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

9. Chapter 9

CH. 9 Brothers and Babies Part 3

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That night, was another long one for Danny, Devon and Jamie. Devon, who spent most of the night unhappy with almost everything, was sure to let her Daddy know

it, by fussing most of the night, and keeping him awake. As for Jamie, Jamie was kept awake by the constant throbbing in his arm, and considering he had already

taken the max amount of pain pills he could, it made it difficult for him to stay asleep. Devon, who was finally happily asleep, lying next to her Daddy in his bed,

Danny was afraid to even move, too afraid she would get woken up and it would be back to crying for all hours. Danny's alarm went off, and he was quick to silence it.

He normally didn't set an alarm, when he didn't have to go to work, but this week was different. This week, he was an acting parent to his kid brother, and was the

one responsible for getting him to school. Today however was different, his brother had gotten little to no sleep due to his injury, and Danny figured it would be

pointless, in taking him, knowing he was likely to fall asleep at his desk. After setting his phone down, Danny laid his head back down on his pillow, and placed his arm

gently around his newborn. He knew she couldn't roll over yet, so there was really no point in doing so, but that didn't keep him from doing it anyways. He knew that

if he laid back down, he would be liable to fall asleep. He also knew that he should get up, and get Devon started on her additional feedings, and phototherapy

treatment. Yet for the life of him, he couldn't bring himself to wake her up, and it wasn't like he wanted to get up in the first place, and deal with a colicky baby. Linda

would be coming by, but that wasn't until that afternoon, and he knew for sure that Jamie wouldn't be getting out of bed for another several hours. It didn't take long

for Danny to fall back to sleep. Unfortunately, it wasn't for more than an hour, before Devon started to stir. The stirring woke him up, and he looked down at the little

girl who was staring up at him. "Is somebody ready to get started on a long day of laying under the lights?" Devon moved her head, and started making a sucking

sound with her lips, and Danny smiled at her. "I'm guessing someone wants to get started on the long day of feedings first?" Picking her up, Danny made his way

down the stairs. He was just about to head into the kitchen, when he remembered he needed to change her diaper first. "Daddy knows your hungry baby, but Daddy

also knows how wet you make your diapers after a bottle, and it doesn't feel like the one your wearing is going to last very long." Danny told her before placing her on

the couch so he could change her diaper. Devon of course, who hated the cold air on her little bottom when her diaper was off, started to flail her little legs in protest,

and giving way to another held in cry. "Listen Devon, Daddy doesn't want to lay down the law already, but this crying anytime I change your diaper, is going to have

to stop. Besides, one would think that you would appreciate me not leaving you with something so wet hanging between your legs." Danny pulled the wet diaper off,

and left her flinging her little legs around in protest as he unfolded a fresh diaper. Devon ignored his so called laying down of the law, as her lower lip dropped, and

tears began to fall, her fusses beginning to increase. After fastening the diaper closed and picking her up, the cries slowly faded, and Devon was content. "This is

getting ridiculous, you know, that right?" Danny shook his head. Devon continued to look up at him, and Danny continued. "As much as I hate to hear you cry," Danny

sighed. "Daddy's about to make you cry all over again, when he puts you in your pack n play, so he can make him some coffee, and your breakfast. Now what would

you like today? Bacon and eggs, or two ounces of powdered formula mixed with warm water, enclosed in a clear plastic bottle, and topped off with a rubber nipple?"

Devon started doing the head tilt, followed by the sucking motion with her lips once again and Danny smirked. "Option number two it is," Danny set her down. It was

just as Danny expected, and Devon's cries started up again. "Don't cry Devon," Danny hollered back, as he made his way into the kitchen. "You can eat bacon and

eggs off Daddy's plate when you get teeth."

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An hour or so later, and Danny was ready to get Devon started on her first phototherapy treatment of the day. After fiddling with the protective eye mask for several

minutes, Danny finally had it placed over his daughter's face. Devon, who was her father's daughter through and through, reacted as Danny expected. It started out

as only a whimper here and there, her little balled up fists doing their best to shove the mask off. But no matter how hard the little bundle tried, she couldn't get it off.

