Chapter Thirty Seven
Eddie was surprised when she got the evite. The invitation was extended to her and Tom for formalities sake but thankfully Tom would be away on business. Kara was not invited so she would be able to keep April. Eddie was glad to be able to go and at least see Jamie. She could sneak a few minutes in his arms under the guise of friendship, she missed his warmth.
Jamie was giddy when he saw Eddie quickly RSVP. Baker, Gormely, Renzulli, and Garret were among the other guests. What Jamie didn't know is that Henry had chosen to invite his long time friend and former parter, who had a pretty granddaughter Jamie's age.
"Jamie won't like it," Erin warned when she found out.
"I'm not setting him up, I'm merely arranging an environment where he might talk to a girl his age that is not a total nutcase," Henry replied. "I know he invited Eddie as his friend to come to the party so he's not looking at anyone romantically."
"I like Eddie," Erin replied. "It really is too bad that she's married, it's good they are still friends though. It'll be good to see her."
That was what Jamie thought too, how good it would be to see Eddie at Frank's birthday. "You going to wear the pink top and the black pant suit?" Jamie asked.
Eddie ignored that text, it was Jamie's favorite outfit but she had planned a pink flutter sleeve v-neck sundress with a hemline just above the knee, heeled sandals, and of course her cameo pin. Jamie would prefer this dress to his pants suit for sure.
Eddie shopped with Kara for Frank's gift. "He was in the Marines and Jamie says he loves to read so I thought…it's really expensive but…" Eddie held up a six book series, "An Illustrated History of the United States Marine Corp…"
"I think he'll love that,' Kara smiled. "You are the best person to pick gifts, you have great taste and money is absolutely no object."
Eddie laughed and put her purchase up to be scanned. April squealed in her carriage, "How you doing after the pregnancy scare?" Kara asked as they headed to their special tea place for a chat. Kara treated to mini cupcakes from Baked by Melissa and Eddie popped for some lemonades and water in pretty blue bottles.
"I'm okay now," Eddie admitted. "I was so sad when I found out I wasn't pregnant, but Jamie he really came through for me, he took care of me and held me tight. It's only been three weeks but I miss him. I can't wait until Friday when I see him at the party. I'm hoping to get a chance to play with Max a bit too. He took to me when I held him at the hospital but we have to build a bond, Jamie does with April too."
"How are you handling Tom?" Kara asked biting into her favorite cupcake.
"He's a good husband, he has his special time, and I have mine. I do my job as his wife, but…I love him, I'm not in love and that's becoming an obstacle. November can't come fast enough for me, it really can't."
Kara reached across the table and gave Eddie's hand a squeeze, "You'll make it and it'll be worth it…but for my role in this, Matron of Honor at the wedding for sure."
"Matron of Honor, least I can do," Eddie laughed. "Oh, let me try a chocolate one."
The night of the party, Eddie took a car service to Frank's house. She wanted to be able to have fun and not have to worry. Eddie rang the bell bearing her gift for the Commissioner, Jamie answered the door with Max on his hip. "Hey, wow, you look great!" Jamie leaned over and gave Eddie a kiss on the cheek. Nikki and Erin were in the living room helping with the set up.
"Thanks, hey Maxy…" Eddie smiled at the boy. "Got a hug for me?"
Max shied away and hid his face in Jamie's sweater. "He's been really shy, but he comes around, he even hid from Dad yesterday. Come on in… Everyone you remember Eddie, Eddie this is everyone!"
Danny came over to give Eddie a hug followed by Linda and Henry. "You look lovely, young lady. Where is your husband tonight?"
"Tom's in Boston, he's overseeing an addition to the children's hospital there, well his company is and he had some business so he'll be home Tuesday."
Henry thought it was odd he'd be away over Memorial Day but he said nothing. "Well, that's good, we have you to ourselves. Francis, get the lady a drink…what's your pleasure."
"I'm a whiskey girl," Eddie replied. "Jameson would be just fine, neat…"
Jamie's eyes sparkled at the rapport Eddie had with his family. When more than just Danny and Frank found out, things would go smoothly.
"Happy Birthday, Sir," Eddie smiled as Frank handed her the drink.
"Thank you, and considering all you've done for my son and our family…it's Frank. Welcome…"
Eddie felt right at home during the birthday dinner. She laughed at tales of Jamie and Danny from their training days, "A hot dog suit, really Jamie?" Eddie laughed. "No wonder you don't like eating hotdogs anymore."
"I eat hotdogs," Jamie protested. "Yes eat them, but you don't like eating them…"
Just after the main course, while Eddie was throwing away her napkin, Max toddled over to her. "Hey, buddy…what's up?" Eddie asked him. He wanted his cup, it was on the table out of his reach. 'Do you want your juice?" Eddie gave the baby his sippy cup and he smiled at her. His eyes stayed on her as she moved, even after he went back to his Daddy's lap.
Eddie felt like part of the family, not Jamie's girlfriend, but at least his best friend…his pal…she liked the acceptance. Jamie and Danny were extending looks over Eddie's head, there were just too many astute cops at the table for them to sneak off…and it was about to get worse.
The doorbell rang and Henry nearly leapt out of his seat. He moved to open the front door for his old friend and his granddaughter. "Camille, come in come in…" Henry smiled. "Jerry, you come in too." Henry led Camille directly to Jamie, "Jamie, this is Camille Hodges, she's the granddaughter of my old partner, Jerry Hodges. Camille, this is Jamie and his son Max, Camille teaches Kindergarten at PS 119."
Jamie smiled, "Nice to meet you, Camille. Max is a little shy…"
"Oh, that's okay, most kids are at his age…you just have to show them it's okay…" Camille reached for Max, "Come say hi…" She had a big smile and soft voice…Max was still leery but Camille didn't blink an eye.
