Because Halloween. Thanks to everyone who is still reading, favoriting, and following. Also thanks to Pharmergirl, monkeybaby, decadenceofmysoul, and ki4pak for all your reviews. I imagine Jamie really wanted to interrogate Kyle but because of Anna's insistence of not wanting to blow it he restrained himself. Can't say he'll do the same in the future though.
Contains scenes from and references to 3x5. Also minor note that this gives a reason for trick or treat to take place during 3x7 which aired the second week of November instead of the last week of October like it was supposed to.
Dinner on Sunday afternoon flowed around Anna as it normally did. Talk of her father's cases and her uncle's were the hot topic. Another hot topic was the dignitary that Danny had to protect. How it wasn't fair that he had protection to get some kind of surgery after he had ordered the execution of hundreds of people to include children. Then Nicky posed a question to Linda as to what she would do if Jack or Sean were among the victims. "How did I end up in the hot seat?" Linda asked.
"Grampa," Anna asked, finally getting in on the conversation. "How long do we have to protect this guy? Until he says he feels better or until the doctor says he is? If it's the first at what point do we stop taking his word for it? He can't claim problems for months or years, can he? Then again, if it's the latter, can't you just get his doctor to clear him for travel in the next couple of days and then kick him out of the country?"
"I'm not sure it works that way," Frank answered.
"What way? Convincing his doctor he's fine? With all today's technology there has to be a way to monitor him from a distance. I mean they do it at the hospital. They can monitor every patient from the nurses' station," Anna explained.
"How was homecoming?" Frank asked.
"Fine," Anna said after a moment. Then she immediately changed the subject. "You excited for your birthday, Jack? 12 years old, it's a big deal."
"Not as big as next year," Jack said.
"Wait a minute, just fine? You've been looking forward to that dance for over a week and it was just fine?" Henry asked, pushing the subject back to the homecoming dance.
"Yeah, just fine," Anna smiled.
"Come on, Anna," Jamie said.
"Well it was. The dance was okay and I did have fun."
"What happened?" Jamie prodded gently.
"At the dance? Nothing. A couple of days ago he uh ... Kyle broke up with me," Anna admitted. She stared down at her plate not wanting to hear their reactions.
"He's not good enough for you," Nicky said after a moment. Anna shot her cousin a glare and Nicky smiled not taking it personally.
"Did he say why?" Jamie asked gently.
"He claimed it was grades and college and football but school rumor has it that my best friend being overprotective was just too much for him."
"You believe that?" Erin asked.
"Doesn't matter what I believe. It's over and done with now. No use living in the past."
"You deserve a great guy, Anna," Sean said.
"And I'll find one. Someday. Can we talk about something else?" Anna asked. It was quiet for a moment then talk went on about something else. Monday at lunch, Anna sat down with the baseball team, next to Jim. "Hi," she said softly.
"Hey," Jim answered. He watched her for a moment then smiled. "You okay?"
"No." She shook her head. "I'm sorry. I blamed some stuff on you that wasn't your fault and I was wrong. I'm sorry."
"You should be," Derrek told her.
"Shut up, Derrek," Jim chastised. "You were upset and hurt and it was easier to lash out at me than to accept you fell for someone who couldn't face their own problems."
"Do you forgive me?" Anna asked.
"Only if you forgive me for setting you up with him in the first place."
"You introduced him, that's all you did."
"If you say so, but yeah, I forgive you. Forgive me?" Jim asked, using his best puppy dog pout.
"Yeah, I forgive you. How about them Giants?" Anna asked. Jim smiled and the conversation turned away from Kyle and their failed relationship. After school, Anna got two phone calls. The first was from the body shop saying her car was done and the second was from Sofie.
"Hey, cousin. I'm going to ask a question I think I know the answer to but I'm going to ask anyway," Sofie said.
"Fire away," Anna answered, curious.
