This story takes place after the end of New York Minute (season 14, episode 14)
After dinner was over, Danny and Frank walked back toward their cars. Henry followed but gave father and son the space they needed to talk. The evening had been a success and if the information regarding his nomination had been shared earlier, it would not have been the ordeal it was. While Danny appreciated the thought of being recognized for the work he did as an NYPD detective, Joe had been awarded the medal just before he was murdered and Danny felt that this honor belonged to Joe and only Joe. While walking, the men chatted until Danny felt his phone buzzing in his pocket. He pulled the phone out and looked at the message. He thought for a moment before responding. "Work related, Danny?" asked Frank.
"Well difficult to say but I've got to go. Thanks for a great evening, we should do it again sometime. Next time, we should have Joe, Eddie and Sean join us. Give Joe another bit of his father."
"That's a great idea, Danny. Set it up for some time next month." They shook hands and Danny started hurrying to his car. Frank paused when he arrived at his SUV and waited for Henry to join him. Frank was surprised at how tired he felt. Telling his detail to make haste, he got into the back seat and began to stare out the window. Henry sat beside him, wondering what Frank was thinking.
Meanwhile, in Queens
Maria prepared the coffee pot for its next brewing, then sat in the living room with her daughter. "When will papi get here, mami?" asked Elena.
"I sent him a message about fifteen minutes ago and he's on his way. Tonight, he had dinner with his family."
"When can he have dinner with us? He always likes the food you give him."
"We can ask him when he gets here. And, from my experience with Danny, there's very few things he doesn't eat. When he does get here you may have your dessert. I have ice cream or cookies. What would you like?"
Elena thought for a moment. "Maybe a small dish of ice cream and one cookie? Please?" she asked, giving her mother the look that only a toddler can when trying to get what she wanted.
"I think that would be great." Elena climbed up on the couch and looked out the window waiting for Danny to drive up. Time seemed to move so slowly for the child but finally a car stopped in front of their house. Elena jumped off the couch and ran to the door. She pulled on the doorknob to open the door, but it didn't budge. Maria stood up and walked over to help her daughter. "For your safety, I keep the door locked but the lock is out of your reach." Maria unlocked the door and helped Elena pull it open. Before she could say a word, the girl was out the door, running down the sidewalk.
"Papi, papi, you're finally here!" she exclaimed. Danny scooped up the child, hugged her tightly as well as placing several kisses on her face. "I thought you would never get here." Maria stood in the doorway watching them interact. She never thought she would ever have a family, but they were right in front of her. She stood aside as Danny walked into the living room. He bent down and gave Maria a kiss on her cheek.
"Hi, honey, I'm home," he said to her. "Sorry I'm so late but we did a lot of reminiscing tonight. How was your day?"
Maria closed the door and walked into the kitchen. "Elena was waiting for you to get here so she could have her dessert. She's having some ice cream and a cookie. Would you like some?"
"I'm really full from dinner but I could use some coffee, if there's some ready?" Maria smiled at him, and they walked into the kitchen. Maria turned the coffee pot to brew. Elena had her ice cream and cookie while the adults enjoyed their coffee.
"Mmm, great coffee, thank you. How was your day?" asked Danny.
"My day was like yours, just like almost every day. Get up, go to work, arrest a few perps, come home, play with my daughter, you know, just a simple life." Danny smiled, amazed at how just those few words could make him feel.
"Just like my day but I had a few other things I had to manage. I'll tell you all about it after story time." He looked down at the little girl as she scraped out the last of her ice cream in her dish.
"Good things or not so good," asked Maria.
"Most of it doesn't fall into either category but I will fill you in later. I have a question, though. Would you like to come to dinner on Sunday?"
"Is it something special?"
"Special? I don't think so, but it has to do with my nephew Joe."
Maria thought for a moment. "It's not going to be a heated discussion, is it?"
"No, not really. Everything he knows about his father he's learned from us. After what happened this week, he has more to learn. I promise, it's not bad. Maybe a bit sad but we'll probably do more talking about my brother than anything else this week."
"What do we have to bring?"
"How about I'll tell Dad we'll do the salad." Maria nodded as Danny stood up. He grabbed the empty bowls from the table and put them in the sink. "I'll get these in the dishwasher, why don't you head upstairs, and I'll be there in a moment or two." Maria and Elena walked out of the kitchen and headed for Elena's bedroom to begin their nightly routine. Danny rinsed the dishes and put them in the dishwasher. As he wiped the table, he whispered a little prayer. "Please, God, give me the words I need to tell Maria just how much I love her and want to be with her and Elena." He washed his hands and climbed the stairs.
