Chapter 105: Surprise After Surprise
Now dressed in the clothes Eddie laid out for him, Jamie walks out into his backyard again.
"NOW THERE'S A LOOK!" Danny calls out in pure amusement.
"Uncle Jamie!" Sean states in disbelief as Eddie looks over and cracks up laughing "What are you wearing?"
"I think he looks handsome." Eddie tries to seriously state as she walks over but she breaks and just starts laughing all over again "I can't believe you actually put that on!"
"You told me to wear what was on the bed." Jamie counters with a shrug "So I'm wearing what was on the bed."
"And that's why their marriage is so successful." Erin points out with an amused expression as she pulls out a small sized gift box "He just does what he's told."
"HEY!" Jamie protests right as Erin offers the box out to him "Oh what's this?" he quickly adds.
"It's your birthday Jamie." Erin deadpans "Figure it out."
"What?" Danny exclaims in unhappy exasperation "You got him ANOTHER gift? That was his gift!" he whines as he points at the barbecue "Now you're just trying to one up everyone else!"
"Oh calm down." Erin chides her older brother "You'll understand when he opens it."
Jamie suspiciously eyes his sister "I'm not sure I want to open this now."
Erin smiles giddily at him "Sure you do." She encourages.
"I don't know." Eddie suspiciously chimes in.
Erin glances at her sister in law and frowns slightly then looks back at Jamie "Just open it. Who are you going to listen too – me or her?"
Jamie scoffs in disbelief "Is that a trick question?" he retorts as he offers the box out to Danny "Here you open it." But Danny pushes Jamie's hand back towards him "Why so it can explode in my face instead of yours? No."
Erin throws her hands up "You try and do something nice."
"Oh give it here." Frank interjects as he reaches over, takes the box and before anyone can protest, he opens the lid and pulls out a smaller jewelry box. He offers that box out to Jamie "Here you go. It's been five years so I'm pretty sure you won't be giving it back this time."
Looking confused, Jamie takes the box and snaps it open "Oh!" He states in both surprise and understanding when he sees his Mother's engagement ring in the box. He looks at it then up at his Father to see Frank gesture towards Eddie.
"Okay what is it already?" Eddie impatiently asks as she leans over trying to see so Jamie turns the box around to show her "Oh." Eddie states in unexpected surprise "Is that…?"
"Yup." Jamie confirms as he takes the ring out of the box "This is the one."
Eddie reaches for it "Let me see." but Jamie pulls his hand back out of her reach "Ah." He protests before a look of amusement appears on his face "You don't get this until you say yes."
Eddie crosses her arms in slight annoyance "You mean again?" She challenges.
Jamie grins at his wife.
"It's not an engagement ring this time Jamie." Eddie flatly points out "And I already said yes - multiple times but if you insist on hearing it again…" She decides "…I insist on…" She adds in a challenge as she takes her finger and points at the ground gesturing for Jamie to get down on one knee.
"I've done that multiple times too." Jamie points out as everyone around them just keeps looking back and forth between the couple as they converse.
"So you see my point?" Eddie presses.
"Fine." Jamie relents as he simply hands the ring over to his wife.
"Thank you." Eddie accepts as she takes it and begins to look it over.
"Wait that's it?" Erin exclaims in disappointment "All these people gathered around and THAT'S IT?"
"This is a nice ring." Eddie compliments as she slips it on her finger while Jamie turns to look at his sister saying "What did you want a show?"
"YES!" Erin exclaims "That was the point of giving it to you now while we are all here!"
Eddie dismissively waves her hand "Been there done that – you saw the video."
Erin throws her hands up.
Henry shrugs "I was entertained."
"What video?" Lena inquires as she steps forward to get a better look at the ring.
"Oh you haven't seen it?" Danny jumps in "Here let me pull it up." he offers as he pulls out his phone and concentrates on cuing up the video.
"This does go on the right finger right?" Eddie then wonders trying to ignore her Mother and Brother in law
"If it's an anniversary ring, yes." Frank replies.
Eddie smiles as she holds up her right hand to examine the look of the ring on her finger "It's beautiful Frank. You have very good taste."
Lena gets a look of surprise on her face at hearing that.
Pausing from looking for the video on his phone, Danny snickers as he lightly jabs his brother in the upper arm "Guess that means you don't."
Eddie looks at Danny "Oh stop. He knows I love my original rings."
Suddenly feeling triumphant over his older brother the little kid in Jamie wins out as he turns his head and sticks his tongue out at his older brother before arrogantly thrusting the empty ring box at Danny's chest.
"Oh yeah." Danny laughs out as he on instinct quickly reaches his hands up to catch the box "Cuz that's something a 40 year old should be doing."
Jamie shrugs "Still a kid at heart."
"I know." Danny tosses back "Why do you think I still call you kid?"
"Awww…" Erin laughs out "…that's the closest to mushy I've ever seen these two get!"
