Chapter 1:
It was an early Sunday morning in July, and Linda woke up even more exhausted than she had the day before, and to make matters worse, she had laryngitis. She was big and fat, and if you asked her, this whole thing was getting completely unbearable.
"You can take the kids," she tried to get the words out to her husband, but she was so hoarse he had to get rather close just to understand what she was trying to say.
"To mass and to family dinner," he interpreted.
"But you have to get them dressed," again she tried to speak.
"Linda, don't talk," he chastised gently. "You're going to make it worse."
"I'll text," she mouthed.
"Linda, I think I can handle getting myself and children to mass and family dinner. I've done it before."
Linda didn't say anything, but she couldn't help but laugh at his thoughts on how easy it could be. Preparing just to sit back and enjoy listening to the chaos she knew was bound to ensue.
Minutes later, and Danny had Andy, Jack and Sean up and in the kitchen for breakfast. She knew he could handle feeding them but what she was worried about was when he had to get their church clothes picked out. Knowing if he wasn't careful, Jack and Sean would come down in shorts and Andy in a t-shirt.
"But Dad," she could hear Andy complaining from the upper floor of her bedroom. "I don't want to wear that."
"Just put it on!" He finally ordered. "I don't have time to argue with you, I've got to go check on your brothers."
"I'm not going," she crossed her arms in front of her chest in protest.
"You're going," he placed his finger firmly against her chest. "And you are going to like it."
"This sucks," she grumbled.
"Get dressed and get downstairs," he gave his last bit of instructions before hurrying out of her room and over to Seans room where he was preparing for another interaction.
Sean didn't prove him wrong when he couldn't find his favorite shoes and not having time to look for them Danny made him wear his school shoes.
"I don't want to go without mom," he complained.
"You're going to have to," Danny told him what he didn't want to hear. "She could use the time to rest and we're going to give it to her."
Jack wasn't any easier on him than his siblings who did just as his mom relayed to her husband just moments ago. He was wearing shorts.
"You can't wear shorts to mass," Danny went over to his sons closet to pull out a pair of slacks.
"But I get hot," he whined.
"I don't care, put them on," Danny was already tired, and he hadn't even been up that long.
Jack gave in after his father threatened to ground him. But unfortunately for Danny, his trouble didn't end there when Jack accidentally lost his glasses, and it took almost half an hour to find them.
By the time he returned to his own room in search of his phone and off-duty weapon, he was highly frustrated.
"We're going to get rid of those kids. I don't know where," he admitted. "But somewhere."
"It's a little late for that," Linda squeaked the words out. "We have another one on the way."
"That's not funny," he shook his head before grabbing his things and hurrying out of the room and down the stairs.
XXXXXXXX
That evening, by the time Danny and the kids got home from Bay Ridge, Linda's voice seemed to be improving after resting it most of the day. It was still squeaky and could use a little more tender love and care, but she was grateful for even slight improvement as the following day she would be back to work.
Things weren't easy on the pregnant mother, but they were even harder on the
family's detective who had a long day being a single parent and they were about to get even harder. Only this time it wasn't going to be from his children but from his wife.
He was sleeping soundly, exhausted after the busy day when he was rudely awakened by multiple rough nudges.
"Danny," Linda prodded him.
"Hmm," Danny groaned, rolling over.
"Wake up," she rubbed his arm.
"What's the matter?" He sat up, rubbing his face.
"I have a craving for chocolate cake, topped with ketchup and sardines," she licked her lips just thinking about the delicacy.
"You don't even like sardines," Danny laid back down.
"Yes, I do," she said anxiously.
"Go back to bed Linda," Danny started to roll over but was stopped by his wife pulling him back over.
"Danny, I'm serious."
"Linda, it's 3 am, there's nothing open," he tried.
"Danny, its New York," she said emphatically. "There's always something open."
"Go back to sleep Linda, I'll get it for you tomorrow."
"Danny, I can't sleep when I have a craving," she continued to urge him out of the bed.
"Linda."
"Please Danny," she gave him her best smile.
Danny sighed but eventually crawled out of bed.
"I'll be right back."
"I love you."
"Mhmm," Danny pulled on a pair of pants before heading out of his bedroom door.
"Dad," Andy was just coming out of the bathroom when she saw him walking down the hall. "What are you going?
"Your mother's hungry," he sounded tired.
"At 3 in the morning?" She looked at him confused.
