Chapter19 Mending Fences Building Bridges Part2
After this chapter this story will be going on a short hiatus so that I can plan the tail end of this story but I won't leave all of my loyal readers without something to read I have another story ready to go that is independent of the Reagan family universe.
Sid stood at the door Frank's office took a breath and walked into his bosses' office hoping he didn't make a mistake helping Abigail deal her situation.
Sid opened the door to the office and walked in to see Frank looking over crime stats.
"Commissioner." Sid said as Frank looked up from his paperwork.
"Ah Sid what a surprise anything I can help you with?"
"Sir I have some information you may want to know."
Upon hearing this Frank leaned forward in his chair.
"Is that so Sid."
"Yes sir."
"Well don't just stand there mute Sid lets have it."
Well sir the information I have for you concerns this office and you directly."
"Sid quit stalling and just tell me what it is you want to tell me."
"Alright sir here it is Detective Baker no longer works for this office."
Upon hearing this news Frank met his department chief with a look of intrigue.
"Sid you have two minutes to explain yourself this isn't like you to beat around the bush."
"Sorry sir but what I meant to say was Detective Baker no longer works for this office because she is married and changed her name."
"Sid if Detective Baker that has no bearing on this office."
"Sir with all due respect you'll be singing a different when you find out who Detective Baker married."
"Sid you know I don't do second hand information if detective Baker's marriage affects this office I want to hear how from her."
"Okay boss have it your way."
With that Sid went back outside and sent Baker into the office.
Abigail walked in hoping that she hadn't just signed her own pink slip.
"You wanted to see me sir?"
"I did, Lieutenant Gormley tells you've recently gotten married is this true?"
"Yes sir." Abbie answered trying to hide the fear in her voice.
"Well in that case congratulations are in order."
"Thank you sir."
"Of course Baker I was also informed you submitted forms for a name change."
"Yes sir I did along with new emergency contact information and medical forms."
"Very well now about your name change what are you going by now?"
Upon hearing the question Abbie took a breath in before answering.
"Sir as of late last night I am Abigail Reagan."
For the second time in a short while Frank had been thrown for a loop but kept his composure.
"So Abigail if you wouldn't mind answering one question who is your spouse?"
"Sir before I answer that question I would like to point out that I'm aware that my answer may affect my employment in this office but I stand by my actions."
"Very well now if you would please answer my question".
"Gladly sir my wife is someone you know very well and while our marriage was something that came about quickly we made the decision together."
"Okay understood now if you would please the name of your spouse".
"Of course sir the name of my spouse is Erin Reagan".
Upon hearing this news Frank took a moment to collect himself still wearing an unreadable look on his face.
"Now Abigail I want to be clear the person you married was Erin Reagan correct?"
"Yes sir I married your daughter Erin and I assure you I did it out of love for your daughter."
Frank looked into Abigail's eyes trying to size her up and as time went by Abbie was doing same.
Feeling like she was about to fired Abbie reached for her shield and gun and placed them on Frank's desk an action which snapped Frank was his current state.
"What are you doing detective?"
"I'm turning in my shield and gun its clear I'm about to be fired so I wanted to leave with dignity so if you're going to fire me sir please do it already."
"What are you talking about you've done nothing to warrant being fired."
"Sir with all due respect the look on your face says you're three seconds from firing me."
"Detective while I am going to do something firing you wasn't it."
Once Frank made that statement Abbie felt like she could breathe again.
"Thank you sir"
"Of course while I'm not going to fire you I am ordering you to get a hold of your wife and have her in this office ASAP."
"Of course sir."
"Dismissed detective."
With that Abbie picked up her shield and gun returned to her desk and made a call to Erin to comply with her given order.
Once Abbie sat down at her desk she dialed Erin hoping she'd pick up.
Luckily on the fourth ring Erin picked up.
"Abbie what a surprise I didn't expect a call from you."
"Well this call should have been one you expected."
"Oh why's that?"
"Well let's just say a certain person very close to wants us both in the same place at the same time".
"Abbie you told him?"
"Well Sid helped but for the most part yes I did."
"Okay so how did he take it?"
"Well I still have a job so I'm guessing that's a start."
"Alright so what's next?"
"He wants you down here ASAP."
"Wow okay has he said what for?"
"No he didn't."
"Damn it I'll be right down."
"Erin it's no rush and you have cases."
"No I don't Mc Coy has me doing paperwork today."
