Chapter 66: Six O'clock
Rosa sits at her kitchen table with computer on and papers all around her when Mia walks up "Mom can I borrow your phone?"
"No." Rosa simply replies.
"But…"
"Your Aunt and Uncle are on their way." Rosa interrupts "You don't need to text them every two minutes asking how close they are now."
"But..."
"No." Rosa reiterates.
Huffing in annoyance, Mia moves to the apartment door, unlocks it, swings it open then leans forward to stick her head out the door to look down the hall.
Curious what's going on, Reagan walks up to his owner's side and is about to step out into the hall.
"Mia…" Rosa warns.
"I know I see him." Mia replies as she crouches down and scoops her cat up into her arms "You know you aren't allowed out in the hall." She tells the cat before stepping back inside and shutting the door.
"Go play with your toys." Mia instructs as she puts Reagan down and watches him scamper away distracted by something else. She lets out a heavy sigh then slowly walks to plop herself down on the couch.
Suddenly there is a knock on the door causing Mia to bolt from the couch and race for the door. In an instant she throws it open to see a startled Eddie with her hand still in knocking position "YOU'RE BACK!" Mia cries in glee as she throws her arms around the couple "It took you forever to get here! How was your trip? Did you have fun? What did you bring me?"
"MIA!" Rosa chides as she stands up from the table.
"There was traffic." Jamie begins as he starts to answer all of Mia's questions "It was interesting and yes fun and yes we did."
"Ohhhhhh!" Mia giddily exclaims "What you bring me? What you bring me?!"
"This." Eddie states as she takes one of the two bags in her hands and holds it out to Mia before extending the other one out to Rosa.
Rosa raises a curious eyebrow "Um…you didn't need to get me anything."
"You'll understand in a second." Eddie reassures her as Mia whips the bag open reaches in and pulls out a purple sunhat.
"A purple hat?" Mia states in surprise as Rosa opens her bag to pull out a green sunhat before Jamie who is holding a third bag hands his bag over to Eddie.
Eddie takes the bag opens it and pulls out her yellow hat.
"Oh cool!" Mia states as she plops her hat on her head "We all have hats!"
Looking between the three hats, Rosa then shrugs and plops her hat on her head too "Thank you."
Smiling brightly, Eddie does the same.
"You're like the three amigos." Jamie notes with a laugh as he has to take a step back to avoid the brims from both Rosa and Eddie.
"Ooooooo take a picture Uncle Jamie!" Mia pleads.
"Wait!" Eddie protests "There's more in your bag!"
Hearing that, Mia excitedly reaches back in to pull out a gift shop tourist style pair of purple sunglasses with 'Caribbean' written on them as well as an oversize necklace with shells and beads so she quickly removes her hat so she can put the items on before plopping her hat back on her head "How do I look?!" she excitedly prompts with a big grin.
"Like your ready for a day at the beach!" Eddie replies as Jamie snaps a picture.
But the Mia frowns "Wait Uncle Jamie doesn't have a hat."
"Ah." Jamie notes as he lowers his phone then reaches into the bag that contained Eddie's hat. "Sure I do." He adds as he pulls out a dark blue baseball cap with NYPD written in white and puts it on his head before flashing the trio of girls a smile.
Mia crosses her arms and pouts "So not the same Uncle Jamie."
"Oh Mia." Eddie snickers and laughs "If you only knew…"
"Knew what?" Mia questions.
"Well we'd love to stay…" Jamie deflects as he reaches for his wife "But the flight was late getting in and well it's Sunday so we really need to get going."
"Right, right, of course." Rosa accepts as everyone moves towards the door "Sunday Dinner. Thank you for stopping here first. She was starting to drive me up the wall already." She admits as she gestures at her daughter "Mia." She then prompts.
"Yes thank you for my gifts!" Mia appreciatively states as Rosa opens the door "I'm taking them to my next show and tell."
Eddie smiles happily at Mia as she and Jamie step out into the hall "We're glad you like them. We'll talk later and I'll tell you all about the trip."
"Okay!" Mia happily accepts as Rosa shuts the door and Jamie and Eddie walk down the hall alone.
"Okay I know the flight was late..." Eddie begins "...but we got in hours ago and had time to stop at home AND pick up Rosa's hat."
Jamie shrugs "Got us out of there before Mia tried to crack that can of worms didn't it?" He points out "You know sometimes I think you WANT that all to come out."
