It was the day of Eddie's birthday, Jamie had to work and Eddie had just gotten off the night shift from the previous night. She was heading over to Henry and Franks.
She was nervous about her mom coming. They had been making progress but she was still worried how she would treat Jamie's family. She was sitting in the kitchen with Henry, she was talking about something, it could have been purple aliens for all she knew; she was to busy lost in all the possible scenarios of her mom offending the Reagans.
"Eddie" Henry said
Eddie didn't hear him.
"Eddie?"
"Eddie, sweetheart?" Henry said putting his hand on hers.
"What oh, sorry Henry" Eddie said
"Everything alright dear?"
"Yea of course" Eddie said hoping he believed her.
"Eddie" Henry said with that all knowing look he possessed.
"You are good Henry" Eddie said relaxing a little.
"I've sweated enough perps in my day" Henry said with a smile.
"I guess, I guess I am just nervous" Eddie said biting her lip.
"Why?" Henry asked.
"Since my mom is coming to dinner today" Eddie said
"I'm sure she is lovely. She did raise you" Henry said.
"I'm not much like my parents. She can be very judgmental" Eddie said.
"Why didn't you tell Jamie no?" Henry asked knowing his grandson wants everyone to have a perfect family.
"I do want you all to meet. I think part of it will explain who I am and why I am the way I am"
"And what way is that?"
"Broken, damaged, messed up" Eddie said
"Oh bull" Henry said making scoffing noises
"Henry?" Eddie said surprised.
"From what I know and from what Jamie tells me you are far from those things Eddie. They have only shaped you into the wonderful young woman that you are" Henry said
"Thank you, I am just worried she will offend you guys and then you will be mad at me" Eddie said.
"We all have pretty big shoulders, and if you haven't notices someone gets offended at every Sunday dinner. And we could never be mad at you" Henry said.
"Thanks Henry, you always know what to say" Eddie said kissing him on the cheek.
"Many years of wisdom my dear" Henry said.
"What do you say that you instill some wisdom in me on how to make this cornedbeef?" Eddie asked.
"I always love help in the kitchen" Henry said.
Eddie and Henry started to make dinner. The others all slowly started to arrive. Eddie said that her Jamie would go pick up her mom Nancy but her mom insisted on taking herself.
Everyone had started to arrive. Jack was sporting a new black eye from the start of baseball season and Nicky was sporting some splinted fingers from basketball. Jamie's coaching was paying off and they were headed for the championship. Linda, Danny, Sean and Erin all arrived. Frank was heading back from a retirement party and Jamie was finishing his tour.
Frank walked in, everyone said their hellos and Eddie got a text from Jamie saying that he was on his way.
He walked in a little while later and gave Eddie a kiss and greeted the rest of his family.
"Hey babe, how was tour?" Eddie asked kissing him back.
"Fairly non-eventful except for one incident. I'm still hoping that PC of ours can do something about weapon discharge paperwork" Jamie said giving his dad a smirk.
"Get in line kid, I've been trying for years" Danny said laughing.
"What or who did you shoot?" Erin asked.
"Gang in their early 20s, they shot at us, we shot back and then they surrendered. No one was killed. One hump had to go to the hospital" Jamie said.
A little while later everyone was sitting in the living room when Eddie pulled Jamie into the kitchen.
"What's up?" Jamie asked taking a sip of his beer.
"I was talking to your grandpa about my mom offending you guys and he said not to worry about it"
"Exactly, my grandpa is right" Jamie said wrapping his arms around her waist.
"But"
"Eddie, they all want to meet her. You've been prepping them for days now over what she could possibly say"
Eddie still had a nervous look on her face.
Jamie kissed her neck and whispered that everything would be ok.
"I love you" Eddie said.
"I love you too babe" Jamie said with a smile.
"Eddie your mom is pulling up" Erin said walking into the kitchen.
Eddie grabbed Jamie's arm like she always did when she needed strength and he wrapped his other arm around her waist and they walked over to the front door.
"Hi mom" Eddie said giving her a hug.
"Hi Nancy" Jamie said kissing her on the cheek.
"Hello" Nancy said politely.
"Mom this is Jamie's grandpa Henry, his dad Frank, his sister Erin and her daughter Nicky, his brother Danny and his wife Linda and their two sons Jack and Sean"
"Nice to meet you all" Nancy said.
"We are glad you could come" Frank said shaking her hand.
"Eddie helped me cook her new favorite, cornedbeef" Henry said.
"Very nice" Nancy said with a tight smile.
"Well I believe that dinner is all ready, why don't we all go sit down" Erin said.
