A Fresh Start Chapter 15
An Unwanted Step Forward
Each time Jamie got promoted he understood a little bit better the things his grandfather and father dealt with. It was hard moving up. He had fewer people he could confide in, and his boss was no longer in the same state. He thought he was in a lot of meetings before this promotion. Now he understood why he never really saw his boss.
The Op to take down the cartel was set to take place a month before they were going to move Betty to Harvard. The family vacation was planned for two weeks before the big move. They had decided to go to Las Vegas and Zion, because the area was filled with a variety of things that they all could do. It would be hot in the dead of summer, but they knew they'd have fun regardless of the temperature. Eddie and Bella had created an elaborate countdown calendar for the trip. Frankie and his dad were back to playing basketball once a week, and they had grown to three to now include Joe. Even though Joe and Jamie were close in age, Jamie was becoming a father figure in his life. Like his grandfather, Joe knew that Jamie in a way was his boss, but it was easier to shed the work mindset when you were in gym shorts and a t-shirt versus a full suit that his grandfather always seemed to wear.
Betty was getting nervous about moving to Boston. She would miss her siblings a lot. The three of them had always been together no matter what happened. Yes, they usually had their mom or great-grandfather there, but the kids always had each other. She wasn't sure what life was going to be like without them. While most of her friends couldn't wait to get away from their younger siblings, she knew she was going to miss her close proximity to them. She worried about her dad too. Even though he should be away from most danger, she knew her dad had this inane ability to find trouble. Because of her dad's ability to find danger around every corner she worried about her mom. She knew being a Reagan her mom would never be alone, but that didn't mean that if something happened to her dad that her mom would be okay. She dreamed of finding a love like her parents. She'd had a couple of boyfriends in high school and in the end, she felt like they were dolts. They didn't understand what she wanted out of life. She was planning on spending the next seven years in college and then she was off to the NYPD Academy. It had been her dream for a long time. The only thing that changed was the city that she was going to become a cop in. She wanted to be close to family, which meant staying in New York. After several conversations with her dad, uncles, grandfather, and great-grandfather she understands what it means to be a Reagan on the job in New York.
Frankie was in a constant state of worry waiting for his college acceptance letters. If he kept going forward the way he was, he was set to be valedictorian like his dad and older sister. He knew his parents were proud of him, and he didn't want to disappoint them. He was looking forward to the end of the year, so he could get a little bit of a break. He needed the break from school so some of his stress would dissipate. He hoped to have at least one of his letters by the end of the school year.
Bella was enjoying high school. She was working hard but was happy that her dad's promotion meant that they would get to stay in New York. She was making plans to get into medical school. She was constantly talking to her cousin Jack who was a doctor now. When she was younger, she wanted to go into physical therapy like her aunt Linda. That changed when her cousin started medical school. She wanted to go into medical research. She wanted to help people like her dad be able to walk again. She'd love to be able to help her dad but wasn't sure if that would be possible. With her sister and brother going into some type of law enforcement she wanted to be able to help if something happened to one of them.
Joe and Jamie were still able to meet for basketball on a weekly basis. Jamie had decided to quit the team he was on because he was spending so much time in DC, and at work in general. The kids would join too if they didn't have plans or homework. Danny had even shown up a couple of times, much to Jamie's surprise. Jack and Sean were both welcome, but both had lives of their own. Eddie was okay with the time apart. She and Henry had started playing checkers when they were off playing basketball. She was happy that he was finally in a position as safe as her own even though it meant she didn't get to see him as often.
Joe and OA were still communicating with Jamie. They were working on their own big Op and didn't want to change the command in the middle, so they requested special permission to keep Jamie in command. Things began heating up with that case two weeks before the big international take down. Needless to say, Jamie was exhausted.
"Jamie, we have the Op set up for next Monday. That's when the meet is set up and everything is going as planned so far." OA stated in their weekly meeting.
"Good. Have you met with the Lt. G to set up NYPD support?" Jamie asked Joe.
"Yeah. I met with him yesterday and we are working on gathering the team that'll go in once we give the go ahead. We'll make sure that they can't rob another bank."
"Good. We have our FBI teams ready to move in on your call. Right now, we have two agents sitting on their hideout." Jamie was happy that he was still on this case. He was going to miss this side of things when the case was over.
"Great. Hopefully we will have these guys in a couple days."
"Yeah, we will and then it's onto the next case." Joe smiled.
"Yeah, you'll probably both be pulled in on my next big case that's going to happen a few days to a week after this one is tied up in a bow. I'll be running that one out of DC."
"You're spending a lot of time in DC." Joe knew he was stating the obvious, and although he was happy for his uncle, he missed him being around.
"Yeah, and that's not going to change, if anything I'll be spending more time there."
"Okay boss. I guess this is the last case we get to work directly with you." OA liked his now former boss and was hopeful that he would continue to bring good changes in his new role.
"Yes, unless you get another major case that requires my oversight."
With that last thought the meeting broke up so Jamie could take a conference call about the international case. It was going to be a long call.
