Chapter Seventeen
The rest of the meal flowed well, and Max settled down with his anger. They didn't go home until after eight with two sleepy little kids.
Jamie put the kids in their seats buckling them in then getting in and driving back home. "You okay Eddie?"
He looked at her sideways worried even though the rest of dinner went better
"Yeah, I'm fine," Eddie replied. "I'm just fine. Oh, Tuesday is the meeting with the attorney for the papers. We'll have it finalized within a few weeks now everything is in order."
"Great I can't wait to do this." Jamie smiled. "I'll be there just let me know what time."
"It's at 10 so you can work right after," Eddie smiled. I'm going to get Max and April's things ready for school tomorrow, how about you draw us a bath for later."
"I love that idea, nice hot bath. Just us cuddling." Jamie agreed. "I'll bring the kids up, they're exhausted, busy day today."
Eddie made three lunches for music school and got the next day's clothing out and hung it the bathroom to let the wrinkles fall. She heard Jamie running the tub and was grateful to sink into the water "I so wish he'd come to Montana with us, I love him like my own Dad."
"I know, and I really wish he would too, but dad is stubborn
"It has to be in his own time and his way," Jamie kissed her cheek, arms wrapped tightly around her.
Jamie moved the wash cloth around Eddie's breasts and over her stomach. "Not showing so much yet," he commented. "Oh, I ran into Luke today he was asking if we could help a bit with the boys over the next few weeks. Kara is having a lot of sciatic pain and fatigue. I told him sure."
"Of course, as long as they need. Is Kara okay because they could bunk here so Luke can help Kara feel better," Eddie rested her head against his shoulder while Jamie rubbed the cloth over her stomach
"She's as okay as you can be in your eighth month,' Jamie replied. "How were you in your 8th with April?"
"I was fat and disgusting but anxious to meet her." Eddie smiled recalling every day counting down until she had her girl.
"Did you hurt or have aches and pains? Jamie was wondering. He heard all about Kara from Luke but knew little of Eddie's pregnancy with his own child.
"Just really tired until the end then it started hurting mostly around my lower back and hips. It was hard trying to find the right sleeping position."
"Well, this time around I'll be there for you," Jamie whispered and pressed his hand against the small of her back.
Smiling Eddie cradled against his-chest closing her eyes feeling his-hands ebbing against her belly slowly glad he was-here this time to see their new addition be born.
Jamie and Eddie found themselves helping with Kara's boys and Carlos quite a bit over the next few weeks as their moving plans went into full swing. The boys were good helpers playing with Max and April while Eddie and Jamie took care of other things around the house.
One night, they planned a big sleep over at Frank's house. The apartment too small for six growing kids, Jamie, Eddie, and Frank were thrilled to be able to join in the big slumber party
All the kids were dressed in their favorite pajamas Max and April sitting by Frank who was thrilled to have the company. "Thanks again Dad, it was a great idea," Jamie said.
Peter, Carlos' younger foster brother, was attached to Frank. He hung on his every word and even sat on his lap while Max and April cuddled him.
"Of course Jamie it's nice having you and the kids over…" Frank smiled at the kids looking over-each of them.
They ordered pizza for dinner, a nice treat for everyone. Jamie handed out the slices. "Are you really a cop?" Peter asked.
"You bet," Frank replied "I have been a cop for many years."
Peter's eyes rounded "Really? That's so cool!" Peter bit off a piece of pizza waiting to ask more questions. Jamie smiled turning to Eddie.
"He really took to your Dad," she smiled. "That's great Ruth said Peter took months to warm to her."
Frank smiled too "well anytime he wants to talk I'm more than happy to share stories with him.
"I think they said 10 that way Kara can rest a little bit more."
"Good tomorrow I'll make eggs in the window all around!" Frank gave the three little kids a hug.
Meanwhile across the city, Kara was waking up from a nap with a sharp, shooting pain in her back. It shot down her legs and made it hard to stand or even breathe. "Luke?"
"Yeah you okay Kara are you getting pain again," Luke turned over sleepily surveying his wife with a worried look.
"I really don't feel good at all," Kara replied. "It really hurts."
Luke sat up quietly looking her over "your stomach? What do you feel Kara? "
"Burning," Kara replied. "And I have to pee. Again." She got up and started for the bathroom. Halfway there, the waters began to run down her legs.
"Kara," Luke was by her side in a second, phone in hand, helping her to the bed. "Our baby is coming I'm calling for help hold my hand."
"No, we'll just go ourselves. Go get the car, I'm going to take a shower first. We have time..."
"Really a shower? What if you slip and fall? Stay right here I'll get the car and let Jamie and Eddie know."
"I'm not going to have our baby all disgusting, it's not debatable. I'm showering
Luke sighed, "I'm coming then to make sure you don't slip and I'll text them from there."
Kara got into the shower with Luke pacing outside. Hurry up. We have to go.
"Relax we have time Luke have you called Eddie and Jamie yet?"
"No, I want you to come out of the shower and go to the hospital. I can call them from there. Everyone is where they need to be for the night anyway"
Kara sighed finishing up "okay I'm done let me just dry my hair. Is the car out front?"
"Yes, the car is ready. Let's go! Your hair is fine..." as Kara tried to lift her leg to get out of the tub she realized something was stopping her
"Uh Luke I can't get out can you come help me," Kara couldn't see what was stopping her
Luke eased Kara out of the shower then she realized she couldn't close her legs. "I have to lie down"
"Okay." Luke slowly helped her to the bed-easing Kara down. "What's wrong Kara?"
