Jamie woke Christmas Eve morning slipping out of bed careful not to wake Eddie before it was time. They would head to his father's for both Christmas Eve and Day, attending mass at midnight. Smiling he headed downstairs into the kitchen looking for eggs to make breakfast. While the eggs cooked he started a pot of coffee checking the cell phone left charging. His phone pinged with a message from Danny reminding him to bring the desert.
He flipped the eggs quickly sending a text back to his brother promising to bring Eddie's desert a Serbian pie everyone enjoyed. As he flipped the eggs to check they were cooked footsteps patterned against the wood floor behind. "Morning daddy," Mikayla greeted first skipping across to give her daddy a big hug and kiss followed by her younger siblings.
"Daddy eggs.." Maria took in a deep breath inhaling the smell of her daddy's eggs. Clapping she went to the counter using a step stool and took three napkins to pass out.
"Can you get two more for mommy and daddy too? Thanks Maria," Jamie smiled serving the eggs into separate dishes. Maria liked her in the middle, plain with no ketchup . Mikayla preferred to pour ketchup on top of the eggs no matter how they were cooked and Joe wanted ketchup on the side not touching his eggs.
With the kids served Jamie turned back to the stove making eggs for he and Eddie while the kids are theirs. Eddie walked in a few minutes later, stopping to give kisses and hugs for her kids first then Jamie. "Merry Christmas Eve Eddie.." Jamie smiled.
"You too lambchop," Eddie grinned pecking his lips before reaching for the coffee pot. Laughing Jamie stepped to his left keeping his eyes on the eggs. Once the eggs were slightly browned not burnt Jamie took them off serving them to Eddie and setting with his own plate.
"Mommy what time are we going to grandpa's house," Mikayla asked even after they told her ten times in the past few days.
Eddie finished sipping her coffee setting the cup down to answer. "We're going a little early so we can help grandpa and great grandpa Henry get dinner ready. Jack, Sean and Nicky will be there too so you can play with them." Nodding Mikayla went back to eating breakfast for the moment.
When Jamie finished he cleared his place heading upstairs to shower. Danny would come by to pick him up to visit the cemetery with Frank, Henry and Erin before helping with dinner. He came out to find Eddie waiting on the bed, meeting her halfway. "You okay," she asked eyes locked while buttoning his dress down shirt. She knew how much Jamie missed Joe and his mother having been very close to both.
"Yeah I'm fine Eddie it's the same every year you know? Just want them to know we think about them all the time but even more now. They both loved the holidays, having everyone together the whole family.." Jamie smiled but Eddie saw sadness in his blue eyes.
"You know they're watching over you and the family and are happy.." Eddie finished helping him dress moving her arms around his shoulders hugging him. "Love you," she whispered.
Jamie smiled, "love you too." He hooked his badge onto his pants always keeping it close heading downstairs for his phone. When Danny text he was outside Jamie gave his kids hugs going outside to the awaiting jeep.
"Hey kid.." Danny greeted once Jamie got In also dressed in a button down blue dress shirt with black dress pants. He pulled out staying quiet until they got to the cemetery. Finding a parking spot across the street Danny looked out his window sighing. "This never gets easier."
"Nope.." Jamie shook his head slowly eyes glued on the looming field. Danny looped an arm around his little brother showing quiet support while walking in together to their family spots.
Frank and Henry turned hearing leaves crunching under footsteps giving quiet nods to the two young men. "Dad..pop.." Danny spoke softly stopping to their right ending the line of Reagan men, Erin standing to her father's left eyes brimming red. In her hand she held flowers to decorate the ground.
"They loved this time of year," Frank's voice cracked as memories of his wife and oldest son flooded back. He was answered with only slight nods each person lost in their own thoughts about the members of their family that were no longer here. "Mary looked forward to having everyone over.." frank added. Giving a quiet sigh Erin moved forward setting the flowers between her mom and Joe's grave, taking a bunch out for her grandma.
Henry gently touched the stone to his late wife's grave giving a gentle kiss before moving along the row to his daughter in law and oldest grandson. Eyes wet Frank joined his daughter paying his respects to his late wife and oldest son.
Danny and Jamie stood side by side neither moving for several seconds. The older brother touched his younger sibling's shoulder giving a small nod. Together they walked up stopping in between their mom and brother's graves. Taking off his glove Danny placed a hand on the cold, hard stones mumbling "I miss you both so much."