Jamie ended up working fifteen-hour days up until the beginning of the international case. They were able to get the bank robbers peacefully. The broke up the entire thing thanks to Joe and OA's good work. Once the everyone was booked, and all the paperwork was filled out Jamie was headed right to DC. He didn't even have time to go home and pack. It was a good thing that he had an apartment now.
Eddie was worried about Jamie. He hadn't been sleeping and now he was in another state. Eddie was working on the international case so she couldn't take a day to go and make sure that he was taking care of himself. Linda could see Eddie's worry at Sunday dinner. Another one that Jamie missed because of travel.
The kids were all looking forward to the family vacation when both of their parents would be around. They understood their jobs often kept them busy and away, but they were thankful that family was close. They had been spending a lot of time with their great-grandfather and Aunt Linda because it seemed that the entire family was involved in the case.
"Aunt Linda, my dad's going to be okay, isn't he?" Bella asked worried.
"Yes. He just needs to get home and get some good sleep." Linda hope that was Jamie's only issue. She always worried about her little brother but more so since the accident.
"Really?" Bella was smart and good and seeing through people. She was like her dad and could tell when someone's lying.
"I hope so. Bella, your dad can take care of himself. He just needs the time to do it. Working less would help, but don't tell him that. He won't want to hear it even if that's how he feels."
"Yeah, but we all need help sometimes. I didn't even see him before he left for DC. He was at work for like four days straight. I know Betty was happy that he made it to her graduation, and I know he'll make it to mine and Frankie's, but I want him to slow down."
"I know you do. I know Jack and Sean want the same for us, but we know our limits."
"And I get that, but my dad's limits are different, and I know Uncle Danny works hard, but he only has to manage his own cases. My dad's managing, I don't even know what right now plus this big case that their working on. My mom's exhausted too."
"Once this case is done things should get better. Your Uncle Danny is working this one too and he's been gone a lot. Come on let's make dinner before your brother, sister, and great-grandfather get home."
Bella was quiet during dinner. She was worried about her dad. Betty seemed to always be thinking about the move to Boston. Frankie was happy, he'd received letters back from three of the schools he'd applied to. He was happy he'd been accepted to Harvard, his first-choice school and Columbia, his second choice. Now that he'd finally gotten his acceptance letters he was looking forward to his senior year.
Jamie ended up spending two weeks in DC. He was there right up until it was time to leave for his vacation. He couldn't wait. He was in desperate need of some family time.
Jamie was at the airport when Eddie and the kids arrived, he'd flown into LaGuardia, and then gone directly to JFK to make the flight with his family.
"Hey, long time no see. Do we have you for the full week?" Eddie asked upset that he wasn't been able to get home and travel to the airport with the family.
"Yes. As a matter of fact, I'm off until after we move Betty to Harvard." Jamie smiled. The extended vacation was a welcome surprise.
"That's great!" Bella gave her dad a big hug. They'd get to spend more time together.
"Can we play some basketball while you're off?" Frankie wondered.
"Yes, and I'll help you pack Betty."
"Thanks Dad."
"Now let's get through security, so we can get to our plane, and guess what." Jamie had a surprise that Eddie didn't even know about.
"What?" Eddie looked at her husband curious.
"We are flying first class, and I have a car and driver for the trip."
"Does this mean that you have work while we're there?" Bella was annoyed instead of happy.
"Nope, no work until after Betty's been moved to Harvard. You are stuck with me for two weeks, and mom and Betty for another few days." Jamie smiled.
Two hours later they had boarded their plane and were off to Las Vegas.
Meanwhile back in New York, a very angry Daniel Reagan was making his way into his dad's office.
"What the hell dad!"
"Hello Detective Reagan, how can I help you?"
"Two things, my partner's being transferred to 26 Fed to be the new FBI Liaison. Why didn't anyone tell me about this?"
"Danny, think about this for a moment. Baez is a mom now. The Liaison position is safer, it pays better, and she's got experience that makes it a great fit for her. She has to think of Elana now."
"What about me? I don't want to train a new partner."
"Daniel, you're her friend. You need to support her. Work with Lt. G about your new partner. Now you said two things, what's the second item?"
"The human trafficking case was moved to the intel unit and the FBI. That was my case."
"The FBI came to the intel unit, and they had better information and a better op plan, and they have the manpower to do it. You work the cases that you are assigned."
"So, Jamie didn't have anything to do with this?"
"No, Danny, this was the best decision for the case. Drop it, and do not ever storm into my office like that again. You are a Detective."
"I know Dad. I'm sorry."
"Come to the house tonight. Let's talk." Frank watched Danny's face. He saw the unhappy look. "Jamie and his family are on a much-needed vacation. Pop and I are the only ones who will be there."
Five hours later Jamie and his family were collecting their bags and making their way to their car.
"Our first stop for the next couple days is Red Rock Casino, then we will be headed to Zion for the rest of our trip before we go home at the end of the week."
"I'm hungry. When are we gonna eat, and what are we gonna eat?" Frankie asked.
