CH. 3: Slave Drivers and Baby Showers
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Weekends were usually set aside as a time to relax, either by getting the opportunity to do something fun, or by doing absolutely nothing, at least if you didn't have to
work that is. This particular weekend however was being referred to as slave labor, at least that's what Jamie called it. It was early that Saturday morning, and Danny
had already been up for hours. As of lately, Devon was only allowing him to get but a few hours of sleep at night. Needless to say, he was up very early in the
mornings. When Mary and Frank walked into the kitchen that morning, they were surprised to find both Danny and Devon awake, Devon laying in her bassinet, while
Danny was flipping bacon. "Eggs and coffee are ready," Danny glanced at them from over his shoulder. "We should keep this kid around here more often," Frank said
looking at his wife, while filling himself a cup of coffee. "I agree," Mary was just grateful that she wasn't the one having to cook for a change. "Do you have to call me
a kid Dad? I mean I do have a kid of my own now," Danny finished with the bacon and carried the plate over to the table. "You'll always be a kid to us Danny," Mary
wasn't giving him much hope. "I tried," Danny sighed looking over at Devon. "She seems to be content sitting there," Mary mentioned checking on her granddaughter.
"She should be, she's happier than she was yesterday that's for sure," Danny was grateful he was going to get the opportunity to eat breakfast without listening to her
cry for him, which seemed to be 90% of the time he put her down. "So, you guys are up early for a weekend?" Danny noticed. "Too much to do to sleep late," Frank
knew that if they were going to work in the nursery, get Danny completely moved in, and Joe moved out, they were going to need every minute of that day and the
next. "I wish I could sleep late," Danny mumbled. "But my kid doesn't allow it." "I'm about to go wake my other kids, so we can get busy," Frank said working on his
plate of breakfast. "That's going to cause a disturbance," Mary knew how much Joe and Jamie hated to wake up early if they didn't have to. "They'll get over it," Frank
drained the list bit of his coffee before he and Danny went upstairs to get ready to get to work.
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"Danny give me a hand with this," Frank said taking Erin's old bed apart. "Just a second Dad," Danny was trying to empty the overloaded closet. "I thought you were
going to wake up Joe and Jamie," he looked over his shoulder. "I was, but your mother wanted me to give them a little more time to sleep, she said they got in really
late, because they were working in the apartment. But I'm about to overrule that, as soon as you and I get down from carrying this up to the attic." "Alright, I'm
coming," Danny set the box down. "You know you could carry this up there on your own, it isn't that heavy," Danny mentioned grabbing the opposite end of one of the
bases. "I know that Daniel, the reason I want help is so you can guide the opposite end and keep it from bashing into the wall. If even a scratch of paint gets taken off
the wall, your mother will make us repaint the entire thing. Now do you really want to take that chance?" "No," Danny mumbled, walking down the hall and over to
the attic pull out. Finishing with the attic, Frank headed for Joe's room, while Danny took it upon himself to wake his baby brother. "Come on kid wake up," Danny
nudged him. "What do you want Danny its Saturday?" Jamie pulled the blanket up over his head. Come on Jamie, if you don't get up for me and in a few minutes, Dad
will come in here, and he's turning into a slave driver already this morning," Danny pulled the blanket off over his head. "You don't want to make him mad trust me,
I've already been called Daniel once, and I'm up and working. And you my dear brother can still face punishment from him, so I highly recommend you get up sooner
than later, it would be in your best interest." Jamie moaned and rolled over, "I'll get up." "Good choice," Danny pulled him up and off the bed. Down the hall, and
Danny and Jamie could hear Frank waking their brother. "Joe get up, your brother has been up for hours," Frank shook him. "Dad," Joe moaned. "I didn't get home
until really late last night." "I know, but we have a lot of work to do, and we won't be able to work all day today since your grandparents are coming, and we have
church tomorrow morning," he reminded him. "One more hour Dad," Joe yawned. "Joseph! Get up!" Frank raised his voice. "I'm up," Joe jumped up in a hurry. "Why
did you get up so early? Joe walked into the room that his father and brothers were working in, a few minutes later, glaring primarily at Danny. "I'm getting good at
operating on only a couple of hours of sleep," Danny admitted. "Your niece only sleeps a couple of hours before she wakes me up wanting to be fed and changed. She
doesn't treat me very well." "Just wait till you have to work all day, and then have to take care of her at night, and have to operate the next day after a long sleepless
night," Frank remembered those days all too well.
