After a long night completed with his team's win followed by a mini date with Eddie, Jamie arrived home after eleven thirty surprised to find all the lights still on. Closing the front door behind he stepped inside the living room greeted by his family looking up as he entered. "Hey what is everyone still doing up?"
Frank cleared his throat first standing up from his chair with an envelope in his right hand. "This was waiting for you with the mail when we came home yesterday." Extending his hand to give the letter over faced up allowing Jamie to see the return address from Harvard.
Taking the letter with one hand Jamie stared at it as though trying to read through the envelope, his heart racing in anticipation. He sat down beside Joe on the couch quietly staring at the white envelope knowing once it was opened he could never take it back. Frank returned to his chair giving his youngest time knowing the contents would determine his future.
The family sat quietly in angst wait until Jamie was ready to open his letter. Joe folded his hands staring at a spot on the carpet next to his little brother. To the right Erin bounced Niki on her lap trying to put the tired toddler back to sleep. Danny stood behind the couch allowing him to see everyone, mostly staring at his youngest brother. Henry sat back in his own chair beside Frank catching his daughter in law Mary's eye rewarding her with a slight nod.
Somewhere in the room a clock ticked proving the only sound for what seemed like forever as they waited. Jamie glanced the envelope again wishing Eddie were here too when he opened it to have her by his side either way it turned. He knew this decision was part on the family and waiting until morning wasn't an option.
Taking one more deep breath Jamie flipped the envelope over running his finger along the edges until it opened. Discarding the envelope he unfolded the letter reading each sentence quietly to himself having to do so four times before it sank in.
"what is it Jamie," Mary asked softly trying to read her youngest son's facial expression as he read.
After reading the letter a fourth time Jamie's eyes widened in shocked realization. Unable to say for a full minute he handed the letter to Joe so he could read it himself. Finally finding his voice Jamie spoke quietly still shocked. "I got in…"
Joe threw the letter back reaching over to hug his brother accidentally knocking him over. Erin and Mary burst into tears proud he was accepted into an Ivy League school that would provide a quality education. "Way to go Jamie," Henry cheered from his chair .
When Joe let him up Jamie laughed as he stood meeting his father for a pat to the back both sharing a teary eyed smile. "Congratulations son.."
"Thanks dad," Jamie barely got the words out before Danny spun him around wanting his own hug.
"Looks like we'll be taking a lot of road trips…" Joe grinned interceding into other conversations as everyone started talking at the same time. Mary fussed over her baby being so far away while Frank excitedly discussed the Harvard basketball team.
With the late hour everyone decided to turn in still buzzing with excitement. Laying in bed Jamie stared wide awake at his ceiling unable to shut his mind down. He smiled excited and nervous about attending Harvard and being so far away from the family and Eddie.
Turning onto his side Jamie glanced the clock..midnight. Sighing, he reached for the cell phone resting on his bedside table sending a text to Eddie hoping she was still up. Hey sorry to text so late but can we meet early I have some news.
Replacing the phone he closed his own eyes trying to fall asleep despite everything swirling in his head.
Waking up around eleven, Jamie checked his phone seeing a text back from Eddie. Hey meet me at the football field by school around twelve. Glancing his clock seeing it was already late he jumped out of bed rushing to take a quick shower wanting to eat before meeting Eddie.
When he got downstairs Mary greeted him with a wide grin hug. "Hey Jamie what do you want for breakfast?"
"Just gonna grab something quick mom I'm meeting Eddie to tell her about Harvard. " Mary nodded turning back to finish cleaning the counters hoping that conversation went well. Everyone in the family loves Eddie seeing how good she was to Jamie.
Letter in his jacket pocket Jamie ran to their high school slowing down as he reached the empty football field. Breathing hard he walked in spotting Eddie waiting for him by the bleachers. "Hey lamb chop so whats the news?"
Jamie sat next to her stomach turning as he pulled out the letter handing it to her. He watched her facial expression change, eyes widening in recognition. "You got in Jamie that's great, Harvard is a huge deal." Eddie threw her arms around his neck placing a gentle kiss in congratulations.
"I'm so glad you're happy for me Eddie but what about us?" Jamie sighed wrapping his arms around her.
Eddie pulled back scanning him with deep blue eyes sadly realizing they would be far apart in different states. "I don't know Jamie, I'll be going to school here and you're going to Massachusetts…" They exchanged a sigh at a crossroad to what their future would be like. Long distance relations were difficult especially when the couple was in different states.
"Eddie, I don't want to be with anyone else but you.. I love you.." Jamie rested his head against hers to gaze into each other's eyes while holding hands.
"I don't either.."
Eddie rested her head on Jamie's shoulder letting their fingers intertwine both in deep thought. "Jamie..I love you.."
"I know Eddie I love you too," Jamie kissed her head holding her tightly unsure of what their future would be.