Best Mistake I Ever Made

by JusticeStandsTRUE

One minute he was soaring through life as an NYPD officer, on the fast track of becoming a detective. Until his world came to a sudden stop. When an ex-girlfriend drops a baby off at his doorstep, claiming its his. Danny Reagan is thrust into fatherhood, as a single parent raising a little girl. His life was no longer his own, he was a Daddy. 1st story in No Longer His Own Series

4. Chapter 4

CH. 4: Baby's R Us

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It had been 6 days since Danny's world had been turned upside down, and he became a parent to his one month old daughter Devon. He hadn't had a good night's

sleep in 6 days, and he already managed to spend one whole pay check on her, after her doctor check-up, and the trip he had to make to the store, among other

things his baby needed. His mother was right, the baby shower helped significantly, with extra things like diapers, and bath stuff that Devon needed. Along with all the

things his family bought for her. These items were certainly going to make his life easier, the only problem was, it was going to take him forever to get everything put

together. He worked with handcuffs for a living, not exactly with changing tables, swings, and pack n play yards. "Danny," Mary said coming down the stairs

Wednesday afternoon. "What you need Mom?" Danny asked sitting on the floor of the living room going through all the baby things. "Oh, hi Joe," Mary was surprised

when she found her middle son, sitting on the floor with his brother. "Hi Mom," Joe got up, so he could hug her. "What are you doing here?" Mary asked, knowing he

was usually at the police academy at that time of day. "The academy let out early today," Joe informed her. "So, I thought I would come by and see Devon." "He

came by because he missed me," Danny grinned at his mother. "Whatever Danny," Joe shook his head. "Danny, what are you doing in here?" Mary looked at the mess

all over her floor. "Welcome to Baby's R Us," Danny gestured at the numerous baby items covering the floor. "What are you doing with everything?" "Right now, I'm

just trying to go through all the stuff Devon got at the baby shower, so I can put them away. Considering she isn't going to do it," Danny changed his tone to baby

talk, when he said his last sentence, just as he turned his attention to Devon, who was sitting in her little bouncer on the floor in front of him. "I'm going to go out for

a bit. You okay with Devon?" Mary knew he was more than capable of tending to her, but she couldn't help but ask, knowing he was just starting out as a parent. "I'm

fine Mom," Danny looked at all the boxed things he was still going to have to put together, like the swing and changing table. "Will you be here when I get back," Mary

wondered? "Where would I go?" Danny mumbled, "I'm going to be here putting baby things together, till midnight." "Your brother will help you," Mary said, not even

bothering to ask Joe if he had plans that evening. "I'll see you boys this evening. And don't forget to take care of my granddaughter, when you two boys get carried

away, watching football or something," Mary reminded them as she walked out the door. "I'm a grown man, a U.S. Marine, an NYPD officer, and a father, and she's

still telling me what to do," Danny shook his head, looking over at his brother. "Embarrassing isn't it," Joe knew all too well how his brother felt. "Do you think, she will

ever quit telling us what to do," Danny wondered? "No," Joe laughed out loud. "This is mom were talking about." "You've got a point," Danny sighed, starting to work

on pulling the pack n play out of its box. After unwrapping the mattress pad from around the base of the pack n play, Danny struggled with getting the sides to snap

into place. "What is wrong with this thing?" Danny said frustrated, after working with it for several minutes. "What's going on," Joe asked? "I don't know," Danny

shrugged. "But I can only get two of the sides to snap into place, rather than all four. "Which ones are you trying to do?" "The ones running vertically," Danny pointed

them out. "And what about that thing in the middle," Joe pulled the round center piece up, that was on the bottom of it. "I don't think that's supposed to be pushed

down until the sides are up," Danny shook his head. "I don't know what to do with it then," Joe was ready to give up. "You need a college degree to be able to put this

thing up," Danny finally pulled his phone out, to see if the internet could help him figure it out. "Danny, what are you doing?" Joe was trying to figure out how his

brothers phone was going to help him put up his child's pack n play. "YouTube has a video on everything," Danny grinned, pushing play. "Seriously," Danny said after

watching the video. "They had it up in less than two minutes." "Your obviously not as smart as him," Joe nodded. "No," Danny picked up for himself. "It says right

