CH. 16: Family Obligations and Blind Dates
There was a layer of snow on the ground, and it slowly continued to fall that morning. Causing Danny to decide to stay home from mass with Devon, due to the frigid temperature. The house was quiet, aside from the crackling of the fireplace. Devon more than content, as long as she was wrapped snugly in her fathers arms. Danny stood by the window, the blinds drawn, watching the snow fall, as he talked to Devon.
"Daddy sure doesn't want to climb up on the roof today," Danny held her up a bit more so she could see outside.
Devon's mouth opened just bit in the form of an o, and Danny couldn't help but smile, as he wondered what she was thinking.
"And it's not exactly because of the cold," Danny was sure to add. Acting as if he was answering her question. "It's more due to the fact that I'm worried about falling off the roof." He said in all honesty.
Danny was thinking of how much fun it would be to see his daughters eyes sparkle when she got older and was mesmerized by the beauty and enchantment Christmas brought to little ones. And he was hoping she would at least enjoy looking at the red lights he planned on putting up this year.
"Maybe one day you can climb up there and help daddy," Danny started to say. At least until he thought better of it. "What am I saying?" He scoffed at his own suggestion. "There's no way I'm going to let you get close to the roof."
Then again, Danny didn't think he would have to worry about that for a while. She was only an infant after all. However, he did figure that his daughter would be somewhat like him. Causing him to inwardly hope she wouldn't be as much of a handful as he was when he was a kid growing up.
XXXXXXXX
"After dinner, were all getting started on decorating the house for Christmas!" Mary reminded them. Her voice showing excitement, as she ate her slice of pie, and drank her Irish coffee, that day after the family returned home from mass.
Neither of her sons replied at first, not being nearly as exuberant as their mother.
"Mom, I know how much you like tradition," Joe said carefully. "But change isn't necessarily a bad thing."
"Joe," Mary tried to stop him from saying anything further.
"He's got a point mom," Danny spoke up, agreeing with his brother. "I wouldn't be against hiring someone to put the Christmas lights up."
"No," Mary stopped him abruptly. "But I would be. And this is my house, and you are my sons."
"Mom," Jamie started to complain. Thinking that if his brothers were brave enough to to speak up, he might as well take his turn.
"Now don't start you three. You know it's been your job for years." Mary reminded them.
"Why do you think we had you three to begin with?" Frank questioned.
"Because God blessed you with us?" Jamie spoke up smiling.
"Not on your life boy," Frank grinned.
"Now Daniel, you will be in charge of the outside Christmas lights," Mary started.
"Of course I get the hardest job," Danny muttered.
"You are the oldest," Mary nodded.
Why do you dislike putting Christmas lights up on the house anyways?" Mary pestered.
"No reason," Danny ignored her.
"Now Danny, you've been complaining about it for years." Mary wasn't taking no for an answer.
Again Danny ignored her, pretending to be busy with Devon, but Mary didn't miss the expression on her husbands face, who also didn't say a word, but he did appear to be a bit more wiser to the reasoning, behind his sons silent behavior.
"Well?" Mary looked from her son to her husband.
"Fine," Danny sighed unhappily. Knowing he would rather tell her, then his father. "It's because when I was a kid I climbed up on the roof to hang the Christmas lights, and Dad caught me. Needless to say, I ended up not being able to sit for a week."
"That's because it was September, you were ten, you didn't have my permission to be up there in the first place, and you slipped and would have fallen off the roof had you not grabbed ahold of the gutter, and I had to climb up there and get you down." Frank gave his reasoning behind the punishment.
"Where was I, when all this happened?" Mary couldn't believe she had been left in the dark for so many years.
"You and Jamie were gone visiting your parents that day," Frank nodded.
Mary was about to say something regarding Danny's roof experience, but she changed her mind, when her second son, tried to sneak away from the table.
"As for you Joseph," Mary got back to the Christmas preparations. "You will be in charge of hauling all the boxes of decorations down from the attic."
"No surprise there," Joe muttered unhappily. "I just wish we had a nurse in the family for when I fall down the stairs, and have glass sticking out of me from the ornaments."
