And love
Chap 35 New horizons
A/N: To patrickpopp; yes, Danny and Linda lived on Staten Island. But I believe that house burned down, and Linda died (before, after?) and Danny & boys moved off the Island. In this story Linda is alive and will remain so. I haven't planned her demise. So, I'm putting them in Brooklyn, not Bay Ridge.
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BAY RIDGE, SUNDAY
Frank has been successful in convincing Jamie and Eddie to have Cassie's celebratory dinner at the family home. Left unsaid is the fact that Danny will not be attending; he is still in rehab. This means that Erin will not have a partner if she foolishly attempts to cause any negativity during the proceedings. Frank & Henry have done all they can to prevent such; Erin has acquiesced verbally to their requests for civility. Neither Jamie nor Eddie have spoken to the issue, but privately they are close to determining that the next disrespectful event will be the last. They will enforce that by their non-attendance, if needed.
Linda and Nicky took responsibility for decorating the family home. They chose a green/white color scheme to honor Cassie's Irish heritage. They did ask Cassie about the colors, so as not to cause her distress; she gave the ok.
A big surprise is the promised attendance of Joe and Paula Hill. Jamie, Eddie and Linda have banded together and assured Paula that they will verbally stand with her if things should turn south. J/E/L were all 3 sick and tired of the attitudes often displayed at family gatherings. Another thing Jamie & Eddie did was talk with the girls: 1st they pledged total support for Cassie; 2nd they asked the 3 girls to watch their mouths, the adults would handle any needed verbal support, or chastisement. The girls understood and agreed.
Cassie and her new family were the last to arrive, coming through the front door at 6:30. After they enter and hang up their coats, they step into the LR/DR area and see the decorations. They first notice a huge banner:
WELCOME TO THE FAMILY
CASSANDRA GWENDOLYN REAGAN
WE ALL LOVE YOU
Cassie stops in her tracks. She raises her hands to cover her face; she begins to cry as Malina & Mary Rose close in on her sides. They each grasp an arm and hold on tight saying, "We love you sis!"
GG Henry steps up in front of her, places a hand on each shoulder and says; "Cassie, as the eldest Reagan I am proud to welcome you to my family! You can be assured of our love and support – always! Never forget that." He steps back enough to allow the others to close in for a giant family embrace. Frank nods to Jamie, a prearranged signal and Jamie offers a welcoming prayer: "Dear Lord, we ask your blessing on Cassandra as we welcome her into the family fold. May You ever watch over her, as You do all of us. May we always love, honor and respect her, as one of Your children – as we all are. AMEN!"
A round of heartfelt amens echo Jamie's.
Cassie sits in a spot of honor as a light celebratory meal is served by the ladies. Afterwards she receives a few gifts, her favorite was a "SAN JEROME EMILIANI" medal on a platinum necklace chain (the Patron Saint of orphans). Even though her own orphan status was very brief, the medal was cherished.
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After festivities had settled down, the girls slipped upstairs to spend some alone time in Jamie's old room. They sat in a circle on the floor. Cassie was still shedding a few tears.
Mal reaches over and gently clasps her new sister's forearm. "Those are happy tears, right?"
Cassie nods, "Yes, I can hardly believe it. I've never had a family like this before. I'm so happy, I am afraid it won't last." She cries harder.
"Hey, sis." Mary Rose reaches over; grasps Cassie's shoulders and pulls her down into her lap. "Mal and I will always be here for you, always!"
Mal leans over her sisters; "Yes, we 3 will always be here for each other. I promise!"
Cass and Mary Rose promise also.
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Erin had behaved herself, though her greeting of Paula had been very perfunctory, noticeably so. After Erin had left, taking Nicky and the boys with her, the rest of the adults talked.
SUNROOM
Jamie sat with his head bowed; "I just don't see Danny and/or Erin letting go of this Eddie or Paula thing, I am sorry to say."
"Well, what do we do babe?" Eddie asks.
"I'll just not be a part of whole family gatherings," Paula spits out.
"I agree, mom." Joe huffs.
"NO," Frank snorts. "I'd really like to have this family whole! As peripheral as it may technically be – I consider you, Paula, a part of MY family."
"Amen to that," Henry adds. Jamie, Eddie and Linda vigorously nod in agreement.
"So, what do we do," Joe is puzzled.
"I have an idea," Jamie voices. "All of us here in this room promise to support each other. We do not agree with Erin or Danny when they bring up the decisions either gal made in the past. We either remain silent, act to change topic, or verbally support Eddie or Paula. In a nonconfrontational way, of course."
