"So, I was thinking after we have a run we go see the Pastor at St. Brendan's and talk about the wedding...Why are you shaking your head?"
"Jamie, I'm not Catholic," Eddie replied. "I'm not even religious, I...I thought maybe your dad could ask the Mayor to marry us outside somewhere, maybe under the arch in Washington Square park..."
"Eddie, that sounds like a great place for pictures but..." Jamie sighed. His heart hurt seeing her face. "This really means a lot to me honey. It's important that I get married by a priest. My whole family we're very religious."
Jamie lowered his eyes to meet hers trying to hide the hurt he was feeling, always seeing himself getting married in a church wedding. "We go to mass every Sunday if you want to come then we could talk with the pastor about options.
The hesitation in Eddie's face hurt Jamie even more. "I don't know Jamie..I respect you for that but..I never saw myself."
That was the last dig for Jamie who pulled away from Eddie to stand up. "I'm sorry Jamie, you just never mentioned that part and I never thought about it I guess." Eddie stood up reaching for Jamie's arm.
Jamie breathed in, turning around quickly and grabbed her arms tightly. "Do you really want to marry me Eddie or did that change because we have a difference of opinion in the type of ceremony?"
"Of course I want to marry you Jamie. I want nothing more then to start a life with you. I'm just not sure.. I'm sorry. Hey, I don't care how we get married even if it's here with just us I want to be with you. " Widening her eyes to flash her baby blues the ones Jamie couldn't resist.
Smiling Jamie melted wrapping his arms around her waist settling on her lower back. "I hate when you do that," he teased.
"I know why do you think I do it? Sunday is coming up why don't I give the church thing a try then we can talk about the ceremony. " She moved closer into his arms wrapping her own around his neck in a dance pose, looking up to meet his eyes. "I really just want to be with you."
"Okay, sounds good," Jamie agreed. Eddie rested her head against his chest their bodies pressed together with no space swaying to their own tune.
When Sunday morning dawned, Eddie was antsy and sick to her stomach. Jamie had made bacon and eggs but Eddie turned it away with a greenish look in her face.
"You okay?"
Eddie sighed, "Jamie, I'm scared. These people know you and they know about you and your family and there I'll be, lost and looking stupid." Eddie was crying.
"Oh sweetheart," Jamie sighed. "Oh, Eddie come here." Jamie wrapped his arms around Eddie and snuggled her. "It's not hard baby, it's not I promise you. You follow me and you will be fine. You will be the prettiest lady in the whole church."
Jamie dried Eddie's tears. After breakfast, Jamie helped her select a nice baby blue dress with a square neck and modest skirt. With pretty beige heels and her hair up, Eddie looked the part even if she didn't feel it.
Jamie held Eddie's hand going into church, "Sister Theophane, this is my fiancee Edit Janko. Eddie, this is Sister Theophane, my first grade teacher. Got my first punishment from her."
Eddie smiled, "Nice to meet you."
"Sister Eddie is Episcopalian, so she's feeling a little..." Jamie shook his hand back and forth.
Sister smiled, "Oh don't worry my dear. You're from us too, just be present in your heart and love God. That's all you need to do. You have a good man in Jamison."
Eddie knew it was true. Smiling at the Sister Eddie walked with Jamie to the pew, passing by eager eyes watching her. Lowering her eyes to study the floor and keep her breakfast down Eddie followed Jamie kneeling just outside the pew before sliding in.
Henry's eyes brightened seeing the pretty blond fiancé. "Good to see you sweetheart," he greeted low. His hand met hers gently squeezing for reassurance. "It's okay just follow us, you'll be okay."
Once mass started Eddie turned to pay attention, following Jamie and Henry's lead to sing, stand or kneel. Henry met her eyes with an affirming smile that she was doing great. By the end with Jamie and Henry standing as her shields Eddie felt better.
After mass Jamie took her hand leading her to the back. "Jamie Reagan, so glad God brought you back home. It's good to see you again," Father Connoley greeted extending a hand to shake the young man he knew as a child.
"Thank you Father it's good to be home. Father Connoley this is my fiancé Eddie Janko, Eddie Father baptized me, oversaw my first communion and conormation. This was Eddie's first mass Father."
"Nice to meet you," Eddie smiled nervously shaking his hand.
"Same to you, first mass huh? Stop by the rectory both of you for some coffee. Sounds like either way you have a big decision to make but if you want to join the Catholic faith so you can marry in Church I'd be happy to discuss with you. " He nodded at the couple hoping they take his invitation to at least discuss their plans.
Walking down the steps to meet with Frank and the others Eddie thought over what Father said. "Maybe we can talk to Father tomorrow? It wasn't bad and I know how much this means to you. Won't make promises but.."
Jamie beamed with lit eyes hearing her say she'd consider it. Leading her to the car Jamie smiled excitedly unable to wait until they marry. He only hoped Danny would change his ming.