Another Day In The Life

by JusticeStandsTRUE

Things are getting busy for the Reagans, especially for Andy, Danny and Linda's adopted daughter, who seems to find trouble at every turn. Danny and Linda get some surprising news, the Reagan's are all placed under protective custody, Andy causes a little trouble for Jamie, and a whole lot more.#3 in the "Life With The Reagan's Series."#1 is Least of These,#2 is Never A Dull Moment

14. Chapter 14

CH. 14: A Reagan Christmas Story

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The following week was Christmas and the kids were out for school. They were having a blast getting to stay up late and watch Christmas movies. Linda was

off the whole week, and was overjoyed at getting to get a few things done around the house. She knew she needed to finish up on her Christmas shopping,

but figured that could wait. Today she wanted to spend the afternoon with her children, knowing that things were about to get busy as time went on with the

baby. She and Danny knew they wouldn't be able to keep her pregnancy a secret for long, but considering it was Andy's first Christmas with the family as a

Reagan, they didn't want to overshadow her, with excitement of a new baby. Thinking it would be best if they focused on their eldest this year. "Andy, Jack,

Sean, come on, we need to run to the store so we can get the things we need to make Christmas cookies!" Linda called up the stairs. "Were coming," Jack and

Sean were downstairs a few minutes later. Always loving the cookie tradition they did with her every year. "Where's Andy?" Linda asked the boys when she

didn't come down with them. "I don't know, she wasn't in her room," Sean didn't sound concerned. "Where is she?" Linda asked herself aloud, partially

concerned. "She's okay," Linda glanced out the window. "She's outside with Dad." "When did he get home?" Sean looked as if he was about to charge out

after them. "Wait a minute," Linda grabbed him by the shirt. "There talking, Andy needs some alone time with Dad." Linda couldn't help but smile, hoping she

was talking to him about what was bothering her. Knowing that Andy had turned unusually quiet that afternoon after the boys started talking about Christmas

traditions.

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"What's the matter Andy? You're not acting like your usual boisterous self," Danny laughed, knowing it had been rather difficult to get any of the kids to settle

down since they got out of school for Christmas. "Nothing," Andy muttered. "Come on Andy, I know the only time you are quiet is when something's bothering

you. So do you want to come clean now or am I going to have to interrogate you," he smiled at her. "It's nothing Dad, I'm just thinking really," Andy put the

basketball down. "What you thinking about?" "Can I not have any thoughts without you having to know them?" Andy wondered aloud. "Not until you turn 21,"

Danny smiled. "That's not very reassuring," Andy shook her head. "It is for me. So do you have any Christmas traditions that you want to do?" Danny changed

conversation topics rather abruptly, hoping he could get her back to her old self. "How did you know that's what I was thinking about?" Andy looked confused,

knowing she had yet to even open her mouth about doing anything. "Lucky guess," Danny didn't want to tell her that Linda had called him. Andy smiled but

didn't say anything. "Do you," Danny asked again? "When I was with Michelle, the only real Christmas thing we did was go look at Christmas lights in some of

the nicer neighborhoods. Other than that, I don't even think we had a tree, because mom said we didn't have the money for any decorations. I was only with

her till I was five, so I'm not a hundred percent sure, but I don't really remember one." "What about in your foster families," Danny questioned? "They had

Christmas trees they let us decorate, but other than that Christmas was just another day at least for the foster kids. Our foster parents would always tell us

they wished they could buy us presents, but that they just didn't have the money." "I don't know a whole lot about the foster care system, but I'm pretty sure

there are state agencies that give the parents money to buy gifts for the kids that are in their care," Danny recollected reading it in some pamphlet they gave

him when he was in the process of adopting her. "I heard about that," Andy nodded. "But I certainly don't remember getting much of anything, aside from

candy or clothes." "I'm sorry Andy," Danny looked sad. "I wish I would have known about you sooner. You could have had a much different life with me, even if I

would have been a single parent." "It's not your fault Dad. Besides, there's not much I regret about my previous life, it made me tough," Andy grinned. "And

here I always thought I was pretty tough. What's that say about me? I had an entirely different upbringing." "You could be tougher," Andy said mischievously.

