Here Comes The Divorce... Again - Tagged

[Nicky Reagan - Boyle]

Marriage is the chief cause of divorce. It was statement that Nicky held dear ever since her parents decided to go their separate ways. A piece of paper and a ring really did mean nothing and that was only factoring in her own parents. When she thought about the cases that were discussed over the Reagan dinner, marriage and divorce were all high on the list of reasons why people committed murder. So really from her outlook her mother might as well get it over with now, divorce Hank Voight or kill him. Either way it would end badly she knew it.

Ever since their accidental moment at the dinner table Nicky was fuming. For one her mother had just been dating the worst cop in the city depending on who she spoke to. Dating was fine with her, her mother could do as she pleased but marriage? No, she had been included in no choices and worst of all. Was not at the wedding. Her own mother who she assumed she was loved by and close to had forgotten or just simply not invited her to the wedding. Those were some of her reasons for avoiding Erin at home, taking on all after college projects and finding any reason imaginable to come straight home and head to her room.

Avoid and distract and she would never have to bother with what was going on. The divorce would be through in a few weeks when both were bored with their stupid idea and then she would be right back where she started. Nicky was all prepared for a divorce; she had been to see the best divorce attorneys in Chicago that day, Hoffenberg and Block. She had a business card from them with direct dials of the attorney she could deal with there. Nicky had been proactive though she hardly foresaw the cancellation of her after college study class which meant that going home was now the only option.

Begrudgingly Nicky made her way back home before she trudged in through the front door. She was armed with the business card in her pocket when she came in, just in case Erin was home and was ready for all of that. Her dad never had time for her so what made her mother think Hank was different, if Erin wanted to abandon her then just throw her out she thought. It was a faster option than marrying the worst cop in Chicago. With that in mind Nicky threw herself onto the sofa and reached for TV remote to watch something that could distract her any from life in general. She did all of that without raising her head or even looking up to see who was home if anyone was.

Tag: Erin "Lou" Voight

[Erin "Lou" Voight]

Erin Reagan Voight

Finding the truth is like deconstructing a milkshake

⚖ Nicky Reagan - Boyle ⚖

Erin was… happy. There wasn’t a wedding; by definition anyway. Erin and Hank had eloped in Hawaii where no one in Chicago could know. It was for his career and for her career. Erin had mentioned it to Nicky in passing but they hadn’t actually sat down and talked about it. Nicky was an adult, sometimes Erin didn’t feel like she had to ask her daughter’s permission. Erin was in the apartment cleaning up when Nicky came and flopped herself on the couch. Dinner was already started. It was just the two of them, Hank was at work. His hours weren’t exactly normal. Erin dealt with it; because at the end of the day he was there.


Erin’s divorce to Jack had been a decade and a half ago. Erin was ready to move on. Nicky was growing up and it was nice to have someone to come home to and wake up beside. Someone who knew how to treat a woman. If it was one thing that Erin Reagan was good at, it was finding all the wrong men. Ones who didn’t care for Nicky, one’s who didn’t look out for her, those who were self centered, and the list went on.


She could tell her daughter was angry at her. Erin brought her over a tray of her favorite fruit and gave her a very light hug from behind as she set it on the table beside Nicky. Though it was brief, Erin knew that she wanted her space. Everyone dealt with things in their own way, Erin had raised Nicky for almost sixteen years alone. It wasn’t like it was easy when things changed for them. Erin moved around the couch and took a seat beside her daughter. She really didn’t know how to start this conversation.

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[Nicky Reagan - Boyle]

If her mum thought for one minute that a hug and a tray of her favourite fruit was going to fix things then she was wrong. It was until she picked up a piece of fruit and ate it, there was something to be said for these peace offerings she thought. Nicky fought herself to barely move when Erin hugged her, she was still mad at her mother for what she had done as she tried to think of where to start in the entire mess she had called a marriage to Hank Voight.

“So you still remember I’m your daughter right?” Nicky began, a clarification on that point she felt was needed before she could launch into why marriage number two was entirely a bad idea. In her own mind it was bad enough she was a simply glancing thought and after that it was an elopement that no one knew of. She had missed her mother’s wedding, why was that only an issue for her and not the entire family. Voight had a lot to answer for and it was likely to be that idiot’s idea in the first place she thought silently.

