CH. 9: Almost Like The 4th of July

I have received a number of requests asking for a chapter of Andy getting into trouble.

Warning: Spanking in this chapter.

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Andy had just managed to do enough chores to get her room stocked with her personal belongings, and she was relishing in the fact that she could finally listen to her

stereo again. She had her homework, chores, and everything else done that Linda required, and she was now enjoying a little time to herself. She spent a little time

outside with her brothers, had dinner and she was now laying on the floor of her bedroom watching an episode of Big Time Rush on her laptop. "Andy," Danny said

opening the door to his daughter's bedroom. "I need you to give me hand carrying some stuff down to the basement." "Right now?" Andy gave him a sad face. "Afraid

so kiddo, I'm trying to get a few things done while I have the time," Danny said, knowing that once the baby came, he wouldn't have much time to do anything aside

from work and taking care of his kids. "I'm coming," Andy said pulling herself up off the floor, and following him into his and Linda's bedroom, where Jack was waiting

for them. Walking into his closet, Danny pulled a few smaller tubs off the shelves and handed one to Andy and one to Jack, before taking the larger one into his own

hands. "Why are we doing this?" Jack asked wondering what the sudden urge was to clean out the closet. "Because we're adding another child into the house, and

vaguely we don't have the room, so we have to move some of this old stuff that we hardly mess with down to the basement," Danny enlightened them, leading the

way down the stairs. "How come Sean isn't having to help?" Andy asked this time. "Because he's getting ready for bed," Danny answered, "something you two will be

doing as soon as were done." They had just reached the basement, when Danny looked around. "I'll be right back," Danny said setting the tub down. "I'm going to go

ask your mother where she wants all this." "You know I've lived here for almost a year, and I'm pretty sure I've only been down here a handful of times," Andy said

looking around the room. "Nobody spends a lot of time down here," Jack said. "Why not?" Andy shrugged. "This place is like a mini apartment," Andy said pointing out

the bed and sink. "If you've forgotten, we do all have our own rooms," Jack reminded her. "You've got a point," Andy said, noticing a cardboard box on one of the top

shelves labeled, 4th of July. "What's in there?" Andy pointed at the box. "4th of July stuff I imagine," Jack said sarcastically. "Help me get it down," Andy looked at

him. "Why do I get the feeling this is a really bad idea?" Jack said taking the box from her, who had already climbed to the top. "Are you kidding me, this is going to

be awesome!" Andy couldn't contain her excitement, jumping the rest of the way down to the floor. "Yeah, awesome, at least until Mom and Dad find out," Jack

mumbled shoving the box at her. "Don't you ever get tired of worrying about what Mom and Dad are going to say?" Andy said shoving the box in one of the corners of

the room, before covering it with an old sheet. "I'm not worried about what they are going to say," Jack admitted. "I'm worried about what they are going to do."

"You're going to find out," Andy grinned at him mischievously. "Because I'm so going to do it." "I knew you were going to say that," Jack ran a hand through his hair.

"Care to join me?" Andy's grin got even bigger. "What do you think?" Jack said seriously. "You and Nicki are both the same, goody two shoes. I need Sean, he likes

living life on the edge." "No," Jack shook his head. "Nicki and I are just smart." "You say that now," Andy smiled. "But one day, you and Nicki will both join the dark

side, I assure you." "If that's the case, it's a good thing Mom and Dad are having another baby. So at least Grandpa will have one grandchild," Jack muttered just as

Danny and Linda came down the stairs. Linda was just pointing out a few things they needed to get rid of, when she spotted it. "Danny look," Linda said excitedly,

kneeling to reveal what caught her eye. It was a box labeled baby stuff. "Andy, Jack take this upstairs for me please," Linda wasn't sure if she could use everything in

it, but she was sure there had to be a few things such as baby blankets, a few clothes, and maybe even a few burp cloths. "All we were told was that we had to help

carry things down here. We were told nothing about having to carry things up," Andy said her arms crossed over her chest, as in defiance. "She got a point," Jack

spoke up, agreeing with his sister. Linda didn't say a word, all she did was give them both a stern look. "Well when you put it that way," Andy picked up one end,

while Jack picked up the other. "Do you ever feel like the only reason they keep us around, is for slave labor?" Jack asked walking towards the stairs. "All the time,"

Andy nodded.

