CH. 10 The Trouble With Thanksgiving
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It was the day before Thanksgiving, and Linda and Henry were working hard on the meal preparations. The kids were out of school and were outside playing,
when Danny, Jamie and Frank came in. "How's everything coming?" Frank reached into the fridge before passing drinks out to his sons. "Where are the kids
at," Danny noticed how quiet it was inside the house? "They were getting a little rowdy so I sent them outside before they broke something, I think they are
playing a little pre-game football. They are really excited for tomorrow's game," Linda answered. "So am I," Danny nudged his brother, "and this year is
definitely my year." "Oh really," Jamie scoffed. "Well I think the only way to settle this is with a football," Danny led the way into the back yard. "And I agree,"
Jamie closed the door behind him. "Here we go again," Frank glanced at his father and daughter in law. "I'll get the first aid kit," Linda already knew what Frank
meant by that. Anytime the two decided to settle something with sports, either one of them or one of the children got hurt, and most of the time it was one of
each.
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"At least my team won't be handicapped since I don't have Linda playing," Danny mumbled. "That excuse is getting a little old Danny," Jamie laughed, despite
the fact he knew it was true. "And considering I have been handicapped in the past, I think it only fair that I get the new player," Danny pulled Andy closer to
him. "Well I'm not exactly thrilled with the idea, but considering she's on my time when we play basketball, I'll go along with it," Jamie took the football from
Andy, signaling it was time to get the pre-game started. They were having a lot of fun, and had yet to have any injuries. At least until Jamie tackled Danny into
the back fence and he smacked his head into it. Just as Jamie was about to call the game on account of blood, Andy tripped over a tackled Sean and hit her
head at the exact same place on the fence as Danny did seconds ago. "Jack," Jamie looked over at his nephew. "Run inside and tell your mother to get the
hospital ready. I'm bringing in a couple of patients." "Try not to get blood all over the floor, I just cleaned house today," Henry was used to the football injuries.
"Thanks a lot Gramps," Andy was holding her head. "Yeah we appreciate the concern," Danny echoed. "You've been hurt worse," Henry shrugged. The two
patients sat side by side at the kitchen table, Linda having long ago laid out the first aid kit, knowing it was only a matter of time. "How is it possible that the
two of you both have a scratch on the exact same spot on your head," Linda shook her head? "Like father like daughter," Frank was trying to hide his smile.
"This was all Jamie and Sean's fault," Andy mentioned while Jamie held a gauze pad on her head to stop the bleeding. "I'm telling you, there's something going
on with the youngest in this family," Andy shook her head, it's a conspiracy, they're trying to take us out." "Would you be still and hush," Jamie was finding it
hard to hold the gauze on her head with her wriggling. Linda handed Jamie the bottle of peroxide and Andy started moving. "Awe no, not again," Andy was
looking for an escape route. But Jamie grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back before pushing her back into her chair. "Stop being a baby Andy its just
peroxide," Jamie poured the clear liquid onto a fresh gauze pad. "Peroxide my butt," Andy muttered. Linda cleared her throat and looked at her, "it's going to
be your backside over my knee if you don't watch your mouth." "Yes Mam," Andy muttered, her eyes getting wider and wider the closer Jamie brought the
gauze pad to her head. "This is when you're going to want to cover your ears," Danny remembered. "I guess this is going to put a hold on the game
tomorrow," Frank mentioned. "Not for me, I can still play," Danny shook his head. "Me too," Andy added still holding the football. "You guys care more about
football, than you do about Thanksgiving," Linda shook her head. "Don't you like football Mom," Andy asked? "I like football, I just care more about being
thankful," Linda was being honest. "Are you going to play with us tomorrow?" The room went silent the second Andy voiced the question. "I don't think so,"
Linda shook her head, "I'd rather have that chess rematch with Pop." "At least maybe Dads team will win then," she added. "What's that supposed to mean,"
Linda looked at her daughter confused? "Oh nothing, Dad just said that his team was hand," Danny placed a hand over her mouth before she had a chance to
finish her sentence. "Ignore her," Danny spoke up, the bump on her head has gotten in the way of her thinking."