"If I was any tougher on you, you'd never see the light of day again," Danny wasn't kidding. "I didn't mean with me," Andy giggled. "Take the keys and go get

in the car, I have an idea," Danny started for the house to tell Linda he was taking Andy with him. "Okay," Andy was a little confused but decided to do what he

said. "So where are we going?" Andy finally asked once they pulled out of the driveway. "Grandpas," Danny glanced at her. "Theres something I have to do

today in the attic." "Can I get up there?" Andy wasn't sure if he would let her climb up the stairs and dig through a musty attic. "Sure," Danny was glad she

sounded excited. "The reason I brought you was because I wanted to show you some things up there." "Is Grandmas Santa Clause up there?" Andy couldn't

help but ask as she fought to hide the smile that was threatening to appear. "Probably," Danny shrugged. "Can we get it out?" Andy was smiling one of the

biggest smiles he had ever seen her smile. "We can," Danny didn't see any reason why it would hurt for her to see it. "But we better be ready to run, if

Grandpa sees us bring it out." "Why?" Andy wondered why Frank would be so bothered by something that belonged to his wife. "Because he's had bad

memories ever since he got hurt, and hasn't cared to see it since," Danny enlightened her. "I take it that was the last year Grandmas Santa Clause made an

appearance," Andy knew she had never seen it, or even heard about it until Frank told her and her brothers the story of his near death experience. "That

would be correct," Danny pulled into the driveway.

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Andy and Danny were busy digging through boxes. With Andy having no idea what she was even looking for, all she knew was that she was having fun digging

through all the old stuff that she had never seen or heard about. There was old toys up there from when Danny, Erin, Joe and Jamie were growing up. Some

old NYPD and Marine uniforms that belonged to either Frank or Danny, Andy wasn't quite sure. Plastic tubs filled with old baby clothes, Christmas ornaments,

and other packed away memories. "Danny, what are you doing up here?" Frank climbed up in the attic after her got home from 1PP. "I'm looking for something,"

Danny glanced at him over his shoulder, still digging through the box. "What is it?" Frank knew it had to be something important if it got Danny to climb up there

and dig through stuff, knowing it usually took quite a bit of persuasion to get him to ever do anything up there. "I'll know it when I see it," Danny moved on to

another tub. "Do you what you want," Frank turned to climb down. "Clean this thing out while you're up here." "Very funny Dad," Danny wasn't about to stay

up there any longer than he had to. "Besides, Jamie's the youngest, you should make him do it," he added. "And your my oldest, no difference, I could make

you do it just as easy," was all Frank said before heading for the stairs. "Was that Grandpas subtle way of telling you to come clean out the attic one day?"

Andy looked at Danny, beginning to pick up on the broad strokes of subtle requests without having to make them orders. "Pretty much," Danny didn't sound

too excited. "Have fun," Andy laughed looking at the mess surrounding her. "I don't know why you're laughing," Danny pointed at her, "because if I have to

work up here, that means, you and your brothers have to work up here." "That will be interesting," Andy was having a blast looking through all the old toys.

"Andy come here," Danny said several minutes later, carefully taking an old snow globe out from one of the tubs labeled with handle with care. If you break it

you are washing the dishes for a month. Signed Mary Reagan AKA Mom. Andy walked over to him, and Danny handed her the silver snow globe, with small gold

settings placed in different areas surrounding the base. The inside of the glass being two snowmen wearing a police uniform, one of them being a kid, and the

other an adult snowman. "This was your Grandmas. She gave it to me when I was around your age." "Why isn't it sitting out somewhere with all the other

Christmas decorations?" Andy looked at him confused, wondering why something so pretty would be stuck in an old tub. "Because your Grandma told me I

could only get it out on the anniversary of the day she gave it to me," Danny recollected. "That day is today." "Every year on the first week of Christmas, your

Grandmother and I would climb up here and get it down." "Ever since you were ten?" Andy found it hard to believe. "Every year," Danny laughed. "When I was

in Falujah and couldn't be home, mom made Jamie follow her up the stairs with the video camera, and record her getting it out and setting it up on the mantle.

After that she would send me the video." That was sweet," Andy smiled. "Yes, your Grandmother was like that," Danny smiled thinking of his mother and their

tradition. "What about when you had to work?" Andy knew there were times when he was working that he was gone all day and most of the night.

