Linda hadn't stopped moving once today. From the second she woke up she'd been busy. She had to finish decorating the cake, gather the gifts,

decorate the back porch at Frank's, bathe Grace twice(after the first bath she spilled a full cup of orange juice he big brother left out all over herself), get herself showered and dressed, take multiple pictures of Grace with every combination of family members she could think of, called Danny three times to find out when he was coming home from work or if he'd be home at all today, and now she was in the kitchen helping prepare lunch for everyone.

Today was Grace's first birthday. One year ago Linda had been handed a newborn baby who was fighting to survive. Now she was a whole year old. She was amazing. Grace hit all her milestones slightly later than her peers but not late enough to be concerned. The pediatrician attributed it to being sick a lot. They had done a lot of different exams, or tests but always came back with nothing. Grace just easily caught colds, flus and viruses. The doctor always joked she was born to be in a family with a nurse around twenty-four seven. Grace knew all her family members names. And while it wasn't always clear what she was saying, she said 'mommy, daddy, Jack and Sean' crystal clear when she called for them.

Currently Grace was outside with most of the Reagan's while Linda was inside preparing lunch with Henry and talking to Danny on the phone.

"It's her first birthday!" Linda said annoyed.

"I know that. Don't you think I want to be there too?!" He yelled back, "I can't get away right now. I'll try and be there later."

"Danny. You can't do this. You promised you would be here!" Linda reminded him.

"That was before I caught a case this morning! Besides. You knew I was working today!" Danny was upset. He'd told Linda weeks ago that he was working this weekend. Yet she still chose to schedule Grace's party. Partly because her actual birthday fell on the weekend and partly because it was one of the last they'd have before Jack started school and Nicky returned to the dorms. Jack had been accepted to NYU. He elected to live on campus like his older cousin but was home most weekends and never missed Sunday dinner.

-End Of The Episode-

This Book is written for the Heartbeat Writing Contest by MTN Community.

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"Fine Danny. Blame me." Linda huffed.

"I'm not blaming you Linda." Danny softened his tone, "You knew I had to work this weekend and I'm sorry but I can't get out today. I'll try to make it later. Give her a kiss for me. Please?" He sighed.

"Okay. Come home to me?" She asked trying to hold back a tear. She just wanted the day to be perfect but without Danny it felt like it wasn't worth the effort it was taking to just set the day up.

"Always. I love you." Danny fondly stared at his wedding band.

"Love you more." Linda smiled a bit.

"Love you the most." Danny said before ending the call.

Linda put her phone back in her pocket. Before she could say anything Henry spoke, "So we'll save cake for later and if he's still not here we'll save him a piece." Henry smiled.

Linda nodded her head, "Yeah. Let's just hope he gets here before we start putting it all away." Linda watched out the kitchen window while her daughter played with the family. She prayed silently that Danny would stay safe, and come home to join the party.

-End Of The Episode-

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Linda walked outside carrying the birthday cake. Grace sat in her grandpa's lap, clapping her hands. Danny still wasn't home but was on FaceTime with Erin's phone so he could watch his baby girl blow out the candles. After singing 'Happy Birthday' Grace blew the single number one candle out on her princess cake. She blew kisses to her Daddy on the phone and was passed around for hugs and kisses from each Reagan. Linda settled Grace in her high chair with a small slice of cake and her spoon. Once the mess of food was cleared Linda and Erin started cleaning up the kitchen. Linda was just about to put a plate in the dishwasher when Grace screamed at the top of her lungs. The plate smashed to the ground as Erin and Linda ran outside.

"Call nine-one-one!" Frank yelled as he picked the little girl up, "She's swelling up!"

"What happened?!" Linda ran over, "Frank?!" Linda looked at Grace. She had a big red bump on her arm. Her face was swelling up like a balloon and she was struggling to breathe.

"She got stung by a bee!" Sean was scared his little sister was dying right in front of him.

"An ambulance is on the way!" Jamie shouted, "I'll go wait out front!"

"I'll get the diaper bag!" Jack said knowing his mom would need it. He wasn't sure what for but he knew her wallet was in there. Jack pocketed the car keys so he could follow with Sean after his mom left with Grace.

"I'm calling Danny but no answer." Erin said.

What's the ETA on that ambulance?!" Linda could do nothing but watch her baby struggle for air. Her throat was swelling shut, slowly cutting off her oxygen. Without an Epipen Linda could do nothing but wait.

"I hear the siren!" Frank said. No sooner had he finished speaking did the ambulance screech to a stop in front of Jamie. They quickly ran behind the house and over to Linda.

"How old is she?" One of them asked.

"One. She turned one today." Linda's hands shook.

"Has she had an allergic reaction before?" They asked slamming the Epipen into her thigh.

No never. But she's never been stung before." Linda wiped her eyes, only then realizing she was crying.

"Okay. We're going to pull the stinger out then get her to an ER. Hospital preference?" The paramedic expertly took the stinger out of the swollen lump in Grace's arm.

"St. Vincent's. I'm an ER nurse there." Linda said. She stood as they put Grace on the stretcher. Jack handed his mom the diaper bag, "Danny. Someone needs to call him." Linda looked around.

"We got it. We'll get him there. You just take care of Grace." Frank hugged his daughter-in-law. 

Linda nodded her head and stepped into the ambulance. She'd wanted the day to be perfect. So far it was turning out to be the exact opposite.

-End Of The Episode-