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"All Thanksgiving Days are special," Frank started as the family sat down to dinner. "But I think this ones a bit more special than the others." "What do you
mean Grandpa," Andy questioned? "I mean you," Frank looked at her. "Oh," Andy turned silent, but she couldn't help but smile. "This year I have my daughter
with me," Danny smiled at her. "Here, here," Henry agreed raised his wine glass. "On that note, I think its time to say grace and eat," Frank said issuing the
start of the meal. "This is really good," Erin loved Thanksgiving. "So do I," Jamie agreed, "we get good food." "You eat good every Sunday," Henry pointed a
fork at his youngest grandson. "That's true, sorry Gramps," Jamie chuckled. "It's a lot better than the stuff I cook." "Uncle Jamie, anything's better than the
stuff you cook," Andy gave him a sideways look. Linda considered telling her to mind her manners, but she couldn't keep from laughing, just as everyone else
was at the table. "But I am getting better," Jamie admitted, "Gramps has taught me a few things." "You must not have been a very attentive student," Andy
couldn't help but add. "Sounds like you and school," Danny added just as easy. "Awe dad, don't bring up school on a holiday," Andy protested. The rest of the
Thanksgiving meal went by, everyone deciding to have dessert later, each of them feeling stuffed after such an amazing meal. They would say that everything
about the day had been perfect so far, aside from the constant warnings they heard Henry say at least a hundred times that afternoon about being careful
with the platter and his special dishes.
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"Hey what you doing out here by yourself?" Jamie asked walking out the back door and onto the porch before handing Andy her coat. "If your mother was to
see you out here without your coat on, you'd be in some big trouble." "That's why I was kind of hoping you wouldn't tell her," Andy glanced at him, pulling on
her coat. "Don't look at me, I'm not a squealer," Jamie shook his head. "Thanks, I get in enough trouble on my own, without having someone tell on me," Andy
mentioned. "So are you going tell me what you are doing out here, with everyone else having fun inside?" Jamie knew there had to be a reason for her sudden
disappearance. "Just sitting and thinking, this Thanksgiving has been so different than all my others. This one has actually been enjoyable," Andy smiled
thinking of the meal, the football game they played, the conversation, and above all, the love she felt by her parents and family. "You want to tell me why,"
Jamie looked at her with a soft smile? "I don't know what to say," Andy shrugged. "I've never had such a nice Thanksgiving before. When I was little and still
with Michelle, she worked and I would spend the day alone." "She left you home alone, Jamie looked shocked, "weren't you like five?" "She left me a sandwich
and the TV remote," Andy didn't know what else to say. "What would you watch," Jamie didn't want to make her feel bad? "Parade, football, Bonanza," Andy
named a few. "All kid stuff," Jamie sounded surprised by her answers? "There was nobody to tell me no," Andy sounded like she liked that part. "And what
about after that," Jamie asked? "After that, I spent some time in the orphanage. The workers at the orphanage were nice enough," Andy didn't want Jamie to
get the wrong impression about the place. "But there were just so many kids that they didn't have the funds, nor the time and energy to give us a nice meal,
or even really talk to us, so holidays turned into just a regular day most of the time." "Then what happened?" Jamie knew that she had, had a rough life at the
beginning, but neither Danny nor Linda gave many details. "That's when my stint with the foster homes began," Andy explained. "I think I was about 8 when I
went to my first one, and after that I was bounced around, neither of them being any good. I believe most of the foster parents were mainly in it for the
money." "And," Jamie pushed when she stopped. "And then I just so happened to stop outside a small store to look at this booth they had set up outside next
to some guy that chased me down an alley, and once he grabbed me he wouldn't let go." "And that's when you met Danny," Jamie smiled. "And that's when I
met my father," Andy clarified. "And let me say for all of us, we are so glad you did," Jamie put an arm over her shoulder. "Really?" Andy said carefully? "You
don't mind me being Danny's real kid?" "At least it makes sense to why you are always in trouble," Jamie laughed. "I'm not sure if I should take that as a
compliment or not," Andy looked at him with a confused smile? "It also gives a good reason to why you like to torture me, like your father did when we were
growing up," Jamie said pointedly. "And you are okay with this," this time Andy was utterly confused? "The way I look at it, if I survived Danny, I can survive
you." "Thanks Uncle Jamie," Andy hugged him. "Now come on," Jamie helped her up, "were about to have dessert, and if we don't hurry Danny's going to eat it
all."