"This weekend I have a show in Pittsburg. It's Saturday and I have a bunch of small appearances and some other modeling stuff on Saturday and Sunday. I was wondering if you wanted to come."
"Pittsburg? I've never been on an airplane before." In fact the only time she had ever been out of New York City was anytime they went to visit Sofie and Wendy's vacation home in Quogue and that was still in the state. Even the fishing trip they had taken the year after Joe's death had only been in the Rockaways, just off the coast of Brooklyn.
"You still don't have to. My stylist Rob is going to drive us out and back. Road trip. We'll leave Friday afternoon and drive there, do all my stuff Saturday and Sunday plus a little cousin bonding time then drive home Sunday night and you'll be all geared up for school on Monday. Please, Anna?" Sofie nearly begged.
"Let me ask my mom. I'll call you later."
"Sure, later," Sofie said.
Anna hung up and raced after Jim. "Jim!" Anna called. He stopped and waited for her to catch up. "How's my bestest friend in the whole wide world?"
"What do you need?" he asked plainly.
"A lift. To the body shop. My car is ready and it's too far to walk. I'll buy you ice cream."
"It's late October, I don't want ice cream. Make it cider and you have yourself a deal."
"Deal," Anna said quickly. After buying Jim cider and picking up her car, Anna drove home. Seeing her mom's van in the drive, Anna video called Sofie as she wasn't feeling very confident. "Sof, my mom won't say yes," Anna said, biting her lip.
"It's going to be fine, Anna," Sofie pacified. "Auntie Linda loves you. Just go in there and ask. If she does say no, she'll break it to you gently."
"True. Stay on the phone," Anna admitted. She walked inside keeping the phone towards her to see Linda at the dining room table. "Hey, Mom."
"Hey, babe," Linda answered.
She walked over and stood opposite her holding the phone about chest level. "So, I know that I have always believed that Sofie's shows are nothing more than an hour long, torture fest of walking artwork and designers who do nothing more than pat themselves on the back for taking something old and outdated and throwing glitter and paint at it claiming it's amazing but I was hoping that you'd see how grown up I am if I can admit I'm wrong."
"Why are you wrong, Anna?"
"Okay, wrong isn't the correct word but I may have changed my mind."
"Anna," Linda stated not understanding her daughter.
"Sofie invited me to her show in Pittsburg this weekend and I want to go. Please, Mom? Sofie and I haven't hung out since my birthday. Please," Anna begged.
"I don't know, Anna, Pittsburg is really far away and there won't be any adults on the trip."
"That's not true, Sofie's an adult."
"Anna."
"Please, Mom?" Anna asked. When Linda didn't look like she was convinced, Anna turned her phone around so Sofie could try to convince her aunt.
"Please, Auntie Linda," Sofie added.
"Come on, Mom. It's the weekend, I won't be missing school, and it's for family."
"And your brothers?"
"My brothers?" Anna asked confused.
"You are supposed to take your brothers trick or treating on Saturday."
"No, on Halloween. Trick or treating is on the 31st. I know because I complained because I have to miss Derrek's party for it."
"Manhattan's trick or treating is on the 31st, Staten Island's is on Saturday."
"Oh." Anna turned her phone back towards her and looked at her cousin. "I'm sorry, Sofie. Maybe next time. It's Halloween, my brothers come first." Sofie looked disappointed but she nodded understanding.
"You really want this, Anna?" Linda asked, pausing over whatever she was writing.
Anna gaped at her mom. Linda looked at her expectantly. "Yes, ma'am," Anna said.
"Where are the Giants playing this weekend?"
"Sunday, 4 o'clock, Dallas. Steelers are playing the ... Redskins."
"What time do you plan on leaving?"
"Two?"
"How about three? That way school's out."
