Here is the latest update hopefully everyone had an enjoyable holiday season.
Sorry for a longer than expected delay life just got crazy after this chapter we will only have two chapters left.
Chapter24 Welcome to the New World
Jamie Eddie Nicky Marina Ashley and Rocky stepped off the plane after having spent the past week in Puerto Rico feeling refreshed especially Jamie and Eddie who were still on a high from their engagement Jamie had spent a few days trying to grasp the fact that he was once again heading down the path that would hopefully end in him becoming a married man.
As the group headed towards customs Jamie glanced at his ring which was an action that didn't go unnoticed by Eddie.
"Hey lambchop stop gazing at your ring at step on it I'm hungry as is the rest of crew." Eddie yelled.
Jamie caught with Eddie as the duo headed towards the baggage claim.
"Sorry Eddie just trying to figure out how my family will take the news that I'm engaged again especially after how it went the last time."
"Relax Reagan you have nothing to worry about if anything I should be worrying it's me I mean you're the baby of the family plus in case you forgot we have child on the way I'll be lucky if I'm not taken out by your brother."
"Eddie for the millionth time no one is going to kill you for proposing if anything they'll want to throw us a party."
"I hope you're right Jamie."
Once Jamie and Eddie finally caught up with the rest of the group they found that Marina had already gathered up everyone's luggage and was ready to finally leave the airport."
"So, Marina how are we getting out of here?"
"No worries Jamie I called two limos we're headed back to my loft you and Eddie can head home for now Nicky took care of your family for tonight."
"Thanks Marina for everything."
"No big Jamie and before I forget I left your agent cut in your account 400k to be exact."
Jamie was shocked Marina had spoken to him about becoming the groups agent but he was hesitant to take any money.
"Marina you didn't have to do that."
"Jamie just take it after all its ten percent of what we made on the trip its standard take it you earned it I know you'll find a purpose for it."
"Fine I'll take it but only because you agreed to the standard deal."
"That's all I ask now get home I know you're beat."
The group waited about ten minutes for their rides to show up and once loaded the groups separated and headed off knowing that they would be meeting up for dinner.
It took almost an hour thanks to traffic but Eddie and Jamie had finally made it home.
"Thank goodness we're home." Eddie remarked as she left her suitcase by the door and emptied out her pockets on the side table glancing at her phone noticing she had three missed calls all from the adoption agency.
Eddie frantically checked her voice-mail listening to the message letting the full minute long message play as a million-watt smile spread across her face and as the message ended Eddie yelled for Jamie.
"Jamie!"
Jamie instantly came running when he heard Eddie yelling.
"Jesus Eddie where's the fire?"
"Sorry Jamie but I just got some amazing news from the adoption agency."
"Okay what's the news?"
"Well your half of the paperwork concerning Alexandra's adoption was green lit so as soon as we're ready Alexandra can come home with us."
"Wow Eddie that's amazing but where are we going to live this place isn't big enough for the three of us we would need a bigger apartment and besides we can't break the lease we just amended it with four months left."
"Jamie don't worry I'll pay the six grand to break the lease and I'll find us a nice brownstone here in Brooklyn or we could always move to Manhattan Marina said the loft next to hers is free."
Are you sure Eddie a loft payment and raising a teenager is a lot."
"Jamie, we can make this work between what I got from our trip and a drop of savings it's no problem."
"Eddie I don't want you hemorrhaging money to live some superficial lifestyle."
"I'm not Jamie this trip alone I made back what I spent on both cars and your outfits all my accounts are fine we can do this"
"Eddie I'm trusting you I love this new side of you but I'm trying to be sensible at the same time."
"I understand Jamie we'll make this work trust me."
"Fine so what's the plan?"
"Well I already had a home inspection done here while we were away which wasn't easy but I but we passed the agency gives us a month to get settled in a permanent address I've also been e-mailing with the case worker if we can make it down there today we can get the final approval and have Alex with us tonight."
"Fine Eddie but what if the girl doesn't like me or I'm a lousy father?"
"Jamie she'll love you and you'll be a great dad to her just follow my lead to start."
"Fine we'll do this your way."
"Good now I'll go grab a shower call agency and find out if we can get her before the caseworker leaves for the day go relax for a bit you don't need to change yet."
