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

8. Chapter 8

CH. 8: Brothers and Babies Part 2

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The night was long for all, especially for Danny and Jamie, who were both being kept up by Devon's constant cries. The following morning, and Jamie trudged out of

bed wearily. He wasn't feeling like going to school, but he doubted that Danny would ever let him skip out. Danny wasn't nearly as mad at him as he was before for

having to pick him up from the party. Especially considering they spent most of the night trying to take care of Devon, and they had to talk to do that. That morning,

and Danny and Jamie were both hitting the coffee pot hard. They were exhausted, and Devon was finally asleep. Neither one of them knew for how long, but they

were certainly counting their blessings. "I'm going to try and get Devon an appointment with her pediatrician today, but I'll try to make it while you're at school." "It's

cool if you can't," Jamie shook his head, surprising his brother by his helpful attitude. "Who are you and what have you done with my brother?" Danny knew that this

type of behavior was unusual, especially for a teenager. "I'm going to be grounded for life when Mom and Dad get home, so I figured I better enjoy every outing I can

possibly have," Jamie shrugged. "Good point," Danny nodded.

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After dropping his brother off, Danny returned home, surprised to find his niece and sister in the kitchen. "What are you doing here?" Danny asked wearily, carrying

Devon inside. "I came to check on you and Devon," Erin answered taking Devon from him. "You mean you wanted to make sure I hadn't killed Jamie yet?" Danny

knew better. "I have my reasons," was all Erin said. After refilling his coffee cup, Danny followed his sister into the living room. "Has Devon been any better since last

night?" Erin wondered. "Depends how you look at it," Danny wasn't sure what else to say. "She kept me up half the night, but she's sleeping now." "Kids are definitely

a mystery," Erin couldn't help but agree. Danny took a seat in his father's favorite chair, while he listened to his sister talk, and in seconds he was asleep. Erin turned

around when she realized he had to reply, and she couldn't help but laugh as she listened to his light snores. "Let's leave Uncle Danny alone so he can take a nap,"

Erin proceeded to take her daughter by the hand so they could go upstairs. "He snoring," Nicki smiled, pointing at her uncle. "That's because he's really tired," Erin

tried to explain as best she could to a one-year old. "Night, night Uncle Danny," Nicki whispered standing by her uncle's chair, before hurrying to follow her mother.

Sometime later, and Danny was awoken by the smell of lunch cooking in the kitchen. Pulling himself out of the chair, Danny slowly made his way into the kitchen. "We

make lunch," Nicki beamed, pointing at the stove, when she saw her uncle. "I see that," Danny picked her up. "Where's Devon?" Danny asked Erin, when he didn't see

her daughter in the room. "She's upstairs napping," Erin said, while fixing Nicki a plate. "Where Jamie?" Nicki asked for about the hundredth time. "He's at school

Nicki," Danny finally answered, hoping he could get back to asking more about Devon. "How was she acting before she went to sleep?" "She was fussy, but I think she

finally wore herself out," Erin couldn't come up with anything else. "Where's Grandma?" Nicki interrupted. "I called the pediatrician, but they were all booked up." Part

of Danny sounded worried, but at this point he wasn't sure what to do. "Uncle Danny, where's Grandma?" Nicki was getting impatient. "I'm really not sure Nicki,"

Danny wasn't sure how to answer that question. "They didn't tell me." "She come home," Nicki in all her toddler wisdom said honestly. "I agree kid," Danny chuckled.

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Sometime later, and Erin and Nicki left, leaving Danny to quietly make his way up the stairs to check on his daughter. Devon was awake and squirming in her crib.

She had just started to whimper, but those whimpers quickly turned to full-fledged cries, when she saw her father. "Did you miss Daddy?" Danny was hoping that was

the reason for her cries, rather than her not feeling well. He had just picked her up, and shifted her up on his shoulder hoping to make her comfortable, when his

phone rang. "Reagan," Danny said immediately when he didn't recognize the number. "Is this Danny Reagan?" The shy voice on the other end of the phone asked.

