Her eyes fell on Danny, flat on his back sleeping soundly on the couch. She smiled, leaving him be.
Emerging from the laundry, she discovered her husband's sleeping form had not moved from his position. She sighed; she loved it when he was home. Kicking off her shoes and tucking her hair behind her ear. She gently lowered herself comfortably on top of him. Resting her head on his chest, tucked underneath his chin, her eyes drifting closed. She felt him shift beneath her; their bodies fitting together perfectly as his arms encircled her, holding her in place.
The faint sound of the TV had woken him; he blinked, loosening his hold on his wife who had also begun to stir.
"What time is it?" He muttered, his hand running up the length of her spine.
"It's five o'clock." Jack answered. Danny frowned, glancing to where Sean and Jack were positioned on the living-room floor, game-consoles in their hands. He stared at his watch with a frown, his right hand running across his face.
"What time is it?" Linda groaned drowsily, nuzzling her face into his chest. Danny smiled, glancing at Jack who laughed quietly.
"Five." Danny answered sweeping his fingers through her hair. Propping herself up on her elbow, her eyes fell on her sons.
"How long have we been asleep?" She asked, pushing her hair back from her face glancing down at her husband, gradually disentangling her body from his as they both sat up, stretching.
"Not that long." Jack shrugged, turning back to the video-game. "The pizza's not even here yet." Danny smiled broadly his eyes meeting his wife's. She shook her head with a small chuckle as Sean crawled into his lap, handing Linda his controller.
"Come on, Mom – I bet I can beat you." Jack beamed at her as she moved to the floor, sitting comfortably behind him.
"Just until the pizza gets here, okay?" She replied hugging him to her as she continued Sean's game.
Leaning back against the lounge, Danny surveyed his living-room with a relaxed grin. He loved Saturdays.
"Nice." Sydney remarked glaring accusingly at Danny as Frank excused himself from the table, following Jamie out the front door. Linda watched her husband's jaw clench, his eyes on Sydney.
"Okay, kitchen." She instructed firmly, one hand loosely gripping his elbow, the other pressed to the small of his back; steering him from the table. "Jack, why don't you tell Grandpa Henry all about football practice?" Linda suggested with a smile over her shoulder. Swinging the kitchen-door closed behind her - she watched as Danny breathed heavily, his hands on the island bench. She waited patiently as his breathing returned to normal.
"I'm fine." He sighed, holding his arms out and moving towards her. Linda raised her eyebrows doubtfully. Danny rolled his eyes. "Alright go ahead, say it."
"Say what?"
"I know that look." He replied with a tight smile. She sighed, tucking her hands beneath her elbows and taking a step towards him.
"He's your little brother." Linda shrugged. "There is nothing you wouldn't do for that kid. And you're tough on him because you love him, and more than anything - you wanna protect him." His hands found her shoulders. "But, Jamie's not Joe." She said quietly. Danny sighed, his forehead resting against hers. "He's not gonna take any chances. He wouldn't do that you… He wouldn't do that to this family. You know he has to learn through his own experiences. He's smart and he's doing his best. He's doing his best to be the kind of cop, the kind of man - he's supposed to be. You need to give him the chance to do that."
"I know that." He muttered his lips against her forehead. "It's just…"
"I know." She assured him. His eyes poured into hers as time stilled around them. Linda smiled, brushing her lips against his. "C'mon; let's go eat some burnt duck."
Linda glanced out the kitchen window as she hurriedly dried the last of the Sunday dinner dishes, smiling as she watched Jack and Sean kicking around a soccer-ball that had seen better days in their Grandfather's backyard. She caught sight of Jamie, sitting half-way down the back stairs, half-heartedly supervising the boys as they ran furiously from one end of the yard to the other. With a sigh, Linda grabbed a jacket for herself, her brother-in-law and her each of her boys before heading out the back-door and joining him on the steps.
"Here." She said draping the jacket around his shoulders and sitting beside him, hugging her knees to her chest as he shrugged into it. She looked at him expectantly.
"Thanks." He glanced at her rolling his eyes. He knew that look.
"You wanna tell me about you and Sydney? You okay?" Jamie shrugged.
"She got a promotion – in London…" He said, watching as Linda raised her eyebrows. "And then she gave me back Mom's ring."
"Ouch." She replied wincing. The wind whipped her hair across her face.
"Yeah," Jamie chuckled, looking sideways at her. "I just thought Sydney and I worked, you know? I mean, we were adjusting… To me being a cop – and I know she was worried about me - I just never thought…" He heaved a sigh. "And she wants to take the promotion; I mean she deserves it, but… I just never thought that we wouldn't make it… I guess it was me; I mean I haven't really been all there when I'm at home… " Linda nodded wrapping her jacket around her tightly, her arms crossed over her chest, tucked behind her knees. "How do you do it? I mean, how do you and Danny make it work?"
"Jamie, Danny and I are completely different to you and Sydney!"
"I know, but I mean – how did Syd and I just…?"
