Chapter 36
Last day

They had saved the shopping and space needle for the last day. Maria was walking with Sean, her arm through his as they navigate the icy sidewalks. Jack hanging back with him. "It's good she's here…' Jack says softly and Danny raises an eyebrow, 'makes it real for everyone else."

"Real?"

"They only get to see her during dinners… this way, they have seen you guys…' Danny nods, giving a small smile, 'they get to see what we see."

"Yeah,' Danny winces as she slides, both her and Sean laughing as they steady her. 'Gonna give me a heart attack."

"She's fine." Jack promises and Danny breaths, tries to remember that.

Frank shakes his head as Danny slides up beside her, his hand sliding over her shoulders as he dips and whispers something in her ear that causes her color slightly and pinch his side. They are taking their turns taking pictures and he calls their attention. Watching as they both glance over and snaps a picture before they are really focused on him. Before taking a second staged photo. Had to admit them standing next to each other with wide smiles was a good sight. It was a better sight as Sean called her over to look out one of the telescopes at some boat in the bay and she heads that way easily. Giving the younger boy her full attention, he had spied one of the Navy boats in the bay and was probably launching into a full history lesson on the boat.

The soft smile on Danny's face as he stepped close enough to be with them but far enough away to give them their moment caused Frank to smile himself. Nodding slightly before Jack called his name and he turned his attention to him.

"You know. I knew…' Erin said as she stepped beside her Dad, 'but it didn't make sense."

"What?" Frank asked softly,

"Danny and Maria.' Frank just raised an eyebrow at her. 'She's so different from Linda."

"She is. But she's strong, she cares, she knows the job, she knows him."

"Yeah… I know. I do. This has helped, they've kept everything so close to the vest that I didn't know."

"No one knew. That's probably a good thing. Let them discover their way on their own... without us trying to make them explain it before they could."

"Yeah," Erin says softly as she took a sip of her coffee, "We can be a little bit like bulldogs when wanting information."

"Hey Dad. The boys want to do some last minute shopping but Maria's leg is about done for."

"I'll get her back to the hotel."

"Thanks."

He smiles as he steps up beside her, feeling her hand loop through his arm. "Ready?"

"Yeah.' It's clear she's tired, and the half pause in her steps also clear she's hurting but they make good time. 'Never thought I'd be here."

"Here?"

"Danny and I… on vacation with you guys, just don't have anything to compare it too."

"No? Not close with your family."

"I was… then I became a cop and they swore that I was being reckless. Selfish. Punishing them for something."

"Family can be hard, us included."

"I've heard the stories." Frank can't help but chuckle,

"I'm glad you came…' Frank says softly, watching as she gives a small smile,

"Yeah?" He pats her hand where it was wrapped around his arm.

"Yes. It's clear to see why my son is so protective about this. He cares about you."

"I care about him too."

"I can see that too… and I know my son. I know when he's serious about something and he's serious about this." He watches as she gives a quick nod and a smile.

"Thank you. Really. Thank you."

She undoes the strap and settles on the bed. Carefully lifting her leg onto the bed and a pile of pillows. She doesn't remember drifting off but she wakes when the boys get there. "Hey. You guys have fun?"

"Lots of fun… look!" Sean holds up a hoodie and she smiles at the picture of the Navy boat he had showed her in the bay.

"That's pretty cool."

"Too bad we couldn't see it this trip, closed for renovations or something." Sean mutters,

"Maybe next time you are out here." Maria says and he nods, gesturing to her leg.

"How are you feeling?" Jack asks softly and Maria gives a small smile.

"Good… think I was just on it too long."

"Alright. Scram, go pack up."

"Okay."

Danny smiles as he watches them disappear into the next room, pulling the door closed behind them.

"How are you really feeling?"

"It's pounding." She says honestly and he nods, stretching along beside her. "Better now that it's up on pillows."

"You take anything?"

"I have." She promises, feels his hand slide over her stomach as he presses against her side. Tilts her head to lean against his own as he invades her pillow.

"This has been nice,' he says softly and she nods, 'my father try and scare you off?"

"No… opposite really."

"You know the Reagan's are impossible to get rid of."

"I do.' She says softly, letting her eyes close as she enjoys his warmth and closeness. 'I'm pretty stubborn myself."

"Hadn't noticed…' he quips and she laughs 'not once in 6 years."

"Ass." She smiles as his hand slides up and down her side before he hums, settling, sliding towards sleep. "Didn't Frank mention something about dinner?"

"Boys will wake us. Go to sleep."

They do, a couple of hours later and he smiles as she blinks at them before humming her agreement. It's not far but it's a nice place, food delicious and he enjoys the way she laughs with Erin and Nikki. The ease of the night. The way everyone just clicks together. He doesn't resist the temptation to run a hand over her back, share a smile with the boys and just… relax.