Chapter 115: Promises

Boy was Eddie right that things would just fester because by the next morning when neither husband nor wife got much sleep, they were both grumpy and on edge with neither Jamie nor Eddie willing to give an inch. Now usually their morning routines were pretty intertwined with sharing bathroom space, getting dressed, making breakfast etc but today they were doing their best to avoid one another while at the same time trying to push each other's buttons…

The alarms rings and instead of Jamie reaching over, silencing it and turning his soft, low voltage bedside light on like he normally would, he simply just gets up in the dark, walks to the entrance and flicks the bright and blinding overhead light on before making his way to the bathroom causing a still mostly asleep Eddie to not only be blinded by the light but to have to begrudgingly and very awkwardly shift herself all the way to his side of the bed and slam her hand down on the alarm to stop the annoying buzzing.

"Ass." She mutters disgruntled into the pillow as she tries to block out the light but then she feels it – that sudden urge to pee so she has no choice but to get up but instead of heading for their shared bathroom she heads out into the hall to use the other bathroom.

She finishes there then comes back into the bedroom where she hears the shower running so she heads into the shared bathroom to brush her teeth. She finishes then moves to leave the bathroom but as she passes the toilet though she slows her pace then pauses, looks back at the shower then reaches over and flushes the toilet.

"Damn it Eddie!" Jamie suddenly exclaims from the shower in frustration as a blast of cold water hits him.

Eddie simply but silently smirks in triumph before walking away.

….

Standing in the kitchen, Eddie impatiently waits for Jamie to finish with the milk. Normally he would pour it in his coffee cup and then hand it to her or put it back in the fridge but today he just puts the carton down on the counter right in front of him so she waits.

And waits.

And waits some more as Rosa walks towards the kitchen.

Realizing he is doing this on purpose so she has to ask for it, Eddie crosses her arms in annoyance before snapping "Are you done with that yet?"

Rosa abruptly stops walking.

"Here." Jamie snarls back as he picks up the carton and practically thrusts it at his wife.

Rosa spins on her heels and heads right back where she came from as Eddie rushes to catch the carton while glowering at her husband.

"MORNING!" Mia happily greets as she comes bounding down the stairs with Jamko and Reagan following.

Rosa's eyes go wide and she tenses up as she quickly turns to see Jamie and Eddie both plaster smiles on their faces.

"Morning." They both pleasantly greet their god daughter.

"Okay who wants what for breakfast?" Mia asks the pets as she heads for the pantry and opens it to pull out cans of pet food.

The dog and the cat circle around her not at all caring what they are fed just that they ARE fed.

"Chicken?" Mia questions as she pulls two cans out and shows them to Jamko and Reagan.

Jamko barks and Reagan circles her feet.

"Chicken it is!" Mia sings as she moves to crack the cans open. She busies herself with the pets allowing Rosa to study Jamie and Eddie to see them try to maintain an air of 'everything is fine' for Mia's sake but Rosa knows better so when she catches their eyes, she knocks her head towards the garage door telling the couple to take whatever problems they are having out the door to continue there.

Picking up on the cue and knowing they can't keep avoiding working this out forever, Jamie turns to his wife "You ready to go?" he inquires like nothing at all is wrong.

"Yup." Eddie simply replies.

Suddenly Mia looks up "Oh I forgot my backpack in my room. I'll be right back." She announces before running for the stairs and the moment she is gone, the smiles drop of Jamie and Eddie's faces and Rosa turns to look at them "Is everything okay? She prompts in true concern.

"Don't worry about it." Eddie replies "It's work related."

"Right." Jamie begrudgingly agrees "Work related." He adds before looking at his wife "And speaking of work, are we driving together or…?"

"I'll drive myself." Eddie flatly replies as she moves past Jamie to the door to swipe her keys and purse up and exit the kitchen into the garage.

"Fine." Jamie replies through gritted teeth at the stupidity of taking two vehicles all that distance to the exact same place "But whatever." he decides as he briefly glances at Rosa before shutting the kitchen door behind him. He turns to walk down the stairs but pauses in surprise to see his wife struggling to lower herself down into the driver's seat of her Porsche Boxster. He stands there a moment confused as to why she's taking that vehicle and not the SUV but then he hears her grunt a little in frustration so he sighs and begins to walk towards her and as he does, he can see tears welling in her eyes.

Even though they were fighting, he hated seeing her like that so he sighs in defeat "Do you want some help?"

