And Love
Chapter 13 And baby makes
A/N: Supposedly the number 13 is unlucky. Let's see if we can break that streak, shall we?
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THANKSGIVING WEEK
SUNDAY EVENING
"That was really nice, having Paula and Joe here for a family dinner," Eddie muses.
"Yes, it was," Jamie had just gotten to bed after putting Mal down.
"Have you heard anything from your dad or Pops about Thanksgiving dinner?"
"Dad mentioned it in passing after mass this morning. But it wasn't really an invite, at least it didn't feel like one." Jamie frowns in the dark.
"How long can this go on, babe? Here we are engaged, expecting another baby, and seemingly no family support. I'm sick of it! Really! How long are you Reagan men going to allow Danny to gum up the works? What a bunch of wimps! Get your asses in gear – a little tough love! Shall we Reagan, or part Reagan women do the deed? Huh?"
Jamie cringes, his beautiful kick-ass fiancé is correct!
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TUESDAY EVENING
Linda, Erin and Nicky are having a girl's night out – a pot luck supper at Eddie and Mal's apartment. Erin has brought the holy grail of mac and cheese from Alston's; Linda has brought 2 different salads; Eddie has beverages; Mal helped her mom bake a chocolate cake. The youngster is so proud, Eddie has her fingers crossed.
These ladies are getting along great! Now those guys.
MEANWHILE
The menfolk are gathering at a favorite watering hole. Jamie and Joe are seated in a large booth towards the back. It is timed so that Danny will be the last to arrive.
Danny hurries in and sees the two younger men at the booth. He strolls over and is motioned to the bench opposite them. He slides in and greets the two. Soon Henry appears from out of the men's room and sits next to Danny; and Frank appears with a tray of glasses, five beefs to start things off. He sits on a chair, facing the others. Frank (DAD!) passes out the glasses and starts the conversation.
"Daniel, the entire family has had enough! Erin has apologized to Eddie, and has forgiven her soon to be sister-in-law for any and all mistakes. Linda has been on board with Jamie and his family circle almost from the beginning. Nicky has been on their side forever. Your boys . . . I don't know; but I think they are ok with their uncle, Eddie & Mal." Frank concludes.
"Francis and I have come around to accept the situation. We love, honor and respect Jamie and his family circle. Just what he asked for months ago." Pops declared. "Now, that leaves you, Daniel," Henry spits out.
All the while the men are working on their beer; they are about finished. Danny has been silent, nursing his brew. Joe has been closely observing the situation. Jamie is nervous, the outcome of this evening will go a long way toward determining how his family circle will relate to his biological family going forward. There is a lot riding on this!
Frank wraps up; "Pops and I are planning a Thanksgiving dinner for this Thursday. All at this table are invited, along with their family. Daniel, if you accept and come, it means that you are accepting Jamie's terms. And you will cease and desist from all of your anger and hostility toward Eddie, PERIOD!" Understood?"
"Yes, sir." He slouches down in his seat on the bench. The implications of this meeting, and what is being said, could not be clearer.
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THANKSGIVING DINNER
Danny, Linda and boys came to dinner Thursday. The table was crowded, Frank and Pops loved it.
"My heart is finally settled," Francis beamed.
Several amens were heard. The only gap was Joe, and maybe Paula (she was a long-shot, if ever).
"I'd like us to continue the family tradition of giving thanks out loud for the good happenings of the past year," Frank opened the floor.
Mal's hand shot up; she was recognized. "I'm so happy that my mommy and daddy are getting married! And that I will soon be a big sister!" Mal sat back, very pleased with herself.
Eddie: "Well, my daughter stole my thunder-
"Amen to that," Jamie muttered.
Eddie continued, "But I am so thankful that the family ice has thawed, or is thawing. I never intended, or dreamed, that I would cause so much angst. For the last time – I am truly sorry! Enough said."
Jamie: "I will just second my ladies! It's good to be back."
Erin: "This full table warms the heart of this secondary mother. You all know how I miss my mommy; I feel like I am filling her place. So, listen up; sit up straight, elbows off the table and clean your plates!"
Groans and chuckles all around.
Danny: "I guess I better apologize, again-
Jamie: "Only if you truly mean it!"
Danny: "I truly do apologize to Eddie and Jamie. It took some serious head knocking for me to realize all the trouble I was creating. I'm truly sorry, for my attitude and all it caused. And it is great to see this family all together."
Sean: "Wow, my dad doesn't apologize often!"
Linda: "I have it recorded in my diary. So don't think you can deny it later, hubby of mine."
Frank: "I don't think there has been a year when I was more thankful that family chaos has been cleared, than this one. I think we all learned a lesson. Maybe more than one! Let us all move forward together, shall we?"
Henry seconded Frank's remarks then recited the traditional blessing. The turkey was carved, and all cleaned their plates!
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CHRISTMAS
Always a joyous affair when there was a youngster to purchase presents for. And they had an almost newborn to shower gifts upon. Jamie and Eddie had to use both of their cars to get all the gifts home from Bay Ridge.
With Eddie's prior knowledge, both Erin and Linda gifted her some hand-me-down maternity outfits. Both sisters-in-law (to become) volunteered to raise some hems as Eddie was the shortest of the group. She was grateful.