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"Frank Reagan the slave driver," Joe muttered under his breath when he reached Danny's bedroom, after he made his tenth trip up the stairs. "Where do you want
these Danny?" Jamie asked unloading a box full of clothes. "The beds fine kid, thanks," Danny glanced at him over his shoulder, where he was shoving something up
under his bed. "Here's another one," Joe walked into the room, two boxes stacked on top of one another. His vision was partially blocked due to the boxes, and he
missed his elder brother's legs sticking out from under the bed, and tumbled over them. The boxes going one direction, and he the other, crashing into Jamie, who
knocked the clothes to the floor. The three brothers laid on the floor, covered in clothes, papers, etc. "Good job Joe," Danny sat up looking at the mess covering the
floor. "Were supposed to be cleaning everything up, not scattering it." "Yeah Joe, now I have to fold all the clothes again." "This isn't going to make the slave driver
happy, he's already onto us about hurrying up so we can help him paint the nursery," Danny mentioned. "How long do you think this will take," Jamie asked aloud.
"The rest of our lives," Joe mumbled. "We better get back to work," Danny pulled himself up off the floor. "Before the slave driver comes in here and starts beating us
for not working." "You know he'd be furious if he knew we were calling him a slave driver," Jamie knew that without a doubt. "That's why I'm not saying it to his face,
and I'm keeping my voice low when I do say it," Joe pointed out. "Smart," Jamie laughed. "Nobody can call me an idiot, I value my life too much," Joe started to pick
up the mess he made. "Do you think one of you boys could manage to pull yourself out of here and help me paint the trim?" Frank walked in, just as the three got
back to work. "Sure, thing Dad, right behind you," Joe followed him out of the room and into the nursery. "He's such a suck up," Jamie shook his head. "Trying to get
on dad's good side." "And that's why he's Dad's favorite," Danny mentioned. "No way," Jamie shook his head. "That's Erin, being Daddy's only little girl." "Well your
moms favorite," Danny pointed out. "Correction, I was moms favorite, at least until you had Devon. Now she's all about my eldest son has the cutest baby," Jamie
mimicked his mother, when he overheard her on the phone the day before. "It's nice to be someone's favorite," Danny grinned. "I never have before," he
remembered. "Unless you count the very beginning, when I was an only child." "You are Grandma and Grandpas favorite," Jamie said. "That might be true," Danny
thought about it. "You are just like Grandpa, when it comes to the job, that's why he likes so much. And you were Grandmas first grandbaby, of course she will never
forget that." "I'm sure they love all of us the same," Danny seemed to get wise all of a sudden. "Who are we kidding," Danny laughed out loud looking at Jamie. "We
both know Devon's going to be everybody's favorite."
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It was just a little before lunch when Henry and Betty arrived for lunch, and to meet their newest great-grandchild. "Where's that great-grandbaby of mine?" Betty
was excited as she walked through the door. "Hi Grandma, nice to see you too," Danny greeted when Betty walked right past him. "Hi Danny," Betty kissed his cheek.