The whimpers didn't last long, and after a few failed attempts with the mask, those whimpers turned into full-fledged screams. Danny ran a hand down his tired face,

and slowly turned away to the kitchen. He hated listening to his baby's cries, and he was slowly beginning to understand what his father meant when he said that a

parent would do anything to take care of their children. He knew her cries wouldn't subside until he picked her up, and although it was said that Danny Reagan could

handle almost anything. Watching his baby ferociously lash out into open air, hoping to grasp her fathers arm or hand wasn't one of them. He knew it was the colic

that was making her act out in that manner, yet that didn't do much good, in helping him feel better. He knew he had to leave her alone under the lights, yet the only

way he could bring himself to do so, so early in the morning was to leave her be, get himself a cup of coffee, and cook breakfast. "What in the world is wrong with that

kid?" Jamie stumbled down the stairs and into the kitchen tiredly. "She hates jaundice and colic," Danny interpreted her cries. "So, do I," Jamie grumbled. "How long

is this jaundice and colic thing going to last?" "The jaundice should be cleared up in couple days. The colic, not so fast," Danny frowned. "Joy," Jamie poured himself a

cup of coffee. Danny placed a plate of food in front of his brother, and then took a seat across from him at his own place. Taking a long sip from his coffee mug,

Danny set it down and looked over at his brother, who had a tight grip on his own coffee mug. "Are you drinking coffee?" Danny looked at his brother confused. "I

need it," Jamie leaned back in his chair. "I got a couple hours of sleep tops." "So, did I," Danny said. "And your drinking coffee," Jamie pointed out. "I'm also older

than you," he reminded him. "Come on Danny, just a cup or two okay, mom and dad wouldn't mind," Jamie tried to sound convincing. Danny sighed, but finally gave

him. "Two cups and that's it," Danny held up two fingers, in sort of a compromise. "Thanks," Jamie picked up his fork and started eating. "Linda is coming by to check

on Devon this evening. And since I let you stay home from school today, you have to promise you won't badger her about your arm." Danny said firmly. "Will you let

me watch TV?" Jamie knew he was grounded, but figured it wouldn't hurt to ask. Perhaps make a compromise of his own. "Jamie come on," Danny said frustrated.

"This week has been bad enough, let's not have another argument." "Which is why you should let me watch TV. You know I only have a short time to live, since Dads

going to kill me when he gets home," Jamie looked nervous. "I'm so tired, I don't even care anymore," Danny walked out of the room, to check on Devon. Figuring he

left her under the lights long enough, Danny picked her up. "I know Daddy's done a lot to make you upset this morning. First with the diaper change, then with

leaving you under the lights with the mask," Danny felt guilty, his little girl, finally beginning to calm down, now that she was in her Daddy's arms. Which is where she

wanted to be in the first place. "Anyways," Danny took a seat in Frank's arm chair. "Daddy really doesn't want to make you upset again so quickly, but you need a

bath before nurse Linda comes so she doesn't think you're the first thing closest to an orphan. Now I know what you're thinking baby," Danny held her out on his arm,

rather than against his chest like normal, so she could stretch out a little more. She was still in only a diaper from her treatment, and he was surprised she wasn't

crying, considering she normally had a fit anytime she wasn't in one of her long-sleeve onesie pajama sets, and pressed tightly against his chest, where she could hear

his heartbeat, and feel his comforting warmth. "You're thinking that you just had a bath last night, and wondering why you need one so soon. And Daddy will answer

that for you." Devon looked up at him, her eyes blinking, so she could focus on him better, her little eyes still learning to adjust, and get used to seeing things in the

outside world. "It's because when you were taking all those bottles you demanded Daddy give you last night, some drained down your little chin, and under your neck,

and now you smell slightly like soiled formula." Danny rubbed a gentle thumb over little chin, before lifting it slightly and running his index finger under the rolls of her

neck. "Now don't get sensitive on me like some ladies get just because I said you stink. Because Daddy can take care of that for you." Danny picked her up, and

carried her into the kitchen where Jamie was still working on his second cup of coffee, not willing to skip the opportunity, hoping he might even be able to slip a third

cup, unbeknownst to his brother of course. "You want to give me a hand little brother, bathing your niece?" Danny asked rinsing out the sink, while running a little

dish soap over the sides of it, to clean it a bit. "What'll you give me?" Jamie was willing to barter. "All the arguing you've done with me may slip my mind when Dad

asks how you behaved this past week. And with any luck, he'll only half kill you when he finds out about the party." Danny obviously held the upper hand. "You win,"

