So, what are we watching tonight, babe?" Jamie asked Eddie, handing her a beer and joining her under the blanket on the couch.
"Nothing," she said, turning off the T.V. and putting the remote on the side table. "We haven't had much time to ourselves in these past few days with packing up my place for the move and fixing up Scarlett's room. I just want to talk."
"Alright," he said, putting an arm around her shoulders. "What do you want to talk about?"
"How are you feeling about it?" she asked.
Jamie glanced down at her, arching his brow in question. "You've asked me that almost everyday for the last week. You know my answer, babe. How are you feeling about the move? You sound unsure."
"I'm not," she defended. "...But in a way, I am. I just don't want to screw anything up."
"What do you mean?" he asked, a little confused. "Why would you think that you'd screw something up?"
"I've never been good at relationships. I've proved that time and time again. You're the best man I know, Jamie. You've shown me nothing but love and respect, even at times when I really didn't deserve it. You love Scarlett like she was your own. Things are perfect right now. I don't want that to change."
"If we move in together or not, we're still going have our struggles, Eddie. That's a given. And I hate that you think that you'd be the only one to cause problems in our relationship. I've had my fair share of bad breakups. We all have our flaws. That's what makes us human. I'm committed to you. Nothing you do will run me off, no matter how hard you try. You and Scarlett are my top priorities. Whatever problems we go through, we'll get through it together. I love you and I love Scarlett. I'm in this for the long haul, babe."
Eddie leaned in and kissed him softly, with a relieved smile on her face. "Thank you, Jamie. I needed that. I just get so unsure about things sometimes that it makes my mind wander. I was afraid of your reaction, especially since we just finished packing up my apartment."
"It's okay, Ed. Don't ever be afraid to talk to me about anything. I would rather you come out and tell me instead of keeping it inside because you're afraid of how I'm going to react."
She smiled and leaned her head on his, "You're the best."
"I've been told," he said with a wink. "Are you okay? Are we okay?"
"We're more than okay. We're great, honey."
"Good," he said, pressing a quick kiss on her forehead. "You want some dinner. I can order some food from that place down the street."
"I'm not hungry."
"You're not?" he asked, a little surprised since they'd been busy packing the entire day and haven't had much time to sit down and eat.
She shook her head and gave him a mischievous smile, "Nope. I don't want to eat."
Eddie immediately lunged toward him and kissed him with all her might, putting her arms around his neck to get as close as she could. It took him by surprise but he quickly responded and ran his hands down her back, over her swell of bottom and down her legs, sitting back and pulling her onto his lap.
"Do you want to do this here or go to your bed?" he asked against her lips when they finally pulled away from each other to get some air.
"Take me to bed, Reagan."
He obliged and stood up with her wrapped around him, carrying her off to the room and kicking the door shut with his foot.
The next morning, they and their recruited help that consisted of Jack, Sean, Nicky, and Danny filled up the moving truck of Eddie and Scarlett's things. Most of the stuff would be staying at Jamie's apartment but the rest like their bed, couches, and dining room table would be driven to Danny's house and placed in his garage for the time being.
"I really appreciate all the help guys," she said sincerely as they all relaxed in Jamie's living room, eating the pizza that Danny had just went and picked up.
"As long as you feed us, we're happy to do anything," Jack said, taking another bite of his pizza with Sean nodding his head in agreement.
"It's our pleasure," Nicky said. "We're always happy to help."
"Is there anymore pepperoni left?" Danny asked with his mouth full.
Eddie chuckled and handed him another piece.
"I'm always available if you need me," Nicky said to Eddie. "I had been meaning to tell you that if you ever need a babysitter for Scarlett, I'd be more than happy to take care of her. I loved spending time with her at dinner."
Eddie smiled, "I'll definitely have to take you up on that. Thank you, Nicky."
"What else do you need us to do?" Danny asked Jamie and Eddie as he stood up and threw his plate away.
"That's pretty much it," Jamie said. "The stuff that is left to unpack is all their clothes, Scarlett's toys, and some stuff for the kitchen but we can handle that."
"Well alright. We better get going guys," Danny said to his sons and niece. "I need to go unload the stuff in my garage then take the truck back."
"Thank you guys for all the help," Eddie said while she and Jamie gave hugs all around. They lead them to the door, waving as they walked down the hallway and out of sight.
Jamie and Eddie walked back into the apartment and shut the door behind them. "Welcome home," he whispered in her ear, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her cheek.
She smiled and leaned back into him, "Thanks you." Eddie looked around at all the stacked up boxes. "Should we do this now or wait until tomorrow?"
"I'm thinking of other things we can do instead of that," he said, pressing a small kiss on her neck.
She laughed, "Scarlett's on her way, babe. I don't want almost traumatize her like that last time."
Jamie nodded and let her go, "Yeah. That was a close one. Thankfully, that door is hard to push so it gave us some time to put clothes back on."
With a toddler around, Jamie and Eddie had to get creative whenever they wanted to have a little one on one time. A few weeks ago when Scarlett was distracted with her favorite T.V. show, they snuck off to Jamie's guest bedroom thinking that they had a good twenty minutes before the little girl went looking for them. Just as the last piece of clothing was being shed, they heard Scarlett's little voice approaching and a small tug at the door. Needless to say, Jamie and Eddie could've competed with firemen in how fast they got dressed.
