CH. 2: Looking for Hope
Warning: Mention of a spanking
"Awww," three little boys ran through the house like wild Indians later on that week when Scottie was staying with them. "Would you please settle down,
maybe sit down and watch a movie." Linda wasn't big on allowing her children to watch TV at all hours, and tried to keep it down to a minimum. But at this
particular time, she was so exhausted, she found herself suggesting it. "When's Daddy coming home," Jack questioned following her around? "I don't know
Jack, sometime soon I hope," Linda had to admit she couldn't wait for him to get home and take his turn with them. "Can we watch Alvin and the Chipmunks,"
Scottie asked carrying the DVD around? "Yes," Linda took the movie from him before turning the TV on and getting the boys to sit down. "The credits were just
beginning to roll down the screen when Danny's car pulled up. "Oh thank God," Linda said the second Danny walked through the door. "They've been terrible
today," she said quietly. "I'll take my shift," Danny picked up Sean, who was running through the kitchen. Danny kept the boys busy outside for an hour and a
half, hoping they would burn off some energy while Linda prepared the meal. First they kicked the soccer ball around, second they took turns pushing one
another on the swings, and third they played basketball, until Danny was tired of picking them up so they could throw the ball up and into the goal.
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"The drain in the boy's bathtub is stopped up," Linda remembered later that evening after dinner. "I'll see what I can do with it," Danny stood up from his place
on the couch, where he was trying to do a little relaxing. Danny was just finishing up with the drain, when he walked past Jacks room and found three little
boys playing in their art paint. They were all covered from head to toe with red and blue paint, and they were in the process of painting little objects all over
the wall of the bedroom. "What are you doing in here," Danny raised his voice, taking them by surprise? "I sorry Daddy, I sorry," Sean was quick to apologize
as he looked up at Danny. "We were painting a cop car," Scottie answered him. "I can see that," Danny was aggravated. "Are we in trouble?" "What do you
think," Danny asked gently, yet serious? "Yes," Jack said more than half of him hoping he was wrong. "Are you going to give us a spanking," Scottie looked at
his uncle? Danny had spanked him a couple times in the past year, when he got into trouble, and he was beginning to think this was going to be another one
of those times. Danny had been forced to take over for Joe in the form of discipline, among countless other things. "That's a very good assumption young man,"
Danny pointed at him. "I kind of figured," Scottie shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "Well what you did was wrong," Danny started to explain as he
knelt down in front of them. "The walls and carpet are covered with paint. And it's going to take some time for us to get it cleaned up. "Do you guys
understand?" "Yes Sir," the three boys standing in front of him nodded. "Follow me to the shower and we'll take care of getting you cleaned up," Danny picked
Sean up, doing his best to keep the paint off his shirt and tie. By the time he got all three boys cleaned up, he was more than grateful he decided to use the
shower rather than the tub, especially after it took several minutes to get the blue paint out of their hair. "I turned a movie on for you in my room, go lay down
and watch it," Danny instructed after finally getting them dressed and the mess in the bathroom cleaned up. "What movie is it," Jack questioned? "It doesn't
matter what movie it is," Danny shook his head smiling. "You are going to watch it, and you are going to like it," Danny was in no mood to listen to the boys
bickering over their choice of different movies, especially considering he was about to have to go clean up a bunch of paint in his sons bedroom before any of
them could go to bed. An hour and a half later, and Danny was just finishing up with the paint, when his cell phone rang. "Hey Dad just a second," Danny was
on his way to the bathroom to wash his hands and arms when the phone rang. "Here talk to Scottie," Danny handed the phone to the boy closest to him. "Hi
Grandpa, what you doing?" "I'm reading," Frank himself was trying to get a little relaxing in after his long hectic week. "I don't know how to read," Scottie
answered, "so I'm watching a movie with Jack and Sean." "That's good," Frank enjoyed making small talk with the boy. "Did you have a good day?" "I did until
Uncle Danny gave me a spanking," the boy admitted. "What did you do wrong?" Frank knew his son well enough to know that he never disciplined his boys or
Scottie unless they did something that needed correction. "We painted cop cars all over Jacks wall." "Uh oh, that wasn't a good idea was it?" Frank didn't want
to lecture the boy, considering he had a felling Danny had already done a substantial enough job on getting them to understand why their offense was wrong.
