A/N: Thank you to everyone who has read this story so far. It is much shorter than the previous ones but I hope you still enjoy. It warms my heart that so many of you take the time to comment and to converse with me about my stories. You all make it easier to focus and write. Next update will be Sunday. Enjoy and please leave a review. Also, please check out my profile for a comprehensive layout of my stories and upcoming stories. Feel free to PM ideas.

Chapter Two

Jamie pressed the intercom button on the new elaborate phone system they installed at 1 PP. "Meyers, please contact Detective Reagan's command and tell them I want to see him at end of tour."

Jamie had mulled over Joey's request to join Special Victims and while Eddie and Lila both said they weren't on board with it, he decided to sign off on it provided this talk with his son went well. Jamie felt that it would be beneficial with Joey's healing to be able to get his hands dirty and Joey had a very soft approach, similar to his own when he worked with molestation victims as a younger man.

"Yes, sir," she replied and placed the call to Joey's CO. Jamie continued to work on the budget projections for that year, he noticed that their Mayor, probably in effort to get the police union vote, had allocated enough money for all of Jamie's training and a 2% raise. What a way to go out…if he kept that particular promise. Jamie loved being back at work, even though he got tired and things were sometimes stressful, he felt fulfilled and looked forward to a day at work and a night at home.

Half an hour later Joey arrived in his blue suit, wearing the color of the day around his neck. "You rang?" Jamie ran a very informal office when it came to his relatives, at least when they were alone.

"Have a seat," Jamie instructed walking over to the couch. "You want some coffee or anything? Your Mom sent these teacake things that Aunt Erin made. They're pretty good but Mom went on a diet again this morning."

Joey laughed, "When is she going to learn that one, we all love her no matter what she looks like and two, that it's the damn medication that puts the weigh on and no matter what she does she won't lose until her body adjusts to the new dose. If it keeps her alive and cancer free, let her be 500 lbs."

Jamie poured two cups of coffee then sat down. "Mind if I put my leg up, it's a little stiff."

Joey smiled, "Go ahead. I already know why I'm here. You don't think it's a good idea for me to join SVU."

"I didn't say that," Jamie replied. "In fact, I have the transfer order on my desk ready to be signed but I have to ask you first…Why now? Is this just about Debbie or…"

Joey sipped his coffee and took a teacake. "Actually, I talked to Debbie about this before she…I am bored solving white collars and murders, I don't know if that is for me. I want to help people that are still living. If I can treat the victim with compassion and tenderness maybe I get more out of them and get more scum suckers off the streets. After, what happened, I'm that much more driven. I don't want another husband or boyfriend to see his wife or girl like she was or to have their life fall apart. I know I can't save everyone, but maybe I can save some. That's all I want to do."

"Have you heard from her?" Jamie asked. "Has she called or e-mailed you?"

Joey shook his head, "I talked to her Mom but she doesn't want anything to do with anything related to New York or the NYPD or anything at least not now."

"I'm sorry, Joey," Jamie replied. "I really am sorry. We got the SOB." Jamie reached for the folder, "I need you to promise me one thing, Joe. If this work is eating at you, if you are drinking the neck and shoulders off a bottle in one sitting more than once or twice per month…you get out. Do I have your word as my son and my detective?"

"Of course, Dad," Joey replied. "If anything was getting to me I'd go to you, Uncle Danny, Mom…and if I had to…I'd transfer out. I promise you I won't let it take over, I won't let it ruin my life."

Jamie looked into his son's eyes and saw the sincerity there. He took his pen, opened his file and signed his name. "It's official, I'll have Meyers send the order to the CO of SVU…You will probably start the end of the month."

"Thanks Dad," Joey replied smiling. "Thanks a lot. This means a lot to me that you believe in me."

"Of course I believe in you Joey," Jamie replied. "Now, Mom is going to take Lila to see Grandpa Peter and tell him about the baby. What if you and I had beer with Grandpa Frank and Uncle Danny and ordered in a pizza?"

Joey's smile reached his eyes, "Can I hitch with your detail? I can get an Uber home later?"

"Of course or you can crash at our place," Jamie reminded him. "You are always welcome at home."

