Thanks for the amazing reviews! I'm sooo happy you like the story.
The next three chapters will deal with the sibling's first meeting with Jamie – starting with Joe, because his character still is the most difficult for me to write.
Sixteen hours. Joe counted them, from the moment his mom had jerked at dinner to the moment Dad opened the door with tears in his eyes. For a second, Joe's heart stopped. Then he saw the big smile on his father's face. "You wanna see your little brother?"
"Yeeees!" He heard himself screaming, in a voice so high-pitched that Danny would mock him for it for at least a year – but it didn't matter. Mommy was okay, and so was their brother. A boy, thank God! He wasn't sure if he would survive another sister. Though, if she was only a baby…
Joe didn't notice his siblings' smile as they let him go first. He didn't even notice his father's hand on his shoulder as he led him to the bed. He just ran to his mom, crying and laughing at the same time. "I love you, mommy!"
"I love you to, honey!" Her voice was weak, but she was beaming as he crawled up to the bed and into her arms. "Do want to see your brother?"
No. Actually – right now he just wanted to stay where he was. He had tried to be glad about getting another sibling, but he just wasn't. He liked it the way it was, and he missed his mom. But "no" wouldn't be the correct answer, so he nodded bravely.
"Jamie, say hello to your brother Joe", he heard Dad say and then, so fast he couldn't even start to think about what might be happening – the baby was placed into Joe's arms. Mary supported him and actually carried the weight of both her sons, but Joe did feel his brother's skin on his own – so smooth and soft and warm. Like a puppy, but with less hair. He couldn't help but smile at the thought.
Jamie opened his eyes and automatically mimicked the movement – he smiled back at Joe.
Joe was stunned. "Dad? Why is he smiling at me?", he whispered. Frank laughed softly. "I guess he's happy to finally see you, Joe."
"Is he?" Joe bent down closer to the little head. Everything was so tiny! The ears, the nose – looking like a spade – the lips, opened wide and wriggling. The only big things were the eyes, big brown eyes. They looked a bit like Danny's.
That baby was freaking beautiful! Joe stared in awe as his new brother smiled at him and eventually closed his eyes, still smiling. Frank was beaming with pride. "You'll be a good team, son."
"We'll be!" At Joe's exited voice, Jamie opened his eyes again. Joe hurried to smile at him, and was gifted with a smile back. "We'll be a good team", he promised, and then a new idea hit him. He moved very close to Jamie's face and whispered into his ear, "You know, the two of us, we can do anything! And Danny and Erin won't stop us because we're two, too! You and me we'll be partners against them if they get stupid." He bit his lips as he thought over the plan. "Okay, Danny isn't stupid. He's really cool. He's going to be a hero, just like dad is. And Grandpa." Then he realized it – "God, you don't even know Grandpa, don't you? I'm gonna tell you about him…" Joe would have told Jamie the whole family history had Frank not stopped him. "He's tired, Joe, and so is your mom." "But…" "Danny and Erin will want to see Jamie, too!" Gently Frank hoisted him off the bed while Mary took her youngest and kissed him. "That was worth it"; she whispered, and both Frank and Joe nodded.
"Mom! Mom, Dad, let me in!" Joe couldn't help but laugh at his sister's cry. He nodded at his dad and went over to the door. Just before he opened it, he turned around. "I was the first one to see Jamie."
"Yes. Besides your dad and the doctors, yes. Is that okay?" Mary looked at him and now Joe felt them too: tears of joy climbing in and out of his eyes. He nodded. "That's great, mom! Love you. Love you, Jamie! Oh yes, and love you, dad." Frank chuckled. "We love you, too, Joe."
"Joe, get out!"
But Joe stopped again. "Will we always be a family? Even if we are all grown up and only Jamie's still living with you?"
Mary nodded. "Always, my dear. I promise." Frank bent down till he was at eye height with Joe. "Joseph Conor Reagan", he said solemnly, "you are my son. You are your mother's son. You're a younger brother of Danny and Erin, you're an older brother to Jamie now. You are grandson to Steven and Mary, and Henry and Betty." Joe frowned. "But grandpa Steve and grandma Mary…" "…will always be your grandparents, though they're not here with us anymore." At that, Frank turned around and soothingly put his arm around Mary who had started to sob a little. His words, though, were directed at Joe – and he would never forget them.
"Family isn't bound to years. No matter where you are, no matter how old you are and no matter what you do – you will always be a part of this family. And we will love you as long as we live. There will be times when you don't understand me. There might be times when you hate me. There might be times, even, when we don't speak to each other at all. And it will hurt, son, because love isn't always a happy thing. You felt that yourself when you were worried about your mom these past months. But you must never forget that no matter how far apart we may seem, I am always your father, and you are always my son, and this is the firmest bond that God has created. And me and your mom, we will love you. Forever."
He cleared his throat. "And now you should better let Erin in before she breaks the door."