"Sometimes I would get here ten minutes before midnight, but we would still climb up here and get it down," Danny remembered busting through his parents

door and running through the house until he would find his mom. "Was she ever in bed, and you had to wake her up?" "Once or twice," Danny admitted. "After

she got sick, I would climb up her get the whole tub down and carry it to her, and we would still get it out together," Danny remembered how much of a

challenge it was to carry the heavy tub down the stairs. "That was really cool Dad," Andy turned it upside down so she could see the snow. "Dad came up her

with me the first year after she passed away," Danny was no longer looking at her, remembering how hard it was on him that year. "It's very pretty," Andy

handed the precious family memento back to him. "I want you to keep it," Danny handed it back to her. "Really?" Andy looked at him, her eyes wide. "You're

going to give me something your mother gave you?" "We can call it, a family heirloom," Danny hugged her. "I thinks it's time I passed it on to my oldest. Like

mom did with me." "Thanks Dad," Andy held it close to her chest. "But you and I are going to do the same thing your grandmother and I did. Every year, on this

day, you and I will climb up here and get it down. Are you in?" "Yes," Andy jumped up and down. "Careful," Danny steadied her. "Don't drop it." "I'll be careful,"

Andy gripped it tighter. Danny had just started to straighten up the boxes he tossed aside, while Andy walked further into the corner of the attic. "Hey dad,"

Andy got his attention. "What is it Andy," Danny looked up? "Is that Grandmas Santa Clause?" Danny walked over to her and shined the flashlight in the corner

where Andy pointed. "That's it," Danny burst out laughing. "Can we take it down stairs and see if we can fix it?" "We can try," Danny went over to pick it up,

already beginning to get the feeling it was a bad idea, especially when Frank saw it. "You know something, my mom would have loved you," Danny looked at

Andy. "You really think so?" "I know so," Danny was trying to be as careful as he could as he descended the attic stairs. "I remember she spent a lot of time

trying to keep dad from killing me when I would get into trouble." "I thought you said she chased you around with her sandal?" Andy remembered the story

Danny told her. "I didn't say it was all good," Danny laughed. "Got something for you Dad," Danny announced coming down the stairs carrying his mother's light

up Santa Clause. "It's a little early for Christmas presents Danny," Frank turned, when he heard his son and granddaughter coming down the stairs. "You

better put that up Son," Frank warned, looking a bit worried. "Awe come on Dad, let's see if we can get it to work," Danny set it down directly in front of his

father. "Not going to happen," Frank shook his head. "I'm never touching that thing again." "Come on Dad," Danny urged. "One last time," Danny paused. "For

Andy, I've been telling her about mom." Frank looked his son in the eye and sighed. "One last time," Frank got on the floor to do his usual repair, hoping that

would do the trick regarding the means of repair, knowing how old the Santa Clause was, remembering when he saw it for the first time in Mary's

grandparent's house when he and Mary were still dating. "Can I help Daddy?" Danny couldn't resist the question, no matter how hard he tried. "You can help

me, by standing way over there Daniel," Frank pointed to the furthest corner in the room. "Come on Dad, I'm not six," Danny tried. "I don't care how old you

are, I still don't trust you when it comes to electricity."

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"Have you been thinking about the baby?" Danny asked Linda later on that night, after the kids were in bed. "It's kind of hard not to," Linda took a seat on the

couch next to him. "Tell me about it, I'm having trouble keeping my mind on my work, and that hasn't happened since I found out that Andy could be my real

kid," Danny hardly ever had trouble when it came to work. "Have you done any thinking about when and how we are going to tell the family," Linda asked? "I'm

scared to death to tell the kids," Danny usually wasn't one to show fear, but in instance, when it came to Andy, Jack and Sean, Danny couldn't think of anything

more fearful. "What about Frank?" Linda questioned. "I'd really like to tell him, maybe give him a little baby gift, as part of his Christmas present." "That would

make his day," Danny knew Frank was going to be thrilled. "But we would have to leave a note, and ask him to remain silent, so he doesn't give it away,"

Danny started. "I mean it wouldn't bother me if everyone knew, I just don't think we should let it interfere with Andy. She has been so excited about

