Chapter Thirty Eight
Eddie was so engrossed with Max she didn't notice Jamie at first and when she did, she chose to keep focus on the boy and not on his Dad. "You're such a good little guy," Eddie whispered. "You are sweet and kind, no one would know that you had it rough for a bit right? You and me, we're the same kind, you know? Had it rough but try to keep our hearts on our sleeves. No matter what happens, Max, your old pal Eddie is going to be there for you. Even if things don't quiet work out with me and your Daddy."
Jamie stepped into the room then, "Eddie, what…" He began but she shushed him. "He's almost off, this poor baby was exhausted."
Eddie switched from talking to Max to singing again as the baby's eyes were finally closing. This time the lullaby was in Serbian, a sweet sound, though Jamie didn't understand the words, he knew it was sent with much love.
Eddie stood up once Max was down and gently put the boy in his crib. "Sweet dreams, Max…" Eddie kissed the baby's head.
Jamie was right behind Eddie when she stepped back. He slid his arms around her and pulled her to him. "I wanted to do this all night but the family…"
"And your new friend that must be an issue," Eddie replied trying to pull out of Jamie's arms. "You're almost a single man, Jamie. I understand…"
"Whoa, I am not a single man," Jamie corrected. "I am in a relationship with the most beautiful woman in the world. Just because we can't be together right now doesn't mean that I'm any less committed. Pop did that, because he doesn't know and he can't know yet. She has some interesting things about helping Max, and I was listening as a father with a teacher, that's all."
"Jamie, you are so damn blind," Eddie laughed. "I mean it, that girl is falling in your lap…you really don't see that?"
"No," Jamie shrugged. "No, I only have eyes for you, I love you, I don't care about anyone else. She might as well be a guy for all I see. I was only interested in what she had to say about Max." Jamie took a deep breath, "I should have seen it though, Danny saw it and you saw it. I should have seen it. I never want to hurt you, Eddie and I know I did, I can see in your eyes that I did." Jamie dropped a kiss on Eddie's hair. "I can never repay all you've done for me, the love, the loyalty…I can't ever, the least I can do is not hurt you." Jamie pulled Eddie in tighter and rocked her in his arms. "Give me a kiss…"
Eddie tilted her head and gave Jamie a sweet kiss on the lips, putting all of her emotion into it. She wanted that kiss to linger on his lips, and her taste to linger in his mouth. Jamie had the same idea…the kiss they shared was full of love, desire, and plain old heat!
"Take it from me, Reagan," Eddie replied. "That girl is interested in Max's Daddy just as much as she is interested in Max. And, there's nothing wrong with Max. He is being a normal almost one-year old baby. He's a baby and I'm a little miffed with that woman's skinny behind implying that sweet little guy is anything less than perfect. You're a genius Jamie, Claudia wasn't and Max's donor wasn't either…he's just normal and that's okay."
Jamie pulled Eddie for another hug, "I love you," he said firmly but gently as he cradled her head in his hands. Jamie held Eddie's gaze, she didn't see him giving Mary Poppins that look. "There's no one else, I promise. There won't ever be. Let's go back down, and I'll see if Danny can get us a few minutes as the party dies down."
"I'd like that," Eddie replied. "I love you too. So much…"
Jamie gave Eddie another hug and quick kiss, he had to pull back as Jack was coming to find them. "People are starting to leave Uncle Jamie."
"We're coming Jack, we're coming."
The party died down until only the immediate family and Eddie were left. Danny saw Jamie's need for more time alone with his girl, but Frank had another idea. "Eddie, come here…" Frank opened his bear like arms and hugged the young woman tight. "Thank you so much for the books, I couldn't have chosen something more perfect myself."
"Thank you, S…Frank," Eddie smiled. "Jamie talked about your service all the time, he was very proud of you and Danny for doing that and making the sacrifice."
"Our family legacy is service," Frank replied smiling. "There's always a place in it for those with the same convictions."