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The following morning, and Andy quietly snuck down the basement stairs, her backpack in hand. After shoving the fireworks in her backpack, Andy hurriedly made her

way up the stairs, hoping to go unnoticed. "What were you doing down in the basement?" Danny asked from the kitchen, where he was working on breakfast.

"Nothing," Andy covered, setting her backpack down before taking a seat on one of the kitchen chairs. Danny looked at her questioningly, unsure if he should believe

her or not. "Eat your breakfast," was all he said, still watching her. The boys came down a few minutes later, and joined their sister at the breakfast table. "Danny,"

Linda said walking into the kitchen. "I have a doctor's appointment today, so you are going to have to pick up the kids from school. My appointment isn't until 3:30."

"Lucky me," Danny muttered, knowing an unreal amount of begs and pleas were sure to come from the kids at the table begging him to take them out for ice cream,

or to go play at the arcade. "Dad, can we?" Sean was the first one to start. "No," Danny interrupted. "If I have to get off early, then were going to be working here at

the house. We still have a lot of cleaning out to do." "Awe," Sean grumbled. "And you can help me," Danny said pointing at his youngest. "Yippee for me," Sean said

sarcastically. "Finish up your breakfast, and get in the car," Linda interrupted them both. "I need to get you to school, so I can get to work." "You know we could stay

home," Andy voiced her opinion. "Get in the car," Linda pointed at the door. "Can't blame a kid for trying," Andy shrugged, before grabbing her backpack and heading

for the door. Jack followed her, and was just buckling his seatbelt when he noticed his sisters backpack. "Why do you have fireworks sticking out of your bag?"

"What!" Andy flipped out, zipping her bag better. "Andy what are you going to do?" Jack sounded worried. "I'm actually not real sure. But I've always wanted to throw

firecrackers in the teacher's lounge." "Andy, this isn't just firecrackers though, this is actual firework that can explode, and fly around the room," Jack said pointedly.

"Were you born full grown with a briefcase or something? Because you certainly don't act like a kid very much." "Why because I'm smart?" Jack looked at her

sarcastically. "Well I wouldn't go that far," Andy said just as Linda and Sean were getting in the car.

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Andy had gone to all her morning classes, and aside for being corrected for not paying attention, the day seemed to be going fairly well. She remembered the

fireworks in her backpack, and she knew she needed to get rid of them before one of the other teachers or another student saw them sticking out of her bag when she

unzipped it to get her books out. The only problem was, where. Where could she hide them before she made up her mind on what she actually wanted to do with

them. She was just walking past the chemistry lab on her way to computer class, when she thought of it. The chemistry class was where they kept all the other

explosives. Waiting for the hallway to clear, Andy slipped into the vacant room. She wasn't planning on being in there long, all she had to do was figure out where in

the room to hide them, and then come up with an excuse to why she was late for class. She noticed there was a fire going under an experiment, and Andy couldn't

help but look inside the boiling liquid in the beaker. That's cool, she thought to herself, even if she didn't know anything about chemistry. She was still a little young

for chemistry class after all, but that didn't keep her from being intrigued. Placing her backpack on the desk near the flame, Andy proceeded with digging through the

cabinets, hoping to find a secure place. Considering there was an active experiment going on in the room, Andy knew that the teacher wouldn't leave the room for

long, making her want to hurry even more. Unfortunately, most of the cabinets were stocked full of textbooks, chemicals and additional supplies, making the locating

of a hiding place even harder. "Maybe this was a bad idea," Andy said to herself, after several minutes of searching, and coming up blank. Andy had just started on

another cabinet, when she heard a strange sizzling sound behind her. Turning around, Andy's face dropped when she saw her backpack strap engulfed in flames.

There was a loud whistling sound, and Andy knew what was about to happen. She was about to witness the 4th of July inside the classroom. Being a quick thinker

such as she was, Andy dove under one of the desks, looking for cover. The fire alarm went off, blaring through the classrooms, causing a disarray in the hallways. As

the water sprinklers dispersed in the ceiling. "Yep definitely a bad idea," Andy covered her head with her arms. "My parents are going to kill me," Andy said aloud,

trying to sneak a peek of the fireworks shooting around the room. The fire was out, and the last firework was just beginning to die down. There were black marks all

over the wall and floors, and to make matters worse everything was wet, and she was now soaked. The sprinklers cut off, and Andy figured it was safe enough to

