A/N: A lot in this chapter. I put off school work to finish it today so please review.


The next evening Jamie and Eddie were back in the Hamptons preparing for yet another party. Eddie came out of the bathroom in a high end, dark green, mid-cut dress; this time she opted for more body coverage to minimize stares from strangers. Now pregnant, Eddie was in no mood to be gawked at by strangers that belonged to a mob circle. It was not unlike some of the regular shirts she wore when off duty but styled as a dress.

Eddie wrapped her arms around Jamie hugging his body with a smile. "You look handsome."

Jamie smiled back meeting her forehead. "You look amazing just like always."

Eddie shrugged. "I think your bar is just low for the way I dress Reagan, I could wear animal skin, and your eyes would light up along with your libido." Eddie smiled as she pressed herself into his body, proving her assumptions right. "Case in point, you know I'm starting to get concerned that being around me gives you an instant and all-night boner, that can't be healthy." She felt his erection with her hand just for good measure.

Jamie chuckled at her forwardness. "You're already feeling me up, and you are worried about my libido? He smiled sounding quizzical. "You haven't even been pregnant a month yet, and you can't get enough, your hormones will tire me out by the second trimester at this rate." She blushed, pulling her attention back to his eyes with difficulty.

Eddie's voice held anxious irritation. "I just can't help it, early or not. This pregnancy is making me feel addicted to you." She whined desperately. "Can't we just be fashionably late!" She kissed him hard hoping he would cave to her.

Jamie pulled away reluctantly, knowing someone had to stay level headed. "If I let you have your way, we won't leave. The invite is from Ricky Ortiz himself and as much as I hate to admit it, we have to start coming across as likable to this family and showing up late would not help at all."

Eddie was clearly disappointed. "Fine, but I don't know how long I can make it so we might have to sneak into a bathroom or something."

Jamie shrugged with a chuckle. "Boy Janko, how did you ever make it without me for five years."

Eddie did not beat around the bush. "A lot of late-night masturbating, especially after nights we went out after work and you didn't come home with me, or did not come out after work at all, using the grandfather excuse."

Jamie grinned playfully. "So, you suffered in silence when I was just trying to do right by you. You really do act like a typical guy you know, wanting me in your bed."

Eddie rolled her eyes sounding annoyed. "I still don't think you get how hard it was, six months was all it took for me to fall for you, and yeah I wanted you making love to me, in my bed, or your bed, or anywhere. I loved you, smart ass, even then. I have no trouble admitting that I am making up for lost time with you and I don't like things getting in my way." She sighed. "I respect you Jamie so I never crossed the line anytime we walked it, but I regret not crossing the line sooner, and not just because of my drought, but because you make me happy. It doesn't matter if we're trapped in a squad car, or we're boss and subordinate, or undercover mobsters, or I'm mad at you…I'm always happy."

Jamie smiled. "Don't worry, if we can find a window while we are there…I just don't want to forget that we have a job to do." He locked eyes with Eddie now. "Oh and I feel the same way, my sister knew I loved you before I figured it out, she told me years ago, and then again when you were shot last year." He shrugged quietly. "I'm a bit mad that it took so long for me to figure it out."

Eddie shook her head apologetically. "That's as much my fault as it is yours, so you're not alone there." She looked in the direction of his waist now, grasping the zipper of his pants anxiously. "I can't wait, I'm sorry. I need a holdover!" She unzipped the pants of his suit, very pleased when his member sprang free. She sounded grateful as she fondled it with one hand while still maintaining eye contact with Jamie sounding newly apologetic. "Just give me a minute, and promise me that you don't think less of me."

Jamie chuckled as his fiancée dropped level with his waist, sounding nonchalant. " At this point, I think it's better to tide you over than keep you waiting until you burst."

She smiled. "You knew?"

Jamie ran his hands gently through her hair sounding rhetorical. "It's not like I haven't been paying attention to the spike in your libido; actually it's more than a spike, your blatantly horny over the last two weeks." Jamie chuckled. "If your blowjobs are as fast as your driving this won't even make us late."

Eddie wore a wry smile. "Shut up Reagan."

Luckily Eddie was able to keep a lid on while she and Jamie engaged in conversation at the party. Ricky Ortiz was much friendlier than their initial meeting, and it was a bit unnerving.

He sounded way too casual for a mob leader. "Thank you for coming both of you, this invitation was a thank you for getting rid of that ill-chosen lawyer, and an opportunity to relax for once." He sighed, "I gather recent events have made things tense, particularly with Erik."

Jamie was lightly blunt. "Shooting my wife over an indirect comment was not his smartest idea."

Ricky took a sip of his scotch before responding agreeably. "I warned him not to become infatuated with a woman that is oblivious to his juvenile advances." He tilted his head apologetically. "I apologize, Ellie, my older son, is alarmingly vain, but hopefully his advances will stop now that you are pregnant."

Eddie gave a casual smile. "How did you know?"

Ricky smiled, "Easy to spot, you have not touched alcohol, you've had several helpings of food, but the biggest giveaway is the way steal glances at Jimmy, which tells me this is your first and the hormone surge started early."

Jamie nodded casually. "She's become a handful, my wife."

Ricky laughed. "Enjoy it, my friend, because there is always a chance, she could become a handful for entirely different reasons that are anything but enjoyable, kind of like my ex-wife."

A sharp critical voice entered the conversation. "Don't kid yourself, Ricky, even in our best days we were never constantly falling in love like these two are."

Ricky sounded indifferent. "Unfortunate but true. Helena, this is Jimmy Riordan and his wife, Ellie."

Helena was a tall woman with straight, waist length black hair and piercing brown eyes. She was beautiful, in the superficial way that some women seemed to flaunt themselves, large chest, thin body with noticeable makeup, the kind of woman that Jamie was immune to by principle.

Helena's greeting was indifferent, she eyed Eddie first. "She's the one Erik shot then?"

Eddie sounded casual again. "Your oldest son has issues, getting that bent out of shape over an indirect insult, thank god Jimmy is a great medic."

Helena gave a light reply. "I think being continually outshined by Ian and Jenna has left Erik easily triggered when situations don't go his way."

Jamie was blunt. "Well, we plan on sticking around, so I hope he quits well he's behind."

Ricky leaned back casually. "I've tried to use force to make my point with him, but because I'm his father, it falls on deaf ears. You two are the first to make his stupidity really sink in, so I think he'll quiet down for once."

Another softer, female voice entered the conversation sounding skeptical. "Erik is never quiet Dad, you know that."

Ricky greeted his daughter with a general enthusiasm that Jamie and Eddie had not yet seen. "Jenna darling, where have you been? Jimmy, Ellie, this is my daughter Jenna."

