Halfway through the night Eddie rolled over and looked at the clock, groaning when it read almost four am she rolled back on to her side and stared at the wall. She hadn't had a wink of sleep, she had non stop thoughts of Jamie and this baby and how things were going to turn out.
Lifting her head, she frowned as she thought she heard tapping on her front door, listening again she rolled out of bed when she heard another tap. Making her way slowly to it she stopped when it happened again "is someone there?" she asked quietly.
"It's me," Jamie said just as quietly "sorry it's so late," he added.
Eddie pulled the door open "it's four in the morning Jamie, I thought someone was trying to get in," she said and moved aside to let him in.
"I know, I'm sorry," he said as he walked by her "I couldn't sleep, we didn't talk properly, I have all these thoughts running through my head," he added and dropped onto the sofa.
"And you thought you'd show up in the middle of the night instead of waiting until you saw me at work?" she asked and sat beside him.
"We can't talk at work," he said and shifted so he was facing her "I never asked questions, I was thrown off by what you said, I wasn't thinking clearly."
"Questions?" she frowned "what questions?"
"Yeah, questions, how far along are you? How do you feel about it? Do you want this baby? Do you want us to be a family? Are you already planning in your head that you'll be a single mom?"
"Okay, stop," she cut in "this is new to me too, I don't have any answers for you Jamie, I haven't even wrapped my own head around it."
Nodding he sat back in the sofa "well, I'm gonna be here no matter what happens between us...I just want you to know that."
"Thank you," she replied "that really means a lot…it's the one thing I've been worrying about."
"You can count on me Eddie, I promise, no matter what happens between us I will always make sure you and the baby have everything you need."
"I want you," she said seriously "I want us to be together, I want us to live together, I want us to be a family together, but…" she sighed "you hurt me so much Jamie, I'm scared to open my heart to you again, as much as I want to, something's holding me back."
Jamie nodded and scooted closer to her "you need time Eddie, and I understand that, I won't push you, take all the time you need. I want all of that too, but most importantly, I want you to be happy. I know I hurt you and you'll never know the pain I feel knowing I could hurt you so much. What I did was unforgivable, but I'm hoping one day you'll be able to put this behind us."
Eddie stood up "I need to get some sort of sleep before work….you coming?" she asked as he walked towards the door.
Following her to her room he lay down beside her and wrapped his arms around her without a word, sighing happily she closed her eyes and was asleep in seconds.
…..
Morning came too soon for the both of them, Jamie groaned and pulled away from Eddie as his alarm went off "damn it," he groaned sleepily as he squinted at the time.
"What?" she mumbled back as she rolled to face him.
"I gotta go right now if I don't wanna be late…wasn't planning on staying the night, I need to get my stuff from my place," he said as he rolled off the bed.
Eddie nodded and sat up "I'll see you at work then."
Jamie looked down on her for a minute "is there anything you want to talk about before I go?"
"No," she replied and slid off the bed "I'm still getting used to it all, I don't have anything to say right now…but thanks," she added as he nodded and grabbed his coat.
"Just so you know," he said walking to her "you wanna talk to me about anything-anything, just call me."
"I will," she nodded and hugged him tight.
Jamie wrapped his arms around her and rested his cheek on her head "I love you," he said after a minute and pulled back.
Eddie stared back at him for a moment, slowly leaning in she met his gaze before moving in more and kissing him sweetly. She slid her arms around his neck as his slid around her waist.
Puling her closer her deepened the kiss, he closed his eyes tight as her hand tangled in his hair "Eddie," he mumbled "Eddie, we can't," he said cursing himself.
Eddie sighed and kissed him a few times before she pulled back and looked up at him "I know," she muttered.
"It's not that I don't want to," he said quickly "I just don't think now-the way things are, that we should be jumping into bed."
"You're right," she said and stepped back a little "I'm sorry, I got a little carried away."
"You don't need to be sorry," he said taking a quick step to her "I love you Eddie, I wanna do this right, sex is the last thing on my mind," he said as he slid his hand onto her cheek. " I want you to trust me again, I want you to be able to feel like you can be open with me again."
"I do trust you," she replied "but you're right, we need to do this right, it's not just us to think about anymore," she said and slid her hand onto her stomach.
"No," he said and slid his hand on top of hers "it's not," he said and leaned in "I'll see you at work," he said and kissed her on the cheek before hurrying off.
"Jamie!" she called and hurried after him, tugging him to her she kissed him sweetly "see you at work," she said and walked back to her bedroom with a smile on her face.
Jamie chuckled and shook his head before slipping out the door.
Later that afternoon Jamie spotted Eddie coming from the bathroom "Janko!" he called "whoa, you look terrible, are you okay?"
"No," she groaned "I feel like crap, I've puked about five times in the last ten minutes, I'm sweating buckets…I'm going home," she said and started to walk.
