A Chance for a Better Life
Chapter Thirty
Eddie had been surprised when she first found out about the baby and was a little worried about how both Jamie and the kids would react to the news. When she told Jamie one of her worries disappeared because he was over the moon. Their family was growing, and life was really good. His two biggest worries were how the kids would react and Eddie's health.
The kids surprised both of them. They were excited about having a baby in the house. Neither Eddie nor Jamie realized that most of their friends from school had younger siblings.
A week earlier Jamie had taken the Sergeant's test. He knew that his job would never be safe a hundred percent of the time, but as a Sergeant he would be commanding a platoon, or a squad and the chances of a long-term undercover assignment would be reduced.
Now all he had to do was wait for the results and see what number he placed. It could still be years before he was able to obtain a new position.
Work kept him busy. He'd requested the early shift so he could be home when the kids got off school, but that wasn't always possible. There were a lot of days that he'd run home and make dinner and get the kids set up with an activity because Eddie wasn't feeling great. Erin had been a big help. Her schedule allowed her to head to their apartment after work and stick around until Jamie was ready to be home for the night.
Eddie wasn't working a lot, which months earlier would've been an issue financially, but now it didn't matter.
The kids loved the new apartment once they felt comfortable finding where everything is. They couldn't wait until the outdoor space was finished. It was so cool that they were gonna get to play on the roof.
A side project Jamie was working on was splitting the roof in half, and he's gonna have a roof top park for the rest of the tenants. It will have specific hours to reduce the chances of loud noise at odd hours of the night.
Eddie was loving life despite the fact that her morning sickness had been a little rough. The weekends were the best. All four of them are able to spend time together.
The first weekend that Jamie has to work is difficult for the kids. Mei Lin and Isaac understand that their dad has to work and that his work had different hours than some of their friends parents.
"Is dad gonna have to work every weekend now?" Isaac wanted to play basketball with his dad at the park like they'd done previous weekends.
"Will daddy be home for dinner?"
Eddie wished that she knew the answer to both of those questions, but she had no idea. "I don't know if daddy's schedule changed or if he's just working this weekend. Sometimes daddy doesn't know either, but as soon as we know we'll tell you guys." Eddie was worried that Jamie's job would cause concern for the kids.
"What about dinner?" Mei Lin asked again. Dinner as a family and daddy reading to her at night was the favorite part of her day. She always had good dreams when her daddy read to her.
"He might be home, but his boss might ask him to work longer if they need him." Eddie paused, both kids knew Jamie was a cop and they both knew what a cop is, but she wondered if they understood what he actually did. "Do you guys understand what your dad does for work?"
Isaac and Mei Lin looked at each other. It was as if they were having a silent conversation.
Eddie smiled. "It's okay. I want you both to be honest."
"Daddy gives parking tickets and puts bad people in jail." Mei Lin explained.
Isaac had more experience with the police than Mei Lin did. "Daddy protects little kids like me when bad men want to hurt them, and he could get hurt." Isaac had tears in his eyes. He didn't want to think about something happening to his daddy.
Eddie took a deep breath and pulled Isaac into her arms; she could see that he was fighting off tears. She and both kids sat on the floor. Her doctor recommended that she not pick the kids up anymore, and she did her best most of the time. "Daddy does protect people like us who live in the city, and he doesn't give parking tickets anymore. He could get hurt on the job, but he does everything he can to come home safe to us each night. He does put people in jail, but only when they deserve it. He's, my hero. The older you get the more you are gonna learn about your daddy's job. Remember grandpa and great grandpa were both cops too, so daddy understands how both of you feel so ask him questions and when the new baby gets here you get to help the baby understand daddy's job."
"Will daddy ever get to work from home like you do?" Mei Lin loved that mommy was always home.
Eddied shook her head. "No, that won't ever be possible. So that means that we have to be extra good when daddy is home and get our chores done before he gets home and if he needs help with something we should do it because that means that we get to spend time with him."
"Okay! I'll help daddy with everything!" Isaac almost shouted.
"Me too!"
"Okay, okay! Now who wants to help me make dinner?"
Both kids yelled yes at the same time. Eddie decided to make one of Jamie's favorites for dinner and she really hoped that his tour didn't get extended today.
Eddie's wishes were granted. Jamie came home when his tour ended and to top it off despite the fact that it was his sixth day working, he looked very happy. His smile was ear to ear.