If Helena Ortiz was superficial, her daughter Jenna was the exact opposite. She had hair like her mother, but that was where the similarities ended. She was about Jamie's height with her father's hazel eyes, and almost no makeup at all, her figure and demeanor seemed similar to her father, simple overall.

Jenna answered her dad casually. "I was working the bar, stopped to eat some food, but it looks like a lot of it is already gone. There isn't a whole lot of people here."

Eddie blushed with embarrassed. "That's probably my fault, I eat a lot normally, and I'm pregnant on top of it so now I can eat through an entire buffet myself."

Jenna replied indirectly. "These are the people who knocked Erik down a peg?" She smiled at them gratefully. "Thank you, his ego was annoying."

They smiled. "No problem."

She continued. "Jimmy, Ellie, since dads hiring you both maybe you can keep my idiot brother in check."

Ricky smiled. "Always spoiling things this one." He sipped his drink again. "Will you come aboard?"

Eddie sounded lightly blunt. "As long as we're doing more than babysitting your moronic son."

Jamie sounded apologetic. "You will have to forgive Ellie; she is still bitter about being shot because of your son's thin skin."

Helena sounded befuddled by her oldest son. "I don't know where we went wrong with him, I'm sorry Ellie, know that the rest of us are more level headed than Erik. I have to go, excuse me."

Ricky waved his hand dismissively as she left. "Thin skin is something Erik gets from being overshadowed by his younger siblings. Most families it's the younger ones that are problematic, not the case here." He smiled. "I plan big things for you both, but the details will be discussed another time. For now, enjoy yourselves. I feel compelled to mention that we have a private club attached to this restaurant, something tells me that you will want to celebrate." He stood up now, "do try to make a round of meet and greet beforehand, my other friends are surprisingly enjoyable." Ricky raised his glass again. "Congrats on the pregnancy."

Jenna addressed Eddie very friendly. "I can get you more food from the kitchen if you want Ellie?"

Eddie gave a genuine nod of appreciation. "That would be great thank you, just nothing with fruit in it. The baby seems to hate fruit…not craving anything yet. Even though it's early, I'm already completely out of whack." Jenna nodded and left their table.

As they observed other people, Jamie noticed two men that were all too familiar. He whispered under his breath. "Dammit, we've got two big problems."

Eddie replied with sarcasm. "What, more exes I don't know about?"

Jamie sighed tilting his head slightly in the direction he was looking. "That's Angelo Gallo, the most famous mob lawyer in New York, my dad's old friend and Lenny Ross, my dad's old partner."

Eddie nodded. "Let me guess, they know you by association?"

Jamie sighed. 'We need to get out of here and regroup."

Eddie smiled. "Looks like we will be using that private club sooner than we thought, but we're still waiting for my food." He nodded knowing better than to refuse her appetite or her hormones."

Jenna came back with hot dogs, BBQ chicken, spaghetti breadsticks, several chocolate desserts, and water."

Eddie took the food immediately. "Thank you, do you mind if we take this with us?"

She smiled. "Our private club Aces, through the back exit and directly opposite the alley my dumbass brother cornered you in…dad already made sure the staff is aware of both of you."

Eddie smiled gratefully again. "We feel bad leaving."

Jenna shrugged. "Don't, these parties are boring, and I would not be here if I were as in love with someone as both of you are with each other. I'm really sorry about Erik again, he hits on every beautiful woman he sees even if he has no chance with them and tries to impress my father in really stupid ways like shooting potential hires, he is a complete idiot, the black sheep of the family."

Eddie shrugged casually. "Thanks, we've had experience with crazed music fans so stupid is nothing we haven't seen already."

Jenna smiled again. "Between you and me nobody would bother with Erik if he was not family, Dad was really looking for permanent help to effectively replace him."

Jamie smiled casually. "Glad we could help."

Jenna stood up saying goodbye. "I'm sure I will see you again, Dad eventually likes to visit his friend's place."

Jamie nodded. "We'd be happy to have him sometime."

She left with a casual smile. "Bye Jimmy, Ellie."

After Jenna left, Jamie and Eddie noticed that both Gallo and Ross had turned in their direction. They quickly stood up and moved from their line of sight.

Eddie whispered in Jamie's ear. "I think my appetite can actually get us out of here, but I definitely want that food…the back exit is away from the cluster of people, be a waiter."

Jamie nodded reluctantly. "Why do people always pop up at the worst times."

Eddie smiled. "Because Jamie, it's a small world after all."

He shrugged. "Hungry, corny and horny, let's go Mrs. Riordan."

Jamie called his father from his burner the moment they were in a private room of the club making sure to stay quiet once he answered.

Frank's voice was measured. "If you are calling me from this number things must be extremely difficult at the moment."

Jamie scoffed frustrated. "You're what's making it difficult this time. Angelo Gallo and Lenny Ross are at this thing. You need to call them now and tell them about me."

Frank noted his son's irritation. "You'll have to give me some time to meet them in person, a day maybe."

Jamie sighed heavily. "Fine." He hung up without waiting for a reply.

Eddie pulled Jamie onto the nearby couch looking passive as she sat on his lap putting her arms around his neck. She spoke quietly. "Things just keep popping up, like the universe is taking a big interest in us. It's even screwing with my hormones."

Jamie laughed gently. "That's the easy part, it's everything else that's bothering me."

Eddie melted her lips into his neck sounding very grateful. "I appreciate that I never want you to feel like I'm just using you to scratch my itch."

Jamie smiled at her. "I never feel that way Eddie, granted the spike has taken some adjustment…I just fly free these days so I can be ready at a moment's notice."

She lingered on Jamie's neck momentarily responding gently. "Me too." She gathered herself sounding determined. "But I'm going to try and keep a lid on that to work through what's going on in that head of yours, and because it is not a good idea to skip out on this party, I mean no longer than it would take to have sex anyway."

Jamie shrugged. "It doesn't matter what is going on in my head."

Eddie locked eyes with him sounding emphatic. "Yes, it does, the world has gotten way too small for us lately." She chuckled with embarrassment. "The only reason I'm not panicking is that my sex drive is overpowering my fear thanks to the pregnancy." She sighed in a calm whisper. "I'm sure you're Dad has no stupid friends, I find it hard to believe that these people aren't smart enough to know about Jimmy Riordan."

Jamie moved one hand under Eddie's dress resting it on her not yet visible womb. He replied quietly. "I'm not risking anything for the sake of you and this baby, I'll have to pull them aside, Dad can handle the details tomorrow." He brightened somewhat suddenly getting an idea. "Erik might actually be useful for once!" Eddie smiled as she watched Jamie dial from burner phone.

