Chapter Fifty One

When they had finished, he scooped her in one quick motion and lay her down on the bed. It was spoon time now, Eddie always loved to burrow in his arms, so sweet, so feminine and a turn on in it's own right. Jamie kissed her head softly, "I love you, Eddie…"

"Love you," she replied just as gently. She'd never said those words to a man in his house, not ever…and she never would to anyone but Jamie.

Jamie carefully changed Eddie's bandages after her "swim". "It still looks dry but let's let the air at it a bit incase. You look like you are hurting."

"After that how could I be hurting?" Eddie asked smiling softly. "Our time was just lovely. I'm tired, I think the blood loss is still affecting me a little."

Jamie gently propped Eddie's leg on pillows and covered her with a sheet and soft blanket. "Try to rest a little bit, I'm going to check on the kids and be right back. I'm going to call in too and see when I need to report. I don't want to have to leave you but I don't know if that will be possible."

Eddie understood, this was part of the sacrifice they were going to make for the next little while. "Don't get in trouble, we have plenty of time."

Eddie sighed and shut her eyes dozing off before Jamie left the room. He had to tip toe back and place one more kiss on her lips before going to see their babies.

Anita had both children in their high chairs feeding the mashed bananas and cereal. Max was loving this concoction, and smiled brightly when he saw his daddy. "She's asleep," Jamie told Anita. "I need to step out and make a call, but she should sleep for an hour at least."

Anita met Jamie's eyes, there she saw the love for Ms. Eddie that Mr. Tom should have, a deep soul grabbing kind of love. Ms. Eddie deserved that and while she was recuperating, Anita decided to help her enjoy that.

"Of course, I'll listen for her, Sir," Anita replied.

The "sir" made Jamie uncomfortable, "Jamie please…Max you mind Miss Anita, Daddy will be right back, okay?"

Jamie stepped out and called the 12th. He was supposed to work the next day and the following night, but wanted to try to switch the day shift for when Eddie was just a little stronger. Renzulli was willing, giving Jamie almost 48 hours with Eddie before having to go in to work. He knew he'd pay through the nose for that, but that's what he had to do.

Jamie went back in with bounce in his step. April had finished her food so he washed her off and put her in the pack and play. When Max finished he did the same, leaving Eddie to rest undisturbed upstairs.

At lunchtime, Jamie made one of Eddie's favorite crazy concoctions, tuna fish and egg salad on rye. He carried her a tray and found that Eddie had gotten herself up and was hobbling to the bathroom. "Eddie you call me or if I'm working you get Anita!" Jamie gently scolded. "You are supposed to rest this leg, at least use the crutches."

"I hate crutches, you're a human crutch, I'll use you. I have to pee so bad I'm gonna wet the darn floor!"

Jamie laughed, "Okay, here we go…" Jamie helped Eddie to the bathroom then back to bed. "You're swelling a little, let's wrap this back up and elevate some more. When do you see the doctor?"

"Friday," Eddie replied. 'When do you work?"

"Not until Wednesday swing, I'll be here by about nine at night," Jamie replied. "I'm pretty clear otherwise."

"Good and by Wednesday I should be feeling good as new and that means we can have a little fun…I'll find some tighter fitting sweats." Eddie raised her eyebrow and smothered a laugh.

"Oh, surprise me!" Jamie replied. 'I can't wait to see what you come up with for your returning hero."

Eddie kissed Jamie then saw the sandwich. "You have been holding out on my lunch…" she picked it up and took a bite. "So good…You could have a career in catering for sick people if you gave up being a cop."

"You know I think I'll stick to perps full time and just take care of you, the prettiest patient."

Eddie took another bite, "Okay, then help me downstairs, I want to watch the kids play."

"You need to keep your leg up for now, we'll see the kids later." Jamie stretched out on the bed beside Eddie and found a talk show for them to make fun of while she devoured her sandwich in no time flat.

