A/N: Any Gaelic in this chapter was again written by using Google Translate, so it may or may not be accurate. I did include the English translation though. This is a new concept for me, and I still need to figure out a good way to include the English translation along with the other language. Enjoy.

Don's POV

I had just dropped my wife off at the doctor's office and I was now sitting in front of my father's house waiting for my sister. I pulled the letter out of my back pocket and hesitated in opening it. I knew my father was ready to die, and being a grown man and a homicide detective, I knew that death was the one guarantee in life. Knowing all this still didn't make the inevitable any easier. I opened the letter and tried not to cry.

Son,

First let me say that I love you and I am incredibly proud of you. You became a cop because of me, but also because of yourself. It was what you wanted and I couldn't have been happier for you when you graduated from the academy and then became a detective. I know what you've had to go through; the loss you have suffered for the job. I know the pain, sorrow, anger, passion, and joy that you have gone through in the many years on the force. I have never seen you happier than you were when you told me that you and Cailín were getting married. You two have known each other a long time and even though you lost contact for a number of years, I always felt the two of you would reconnect one day. I didn't not know for sure that you would reconnect in the way you did, but I had hoped and prayed for it. You deserve happiness, Son. You deserve her. Cherish her for as long as you live and live today as though there is no tomorrow. We both know that anything could happen on the job; there are too many unknowns in the world of law enforcement. On a different note; I am sorry if there was ever a time when you didn't feel as though I was proud of you, or that I didn't love you. Losing your mother like we did was hard. I didn't know how to be both father and mother. I was harder on your sister than I was on you, I know, but I love you both very much. Take care of Samantha. I am glad to see that you two have patched things up. I know you can't get back the lost years, but at least you have the present and, God willing, the future. Take care of Cailín, you mean the world to her and I know she means the world to you. Remember I will always be with you. Maybe I'll be able to work something out and come back as your guardian angel. I love you, Son, always remember that.

Love always,

Pops

I got about half way through the letter before I could no longer hold the tears in. It was the second time that day I had cried. I'm not sure how much more I could take to be honest. I wasn't one to cry; I had to be strong for those around me. I couldn't worry anyone by being weak. Though, I know, showing emotions doesn't make one weak, in fact, I believe that showing emotions shows strength. I knew I'd manage through this time in my life because I had Cailín. I also had my sister. I composed myself and decided that, contrary to what I had told my wife last night, I would continue to reach out to Jason until he woke up – or rather, I would call him one last time today and let him know that the ball is in his court now; that his sister is done and if she's done, so am I. After this decision was finalized in my head, there came a knock on my window.

"You ready for this?" Samantha asked as I got out of the car.

"Not really." I looked at her. I think this might have been harder for her than I realized. She and Pops hadn't had the best relationship. "Are you?"

"Not a chance. We all know my relationship with Pops wasn't never the greatest, but mending it these last few years leaves me wanting longer." Samantha wrapped her arm around my waist as I draped my arm across her shoulders. "How's CaÍ?"

"She's at the doctors. They're supposed to be scheduling the surgery. Half of me wants to be with her right now, but she understands." I sighed. I was blessed with the perfect wife – at least, she was perfect for me.

"She understands because she was us not too long ago. She wants you with her too but knows you need this. She wouldn't have let you get out of this." Samantha knew my wife too well, but then, they had been best friends since childhood. "Pops, we're here." She called as we entered the house.

"In the kitchen!" He called back. I had called him last night after speaking to Samantha that way he knew we were coming. We joined him at the table. I could tell he was tired. He looked as though he could go any day now – and knowing him, he will. "I'm glad you're both here."

"Pops, about the gift…" I started but he raised a hand to stop me.