"Sorry brother," Erin gave him a smug smile. "I'm a lawyer."
"I wasn't talking about you," Joe shook his head.
"And you Jamison," Mary ignored their conversation, and moved on to her youngest. "You will be in charge of putting up the Christmas tree."
"What about Erin?" Jamie noticed the way she skipped over his sister, when it came to handing out tasks.
"Erin will be helping me with Devon and Nicki," Mary stood up from her place at the table, and carried a few of the dishes into the kitchen.
With Mary in the kitchen, Danny, Joe and Jamie relaxed a bit.
"You know this is the one part of Christmas I don't care for," Joe sighed.
"Do I need to remind the three of you what I told you yesterday?" Frank looked from one son to the other. Interrupting their state of relaxation. "If any of you put her in a bad mood and cause her not to enjoy her favorite time of year. I swear I'm going to kill you." Frank picked up his own set of dishes, before leaving the four of them alone.
"Today is going to be so much fun," Erin said sarcastically. Knowing something interesting was bound to occur, with all three of her brothers in the same house doing tasks they weren't thrilled with to begin with.
XXXXXXXX
While Frank and Jamie were out purchasing the Christmas tree, Danny, Joe and Devon sat on the couch discussing the upcoming date.
"So what time is this date Monday anyways?" Danny was beginning to wonder if he was going to have enough time to get off work, get changed, pick up Devon and then drop her off at Erin's before he was supposed to meet Joe.
"7:00," Joe nodded.
"And it's just dinner right?" Danny knew that his tour ended at five, giving him plenty of time to get everything done. But that didn't keep him from wondering about Devon. Knowing the later it got, the fussier she got.
"Maybe coffee afterwards," Joe figured that if everything was going great, there was no reason to rush the evening.
"Joe," Danny was getting annoyed with his brother. And it was certainly beginning to show in his voice. "If this date turns out bad, your going to owe me big time."
"It'll be fine," Joe sounded completely convinced. Not a bit worried.
"Thats easy for you to say. You know who you're taking," Danny grumbled.
"Would I set you up with a Frankenstein?" Joe couldn't believe how distrusting Danny could be. "I'm your brother."
"Yes," Danny didn't even have to think about it, before he replied.
"Danny," Joe sounded a bit put out.
"Don't Danny me," Danny didn't back down. "Your not the one going into a date blind."
"Don't worry about it," Joe tried to reassure him.
"How can you tell me not to worry about it? You don't even know the woman." Danny reminded him.
"If she's friends with Angela, she can't be that bad," Joe shrugged.
"I don't know," Danny sounded worried. "She could be the ugly friend."
"You are so distrusting," Joe sounded annoyed.
"No, just when it comes to you," Danny pointed at him.
"Why, I'm your brother?"
"That's exactly my point," Danny turned his attention back to Devon, just as the front door opened.
"Do you two boys think you can pull yourself off my couch long enough to help me get this tree in the house?" Frank asked as he struggled with getting the Christmas tree through the front door.
"Dad! Help!" Jamie yelled from just outside the door. Where he was left trying to hold the large tree up on his own, and keep it from falling into the snow that was piling up outside the door.
"We're coming," Danny stood, before placing Devon into her pack n play.
"Now we get to listen to Devon complain louder than her Uncle Jamie," Joe knew his little niece wouldn't be content for long, and would be looking for someone to pick her up in a matter of minutes.
"Aren't you two supposed to be doing something for your mother?" Frank wasn't having nearly as much of a struggle getting the tree inside, now that he had his two oldest sons helping.
"I'm trying to stay in the house as long as I can," Danny voiced his excuse. "It's cold out there."
"Big baby," Jamie teased his elder brother.
"Watch it kid," Danny warned. "I could drop the tree on top of you."
"Just get the tree inside," Frank wasn't in the mood to listen to their bickering.
"I'm going to go get the tree stand," Joe let go of the tree, ran up the stairs, and up to the attic.
"What color lights are you going to put on the house?" Jamie wondered, while he, Frank and Danny held the tree up.
"Whatever colors we got in the basement," Danny shrugged.
