CH. 16 Taking Responsibility
"Andy wake up," Danny gently shook her the following morning. Andy moaned, "what time is it?" "About 6:00," Danny replied. "It's too early to get up," Andy
complained. "We leave at 7:00, so you have an hour," Danny started for the door. "Oh and wear something nice, and don't make me come in here again,"
Danny added before turning the light on in her bedroom and walked out, still obviously upset about the night before. "Awe," Andy moaned all the louder, trying
to pull her blankets up over her head. Giving herself 5 extra minutes, Andy finally managed to sit up. She was by no means interested in seeing the morning,
but considering the trouble she was already in, she thought it best not to push Danny's mood. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Andy dug something out of her
closet and made her way to the bathroom for a quick shower. After dressing and pulling her hair back, Andy hurried downstairs for a little breakfast. "You're so
lucky you don't have to go to school," Sean looked up when she sat down at the table next to him. "I have a feeling I'll be there soon enough," Andy replied
pouring herself a bowl of cereal. "Dads coming down, and he's about ready to go" Jack said grabbing the jug of milk. Danny came down and poured him a cup
of coffee, before glancing at the time. "I'm dropping you boys off at school this morning, so we need to get a move as soon as you are finished with breakfast."
"I'm ready," Sean said placing his bowl in the sink. "Brush your teeth and then you will be," Danny reminded him before sending him upstairs. Jack stretched, "I
sure don't feel like being stuck at a desk all day." Danny smiled at him, "I can certainly relate son, I'll be doing the same thing." Jack smiled, "I promise to
survive if you will." "Doesn't look like I have a choice," Danny gently squeezed the boys shoulder. "You don't," Jack laughed pushing his chair in before hurrying
to find his toothbrush. Danny reached for his tie that was draped on the back of one of the kitchen chairs, and started to tie it while he glanced over at Andy,
"you need to get upstairs to don't you?" Andy yawned, "it would probably be a good idea," she said slowly trudging up the stairs. The late hour didn't seem to
bother her last night, but she was certainly feeling it this morning, yet she had a feeling it was going to be another long day.
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After dropping the boys off, Danny preceded on to the precinct. After pulling into the parking lot, Danny turned to her. "Absolutely best behavior today alright, a
lot of dangerous people come through here and some serious decisions come through here as well." "I understand," Andy said clearly before getting out of the
car and following him through the precinct. "Have a seat," Danny pointed to the vacant chair next to his desk. "I need to go talk to Sargent Gormley, I'll be right
back." Danny turned away but stopped short when he remembered that she had never been there before and half the people there didn't know her. "Oh and if
anyone starts questioning you, just tell them who you are, and you will be fine?" "I'm good," Andy assured him, finding the coming and goings of the precinct
interesting to watch. "Who's that you got with you?" Gormley who had been watching from the window in his office asked when Danny walked in."That's my
daughter Andy," Danny enlightened. "I'll introduce you in a bit, but I was going to tell you why I had to bring her with me". Gormley nodded and Danny
continued with his explanation, "she got into a little trouble yesterday and since I was hopefully only going to be doing paperwork today, I thought I'd bring her
along, in hopes she could stay out of trouble." Gormley chuckled, "has the great Danny Reagan been having to compete with a 12 year old?" "Not even close
Sarge," Danny ignored the man's teasing. "Too bad," Gormley continued with the prodding, "it would be nice to know that someone is giving you just as much
grief as you give me on a daily basis." Danny looked somewhere between both surprised and on the verge of a comeback, in which he decided on the latter.
