Chapter 22: Terms of Endearment

Jamie is asleep next to Eddie in her hospital bed when he feels his wife poke him in the side and whisper to him "Jamie?"

Jamie immediately wakes up "You okay? You need something?"

Eddie looks at him a bit sheepishly "I'm hungry. Could you maybe get me a ham sandwich?" she hopefully inquires.

Jamie huffs out a laugh as he slides off the bed trying to wake himself up "Yeah sure. Coming right up."

…..

Jamie walks into the waiting room of the hospital fully intent on just walking through it on his way to the cafeteria but stops short at the sight of his brother sitting with his right arm propped up on the arm of a chair - his head awkwardly resting in his hand asleep.

At first, Jamie frowns at seeing him but then he studies his brother a moment noting just how uncomfortable he looks and suddenly he wonders exactly how long he's been there. He glances at the clock on the wall to see it's 6am in the morning.

It's then that Jamie realizes - he'd been there all night…

Finally rolling his eyes in defeat and sighing, Jamie walks over. He picks up a magazine in the chair next to Danny, rolls it up and swats his brother's propped up arm with it.

Danny bolts awake with a start - his left hand instinctually moving to cover his piece on his hip.

"No need to shoot someone Detective." Jamie states as he moves to sit across from his brother in another chair "I don't need the extra paperwork." He adds as he opens the magazine still in his hand and begins reading.

Danny blinks his eyes and clears his throat trying to wake up. He looks at his brother sitting across from him "You… you're talking to me." He notes in surprise.

"Maybe." Jamie flippantly offers as he turns a page.

"Saying maybe and the two sentences before that is talking." Danny points out.

Jamie flips the magazine closed and drops it on the chair next to him "Alright fine." He relents as he finally looks over and meets his brother's eyes.

"I'm sorry Jamie." Danny immediately apologizes again "I'm so very, very sorry. If I could change what happened I…"

Jamie takes a deep breath "No, I'm sorry." he interrupts.

Danny abruptly stops talking and looks slightly startled and confused by this brother's words "What? Why on earth are you apologizing to me?"

"Because I shouldn't have gone off on you." Jamie explains "But for the first time I got a sliver, just the slightest glimpse of my worst fear and it was so much worse than I ever could have possibly imagined – it absolutely scared the hell out of me Danny."

"I get that." Danny admits.

"I know you do." Jamie agrees "Because you… you actually lived the full nightmare and somehow made it through. Honestly, I'm not sure I could do that so I'm sorry. I know it wasn't your fault and I never should have blamed you."

"But it WAS my fault Jamie." Danny insists in true anguish "That only happened to her because of me!"

Jamie offers his brother a small smile "Danny if a guy kills another guy BECAUSE he thinks his girlfriend is going to leave him for the other guy who do you arrest?"

Danny scrunches is face up not following what his brother is getting at "The guy that did that killing of course."

"So not the girlfriend?" Jamie presses.

"No." Danny rejects "Why would you? She's not responsible for… oh."

Jamie nods his head up and down "Yeah you can thank our dear old sister for pointing that one out to me."

"Huh." Danny notes "Wow." He adds in appreciative awe but the next second his face scrunches up in rejection "Well I can't thank her for that. Then she'll think I owe her."

Jamie sucks in a breath of air "Oh." He immediately realizes "Yeah. Can't have that."

"Definitely not." Danny whole heartedly agrees "Our secret?" He hopefully prompts.

"Sure…" Jamie slowly accepts "… that is until it actually works better to my advantage to tell her." he reasons "Then all bets are off."

"Then I'll just tell on you to your wife." Danny sneers in return.

"OH!" Jamie exclaims in mock shock "You wouldn't!"

"I totally would." Danny reaffirms "She's scary. I wouldn't want to get on her bad side."

"Tell me about it." Jamie agrees "You know she actually locked me out of our bedroom the other day?"

"What?" Danny questions in surprise "Why? What did you do?"

Jamie shrugs "Absolutely no idea other then to just say pregnancy hormones?"