here in the description, that he is the father of three, I am the father of one. There's a big difference," Danny tossed one of Devon's empty bottles at him. Joe picked

up the now set up pack n play and set it aside in the designated area downstairs. "What's next," Joe asked? "The changing table," Danny picked up the box and

carried it to the center of the living room. Joe laughed, and Danny looked at him. "What's so funny?" "Your daughters watching you." "She's probably wanting to know

why I got up, but didn't take her with me." Does she not like to be left alone," Joe wondered? "She doesn't like to be left sitting somewhere, especially if I'm up

walking around, she thinks she needs to be up and walking too." "Should a newborn be acting like that?" Sure, Joe knew nothing about kids, but from what he heard

from his mother and Erin, he thought all they did was eat, sleep and poop. "I didn't think so," Danny shrugged. "But she is my kid, so I kind of figure its normal." Joe

opened the box to the changing table and pulled all the parts out, while Danny grabbed the instruction book. "Since when do you read instructions?" Joe was

wondering what changed his older brother. "Since these kid things started to take a college degree, and instead of spending my time sitting behind a desk in a

classroom, I spent my time dodging bullets in Fallujah," Danny pointed out. "What does it say to do oh brave one?" Joe was holding two different pieces up. "Nothing,"

Danny tossed the instructions back in the box. "Since they obviously forgot to send the English instructions, and considering I don't read French, I'm screwed." "I don't

guess you learned French in the Marines," Joe shrugged. "No, I didn't," Danny sounded aggravated. "I mean if they were in Spanish, I might have a chance, but I'm

totally lost with French." "So, what are you going to do?" Joe looked through the instruction booklet, hoping for a diagram off some sort. "I don't know, I've never

done this before," Danny threw his hand up in frustration. "Why don't you just wait for dad to get home from work, I bet he could figure it out," Joe suggested. "No,"

Danny shook his head. "I can't depend on our parents for everything, they have already done so much for me and Devon, that I cannot ask for anymore favors,"

Danny was trying to be as independent as possible, considering his mother was already going to turn into a full-time baby sitter, when he had to go back to work.

"Danny it's a changing table, I don't think that counts as too much help. Besides, he's done it four times," Joe had a point. "Hey big brothers," Jamie said walking

through the front door of the house. "Hey, how did you get home?" Joe looked up from where he sat on the floor, still trying to make sense out of the instructions.

"Dads outside, he wanted to make sure somebody was here before he dropped me off," Jamie sounded annoyed. "He's being all protective and treating me like a kid

again." "Jamie, you are a kid," Danny looked at him confused. "Come on Danny, you got to do a lot more with your friends, then I ever get to do," Jamie complained.

"He's just being a parent Jamie, give him a break," Danny tried picking up for his father. "Seriously Danny, when have you ever talked like this? You went at mom and

dad's rules as if they didn't even exist," Jamie argued. "And I suffered for it too, now stop crying about it. Because all he's doing is being a dad to you. Now get out

here, and tell Dad I'm here," Danny ordered pointing at him. Jamie dropped his backpack on the floor, and slammed the door as he walked outside. "What's his

problem," Joe looked over at Danny, knowing that Jamie normally didn't act like that. "He's a teenager," Danny shook his head. "Something you have to look forward

to," Joe gestured at Devon. "Don't remind me," Danny sounded frustrated. "Are you happy now?" Jamie stormed back into the house. "Yes, thank you," Danny shook

his head picking up Devon. "Hey Jamie, come over and give me a hand with this," Joe tried bridging the gap between the two. "No thanks," Jamie turned him down.

"But your taking French, aren't you?" Joe was hoping Jamie would be able to interpret the instructions. "Yeah, but that doesn't mean, I'm any good at it, or I even

want to help," Jamie was obviously still upset. "If you're not going to help us, then go do your homework," Danny was trying to both feed Devon, and get the

downstairs cleaned up with all her new stuff. "Stop telling me what to do Danny, you're not the boss of me," Jamie was obviously at his breaking point. "News flash

little brother, I'll always be able to tell you what to do, simply because I'm the older brother. Secondly, you know I'm in charge when Mom and Dad aren't her. They've

both told you this more than once, now get used to it," Danny finally raised his voice, startling the baby in his arms and making her cry in protest. Danny ran a hand

down his face, just as Jamie grabbed his backpack and headed for the kitchen. Seconds later, and Erin walked into the living room. "How long have you been here?"

