Disclaimer and Notes: I do not own Blue Bloods only Joey and Lila Reagan. I do not own Craig Morgan's song, Tough. I will alternately publish updates to this story and True Blue's sequel "Silver Linings" I look forward to your feedback.
Please leave a review or send a pm if you are reading. I want to make sure folks are still interested and since the traffic counter is broken, reviews are the only way I can tell.
Chapter Seven
They had pizza for dinner that Friday night. Eddie's incision was still oozing and was incredibly painful. She felt tired, sick, and not at all like doing much of anything.
Jamie had gone in early and was still not home at 7 that night. She knew he was going to press Harper's adoptive brother and mother that day and it could take a while. She kept his dinner warm and put both of their children on the couch, one on each side. "Mommy, are you okay?" Joey asked. He knew his mom had energy and drive and today she was very quiet and didn't seem like herself.
"Yeah, baby, I'm okay. Daddy is working a hard case about a little girl that got hurt and I just want to sit and hug my own little ones close to me tonight."
Joey smiled, "Daddy helps little girls that get hurt. He's a hero."
Eddie smiled, "Yes, your Daddy is a hero. You are so much like him. I'm so proud of you Joey, both of you." Eddie hugged both of her kids. "Let me make some popcorn and we'll watch TV. If Daddy comes home, I have get his pizza heated up."
Eddie killed the lights and started a very old film, "Bringing Up Baby."
At the precinct, Jamie was getting irritated. "I don't need a confession from your son Ms. Anderson. I have Harper's panties with your son's DNA all over them! I have pictures of Harper's thigh with handprints on them that match the same size and shape of your son's hand."
Michelle Anderson's eyes shot open, "Oh yeah, you didn't know we had the ultraviolet camera. There are bruises and bumps all over this child. If your son talks, he's only twelve years old…we can get him the help he needs."
"But he'll be on the sex offender list for life."
They kept running into the wall over and over again. The swimming coach was on the list, Gordo was arresting him as they spoke for violating his parole and changing his name.
"My son didn't do it, that animal did!" Michelle snapped. "I am not answering any more questions without a lawyer."
Jamie tossed his coffee cup into the bin as he left the box. "Lawyered up! Damn it! I get she's trying to protect her kid and that there was a perfectly good bad guy to pin this on but…"
"Go home, Jamie. Go see your wife. Go see your kids. CPS pulled Harper from the house so she's safe. Let it rest and start fresh on Monday."
Jamie knew his partner was right. "I'll see you 8 am sharp on Monday, Gordo. Thanks, man."
Jamie drove home picking up a bottle of wine for Eddie and him to share. The kids would be in bed long ago. The entire house was dark when Jamie pulled into the driveway. He let himself in and found a most endearing sight. Eddie, holding each of their children, all three sound asleep on the sofa. The word Sony traveling across the screen, indicating a movie long over.
Gently Jamie extricated Lila from Eddie's arms and put her into her bed being sure to tuck her in and kiss her head before going to get Joey. Neither child woke as they were moved to their beds.
Finally Jamie stooped and lifted his wife into his arms. Eddie made a muffled noise, "Joey! Lila!"
"Ssh, it's me. It's me, they kids are already in their beds." Jamie kissed her brow. Eddie sighed into his chest and let him carry her to bed. When he started to undress her, she stopped him. "Not tonight," Eddie said. "I'm tired and so are you honey."
Jamie nodded, "I really need you tonight Eddie."
"I'm sorry, Jamie. I just…I can't. I'm not feeling very well."
Jamie sat down on the bed with her, "Your head still? Maybe you're coming down with something?"
Eddie sighed, "Maybe. I'm so sorry Jamie…" She didn't like to say no to him when he wanted to make love. He never denied her when she told him she needed him. "Can we just hold each other?"
He smiled, "Sounds like a plan. Let me shower and I'll join you." He kissed her lips softly so she knew there were no hard feelings.
Jamie slid into bed ten minutes later and pulled Eddie close. "Do you want your dinner? It's in the…"
He cut her off. "I don't want to eat, I just want to be with you."