"Welcome to life with pregnant mothers."
"Doesn't sound fun."
"Its not," Danny was being adamant.
"I'll be right back; I've got to go to the store. Go back to bed."
"You're going to the store now? What does she want to eat?"
"You don't even want to know," Danny was nauseous just thinking about it.
"Dad?" Andy obviously wasn't letting up.
"Chocolate cake, topped with ketchup and sardines," Danny shuttered as he repeated.
"Gross," Andy stuck her tongue out.
"Exactly," Danny turned to go.
"Can I go?" She started to follow him.
"No," he immediately turned her around and pushed her gently for the small stairwell that led to her room. "Go back to bed."
XXXXXXXXX
It took a couple days, but eventually Linda was back to normal. At least with her voice and as normal as she could get considering her restlessness was turning to anger and her anger was stabbing her in the back by not allowing her to wallow in it and was making her emotional.
"How are you feeling?" Danny asked one morning when he should have kept his mouth shut as he and Linda got ready for work.
"I'm old, tired, fat and ready to have this baby. I can't fit into any of my clothes because I'm fat and it's your fault because you did this to me," she was fuming as she struggled to fit into her scrubs. Which were stretchy to begin with.
"It's a little soon," he told her what she knew but didn't want to hear.
"I know," she said impatiently.
"Do you want me to drop the kids off with Pop?" He was trying to be as supportive and helpful as possible.
"Yes," she struggled with bending over to tie her shoes.
"Oh, and Linda," he turned back to her after heading out of the room. "You look beautiful honey."
"Shut-up Danny," was her only response as she pushed past him. "This is your fault."
Danny knew there was no point in arguing, despite the fact he didn't agree with her. He was pretty certain she was there when it happened, and it took both of them to create the life she was carrying.
"Mom feeling any better?" Andy couldn't help but ask as she buckled the seatbelt around her. Knowing it wasn't usual for her father to drop them off at Bay Ridge with it being summer vacation when one of her parents had to work.
"She can't fit into her pants, and she won't be happy until she does. I've been through this twice, and it's a long agonizing process."
"Just remember how you made it through the first two times, and you'll be fine," Andy shrugged his concern aside.
"You could help by staying out of trouble," Danny wasn't in the mood to deal with her foolishness.
"Why don't you take her out to dinner?" She suggested. Ignoring his comment, regarding her staying out of trouble. Knowing how basically impossible that was, and way too tempted to tell him it was his fault to begin with, begin she was just like him. Then again, that would only get her killed… Or worse.
"And just who do you suggest stays with you?"
"I don't know, that's your job."
"In case you didn't know it, we don't have a lot of people lining up to watch you."
"What about Aunt Erin, Uncle Jamie or Grandpa? They don't have a choice but to love me." Andy grinned when she said it.
"Erins busy with court for the next several days, Jamies got a night shift and Grandpas got dinner with the mayor and several stuffy parties to attend."
"We could stay by ourselves," was her next suggestion.
"You could also burn the house down, try to kill one of your brothers, or get into a food fight and completely wreck the house."
"We wouldn't do that," Andy drew the words out.
"I'll think about it," Danny told her just as he was pulling up to BayRidge.
"Just remember moms happiness and you'll say yes." Andy had a feeling she had him convinced at the mention of her mother's happiness.
"Yes, but we need a house to come home to."
"Trust me Dad, if something happens. You can hold me personally responsible."
"Oh, I already do," he was surprised she didn't know that already. "Now be good and don't cause Pop any problems."
Danny spent quite a bit of time thinking over his daughter's suggestion and whereas he wasn't completely convinced, or even comfortable with leaving his children alone, especially Andy, he had to admit, he needed to do something to appease his wife. Then again, that was if she would even go with him. He wasn't exactly her favorite person at the moment.
Deciding it might be a good idea, Danny met her for a quick lunch where they could talk without worrying about being interrupted by children. It wasn't a fancy lunch, rather a simple New York lunch, a grab and go, where they could sit in the park near the hospital.
"How was your morning?" He asked while the two sat on a park bench.
"Awful," it was obvious by her reply that things hadn't improved since the early morning hours. "I have to watch every morsel I put into my body, yet those morsels turn into pounds. Despite the fact I puke it all up the next morning."
"Were you sick this morning?" Danny interrupted her.
"Danny, I've been sick almost every morning at work."
"Maybe you should quit working," he suggested.