“I thought we actually spoke to each other, told each other things. You know that is what family does or is it just the Reagan’s that get the short end of the stick with it.” She stated, the family had a lot of problems on its own without them being compounded by her mum not telling her a major life event. She might as well have turned up with a baby brother or sister and gone ‘surprise’. In her own head that was the closest thing to a secret marriage as she could tolerate and even then it would be a lot to deal with.

[Erin "Lou" Voight]

Erin Reagan Voight

Finding the truth is like deconstructing a milkshake

⚖ Tag ⚖

Erin sighed listening to Nicky talk. She knew what she was on about, it didn’t take rocket science. “We weren’t telling anyone. My career… it wasn’t supposed to get to your grandfather. It could call into question a lot of court cases in the past. Maybe not to the point they would go back to trial; but enough they may call for another DA.” She shook her head a little bit as she sat beside her daughter.

“I trust you; but I also know you tell your grandpa everything” she said as she tapped her daughter on the nose with a bit of a smile. Erin knew it had been wrong. “I still should have told you” They hadn’t told the other Erin or Sharon yet either… Erin could only image how well that conversation would go with Hank and the girls. Probably as well as this one with Nicky was sure to go.

“Nicky, I know it’s a lot to take in…” Erin had a feeling she needed to explain more. “When I met your father. I was young, stupid, and a few other things.” There was a slight pause. “This is different” she explained as she twisted her wedding band around her finger. Hank and her had talked about keeping this apartment and giving it to Nicky, if she wanted it. Right now was not the time to bring that up though, they needed to sort this other stuff out.

Erin should not be having to explain this to her daughter. Why should she have to explain herself to anyone? Couldn’t she just be happy? No. That was too much to ask from any of the Reagans? Hank took care of her, and watched out for Nicky. Hank always tried to make sure Erin was smiling. But right now, Erin was hiding everything because she just wanted to cry. Could no one in her family support her decisions?

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[Nicky Reagan - Boyle]

Nicky rolled her eyes, since when did not telling family anything mean that she never told her own daughter? Nicky understood about her cases but what did her mum think she would do, scream it from the roof tops. ‘Hey roll up roll up, free re-trial. My mum the DA has just married Chicago’s dirtiest cop.’ No it was a matter of principle, the sort where they talked about things and never kept secrets like a marriage to another man. Nicky looked away from Erin as she sat down, no this was not how her family worked.

“Yes you should have mum, you know I’d tell grandpa but at least then we would all know. Unless you’ve forgotten we are still family you know. We don’t rat each other out to anyone outside the family at least.” She explained, sure if Nicky wanted to tell family things she did and yes if it was an issue then it was sorted out but since when did her mother thinks she would go around talking to just anyone about what was going on in the Reagan house hold.

Maybe Erin was sorry she thought as she looked toward her mum as she started to explain more. It was the minute she mentioned, young, stupid and a few other things that she glared. For a moment Nicky had no idea how to take those words, yes Jack was annoying, unreliable and had led her on so many times it simply failed to hurt anymore. It was the exact reasons she never wanted Hank to do the same thing to her mother and now he was in prime position to do that to her all over again.

Nicky saw Erin twist her wedding band around her finger. “So what are you saying mum? You were young, stupid and a few other things and oh yeah then I appeared? I guess I always was ‘that mistake’ but at least dad showed me first hand exactly what he thinks.” Nicky snapped too upset to do anything as she as she shoved her hand in her pocket. “I want you to be happy mum because I’ve seen you be miserable for years but I guess being a kid no one notices that I have eyes and ears too.” She explained as she pulled her hand from her pocket clutching the card.

“Here, I guess it will save you the trouble of doing the downhill thing all over again. Might as well just get it over with.” She said as she slapped her hand down between them leaving the divorce lawyers card on the sofa between them. Quite honestly she might as well just finish what she had started, keep the Reagan name and just sent Voight packing while she could.

Tag: Erin "Lou" Voight

[Erin "Lou" Voight]

Erin Reagan Voight

Finding the truth is like deconstructing a milkshake

⚖ Nicky Reagan - Boyle ⚖

Hank wasn’t anything like Jack. Erin made one mistake that gave her one of the greatest people in her life. If she hadn’t met Jack, then Nicky wouldn’t be here. Erin wasn’t happy by herself for so many years, but work and Nicky had kept her busy over the years.

