The following morning was Jamie's scheduled surgery early in the morning. Danny and Joe drove up after Eddie called Frank who wanted to be there too but Mary's condition had gotten worse making her unable to travel. Nurses came into the room just after five to prep Jamie waking Eddie from her sleep.
"I'll be right here when you come out Jamie.." Eddie leaned over to kiss him, watching the nurses wheel him out.
Danny and Joe stepped on either side of her simultaneously placing a hand on her shoulder. "They want us in the waiting room, do you want something to eat or a cup of coffee," Joe offered .
"No thanks I'm not hungry yet.." Eddie shook her head following them out. The waiting room was empty at such an early hour giving them a choice of seats. Eddie chose the corner facing out so the doctor could see them, Joe and Danny sitting on either side.
They sat there watching the clock and door slowly passing time while Jamie was in surgery. Doctors and nurses passed by talking quietly about patients as new shifts started. Visitors began appearing at the start of visiting hours walking past the trio to see their loved one, some carrying teddy bears.
By ten Danny went downstairs to get food and coffee for them unable to just sit there and wait. In the waiting room Joe glanced sideways checking on Eddie wanting to reassure her but nothing he thought of seemed right. Instead he took her hand a silent assurance of support.
Danny returned minutes later holding a tray of three coffee cups and bagels taking the empty seat next to Eddie. They are quietly turning back to the clock sighing.
Not hearing any word from his son's Frank called Danny checking in hoping for good news. "A doctor hasn't come out with any updates yet dad. Soon as they do you know I'll call. How's mom feeling?"
Frank sighed, "not good Danny I'm taking her to the doctor later, hopefully he can help suggest something. Please keep me updated and tell Eddie we're thinking of her.."
Promising to do just that Danny ended the call sighing. He saw his mom a few days ago and she didn't look good then either. He sipped the coffee hoping it would wake him up or at least help relax his nerves, feeling more anxious with each passing hour.
Joe closed his eyes resting for a bit, waking around eleven thirty. "Still nothing ," he asked, the look on Danny's face telling him there was no update.
Sighing, Eddie got up quietly walking out into the hallway for a minute wondering why the doctor hadn't given them any updates yet.
Finally a nurse stepped out, "He did well, he did very, very well...he'll be in recovery soon."
All three collectively let a relieved breath out, Joe rubbing Eddie's back sniling. Danny took his phone calling his father in Brooklyn letting him know.
Joe put his arms around Eddie and held her tight, "He's okay, it's okay...relax." He knew she waned to cry.
"I'm so.. it wasn't major surgery but still a risk. I can't loose him joe.." Eddie breathed in unevenly, wiping the water by her eyes.
"You know he's tough he is tough and he loves you.
Of course Eddie knew but it didn't help her stop worrying about him. She sighed as a nurse came to get them.
"Two of you can come back, he's still very groggy."
Eddie stood up looking between the brothers. "Danny, go with her I'll see him next.." Joe nodded
Danny nodded and held Eddies hand as they went to see Jamie. A nurse just finished settling Jamie into bed, his arm wrapped tightly allowing it to heal. He lay in bed eyes closed, chest slowly rising and falling.
Jamie moaned a little, Eddie put her hand on his heart. "Danny and I are here."
His eyes fluttered open and gave a tired smile. "Hey," he moaned.
"I know," Eddie soothed. " I know, ssh..I know."
Danny placed a hand on his brother's shoulder. "You did good kid just rest okay we're here. Joe is waiting to see you."
"Mom, where is mom?" Jamie asked.
"She's home Jamie..she wanted to come." Danny didn't want to go further then that when he was this groggy.
"Mom..."he sighed again. Their mom never didn't come.
Eddie sat on the bed carefully, rubbing a hand through his hair. "I know we can call later right now you need rest."
Eddie's touch was a balm so Jamie's soul, he fell asleep Eddie looked up at Danny, "you need to tell him"
"I can't Eddie, not like this I promised my dad.." He sighed.
"She is dying, Danny. Don't you date do to Jamie what my father did to me."
Danny sighed, "let me call my father I know he should know let him get stronger then I promise."
Eddie glared at Danny. She remembered Jamie and Frank coming to her girls camp to get her when her mother died.
Jamie slept for an hour stirring with a low moan at the throbbing pain in his arm Hearing his discomfort Danny got to his feet going out to get a nurse and let joe know what was going on. .
Eddie soothed Jamie with words and kisses along his forehead and cheek. Danny saw Joe anxiously waiting for news on his best friend "She is pushing us to tell Jamie about mom."
"He should know Danny you know how close he and mom are.." Joe eyes him. "How is he?"
"He's hurting but he's okay. I'm getting the nurse to give him a shot.
"I'm going to see him," Joe walked past to the room sighing at his brother's face twisted in pain. "Hey little brother.."
Jamie tried to smile, "hey, What are you doing here.
"You really think i was going to come check on you I'm really hurt jamie..thought you knew better," Joe smiled.
"Yeah but you have school," Jamie sighed.
Sighing, school was on the back of his mind. "I can catch up your more important. Besides I can catch up easily you got your smarts and looks from me after all."
Jamie sighed and laughd, "Eddie can i see just Joe a minute?"
Smiling, Eddie leaned down for a quick kiss, giving Joe a nod on her way out. Joe moved into the bed next to his brother.
"What are you doing to her, she's real upset. You said you would watch out for her"
"I'm not doing anything jamie..i have been taking care of her like I promised..i kept my word. " Joe said firmly.
"Why does she want to cry?" Jamie asked " is there someone else?"
If not for the situation Joe would have laughed. "No Jamie can't you see she s in love with you. She's worried about you that's all.."
Jamie sighed, he accepted it for now especially when Eddie returned
A nurse followed, smiling at Jamie as she held up a shot. "This will help ease your pain.." Jamie winced turning his head away.
Jamie took the shot, then let Eddie soothe him until the drugs held. Danny returned, eddie put her hands on her hips. "I am telling you both, I kno wyou are his brothers but you are not going to blindside him, I won't allow it. I'll be banned from Sunday dinner before I let him feel the way I did." Eddie's tears ran over her eyes.
Danny and Joe exchanged looks. "I spoke to dad.. she s getting worse so when he's up I'll tell him..."
Jamie took the shot, then let Eddie soothe him until the drugs held. Danny returned, eddie put her hands on her hips. "I am telling you both, I kno wyou are his brothers but you are not going to blindside him, I won't allow it. I'll be banned from Sunday dinner before I let him feel the way I did." Eddie's tears ran over her eyes.
Danny and Joe exchanged looks. "I spoke to dad.. she s getting worse so when he's up I'll tell him..."
Danny and Joe kept an eye on Jamie and Eddie. He rested and kept hold of her hand.
They exchanged a silent look neither wanting to beat telling Jamie the news but knew it was time...