Chapter 13
Things had been going extremely well with their relationship. They'd been on several dates, even some where they'd taken Josie along.
They were coming up on their fifth month of dating, when the unthinkable happened.
12 David had been called upon by central to a Domestic case in the Bitterman projects. They hadn't yet informed HR of their relationship, so they were still partnered.
They responded quickly, and it escalated quickly. The husband was pointing a gun as his very battered wife.
"Whoa, sir, put the gun down. You don't want to do this." Jamie said calmly. He was resisting the urge to grab his gun, but he felt safe with Eddie's gun trained on the perp.
"Shut up, pig. Who the hell even called you? Just let me deal with this on my own." The perp said, rather coldly.
"Sir, just put the gun down. We can talk about this if you just put the gun down."
"This little bitch has been sleeping around. She's pregnant with a bastard. She's getting what she deserves."
Jamie didn't even have time to react before the perp fired his gun at his wife. Jamie quickly pulled out his gun, but not before the perp turned around and shot Eddie point blank range, once in the leg and another time in the shoulder. Jamie finally caught up with the world and quickly shot the perp, once in the hand, disarming him, and again in the stomach.
Eddie quickly hit the deck after being shot, not exactly aware she'd been shot. She acted completely on instinct after hearing the gunshots.
"Eddie!" Jamie yelled out, after kicking the gun away from the perp.
He dropped to his knees next to Eddie, assessing her wounds. He immediately called for three busses.
"What happened, Jamie?" Eddie asked, sounding not completely there.
"He shot you. Oh god, you're bleeding. I have to hold pressure. This is gonna hurt."
Jamie held pressure to the gaping wound in Eddie's thigh. She winced in pain, and it broke his heart.
Luckily, the ambulances came quickly. They loaded Eddie, the perp, and the perp's wife onto stretchers. The perp had lost consciousness from the immense blood loss. The wife seemed to be ok, taking only a graze to the shoulder. Eddie was starting to slip in and out of concussion. She'd lost a lot of blood. Even though Jamie knew he was supposed to stay at the crime scene, he didn't give a damn. The love of his life and the mother of his child could die. He needed to be with her.
"Sir, usually we only permit family to ride with the patient." The paramedic said calmly.
"I'm her partner and her boyfriend. I need to be with her." Jamie practically begged the paramedic.
"Ok." The paramedic relented.
Jamie climbed in and sat on the bench. He grabbed Eddie's hand, and lightly squeezed.
"Jamie, I love you and our daughter." Eddie breathed out. She then dropped her head on the pillow. The heart rate monitor went crazy, before she flatlined.
"What's happening? What's wrong with her?" Jamie asked frantically.
"Sir, we need you to move. We need to work on her." The paramedic said. They were already well in their way to the hospital, going at a high speed, so standing wasn't easy. Jamie moved off the bench, and stood, gripping the ceiling handle.
Jamie watched helplessly as the paramedic began performing CPR on Eddie. He administered Epinephrine, in an effort to get heart heart to start again. The paramedic then stuck paper paddles onto her chest, and then yelled clear. The shock finally brought her back.
They luckily made it to the hospital quickly, and the paramedic scrambled to get Eddie into the ER. Jamie was right behind them, as the doctor and nurse walked over, listening to the rundown on Eddie's condition. They quickly rushed her into a trauma bay, getting to work almost immediately.
"Sir, you can stay here, but I need you to stand behind the line." A nurse said to Jamie.
Jamie looked down at the floor, and saw a big orange line. He stepped behind the line, and continued to stare at Eddie's lifeless body. Everything happened so quickly, and before Jamie knew anything, Eddie was being wheeled off to the OR.
"Jamie? Is everything ok?" Linda had seen him, and walked over to him.
"I'm fine." Jamie said, sounding distant.
"What happened? Why are you covered in blood?"
Jamie looked down at his uniform, finally noticing the stains that were all over it.
"A domestic call went bad. Eddie got shot. They just took her to the OR."
"Oh god, Jamie. I'm so sorry."
