5: Family First

The following Sunday during family dinner Danny and Linda made the announcement to the rest of the Reagan family. Gramps was shocked and Erin was both

happy and proud of her big brothers decision. Jamie was looking forward to having another kid to look after as his role of being Uncle Jamie, and Nicky was

excited and looking forward to having a girl cousin around her age to hang out with. Jack and Sean on the other hand tried to act happy but stayed unusually

quiet and after a few minutes, asked to be excused and permission to go play in the garage with Franks pool table. Permission was given and both boys made

a run for the back door. Danny and Linda glanced at one another questioningly and Linda voiced her concern. "You think there alright Linda asked?" "I don't

know Danny mentioned." "They were rather quiet Linda noticed." "We'll talk to them more tonight when we get home" Danny smiled at her, trying not to make

a big deal out of it.

The rest of the evening, talk centered mostly on Andy, the Reagan's wanting to know as much as possible about the new family member. "What room is she

going to have Jamie asked?" "We haven't done too much talking about it" Linda admitted, "but I guess she will take Danny's junk room." "Hey that room is not

full of junk," Danny protested, suddenly taking interest in the conversation, "it is full of priceless mementos." "Whatever you call it, it needs to be cleaned out,

painted and fixed up before she comes," Linda said laying down the law. "Looks like we are going to be busy," Danny moaned. "Anyone want to help?" "We'll

all help son," Frank volunteered them all, before anyone had a chance to say anything. "Thanks dad," Danny was grateful. "Yah thanks dad," Jamie and Erin

commented, "Danny's junk room looks like tornado Reagan went through and it should probably be declared a natural disaster." "Hey what's up with the big

brother abuse today?" Danny stopped them. "It's the only way we gang up on you, going two against one Erin said grinning." "Dad," Danny complained looking

over at Frank for help. "You're on your own son, after all they are right, you portray the kind of persona of being able to go up against anyone and win, you've

had it ever since you were little." "Oh great now its child abuse" Danny threw up his hands. "Child abuse has quite a different definition my boy, and if you have

time, I may give you the proper meaning someday," Frank implied smiling. "He's right you know Uncle Danny," Nicky spoke up. "You hush," Danny pointed a

finger at her, "or we'll be having our own discussion about children should be seen and not heard at the table." "What's that got to do with the conversation

were having Nicky asked confused?" "It doesn't matter if it has anything to do with it, the fact of the matter is respecting your uncle and always taking my

side," Danny said with a grin. "You're crazy Uncle Danny," Nicky chuckled. "You better be careful, it runs in the family" Danny winked at her. "I think I better quit

while I'm ahead and go play pool with the boys" Nicky concluded, "may I be excused?" Frank nodded his approval, yet Nicky remained seated. "He said yes you

know" Jamie said looking at Nicky. "I know but I'm waiting for Uncle Danny's approval, otherwise he's going to go on and on about the ethics of me not paying

any attention to what he says and make me sit here for at least an hour and listen to a lecture on respect Nicky said teasing." "Your excused," Danny said

throwing his napkin at her. Nicky made her way to Danny's side of the table and hugged him, "I love you too Uncle Danny." "Love you too kid now get out of

here." "Somebody loves you Danny," Jamie teased after Nicky joined her cousins outside. "What is this pick on Danny day or what," Danny asked having

trouble believing all he was hearing? "You didn't know," Erin acted surprised, "it's on all our calendars."

"What do you boys think about having a big sister," Linda asked later that evening as the four sat in the living room of their home? Jack and Sean exchanged

glances but neither of them said a word. "One of you has to have something to say" Danny spoke up. Sean elbowed Jack and mumbled, "you're the oldest."

"So," Jack glared. "Alright Sean, What do you got to say," Danny questioned? "Nothing" Sean quickly covered. "Yes you do, now quit fibbing" Danny ordered.

Sean glanced at his brother and then back at his father before finally giving in, "everything's going to change," Sean complained. Linda smiled, "things are

going to change, yes, but for the good. You're going to have a big sister. Someone to look out for you and someone to help you with things you need help

with." A twisted look appeared on Jacks face, "or someone to pick on and torture you like Uncle Jamie said Dad did to he, Aunt Erin and Uncle Joe." Danny

interjected, "hey I took care of them too, and another thing about having an older sibling they get into more trouble when you and your siblings get into

something together because there older as well as get blamed for things, this I can attest to." Jack and Sean again glanced at one another and sighed aloud.

"I guess it will be alright Sean sighed." "I sure hope your right about this" Jack said pointedly. "It will, you'll see" Linda hugged them reassuringly.

Later that night after the boys were tucked in, and Danny and Linda were getting ready for bed Linda spoke up, "the boys certainly didn't react the way I

thought they would." "What were you expecting Danny asked?" "I don't know," Linda said pulling the bedspread back on their bed, "I just thought they would

have been somewhat excited?" "Give them time babe, it's a big adjustment for them." "I'm sure your right Linda smiled." "I'll talk to them again before the time

comes," Danny reassured her getting into bed hoping for a good night's sleep. "The rest of the family seemed excited Linda recalled." Danny chuckled, "they did

didn't they," he smiled to himself, silently thanking God for his family.