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"What's everyone doing tomorrow," Linda asked over coffee and dessert? "Staying away from all the Black Friday shoppers," Henry spoke up. "Would you mind
if I went," Linda looked at Danny? "Andy needs some more winter clothes." "I don't care what you get her," Danny shook his head, "as long as I don't have to
take her shopping." "You can't be a coward forever Danny," Erin teased. "I'm not a coward, I just don't like taking my kids shopping, besides I have to work, I'm
sure there will be plenty of crimes that took place over Thanksgiving for me to investigate." "That's a nice thought," Erin looked at him surprised. "Hey, don't
blame me, I don't commit the crimes," Danny picked up for himself. "How about you Jamie, what are you doing tomorrow," Linda looked over at her brother in
law. "I'm kind of with Danny on this one, it being Black Friday, there will be plenty of people for me to arrest." "And you Frank?" "Work," Frank shook his head,
"there's too much going on for me to be away for too long." "You Reagan men are all the same," Linda didn't think she would ever understand their love for the
job. "What about you Erin, you and Nicki care to join me and the kids for a day out," Linda offered? "Yes!" Nicki answered for them excitedly. Erin looked at her
daughter and Nicki mumbled, "sorry, but cant we go, please?" "I guess so," Erin really didn't have any other plans. "This is going to be so much fun!" Nicki
couldn't be more excited, as she looked at her cousin Andy. "For who?" Andy looked confused, "because it isn't going to be me." "We haven't even gone yet
Andy, don't judge the trip until we make it," Linda corrected. "Fine," Andy crossed her arms over her chest, looking quite unhappy. "You should be happy, you
are getting new clothes," Linda reminded her. "But I don't need any new clothes," Andy tried. "Can't I just stay here with Gramps?" "Yes you do, we haven't
gotten you many winter clothes yet. Now I don't want to hear another word about it, unless they are how much you are going to enjoy the outing," Linda
looked directly at her, really not wanting to have to get onto her on Thanksgiving of all days. "Yes Mam," Andy sighed. "Now can I be excused, before I get in
trouble," she looked at Danny. "Go ahead," Danny chuckled. He couldn't really blame her for not wanting to go, considering he didn't want to go either, and
apparently she was just like him, at least that's what his family kept saying.
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"You know Dad, you never told me who it was that got us the hotel," Danny looked at Frank wondering, when it was just the two of them left at the table. This
time he was intending to get an answer from him. "Yes I did," Frank nodded, "I told you I know people." Danny shook his head, "you know what I mean Dad."
"Can't you just let it go and be grateful," Frank knew his son had a very inquisitive nature? "I am grateful, but I'm a Detective, I can't help but wonder," Danny
shrugged. "I know it would be useless to ask you to stop detecting," Frank shook his head at his son's attitude. "Come on Dad, you and I both know that
when I get started on something I can't let it go. So eventually I'm going to find out, now don't you think it would be easier if you just told me," Danny was
hoping he would just tell him, it would save a lot of time and effort. "You are so intrusive," Frank gestured for Danny to follow him into his office. "Wow this must
be serious," Danny muttered. "Did some mob guy give you the room?" "No," Frank looked annoyed by the comment. "Completely the opposite, in fact I think
you know them." "I do," Danny squinted? "And very well I might say," Frank added. "Who is it?" Danny couldn't think of anyone who would have known about
the stress Linda was under and the time away she needed, aside from Frank and Henry. "Was it you and Grandpa," Danny looked at his father serious? "No,"
Frank shook his head, "it was your children." "My children," Danny was confused? "How did they get $200," was the biggest question Danny had? "They had
$150 and I loaned them the rest," Frank enlightened him. "When and how did all this come about," Danny was trying to figure everything out? "They called me
late Thursday night asking me for help. They volunteered to pay me back, but I told them just to help me with the Christmas decorations." "Wow," Danny was
at a loss for words, "I have some great kids." "That you do," Frank agreed before walking out of the room.