Danny nods his head in complete understanding "Ah. Yeah. I ending up sleeping on the couch a few times myself."

"Well, that doesn't surprise me…" Jamie states "You are you after all."

Danny opens his mouth to toss some snarky comment back but then the next second he closes it deciding to just give this one to his brother - it's the least he can do…

Jamie eyes Danny and takes his non response to mean his brother is throwing up the trademark silent Reagan white flag.

"Well Eddie wants a ham sandwich…" Jamie announces "So I'll let you go get that from the cafeteria and bring it to her and I'll take a tossed salad with no…"

"Olives." Danny finishes as he stands "Yeah I know."

"Good." Jamie accepts as he also stands "Just checking." He adds in satisfaction before turning to walk away.

For a moment Danny stands there watching his brother leave and a small smile cracks his face before he heads in the direction of the cafeteria.

…..

Jamie uses the time he would have spent in the cafeteria to head to the washroom and splash some water on his face trying to wake up and wash away some of the events of yesterday.

He walks back into Eddie's room and she immediately frowns at seeing him empty handed.

"Um forget something?" she inquires unimpressed.

Jamie smiles at her "Nope." He quips as he moves to slide onto the bed with her again.

"Then where is my sandwich?" Eddie demands.

"It's coming." Jamie promises "And you are going to LOVE the method of delivery."

Eddie frowns "I really don't care about the method of delivery." She promises as the door opens and Danny walks in "I just want my…"

"Somebody order up a ham sandwich?" Danny interrupts.

"OH!" Eddie breathes out in surprise as she looks between Danny and her husband.

"Better be a salad there too." Jamie warns.

"What do you think this green stuff in this clear container is?" Danny shoots back as he holds the container up displaying it.

"You're talking." Eddie interrupts in happy awe. "You have to be. That's the only way you'd know I wanted a ham sandwich."

"I told you, you would love the method of delivery." Jamie retorts before looking at his brother but pointing at his wife "She's going back to Janko." He flatly informs him.

Eddie's mouth drops open "I am not!" She protests before looks at Danny "I am not." She seriously reiterates "Do not listen to him."

"He has too listen to me." Jamie defends "I'm his Boss."

"Yeah I do." Danny agrees "But it doesn't mean I have to agree with you because I mean who orders a salad for breakfast?"

"Come to think of it…" Jamie ponders "I would prefer something more breakfastie – I'll take a ham sandwich like Eddie but get mine with egg and on whole wheat – no mayo – just mustard."

Danny looks at his brother.

Jamie meets his look "I think you owe me that." He seriously defends.

"Excuse me?" Eddie interjects "I thought I was the one that was kidnapped and tied to a chair? Pretty sure it's me that he owes."

"Don't forget stuffed in a trunk." Jamie dryly deadpans unimpressed.

Eddie turns to look at Jamie surprised "I was stuffed in a trunk?"

Danny cringes.

"Yeah." Jamie deadpans again "We have video."

"Huh." Eddie ponders "That actually makes sense… I guess…" She admits before looking at Danny "I'd like an apple juice and can you get me one of those cinnamon buns too? And oh! You know what would be really nice? One of those fruit smoothies with pineapple and strawberry – see if they'll throw some ginger in! Do you need me to write that down so you don't forget anything?"

Danny takes a deep breath and sighs "No, I'll remember. Coming right up…" He relents "But I want it noted I am doing this because you're my brother and sister in law NOT because your my boss." He points out as he starts for the door "And because I love you guys." He mumbles out.

"Oh what was that?" Jamie calls after him as Eddie opens her sandwich.

"You heard me I'm not saying it again." Danny counters as he swings the door open and departs while Eddie's face frowns as she looks at the sandwich in her hands in thought.

A giddy smile plays on Jamie's face "Did you hear that? He loves us."

Eddie nods in agreement as she hands her sandwich to Jamie "Yeah I heard it but this sandwich is too plain now. You eat this one. I'll take yours when it comes. Egg and ham with mustard sounds good."

