Thank you to all that reached out to check on me and the story. I'm doing well, I was just very busy at school, I was lucky enough to have most of my kids come back into class in April so I didn't have a lot of time to write. As for the story, I don't plan on giving up on the story. I will finish it. I don't plan on it being as long as Unexpected but it will be finished. I finish up with school on Tuesday so there will be much less time between chapters than there has been. Thank you for all your patience and support. Don't forget to review.

Chapter 6

Eddie came home from the hospital a few days later and stayed with Kara and Dylan until the weekend. Jamie helped Dylan set up a bed in the living room of Eddie's new house since she couldn't do steps very well yet. Kara recruited some of their mutual friends from the 12th as well as some friends from the 2-9 to help put Eddie's new house together that weekend. Eddie's new house was just down the street from Kara and Dylan. Before Jamie left Kara pulled him aside.

"Hey, can you come on Saturday ?" Kara asked.

"No, this isn't a good weekend." Jamie said, flatly.

"Is everything OK, Jamie?"

Jamie paused before speaking, "Saturday is five months since Sarah died and Sunday is Father's Day - my first Father's Day. I'm just feeling down, I never thought I would be doing this alone."

"Jamie, you're not alone, you've got the best family support system I know." Kara comforted. "Not to mention great friends, and now with Eddie back home, you have your best friend back."

"Kara, stop, I know what you're trying to do." Jamie called her out. "Eddie made the decision to walk away five years ago. I'm not going there again, she broke me - you know that. I didn't think I would be happy again until I met Sarah, and then she died five months ago giving birth to our daughter."

"You never know what could happen, Jamie."

"Nothing will happen, I need to focus on my little girl, she is and always will be my number one priority."

"What about Mikey?" Kara asked. "He really loves hanging out with you."

"Mikey's a really great kid. It's obvious he needs a good role model in his life. I'll help out while he needs me. I'm sure he'll bond more with Dylan now that Eddie's home and you guys spend more time together."

"You're right there, he needs a great role model in his life but please don't close that door yet, he has never bonded with Dylan like he has with you and he's known Dylan his entire life." Kara admitted, "Besides, two role models are better than one and he loves little Sarah. He was really excited to have a sibling and then . . ."

"How about we cross that bridge if we need to." Jamie resigned. "I need to go, my Grandfather is watching Sarah at my house.

Ten minutes later Jamie walked into his house to his Grandfather singing show tunes to his daughter. It was the smile he needed after his conversation with Kara. He was so thankful for his family, he didn't know how he could get through this without them. His priorities were simple - his daughter.

Saturday came and Jamie started his day like every day, he got up and checked in on baby Sarah. He sat down in the rocker watching her sleep, when he finally got up he caught a glimpse of a picture taken of Jamie and Sarah in front of their Christmas tree, Sarah's mom had taken it. They had the biggest smiles, excited for the next chapter in their lives. Jamie remembered the conversation with her mom saying to them, 'Just think, next Christmas you'll be holding your little one in pictures.' It seemed like it was forever ago yet it was just under 6 months ago. As a tear fell down his cheek he picked up his phone to call Sarah's parents, Sam and Annie.

Danny had a rare Saturday off and texted Jamie knowing what today was. He didn't get any response from his three texts so he tried to call but the phone went right to voicemail. He called his father to find out if he had talked to him.

"Hey Dad, have you talked to Jamie today, I haven't been able to get a hold of him."

"No, I haven't. I called and left a message but nothing. Pop has been pacing around the house waiting for him to call back."

"I'm going over to check on him."

"Good idea, but first come over and pick-up Pop, he needs to see for himself or you're going to be getting questions all afternoon."

"Be there in 30. Bye Dad."

By the time Danny and Henry arrive at Jamie's it's after 1. Henry knocked on the door and got no response. His car was in the driveway so Henry used his key to go in. They found Jamie sleeping on the couch with Sarah sleeping on his bare chest. His wedding album and other pictures were on the coffee table along with 3 empty beer bottles.

"Jamie is so much like Francis." Henry whispered, "He internalizes things so much. I'm afraid Sarah's death is going to slowly eat away at him."

"At least Dad had us to help him through it. The baby's too young to help." Danny whispered back."

"But we're not. We need to find a way to help him through it." Henry stated. "Do you think we can get him and Eddie talking again ?"

"Pop, it's too early for that, it's been five months. It took me almost five years before I was ready to date after Linda died."

"No, no, I don't mean like that. They were best friends, right ? She's been through a trauma as well. Maybe we can get them to help each other."

"You're overstepping, Pop. That's not going to happen. He loved her for years before they got together, her leaving nearly destroyed him. You saw that." Danny reminded him. "It took me months to convince him to ask Sarah out. I saw an interaction between them at the precinct and knew there was something there. Of course he denied it."

