A/N: Now I really get this party started. And welcome to my usual Monday two-for.
Chapter 4
Frank woke up around his usual seven the next morning. He kissed the skin showing on Kate's back with the silk negligee she was wearing and then softly crawled out of bed to use the bathroom. As he was washing his hands, Beans appeared in the doorway, wagging her tail at him. "Hi you," Frank whispered, drying his hands. "You're supposed to be keeping a munchkin warm who's sleeping on the couch."
Beans turned her head to Casee appearing in the doorway. "Hi grandpa," she yawned. "I'm cold. Can I curl up with grandma?"
"You bet Casee," Frank smiled, pulling her into his arms. Casee wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. Frank held her close, rubbing her back. "You are an ice cube," he said, walking to Kate's side of the bed. He gently shook Kate's shoulder.
"Frank?" Kate groggily asked.
"In coming," Frank smiled, pulling back the sheet, blanket and comforter off Kate. He gently put Casee in Kate's arms. "You two snuggle and conk back out. I'm letting Beans out." He covered them both back up.
Kate smiled at him. "Love you."
Frank bent over and kissed Kate's cheek. "Love you too."
"Me too grandpa," Casee yawned. Frank kissed her cheek as well. Fifteen minutes later, Frank was following through on his words to Byron last night. He was snoring into Kate's ear, spooned up next her with his right arm around Kate and Casee. Beans hopped onto the bed and joined them.
A bit later, Frank woke up to someone pulling up the bed coverings behind him. He rolled on his back and smiled at Liam climbing in. "You too?" he whispered, putting his arm around Liam.
"Sam is a blanket hog," Liam responded, snuggling up to Frank. Frank covered himself and Liam back up. They both fell back asleep.
Kate woke a bit later, rolled over a bit and nudged Frank. "What time is it?"
Frank lifted his head to look at the alarm clock. "Just about eight-thirty."
"Your dad will be here in an hour. I need to get moving." She moved around Casee to get out of bed. Frank put a sleeping Liam on his chest, slid a bit more towards the side of the bed and then put Liam on the mattress. He got out of bed as well.
"You take your shower," Frank whispered. "I'll start the coffee, get a fire going and then shave."
"Sounds like a plan," Kate smiled, kissing him.
An hour later, Henry Reagan came in the dining room patio door. "Good morning Pop," Frank smiled at his dad, rising off the stool he was sitting on at the kitchen island. "How are you?"
"Good morning Henry," Kate smiled, pulling a pan out of the oven. She added more sausage links to the pan and put it back in the oven.
"Good morning both of you," Henry smiled, sitting down on a stool. Beans appeared at his side for some pets. Henry smiled, rubbing her down. Frank poured Henry a mug of coffee and pulled the half-and-half container out of the fridge. He set the mug and creamer in front of his dad.
"I'm fine. But a little bewildered."
"Pop?"
"Henry?"
"How many sausages do we three need for breakfast?" Henry asked.
Frank smiled at his dad, pointing at Casee and Liam coming into the kitchen from enjoying the fireplace on the sofa. "There's two more deadheads upstairs," he smiled at his dad.
"Got it," Henry smiled as the kids each sat down on a stool.
Frank looked at Kate as she started browning another batch of sausages. "I'm assuming that huge jug of apple juice in the fridge is for the kids?"
"You assume correctly," Kate smiled, pointing at a stack of plastic glasses on the kitchen counter. "Please use them." She looked at Henry. "This is Liam and Casee," Kate smiled at Henry. "Jake and Jenna's two kids. Liam, Case, this is Frank's dad Henry."
"Really?" Liam wide-eyed looked at Henry as Frank put a glass of apple juice in front of Liam.
"Really," Frank smiled, rubbing his hair.
"Really," Henry smiled at Liam.
Frank rubbed Henry's shoulder, giving Casee a glass of juice. "And Pop, this one's real name is Katherine Elizabeth," he smiled.
"As it should be my lady," Henry grinned at Casee. "You are a spitting image of your grandma."
"And my youngest one," Kate smiled at Henry.
"Latitude and longitude," Liam grumbled.
Henry looked at Liam. "I feel ya kid," he winked.
"Thanks Pop," Liam smiled back.
Kate looked at Liam. "Excuse me? Where did you hear that?"
"Come on grandma," Liam said. "You know dad is a huge Jimmy Buffet fan. Every time I complain about Case getting special treatment, that's what dad says."
"I don't get special treatment," Casee defended.
Kate whistled. "Let's just end this argument right here." She looked at Liam. "She is the youngest."
"And looks like you grandma," Liam said. "I get it. Doesn't make it perfect."