"Yes," Danny answered. "Your brother Jamison Reagan said that we needed to call you," the woman started to say. "What did he do?" Danny sounded confused,

knowing that it was extremely rare for Jamie to get into trouble at school, unlike himself. "He was playing basketball and injured his arm. He needs to be picked up

and taken to the emergency room for x-rays," the nurse replied. "I understand, I'll be there as soon as I can," Danny said hanging up the phone, before getting Devon

ready, knowing that most likely they would be at the hospital for several hours, and chances were she would be needing to be fed before they got home. After packing

the diaper bag, grabbing his keys, and buckling Devon in her car seat, Danny headed for the school, to pick up his injured brother. "Here we go again," Danny said

pulling up to the school, and once again removing his daughter from her seat. Walking up the steps of the school, Danny mumbled to himself. "I've been here more

lately, than I ever wanted to be since graduation. And Devon, you are more than welcome to cry, especially if we see Father Peter. That man made my life miserable

for many years." From what Danny could remember, the nurse's office was on the bottom floor, unfortunately he was having a little trouble, remembering what room

number it was. It wasn't like he spent much time there anyways, growing up. Unlike the principal's office, which he could find blind folded to this day. "You in here

kid?" Danny stuck his head in one of the rooms, deciding that the only way he was going to find his brother, was by stopping at every door on the south side of the

school. "Are you Daniel Reagan?" The nurse asked, from one of the filing cabinets. "The one and only," Danny smiled. "Jamison is over here resting," the nurse led

Danny around the corner to one of the set-up cots that were available for sick students. "How's the arm Jamie?" Danny looked at his brother. He could tell the kid was

in pain, yet it also appeared that he was trying to be tough in front of the lady nurse. "I'll be alright," Jamie grunted, standing. The more he moved the more he hurt.

"How did this happen?" Danny knew he needed to get to the bottom of what happened. Yet at the same time he could tell that Devon was beginning to get upset, and

he was hoping she wouldn't start screaming, at least not until after they left the school. "I was playing basketball, and going for a layup," Jamie started to explain.

"And?" Danny pushed, tying to hurry. "And Rob Seaver was trying to get the ball, and it was pretty much the domino theory from there," Jamie continued. "Sounds

like a rough game," the nurse nodded, glancing at her patient's brother. "It's the way we play," Jamie, despite the pain, smiled. "Maybe we should start placing more

staff in the yard during free time," the nurse shook her head. "It wouldn't matter," Danny shook his head. "They'll play the way they want to play regardless." "Here's

a note regarding my observation," the nurse handed the note to the eldest Reagan brother. "You can give it to the hospital attendant." "Will do," Danny nodded. "And

thank you," he added, before hurriedly escorting his brother out of the school. The had just walked out of the school, when Devon started to cry in frustration. "Has

she still been fussy?" Jamie remembered the day before, and how upset she had been, over every little thing. "Yeah," Danny hated to strap her back in the car seat,

knowing that would undoubtedly make it worse, but there was nothing he could do, considering they had to get to the hospital. Devon was still crying when they got

to the hospital, fortunately for Danny it subsided a bit, once her Daddy took her out of her car seat. It wasn't much to anyone's standards, but it was a great deal for

Danny who was undoubtedly used to the loud piercing cries.

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Walking in, Danny immediately made his way over to the front counter to get Jamie registered. Surprisingly, Danny didn't even have a chance to make himself

comfortable, before they called them back. And Danny was almost certain it was due to the fussy infant. Danny really didn't want to have to go into the examination

room, but ever since they walked into the hospital, his normally calm brother seemed to have turned chicken in a matter of seconds. In fact, had it not have been for

Danny who shoved him in, they would still be standing by the door. "I hate hospitals," Jamie could help but mumble, who trudged slowly down the hall and into the

nearest examination rooms of St. Victors Hospital. "Just try to do what they tell you," Danny took the available seat in the room. "That's easy for you to say," Jamie

muttered. "You're not the one facing scary doctors and nurses." "I used to think the exact same way," Danny nodded, shifting Devon, doing his best to make her more

comfortable. "Until I met a nurse that did a great job with my daughter, despite her nervous daddy." "So that's one in a million," Jamie shrugged. "What are the

chances of getting the same nurse?" Danny was just about to answer when the same nurse from before, nurse Linda walked into the room. "Well hello," Linda

greeted, recognizing Danny. "How are you?" Danny asked, making conversation. "I'm great," Linda smiled. "And how's Miss Devon doing?" Linda asked, stepping

closer to smile at the infant. "She's been a little fussy, but she seems to be growing," Danny knew that either Devon was growing, or he was gaining muscle. Linda

was about to reply, when Jamie interrupted, pointing at his arm. "Injured man over here." "Linda, the kid over here complaining, is my kid brother Jamie," Danny

gestured at the examination table, where his brother sat. "It's nice to meet you Jamie. What seems to be the trouble?" Linda stepped over to the examination table to

get a better look at the patient. "I crashed into the cement, playing basketball," Jamie enlightened her. "Hopefully you at least made the basket," Linda joked. "I did,"

