A/N: Thanks for the fabulous reviews. I am so glad that everyone is enjoying the story and is engaged in what I happening with our family. In the chapters to come we will really see the changes in Joey that a Guest reviewer is waiting for. Please keep the comments coming, I love to hear from my readers!

Chapter Twenty-One

Annie heard the knocking as she packed boxes for her impending move. Joey said he was stopping by after he talked to his parents. She put down the packing tape and opened the door.

"Hey," Annie moved back and went to get Joey a beer. "How did it go? Are they okay?"

Joey nodded, "My dad is okay. I think Mom just didn't get him situated right in his chair, so he looked all slumped and sloppy instead of neat like they are usually seeing him. It was my Mom."

Annie handed him the beer and sat down on her leg. "Did she fall or something?" Eddie Reagan was not old, she was in her late fifties but Joey had always been worried and super protective of her.

"No, she just…" Joey took a sip of his beer. "I think she finally realized what happened. She tried to blame it on an argument with my aunt and believe me my aunt can be over the top when it comes to my Dad, she's older by almost 12 years and was like a mom to him after my grandma died but while she was crying…she said…so many things about the stroke, how she needs him back. She's depressed."

"Joey, your mom is so strong and the love your parents have for each other…" Annie sighed.

"No, I always thought that too, but I think they might be headed for trouble. I heard my dad suggest they sleep apart. The last time they slept apart was when she was sick but it was because he was scared to roll and hurt her. He slept in a chair at her side. Something is seriously wrong."

"They have been through a lot," Annie sighed. "Being partners and having to deny how they felt, that can't be easy but they survived it. You said your mom had a hard time getting pregnant but they survived that and her cancer, they'll be okay. Will you?" Annie noticed how Joey's face had fallen.

"I put my father to bed tonight," Joey confessed. He's not even 60 and I had to pick him up and put him to bed. My mother, not even 57, has an arm the size of some people's legs, she can't put her wedding ring on...it hurts."

"I know it does. I know," Annie sighed and put her arm around Joey's shoulders. "You got my back, I have yours. You need to come here and vent to me, do it. They need you now. Your dad is going to get better, he's going to, it's just a question of when."

Joey smiled at Annie's positive attitude. "It's hard you know. I think if I were his age and my Dad was my grandpa's age it would feel better but…it's weird. I'm not even 25."

"You will be in three months, but I know what you mean. I feel like that too. That I'm much too young to feel this old." Annie sipped her beer and her eyes met Joey's.

She's so pretty, Joey thought to himself as he looked at her. Long dark hair, alabaster skin, bright green eyes. No, he scolded himself. It was wrong. "I get that," Joey replied. "Thanks for listening to me Ann. See you at role?"

Annie nodded. Joey downed the rest of his beer before going home to prepare for a long Saturday afternoon tour.

"Why did you drag Danny all the way out here?" Eddie asked as Jamie diligently worked on velcroing his sneakers. "I could get you in the car just fine."

"Really, until that ring goes back on you are on limited duty, Detective," Jamie ordered lightly but with full meaning.

"Not likely, Jamie. You aren't mobile yet and Lila isn't home when we get up. Your dad, he's 92 so that leaves me. We can't ask Danny to drive out here to lift you. It isn't right!"

"Danny doesn't mind doing it, between him, Sean, Jack, and Joe you can rest until you are feeling better. I know how much that hurts, Eddie. You think I sleep through you tossing and turning all night long?" Jamie leaned over and did his other shoe. "There, now just get the waist band up and I am home free."

Eddie watched Jamie's determination to get all of his clothing on himself. He got the pants up then worked on his shirt. After five minutes though he hollered for her. "Eddie, help. I'm stuck."

Eddie went to Jamie and gently pulled his bad arm through his shirt. Spontaneously she kissed him flush on the lips, "I am so proud of you! Look what you did! You even got your socks and shoes on by yourself. That was so great!"

Jamie beamed with pride and was still smiling when Danny arrived. "Okay Kid, you ready to get into the car? Do you have a special way to sit like you have to lay?" Danny is glaring at Eddie, apparently he heard.

"No, I just need a pillow for my arm and my back but Eddie did that. Thanks for doing this Danny, she can't do all that pushing and pulling. Look at her arm."

While Danny was getting Jamie settled Eddie was wrapping her arm in bandages with Frank's help, "Is it too tight?" he asked.

"No, it's good, thanks Dad," Eddie replied smiling. "You ready, you have you inhaler?"