Anna looked down at Sofie on the phone who shrugged. Anna gave her a curious look and she nodded. "Okay," Sofie answered. Anna turned the phone back around and Sofie smiled then filled Linda in on the rest of the details that she had already told Anna; including the fact that Rob had a clear background but she and Danny would be free to run a background check anyway. Linda sighed as she thought it over. "Please, Aunt Linda? I'll take real good care of her and I'll make it up to my cousins."
Linda looked from Anna to Sofie and back. "Okay, but—"
"Thank you, Mommy!" Anna squealed.
"But!" Linda got her attention again. "You call every day and before you leave to come home."
"And Dad? Will you handle that?"
"Yes, I'll handle your dad. Also don't forget we're going out to dinner for Jack's birthday tomorrow. Don't be late. Good night, Sofie," Linda said.
"Good night, Aunt Linda. Thank you so much."
"You're welcome."
Anna grinned and rushed upstairs with Sofie still on the phone. "I can't believe she's letting me go," Anna said in disbelief.
"I can't believe you want to go," Sofie scoffed.
"I've never really been there for you and I don't want to end up like our moms. Not talking till something dire happens."
"Good. Pack your bag and we'll swing by your house on the way. I got to go. Meeting my agent."
"Later." Anna and Sofie hung up and Anna texted her plans to Nicky who replied she was jealous but kinda understood.
The following night, Jack chose pizza for dinner. "So what's this I hear about Pittsburg?" Danny asked as they got home from pizza.
"What about Pittsburg?" Sean asked, looking at his brother. Jack shrugged not knowing either.
"Sofie's got a show. She wanted me to come," Anna answered.
"I don't think so." Danny shook his head.
"Dad!" Anna protested.
"Danny," Linda said gently. "Boys, get ready for bed."
The boys groaned but went upstairs. "What?" Danny asked.
"Come on, it's Pittsburg, not Palm Springs and it's almost November," Anna explained.
"That supposed to make a difference?"
"She's going to be with Sofie the whole time and she's got a good head on her shoulders," Linda explained. "How can you say no to that?"
"Because it's still six hours away and she's just a kid. My kid."
"She's 16, Danny, and I think she's proven that we can trust her. She hasn't done anything wrong in months," Linda explained.
"Please, Dad?" Anna asked.
"You'll call every day?"
"And take tons of pictures."
"Okay, fine," Danny agreed.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love you!" Anna squealed. She rushed over to him and flung her arms around him.
"You're welcome," he sighed as he hugged her back. Linda smiled and Danny rolled his eyes.
So Friday Sofie and Rob picked Anna up from school and swung by the house to pick up her stuff. Thankfully no one was home and it was a quick in and out then on to Pittsburg. The road trip was fun; they talked, gossiped, sang along with the radio, and slept. They stopped in Pittsburg for a late dinner before heading to the hotel. Saturday morning, Anna and Rob had a home-cooked meal prepared by the hotel, free with their stay, while Sofie had some toast and water claiming to never eat a big meal on show days. After breakfast, they did a little sightseeing then Sofie had a photoshoot before they were off to the show. It was a madhouse backstage but Sofie kept Anna close to her side as she got her hair and make-up done.
"Sit, do not move," Sofie demanded, hopping up from her seat and pushing Anna into it. "I have to go get dressed, be right back." Sofie rushed off before Anna could answer.
"Have I told you how adorable you look today?" Rob asked as she turned to look at him.
"Thank you, though that compliment would have meant more if I had done anything today. You did my hair and make-up and Sofie picked out my outfit."
"Yes, but you wear it well. Putting lipstick on a pig does not make it pretty."
"If you say so," Anna answered.
"Say ... Moldy cheese," Sofie said from behind Anna.
"Moldy cheese?" Anna asked confused.
Sofie snapped a quick selfie of them then sent it to her mom and Linda then told Anna where she could find her seat. Anna snapped a lot of photos of the show from her seat and was surprised to find herself enjoying it. She found that weird but just went with the flow. Sofie and Rob found her in the lobby later and were surprised to find her in good spirits. "So you enjoyed it?"
