Chapter 1: Chapter 1
AN: Sequel to my previous story Little Jamie sick.
It was a drizzly Wednesday morning and Jamie just entered the locker room at his precinct. He wasn't feeling the best, for he was working under cover the last night. He would rather be home in his bed sleeping, but unfortunately he had his daily job to do. He was just about to take his t-shirt off when his training officer Anthony Renzulli came in.
"Morning, Harvard," he greeted him cheerfully.
"Jesus, sarge, not so loud," replied Jamie, quickly covering his ears, but the quick movement only made him even more uncomfortable.
"What's the matter with you, Harvard? You don't look so great today. You hangovered or something?" Renzulli asked strictly. Alcohol wasn't something he would have tolerate on duty.
"No," Jamie defended himself. "It's just a headache, I didn't get much of a sleep last night, I guess," he continued.
"Aha, some beautiful lady kept you busy, Reagan?" Renzulli asked teasing his younger partner.
"I wish, but unfortunately this is not the case. I just couldn't sleep well, that's all," Jamie lied quickly, remembering the last night's events which really kept him up till 3 a.m.
"Something on your mind, Reagan?" Renzulli asked with an examining look.
"No, it's nothing" Jamie said avoiding his training officer's look.
"You know you can talk to me, if you want, right?" Renzulli asked with a concerned voice.
"I know that, thank you, sarge. But it really is nothing." Jamie tried to assure Renzulli.
"Alright, Reagan, as you say. Come on, we have got roll call to do." Renzulli closed the debate.
"Yeah, just a sec. I need to change." Said Jamie taking off his pants in hurry.
Renzulli was just about to let his officers go after the roll call, when the door opened and the commissioner walked unexpectedly in.
"Ten hut," Renzulli ordered, wondering what the commissioner was doing in his precinct so early in the morning. But Renzulli wasn't the only one thinking that, for Jamie questioned the same thing.
The officers paid their respects to the commissioner.
"Good morning," Frank greeted his officers looking around the room.
"As you could hear, the number of incidents between the black citizens of our city and the police department are rising. Therefore, I would like all of you to beware..."
Jamie could hardly hear his father's words, for he was fighting an actual urgency to vomit. He could feel the world around him spinning. At one point he wasn't sure if was going to throw up in front of the whole department and his father or just pass out. He just prayed for his father's speech to end as soon as possible, so he could slip out of the room to the bathroom. Oh, God, why were his father's speeches always so long. He thought for himself.
"Officer Reagan, am I boring you?" The commissioner asked strictly.
It took Jamie a while before he realized that everybody in the room was now staring at him and that he was being asked something, although he had no idea what it was.
"I'm sorry, what?" Jamie asked looking at his father confused.
"I was asking, if I was boring you, officer Reagan?" Frank repeated his question irritated.
"No, sir!" Jamie replied, wondering why would his father even ask such a question.
"Then be so kind and pay attention," the commissioner ordered him.
"Yes, sir!" Jamie replied back, but actually he found himself once again fighting the urgency to vomit, so he really didn't have time to think much about what his father just said. His head was spinning and he had to lean against the wall so he wouldn't fall down on the floor. It was in this moment when Frank realized something was not right with his son. He gave him a quick look and found out that his son was now as pale as the wall he was leaning against. He immediately felt guilty for being so strict with Jamie in front of the whole department when he obviously was not felling well, but although he didn't want nothing more than to go immediately to his son and check if he was alright, he still had a speech to finish. In moments like this, he hated his job.
"Do good work. Come back at one piece. Thank you for your service." The commissioner finally ended up his speech. Usually he would just leave, but this time he wanted to catch up with Jamie, therefore he would wait until the other officers have left the room.
"Sergeant Renzulli, would you mind if I had a word with officer Reagan?" Frank asked Jamie's training officer.
"Of course, commissioner," Renzulli replied giving Jamie a quick look raising his eyebrows and then he hastily left the room.
Jamie walked slowly towards his father trying to avoid his look.
"Look, dad, I'm sorry about earlier," Jamie apologized to his father.
"Cut it out, Jamie, I'm the one who should apologize. Are you ok, son? Because, frankly, you look terrible." Frank told Jamie concerned about his youngest child's wellbeing.
"Actually, when you mention it, I feel like I might just throw up," Jamie admitted honestly.
The worried father inside him won and Frank placed his hand on his son's forehead. It was hot, as could be expected.
"Jamie, you are burning. You shouldn't be here, you should be in bed," the commissioner said towards his son who didn't seem to be much present.
"What were you thinking coming to work like this?" His father asked.
"I guess, I thought I was just tired. You know, I went to bed at three and had to wake up at six," Jamie sighed tiredly.
"Were you working undercover?" His father wanted to know.
Jamie just nodded his reply.
