Ch 7
Garret worked tirelessly to prepare Jamie for Friday's press conference with notes on what should be said. He already found it easier to work with the youngest Reagan then his father.
Jamie was more adept at PR and more pliable, still he could see the stress in the younger man. "Go home, Commissioner. See your wife and your beautiful family. How's the little guy you two adopted?"
Thinking of Liam and his family at home made Jamie smile. "He's a good kid despite everything but the boys are still adjusting. Liam needs some extra help and I'm worried."
"Let them all adjust and have Eddie bring them by okay?"
"Thanks Garret have a good night." Jamie slipped his jacket on going downstairs, passing the black car that drove the commissioner everywhere.
He got into the car and it headed to his family home. He could hear crying and Eddie's stress as he pulled up. Sighing he quickly walked in, "anyone home?"
"Jamie...thank God!" Eddie replied. "Conor and Liam are fighting and Mary's throwing up."
"Why are they fighting," Jamie stepped in separating the boys in different chairs looking between them disapprovingly.
"He's stupid, he took the picture I made for Mommy and messed it up," Conor told Jamie. 'Mommy was sad and I made a picture for her to cheer her up now mommy is even sadder," Conor let an exasperated breath out.
Keeping between them Jamie looked at his oldest. "Maybe mommy is sad because your sister is sick and now your fighting with your brother. "
"No, she cried with the horse show on the TV," Conor replied. "and i drew her a picture and he ruined it."
On the chair Liam listened to everything that was being said by his brother , tears wetting his eyes at Conor blaming him for their mom being sad. "No no no," his hands balled into his right fists, kicking the chair.
"No what?" Jamie pressed. 'what are you saying no to? you didn't ruin the picture? What happened to it?"
"No helped," Liam sobbed, reaching his hands in the air wanting to be picked up.
"You helped? Conor show me the drawing you made for Mommy?" Both boys were in tears. Jamie picked Liam up, he had such a hard life so far.
Once in his father's arms Liam cradled against Jamie's chest putting his thumb in his mouth sobbing quietly while Conor retrieved the drawing. The artwork was beautiful, but it hd color on it that didn't belong. Jamie sighed, "Okay, thank you Conor, go upstairs and wait for me please." Conor set the picture down on his chair giving Liam a glare on his way upstairs hoping he got in trouble.
"Liam, if you brother does something by himself, like making a picture that is okay. You don't have to help him all the time ok," Jamie spoke softly so not to scare his son.
Tear streaks left trails,down the little boy's face, Liam wrapping himself against his father needing to feel the comfort Jamie provided. He and Eddie were always quick with hugs that made the little boy feel warm and good "Daddy..love you.."
"I love you too buddy," Jamie rubbed his back handing the three year old to Eddie then headed upstairs for a chat with Conor, finding him waiting on his bed.
"Come here..." Jamie opened his arms and hugged him tight. "Talk to me, what's really happening for you big guy?"
Conor laid in his father's arms red eyed, still quietly trying to suppress his crying. "Liam always ruins everything Sean never messed up my pictures and he gets all the attention."
"Liam had a very hard life, His Mommy and Daddy didn't love him and one night his Mommy...Promise not to repeat this ever!" Jamie said firmly. "You'r a big boy and Daddy wants to trust you."
"I promise daddy," Conor crossed his finger over his heart.
"Liam's Mommy and Daddy...didn't love him. They did bad things to themselves and never gave him hug or a kiss or anything nice before Mommy and I took him home to us. How do you think that would feel?"
Conor sniffled, "not good. Why daddy?"
In all his years on the job seeing so many bad things out on the streets that case was one of the hardest and he still couldn't place it. Jamie couldn't figure out why any parent wouldn't want their child. "I don't know buddy but he needs a lot of attention and love, especially from a big brother to protect him. Do you know anyone who is up for that big job?"
"I am daddy I just wanted to make something nice and cheer mommy up."
"I know buddy maybe you, Liam and Sean can do one together, mommy would really like that," Jamie ruffled his son's hair watching as the six year old wiped the tears from his eyes, giving him a hug. They both stood going downstairs together, Conor going to find Sean while Jamie joined Eddie on the couch.
She offered a tired smile laying her head on his shoulder. Jamie wrapped his arms around her placing a soft kiss on her head. "I got the kids go take a long bath and lay down. " He smiled accepting a kiss watching Eddie stand smirking, turning back to watch the boys play.
Jamie leaned over the twins' bassinets, slowly rubbing a finger over their soft skin. "Hi beautiful girls, daddy loves you so much." Both girls cooed softly keeping their eyes closed resting while listening to their daddy.
Liam turned around from playing hearing the girls getting attention from his daddy. He put the toy down slowly getting to his feet unsteadily walking several feet to plop on Jamie's lap. "Hey bud how come your not playing anymore," Jamie asked.
"Hug hug daddy." Without waiting for a response Liam curled into Jamie wrapping his tiny arms around. Jamie smiled returning the hug gently.
"Just a minute Lee Lee," Jamie replied. "You got Daddy hugs it's the babies turn."
"No Liam," Liam held onto his father's waist demanding attention.
Jamie sighed, "You have to take turns. Daddy will love you in a few minutes but your sisters need me right now okay."."
"Noooo," Liam clenched his arms around jaime's waist, tears falling down as he kicked his legs.
Jamie sighed, "Conor, come here big guy" Jamie called.
Conor set the toys aside going over obediently while Sean and watched
"Can you please hold your sister for me on the couch honey?" Jamie asked lifting Liam. "Like a big brother helper?"
Conor's eyes widened rounding like saucers nearly tripping over his own feet with excitement. He sat on the couch holding his arms the way Eddie and Jamie do excited at the chance of holding his sister.
Jamie put Mary in his arms and Conor held her tight. "Hi Sissy girl.. I love you...It's okay Liam is sad." Jamie sat down and held both Liam and Sara
Lucky for Jamie Mary cooperated laying still in his arms. Liam lay across Jamie's lap thumb in his mouth rubbing his eyes.
"Daddy?" Conor asked. "Is Liam gonna know you love him soon so he stops being a pain?"
The question from his smart six year old made Jamie sigh. "He just doesn't know yet bud it'll take some time." He sighed quietly, rubbing Liam's back. "How about I put the girls down and you guys get ready for bed so I can read a special bed time story."
"Okay, I'll try not to be a brat too. But if he hurts my feelings I might still get mad. Mommy forgot us since he got here."
"If you get mad tell me or mommy and we'll talk to you about it until you feel better okay bud.you can always talk to us " Jamie set both twins in their rockers. "Go change for bed I'll be right up."
"Conor ran to change for bed and Jamie carried Liam up to bed. I love you little buddy."
Sean and Daniel followed without arguing changing and brushing their teeth quickly. "Love you," Liam pressed himself against Jamie's chest.
"Love you, you sleep little man, you sleep good." Jamie gave him kiss.
Liam fell asleep allowing Jamie to bond with his older boys. He found Daniel and Sean in Daniel's bed laying down, Conor sitting up. "Daddy, you catch bad guys right," Daniel asked.
"You bet, I do buddy, why? What's wrong?"
"I want to catch bad guys too can I be a cop like you and uncle Danny and grandpa and great grandpa," Daniel asked.
"You sure can if you want to buddy. You guys can be anything you want long as you work really hard for it, your sisters too," Jamie replied. "But to be a cop you have to grow big and strong."
Me too we're strong," Sean added showing his muscles laying down.
"You need to get a good sleep at night, eat your veggies, eat your meats..." Jamie hugged each of his boys sitting with them until they fell asleep smiling.
