again i own nothing but a love and admiration for the show, cast crew and writers!
Life was chugging along at just the right speed when suddenly it veers a bit too far to the left, across the freeway, through the barrier and down an embankment. Yeah! Shit happens! One minute you're about to hit those awkward years and your siblings are finally old enough to listen to you when along comes another one that'll need training and put in its place.
"Danny? When's mom bringing home Jamie?" asked Joe as he sat at the breakfast table the day after the newest Reagan was born.
"I don't know, Joe. Probably tomorrow. Mom needs a day or two's rest before she comes home and tackles this place again!" he smiled as he ruffled his brother's hair.
"Why does she need rest? She's been in bed for a few days" stated Joe, as he played with his toast.
"Having babies is hard work. And Jamie is number four for mom. She has a house to look after as well as us and dad," explained Erin as she poured herself a glass of milk.
"You three are hard enough work at the best of times!" quipped Frank as he entered the kitchen.
"Morning dad" they all chorused together.
"You all set for the day? Grandma Betty will be here soon and she's gonna want some help from you all to clean the house for your mom and baby brother coming home." Announced Frank, pouring himself a coffee.
"Why do we need to clean the house for Jamie? He's not going to be doing anything just yet," shrugged Joe.
"It will help mom," smiled Erin as she sat down next to Joe. "We'll need to be quiet when Jamie sleeps."
"I don't think that's going to make any difference whichever way it goes, sunshine," smile Frank, affectionately at his daughter.
"We'll be ok, Dad. You don't need to worry about it. I got it all under control," brimmed Danny as he sloshed his milk over the counter, earning himself a glowering glare from Erin. "What? I'll clean it up"
"I hope so. You're the one who makes most of the mess" said Joe, sticking his tongue out at his big brother.
"Ok kids, let's simmer down here. We got a lot to do before tomorrow so can we all finish breakfast, get dressed and then we can start," sighed Frank as he picked up his paper while his children munched noisily at their food.
Grandma Betty was a formidable woman and was hell bent on sterilizing the house before her newest grandson came home. Each Reagan child had their own room and therefore their own pile of mess to sort before going anywhere else in the house.
"Daniel Reagan! And what d'ya call this?" yelled Grandma Betty with her strong Irish lilt.
"My room is tidy Grandma," groaned the oldest grandson as he swept his eyes over his room.
"Oh really? And what's this?" demanded Betty as she pulled open Danny's closet allowing everything to tumble out.
"Aww, Gran! I spent ages putting it all in there!" groaned Danny as he watched his toys and clothes fall at his feet.
"I'm sure you did. And what about those under the bed? I suppose that's where they live? I'm almost certain most of that clothing grew legs and hibernated under there over the summer! It's disgusting!" shivered Betty as she pulled on the rubber gloves and picked up the old socks and underwear that had been conveniently hidden from view.
"Eeww!" groaned Erin as she came into her brother's room. "I thought you said this room was clean? I say we take a blow torch to it before Jamie comes anywhere near it!"
"Oh, ha ha!" mocked Danny as he started to pick his toys up from the floor for the second time that morning. "I had a system. It worked,"
"Until you opened the closet door!" added his grandmother sternly.
"Why do i have to clean the room this much anyway? What's Jamie going to want from in here?" asked Danny.
"It's not the point Daniel. This house is to be cleaned from top to bottom before your mammy gets home. She needs as little as possible to worry about for a few weeks. So, get this room done!" instructed Betty as she strode out of the room on a mission.
"I suppose your room is all sparkly and clean," mocked Danny as he threw a basketball at his sister.
"Of course! I'm a girl. We are known for our abilities to keep things tidy and clean..." bragged Erin, only to be cut off in her prime.
"Erin! Your room isn't done yet!" called out Betty as she stopped passed the second bedroom. Danny just laughed as he watched his sister crumble with style.
"But Grandma! It's perfect!" she wailed as she left her gloating brother and trailed back to her room to argue her case.
As Danny went back to his tidying up, Joe entered the room looking unusually nervous. "Hey, kid? What's up?" asked Danny as he watched his brother flop onto his bed.
"Will you still love me when Jamie comes home? Will you still protect me like you promised?" asked Joe, shyly.
Danny was surprised by this. "What makes you think i won't love you or protect you?"
