"Hey kid, thanks for calling me out Linda was driving me crazy." Danny grinned taking the stool next to his little brother by the bar continuing their tradition of meeting up once a week for a beer. Even as Danny grew close to retirement Jamie wanted to keep up the tradition of continuing to build a relationship much like the one he had with Joe.
Jamie gave a slight nod lifting his glass in salute as it reached halfway to his lips downing a large portion in one long drink. Lifting his own glass Danny took a smaller sip turning to look his brother over. "So is everything okay? How's Eddie and the kids?"
"They're fine you know getting big. Did I tell you Joe wants to join the academy and work for CSI? He told us yesterday…Sophia is a teenage girl interested in boys.." Danny raised an eyebrow hearing his little niece was starting to show interest in boys.
Taking another quick swig of beer Danny sighed wondering where time went that his nieces and nephews were so grown up. "Good for him continue the tradition. Tell Sophia she's not allowed to date until she's 50." His eyes glanced the game on one of the televisions grumbling at the jets loosing.
"Oh I did she gives that teenage attitude. I don't know how Erin did it with Niki she had an attitude too and Erin raised her as a single mother. Eddie and I can't seem to do anything right by her .." Jamie sighed drowning his frustrations in the rest of his beer.
Danny laughed, "It's the age kid don't feel to bad. "
Jamie arrived home to Eddie lying on the couch kept company by Sophia. "Hey baby, you okay?" He leaned down for a kiss looking her over with worry.
"Yeah, headache is all," Eddie replied. "Sophia wanted to talk to you."
"She is not going with that boy, she is too young and we can't trust a boy with Sophia, if..."
"Daddy, this is not fair!" Sophia demanded. "Why cant I go? Cause you don't think I can take care of myself, well I can! I hate you! Do you hear me?" spinning on her heels Sophia stomped her feet all the way out, up to her room letting the door slam behind.
Jamie's eyes followed his teenage daughter sighing seeing the Reagan temper mixed with Eddie's with her own teenage attitude. "She'll get over it Jamie but you have to talk to her now," Eddie came up behind him giving a nudge towards the steps. Shaking his head at her, breathing Putin preparation for battle Jamie started up to Sophia's room.
"Sophia, we need to talk.." Jamie pushed the already half open door to step in finding his daughter sitting on her bed hugging a teddy bear. She neither moved or acknowledged Jamie until he sat down beside him.
"There's nothing to talk about you don't trust me and don't want me to grow up. "
Smiling softly Jamie shook his head disagreeing even though he knew that's the reasoning of a teenager. "No honey, that's not why I said no. I said no because I don't know him and the last thing your mom and I want is for you to get hurt." He reached up brushing a hand through her blond hair smiling remembering how he used to stroke her hair as a kid when she couldn't sleep.
"We love you Sophia.."
"I love you too daddy but you and mom taught me how to take care of myself and what to do if I need help. If I invite him over so you can meet him would you say yes, please daddy," Sophia widened her eyes working her charm on her dad.
Jamie sighed, "call and invite him to dinner." Sophia squealed pulling him into a tight hug discarding the bear so she could jump up and run to make the call. Smiling glad to see her so happy Jamie went downstairs to let Eddie know.
He found her sitting on the living room couch watching ESPN sports highlights from every team that played. The minute she looked up catching Jamie's face Eddie turned the tv off smiling up at him. "You caved didn't you?"
"Shut up," Jamie laughed joining her on the couch, wrapping an arm around her quickly. "I want to meet the kid first for dinner then I'll make up my mind about letting her go out on a date.."
Shaking her head at him Eddie turned to face Jamie taking his hand into hers. "See, was that so hard?" I knew you'd change your mind." Smirking playfully she leaned forward letting their lips touch for a quick kiss pulling back a minute later to rest her head on his shoulder.
"Someone's birthday is coming up too, what do you want babe it's a big one."
"If you say the number I swear you'll be sleeping on the couch for a month Reagan," Eddie laughed teasingly poking his side until he squirmed away. When he stopped Eddie rested her head back against him smiling. "Doesn't matter dinner sounds good with the family."
"That's all come on Eddie it's a huge deal you don't want a party or something?" Jamie cradled her, his best friend and soulmate.
"I'm too old and I dont feel that well, you know..." Eddie sighed, " can we keep it small"
Jamie smiled, hugging her tight. "Of course it's your birthday, how are you not feeling well." He placed a kiss on her head.
"Im late, I'm weepy all the time, my back and legs ache..,it's the change,"
"Think so? Didn't think you'd go through that for a few more years. Well how would you like a massage," Jamie pulled back moving his hands to her shoulders.
'Thanks" eddie replied. "We go on Monday, I have labs on Friday and we go on Monday."
"No problem ill be right there with you, go enjoy your bath honey..." Jamie kissed her cheek gently. While Eddie went to relax Jamie started dinner sighing when the bell rang. He abandoned the vegetables going to answer the door.
A young boy, dark hair and eyes stood by the door. "Mr. Reagan, I'm here to see Sophia. Can she come down?"
"Yea sure, who are you?" Jamie eyes the boy arms crossed against his chest glad he kept his shield hanging on his hip.
"Luke, Sir," he replied. "I'm her friend and I wanted to say hi. I missed her in class today, she was in the nurse."