Eddie made her way towards the shower while Jamie made himself comfortable on the couch while thinking about the fact that he was about to become a parent hoping that he didn't screw up forget the fact he was also had to announce to his family that he was engaged to and starting a family with his ex-partner which he was sure was going to make for interesting dinner fodder to go along with his surprise trip.
While Eddie showered, Jamie sat comfortably watching SportsCenter thinking about his family and the impending wedding he and Eddie had spoken about having a civil ceremony for now and holding off on the official church style ceremony until after they had Alexandra settled and they were both solid at work with both looking to moves in the department.
Eddie had already made her intentions known to Jamie to convert on the trip which shocked Jamie but he understood Eddie's reasoning.
Twenty minutes later Eddie emerged from shower dressed in a nice red three quarters shirt and blue jeans with her hair tied up.
"Alright Jamie hit the shower I'll make the calls to the agency to go get Alexandra and before you lose it she'll love you don't worry."
"Thanks angel by the way whose car are we taking?"
"I'm calling a car for us I don't want any nonsense down there I'm also getting us a Range-Rover for us to have for family related outings we can still keep our cars I don't want Alex in our street cars unless we have too."
"Fine with me Eddie don't overdue the mama bear routine."
"Watch it Reagan."
"Eddie, relax I know why you're acting like this I'll probably be worse when I get used to her."
"Now that I'd pay to see."
Jamie went to shower while Eddie made the required phone calls which took all of forty minutes in which Jamie immerged from the shower fully dressed seeing Eddie looking at a wallet sized photo.
"Hey you."
"Oh, Jamie you scared me."
"Sorry is that Alex?"
"Yep I kept this picture with me from a few years ago."
"She kind of looks like you."
"I used to get that a lot people say if they didn't know any better they'd swear she was mine."
"Well if she's anything like you I'm sure we'll get along just fine."
"I'm glad you feel that way babe because for the time being we'll be a bit tight we still be living here until we can settle the loft in Marina's building."
"That should be easy like I said before I'm still hoping she likes me."
"Jamie for the last time she'll love you just take it easy and follow my lead."
"For once I have to Eddie by the way did you make those phone calls?"
"I did we're all set all I have to do is call a ride and we can pick up our daughter maybe even spend some time with her before going to see your family."
"Sounds like a plan actually the more I think about it the more I like the idea of us having our own little family."
"Well if you're getting all sentimental on me we can go pick up Alex now."
"Hey I'm not stopping you Eddie let's do this."
"I'll call our ride."
Ten minutes later Jamie and Eddie were in a car headed for the adoption in lower Manhattan.
Once Jamie and Eddie made it to the agency they each took a breath and entered the building.
Eddie and Jamie made their way to the front desk where they were directed to the eighth floor where they met up with Angeline Jones who was the primary case worker for Jamie and Eddie at this point.
Angeline was a tall dark skin woman with medium length black hair and hazel eyes.
"Ms. Jones it's me Eddie we spoke on the phone."
"Ah Ms. Janko join me in my office."
Eddie and Jamie joined Ms. Jones in her office and closed the door.
Ms. Jones had the folder regrading Eddie's case already open on her desk.
"Ms. Janko Mr. Reagan I reviewed your file and everything is in order you have sixty days to report a permeant address but everything else is in order".
"Well Ms. Jones if everything's in order where's Alex?"
"Relax Ms. Janko she is just downstairs with my assistant she'll be brought to you shortly we just have to sign the official papers and you three can head off".
"Fine we'll sign whatever we have to we just want Alex."
"In that case sign this stack of papers and Alex will be yours."
Eddie and Jamie spent the next half hour reviewing and signing documents with both feeling anxious after signing the last set of papers.
There that's the last of it Ms. Jones."
Well everything is in order I'll make the call."
Angeline buzzed her assistant who five minutes later walked into the office with a five foot five blonde girl who Jamie swore could have been Eddie's daughter."
Eddie held back tears as she felt the teen jump into her lap.
"Mama Eddie you came for me you really came."
"I'm here sweetie."
Jamie took in the touching scene before him.
Alex noticed that there was a man watching them she instantly looked up at Eddie as if the two had a silent conversation between the two and Eddie just nodded letting her know that the man next to them was safe.
Alex this is Jamie don't worry he's with me." Eddie assured the teen.
