Linda O'Shea, soon to be Reagan, smiled at her ring. It had a classy gold band, and a good sized diamond- but not too big that it was considered gaudy. Her fiancé had told her it was "classy and beautiful, just like you."
"So," Erin leaned on the table, "I've got this really cute idea for your dress."
"What?" The blonde wondered, looking up.
"It's got a Queen Anne's neckline, tiny little sleeves. It's perfect."
"That sounds cute, but-"
"When are you gonna have babies?" Henry interrupted. "And how many?"
"When? How many? Uh, I guess-"
"Are you even going to be able to have kids?" Jack Boyle wondered, looking at Linda pointedly.
"Of course-"
Everyone started talking at once, leaving the blonde very confused. "Wait, that's not- I don't think-" she frowned, "everybody... shut up!!"
The family looked to Linda.
"I'm sorry, but when did my engagement, my planning, and my wedding become The Reagans engagement and planning and wedding. I've already got a dress, yes, we're gonna have babies, I don't know how many, and where do you get off saying 'if you can'. What the hell is that supposed to mean? It's my wedding! And the only advice and suggestions I'm gonna take from you guys is flower arrangements, who sits where and with whom, and should we have cocktails or a minibar? A girl only gets to get married for the first time once, and there is no way I'm gonna let you guys take over. Okay?"
The family looked at each other, nodded, then smiled and clapped.
"Wow," Danny smiled, enjoying her surprised face.
"That was much better than Jack's," Jamie stated, stabbing his green beans.
"What?" Linda wondered, still very confused.
"It's sorta a tradition," Danny explained, "when somebody new comes into the family, as in marrying into the family, we pick touchy subjects, and see how they react."
"Oh, so not only do you have stubborn asses, but you have smart mouths as well."
"You can't shirk tradition, Linda," Joe stated, looking to the ceiling.
"I can shirk anything I want to."
Dinner was quiet and awkward after that, everyone worried that Linda would pop.
"Which subject was the touchiest?" Erin asked Linda as they washed dishes.
"Children. Especially that 'can you even have any' comment. Because I'm not entirely sure that I can."
"Why not?"
"Because I think I might have endometriosis. I've got some-a the symptoms. All of them, actually, except two, but I can't attest to those yet."
"What are those?"
"Infertility and painful sex."
"Have they checked you out or anything?"
"They say there's nothing that gives them concern, and they keep putting me on higher dosages of birth control... but is it normal that you can't even breathe without pain? I've lost sleep before from the pain. That's not normal at all."
Erin frowned, "who do you go to?"
"Williams. I haven't seen her in a while, cause the nurse thinks I'm over exaggerating."
"Try my doctor. Here," Erin grabbed a napkin and a pen and wrote down the information. "She's really good, and comes highly recommended."
"So did my doctor. And look where that got me."
"Just try her. She actually listens and asks lotsa questions."
Linda smiled and pocketed the napkin. "Thanks."
"No problem."
