A Chance for a Better Life
Chapter Twenty-Two
"Hey Mark, I got it!" Jamie handed Mark a cup of coffee.
"What did you find?" Mark was ready to have his partner back because the kid was good. It had only taken him two months and he was able to break a case that had been going on for over a year and had gotten two good detectives fired and three more under IA investigation.
"Hoffman has a second bank account in the Cayman Islands under Eric Hoff. I found the trail that ties the money back to when it went missing on the subsequent cases, and there are other amounts that we can guess tie into the sale of the missing drugs and other evidence." Jamie was leafing through his notes as he said all of this.
"Ok, that's great, but now we need proof of how he is obtaining the evidence."
"I've got some ideas on that too; I just need a little more time to compile the evidence. When we meet next week, I hope to have it."
"Any evidence that Chief Hoffman's involved?" Mark wanted anyone involved out of the NYPD.
"He's been more thoughtful in how he's doing things, but I'm confident that he's involved."
"Okay. Keep me updated and stay safe."
Jamie was exhausted in addition to his UC case he and his partner were now carrying a full workload because he'd proven himself. He and Danny had a few harsh words when Lt. G had given him and Lisa higher profile cases.
Jamie had moved the entire corruption case to his apartment. He couldn't take the chance that someone or anyone would go through his desk and find what he'd been working on. Mark had offered to move the case files back into intel, but Jamie needed easy access and he didn't have a good reason to go to intel everyday.
"Hey Eddie, I made lunch." Jamie finished setting the table.
"Thanks babe. I'm gonna eat and then take a nap." Ed had just arrived back at the apartment after an early morning call.
"Go for it. I have a few errands to run."
"How long do you think you're gonna be?"
"I don't know. I'll text you. When I get home do you want to finish moving in?"
"Yeah, I don't have much left to move up. When are you gonna tell the family that we're engaged?" Eddie couldn't stop looking at her ring. The fact that it had been his mom's made it so special.
"Are you ready to take that step?"
"We've been engaged for a week and we're the only ones that know so far. I don't know if I'm ready to do anything other than get married." Eddie laughed. She loved their little bubble that they were currently living in.
"Me too." Jamie kissed Eddie and grabbed his coat. "I'll text you when I'm on my way home. Love ya babe."
Eddie was more tired than she realized and couldn't believe when she awoke the next morning when her alarm went off. She was surprised that Jamie wasn't there next to her and figured that he either slept on the couch or had already left for work. With their schedules it wasn't uncommon that they would miss each other. It was one of the reasons they decided to move in together so they could see each other every chance that they got.
Danny was surprised when he got into work and his brother wasn't already there. Jamie was usually the first one in and unless he had something going on he was the last one out. He hoped the kid was at home getting some much-needed sleep. He didn't have long to think about it because he caught a case, and his partner was coming in late due to a doctor's appointment.
Two hours later Baez was walking up to the back door of the 5-4 when she saw something behind the dumpster that looked odd. Seconds later she realizes it's a body and calls in the request for a bus. The first thing she does is turn the body over and gasps when she realizes it's her overprotective partner's younger brother. She updates the call to let them know it's a 10-13.
"Danny, you gotta get down here right now."
"What's going on, where are you?" Danny's trying to figure out why she's calling him when he hears about the 10-13.
"I'm outside the back door. Get your ass out here now! It's Jamie!"
"Jamie, what?" Danny stood up and started looking around the squad room.
"Jamie's hurt, but he has a pulse and he's breathing." Baez wanted him to have to understand why he had to come to her.
Hearing confirmation that his brother was hurt but alive made Danny run down the stairs faster. "What did he say happened?"
Baez paused, hearing this information was going to hurt. "He's unconscious. He hasn't responded to anything."
The loud obnoxious Danny Reagan was speechless. The only way he could respond was to run faster. When he finally made it down to the alley what he sees makes him sick to his stomach.
"Jamie… Jamie… Come on little brother, you gotta wake up. You gotta be okay. We… we… we can't lose another one of us. Come on Jamie, please wake up." Danny had grabbed his hand and was hoping for any type of response. "Where's the damn bus?!"
"It's on its way Danny. It'll be here in a few minutes."
"I gotta call my family. They have to know."
The EMT's arrive and immediately load Jamie up and take him to St. Victors, while Baez drives Danny to the hospital he calls his dad, who was already on his way because he'd heard the 10-13, he just didn't know who it was, Erin, Linda, and their grandpa. Each of them made their way to the hospital.