"This may come to a shock to you, but I do save some grief for my family." "I'd certainly hope so," Gormley replied. "You know I'd love to stay and discuss my
fine qualities with you, but I have some real work to do," Danny exited the office, hoping Andy would be where he left her. Andy looked around the precinct,
there was certainly plenty of interesting people around. Some with handcuffs being led directly past her by officers with gold shields, similar to the one her
father had. "Can I help you young lady?" A woman with long dark hair approached her when she noticed the child sitting next to her partner's desk. "I'm fine
thank you," Andy thanked her. "My dad is Danny Reagan, and he told me to stay here," Andy enlightened the woman. "You must be Andy then," Jackie smiled,
excitement showing in her voice. Andy looked at the woman confused, "how did you know?" "Andy, this is my partner Detective Jackie Curatola," Danny caught
her off guard when he came up behind her. "And Jackie, this is my daughter Andy." "It's nice to finally get to meet you, your Dad has told me a lot about you,"
Jackie was the first to speak. "I hope not too much," Andy admitted. "She sounds like you already Reagan," Jackie teased her partner. "Thanks a lot Jackie, now
do you think I can get to work on my dreaded paperwork?" "Well since you asked so nicely," Jackie smiled at him sarcastically. Danny took a seat at his desk
and had just started work on his report when Andy spoke up still standing, "what am I supposed to do?" "Sit down and stay quiet," Danny pointed at the chair
she possessed just minutes earlier. Andy fell into the chair, "but there's nothing for me to do when I'm just sitting here," she complained. "You should have
thought about that before you forced me not to trust you," Danny was serious. Andy sighed but didn't say anything and instead starred at the ground,
knowing he was right. "Here read this," he handed her a case file, knowing that asking a 12 year old to stay sitting and quiet for a period of time was almost
impossible. "Danny," Jackie couldn't help but protest, "you're going to let a kid read case files." "I don't have any children's books," this time it was Danny's turn
to have a smart aleck comment, "besides she's a Reagan." Andy sat quiet for several minutes after reading the case file and to Danny's annoyance giving her
own point of view, but even that didn't last in keeping her quiet despite the severity of the looks Danny kept throwing her way, and he was really beginning to
regret his decision of bringing her to work with him. Danny was slowly losing his patience and Jackie could tell, and in an attempt to keep the kid from facing her
partner's wrath, made her make a suggestion. "Why don't you let me to take her, to help me file away old case files?" "She isn't here to learn all the aspects of
the precinct," Danny started, "she's here because she's in trouble and can't be trusted, unless she is under constant supervision." "I know Danny, but while
she's here it wouldn't hurt for her to learn something, think of it like school, besides you'll get more done if she's with me," Jackie tried again. "Fine," Danny
gave in. "But you," Danny pointed at his daughter, "absolutely best behavior and do exactly what Jackie tells you or you will be answering to me," Danny
wasn't playing with her. "Yes Sir," Andy sounded serious, not interested in getting into any more trouble than she was already in. "Follow me," Jackie handed
her a stack of cases.
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"You must have gotten into a heck amount of trouble, to make Danny this upset," Jackie made conversation where she and Andy worked in filing room. "You got
it just about right," Andy replied handing her a case file. "If you don't mind me asking, what did you do?" "I may have pulled a disappearing act," Andy
explained the events from the day before. Jackie whistled, "you know if you wanted to know how Danny Reagan was going to react, you could have just asked
me." "My brothers and cousin told me the same thing," Andy admitted. "Why did you do it then," Jackie asked wondering? "I'm kind of hard headed, when it
comes to taking advice," Andy opened up. Jackie couldn't help but smile, "you and your father are certainly going to have some interesting conversations
throughout your lifetime." "Never doubted that for a minute," Andy nodded. An hour or so later and Andy and Jackie were just finishing up with the distribution
of the cases into the correct filing systems. "Let's go check on your dad's progress," Jackie started for her own desk to begin her own set of paperwork. "This is
