Chapter Five

Eddie took Mary's hand, "Mommy's here, and Daddy is coming back to stay with you. Maybe he'll remember to bring some of your books. Mommy is so sorry, baby. This is all my fault."

"Oh, sweetheart," Frank sighed. "I wish Pop were still with us, that he was still able to tell you how wrong you are, you two got along so well. This is no one's fault but the man that pulled the trigger."

"It is Dad, I was so tired and I...My babies should have been with me. Mary, Joe, Bella, they should have been with me,' Eddie whispered.

"No, Eddie you need sleep. It's a normal human need. Your babies should be able to go out."

"Not without their Mommy"' Eddie replied. "I let them go and now...my little boy is..." she couldn't say the word.

Frank went over wrapping his arms around her saying nothing.

Eddie felt so warm in Frank's embrace, "Dad...do you think you could get me in touch with my Dad at his half way house?"

"I will sweetheart don't you worry. Jamie asked me to stay with Bella the night which I would be glad to do."

"She's still nursing, but I think she'll take the bottle for you," Eddie replied. "Or you could see if you can get Commissioner's privilege and stay in a room here at the hospital. I'm just afraid to expose Bella to the germs."

Frank smiled, "Not that I have any, but if you need her close I'll talk to some people see what I can do."

"I trust you, and I know she is safe with you, but if she won't eat from the bottle..." Eddie replied.

"Let me work my magic. I'll go find Jamie," Frank gave her one more hug.

Eddie sighed and laid her head next to Mary. Just the other day her little girl was going to her dance class, getting ready for a mini competition. Today...she was lucky if she could walk, never mind dance.

Jamie went home to get the essentials while Frank was able to secure a private room

"It's the least I can do, Frank," Linda told him after arranging it.

"Thank you Linda," Frank hugged her sighing.

"How's Danny doing?" Frank was concerned for both his sons.

"He feels guilty, blaming himself and mourning," Linda shook her head sadly.

"Danny and Jamie both knew better," Frank said firmly. "They never should have been out in public with those children, never! Eddie is 100% right and if she didn't need Jamie to try to cope with this he would likely be banished along with Danny!"

"I understand she lost her son, people react differently to grief. I just worry about Danny, he knows his error was fatal."

"To say the very least," Frank replied. "Linda, I think the best thing for them now is to be left alone except for me and Armin Janko. Please don't have Danny contacting Jamie or Eddie. let them come to him. Tell him I'll come around to see him tomorrow," Frank replied.

Linda replied, "No problem, we will respect their wishes. I can't imagine their pain." She quickly hung up before beginning to cry.

Jamie returned with the pump, new clothes, some of Mary's books and her bear. "Hey, how is she doing?"

"Same. She hasn't woken up since but I guess she needs rest. Oh you brought Cookie she loves him."

Jamie sat beside Eddie. "Remember the day we got Cookie?"

Eddie nodded slowly, "I sure do. The look on her face when she saw him."

The family was adjusting to their newest member Joe when Jamie and Eddie called Mary into the living room.

She had done well, but she was also three and needed her special time. She came in and spun around on her tiny foot showing off her dance moves.

"Hey little ballerina, come here Mommy and Daddy have to talk to you," Eddie scooped her up.

She wiggled and sat on Eddie's lap. "I didn't mean to do it."

"Mean to do what honey?" Eddie asked, looking at Jamie laughing.

"Drop Joey toy," she replied softly.

"Okay," Eddie shook her head at Jamie. "We wanted to tell you how proud we are that you've been so nice to your brother."

"He baby," she replied. "He not know stuff..." Jamie smiled at her. "Well, today Aunt Erin is going to watch Joey and we are going to a special treat!"

"For me? Just Mary and Mommy and Daddy?" Her blue eyes rounded wide at the chance to spend time with her parents on her own.

"Yes just the three of us," Eddie smiled." Run along now and get your shoes for Mommy then we'll go."

Mary cheered skipping to the hall for her shoes trying to hurriedly put them on.

They headed to the mall for hot dogs and then for the special treat to build a bear. "You see all the bears."

Mary nodded, "Pretty bears," she said eyes wide at all the furry bears.

"You get to pick out one bear that will be all your own, and you can dress her up how you like," Eddie told the excited child.

"Me? A bear for Mary?" Mary clapped her hands turning to look at each and every bear.

"When she was done it was terrific," Jamie recalled. "She has the most beautiful smile that day and she has loved Joey ever since." Eddie snuggled to the bear then placed it in Mary's bed.

"She always brings that bear everywhere," Eddie sighed.

"She loves it..." Jamie replied with a soft smile. "She's precious. I love you so much Eddie and I'm so sorry."

"I know Jamie," Eddie said with a distant tone in her voice as she brushed Mary's hair back.