CH. 3 Facing the Facts

Things managed to go rather smoothly for at least a week. Kris had yet to make up her mind about moving to Maine, which suited the rest of the Reagan's just

fine. Kris started trying to spend more time with Scottie, at least for the time being until once again they had no idea where she was and why she wasn't

answering the phone.

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"Hello Mr. Reagan." "Yes," Danny asked confused trying to figure out who it was calling him. This is Little Steps Daycare, and I'm calling regarding Joseph Scott

Reagan." "He's my nephew, is he okay," Danny was beginning to get a little concerned? "He's running a temperature of 103 and has been complaining of both

a headache and body aches. We've tried to call his mother several times, left messages, but we haven't anything heard back from her, and we really need

someone to come pick him up, so we started on the next in line for emergency contact," the daycare facilitator explained. "I understand," Danny was trying to

figure out what to do. "I'm on the other side of town, but I'll be there as soon as I can," Danny pushed the pedal down a little harder. "Linda," Danny called his

wife almost immediately. "I just got a call from Scotties daycare and he's really sick, they can't get a hold of Kris so I'm on my way there now to pick him up. Do

you think I should just bring him home, or try to get him in to the doctor?" "I don't know Danny," Linda was caught a little off guard. "I don't know what

pediatrician he goes too, so I'll see if I can get him in at the one we take our boys to. It's kind of late notice but I'll try, if not I guess just take him to the

hospital." "Hey buddy how you feeling?" Danny squatted down next to where the little boy was curled up on the floor at daycare. "Uncle Danny," the little boy

got up and wrapped his arms around Danny's neck. "I don't feel good," Scottie whimpered just before tears started to stream down his face. "I know little man,

and I'm going to take you home as soon as I can," Danny picked him up just as Scottie laid his head down on his uncles chest.

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Thankfully, Linda was able to get Scottie in to the pediatrician and get Jack and Sean over to Henry so she could join Danny at the clinic. The three had been

sitting in the waiting room for about 30 minutes, and Scottie remained curled up in Danny's lap, wrapped in his suit jacket, since he had been complaining of

being cold. "You normally don't have this one with you," the nurse recognized Danny and Linda from previous appointments with Jack and Sean. "This is our

nephew Scottie," Linda rubbed the boys back. "He's staying with us today and he's not feeling well," Linda wasn't sure what else to say. But figured it wasn't

exactly a lie considering once they managed to locate Kris, Linda was already planning on convincing her to let Scottie stay with them since she had a nursing

background and she would be at home the following day with Sean. After seeing the doctor, it was determined that he had a viral infection, and he should be

kept resting and hydrated. After leaving the clinic, Linda took Scottie home to give him a lukewarm bath while Danny went to pick his own boys up from his

grandfather. "Dad! Grandpa! Boys!" Danny called noticing how quiet it was in the house. "Attack!" Jack and Sean jumped out from behind the couch with pillows

and ran after him, hitting him with them. "Hey, you can't attack an unarmed man," Danny knelt down and wrapped an arm around each of them before wrestling them to the ground. "Linda said Scottie was sick," Frank asked clarifying after walking into the room? "Viral infection," Danny stood. "Where's Kris at?"

"Your guess is as good as mine," Danny shrugged. "According to the daycare facilitator they couldn't get ahold of her, which is why they called me." "Isn't she

supposed to be at work," Frank looked confused? "Supposed to be," was all Danny could think to say, the same frustration showing on both he and his father's

face. "Do you want to play a game with us Grandpa," Jack looked up at his grandfather? "There's not going to be any game this evening Son, you need to get

your stuff together so we can get home," Danny answered for his father. "Awe Dad, can't we stay a little longer," Jack tried. "Not this time, now go do what you

were told." "Yes Sir," the little boy walked away to do his father's bidding.

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"Hey honey, how's Scottie feeling," Danny asked when he got home? "About the same," Linda was working on making a pot of soup for dinner, hoping they

would be able to convince the boy to eat something. "Can you give him his medicine? He's upstairs in our bed." "Isn't exactly my skill set but I'll give it a try,"

Danny took a glass of juice and a medicine cup of some sort of pink colored liquid up the stairs. "Come on buddy, I need you to sit up so you can take your

medicine," Danny set the juice and medicine on the nightstand so he could straighten the pillows behind the boy to help him sit up. "Don't like taking medicine,"

a disgruntled look crossed the little boys face. "I know, but it will make you feel better," Danny smiled at him picking up the plastic medicine cup. "That medicine

tastes bad," Scottie covered his mouth. "No it doesn't, it taste like bubble gum," Danny wasn't exactly sure what the medicine was called or even if it did taste

good, but what else could he say to a three year old. "How do you know Uncle Danny?" "It smells like bubble gum," Danny admitted. "You taste it first," Scottie