Jamie was quick to surrender, willing to do almost anything to keep his brother from squealing too much about the last few days. "What do you want me to do?" "Run

upstairs and get me a towel, a washcloth, a diaper, and a clean outfit," Danny said, thinking that was all he needed from upstairs. Knowing he left a bottle of baby

soap, powder, and lotion in a basket on the kitchen cabinet in the corner. Jamie ran up the stairs, and was back in less than a minute. "Does it matter what she wears,

and is this okay?" Jamie knew they weren't planning on going anywhere that day, and Devon would be having her phototherapy treatment anyway, and probably

wouldn't be wearing clothes much. "Doesn't matter to me," Danny admitted, chuckling slightly. Oh, how things had changed in the past couple of weeks, Danny

thought to himself. He was used to only taking care of himself in the past, and now he barely got a chance to take a shower and comb his hair. His sole attention was

now focused on feeding, bathing, changing diapers and putting to bed, that of his newborn baby girl. Danny's cell rang, and he sighed. "Bad timing," he shook his

head. "Here take Devon," Danny handed the infant over to her uncle. Danny came back a few minutes later, and was surprised to find Jamie still holding her, rather

than bathing her. "Jamie," was all he could say. "What? I've never bathed a baby before," Jamie tried picking up for himself. "Well you are going to have to learn,

because Linda just asked if she could come by early, so we have to hurry." Jamie laid the baby on the counter and started to take her diaper off, but stopped short,

after opening it. "Danny, this is a girl," Jamie looked at his brother, his eyes wide. "Should we be doing this?" Danny looked at his brother dumbfounded, completely

unaware of how to reply. "Jamie she's my child, she wouldn't be here without me," Danny said slowly, hoping to get him to understand. "I know that," Jamie said

annoyed. "But it still seems wrong." "Don't be an idiot Jamie please," Danny sounded annoyed. "No one else is going to take care of her. Besides I'm her father, I

think that gives me enough clearance to take care of her in her time of need." Danny shoved him aside so he could place her in the sink. "Umm Danny?" Jamie looked

at his brother questioningly. "I may not know a lot about babies, and bathing them, but I'm pretty sure you have to take their diaper off before you bathe them." "You

see what you did?" Danny took her dripping wet diaper off and handed it to Jamie. "You've made me all scatter brained, and I don't know what I'm doing anymore."

"I'm not sure if you ever knew what you were doing," Jamie muttered. "You know, I'm seriously beginning to reconsider not telling Dad about the arguing you've done

with me," Danny mentioned. "What do you want me to do?" Jamie was suddenly back in to sounding helpful. "Do you want to hold her, or wash her?" Danny was

currently trying to do both, as she was starting to slip. "Which ones easier?" "Holding her," Danny said. "It's easy as long as you have a good grip." "We have a

winner," Jamie brightened, trading places with his brother. "Now what do I do?" "Just put your hands where mine are. Support her head and her back," Danny replied.

"Sounds easy enough," Jamie nodded. "That's what you think," Danny mumbled under his breath. Devon's head was very small, and she had little to no hair, so after

squeezing a small amount of baby shampoo into the palm of his hand, he gently massaged it on her scalp. "That looked easy enough," Jamie mentioned. "Washing her

hair is easy enough yes," Danny agreed. "It's rinsing it out that poses a problem." "When does that come?" Danny wasn't sure, but he thought he heard a slight pang

of fear in his brother's voice. "Last," Danny answered. "She hates that part, and screams as if I'm severely mistreating her." One could hear regret in the eldest

Reagan's voice, knowing that he didn't have a choice but to make her unhappy once again. "I'm kind of surprised she's not crying now," Jamie noticed, remembering

how often she cried in the past. "Me too," Danny admitted. "But I'm certainly not going to remind her of how much she hates it. "This is harder than I thought, she's

slippery." Danny could tell Jamie was nervous. And it wasn't just by the tone in his voice, it was also the moisture that was beginning to cause his t-shirt to stick to

him, and the sweat that was appearing on his brow. "For a kid that isn't very big, this sure is taking a while," Jamie mentioned, not really enjoying the time, that he

should have been using as bonding time with his little niece. "Tell me about it," Danny agreed. "I have to make sure and wash every little roll and crevice she has, and

it doesn't help that she likes to wriggle around while I'm doing it." "I didn't think newborns were supposed to move around so much?" Jamie looked at his brother