Danny turns his head to shoot his sister a glare "Here have a box." He deadpans as he thrusts the box at her but Eddie quickly reaches over and snatches it away from all of them "That goes with my new ring." She happily reminds them "So I'll just take that."
"Francis you picked out this ring?" Lena curiously inquires.
"Yes Mom." Eddie replies "This was Jamie's Mother's engagement ring and now it's my anniversary ring."
Lena ponders that "Interesting…" She finally states "Not your typical anniversary ring but very touching none the less." She adds before turning her head to look at Jamie and she smiles "I approve."
Jamie silently gives his head a slight tilt of acceptance in his Mother in law's direction while Eddie tries to hide the giddy smile threatening to appear on her face.
Suddenly Danny thrusts his hand containing his phone in front of Lena "Here watch." He instructs before looking out over the sea of people "And for those that can't see don't worry, I can replay it – multiple times." He adds with a smirk as he looks at his younger brother.
Jamie just shakes his head at his brother so as everyone gathers around Danny and his phone trying to see the video of Jamie and Eddie 'proposing' to one another in the middle of 5-4 bullpen Jamie and Eddie find themselves on the outside of the group looking at them.
Deciding if he can't beat them, join them, Jamie gets a playful look on his face and with everyone distracted with the video, he reaches out and grabs his wife's right hand turning her towards him.
For a moment Eddie looks quizzically at him as she watches him remove her new ring from her finger but a second later a big grin appears on her face when she sees her husband drop to one knee before her.
Jamie says absolutely nothing as he holds the ring up to his wife with both hands – his facial expression dramatically pleading with her to accept it.
Playing along, Eddie clasps her hands to her chest and gives him a silent and dramatic 'for me?' expression.
Jamie nods yes so Eddie nods yes and Jamie slips the ring back on her finger.
From the corner of her eye Erin sees movement so she looks over just in time to see Jamie in marriage proposal position "EVERYBODY LOOK!" She excitedly calls but by the time she gets the words out and people start turning their heads it's already too late for Jamie is standing up and the moment is over.
"Oh we missed it." Erin pouts.
Jamie and Eddie break out into laughter and Jamie shrugs "You snooze, you loose."
"NO YOU DIDN'T!" Mia's voice suddenly calls from the treehouse.
Everyone looks up in the direction of the voice to see Mia and Sally watching the party from above and Mia wiggling her Mother's cellphone in her hands "I can replay it for those that missed it!" She offers as she pocket's the phone and starts to climb down.
Jamie heavily sighs "That girl and that phone." He mutters under his breath as he watches his party guests make their way over to the tree.
"Too bad we don't have video of the original proposal." Danny laughs "We could start a video compilation!" he adds before pausing in thought and looking at his brother "You said it was a minigolf course right? Wonder if they have surveillance footage…"
"It was over five years ago Danny." Jamie flatly retorts "So good luck with that." He adds before turning his back to his brother to pick up his beer again and the moment he does, a little grin appears on his face.
He secretly already had the footage…
At catching her husband's look, a suddenly realization dawns on Eddie so she moves towards him "You have the footage don't you?" She lowly whispers to him in absolute shock.
"Hmmm what?" Jamie innocently deflects.
"Do not play games with me Jameson Reagan." Eddie warns in a hush before glancing to make sure none of their guests can hear her "Do you have the footage from the golf course of you originally proposing to me?"
Jamie looks at his wife and knows he better tell her the truth so he glances out at their guests himself before leaning towards her ear and whispering out a super quiet "Yes."
Eddie's eyes go as wide as saucers as she pulls back to look at him in the face "Why have you never told me this before!?" She admonishes as she lightly slaps his arm.
Jamie laughs "Waiting for the right moment."
Eddie crosses her arms "Five years and you haven't found the right moment?" She challenges.
"It's more a ten year thing." Jamie simply counters causing Eddie's mouth to fall open a bit speechless at his words.
Jamie grins at her.
Eddie opens her mouth to speak and her mouth moves as she tries to find the right words but nothing comes out until finally she just says "Okay." in acceptance of his 'planning'.
"Okay." Jamie repeats in triumph as he picks up an appetizer off the table and pops it in his mouth.
.…
"Okay bye!" Eddie calls as she and Jamie wave goodbye to the last of their party guests before she shuts the front door and moves to sink herself down to sit on the couch and put her feet up "Ugh." She groans out in relief.
"You okay?" Jamie asks.
"Yeah." Eddie replies "Just happy to be off my feet! That was a good party wasn't it?"
"It was." Jamie admits in awe "Thank you for putting that all together."
Eddie shrugs "You only turn 40 once."
"Yeah, but I know how much work that must have been." Jamie points out.
"I had help."
"But I know it was mostly you so again, thank you."
"Jamie, you don't need to keep thanking me." Eddie laughs "I was happy to do it."
"I really do love you, you know." Jamie states as he moves to plop himself down beside his wife "I don't think I've said that today." he realizes as he lifts his arm and drapes it around his wife's shoulders.