wasn't taking any chances. "But I'm not sick," Danny chuckled, trying to get out of tasting the medicine himself. "Yeah but you always said I shouldn't believe

everything I hear," Scottie managed to turn Danny's words around on him. "I'm your Uncle, Joseph Scott, why would I lie to you about the medicine?" "I don't

know," Scottie shook his head, "but I don't want to take any chances." Danny sighed as he took as little a sip as possible of the thick liquid, sometime this kid

was too smart for his own good. Danny was wrong, the medicine didn't exactly taste great, in fact he didn't know what it was, but it wasn't anywhere near the

flavor of bubble gum. But when you had a child watching you, there wasn't much you could do other then put on a fake smile and hope the child didn't spit the

medicine all over you when they figured out you lied. Much to Danny's content, the boy did manage to swallow the medicine as well as down his juice in a

matter of seconds. "I'm going to take this back up to your Aunt Linda, you lay down and get some rest," Danny tucked him back under the covers. "Can I watch

a movie?" "Sure buddy, tell me what you want to watch and I'll go get it," Danny volunteered knowing he really didn't want him to go to sleep since Linda was

hoping to get him to eat something. "Alvin and the chipmunks." "Okay, I'll be right back," Danny already had a feeling he would choose that movie, considering

it was his favorite, and he loved to watch it anytime he was there. "After finally having to take a sip myself, I managed to get the boy to swallow his medicine,"

Danny looked at Linda shaking his head. "I would have loved to have seen the look on your face," Linda giggled. "Not sure how pretty it was, but it got the job

done."

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That night was an even rougher night than they had had the night Kris came home drunk. Danny and Linda had to sleep with Scottie who wasn't very easy to

sleep with on a good day, and it was much worse with him being sick. First, Scotties pull up leaked around 2 in the morning waking both Danny and Linda up

when they realized everything was wet. "I sure am glad we still have that protective mattress pad over the mattress," Linda mentioned. "Me too," Danny

agreed. "Do you want to clean up Scottie or the bed," Linda looked down at the still sleeping boy. "I guess the bed," Danny went in search of clean sheets

while Linda woke up Scottie. "I sorry Aunt Linda, I sorry," Scottie was about in tears, when Danny came back into the room. "What are you apologizing for

sweetie," Linda put a hand gently on his face? Trying to figure out why the boy got so upset so fast. "Please don't give me a spanking, it a accident," Scottie

was crying by now. "You're not in trouble sweetie, I'm not mad," Linda hugged him reassuringly looking over at Danny. After Linda got Scottie in the bathtub,

she found Danny in the bedroom who explained everything the boy told him a week ago. "What is wrong with her?" Linda shook her head, "she wasn't

anything like this when Joe was here." "I don't know Linda," Danny shook his head, wondering the same thing himself. "He's still running fever," Linda

mentioned. "I'm going to get him some children's Tylenol, and a glass of water," she said before heading for the bottom floor. By the time she came back up

Danny had Scottie dressed in a clean pair of Jacks pajamas and sitting on the bed. "You did so well earlier, care to do it again," Linda smiled at him. "Very funny

Linda, let's just get it done so we can go back to sleep," Danny was tired, and he knew the boy needed his rest if he was to get better.

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"Hey Grandson," Frank walked into his son and daughter in laws bedroom to see his grandson. "Hi Grandpa," Scottie was leaning up against the headboard

playing his cousins game boy. "Aunt Linda said you should be getting ready to take a nap," Frank mentioned. "But I'm really not tired," Scottie put the game

aside. "How about I read you a story and you can just rest your eyes," Frank suggested hoping the boy would eventually fall asleep? "Okay," Scottie laid down

before closing his eyes and listening to his grandfather read his favorite story book aloud.

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"Danny! Linda!" Kris called walking into the house the next morning. "In here Kris," Linda walked out of the kitchen. "I got your message about Scottie. How is

he doing?" "About the same as yesterday aside from the headache, but he's still running fever and body aches." "I finally got him to take his medicine," Danny

came down in a while t-shirt with a few pink stains, "only this time he sputtered a little of it out." "I've always had trouble getting him to take his medicine," Kris

mentioned. "So where were you," Danny looked at her serious? "The daycare tried to call you a number of times." "I was going through my things at the

apartment, I accepted the job in Maine," Kris sounded excited. "That the reason you couldn't take the time to answer the phone," aggravation was showing in

Danny's voice? "Danny," Frank said warningly as he walked into the room. Sure he wanted them to talk, but not like this. What he was even more surprised of

was that Danny was the one to bring it up, then again he knew that when Danny got upset, it wasn't easy to calm him. "I'm sorry Dad, but I can't do this

anymore, I can't have Scottie crying to me because his little life has turned upside down." "Scottie's life is fine," Kris tried picking up for herself. "If you think

that, then you are even more blinded to the situation than I thought," Danny shook his head. "What are you talking about," Kris was confused about Danny's

turn in behavior? "We can't do this anymore Kris," Danny looked at her serious. "If you want to go to Maine that's up to you, but you can't take Scottie." "You

know the courts won't take a child away from their mother," Kris had a point. "After everything you've done, it wouldn't be difficult to get him transferred into

mine and Linda's custody." "Coming home drunk, not bothering to check on your sick child until the following day, on top of hundreds of other things I've

noticed," Linda joined in on the fight. "I guess this means we're going to court," Kris stared at he and Linda. "I guess so, because we're willing to fight for him,"