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"So what all do you need to get?" Erin asked as the group of Reagans walked into the department store. "Winter clothes," Linda led the way to the girls
department. "Pajamas, long sleeve shirts, and pants." "Where do you want to start," Nicki was eager to help? "Pajamas," Linda figured that would be the
easiest. Linda figured to get at least three pairs of pajamas, a fleece pair, a flannel pair, and another pair of her choice. "Hey Andy, look at these fleece
pajamas, they have clouds on the pants," Nicki picked out a purple pair. "There not the best but there not the worst either," Any was willing to get them if she
had to. "What about this pink long sleeve night gown," Linda loved the little girl nightgowns. "Augh," Andy looked sick, "shoot me now." "I guess that's a no,"
Linda put it back. "You got it," Andy pointed at her. "Andy can't you just say no mam, when you see something you don't like rather than a series of theatrical
come backs?" "I don't know, I've never tried it," Andy shrugged walking away to another rack. "This flannel set would be warm," Linda picked out a blue pair
that she was sure Andy would approve of. "You know Mom, I'm fine with Dads old NYPD shirt he gave me and my yellow pajama pants," Andy tried convincing
her to end this trip and just take them home. "You need warmer pajamas than just a t-shirt and thin pants," Linda had her mind made up. "Can I get some of
the cute footed pajamas?" Andy figured if she had to get something, it might as well be something she liked. "Yes," Linda walked over to the rack of footed one
piece pajama sets. "Thank You," Andy out ran her. "What color do you want?" Linda noticed there was a purple pair, a blue pair, and a green pair. "I don't
know," Andy held two different pairs up. "I like the blue and the green one." "It looks like they have your size in the green one," Linda wanted to make sure
and get one size bigger in the footed set, so she they would fit her better, and hopefully last longer. "I guess that means I'm getting the green one," Andy
seemed happy enough. "One down, two more to go," Linda looked at Erin. "Danny was right she is difficult," Erin was slowly beginning to see her brothers
reasoning of wanting to work rather than take his daughter shopping. "She's just so picky," Linda agreed. "It only gets worse as they grow older," Erin looked
at Linda, speaking from experience with Nicki. "Let's move on to the pants and shirts, maybe it will be easier," Linda didn't really believe it, but what else could
she say. "What about this one Andy, do you like this one?" Linda held up a long sleeve thermal material shirt a few minutes later. "Mom," Andy just looked at
her, "its glittery, I hate glitter." "Moving on," Linda mumbled to herself before picking out another shirt option. "That one's pink and it's got flowers." Andy
seemed eager to point out everything that was wrong with the clothes Linda was suggesting. "This ones pretty," Linda found a purple one she liked. "That
one's got bling, and is much too girly," Andy complained. "Andy, you are a girl," Linda reminded her. "Duh," Andy looked at her as if she had completely lost her
mind. "Andrea Reagan, that was disrespectful and you will not speak to me in that manner," Linda tried to keep her voice low, but was careful to make
complete eye contact with her. "This is your only warning Andy." "This sucks, I don't even want to be here," Andy took a seat on the bench outside of the
dressing room. "I get in trouble for not liking stuff." "This isn't about not liking stuff Andy, this is about your attitude and the lack of respect you are showing,"
Linda took a seat next to her. "And another thing, watch your language." "Whatever," Andy walked away. "I'm sorry," Linda looked at Erin embarrassed. "Don't
be," Erin gave her a smile. "I'm going to call Danny, and let him talk to her, usually he can talk some sense into her," Linda took her phone out and quickly got a
call in. "Danny I need you to talk to Andy, she's being disrespectful, and just has an altogether bad attitude," Linda gave him a rundown of what was going on
before going in search of Andy. "You want to tell me what's going on kiddo?" Danny preferred to start out by just talking to her and getting her side before just
telling her how she was wrong. "I don't want to be here, and Mom keeps shoving stupid clothes at me, and when I tell her I don't want them, she gets
