Chapter 29: In this together

Author: zeusfluff.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Blue Blood's characters. They belong to CBS. But I do own all originals. Date Started: 9/18/23. Date Finished: 9/25/23. Enjoy!

"So Eddie, can you tell me what's been going on? How are you feeling?"

Eddie fidgeted on the exam table and then placed her hands in her lap.

"I guess I'm a little run down. Between all the laundry, diapers, the breastfeeding, 2 am feedings to be exact, and sometimes Cora cries and I don't know what she wants… What am I supposed to do? I'm just tired…"

Doctor Carollson nodded her head and gave her a look of understanding.

"It's alright Eddie. All this is new to you. It's a lot to take in. That's why I'm here to help you any way I can."

Eddie sighed and stifled a sob. She was going to get through this. Her eyes locked with Doctor Carollson's.

"I just want to be a good mother to my daughter. But sometimes I feel like I'm going crazy."

Doctor Carollson made a few notes in Eddie's chart.

"Eddie, you need rest. Do you have other members of your family that can help you care for Cora?"

Eddie nodded. She had pop and Frank, Erin, Danny, Nicky. Even Sean and Jack if they weren't busy.

"I do. But I don't want to burden the rest of my family with taking care of her all the time."

Jamie interjected and shook his head.

"Honey, helping you take care of Cora isn't a burden. We're all chipping in to help you out. You can't take on all of this by yourself. We're all here for you. You know that right?"

Eddie nodded and put on a brave face. She knew she had family on her side. Why was this so hard?

"I do, but I just… I need to be able to do things on my own…"

The glimmer of hope Jamie had was slowly fading. But he wasn't giving up. This was his wife and she needed help. He knew part of all this was stemming from the ordeal with being kidnapped and held captive by Marty Hollinson.

"Eddie look at me. You're safe. Cora is safe. We're all safe. No one is going to hurt you or Cora or Erin or I ever again. Dad would never let that happen. Not on his watch. He promised a detail outside our apartment 24 hours a day for protection. I already agreed."

Eddie sighed. She was trying to sort this all out. She just needed the support of her family. Doctor Carollson looked Eddie in the eye and brought up someone she would've rather not dealt with.

"What about your mother Eddie? Could she possibly help you with caring for Cora?"

Eddie tried not to grit her teeth and shook her head.

"The relationship between my mother and I isn't the greatest. I'd rather not get her involved. It's a long and drawn-out story I'd rather not get into. We're not on the best of terms with one another. Let's leave it at that."

Doctor Carollson made another note in Eddie's chart and then closed the manila folder.

"Well Eddie, it sounds like you have a very good support system in place. Now, I want you to go home and get some rest. Some rest will do you some good. Have your family members help you with some laundry. Day to day tasks. Once that is established and in place, things will start to get a little less overwhelming. I want you to check in with me in three weeks. Ok?"

Eddie nodded and watched as Doctor Carollson closed the door to the exam room behind her. She looked at Jamie and gave a tired smile.

"I need a nap babe. I'm so tired. I just need some rest. Cora still needs her mommy to feed her, give her love. We need that bonding time."

Jamie nodded. He understood the logistics of it. Medically speaking he knew what Eddie was going through, but he could never fully, understand it. All he could do, was offer reassurance and comfort.

"I know your tired. I'm tired too. We can take turns resting. Sleeping. Cora is beautiful. She was made out of love. Our love."

At Jamie's comment, Eddie smiled.

"We did, didn't we? I just wish she'd been born here. In the hospital. Surrounded by doctors and nurses. Good pain meds onboard."

Jamie feigned being hurt.

"Ouch Eddie. That hurt. Didn't I help you deliver a healthy and beautiful little girl?"

Eddie nodded and squeezed Jamie's arm.

"Of course you did, and I will forever be grateful for bringing our baby girl into the world safely. I don't think I could've delivered her alone. Some nights I have nightmares about being in that warehouse by myself, going into labor and somehow delivering our beautiful baby girl."

Jamie pulled Eddie into his arms and placed a kiss to her left temple.