Jamie called for his detail then handed the packet to Meyers. "After you process that, head home. Good work today."

In Brooklyn, Eddie pulled up to Lila's apartment a little after three. Peter Janko seemed to be more alert in the later afternoon and early evenings. "How are you feeling, honey?" Eddie asked.

"Not bad, the morning sickness is being true to it's name for now," Lila replied. "I feel sick when I get up until about noon or one then I feel better."

"When I was carrying you, the sickness wasn't that bad, but with your brother, I was sick all the time. 24/7 for five months. I actually lost seven pounds, your father was so worried," Eddie laughed remembering Jamie sheltering her at Sunday dinners from the smells. "But you both came out perfect," Eddie smiled. "Hurricane Lila."

Eddie navigated the road to the hospice smoothly. There was minimal traffic that time of day and it was easy to park as many of the patients families were working. "He's gotten a lot worse since you saw him. He is very weak now and he's not up an around at all. Just hold his hand and keep your voice very soft, all right"

Lila nodded. She was closer to her Grandpa Peter than Joey was. Peter had a soft spot for the little girl. She reminded him of Eddie.

Peter was sleeping when he they arrived. He was on oxygen, had multiple IV lines delivering medications to keep him comfortable and deliver fluids. The cancer had invaded his stomach and eating was difficult. He had lost so much weight that his skin was stretched over his bones, his cheeks hollow and eyes sunken. Lila gasped, "Oh Mom…"

Eddie rubbed her back, "The meds are really good, he's not suffering very much. He'll be so glad you are here."

Eddie walked to her father's bedside and touched his hand, "Dad. Dad, it's Edit."

Peter stirred and opened glazed eyes. He smiled weakly when he saw Eddie. "Edit…" He wasn't doing well today, his voice was much weaker.

"Yeah, Dad. And look who else is here." Eddie moved aside to reveal Lila. She had tears shimmering in her eyes. "Hey, Granddad. How are you feeling?"

"Better now you are here," Peter slurred, the medications affecting his speech. He reached a hand out and Lila took it. It was very cool and the skin had an odd appearance.

"I'm sorry, I've been a little busy. Steven is working the next couple of days so I am going to come to visit you with Mom."

Peter smiled. "You have better things to do…how is your school?"

"Oh, I took a semester off, so I'm not going now but…it looks like I'll have to take off a little more time…" Lila smiled and stroked her grandfather's white hair. "Granddad, I'm going to have a baby. You're going to be a great-grandad!"

Lila knew in her heart that he'd never see the baby born, but it didn't stop her from making this memory with her grandad. Peter's eyes misted, "Best day of my life…was when Edit…" He looked at Eddie. "You were so beautiful…wanted you to have everything."

"I know, Dad," Eddie soothed. "I know. It's all right, remember. Remember, we talked about it? It's okay."

Peter's eyes drifted closed and his ragged breathing evened out. Eddie bit her lip, just two days ago they talked for an hour before he fell asleep. Today, he barely managed to talk for ten minutes. "Lila, sit with Granddad, I'm going to find his doctor. Maybe they are over medicating him."

Lila sat with Peter's hand in hers, "Mom's really been sad, Granddad. I know that she really wishes she'd forgiven you when we were younger, but I know you understand she was hurting too. She loves you very much, I heard her tell my father so. I love you too." Lila kissed Peter's cheek as he slept.

"He's barely conscious!" Eddie pointed out firmly. "Are you just drugging him so he won't bother you…"

"Mrs. Reagan, your father…it's not weeks anymore, it's days. We haven't changed his dosage, he's just that much weaker. I think you might want to consider staying here at the hospice for the next few nights or if you desire, you can bring your father home and our nursing staff will care for him in your home."

Eddie sighed, she couldn't do that because of Frank, at least not unilaterally. "I'll speak to my husband about that, but if no, then yes, I'd like to stay."

"That was classic!" Danny laughed as the men in the family watched DVDs of old Jets games. "Erin called it that day, coffin corner kick!"

"Aunt Erin was one of the best assistant football coaches I ever had," Joey laughed. "Who wants more pizza?"

