Meeting the Reagan's

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The following day the family spent most of their time shopping, Linda just about dragging everyone from store to store looking for all the things Andy needed,

items such as clothes, shoes and accessories, and Danny quickly decided that surrendering his credit card over to Linda early was the best idea. "I don't think

there is another thing I will ever need for the rest of my life," Andy sighed taking a seat next to Danny and the boys on a bench outside the store while they

waited for Linda to pay. "Let's wait and see what Linda has to say," Danny suggested. "I learned a long time ago not to argue with her and 95% of the time

she is right, and I highly suggest the three of you adhere to my philosophy." The kids chuckled and Linda stepped out of the store, "what's so funny," she

asked looking down at the kids? "Nothing," they replied rather quickly, all the while grinning at Danny. "Well don't just sit there," Linda looked at her family,

"we need to get to Franks, so I can help Henry in the kitchen."

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"Dad, Gramps, everybody," Danny called stepping through the kitchen door. "In here Danny," Frank called from the living room. Ushering Andy into the room

Danny made the introductions. It didn't take the Reagan's long to get along with Andy, each of them taking turns getting to know one another. Erin stepped up

first, and asked Andy what she liked to do in her spare time. Andy replied with things such as reading, when she could get her hands on a decent book. Jamie

in turn asked if she liked to play basketball or something else similar. Andy's face brightened, "I love it when I can play, although I have to admit I have never

had much time." Jamie chuckled, "it looks like you came to the right place, the Reagan's are certainly the athletic type." Andy smiled, "thank you Officer

Reagan." Jamie shook his head, "hey my names Uncle Jamie," Jamie laughed pointing to himself. "Thanks," Andy replied quietly. "Alright it's my turn," Nicki

shoved in between her mother and uncle. "We're going to be great friends," Nicki said excited. "Okay," Andy said gingerly, believing her. "It's going to be great

having you here,we're going to have loads of fun." Andy nodded, easily getting acquainted with the girl. "I like the bedspread you helped mom pick out," Andy

thought to say to her cousin. "Thank you," Nicki smiled. "Uncle Danny told us what your favorite color was, but I'm really glad you like it." "Alright, alright age

before beauty Reagan's," Henry interrupted the chattering girls for his turn, to get to know the girl. "I hope your tough kid, because you're going to have to be

to make it in this family." "Grandpa!" Danny was shocked. "Hush up Daniel," Henry ordered. "Dad!" Danny called for his Father. "I'm just saying it like it is

Francis," Henry implied. "Let's take it easy Pop," Frank suggested. "I'm fine Dad, Commissioner," Andy looked up at the taller gentleman with the mustache,

hoping to put their mind at ease. Andy stood taller and looked straight up at the older man. "Uh oh," Danny whispered to his Father, "she isn't good with

confrontation." "Take it easy son," Frank kept his son at bay. "Dad, she has a major attitude at times," Danny tried explaining. "I know," Frank replied, "but I

want to see where this is going." "Oh boy," Danny hesitated running a hand down his face. "Don't worry about me Mr. Reagan," Andy squared her jaw. "Tough

is my middle name. I've lived in foster families most of my life, although I have to admit I spent most of my time on the run, trying to avoid them and the cops."

"Cops too," Henry's voice changed from protection to interest? "Yes Sir," Andy was shocked the word Sir came out of her mouth, but continued on with her

speech nonetheless. "I spent most of my time, trying to avoid them. In fact," Andy's voice was turning a pitch higher. "Oh this kid," Danny was shaking his

head. "Hush Daniel," Frank echoed his father's own words from just moments ago. "I want to see this, aside from the slight show of disrespect she's amazing,"

Frank was enjoying the conversation unfold between the older man and young girl in front of him. "In fact," Andy continued oblivious to what Frank and Danny

we're saying. "I'll never forget the time I outwitted this one officer, one night around midnight," Andy was obviously proud of herself. "Oh really," Henry crossed

his arms over his chest. "Is that a fact?" Andy grinned, "I gave him the slip under the bridge, where the homeless live." "And just how did you manage that,"

Henry interrupted? Andy's face turned serious, "In order to avoid ones captor, one must become the last thing the captor expects one to become, something no

one wants to be," Andy paused, "homeless." "Hmmm," Henry shrugged. "You make an interesting point," the man thought to himself. "I like you," he smiled at

her before turning to his eldest grandson. "You did good Danny," he mentioned before walking out of the room. Danny stood frozen in his place still trying to

figure out what just happened, before hearing a commotion and going in search for the boys. Andy sighed and fell into the vacant chair behind her, thinking

that it was both fun and rough all at the same time. Frank stepped in front of the chair and Andy stood. "You seem to be a great addition to the family," Frank

mentioned, taking his turn to get to know his new granddaughter. "He's not the easiest person to win over," Frank whispered pointing to pop. Andy started to

smile, "Thank you Commissioner." Frank shook his head, "Call me Grandpa, I have enough people calling me Commissioner, besides you're my son's daughter."