"Hey babe. Good day?"
Jamie was busy with both kids climbing all over him in their effort to welcome him home. Their enthusiasm is higher than normal. This wasn't the first Saturday that Jamie had worked since the kids were with them, but the last time they spent the day at grandpa's, and they hadn't noticed as much.
"Did you guys have a good day?" Jamie hugged both of them. He loved his life and was thankful to everyone who helped him get where he was.
"We missed you daddy." Mei Lin explained. "Are you gonna work every Saturday?"
Isaac stared at him with the same sad look on his face that she had on hers and glancing at Eddie showed that it had been a rough day. "Not every Saturday, but sometimes. I have to help keep everyone safe."
"Next Saturday can we go and play at the park, Sean and Jack will be here. Can they come too?" Isaac felt like if they had plans there was less of a chance that his dad would have to work.
"We will see okay. That's a whole week away." Jamie could see Eddie needed a break. "Okay guys, dinner looks like it's almost done. Let's go wash up for dinner."
Eddie was happy for the break. She knew Jamie and the kids wouldn't be gone more than ten or fifteen minutes, but she needed it. She'd been tired constantly and was just ready for bed. Her mom had been very helpful telling her all about how her pregnancy had gone but hadn't offered to help with the kids and that's what she was really needing. She hadn't had a chance to talk to Jamie about it yet, but knew she had to soon.
Jamie was able to occupy the kids and continued the fun to include getting dinner on the table so Eddie could rest. It didn't matter that Jamie had spent all day running around and getting things ready for his transfer. He had to get her some help. Two five-year-olds were exhausting for anyone, but so much more for someone who's pregnant. Jamie had some thoughts on who could help too.
Dinner time had always been something special to Jamie since he'd joined the Reagan family. Now that he had his own family, he understood why his mother pushed so hard for it. These days with both kids talking about their days and laughing he couldn't imagine missing. He knew from experience and growing up in a big family that there would be good days and bad days.
Jamie and the kids cleaned up dinner and let Eddie relax and watch tv. She couldn't hide her smile at how helpful the kids were and how happy they were. They had really missed him all day.
He let Eddie relax the rest of the night. She only had to get up to give the kids a hug and kiss goodnight. Jamie gave both kids bathes and read three stories each to them. He knew that there were plenty of days and nights that he'd miss. He was beginning to understand how his dad felt when he was away from the house. It wasn't easy.
Once the kids were in bed in was time to tell Eddie about the upcoming changes to their lives. He had to do it before Sunday dinner because his dad had already called and congratulated him.
Eddie was very thankful for the time. It gave her time to rest so she got to enjoy some time with Jamie for the night.
"Kids all settled?"
Jamie didn't realize how much he'd love tucking his kids in at night. By the time he got to experience getting tucked into a real bed each night he felt he was too old for it. When he got sick, his mom was adamant about tucking him in each time before he fell asleep when she was there. At that point he couldn't have been more thankful for having the family in his life. "Yeah, their good."
"Okay, you came home all excited, what's up?"
The request to work on a Saturday had been uncommon, but not odd. The morning hadn't been anything he expected. When he got in, he was called into the captain's office, and he found his boss waiting. He hadn't realized it had been about a month since the Sergent's exam and hadn't had time to look at the mail the last couple of days. Finding out he'd placed first in the exam was exciting. It meant immediate placement and he had a couple of different places he got to choose from. When he saw the list there was only one choice and that was in Brooklyn near his home. It was the ideal assignment.
"I had to work today because today was my last day at the 5-4. I was number one on the sergeant's exam. Starting Monday I'm the new patrol sergeant for the day shift at the 7-6. I'm working down the street."
Eddie couldn't hide her excitement. "That's amazing. I'm so happy we need to celebrate."
Jamie smiled. "Next weekend. Let's see how Monday goes and then I'll see if Erin can sit with the kids, and we'll go out for a nice lunch or early dinner Saturday. That way you can rest."
"That sounds wonderful. I'll take all the rest I can get."
Jamie got up and grabbed his iPad. "I've been thinking that you need some help around here when the kids are home. You were exhausted when I got home today, and I know we talked about not touching the money from the rent."
Eddie wasn't sure where this was going. "Jamie, I can manage."
Jamie cocked his head her way. They had plenty of money they just had to decide to use some of it. "I know you can, but I want you and the baby both to be healthy and I don't want the kids to feel like they're taking a backseat to the baby. Nicky's offered to help out a couple days a week. I'd like to pay her. She's in high school now and this would be a great way for her to make some money."