"Is it that bad?" she asked studying his worry lines.
"I can't figure it out yet that's all. It's always harder when it's kids. Always."
Eddie nodded, "And you feel so deeply Jamie. When you first started doing this work, I was so scared. I didn't think you could handle it. I thought it would slowly destroy you." Eddie kissed him twice. "But it didn't. It made you stronger and it made you better. You love so much, I know with you in their lives our kids will always be okay. Joey told me tonight you are a hero…you're my hero Jamison Reagan."
Tears ran down Eddie's face as she said this. "Hey, where is all this coming from, sweetheart?" Eddie had been acting a little odd the past few days and it was starting to bother him.
"This case you are working, seeing what a terrific dad you are…I just…I'm feeling a little emotional, baby that's all."
"The last time you felt like this we were having Lila," Jamie smiled. "Is there a chance?"
Eddie shook her head, "No, no chance. I wish too…Jamie. I wish it too. You heard the doctor when she came, there's no way…"
Jamie put his forehead to hers, "Let's get some sleep. Tomorrow we can have a pajama day, just the four of us, get relaxed for Sunday.
That's exactly what they did. No one woke up until after 8. Jamie fixed breakfast, French toast and sausage then sat with his children and wife watching TV and movies. Eddie was content to do this, she stayed close to Jamie that day. She wasn't feeling any better after her biopsy, the ache in her arm was traveling to her shoulder, her breast bone and even her head. She made a note to mention this to Linda in the morning.
By nine that night Jamie noticed his wife was just not herself. "Eddie, you are getting sick. I think you need to stay home from dinner and get some rest."
"I can't, it's my week but I'll take it easy after okay?" She smiled at him. "If I don't feel better I'll see the doctor on Monday."
Jamie didn't argue be he wasn't satisfied either. He would be on hand to help with the dinner and make sure Eddie didn't overdo it.
Eddie felt better the next morning, she was still achy but felt more like herself. After church she got to work on the roast for the family dinner. As soon as Linda saw her she pulled her to the side, "Well, what did the doctor say?"
"He called but I didn't call him back yet, I'm scared. I need to tell Jamie first. I'm going to tell him tonight. I asked Frank to have the kids for the night. Then I'll find out…" Eddie stopped midsentence feeling dizzy.
Erin helped to catch her, "Sit down, I'll get Jamie."
"No, no…not yet. I'm going to talk to Jamie tonight. I think that spot is infected a little that's all. Tomorrow I'll get some medicine."
Erin's DA brow knitted, "What's going on?" She sat down facing her youngest sister in law. Eddie relayed the entire story including her choice to keep it quiet until she knew for sure. "The look on his face when he heard about Maria Baez's sister, and that was Danny's old partner's sister that died, he looked like he'd been to hell and back. I didn't want to put him through it for nothing but now…I'm so scared Erin, I need him." Eddie began to cry and covered her face with both hands. "I need him to hold my hand."
Erin leaned over to hug Eddie, "It's all right. Jamie will understand, but you are right. You do have to tell him tonight, he has a right to know what's happening." She stroked a piece of hair off Eddie's forehead. "You are on fire, Linda, she's burning hot."
"I just need a little fresh air, I'll be fine." Eddie stood and walked outside for a few minutes of good old Brooklyn air.
"If she doesn't tell him tonight, one of us has to. She's sick, even if not from cancer, Heaven forbid, that biopsy site is infected," Erin fussed.
"I know, and trust me, if that site is infected, she won't be able to hide much longer. If she doesn't tell Jamie tonight, tomorrow morning, we'll both tell him."
Erin nodded in agreement and hoped that Eddie would keep her promise and tell her little brother the truth.
It was tense amongst the men in the family that afternoon. Danny was still upset at Jamie for saying no to the undercover operation.
"I still think you are the best man for this job, Jamie. And you know I don't say those things lightly."
"I do, Danny, but Eddie had a point. The last three ops I did went south. I barely survived the last one. I nearly bled to death in your arms and it is a little crazy for you to be asking me after that."