Once Jamie arrived, he was whisked away so he could be seen to. The doctors and nurses were trying to figure out why he hadn't regained consciousness. Baez and Danny were right behind the ambulance and rushed in just so they could be told to wait. Erin was the next to arrive.
"Danny, what happened?" Erin looked around the ER trying to find her baby brother.
"I don't know. I just know that he hasn't woken up yet and he's bruised and bloodied." Danny looked down at his hands and saw his brother's blood.
Frank arrived next with Garrett and his detail in tow. Garrett saw how busy the waiting room was and started working on getting a private area for Frank and the family so they could have some peace since they didn't know much and Garrett knew that there could be a negative outcome.
"Danny, Erin, have we heard anything yet?" Frank wasn't showing how nervous he was. He'd heard the detective had been found unconscious beaten and bloody. His heart stopped when Danny told him it'd been Jamie.
Henry was the last to arrive. Now they all just waited.
In the back Jamie had woken up and was coherent. He wasn't happy to find himself in the hospital. He hated hospitals more than anyone else that he knew.
"Welcome back Detective. What's the last thing you remember?" Doctor Asher asked while shinning a pen light in his eyes.
"I was running errands when I was hit over the head." Jamie looked around at the busy room.
"Besides your head, tell me what hurts."
Jamie's going through his pockets trying to find his phone. He's surprised to find it off and in his jacket pocket.
"Please tell me what hurts, you can deal with your phone later." The doctor was annoyed, but sadly used to people ignoring what he said.
"Can I please call my fiancé; I left last night and wasn't there this morning when she woke up this morning."
"Okay, you have five minutes. I'm going to let your family know that you're awake and talking."
"Thank you."
Jamie and Eddie promised to never withhold information or lie to each other when they took the next step.
"Reagan family?" Doctor Asher asked what a full waiting room was now full of officers and detectives from the 12th and the 5-4. Garrett was still trying to get them into a private waiting room.
"Yes doctor. How is my detective?"
"Awake and talking. We are still evaluating him, but we just wanted to let you know that his condition has improved."
"When can we see him?" Erin asked.
"How long will he need to stay in the hospital?" Henry worried.
"Is he going to be, okay?" Danny was still coming to terms with what he saw outside the precinct.
Erin, Danny, and Henry all asked at the same time.
"Give me some more time and I will have answers to your questions." Dr. Asher said as he went back behind the elusive doors.
It wasn't uncommon for Jamie and Eddie to pass each other without speaking but they always kept in touch through texting. Eddie hadn't started worrying that morning until she realized it had been hours since she sent Jamie a text and he had yet to respond. She was relieved when he called up until he explained that he was in the ER at St. Victors. She didn't hesitate she immediately let her boss know that she had leave so she could be there for him.
An hour later she was walking into the waiting room, and Frank felt guilty that he didn't think of calling her, but he hadn't heard his son talk about her since they talked walking home from the cemetery, so he wasn't sure how things were going. He really needed his son to share more about his life.
"Eddie, you're here. How did you find out?" Danny wondered.
"Jamie called me."
Erin, Frank, Henry, and Danny all looked at each other. "He called you. When?"
Eddie reaches up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, forgetting about her ring because in her mind it's a permanent fixture on her hand. "About an hour ago. Have you heard anything?"
"Just that he's awake, but you knew that since he called you." Danny spat upset that his brother called his apparent fiancé rather than talking to his family. It made him wonder what else the kid could be hiding.
A long quiet fifteen minutes later Dr. Asher comes back out.
"He's going to be fine, and as long as he has someone who can stay with him for the next few days, he'll be free to leave tonight."
"He can stay with us. He lives alone." Henry said ready to take his grandson home.
"No, he doesn't. I can take care of him." Eddie said not caring that she just let the cat out of the bag. She need Jamie where she could see him.
"A nurse will be bringing him out soon. He has a moderate concussion and a headache as a result of that. We've given him some medication that he needs to take regularly, and he's gotten about twenty stiches for various cuts. Please be mindful of this and the fact that he's been asking to go home since he woke up." Dr. Asher explained and hope that the family understood what he was saying. He hated seeing families fight when one of their loved ones was hurt.
"He doesn't need to stay overnight because of the concussion?" Frank asked as a concerned father and not the PC.
