A/N: I loved writing this story. It was the story I had in my brain and I got it "on paper". That said, this chapter, and the next one, were the ones I enjoyed writing most.

You get a weekend two-fer. :D

Chapter 10

The next morning, Henry was coming down the steps at the house when he heard a knock at the back door. "Coming," he shouted. Going into the kitchen, he looked, smiled and opened the door. "Hi Joe, come on in," Henry smiled. "How are you?"

"Hey Pop," Joe Hill said. "I'm so, so sorry. I was working a case but I tried to keep up as much as I could on social media. How's grandpa?"

Henry softly smiled. "We all figured as much. Your grandpa is doing fine. As a matter of fact, I was just going up to see him and get some lunch."

"Pop?"

Henry grinned, grabbing his coat. "You drive me up. I'll explain."

Henry got in Joe's car and noticed the backseat. Joe looked at him. "Pop, one long story at a time. You first," he said, starting the engine.

"Then go around the corner and drive up the alley," Henry pointed. He filled in Joe on how Frank was doing and why he was staying with Kate. "Pull in there," Henry pointed.

Joe parked his car. "So, Kate is an old family friend?"

Henry grinned. "Be prepared for some stories about your dad," he said, getting out of the car. "Joe, show your shield to the security camera," Henry pointed.

"Pop?"

"Joe, they still haven't caught the guy that shot Frank. Just do it," Henry said. Joe did. He looked at his great-grandson. "Where were you five years ago?"

"Pop?"

"Answer the question."

"Just out of the Academy, walking a beat."

"Does the name Jack McInerney ring a bell with you?"

"Of course Pop. He was the DA that got killed in a car bombing."

"He got assassinated Joe," Henry said. "And Kate was severely wounded in that attack. She's blind," Henry said, putting in the security code to the back patio door.

"Pop, the term is visually challenged."

Henry smiled. "You haven't met Kate yet," waving Joe onto the patio.

Joe looked around as he and Henry started to walk across the patio. "Kate's sons protect their mother with private security. With your grandpa here, they've got back-up with his detail."

Joe shook his head. "They are doing one helluva job."

Henry got to the patio door and smiled at Beans deeply wagging her tail, awaiting his arrival. Henry turned the handle and pushed the door open. "Hey you," he smiled, giving Beans a big rub. Beans softy barked at him. And then moved to Joe.

Joe smiled. "I take it you aren't part of the security around here."

"No she isn't," Frank smiled, walking up to Joe. "Kate knows her own home. Beans is off duty and my napping partner."

"Grandpa," Joe started.

"Don't Joe," Frank smiled. "I knew your assignment. Everyone else figured it out. I'm just glad you're here now," he added, putting his hand on Joe's shoulder, guiding him to the kitchen island.

Kate was helping Henry out of his coat. "Hi Joe," she smiled. "Welcome. Take off your coat." She nodded at the entryway to the garage. "You can hang it up there with Pop's," she smiled at him.

"Got it," Joe smiled, taking Henry's coat from her. He rejoined the group, sitting down at the kitchen island.

"Kate, this is my grandson Joe," Frank said.

Kate put out her right hand. "Pleasure to meet you Joe. Once again, welcome. And relax. I'm the most laid back one of this crew." Beans barked at Henry for another rubdown. "Other than Beams," Kate grinned.

Joe shook her hand. "Pleasure to meet you Kate. Pop tells me you knew my dad."

Kate looked at Frank. "Can we please eat lunch before we go down memory lane. My Irish temper might rear its ugly head."

Joe looked at Henry. "Your dad and Kate's and Jack's third son Josh were Frick and Frack around this neighborhood. They were legend. And not for all the right reasons."

"Got it," Joe smiled. Kate put a big bowl of macaroni salad on the island with some chips and ranch dip. Frank spread out the plates.

"Who wants what to drink?" Kate asked. For the next forty minutes, they all laughed through lunch, with Kate telling stories of Josh and Joe's dad and their shenanigans.

Henry looked at Joe. "Your turn."

"Pop?"

"You gonna tell them or me?" Henry growled.

