Note: Blue Bloods goes back and forth on whether Joe Reagan or Danny Reagan is the oldest of Frank and Mary Margaret Reagan's four children. I am basing my take on the episode "Common Ground" Season 8, Episode 7. Frank tells a story about Joe and Danny, and he states Joe is the oldest. This was written after the introduction of Joe Reagan's son, Detective Joe Hill, but takes place in what we hope is Season 11 at Thanksgiving.
I hope I have time after shift to pick something up to bring to Thanksgiving – but what? Joe Hill asked himself as he poured coffee into his travel mug and ran out the door. This would be his first Thanksgiving with his Dad's family…with the Reagans. His mom was not too keen that he had been spending so much time with them. In addition to Sunday dinners he helped Uncle Danny move Jack home from college last spring – when he finally met Jack; though he knew him pretty well from Sean's stories. And then helped take him back, to his single, Covid-19 ready apartment back near campus. He spent time with his Uncle Jamie and Aunt Edie. He was helping Uncle Jamie fix up his Dad's car, the Chevelle. It took months, but he finally understood what happened to his Dad, the Blue Templar, and what the Reagans will do for one of their own. He was excited to know Aunt Edie was expecting, but it was their big surprise to announce at Thanksgiving. He hadn't met his cousin Nicky yet, but since they Facetimed once a week, he had gotten to know her, though he thought, it will be nice to meet in person. Even though they met 8 months ago, he hadn't been able to crack his Aunt Erin. Being a cop, he tended to side with Danny, Jaime, Edie, and Pops at the dinner table. His favor thing though, was Saturday mornings with Grandpa Frank fishing off the docks. Grandpa Hill took him crabbing in South Jersey when he was a kid, but this was different. He could tell when Frank looked at him, he caught glimpses of his Dad.
There was no announcement that he was a long-lost Reagan. It was kind of like people knew who needed to know. During the week everyone was their titles: commissioner, ADA, detective first grade, sergeant, patrolman, but on the weekends, they were his grandfather, aunts and uncles. All except Pop. Henry Reagan was his great-grandfather every day of the week.
A few weeks after meeting the Reagans, Henry called him and invited him out to breakfast. Not in Bay Ridge, but in his Brooklyn neighborhood. His choice. He met Henry at his favorite neighborhood haunt, the Wagon Wheel. It had the best breakfast this side of the East River. Henry had two eggs over easy with bacon, home fries, and toast. "Don't tell your Aunt Erin", Henry spoke up after placing his order. "She gets on me about my cholesterol all the time," Henry rolled his eyes. "Your secret is safe with me Pops." Henry was easy to talk to and he told great stories of the "olden days" back when he was commissioner and before. The Reagan police history went back further than I thought, Joe said to himself. Joe had ordered a cheese and mushroom omelet with toast. "Can we get some more coffee, please?", he said to the server when she brought the food. He was starving. Henry had started a story about when his Dad and Uncle Danny were little. Joe and Danny would fight like cats and dogs, but if anyone looked at Danny the wrong way Joe would always protect his little brother. "Our Sunday dinner banter might take some getting used to, but that's in the family. To those outside the family we always have each other's backs. If someone needs something, we will always be there." Joe wondered, am I enough of a Reagan for that to mean me too?
When Joe arrived at work he was called into a briefing with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. ATF agents were going after a shipment of guns coming in from Boston. The NYPD Firearms Investigation Unit often worked with ATF on joint operations. It was believed that guns were smuggled south from the coast of Maine. The exchange was going down in 3 hours at a warehouse on the westside. Joe already had his Kevlar vest on and was gathering intel when his partner Kevin O'Brien met up with him. He and Obie headed to their car to get to the location and into place. Obie was the only one he told about his Dad. He and Obie were at the academy together, so he knew Joe's longing to know his Dad.
They got to the warehouse. The FIU team, along with ATF, surrounded the place where the meeting was to go down. Jesse Perconte, a local gangbanger with ties to remnants of the old Westies Gang showed up with what was thought to be 50 kilos of Heroin laced with Fentanyl. He was meeting 3 guys, who everyone assumed were the arms dealers from Boston, who were part of a gang linked to the Caribbean and Canada. The guys were showing Perconte the contents of a large box truck. The exchange went down and as the two parties got ready to leave ATF and NYPD moved in. The arms dealers didn't seem surprised as they raised their weapons. From buildings above groups of armed men started shooting at the ATF agents and police. The law enforcement agencies quickly realized that this was a setup and tried to pull back. Obie and Joe were in too deep with little cover. They tried to pull back as fast as they could. Joe saw Steve Turner, who he just ribbed that morning about last night's Jets game, was cut down by the snipers' bullets. Joe ran to him to drag him to cover. Steve's partner Alex Gleason grabbed Steve's other arm to help Joe, until he caught a bullet in the back. Obie screamed, "come on Joe, we have to get outta here!" Joe got Steve and Alex into the clear, protected behind a forklift. Then he saw an ATF agent who was pinned by sniper fire. Joe had a good shot and took it, only to have another sniper shoot him from behind. Joe could feel the sharp pain in his back as he started getting dizzy, then felt his face hit the pavement.
