Eighteen months. Eighteen months Danny had spent far away from his family, and from Linda. Away from home, from his old life – from everything he had known. Sometimes it felt even like he was away from everything he had been.

As much as Danny longed to come home, he feared it. He had changed so much in those months, and his family – they had changed, too. Jamie was in second class now, Joe was a senior in high school, Erin had started her last year. Both Joe and Erin were dating again, Joe had Angela for more than two months and Erin had just had her third date with a rich guy called John Boyle. Dad had been promoted head detective, Linda had started with nursery school… life was going on and exciting for the Reagans, and that was good, and there was nothing Danny wanted more than for them to be happy, but… as he entered the plane that would bring him back to the United States he couldn't shake the feeling that everything happening in their lives was separating him from them.
When the plane landed at Camp Pendleton Danny was at the edge of panicking. He had only four days till he would board another plane and fly home. New York.
He knew that his family would be waiting at the airport, all of them. Before Danny had left, his dad had promised Jamie to take him out of school on this special date – actually he had promised to bring Jamie to the airport even if the Statue of Liberty collapsed, Brooklyn Bridge broke down, the volcano of Yellowstone exploded and aliens took over the planet. Danny smiled. He wasn't afraid of seeing Jamie again, he missed the little one terribly. It would be easy with him – Jamie was still a child, in front of him Danny wouldn't have to pretend anything. If he didn't want to talk about what had happened, Jamie wouldn't force him to. He still lived in a protected little world, and now more than ever Danny was thankful for it.
Still, he was nervous. More than nervous.

The first call he made was sent to mailbox. Danny almost hurled the cell to the ground, crying with anger. Was it really asked too much she would pick up? Only seconds later he regretted his outburst and cried even more, out of disappointment of himself now. He really wasn't ready to get back yet. How could he… he called again, taking deep breaths to calm himself down. Mailbox again. Danny closed his eyes. "Hey, baby, it's me" he said gently, "I just wanted you to know that… I'm back again. I've just arrived and… I will be in New York on Thursday, uhm… I'm afraid somehow. I'm not really ready to get here, though I… I miss you like crazy, Linda. You gotta believe me. I miss you so much. I love you. But… don't take everything serious what I say or do in the next few weeks, okay? I think I'm very likely to behave like an idiot. But I really don't mean it, okay? I just… okay, better talk about it later. I love you, Linda, I love you so much. I hope you come and get me."

"…Know what I mean?" Linda had tears in her eyes as she took her cell from the table. Right after she had heard Danny's message she had driven to the Reagans. "Is that normal? I mean, is this…" She stopped and looked down, trying to get the tears away. Mary put her arm around her eldest's girlfriend. "Yes it is" she said assuring before Frank or Henry could even open their mouth, "when Frank came home he was the same. Just that we didn't have cell phones there so he told me when I came picking him up." It was obvious Mary was worried, too, but she did her best not to show it. Only Frank saw the concern in his wife's eyes and jumped in to support her.
"He will be alright, Linda. Knowing that your behavior has changed means Danny's started to reflect. It will take time, but he has already settled his priorities – he wants to live here with you. I have no doubt that he will be okay. And I have no doubt either" he looked directly at Linda now, his eyes gleaming, "that you will be strong enough to help him through this. If you want to."

Linda gasped, then smiled. "I will. I promise I will." With glowing cheeks, she reached out and grabbed Frank's hand over the table.
She had never expected the situation like this – that she would ask her boyfriend's father for his son's hand. She had always dreamt it would be the opposite, but it was good the way it was right now.
As Mary hugged the young nurse-to-be, both women had tears in their eyes. Mary because she knew her son had found a woman strong enough to both tame him and give him his freedom, and Linda because she had finally found a family.

"Alright." Frank faced each of his children, standing in front of him expectantly. Erin had her arms wrapped protectively around Jamie, who didn't even seem to notice the gesture from all his excitement.
Tomorrow they would go and finally see Danny again and bring him home.
Frank smiled as he remembered their reactions when he had told them that their brother had safely reached the states. Unexpected from everyone, Joe had cried out in relief and then pulled both his father and Erin who was nearest, I a bear hug. Erin had grabbed for Jamie then, and Jamie had flipped his fingers to get Linda's attention. When she had taken one step towards them, both Erin and Jamie had reached out for her, welcoming her officially in the family. When Frank had looked up he had seen his beautiful wife standing at the door, beaming with love and pride, and tears of joy in her eyes. Of course he had pulled her in, too, and if Joe hadn't started coughing they probably would never have parted.

Now, though, Joe seemed concerned. "What's up, dad? He's okay, isn't he?" Automatically, Erin's grip around Jamie tightened.
Frank nodded quickly. "Yes, he is. But your brother has been away for one and a half year, and the things he has seen and maybe done are not easy to shake off, and he can't – and mustn't – ever forget them." As he saw the shock in his son's eyes Frank's voice went gentler. "You will need to be patient with Danny. He may say things he shouldn't, things that seem rude to you. And sometimes he may even tell you that none of your problems really matter, comparing them to what's going on overseas."
Erin inhaled sharply, but nodded. She had a certain idea her dad was talking about John when he said "problems".
"I've been where your brother was – literally, not in the same country, well noticed, Jamie" he added when his youngest frowned, "and I know that it is hard to get back. To find your place again. It's hard but it can be done. Danny is a strong young men, and he has three wonderful siblings. It will never be the same again, I told you that, but it is going to be okay. You just have to remember that no matter how often you will fight, or how closed up he may seem in the next week, Danny loves you. He really does. We're his family, we know him better than anyone else. And we will help him enjoy his life at home, won't we?"
"We will!" Jamie cried excited, "of course we will!" Then his eyes went wide. "Dad…"

Automatically Frank turned around to see Jamie's line of sight, thinking there was a spider behind him scaring his son. There was nothing to see. He turned around, confused. "What is it, Jamie?"

Jamie broke out of his sister's arms and moved closer to his father. His expression was gravely – far too gravely for an eight year-old. Frank bowed down to be at one eye height with his son.
Jamie swallowed heavily. "Would it be better for Danny if we didn't go altogether picking him up?" He had tears in his eyes.

Frank couldn't help but smile. He knew well that Jamie was just offering the greatest sacrifice he was capable of. "No" he said, "I don't think that would be better. We're a family and we're going as a family. No one excluded. Okay?"

Jamie nodded frantically, too relieved to speak.

Frank stood up again. "Then I suggest you go to bed, we'll leave early tomorrow!"