"There are places in the hotel, or we can get room service." Eddie said not surprised that her teenage son was hungry again. She wondered how her in-laws survived and could afford to have three of them.
Jamie just laughed. Frankie was a lot like Joe and Danny when they were teenagers. Jamie had the opposite problem. His mom was constantly reminding him to eat because he was always busy studying or something that had his mind on anything but food.
An hour later they were situated in their room and were heading down to eat at the Lucky Penny. Frankie was so happy. Betty and Bella couldn't help but laugh, but they were hungry too.
Lunch was great. They were able to get a table fairly quickly and within the next hour their food had arrived. They were talking and laughing and really enjoying being away from New York and just being able to relax. After lunch they were headed to a Las Vegas Aviators Baseball game.
Back in New York, Frank had just arrived home after a very long day at the office. He'd gotten a text from Jamie that they were having a wonderful time and he was finally getting to relax.
"Danny, what's going on?" Frank asked although he thought he already knew the answer.
"I don't know. Things have been changing a lot over the last few years. Ya, know I thought having Jamie home would help alleviate my fears, but being here watching him climb the latter so fast has me..." Danny had to stop there he wasn't sure what to say.
"Wishing that you'd done somethings differently?" Henry questioned.
"Yeah. I mean the kid's a lot younger than me and he's running a regional FBI office, and he's good at it. It used to be that I'd hear about stuff the Feds were doing and it would be a nightmare. Now every cop that I work with young and old like working with the Feds and they attribute the positive changes to Jamie."
"I'm not gonna lie and say that Jamie being moved up hasn't made my job easier. He understands the law, law enforcement, and the city in a way that very few people do."
"I know that you've been one of his biggest fans, and it isn't that I don't want to see him be successful."
"It's just you didn't think that you'd be reporting to him at such a young age, or you didn't think that you would have to report to people that report to him?"
"I guess both, and after his accident I didn't think that I'd be working with him again, but that's something else he's changed. Now you have that Detective in a wheelchair too." Danny hung his head. He hated feeling like he was old school and didn't understand why the changes were happening.
"You're brother and the FBI helped prove that what we see and what's reality are two different things. Just because he can't walk doesn't mean he isn't capable of everything else that you do to take down a bad guy. If you think about it most of your job is research and working the problem. You talk to the families, the witnesses and all others involved. There isn't any reason why Jamie or anyone else like him can't do that. He does need some extra help chasing a guy, but he's been resourceful when it's come to that too. You have to trust him."
"I trust him, I just don't trust the situations he puts himself in. When he went to LA I was scared, and I couldn't do anything to help him. He wouldn't let me come near it. He told me that I have to worry about Linda and the boys and my own cases. What about his family? What about us?"
"You weren't the only one that was afraid. He was scared, I was terrified, and Arborghast almost locked him in his office." Frank laughed. So many people were protective of Jamie. That explained why Jamie did things on his own. If he asked for help anyone, he asked to help him would ask him to sit on the sidelines because they wanted him safe, and it had been that way since he was a little kid.
"I bet that went over well with Jamie, and I know Jamie really likes Arborghast."
"No, it didn't. Arborghast hadn't seen him in person since he'd been shot either. He was acting like another father, and it just added to the conversation I had with Jamie before he left. I tried to talk him out of going. We could find another way."
"You can't talk him out of it. The kid doesn't listen to anyone and that's probably a good thing considering this Op got him another promotion."
"The Op helped, but there was a lot that went into that promotion."
"Must be nice sitting around doing nothing other than traveling to DC once a month to get another nice raise."
"Daniel Reagan, your brother is working himself to death. Linda, pop, myself, Erin, and all of his kids are really worried about him. He goes days without coming home. I'm not sure how much sleep he's even getting. He couldn't get five minutes to eat lunch when I was in DC with him because so many people would need to talk to him. It's like when I go to an event in the city, when I can't get a moment of peace."
"How did he look before he left for vacation?"
"We don't know. He flew into LaGuardia and met the family at JFK for their flight. Eddie said that he slept the entire flight and only woke up to eat. Bella's been keeping a really close watch on him."
"I'm sorry Dad. I guess that there's a lot that I don't know. Ya know it might be time for me to retire. Linda's been talking about traveling, and we can afford it now."
"Think about what's right for you and the family. Sean's engaged and Jack and Lisa might start having their own family soon."
"I can see Sean and Sally having a kid before Jack and Lisa. Jack and Lisa are focused on work. I thought that they might open their own office soon, but they love the rush of the hospital."
"Sounds familiar." Henry laughed.
"Thanks gramps."
Danny felt better after talking through things and realized that he had to be a better brother and put his own feelings aside. After all Jamie had to move across the country to get promoted to Detective, and once he was there, he was away from the family stigma that allowed him to thrive.
Jamie's family was getting ready for a nice dinner at the hotel. They had a great time at the game and the kids even got to go onto the field and meet the players. Even though they'd moved around a lot they still had a love for LA teams which is why Eddie and Jamie thought that they'd love the game.