"I thought Erin didn't want her to work?"
Jamie laughed. "She doesn't, but we all worked. I don't know why Erin doesn't want her working. She's doing good in school, and it would be good for her to get used it." Jamie worked more than his siblings, but they all still worked. "I know she'll only be available a few nights a week and, on the weekend, but I know that Kelsey Applegate downstairs has been looking for a job as a nanny. She's going to school to be a teacher and needs some extra money."
"Okay. At least until the baby is born."
Jamie looked at her in a way that she knew he had more to say, but he was thinking it through carefully. She wanted to laugh. "Actually, I was thinking that Kelsey may go full time after the baby's born if she's up to it."
"We'll talk about it." Eddie smiled.
Jamie couldn't imagine what life was gonna be like in the house with three kids under seven. He knew it wasn't easy for her mom to have four kids at home even though Danny was getting ready leave the house and join the marines. His mom had help, and even though his mom wasn't here any longer he wanted Eddie to have a support system that she could trust. "Okay."
Sunday dinner was interesting. Danny wasn't happy that Jamie was leaving the 5-4 or life as a detective. He didn't like the thought of Jamie going back on the beat. He wouldn't be able to watch out for him. In addition, he was going to be working out of Brooklyn.
Frank was proud of his son. He'd already done a lot in his career and taking that experience and going back on the beat was something many in position didn't do. They wanted to stay as a detective. Leading a detective squad was a lot less demanding, but Jamie never did things the easy way and being at the 7-6 meant that he's now working a lot closer to home.
Henry admired Jamie's choice. The guys on the beat needed good leaders like him. He had a passion for the job that others didn't. He could wait to see the things that Jamie was going to achieve at the 7-6. That house needed some strong leadership, he'd heard that there was trouble there.
Erin wasn't happy about her brother being back on the beat, or the fact that his precinct covered her house. Because of her job she got threats, and she called them in each time. Knowing that her brother could answer the call made her a little uneasy. She like to keep those things between herself and her dad because he always found out about each call. There wasn't anything she could do about it; this was out of her control. She needed to find peace with it. Her dad would find time to talk to her about it too. She could count on it. Their dad would do anything to keep the peace within the family, and Jamie deserved this promotion. He'd earned it.
Monday morning Jamie's commute time had been cut in half and he'd walked to work. He knew parking was an issue and he wasn't going to add to the problem unless Eddie needed him to pick up the kids after school or something. He liked the extra time at home. They'd been able to eat breakfast as a family and he was able to get Isaac ready while Eddie got Mei Lin ready. A team effort, and everyone was happy. Both kids had smiles on their faces as they left for school. According to Eddie that wasn't normal, but he hoped it'd be the new normal.
"Good morning, Reagan. The captain has requested that you report to his office before roll call."
"Got it, thank you." Jamie went to the office before finding a place to change.
Jamie couldn't hide his smile when he saw who the captain was. Renzulli, did it, he passed the captain's test, and he was finally working out of Brooklyn. "Sir, Sergeant Reagan reporting as ordered."
Renzulli had requested Jamie when he'd heard he'd finally taken the Sergeant's test. He wasn't sure if he was going to follow the PC's path and rise through the ranks or his brother's path and stay a detective. He knew whichever path Jamie chose he'd excel at it. He'd been excited when he'd learned that Jamie choose patrol.
Things at the 7-6 were gonna start improving once Jamie was up to speed.
"Welcome Reagan. We're happy to have you here. Now I've read your file, so I know what you've been up to since you left me, and damn Reagan. You've accomplished a lot. A lot of guys in your platoon aren't gonna understand why you're here."
Jamie smiled and expected that response. "I'm here because as fast paced as intel is, I needed to slow down a little and focus on my personal life more."
Renzulli laughed. He'd pushed for Jamie to spend more time focusing on that part of his life when they'd rode together. "It's time for you guys to have some kids or travel. Something other than just work. I know Marie understood why Eddie quit, but she misses her every day."
"Well, we adopted two five-year-olds and Eddie's about four months along. Our focus has changed a lot."
"Wow. I'll try and get you as much over time as I can."