"That was nine years ago, we have better surveillance. Better technology. You won't be on the hook, I promise you."
"I've already given you my answer, Danny and I am sorry," Jamie said firmly.
"You mean Eddie's told you the answer that she wanted," Danny countered.
"Danny, watch what you say," Jamie warned.
"All I am saying is that when it came to the job, I heard Linda's opinion but that was that. She didn't interfere in my work, at least not when it came to what jobs I did."
Jamie sighed and drank his whiskey down, "What about you Dad? Did mom ever ask you not to do an operation or something on the job?"
Frank nodded, "Yes, and once or twice I listened and once or twice I didn't listen. She always respected my choices as I know Eddie does for you."
"Dad, he's throwing away a great opportunity to advance even more…." Danny argued.
"Danny, it's no. I'm sorry. My marriage to Eddie is about sharing, respect, and being partners in every sense of the word including choices about dangerous operations that might end up leaving my wife a widow and my children fatherless. We share everything, that's how we run our marriage."
"You sure that's a two way street?" Danny asked his temper rising and getting the better of him.
"What the Hell does that mean?" Jamie asked defensively.
"It means you aren't exactly keeping tabs on your house if you think everything is out in the open because it's not."
Jamie's face registered his shock. "Yeah, that's right. You're missing it big time little brother and she isn't sharing. So, before you preach to me about how you run your marriage I'd clean my own house."
"What are you accusing Eddie of?" Jamie asked. "You better think carefully about your answer."
"Okay, boys that I enough," Frank broke in. "Danny, if Eddie is keeping something from Jamie, it's between her and Jamie. As a matter of fact, she's asked me to watch the kids overnight so she's probably going to talk to him about whatever it is. Jamie, I understand you choice. It's not necessarily the one I'd have made but I respect you for it and I know Danny does too. Let's wash up and get ready to eat this delicious…"
"Dinner!" Eddie announced from the doorway of the dining room. The air had done nothing to erase the flush in her cheeks or the perspiration on her lip. Danny's eyes went right to it, so did Jamie's. "She's not feeling well," he replied. "I wanted her to stay in bed."
Danny nodded and clapped his younger brother on the back. He didn't know the entire story but he suspected that the younger man was going to need that moral support in the next few days if not sooner.
Linda offered the prayer and the meal was soon underway. Nikki's baby daughter entertained the group with her little gurlges and coos. "Are there any more rolls?" Jack asked. He worked every other Sunday on the beat but when he was here he loved the rolls.
"Sure are Jack, I'll get them," Eddie replied moving to stand up and retrieve the desire food item. She took only two steps before the dizziness she'd fought all day caught up to her. She tried to grab onto Frank for support but missed him entirely before falling to the floor in an unceremonious heap.
"EDDIE!" Jamie shot out of his chair, the children's cries of "Mommy!" not registering. He knelt by his wife's prone form, "Eddie, can you hear me…" He brushed back her hair and felt the heat radiating off her body.
"She's burning up…" He looked up at Linda for help.
"I'm sorry Jamie," she said knowing he was going to be angry when he learned what was going on. Jamie didn't understand, he was too focused on his wife to think about it. He could hear Danny on the telephone calling a bus. He could hear Erin and Nikki soothing his children. "Eddie, please…open your eyes. I'm here honey, open your eyes…"
Linda had ordered Jack to get ice from the kitchen. She wrapped the cubes in clothes and laid them on Eddie's head. Then she ripped open her blouse and revealed to Jamie what Eddie had kept so well hidden. He biopsy site was inflamed, red, and oozing. The skin was red as well and the arm and shoulder now swollen. "Oh dear God, what happened to her?"
Linda was nearly in tears but there was no time for an explanation. The EMT crew had arrived to rush Eddie to the nearest hospital. There was no way they were taking her anywhere without Jamie.
Next in Tough: Jamie is angry when he learns he'd been kept in the dark. Eddie's decision not to tell Jamie has an unexpected supporter. Eddie and Jamie hear the results of the biopsy.