"Yes sir, I will tell him right away." Detective Abigail Baker dialed Garrett Moore, Deputy Commission for Public Information. "Garrett, get Sid and meet me in the Commissioner's Office, it's an emergency." Baker jumped from her desk and opened Frank Reagan's door. "Commissioner, we have a situation, Garrett and Sid are on their way up." "What's going on Baker?" Garrett and Special Assistant to the Commissioner Sid Gormley got to the door and Baker ushered them in. "There was a joint ATF and NYPD-FIU operation this morning to seize drugs, and arms coming in from Boston. Apparently, it was a setup, and a number of ATF agents and NYPD officers were killed or injured. I am waiting for the scene commander to send the list." "Where were they taken?" Frank asked. "Some to St. Victors and some to Mount Sinai," Sid replied as he was getting off of his cellphone. "What the hell happened?" "Apparently this was a setup." Sid continued, "ATF got bogus information from a mole, they are looking into it now. Seems they had the brunt of the casualties, but we did lose a few of our own." Baker returned from her desk, she looked grim. "We had 4 casualties, and have 12 in area hospitals. 3 are likely and 9 others are or will be undergoing surgery shortly. One of the 9 is Joe Hill, commissioner." "My Joe Hill?" Frank fires back at Baker and all of them stare at Frank. "Damn. I lost Joe I cannot lose his son too. Paula was right, I should have protected him while I had the chance. This can't be happening again!" Frank fell back into his chair. The weight of this brought him to his breaking point. After taking a minute to regroup, "Baker, please call Pop and tell him, what hospital?" "St. Victor's, and I will let him know." "And Baker will you tell my detail that I need to head to St. Victor's?" "Yes commissioner." "Garrett with me. Sid find out what the hell happened." "Yes boss."
Henry Reagan got off of the phone with Detective Baker. Not young Joe. Henry took a knee. "Dear Father, please be with our young Joe. Guide the surgeon's hands to repair the damage and bring our Joe back to us, Amen." Henry Called Danny, Erin, and Jamie. Danny and Erin said they would let their kids know and Jamie would call Edie. Henry took a cab to the 86 Street Station to take the R Train into Manhattan. He then took a cab to St. Victors. As Henry walked into the hospital, he thought to himself, it was nine years ago I had my heart attack and was brought here by ambulance. I am thankful that I can walk in here on my own two feet. He headed to the Emergency Room.
Frank checked in with the officers and their families when he got to St. Victors. Joe was still in surgery when he got there, but he saw Pop in the waiting room. As soon as he turned the corner Paula Hill was almost on top of him. "This is YOUR fault. YOU did this. You didn't protect your son, and now you didn't protect your grandson! What the hell kind of parent are you? If my son dies it is on your conscious and may it eat you up for the rest of your miserable life! Get the hell out of here and leave my son alone. You are NOT wanted here!" Paula's friend came over and pulled her away trying to calm her. "She's right, but I cannot leave my men." With that an army of Reagans arrived. Erin, Nicky and Jack home for Thanksgiving, Sean, Danny, Jamie and Edie came in and sat with Pop. "Any news?" "No nothing yet. But apparently that was Joe's mother and she is not too pleased with your father."