Joe looked at his sister, figuring she must have come in through the kitchen door. "Long enough," Erin shook her head at what just occurred between her elder and

youngest brother. "Just remember, that when you tell mom and dad about this, I am totally innocent," Joe picked up for himself, knowing that when something

occurred between siblings, his parents were very seldom understanding. "I'm not going to say anything," Erin sighed taking Devon from Danny who was still crying.

"Now can I have a word with you about your daughter?" Erin started for the stairs. "What's happening to me?" Danny looked at Erin wondering, taking a seat on the

floor at the top of the stairs. "I'm arguing with Jamie and I'm taking Dad's side regarding rules and parenting, this isn't me." "You're a Dad, Danny, that's what

happened to you," Erin answered his question. "It's only been six days Erin," Danny had a point. "Doesn't matter," Erin shook her head. "And you can deny it all you

want, but you have obviously developed a bond with her, otherwise you wouldn't have been so hard on Jamie. Oh, and for the record, you were right to go hard on

him." "You really think so," Danny said looking at Devon, who Erin finally managed to calm down. "You had a right to be upset with Jamie, but you have to watch your

tone around an infant. You have always been her source of comfort, and she has never heard you raise your voice like that, you really scared her," Erin said gently. "I

know," Danny said looking down at his little girl, who Erin was busy comforting. "Let me have her for a minute," Danny took her in his arms and carried her into the

nursery, before closing the door behind him. Taking a seat in the rocking chair, in the corner of the room, Danny took a long look at his daughter's face. "Daddy's

sorry baby, I shouldn't have yelled at Uncle Jamie like that with you in the room. Daddy has a temper, but I will try to control it when you're with me, even if I do

want to strangle Uncle Jamie sometimes." Devon fussed, and wriggled in her father's arms, and Danny smiled. "Is that your way of telling Daddy that you want him to

feed you?" Danny glanced at his watch, realizing that it was getting close to her feeding time. Returning to the bottom floor, Danny found Erin taking the tags off all

his daughter's new clothes, so she could get them in the wash machine, while Joe played with Nicki on the floor. Walking into the kitchen, Danny found Jamie sitting at

the kitchen table doing his homework. At least he listened to me, Danny thought to himself, as he started getting a bottle ready. "Listen Jamie," Danny juggled Devon

in one hand, and a bottle in the other. "I'm sorry for yelling at you," Danny said warming the water in the microwave for the bottle, before trying to scoop the formula.

"Give me the baby before you drop her," Jamie stood and walked around the table, noticing all the formula Danny was scooping onto the floor rather than the bottle.

"Thank you," Danny looked him in the eye seriously. "You were right Danny," Jamie took a seat on the edge of the table. "What?" Danny stopped what he was doing

when he heard Jamie's words. "You've never said that before." "I was just mad because I got in trouble at school today, and I have no idea what I'm going to tell

mom and dad. On top of that, I wanted to go hang out with my friends after school to blow off some steam, and dad said no." "So, you were taking it out on me?"

Danny interpreted. "Yeah," Jamie nodded. "Don't worry about it," Danny chuckled. "I did the same thing a time or two, only I would take it out on Joe, and then we

would get in a fight, and I would end up being in more trouble," Danny remembered. "Are you going to tell Dad about this evening?" Jamie handed Devon back to her

father. "No Jamie, I'm not going to tell Dad." "Thanks," Jamie sighed. "I know he would take your side." "It's not exactly a side Jamie. It has to do with what's right

and wrong." "I know," Jamie sighed. "You were wrong to get into trouble at school, and you were wrong to fight with me," Danny laid it out for him. "Your right