"You did the right thing pushing him, he beats himself over things he can't control." Henry stated. "He needs to be pushed again."

"After losing the two great loves of his life, I don't think he's going to be open to that kind of relationship for a long time."

"He needs help, and this will help both of them."

"He does need help, Pop, but if we push him on this he may just retreat into himself."

"You do realize that you two don't whisper quietly, right ?" Jamie said groggily. "Why are you here?

"We were worried about you today, and you weren't answering your phone." Henry told him.

"I didn't hear anything. I called Sarah's parents this morning, I guess I must have put the phone down somewhere after the baby woke up." Jamie said, yawning.

"Well, Kid, you need to keep it near you or you're going to get more visits like this."

"Is this something I should expect on the 16th of every month ?" Jamie questioned ?"

"When you don't respond to us, it will be." Pop emphasized.

"Give me that baby girl, I will put her in her crib." Henry announced.

"I'd rather have her down here in the pack 'N' play." Jamie told him. "I want her close enough to see her."

"Aunt Kara, Aunt Kara, I'm getting my own big bedroom today ! !" Mikey exclaimed.

"I heard, I think Uncle Dylan's up there right now with some friends from work putting it together."

"He has been waiting for weeks to use his Paw Patrol sheets." Eddie smiled.

"Mama, is Jamie coming to help ?" Mikey asked. "I miss him and Baby Sarah."

"I'm sorry, Sweetie, but Jamie isn't coming today." Kara told him. "He had some other things to do today."

"Oh" Mikey said sadly.

"Why don't you go upstairs and check on Uncle Dylan and Jake." Eddie suggested. Mikey ran upstairs, his disappointment gone from his face.

"What's going on with Jamie, Kara?" Eddie asked with concern.

"Jamie's wife died five months ago today, combine that with Father's Day, his first Father's Day tomorrow, and he's struggling. I can't imagine what he's going through. He was so excited to be a Dad and then to have to celebrate it alone, without his wife, it's making him hide in his own head."

"Oh, poor Jamie, his first Father's Day should be exciting, not sad." Eddie said. Suddenly a smile spread across her face. "Can you bring Mikey and me to the store ? I have an idea."

Two hours later the girls and Mikey returned with Father's Day gifts for Jamie. Mikey picked out a picture frame that said 'I Love My Dad' and Eddie got him a gift card to his favorite Chinese restaurant.

"Mommy, we need to get a picture of Jamie and baby Sarah to put in the picture box."

"I'm not sure how we're going to get one, we can just tell Jamie that's what it's for."

"Now, I have an idea." Kara interjected. She picked up her phone and sent a quick text.

"Who are you texting?"

"Danny."

"How do you have Danny's number?"

"Jamie was a shell of himself when he came back to work after his wife died so Danny gave me his number in case something happened.

"How awful." Eddie replied as Kara's phone beeped.

"Aww, this is so cute." Kara said, showing Eddie and Mikey the picture. It showed Jamie sitting in a chair with Sarah on his chest curled into his neck.

"Aww, that's perfect ! He's such a good Dad already." Eddie smiled sadly. Kara caught her wiping tears from her eyes.

"Mikey, why don't you go sit at the table and draw Jamie a picture." Kara suggested.

"What's wrong, Eddie ?" Kara asked once Mikey was in the other room.

"I was just thinking about how good of a life Mikey and Jamie would have had if I had stayed here. I messed up the lives of the two most important people in my life at the time."

"You had no idea what was going to happen, you can't live your life blaming yourself."

"I know but it's my fault. If I had just listened to you and told Jamie the truth. . ." Eddie lamented.

"Look, I know you regret your decision but you really need to try and put that aside for Mikey. You can't change the past but you can change the future and make it better for you guys."

"I know, I thought I was moving past it but seeing Jamie these past few weeks has brought it all back."

"Don't get mad at me, but maybe you should look into some kind of therapy to help you work through it." Kara suggested.

"I thought talking to you was my therapy." Eddie joked. "I'm sure I'll feel better once my physical injuries heal."

Jamie woke up the next morning and looked over at the monitor and saw that Sarah was still asleep. He knew he should get up and get some things done before she woke up but instead closed his eyes in hopes of a few more minutes of sleep. Unfortunately his mind wouldn't turn off thinking about how happy this day should be for him. He always wanted to be a Dad, but he didn't expect to be doing this alone. After twenty minutes of tossing and turning he realized he wasn't getting any more sleep and decided to jump into the shower. As the hot water streamed over him the thoughts just kept overwhelming him. "What did I do to keep having my happiness ripped out from under me, first Eddie, then Sarah. Why am I not allowed to be happy?" He put his hands on the shower wall in front of him and cried. He was brought back to reality when he heard the babbles of his five month old daughter. He smiled thinking of her. He quickly finished up and went into her room.