"Let me take you," he said walking with her.
"Actually, I'm gonna go see Linda instead," she said and stopped "I have my car with me, I'll be fine thanks."
"Linda?" he asked worried "why? Do you think something is wrong?"
"I don't know, I haven't a clue, this could be morning sickness for all I know, do you even get morning sickness this early? Am I meant to feel this crap and tired and horrible? I need to talk to someone that has kids, I'm useless already." she whined.
Jamie chuckled and wrapped his arm around her "I don't know, but you're still beautiful to me, you're not useless either…I'm taking you to see Linda, you shouldn't drive just in case" he said and led her out of the precinct.
A while later they pulled up at the hospital "I'm gonna go see Joe while you're talking to Linda, will you be okay, or do you want me to come?"
"You don't have to wait, I don't know how long I'll be," she replied.
"I'm waiting...will you be okay on your own?" he asked.
"I'll be okay, you go see your brother, I'll come up when I'm done," she replied knowing there was no point arguing.
"Okay, as soon as you're called I'll go," he said and opened the door for her.
"Eddie? Jamie?" Linda said as she walked towards them "this is a surprise."
"Sorry, I don't have an appointment or anything, I just really need to talk to you," Eddie replied.
"Sure," Linda nodded "just give me a sec and I'll find an empty room," she said and hurried off.
"Are you sure you don't want me to come in with you?" Jamie asked.
"I'm sure," she nodded "we'll just be talking, I'll be fine…go see your brother," she said and nudged him.
"Eddie!" Linda called.
"I'll see you in a bit," she said and followed Linda. "Sorry to just turn up like this," she said as they sat down.
"It's okay," Linda replied "I'm doing inventory today so I've no patients…what's up?"
"Well," Eddie drawled, she decided to get all her concerns and questions out in one breath. "I did the tests, I am pregnant-but it's gotta be really early coz I'm only, like two days late. I told Jamie, we're working things out. I've puked a few times today, my stomach is doing summersaults, I'm sweating loads, am I supposed to feel this bad so early? Am I supposed to puke so much?"
"Eddie, Eddie, Eddie," Linda cut in "first off, congrats, and I'm glad you told Jamie and you guys are trying to work things out. Yes, it's normal to vomit so much, unfortunately it could get worse, or it could go away after a few days. Every woman is different."
"So I just gotta deal with it?" she groaned.
"Yes," Linda chuckled "but there are ways to make it a bit easier," she said and looked down at her beeper as it beeped "shoot, I gotta go. I'll drop by later and we can talk properly. I'm gonna schedule you in for a check up and a scan so we know exactly how far along you are."
Eddie nodded and stood up "thanks, I guess I'll see you later then," she said and followed her out of the room.
…
Arriving at Joe's room Eddie knocked and let herself in "hey," she said and sat beside Jamie "no one else here?"
"Angela just left," he replied "did you get all your answers?"
"Not much, Linda got called away, she said she'll stop by my place later and we can talk properly."
Jamie nodded and looked over at Joe, "that's good, you'll have more time to talk...still no change since the other day," he sighed.
Eddie looked over at him too "he's a fighter, he's just taking his time," she said and slid her hand onto Jamie's "he'll make it through this Jamie," she said softly "I know he will.
"He better," he said and looked over at him "I have to thank him for saving your life."
Eddie smiled quickly and looked back at Joe "yeah, me too."
"I need to say thank you to you too," he said and scooted closer to her "Eddie, your fast thinking, how quickly you took down Malevsky got Joe here fast, you saved his life, he never would have had a chance otherwise, I can never thank you enough."
"I was trained by the best," she smiled and squeezed his hand. "You don't have to thank me either," she added.
Jamie pulled away when his phone rang, "my dad, probably wants to know why I'm not in work," he said and slipped out of the room.
Eddie watched the door close behind him and turned back to the bed, her eyes went wide as Joe lay staring back at her "Joe?" she gasped and flung herself forward...how long had he been watching them?
Joe stared at her and said nothing, just stared like he was looking right through her.
"Joe?" she asked and stepped closer to him "do you know who I am? Can you see me? Can you hear me?" she asked as she leaned over him.
Joe continued to stare at her blankly.
Eddie sighed and slid her hand into his and squeezed "I don't know if you can hear me, but please say something, blink, mumble…anything?" she asked watching him closely.
"Erin?" he asked with a confused look on his face.
Eddie closed her eyes tight, this wasn't good "No," she said and looked up at him "I'm not Erin, but that's okay," she smiled. "I'm gonna go get a doctor, just keep your eyes open," she said and squeezed his hand before she let go.
"Baby!" he called just as she got to the door.
Eddie stilled her hand and looked back to him "w-what?" she asked with a stutter.
"Baby," he replied and pointed to her stomach "you told me," he added and looked away from her.