Jamie smiled, proud of himself. After asking Jamie to move his arm slightly, and examining it for stiffness and bruising, Linda spoke up. "The good news is, it isn't

broken, but I think the doctor will order an x-ray in order to determine the severity of the sprain." "That's great, thank you," Danny was just glad to hear that the

bone wasn't broken. "Uh, X-Ray," Jamie looked from his brother to the nurse nervously. "It isn't going to hurt," Linda smiled at him reassuringly. "I, I, I'm not scared,"

Jamie lied, trying to sound tougher than he was feeling. Devon's light whimpers, were turning into more of a cry, and Danny was doing his best to make her a bottle

with one hand, while juggling her in the other. After trying for several minutes to get her to take the bottle, Danny gave up, and Devon's cries slowly turned into

screams. "I'm sorry," Danny apologized embarrassed, looking over at the blonde nurse, with a sweet smile. "She's been doing this lately. As soon as my brother gets

here, he'll take her out to the waiting room. "May I," Linda offered to take the crying infant. "Of course," Danny was more than interested in giving his arms a break.

"How has she been doing other than the crying?" Linda placed her on the examination table next her uncle so she could examine her. "Good, for the most part,"

Danny ran a hand down his tired face. "Don't worry Devon, Uncle Joes here to save you," Joe said walking into the room. "Hello," Joe's eyes went wide, when he saw

Linda. "Are you busy Friday night?" "Yes," Linda said bluntly, before picking up Devon and carrying her out of the room. "Did you really just say that?" Danny couldn't

believe what he had just heard. "I was only joking," Joe tried picking up for himself. "Well don't," Danny sounded annoyed at his brother. "What's the matter with you?

We used to do things like that all the time," Joe reminded him. "This is different?" Danny shook his head. "How?" Joe couldn't understand what had gotten into his

brother. "Linda isn't like that," Danny said seriously. "Okay," Joe held his hands up in surrender. "You win." "You need to apologize too," Danny was sure to add. "Yes

Dad," Joe replied, sarcastically. "Do you two think you can pay just a little attention to your injured brother! Who just so happens to be freaking out over this whole

thing! And is in PAIN, I might add!" Jamie interrupted the banter between his two elder brothers. "Grow up Jamie!" Danny and Joe turned on him. "Is it too late to call

Erin?" Jamie thought his sister may be a bit more sympathetic. Seconds later, and Linda returned with Devon. "How often has she been crying?" Linda said, knowing

that something wasn't quite right with the infant. "All the time," Danny said tiredly. "She's clingy, and she won't stop crying unless she's moving, and I'm holding her.

The increase in holding, I can handle," Danny couldn't help but feel proud, that his daughter wanted him to hold her. "The hardest part though has been the increase

in crying all the time. She won't let me sleep, and she barely lets me eat." "That's colic alright," Linda was trying not to laugh, but the expression on the new father's

face, was making it very difficult. "Is she going to be alright?" Danny sounded worried. "She'll be fine. A lot of infants are colicky. It's difficult for the parents, but you

don't have anything to worry about," Linda assured him. "So that's it, she's just colicky?" Danny wanted to clarify. "Not quite," Linda hated to say the rest to the

already nervous father. "What's wrong," Danny jumped up from his seat and started to pace across the floor. "Just give it to me straight, I can handle it." "She has a

moderate case of jaundice." Linda was about to continue, but was interrupted once again by the anxious daddy. "What's jaundice?" Danny's face dropped. "Does your

baby have a horrible pitched scream? Seem cranky? Having less frequent soiled diapers? Does her color seem off?" Linda ran a few questions off the top of her head.

"Yes, to all four questions," Danny said abruptly. "Jaundice is what happens when bilirubin builds up faster than a newborn's liver can break down and then pass it

from the body in urine and bowel movements," Linda explained. "It's normal for newborns to develop jaundice," Linda added. "Although doctors do usually discover it

on the baby's first appointment, just after birth." "So, why wasn't the jaundice discovered earlier?" Danny asked concerned. "According to our records, and the

pediatricians in the area that we spoke to. There was never a follow up appointment after she was born," Linda hated to say it, knowing how the young father was

going to feel. "Until I brought her in the first time," Danny interpreted, cussing inwardly, a bitter thought moving toward Jenny, for not taking their baby to her first

doctors checkup after she was born. Yes, and when you brought her in, apparently it was such a slight case, that it was missed. Only it has increased since then." "D,

