Millie and Sean were extremely anxious to find out if they could actually go to their concert, but they knew better than to bug Danny with questions. He'd been working long hours and seemed somewhat exhausted each night when he'd get home. Thursday night, he got in shortly after 5:00pm, just as the family was sitting down to dinner.
"Hey!" he shouted from the doorway. "Something smells good."
"We just sat down," Linda called from the dining room. He locked up his gun and made his way to the table.
"Hey, Babe," Danny smiled as he kissed Linda and walked around giving the boys a high five before making his way over to Millie's chair. "Hey, Daughter."
"Hi," Millie smiled as she reached up and gave him a hug. "We got breadsticks."
"We got some pasta to go with those breadsticks?" he laughed as he took a seat.
"Chicken alfredo," Jack smiled as he passed the bowl.
"So how was school?" Danny asked.
"It was report card day," Linda informed him.
"Oh really? Come on, hand them over," Danny motioned. The kids all sheepishly grinned as they passed their report cards down to him.
"Hmmm….." he said as he surveyed each of them one-by-one. "Jack Reagan, all As. Good work… especially in Science. I know you worked hard for that. I'm proud of you."
"Thanks, Dad," Jack beamed.
"Sean Reagan, three As and two Bs. Good job. Your math went up by six points. Way to go! I'm proud of you, Kiddo."
Sean kicked back. "It was nothing."
"MIllie Rose Reagan…" Danny looked hard over Millie's report card, which was literally only a few grades. All As and a positive report in Conduct. Good job."
"Proud of me?" Millie asked, expecting the same praise as her brothers.
"Absolutely. I'm proud of you too." Millie grinned as Sean and Jack chuckled. "So proud in fact…" Danny reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his phone before opening his Ticketmaster app, "I just happened to secure five tickets to see a certain boyband tomorrow night at the Garden."
"AHHHHH!" the kids screamed as they all jumped up and ran to attack Danny with a hug. "THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU!"
"Well who said I was taking you guys? Me and Mama were going to go with Pop, Grandpa, and Uncle Jamie…" Jack, Sean, and Millie all stopped their celebration and looked pitifully at him. "I'm kidding. Me and Mama are taking the three of you. Aunt Erin, Uncle Jack, and Nicki are going to meet us there."
"YES!" they all shouted again as they high-fived each other.
"But that's all tomorrow night," LInda interrupted… and right now, your supper is getting cold. Have a seat."
"Mrs. Aunt Linda," Millie exclaimed excitedly as she made her way back to her chair, "what do people wear to concerts?"
Linda smiled as she looked to Danny with an "I told you so," look. He narrowed his eyes and shook his head at her. "Well, Mil, some people wear regular clothes, some people wear fancy clothes…"
"What do we wear?"
"Jeans and a shirt."
Millie leaned over and whispered, "How about makeup?"
"I'll get us some new lipgloss," she winked.
The kids were up and dressed early the next morning. They were so excited for the concert they could barely contain themselves.
"Be good today," Danny said as he rushed downstairs. "Because if you aren't, me and Mama are taking Pop, Grandpa, and Uncle Jamie to the Garden tonight."
"Copy that," the kids all smiled over their cereal spoons.
Not one thing in the world could make the Reagan kids act anything less than exceptional all day. They were polite, courteous, did everything their teachers asked, and tried harder than they'd ever tried in their lives. They were without a doubt, the perfect students.
"Reagan!"
"Yeah, Boss?"
"You want some overtime?"
"Can't, Boss. I'm taking my kids to the Garden."
"What's going on at the Garden?"
"Boston Bros Concert."
"You're going to see a boy band?"
"Sure am. I've missed a lot of their firsts, but I'm not missing this one."
"Not missing because it's their first concert or not missing because there's nothing you love more than synchronized dancing and catchy pop songs?" Baez chuckled.
Danny cut his eyes at her as their Sergeant rolled his eyes and walked off.
Linda collected the kids after school and hurried them home to shower and get ready so that they'd be ready to go when Danny got home.
Millie rushed through the shower and ran down the hallway to get dressed. "Mil Mil, I've got your clothes laid out. I think you'll like them," LInda smiled.
MIllie ran into her room to find a pair of jeans, a grey shirt with BOSTON written across the front in green, a leather jacket, and green Converse.
"I love it, Mrs. Aunt Linda!" Millie yelled. "Thank you!"
"You're welcome," Linda called back as she hurried the boys along.