An hour later, the bedtime stories were finished, and the adults were back downstairs with another cup of coffee, relaxing on the sofa. Danny told Maria about being nominated for an award for his service to the city by the Irish Society and then had the nomination rescinded. He told her that Joe had been given that award just a few days before he was murdered. "We've talked a few times about watching the other detectives in our squad getting medals or awards. And how we both feel that we do the job we do because it's what we want to do; neither of us are looking for accolades or medals. It's one of the many things I love about you." He reached out to hold her hand. "Yes, I said, 'I love you' and I remember that we talked in the past about the feelings we have for each other. And it's not just that I have fallen in love with your daughter, which I have, but I also love her mother more than I thought I could love someone again. I've been talking with the Monsignor about how I felt I could never love again because if something happened, I would be devastated. We do the best we can to keep each other safe. And we can only do our best." Danny saw the tears beginning to fall down Maria's cheeks. He reached out to brush them away. "Maybe I'm getting old but coming here tonight, playing with Elena, being able to just be here with you and forgetting about work, this feels right, and I want more of it."
"So, what are you saying, Danny?"
"I want to be the man in your life. We'll need to keep this out of the precinct, but I think we can be adults and work together. And I also think that when work is done, we can have this," Danny looked around at the home Maria had created. "Coming here makes me content." Danny pulled the blanket off the back of the sofa, moved closer to Maria, pulled her into his side and covered them with the blanket. "Hmm, need to give you a kiss, right here…" and he kissed her cheek. "And another one on this side…" He placed a kiss on the other cheek. Maria smiled and turned out the lights.
A month later
Frank walked into the restaurant that had been a favorite of his oldest son, Joe. Tonight, with the number of people they expected, they were given a private room. The owner himself would oversee all their orders and assign two of his best servers to handle the orders and bring their beverages and food to them. The owner greeted Frank and walked him to their room. Erin, Eddie and Maria had been in earlier and decorated the room with Joe's favorite colors as well as pictures of the family over the years. Mary had insisted on a formal family portrait when Jamie graduated college, and it was a favorite of the family. The picture was centered on one wall and surrounded by pictures of Joe over his lifetime. Other pictures, not formal at all, had been taken at the same time as the formal portrait and were scattered around the formal picture. Tears began to form in Frank's eyes, but he worked at stopping them from falling down his face. Henry and Erin arrived next. Jamie and Danny had worked on creating a menu that included Joe's favorite foods; a printed menu was placed at each place. Joe Hill and Paula, his mother, arrived and after greeting Frank and Henry walked around to look at the pictures. "Joe, you looked so much like your father when you were little. I should have brought a few pictures with me so we could compare them."
"Paula, we've had copies made of all the pictures you see here along with a few others that aren't on the wall. They've been put into a book for you to take home and enjoy and there's also a book for Joe to have. But don't tell anyone I told you and act surprised later, okay?" said Frank as he grinned at them.
"Grandpa, I don't know what to say but thank you. This means more to me than you know."
"Joe, that's part of what this meal is all about. This restaurant was always Joe's choice when he was allowed to pick a place to go to with the family. He also ate here all the time when he was working. So, tonight will be filled with reminisces both good and bad. I hope that you both come to learn more about Joe Reagan, the man, the cop, the father and the son. We'll have to keep the information in the PG range as we'll have a toddler here tonight."
Danny walked into the room and greeted those already present. They were followed by Erin's ex-husband, Jack Boyle and Jamie. Drink orders for those present were taken and brought to the guests. Eddie and Maria followed along with Maria's daughter, Elena. Danny quickly moved in to take the booster seat and reclining car seat from Eddie. He put the booster seat, looked around the table for the place card with Elena's name on it and put the seat on Elena's chair that was between Danny and Maria's seats. The car seat was placed in a corner, out of the way. The servers came in to make sure everyone had a glass at their place.
Frank felt his phone vibrate and pulled it out to check the message. "Okay, family, if you would all take your seats, there are place cards on the table. We have the last group arriving and they should be here momentarily," announced Frank. "Joe, come stand by me, please." After seating his mother, Joe walked over to his grandfather. Two people walked into the room, a young man and a gorgeous, young woman. "Joe, you have met one of your cousins but never got to meet the other two. I'd like to introduce you to my granddaughter, Nicky and my grandson Jack."
