And love Chapter 100

California vacation

A/N: 2 changes to the game board. 1) Erin & Jack are living with Frank Reagan in Bay Ridge. 2) Erin's apartment is vacant, and available to family on an as-needed basis.

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FAMILY SUPPORT

Henry had left a generous 'trust fund' (not a legally restricted fund) for Frank to dispense to the grand-children and GG-children (no one but Frank knew the amount in that fund). This after the disbursements stipulated specifically in the will. The help with the purchase of the ON THE ISLAND property had been Jamie's portion.

Henry had left some general guidelines for Frank to follow - but had not overly tied his son's hands. Jamie and Eddie had requested funds for a California vacation, Frank had approved that request.

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ON THE ISLAND – MID JUNE

"Mommy, what are we gonna see in California?" Patrick asks. "Can we go to Disneyland, please?"

"Yes, that is on our list, sweetheart."

"I wanna try surfing," Cassie pipes up. "At Malibu beach!"

"I thought that I heard dad mention that." Eddie confirms

"Good, I'll talk with him. I wonder if I can rent a water-proof camera? That would be so neat! I'll check online," Cassie scampers off to the home office.

"Mommy, are we gonna see the San Diego Zoo? It's one of the best in the world you know." Mary Rose gets her request in.

"I don't know, sweetie. We may not get down to San Diego. Dad is planning where we go, ask him."

"DAD!" Mary Rose rushes off, looking for her father.

AJ sits on the floor, at Eddie's feet. He hums a tune while looking at California vacation brochures. He sees one that catches his attention and hands it up to mom – pointing at a giant Ferris wheel.

"Ah, the Santa Monica EYE! Would you like to ride that?"

AJ nods vigorously, "Yes, mommy. Fun!"

"I agree, that would be fun. Let's ask daddy." Eddie admits, though she is not overly fond of heights like that. For AJ's sake she would give it a whirl. She sends Jamie a TXT.

Soon Jamie enters the FR and plops down at his wife's side. "You've been sending all the kids my way, huh?"

"Well, you are making the itinerary, are you not?"

"Yes, but-

"So, make decisions, sport!" She grins and kisses his cheek.

"Ok, but I thought that we'd have a family discussion, ma'am." He smirks.

"Ok, you mean free-for-all, right?"

"Something like that. I'll get out our Kevlar vests."

"Absolutely!"

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LA GUARDIA AIRPORT – 07:00 JULY 14

"Why did we have to get up so early?"

"This is a crummy airport, mommy!"

"These seats stink!"

"I know they aren't very comfortable, sweetie."

"NO, I mean stink! I think somebody puked on mine!"

"Let me see." Then, "Oh dear, come with me to the lady's room. Jamie, how much time do we have?"

"20 minutes or so."

"Ok, we'll hurry."

"What's up, babe?"

"Later," Eddie shouts over her shoulder as she grabs a carryon and hustles off with Mal in tow.

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ON THE PLANE

"Daddy, why did we have to leave so early?"

"Less expensive tickets, son."

"Oh . . . so we can do more stuff, huh?"

"Yup! They used to call this economy class seating. I'm not sure it still applies though."

"Why can't I have a soda, mom?"

"It costs $2.00 per can, sweetie. A coke is not worth that!"

"That is highway robbery!"

"Yup! Or skyway robbery," chuckles all around.

"That bathroom is so small; I couldn't turn around!"

"Nicky, did you eat my pretzels?"

"Nope, not me. Look at your brother."

"SHUT UP, PEOPLE ARE TRYING YO SLEEP BACK HERE!" Comes from a few rows behind them.

"Are we too loud, daddy?" Mary Rose whispers.

"Sometimes, keep your voices down please." Jamie lays 2 fingers across his lips in a shushing motion. He smirks at Eddie. 'What a riot' he mouths to Eddie. She nods, vigorously.

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2 HOURS PREVIOUSLY; NCIS-OSP

Hetty stops in front of Kensi Deeks desk. "Kensi, we've got a really slow day. Would you and Marty like to take the family to the beach?"

Kensi looks up, shocked. "Really?" She looks to her husband, to see if he heard that question. He had not heard. She sends him a TXT.

CHIME

Deeks looks down, reads the message: Hetty offers us a beach day! Yes, or no?

He looks up at his wife, she looks at him with hands spread. He smiles and nods, YES, he mouths to her.

They get up, thank Hetty and head for the armory.

"Why so generous all of a sudden?" Marty asks her as they enter and grab their GO-BAGS.

"I don't know, but let's not kick a gift horse in the mouth, shaggy!"

"Agreed. Where to, Kensalina?"

"Malibu, she suggested the beach." Kensi grins.

"I can't argue with that."

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LAX – BAGGAGE CLAIM

"There's your suitcase Mal, don't miss it this time!" Dad yells.

"I got it, daddy." She wrestles it off the carousel.

"Now I see why mommy wanted us to get colored luggage! Look at all the black suitcases, Cassie!" Patrick points out.

"I don't see mine, mommy! I think they lostest it!" AJ wails. Starting to cry.

"No, baby. It will come; be patient," Eddie pulls AJ to her side, comforting him. Then, there it is! "See, baby. Look there!" He brightens and runs to get his medium-sized Barney-the-dinosaur purple bag; with a large stylized orange AJ on the side. Jamie and Eddie smile at each other in relief. The last thing they need is lost luggage!

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NATIONAL CAR RENTAL COUNTER

"Jameson Reagan, we reserved a Chevy Suburban, please."

"Reagan, J, I don't see your name here, sir. Do you have a confirmation number, please?"

Jamie shows the stern looking lady the printout he has with him.

"Oh, I see what happened; this is for Burbank, sir. Not LAX." She looked at him pathetically.

"Well, I made the car rental reservation for LAX. Do you have a Chevy Suburban we can have?"

"Let me see here," she scrolls down her screen. Finally, she lifts her head and looks at the family, "I'm sorry. We do not have one of those. Our largest vehicle is a Chevy Impala."

Jamie blanches.

"Hello, did I hear Chevy Suburban? I can set you up in a Ford Expedition, over here." A man at the Hertz counter next door, speaks up. Waving them over to his counter.

"Shut up, Johnny!" The National lady grouses.

Jamie and crew migrate toward Hertz.

"Hey, wait! Let me see what else I can find!"

"Sorry, we'll see what Johnny has to offer." Eddie waves her off.

Johnny eyes the family and the overflowing luggage cart. "It looks like you will need two car seats, clam-shell luggage carrier on top; would the kids like a rear seat entertainment system too?" He grins.

"Yes! We have that in our Honda," Cassie pipes up.

"Ah, you must have an Odyssey-Touring, I bet."

"Yes, we do! How did you know?" Eddie is nonplussed.

"Lucky guess! Naw, actually that is a really popular model. Johnny Miller," he holds out his hand to Jamie.

"Jameson Reagan, we're out here from NYC." They shake hands.

"New York City? I'll be damned. My uncle is with the NYPD."

Jamie looks at Johnny, stunned. "Really?"

"Yup. Say, Reagan . . . my uncle talks about the Commish all the time. Some big guy, named Reagan too."

"My father."

"No way!"

"Way."

"Are we good, Jamie?"

Jamie and Eddie look at each other, they nod.

"We are good."

Johnny turns to a young man who has been listening, "Joey, you got that?"

"Yup, all except the 4 movies the kids want."

Frozen, Mufasa, Sound of Music (Eddie), and a disc of Tom & Jerry cartoons (Pat & AJ).

"25 minutes," Joey says. The car is ready in 18.

The National lady glares!

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TBC – CA vacation II.