"Don't argue it. I won't hear it. Use what you want for your honeymoon the rest you can put into savings. Honestly, it's not even from me – well, not from me alone. It was your mother's idea." He looked between my sister and me. "She said that she wanted to set aside money for our children for their wedding days even before we had kids. We started saving then and when we had you two, she decided that $20,000 total would be appropriate enough. So each of you had $10,000 to use. I hope that you use at least some of that money to take a well-deserved honeymoon. Samantha already got hers."

"Alright, I told Cai that you wouldn't hear of us giving any of it back, but I think she'll understand. We were planning on an Ireland at Christmas honeymoon. She has some of her mom's family that are letting us stay at their cottage while they're on holiday in London." I replied. We had already figured all of this out. Cailín had always been close with her mom's family living in Ireland. Growing up, they would spend summers over there up until her mother died. Her aunts and uncles had always told her that their doors were open if she ever wanted to visit. "We'll probably use half of the money for airfare, food, and souvenirs. We'll put the rest into savings for future trips." Pops smiled. He liked the idea.

"Pops, is there anything we can do? Is there anything you need for us to do?" Samantha asked.

"Don't mourn for me for too long. The funeral and everything is already taken care of so there's nothing you need to worry about on that front." I knew Pops would have taken care of all that so we wouldn't have to worry about it. That was just the way he was. I wouldn't even be surprised if we got the phone call in the morning from his caretaker. "Take care of yourselves and your spouses. Live a full life with little to no regrets. Take care of each other. And Don, give that brother-in-law hell if he doesn't come around and talk to his sister." I smiled.

"Cai wants me to back off now. She figures Jason has been told enough times at this point and it's now up to him." Pops tried to say something but I stopped him. "I am going to call him once more today and tell him one last time. After that I will obey my wife's wishes and leave it up to her brother to wake up and stop acting a fool."

"She's right though. If he hasn't come around by now, you will turn blue in the face trying to convince him. I think once more should suffice before letting him decide." Pops said. "I love you two very much, always remember that." We sat around and talked of nothing important the rest of the morning. It was around 11:30 before Cailín called to let me know that she was finished at the doctor's. She would meet me at Christine's restaurant whenever I was finished here.

"When's the surgery?" Samantha asked. The three of us were sitting in the living room. Pops was reclining in his favorite chair.

"Next Friday." It was really starting to sink in that Cailín was having this procedure done. I knew it would improve her life – and ours – but it was still nerve wracking. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't scared. "They've scheduled her for 6:00am so they want to check her in the night before. I will request off for Friday, at least."

"We can take turns staying with her. I know she's requested to work from home during most of her recovery time. Eric is in the off-season so I'm sure he will be more than happy to stay with her before practice." Samantha squeezed my shoulder. "You have a large support system, Don, you won't need to worry so much." I smiled. Samantha and I didn't have the best relationship for a while, but we were closer than ever now."

"Hey, Samantha, do you think you could do me a favor?" I just had a thought.

"Sure." She answered with a smile, it wasn't often that I asked her for favors. Pops was watching us with a smile on his face.

"Do you think you could call Jason too?" She looked at me with confusion on her face. "Maybe he can learn from our relationship. I can relate to him as a brother in this situation but maybe he needs to hear from a sister's side of things."

"I think I can do that. I don't know why you guys didn't ask me before." She laughed. She looked at her watch and then stood up. "I promised Eric I'd meet him for lunch. He's got a meeting and then practice till really late. I think they're getting ready for an event they have coming up in December." She shrugged. "Pops, I'll stop by tomorrow and we can talk more just the two of us." She hugged him and then turned to me. "Let me know if there is anything I can do for you and that wife of yours." I nodded and then hugged her. I walked her out and then sat back down on the couch.

"What's on your mind, Son?" Pops sat down next to me.

"What did I do to deserve someone like Cailín?" I smiled and shook my head. I had never made the best decisions when it came to women; I had even messed up a lot when it came to Cailín.

"We never know the answer to that question. She probably asks the same thing about herself. You may not be perfect, but you are perfect for her. She understands your life; she understands what you go through. Cailín understands you more than you understand yourself sometimes. Your mother was the same way." He laughed. He patted me on the shoulder. "She's going to be fine, Don."