D, does she have to stay in the hospital?" Danny stuttered. "No," Linda smiled for the first time, since giving the father the news. "It will typically disappear in a few

days with phototherapy." "What's phototherapy?" Joe wondered aloud, completely confused, knowing absolutely nothing about babies. "It's a special light treatment

that with that along with an increase of feedings will help her little body excrete the bilirubin from her body," Linda started to explain, but was quickly interrupted by

the youngest Reagan brother. "What's that word excrete mean?" Jamie asked. "It means she will have an excess of soiled diapers," Linda interpreted. Joy, Danny

muttered under his breath, before moving on to his next question. "So, this phototherapy thing, what exactly is it? And will I know how to take care of her?" "It isn't

hard," Linda reassured him. "Phototherapy, is done with a lamp that's called a bili-light. She needs to have as much skin exposed as possible during the light

treatment. So just leave her in her diaper, and then place her in her bassinet that should be directly under the light." "And where can I get one of these lights?" Danny

was trying not to sound nervous with all this new information the nurse was giving him. He was typically pretty good with remembering certain information he was

given, but this time, when it came to his two-week old infant, he was at a complete loss. "You can rent one from home health," Linda handed him several pages of

directions on how to take care of a child with jaundice. "How long does she need to be under the light?" "As much as possible," Linda's face expression turned solemn.

"Which will prove to be exceptionally difficult with a colicky baby I'm afraid." A disgruntled look crossed Danny's face, doing his best to stifle the groan that threatened

to come out. "Wow," Joe couldn't help but let out a breath, feeling a bit sorry for his big brother, knowing how difficult and time consuming it was going to be. "Joe,

can I stay with you?" Jamie wasn't looking forward to having to listen to his crying niece. "No," Danny and Joe said simultaneously. "You will also need to increase the

number of feedings she's given," Linda continued. "What will that do?" Joe was the one to ask. "It will keep her from getting dehydrated and help her have an increase

of soiled diapers, which will in turn allow her to excrete the bilirubin, and get better." "And how often do I need to feed her?" Danny was already getting ready to set a

recurring alarm on his phone. "Every 2 to 3 hours at least 10 to 12 times a day," she explained. "Wow," this time it was Danny's turn, for his face to stare blankly into

nothing. "Even if she's sleeping," he was almost too afraid to ask. "Afraid so," Linda gave him a small reassuring smile. Oh gosh that smile, Danny thought to himself,

losing track of everything she was saying. Focus Danny, he repeated to himself several times. Your first concern is for your daughter, Danny had to shake his head to

get himself to concentrate. "How will I know when she is no longer jaundiced?" "A nurse will come by at least once a day to take check her weight, feedings, skin, and

then take a small sample of blood to check the level of bilirubin," Linda explained. Danny frowned when he heard the word blood sample. In the past, no one could

ever use the word coward and Danny Reagan in the same sentence, and normally Danny didn't have a problem with blood being taken from himself, or even kids for

that matter. Thinking that it was just a part of life, but now, things were different, and he didn't want anything that even resembled a needle close to his already

crying infant. "You will also need to keep track of the amount of wet and dirty diapers she has," Linda remembered. "Can you be the nurse that comes by to check on

her?" Danny asked, doing his best to hide the smile that threatened to appear. "For Devon's sake of course," Danny cleared his throat. "You knowing, everything

about her and all." "I'll see if I can pull a few strings," Linda gave him a small smile. She wasn't sure what it was about the man. She wasn't sure if it was his smile,

the fact that he was such a great single dad, big brother, and obviously came from a loving family. But she knew that there was something special about him. "Is now

a good time to apologize for sounding like an idiot earlier?" Joe interrupted, from where he was standing in a nearby corner. "Apology excepted Mr. Reagan," Linda

wasn't by any means bothered by the young man's comment. Being a single ER nurse in New York, made her used to it. "It's Joe," Joe took Devon from her, so she

could move on to her other Reagan patient. She was still crying, but Joe took her out of the room for a few minutes so Danny could concentrate on what she was

going to tell him about Jamie. "I'll be back as soon as I get the X-Ray machine ready," Linda looked at the young Reagan, before exiting the exam room. "Let's decline

the X-Rays," Jamie looked at his brother hopeful. "Are you crazy?" Danny looked at him confused. "Mom would kill me, if I didn't take every precaution when it came

to your health." "Please Danny, I hate X-Rays, and you know they are going to make me wear that stupid arm sling again," Jamie begged, sounding as if he was

speaking from experience. "Jamie," Danny looked at him sternly. "Don't you remember how we ended up being left alone in the first place. It was because Dad was

upset about the whole stereo and bad decision making. So, he left me alone with you and Devon, hoping if placed in another situation such as that, that I would make

the right decision. And there is no way in hell, that I'm going to let him down." "If Mom heard what you just said, she would be washing your mouth out with soap,"