"I can't close my legs," she panted as the pains got worse.
Luke took her hand calmly rubbing her fingers leaning over to check. "Um Kara we don't have as much time as we thought, I see hair."
"I shaved," Kara insisted. "I shaved for this so there is no hair!"
"I see hair right there Kara..." Luke insisted knowing what he saw
"You're crowning honey," he replied as she contracted again.
"Ooooh." Kara responded with a tight squeeze to his hand taking deep breaths.
"Lie still," Luke told her softly. "Lie still. I'll call 911."
"Luke stay right here." Kara squeezed his hand breathing in and out feeling the urge to push.
"I need to push," she panted. "It hurts so bad. I need." She started to push naturally
"I'm right here with you." Luke worried though staying by her side coaching. "That's it deep breaths you're doing great."
Kara focused on Luke's eyes and panted pushing with all her strength. After only three good pushes, they heard it.
Luke blinked away the tears cradling the crying newborn. "It's a boy Kara we have a son."
"A boy," she sighed. "We have a boy. Can I hold him?"
He reached for the blanket he took out when Kara was in the shower wrapping their son before handing him to Kara
Tears streamed down around both their faces, as they snuggled their tiny son. "Andrew..." Kara whispered. "Andrew Kyle..."
"That's beautiful like you." Luke sat on the bed kissing Kara wrapping an arm around her smiling down at their family.
Eddie wasn't expecting to get a text from Luke that night. She had just put the kids to bed and slid into the spare bed next to Jamie. Everyone is down for the count," Eddie smiled. "You look tired, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I get a kick out of those boys,' Jamie smiled. "It'll be fun, summers up in Montana with all the kids running and playing."
"It's going to be so much fun," Eddie replied. "I think I'll take up some gardening and take some more cooking classes. I think I'll find some volunteer work there too. On Monday, I'm going to see the financial advisors about the Children's Cancer Wing in Tom's name…"
"Beep Beep…" Eddie reached for her phone. The text read, "I'm here, Aunt Eddie and Uncle Jamie. Love Andrew Kyle Simmons. Oh, Jamie, he's so cute! Look at him, look how perfect he is."
Jamie looked at the baby's picture, "Oh, wow I had no idea. She wasn't even due for a few more weeks."
"It's her third, and the boys were both early," Eddie smiled. "They'll be so excited. It's not too late, let's go tell them. We can bring them to see their new brother. Come on!"
Jamie couldn't put down Eddie's enthusiasm. Jamie got dressed as Eddie went to get Jake and Alex. "Come on, kids, we're going to meet your new brother."
"A brother!" Alex exclaimed. "He's here!"
"He's here," Eddie replied. "Just a few minutes now, we'll bring you back here for the Commissioner's eggs in a window. He's so excited to make those for you."
Pajamas and all, Eddie, Jamie and Kara's two boys headed to the hospital to visit their new brother.
Kara was nursing Andrew when Eddie poked her head in, "Hey, how are you feeling?"
"Hey, come on in," Kara greeted. "Isn't he sweet? Boys, come sit on the bed and see your new brother.' Kara held the baby out for everyone to admire.
"Oh, he's cute,' Jake smiled. "His nose is flat"
Luke smiled, "That's right, buddy. His nose is like that so he can breathe while he eats. Do you two want to hold him?"
Eddie and Jamie stood back watching the new family get acquainted. Both the boys were taking to their baby brother very well. Jamie put his arm around Eddie, "Not too long and ours will be here too."
"I know," Eddie smiled putting her hand on her belly. "I know…and it will be as joyous a moment as this is, if not more."
Kara was only in the hospital for two days, then baby Andrew was brought home from the hospital to his big brothers. Eddie and Jamie were there with them when Luke brought Kara home.
"Welcome home." Eddie grinned softly when they walked inside giving Kara a small hug.
"Thanks," she smiled. "Thanks for all your help. Do you want to hold him?"
Eddie eagerly took the baby looking down smiling brightly. "Oh, he's perfect what a handsome boy."
"He looks just like Luke," Kara smiled. "And Luke is being so adorable. He won't' let me get up with him more than twice, he wants to be hands on all the time."
"That's great support especially after getting up night after night for feeding. It'll let you both get sleep."
"He was really touched when I said I wanted to name the baby after his son. This was so important to him" Kara replied. "Oh, look, he's nuzzling you. He likes his godmother Eddie."
Eddie smiled "and I'm loving holding him. That's right. That's a-really sweet idea." Eddie agreed
"Luke saved my life," Kara confessed. "He did you know he did." Eddie agreed, and baby Andrew burped.
Eddie enjoyed cradling Andrew as he contently lay in her arms sleeping soundly. "I know he did and I'm glad."
"So, how's it going?" Jamie asked Luke. "Treating you okay so far?"
"Yeah everything is great it was amazing Jamie seeing him being born just indescribable."
"Eddie was talking about home birth," Jamie smiled. "But I think we'll have a midwife not sure I could do that."
"Yeah neither did I but when it was happening I don't know how to describe it."
Jamie clapped Luke on the back, "You did great and he is precious. You have it all my friend"
"Yeah I really do I'm really lucky a beautiful wife and healthy sons. Luckiest man." Luke smiled.
Jamie looked at Eddie handing the baby back to Kara, "one of the luckiest that's for sure, one of the luckiest."
He thought of their own family Jamie, Eddie, Max and April and their soon to be new addition agreeing with Luke glad to be one of the lucky ones.