"I don't even know how she is, or if she's gonna be ok. I really need her to be ok." Jamie's shell was cracking.
"Let me check you over. Come with me."
Jamie obliged and followed Linda, as she led him to a curtained off exam room.
"How long have you two been seeing each other?" Linda, reading right through her brother-in-law.
"What are you talking about?" Jamie asked, playing dumb.
"Jamie, I'm not stupid or blind. I know there's something going on between you two. How long?"
Jamie sighed. He knew he couldn't get anything past her. "Almost 5 months. We were going to tell HR on our 6 month anniversary."
"Does she make you happy?"
"Yeah, she makes me so happy. I love her."
Jamie tried to swallow his emotions, as the tears in his eyes welled up.
"She's gonna be ok."
Jamie just nodded. He really didn't know what was going to happen.
Linda checked him over, making sure he didn't have any injuries. His blood pressure and heart rate were slightly elevated, but that was to be expected. Once she'd finished her evaluation, she released Jamie, promising to find out some info on Eddie for him. Jamie went out to the waiting room, and found a bunch of other officers from the 12th, as well as his father and his DCPI. Jamie took a deep breath and then walked over to Frank.
"Jamie, how're you holding up?" Frank asked his youngest son.
"I'm fine, dad. I'm just worried about Eddie. I haven't heard anything from the doctor. She's been in surgery for almost an hour."
"A doctor came out and told us the injuries she'd sustained. They said it could be several hours before she's out of surgery, due to the extensive damage."
"Oh." Jamie said, as he sat down in a nearby chair.
"She'll be ok, son." Frank said, as he put a strong hand on Jamie's shoulder, as a way of trying to comfort him.
He was pretty sure he knew what was going on between his son and his son's partner, but there hadn't been anything to confirm it until now. He knew by the look in Jamie's eyes that he was in love with Edit Janko.
"I know now isn't really the best time, but the detectives want to talk to you. They need to get started on the investigation. They need to make sure this wasn't premeditated."
"Who got assigned the case?" Jamie asked, hoping it was Danny.
"Who do you think?" Frank asked, looking over to Danny and Baez.
Jamie walked over to his older brother, and waited to be questioned.
"How're you holding up?" Danny asked.
"I'm fine. I just want Eddie to be ok, and this bastard to rot in prison where he belongs." Jamie said, truthfully.
"I talked to one of the doctors. They said he didn't really suffer any major injuries, and his outcome is promising. He should be fine, meaning he'll be prosecuted."
"That's good to hear."
"So, tell me everything you can remember."
Jamie began recalling al the details of what had occurred not even 2 hours before. Once he finished with Danny and Baez, he went back to sit with Frank and wait for news on Eddie.
About 5 hours into surgery, Jamie called the babysitter and had her bring Josie to the hospital. He knew the hospital probably wasn't the best place for a kid, but Josie was a very mature 9 year old.
"Jamie, how's Eddie?" The babysitter, Sammy, asked.
"She's still in surgery. I don't know anything yet. Thanks for bringing her." Jamie said, as he tightly hugged Josie.
"I have to go, but just call me if you want to watch her." Sammy said.
"Ok. Bye." Jamie said, as Josie waved goodbye.
"Dad, what's wrong with Mom? Sammy wouldn't tell me." Josie asked, concern filling her voice.
"There's not really an easy way to say this, but earlier today, Mom was shot." Jamie didn't really any point in sugarcoating it.
"Somebody shot Mama?" Josie asked, her bottom lip starting to quivering. "Is Mama gonna die?" Josie was now letting her tears fall.
"Baby, I can't promise that she'll be ok, but I know that she's doing everything she can to fight for us. She's fighting to stay alive for you. She loves you with everything in her body." Jamie said thoughtfully, as he scooped Josie into his lap.
Josie didn't say anything else. She just simply buried her head in her dad's chest, and cried. He didn't try to stop her or give her anymore comfort because he knew she just needed to let it all out. He even shed a few tears over the whole situation, but he quickly wiped them away, knowing he had to be strong for his daughter.
Finally, after 7 hours of surgery, Eddie was out and in the recovery ward.