Christmas." Danny stood and paced the floor in front of the couch. "She told me about some of her past Christmas's Linda, and I want her first one with her

father to be something she will remember." "I agree with you," Linda nodded. "We will tell Frank, but the others can wait until we tell the kids." "Okay," Danny

was happy to be able to at least tell his father. "Have you thought about what we are going to do with four kids?" Linda moved on to her main concern. "We

are going to be starting all over with diaper changing, night feedings, potty training, car seats," Linda named a few. "I don't even think I remember how to

change a diaper," Danny shook his head. "It's been years since Sean was in diapers." "Oh come on Danny, it's just like riding a bike, once you learn you never

forget," Linda didn't think remembering how to change a diaper should be one of their main concerns. "What I will never forget, is Sean peeing all in my face

when he was a baby," Danny shook his head, always hating when he had to change the boy's diapers. "I've been thinking about the baby stuff we are going

to have to get, we got rid of just about everything after Sean," Linda remembered. "Look at us," Danny stopped their current conversation. "We agreed not to

let the baby consume our thoughts. Right now we need to focus on Christmas and the three with already have." "Your right," Linda knew they were going to

have plenty of time to face those concerns. "I have been so busy with our other three. With them out of school, they require constant supervision." "And that

gets me to my proposal," Danny remembered. "I'm going to try and get off a little early tomorrow to take the kids to look at Christmas lights. It will give me

something fun to do with my kids. And I'm sure you would enjoy a little time to finish up your shopping, and a little time home alone so you could wrap presents

without your youngest son trying to find out what he's getting." "That would be like an early Christmas present," Linda loved her kids, but she had to admit

she could really use a little time to catch up on all her Christmas preparations.

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"Oh thank God you're here," Linda ran to Danny the second he walked through the floor the following day. "What? I can barely hear you," Danny looked at

Linda confused. "That's because our daughter will not turn her Christmas music down," Linda sounded flustered. "I've told her time and again, but she still

keeps it blaring." "I'll take care of Andy, you just go out and enjoy your time alone," Danny started for the stairs, just as the song Run, Run, Rudolph started to

play. Danny walked into his daughter's bedroom, and pressed the power button on her stereo. "Dad!" Andy complained. "What are you doing? That's my

favorite Christmas song." "Your mother said she told you to turn it down," Danny looked at her serious. "Now do we allow parental disobedience in this

house?" "No," Andy shook her head. "But I didn't think she was serious. I thought she was enjoying it." "You better be telling me the truth Andrea," Danny

pointed at her. "I didn't think it was that loud," Andy said honestly. "I really like music." "I know you do, and you wouldn't be in trouble for the music," Danny

explained. "You would be in trouble for disobeying your mother." "I'm sorry," Andy said serious. "I didn't mean to be disobedient. I don't exactly want to be in

trouble on Christmas." "The next time one of your parents tell you to do something, assume their serious," Danny sighed letting it go as he walked out of her

room. "Are we still going to look at Christmas lights tonight?" Andy followed him down the stairs. "Yes, but we have to wait until it gets dark, so I'm going to

take the trash out and try to get a few things done," Danny glanced at her before heading outside. "Oh and don't turn the music back on," he pointed at her.

"Was that Dad I heard?" Jack asked his sister running into the kitchen. "He's taking the trash out," Andy decided to go back up the stairs. Andy and Jack heard

a banging sound in their brother's bedroom and they ran into the room. "What are you doing in here?" Jack looked at his brother. "I'm trying to get my sled out

from under my bed," Sean tried pulling at it again. "What's wrong with it?" Jack asked. "Its stuck under the bed," Sean glanced at his siblings. "Now are you

going to help me, or just stand there and watch me?" Jack moved over to help him, while Andy remained in her place looking aghast. "You mean to tell me,

you've had a sled in your room this whole time, and you've never told me!" Andy was thinking of all the fun she had been missing. Andy, Jack and Sean finally

managed to get the sled out and Andy looked at her siblings, a sparkle in her eye. "I have an idea," Andy drug the sled over to the top of the stairs. "Is this

going to get us in trouble?" Jack was the first one to ask. "It's a possibility," Andy got in position on the sled. "You do know that one of your parents is home

right?" Jack looked at her. "What are we going to do?" Sean wondered what she was planning on doing with his sled. "Home Alone," Andy smiled at her

brother. "Yep," Jack took his place on the sled behind his sister. "Definitely going to get us in trouble." Seconds later, and Sean's sled went flying down the

stairs and into the wall of the house. "What are you trying to do? Make a giant whole in my house," Danny jerked the three of them up and out of the sled.

