Chapter Twelve

Jamie's first round of tests were scheduled for Monday. Eddie left the kids at the play care and went with Jamie. They were on the oncology floor for additional tissue tests.

While Eddie signed in for him Jamie found a seat beside the wall scanning the already crowded room.

He saw a man about ten years older than him get up and walk to the desk. He was holding his back limping

The man passed a couple holding each other while they waited, one with little hair from receiving treatment.

Jamie had probably seen people like this a thousand times but they only registered now that his mind was open.

Eddie joined him taking Jamie's hand. "Are you okay?"

"Yes," Jamie replied. "Just fine. I'm just fine...just seeing everything for the first time.

"How so," Eddie followed his gaze around the room at all the other people

"We probably look at this every day, but never really see it.

"Yeah your right now we're really actually seeing it," Eddie sighed holding his arm.

"Jamie? We love you all of us me the kids your family. We don't know what's going to happen but we have your back."

Jamie answered with a kiss.

The test was quick and painless but still nerve wracking. After they finished, Jamie and Eddie took a walk to the maternity ward. They were so into their discussion that they didn't notice they made a wrong turn. To the hospice ward...

A door led them to the adjoining hall of rooms where kids lay in bed some watching television alone.

Eddie's heart wrenched, "Jamie we shouldn't be here. This is the wrong way."

"Yeah I know..." Jamie replied but couldn't move his gaze across the hall on a little boy sitting by himself in a chair.

"Jamie..." Eddie took a breath. "Oh, the poor baby..." The mother in Eddie had to go to that poor child.

Jamie sighed quietly thinking the same thing "Let's just walk around that way and talk to him a minute."

"Not yet..." Eddie turned and hurried to the gift shop. She got something for every kid on the floor, all sixteen of them got a teddy bear and flowers.

Jamie helped her carry some of the teddy bears so she could have the flowers, walking over together.

She started with the kids that were sleeping, leaving the presents as surprises. They finished with the sad boy that inspired her to make the purchase.

He was staring at the floor kicked his feet back and forth, only looking up when Eddie and Jamie approached. His brown eyes looked between the two slowly.

"Hi," Eddie smiled. "My name is Eddie and this is my husband Jamie. We were walking through and thought that you might like a new friend." She showed him the bear. "My little boy likes bears"

He smiled eyeing the bear eyes twinkling at Eddie as he carefully touched the bear's paw. "Thank you...how old is your son?"

"He is littler than you are," Eddie replied. "He's three. How old are you?" He said he was six and his Mommy and Daddy were at work. Eddie stroked his bald head, "Well they'll be here later and you can cuddle you new friend. Maybe we'll come see you soon." Jamie could tell Eddie would be volunteering here, it spoke to her

Clutching the teddy bear the little boy, David, looked up smiling brightly. "Sure I'd like that. It gets boring sometimes when no one is here."

"Well, if the nurses let me, I'll come back..." Eddie stood up and took Jamie's hand. "How are you feeling?"

David shrugged his shoulders "little tired I have to see the doctor now then I'll come rest. The nurse is nice she sometimes gives me two ice creams."

""Wow! Two ice creams!" Jamie smiled. "Rest a bit and we'll see you soon." Jamie took Eddie's hand. "Go...go get the paperwork."

Eddie was already on top of it heading right for the nurse's station to start the paperwork.

Jamie and Eddie finally made it to the nursery to see the tiny babies in the window. Jamie held Eddie tight to his chest as his big brain worked overtime. "Look at them Eddie all these little ones. Hope I'm still around to see our little one ..." Jamie sighed quietly.

"Jamie," Eddie turned to meet his eyes. "Don't talk like that."

"Just that passing by it really made me think you know..."

Eddie nodded, "I know honey, but you have to just take it one day at a time, you know?"

"Yeah..." Jamie hugged Eddie tighter against him turning his head to kiss hers.

"Our baby is going to be in your arms and so am I, Max, and April. You are going to be fine just a little nip..."

Jamie looked back through the glass quietly hoping she was right.

