Epilogue

The family gathered inside Jamie and Eddie's house a year later celebrating the twins birthday. Pink balloons decorated the walls on either side of a colorful happy birthday sign. Jack and Sean joined their cousins for a larger pretend game while niki sat on the couch texting.

"Do you need help?" Jamie asked Eddie as she stirred a huge pot of potatoes for her salad. She was much better but had limited use of her left arm and leg. A decorative four leg can now hung beside her all the time and matching sleeves held her arm in place.

"I'm good the potatoes are almost ready. Actually can you get the bowl and I may need you to help pour.." Eddie hated asking for help but it was either that or spilling everything.

Jamie helped her drain the potatoes and put them in the bowl to mix. "We could have had this catered honey," Jamie reminded her. "Or just had it be the eight of us and Dad...we didn't have to make a big deal."

"I know but it is a big deal that we're all here together to celebrate the girls first birthday." Eddie sat in a chair taking the spoon to stir. She still got tired easily and often needed to sit and rest awhile.

Eddie smiled waiting until he left to set the spoon down. A soft knock tapped the open kitchen door, Baker, Garret and Gornley smiling

Eddie picked up the spoon again so no one noticed that she was tired. "Hey, how are you. Welcome." She stood up and offered each a hug, they had become close since her illness.

"Hey we just wanted to stop by and drop off a gift for the birthday girls from the three of us " Gornley smiled hugging her gently when it was his turn. "How are you feeling Eddie?"

"Getting better everyday, please stay. Well, everyone is in the living room," Eddie replied. "I'll be out soon, I'm just trying to finish the food."

The three headed into the living room smiling at everyone Baker and Frank exchanging a smile. Jamie came down carrying his girls wearing matching pink dresses, their blond hair in pigtails. "oh look at these pretty girls!" Baker reached for one of the babies. "Oh, my goodness. You are so pretty. You need to visit me more at the office, both of you."

Jamie smiled, "now they're older might be going to work with daddy more so mommy can rest."

Jamie heard a clatter in the kitchen and handed Mary off to Garret so he could hurry to check on Eddie. Eddie stared at an empty platter turned over on the floor. "I tried bringing it over and it slipped," she sighed in frustration.

"It's all right, as long as you're okay? Did you fall down?" Jamie got the broom seeing the completed salad and other food lying on the table from falling over.

"My leg gave a little and I reached out for the table to stop myself from falling. " Eddie slowly breathed out, "The salad.."

"Tired you out, but that was your signature." Jamie pulled her close. "Why don't you go lie down for a little bit, okay? Everything is cleaned up I can always help make another salad, I'm worried about you."

Eddie slowly started into the living room careful as her leg wasn't strong yet. Frank had his back turned talking quietly on the phone, baker watching carefully.

Jamie eased Eddie into the chair, "The spread is out folks. Conor, go with Sean and Jack and make a plate for Mommy." Conor jumped up eagerly going to the table picking out food for Eddie. Danny smiled at his

little brother, "need any help kid?"

"It's hard after the recovery part you know. Let me know if you need help... " across the room Gornley talked to Erin excusing himself to answer his phone.

Gornley turned away walking a bit so he could hear better. He nodded a few times thanking the caller, hanging up while turning walking to Jamie. "Sorry boss just got a phone call, Danny's been cleared and expected to return tomorrow."

It had been a long time, nearly ten months, Jamie took a sigh of relief. Meanwhile, Baker moved to Frank's side, "What did they say?" he had confided in her.

Frank smiled, his eyes watery "The newest test came back with good results it was nothing more then a scare. I don't want my kids to go through that the way I did."

He followed grabbing a plate feeling relieved at the clean bill of health. Knowing Danny was waiting for word Jamie pulled his brother into the kitchen. "I received a phone call about your case. "

"I'm out?" Danny sighed. "I knew..." Jamie's face broke into a huge smile. "You're cleared brother!"

Danny sighed shaking his head, "geez kid way to tell me! " He smiled, "thanks boss.."

"Welcome. now let's celebrate..." Jamie looked at Eddie. She was workong o her plate smiling, Conor sitting right beside her

The cousins sat together eating, Garret bounced Mary smiling, Sarah walking around exploring . Erin smiled at her brothers walking together.

"Love you too I'm good Conor made me a nice dish.. " Conor grinned snacking on some bread staying by his mom's side. Sarah toddled around the table reaching two little hands up for Frank's plate.

"Oh you want to eat off Pop Pops's plate?" Frank asekd. "Okay come here peanut...' He was beaming.

Sarah boldly tried climbing up by herself pointing a little finger at Frank's plate seeing all the food. Her sister turned her head looking at garret scrubching her face, "momma..."

"You want to sit with Mommy?" Eddie asked. "She's getting tired, sh gets cuddly when she gets tired."

Jamie took his daughter from Garret's arms carrying her to eddie. Soon as he put her down Sarah cuddled against her mommy. Before getting a plate Jamie scanned the room making sure all his kids were taken care of. Liam say sat with Sean engaged in conversation about basketball while they ate. Daniel and Sean sat with Jack, all the kids adored their big cousins

This was his family, he loved them, flaws and all...he loved them, and together they could face absolutely anything.