"Fall apart?" She offered as Jamie nodded. "I can't really answer that, Jamie… Look, there are millions of reasons why some relationships work and others don't." She shrugged. "Everybody's different. Every relationship is different!" Linda exclaimed, elbowing him. "You know sometimes, your brother drives me crazy, some days I wanna kick his ass – but at the end of the day, no matter what – he is the person who I want to talk to the most, he's the one I want to be with – every day. He's my person and I can't imagine my life without him..." She paused; shaking her fringe out of her eyes with a chuckle, watching as Sean and Jack laughed hysterically tugging the hems of their shirts over their heads and running in circles, their arms out-stretched. "Danny is the love of my life…" She breathed. "And we work, because we want our marriage to work. We want to be together. We're both in it, every day… Jamie, it takes two people to make a relationship work. If one person stops trying, stops wanting it to work or starts wanting something else completely… Then it's just going to fall apart."
Jamie sighed, he knew she was right. He felt her hand gently grasp his shoulder, nodding to himself as her words washed over him.
"Maybe we both kinda want different things…" He muttered shoving his hands into the pockets of his coat, his gaze falling to his shoes. Linda nodded, squeezing his shoulder again.
"And that's okay. Look, it's a horrendous cliché – but if Sydney is the girl for you; then you two'll find each other again." Linda took a breath, nudging him gently in the side. "You sure there's nothin' else?" She probed catching his eye, her eyebrows raised in question. He shook his head as she dropped her hand from his shoulder. He forced a smile as Jack and Sean ran towards him.
"Come play, Uncle Jamie!" Jack cried excitedly, adjusting his glasses while balancing the ball on his hip. Jamie looked at his nephews, covered in grass under the darkening sky – and found he couldn't resist their eager faces. Peeling off his jacket he threw Linda a wide smile, shaking his head and following Jack down the stairs into the yard.
As Sean sent the ball sailing through the make-shift goal, Jamie glanced back at the porch; watching as his brother descended the porch-stairs sitting comfortably behind his wife. His arms around her, his legs either side of hers. He smiled. Linda was right; she and Danny worked because they wanted to. They wanted the same things. They wanted each other - no matter what. It was simple; they were in love. He thought about Sydney, picturing her face. If he was honest with himself, he could see his life without her in it - (especially now that he was so busy with work, not to mention his new-found focus on Joe and the Blue Templar) - unlike Danny and Linda; who he couldn't imagine functioning without each other. He glanced at Jack and Sean, who had collided in the soft grass. He had always known that Linda was Danny's rock. That Danny would be a completely different Danny if he didn't have Linda in his life. As he kicked the soccer-ball to Sean, he realised that Danny was Linda's rock just as much as she was his. He smiled, catching sight of Danny whispering into his wife's ear - making her laugh. Her head leaning back against his shoulder. Jamie shook his head. Someday, he wanted a love like that.
The past week had been harder than she had expected. The occasional week he had to work nights was always frustrating. She missed him and she knew the boys missed him too. Though there was something about this week that had thrown them completely. His case had had him in nightclubs all week, interviewing pretty girls. Linda rolled her eyes as she tidied the dining-table. She was glad the week was over.
It wasn't that she was jealous, she had nothing to be jealous of - and it wasn't that she didn't trust her husband. She did, completely. More than she trusted anybody. He was not that guy. He never would be. Still, it bugged her that he was getting calls from his witness, his younger, very pretty witness. Okay, so maybe she was a little jealous… More than anything, it had made her wonder… Did he miss the days before they had met? Before they had started their life together? Did he favour that life over the one he now led? He'd been so different back then... And in some ways, so had she… But she was happy with their life. She loved their life. Did he?
Things had unravelled the night she'd taken him dinner at the station. She couldn't believe the dress he'd bought for her. If anything, that had hurt the most. They'd been married for fifteen years. Seriously, didn't he know her at all? She'd stormed out of the station, furiously wiping away unshed tears as she climbed into the car. Sometimes, he was such an idiot.
She sighed as she heard him stroll into the dining-room behind her.
"So, how are we doing?" He asked, leaning against the archway watching her. She shook her head with a small smirk.
"You tell me."
"I never stepped out of bounds, Linda. I ain't that guy."
"I know."
"Do you?"
"Of course." She replied intently. "Just, I know Danny Reagan from when we first met; running 'round the City all hours of the night. More girlfriends than I had shoes." She sighed, sipping her wine, her eyes not meeting his.
"Yeah, but when we got our thing going, I never looked back, did I?"
"No. But sometimes I wonder, maybe you miss it. I mean, sure is more exciting than sleepy Staten Island, with me and the boys."
"Says who?" He asked, leaning towards her.
"You mean that?"
"Yeah, I do." Danny replied, his face close to hers. She smiled. This was the Danny Reagan she knew, the one she had built a life with. The Danny Reagan she was in love with. Her arm snaked around his neck as she kissed him tenderly. His fingertips trailed her jawline, making her stomach flip.
Her hand ran down his side, coming to rest lightly on his behind. She smacked him lightly breaking the kiss with a laugh.
"I love you." Danny whispered his hand on her waist, his thumb rubbing the soft skin beneath the hem of her shirt.
"I love you."
"You know my whole life changed the day that I met you. You, this life, and those boys – it's everything I ever wanted." She nodded glancing at him through her eyelashes, her hands wrapping themselves around his waist beneath his jacket, her heart beating quickly. They were okay.
"Me too." Linda whispered, her hand finding his.
Linda rose to her feet frantically, surveying the players on the field as they clustered around her eldest son.
"Stay there." She instructed Sean hurrying after the Coach onto the field. Her heart in her throat, she stared down at Jack - lying on his back on the grass clutching his wrist, wincing in pain. She fell to her knees, grasping Jack's shoulder gently.