"Danny, I'm going to be sick regardless of where I am. I might as well get paid for it."
"Linda, I'm worried about you, and if you stopped working now, you could not only take better care of yourself but also keep the kids. I don't like Pop having to keep them every day."
"Danny, I'm already going to have to quit working when the baby is born. I really don't want to have to quit any earlier."
"I understand," Danny figured the best thing he could do was appease her.
"Now why did you want to have lunch today?" Linda knew there had to be a reason other than just the obvious of needing a meal.
"I just thought it might be nice if we took the time to go out to dinner and just spend some time alone."
"We're doing that now."
"For more than 30 minutes," he clarified.
"It would be nice to have a dinner I didn't have to cook or deal with arguing between Andy and one of the boys."
"So, you want to go?"
"What about the kids?" She posed the problem.
"They can stay home alone for a couple hours."
"Danny, you can't be serious," she looked at him emphatically. "Not too long ago, Andy and Jack tried to kill each other over a fire drill, Andy walked a tight rope, and she and Sean handcuffed themselves to one another. And that was when one of us was here. Could you imagine what would happen if we left them alone completely?"
"I've talked to them," Danny tried to sound convincing, despite the fact, he wasn't sure he believed it himself. "And we've come to an understanding."
"Really?" She still didn't sound totally convinced.
"Yes," Danny didn't let on to the fact that he threatened to ground them for a week if any part of the house was wrecked or one of them was even remotely injured. "Now do you want to go?"
"Could be fun," she gave him a smile that could melt ice. "You can't get me pregnant afterwards."
Unfortunately, just when Danny thought he was making progress with both his wife and children. He found himself right back where he started. It didn't take him long to dress and be ready to go, but it was quite the opposite for the budding mother.
"Linda," Danny came into the bedroom, for about the third time. "We've got reservations," he just knew they were going to be late and miss them completely.
"I'm not going," Linda was about in tears.
"Why not?" He was shocked to find her still sitting in her bath robe.
"I'm always sick, I'm fat and tired and its not like I'm having the baby tomorrow."
"Wait a minute," Danny stopped her. "Are you sick right now?"
"I'm talking about in general," she clarified. "Having a baby at my age isn't like having a baby at 20 or 30. And when I'm the fattest and tiredest I'm going to be expected to give birth. And none of my clothes fit."
"Linda, it's supposed to be like that."
"Don't talk to me, it's only going to get worse, and you did it to me!"
"Welcome to the joys of pregnancy," Danny muttered to himself before clearing his throat and speaking in a regular tone of voice.
"Well, is there anything I can do to make things a little easier?"
"Yes, you can raise our children on your own for the next couple of months."
"Alrighty then," Danny wasn't sure how to proceed but he figured he had to say something if he wanted to salvage the evening just a little bit.
"Why don't we just stay in tonight? We'll lock the kids in their rooms."
"You're embarrassed to be seen with me," Linda burst in to tears before burying her face in her hands.
"No, I'm not," Danny pulled her into a hug.
"Cancel the reservations and find a place I can go wearing leggings and a place that doesn't serve chicken," she finally managed to pull herself together.
"Why can't they serve chicken?" Danny was completely lost as to why she would say that.
"Because I had my last chicken last night. I don't want to see chicken; I don't want to taste chicken, and I don't want to smell chicken."
"Anything else?"
"Yes," she added. "Let's not have chicken for Sunday dinner."
"I'll warn the family."
XXXXXXXX
Leaving three children home alone, trouble was bound to erupt, and it did just that.
"What are you doing?" Jack walked into the living room, where he found his sister holding a box of matches.
"Lighting a candle. What's it look like?"
"Yeah, I'm not sure if mom and dad told you. But we're not supposed to play with matches. They've always said that if we light a match that they are going to light us up, and not in a good way if you catch my drift. Your butt will be on fire."
"I'm not playing," she shrugged his concern aside.
"You know what they say. They said they shouldn't have to specify when they make a rule and I'm pretty sure this falls under that category."
Andy ignored his means of justification and instead struck the match against the box, causing it to come to life.
She carried it over to the candle, but the wick was too small and refused to light. Andy however was never one to back away from a challenge and brought to life another one. The match soon dwindled away and as it started to near the tip of her fingers she dropped it to the floor. The rug started to smolder, and Jack jumped on it.
"You aren't doing it right," Jack finally jerked the box from her before proceeding to do the same.