Danny hurried home and walked in just as the kids were making their way downstairs to sit in front of the television to wait to leave.
"Hey guys! Give me ten minutes and we'll be ready to go get something to eat."
"Mr. Uncle Danny, do I look cool enough for a concert?" Millie asked as she got up and modeled her outfit for him.
"You look awesome," Danny smiled. "Great shoes. I'll be right back."
As promised, Danny was showered, clothed, and back downstairs in less than twenty minutes. He had on a black long sleeved tshirt, dark jeans, a beanie, and some pretty amazing shoes himself. His swag was on full display and Linda was loving it. He, in turn, was also loving her outfit of choice, a tight pair of jeans and a silk, purple tank top. "Babe, you look hot," he smiled at his wife as he walked over and gave her the kiss he realized he'd failed to give her when he rushed in and straight upstairs.
"You don't look so bad yourself," she grinned seductively. "Too bad we're headed out instead of a night in," she whispered in his ear.
"Ahhhhh! You're killing me," he groaned. "Boys, are you ready to go?"
"Let's gooooo!" the kids all screamed in excitement.
The Reagans went and had dinner then made their way to the Garden. "Hey," Danny began before they got out of the Jeep, "Stay with me and Mama at all times. Copy?"
"Copy," the kids all answered with excited looks on all their faces.
He grabbed Millie's hand and led them into the arena.
They had some pretty amazing seats… even though they knew they wouldn't be sitting.
Erin, Jack, and Nicki were already there and enjoying the pre-show.
"Uncle Jack!" Jack and Sean shouted as they ran up to their row.
"Hey boys!" He gave them both a high-five. "Hey Linda."
"Hi Jack," LInda smiled as she slipped in the row and greeted Nicki and Erin.
"Hey Millie," Jack smiled.
"Hi," she grinned at her cute uncle who towered above them all. "You're super tall."
"Yep. If you can't see, I'll give you a boost."
"Thanks."
"Jack."
"Danny."
"You don't let anyone in or out that end of the row. I'll take the other end."
"Sounds good."
The Boyle/Reagan clan had the absolute time of their lives. From warm-up to encore, they were all on their feet, dancing and singing with gusto. Millie did have to take Jack up on his offer once the show began. Once the crowd got to their feet, there was no sitting down and Millie was way too short to see anything. Jack caught her eye and motioned for her to come over to his end of the row. For the first half of the show, he had her perched high above the rest. Danny switched with him at intermission to give his arms a break. Jack, Sean, and Nicki worked on their dance moves in the middle of the aisle while Linda and Erin just chuckled at the entire lot of them.
It was no surprise that the kids knew every single word to every single song, but Danny did as well, singing at the top of his lungs all night long. "Mr. Uncle Danny!" Millie screamed, "this is the best night ever!"
"I agree, Mil!" Danny smiled as the confetti fell.
When the lights came up, Jack Boyle appeared with t-shirts and posters for the kids.
"Thanks, Uncle Jack!" Sean and Jack grinned.
"Yes, thank you," Millie smiled as she gave him a hug. "I love it!"
"You're welcome."
"Alright," Danny said, "let's try to get out of here without getting trampled. Guys, stay close to me and mom. Mil, how about a piggy back ride?"
"Ok," she smiled as she jumped on Danny's back.
Linda and Erin walked arm and arm behind the rest of the Reagns and Boyles. Jack Boyle had an arm slung around Nicki's shoulders. Jack Reagan and Sean were in the middle and Millie was on Danny's back. They laughed hysterically as the kids sang at the top of their lungs their favorite songs from the show.
"I think your six year old is living her best life," Erin chuckled.
"You could say that. Her brothers don't look too sad either."
"True. I think we may have to do this a little more often."
"With Jack Boyle?" Linda grinned.
Erin rolled her eyes and smiled. "I mean, there could always be worse things in life."
The kids were on such a high when they got in the car, Linda was afraid that it may take forever for them to wind down and go to sleep. However, when they got still, Millie and Sean crashed hard.
"They asleep?" Danny whispered to Linda as he drove them home.
"The littles are. Jack's still awake."
"If we get them in and get them to bed, any chance we get to make good on the promises of that last song of the night?"
"The one about getting lucky?" Danny nodded with a huge grin on his face. "We'll see," Linda grinned as she cut her eyes at him.
By the time they finally got home, Danny and Linda were the only two still awake. They enjoyed the quiet, holding hands, and whispering back and forth before finally deciding it was time to get out and go inside.