"Now introduce me to your daughter." It was obvious where Betty Reagans thoughts were. "Where's Gramps?" Danny thought if he was going to have to make
introductions, he might as well do it all at once. "He's coming," Betty nodded. "He's bringing in the gifts." "Grandma," Danny just looked at her. "Let's not spoil her too
much." "Were not spoiling her, they are things that will make her life easier," Betty smiled, not exactly the truth, but not exactly a lie either. "Her life isn't exactly
rough," Danny chuckled. "The only thing she has to worry about is who's going to change her next diaper, and give her, her next bottle. And I'm pretty sure she's on
the verge of figuring out that its always me." "Does she cry a lot?" Betty wanted to know as much about her great-granddaughter as possible. "It varies," Danny
nodded. "Most of the time it's at night, or when she wants me to hold her. Other times its when she's trying to tell me she's hungry or her butts wet." "Does she cry
when she's dirty?" Betty asked. "I don't know. She hasn't had one for me yet," Danny admitted. "That'll happen soon enough I'm sure," Betty mentioned. "I'm sure
you are right," Danny shook his head, definitely not looking forward to it. "You going to give me a hand with these, or are you just going to stand there?" Henry asked
fumbling through the door, overloaded with wrapped presents. "I'm coming," Danny took some of the gifts from him. "Where's the baby?" Henry asked setting the
gifts down. "Upstairs with Mom. Dads turned into a slave driver, and Mom an inspector, she's been inspecting everyone's work they've done. I'll go get her," Danny
hurried the up the stairs to get his daughter. "Hey Devon," Danny picked the little girl up from the crib in his bedroom. "I'm sorry, I know you were sleeping. But
Daddy wants you to meet some very special people," Danny changed her diaper real quick before carrying her down the stairs. "Awe," Betty squealed. "She's
beautiful." "She takes after her Daddy in the good looks department," Danny grinned. "Devon, these are your great-grandparents," Danny handed her over to his
Grandmother. "Daniel! Get up here!" Frank hollered from the top of the stairs. "That's the second time he's called me that today," Danny looked at Henry. "He hasn't
quite gotten used to having a baby in the house has he," Betty chuckled at her sons raised voice. "Not quite," Danny admitted. "But Moms working on it." "You better
get up there, unless you want to be called a third time," Henry nodded, following his grandson up the stairs. "What color are they painting the nursery?" He asked. "I
wanted blue," Danny shrugged. "But mom over rided me. So we settled on yellow." "Not pink," Henry chuckled. "Really Gramps?" Danny just looked at him, figuring
he would know how much a single Dad would be against the color to begin with.
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After looking around at everything that was going on upstairs, the Reagans decided it was time for a lunch break. "Joe, how's the academy treating you?" Henry asked
looking up from his plate. "Its good Commissioner," Joe nodded. "Not too rough?" "Nothing's as rough as what these two have put me through," Joe pointed at his
brothers. "We did good," Jamie looked at Danny. "All in a day's work, make sure your brother never endures anything harder than what you have put him through,"
Danny added. "It's the brother code." "In that case, I'm looking forward to what we get to put the squirt through," Joe admitted. "I'm not," Jamie shook his head. "You
two aren't going to do anything to him," Mary interrupted. "Like I said, moms favorite," Danny whispered from where he sat on Jamie's right. "Mom can't be around
you all the time," Joe whispered from where he sat on Jamie's left. "When are, you going back to work?" Henry asked his eldest grandson. "Monday," Danny was kind
of confused, regarding his grandfather's question. He had only taken one day off since he found out about the baby, and that was the very next day, so he could take
her to the doctor, and get to spend a little time with the infant. "You know you are entitled to several weeks off, after a new baby is born," Henry told him. "12 I think,
if I remember correctly." "Really?" Danny looked surprised. "I should have looked into this a long time ago. Why am I just finding out about this?" "Maybe it's because
you've never had a kid before," Joe looked at him as if he was crazy. "You've got a point," Danny shrugged. "But I would have pretended to have had one a long time
ago, had I have known about the leave available." "Its unpaid time," Henry thought now was the time to add his next comment. "But it is time." "Yeah, I may only
take a couple of weeks off," Danny nodded. "My kid goes through a can of formula and a pack of diapers, almost every three days. I'm getting to need every pay
check I can get." "Mary," Betty said looking at her daughter in law excited. "We should get Erin, and have a baby shower." "That's not necessary Grandma," Danny
shook his head. "That's not the point the Danny," Mary smiled. "You will get clothes, diapers, wipes, bath things," Betty named a few. "And all that will keep you from