Unfortunately for him, the results were very similar to that of his sister, only instead of dropping it on the rug, he dropped it on the throw pillow, their mother kept on the sofa for decoration.
The pillow started to smolder and the two screamed before grabbing the pillow and running it into the kitchen to drop it into the sink.
"I think we better quit while we're ahead," Andy looked at her brother, her eyes wide.
"Yeah," Jack was out of breath.
Interrupting their conversation, was a crash, causing them to once again go running. Only this time in the direction of the living room where Sean stood, surrounded by pieces of glass.
"What did you do?" Jack looked at the mess
"I broke the lamp."
"We can see that," Andy could only imagine what their mother was going to have to say. "How?"
"It got in a fight with my baseball bat. The bat one."
"Mom isn't going to like this," Jack squared to pick up a piece of glass.
"Better start cleaning it."
The three were still working on the mess when unbeknownst to them, their parents weren't far away.
"I'm worried about the kids," Linda said for about the hundredth time.
"Relax Linda," Danny tried. "We're just a couple blocks from the house. If something would have happened, we would have heard the sirens."
"That's not funny Danny."
The parents didn't hear any sirens and to their satisfaction, there home wasn't surrounded by firetrucks or police officers.
"Andy! Jack! Sean!" Linda called anxiously, the second they walked through the door.
"Your back early," Jack observed. Running his top teeth over his bottom lip, as they weren't quite done cleaning up.
"What happened?" She crossed the room in a matter if seconds.
"I️ broke the lamp," Sean figured that confessing sooner than later would be in his best interest.
"Why? How?"
"Because no one shines brighter than me," was the boys only excuse.
"What have I told you about having your bat in the house?"
"What if we were attacked? I could protect myself."
"What if I tanned your hide?"
"Then I could fend you off with my bat."
"Get upstairs and get ready for bed now," she pointed for the stairs.
"I didn't do it on purpose," Sean dropped his head.
"I know," Linda was serious. "And that's why its important for you to listen to us. Because accidents happen when you don't mean for them to.
Sean had just left the remainder of his family downstairs when Danny called from the kitchen.
"Why is there a singed pillow in our kitchen sink?" Danny asked just before he noticed the box of matches left on the table. "Who did it?" He demanded.
"It was kind of a joint effort," Andy moved her foot in an attempt to cover the spot on the rug.
"I already saw it Andrea." Linda was the one to speak.
"You two realize you could have burned the house down!" Danny was furious. "We are about to have another baby, and I'd like to have a place to call home!
"Nothing happened," Jack tried to appease them.
"That's beside the point," Danny wasn't buying it. "You realize that if you were to burn the house down, we would have to move in with Grandpa. Do you know how miserable my life would be if I had to move in with my boss. And if my life would be miserable, I would be sure to make your lives miserable."
"Wh, what are you going to do to us?" Andy stuttered.
"Nothing," Danny's voice was low but there was no mistaking the firmness behind it. "I want you to go to your room and think about what you did and why it was wrong."
"So you aren't going to punish us?" A smile started to spread across the siblings face.
"If I were you I'd get out of this room while I was still ahead and alive."
Andy and Jack scattered, but they had a feeling they hadn't heard the end of their brush with matches.
XXXXXXXX
The following day found Danny hard at it on the paperwork that came with the completion of a case. He and his partner had been so tied up in it, the paperwork incidentally piled up when they weren't looking. He hated days like this and to make matters worse, he had been at it for the past several hours.
Needing a bit more information, he took the time to tap into the NYPD database when he was interrupted by an old friend.
"Well, if it isn't Danny Reagan."
Danny looked up when he heard the voice from his marine past. A grin spreading across his face as he thought back to the time he spent with his old friend.
"Jim Garder," Danny stood, before shaking his hand warmly.
"What are you doing in New York?"
"Passing through, so to speak."
"How long are you in town for?"
"Not quite sure yet."
"Then you got time to come by the house," Danny invited.
"Why don't we just go out for drinks?" Jim suggested.
"Augh," Danny hesitated, thinking to himself. "Better not, tonight."
"Why not?" His old friend pushed.
Not wanting to reveal the truth, that his wife had been a little testy lately and he didn't think he should leave her and the kids alone for any unnecessary amount of time, he came up with an alternative reply.
"I'm probably going to be landing a night shift soon and my wife is expecting me."