Eddie settles into him but lifts her right hand up "Yes you did." She corrects as she looks at her new ring "You just didn't say it in words."
"I know." Jamie jokes "My birthday and here you are getting the gifts!"
"HEY!" Eddie unhappily protests as she drops her arm "You got a barbecue Mister!"
Jamie smiles "I know, thank you."
"And just think…" Eddie laughs "We get to do it all over again tomorrow at dinner!"
"You mean I get another barbecue?" Jamie giddily prompts in excitement.
"Okay cake." Eddie clarifies as she begins to absently play with her new ring "You get to do cake all over again."
"Damn." Jamie mutters out trying not to laugh but he notices Eddie's actions and grows a bit silent for a moment.
"Does it feel weird?" Jamie curiously inquires.
"What?" Eddie prompts.
Jamie gestures down to her playing with the ring.
"No." She honestly replies as she rights the ring on her finger and leaves it be.
Silence.
"You?" Eddie hesitantly double checks.
"No." Jamie admits "Feels like it's right where it belongs."
Eddie smiles at his words and drops her head into the crook of his shoulder "I love you." she promises as she closes her eyes but then she yawns…
…which causes Jamie to yawn "Been a long day." Jamie admits as he lets his head fall back to rest on the couch and also close his eyes.
Silently coming bounding down the stairs, Mia stops short at seeing Jamie and Eddie basically sitting there asleep on the couch. She turns and quietly heads back upstairs. She opens her Mom's bedroom door and walks in "Mom." She quietly prompts in a low whisper "I need your phone."
Rosa turns to look at her daughter "Why?" She also quietly but confusingly inquires.
Seeing her Mom's phone on the dresser Mia swipes it up and beckons for her Mom to follow. Mia quietly and carefully leads her Mom half way down the stairs where Rosa sees Jamie and Eddie asleep on the couch.
She smiles as her daughter opens the camera app and snaps a couple of pictures.
"What are you doing?" Jamie's voice sounds although he doesn't move or open his eyes "I can hear the clicking."
"Um nothing." Mia deflects as she thrusts the phone back at her Mom and Rosa quickly but quietly rushes back up the stairs and out of view.
Finally Jamie lifts his head and opens his eyes. He eyes his god daughter to see her descending the stairs to the main floor.
"Just coming down the stairs." Mia nonchalantly explains.
"Isn't it past your bedtime?" Jamie prompts.
"Mom said I could stay up later because of the party but if you must know, I was just coming to get a glass of water." Mia explains as she heads to the kitchen, grabs a glass of water then heads back up the stairs "Goodnight." She offers before disappearing onto the 2nd floor landing.
"She's up to something." Eddie's voice sounds a moment later but just like Jamie had in the beginning she doesn't move or open her eyes either.
Jamie sighs "You noticed that too huh."
"Yup."
Silence.
"Come on let's go to bed." Jamie finally prompts
"But I'm so comfortable right here." Eddie whines "And its still early."
"Yeah well you're still young." Jamie points out "I'm 40 now. You're married to an old man who needs his rest."
Eddie lifts her head to look at her husband "So what your saying is no more chasing perps down the mean streets of New York?" She challenges.
"I'm a Lieutenant now." Jamie points out "Lieutenant's don't chase perps down the street."
"No they just drop tracking necklaces into robber's loot bags and take them down without breaking a sweat."
"Work smarter, not harder." Jamie arrogantly deflects with a shrug while Eddie can't help but laugh a little.
Silence.
"Danny still chases perps down the street." Eddie points out "And he's older than you."
"Hmmm good point." Jamie admits "Pretty sure I could still chase you up the stairs."
Eddie huffs out a laugh "A snail could chase me up the stairs right now - and probably win."
"I'm willing to give it a shot if you are." Jamie playfully offers "But you might need to help me off the couch – these old bones you know."
"Oh I don't think so if anything you're going to help me off the couch." Eddie counters.
"Okay." Jamie accepts as he springs off the couch and reaches to help his wife up.
"I thought you were old?" Eddie laughs.
"Got my second wind." Jamie cheekily retorts.
"Well if that's the case we should test your stamina abilities – see if you can still go as long as you could when you were still in your thirties."
Jamie nods "I like a challenge." He accepts.
"Come on." Eddie laughs "We need to move this upstairs before a certain ten year old wants another glass of water because I gotta tell you..." She adds as she lifts her hand to play with a button on Jamie's shirt "…this shirt – such a turn on." She jokes.
"No need to butter me up now." Jamie postures "I'm already will to put out."
"Okay we really need to stop before Mia catches us." Eddie laughs "Or worse, Rosa." Eddie realizes "Because this type of behavior is exactly what she was worried about."
"What?" Jamie whines in jest "I would never! I'm a Boy Scout!"
Laughing, Eddie drops her head onto her husband's chest for a moment before lifting her head and composing herself "Come on Boy Scout." She instructs as she turns to head for the stairs "Let's go."
"Yes Ma'am!" Jamie easily agrees as he follows.
...