And Love

Chapter 18 Lieutenant & Lawyer

A/N: And you thought an 18-month jump was too much. Ha ha!

2 YEARS LATER

Eddie and Jamie are cooling off in bed, after an amazing connection. Their intimate times together are getting better and better. Their love for each other is growing stronger and deeper as the months go by. Along with each other and their two beautiful girls.

Malina just turned 5 and is ready for kindergarten in the fall. She is oh so ready! Mary Rose is 2 y/o and is growing like a weed. She adores her big sissy, and mimics her every move and vocal expression. The affection between sisters definitely flows both directions; you will mot find a more protective pair of siblings. One area Mary Rose excels at – she is amazingly empathetic. Mal is also, but her little sissy is amazing!

Eddie has done a marvelous job as mommy, but is thinking that they may need a nanny soon. She hasn't broached that topic with Jamie yet. She needs to do that soon. She needs to approach this with the precision that he approached his campaign for lieutenant.

FLASHBACK

As noted, Jamie had talked with three officers he knew and trusted. (Espinoza, Gormley and Renzulli) They counseled him on the best way to approach his goal. He wasn't one to blow his own horn; but this was important, not only for himself but for his family.

He set about: 1) volunteering for high profile cases, 2) seeking for cold cases of note that he could work mostly from home and on his own time, and 3) coming up with and implementing a strategy to train patrol officers to better interact with EDP citizens. This resulted in a task force which he chaired and a new section of the patrol guide which he authored.

Within 15 months his file was impressive, impeccable and irresistible. Even his criticism sensitive father couldn't deny the case for promotion. 3 months later Jameson Henry Reagan was an NYPD Lieutenant!

As a lieutenant Jamie had a little more control over his schedule; he also could avoid, if he chose to, working on the street. This ameliorated the danger of being a cop somewhat. He and Eddie celebrated!

8888888888888888888888

SATURDAY PICNIC – CENTRAL PARK

Eddie and Jamie are laying on a blanket, snuggled close together. Both are keeping an eye on the girls who are playing at a nearby playground.

"Jamie, I need to tell you something."

"About school?"

"Yeah, but not Mal."

"I know."

"What! You-

"You left the CU-Law course catalog open on your laptop the other evening. When you went to bed before me."

"Oh. Well ok, so you know what I'm thinking."

"Generally, not specifically. Why don't you tell me about it. I'm not surprised, or angry. If that's what you are concerned about."

"I should have mentioned it sooner, I'm sorry."

"Yes, you should have," he kisses her on the cheek, then the lips. "Can we promise to always talk big things like this over, before the thought process goes too deep?"

"I promise."

"So, do I. I love you, Eddie!"

"I love you, Jamie . . . well, I'm thinking about moving forward and becoming a lawyer."

"Your work with Gwen and Julie inspired this?"

"Yes. I really like what I'm doing. As a paralegal. And I'm good at it."

"What about waiting until Mary Rose starts kindergarten?"

"That's a possibility. I've talked with an admittance counselor-

"Eddie!" Jamie gets up and walks over to where the girls are playing on the swings.

He feels that he is about to cross a line and stomp all over the love of his life. He deliberately created some space. He starts giving the girls gentle pushes; they giggle and laugh.

"Daddy, higher!" Mary Rose pleads. He responds, carefully.

Eddie watches, tears starting to slowly trickle down her cheeks. 'What have I done? He talked through his lieutenant campaign with me, at every step. And what did I do? I charged ahead like I didn't give a damn what he thought! Or how it might affect our girls, our family. Shit, it's all in my court to fix this.'

As Jamie continues to push the girls on the swings, Eddie walks over. She wraps her arms around his waist from the back. She kisses him softly between his shoulder blades then rests her cheek against his back. He continues to push Mary Rose.

"That hurts, Eddie. Changing your career. Going to school part time, full time? What the hell, why didn't you talk to me before this?"

"I know, I'm sorry," Eddie whispers. "I treated you like-

"Careful . . . little ears."

"I'm so sorry. I treated you like you didn't exist . . . like I didn't want your advice, like I didn't care how what I wanted would affect our little family . . . none of that is anywhere near the truth!"

"Then what? I believe you mean that and I forgive you. But, have I acted like I'm hard to talk to?" He frowns.

"No! Never. This is all on me, and it won't happen again."

"Good, can we wait and finish this at home?"

"Agreed." She hugs him tighter.

After the girls play some more, they retire to the blanket and eat their lunch. Then pack up and go home.