frustrated, and I get mad," Andy found a clothes rack she could climb into to hide. "I understand that your frustrated Andy, but that doesn't mean you can treat
your mother with disrespect, we don't allow it at home, and we definitely do not allow it in public," Danny told her what she already knew. "Yes Sir," Andy said
quietly. "But what do I do about al the stupid clothes she wants me to get?" "What do you want to do?" Danny thought he would give her a chance to come up
with an answer. "I want to pull the fire alarm, and get out of here," Andy said honestly. "That's not an acceptable answer Andy, and don't even think about
doing it," Danny was thinking of the catastrophe that would cause on Black Friday. "Mom would be so upset, she would probably, let me go home," Andy was
beginning to think her idea sounded better and better the more she thought about it. "And then when I got home, I'd bust your butt for your troubles, and you
would only see the walls of your bedroom for a very long time," Danny told her what the consequences would be for that idea. "It almost seems worth it," Andy
mumbled just as the fire alarm went off, and the sprinklers started shooting water from the ceiling. "If you pulled that alarm Andrea," Danny could hear the
alarm going off through the speaker of the phone. "It wasn't me," Andy was trying to keep from getting trampled by people who were running for the door. "So
much for evacuating the room calmly and rationally," she mumbled. "You guys stay put," Danny was already on his way. "Oh don't worry, about that, there's
cops here trying to keep a riot from breaking out and I here the firetrucks pulling up," Andy could see the flashing lights out the door. "Go find your mother, I'll
be there as soon as I can," Danny hung up the phone, thankful he wasn't very far away. Danny had just located the rest of the family outside, when Linda ran
to him worried about Andy. "Danny, you have to find Andy," Linda was on the verge of tears. "Don't worry I'll find her," Danny ran inside the building. The
building was relatively cleaned out for the most part, aside from cops and firemen making sure there was no real danger. "Andy!" Danny saw his daughter
standing with Jamie. "Are you okay?" "I'm fine," Andy nodded. "Do we know who did this," Sergeant Renzulli walked up to them? "Not yet," Jamie shook his
head? Danny didn't say anything, although he did look down at Andy who had her hands shoved in her pockets. "Care to do a little investigating Detective,"
Renzulli questioned Danny? "Since I'm here," Danny volunteered to check surveillance cameras, and question a few people. Danny walked into the small room
that held the surveillance equipment monitors, and was careful to keep Andy with him, wanting to question her about it a bit more extensively. "Now before I
check the footage, is there anything you want to tell me?" Danny wanted to make sure and give her the opportunity to come clean, in the essence of her being
guilty. "I didn't do it," Andy looked at him serious, being careful to make eye contact with him. "Okay," Danny let the matter drop, and turned his attention to
the investigation. "You believe me?" Andy figured that he would, but she couldn't help but ask anyway. "Your word is good enough for me," Danny wanted to
show that he trusted her. "You will see me on the surveillance video near the fire alarm though," Andy thought she better tell him before he saw her. "I saw
who did it." "What?" Danny looked at her confused. "I was standing by it when I was on the phone with you, and that's where I got the idea." "Could you
identify that person if you saw them again?" Danny was hoping he wouldn't have to watch any of the surveillance video. "Yes Sir," Andy nodded. "Are you
sure?" "Dad," Andy looked at him, "I was so shocked that somebody actually did it the second I said something about doing it, I think I starred at her for five
minutes straight." "Lets get Jamie and see if we can find her," Danny led Andy out of the department store and over to his brother and the rest of their family.
"Andy!" Linda grabbed Andy in a tight hug, the moment she saw her daughter. "Are you okay?" "I'm fine mom, I just got lost in the crowd," Andy reassured her.
"Linda, you can go ahead and take the boys home, I'll keep Andy with me," Danny talked it over with Linda. "Are you sure you aren't too busy," Linda asked?