Eddie bit her lip as she watched Camille take to Jamie and Max. She was gorgeous, dark curly hair, a little taller than Eddie but not enough to make Jamie feel short. She was thin but not overly so, and had the cleanest prettiest face. Her eyes were a soft brown and her skin alabaster. On a scale of 1 to 10, this one was at the top of her game. Henry sure knew how to pick them.
Until then she was having a fabulous time, she fit in, and had some laughs. Now she felt like a fly on the wall watching a scene unfold. It was clear to anyone with eyes Camille was fond of Jamie already, she found him handsome and a loving, doting father. Jamie however, just saw a nice girl.
When it was almost time to serve the cake, Eddie volunteered to help get the plates. Jamie saw the opportunity, and hurried off to the kitchen. Eddie was back before he got there and setting the table like she lived there, like she belonged and she did. Jamie came up behind Eddie as she tried to reach the napkins on the top shelf of the buffet. She was way too small to do it but was anxious and feeling like she had to defend her position. A little hostess effort wouldn't be out of line there.
Jamie saw Eddie stretch and reached up to get the napkins, "You're our guest, relax," he told her bringing his hand down to rest on her waist. "We'll find a little time later, Danny promised," Jamie whispered.
"It's okay, this isn't that," Eddie replied still relishing in the feel of his hands on her. Danny's eye caught Jamie's subtle caress and kept assessing the situation to see if he could buy his kid brother time.
It was so obvious to Danny how in love the Kid was with Eddie, but no one else seemed to notice that. The focus shifted almost immediately to Camille, Danny could tell that was not sitting well with Eddie at all. She had gone from feeling at home to feeling like an intruder.
Danny watched Jamie, he was laughing with Max and Camille, she was a teacher, she knew how to draw kids out even babies, but the few times he saw Eddie holding Max, that was pure love in Eddie's eyes. She loved the boy as if he were her own, that was hard to do with such a short meeting.
"Max, look at this…" Camille was either in love with the boy or was going to use him to get to Jamie. Max wasn't playing shy with Camille…it stung, Eddie started to think about a graceful exit.
Her first attempt, sneaking out, was foiled pretty quickly. Jamie saw Eddie moving to get her purse and stepped over, 'You can't leave before cake, and it's good cake too, chocolate and vanilla…your favorite…"
Eddie sighed and nodded, agreeing it would be unlike her to miss out on cake.
After Happy Birthday had been sung and cake eaten, Eddie made her second attempt. This time she text Kara to give her a rescue call, but when it came in…Jamie appeared at her side again. She couldn't speak freely so she gave up.
Danny noticed the coffee urn was empty so he cornered his little brother, this could give Eddie her chance at escape, so Danny nudged Frank over to speak with her and keep her contained. "What the Hell are you doing?" Danny asked as soon as he got Jamie alone. "Flirting with that girl in front of Eddie, that's five shades of stupid!"
"Flirting, I'm not flirting…" Jamie replied. "She's a friend of Pops that has some interesting ideas about developing Max that's all. He's behind a little so.."
"Max is fine, he's normal," Danny snapped at Jamie. "He's a normal kid, that's a dumb pretext!"
"Not to me," Jamie defended. "Besides, Eddie is fine, I think it's getting late for her…"
"Eddie is not fine, Eddie feels like a fish out of water since Mary Poppins showed up. If you are planning to make a go of this Jamie, you better learn to read her better, otherwise you won't hold onto her or worse yet, you will and end up hurting each other."
Jamie sighed, "I don't see it."
"Then you," Danny replied. "My dear brother, are going to lose her."
Danny left the room for Jamie to contemplate his words. While Frank opened his presents, Jamie stood near Eddie, keeping his eyes on Max. It was getting late and it was almost past the boy's bedtime. Still, he seemed to be going strong and he earned himself a little bit of playtime being such a good boy during the party.
After gifts, Camille approached Jamie again, showing him articles on her phone about working with Max's speech and helping his intellectual strength develop. Jamie was intrigued by the interest Camille was taking in his son, except for one small thing.
Max was toddling around the living room while Jamie was engrossed in his reading. Frank was looking over his new presents and Henry was reminiscing with his old cronies. Eddie saw the boy dragging his blankie and rubbing his tired little eyes. She slowly approached the baby and smiled, "You tired Maxy? Let's go night night. Come on…"
Eddie scooped the baby up into her arms and carried him to his room upstairs. He laid his head down right away, he'd had a big night. Max began to fuss when Eddie tried to put him in the crib, so she sat down in the rocker with him tucked against her breast. Eddie began to softly sing as she rocked…
Tell me why the stars do shine,
Tell me why the ivy twines,
Tell me why the sky's so blue,
And I'll tell you why I love you…
Eddie's clear voice came over the baby monitor, causing the whole room to stop. You could hear a pin drop in the house that had just been bustling with birthday activities. Danny's eyes met Jamie's and he raised an eyebrow at his younger brother. Eddie's voice was so beautiful, so gentle and sweet. The room was so quiet that Jamie heard Max's little coos and sighs. "Excuse me," said softly to Camille then headed up the stairs. Danny got the party rolling again by offering a toast to his father and boss, Jamie switched the monitor to silent, this was his chance to talk to Eddie alone tonight and he didn't want an accidental audience.
Jamie peered into the nursery, Eddie was still rocking and singing to Max. He was holding onto her hair and humming a little himself. Jamie had never seen Max get this soft and gentle kind of love from Claudia. She would hug him or kiss him but that was about the extent of if, never took the time to provide the tender nurturing care that a baby needed. That was why Max wasn't as developed as other kids his age…but soon he'd have what he needed.