having to buy it." "I guess you have a point," Danny sighed. "But she really isn't hurting for anything. She has a lot more with me, than she had with her mother,"
Danny added before heading into the kitchen to start making the coffee. "Your Daddy likes his coffee," Betty looked at the little girl in her arms. "That's because she's
been keeping him up at night," Mary nodded. "Speaking of the child's mother," Henry thought about it for a moment. "Who is she exactly?" "Her name is Jenny
Reece," Frank started to give him the few details he knew. "From what Danny says, they dated for a year and a half, but broke it off almost eleven months ago." "And
he never talked to her after that? Didn't he know it was possible that she could have been pregnant. Doesn't that sound just a little irresponsible?" Henry wasn't
exactly trying to sound mean, but when it came to responsibility, there was no denying how Henry Reagan felt about it. "Oh, trust me, I'm still planning on having a
talk with Mr. Irresponsible," Frank said seriously. "He is kind of being responsible, I mean he is keeping her," Joe tried picking up for his brother. "Oh, there wasn't
going to be no question on whether he was going to keep her or not Joseph Reagan!" Mary turned straight up fierce. "Time to go squirt," Joe grabbed Jamie and just
about drug him out of the dining room. "That isn't really the point," Frank spoke up after his two youngest left the room. "Danny knew the consequences of what could
happen if he wasn't careful," he implied. "Yes Francis," Betty didn't want to argue. "But the choice was made and now he is going to have to live with the results of
that choice for the rest of his life. And I'm sure he understands that now." "I really wish you wouldn't talk as if I wasn't even here," Danny was standing in the
doorway of the dining room where he overheard the conversation. "And in front of Devon for that matter. She doesn't need to know that her father screwed up, and
that's how she got here." Danny took the baby from his grandmother, grabbed the diaper bag and walked out the door. "That was handled well Francis," Betty wasn't
happy with her son. "You are his father, and if you don't support him, no one else will." "At least I'm getting better at getting you in this thing," Danny thought,
grateful that he was able to fasten her into her car seat and drive away without anyone coming out and causing a scene.
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Danny sat on a park bench overlooking the water, at Owls Head Park. He enjoyed looking over the water, it calmed him when he was stressed. He wasn't really upset
with his family, not exactly anyway. I mean they had a point, he should have called her, he knew what could happen if you wasn't careful, he just didn't think it would.
The only thing that really upset him was that it was in front of Devon. Yes, he knew she had no idea what they were talking about. And he wasn't going to hide behind
what happened, he planned on telling her all about what happened, but not until she was much older. He knew that she would eventually ask questions about her
mother, and why she wasn't there. But he figured all he would have to tell her at first was that her mother had a job opportunity that she couldn't pass up, and it
wasn't exactly a place for a baby. It was partially the truth, just not the full details regarding how stressed she was tending to a one month old. He didn't want her to
know that she was too hard on her mother and that was a contributing reason to why she left, along with the money issue. Knowing this, still didn't erase the fact
what he did, by not checking up with Jenny, and by not being there when she was born. His child entered the world and he was literally oblivious to it. "I'm sorry your
daddy's a screw up." Danny apologized looking into the face of his little girl. She had no idea what he was saying, just seemed happy enough to be in his arms and
hearing his voice. He knew he probably shouldn't have her out like he did, where she was susceptible to who knows how many germs, but he needed some time. And
he knew he couldn't have just left the baby with his parents and grandparents, that would have proved to have been real responsible, he thought to himself. "Danny,"
Frank walked up to the bench. "You know if you kill me, you have to raise Devon, right?" Danny tried the Devon card. Knowing his father probably wasn't very happy
with him for just walking out like he did. That was disrespectful, and disrespect was one thing Frank Reagan did not tolerate. "You're not a screw up Danny," Frank
said seriously. If there was one thing he hated more than disrespect, was when his children put themselves down for something. "Listen Dad, before you say anything
I know I disappointed you, and I'm sorry. I know I screwed up," Danny really wasn't in the mood for a lecture. "You're not a disappointment Son," Frank took a seat
next to him. "I know I haven't told you this, and it was wrong of me to do so. But I want you to know that I am proud of you for making the right decision with Devon.