Joe hugged each of his cousins in turn. "Nicky, you are just as gorgeous as your mother. Are you as good at sports as she is? She's beaten me in both basketball and bowling so far. And the scores weren't even close!"
"Thank you for the compliment but no, I didn't have any brothers to compete with so my sports skills are nowhere near hers." Nicky hugged her mother and father, then found her seat at the table.
Joe greeted Jack next. "Jack, I met your brother when he found we had a DNA match. I've heard that you're the smart one, is that true?"
"I'm about to graduate from medical school and begin my residency. They say you not only have to be really smart, but you need to find a way to live without sleeping," said Jack.
"There are days I could use that skill; would you teach it to me sometime?" asked Joe.
"The secret is, coffee, lots of it but it must be black with nothing in it. And not any fancy stuff, just plain."
"I'll try that next time I'm on a stakeout for forty-eight hours."
Finally, everyone was seated at the table. The servers had placed a salad plate in front of each person. After leading the family in saying Grace, Frank nodded to Danny who stood up. "First, I'd like to thank everyone for being here. Jack, this may or may not have an impact on you but you knew our brother Joe and he liked you so that's why you're here. Joe, Paula, recently I was nominated to receive an award for my service in the NYPD and then, the offer was rescinded by the organization. While someone else might have questioned why, I really didn't mind. I joined the NYPD to make a difference in this city. Yes, the NYPD has different medals and awards they give out but that's not for me. By putting the bad guys in jail, I hope it helps to make the city safer and its citizens safer as well. When I was told about the offer and then it wasn't an offer, I was fine. Because, my brother Joe had received the same award just a few days before he was murdered." Danny paused and noticed that several of the people at the table were wiping away tears. "Joe is the best of us. He deserved that recognition. He didn't collect nearly as many complaints as I have although, the number is less now than it ever was in the past. My father, grandfather, brother, sister and I sat in this restaurant a few weeks ago talking about Joe and we decided this would be a good way to tell Joe and Paula more about the man my brother was, how he loved going fast on roller coasters, motorcycles, how he was the best cop and how he died doing his job to the best of his ability. So tonight, we'll talk about Joe from his childhood, right on up to the day we had to lay him to rest in the cemetery. There will be tears and you'll notice several boxes of tissues; feel free to use them. But there will also be laughter because Joe loved nothing more than playing a joke on everyone, especially his family. Please, raise your glasses as we share a toast to my big brother Joe. I know he's looking down at us wishing he could play a joke on us so we'd laugh instead of cry. To Joe, the best son, brother, father, uncle, man and friend there has ever been. To Joe!" They all raised their glasses to Joe and took a sip from their glasses. "Thank you for not stopping me because I would never have gotten to the end. If you look at your plates, you'll see a menu and these dishes represent Joe's favorite things to eat here. His absolute favorite was Clam Pie but feel free to order whatever you like. Have several items, if you wish, and while we're eating and drinking, we'll bring up some of our best and worst memories of Joe. Pops, why don't you start?" asked Danny.
Several hours later, everyone had eaten their fill and slaked any thirst they had. Coffee and dessert had been served but most of the desserts did not reflect Joe's dislike of sweet dishes. Elena sat on her booster seat most of the time trying many of the different dishes that had been ordered. As she grew wearier of the adult conversation she moved onto Danny's lap and eventually onto Maria's lap where she fell asleep. Danny picked up the child and, together with his partner, moved the child to the far end of the room where a place had been set up for Elena to sleep while the dinner was ongoing. Her car seat offered a reclining function, and she was covered with her favorite blanket, totally oblivious to the party at the opposite end of the room.
Frank stood up and looked around the table. Everyone was smiling and a few hardy souls were still nibbling on the sweets on the table. Frank stood up and looked at everyone. "Erin, if you would do the honors, please?" She nodded, stood up and walked over to where the family portrait was hanging. She stood there, touching the picture of her mother and brother, saying a brief, silent, prayer. There was a table under the picture, and it held two large books. Erin handed one to Paula and one to Joe. "These are yours to keep Paula, Joe," said Frank. "Inside, you'll find pictures of my son, Joe from his baby days right on up to the last week of his life. I hope that while we've been here you have learned more about the man who is the father of your son, Paula and your father, Joe. I only wish he could be here today to see the fine man Joe has become. I know he would be very proud of both of you. I've said it before, but you are both welcome to join us any time for family dinner. You are family." Frank paused, then looked at his second child. "Danny, when I asked you to organize something so we could talk about Joe I had no idea what you would do but whatever my expectations were you have far exceeded what I thought you might do. Thank you, I don't think anyone could have done the job as well as you have. My family, thank you for sharing with all of us. I think I learned a few things about my son that I didn't know; you have kept his secrets well."