There was a peaceful domestic scene happening in the mansion in Manhasset, Anita provided support but Jamie kept his hands on the family, tending to Eddie and both babies. During the day, Jamie would play with the kids outside while Eddie elevated her leg on a little table.

Max was too cute, he'd toddle and run after things while April stayed in her rolling walker trying to catch him. Sometimes he would stop for her and then run again. The rolling grass was it's own special playground.

At night, Jamie and Eddie waited until Anita went to bed and the babies were sleeping to have their dinner, then he carried her back up the stairs and made love in the guest room Jamie was using. Eddie would sleep there in his arms.

Jamie had to leave for his swing shift earlier than if he was in Brooklyn, so he changed bandages and cleaned the wound before leaving. "I'll be back around nine, we can have a late dinner. I'll get Chinese or something, text me what you want."

"I will, be safe out there," Eddie told Jamie giving him a kiss as he leaned over the bed.

Jamie headed off promising to call on his meal. He kissed the babies and headed off for work like it was his own place.

Click! Click! Click! The camera recorded his exit.

The tour was insane, Jamie found a few minutes to call and shot off a couple texts but with three big arrests by members of his platoon he was worked to the bone. It was just after six when Erin text him, "Jamie, please meet me for a drink? It's important."

It was rare that Erin would text him to ask so Jamie agreed, his sister would for him without hesitation. "Okay, but has to be just a drink. Have plans," Jamie replied then sent a text to Eddie. "Might want to take a nap, Erin asked me to meet, sounds important."

Eddie replied, "Sure, I'm a little sleepy so I'll take a nap now. I would like Japanese, a bento box."

"You got it, I'll even get a bottle of saki…love you."

"Love you."

Jamie waited for his sister for ten minutes in the back of Sullivan's pub, it was a cop bar, that was a little odd for his sister but so was the impromptu meeting. Jamie stood up when he saw Erin, "Hey sis you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, I just wanted to see my brother, you've been making yourself a stranger lately. What's going on with you? How's Max?" Erin was sizing up her brother's mood as they spoke,

"He's good, he's really good. I'm helping Eddie out, you know she got shot and her husband is in the Austrailian outback someplace so…" Jamie replied. "I'm helping her out, Max and her little one are fast friends."

"That's good, that's really good," Erin replied. "But she's got a housekeeper, right?"

"Still, I know her and it's good for Max to be making a friend too, he's skittish but not around Eddie," Jamie replied. "She's good for him, when she picks him up he just settles right into her."

"It's not good he's so attached," Erin sighed. "She's married and has her own family."

"She also happens to be my best friend, we didn't turn that off because we were married to other people, not after all the mess with Claudia," Jamie explained. "She was there in the hospital with me, she helped my baby…"

"Erin!" A short bubbly brunette greeted her. The woman was at least a head shorter than Erin but very pretty, bright blue eyes and wavy hair. "I'm so sorry I'm late, traffic was incredibly bad."

Erin stood up, "Cindy, this is my brother Jamie, and Jamie this is my colleague from Queens, Cindy Reilly."

Jamie smiled, "Nice to meet you. Erin and I were just having a drink so…" Jamie began to stand.

"Actually, I have to use the ladies room so if you'll excuse me," Erin stood up and knew that Jamie would never up and leave without saying good bye.

Cindy took Erin's seat, while Erin craftily slipped out the back to leave the two alone. Compared to Henry's match making skills, Erin's were lacking. Cindy was pretty and smart but there wasn't a thing about her that would turn Jamie's head for a millisecond. Too bad Kara didn't have that knowledge. She was at the other end of pub and saw Jamie with Cindy. He was supposed to be going home to Eddie, Eddie told her that earlier today. She had even asked her to come by and curl her hair, and here is Jamie…

"Uh, Cindy," Jamie began. "I really think that this is a mistake. I'm so sorry but I have to…"

"Just a drink," Cindy put her hand on Jamie's hand. "Erin said you would be resistant so…"

"Not resistant," Jamie replied. "I'm actually in a relationship right now with a very special woman Erin just doesn't know about it."