"No, not as long as someone will wake him up every few hours and bring him back in if he's feeling nauseous or dizzy. Considering what he went through he's really doing exceptionally well. Your son is very strong."
"Thank you doctor." Henry said knowing that strength worried his son.
Fifteen minutes later Jamie was wheeled out. He was black and blue, and he had a bandage covering stitches on his forehead.
"Hey guys. Sorry to worry you, but I'm fine." Jamie smiles and stands up.
"Detective Reagan, please stay in the chair until we get you out to the car." Nurse Molly asks.
"I'm really okay Molly. Please, I'd like to walk out to the car." Jamie pleads.
"Are you sure you're, okay?" Molly worried. "I'll walk you to the car then."
"Okay." Jamie sees Eddie sitting in the corner and not with the family, but before he can get to her he's stopped by his dad.
"Son, how are you, really?"
"I'm fine dad. I just want to go home and sleep in my own bed."
"Pop and I would really like if you'd stay with us."
"Eddie and I will be okay. I'll call if we need help with something." Jamie could only imagine what his family was thinking. He knew that they were all too observant to have not seen her engagement ring.
"Will you both be at dinner on Sunday?"
"Yes, we will dad, and we were going to tell everyone Sunday." Jamie smiles.
Eddies nerves had gotten the better of her and she had to talk to him.
"Jamie." Was all she could say.
"Ed, I'm fine." Jamie gave her a hug. "This is my dad, Frank, my grandpa Henry, my older brother Danny and my older sister Erin." Jamie said while pointing to each person.
"Nice to meet you all."
"Everyone this is my fiancé, Eddie." Jamie smiled. In a couple weeks he was looking forward to saying that she was his wife.
"Nice to meet you dear." Henry looks over to his son for his reaction. "Do you have a car here to take Jameson home?"
"Yes, and I have the next few days off to take care of him. My boss is very understanding her husband is a cop too." Eddie knew how much they worried about Jamie.
"Really, who's your boss?" Erin wondered.
"Marie Renzulli, her husband works out the 12th."
"Small world." Henry started but was interrupted.
"It is, and we can talk more on Sunday, but right now I'd like to get him home so he can rest in his own bed." Eddie could see that Jamie was ready to go.
Later that night after Jamie had taken a nap and eaten the first real meal he'd had since lunch the day before.
"Ed, I'll be fine in a couple days, and after I talk to Mark, I can go over to my dad's so you can go back to work."
"Listen I know you have this big case, but you need to take care of yourself. I can miss a few days of work. They understand, you heard the doctor. You need constant supervision." Eddie rolled her eyes.
"Okay, what do you want to order in for dinner?"
"Indian?"
Their conversation was stopped when there was a loud knock at the door and for Jamie there wasn't any question who it could be. Only Danny knocks hard enough to bust down the door.
Jamie answers because he can tell the mood his brother's in. "Hey Danny, come on in. We were about to order dinner; do you want to stay?"
"I want to know what the hell's going on with you?" Danny tried not to yell because he figured that Eddie was around somewhere.
"Nothing Danny." Jamie shook his head.
"You just got the crap beaten out you, and you got engaged and none of us knew. Since when don't we tell each other stuff in this family."
Eddie had decided to wait until Jamie got the situation calmed down before she entered the picture, but knew if it got any more heated, she was gonna go and kick Danny out. Jamie didn't need to be yelled at or the added stress. He was under enough stress already.
"Do you tell me every detail about every case that you work? Does Erin?" Jamie calmly questioned.
"Well… no, but we're older and we have more experience. Look at what just happened to you. You've haven't been in major crimes that long. How long until you get yourself killed."
Jamie rubbed the back of his head. Every time something happened to him, he had this conversation, and he was tired of it. He was a cop and that wasn't changing. "How long until you get yourself killed or Erin becomes a target for someone that she put away or their gang. Dads already had one close call with a hit that we knew about. Danny we're all at risk."
Danny finally heard what Jamie was saying. Linda was gonna be all over him later about the fact that he barged into his brother's apartment after he was injured and yelled at him.
"Why didn't you tell us that you and Eddie were going to take the next step?"
Eddie knew Jamie was good at disarming people but what he just did with his brother was pretty amazing. She decided it was time to join the party.
"Because we weren't ready to share yet." Eddie walked into the living room smiling.