"No, I'm going to take care of this, and then I'll be heading home after that," Danny reassured her, before he, Andy, and Jamie went in search of the guilty
party. "So what are the descriptions, of this person were looking for," Jamie would have liked to have some sort of idea of who he was looking for. "She's a little
taller than me, has dark hair, and she was wearing jeans and a red hoodie," Andy described the girl fairly well. "If all witnesses could describe perps like you,
my job would be so much easier," Danny chuckled. "And I should probably mention that it was Kaitlyn Newton, the girl that tried to get us in trouble, along with
her brother Mark when they were came to the house," Andy added. "I remember," Danny nodded. "So this was a kid," Jamie sounded surprised? "Kids today,"
Jamie shook his head. "What is this world coming to," Jamie looked at his older brother? "I don't know Jamie, but you can ask Andy what I told her I would do if
she ever did something like that," Danny looked down at her as if to ask if she remembered, without really having to ask. "Ugh," Andy shuttered just thinking
about it. "Trust me, you don't want to know Uncle Jamie."
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With the crowd slowly beginning to disperse, it wasn't hard to find a kid wearing a bright red hoodie. Jamie had long before went back to work after helping
Danny locate the kid, and Danny took it upon himself to escort the girl back to the precinct for questioning, as well as hoping to scare her a little bit. "So why
did you pull the fire alarm," Andy turned around in the front seat to look at the girl? "Andy," Danny corrected her, "keep quiet." "Dad, I'm not hurting anything by
just talking to her," Andy tried. "That's not the point Andy, the point is that when I tell you to do something or to keep quiet, you comply immediately, and
without arguing. Or do I need to warn you of the consequences?" Danny let his warning drop there. "No Sir," Andy fell silent, embarrassed at being scolded in
front of Kaitlyn. After arriving at the precinct, Danny left Andy at his desk and went in to talk to Kaitlyn. "You know falsely pulling a fire alarm is illegal right,"
Danny took a seat across from her in the interrogation room? "I had no idea," Kaitlyn was being completely honest with him. "It's a misdemeanor and you will
have to appear in court," Danny looked at her serious. "What!" Kaitlyn was freaking out. "But it was done on a dare!" "Don't raise your voice to me," Danny
kept his voice stern, the same he would if he was talking to his own kids. "I called your Dad, and he's on his way. But you are just lucky you aren't one of mine,
you certainly wouldn't be sitting right now if you were." "I'm sorry Mr. Reagan," Kaitlyn sighed, "none of this was done intentionally." At least she sounded
contrite enough Danny noticed. "You've changed since the last time I've seen you," Danny mentioned. "That's because I didn't have a choice, my parents
changed after they met you and Mrs. Reagan." "Has that been a good thing or a bad thing?" Danny couldn't help but laugh. "Depends how you look at it,"
Kaitlyn squinted. "We don't get away with anything anymore, which is the bad part. But we have fun too, and my parents spend more time us now." "You know
you sound like a really smart kid," Danny mentioned. "But you should make better friends." "That won't be a problem," Kaitlyn admitted, "because by the time
I'm able to go out with my friends again, the ones I have now won't even remember me." "I'll be back when your Dad gets here," Danny walked out the door.
No sooner did Danny walk out, was it that Andy snuck in. "What are you doing in here," Kaitlyn looked surprised? "Getting myself in trouble," Andy gave her the
eventual outcome. "I thought you didn't like me," Kaitlyn was confused? "I'm working on raising my tolerance level to things I don't like," Andy smiled. "What
are you doing in here Andrea," Danny caught her off guard? "Raising my tolerance level," Andy repeated. "Work on raising a tolerance to this," Danny swatted
her on her way out of the room. It wasn't long and Kaitlyn was released into her father's custody, and Andy and Danny headed for home.
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"We need to talk kids," Danny walked outside after his kids later that afternoon. "Are we in trouble," Sean asked? "Why is that the first thing one of you always
ask when I tell you I want to talk?" Danny looked at all three of them. "Because were always in trouble," Andy gave part of the answer. "And when you say you
want to talk, most of the time it means were going to get a spanking," Jack gave the rest of the answer. "Not this time," Danny smiled taking a seat on the
outside steps, surrounded by the three of them. "This is a first," Andy glanced at her brothers. "I know about the hotel," was the only thing Danny said.
