A Chance for a Better Life
Chapter Twenty-Four
It had been a month since the wedding and Jamie and Eddie were happier than either one had been in a long time. Eddie had been able to get in and get her name changed so she was officially a Reagan. She'd already gotten some experience with some cops out in the field who were now squeamish because of who her father-in-law is.
While Jamie and Eddies marriage was beginning, Danny and Linda's marriage was in the beginning of the end. All of Linda's years working in oncology had paid off, she was offered an administrative position with a large hospital in upstate New York. It was a job that she couldn't turn down, and it would give the boys the opportunity to go to a smaller school and live a quieter life outside the city.
Linda knew that Danny wouldn't leave the city, and in a way she understood. She knew that he wanted the best for their boys, but they had different ideas about how they would give that to them.
The conversation that Danny and Linda had with the boys was hard. Not only would they be moving in the middle of the school year to a place that they've never been before, but their dad wasn't moving with them. To say the boys were scared was an understatement.
It wasn't long before moving day came. The boys were upset, and they weren't hiding it form the entire Reagan family that was there helping. Danny wasn't doing much better, but he was putting on a brave face, and it would last for a while because he was taking a load of their stuff up to their new house.
Sunday dinner was quiet. Danny was deep in thought. His own home was quiet, and he never realized how lonely it was being there alone because he never was home alone. One of his main worries had been who would be there for the boys when Linda was working, and he found out that his mother-in-law was going to be moving in with them.
"Danny how are you doing?" Jamie had been checking on his brother each day since Linda and his nephews moved out.
"It's quiet at home, and I didn't realize how big the house was without anyone in it."
Erin knew how her brother felt after going through a divorce herself. Those first few days after Jack moved out, she'd cried each day. "Have you heard from Linda or the boys this week?"
Danny ran his hand over his face. A true sign of how stressed he was. "No, Linda asked that I not call while the boys were getting settled. She's afraid that I'll rile them up."
Henry kept his mouth shut. He'd hated Danny and Linda's constant fighting at Sunday dinners, but he thought that they should have been working out their differences. He knew that his grandson wasn't innocent in everything that had happened.
Frank hated that two of his children would have to deal with the loss of their marriages. Linda had been such a big part of their lives for such a long time. He knew that she carried some guilt for missing Jamie's illness all those years ago, but in the end, it wasn't something anyone thought they'd have to worry about. "Won't you have the boys next weekend?" Frank already missed his grandsons running around the house.
Danny sighed. "Technically, but I think I'm just gonna stay up there with them so we can explore their new home together."
"That's a good idea. They weren't happy when we moved them. Giving them good memories with you in their new home will help all of you." Eddie explained. She had lots of knowledge about kids being moved into new environments, and she was happy to give her insights.
After dinner Jamie and Danny were on dish duty. It was the first time Jamie had dish duty since he'd been injured.
"Danny, have you thought about talking to a lawyer?" Jamie was worried that Danny wasn't taking the situation seriously enough.
Danny sighed. "When I go up next week, I'm gonna talk to the local PD, and see if they need another detective. Hell, I'd consider going back on patrol if it meant that I'd get to see my boys every day."
Jamie huffed. He didn't know how his brother could be so dense. "Danny, have you thought about getting a private security job. You're already talking about quitting the department why not go all the way and get a job that would allow you to work similar hours to Linda?"
Danny looked at Jamie. That was a question Linda had asked him if he'd consider right before she told him about the job offer, she'd gotten. "Linda brought up the same topic. Has she talked to you?"
"No, but my job choice is why Sydney, and I broke up. She wanted me a high-powered law firm, and not in any kind of civil service." Jamie explained.
"Oh." Danny hadn't really thought why Jamie and Sydney broke up because he didn't really like Sydney.
"Danny how do you want to move forward?"
Danny was frustrated. He didn't understand how anyone in the family didn't know that he wanted his family back and he wanted them to stay in Staten Island. "I don't want anything to change."