"Ah I see," Cindy smiled. "There's something Erin doesn't know?" Cindy's eyes twinkled and Jamie couldn't help but laugh. His sister was a know it all and was a major pain when she got on a high horse.

"She's actually a really wonderful woman," Jamie told Cindy. "But there's a situation so…she is the love of my life, I'm not at all in the market, I am so sorry Erin meddled."

"Again, when doesn't she?"

Kara saw Jamie laughing and smiling with this woman. She had been debating whether or not to call Eddie about this, they were both her friends, but this was too much, the girlfriend's code trumped all.

Eddie's phone rang for a second then stopped. Eddie glanced at the phone and saw that it had been Kara. She called back, "Hey girl, what's up?"

"Oh, Eddie, uh…" Kara still wasn't sure if she should be saying anything to Eddie, but after what she saw. "So uh, what are you doing tonight?"

"Oh, Jamie's working swing, then we're gonna do Japanese and drinks, hopefully other things. He won't be too late."

Kara sighed, "Eddie, where do you think Jamie is right now?"

"He said he had to meet his sister for drinks then get our food, then come home. Why? What happened? Is Jamie okay?" Eddie felt her blood pressure go up.

"Oh, Eddie," Kara sighed. "I don't even know if I should tell you…I'm sorry…I'm at Sullivan's and Jamie is here but he's not with Erin. He's with another woman a little younger than he is, not much. They are laughing, I'll send you a picture, maybe it's someone you both know, but…" Kara didn't want to have to do this.

"Send it to me," Eddie replied. Jamie had clearly said Erin and now this. Still, they had so much invested, she wouldn't distrust him now.

"I'm sure there's an explanation for this," Kara continued as she tried to soother her friend.

"I'll have to get it," Eddie' replied with a sigh. "Thank for calling me Kara, I appreciate it."

"Let me know if you need me," Kara replied and hung up and snapped the photo to text to Eddie. She left the bar a minute later, turning to the right. She didn't see Jamie make his own exit and turn to the left.

Eddie's phone beeped and the photo arrived. It was pretty damning as far as evidence went. Jamie was flashing is 1000 watt grin and the woman was touching his sleeve. At first, Eddie was so angry she wanted Anita to bar him from the house, she called the loyal housekeeper to her room to request that. Angry tears were hovering in her eyes, "Ms. Eddie," Anita sat on the bed and held the younger woman. "Mr. Tom…"

"It's not Mr. Tom,' Eddie replied 'Please pack a bag for little Max and give him to Jamie when he comes I don't want to see him. I don't…"

Eddie was angry, letting it cover up the hurt. Anita sighed, "Ms. Eddie, can I talk to you as one woman to another?"

Eddie nodded, "Please…"

Anita sat on the bed, "I understand dear, I do understand and it's really not fair that Mr. Tom hurts you like this and himself too. You have your Jamie now and I see the love there. I do see it. Mr. Tom and Ms. Sue, I knew them forever, and they have had love forever. It is wrong what he is doing to you, You both deserve to have love in you life. You have been so happy the last few days, what's wrong?"

Eddie explained to Anita what Jamie had been up to, "I don't understand why he lied. He's divorced, we are hiding if he wanted to see someone, maybe not while I'm recovering and he didn't' have to lie you know? Even Tom, he knows I know, but he lies."

Anita smiled, "Men do. But I think your Jamie is different, I can tell how much he loves you, it is part of who he is. I'm sure there is a reason for all of it and he'll make it known to you when he gets here. It's too late for me to send that baby out now anyway. He's sound asleep with Miss April in the crib.

Eddie smiled thinking of the two innocent babies in the crib. She'd give Jamie a chance. "Thanks Anita. You really helped."

"Part of my job," she replied with a smile "Rest your leg and eyes, not to worry."

Jamie went into the bedroom where Eddie was lying on her side. He set the food down and knelt by the bed.