"That's right," she smiled and opened the door "I'll be back in a sec."
"Eddie?" Jamie questioned as she walked by him.
Stopping she took his hand without a word and led him back to the room. "Joe?" he gasped as he looked back at him. "Joe!" he yelled and laughed before hurrying to his side. "He's awake Eddie, he's awake!" he said happily.
"Yeah," she smiled and backed out of the room "I'm just gonna go get a doctor," she added and slipped off.
An hour later all of The Reagan's and Angela had arrived to see Joe, he still hadn't said anything else since he'd spoken to Eddie-but he had given Frank and Angela a smile.
Eddie had slipped off after the doctor took Joe away for a few tests to let them have some family time, grabbing cardboard trays she loaded coffees onto them and started to carry them back. She jumped when someone took one of them right out of her hand "Hey!" she said not impressed and turned to face the thief "that's mi…it's you," she chuckled as Jamie smirked at her.
"Figured you'd be here," he said and started to walk "you didn't have to leave you know?" he said and looked at her.
"I know," she nodded "but I figured you guys could have some alone time….I'm coffee girl," she chuckled.
"No," Jamie said and took her tray from her "you're my girl," he said as he set it down on a table. Sliding his hands onto her waist he pulled her closer "let me take you out tonight?" he asked.
"Really?" she asked "do you not wanna be here with Joe?"
"Doctor said he's still a little confused and should get some rest, so my dad and Angela are gonna spend the night here."
Eddie nodded and slid her arms around his neck "can we just go home and chill there?" she asked and looked up at him "I've missed lying on the sofa with you."
"Sure," he smiled "whatever you want," he said and leaned in to kiss her.
Eddie pulled back and smiled up at him "this is nice," she chuckled.
"Yeah," he smiled and kissed her again "best feeling in the world," he added and kissed her again-a little deeper this time.
"This is a hospital you know?" came Danny's voice from behind him.
Jamie chuckled and pulled away "your point?"
Danny chuckled "it's great that you two crazy kids decided to work things out, but dad is looking for you-both of you," he added as Eddie took a step the other way.
Arriving at the room, they saw Frank by the bed that Joe had now been returned to "any news?" Jamie asked.
"Just waiting on the results," Frank replied "I just thought you'd both like to know he was back."
"Baby!" Joe yelled upon spotting Eddie, startling everyone in the process.
Eddie bit on her lip and looked over at Jamie to see him frowning…along with everyone else. She looked down quickly hoping no one would notice the awkward look on her face.
"Baby? What's he talking about?" Danny asked.
"I have no clue," Angela said and watched Joe stare at Eddie.
…
After an awkward silence fell over the room Eddie turned to Jamie "I'm gonna head and let you guys have some time with Joe," she said and grabbed her bag "bye everyone!" she called.
"I'll come with you, but you don't have to go you know," Jamie replied.
"I know but it's okay, you should stay here with Joe," she said and walked to the door.
"Janko!" Joe called.
Eddie turned back to face Joe to see the rest of the family staring at her "yes Joe," she said and walked to him "I'm Janko," she smiled.
"This is the first thing I've heard him say anything other than baby," Angela said as she moved up beside Eddie "you remember me Joe? Huh?"
Joe studied her for a minute "Erin?" he frowned.
"That's who he thought I was at first too," Eddie said to Angela as her face fell a little.
"Maybe he just needs more time," Angela said and slid her hand into his "no, but good try," she smiled.
Joe frowned at her again and looked over at Frank "where's my mom?"
Before anyone could answer the doctor slipped into his room "how are we doing?" she asked as she walked to the monitors
"He's looking for our mom," Danny answered and moved closer to her "she died five years ago….he's just shouting baby too."
Nodding she looked back to Joe "it's common with Brain injuries, people can go blank and forget part of their lives-painful parts are most common."
"He doesn't know my name," Angela said "and we've been together over ten years."
"It's going to take time, his brain is working over time to catch up on what it's missed…I wouldn't worry just yet. The results are back and it shows no lasting damage, you just have to be patient I'm afraid."
"How long to you reckon it'll take him to remember our names?" Jamie asked.
"It's hard to say, he could remember tomorrow or it could be next week or next month. It's up to Joe now, he's still under a lot of strain, as I said, you'll just have to be patient," the doctor replied.
"Thank you doctor," Frank said and walked to her "you've taken great care of my boy."
"No need to thank me Frank," she smiled "I'm just glad we got the happy ending we were all hoping for," she said and walked to the door "I'll be here all night, have a nurse page me if you need me," she said and slipped out.
"Everyone get off," Frank said a few minutes later "I'll call if anything changes."
Jamie grabbed his coat and walked to Eddie "ready to head home and do nothing?"
"Yes," she chuckled and took his outstretched hand "it's been a long, long day," she added and waved at Joe as they left.