"Jack, honey?" He opened his eyes, moving to rise quickly – still tightly holding his wrist close to his chest.
"Hold on, Reagan." His Coach said gruffly helping her son stand steadily on his feet. Jack leant sideways against Linda, tucking himself under her arm. "That was a good block, kid. You okay?" He asked, his eyes meeting Linda's as Jack nodded. She smiled quickly, jerking her thumb over her shoulder; indicating to him that she wanted her son checked out for the afternoon. "How about you go with your Mom here and get that arm looked at?" Jack nodded again, awkwardly tugging off his helmet with his other arm.
"Come on." She said calmly, leading him to where she and his younger brother had been sitting as the game resumed. "Have some water." Jack sipped it slowly as Linda examined his wrist carefully. Her hands gently bending his hand up and down. She watched as he grimaced. "Okay honey, I think it's a sprain. We better go get an X-ray to be sure though."
"Cool, X-ray!" Sean repeated excitedly, holding Jack's helmet in his small hands following closely as Linda lead both boys towards the car. As they piled into the backseat, she pulled open the glove-compartment; grabbing her First-Aid Kit and a frozen drink-bottle from the small cooler-bag in the front seat before leaning through the door to Jack.
She pressed the cold water-bottle to his wrist, raising his arm a little. "You okay?" She asked, quickly pressing a kiss to his forehead. He nodded with a grimace, leaning back against the head-rest.
"It hurts." He whined, looking up at her as she gave him a tight smile. Linda placed the water-bottle on the floor, yanking the First-Aid Kit towards her and expertly bandaging his wrist. "I know, baby. Hold this against it, alright? It'll make it stop hurting so much." She said buckling his seat-belt around him before handing him the water-bottle once more. "Keep your arm up a little bit. We'll get you sorted out in no time." She added with a smile, closing the door and climbing into her own seat.
She'd called Danny from the car on the way to the doctor's office. He'd met them there as Jack, Linda and Sean had emerged from Jack's X-ray, the radiologist following with a smile.
"Hey buddy, are you okay?" Danny had asked, dropping to his knee and gently wrapping his arms around his son. Jack nodded eagerly returning the hug with a brave smile.
"The results shouldn't be too long if you want to take a seat." The radiologist said quietly to Linda, motioning to a small group of chairs. "You did a great job with the compression bandage. We'll probably fix him with an Ace-Bandage, just to keep it immobilized for a little while." He added. Linda nodded in understanding following her husband and sons as they headed towards the waiting area, Sean and Jack animatedly describing their afternoon to their father.
"When do you have to get back?" Linda asked as Danny pocketed his cell. He shook his head.
"It's taken care of, I'm not goin' anywhere." She smiled, hugging him tightly before quickly releasing him. "Hey." He said softly, smoothing her hair away from her face. Linda shook her head, blinking back tears quickly with a faint chuckle – the stress of the afternoon finally catching up to her. She exhaled; she was so relieved that Jack was okay…
"Reagan, Jack?" A nurse called, looking up from her clip-board. Linda held Jack's hand as they followed, glancing over her shoulder as Danny winked at her before easily lifting Sean into his lap.
"What do you think?" Jack asked holding up his newly Ace-Bandaged arm for his father to inspect. Danny smiled, ruffling Jack's hair.
"I think it looks great, you'll be back on the field in no time!" Linda rolled her eyes with a grin as Jack slipped his good hand back into hers.
"Mom, can we get ice-cream?" She glanced at Danny, his arm slung around her shoulder - his free hand in Sean's. Linda beamed, glancing down at her son as he adjusted his glasses.
"I think a football injury earns you some ice-cream." She smiled as both boys cheered, leaning into her husband's side as the four of them walked down the corridor to the large, glass double-doors and out into the bright New York afternoon sunshine.
Linda snuggled sleepily into Danny's embrace, threading her fingers through his. She frowned, blinking drowsily as she caught sight of Sean standing in the open door-way of their bedroom. Propping herself up on an elbow, she rubbed her eyes.
"Honey, what's wrong?" She croaked as he made his way over to the bed.
"I don't feel good." He whispered, crawling in beside her. Instinctively, she placed her hand on his forehead. It was warm. Frowning, she swung out of bed heading for the bathroom and grabbing a wet washer. She pressed it against his forehead with a sigh, wiping his hair back from his face as his eyes fluttered closed, his small body curled beside his father's.
Her eyes snapped open at the sound of Danny's alarm. She groaned, sitting up and reaching over to nudge him awake.
"Oh man." She muttered, catching sight of Jack lying between her and Danny beside his little brother. She placed a hand on his warm, sweaty forehead. "Danny!" She whispered, prodding his shoulder. He groaned with a frown, his eyes blinking open.
"I'm up, I'm up." He grumbled, glancing down at the boys with a confused frown. "Bad dreams?" She shook her head.
"They've both got temperatures." Linda sighed, watching Danny place his hand on either boy's forehead grimacing. "Go get in the shower, I'll call the doctor." She said climbing out from under the covers, tucking Sean and Jack in and pecking Danny quickly as she grabbed the phone from the bed-side table.
"Alright guys, go get changed. I'll be up in a minute." Linda said, following them through the front door. She watched as they walked lethargically up the stairs flicking open her cell and calling Danny.