"How is she, Doctor?" Jamie asked, as the doctor came up to them.
"I'm sorry, are you family of Officer Janko?" The doctor asked, only following HIPAA.
"I'm her partner and the father of our daughter. We live together. I guess our relationship's kinda complicated, but yes I am family." Jamie was kinda babbling.
"Ok. Well, when Officer Janko came in, she had already suffered a severe amount of blood loss. She crashed once in the ambulance, and the paramedic was able to get her back. She was taken into surgery, where we found that her femoral artery was almost completely cut through. She had extensive muscle and nerve damage in both her thigh and her shoulder. She crashed again about half way during surgery. We were able to get her back, barely. We had to transfuse 7 units of blood before we were able to get her completely stable. She's now in the recovery ward. You can see her in a little bit."
"Is she gonna be ok?" Jamie asked, trying to comprehend everything the doctor had told him.
"Provided she makes it through the night, her prognosis is promising. She does have a long road ahead of her, though. There's a possibility of loss of function and pain because of the nerve damage. She'll have to go to physical therapy after her external wounds heal. She's looking at at least 3 months before she can even begin to think about going back to work, and even then, desk duty would be optimal."
"Is my mama gonna die?" Josie asked the doctor, still gripping on for dear life to her father.
"I can't promise you that she won't, but I think she'll fight for you. I think she's strong and she wants to see you again." The doctor said sweetly.
"I want to see her, dad."
"Can we see her?" Jamie asked.
The doctor thought about it for a moment and then agreed to let them see Eddie. She escorted them to her room, and then left.
"Why is she asleep?" Josie asked, referring to her sleeping mother in the bed.
"The doctors gave her some medicine that made her really tired. She should wake up in a few hours."
Josie curled up on the couch, while Jamie sat in a nearby chair. Tired of the silence, Jamie put on some tv, opting for Disney Channel because he knew Josie loved it. Eventually, after about 2 hours, Josie fell asleep. Jamie was left watching Disney Channel by himself, and staring at the love of his life, willing her to wake up.
"Eddie, I know you just went through a lot and I know your tired, but I really need you to wake up. I need you to be ok and wake up please. Our daughter needs you. I need you. Just please wake up." Jamie said to Eddie quietly.
Jamie's reaffirmation apparently worked because about 30 minutes later, Eddie opened her eyes.
"Jamie?" Eddie asked.
"Eddie? Oh my god, you're ok." He said, relieved, as he rushed to her side from standing at the window.
"What happened? Why am I in the hospital?"
"What's the last thing you remember?"
"We got called to a domestic in the Bitterman projects."
"The perp had a gun. After shooting his wife, he shot you, twice. Once in the thigh, and again in the shoulder. According to the doctor, the bullet almost sliced completely through your femoral artery. You had a lot of nerve and muscle damage in both places. She said it could be at least 3 months until you can even think about going back to work."
"Was I ever close to dying?"
"Yeah, you flatlined twice. Once in the bus and again during surgery."
"Oh." Eddie said, at loss for words.
"Mama?" Josie asked sleepily, as she woke up.
"Hi baby." Eddie said, trying to sound enthusiastic.
Josie walked over to her mom, and carefully hugged her.
"Are you ok, Mom?"
"Yeah, baby. I'm ok." Eddie didn't want to scare her daughter.
"When can you come home?"
"Maybe in a few days."
"Why do you have to stay for so long?"
"I have to get more medicine to make me feel better and the doctors have to make sure I'm ok."
"I want to go home."
"Ok, baby. Maybe you're aunt can take you home. Jamie?"
"Uh, yeah, I think Linda's off by now. I'll go find her." Jamie said, as he walked out of the hospital room.
Jamie found Linda talking to Frank in the waiting room.
"Jamie, how's she doing?" Frank asked.
"She's ok. She's happy that Josie was there when she woke up." Jamie responded.
"How's Josie holding up?" Linda asked.
"She's kinda confused. And tired. Is there anyway you can take her home? And stay with her?"
"Sure, I can do that."