"Thanks Grandpa," she said carefully. Frank motioned for her to return to her seat and settled himself into the one next to her. "So Danny tells me, you've never

been fishing before," Frank said winking at her. Andy shook her head, "he's told me about your fishing trips though," she added. "I believe I will have to remedy

that," Frank smiled. "One early Saturday morning, you and I will have to make a trip out there." Andy looked at him intently, "that would be fun." "Dad, come on

let her go!" Jamie called from the other room. "It looks like we will have to continue this conversation later, you're Uncle Jamie is waiting to take you kids

outside to play ball." Andy walked out of the room and saw Jamie where he stood at the back door holding a basketball above Jack and Sean's head. "Let's go

Andy, Danny and Nicky are already outside waiting for us," Jamie sounded excited. Andy nodded and followed him out the door. She breathed a sigh of relief,

and realized how nice it felt not to be nervous anymore. Truth be told she had been nervous the entire drive over, yet at that moment as she followed her new

uncle out the door, she realized how much the worry had been in vain, in fact she really liked her new family, and she found herself slowly beginning to feel

more and more comfortable around them. She and Nicky certainly seemed to get along great, and her Aunt Erin seemed thrilled to have a niece, and was

already planning a trip to take her and Nicky on. Her great grandfather even thought she had great street smarts and enjoyed talking with her.

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Once deep into the back yard Danny and Jamie proceeded to pick teams. Jamie, Andy and Sean were on one team, and Danny, Nicky and Jack on the other.

Sitting on the back porch watching was Linda, Erin and Frank. It was the final play before dinner and Danny's team was up by 1. "Alright we need one more

shot and we win," Jamie explained. "Sean, you guard Jack." "Right," Sean answered. "And Andy, as soon as I start preparing to throw the ball to you run as

fast as you can, to the goal just avoiding Nicky, Danny is going to be watching what I'm doing but I'm going to throw the ball off to his side. But you're going

to have to be ready to grab it, otherwise if Danny gets it, it's all over." "No problem," Andy said ready to run. The play proceeded just as planned and Andy

scored the winning basket. "Dinners ready Reagan's let's eat," Henry called into the yard. Everyone proceeded to their regular seats, yet Andy slowed down

unsure of where to sit. "Right here Andy," Henry pointed to the place across from Sean and in between himself and Jamie. "It isn't some ones regular seat is it,"

Andy whispered to Jamie. "No," Jamie whispered, "there is usually on three of us that sit here, me, Nicki and Erin," he explained. The family bowed their heads

and Andy copied the behavior as Frank proceeded with the prayer over the food, and giving God special thanks for bringing Andy into their family.

Routine around the dinner table began as usual and proceeded the same as always with interesting conversation. "What do you kids have planned this week,

for spring break," Frank asked? "Sleep late," Nicky answered. "Stay up late," Jack and Sean said the complete opposite. All eyes turned to Andy and Andy finally

answered, "practice playing ball, so I can win again." The family chuckled and Danny answered, "just remember kiddo, I let you win," he teased. "Oh whatever

Danny," Jamie shot back. "Really, I did," Danny said again trying not to laugh. "You did not," everyone else picked up on the conversation. "So what's for

desert," Danny grinned, trying to change the subject, knowing full well he really didn't let them win? "I made a cake," Erin said cheerfully. "Oh no, please tell me

you didn't burn this one," Danny said afraid. "As a matter of fact I didn't," Erin answered proudly. "It's because she set a timer," Nicky looked at Danny. "I knew

it, I knew you couldn't do it on your own," Danny teased. "Thanks a lot," Erin looked at Nicky, "you are supposed to be on my side." "Sorry mom, but all is fair in

love and war." "In that case how would you like to spend spring break grounded?" "Now that's low Erin," Jamie spoke up, "you can't be mad at her for

outwitting you." "Besides she can't be grounded, she's staying with us some this week," Linda answered proceeding where Jamie stopped.

"You're taking the next couple of days off right Danny?" Frank looked at his oldest changing thesubject. "Yes," Danny answered in between bites of chocolate

cake. "Linda has to work so I thought if the 5-4 could live without me for a bit, I'd spend a little time with the kids, it being Andy's first week and all." "That's

fine," Frank said. "As long as you promise to bring the kids to meet me for lunch one day." "Yes Sir Commissioner," Danny grinned at him.