"Mr. Uncle Danny," Millie yawned as he picked her up and carried her inside.
"Yeah, Mil?"
"This was the best day ever."
"It sure was," he smiled as he patted her back.
"Thank you for taking us to the show."
"You're welcome." Danny took her to the bathroom and plopped her down on the counter and handed her her toothbrush. "Here. Brush your teeth and I'll go find your jammies." It didn't take long for Sean and Jack to come and join in the toothbrushing party.
"Hey Seany, you think you want to be a singer one day?" Millie asked.
"Like the Boston Bros?"
"Yeah."
"I wouldn't mind."
"Yeah, but you don't sing," Jack chuckled.
"Hey!"
"Or dance..."
Sean frowned. "Nobody asked you."
"Well, maybe you can be the person that throws the confetti," Millie suggested innocently as Jack cracked up again.
"I'm going to bed," Sean grumbled as he tossed his toothbrush into the toothbrush holder and walked out.
Jack cracked up. "Me too. Night Mil. Night Dad."
"Goodnight, Jack. Teeth clean?" Danny asked as he walked in holding Millie's pajamas.
"Yes sir." Millie smiled up at him showing him all of her teeth.
"Good. Put your jammies on."
"Can I sleep in the big bed tonight?" she asked as she pulled off her jeans and stepped into the pajama bottoms.
"Nope. Phil and Gus are waiting on you."
"But tonight was so fun and I'll miss you if I have to sleep all the way in my room by myself." She pulled off her shirt and tossed it in the hamper as he held up the pajama top for her to slip on.
Danny rolled his eyes and laughed. "Still no. Let's go."
"Will you at least tell me a story about once upon a time when you were little," she began as he gently guided her down the hallway and into her room, "and Grandpa had to come and save you from the bad guys?"
"Ok. One story," he said as he pulled back the covers on the bed. "Hop in."
"Yes!"
Millie snuggled down as Danny took a seat on the small bed beside her.
"Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, there were two brothers named Danny and Joe. They were brave knights who lived in a big brick castle in Bay Ridge. Night and day they were tasked with going outside and protecting Queen Mary and all of the Happy Castle residents. Most days they would fight off a few dragons and fire arrows, but one day, deep into a brutally cold winter, Danny and Joe got ambushed by the awful, Erin Fairy. She flew overhead, dousing them in Bubble solution which instantly froze their bodies. They were unable to move and unable to protect Happy Castle. Just as the dreaded dragons and fire arrows, flew toward them in an attempt to burn down Happy Castle, King Francis stepped out the front door. With one icy glare King Francis stopped the bad guys in their tracks. He took his hands, big as war clubs, and knocked out all the bad guys with one punch. As soon as the bad guys scurried away, King Francis came down and carried Danny and Joe into Happy Castle and sat them down in front of the fireplace. He gave them hot chocolate and peanut butter cookies… and I think you finally fell asleep," he whispered as he gently stood up and turned off the lamp. "Night, Mil."
"Kids asleep?" Linda asked as she walked out of the bathroom in her robe.
"Yep.
"They were so excited tonight. You did good, Daddy."
"They deserve it. They're good kids… and I have you to thank for that. You do all the heavy lifting around here keeping them in line and teaching them to be good humans. I don't know what we would do without you."
"Well, I know one way you could thank me… or maybe two ways," she smiled seductively as she took his hand and led him over to the bed.
"Copy that," he smiled as he undid the sash on her robe and eased her down onto the bed. He began to kiss her, stopping only briefly to pull off his shirt.
Linda rubbed her fingertips over his six pack as she giggled. "Lose the pants, please."
"Yes ma'am," he grinned.
The following morning, Danny and Linda decided to take advantage of the kids sleeping in and repeat their performance of the night before. Just as they were trying something a bit new, they heard the kids get up and begin to stir.
"Is that door locked?" Danny asked.
"Yeah," LInda answered. "I locked it last night."
"Good!" Danny breathed deeply as he picked up the pace.
"Oh. My. Goodness!" Linda squealed.
"Shhhh!" Danny shushed.
"I can't help it!" she screamed in a whisper as she curled her toes and grabbed the mattress. "Eeeeek!"
Danny collapsed beside her and began to laugh. "Those kids hear us and they will all be in therapy."
'I'll tell them we had a tickle fight," Linda smiled. "Come on." She gave him another kiss. "We've got to get up. They're going to be knocking on this door any second."