"Why not?" Danny didn't understand. He and Linda screamed their engagement from the rooftops when they finally took that next step. "What were you gonna do get married without us too?"
Jamie and Eddie looked at each other. Their plans may have to change. "Maybe."
"What?" Danny couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Why?"
"We just want a small wedding. Nothing too crazy." Jamie explains.
"Does Dad know?"
"No, but we are going to tell him on Sunday."
"Danny, we want our families at the wedding, but we only want family. We were… are… going to tell everyone." Eddie explained.
Danny didn't know what to say. He'd call his dad on the way home. He just wasn't sure what to do. He was surprised in a way because Jamie wasn't one to create drama.
Back in Bay Ridge Henry and Frank were just arriving home from the hospital. Henry was watching his son carefully. He really expected Francis to go back to work.
"Francis, talk to me."
"We could've lost him today pop. Again." Frank hung his head.
"Do we even know what happened?"
"No, but Danny thinks he's already making enemies."
Henry laughed. "He may have only been in Major Crimes for a short time, but he's been a very effective detective since day one. He was born to do this, and he created enemies before he got this last promotion."
Frank sighed. He knew his dad was right. "That's true. It will never make seeing him hurt or knowing that he's in danger any easier."
"Francis, he's an adult. I hope he's relaxing now that he's home, but he was the one who was the most okay with everything. Eddie's concerned like we are, but she's protecting him too."
"Yeah, know other than Erin being divorced, I've always worried that Jamie's gonna end up alone because he takes responsibility for what Mason did. Jamie worries that he's going to turn into him someday. I think he knows it doesn't happen that way, but sometimes I think he's just a little kid and is afraid of turning into a monster."
"Eddie's really sweet and it's obvious she loves him very much. He was just waiting for the right person."
"But is he rushing? Last I knew they had just started dating. Now they're engaged. I just don't understand why they're jumping into things."
"Perhaps she's pregnant." Henry wondered out loud knowing his son was most likely thinking the same thing.
"I don't know pop. Ya know out of all of my kids that I'd expect to get a girl pregnant before they married it would've been Danny."
Henry laughed. "He is the most like you."
Frank just looked at his dad for a minute. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Henry laughed again. "We all know Danny wasn't a preemie. Preemies don't weigh almost nine pounds when they're born."
"Ok, but we were engaged already. Did mom know?"
"Of course, she did, but she was ready for another baby. She just worried that you two wouldn't get enough time by yourself."
"We were good." Frank paused. "Jamie's a lot like me too, but it's in the fact that he doesn't know when to stop working. Danny told me he takes his laptop home with him every night and he's said that it's not uncommon for Jamie to stay late and he's there early in the morning too."
"He's been like that since he was little."
Their conversation continued about the events of the day and what they were getting for dinner since Henry didn't feel like cooking.
"Ed, I have a favor to ask." Jamie had been sequestered to the couch since he'd been home.
"Anything babe." Jamie was a little pale after Danny left and she worried that their conversation had gone too far.
"Can we go to my dad's tomorrow and just talk?"
"Of course. Should we bring dinner?"
"Yes." Jamie smiled and loved how supportive Eddie was. Then again, they would be here family soon too.
Jamie gave his dad a quick call and arranged dinner for the next day. He knew what they were going to make, his mom's Shepard's Pie. Shepard's Pie was his mom's favorite dinner and she made it whenever she was upset or needed reassurance.
Saturday morning Eddie forced Jamie to the couch so she could do most of the meal prep. She loved him, but he was so stubborn. As long as he was on the couch, he could answer her questions. She knew if she didn't force him to relax, she'd be the one sitting while he did all the work.
They both spent some time relaxing before they headed to Bay Ridge. Eddie made sure that Jamie got in a good nap so he could better handle what stress may come from the night.
Eddies nerves were making themselves known the closer that they got to Bay Ridge. She'd met everyone before and knew that they already knew about the engagement, but they hadn't gotten to tell them about the engagement on their own terms and she could tell that Jamie was worried about what may be said.
"Ed, things might be a little dicey at first, but I know that they love you and love that we want to be together. They just think that we're rushing things. Pops gonna ask if your pregnant." Jamie laughed.
"Why?" Eddie thought for a few moments. "Ok, I guess it makes sense that they'd assume that's why we're rushing." Eddie laughed.