Taking a deep breath Danny retracted back to stand beside his brother who still had yet to move. Though he didn't speak aloud Jamie was having a private conversation inside his head. "Really wish you were both still here with us. I know I say this every year but you'd really love Eddie. You're both missed and I hope your watching proud."
"Ready kid," Danny broke through his brother's thoughts in a crackling voice. Nodding wordlessly Jamie followed back to the car, eyes brimmed with red. "Joe and mom are with us you know. They sent each of those kids to you."
Jamie nodded, "Yeah I know just miss them especially this time of year. Seeing the kids wake up early to check if Santa came reminds me of us growing up. We would wake Joe first then mom and dad.
"It would take awhile cause Joe was such a heavy sleeper," Danny recalled with a sad smile.
When they arrived back at the house Frank already started cooking the defrosted ham for dinner while Henry made potatoes and vegetables. "You two can set the table..Erin can you make a salad," Henry spoke up without looking away from his preparations.
Danny and Jamie brought napkins and plates into the dinning room setting places for everyone. "Remember when we fought over who would sit by dad and grandpa," Jamie smiled at the memory.
"Of course I do guess who won every year. Mom sure had a soft spot for you because I remember you pretty much had that seat every year," Danny set the last plate down smiling too. They both turned hearing the door open then close again.
"Anyone home.." Mikayla appeared in the doorway followed by her sisters and Joe bringing up the rear with Eddie. Seeing their uncle all three kids ran over giving Danny big hugs, Eddie following slowly holding a Serbian cake.
Linda arrived shortly with the boys filling the house with joyful conversations and bottles of beer popping open. Jamie sat on the couch with his kids, Jack and Sean talking about a game they invented to pass the time. "He's great with the kids," Linda smiled watching.
They sat down just after six to a cooked ham accompanied by bread stuffing, roasted and mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts roasted, broccoli and peas with carrots. A basket of bread fresh from the oven sat beside Frank at the head of the table. Eddie kept her hand on the kids making sure they behaved and sat nicely. She didn't want to be embarrassed. Once everyone was seated they bowed their heads reciting the prayer together. "Amen let's eat. " Henry grinned.
"Mommy what is that stuff?" Maria pointed to the stuffing.
"That's called stuffing Kayla try some it's really good," Eddie said giving her a small portion. Frank slowly cut the turkey both Jamie and Danny eyeing the same peice.Frank sliced the piece in a perfect half, then gave one piece to each. " Peace on Earth, good will to men," Frank chuckled.
The two sons chuckled exchanging a smile that warmed Frank's heart seeing them getting along. "How you doing there Eddie," Henry asked watching Jamie serving her food.
"I am fine," Eddie smiled. "Trying to keep these kiddos occupied."
"They're fine no worries try to relax and have fun. Here drink some wine," henry motioned for her glass.Eddie laughed and slugged a glass of wine down straight.
"There you go Eddie you're learning. Maybe soon you'll be a worthy drinking buddy," Danny teased.
"I can drink all of you under the table if I want especially you Detecrive," Eddie replied.
Henry chuckled at Danny's confident smirk ready go debate that. Joe slid out of his chair between his sisters walking to his father. "Daddy."
Jamie received his little son and held him "what's wrong buddy?"
"Joe sit with daddy," Joe said settling against him as he did every Sunday when the family gathered.
Jamie smiled, "You are a big guy, yes..." he cuddled the shy boy. Frank smiled reminded of Jamie as a kid with his mother especially around big crowds. Comforted being close to his father Joe ate two dishes following Jamie as he cleared.
It bothered Eddie a bit how much Joe clung to Jamie and not her. She wanted that connection with her little boy. Linda watched with a smile, "its just a phase Jack was the same way but he grew out of it."
"My girls never had that phase, they always were content with us both."
"Boys are weird but honestly Jamie was that shy too as a kid. Don't worry you'll get plenty of time with him," Linda assured.
Eddie helped set out the dessert, "Mikayla, Maria, come hep Mommy put out the cookies please." Eddie took out her coin bread and put it on the platter. "Do you remember how the coin bread works girls?"
Mikayla took a breath saying it before her sister. "Whoever gets the coin gets good luck!" Maria pouted stomping her foot on her sister's.
"Girls!" Eddie said sternly. "That is right but we aren't in a race."
