"Eddie, you ready yet," Jamie called from the front hall checking his watch. Tonight was the precinct Christmas party and Eddie had been getting ready for what seemed like hours. He adjusted the collar to his black suit wanting everything just right, feeling his top pocket for the ring he hid inside.
A clearing of his throat snapped Jamie out of his thought turning his attention to the second floor. Eddie stood smiling down at him wearing a red dress splashed with silver sparkles that curved in with her waist hugging her hips and ended just below her thigh. Her blond hair was left down freely waving over her shoulder bringing his eyes to hers, larger from the black mascara she applied.
"Wow," Jamie swallowed hard suddenly feeling dry watching Eddie slowly make her way downstairs in black two inch heels until she stood a foot away nervously. "You look amazing," Jamie's voice wavered.
Grinning in satisfaction she looked okay despite just getting sick again right before coming downstairs Eddie turned for her coat. She planned on not telling Jamie until Christmas Eve when they exchanged gifts. With his help she slipped the black coat on gathering their kids to the car.
The drive into Manhattan took forty five minutes with holiday traffic making it just as the food came out. "Good timing," Eddie smiled, giving Jamie a warning look not to crack jokes about her diet taking the kids to get food. Shaking his head Jamie went in the opposite direction getting two beers returning to Eddie.
"Thanks lambchop, I'll take it to the table so you can make a plate." Balancing two plates Eddie led the kids to a table setting the beer on a nearby table. "Guys put your napkins on your laps okay," Eddie told them cutting Allanah's food.
Jamie joined them a minute later his plate filled with more vegetables and salad accompanying the small amount of neat he took. Officers both Jamie and Eddie worked with for years greeted them raising beers in jolly measure letting the couple eat. The kids sat quietly finishing everything in their plates before cleaning up so they could go play with other kids.
"You okay babe, want another beer," Jamie asked turning to Eddie finishing his own plate.
"No thanks I'm good." Picking up her plate Eddie walked back to the food table taking seconds sighing. When she returned Kara Walsh joined Jamie looking up hearing her approach, to do this day surprised how they'd become friends.
Beer in hand Kara joined them laughing at their kids playing nicely, both girls wearing matching red dresses, black shoes and red bows clipped to their blond hair. Joe danced wearing a dark blue tux and black dress shoes like his dad wore with another officer's son staying clear of the little girls shy.
Out of the crowd Renzulli managed his way to his old boot with a grin . "Your dad, grandfather and Danny just arrived, you ready kid?" Jamie met the older man's eyes a mix of nerves and excitement. While Sarg seemed out the Reagans Jamie walked to the floor handing the ring carefully to Mary to hold.
He scanned the room finding Eddie by the refreshment table getting a drink walking up to her slowly. "Hey, it's getting hot in here want to get some air? Sarg said he'll watch the kids for us." Slipping his hand in hers Jamie led Eddie out onto the sidewalk in front of the precinct a flood of memories already swirling.
Taking a deep breath Jamie faced Eddie grinning hand gently squeezing hers keeping her back to the precinct so she wouldn't see the Reagans, their kids and Renzulli follow them out. "It seems like just yesterday you came barreling out of the precinct to introduce yourself all four foot with your sassy attitude."
Eddie made a playful face at him smiling though enjoying the look on Jamie's face when she introduced herself as his new partner. "Boy Scout," she teased laughing still unaware of what was about to happen.
"Ever since that day you've had my back on and off the job, you're my best friend Eddie and you've given us a wonderful family. I love you more then words can express." As he went down to one knee a light snow began sprinkling over them.
"Eddie, I want to spend the rest of our lives together. Will you make it official and marry me?"
Eddie blinked shock turning into tears happy and shocked at the proposal. "Of course I will Jamie.. Took you long enough Reagan!"
Smiling, Jamie reached around her with one hand taking the ring Mary offered slipping it on her finger slowly before pulling her into a tight hug. Danny grinned happy his little brother was marrying his soulmate. Mary and Joe hugged their mom's legs, Allanah following not fully understanding what was going on.
Frank moved forward to congratulation them equally glad to see his youngest son happy again with the person he was meant to be with. "You've always been a member of this family but congratulations .. "
Danny moved to his brother laying a hand on his brother's shoulders surprising the younger man with an embrace. "I'm really happy for you both and I know mom and Joe are smiling too."
"Thanks Danny." Jamie turned back to smile at Eddie watching her receive a hug from Henry. Renzulli made his way to his old boot parting his shoulder gently eyes twinkling happy for them. "I always knew you two were meant to be together , congrats kid.."
"Thanks Sarg," Jamie faced his friend glad he was there to witness the proposal. He turned picking Allanah up for a tight hug joining Eddie, Frank and Henry following them back inside arm wrapped around her shoulder.
Eddie paused turning to face Jamie while the others walked ahead with Joe and Mary. "Did you have all this planned with the kids and family? "
Jamie grinned, "yea I did Danny went with me to get the ring and I planned with the kids when you went to work. Just so you know Mary practiced every day so she could be perfect it was really sweet."
Eddie chuckled walking back in with him hands flying to her stomach excited to tell him after Christmas Eve dinner.