They relaxed together on the couch until they heard familiar footsteps walking up to the door. After hearing a small knock, Eddie quickly stood up and opened the door, letting Scarlett and Hattie inside.
The three year old excitedly ran into the apartment, first running to Jamie, getting a hug and a kiss then went over to her mother.
"Were you a good girl for your Nanny?" Eddie asked, peppering kisses on the three year old's cheek.
"Mhmm," Scarlett replied with a quick nod, squeezing her arms around Eddie's neck.
"She was wonderful as always," Hattie said with a smile as she hugged Jamie and Eddie.
"I'm glad," Eddie responded, smiling as Scarlett laid her head on her shoulder.
"Can I get you anything, Hattie?" Jamie asked, moving a few things off the couch so she could sit down.
"No sweetheart. I'm actually about to leave. A few of my old friends from work are going to meet up for dinner and a show. I wanted to drop the baby off first before I started to get ready."
"Thank you for taking care of her," Eddie said gratefully, walking up and giving Hattie another hug.
"It's always my pleasure, honey. I love all the time I get with my girl." She looked at the time on her watch, "I really need to get going now before I'm late!"
Hattie gave hugs and kisses all around then rushed out the door. Jamie chuckled as he shut the door behind her, "She seems excited for a night out."
"Yeah," Eddie replied. "She deserves it so much. I don't know how I'd do it without her. I've always wanted to do something really nice for her but I don't know what."
"What about a vacation?" he suggested. "Since we're going to the Catskills for Thanksgiving weekend next week, why don't we book a cabin for her and some of her friends. There was still quite a few available when I booked it a few days ago."
"Oh, she'd love that," Eddie said. "I think that's a great idea."
Jamie nodded, "I'll book it before bed."
"My room done?" Scarlett questioned, lifting her head off her mother's shoulder, remembering the conversation she'd had with Jamie and her mother over the phone earlier in the day.
"Yes it is, munchkin," he replied, reaching out and taking her from Eddie. "Me and Mama finished it this morning. Do you want to see it?"
The three year old nodded quickly and pointed toward the bedroom door decorated with her name. Jamie put her down and took her by the hand, leading her over to the door and placed her hands over her eyes.
"No peeking!" Eddie warned, checking to make sure that her hands were truly covering her eyes.
Jamie slowly opened the door and Eddie walked Scarlett into the room.
"Can I open?" she asked excitedly.
"Not yet," Jamie said, waiting until Eddie got Scarlett to the middle of the room. "Okay, now you can open."
Scarlett took her hands off her eyes and finally got to look at her new room for the first time. "Ah!" she cried, immediately jumping on the bed. "I love it!"
Jamie and Eddie had spent over a week before the move transforming Jamie's guest room into Scarlett's new bedroom. Jamie had spearheaded the project, taking Scarlett to their local paint store so she could choose designs and colors. Naturally, she decided that she had to have every color they offered so they ended up settling on a rainbow theme for the room.
The couple stood back as they watched the three year old happily go through her new room.
"Thank you," Eddie said, leaning up and placing a quick kiss on Jamie's cheek. "I've never seen her this excited."
"You're welcome," he replied, wrapping an arm around her waist. "I'll do anything to make her happy. And you too."
"Me and Jamie will be right next door, okay?" Eddie said to her daughter as her and Jamie tucked her into bed later that night. "If you need us, just knock or scream your little head off until one of us come running."
Scarlett nodded and hugged her mother, "Night-Night, Mama."
"Goodnight baby," she answered, kissing Scarlett's forehead.
"You're such a big girl now, munchkin," Jamie said affectionately, kneeling down at her bedside. "Are you sure you'll be okay in here?"
"Mhmm," she nodded then let out a small yawn. "I be okay. I big girl, now."
Jamie nodded and wrapped her in a hug, "Goodnight sweetheart. Sleep well."
"Night-Night, Mr. 'aime," she responded, pressing a small kiss to his cheek.
Eddie switched on her rainbow night light and turned off the bedroom light. They each gave her one more kiss then stepped out of the room, staying for a few minutes outside the door, just in case she needed them.
"What's wrong, Ed?" Jamie asked as he watched her wipe away a few tears.
"This is just going to take some getting use to," she said with a sigh. "She's slept with me ever since she was born."
Jamie wrapped his arms around her and smiled sadly, "Aww. I didn't think about that. She's gonna be okay, Eddie."
"I know she is," Eddie nodded. "Sorry for getting emotional."
"Don't apologize," he chastised gently. "You're her mom. You have every right to get emotional." He peeked in at Scarlett. "She looks like she's asleep already. Do you want to wait a little bit longer?"
Eddie nodded, "If you don't mind."
"Not at all." They both sat down against the wall and leaned against each other, waiting a few more minutes before heading to bed.
Next, Eddie and Scarlett celebrate Thanksgiving with the Reagans and then take a trip to the Catskills with Jamie for some quality time together.