“You were never a mistake Nicky” she replied quietly. “The young and stupid part was falling for a lawyer” she pointed out trying to get Nicky to at least laugh a little. When Nicky left the card laying on the couch. Ripping it up would be disrespectful to Nicky who was just trying to help. Erin shook her head.

“Not going to happen.” She knew one day Nicky would understand what it was like to have someone love her like Hank loved Erin. Deep down it hurt that Nicky couldn’t see things that way because of Jack’s treatment. “Not all men are as hurtful as your father” she stated as she got up. “Hank cares for you as much as his own daughters, he’s just not certain how to show it sometimes.” She turned towards her. Erin wondered if talking to Sharon or Erin would help matters.

“I know he comes off as harsh and I know the rumours going around, but things are as they are for a reason. You know how when grandpa put us under house arrest. Because he was scared of losing us? Hank doesn’t want to lose us either. He’s just more proactively protective and I am happy Nicky. It’s nice to have more than one person who can brighten my day. Because we know you always do” She hugged her, Erin held her like she didn’t want to let go. Erin did not like the fact that Nicky was trying to make her choose. But it went unspoken. “I’m not going to push you out” she wasn’t sure if Nicky was just afraid of being cast aside or what.

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[Nicky Reagan - Boyle]

Hank was, well what was it people said about him again. A dirty cop, never played by the rules, never cared who he hurt. It was the talk around the cops she knew and yes Nicky knew the man had been there when she had been shot, he look after her mother and in her head she knew that he would never harm her but then her own father had done that. Nicky was a blood relative and look what happened, Hank and Erin they were related by paper and metal and that was it.

Nicky grinned a little and nodded. “Should have listened to Grandpa.” She said knowing that Frank was hardly Jack’s biggest fan and now, it took a lot to be civil at times. Her father had a lot to answer for but Nicky was simply looking out for her mum. She had seen what happened first hand and now, another marriage she hardly wanted to watch a second go round. Was it too much to ask for her mum to happy and with everything that had been said about Voight it was tough to see it ending well.

“Not all men, right what about the guy and the art gallery that you liked? He up and left and was a criminal right? All men are trouble mum, I just want you to know you have options.” She said trying to be as adult as she could about. The daughter of a lawyer knew that divorce was messy and her dad was a lawyer, not a cop that could cause all kinds of trouble. “Hank cares because he has to. It’s kinda required and yeah all things considered I don’t expect him to be all fuzzy inside.” Nicky had no idea what Hank was like other than he never threw her out of his office when she threatened him.

He was there when she had been shot but he had also dragged her back into the house and grassed on her for being outside to her mother. Not cool. When Erin hugged her she hugged back tightly. “I know mum, I just don’t want to lose you to him. You might not believe that I want you to be happy but I do, I’m just not sure Hank can do that for you.” She admitted as she glanced at the floor. “You and dad, well you must have loved something about each other in the beginning and then look how miserable you’ve been. I just want you to know that I’ll be there and you have options just in case.” She explained, yes it was hardly perfect but it was a solution.

One that had been required last time and it was hardly as if Nicky had seen her mum get the happy divorce. Her dad had been an ass and in her mind Hank could do that too if he wanted to. They had just been dating and now it was marriage, Nicky knew what happened next because she had no example to go by. Her uncles, one was married but they fought and Jamie... well who knew about what he was doing.

[Erin "Lou" Voight]

Erin Reagan Voight

Finding the truth is like deconstructing a milkshake

⚖ Nicky Reagan - Boyle ⚖

Erin was happy. She wasn’t going to let anyone take that. She didn’t listen to rumours. That got her nowhere. Besides, Hank was a much better man than the rumours suggested. So much was proof of that. But she didn’t expect anyone in her family to understand. Paper and metal were not the only thing that bound Erin and Hank, they had the mutual understanding for each other. Hank was just a bit pushy and overprotective at times.

“And how many times has he told you to mind your mother?” she fired right back. Oh if she wanted to play with that card, then Erin could too. While Erin treated Nicky like an adult there were times that she had to remember the almost 21 year old for whatever reason still saw herself as a child in some ways.

Erin shook her head. “You aren’t going to lose me.” Her voice was very firm and pointed. Erin knew that Hank would never let that happen. For everything that was rumoured about him, she knew family was important to him.

Erin and Nicky could argue til the cows came home. “Give him a chance. If he breaks my heart then you have my permission to handle it then okay” she was trying to make middle ground. Erin ran her hand through her daughter’s hair.