crawl out from under the desk. Andy had just snuck out of the classroom, and was literally only standing but a few feet away from the door, when the principal and

several other school administrators reached the floor of the chemistry lab. "Are you okay Miss Reagan?" Mrs. Couric asked, concern in her voice, considering most of

the students were already outside, in the essence that an actual fire did occur. Andy didn't say anything, all she could do was nod, still a little shook up over the whole

thing. "The fire was in here," one of the administrators said, noticing the conditions of the chem. lab. Mrs. Couric didn't say anything at first, but that didn't keep her

from looking at Andy questioningly. Knowing that in most cases, if any freak accident, fight, or even a disruption was heard, Andy Reagan wasn't far away. "Stay with

her," Mrs. Couric said, looking at Mr. Ryder, the history teacher, while she went inside the classroom. She along with two of the other administrators walked inside the

classroom, and it didn't take long for them to return, with the remains of Andy's striped backpack. It was singed, one of the straps was burned in two, and there was a

whole in one of the front pockets. Let's go talk in my office," Mrs. Couric said, leading Andy down the hall, while the rest of the administration worked on getting the

students returned to their classes.

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"Does it matter which of your parent we call?" It was obvious what the principal suspected, as the two continued down the stairs and over to the office. "I'd prefer

neither one of them," Andy said honestly. "That's not an option," Mrs. Couric said shaking her head. "One of them needs to be here for the questioning." Andy sighed

and glanced at her watch it didn't really matter which one of her parents showed up, they would both be discussing her punishment. Then again, given the choice, she

would choose Linda, figuring that at least her mother would be able to control her temper in public. Her Dad on the other hand, was completely unpredictable. Her

father had a temper, the same as she did. And chances we're he would start yelling before they even left the walls of the office. Then again, there were other times,

when he was quiet, and completely unpredictable, and instead just shot daggers at her with his eyes. Her watch read 1:45 pm, and Andy ran a hand through her wet

hair. Her Mom had a doctor's appointment, and Andy knew that it was important that she go to each one. Leaving her father, as the only choice. "My Moms pregnant,

and she has a doctor's appointment in an hour, so my Dads supposed pick us up." Andy said after a while. "I will have to be sure and congratulate her the next time I

see her," Mrs. Couric, although she wanted to remain stern, she couldn't help but smile. "If you go to my funeral, you'll see her," Andy muttered under her breath.

"Please call Mr. Reagan," the principle said looking at her secretary, as she and Andy walked into the two-room office building. "And get her a blanket from the nurse's

office," Mrs. Couric, said when she noticed Andy shiver, her wet uniform hanging on her. "You can have a seat just outside the office while we wait for your father,"

Mrs. Couric pointed out the bench. "I'm well aware of the bench of doom," Andy mumbled, taking a seat in her old familiar spot. Andy had been waiting outside the

bench for several minutes, before being approached by her brother Jack. "So, you, really did it?" Andy grinned, but she knew she had to admit the truth. "It was all an

accident, I never meant for anything to happen, at least not yet." "But you did have plans to blow them up at school?" Jack asked clarifying. "Eventually, yes, but it

wasn't going to be until after I came up with the perfect plan," Andy nodded. "How long do you have to sit out here?" Jack wondered. "Till Dad gets here. Apparently

its mandatory that a parent be here before questioning regarding a serious offence," Andy enlightened him. "Good to know," Jack nodded. "Then again, I wouldn't

know," he grinned. "Does Sean know it was me?" Andy asked. "If he doesn't, he will when he recognizes Dads yell, when he starts yelling at you." "True," Andy

agreed. "As much as I enjoy visiting with a delinquent," Jack smiled at his sister. "I feel it is in my best interest to get to class, before Dad shows up and finds out I

was late for class because I had a feeling my sister was the one to cause the fire drill." "I too feel that it is in your best interest to get to class. Before I get in more

trouble for beating up my little brother," Andy threatened. Knowing that she was going to get enough lectures from the principal, her parents and probably almost

every other member of her family. Jack took his leave, being careful to avoid all entrances to the school, knowing the last thing he wanted was to run into his father,

on his way to class. Andy took a deep breath before exhaling as she wrapped the blanket tighter around her. She didn't think she would be waiting long, considering it

was already 2:00 and she figured her father was just killing time at the precinct before he had to go pick up her and her brothers. Just as she suspected, it was