Alex took a moment studied Jamie and did something no one expected she jumped over into his lap looking up into his eyes.
"Papa."
It took that one word to send Jamie into all out hysterics even if he was still trying to process the scene before him.
All of a sudden Jamie felt Alex trace Jamie's chest with her finger.
"Eddie what's she doing?"
"Relax Jamie she's imprinting on you its normal Alex draws a heart on people she trusts the fact that she did it to you so quickly must mean that she feels like she's safe with you, normally that doesn't happen quickly with her."
Even though Alex was not his child biologically Jamie took one look into Alex's blue eyes and felt like he now had a new title that he wanted to carry with pride.
After a few more moments, everyone re-gathered themselves Eddie collected her documents and the newly minted family exited the agency.
As they headed outside with Alex's lone suitcase in tow Alex tapped Eddie to ask a question curious about her new family.
"Mama when we get home can we eat I'm hungry?"
"Of course, Alex anything for you."
Jamie looked over to Eddie as she called their car.
"Eddie if you want us to eat out we can we don't have to be in Brooklyn for a couple hours".
"Jamie don't worry about it we don't have to eat out."
"You sure babe I'll pay."
"Jamie really it's no big deal she's not a fussy kid."
"Fine but I'm spoiling her now and again I want the best for both my girls".
"Look at you Reagan ten minutes as a father and she already has you wrapped around her finger."
"Sue me Eddie lets go home."
Once the trio made it home Eddie put Alex's bag in their bedroom and settled Alex on the couch.
Jamie was surprised Alex went straight for the open copy of To Kill a Mockingbird Jamie had forgetfully left on the table.
"You like to read Alex?"
Alex just glanced at Jamie.
"Yes, I do I want to be a cop just like mama."
"That's nice Alex you keep at it."
Somehow Jamie felt like he was looking at himself while looking at Alex.
The trio spent the majority of the day getting to know each other with Eddie realizing that Alex couldn't be anymore Jamie's twin if she tried she was able to really bond with Jamie and to Eddie nothing could feel more right.
Around 5:30 Eddie had gotten a text from Nicky that she was headed to Frank's so Eddie knew it was finally time to face the music.
"Jamie, we need to start heading to your Dads start getting dressed I'll call us a car we can't take either of ours over."
"I know babe does Alex have something for dinner?"
"Yea she does in her bag we'll go shopping ASAP".
Twenty minutes later Jamie was dressed in a black button down slacks and a pair of gator skin shoes and one of the watches Eddie got him and for her part Eddie was dressed in a black pants suit with her hair tied up while Alex wore a black skirt and shoes.
"Jamie, you have your ring?"
"Yes babe of course."
"Good now let's go before I lose my nerve."
With that Eddie called for a ride and the trio made their way to Bay-Ridge all hoping tonight wasn't a disaster.
The ride over to Bay-Ridge was mostly a silent one with each member of the family trying to calm their nerves.
Meanwhile not too far from Jamie Nicky and Marina were about to pull up to the house.
"Rina why do you look so nervous you've been different since we got back."
"It's nothing babe just drive."
"Marina cut the crap I know you well enough to know when your snowing me so spit it out."
"Fine I've been thinking about us and where we're headed."
"What are you talking about Marina?"
"Well Rocky and Ashley are making moves to graduate soon and let's face it we both know Rocky is putting a ring on Ashley's finger sooner than later so they'll be doing big things not to mention your uncle and Eddie are engaged knowing them they have big plans and we're both here living a life out of lifestyles of the rich and famous not that I mind but I want something more."
"What are you saying Rina you're a member of New York's finest a model with killer good looks and you have me what more are you missing?"
"I'm not missing anything Nicky its more of like I want to enhance what I have not material wise relationship wise."
"What are you saying Marina we're solid aren't we?"
"We are I just see all the relationships around me growing and mines been stuck in a way."
"Stuck how?"
Well Eddie and your uncle are engaged so she's more less a Reagan Abbie and your mom are married so that's another set of Reagan's and I'm sitting around as just a girlfriend I'm an outsider and I don't feel right its stupid I know it's just the way I feel."
Nicky was shocked that Marina felt the way she did.