They headed home to their kids. Eddie went right to Max and April and held them tight. Jamie stood in the doorway watching her slowly walking over hugging all of them. He had tears in his eyes and unfortunately, their very perceptive kids picked up on that.

April pointed up at him "Daddy, why Daddy crying?" The comment caught Max's attention turning to see. "Daddy no cry."

"I just love you guys so much," Jamie replied. "Daddy saw something that made him sad and I just love you guys so much. Big hugs...big bear hugs... ready! Go!"

They ran into his awaiting arms giving the biggest hugs their little arms allowed while Jamie kissed their heads. "Okay...too much sad," Eddie announced. "Everyone into pajamas it's a pajama night!"

Max and April ran to their rooms Eddie following to help them change. Sighing Jamie wiped his eyes quickly. The family piled in front of the TV with pizza and ice cream. Eddie stayed close to Jamie and so did the kids. Both children fell asleep on the floor. Jamie watched his family and was proud.

They family tried to go about their business. There was nothing to worry about until there was something to worry about. On Friday, the surgeon himself called to speak to Jamie.

Jamie took the phone "This is Jamie..." He looked at Eddie worried reaching a hand out to her.

"Jamie, I wanted to call you personally and give you the results of a few of the tests. Your tissue type came back elevated." the doctor paused.

"Okay so what exactly does that mean doctor?" Jamie gave Eddie's hand a gentle squeeze locking eyes with her.

"It means there's abnormal cells growth in the body and we need to take this out soon," he replied. "I'd like to move you up a week."

His eyes widened looking At Eddie. "Okay when would you like me to come in doctor?"

"Let's operate a week from today," he replied. "This is just a marker, it's no indication that you are sick just that we shouldn't wait."

Jamie breathed out head spinning quickly. "Okay let me know the time and I'll be in thank you for letting me know."

Eddie looked at Jamie, "What is it?" He looked like he wanted to throw up.

"The doctor wants to move up the operation to a week from today. He said there's abnormal growth and it can't wait." Jamie pulled her-against him.

Eddie buried her face in Jamie's chest, she took a deep breath then looked up. "Okay then we'll do that, it's better anyway. The sooner the better." She tipped her head back and waited Jamie obliged leaning his head down meeting her lips slipping his arms around her waist. They let the kids linger needing it especially now.

"We will get through this..." Eddie whispered. "I promise. Let's see what we have going on and make sure we are ready. I know you like preparation." They held hands and started their plan.

That night, Jamie and Eddie laid in bed. Jamie kept letting this spin around in his head. "Do you think Max will go to Julliard or the Boston Conservatory?"

"I think he'll go to Julliard...and he'll do great there too. We'll see him during performances…" Eddie smiled.

"I hope so," Jamie replied. "I hope that I see him play and I hope that I see April walk in Harvard...and that I walk her down the aisle." Eddie could feel his anxiety.

Eddie turned into her side facing him rubbing a hand over his stomach. "You will Jamie and you'll cry giving your baby away."

He took a breath, "This is just...we have it all. We do, we have it all now and this...it's not fair. It is just not fair!"

"No it isn't fair at all..." Eddie agreed hugging him right.

They cried together only a few moments, then Jamie thought of another loose end. "Eddie we need to call the lawyer about Max's adoption. We need to make sure you take full custody if something terrible happens," Jamie reminded her.

Eddie didn't want to think of that didn't want to imagine losing him but in her heart she knew this had to be done in case. "I'll give them a call and work out the details."

"Good make sure I sign this week so it's done," he replied. "Best case you are the official Mommom and worst case..." Eddie stopped him.

Placing a finger over his mouth Eddie leaned up "Ssh I don't want to hear that talk Jamie. I'll get it signed so it'll give you some ease."

Eddie was quiet for a few minutes then, "Disney! The whole family! We'll all go to Disney and celebrate the adoption. All of us."

"Yeah that'll be great the kids would love it and we'll take lots of pictures to show them later. We can stay in that hotel where the characters come up to you."

"We will get that private breakfast with the characters too, we have the cash, and we'll use it to make a memorable trip. Let's make a list..." Jamie had to smile at Eddie. She was to pull them through this."