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[Nicky Reagan - Boyle]

Nicky had no idea why her mum had chosen Hank of all the cops in Chicago, he was the one she felt Frank and Henry would disapprove of most and really given the secrecy was he really worth all of that? To Nicky the answer was no because it simply put her mum right back where she had started with Jack, the guy who wanted fun but nothing else, the guy who never turned up and only appeared when it suited him. It was the guy she had for a father that had been the furthest thing to that.

“I mind my mother, just not when she does crazy stuff like get married... again.” She replied deciding that if Hank was going to be the argument then she was going to just let it go. “Once was bad enough, twice and you are kidding yourself mum even I wouldn’t get married.” She stated firmly believing it would have to take one hell of a guy to actually persuade her otherwise. Too many people got hurt from and her dad had never been around so what it would be like to argue in the house every day. No it was hardly worth it.

Nicky just rolled her eyes when Erin spoke of not losing her, well since she had already gone off and gotten married then losing her. The horse had already bolted on that one, she might have come around to it had it not just been a slip of the tongue over the dinner table. The sort of thing that was discussed with family members not just decided with in her head no thought to it at all. She almost wanted to confer with Sharon and Lindsay on the matter and see what they though she hoped they were giving Hank as much grief if not more of it.

Arguing was what they did, the daughter of the lawyer and the lawyer. As if they would see eye to eye on much, every family dinner showed that in one form or another. Nicky sighed feeling her mother’s hand run through her hair. “If he does anything to hurt you mum then I’ll break him into tiny little pieces.” She said firmly, “I know where the rumours say he hides people so I can take him straight there.” That part well maybe not but she was sure that if she put her head together with Henry too then there would be something done about it. They were Reagan’s they knew people.

[Erin "Lou" Voight]

Erin Reagan Voight

Finding the truth is like deconstructing a milkshake

⚖ Nicky Reagan - Boyle ⚖

Nicky was probably never going to understand why it is that Erin had chosen Hank. That was simply for the fact that she could never be her. Erin didn't have blinders on, she knew what Hank was capable of doing but she was also very in tune with his softer side. Jack had nothing to do with what Erin felt for Hank. Erin saw the love he had for his girls and she knew that he would also go to hell and back for Nicky and he didn't have to do. Hank didn't HAVE to be a father to Nicky, but she knew he would anyway. Perhaps 20 years too late for running into the guy. But better late than never.

Erin gave her daughter a look. It was hard not having both parents in your life. Erin couldn't see that from Nicky's perspective. Her parents had been the "perfect model" of what a family should be. Except now her mom was gone. Erin had always hoped that Jack would at least be a father, but he hadn't even tried. Maybe Nicky was just scared of things changing? Erin only had her best guess.

It really was a lot to take in. Sharon and the other Erin had been caught as off guard as Nicky. Trying to explain things to Nicky was failing. Erin should NOT have to justify herself. Even if Nicky didn't realize it, she was an adult now. Sighing she just listened to Nicky. Telling Nicky that Hank was on the same page when someone hurt Erin... well, that was only going to go over well. Her hand ruffled her daughter's hair before she got up. Erin already knew Hank was more of a father to Nicky than Jack had ever been. They didn't see eye to eye; but Erin didn't expect things to get off on a glamorous front.

When Erin's phone went off she groaned and reached for it. Shooting Nicky an apologetic look. "I had to cut him loose Danny." It was clearly Daniel being a pain in the butt. "No. It's the law." She added. Finally she just hung up on Danny. None of that was out of the ordinary ever. Erin was always babysitting the brothers, even if Danny was older. Oi.

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[Nicky Reagan - Boyle]

Nicky could imagine the conversation she would be having with her mother, if not her entire family if she had brought home a Hank. ‘Hi mum, just so you know I’ve gone out and found the worse cop in the CPD.’ Yes that conversation would go down as well as concrete at a breakfast table along with the words ‘Surprise, I’ve married him’. She knew what the next step after that was too and if the tables were turned on her then she could already hear her mother voice in her head telling her exactly how she had screwed up.

Having a father figure, she trusted Jamie and Danny and Frank and Henry but Hank she hardly knew the guy but her mother just married him. To her it was a little like rescuing a puppy, once you bought it you could hardly give it back in good conscience. In her head the perfect family as her mum against the world, it was how it had been with the backup of a Reagan family and an army of cops after that. A father was a new concept for her as the one she was related to was more like a distant acquaintance as much as it pained her to admit.