Jamie couldn't help but lose track of what he was saying before, when it came to correcting his eldest brother. "Shut-up Jamie," Danny was worried about Devon, and

it was obviously beginning to show. "I'll be right back, I'm going to go check on her," Danny started for the door. "But Danny," Jamie jumped up from the table,

despite the pain that shot through his arm when he did so. "You can't just leave me here alone." "Oh my gosh Jamie, it's not like I'm leaving the hospital, I'm just

going into the waiting room," Danny couldn't believe how big of a coward his normally brave brother was turning into. "But what if," Jamie started to voice another

worried concern. "Okay Jamie, I need you to focus," Danny managed to convince him to return to the exam table. Jamie took a seat, and Danny continued. "Focus on

me, now focus on the door, now focus on me going out the door. I don't have time for this Jamie, suck it up." Danny was about to walk out the door when Linda

returned. "Would you by any chance have any tranquilizers we can give him. For pain of course," Danny was trying to sound serious. "Of course," Linda couldn't help

but laugh. "If I live through this I'm telling Mom," Jamie sounded both upset and worried. "Be my guest, she will probably congratulate me on a job well done," Danny

went in the direction of the waiting room, while Jamie was being led in the direction of the x-ray equipment.

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An hour or so later, and Danny, Jamie and Devon were leaving the hospital. "If I was to stop by the store, can I trust you to run in, get diapers, formula an ice pack

for your arm and then come right back?" "Danny," Jamie sounded annoyed. "Of course, you can trust me." Danny glanced at him for a second, wondering if he really

should trust him, as he pulled into the parking lot. "Jamie, I swear that if I even hear about you making a detour to the entertainment section or touching anything

you're not supposed to, I won't wait for Dad to kill you, and I'll do it myself." "Don't worry Danny, I've learned my lesson," Jamie held up his good arm. "For your

sake, I hope so," Danny shook his head, handing his brother the money, before taking his crying infant out of the car sea for a few minutes. "I know this has been

rough on you Devon, but we'll be home soon." Danny made himself comfortable in the backseat. "My little yellow girl is going to turn into a light bulb." Devon let out

another cry, and Danny fumbled through the diaper bag, hoping he remembered to pack the pacifier. "You think your fussy now, just wait till I have to cook you in the

bassinet with the light." Danny wasn't by any means looking forward to the long enduring days to come, that were going to be filled with constant screams, because

she wanted to be held instead of being forced to stay in her little cubicle. "Grandma would smack me for saying that, but since she's not here, and I don't think it will

hurt for me to tell you the truth. Anyways, things in the bassinet aren't going to be nice for the next couple of days. But I want you to know that Daddy's not doing it

to be mean. He's doing it because it will help you get better. Because if you don't get better at home, they'll put you in the hospital. And if they put you in the

hospital, the only time they will let you out of the bed there is for feedings and diaper changes, and they won't let Daddy hold you very much, like you enjoy." Devon

managed to stop crying for a few minutes and look up at him, a bit more content, now that she had her pink pacifier in her mouth. "Again, I know things in the

bassinet aren't going to be great. But in order to avoid a stint in the hospital, you're just going to have to try and be content." Danny sighed and looked at the little

eyes that were staring up at him. "I know, I know, I'm telling a two-week old to be content," Danny couldn't believe what he was saying, as he started to place her

back in her car seat, when he saw his brother walk out of the store.

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When Danny and Jamie arrived home, they were surprised to find their brother Joe there. Then again, Danny really wasn't all that surprised. His brother after all did

tend to show up looking for free food. "Home health delivered the light," Joe said his mouth full of food. "I signed for it, but I told them to send the bill to you," he

added with a smile. "Thanks," Danny said, with very little enthusiasm behind it. "Hey," Joe tried picking up for himself. "I'm a poor police academy trainee, that's

trying to make rent on your apartment. And I hate asking Dad for money." "Yeah, yeah, I know," Danny said handing his daughter over to her uncle, so he could

unload the car and get the phototherapy light set up over the bassinet. He had just gotten started on the light when Jamie came down and plopped himself down on

the sofa, fiddling with the TV remote. "As much as I hate to sound like Mom," Danny stopped what he was doing to glance at his brother. "But you need to take a

shower and get started on doing what Linda told you to do for that arm." "So, it's Linda now," Joe couldn't help but overhear, when he came walking in with Devon.