"Oh I do not." Eddie easily dismisses.
"Yeah that's what you say but yet all its been is hat this, hat that." Jamie points out.
"Because we were on vacation!" Eddie counters "The only place I CAN be all hat this hat that! But now we are back and I promise its back to what hat? Okay?"
"Fine." Jamie accepts.
Silence as they walk.
"Good call on bringing your NYPD hat though." Eddie commends her husband.
Jamie huffs out a breath of air "I know Mia and there was no way anyone was roping me into putting one of those things on my head again."
Getting a mischievous gleam in her eye Eddie quickly reaches up with one hand to remove her yellow hat from her head and Jamie's ball cap with her other hand before attempting to switch hats but Jamie quickly maneuvers his head out of the way evading the exchange. He instead grabs both of his wife's wrists in his hands as they stand there facing off with one another.
"Eddie." Jamie flatly chides.
"Yes?" Eddie ever so sweetly and innocently replies with a smile as she tries to suppress her laughter but she can't "Oh come on you can't blame me for trying!"
"Yes." Jamie deadpans as he suddenly releases Eddie's wrist on her hand holding his NYPD hat "I can." he adds as he swipes his hat into his hand and plops it on her head being sure to pull it down and cover her eyes as a distraction before using that same hand to grab her sunhat "I'll just hold onto this." he adds before releasing her other wrist, turning and continuing to walk.
Eddie immediately adjusts the ballcap on her head so she can see before moving to follow "Okay but make sure the wind doesn't grab it out of your hands please."
"Hmmmmmm." Jamie muses in thought considering that option as he pushes the door open to exit the apartment complex.
"Oh don't even pretend like you'd get rid of that hat." Eddie scoffs "We both know you wouldn't. It's the gift that keeps on giving!"
At that moment a group of teenagers walk past them on the sidewalk "Nice hat dude!" one of them sarcastically laughs at Jamie.
Jamie scrunches his face up "Thanks, it's my color." He sarcastically tosses right back as the group laughs and walks on.
Jamie and Eddie silently watch them leave a moment before turning to look at one another.
Eddie raises her eyebrow, removes the NYPD hat from her head and offers it out to Jamie.
Jamie in return lifts his hand and flicks the sunhat out towards her "You may want to tie the ties, it's a bit windy."
"Noted." Eddie accepts as they do a hat exchange "Although we are on our way to your Dad's and the car is right there." She notes as she gestures a few spaces up the street to the Chevelle "So probably best to just put it in the trunk and close the lid on this hat adventure."
"Trunk." Jamie corrects as they both start walking to the car "Cars don't have lids."
"I know that." Eddie defends "But I just said trunk. what was I supposed to say 'put it in the trunk and close the trunk on this hat adventure?' that makes no sense."
"So lid did?" Jamie challenges as they get to the car and Jamie pulls his keys out.
"It was a figure of speech Jamie." Eddie points out as Jamie inserts the key into the lock of the trunk and opens it.
"Calling a trunk a lid is not a figure of speech." Jamie corrects as he tosses his NYPD hat in the trunk.
A look of annoyance appears on Eddie's face as she tosses her hat in the trunk as well "Just shut the trunk Jamie." She chides before turning to walk to the passenger's side of the car.
A smile creeps up onto Jamie's face as he complies with his wife's request and shuts the trunk "Ah it's good to be home." He adds before moving to the driver's side of the car.
…..
"And then he tried to pick me up!" Eddie laughs as all the Reagan's sit around the dinner table and she passes the potatoes to Erin.
"So you obviously then punched his lights out." Danny deduces as he looks at his brother "Pass the ham please."
"I did nothing of the sort." Jamie rejects as he picks up the plate of ham and passes it over to his brother.
"He didn't." Eddie confirms "He was actually smart about it this time – used his brain instead of his fist."
"Oh come on really?" Jamie protests.
"He really tried to pick you up?" Erin presses in wondered awe "Even AFTER you told him you were married AND pregnant?"
Eddie nods.
"You have to understand." Jamie chimes in "She looked REALLY good after all that professional primping."
"So did you." Eddie offers her husband.
"Yet no one tried to pick me up." Jamie notes.
"They saw me and knew better then to try." Eddie protectively counters.
"Too true." Jamie laughs out.