II

Jamie called Erik, asking him to pass his number to his father, and by extension Gallo and Ross, making sudden pregnancy nausea a conveniently handy excuse for why they were meeting in private. Both men agreed, under the impression that they were meeting new faces by a meet and greet.

Jamie took advantage of their surprise to greet them in cover. He sounded casual. "Jimmy Riordan and my wife Ellie, thank you for meeting us away from the party. She is pregnant and somewhere private, and quiet helps with sudden bouts of nausea."

Eddie sold the explanation by looking uncomfortable and selling awkward movements as she sat back on the couch again. Truthfully, nausea and morning sickness had been minimal so far, and she hoped that would continue, but like any pregnancy, only time would tell.

Both men showed some form of recognition immediately. Gallo was nonchalant. "Private room makes sense now."

Eddie sighed, "so does carrying this around." It was the same soundproof box that she used at the art auction.

Jamie exhaled thanks to Eddie. "I'm so glad you always think ahead."

Eddie smiled with a dismissive inflection. "Not always, I did rope you into getting me pregnant remember." She stood up as Jamie kissed her forehead while she eyed the plate of food she had not touched yet, becoming nonchalant herself. "Now, I'm going to eat while you three chat."

Gallo continued casually. "So, Jamie Reagan, who is your better half really?"

He was quick. "Eddie Janko, my fiancée and also NYPD we're deep undercover."

Gallo chuckled. "Eddie is not a name you typically hear for a girl." Gallo continued rather predictably. "I'd ask what you are both doing here, but it would just waste my time and yours."

Lenny shrugged. "I figured your Dad's invisible hand was lurking."

Eddie had a flat tone responding after a bite of a hot dog. She tilted her head slightly annoyed. "My actual name is Edit (E-deet) after my grandmother, Eddie is just easier all around."

Gallo nodded. "I can see why, Hungarian pronunciation is a bit tricky, especially this particular name."

Lenny nodded too sounding impressed. "Hungarian huh, your stubbornness must come in handy around that table then."

Eddie smiled. "Something like that."

Jamie shook his head. "Look the quick answer is we're an extension of the DEA, Dad has no part in this." Jamie continued rather bluntly. "Don't cause problems for us undercover."

Gallo was equally blunt. "Unfortunately, my job is to give council and make problems go away. I won't blow your cover, but I will need to do my job in the meantime. My friendship with your father is the only reason I am willing to stay silent, but I will certainly be rooting against you both." He smiled in a friendly manner. "I will lose a lot of money if you make the case."

Jamie shrugged. "I guess it really does pay to have friends in low places." He turned to Ross. "Why are you here Lenny?"

He was indifferent. "Your father is not the only person that I go way back with Jamie."

He was blunt. "I don't need details, but the DEA won't like that they had a direct path to Ricky Ortiz long before turning this into a major operation."

Lenny sighed. "I'm not helping the feds."

Jamie crossed his arms. "You're going to help us because you wore NYPD blue once and that means doing the right thing."

Lenny chuckled. "I will stay out of your way, but you two are on your own with whatever you're doing, I'm not getting in the middle of this. Ricky is a long-time friend, heavy drugs or not you have to bust him yourself."

Jamie shrugged throwing up his arms. "Find just stay out of our way, both of you."

They nodded. Gallo made a blunt observation. "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, you and your father are very alike."

Lenny piggybacked that sentiment with a smile. "Uncanny."

Eddie spoke up having been quietly eating the whole time. She was wistful. "Good, my side of the family is not anything to pass to kids, so I'd rather our kid turn out like his you and his grandparents anyway." She grinned.

Jamie sighed with a smile looking at Eddie with a dismissive expression. "Last time I checked DNA is fifty-fifty so don't sell yourself short your 24 chromosomes matter too." He turned to Gallo and Lenny with a passive expression. "Remember, Jimmy and Ellie Riordan." They nodded again and left the room.

Eddie sounded casual. "Talk about friends in low and high places."

Jamie nodded wrapping his arms around Eddie's back and looking at her with a sigh. "Dad always said it was good to have both. Let's get back out there."

Eddie shook her head in protest. "I brought that soundproof box for my own benefit you know."

Jamie had a blunt look as he chuckled lightly. "What am I going to do with you, Janko?"

Eddie tilted her head apologetically. "I'm sorry but that quickie before we left only held me over for so long, and I can't fight it anymore." She kissed him hard as a form of enticement.

He smiled as they broke the kiss, "I guess we can spare a little while since we're already in here anyway." He made sure to lock the door before returning to the kiss and lifting Eddie into his arms.

III

A little while turned out to be almost an hour later, Eddie seemed to have quelled from the extra time and was focused and content again. The party had thinned out somewhat by the time they returned. All that remained were Ricky, his kids and the rest of his staff, Lenny was gone. Jamie was thankful that his father's old partner was not one of them and Ricky was just a friend in a low place. Obviously, Gallo was, along with a few other people they had yet to formally meet. A shorter, white, partially balding man whose face looked aged quite a bit and two towering bulked up black men they recognized as security guards having been "held" by them at the warehouse two weeks earlier. All parties were now in the back room of the restaurant which was set up like a large roundtable.

Ricky spoke to the room casually. "Family knows I've brought two new people into the fold, but for those that don't I think public introductions are in order, Jimmy Riordan and his wife Ellie, they will be doing quite a bit for me." He continued. "That old timer is Mickey Santana, he handles all the monetary stuff concerning our activities, those two that look identical are bodyguards and security, Bruce and Wayne."

Jamie chuckled, "Were your parent's fans of Batman or something?"

They shrugged. "Look at us, what else would fit." Jamie tilted his head in agreement."

Ricky continued. "Yes, very amusing, now I believe you met Angelo Gallo earlier? He is our replacement legal advisor after Davenport did not work out."

Gallo chuckled, "You were always cheap Ricky, and then you make these people clean up your mess, I've told you cheap legal help never ends well."

Eddie shrugged sounding nonchalant. "It did for me, I got to kill Jimmy's ex."

Gallo chuckled again. "If you're not afraid to kill then no wonder Ricky hired you."

Jamie clarified putting his arm around Eddie looking across the table at Erik, who seemed intimidated by the stare. His voice was not Jamie like at all and had a hard edge. "We don't have patience when other people cause problems, it makes Us unpleasant."

Ricky nodded with a gauging expression. "Something Erik learned the hard way, which is why I am removing him from fieldwork effective immediately, Jimmy, Ellie you will replace him, and Mrs. Riordan when your pregnancy becomes a physical issue we will, of course, adjust accordingly."

Erik was not pleased. "You are replacing me with two people? People just brought in, you can't be serious?"