"I know, but it still doesn't stop me from worrying." I sighed. "Pops, will do something for me?"

"Anything within my power, Son." I turned my head to look at him. I know what I was about to ask may not be something he could do and I wouldn't be upset if he couldn't.

"Do you think you'd be able to hold on at least until after her surgery?" I didn't want to admit that I need him. "I would really like it if you could be at the hospital with us, but I know that is a lot to ask for."

"I promise that I will try. I don't plan on dying just yet, but I will have to talk to my caretaker about being at the hospital. Though, I guess if I'm going to go anywhere in my condition, the hospital is as good a place as any." He laughed and I couldn't help but laugh too.

"That's all I can ask for, Pops." I hugged him.

"Now, I want you to do something for me." He stood and walked over to the desk. He rummaged through the drawers before pulling a box out. I knew what the box contained. "I want you to give this to your sister, but after I die." He handed me the box.

"Your badge and medals?" I opened the box, though I had already known it held his police badge and service medals.

"You have your own. I want your sister to have mine. I don't have much for either of you, but what I have is in my will. The only thing not in the will is my badge and medals. I want you to give them to her; tomorrow will be hard enough. Today and tomorrow are the only days I want to talk about this death business. The rest of my days I want to be happy and joyous. We both know that death is inevitable, but I will be going out on my own terms at least." I nodded. We talked about sports for the next hour or so.

"Who knew we would have a professional hockey player in the family?" I laughed and so did Pops.

"They are good for each other, though, right?" Pops looked at me. We both had our reservations about Eric and Samantha getting engaged and married so soon, but they had been good for each other. I think they'd only had one fight in their relationship up to this point and it had been about the wedding. Samantha knew that during hockey season, Eric would be on the road a lot and that didn't bother her too much. I honestly think that time apart will only strengthen their relationship.

"They are. They understand each other and they keep each other accountable. Eric treats Samantha like a princess without treating her like royalty. They take care of each other and I believe theirs is a marriage that will last." I stood up and stretched. The caretaker had come in about a half hour ago and Pops had asked her about next Friday. She hadn't given a definite answer but wasn't opposed to it. It would just depend on how my father was feeling on that day. "I should get going. I need to stop by the precinct to put my time in for the surgery."

"You're not supposed to be working the next few days." Pops scolded. I smiled and shook my head.

"All I need to do is put the request in." I hugged him and then headed out to my car. "Hey, babe, I need to stop by the precinct to put in the time off request for Friday. Do you want me to swing by and pick you up before or after?" I called Cailín.

"Before." She sounded tired. I think once this surgery is over she'll be better; she's been tired a lot these past few months and I think a lot of it had to do with the diagnosis.

"Alright, I'm on my way. I should be there in about thirty minutes depending on traffic." There was something else in her voice that made me worried.

"I'll see you then. I love you." Something was definitely wrong. I had this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"I love you, too, and I'll see you soon." I reluctantly hung up the phone. I called Mac.

"Flack, I thought you were off today?" Mac answered after the first ring.

"Mac, is there anything going on at Christine's restaurant?" I asked. There was something nagging at me.

"Not that I am aware of, why?" He was confused.

"I just talked to Cailín. She was at Christine's restaurant and she sounded off. I don't know, I can't explain it, but there was just something off in her voice." I tried to explain. "I know she was tired and had been at the doctor's this morning, but there was something else in her voice."

"Let me call Christine and I'll get back to you." Mac said and then hung up. I was about a block or so away from the restaurant when he called back. "How far are you from there?"

"Why?" Panic set in. "I'm about a block away. What's going on?"

"You're right that there's something going on. Christine sounded off too. I'm on my way with Danny and Lindsay." He answered; it didn't make me feel any better because he sounded worried too.