Jamie sighed. Everyone in the family knew that Danny didn't want anything to change, but he had to face reality because if he didn't the outcome would be much worse. "We know, I know Danny, but what if that isn't what Linda wants?"
"I know, and I really don't know what she wants anyway." Danny looked at Jamie. Jamie knew something that he didn't. "Do you know if Linda's talked to a lawyer?"
"She has, my friend called and asked me what was going on. He obviously couldn't tell me what they talked about, but Danny he's one of the top divorce lawyers in the state, and he focuses on custody."
"Oh, so I guess I should too." Danny was worried about the lawyer he'd be able to afford.
"Yeah, and that's actually why I had called my friend. Now he wasn't the only friend I called." Jamie handed Danny a card. "This is my friend Benson, he graduated with me at Harvard and he's another one of the best divorce lawyers in the state. He's focus' on father's rights too, so he's a good person to go against Linda's lawyer."
Danny just started at the card for a few moments really listening to what his brother was saying. "Thanks Jamie. I'll give him a call."
"Your welcome and Danny remember Jack and Sean. The more civil you and Linda are with each other the better their world is."
"I know. Thanks Jamie."
Jamie and Eddie were the last to leave family dinner. Each dinner Eddie felt more relaxed even with the added tension.
It was a couple weeks before Jack and Sean were back at Sunday dinner. They were so happy to be at home in New York City with their dad and the rest of the family. Each family member had spent time with them on Saturday while Danny was closing up a case. Jamie hoped that it would get through Danny's thick head that he'd only get to spend about four days a month with his kids, and he needed to spend time with them. The NYPD had plenty of other detectives to work while he spent time with his family.
Linda was getting used to her new job, a new house, the boys new school, and life without her husband. She contacted a lawyer the day after she and the boys had moved into the house. Jack was being a good big brother and putting on a brave face and trying to help Sean navigate their new environment. Sean missed his dad a lot. He was more like his dad than his mom and he was really missing having him around. When their mom found out that their dad worked one of the days that he was supposed to be spending with him she was livid.
Linda wasn't the only one mad at Danny's choices. Frank could see how his son was ignoring reality. Jamie had talked to him during the week about his concerns for his brother.
Frank watched as his older son sat across from him visibly upset. He wasn't sure what he was most upset about and that concerned him. One reason that Danny was in this situation was because he had his priorities mixed up. Frank understood more than any of the kids knew. He and Mary had been fighting a lot when Jamie came into their lives. He had been so focused on work and not focused on his family. Mary had given him an ultimatum two weeks before Jamie had found them. They were close to divorce, and it took a major change for him to really see his reality.
"Dad, I'm too old for you to yell at me, so please just begin."
Frank just looked at his son. Danny had always been his most difficult child, and considering all of Jamie's challenges that said a lot. "Danny, you're not here to get yelled at, but we need to talk."
"Jamie talked to you I'm guessing."
"Yes, but he didn't need to. Have you talked to Erin at all? After all she went through something similar with Jack."
"Fine." Danny was over everyone trying to help him. "No, I haven't talked to Erin. Linda and I haven't cheated on each other."
Frank shook his head. "No, you didn't, but you are going to go through a divorce. You can't keep your head in the sand. It's been there too long."
Danny couldn't believe what his dad had just said. "What do you even mean?"
"Danny you and Linda haven't been in a good place for years, and I understand. You're mother and I were in a place similar for a while."
Danny was trying to wrap his head around what he was hearing. "When?"
"Your senior year of high school. I was so engaged in work that I missed the fact that you were close to failing out of school, and I was missing other things. I took advantage of the fact that you mother had everything under control and that she didn't need me. I was wrong."
"What changed?" Danny was curious because he'd never known that there were any issues. Heck he'd been planning his parents lives as grandparents.
"Your mother gave me an ultimatum. I needed to reorganize my priorities." Frank watched his son carefully.
