A/N: Sorry it's taken me this long to update but I haven't had much time to use the computer and this chapter was long! So here's the second chapter and I promised good stuff so here is the beginning of a long line of important events!
Chapter 2: Conversations
Danny and Lindsay walked into the lab holding hands. Before they could reach their shared office, Flack stopped them in the hallway. "Hey guys!" Don greeted his friends. "I'm sorry to do this to you Linds, but I have to steal Messer here away from you today. Stella told me to tell you that she'll meet you at the morgue in about a half hour." Flack flashed Lindsay a bright smile when he finished.
Lindsay returned the gesture and held up her hands, gesturing towards Danny. "He's all yours. It'll get him out of my hair for a little while." Flack laughed at the comment as Lindsay gave Danny a kiss and began to walk down the hallway towards the office.
Danny watched he walk along. "See you later Montana!" He called after her. Lindsay just waved keeping her back turned towards the two men.
Flack watched his friends in amusement. "Come on lover boy." He said to his friend and led Danny out into the parking lot.
It was the middle of June and it was extremely hot, even for New York. Danny climbed into the passenger seat of Don's Tahoe. He was met by a blast of cool, refreshing air. The first couple minutes of the car ride was filled with work and sports, then it faded into a comfortable silence. After a few minutes Flack looked over to see Danny starring out the window with a far out look on his face. Flack wondered what he was thinking about. His first thought was Lindsay but he decided to ask anyway.
"Hey Messer!" Flack said to his friend to get his attention. Danny just kept starring out the window and didn't even flinch. "Earth to Danny." Don said teasingly and tapped his friend on the shoulder.
Danny jumped at the sudden touch. "What? Did you day something?" Danny asked in a small state of confusion.
Don looked at him in wonder. "What's on your mind, Messer?" Danny mumbled something in reply but Don couldn't understand him. "Out with it Danny." Flack smiled; this ought to be good.
Danny looked Flack straight in the eye. "I want to ask Montana to marry me." It all flowed of his tongue at once and he was surprised at how easy it was to say. It took Don a moment to comprehend what his friend had just said but that didn't matter to Danny. He was just glad to get it off his chest. Flack had been the first person he had said anything to.
When the shock had worn off Flack looked at his friend with a sly smile on his face. "That's awesome man; my little Danny's growing up and getting married." Flack slapped Danny on the shoulder but kept his eyes on the road.
Danny shook his head. "Oh shut up Flack. So you really think it's a good idea?" He asked hoping for an honest answer.
"Hell yeah! I'd say it's about time." Flack answered grinning like the cat in Alice in Wonderland.
Danny looked at his friend in amazement. "That's what you said when we came back from Montana last year."
"What can I say; it's just who I am." Flack shrugged. "So how do you think you're going to pop the question?"
Danny thought for a moment before answering. He wasn't sure he wanted to explain in detail but he thought 'What the heck!'
"Well…"
3 3 3 3 We Love M&Ms 3 3 3 3
Danny walked through the door of the apartment he shared with Lindsay and tossed his keys on the counter. He had a rare night to himself since Lindsay and Stella had to pull a double. It wasn't that he didn't enjoy having the night alone; it just wasn't the same without Lindsay's warmth there when he got home. Danny wandered into the kitchen and pulled out a coke from the fridge and sat down at the island. As he popped the top he reached for the phone. Since Lindsay wasn't home he could get a few things done. Brad was in New York for the week so Danny punched in his office number in.
"Hello. You have reached Yankee Offices. Who would you like to contact?" The familiar receptionist's voice echoed over the phone line.
"This is Danny Messer and I would like to speak to Brad Cashman." Danny answered and waited on her next question. He told her why he was calling and she asked him to hold while she sent him through to Brad.
There was a click on the other end of the phone and Brad greeted him. "What's up Danny?"
"Nothing much except I'm getting ready to ask your sister-in-law to marry me." Danny stated simply and awaited Brad's reaction.
Brad laughed over the phone, "That's great! How my assist you in making this day the best it can be?" Not that Danny knew but Brad already had somewhat of an idea of what Danny had called for.
Danny smiled. "I was wondering if you could get me seven tickets to a Yankee game. I'll pay whatever it costs. I was also wondering if you and Becky Lynn could come to the game." He knew it was a lot to ask but he wanted to give Lindsay the best no matter what the cost.
"Give me a second Danny." Brad asked. Danny nodded even though Brad couldn't see him. After a few moments Brad came back on the line. "I just talked to Brian and he said he can give you the seven tickets for $250, but their good seat."