Everyone agreed and they headed into the dining room.
Erin and Nicky slid down and they put Nancy on the end next to Eddie and Henry.
They all bowed to say grace and Eddie whispered to her mom to go along with it.
After they said grace, they started to pass around the food.
"What happed to your eye buddy?" Jamie asked Jack.
"He decided to catch the baseball with his face instead of his glove" Sean said laughing.
They rest of the table started laughing except Nancy.
"Mom, you ok?" Eddie asked.
"Yes, why?"
"Sean is pretty funny" Eddie said
"I don't believe that injury is humorous. I never like when you laughed about your cuts and bruises" Nancy said matter of factly.
"I don't mind, it's true, I just didn't get my glove up quick enough" Jack said laughing.
"Very well" Nancy said
They ate and talked about their weeks. Frank couldn't understand how Nancy and Eddie were not in each others lives for so long. They missed Joe every day and they would do anything to have him back. He knew that Eddie had been very hurt by her and he was amazed at how well she had done without familial support.
"So Nancy, what was little Eddie like?" Danny asked.
He had taken a liking to Eddie in a way that he never liked Sydney. He didn't think Sydney fit in with the family. She tried to change Jamie and not in a positive way either. Eddie fits in and understands them. She is loving and caring where Sydney was cold and hard. Eddie had changed Jamie in a positive way, she helped him out of his shell and finally come to terms with Joe's death.
"She was not ladylike at all. Her father and I sent her to charm school and we can see that it did not pay off"
"How did it not work?" Nicky asked.
"Well she became a cop, she was always covered in cuts and bruises and always wanted to be one of the guys"
"In my defense I was very athletic, I did love clothes and I had all male cousins" Eddie said.
Jamie reached for her hand under the table and she greatly appreciated the gesture.
"So I hear that law enforcement is in the family business" Nancy said.
"Yes it is" Danny said wondering where this was going. He now felt like he needed to protect Eddie like he protects Erin and Jamie.
"I did a project last year about our family's long line of service" Jack said.
"It was an interesting project" Linda said.
"That's nice"
"In my defense I am a lawyer. I'm and ADA so I am on the same side of the law"
"That must be a though job with little pay"
"It's not all about the money, I like being able to finish what my brothers start" Erin said proudly.
"Shall we clear and then have dessert?" Nicky asked.
Nicky, Jack and Sean and Jamie all started to clear.
"I will be right back" Eddie said excusing herself.
Jamie hadn't realized that she had left since he was in the kitchen so Danny went out to her.
Frank, Henry, Linda and Erin were trying to see what Nancy was thinking.
"Hey kid" Danny said standing behind her.
"Dan, Danny?" Eddie asked turning around.
"What are you doing out here?" Eddie asked.
"I could ask you the same thing" Danny said.
"Looking at the flowers Erin and I planted last weekend" Eddie said.
"Eddie?" Danny said.
"I just needed some air"
"Jamie was in the kitchen so I figured I would play big brother and come out"
"Thank you, I appreciate it" Eddie said
"You doing ok?" Danny asked.
"I guess ok, I really am sorry" Eddie said.
"Hey we can take it" Danny said.
"I just wanted it to go perfectly"
"Well in this family nothing ever goes as planned"
"Good to know" Eddie said laughing
"Wanna head back in, we need the birthday girl" Danny said
"Yea, I'm good now" Eddie said.
Eddie walked back in. It meant a lot to her that Danny came out to check on her. Danny took the longest to warm up to her. He always seemed more professional with her even when they were home. She finally felt fully accepted and knew that her mom's actions wouldn't affect the way the Reagans treat her.
Eddie and Danny walked back in and sat down, a few seconds later Jamie walked in and placed a candle-lit cake in front of her. Nicky got up and took a picture of the two of them.
They all sang happy birthday and for the first time she ever admitted to herself, she whished that Jamie would propose to her.
She blew out her candles.
"Make a wish?" Jamie asked kissing her head.
"Yup" Eddie said smiling.
They cut they cake and passed it around. Nicky had made it. Eddie loved this feeling, it felt like she was wearing a warm fuzzy blanket and Nicky had once told her that's what family feels like.
Eddie had finished her first piece of cake.
"Eddie do you want another piece?" Nicky asked cutting one for herself.
"Yes please" Eddie said passing her plate.
"Edit" Nancy warned.
"Mom I ran 10 blocks and tackled a guy last night, if I want another piece of cake I'm gonna have another piece and plus it's my birthday" Eddie said.
Nancy just sat their stunned, the rest of the family was too. They were surprised that Nancy would say that but they were all happy Eddie had stood up for herself.
