And Love
Chapter 2 Reconciliation?
REAGAN SUNDAY DINNER
Jamie offers the blessing this week. To the ending he adds, "And I thank you Lord, for my beautiful daughter and her very special mother. Amen."
Several amens are heard.
Frank asks the first question, "Jamie, have you and Eddie decided when we are going to meet your precious family?"
"Yes, we have. We plan on all 3 being here in 2 weeks. Unless a family emergency intervenes. We all know about those, don't we?" He smirks.
"We do," Danny grins. "I can hardly wait."
"Amen."
"Me too!"
"Yes!"
Heads nod.
"How are you and Eddie doing," Pops is interested.
"Very we ll, very well. Thanks." Jamie responds. He hopes no one asks about work. He assumes his dad is aware of things; he hopes he will keep stuff under his hat.
He does.
The 2-week announcement seems to satisfy the family. The rest of the meal focuses on other things.
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"I got something from sarge today." Eddie hands Jamie a picture.
He looks at it, "And this is?"
"Soon to be my new TO."
"Looks like a nice guy."
"Look closely, Jameson Henry Reagan." She smirks.
He does, "Yeah, what?"
She gets up and goes to the bathroom, returning with a makeup mirror. She holds it so he can see himself, and holds the picture beside the mirror.
"Now what do you see?"
"Two nice guys!"
"Good LORD! Are you daft, over there?!"
"Eddie, spell it out to me, please."
"Are you in kindergarten?" Eddie snorts.
"I guess so!" He huffs.
"Well, my new TO, whom I met briefly today, looks like your long-lost brother!"
Jamie snatches the picture out of her hand. She crosses her arms in front of her chest.
"I don't have a long-lost brother," he whispers.
"Are you sure, Jamie?"
He doesn't know what to say.
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THE NEXT MORNING
Jamie calls his dad, early. "Dad, can Eddie and I come over for supper tonight? Just you and Pops, please?"
"Is there trouble, son?"
"No, no, but just the 2 of you, please?"
"Ok, I'll tell Pops."
"Thanks, dad."
THAT EVENING – BAY RIDGE
Jamie and Eddie come in the back door and sit at the kitchen table. After introductions (Henry's 1st time meeting Eddie), Pops offers drinks which all decline.
Eddie then produces a manila envelope and slides out a picture, face down. "This is my new TO, he starts next week."
Suddenly, Danny barges through the back door. He is out of breath. "I heard there was a family meeting tonight. What's up?" He reaches for he upside down picture.
Jamie slides it out of Danny's reach, and back into the envelope which held it. "Sorry, bro. This is just for the 4 of us. I hope you can respect that."
"What the hell, dad!" Danny snorts.
"Can he see it, Jamie?" Frank looks puzzled.
"Can't he respect our desires, for now?"
Silence, tension.
"I'm not leaving," Danny huffs. He pulls a chair from the dining room and sits.
Jamie looks to Eddie; they both nod, get up and move to the back door. As they leave Jamie says "that announcement about a 2-week appearance? It's null and void. Adios amigos." They are gone.
"Thanks, Daniel." Pops growls.
"What did I do?" Danny snorts.
Frank and Pops look at him in disbelief.
LOVE POSTPONED
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JAMKO APARTMENT
"This isn't going to be easy, babe. But I think we can do it, together."
"Are you sure, your family has done everything a certain way for years. I'm thinking it isn't doable at all!"
"I know all about the Reagan family way. And I have chafed under that for all those years. But as 'the kid' I've been shut down repeatedly. I've had enough."
"But sweetheart, they will blame me for your hard-liner stance in regards to privacy!"
"The only thing they can blame you for is being my partner, giving me someone at my side. I hope you and Mal will always be there!"
"We are going to be very hard to shake, boy scout!"
"Good! I'll go to dinner this Sunday and explain things. I'll tell them that there is a possibility of the 3 of us joining them in 2 more weeks. Ok?"
"I'm good. I love you, Jamie!"
"I love you, Eddie!"
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REAGAN SUNDAY DINNER
Jamie shows up just in time to sit down with the family.
Pops suggests that they all join him in reciting the usual family blessing; they all do, followed by a chorus of hearty amens.
As the food begins to be passed Danny starts right in; "What the hell was that the other night, kid."
Jamie leisurely chews his mouthful.
"I'm talking to you, Jamie!" His older brother bellows.
Jamie swallows his mouthful and speaks. "Eddie and I were having a private talk with dad and Pops. Until you barged in."
"Nothing is private here; don't you know that?"
"Well, when we asked dad for a meeting with just him and Pops, we thought that would be honored." Jamie looks at Frank for confirmation.
"Daniel, you did not honor their wishes, and were rather obnoxious," Pops speaks up.
"Well, that was a family meeting!"
"It was not!" Jamie snorts.
"Any meeting here is a family meeting!" Danny declares.
"Is he right, dad?" Jamie asks point blank.
"No, he is not," Frank finally voices, after a long pause.
Erin joins in, "Well, how do we know?"
"Easy sis. If you are not invited, the meeting isn't for you." Jamie declares.
"Bull shit!" Danny huffs.
Linda elbows him.
"DANIEL!" Pops shouts.
Silence for a moment.
"Dad, I came to tell you all that Eddie, Mal and I would be here in 2 weeks. But the way this table sounds, it will be a cold day in hell before that happens!" Jamie throws his napkin on his plate, grabs his jacket and leaves.
"Nice work all," Nicky whispers.
Silence, as they eat.
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EDDIE'S APARTMEENT
Jamie walks in, hangs up his jacket and flops on the couch.
"That bad?" Eddie cuddles up go his side.
Mal comes and climbs into his lap.
"God, am I ever glad I have the two of you in my life!" He moans.
"Do I need to go to dinner and kick ass?" Eddie wonders.
"Maybe . . . if you take all the starch out of them . . . I don't know, Ed."
"I'll do it Jamie. Someone has to break the log jam!"
"Ed-
"Next week kick ass Eddie, destroys Bay Ridge!"
"God, what have I done?"
"Mommy be ok. She tough, daddy!" Malina speaks up.
"That's right baby! Mommy tough!" Eddie hugs their daughter.
"I know, and I love her for it!" Jamie pulls her in for a long, Deep kiss.
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TBC