Danny interrupted him. "Thanks Brad! That's awesome."
Brad smiled and continued. "I'm not finished yet. Those tickets are for the Yankee-Boston game on Lindsay's birthday. In addition to all that Brian says he can hook you up with the big screen at the end of the seventh inning. That and the fact the Becky and I can come and would love too."
When he finished he waited to hear what Danny had to say. To say the least, Danny was shocked. This was more than he had expected. "That's awesome. I don't know how to thank you."
Brad laughed and you could hear Brian's laughter in the background. "All we ask is that you make her happy. She's like a sister to us."
"I will. Can I ask you one more thing?" He asked. Brad agreed and Danny continued. "Can you keep this just between us? Don't even tell Becky Lynn. The only people who know are Kyle, Flack and you." Brad agreed they exchanged good byes.
When Danny hung up the phone he looked at the clock. It was only 7pm. He still had time to get one more thing done. Danny picked up the phone once more and made another call. After he was done he picked up a pen and wrote a note for Lindsay. Danny didn't want her to wonder where he was if she got home earlier than expected. Then he picked up his keys and headed out the door.
3 3 3 3 We Love M&Ms 3 3 3 3
Danny knocked on the door to his great-grandmother's home in the Bronx. She lived in the better part of town considering it was the Bronx. The door creaked open and an elderly woman peaked out. Her questioning look soon turned into a bright smile when she saw Danny on the other side.
"Danny, come in out of the heat." She ushered Danny inside and closed the door behind them. "Would you like something to drink?"
Danny shook his head. "Don't trouble yourself Nana. I'm fine."
Isabella Messer laughed. "Don't be silly. It's my job to spoil my favorite great-grandchild no matter how old he is." She stated matter-of-factly. "Now sit down and make yourself comfortable. I'll be back in a second." With that she left Danny in her living room and headed off toward the kitchen.
Danny walked around the room and admired his great-grandmother's simple but elegant style. Pictures of the Messer family hung on the wall and were placed on mantle frames. He was stopped by the sight of a collage. There were three pictures in the single frame. One was of Danny and Louie when they were younger. That was before they started fighting and were still talking to each other. The second was of him and Nana on her birthday the previous year; Danny never missed one. The third picture was the one that surprised him the most. It was a picture of him and Lindsay at his nephew's birthday party at the local playground. Lindsay was on the swing and Danny's hands were on the chains. He was bent down to her level and placing a kiss to Lindsay's temple. The photo brought a smile to his face.
"You really love her." Isabella said coming up from behind him holding out a glass of lemonade. Danny just nodded, still mesmerized by the photo. "Then I guess it's about time I give you this." She walked over to one of the couch side tables and opened the drawer. When she approached Danny this time she was holding a black velvet box. When she opened it she revealed a white-gold, antique ring. The 4.1 karat, princess cut diamond was framed but a diamond and a sapphire on either side. "It's what you can for isn't it?"
Danny just stood in awe looking at the ring. "Actually Nana, I can just get one from the jewelry store." He was going to continue but Isabella beat him to it.
"No you won't. You're going to give Lindsay this ring." She smiled and motioned for Danny to sit down on the couch. "This is the ring your great-grandfather gave me when we got to America. He promised me that world before we left Italy and that's exactly what he gave me. We were married for fifty years before he left to join the good Lord in Heaven." She placed the box in Danny's hand and closed his fingers around it. "I have waited 30 years to give this to you, even though I though no girl would ever be good enough for my Danny. Lindsay makes you happy and I like her. I wish you both the happiness me and you great-grandfather had."
Danny smiled. "Thank you Nana." He pulled her in for a hug.
"No problem baby." Isabella responded. "So how are you going to pop the question? I hope it's something original."
Danny laughed. "Well, I'm taken Lindsay, Flack, Mac, Stella, Becky Lynn and Bryan to a Yankee game on her birthday. I'm going to ask her at the end of the seventh inning on the big screen."
Isabella was both shocked and excited. "Danny that is awesome. She's going to love it. Now even though I hate to see you go, you need to go home to her."
They got up from the couch and headed towards the door. Danny tucked the ring in his jeans and hugged Isabella. They exchanged goodbyes and she made Danny promise to come and visit after it was all over. He willingly agreed and Danny drove home in complete bliss.
A/N: There's your second chapter and the third should be up soon because I already have it written out! Reviews make me happy! I would love to know what you think of where it's going!