The week was half over, and Eddie was feeling better. She had sent her statement to the parole board and she was hopeful it was enough for now. She had done all she could do. She pushed it from her mind and focused on work and her upcoming plans with Jamie.
She was anxiously waiting for the rest of the week to pass, and she felt ridiculous at how much she missed the man. They were going to spend the weekend together but had no specific plans yet.
She figured Jamie would come up with something great, and she wished the city wasn't still so new to her so she could plan a special night of her own. She would try to figure something out soon.
Jamie is on his meal break when he decides he is close enough to Eddie's office for a surprise visit. He won't go empty-handed though and grabs some tacos for his girl before he heads in her direction. He rounds the corner down her hall, and as he approaches, he can see her through the glass front of her office.
She looks beautiful, her hair pulled back in that French twist he has seen on her a few times and black frame glasses. He has never seen those before and makes a mental note to compliment them later.
Eddie is submerged in paperwork when Jamie lands a soft tap on her door before he enters. She doesn't notice him until the creak of her door swinging open breaks her concentration. He hopes his timing isn't horrible, but he doesn't have to worry, she is thrilled to see him and welcomes the break.
"Hey," she says as he walks in.
She stands from behind her desk and makes her way to him.
"This is a nice surprise," she smiles as she reaches him, and he greets her with a delicate kiss.
He would have given her more if she wasn't at work, but he is just a professional as she is and neither want to seem inappropriate.
"I couldn't wait until Friday, I miss you," he says with a cheeky smile as he holds his hands up to show her the takeout he is there to deliver and offers another brief kiss.
He sets her lunch on her desk and reaches for her again, his arms wrapping low around her waist, and hers land around his shoulders for a warm hug.
Erin walks past her office just in time to see her brother land another kiss on Eddie's lips, and she shakes her head at the two of them. She is glad they both seem happy and thinks to herself that they do make a ridiculously cute couple. She will wait to rag them about it later and lets them have their moment for now.
"Mmm," Eddie hums softly at his touch. "I miss you too. Thank you for lunch," she says through a smile.
Every single gesture of his makes her weak in the knees.
"You're welcome."
They are both still enjoying the embrace, neither making the first move to separate.
"You have time to eat," she asks him.
Now that he is here, she wants him to stay. He nods his head as he answers.
"I do."
They sit together at the small round table in the corner of her office as Jamie removes the tacos from the white paper sack. He is thankful she is able to make time for this and begins to talk about their plans for the weekend.
"So, you up for beers with Danny and Erin Friday night?"
He is wondering how she will feel about hanging out with his brother again, but he wants to give Danny a chance to redeem himself for his brazen behavior during their first meeting.
"Sure, that sounds fun. I could go for another round of darts with him, I love winning," she winks at him, and he appreciates how laid back she is.
"Great. Maybe we can go back to your place after?"
The face he is making is adorable, and she really can't wait until Friday now.
Jamie stops by Erin's office on his way out to extend his invitation for Friday.
"Hey sis," he says as he knocks on her door, entering at the same time.
She looks up as he walks in and smiles at him. She can tell he is happy with Eddie, and she is genuinely happy for him. She feels sort of bad for telling her he was unavailable before, but it seems like they have found their way together perfectly.
"Beers Friday, you in," he asks her.
"Sure, sounds fun," she says.
"You, me, Danny and Eddie, Connolly's again…7 o'clock. Don't be late," he points at her as he walks out.
Connolly's is just a short walk from Eddie's apartment, so Jamie meets her at her place a few minutes before they are due to meet his brother and sister. He knocks on her door and waits for her to answer. He hasn't seen her in a couple of days, and he thinks she can't get to her door fast enough, and he is about to kick it in.
She answers just in time to satisfy his craving and he is rendered speechless once again. He wonders if that will ever go away, but he is ok if it doesn't. She is standing in front of him, in faded denim jeans and a black, fitted low-cut tee-shirt that compliments her assets beautifully. Even dressed so simply, she is stunning.
"Hi," is the only word he can form right now. She smiles at him and leans in for a quick kiss hello.
"Ready," she asks as she reaches for her jacket.
Jamie licks his lips slowly as he pulls her in.
"Maybe we should just stay in tonight."
His eyes are pleading and his voice is sultry.
He is ready to blow off their existing plans and spend the night worshiping her body instead.
"Mmm," she moans into him. "We can't, your sister would know exactly why and that would just be awkward. Besides, we have some winning to do, lover boy."
She pats him on the ass and he follows after her like a lost puppy. He can't wait to get back here later.
They take their time getting to the bar, Eddie's hand firmly gripping his arm as they stroll through the city streets. Erin and Danny have already reserved a high-top in the corner by the dartboards and have a round of beers ready for them when they arrive.
Jamie pulls the stool out for Eddie and reaches into the bucket to hand her a beer before getting one for himself. He scoots his stool over and sits next to her, their arms resting together. She tries to hide the shiver that his touch causes, and she is beginning to wish she would have taken him up on his offer to just stay in.