Ricky was indifferent. "I am, I have been looking for your replacement for quite some time. You are too nonchalant when you have no business acting as such, took quick-tempered. It is very unprofessional and bothersome."

Erik laughed. "You really think they can break bad?"

Ricky was blunt. "I will find out, but their edge leaves me plenty confident."

Jamie was casual. "What is the first thing you want us to do?"

Ricky leaned forward with a blunt inflection. "The latest notable gangs in the city make their own drugs, you're going to hijack the next set of major shipments around the city." He slid a paper over to Jamie and Eddie. "The shipments are scheduled for six months from now, in the summer when the weather will not be a factor in what is supposed to be drop-offs."

Jamie showed sounded casual. "Makes sense moving drugs in the dead of winter or spring would be a bigger headache for gangs. Still, that's not what I was expecting."

Ricky smiled. "You thought that you would be called upon daily. Jimmy, we are much more practical than that and always wait for key opportunities to help ourselves to the product. Now, there may be killed at various times, but the reason we stay successful is that we are smart about how we operate and don't draw attention to ourselves."

Eddie nodded turning attention elsewhere. "So, what happens in the meantime?"

Ricky continued. "We have a large frequency of exports coming between now and then, I would like you to handle them by meeting the buyers. You will be supplied with locations when they get in touch with me. You will need to make this priority no matter what you are doing at the time I give you the information. I suggest that you stay ready to go come nightfall, that is when I insist these meets happen with buyers. Only morons handle illegal activities in broad daylight."

Jamie nodded agreeably. "Have I mentioned how much I like that you are smarter than the Sanfino family."

Ricky chuckled. "I'm sorry you got mixed up with them Jimmy, ignorance beyond even Erik that family."

Erik was sarcastic. "Gee thanks, dad."

Eddie looked at Jamie sympathetically. "I'm sorry I didn't know you then lamb chop."

Jenna swooned. "Dad, why weren't you and mom ever like Jimmy and Ellie, they put you to shame."

Ricky addressed his daughter lightly. "We were at one point or another, but it takes more than love to stay together. Willing to admit when you don't see eye to eye is almost more important than showing affection, and we never talked honestly enough."

Eddie smiled casually. "Jimmy and I disagree regularly, we like it that way. It keeps us on our toes, but it's rare we have a really big fight. Recently, when I took a sketchy security job but other than that…the early days of when we met are about it."

Jamie nodded in agreement. "Even that was only because the jackass that came with that job was reckless." He shrugged. "I did fight over her once in public and put my foot in my mouth when we were planning the wedding." He continued rhetorically. "Advice for both your sons if either of them is lucky enough to ever to find a woman, don't call the wedding a waste of money, ever."

Ricky was surprised. "The post of striking it rich is to be able to treat yourself."

Jamie shrugged casually. "I like to stay practical, rich or not and considering how things turned out money wise. I'm glad we kept it simple."

Eddie nodded sounding reflective. "I knew what he was really trying to say, it just came out so badly. I give Jimmy a hard time but he always fixes things, we always talk."

Jenna looked at Eddie. "Can I have your number, Ellie?"

Eddie was surprised. "Sure, but I'm not usually available during the day because we're working security in the city. Even have a place there too." She continued. "Sir, forgive me, but I'm surprised that Jenna is aware of your wider activities."

Ricky nodded with a noting expression. "That is the general reaction, none of my children were aware until they turned 18, but I don't believe in shielding adults. Helena did put up a larger protest with Jenna but as I'm sure you've seen she is quite mature, though I do draw the line at any direct participation on her part."

Jenna shrugged with a blunt response. "That isn't sexism at all."

Ricky shook his head. "No, it isn't, it is nepotism, you are my only daughter, and this is only supposed to be your last resort."

Jenna nodded with a shrug. "I've heard that since I turned 18."

Ricky looked at her seriously. "It's a good thing you remember." He shifted wrapping things up with a general tone. "That's all for the time being. Jimmy, Ellie, as I said, I will contact you when buyers in question inform me they are ready to meet, but it varies. I am hoping this will occupy you enough until the bigger date arrives."

Jamie nodded. "Whatever you need, we do our job and do it well."

Eddie sounded casual looking at Erik. "Don't worry, we won't screw up, we take things seriously."

Ricky smiled, glad to hear it."

Jamie looked at Gallo sounding friendly. "Mind if I pick your brain about law back at our house? I'm interested in the dark side of being a lawyer."

Gallo shrugged. "Sure, give me the address, Ricky care to join us?"

He shook his head. "Not tonight, I have personal things to deal with, but sometime soon I will definitely see the home you both are trying to keep."

Eddie gave a friendly smile. "Anytime, something tells us working for you will be beneficial."

Ricky nodded agreeably. "The feeling is mutual."

IV

Back at their undercover house, Jamie and Eddie were meeting with Gallo again, this time with the added benefit of complete transparency

Gallo took a seat looking around with a somewhat judgmental expression. "Working on the government's dime must be nice."

The living room was extremely fancy. Large enough to fit in both of the apartment living rooms, and more end to end space more size than either of them had been used to living with. Furniture was a combination of leather seating and glass tables, all of which overlooked a large fireplace.

Jamie shrugged. "Is what it is, we're playing the role."

Gallo sighed. "Piece of advice, the mob is not a role it's life if you want to survive you will need to get your hands dirty and be okay with it. What are you doing?"

Jamie sighed. "Dad will fill you in tomorrow, but it has international implications. You will want to keep connections on speed dial just in case you have to detach yourself from this at some point…you won't want to be guilty by association when we make the case."

Gallo corrected him cooly. "If…a crime that has international networks won't go down easily…"

Eddie was thinking intently now. "The daughter Jenna, she's it, if I can gain her trust, then this will be over quickly."

Gallo sounded impressed but skeptical. "Quick solution, difficult implementation, but it will test if you are anything like the Reagan's when they have to get there hands dirty, something like mental fortitude."

Eddie was blunt. "You know I can't decide if I like you or not."

Gallo laughed. "That's a recurring theme in my world, just know that getting through to Jenna will take work."

Eddie nodded. Jamie continued. "What do you know about the batch of shipments in three months."

Gallo leaned forward. "I only know about the gang leaders responsible for shipping the drugs around the city, Miles Cain and Jake Singer…"

Eddie blurted forcibly. "The second one, how did he get out of Jail?"

Gallo was indifferent. "I'm a good lawyer, is there something I should know?"

Eddie was blunt. "He assaulted me! How Long has he been out?"

Gallo recalled vaguely. "I have no idea, I just know he escaped and fell into the underground of criminal activity where we eventually crossed paths."

Jamie was quickly angry. "How does someone escape a multi-offender prison."