"No it wasn't," Scottie shook his head despite the fact Frank couldn't exactly see the gestures he was making. "Aside from that, are you having fun with Aunt
Linda, Uncle Danny and your cousins?" "The best," Scottie got excited again, "Uncle Danny played outside with us." "That sounds fun," Frank had to admit that
talking on the phone to his grandsons was always quite entertaining. "Thanks Scottie, let me have the phone now," Frank could hear Danny trying to get his
phone back. "But I'm not through talking," Scottie was still holding the phone up to his ear. "Well wrap it up so I can talk too," Danny didn't want to just grab
the phone away from him. "Grandpa do you want to talk your Son, because he's in an awful hurry to talk to you," Scottie was saying mid-sentence until his
uncle through caution to the wind and grabbed the phone. "I didn't get to say goodbye," Scottie looked like he was about in tears. "Joseph Scott," Danny said
under his breath, "say goodbye and then get back to your movie." Danny was beginning to regret ever handing the boy the phone, next time I'll just call him
back. "Yeah Dad I'm here," Danny walked off and into the other room where he could hear better, some where away from three jabbering boys and the
television. "Are you working tomorrow," Frank questioned? "No, we already wrapped up the case this evening," Danny informed him. "That's a good feeling,"
Frank remembered. "Yeah it is, and it was none too soon considering Linda wants to take the boys out to do something tomorrow." "What are you going to
do?" "I don't know just yet, Linda mentioned taking them to play at the kid zone. They have food, and a big jungle gym inside that adults can climb in too,
which is a good thing considering chances are I'll have to climb up and get them when we're ready to leave," Danny shook his head. "That'll be fun for them,"
Frank mentioned. "I'm sure Scottie doesn't have much of a chance to do things like that unless you take him." "I've considered that, which is why I'm willing to
go, despite the fact I'd rather just stay home and watch something on the sports channel," Danny admitted. "Seeing the smile on the boy's face will be
something you'll never forget, especially if Kris ends up taking him to Maine." Danny smiled, "when did you get so wise?" "It comes with age my boy, as well as
raising children. Give yourself a few more years and you'll see," Frank knew it would happen eventually, as the boys grew older. "Are you working tomorrow,"
Danny thought it his turn to ask the same question he was asked just moments ago? "I'm going to go in for a little while, catch up on a few things," Frank
mentioned. "If you finish up in time, you're welcome to join us at the kid's zone. The foods not the best, but the kids like it," Danny invited him. "I might just do
that," Frank thought about it, "Pop has plans and won't be home anyway." "Just let me know, and I'll save some room for you at the table," Danny said before
telling his father he had to go, when he heard the boys arguing. "Alright time for bed," Danny turned the TV off before picking up Sean and carrying him to his
bedroom. After tucking the three in, Danny found Linda downstairs folding towels on the couch. "The boys are in bed, and the walls and carpet in our eldest
son's room are free from paint," Danny stretched out in one of the recliners. "I still can't believe they did," Linda shook her head. "I kind of figured it was just a
matter of time," Danny admitted. "But they won't do it again nonetheless." "I guess I'm going to have to clean the shower now, get all the paint out of it,"
Linda could only imagine how bad her bathroom looked. "It's actually not too bad, I carried Sean and he was the one I was most concerned about touching
something," Danny was thinking of all the handprints that would have covered the hall walls had he walked. "Scottie what are you doing out of bed," Linda
noticed her nephew on the last step of the stairs. "I'm thirsty. Can I have a glass of water?" "Sure you can," Linda led him into the kitchen before filling a glass
of water. "Don't drink too much, I don't want you wetting through your pull-up tonight," she reminded him. "Yes Mam," the little boy handed her the glass once
he was finished. "Now give me a kiss goodnight," Linda leaned over to kiss him. "Goodnight Aunt Linda, I love you." "I love you too baby," Linda hugged him
before sending him in after Danny. "Did Aunt Linda get you taken care of," Danny set the TV remote aside when Scottie climbed up on his lap to hug him
goodnight? "Yes Sir," the little boy was comfortable as he was snuggled up in his uncle's lap once again. "I'm sorry about the paint Uncle Danny," Scottie arched
