They would beat most of the traffic that way. Frank was up early before everyone else, ready to leave. He had bagels and coffee out and juice boxes for Teddy. Jamie came down first rubbing his eyes, Teddy following only two steps behind. "Daddy, where we going?" he asked. "We have change Sissy diaper."
"I know buddy, mommy is going to change Sissy's diaper before we leave. It's time to go home and guess what. Grandpa is coming with us," Jamie put Teddy in his high chair.
"Going home," he smiled. "See. Samuel. Miss Samuel little."
Jamie sighed, "Yes Teddy we are going home. We have to eat because it's a long time to get home okay. Thanks for picking breakfast up dad."
"My pleasure," he replied. "I made a lot of mistakes with Teddy and Christa not being involved and losing Pop so suddenly...""
He nodded, no other words were necessary. "Glad you're here now dad. Eat up Teddy neat, mommy and sissy are coming down " Teddy worked on his bagel and juice and soon it was time to go. Denny and Erin came to see them off.
Eddie kept her eyes on the kids only smiling and answering Danny. Christa waved her little arms hearing her Uncle Danny's voice. "She loves her Uncle Danny..." he beamed. "I'll come see you guys." He gave her hugs and kisses for the road then gave Teddy some too.
They headed out with Frank rising shotgun and Eddie sitting down between the kids car seats. Teddy happily sang very off tune and Christa cooed and squealed for attention before falling asleep.
The ride was very smooth. There was little traffic and Frank enjoyed the sites as they got into coastal Massachusetts. "It's beautiful here, " Frank turned to smile at Jamie with a far away look in his eyes.
"It is,' Jamie replied. "We live near the water and you can see down from our hill. The house is nice, bigger than the ones we would get in New York and for the same money. The neighborhood is much better too."
"I bet. New York is getting more expensive every day," Frank replied. "But by the water is nice."
"Look Grandpa, that the park where we play," Teddy said. "You can take us there a d we go to Pioneer park, but sometimes ladies come scare Teddy."
Frank raised his eyebrows, "Well grandpa will protect Teddy for sure like Mommy and Daddy have been doing. I would love to take you Teddy."
"Tell ladies to go, not hang on tree but something they still do it." It baffled Frank how matter of fact Teddy was.
"Ill make sure to watch them," Frank promised.
They parked in the driveway and Teddy started to wave. "Samuel waiting for us," he beamed and ran up to the door. "Samuel is your ghost boy?"
"He Teddy's friend. Hi Samuel, we back," Teddy couldn't get inside fast enough to greet his friend.
Eddie nodded, "Yes, he's our ghost boy and he's really harmless except he sometimes plays ball at night."
"Late at night," Jamie chimed in, carrying the suitcases into the house.
Frank felt the air in the house was very heavy, almost like a hot humid day. Teddy was in his room, talking a blue streak. He accounted it to them having everything closed while they weren't here but something felt funny.
They settled in, Teddy excited to be home where he felt normal. The sounds and sights here would scare the life out of someone else but for Teddy it was the familiar way of life. Jamie helped his dad settle in the extra room. It didn't take long and he found Frank looking out the window. "You okay, Dad?" he asked.
Frank turned smiling, "Oh yeah just looking at how nice it is. I'm very proud of you Jamie for all you and Eddie accomplished together."
"Its is just like you showed us,' Jamie replied. "Friends forever and the rest takes care of itself."
"And you are. To this day it amazes me how much of a team you two are," Frank said.
"This thing with Teddy is tearing her apart. She's so upset that they want to take MRi and other things. Its gutting her and I can't make it better. I've tried literally everything and don't know what else to do dad," Jamie sighed.
Frank placed a gentle hand over his son's shoulder, "Teddy is her baby and moms are different. It's scaring her because she wants to protect him."
"So do I, Dad" Jamie replied.
"I know you do Jamie," Frank said softly. "When you are ready to test him, I have you so you can have her, all right?"
Jamie looked out the window, "So before that what would you like to do dad?"
"Well, I want to see the sights, absorb some of the history here," he replied. "When Teddy was talking about the tree and the women..."
Jamie nodded only once, "Yeah not far from here is an area surrounded by trees and water where you can swim. It's also where some women were hanged years ago. Eddie told me how frightened he was that day."
"And he sees that," Frank sighed. "Its so hard to believe and hes pretty happy."
Jamie nodded quietly, "I know and I don't know how after everything."
Teddy appeared in the door, "Daddy, mommy call you."
"All right, thanks bud. I'll be right back dad," he said, following Teddy to Eddie.
"Jamie, I thought your Dad might like to have dinner out, we can take him for lobster rolls and sit outside"
He smiled, "That's a great idea Eddie. Dad is looking out the window when u checked on him."
"I'm sure he has to adjust," Eddie replied.
"Year but dad is pretty good with adjusting. He does want to see some sights "
"Okay, well we can take him around a few places before you go back to work," eddie smiled. "Let's take him to eat and see Joshua Ward tonight for a start. You can't go in this late but irs magnificent just to stand there."
Jamie gently gave her a kiss, "Sounds good. He's going to love it here Eddie."
"I hope so," she replied. "I really do?"
He pulled her into his arms, secretly hoping the same thing.