"That means red or icycle lights," Jamie knew that those were the colors his mother liked, needless to say, those were the ones she purchased.
Just as Joe predicted, it wasn't long before Devon started to fuss, causing Frank to go to her.
"How come I'm the one always left doing the work?" Jamie struggled with his end of the tree.
"Because we're trying to find something your good at," Danny said sarcastically. "So far we haven't found anything. Now hold your end up!" Danny raised his voice annoyed. Feeling as if he might as well be holding the tree up, entirely on his own.
"Danny," Frank was trying to get Devon to stop fussing, and his son wasn't helping, by yelling at his brother.
"I got the stand," Joe announced, coming down the stairs double time.
"Get down there kid," Danny started issuing orders.
"Why do I have to be the one under the tree?" Jamie crossed his arms in front of his chest.
"Because your the smallest," Joe reminded him. "Besides, me and Danny are stronger, and can lift the tree up better, before you get it positioned right."
"Well when you put it like that," Jamie sighed.
"Just get down there," Danny had one hand on the tree, and the other one on his brothers back, which he used to shove him to the floor.
"I'm getting tired of this abuse," Jamie crawled under the tree.
"Just hurry up Jamie!" Joe was getting tired of holding the tree up.
"Alright put it down," Jamie yelled. "Now move it a bit more to the left."
Content that his sons had everything under control, Frank started to leave the room.
With his fathers back turned, Danny took the opportunity to gently push the tree over, and directly atop his youngest brother.
"Owe!" Jamie yelled. "There's a tree on top of me!"
"Now who's being the baby?" Danny teased.
"Yeah Jamie, it's just a little tree," Joe picked up on his brothers tormenting of their brother.
"Little tree?!" Jamie squirmed. "There's pine needles sticking me in the neck."
"Get the tree off your brother," Frank ordered his two eldest sons.
"What's going on in here?" Mary hurried into the room, after hearing her youngest son yell.
"He didn't tighten it well enough," Danny said, as he and Joe picked the tree up.
"I didn't have them tightened at all," Jamie glared at him.
"Then why did you tell us to let it go?" Danny laughed.
"I didn't," Jamie was fuming.
"Go cool off Danny," Frank nodded at the door. "And put the Christmas lights up while your out there." After exchanging a quick glance, with his wife, Frank had a feeling it was Danny's fault the tree fell. And he figured that separating the three boys would be in everyone's best interest, before he had to remind them all to keep it civil.
"And you can get bringing the decorations down," Frank turned his attention to Joe. "I'll help Jamie," Frank handed Devon over to Mary.
"I forgot how entertaining it can be here," Erin smiled, her eyebrows raised.
"There's never a dull moment around here," Mary agreed, shaking her head. Before she started to take her youngest granddaughter up to the nursery so she could change her diaper.
"What are you going to get Devon for Christmas?" Erin asked, following her mother.
"I don't know yet," Mary admitted. "But I have been thinking about it."
"What's Danny going to get her?" Erin thought that if she knew what everyone was getting her, she could make sure and get something different.
"I'm not sure," Mary set the infant gently down on the changing table. "All I remember him mumbling, is something along the lines of her having everything."
"That's Danny," Erin laughed.
XXXXXXXX
A hour and a half later, and the Reagan siblings worked on decorating the Christmas tree. Nicki was perched atop her Uncle Joes shoulder hanging a variety of ornaments up, while Danny held Devon in one hand, and hung up decorations with the other.
"Who's going to put the tree topper on?" Jamie asked, holding it in his hand.
"That tradition has always been left up to the youngest Reagan," Mary took it from him.
"I think Devon's a little small to handle that one on her own," Danny took the star from his mother. Before taking one step at a time on the step stool, with Devon in his arms.
"Be careful Danny," Mary said anxiously.
"Don't worry Mom," Danny didn't sound as if it was a bit of a problem. "I've done things a lot more dangerous than this."
"Yeah, but not with my granddaughter," Mary pointed at him.
"I like this one," Nicki held up a multi colored ornament ball.
"That is a pretty one," Frank observed, taking his eldest grandchild from her uncle. "Where do you want to hang it at?"
