Hi everyone, I noticed that there have not been a lot of reviews so I hope everyone is still enjoying my story. This is the second to last chapter I believe and then there will be a part two to the story.
It was a few weeks after Eddie's birthday and Easter was a week away.
Jamie had asked Danny and Erin to head over to Frank and Henry's. They were a little nervous as to why he would want to talk to them but they all agreed and headed over.
"Hey no Eddie tonight?" Frank asked as his son walked into the house.
"Nah, she's on tour tonight"
"So is everything alright?" Henry asked
"Yea" Jamie said smiling
"You didn't get Eddie pregnant did you? Because you two are not married" Erin said.
"Relax Er, Eddie isn't pregnant" Jamie said laughing
"So spill it kid" Danny said growing worried himself.
"Can we go sit down?" Jamie asked playing with the keys in his pocket.
He knew this is what he wanted and he knew that Eddie would say yes, but he was still a ball of nerves.
"Kid?" Danny asked as they went to sit down.
"I'm gonna, I, I ua" Jamie said looking for his words.
"Son what is it?" Frank asked
"I, I am gonna ask Eddie to marry me" Jamie said smiling
"Jamie!" Erin yelled happily.
"I'm proud of you kid" Danny said
"I like her" Henry said smiling
"Congratulations son" Frank said.
"She still has to say yes" Jamie said.
"I am sure she will" Erin said going over to hug her brother.
"Do you want mom's ring?" Frank asked.
"I would love to give it to her, but it has weird connections now" Jamie said.
"I have an idea, what if you took the stones from Betty and Mary's rings and put them in a ring for Eddie" Henry said.
"We can get new stones and put them in a ring for Nicky for her graduation" Frank said.
"I like that idea thanks gramps" Erin said.
"Jamie?" Frank said.
"I agree, thank you, I was wondering what kind of ring to get her. She likes flashy at times but she does like traditional" Jamie said.
"McGinnis's have made all of the jewelry in our family, I'm sure he would give you a good ring" Erin said
"Maybe Danny can come with me and stockpile something for Linda for when he screws up and we can get a two for one discount" Jamie said laughing
"Funny, kid real funny" Danny said
"Enough you two" Frank said laughing.
"So do you guys all approve?" Jamie asked nervously.
"Would we have offered ring tips if we didn't?" Henry asked with a smirk.
"Of course we do kid, Eddie already feels like family. We are glad you are making it official" Danny said.
Jamie wouldn't admit it, but the approval from Danny meant the work to him.
"Do you know what you are going to do yet?" Erin asked.
"Spencer asked if we wanted to go away for a long weekend with him and Hailey so I might do it when we are away" Jamie said.
"I think that's a lovely idea" Erin said.
"I just wanted to tell you guys, but you have to promise to not tell anyone else in the family. Trust me if Nicky finds out, Eddie will too"
"Or Linda" Danny said.
"So can we all agree to not speak of this again until we tell you that we are engaged?"
They all agreed.
"I am going to go to lunch with her mom tomorrow and ask her and then I am going to her dad's prison to ask him" Jamie said.
"You want company?" Frank asked.
"I was actually gonna see if Danny would go with me" Jamie said looking at Danny.
Danny was surprised but honored that Jamie would ask him. Danny always figured that it would be Joe helping him plan his engagement and then even after Joe was killed Danny always hoped but never expected Jamie to ask him.
"Of course kid" Danny said trying to hide the emotion in his voice.
"Let me go grab the rings" Frank said.
Jamie took the rings and told Danny he would pick him up the next day.
The next day Jamie tried to play it cool when Eddie asked how he was. She as going shopping with Hailey for a dress for some office wedding that her and Spencer were going to.
Jamie had called Danny on his way over. Danny brought coffee out for him and Jamie.
"Hey kid"
"Hey Danny" Jamie said as Danny got into the car.
"Excited?" Danny asked.
"Nervous" Jamie said sheepishly.
"It's ok, I was a wreck when I was picking out Linda's ring" Danny said with a smile.
"Really?"
"Yea, it's a big decision Jamie. But you know Eddie very well and I am sure she will love what you pick out for her"
"Thanks Danny, and thanks for coming with me" Jamie said
"That's what I'm here for" Danny said.
They drove in silence, they were both avoiding the fact that Joe wasn't with them.
They pulled up to the store and parked and went it. Going to see them was like seeing family so it took them time to get through their recent life stories before they got to the rings.
"So Jamie you have any ideas in mind?"
"I was thinking more classic but nothing over the top. She's a cop too so it needs to be compatible for work" Jamie said walking around.
They looked around until Jamie called Danny over.
"Yea kid?" Danny asked looking at Jamie's expression.
"I found it" Jamie said pointing to a white gold band with two smaller diamonds on either side of a larger diamond. It was classic and beautiful.
"Jamie, Eddie will love it" Danny said trying to choke the emotion out of his voice.
He was surprised at the emotion he had helping Jamie pick out the ring. He always assumed that Jamie would never let him do these things with him. He was also happy with how happy Jamie was.
"It's prefect" Jamie said.
Jamie gave the jewelry all of the information needed and they headed out to go meet her mom and dad.
They were waiting at the restaurant that Eddie's mom had picked.
"Jamie relax" Danny said looking at his bother.
"Yea ok" Jamie said absentmindedly.
Jamie's hands and legs were shaking so Danny put his hand on Jamie's shoulder.