8888888888888888888

The drive is very quiet. Mary Rose nods off; Mal is looking at a book and humming a tune. Eddie sits very still, staring out the passenger side window; Jamie concentrates on driving.

Once home Eddie drops onto the couch and lets out a sigh.

"I'll put Mary Rose down for a nap and be back," Jamie says as he grasps the sleepy girl's hand and leads her down the hall. Unknown to him, Mal follows.

"I don't like it when you and mommy fight, daddy," Mal says after sissy is asleep.

"We just had a disagreement about school, sweetie. It will be ok."

"You mean about mommy becoming a lawyer?"

"You knew a\out that?" He is taken aback. 'Does the whole world know?'

"I heard her talking on the phone. Didn't you know?"

"No . . . I didn't know until today."

Silence as Mal hugs her daddy.

"You go out with mommy Mal; I'll stay with sissy and make sure she stays asleep."

"Ok," Mal slips out of the nursery. She joins Eddie on the couch.

"Where is daddy?" Eddie asks.

"Making sure sissy stays asleep."

Eddie knows that is an excuse to not come out to the LR.

"Did daddy say anything to you, sweetie?"

"I told him I knew."

"Knew? About what?"

"You being a lawyer."

"How did you know?" Eddie is getting a knot in her stomach.

"I heard you talking on the phone. You seemed happy."

'SHIT NOT ANYMORE!'

888888888888888888888

NURSERY TIME

After fifteen minutes Eddie gets up and slowly walks to the nursery. What she sees breaks her heart. Jamie is curled up on the floor, right by Mary Rose's bed. He is using a blanket for a pillow; fast asleep. She doesn't know what to do. That can't be a restful position; but to awaken him given what's going on between them? She decides to get a pillow from their bed and join him.

Eddie tip-toes into their room, picks up her pillow and a light blanket and returns. She lays her pillow down next to his blanket pillow and lays down next to him after spreading out the blanket. She stretches out behind him, makes sure he is covered and reaches her arm over his tummy She spoons him gently and goes to sleep.

30 MINUTES LATER

Mary Rose wakes up. She looks over the side of her toddler bed and sees mommy and daddy fast asleep. She slips off the bed on the other side, and pads out to the LR. Seeing her big sissy on the couch, she clambers up and jo\ins her.

"Mommy and daddy are asleep," Mary Rose announces.

"Good, they need some time to cool off."

"It's not hot in here, or in my room." MR questions.

"No sissy, daddy is angry with mommy."

"Why? He loves mommy!" Mary Rose pouts.

"Yes, he does. You will learn about these things when you are older, like me."

"When I go to kiddegarten?"

"Kindergarten, sissy." Mal corrects her.

"Oh. Why is daddy mad?"

"Mommy is thinking about going back to school, and didn't tell him."

"Why didn't she tell him?"

"I guess she forgot." Mal explains.

"Should she tell him everything?" Mary Rose wonders.

"I guess you should when you are married."

"Oh, I don't want to get married." Mary Rose decides.

"I don't either," Mal agrees.

88888888888888888888

30 MINUTES LATER

Jamie wakes up, he has a crick in his neck and he's not alone. He looks over and sees Eddie; she has her arm draped over his waist. He tries to move and her grip tightens. He needs to get up, his bladder is screaming at him. "Eddie, I need to get up." He softly calls to her.

"Hm? Oh, ok," she removes her arm and rolls over onto her back.

He gets up and trots to the bathroom. After emptying his bladder, he comes out and looks into the nursery. Eddie is gone, so he ambles out to the LR. Seeing the girls on the couch, he joins them.

"Where is mommy?" He wonders.

"Outside," Mal answers. "I think she went for a walk."

Jamie is worried, he sends her a TXT:

J: U OK?

After 2 minutes:

E: Y back soon, need to clear my head

J: OK,

Girls and I R missing U! 1-4-3

E: 1-4-3

88888888888888888888888888

When Eddie returns, she sets about making supper; she and Jamie never finished their conversation from the park. She has apologized, he's forgiven her. Neither wants to drag it out.

Jamie goes to bed not angry, but not happy and contented either. He just feels off. He doesn't like it.

Eddie goes to bed unsettled. She nestles in his arms, but the usual warm, supportive feeling is missing. It is almost like sleeping with a stranger. It really bothers her. 'What more can I do?' She doesn't know.

8888888888888888888

The next day more shit hits the fan!

TBC