"Grandpa told you," Jack looked sad. "I was being a detective," Danny enlightened them. "Don't you ever take a day off," Andy shook her head? "I wanted to
tell you, that I'm proud of you. That was a real nice thing you did for your mom and I," Danny wanted them to understand how grateful he was. "You won't tell
mom will you," Sean asked? "No, I won't tell her anything," Danny could understand their reason for being secretive. "We didn't want any of you to know,"
Sean mumbled. "But your just too dang inquisitive," Andy shook her head. "I've been told that before," Danny remembered. "Were sorry we've been nothing
but trouble lately," Andy sighted. "No your not," Danny laughed out loud. "Okay so were not, but it sounded good," Andy dropped the seriousness. "You three
are some of the best kids at getting into trouble, as well as being some of the nicest kids," Danny mentioned. "We should be, were yours," Andy grinned. "Well
now that Thanksgivings over, its time to get ready for Christmas. You two get inside and help your mother with the inside of the house," Danny looked at boys
who scrambled inside to help Linda. "As for you," Danny smiled at Andy, "you and I need to get started on the roof." "Thank you!" Andy rushed him, wrapping
her arms around him. Danny thinking he had never seen her as excited as he just did.
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"Now if you are going to be up here, I need you to do everything I tell you, I don't want you getting hurt," Danny looked at her serious as the two sat on the
roof surrounded by strands of Christmas lights. "I know," Andy was quick to reply, wanting to get started already. "If you don't you will have to get down and
go in the house," Danny added. "I understand," Andy nodded. "In that case, lets have fun and get to work," Danny handed her a strand of lights. Andy turned
on Christmas music on her phone, before she got to work laying out the lights. "Hey Dad, what's your favorite color of Christmas lights?" "I don't know," Danny
admitted. "Mines blue," Andy was glad they were putting blue lights on the house. "In that case, blue is my favorite too," Danny winked at her. "Really," Andy
smiled at him. "Yes really," Danny laughed. "You know I'm glad to have my little girl up here to help me, usually I have to do this on my own." "I'm glad to be
anywhere with you," Andy worked on untangling one of the strands of lights. "I'm glad to be with you too," Danny pulled her in for a hug. He didn't realize how
much he would enjoy having a daughter, until he had one. They were just about done when Danny glanced over his shoulder at Andy, "hand me that strand of
lights." Danny was sitting on the edge of the roof while connecting two of the other strands together. "Which one this one?" Andy pulled the strand that he
was sitting on. "No don't pull," Danny didn't even get a chance to finish his sentence as he toppled over the edge. He would have fallen completely off the roof
had it not been for his quick thinking and ability to grab the edge of the rain gutter. "Oops," Andy peered over the edge at him. She tried to pull him back up,
but he was hanging too far down and she wasn't strong enough. "Oh thank God," she muttered when Frank pulled up in the driveway. "Danny what are you
doing!?" Frank yelled hurrying up the ladder. "Oh you know, just hanging around," Danny looked down at him. "Well hang on, I'll get you back up." "What else
am I going to do but hang on," Danny muttered. "Sorry Dad," Andy laid flat on the roof looking over the edge at him. "I know," Danny was used to the
accidents his kids caused that always seemed to pose problems for him. "Here we go again," Frank found himself doing the same thing he did to the same kid
of his several years ago. "Why is it always me?" Danny took a deep breath once Frank had him back on the roof. "Just lucky I guess," Frank patted his back.
"That's easy for you to say Dad, I never tried to kill you." "I can recall a few times," Frank was the first to climb down the ladder followed closely by his son and
granddaughter. "Why is it I get the feeling this is going to be the first and the last time I get to help with the Christmas lights," Andy muttered climbing down
the ladder?
I think I enjoyed just about every part of writing this chapter... I was really trying to get a story up on Andy's first Thanksgiving... Thanks for all the follows, favorites, and reviews... And I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. I'm planning to, the only thing I will be sad about is no new episode of Blue Bloods Friday... JusticeStandsTRUE