Danny, and I'm sorry. So, would you sign my school slip, so I don't have to tell Dad," Jamie tried. "Are you crazy?" Danny's mouth dropped. "If I was to do that, I

would be leaving Devon an orphan, because Dad would kill me." "Why? You've signed my slips before," Jamie said pointedly. "Yeah, but that was only because our

parents were out of town, and I didn't have a choice." "I take it that's a no then," Jamie guessed. "Sorry little brother, but you're going to have to take Dad on, all on

your own," Danny said walking back into the living room, so he could feed Devon. "Okay, but if Dad kills me, my blood is on your hands," Jamie called through the

open door. "Do your homework," Danny hollered back. "Being the oldest is fun isn't it," Erin teased. "Oh, yeah a blast, your parents expect too much of you, when

you're the oldest," Danny muttered, taking a seat on the couch. "Are you really saying that you can't handle something?" Erin teased. "Would you just do what you

came here for and tell me what some of that stuff is?" Danny said gesturing at the pile of baby stuff, that he had no idea what to do with. "Of course, big brother,

anything you say big brother," Erin pulled out a small box from one of the gift bags. "Thank you," Danny was trying to get his daughter to sleep. "This is a nasal

aspirator," Erin pulled the product out of the box. "What do you do with it?" Danny looked up. "Another word for it is snot sucker. You put this end in your child's nose,

and this end in your mouth." "I don't like the sound of this already," Danny shook his head. "Then you suck out the snot," Erin instructed. "Oh no! Definitely not doing

that!" Danny shook his head, terrified. "Danny there's a filter," Erin explained. "The snot can't get in your mouth." "I don't care, I'm not doing it," Danny was being

serious. "What are you going to do Danny, let her suffer, when she has a cold, allergies, or congested," Erin asked? "Well no," Danny tried picking up for himself. "But

the idea of it, freaks me out." "If you think that's bad, you're really not going to like this," Erin pulled out a rectal thermometer. "I know what that is," Danny's eyes

went wide, "but there is no way, I'm sticking something up her butt." "I understand you're a new parent Danny, but when she's sick and running a fever, you will want

the most accurate temperature, and this is how you will get it. It will also be the way the pediatrician tells you to do it, when you call in after hours," Erin sounded as

if she had experienced it one too many times. "Yeah, I'll just let you do it," Danny nodded. "You're not listening to me Daniel," Erin said pointedly. "There are going to

be times when you have to do things that aren't deemed sanitary or even enjoyable, but when it comes to taking care of her needs, you will have to do it." "Kids

should come with instruction manuals," Danny grumbled, placing Devon in the newly assembled pack n play. "I thought the same thing when Nicki was born," Erin

chuckled. "And I still do at times." "Danny, I give up, Joe sighed frustrated. "But Nicki and I can't figure out how to put this changing table together." "Are you still

having trouble with that thing?" Jamie overheard. "Well I don't see you helping," Joe complained. Jamie sighed and walked into the room, where his siblings and

nieces were. "Just give me the instructions, I'll see if I can make some sense out it," Jamie took a seat on the floor, just as Nicki crawled in his lap.

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An hour or so later, and Erin, Nicki and Joe went their separate ways, while Jamie went back to his homework, and Danny made trip after trip up the stairs with

everything from the baby shower, while Devon slept. Standing in the nursery, Danny looked around the room, struggling with the decision on where to put everything.

His mother already put all her clothes away in the closet and in the dresser drawers, so that was helpful. He knew he could keep the bath stuff in one of the bathroom

cabinets, then again it wasn't like he only had Devon's stuff he needed to move into the bathroom, he also had his own stuff he needed to move in there, but that

would have to wait till later, after he got his parents living room, in some kind of order. His room could be a mess, and his kids room could be a mess, but he couldn't

and wouldn't let his parent's house look as if he was a teenage father, unable to keep things under control. Then again, it wasn't like it was an easy thing to do, living

with his parents added extra responsibility, like helping his Dad with yard work, his mom with things she needed help with. He was being shoved back into the big

brother role again, then again it wasn't like he ever got out of that role, it was more of a transition, of moving back into being a full time big brother. On top of all this,

he still had his job, that he was going to have to go back to after a couple of weeks. But most importantly, he had Devon to look after. Deciding, there wasn't much he

could do, until he got the changing table in the room, Danny decided to head back downstairs, to check on Devon, knowing she should be waking up for another bottle

and needing a diaper change. Danny had just reached the bottom floor and looked into the pack n play. Noticing Devon wasn't in there, Danny walked into the

kitchen, and found Frank already feeding her. "Was she crying?" Danny didn't think he heard her fuss, then again, he figured it was always possible, that she figured

out that he didn't like it when she cried, so she decided to stop, but he really didn't expect that to happen, at least not anytime soon. "No," Frank shook his head,

leaning against one of the kitchen counters while Mary fixed dinner. "Grandpa missed his girl," Frank smiled at the newborn. "I miss anyone who's willing to help out,"