"Fine just get down here I still want to have a job by the end of the day."
"Don't worry honey you will."
"Just get down here."
"Fine give me twenty minutes and whatever you do don't say anything else that could turn up the heat."
"Will do babe."
Like clockwork twenty minutes later Erin walked into 1pp and greeted Abbie with a hug.
"I guess it's time to face the music."
Erin and Abbie slowly walked into the office finding Frank on the phone just hanging up his call.
"Sir."
Baker have a seat."
Abbie cringed at the fact Frank used her maiden name.
"Dad I'm not going to sit here while you treat my wife like some perp show her some respect."
"Erin I am not treating your wife like a perp I'm treating her like I would treat anyone who married daughter without so much as a heads up."
"Dad for your information I was the one that asked Abbie to marry me if you have a problem with what I did you and I can have it out but you will not rake my wife over the coals for something I did."
"Erin we can avoid this if you explain how the hell my daughter is now married to one of my top assistants."
"Abbie approached me after a chance meeting during Nicky's case one thing led to another we dated for a bit and after thinking about it for a bit something about being around Abbie frequently told me she was the one so I did what I had to so I could hold on to the best thing that's happen to me in a long time."
Frank was shocked at his daughter's candor but could tell she was in love.
"Well after hearing that I think the only thing left to say is welcome to the family Detective Reagan."
"Thank you sir and before you say it I know if I hurt your daughter I'll be asking for it."
"That you will but now's not the time for that we all have jobs to do so both of you get back to work and before I forget the both you will be at a special dinner tonight I want to welcome the newest Reagan the right way and before either of you get any bright ideas this will be a drama less dinner".
With that Erin and Abbie left Frank's relieved that Frank accepted their marriage.
"Well that went as good as it could have."
"Yes it did Abbie now we have to hope that Nicky takes the news as well as dad did".
"Easy fix have her meet us for lunch and tell her I'm sure she'll support us."
"I hope you're right Abbie I really do."
"I'll see you for lunch Erin."
"Later Abbie."
Erin headed for the elevator and after getting outside she called Nicky to make lunch plans which were confirmed rather easily.
Meanwhile on the other side of Manhattan Nicky was sitting with Marina in central park she had swapped tours so she could have today off.
"So Nicky what'd you wanna talk about?"
"Well I wanted to talk to you about what I'm doing after my second year at Columbia is done."
Marina was instantly trying to think of what Nicky could be setting to tell her she tried to calm herself hoping that her nervousness wasn't showing.
"Babe you're making me nervous just tell me."
"Fine I'm fast tracking my degree and joining the police academy."
Marina was stunned but knew that if Nicky wanted this she was doing it no matter what.
"Well are you going to say something or just sit there?"
"What can I say I should've seen this coming eventually."
"So are you going to support me or not?"
"Of course I'll support you I know you know what you're in for so I say go for it."
"Thanks babe I love you."
"I love you too Nicky but now that we handled our situation what did your mom call about?"
"She wants to met for lunch apparently she has something to tell me."
"What do you think it could be?"
"I don't know all she said was she couldn't tell me over the phone."
"Well let's hope it's good news."
Nicky and Marina spent the next few hours taking in the big apple which was time the cherished it seemed like with each passing day they were falling deeper in love with each other.
Three hours Nicky and Marina met up with Erin and Abbie at a small midtown bistro.
When Nicky and Marina walked into the diner Nicky noticed Erin with Abbie at a table and a million thoughts went through her head.
"Babe should I be here with you this seems like a mother daughter type thing."
"Rina you will not leave now if this is bad news I'm going to need you."
"Fine I'll stay but whatever this news is you promise me you won't cause a scene."
"I won't make promises."
"Nicky please you don't need any more drama".
"Fine I won't cause a scene".
"Good now let's get going."
Once Nicky took a breath as she walked towards the table and greeted both Erin and Abbie.
"Nicky Marina you made it."
"We did mom can we order?"
"Of course."
The quad ordered a lite lunch of white rice broccoli and grilled chicken.
After ordering soda for drinks and making small talk Nicky noticed Erin making constant eye contact with Abbie and decided to get to the bottom of the mystery.
"Alright if no one else will address the elephant in the room I will."
"Nicky relax."
"No Marina this small talk is killing me I need to know what's up and I want to know now."
Erin saw that this situation was seconds away from going south so she gave Abbie a look and made her move.