Jamie was able to take a quick nap before dinner. It had been a great exhausting day, and it was nice to be exhausted by family instead of work. He loved his work and he came across that trait honestly, and he was thankful that Eddie knew that when she married him, and she was amazing. Then again, she was the same way. She loved helping people and stopping dangerous situations. This vacation was needed for the entire family.
"This dinner is to celebrate all of you." Jamie said as he looked around the table at his wife and kids.
"Why?" Frankie didn't understand.
"Because this last year has been rough, and I appreciate the fact that despite everything that's happened you guys all finished the year at the top of your classes, and Frankie was accepted Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Columbia. Betty was valedictorian, and Bella won a scholarship from the science fair. You guys are all amazing." Jamie explained. He knew that they all knew their accomplishments and their siblings' accomplishments, but he wanted them to understand that he knew despite not being around a lot.
"We know dad, and we've all had friends who've had rough years and they've lost their footing, but you've raised us to be resilient and to know when to ask for help." Betty said for herself and her siblings.
"You've taught us that nothing in life is easy. We knew that early on in life, and you've never told us any different and we couldn't have had a better role models than you and mom." Bella squeezed Betty's hand. One reason she was able to get through the years was because of her brother and sister. Without them she wasn't sure where she'd be.
"Okay. Tonight, we celebrate, tomorrow we are going up to Red Rock Canyon and you guys get to choose if you want to bike or hike?" Eddie wanted the kids to know that all of decisions hadn't been made. That this was their decision too.
"Can dad do either?" Betty decided if here dad couldn't do something she was going to stay with him. She still worried that something was going to happen to her dad. It didn't matter that he wasn't in a dangerous position anymore.
"I can do both. There are a few accessible trails and there's a bike that I can use. So, it's up to you guys, what do you want to do?"
"Can we do a little of both and then finish the day in the hotel pool?"
"Yes, that sounds like a great idea! Bike, lunch, hike, dinner and then the pool. Do we have a plan?" Jamie needed to know so he could make sure that the bike he could use would be at the rental place.
It was another meal filled with laughter. Once they were back to their room, the kids went into their space and quickly fell asleep.
"I think everything's going well." Eddie watched Jamie carefully.
"I agree, and don't worry I won't be working. I need a break."
"Are you okay? We've all been worried that you're pushing too hard. I know that You are capable of anything, but anyone would be exhausted by the pace that you've been keeping."
"I'm better now, that I'm here with you guys, and when we get home and I do go back to work, I'm going to be working less. More like fifty hours a week instead of eighty."
"I like the sound of that. We could actually carpool to work again." Eddie laughs. At one point the day or two they were riding to work together was the only time they got to spend alone together.
"I'd like to go to lunch a couple days a week or at least have you eat with me in my office. I've got a nice view now."
"Okay. We can do that as long as my schedule allows. Ya know you've trained Joe really well. He and OA keep me busy. They're good at sniffing out the larger cases. The problem comes when it's a case that your brother has some part of."
"Has Danny given any of you a hard time. If he has have SAC Bell take care of it. I need to stay out of it."
"I agree with that. He seems upset with you despite the fact that you haven't been at dinner in the last couple of months."
"Part of that might have to do with the fact that last month when I was home, I hired Sean onto the Fugitive Task Force. Sean and his wife will probably be moving, and Sean will be doing a lot of traveling, but the team lead picked him because of his stellar work with the NYPD."
"No one's said anything at family dinner yet." Eddie tried to remember the last three dinners that Jamie had missed.
"Sean just found out two days before we left for vacation, but he could have told his dad that he had been interviewing and going through the process. He leaves for training when we get back from moving Betty."
"Yeah, Danny's never really been pro-FBI despite us working there for so many years."
"After Joe died, none of us were big on the FBI, but the more I worked with them I realized that you can't blame an entire agency for one bad apple."
"That's understandable and you've always been a logical thinker although your brain could shut down every so often."
"Speaking of which, we told the kids to sleep, we need to do the same. Good night, Eddie. I love you."
"Love you too Jamie. Good night." Eddie hugged, kissed him, and smiled that she had her entire family with her for the first time in a while.
The next day starts early, which really wasn't that hard for anyone with the three-hour time difference. The bike ride starts out slow with everyone laughing and then things quickly change when Frankie challenges Betty to who can get up the next hill the fastest. As all three teenagers push themselves to beat each other, Eddie and Jamie keep at their more realistic pace knowing the kids are going to exhaust themselves and then they will all be riding together again. Two hours later they were getting back in their car and headed to lunch. They were all starving. They found a great sub shop, and each ordered a large and ate the entire thing. They took the opportunity to enjoy the air conditioning and relax before their hiking, dinner, and drive to Zion lodge later.
It had already hit one hundred degrees at noon after they finished their lunch, but they were determined to go hiking in the mountains. They had a lot of water and electrolytes with them, and they just took things slowly. Between the five of them they probably took close to a thousand pictures. They loved the vibrant red rocks and the desert vegetation. One thing they all missed living in New York were the mountains.