"There's that Liam. But that is not carte blanche with me and you know it. I don't play favorites," Kate said. "And neither do your parents."
Liam looked at Kate. "I know grandma. Sometimes, I just get tired of hearing all that." He looked at his sister. "Sorry Case."
"It's OK Liam," Casee smiled.
Henry winked at Frank. "What's on the rest of the menu this morning Kate?" he asked.
Kate smiled at him. "It's grandkids Henry."
"Take a guess Pop," Frank said.
Henry looked at the kids. "I think we have pancakes in our future," he smiled.
Kate stirred up the pancake batter in a large plastic measuring up. Frank looked at her. "Kate, would you like me to do them?"
Kate smiled, moving to her griddle she had plugged in on the kitchen counter. She nodded at the small blue can of Crisco lard and brush she had lying there. "I'm fine. Just get my griddle greased up for me so I don't miss any spots."
"Yes ma'am," Frank smiled, kissing her cheek.
Kate expertly poured the pancake batter to make the kids four small pancakes each. Frank put the pancake syrup container in the microwave to warm up. Henry watched with interest as Kate put the large measuring cup down and held her hand over the griddle. She moved her hand to find the first pancake she poured. "So that's how you do it," Henry proudly smiled. "You feel for the void in the heat from the griddle to find the pancake."
"Busted," Kate smiled, flipping another pancake. When she got to the last one, she looked at Frank. "Plates please," she said. Frank handed her one. Kate put the first four on the plate. "Trade you," Kate smiled. Frank took the first plate and handed Kate the second.
Frank put the plates in front of the kids as Kate moved to the fridge and pulled out the gallon of milk and the container of soft butter spread. Frank opened the oven and pulled out the pan of sausages. "Liam, how many do you want?"
"Three please," he answered. Frank put them on Liam's plate.
"Casee?"
"Two please grandpa," she answered.
Kate poured milk for the kids and set them on the island. Henry moved them in front of the kids. Kate looked at the kids. "Let's pray."
When they finished, Casee looked at Henry. "Can you help me butter my pancakes Pop?"
Henry smiled. "Yes I can sweetheart."
Kate looked at Henry. "How many pancakes do you want Henry?"
"Usual size?" Henry asked.
"Yes, I'll make you the big kid size," Kate smiled at him.
"Three please," he smiled back. He looked at Frank. "And a bit more coffee please Francis."
Liam looked up. "Francis?"
Frank smiled at him. "That's my given name."
"Francis Xavier," Henry winked at Liam.
"That's a mouthful," Liam snarked.
Frank playfully pushed Liam's head as Kate started more pancakes.
When Kate was finished with the second batch, Frank handed the first plate to his dad. Kate put the other three on a plate. Frank put the plate on the island. "Kate, please sit down and eat. The other two will be up soon. I can make my own."
"I cook for you," Kate argued.
"Not today grandma," Frank smiled back, kissing her. "Please sit."
"Frank…"
"Kate, grab the sausage pan for you and Pop and sit down."
"Yes Commissioner Reagan," Kate smiled at him.
Frank shook his head, pouring his pancake batter on the griddle. Henry winked at the kids with a smile.
Kate, Frank and Henry were enjoying their coffee and chatting together after they finished. Liam and Casee were watching TV in the living room with Beans joining them on the couch. Frank heard the key in the front door and Beans ran towards it, giving out a sharp bark. "Francis?" Henry questioned.
"It's OK Pop," Frank smiled. "It's just the boys and their wives coming to get the kids."
"Kate," Henry whispered. "Jake and Jenna you already mentioned. A little help."
Kate smiled. "Josh and Kelsey," she whispered back.
"Got it," Henry smiled as the two couples came in the door. Liam and Casee ran to their parents for hugs with Jake and Jenna pulling each of the kids into their arms.
Josh and Kelsey came into the kitchen. "Good morning you two," Kelsey smiled at Kate and Frank.
"Don't worry mom," Josh smiled. "The four of us met for breakfast at O'Malley's."
"I haven't been there in years," Henry said. "Still the best Josh?" he asked, looking at him.
"Yes it is," Josh smiled, shaking Henry's hand. "And good to see you again Henry."
"Likewise Josh," Henry smiled. "You too Kelsey."
"You as well Henry," Kelsey smiled, rubbing his shoulder. "You do this often?"
Henry winked at her. "I let them do their thing Friday night. They cook me breakfast Saturday morning."
"Works for me," Jake smiled, still holding Liam. "Good to see you Henry," he said, shaking his hand.
"You too Jake," Henry smiled. "Hi Jenna."
"Hello Henry," Jenna smiled, holding Casee. "It's been a while."