Frank and Henry gifted the bun-in-the-oven a complete set of nursery furniture. They had forewarned the expectant parents, so a duplicate set wouldn't be purchased. All the men pitched in and assembled. In exchange for pizza and beer, of course.
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THE NEW YEAR
Eddi e and Jamie had been discussing wedding plans. With all the family turmoil they had difficulty settling on a date no less. They were not arguing, they just never found time to sit down and make decisions. And now she was as big as a house! She couldn't buy a wedding dress per se. What to do?
Eddie was not happy about walking down the aisle in her condition. Jamie understood, and supported her. So, they decided, rather reluctantly, to wait until the baby was born and mother and newborn were in shape for such a ceremony.
They had discussed having the wedding at St. Angelus, Jamie's home parish. They talked with Fr. Mark and he agreed to do the wedding if Eddie agreed to raise their children in the catholic faith. She was fine with that, she and Jamie signed the necessary documents and waited for the birth and recovery. When they saw how the recovery was going, they could talk with Fr. Mark and select a date. So, they had most things settled:
Bride = Edit Marie Janko,
Groom = Jameson Henry Reagan,
Best man = Danny Reagan,
Maid of honor = Kara Walsh,
Walk down the aisle = Tony Renzulli,
Venue = St. Angelus parish church,
Brides' maids =
Erin Reagan,
Nicky Reagan,
Grooms' men =
Joe Hill,
Frank Reagan,
Coordinator = Linda Reagan,
Guest book = Lena Janko,
Ushers =
Jack Regan,
Sean Reagan,
Henry Reagan,
Catering & cake = Marie Renzulli.
Now for Mal's sibling to arrive, so Eddie can get into walking down the aisle shape!
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FEBRUARY 10, ST. VIC'S HOSPITAL
6 AM, Eddie has been in labor for 12 hours. It started with a bang!
FLASHBACK, FEBRUARY 9TH, 6 PM
Eddie is fixing dinner, standing at the stove with Mal at her side helping. Her back has been killing her, so she has been preparing meals as simple as possible. She attempts to do recipes that Mal can actually help, taking a little of the load off of her mommy.
All of a sudden Eddie felt a gush of fluid down her leg, causing a puddle to form on the kitchen floor.
Mal jumps back, "Mommy, you peed on the floor!"
"Oh damn! No baby, that's not pee. My water broke, we're going to have the baby soon!"
"Right here in the kitchen? Can I help, mommy?"
"Yes, can you get some dish towels and mop up this water, please. I need to call daddy."
"I can do that."
RING
"Reagan here. Eddie?"
"Hi babe, my water just broke. I haven't had what – Oh God, there was one!"
"Are you ok?" He is reaching for his keys, badge and weapon.
"Yes, that was my first contraction! Ouch, damn it!"
"Daddy!" Mal is screaming now. "Something is wrong with mommy! We need you!"
"Hang on, I'll be there in 20!" The phone is on speaker, a mistake!
"20 minutes! DADDY, mommy is hurting!" Mal is frantic.
"Don't implode on me, baby!" Eddie begs Mal.
Jamie has hung up and is on his way.
"Mommy, I don't want to explode! Help me!" She hugs her mommy and will not let go.
The puddle remains, so Eddie slips and falls to the floor with her daughter on top of her. She starts to laugh until the next contraction hits.
"Oh, damn. Mal, get off of me, please."
"Sorry mommy," Mal starts to cry. "Did I hurt you mommy? I'm so sorry!" The little one starts to sob.
"Mo sweetie, you didn't hurt mommy. Oh . . . not again! It hurts so bad. Just lay here with mommy, you help me by giving mommy hugs."
"I can do that."
Jamie finds them laying on the kitchen floor inn a puddle of amniotic fluid, holding each other close. He helps them up, puts some towels over the puddle and gets his girls to their rooms for clean, dry clothes.
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6 AM St. Vic's L&D
Eddie has been in labor all night. Her water broke at 6 PM, contractions started then and gradually increased in frequency and intensity. Jamie monitored the progress; they decided to go to the hospital at 10 PM rather than waiting until the wee hours of the morning. Nicky had volunteered to stay with Mal; she had come over at 8 PM, prepared to stay the night.
The day shift nurses had come on duty at 06:00 and called the doctor of the day to check Eddie's progress. "Hi, I'm doctor Willis. Let's see where we are at." He had Eddie spread her legs, and he gently checked her cervix. She then relaxed, the nurse covered her back up, the doctor threw his gloves away and turned to talk to her and Jamie (he had been by her side all night).
"Well, you are at 9 cm so we can give you an epidural if you'd like. An anesthesiologist will do a spinal tap and place a small amount of medication along the spinal canal. This will numb the nerves that are causing the pain you are experiencing. It will not make you sleepy at all. We could not do it earlier, but now that you are at 9 cm it will not slow down or stop your labor. Any questions?"
"No questions, let's do it." Both Eddie and Jamie concur.
The Doctor does the tap and injects the medication. Within seconds Eddie is very relieved.
She soon dilates to 10 cm and is completely effaced. Within an hour she is allowed to push and at 9:30 AM Mary Rose Reagan was born!
Eddie and Jamie had discussed names. They had agreed that even before the wedding, their baby would have the Reagan surname. At the wedding Eddie would take Reagan as her last name; and later Jamie would adopt Malina. They would be a family of four – Reagans all.
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TBC