And you are turning into a great father." "You really think so?" Danny gave a half smile. "Look at your daughter, and think of the last few days. Think of all the hours
you've spent with her, and everything you've done for her." "It had to be done," Danny shrugged. "I couldn't exactly leave her wet, and not feed her." "I don't mean
just that," Frank shook his head. "I'm talking about yesterday when all she wanted was for you to hold her. I mean her main concern at the time was having her
daddy hold her, and comfort her after her stressful day, and you did that. You in all your infinite wisdom of being a parent for barley 24 hours was able to recognize
her need." "She didn't exactly give me much of a choice," Danny chuckled. "She was quite demanding." "Well, she couldn't exactly walk up to you and say daddy I
don't feel good, hold me. Like you and your siblings use to do when you were kids," Frank reminded him. The two turned quiet for a moment, both staring out into the
water, taking in the scenery. "Mom or Grandma make you come out looking for me?" Danny spoke up a few minutes later. "No," Frank had to admit that he was
worried the second his son drove away from the house. "Your mother doesn't always tell me what to do," he added. "Maybe not," Danny shook his head. "But
Grandma does." "Not this time Son," Frank turned serious again. "I want you to know that I support you in this. It's a big adjustment you've had to make in your life.
Trust me I know, I had to do the same when you were born. Yours is a bit different of circumstances. Having to raise a child on your own. That certainly isn't going to
be easy." "If you are trying to make me feel better, it isn't working. If anything, it's making me worried." "You haven't seen nothing yet, just wait till she's a toddler
and getting into everything." "Dad," Danny moaned. "Come on, I'll buy you a cup of coffee," Frank stood. "You want to take time for coffee?" Danny looked at him
confused. "What happened to the slave driver?" "Slave driver?" Frank questioned. "It was all Joe," Danny was sure to point out. "By the way, I need a ride home. Joe
came out to help me look for you, and when we found you, he went on to the apartment to try and get a little work done," Frank said. "And how did you now that I
wouldn't still be upset, and tell you to find your own way home?" Danny wondered. "You're a lot of things Danny, but stupid isn't one of them."
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"Did you clear everything up with our son?" Mary asked as soon as Frank walked through the door carrying Devon. "Ask him," Frank pointed behind him. "Were fine
Mom," Danny came in, the diaper bag draped over his shoulder, his hands full with the Chinese food Frank suggested they pick up for dinner. "At least we will be if I
get the extra egg roll," Danny grinned. "No way I get it," Joe walked in through the kitchen door. "I thought you were going to work in the apartment," Frank
questioned. "I was, but I was missing Devon too much," Joe smiled at the baby. "Uncle Joe noticed he hadn't held you yet today," Joe took her from Frank. "Oh, come
on Joe, we all know that isn't the main reason," Danny knew his brother better than that. "I was hungry," Joe gave in. "And there's free food here." "I knew it," Danny
shook his head. "What are you going to do when you move out?" "I'll buy sandwich stuff and cereal," Joe enlightened him. "The bachelor life style," Danny knew what
it was like when you lived alone and your cooking skills were minimal. "You can come eat over here anytime," Mary interrupted. "I said the same thing to Danny when
he left, and I'm saying the same to you." "Just when I think he's leaving for good, he comes right back," Frank mentioned. "Thanks Dad, means a lot," Joe knew he
was teasing. "Where's Jamie at?" Frank asked just before they took a seat at the table. "You guys all left, so I let him go play basketball with his friends," Mary
answered. They were just about to bless the food, when Jamie walked in. "What are you doing back so soon," Mary asked? "I got hungry," Jamie took his place at the
table. "They'll always come back for food," Frank mentioned before praying. "Me, Erin, and Grandma are planning a baby shower for Devon one evening this week,"
Mary thought now was a good a time as any to announce it, so she wouldn't have to repeat it to each one individually. "That's great mom, you can even take Devon if
you want," Danny was thinking of all the fun he and Joe could have if he wasn't having to be a parent for a couple hours. "The baby shower isn't just for Devon, it's for
you and your child. Of course, you have to go." "No, it doesn't, not exactly," there were no words to describe how much he didn't want to have to go. "Yes, it does,"
Mary wasn't about to argue with him about it. "Glad I'm not you, Joe teased. "Baby showers aren't exactly my idea of a good time." "Me too," Jamie snickered at
hearing his mother tell his grown brother what he was going to do. "Oh, you're going too, Mary didn't miss her youngest sons snicker. "Mom," Jamie whined. "Baby
showers are for girls." "This baby shower is for your brother and your niece, and in this family, we support one another. Your father has already talked to you about
this, and you had better start learning the meaning of it. You are going, and you are going to be happy about it," Mary said closing the discussion she was having with
her youngest. "In fact, you are all going, it's a family shower," Mary clarified. "DAD!" Danny, Joe, and Jamie said in unison, looking to their father for help. "Don't look
at me," Frank knew when to pick and choose his battles. "I'm not getting involved."