questioningly. "Don't ask me," Danny shrugged. "She's my first." "Are you going to have any more kids?" Jamie asked teasing. "Absolutely not," Danny said

immediately. "Devon is my one and only child, so it's going to be up to you and Joe to have a boy, and pass down the Reagan name." "Well it's going to be awhile for

me," Jamie shrugged. "Because I'm going to law school, as soon as I graduate." "Take as much time as you want," Danny sighed, trying to lift Devon's bottom out of

the water so he could wash it. "Because once it happens, you can never go back, and your life will no longer be your own." "Really?" Jamie wondered, making it

obvious that he hadn't done much thinking about it in the past. "Take mom and dad for instance," Danny thought of an easier way to explain it. "Mom and Dad had

four kids. Which means they had us here at home with them until we started school. After that they had to do deal with us and the drama that came with 12 years of

parochial school. Afterwards, they paid for most of Erin's college tuition. My police academy training when I got home from the Marines. Now they are paying for Joe

to go to the police academy, and before they know it, they will be helping you with some of your college tuition. Now, most of us are grown, and they still see us every

day, and help take care of us." "What do you mean?" Jamie was still trying to figure out what his brother was getting at. "Joe still comes by for free food, Erin has

Mom watch Nicki sometimes, and I moved completely back in with a newborn, that Mom is going to have to take care of when I go back to work. Not to mention she

still cooks for me, and picks up things for Devon when I can't get to the store," Danny was pretty sure he got his point across that time. "So, what your saying is, your

whole world changes when you have kids, and your life no longer revolves around you?" The light bulb suddenly came on in Jamie's head. "Exactly," Danny started

rinsing the soap off the baby's head. "You were right!" Jamie raised his voice over Devon's loud cries. "She hates this part!" "So, do I!" Danny agreed. Content, that he

had most of the soap off, Danny took the towel in his hands, getting ready to take her out of the sink. Jamie started to lift her out of the sink and her over to her

father, when he notices something running down her leg. He was pretty sure it wasn't water, considering it was more than a trickle, and turning into more of a steady

stream. "Hey Danny," Jamie said carefully. "I think Devon just peed all down herself." "On second thought Jamie, don't have kids at all." Danny groaned.

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An hour or so later, and there was a knock at the front door. Jamie, who Danny conned into changing Devon's diaper, ran to answer the door. "Oh, thank God," Linda

said when Danny opened the door. "I was afraid I got the wrong house." "No," Danny shook his head, before stepping aside, allowing her to walk in. "This is it." "It's

beautiful," Linda observed, just from the first room they walked into. "It's kind of messy right now," Danny admitted. "Has been ever since Mom left, and Devon

moved in." "Kids tend to do that," Linda smiled, taking a seat on the couch, Danny offered. "The big kid is the one causing most of the mess," Danny picked up the

plate and glass, Jamie had left on the coffee table. "And where is Devon?" Linda asked, knowing she hadn't seen her under the light therapy when she got there, nor

was she lying in her pack n play, or sitting in her swing. "She's upstairs with Jamie, he's changing her diaper for me," Danny replied. "And how did you convince him

to do that?" Linda could tell an interesting story was coming. "You don't know my dad," Danny started to tell. "But when we were growing up, my dad had this thing

that if he was ever out of town for work or something along that line, and we got in trouble, when he got home, it meant sudden and instant death. Anyway, Jamie

has gotten into a little trouble with me this past week." Danny paused, and then smiled at her mischievously. "Blackmail is a wonderful thing." Linda laughed out loud,

and couldn't help but add. "You're terrible Danny." "Being the eldest has its perks at times." Danny admitted. Jamie came down the stairs a few minutes later, Devon

in hand. "Who wants her?" Jamie was more than ready to hand her off. "Did you get her diaper changed?" Danny asked curiously, knowing it would be the first diaper

he changed on his own. "I know it's hard to believe, but yes," Jamie's tone of voice was showing both exhaustion and pride, at getting the job done. "It wasn't until

after she peed all over mom and dads bed, her clothes and clean diaper," Jamie admitted. "But I got it done." "You changed her on mom and dads bed?" Danny

groaned, knowing he was going to have to go up and take all the sheets off and get them in the wash machine so they could have the bed made before their parents

got home Saturday. "After what happened in the kitchen sink, I wasn't about to change her on my bed," Jamie had a point. "How did she manage to pee in everything

anyways?" Danny wondered aloud. "Don't ask me," Jamie shrugged. "She's your kid." Linda took the infant from her uncle and took a few minutes to hold her, before

getting started on the job. "She's a beautiful baby," Linda smiled. "Thanks," Danny grinned. "She's a handful, but she is beautiful. Even if I do say so myself." "How

has she been acting? Has she been crying a lot?" Linda asked about the colic. "This morning she did," Danny's eyes were wide, just thinking about the nightmare.