Danny shakes his head "I still can't believe you did that. Modeled in a photo shoot. I'd NEVER do that."
"I know but I'm more progressive than you." Jamie tosses back "You're from the dark ages."
"Hey!" Henry protests "That's my era and I'm not looking to share!"
Jamie laughs "Sorry Pop."
"And all because of a girl you once helped on the street." Sean notes impressed.
"Helped OFF the street – literally." Eddie corrects before turning to look at her husband "Did you ever tell them?" she curiously inquires.
"No." Jamie lowly hisses back "I didn't."
Eddie's eyes start to dance.
"Eddie." Jamie warns.
"Oh come on it was years ago!" Eddie laughs "It's water under the bridge now!"
"Tell us what?" Frank questions.
"That Jamie let Tara stay at his place." Eddie announces.
Every single mouth at the table drops open.
"I was just helping her get back on her feet! That's all!" Jamie defends "You're the one that got all jealous!" he throws at his wife.
All eyes turn to looks at Eddie.
Eddie shrugs in acceptance "I did."
"Wait when was this?" Frank questions.
"Ummm…" Eddie mutters as she thinks back "I wanna say 2017ish?"
"November 2016." Jamie corrects "The 11th to be exact."
All eyes turn back to Jamie including Eddie's.
"Well that's very specific!" Danny notes with a slight bewildered laugh.
"You… you remember the exact date?" Eddie stammers out in shock.
Jamie turns to look at his wife "Of course I do, it was a very important date."
An adoring smile appears on Eddie's face as she immediately understands why.
"Why was it so important?" Erin curiously inquires.
Eddie looks directly at her husband "Because it was our second kiss." She announces with a big warm, appreciative smile and Jamie smiles back.
"Awwww." Erin breathes out touched while Danny points at his brother "Oh major points that just got you in the husband department!"
"While you were still partners." Frank notes.
Jamie shifts his gaze from his wife to his father "Again no rules Dad." He points out.
Eddie turns her head to look at her father in law as well "And it was just a kiss, nothing else." She promises.
"She kissed me though." Jamie clarifies causing Eddie to turn and look at him in disbelief.
"Right because that was completely one sided." Eddie challenges.
"I never said that." Jamie counters in defense "I was only pointing out that you initiated it."
"And you just lost all the points you just gained." Danny notes with a disapproving shake of his head.
"And then some." Eddie tacks on unimpressed as she unhappily pushes food around on her plate.
"Okay but you just said second kiss." Sean realizes "When was the first?"
Jamie glances at Eddie but she remains silent focusing solely on rearranging the food on her plate "Um towards the end of our first year riding together." He replies for both of them causing Frank to heavily sigh.
"Oh Francis." Henry lightly chides "Stop being so dramatic. They are married, pregnant and STILL working together with your blessing. I think it worked out."
"Did it?" Danny questions as he looks between Jamie and Eddie "Because I have to say, she looks pretty pissed at you at the moment Kid."
Jamie looks at his wife again and sighs "I didn't say anything that wasn't true." Jamie points out causing Eddie to grow more irritated "You did kiss me first."
"12David." Sean suddenly blurts out.
Totally caught off guard at hearing that, Jamie and Eddie both look up and over at their nephew in surprise.
"What?" Sean defends "It worked last time and she's got that same look on her face now as she did when you used it."
Eddie takes a deep breath and slowly blows it out trying to get her emotions in check.
Jamie glances at his wife then looks back at Sean 'Thank you.' he mouths.
"I saw that." Eddie mutters out before taking another deep breath.
"Hang on what just happened?" Danny curiously queries.
"Nothing." Jamie deflects knowing its better to just quit while ahead.
"They have a code word." Sean simply explains.
"Do they now?" Danny muses unimpressed as he puts his fork down, leans back in his chair and crosses his arms as he studies his brother and sister in law "And how is it you my son who only sees them once a week knows this and I who sees them practically everyday does not?"
"Uh cuz you didn't break into their house and set them off on an emotional roller coaster ride." Sean replies.
Danny uncrosses his arms and picks up his fork again "Good point." he relents before taking another bite of food.
"I'm sorry." Jamie tells his wife "I wasn't trying to throw you under the bus or anything."
"Kinda felt like it." Eddie mutters back annoyed.
"You should probably order more flowers." Danny helpfully tells his brother.