And considering he heard it, he knew he couldn't pass up the opportunity to rib him about it. "She's going to be coming by to check on Devon, so we just thought we

should forgo the formalities that's it," Danny said annoyed. "You're going to have her here!" Joe couldn't contain his excitement. "That is one fine nurse." "Shut-up

Joseph! And before you start in don't," Danny turned his attention on Jamie. "I have a two-week old infant at home, and no one in their right mind is going to get

involved in a relationship with someone like that. Not to mention, I don't have the strength to deal with the troubles that a relationship causes." Danny was literally

exhausted just thinking about it. "Now do what I tell you before I hurt your other arm!" Danny yelled at Jamie. "Yes Sir," Jamie got up as quickly as he could, without

causing pain to the injury "He's turning into Dad," Jamie whispered to Joe, while pointing at Danny. "I heard that," Danny warned. "I'm going, I'm going," Jamie made

a break for the stairs. "And you!" Danny focused his attention on Joe. "If you want to live to see tomorrow, don't say another word about it!" "I'm calling Dad," Joe

was trying to get away from the wrath that was being pointed directly his direction. "Go ahead," Danny didn't sound too worried about it. "He won't answer anyways."

"I wonder if he would answer if he found out I got arrested?" Joe wondered aloud. "If you got yourself arrested, him answering the phone would be the least of your

worries," Danny reminded him. "Yeah your probably right," Joe said thinking about it a bit more. "And then you would be begging the officers not to let you out,

because by the time Dad would be through with you. You would need a hospital," Danny wasn't by any means joking, knowing how furious his parents would be. "At

least your friends with a nurse," Joe grinned. "Joe," Danny glared at him again. "I only said friends," Joe smiled innocently. "Now give me back my kid and go see if

Jamie needs help in the bathroom," Danny took Devon from him so he could give her a bath and get her ready for her first treatment. "Jamie was right, you are

turning into Dad." Joe ran up the stairs before Danny could put Devon down and go after him.

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"Hey Danny," Erin and Nicki came in later, finding Danny at the kitchen sink with a crying naked Devon. "Bath," Nicki pointed at the sink that had a slow trickle of

warm water running from it. "I'm trying to hurry Devon," Danny was just about to place her in the sink when his left hand that was currently supporting her lower half

began to feel uncommonly warm. "Devon go potty," Nicki who was still in Erin's arms laughed, pointing at her uncle. It was running down his arm, and Danny was

obviously not amused. "Thank you, Nicki," Danny rolled his eyes. "Nicki," Erin set her daughter down. "Go see if you can find Uncle Joe and Uncle Jamie, before you

get in trouble with Uncle Danny." "Okay," Nicki hurried off to find her uncles. "I'll bathe Devon," Erin offered taking her niece. "You go take a shower." "Thanks,"

Danny said, even more physically and mentally drained than he was before. A few minutes later, and Danny returned, feeling a bit more rejuvenated after the hot

shower. "So, what did the doctor say about Devon?" Erin asked. "She has both colic and a moderate case of jaundice. When my kid does something, she goes all out,"

Danny wasn't sure if he should sound proud our not, but in this case, he was going for not. "She's just like her father," Erin smiled, getting Devon a bottle ready.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Danny stopped digging in the fridge to look at her. "I'm sure Mom and Dad could tell you," Erin walked out of the kitchen to make

herself more comfortable while feeding the little fussing girl. "So, I had colic when I was a baby, a lot of babies do," Danny joined her. "You also had jaundice, and

Mom and Dad had to give you sunbaths outside," Erin remembered Mary telling them stories. "So, I was hard on them as a baby, I'll apologize when they get home,"

Danny was slowly starting to understand how difficult an infant could be. "At least you get to do home treatment with Devon as well," Erin mentioned. "That's what I

said," Danny agreed. "The nurse from the hospital is going to be stopping by every day to check on her." "The nurse from the hospital?" Erin sounded surprised. "How

did you pull that off?" Erin knew that generally, only nurses from the child's pediatrician's office came by. "Linda, the nurse from the hospital works part time at St.