literally only minutes before she heard the sound of familiar footsteps. Andy refused to look up, her eyes glued to the floor in front of her. "Andrea," Danny said

standing directly in front of her. Andy could see his shoes, but other than that, she refused to look up. "Andrea," Danny repeated again. "What's expected when

someone is addressing you?" Danny kept his voice low, but firm. "Eye contact," Andy said just barely above a whisper, as she slowly trailed her eyes upward, until

settling them on his face. Seeing the look on his face, made her wish she never complied in the first place. "I know what you did," Danny said. "You mean you know

what I'm being charged with," Andy corrected. "Couric has no idea if it's true, she just suspects," Andy said bitterly. "Watch your mouth," Danny said firmly. Andy

started to say something, but Danny cut her off. "Now we are going to go hear what Mrs. Couric has to say, and while we do, you will not speak unless spoken too. Do

you understand?" Yes Sir," Andy sighed following him into the room. "Mr. Reagan," Mrs. Couric stood so she could shake his hand. "Andy told me that you and your

wife were expecting, congratulations." "Thank you," Danny broke a small smile, before taking one of the offered seats across from her desk, while Andy took the other

one. After relating the details as she knew it, Mrs. Couric continued. "As we have no actual proof, that your daughter was the one to start the fire, she was the only

one in the area." Danny nodded his understanding, and the principal continued. "If we had proof, we would have no choice but to expel her for malicious activity. But

since it is clear that we don't, we will handle punishment in another way." Uh oh, Andy thought to herself, this definitely wasn't the part she was waiting for, for the

past hour. "Andy will serve three days after school detention, for the rest of the week. Write a five-paragraph paper on the dangers of fireworks inside a building. And

she is suspended for the rest of the day." "I believe that is more than fair Mrs. Couric. And I can assure you that nothing of the sort will ever happen again. Isn't that

right Andrea?" Danny stood, pulling Andy up and out of her chair while he said it. "Yes Sir," Andy said quickly, his grip was tight enough on her arm, and she knew she

didn't want him to make it any tighter. "It being 2:30, I'd like to check my boys out for the rest of the day so I do not have to wait around, or come back later," Danny

told her. "I understand Mr. Reagan, I'll have my secretary call them out of class," Mrs. Couric said standing. Danny and Andy following her out of the room, and out

into the hall. Andy had yet to say a word, as she leaned against the wall, waiting for her brothers. "Go return the blanket to the nurse's office," Danny said before

taking his jacket off and handing it to her. "Thanks," Andy said just above a whisper, pulling the jacket on before trudging slowly down the hallway. By the time she

got back, she found Danny, Jack and Sean waiting for her. "Let's go," Danny placed a hand on Andy's shoulder, as the boys lead the way out of the school and over to

the car. The car ride home was dead silent. Andy was upset, Danny was mad, and Jack knew exactly what was going on. Needless to say, he didn't trust himself to

say a word, not wanting to let on that he knew about his sister taking the fireworks along.

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"Andy upstairs, I know you have plenty to do while you wait for me," Danny reminded her the second they walked through the door. "Jack, Sean, get started on your

homework," Danny pointed at the kitchen table. After hearing Andy's bedroom door close behind her, and making sure the boys were getting started on their

homework, Danny walked outside, hoping he could call Linda about Andy before she went in for her appointment. Several minutes later, and Danny walked into his

daughter's bedroom. "Andy," all Danny could do was shake his head. "I don't even know where to start with a lecture." "Then don't," Andy was being completely

honest, hating the lecture part of the punishment almost as much as the actual discipline. "Andrea," Danny muttered, starting to pace. "What can I say," Andy

shrugged. "it reminds me of school." "I think I know where to start now," Danny crossed his arms in front of his chest. Andy started to shift in her desk chair

nervously, knowing that anytime he started to act like that, he was not happy, and the punishments were usually a bit more extreme. "You know this whole thing was

an accident," Andy was quick to say. "Accident or not, you damaged school property," Danny said pointedly. "I may hate school Dad, but I would never intently try to

destroy it," Andy said honestly. "That may be true Andrea, and that's very reassuring to hear, at least for me. But that doesn't mean," Danny stopped himself short,

thinking. "Wait a minute," Danny looked at her intently. "Why weren't you in class?" "Free period," Andy said, grasping at straws. "You don't have a free period,"

Danny reminded her. "I was bored," Andy gave in. "Basketballs over, I don't have anything to keep my hyperactive brain occupied," Andy said with a menacing grin.