Connolly's isn't too crowded, and the foursome is enjoying each other's company when the dartboard next to their table becomes available. Danny immediately suggests a rematch. He thinks Eddie's win from before was either beginner's luck or sheer coincidence, and he is ready to prove his point.
"Same teams," he instructs as he reaches for the darts.
"You're going down this time, Eddie," he says, pointing his dart at her.
He is cocky and really believes he is going to win. He points his dart towards Erin next, his eyes telling her to step up her game. Eddie smiles at Danny, she knows she is going to win, and Jamie smiles at her proudly.
Danny throws first, he is nowhere near the gentleman his brother is, and the game is underway. It doesn't take long for Jamie and Eddie to gain a steady lead on their opponents and Danny is throwing a fit like a small child. He really is a sore loser. Eddie finds it funny though.
She is waiting for her turn, standing with her back against Jamie's front and his arms are around her waist.
"Should we let them win," she leans her head into him and whispers in response to Danny's childish antics.
"Never," he whispers back before stealing a soft peck.
Her lips are irresistible to him and right now, he can't help himself. He also loves that his brother is losing again.
Eddie's last throw lands directly in the center of the bullseye winning the game and Jamie meets her for a congratulatory kiss as Danny rolls his eyes at their celebration.
Danny is suggesting a game of pool now, but Jamie and Eddie are ready to leave. Better things await them down the street, and they have no interest in another game that Danny will no doubt whine about.
"Come on guys, just one game. You haven't been here that long."
Danny is already whining, and Jamie is annoyed. He just wants to get Eddie back to her apartment.
"Aren't you tired of losing yet," Erin says as she laughs at Danny.
She knows why her little brother and Eddie are ready to leave and she has always been the supportive sibling. She is also a little tired of watching their displays of affection and wishes they would just get a room already. Jamie is trying to slide Eddie's jacket on to her arms when Eddie gives in to Danny.
"Fine, 9-ball, one game. You can break."
No one but Eddie knows that she is about to slay this game too, and she will do it fast. Jamie pouts, a little disappointed that they are not leaving yet, and Danny takes what he can get and starts to rack. Danny breaks but pockets nothing.
Eddie is up next and no one else will get a turn. She clears the table while Danny watches in disbelief and Jamie watches in admiration. Jamie is almost unable to control his body's physical reaction to Eddie as she leans over the table to line up each shot, and her shirt creeps up with the motion, exposing her midsection.
She needs to hurry, he thinks. As soon as she sinks the 9-ball in the corner pocket, Jamie is off his stool reaching for her hand and tossing enough cash on the table to cover their part of the tab.
"Ok, we're leaving now," he says and doesn't allow time for his siblings to protest. He is already undressing Eddie with his eyes as he leads her out of the bar.
They are staggering into her apartment, hands and mouths roaming. Jamie barely kicks the door shut behind them before Eddie is tugging his shirt over his head. He breaks their kiss to duck out the rest of the way, and then he finds her lips again.
She is guiding him this time and he is holding her by the loops of her jeans as she walks them backwards. With each step, his hands drift further up her back, dragging her shirt up as he goes, and he throws it across the room.
Everything about it is rushed. They are desperate to connect again and can't get to her bed fast enough. Busting through her bedroom door, they are tugging at their own pants in a hurry and then collapsing across the bed. It isn't long and they're trembling in each other's arms before drifting into a peaceful sleep.
Jamie wakes up the next morning to Eddie feathering kisses along his jawline and slowly moving down his chest as her hands explore along his waist. Fortunately for them, neither put clothes back on last night, and Jamie's body is responding fast to her touches right now.
As soon as he is fully awake and cooperating, she is sliding one leg over him, and it is slow and lazy and hot. She is insatiable, and Jamie thinks he wants to wake up every morning to this. To her.
They are in no hurry to get out of bed, but coffee is sounding great. Jamie takes a shower first while Eddie puts the coffee on and looks around her kitchen for something for breakfast. She doesn't find anything, she hasn't had food in her apartment in a while, actually.
She normally grabs breakfast on the go and picks up takeout on the way in, or she's eating with Jamie out somewhere. She really should go to the grocery store, she thinks.
Jamie is clean and clad in sweats and a tee-shirt when he rounds the corner into her kitchen. He reaches for the mug she is handing him, but not before he steals another kiss. The flame they have burning is tall, and he can't keep his body parts to himself.
"Morning…again," she tells him as he takes his coffee and sits at the counter.
He is in love with this woman but still afraid to say it out loud.
"I don't have anything here for breakfast," she tells him shyly, scrunching her nose a little.
He tells her to go take a shower and he will handle food.
While Eddie was in the shower, Jamie made a quick trip to the bodega down the street and picked up ingredients for pancakes. He knew it would take her a little longer, so he had time. They didn't have anywhere to be this morning, and he figured pancakes would be fun.
Eddie walked into her kitchen to find Jamie looking for a bowl to mix the batter, and their breakfast items scattered around her countertop.
"Hey, where did you get all this," she smiles as she approaches.
