Chapter Two

Max and April each clung to one of Jamie's legs, showing their Daddy how much they loved and missed him. Jamie's eyes met Eddie's and they both began to smile gently. Jamie reached out and cupped Eddie's cheek, for the moment the world disappeared, even the two giggling kids attached to his legs. Jamie opened his lips and softly kissed Eddie. They were pregnant! Pregnant! And this time he was going to get to be a part of that process with the woman he loved more than anything.

Their lips moved gently over each other, communicating everything with a soft and gentle kiss. There was so much promise there, so much hope for the future of this growing family. They'd talk more later, for now…

"You're happy?" Eddie asked making sure that this was in fact their mutual dream

Smiling Jamie kissed her softly "How can I not be? Look at this little family we have. I have you and two beautiful munchkins."

"Mommy got big sandwich!" April told Jamie. "I'm hungry!" Jamie laughed, "Like mother, like daughter, let's go eat..."

When Jamie and Eddie tucked the children in that night, they kissed their heads and gave them a little extra snuggle. It was an unspoken agreement they were going to keep the pregnancy a secret for at least a little while.

Jamie pulled Eddie against him, "I am so happy." He put his hand on her belly and rubbed it. "Hello, in there. I'm Daddy...and you are going to have the best Mommy, brother, and sister there is. I can't wait to meet you, even if you are only the size of a seed right now."

Eddie loved hearing him talk to their new future little one resting in his arms. "I'm so glad you're happy Jamie, I'm happy too being with you and having April and Max."

"This is different though, this is our experience from start to finish," Jamie replied. "You think this one got started in Montana?"

"Yeah maybe he or she did but I'm excited. I can't wait to meet them Jamie and raise our three kids..." she snuggled against him.

"Please let me know about the doctor, I don't want to miss a thing," Jamie whispered. "Not one precious second. What made you check? Are you feeling all right?"

"I'm feeling fine Jamie just I can't explain Kara told me to try a home test so I did," Eddie shrugged her shoulders

"Well I'm glad you did," Jamie smiled. "And the way you told me, I'll never forgot tonight. Not ever..." Jamie kissed Eddie's lips gently. "Is it safe for me to make love to my wife?"

Eddie snickered "It's fine Jamie." she-reached for his hands letting them rest against her waist then stomach eyes twinkling.

"Come home to me, Jamie,' Eddie whispered softly. "Come home to us…"

Their lips met with a gentle, yet fiery passion. They had many opportunities to make love since returning from Montana, yet tonight seemed even more special. Tonight, was not only a consummation of their love, but a celebration of new life.

Jamie moved over Eddie, his hands caressing her skin, touching her with a feather light strokes. She arched her back up so that they could kiss, meeting Jamie with as much urgency as she felt from his touch. Her tongue slipped into his mouth, exploring him, tasting him. Tonight felt so different, he had always been the father of her child, through April, but to connect in this way, with the knowledge of their child growing inside of her, it was almost surreal.

Eddie pulled Jamie's tee shirt off and burrowed next to his chest. That was long since been one of her favorite places, curled to his chest, safe and secure.

Eddie's nightgown was slipped from her still slender body, revealing her body, it didn't show any changes just yet, Jamie couldn't wait until it did. He paused over the place where their child lay nestles under her heart and laid his cheek there. The emotion in Jamie's body and in his actions reached deeply into Eddie's heart, he was already so in love with this baby.

Eddie felt as if she was making love on a cloud, she'd never felt Jamie so gentle, not even when Connie had died or she'd been shot. He was almost reverent in his touch. Eddie held fast to him and urged him to increase the intensity just a bit.

Jamie felt Eddie's strong and limber legs lock around him and her deliberate thrusts urged him on. Jamie couldn't keep the control, not when his wife was writhing and needing him to fill her. He carefully checked to be sure she was truly ready, he didn't want to hurt her or their baby…not ever.

Eddie held Jamie's gaze, "It's okay, I need you so much. Please Jamie, fill me…Please…" Eddie ran her hands along his back and pulled him in close. Jamie arched his hips to meet hers as he pushed deep within her.

"I love you, Eddie," he whispered as he pressed home. "I love you so much…"

"Oh, Jamie…oh, you feel so good…take me home, my love…"

Jamie didn't need more encouragement than that, he thrust into Eddie's warm and welcoming center as she arched to meet him. Their eyes locked, and they connected not only physically, but emotionally, two lovers with a creation of that love growing between them, they had never been happier, not by a long shot.

"Thank you," Eddie smiled the following morning as she made breakfast. "My husband and I will see you then. Thank you."

Jamie put his bag down near the door and moved to kiss the back of Eddie's neck, "Good morning, Mrs. Reagan…good morning, Baby Reagan…"

Jamie was so happy, and that made Eddie even happier. "We have a doctor's appointment at 4:30pm next Wednesday to confirm this."

"Good, I'll make sure I'm off and able to be there. There's no way I'm going to miss that," Jamie replied. Max appeared in the doorway with his bear, "Mommom, hungry…"

"That is going to be something," Eddie replied. 'I think April will be okay, but Max…I'm worried about him. Hand him to me."

