Chapter 1: An unexpected turn of events
I was asked to write a Reagan prequel story, so here it goes. Hope everyone enjoys.
Pre-Note: The Reagan family, was thriving, with strong ties in the NYPD. Henry Reagan was the Police Commissioner, and his son Frank Reagan was a first grade
Detective. Many before them had also been in the ranks, including the Mounties, and other various positions. Henry and his wife Betty lived in a nice neighborhood in
Brooklyn, and Frank and his wife Mary, along with their three children, Danny age 8, Erin age 6, and the youngest Joe age 3, lived in a smaller neighborhood in
Brooklyn. The house was single story home with small bedrooms, kitchen and living room. Making things a little difficult for the family of five.
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It was a normal day for the Reagan's. Frank was busy working a homicide case, and his wife Mary was hard at work taking care of their home and three children. She
had just gotten home from picking up Danny and Erin from school, and was preparing to get started on dinner. "Can we have a snack?" Six-year-old Erin asked. Mary
checked the time, and figured it would be okay, the chicken in the sink still thawing out. "I guess a cookie or two wouldn't hurt," Mary tweaked her daughters nose.
"Go ask your brothers if they want one too." Mary only wanted to have to clean up one mess, knowing dinner would come and cause an even bigger one, especially
with her three old. "Danny! Joe!" Erin screamed from the kitchen door. "Erin Reagan," Mary chastised. "I told you to ask your brothers, not yell for them." "Sorry,"
Erin took her seat at the kitchen table. Danny and Joe came running into the kitchen. "What do you want Erin?" Danny said annoyed. "Danny and me was playing
soldier," Joe sounded upset, that he had to waste the precious time he had, knowing it wasn't very often that Danny agreed to play with him. "Danny and I," Mary
corrected, before focusing her attention on her eldest. "You were supposed to be doing your homework Daniel," Mary reprimanded gently. "Sorry Mom," eight-year-old
Danny apologized, despite the fact it was obvious to his mother that he didn't mean it. "Eat your snack and then go up to your room and get started," Mary glanced
from Danny to Erin. "Yes Mam," the two school aged children nodded. "As for you," Mary turned her attention to her three-year-old. "Your brother may play with you
before and after dinner when his homework is done. But I want you to leave him alone beforehand." Mary figured it would be best to tell him now, knowing that as
soon as Danny finished his cookies, his little brother would be trailing behind him. "But Mommy!" Joe complained loudly. "I been waiting all day." "And it won't hurt
you to wait a little while longer," Mary shook her head. "There are plenty of things you can do while your brother does his homework." "Like what?" Joe was coming up
blank. "Like pick up the toys you have scattered all over the floor before Daddy gets home and steps on them." Mary knew that the first thing that would happen when
her husband got home, he would accidentally step on one of the toys. He would be crying in pain while holding his foot, and Joe would be crying that his daddy broke
his toy. "But that's not fun," Joe pouted. "Fun or not son you have to do it," Mary handed him a glass of milk. "Doing my homework isn't fun," Danny shook his head,
looking at his little brother. "But I have to do it." "Why?" Joe asked curiously. "Because Mommy and Daddy will get me if I don't," Danny pushed his head closer and
closer to his brother, grinning. "Stop!" Joe giggled, pushing his cookie covered hands on his brother's face trying to push him away. "Come on Joe," Danny got up and
took his brother into the living room where the floor was covered with toys. "You clean up your mess while I do my homework," Danny instructed, pointing out the
different blocks, cars, and books that were scattered around. Joe sighed, but started to do what his brother told him to, while Danny grabbed his backpack and made
his way into his bedroom.
