Chapter Forty Two

Frank was glad to watch his grandkids even though he was worried about Eddie.

"It's just a headache, you know how sensitive my neck is, and it's worse this last year or so...I just need some quiet tonight."

"Well of course, take as much as you need. I will take care of Henry and Annabeth."

"Thanks," Eddie smiled and got onto the reclining part of the sofa. "I'll just rest and wait for Jamie."

Frank took the kids so Eddie could rest helping Annabeth with homework.

The homework was to cut out pictures of things beginning with C... she had an entire page of cops, all family members glued to her book. Jamie got home a little after six, to a dark house.

"Eddie?" Jamie took his jacket off then went into the living room looking for his family

Eddie had her cry and was now sleeping with Ray next to her. He sat up and barked to alert Jamie to their location.

"Thanks Ray. Eddie hey honey, what's wrong? Are you okay," Jamie asked approaching.

"Yeah," she sniffled. "I just...don't feel so well that's all. I have a headache, a bad migraine, so I asked your Dad to keep the kids."

"Okay what can I do honey? Did you eat anything yet?"

"No," Eddie replied. "I'm okay, I just needed some quiet that's all."

Jamie leaned over giving her forehead a gentle kiss. "Rest I'm here if you need anything."

"Just stay with me," Eddie whispered. "Stay close to me and hold my hand, okay?"

"Always," Jamie sat down beside her taking her hand and held her tight

"Make it so my head is on your lap," Eddie whispered. "I want to just lie here with you." The sadness was still overwhelming, but as she laid by Jamie, she felt some of it already beginning to fade.

Jamie held her, kissed Eddie's head and massaged her neck to make it better

His touch and his connection to him did make it better, his very presence made it better just like it had from the very start.

Jamie took care of Eddie that night helping her to bed holding her closer

"You know something?" he whispered as he held Eddie to his chest and Ray laid in his bed by the night table.

"What," Eddie replied softly relaxed

"We are so lucky to have this, to have each other to love, our families, our kids, we are so lucky!"

"Hmm we really are," Eddie agreed. "Love you Jamie."

"I love you too, Angel," Jamie sighed as the phone rang.

Eddie lay on him with her eyes closed listening to Jamie on the phone

"Sleep well, and we'll see you tomorrow okay?" Jamie whispered. "I love you so much, and Mommy feels a lot better." He was such a wonderful father.

She smiled hearing that settling in for the night with Jamie.

When morning came, Eddie felt it was time to tell Jamie the reason behind her sickness the day before. "Jamie," Eddie called taking a deep breath.

"I'm right here," he said sitting up and moving closer. "How are you feeling?"

"Better," Eddie sighed laying her head on his shoulder.

"Good," he replied and stroked her hair.

"Jamie, can I tell you something," Eddie asked softly.

"You can always tell me anything," he murmured

"Jamie I spoke to Dr. Eisenberg about extending our family," Eddie began.

"Without me?" He asked.

"I know I just wanted to know if we could. I should have waited so we could go together. "

He nodded, "It's okay. Judging from how you are acting, I'm guessing you got bad news." Eddie told him what the doctor had said emotions filling up again.

"And I'm really okay with no, we have a beautiful family, but it hit me that I'm..."

Jamie kissed the top of Eddie's head gently. "I can't imagine how hard that was for you."

"That my body is..." Eddie replied. "You make my life so normal, so special and I forget a little bit."

"I know Eddie you are special to me I love you so much."

She sighed, "She said my hips and spine are so arthritic now it would be too dangerous."

"I'm sorry Eddie I know how much you wanted this," Jamie cuddled her.

"It's not that," Eddie replied. "I mean it is but...it's just a lost dream, nothing more than that. Jamie nodded knowingly holding her close.

He kissed her head and turned her over gently in his arms. He knew what she needed.

They spent the day alone together, looking at pictures beginning to plan a family trip. "There's so many places to take the kids the theme parks," Jamie said

"Virginia, where you proposed..." Eddie always wants to go there

Jamie smiled, "yeah I can drive there so we'd have the car. That would be a nice trip."