Later that evening after shift Danny went to a familiar place in St. Victor's. "Hi Sarah." "Danny Reagan, it has been a long time! We really miss Linda, how are you doing?" "Some days are better than others. Hey I am looking for Joe Hill's room, NYPD?" "Sure, last one on the left, friend of the family? He's my nephew." "We'll take extra special care of him. His mother just left." "Good, I want to go sit with him. She doesn't like our side of the family. You have a good night." "You too Danny, don't be a stranger – call if you need anything." "Thanks, Sarah." As Danny walked into Joe's room, he saw that Joe was hooked up to lots of machines, though he was breathing on his own. Danny looking up to the ceiling, "Well Joe, you didn't know when you were alive, but I guess you have been waiting for your son to meet us ever since you left. He is pretty amazing; he's a chip off the old block!" Danny pulled up a chair next to the bed. "Well big brother we need your help. If there is anything you can do on your end to help Joe, we would really appreciate it." Danny just sat back and watched his nephew sleep. Around 1AM there was a tap on his shoulder. "Dad?" "Yeah, why don't you head home, I will take a shift." "Are you okay?" "No, but I feel better being here. With him. I owe it to him, and to Joe." "Dad, you know his mother is wrong. You couldn't have protected him any more than you could have protected Joe, or any of us." "I know. But as a parent it doesn't mean you don't want to." Danny has seen his father face the deaths of his mom and his brother; 9-11, other terrorism plots, but he has never seen his father look so old, so broken. "Joe will pull through. He's a Reagan." He tapped his father on his shoulder and said good night.
Frank slipped out at 6AM, before he could run into Paula. Frank arrived at One Police Plaza after going home to change and get some coffee. Sid was waiting outside of Frank's Office ready to debrief him on the failed operation. "What I learned from talking to our guys and what I could get out of ATF was that they had flipped a member of the local gang and used him as a mole for the last year. However, he turned on them and set the ambush up with his gang. Apparently, no one was supposed to make it out alive, however the mole didn't know that NYPD was part of the sting, so they had more officers there than expected. It was lucky that they did. Several of our officers provided cover fire for the ATF agents, which helped them to get out. Our officers pulled some of their agents out. I know you don't want to hear about your family, but Joe Hill pulled out two fellow FIU officers, Steven Turner and Alexander Gleason; and he took out a sniper that pinned an ATF agent saving him, before he was shot himself. He is a hero." "Sid how many times do I tell you not to single out my family?" "I know boss, but I thought that you would want to know." "Thanks, Sid."
"Good morning sunshine! How are you feeling today?" "Whaaaa? Detective you were brought in yesterday with a gunshot wound to your back. How are you feeling?" "Sore, tired, groggy. Where am I?" "St. Victor's Hospital and I am Nurse Sarah, let me know if you need anything and we will hook you up. The doctor is doing her rounds and will be in to see you soon." "Thank you!" Joe looked around, yup this is a hospital room. He had been to St. Victor's before, a fellow officer in his house had been injured on the job and he went to visit him. This place sure looks different as a patient." "Joey? Oh, baby I am so glad you are awake. How do you feel?" Paula leaned in to kiss her son on his forehead. Then gave him the once over to see how he was for herself. Joe looked down. "What's wrong honey? Are you in pain?" "No ma it's nothing." "Spill!" "I just hoped that some of the Reagans would be here. "The Reagans! Don't get me started on the Reagans! I told you they were trouble! Your grandfather should have protected you, but now look at you! You could have been killed! I sure as hell don't want to see any Reagans around here!" Joe thought he could literally see steam coming from his mother's head. "Mom, what did you do? Mom?" "I am sorry, but I told Frank Reagan off when I saw him yesterday. He didn't protect your father, he didn't protect you, and he can rot for all I care!" "MOM! This is where I want to be. You need to come to terms with it once and for all! I really like the Reagans Mom. Whether you like it or not, they are my family too." Knock, knock. "Detective Hill, I'm Dr. Keller. How are you feeling?" "Great, doc. This is my mother Paula Hill." "How do you do Ms. Hill? Detective, you were shot in the back, but it missed your vital organs and spinal cord, you were very lucky. We would like to keep you overnight for observations, but we think you can be released tomorrow." "That's great, thank you!" After Dr. Keller left, Joe says, "Mom I am fine, you don't need to be here. Why don't you keep your plans with your friends and go to Vermont for Thanksgiving. I will call you if I need anything, but I am sure I will be fine." "Are you really sure? Okay, baby. I really don't like you with them, but I guess there is nothing I can do. I love you!" "I love you too ma, Happy Thanksgiving!" "You too honey." Nurse Sarah came back into Joe's room after Paula left. "Detective, this is a very special floor in this hospital. This is the Linda Reagan Wing. It was named for a nurse who gave her life trying to save a patient. Linda was a dear friend of mine. I was happy to see her husband, my good friend Danny Reagan here last night after your Mom left. He was here until 1AM when the police commissioner arrived. He sat here until 6AM this morning." "What? Uncle Danny and my grandfather were here?" "Yes sir! And there has been a whole camp of Reagans in the waiting room since you were brought in yesterday. I think the former commissioner was here while you were in surgery. Would you like to see them?" "Yes please!" "I will be right back." Nurse Sarah headed out to the waiting room. "Excuse me, Mr. Reagan?" "Yes?" "Detective Hill is awake and would like to see you." "Fantastic! You kids go in, I'm going to call your father." "Francis? Joe is awake and we are going in to see him, yes I will give him your best, you take care!" Henry headed in to see his great-grandson.