They had dinner on their way to Zion Lodge. They were all exhausted and everyone, but Frankie had fallen asleep during the few hour-long drive. The heat had gotten to them.
"Ok, fun fact about the lodge. No TVs, and no internet. That's why we had you download everything on your iPad, so you have all the books you want over the next few days. There will be down time. We only have two rules is that if you want to go out hiking it needs to be daylight and you have to have someone with you." Jamie knew the kids would appreciate some freedom and understood the rules.
"Ok." All three kids say at once.
Eddie just sits and smiles. She knows that the parent that they're gonna want to spend most of time with is Jamie. She knew they wouldn't care if it meant they did the same trail six times.
It's late and dark when they arrive. They'd stopped for snacks before arriving and once they were all comfortable in their rooms, they all go to sleep early.
Back in New York things have gotten better with Danny. He and Linda decide to sell their house in Staten Island and move to an apartment in Manhattan since they were both working there. It made sense and would mean that they would get to spend more time together. Danny had realized that he had waited too long to step up and become a Sergeant. Baez had started working at 26 Fed the day before and when they had gone to lunch earlier that day, he realized why it was the right choice for her, and that she was happy. His new partner was a nice younger guy named Devon. Younger than Danny. He was a good detective and didn't need to be trained other than how to work with Danny.
Frank was happy that Danny seemed to have calmed down, which was good because Jamie and his family would be home in a couple days and only Eddie and Jamie were moving Betty into Harvard the following week.
Henry wanted his family to get along. He understood both sides, but he knew Danny didn't understand that Jamie didn't want the last two promotions. Jamie wanted to be out there catching the criminals, not writing the book on how.
Back in Utah Jamie and the family are enjoying a nice lunch in the lodge restaurant. They all knew that the next two days were going to go by quickly and they'd be home to New York. They were looking forward to getting back to New York where it was cooler.
Eddie and Jamie were still enjoying the trip, but they were both thinking about the fact that Betty's going to be leaving for college the week after they got home.
"Dad, can we go for a walk?" Betty asked after dinner.
"Yeah, do you have specific trail you want or just hang out around the lodge?"
"Around the lodge is good."
Ten minutes later they were outside and were making their way to the river.
"What's going on Betty Boop?" Jamie hardly ever caller her that but he felt it was appropriate.
"This has been a really great trip. I'm glad that you were able to come. We weren't sure that you'd make it."
"I know and I'm sorry. I told your mom that I'm hoping my hours will get better, and even though you won't be home it means I can come up and visit if you want."
"That sounds good, but can you give me a couple months to get used to school. I know I'm gonna miss you guys and it'll be harder if you're there."
"Yeah, and I was the same way. Your grandma Mary wanted to move in with me."
Betty laughed. "Why, you're the youngest. She'd already had Uncle Danny, Aunt Erin and Uncle Joe leave the house."
"Because I was the only one that moved to another state. When Danny went into the Marines, she couldn't rent an apartment in a war-torn country, plus she still had the rest of us at home. When I left, she didn't have anyone but your grandpa at home and he was working a lot."
"Ok, that's understandable. I'm happy Bella and Frankie are still at home, so mom doesn't want to move in with me."
Jamie laughed. Betty was Eddie's first and only baby since Bella and Frankie were older when they were adopted. "Your mom works too, and that keeps her busy. I don't see that stopping any time soon."
"What happens when you get promoted next time? Don't you have to move to DC?"
"Most likely, but that won't happen for a long time. We'll be in New York for at least the next couple years."
"Dad, you can do anything. You've proven that. Now what can you tell me about your first few weeks at Harvard?"
The Harvard conversation continued for another hour until they decided to get the family and go and have dinner at a small café in town.
The entire family noticed that for the first time in a long time Jamie's been able to relax. They can all tell, and for that reason they're not looking forward to heading home. They are unconvinced that he will be able to stay away from work. At least they had one last day at the National Park before they took the red-eye home.
Two days later the families at home sleeping after their long overnight flight. The tripped had ended better than it began because they were all home together.
Frank was already at work before they got home. Things were going on in New York that required his attention. He was looking forward to seeing his son later that night when he got home, and just hoped that he looked better than when he'd seen him last.
Henry had decided to make a big welcome home lunch, figuring that none of them would be up before noon. He was right. Jamie was the first to get up.
"Hey Grandpa, did you and dad enjoy the quiet house the last week?" Jamie said with a yawn.
"No, I've missed you guys, but vacation seems to have been good for you. You look better Jamie." Henry smiled. Even before the shooting he always worried more about his youngest grandson.
"It was great. I have to do it more often. It was really nice just being Jamie and dad again. I need to make more time for stuff like that."
"You're still going to Cambridge at the end of the week?"
"Oh yeah. I'm not missing moving any of my kids to college or the next steps in their lives. Who knows I might see some of my old friends and their kids."
"At this rate you're gonna be at Harvard a lot over the next few years. Has Frankie decided where he wants to go?"
"Harvard, that was his first choice, the others were his standby schools. Now he just has to get through his senior year and now we need to start preparing Bella to get her college applications done."
