Chapter 49
October
She shakes her head as Sophia climbs up onto her lab. Both arms wrapping around her neck, pressing a kiss to each cheek. "Hi!" She whispers like she sharing the best secret.
"Hola baby.' she whispers back, loving the giggle that it gets. 'What did you do today?"
"Mama took me to the park!"
"She did... what did you do?"
"I went on the slide and across the bars all by myself!"
"You did?" Sophia nods quickly, Maria smiling as Paul drops into the chair across from her. Danny had chased her out of the kitchen when one of the kids kept popping their head in.
"Did you tell her what you told Abuela?" The small shit eating grin on his face caused her to raise an eyebrow. "About what you are gonna be for Holloween."
"Uh oh." Maria whispers, "Are you gonna be a frog?"
"No!' Sohpia said as she wrapped both arms around her neck. 'I'm gonna be the best thing ever."
"You are?"
"I am!"
"And what's that?"
"You!"
Paul smiles at the startled laughter that gets out of Maria, watching as she gives her niece a small smile. "Oh?"
"Yeah! Mama said I could be whatever I wanted so I'm gonna be a police officer! I got a hat and everything. Daddy bought it for me."
"Oh dear.' Maria murmurs, glancing over to see Paul give her a kind smile. 'how she take it?"
"It was colorful." Paul answered after a sip of his beer.
"She said a lot of bad words...' Sophia says softly and Maria tucks the flyby hair behind her ears 'but you know what I told her?"
"What?"
"That she should remember those words when she has to call 911 and no one comes because they are mad at her."
"Sophia!"
"They were bad words!" Sophia defended and Paul's laughter is smothered underneath a cough.
"Abuela about had a heart attack." Paulie says as he sits at her side. "She couldn't even say anything."
"Guess that's why she cancelled."
"Oh its not just you. I'm in even more trouble.' Paul says with a smile. 'because I am the one that caved to her 'childish' notions."
"I'm gonna be the bestest cop! Just like you! Mama has a picture! Mama!" Maria watches as Ana appears around the corner.
"I've been summoned.' Ana teases as she shakes her head at the two of them. 'yes tiny one?'
"Where is the photo of my costume? So I can show Auntie that I am going to look just like her!" Ana pulls out her phone, flipping to the image and rotating it to show Maria.
"She tell you want she told Mami?" Ana laughs at the slightly amused look that falls over Maria's face before she reaches forward and takes the photo, her entire face melting as she stared at the image.
"Baby... you look beautiful."
"Just like you right?"
"Even better.' Maria answered immediately. 'you're gonna keep everyone in line!" Maria glances up and catches Danny leaning against the wall, his eyes locked her. The soft smile on his face tellnig her where his thoughts are. Meets his smile with one of her own.
"Dinner ready?" She asks,
"Yeah. It's ready."
"I'll chase the kids to the table."
"I'll help carry it out." Paul says as he raises.
Thanksgiving
"You can't wiggle out of it this year.' Danny says, watching as Maria glances up at him before back to the overtime sheet.
"It's one day." She shoots back, "I always work Thanksgiving Danny."
"Which means you can take it off this year… it's just like dinner."
"No it's not or you wouldn't be pushing it." She mutters as she walks away from the sign up sheet.
"We do a round the table thing of what we are thankful for, have dinner and just enjoy the day."
"If I don't work and I don't go to my mother's dinner I'm never gonna hear the end of it."
"If you do work and you don't go to dinner. You also won't hear the end of it."
"You're family understand working holidays."
"When needed. It's not needed."
"Danny…' she sighs as he holds her gaze. 'You're telling my mother."
The scowl that takes over his face makes her smile.
She frowns as she hears his voice from the kitchen, rubbing the towel over her hair. "Yes Ms. Baez I know… I know but it's a really big deal for my family and she wants to see you guys too. Friday… no we are both off Friday… okay… we will be there Friday." He clicks off and glances up to see her leaning against the door frame with a knowing smile.
"So… what did you just agree everyone too?"
He has the grace to look a little sheepish. "She's gonna move her plans to Friday… expects us to be there at 4."
"Right."
"It will be fine."
"Sure it will.' She appeases, watching as he walks up to her.
"She likes me well enough."
"She likes the boys. She tolerates you." Danny smiles, pulling her into a hug, his hand sliding into her hair.
"I'll take it." He whispers it into her ear, before squeezing lightly, "You know...' he pulls back, giving her a smile that causes her insides to melt. 'I should apologize..."
"Oh?" His hands walk up her sides, before back down slowly. "How exactly do you plan on doing that?"
He loves that her eyes flutter closed as he pushes his fingers beneath the hem of her shirt. "Got a couple of ideas... involves a few less clothes though."
"I like the way you think.' he laughs, meeting the kiss before feeling her pull back. 'first one naked gets first choice."
She's halfway to the bedroom by the time he brain re-fires.
She has to admit that Thanksgiving with his family was the same as dinner. Just more of it,
"So… what are we thankful for this year."
"We're not starting me with me.' Maria says firmly and Erin laughs, taking the lead.
"I'm thankful for our health, great friends and my promotion."
"I'm grateful that school is almost over and I can move on with my life." Nikki deadpans "And that everyone is here again this year and a new face." She toasts towards Maria who returns the smile.
"I'm glad that this year has been good to us and that high school is almost over." Jack says with a smile.
"I'm glad the promotion is going smoothly,' Jamie says 'that the house is settling with the changes. That we're all here to share this together this year."
Eddie next, "I'm grateful that everyone is here and that I'm not the only Non-Reagan at the table this year." That gets a chorus of laughs and Henry taking a moment to give a small smile.
"I know that this isn't everyone's favorite holiday,' Henry says with a smile towards Maria, 'But I'm glad that everyone is here to celebrate it with us this year."
"I'm glad that through everything…' Sean says as he tips his glass to the table. 'Everyone always checks in and makes sure that we're okay."
Danny squeezes his shoulder before smiling as all eyes drop to him. "I'm thankful that everyone is here and that everyone is healthy." He says as he turns his eyes towards Maria "That you've stuck around this long."
"I'm glad to be here, to share this with people who truly care about me. I'm grateful that everyone has been so supportive and accepting of all the changes this year."
Frank smiles as all eyes turn towards him. "Just like last year… I'm glad that everyone is here, that they are safe, and that we are happy."
"Amen' Erin says softly, hearing the echo of it around the table.
Danny watches as Maria takes a slow deep breath, "It's just a couple of hours."
"So he says." She mutters as she knocks on the door, feeling his hand on her back. Ana pulling open the door.
"You're early!"
Danny can admit that it's louder, more everywhere and while the conversation was civil there were definite barbs tossed in beneath some of the words. Carmen was great with the boys, warm enough to Danny but barely said anything to Maria at all. Ana and Paul did their best to fill in the gaps and all in all it's a good evening. Danny raising with her at the end of the meal to help clear the table. Ana and Paul distracting Carmen with the grandkids.
"It's been good.' Danny says softly and Maria gives a half shrug.
"I know I shouldn't let her get to me…' he presses a kiss against her temple. 'It's just hard."
"Come on. Let's go home."
