The next morning, Eddie was awake uncharacteristically early. She was a flurry of activity re-vacuuming floors that were clean and wiping down surfaces that were already spotless. She went through their refrigerator, making sure that there were only two or three beers chilling and no takeout containers filling up the shelves. She made sure that the fresh fruit they had bought at the farmer's market on Saturday was easily visible on the counter for all to see. One last sweep of the books and videos on the shelves of their entertainment center for anything the CPS agent might take issue with and Eddie felt prepared. She stored the UFC fight techniques DVD and a few books that might raise eyebrows under their bed. Finally, adding fresh water to the flowers on the dining room table, Eddie felt herself relax. Checking the room that had been hastily prepared for Elizabeth's arrival, she had to admit it looked wonderful. The crib was set up against the wall where their guest bed had stood. Eddie's rocking chair was better showcased by the new set up in the room, and it looked like she remembered when her grandmother displayed it proudly in her home. It was almost impossible to believe that just 24 hours ago, this had been a room comfortably outfitted for adult guests.
Now it was barely 6:30am. She could hear her husband calling for her in the next room. Coming to their bedroom in search of his warm embrace and calming influence, she was struck with the feelings of a deep and abiding love the moment she laid eyes on him. Sitting back against the multitude of pillows they had been too tired to remove before heading to bed, he looked incredibly happy.
"Can you believe it? We're going to be foster parents in a few hours. You can't imagine how happy this is making me." He gestured for her to come back to the bed and join him.
"I think I can imagine, Reagan. I'm pretty excited myself. Do you think I'll be any good at it? I mean, what if I mess up? What if she gets hurt or sick?" Eddie snuggled up against him seeking his warm embrace, but also to avoid looking him in the eyes.
"That's the thing. You WILL make mistakes, we both will. Elizabeth is going to get sick, fall down and even get hurt and it won't be your fault. We will be there to pick her up, tend to her needs and then dust her off and send her right back out into the world. That's all part of being parents. Nobody expects either of us to be perfect. All that matters is that we raise her in a loving and supportive home."
"So we got this?"
"Yes, baby, we got this. Now let's put on some coffee and have some breakfast. Our inspection is scheduled for 9am and it's going to be a long day. Did I tell you the night nurse helped me install the car seat before I came home yesterday? She is a certified inspector and figured there would be enough going on today for us to worry about that too."
Eddie was happy to know another item could be checked off the list of things they needed to do. Hospital policy requires that no newborn or CPS placement could leave the hospital without having their installation inspected by a certified member of the hospital staff.
Sitting at the table, she took a look around the apartment at all the work they had done to ready their home for Elizabeth's arrival. Jamie was finding new changes every time he looked around, equally impressed. The chair next to where Eddie generally sat at their table had been replaced by a tall booster seat. There were two baskets, one on each side of their entertainment center, holding a selection of plastic animals, stuffed toys and dolls. Jamie chuckled to himself when he noticed there was a police car in the one basket just the right size for a toddler and a stuffed police doll in the other. To help diffuse some of the nervous energy she needed to expend, Eddie took Jamie on a tour of their apartment which had once more undergone changes to accommodate their growing family. The second bedroom, now a nursery looked transformed.
Eddie told him that a dresser and nightstands that matched the crib would be ordered within the next few days. Frank had already privately pulled her aside and informed her he would be ordering the rest of the bedroom set with her blessing. He would be happy to store it for her and bring it over once they had the time to deal with the onslaught of more furniture. She excitedly chattered on about how she wanted to pick up a small wooden bookcase at the Brooklyn Flea Market in a few weeks so they could store her books. Jamie could already imagine getting a baby seat for his bicycle and going out on a family adventure in search of flea market treasures.
Before long, there was an insistent knock at the door. Realizing it was much too early for their inspection, Jamie went to see who it was, while Eddie went into the bathroom to shower and change. Jamie found his brother Danny and his two nephews waiting on the other side. They came into the apartment bearing bagel sandwiches and a selection of baby proofing items that they had purchased at the home improvement store as soon as it opened.
"You guys go ahead and get ready, while the boys and I finish making this place safer for my new niece."