"Oh, I bet she's already started. I know she's been doing research and talking to Jack and Lisa about what things to do to prepare her for medical school in the future."
"That doesn't surprise me. It's my job to worry and I haven't been around a lot this last year. I hope this year will be better, but now I have to spend time at all of the regional offices in addition to DC."
"Your gonna like mentoring all of those agents. They can learn a lot from you."
"Yeah. I have to head up to Albany after my vacations over and then I have my first meeting with dad in my new position when I get back."
"You've got all this handled." Henry patted Jamie on the back before checking on the food.
Bella and Betty were the first down with Frankie a half hour later. Eddie was the last to make it into the kitchen and was happy to see her kids and great-grandfather cooking together. She smiled thinking of times throughout the years when Henry had been visiting them and this was always a result. The only difference was Jamie wasn't typically sitting in the kitchen laughing with them.
"Hi, what's for lunch?" Eddie looked around the room. No one had heard her come down. She stood at the door and just watched her entire family together. Next week Betty would be starting college.
"We were gonna do tacos, but decided on enchiladas because we know that they're your favorite." Betty said with a smile.
"Thank you, guys. They smell amazing."
Lunch is nice and relaxing, and Jamie offers to do the dishes. He hasn't been around much so figures he's due. The kids went outside to play basketball and Eddie went into the sunroom to catch up on some tv. Henry said he was going to walk up to the corner store to get lotto tickets.
The next week goes by faster than anyone wants. Sunday dinner is nice with the entire family. Jamie's shocked how well he and Danny are getting along and the mood Danny's in, in general considering Sean's leaving for DC the following week and Baez having just finished her first week at 26 Fed.
Danny had been watching his dad and grandpa watching Jamie. He could tell that he'd lost weight, but from what he understood he seemed to be looking better. It helped him realize that there was a lot he didn't know about his brother. The meal was a celebration of Betty, and wishing her luck and she took the next step and started college.
Jamie and Eddie are exhausted after moving Betty into her dorm. Betty was lucky and her roommate was one of her friends from Seattle that she had kept in touch with after they moved. Neither knew that they'd be roommates. It made both parents happy because they knew she was already going to have a friend on the campus.
Eddie and Jamie get back into town and the following morning Jamie makes his way into the office for the first time in a while. He's happy to be back until the following Sunday morning when he gets called up to Albany for an emergency meeting. His dad had received the same message.
Eddie was waiting to get called into work. She knew there was a chance with both her husband and father-in-law being called away so quickly. She was right a couple hours later, not long before they were set to leave for church, she was called in. Henry and the kids were not surprised. They were used to this, but still wished that their family could be around more.
When she gets into the office OA, and Joe are already there. They've been read into the case, which is a possible terrorist threat, but they're unsure of the target.
"Lt. G is waiting for our go ahead and he'll call in more guys, but he's waiting for our go ahead. It's Sunday he doesn't want to bring in more guys than he really needs." Joe knew he was talking about Danny.
"We will have an answer for him in a couple of hours." Eddie knew it would probably be a yes, but she hoped that someone would be able to figure the situation out.
Back at the house, Linda, Danny, Erin, and Jack had arrived for dinner. Jack and his wife both had a shift at the hospital that day and wouldn't be able to attend.
"Where is everybody?" Danny wanted to make sure that his brother wasn't working too hard now that he was back at work.
"Your father and Jamie were summoned to Albany early this morning and Eddie was called into the office a couple of hours ago right before church. "
"Oh, something must be going on." Danny missed being involved in the action, but at the same time realized he was getting older.
"I don't miss working in the hospital on days like this." Linda said seriously. Remembering some of her own past. She hoped whatever was going on could be stopped.
Bella just sat listening. As the baby of the family the remainder of the family seemed to baby her like they did her father. It annoyed her as much as it did her father. She was worried that something would happen to her dad or her grandfather until they got back into the city either safe at the house or at their offices.
Captain Renzulli had a station house full. They knew Manhattan was a likely target and this was something that they had been through many times over the years. Renzulli had kept up with Jamie's career and knew that he was in charge and was hopeful about the results. That had him thinking back to one of Jamie's early tours when Jamie wanted to know what they were possibly walking into, and he told him that he had to wait until he took the captain's test to know what the situation was. He wondered if Jamie was happy to know the issue or wished he was still on patrol or even a sergeant instead of someone in charge.
Danny hated missing the action. All he could think about was something big was happening and he was once again being excluded. He didn't think about the fact that he's not missing a thing.
Frank and Jamie ended up spending the entire day in Albany. Jamie was busy coordinating with his team any time he wasn't in a meeting with the Governor. By the end of the day Jamie was furious. The threat had been in Albany and only in Albany. His dad didn't need to be there. His dad could've gone to church and had dinner with the family.
"Governor Mendez, a moment please." Jamie was trying to stay respectful, but at the moment the Reagan anger was coming out.
"Yes Director Reagan."