"And when was the last time she had her therapy?" Linda posed the next question. "She's due for another one," Danny groaned inwardly, knowing the screaming

would once again commence. "We can do that after I finish with the checkup," Linda replied, getting ready to check her weight. "How much does she weigh?" Jamie

surprised them all by staying in the living room to observe, rather than disappear into his room. "Nine pounds," Linda answered, before asking a question of her own.

"How many bottles has she had so far today?" "Six I think," Danny counted in his head. "And diaper changes?" Linda wondered. Danny sighed and ran a hand through

his hair thinking. "Several wet ones, but no dirty ones," Danny replied. Sure, he knew that it was important for her to have dirty diapers, especially now. But he

couldn't help but be a little worried, knowing his mother wasn't there to help. "She seems to be getting a little color back in her skin. So that's good," Linda looked at

Danny. "My little light bulb," Danny smiled. "Pretty sure she'll be back to normal, and you won't be able to say that anymore," Linda laughed. "That's okay, I'm sure

she'll do something to earn another nickname," Danny had no doubts, and right now, he was leaning towards the name whizzer. "The only thing left to do is get a

reading on her blood levels," Linda handed Devon back to Danny so she could get a blood sample. Danny bit down on his lower lip, as he held his little girl down, to

keep her from moving so Linda could do her job. The more Devon cried, the more Danny bit down, drawing his own blood from his lip. Linda who had, had a lot of

practice with little ones, was done in no time, causing both Danny, Devon and even Jamie to be grateful. Danny attempted to get Devon to stop crying after the poke

she received, but Devon once was proving to be difficult, the colicky screams coming back. "She sure doesn't calm down easy, does she?" Linda looked at the infant's

uncle. "She's just like her daddy," Jamie whispered, grinning mischievously. "I heard that," Danny handed Devon over to Jamie just for spite. "Danny!" The last thing

Jamie wanted to deal with was a colicky, screaming infant who didn't appear to be too interested in calming down. "I think I'm going to call Dad, give him a preview of

your behavior over the week so he can start thinking of ways to make your life miserable." Danny started to reach for his phone. "No!" Jamie was quick to shut-up.

"I'll take her back, as soon as I run upstairs and get her blanket," Danny knew that he was the one that needed to be the one comforting his little one. "She like her

blanket?" Linda nodded at Devon. "Devon's the type of newborn that likes to be warm," Jamie told her what he had observed, and things he remembered his brother

saying. "It's a comforting mechanism," Linda nodded. "What do you call this?" Jamie's face scrunched up. "That's a dirty diaper," Linda interpreted, just by the look on

the kids face, as well as the aroma that was starting to fill the room. "Danny! Help!" Jamie yelled louder than he had ever yelled before. "Umm, Jamie," Linda

observed a yellowish-brown stain beginning to form on the boy's shirt. She knew the boy had yet to notice, and she was completely unsure of how she was going to

tell him, afraid that if she just spit it out, he would end up freaking out and dropping the infant all together. She didn't really want to take the baby from him, and risk

it spreading onto her own clothes, knowing she still had a few stops to make before heading for home for the day. Danny returned with the blanket, and he couldn't

help but chuckle at the sight of his kid brother, oblivious to the stain, that was beginning to spread. Danny laid the blanket down on the floor, and gently took the

baby from his brother. Being extra careful to avoid her bottom half, scraping up against his own shirt. Danny started to remove his daughters soiled onesie, and was

surprised to find something a little out of place. "Uh, Jamie, why does my kid have duct tape on her diaper?" Danny couldn't believe the strips of silver duct tape he

found strapped around his daughter's diaper. "Give me a break alright, I've only got one good arm, and we were having closure issues." Jamie tried justifying his