Danny sighed, reaching for the coffee pot. "I see you got the changing table put together," Frank said making conversation. "That was more of a Joe, Jamie and Nicki

project," Danny admitted. "Nicki," Frank smiled at the mention of his eldest grandchild. "Erin came by to help me out with some of the baby shower gifts, and Joe got

out early at the academy, so they were both here. And then they only sent French instructions, so Jamie had to help interpret," Danny gave his parents a rundown of

the evening. "Don't you think it would have been better to put the changing table together in the nursery, so you wouldn't have to struggle with getting it up the

stairs," Frank said pointedly. "I guess I didn't think about that," Danny muttered. "Tell your brother, I said to help you take it upstairs," Frank told him. Danny set his

coffee cup down, and stood up from the kitchen table, to do his father's bidding, when Mary stopped him. "It can wait until after dinner," Mary was saying it more to

her husband, than her son. Danny glanced from Mary to Frank, unsure of what to do, before picking up his coffee cup, and heading up the stairs to find Jamie. "You

need to give him a break Frank," Mary looked at her husband seriously. "He's trying really hard, and this hasn't been easy on him," she added picking up for her son.

"What do you want me to do," Frank asked? "Remember what it was like for us when he was born, and then add ten," Mary said gently. "When Danny was born, you

were exhausted, because you weren't getting any sleep." "I remember," Frank nodded. "Well just think about it like this," Mary explained. "You had nine months to

get the nursery, and all the other things put together. As well as prepare yourself mentally for the strain. Danny has not had that, he just had to dive right in, and

keep himself and Devon afloat. And I think he's doing a great job, taking care of a newborn, that he didn't even know up until 6 days ago." "You're right," Frank

agreed. "And I'm very proud of him for it." "Then stop ordering him around," Mary said gently, yet firmly. Frank nodded, "I know, I'm just still getting used to having a

baby in the house. It's been a long time, since Jamie was a newborn." "I have to admit, it has been different, getting woken up in the middle of the night, to the

sounds of a baby crying," Mary laughed. "She's certainly changed things up around here," Frank said looking down at the little girl in his arms. "That she has," Mary

agreed, thinking of all the extra laundry she's had to do with nothing but baby clothes.

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"Mom, Dad, I need to tell you something," Jamie said nervously, looking up at his parents, that evening just after dinner. "Bath time Devon," Danny was more than

willing to escape, what he knew was coming his little brother's way. "Thank you," Jamie mouthed, as Danny took Devon out of the bassinet he had sitting next to the

dining room table. "Before you start yelling Dad, just remember I have an infant in the next room, and she gets scared when somebody yells," Danny couldn't help but

try to help his little brother out. "Goodbye Daniel," was all Frank said, not taking his eyes off Jamie. "Yes Sir," Danny mumbled, hurrying out of the dining room, and

into the kitchen, grateful he left a bottle of baby soap next to the sink. "Alright Devon, I know you don't like this very much, but we've got to do it," Danny lowered

her into the sink, and placed her atop the sponge pad. "If I promise to be quick, will you promise not to scream at me?" Devon was already starting to whimper and

Danny all but gave up. "Awe come on baby," Danny said, when Devon's lower lip started to quiver. "Don't be scared Devon, Daddy's right here," Danny said while he

ran a soapy rag over his daughter head. Considering she had little to no hair, he didn't have to worry about doing too substantial of a job, and he was more than

willing to take it easy on her, especially considering she didn't like it to begin with. Working his way down, Danny finished with the bath, in just a few minutes. It

probably wouldn't have taken nearly as long, had she not have been wriggling and fussing so much, but he couldn't really help it, considering he knew she needed it.