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Mary took a load of laundry out of the dryer and carried it into her and Frank's bedroom, where she could put them on the bed and get started on folding them. She
had just folded the last t-shirt, before separating them, and taking them into the appropriate rooms. "Danny," she stopped by her eldest son's room first. "Here's your
clothes. I'm going to put them on your bed, please put them away when you finish your homework." "Okay," Danny turned around to glance at his mother for a brief
second. In a hurry to get his homework done. "Danny," Mary said again, before taking a seat on the edge of her son's bed. "Come sit next me, I'd like to talk to you
for a few minutes." "What did I do now?" Danny moved to take the seat, Mary had patted. "Just because I tell you I want to talk, doesn't mean you are in trouble,"
Mary softened, beginning to realize that because of her tone, he could get that impression. "Yes, it is," Danny nodded wide-eyed. "At least it does with Dad." "I just
wanted to tell you, that I appreciate you helping me with your brother, and getting him to pick up his toys, before he started throwing a fit. You really took the
initiative of being a big brother, by getting him to listen." "It was nothing," Danny started to get up so he could go back to his homework. Sure, Danny didn't enjoy
doing his homework, in fact he hated it. All he knew, was that he wanted to go play, and if doing his homework was the condition, he figured he didn't have a choice.
Especially considering his parents would probably murder him if he didn't. Unfortunately, before Danny had a chance to get too far away from her, she pulled him back
and placed a kiss on his cheek. "Awe Mom," Danny crunched up his face. "I'm too big for that sort of thing." Mary laughed, patting his back. Thinking of how much he
would change as he grew older, and would no doubt turn into a lady's man like his father. "Of course, you are," Mary let him go, dreading the moment he grew up.
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A few minutes later, and Frank walked through the door, where he found his pouting three-year-old. "What's the matter Little Joe?" Frank picked the boy up and
carried him into the kitchen, so he could get a drink. "Mommy won't let Danny play with me," Joe's lower lip stuck out. "What did Danny do this time?" Frank could
only imagine, knowing nine times out of ten Danny was the one he came home to being in trouble. "Nothing," Mary shook her head, joining her husband and son in
the kitchen, so she could check on the chicken that was baking in the oven. "He's doing his homework." "Danny's doing his homework?" Frank was also used to
coming home to Danny being the one to give Mary a hard time, by not wanting to do his homework. "And he went up without any hassle," Mary enlightened him.
"He's up to something," Frank pointed at her. "And you can figure out what it is," Mary went back to the laundry room, so she could get started on another load. "On
my way," Frank started for the bedrooms, his youngest son, still latched on his back. Mary was feeling unusually tired, after the long day, and all she wanted to do
was lay down for a nap. Unfortunately, she had three children and a husband that were hungry, and needed a hot meal on the table. "Joe," Frank set his youngest son
down. "Go play in your room for a few minutes, so I can go talk to your brother." "Again, I can't play with my brother," Joe started to pout all over again, crossing his
arms in front of his chest. "And you won't play with him at all Joseph Connor, unless you stop acting like that." Frank turned him around and landed a quick swat to
his bottom, before sending him off to his bedroom. "Danny," Frank walked into his son's room, not even bothering to knock, knowing there would be plenty of time for
that later, the boy was only eight after all. "Dad, whatever it is I didn't do it," Danny said immediately, the second his father walked through the door. "I never said
you did," Frank tussled the boy's hair. "Sorry," Danny glanced at him. "It's a habit." "So how was school today?" Frank was running down the checklist in his head."
"Boring as usual," Danny answered. "Your mom said that you helped with your brother, and then came in and did your homework without any hassle," Frank walked
around the room, glancing occasionally at the work the boy was doing at his desk. "Yes Sir," Danny turned away from his desk. "Is there something you want to tell
me son?" Frank had a feeling his son was leaving something out. "Can't a kid do his homework without giving his parents a hard time?" Danny stood up, to pace the
floor, in a similar manner to that of his father. "Not when the kids name is Danny Reagan," Frank was thinking of all the things his son had done in just the past year.
"That hurts Dad, that really hurts," Danny placed a hand over his heart, dramatically. Knowing that if he was ever going to get to the point of asking for what he
wanted, he had to guilt trip his father first. "I'm sorry son," Frank placed a hand on the back of his son's neck. "Can I talk to you about something Dad?" Danny looked
at his father's intently. Here it comes, Frank thought to himself. "I'm the oldest, and it's my job to take care of Erin and Joe, right?" Danny started, just before getting
started on his reasoning. "That's right," Frank nodded. "In that case, don't you think it would be in the family's best interest if I took self-defense lessons, so I could
protect them. In case of an emergency of course." Danny explained. "Of course," Frank was fighting a smile, trying to remain serious, considering his son was
behaving so serious at the moment Frank was having a hard time remembering that the boy was only eight. "Well what do you think Dad?" Danny pushed for an
answer. "You make a valid point my boy," Frank was hoping to make it appear that he was at least thinking about it, rather than just saying no right off. "I don't know
Danny," Frank shook his head. "I'll think about it, but I'm not promising anything, mind you," Frank pointed at him seriously. "Well, don't you think it's a good idea?"