The baby gate, once stored in Danny's garage after it was no longer needed for Sean, was placed in the kitchen doorway opening. Sean set about filling every unused plug in the house with a plastic insert. Danny and Jack got to work installing a child safety bar at the top of the front door which would prevent Elizabeth from opening it without her parents knowledge and escaping down the hallway. 45 minutes later there was nothing more that could be done to get them ready for the inspection. Danny and the boys departed and both Eddie and Jamie were dressed and ready. They sat at the kitchen table waiting for someone to arrive.
Right at 9:00am there was another knock at the door. Mr. Jerome Foster introduced himself to the Reagans. He was polite and warm but impossible to read. As he examined the nursery where Elizabeth would sleep and made notes, Mr. Foster neither smiled nor frowned. He took great care to note the baby health items in the bathroom, including a small robe next to the adult ones on the back of the door. He saw carefully placed nicknacks in the living room that were well out of reach for a curious toddler. Safety measures were clearly evident throughout the home. It was with no reservations at all that Foster completed the home inspection and passing them with flying colors. He was glad that this child had been added to his already substantial caseload, since it was always good to have a few homes that restored his faith in the people who choose to support the foster system. Beginning a day that would certainly result in upheaval for at least one child (because every day was like that), with an inspection like this one was a welcomed treat. By 10:00, with an arrangement for a formal order of custody to be delivered to the hospital by mid-afternoon, Jamie and Eddie were anxious to return to Elizabeth. Minutes after Mr. Foster left, they headed out themselves to see her.
As soon as they pulled onto the hospital grounds, Eddie was positively itching to jump out of the car and head inside. She had hoped that either she or Jamie would be able to come to the hospital early while the other handled the inspection. She had been frustrated to learn that for the announced inspections, both of them were required to be present. Jamie pulled up right in front and suggested that Eddie head upstairs while he parked the car. Grabbing the bag she had prepared with an outfit for the toddler, a light jacket and some shoes, Eddie kissed him quickly and practically ran inside. Not only was the clothing she had been rescued in filthy, but her feet had been bare.
When Eddie reached the room, there were two detectives already stationed outside. Smiling broadly when a familiar baritone voice greeted her ears, Eddie was not at all surprised at what she saw inside. Elizabeth was sitting on the lap of Frank Reagan. They were enjoying some pancakes and watching Sesame Street characters sing a tune that bore a vague resemblance to a popular song from the radio. Frank was talking to her about the names of Elmo, Grover and the other Muppets. The serious way he talked about the program had her mesmerized. When Elizabeth noticed that someone was entering the room she looked up. Her whole face lit up when she saw Eddie in the doorway. Immediately wiggling up and down, she implored Eddie to pick her up. Speaking something that sounded like, "peas, peas" she made it clear that she wanted to be held. Frank took that as a sign that he should attend to police matters and head to work. He kissed both his new granddaughter and daughter-in-law goodbye. Jamie was just walking into the room when Frank headed out, so he shook his son's hand, leaning in to whisper, "Take good care of your girls."
In typical hospital fashion, it was several hours later when the doctor finally cleared her and the appropriate paperwork was received by the hospital, permitting Jamie and Eddie to take Elizabeth home. A CPS agent delivered a temporary order of custody to the Reagans and she was now theirs. Eddie had chosen to dress her for the occasion in an adorable cream and gold outfit and pair of sparkly sneakers, worthy of the dozens of pictures that would be taken today commemorating her first day in their family. Eddie had bought a soft cotton headband that twisted into a floral design at the top and added it when she fixed Elizabeth's hair. It was nearly 3:00 when the now family of three left the hospital together.
Watching from her vantage point in the hospital parking lot was a red wig clad Sydney. She sipped her coffee drink, enjoying the sharp flavor and warmth of the liquid. The heated car seats helped her combat the irrational chill she felt when she saw a joyous Jamie retrieve his car and pull around to the hospital entrance to pick up his wife and daughter. A cold wind was blowing making the day cool, despite the beautiful sun shining in the sky. Sydney thought that was only appropriate. Soon an even colder wind would blow through the sunny life of Jamie Reagan.