"She always answer and I never get to it isn't fair," Maria protested.
"she's a little older than you are," Eddie soothed. "Hush now and help Mommy."
The girls obeyed helping with the cake. "Mommy Santa coming?"
"Yes, girls," Eddie replied. "If we are good and kind hearted he's coming."
With hot coffee in every adult's cup the Reagans sat again together for desert. As the hour grew later Joe showed signs of tire rubbing his eyes and whining."We better get the little ones home,' Jamie suggested. "Come on honey..." Jamie picked up Joe and Maria leaving Mikayla to Eddie.
"Get those kids in bed Jamie, don't worry about mass.. Merry Christmas son," Frank said before Jamie even opened his mouth to apologize for missing mass.
Eddie agreed Joe was already nearly asleep. In his father's arms by the time they dsaid goodnight. Without being asked the girls gave hugs and kisses to everyone walking out to the car.
Eddie and Jamie put each of their kids into bed Joe already asleep, tucking the covers around them with routine hugs and kisses waiting until the girls fell asleep. Smiling Jamie put an arm around Eddie leading her downstairs. "Did you finish the rocking horse for Joey and the girls dollhouse?"
Jamie picked up both items wrapped neatly with tags both from Santa placing them under the tree. "Don't forget the milk and cookies."
"Oh, how could I?" Eddie asked laughing slightly. "Regular or chocolate?"
"Let's do chocolate this year.." Jamie smiled shifting the other gifts under the tree while Eddie set up a tray of milk and cookies.
She turned on the electric fire and curled her legs underneath her ready to indulge in the cookies and a nice movie.When he finished Jamie sighed sitting on the couch smiling at Eddie laying against him. "Love you."
Eddie put her feet on Jamie's lap and wiggled her toes, signaling she wanted a foot rub.Smirking Jamie slowly brought his hands to her feet rubbing gently, his eyes twinkling.
"You want one of those linzer tarts?" Eddie asked knowing they were Jamie's favorite.
"Sure," Jamie continued the massage watching Eddie's face relax as all the tension was slowly released. . How did i get so lucky to have Eddie and our kids he thought quietly with a smile.
"Is there anything you need to finish before we watch TV?" Eddie asked. "Do you think they are asleep?"
"Yeah they should be asleep. Im all caught up you?"
"I'm good...you want to watch the movie or you want ...make some memories of our own?"
"We can have the tv on while we watch memories.." Jamie took Eddie's hand leading her upstairs.
"No" Eddie said stopping him. "Right by the fireplace...let's stay right by the fire place."Jamie smiled grabbing the blanket in case their kids came down cupping Eddie's cheeks kissing her gently.
The fire did its own dance beside them shooting off orange and red embers as Eddie and Jamie connected. Once they finished they tiredly cuddled under the blanket falling asleep that way. Sometime into the night Maria tiptoed downstairs in her sheep slippers.
Quiet as a mouse the three year old peeked at the table seeing only crumbs left and an empty glass of milk. Turning she glanced the tree slowly creeping closer then stopped as the floor creaked. "What are you doing out of bed.."
Maria jumped and spun around guiltily watching Jamie walking in smiling. "Want to see if Santa came and he did!"
"Yes he did but Santa wants you in bed so he can keep the gifts here. You know Santa knows when you're sleeping or awake and good little kids need to be sleeping.." Jamie lifted her, carrying Maria back up to bed.
"I'm not tired no more," Maria yawned lying back to cuddle with her bunny while Jamie pulled the covers back up tucking them around her smiling.
"I know but it's bedtime. Daddy will stay until you fall asleep. I love you Maria.." Jamie kissed her forehead, staying until she fell back asleep. Before heading back down he checked on Mikayla and Joe then returned to Eddie's side.
Little feet hit the steps as the sun rose over the tress. Jamie and Eddie had dressed again in their Christmas pajamas and were snuggled under the blankets by the tree. "Mommy daddy.." Mikayla called leading her siblings downstairs joe holding on tight.
"Hey, Kayla Kat..." Jamie smiled. "Merry Christmas my girl. Merry Christmas to all of you."
Joey huffed from the steps, "daddy." Eddie laughed hugging the girls while Jamie rescued his son.
"Look under the tree!" Eddie encouraged. "Look... Santa came." A pile of gifts separated for each waited under the tree next to the empty bowl of cookies that were eaten at some point in the night and an empty glass of milk.
