"Justin's dad came in and confessed so Justin will not be charged with murder." Jamie said as he and Eddie were waiting for the waitress to bring their drinks and order. After he left Erin's office he made his way over to Langston's to meet Eddie for an early dinner.
"That is something at least. Why he would have asked his son anyway still boggles my mind" Eddie said. She looked up from the menu and noticed Jamie staring off into space. She knew he was inside his own head with all the tension with his father. They had to do something to settle this so they could all move forward.
"So I think I am going to wear my bikini to the next family dinner do you think your father would have a problem with that" She smirked as he finally looked over to her.
"Wait, you're wearing what? I haven't even seen you in a bikini yet?" He looked over to her with a confused look on his face.
"A bikini. Although you have seen me wearing nothing, so I don't think you are missing anything really" She looked back down at her menu a tinge of red rising on her cheeks. They had made quick work of moving to the physical side of their relationship after they had finished up all the paperwork, and interviews after the Sorrento shooting. They had realized they couldn't and shouldn't hide their feelings anymore. They had spent the last few days making up for lost time. "I figured mentioning a bikini at Sunday dinner would be enough to get you out of your head. Where were you at"?
"I was thinking about something Erin said to me before I left her office and what we talked about Sunday night" His phone beeped with an incoming text message. He sat his phone back down. "She said I should cut Dad some slack. He is thinking about our safety and not about policy. We've been going back and forth for a while since the whole sergeants exam thing and it's frustrating dealing with him sometimes. I'm happy and I just want him to acknowledge that."
"So you are happy uh…. any particular reason?" Eddie grinned. The waitress came over then and took their orders. Jamie's phone pinged with another text coming in.
"Stop fishing for compliments Janko. You know why I am happy" He checked his phone again and started reading the messages.
"Do I though? You tend to keep your emotions locked up pretty tight there Mr. Reagan" Eddie's phone pinged with an incoming text. She looked down to see whom it was from. "Kara just texted me exam results are posted" Eddie looked over nervous.
"Righetti just texted me too. We will look in a minute." He looked over at his fiancé. "Eddie, I know I have been pushing us being able to continue as partners. That's because we both said that's what we wanted too. Change isn't an easy thing and now with us getting married change is inevitable and part of me just wants to continue that part of our working together. I love riding in the car with you. I know you have my back and I have yours. If we do get new partners that's going to be hard for me to handle that I won't have your back when you're out on tour."
Eddie reached across the table to link her hand with Jamie's. "I won't like that either but it's something to consider. Your father has a point, it could cause conflict or one of us to act recklessly in certain situations." Jamie went to object, Eddie squeezed his hand "Honestly, if we were in a tough spot and I was in trouble or a perp went after me can you say you would act as if I was just your partner and not your fiancé or wife? I play mother bear when someone looks at you the wrong way and that was before we got engaged. I meant what I said the other night Jamie, I just want you" The waitress brought their meals out and they started eating.
"Eddie, all I want is you too. We waited a long time for this and there is no going back for me. Maybe I want the best of both worlds, or just to make sure you're safe. The lawyer in me just wants to fight it to make my dad understand."
"I think he understands more than you think Jamie. He is looking at this from the PC standpoint not as your father." Eddie took another bite of her meal. Her phone pinged again. "Kara said she's 22 on the list, how do you think we did"
"We will check in minute. I think you just hit the nail on the head on why I'm pushing this so hard." He looked over at her. Eddie tipped her head to the side. "What do you mean?" she asked.
"You said dad was looking at this from the PC standpoint, not my dad. That's what is bugging me. He hasn't really given us his blessing. He said congrats and then immediately went into why we can't stay partners. I should have picked up on this sooner."
"So you don't think he's happy for us" She looked at him with a slight panic to her features.
"I think he is absolutely. My father knows how long I have had feelings for you, even if he didn't say anything to me. You will learn that he knows everything even when you think he doesn't."