Danny shrugged. "It's not a terrible idea," Frank definitely wasn't going to go as far as saying it was a good idea. "Then what's the problem?" Danny looked confused.
"The thing is son, those lessons cost money, and its money we can't spare right now," Frank hated to say anything about money around his children, but the boy was
being so grown up about the whole thing, he felt he owed him something. "There not that expensive," Danny couldn't help but sound a little disappointed. "I
understand that son, but the thing is, that if your mother and I paid for you lessons, your sister would want to take gymnastics, and we really can't afford for both of
you to participate in something like that," Frank explained. "Yes Sir," Danny nodded in understanding. "But my lessons would be for the good of the family." "You are
acting very mature about this Danny. But your sister is only six, and she may not see it like that. Do you understand?" "I understand," Danny said solemnly. "I'm
proud of you buddy," Frank patted the boys back. "Now get back to your homework." Yes Sir," Danny crossed the floor to return to his desk. "You can come
downstairs when you finish," Frank added, before returning to the kitchen, hoping to spend a few minutes with his wife in quiet.
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"Did you talk to Danny?" Mary asked as soon as she saw her husband. "I did," Frank replied, picking up one of the cars Joe missed, and tossed it into the toy chest
they kept in the corner of the living room. "And?" Mary pushed for an explanation to her son's good behavior. "My eight-year-old son is smarter than the average
adult," was all Frank could think to say. Still surprised by the conversation he had just had, knowing that if he would have said no to any other eight-year-old child, he
would have gotten nothing but tears and complaints. "You should be proud then," Mary took the dishes from the cabinet, so she could get started on setting the table.
"I am, I think," Frank said still thinking. "He just caught me off guard." "That's our boy," Mary laughed. "What did he want anyways?" Mary remembered, that he had
yet to tell her what had caused their sons good behavior. "He wants to take self-defense lessons," Frank chuckled. "I hope you told him that now wasn't a good time,"
Mary knew that bill paying was already hard enough. "I told him that I would think about it. But to be honest, I think it better our son lack in one skill set. He's already
more than talented in so many ways. The boy can talk himself out of anything. He would be a great hostage negotiator. Maybe I should ask the Commissioner, if he
wants to start recruiting kids a few years before high school." Frank teased. "Don't give your father any ideas," Mary was being completely serious. "Besides, our son
is not going to work NYPD. He's going to go to college." "We're talking about the same kid, right?" Frank looked at his wife confused. "The boy has the attention span
of a nat." "Just please do not encourage him," Mary already had to worry about her husband on the job, she didn't want to add her own flesh and blood to that list."
She had just started carrying a stack of plates over to the table, when she stopped suddenly. She set the plates down with a thump, and Frank started to to pay
attention, knowing she normally treated her dishes with more care. "Mary?" Frank took a step closer behind her, so he could place a hand on her back. "Are you
okay?" "I'm fine Frank," Mary took a shallow breath. "Just lost my breath for a minute." "Maybe you should go lay down," concern was showing in Frank's voice. "With
this brood," Mary leaned against the table still trying to catch her breath, knowing there was still plenty she had to do before bed. "I can take care of the kids," Frank
was quick to volunteer. "You're going to feed them, wash the dishes, keep Danny and Erin from fighting, keep Joe entertained, and then make sure they all take a
bath, before finally tucking them in, and making sure they actually stay in bed." Mary knew the day to day challenges far too well. "They're my children too," Frank
urged. "Let me help." "And you can have them, but there's more to ending a day than just tending to the dishes and the children," Mary stood up straight, trying to
get back to work. "I have the kids uniforms in the dryer, and as soon as there done, I have to get them hung up so they don't wrinkle." "I understand that Mary,"
Frank started to say while helping her finish with the table. "Stop worrying Frank, I'm fine, just a little tired," Mary carried the chicken over to the table. "What can I
do then?" Frank couldn't help but worry, knowing his wife's behavior wasn't natural. "You can call your children down to dinner." Mary ignored his concerns, and went
about her usual manner. Aside from moving a bit slower, she did her best to hide it from her husband.
