Chapter 12
"She's been over a lot." Jamie says softly and Danny glances his way with a side glance.
"She helps… when I'm down."
"That all it is?" Jamie asks and Danny gets where he is coming from because to outsiders it probably looks like more but she's comfort and he is selfish as hell but he's gonna hang onto it with both hands.
"That's all it is." Danny says, because even if it wasn't he wasn't ready to talk about it. To deal with it and Jamie gives a careful nod before a smile.
"Alright. Race you to the corner."
Maria frowns as Jack comes out and stops immediately. Eyes wide, "I'm okay.' She says, 'just a bad arrest."
"You don't look okay."
"Just bruises.' She says and he nods, 'You're Dad is out with Jamie."
"Right. Running."
"Yeah." She watching as he scans her again, "I'm okay.' she says again and he takes an even breath, nodding. 'Seriously Jack. I'm fine."
"Was Dad mad?" He asks and she smiles,
"More worried than mad."
"Hungry?"
"Sure."
"You coming to dinner tomorrow?" Jamie asks and she smiles as she shrugs.
"I'm not up for 300 questions." Maria says evenly as she gestures to her face, and Jamie shrugs before giving a rueful smile.
"Let me rephrase. You're coming to dinner." This time a statement. "I already told Erin."
"That's your guys time, He'll bring leftovers back, I'll be fine here."
"Boys. Make sure she comes over with you." Jamie says as he turns to where Jack and Sean were sitting.
"Yes Uncle Jamie."
She sighs, knows she's not going to win this fight. When the Reagan's decided something only God themselves could change their minds.
"Alright. I'll see you tomorrow." Maria gives a small smile as she hums, watching as leaves. Danny settling beside her.
"Could have helped?"
"I don't exactly want you sitting here by yourself." She rolls her eyes before leaning back against the couch.
"Impossible."
"Of course. You expected different?"
Not in the slightest was her only thought but she wasn't about to tell him that. "What's the plan for today?"
"Boys are goign to a movie. We're gonna sit here and be old.' She snorts 'got some puzzles. Should probably avoid the television."
"Puzzles sounds good."
They both ignore the boys as they laugh at them as they step out to head to the movies and see that they had a puzzle spread over the table. Arguing about how to start.
She dresses in a pair of jeans, and one of Danny's oversized shirts that does nothing to hide the bruises but at present keeps the fabric from touching her skin. Let's Danny drive her over to his father's house. She has only been here a few times. When they had been working and he needed to stop by the house for something. Only twice for dinner, so she's a little ill at ease until she walks in and the food is ready. Frank and Henry giving her a warm smile. Eddie and Jamie are directly behind them and she settles at the table between Danny and Frank.
The food is good, the conversation funny but at the end of dinner she's tired.
"Come on. We're gonna split." Danny says, leaving the arguing of who is getting what to some else.
She rises, ignores Danny's hand on her arm, gives a tired smile to Frank and accepts the hug from Erin and Eddie. Jack stepping beside her and offering an arm. She threads her hand through his arm and takes the silent offer of support.
She showers and settles on the couch, not surprised when Danny and the boys surround the television after her. She wakes later, to the lights being lowered by Jack as he leaves the room. Someone had covered her, the blanket tucked around her where she slept. Danny is on the other end of the couch, his own end kicked out into a reclining position.
She presses her end down and stretches across to him. He wakes when she moves his blanket, adjusts enough for her to settle down and watches as she goes back to sleep.
Let's his fingers trace the hair back from her face, watching the way she seemed to fall back to sleep instantly. Let's himself take a deep breath before closing his eyes.
She wakes up early, walking into the kitchen to fight with food. She knows Danny is going back to work, the doctors won't release her for at least a week until the stitches come out of her head.
Danny pads into the kitchen to the smell of bacon and coffee. Sees Maria flipping pancakes and eggs and sliding them onto plates.
"This looks amazing."
"Sorry. Was hungry." She holds up a plate. Watching as he takes it and finds some forks.
"You can do this anytime." She smiles. Finishing three more plates and taking hers to the table as Danny calls back into the house.
"Boys! Food!"
They stumble out and he laughs as they beeline for the kitchen.
Danny frowns as he steps into the living room to see her very very carefully trying to bend over and put her shoes on.
"What are you doing?"
"Trying to put my shoes on." She says evenly.
"I can see that. Why?"
"So I can go outside?!"
"Where are you going?"
"Home."
"Oh no.' He says firmly and she raises an eyebrow. 'You're staying here."
"Why?"
"Why? Why? Because you knocked your head hard enough to not be able to put on your own shoes!"
"And. I'll be equally alone at home."
"Jack and Sean will both be here." She frowns, watching as Jack appears at his name, raising an eyebrow.
"Danny come on. I'm fine."
"And you will be fine. Right here. With the boys who can wait on you hand and foot." Jack nods in easy agreement when his Dad points at him.
"So what they are gonna babysit me?" He waved her off and she frowned as he knelt at her feet. Taking her shoes off and putting them back by the door. Annoyed because it had taken her five minute to put the damn things on.
"Television. Movies. Food. It's the same as your place. I'm not taking you home." He says with a cheeky grin and she shakes her head. "Go back to bed and sleep."
"Danny…" she paused as he knelt before placing his hand on her knee.
"Just,' He pauses, tips the hair out of her face to reveal the bruise, "for me."
"That's cheating." She says evenly as she narrows her eyes.
"Yep." he agrees without shame "I'll bring you Russo's." She narrows her eyes.
"Fine." She agrees. Gets the smug happy smile she is used too when he gets his way.
"Alright. I'll see if I can bug out early." She shakes her head as he gives her a wide smile over his shoulder.