On the Friday morning before Brian was supposed to come up for introductions Jamie went out for bagels. A chill made him pull his jacket tighter and hurried home. A wreath decorated their door with a red ribbon the bottom.
When he returned Eddie was settling in bed after using the bathroom. She gave him a smile when he entered the room with the bag. "Hey, I wasn't sure which bagel you like so I got plain, everything, pumpernickle, sesame," Jamie slid under the covers beside her.
"Aww thanks Jamie," Eddie picked the everything and Jamie the plain. He watched her carefully take a bite out of the bagel already spread with butter oil. Her eyes rounded with pleasure.
He chuckled, finding her reaction cute as he bit into his in between sips of coffee. "Brian text me that he'll be over around one thirty so we have plenty of time before he comes. " Jamie used the backboard to lean against, facing Eddie.
She raised an eyebrow at him but said nothing. "Ugh I have to pee again. Be right back." She slipped out of bed with a purposeful shake for Jamie's pleasure before waddling to the bathroom. In the time she was gone he finished both the bagel and his coffee.
"Okay," Eddie cupped under her stomach as she lay back down over the covers. Her features showed prominently, full and at attention on top, her round belly showing where their babies kicked yearning for attention. She half sat up with both legs elevated and spread on a pillow. Eddie took a bite out of the last piece of her bagel.
Jamie studied her hard smiling, "So we have time. We can do whatever you want. They're active today huh. Hey, hey in there. One more month," He slowly placed his hand down over the babies kicking.
"Yeah, tell me about it," Eddie let her breath out every time she felt a kick. "They're kicking harder and harder. "
Clearing the bed from their breakfast Jamie lifted Eddie up onto her side then slid behind her. His fingers rubbed slowly over her soft skin, breath warm in her ear. "Is that helping," he moved over leaving small kisses over every inch.
When he looked up Eddie met his eyes smiling. "Yeah, that does actually. " She looked at him adoringly, wrapping both arms around his shoulders. They kissed, once then twice Eddie pulled his shirt off just admiring off.
"Jamie? How many kids do you want," she asked suddenly. The question took Jamie back not knowing where it came from. It surprised Eddie too, coming from outer space. "It just came to me. We never said. I mean we've been together only close to a year."
Eddie didn't have to say that part though. She was right. It was almost nine months since they started, eight months pregnant having started making love only a month after meeting. Everything just felt right when they were together.
So the question didn't surprise him at all. It was usually something a couple would talk about before but not them. They discussed it quickly once but not in detail." I don't know um I've always known I wanted kids though. I'd like a big family since I grew up in one. Four kids maybe. How about you?"
"I never really thought about it until recently. I'm younger then you are so I had my mind set on finishing school. But going through this I would like another maybe two. I have to decide what I want to do first though," Eddie bit her lip. "Jamie, I don't want to study art history. I'll take time off to stay home with the homes but I'd like to do something with law."
Jamie's eyes rounded, "You want to become a cop? Eddie, it's dangerous out there you're prepared for that? To be shot at or possibly shoot someone?" He gauged her reaction to the question.
"Yes I understand the dangerous possibilities of the job," Eddie's eyes firmly held his.
The last thing he wanted was for Eddie to jump into danger but as her husband he had to accept her choices. "Okay, let me sniff around and see what the options are. The NYPD has-a lot of departments so she might not have to be on the street.
At exactly one Brian knocked on the door for their visit. Jamie let him in smiling at the golden retriever by his side. "Hey, thanks for coming man. Wow, he's beautiful. Hey bud, " Jamie knelt down, reaching his hand out. The dog curiously stepped closer and sniffed him, barked once and jumped into Jamie's arms.
"Nice to meet you too," Jamie fell back laughing. He rubbed behind the dog's ears gently assuming he passed the test. Getting up he led them both in, Buddy between Jamie and Brian when they entered the living room.