"Right there," Nicki pointed to a branch that didn't have an ornament yet.
"That is a good spot," Frank held her up so she could reach the branch.
"The tree actually looks pretty straight," Danny stood back, observing the job they did on the tree.
"No thanks to you," Jamie said annoyed. Obviously still upset over the tree falling atop him again.
"I had to go put the lights on the house," Danny tried picking up for himself.
"Only because Dad made you go outside," Jamie argued.
"No he didn't, he suggested," Danny refused to believe that his father could still order him to do something. Even if he did still live under his roof.
Frank was about to say something, but he was interrupted by his eldest granddaughter.
"Its snowing!" Nicki yelled excitedly, when she saw the white snowflakes falling from the sky, just outside the window.
"Let's go outside," Jamie ran to the door.
"Might as well," Mary followed, considering her youngest did leave the door wide open.
The snow was falling slowly, while the family stood outside looking at the snow and twinkling lights atop the roof.
"I hope your satisfied with the Christmas lights," Danny looked at his mother. "I all but froze to death while I was out here earlier."
"Yes," Mary wrapped an arm loosely around him. "You did a wonderful job, as always."
"Hmm," Danny rubbed his thumb and index finger over his chin a couple times. "So if I did a horrible job next year. Maybe I wouldn't have to do it anymore?"
"Not on your life boy," Mary repeated the same thing her husband told her youngest that day.
"Worth a shot," Danny shrugged, turning his attention back to his daughter.
It was cold, and most would frown on a baby as young as Devon being out in the weather. But Devon, who was wrapped so snugly in her grandmothers small quilt wasn't a bit bothered by it, and didn't appear to be cold at all, in fact she seemed to be enjoying being outside, and having the opportunity of seeing something other than the walls of the house.
"Hey Danny," Joe had the biggest grin spread across his face, while he formed the perfect snowball.
"Careful," Danny stopped him. "I'm holding a baby."
"That's your excuse for everything," Jamie complained. Wanting to take part in the fun.
"Anyone care to hold Devon so I can shove my brothers heads in the snow?" Danny wasn't even trying to hide what he was planning to do to his brothers once he got his hands on them.
"I'll take her," Erin was more than willing to take the little one, especially if it would get her out of the line of fire.
"Look Mary," Frank gestured at the door. "It's mistletoe," Frank grabbed Mary by the arm and pulled her over to him so he could kiss her.
"I think I'm going to be sick," Jamie gagged.
"Close the babies eyes," Danny told Erin to turn her away.
"Grow up," Frank shook his head at his children, before he lead Mary into the house and locked the door.
"He just locked us out?" Joe stated the obvious.
"We're going to freeze to death," Jamie looked from Danny, Erin to Joe.
"Relax," Erin didn't sound a bit worried. "They won't leave us out here long."
Just as Erin finished her sentence, Mary opened the door.
"Told you," Erin smiled, pleased with her observation.
Not even bothering to say a word, all Mary did, was take Devon from Erin, and quickly returned inside. Being careful to lock the door behind her.
"Now what captain obvious?" Danny said sarcastically, crossing his arms in front of his chest, as he looking over at his sister.
"I don't suppose anyone has their key to the house?" Joe sounded hopeful.
"Mines upstairs in my room," Danny said regretfully.
"Mines in my purse," Erin was the next in line to speak.
"Where's your purse?" Jamie was hoping she would say the car.
"Kitchen," Erin replied with one word.
"We might be here a while," Joe let out a long sigh.
Danny, Erin and Joe decided to lean up against the car. Thinking that if they were going to be out there awhile, they might as well make themselves comfortable.
"In that case," Jamie crunched down, and started to make a couple snowballs. "We might as well have fun."
"Jamison," Erin pointed at him. "You throw that snowball, and mom and dad are going to have one less child.
Jamie ignored his sisters warning, and instead threw her a grin, before dousing each of his siblings with a snowball.
"I say we kill him," Danny looked from Erin to Joe.
"Me too," Joe tackled him, while Erin and Danny shoved show in his face.