actions. "Oh, and go change your shirt kid," Danny looked at his brother. "Why? What's wrong?" Jamie's gaze shifted down towards his white t-shirt. "The baby

pooped on me!" Jamie yelled, making a break for the stairs. Danny and Linda burst out laughing at Jamie's expense, and Danny wrapped her up in the blanket, so he

could safely carry her over to the kitchen sink. "Excuse me for a moment," Danny gave the nurse a complete un-exuberant look. "But we've had several leaks today,

and she needs another bath." "That's good though," Linda knew how important it was for her to excrete the bilirubin that was in the blood. "Depends how you look at

it," Danny started to cough, the odor starting to reach his nostrils. "She hates baths, diaper changes, and just about anything that doesn't involve her being walked up

and down, and being wrapped in my arms. Needless to say, I'm about to make her start screaming all over again." Linda started to pack her stuff up just as Danny

headed for the kitchen. "I'm sorry everything's so hectic," Danny had to talk over his baby's cries, when Linda walked into the kitchen. "It's fine," Linda shook her

head. "The cries don't bother me." "I hate to ask you this," Danny felt bad. "But can you hold her in the sink for a minute, while I run upstairs and get her a clean

diaper and some clothes." "Of course," Linda said happily. Danny ran out of the kitchen in a hurry, after Linda traded places with him. "I know your upset baby

Devon," Linda smiled at the baby sweetly. "I know you are not feeling good and you feel like you got the wrong side of the deal. But your pretty lucky. I've seen a lot

of infants go through the hospital that had to go straight to foster care. But you, you have a daddy and uncle that love you, even though you do put them through a

lot. Then again, you've really been a good sport. Surviving with two boys, shows that you must be a pretty tough baby. Devon kept crying but it wasn't nearly as bad

as before, she was squirming a bit, kicking her little feet in the water that she was being forced to sit in, showing she wasn't all that comfortable. Danny came back

into the room, and Devon's cries subsided to only whimpers when she heard her daddy's voice. "Sorry it took so long," Danny apologized, "but I had to go check on

the kid and make sure he wasn't scrubbing his skin off in the shower." "It's fine," Linda again traded places with Danny, so she could prepare to leave. "Not sure if

you've seen a weather report lately. I know you've been busy. But there's supposedly a thunderstorm coming in tonight." "I didn't know that," Danny shook his head.

Then again, he didn't remember the last time he was able to check his weather app. "Now if you will excuse me," Linda picked up her bag of supplies she carried with

her. "I had better be going so I can get home before it comes in." "Forgive me for not walking you out, but I have my hands full," Danny lifted Devon partially out of

the sink. "Of course," Linda smiled that same smile that always made Danny's heart turn flips.

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An hour later, and Linda was gone, Devon completed another therapy treatment, and Danny had just laid his baby girl down for a nap, after an epic battle of fussing.

Exhausted, Danny plopped himself down into his father's arm chair. "Hey Danny," Jamie ran down the stairs, interrupting him the minute he closed his eyes. "You

wake up that baby, and I'm going to arrest you," Danny shot daggers at him with his eyes. "I'm hungry," Jamie ignored him, entirely too used to hearing his brother

threaten him with jail. "Then go get something out of the fridge, mom left plenty of food," Danny yawned, fiddling with the TV remote, hoping to get a look at the

coming weather. "Yeah well, she might have thought it was enough, but Joe's been here since then," Jamie had a point, as he peered into the fridge. "Then cook

something, or make a sandwich," Danny said. "Can we just order a pizza?" Jamie suggested. "Jamie," Danny started. "Please Danny," Jamie moved on to begging.

"Fine," Danny sighed, not really feeling up to arguing, or even having to help clean up the mess his brother was sure to make if he cooked. "But you call it in. I'm

going to go take a shower. Listen for Devon," Danny was hoping a hot shower would help him feel a little more alive, exhaustion slowly starting to take its toll. Danny

came down sometime later, feeling somewhat better, at least better than he had before. He could hear it raining outside, and the wind was starting to pick up more

and more. It was already after 9:00 pm, so unfortunately, he couldn't look outside and see how bad it was. "Pizza's in the kitchen," Jamie said in between mouthfuls

of pepperoni pizza. Danny served himself a couple slices of pizza, and took a seat on the couch near his brother. "Linda said there's a storm coming in tonight."

