Chapter 5 - Sea Change

To be perfectly honest, Frank was quite relieved when everyone had left by the end of the day. Naturally, there were two police cars outside for their security. One of them was parked right in front of the house, while the other car was circling their neighborhood, looking for anything suspicious.

Naturally, the Commissioner was tired after the last 24 hours he just had. And even though he wouldn't admit it, he was hurting where the bullet had hit him. But that wasn't his biggest concern. He was worried about Jamie who seemed to be particularly stressed.

"I'm afraid Jamie might be developing PTSD," the PC opened his heart to his father Henry as he handed him their evening drink. Jamie was currently upstairs reading a book and therefore Frank could engage in conversation with his father freely without needing to worry Jamie might overhear them. Besides his son has never been ears-dropping or anything like that.

"He hasn't been doing well ever since he was attacked a few weeks ago, but now…." the PC sighed, trying to find the right words that would describe what he wanted to say. "He is just anxious every time he hears a sound. You saw it yourself. I'm really worried about whether he will be able to put all of this behind him. Besides, the two of us know by now that this wasn't a random attack and our family is being targeted for whatever reason. I'm really worried about what might come next."

"Have you considered taking Jamie to a specialist?" Henry questioned, fully aware that the past few weeks had been challenging for both his son and grandson.

"Naturally, I have had Baker schedule an appointment for him next week, but it is my belief that he might need some adjustments in his life too. Besides, I can't keep dragging him to the office with me all the time; he is a teenager and should be experiencing a carefree life, not enduring the recent ordeal he's been through."

"Do you have anything specific in mind?" the former PC inquired.

"Jamie needs stability and safety, that's for sure," Frank remarked, with his father nodding in agreement. "I couldn't agree more."

"I was wondering, Pop, if you'd be willing to come live with us and help me with Jamie. He needs to know he is going to be safe when he comes home after school. "Having you with him in the afternoons might help alleviate his anxiety and make him feel safe again," the Commissioner requested of his father

"I'm hoping to bring in Sam Croft for his protection when Jamie is outside the house, but I need you, Pop! I need someone to be here when he comes home."

"I thought you'd never ask," Henry chuckled, ready to lend Francis a helping hand.

"What do you mean?" his son asked, confused.

"Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting for you to come to me and ask me that? Ever since Mary passed away! But I never thought it would be under such circumstances."

Both men exchanged a somber smile.

"Thank you, Pop! I owe you big time," Frank uttered, relieved that he had just resolved the one issue that worried him the most.

"Don't even mention it," Henry replied. He would have done anything to get Frank out of a tight spot.

The Commissioner just nodded his head. A life-changing adjustment awaited them, and he couldn't help but wonder how their lives would be altered, for better or worse.

***BB***

Jamie tossed and turned in his father's bed, where he had been spending the night. He even kicked his dad a couple of times.

Frank sighed heavily. He had hoped they could finally get some proper rest tonight. This confirmed to him that his decision to ask his dad to move in with them was the right one.

The Commissioner pulled Jamie closer to his chest, hoping the boy would calm down as he felt his presence. The boy cried in his sleep, causing Frank to open both of his eyes. Frank planted a kiss on Jamie's head.

"Jamie, it was just a nightmare," the concerned Police Commissioner whispered softly.

"Dad, watch out!" Jamie cried out in his sleep.

The poor boy was likely dreaming about his dad being shot.

Soon after, Jamie woke up in tears.

Frank took his distressed child into his loving arms and kissed Jamie's head as the boy continued sobbing in his embrace.

"Jamie, you are all wet," the Commissioner announced to his son when he realized Jamie was covered in sweat. "We better change that PJs of yours," Frank stated in a low voice, gesturing for his youngest to take his clothes off while he brought a fresh set of PJs from Jamie's room.

Once he was dried and changed, Jamie would slip under the sheets in his dad's bed, curling closer to his father.

"Listen, sweetheart, I've noticed that things have been really tough for you ever since Mom passed away. But with everything that's been happening lately, I know it's become even more challenging. That's why I asked Baker to schedule an appointment for you with someone who can provide some help – a child psychologist, to be more precise."

"I'm not mad!" Jamie pointed out.

"No, honey, no one thinks you're mad," Frank reassured him as he embraced Jamie firmly around his shoulders. "However, it's not normal for a child your age to witness their parents' deaths or shootings. I'm afraid we've reached a point where hugs and kisses can't fix everything. So, I want you to talk to a specialist and see how they can help you and what changes we might need to make. There is also a big change happening in our lives soon – Grandpa Henry will come and live with us!" Frank revealed what he and his father had agreed upon earlier that night.

"Oh, that's great!" Jamie exclaimed. "I love Grandpa. It will be so much fun to have him here." Jamie's spirits lifted.

Frank chuckled at his son's reaction.

"Would you try to get some sleep now?" The Commissioner suggested, glancing at the alarm clock on his bedside table. It read 8 minutes past 4. Normally, he would wake up at 6, but due to being shot and working from home, he could sleep until 7 or even 7:30 at the latest. He knew his team would start showing up at 8, with Baker likely arriving at that time. The others would come in sometime between 8 and 9.

The Commissioner sighed heavily. It wasn't always easy juggling the roles of PC and father.

***BB***

"Sam, I know you are a capable man, and I would have never asked you to watch over one of my children unless I thought it was absolutely necessary. You see, my children are what I value most, and now when someone is targeting my family, I can't risk anything happening to them. My older children can take care of themselves. Not that I don't have someone protecting Erin, but Jamie, on the other hand, is still a boy. That's why I need someone I can trust to look out for him. Of course, Pop will be with him most of the time, but I need an extra set of eyes to watch over my boy."

"Of course, Commissioner," Sam Croft replied. He had known Frank ever since he and Danny had served in Iraq. In earlier days, Sam had been a frequent guest at Reagan's Sunday dinners whenever he and Danny came home from their tour. Sam would often sit between Danny and Erin, finding it difficult to take his eyes off his beautiful companion. Naturally, that didn't go unnoticed by the Commissioner. There were even times when Frank and his wife thought there might be something more between their daughter and Sam, but it never happened.

"I worry about all of them," the Commissioner admitted. "It's just that Jamie's attack has left me shaken. And after what has just happened, I suddenly realize how vulnerable he is. Most of the time, I'm not with him to protect him, and therefore, I need someone who can ensure his safety when I'm not around. Someone I can trust with my son's life. When I was thinking about who that person could be, you immediately came to mind."

"I'm honored, Sir," Sam replied.

"You see, Pop will be around Jamie the majority of the time, but he's his age, and he also needs some time to rest. Jamie likes and trusts you, so I thought the two of you would make a great team. That's, of course, if you don't mind taking on this responsibility."

"Right," Sam nodded his head.

"One more thing, Sam. Jamie has been quite anxious lately; he could really use a friend," the Commissioner added with a slight sigh.

"I'll do my best to be there for him," Sam promised.

"I know you will," Frank agreed with a grateful smile.