Joe shrugged. "I'm sorta homeless right now. When we get done here, I'll be looking for a cheap hotel room."

Frank shook his head. "Let me guess. Your initiation into the group you were after was to check out your place. And they trashed it."

Joe nodded his head. "They pulled every piece of clothing I had out of the drawers and closet. And pissed on them." He paused with his cheeks showing some red.

Kate smiled. "I have four sons. I cleaned up more piss around toilets than you can say in a week."

Joe smiled. "They slashed the hell out of my furniture and bed and broke everything they could get their hands on."

"Why your car smells so bad," Henry said.

Kate looked at Joe. "Tell me you arrested them all."

"We did," Joe answered.

Kate looked at Joe. "When is the last time you slept?" Joe just shrugged at her. "No answer. I'm taking that as in you can't tell me. Then," Kate said, "number one, I'm a doctor. Albeit a blind one. But I'm still good. You are exhausted. You run Pop back down to the house. Then come back. There is a bedroom upstairs with its own bathroom and TV. When you wake up tomorrow, we all can talk more. But you'll have to get by me to go to a cheap hotel today."

Henry looked at Joe. "I'd take that if I were you," he softly smiled.

Frank looked at Joe. "I don't argue with her," he smiled.

Kate looked towards Joe. "I fried your dad's ass for less," she nearly growled.

"Come on Pop," Joe smiled. "I need to sleep."

"Wise choice," Henry smiled at Joe.

Joe looked Frank and Kate. "Give me a half-hour. I need to hit that Target down the road for a few things."

"Park in the alley when you come back," Frank said. "Pop can give you the security code."

-0000-

Kate was swimming lazy laps in her lap pool the next morning when she heard the patio door open. "Who goes there?" she said, putting her arms on the ledge.

"Me," Joe said. "Mind if I take a swim in my briefs?"

Kate smiled. "I can do you one better. Head into the changing room," she nodded towards the corner of the pool area. "I've got bins marked by size that have swimsuits from my sons and grandsons. You'll find one to wear."

"How many grandsons?" Joe asked, heading towards the corner.

"Nine," Kate replied.

Joe stopped. "Really?"

"Really," Kate grinned. "And my youngest is a granddaughter for me to spoil."

When Joe came back out, Kate was toweling off. "When I woke up, I looked out the window. You were putting in a mean workout."

"Swimming is the easiest workout for me even though I walk with Beans every afternoon," Kate smiled. "And I did my fair share of competitive swimming back in the day."

"I can tell with how you did a flip turn," Joe smiled, walking down the steps into the regular pool. "How far did you go competitively?"

"I had a coach that was pushing me towards the Olympics. But in the space of three months, I got married, accepted to medical school and pregnant. That ended that," Kate said. Joe sunk down in the warm water in the middle of the pool. "Take your time Joe. When I go in, I'm going to get the oven warming up for breakfast and take my shower. Breakfast is an hour and half out. Henry won't be here until nine."

"Thanks Kate," Joe smiled.

Joe, showered and dressed, walked into the kitchen a little before eight-thirty. "It smells wonderful in here," he smiled as Beans demanded her usual attention.

"Egg bake in the bottom oven, cinnamon rolls in the top oven and fresh brewed coffee," Kate smiled back. "Pour you a mug?"

"Please," Joe smiled, sitting down at the island, petting Beans more.

Kate put the mug on the island. "Cream or sugar?"

"Nope, black." Joe took a sip. "This tastes wonderful."

"My secret, low acid brew. I've already covertly got the Reagan clan converted. Don't tell," Kate winked.

"My lips are sealed," Joe smiled. "How's grandpa?"

"Shaving," Kate replied. She looked at Joe and smiled. "I'm glad you made yourself at home last night."

"Kate?"

She grinned. "I'm a mother. I sleep with one ear open. I heard you raid the fridge."

"That macaroni salad hit the spot again," Joe smiled.

"Good," Kate grinned back

Frank came into the kitchen, putting his sweater on the island and rubbed Joe's shoulder. "Good morning," he smiled.

"Good morning grandpa," Joe said.