"Suit yourself," Jim shrugged. "Where do you live?
Andy wasn't sure what time it was. Being restricted to her room made it hard to keep track. She and her brothers had been allowed to come down for dinner. But immediately after, they were supposed to go right back up, no questions or complaints.
Jack and Sean did as directed, but their sister on the other hand found many reasons to stall. Linda had just reminded her of where she needed to be before taking the laundry in her hands and heading down to the basement when there was a knock at the door.
"I think I'm at the wrong house." Jim Garder said hesitantly, when Andy answered the door.
"Who are you looking for?" Andy questioned him.
"Danny Reagan."
"He lives here."
"He didn't mention kids," Jim couldn't hold the surprised expression from his face.
"That's okay," Andy didn't mind a bit. "Sometimes we don't mention him to our friends either."
"Get lost kid," Danny came up behind her.
"Okay," Andy started to head out the door.
"You know what I mean," Danny grabbed her by arm to pull her back in.
Turning his attention back to his friend, Danny finally got the opportunity to invite his friend in.
"Want a drink?" He offered.
"Sure," Jim readily accepted, as he followed his old friend into the kitchen.
"Listen Danny," Jim elbowed him, once the two were seated in the living room.
"I heard about an all-night party from a friend of mine going on. How bout we go?"
Danny took a drink from the bottle he held in his hand, he wasn't really considering it, but he didn't want to say no right off.
"I don't think so," he finally gave his answer.
"Come on Danny, for old time's sake."
"Maybe in the past," Danny had to admit, that in the old days, he very well would have been interested. "But I have a wife now."
"The old ball and chain."
"No," Danny shook his head, not appreciating the way his friend referred to his wife. "It's not like that."
"So, you're married. Doesn't mean you can't have a little fun."
"I also have kids."
"Do you need to go change diapers?" He teased, slumping onto the couch.
"No, my kids are older than that. At least for now," he muttered the last part under his breath.
Jim was about to reply when Danny caught a glimpse of Andy in the corner of his eye.
"Andy!" He said sharply. "You know you are under lockdown after yesterday. Now unless you are in your room in ten seconds, your butt is going to get a repeat of last night."
"Wow, you really are a dad." Jim noticed Danny's change in character and how quick the kid complied. "How many kids do you have anyway?"
"One less after tonight," Danny muttered under his breath.
"And you have been busy," he added, when Linda came in and noticed she was pregnant.
"Jim," Danny moaned. "I have children in the house." The last thing he wanted was a swarm of questions he wasn't prepared to answer.
"Danny Reagan," Jim repeated to himself, shaking his head. "I didn't think you would ever settle down. Be a family man. But here you are."
"I couldn't believe it at first either," Danny admitted. "But now that it's happened, I wouldn't trade it."
XXXXXXXX
The following evening Danny came home with news. It was news, he didn't particularly care to share but it was something he couldn't help. He had to work, whether that meant days or nights. And in this instance, it was a lot of both. He loved his job, he just didn't think now was the best time to leave them alone with his wife's constant change in moods.
"Andy! Boys!" Danny took the time to take them outside so he could spend a little time talking to just them.
"Whatever it is, Andy did it," Sean was sure to pinpoint blame on his sister, getting the feeling someone was in trouble.
"No ones in trouble," Danny was sure to clarify first of all, knowing he'd never get to the discussion he wanted to have, if his children were busy blaming and defending themselves.
"This is a first," Jack was still having trouble believing it.
"Listen," Danny said getting their attention. "I've got a case," he looked at him intently, wanting to gauge their reaction. "And am going to have to work a series of different shifts."
"Awe, Dad!" There was a course of complaints.
"You know I have to work," he tried to explain.
"That doesn't mean we have to like it though, does it?" Andy had always hated it. Sometimes more than the others when he had to work late, at night or on weekends.
It was hard to put their finger on the reason behind it. It just seemed like she had always been that way, since the moment she moved in. Then again, based on the conversations the two parents had, Linda often wondered if the interaction started long before that at the children's center.
"No," Danny said honestly.
"How long are you going to have to work nights?" Andy preferred a pinpointed answer.
"I don't know," he shook his head.
"Is Detective Baez working with you?" Was her next question.
"That's the plan."
"Does she like working nights?"
"Not anymore than I do."
"But what do we do if Mom gets sick again?" This time it was Jacks turn to voice a question.