going to be fun," Andy mumbled before returning to her same familiar seat. "Did you learn anything," Danny could only hope? "You had some pretty interesting
cases," Andy sounded intrigued. "Some tough ones as well," Danny made sure to mention. Andy nodded, "you have a pretty cool job, getting to help people
and all." "It has its perks," Danny picked up his pen. A few minutes later and Andy was surprised to see her Uncle Jamie walk in, "Uncle Jamie," Andy spoke up
in a greeting. Danny turned around in his seat, "hey little brother, you need something?" "As a matter of fact I do, I need your signature on these forms Alex
and I had to fill out, since you were the senior officer on the case," Jamie explained. "I'm actually working on my own set of paperwork," Danny implied taking
the papers from his brother, to begin signing on the dotted line. "So what are you doing here?" Jamie looked down at his niece. Andy looked up, "it's a long
story." Jamie chuckled and Danny added, "she isn't kidding." "That bad," Jamie said with a raised brow. "I didn't get to bed till almost 2:00 am, and it wasn't
because of work," Danny gave him the broad strokes. Jamie whistled, before forming the most obvious question, "Why?" "Your niece decided to go AWAL, and
visit Nicki, with absolutely no word to either me Linda," Danny went into a bit more detail. "I'm beginning to understand a bit better now," Jamie admitted still a
bit surprised over his nieces actions. After filtering through the last of Jamie's file Danny questioned, "so do you miss working with me yet?" Danny changed the
line of discussion. Jamie thought about it for a minute and then replied with a mischievous grin, "let me get back to you on that one." Danny smacked Jamie
with the file, "Don't you have a job you need to get back to." "I do," Jamie nodded, "but I usually have lunch about this time, and I was going to see if the two
of you would like to join me?" "Yes!" Andy jumped up. Danny said everything with just a look he threw Andy's direction. "But he has to decide," Andy nodded at
Danny, and returned to her seat in a split second. Danny stood, "we need to eat anyways, let's go kid."
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After finding a seat at a booth at a nearby sandwich shop and placing their order, Danny and Jamie started in on a conversation as Andy excused herself to visit
the ladies room. "I really need to get her into school," Danny mentioned as Andy walked away. "How are her studies coming," Jamie asked? "Slow," Danny
explained. "We have to stay on her, in order for her to even get through one chapter on her own." "I can help her learn the important material in a chapter, so
she doesn't have to read the entire thing some days when I get off tour, if she's available," Jamie reminded him. "She will certainly be available anytime you
are," Danny shook his head, "she's going to be grounded for a long time." Jamie snickered, "I remember those days." "So do I," Danny replied, "but not fondly."
Jamie laughed out loud, "I remember mom always telling Dad that you always did better in school when you were grounded, because you had nothing else to
do but study." Danny looked at him sheepishly, "I could never just sit still and do my homework. I remember when I wrote papers, I wrote them in my head
pacing the floor, before I could even put it down on paper." "I remember hearing you up there pacing, Dad thought you were going to pace a whole right
through his roof, Jamie agreed. About that time Andy came back and slid back into place, "so what did I miss?" "We were talking about being grounded," Danny
answered her. "Ugh," Andy groaned, "excuse me for a second, I believe I need to find another booth," she started to slide out again. Danny reached out and
grabbed her, "were changing the conversation." "I'm having bad memories any way," Jamie agreed. A black suburban pulled up out front and Danny glanced
out the window laughing, "speak of the devil, there's the man that grounded me." Jamie looked out, "I wouldn't call Dad a devil if I were you, he's got eyes and
ears everywhere," Jamie warned. "I'm just joking little brother, I'm not that stupid," Danny agreed wholeheartedly. "So do you think we should invite him to eat
with us," Jamie wondered aloud, "or do you think he's working?" "I don't know," Danny wondered the same thing. "I don't want to interrupt him if he's working,
but I don't want to simply ignore him either." "Neither do I," Jamie agreed. "What do you think we should do?" "I don't know," Danny repeated the obvious
answer. "Why ask me?" Jamie shrugged, "you are the oldest." Danny sighed and scooted out of the booth, "that's not a good excuse, but I'll go talk to him."