"NO!" She harshly tosses at him so Jamie just sighs again and watches her continue to struggle.

"Why are you taking that Porsche?" Jamie finally questions.

"To prove I can!" Eddie snaps back.

Jamie sucks in a very deep unhappy breath at her stubbornness.

"Why is this so hard?" Eddie whines more to herself then Jamie.

"Because you're over eight months pregnant and trying to get into a tiny sports car." Jamie replies anyway as Eddie manages to sink into the seat.

"I'm fine." She tosses out in annoyance "Just go."

"I'll go on one condition." Jamie counters.

"What?"

"Show me you can get out on your own."

Eddie lifts her head and unhappily narrows her eyes at her husband.

"Just get out of the car…" he challenges "…and I'll leave."

More tears threaten to fall from Eddie's eyes and she knows full well she likely can't get out herself but she tries anyway to no avail.

"There are you happy now?" Eddie finally admits as her tears begin to fall "I can't. I can't get out on my own!"

Jamie crouches down to his wife's level "Eddie nothing about this makes me happy. Nothing. But the reality is right now you can't do everything you are used to doing, that's just the way it is."

"Except I'm the only one that CAN do this Jamie." Eddie insists as the couple finally starts to get into it "I'm the only person that can get in there and save those woman and babies why don't you see that?"

"Because you're my wife and that's my baby and… Eddie you can't even get out of a car yourself – do you know how much it terrifies me that I won't be able to be there to protect you?"

"Well what if Maria goes with me?" Eddie offers "We can sell that. She'll just… be my friend who comes along for morale support."

Jamie hangs his head "Eddie… you heard Dad, you'd have to go in alone. ALONE!"

"Well it's not like we don't have the coms." Eddie points out "We'll still be in contact. Jamie please." Eddie begs "I'm the only shot these women have."

Jamie shakes his head "If something were to happen to you…"

"See that right there!" Eddie quickly points out "IF." She emphasizes "Yes there is a chance something could happen but there always is in this job and we both accepted that."

"But not when you are 8 months pregnant!" Jamie counters "By the book when you're pregnant means desk duty! There is a reason for that!"

"Just like how couples can't work together right?" Eddie points out "Yet here we are…"

"You know that rule doesn't exist Eddie but the pregnant rule does, it's not the same thing!"

"I want to do this!" Eddie insists "Why can't you just support me in this!"

"You just don't get it do you?" Jamie huffs out in disbelief "I can't lose you!"

"Jamie." Eddie heavily sighs "You could lose me due to anything. I could walk out the door and get hit by lightening – that's just life and you know that."

"Eddie." Jamie begins.

"Jamie." Eddie interrupts "Those women need me. Yes, there is always a risk that I could get hurt – a risk." She repeats to emphasize she has thought this through "And I will do everything in my power to minimize and avoid that and I will protect her…" She promises as she places her hands on her belly "…with every fiber of my being but if I don't do this, more women WILL get hurt Jamie – that is almost 100% guaranteed."

Jamie shakes his head in disbelief and realization "You're going to do this no matter what I say aren't you?"

"Yes." Eddie quietly admits "With or without your support." She adds "But I would really like your support so can you please work with me on this?"

"Argh!" Jamie grunts out in the ultimate frustration knowing he's not going to talk his wife out of this and that if she does do this, he would much rather be a part of it doing everything in his power to keep his family safe then be on the outside helplessly looking in "Fine." He grumbles out as he comes to stand in front of his wife.

A look of pure emotional relief appears on Eddie's face as she looks up at him "Thank you." she sincerely states.

"But I swear Eddie..." Jamie warns "…if something happens to you or the baby..."

"I know, I know." Eddie soothingly interrupts "But I promise you I will do everything in my power to keep us both safe."

Jamie crouches down in front of his wife and picks up one of her hands "And so will I." He seriously promises.

Eddie smiles at him "I know." She lovingly accepts.

Silence.

"Now can you help me up?" Eddie requests "I'm not getting out of this car myself."

Jamie groans "This is exactly my point Eddie." He reiterates as he offers his arms out for Eddie to grab onto for support.

"I know that Jamie." Eddie admits as he helps her stand "And I know there are limits to what I can physically do right now so I'll just have to rely more on my wits then my braun. Can you grab my purse please?" She then requests as she gestures to her passenger's seat so as she side steps, Jamie leans down to grab her purse.

He stands back up to see his wife opening the passenger's side door of The Chevelle.

