And Love
Chapter 11 One up, one down
A/N: Many thanks to skyross19 for the excellent, detailed review. We will get a snippet of Mal/Erin and see the results of their time together, short as it was.
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FLASHBACK
Mal settles on Erin's lap in the corner of the LR. The auntie starts thru the picture album on her lap. "This is your daddy with his mommy and daddy."
"His mommy was pretty!"
"Yes, she was. We all miss her a lot. Did you know that she died of cancer?"
"Yes, daddy told me and mommy. He was very sad; I gave him a hug and kiss."
"You are so sweet, Mal. Thank you." Erin whispers.
"Auntie, why do you hate my mommy?"
"I . . . ah . . . I don't really-
"HELP ME!"
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ST. VIC'S ER WAITING ROOM
Frank is seated, Jamie with Mal on his lap is next to him. Daddy and daughter are looking at a picture book.
Erin Reagan hurries in and slumps into the seat next to her younger brother. After she collects herself, she speaks, "Jamie, how is Eddie doing?"
"She will be all right; waiting for the plastic surgeon to arrive and suture her lacerations."
"That's good, Mal and I were so worried when we heard her scream. Pops filled me in on what happened. I can't believe it; it was an accident, you know?"
"Was it, Erin? I really don't want to talk about it right now!"
"Jamie-
"NOT NOW!" He turns away from his sister and hugs Mal close to his chest. His daughter is sniffling; her father is holding back tears himself.
Erin starts softly, "Jamie, I am so sorry for the way I have treated Eddie. And by connection you and Malina. I was so surprised at what happened . . . I let my initial negative reaction and anger control me; and none of you deserved that."
Mal wiggles out of her father's embrace, and moves over into her auntie's lap. "Auntie Erin, I want you to be part of my family. Please?"
Erin Reagan, tough ADA, is crying now.
Jamie leans forward, his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands: 'Out of the mouth of babes!' He sheds a tear or two.
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BAY RIDGE, SUNROOM
Pops pours Daniel Reagan one finger of single malt; after he does the same for himself, he sits down opposite his grandson.
Silence, for a long time.
"I didn't mean for that to happen, you know," Danny mutters.
"You were out of control, Daniel. You know that, don't you?" Pops voices.
"Yeah."
"You have an unfortunate habit of that. You know that, don't you?" Pops mutters.
"Not that often, Pops." Danny justifies himself.
"And how often is too often? Is what happened today ever justifiable?" Pops voice rises. He looks his eldest grandson straight in the eyes.
Danny lowers his head. He won't meet his grandfather's gaze. He doesn't want to think about the reaction of 'the kid'. Damn, if he calls Jamie that, all HELL will surely descend on his head! And he will deserve it.
"What do I do gramps?"
"Think, pray, grovel – hell, I don't have an easy answer. You and Erin need to put down your shovels and stop digging!" Pops takes a deep breath, "FIX IT!"
"Yeah," Danny finishes his drink with one big swallow. "Thanks, Pops." They rise, embrace and Danny leaves for home.
On the way he texts Linda:
D: Eddie, ok?
Five minutes later; L: yes, plastic surgeon did a nice repair. Going home. C U L8R 1-4-3!
D: 1-4-3 C U soon!
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EDDIE'S APARTMENT
Jamie brings her a cold cloth; she is to apply it to her left face/neck 20 minutes on & 20 minutes off. Until she goes to sleep. Jamie will bring her a fresh cloth that he has soaked in ice water and wrung out each time. She is amazed and grateful for his compassionate care. How did she ever get along w/o him? She does not want to find out, ever again.
Mal, of course, does her part to care for mommy.
"Jamie, what do we do now?"
"As in?"
"Well, it seems like Erin is coming around. At least it sounded like it."
"I agree."
"But now Danny! I think that was largely accidental. But are he and you going to be, ok?"
"I think so; but he needs to be more in control of himself. You could have been seriously injured, babe!" Jamie balls his fists.
"I know. But can we not make this into a real setback, please?"
"I'll try, I really will. Promise."
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TXT
D: Drinks, tomorrow night?
J: OK 7:30 usual place?
D: works C U
J: C U
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Jamie walks into the bar and sees Danny already in a booth in the back. He walks over, slides in across from his brother and takes a sip of the waiting beer. He waits for his elder brother to speak. It's a long wait.
FINALLY
"I'm sorry."
"For?"
"You know."
Silence.
"Do I need to spell it out?"
"Yup. I need to be certain that you know what you should be sorry for."
Silence.
"SHIT!" Danny looks to the side.
"Wrong," Jamie smirks. "When I finish my beer, I'm leaving."
Danny holds up 2 fingers, he wants to extend his time to think.
Jamie gives the barkeep a STOP sign for himself.
"Hey, I'm buying!" Danny declares.
"Sorry, this is my limit . . . start explaining!"
"I was . . . ah . . . –
Jamie drains his glass, stands and leaves. He doesn't look back.
"HEY KID! Come back here!" Danny shouts.
Jamie pauses, a shiver passes thru his body, he disappears out the door and into the night.
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E & J APARTMENT
"How did it go, babe?" Eddie asks as they snuggle on the couch.
"It didn't. I gave him time to admit, or explain, what he was sorry for. All he would say was 'I'm sorry'. Ed, am I putting him under too much pressure? To, you know, be an adult and explain himself?"
"I don't think so. It seems that Erin has responded like an adult; Mal is very happy about that! Now we have Danny down in a pit of his own making. Will we ever get the family all above water?" Eddie is pessimistic.
"I don't know; I just don't know." Jamie shakes his head.
"Then there are Joe and Paula. That seems like a real long shot, babe!"
"Yeah, at least Paula can hide out in RI!"
"She's not hiding! Come on!" Eddie totally understands Paula's stance.
"I'm sorry. Poor choice of words." Jamie admits.
"See! Just a few words like that and I knew what you were sorry for. It's not hard." Eddie smiles and gives him a long, passionate kiss.
"I guess it is for some folks." He responds to the kiss. "Now with that kind of reward-
Talk time is over-
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TBC
A/N: Coming up, Danny/Jamie part 2.