Frank pulled Kate into a deep hug, kissing her behind her ear. "Good morning my love."

Kate kissed him back. "Good morning. I love you too."

"Ummm, I can go back upstairs for a bit," Joe smirked.

"At our age?" Kate and Frank said together, looking at him.

Joe laughed. "Thanks again for letting me bunk here."

"You're more than welcome Joe," Kate said as Frank poured himself a cup of coffee. He sat down at the island. Kate helped him into his sling and sweater.

"How much longer with the sling grandpa?"

"At least two more weeks," Frank replied.

"Really?" Joe asked.

"One of the bullets nicked an artery and a major muscle," Kate explained. "They need down time to heal."

Joe grinned. "I'm afraid to ask Kate."

Frank shook his head. "I told you yesterday Joe. I know her Irish temper. I don't mess with it."

Kate winked at Joe. "Do I need to run down and get Pop?" he asked.

Kate shook her head. "The TV weather guy says," she pointed at the small flat screen in the corner by the ceiling in the kitchen, "it's already forty degrees. No ice worries for him falling."

"And he likes the walk up," Frank added.

Henry came in the patio door a few minutes later. He took off his coat, putting it over a dining room chair and rubbed down Beans. He walked into the kitchen, putting a jar on the island. "Good morning Pop," Joe smiled. "What's that?"

"Our neighbor Maggie Chavez's homemade salsa. Your grandpa and I respect Kate's touchy stomach. But we like her egg bake with a bit of a kick."

"And with a name like Chavez, Maggie does it right?" Joe asked with a smile.

"Yes she does," Henry grinned.

A little later, Kate was cutting the egg bake as Frank was pulling the cinnamon rolls out of the oven. Joe popped an eye open, taking a peek around the island as Kate said a different prayer than his family.

After they all had their plates filled with Joe diving into the egg bake, adding salsa as well, he looked around the island. "Can I ask?"

"Kate is Protestant," Frank said.

"With an Irish temper?" Joe replied.

Kate told Joe the story about her younger brother. "I get it. My sympathies Kate."

"Thank you Joe," she replied.

Joe looked around the island a bit later. "I am stuffed. Thanks Kate. This was great."

Kate rubbed his shoulder. "You're welcome. Best compliment a cook can get," she smiled.

"So when is the big talk?" Henry asked.

"After you are out the door," Kate said.

"Francis?" Henry asked.

"Pop, everyone sitting at this island knows your bias. The bottom line is it is Joe's decision. That he talks to Kate and me about. Rationally and without bias."

"You were huge yesterday Henry being the hammer," Kate said. "Thank you. But Frank is right. This convo is between the three of us only."

Henry got off his stool and moved to the dining room table, yanking his coat off the chair. "Fine," he growled.

"Don't forget your jar of salsa," Frank said, holding out the jar to Henry.

Henry snatched it out of Frank's hand and went out the patio door, not so subtly shutting it. Kate smiled at Joe. "He'll get over it."

Joe shook his head. "I'm in you two. With conditions."

"Such as?" Frank asked.

"Let me contribute. To the food and replacing the laundry stuff that I need."

"That's easy and workable," Kate smiled. "Grandpa wants to cook pork chops on the grill for dinner tonight. I forgo getting one of my daughters-in-law to place a grocery order and send you out the door with my grocery list. And the laundry is a two way street. Your grandpa and I need things washed as well. We do it together."

"We also need your help on something else," Frank said. "A big project."

"Grandpa?"

Frank smiled. "Getting a marriage license online for Kate and me. And you do not tell the big mouth," Frank gestured towards the patio door that Henry just left. "That's between the three of us. And only us right now."

Joe grinned. "For real?"

"For real," Frank smiled.

"When's the wedding?" Joe asked. "I don't want to miss it."

"You won't," Frank said.

"Grandpa?" Joe asked.

"I may be on the DL. But I'm still the Commissioner. I had Abigail check. Your captain has you on paid leave for two weeks. Then light duty for two more."

"Your grandpa is on the same kind of deadline before he goes back to work. So am I with a vacation scheduled that we can make a couple get away. Why we need your help Joe," Kate explained. "Our timeline is a bit tighter."