"Please make sure that someone from the state attends the federal terrorist training. This is important to be able to pinpoint the true origin of the attack. This will help us ensure that all of the correct agencies are involved. If you would feel better the FBI can take over at the initiation of a possible threat."
"Director, manager your staff and I'll manage mine." Mendez left in a huff like a five-year-old.
Jamie was tired, and happy that they had been able to stop the attack. He wanted dinner and to be home. He knew that he should've kept his mouth shut, but he hated politicians getting involved in things that they didn't know anything about, and he knew that Mendez and his dad had been having this fight for years.
Jamie and his dad once they realized that they were both heading to Albany, decided to ride together. It gave them valuable time to talk about what they knew about the threat on the way up to Albany and could enjoy some time together on the way home. He saw the disapproving look on his dad's face when he talked to Mendez, but he didn't care. Proper training was imperative to safety.
"Jamie, that wasn't the first meeting I've had to sit through that I haven't needed to be a part of. You didn't have to go up against Mendez on my behalf."
"I know, but you weren't the only one there that didn't need to be there. You were just the only one that I knew where you'd be if you weren't there."
"Still, I don't want you to get in trouble."
"I'm not going to get into trouble, but he might. You send guys and go to those trainings every few months or a couple times a year. You understand the importance. Last training, he sent a low-level guy who wouldn't have anything to do with running anything. I went to a few of the trainings when I was LAPD, and then again as an FBI agent. I knew the importance of what I was going to, and I know it's the same for the guys you send. If you're sent you need to be prepared to step up and take the situation head on."
"You're running the training now?" Frank questioned. It made sense to him that his son would be running the training but wondered why.
"Yeah, Director Parsons thinks running this training is a good way for me move up in a couple years."
"You know he's right. It gets you another kind of exposure and one that opens you up a whole bunch of other people that you wouldn't typically interact with." Frank smiled. Jamie would be the kid who go beyond what he had achieved.
"I know. I just don't know if that's what I want."
"You're taking the training very serious, and it sounds like Mendez isn't."
"He has no idea what needs to be done to keep the city, state, and country safe. He just want to make himself look good." Mendez made Jamie angry.
"No, he doesn't but he should listen to those who do. Which I know that he doesn't always do, but he does listen when it's needed."
"It was needed now. My team in Albany was able to handle everything and get to the terrorists before the state troopers. Thankfully Eddie was working as our analyst and was able to come across some pivotal information."
"It's okay. Everyone's safe. Let's stop somewhere for dinner and then go home and get some sleep." Frank watched his son carefully. He knew when he was upset.
"I know and I agree."
The next few days go by without any other major issues. He and Eddie had actually gotten to work normal hours. Bella and Frankie were still getting used to life without Betty. Betty was getting used to life at Harvard and realized that all the moving around that they did when she was growing up helped prepare for adapting to a new place. Several of her classmates had never done that before. She was able to make friends easily and help those who were struggling being away from their families for the first time.
"Sir, a Danny Reagan, is here asking if you'd like to go to lunch." Amy, Jamie's assistant asked. It was odd, Jamie never got visitors that weren't on the schedule.
Jamie looked at her shocked. He must have had Eddie help get him in. "What do I have on my schedule the rest of the afternoon?"
"You have a meeting at 1PP at four, and then you and Eddie have to head to DC."
"Nothing until four?" Jamie was surprised and happy.
"No, sir. I can tell him that you're busy since your heading out of town tonight."
"No, send him in. We'll only be in DC for a couple days."
Waiting for Jamie felt like waiting for his dad. He hated waiting but hoped that Eddie hadn't helped him get in for no reason.
"Hi Jamie, sorry Director Reagan, I was wondering if you had time for lunch?" Danny was looking around. Jamie's office was nicer than his dads. He had a conference table and seating area. He noticed a chair missing at the table and a place where a chair probably would be in the seating area, and that made sense.
"Hey Danny. That sounds great. Any place that you want to go, or I can have Amy order in, and we can just relax here."
"Would I be wrong in guessing that you order in a lot?"
"No, you'd be right. It seems like I'm either not at the office or too busy to leave." Jamie laughed.
"Ya, know you deserve all of this right?" Danny watched Jamie's face closely. Their dad had told him that Jamie wasn't happy where he was. He wished that he hadn't moved up so quickly. Danny knew that Jamie was the right person for the job and that he belonged here. His dad really helped him understand his little brother in a way that he wouldn't have been able to get to on his own.
"There are days I wish that I'd stayed a detective in LA and followed your path more than Dad and Grandpa's."
"Let's order in, what's good around here?" Danny wasn't ready to address that topic yet. They needed food and to relax.
"There is a really great Mexican restaurant not far. Hey, do you want Baez to join us, she's working today. She's down on four."
"First of all, yes on Mexican, and Baez and I had lunch last week. Thanks for thinking of her, but I came to have lunch with you."
"Ok." Jamie grabbed the menu out of his desk drawer and handed it to Danny.
"Don't you need to look?"
"No, I already know what I want."
Ten minutes later Danny finally decided what he wanted.
"Amy, please come in here a sec. Thank you." Jamie said over the intercom.