Frank smiled, she took great care of them. He rubbed Eddie's cheek with the back of his hand. Eddie headed for Staten Island. They were meeting Lila and Steven at Snug Harbor for a noon appointment.

"Who is coming?" Steven asked. "You said your mom and your aunt but this morning when your Mom called she said it was your dad and your grandpa with her."

"It was supposed to be Mom and Aunt Erin but now it's Dad and Grandpa. I think Dad felt left out. He's so difficult though, he's going to analyze the life out of everything."

Steven wrapped his arms around her, "Lil, so do you. Look at your with notebooks and charts. You are your father's daughter to a T." He kissed her deeply and only came up for air when they heard Frank clear his throat.

"Hey, Grandpa." Lila smiled and went to hug him. "Hey Dad, you look good." Jamie was sitting up straight, and had his 1000 watt smile on his face.

He raised his weak arm and held Lila a little with both his arms, "Oh…my beautiful baby." Jamie kissed her cheek.

"Mom," Lila hugged her Mom. "I love your hair like that."

"Thanks honey, so…let's have a look around here. I already love the arch and the reflecting pool for pictures. Jamie, if you get tired or need the bathroom please tell me."

Frank used Jamie's chair like a walker and pushed him around the grounds while the coordinator took them around. "The ceremony can be held her or in a church, and then pictures outside and inside. We have an excellent chef and here is a list of vendors that we recommend along with our prices."

She handed the price list to Jamie which made him secretly smile, he felt as if he was part of the scenery since the stroke but today this total stranger recognized his right to make choices as father of the bride.

"I like this place," Jamie said as the headed back to the car. Steven was appointed to help him get into the vehicle. "That arch is just like the one in Washington Square Park where Mom and I got our wedding photos done. That would be a nice connection don't you think, Kitten?"

"Yes and I really like this place too. Can we look at the other places though or are you getting too tired?" Lila was concerned for her Dad.

"No, we can see the other places but I like how they are so organized," Jamie smiled. He was settled in the car again and they headed to the next venue.

All in all the wedding hall shopping went really well. By the end of the night they had narrowed it down to Snug Harbor and Above Weddings. Jamie liked the organization at both places, "So now it's down to availability," Lila said as they sat at table at Morelli's.

"Lila and I are looking forward to a fall wedding so if they have fall dates at Above I'm going to do that…I think that's a good place," Steven replied.

Jamie smiled, "You have to get the mini lamb chops…" He chuckled and looked at Eddie. "My mini lamb chop." He leaned over and kissed her cheek.

"I think we will do that Dad," Lila said smiling. She loved that her father was involved but was upset at the rift between her mother and her godmother. She gently broached that subject as they enjoyed their appetizer.

Eddie had one eye on Jamie's jaw making sure he chewed his food carefully. "Be careful with the spaghetti, honey." Eddie was nervous about the long strands of food.

"I'm fine, baby," Jamie replied. "Don't worry, let's enjoy ourselves."

"Mom," Lila said as Eddie focused on Jamie and their pasta sampler. "What's with you and throwing Aunt Erin out?"

Eddie looked at her plate then her daughter, "Aunt Erin interfered in Dad's therapy and that was not what he needed to try to get well again. I asked her to leave, she refused. I got very angry and upset, that was my fault and I'm so sorry I put Dad and Grandpa in that position but for now Aunt Erin needs to worry about herself and let me take care of Dad and this wedding. Okay?"

Lila knew she had been shut down and if her mother's tone wasn't enough the glare she was getting from her father was. He had told her not to go there with her mom in the past, she knew she better drop it and discuss pleasanter things.

Jamie and Eddie were both exhausted the night when they returned home. Frank headed up to bed almost immediately as Eddie worked to get Jamie into the house and ready for sleeping. "I had a nice time," he told her as she undressed him with much more assistance from him than usual. He really was trying to show her he was on her side.

"Me too, and you enjoyed your meal. You ate well and didn't even make a mess, you are getting better honey." Eddie smiled and put his legs in. "Maybe let's try you on your good side tonight, maybe back sleeping is making the spasms worse?"

Jamie agreed to try to sleep on his right side supported by pillows at his back and Eddie's body in this front. "There, are you comfy?" she asked taking his bad arm and placing it around her body.

"I couldn't ask for better, in my own bed, my wife in my arms…this is perfect."

But perfect would not carry over, Jamie knew that. Dinner was tomorrow and tensions were running high.