"Well, there's that and the fact that my mom was already pregnant with Danny when they got married and Erin and Jack were married because she was pregnant with Nikki."
Eddie laughed. "It wouldn't be a big deal then if I was."
"No, it wouldn't." Jamie laughed.
Ten minutes later they were bringing dinner into the kitchen through the back door. Jamie thought to take a side trip to Juniors and pick up a cheesecake. Jamie didn't think bringing his grandpa's favorite dessert wouldn't hurt.
"Are you sure that you're up to this tonight?" Eddie could see how tired Jamie looked. He should have been at home resting not getting ready for what could be some intense conversation.
"Yeah, babe don't worry. I'm fine." Jamie smiled. He knew he looked tired. The nap that he got before they leave didn't have the impact that he wanted.
"Okay. Should we let them know we're here?"
Jamie laughed. "Oh, they know. They're giving us a few minutes."
Frank and Henry looked at each other in the living room. Jamie knew them well. He knew that they could hear their conversation too, because he had been on the other side of the wall listening in for as long as they can remember.
"Dad!" Jamie said through the door. "We're here and dinner's in the oven."
Henry laughed. "He is your son."
"Not now pop." Frank took a deep breath.
"Francis."
Jamie and Eddie could hear the two older men and decided to give them a few minutes while dinner baked.
"Hey dad and grandpa. How are you guys doing?" Jamie asked when they decided to go into the living room.
"We're good. How are you feeling?" Henry was looking Jamie over closely. He hated that he wasn't staying with them so he could take care of him.
Frank couldn't help but notice how tired Jamie looked. He wondered if he slept the night before.
"I'm good. Dinner should be ready in about forty-five minutes." Jamie was ready to move forward.
"Thanks for bringing dinner. Ya know I could've cooked." Henry explained.
"I know, I just thought having Mom's favorite tonight would be perfect. I wish she was here to meet Eddie."
Eddie had been sitting next to Jamie on the couch watching all of their interactions. "I wish I could've met her too."
"She would've loved how well you're taking care of Jamie." Frank said knowing that she would love Eddie in general. She and Jamie are meant to be together.
"Thank you." Eddie couldn't help but blush.
Jamie could start to smell dinner. He didn't want it to burn. "Listen, Eddie and I have known each other for a long time. We've loved each other for a long time."
"But why rush?" Frank wanted to hear their reason.
"I've been in love with Jamie since the day that I met him. I worry about him when I don't see him. When Jamie was hurt a few days ago, the only reason I even found out is because he called me. I don't want to live another day not being connected to him." Eddie had tears falling down her face while she held on tight to his hand.
"We're not rushing. We know what we want and how to move forward." Jamie paused. "But we've decided to get married next month."
"Okay." Frank couldn't think of anything else to say that wouldn't start an argument, and Jamie didn't need that right now.
"Dad, I love Eddie and even though I don't have much I worry about her if something happened to me. I know how important family is and what a big difference family made in my life. I want to share my family with Eddie."
Frank looked over to Eddie, knowing only bits and pieces about the young women. "I know Jamie, I just don't understand why you don't want to wait and enjoy your engagement. What kind of wedding will you have with only a month to plan?"
"We're going to the courthouse. Neither one of us want anything big."
"Eddie, dear, is that true?" Henry didn't want to see any of his family miss out on something special like their wedding day.
"Yes, we want simple. It's mostly just my mom and I, and I've never been that girl that dreamed of a big wedding." Eddie smiled. She didn't want anyone to blame Jamie for a decision that they made together.
"If we could make it work, would you be willing to have a small wedding in the church?"
Jamie and Eddie sat and looked at each other for a moment. Eddie's mom had spent some time with the two of them and she was always joking that they could read each other's minds.
"Dad, I doubt the church has any openings."
"I don't know, but we can ask. Are you both flexible on the timing?" Henry hoped that the answer was yes.
Again, Jamie and Eddie stared at each other having a silent conversation. "Yes." They responded in unison.
"We want you to have a wonderful memorable day." Frank wanted a day to remember too. He knew Jamie would only be getting married once. He had pictures of Erin and Jack, although that didn't end well, and Danny and Linda.
"Thank you." Eddie said and paused a moment. "Honestly as long as Jamie's there, my mom's there and all of you are there the day will be special. We can have a nice brunch or dinner after and just enjoy each other's company."
"That's what's important to us." Jamie finished because he could see tears building in Eddie's eyes.