"I'm in," Joe beamed.

An hour later, Joe was sitting at the island, working on Kate's laptop that her family used for them doing her online ordering. "Mother's maiden name," Joe said to Kate.

"Mary Katherine, with a 'k', Thornton."

"And father's?"

"Patrick Ryan Murphy."

Joe shook his head. "Can you two be any more Irish?" he smiled.

"Yup," Kate smiled. "Now tell me what you'd like on your bland Iceberg lettuce salad for dinner."

"Kate?" Joe replied.

"Hard-boiled egg. Grated cheddar cheese. Diced onion, carrot, celery, tomato."

"All of the above," Joe smiled.

Kate looked at Frank. "He's a problem child like you," she smiled.

Joe finished the license application. "Hitting the complete button," he smiled at the couple.

"Thank you," Kate smiled, handing Joe a pad of paper and a pen. "Here's my grocery list."

Kate started to tick off items. "Time out Kate," Joe said. "What's a roma tomato?"

Kate smiled. "You know what a cherry tomato is?"

"Yes."

"And you know what a regular tomato looks like."

"Of course," Joe replied.

"A roma is between those two sizes and is oblong like a big egg."

"Got it," Joe smiled.

An hour and a half later, Joe walked into the kitchen, carrying a case of beer with four grocery bags on top of it. He set it down on the island and looked at Kate. "You gave me a grocery list that was in total order of the store aisles," he whispered with Frank curled up in the recliner with Beans.

Kate smiled. "Joe, even with their expansion into the mega-store they have now, I know how Murphy's arrange a grocery store being a customer for nearly thirty years. I like going there every once in a while to get out of the house. I made it simple for you."

"You did," Joe smiled, pulling the grocery bags off the case of beer. "Where does this go?" he asked.

"Put some bottles in the fridge," Kate nodded. "The rest can go in the beer fridge in the garage."

Joe came back into the kitchen to Frank awake and sitting at the island. He opened Kate's laptop and checked her email. "Hey you two," Joe smiled, taking a drink of the beer he brought in for himself while Kate handed a beer to Frank. Frank opened it, handed to Kate and then took the second one she handed to him. "You're approved. You just need to show up at City Hall in Brooklyn, sign off on the license application and pay thirty-five bucks."

Kate looked at Frank. "I've got fifteen."

"Why am I paying twenty?" Frank challenged back.

"I'm female and you like that every now and then."

Joe laughed. "TMI in my world," he smiled. "But grandpa," he grinned. "I'm on grandma's side on this. You pay the twenty," he smiled, hugging Kate. She wiped away a tear in Joe's embrace.

Frank smiled. "I'll have Jimmy set up a quiet way for us to pick it up tomorrow on the way home from my doctor appointment."

A bit later, Joe was on the patio with Frank, watching him cooking the bone-in pork chops, enjoying a beer with his grandfather. "You know what you're doing with that pork," Joe commented.

"Jack and I had cooking chops on a Weber down to a science. It's like riding a bike."

Joe smiled at his grandfather. "You really love her. Why I think you're not going to mind me calling her grandma."

"Yes Joe, I do," Frank smiled. He paused to gather his thoughts. "Your grandmother was the love of my life. She and Kate were like sisters with all the kids being so close in age. Mary is gone. And then Kate lost Jack. So horribly. Cancer or assassination," Frank said, shaking his head. "It's not fair. But we need to move on."

Joe rubbed Frank's right shoulder. "I'm really happy you are Grandpa. Kate is amazing," Joe smiled, taking a drink of his beer. "I hope grandma doesn't mind."

"Yes, Kate is," Frank grinned, doing the same with his beer and then put it in his left hand hanging out of the sling. "And Mary would have full buy-in," Frank said, rubbing Joe's back. "Why I'm so happy and comfortable with all this." He looked at Joe. "I hate being alone. I've got someone to grow old with."

Joe grinned. "Here's to you and grandma growing old together," he smiled, raising his beer bottle to Frank.