"Hey babe, how are the boys?" She sighed running a hand through her short hair.
"Well, they both have the Flu."
"Yikes."
"Tell me about it. I just got off the phone to their school – apparently it's going around. They're sending out a notice about it the Newsletter this week."
"Great."
"Yeah, I know. But Jack and Sean are okay. Their temperatures are down. Mostly, now they just need to rest. They'll probably be out for a week and a bit." She answered, heading through to the kitchen.
"You okay?"
"Yeah honey, I'm fine." Linda smiled, pulling ingredients out of the refrigerator.
"I'll see you later on, alright? You need anything?"
"Just you." She replied softly, smiling into the phone. "Uh-oh, I think Sean just threw up - I gotta go."
Danny pushed open the front-door quietly, the smell of his wife's Chicken -Noodle soup wafting through the house, filling his senses. He scanned the lower level quickly before ascending the stairs two at a time heading for the room that Jack and Sean shared.
"Dad." Jack whispered with a tired smile, resting against the headboard of his bed.
"Hey buddy." He replied catching Linda's eye as she helped Sean change into a clean pyjama shirt. "How're you feeling?" Jack shrugged, handing him a half-empty bowl of soup and sliding beneath the covers. "That good, huh?" Danny smoothed Jack's hair away from his face, sitting on the edge of his bed, tucking the covers in around his son's body. He watched as Linda did the same, kissing Sean's forehead, tucking his bear in beside him. Wordlessly they swapped, Linda moving to kiss Jack's forehead, placing his glasses on the bed-side table.
"Night, Sean." He whispered, kissing the top of his son's head. Sean's hand squeezed his briefly as his eyes drooped closed.
"We're just down stairs, okay?" Linda said quietly to Jack, who nodded snuggling into his pillow.
"So, how was your day?" Danny asked from the laundry door way as Linda loaded the machine.
"Eh, could've been worse; Sean only threw up three times." She answered over her shoulder. He pulled a face with a half-laugh.
"It was okay; they pretty much slept all day. How was yours?"
"Better now." She smiled winding her arms around his waist, pressing her lips momentarily to the side of his neck.
"I made…"
"…Chicken-Noodle soup." Danny finished for her with a hopeful grin.
"Yeah, it's practically medicinal. You want some?"
"I would love some."
"Coming." Linda called down the stairs as she jogged towards the front-door, pulling it open with a bright smile.
"Hey!" Erin grinned holding up a grocery-bag. "I brought you some supplies."
"Oh you're so sweet. Thank you!" Linda hugged her sister-in-law, ushering her inside. "The guys are upstairs, asleep."
"How are they?" Erin asked taking a seat at the dining-room table as Linda placed the kettle on the stove.
"They're better." She nodded joining Erin at the table. "Still pretty exhausted though… How are you? How's work?" Linda inquired as she unpacked the grocery-bag. She smiled holding up a bottle of red.
"Work's fine - busier than ever… Yeah, I thought you and Danny might need that at the end of the week." Erin smiled, rising from the table and pouring tea for Linda and herself.
"Thanks. Wow, Erin this is amazing! Tissues – we will definitely need these – Jack has been sneezing all day. Oranges…"
"I read that whole oranges have more Vitamin C in them than anything else. Perfect for getting over the Flu."
"Nice, what else do we have in here? Bread, milk – oh awesome, we've just run out of milk. Magazines… And, oh bless you – chocolate." She finished, holding it up with a beam. "Seriously, Erin this is incredible. Thank you." Erin shook her head with a laugh, accepting the hug Linda offered.
"Oh, anytime. I remember when Nicki had the Flu a couple of years ago, poor thing – it was awful." Linda nodded, sipping her tea. "Nicki sends her love, I think she'll swing by to see Jack and Sean sometime next week, when they're a bit better?"
"They would love that. I think they really miss her and everybody." Erin's phone bleeped loudly from the depths of her bag. She checked it quickly, her face breaking into a grin.
"Speaking of Nicki…" She held up the text for Linda to see, she read it aloud with a smile.
"Hug everyone for me! PS: Bring home soup!"
"What is it with you Reagans and my Chicken-Noodle soup?" She laughed shaking her head. "Danny has literally wanted nothing but Chicken-Noodle soup every night for the past couple of days."
"That is because, your soup is amazing! You make it everytime someone is sick – and I swear, it is all I wanna eat for a week." Erin chuckled, as Linda ran her hand across her forehead.
"You know, I could just give you the recipe and you could make it yourself?" She suggested, laughing.
"No way, it's not the same when you have to make it for yourself!" Erin laughed, outraged following Linda into the kitchen. "Besides, the Chicken-Noodle soup is yours, that's what makes it so special!"
"Seriously, next family dinner – I am teaching you Reagans how to make Chicken-Noodle soup!" Linda laughed, nudging Erin as she spooned soup into a container for Nicki. They both looked up as Danny entered the kitchen.
"Hey." He said hugging Erin quickly before kissing Linda. "Where are you going with my soup?" Erin rolled her eyes, glancing at Linda who shook her head with a grin.
"It's for Nicki." She answered, checking her watch hastily and reaching over to hug Linda. "Speaking of which, I better run! Thank you for the soup and the chat. I'll call you later." She added over her shoulder. "Bye, Danny!"