"But you were still working a lot. That's the year we got Jamie."
Frank shook his head. Danny still wasn't getting it. "Yes, I did, but your mom and I had a conversation right before Jamie came into our lives. I told her that I would put family first. I had to, and in the end I did. Chances are if your mother was still alive I wouldn't be PC, and that's okay."
"So, you worked Jamie's case so hard and that was okay because he was family from the minute, he stepped foot into the house." Danny was starting to put everything together.
"Yes, but I'd started cutting back my hours and relying on my partner. I had to stop doing everything myself. By that time my partners where at the same level I was."
"I know Baez is capable. I just can't let go."
"You need to, or you may have to let go of the boys because you're giving Linda what she needs for full custody."
Danny was shocked. "That won't happen." He was mad that he thought his dad thought he would lose Jack and Sean.
"You need to talk to Jamie and the lawyer that he has retained for you, and when you have the boys, they are your first priority."
"I don't know how."
"You'll do it with the help of family. Erin can help you understand the emotional side and your brother can help with the legal side. He did specialize in family law."
Danny hung his head and ran his hand over his face. "Ok, I'll see if they can meet up for dinner this week. Thanks dad."
"Danny, ya know there's more to life than the NYPD, if you decide that you need to do something else and retire you have your twenty in. You have options."
"I know, and I may have to do something else or find a cheaper place to live if I'm gonna have to pay child support."
Frank had already been thinking about Danny's living situation. He knew that the house was too big for himself, and spending time there when the boys come home could bring back bad memories and there was a chance that there's a stipulation in the divorce to sell the house. "What if you talked to Linda and sold the house and moved in with me and pop?"
"Actually, I thought about selling the house." Danny got up and started pacing. The last thing he wanted to do was get divorced and move into his childhood home. He needed some space to himself.
"You are always welcome to move back in. Joe did."
Danny sighed. "Joe moved back in because Jamie was sick and wanted to help you and mom and give you more piece of mind. Is grandpa, okay?"
"Yes, he is. Now if you sell the house have you thought about where you will live?"
Danny knew out of all of his siblings he wasn't the one who was known for having his life organized. Linda was the one who kept him in line. "I found an apartment in Jamie's building. I'm gonna talk to him and Eddie before I put the deposit down, but it's being held for me. It's a two bedroom so Jack and Sean will have to share, but we'll be closer to the rest of the family."
Frank smiled. Having all of his kids back in Brooklyn would make him happy. If he couldn't have them all at the house at least they were closer. "I'm glad that you're gonna talk to Jamie and Eddie about the apartment."
Danny laughed as he made his way out to his car. "Thanks dad."
Danny and Jamie had been working opposites. Danny was working days while Jamie had been on midnights. Danny was just happy that his brother hadn't gone back undercover yet.
Jamie was enjoying his last day off before he went back on days. Eddie was working. He missed his wife. They hadn't gotten to spend much time together since the week they'd been married.
Jamie was walking in the park trying to get his body clock switched back. He was enjoying being outside. He'd been doing nothing but reviewing case files. The case that they thought he might need to go under ended up getting resolved without him. He never thought that he'd been happy to hear that he didn't have to go undercover, but he was hoping to have a somewhat normal life with his wife for at least the first couple of months even though he knew she understood.
"Excuse me."
Jamie turned around to look at the man that he thought was talking to him. "Are you talking to me?"
"Yes, is your name Jamie?"
Jamie was trying to remember if he'd gone to school with the guy across from him or if he'd arrested him. "Yes."
"I'm sure that you don't remember me. My name is Aiden. I met you at a Christmas event for the Manhattan Children's home several years ago. We played together most of the day and I sat next to you on the bus."
That was a fun and scary day. Jamie had to face his biggest fear at that point in his life. Mason. "Yeah. I remember you."
Aiden was surprised. "All of us back at the home were so happy that you were okay that day."
Jamie smiled. "Yeah, it was scary."