Frank and Henry looked at each other knowing that they had to do something to make Jamie and Eddie's day special for them.
"Jamie are you really okay. You look exhausted." Frank was worried, and looking at his son knew he had a valid reason to be worried.
Jamie yawned, and then looked at Eddie. "I'm tired, but I promise Eddie's taking good care of me.
"Dinner smells great. Your mother would be proud." Henry smiled. He wanted to focus on the good things in Jamie's life.
"Yeah, why can you cook so good?" Eddie joked but loved that Jamie could cook.
"When I came to live here, mom always cooked. It was important that we always had good nutritious food. I hadn't been here very long when I started cooking with her." Jamie smiled at the memory.
"She loved that you cooked with her too. She never worried that you wouldn't be able to eat well when you moved out on your own."
Jamie laughed. "Not like Danny, right Dad."
"Danny still can't boil water." Henry laughed but disliked the fact that his oldest grandson couldn't carry his weight in the kitchen.
Jamie laughed. He remembered when Danny did decide to learn how to cook so he could cook a meal for Linda, and it didn't go well. "He's doing better. He was over a couple months ago and we cooked spaghetti together and it came out pretty good."
"Good. Everyone should know at least the basics in the kitchen." Henry sighed.
The remainder of dinner continued with lighthearted conversation. Something that they all needed. Jamie was trying not to think about what happened and what was going to happen the next week. He hated not telling his dad, but they were still verifying how high up things went. He knew his dad wasn't involved, but he wasn't sure about those closest to him.
Sunday morning Jamie slept in. Eddie let Frank know that the day before had warn him out and that they would be there by dinner. She knew the news would worry her future father-in-law and grandfather-in-law, but it didn't want anyone to give Jamie a hard time for missing church.
Three hours later they were arriving in Bay Ridge again. Jamie felt a lot better after sleeping for fourteen hours. He knew that the family would understand. He'd gotten out of a lot of things because he'd needed sleep, and that was okay with him.
"Eddie, are you ready for this?" Jamie searched her face making sure that she was telling him the truth.
Eddie looked back into his eyes. "Jamie hopefully in a month they'll be my family too. I can deal with anything as long as you're there with me."
"Okay, let's do this." Jamie took Eddies hand as they made their way into the house.
When they got inside, they saw a big banner with CONGRATULATIONS above the entrance to the dining room. Neither one of them could hide their big smiles. Hopefully they didn't have anything to worry about.
"Hey kid, Eddie." Danny smiled.
"Hey Danny." Jamie said carefully.
"Hi Danny." Eddie said with a little more confidence.
"I don't know what my brother told you about these dinners, but these are just family dinners. Nothing formal. Let us know if you need anything and Linda and Erin cooked today, so the food's gonna be really good."
"He's told me a lot about them and how special they are." Eddie smiled and looked to Jamie.
"They always have been special to me. I'm happy that we get to add another chair to the table again."
They all make their way into the kitchen where the rest of the adults are putting the finishing touches on dinner. Nicky and the boys were in the sunroom playing a game.
"Jamie! How are you feeling son?" Frank asked but looked at Eddie. He knew he'd be more likely to get the truth from her.
"I'm good. I needed the sleep."
"Yes, he did, and it helped a lot. I think we'll be leaving early so I can get him back to bed so he can do the same thing tonight."
Ten minutes later everyone was seated at the table and Jamie said grace. While Jamie was saying grace Frank couldn't take his eyes off of him. Jamie may be okay, but it could've been a lot worse.
Henry could see that Francis was focusing on the wrong things and he knew he needed to bring him back the present where his son was safe.
"The church has a couple openings in a month. Next week when you're both at mass you can meet with the staff to see if any of those openings work for you." Henry had gone to the church early on their behalf to try and figure something out.
"That sounds great."
"I'm so happy for both of you." Erin got up and hugged them both. The more she thought about the engagement she realized that it was their lives. If this is what they wanted, then she should support them.
"Thanks Erin." Eddie said.
"We were worried that Jamie would end up alone." Linda said with a little snark.
Jamie laughed. He knew that his relationship status was the topic of several family conversations. The fact that he hadn't ever brought someone to Sunday dinner before was a hot topic. Joe had known that he'd dated, but the relationships had never been serious. Now when he did, they chose to freak out about it. This was another time when he hated being the youngest.