Danny stepped out the door and was careful to approach the vehicle from the front, so his father's detail could see who he was. Frank rolled down the window,
"you want to talk son?" Danny leaned against the car, "me, Jamie and Andy are grabbing a bite inside," Danny nodded at the shop. "You want to join?" Frank
checked his schedule, "I think I have just enough time, for a quick lunch," Frank replied before following his son inside. "Hi Grandpa," Andy scooted over. Forcing
Danny and Jamie to sit next to one another. There orders arrived, and they were just starting to eat when Danny spoke up. "I suddenly remember why I sit on
the opposite side of the table from you," Danny looked at Jamie. "And why's that?" Jamie asked expecting a smart comment in return from his brother. "Because
you shove elbows in other people's faces, when there trying to eat," Danny didn't let him down. "I do not," Jamie protested. "In fact," Danny continued, "I
vaguely remember the nickname elbows that Joe and I gave you when we were growing up." "Dad, come on, help me out here," Jamie tried the parent
approach. "Sorry Son, but I'm going to have to side with your brother on this one, I remember that nickname," Frank couldn't help but smile at the memory.
"What?" Danny looked confused. "I better make note of this, you don't side with me very often," Danny said with mischief in his voice. "In fact would you mind
repeating that same statement in front of a recorder so I have proof and can show it to Gramps and Erin?" "Not going to happen," Frank closed the
conversation before Jamie had a chance to gloat, and from the look on his face, it appeared as if he was going to do just that. "You know I think I need to hear
some of these stories from when the two of you and Aunt Erin were growing up," Andy nodded at her father and uncle. "They may come in handy the next I'm
in for a lecture." "And one of those lectures will be tonight I can assure you," Danny interrupted, before she could get any more not so bright ideas, especially
when it came to trouble he got into as a kid. From what he could gather, it didn't appear as if she was going to need any help in finding trouble. "I heard you
had quite an interesting evening last night, Frank questioned his granddaughter. Andy sighed, "does everyone in this family know about me going off the grid?"
She directed her question primarily at Danny. "There isn't much I don't know when it comes to my family," Frank intervened before trouble ensued right then
and there, knowing they were in public and not in the private of his home. "I'm beginning to gather that," Andy nodded, obviously gathering Franks tone of
diffusing the conversation. The tone wasn't missed from both Danny and Jamie, and the conversation was dropped, Jamie quickly finding an alternative
discussion. "I'm looking forward to our next Reagan family baseball game, we will have another player with Andy." "That's right," Danny smiled at his daughter,
"and she can be on my team." "Who said she's going to be on your team?" Jamie sounded appalled at Danny's suggestion. "I deserve a good player, after all
I'm handicapped with Linda," Danny reminded him. Andy laughed out loud, and Danny looked at her, "but that doesn't leave this table," Danny said his eyes
big. "She would get mad?" Andy interpreted. "Putting it lightly, Yes," Danny replied. "My lips are sealed," Andy grabbed a french fry off his plate and tossed it in
her mouth. "That means I get Jack," Jamie was trying to pick another player before Danny could claim them as well. "How about you let me and Nicki be team
captains, or maybe mom and Aunt Erin," Andy suggested. "We would certainly keep it a bit more civil, than the two of you," Andy mumbled to her father and
uncle. Frank couldn't help but grin as he heard his own phrase repeated by someone other than himself, and from his granddaughter at that, while he chose to
sit quietly and enjoy his lunch with his family.
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It was 2:00 by the time Danny finished with his paperwork. Andy was relatively good the rest of the afternoon, and spent the majority of her time helping
Sergeant Gormley put things away such as wall maps and other essentials that were used in previous cases that seemed to clutter his office. Allowing Danny
to work on paperwork without getting disturbed and having to worry about Andy, although Gormley did notice him looking back to check on her several times
anyways. Danny did notice that Andy turned silent the second he mentioned he was ready to go home, and remained silent the entire trip home. It was
3:00pm, by the time Danny pulled into the drive and they had plenty of time to have a lengthy discussion, since the boys had soccer practice that afternoon.