Aiden looked at Jamie for a moment. He was happy that he was still the nice person that he'd met all those years ago. "I was adopted because of that day."
Jamie cocked his head to the side. What Aiden said wasn't making sense. "What do you mean?"
Aiden laughed. He understood how awkward this situation was. "One of the officers that was at the mall saw me there and a month later I was living with him and his wife and son. Six months later they adopted me. I got my forever family and so did a few other kids that day. Your grandpa started an adoption program in the NYPD, not long after your adoption."
Jamie had never heard anything about it, but then again, he wouldn't have a reason to. He knew he needed to look into it and see if it still existed. "Wow, that's great. I'm so happy for you."
"Thanks." Aiden handed Jamie his card. "I'd love to hang out some time."
Jamie took his card and saw that he'd become a parole officer. "What made you decide to be a parole officer?"
Aiden laughed. "I was living in the home because my mom and dad were both in prison on their third offense. My mom gets out next year, but I don't know how that's gonna go. My dad still has another fifteen years. I became a parole officer to help people who've made mistakes and help them not make the same ones again."
Jamie smiled. "I became a cop to help people and I think to be the opposite of Mason, my birth dad. He'll be in prison the rest of his life. I don't have to worry about him getting out, and I'd love to hang out some time." Jamie handed Aiden his card. "It was great to see you again. You really did help me a lot that day."
Jamie spent the rest of his walk home alone in silence. He needed the silence so he could think about Danny. He was still worried about him and his situation. He wasn't sure if Danny was going to upset or not, but he'd retained a lawyer for him. Jamie was prepared to fight to keep Jack and Sean in their lives and in his life even if Danny wasn't.
Eddie was reading a book when he got home.
"Feel better babe?"
Jamie wasn't sure how he felt. He was still tired. "I've had a weird day."
Eddie put her tablet down and looked at him. "What do you mean?"
Jamie just sighed, but his story was interrupted by the door. "I'll explain later."
"Danny, come in."
"Hey Eddie. Sorry to interrupt your day off." Danny said he could tell they were both relaxing.
"Don't worry about it Danny. Come and sit down." Eddie loved that Jamie came from a big family since she didn't.
"I just came from Dad's." Danny said defeated.
"Oh."
Eddie just sat watching the two brothers. She had a feeling that she knew why Danny was here and she knew Jamie did too.
"How'd that go?" Jamie already had an idea but didn't want to assume anything either.
Danny ran his hand over his face. "It was rough, but I needed to hear it. Dad said that you had a lawyer for me."
"I do, and he's good and family focused. I already retained him for you, but if you don't like him, we can find someone else." Jamie paused to let what he'd said sink in.
"Thank you." After the conversation with his dad, Danny was happy someone was moving forward in the right direction. "If you think he's who I need to go up against Linda's guy than I trust your judgement if it will help keep my kids in my life."
"Thank you." Jamie let out a thankful sigh. It wasn't gonna be easy, but he was moving in the right direction.
"Now kid, what's bothering you?"
Jamie hung his head. "I ran into someone I met the day that dad arrested Mason the last time."
"Oh." Danny wasn't expecting to hear anything like that. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I wasn't ready for it. I spent one day there. I didn't think that anyone would remember me."
Danny laughed. "You make a hell of a first impression even though you don't usually talk. I'm not surprised that someone remembered you."
"Do you know that grandpa started an NYPD adoption program?"
Danny laughed. "Yeah, I did. Linda and I were talking adoption for a while. The program still exists, and dad does a big event each year."
"Oh. I didn't know. Why didn't anyone ever tell me about it?"
"Mom and Dad were worried that the event would bring back bad memories, and they always wanted you to forget that you're adopted."
Jamie laughed. "Being adopted saved my life."
Danny laughed. "And now it's almost gotten you killed a few times. Try to stay outta trouble for a while, will ya."
Jamie and Eddie both laughed. "I plan on it."