"Nicky I did something last night that affects you in a pretty big way."
"Mom what did you do?" Nicky asked sounding concerned.
"No it wasn't illegal you can relax."
"Good so what was it you did?"
"Well I think it's better if we show you."
After Erin made her last remark she went into the blazer she was wearing and pulled out her ring.
Nicky was stunned when she looked down at her mom's hand.
"Mom tell me that you didn't get married.
"Hate to break to you I did and I did it out of love for Abbie."
Upon hearing that Nicky took a breath before speaking.
"Mom I'm not mad you got you married I'm mad you did it without telling me."
"Nicky I love you but I'm a grown woman if I wanted to get married you had no grounds to stop me."
"You know what mom I don't want to fight with you you're right at least tell me I'm not the last to know."
"No you're not the only other person who knows about my marriage is your grandfather who is ordering a family dinner to celebrate Abbie becoming a Reagan."
"Aw how sweet." Marina piped in.
"So I guess I should start calling you mama huh Abbie."
"You don't have to Nicky do what you're comfortable with Nicky."
Nicky nodded and leaned into Marina while their food was delivered.
With that the quad finally got their food and settled into lite conversation as they ate.
After the group finished their food the quad said their goodbyes and went their separate ways hoping family dinner was less heated than what it was the last time all the Reagans were together.
Back at the twelfth Jamie was finishing his lunch with Eddie and going over the vacation picks when Jamie got a phone call which was unexpected.
"Commissioner what can I do for you?"
"Jamie I'm calling as your father not the PC."
"Okay dad what's up?"
"Don't make plans for dinner tonight you're eating at the house tonight"
"Wow okay what's the occasion?"
"We're celebrating tonight and no I can't tell you what you'll find out at dinner."
"Alright I'll be there."
Jamie hung up the phone as Eddie looked over at him from her burger.
"What was that about Jamie?"
"Nothing my dad invited me to dinner at his place apparently we're celebrating something."
"Oh and he didn't say what?"
"No just said to show up."
"You don't think someone's pregnant do you?"
"No Nicky and Marina are living the lifestyle of the rich and famous and Erin and Abbie wouldn't be talking kids so it's anyone's guess as to what the news is."
"I don't either couple with kids wouldn't shock me."
"Eddie the way you're talking like you have baby fever did you forget about the kid we already taking in?"
"No I didn't the girl we're taking in will make our lives better but something in me wonders what it would be like to have a baby you know from taking a pregnancy test to the cravings and actually giving birth."
"Well Eddie if you're that serious we can talk about it."
"Jamie don't play with my emotions because I will bug you about it."
"Eddie I am serious if you want a baby we can talk about it."
"We can table it for now I don't want you to feel pressured."
"Have your way Eddie but just know that I'm open to it."
The rest of the day went easy for Jamie and Eddie and once tour ended Jamie dropped Eddie off at home and headed over to Bay-Ridge for this dinner hoping that the news was good news.
Once Jamie pulled into the driveway hoping that he wouldn't attract attention in terms of his car.
Just as Jamie was pulling in Linda happen to walk outside seeing her brother-in-law pull up in the gaudy car.
"Hey Jamie nice car."
"Hey Linda thanks."
Jamie walked up to the door and hugged Linda.
"Is everyone inside?"
"Yeah everyone except for Erin."
"That's odd Erin's never late to dinner."
"I know it does seem odd of her."
"I hope she's okay."
"I have a feeling your dad knows something he's not telling us."
"Same here he was vague on the phone."
"Well let's head inside your dad just set Danny straight about tonight hopefully Danny can be civil tonight."
"Here's hoping."
Jamie and Linda walked in to see Jack Sean and Henry setting the table.
"Pop I'll finish setting up you can sit."
"Nonsense Jamie Nicky's gal just put me out of the kitchen the least I could do is the table."
"Marina's here?"
"Yeah the girl came and even offered to play bartender for us tonight I've got to admit that girl is a good one."
"I know I wouldn't be surprised if she gets her gold shield soon."
Ten minutes later Frank Nicky and Marina set the table with an extra space Sean.
"Hey Dad what's the extra setting for?"
"It's for our guest tonight Danny and I'll remind you even one off color remark tonight and you can hit the road."
"I'll be civil tonight Dad".
As everyone sat down Nicky's phone rang.
"Grandpa its mom she's outside can I go get her?"