"We know who to blame for that," Henry winked.
Kate raised her hand, waving it around. "All me," she smiled.
Josh looked at his mother. "Our two aren't up yet?"
"Josh," Kate said, "they are adolescent boys. They are growing daily. They need sleep and fuel."
"And how late did you let them stay up last night mom?"
"Sam was in bed by ten," Frank said. "Kate and I were in the pool area enjoying a drink and a sharing a cigar when the light went out in the library. Byron came down to wish us good night."
"But your mom is not cooking at Denny's," Kelsey growled at Josh.
"I'm on it," Josh said.
""Joshua, you whistle up the steps to get the boys up so help me…" Kate started.
"Mom?" Josh said.
"That hurts Beans' ears. Get your butt up the steps."
"And I'm not guiding you around," Josh said, heading for the steps.
Kate smiled at Frank. "At least one of them gets it."
"Kate?" Frank asked.
"Who is more important around here than them," she winked at Frank with a smile. "And they have to play by the sitter's rules."
"Sitter's rules my butt," Jake growled. "We've had to play by the rules of the lady of the house since we came out of the womb."
"What's the old saying Jake?" Kate asked.
"You brought us into the world, you can take us out," he laughed. He and Jenna put the kids on their feet. "Go get dressed you two," he smiled.
"Get moving," Jenna added. "You both have floor hockey games starting at noon." The kids ran off.
Just then, Jay and Traci, along with Jeff and Abby came in the door. Kate looked at them as they joined the group in the kitchen and warmly greeted Henry. "Really?" Kate asked.
Jeff smiled. "The table was for eight at O'Malley's."
"And the verdict was?" Frank seriously asked as Josh walked back into the kitchen.
Jay looked at Frank and shook his head. "Come on Frank," he smiled. "You, Mary, mom and dad were friends for how many years? Dad was so proud when Erin joined the DA office to be part of the Reagan legacy of serving."
Jeff chimed in with a grin. "Dad would always say..."
"Erin earned it on her own. I didn't put my finger on the scale," the boys said together.
"Thank you guys," Frank smiled. "I appreciate it. He paused for a few seconds. "And for the record, I do love your mother. Very much." Kate's four sons and their spouses smiled at the couple.
Jeff looked at Frank. "However, as son number two, I drew the short straw to ask the big question," he smiled.
Frank looked at him. "Really Jeff? At our age?" Frank smiled. "Unless it New Year's Eve."
"I cook steak and lobster," Kate added.
"And I have a chilled bottle of champagne here at the house," Frank grinned.
"I wake up naked the next morning," Kate smiled at her sons. The boys started to respond with usual male stuff. "Can it all of you," Kate growled. "Your dad did the same thing. Big fancy dinner, champagne, same morning results." She pointed at Josh. "I contend to this day," Kate said, putting her index finger on the kitchen island, "with your October third birthday," she pointed again at him, "you were conceived that New Year."
The family, including Henry, all roared with laughter. Jay looked at Frank. :"Other than Henry," he smiled, "how is your family with this?"
"Pop is the only one who knows right now," Frank said.
Henry looked at Frank. "Guess again Francis." Frank and Kate looked at him. "Erin stopped by last night to talk to you," Henry said, looking at Frank. He looked directly at the couple. "I love and support you both. I won't lie for you."
Kate's sons all smiled. Jay spoke up. "Frank, I will tell you this. We all have no problem with what is happening with you two. We are thrilled mom is happy again. Because of you," Jay smiled at Frank. "We're all in. All of us."
"Thank you Jay," Frank smiled. "I deeply appreciate that." Frank turned serious. "Why do I think I'm hearing a 'but' from you?"
"You are," Jay grinned, with a bit of a laugh. "All of us McInerney boys would love to be a fly on the wall Sunday at the Reagan family dinner." Jeff, Josh and Jake laughed as well.
Henry pulled out his cell, handing it to Jeff. "You boys put in your phone numbers for me. I'll text you the play-by-play replay," he grinned. The four boys laughed more.
Byron and Sam came into the kitchen, looking around. "What's going on?" Byron asked.
Jeff smiled at him. "Just a family vote of approval for grandma and Frank."
Brinny shook his head. "That should be a no brainer." He hugged Kate.
Sam looked at Frank. "My dad and my uncles can be numbnuts at times."
"I get it Sam," Frank smiled, giving him a hug. "I've got my own."
Byron looked at Frank. "Did you keep your promise to me," he grinned with a question.
"I snored in your grandmother's ear very well," Frank grinned back. Brinny gave him a hug.
"Kate," Kelsey started.