his head up enough to look at him. "Don't worry about it Son, your little and you're going to make mistakes from time to time," Danny wanted him to
understand that he was no longer upset with him. The little boy yawned and Danny hugged him, "now go get in bed and don't get up again or there's going to
be trouble," Danny was trying to sound serious, but he was sporting a smile. "Yes Sir," the little boy giggled. "You know I've been thinking," Danny found Linda
in the kitchen after Scottie was back upstairs. "Now that Sean's getting a little bigger, maybe we should put a set of bunk beds in his room, at least that away
Scott would have a bed when he's here." "That's a good idea," Linda admitted, "he's been staying more and more lately the only question is, what if Kris takes
him to Maine." "Even if they do move to Maine, you know either me or Jamie would be making a trip up there quite regular to bring him home from time to time,
and even then he will need a place to sleep." "I don't doubt that," Linda shook her head, "and he's much too young to fly out on his own, and we already know
Kris won't drive him." "We will do what we got to do," Danny turned the lights off and made sure the door was locked before going on up to bed.
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The following day was fun for the boys. They had a blast running around the kid zone and were literally exhausted by the days end. The Reagan's enjoyed
their Sunday dinner, especially Scottie who didn't have to worry about his mother getting angry at him for fidgeting or some other form of behavior she didn't
like. In fact, it was almost as if there was a completely different Scottie sitting at the table with them. This Scottie talked and talked, and told all about the fun
he had been having with Danny, Linda, Jack and Sean. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and Kris was scheduled to return home later that
afternoon. "Has Kris called," Danny asked coming in through the back door of his father's home from where he and Jamie were outside playing with the boys?
"Yes, she asked if you can drop him off at her apartment. She said she should get there around 8 tonight." "I don't see we have a choice," Danny shook his
head, "I'd rather keep him with us." "So would I," Linda was preparing to serve dessert. "I doubt Kris will get there on time, so you better not follow me and
just go straight home," Danny knew she would need to get the boys ready for bed, Sean was liable to be asleep by then, and Jack had school the following
day.
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Danny unlocked the door to Kris's apartment, the same apartment she and Joe shared. "Your moms not here yet," Danny mentioned carrying the boys duffel
bag inside. "What are we going to do," Scottie wondered around the apartment? "I guess get your stuff unpacked," Danny followed the boy to his bedroom.
The boy's bed didn't have any sheets on his bed, and the room was a mess, clothes and toys scattered all over the floor. "Don't you think it would be a good
idea if you cleaned your room?" Danny looked down at the boy who took a seat on the floor to play with one of his toys. "I'm not here very often, and I don't
think my mom cares all that much," Scottie pushed his toy car around the floor. Danny didn't say anything but knew that had it be Jacks or even Sean's room in
that state, Linda would have a fit. "Why don't you have sheets on your bed," Danny finished unpacking the boys bag before placing it under the bed for easy
access? "I had an accident the night before I went to stay at your house," the little boy looked guilty. "And you didn't wake up in the middle of the night and
realize you were wet?" Danny looked at him confused knowing that when Jack was his age and they were still working on the night training he certainly felt it
and woke them up wanting a set of clean clothes and sheets. "I did," Scottie answered him. "Did you wake your mom up and tell her?" "She said I was too big
to be wetting the bed at night and gave me a spanking, then made me sleep on the floor, she was afraid I would ruin the mattress if it happened again," the
little boy looked like he wanted to cry. "Don't you have any pull ups," Danny knew he always wore one of Sean's pull ups when he stayed at their house? "Mom
won't buy anymore, she says their too expensive and I'm too big." Danny ran a hand through his hair frustrated, he was only three and was already fully potty
trained during the day, sometimes he just had nightly accidents. "Come here buddy," Danny stood him up. "Are you mad at me too," Scottie looked at him
intently? "Of course not," Danny shook his head. "It was just an accident, and you can't help it." "I wish mom knew that," Scottie gave his uncle a fake smile.