"What's the plan? We're going in blind since we don't know what's going on, if anything." I asked. I pulled into a parking space around the corner from the restaurant. At least today I didn't look like a detective. I untucked my shirt to cover my gun and badge. "I'm parked around the corner. Do you want me to go in as normal?"

"I guess that's all we can do. We should be there in about ten minutes." Mac said. "I'll call you when we get there." He hung up the phone and then I casually walked into the restaurant.

"Excuse me, Sir, can I help you find a table?" The host asked. I'd never seen him before, but that didn't mean anything.

"I'm meeting my wife, she should already be here." I looked around the restaurant and spotted her in a booth near the bar. "I see her, but thank you." I headed over to the booth and slid in next to her.

"Tá dhá fhear ar a laghad sa chistin agus trí cinn ar an urlár." These were the days when I'm glad we both spoke and understood Gaelic. ("There are at least two men in the kitchen and three on the floor")

"Tá said armtha?" I asked. One of the waitress walked over to the table and I order a glass of water. ("Are they armed?")

"I mo thuairimse, ach níl mé cinnte." She squeezed my hand. My phone rang and I noticed the caller ID was Mac. ("I think so, but I'm not sure.")

"Hello?" I answered on the second ring.

"Don, we're here. Danny and Lindsay are ready to go in as if they are normal people but I wanted to get more information first. Something is going on, right?" He said. I knew I couldn't give any details without alerting anyone. Something was going on but whoever was doing it wanted the restaurant to appear as though nothing was out of the ordinary.

"Yes. The kitchen seems busy today, we might be a little late to the party." I knew Mac would pick up on what I was saying.

"Right. What's the floor look like?"

"It's a little crowded, but not unexpected for this time of the day. I'm sure we'll be out soon." I tried to think of a way to let him know that there were men who were possibly armed. "Hey, if you're not busy tomorrow, what do you think about joining me at the gun range? Cai mentioned that she might like to do some shooting." Cailín looked at me and nodded. She understood what I was doing.

"Got it." Mac understood too.

"Alright, we'll see you soon and let me know about tomorrow." I hung up after that.

"Tá gach rud ceart go leor?" She turned to me. She was pretty calm for knowing what was going on. ("Is everything alright?")

"Tá, chuala tú rud ar bith tábhachtach?" I nodded. ("Yes, have you heard anything important?")

"Ní i bhfad, shíl mé gur chuala mé rud éigin faoi bhuama agus banc." I tried hard not to react to that statement. I tried to rack my head about what banks were close by and why they were using this building for whatever they were doing. ("Not much, but I thought I heard something about a bomb and a bank.")

"Ah bhfuil tú cinnte?" I asked and then took a sip of water as though everything was normal. So far no one seemed to bat an eye at our conversation. ("Are you sure?")

"Nócha faoin gcéad cinnte." I really didn't like that answer. ("Ninety percent sure.")

"Ceart go leor." I pulled out my phone and texted Mac about the bomb, but I didn't use English. I couldn't be sure that we weren't being watched. I wasn't sure how we were going to pull off a take down. There were a lot of civilians in here. ("Okay.")

"Cad a bhfuil muid ag dul a dhéanamh?" Cailíin rested her head on my shoulder. I really didn't know how to answer her question. ("What are we going to do?") "Cad faoi aláram dóiteáin?" Now that was an idea. ("What about a fire alarm?")

"Is é sin smaoineamh, dea-smaointeroireacht." I texted Mac the idea. I wasn't quite sure how we were going to pull it off but it was probably the best option we had at this point. ("That is an idea, good thinking.")

"Tá eagla orm, grá." I draped an arm across her shoulders and pulled her into my side. I really wish stuff like this would stop happening to us. ("I'm scared, love.")

"Is Cuma cad a tharlaíonn, fanacht in aice liom." She nodded. I received a text from Mac telling us to get ready. Christine walked over and sat across from us. ("No matter what happens, stay close to me.")