"Kels, I cook for my grandkids that stay the night," Kate said, pouring the pancake batter on the griddle.
Jeff and Abby smiled at the scene. "We're out," Jeff smiled.
"Right behind you," Traci smiled.
"Guys?" Henry said. They looked at him. "I walked up here. But now I have a belly full of your mom's pancakes and sausages. Would one of the two of you mind dropping me off at the house?"
"No problem Henry," Jay smiled.
"I'll grab your coat Henry," Traci smiled. She moved to the chair in the dining room, took the coat off the chair and helped Henry into it. Byron and Sam poured their own glasses of milk and apple juice and sat down at the kitchen island.
"Thank you sweetheart," Henry smiled at her.
"Pop," Frank said, pulling the pan of sausages out of the oven, setting it front of the boys. "I'll see you at mass tomorrow." Kate put the plates of pancakes in front of the boys. Frank pulled the syrup bottle out of the microwave.
"Francis?" Henry asked. Kate's sons smiled at each other.
"We loved having the kids last night," Frank smiled. "Tonight, it's us time."
"Enjoy you two," Henry smiled.
Bryon held out his left hand, palm up. "Give me some rock star." Frank slapped it with a grin.
"Grandma, hold up your right arm," Sam said. She did. "So are you gram," he grinned, giving Kate a high five.
-0000-
The Reagan family was sitting around the table for their traditional, every Sunday after mass, family dinner. It as the usual with laughs and some contention. As they were finishing, Sean looked at his grandfather. "What's for dessert grandpa?"
"I don't know Sean," he smiled.
Sean shook his head. "You made dinner. You do dessert."
The doorbell rang. "Pop can you please," Frank smiled at him.
"Sure Francis," Henry said, getting up from the table.
Frank looked at Erin. "I assume you made some phone calls Friday night," he cheekily smiled.
"I did," Erin grinned. "One didn't go the best."
"Let me guess," Frank smiled at her.
"Hi Kate," Henry smiled in the foyer. "Come in."
"Thank you Henry," she smiled back.
"Jamie, a little help," Henry said, getting Kate in the door. Kate let Beans go to get her coat off with Henry helping her. Henry gave Beans a pet.
"Hi Kate," Jamie smiled. "Good to have you back here again."
"Hi Jamie," Kate smiled back. "It's good to be here again." She handed the insulated casserole container to Jamie. "That literally just came out of the oven so it might be warm. Please be careful."
"It smells wonderful," Jamie smiled, taking it to the table.
"That smells fantastic," Jack said as Henry escorted Kate into the dining room.
"Jack," Jamie said, "get another chair for Kate."
"Got it Uncle Jamie," he smiled, getting up.
"Thank you Jack," Kate smiled. "And congrats on the STEM Award. That's awesome and I'd love to hear about you and your team's project."
"Thanks Kate," he smiled.
Kate looked toward Sean. "How are you?"
"So ready to find out what's for dessert," he grinned.
"Open it up," Kate nodded with a smile.
Sean unzipped the carrier. Erin stood up. "Hi Kate, welcome back," she smiled. "What does that dessert need?"
"Plates and the ice cream bucket," Kate smiled at her.
"And one bowl Erin," Frank added.
Sean gently lifted up the aluminum foil over the top of the Pyrex pan and looked. He shook his head. "Share numbnuts," Danny said.
"It's apple cobbler," Sean smiled as Kate and Nicky shared a hug.
"It so good to see you again," Nicky said. And then stopped.
Kate hugged her tighter. "I'm blind. Don't worry about how you talk around me." She let Nicky go to look at her while still holding her. "You were my surrogate granddaughter when I didn't have one," Kate smiled at her.
"I know," Nicky smiled. "I loved having you teach me how to swim."
"Me too," Jack smiled.
"Me three," Sean added. Danny pushed his head.
Jamie tried to touch the glass casserole dish. "Hey Erin! Add two hot pads and something to sit the dish on."
"Got it," Erin said from the kitchen. She came back into the dining room with Frank pulling Kate into a deep hug, kissing her cheek. Erin smiled at everyone at the table.
Linda stood up. "You cut Erin. I'll do the ice cream." Jamie took the hot pads from Erin and pulled out the Pyrex casserole dish. Erin set down another hot pad on the table and Jamie put down the dessert.
"That's a thing of beauty Kate," Henry smiled.
"Thank you Henry," Kate smiled back.
"I'll take that bowl please Erin," Frank said. Erin handed it him. Frank smiled at Erin. "One of the important guests gets dessert first," he winked, nodding at Kate taking off Bean's guide dog harness.