Jamie takes the sandwich and puts it on the side table before pulling out his phone "No worries, I'll just text him and tell him to get two instead of one."

Eddie chuckles "How long are we going to torture him?"

Jamie shrugs "Haven't decided yet."

"Okay but nothing too over the top though right?" Eddie warns.

"I promise."

"Oh!" Eddie then breathes out as her eyes light up "Tell him I want a ham and pineapple pizza!"

"At 6am in the morning?" Jamie challenges.

Eddie smiles "I just want to see if he can find one this early."

"Oh!" Jamie impressively notes "You're bad!"

"I was stuffed in a trunk." Eddie deadpans.

Jamie nods in agreement as he types on his phone "One ham and pineapple pizza coming right up."

….

Eddie sits in her bed happily eating away at the vast array of food choices in front of her while Danny sits in a chair next to her bed looking at his phone "Boss, I'd like to throw my hat in the ring for some overtime if it comes up." He states as he looks at his brother sitting at the edge of Eddie's bed watching her eat "I'll need it to pay for all that food before you."

"I'll see what I can do." Jamie accepts.

"How are you even eating all that?" Danny wonders "I thought you were still in the morning sickness phase?"

Eddie quickly tries to chew her mouthful of food so she can answer.

"They gave her anti nausea medication." Jamie explains for her as the door opens and Maria enters with Elena. She stops short at seeing Danny in the room.

"Well this is a nice surprise."

"Oh!" Eddie exclaims in delight at seeing her "Give me Baby!" She commands as she quickly puts her food down and wipes her hands.

Danny stands and moves out of the way so Maria can walk over and sit Elena down on the bed next to Eddie "Wow." She laughs as she looks at all the food "The food cravings have kicked in I see."

"No, not really." Eddie admits as she makes funny faces and smiles at Elena.

"Oh?" Maria questions in confusion.

"Nah." Danny interjects as he moves to stand close to the end of the bed near his brother "That's just these two making me pay – literally - for Eddie getting kidnapped."

Eddie smiles at Maria "Want some breakfast?" she offers "Help yourself, there's plenty."

"So… not to sound like the boss or anything..." Jamie interjects as he watches his wife and the baby smiling "… but are we bringing Elena to work today?" He curiously inquires to Maria.

Maria laughs as she snags the ham sandwich off the table "Don't worry that's a big fat no. I just thought she might brighten your morning a bit."

"Oh that she has!" Eddie agrees. "You are as cute as a button!"

Elena looks over and sees Danny "Da."

Eddie and Jamie's eyes go wide.

"Yes Sweet Pea, good morning." Danny greets like its nothing as he steps forward and gives the little girl a quick kiss on her head.

"I'm sorry did she just call you Da?" Jamie questions.

"Is that her first word?" Eddie questions in awe.

"No." Danny rejects as he points at Maria "First word was Ma."

"But you're Da…" Eddie slowly presses.

"Well yeah…" Danny confirms "My name is Danny so Da make sense."

"Or Dad." Eddie presses.

"Hey." Maria chides "You agreed to back off us if we backed off a certain tape. Let's not be breaking that deal okay?"

Eddie holds her hands up in surrender before focusing on the baby before her "Hi I'm Eddie. Ed…Dee. Can you say Ed…DEE?"

Elena looks up at Eddie.

"Ed…DEE." Eddie repeats again.

"Dee." Elena repeats.

"She said DEE!" Eddie exclaims in delight "Oh my god she called me Dee! You heard that right?" She presses as she looks around "She called me Dee!"

"Dee." Elena repeats.

"OHHHH!" Eddie happily exclaims as she leans forward and hugs the baby tight "That just made my day."

"See, best medicine." Maria proudly notes.

"Now can you say Jay-mee." Eddie prompts as she points her finger at her husband.

Suddenly the door swings open and Mia enters.

"AUNT EDDIE!" The young girl cries in despair as she runs towards the bed "Are you okay?!"