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They had just set down to dinner, Frank busy cutting up pieces of chicken for Erin and Joe. Danny, who could handle a knife on his own, was already attacking his
food, while Mary tried taking small bites of vegetables. Her stomach was feeling a little upset, but she knew she needed to eat something. Unfortunately, it wasn't long
after she forced a few bites down, she began feeling much worse and knew she needed to go lay down. The odor of the food, making her nauseated. "I need to go lay
down," Mary's voice was low, as she stood up, and hurried out of the kitchen, for her room. Frank who didn't even have time to reply, watched his wife hurry out.
"What's wrong with Mommy, Daddy?" Erin looked up at Frank. "She's just tired baby, she'll be fine," Frank reassured the little girl. Sure, Frank had to admit that he
was worried, yet he knew it wasn't right, to let that worry spread to his children. "I hungry Daddy," Joe sounded desperate, still waiting for his father to give him
something other than vegetables. "I know buddy," Frank was pulled back to tending to his youngest. Danny started to get up from the table but Frank stooped him.
"Where are you going Danny? You're not finished with your meal." "I was going to go check on Mom," Danny answered. "I'm not sure if that's a good idea." Then
again on the other hand, Frank wasn't sure what to think. "What if she needs some water?" Danny sounded helpful. "You can try," Frank shrugged, handing him a
glass of water. A few minutes later, and Danny returned to the kitchen. "Dad," Danny's helpful behavior changed to disgusted. "Moms throwing up in the bathroom."
"Eww," Joe said loudly. "Joe," Frank silenced him quickly. "Mommy isn't feeling good, so I need you all on your best behavior. And Joe, Danny, that means you too."
Frank was sure to add. "I's always on my best behavior Daddy," Erin voiced. "Of course, you are honey," Frank was too busy thinking about his wife, along with
everything she had voiced just minutes ago that needed to be done, before the close of the night. Danny, whom Frank could tell was on the verge of saying something
smart alec to his sister, silenced him, before he even had a chance to open his mouth. "I'm going to need help, and that includes each and every one of you," Frank
pointed at them, focusing primarily on Danny. "Yes Sir," Erin and Danny answered, while Joe worked on his dinner. "I'll be right back, I'm going to check on your
mother," Frank said, leaving the three alone, to finish their meal. "How you feeling Mary?" Frank walked into his and his wife's bathroom. Where he found his wife
sitting on the floor, next to the toilet, taking small sips of water from the glass her eldest brought her. "Don't worry about me. Just take of the children." It was easy
to see, where the mothers main concern lied. "I already talked to them," Frank enlightened her. "They are eating dinner, and then they are going to help me with the
rest of the chores." "How are you are going to do that? All are children are under the age of eight," Mary felt compelled to remind him. "I already have everything
figured out," Frank sounded pleased with himself. Thinking that the one day, he gets handed the job of tending to their home and children, he was easily able to
separate jobs amongst himself and his two eldest. Normally, Mary would have asked more questions. But another fit of nausea hit her, bringing her back to the toilet.
"I'm going to go check on the kids," Frank was in a hurry to get out of the room. "Call me if you need me." Frank was gone in a matter of seconds.