Vic's and part time at a pediatrician's office. Which is where I registered Devon at today," Danny started to explain. "She's really nice and she's great with Devon." "Is

she single?" Erin surprised Danny by her question. "Not you to," Danny was tempted to throw both his brother and sister out of the house, if they said one more thing

about him or Linda. "Sorry," Erin knew she needed to apologize, and she was doing her best not to smile. "Has she had any treatments yet?" Erin nodded at Devon,

changing the subject. "The first will be as soon as she's through eating," Danny ran a hand through his hair, dreading the whole coming ordeal, that he knew was

going to be difficult on both him and his daughter. "You don't look like you are looking forward to it," Erin noticed his face expression. "That's because this is Devon

were talking about," Danny reminded her. "All she does is cry if I'm not walking with her, holding her, or doing just about anything else with her in my arms." "Sounds

like a colicky baby to me," Erin finished burping her, while Danny turned the lights on the machine. "At least she gets to wear a diaper for this," Danny sounded

grateful, seriously beginning to count diapers as one of his favorite things in the world. After placing the eye mask around his daughter's head, Danny gently placed

her in the bassinet. "Now get ready for the fireworks," Danny walked away. It was almost as if Danny predicted it, but it was merely only seconds that Devon started

to cry again, which brought the remainder of the family downstairs to check on what brought out a whole new level screams. "Do you think she's going to do this

every time you put her in there?" Jamie sounded terrified. "Wouldn't surprise me," Danny shrugged. "Erin, can I go home with you?" "No Jamie, you can't go home

with Erin, now stop asking everybody who walks through that door if you can go home with them," Danny answered, before Erin even had a chance. "But Danny," the

kid of course, couldn't keep from arguing. "Jamie, you know your grounded, and you know Dad said you had to stay with me," Danny reminded him once again. "How

come everyone conveniently remembers that I'm grounded, but I don't," Jamie plopped down on the sofa in complaint. "Because you're a kid, that's why," Erin

answered for her brother. "I think I'll go anyway," Jamie ignored his siblings, and started for the front door. "You're not going anywhere Jamie, and if you step one

foot out of this house without my say so, I'm going to find Dads slapper." Erin and Joe, who weren't paying much attention to their eldest brother who was laying

down the hall for their youngest brothers benefit both stopped what they were doing and looked at one another. Each one of them after all knew exactly what their

father's slapper meant, all four of them having had it applied to their backsides before, and neither of them exactly looked at it kindly. "You can't spank me, you're not

my father," Jamie was careful not to sound too arrogant, not exactly wanting to tempt fate. "Try me," Danny threatened. "I'm going to my room," Jamie turned away

embarrassed. "I think we're going to go," Erin looked at Danny, feeling bad for him, knowing how stressed he must be feeling, having to deal with an infant that was

needing special care, as well as deal with their annoying and injured kid brother. "Good luck Danny," Joe picked up Nicki, so he could carry her out to Erin's car. "Bye

Danny," Nicki started to wave sweetly. "Bye Nicki," Danny gave her a small smile. With Jamie upstairs, and Erin, Joe and Nicki gone. Danny was left alone to listen his

daughter's cries, who seemed bound and determined to try and get the eye mask on her face. "Sorry Devon," Danny repositioned it. "But you have to leave it on,"

Danny looked for a pair of little socks to place on her hands to keep her from scratching her face, as well as to keep her from pushing the mask off.

XXXXXXXX

Content he left her under the light long enough, Danny picked her up, deciding to give her a small break, before getting her ready for bed, or for preparing for another

long sleepless night, which was the one Danny had a feeling was going to occur. Knowing it was never easy to calm her down, once she got worked up. And with her

having colic, Danny was already pulling out the TV guide, and planning to make another full pot of coffee. "Do you want to get your diaper changed first, or go tell

Uncle Jamie to eat something for dinner?" Danny asked the little girl that was slowly becoming content, as she was now back in her father's arms. "Why do I even

ask?" Danny shook his head smiling. "I know you hate having your diaper changed." "Hey Jamie," Danny walked into his brother's room a few minutes later. "What do

you want?" Jamie grumbled, under his breath. Danny took a deep breath, and took a seat on the edge of the bed. "I'm sorry I got so upset, but you were pushing it."

"I know," Jamie mumbled, hating the fact that his brother was right. "Now how's the arm feeling?" Danny was trying to move on, for both his and his brother's sake.

"It hurts," Jamie rubbed it gently. "Where's the sling your supposed to wear?" Danny looked around the room. "In the bathroom, I took it off before I showered,"

Jamie nodded. "Put it back on, and then come downstairs so we can get something to eat. And if Devon allows, maybe we can watch a movie or catch a game," Danny

offered, trying to make things seem a little better. "I thought I was grounded?" Jamie sounded miserable. "I won't tell Mom and Dad if you don't," Danny winked.