Eventually, Eddie wasn't going to be able to lift Max up and carry him around like she could the smaller, lighter April and that would surely upset the sensitive boy. Jamie scooped the boy up and handed him to his mother. Max gave Eddie a kiss, "Yummy eggies!" He saw the pan and smiled. Max had been thriving with Eddie as his mother, perhaps he would handle the news and transition okay.

Eddie put him in his booster chair and Jamie woke April up. They had a quick breakfast before Jamie headed off to the precinct. He would be barely able to contain his happiness, but it was Eddie's wish that they keep this under their hat until they saw the doctor. Just in case.

When Jamie worked Kara came over, "So, how did he take it?"

"Kara, I have never seen him so happy," Eddie gushed. "He talked to my belly twice already. He's over the moon about this. We see the doctor next week."

"Luke was too," Kara replied. "Over the moon, I mean and now we found out the baby is a boy…he's really excited."

"That's really good, I'm glad you're excited. We'll go shopping maybe next week and start on that nursey of yours." Eddie sipped her tea and watched the kids play. "Maxy, it's time to practice, we have music later. Play Mr. Toad for Aunt Kara…"

Max loved to perform and show off, he scampered to the piano and began to play.

Leaving the toys max got up hurrying to the piano trying to climb up by himself. He smiled as-Eddie lifted the piano cover allowing him to play. The song Mr. Toad was Full of Hops quickly morphed into a Mozart Piano Concerto as it began to play. "He just picks up that stuff," Eddie bragged. "I can't play that thing like that. He's a marvel. Good job Maxy!" Eddie was so proud.

Kara smiled watching him, "and he likes to play and practice. Are you going to keep doing it with him maybe he'll get into Julliard or somewhere?"

"Oh, that's is my dream," Eddie replied "But I think that secretly Jamie wants him to be a cop"

"Well I'm sure he'll pick what he wants to do it's still a long time away. That's great Max keep up the great work." Kara complimented.

Max got off the set and ran to his aunt, "bagel," he told her and started for the fridge. "Why that there?" He pointed to her belly.

"If it's okay with your mommy then sure ask mommy first. I have a baby growing inside me, he's right there, would you like to feel?" Kara came to his level taking Marx's hand to place gently on her stomach.

"No baby," Max replied. "No no baby, play Max and April. Bagel..."

Kara took his hands "I can play with you and April buddy it'll be harder for Aunt Kara but when he comes I'll need a big boy to help me."

"I big boy," Max smiled. "When he'll come out?" Eddie thanked God he didn't ask how at three.

"You are a big boy and a really big help I bet. He's still growing right now so it won't be for a little bit." Max smiled and went to the living room to get April. She looked at Kara and reached up while Eddie fixed each child a half bagel.

Kara headed for home to rest while Eddie dropped April at her playcare and took Max to his music. She liked to sit with him and listen so she could help him practice. His music teacher greeted them both with smiles and a firm handshake, taking Max in so they could get started. Eddie settled in to listen for what they worked on to reinforce at home. They did their scales, their fingering, and the little songs. After there was the Kinder music class for parents and kids.

A father brought in his little girl seeing Eddie out of his peripheral vision. "Hi there I don't remember seeing you here."

"Well, I've been here," Eddie replied. "This is my son Max." "Hi, Max. You are a cute little fellow, but don't look a whole lot like your Momma."

"He is a miniature of his father." Eddie told him turning to max with a smile.

"Mommom, sing..." Max smiled. "Sing a song...la la la..."

Eddie did singing in a soft, gentle voice holding Max's hand. He smiled clapping with one hand loving to hear his Mommom singing. The class started, and the children began singing in unison. Mick, the young, single father that first said hello to her kept watching her and Max. He was enjoying the music and how clear Max's voice was. When the hour long class was over, Mick smiled, "He had an angelic voice. Did he even miss a note?"

Eddie beamed her pride in Max, "Nope. He's got perfect pitch. We figured it out when he learned to sing a lullaby I sang to him as a baby. Your little one seems to love her music as well."

"Yes, she does, she'll sing all day every day if they let her," Mick laughed. "Won't you, pumpkin. Do you live around here?"

"We live in Queens, but my husband grew up in Bay Ridge so Brooklyn will always be like home," Eddie smiled. "You two have a nice day, will you be coming back to class?"

Mick smiled, "Definitely. We are new to the neighborhood, and I'm trying to make some friends for her and for me too. See you next class?"

Eddie nodded, Mick was friendly, but there was an heir of loneliness and sadness about him. "Sure thing, maybe I'll bring my little girl and they can all get acquainted." Eddie knew it was a good thing for the kids to socialize. "Enjoy the neighborhood, it's great!"

Mick waved as Eddie took Max's hand, "Ready to go get April."

"April!" max cheered missing his sister while they were apart.

She took a deep breath, taking max to the car so they could swing by and pick April up.