"Hey, you. How are you feeling?" Linda asked with a smile as Jack trudged down the stairs the next afternoon. He shrugged, rubbing his eyes beneath his glasses.
"My head hurts." She nodded pulling him gently onto the couch beside her. She kissed his forehead - thankful that it was cooler than it had been all week - as he curled into her side, his head on her shoulder.
Linda smiled, reaching across to the coffee table and retrieving his battered copy of 'Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone'. Flipping it open she began to read, her arm falling around Jack's shoulders. She paused, glancing down at him checking to see if he had fallen asleep. He elbowed her gently, indicating that he wanted her to continue, snuggling into her shoulder listening as she read to him.
Walking through the door that night, Danny felt his heart melt as his gaze fell on his family. He smiled, pulling his jacket from his shoulders watching as they slept soundly on the couch; Jack's head resting against Linda's shoulder, Sean's in her lap. He smiled, pressing his lips against Linda's forehead. God, he loved them. Leaving them be; Danny quietly crept towards the kitchen, opening the refrigerator in search of Linda's Chicken-Noodle soup.
"What is this?" She asked with a grin turning towards her husband as she picked up the small box that rested underneath her pillow. She narrowed her eyes as Danny shrugged nonchalantly. "I thought we agreed we weren't doing Valentine's gifts this year, just dinner?" He tilted his head with another shrug.
"I may have dropped my end of the deal a little bit." He replied with a smile. She pursed her lips, suppressing a giggle. Reaching into the draw of her bedside-table she pulled out a thin box.
"Me too." She said with a half-laugh handing him the box, kissing his cheek affectionately.
"Go on." She added elbowing him as he sat on the edge of their bed. She joined him, draping one leg over his knee. Linda watched as Danny's face broke into a grin as he un-wrapped the watch she had chosen for him.
"It's perfect." He murmured, admiring it as she fastened it to his wrist for him with a soft smile. "Thank you." She kissed him intently, her hand on his tie. He kissed her forehead as she dropped her head to his shoulder, biting her lip shyly. "Your turn."
Smiling, she glanced at him; he looked nervous. Opening the box, she felt her heartbeat quicken. Lifting it from the box and holding it into the dim light of their bedroom, Linda beamed. It was beautiful. He took it from her gently, fastening the clip around her neck. The small solid, white-gold heart pendant rested just below her collar-bone. It was simple, elegant. It was perfect.
"Danny," She breathed, her eyes watering as they met his. "I love it."
His face broke into a relieved grin as he leaned into her, pressing his lips to hers - their limbs tangling as they collapsed onto their bed.
"Okay, come on guys. We gotta head over to Grandpa's in five minutes!" Linda called up the stairs, pulling on her coat. "Here, honey." She said grabbing Jack and Sean's coats from the hall closet and passing them to Danny, dressed handsomely in his dress-blues.
"Hey babe, I'm gonna head over to the hospital – check in with the nurse who got injured. Can I meet you there?" Linda rolled her eyes good-naturedly, taking the coats back and pocketing the camera.
"Okay, I'll let your Dad know. Do not, be late." She warned straightening his tie as Jack and Sean bounded down the stairs, their shirts un-tucked and ties askew. Linda shook her head at them, pointing at Sean's untied shoelaces. "Can you help your brother, please?" She said to Jack, pushing his hair out of his eyes.
"You look pretty, Mom!" Sean said loudly, perched on the bottom step, letting Jack tie his laces quickly. She flashed him a smile, fixing Jack's tie as Danny kissed her cheek.
"He's right, you look amazing." He added quietly, kissing her again.
"Thanks honey. Now, go. I'll see you later at the Dedication, okay? Love you." Linda added, helping Sean into his coat and ushering the three of them out the front door. He headed for his car, parked on the curb as she loaded Jack and Sean into her car.
"Love you too." He called over his shoulder with a smile.
He barely talked about Iraq. Not really. When he had first come home, he hadn't wanted to talk about it at all. Though, over time - he'd moved forward; focusing on the NYPD, his family and her… He'd started to talk to her about it, letting her in even more. This case had stirred something in him though. He was quieter, darker than usual.
It was long after the boys were sound asleep, when she approached him.
"You have been a million miles away these past couple of days. What's goin' on?"
His eyes met hers as he sighed. He told her about everything that had happened that night in Iraq. A nineteen year old Marine had died in Danny's place, while he had been resting a sprained ankle.
"It should've been me." He whispered, tears forming in his dark eyes.
"No." She said shaking her head - her own tears slowly running down her face as she moved closer to him.
"Some days I look at you and I look at my boys and I just think; did some nineteen-year-old kid have to give his life, so I could have all this?"
She leant against his leg, his hand in her hair as he sobbed quietly for a few moments. His hand left her hair and she looked up at him as he roughly wiped his eyes. Linda rose from the floor, moving into his lap – wrapping her arms around his shoulders, holding him close. His head rested against her chest as she held him - so thankful that he was here, with her. She hugged him to her, his face buried in her neck, his fingers grasping her tee-shirt. Her hand gently caressed his shoulder, the other resting on his jaw.
Climbing into bed beside him, Linda watched as his eyes began to drift closed. She watched his sleeping form, his chest rising and falling steadily. Sometimes, he just made her heart ache with the love she had for him. She'd never thought it possible, to love somebody as much or as fiercely as she loved Danny and their boys. They were everything.