"I could think of a few things," Danny nodded. "Like reading, paying attention in class, getting good grades, and taking care of your stuff," Danny reached just outside

of the door to pick up the remains of her backpack. "You know if Mrs. Couric couldn't prove that was mine, you can't either, the name is singed." Andy figured there

was no way possible she could be in that much trouble, granting the circumstances. "Besides, Couric's only mad because I was in the chemistry room when I wasn't

supposed to be. Come on Detective, this wouldn't hold up in court and you know it. Technically, I'm only a suspect." "It holds up plenty in Reagan court, which is the

only court you have to worry about right now," Danny said seriously. "And watch the attitude. Now, I'm going to ask you this one time, and I suggest you do not lie to

me. Did you cause the fire in the chem. lab?" Andy didn't say anything, as she stared at the floor thinking. She already knew she was in trouble with Danny, and she

had already been punished by the school. The only problem however, was if she told him the truth, would he tell the school, and they end up expelling her. "I'm not

going to tell the school Andy," Danny had a feeling he knew what was keeping her from voicing an answer. "I don't want you to get expelled, any more than you do."

Andy sighed, and she finally looked up at him. "I found some fireworks in the basement, and I had plans to set them off at the school, once I figured out a way to do

it." Danny started to pace again, frustration beginning to show, the further and further she got into the story. "They were in my backpack, and I thought the chemistry

lab would be the perfect hiding spot. I must have set them too close to an active experiment, while I was looking through the cabinets. And that's when my backpack

caught on fire, and the fireworks went off," Andy finished with her explanation. Danny took a breath, as he ran a hand through his hair. "Your just lucky they don't

have security cameras at your school," Danny pointed at her. "I know," Andy smiled. "But on the upside, at least the fireworks got burned up. Which brings me to my

next point," Andy held up a finger. "I can't wait to hear this one," Danny muttered under his breath. "There is one good thing about basketball being over though,"

Andy brightened. "Oh really, and what's that," Danny was having trouble finding a silver lining, considering she had to keep her misbehavior down to a minimum to

stay on the team. And now that it was over, she seemed to be bound and determined to return to her wild streak. "Now I can show the people at the school how I

really feel," Andy didn't even try to hide her plans to get into trouble. "I'm about to show you how I really feel when I emphasize the paddle on your backside." "But

Dad, your stifling my creativity," Andy complained. "Stifling your creativity!" Danny yelled. "You're on the verge of being expelled for criminal mischief, and you have

the nerve to tell me I'm stifling your creativity by giving you something to think about when you sit down! I'm trying to keep you from getting a bad reputation, and

ending up on the wrong side of the law!" Andy ran her lower set of teeth over her upper lip nervously. Sure, she figured she wouldn't get out of there without getting a

spanking, but from the sounds of it, it was going to be a doozy, and that was going to make it a lot more difficult for her to sit down and write that five-paragraph

essay. "Don't you understand Andy," Danny motioned for her to come take a seat next to him, on the edge of her bed. "You put your life in danger. If the fire would

have gotten out of control, it could have easily come in contact with other chemicals that were in the lab. You could have died in a fire, an explosion, or even from one

of the fireworks flying around." Danny was stressed just thinking about what could have happened. "I'm sorry Dad, I guess I dint think about how dangerous it could

be. I just thought it would be cool," Andy looked a little freaked out. "Do you know how it would have made me feel, if instead of the principal calling me and telling

me you were in trouble. That she would have called and told me that you were dead?" Danny felt sick, as the words left his mouth. Andy sniffed, as she tried to fight

the tears that were threatening to fall. She was trying to be strong, she knew she was in trouble, and she wanted was to get it over with. But at the same time, what

she really wanted was for him to hold her, even if it would be for only a few minutes. There wasn't really anything left to say, no amount of apologizing could make

up, for making a parent feel as miserable as they would, at the mere thought of even losing a child. "Can we get this over with now?" Andy choked out, rubbing the

back of her hand over her eyes. Danny sighed, he hated when he had to punish one of his children, and what made it worse was the more she looked like she was