"Listen Marina no matter how much relationships change around us I want you to know that I'm here for you you're it for me I mean that and when the time's right it'd be an honor to have you take my last name and become my wife I mean that from the bottom of my heart so cut the insecure act please babe I love you and only you."
With that Marina felt more at ease and finally came to a stop in front of Frank's house noticing Jamie and Eddie getting of their car.
"Nicky noticed that Eddie and Jamie had a girl with them so she ran up to the trio.
"Hey uncle Jamie Eddie you guys got here quick."
"Yeah traffic wasn't too bad by the way Nicky there's someone we want you to meet."
Jamie signaled for Alexandra to join him needless to say she was a bit shy.
"Nicky this is Alexandra my daughter."
Nicky was stunned having heard the news.
Nicky extended her hand waiting for Alex to shake it.
"Alex go ahead that's Nicky your cousin.
After a few moments, Alex shook Nicky's hand quickly ending the greeting and finding Eddie.
"Uncle Jamie how did this happen?"
Shortly after Eddie and I got together she got a letter about Alex it turns out Alex came from a crappy family so Eddie adopted her as did I please don't make a case out of it I don't need it."
"Of course, not I understand if you're happy that's all that matters besides another cousin is never a bad thing."
"Thanks kiddo."
No problem let me head inside first and set an extra place at the table to give you guys time to ease in take five in the car get the keys from Rina."
"Good idea."
Jamie got the keys from Marina and waited with Eddie and Alex while Marina and Eddie greeted the rest of the family.
"Hey everyone we're here." Nicky called seeing Frank and Henry walking towards the den with Erin and Abbie.
"Nicky you're home." Erin said engulfing Nicky in a hug.
"I missed you too mom you too mama."
Both Erin and Abbie were stunned that Nicky had called Abbie mama for the first time while trying to hold it together.
Once the hug was broken Nicky Marina and the rest of the family in the dining-room with the rest of the family.
Nicky saw the setup of the table and headed into the kitchen to retrieve two more settings and after setting them and setting two extra chairs which Danny quickly noticed and called Nicky out on it.
"Nicky what's with the extra settings?"
"We have two other guests joining us."
"Who would that be?"
You'll see."
With that Nicky made a call to Jamie.
"Yeah uncle Jamie you guys can come in now."
With that Nicky ended the call which led to more of the detective routine from Danny.
"Who is your uncle bringing with him?"
You'll see now let's eat I'm starved"
Once the family heard the door they were shocked to see Jamie standing in the entrance way pf the dinning-room flanked by Eddie and Alexandra.
"Hey everyone hope you don't mind I brought two more to join us."
For her part, Erin try to hide her smile happing to catch a glimpse of the ring on her brother's finger.
Again, Danny was the first to ask about Nicky's trip.
"So, Nicky how was Puerto Rico?"
Amazing I wouldn't mind going back for fun next time."
"Anything for Amor." Marina replied sweetly.
So, Jamie where you been kid haven't seen you around?"
"Well Danny if you must know I took a vacation and yes I enjoyed the hell out of it and before we enjoy our food I'd like to introduce the family to two very important people in the girl sitting next to me is Alex and I believe most of you know my ex-partner Eddie Janko."
"Not to be rude Jamie but you walk in here with your ex-partner a kid a suit that costs at least two of my take home checks what gives."
"Well Danny I wanted to wait a bit before revealing this but the ring on finger is an engagement ring I got engaged to Eddie in Puerto Rico we started seeing each other after I moved up and we adopted Alex."
Everyone was shocked and tried to process the information they had just heard until Frank spoke up.
"Jamie what the hell are you doing this is so sudden."
"Dad I'm just following the advice I was given by my big sister what I have with Eddie is special so I'm following my heart and marrying the love of my life in a simple city ceremony in a few weeks".
"Well in that case Jamie I support you and as long as no regulations were broken I'll be at the ceremony."
"They weren't dad honest I just want to spend my life with my soon to wife and new daughter".
"Alright enough with the third-degree Francis let's welcome these ladies into the family and eat." Henry stated trying to take the heat off Eddie and Alex.
The food was brought and the prayer was said after which conversation turned to wedding plans and the proposal story.
Everyone enjoyed the catered feast and atmosphere knowing that at least for now everything was right on the Reagan front.
Next Chapter will include the final game changer for this story that will change the Reagan family as we know it.
'