"I just think you need to watch what you eat for Jamie" Nancy said.
"Jamie doesn't care mom"
"She's right I don't, I'm gonna have another piece too" Jamie said. He reached his right arm out and around Eddie's shoulders and pulled her closer to him.
They ate cake and cleaned up.
"I think I am going to head home" Nancy said.
"Want to stay for presents Nancy?" Jamie asked.
"No thank you, it has been a long day, I have meetings in the morning"
"It was good to see you" Jamie said
"Thanks for coming mom, I really appreciated it"
"Nancy said her goodbyes to everyone else.
"Thank you all so much for having me, it was a nice dinner" Nancy said.
Jamie and Eddie walked her out to the car and once she drove away Jamie pulled Eddie in for a hug.
"Happy birthday babe. I love you" Jamie said still holding her
Eddie cuddled into his chest. It was a warm March Saturday, but there was still a chill in the air.
"I don't know what I would have done with out you today" Eddie said.
"Your mom wasn't that bad" Jamie said walking into the house.
"Eddie you doing ok?" Erin asked bringing her some wine.
"Yea I think so" Eddie said.
Jamie sat on the sofa and Eddie went and sat on his lap and the arm of the sofa.
"I'm not too heavy am I?" Eddie asked instantly getting up.
"No why?" Jamie asked
"Just, never mind. Forget it"
"Nic why don't you go take the boys in the kitchen and finish up what you have to do" Erin said
Nicky nodded and dragged the boys behind her.
"Eddie what's wrong?" Erin asked placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Nothing, it's ok" Eddie said
"Babe" Jamie said standing up.
Tears were forming in Eddie's eyes and she didn't want to cry in front of everyone but her legs wouldn't move.
"Pond?" Jamie asked her
Eddie nodded and Jamie put his hand on the small of her back and led her outside.
"Do either of you know what just happened?" Frank asked Linda and Erin.
"I know her mom is really hard on her. Jamie told them that she criticized everything that she does and everything that she eats" Erin said.
"What should we do for her?" Linda asked.
"She kept apologizing for her mom when I went outside to get her" Danny said.
"When we were making dinner, she was worried about what her mom would say and that she would offend us" Henry said.
"Poor Eddie" Linda said.
"I think she handled herself very well" Frank said
"Should we go see if she is ok or leave her and Jamie alone?" Linda asked.
"I think we should go see if she is ok, show her that she is part of the family" Erin said.
Outside, Jamie and taken Eddie out to the pond. He led her over to the bench and sat her down.
He pulled her into a hug and had his left hand find her right hand.
"Eddie look at me" Jamie said
Eddie looked up and met his kind eyes.
"Your mom was pretty good. I thought she was more reserved than she was the day we went to lunch with her. I know it will take her a while but she is getting there" Jamie said.
"I just hate some of the things she says" Eddie said.
"Like was my second piece of cake comment really necessary? I feel the best that I have in awhile. Have a put some weight on, yea but I like how I look, I like how my clothes fit. This is why I had an eating disorder from the time I hit puberty until I went to college. I couldn't handle all of the judging"
"You know how I feel about you. You are beautiful Eddie I just care that you are healthy and happy with yourself" Jamie said
"You always know what to say to me. I am happy with myself, most of the time"
"I love you no matter what and you know I'm always here for you" Jamie said
"You are to good to me" Eddie said.
Jamie didn't say anything he just kissed her.
Just then they realized the rest of the family walked out and joined them.
"You ok Eddie?" Erin asked in a motherly voice.
"Yea, something's my mom says to me just get to me more than others. I never told anyone this but from the time I was bout 13 until I was at college I had an eating disorder. My college gymnastics coach picked up on it and he benched me until I got help and saw a doctor. My roommate and my team really helped me through it. I have been doing well since then but now with my mom back I've struggled a little but" Eddie said.
Jamie saw some tears fall and he wiped them away for her.
"That's no way to live Eddie" Linda said.
Danny, Frank and Henry didn't know what to say so they just stood there for moral support.
"I was just really worried about what she would say or do. I would rather her insult me than the rest of you. I have told her that I suffered from an eating disorder but she never really seem to care or want to talk about it"
"Is there anything we can do to help?" Frank asked.
"Just be your loving and supportive selves that you have been to me so far"
"Of course" Henry said.
"You wanna go open some presents now babe?" Jamie asked.
"I told you not to get me anything" Eddie said.
"Yea well sometimes I don't listen" Jamie said.
"Isn't that the truth" Danny said laughing.
They all went back inside and grabbed the kids and the presents.