Jamie wasn't sure what to say, he knew most cops with three kids struggled financially, and they either needed as much overtime as they could get, or they worked a second job. Thinking it over even more, his real estate holdings was a second job. He'd already disclosed everything with the NYPD.
"I'll work any overtime you need me to do, but I came into some money and with Ed's new job we're really okay."
Renzulli knew that he had to spend more time researching his rookie. Things had definitely changed. Jamie had spent enough time undercover that they'd lost touch, and Marie knew that they were trying to adopt, but because of their relationship she couldn't be involved in their adoption process. He couldn't be happier for the young couple and since he had three kids himself, he understood how exhausting their life is.
"Your first day is gonna be on the desk after roll call. I have some things that I need to discuss with you, but we're running out of time. Expect to be working some overtime for the next few weeks while we work through some things."
"Okay, just let me know what you need."
Renzulli finally felt like he was getting some real help. "I'll set a meeting for us after lunch."
"Thanks boss."
Jamie's first roll call is interesting. Not surprising, he hears whispers about his name and how he came up through the ranks. He knew it would happen, so it was easy to ignore. He liked that they were cocky enough to do it in front of him. That gave him the confidence that they would give him other information without knowing it. He always used to hate it when people thought he was stupid. Now he could use that to his advantage.
Once roll call was done, Jamie took his place on the desk. It was different telling the other officers what the charges would be and getting to interface with the community in a new way. After so many years in intel, he hadn't spent much time with the community, and he hadn't realized how much he missed it.
When lunch time hit Renzulli was waiting for him in the break room. "Hey kid, we're gonna go out. Put your civvies on and grab your stuff."
Jamie wasn't sure what to think. Typically, they ate lunch in their uniforms. This was something more some officers goofing off during tour. "What about the desk?"
"Lt. Alvarez is gonna take over for the rest of the day, now lets go." Renzulli didn't want to make it seem like he was giving Reagan any special treatment.
Ten minutes later after a quiet ride to a little Italian restaurant a block away from his apartment they stopped. Jamie was familiar with the place, and it was one of Eddie's favorite places right now. Jamie wasn't surprised that Renzulli knew the owner. He was surprised to find out that the owner was a retired cop that had been in Renzulli's academy class.
"Okay kid, I have a meeting at 1PP after this, but we have a few hours. When we get done here, I need you to decide if you're up for what I'm asking, and if the answer is yes then the next few months will be hard."
Jamie was worried about what he was hearing, and conflicted. He'd taken this post because he wanted a less dangerous position that he'd be able to concentrate on home for a while. He wanted to be there when the baby's born. At the same time if there's something bad enough happening to warrant all of this secrecy then he has to do something about it. It's not just that it's something in the NYPD, but literally blocks away from home.
"Jamie, since taking over the 7-6 things have been rough. Now I knew having my own house wouldn't be easy. I'm responsible for everyone and everything that happens in there, but I wasn't prepared for what I'm dealing with now." Renzulli hung his head down.
"Sir?"
Renzulli ran a hand over his face and took a drink of his pop. He became a cop to stop crime and make his city safer. "Jamie, the sergeant that you're replacing was arrested last month. He thought he'd help me by reducing charges on most of the arrests that went across the desk. He'd preferred working the desk which seemed odd to me. I didn't realize it then, but he was just the first of the corrupt cops here. A week after I'd had him arrested, I learned that the one of the detectives in charge of the evidence room was stealing. Jamie there are still issues in the house, and I know I'm too high up to uncover them. You've dealt with corruption cases before. You know what to look for. I need your help. I know that you're here as a sergeant, but I've spoken to Lt. Flemming, and he knows a lot about you from your last FIS. He'll be your point of contact at 1PP. We need to be careful here. The deeper I get the more officers are involved. I don't know who you can trust in the house." Renzulli would not go out like this. "I need your help."
"Okay. I'm in. We can't let this continue. It hurts the house and the community." His wife, kids, sister and niece all lived in this precinct. He couldn't let whatever corruption that was going on happen anymore. He'd figure it out. "Who's the FIS here? I don't want to seem like I'm stepping on any toes right now if they find out that I'm reporting to Flemming about anything."
"We don't have one right now and won't until this is over. The previous one retired right before I came on, and even though I've asked for a replacement I haven't gotten one yet."
"Okay, and I'm a little worried that people mind find this meeting suspicious. I mean, I only worked a half day at the desk."