"Let's see if we can find something to cover the mattress with before we make up the bed, with some clean sheets," Danny carried him to the hall closet. It
didn't take long for Danny and Scottie to get the boys bed made. Danny doing most of the work considering Scottie was content to throw himself on the bed
each time Danny put a sheet or blanket on the bed. "You're being a mess," Danny grabbed him and threw him over his shoulder before swatting his backside
playfully. "What are we going to do now," Scottie giggled? "Give you a bath, so you can get to bed before it gets too late," Danny glanced at the clock, it was
already almost 9. Danny really wasn't surprised that Kris was an hour late, she was always late. Danny squirted a little shampoo in his hand and ran it through
the boy's dark hair, the same hair color as his fathers and grandfathers. "Play in the tub for a few minutes," Danny told him after rinsing him off. "I'm going to
run down to the car to see if we have any of Sean's pull ups in there." "I'll be here," Scottie played with his toy boat. "Oh and Scottie, try not to make too big of
a mess." "Yes Sir Detective," Scottie saluted him playfully.
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It was 9:45 and Danny had been trying to get the boy to bed for the past 30 minutes, but it seemed useless considering the only thing the little boy wanted to
do was stay up with Danny. Every time Danny would tuck him in, turn the light off and close the door, the boy would get up and run after him. Danny knew he
could have ordered the boy to stay in bed by threatening to discipline him, but for the life of him he couldn't, he couldn't help but think it was sweet of him not
to want to leave his side. Danny settled in one of the chairs in the living room, with Scottie on his lap before picking up one of the story books he found on the
shelf and started to read it aloud. The little boy was just about asleep when Kris came stumbling in through the front door rather loudly, waking him up. Kris fell
to the floor, and Danny jumped up setting the boy aside in a second. Danny helped her get back up, but she was still slumped over. "Just help me over to the
chair," Kris managed to look Danny in the face. Danny nearly joked when he caught a whiff of her breath. He knew the signs of a drunk, and with the stumbling,
the dilated eyes, and her breath, it was obvious his observation was correct. "What's wrong with mom," Scottie was standing close to Danny? "Go to your
room Scottie, your moms going to be fine," Danny patted his back. "But I," Scottie started to protest. "Go on Son," Danny's tone was serious. The last thing he
wanted the boy to witness was his mother stumbling around, talking with slurred speech, and vomiting, which he was sure would come soon enough. "Don't
get up," Danny looked at Kris not wanting to have to pull her back up off the floor as he made his way into the kitchen and over to the coffee pot. He knew
they were definitely going to need several pots before the night was over. Several hours later, and Danny was on the phone. "Hey Linda, I'm going to be here
all night. Kris is drunk, and I'm going to need a little help. Can you get Erin to stay with the boys?" "I'm sure I can," Linda started packing she and Danny a set
of clean clothes. "Oh and you might want to bring a little food. Some milk and maybe some cereal or something, there's hardly anything in the fridge or pantry
for us to feed Scottie in the morning." "Okay," Linda hurried through the house, "I'll be there as soon as I can."