going to cry, the weaker he got. "Andy, you know I love you right?" Andy looked at him confused, but nodded anyways. "Then you know how hard it is for me to

punish you?" Danny pushed. "I guess," Andy wasn't sure what else to say. Then again, what she really wanted was to say was that he didn't have to punish her if he

didn't want too. But she figured saying that, would only bring about another lecture. And if she really thought about it long enough, especially after the first lecture he

gave her, part of her knew she deserved it. "I'm confiscating your cell phone, stereo, game boy, and you can only use your computer for school purposes, aside from

that it will be with me." Andy moaned silently, when Danny started to list the consequences for her actions. "You will also spend the weekend working with me around

the house. As well as write an additional five-paragraph essay for me and your mother on the topic of why it can be dangerous to do things that you aren't supposed

to do in the first place." What! Dad! Another paper!" Andy was doing her best to control her temper, but that was proving to be easier said than done. "And you will

have it completed by the end of the weekend," Danny said raising his voice to the same pitch as hers. "But how? How am I going to work with you and write two

papers?" "I guess that's something you will have to figure out," Danny pointed at her. "And you will get them both done by Sunday evening, or you will be seeing the

paddle again." "Dad?!" Andy whined. "That's not fair." "I think its plenty fair," Danny argued. "And you're lucky I don't decide to spank you, every day until you finish

those papers. Maybe it would help you think before doing something stupid again." Danny waited for several minutes before saying anything further, letting his words

sink in. "Yes Sir, I'm sorry Sir," Andy said immediately. Thinking she might be stupid, but she wasn't an idiot. And if she wanted to keep her backside in some sort of

sitting condition, she figured it best, if she sat on her attitude for the time being. "Very wise decision Andrea," Danny nodded, reaching behind him for the paddle.

"Now let's get this over with."

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An hour or so later, and Jack slipped into his sister's bedroom. "How you doing?" Jack closed the door gently. Knowing that she wasn't supposed to have visitors, the

rest of the day. "My butt feels like I sat in a bee hive," Andy said looking at him from where she sat at her desk, jamming words onto her laptop as fast as she could.

"Why are you typing so fast?" Jack looked at her confused, taking a seat on the edge of her bed. "Because I have to have two, five-paragraph essays done by Sunday

evening, or I'm going to get another session with the bee hive." "It's 5:00pm, Wednesday," Jack shrugged. "You have plenty of time." "I hope your right," Andy

muttered under her breath. "What are you going to write?" Jack questioned. "I'm just taking a lot of notes down from information I get online. And I'm writing what I

think they want to hear," Andy smiled at him mischievously. "Very smart," Jack grinned. "So, I take it Dad doesn't know that you were aware of the 4th of July

scandal I had planned?" Andy knew that if he had, chances were he would be under lockdown in his room as well. "Nope," Jack shook his head, his eyes wide. "And

don't you dare tell him either." "Tell me what," Danny poked his head inside the room, when he overheard the voices. "Nothing," Jack spat out so quick, that it would

be almost obvious to any parent that even paid somewhat attention to their children, that they were in some sort of trouble. Then again it wasn't even a challenge to

figure out, when your parent was a detective, and a good one at that. "Jack?" Danny's voice was stern, his arms crossed over his chest, in the same manner he did

with Andy just moments ago. "Uh oh Jack, better watch it. That's the same thing he did, just before he brought out the paddle," Andy warned, but she couldn't help

but grin when she said it. "Do you want another one?" Danny obviously didn't see the humor behind her words of warning. Andy didn't say a further word about it, and

instead, she turned back to her computer, and began jamming words back down, onto the keyboard. "We need to talk Jack," Danny stepped aside, and out of the

doorway. "Yes Sir," Jack grumbled, walking through the door and over to his own room. "I'll be back to talk to you later," Danny reminded his daughter. "Just don't

bring the spoon, or any other writing assignment, and you are welcome anytime," Andy smiled at him sheepishly. "You are something else, you know that," Danny

shook his head, a slight smile on his face, as he pointed at her. "What can I say," Andy shrugged. "I'm just like my Daddy."