Gallo sighed. If there is one thing that I have learned it's that someone consumed with getting out will find a way to escape, you two will want to stay level headed, running into hated enemies is a regular occurrence in the mob world. I'm just sorry I don't have specifics as to how this man that you both clearly know escaped. It takes a great deal of time to even identify the people surrounding various mob operations, and I have several families and individuals as clients."

Eddie sighed. "At least we have a heads up on Singer."

Jamie nodded with an edge to his voice. "I would have killed that creep on the spot without your inadvertent heads up here."

Gallo was surprised. "Here I thought that the Reagan's didn't have that in them."

Eddie grabbed Jamie's hand sounding subdued. "Not sure about the rest of the Reagan's but I've learned that Jamie's line begins and ends with me, it took some adjustment to accept that."

Gallo nodded sounding passive. "Hate might be safer than love, but love is far more potent an emotion. I only need to look at you both to know there is no line you won't cross for each other." He pulled a card from his pocket sounding measured. "If you find yourself in a tight spot within the cover, friends in low places helps."

Jamie nodded. "Thank you." Gallo stood up and bid farewell with a tilt of his head.

Afterward, Eddie sighed, hugging herself to Jamie's body.

She sounded exhausted and not from being undercover. Her voice was low. "I'm scared Jamie."

He squeezed her gently. "We're going to be fine Eddie. I will bench you if the pregnancy makes things too difficult."

She shook her head staring absentmindedly. "No not about the assignment." She shook somewhat. "He's back, he escaped…why hasn't he come after me and what if he blows my cover when we go after the shipments, in three months?" The words came out with a slight break in them.

Jamie locked eyes with Eddie, he touched her face with one finger wiping the mist off her eyes. He sounded like a human shield. "Hey, I won't let him anywhere near you, I promise."

Eddie smiled sounding practical. "You can't always protect me."

Jamie was dismissive. "I will do whatever I have to keep you safe. I can't be the guy that just stands by and does nothing when the world hurts you."

Eddie hugged tighter to him sounding emphatic. "I tried to fight it at first, but I love that you're my knight in shining armor. It's the biggest reason I love you because of how much you love me, it scares me but there is no one else in my life that would do anything and everything for me, that's why I fell in love with you."

Jamie nodded kissing the top of her head. "I will never stop being that guy, so I hope you will always understand and live with that."

Eddie grew a light expression now. "I guess if I have to."

Jamie looked her lovingly in the eyes. "Good."

Eddie continued suggestively. "You know, we haven't checked out the master bedroom of this place yet or the bathroom, let's stay here tonight. Be a couple for a change. We don't do that very much, and it might be our last chance before this assignment kicks into high gear." She smiled. "I would hate to think we never put such a high-end house to some use."

Jamie smiled with interest. "What'd you have in mind?"

Eddie grinned. "Let's go to bed, I'm sure that bed is more comfortable than either of the ones in our apartments."

Jamie chuckled. "That sounds great, after you Mrs. Riordan."

With a smile, Eddie got up and took Jamie by the hand and led him upstairs to the master bathroom.

V

Jamie and Eddie's day jobs as Frank's primary aid and members of his protective detail was predictably boring. Naturally, they took boring every day because if the PC was in danger, it meant that it affected the entire NYPD and thus the city itself. Eddie was 12 weeks along before they dealt with anything notable in their day jobs.

Eddie was quizzical as they drove in Frank's car. "What's going on? I was less nervous during our first drug meet undercover two weeks ago."

Frank responded bluntly. "First of all, I should not hear about anything that happens while you are undercover, it was enough for me to have to fill in Angelo and Lenny. Second, not until we get to where we are going."

Jamie credited his father. "Thanks for the assist with those two, by the way, would have been a mouthful for us to explain everything."

Frank continued. "It's not every day that you find out that your former NYPD partner is friends with the head of the biggest crime family in the state of New York."

Jamie pressed. "Did Lenny say how that started?"

Frank shifted focus. "Later, right now we're here, follow me…" Frank said nothing more until they were sitting at the conference table in an underground bunker. He spoke calmly handing them security badges. "Welcome to Bravo Bunker, beat a new record getting here, just over 10 minutes, of course, I told them to step on it because I have family in my detail for right now."

Jamie crossed his arms sounding rhetorical. "A test?"

Frank gave a confirming nod. "You had to be looped in just in case, this place was created post 9/11 so that PC and his closest staff would have a safe place to go when there is nowhere else to go, following catastrophic events namely terrorist threats but biohazard disasters or disease outbreaks also qualify."

Eddie nodded "So if we have to come here…"

Frank was unquestionably blunt. "Things have gone terribly wrong. Everything and anything is here to make this place livable short of cell service and wi-fi. Now let me show you the kitchens and where you will sleep…pray you never have to use them."

Eventually, Jamie and Eddie were back at the conference table. He turned his attention back to Lenny's connection to Ricky.

Frank sighed with a surprised expression. "I guess Lenny and Ricky have known each other since they were 13, but he went one way, and Ricky went the other. Lenny is not a member, but I got the feeling if Ricky needed a favor Lenny would do it."

Jamie pulled out Gallo's card sounding flat and indifferent. "Friends in low places."

Frank nodded. "Low or high depends on the perspective of the person."

Eddie sighed. "Frank, my father can you get him released for the wedding, even temporarily? I know you don't grant favors for the family but …"

He looked at her sadly. "I cannot get him released, he committed federal fraud, and I don't have pull with the feds, they find me annoying."

Eddie was downcast. "Oh okay…"

He sighed. "I'm sorry, this is one string I would gladly pull if I could. How much time is left on his sentence?"

She was quiet. " about 18 months…"

Jamie offered a solution. "We could just postpone the wedding."

Eddie was dismissive as she met Jamie's forehead. "No, I've waited a minimum of two years and a max of five years to be your wife, and I am not putting off our wedding for anything." She looked at Frank seriously. "Care to sub in Commissioner?"

Frank smiled. "I would be honored."

Eddie smiled dropping the formality. "Thanks, Dad."

VI

That Friday Eddie had a very early doctors appointment. Top on Eddie's list was finding out why she had gained over 30 pounds in the first 12 weeks of the pregnancy, she figured that had to be abnormal. Even Jamie, who initially assumed that the extra weight was because she ate everything that was edible these days, was starting to get concerned. The doctor noticed Eddie's weight and womb carefully when he greeted them both. "Well, weight gain is normal during pregnancy, but you do seem to have gained quite a bit more in the first trimester than is typical." He continued without any inflection. "You're showing much more than is typical at 12 weeks too."

Eddie looked at her already protruding stomach sounding somewhat embarrassed. "I have been eating a lot, and I ate quite a bit before he did this to me."

