Ch 11
From then on Eddie visited Jamie and Thomas after work. Nearly a year later Jamie set up to take Thomas shopping at the mall for some items they needed. Thomas birthday would be in a few days and Jamie was throwing a little party for his boy at the house for his family.
"hey buddy c'mere a second." Jamie helped Thomas climb up onto the couch between he and Eddie.
Jamie took out a social story of the mall to remind him what things they might experience there starting several days ago. . On each page a picture of different stores, food stands and sounds they might experience.
"Remember to use your words of you need something okay? Are you ready?"
"Ready, ready…"
Armed with Thomas' favorite stuffed animal Jamie helped him off the couch leading them out to the car for a quick drive to the nearby mall.
Holding Eddie and Jamie's hand Thomas slowly stepped inside the mall looking around the large crowded room hit with all the smells and sounds at once. The smell of buttery popcorn popping mixed with pretzels baking and perfumes from a nearby body shop vacuumed his nose. Bright lights of open stores tore at his little eyes like bright summer sunlight directly in the eye.
Kids laughing, conversations stereod enveloping around Thomas in a cone of over sensory experience.
Thomas dropped his hands covering his ears humming loud as he plopped to the floor crying "no no no no."
Mall goers turned to look at the crying four year old kicking his legs humming loud mumbling under their breaths.
Ignoring the looks Jamie knelt down in front of his son trying to stay calm as he reassured Thomas. "It's okay buddy we're both here. I know it's a lot but your okay. Do you want us to carry you?"
Eddie turned back catching a woman staring at them shaking her head in disapproval. "Unless you want a problem keep walking." She kept watching the woman until she walked away from them.
"I can take him outside while you shop and we bring him back again."
Jamie smiled grateful for her patience and care of Thomas' feeling. Placing a kiss on Thomas' head Jamie went to shop while Eddie took Thomas outside.
Eddie found a quiet shaded area just outside the mall with a pretty flowering tree. She sat down with Thomas on her lap, holding the little boy to her breast. "You're all right, Thomas. Daddy and Dee Dee won't ever let anything happen to our Thomas." Eddie gave the boy a soft kiss. "You want to play a game?"
Thomas looked Eddie and hummed softy. "Look at that...what's the big thing called?"
Thomas hummed and kicked his legs, but not in aggression. "Tree...that's a tree...Show me how to do tree?"
Thomas signed the word for her and was rewarded with a hug and kiss from Eddie. He wanted to snuggle a lot more than usual, she tried to engage him but Thomas kept humming and holding to her more tightly than ever before.
They spent time identifies cars, colors, birds that swept down looking for food until Jamie holding several bags. "How was he?"
"He was great," Eddie admitted with a smile, picking Thomas up carrying him to the car while Jamie put the bags in the trunk.
When they arrived home Jamie grabbed the bags carrying them up to his room while Eddie put a sleeping Thomas down for his nap. Sorting through the bags Jamie pulled out two small black boxes to hide them in a drawer.
"Thomas is sleeping, did you get everything you needed?"
Jamie answered with a quick peck to her cheek smiling brightly. "Yea thanks for spending time with Thomas. I don't want to force him but I had to get it done, can't believe my boy will be five."
Eddie smiled laying her head on Jamie's shoulder relaxing until Thomas woke up.
That Friday Jamie woke up early to set up for Thomas' party later that night still having a lot to do. He made coffee knowing Eddie will want some when she wakes up checking over his to do list while the pot brewed.
Eddie shuffled in having spent the night smiling at the smell of freshly brewed coffee. "Hey," she greeted stopping to hug Jamie before pouring herself a cup.
"Hey." Jamie smiled watching Eddie sit down across from him holding the cup of coffee. "Do you need help setting up?"
"Please, hopefully Thomas sleeps late so we can get done. Can't believe my boy will be five in a few hours." Jamie smiled with a twinkle in his eye thinking of his boy.
They finished breakfast quietly lost in their own thoughts about the upcoming celebration. Eddie debated asking Jamie if that woman Sydney was also coming tonight so she'd be prepared. Jamie wondered where the time went that his boy was turning into a five year old and the improvement he's made.
After dishes were done Jamie hung a large multi colored Happy Birthday over the table advised by Eddie who helped make sure it was straight.
A low hum turned their attention to Thomas entering the room on his Thomas the train pajamas sleepy still in his eyes.
"Hey buddy happy birthday." Jamie stepped down off the chair to scoop Thomas into his arms and plant kisses on his head and cheek. With a smile Eddie picked up her phone off the counter snapping a picture of them.
"Happy birthday Thomas, how old are you," Eddie asked with a grin. Thomas looked past her continuing to hum under his breath. With a gentle tap of his hand against Thomas' arm Jamie redirected his son to Eddie. "How old are you show me five," Jamie modeled, rewarding Thomas when he coped with tickles.
Jamie set Thomas down in a chair for breakfast while Eddie finished decorating joined by Jamie while Thomas ate.
Henry arrived at the first to help while the others finished work, followed by Danny, Linda the boys then Erin.
"Dad's on his way he got stuck at work," Danny informed through a mouth full of chips.
"I'm here sorry had a late meeting with the mayor," Frank said with a drop of his suitcase lifted Thomas up for a hug.
With everyone there Jamie put out the pizza he'd ordered from the stove to keep warm. Conversations on work started as the Reagans helped themselves to pizza. "How's the case you two?" Frank took a pepperoni for Thomas carrying it to the table for him.
"I have to admit Jamie definitely has some Reagan in his he has a lot of talent as a Detective," Danny admitted. Jamie smiled at the rare compliment from his brother. Erin stopped taking a drink of her scotch to look at her oldest brother surprised.
Thomas tapped Jamie's arm for his attention, adding a whining hum for receiving no attention. "Dada, juice.."
Jamie rewarded him for using his words with a hug and went to get Thomas a juice. Danny stood with Erin and Frank engrossed in the mayor's new plan despite Frank's protest.
With everyone fed Jamie wrapped the leftover pizza while Eddie took the Thomas the train ice cream cake to defrost. "Eddie and I have been practicing singing happy birthday with Thomas. Are you ready buddy?"
Eddie carried the cake while she joined in singing. Thomas hummed the candle light twinkling in his eyes as the cake was placed in front of him. "To Thomas," he finished the ending watching everyone else.
"Blow the candles out buddy."
Thomas sat for a minute admiring his train cake, turning to stare at Eddie and Jamie in deep contemplation. With one hand Thomas pointed at the former partners closing his eyes and letting out one deep long breath.