"Yes sir, do I need to call your car?"
"No, we're going to order from the Mexican place downstairs. I'll have my regular, and Danny what do you want?"
"Chicken and cheese enchiladas."
"Ok, anything else?" Amy asked knowing there was usually something more.
"Chips and salsa, and please order your own lunch and call down to Eddie and see if she's eaten yet."
"Thank you. I'll have it ordered as soon as I get a hold of Eddie."
"Thanks Amy. Danny, do you need to be anywhere at a certain time?"
"No, I'm off today. Linda's working all day, and then she's off to Chicago for a couple days with one of her clients."
"Amy take your time. I just need to leave for my last meeting of the day by three-forty-five."
"Ok." With that Amy left and wouldn't return until the food arrived.
"Thanks for lunch, kid. Now, I'm glad you took the same path as dad and gramps because you're back in New York. You know that you belong in this job too."
"I know, and I know I've only been here a little bit, but I like the job. I don't like that I don't have a lot of people that I can talk to about it. Dad and I can talk about some things, and honestly that's a little weird. I'll be honest it was weird moving one of my kids into college too."
Danny couldn't help but laugh then realized how old that made himself. "Yeah, it was hard moving Jack in for Linda too. I think it was hard on dad when Nikki started college. Two more years and you'll be an empty nester."
"Well, we still have dad and grandpa." Jamie laughed.
"That's true. You could always move out."
"Dad and grandpa don't want us to, and I know in a few years there's a chance that we'll be moving to DC."
"Linda and I have been talking about my retirement. One of her clients wants her to be exclusive to him and his family, and he's been trying to get me to head up his security team. He travels a lot, and we would both go with him, but he has a security team of six, so I could be off when Linda is unless there's a threat."
"It sounds like this is something that you want. Would you be okay spending a lot of time outside New York?"
"I think I'm ready to be done with the NYPD. Linda and I would really get to spend some time together. Ya know when I learned about you and Eddie working together, I never understood how you did it. After seeing how much you work, I understand it's the only way that you guys get to see each other."
"It works for us too. Ed will come up for lunch a couple times a week and I have a meeting with dad at the end of the day and then we're headed to DC. We both have meetings tomorrow."
"Are you driving?"
"We are driving but we have a driver, and an apartment there now. It's a great apartment. It's set up for me and Ed, so if I'm there for a while I can cook and really just be comfortable."
"That's so great Jamie."
"Are you and Linda enjoying apartment life again?"
"Actually, we are. After living in a house so long I thought we'd hate it, but there's a nice park not far away and we take walks there a few nights a week and there's this great little taco truck that parks there."
"That sounds great. We have an Indian restaurant that we love that wasn't far from the hotel we would stay in, and the apartment isn't far away from there either. Dad and I went there when we were there for meetings together and he liked it too."
"Sounds like you like it there."
"DC has grown on me. I'm busy but not being pulled in several different directions as much as I was. Plus, I'm there at least once a month. This month I'll be there at least one day each week."
"If you get to see Sean and Sally, please let them know that we want to come down and visit, but we don't know how busy they are."
"They're busy. Sally's been recruited to work with the forensics team. Once they learned her background there wasn't any way that they couldn't hire her on."
"The FBI is gonna take over the family. We won't be NYPD anymore."
"Most of us got our start in the NYPD and this generation might be coming to an end, but the next is starting. Betty, and Frankie both want to be NYPD."
"I didn't realize that they both wanted to follow in your footsteps. What about Bella?"
"Bella wants to be a doctor and focus on research. She wants to make life better for people like me, and she feels bad that she may not be able to actually help me."
"I feel bad for Eddie. You're kids are all you." Danny laughed.
Once lunch arrived the conversation changed to a myriad of different topics, and they made plans to play basketball the next Saturday.
Jamie's meeting with his dad was a quick one, but his dad dropped a bomb on him. Frank Reagan was retiring. The city was in good hands, and he wanted to let Jamie know that he knew his name was on the list of possible replacements. Jamie was shocked, and not sure what to think. He was just starting to like where he was and although unlikely, he was planning on turning it down if offered.
Two hours later after a nice dinner he and Eddie were on their way to DC. The conversation with Danny stuck in his head. He really did like DC. He wasn't ready to be there full time yet but didn't hate the idea. He hoped Danny came around more often or they planned more things with just the two of them.
Eddie had a great lunch thanks to her brother-in-law and was happy when Jamie came to pick her up. She wasn't surprised with anything that her father-in-law told her husband. She'd support him in anything that he decided.
Once in DC they went straight to bed. They both had a full day of meetings the next day, and they all went well. They made it home the following day in time for Frankie's basketball game, and that Friday was the science fair. Bella had a great submission, and Jamie was knew that she was going to place first again. He had to laugh because some of the parents thought that he and Eddie had helped Bella because of how advanced her projects were, no one seemed to understand that she completed her projects herself.
Life was good. Eddie and Jamie were focusing on that thought and spending time together as a family because they never knew when things were going to change.