Every year, the school held a Christmas Banquet fundraiser. And every year, the Reagan kids had a blast. Who wouldn't have fun at a banquet with Christmas dinner and all their friends? While the boys complained about dressing up, Erin lived for it. She always wore something green and red, and always did her hair in a fancy way.

This year, Danny was hoping a certain blonde Italian girl would come along. He called her as soon as he could, "hey, you going to the Christmas banquet?"

"I think so! I mean, I hope so. I haven't asked my parents yet."

"Will they be coming?"

"Probably not. But I'll be there. They'll understand if it's a school thing."

"I hope so."

"They will," Linda said optimistically. "They might not like it, or even come to it, but they understand school."

"There's going to be a fundraiser at the school. Do you wanna come? It's on the twentieth." Linda asked her parents, knowing what the answer was going to be. They were going to say no. They always did. But maybe they wouldn't this time?

Tony scoffed, "I'd rather eat glass than associate with you and your stupid little friends."

She closed her eyes, "Mama?"

"I'm going to be at your Aunt's house," Marni didn't even look up from painting her nails.

"Of course," Linda mumbled. She cleared her throat, "you couldn't visit Aunt Clara another time? Please, Mama, this is important!"

"Don't talk back to your mother," Tony gave her a warning glance.

Marni sighed dramatically, finally looking at her daughter. "No! Your Aunt Clara's all alone! She needs company during the holiday season. Get Jimmy to take you."

"I'm gonna come get you later," Jimmy said shortly. "Be ready."

"Bye," she didn't answer his command. She couldn't promise she'd be ready by the time he came. What if she was helping clean up? (Which she most definitely would be doing). What if she was busy talking to Simone? Or better yet, what if she was giving her boyfriend a goodnight kiss? She couldn't possibly rush that!

Linda decided not to let what ifs ruin her evening. She smiled at the boy who opened the door for her, then searched her friend out. She sat with Simone and her family for most of the evening until she went back for seconds.

"Oh, I love your dress! It really complements your hair!" Linda smiled at the lady in line, who looked vaguely familiar.

"Thank you! Oh, and your dress looks beautiful with you blonde hair." She plopped some mashed potatoes on her plate.

Linda looked down at her green velvet dress with the lace sleeves. She guessed it did go with her long blonde hair. "Thank you. You're- you're Mrs. Reagan, aren't you? Danny's Mom?"

"I am!" She smiled proudly. "What's your name, dear?"

"Linda O'Shea."

"Linda O'Shea!" Mary smiled. She knew of Linda. Linda was the girl that had Danny in such a great mood. "Are you here with your family?"

"Um, no. No, they couldn't make it tonight."

"Oh, that's too bad. Why don't you come and sit with us?"

As exciting as that prospect was, she couldn't except. She'd be imposing. "Thank you, but I couldn't do that. I don't want to impose."

"Nonsense! Come, come."

So Linda chuckled and followed Mary to her table. She was very surprised that the Reagan men- including seven year old Jamie- all started to stand for her.

"Oh no! No, no need to do that for me." Her smile told them she greatly appreciated the chivalry.

Danny still stood, simply telling her, "you'll need a seat. Sit there." He pointed to his seat, then disappeared to another table. He came back with a seat for himself.

"Thank you." She smiled at him, and it was clear they were in love.

"Linda, this is Erin, Joe, and Jamie," Mary introduced Danny's siblings.

Linda smiled at them, "I know them. Erin and I eat lunch together on Wednesdays."

Erin nodded in agreement.

"And this is Betty and Henry, and Frank, my husband."

They exchanged hellos, before Linda commented, "the whole family's here, huh?"

"Uh huh! Everyone's here. But where's your family, Linda?" Jamie innocently wondered.

"My family? Oh, they were all busy tonight," Linda dismissed the thought with a small wave. She hoped no one saw the sadness in her eyes.

"That's too bad," Joe piped up. He was sitting next to Linda now. "What're they doing?"

"My sister's with her boyfriend, my Mom's at my Aunt's. My Dad's at some sort of conference, and I don't know where my brother went off to. He's picking me up later."

"You look very pretty in that dress, Linda," Betty changed subjects. She could see the slight mood shift in Linda's demeanor.

"Thank you. Your dress is pretty too. And yours, Erin."

That got Erin talking about how she looked everywhere for the right dress. Danny tuned that conversation out. He hoped his family didn't notice the glances he was stealing at Linda. He wouldn't tell it to her in front of the family, but she did look extremely sexy tonight.

Linda groaned as she slammed the phone down. "Idiot!"

"Who's an idiot?" Danny wondered, leaning on the wall opposite of the phones.

"I am."

"No you're not. Why you say that?"

"Because I really expected my brother to come and pick me up." She shook her head, "I should've known better."

He frowned, "we can take you home."

"No, I wouldn't want to impose like that."

"Then what? How're you gonna get home?"

She sighed and shrugged, "I guess I'll have to take a cab."

"Dressed like that?"

She looked down at herself, "what's wrong with it?"

"It's sexy as f***. And you're sixteen."

"What's my age got to do with anything?"

"I really gotta spell it out for you, don't I?" He mumbled quickly. "Linda, this is New York. Eighty three percent of the taxi drivers are criminals, and are more than happy to take advantage of a defenseless sixteen year old girl in a dress like that."

"You're talking rape."

"Yes!" He grabbed her hand, "so come on."

Mary and Frank practically tossed Linda in the backseat when Danny explained to them what had happened. She ended up enjoying herself stuck between Danny and Jamie. They sang Christmas carols, and Joe and Erin were far too happy to indulge her in embarrassing stories from Danny's childhood. Of course, he always had a comeback.

By the time they reached her house, her sides were hurting from the laughter. She thanked the Reagans profusely, and didn't protest when Danny walked her to the door.

"Thank you for tonight," Linda smiled at him. "It was really fun. I had no idea your family was such a riot."

"Oh yeah. They're top form whenever a girlfriend comes around. Or a boyfriend, in Erin's case."

She giggled at his sarcastic tone. Quickly, she pecked his lips. She didn't argue when Danny hugged her and lengthened the kiss.

Meanwhile, back in the car, the siblings and parents were watching the scene. Jamie frowned, "that seems like a pretty stupid thing to do during flu season."

Erin and Joe Burst out laughing.

Mary whispered to Frank, "they're gonna marry, or my name isn't Mary Reagan!"