"Driving together now are we?" he tosses at her as he shuts the Boxster's door.

"Well, it's silly to take two vehicles all that way to the same place." Eddie pragmatically points out.

Jamie shakes his head at his wife as he heads to the driver's side of his car.

"Besides…" Eddie adds as they both settle themselves into their seats "This way I can get you up to speed on what I know."

"Okay." Jamie accepts as he opens the overhead door and starts the car "But can I say one thing first?" he requests as he turns his head to look at his wife.

"Okay." Eddie tentatively accepts bracing herself for what he's about to say.

"Sorry I left you stranded at Dad's office." He apologizes "I never should have done that."

Eddie relaxes at his words "That's okay…" She reassures him "…your Dad's detail drove me home."

Jamie huffs out a small laugh "Of course they did." He accepts as he shifts into reverse to back out of the garage.

"He really didn't mean to cause friction between us." Eddie tells her husband "He just had to ask the question to know he had done everything he could to get justice."

Jamie sighs "I know."

…..

Sitting at their desks in the 5-4, Danny and Maria look up when Jamie and Eddie enter and Jamie makes a beeline for them "Find Sheehan." Jamie commands "We're a go." He simply announces before heading for his office.

Danny and Maria watch him leave then slowly turn to look at Eddie.

Danny raises a surprised eyebrow at her and Eddie nods in confirmation so Danny takes in a deep breath of air "Oooookay." He accepts as he picks up his phone and dials Sheehan's number while Maria reaches into her desk and pulls out a very thick file.

"What is that?" Danny inquires.

"A full copy of all the related case files." Maria states.

Danny looks at his partner in even more surprise.

"What?" Maria challenges "You told me to ask Sheehan so I did and then I figured I might as well get myself up to speed because let's face it…" She continues as she looks up at Eddie "…this was gonna end up being our case anyway and we all know it. Conference room?" she asks of Eddie.

A big, bright happy smile appears on Eddie's face at Maria's initiative and leg work "Yes please!"

Nodding, Maria picks up the file and starts for the room while Eddie takes a step towards her office "Just let me put my stuff down, get Jamie and I'll be there in a minute."

"Copy that Boss." Maria accepts causing Danny to simply just shake his head in awe at the two women but he quickly turns his attention to his phone when his call is answered "Sheehan - Reagan." He greets "Get your butt back to the squad." He instructs as he watches a very determined, no nonsense looking Jamie come out of his office "We're a go." He finishes as he makes eye contact with his brother and Jamie takes his finger and swings it in the direction of the conference room.

"Yeah, yeah." Danny agrees as he hangs up his phone and moves to follow "I'm coming."

…..

In a collage of time lapsing, Jamie sits on the edge of the conference room table while Danny sits back in a chair both intently listening to Eddie and Maria get them up to speed on the case. Every once in a while one or the other would ask a question, papers would be handed back and forth and things would be tacked to the bulletin board or key words written down.

Suddenly the door to the room opens and Sheehan appears.

Jamie waves him inside and it's collaboration at its finest as Sheehan adds his knowledge of everything he knows and ideas are bounced off one another but through it all Jamie would periodically glance at his wife checking to see how she's holding up and the moment he sees her shift uncomfortably he interrupts "Do you need a break?" He suddenly and seriously asks of her.

Eddie immediately shakes her head no in rejection.

Jamie takes in a deep unhappy breath knowing she's trying to put on a brave front but when Eddie looks around the room to now see all eyes challenging her on her statement she gives in "Okay maybe a little one." She sheepishly relents "And some food."

"1 hour break." Jamie commands as he stands, heads for the door and opens it.

Sheehan walks out and Jamie holds it open waiting for his wife "What do you want to eat?"

"Can I answer that after I pee?" Eddie lowly pleads to her husband as she hurries past him out the door.

A look of realization appears on Jamie's face and his mouth falls slightly open "How long have you been holding that in?" He asks in exasperation as he follows "Please don't do that and that's an order!"

Still inside the room, Maria can't help but chuckle a little at the exchange before she looks over at her partner to see Danny with his attention still completely on the bulletin board before him and she sighs "Not taking a break are you?" she knowingly challenges.

"No." Danny confirms as he glances over at his partner so Maria simply inquires "Usual?"

"Please and thank you." Danny accepts so Maria nods and disappears out the door as Danny turns his head back to the board and the case.

…..

