Okay so the idea for this chapter was really great when I thought of it but now not so much. It's also more dialogue than description so please don't hate it.

Thanks to seleneplaysgames, YaleAceBella12, ItsJustBecca, decadenceofmysoul, bdw8033, McFaddenFan, and Amillerkray12 for your reviews for last chapter. I'm definitely sorry this took forever to post. I'm trying to do better.

While Danny was with the boys and Henry crabbing, Anna had convinced Jamie to play catch with her as Frank read a thick book on the back deck. "Don't you think it would be better and more helpful if you had someone to try and hit off you?" Jamie asked.

"Maybe, but you don't see anyone around that could do that, do you?" Anna answered.

"Uh, well..."

"My mom doesn't play sports, Nicky only plays basketball, and it's been a few years since Grampa's done anything more than coach or watch."

Jamie stood from his couched position and smiled. "Hold that thought." He went back up to the house and Anna began practicing pop-ups until Jamie came back with Erin in tow.

"Jamie, I haven't played baseball in years," Erin was complaining.

"All you have to do is stand there and try to hit the ball. Please, for Anna?"

"Fine," Erin sighed and grabbed the bat. Anna grinned and did her best to strike her aunt out every time as Erin tried to hit the ball.

"I think that about does it for me," Anna called after about strike 35 or so. All that pitching with Jamie and then with Erin was tiring her arm out.

"Just a few more, Anna," Jamie answered.

"I'm tired and she hasn't hit a single one. Maybe you should stick to football and basketball, Aunt Erin."

"Well," Erin huffed, "maybe you can strike out your dad."

"He'd have to be here," Anna said.

"You're in luck because he is," Jamie said as he stood from his crouched position.

"Who is what?" Danny asked as he and the boys walked up with Henry.

"You're up to bat," Anna answered, stretching her shoulder. "Please, help me make varsity."

Everyone watched and waited for his reaction. Danny smirked. "Boys, take the crab inside, Erin, give me the bat," Danny told them. Danny passed the cooler he was dragging to Jack and headed for Erin who swapped the bat for his jacket. Anna waited for him to warm up a little and for the boys and Henry to pass Jamie. "Very few people ever manage to strike me out," Danny called to her.

"And you taught me how to play baseball," Anna answered, "when you were in your prime."

"I believe they call that a burn," Jamie said as Danny stepped up to the makeshift plate.

Danny glared at his brother for a moment then turned back to Anna. "Let's see what you got, little girl."

"Don't you dare take it easy on me," Anna warned him. Danny didn't say anything just tapped the makeshift plate and took a few practice swings. Anna settled in and started pitching. The first couple of pitches were balls until she noticed everyone, to include her mother, on the deck of the big house watching. She rolled her shoulders, planted her feet, and brought the heat. He caught the edge of a few of them, missed others completely, then, unexpectedly, got ahold of one and sent it towards the water.

"It's back, it's deep, oh, it's out of here!" Frank called from the deck.

Jack, Sean, Henry, and Erin cheered for Danny and Anna sighed heavily. She knew it was good for her dad, proving he still had it, but she felt bad that she wasn't better than him. Danny turned his eyes from the ball as it fell into the sand to his daughter and instantly the smile fell from his face. He made his way to her and clapped a hand on her left shoulder. "Hey," he rubbed her shoulder until she looked up at him. She could see Jamie's concerned look from behind Danny. "Kiddo, you were tired and I got lucky. It's not a big deal. Out of 20, I really only connected with one. That's pretty good for you, and don't forget, I play ball every spring for the police softball league against guys who have been doing this a lot longer than you have. I have no doubt you're going to make varsity come spring and we can work on getting your stamina up."

"Promise?"

"I'll do my best," Danny answered. "Sean! Go get the ball, will you? And you," he looked at his daughter, "maybe we should get some juice and have your mom check that shoulder to make sure you didn't overwork it?"