"huh?" Jamie asked
"Jamie, I don't know your relationship with Eddie's mom or dad. I know her mom can be harsh but you and Eddie love each other very much, anyone can see that. I do not think that they will have a problem with you asking them to marry their daughter"
"Thanks Danny" Jamie said.
"And Danny just behave yourself. Don't get messy food, or say stupid stuff or provoke arguments" Jamie said.
"Don't worry, Erin already threatened me" Danny said laughing.
"Hello sorry I am late" Nancy said walking to the table.
Jamie and Danny both stood up to greet her and then Jamie held her chair out for her.
They ordered their lunch and made small talk until Jamie couldn't keep it together any longer. Danny was amused at how awkward, insecure and stressed Jamie was. Normally Jamie was calm, cool and collected but this time was different.
Jamie had told Danny how he had planned out a whole conversation for how it would go and proper responses for her questions.
"It was nice inviting me for lunch but where is Eddie?" Nancy asked.
"I want to marry Eddie" Jamie blurted.
Danny laughed and chocked on his water.
"Excuse me?" Nancy asked dabbing her mouth with her napkin.
"I um, I would, I um, I think, want marry, love, I" Jamie stammered.
"Jamie" Danny said slapping the back of his head.
Jamie nodded in thanks and took a sip of water.
"Nancy, what I am trying to say is, I would like your permission to marry Eddie. I know that it is old fashioned but we both want to keep some tradition in our relationship" Jamie said regaining his composure.
"Yes, of course. You have been very good for her. I am also very pleased that you asked me" Nancy said.
"I plan on asking Mr. Janko as well" Jamie said.
"That is very kind of you Jamie" Nancy said.
Jamie and Danny finished their lunch with Nancy and decided to make their way to the correction center that housed Eddie's dad.
"You ready?" Danny asked.
"Yea, her dad likes me...I think" Jamie said laughing.
"Is her dad, uh, nicer than her mom?" Danny asked.
"Yea, he's easier to talk to and he doesn't judge Eddie or I. He's very proud of Eddie, but you can tell he wishes he was be able to be with her".
"Have you been to see him with Eddie?"
"Yea, I went with her the first time but I stayed outside and then after that I went in with her and then after we were together she introduced me as her boyfriend"
"Asking the dad is the hardest part, you do think and you will be fine kiddo" Danny said.
They pulled up to the correctional facility and went in.
"Inmate Janko" Jamie said
The officer led them to the meeting room with Eddie's dad.
"Hi Mr. Janko, I brought my brother Danny with me today" Jamie said.
"Nice to meet you" Danny said shaking his hand.
"So how are you and Eddie doing?" Mr. Janko asked.
"Good, really good" Jamie said blushing slightly.
"So where is she?" He asked.
"I only brought Danny today because I wanted to ask you something" Jamie said scratching the back of his neck.
Eddie's dad just looked at them, waiting for them to continue.
"Mr. Janko, I came to ask you if you would give me your blessing to propose to Eddie" Jamie said nervously.
"Jamie of course, I know how happy you make her. You convinced her to talk to me again and when she talks about you, she lights up. I couldn't think of a better, caring, hardworking young man to marry my Eddie"
"Thank you sir" Jamie said.
Emotion was evident in his voice. It really just hit him that he was going to be marring the woman of his dreams. Now all that was left was for Eddie to say yes.
They visited with Eddie's dad for a little bit before they decided to get some dinner for themselves.
They pulled up to one of their usual restaurants. Danny wanted to talk with his little brother so therefore they wanted a quieter atmosphere than a bar.
They had just put their orders in when Danny spoke up.
"So kid, how does it feel to be a dead man walking?" Danny said with a grin
"Danny" Jamie groaned.
"I'm kidding. I am very happy for you Jamie. You and Eddie both deserve happiness" Danny said.
"Thanks Danny" Jamie said.
They said in silence, Danny trying to think of how to say what he was about to when the waiter brought their dinner out.
They ate a little bit before Danny realized he needed to talk.
"Jamie are you ok with everything?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know" Danny said gesturing with his hands.
"Nah Danny I'm not a mind reader" Jamie said wondering where this was going.
"I mean without mom and Joe. And me instead of Joe" Danny said pulling his bread apart.
"Of course I wish they were both here but I understand that they can't be so I'm dealing with it. And no Danny I don't resent you for not being Joe. I know you think you need to be him and that you always figured Joe would be my best man and help me with all this stuff; but I can't think of anyone else I would want by my side" Jamie said
"Best man?" Danny asked.
"Danny Reagan will you be my best man?" Jamie asked laughing and taking his hands.
"Jamie" Danny said laughing pulling his hands away from Jamie.
"I'm serious Danny. Do we go at each other throats sometimes, yea but I think it only has made us better brothers. I miss Joe, but you are married you know what to do and say. I look up to yours and Linda's relationship. I really admire how in love you still are after all the shit you continue to put her through" Jamie said with a smirk.
"Funny" Danny said feigning hurt.
"Thanks Danny" Jamie said sincerely.
"For what?" Danny asked.
"For being my brother" Jamie said.
"I will always be your older brother kid" Danny said.
He raised his glass and Jamie did the same and they toasted to what the future would hold.
There it is everyone! I literally have been writing this chapter for a month so I know it is not long but I just wanted to finish it and move on to the proposal. It is going to take me a few days to post the proposal, I want to make sure it is perfect. Please leave your reviews, I love them! I do apologize for taking so long to update, I was very busy with school and sports and then I had a season ending injury that took up a lot of my time. In addition, I was writing papers every other day for my classes and I had no energy to write for fun. My semester is finally over so hopefully I will be able to update more regularly.