"Dad, if it is everything, I really have to go to throw up," Jamie said trying to slip out of the room.
"No, of course it's not everything. I'm going to talk to Renzulli and then I'm taking you home. You belong to bed, not on street, Jamison!" The commissioner ordered leaving no space for further discussion.
"Ok, dad, but I really have to go now, otherwise I'm going to throw up in front of you and I would very much like to avoid that." Jamie urged.
"Alright, do what you have to do. I will talk to Renzulli and then I'm taking you home!" He stated firmly.
In Frank's car, Jamie, who was now dozing, leaned his head against his father's shoulder. Frank let him, for he knew his driver would be discreet. He gently stroked Jamie's hair with his left hand. It seemed like yesterday when his little one was just a small boy with his knees skinned in need of his father. How did he grow up so fast? Frank once again had to ask himself. How did the all grow up so fast? He never favoured any of his children, but with Jamie being his and Mary's youngest, their baby, they naturally felt a bit overprotective for him to Jamie's very much distaste. However, Frank knew more than well, what was the true reason for that. Since he was a little child his son was simply a trouble magnet, although otherwise he was the most easy-going kid ever, especially compared to Danny and Erin. Those two, on the other hand, were like little devils. But Jamie had a special talent to attract trouble. Frank almost laughed out loud when he remembered how Jamie had swallowed the coins from Danny's collection or Mary's pearl earrings. Or how he got trapped on that tree after being chased by their neighbor's dog. He wouldn't come down until Frank personally assured him that the dog was long ago gone. He reached his small hands towards his father wordlessly asking him to help him down. Frank gave Jamie a hand to help him down the tree, but Jamie wouldn't let go. Frank tried to encourage Jamie telling him: "Come on, Jamie. Don't worry, I will catch you." But Jamie still had his doubts. He asked: "You promise?" "I promise." Frank assured his youngest and just like that Jamie let go and jumped right into his father's arranged arms. Although he was down from the tree, he still wouldn't let go off his father, giving Frank no other option but to carry him back to the house. Seeing his son leaning against his shoulder reminded him, that even though Jamie was grown up now, he still would be his little boy in need of his father, at least in Frank's eyes. He planted a kiss into Jamie's hair not really caring if the driver saw him or not.
The SUV stopped in front of the house. Frank gently woke Jamie up telling him: "Jamie, we are here, son."
"Hmph," was all Jamie replied sleepily.
"Ok, let's get you into bed. John, it will take few minutes," Frank said towards his driver.
"No problem, commissioner." His driver replied giving him an understanding look in a mirror.
"I thought you said you will take me home?" Jamie said as they walked towards his father's house. Jamie was leaning against his father, because he didn't trust his legs anymore.
"Jamie, I know you are a grown man, but I would rather if you stayed with me and gramps till you feel better. I don't want you to stay alone in your apartment when you are sick. Besides, this will always be your home!" Frank stressed out.
"Alright," Jamie was just too tired and not feeling well to fight his father on that.
"Pops, you home?" Frank called his father when he entered the house with Jamie.
"Where is the fire, Francis?" Henry replied following his son's voice coming from the hallway.
"I brought Jamie, he is sick. I'm going to put him in his bed upstairs," Frank informed his father.
"You look terrible, Jamie," Henry said towards his grandson when he glimpsed his pale face.
"You think?" Jamie joked ironically.
"Ok, Jamie, let's get you upstairs so you can rest a bit," his father told him heading upstairs.
When they came to Jamie's room, Frank helped Jamie change and he then tuckled his son into bed.
"Ok, Jamie, I have to go now, but your grandfather will be here, so if you need anything just call him." Frank told his son, rubbing his back.
"Hmph..." Jamie mumbled, leaving Frank wondering whether he heard him or not.
He gave his son one last concerned look and then with a heavy heart he left the room leaving the door slightly ajar. Henry was awaiting him downstairs. "How is he?" He asked.
"Not so great. He has got fever and he vomited before," Frank informed his father.
"Should I call a doctor?" Henry asked his son.
"No, I think it's just a virosis. Give him something to reduce his fever and otherwise keep him hydrated. But if he should get worse then call a doctor!" He instructed Henry.
"Francis, you forget that I raised a child myself," Henry told him amused with his son's preaching.
"I'm sorry, pop. It's just, he is sick and I can't stay with him," Frank sighed with a heavy heart.
"Don't worry, Francis, I will keep both of my eyes on him." Henry assured Frank giving him a reassuring smile. "Now, go back to work, commissioner. The city needs you." He added.
"Why do I have a feeling you are making fun of me?" Frank asked raising his eyebrows.
"Because I am," Henry laughed giving his shoulder a small squeeze.
"Alright, I will just go now. See you later, pop." Frank said to his father leaving the house.
"Goodbye, Francis." His father called after him.
