Eddie came into the room she and Jamie shared already dressed in a white thin strap summer dress that thinned in the middle then fluffed outwards. She curled her blond hair to small waves that fell against her broad shoulders.
In her arms Teddy now nine and a half months wearing year old old clothes waved his chubby hand with his short legs hanging down kicking. His blue eyes twinkled seeing his father excitedly bouncing while reaching over. "Dada."
Smiling, tears in his eyes every time Teddy called daddy Jamie picked the little boy up and placed a kiss on his chubby little cheeks. "Hey baby boy, you look handsome. Wow Eddie you look amazing got a hot date later?"
I "We'll see there's still hope," Eddie teased bumping into him. She took a minute to look him over in his dress blues fitting his athletic body just right.
"You're such a jerk, let's go," Jamie laughed, putting an arm around her shoulders and started towards the car. He opened the car door for her smiling as she got in the front passenger seat before putting Teddy in the car seat.
Arriving at the ceremony a half hour later helping Eddie out before taking Teddy. "We'll be waiting for you outside right after the ceremony," Eddie reminded, kissing him softly.
"I'll see you soon okay buddy." Teddy looked around confused why he was being passed back and forth when he just wanted daddy holding him right now. Scrunching up his little face Teddy spun around reaching his arms out for his daddy wailing. "Dada."
It tore Jamie's heart hearing his boy crying for him but he had to get inside. "I'll see you soon buddy," Jamie kissed his cheek quickly heading inside to sign in before the ceremony started. Eddie too went inside rocking a crying Teddy in his arms joining the family in their seats.
"Whys he crying? Hey cmere little man, come to Uncle Danny." Danny opened his arms accepting his nephew who only cried harder, getting passed right back to Eddie.
"He cried when Jamie left as usual.."
Eddie bounced the little boy small bounces to calm him down relieved the graduation started to take his mind off. "Look, where's daddy?"
Hearing daddy Teddy turned scanning for Jamie pointing a little chubby finger in confusion. He clapped seeing Jamie looking up for them, waving a hand back.
Through the ceremony Jamie tried focusing on what his father was saying but all he could think of was getting back to Eddie and Teddy. Luckily it passed quickly before the awards were handed out.
"On July 10th two officers on lunch responded to cries for help. Sergeant Anthony Renzulli and probationary officer Jamison Reagan rushed into a burning building risking their own lives to save the residents. As a show their bravery they receive the Meritorious Police Duty Commendation for Integrity."
Both officers stepped up front, taking their hats off to receive the medal. Frank stepped in front of Renzulli smiling as he proudly placed the medal around the older man. "Thank you sir," Renzulli said softly accepting a firm handshake.
Taking the second medal Frank stepped in front of his youngest beaming with pride. "Congratulations officer." Jamie replaced his hat returning the grin as he looked up into his father's eyes. "Thank you sir."
Renzulli turned to give Jamie a pat across the back for his bravery in going in the building without thinking of his own life. Either bravery or stupidity at least.
"Hey Jamie, over here" Erin called waving a hand for his attention. Jamie smiled walking towards them hugging Erin first, following with one for each.
When he reached Eddie, Jamie reached up with a hand to caress her cheek while kissing her softly. Teddy kicked his chubby legs impatiently while reaching to Jamie for attention. "Dada," he demanded.
Laughing Jamie took his son with a small kiss to his forehead. "Hey buddy did you give mommy a hard time again," Jamie asked tickling his chubby stomach making Teddy laugh.
"I don't know why, it's every time you have to leave," Eddie sighed frustrated. It upset her seeing her son crying and being unable to do anything about it. Teddy was always like this since the day he was born.
Jamie bounced his giggling son smiling as he brushed Teddy's blond hair back. "I don't know either Eddie, we can ask the pediatrician next time we see her." Jamie looked back at his son kissing his cheek making Teddy laugh and throw his arms up again.
"Dad, over here" Erin waved her father and grandfather over turning everyone's attention off the subject.
Frank smiled taking a minute to admire his son in dress uniform about to hit the street too. God that scared him to no end. "I'm proud of you son." It wasn't a lie, he was proud Jamie not only graduated but did so top of his class. The thought of Jamie, their peacemaker in the street..
"Thanks dad," Jamie smiled grateful for his dad's approval. He lifted a hand to high five with Henry their own private salute.
"Well gang is all here, let's go eat," Frank offered leading them a few blocks down to a cozy Italian restaurant.
The maitree'd smiled seeing Teddy, making sure to grab a booster seat for him. "And aren't you a cutie pie. Please let me know if there's anything else you'll need, congratulations and thank you officer."
"Thanks," Jamie sat Teddy in the seat between him and Eddie with toys across the tray to keep him occupied while they ate dinner. Teddy picked up a toy bringing it to his mouth before letting it go to watch it fall. He clapped his hands laughing amused at the game, especially when daddy bent to pick it up.
"No Teddy," Jamie said firmly, placing the toy on the tray. Teddy picked up another but set it back down hearing daddy tell him no. "Good listening buddy," Jamie praised, rewarding him.
Dinner passed with no incidents and before they knew everyone went their separate ways. Jamie drove back to their house taking Teddy out and inside the house watching him from the living room couch.
Eddie plopped next to them watching proudly as Teddy pulled himself to a standing position using the table. "Pretty soon our baby boy will be walking how scary is that," Eddie commented.
"Very," Jamie laughed taking her hand in his smiling as Teddy played until his little started dropping to the side.
"Someone's tired, let's do our night routine buddy." Jamie hoisted his son up against him giving Eddie a smile as he turned around.
"I'll be up in a minute," she whispered.
Jamie brought Teddy upstairs, washing him and changing him into his favorite blue pajamas with the feet. The small boy could barely keep his head up by the time he was laid down with the covers tucked around.
Sitting on the bed Jamie smiled, brushing a hand through Teddy's blond hair. "I love you buddy," he whispered. He looked up seeing Eddie coming in from his peripheral vision.
Eddie sat beside Jamie on the bed leaning over to kiss her son's head. "Love you Teddy bear."
They sat beside him until he fell asleep only a few minutes later. Sure he was sleeping they slipped downstairs to watch a movie. Eddie fit perfectly into his arms with her hand resting on his leg.