"MeMe." Elena greets at seeing Mia.

"Hi Lany." Mia quickly greets in return before focusing her attention on Eddie and her eyes go wide "Your cheek is all red! Why is your cheek red?"

"I'm just a little flushed that's all." Eddie fibs to the young girl as Rosa walks into the room "I'm fine Mia." She promises before looking at her a bit confused. "But how did you know I was here?" She inquires as she looks around the room and her eyes land on Rosa "Hi Rosa."

"Surprise!" Rosa sheepishly greets.

"Kinda my fault." Maria admits "Rosa and I were working out an earlier drop off time for Elena when I told her what happened so we just decided to meet here so they could visit too."

"You're sure you're okay?" Mia presses to Eddie.

Eddie nods "Yup. 10 fingers. 10 toes. Still got a head and baby on board. All good!"

"Well don't scare me like that!" Mia admonishes.

"Tell me about it!" Jamie tacks on in agreement.

Mia turns to look at Jamie. Suddenly she moves towards him and throws her arms around him "Thank you for saving my Aunt Eddie from kidnappers."

At first Jamie is a bit startled by the move but then he smiles and returns her hug "I had too." He explains as Maria gets a curious look on her face.

"Mia…" Maria slowly begins "I didn't tell your Mom who or how we found your Aunt Eddie. How do you know it was your Uncle Jamie that saved her?"

Mia shrugs "He saves everyone from kidnappers – it's a part of his job description."

Eddie tries to stifle back her amused giggles "Well can't actually argue with that."

"I was there too." Danny mumbles "But sure, give him all the credit."

Maria glances at her partner "Stop sulking and be thankful they forgave you."

"It wasn't my fault!" Danny automatically defends without thinking.

"Well about time you figured that out!" Maria throws back.

"Is that a ham and pineapple pizza?" Mia suddenly inquires in awe.

"You want to take a slice to school?" Eddie offers.

"Sure!" Mia accepts.

"Here, take the apple juice too." Eddie insists.

Danny throws his hands up "Apparently I'm feeding the entire village."

"Just wait until you get my lunch order." Eddie tosses back.

"Why don't I just leave you my credit card." Danny sneers in return.

"That would be great. Thanks." Jamie replies.

Danny turns to look at his brother annoyed "Okay enough of the guilt trip already. I'm either responsible or I'm not responsible. Pick one but you can't have it both ways."

"What a buzz kill." Eddie throws out.

"Listen princess…" Danny warns.

"Oh is that me?" Mia excitedly interjects "Can I be the princess?"

Danny looks at Mia opens his mouth but then just closes it in defeat "I'm just going to go to work."

"You ARE at work." Jamie reminds him "You gotta start your day interviewing her." he adds as he points at his wife.

"Yeah something I should have done yesterday…" Danny retorts back to his brother "…while it was still fresh but you had to go throwing me out of the room."

Mia turns her head to look at Jamie.

"Uncle Jamie!" Mia admonishes "Were you being mean to Uncle Danny?"

"Hey I upgraded too!" Danny beams with pride at being called Uncle while Jamie frowns.

"For that, I do hereby officially deem you Princess!" Danny announces to Mia.

"YAY!" Mia sings in delight.

"Well then I get Uncle Jamie with Elena too." Jamie retorts.

Mia turns to look at Jamie. She frowns unimpressed as her jealousy kicks in "Really?" she flatly retorts.

"Okay!" Rosa interrupts in an attempt to halt the spiralling conversation "I think this is where we do a child swap. I will take this one." She decides as she moves towards Elena to pick her up off Eddie's bed before turning to Maria "And good luck dropping that one at school."

"It's fine." Mia then decides "Elena and I are cool but just so we are clear, I'm the oldest niece so therefore I come first."

"HAH!" Danny laughs out "That's what you think! There was all kinds of things I wanted to do and places I wanted to go when I was younger but I couldn't and do you know why?"

"No, why?" Mia inquires.

