Disclaimer:

I hereby incorporate all standard disclaimers as set forth in previous chapters to this story.

Chapter 10:

When Jamie returned home that night he did as Casey suggested and went into the den and sat down at the desk. Normally he would draft a letter on his computer and then print it out, but that seemed so impersonal, so he took out his favorite fountain pen and a sheet of parchment stationary and began writing.

Dear Sidney,

My entire family sends you its warmest wishes and are very pleased to hear that you have chosen to take the necessary steps to recovery.

I read everyone your letter tonight and they very much appreciated your kind thoughts, even old hard ass Danny smiled. I want you to know that we are all here for you if you need us and we offer our support in any way we can.

This has been a reflective time for me as well. After I read the letter, Erin and I had a private talk. I have come to realize that our breakup was neither of our faults and that while we shared the same symmetry and goals within the enclosed confines of Harvard, once we returned to the real world we were inevitably destined to take different paths, even if I had become a practicing attorney. You seek adventure and exploration while at heart, I'm just a simple guy who as you noted, found my treasure long ago.

This doesn't mean however that you aren't in my thoughts, my heart or my prayers for I will always consider you an important part of who I am, and shall always be grateful for what we once shared.

You have a lot to offer Sydney and the light of your smile and the lilt of your laugh makes the world a better place, so please, no matter how difficult life may seem, know that you have a family named Reagan that is here for you.

Erin is working on fulfilling her promise to you and she expects you to keep yours as well. Danny is contacting Harvey tomorrow so that they can be ready for your return. Joe said that when you come home he'll cook you an extra special dinner and tell you a slew of Danny stories, some I haven't even heard.

I know that you look at Erin as the big sister that you never had, but I hope you will come to realize that Casey and Alex make good big sister material as well.

Please take care of yourself Syd and write back when you have the chance and remember if you ever find yourself feeling sad;

Illegitimum Non Carborundum;

Domine salvum fac.

Illegitimum Non Carborundum;

Domine salvum fac.

Gaudeamus igitur!

Veritas non sequitur?

Illegitimum non Carborundum - ipso facto!

Sweet thoughts and prayers,

Jamie

He went out into the living room where the others were lounging around and showed his letter to Casey. She read it and smiled. "The Harvard Fight Song, perfect!"

"'Don't let the bastards get you down' seemed kind of appropriate." He replied

"I'll mail it out in the morning for you." She offered and then pulled him down next to her.

As the summer approached, Frank & Valerie and Jack & Erin set their wedding date for Saturday, July 19th. This gave everyone six weeks to pull everything together but the advantage to a mid-summer wedding in New York was that most people stayed away from the heat, leaving the majority of those vendors who serviced the wedding industry available and at a reasonable discount.

Valerie and Erin had located dresses that were of the same off white color and fabric with slight differences appropriate to their age and height. Valerie's would somewhat cover her shoulders and be knee length while Erin's shoulders would be bare and mid-thigh in length as she liked to show off her gazelle like legs. Both would wear a simple veil that would be lowered solely for the service and then removed thereafter.

They decided that the brides maids would wear identically designed silk dresses, but would be in different light pastel colors. The men would wear off white tuxedos. Frank and Jack would have vests and bowties that matched the colors of the bridal dresses while the groomsmen, ushers and junior groomsmen would each have a bowtie and vest that matched one of the bridesmaid's dresses.

Casey's color would be yellow, Alex, a powder blue, Shannon (Valerie's younger sister) a light orange, Linda, a powder pink, Kerry, mint green and Nicky would wear light violet.

For color purposes, they paired Jamie with Casey, Joe with Alex, Danny with Linda, Chris with Shannon, Jack with Kerry and Sean with Nicky. Henry and Valerie's father would wear NYPD blue vests and bow ties while Valerie's mother would round out the pastel colors wearing peach. The men's boutonnieres and the lady's bouquets would further match their colors.

All the vendors had been lined up and retained. Bishop Donovan would officiate and the ceremony would take place at Cherry Hill in Central Park followed by a reception for very close friends and the immediate family at the Terrace on the Green which they had secured for that Saturday evening. The wedding was set for 6 p.m. sharp!

Casey and Alex were planning the bachelorette party while Joe and Danny planned the bachelors'.

Nicky and Kerry would be Maids of Honor for their respective mothers and Jamie would be the Best Man.

