"Ow! Ow! Oh my god!" Essie yelped, yanking her hand away from the open oven.

Linda looked up, eyes full of concern, "Burned yourself?"

Off of Eddie's pained whimper, Linda said, "Put it under cold water. I'll get the first aid kit."

She stood up from the table and reached up on her tippy toes to grab the first aid kit from the cabinet over the microwave.

Eddie sighed in relief as the cold water hit her burned patch of skin, "Ahhhhh! That feels so good."

Linda shook her head at her brother-in-law's girlfriend, a fond smile on her face.

"Okay, Eddie, let's see the damage," Linda laughed, gently tugging Eddie's arm away from the water.

Eddie leaned against the counter as Linda looked at her arm, "This is why I don't cook."

Linda cocked an eyebrow, "So you felt the need to make Henry's birthday cake, why?"

Eddie blushed and looked at her socked feet, "I...Uh...well it's my first time around for someone's birthday. I just wanted to make a good impression."

Linda grinned and slathered antibiotic cream over the burn, "Hon, everyone already loves you! You don't have to maim yourself for a good impression."

"I just," Eddie paused, "I know Jamie was engaged before he came to the force and I know you guys really liked her. I just want to..."

She tapered off, feeling silly about her insecurities.

Linda taped off the gauze she had wrapped around Eddie's arm, "I'm not going to lie to you. Yes, we liked Sydney."

Eddie's face fell. Linda patted her hand, "But, Jamie's much more fun now that he's with you. He's," she paused, looking for the right word, "Lighter. Jamie, as a law student, was very, very serious. And after Joe died, well, it was hard to get a smile out of the boy."

"Really?" Eddie asked. She was shocked. Jamie always had an easy smile or laugh at the ready, even when they had first started being partners.

Linda nodded and shut off the water, "You've done him a world of good, Eddie. And the whole family loves you; so don't be worried about making a good impression. We like the impression we have."

"Thanks Linda!" Eddie grinned, tossing her arms around the older woman in a huge hug.

Linda squeezed her back, "Hey, I'm a mom. Pep talks are our specialty!"

Eddie pulled back, "Aren't moms really good a baking? Can you help me salvage Henry's cake?"

With a snort, Linda grabbed her purse, "Yeah, I know just the thing. Henry's favorite bakery, Herjevac's, is four blocks away."

Eddie laughed, "Awesome! I'm terrible at baking."

Linda tipped her chin at Eddie's bandaged arm, "I figured."

"Eddie," Henry said, waving a forkful of caramel chocolate cake in the air, "This is delicious! Tastes just like the cake we get from Herjevac's."

Eddie cut her eyes towards Linda. Danny's wife was smiling.

"Doesn't it, Pops?" She laughed, "Eddie is a master in the kitchen."

Linda winked at Eddie as the rest of the Reagan's raved about the cake.

A wide grin forming on her face, Eddie ducked her head before she could give away their secret.

A/N: Oops! I thought I had posted this chapter a while ago, but I guess I didn't. So, here's Linda and Eddie's bonding moment. Next up is Erin!

Drop me a review and let me know what you think :)