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"This really sucks," Jamie grumbled later that evening as he, Joe and Jamie went back to work in Danny's bedroom. "I don't want to go to a stupid baby shower,"
Jamie complained to his brothers. "Would you watch your mouth," Danny corrected. "My kid is in the room," Danny pointed to the crib against the wall. "Oh, you're
one to talk, you use worse language than me," Jamie pointed out. "Not since I found out I had a kid. I'd like her first word to be Daddy, and not any other words that
are not appropriate for children to say." Danny could only imagine the lecture he would get from his mother if she heard her granddaughter using anything but kid
words. "You sound like Dad," Joe laughed out loud. "Oh, my gosh, I'm turning into my father," Danny moaned falling on his bed. "Big brother here's a Daddy," Joe hit
him with a pillow. "He's Daddy Danny now," Jamie grabbed the other pillow. "Alright, alright, stop," Danny grabbed ahold of Jamie and wrestled him to the ground.
"You're going to make my daughter think it's okay to disrespect her father," Danny said just as Joe hit him again. "She's a month-old Danny, I don't think you have to
worry about her disrespecting you just yet," Jamie squirmed out from under his brother. "Where do you think, you're going?" Danny grabbed him and threw him on
the bed. "Would you quit manhandling me?" Jamie hollered. "And you," Danny smacked Joe with the other pillow. "You're going to bust the pillow and get feathers all
over the place." "No, I'm not," Joe hit him again, just as Danny lost his balance and fell into Joe, causing them to both fall on top of Jamie. "Daniel! Joseph! And
Jamison Reagan! Are you three really fighting in front of a baby?!" Mary wasn't happy when she saw how her sons were behaving. "Mom you're going to upset the
baby," Danny said thinking of how often she was reminding their father to keep his voice down, and now she was doing the very same thing she chastised him for.
"Daniel!" Mary glared at him. "I thought you three were supposed to be working in here?" Mary said her arms crossed over her chest. "Were done. It looks just the
same as it did before I moved out," Danny remembered. "Aside from the Marine and NYPD posters," he added. "And now I have a baby crib in my room." "You three
are lucky she wasn't upset by your foolishness, otherwise all three of you would be in trouble right now," Mary said glaring at all three of them. "Your right mom, we
should be quieter for Devon," Danny said responsibly. Mary just shook her head, before glancing in the crib. "She doesn't seem too bothered by it." "She's definitely
my child," Danny knew that any kid of his could never be upset by a little noise or chaos, that was just the Reagan code. Mary shook her head and walked out of the
room, leaving the Reagan brothers alone. "Now look at who's sucking up to our parents," Jamie teased. "Shut up Jamie," Danny shoved him back on the head. "It has
nothing to do with sucking up," Danny mentioned. "When it comes to mom, that's just survival." Danny picked up Devon, and then took a seat on his bed, figuring he
had better pick her up before she did start fussing, and Mary came back in there. "Uncle Jamie hasn't learned the dangers of making Grandma mad yet, so maybe you
two can learn together." "Seriously Danny, you're talking to her as if she was a five-year-old," Jamie said. "It doesn't matter what I say to her," Danny said using his
baby voice. "It's the tone I use." "So, what are you supposed to wear to a baby shower," Jamie asked? "How am I supposed to know?" Joe shrugged. "It won't really
matter what I wear, my kid will probably spit up all over me anyway," Danny admitted.