He looked into her crib and cringed, "How can you be this happy and this stinky at the same time?". Sarah just smiled and cooed at her Dad. It was then Jamie realized that baby Sarah was his happiness. "It's just you and me, baby girl."

"Maybe I was meant to lose Eddie and your Mama, so I could have you," he said to her, "and maybe one day we'll meet someone who will love us." Sarah kicked her feet excitedly at his voice. Jamie finished changing her diaper, got her fed and spent some time playing with her before it was time to leave for church.

As time was approaching for them to leave, Jamie came downstairs with a change of clothes for Sarah and found her asleep on her play mat. Jamie and Pop had her on a very tight schedule, she got her bottle during Mass and took a nap after. He worried that maybe she was coming down with a cold, when he checked on her, she didn't feel warm but he decided to stay home just in case. He sent a quick text to Pop to let him know then grabbed a pillow and lay down on the floor next to Sarah.

Two hours later Jamie was woken up by a knock on the door, "Pop" he whispered as he got up and ran his hand through his hair.

"Did you forget your key, Pop?" he asked as he opened the door not to Pop but to Mikey.

"Happy Daddy Day, Jamie !" Mikey exclaimed, jumping in the air. Jamie smiled, "You better be careful doing that."

"I'm good, I is almost as good as new." He grinned, widely. "This is for you !" Mikey handed him a Superman gift bag. Jamie bent down on one knee and took the bag from him.

"Thank you, Mikey. That's so nice of you." Jamie told him. "I love the Superman bag."

"You're Superman 'cause you saved me and Mommy from the crashed car." Mikey told him, giving him a big hug. Jamie smiled, returning the hug.

"Aunt Kara said you're sad 'cause baby Sarah's Mommy not here. So I got something for you."

"She did, did she ?" Jamie smirked, looking up at Kara and Eddie who were waiting at the bottom of the steps. Kara shrugged his shoulders.

"Yup, so I wanted to make you not sad anymore."

"That is so sweet of you Mikey, thank you !" Jamie smiled. Just then the baby started crying.

"Come on in, I need to check on her, I'm not sure she's feeling well." Mikey immediately followed Jamie into the house while Kara helped Eddie up the four steps into Jamie's house. Jamie picked up Sarah and realized his suspicion was correct.

"Poor girl, she's really warm." Jamie worried.

"Where do you keep the baby Tylenol?" Kara asked, quickly.

"Upstairs, in the bathroom closet."

"I'll go get it, you get a cool rag for her head." Kara told him. Jamie rushed into the kitchen to grab a clean dishrag for her head. Unknown to Jamie, Eddie followed him into the kitchen.

"Let me do that, you focus on your girl."

"You should be sitting down."

"Stop telling me what to do and let me help, Reagan." Jamie stopped in his tracks for a minute.

"What ?" Eddie grabbed the rag and ran it under cold water.

"Sorry, I just haven't heard that in a while."

"We can discuss that later, but we need to take care of your sick little girl." Eddie stated. "Now, go sit down and put this on her forehead."

"Well, it's good to know you didn't lose your bossiness."

"I'd smack you if you weren't holding your baby." she teased. "Now go sit down and take care of her."

"I've never realized how much I missed you two picking on each other." Kara chuckled coming into the living room. "Here's the Tylenol."

Jamie sat on the couch and started wiping down Sarah's head and neck as she fussed. Eddie took the bottle of Tylenol from Kara and gave the baby the medicine. "She should hopefully feel better in about an hour or so. If her fever doesn't go down, you will want to take her to the ER."

"Mommy, is baby Sarah going to be OK?" Mikey asked, concerned for his new friend.

"Yes, she'll be fine, she just doesn't feel well right now." Eddie assured him.

Just as Sarah started settling, there was a knock on the door. Kara answered the door to find Joe with a large bag of food.

"Hey Kara. Hey Jamie, how's . . . Sarah?" Joe stopped. "Well, Hello there. Now I know why you blew off mass and dinner." Joe smiled at Eddie.

"Hi, I'm Joe, Jamie's nephew."

"Nephew?" Eddie questioned, looking at Jamie. "Wait, I thought you only had two nephews."

"I did too, until Sean discovered Joe while doing a school project three years ago."

"Wait, Joe ? Like your brother, Joe ? Eddie questioned Jamie. Jamie nodded

"If it wasn't for Sean, I'm not sure my mother would have ever told me who my father was." Joe admitted.

"Wow !" Eddie was shocked. She secretly wished she could have been a fly on the wall when all that information came out. "Nice to meet you."

"Joe, this is Eddie. . . " Jamie started.