"Okay," Anna answered as Sean raced to get the ball. Danny lead her inside to where Linda had retreated in the kitchen with the crabs and got some juice out of the fridge. He poured two glasses as Linda checked over Anna's shoulder.

"Let it rest some, and if it starts hurting come back and see me," Linda told her. "And that was some really great pitching out there."

"Thanks, Mama," Anna said. Danny handed Anna her glass. "Can I help you with something?"

"No, thank you. Your dad is going to help me. Why don't you go back outside and enjoy the sun?" Linda suggested.

"Yes, ma'am." Anna went back out to the deck, shutting the sliding screen door behind her.

The smell of boiled crab, mashed potatoes, and peas permeated the air as Danny called everyone in for diner later that day. After grace was said and plates were filled, they began to dig in but Danny's eyes rested on his daughter. If there was one thing he knew about her it was that she was real iffy on seafood, so far he knew the only thing she could stomach was shrimp, and that was fried popcorn shrimp at that. He wasn't sure how she'd take crab especially since she hadn't had it since was little. The last two times they had visited the beach house, Sofie had dragged her out on the town so he wasn't surprised to see Anna cautiously tasting a little bit at a time. That's when Danny noticed everyone slowly stopping what they were doing and looking at her as well.

"What's wrong? Don't you like it?" Henry asked.

"I don't know, I mean it's different. Can't say I love it," Anna answered.

"Do you at least like it?" Jamie asked. Anna shrugged. "Here, try this with some butter." Jamie put a fork full of meat he had just pulled from a crab leg on her plate. Anna did as he suggested, barely getting it down before shaking her head.

"Nope, I definitely don't like that."

"That's the best part, kiddo," Jamie said.

"More for you I guess," Anna said, offering him the rest of her crab. He took it without saying a word.

"Can I make you some chicken? Hot dogs maybe?" her mom asked.

"Naw, think I'll stick with my veggies," Anna said.

"No fair, every time Jack or I don't like dinner you say we have to eat it anyway," Sean protested.

"Unless it makes you visually sick or you really don't like it. May I remind you I never make you eat duck," Linda answered.

Sean deflated. "Oh, right."

Third time's the charm, or so the saying went. For Anna it just felt like three strikes and you're out. The day went by just fine, most of it spent on the beach and in the water mainly with Nicky but then came dinner of clams. All it took was two bites for her to decide that most seafood wasn't her bag. "That's it, I'm done. The only seafood I'm eating from now on is shrimp," Anna whined at dinner that night.

"You really don't like it?" Henry asked.

"I really don't. I'm sorry," Anna said. Her eyes dropped to the table and she fiddled with her fork. She didn't want to be so picky or hard to please, it's just that it really, really didn't taste all that great. She knew Henry and Frank had spent most of the afternoon digging them up for dinner and she was disrespecting all their hard work by not liking it.

Luckily, Jamie came to her defense and rescued her. "Everyone is entitled to not liking certain foods," Jamie told her.

"Since you're not going to eat it, fork it over," Danny said.

"What else can I make you, sweetie?" Linda asked as Anna handed her plate to her dad.

"Nothing, this is fine. I had a big lunch."

"You had peanut butter for lunch."

"Can we have burgers tomorrow?" Anna asked, turning her eyes to Frank in order to not answer her mother.

"Sure sweetheart," Frank answered.

The following afternoon, Anna was tossing the football with Jack and Sean when the two boys from down the street came over. "Baseball and football? What can't this girl do?" Mike asked as Jack caught the ball.

"Plenty of things, what's up, guys?" Anna asked.

"We want to know if you—" Mike started.

"And your very cute cousin," Brad interrupted.

"Right," Mike looked at Brad then turned back to Anna, "want to go out on Jet-skis with us."

"I'll have to ask my dad."

"We've got a bunch of friends going as well as my older brother and we'll stay in sight of the shore," Mike went on.