"No, they won't. I've done something like this with each new sergeant or lieutenant since I've been in charge. They know that I like to eat, and with the others I gave a tour of the precinct. Most guys in the house came from outside Brooklyn and I wanted to show them around. They'll just think that I'm doing the same thing with you."
"What about clocking out?"
"I'll take care of that. I have to head back there before going to 1PP and that will be at the end of your shift." Renzulli sighed in relief. He had his man and knew that they'd be able to clean house and figure out what's really going on. "Now what's been up with you kid other than all the kids."
"Mason, my biological dad died, and he left me a large inheritance. I have a second income that is big enough that Eddie and I no longer need to work, and yes, the department knows everything."
"So, Mason actually did good for you. What's the income?" Renzulli always admired Jamie. To be where he was considering his terrible beginning was amazing. He was a lot stronger than so many people understood.
"Real estate, Mason owned several buildings. Including the apartment building I've lived in since I've returned to Brooklyn. Initially I didn't want anything to do with it, but my dad and Eddie convinced me that I should keep it. It's been confirmed that the real-estate holdings were the only legit business he had. I still don't understand why we couldn't live off the money he was making when I was little, but I've moved past a lot of that."
Renzulli cocked his head at him. He wasn't so sure that he was really past his past, but he didn't want to bring him down either. "Good. Now what else is going on?"
"We just moved up to a bigger apartment. It has four bedrooms and a three-bedroom apartment attached for what we think is the help, but we're using it for Eddie's office and a playroom for the kids. We couldn't help but laugh because the apartment looks just like the one that we were living in on the fifth floor."
"Damn kid. That's great. Sounds like life is pretty crazy, but good. I'm happy for ya. Now do you need a ride home?"
Jamie laughed. "No, I just live a block away."
Jamie couldn't turn his brain off on the short walk home. His first day had ended an hour early and he hadn't gotten to know any of his officers. He wasn't sure who knew what about the 7-6, so he wasn't sure who he could talk to. In the end he knew that he was a rookie sergeant who because of his name had high expectations. Nothing like following in his father's and grandfather's footsteps of climbing the ladder. Right now, he was focused on being the best sergeant he could be.
He was home before the kids were and he couldn't have been happier than to find Eddie sleeping. He knew the kids were gonna be so happy that he was picking them up. It wasn't anything he got to do since he'd been back to work.
Isaac was the first to see him and ran faster than he had in a long time. Not only had he have a great day at school, but now his dad was here to pick him up. Isaac got his math homework back and he got an A on it. He didn't think he'd be able to do it, but he had because his dad helped him.
Mei Lin was happy to see her dad, but worried that something was wrong with mommy and the baby. School was easy for her. Mommy said that she was smart like daddy. "Are mommy and the baby, okay?
Jamie smiled. He loved Mei Lin's heart. "Mommy and the baby are okay. I'm here because I finished work early and I wanted to spend time with you guys. With my new job I might have to work more for a little while."
"You always have to work. Why do you always have to work so much?" Isaac knew daddy needed to be home to help mommy.
Jamie sighed. He had a feeling this was coming after Saturday, but he wasn't sure how to answer. He knew that he had to say something and then talk to his own dad. This wasn't going to get easier, not with Isaac and Mei Lin and not with the new baby. "I have to work to keep people safe and sometimes I have to work a lot but remember that I'm always gonna be here for all of you."
Worry crept into his mind when he thought about the fact that he didn't have to work because of their second income, and he worried that the kids would resent him.
The rest of the ride home was spent talking about school activities and upcoming events. The conversations were lively, and the car was filled with lots of laughter. Jamie understood that it was unrealistic that every day would be filled with smiles and laughter, but loved each day that was.
Isaac and Mei Lin were bringing up so many memories, but now he understood where his mom and dad were coming from. He'd give anything for his mom to be here and see his kids. She would have loved to be at the adoption ceremony standing right next to him. He knew he had to keep his focus on Eddie and the kids. He could deal with his own feelings later.
Eddie was still asleep when they got home, and he was happy because he hadn't wanted her to wake up and panic that she'd forgotten to pick up the kids. He gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead and wrote her a quick note that he'd picked up the kids and that they were out. He'd bring her whatever she wanted for dinner and to just relax. They'd be home in time for him to get the kids put to bed.
Another new start. When he was sick his dad would talk to him about all of the things that he'd get to experience someday. He knew his dad was trying to give him hope, His dad gave him a lot more than hope.