The minute he hung up Jamie was on the phone again to his grandfather. "Pop? I need a really big favor and it has to be done today. Do you still have grandma's ring in your jewelry box"
"I do," she replied.
He sighed out into the phone hearing Eddie finishing up. He was running out of time. "Okay, I need to borrow the ring Pop. It's a long story but I promise when I pick it up I'll explain. It's really important Pop."
"I hope it means you are going to make an honest girl out of Eddie, I'll bring it by the place in a little while."
They hung up just as Eddie came back in. He set the phone down smiling, reached both arms out and lifted her up off her feet. He had never been more grateful for Pop then at that moment. Later on once they settled they could have a church wedding if he wanted but right now the most important thing was making it official.
Keeping his promise Henry tapped the apartment door an hour and a half later. Jamie went to answer it and Eddie stood watching. "Hey Pop, come on in," Jamie smiled, letting his grandfather inside.
Henry swept over the pretty, young girl standing by his grandson's couch. Short, straight blond hair, round blue eyes that watched him nervously. Jamie wasn't kidding when he called her beautiful. The older man also saw youth in her eyes, scared, deer in the headlights.
He saw Jamie coming past to stand by Eddie's side smiling. "Eddie, I'd like you to meet my grandpa Henry Reagan. Pop, this is Eddie," Jamie smiled as the two hands.
"A pleasure to finally meet you. Jamie has talked a lot about you," Henry grinned. "Congratulations as well. How are you feeling so far? The first few months can be hardest but I have a recipe my Betty swore by when she was pregnant."
Eddie cracked a smile, "Thank you. I'm doing okay I guess. Just getting sick a lot and exhausted. "
"Anything you need all you have to do is ask. I've gone through quite a bit in my old age so I might have some advice about things," Henry assured.
Jamie invited them to sit down for a chat. The conversation went easy with Henry asking Eddie some questions about her major and what she wants to do after. In return Eddie questioned Pop about being a police commissioner since Jamie never really talked about the job. "It actually started with my father who came from Ireland," Henry told her.
When Jamie searched Eddie's face he smiled. She was hooked on the stories like in a history class, only this teacher had no filter. They were so engaged everyone lost track of time until Jamie's clock went off. Henry looked up, "Is it noon already? Where did the time go? Sorry to run but I have an appointment to attend. I hope we can do this again though."
"Yeah, me too. It was great meeting you," Eddie smiled sincerely. She liked everything about him, his kindness, sincerity and bluntness.
Jamie walked his grandpa down to the car for the exchange. "Thank you so much Pop. I didn't want to tell Eddie because it would hurt her. I received a letter from Armin, her father who is refusing to pay any of her medical bills. He cut her off Pop, their own daughter. Eddie is only twenty years old and now has no insurance. All the doctor appointments we'll have to go until she has the baby."
"But if you marry her then she can get insurance through you," Henry reached into his jacket pocket. He handed Jamie a small single diamond ring. "You keep taking care of that beautiful girl Jamie. Don't worry about a big wedding. You're doing good kid."
Henry started to the car then turned back, "Oh I figured this is what you were planning so I took the liberty of contacting an old buddy in the court. He started the process already all you need to do is bring the documents and sign it."
Smiling Jamie waited until his grandpa took off to head back upstairs. He found Eddie waiting by the kitchen counter smiling. "You know, it's so nice out I was thinking maybe we can go sightseeing in the city then grab lunch. I know a really nice place on the water," Jamie quietly took her in his arms. He kissed her forehead.
"Yeah sounds good. Let me just ready."
Having woken up early Jamie showered already so while Eddie was in the bathroom he changed into black dress pants and a button down blue shirt. The ring sat safely in its box inside his pants pocket.
An hour later they stood outside city hall amongst crowds of tourists visiting for the first time. Jamie took Eddie's hand right there in front of the steps and took a knee in front of her. "Eddie, I want to do this the right way. I love you so much. You are the mother to my baby and my best friend and I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?"
A crowd turned watching the moment unfold between the young couple. Eddie batted back hot tears, "Jamie! Yes," she answered.
He stood, taking the ring from his pocket to slip on her finger. "I love you Eddie," he cupped her cheek and kissed her. "I want to marry you and make you officially a Reagan. Are you ready?" She could only nod her answer ready to marry him. During the talks on the beach he told her about his strict Catholic upbringing so she knew having a baby first was frowned upon. Eddie didn't need a big church wedding. She just wanted Jamie.
When they went inside Renzulli grinned at Jamie, "Took you long enough kid. Renzulli, it's nice to meet you. Jamie talks about you all the time."
Eddie's eyebrow raised teasingly giving him a look while shaking the older man's hand. After filling out a marriage license with identification, they were brought into a small room that served as the wedding venue in front of Renzulli and a justice of the peace for their appointment.
At the alter Jamie and Eddie cupped hands smiling as they spoke the vows softly. "I Jamision take you Edit to be my lawfully wedded wife. To have and to hold for better or worse, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer until death do us part."
She sniffled slowly meeting his eyes, "I Edit, take you Jamison to be my lawfully wedded husband. To have and to hold, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, until death do us part."
"By the power vested in me by the State of New York, you are now husband and wife. JJamie smiled, holding Eddie's hand as he leaned in to kiss his new wife.
Before either could speak Renzulli clasped his new boot's shoulder with a grin. "Congratulations to both of you. That was beautiful. Thanks for asking me to stand witness kid. I better get back to work. See you tomorrow. Good to meet you Eddie."
Left alone Jamie turned to his bride smiling. "What do you say we go celebrate at that restaurant Mrs Reagan," he slipped a hand into hers on their way outside. Things definitely felt different now that they were committed to each other for life.
"Definitely but why is it only I have a ring and not you too? I think we both should have one to show our love no? There has to be a jewelry store nearby," Eddie said, gazing at his bare finger.
Chuckling in amusement Jamie just happened to know of a small jeweler nearby. He had been planning on picking up a ring because officially he should wear one too. With their fingers interlocked they started up one of the side streets to a small jeweler.
The owner, an older man in his fifties with balding black hair happily showed the young couple a few of his finest men's wedding bands. They agreed on a simple gold band, nothing fancy but one similar to Eddie's. As they walked out both wearing wedding rings they felt officially married.
The restaurant was on a pier not far from City Hall and at such an early hour in the afternoon not terribly busy. They sat at a reserved table overlooking the water through a clear barrier, watching ships and ferries pass in the background while they searched the menu.
Eddie chose a hot seafood appetizer to share and a pasta dish as the main course. Besides her appetizer Jamie ordered a salad with cranberries and walnuts, tossed in olive oil then tilapia as a main course.
Once the waiter disappeared to put their orders in Jamie took Eddie's hand. "To us as life partners, and our family. Who knew our lives would change like this when we met on the beach," Jamie raised his water glass in toast.
"You were such a boy scout when I cuddled up with you on the rock," Eddie teased. "Not so much a boy scout now. I love you Jamie and I look forward to getting to spend each day getting to know you and raising our baby. "
At the exact same time they took a sip from their water glasses still maintaining eye contact. Jamie watched her hair blowing in the wind just like at the beach. They didn't know each other long but there was an instant spark. Now that they were officially married Eddie and their baby would be taken care of. He had a feeling things would be okay for them.