And love
Chap 74 Brother bother
A/N: As you can tell, I'm having a devil of a time getting brother Danny out of his funk. It's deep by this point. Some tough love may be needed. Oxymoron? Not really; but is it too late?
88888888888
SCHOOL DAYS; BENCHMARKS
Age per October birthdays.
Cassie 12 y/o, in 7th grade i.e. Jr. HS. (7-9)
Malina 9 y/o, 4th grade i.e. middle school. (4-6)
Mary Rose 6 y/o, in 1st grade of elem school. (1-3)
In October: boys 1 y/o. End of year 1!
88888888888
Master BR
"Jamie, what are we going to do for this upcoming earth-shattering birthday?"
"Earth-shattering?"
"Yeah, 5 kid's birthdays – one gigantic party!"
"Who planned this?"
"It just happened, sport."
"Just happened? I remember-
"Stop! You do not – stop that!"
"Ticklish tonight, hm?" He's not playing fair . . . he doesn't usually. He amps it up-
"Stop, or I'll get you back-
Lips on lips change the focus of the moment, and the next hour or so. After they descend from the high places he has a question; "Not to dodge, but do you realize that next year we will have a teenager?"
"I have blocked that off my calendar!" She covers her eyes.
"I should visit your dad, find out what a teenage Edit Janko was like."
She rises up on two elbows. "DON'T. YOU. DARE!"
"Whoa, must be juicy!" He smirks.
"Hmpf!" She lays down facing the wall.
"Sorry?"
"Chocolate. For starters."
"Got it!"
888888888888
Linda has been out on the island for 3 weeks. The boys are desperate; one more pizza and they threaten to throw up. Danny has been calling 2-3 times a day; he's resorted to begging. He even cries at times. She has considered blocking his number – she cannot find it in herself to do that.
Jamie and Eddie are supportive, but they don't want that part of the family to fall apart. Until Danny agrees to counseling, actually goes, and cooperates with the counselor – they don't see a way out. The 3 adults are talking late in the evening on day 22.
"Lin, I know you've encouraged counseling." Jamie starts.
"Several times," Linda whispers.
"What about carrots, not sticks?" Eddie brings up.
Linda raises her head, "Go on."
"Well, what if 1) you agree to couples counseling; 2) you go home with the proviso that Danny attends every scheduled session; 3) you will stay home as long as YOU see progress; and 4) you attend every session with him." Eddie stops for effect.
Silence.
"I like it," Jamie whispers.
"Wil you support me? Damn, stupid question; I've been here 3 weeks!" Shed drops her head.
"Of course. Let's invite him out for supper. Youi can present your proposal." Jamie suggests.
Eddie nods in agreement.
"You sure?" They've done so much already.
"YES," they agree simultaneously.
"I'll make pizza!" They hear Mal mutter, before little feet scamper upstairs.
The adults break out into laughter.
The invite is made, and accepted.
888888888888
HUMPTY DUMPTY
Mal and Cassie prepare oven baked chicken; oven browned young potatoes; corn on the cob and a green salad. Eddie had gone to Saddle Rock Ranch for 2 dozen of aunt Deborah's whole wheat rolls. The meal was a hit.
After dinner the 4 adults retired to the FR. Linda presented her proposal; Danny had his questions; Linda her answers.
Danny now realized that his time to resist counseling was up. And since Linda would be in attendance, he couldn't sugar coat the results. The huge issue in his mind was what was he going to do for a job if not 1st degree detective?
He had not come up with a satisfactory answer. He and Jamie knew there were a plethora of roles within the NYPD. They all seemed like a big move backward. Danny just couldn't get over that.
SUDDENLY
"Hey, I have an idea," Eddie jumps to her feet. "Several of the lawyers I work for moan about how difficult it is for them to find a good, confidential, honest private investigator. I wonder if you could start doing that part time? See what you think?" She sits back down.
Linda looks at Danny. "I've mentioned it before, Denny. You always dismiss it out of hand. Are you ready to take a look?"
"Maybe," he hangs his head. He looks at his younger brother. Jamie shakes his head; holds his hands out, palms up. Saying, 'I got nothing better'.
"You have counselors names?" Jamie asks.
"Two," Linda nods.
"Anything else we can do?" Eddie mutters.
"Nope," Danny pops the P.
Danny carries Linda's bags to the car; they are off, on the way home.
2 DAYS LATER
Danny asks Eddie for some names and contact info. After clearing it with 3 attorneys, she obliges.