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By the time he got back to the kitchen, all three seats, that were once occupied by his children, were empty. Their plates and cups still spread about the table, and
Frank couldn't help but shake his head thinking, that no wonder his wife had a tendency to be upset with them when he got home, the little monsters wouldn't clean
up after themselves, unless they were constantly on them. "Daniel! Erin! and Joseph!" Frank tried to keep his voice down, so his wife wouldn't think that he couldn't
handle them. "What Daddy?" Joe was the one to talk, when he and his siblings approached their father. "Me and Danny is playing." "I realize that son," Frank picked
him up. "But what is something your mother has told everyone of you, multiple times a day?" Frank focused primarily on Erin and Danny. Danny and Erin exchanged
glances, trying to think of what their father could be referring to. Frank nodded at the kitchen table, and the two kids, suddenly remembered. "Sorry Dad," Erin and
Danny said simultaneously, just before they started to clear their dishes from the table and place them in the sink. "Help your brother and sister," Frank set his
youngest down. The three Reagans, were finished clearing the table in a matter of seconds, and Danny glanced back at his father. "See ya Dad," he said before
starting to run off. Unfortunately, Danny never got the chance, before his father grabbed him by the shirt, and pulled him back. "I have a few chores that I could use
you and your siblings assistance with this evening." "Do we have to Dad?" Danny started to complain. "Mom made me do my homework when I got home, and I
promised I'd play with Joe after dinner." "I appreciate you offering to play with your brother Danny," Frank knew that occasionally he and Mary had to force him to
play with him, just to keep the three-year-old out of the way for a few minutes. "But with your mother not feeling well, I need some help around the house," Frank
really didn't want to have to take his children's play time away from them, them being so young and all, and no doubt full of energy. "I'll help you Daddy," Erin
volunteered, smiling up at their father, before taking a moment to sneer at her brother. Danny started to go after her, but luckily Frank was standing off the side and
was able to press one hand against his son's chest, and the other against his daughters to keep them separated. "Danny, Erin, I want you two to wash the dishes. You
don't have to dry them. Just put them in the drain board." Frank was hoping that, that way, they would still have a few minutes to play. "And no fighting," he was
careful to add, knowing that when they got started, they would be at it the rest of the night. "You're asking for a lot Dad," Danny crossed his arms in front of his
chest, still not happy with his little sister. "Let me put it in terms you can understand then," Frank crossed his arms in front of his chest, in a manner very similar to
that of his son. "You two start fighting, and you will both go straight to bed, immediately following your spanking." "We won't fight Daddy," Erin was quick to reassure
him. "Daniel?" Frank was looking for a verbal answer from his eldest. "It isn't going to be easy," Danny sighed. "But I'll try." "That's all I ask," Frank patted his sons
back, before pointing him towards the kitchen sink. "Joe, my boy, I could use your assistance in the laundry room," Frank picked his three-year-old up, and threw him
over his shoulder. "Daddy!" Joe giggled loudly. Frank set the boy down atop of the wash machine, before taking his older children's uniforms out of the dryer and into
the clothes basket. "Put me in the clothes basket Daddy," Joe brightened. "Your mother would kill me if I did that. You would wrinkle all the clothes," Frank tickled
him. "Can I ride on your shoulders?" Joe had a better idea. Frank sighed, but eventually gave in. "Come on," Frank lowered himself down enough, for the little boy to
climb aboard. "I'm high Daddy!" Joe was having a blast, at his father's expense. Who was having a difficult time, holding the laundry basket in one hand, while he
tried to keep another reassuring hand on his sons back. And it wasn't helping that Joe kept such a tight grip around his neck that he could barely breathe. It didn't
take long for Frank to finish up hanging up the uniforms, despite the help, Joe persisted on giving. And a few minutes after that, Danny and Erin finished in the
kitchen, wandered into the living room. "Play with me Danny!" Joe launched himself at his brother. "Do you need any more help Dad?" Danny wasn't about to say yes,
and then disappoint his brother once again, if his father told him otherwise. "That's all Danny, thank you." Frank took Erin in his lap. "Yippee!" Joe shouted in
excitement. "Let's play with your race cars," Joe loved anytime his brother was willing to let him use his remote-control cars. "Let's go get them," Danny led the way
to his bedroom. "Can I take a bubble bath Daddy?" Erin turned around to look at her. "For a little while," Frank figured it was okay, knowing she needed to take a bath
anyways. "But not for too long, your brothers are going to need baths too." "Okay Daddy," Erin took off running for the bathroom. "Let me get your water running
first," Frank knew that if he let her do it on her own, chances were she'd make the water too hot and then scream at the top of her lungs, after she sat down. That
certainly wouldn't do too much for him, knowing it would bring Mary out of the room, yelling at him, every second she wasn't busy taking care of Erin, or being sick.