"Go ahead Nicky."
Nicky left the table and headed for the door where she let her mother and Abbie in.
"Is everyone at the table Nicky?"
"Yeah mom we're just waiting for the two of you."
Seeing the nervous look on Abbie's face Erin squeezed her hand in support.
"Well let's go."
Nicky led Erin and Abbie into the dining room and when Danny saw Erin holding Abbie's hand he stared daggers into the blonde but didn't say a word.
Erin guided Abbie to her seat which was purposely next to Frank while Erin took a seat next to Nicky.
Once the table was settled Frank decided to kick-off the evening.
"Well I know we usually don't have dinner together during the week but this is a special occasion tonight we expand the Reagan family by one".
The adults looked around at the table trying to figure out what Frank meant when Linda decided to break the silence.
"Frank what are you talking about expanding our family?"
"Well Linda it means exactly how it sounds we have a new addition to our family."
With that statement Erin knew it was time to come clean.
"Thanks Dad I'll take it from here."
"To answer your question Linda we're holding this dinner to celebrate by marriage."
With the exception of Nicky and Frank the rest of the table was surprised.
"Erin what are you talking about?"
"Well last night I drove up to Albany and got married to someone who stole my heart faster than I ever thought possible with that being said I'd like everyone to meet my wife Abigail Reagan."
As soon as Erin made that statement everyone was yet again shocked.
"Erin you went and got married last night?"
"Yes I did Jamie I took my own advice and followed my heart."
"Congrats sis and welcome to the family Abbie."
"Thanks Jamie."
It was hugs and well wishes coming from everyone but Danny as the family settled said grace and ate eventually breaking into a normal Reagan family dinner.
Abbie felt at ease with Reagans after a bit eventually telling the family about herself and her life sans her job.
Dinner was winding down and as desert came which happen to be cheesecake Danny couldn't help the looks Abbie was shooting Erin and snapped.
"Alright I can't take this crap anymore everyone has been making nice this entire time and I'm sick of it, Nicky dating Marina I can accept those two great together but I'm not going to sit here and act like I support my kid sister fucking around with some secretary posing as a cop when we all know she can do better."
"Danny shut up." Jamie interjected sticking up for his big sister.
"No Jamie I won't shut up I don't have a problem with Erin dating women but she can do better than Dad's secretary hell she could hit the city and pick up a knockout but she settles for a secretary that couldn't even shine her shoes Jack couldn't have screwed her up that bad."
After hearing Danny's tirade Erin decided to speak up for her wife.
"Danny I told you already you can bad mouth all you want but don't ever come after Abbie".
"Oh so now my kid sister decides to grow a set I have to admit the sex must be special if the little secretary has you ready to fight me."
After Danny made that remark Erin lost it going over to Danny and decking with a right hand.
"Fuck Erin nice punch took a real set to hit me."
"Henry saw dinner had turned into a free for all and stepped in.
"Danny until you apologize to Abbie and your sister you are banned from any Reagan gatherings now leave."
"Come on pop you know as well as I do Erin can do better even Jack was better than that slut."
"Danny get out." Henry yelled.
"Fine I'll leave Jack Sean lets go now."
"Danny you're not taking our kids with you and find somewhere to stay until you pull your head out of your ass because you're not coming home." Linda interjected.
"Fine you want me to leave I'll leave."
Danny stormed out of the house hailing a cab heading to the bar to blow off steam.
Meanwhile back in the house what was left of Reagan family sat in the living-room watching the Yankee Angels game.
During a commercial Nicky decided to see if she could change the vibe in the room.
"Everyone since dinner was a complete wreck and we need to lighten the mood here I'd like to make an announcement."
Knowing what it was Erin smiled.
"What is it Nicky?"
"Well grandpa everybody after I finish my sophomore year at Columbia I'm applying to take the police exam seeing the joy Marina gets out of her job and being around more than ever now I think I have the itch again hopefully you'll all support me."
"We will sweetheart." Frank said hugging his granddaughter.
After receiving congratulations from the family they went back to enjoying the game while putting the Danny situation on the back burner for now.
The Reagan family was in flux right now but hopefully they would find a way to make through this rough patch.
Thanks for reading this chapter hopefully it was enjoyed by all; like I said before there will be a short hiatus to plan the tail end of this story but I can tell you the next chapter will include Danny getting some tough love.
I will also delve deeper into the Eddie Jamie adoption situation.