Danny was serious. "Frank," Kris looked at her father in law, "surely you can't agree with him, nor condone this." Kris was used to Frank intervening anytime

any of them stepped out of line. "Actually I do," Frank was proudly taking his sons side.

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It took a lot to keep Kris from running up the stairs, grabbing Scottie and taking him with her. But after Linda convinced her that she could get more done

without a sick child under foot, Kris gave in. After a few days, Scottie was back to his old self, and Kris was packed and ready to leave for Maine any day. It was

Sunday afternoon and once again the Reagan's were back to their discussion regarding Scottie's future. Danny and Linda both wanted custody, knowing they

were better capable of both providing for him and loving him for him that matter. There wasn't any doubt that Kris didn't love the boy, she just didn't have the

means, nor the correct manner of showing her love. What surprised all the Reagan's however was that Kris was slowly beginning to realize this. She had been

doing a lot of thinking since she left Danny and Linda's house earlier in the week, and she managed to come up with a conclusion to their problems. The

solution was good, the only problem was she was going about it completely the wrong way. "Danny, Linda," Kris looked at her husband's family. "I've been

doing a lot of thinking and I'm willing to give Scottie up." Danny and Linda both wanted to say that they were glad she made the right decision, but they could

tell by the sound of her voice that there was a catch. "But," Linda asked? "But we have to let him decide, the decision is completely up to him," Kris sounded

serious enough. "You want to let a three year old make a decision regarding his future," Danny looked at her as if she was crazy? "If you're willing to fight for

him Danny, you will be willing to let him choose," Kris walked away to get Scottie. "I can't believe this," Danny felt as if his back was up against a wall. "I don't

know what to do Dad." "It sounds bad Danny, but you have to do it," Frank intervened. "I don't know Dad. I mean is this really what Joe would have wanted?

Would he really want me to take the boy away from his mother?" "Danny, your brother respected the kind of father you were to your boys. And he loved Scottie

so much that I believe he would want what is best for him. And right now I think you and Linda are that best choice." "I hope your right Dad," Danny sighed

walking away.

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Kris carried Scottie down the stairs and out the front door and into the yard. "So much for not making a public spectacle," Erin glanced at her father worried.

"Did we really think this thing through," Danny glanced at Linda? "Because we just might become the parents to three kids in a few minutes," Danny and Linda

followed Frank out the door. "Okay Scottie," Kris set the little boy down in the middle of the yard. "Mommy's leaving and she's not coming back, do you want to

go with Mommy or do you want to stay here and live with Aunt Linda and Uncle Danny, and be there little boy? The decision is all up to you, you can decide who

you want to live with." Kris walked away leaving Scottie alone, while Danny and Linda stood on the opposite side of the yard. Scottie looked to his left where

his mother stood, and then back to the right where his aunt and uncle stood. Scottie stood there for at least a minute or two. The whole time Frank trying to

keep his temper in check, and not lash out at his daughter in law. Danny feeling lower than dirt by what he was putting his nephew through. Scottie started to

move, each of the Reagan's holding their breath, even the kids who were inside with Pop were all staring out the window. Scottie walked up to Danny and

Linda and reached up for Danny to pick him up as if it was the most natural thing in his little life. Kris looked a bit disappointed but Linda was almost certain she

saw a look of relief cross the woman's face. "I'll meet you at the courthouse in the morning to sign over custody papers," Kris was now standing next to the

boy and his choice of parents. "Okay," Linda was trying not to talk, she was too afraid she would burst into tears if she did. "His things are boxed up and at the

apartment, you can come get them today if you want. I'll be leaving for Maine as soon as we are finished at the courthouse, and my lease will be up on the

apartment," Kris explained before taking the little boy from Danny and wrapping him in a hug, "I love you baby," she handed him back before walking over to

her car and drove away.

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The Reagan's let out the breath they realized they were holding and walked back into the house. Danny put Scottie down and he ran off to play with his soon

to be brothers. "Damned the torpedoes full speed ahead," Danny wrapped Linda in a hug. "Oh Danny, do you think we did the right thing," Linda let a few

tears slide down her cheek? "There's no turning back now," Danny kissed the top of her head. "He's ours now."


Hope everyone enjoyed this chapter... Things are about to get a little more interesting for Danny and Linda... Thanks for all the follows, favorites and reviews... JusticeStandsTRUE