The doctor smiled. "I don't think your appetite for the culprit here. Let's take a look at what's going on in there."

After setting up the ultrasound machine, the doctor addressed them in surprise. "Well, that explains a lot."

Eddie and Jamie responded nervously. "What?"

He continued. "Here, I think it will make sense if you listen because looking can be a bit confusing."

A few moments later they heard a distinct noisy echo fill the room. Jamie shrugged. "All I hear is a noisy baby, which isn't surprising considering who mom is, that's good right?"

He nodded and continued turning the monitor towards the both of them. "The noise is louder than normal because there are three heartbeats."

Eddie blinked several times looking flustered. "You are having triplets, Eddie. That explains why your pregnancy has been atypical. I noticed that you're morning sickness has been at a minimum, count yourself lucky, those babies must be really happy in there. Do you want to know what you're having?" They both nodded. He smiled. "They are girls!" He noted their flustered expressions. "I'll give you both some privacy. They are healthy, so unless you are having trouble as the pregnancy advances you should only need to come back once per trimester just to make sure everything continues to go smoothly; otherwise I will see you on the big day." He left shuttling the door behind him.

Jamie smiled at Eddie. "Looks like family dinners will be a lot more crowded."

Eddie grinned back. "Yeah, who knew you would be this good at making babies Reagan."

Jamie nodded and then his face fell. "Where are we going to put them all, we can't fit three babies in our tiny apartments, and I don't want to move to the house in the Hamptons."

Eddie's face fell too. "How am I going to fit in my dress, if we don't get married until May, it's a good thing I didn't spend all that money on the sweetheart neckline dress."

Jamie nodded agreeably. "Now I'm really glad we are not going overboard on the wedding. We have a lot to figure out before our daughters arrive."

Eddie smiled meeting his forehead as she placed a hand over her stomach. "Still I'm happy, we're going to have triplets!"

Jamie met her hand. "Me too, my family has enough boys."

They kissed for several minutes knowing that their lives had changed drastically, for the better.

VII

Working as Frank's detail was important today because he was going to a meet in the most dangerous of the slums in the city to inform them that the trial period on Governor Mendez' crime bill was over; the crowd was unruly. Jamie and Eddie were flanking Frank on both sides.

Frank spoke over them quickly. "Three months of raw numbers say that releasing lesser offenders back on the street does not discourage them from committing crimes again, so the experiment with this crime bill is over. Even the governor agreed." There were shouts of conspiracy and disregard for the slums in the city. Someone pulled a gun and fired at Frank. Jamie took a bullet meant for Frank. It penetrated his skin in the center of his chest, the bullet went through his vest like butter and Jamie hit the ground of the stage awkwardly, feeling like a ton of bricks.

Eddie responded frantically as other members of the detail returned fire while crowd scattered. "Shots fired at the PC; 10-13, I repeat 10-13 officer down taking fire meant for the PC. Need a bus to the heart of Hell's Kitchen slums and put a rush on it!" The rest of the detail took out the perp while Eddie stayed with Frank whisking him away from the crowd until his driver got him back in his vehicle. PC is safe and no longer on site, but I need a rush on that damn bus!"

Jamie wheezed weakly on the ground as Eddie worked to control the bleeding. "Is the PC secure?"

Eddie nodded tears streaming down her face. "He's fine, and you will be too, just stay awake."

He was looking in every direction fighting the shock of his wound. "Doing my best."

Medics arrived moments later just as Jamie fell unconscious. Eddie's voice was a terrified sob as she road with Jamie in the ambulance to St. Victors hospital.

She sounded quiet. "Don't you die on me Jameson Reagan, you here me." She placed a hand on her stomach. "Your father is going to be fine, girls he's going to be just fine."

VIII

Jamie needed surgery because the bullet had lodged itself near several key blood vessels and other muscle tissue, though thankfully it missed vital organs. It collapsed his left lung, it was this combined with blood loss that led to him falling unconscious and even after a successful surgery he remained in a light Coma, not dangerous enough to affect major brain functions but nonetheless terrifying for everyone in the family, none more so than Eddie.

Danny and Erin had been working cases when they got the call, dumping them off on their partners, both of whom took them over completely without hesitation. They informed their kids, on the way to St. Victors, Nicky drove Sean and Henry, while Jack drove in after that day's classes were over, getting an absence from college. Since he was the one shot at Frank couldn't immediately come to the hospital, Baker returned without hesitation as his primary aid so that Eddie could stay with Jamie at the hospital and Garret and Sid worked to keep details quiet to keep Jamie's cover intact. Eddie did nothing but sit at Jamie's bedside from the moment he was brought into the recovery room.

Eddie sounded momentarily like herself as she held Jamie's hand looking stern. "I told our daughters you are going to be fine, don't you make me a liar Jameson Reagan." She squeezed his hand turning anxious. "Come on Jamie wake up, if you die I die too and that means five people die." She smiled weakly. "Okay, I know what you're thinking; 'wow Eddie it's pretty low of you to guilt me into waking up, you can do this by yourself.' I can't Jamie, I cannot raise three daughters by myself…I cannot lose my partner, my lover, my best friend." She sobbed quietly as she continued. "You're still the best person I have ever met, and our daughters have to know you, so you wake up dammit. Wake up so you can call me shorty, and Girl Scout and make fun of my driving and my appetite and…" she laughed wryly. "…how fat. I'm going to get carrying your daughters for 9 months.". She continued calmly. "I want to name one of them after you. We call you Jamie, and that traditionally is a girls name so…Jamie Rose Reagan, what do you think?" The monitor beeped twice in quick succession, Eddie answered him with a smile. "We can call her Rose if you want, to avoid confusion." The machine beeped once. She answered again, dropping her arm on his bed sounding emphatic. "Because I want one of our daughters to legally share your informal name." The machine beeped again, and she continued. "I'm glad you are okay with it." The machine beeped twice with a pause between them. She sighed looking at his closed eyes wishing that they would open. Eddie rested her head on his bed sounding wishfully upbeat. "Now you just have to wake up. She felt herself cry quietly again. "Come on Jamie, wake up so I can yell at you for driving me crazy like you always do…" There was no response from the machine this time. She kissed his forehead sounded emotional. "That's okay, this time I'm not going anywhere."

Soon other members of the family came into his recovery room. Erin was first, she spoke gently. "How are you doing?"

Eddie sighed. "I'm fine."

Erin smiled. "You don't have to lie." She continued at Eddie's raised eyebrows. "I was over emotional when Jack was shot and needed surgery, and I can't say I ever loved him as much as you love my brother and he loves you. When you were shot on that call, Jamie said he felt guilty for feeling grateful that Dunleavy died and you didn't. Trust me, as long as Jamie is alive, he will wake up eventually. I think he's just visiting everyone else right now."

