Title: Home and Family

Author: Alexandria Kanaras

Rating: AC

Pairing: Maria/Danny, Danny/Linda (past), Jamie/Eddie(background)

Summery: Learning to navigate a changing partnership and changing family is harder than they thought.

Chapter 1

Late January

She wakes slowly, smiles at Danny's soft snore in her ear and carefully eases his arm back over her hip. He grumbles but doesn't wake and she gives it a moment before sitting up and sliding from the bed. She grabs her robe from the dresser as she goes, tying it lightly around her waist. Scratching at the itching skin that even lotion wasn't helping with. Maria steps out of the bedroom, watching as Sean gives a small smile, half closing his laptop. Raising an eyebrow at him, "What are you doing?"

"Nothing." Sean says quickly and she raises an eyebrow.

"Nothing causes you to half close your laptop?"

"It's really nothing…' he says and she clicks her fingers twice, pointing to the screen, watching as he sighs and brings it up. She wasn't sure what she had been expecting but the words and images that greeted her were not it.

"Oh…"

"I'm just looking.' He says quickly and she lets him gather his thoughts. 'Mom got really upset when Jack was talking about it but… I always thought I would go into the service…" Sean says softly and she sits beside him, watching as he turns the screen so she could see it more clearly. Marine ROTC, New York Division. "I haven't been making the best decisions. School wise and I'm worrying you and Dad. Thought this might help me focus on something. Give me a goal to work towards."

"Is it what you want?" She asks softly and he shrugs,

"I think so, I think it would be good to have something for me." She nods, giving him a small smile. "Do you think Dad will be mad?"

"I do not but I do think this is something you should ask him about."

"I kinda wanted to get my own opinion on it before asking everyone else."

"I get that, everyone in this family tends to have an opinion." Maria says evenly, watching as he nods before glancing at her sideways.

"What do you think?"

"I think that it's something that is a personal choice, it's a very brave choice but it's a choice that can have consequences and you need to be ready to face those if they occur."

"You mean like Dad's PTSD?" Sean asks and off her nods takes an even breathe, "Yeah. That makes sense."

"What have you found out?"

"My school doesn't have a program but the public school nearby does. I would have to get permission from the principle of both schools and get sponsored in…' Maria smiles as Sean explains the process and the steps and shows her the application. Before launching into the programs and classes that are available and what the unit gets to do.

"You kinda sound like you have made your decision,' she says when he's finished explaining everything about a half hour later.

"Mom wouldn't approve…' he says softly and Maria takes a slow breath,

"Your Mom would worry but she would be proud of you if you did decide to do this. After giving it the amount of thought that you are. Just like your Dad will and I will and your brother will but this is your life Sean and you have to live it for yourself."

"Okay…'

"And talk to your Dad." He nods, smiling as she cups his cheek before standing and heading into the kitchen.

Hears Danny a few minutes later. "Where's Maria?"

"Kitchen… Dad… can I talk to you about something I've been thinking about?"

"Of course…' she hangs out in the kitchen, focusing on cleaning up to let them have some time. Steps out when the tones change, Danny letting Sean show him what he found and met his eyes. Could see the heaviness in them and gave him a small smile before watching as he focuses back in on what Sean was showing him.

She smiles as he steps into the bedroom a few minutes later, coming up and wrapping two arms around her, pressing a series of kisses against her neck, over her shoulder before settling into the embrace.

"I know." She says softly and he sighs.

"He's right… it would probably be good for him." Danny says softly, "I'm proud of him.'

"But you don't want him to go?" She offers and he shakes his head. "We got time… maybe he'll hate ROTC."

Danny laughs, pressing another kiss against her cheek.

"How are you feeling?"

"Okay.' she says softly, 'just tired."

"I want you to talk to your doctor about that…' he says softly and she nods,

"I will,' she promises because even making sure she got enough sleep, she was still always just tired . 'I got an appointment on Wednesday."

"Okay. You ready for today?"

"Yeah."

"You narrowing down your choices?" Danny asks, watching as Jack shrugs.

"Not really.' he isn't looking at them and Maria raises an eyebrow. 'I mean Columbia has a couple of really good programs. Nikki likes it well enough."

"I thought you were looking at Hardwick.' Danny says softly, 'liked their nursing and criminal justice program."

"Yeah…' Jack shrugs, 'but it's four hours away. Columbia's program is about the same and I could be in the city."

"Is that important to you?" Maria asks softly, "You were really excited about this other program…'

"Things change."

"How so?"

"They just do."

Maria and Danny both blink at the tone, watching as he raises from the table and disappears. Even Sean looks surprised, watching as they glance over to him for a clue.

"I don't know.'

"I'll go." Danny says and Maria gives him a small smile.

"Can I?"

"Sure…' he agrees because sometimes she got through to them where he couldn't, watching as she raises. Her hand squeezing his shoulder as she went.

She knocks on the door twice and heard his sigh before he called for her to come in. Sitting up when she opens the door. "Oh…. thought it was Dad."

"Can I?" Points to the end of his bed and watches as he nods. Sitting and pushing herself across to lean against the wall. "You want to tell me where your head's at?"

"I didn't think you guys would be against me staying closer to the city."

"We're not but you were really excited about this school and now you're not. It's a big change."

"Not the only one.' he mutters and Maria frowns slightly,

"Is this because of the baby? Are you upset…'

"No!" he says firmly and probably a bit louder than he intended, "I'm not upset about the baby,' he says softly 'but, it's just gonna be here…"

"And you'll be four hours away." Maria says softly, watching as he nods "You could come home on the weekends…"

"It's too far.' Jack says, shaking his head, 'it's just too far."

"Okay…'

"I could do Columbia or I could do 2 years at the community college around the corner…'

"Your Dad is not gonna want you…'

"I know and you'll probably need my room."

"We got the guest room,"

"This one is closer to your room."

"Honestly, the crib will probably be in with us for a while. You're a good brother Jack but we can make sure that you see the baby. You don't have to choose a different school because of that.'

"I'm not missing out on watching it grow up. Watching it from a computer screen..."

"Fair enough… you want to talk to your Dad?" Maria asks, watching as he blows out a slow breathe before meeting her eyes.

"Can you start it?"

"I'll start it and send him in." She squeezes his leg as she stands.

Danny is in the kitchen and she watches as he dries his hands as he turns to face her. "So? He tell you why he had a mini meltdown over breakfast...'

"Valid reasons.' she says as she steps towards him, taking his hand, watching as his brow furrowed as she takes the other one. Bringing both to her stomach, where she's definitely starting to show. Feeling his thumbs slide back and forth, his face clearing as his eyes close. His forehead tipping forward to meet her own.

"Right." Danny pressing a light kiss against her lips before wrapping her in a hug. "That makes a lot of sense actually."

"Yeah. He wants to talk to you."

"Okay."

Frank watched as Maria stepped out of the car, the dress was a soft green and highlighted the changes in her body.

"Glad you could join us."

"Glad the case broke.' Danny muttered, watching as Maria gave an even smile, Frank leaning forward to press a kiss against her cheek.

"You look good. How are you feeling?"

"Good. Tired.' She says softly, 'all the time."

Frank nodded, she had looked tired too. "Come on. Let's get inside and find seats."