"Hey," she whispered moving closer towards him, gently placing her hand in his short fringe. His eyes fluttered open, looking up at her. "I am so in love with you." Linda said softly, kissing his forehead. "You know that, right?"
"I know." He breathed, smiling sleepily. "I'm in love with you."
"Good." She replied quietly with a soft smile as she pressed her lips to his before curling into his shoulder, her body flush against his, their legs entwined beneath the covers.
"I knew you'd find me. I knew you would."Linda breathed with a relieved smile, her forehead pressed against his. Danny smiled, his eyes crinkling as he gripped her tightly once more.
"The boys?" She whispered frantically.
"They're fine. They're at the house with everyone." He assured her, his hand lightly grasping her jaw. "Let's get you out of here." He said gruffly, gently pulling her to her feet. She allowed him to lead her out of the building. Linda smiled, catching sight of Jackie standing by the kerb, the afternoon sun making her squint.
"Linda, thank God. Are you okay?" She asked, hugging her briefly.
"I'm okay." Linda assured her with a smile, meeting her husband's eye before climbing into his car.
Together they entered the bustling station. Danny led her to his desk, pulling out the chair for her quickly.
"Stay here."
"Honey," Linda started as Danny wrapped his jacket around her shoulders.
"Please, just stay here. I'll be back soon." She nodded, watching as he stormed towards the cluster of officers down the hall.
Linda sighed, she didn't feel like waiting. Mostly she wanted to shower, to see her boys, and have dinner with the rest of her family. Though she knew it was important for Danny to testify against Salazar; so she waited. Sitting in his chair across from Jackie as an EMT quickly checked her over.
"Here," Jackie said gently handing Linda a cup of something hot. The smell of coffee filled her senses and she sighed, closing her eyes briefly.
"Thanks."
"No problem. You sure you're okay?" Linda grinned, taking a small sip.
"I'm sure - just got the all-clear - just a few bruises." Jackie nodded with a tight smile. "Now I just wanna see my kids."
After what seemed like hours, she spotted Danny out of the corner of her eye making his way over to her, a pile of paperwork in his hands.
"Okay, Reagan take Linda home – I can handle this one." Jackie said, standing up and reaching for the stack of papers Danny had been holding.
"You sure?" Danny asked, relieved. Jackie nodded again with a smile.
"Yes, take your wife home. You've testified and the EMT guy has cleared her. The rest of the paperwork can wait 'til Monday."
Linda smiled gratefully, mouthing a quick 'thank-you' to Jackie as Danny wrapped his arm around her, steering her towards the station entrance.
He was quiet as he drove them home. Linda glanced down at their entwined hands, his knuckles were red. He told her softly that the boys thought she'd stayed overnight at the spa. An early birthday thing. She smiled.
"I just didn't want to freak them out or anything." He added lamely. Linda ran her thumb over his hand.
"Thank you." She whispered, looking sideways at him. His eyes didn't meet hers, though she felt his grip on her hand tighten. Danny sighed as he pulled into their driveway, slowly letting go of her hand as he climbed out, jogging around the car to get her door. She pushed it open, smiling as he held out his hand to her again.
She let out a sigh of relief as they entered their home. She was safe. Peeling off Danny's jacket she made her way towards the staircase. Linda could feel him following her closely.
"What time's dinner?" She asked over her shoulder as Danny shrugged.
"Same as usual, I guess." He answered. Linda nodded, glancing at her watch. They'd make it on time. "You know we don't have to go, right? If you wanna get some rest - we can just stay here?" Linda turned to him as they reached their bedroom.
"What? Of course we're going, Danny. I just need to shower first."
"Baby, I know you want to see the boys and everyone, but it can wait…" She placed her hand on his cheek.
"Seriously Danny, I am okay. I'm not hurt. No broken bones, no concussion. I'm alright, I promise. I just want to see my kids and my family. For dinner – like we do every week. Okay?" He nodded wearily as she leant up and gently kissed his stubbled cheek before heading into their bathroom.
He followed her in, leaning back against the basin as she kicked her jeans towards the clothes hamper.
"I'm really sorry, Linda. It's all my fault. I should have seen it coming; I should've gotten to you sooner." He started, running his hand over his face.
"Honey, it is not your fault." She said, moving to stand before him, her hands on his chest. "You did see it coming which is why you were getting us out in the first place." She added with a smile, gently nudging him. "And yeah – I was scared, of course I was. I was worried about the boys and about you… And maybe not seeing you guys again… But I'm okay now - a bit shaken – but I am safe, I'm safe because I'm with you. I never had any doubt that you would come and get me. I knew you would find me."
"I was scared too." He admitted, his gaze dropping to the floor. "We uh, we found a body – and I… I thought…" She shook her head, her eyes filling with tears as she scanned her husband's face. Standing on the tips of her toes, she wound her arms around his neck, her hands grasping his broad shoulders, her body pressed against his. Hugging him, she felt her strength return. She really was okay, as long as she was with him. She would always be okay.
Eventually, Danny released her; dropping small, light kisses into the lee of her shoulder. She smiled, gently disentangling herself from his embrace. She captured his lips with her own, her hands coming to rest on his chest once more. She kissed him again, gently pulling him by the tie towards the shower. She broke the kiss with a smile, her eyes never leaving his as she tugged her shirt over her head. Finally coaxing a grin out of him, he followed her, peeling off his own clothes. Linda let out a soft laugh, turning towards the shower and adjusting the taps.
