Chapter Fourteen
The little family arrived home around 8pm that night. The finishing touches had gone on their kitchen that night, the new stove, fridge, and table were all in working order. Frank and Henry were there waiting for them, Henry needed to cuddle with his Annabear awfully bad.
Frank came out to help with the bags, and Henry to claim Annabeth. She had fallen asleep around the New York/New Jersey border and hadn't moved since.
"She's probably down for the count, Pop," Jamie smiled. "But a good rock never hurt her."
Henry nodded, "I know that, and I aim to please. Come on, little one. Rock with your Pop Pop."
Jamie lifted Eddie and put her in her chair, "You two ready?" Frank asked. "The house is fabulous. I really love the way the kitchen came out."
Eddie was excited and drove up the newly renovated ramp and into the kitchen. It was showroom new, everything sparkled from the wood floor to the stainless-steel fridge. "You can insert the cup with your hook," Frank directed. "Then tell it what to do. It's easy."
Eddie smiled and did just as Frank showed her. Jamie admired the rest of the room. It was hard to believe less than a month ago the room was burned out. They would have to have a party to thank everyone that helped and perhaps that would be a good time to announce their good fortune to the rest of their family and friends.
Jamie broached the subject with her when they got into bed that night. "What would you think of hosting a small party for family and friends, as a thank you for all they did for us to get the house back on track?"
"Oh," Eddie smiled. "That would be lovely, and if we do it soon, we can tell everyone that doesn't know about the baby, Connie and the rest of your family, maybe get my father to conference in?" Eddie suggested.
"That sounds perfect," Jamie smiled. "Let's call everyone tomorrow and then we'll start getting things set up. I'll ask Dad about a video feed for Armin."
Eddie was beaming from ear to ear. She was delighted with the idea that they would be sharing their joyous news with all of those close to them very soon.
Jamie set the plan in motion. Eddie got together with Nancy, Linda, and Melissa to begin to plan. She sat on their big news so they could tell all of their friends and family at the same time, except of course Frank, Baker, and Henry. They were doing their best to keep quiet, but it was getting harder for Henry.
The night of the party came quickly. Eddie asked Henry to come to the house early to help her with the set-up. Colleen and Baker had also volunteered to help with the early set-up. Henry arrived with Colleen. They came in and smiled, "Everything is looking good already your friends did a really great job."
"I just want to have everyone's favorite things, isn't that silly?" Eddie smiled.
Henry smiled, "Not at all it's very sweet and everyone's going to have a great time. It's a nice gesture." The spread was already coming together, and the decor was festive but not over the top.
"What else needs to be done Eddie? The food is prepared and cooking, decorations up," Colleen smiled.
"Just my hair and face then," Eddie replied. "I can do most of the makeup myself but I need help with my hair."
Colleen linked arms with the younger woman, taking Eddie into the bedroom to help her. Baker turned to Henry smiling at him. "This is going to be some surprise, for the rest of the family. I don't think anyone suspects she's pregnant, do you, Sir?"
"Abigail, you are dating my son, you are at family meals. It's Henry, and no, I don't think anyone has a clue. No one expected they would get pregnant the first time."
Baker had no objection to that, she enjoyed seeing Frank so overjoyed at the prospect of another grandchild. She loved seeing him so happy. "Do you need any help getting the food out?"
"Nope, we just have to wait now, when Melissa comes she'll need help."
One by one the guests began to arrive. Many people were there, Renzulli, Kara Walsh, even Clifford, it was a greatest hits of the most significant players in their lives. Jamie appeared at the kitchen door from picking up the wine and champagne. He looked around the house, seeing it filled near to capacity, they were blessed to be so loved.
Jamie smiled at their family and friends mulling around the house. He loved the way that the house turned out. Eddie broke into his reverie.
"Come on, all your friends and family are here and the food is really good if I do say so myself," Eddie smiled. "Come mingle and eat..."
He took her hand whispering "When should we tell them our news?"
Eddie smiled. "After we eat and Annabear is going to help us..."
He laughed kissing her "Let me make you a plate Eddie then I'll go around and say hi. I can't believe this turn out, even Renzulli is here."
"Yes, everyone that's anyone in our lives is here, except my Dad and your Dad has that all arranged.
They kissed again, then Jamie worked the room. He made a plate for himself and Eddie, but even with a room full of their friends, they stayed together.
"I've always admired their devotion to each other" Renzulli said to Clifford, old boss to new.
Clifford smiled in agreement "From what I've seen it's incredible and you had them longer, so I can only imagine. He was her training officer yes?"
"Yes, he was, and they were partnered until her accident. He was married...but I could tell. Cops can tell."
"Yes, they sure can. They're a great match."
Jamie leaned over and pecked Eddie's cheek. She had a drop of BBQ sauce on her chin. He softly wiped it away.
She smiled up at him, their eyes catching. "Are you having a good time, Jamie?"
"I am," Jamie replied. "I'm thinking about our new little one."
"I can't wait to meet him or her..." Eddie breathed in happily. The party was a successful with an added bonus of excitement for them.
"You were really tired this morning," Jamie reminded her. "Do you need rest?"
"Think I'm ok for now actually I'll let you know if that changes though," Eddie smiled at him. He wasn't exactly Zen, but he was better.
"Good," he kissed her nose.
Eddie smiled scanning the room everyone looked to be having a good time.
When dinner was over and the cake set up, Frank started the call with Armin. "Hello, Frank thanks again for doing this," Armin' s voice came through.
"This is very important to Eddie," Frank replied. "I'm glad to do it."
Jamie squeezed Eddie's hand standing up. "First, I want to thank everyone for coming this means a lot to us."
Eddie looked up at Jamie, her eyes glowing. "To my beautiful wife, I love you Eddie. We have some news to share, Annabeth come here baby."
Annabeth toddled over to her father. Jamie held the cute and chubby baby girl in his arms and pulled off the cute little pink top she wore. The lighter shirt underneath said "I'm the Big Sister!"
"Congratulations to both of you this is wonderful," Danny cheered.
"I'm so glad you told us today!" Linda gushed out.
Frank looked at the phone to make sure Armin heard. "Armin did you hear the great news?"
Armin was crying lightly, "Good news too, Edit, I might be out in time for this one."
Eddie's eyes watered now hoping her father could see his grandkids while they were still small.
Her shoulders slumped and shook slightly with the emotion, Jamie found himself fighting that as well. They looked around the room at this mismatched group of people, their friends and their family. These were the building blocks of their lives, the foundation of all things. They shared a look of knowing and of love, they were blessed and they knew it.
After the party ended Jamie helped Annabeth wash up and brought her to bed in her footie pajamas laying her between him and Eddie.
"She's so precious and I know already this baby will be too..."
"Yes they are, we are lucky." Jamie kissed Eddie's head then Annabeth.
"I love you Jamie," Eddie sighed. Our lives are nearly complete."
"I love you, and our little family."
"We had our share of troubles but I think, no I know," Eddie whispered. "We are going to be okay. We really are..."