One weekend afternoon, Erin and Valerie had pulled Joe aside to discuss the menu. Each of the future brides had certain selections she favored. After ten minutes of their going back and forth, Joe put his finger and thumb in his mouth and blew a loud whistle which halted them mid-sentence.

"Ladies, please. How about you worry about other things and just let me do the food planning, okay?"

The both smiled, agreed and walked off. "That went perfectly Erin, how did you know he'd volunteer so easily? Valerie asked.

"Because for his entire life I've been able to get Joe to do whatever I want by making the situation seem ten times more complicated than it warrants so that he will simply take over on the belief that he is best qualified to simplify things. I know my brothers. Danny has the attention span of a gnat, Joe has the patience of a saint and Jamie has the curiosity of a puppy." She laughed. "It's just a matter of how I go about putting them in the position of wanting to do things for me without having to ask." Erin informed her.

"And when they return the favor?" Valerie asked

"Easy. With Danny I argue, with Joe I act overwhelmed and with Jamie I just have to give a stern look and use a firm voice. Eventually I'll do what they ask but they know they will owe me one." Erin answered.

"Oh, I almost forgot." Valerie said. "Frank's birthday is coming up and I have a special surprise for him. I've hired a studio photographer to take a portrait of Frank, Henry and the boys together in their dress uniforms. I thought it would be nice to use his office for the setting."

"Valerie, he will love it." Erin exclaimed.

"It's set for next Saturday afternoon when the lighting in his office is best. I already checked with your brothers and they are all off shift." She advised.

Jamie walked into the Manhattan North detective squad room with a bag of donuts and three premium coffees and sat down on the edge of his brothers' desk.

Danny looked up and smiled. "Perfect, just what I needed."

"What brings you by little brother?" Joe asked.

"Janko's upstairs in SVU on that female assault case so I figured I'd bring you two a snack."

At that moment, Gormley walked out of his office and saw all three Reagan brothers together.

"The three of you sitting here together means it must be a full moon tonight." He said.

"Want a donut Sarge?" Danny asked.

"No thanks Reagan. Don't you guys get enough of each other at home?" He asked

"Can't get enough of my brothers, Sarge. Just think that someday soon I'll get my gold shield and you'll have all three of us." Jamie smiled.

"Perish the thought baby Reagan. You're predilection for bus rides and the accompanying paper work you generate precedes you." He told Jamie and went back into his office to the sound of the three brothers laughing.

Erin walked in with Chris and Kerry in time to see Danny, Joe and Jamie each stuffing a donut in their mouths.

"This is the New York City Police Officer in its native environment. As you can see we must have arrived during feeding time." She informed them. "You can tell the lazy one of the group because he chews with his mouth open."

"Funny Sis. What are you three doing here?" Danny asked with his mouth half full.

"Danny, swallow your food before you speak. You're setting a bad example for the other two primates." She smirked.

Joe started scratching under his arm and making monkey sounds while Jamie started grabbing at his crotch.

"You two are so gross." She said.

Kerry and Chris were laughing.

"Why are you here Jamie?" Erin inquired.

"Edit's upstairs so I'm waiting for her." He answered.

"Did you come by to bust our chops or to show our future siblings the branch of law enforcement that does the real work?" Joe asked.

"Actually, we came by to see if you wanted to join us for lunch." Kerry said.

"I'm game if you are Danny." Joe said

"I'm in." He answered.

"Sorry, I'm stuck here for now." Jamie said.

"Not anymore" Janko said as she came around the corner.

"Where are you going?" She asked Erin who named a place about three blocks away.

"Give me the keys Reagan, I'll pick you up in 50 minutes. I have to head back upstairs. They've had me cooling my heels waiting for the detective who won't be back for another 20 minutes. Grab me something to go and I'll eat in the car." Janko stated

"You sure, I don't mind waiting." Jamie replied as he tossed her the car keys.

"Get out of here." She said as she waved goodbye and headed back to the fourth floor.

Danny put his arm around Kerry. "Come on Kerry from Londonderry."

Joe offered his arm to Erin who took it while Jamie and Chris brought up the rear.

"You know Danny, from my where I stand it looks like you should lay off the donuts." Erin teased.

"Yeah, it's embarrassing that my sister has a flatter ass than I do." He replied without looking back or he would have seen Erin sticking her tongue out at him.

Joe shook his head and giggled.

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