The girls climbed over Eddie picking up gifts, ripping the paper off. "Ooh i wanted this.."
"Santa knew that when you told him remember," Eddie smiled. "What do you have there Maria?"
Maria held up a blue dress "pretty Elsa."
"Yes it's the frozen dress you asked for just like Elsa in the movie," Mikayla smiled at her sister.
Joe barreled through his sisters taking the gift Mikayla picked up. "Joe gift."
"No not that one buddy," Jamie steered Joe to his pileJoe sat down letting Jamie and Eddie sit back and watch. He got a new red wagon just Jamie had as a kid. When Eddie looked away Jamie checked his phone sighing quietly hoping Armin was still coming.
Half an hour later, while they were cleaning up the wrapping paper, the door bell rang. Jamie smiled, his wife's biggest gift had arrived. "Hey Eddie would you mind getting that its for you.. " Jamie said.
"Me?" Eddie looked at Jamie confused but got up and went to open he door. She gasped when she saw her father in the doorway, in street clothes, baring a bag full of gifts. "Daddy!"
Smiling Ain dropped the bag and moved in giving Eddie a tight hug. "Merry Christmas Edit."
"Daddy how are you here? Are you okay?" she inhaled happy to be held by her father.
"I'm fine sweetheart i was allowed to leave early for good behavior and helping with the prison guards situation..." Armin whispered holding his grip around her missing all this time from being apart of his daughter's life.
Eddie invited him inside, "Jamie..." she could tell from the look on his face that he knew.
"Armin Merry Christmas, it's good to see you.." Jamie greeted extending a hand, turning to Eddie innocently catching her accusing eyes staring through him able to tell he knew about her father and kept it.
"Let's get breakfast, kids, show grandpa what Santa got you!"Mikayla and Maria took Armin's hand leading him inside past Joe who ran to his daddy seeing a strange face.
Jamie scooped the boy up "Give kisses to grandpa. Give big kisses and hugs," he encouraged.Joey turned burying his head in Jamie's shoulder shyly. Armin let it go and focused on the girls, he knew his youngest grandchild would come around eventually now that he would be around more.
Eddie beamed leading her father inside out of the cold. Quietly excusing himself Jamie slipped into the kitchen calling his father. Frank smiled when he saw the number. "Merry Christmas Jamie."
"Merry Christmas dad. " Jamie lowered his voice.
"Everything okay," Frank asked turning to meet his father's gaze. Not that it unusual for Jamie to call even if they would see each other soon but something in the low tone of his youngest's voice set off Frank's senses.
Jamie paused hearing Eddie laugh from the other room. "I don't want Eddie to hear that I called. Her father got out for Christmas and surprised her for Christmas."
"Oh that is so nice," Frank smiled. "I'll set another place unless you want to have the holiday alone with him.
"Thanks dad I think it'll be nice for Armin to eat with us after all he is family too and he missed so much of Eddie's life. I'm going to come early and drop off gifts for him so he doesn't feel bad when we exchange."
"Just come with the family and I'll meet you to get them in the garage," Frank offered. " Hurry up Pop is eying Eddie's bread "Laughing Jamie ended the call making a light breakfast before getting the kids ready for christmas dinner.
Maria took to Grandpa Armin immediately and wanted him to carry her into the house. After missing a big portion of their lives Armin obliged holding the girl tenderly.
"Hi, Grey Grandpa," Maria smiled as she held onto Armin.
"Merry Christmas sweetie.." Frank gave her a kiss smiling at Armin. "Frank Reagan."
"Armin Janko, thank you so much for being the father I couldn't be to my daughter," Armin greeted. "I'd shake your hand up...she's being a glue baby."
Frank smiled, "Yes of course. It's a pleasure Eddie is a fantastic woman and that is you and your wife raising her. You are part of our family please don't be shy if you want or need anything." Armin settled down very comfortably, his daughter sticking close to him. When the coin bread was sliced, Armin got the coveted coin. He choked up with emotion.
Henry announced dinner bringing everyone around the table. "Armin would you like to say grace?"
"I would," he replied reaching out for Eddie's hand. "Bless us o Lord," he began, again choking up at a dream he never thought would be realized.
"For these thy gifts..." Eddie continued helping him through wet eyes happy to have the best Christmas present next to her.