"This was my idea Dad," Andy tried covering for her brothers. "Wasn't a doubt in my mind," Danny was being completely serious. "Now do you care to tell me

what ever happened to not wanting to be in trouble on Christmas," Danny glared at her? "I just thought it would be fun, that's all." "What do you think now,"

he questioned looking at all three of them? "I still think it was fun," Andy admitted. Danny ran a hand through his hair and pointed for them to take a seat on

the couch in front of him. "I ought to ground all of you for a month, and then take you and my spoon upstairs," Danny pointed at Andy before looking at them,

wanting to see their reaction. "We all took part in it," Jack was really beginning to wish he would learn how to just walk away from his sibling when they got an

idea that he knew would get them in trouble. "It was still my idea Jack," Andy looked at her brother. "So it's my fault. I didn't think this all the way through." "At

least you did a little bit of thinking," Danny threw his hands up in frustration. "It just didn't go very far." "Were sorry Dad," Sean apologized. "I appreciate the

apology son, but that doesn't dismiss the fact that not only could you have gotten seriously hurt. You could have knocked the entire Christmas tree, and had it

not been for the couch to slow you down, you could have really done some damage to the house," Danny wanted to make sure they understood all the ins and

outs of what could have happened. "You're all grounded for two weeks after Christmas. And if either of you get into any more trouble before then. It will be

three weeks, and neither of you will be sitting for those weeks," Danny warned. "Yes Sir," Andy, Jack and Sean said almost immediately. "Now go to your rooms

and stay there," Danny pointed up the stairs, starting to pick up the sled to take it to the shed out back. "I guess this means no Christmas lights," Andy

mumbled following her brothers. "I'm still taking you guys out to look at lights," Danny stopped them. As tempted as he was to make them stay in their rooms

the rest of the night, he couldn't bring himself to take one of the only happy Christmas memories Andy had from her past away from her. "Really?" Andy turned

to look at him. "Were going to forget about this little incident, and all go out and have a good time tonight," Danny tried to smile, even if he was still a little

upset about the sled. "Thanks Dad, I know that you are only doing this because of what I told you about me and mom. And I want you to know I appreciate it.

I know I'll have more fun with you than I ever did with Michelle. And I'm glad I get to take part in yours and moms traditions now," Andy looked at him seriously

before starting for the stairs once again. "I am to Andy," Danny looked her in eye.

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"Hey look at that one," Danny pointed out one of the houses on the left. "I like the snowman on the roof," Andy agreed. "I'm glad it wasn't me who had to get

that thing up there," Danny couldn't help but think of how dangerous that could be, especially if Andy was try to help him, Danny remembered the Christmas

lights incident. "Turn on the Christmas music Dad," Sean said from the backseat. "Please turn on the Christmas music," Danny corrected. "Please," Sean

corrected himself. "Thank you," Danny turned the radio on thinking how hard of a time they had trying to get Andy, Jack and Sean to remember their manners,

and here they were about to have to start all over again with another child. Wait a minute, Danny shook his head. Don't go there, not now, he told himself.

Trying to remind himself to have fun with the three he had in the car with him. "Oh wow look at that one," Jack pointed out another house on the opposite side

of the street. "I don't think there's a spot not covered with multi colored lights." "Hey it's Run, Run, Rudolph," Andy cranked the radio up. "Andy," Danny glanced

at his daughter. "Isn't this how your trouble got started today?" "Sorry," Andy turned it down a bit. "There is a happy medium you know? You can still enjoy

good music without it waking the neighbors," Danny couldn't help but remember his own days of doing the same thing when he was growing up. "Can we stop

for hot chocolate on our way home?" Sean asked. "If I do, do you all promise to go straight up to bed when we get home?" Danny asked waiting to get an

answer from all three of them. "Yes," it didn't take long to get a positive reply. "In that case, hot chocolate it is," Danny had to admit, he was enjoying himself.