Nicky simply sighed and smiled slightly when her mum ruffled her hair, agree to disagree she thought. It was done and there was no undoing it unless her mother woke up and realised what she had done. No, she could be adult and grown up about it she thought as she just kept herself sat down and decided to tuck into the fruit that had been cut up. Nicky was hardly the daughter that would stand in the way though if Hank did anything wrong, she would be first in like to scream at him or throw something at him that would hurt.

Rolling her eyes Nicky watched her mum answer her phone. Danny, she gave her mum a look that practically said ‘does he know?’ because if Erin thought she was reacting badly. “So uncle Danny going to put his foot on the line again?” She asked knowing of the many line conversations, on the line was not over it but in the terms she was aware of it was grey area. “And who knows about all of this or am I last on the list?” She asked innocently though it was a loaded question.

[Erin "Lou" Voight]

Erin Reagan Voight

Finding the truth is like deconstructing a milkshake

⚖ Nicky Reagan - Boyle ⚖

Erin knew that Nicky hardly was open to Hank as a step parent. Honestly Erin hoped that it could change in the future,but she wasn't going to force anything on Nicky. Much like she didn't try to force Nicky to see Jack. Nicky was an adult and she could make her own decisions. The one thing that Erin wanted Nicky to have was independence; but at the same time Nicky was her only child. It was the woman she had raised. Erin brushed her hand through Nicky's hair and hugged her.

"You are my daughter Nicky. NO ONE is going to change that" she replied. If anyone tried then they were going to find out the hard way that Erin wasn't going to stand for it. Though Erin knew that Hank would watch out for Nicky like he did Sharon and the other Erin. The older Erin couldn't imagine what it was like to lose a child, and she never wanted to find out; Hank had been there and she knew he wasn't going to let it happen if he could help it. Hank was well fully aware the girls came as a package deal. "Can you two at least sit down and talk?" she offered brushing some hair from her face. Erin wasn't asking for a miracle. Just a conversation.

"Just a conversation?" Erin was hoping that Nicky would be open to at least trying. Cue the conversation about the phone. "When does Danny ever take his foot OFF the line?" she mused shaking her head. Though when Nicky asked about who knew she wrapped an arm around her. Danny, Jamie, Linda, Frank, and Nicky had all found out at the same time. Her slip of mouth. "Just everyone in that room." Though she had a feeling that Erin and Sharon had suspicions at this point. Erin rocked Nicky from side to side. There was no way that anyone was going to take Nicky from her and Erin wanted to convey that Nicky.

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[Nicky Reagan - Boyle]

Nicky relaxed feeling her mother’s hand brush through her hair as Erin hugged her. Nicky hugged back, it was strange to even be talking about her mother marrying another guy as in everything she had imagined for the future her mother being happy with another guy had slipped her mind. It had just been the two of them and the Reagan family for so long she had never thought it would happen. Danny was the only one who was married and Linda was still around, her grandmother was gone and Jamie was well the serial bachelor.

“Are you sure about that?” Nicky asked just wanting to make sure that Erin meant it, she had no doubt that she did but double checking was always worth it. Nicky had never really spoken with Sharon or Erin about what was going on, she figured that they had their own things to say about it though like Hank was their father this was her mother that Hank was messing with. She simply wanted to be sure about the guy before she let along hurt her mum like she had seen Jack do. Then came that question, a sit down with the man himself, really was that what she wanted?

Nicky thought about the request for a moment, “I can sit down and talk, he might not like what I say but I can talk.” She said as he grinned for a moment, “How long do I get for threatening a police officer?” It was innocent enough but then she had no idea if Hank would throw her in jail if she did threaten him. Just a conversation, it was hardly just a conversation though honestly if it made her mother feel any better then she would try and talk to the guy who had married her without inviting any family along for it.

“When Linda has hold of him.” Nicky said smirking, Aunt Linda knew how to handle her uncle. She leaned into her mum when she explained who knew, “Everyone in the room and Hank’s daughters? Did they say anything?” She asked wondering if she had flown completely off base with being annoyed by it all. After all she was only looking after her mother because there was just the two of them until Hank and that was still a sore point that they had just run off and married. When Erin rocked her Nicky smiled, “I just don’t want to see you hurt mum because I don’t want to lose you to anyone.” She said quietly.