"Daddy was in such a hurry to get away from Grandpa, he forgot to get you a diaper and a towel," Danny said looking around for a clean kitchen towel. Locating one,

Danny gently wrapped her in the towel. "It's a good thing you're little, because this towel is even smaller," Danny noticed. Knowing he needed to get upstairs so he

could a diaper on her, before she sprung a leak all over him, Danny hurried out of the room. For the first time, grateful that the kitchen had more than one door, one

that led into the dining room, and the other that led into the living room, so he could get up the stairs in a hurry, and not get stuck in the middle of his parents,

griping out his kid brother. "Keep it inside Devon, keep it inside," Danny said taking the stairs two at a time, in a hurry to get to a diaper. Danny had just reached the

nursery, when he felt something warm all over his hand and shirt. "Devon Reagan," Danny moaned loud enough for his parents to hear downstairs. "I'll let you take

care of him," Mary said looking at Frank, while nodding at Jamie. "I'm going to go check on Danny," Mary sounded worried. Mary was just about to head up the stairs,

when Danny almost ran her over trying to get back down to the kitchen sink. "She peed on me!" Danny said loudly, again startling his daughter and making her cry. "I

know, I know," Danny said frustrated, walking through the dining room, not even caring about interrupting his father and brother anymore. Danny's shirt was wet and

it was sticking to his chest, making him feel quite uncomfortable, just as a yellow stain started to appear on the front of it. Danny couldn't handle the stickiness any

longer, and he all about shoved the baby in his brother's arms. "Augh, Danny," Jamie looked disgusted. "I don't take care of kids." "Just hold her for a second," Danny

pulled his shirt off in a hurry before dropping it on the floor so he could take Devon from his brother and wash her off again, only this time he was careful to bring a

diaper with him. "Danny!" Mary picked the shirt up off the floor. "I'm sorry Mom, but I don't like bodily fluids on me," Danny walked into the kitchen. "You're going to

get a lot worse, than your child's urine on you, I can assure you," Frank called back, remembering, wanting to get back to Jamie, so he could get on with his evening.

Danny placed Devon back in the sink for a quick rinse off, and once again she started crying. "I know you don't want to go through this again, but I can't help that you

peed all over yourself," Danny poured a cup of soapy water over the lower half of her body, where she got wet. Devon shivered, and Danny poured another cup of

warm water over her, to rinse her off. Danny quickly took her out of the sink, and wrapped her in the bath towel his mother brought him. He had the diaper in his

back pocket, and he wanted to get it on her as fast as he could so he didn't have another repeat, but for some reason, it just felt wrong to lay her out on the kitchen

counter, and strap the thing on her. With this in mind, Danny carried her into the living room, to lay her out on the couch. "I'm sorry baby," Danny couldn't help but

feel a little bad, when he realized how much she was shaking. I'm definitely going to need to get a little heater to keep in the kitchen, Danny thought to himself,

watching her shiver, as he took the towel off her. He didn't like having to take the only source of warmth away from her, but he couldn't exactly do anything about it,

considering he had to get a diaper on her. "Alright Devon, let's not have a repeat of day one, when you peed all over Grandma and Grandpas couch," Danny

remembered the last time, he laid her diaper less bottom on the sofa. Unfolding the diaper, Danny placed it under her and fastened it securely. "Danny, you have to

put the diaper rash ointment, powder, and baby lotion on before you put the diaper on," Mary reminded him. "Not right now," Danny shook his head. "I don't want to

take any chances of springing another leak and having to put her back in the sink. She's already shivering," Danny wrapped her back up in the towel before picking

her up, and going to sit in front of the fireplace to warm her up, before he took her up the stairs to get her dressed. "I'll put it on her when I dress her," Danny

reassured his mother. "Besides I don't really see the need in putting diaper rash ointment on her if she doesn't even have a rash," he admitted. "You don't have to,"

Mary wanted to make sure that he knew, that he was to one to make the decisions, then again, she couldn't help but offer a little friendly advice to the new parent.

"But would you at least rub a little baby lotion on her bottom," she pressed gently. Danny sighed, "yes mother." "Thank you," Mary kissed his head, before heading

into the kitchen to clean up the dinner mess. "Grandma is so concerned that your little butt is going to get dried out," Danny smiled at Devon. "But I don't see how

that's going to happen, with all the diaper changes you force me to do. I mean it's not like you let me leave you wet, you usually scream at me when you want your

diaper changed. But this is something I don't understand," Danny noted, while Devon starred up at him, no longer shivering. "You cry when you are wet, but you also

scream bloody murder when I take your diaper off. This has been very confusing for Daddy." Thinking he gave her plenty of time to warm up, Danny took her up the

stairs, to finish up with the lotion and powder, before dressing her in a clean pair of pajamas. "Are you just about ready for another bottle, so you can go to sleep?"