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Andy woke up the following morning, and was surprised to see it snowing. "Jack! Sean! Wake up its snowing," Andy yelled getting dressed before charging

down the stairs and out the back door, nearly running into Danny who was holding a freshly poured cup of coffee. "Have fun," Danny laughed already taking

precautions to step aside, knowing Jack and Sean wouldn't be far behind. "Brought you a cup of coffee," Danny handed his wife a cup of coffee, who was still

lying in bed. "Thank you," Linda took a sip from the cup. "How did you know I was awake?" "After our daughters yell who could sleep?" Danny had a point. "Did

you have a good time with the kids last night," Linda asked? "Most of it," Danny thought of the sled incident, as he leaned against the headboard, hoping to

enjoy a little relaxation and alone time with his wife. "I can't believe it's actually quiet," Linda breathed it in. "Enjoy, it won't last for long. In about five minutes

Sean will come in complaining about something Jack and Andy did to him." "What are we going to do with four little monsters running around?" Linda sounded

worried. "I was kind of hoping that because of the age difference, Andy would start behaving herself and acting a bit more responsible," Danny knew it wasn't

likely but there was no harm in hoping. "You don't really believe that do you?" Linda questioned thinking how far fetched the idea sounded. "Well no, not

exactly," Danny admitted. "It's going to be a circus around here," Linda took a deep breath, deciding to enjoy the quiet while she could. "Probably," Danny

sighed. "When I was out shopping yesterday evening, I saw the elf on the shelf," Linda remembered. "Anyways, I was thinking about getting one." "What is

this elf on the shelf?" Danny knew he had heard a little bit about it, but not much. "You are supposed to set it up in different places around the house, and

when the kids see it, it motivates them to be good, around Christmas time," Linda explained. "Who came up with that?" Danny laughed out loud. "When I was

a kid we didn't have no elf on the shelf. What we had was mom's sandal and dads police slapper on the shelf, and those motivated good behavior all year

long." "I don't disagree with you, Andy has been so close to getting in trouble this week that I don't know what to do." "She and the boys are all grounded for

two weeks as soon as Christmas is over," Danny forgot to tell her the night before. "Because of the wall downstairs," Linda questioned? "I was pretty mad,"

Danny nodded. "They could have gotten hurt, and the wall is going to need a new coat of paint. "And I have no idea, when I'm going to get around to that. As

soon as Christmas is over there's going to be so many baby preparations, you are going to have check ups to go to, the kids have school," Danny named a

few. "We should make the kids paint it," Linda suggested, "they are the ones that messed it up in the first place." "Can you imagine our kids and paint

brushes?" Danny was almost certain the baby was making her not think very clearly. "I'd end up spanking them for sure, and they would probably be grounded

until they graduate college." "You have a point," Linda was beginning to think of all the furniture they would have to replace because the kids ruined it. "But we

are going to need them to start helping out more. I know I certainly had to when mom was expecting Jamie," Danny remembered. "Were definitely going to

have to give them a lesson in responsibility then," Linda sighed. "As soon as Christmas is over we will take care of all that," Danny didn't feel much like getting

up. But he knew he needed to call the kids inside to eat breakfast so they could get ready to go to Franks for Christmas.

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They always had a great time on Christmas at Franks, but this year, this year there was something different. Everyone seemed to be an exceptionally good

mood, and the laughs kept coming. They didn't know if it was Andy, or the fact that it was snowing and Danny, Erin and Jamie were acting like kids again

frolicking around in it. They had built snowmen, the kids made snow angels, and they all buried Jamie. "I have an idea," Danny looked at the kids and his

siblings, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Oh no," Erin backed away. "Anytime you got that look in your eye when we were kids. We would end up in

trouble." "Just listen for a minute Erin," Jamie sounded intrigued. "When Dad walks out here, one of us should act like were hurt so he will walk out into the

yard to check on us, and when he does. The others should be ready and plaster him with snowballs." "That would be funny," Jamie laughed just thinking about

it. "But who would be the one closest to him? That would be a dangerous place to be. He could get his hands on that person." "I vote Danny," Erin was quick to

say. Danny just looked at his sister, before voicing his opinion. "I was thinking it should be one of the kids, he'd be a lot easier on them than if it would be one

of his own kids." "You're going to sacrifice one of your own kids?" Erin shook her head at her brother's opinion. "I didn't say it had to be one of mine," Danny