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Danny was busy cleaning up one of the messes Kris made when she got sick, while Linda kept her from drowning are passing out in the bathroom. Danny was
already on his third cup of coffee by the Linda came in. "Did you get Kris to bed," he asked pouring her a cup of coffee? "It certainly wasn't easy," Linda
admitted. "Is she asleep?" "She was asleep before her head hit the pillow," Linda yawned wishing she herself could go to sleep. "Hopefully she'll sleep it off,"
Danny muttered. "Do you think she was driving drunk," Linda looked at her husband concerned? "She had to," Danny shrugged, "the car wasn't here when I
got here, but it is now." "I can't believe she would do that," Linda was upset, "she knows how dangerous it is, and how bad it could look on your father if she
was to get arrested." "I haven't written a ticket since I turned detective, but I'm tempted to give her a DWI," Danny started, "but I won't for Scotties sake, Lord
knows she doesn't have the money to pay it." "She'd probably present the Commissioners Courtesy Card and get out of it," Linda mentioned. "Then how would
it look if the Commissioners son was the one who gave her the ticket," Danny was still her annoyed at her decision. "I'm going to go check on Scottie," Linda
walked into the little boy's bedroom and placed a kiss on his head after pulling the covers up around him. "We might as well try to get as comfortable as we
can," Danny handed her a blanket. "Do you want to sleep on the couch or with Scottie?" "I better sleep on the couch, just in case Kris wakes up," Linda made
up the couch. "In that case, I'll sleep with the kicker," Danny chuckled. Danny made himself as comfortable as he could on the small bed. He was just about
asleep when Scottie snuggled up next to him.
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"Thanks for staying with the boys last night Erin," Danny and Linda walked through the front door exhausted, and in need of several more hours of sleep. "It
was no problem," Erin was sitting at the table with Sean who was drawing a picture. "I can stay with Sean for a while longer if you two want to get some
sleep," she offered. "That would be great but I'm afraid if I go to sleep I won't wake up in time to pick Jack up from school," Danny was being completely honest
as he stretched out on the couch. "I can get him," Erin shrugged, "I have to go get Nicki anyways." Erin was still waiting for her brother to reply as she went
into the kitchen to get her nephew a juice. "Danny," she said again returning to the living room. But she was too late, he was already fast asleep. "Shhh,
Daddy sleeping," Sean put his finger in front of his lips. "Daddy's tired he was up almost all night," Erin picked him up and carried him outside to play so she
could keep the house quiet, at least until she went to pick up Jack and Nicki. Danny and Linda were both awake by the time Erin got back with the kids,
allowing her time to question them about the night before. "What time did she finally get there," Erin questioned her brother? "10," Danny answered. "You
know it's not very often, but when she does leave, half the time we have no idea when she's going to be back," Danny was a little frustrated. "You know if you
want to do something you could file child neglect charges on her and get him placed with you under temporary custody." "It wasn't exactly neglect Erin, and I
know the law," Danny said a bit aggravated, although he had no idea why he was taking it out on her. "But I don't want Scottie to have to go through
something like that. Temporary custody wouldn't be any different than it is now. He's already away from her temporary with her job. And that would only
bounce the boy around even more. Joe's child deserves more than that." "What does Dad have to say about it?" Erin knew that Frank wouldn't remain quiet for
long regarding the whole situation. "You know Dad," Danny shook his head, "he's worried about his grandson, but he also worries that Linda and I are being
taken advantage of." "When are you going to stop being such a hard head and realize that Dads right," Erin was trying to get through to him? "I know he's
right Erin, but if I do say something, chances are she's going to get upset and take him to Maine and we'll never see him again," Danny was trying to control
the situation before it arose. "What if we all took some sort of custody of him, we could take turns with him, so no one person would have to take
responsibility," Erin suggested. "It's not exactly the responsibility," Danny mentioned, "him being here doesn't pose a problem. Sure he and my boys get into
trouble. But what do you expect their kids. Besides, your suggestion isn't much better, he would still be bounced around. What he needs is a happy but stable
home." "I'm not going to argue with you Danny, because what you're saying is true. I just don't see any other way." "I know she doesn't have much money,
and not having to keep the boy all the time would certainly help," Danny mentioned, "but she's too proud to accept help." "The question is, how does Scottie
feel about all this," Erin wondered about the boy? "He doesn't want to go," Danny shook his head. "From what I could tell when I was spending time with him
at the apartment, he doesn't seem happy with her. I don't think he's really afraid of her, she's just unpredictable I guess." "I guess the only thing we can do is
wait, see how things turn out," Erin looked at her brother hopefully.
Counting my other story, this is my third chapter, that I've posted this week and I'm wore out... Anyways, hope you enjoy the update. Things will start to progress in the next chapter for the Reagans... Thanks for all the follows, favorites and reviews... JusticeStandsTRUE