"'Kay, be right back." Anna rushed off to talk to her dad. "Hey, Dad."

"No," Danny answered, not looking up from the sports' page.

"But I haven't even—"

"It's still a no."

"What if—"

"No."

"Come on," Anna growled. "What makes you think I want something that's bad?"

"Your voice gets all high pitched and whiny when you know I'm going to say no for a very good reason."

Sure enough her voice came out it was high pitched and whiny. "But Dad," she whined.

"Danny, just let her explain," Linda said, finally looking up from her romance novel.

"Fine, what is it?" Danny asked, putting the paper down.

"The two boys down the street asked if Nicky and I could go on Jet-skis with them and some of their friends."

Danny looked at Linda. It really wasn't a good idea, but he wasn't sure he should tell her that and start a fight. "Nicky's going with you?" Linda asked.

"They asked me to invite her and they've promised to stay within sight line of the shore," Anna explained.

There was his out. Erin was stricter with her daughter than he was. There'd be no way Erin would let Nicky go so Danny didn't have to tell Anna no and then he wouldn't come off as being overly strict and it wouldn't cause a fight. "Be back before dinner and get your aunt to say yes," Danny told her. "If Erin says no to letting Nicky go, you can't go either."

"Thank you, Daddy," Anna squealed.

"Remember, Erin has to say yes. Then you're welcome."

Anna grinned and raced off to find her cousin who was easily convinced. Then they went to find Erin who wasn't as easily convinced. "Please, Aunt Erin? We'll stay in sight of the beach, take care of each other, and be back before dinner."

"You don't even have a license, Nicky," Erin said.

"You don't have to," Anna answered.

"Maybe not a driver's license but you do have to have a boating license."

"So we won't drive. Dad's cool with it if you are."

"Of course he is," Erin muttered.

"Please, Mom? I've been good all year," Nicky begged.

"Promise to be back before dinner," Erin ordered.

"Promise," the girls answered.

"Alright, go, but be careful," Erin told them.

"Thank you," both girls squealed then raced outside to tell Mike and Brad the good news. When they did, Anna could tell Jack and Sean weren't happy.

"Come on, cheer up. I'll be back before dinner, and after dinner, you're going to help me convince Grampa to let us build a bonfire and we'll roast mallows and have s'mores right here on the beach, okay?" Anna nearly begged her brothers.

"Okay," Sean was quick to answer but he still seemed a bit dejected.

Jack was slower to answer and it took some prompting from Anna. "Okay," he finally said. "Have fun."

"Later boys," Anna told her brothers then she and Nicky raced off with the other boys and met up with their friends.

"So, there's only one caveat," Mike told his friends. "Anyone without a boating license can't drive, state law and my dad will kill me if he finds out."

"So you never did say, how are those boys related to you?" Brad asked.

"Really, dude?" Mike asked.

"I just want to be clear."

"You really can't figure it out?" Anna asked. Brad shook his head. "Okay, think about everything we've told you: One, they aren't my cousins but they are hers. Two, she's my cousin through my dad, her mom."

"So they're her cousins on her dad's side," one of the girls shrugged it off. Though she didn't seem to care she was one of about 15 other people who were standing around.

"Three," Anna continued, "The boys and I share a grandfather."

Everyone stared at them. "How can they be her cousins but not yours and you and the boys share a grandfather?" a different girl asked.

"Anyone? Anyone at all?" Anna asked.

'They're her brothers; biologically, adopted, step-brothers, anyway," an older boy said as he walked up. "If they share a grandfather, they have to be siblings or cousins. Now, let's load up."

"That's my brother, he'll be driving the boat," Mike said.

So they went out on the water. It was a fun afternoon when they came back, both girls were extremely happy and feeling good. They slowly headed back to the beach house for dinner talking about their afternoon. They reached the houses to find Jamie, Danny, and Erin playing football with Jack and Sean as the other three adults watched from the deck of the bigger house. Anna handed her phone to Nicky, intercepted Danny's pass to Sean then raced past them all and into the end zone.

