Chapter Thirteen
For the following weeks leading up to his surgery Jamie spent all his time with Eddie and kids taking them out to the park and aquarium. The night before Jamie's surgery Danny and Linda came over to pick the kids up giving Jamie and Eddie alone time.
Eddie prepared his favorite foods and they dined by candlelight in the kitchen. They tried to keep the cloud away, but it kept coming up.
Jamie kept his eyes on her throughout the meal, eyes twinkling. "I love you, Eddie..."
"I think that means so much, we've been through enough to know that love conquers all."
"We sure have we've been through it together" Jamie reached across the table taking Eddie's hand.
"What are you thinking about?" Eddie asked.
Jamie smiled "I'm thinking that tonight it's just us and I want to be with you and enjoy this time together."
"You feel okay for that, I mean we haven't...and I didn't want to push..." Eddie looked down.
"Yeah I want my wife and I want this time with you..." Jamie gently squeezed her hand.
Eddie smiled and stood up to sit in Jamie's lap. This time meant a lot to them both but more for Jamie. In his head he was wondering if this was the last time for a while or worst case ever that they would make love.
The morning of his surgery Jamie woke early cradling Eddie a little closer nuzzling her softly. Neither one of them had really slept so the alarm did not Shock them when it went off. Eddie had a cup of decaf coffee. Jamie switch to some water around in his mouth hating the fact that he wasn't able to eat or drink anything until much later
Eddie watched him from across the table reaching her hand out to gently rub his. "I will be right there when you wake up Jamie I'll be the first person you see."
"I know you will be. I'm getting through this because of you. I'm making it because of you. And I decided no matter what happens today I'm making it because of you."
"I love you so much Jamie I'll be here no matter what." Eddie got up walking around the table to sit on his lap laying against his chest.
As much as Jamie would have loved to have sat there with Eddie all day it was time to leave for the hospital. Frank and Danny were going to meet them there and wait with Eddie while Jamie was in surgery. They walked in holding hands but Jamie's arm dropped around Eddie's waist turning to kiss her cheek starting to feel his stomach turning.
Eddie stayed with Jamie until he was taken to a room and prepped. She held his hand while they waited for the doctor to come and take him
"It's time is go, Mr. Reagan," the orderly said as he came for Jamie. "Mrs. Reagan the doctor will be out and speak to you as soon as he's finished."
Eddie leaned in giving Jamie a tight hug meeting his lips hard keeping the kiss for over a minute. "I love you so much Jamie. I'll be right here when you come out, I promise."
Jamie only smiled, the medicine already beginning to take effect. Wiping a finger slowly across his cheek, Eddie slowly stood up watching the nurse wheel Jamie out.
While Jamie lay on the operating table, waiting for the anesthesia to pull him under, he remembered the night with Eddie last night. He prayed that it wouldn't be the last time he held her that way, touched her that way. She had detected his need to be in control of himself and of their connection, and she let him be.
From her position on his lap, Jamie carried Eddie to their bedroom. His hands were everywhere, so were his lips. There was not a piece of skin that he didn't want to touch and taste.
Eddie dropped her head back to give him total access. She could feel the tension in his body, she could see the fear behind his eyes. They were both thinking the same thing, they were both thinking that this could be the last time for a long time they made love to each other. The outcome here could cause all kinds of problems with their sex life. This had to be special, it had to move mountains.
Jamie laid Eddie down on the bed, his hands gently moving away the clothing that was separating their bodies. Eddie slid her hands around her husband, she cupped his sex and caressed the soft skin there. She felt the growth It hurt her to think of it there, but she would not give in to the fear, not tonight.
Eddie sighed into Jamie's mouth, his touch was gentle, and hers was reverent. Jamie held Eddie close and tight, their bodies joined and they held perfectly still. "I love you," she panted.
"I need you," he replied. They held each other's gaze as their bodies moved of the own accord, they knew the rhythm. They knew the pattern and they knew the timing, without thinking they met each other, thrust for thrust, their eyes opened, and their souls connected, never breaking.
Jamie sighed, he would sleep now, and sleep well, with the warm memory of the last night firmly surrounding his heart.
Frank had tea waiting for Eddie when she got to the waiting room. Though she wasn't thirsty Eddie held the cup comfortingly sitting on an uncomfortable chair staring at the floor not saying a word.
"The kid is going to be okay" Danny assured her. "Linda said this is the best surgeon in probably the entire tristate area."
"I'm sure he is..." Eddie couldn't help but worry though rubbing a finger against the lukewarm cup.
"He'd want you to rest and relax," Frank soothed. "His biggest worry was you and the baby
Sighing Eddie leaned back against the chair watching her tea. "He's having surgery I can't relax."
"He can feel you," Danny replied. "He needs you to be strong."
"I'm trying to be Danny..." Eddie set the cup down moving her hands over her belly.
She wasn't showing just yet she showed late with April too. They watched the clock and after an hour and half the surgeon came out.
"Mrs. Reagan," the doctor spoke directly to Eddie. "There's been a complication with Jamie."
Eddie stood walking closer slowly breathing in sharply. "What happened doctor is he Okay? Will he be okay?"
"His blood pressure has spiked to a dangerous level," the doctor explained.
"Is he ok at doctor, what do you need to do to help him?" Eddie asked.
"I need you to sign for a blood transfusion," the doctor replied. "And additional meds."
Eddie reached out to take the paper looking it over. "Will he have any complications if we do this?"
"There are always risks," the doctor replied. "But he is a bit more stable now."
Taking the paper Eddie signed "make sure my husband comes-back doctor do what you need to."
He nodded and left to finish up with Jamie.
Eddie turned finally looking between Danny and Frank walking back to the seats.
Frank stood up and wrapped Eddie in his arms. "Ssh...ssh..."
"He was so nervous going in.." Eddie breathed against her father in law sighing worried.
"I know, I know, but he's going to be fine. He was nervous, so he probably pushed his pressure up. He's a Riley...he's like his grandma, strong but a worrywart."
Eddie nodded slowly sitting back down beside Frank. "Tell me more I need to get my mind off this I can't..." She rubbed her belly
"No, you can't," Frank soothed. "Here I think I have a picture of Jamie little...yes here it is."
Eddie smiled at the little curly blond haired Jamie with clear blue eyes. "He's adorable, how was he as a kid?"
Quiet, whip smart, and the most loving kid," Frank replied. "He was so sweet, he loved to hug and cuddle."
"The kid just had a personality everyone liked especially girls..." Danny agreed smiling.
"I wonder if this baby is a boy, will he take after April in the smarts or...will he be more like me, more wise than intelligent,' Eddie sighed. "We know Max got his music from Andre...the one good thing he gave the kid."
"Definitely not from Jamie he couldn't carry a tune in a bucket," Danny rubbed his eyes trying to hide his emotion. "You are more street smart."
They laughed and talked about Jamie as a kid until, "Mrs. Reagan...he's all done, he did fabulous," the doctor smiled. 'His pressure is still up a bit but other than that. We'll have pathology in an hour. You can come with me to see him."
Before getting up Eddie turned giving Frank a hug then Danny, tears in her eyes. "Thank you so much..." She stood up following the doctor to see Jamie.