Montana
Summary: It's time for Danny and Lucy to meet Lindsay's family
A/N: Sorry I didn't reply to all your beautiful reviews, I've been uber sick. I'm house/dog sitting for my aunt and uncle this weekend. So, I figured, while waiting for pages to load on dial-up, I could get some writing accomplished :)
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
The Montana sun rose over the Monroe family ranch early the following morning. Danny Messer had never been a morning person, but he was determined to make a good impression on his in-laws. Lindsay had been up off and on all night with a fussy and jet-lagged Lucy. As a rooster crowed in the distance, Danny tossed back the covers and got up. He glanced at his wife; her hair was a mess and the covers were pulled up to her chin. He pressed a kiss to her temple and then moved to the crib in the corner.
The crib belonged to Lindsay's niece, one of her brothers had dropped it off the day before for Lucy to use. Danny smiled at his daughter -Stella had been right, she really was a mini-version of her father. She was up and kicking at the mobile while gurgling to herself.
"Hey Luce, you sleep good?" Danny scooped her up and she curled against his chest, "You sure are happier than when you went to bed last night."
Danny bounced her lightly as he got out the diaper bag and moved to change her.
Lucy gurgled and drooled as Danny changed her. He bent to kiss her nose and she grabbed his glasses, "Those are mine kiddo." Danny chuckled and removed the wire frames from her tight grip, "If you're like your old man, I'm sure you'll have a pair of your own someday."
Danny refastened the onesie and wrapped a blanket around her, "Let's go see if Grandma and Grandpa are up yet, huh? Mama needs some sleep, you had her up all night kiddo. She loves you lots, ya know?"
Lucy gurgled.
"Well yes, I do love you too." Danny chuckled. He liked moments like these, just him and his little girl.
The Monroe house was a old fashioned style farm house. Two stories, four bedrooms, and it even had an old cellar that Mrs. Monroe kept stocked with canned vegetables and potatoes. Danny's favorite part of the house was the stairwell; the wall was lined with pictures of Lindsay, her three brothers and their respective families. It was easy to pick out which ones were from Lindsay's childhood. The mess of dark brown curls and the chocolate colored eyes were a give-away. From age one to fifteen in each picture she is never alone. Danny knows the faces belong to her friends, the ones that died and his heart breaks a little for her, but he's glad that she has the pictures and they show all the amazing times they had.
"There's your Mommy, Luce." Danny points Lindsay out in a picture, "Look at how pretty she is." The picture is from Lindsay's high school graduation; standing in front of Bozeman High School, flanked by her parents and two of her brothers.
"Good Morning, Daniel." Mrs. Monroe says from the bottom of the stairs.
"Oh! Mrs. Monroe, I'm sorry. I didn't wake you did I?" Danny asks apologetically.
"Heavens no, I've gotten up this early since I married Aaron and it's a force of habit that even his retirement can't break." Grace Monroe smiles, "And Danny?"
"Yes ma'am?"
"Call me Grace."
"Good morning Grace." Danny smiled.
"Good morning and good morning Lucy." Grace grinned at her granddaughter.
"She's a bit of a early riser." Danny chuckled.
"Just like her mama. I'm surprised Lindsay isn't up yet." Grace lead the way into the kitchen and motioned for Danny to sit down at the table.
"She would be, but Trouble here kept her up most of the night fussing." Danny blew a rasberry on Lucy's cheek.
Grace chuckled, "Lindsay used to do the same thing when she was a baby. Up all night and then would wake up several hours later and it was like she slept all night."
Danny chuckled, "She's still like that. She's the only person I know that can pull a double and then come home and stay up with Lucy til I get off work."
"It's a super power that comes with being a mother."
"What is?" Lindsay came down the stairs.
"Your sleeping abilities." Danny chuckled.
Lindsay kissed his cheek, "Morning."
"Morning." Danny smiled.
"Morning, Little Girl." Lindsay smiled and kissed her daughter's forehead.
Grace stood by the coffee pot and watched them. Her little girl, her only girl, now had a little girl of her own. A family of her own. Grace Monroe beamed with pride.
A/N: There it is. Now, pardon me while I go watch some NY on TNT and play with puppies. Love.