Eddie sighs in frustration "Do NOT order flowers. Look can we just change the subject please? Anyone see the peas?"
"Um… plate's empty." Frank replies as he reaches over, picks up and displays the empty plate.
Eddie's frustration level grow…
"Great." Eddie mutters out as she feels tears begin to well in her eyes "Excuse me." She manages to get out as she pushes her chair back and hurries out of the room needing to just get away.
Sighing, Jamie begins to get up to follow but Frank stops him "Let me." he tells his son as he gets up instead.
….
Standing at the kitchen sink, Eddie sniffles as she tries to get a grip.
Hearing a noise behind her she turns slightly and sees Frank enter. She quickly faces the window again and tries to quickly and covertly wipe away her tears.
Seeing her actions, Frank sighs then moves to shut the door to give them privacy "You okay?" he questions in concern once the door is shut.
Eddie plasters on a brave face "Yeah of course why wouldn't I be?" she counters as she turns and tries to smile brightly at her father in law.
"Because my wife was pregnant four times so I have a pretty good radar when it comes to these things."
In an instant Eddie drops her bravado and throw her hands up as the tears well in her eyes again "I don't even know why I'm crying or even upset. It's all so stupid! I mean Jamie's right! He didn't say anything that wasn't the truth! I initiated the kiss… but... but he said it in front of… of YOU of all people!" she huffs out in frustration "And now I can't even believe I'm standing here in the kitchen talking to you about this all again! UGH!" She cries in defeat as she buries her face in her hands.
Frank smiles at his daughter in law "No, your crying because we ran out of peas."
Slowly Eddie lifts her head to look at her father in law.
He shrugs in deflection causing Eddie to huff out a laugh "YES!" She cries out in exasperated defeat "That too!"
"See there you go." Frank points out "Told you I knew what I was talking about."
"Thank you." Eddie appreciatively mutters out "Thank you for trying to make me feel better."
Again Frank smiles "I promised you on your wedding day I would always have your six o'clock and I meant it Eddie. Jamie might be my son but you're my daughter in law and you've become a driving force in this family."
Eddie sighs "Thank you for saying that."
"Well it's the truth." Frank offers.
Beat.
"And something else." Frank adds "Every marriage has its ups and down. When Mary and I used to fight, we'd lock ourselves in the bathroom and run the shower so the kids wouldn't hear. What we never did though was have a code word. That's pretty ingenious."
Eddie looks over at her father in law and sighs "Only if it works."
"It's working." Frank reassures her "And I just want to reiterate that Jamie did not throw you under the bus with his comment. If anything it doesn't surprise me you had to take the initiative. He's my son and I love him but for years he was an idiot dragging his feet."
Slowly a smile creeps up onto Eddie's face and a moment later back in the dining room all the rest of the Reagan's hear nothing but Eddie's loud boisterous laughter coming from the kitchen.
Jamie smiles and thinks Thanks Dad.
...
Jamie and Eddie silently walk up to The Chevelle and silently get in the vehicle. Jamie goes to start the car but then pauses and looks at his wife in the passenger's seat next to him "Are we good because I didn't mean…"
"Jamie we're fine." Eddie promises before a slight smile creeps up on her face "Your Dad can be very persuasive."
Not exactly liking the look on his wife's face, Jamie narrows his eyes a bit "How?" He curiously presses.
Eddie's smile turns into a smirk "Says you were an idiot for years dragging your feet and wasn't surprised I had to take the initiative."
Jamie silently purses his lips together as his mind ponders what to think of, and how to respond to that but he is brought out of his thoughts when Eddie leans over and gives her husband a quick kiss on the cheek.
"What was that for?" Jamie questions in surprise.
Eddie nonchalantly shrugs "For being my idiot." She explains before grinning at her husband "At least you came to your senses."
Jamie sighs in defeat "Fine." He relents before a smirk plays on his face "But just so you know…" He adds as he starts the car and glances at his wife "You're my idiot too."
Eddie's mouth falls open "Why am I an idiot?"
"Takes one to know one?" He offers "Two peas in a pod?" He alternatively adds "I could go on." he flippantly tacks on.
"Please don't." Eddie pleads with a laugh at his lame reasoning "Just drive."
"Yes Ma'am." Jamie accepts with a chuckle as he shifts into drive, pulls out and starts for home.
...