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By the time Frank returned, he found Danny and Joe playing on the floor, driving their cars in all different directions around the room. The room was small, but that
didn't keep them from driving them around in circles. "Do you want to play Dad? I have another car," Danny picked up the other remote-control car, he had left on the
couch. "Maybe for a little while," Frank took a seat on the floor, in between his two boys. Danny ran his car into his fathers, and Frank just looked at his son. "That
wasn't very nice." "This is demolition Dad," Danny laughed at him. "Oh really?" Frank rammed his own car into the boys. "Now who's not being nice?" Danny pointed a
finger at his father. "You started it kid," Frank wasn't backing down. "Dog pile on Dad," Danny put his controller down and jumped on top of Frank, after insinuating
Joe to follow suit. "This isn't fair boys," Frank's voice was muffled, his face buried somewhere in Danny's shirt. "Yes, it is," Joe giggled. Frank managed to resurrect
himself, and stand on his own two feet, both boys still hanging on his back. By now, Erin was out of the tub, and Frank walked into the bathroom. "You two both need
baths and a bed," Frank said noticing how excited Joe was becoming. Knowing that if he got too amped up on energy, chances were, he'd never calm down enough to
sleep. "I don't need to take a bath," Joe said standing in the middle of the bathroom. "Oh yes you do," Frank knew the active boy was in dire need of a good
scrubbing. "Danny," Frank turned his attention to his eldest. "If moms not in our bathroom, you can go take a shower in there." "Yes," Danny said excitedly, always
preferring when he got to take a shower rather than a bath. "Just don't be afraid of the soap, like you were last time." Frank remembered the time before, when they
let him take a shower, he wasn't under partial supervision, and all he did was stand under the water. "I'll try," Danny grinned.
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An hour later, after baths were taken, teeth were brushed, and they all had an additional drink of water, Frank finally got them all tucked in. "You should try to get
into the doctor tomorrow," Frank said exhausted, after the long day at work, and then long evening of taking care of the kids and doing all the additional chores. "I
can't," Mary moaned, shaking her head. "We're not going to argue about this Mary, you need to go." Frank tried to sound stern, but it was turning more along the
lines of begging. "I don't have time Frank. Tomorrow will come, and Erin and Danny will have school, and I'll have Joe all day," Mary reminded him that they had three
children she had to care for. "I'll take Erin and Danny to school, and then pick them up afterwards. And I'll also see if Mom can watch Joe," Frank came up with a
solution to the problem. "What about work?" Mary took a small sip of water. "I think it will be okay for me to take off early one day, so my wife can go to the doctor,"
Frank mentioned, digging through the bathroom cabinet for the thermometer. "I'm not running fever Frank," Mary took the thermometer from him, but had yet to put
it in her mouth. "Your starting to sound like Danny, not wanting to take your temperature," Frank was beginning to notice some of the similarities between mother and
son, even if people said, that Danny behaved more like him. "Sometimes a person just knows Frank," Mary was speaking more for herself than she was Danny,
knowing that most of the time, the only reason Danny hated having to get his temperature taken, was because he would have to be quiet. "I understand that Mary,
but how can you be sure, unless you take it?" Frank asked curiously. "I'm a mom," Mary reminded him. "I can tell by touch. Besides I think I know what's wrong with
me." "Well what is it!?" Frank couldn't help but wonder why she would put him through so much stress all evening, if she thought she knew what was wrong." "Sit
next to me," Mary patted the place on the bed next to her. "What is it honey?" Frank softened, concern showing in his voice. "Whatever it is, we'll get through it."
Frank placed a reassuring hand on the small of her back. "I remember feeling like this before," Mary looked at him. "And the last time was three years ago." His wife's
words slowly began to sink in, and Frank's eyes went wide, a vague expression showing on his face. "I think I'm pregnant."
Hope you all enjoyed the first chapter of a coming series I was asked to write. Thanks for all the follows, favorites, and reviews... JusticeStandsTRUE