"What are we doing today?"
"Wendy invited us for dinner," Linda said quickly as she hopped up and put on her robe.
Danny tried his hardest to hide the look of disgust on his face.
"Your sister? She wants us to come over?"
"Yep. Apparently Mom was fussing that Frank is able to get all his kids around the table every Sunday and she can't even get us together for Christmas, so Wendy assured her she'd cater a meal and have us all over for dinner."
"Oh boy."
"Remember you love me."
"Uh huh."
"And remember the fun we just had."
"Uh huh."
"And remember if you help me get the kids to behave and we survive tonight, as soon as we get them to bed, we'll lock the door and have more fun."
"Am I really that easy to bribe?"
"I don't know," Linda said as she dropped the shoulder of her robe. "Are you?"
Danny squinted his eyes before a big smile overtook his face. "Yes. Yes. I am."
Danny and Linda got up and made cinnamon toast before breaking the news to the kids of where the night was going to take them.
"Mom, can we go over to the Laraby's house?" Jack asked, walking into the kitchen looking at his cellphone. "Dax and Rico are headed over for some street hockey."
"Yeah that's fine. You just have to be back by 3:00pm to get ready." Jack and Sean wrinkled their noses. "Or you could not go and stay here and help me clean house."
"We'll be back," they mumbled.
"What about me?" Millie asked. "What am I doing today?"
"Well, Daddy is going to buy groceries so you can either go with him to do that, or you can stay here with me and help me clean house."
"Is there a number three?"
Linda chuckled. "Sorry. No number three today."
"Come with me," Danny winked. "We'll make it fun."
A big smile engulfed Millie's face. "I'll go with Mr. Uncle Danny."
"I had a feeling. That means you're in charge of making him actually stick to the list. No junk food."
Danny looked to Millie and rolled his eyes as she laughed.
Jack and Sean got up and grabbed their hockey gear as soon as breakfast was over and raced over to the Laraby's house.
"Mil, go put some clothes on so we can get going."
"Hey, there are some clean clothes in the laundry room," LInda said. "Go get your jean shorts, a shirt, and a pair of socks."
Millie made her way into the laundry room and found her jean shorts and a hoodie. Danny had her shoes waiting in the livingroom when she got back. As he helped with her shoes, Linda walked in with a grocery list.
"You've got two jobs, Missy," Linda smiled as Millie and Danny got up to leave. "Stay with Daddy, and don't let him forget the laundry detergent or you're all wearing dirty underwear next week. Got it?"
"Got it."
As soon as they got in the car, Millie looked to Danny. "Can we go get a frozen coffee?"
"Absolutely."
Danny made a detour on the way to the grocery store and got a caramel frappuccino and a mocha frappuccino. He knew good and well a six-year-old did not need a frozen coffee; however, he also knew that they were mostly milk and sugar when he told them they were for a kid, so he figured there wouldn't be any harm done. Millie deserved a treat since her Saturday was shaping up to be slightly less entertaining than the boys.
"Now remember, daughter, we never, ever, ever tell a lie, but when it comes to sugary iced coffees and your Aunt Linda, we also don't freely offer any information. Got me?
"Gotcha." They clinked their cups together and continued to the grocery store. "Do we really have to go tonight?"
"To Wendy's?" Millie nodded. "Yes. It's important to Aunt Linda so we have to go."
"But I don't like her."
"Hey. She may be a little… stiff… but she's very important to Aunt Linda, so we have to go and we have to be nice."
"But what if she's not nice?"
"You don't have to worry about that. Because just like me and Aunt Linda are going to be watching to make sure you three are nice, Grammy and Bop Bop will be there to make sure that Aunt Wendy and Aunt Linda are nice." Millie sighed. "Best behavior. Ok?"
"Ok."
Danny and Millie returned after getting all the groceries and only a few things that weren't originally on Linda's shopping list. They put up all the groceries and then had to put up all the laundry that Linda had folded and sorted for them. When they finished, Danny collapsed into his recliner to watch a baseball game.
"Hey Mil Mil, come here. I've got something for you."
"What is it?" Millie asked as she joined LInda on the couch.
"Check this out. It's a bracelet making kit. There's a whole bunch of different colors and styles. If you want, I'll help you make one for you and one for Sophie if you want to give her one tonight."
"And one for you."
"I'd love that."
"And one for Mr. Uncle Danny?"
"Huh?" Danny asked.
"He'd love it," Linda smiled. "Pick us out some colors."