Danny asked finishing up with the yellow and blue striped zipper pajamas. Daddy could use a little time talking to Uncle Jamie, and getting our stuff moved into the

bathroom," Danny mentioned carrying her down the stairs. "But most importantly, Daddy would really like to take a hot shower, and get at least a little sleep, before

you get started on your nightly mission of totally exhausting Daddy." Devon squirmed in his arms and Danny shook his head. "Is that your way of telling me not to

count on it? Yeah probably," he muttered. Walking into the kitchen, Danny found his parents talking in the kitchen. "Is this a private conversation, or can I come in

here and fix your granddaughter a bottle, before she starts screaming loud enough to get the neighbors to call the cops on grounds of neglect?" "Little Devon wouldn't

do that," Frank took his squirming granddaughter from her father. "Want to bet?" was all Danny could think to say. "You can come in son," Mary laughed, at her son's

words. "Oh, and thanks for dinner mom," Danny glanced at her, while measuring out the formula. "I haven't eaten this well, since before I moved out," Danny poured

the warm baby water into the bottle before shaking it. "I'll feed her, if you want a break Danny," Frank volunteered. "Are you sure you don't mind?" Danny looked at

him questioningly. "I wouldn't offer if I did," Frank nodded. "Great, thanks Dad," Danny handed him the bottle before hurrying up the stairs, hoping to get a little more

work done.

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"Hey Jamie, do you think you could manage to find some time to clean out some of your stuff in one of the bathroom cabinets, so I can put Devon's stuff in it?" Danny

walked into his brother's bedroom. "Yeah," Jamie nodded. "Dad grounded me, so it looks like I'm going to have plenty of time." "Are you still sitting comfortably,"

Danny shrugged? "Yes," Jamie sighed. "Then you should count yourself lucky," Danny grabbed his brother by his shirt, and hauled him into the bathroom. "Is it

necessary to do this now?" Jamie started to go through some of the stuff he had in the bottom cabinet. "Mom and Dad are watching Devon, so yes," Danny nodded

quickly. "Have you put your stuff in her yet," Jamie wondered? "I'm going to put it on the shelf that Joe had his stuff on," Danny enlightened him. "So, what are you

going to do this weekend?" Jamie tossed several old bottles into the waste basket. "Not much, I have a newborn," Danny said honestly. "That makes two of us, only

instead of a newborn, I have parents that don't look too kindly on practical jokes done on school premises," Jamie muttered. "Well since were both grounded, maybe

we can at least play a few hands of poker." Danny knew he would enjoy a little time to do something fun. "Yeah, and maybe Joe will come," Jamie brightened,

deciding maybe the weekend grounding wouldn't be so bad after all. "I'll give him a call," Danny nodded, thinking it was a good idea. "And maybe Dad and Grandpa

will play," Jamie added a few more players. "If Dads here, I'm sure he will want to play," Danny knew that his father would never purposely miss a poker game with

his sons. "And since it's the weekend, Grandma will be here wanting to see Devon, so that means Grandpa will be here too," Jamie knew that given the choice, his

grandmother would stay all day, just so she could hold the baby.

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Finishing up in the bathroom, Danny figured he should go down and check on Devon, before he decided to take a shower. Noticing she was fast asleep on her

grandfather's chest, Danny took the opportunity to take a long shower. Then again, any shower that lasted longer than five minutes, was a long shower to the new

daddy. Standing under the hot water, Danny took a deep breath. He hadn't been able to take a shower that morning, like he was accustomed to, so he was taking

advantage of this one, and enjoying every second of it. His life had sure changed over the past few days, he was getting used to running on little to no sleep, waking

up multiple times throughout the night, his bedroom was no longer his own, and he was having to share it with his newborn. He was using the kitchen sink for more

things than just washing dishes, he had been peed on, cried at, and spent a whole day setting up baby equipment, and finding places for all the things, that he still

had no idea what to do with. Then again, some of the things, he was pretty sure that he didn't want to know what to do with.

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I have to admit, I am really enjoying this story... It is so much fun to write... Hope you all enjoyed the update... and thanks again for the follows, favorites, and reviews... JusticeStandsTRUE