A couple of weeks passed. On her day off, Eddie drove over to her mother's place to pick up some wedding gifts.

"Look at this beautiful leather frame," Lena remarked, holding up one of the gifts. "It fits perfectly with the Reagans' taste in décor. Masculine and strong, like Frank's office."

"Mother," Eddie said, a bit startled. "Since when were you in the Police Commissioner's office?"

"Oh, we had some wedding details to go over, so I stopped by his office. That's all," Lena replied, a bit too dramatically.

"You never mentioned that you were at One PP," Eddie said. "That's a pretty big deal. People don't just stop by his office," although Eddie silently admitted to herself that would be just like her mother to drop in unannounced.

"It was nothing, Edit," Lena assured her. "Besides, we're family. We should have an open door policy."

"It's not nothing," Eddie responded. "Seems like you would have mentioned this. That's his work office, not his home." Eddie's memory of the lunch where she introduced her mother to Frank Reagan popped in her mind. Her mother had been unusually polite and restrained. Just that morning, a woman in Lena's building had been arrested.

"Mom, was Jamie's father somehow involved in the arrest of the woman in your apartment building?" asked Eddie.

"Why would you say that?" Lena asked, brushing off the question.

"Well, it's an unusual coincidence. And you were awfully nice at the lunch. No unfiltered comments or jabs. I just have a suspicion," Eddie said, giving her mom a frustrated look.

"Well, I didn't ask him to do anything, if that's what you are insinuating," Lena insisted.

Eddie sighed with exasperation. "Why can't my parents be honest? You know, Mother, all I have to do is ask Jamie's dad, and he would tell me the truth. So why don't you tell me what's going on? Why did you visit Jamie's dad at work?"

"It was nothing. He invited me," Lena said, then swallowed. "Sometimes people like to hurt me, to get back at what your father did. And sometimes the police need to intervene, that's all." Lena sighed. "It's taken care of now."

Eddie reached for her mother's hand. "Well, if someone hurts you, that isn't right. You were right to go to the police. Even if it is Jamie's dad."

For Lena, Eddie's comment about not being honest stung a bit, but she balked at sharing the whole story. "Well, I've been hiding this, trying to make it go away." That much was true. "Frank offered to help." She hugged Eddie.

Eddie softened. "Yeah, well those Reagans aren't afraid to take things head on," Eddie said.

Lena blinked back some tears. "It's the best way, really," she nodded. "Even if it's the hardest thing to do. I am in a much safer situation now."

"Mother, you can tell me, or call the police, if there's any threat, verbal or physical," Eddie assured her, trying to process the news. "You shouldn't be in a situation where you feel unsafe."

"I'm fine now," Lena smiled. "I really am proud of you, being a police officer. And marrying into the Reagan family. They are spectacular, aren't they!"

"Well, maybe we can put one of our spectacular wedding photos in this nice leather frame and give it to Jamie's father for his office," Eddie joked sarcastically, rolling her eyes. The last thing she wanted was to appear that she had an inside track to the police commissioner by marrying into the family.

"You are a part of his family," said Lena. "And of course, Jamie is a part of our family. But you'll always be our daughter. Your father and I always wanted the very best for you."

"Well, there's a right way and a wrong way to go about things," Eddie replied. "Now, let's go get something to eat. I'm hungry."

Lena and Eddie took a stroll to a tearoom near her apartment.

"Well, this is a pretty place," said Eddie. "Probably won't find any cops here taking a meal."

"The sandwiches are delicious," said Lena. "And I love how it's decorated."

As they sat down at their table, Eddie noticed the floral cloth tablecloths and dainty teacups. "Very nice, Mom," said Eddie. "I love the flower bouquet on the table, too." She cleared her throat. "Speaking of flowers, Mom, did our wedding florist deliveryman happen say anything to you at the wedding?

Lena looked at Eddie. "Why, no, why on earth would the florist talk to me?"

Eddie sighed again. "Well, apparently . . . the deliveryman was asking about Dad at the wedding. Isn't that odd?"

"Why would he do that?" asked Lena. They paused their conversation as the waitress took their order.

"I recommend the chicken salad," Lena said, changing the subject. "They do something special with it, I don't know what, but it's delicious."

"Ok, that's what I'll have," Eddie told the waitress, then turned back to her mother. "I'm serious, Mom. Was there something with the florist, or with this delivery guy? Why was he asking questions and looking for Dad?"

"Well, he never did get the brooch, if that's what you're asking."

"I never said anything about a brooch," Eddie said, her tone growing more tense. "What were you planning? Tell me, I need to know. Others were asking about it."

"What do you mean, 'others'? The Reagans?"

Eddie looked at her mother. "I need to know what was going on."

"Edit, I remember how you loved my brooch with the yellow flowers and diamonds. It was my favorite, too. You dad got it for me because it reminded me of the fields of yellow wildflowers where I grew up. It was very expensive."

Eddie stared at her mother. She never realized her mother knew how much she admired that brooch, too.

"I was heartbroken when your father sold that brooch," Lena sighed. "Without asking me! I had always dreamed I would give it to you on your wedding day." Lena paused again. "I thought maybe I could somehow find that brooch again and buy it back for you. I asked your father where he sold it."

Lena continued. "Your father knew the name of a pawn shop on Green Street. I went there, asked some questions, but they didn't have the brooch. They said they would look back at their records. And then that was that. I never did hear back from the store. Another letdown."

Eddie thought about Jamie's words. "Mom, what's important are the memories, and how we can keep those memories alive. Like with my wedding flowers, yellow and white bouquets."

"Ha, memories. If only they were good ones. But you're right. The wedding flowers were beautiful. Not as long lasting as diamonds, but at least they are a nice memory." Lena went on. "I thought it was a good idea, surprising you with that brooch. I'm sorry if it's gotten out of hand. We're not in trouble, are we? I didn't do anything, I promise."

"Well, mother, no," said Eddie. "You're not in trouble. You'd tell me if there was something we need to know, right, Mom?"

Their lunch orders were brought to the table. "Look, Mom," Eddie continued. "That was a nice thought about getting the brooch for me. But really, it's sort of a reminder of the past. And in the end, it's just a piece of jewelry."

Lena's eyes swelled with tears. "It's not just a piece of jewelry. It was a gift from your father, at a time when we were all together and our lives were very happy. It's never going to be like that again."

Eddie heart sank. "Mom, look. We're stronger and better than ever now. Life is good. We've got a lot to look forward to. Believe that." She squeezed her mother's hand.

Lena's face brightened. "A lot to look forward to? I just hope that means gorgeous grandchildren!"