"I'm on break." She said. Mac sent another text saying that he told Christine to find us and stay with us because they were about to set off the fire alarm remotely. They had already managed to clear the surrounding buildings and the bomb squad was already sweeping nearby banks. Mac had also sent word that S.W.A.T. was waiting around the corner and undercover agents and officers were waiting to apprehend the suspects. Christine was with us for about two minutes before the alarm went off. Everyone panicked and ran for the exits. The two suspects from the kitchen came out and joined the other three. They had confused looks on their faces; I guess they were trying to figure out if they had been compromised. The one I assumed was the leader did not look pleased. Christine and Cailín stood behind me when I made eye contact with the suspects. I was already on the phone with Mac giving him the descriptions of the men. They knew then that they had been made. The leader aimed his gun at me but mine was already aimed at him. Lindsay and Danny had guns pointing their guns at some of the other men. S.W.A.T. had already entered the building. It didn't take long for the suspects to be apprehended.

"Why is it that this kind of stuff is always happening to us?" Cailín looked at me. I was putting one of the suspects in a squad car.

"You speak English?" He turned to look at her. "What were you two speaking earlier then?"

"None of your business." I replied. I looked at Cai. "Tá sé mar sin." I smiled and she laughed and nodded in agreement. ("He's so nosey.")

"Being bilingual can be fun." Cailín said as we joined Danny, Lindsay, Mac, and Christine.

"It can also save lives apparently." Sergeant Donovan came up to us. He was the officer in charge of our S.W.A.T. teams. "Go raibh maith agat." Cailín and I looked at each other and then back at Donovan. ("Thank you.")

"Tá fáilte romhat." I shook his head. I hadn't realized that Donovan also spoke Gaelic. ("You're welcome.") He shook hands with the rest of the group but he was staring at Cailín as though he was trying to figure something out.

"Do I know you?" He asked. Cailín thought for a moment and then realization dawned on her.

"Aiden Donovan?" Her eyes went wide. I tried to figure out how she knew him.

"Donovan was your mother's name?" Somehow I remembered that from all those years ago. She nodded.

"I thought that was you." Donovan hugged Cailín. "It's been too long."

"How are you? I didn't realize you were in New York. Last I heard, you were in Los Angeles. I just spoke to your mother the other day and she didn't mention that you were here." We walked with Donovan to his car.

"I just transferred last month. I haven't gotten a chance to really talk to Mom in a while. What are you up to these days?" He leaned against the car. "I'd love to catch over dinner sometime."

"I've been in New York a little over a year now." She looked at me. "I'm married… as of yesterday." It was still a little weird knowing that she and I were married. "Uncle Rick still owns the Shamrock Pub. We can meet for dinner tonight or whenever is convenient for you. Here's my number, just give me a call." She handed him her business card.

"You're working for the NYPD?" He looked over the card and noticed the Department's seal.

"I'm one of the photographers in the PR department." She looked at her cards. "I got to remember to put in the paper to change my name once I'm back in the office." I smiled. I had told her that she didn't have to change her name if she didn't want to. She decided for work purposes and personally she would change it. For her freelance photography, she would keep her maiden name for a little longer mainly for licensing purposes. It would take a few months for the licensing to be changed over to her married name. It was something she'd already look into.

"Ah. Well, I will see what my schedule looks like this evening and then give you a call. There's debriefing and paper work, so it may be best to meet for dinner tomorrow, but I'll still call you later." Donovan looked at me with narrow eyes as though he was trying to remember something. He shrugged it off and climbed into the car and drove away.

"What was that look about?" Cailín looked at me.

"I have no idea. I actually forgot that he was your cousin when he transferred. The name didn't register." We walked to my car. I opened the door for her and then got into the driver's seat. After starting the engine, I let out a deep sigh. She squeezed my shoulder. "I almost hope he can't do dinner tonight."

"I know. Let's go home." I nodded and pulled out into the street.