Jamie watched as Eddie easily conversed with Frank. Having Camille in the house had really stressed Eddie out, that was uncomfortable for him, Jamie never wanted her to feel out of place, he knew how much that hurt.
"Kid," Danny nudged Jamie's shoulder. 'Did you want to show Eddie the car you and Sean made a few years ago?"
"Ah yes," Jamie smiled. "Yes, I did…"
Jamie gently took Eddie's elbow, "Eddie, remember the soap box derby…we still have the car…would you like to see?"
Jamie tugged, not giving Eddie a chance to say no. Danny and Frank's eyes met, Frank smiled, he was truly proud of how Danny stepped up for his brother.
Jamie led Eddie to the stocked garage and pulled her close to him. "I know you have to go soon, but I can't…let you…" Jamie began to rain kissed all over Eddie's face. She responded in kind, her hands moving over Jamie's chest readily.
"I don't want to go…I'm…" Eddie kissed Jamie back hungrily, tasting his essence and smiling brightly. "God, Jamie, I love you so much…"
"I love you," Jamie whispered. "There is no way in the world I would ever have eyes for anyone but you, Eddie. You hold my complete and absolute attention, so much I didn't even realize at first how much my talking to Pop's friend hurt you. I do not want you to hurt, never."
Eddie knew that, in her heart she knew it and snuggled closer to Jamie to let him know it. She didn't want to leave, she wanted to stay close…but that wasn't the way of life yet. "Next yet," Jamie replied. "Next year, we'll be together like this and everyone will know. I'll speak to Pop about this okay?"
"Don't upset him, we know each other, I trust you…" Eddie whispered. "Don't upset him."
"I won't but I have to see him about it…I can't let that get started or it won't end," Jamie replied. "I'll take care of it, I'll take care of you."
"Hmm, closets don't have as much room as garages...maybe we should keep that in mind for the future." Eddie batted her eyes at Jamie.
"Yes, ma'am," Jamie replied wrapping Eddie in a huge bear hug, then dipping her so her leg popped in the front. Jamie kept the kiss firm and deep, enough to last them until they were able to meet again.
Jamie headed back into the house, Henry was finishing up cleaning up the dishes. Jamie took a breath, Henry was formidable when he was wanting something. "Pop, what was that?" Jamie asked. "Bringing a girl my age over here like that? The ink on the papers isn't even dry."
"You're young," Henry replied. "And you aren't grieving your marriage, you shouldn't waste time and Camille is a nice girl."
"Yes, she is," Jamie replied. 'She's a very nice girl, but I'm not on the market for a girlfriend or anything. I know what I want and I'm going to take control of my life, me…"
"Jamie, you don't take control you let things slide," Henry replied. "You just let opportunities go right past you."
"Pop," Jamie said firmly. "I'm not doing that this time, I'm not interested in Camille, I'm not interested in dating at all right now. I know what I want out of this life and I am going to get it. Please do not bring more women around for this purpose."
Jamie was steadfast, and turned on his heel to leave the room. Erin had heard Jamie's exchange with Henry then watched him head upstairs. "He's in denial…he thinks love is just going to walk into his arm," Erin sighed.
"Camille is nice, she's pretty, and she likes kids, what's wrong wither her?" Henry ased slightly miffed that Jamie had taken him to task.
"Nothing, and she's probably the best pick for him too, but let's give him a little more time, we can always try again," Erin encouraged. "You're right, he doesn't participate in his life, just lets it happen. For now, let's at least let him get used to being divorced."
Henry grudgingly agreed to back off for the time being, Erin had a few ideas of her own for her little brother, but she'd wait, he had a lot of healing to do.
Jamie peaked in on Max, he was sleeping soundly in his crib. "You got rocked and loved tonight huh?" Jamie whispered. "Don't you worry little guy, Daddy's going to make everything all right, you'll see. Miss Eddie will be your Mommy and we'll be a family, just you wait and see."
Jamie kissed the boy's head, then went to lie down in his own bed. Jamie fell asleep seeing Eddie rock his son, singing like an angel. His dream had come true…at least for the night.