"Come on babe. Let's go home. When we get there, how about I make you a nice warm bowl of soup."

Eddie nodded and winced as Jamie helped her to her feet.

"I thought I'd be less sore by now."

Jamie placed a hand on her back and rubbed it in large stroking circles.

"I know babe. It'll take time. Just take it slow. There's no rush."

On the ride home, Eddie found herself dozing with her head against the glass of the window in the Chevelle. She could feel Jamie's hand on the back of her neck and his right thumb grazing the side of her neck. Sighing, Eddie tried to get more comfortable. Jamie always made her feel safe. She was in a mostly comfortable sleep when Jamie shook her awake.

"Eddie, it's time to wake up babe. We're home."

Eddie cracked her eyes open and gave a tired smile to Jamie. Taking her seat belt off, she was about to open the passenger side door when Jamie put a hand on hers.

"Uh Eddie, your shirt."

Eddie furrowed her eyebrows and then looked down at herself.

"Damn it."

Jamie wrapped her windbreaker over her shoulders and zipped it up for her.

"Hey. It's ok. Leaking is perfectly normal. It just means you need to pump. Come on lets go inside."

Eddie was in autopilot. She was just so exhausted. She needed a lot of sleep. Her feet carried her into the apartment, and she smiled tiredly at Cora who was asleep in Erin's arms. Stepping over to Erin, she placed a soft kiss to Cora's tiny forehead.

"Hi baby girl. Were you good for Aunt Erin? Daddy will give you a bottle when you wake up. Mommy is going to sleep for a little while."

Erin shifted Cora in her arms and squeezed Eddie's shoulder.

"Get some rest Eddie. We're all here for you."

Eddie nodded and made her way to the bedroom. Swinging the door shut, she sunk down on the bed and unzipped her windbreaker. Tossing it into the laundry hamper, she looked down at her shirt.

"This'll get easier Janko. You are married to the best doctor in the city. He takes good care of you…"

Eddie looked in the direction of the bedroom door when she heard it open. Jamie came in and closed the bedroom door.

"Hey. Let's get you changed and settled."

Eddie shook her head and changed her shirt. She frowned but got comfortable and leaned up against the headboard of the bed.

"Where's Cora?"

Jamie gave a quiet smile and sat down on the bed with Eddie as she went about filling more bottles for Cora.

"She's asleep. Don't worry, the baby monitor is on."

Eddie nodded and winced.

"Ow. I feel like I'm wearing a pair of rocks. Isn't there an easier way of doing this?"

Jamie gave Eddie a sympathetic look and ran a gentle thumb on the side of her neck.

"I wish there were. She should be asleep for at least the next three hours. Get some sleep. Here. I'll put all this away for you."

Eddie straightened herself up and got under the covers.

"I just need a long nap. Wake me when she needs to eat. We need that boding time together."

Jamie ran a hand through Eddie's hair and kissed her forehead.

"Rest babe. Everything's going to be ok. I promise."

Eddie nodded and closed her eyes. Sleep came quickly, and she fell into a comfortable slumber. Deep and comfortable. She barely felt Jamie shake her shoulder. It wasn't until she heard his voice that she woke from her slumber.

"Sorry to wake you sleeping beauty. But you said to wake you up when it was time for Cora to eat."

Eddie managed to push herself up against the headboard and wiped the sleep from her eyes. Jamie helped Eddie get situated and she watched as Cora latched on and began to eat. She spoke to her, hoping her voice sounded comforting.

"That's it baby girl. Have something to eat. Mommy is right here. There we go."

Jamie sat down on the bed with Eddie and pulled her closer to him.

"See? We're in this together babe. We've got this. One step at a time. You have each one of us helping you out. Ok? You're not alone."

Eddie nodded and continued tracing Cora's tiny nose and listened to her happy noises as she ate.

"Thank-you for being here with me Jamie. I owe you my life. We both do."

Jamie kissed Eddie's forehead and ran a hand over Cora's tiny forehead and placed a soft kiss to it.

"I'd do anything for the two of you. You know that. I love you two more than anything."

To Be Continued…

A/N: So, what'd you guys think? Let me know! Thanks!