"Well Joe you gave us quite a scare!" Henry said at the door to Joe's room. Erin, Edie, Sean, Jack, and Nicky took up the seats in Joe's room. Jack went to get up to give his great-grandfather a seat, but Henry put his hand on Jack's shoulder, "that's okay Jack, I am good. It is good to be up and walking around after a whole night on those hospital sofas". "It is so good to see you all" Joe smiled. He was sore, but really happy. "I am so glad I was coming home for Thanksgiving, so I could be here now" Nicky exclaimed, being her usual bubbly self. "Yeah it is great to finally meet you, I just wish I wasn't in a hospital bed. Now that you and Jack are home, the four of us will have to go out." Sean felt so good to be included. Erin had stepped out of the room to talk with her investigator Anthony Abetemarco. There was an FBI field director with him. "I don't give damn. We lost 7 officers and have 9 more recovering in the hospital. Someone has to pay!" "ADA Reagan I understand your frustration, I am upset too. The ATF had even greater casualties. We need to find Perconte and his crew, and make the charges stick. The Joint FBI, ATF and NYPD Task Force is working hard to find them. How is your nephew?" "Better thank you. He was lucky, we all were". Erin walked back into Joe's room. Joe could see his aunt was rattled. In the short time he knew her he believed nothing could rattle ADA Erin Reagan. "Aunt Erin?" Sean saw it too. "Mom?" Nicky caught on. Erin just looked at Joe and the tears started to flow. She sat on his bed reaching out to hug him. "You are so much like your Dad. Not only do you look like him, but you have his mannerisms. You really scared me. I thought we lost you. I thought we lost you too!" "Oh no, I am here just in time for the waterworks!" Danny Reagan said standing in the doorway. "Come on sis, Joe is fine, but he is likely to pop a stitch you're hugging him so tightly." Everyone laughed and Erin pulled back enough for Joe to reach up and wipe her tears. He whispered, "I love you too Aunt Erin." "How ya doing kid?" Danny asked his nephew. "I am better, I need to find out about my team. Aunt Erin, what did you say was the count?" "We lost 7 NYPD officers and in addition to you, we have 8 officers recuperating in the hospital." "Damn." Joe grimaced. "Obie, did Obie make it out?" Joe started to get out of bed, but Erin wouldn't let him. "Joe you need to stay in bed. Who is Obie?" "My partner, Kevin O'Brien, or Steve Turner or Alex Gleason from my unit?" Joe looked back and forth between Erin and Danny earnestly hoping one of them had answers. "I don't have a Kevin O'Brien on any casualty or injury lists. Steven Turner was injured and he is in the ICU recovering from his injuries. They were severe, but he is improving. I am sorry Joe - Alex Gleason didn't make it." "I am sorry too, kid. But Turner and that ATF agent have you to thank for being alive. You're a hero buddy." Danny pointed out proudly. "Do you know when you are going to get out of here?" Jamie asked. "Tomorrow" Joe replied. "Well if you would like you can come to the house to recuperate..." "Thanks Pop, but I would feel more comfortable at home." Joe replied. "Edie and I can look in on Joe, we are close by." Jamie mentioned. Nicky spoke up, "Jack, Sean, and I can hang out with Joe to make sure he has what he needs," Nicky chuckled. Joe got his answer. He was a Reagan, and Reagans are there for you when you need them. He looked forward to his turn to be there for them.
Two days later it was Thanksgiving. There was a light snowfall making the air crisp in Bay Ridge. Erin, Pop, and Jaime were at the house preparing all of the Thanksgiving trimmings. Edie was finishing up parade duty, Danny was wrapping up a case, and Frank and Garrett were preparing his remarks for the series of funerals that would start on Friday. He was so thankful that he didn't need to attend Joe's. Frank also checked-in with his unit commanders to make sure that everything was safe and sound in the city that never sleeps. Nicky, Joe, Jack, and Sean had decided to make pies for Thanksgiving. Unbeknownst to everyone, Joe is a great baker. Two apple, three pumpkin, a cherry, a blueberry, lemon meringue, and French silk later, the four of them, in Danny's car, headed to Grandpa's house. Sean had the 3 pumpkin, but everyone else carried two pies each into the kitchen. "Wow, those pies look amazing!" Pop announced. "We're pretty proud of them," Jack stated. "How are you feeling kiddo?" Pop asked Joe. "Great Pop, I have been in good hands," looking at his cousins. Will you guys set the table please?" Erin asked. "Sure" they said in unison. "Sean, would you get the flower arrangement we left in the car?" Nicky asked. Sean went and got the flowers, then helped to set the table. Sean had his own surprise for the day, so he was eager to get it started. Edie just arrived. She had gone home to shower and change. She was excited to share her and Jamie's news with the family.
