Chapter Thirty Seven
Eddie remained in the hospital for five days. The doctor tried his best to help get Eddie back on a regular bowel program, but the trauma still had it such that she was having accidents. Henry and Jamie both assured her not to worry about it that as she healed it would stop.
Jamie brought her home the afternoon of her discharge, "I think you need to go right to bed and rest. I have never seen someone come out of the hospital well rested and you having a revolving door there didn't help."
"I'm fine Jamie, all I did in there was sleep," Eddie sighed at his fussing over her even though it was his way of showing he cared.
Jamie helped her inside into a sitting position on the couch. "There do you need anything?"
"Well I could eat," Eddie couldn't help but tease him. Jamie only laughed offering a soft pat to her shoulder going to make lunch.
"You're still on soft foods," Jamie sighed. "What about tuna on untoasted bread?"
"Sound good," Eddie replied. "Jamie, can we talk a minute?"
"Sure," Jamie replied stirring the tuna and his special mix of ingredients.
"It's about John and…Jamie you really seem to resent him being around. I know you're feeling protective, but he is a very nice man. I do want to have him around to visit me while I get better and I want to go out with him again. He's willing to learn Jamie, he wants to learn how to take care of me!"
"It's not easy to do, Eddie. John's got impaired movement too."
"I know, but Jamie, honesty do you think I can live here the rest of my life. You and Sydney need to get back to normal, if things work with John, if we can be friends…"
"Eddie, that's not a reason to try to be friend or to jump into a relationship," Jamie sighed bring the tuna. "I'm going to feed you…
"No, I can feed myself. I have to get my strength back," Eddie insisted. "There are things I'm not up for yet, like transferring that I need you and Sydney to help with."
Jamie deferred to Eddie and started to eat his sandwich as she worked on her tuna and small cuts of bread. Jamie turned on the TV and watched reruns of Mr. Ed with Eddie. She kept laughing out loud, dropping her had back. She was so pretty, "Eddie, I like that you want to get out and have fun, I do. I'm nervous that you are going to get hurt."
"I know you are," Eddie replied gently. "And maybe you are a little jealous too."
"Jealous?" Jamie looked a little surprised.
"Yes, jealous," Eddie replied. 'Since I got hurt you and Sydney were the ones I looked to, the ones I leaned on, then Henry, but he was still part of the family. Now there is someone else that might be able to take care of me, and I think that scares you more than my getting hurt."
"That's silly, it's your getting hurt or sick I dread," Jamie assured her. "But if you want me to back off I will. Can't make promises for Pop. He's made me promise to speak to you about not going out with John again until he's come to dinner."
Eddie blushed, "All right, I won't go out with him again until he's been properly vetted. He's going to call me in a few hours but for now…I'm really tired, can we do what we have to so I can have a rest?"
Jamie nodded and helped Eddie with the bathroom then put her in bed. She was asleep a few seconds after being laid in the bed.
Jamie went about his day as Eddie rested waiting for her cell phone to go off announcing John's call. It did just after three, Jamie sighed. He would have to accept this, if he didn't wish to upset Eddie. Jamie and Sydney had just talked about possibly trying for a family after the New Year, perhaps it would be best if Eddie found someone too."
Jamie moved closer to the bedroom door, he heard Eddie talking softly, laughing her gentle musical laugh. "I think Jamie and Sydney would say it's all right, but it's their house, I want to make sure I check with them first."
"I'm sure that has to be hard," John said. "Jamie is…he's a little overbearing at times. There was a few times I went to see you in the hospital and he didn't let me in if you were sleeping. The old man too, he's a big poppa bear."
Eddie sighed, "Jamie has been the only one I could count on since I joined the force. My partner, my best friend, my power of attorney, but I am better now and I don't need as much protection from him."
Jamie felt his pulse race, he had no choice but to accept John or he'd push Eddie away all together. When Eddie hung up, Jamie went to get her up for dinner. "Did you sleep well?" he asked pretending that he did not overhear the call.
"Yes, and John called. I'd like to have him over for dinner this week. The four of us can get to know each other better."
Jamie forced a smile that did not reach his eyes, "Of course, we can get dinner from that homestyle place you like so much. It might be fun."
Eddie laughed, "Reagan you are the worst liar." Jamie's face had fallen. "Eddie, I think we need to do bath time before dinner tonight."
Eddie blushed, "When is this going to stop?' Eddie griped. It was embarrassing and upsetting for her to just make a mess like that without knowing."
"The doctor said a few more weeks before your bowel heals and can be retrained. "It's all right. Let me run the hot water, we'll wash you up and I'll change your bed."