"Sometimes being the youngest, seriously isn't fair!" Jamie spit snow out of his mouth.
XXXXXXXX
The following day after finishing up on his day tour and taking a quick shower, Danny stood in front of the ope ned closet in his room.
"Well Devon," he held his little girl in one arm, while he shifted through his shirts. "What should Daddy to wear tonight?" He was already wearing a pair of jeans. But he was coming up blank, when it came to shirts.
Devon squirmed a bit when he touched the blue one, causing Danny to shift to the one next to it.
"How about this one?" Danny pulled out a gray one.
Devon cooed in response, and Danny smiled at her. "Gray it is."
Danny set her down, and leaned her up against his pillow while he buttoned the shirt front.
"I don't know what I was thinking," Danny said to himself. "I haven't been on a date in over a month." If Danny thought about it hard enough, he was almost certain he would be able to remember the exact place he went, and who it was with.
"Dating is kind of like riding a bicycle though isn't it?" Jamie opened the door to his brothers bedroom, without even bothering to knock.
"Get out Jamie," Danny shoved him out the door.
"Anyways, as I was saying before we were so rudely interrupted." Danny turned his attention back to his daughter. "I want you to know that no matter who I go out with, you will always be Daddy's number one girl, okay?"
Devon started to fuss, and Danny couldn't help but laugh. "Like you would have it any other way." Danny picked her back up, so he could finish packing her diaper bag, before he headed over to his sisters in Manhattan.
XXXXXXXX
It didn't take him long to get to his sisters place, and just as soon as he did, he found himself attacked by his niece.
"Uncle Danny!" Nicki started to jump at him, but was stopped short by her mother, not wanting her to cause him to drop the infant.
"Hey Nicki," Danny hugged her with his free hand.
"Anything I need to know imparticular about Devon?" Erin asked, taking the diaper bag from her brother.
"Nope," Danny shook his head. "Just keep her alive."
"I think I can handle that," Erin chuckled.
"I'll be back as soon as I can," Danny nodded. "As far as I know it's just dinner. Then again, you know how unpredictable Joe can be."
"Don't worry about us," Erin smiled. "We'll be just fine. Nicki's been looking forward to this all week."
"Have you thought about having her a little sibling she could play with?" Danny smiled.
"Yeah, in my dreams," Erin sounded as if she wasn't even willing to consider it.
"Come on Erin," Danny teased.
"Are you going to have any more kids?" Erin thought of a sure fire way to get him to stop badgering her.
"Absolutely not," Danny was quick to reply.
"Why not?" This time it was Erin's turn to tease him.
"For one I'm not married. And I'm never going to get another girl pregnant, unless we're married. I don't have the energy, or money to raise two kids on my own." Danny said matter of factly.
"Maybe not now, but you might be someday," Erin smiled.
"Erin," Danny sighed. "I've already told you before. What kind of woman is going to want to get involved with a man that already has a child he's raising on his own?"
"You never know," Erin smiled again. "Now you get out of here, so I can enjoy my time with my niece."
"Call me if you need me," Danny started to hand Devon over to her aunt.
Unfortunately for him, the second Devon left her fathers arms, she started to cry.
"Awe Devon, don't cry. " Danny tried to console her. "You know your Aunt Erin."
"She'll be fine," Erin assured him. "I'm sure it's just because she's in a different place."
"I hope so," Danny hesitated to leave.
"She'll be fine," Erin repeated. "Besides, you promised Joe."
"I know I did," Danny sighed, regretfully.
"I'm sure you'll have a good time," Erin sighed. Just glad her brother was getting a chance to go out, without his infant daughter, and to a place other than work."
"That's easy for you to say," Danny wasn't as certain as his sister. "I still think she could be a Frankenstein."
"Just go," Erin laughed as she pushed her brother towards the door.
"I'm going, I'm going," Danny mumbled reluctantly, as he walked out into the snow.
XXXXXXXX
"Alright I'm here," Danny met his brother outside the Italian restaurants door. "Now let's get this over with."
"Stop sounding as if you are facing a firing squad," Joe opened the door, so they could get out of the cold.
