Two hours later Linda saw Danny walking through the gate. His head turning from side to side searching for his family. His eyes finally seeing Linda, he drops his bags and pulls her into a strong embrace. They hear a few claps, and people buzzing around them. Linda realizes Danny is still in his uniform, and people think this is a normal military homecoming. Linda whispers in Danny's ear "let's get out of here babe." Danny not wanting to let his wife go, responds by holding her closer. She feels his shoulders shaking, and realized he was crying. 18 months being away, away from his family, away from his love, seeing what he saw over there, his mom being sick, all the bundled up emotions he was feeling were at the surface and bubbling over.

"Not here baby" Linda whispered. Breaking loose from Danny's grip, she bent over to grab his bag, took him by the hand and started to lead him out of the airport.

"I missed you so much Linda. Hows mom? How are the kids? Dad? Linda? Talk to me."

Linda was staring straight ahead briskly walking. Determined to get him into the parking garage, safely sitting alone in their car before she would say a word.

"Linda stop, I'm tired, I've been traveling for days."

"The car is right around the corner Danny."

They made it to the car, Linda unlocked the doors, told Danny to get in, and walked to the trunk to put away his bag. She paused for a moment, to catch her breath and regain her thoughts. She had no idea what she was going to say. Finally Danny opened his door and asked if she was joining him. Linda took one more deep breath and walked to the driver's side door. Once she was in the car Danny started bombarding her with questions.

"Baby what's going on? I wanna go home. You haven't said anything. Can we go see mom? Is she home or in the hospital?"

Linda looked up, with tears in her eyes, "baby" she starts slowly not what to say.

"Linda?" Pressed Danny his voice cracking slightly.

"I'm so sorry baby" she said as two tears trail down her face. "Its too late."

Danny suddenly looked up to Linda's eyes. "What's too late?"

"Babe. Its too late" she said again grabbing his hands in hers. "You're too late. Mary's gone." Her voice no louder than a whisper.

"What? I don't…" he started to say when the reality of what she sunk in. "I'm..." he started, tears filling his eyes as he looked up at Linda, "too late?"

Linda put her arms around Danny and pulled him to her shoulder as his tears turned to silent sobs. "I'm here baby, it's ok." She whispers, rubbing his back and holding him tightly. Linda and Danny stayed like that for 20 minutes. When Danny's sobs quieted, Linda finally pulled away and looked at him. She cupped his face in her hands, studying his features. His skin was dark and rough from being in the desert heat for so long. Eyes sad, tired and red rimmed. Slight stubble on his chin from traveling. Linda rubbed the pad of her thumb over a stray tear that suddenly falls from his eye.

"Baby" she finally began to speak, "she knew you tried. Your mom knew you loved her and wanted to be here." Linda leaned over and pulled an envelope out of the glove box. She handed it to Danny before she started speaking again.

"Danny I know you, and I know what your thinking. You can't blame yourself for this baby. It's not your fault. Your mom wrote all you kids a letter. There were things she wanted you to know. They're all written in there."

Danny looked at the envelope Linda placed in his hands. In his mother's neat handwriting across the middle of it read, Danny-Boy. He smiled, and choked back another sob at the sight of that. "I always hated that nickname as a kid, as I got older, if I was upset and brooding, mom would always call me that when trying to get me to talk." He flipped the envelope over and started to tear it open.

"You don't want to wait til your home?" Linda questioned "I can leave you alone to read in private."

"Babe, I've been gone for almost 2 years, you're not leaving my sight for a long, long time." replied Danny smiling again. He looked down and seeing his mother's words on the paper made the tears start again. "Linda, can you?" He asked handing her the sheet of paper.

Danny-Boy,

If I did not give you this letter myself, that means you did not make it home in time. The thought of that breaks my heart Danny. I want to hold you and tell you everything is going to be alright, I don't want you to blame yourself. You were doing the right thing. Serving your country and I am so incredibly proud of that. I love you so much Danny. You're my first born baby. I was so happy when your daddy and I found out we were having you. We had been married for 2 years and I wanted a baby in the worse way. When we found out you were a boy, your daddy was so happy he cried. (crazy I know, Reagan men don't cry happy tears) "He is going to be just like me" Your father always used to boast. He was right, you know, you are just like him. Strong, loyal, handsome, angry, smart, protective, determined, attentive, kind. You always do the right thing. You never falter on what is right and wrong. You are always out to get the bad guys. And you always do. I am so proud that you are, in fact, your father's son. But now I am gone, and I need you to be your mother's son a little bit. I need you to be sensitive, to yourself, and to your brothers and sister. Let yourself feel, and them them open up to you about their feelings. They are going to need their big brother to help them through this. Jamie and Joe are going to need you a lot in the future. Please be there for them! Take care of my babies. Help daddy watch over the family. Love each other. Danny, please make sure Jamie doesn't become a cop. I don't want your life for him. He isn't made like the rest of my men. He isn't built for all the bad. Take care of everyone. I know I am rambling, but I need you to promise me you're going to help. Help make them strong. Don't be too hard on them. But help them. I love you so much Danny, I am so sorry I am leaving too soon. Your a wonderful son, and husband and brother and I know you are going to be a wonderful daddy when the day comes.

I love you son, and I always will,

Mama

Linda finished the letter, folding back neatly and placing it back in the envelope. She turned and finally looked at Danny, who while she was reading had buried his head in his hands. Linda placed her arms around him, once again holding him, while he lost any control that he had left.