Andy knew it was futile for her to even try to avoid him, so instead she decided not to even try going up to her room. After Danny made himself a pot of coffee,
figuring it was going to be a long night, and Andy poured herself a glass of tea, figuring it was going to be a lengthy discussion, the two settled down in the
living room. Danny in one of the single chairs and Andy in the other. "So I know what you did and why you did it, but why did you feel that it was something
that had to be done?"Andy sighed, "it was just a stupid thought that came to mind." "And you immediately decided to act upon it." "Well it wasn't a spur of the
moment thought," Andy admitted. "So you planned it," Danny clarified. "Why?" "It was meant to be something big as my first punishment," Andy mumbled it so
low that Danny could barely hear her. "I figured that was what it was," Danny looked directly at her. Andy shifted uncomfortably, dodging his glare. "Andy,"
Danny said gently. "I expect you to look at me when we are talking, it shows a sign of respect." Andy slowly looked up and Danny continued, "so you know
what you did was wrong, and I'm sure I don't have to explain, but just to be sure I'm going to do it anyway."For starters you left home without anyone
knowing, New York can be a dangerous place, and you could have been kidnapped or worse killed," Danny explained. "And second you worried your mother
and I. If something would have happened to you, do you have any idea how that would have affected us?" "I guess I didn't think," Andy said honestly. "And I
know it's no excuse, but I'm not used to anyone caring about me," Andy was trying to keep from choking up, knowing that the second she did, was when the
tears would come. Danny had never been accused of being too soft on a person, but when it came to his children and tears, he melted, immediately wanting to
fix it. He knew he needed to remain steadfast, otherwise he would have had her wrapped in his arms in a matter of seconds and there would be no way he
would have the strength to continue. But she deserved better than that, she deserved a father that would love her enough not to let her get away with things
that could hurt her, or cause her to grow up to be a careless adult, that would get her into trouble someday. "Listen Andy," Danny cleared his throat, in order to
keep from chocking up himself, unbeknownst to his daughter. "Not only did you get yourself in trouble, but now your brothers and cousin are in trouble as well,"
Danny numbered her third offense. "However, I do not blame you." "It's still partially my fault," Andy told him the truth. "It may be true that you were the
instigator, but they made their own decisions," Danny was serious. Andy turned silent again, "just so you know, the boys getting in trouble and all, it wasn't
supposed to turn out like that," Andy said barely above a whisper. "Yeah well you can't always control everything and there are going to be times, kind of like
last night when things like that are going to happen," Danny explained. "I'm beginning to understand that," Andy agreed with him. "I am glad to hear that,"
Danny nodded, "and in that case I believe we can put a close on our talk, and proceed with the sentencing phase." Andy didn't say anything knowing she
deserved some sort of punishment, but that didn't keep her from moaning slightly. "Now you know punishment goes hand in hand with offenses," Danny
corrected. "I know," Andy nodded. "I have been debating your punishment in my head since last night," Danny explained. "And I think that an extensive
grounding just might help you decide that you don't want to do this again." "How long exactly is extensive," Andy questioned? "Until you turn 21, or I feel that I
can trust you again, whichever comes first." "Aughh," Andy fell back against the back cushions. "Are you sure you don't want to reconsider?" "I'm absolutely
positive, considering I could be a heck of a lot harder on you, and that includes you not being able to sit comfortable," Danny's face and voice was appearing as
if he may reconsider. "On second thought, I believe you are making a very wise decision," Andy straightened up. "I thought that might convince you," Danny
eased up. "Now can I have a serious answer to my question," Andy sounded as if she was begging? "A month maybe, maybe less, I don't know, it depends if
you can stay out of trouble," Danny replied. "Sounds easy enough," Andy shrugged. Danny looked at her not believing a word she was saying. "Andy what I
mean by you staying out of trouble, I mean no crossing the line whatsoever, and from what I've seen, you seem to have a problem when it comes to opening
your smart mouth and getting involved in things that are not your business, and about 30,000 other offenses that shall remain nameless." Andy sighed, "you
may have a point." "Might have a point," Danny looked at her with a raised brow. "Fine, you win." Andy threw up her hands. "We need to get back down to
business," Danny was trying to get back on track and this new kid of his was certainly making it a challenge. "If this is business, I don't want any part of it,"
Andy said sarcastically. "Now Andy that's what I mean with you staying out of trouble, you're in the process of getting punished and you're still being a smart-
alec." "I tend to do that when I get nervous," Andy admitted shifting uncomfortably. "Now do you think I can continue without being interrupted?" Danny was
beyond ready to end this discussion, not enjoying it one bit. "By all means please continue, if I at least can't know how long my sentence is, I'd like to at least
know what it entails," Andy replied. Danny ignored her smart-alec remark of sounding as if she controlled the entire situation and decided that straightening
her out with baby steps regarding her behavior would be a bit easier. "For starters, no television unless we are watching as a family, and second no music."