Jamie looks around. He sees nods of agreement. "Ok, I think we're all on the same page, sort of. Paula and Joe, are you willing to give this a try?"
"I am. Mom?" Joe looks to Paula.
"Yes," Paula whispers. She frowns, however.
"Ok, I am helping Danny to get home tomorrow. I'll see what he thinks, if the topic comes up." Jamie adds.
"Thanks Jamie, I really appreciate your help," Linda expresses.
"Not a problem."
The meeting breaks up, all head on home.
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HILLCREST REHAB ROOM 42
Jamie walks in at noon; Linda is already there and has her hubby packed up.
"Hey, Danny, ready to get sprung?"
"I suppose." Danny grouses. Linda frowns.
His older brother sounds really down. The family had persevered with their support schedule; everybody taking part cheerfully with visits and food. At least that is what Jamie had heard.
"When is your next surgery?" Jamie tries another track.
Danny shrugs and looks to Linda.
"2 weeks," she tells Jamie.
"Well, it'll be great to be home for a while, eh?" Jamie persists. "I'm sure Lin and the boys will be glad to have you with them." It doesn't seem to be working. 'DAMN, this isn't my brother'.
"Let's get out of here, enough talk," Danny mutters.
A nurse loads Danny into a w/c per protocol and the caravan heads to Jamie's SUV. Everything, and everybody, is loaded and the boys are off – Linda follows in her car.
"You sound kinda down, bro," Jamie puts out there.
"Wouldn't you be? Huh?" Danny snorts.
"Maybe. I had an ACL tear when I was at Harvard, remember?"
"Yeah. That has a fairly good record of recovery, at least. Why don't you shut up and drive!"
"On it."
"Good." Danny concentrates on his side window.
Jamie wants to send Linda a warning TXT, he doesn't dare with Danny sitting next to him.
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Once in the driveway, Jamie reaches in to help Danny out of the car. He is rudely pushed away. "Careful of the arm, idiot! You want me to be permanently disabled? Huh?" Danny scowls.
Jamie backs up.
Jack comes to the car, "Can I help you, dad?"
"Yeah, grab my right hand."
Jack does, and helps his dad to stand. The boys help Danny into the house. Jamie helps Linda with the bags, stopping at the front door. She gives her brother-in-law a hug, "Sorry, Jamie. I really appreciate your help."
"I know, Lin. Call me any time." They hug, he walks to his car and leaves.
He sends a TXT to Frank, Pops & Eddie.
J: Danny rly depressed! I dropped off at home.
E: what 2 do?
F: ditto
H: ditto
J: need 2 talk soon!
J to Linda: Can U join a call? When?
L: will TXT or call U soon. THX
J: K
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JOE'S APT
Joe and his mom are having dinner. She has left Linda's house what with Danny's soon arrival home; and is staying in Joe's spare room. That was his 'junk' room, so it took a real tag-team effort to make it habitable. They succeeded!
"Mom, what do you think of Jamie's idea. Regarding family?"
"Well, you have interacted with the family more than I have. What do you think?"
"I think that if all of us in that room the other night present a consistently united front, it should work. The operative words are consistent and united."
"I am dubious, but I am willing to give it a try." She hopes it will work. Now that she is living and working in NYC, having family support is critical. She needs more than Joe!
RING
Joe's cell – it is Jamie.
"Hi Jamo, my mom and I are just finishing supper."
"Great, may I have a minute with you and her on speaker?"
"You are on, go!"
"I just dropped Danny off at home. He is really depressed."
"Recovery not going well?" Joe is concerned.
"I think things are as expected. But my call concerns our group decision to support Eddie & Paula. I am still 100% with that; but I think we need to be very careful when Danny is present."
"Should my mom and myself not attend any family functions when he will be there?" Joe posits.
"Ah, darn, I hate to go that far. I really do. But-
"I understand, Jamie. I really do." Paula voices.
"Jamie, let's start that way. You can tell mom and me how it's going, ok? We can adjust as we go."
"OK . . . but Eddie and I want to maintain, and grow our friendship. Please?"
"Absolutely," both mom and son agree. "We want to do things together," Joe expresses.
"Can we do an occasional family dinner?" Paula requests.
"I think so. I'll run that past Eddie. Is your place up to that, Joe?"
"Ah, no! We are packed here. You will need to host."
"We can do that. I will get back to you on that, bye."
"Bye, bro."
"Bye, Jamie."
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TBC
Loose ends: Jamie's SUV; Paula's work; Danny's status; Cassie & family; J/E/girls need more room; and more of course – a surprise or two.