"That's easy for you to say," Danny repeated the same phrase he told his sister just before he left her apartment.
"I think you might be surprised," Joe couldn't hide his smile any longer, as he led the way to the table, the girls were already occupying. "Danny, I believe you know Linda," Joe gestured at the blonde nurse, whom his brother knew from the hospital, as well as from the times she came by their parents home in Bay Ridge to check on Devon.
"Linda," Danny managed to find his voice. As he struggled with trying not to appear too shocked, when he saw her. "This is a surprise."
"A good one I hope," Linda cracked a smile.
Danny wanted to say it was a very good surprise, but his mouth refused to catch up with his brain. As well as his heart that felt as if it was pounding out of his chest, the second he saw her. He didn't remember feeling that way about the woman until he saw her at church that morning, and couldn't keep his mind on what the father of the church was saying no matter how hard he tried.
"Yes it is," Danny choked out the three words, trying to sound as smooth talking as possible. When in reality, he knew he was coming across quite the opposite.
"Would you like to sit down?" Linda gestured at the seat next to her.
"Yes, thank you," Danny took the offered seat.
"Angela," Joe spoke up after taking the chair next to the dark haired woman. "This is my brother Danny."
"Nice to meet you," Danny shook her hand.
"Likewise," Angela smiled.
Just as soon as the four got settled at the table the waiter approached them to get their drink order.
"Do you like red or white whine?" Danny turned to Linda.
"Red," Linda answered his question.
Danny knew that Joe would want red, the same as he, and Angela was quick to agree with the rest of them.
With the waiter gone, the scene at the table turned silent. At least between Danny and Linda. Danny, who never seemed to ever have a problem speaking to anyone. Especially when it came to the ladies he was trying to charm into getting them to go out with him. This time however, he seemed to be at a total loss of something, anything he could say that wouldn't make him sound nervous or like he was pleased that his date wasn't a Frankenstein, and rather it was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen in his like. Wow, Get it together Reagan, he tried to clear his head by repeating the phrase in his head multiple times. Not liking where his thoughts were headed one bit. Sure he wanted to make a good impression. But that didn't mean he wanted her to think he wanted to start a serious relationship with her. Not yet anyway, he had a baby, and there was no way he could forget about his child. Nor let her play second fiddle to anyone. One day yes, but not yet, he had barely become a father, and he and his daughter needed a little more time to bond and form a lasting relationship. He did like Linda, at least so he thought. No other girl for instance ever made his mind race, like he noticed it did, anytime he saw the nurse.
XXXXXXXX
Thirty minutes into the babysitting detail, and Erin was beginning to rethink her statement, when she said Devon would be fine. As a matter of fact, she had been crying, ever since Danny left.
"Why baby crying?" Nicki asked, covering her ears.
"Because she misses her Daddy," Erin explained, trying to comfort the fussing infant.
"Me too," Nicki pointed at herself. Thinking how much she wished her little cousins daddy would get there soon. Just so she wouldn't have to listen to the crying anymore.
"You use to do the same thing," Erin remembered.
"Not me," Nicki again, pointed at herself.
"Yes you," Erin tried to rock her young niece, while she talked with her daughter. "I remember when you were a little older than Devon, I left you with your Uncle Danny and Uncle Joe at Grandma and Grandpas house while I went with Grandma to the store to get diapers."
"Did I cry like Devon?" Nicki climbed up onto the rocking chair with her mother and cousin.
"According to your uncles not as much as Devon," Erin laughed. "But you did have a dirty diaper while you were there."
"They change me?"
"I was out of diapers and they couldn't find the wipes, so they stuck you in the kitchen sink to wash you off. After that, they wrapped you in paper towels," Erin was laughing just remembering how funny her daughter looked, and how red in the face her brothers were.
Danny had sure changed over the month or so, ever since he had been handed a baby and turned into a father she noticed.
After what seemed like an eternity, Devons cries finally subsided. Allowing Erin to look deep into the infants face and eyes. Causing her to think of how much she indeed favored Danny. She didn't have much hair yet, but from what she could tell, it appeared as if it would be the same color. And her eyes were the same as well.