"No music," Andy was obviously losing it, "are you kidding me? I'll never survive." "This isn't supposed to be like a vacation, and I'm pretty sure, a little time
without music won't kill you, instead I'm hoping it will give you plenty of time to think without any distractions." "I guess we will find out," Andy's voice was
going squeaky. "But if you come home from work one evening and find me dead on the floor in my bedroom, you know it will be from too much thinking and no
music," Andy was by no means exaggerating her worry. "You'll survive, Reagan's have always been able to survive much more than a little grounding." "A little
grounding," Andy started to raise her voice, "this is more than a little grounding." "Andy," Danny raised his voice. "Raising your voice to me, will only make me
reconsider my first option," he was obviously giving her a warning. "Now," Danny lowered his voice, just as quick as he raised it. "This is meant to be extensive
enough to make you think, of how you are never going to do it again." "I have a feeling it's going to do that," Andy fell back again, her voice showing
absolutely no enthusiasm. "In that case, my work here is done," Danny stood and proceeded to walk away. Until he stopped and turned back to her, "you know
I love you right?" Danny made sure he reminded the kids he loved them each and every time he punished them. "Yeah," Andy nodded remaining in her seat.
Danny glanced at his watch, "I think I'm going to get something started for dinner, for Linda, why don't you help me out?" "You know how to cook," Andy was
curious? "Not really," Danny shook his head. A grin started to spread across Andy's face as she looked up at him, "this ought to be good." Danny couldn't help
laugh, the old Andy was returning, and Danny found himself not minding a bit, even if she was picking on him. "Just please tell me you're not going to make mac
and cheese, with cheese that comes from a can," Andy followed him into the kitchen. "Jack told me about the time you made it for family dinner." "It wasn't that
bad," Danny shook his head. "I don't know about that," Andy shook her head, "but he and Sean said it was pretty bad." "Do yourself a favor and ignore them,"
Danny started tossing her a few potatoes. "So do you know how to cook," Danny asked curiously, trying to learn a bit more about his daughter? "I dabble,"
Andy enlightened. "So do you like to cook?" "I don't mind it, although I have to admit, I was never given much of an opportunity," Andy was being open and
completely honest with him. And Danny had to admit he found it nice. "You will have to start cooking with Gramps, he loves to cook," Danny mentioned, "and he
would be a great teacher." "Something tells me, that would be an interesting day," Andy started to press the power button on, on the radio, but stopped
herself when she remembered condition number two. "This is literally going to kill me," Andy gripped the sides of the sink and let her head fall. "This is the first
day Andy, of course you're going to have repercussions," Danny looked over at her. "That's easy for you to say, you're not the one addicted to anything with a
beat, especially those new CDs that Uncle Jamie got me." "I'm sorry Andy," Danny shook his head, "but you should have thought about that before you pulled
your disappearing act." "I know, I know," Andy went back to the potatoes. Danny started pulling out a few pots and pans and filled a pot of water for the
potatoes. Just before taking the thawed chicken out of the sink to start preparing it, Danny lifted his wife's apron off the peg on the wall and placed it over his
head. Andy chuckled, "nice apron Detective, you trying to make a fashion statement?" "Well I considered it but it doesn't really match my tie," Danny winked at
her. "Maybe we can get Grandpa to make it standard issue," Andy teased. Danny laughed out loud, "it would probably get in the way of my gun." "We wouldn't
want that to happen," Andy dropped several chopped up potatoes in the water. "I don't know what I would do if I didn't have you to take my music away,"
Andy smirked in teasing. "Thanks a lot smart-alek, I appreciate the deep concern," Danny scoffed. "Anytime Detective," Andy smiled a lopsided grin.