2 WEEKS LATER
MBR, "Jamie, I have heard from 2 lawyers; ones whose info I gave to Danny."
"Trouble?" He sighs.
"I think so." She cuddles closer.
"What'd they say?" He doesn't really want t hear.
"They both interviewed him. The demeanor was so bad, they don't want to trust him with any work.!" She sighs.
"Damn! He was hoping this work would lift his spirits, Eddie!"
"Yeah, but if he can't even do a decent interview! He'll never get the work!" She warns.
"You're correct!" He curses under his breath.
2 DAYS LATER
FRONT DOOR CHIME
"I'll get it," Mal yells. She looks at her phone, "It's uncle Danny!"
"Send him to the home office," her mom shouts, she does. Danny sits and waits. Eddie soon arrives, Patrick on her hip. She offers Danny a hug, then sits.
He raises his head, "Eddie, can you help me?"
He looks so forlorn, it's all she can do not to laugh. "What can I do for you, Danny?" She bunces Pat on her knee. The infant, now 6 months old coos and reaches for his uncle. Danny hesitantly reaches and takes Patrick from his mommy. Just then they hear AJ over the monitor. "You OK with him?" Eddie motions to Pat.
"Yeah, go," Danny says.
Eddie slips out and heads to the nursery. She finds a very messy diaper. This will take a while. She calls for the girls, no one responds; she gets to work. 15 minutes later Eddie and AJ enter the office.
They find a very relaxed uncle laying prone on the floor, playing with his nephew. Eddie stops and quietly looks on. She pulls out her phone and records 15 seconds of video, until Danny looks up. He grasps Pat's hand, waves it and says "Hi family! Just playin with my best uncle!"
Eddie puts her phone away. "You just missed part 1 of your nanny interview!"
"Oh, what was that?" He smirks.
"Messy diaper. Really messy diaper."
"Ouch! And I'm good at those."
"Well, let's try again." She smiles softly.
"Yeah, will the kid let me in the house again?" He grimaces.
"Not sure. I'll ask him sweetly. What can I do for you today, Danny?"
He sighs, "I had 2 interviews."
"I heard."
"You did?" He looks up at her. "Not good, right?"
"Not good, Danny."
"Eddie . . . I-
"Danny! You need to pull your head out of your ass; lighten and freshen up; find that Danny we all love and that Linda married; and try again. Listen carefully to what I'm about to say – I will call those two attorneys and go to bat for you. Give me 2 days. If you blow this again – I DO NOT WANT TO EVER HEAR ABOUT YOUR JOB SHIT AGAIN! Now get out of my house!"
She walks behind him to the front door. After he exits, the door locks. 'That sounded final, didn't it?' He thinks. As he drives down the lane, Jamie passes him going the other way. Jamie saves, Danny didn't see it.
Jamie parks in the driveway, unlocks the door and enters.
"Hey! Dad's home!" The family ambush him with warm greetings. "I saw Danny drive out. He didn't even wave, what's up, babe?"
"Tough love," Cassie spouts.
Eddie glares at her oldest daughter.
"Mom, you were shouting!" Cass admits.
Eddie frowns, "Yeah, I was. Well, he deserved it."
Jami waits.
Cass hesitates, "Mom will-
"Mother, from you please."
"OK . . . I said I'd call those 2 attorneys for him; and if he blows it again, I don't want to ever hear about his job troubles again."
Mal and Mary Rose cough.
"You heard it too?" Mom glares.
Mary Rose raises her hand. Dad nods. "Can I say it?"
He cringes, then nods.
"Mommy doesn't ever want to hear about his jobs shit again!"
Eddie cringes, drops her head, overs her eyes.
"I know we said tough love, but-
"Daddy, that's what uncle Danny needed!" Cassie opines.
"Probably, but not in front of the whole house."
"We were in the office, I guess the door was open a crack."
"Wide open, you'd just gone in." Mal whispers.
"Ok, I blew it. Happy?"
"No, but we all learned a lesson today, right girls?"
They all nod.
"Ok, homework or whatever you heed to do."
The girls scamper off, Jamie and Eddie head to the FR. Settled in a love seat, "You really gonna call?"
"I said I would."
"Well, don't ruin yourself in the process, babe."
"I won't. I know those guys very well. I'll just be honest."
"That's my girl!"
88888888888
EDDIE CALLS; DANNY GETS 1 CASE FROM EACH
THE BALL IS NOW IN HIS COURT
888888888888
TBC