Chapter 12: Strength of Family

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: 7/29/24. Date Finished: 7/31/24. Enjoy!

"Jamie. We're out of diapers. One of us is going to have to make a diaper run."

Jamie stopped Eddie from rifling through the shelves under the changing table and grabbed her hands.

"You know we can't do that babe. We have to stay here until the threat to our lives is neutralized."

Eddie stopped rifling through the shelves of the changing table and whipped her head up.

"Neutralized? Bub? Who even talks like that?"

Jamie still held onto her hands and shook his head.

"Dad and pop."

Eddie gave a dry and humorless laugh.

"Of course it was them."

They'd been stuck in the house for a week and Eddie was already getting irritable, and not just from her hormones either.

"We have to lie low until everything is under control Ed. I know you know that."

Jamie watched Eddie for a moment, and he could tell she was holding her breath. He saw her let it out and his gaze softened. She shook her head and sighed.

"I'm sorry bub. This is really hard for me."

Giving his own sigh of frustration, Jamie pulled Eddie towards him and they both sat on the floor next to the changing table. Megan had been fed and changed, but now they were out of diapers as Eddie had just pointed out.

"I know this is hard for you. Its stressful and everything you've been through and going through right now is making it hard to navigate."

Eddie let out a shuddering sigh and shook her head, she felt the waterworks beginning to form in her eyes. She blinked rapidly to make them go away.

"What laundry we do have is piling up. Megan sometimes cries and I don't know what she wants. I don't know if she's cold or too hot? Or just wants to be held. You seem to get it right in that department."

Jamie kissed the crown of Eddie's forehead.

"You may think I'm getting it right Ed, but I feel just as clueless sometimes."

Eddie gave him a look and swiped away another tear.

"But you make it look so easy! I feel like I'm doing something wrong…"

Jamie sighed and pulled Eddie closer.

"Just because I had some experience in taking care of Nicky, Jack and Sean, doesn't make me an expert by any means. I would babysit them. There's a difference. I know how to change diapers and give them a bath, give them a bottle when they were hungry. Sometimes they would cry with me too, and I didn't know what they wanted."

Eddie gave another sigh.

"Good to know bub. But you just go with the flow. I do one step at a time. I make a plan in my head, and when it gets thrown off, I fly off the handle. You know that."

Jamie nodded in understanding.

"I do know that. It's why the whole family is pitching in. We've divided everything up between all of us. Erin will help with the laundry. I'll change her diapers. Pop and dad will keep her entertained and calm. Nicky volunteered to bottle feed her. Sean and Jack volunteered to sort and fold the laundry. My brother Joe volunteered to give her baths."

Eddie let out a laugh.

"Megan loves Joe. She's so calm with him. She screams her head off with me."

Jamie kissed the crown of Eddie's head one more time and then her neck. He had to admit, this was new to both of them. He was still head over heels for the sleeping little bundle in the bassinet at the foot of their temporary bed. He couldn't get enough of her. He wanted to shield her from all the bad in the world. But he knew he couldn't keep a bubble around her. Jamie and Eddie looked towards the door when they heard pop call out.

"Dinner!"

Jamie helped Eddie up and they walked to the door. Just as he was about to open the door, Eddie squeezed her eyes shut and then opened them, looking down at herself.

"Damn."

A look of confusion crossed Jamie's face for a moment.

"What's wrong? Oh… Ed your shirt."

Eddie gave out an annoyed sigh.

"Well. Great timing. A nurse said they were supposed to come by and help me get set up so I can start pumping. That should be fun."

Jamie knew Eddie was being sarcastic yet serious at the same time.

"Want to tell pop to keep a couple of plates warm for us? I think I should be here for you."

Smiling, Eddie squeezed Jamie's hand.

"Thanks for supporting me bub. This is going to make our lives so much easier. How did I get so lucky with you?"

Jamie was quick with a comeback and pointed at her.

"Spoiled for life with you remember?"

Eddie smirked and both looked up when they heard the sound of the doorbell out in the front hall. There were heavy footsteps and then the squeaking of the front door opening slowly. They heard one of the officers speak to whomever was behind the front door.

"Ma'am. I'm going to need to inspect the contents of the bag."

Shaking her head, Eddie looked Jamie in the eye.

"Well, I guess I should change my shirt."

Before Eddie could get up off floor, Jamie got to his feet first and walked over to the closet.

"Do you care about what kind of shirt and what color?"

Shaking her head she gave him a look.

"Doesn't matter bub. You pick."

Jamie took down a purple t-shirt and helped Eddie pull it over her head. The couple heard heavy footsteps as they made it to the bed. There was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Their bedroom door opened, and an officer showed a woman with scrubs in. She held a hand out and shook both Jamie and Eddie's hands.

"Hi Eddie. Jamie. I'm Natalie."

"Wow. Pop really outdid himself this time. This chili is amazing. It's actually not too spicy."

Jamie smirked and shook his head. Eddie took another bite of her chili and then looked at her husband.

"What's so funny bub?"

Jamie took a swig of his beer and then spoke.

"You ate so much chili when you were pregnant with Megan. It's no wonder she has so much hair on her head."

Eddie waited until Jamie put his beer down and shoved his shoulder.

"That's a myth Jamie. Besides, the myth also says that a baby will have a lot of hair and will be a boy. Both were wrong. I'm done. Could you get more for me please? I'm still hungry."

Jamie shook his head.

"Wow. So, bossy."

Eddie gave Jamie the side eye.

"Nope. You just know how to please me."

As Jamie was about to get up from the table, an officer approached the dining room entrance.

"Sir, I have the diapers you requested."

Jamie gave the officer a smile.

"6 bags of diapers? You didn't have to go out of your way to get that many. Thanks Paxson."

Officer Paxson smiled and shook his head.

"You have the commissioner to thank."

Jamie gave Paxson a puzzled look.

"My father?"

Officer Paxson shook his head.

"No. Your grandfather. He insisted."

Jamie shook his head and then Erin appeared in the entrance to the dining room.

"I'll take that Jamie. You go and enjoy your dinner with Eddie. Go on. I've got that beautiful little princess sleeping in your temporary bedroom."

Jamie nodded quietly and took Eddie's bowl to the kitchen and filled it up with more chili. Bringing it back to the table, he set it down and watched her eat.

"Glad to see you've gotten your appetite back babe."

Eddie took a bite and swallowed.

"I've got that sleeping baby girl to feed in the bedroom. You can enjoy bonding with her too. She needs some time with her daddy."

Jamie gave Eddie a look and lowered his voice.

"I hope you mean me bottle feeding her. Last time I checked, guys can't breastfeed."

Eddie watched as Jamie's face turned a shade pink. She ribbed him after taking another bite of chili.

"Why Jamie Reagan, is that a blush I see? Why are you so embarrassed? I know guys can't breastfeed. Is it because there are cops in this house from a bunch different precincts that could possibly hear our conversation?"

Jamie kept his voice low.

"Of course! Plus, there is a time and place for this conversation. Right now, its best behind the closed door of our bedroom."

Eddie tried not to laugh as she finished off her second bowl of chili.

"Who knew you were such a private person. Even in your own house."

Jamie shifted uncomfortably in the chair.

"I just think there are conversations best kept from listening ears that's all babe."

Eddie smirked.

"Ok."

Jamie shook his head. Strength of family. Eddie chooses the weirdest of times to bring up private conversations.

To Be Continued…

A/N: So, what do you guys think?