Jamie's cell phone began to ring as Joey went to refill plates. "Hey, sweetheart," Jamie answered seeing it was Eddie calling. He sat up straight as she relayed what the doctor had told her. "I don't know what to do, Jamie."

"Eddie, this is your father. Bring him here. Joey is here, he can help me move the furniture around to accommodate the equipment. It's all right. Do you want me to…?" Jamie stopped as he heard Eddie begin to cry. "I'm going to come down there, Danny's here he'll bring me. Go find Lila, sit down and wait for me to come there."

Jamie hung up, "Joey, I need you to call a friend or your partner of whoever and get this house so that we can fit a hospital bed and some medical equipment in here. I have to go over to the hospice. Granddad Peter isn't doing well, and they suggested that Mom bring him here. She's really upset so I'm trusting you to help me."

Joey nodded, "Of course, Dad. Go take care of Mom, I'll hang out until you guys get home."

Jamie and Danny hurried to the car, Frank sat back and sighed. "He's her father, Grandpa. What do you…"

Frank held up his hand, "No, that's not it. I was just thinking another person is going to die of cancer under this roof. I would never begrudge Eddie these last moments, they are some of the most precious in a relationship, some of the most peaceful. My heart is broken for her. I'm going to sit up too and wait for them to come home. Your mother might need a father hug and your granddad is too weak to do that."

Joey called his partner, John Fraser to come over and help him with the furniture while Jamie and Danny drove to the hospice. Jamie got nervous when Lila met them out front. "Dad, thank God…"

"What is it? Did he go?" Jamie was worried that Peter passed away while he was driving.

"No," Lila replied. "But Mom's a mess. She hasn't gone back inside, she's just sitting on one of the hard chairs crying. I can't make her stop crying."

Jamie nodded and hurried inside, his uneven gait more pronounced when he moved quickly. "Eddie." He knelt in front of her as she sobbed into her hands. Jamie reached out and pulled Eddie in closer to him. "Come here, honey. I'm here now…" Jamie cradled his wife close and rocked as Danny looked on with Lila.

"You doing okay? You need to be careful in your condition." Danny put his arm around Lila's thin shoulders.

"I'm fine, he's not in a lot of pain right now, he's so drugged so that's good. I just never saw Mom break down before I know she has when Dad was sick and things were really stressful there for a while but I didn't know how to help her."

"You did what you could," Danny replied. "Having Jamie is what she needs. Look he's getting her to settle down already. I'm sure Steven is able to settle you down like that too. It's part of being a couple, knowing how to soothe and be soothed by others."

"Let's go say goodnight to Peter, Joey is at the house now making it ready for him. Your Dad will have your mother all fixed by the time we're done."

Danny led Lila back into Peter's room while Jamie whispered soft words to Eddie. "It's all arranged, Joey's fixing the house as we speak. Dad won't say anything and if he does you let me deal with it. You have this time with your father." Jamie brushed a hair back from Eddie's face. "I love you."

"Jamie…I…" Eddie looked up at Jamie, eyes swollen, face red. "I wasted so much time, I…"

"Ssh," Jamie cooed. "Ssh. I know, honey. I know, maybe you made a mistake but you can make up for all of that by making this time special. I'll be at your side, every step of the way."

Eddie nodded, "You better get off your knees before you can't."

Jamie used his cane and both arms to get off the floor, "Let's go say goodnight to him and make arrangements for the ambulance to bring him to the house tomorrow. I will work from home tomorrow after my am meetings so I'm there with you. I'll have Meyers rearrangement things so I'm there with you all the time."

Jamie was happy Eddie was finally calming down. He'd promise her the moon to make her stop making that sound. He always hated the sound of Eddie's tears, it ripped his heart out.

"No you have your work," Eddie sighed. "I can manage until it looks like he's going to be gone then maybe. I'll need you so much more after than before. I'm sure Frank will take good care of me."

Jamie slid his arm around Eddie and they walked together into Peter's room. Lila kissed her granddad's brow, "I'll come see you tomorrow when you get settled at the house. I love you."

"Love you…" Peter slurred taking a deep breath, his chest was constricted.