"Maybe we should climb up on the roof, and make sure everything's okay," Jamie looked at his brother intently. "You're worried about our parent's roof?" Danny said

questioningly. "No storm would be brave enough to go against moms house." Jamie laughed out loud, and took a sip from his coke. "You have a point." The two fell

silent for a moment, both stuffing their faces with another bite, when the lights started to flicker, eventually shutting completely off. "This is not good," Danny was

thinking of how difficult it was going to be to locate a flashlight in the dark. "I wonder where mom keeps her candles?" Jamie set his plate down on the coffee table. "I

don't know, but we have to figure out something. Because if Devon wakes up, I'm going to have to have a way to warm up her bottles." "At least the baby water is

room temperature," Jamie mentioned. He and Danny splitting up, with only the flashlights from their phones for light. The two looked around for several minutes,

digging through every drawer and cabinet they could think of to look through. Not finding anything downstairs, the two met in their parent's bedroom. "Let's check the

closet," Danny whispered, hoping not to wake up the baby. The two brothers dug through the storage boxes and plastic containers, their mother kept on the closet

shelf. "I think I found them," Jamie pulled one of the boxes down. "I found something better," Danny brightened, pulling his own box down. "What is it?" Jamie asked

curiously. "I found my sling shot Dad took away," Danny shoved it in his back pocket. "You're going to take it back?" Jamie sounded surprised. "I am an adult now,"

Danny reminded him. "Besides, he took this away from me when I was in high school, just before I graduated and joined the marines." "I remember that," Jamie

started to laugh. "You almost got suspended for shooting your teachers in the back with pebbles." "Yeah, that wasn't the best idea in the world," Danny admitted. "But

it was funny." "You going to pass it down to Devon?" Jamie asked as he carried the box of candles down. "Are you crazy? The last thing I need is for her to get kicked

out of kindergarten." Lighting flashed, offering a little light throughout the house, but with only one flashlight, that Danny managed to find of Frank's, it still wasn't

very bright. After finally getting a few candles lit, Danny and Jamie returned to their now semi-warm pizza. "Do we still have that old lightning rod Dad had on the roof

when we were younger?" Jamie wondered aloud, a devilish grin starting to appear." "I think it's in the shed outback," Danny recalled seeing it sometime back when he

was helping his father, haul some accumulated junk out. "Do you remember why he took it down in the first place?" Jamie couldn't recall, thinking it must have been

sometime back. "Oh yeah," Danny's eyes went wide. "What happened?" Jamie could tell he was missing an interesting story, just by his brother's expression. "I

climbed up on the roof during a thunderstorm when I was a kid. Mom started looking for me, and Dad had to climb up there and get me." "What happened?" Jamie

laughed, actually enjoying the time he and his brother were having, sitting in the dark. "Let's just say I needed more than a lightning rod to protect me from Dad

when he got me back inside." Devon started to cry, just as Danny finished his story, and he once again had to make another trip up the stairs. "Here's a room

temperature bottle," Jamie handed his brother a bottle, when he made it downstairs with the newborn. "Not sure if she'll take it," Danny took a seat next to the fire,

he and Jamie made in the fireplace, offering them a great deal of more light. "But it's all we got right now." Devon resisted at first, but Danny kept trying, rubbing the

nipple around her mouth, before she finally gave in and realized that, that was all her Daddy was going to give her. Jamie looked around the room, sighing when she

realized how messy it was. There were baby clothes and blankets strung around the room, along with baby bottles and coffee cups sitting in every cup holder and side

table they had. "Mom will kill us, if we don't get her house cleaned up before she gets home." "We'll have to get it cleaned up tomorrow," Danny yawned. "I feel kind

of bad," Jamie added another log in the fireplace. "Why? Because you've been so difficult for me the past few days?" Danny teased. "No," Jamie shook his head. "It's

because I never paid attention to how much mom and dad did until they left." "Yeah, I noticed that when I moved out for the first time," Danny remembered. "I had

to do all my own laundry, cook my own meals, shop for my own groceries, as well as clean up after myself." "I'm sorry I gave you such a hard time at the beginning of

the week," Jamie offered a serene apology. "I know you still have to tell Dad about the party, but I am sorry." "It's fine," Danny nodded. "I did a lot worse when I was

growing up. And who knows, maybe Dad will take it easy on you, since your injured." "One can only hope," Jamie couldn't help but sound a little worried. "Are you still

planning on going back to work Monday, like you said?" Jamie asked, changing the subject to something he would enjoy a bit better. "I may not be going back to work

as soon as I thought," Danny shook his head. "Why not?" Jamie questioned. "I can't leave Mom with a colicky baby. I know she will say, she doesn't mind, but it isn't

something I need to put her through. She already raised her colicky kid." Danny sounded a bit more mature than he had the week before. Then again, he had barely

found out he was a father at the time.