"Oooh, your old girlfriend." Joe teased.

"Yes, and my partner, on the job, for five years before that." Jamie attempted to redirect the conversation.

"I heard all about her from Pop. He was talking to Grandpa about her yesterday, and someone named Mikey."

"Hey, that's me !" Mikey chimed in, excitedly. "Are you Jamie's brother like Danny?"

"No, Jamie is my uncle." Joe told him.

"Oh, Ok."

"Pop wanted me to bring you food since you couldn't make it to Sunday dinner." Joe told him holding up a huge bag of food. "Where do you want it ?"

"I'm not going to have to cook for a week with all that food." Jamie laughed. "Just put it on the kitchen table."

"You know Pop and his food."

"Yeah, he has to take care of his family, no matter how old they are." Jamie smiled.

"How's Sarah doing ?" Joe asked, putting the food on the table.

"Well we just got her settled a few minutes ago." Jamie started. "We gave her medicine and I've been wiping her down with a cool rag. I would have been lost without Eddie and Kara."

"I'm going to grab her another rag." Eddie said.

"You need to rest your leg, I can do that Eddie." Jamie emphasized.

"Again, let me worry about me. If I want to help I will." She sassed back.

"I see why you liked her, she's a spunky one." Joe whispered to Jamie as she walked in the kitchen. Jamie just rolled his eyes.

"Jamie, Jamie, you didn't open your gift. " Mikey said excitedly, bringing him the bag.

"You're right, Bud, I didn't, let's see what's in here." Jamie pulled out the picture frame with the picture of him and his daughter. "Aww, Mikey, I love this. Thank you !"

"Aunt Kara got the picture for me, I drew you a picture and Mommy got you Chinese Food." Mikey told him taking the picture and the gift card from the bag. Jamie laughed when he saw the gift card was to his favorite Chinese place. He looked up at Eddie, sitting on the other end of the couch, who just shrugged her shoulders and smiled back. Mikey handed him the picture showing a car accident with a police officer carrying a child from the car.

"That's you carrying me out of the car in the accident." Mikey told him. "I drew you with a cape 'cause you're my superhero." Jamie was stunned and looked up at Eddie. Before he had time to react, Mikey wrapped his arms around him, causing the baby to fuss.

"I'm sorry, Sarah. I hope you feel better." Mikey whispered, kissing her on the head. Sarah immediately started to settle down.

"I think she likes that." Jamie told him.

"I like her a lot. I really wanted a baby sister." Mikey said, sadly.

Jamie looked over at Eddie who had tears coming down her face. "I'm sorry." he mouthed to her. She got up as quickly as she could and walked into the kitchen followed by Kara.

"I didn't want to make Mama sad." Mikey told him. "I need to give her hugs." He ran off following Eddie and Kara.

"Ok, what just happened ?" Joe questioned?

"Eddie lost a baby in the car accident." Jamie whispered to him. "I'm not sure if Mikey knows it was a girl."

"Aww poor kid."

"Hey, will you watch Sarah for a minute? I'm going to check on them." Jamie asked.

"Absolutely, I'll take any time to bond with my little cousin." Joe smiled. Jamie handed off Sarah to Joe and headed to the kitchen to check on Eddie, Kara, and Mikey.

Jamie was not expecting to walk in and find three crying people in his kitchen. "I was going to see how everyone is doing but I don't think I have to ask."

"Mommy was going to have a sister." Mikey cried, running to Jamie for a hug. Jamie bent down and picked him up.

"I know, Buddy, I'm so sorry." Mikey put his head on Jamie's shoulder and cried. "Sometimes it happens. God needed her in heaven more than here on Earth." Jamie told him.

"Really ?"

"Yes. He must have had a special job for her." He started. "Maybe God wanted you to have your very own guardian angel."

"Is that good ?"

"Definitely." Jamie smiled. "It means you'll have someone who will always watch over you to keep you safe."

"Does baby Sarah have a guarden angel?" Mikey asked, curiously.

Jamie paused sadly, "Actually she does."

"Oh, Jamie." Kara said, shocked.

"It happened just a few months before we got pregnant with Sarah. It was early, so we didn't tell anyone about it."

"Was it a brother or sister?" Mikey asked.

"We didn't know."

"I sorry, Jamie." Mikey told him, hugging him tightly. As if on cue Sarah started to cry. "I'll take care of her." Mikey squirmed down and ran into the living room. Joe was trying to settle her down.

"He's a very good helper, isn't he?" Jamie laughed.

"He is. I don't know what I'd do without that kid, he's a trip."

"He really is." Jamie agreed. "He'll be a great big brother one day." Eddie gave Jamie a sad smile knowing that would probably never happen.

To be continued in the next chapter.