Later that evening Jamie and Eddie lay in silence on her sofa watching tv, "Jamie?" she asked a few minutes later.
"Mmh?" he mumbled and pulled her closer.
"What happened-how angry you were…it won't happen again, will it?"
Jamie sighed and nudged her off him, sitting up he turned his body to face her "no it won't," he said and looked up at her "Eddie, I can't explain how I was feeling, I was so worried about Joe, the thoughts of him dying…I couldn't deal with it. When I thought about you being in danger too I just flipped, I can't have anything happen to you," he said and placed his hand on her knee "I don't know, I guess I had more emotions built up than I could handle, and I took it out on you. You'll never know how sorry I am, if I could turn back time I would."
"You were so angry," she mumbled "the way you looked at me, the way you spoke to me, I couldn't believe that was you."
"I know, and I'm sorry, I hate myself so much for it, for the pain I caused you, the way I made you feel."
"I'm sorry, I need to talk about this, I'm not trying to make you feel bad, I just need to get everything out so we can put this behind us for good," she said.
"Eddie you have every right to talk about this and I should feel bad-and I do. I don't know what came over me that day, but I can promise you here and now that it will never happen again, I'll never do anything to hurt you."
Eddie looked down at her hands "I told Joe I was pregnant…that's why he kept saying baby."
"Yeah?" he asked "he must have been able to hear what we were saying."
"Yeah," she nodded "I had just found out, I needed someone to talk to-to build up the courage to come see you."
Jamie moved closer to her and slid his arm around her "you know you can talk to me about anything, I know things were bad with us and I'm sorry I wasn't here for you when you took the test."
"I was afraid you'd go crazy again, I had all these thoughts running through my head."
Jamie stood up and walked away from her "do you really believe I could hurt you?" he asked and looked back at her "do you have the tiniest doubt in your head that I would ever lay a hand on you?"
"No," she replied instantly and jumped up "Jamie, I know you'd never physically hurt me…just with the way things were with us I was just worried about how you'd react."
"Eddie this is the best news you could have given me, I know it might be a little early in the relationship but I knew from day one that I'm gonna spend the rest of my life with you," he said and walked to her "I love more than I have ever and can ever love anything else in this world."
Eddie smiled and slid her arms around his neck "then let's put this behind us and never mention it again…I forgive you, for everything."
"Thank you, you've no idea how much that means to me," he said and kissed her slowly.
…..
The next morning Jamie shut his alarm off and rolled over and hit something hard "ow," Eddie mumbled.
"Sorry," he mumbled back as he rubbed his face "kinda got used to having a bed to myself."
Eddie rolled over and lay on his chest "you're lucky you're cute," she mumbled sleepily.
Jamie laughed and kissed her on the head before wrapping his arms around her "wish we could stay here for the day."
"That would be great," she yawned "but you have to go to work and I have to meet Linda because we didn't get a chance yesterday."
"How do you feel about the baby now?" he asked "has it sunk in a bit?"
"A little," she nodded "it still doesn't feel real, I feel like it's a dream or something."
Jamie chuckled "it'll sink in, I'm happy though, I'm excited, I can't wait to tell my dad."
"Not just yet," she said quickly and titled her head "I think I'm only like four or five weeks…can we keep it between us for now? Just until I've been to the doctor? Then we can tell your dad."
"Sure," he nodded and kissed her quickly "just me and you will know for now…and Linda," he chuckled.
"And Maria," she replied and looked up at him again "she's the one that made me look at the tests, she came not long after you left the other night…she knows to keep it to herself though."
Jamie nodded and looked over at his phone as it beeped "I better get up," he groaned.
"Me too," she yawned "I've a few other things to do today," she said and sat up "are you around later?"
"I was gonna go see Joe after tour," he said as he pulled clothes on "but I can come over after."
"Do," she nodded "and don't eat," she added as she rolled out of the bed.
"At all?" he chuckled.
Eddie scoffed and rolled her eyes "no dummy, just don't have dinner," she said and kissed him sweetly "I got plans for you later."
Jamie chuckled and followed her from the room "am I allowed know about these plans?"
"No," she giggled as his arms came around her waist "you just need to know there'll be food and me."
"Can we skip the food?" he asked as he kissed her neck.
"No," she laughed and swatted him away "I'm gonna be going to a lot of trouble here and you will eat everything."
"Yes boss," he chucked and grabbed her to him "I gotta go," he said and kissed her deeply "I'll call you on my break…love you!" he called as he walked to the door.
"Love you too!" she smiled and watched him go, letting out a happy sigh she dropped onto the sofa. The air was clear, she was happy again…it was all sorted out.
A/N hope you all enjoyed this one, happy Jamie and Eddie could work things out. Extra happy Joe is now awake, see ya soon JJ x