"He better. We have a lot to do together. We haven't even gotten our honeymoon yet." Eddie stared at Jamie.
"When is that finally gonna happen anyway?" Danny looked between the newlyweds.
"Next month we both have a week and half off. We are headed out of town." Jamie smiled.
Eddie and Jamie decided to order out for dinner, and have Danny stay.
"Danny, you had something on your mind, what is it?"
"Dad asked me to move in with him when I have to sell the house and I told him no."
"What do you want to do? I know dad tried to get me to move back in a few times too." Jamie laughed.
"Well, there's a two-bedroom available on the third floor of this building, but I realize that could be a little close and I don't want to cramp either of you, but the way things have been have made me realize that I want to be closer to family."
Jamie and Eddie looked at each other. They'd already talked about it because they knew they lived in a nice building that was affordable.
"We are good with it. We think it might help the boys too, and you can use being closer to family to your advantage."
"Thanks Jamie. I really appreciate all of your help." Danny smiled for the first time in a while. He understood he needed to change his priorities.
"That's what family's for. We will get through this. Do you want me to be there when you meet with your lawyer?"
"No, let me meet him first. Will he help me determine what I need to do to sell the house?"
"Yes, he will, and when you're ready to move I'll help."
"We'll help!" Eddie emphasized.
"Thank you both."
Danny left Jamie and Eddie to their rare days off. As much as he hated his own situation, he couldn't be happier for his brother. He'd done well.
The next month went by quickly. Both Jamie and Eddie had full caseloads. Erin and Jamie helped Danny get the house ready to sell. Jamie understood why Linda always asked him to help fix things around the house. His brother had worked construction, but struggled to do the simplest repair around the house and knew he wasn't allowed to touch the cars.
Linda agreed to sell and liked that Danny had decided to move closer to his family. They'd met with their lawyers and so far, everything was moving forward peacefully. Linda even let Danny take the boys back to the city for the weekend and Danny decided it would be best to stay with his dad and grandpa while they were there. The biggest surprise was that Danny actually made sure he wasn't on call and if something popped up for a case, he made sure that Baez was called and not himself.
Frank and Jamie were impressed and hoped that they'd gotten through to him. Erin was shocked because nothing that she'd said or done during her divorce had helped her with Jack. Seeing her brother change gave her a glimmer of hope.
Finally! Finally, it was time for Jamie and Eddie to go on their honeymoon. They were set to leave Monday morning and would be gone for a week and a half. Neither one of them realized that their bosses made sure that they wouldn't be called in the weekend before they left.
"Jamie, are you gonna tell me where we are going so, I can pack or are you gonna do that for me to?" Eddie laughed at the thought of Jamie packing for her.
"Hawaii." Jamie smiled. It was one of Eddie's dream destinations.
Eddie squealed. She was so excited. "Thank you!!"
"Now can you pack?"
"Yes!"
"Sunday we are leaving right after dinner's done because we have to be at the airport at 3am the Monday morning." Jamie was expecting her to complain about the early hour.
"That way we get to Hawaii early enough to actually enjoy some of it before we go right to bed."
"Yes." Jamie just smiled. He loved life. He always had and after everything he'd been through, he understood how important it was to appreciate each day. He loved that Eddie had the same outlook on life that he did.
Sunday dinner was the normal chaos. Danny and Erin were fighting about his current case. Jamie knew Erin was right and at this point figured the only reason that Danny fought with her was because he knew that she was always right. Jamie would never say it out loud because he never wanted her to know that either. Erin would be even harder to be around.
"Are you guys ready to leave tomorrow?" Henry asked. He loved how happy Jamie had been since they found out about the engagement.
"Yeah. Jamie told me where we're going yesterday."
Erin looked at her little brother. She couldn't believe that he hadn't told Eddie where their honeymoon was before now. "And where are you going?"
"Hawaii!" Eddie wasn't sure she'd sleep that night she was still so excited and looking forward to relaxing.