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A short time later, Linda and the boys stepped through the door smelling a great dinner. "Is Dad cooking," Jack looked shocked? "It's either that or he hired a
chef to cover up the faint smell of Andy's dead body after he killed her," Sean noted. "Sean Daniel Reagan," Linda corrected. "I don't ever want to hear
something like that come out of your mouth again," Linda warned. "It was a joke," Sean tried. "We do not joke like that in this house," Linda's voice was low
but serious. "Now get upstairs and do your homework both of you," Linda pointed to the stairs. "But mom it's Friday," Jack complained. "Think on the bright side
you will have it done," Linda didn't waiver in her decision. "Yes mam," both boys sighed before slowly heading up the stairs. Linda stepped through the kitchen
and was surprised to find both father and daughter in the kitchen cooking together. "What's going on in here," Linda knew the reason had to be a good one?
"We just thought we would try and help you out, and since we were here, we thought we would get started," Danny sounded like he was having a good time.
"And how is it going," Linda sounded a bit concerned? Remembering the Mac and cheese incident. "So far so good," Andy answered the following question. "It
certainly smells good," Linda replied. "Now would you give us a minute, I need to talk to dad for a few minutes?" "Sure," Andy started to walk past her, but
stopped short and whispered, "I wouldn't let him make Mac and cheese." "I heard that Andrea," Danny looked at her. "My stomach and I thank you," Linda
smiled, ignoring her husband's comment. "So how did it go," Linda asked? Once she and Danny were left alone as she poured herself a glass of wine. "Fairly
well," Danny nodded, pouring himself a glass of wine. "A bit of an attitude at times, but nothing extensive," he shook his head. "Just Andy being Andy," Danny
repeated the old familiar phrase he found himself repeating so often.
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"So how did it go?" Jack asked the same question his mother asked just an hour or so ago. "It went," Andy took a seat on the floor of her bedroom next to her
brothers, while their parents decided to do the dishes after dinner by themselves, wanting the chance to talk. "What did he do to you," Sean asked? "Let's just
say I'm not going to see the light of day for a long time," Andy didn't sound at all like she was looking forward to it. "Did he spank you," Sean again asked the
next question? "Not this time," Andy leaned against the wall. "What," Sean yelled! "That's it, I'm protesting, dads playing favorites," Sean complained pacing
the floor. "Favorites," Andy looked shocked. "I'm grounded until he says different which means no tv and no music, I think I'm going to go insane. Now would
you quit pacing before you make a whole in my floor," Andy was already considering that if he did make a whole she would push through it. "What did he say
you could do," Jack questioned? "In a nutshell," Andy replied in one word, "read." "I've got plenty of books you can borrow," Sean offered a grin on his face.
"Thanks," Andy didn't seem too interested in that suggestion. "Or better yet, write a book entitled, 'A Grounding Tale' by Andrea Reagan," Jack laughed out
loud. "On second thought Sean keep pacing, if you make a whole I'll shove you both through it," Andy was a bit tired of their not so helpful attitudes. "Time to
start getting ready for bed," Linda ended their conversation unbeknownst to her that she was saving two of her children's lives. Jack stood, "I'm going first!"
he yelled running out the door. "That was easy enough," Linda left the room after being sure to remind the other two to be ready to follow suit. Sean
stretched out onto the floor next to his sister, and starred up at the ceiling fan. "Did Jack and I ever tell you about the time we were playing soccer in the house
and we broke the ceiling fan in my room," Sean asked her? "No," Andy thought. "I'm pretty sure I would have remembered that one." Sean laughed, "it was all
fun and games until mom came up here. She was so mad." "And Dad," Andy asked? "He tried to act upset for moms sake, but he really wasn't." Andy chuckled,
"I bet he had a similar story to tell, from when he was a kid." "Always," Sean replied. "Dads stories are the best though." "I'll give you that one," Andy agreed,
"they are anything but boring."
