Chapter 2

A couple of months had passed, and Eddie and Jamie had grown much closer. They'd hang out pretty often and Jamie was considering asking Eddie to be his girlfriend.

"How was practice?" Eddie asked, as she and Jamie sat down in a quaint dinner that was a couple blocks away from the high school. They'd been going to that diner since the second week of school.

"It was fun. Really hard, but fun. We have Regionals next week. Are you gonna come?" Jamie answered.

"Um, probably. I'm not sure. My dad wants to take us to Jamaica for an early Christmas present. If we end up going, we'd be leaving on Thursday."

"Oh." He said, sounding slightly disappointed.

"I'm not really sure if I want to go. I've been to Jamaica like 4 times."

"Really? 4 times!"

"Yeah. You've been to my house, clearly we're not lacking in money."

"Yeah, but 4 times. I've never even been once."

"Well, I've been to Belize like 7 times. Multiple islands in the Caribbean, Hawaii 3 times, Casta Rica twice, and the Dominican Republic once. That's just tropical places. I've been to lots of other countries in Europe and Asia."

"Wow, way to rub it in."

"Sorry. Sometimes I forget my lifestyle is so different that other people's. I'm not trying to brag. To be honest, I really wish we didn't travel all the time."

"Then don't go."

"I wish it was that easy. Plus, I have no one to stay with. I mean yeah I'm almost 18 but my parents would never let me stay home alone for more than a week, and they'll probably be gone for at least two."

"This is probably gonna sound totally crazy, but what if you stayed at my house? My oldest brother and sister moved out awhile ago, so we have 2 empty rooms. You could stay in one of them for a couple weeks until your parents get back."

"Haha, very funny." Eddie said, thinking Jamie was joking.

"I'm not kidding, Eddie. I mean I'd have to talk to my parents about it, but I don't see why not."

"You're serious? You really want me to stay at your house?"

"Eddie, of course I'm being serious."

"I don't know, Jamie. I don't want to burden your family, especially with it being close to Christmas."

"Eddie, you wouldn't be a burden. You already know my mom and dad like you. I think they'd say yes. In fact, why don't we go ask them right now."

"We haven't even ordered yet." Eddie pointed out.

"My mom's probably already making dinner. To make it up to you, I'll buy you a milkshake next time we come here. Is that ok?"

"Yeah, let's go."

The pair left in Jamie's car and drove over to the Regan household. There were two cars in the driveway, Danny's and Joe's. Frank and Mary's car was presumably in the garage.

"Hey mom." Jamie said as he walked in to the house through the side entrance. "I brought Eddie with me, if that's ok."

"Yes, baby, that's fine." Mary said.

Eddie walked in behind Jamie and gave Mary a quick hug.

"How're you, Eddie?" Mary asked.

"I'm good. How about you?" Eddie answered.

"I'm good dear. What brings you over? Jamie didn't mentioned you'd be coming over."

"Well, it was kind of a spur of the moment thing."

"We wanted to ask you and dad something." Jamie spoke up.

"Well, your father's still at work, but you can ask me."

"Well, Eddie's parents are going out of town soon and Eddie doesn't really want to go with them. She said they won't let her stay at home by herself for more than a week, and they're gonna be gone for awhile. We were wondering if she could stay with us."

"Where are they going, dear?" Mary asked Eddie.

"Jamaica. It's one of my dad's favorite places."

"How long are they gonna be gone for?"

"At least two weeks, but probably longer. They usually like to stay in tropical places during the winter. I don't really know why they moved us here because they both hate the cold and winter in New York is always cold."

"I'd have to talk to Frank, but I don't really see why you can't stay here. You could stay in Erin's room."

"Really? Thank you."

"You're very welcome, dear."

Jamie and Eddie went up to Jamie's room after that, and watched some mindless reality TV show that happened to be on.

"Eddie, have you ever thought about what it would be like if we dated?" Jamie asked, as they sat on his bed together. He'd finally built up enough courage to ask her.

"I've thought about it. Why?"

"I'm just gonna be honest, I really like you. You're smart, funny, beautiful, sweet. You're such an amazing person and I've never felt this way about anyone before."

Eddie blushed slightly. "I really like you too. I wanted to tell you sooner but I was scared you didn't feel the same."

"So, are we gonna try this out? The whole boyfriend and girlfriend thing?"

"Yeah, I mean I don't necessarily know if we need the labels but yeah. I like you, you like me, let's see where this goes."

Jamie smiled at here, and slowly leaned closer to her. He put his hands at the base of her head and softly kissed her. She returned the kiss. It was sweet and soft, with a hint of passion.

"I've wanted to do that for awhile." Jamie said.

Eddie kissed him again and their sweet moment only ended when Joe knocked on Jamie's door.

"Jamie, mom said dinner's ready." Joes said on the other side of the door.

"Ok, I'll be down in a minute." He responded. "Are you gonna stay for dinner?"

"Can I? I don't want to intrude."

"Yeah, my mom loves having guests."

"Ok, sure."

The new couple walked downstairs and helped Mary set the table. Once everything was prepared, they sat down at the table. Frank has gotten home, and he was sitting in his usual seat. Danny and Joes were sitting next to each, and Mary was sitting in the right of Frank. Eddie was sitting in Erin's usual spot, and Jamie was sitting next to her. Linda was sitting in between Jamie and Danny.

"Who wants to say grace?" Frank asked. Linda offered. After grace, everyone began eating.

"So, your mother told me what you two asked her, Jamie." Frank said to his youngest son.

"Is it alright?" Jamie asked.

"Yeah, I don't see why not."

"What did Jamie ask you Mom?" Joe asked.

"He and Eddie asked if Eddie could stay here while her parents are out of town. I said yes." Mary told her son.

"Oh, cool. Where are your parents going?" Joes asked Eddie.

"Jamaica. Originally, I was gonna go with them, but I don't really want to." Eddie said.

"Who doesn't want to go to Jamaica, especially when it's snowing and 20 degrees outside here?" Danny asked.

"I've been to Jamaica before. I didn't want to go again." She said, leaving out exactly how many times she's been.

Conversation continued throughout dinner, until dinner was over. Danny's and Linda went home, and Mary went to bed. Jamie dropped off Eddie at her house and then went to bed himself.