"Moms going to be fine," he assured them. "But that being said, I expect you to help her as much as you can."
"We always help her," Andy tried to sound convincing.
"Let me put it to you another way," Danny decided to just talk straight. "Behave and help your mother or your grounded."
"I think I liked it the other way around," Andy let her mouth get ahead of her brain. "And in case you've forgotten, we're already grounded."
"Then you'll lose your allowance for two weeks."
"We'd be happy to help," Andy plastered on a smile.
"That's what I thought."
XXXXXXXX
The next series of days/nights went by surprisingly smooth for Linda and the children left at home. Linda was trying to work a few less hours, so she could be home and not leave them for too long with Henry.
Jamie had been lined up to pick them up and drop them off at home, leaving her with a few minutes of peace and quiet to change out of her scrubs and get started on some household chores.
It was early Friday evening, and she was exhausted after being on her feet most of the day and the extra weight she was carrying didn't help matters. Her feet were swollen and all she wanted to do was soak them in a tub of water. But being a mother to three children that needed her attention, left it as it was, only a wish.
There was a stack of dirty dishes that needed to go in the dishwasher, towels that needed folding and other laundry that needed to go in the wash machine.
Just as she was about to get started on the towels, being grateful it was a sit-down job. Thinking that if she had a lot of laundry now, she could only imagine how much she was going to have when the baby was born.
"Hey Mom," Andy said walking through the front door.
"Hey baby," Linda opened her arms for a hug, before handing her an armful of towels to put away. "What did you do with Pop today?"
"Not too much," Andy followed her up the stairs. "But Grandpa came home for lunch and lent me another book."
"Have you started reading it?"
"Couple chapters," she left the towels in the bathroom cabinet before joining her mom in the nursery they were setting up for the baby. "It's another one on Teddy Roosevelt." She sounded pleased.
"Just like your grandpa," Linda smiled at her, before easing herself onto the bedroom rug so she could sort through the stacks of baby clothes she had washed from the baby shower but still needed to fold and put away. "Want to join me," she patted the place next to her.
"Love baby clothes," Andy lifted a pale green long sleeve zippered sleeper from the laundry basket before folding it, setting it aside, and starting in on another one.
"So," Linda smiled as she held a small onesie in her hands, that read, 'I love my mom' on the front. "Why didn't you want to stay the weekend with the boys at Grandpas?"
"I don't know," Andy shrugged. "Just thought if Dad was going to be working nights like he has been, I'd keep you company."
"Why?" She asked after a few seconds, and her third set of clothes. "Do you want me to go back?"
"No," Linda shook her head. "We can spend a little time together, just the two of us. How often does that happen?"
Andy laughed, "never."
"Exactly," the two oohed and awed over almost every piece of clothing they pulled from the basket.
"Does Dad know when he's going to stop working nights?"
Linda shrugged, "you know your dad. He won't stop till the case is solved. Regardless if he has to work all day and all night."
"You'd think I'd be used to it by now?" Andy slumped, as she reached for a series of baby blankets, awaiting her attention.
"I've known him for a long time, and I'm still not used to it." Linda knew it wasn't much of a consolation, but it was all she had.
"He's been working nights for almost a week," the girl tried not to complain too loudly, but she couldn't help but grumble, at least a bit.
"I know baby," Linda pulled her close, before placing an arm over her shoulder.
"It's the job," Andy shrugged. "I've heard it a hundred times."
"And as important as his job is to him, his family is more important."
"I know," Andy nodded in understanding. "I've also heard that a hundred times. But I still miss him."
"I know," Linda gave her an assuring smile. "And he misses us too."
"He better," Andy grinned.
"That's what I say," Linda laughed out loud.
"Is he going to get time off when the baby's born?" She couldn't help but sound hopeful.
"He seems to think so."
"For how long?" Andy voiced another question.
"I think he can take up to 12 weeks," Linda squinted, trying to recall the average time length. "But I doubt he'll take that much time though."
Andy didn't say anything in response, shrugging nonchalantly, as she climbed to her feet, and began putting the clothes away in the appropriate drawers. Finishing with that, she stepped over to the closet to get one of the small bags of diapers, received from the shower to open and organize on the second shelf of the changing table.
"Andy," Linda groaned, as she clutched her stomach. "I need you."
"Mom?" Andy turned back to her mother, when she heard the anguish in her voice.