"Bodega on the corner, you like pancakes right," he asks her but figures she does.
"Uh…yeah…who doesn't like pancakes," she laughs as she comes closer to help, picking up the box of mix and a bowl.
"They are Gracie's favorite breakfast," he says, smiling at the thought of his daughter.
"Oh! I almost forgot," she exclaims as she drops the dish she is holding and walks over to her closet.
He is surprised at her hasty departure, but she is back in a few seconds, holding out the pink gift bag she had stashed for Gracie earlier in the week.
"Here, I picked this up for Gracie, give it to her when you pick her up later," she says as she sets the bag down on the counter next to him and goes back to her bowl.
He just stands there staring at her. He can't believe she would get his daughter a gift, especially when she hasn't met her yet, and he loves her for it.
He knows it is time. He stops what he is doing and turns towards her, reaching for her hands, taking them both in his, and she looks up at him in confusion.
"Why don't you give it to her," he says softly and smiles.
She smiles back at him.
"Yeah," she asks, with joy in her eyes.
That wasn't her intention when she bought the toy, but she is happy to finally get to meet his little girl.
"Yeah," he says, and then he is kissing her again.
He pulls away and gazes into her eyes with a mischievous smirk.
"Just one catch," she furrows her eyebrows, waiting for him to finish.
"You have to meet my parents too." He ends with a flirtatious peck and returns to his breakfast duties.
Jamie is parked outside his parent's house in Staten Island, but Eddie can't move. She is fidgeting with a loose thread on her jeans when she asks Jamie if he is sure this is a good idea. She is not worried about meeting his daughter, but parents are a different story. He turns to face her and reaches for her hand.
"Hey, my parents are going to love you…actually…they already love you and they haven't even met you yet," he laughs.
Eddie doesn't understand why he is laughing, this is very serious, she thinks. She is chewing the inside of her lip nervously and he tries again to convince her. He is still holding her hands.
"My parents just want me to be happy," he pauses and squeezes her hands a little.
"Hey," he says genuinely, trying to make sure she really understands now. "You make me happy," he tells her softly.
She lets out a deep breath and her eyes tear up a little, and she leans into him for a kiss. It is passionate and filled with love, even though neither has said those words yet. He has expressed it in other ways, and she feels it.
His mother sees them walking up the front, fingers laced together, and she can tell her son is in love with this woman. She is so excited to finally meet her, she doesn't even let them reach the front door before she is heading outside to greet them. She may have been peeking out the curtains waiting for them to get out of the car.
Jamie shakes his head at his mother, laughing, but his eyes are offering a silent apology to Eddie. She smiles at him, letting him know she is ok. Mary goes straight to Eddie and pulls her in for a hug.
"Come on in honey."
She guides Eddie inside, and Jamie is left standing there, empty-handed without a hug from his mother. He shakes his head again and follows the two women inside.
"I'm so glad Jamie finally decided to bring you over. I hope you will stay for dinner. I'm making spaghetti…do you like spaghetti dear? It's Gracie's favorite. Oh, you will love it."
Eddie is looking between Jamie and his mother, wondering if this is normal. His mother is rambling with excitement and Eddie can tell she is a very sweet woman, but wonders how she is supposed to answer any of her questions when she doesn't stop talking, and Jamie smiles a little encouragement at her.
"Oh hon, Gracie is outside with your father, why don't you go out there and Eddie can come with me."
Mary tries to shoo Jamie out of the house as she wraps her arm around Eddie's shoulder to guide her to the kitchen. Eddie is walking with Mary but looking back at Jamie with pleading eyes.
"Uh, mom…I kind of want to introduce Eddie to Gracie…I need her to come with me for that."
Jamie rescued Eddie for the moment and led her to the back yard. He knew this part would be easy, Gracie was too young to know much different. When they walked outside, his dad knew his introduction would come later. This was time for the girls, so he would wait his turn and retreated inside, offering his son a soft pat on the shoulder as he passed, and a sweet smile to Eddie.
Gracie leaped into her father's waiting arms the moment she saw him and squeezed his neck. He introduced the girls, and Gracie wasn't shy at all. It didn't take her long before she was dragging Eddie around the backyard by her fingers and Jamie's heart was full.
After dinner, Eddie gave Gracie the toy pig, and her assumption from the day she bought it was accurate. Gracie loved it, it was annoying and cute, and Jamie hated it. Eddie sat on the floor of his parent's living room playing with Gracie and her new toy, having just as much fun as the toddler.
It didn't take long for Gracie to master Eddie's name and it was her new favorite word for the rest of the evening. Eddie was ok with that. She adored the little girl already. Jamie and his father stood in the doorway, watching the girls when Jamie spoke.
"Well, what do you think, dad?"
He wanted his father's honest opinion.
"I think you're one lucky man, son. And I'm happy for you."
A/N: Enjoying so far? I'm hoping to get a few more chapters edited this afternoon so I can post a few more before the day is over. Also still writing The Second Year, hope to have an update today or tomorrow on that. Thanks again for reading my stories.