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"Andy," Linda said walking into her daughter's bedroom. "Hey Mom," Andy stretched, from where she sat at her desk, pencil in hand. "Still working on your

homework?" Linda glanced at the notepad on the desk, next to her laptop. "Not really," Andy shook her head. "I assume Dad told you everything." "He did," Linda

nodded. "Sorry," Andy jotted down another point, she thought she should include in the essay. "How are the writing assignments coming?" Linda knew that Danny had

already both punished her, and lectured her, so she didn't think there wasn't much else she could say to her, aside from a little advice here and there. "Kind of slow,"

Andy looked worried. "But I'm trying to hurry. Hopefully it will be good enough to fit Dads requirements." "All your Dad wants is for you to do your best Andy," Linda

patted her daughters back reassuring. "I don't know," Andy shook her head. "He was really upset a while ago." "That's because he was afraid that you could have

been hurt, or worse," Linda looked at her intently. "Danny Reagan was worried," Andy said, surprise in her voice. "His children tend to do that to him," Linda

whispered. "Just don't tell him, I told you." "I won't," Andy gave her a small smile. "Did you go to the doctor?" "I did," Linda nodded. "And the baby and I are both

fine." "When can we find out if it's a boy r a girl?" Andy asked wondering. "Three weeks," Linda replied. "Where's the nursery going to be?" Andy knew there weren't

any more vacant bedrooms in the house. "I'm not sure, I'm still thinking about it. Your Dad and I still need to discuss it," Linda admitted, that she hadn't had a whole

lot of time to think about it. "It can have my room," Andy volunteered. "And where are you going to sleep?" Linda nudged her teasingly. "The couch," Andy shrugged

her shoulders. "I don't need a room. Back at the foster home, there were so many kids in one room, that it wasn't even like a bedroom." Andy said trying to reassure

her, that she was fine without a room of her own. Sure, she wanted a bedroom, she loved having a room to herself, where she could go and think, and just have a

little time to herself, but she wasn't about to take something from the baby. "You will always have a room with us Andy Reagan," Linda was trying to be stern, but

there was no hiding the smile on her face. "Thanks Mom," Andy smiled at her mother. "Now go take a shower and get ready for bed," Linda said walking out of the

room, before heading to her eldest son's room to talk with him. Andy stood from her desk, and stretched her back out. She had been sitting at her desk for the past

several hours, working on first her homework, and then her writing assignments, and she was enjoying the time away from her computer, pad and paper. Not to

mention, it was nice to give her backside a break from the constant sting it felt when sitting at her desk chair. Shifting through the pajamas in her dresser drawer,

Andy grabbed the pair she wanted and made her way down the hall and into the bathroom. She really wasn't missing her cell phone all that much, at least not until

that very moment, when she wanted to play the oldies station off her phone while she showered. Finishing up in the shower, Andy returned to her room, hoping to get

a little more done on her writing assignment, before lights out.

XXXXXXXX

"Your brother wanted me to tell you, that he will talk to you later. Considering he had to leave so abruptly." Danny said stopping by her opened door. "I'm not going

anywhere," Andy said from where she sat leaning against the headboard of her bed, while she continued to work. "How is it coming?" Danny nodded at the computer

in her lap. "I'm sorry, I only have three paragraphs written," Andy looked down at her bedspread sorrowfully. "Please don't be angry at me." A stray tear, started to

run down her cheek. "I've been trying really hard to get it done," Andy glanced up at him for a split second, to check his mood. "I'm just not a very good writer."

"Andy, calm down," Danny said taking the computer from her and setting it aside, before taking a seat on the edge of her bed. "I'm not mad at you. You've already

been punished, and that's the end of it," Danny said plainly. "But I," Andy started to say. "You have till Sunday to write the papers, but if I see that you have been

working really hard, but your still having trouble, then I'll grant you an extension." "What about the spanking?" Andy sounded worried. "I never intended to spank you

again," Danny shook his head. "I only said that, so you would take the punishment serious, and put forth an effort." "I'm trying," Andy shrugged her shoulders. "That's

all I ask," Danny sighed. The two fell silent for a moment, and instead just looked at one another. "Come here," Danny spoke up, before pulling her to sit up next to

him. Andy pulled her feet up towards her, before positioning herself next to him. "You know the more time I spend with you, and get to know you. The more thinking I

do about myself when I was a kid growing up," Danny looked at her. "Really? Why?" Andy wondered. "Because you do a lot of the same things I did," Danny admitted.

