Jamie froze his mind whirling a million a million thoughts of what could have happened. "Erin is he okay?"
"He's really sick you have to come St Victor's." Erin could barely get the words out still in shock and worry.
"Okay we'll be there." When he hung up Jamie realized Eddie was watching him wide eye.
Jamie threw the covers back getting up slowly. "Pops is in the hospital; he's really bad."
"Ill call the kids school let them know they're not coming." Eddie stood to make the phone calls while Jamie gathered the kids.
Beth looked up at him her eyes crystal blue. Jamie carefully lifted her cradling her against him making sure to support her neck. He placed a kiss on her head taking her downstairs to get the boys.
Jamie arrived with the kids to the hospital in two hours rushing upstairs needing to see his grandpa.
When he entered the room Jamie looked past his father and brother bringing his boys towards the bed.
"Hey pop came soon as I heard." Jamie gently squeezed Henry's hand letting the older man know he was there.
Henry lay with an oxygen mask over his pale face, his eyes closed to looked his age laying in the bed hooked up to machines instead of his usually energetic self.
Unbeknownst to Jamie, Frank and Danny exchanged the same looks watching the two younger boys who looked like carbon copies of Jamie gently touch Henry"s hand.
"How long's it been kid," Danny spoke up breaking the silence.
"Awhile," Jamie answered shortly focused on his grandpa.
Alex turned in his uncle's direction hiding behind Jamie's leg shyly. "Its ok buddy thats your uncle Danny and aunt Erin and grandpa. "
"Hey little buddy, whats your name?" Danny asked with a smile.
In response Alex shook his head hugging Jamie's leg. Jackson stepped out standing between Danny and his brothers while watching his mom in case he had to protect her and his sister.
"That's your uncle Danny buddy, your aunt Erin and your grandfather," Jamie spoke directly to his son's without looking up at anyone. As though that constituted some assurance Jackson relaxed only slightly still keeping in front of his brother's while watching his mom.
Eddie stepped closer giving the Reagans a nod to greet them approaching the bed. Keeping one arm under Beth's neck to support her head Eddie used her free hand to give Henry's hand a gentle squeeze. She winced when the older man took a deep breath sending a whistling noise when he let the breath go.
"I'm going to take the kids outside okay, take your time." Eddie shifted in her toes to kiss him softly ushering the boys outside to the waiting room leaving Jamie with his family.
Jamie kept his attention on Henry wordlessly watching his beloved grandfather sleep. Frank sighed at the elephant in the room clearing his throat.
"He'll be glad you're here Jamie." Jamie finally tore his red brimmed eyes upward nodding in response.
?
Again Frank sighed hating the awkwardness between him and his boys. Sensing the tension Danny decided to intervene. "He's not the only one kid we all missed you. "
"I'm sure you did not sure about the others," Jamie replied looking directly at his father.
"We all did Jamie. It hurt when you left without a word. I understand your still angry son but I'd like to work this out," Frank said gently.
Although he wouldn't admit it, the truth was Jamie missed his family too. Still he had his own family to think about and if they couldn't accept Eddie he wouldn't forgive them.
"The only way we can work it out is if you finally accept Eddie. You missed a big part of my life when my boys and daughter was born your grandchildren. I have my own family now and won't turn my back on them." Jamie spoke in a clear firm voice one Danny never heard his brother use, especially to their father.
Even Frank was taken back by the tone Jamie used, having to stand quiet for a minute until the shock passed. He finally found his voice to speak again, "I know son and I regret that we couldn't share that moment with you. I've always accepted Eddie just not the nature of your relationship with her."
Jamie gave a shake of his head disappointed in the man he'd looked up for years. "Once grandpa wakes up we'll leave," Jamie said shortly. He let go of Henry's hand to stand up having to leave and control his anger.
Stepping out into the waiting room Jackson greeted his father first with a tight hug, followed by Zach and Alex. With tear strung eyes Jamie wrapped his arms around them into a tight hug letting go only to give Eddie one.
"Not going well in there," she guessed quietly seeing the aching hurt in his eyes.
Jamie shook his head then gave a deep sigh. "Are you tired babe? I can drop you and the kids off home and come back. I want to be here when my grandpa wake up."
"We're fine we can always get a hotel room, go see your grandpa. Jamie.. I'm sorry about your dad." Eddie quickly kissed him showing her support and understanding how it felt to be betrayed by someone you trusted most in the world.
"I love you Eddie," Jamie told her with a smile, glassy returning the kiss.
"I know."
Jamie turned back into the room past his father and brother right to Henry's said giving neither of them a glance. He only hoped his grandfather would wake up soon.