"Oh! Intercepted. Touchdown. We win!" Jamie cheered as Anna did her touchdown dance and he high-fived Erin.

"No way, she wasn't even playing," Danny protested.

"Yeah, that's interference," Jack called.

"Let's get a ruling from the referee," Erin said as everyone turned to Frank.

Frank looked at his family then carefully folded his newspaper as if buying time. "I think it's time to start supper."

"Dad," Frank's kids complained.

"Just consider it them pulling a player off the bench," Anna said.

"Yeah, Danny, it's a family game," Jamie said.

"Sucks when family is used against you," Anna said.

"Next time you come off the bench for a team, kiddo, why don't you make it my team?" Danny asked.

As they headed for the deck, Sean and Jack bombarded the girls with questions about their afternoon. Anna was sure it was at Danny's request. Nicky told them all about it not seeming the least bit suspicious. There wasn't much to tell about being on a jet ski but the boys seemed in awe. The thing that made Anna the most suspicious was what Jack asked next. "So they didn't try anything, did they?"

"What do you mean?" Nicky asked.

"He means exactly what my dad would mean if the question came from him instead," Anna said.

"Am I not allowed to be protective of you two?" Jack asked.

"Not when you're four years younger," Anna answered.

"No, they didn't try anything," Nicky said to stem the fight.

"Hey, Grampa," Anna said, sidling up to Frank as he lit the grill.

"Yes, sweetheart?" Frank answered.

"So Sean and I were thinking that after dinner, maybe we could do something fun with the whole family. Something we haven't done in while."

"Oh and what's that?"

"Well, I asked around then did some internet searching and called the local PD and we were hoping you agree to letting us have a bonfire on the beach."

"Please, Grandpa?" Sean pleaded. "It'll be fun and mom's even got stuff for s'mores."

Frank looked from his grandkids to their parents. "Okay," Frank agreed. So after burgers and hot dogs for dinner and as the sun went down, Jamie and Danny built a bonfire that roared to life. As everyone found seats, Sean sat down beside Anna. She watched him out of the corner of her eye but he seemed content to sit next to her. She kept an eye on her brother as she enjoyed being with her family. Three or four s'mores later, Anna turned to Sean. She wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

"Are you angry that I left you this afternoon? I know I haven't been spending a lot of time with you and Jack."

"I'm not angry, not really. I get that you're a teenager and you want to spend less time with us," Sean answered.

"But you're family and I will always love you. I promise, all day tomorrow—"

"Mom wants photos tomorrow."

"That doesn't mean I can't spend the whole day with you."

"I guess," he answered dejectedly.

"Please don't be mad, Sean," Anna begged. She wrapped both arms around him and nuzzled against his shoulder.

"If I tell you I'm not mad, will you quit rubbing your snot on my t-shirt?"

"My nose is not snotty."

"If you say so," Sean answered. He didn't push her away but rolled his eyes.

Anna held him for a moment or two longer then kissed his cheek. "Hey, what's going on over there?" Jack asked his siblings.

"Do you feel left out?" Anna taunted.

"No," Jack answered, but didn't sound quite as confident.

"Awe," Anna cooed, "does little Jackie want a hug?"

"Stop taunting your brother," Linda warned.

"But that's the best part of having a little brother."

"Anna."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Who wants to hear a scary story?" Jamie said.

A few stories later Linda could see how sleepy her boys were getting so she put an end to the stories and sent them to bed despite their protests. Anna and Nicky followed a short while later.

So let me know what you think. I hope you liked it. Also I'm the type of person who writes things out in a notebook before typing it up and while I have through Thanksgiving season four written out I find it hard to push myself to type it up. If any of you know any programs that can scan notebook pages and translate them to text or perhaps a notebook or pen that uploads to the computer I would definitely like to hear it.