"You took fireworks into the chem. lab, and caught your backpack on fire?" Andy sounded surprised. "No, not exactly," Danny clarified. "What did you do?" Andy was

trying to figure out what he meant. "Oh no, I'm not telling you that, you don't need any help when it comes to getting in trouble," Danny's chuckled, his eyes wide.

"You brought it up," she laughed, at his face expression. "I know," Danny placed an arm over her, and pulled her closer to him. "You know I still love you. Even if you

do get into trouble all the time." "I know," Andy smiled, leaning her head again his shoulder. "And thanks. Most people I met in the past, didn't think I was worth

much, because I got in trouble regularly. Michelle certainly did, and I was only five," Andy let her voice trail off. "That's because people like Michelle, don't understand

us," Danny squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. "But that's okay. Linda couldn't love you anymore, even if you were born to her," Danny figured she knew that

already, but when you've come from a life such as Andy had, there was always room for assurance. "Mom loves me, she has a big heart." Andy smiled, thinking of her

adopted mother. "And I hope you know how much I love my girl," Danny said with a small smile. "I know Dad," Andy moved to sit on his lap, so she could hug him.

"You were the first person I ever trusted," Andy said remembering. "I'm glad you felt that way," Danny held her. "And I'm especially glad at the way things turned out

with you really being mine." "Me too," Andy yawned, she was tired, but she always enjoyed the times she got to sit with him. "It certainly helped me understand you a

bit better, and why you did some of the things you did," he explained. "Biologically speaking," Andy said clarifying. "That's it," Danny hugged her tight, one last time,

before picking her up and dropping her on the bed. Andy giggled, laughing at the thump and bounce she made. "It would be kind of funny if the bed broke," Andy

laughed at the thought. "Until your mother found out. Then we'd both be in trouble," Danny was speaking the truth. "Yeah, I get in enough trouble," Andy admitted.

"Your telling me," Danny shook his head, hating to be reminded. "Alright you need to go to bed," Danny said pulling the covers up over her. "Awe Dad," Andy moaned

in protest. "No," Danny shook his head, preparing to turn the lamp next to her bed off. "Can you tell me a story about when you were a kid," Andy tried staling, she

hated having to go to bed, and she always loved when he or her Grandpa told her a story. Then again, that wasn't very often. The Reagans were much too busy to

spend their time storytelling, even if they were good at it. "No," Danny said firmly. "Maybe some other time, but it's getting late." "Please Dad, a short one," Andy

persisted. Danny sighed, and returned to the place he occupied just seconds ago. "Once upon a time there were two brothers," Danny started out. "Were these

brothers named Danny and Joe or Danny and Jamie?" Andy asked with a half-smile. "Hush and let me continue," Danny nudged her playfully. "The big brother enjoyed

playing pranks on the little brother, and tormenting him almost weekly. One day the big brother told the little brother that at night, horrible creatures came out and

wandered the streets of New York, looking for little boys that were the youngest in their families to kidnap." "Did the little brother believe the big brother?" Andy

interrupted. "The little brother was so scared, that he hid himself in the closet, under tons and tons of clothes and toys when it got dark. And no matter how hard his

parents tried, they couldn't convince him to come out. At least not until they made the big brother come in and tell his brother that it was all a lie." "Did it work?"

Andy asked. "To some extent, but the little boy was still scared. So, the parents made the big brother sleep with the little brother, until he stopped being scared."

"How long did it take for the little brother to stop being scared?" "About a week," Danny answered. "It was the longest week, the big brother could remember, since

the little brother talked and kicked in his sleep ferociously." "This story is about Danny and Jamie, isn't it?" Andy giggled, thinking about her father and uncle. "I'll

never tell," Danny shook his head. "Now go to sleep," Danny turned the lights off. "You forgot to say the end," Andy called him back. "The end," Danny said closing

the door roughly. Andy rolled over, and pulled the blanket up closer to her chin, making herself comfortable as she thought the day over. Sure, she didn't enjoy being

punished, but it had been a long time since she got herself into that much trouble. Then again, at least it kept life interesting, for all involved.


Hope you all enjoyed the update... I wasn't sure how to I was going to do this chapter, but the more I worked on it, the more I fun I had with it. I think I especially liked the story telling part. At least aside from all the smart comments Andy makes up, that always cracks me up... Thanks for all the follows, favorites, and reviews, they really mean a lot, and they do wonders on keeping me motivated, LOL... And I have already started on the next chapter... JusticeStandsTRUE