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They were about halfway into the movie, when Jamie started to squirm uncomfortably, and paying more attention to his arm than he was the movie. "What's the

matter?" Danny noticed the look on his brother's face. "My arms really starting to hurt," Jamie rubbed his arm gently. "Have you done anything for it?" Danny shifted

a bit, to look at him better. He couldn't move around much, at least not with Devon sleeping soundly on his chest, but it was enough to pay better attention to what

he was saying. "No," Jamie moaned. "Well why not?" Danny looked at him questioningly. "I don't know, I'm a kid," Jamie shrugged. "And your supposed to be the one

taking care of me remember?" Jamie tried shifting the blame. "What do you expect? I'm a cop not a nurse," Danny emphasized. "What do I know about taking care of

people? And it's not like I wasn't doing anything, I do have a baby that needs care." "We need a nurse in the family," Jamie moaned again, only this time louder. "Well

that's entirely up to you, because me, Erin and Joe have obviously already chosen our careers." "Nope," Jamie was quick to say. "I'm going to be a lawyer." "Well then

stop complaining and just do whatever Linda told you to do," Danny didn't know what else to tell him. "I'm in a lot of pain Danny, can I call Mom?" Jamie was slowly

moving to begging, knowing that usually when he didn't feel well, his mother was always there to take care of him. "No, we can't call mom. Mom and Dad went away

for a reason, and it's not like there going to answer anyway," Danny felt compelled to remind him of the reasons once again. "There trying to teach us a lesson. So

just call Erin, she's a mom." "Yeah but she's not my mom," Jamie pouted. "Now don't start that again," Danny was tired. "What about that cute nurse that helped us

today?" Jamie had a thought. "She took pity on us being orphans and said we could call her if we had any questions." "That was regarding Devon," Danny pointed at

the sleeping baby. "And as you can tell, she's fine." "Surely you can come up with something to ask her about Devon, and then just kind of hint to asking what I can

do," Jamie tried again. "No way, absolutely not," Danny refused point blank. "Over my dead body." "Well that could be arranged," Jamie had another tactic up his

sleeve, blackmail to be exact. "I could call Dad and tell him about the time you took his 71 Chevelle and participated in an illegal act of street racing," Jamie rubbed

his chin with his free hand menacingly. Danny's mouth dropped, but his eyes were piecing and threatening death. "That was one time, I was 19 and on leave from the

marines, and you were sworn to secrecy Jamie, and you know it," Danny pointed at him. "Besides, I'm older now and much more mature." "Mhmm," Jamie nodded.

"Let's just call Dad and see if your age has anything to do with it." "You have no idea how lucky you are that I'm scared of my father," Danny was seething. "So,

you're not scared of mom?" Jamie was digging himself deeper into trouble with his brother. "Are you kidding me? I'm more scared of mom, than I am of dad," Danny

said straight up. "Then call them, please. I really don't feel good," Jamie continued to beg. Danny sighed and ran a hand through his hair thinking. "I tell you what,

you take the pain meds you got from the hospital, and actually do the RICE treatment they told you to do, and if that doesn't help, then I'll call Linda." Jamie crossed

his arms in front of his chest thinking, but finally gave him. "Okay," Jamie gave in, knowing it was getting late. "Great, I'll go see if I can find moms heating pad,"

Danny gently placed Devon in her pack n play, silently praying she wouldn't wake up, as he ran up the stairs. After handing his brother the heating pad, and nearly

shoving the pills down his throat, Jamie was finally able to relax, and eventually fell asleep. "Finally," Danny whispered to himself, before drifting off to sleep, hoping

to at least get an hour or so of sleep before his daughter demanded his attention once again. Danny closed his eyes, and was literally on the verge of going out, when

his daughter started to scream. Danny let out a low groan, before rolling out of bed, and picking Devon up from her crib. "Daddy has a quick question for you. Was

this colicky thing hereditary, or are you just trying to help grandma and grandpa not feel so bad, by doing the same thing to me?" Devon let out another long cry, and

Danny started to pace the floor of his room, hoping to make her quiet down a bit. "Whatever it is, Daddy loves you, even if you do cry. But I would appreciate it if you

wouldn't.

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Hope you all enjoyed the update, because personally I really enjoyed writing this one... I didn't really intend on having a part 3 for this chapter, but I guess that's how it goes sometimes... I was recently going through my reviews, and all I can say is thank you, they really mean a lot, and I don't just mean for this story, but for my others as well. Anyways, thanks for all the follows, favorites and reviews... PS thanks for the birthday wishes. JusticeStandsTRUE