The party broke up; Erin and Eddie took down the photos so they could be returned to the family albums, Nicky, Jack, and Sean planned a time to get together with Joe to get to know him better and catch up with each other. Jamie and Eddie helped Danny and Maria get Elena into their car so Elena could get into her bed. Frank and Henry stood in the empty room. "Pop, this turned out so much better than I had hoped it would be. I think Paula is feeling better about being part of the Reagan family," said Frank.
"Joe seems anxious to get to know his cousins better. Maybe this will help him become a better cop as well."
"Look at what Maria has done with Danny; right now, his complaint file is empty and has been for more than three years. I'm not sure I want to know how she did it, but I wish I could have her partner with every cop with excessive complaints. CCRB would have nothing to do." They continued to walk toward the commissioner's vehicle. "Are you going to want your nightcap tonight?"
"I don't think so, and I might even skip the next few, but thanks." The driver of the SUV jumped out to open the doors. Frank looked around but didn't see his guard. "Where's Jim?" he asked the driver.
"He walked back to the restaurant to be sure everything was packed up for transport. And the owner came out to offer us some food but Jim said 'No, thank you,".
"As he should. But Jim will be bringing something for you." The driver helped both men into the SUV and waited for Jim to return. Frank spent the ride back to their home wondering exactly what was going on between his son and his partner.
Meanwhile, in Queens
Danny carried the sleeping child into the house. Maria changed her out of her party dress and put her into her nightgown before taking the toddler to the bathroom. Elena was back to sleep almost as soon as Maria covered her with a blanket. Danny and Maria walked downstairs and sat on the sofa. "The dinner was so nice, Danny. I loved seeing the pictures of you as a child and growing up."
They sat there chatting about the dinner and what they would be doing for the weekend. Maria had several chores to do on Saturday and Danny and Elena helped, leaving the afternoon free to take Elena to the park to play. Sunday would find all the Reagans at Sunday dinner before Jack and Nicky had to return to their jobs
1PP Monday morning
Frank had just finished the morning meeting with his staff and picked up one of the newspapers he reviewed every morning when his cell phone rang. Frank looked at the Caller ID and was surprised to see his oldest grandchild was calling.
"Good morning, Joe. Is everything alright?"
"Good morning, Grandpa, everything is better than fine. Is now a good time for you? I just need a few minutes." Frank was thrilled to hear from Joe and asked him to continue. "After dinner last week Mom and I talked about the pictures you shared with us. She really opened up to me about the time she spent with my dad. Thank you so much; I don't think we ever talked about being with my dad and how her life changed when she became pregnant. Now, the reason for this call. Mom pulled out her pictures of me growing up. There's also a few of Mom with my dad. Mom is getting copies made and we'd like to bring them to the family on Sunday if that's okay with you?"
"I hope your mother will be joining us?"
"She's kind of excited to talk to the family about the time she had with my father. She's never opened up to me about him; you may learn some more about your son that you didn't know. I hope that's okay?"
"It's more than okay, Joe. How about you bring the rolls? I'm not sure what we're having yet but I'm sure whatever you bring will be fine. Thanks, Joe, I'm looking forward to Sunday." They chatted for a few more minutes before disconnecting the call.
Sunday Evening
Frank picked up his empty glass, grabbed his father's glass and walked into the kitchen. He rinsed the glasses and found space in the dishwasher. It was full tonight after having most of the family there and a few friends as well. Dinner lasted longer than normal but Paula had so much to share; she talked about each picture before passing them around the table. She had brought extra copies for the family to add to their collection. Henry walked into the kitchen noticing that Frank seemed to be lost in his memories of the evening.
"Hey, Pop, what do you think about what we heard tonight?"
"You know, all our kids had their secrets. I just wish Joe could have spent some time with his son even if Paula and Joe didn't get married." Frank checked the machine and turned it on. He walked his father upstairs and said good night. Tomorrow would be the beginning of the work week, and he was eager to see what would be waiting for him at the Puzzle Palace.
Author's Note:
For those who might not know or remember, CCRB stands for Civilian Complaint Review Board or as Detective Abigail Baker called them Cranky Crybabies Review Board.