"I'm not the baby anymore," shrugged Joe as she sniffed and wiped his nose with the back of his hand.
"You know what? I will always love you and protect you, just Erin will and mom and dad. Hell, even Gramps and Grandma Betty" smiled Danny as he sat down beside him.
"But what if i don't like Jamie when he comes home?" sniffed Joe again.
Danny put a protective arm around his sibling and pulled him close. "You're my back up. We're going to be the best big brothers Jamie could ever ask for. Jamie's a Reagan and we stick together, no matter what. You with me kid?"
"Yeah, Danny. I'm with you. Does this mean we're partners?" smiled Joe as he looked up to his big brother.
"Sure does! Which means we pull together. We're a team!" winked Danny as he watched Joe relax.
"Are you two finished?" asked Erin, watching from the doorway. "We still got a lot of work to get done and Grandma's on her way back up the stairs!"
"See? A team! Is your room clean?" asked Danny.
"Sir, yes Sir!" saluted Joe as he jumped off the bed.
"Good. Can you distract grandma while i shove this crap back in the closet.." smirked Danny
"..And under your bed?" finished Joe with a wink.
"Now, you've got the idea!" winked Danny as he stood up and starting grabbing his stuff in large bundles and throwing them into wherever there was a space and could be closed away.
From that day forward for the time being, Joe became the best lookout in the Reagan house. A roll that would eventually become Jamie's but for now, Joseph Connor Reagan was the man.
The rest of the day was spent cleaning, polishing, waxing, hovering, and washing in preparation for the new arrival. All three Reagan children were shattered and exhausted by the time they sat down to supper with their father and grandparents but knew that they wouldn't need to do any chores the next day as a treat for all their hard work.
"Well done kids. I'm proud of you all!" smiled Frank as he helped dish out dinner onto Joe's plate.
"You were all troupers," beamed Betty as she accepted a small sherry from her husband, Henry Reagan.
"For that, i think a trip to Coney Island at the weekend is in store. What d'you say to that?" offered Henry as he raised his glass to his grandkids.
"Yeah!" cheered Joe as he happily clapped his hands while his siblings groaned inwardly.
"And what's wrong with Coney Island and the amusement park there?" questioned Henry, gruffly.
"Nothing Gramps. We didn't say anything" quipped Danny as he quickly glanced to his sister.
"Huh!" snorted the older man as he watched the kids carefully.
"Is mommy really coming home tomorrow?" asked Joe. "Does she have to bring Jamie with her? Can't he stay in the hospital just a little bit longer?"
"Now, Joe, there's nothing to worry about. You and Jamie are going to get on like a house on fire" promised Betty as she held his hand.
"I don't want him to be in a burning house!" panicked the youngster.
"It's a saying, numbnuts!" snorted Danny.
"Daniel Reagan! Enough of that language!" shouted Betty.
"Sorry grandma," he muttered with a grin and winked at Joe. Joe smiled back.
"Ok. If he has to come home i promise to look out for him. Me and Danny's partners and we are going to look out for him," promised Joe with conviction.
"That's my boys" grinned Frank as he eyed his oldest who shrugged embarrassedly.
The next day saw Joe up early and waiting impatiently in the front room with his eyes never far from the window. As soon as he saw his father's car pull up in the driveway he was running and yelling through the house, "THEY'RE HERE! THEY'RE HOME!" He ran to the front door, opening it so fast that it rebounded off the wall.
"Slow down there kid! Let them get inside first" laughed Danny as he grabbed a hold of his brother and pulled him back to the stairs in order to let his mom get inside the house in one piece.
"Hello everyone! Wow! The house looks great! I hear you all helped Grandma, thank you," smiled Mary as she came in and hugged all three of them, one by one. As she pulled away from Joe he popped his head around her and looked inquisitively for someone.
"Where's Jamie? Did you leave him at the hospital?" he panicked.
Mary laughed as she picked up her middle son and carried him to the front room where Frank had managed to sneak to with the sleeping Jamie and settled him into his moses basket. "Here he is,"
"Oh wow! He's so small. How we gonna look after him, Danny? He's so small?" asked Joe as he looked at this little bundle as he lay sleeping.
"By being there whenever he needs us, kid" smiled Danny as he and Erin joined Joe beside the basket and watched Jamie slept soundly and obliviously to all the fuss going on around him.