A tree stood in the left hand corner, wrapped with garland, silver and red balls hanging off. Lights flashed once in different colors, went off letting the next row glow. A single gold star sat atop the tree by Jamie with help from a chair. The strong scent of pine filled the room adding a sense of peace.
Buddy made a beeline across the room and sat in front of Eddie. He took a long sniff, laid in front of her whining with his belly out. "Wow I guess Buddy likes you," Brian smiled.
"He's beautiful. Hi handsome boy can you come up here. I can't reach." Eddie patted the couch once, Buddy attentively jumped up and rested his head on her lap whining quietly. "Good boy," Eddie slowly rubbed her hand through his full blond fur. She looked up at him right at Jamie in a silent conversation.
Jamie invited Brian in to sit, taking the one beside Eddie. "Seems like it's unanimous. We'd love to take him. Here that boy," Jamie reached around Eddie to join in the petting. Buddy moved his head against Eddie's stomach protectively whining.
"He knows I'm pregnant I think. How soon can we take him," Eddie looked to Brian.
"Soon as you want. My brother has everything for him, water and food bowl. All his shots are up to date and as I told Jamie he is house trained. I know my brother wants to make sure so maybe right after christmas," Brian looked from Eddie to Jamie.
Quickly agreeing they sat a little longer Jamie and Brian drinking beers talking. Buddy sat over Eddie and Jamie's lap, his head remaining next to Eddie's stomach relaxing.
He did pick his head up whining before Eddie started feeling movement. "What is it oooooh. The babies are moving around. I can actually feel them moving," Eddie brought her hands up over her stomach. Jamie quickly put one arm around her as he rubbed her belly slowly.
"Relax and breath Eddie," Jamie calmly coached as he continued rubbing her stomach. "Easy, nice and easy." She copied his breaths until the pressure subsided to become bearable.
Brian took Buddy shortly after leaving the couple in privacy. Jamie raised the chair to elevate Eddie's legs and made her rest while he cooked dinner. She stared out the window napping, woken up by a sudden pressure in her stomach. "Oh crap Jamie I have to use the bathroom. Can you help me?"
"Of course. Dinner should be ready soon," Jamie appeared to put down the chair for her. "Do you need help?"
Eddie took a step shaking her head when a gush of water streamed down her legs to the floor. She stared down at the puddle in front of her blushing, "Aww damn. I'm sorry Jamie I didn't feel it soon enough." The front and I'llback of her dress hung completely soaked, all along the sides of her leg and feet.
"It's not a big deal Eddie. Let me turn the flame down, I'll draw you a bath and help wash you up then I'll clean up in here. Hey, it's okay." He saw the sad no doubt embarrassed twinkle in her eye immediately after it happened. Putting an arm around her he quickly detoured to adjust the stove and met Eddie in the bathroom.
She already ran the water when he came in so Jamie slowly got her dress off to wash later then helped her in. She sat back surrounded by warm water with Jamie holding her favorite shower gel. He squeezed some out, massaging it over her shoulder, both arms, carefully over her stomach then lower. His eyes met hers as his hand worked every inch of her legs and other areas.
Once she was all cleaned up Jamie helped Eddie out into a towel to dry before putting a nightgown on. "Thank you Jamie," Eddie rocked up on her toes for a kiss.
"No thanks needed. Let's go eat and I'll massage your back."
Eddie ate but the consistent movement and pressure in her lower stomach ruined her appetite. She sat on Jamie's lap in the living room in a glow from the tree lights sighing as he massaged her back slowly. The puddle disappeared with a quick mop by Jamie before joining her.
He didn't understand why the pain was so bad but Jamie was willing to do anything to make it go away. They took another hot bath, followed by a second massage in bed and held a heating pad on her lower back.
When Eddie finally managed to fall asleep Jamie sat up watching her intently. He prayed with the extra powerful feeling that came around the Christmas holiday. They would have Christmas by his father's as ordered by his grandfather, telling both men to stop being so stubborn. Family was meant to be together for the holiday and so it happened.