"I wouldn't say it was fantastic, but it was enlightening and I can see why you love it so much."
"I'm glad, dinner?" Sofie asked.
"Yes, please," Anna answered. After dinner, Anna plopped down on the hotel bed and video called her mom. "Hey Mama."
"Hey, baby. Danny, could you turn it down?" Linda asked. The background noise disappeared completely and Danny came into frame. She could see her mom was still in her blue scrubs and Danny was wearing a black t-shirt.
"Hi, Dad."
"Hey, kid, how's Pittsburg?"
"Rainy, wet, and cold," Anna grinned.
"And Sofie?" Linda asked.
"Sofie's great. None of the above," Anna answered.
"I am a little cold," Sofie told her cousin.
"Then turn off the A/C." Anna rolled her eyes. Sofie reached back to the A/C unit behind the chair she was sitting in and turned the fan down.
"Is she taking good care of you?" Linda asked.
"Nope, not at all. I'm leaving her to her own destructive habits," Sofie said sarcastically.
"Sofie," Anna warned. She turned the phone towards her cousin who saw Linda's plain look.
"Hi, Auntie Linda, Uncle Danny, I'm taking very good care of my favoritest cousin in the whole wide world," Sofie said sincerely.
Anna quickly turned the camera phone back to herself. "My brother's didn't hear that, did they?"
"No, they're upstairs changing into their PJ's from their Halloween costumes."
"What did they go as?"
"Jack went as a baseball player and Sean wanted to go as a fire fighter but your dad talked him out of that and into a fighter pilot."
"I'm sure he loved that."
"He got over it."
"So what's the plan tomorrow?" Danny asked.
"Breakfast, store tour, lunch, appearance, then headed home," Anna explained.
"Mom?" Jack asked in the background.
"Come here," Linda said.
"Hey, Buddy," Anna said, grinning as Jack plopped down next to his mom.
"Anna! How's Pittsburg?" Jack smiled.
"It's alright. Sorry I wasn't there tonight," Anna told him. Jack looked skeptical. "Really. I just haven't seen Sofie since my birthday and I see you guys every day. Are you mad?" Anna pouted.
"You always make me feel bad when you give me that look. Fine, you'll be home on Wednesday right? To take us to Manhattan."
"Is that Anna? Hi Anna," Sean grinned, plopping down on the couch next to his dad and leaning towards the phone his mom was holding out.
"Hey, Sean-o. Heard Dad talked you out of being a firefighter," Anna said as her mom turned the phone sideways to get more of the boys in the frame. Anna did the same.
"Yeah, but it's okay. He got me a really cool jumpsuit to wear as a fighter pilot."
"You know, my baseball coach used to be a firefighter. I bet he's got an old turnout coat he'll let you try on."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I'll talk to him."
"Are you going to be home for Pops' party Sunday night?" Sean asked.
"Sorry. Sofie's got an appearance tomorrow that we won't get out of until 4:30 at the earliest. We won't make it home until after 10. Tell Pops I'm sorry."
"Yeah, okay."
"Come on Sean, it's not like I'm doing this on purpose. I'm really not," she added when Sean didn't look any happier. Danny scolded his son and Sean tried to smile.
"She'll be here when we go trick or treating," Jack coaxed.
"Hey. Cheer up. I'll bring you back something really cool from Pittsburg if you do," Anna said.
"Hey, what about me?" Jack whined.
"Okay, both of you cheer up and I'll bring you something cool," Anna said. They both grinned prompting Anna to smirk. Then Danny caught her eye as he opened his mouth to look like he was eating the top of Sean's head. Anna stifled a laugh causing her mom to send her a confused look. "It's nothing. It's getting late," Anna said as Danny did again. Anna took a screenshot then smiled. "We've got an early day tomorrow so I've got to go," Anna told them. Her family wished her a good night then Anna hung up. She tried not to laugh as she set the photo as her home screen.