shrugged. "It could be Nicki." This time it was Nicki's turn to stop and look at him. "Is it too late to take his Christmas present back?" Nicki glanced at her

mother. "He hasn't opened it yet." "Somebody's going to have to do it, he's going to be coming out here any minute to call us inside and we don't even have

the snow balls made yet," Andy was trying to get them to focus. "How about you," Jamie pointed at her. "No need to get hasty in our decision," Andy wasn't an

idiot. "Who will do the best acting job? The person on the ground does have to act like they are hurt, and we need it to be believable," Jack was the one

thinking smart about the whole situation. "Erin, hands down," Danny repeated. "She was always acting dramatic when we were kids, when it came to

something I did, and she was trying to act like I hurt her." "Erin it is then," Jamie was with Andy, knowing they needed to get started on the snowballs. Jamie

took the kids a bit further into the yard where they could make hide the snowballs, while Erin laid down in the snow, Danny of course giving her last minute

instructions. Minutes later, just as Andy predicted Frank opened the back door to call everyone in for dinner. "Dad," Erin looked over at Frank. "I think I broke my

ankle, and I'm in a lot of pain," Erin pretended to cry. "Where are your brothers?" Frank hurried to her, to try and help her up. "There somewhere playing with

the kids," Erin placed a hand on her father's shoulder pretending to wince any time she put any weight on her foot. "Lets get inside, we will get Linda to take a

look at your foot," Frank started to help her into the house. "Now!" Danny yelled. Initiating the fire of snowballs directly at Frank. Erin tried to get away, but

Frank held tight, using her as a human shield as he backed into the house. "The rest of you have one minute to get into this house, before I lock you out,"

Frank called from the safety of the door. "Do you by any chance have your keys?" Jamie looked at his brother. "I took them out before we came out here,"

Danny admitted. "So did I," Jamie sighed. "We better run," Andy, Jack, Sean and Nicki made a break for the door. "Good job Erin, taking one for the team,"

Danny said laughing taking his jacket off as Erin was still trying to brush all the snow off of her. "The next time you get an idea, you are going to be the one in

harms way," Erin pressed a handful of snow in her brothers face.

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Opening presents was a blast, as they gathered around the Christmas tree. Enjoying the fun they were having with one another. "Danny," Linda nudged

Danny whispering. "Franks about to open the gift with the message about the baby." Danny turned his attention away from the kids for a minute and over to

his father as he waited. Opening the carefully wrapped box, Frank was surprised to find a note inside on top of a nicely folded baby Christmas onesie and a

pacifier. Opening the note, Frank read it silently in his head. Dear Grandpa, please keep this for me, in case I need it when I come to visit. Knowing my parents,

they will probably forget, and be busy dealing with my brothers and sister. See you this fall! Love Baby Reagan. Signed Danny and Linda. PS: Please keep our

secret. Frank made eye contact with his son and daughter and law and smiled at them. Issuing he was excited, and would keep their secret.

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"Congratulations," Frank pulled them aside later on, hugging them both. "Thanks," Linda was beaming. "We just found out a week ago." "I'm very happy for

both of you," Frank couldn't believe it was actually happening. "I'm about to be the father of four kids," Danny just stared at him. "Dad how did you handle four

kids? I'm just about swamped with the three I already have." Frank smiled, "from what I've seen, the three you have are just like you and your siblings." "What

do you mean," Danny looked confused. "Andy is just like you, always in trouble. Jack is like Erin, you can be expecting trouble from him as time goes on. Sean is

like Joe, smart but very much a handful. With any luck your fourth will be like Jamie, much easier to handle." "I hope your right," Danny wasn't kidding. "I think I

am," Frank looked at them both again. "Merry Christmas."

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"Andy," Danny got his daughters attention an hour or so later when everyone was still sitting by the tree, looking through all their gifts. "Are you having a good

Christmas?" "It's the best Christmas ever," Andy gave him a genuine smile, showing how happy she was. "I'm glad," Danny wrapped his arms around her. "I

love you." "I love you too Dad. Merry Christmas."

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I really enjoyed writing this chapter. Even if I was in a hurry to get it done by Christmas... In the next chapter Danny and Linda will be telling the kids about Baby Reagan. Hope you all enjoyed the update... Again thanks for all the follows, favorites and reviews... Merry Christmas! JusticeStandsTRUE