While they were eating dinner, Joe looked at Frank and Kate. "I've got three apartments to look at tomorrow."

"Good for you," Kate smiled.

"Can I wade in on one thing putting on my commissioner cap for a second?" Frank asked. Joe looked at him. "If you are going undercover, they should supply you with a flop house."

"Flop house?" Kate asked.

"An apartment other than your own," Joe explained. "And they usually do. This case dropped on us like Dorothy into Oz. We had to move fast. Some corners got cut."

"I heard." Kate looked at Frank. "I talked with Sid for a bit this morning."

"Do I need to take away your cell Francis?" Kate asked.

"I'm not refereeing a fight," Joe smiled.

"I'm starting to feel better Kate," Frank said.

"That's what I'm afraid of," Kate fired back. "You doing too much, too soon."

"It was one phone call," Frank defended, "checking on not one but three of my undercover detectives. The pooch got screwed. It needed to be addressed."

Kate looked at Frank. "You know that Troy is our techno nerd."

"Who could get past the NYPD security on my cell in less than five minutes. Message received," Frank said.

"You don't need the referee shirt," Kate smiled at Joe.

Joe gave his grandfather a sideway glance. "I get the not arguing with her part," he softly smiled.

Later that evening, Joe was drying Beans after their swim and shower rinse off when Frank and Kate came out on the patio with their nightly glass of whiskey. "Hey!" Joe smiled. "Mind if I join you?"

"We'd enjoy it," Frank smiled.

"Grandma, what do I need to do with Beans?" Joe asked.

"Joe, take her in the patio door to our bedroom and take a left. Just inside the door of the bathroom on the left side behind the door next to the shower is a light switch. It warms the area outside of the shower door. Beans and the rug will do the rest," Kate smiled.

"Got it," Joe smiled.

"The bottle of whiskey is on the island Joe," Frank said. "Kate set out a glass for you."

"Thanks grandpa."

Ten minutes later, Joe joined them on the patio, pushing Frank's feet that were up on the patio coffee table over more towards Kate's so he could sit down. "There's one more thing I need to talk to you two about," Joe said.

"Sounds serious," Frank said.

"It is," Joe replied. He slightly hung his head and then looked at Frank. "I know about the thing honoring dad at John Jay on Saturday."

"And?" Frank said.

"I want to be there. To honor my dad," Joe said.

"But?" Frank said.

"I'm not ready to be One PP Kennedy royalty. A true Reagan. I'd probably get my ass kicked in the squad locker room for not telling them."

"I get that Joe," Frank said. "We all do."

"Who says you have to be a One PP Kennedy?" Kate asked. "I'm not looking forward to that part on my end when your granddad and I get married. But your dad does need to be honored. By all of us. Including you. Whether no one else knows or not." Joe looked at her. Kate could feel his eyes. "Do you really think Josh and I won't be there?" she smiled. "And with all the Catholic higher ups being there as well as all the NYPD brass? We're gonna slide in the back, take our seats and honor your dad. You slide in and sit next to us, no one will notice."

"Kate is right. You won't be the only NYPD gold shield in that room wearing your uniform," Frank added.

"And while all the press is doing their thing after the ceremony with the pictures, we slide back out," Kate said. She looked at Frank. "You call Garrett, I chew you a new one."

"I totally agree Kate," Frank said. "Garrett doesn't need to know a thing. And because he won't, it will fly by the press even more." He reached behind Kate, unsettling her.

Joe shook his head. "I can leave." Kate shook her head at Joe with a smile.

"Do we have to tell you again how old we are?" Frank growled, pulling out his silver cigar case from under the cushion of the couch he and Kate were sharing.

"Nope," Joe smiled, as Frank lit his cigar. He took a puff and handed it to Kate. And washed down the favor of the cigar with his whiskey.

"That is good," he smiled.

"Yes it is," Kate grinned after doing the same.

Frank held out the cigar to Joe. "Care to join us?" he smiled.

XXX

A/N: John Jay is the John Jay College of Criminal Justice located in New York City.

Yes. I like the Joe Hill character as well. I wish he would pop into a Sunday dinner a bit more often.