"Hold it." She heard Danny murmur, his large hands coming to rest on her bare shoulders. She felt his thumb trace an emerging bruise on her left shoulder-blade. She winced involuntarily. "Come here." She could feel his eyes scanning her body, his hands gently turning her around so he could check for further bruises. His hands skimmed the length of her back and the smooth curve of her side, following the arch of her hip around to her stomach and her lower ribs, trailing the contours of her torso. She gasped faintly as his fingertips traced the undersides of her breasts. Linda smiled to herself; biting her lower lip, watching him as he studied her collarbone. She had done the same examinations on him when he had first come home from Iraq. She had done them after he'd had a rough day at work, tracing the bruises or the various cuts he'd acquired in the line of duty with her fingers.
His thumb softly skimmed a bruise that was forming on her left hip. "That it?" He asked quietly, his dark eyes meeting hers. She rolled her eyes with a tight smile, lifting her slightly aching elbow for him to inspect. He frowned, lightly kissing the reddened skin.
"That's it, I promise." She answered, flashing him a smile as she stepped into the steady flow of warm water, relishing the feeling of warmth that swept over her. "You comin' in, or what?"
"Now we're definitely going to be late for dinner." Linda called from the bathroom, quickly applying mascara to her lashes. Danny appeared at the door, buttoning his shirt.
"Eh, so we're a little late." He replied, standing behind her as she tucked her short blonde hair behind one ear. He rested his hands on her waist. His cheek rested in her hair, their eyes meeting in the mirror. "You okay?"
Linda nodded, leaning back into his embrace with a smile as she gazed at her husband. "Danny, I'm okay. Let's go."
Dinner had been amazing. Finally being able to hold her boys had made her teary. She'd kissed them quickly when she and Danny had arrived, glancing around at her family. They'd missed her. She sighed thankfully grasping them again, ruffling their hair. She could barely look at Erin, whose eyes had filled with tears the moment Linda had sat down opposite her. She had said Grace, glancing around at her family – so thankful for all of them - and dinner had gotten underway as usual.
"We were so worried about you." Erin had whispered as they prepared coffee in the kitchen. Nicki perched on the bench beside them.
"I'm okay, I swear." She answered as Erin hugged her tightly.
"Seriously worried." Nicki added joining the embrace.
"I love you guys too." Linda gasped with a laugh, beaming at Danny as he appeared in the doorway.
"Hey, quit squashin' her already!"
Erin and Nicki released her hurriedly with guilty grins. "Sorry."
"Go sit down, we'll get the coffee!" Nicki instructed beaming. Linda smiled pressing a quick kiss to her niece's forehead before heading towards the living room, gently grasping Danny's forearm as she passed him.
She collapsed into an armchair across from Henry, who grinned at her with a small wink.
"Hi there, Mister," Linda said as Sean wandered towards her, crawling into her lap. She wrapped her arms around him. He was getting so big. "Did you have fun with Grandpa and Pops?" Sean nodded, grinning at her as Jack squeezed into the armchair, beside her – curling into her side. She kissed his forehead, hugging him to her. God, she had missed them. She chuckled as they filled her in on their weekend.
"And Grandpa let us play video-games…" Jack said excitedly, his head turned towards his mother.
"Wow, that's pretty cool."
"Yeah! We really missed you though..." He said thoughtfully, glancing up at her. "You're way better at Mario-Kart than Grandpa." Linda laughed, kissing him again.
"I missed you too, baby."
"Okay seriously, go to sleep! We'll see you in the morning. I love you." She heard Danny call from down the hall, his head in the doorway of the boy's bedroom. Linda smiled as she changed into clean pyjamas, pulling back the bed covers and crawling beneath them. She was exhausted. She felt her eyes drift closed as Danny climbed in beside her. He gently pulled Linda towards him, his face nuzzled in her hair. His arms wrapped around her stomach, one hand over her heart, his broad shoulders cocooning her in his embrace. She sighed, shifting her body closer to his - she was home.
"How's Sophie?" Nicki asked her hand gripping Linda's elbow. Erin watched as her sister-in-law shook her head gently.
"No change." Linda whispered, resting her hip against the kitchen bench. She sighed sympathetically as her daughter hugged her Aunt with a sniffle.
"It's probably a stupid question, but how's Wendy doing?" Erin asked, lowering her voice as Nicki quietly returned to the dining-room, a tray of coffees balancing in her arms. Linda shook her head with a grimace.
"Not great." She muttered, busying herself with pouring more fresh cups of steaming coffee.
"I can't even imagine what she's going through…"
"Tell me about it. If it was one my boys…" Linda trailed off shaking her head. Erin nodded in understanding, if it had been Nicki… She wouldn't know what she would do. Her daughter was everything...
She glanced at Linda who sighed, flicking her hair out of her eyes. "I just don't know what to say to her."
"You're her sister. You don't have to say anything." Erin answered crossing her arms over her chest.
"I know… It's just, Wendy and I…" Linda rolled her eyes. "And after this morning - I dunno, I just feel like a lousy sister…"
"Hey," Erin started wrapping an arm around Linda's shoulder. "You are an amazing sister. Trust me." Linda smiled, her blue eyes watering. "Go see Wendy tomorrow. I know she'd want you there." She squeezed her shoulder as Nicki re-entered the kitchen, smiling confusedly at her. She winked, releasing Linda, leading her and her daughter back into the dining-room with a smile.