Eddie opened the presents from Jamie and she couldn't have been happier. He had semi-listened he got her presents but they were ones that she really did need.
She opened gifts from the rest of the family. It was getting late so they all said their goodbyes and headed out.
Jamie and Eddie had gotten into bed and were laying there.
"Thanks for a great birthday" Eddie said.
"Anything for you" Jamie said.
"I love your family" Eddie said.
"Good thing they like you too"
"I think Danny finally accepted me"
"What do you mean?"
Eddie rearranged Jamie's arms until she was laying in the crook of his shoulder. Jamie just laughed at her making herself comfy.
"When you were clearing I went out to get air and he knew something was off so he followed me out. He reassured me that you all could handle my mom" Eddie said.
"We can. And we did. I'm glad you listened to him though"
"I felt like he was keeping me at arms length, it was always a professional relationship"
"Yea Danny takes awhile to warm up. I think he didn't want to see me get hurt again"
"Good thing I'm not going to hurt you" Eddie said.
They were laying there for a little when Jamie spoke up first.
"When were you going to tell me that you have an eating disorder?" Jamie asked.
"Had" Eddie said.
"I know this is gonna sound sterile but in the coaching's training I had to take, eating disorders are a life long recovery"
"I think I am recovered. Some days I still struggle but you help a lot without even knowing it. I haven't had a relapse since my first year in the academy" Eddie said.
"Why didn't you ever tell me?" Jamie asked.
"I didn't want to look weak"
"You would never look weak to me. Just when you make me get the tiny bugs and you stand on the chair screaming" Jamie said laughing.
"Do you want me to tell you about it?"
"Only if you are comfortable with it. One of the girls on the team has an eating disorder, she refuses to tell anyone. She told me when she passed out at practice, I involved her parents and the school counselor but no one knows. I think she would be better off if her friends knew but she won't tell them"
"Yea I think I am ready, I mean it's already out in the open"
"I'm all ears babe" Jamie said
"It all started when I was about 12, typical young teenage girl stuff. Everyone compared their bodies and I was short and muscular and I didn't fit the perfect image. My basketball coach told me that I needed to lose weight and then maybe I would start. So I just did what I heard the older girls do, I stopped eating. I would binge eat and then not eat for days. The whole body changing thing threw me for a loop. I developed sooner than the other girls and I was made fun of for it. By the time I got to highschool my mom was pushing me to get a boyfriend and kept telling me that no boy would date me with the way I looked. By the time I got to college I was barely alive. I weighed 80 pounds and my first weigh in for gymnastics. My coach told me I was to skinny to compete and then I passed out at practice and that's when I started crying and I told him everything. He was like a big brother to me and I finally felt comfortable telling someone. He go our trainers, team doctor and counselor involved and I started to get help. It was a slow start but I eventually got healthy and I was much happier" Eddie said. She had tears streaming down her face.
Jamie was speechless, he had no idea that his Eddie, his happy, perfect Eddie had such demons. He rolled her onto his chest. She buried her face and cried. Jamie just held her and rubbed her back. Today was the first time she had to tell anyone and it had been harder than she expected.
"I got you, and I will always have your back" Jamie said kissing the top of her head.
Eddie wiped most of her tears away and Jamie slid out from under her and went and got her some water.
"Sit up" Jamie said. He held out a hand to pull her up and then gave her the glass of water.
"Thank you" Eddie said practically chugging the whole glass.
Jamie laid back down and Eddie happily laid on top of him.
"You ok?" Jamie asked concerned.
"Yes, I just have 2 requests"
Jamie just nodded.
"Don't tell anyone at the precinct and don't constantly ask if I have eaten or anything like that. I've done well for years. I just don't want this to change anything"
"It won't change a thing, just shows that you are more badass than I thought since you were able to over come it. It's not an easy thing to do and you did it"
"Thank you for a great birthday" Eddie said.
"I am glad you like your presents, Nicky went shopping with me"
"You both did a great job" Eddie said.
"Thanks, I take most of the credit"
"Of course you do" Eddie said laughing.
"Let's get some sleep, it's been a long day" Jamie said.
Eddie happily cuddled into Jamie, she felt relieved that he finally knew and she knew that Jamie wouldn't treat her differently or bring it up.
I hope you all liked it! I have suffered from my own eating disorder, luckily I have a better family than Eddie for support. I wanted to bring some awareness to it because it is so important, there is so much pressure on us. Being a college athlete takes its toll and luckily I have a great team and a great boyfriend who alerted my family to it and they all got me help.
Please don't forget to review! If you have any things you want me to write about just let me know!