XXXXXXXX
The four were sitting together at a table near the window at the restaurant, finishing with their meal, when Linda looked out the window, and observed the ice skating rink across the street.
"We should go ice skating after dinner," Linda's face brightened, the same as her tone.
"That would be fun!" Angela agreed, smiling.
The two brothers didn't share the girls enthusiasm, but Joe was willing to do anything Angela wanted to do. And that included wiping out on the ice In front of her.
Danny hadn't said anything, he was too busy trying to figure out if he should go along, or instead just go pick up Devon. It wasn't necessarily late. But he had told Erin that he was only going to dinner. Then again, he had told her that knowing Joe, plans were susceptible to change. He didn't necessarily want to go ice skating, but that didn't mean he could be rude, and leave the woman skating alone. And even if he didn't especially like skating, he was finding himself willing to strap on a pair of skates and take to the ice. Especially if it would mean he could pretend to be terrible, and get her to hold his hand.
Wow, Danny put an immediate halt on his thoughts, as he struggled with getting them under control. There was no way possible he could allow himself to get taken in by her beautiful face and the elegance in her voice. He knew it, and as much as he wasn't necessarily pleased with his decision. He didn't think he had a choice, at least not when he had an infant that needed all the love and attention he could muster.
After paying for their meal, the four made their way across the street, and over to the ice skating rink.
"I'll be right back," Danny left the three standing at the front, so he could call his sister and check on his daughter, before he made any set plans to get on the ice.
"How is she?" Linda asked, when he returned a few minutes later.
"She fine," Danny nodded. "She cried for awhile when I first dropped her off. But Erin said she's taking a bottle right now."
"Glad she's okay," Linda smiled.
"Where's Joe and Angela?" Danny noticed neither of the two were standing with her.
"Went to rent the skates," Linda enlightened him.
"Sorry," Danny apologized for leaving her standing alone.
"Don't be," Linda smiled. "I think it's sweet that you think of your baby before you take the time to do something you enjoy."
"Thanks," Danny didn't exactly want to tell her he didn't care for ice skating. Especially considering he went into the date not really caring if the girl had a good time or not. He was just there to help his brother out after all. But those thoughts changed significantly when he saw it was Linda. And surprisingly, he found himself glad of it. Making the evening not a total bust. Even if he did have to spend a large amount of money on the meal for he and Linda.
"I guess I've just learned that babies need more attention than I originally thought since I've become a father." Danny said in all honesty.
"Babies do have a tendency to monopolize our time," Linda agreed, laughing.
"Isn't that the truth," Danny found himself able to laugh easily when he was around her, and he was glad of it. Thinking that at least the trips on the ice wouldn't be so awkward.
XXXXXXXX
Erin didn't necessarily want to lie to her brother. But she knew she couldn't tell him the truth. And it wasn't like things hadn't calmed down after awhile. Because the truth of the matter was, Devon was being anything but easy, and turning into quite a handful.
First she tried giving her a bottle, but Devon acted as if she had no idea how to make a bottle and made it wrong, and didn't want anything to do with it. Second, Devon's diaper leaked and got all over her clothes, causing Erin to think she should give her a bath so would be fresh, and then Danny wouldn't have to do it after he got her home. She remembered Danny saying something about Devon starting to cooperate more when it came to baths. But Erin was seriously beginning to doubt her brothers words when the girl screamed the entire time.
"Oh Devon," Erin sounded tired, as she lifted the infant out of the tub. "Aunt Erin loves you so much. But you sure are tiring her out, and I wish you would settle down enough to enjoy your night out."
Devon responded by kicking her feet ferociously, as Erin struggled with pulling the fleece onesie over her legs.
"I know you miss your Daddy. But I would hope you would be a bit more easier on me, considering I'm the one your going to call to help you out when your Daddy's being completely unreasonable and won't let you do things you want to do."
Devon stretched, but at least her cries seemed to subside, appearing as if she understood what her aunt was saying, and it caused her to laugh at her nieces pouty face expression.
Erin returned to the rocking chair, and after positioning the little girl in her favorite position, Devon drifted off to sleep. Erin wasn't certain, but she was beginning to think that the only reason she fell asleep was because she tired herself out from all the crying she did.