For as long as Linda could remember; she and her sister, Wendy had never quite seen eye to eye – on anything. For most of their adolescent years, they had driven each other crazy. Their relationship had always been complex; full of arguments and jealousy and competition. They had never seemed to want the same things and had completely opposite ideas about everything; school, friendships, their careers, their marriages, even motherhood…
They were just, different. But they were sisters. They had finally; for the first time in years, found an opportunity to properly and honestly talk - in Sophie's hospital room. Linda leant against the small cupboard space, watching her elder sister in the armchair beside the bed.
"I've always envied that about you." Wendy admitted, watching her daughter's chest rise and fall.
"You envied me? Right." Linda said sarcastically. Wendy caught her eye, her face sincere.
"Oh, I mean it. You have always known exactly who you are. You have never once pretended to be something you're not, not for anybody! Me, I have spent my whole life trying to forget where I came from, trying to be something I'm not." Wendy had exclaimed, looking at Linda. "And look where it got me…"
The air had cleared as Linda admitted that she had wanted to impress her sister.
"You're a really sweet sister, you know that?" Wendy had said as Linda laughed, tears forming in her eyes. She sighed, hugging her older sister closely. She had missed this – being able to be open and honest, without judgement or disapproval - she had missed having this with her sister so much.
"I miss Staten Island." Wendy sobbed into Linda's shoulder as Linda laughed, wrapping her arms tighter around her sister.
"Mom?" Sophie's voice broke their hug as they moved to her side.
"Hi, baby, Mommy's right here." Wendy whispered, clasping her daughter's hand. Linda smiled as the nurse finished her observations of Sophie. "We'll keep her in for one more night, to be sure." She told Linda, who had headed for the door.
"Linda?" She'd turned to the sound of her sister's voice. "Do you think you could stay with us for a while - until you have to pick up the boys?" Her eyes watered as she nodded, touched – moving to sit beside Wendy, draping her arm across her shoulders.
"Of course."
"Yeah, they're gonna keep her in another night, but Sophie is fine." Linda said tucking her feet beneath her legs and curling into Danny's shoulder. "Oh, and Sophie and Wendy are coming over for dinner next week." She added, smiling as he groaned. "What?"
"Really, do they have to? Do you remember what happened the last time we all had dinner? I seem to recall alotta broken plates…" She rolled her eyes, elbowing him playfully.
"Okay that was just the once – and we needed new plates anyway! Besides, Wendy and I are better now. I think we finally understand each other…" Linda shrugged, turning to Danny. "It's kinda nice, having my big sister back. I never realised how much I missed her, you know?" She smiled at him, watching as his face softened. He nodded, conceding.
"Alright - but I'm hiding the good china." She laughed, her shoulders shaking as she leant her head against him, his arm slipping around her waist.
Danny smiled, leaning against the frame of the large bay-window watching his younger brother, his head buried beneath the hood of The Chevelle. He watched as Jack and Sean perched gleefully on the front wall, itching to help their uncle.
"Boys and their toys, huh?" Linda said quietly, standing beside him. He nodded, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, tugging her body in front of his. "If they come inside covered in grease, you're on bath-duty." She joked as Jamie lifted Sean, positioning him head-first beneath the bonnet. Danny laughed faintly behind her.
"Deal." He whispered. Content to peacefully watch Jack and Sean laugh loudly at the grease stain Jamie's forehead had just procured. "I'm glad Jamie's got Joe's car." Danny admitted honestly, smiling as Linda's head leant back against his shoulder, her hair subtly redolent of flowers.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. I like that he has something of Joe's, of Dad's…" He wrapped his arms closer around her. "You know, Jamie was so much younger – and it was always Joe and I running 'round playing 'Detective'. Maybe he didn't get as much of a chance to be as close to Joe, as Erin and I were…"
"Jamie knows how much Joe loved him." Linda said quietly, glancing up at him. "And he knows you love him too." Danny sighed, watching as Jack handed Jamie various tools from the red tool-box sitting on the front wall. He pressed a kiss to Linda's hair tenderly, his fingers digging gently into her sides, making her squirm with a giggle.
"And you know I love you, right?"
"Yeah, I know." She laughed. "And so do our boys."
She knew visiting Joe's grave had been hard for him. They had finally discovered the truth about Joe's death; about his involvement with the Blue Templar, about his partner. Danny, Frank, Henry, Jackie and Jamie had worked tirelessly all week. They had all been on edge. This one had been personal.
She exhaled, watching as Danny ran his hand across the concrete etching of Joe's name. He dropped his head, turning towards her and burying his face in her neck chocking back a sob. She held him tightly. Her hands holding his broad shoulder-blades through his jacket… Reluctantly, he released her. He slipped his hand comfortably into hers as they followed Erin, Frank and Henry out of the Cemetery.
They had returned to the house hand in hand, greeted in the foyer by Sean, Jack and Nicki. Linda smiled, watching as Danny's face lit up as he saw his boys. Pulling off his gloves, he hugged them both firmly, releasing them slowly as Nicki announced that the three of them had prepared dessert. Concerned eyebrows were raised between the adults as they followed the youngest members of their family into the house. Linda grabbed his hand, pressing a kiss to his palm as she led him into the dining-room with a smile.