A/N: This story has become an outlet for me. While at times it wasn't easy to write, writer's block, and RL not allowing me time to write, it was definitely fun and at the same time hard to write. I want to thank all of you who reviewed each chapter. It is because of those reviews that this story became what it did.
This is the last chapter of this story but I do have another story or two I want to write. However after that my muse is contemplating another vacation. If you have ideas feel free to PM me any ideas.
Disclaimer: Don't own the show...yet...If I did we would see our favorite brothers shirtless a little more often :)
On with the story...
Two Years Later
It had become a little easier in the two years to accept that their brother was gone. For the Reagan siblings it wasn't as if they forgot Joe, it was just that they found it easier to seek solace in each other.
Each of the siblings had found ways to deal with the death of their brother. However they had stayed strong. They all visited Joe on a regular basis. Filling him in on what was going on. Sometimes they visited together, other times on their own.
Today all of the adults stood in front of his grave. They had finally solved the mystery of what had happened to their son and brother. The family finally had closure. As they stood there Danny couldn't help but think that it was all because of Jamie and the digging. He refused to give up on finding his brother's killer. Even though Danny had at first been angry when Jamie told him he wanted to become an officer, then concerned and worried when Jamie approached him with the recording, he couldn't be prouder of his baby brother. Little did Jamie know, his brother and sister were thinking back to the day he told them that he wanted to become part of the NYPD.
A little over a year earlier…
The day had been eventful to say the least. They had just started to heal from Joe, when Jamie had told his family what he had wanted to do. Even though he had just graduated from Harvard Law School, with honors, he had felt that his calling was in law, but not in the courtroom, but out on the streets. Jamie had just informed his family that he wanted to become a Police Officer in NYC.
To say that his family was surprised was an understatement. Sydney was not supportive at all. She had just seen him go through losing his brother and did not want to go through that herself. However Jamie chose to tell his brother and sister separately.
Instead of going home to blow off steam to tell his wife that her youngest brother-in-law was giving up being a lawyer but instead chose to enter the academy. He instead went to talk to Joe.
"It's been an interesting day to say the least. The most recent case was so trying and too many twists and turns that I couldn't have guessed who had actually done it even when we were arresting the perp and he had confessed. I still don't believe him, but we have video that he was there and….I don't know. But that isn't the only reason I came to see you. Get this our brother, the Harvard lawyer, has decided that he wants to enter the academy. He isn't going to take the bar. Jamie wants to become a cop. I just hope that he knows what he is getting into. That he isn't becoming a cop because he thinks that he has to replace you…" Danny rambles as he takes a deep breathe. As he thinks to when his brother told him of his plans, he feels the wave of emotion take over.
"He doesn't have to replace you. No one can replace you, Joe. I don't doubt that he'll become the best cop. I mean he already has the smarts; he just needs to back it all up. Joe, I can't lose him. I have already lost you and that almost killed Erin, Jamie and I. I know that if anything ever happened to Jamie, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself and I know I wouldn't survive it. He is my baby brother, I can't lose him," Danny explains suddenly overcome with emotion.
"He is my baby brother too. I can't lose him either," Erin softly says as she walks closer to her older brother. As they embrace they can feel each other's fears, worries and concerns in the tears that all falling.
"Even though we are scared of what could happen to him, we need to be supportive. We need to show Jamie that we back him no matter what we feel. I will always worry about you and Jamie, Danny. But I know that if either of you have any control in the outcome, you are going to do your best to get back to us," Erin clarifies tearfully.
"Do you think I'll be a good cop? I know you may be upset with my choice, but it's something I want to do for myself," Jamie explains as he approaches his brother and sister. When he arrived and saw his brother and sister standing in front of Joe's grave he hated that he was the one that was causing his siblings pain after what they had gone through just a year prior with Joe.
"I have no doubt that you will be a great cop. It's not that we are upset with your decision, we are just worried. And we will always worry. You are our baby brother; we are supposed to watch out for you. We will support you in anything you choose," Danny explained as he hugged Jamie.
Even though that day had been a shock to the entire family, Jamie had thrived as an officer. There had been a few scares within the family but they were able to get through it together. Now as they all start to walk away, Danny kneels down and brushes his hand against the stone.
"Love and miss you brother."
As he walks away after embracing Linda, he notices Jamie lingering a bit longer. What he doesn't know is that his brother was saying a silent prayer to protect the rest of the family.
**BB**
Standing in the garden behind the house, Jamie finally felt closure. He knew what had actually happened to his brother. He found himself unable to control his emotions. Before he knew it he was openly sobbing. At first he was embarrassed but he realized that he shouldn't be ashamed. As he turned towards the house he notices his sister watching him from the porch.
"Oh Jamie," She wept. "It's ok, we are all caught up likes this. It's ok."
As he cries into his sister's shoulder, he feels a set of strong arms wrap around his sister and him. Danny. He lets himself relax in his brother's protective grasp. As he steps away he notices the tear-tracks on the faces of both of his siblings.
He whispers a thank you to whoever will listen that he still has Danny and Erin. That he is able to seek comfort in them. He hopes that he can continue to make them proud and vows that he will do whatever he can to protect them.
**BB**
As Erin watches her brother struggle to keep his emotions in check she is thankful that they know the circumstances surrounding Joe's murder. She is glad that she now knows what happened to Joe. As Jamie turns toward her, she see the tears run down his face and gasps. She half-sprints to embrace him and show him that she is still here for him. Erin isn't in the least bit surprised when she feels the strong arms of her oldest brother circle her and Jamie. She will be eternally grateful that she still has Danny and Jamie to hold onto. She is ready to continue building the relationship the three of them have built. She vows to do everything in her power to protect her brothers.
**BB**
Danny watches Erin embrace Jamie from the back door. He isn't shocked to see the tears on his younger siblings' faces. He hates that he couldn't have done something to stop those tears. The next thing he knows he is standing in the garden embracing his younger siblings. Confirming to him that Erin and Jamie are relatively alright the most important part. Glad that he can continue to build the relationship with each of them. As they step away from each other, a few laughs through the tears, coming over each of them. He finds himself thanking who ever that he still has Jamie and Erin to hold on to. To protect, to keep safe.