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It was getting late and after the dishes were done and goodbyes were said, Danny, Linda and the kids headed for home. After taking a quick shower, Andy

found Sean in his room, looking through his pile of DVD's that were still on the floor from the day before. "Want some help picking them up," Andy took a

seat next to him? "Sure," Sean said handing her a couple DVD's. "Are these good," Andy asked holding Cheaper by the Dozen and Home Alone? "You mean you

haven't seen them" Sean was surprised? "I haven't seen a lot of movies, back in the foster home I never had much time to watch TV." "You want to watch one

tonight," Sean offered? "Do you think Linda, I mean mom," Andy corrected herself, "will let us, it's almost 9," Andy glanced at Sean's clock. "It won't hurt to

ask," Sean said. "I'll race you down stairs." Reaching the bottom of the stairs the two slowed down, in order not to get called on for running in the house. The

two stepped into the dining room where they found Danny and Linda sitting at the table drinking a glasses of wine. "Can we stay up and watch a movie since

we don't have to go to school tomorrow," Sean asked? Linda glanced at Danny and Sean continued, "Please mom." "Yeah please Dad," Andy picked up on her

brothers pattern. Linda sighed and Danny answered, "If you start it within the next 5 minutes you can." "Yes," Sean was quick to answer. "But," Danny

interrupted, "You have to wait till Jack gets out of the shower." Sean and Andy exchanged glances, "we got to get to Jack," they said running. "Don't run in the

house," Linda called to them shaking her head, knowing it wouldn't do a bit of good. "Jack get out!" Andy and Sean banged on the bathroom door. "What's the

hurry, you two are done," Jack answered rinsing off the soap. "Mom and Dad said we can stay up and watch a movie if we start it within the next 5 minutes,"

Sean answered. "I'm done," Jack said turning off the water in a hurry. "I'll meet you down stairs," he said quickly getting dressed. "I'll get the movie you grab

a couple blankets," Andy looked at Sean. "Right," Sean said hurrying to the linen closet for the blankets. "One minute," Danny called from the foot of the stairs,

Five seconds later he had to side step in order to avoid getting run over by his children, who were charging down the stairs to get to the DVD player and the

couch. By the time the movie was over it was 11:00 and all three kids were fast asleep. "Wake up the other two, and I'll carry Sean up," Danny whispered to

Linda. After tucking the kids into bed and turning out the lights Danny and Linda retired to their own room for a night's sleep.

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The next morning Jack and Sean sneaked quietly into Andy's room, one crawling on each side of the bed. The two boys slowly counted to three and yelled in

her face, "WAKE UP!" Andy shot out of bed like a bullet and tackled them. The three lay on the floor laughing and Danny ran up the stairs. "What's going on up

here?" he looked puzzled. "Nothing," they replied laughing, "just a friendly joke." "Do you think you three can manage getting up and dressed without

destroying my house?" The three looked at one another innocently and replied, "we'll try."

Leaving the kids on the floor Danny made his way back downstairs. Pulling out his cell Danny dialed his father's number, "hey Dad," Danny started, "can you go

to lunch with us today?" Frank glanced at his schedule, "today should be fine son, meet me at the office about 11:30." "Sounds good, I'll see you then," Danny

replied. There was a knock at Frank's office door and Detective Baker stepped in, "I got to go Danny," Frank said before hanging up.

11:30 rolled around Danny pulled into the 1PP parking lot with the kids. Getting out of the car Danny muttered to himself, "I've been here so much lately that I

should have my own parking space. Stepping through the front door of the building Danny felt an urge to tuck in his shirt, despite the fact he wasn't even on

duty. "Detective Reagan," Baker greeted, "twice in one month I see you, people are going start thinking you are in some sort of trouble." "Tell me about it," he

grinned. "Is he in there?" Danny nodded at the closed doors. Detective Baker shook her head yes and a smile spread across Danny's face. Tucking in his shirt,

Danny looked at Baker. "Play a little joke on the Commissioner with me?" "You really don't value your life do you," Baker asked? "Of course I do," Danny smiled,

"but with a job like his, somebody has to lighten the mood, and I can get away with it, he won't murder one of his children." "Wait here kids I'll be right back,

Andy you're in charge" Danny said, before opening the door to Franks office wearing a borrowed pair of glasses and holding a clipboard with the days itinerary

on it. "Commissioner," Danny proceeded sounding professional. "You have a press conference at 14:00, and a meeting with the mayor at 16:00. And I would

also like to thank you for this enriching job experience, I never thought I would get the chance to be the PC's Secretary." "What are you doing Danny," Frank

asked, "and where's Baker," he added, almost sounding terrified? "Why, she didn't tell you Sir," Danny kept going. "We traded jobs, she is out in the field and

I'm working with you now." "No offense Son, but your fired and take the glasses off Danny, they look terrible on you," Frank said standing up. "They shouldn't

look that bad," Danny said taking the glasses off and inspecting them, "after all there your spares that Baker keeps in her desk, and most people say I look

more like you than I did mom." Frank rubbed his face, "Danny your giving me a headache." "You know I get that a lot," Danny laughed opening the door to

usher the kids in. Jack and Sean showed Andy around their grandfathers office as Danny and Frank took a seat on the couch. "You don't have Nicky with you

today," Frank asked? "Tomorrow," Danny answered, "Jamie's off and were taking them all ice skating at the rink." "Ice skating, you're taking them ice skating,"

Frank couldn't help but laugh. "Yes we are," Danny answered. "So keep your cell phone close, just in case we have to make a trip to the emergency room."