"I'm feeling really sick," she breathed heavily. As she struggled to pull herself up off the floor but fell back roughly.
"Mom!" Andy dropped the diapers she held in her hand before rushing to her mother's side.
"I need you to help me," Linda grasped for her daughter's arm.
It took some time, but with sheer determination, and a stubbornness not to give up, the girl finally managed to haul her mother to her feet, before they sauntered into the bathroom, and over to the toilet. Andy, quickly taking a few steps back where she could stand in the open doorway. She was at a struggle. She didn't want to stay and listen to the retching that was bound to erupt sooner than later, yet she also didn't want to leave her alone. One thing was for certain, however, the second she could get away, she was placing an immediate call in to her dad. Deciding she didn't have to wait, she reached her hand into her pants pocket, but came out empty, when she remembered she got it removed.
"Mom," Andy said carefully, not wanting to disturb her. "I'm going to go get your phone, and call Dad. I'll be right back."
"No," Linda was practicing some deep breathing exercises. "I'll be fine."
"But you're sick," the girl sounded concerned.
"I just need to rest," her mother assured her.
"How are you feeling," Andy chewed on her lower lip, nervously.
"A little weak," she placed one hand on the counter, and the other in the suddenly capable hands of her eldest child before shakily standing to her feet.
Reaching the sink, she splashed a little cool water over her face before damp drying it with a towel and slowly making her way down the hallway and into her bedroom, Andy guiding her, every step of the way.
"Are you sure you don't want me to call Dad?" Andy asked, as she positioned the pillows behind her mother's back a bit before tossing a throw blanket over her legs and swollen feet.
"I'm going to be fine," Linda closed her eyes for a moment, trying to calm the back and forth rocking motion she felt inside. Being as careful as she could not to move around too much and cause a dizzy spell to flare up.
Andy didn't say anything, as she silently slipped from the room, being careful to leave the door ajar, in case she needed her.
By the time she reached the bottom step, she was kicking herself for not remembering her mom's phone and forgoing with her first instinct and calling Danny. Deciding to trust, that her mom knew what was best, she left well enough alone and settled on the couch, book in hand, but not before fixing herself a sandwich and glass of juice.
XXXXXXXX
For the first time in her life, after taking a quick shower, Andy descended the stairs from her bedroom as quietly as possible. She had only left her mother for just over an hour or two, but she figured it was about time she check on her. Seeing she was awake, Andy stepped just directly through the doorway.
"How are you feeling?"
"Tired," Linda patted the place on the bed next to her.
"You sure, I won't bother you?" She asked hesitantly.
"My baby's never bother me."
Andy gave her a small smile, as she climbed atop the bed as gently as she could, being careful not to joggle the mattress too much before settling herself on her dad's side of the bed.
"Did you get any sleep?" Andy couldn't help but look worried, still concerned over what she experienced in the nursery and bathroom with her mother.
"Not much," Linda yawned. "Your baby brother wasn't much interested in being still. I think he's anxious to come out and meet you," she placed a hand on the girl's hand.
"You really think so?" Andy hitched one side of her cheek up wondering. Her brows pinched together.
"Of course I do," Linda wrapped an arm around her daughter's lower back. "He's going to love you. You're his only big sister."
"Thank goodness for that. I don't think the poor little guy could handle me, Jack, Sean and another girl."
Linda laughed, "you're probably right."
"Have you talked to Daddy?" Andy wasn't sure what else to say. Even if they had been having a comedic moment, she was feeling a bit put off, yet not knowing how to explain it, aside from the fact she was really beginning to miss Danny.
Linda smiled, when she heard the term, her daughter used when speaking of her husband.
"Just for a few minutes," Linda nodded. "He thinks he's going get his case wrapped up sometime tonight," she gave her the good news.
Andy smiled, "I hope so."
"Did you tell him about what happened?" Andy had a feeling, had he known, he'd be bursting through the front door any minute.
"No," Linda said quickly. "And you're not either. He has enough to worry about."
Andy squinted, trying to determine if she should really follow her mom's direction. Deep down, she knew he needed to know. It really wasn't a matter of going against her parents. She did that often enough as it is, with very little thought behind it. But this was something different, entirely. Something, she needed to do a great deal of thinking on.
"Do you need anything?" Andy was rather quick to change the subject. Not wanting her mother to continue with the line of spilling the beans so to speak.