XXXXXXXX

The three Reagan's sat up for most of the night, just kind of listening to the storm, neither of them thinking they would be able to get much sleep, even if they were

fairly exhausted. "I can't believe Devon's staying awake," Danny glanced from Devon to Jamie. "She doesn't want to miss out on anything," Jamie took his little niece

out of the lounger they had set up. "Just like the rest of the Reagan's," Danny could only imagine how she was going to be behaving the following day, after not

sleeping like she usually did, as well as with the colic. "You know as much as I have enjoyed not having to deal with parents telling me what to do. I am looking

forward to them coming home," Danny stretched out on the sofa. "Yeah," Jamie nodded in agreement. "As much as I'm not looking forward to having to face Dad, I

kind of miss them too." "Let's try to get some sleep, so we can get the house cleaned up tomorrow," Danny reached for one of the throw pillows he could lay his head

on. Jamie placed a now sleeping Devon in her pack n play, and fell asleep on the rug, near the fireplace.

XXXXXXXX

Mary, missing her boys and granddaughter, had her husband load up the car early the following morning and drive straight home. It was still early when they arrived

home, and after unlocking the door to their home, Frank and Mary walked through the kitchen door. "They must still be asleep," Frank whispered, noticing the coffee

in the pot was cold, and the food stuck in the breakfast pans appeared as if they were from the day before. Walking into the living room, they were surprised to find

Danny and Devon asleep in the armchair, and Jamie sprawled out on the couch. "I told you they'd be alright," Frank whispered, placing an arm over his wife. "Our boy

is made of stronger stuff than you thought," Frank nodded at Danny. "Our house is still standing, and Jamie and Devon are both still asleep." "What are you two doing

here?" Danny moaned, beginning to feel the pain in his lower back, from sleeping on the couch and chair most of the night. "We live here," Frank reminded him. "We

pay the bills." "Nice to see you too Dad," Danny stood, just as Devon started to wake. "Why is this light over Devon's bassinet?" Mary was beginning to wonder if

everything was okay. "It's a long story," Danny shook his head, not even sure where to start. "I have plenty of time," Mary led the way into the kitchen, so she could

get started on breakfast. Frank, who had been missing his little granddaughter, took Devon from his son and followed them into the kitchen. "To make a long story

short," Danny got started on the coffee. "Devon was fussy half the time, Jamie snuck out of the house and went to a party I told him not to go too. The next day he

got hurt at school and I had to take him to the hospital. While there, Devon got checked because she was fussing so much, and turns out she has jaundice and colic.

And the power went out during the storm last night." Danny said all in one breath. "Devon has what?" Mary took the baby from her husband so she could cuddle her.

"Jamie did what?" It was obvious, which one surprised Frank the most. Danny was about to say something, when Frank interrupted him yelling. "Jamison!" Jamie

jumped up off the couch, just as Frank joined him in the living room. "You and I have some talking to do," Frank ushered him up the stairs and into his room. "Ugh

Mom, about the house," Danny attempted to explain. "It's okay Daniel, I'm not the least bit concerned," Mary interrupted. "I told you when you moved in that you

were not going to live like a slob in my house, which means you and your brother will make sure everything is cleaned and returned to its rightful place." "Yes Mam,"

Danny was quick to say. Mary handed Devon back to her father, and started going through the house making a list of everything she expected them to do. "The CO is

home Devon, and it's back to business as usual. You do what your told when your told."

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I'm currently working on two additional Blue Bloods stories. I have been asked to write a prequel story with the Reagan's, and the other is a little different, focusing more on Linda, and what if she had a child before marrying Danny. Only the kid had been living with her father. I'm still working on titles, for them. But I hope you enjoy them as much as you do the ones I do of Andy, Devon and Scottie. Thanks for all the follows, favorites and reviews... JusticeStandsTRUE