"Yes and they are just the right age. We can send them to that little kids' game thing and have a special dinner."

"That sounds great Eddie let's look into it," Jamie agreed, kissing her head.

"Maybe over the Christmas break," Eddie suggested. "I hear it's beautiful."

"Perfect we can spend more time there really see it."

They kissed again, "Okay, it's almost time to get up."

Eddie snuggled to him one more time smiling happily.

Jamie got her up and helped her dress, dinner was in a few hours and they would bring their little ones home

Before helping Eddie to the car Jamie gave her a soft kiss smiling. "Ready for dinner?"

"Yes, Erin isn't here this week," Eddie smiled

Jamie smiled helping Eddie to the van heading to his father's.

Annabeth and Henry were in the yard playing with JJ, Mikey, and Matt.

"Hey guys," Eddie greeted after Jamie took her out happy to see the kids. Adam tapped JJ on the shoulder and pointed so he could see Eddie and Jamie coming. He smiled and ran over, soon Eddie had a pile of kids on her lap

Eddie loved it kissing all their heads. "What are you guys playing?"

"Ball," JJ signed. "Kick the ball." He kicked the air as his little hands flew.

Eddie smiled at him. Jamie signed, "Looks like fun guys."

Annabeth kissed her parents then ran off, Connie came out of the house with a huge tray of drinks and Linda with snacks...this was right this was family

Eddie greeted them with smiles Jamie helping her inside to see Frank.

"We have an spot under the tree already for you," Frank told her smiling.

"Thanks Frank and thanks again for watching the kids," Eddie smiled

"It's my pleasure I love spending time with my grandkids," Frank smiled. Baker help Eddie get situated under the tree, Eddie sat back and looked around at the large loving group. The kids were playing together adults talking and laughing having a good time.

She smiled up at Jamie, "This is such a miracle, our blessing, that we have this. I can't be sad...not with such love and joy around me"

Jamie smiled kissing the top of her head, "Family is everything Eddie, they're always there."

"Yes they are..." She reflected a moment on Melissa. She still missed her so much even with Connie.

Linda and Connie came over to keep Eddie company while watching the kids.

"Those boys are so good at sign, I can't get over it," Linda smiled.

Connie smiled, "It's easy if your open minded and patient."

"And they are...he's such a doll baby," Linda smiled. "You did great with them."

"So are your boys and both your kids Eddie fantastic."

"We all have strong support systems and the one thing every Mom needs, a good heart."

Both women nodded their agreement turning back to watch the kids

Dinner was a happy affair, light and smooth.

Eddie and Jamie ate and laughed enjoying the family. Only Frank noticed Jamie was a little far off.

He waited for the right time to casually approach his son, "nice day for this."

"Oh yeah it's good we are having a late fall."

Frank nodded studying his son. "How's everything going?"

Jamie sighed, "I'm a little bummed about some medical news Eddie got."

"What's wrong son is Eddie all right," Frank asked.

"Yes she is," Jamie replied. "She was at the doctor asking about the possibility of another baby and she found out that her body frame has a lot of break down and that's what I'm concerned about

Frank sighed quietly, "Did you talk to Eddie about it? Talk to a doctor with her?"

"We did, I don't want her worried about my worries, you know?"

Frank nodded he did understand. "Then just for you."

"I'll be okay. We have a wonderful family, our kids are healthy and happy...

"Yes you do you are very lucky Jamie a wonderful family."

"I just forget you know? I forget she's hurt, I don't see it."

"I know Eddie has done amazingly it's easy to forget sometimes."

"Yes it is so hearing that her bones got so weak, got to me a little"

Frank looked to Eddie, "Doesn't seem to be bothering her she's very happy."

"She is...and so am I. I'll be okay Dad thanks for worrying about me."

"I'm your father it's my job to worry about you kids," Frank smiled

Jamie nodded he knew that all too well.