REAGAN FAMILY DINNER
Abigail looked around the dinner table feeling like everthing was so surreal. She was seated next to Frank who sat at one end of the table. Henry on the other end of the table.
And somehow they had managed to fit in everyone else.
Sid was seated next to her and further down that side was Erin, Jamie, and his wife, Eddie. On the opposite side was Garrett, Danny, his two sons, and Nicky.
It was elbows to elbows for sure.
Her head was swimming.
The mixture of emotions she had felt since she had been shot. It was like a cocktail in her head.
I can't believe I'm here.
The food was being passed around. A classic Irish meal of corned beef, cabbage, and boiled potatoes.
Suddenly Abigail realized she had eaten very little over the last few days and she was ravenous. She looked down at the plate Frank had kindly served her since she had only the use of her right arm.
Grace was said and they all began eating heartily.
Abigail wondered what the rest of the Reagan clan thought of her, Sid, and Garrett being in attendance.
"Danny, I forgot the rolls, will you grab those from the kitchen?" Frank said.
"Yea sure, no problem." Danny got up and walked out to the kitchen, returning a few moments later.
He put the basket which was covered with a dark linen cloth in front of Abigail.
She stared down at the rolls wondering why he had placed them in front of her.
"You gotta try these," Frank told her with a smile. "Pop makes the best rolls." He caught Pop's gaze from down the table who smiled broadly.
"Um, okay," Abigail lifted the linen napkin and stared dumbfounded into the basket.
Sitting on top of the rolls was a black felt box.
Her heart stopped in her throat.
Frank grabbed the box and quickly flicked it open. He was on his feet and suddenly he was kneeling beside her.
She was vaguely aware of what was happening all around her and snuck a glance around the rest of the table.
Erin was drinking from her glass of wine and spewed drink out across the table as she realized what was happening.
Jamie's fork clanged loudly on his plate as he dropped it in surprised amazement.
Eddie's jaw had dropped to the floor and bits of food fell out of her mouth.
Pop was chuckling. Apparently he was in on it.
Danny had a goofy grin on his face. Yeah, he was in on it too.
Sid was beaming next to her. Garrett was smirking from across the table.
The co-conspirators. Of course.
Her eyes refocused on the gorgeous diamond ring in the box. Five beautiful diamonds glistened back at her.
Her voice was completely gone. Caught somewhere in her throat. Her eyes widened as Frank spoke.
"Detective Abigail Baker, will you marry me?" His intense blue-green eyes stared up at her.
Abigail had a deliciously wicked thought of making him sweat a little.
A little payback.
She stared down at the ring not responding.
The Commissioner's eyes flashed and she could see a glimpse of panic run through when she didn't respond right away.
But she couldn't torture him any longer. Especially seeing that it was a bit difficult for him to be down on his knee in the first place.
She smiled down at him laughingly, "Yes," she said quietly.
Cheers erupted from around the dinner table.
Some were still speechless.
Frank breathed a noticeable sigh of relief and stood up. He pulled her up from her seat and gingerly wrapped her in his arms.
Without even realizing it, Abigail noticed her own cheeks were wet.
When did I start crying?
Frank kissed her lovingly on her wet cheek. He looked down at her left arm in the sling, "Is it ok if I - ?"
Abigail could still barely speak and so she just nodded still feeling tears coming to her eyes. Frank slipped the ring on her left hand, careful to not move her arm too much.
She was catching snippets of conversation around the table.
Jamie whining, "Man nobody tells me anything around here…"
Eddie saying, "Shh, this is so beautiful…"
"Go Grandpa!" Nicky was enthusiastically shouting.
Suddenly there was a line forming to come up to her. Sid embraced her in a gentle bear hug. "Congratulations Abby, Boss" he looked over at the Commissioner.
Garrett who was much more of the reserved between him and Sid, embraced her and she could see a little moisture in his eyes.
Who would have guessed? Garrett the old softie.
She was bombarded over the next few minutes with congratulations, hugs, and kisses from every male member of the family.
Erin remained relatively speechless the rest of the dinner but Abigail sensed she would get over it soon enough.