"I would love a glass of water," Linda had to admit she was quite thirsty, with a slight hint of dehydration, which she figured was the reason behind her stemming headache.
"Do you want something to eat too?"
"I better not," Linda didn't have to think about it for long. "My stomach still doesn't feel the best."
Andy let out a long sigh, preparing to ease gently off the bed before discreetly slipping her hand over her mother's phone and dropping it unnoticeable in her front pocket.
She wouldn't be surprised if her mother noticed it missing, but she knew she could easily slip it under the blankets, and no one would be the wiser.
But that was the easy part. First, she had a matter of conscience to deal with. In all reality, she could understand her mother's point of view. At the same time, what if something really was wrong and her keeping quiet created problems in the long run.
She remembered her grandpa saying there was always one good thing about the right decision. You never seemed to have to talk yourself into it.
These, and a great many other thoughts ran through her mind, as she descended the stairs ever so slowly, her hand resting on the phone in her pocket. Sure, she might incur her mother's wrath, or displeasure rather, but she would honor her Reagan blood, and follow her grandfather's advice, and do what she knew needed to be done in the first place.
Knowing she didn't have much time, Andy pressed his contact, the second she reached the bottom floor, being quick to slip into the kitchen, not wanting to risk, her mother overhearing the conversation.
Danny didn't get the chance to say much, before Andy saying she didn't have much time, and spilled all that had occurred in a matter of seconds.
"What?" Danny was still trying to wrap his brain around all she revealed.
Andy repeated the story, this time much slower as Danny hung on every word, trying to remember her past pregnancies and if any of this had occurred before. Then again, that was a long time ago. And as Linda stated before, she was a lot older now.
"How is she doing now?" Danny had obviously moved to the phase of trying to determine on whether he needed to come home or not.
"She's been up in bed resting for the past couple hours, she wants something to drink but said her stomach is still kind of bothering her."
"It's probably just morning sickness," Danny could tell by his daughters voice she was worried.
"But what about feeling dizzy?"
"She probably just overdid. You know how she can get when she gets overwhelmed with things around the house."
"Oh yeah," Andy rolled her eyes just thinking about how often Linda spent running through the house, balancing a load of folded laundry on one hand, while placing a prepared casserole in the oven with the other.
"Just continue to watch out for her, like I know you've been doing and I'll be home as soon as I can. Just waiting on a warrant to come through."
"Good," Andy let out a sigh of relief. "Because I can only handle being responsible for so long. And I'm dangerously close to pilfering off the edge.
"Just think about what I'll do to you, if you even think about the edge, and you'll be fine."
"Yeah, yeah," Andy started to say, preparing to hang up, when Danny stopped her.
"Oh, and Andy," Danny's tone dropped almost a complete octave. "Proud of you kiddo. You really showed that Reagan sensibility helping your mom."
"Thanks Dad," Andy smiled at her father's praise.
"Now you better get your mom's phone back upstairs before she notices it missing, or we're both going to be in for it."
"Right," Andy laughed before making her way up the stairs as quickly as possible without spilling the requested beverage.
"Here's your water," Andy handed her the full glass while sliding the phone under the pile of blankets. Her mother, none the wiser. Leaving Andy to smile at her sneakiness.
"What do you say we watch a movie together, before bed?" Linda was hoping for a little time to bond with the child that so quickly wormed her way into her heart, and became her own, whether she was born to her or not.
"Which one?" Andy reclaimed her place on the bed.
"Your choice?" Linda smiled, handing her the remote.
Andy tried to stay awake, throughout the whole movie, but it had been a long day, and after awhile, she couldn't help bun lean her head against the pillow, her eyelids starting to droop, before allowing sleep to claim her.
It was maybe an hour later when Danny came up, the only light coming from the movie on the tv, his wife and daughter both sound asleep, Linda's hand resting on their daughter's back, who was comfortably sleeping on her stomach, her face turned to the side, mouth ajar, drooling all over his pillow. Under normal circumstances, a disgruntled expression, never would have left his face. But at this particular time, he was too exhausted after working so many shifts, and instead, smiled at the child that so easily drove him crazy one minute, but could look like any sweet sleeping child the next.
After taking a quick shower and being too tired to even bother with moving his daughter to her bedroom, he chose to simply slide her to the middle, before climbing in, to his usual place. Fast asleep, as soon as his head hit the pillow.
It's been a while, but I hope you all enjoyed the update. Hoping to do more soon. JST