Jamie knew he was the only person Eddie could bare to handle her with a mess like this. The doctor had discussed colostomy with him if they could not resolve the obstruction but Jamie did not choose that course, he knew Eddie would not like it.
Jamie put Eddie in the tub with the massager on and bubbles. While he cleaned her up she broached the subject of dinner again, "So it's all right if John comes over. Can you find out from Syd when it's a good night?"
"Sure," Jamie replied. "Syd will be excited. We both want to see you be happy, Eddie. We just think you'll be happy in different way. Sydney thinks it's making a new life away from here, I think it's staying close and…"
"Jamie, I'm not ever going to just leave," Eddie replied. "I'm not. I love you. You are my best friend and if things take off with John or someone else you will still be the most important man in my life. I promise you this."
Jamie smiled and hugged Eddie gently. "Good, I won't abandon you either. We're in this, John or no John."
Eddie nodded as Sydney called out to announce she was home. "We're in the bathroom, we'll be right out," Jamie replied.
Eddie sighed, "Sydney is not going to like things getting so messed. I think you better put on two diapers and a accident pad so it's not all over the place."
Jamie set Eddie up and she wheeled herself to the table while washed her soiled clothes and sheets. "Oh, you got Chinese."
"Yeah, I thought the rice and some chicken in brown sauce would go easy," Sydney replied. "How are things going?"
"Good, just had a little accident but…"
Sydney smiled, better Jamie than her. "Oh, well. It'll happen for a bit. Oh look what I got in the mail today!"
Sydney opened the mail with Eddie's name on it, "Your first disability check. It's a good amount too. You see everything is going to end up turning out just fine."
Later that night, after two more accidents, Jamie finally got into bed with Sydney. "This has to stop, she's mortified by all these accidents! I'm going to have to call her doctor."
"She's still recovering, it's just us and Henry," Sydney soothed.
"No, honey, it's also John because she wants him to come over for dinner later this week. As much as I'm not sure about them I want her to feel secure and happy. I told her it was okay to invite him."
Sydney smiled, "I'm glad they are hitting it off. Eddie's getting a boyfriend, she's got her disability, things are looking up for her and for us. I talked to my doctor about stopping the pill so it's safe to start trying.'
Jamie slid his arm around Sydney, he had wanted a family for such a long time but now he wasn't so sure if this was the right thing of not. Still he kept his shut, it took them so long to get to this point. "Good, that's good. You know for the first time since the accident I feel like things might work out for us, for Eddie…So much of that is thanks your patience."
"Soon we'll have our family," Sydney smiled. "And if things go right for Eddie, she might get hers too."
Jamie nodded silently, eyes heavy dreading the day he has to sit at the table with the man who was now taking hold of Eddie's heart.
The dinner was set up for two weeks. Eddie felt she needed more time to recover and stop having so many bathroom issues. John called twice daily and the talks got longer each time. The more Eddie talked to John, the less she talked to Jamie, a circumstance that ate at him so much Henry finally called him on it.
"What's eating you lately, Jamie?" he asked one afternoon before leaving for home.
"Nothing, Pop, just busy at work, and Eddie's been needing more care lately since the hospital."
"True, but that never put you into a mood before. What's the problem?" Henry flopped down on the couch. "She's napping, she won't hear."
Jamie sighed and sat down by Henry. "John," Jamie replied. "I feel like I'm losing my best friend and…"
"Jamie, this thing with you and Eddie has been unhealthy for a while," Henry said gently. "You are best friends, yes, but you are a married man. Anyone with eyes can see the rift it's caused with you and Sydney. You might be talking about a family, but I think it's a last ditch effort from her to recapture your attention. This would be great for everyone if this works out. I had Danny run this John Abbott, Jr. and he is clean. You need to relax, this is just like the nurses."
Jamie sighed, "I know Pop. I know…He's coming to dinner Sunday, Eddie is bringing him to dinner. If he passes that, I can relax. Maybe."
Henry laughed, "You are not the type to totally relax, Jamison, but let's just take it one day at a time. Eddie is coming so far. Try not to ruin this for her, Kiddo. You love her…let her be loved."
As usual, Henry put Jamie's mind at ease. When Jamie went to check on Eddie and found her on the phone with John, he was finally able to smile a legitimate smile.
A/N: I'm glad so many people are enjoying reading this story as much as I did writing it. We are coming into the homestretch now where everyone is slowing figuring out what needs to be for their own lives, most of all Eddie.
Next Update – July 21st – John faces the Reagan's at Sunday dinner, Henry must step in when Jamie and John start to compete for Eddie's favor.