Each Reagan approached Henry to say goodbye while waiting for the ME to arrive. Jamie approached the bed feeling tears already swelling as he knelt down beside the bed next to his grandfather. "I won't forget what you said grandpa, I love you.." Jamie's voice cracked forcing him to take in an uneven breath, taking his grandpa's hand in his.
Giving a gentle squeeze Jamie got back to his feet walking past everyone to hide the tears he couldn't hold back anymore. Erin busily sobbed into her daughter while Danny and Linda comforted their boys. Joe though younger held onto his mom, Sophia and Mary Rose stepping up for his family.
Seeing his father walking out Rebecca quietly followed him down the hall to his old room. When she stepped inside Jamie sat on his old bed head ducked and back to the door hiding his face. "Dad, are you okay?" Receiving no answer at first Rebecca walked closer taking a seat next to her father.
It was then she saw his face, eyes bloodshot and puffy red from crying, cheeks wet from tears. The sadness in his blue eyes a deep twinkling of hurt she'd never saw in her father cut through the young woman. "Oh dad, I'm really sorry about great grandpa. We're really going to miss him, he was.."
Wordlessly Jamie hugged his daughter tightly against him, rubbing small circles across her back nodding. "He was one of the best men as is your grandfather. All of us looked up to them growing up..."
"I can't believe it either.." Rebecca admitted sadly as the shock she held in began wearing off replaced by grief. She leaned against her father sharing in grief while crying together.
Over the next few days every Reagan took turns checking in on Frank who refused to leave the house stubbornly wanting to remain where he raised his kids with Mary. "He's just grieving lambchop..he just lost his father. We'll keep an eye on him but he has to do deal with this his way," Eddie assured when Jamie brought it up worried about his father.
"I know he did I'm just worried dad isn't talking.." Jamie sighed cradling Eddie.
"I'm going over tomorrow morning but he he's doing the same thing you do Jamie. He has all of us to make sure he gets through this I promise we won't let anything happen." Eddie leaned up for a kiss already knowing where Jamie's mind went understanding his worry.
Keeping her promise while Jamie went to work Eddie stopped by the house going right in. "Frank?"
She checked the first floor heading upstairs going to Frank's room thinking he might still be sleeping after the past several days. Eddie paused by Henry's room seeing the large figure of her father in law sitting on the bed where just a few days ago his father lay. "Frank?"
Frank continued staring at the bed forcing Eddie to approach, sitting next to him. "Are you all right? Do you need anything?"
"No just sit with me.."
The funeral was scheduled four days later at their parish in Bay Ridge. Officers from precincts in all five boroughs showed, retired cops of all ranks and friends of the family including Garret, Gornley and Baker.
Eddie spent the last couple of days tending to the family and helping with the grief as uch as she could. Sophia and Rebecca seemed to struggle more than the older two and Frank more than anyone. Jamie was very concerned about his dad.
"Eddie I would really like it if we stayed with Dad, I know it's hard on the kids but...I just..."
Eddie slid her arms around Jamie, "Just make sure the floor plan is secure for Sophia, you know how she is at night in different places...But yes I think it's very important we stay close to your father. We better get going honey. I'll get the kids."
Arriving at the church Jamie led them in to where the family sat up front not one making eye contact. Mary Rose and Joe slid in first sitting beside Erin followed by Joe then Sophia. Jamie let Eddie go in taking the end seat crossing himself. The bearers entered carrying Henry's casket forcing every person inside to their feet.
Jamie turned back, eyes tearing at seeing the casket being brought in knowing what it held inside. This time he couldn't hide his emotions try as he might, receiving a gentle squeeze to the hand from Eddie showing support.
The priest, an old friend of the Reagans stood to start the mass making a small speech about what a wonderful person Henry was always trying to help people. Sophia clung to her brother looking to him for strengths as everything started to hit. Joe hugged his sister tight pushing his own emotion down so he could focus on helping her.
After the priest spoke Frank went up to give a few words about the former commissioner and father. As he spoke every word his voice wavered forcing him to stop and settle down before going on.
Mass continued with the priest blessing Henry as he returned home leading the procession out. Renzulli excused himself approaching the family grim faced and red cheeked himself looking at his old boot before turning to address his boss . "Excuse me sir I just wanted to offer my deepest condolences. If there's anything we can do just ask."
"Thank you Tony, we appreciate it.." Erin turned taking her father's hand supportively excusing them to start out towards the car that would take them to the cemetery. Stepping aside Renzulli met his old boot's eyes recognizing the pain he held in. Before she could pass Renzulli took Eddie's hand pulling her aside.
"The kid is hurting Eddie and there's not many people he opens up to. I know you'll take care of him just had to ask you know."
Eddie nodded understanding, promising she's look over him. Joe waited until his mother helped Jamie back to speak with the Sergeant. "Excuse me Uncle Tony you don't have to worry about dad and grandpa. Im going to stay and commute to school so I can be close and help."
Giving him a smile Renzulli picked his hands up slowly signing back "I know you will Joe, you're a good kid just like your father. " Joe watched Sergeant walk off hurrying to join his family in back sighing. First they would say goodbye to great grandpa Henry then he would tell the family his decision.