"Finally," Erin muttered. "You are just like your father."
XXXXXXXX
"So would you like to skate?" Linda finally voiced the question, after they had been sitting on one of the side benches just outside the rink for a few minutes.
"Guess that's why we're here?" Danny took the skates that were sitting next to him and started to lace them up.
"Do you skate often?" Linda, who had just finished lacing her own skates, stood.
"Not really," Danny said in all honesty. "Don't have a lot of time to myself since I have Devon."
"I'll help you," Linda volunteered happily, taking him by the hand as the two stepped onto the ice.
"Okay," Danny didn't really want to lie, but he did know how to skate, even if he didn't necessarily care for it. But he figured that if he acted like he didn't know how, then at least that way he could the girl to hold his hand. And his plan seemed to be working perfectly.
"Your not bad," Linda said after making a couple rounds around the rink.
"I had a good teacher," Danny smiled.
"So how did you get roped into the blind date?" Linda knew that by his surprised action when he arrived at the restaurant, it was obvious he had no idea.
"Favor for my brother," Danny shrugged. "Was it a blind date for you too?" He wondered.
"I knew Angela and I had plans to go out to dinner, and I knew that the plans changed when she said she met a guy. Although I had no idea she was talking about Joe."
"Yeah, Joe told me that the only way Angela would agree to the rain check, would be if her friend had a date to go along with them." Danny enlightened her. "But I didn't know that the friend she was referring to was you."
"Hopefully you weren't too disappointed," Linda didn't think he was, based on his behavior she observed. But she had learned from past relationships, that sometimes men, simply could not be trusted.
"Not at all," Danny said quickly. "But knowing Joe, I was expecting the worse."
"I was too with Angela," Linda laughed. "So what did your girlfriend say when you told her you were going on a blind date?" Linda thought that now was as good a time as any to ask him about the woman she saw him with that day at work. Thinking that at least now, they were talking casually, and the awkwardness seemed to be melting.
"I don't have a girlfriend," Danny sounded confused.
"But at the hospital last week, I saw a woman with you," Linda looked just as confused as he did.
"Baker?" Danny squinted. "She's my partner."
"I'm sorry," Linda was quick to apologize. "I just thought."
"Don't be," Danny shook his head. "It isn't the first time."
"Would you like to take a break?" Linda offered.
"Sure," Danny agreed. "I'll get us a couple cups of hot chocolate."
"That sounds good," Linda smiled again, her eyes just as bright as they had been when she suggested they go ice skating.
"I'll be right back," Danny left her at the bench they occupied just moments ago.
A few minutes later, and Danny returned with two styrofoam cups of steaming hot chocolate and a small white bag of candy in his hand.
"Would you like one?" He offered, after opening the sack.
"Chocolate covered orange dreams!" Linda squealed. "How did you know they were my favorite?"
"Just a guess," Danny grinned.
"How did you get these?" Linda placed another drop of candy in her mouth. "The shop I usually get these at is across town."
"Someone was selling them on a cart just outside, when I went out to call Erin," Danny told her. Glad to see her enjoying the candies he purchased.
He was struggling with the urge to kiss her, and as much as he wanted to, he knew he couldn't. He was afraid it would cause her to get the idea that he wanted to start a relationship. If things were different, he knew he would, but he had Devon and he couldn't forget that he was now a family man, rather than a carefree bachelor. And any girl that would choose him, would also have to choose to love his daughter as her own, and put her life on hold to raise a family. And as much as he wouldn't mind to question Linda regarding her plans for the future, he knew he couldn't. Not just yet anyway, he didn't know her well enough to ask such a personal question. Especially considering, he had a feeling she would reply that she planned to focus on her career at the hospital.
Perhaps later, he put the idea on hold for the moment. If he got the opportunity to see her again. Which was something he was hoping for.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I apologize if the format is wrong. But I'm having problems with my computer and the only way I can get a story updated is by using my iPad.
Anyways, hope you all enjoyed the update, thanks for all the follows, favorites and reviews... JusticeStandsTRUE