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Andy yawned as she sat on the edge of her bed, she was tired from having to get up so early, yet she wasn't exactly ready to go to sleep just yet. She wasn't
exactly known for being a big reader, but at the current moment, she didn't have many options. The only problem was, her room looked like a tornado went
through it, and the few books that she did have were currently missing in action. Andy picked up a few things off the floor in an attempt to relocate her missing
property, but it was to no avail, and Andy eventually just tossed them back to their previous place of residence. Sighing to herself Andy laid down flat and
looked under her bed, "finally," she muttered to herself after locating one of her favorites filled with action and uncovering the truth when another has an
alterier motive. She wasn't sure what it was, but while most girls her age were interested in lady like fashion, Andy was more concerned with sports and doing
things that could get her in trouble, unless she had a shield, and authority to do so. "What are you doing?" Linda caught her completely off guard. "Looking for
something," Andy pulled herself off the floor. "It's a wonder you can find anything with this mess," Linda was obviously not thrilled with the state of her
daughter's bedroom. "I like it like this," Andy held up her book, "it makes things easier to find." "Perhaps you can learn how to find things using a different
method, with a clean room and everything in its rightful place," Linda was doing more than suggesting. Andy shrugged, "maybe." "What were you looking for
anyway," Linda asked? "I'm bored out of my mind, and I have absolutely nothing else to do, other than read," Andy was whining. "Think on the bright side,"
Linda smiled, "with you being grounded, you will have plenty of time to clean your room," she replied before walking out, showing little to no compassion. Andy
moaned and fell on her bed. "Could this day get any worse," she wondered. Just as she was certain it couldn't, Danny (aka the Warden) walked in. "Thinking
about doing a little light reading before bed," he asked? "I'm not much of a reader, but I thought I may be willing to give it a try once again," Andy replied.
"Reading will help expand your horizons," Danny was trying to expand his daughters list of daily activities. "I ran about the streets, I'm pretty sure my horizons
are expanded," Andy of course had an immediate comeback. "With culture Andrea, expand them with culture," Danny didn't know how to say it any clearer.
"Culture, who are you to lecture me on culture," Andy was confused? "You spend your days chasing people, and then interrogating them." "You," Danny
pointed a finger at her, "do not get to lecture me on culture. In fact you don't get to lecture me on anything, I'm the parent remember." "I know," Andy shook
her head. "But I have an excuse, I'm bored, and I don't think clearly when I'm bored," Andy was radiating in annoyance. "You made the decision to become
bored," Danny reminded her. "Just so you know, I'm liable to have a heart attack, or something along that nature," Andy was showing signs of despair. "Lucky
for you we have a nurse in the house, you'll be fine," Danny reassured her, not showing a bit of concern as he walked out the door. "Aughh," Andy moaned all
the louder.
XXXXXXXX
It was an hour or so later, by the time Linda had all three of her children in bed, she and Danny were finally able to have more than 10 minutes to talk without
being in jeopardy of being interrupted. "You know I have to admit I love having Andy here," Linda admitted, "despite the unknowing of what she might do next,
last night for instance," she shook her head still finding it hard to believe. "At times she reminds me so much of myself that I can't believe she was adopted,"
Danny mentioned. "You know I felt like our family was incomplete before we met Andy, but now it seems like she has filled up such a hole, that I don't know
what we did before she came to live with us," Linda opened up. "I know it sounds odd," she continued "but I don't know how else to say it." "I understand
what you're saying," Danny nodded, making himself comfortable on the couch, "I feel the same way." "I wonder how the boys feel?" Linda asked curiously after
several moments of silence while the two reflected on the past month. Danny yawned, "I wouldn't ask that question until after their grounding sentence is
over, after all she contributed to it," Danny noted. Linda chuckled, "why do I get the feeling, we are going to have plenty of adventures, and sleepless nights
ahead of us?" "Because we are raising three young children, that do not have a tendency to do anything subtle," Danny mentioned. "That I agree with," Linda
noted, "but I also get the feeling that everything is going to be okay." "So do I Linda, so do I," Danny repeated just before he and Linda drifted off to the sleep.
