"So," Jamie said he pulled the patrol car on the road, "Your old man was a cop too?"

"Yeah." They ended up pairing Jamie with a rookie named Jenna Caysen who had just graduated from the academy almost nine months back. She was a young, vibrant woman who seemed eager and willing to learn."He was a sergeant at the 75 in Brooklyn. He ended up having to retire a few years back because he got shot on duty and it messed him up big time. My brothers are cops too."

"That kind of sounds like my family" Jamie replied. "I have a brother who's a detective at the 54, my other brother was a detective as well but he passed away, and my sister works in the DA's office."

"Woah. Isn't your dad the commissioner?"

"Yes, he is."

"I bet you don't have it easy, huh? Being the commissioner's kid?"

"I mean, it's not a bad gig." He glanced at her. "My dad has definitely gone to great lengths to make sure my brother and I get treated like everyone else. We've never and will never get special treatment."

"I get that" she replied glancing over at him. "Not completely but I do understand it to an extent. I know this doesn't compare but when I was little, my dad coached my softball team and I absolutely hated it. I loved the sport but I just didn't like him coaching me because I always felt like he would be harder on me than anyone else. So, in your situation, it kind of feels like your dad is the coach of the NYPD."

"Yeah, it feels something like that but I've come to accept it."

She accepted his answer and turned to look out the window.


Meanwhile, Eddie was massaging her temples in frustration while her new partner dragged on about his love for wooden sail boats and promised to show her pictures of them at lunch.

James Cunningham was a sweet older officer who many went to for advice on the job. But no one ever dared to get stuck in a conversation with him because he could talk for hours if you'd let him.

"What about you, Janko?" he said finally changing the subject much to Eddie's relief. "I don't know much about you. I only know the things I've heard."

"Are they bad?"

"Nah. They're all good things."

"Well," Eddie began, "I have a little girl. Her name is Scarlett and she's almost three. And I live in Queens. Those are honestly the most interesting things about me."

He chuckled. "There has to be more than that. Is your little girl your only one?"

"Yeah, it's just her. She's my only one. Do you have kids?"

"I have one too. My Laila is 20 now."

"20!?"Eddie replied. "Wow. You don't look old enough to have a 20 year old. I can't even imagine Scarlett being 20."

"Why thank you. It does go by very fast. It goes from dropping them off at their first day of school to watching them walk across the stage and wondering where the hell the time went. Cherish every moment with your little girl." He smiled to himself."Her mom and I got married at 19. Thankfully, my Laila is taking her time and going to school."

Eddie smiled. "That's good. So, you and your wife were high school sweethearts?"

"You betcha. 25 years together."

"That's so sweet. I hope to have that one day."

He glanced at her and smiled. "You will. Can I ask you a question?"

"Shoot."

"Are you and Reagan a thing?"

Eddie peered at him. "What have you heard?"

"More like what have I seen" he replied. "I may have seen you and Reagan saying goodbye to one another a few days ago."

"Well... then that answers your question."

He smiled. "That Reagan is a good kid. I haven't talked with him much but he is a pretty stand up guy. You two will be good together."

"Thanks. Now can I ask you a question?"

"Go for it."

"What kind of lunch situation are we dealing with?"

He started laughing which in turn made Eddie laugh. This might not be so bad after all, she thought to herself.


Later, when she finally got off work, Eddie made her way over to Hattie's to pick up Scarlett. Due to Hattie's health scare a few months prior, Eddie hadn't left the girl with her as often as she used to. Even though she'd never voice it, Eddie could tell that Hattie was more tired now.

"I brought your groceries." Eddie placed the bag on the counter and kissed Hattie's cheek. "How was she? No problems at school?"

"No. Her teacher said she was perfect as always. She's watching her cartoons. Sit down and take a load off. I made a Bundt cake."

Eddie happily sat and accepted her slice.

"How was work today? I know you were telling me now that you and Jamie are together, you need new partners."

"Yeah. I haven't gotten to talk to Jamie yet about his but I actually like my partner. He's a lot better than I thought."

"What do you mean?" Hattie asked curiously.

"Well, around the precinct, he has a reputation for talking too much. Like a lot! At first, he did that while talking about his love for wooden sailboats but when we actually started talking about our lives, kids, and other things, he turned out not to be so bad. He's really sweet."

"That's great, sweetheart. How are you and Jamie doing? How long have you two been together now?"

"It's only been less than a week, Hattie. That reminds me... do you think you could watch her for me on Saturday? Jamie is-"

"Yes" she interjected. "He called me around lunchtime and asked if I would."

Eddie smiled. "Really?"

"Yep and told me all about what he has planned. You're going to have a great time baby. And before you even ask me, the answer is a no. I've been sworn to secrecy" Hattie said with a sly smile.

"Dang it! He won't tell me anything."

Hattie smiled and put a finger over her lips. "Sworn to secrecy."

Eddie felt her phone buzz in her pocket. "Let me take this" she said stepping into the hallway. She pulled out her phone and smiled when she saw that it was Jamie.

"Hey you!" she answered.

"Hey Ed. How was work? Who's your partner?"

"Cunningham."

"Oh. How was that? I bet your ears almost fell off."

"Actually, he wasn't that bad. He's actually really nice, Jamie. Just likes to talk quite a bit."

"Well, that's good. I'm glad you two got along."

"Who's your partner?" she asked.

"That new rookie, Jenna Caysen."

"Oh." Eddie had actually been chosen to be sort of a 'mentor' for Jenna when she had first arrived at the 12th. They had gotten along just fine in the beginning but after a while, Jenna became a little too much to deal with. She would excessively call and text Eddie with the most random questions about police work and things that didn't even pertain to it. She didn't mind questions but not at 3:30 in the morning when she'd have to be at work by 6:00. She eventually requested that Jenna be mentored by someone else.

"Eddie? You still there?"

"Yeah" she replied. "I just zoned out for a minute. Was everything good with Jenna?

"It was. She's kind of serious but I think she'll loosen up."

"Mhmm."

"In other news, what're you up to?" he asked.

"No. I'm actually at Hattie's place picking up Scarlett. We were just sitting here talking."

"Alright. Well, I'll let you go. Say hi to them for me."

"I will. You coming over today?"

"No, not today. I think you've had enough of my face for the last couple of days. You probably ready to have a few days to yourself" he said jokingly.

"Jamie, we lived together for like three months and I was fine. You can come if you want."

"I actually have to go to the grocery store because I really haven't been home. I'll definitely swing by tomorrow night.

"Is everything going okay, though?" he asked. " Are you Scarlett, and Hattie okay?

She smiled. "We're fine. I better go because I need to get home and give Scarlett a bath. Call you later?"

"Definitely. I love you."

"I love you too. Talk to you later."

She hung up the phone and smiled to herself. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Hattie peeking in at her from the kitchen.

Eddie walked back in and sat down. "What?"

"Nothing. I'm just thinking of a good time to start planning the wedding" she chided.

"Get out of here with all that" Eddie laughed. "We're not even close to even thinking about marriage yet."

"It's coming" Hattie said with a smile. "I feel it."

"If you say so."


Here's another chapter! I'm going to try to update on a weekly basis especially since a lot of us will be stuck inside for the time being. Maybe even twice a week if I can get it done. Stay safe. Please read and review!