Frank handed the bowl to Linda and smiled at her. "Give me a few," he said, as he petted Beans and then looked at her. "You know it's ice cream," Frank smiled. Beans happily barked back.
"Linda, one scoop only please," Kate smiled at her.
Linda smiled, handing the bowl to Frank. "Come on you," he smiled at Beans. Erin continued to put pieces of the cobbler on plates, handing them to Linda.
"Pop first," Linda smiled, handing the plate to Danny. "Pass it up to him please."
"Oh sure, you're gonna rub it under my, Jack and Sean's nose, sending it up to Pop," Danny growled.
Linda batted his arm. "Yes. Live with it."
Kate winked at Nicky, sitting down at the table. "Some things never change."
"With Uncle Danny?" Nicky grinned. "Never."
Jamie smiled at Kate. "Can I get you something to drink?
Kate looked at Henry with a wink. "I'll take a cup of your new coffee brew please Jamie," she smiled. "I know the half and half is already on the table," she smiled.
Jack looked at her. "You want open and honest? I'm in. How?"
Kate smiled. "I've had coffee with your grandparents too many years kiddo." She smiled again. "But I'll give you the honest second answer Jack" Kate smiled. She outlined to the Reagan family what she told Frank last summer as they all enjoyed their desserts.
Danny, forever the detective, looked at Kate. "You've got all our admiration," he smiled. "Please just answer me one question." Kate smiled at him. "You two sleep together?" Jamie and Erin barked at Danny.
"Down you two," Frank smiled at them. He looked at his oldest son. "Honestly Danny, at our age, your observation is fairly accurate."
Danny shook his head, looking at his dad. "So you're not going to even brag?"
Frank glared at him. "Not to this family."
"I have an announcement to make," Kate smiled, getting the convo to her. "Since I'm back in the picture again, the pool area is open, and all of you are welcome. And it's now sixty-eight degrees year around with a water temp of eighty-two," she smiled.
Jack looked at Sean. "Sweet!" the boys said, sharing a high five.
Kate looked directly at Danny. "You," she said, pausing for effect, "might want to avoid the hot tub," she grinned. Frank smiled, giving Kate's shoulder a squeeze. The family roared with laughter, giving the couple the usual Reagan sass.
Frank and Kate smiled through it all. Frank looked at Kate. "Last night wasn't bad either," he grinned.
"No, it wasn't Frank," Kate grinned, rubbing his shoulder.
Everyone was getting ready to leave later that evening. Nicky, Jack and Sean were finishing giving Kate a hug good-bye. Jamie looked at Kate. "Can I give you a ride home Kate?"
Kate softly shook her head, smiling at him. "I'll be fine Jamie. Thank you."
"I'll walk her up Jamie," Frank smiled.
Jamie grinned. "So you can give her a proper good night?"
"That's part two," Frank smiled back at Jamie.
Erin winked at her grandfather. "Danny really wants to know what is part one," she grinned. The rest burst into laughter.
"No I don't," he growled, putting on his coat.
"Danny," Kate said. "It involves a glass of single malt Irish whiskey for each of us and sharing a couple puffs of a cigar, sitting around the pool."
Danny shook his head. "Still TMI for me." He looked at Kate. "And you're a doctor. You're supposed to frown on smoking."
"It's a shared cigar detective. And as I said, just a couple puffs," Kate smiled at him, with a challenge. "As a doctor, I have no problem with that." She closely looked at Danny. "But you're missing something detective," Kate said, winking at Henry.
"Use that gold first class detective shield," Frank smiled at him.
Danny shook his head. "It's not the first time," he said. He looked at Linda and the boys. "We're out of here."
Linda gave Kate and Frank a quick hug. She followed Danny and the boys out the back door.
Erin put her arm around Kate's shoulder. "He's Danny. I'm sorry."
Kate smiled, pulling Erin close to her side. "Erin, I've known Danny since he was three. I know his big-ass bravado game. It's all talk." She smiled. "And yet, somewhere down the line, which I pray never happens, I know he'll back me with the walk."
Erin deeply hugged Kate, kissing her cheek. "I'm so happy for you two."
"That means a lot Erin," Kate smiled.
"I'm in too," Jamie smiled, hugging Kate.
"Grandpa?" Erin asked.
Henry smiled. "I get a home cooked breakfast every Saturday morning. What's not to like?" he winked at his only granddaughter, smiling at Jamie.
-0000-
Three weeks later, on a Tuesday night, Kate was just getting ready to head to bed. Her cell rang. Henry calling her cell said. Kate picked it up and answered it. "Henry? Why are you calling?" Kate felt a clutch in her stomach.
"Kate, Frank was shot outside of Delmonico's."
XXX