Frank loved the meal. He loved how plain it was to sit and eat fried lobster and asparagus with his family and his fingers. Teddy ate very well and Christa enjoyed her baby food."You know I never had a meal out like this without having to worry or have a body guard following me," he gave Eddie a smile. "The kids sat so nicely too."
"Tell Grandpa what happens when you are good like this, Teddy," Eddie encouraged. "I get extra bedtime book," he replied.
Frank smiled, "Well you earned it tonight. Grandpa is very proud of you Teddy. You know daddy loved being read to when he was little."
Teddy smiled. "Let's take a walk then get these littles home," Jamie suggested. "This will interest you, Dad. That building is the Salem historical society."
"Oh really. Can you imagine what one might find in there," Frank said casually.
"A lot of trial records, old maps...lots of things and over at Peabody too.." they stood and looked at the building. Teddy stood and stared at the door. He pulled back by his Mommy, sign he saw something unsettling.
"What's wrong Teddy bear? Want me to carry you," Eddie reached down for him.
He shook his head but stayed close. As Frank and Jamie explored the property a bit, Teddy started to rub his chest. Eddie held Teddy's hand, "Are you okay Teddy?"
"HURTS mommy," he cried. "Cant move...hurts..." He started to cough and gasped. "JAMIE!!!!"
"What happened Eddie? What's wrong," Jamie looked her then Teddy over.
It was pretty clear the little guy was in distress, his chest was heaving up and down and he was gagging. Frank thought he read an article once about this house and if what he read was the truth...and if Teddy was gifted...He thought quickly. He scooped the boy up, held him tight and darted across the street and down the block all the while praying. Holding the carrier Jamie and Eddie followed, keeping their eyes on the direction Frank hurried off towards.
He kept repeating words he remembered his mother whispering in his own ear as a boy, "Protect this child in Jesus' name, protect this child in Jesus' name..." Finally Teddy stopped gagging and looked at his Grandpa. "What we do over here?" He had no memory of the incident.
"Nothing, it's okay Teddy," Frank tightened his arms around his grandson with a breath of relief that it worked.
"Dad," Jamie finally caught up to him. "Is he okay? Teddy, are you okay?"
Teddy snuggled against his grandpa's chest, "I okay Daddy. Grandpa hug Teddy really really big hugs."
"Yes he did, "Jamie replied then looked at Eddie. She handed him Christa's carried and doubled over a trash can to vomit. He looped an arm over her back, slowly rubbing as she got sick. "I have some water Eddie."
"He was choking on nothing, on air and now he's fine, just like that. That's crazy."
Jamie handed her a water bottle he brought nodding. "I know it is but let's be glad that he is okay. There has to be a reason why he was choking. Thank God for dad's quick thinking."
Frank put Teddy back on his feet, "Who wants an ice cream?" he asked. Teddy's eyes rounded, his hand shooting as he jumped up and down.
Edde nodded and they strolled for some ice cream. Even Christa had some vanilla. When they got home, there were all smiles, except Eddie, the image of her baby choking was still with her. She disappeared into the bedroom leaving the kids with Frank and Jamie to have just a few minutes.
"You see what I mean?" Jamie asked. "It cuts her so deep.
Frank spoke softly, "I see. She needs you Jamie. I have the kids, go comfort your wife."
Jamie went and pushed the door open. "I thought eventually we will move and he would be okay, but he is so not okay. He is...why is this happening?"
"I don't know honestly. Wish I could answer that Eddie but we have the chance to help him," he sat on the bed next to her.
"How?" she asked. "By torturing him and testing him? How?"
Teddy heard his Mommy crying, "Grandpa, mommy cry."
Eddie forced a smile, lifting him up in a tight hug, "Mommy loves you Teddy bear "
"I know it, Mommy love Teddy and Sissy." Teddy reached his little hands to cup over Eddie's cheeks gently. "Teddy loves mommy, daddy, sissy, grandpa, Uncle Danny, cousin Jack and Sean," he continued through the family.
Eddie leaned her head back, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "What are you waiting for Jamie? Come in the bath with me," she opened her eyes smiling.
He smiled, "Thought you were mad at me."
"Oh I am still mad but I have my reasons," Eddie sat up, bowed her head and breathed in. "I just want this all to stop Jamie. I want our baby boy to be happy and feel safe."
"He will," Jamie replied. "I know." He got in behind Eddie and took her into his arms. She laid her head back on him, needing his strength. "We will take care of him, we will teach him. He isn't scared, we are. This is normal for him."
Eddie sighed a warm breath on his chest, "He's our baby Jamie. I worry about him and Christa."
"I know you do, maybe too much. I see how upset you get..."
She looked at him, "It's my job to worry about them Jamie, as their mommy. I do get upset because I want my babies to be safe, happy and healthy. Is that so wrong?"
"No, no, not ar all," Jamie replied. "I just think you take on more stress than you need to.
Eddie moved her head back against his chest, sighed and lay her hand over his chest. "I can't help it, you know. They're my babies. That's why I need you there next time."
"I'll be there," Jamie promised. "Tomorrow night I think this is the key." She nodded, falling quiet as they snuggled in the warm bath water until Eddie's eyes closed.