Eddie smiled at the thought. "Thank you. Erin nodded and left.

The kids were next, they were visibly crestfallen at the sight of their uncle in a coma.

They hugged Eddie sounding jarred. "Uncle Jamie…"

Eddie tried to simplify things. "He's alive, he's just sleeping right now, undercover work is tiring."

They were dismissive. Nicky spoke quietly. "We know what you are trying to do, but you don't have to really. We grew up with this as a frequent thing, even got used hearing likely or not likely, we are more concerned about you."

Jack sounded a bit too much like someone who had been around life and death situations. "Yeah, we're experts by now."

Sean sounded forcibly blunt. "He'll be fine, at least he made it to a hospital. Joe and Mom were left to die alone."

Jack recognized his brother's distress. "Let's go, Shawn."

Eddie sighed concerned. "Is Sean okay?"

Nicky was subdued. "He was much closer with Aunt Linda than Jack, and I still don't think he's coped with her death…Uncle Jamie is the next person he's closest to…he called you even before he called his Dad. I think he is just closer to laid back people."

Eddie chuckled. "Are you sure that's me, most people who don't like me. Think I'm pushy, intrusive and opinionated."

Nicky chuckled. "If it helps, everyone in this family has some or all of those qualities, so you fit right in, it was inevitable you and my Uncle Jamie, and between us, you are way better than Sydney."

Eddie smiled. "Thank you." Nicky smiled back and left.

Danny was the last to come in, he sounded flat. "So we figured out how the bullet went through his vest so easily." Eddie raised her eyebrows signaling it was okay to continue. "It was military grade armor piercing ammo."

Eddie gave an outrageous whisper. "Armor piercing, what kind of animal who fought for our country would turn around and shoot the PC of New York City?"

Danny sat down with a sigh. "Someone fed up the state of our union and targeting someone that they can actually reach. I am just glad this son of a bitch is already dead."

Eddie sighed. "How am I supposed to just sit and wait for him to wake up Danny?"

He sighed recalling similar feelings from six years earlier with his younger son. "I get it too, believe me. When Shawn was around 12, he and the kids were sightseeing around the city with Erin. Anyway, some jerk cut him off as he was riding his bike and he slammed his head against the cement. He had a helmet, but the impact caused swelling in his brain, and he was in a coma for two or three days."

Eddie was blunt. "Danny, if he doesn't wake up…"

Danny leaned forward tempering her. "Hey, I've been right where you are, and as cliché, as it sounds, it really doesn't do any good to think that way. Believe me, you'll just drive yourself crazy."

Eddie sighed deeply. "That's supposed to be Jamie's job. I see you, wounded without Linda, and I couldn't make it through without your brother. I know I couldn't, and I don't know if that makes me weak or dependent or both."

Danny sighed. "It makes you a far better spouse than I could have ever been. I loved Linda, I did. But since she died, I've realized that I kept her at arm's length using our different jobs as an excuse and I didn't treat her like a partner enough. That eats at me every single day." He gave a consoling look. "That's where you have a big leg up on me and why moments like these affect you, and him, so much more than the rest of the family. You embrace them when the rest of us run from it."

Eddie smiled. "So Frank and Henry?"

Danny stood up again. "They won't see the kid until his eyes open. They carry every family death with them even more than the rest of us, pops just keeps pacing around the waiting room and Dad, well it's just easier for him to throw himself in the job, let us know if anything changes."

Eddie nodded. "I will, thanks, Danny."

Danny smiled. "Don't mention it." He left shutting the door behind him.

Eddie stroked Jamie's head whispering quietly. "Come on Jamie, you've made me crazy enough for a lifetime playing hero like this, now open your eyes."

The machine beeped once at the end of her sentence, but Jamie's eyes stayed closed. She sobbed silently on at his bedside and stayed there all night.

VIII

The sun was blinding as it shined through the hospital window that was right by Jamie's bed. His eyes squinted open, and he looked down to find Eddie's engaged hand locked in his own, she was asleep in her chair with her head resting on the only free space that existed in his bed. Jamie's chest felt heavy and awkward, but then he knew that was to be expected because he was shot clean through a vest. He tried to shift his weight and found that it caused too much pain, making it clear how lucky he was to be alive.

Jamie's groans of pain awoke Eddie abruptly. She sat carefully on his bed sounding forcibly emotional. "Jameson Reagan, you scared us to death!" She carefully linked herself to his body, in controlled sobs.

Jamie's voice was weak but consoling. "I'm okay Eddie."

She sobbed anxiously. "That was NOT the way to make me crazy, playing hero like that!"

Jamie sighed with awkward breaths. "I was doing my job."

Eddie shook her head dismissively. "I don't care if we are protecting the pope, you don't jump in front of a bullet and risk leaving me to raise three daughters by myself!" Jamie knew she was venting so he did nothing except squeeze her gently.

A calm voice entered the room, Frank was standing there with a small smile looking tired and worn. "That wouldn't be good, this family is not used to raising girls. We have only had four over the last three generations." Frank looked at his youngest son with a measured expression. "How you feeling son?"

Jamie's inflection was rhetorical. "Like I took a bullet clean through my chest."

Eddie looked at Frank apologetically. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that, it's just…"

Frank was dismissive. "You have to think of your family, which I heard will be triple what you thought."

Eddie sighed. "Frank we cannot afford a house big enough for three kids. When they are born can we move in, just until we have the money?"

Frank smiled again. "We'd be happy to have you." He nodded to them both and left.

Alone now, Jamie shook his head. "We will be fine."

Eddie looked at him rhetorically. "You always think practically, it's practical to do this, plus Henry gets to be around his great-grandchildren."

Jamie sighed nodding. "Alright, once they're born and just until we saved enough money for a five-bedroom house."

Eddie corrected him with a smile. "Seven bedrooms, I would like to have boys at some point."

Jamie smiled. "One thing at a time, I don't think I'm in condition to start thinking about more kids when the ones we have aren't even here yet." He finished dryly in a low voice. "An overzealous lunatic shot me, we have that in common now."

Eddie burst into tears, responding anxiously. "I would give anything not to have this in common."

Jamie offered levity. "Eddie Janko you're a bigger mess than me, and I just woke up from a coma."

Eddie slapped him on the shoulder. "So not funny Jamie, you're such a jerk for almost dying!" She cried even more.

He sighed holding her gently in his arms again. "Years ago I told you I wasn't going anywhere, and I meant it."

Eddie whispered quietly. "Are you okay if I squeeze you for a minute?"

Jamie whispered back just as quietly. "I survived a bullet clean through my chest, I think you can hug me for a little while."

