Inhaling a deep breath Eddie brought her tightened fist up against the wood door. She only paused for a minute to gather some strength and tapped hard as she could. In the minutes that followed her heart sped up quickly, even more when the locks clicked. Deep down Eddie wished he wasn't home so she could think about this more but it was to late now.
Jamie frowned seeing her standing in his hallway with a suitcase on the floor by her feet. "Eddie? What's wrong? Come here," he lifted the suitcase inside the living room for now, joining her on the couch. "Your hands are shaking Eddie."
"I'm scared of what you might say when I tell you Jamie but I have to be honest. " Eddie cupped his hands with her shaking ones slowly. "I can't go back home. My parents and I just got into a huge argument. "
"Okay," Jamie searched her expression softly. He felt there was more than an argument but knew pushing wouldn't help so he sat wordless until she was ready. His eyes trained over her while Eddie's body hunched tensely.
It took a few minutes for Eddie's eyes to finally reach his, scared and round. "Dad told mom bout you and our night in the house. They both forbad it but not just because of that. Jamie I missed my period and I've been getting sick so I took a test and I'm pregnant. I told my parents, it just slipped and they flipped out."
Jamie felt his body go cold and froze. He didn't even hear the last sentence because all that stuck in his head was Eddie's pregnant. They'd been spending a lot of time in his apartment over the last few months so the time worked. They were always together. His eyes rounded, whispering, "Pregnant, our baby?"
"Yes Jamie, I am pregnant with our baby. Are you okay? Are you mad," Eddie sucked in a hopeful breath, scared at the change in his expression.
His eyes swerved over her at the question, "No Eddie. No why would I be angry? We are both responsible and together we made a baby. I just didn't expect that. Okay um well stay here with me so we can raise the baby together. I am not leaving you to do it alone. Have you seen a doctor?"
When Eddie shook her head in answer Jamie nodded. "Okay when Erin was um with Nicky she had to see the doctor so let's make an appointment and I'll go with you." His head swirled with all new thoughts, buying baby furniture, preparing to bring the baby in the world then raising it. He had to talk to his father and grandpa.
"We'll do this right Eddie. Look into a bigger place and buy baby furniture, diapers and whatever they might need," Jamie tucked Eddie into his arms, holding onto her tight.
He ordered in from her favorite Chinese place that was located up the block, with extra noodles. She ate quietly only slightly relieved Jamie wasn't angry and would help her raise their baby. She was only starting college and he was a rookie cop so it wouldn't be easy.
She slept curled against him under the covers in his bed that they will share. While she rested Jamie sent his father a quick text, careful not to wake her. Hey dad, need to talk with you and Pop. It's important. Can I come over tomorrow after work?
The phone vibrated with a return text from Frank agreeing to meet his youngest with only Pop at the house around seven. He lay back with Eddie, awake while his mind wandered for hours into the night.
Sleep didn't come easy for them with Eddie getting sick several times over the night which made them very tired when they woke up. "Do you want eggs for breakfast or pancakes," Jamie rubbed a hand up and down her arm slowly.
"Ugh no. I just want to sleep. I can get something when I wake up. Do you have time before tour to stay a bit more," Eddie closed her eyes, laying on his chest where she felt safe.
Smiling Jamie pecked her head, "Just a couple of more minutes. I have an early tour. Oh after tour I'm going to stop by my dad's before I come home. We can decide what to eat for dinner unless you get hungry then I can pick something up."
He held her for a few minutes as promised, smiling down seeing Eddie's chest slowly rising and falling. "I love you Eddie," he kissed her softly, tucked the covers around and went into the bathroom for a quick shower.
When Eddie woke up hours later she did to a quiet, empty apartment since Jamie left for work. Stretching out she went into the kitchen in search of something to eat. Finding some eggs, toast and vegetables Jamie uses for his shake she scrambled some eggs, put the toast in his toaster until it was crisp and sat at the island.
With each bite she searched the apartment they had been spending a lot of time in. Would it be here they raise their son or daughter? Apartments were hard to come by so if they had to stay here the apartment felt cozy. She could see them sitting on the couch with their son or daughter, comforting them after nightmares, making boo boos better, hugs and kisses, I love you mommy and daddy.
Their kid's artwork would hang proudly on the fridge. Sighing Eddie went to unpack a few things from her suitcase then took her textbooks to study on the couch. After this semester she would apply for a job and scholarships to pay for classes, even if it took more time to graduate.
Tour was so busy for Jamie he was only able to text Eddie during meal with a quick message, asking how she was feeling. Seeing his name pop up brought a smile to Eddie's face as she wrote back. Okay just on your couch studying. How's work?"
Jamie's training officer Sergeant Renzulli gave his rookie partner a smile when Jamie's cell vibrated again. "You got a girlfriend at home kid? You've been antsy wanting to text and now you're texting a lot. Who is she?"
"My girlfriend and the mother of my child. Her name is Eddie Janko, she's beautiful, smart, funny," Jamie smiled.
Holding the sandwich with both hands Renzulli raised an eyebrow, "Janko? Her father is Armin Janko, the owner of that big company? They're a big name did you know that kid? Those kind of people don't exactly mix with us working class guys. And mother of your kid? She's pregnant with your kid? Do her parents know?"
Jamie shook his head, "Yeah, I know about the Jankos but Eddie isn't like them. She doesn't want all that money or the lifestyle they gave her. She's very down to earth and yeah the pregnancy didn't go over well with them but we love each other. We're going to make it work. I'm going to talk with my dad."
"Jamie, just be careful all right kid? Raising a kid isn't easy for anyone but a job like ours and you're just starting out it's even harder, especially when you don't have the family's help. That's all I'm saying kid. It's great you love each either but you also have to know what it's really going to be like."
His training officer's words rung through Jamie's head for the rest of tour. He knew it wouldn't be easy especially without Eddie's parents help and support so he hoped his own family would have their back. They would need it.
After changing back into street clothes Jamie text Eddie on his way out to the car. Hey babe. I just finished tour and am heading to dad's. I don't know how long I'll be but think about what you want for dinner.
He threw the phone into a cup holder while getting in, starting the car when his phone vibrated with a return text. Hey lamb chop, I'm cooking tonight so text me when you're done at your dad's. Love you.
Jamie smiled reading that, sent back an I love you reply and tossed his phone back into the phone holder before taking off. Traffic was light heading into Brooklyn until he hit the bridge where cars slowed down for no reason.
The red lights disappeared just after clearing the bridge allowing Jamie a nice easy ride through the streets. People continued shopping on the avenue, some parents with their young kids in tow, others couples holding hands.
As he pulled closer to the house he grew up in Jamie smiled quietly. His hands loosely wrapped around the wheel lucky to find a spot right in front. Light shone from the inside the front first story window where their living room was.
Instead of going in right away Jamie sat in his car for a few more minutes to think. His heart pounded faster thinking about the conversation he was about to have with his dad and grandpa. Jamie had no idea how they would react to the news he and Eddie would be having a family.
Taking the phone from his cup holder into the back pocket of his jeans Jamie drew in a deep breath. He pushed the door open, making sure it was locked before walking around then up the path to the house.
Just before opening the front door Jamie paused with his hand on the knob, took his cell out and sent a I love you back to Eddie. Shoving the electronic back in he looked the door over like he could see through it and pushed it open.