"Nice job Jamie! I think you're the only one of us to leave the tristate area for the honeymoon." Danny was surprised that his baby brother who'd been cautious with money since he'd been born would spend so much on one trip.
"Not true, I took your mother to California for our honeymoon." Frank corrected.
"Okay, so it's just us then." Erin explained for herself and Danny.
"Yes." Henry said and laughed.
"I hope you guys have a great time, and don't worry about anything here. Everything will be here when you get back." Frank knew Jamie always worried and wanted to take care of everyone.
"I know. We are gonna be busy while we're gone. Neither one of us has taken a vacation in a while."
Danny laughed. "Kinda hard to take vacations when you're hurt."
Eddie laughed. "More like he doesn't know how to take vacations."
Jamie looked at Eddie and then he remembered her yearly vacation with her mom. "You only take one long weekend a year. You can't say much."
Eddie just shook her head. "Okay, you're right."
The rest of dinner was spent talking about fun trips that they had all gone on. One of Frank's favorite was the first trip that they went on after Jamie's adoption was final. It was Jamie's first trip, and everything was new to him.
The next morning Jamie and Eddie were up very early and at the airport ready to go. They both needed the break.
It's a long flight with a short layover in LA. Thankfully their gates were right next to each other, and their second flight left on time.
Landing in Hawaii was beautiful and just what Eddie and Jamie both needed. Once they let their families know that they were there safe they had planned to ignore their phones as much as possible.
They found a little local place for dinner near their hotel.
"Jamie, we have to come back here. This is so good." Eddie smiled and took another bite of her dinner.
"I agree." Jamie loved that Eddie was so happy. They didn't do things the normal way and sometimes he worried about how she felt about the way they did move forward. "Their breakfast looks pretty good."
Eddie looked up to the menu. "Oh, it does."
"Up for a walk and maybe some coffee before we settle into the room?"
"Yes, the last thing I want to do is sit after spending way too much time sitting on a plane."
Jamie laughed. "I agree. Neither one of us are great at sitting for too long."
The weather is beautiful, and they are surprised at how many people live in Honolulu but compared to New York it's still peaceful. They find a cute coffee truck hidden away and decide that they'll be coming here again too.
The next day they are off to the pineapple plantation. After a tour and lunch, they find a couple seats and just enjoy the quiet beautiful landscape.
"Could you ever live anywhere besides New York?" Eddie knew that they both could work anywhere.
That question surprised Jamie. He'd known Eddie had moved to the city as soon as she could. "Yeah. I did live in Boston for nine years. Is there anywhere specific that you're thinking?"
Eddie could see a little fear on Jamie's face. "I forgot you lived in Boston for so long. I was more or less just curious. I can't see us leaving New York any time soon."
Jamie smiled. "Me either. Your mom would think that you're running away from her."
Eddie rolled her eyes. "Is that a bad thing?" Eddie laughed.
"Yes, I'd give anything to have my mom back. You and your mom went through a lot with Alex and then your dad."
Eddie sighed. "We did, but when it comes to my personal life it's like she forgets all of that. Ya, know she loved you when she met you at the walk, and now because we're married, you're not good enough for me."
"I get it Ed. I didn't think I was good enough for you for a long time too."
Eddie's shocked. "Is that why it took you so long to actually ask me out on a date?"
"Yes." Jamie was happy that they were back at they were walking around again. "I didn't think I was good enough for the Reagans either."
"Jamie, you are not Mason, and you never will be, and I wish you could just forget everything he'd ever told you, but I know it isn't that easy."
Jamie laughed. "I've wished for that for a long time too but believe it or not getting sick was good for me because it was what I really needed to know that my family loved me and wasn't going to dump me off somewhere because cancer sucks and it's hard for everyone and we are married so I worked through my issues."
"You did."
The rest of the day at the plantation is fun and relaxing. They decide on a nicer dinner and then end the day with a walk on the beach. Their first full day in Hawaii was perfect.