"Do think Eddie's up for visitors?" Frank asked.
"Uh, I don't know. She still kinda thinks the family's mad at her. That's why she's never been to any Sunday dinners, even went Josie went."
"I'm not saying that I'm not upset at what she did. She hid your daughter, my granddaughter, for 9 years. I'm not mad, per se."
"So she's right for feeling that way? Then, to answer your question, no, she's not up for visitors."
"Jamie, it's customary for the PC to see a cop, after they've been shot."
"She doesn't want to see you."
Frank sighed. He realized that Jamie was starting to get mad at him.
"Ok. I'll back off."
Jamie turned to Linda. "I'll be back with Josie." And then walked away.
Jamie walked back to Eddie's room.
"Can Linda take her home?" Eddie asked.
"Yeah. Come on Josie, you're aunt's gonna take you home."
"Ok." Josie said as she walked over to Eddie. "Bye mom. I love you."
"Bye baby, mama loves you too." Eddie gave Josie a kiss on her cheek.
Jamie and Josie walked back to the waiting room.
"Hey kiddo. You ready to go home?" Linda asked.
"Yeah." Josie said.
"Bye Jos, I'll see you tomorrow." Jamie said, as he hugged his daughter.
"Bye dad."
Jamie kissed Josie's head, and then waved as she walked away. Jamie then went back to Eddie's room, and sat down in the chair next to the bed.
"I'm surprised your dad hasn't come in yet. Isn't it customary for the PC to visit an officer who's been shot?" Eddie asked.
"It is. I told him I wasn't sure if you wanted visitors. I told him that you thought the family was mad at you. He basically told me he was mad at you without telling me he's mad at you. I told him no."
"I guess I was right to feel that way."
"I really thought they'd be over it by now. It's been like what? Almost 8 months. I'm not mad at you anymore. I'm just happy that I know my amazing daughter now. They should feel the same way, but they're just so fucking stubborn."
"Hmm, stubborn, sounds like someone I know." Eddie said with a slight smile.
"I know I'm stubborn, but not that damn stubborn. I just wish him and my grandfather would get over themselves. You did what you thought was best for Josie, and I'm not holding it against you. They shouldn't either."
"I love you, Jamie. Almost dying today made me realize that even more." Eddie said, as she started getting all watery-eyed.
"I love you too." Jamie said, as he got up and kissed her.
Little did they know, just as Jamie kissed Eddie, Frank walked up to the room, and looked in through the window. He witnessed their sweet moment and then knocked on the door. Jamie pulled back away from Eddie and then told the person to come in.
"How long have you two been dating?" Frank asked as he entered the room.
"Dad, I thought I said she wasn't up for visitors." Jamie said to his father.
"Clearly she's up for visitors." He said, referring to the kiss.
Jamie let a breath out, trying to cool himself down.
"To answer your question, we've been dating for 5 months."
"Did you notify your Sergeant?"
"We were gonna wait until our 6th month anniversary."
"Jamie you should've notified your sergeant a long time ago. Even before you two were dating, you still were emotionally attached because of Josie."
"Dad, why exactly did you come here? I specifically said no visitors." Jamie started to get mad.
"Like I said, it's customary." Frank looked over at Eddie, pushed aside her personal feelings towards her, and then addressed her. "Officer Janko, how're you feeling?"
"I'm fine, sir." Eddie was uncomfortable.
"Did the doctor say anything about your prognosis?"
"I haven't seen the doctor yet. Jamie told me what she said, though."
"Is there anything I can do?"
"Nope, I'm all good."
"Alright, get well soon, Officer. And let me know if there's anything I can do."
"Will do."
"Bye, son." Frank said, addressing Jamie again.
"Bye." Jamie said, rather coldly.
Frank finally left, leaving Jamie and Eddie alone again.
"I don't think I'll be going to Sunday dinner this week." Jamie said.
"Why not?" Eddie asked.
"That's why not. He's mad at me and I'm mad at him. If he feels this way, then surely my grandfather feels the same. Plus, I need to help take care of you."
"You're so sweet Jamie. I love you."
"I love you too."