"Because I was saddled with looking after your Uncle Jamie." Danny explains "He would follow me EVERYWHERE and annoy me ALL. THE. TIME."

"I did." Jamie admits.

"You want my advice?" Danny queries to Mia.

Mia nods.

"You stay niece #1 with your Uncle Jamie and have me as your back up Uncle and Elena will stay niece #1 with me and have your Uncle Jamie as her back up Uncle. Deal?" He questions as he offers his hand out.

Mia reaches her hand out to accept his offer and they shake on it "Deal!"

"Perfect!" Danny quips before looking up at everyone else in the room "Does that work for everyone?"

Eddie raises her hand "Um Nicky?"

Mia looks up in remembrance while Danny cringes and shoot his sister in law a look "Work with me here Reagan would you?" He lowly chides in a hush.

"Oh. Sorry." Eddie apologizes now realizing what he was trying to do.

"No Eddie's got a point." Jamie points out "Mia you know Mr… your Uncle..." He corrects in resignment "… Danny and I both have another niece."

Mia sighs "I know but she's older and doesn't live here so that's fine."

"Really?" Jamie presses unconvinced.

Mia nods "I'm all about inclusion now – we're taking that in school." She explains "In fact…" the young girl adds as she turns to look at Maria "… you're my Aunt now too because its not fair that you be the only Ms. left."

Maria smiles at her "I would be honored." she accepts as Rosa, Jamie and Eddie all exchange surprised but confused looks at Mia's remarks.

"Great!" Mia accepts "Now my birthday is in a few days and you are all invited to my party! Also please note my favorite color is purple so any gifts you get me, keep that in mind."

Rosa hangs her head "Mia." She mumbles in embarrassment.

"Hey!" Eddie laughs in consolation "We raised her for a month and we couldn't correct that either so don't feel bad."

Rosa looks up in appreciation.

"Oh was I supposed to correct that?" Jamie inquires "Because I can correct that if you want." He offers as Danny nods his head up and down in complete agreement.

Eddie eyes the brothers "Rosa say no." She advises.

Rosa looks at Eddie confused.

"Just do it." Eddie prompts "Say no."

"No…" Rosa slowly states.

Jamie and Danny both snap their fingers in disappointment.

"Dang." Jamie states "I think she really would have enjoyed her time with child protective services seeing all the other unfortunate children out there with no homes or piles of toys and belongings."

"Oh you were going to go the CPS route." Danny notes "I was just thinking send her straight to juvie."

Rosa's mouth falls open.

"That's why I told you to say no." Eddie explains "Reagan family tradition is to 'scare them straight'. Did I get that right?" Eddie inquires to her husband and brother in law.

"Close enough." Jamie admits.

Mia defiantly crosses her arms "You wouldn't have!" She challenges.

Jamie and Danny stand side by side both smiling brightly down at the young girl.

"Oh we would have." Jamie promises "And we make no promises we still won't so you remember that."

Danny used two fingers to mimic his eyes are watching her "Your uncles have their eyes on you so be good and be nice!"

"Because if you ever do, do anything like break the law…" Eddie adds on "Your uncles will not be bailing you out. In fact, they will be the first ones slamming the bar doors behind you."

Again, Jamie and Danny nod in agreement.

"Well this did not turn out at all like it was supposed to." Mia huffs out.

"Good! That means we are doing it right!" Jamie quips.

"You guys rock." Rosa admits "But I really have to get going so I'm home in time for my other kids. Mia be good."

"Like I have a choice now." Mia tosses out causing Jamie and Danny to give each other a high five.

"Alright who's driving me to school?" Mia questions.

"Your Uncle Jamie." Danny decides as he turns to look at Jamie and Jamie turns to look at him "Your Aunt Maria and I have work we need to do here." He explains to Mia while lingering his gaze on Jamie another moment then shifting it over to Eddie.

Eddie sighs in understanding "Jamie go."

Danny shifts his look back to Jamie and his express turns very serious "You shouldn't be here for this anyway."

Jamie heavily sighs "Come on Mia. Let's go."

...