Chapter 53: Taking things one step at a Time

Author: zeusfluff.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Blue Blood's characters. They belong to CBS. I do own all originals. Date Started: 1/7/24. Date Finished: 1/10/24. Enjoy!

"Easy Eddie. Easy. You don't have to walk so fast. I've got you. Take nice and easy steps. Go slowly. There you go. The stairs are going to feel like a mountain right now. Take your time. There's no rush. I've got you."

Jamie could tell Eddie was struggling. Doctor Carollson had told her to take it easy. Take at least a few days off to rest before she went back to desk duty. The whole family had gathered at the house to welcome Eddie home. Pop and Frank had helped Eddie climb out of the car and up to the front door. While Sean and Jack helped her from the doorway to the stairs. Jamie took his turn with the stairs. Now at the top, Eddie took a minute to take breather, while Jamie rubbed her back.

"You're doing great babe. Ready to make the trek to the bedroom?"

If Eddie hadn't been so sore, she would've burst out laughing at Jamie's words. Taking a breath, she took a step forward and soon she found herself and Jamie in the bedroom where Linda and Erin were waiting by the bed. They'd pulled back the covers for her. The two helped her change into something more comfortable while Jamie was careful not to move the monitor around her belly tracking the baby's heart rate. Erin took her leave from the room and now it was just Jamie, Eddie and Linda left. Linda helped Eddie turn onto her left side and got her situated with the pillow between her knees.

"Here you go Eddie. Is that better? The pillow should take the pressure off your hips. Don't worry, Doctor Carollson said you'd only have to wear the fetal monitor for at least a couple of weeks. Jamie and I would be more worried if you had to wear it throughout the rest of your pregnancy. But Doctor Carollson said this was just a precaution. Jamie and I both agree with Doctor Carollson that you should rest for a few days. Get your strength back up. Then you can go back to work."

Eddie nodded her head and her eyes started to get heavy. Jamie watched for a few minutes and saw Eddie begin to fall asleep. Linda fixed the covers over Eddie and Jamie ushered her out into the hallway.

"I'm very grateful that Eddie's ok. When she told me she had a blood clot in her womb, my mind went completely down the wrong path. I remembered that strange shaped blood vessel in her womb and I thought that Eddie and the baby were already doomed. I wasn't going to let that happen. I didn't want another repeat of Sydney and her son."

Linda pulled Jamie into a hug.

"Jamie, Sydney and her baby aren't your fault. There was something wrong with the both of them you could've never predicted. Eddie and the baby are alive. Besides, you can monitor the baby from home. Your patched in real time to monitor the baby's heart rate on your phone. It'll alert you if the baby's heart rate goes below 160. Danny and I agreed that tonight and tomorrow night I'd stay with you guys to make sure Eddie's doing ok. She's lucky Jamie. That blood clot could've broken off and traveled to her lungs, her heart or her brain. The EMT's got her to the hospital in time. So please stop worrying about the what ifs. I swear that's what all you doctor's do. You come within an inch of losing a patient and you think of all the things that could've gone wrong. Now, onto a happier note: have the two of you found out what you're having?"

Jamie felt a smile tug at his lips.

"No. But we do have an appointment in a couple of weeks. My guess is we're having another girl though. We've already come up with the perfect name for her: Keena."

Linda smiled and shook her head.

"You know your brother Danny thought that Sean was going to be a girl. He wanted the name Keena for a little girl."

Jamie smiled at Linda.

"I didn't know that. I knew he secretly always wanted a daughter. It's probably why he spoils Cora as much as he does."

Linda shook her head and gave a laugh.

"He thought Sean was going to be a girl and he was looking at all these cute little pink booties. He'll never admit to it, but we spent like three hours one day when I was six months pregnant with Sean. He started filling a basket with anything pink and frilly. The next day we found out we were having a boy and we had to change the color of the walls in the nursery from pink to blue."

Jamie gave a soft chuckle.

"Who knew Danny was such a softie? Thank you for being here Linda. I do appreciate it."

Linda smiled and patted his shoulder.

"Jamie, in this family, we're all here for you. Eddie and Cora too. Of course, who could forget the baby. I hope it's a girl too. Only because I bought a ton of clothes. I go crazy for that kind of stuff."

Jamie took a peek back into the bedroom and watched Eddie sleep. She wasn't exactly sleeping soundly. He looked back at Linda and frowned.

"She needs to sleep. But I can't exactly write a prescription for some low dose sleeping pills."

Linda nodded and followed Jamie's gaze.

"I'll get in touch with Doctor Carollson, see if she can get Eddie something. The pharmacy doesn't close for another three hours."

Jamie nodded while Linda stayed out in the hallway and called Doctor Carollson. He went back into the room and sat on the edge of the bed, continuing to watch Eddie sleep. Placing a hand over her belly on top of the blanket, he pulled out his phone and pulled up the app that was monitoring their baby. He let out a breath when he found the baby's heart rate was normal. Everything in almost the last two years had humbled him more. He always took the humble approach to not just his daily life but when he was working as well. He didn't like to brag. It just wasn't him. He ran a thumb over Eddie's belly.

"Daddy won't let anything happen to you baby girl. Yes, daddy thinks you are a girl. Your big sister Cora is going to teach you so much. She may not understand what's going on after you come into the world, but she'll grow to love you. Just like mommy and daddy love you. We just have to take things one step at a time. Daddy's glad you're ok. You and mommy are ok."

It was another hour and a half before Linda went to pick up Eddie's prescription. She was now sleeping peacefully, which gave Jamie peace of mind. He was glad she was doing better. He was setting up the fourth bedroom for Linda. She wanted to help Jamie out.

"Here Jamie, let me help put the sheets on the bed. You don't have to do all the work. We're a team. Eddie's going to need her iron levels checked next week. I'm sorry we had to put her through that. Giving her iron by iv. You can really feel that stuff in your muscles as its being administered. It's a slow drip too. It's kind of a deep ache. Worse when you come off it. It's the reason for the sleeping pills and something for the pain. This is just a hiccup in the road. You have such a beautiful family Jamie.

You have also accomplished a lot in your career. I wanted to say congratulations on hitting a milestone. 5,000 babies. You're an excellent doctor Jamie. The patients you care for, they trust you. They trust your clinical judgment. In turn you make sure their babies are strong and healthy. You are the most compassionate doctor I've ever known. I know that if my friends had needed a really great doctor who had an excellent bed side manner and would take care of them throughout their entire pregnancy, I'd recommend you. Now are you sure there isn't anything that I can do for you Jamie? I know I'm supposed to be checking in on Eddie."

Jamie shook his head no and finished fixing up Linda's bed.

"No. I'm ok Linda. Thanks. I just have to remember; Eddie and I have to take things one step at a time. Thank-you for your help Linda. I owe you."

Linda shook her head and fluffed the pillow on the bed.

"Nothing to owe me Jamie. We're family. I'm just here to make sure Eddie and the baby are ok. What she went through over the last few days isn't something I'd wish on any woman. With the both of us working together, Eddie is in good hands Jamie. You don't need to worry. We've got this."

Jamie smiled and nodded his head.

"Thanks Linda."

To Be Continued…

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