Eddie wrapped herself completely into Jamie's body and laid her head on him like she had so many times before but closer to his waist since the bullet penetrated his upper chest. They both fell asleep within minutes.

IX

Jamie was kept in the hospital all weekend to make sure that he was stable, and, on the mend, Eddie never left his side. The rest of the family rotated in and out of his room regularly. Sunday evening, he was finally discharged, and they came home.

Jamie sounded dismissive. "Eddie this was so unnecessary, I am fine." They'd just gone through the door to his apartment.

Eddie was blunt. "I let you jog down three flights of stairs and to the car on surgically repaired ribs and a re-inflated lung, that's more than I should have done.

Eddie was effortlessly carrying him, apparently watching him steadily tire down three flights of stairs and to the car left her insisting on it, which was ironic considering she was pregnant, adrenaline from seeing him tire so quickly had clearly taken over.

Jamie was irritated as she set him down in the bathroom. "Eddie, I'm fine, really, don't you think you're going overboard?"

Eddie rolled her eyes sounding annoyed. "The doctors said no extraneous activity for a week Jamie, yet the moment the nurses left you were jogging down three flights of stairs like a marathon man."

He shrugged. "okay maybe that was going overboard, but I think I can shower myself."

Eddie put her arms around him looking into his eyes with a melancholy expression. "Please don't fight me on helping you function for a while." Her voice became a pained whisper. "You were in a coma for nearly a day." She felt tears again. "Watching you hover on the edge of death, I felt like I was the one with the punctured lung."

Jamie held her arms wiping tears from her eyes, his infection was tender. "Okay, don't cry, I won't put up a fight for a while, and haven't you learned by now I'm not going anywhere."

Eddie smiled. "Good, now seriously, how do you feel?"

Jamie sighed heavily. "My chest hurts a lot still, and it is painful when I bend in certain directions. Even breathing doesn't feel quite the same." Eddie took off his shirt looking squarely at the vertical and horizontal scars from his surgery in the center of his chest. She ran one hand gently over them.

Her voice was gentle. "The surgeon said that quite a bit of your muscle tissue was compromised when the bullet penetrated your chest. You lost a lot of blood too. They said you were lucky the bullet didn't keep going and compromise your spine after it broke through the left set of ribs and punctured your left lung or you'd be paraplegic, he called it a thick-skinned miracle that you aren't. "

Jamie held her hand tightly. "I would have understood you know, if I had been and you wanted to break off things, that isn't what you signed up for."

Eddie shook her head with a dismissive expression and a blunt inflection. "I signed up to be your wife whether you can walk or not and I thank god you still can but I even if you couldn't I would be your legs, and whatever else you needed." She held his face so happy she could look into his green eyes again. "Not even that would stop me from being with you." She smiled. "Now let's get cleaned up, and then we can sleep in our bed; we both need a shower, and it's been a long weekend." Eddie tempered the amused look on his face. "I know where your mind is going Reagan, this is not an excuse for kinky shower sex. Besides, that would count as extraneous activity, and I don't need you falling back into a coma, not knowing if you would wake up was the worst feeling of my life."

Jamie nodded obediently wearing a small smile as he stroked Eddie's hair." "Okay, and thank you." Eddie tilted her head looking at him with a loving stare. "I always have your back, always." She moved to turn on the water and shut the door before removing all their clothes and pulling her fiancé into the shower with her.

X

There joint showering was much more relaxing than it was erotic, which neither of them minded as the shooting had left Jamie exhausted and Eddie in no mood to have sex. For the most part, Jamie was able to shower and dress, though he noticed that stretching and bending really were painful at times. He supposed it was because his chest was weaker than before and hypersensitive to the rest of his body's movements, but it was nonetheless annoying. He made sure to inform Erik that he was shot working security though he passed it off as a stalker gone crazy, Erik seemed sympathetic but glad that his father might still need him in an active role. After he hung up, they climbed into bed in PJs for the first time in forever. After a minute Jamie turned to Eddie and started laughing quietly. It staggered somewhat making it likely that his lungs were still adjusting to the trauma.

Eddie watches him carefully. "What's so funny that it's got you winded?"

Jamie shrugged sounding full of irony now. "We are undercover as mobsters, but it's our day job that nearly killed me. "He looked at her smiling widely. "I told dad he should stop scheduling those neighborhood Q/A's because people always seem to shoot instead of asking questions."

Eddie chuckled lightly. "That's not so much funny as it is sad and an indictment on society today, makes me nervous about raising daughters in this era."

He nodded. "I'm okay with it, by the way, Jamie Rose Reagan, it fits perfectly."

Eddie snuggled in close with a smile. "You really heard me talking to you."

Jamie hugged her tightly sounding quietly reflective in response. "I saw them Eddie, all three of our daughters when I was in my coma."

Eddie sounded emotionally captivated by his revelation. She looked stunned. "You saw them all, so that's why it took you so long to wake up."

Jamie was emotionally mesmerized himself now. "Mom brought them to me, they were beautiful little girls and looked just like you from the dirty blonde hair to the blue eyes, every last detail of our daughters is you."

Eddie asked curiously. "Did you get a name for the third?"

Jamie nodded. "Sarah Marie Reagan."

Eddie sounded swooned by the name. "I love it."

He smiled holding her around the back. "You do, I was worried you'd think it was too weird to use a name I heard while having a comatose vision."

Eddie shook her head emphatically. "I might not be Roman Catholic but I'm still under the umbrella of Christianity, it's not weird." She put her hand on her stomach sounding cheerful for the first time in three days. "Mary, Jamie, and Sarah; that's perfect…" She smiled. "So, they are like me?"

Jamie nodded smiling back. "Yeah I'm sorry for the spoiler, but I think I willed it through sheer force of thought." He locked eyes with her. "All I've wanted since I fell in love with you is a daughter like you, and now I'm getting three…I really am spoiled for life." He joined his hand with Eddie's over her stomach. They felt a substantial sudden burst of movement.

Jamie was gleefully confused. "Whoa did you feel that? I thought they were not supposed to start kicking for at least another month?"

Eddie grinned beside herself. "I did, and they aren't." She dropped her head against his chest getting emotional again. "I think they are just happy you're okay, and I am too." Eddie suddenly burst into tears of joyful relief.

Jamie held her until they both fell asleep, it took them both quite a while still coping with the irony that they had both been shot by someone with a short fuse, but grateful that they could cope with it together.


A/N: TBC

Semester always makes updates indefinite, I should not have even put off my school work to finish this update but a lot of stories had twins so I figured I would just add one more. The shooting is a parallel of when Mayor Poole was shot, I knew I was going to have Jamie get shot too, it's admittedly something I would like to see in the show for the emotional weight alone.