45 minutes later, Erin and her brothers were sitting in the family living room like they had done so many times growing up. Erin was placed in between Jamie and 17 year old Joe on the couch. Each one holding one of her hands, glancing nervously back and forth between their parents. Linda was seated in a chair, rocking 1 year old Nikki, thinking, no matter what comes out of their mouths, I have to be strong. Its what Danny would do.
"Kids, your mother had an appointment today with the oncologist." Erin immediately started crying, causing alarm in both of the younger boys.
"Dad?" Questioned Jamie.
"Boys, about 5 years ago, your mom got really sick. She had cancer, do you remember that?" Joe shook his head yes, tears threatening, but not yet falling.
"So what does that have to do with now daddy?" asked the youngest, most naive child. Jamie never wanted to think bad on anything. In his eyes, everything was good. Mary just sat there, crying, never saying a word.
"Kids, I'm so sorry, but the cancer has come back. After being in remission for almost 5 years, the doctors realized they missed it. Its aggressive and unique."
"Pop? Whats that mean?" Asked Joe quietly, "what exactly are you telling us?"
Mary stood up, with a sudden calm coming over her. "My sweet children, the doctors said there is nothing more to do. We just wait. If its in the Lord's will, if He is ready for me, then I am ready to see him as well."
Joe jumped to his feet yelling "but what if we're not ready for you to go?" He ran to his mother's opened arms, as the tears slowly started falling from his eyes.
"Shhh baby. Its ok. Now is not the time to be angry with God. You can be sad. But please dont be angry."
"Frank, how long?" Linda suddenly asked. Knowing she was thinking of her husband being in Iraq, wondering if he would have the time to make it home, his only response was "we need to make some calls."
It didn't take long for everyone to realize what their father meant when he said those words to Linda. "But, he will be home in three months dad." Argued Joe.
Jamie's reality of what was happening became too much for him to handle. He jumped up off the couch, new tears flowing out of his eyes. "No, you can't die mama, it's not fair" he screamed, as he turned and flew up the stairs. No one moved, yet the all listened, hearing the door slam, Jamie fall, and nothing but loud crying through the floor.
Joe started to follow his best friend up the stairs, when his father stopped him. He pulled Joe into a hug, and that was all it took for him to give in to the sobs he was trying to keep at bay. His father held him tightly for a few minutes, his own emotion now pouring out of his eyes. Suddenly Joe pushed Frank away, "no" he said. "I refuse to believe this. You cant give up mom." and he went out the back door. Linda and Erin looked at each other, then to Mary and Frank.
"Lets just let the boys process this." said Mary quietly "I'm going to go lie down for a bit. I'm quite tired myself." Holding her hand up to Frank, signalling she wanted him to stay put and explain everything to the girls when she left the room.
"Daddy?" Asked Erin her voice quivering on the word. Frank turned to the two girls who were now sitting, holding each other on the couch.
"Princess," he started to say before giving in to the emotion. Tears started pouring down his face as he spit out the words "3-5 weeks. My beautiful wife. 3-5 weeks." Seeing the strong man break down like this, shook both girls, and it didn't take long for them to try to hold and console their father. "Linda!" Frank said suddenly looking up. "Please, we need Danny. We need our son home. The kids need him. I...I need him." Linda asked to use Franks office stating she would try to get in touch with Danny as soon as possible. Erin excused herself to the upstairs, to check on her baby brother.
"I don't understand" cried 11 year old Jamie to his older sister.
"I don't either buddy" admitted his sister, pulling the small child into her lap, hugging him tightly. Usually, the youngest and smallest Reagan would fight against being held like a baby, but the comfort of his sister's arms is just what he needed at the moment. She held him until his sobs quieted to whimpers, then set him gently on his bed. He had cried himself to sleep. Looking down at her youngest brother, knowing there was nothing she could do to stop his pain made her own tears start silently falling down her cheeks.
Linda was in Franks office wondering what to do, she didn't know who to contact to get in touch with Danny the quickest way. She started with writing a simple email. "Danny, we need to talk. Call me." She knew Danny was able to check his email at least every two days, so if nothing else, she would hear from him soon. Without Linda knowing, Frank was also making phone calls, he still had some friends, from his military days, who might be able to get to Danny quicker. Now it was just a waiting game for his call.