"Can we check the scores now. This could all be a moot point if we both passed the exam. I still can't believe you didn't tell your family" She was already on her phone pulling up the department website.
"With Dad putting his opinion out there, I just didn't want him to think I was doing this because of him. I think I could be a great sergeant and help train the new rookies that come in." He was also pulling up the department site to bring up his score.
"Just don't fall in love with another partner okay, I might have to shoot you then" She smiled at him when he smirked at her. "You pull it up yet"
"Just know I will not fall in love with another partner. You're it for me Janko. You have been since you walked out the 12th with your rich girl attitude" She scoffed "Boy scout" she mumbled.
"Wow. Okay well I passed. #45. It will be a while till my name gets called. That's okay I am still weighing my options." She sat her phone down. "How did you do?" Jamie was staring at his phone. "Come on Jamie, tell me. I know you aced that exam what number did you get" She was watching him. He seemed pretty shell-shocked.
"I passed. I'm top of the list" Jamie looked up at her awestruck. "Seriously" she squealed "babe that is amazing. I am so proud of you" She got up and leaned over to give him a long kiss. "I can't believe I am number one of the list. I can become a sergeant if I want" He looked up at her. Kissed her again then she sat back down.
"What do you mean if you want? Would you not take the promotion?" She took a sip of her whiskey. "It's my choice if I take the promotion right now. I can pass and it will go to the next person on the list"
"Why would you not? Jamie you worked so hard studying with me for the exam. You have been saying more and more lately how things are above your pay grade to get involved with, how you wish the bosses were doing things this way or that way. You have that chance now" She watched him across the table. She could see his mind swirling with thoughts.
"It would end us as partners, as a superior officer we definitely would not be able to ride together anymore. I would be moved to another precinct with an opening. More change to get used to I guess." He reached across the table to intertwine his fingers with hers. "Jamie, I know we both want to stay partners but we have to look at this another way, not that we are losing something but that we are gaining something. We are going to be partners for life. Family, precincts, promotions none of that was going to change that for either of them. You are stuck with me Reagan. You deserve this promotion and I know you worry about people questioning you because of your last name. You did this all on your own. No hooks. You are going to be great Sergeant Reagan. " She smiled that smile that made him melt. The one that he thought was just for him.
"Sergeant Reagan does have a nice ring to it" He smiled back to her. "You want to call me that to tonight when we get back to my place and we have a private celebration?" He smirked. She rolled her eyes. "That could be arranged, but first you need to tell your dad." Jamie leaned back "Why do I have to. He has the list already I am sure" She squeezed his hand again "Jamie, go tell your dad about the promotion, and settle this with him. Then we can have that private celebration" He paid the bill and they were walked back to Eddie's car. She leaned up against her drivers' side door. Jamie wrapped his arms around her waist. "Thank you for keeping my head on straight these last few days. I know that I, and my family, can be hard to take at times." He leaned in and kissed her. Leaned his forehead up against hers "Reagan you should know by now I get you. I know your moods and understand when to push and when to leave you alone. Now I just have to figure out the rest of your family," He laughed. "Janko, I will let you know when I have them figured out myself" She kissed him again and then opened her door. "Go see your dad and I will be waiting at your apartment for our own celebration." He looked her up and down. "Do I have to go see my dad, I think I would much rather celebrate with you first" She pushed him out of her way. "Go Sergeant! That is an order. Pick him up a bottle of his favorite whiskey and put this to rest."
"Are you already bossing me around Janko?" He smirked at her as she started her Porsche. "What do you mean already, I have been bossing you around since we became partners. Get a move on Reagan I want to celebrate. Love you."
"Love you too Eddie. I'll text you when I leave my Dads." He closed the door and watched her drive towards his apartment. He made his way to his car with a new excitement. A fiancé, a promotion, and a new precinct, this was starting to be the year of change. He started his car and headed towards the store to pick up a bottle of whiskey to take to his dad.