Before tour ended Jamie found out from Renzulli, Eddie would partner with McKenna, a ten year veteran with a good reputation. Returning to the house Jamie sought out the veteran for a talk, finding him by the desk signing out.
"Hey McKenna can we talk," Jamie asked approaching him.
McKenna finished signing out and looked up at the younger man smiling. "Hey Reagan, yea sure but before you say anything Sarg already told me I'm partnered with Eddie. I know you have a thing for her and don't worry I got her back."
"Thanks, that means a lot to me, but I don't have a thing for Eddie. I was her training officer and partner, and we're friends," Jamie said almost automatically, getting a laugh from McKenna as he walked away.
Shaking his head Jamie started towards the locker room changing thinking about what he told McKenna, not sure if it was a lie as he drove to Brooklyn.
The lights in his childhood home were on when Jamie arrived. Frank waited in the living room putting the newspaper he'd been reading to greet the young man. "Hey Jamie, thanks for coming down. You want a beer or something?"
"No thanks dad I'm good, I'm tired just want to head home. " Jamie took to the couch studying his father while trying not to appear nervous.
"I'm glad you were feeling well enough to work Jamie." Frank smiled watching his youngest son's face frown slightly. "How's Eddie?"
Jamie looked up doing everything but outright admit his guilt that he knew Eddie was back. "Is she why you missed Sunday dinner son? You knew Eddie was back in town and we're seeing her right?"
"No Commissioner, I saw her Saturday night and yes I knew she was back in town. I saw her while on duty Saturday." Jamie shifted leaving out Bree for the moment.
"Are you okay seeing her after.." Frank didn't want to finish the sentence and stir up past emotions. He worried about Jamie especially after Sydney left seeing how devastated Jamie was.
At first Jamie looked down at his hands admitting he wasn't over her leaving, considering what he learned. "I'm, we're working on it dad. It hurt she left but it's Eddie."
"I know that Jamie and that's what I'm worried about. I don't want you getting hurt again and knowing how close you and Eddie were.. it always seems you two were closer then most partners but you're not partners anymore." Frank paused again long enough for Jamie to catch onto what his father was suggesting.
"We're not dad, she was my work partner. Was that all because I'm tired and need some sleep before tour, " Jamie got up grabbing his jacket quickly.
Frank sighed also standing up with his son. "Jamie, you know you can talk to me right, about anything."
"I know, thanks dad see you later." Jamie breathed a sigh of relief outside feeling like he just came out of an interrogation. He fished the car keys from his pocket heading back into Manhattan.
Eddie was watching TV when Jamie arrived home from tour. Bree was sitting on the floor playing with her ring toy that Jamie bought her. When she saw Jamie she waived her ring back and forth squealing happiness.
"Hello, pretty ladies," Jamie smiled but Eddie could tell that he was upset.
"Hey," Eddie stood up automatically going to give him a hug and a kiss. Their situation was so domestic it felt right, she should hug and kiss him when he returned home to her and their baby girl. Jamie permitted the kiss then held Eddie's hands, "We need to talk about this."
He sat her down on the couch still holding Eddie's hand and taking a deep breath. "Eddie, I still love you and always will. I want to take this slowly, it'll be best for all of us. I want this to work Eddie, I don't want to lose you again either of you."
"We're not gong anywhere," Eddie said softly. As much as she wanted to partner with Jamie again Eddie didn't mind being partnered with McKenna. "I promise Jamie."
His eyes twinkled wanting to believe her so they can make it work. He squeezed her hands gently as he scooted closer to Eddie. "So what were you upset about when you came in? I can still read your face."
"My dad called, asked me over for a talk. He knows your back and that you joined the department again. He thinks that's why I missed Sunday dinner, so I partly lied but I have a feeling he knows I'm lying," Jamie sighed hating that his father was so good at reading people.
Eddie laughed at his pained expression coming from Jamie's lack of a poker face. "Yea well you're easy to read sorry. "
"Very funny Eddie. I'm going next week for appearances sake and hope dad doesn't drill me more. With you going back to work we should find a good day care center around here in case we both work the same shifts." Jamie checked in his daughter, smiling as her head started tilting with sleep.
He stood up going to make her a bottle. On his way back Jamie picked Bree up carrying her to the couch feeding her the bottle. "I'll leave messages for them tomorrow morning and do some research. I don't want to just leave her anywhere."
They both looked down at the sleepy toddler as she finished her bottle and curled against Jamie to sleep. He smiled expression softening as he leaned down to kiss her head and cradled her tightly. "I don't either Eddie, there's this one place that has a good reputation. I can reach out to them before tour."
Eddie agreed, following him to the bedroom smiling at how things were coming along. That night while everyone slept Eddie lay awake
Jamie and Eddie toured local day cares, agreeing on one Jamie's friend uses for his kids. Eddie insisted on going with him but her first tour was scheduled early. "Did you pack her favorite teddy bear Mr Brownie," Eddie asked as she prepared for your.
"Yes, packed her lunch and everything, we'll be fine Eddie. Hey be careful okay, text me later okay?" Jamie hesitated before hugging her forgetting how good it felt.
Once Eddie left Jamie got Bree up, fed and changed into clothes Eddie laid out. "Let's go princess," Jamie soothed taking her hand starting down the block. Halfway Bree stopped reaching her little hands up insisting with her crystal blue eyes locked on Jamie. "Up up."
Smiling Jamie lifted her up carrying his tired daughter the five blocks with small rubs to her back. As they waited on the corner Jamie barely saw the black escalate passing by carrying Garret to pick up his boss in Brooklyn.
Garret looked out the window doing a double take seeing the youngest Reagan holding a little girl in his arms.