Eddie took Peter's hand, "Dad, Jamie and I were talking, and we're going to have you come home tomorrow to stay at the house with us. We'll be together and you'll be so much more comfortable."

Jamie smiled, "It's what we want to do if you are on board. Joey is already making things ready at the house."

Peter smiled up at them and nodded, his eyes closing again, with a small file on his face.

Eddie and Jamie arrived home an hour later after dropping Lila off at home. They surveyed the living room and Joey's handywork. "Oh, Joey," Eddie smiled when they returned home from the hospital. "This is perfect, thank you so much."

Eddie wrapped her arms around Joey, enjoying his embrace. She needed all the strength she could get.

Frank stood and moved over, raising a bushy eyebrow at Joey. He backed off and let Frank pull Eddie's small form towards his all-encompassing one. "There you go, honey," he whispered holding her tight. "It's going to be all right. We will work together to make his last days special. When he's up to it, I'll even pretend to lose at cards."

Frank knew how hard it was to lose a parent, but had only a small frame of reference for watching it happen. His mother was ill, but just for a short time and Henry died in his sleep. That was how Frank hoped he would go when his time came, not lingering and melting away in a bed like Peter Janko.

"Thanks, Dad," Eddie whispered. "I know you aren't fond of him but…"

"But I am plenty fond of you and this will make it easier on you," Frank replied, giving the last strong hug. "I'm going up to bed. Tomorrow, your dad will be here and you'll feel a little better. Take care of her, Jamie."

Jamie moved to take Eddie's arm, "I'm going to put her to bed. Thanks Dad."

Jamie kissed Eddie's head. "Come on, sweetheart." Jamie hated when Eddie was under stress. The entire family always worried when she faced a heavy burden after being warned time and again excessive strain could cause a recurrence of her cancer.

Eddie allowed herself to be led to their bed. While she undressed, Jamie turned down the covers and fluffed the pillows. Jamie stripped his boxers and tee shirt and slid into bed beside Eddie. "I am so sorry you have to go through this," Jamie replied. "I don't remember a lot of my mother's illness. I was at school for a lot of it, and the family blocked me from a lot of it. I wish I could bear this for you Eddie," Jamie whispered dropping a kiss on her head. "If I could…"

Eddie rubbed Jamie's hand as it rested on her hip. "I know. You are already helping me so much just knowing you are here. Hold me all right?"

They usually slept in each other's arms but tonight Eddie needed the extra reassurance that he wasn't going to let go. Eddie listened to Jamie's heart beat and let it lull her into a deep if uneasy sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.

The hospital bed arrived at 8:30 am, the rest of the equipment by 10 am. Peter was delivered by the hospice transport a little before lunch time. Eddie made some brown sugar and cinnamon oatmeal, an old favorite from when she was a kid. The transport team and the nurse helped get Peter settled. The trip was painful for him, bouncing him around a lot but he soon settled down and rested in the comfort of his daughter's living room.

Eddie carried a small bowl of oatmeal to Peter's bed. Jamie would be home in an hour to help her out. "Dad, I made some oatmeal. You think you can eat a little?"

Peter shook his head no, he hadn't been hungry for days. Eddie's face fell, Peter saw it. "All right, a few bites."

Eddie spooned up some oatmeal, gently feeding it to her dad. She had practice from the early days of Jamie's stroke. "Isn't that good? Later we can watch the video of Lila's wedding again, if you want to do it."

Peter nodded, "She was such a beautiful bride, Edit. Just like you. She's having a baby now…took you a long time. Not for her."

"No," Eddie replied. "Jamie and I tried for years to get pregnant with Joey. I remember you were ready to pay for fertility treatments and I was ready to take the money. Then there he was. He just joined Special Victims Unit."

"Makes you proud," Peter whispered. "Made me proud…You always make me proud." He reached up and stroked Eddie's cheek. "I'm just sorry I wasn't…"

"No, Dad," Eddie hushed him. "No, don't do that. No regrets, we made our peace. Finish up now cold oatmeal isn't any good." Peter nodded and took another couple bites before falling asleep, this time it was restful.