Abby sits across from Frank at his desk updating him on his schedule "And then at 1pm you have a meeting with…" but she stops when the door swings open and Sid swiftly enters

"Boss." He interrupts.

Frank and Abby look over.

"Just got word." Sid continues as he takes a few steps into the office "They made a decision."

"And?" Frank prompts.

Sid nods "It's a go."

Frank heavily sighs and nods his head in understanding "Keep me updated." He pointedly and very seriously instructs.

…..

With crumpled up food wrappers and empty water bottles scattered on the table, the team is continuing to formulate their plan when suddenly Eddie stands.

All talking stops and everyone again looks at her "Sorry." She awkwardly apologizes "Bathroom calls." She explains as she hurries for the door.

"Thank you!" Jamie appreciatively tells her.

"No thank you!" Eddie tosses back as she swings the door open and looks back at her husband "You made it an order!" She adds before quickly disappearing out the door.

…..

It's grueling hours later when Danny closes the cap on his marker and turns to face everyone "Okay so we all know the plan?" He asks as he looks around the conference room at the team assembled for the op – Jamie, Eddie, Maria, Sheehan and a handful of other officers including TARU and the head of SWAT.

Everyone nods.

"Any questions?" Danny presses.

Everyone shakes their head no.

"Okay tomorrow morning – 10am." Danny adds before turning to head out the door but suddenly a hand reaches out and stops him so Danny turns to see his brother holding him back as everyone else files out.

"What?" Danny prompts once they are alone.

Jamie takes a deep breath before he begins "I know I'm the Lieutenant Danny but if I can't stay objective…"

Danny nods his head in understanding "I'll make the decisions." He reassuringly promises.

"Thank you." Jamie simply accepts before passing his brother and walking out the door.

Danny watches him leave then takes a very deep apprehensive breath himself as he silently vows to do everything in his power to keep his brother's family safe by placing the full weight of the situation squarely on his shoulders before moving to follow.

…..

Eddie enters the women's washroom in an attempt to find a moment to herself "Hello?" She calls out into the room.

When she gets no reply, she sighs in relief then moves to the counter. She looks at herself in the mirror and for a moment wonders if she's doing the right thing and almost as if she senses her Mother's apprehension the baby starts to kick "Okay." Eddie breathes out as she places her hands on the edge of the counter for support "You're okay." She promises as the door to the washroom opens and Maria enters.

"Eddie?" She questions in concern at the sight of her.

Eddie immediately straightens up and plasters a smile on her face but when she sees the challenging look Maria is giving her she drops the smile and turns to sit on the edge of the counter instead while placing her hands on her belly "I'm fine." She promises "She's just really active right now and sometimes… well sometimes I just need to take a minute for myself that's all."

Maria eyes her "It's okay to be nervous." She offers "I'd actually be worried if you weren't."

Eddie nods.

"We have your back." Maria seriously reiterates.

Eddie again nods – this time in true appreciation.

…..

Rosa watches as Jamie and Eddie enter into the kitchen from the garage laughing. She immediately raises an eyebrow "Well this is a completely different and welcomed sight from when you two left this morning."

"Oh yeah." Eddie sheepishly replies.

"Sorry about that." Jamie apologizes.

"You worked it out then?" Rosa presses.

Jamie and Eddie nod.

"Good." Rosa accepts "Because I have to warn you, I was fully prepared to sit you both down and have a little chat with you if you came home still at odds." She warns in a no nonsense, parental tone.

Jamie and Eddie look at Rosa in slight surprise at her tone and words before Eddie leans up towards her husband "Is she trying to parent…us?"

Jamie nods his head in agreement "I think she is."

Rosa looks at the couple and arrogantly smiles "Well when you act like children…" She defends before turning deadly serious "…that's what I'll do."

"MOM!" Mia's voice suddenly calls from upstairs.

"COMING!" Rosa sweetly calls as she heads in her daughter's direction without so much as another word to the couple before her.

Jamie and Eddie watch her leave in silence.

"We seriously need to learn how to do that." Eddie suddenly decides.

"We will." Jamie promises "Comes with time and experience."

"Promises, promises!" Eddie quips with a laugh before blowing out a breath of air "Oh up from your nap are you?" she sighs as she looks down "And here I was thinking I might lay down for a nap myself."

Jamie looks at his wife "You really should. It's a big day tomorrow."

Eddie nods as the mood in the air suddenly turns serious "I know."

"Hey." Jamie softly prompts "We've got this. All of us. We have your back." He promises.

…..