Frank and Danny came in about 15 minutes apart. Dinner was ready and everyone was sitting at the table. "Wow this is a beautiful table, and I am blessed this Thanksgiving to have all of you seated around it," Frank smiled. He truly felt blessed. "I concur," Pop said proudly. "We lost Joe 12 years ago, and we miss him every day. But we have been blessed to have his son in our lives, our family, and we are richer for it. Not only is young Joe a small piece of Joe we have back, but he is an extraordinary person, a solid cop, and a Reagan." Danny, Erin, and Jack shared their blessings. Nicky went next. "I am blessed having my family and my new cousin Joe, but I have some news. After being in San Francisco and working with different constituent groups, I have decided to go to law school. I applied and I have been accepted to Stanford, I start in January!" "Woohoo! Congratulations Nicky!" Edie smiled. "Way to go Nicky!" Cheered Uncle Jamie. "Wow, another lawyer in the family, congratulations Nicky," Danny teased. "Congratulations Nicky." "Thanks Grandpa." "You couldn't have picked a law school closer to home? You would have been a legacy at Columbia since both your father and I went there. But I am happy for you," Erin remarked. "That is very impressive Nicky, congratulations!" Joe smiled. "Well done Nicky!" "Thanks Pops!"
"Jamie and I have some news too." Edie spoke up. Edie and Jamie looked at each other and then looked at the family, "We're pregnant!" "Congratulations!" Erin said smiling at the thought of a new baby in the family. "That's wonderful." "Thanks Pops." "Wow, another grandchild, that is something. I couldn't be happier." "Thanks Dad," Edie said with a twinkle. She is the only one of his children's spouses who has gotten away with calling Frank, Dad. Frank felt glad that he can be there for Edie while her own Dad is still in prison. "Well little brother, I don't envy you the late-night feedings and lack of sleep, but congratulations." Danny chuckled. He was really happy for Jamie and Edie. "Well dinner is getting cold, let's say we get this show on the road and say grace," Frank corralled everyone.
"Actually, I have an announcement too" Sean interjected. "We are hungry, it can wait until later," Danny argued rolling his eyes. "No Dad it can't," Sean stated emphatically. "Go ahead Sean" Frank said patiently. "Well as you all know I am graduating from high school this year. And it is time to start looking at colleges." "Yes, Sean I know, you, me, and Jack will take a road trip one weekend and go looking at schools," Danny said as his stomach growls. "No Dad I don't need to. I know where I am going." "And where is that?" Sean hands his dad an envelope. Danny looks at Sean out of the corner of his eye, and then back at the envelope. Danny opened it. "Well, I'll be damned." He handed the letter to Frank and asked, "did you know?" Then gave Sean a hi-five that went into a hug. "No, I didn't know. Sean, are you serious?" "Yes Grandpa. I really want to be a police officer." "I see that." Frank announces, "Sean passed the NYPD Officer's Entrance Exam. I didn't even know you took the test. I just received the results myself." "Surprise!" "Well Sean I am very proud of you. This is quite a commitment, are you sure you are ready?" "Thanks Pops! No, but I have until June to get ready, get in shape. So, I will be working on it." "Good answer Sean!" Pop replied. "Now can we eat?" Danny whined. "Would you like some cheese with that whine?" Erin asked. "Very funny," as Danny made a face.
"Okay who will be saying grace?" Frank asked. "I will Grandpa," Joe replied. "Thank you Joe." "Bless us O Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive, from thy bounty, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen."
After dinner the kids did the dishes. "Sean if you need any help getting ready for academy let me know, I will be happy to help." "Thanks Joe, I really appreciate it. I will take you up on it!" Nicky, Jack, Joe, and Sean served the pies. "Wow Joe, now I know who to get to help me make Christmas Cookies!" Erin winked. "Thanks Aunt Erin, I would love to!" Frank and Pop sat back drinking their scotch with full stomachs, a blessed family, and joyful events to come – they were truly thankful.