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EVENING OF THE BABYSHOWER
Erin, Mary and Betty, along with many of the other ladies that were friends and coworkers of the Reagans were having a great time. "At least the foods good," Erin's
husband Jack mumbled. "Joe seems to be having a good time," Jamie pointed him out in the crowd. "He might even come out of here with a date." "At least
someone's having a good time," Jack muttered. "So, did Erin make you come," Jamie wondered? "Well I definitely didn't volunteer to attend," he admitted. "Oh, my
gosh, even my father and grandfather are having a good time," Jamie complained. "That's because there getting to show the kids off," Jack pointed out a short
distance away where Frank was carrying Nicki around, and Henry with Devon. Danny had yet to say anything, he was too busy starring at the gift table. "Danny
what's the matter?" Jamie looked at him confused. "Nothing," Danny's eyes were wide. "I was just looking at all the gifts I'm going to have to open and then have to
load into the car and up the stairs once we get home." "That's why mom made us come!" Jamie looked at his brother and brother in law. "Slave labor!" "Oh, my gosh
Jamie drop the slave labor bit please," Danny shook his head. "You're not the one who's going to have to open all the baby stuff, hold it out for everyone to see, and
then have to pretend how cute it all is." Danny had a point. A few minutes later, and Mary announced the start of the gift opening, while Erin went in search of Danny,
when he ducked behind the table. "Seriously Danny," Erin tried to keep her voice low. "Would you come out from behind there, and take it like a man." "I'm not hiding
Erin, I'm tying my shoe," Danny lied. "Just come on," Erin glared at him. "Fine," Danny followed her. "But you have to help me say how nice everything is and thank
everyone." Joe carried a large wrapped box over, and Danny opened it. It was a changing table from Mary and Frank. "This is definitely going to make things easier,"
Danny joked. "No more wet sheets." A few minutes later, and Joe carried anther large box over, this one was from Betty and Henry, and inside was a Pack N Playard.
Erin and Jack got her a baby bouncer, and Joe and Jamie got her a Baby Swing. "I sure hope Devon enjoys that swing," Jamie whispered to Joe. "I had to use half of
my allowance that I had saved." "Just think of how good of uncles we are and it will be worth it," Joe smiled. On top of all the big gifts, she got tons of diapers, wipes,
baby bath soaps and tons of cute baby clothes.
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A couple hours later, and the shower was over, and it was none too soon for Danny. "Three words I never want to her again, that's so cute." Danny said coming in
through the door, overloaded with gifts. "It wasn't that bad," Mary shook her head at her son's reaction to the shower for his daughter. "Just think of all the things she
got that you won't have to spend money on, and it will make the couple hours you spent surrounded by baby talk worth it. Mary took Devon to get her ready for bed
since Danny was still unloading. Danny had just made the last trip, and he was now in his room putting a clean sheet on the baby crib before Mary brought the baby
in. "Danny," Frank walked into the room. "Dad," Danny was surprised to see his father walking in, and carrying another gift. "I know I was really hard on you this
weekend, so I got something for you," Frank handed him a gift bag. "Dad, we already talked about this, and its fine. You didn't have to buy me anything, you already
spent a lot of money on Devon's changing table, which I greatly appreciate." "This is different Danny," Frank smiled. "This is something you and Devon will both like.
Danny gave in, and pulled out the gift on the top. "Thanks Dad," Danny laughed when he realized that it was a Daddy Survival Kit, filled with just about anything one
could think of, to help keep him from having a nervous breakdown. The last thing Danny pulled out was a onesie that had, I'm proof daddy did something right printed
on it. "You really think so?" Danny looked at Frank questioningly. "The more I watch you with Devon tells me so," Frank said truthfully.
I'm really enjoying this story, it seems to always make me smile... I already have plans for the next chapter... But now its on to updating a chapter on Andy... Hope you all enjoyed the update... Thanks for all the follows, favorites, and reviews... JusticeStandsTRUE
