On Saturday early afternoon Sophia and Rebecca got ready for their group dinner with friends. To avoid suspicion Danny hung out with his father and grndfather until Jamie picked him up after dropping off the girls at their friend's house. Rebecca and Sophia talked the entire five blocks excited to be going out with friends alone.
"Be careful.." Jamie warned, waiting until they got inside safely to pick up his brother. He found Danny and Frank sitting in the living room talking quietly in a solemn tone. "What's going on? Where's pop?"
"He's upstairs not feeling well." Both sons could see the deep worry in their father's usually calm blue eyes, concerned about the state of his father's health. At 97 he was still mentally sound although his health began to slowly fade having trouble breathing.
Jamie turned to look up the steps wanting to see his grandfather but not wanting to disturb him if he was sleeping. Seeing the torn look on his brother's face Danny nodded having the same debate in his head. "Let's go see pop real quick then we can head into the city, guaranteed they haven't even left anyway."
The brothers walked upstairs both suddenly filled with memories from their childhood walking up and down those steps a million times for so many different reasons. Danny recalled each time he came down to leave so his new brothers and sister could come..being sent upstairs with Frank to get punished for misbehavior.
For Jamie learning how to walk downstairs without falling down, following his big brothers wanting to be like them. He remembered his first day of high school, going down to say goodbye when Danny left for Iraq then meeting him when he came back. The most vivid memory was his last trip downstairs before leaving for Harvard.
In the room Henry lay with his eyes closed resting mostly all he did lately, looking tiny and frail in the large bed. Jamie breathed in unevenly not used to seeing his former cop, marine grandfather who hated sitting around so still. He felt Danny touch his shoulder gently responding with shudder. "Come on kid let him rest, we'll check on him later…"
Giving one more glance Jamie followed Danny out to his car heading up to 65th street in the city early for a good spot. They stopped for food parking down the block to avoid being seen but where they still had a good eye on the girls. "I remember doing this for Erin and Niki…seems like just yesterday," Danny sighed watching Sophia laughing at a joke her friends told.
"I know now she's a lawyer, you're getting ready to retire…I was just helping Joe he wants to ask this girl out from class. Seems like just yesterday they were born you know.." Jamie turned checking on the group talking while they ate.
"Tell me about it.." Danny leaned against the window to grab his trash bag stuffing the empty burger wrapper inside.
The brother's watched quietly as the group finished eating just in time for sunset. When Sophia reached for her jacket William lifted it first helping her out it on unaware he was being watched. "Yea I dare you to try anything," Danny sat up mumbling as he watched with narrow eyes in case the kid tried to make a move on his niece.
"I got your back on that Danny.." Jamie leaned forward for a better view.
William walked beside Sophia continuing to smile at a conversation neither cop could hear though wished they could. "What do we know about this kid," Danny asked eyes trained on the girls walking back to the train with their friends.
"Don't worry I already checked them out they're all good kids never been in trouble at least not enough to have a record." Jamie pulled out once the girls were out of sight starting back home to beat them. His cell vibrated with a text from Rebecca telling him they were leaving.
Danny nodded glad that was over and relieved he had boys instead of girls as Linda did. Pulling into the highway Jamie slowed sighing at the field of red lights ahead of them. "Thanks for doing this with me Danny, I appreciate it."
"Hey that's what big brothers are for kid, besides they're my nieces too. I worry about them just as you do and it gets me out of the house. Wait until your retired and Eddie has a list of things for you to do," Danny teased grinning. Jamie laughed tapping the wheel as they inched forward thinking it better he not respond to that comment.
They arrived in Brooklyn after sitting in traffic for over an hour parking behind a black car outside their father's house. Both brothers approached the house weapons in hand quietly entering together. From the entrance Frank's voice echoed into the hallway talking with a doctor.
"Dad, is everything okay," Danny joined them in the living uncaring he interrupted the conversation with Jamie right behind. Frank turned facing his sons eyes bloodshot red and wet. "Did something happen?"
"The doctor came over to check on pops..he's not well. It's only a matter of time now, everyone is on their way. He did ask to speak with you Jamie." Jamie blinked numbly quickly going up to see his grandfather. He stepped inside slowly taking a minute to survey the older man before moving closer to the bed sitting on the edge.
Henry turned his head slowly feeling the bed move offering a smile. "Jamie, glad you came," Henry spoke each word slowly with labored breath. His blue eyes raised to meet his youngest grandson's taking a deep breath before continuing.
"Jamie, you're the patient one, our peacemaker. Remember everything I taught you Jamie look after your family they are everything. "You have made me the proudest I have ever been,' Henry replied. "Danny is the oldest but this family rests with you."
"I don't know Pop, things aren't always easy," Jamie sighed.
"You lead it Jamie, you and your Eddie, just like me and my Betty. Of the three I have the most peace knowing this family is left with you. They need you Jamie, you are a natural leader, patient but firm when needed."
Jamie sighed, "I promise, pop. We love you." He placed a hand on his grandfather's shoulder sealing his promise to try and lead the family as Henry asked. Henry wanted to make sure he asked Jamie to reassure his old mind.
The family gathered inside standing together for support. Niki stayed by her mother's side staring blankly at a spot on the wall trying to hold everything in. Danny wrapped an arm around Linda comforting her with kisses to the head. Jack and Sean stood together neither saying a word. Across the room Jamie held Eddie both their eyes wet, the kids standing back.
Frank took Jamie's spot on the bed holding Henry's hand the entire time breathing unevenly, his own eyes tearing.
With each passing hour Henry's breathing slowed showing the older man wasn't giving in easily. Just after nine thirty Henry passed surrounded by his family.