A Chance for a Better Life

Chapter Twenty-Nine

The week of the run was hectic to say the least. Jamie had organized a team within the 5-4, plus the family team. He was planning on running with the NYPD team and walking with the family.

The Monday after the run, Jamie and Eddie were meeting with their lawyers to finalize Mason's estate. Jamie started working with another friend of his who's a corporate lawyer, so they could set up a corporation. Jamie wanted everything in order before anything changed.

Two weeks later Jamie and Eddie got good news. Isaac and Mei Lin would be moving in with them later that week. They had been having weekly visitations and the kids had spent a couple of weekends with them. It worked out that the kids would go back right before they had to leave for Sunday dinner.

"Hey Ed, let's go look at the apartment upstairs. I talked to Diego, and he said that no one has lived in it for the last five years. I have a feeling that it's gonna need some work."

"Okay."

Jamie never imagined living in such a large apartment. It brought back memories of how he felt seeing the Reagan home for the first time.

"This place is big." Eddie said while watching her husband lost in memories.

"It is and it looks like there's a second apartment up here." Jamie said pointing to another door that he just saw.

"I wonder if anyone rents it?" Eddie wanted to knock but decided to walk around the bigger apartment first.

Jamie had his phone out and was texting the super trying to get some more details while he walked around. "Eddie what do you think?"

"It's nice, a lot bigger than I was expecting. Since there's gonna be four of us living here, I wish the kitchen was bigger and laid out better, but it will work. I can't believe that the kitchen in our current apartment is bigger than this one."

Jamie laughed. "I can, Diego just let me know that the other apartment up here is ours too. It's technically for staff. I bet the kitchen in there is bigger."

"Let's go check it out." Eddie smiled.

It was a short walk across the hall to the other apartment and Jamie wondered if there was a way to join the two apartments better. Eddie could see that Jamie was taking everything in and thinking hard.

"This looks very similar to our apartment downstairs."

"It does. What would you think about working out of this apartment? We could put two offices in here and even have a play area for the kids."

Eddie loved the idea. It would be she could actually get some separation between work and home. "I'd be okay cooking over here too."

Jamie shook his head. "No, I want to upgrade the kitchen and I'd like to look into what's going on upstairs next door. My guess is the room is right above our heads."

"Probably storage."

They're both surprised when they get up into the room. It's big with windows on all sides, and there's a door to the roof which they were told they could do anything with. It was their space.

"Wow, this is nice. What do you think?"

Jamie looked around. The room had its own bathroom and lots of space. "I think that this would make a great bedroom. We could get window good window coverings and with a few modifications update the bathroom and add a closet."

"Could make the bathroom bigger and add a second sink and a bigger shower?"

Jamie laughed. "Yes, we can go through all the changes. It's okay that it will take a couple months for construction because our current apartment was the one approved."

"Good point, and Diego already has someone who can do all the work right?"

"Yes, it's actually a construction company that the property management company uses. They've done work on all three of the buildings that we own."

"Okay cool. Let's finishing getting our apartment ready for the kids." Jamie smiled.

The next few hours are spent putting together furniture and making sure both of the kids would have everything that they need, when they were interrupted by a knock on the door. Jamie was at a stopping point while Eddie was putting sheets on one of the bed.

"Hey dad, what are you doing over on this side of town?" Jamie asked while noticing all of the kid stuff spread out in the living room.

"I got the notice that the corporation is all set up informing the department of your second income, and I just wanted to see how you're doing, but you look busy." Frank looked around and noticed things for a boy and girl, and he knew Eddie wasn't pregnant. "What's going on?"

"Tomorrow Isaac and Mein Lin are moving in with us. They are both five and currently live in group home that Eddie was monitoring. We got approval to adopt them, and they will be at dinner on Sunday."

Frank isn't sure what to say. He knew that they were thinking about adoption, but there had been so much going on he wasn't sure how or when they found the time to work through the extensive process.

"Dad, we were gonna tell you, but my assignment took a lot longer than I thought, and we were able to move to this phase a lot faster than I thought. Mason's probate went through a lot faster than I thought considering the monetary value." Jamie paused. "Dad, life just feels good right now, and I hate that any time things are good that I start questioning when something bad will happen."

Frank sighed. He and more so Mary tried so hard to break him of that habit, but the things in life seemed to be stronger. "But you know that won't necessarily happen anymore, and even when things did get bad, you've more than proven you're strong enough to overcome everything."

The first thought that came to Jamie was what if it wasn't something happening to him, but to someone else. "I know, now who do you think will be happier about the kids Erin or Grandpa?"

Frank laughed. "Grandpa. He'll have more GG's. Are you guys ready for them? Do you need anything?"

"Eddie." Jamie yelled to get her out in the living room.

Eddie ran in the living room. "Oh hi, Frank." Jamie didn't miss the look that she gave him.

"I told him about the kids." Jamie paused. Danny already knew, now it was just Grandpa and Erin that didn't know. "Is there anything that we are missing for their arrival?"

Eddie stood there and thought for a few minutes. "I think that we have everything. Want to see their rooms?"

Frank smiled. He'd find a way to help with the kids. "Yes, I'd love to."

They showed him Isaac's room first. Isaac's room was decorated with cars. Big bright cars were on the walls and the bedding and lamps were all different kinds of cars. Mei Lin's room is decorated with unicorns. Each room made Frank smile.

"What about your office Eddie?"

"I'm just gonna work out of the living room until we move upstairs."

"Has construction started yet?"

"Yeah, the kitchen's been ripped out and they've started on our bathroom upstairs. They think everything will be done in three months but might be sooner because they have all the materials." Jamie was happy about all the changes in their lives.

"We'll get everyone together for moving day. I know Danny owes you after all the help you guys have given him." Frank laughed.

"He's already offered and been helpful." Jamie explained. "Living in the same building has been good for us."

"How long are you taking off work when the kids get here?" Frank hadn't seen or heard of a request for any type of leave from Jamie.

"It worked out that the first couple of days that the kids are here I was off already. We'll be able to get them enrolled in school and started before I have to go back to work. My boss knows what's going on and if I need a few more days off I can have them."

Out of all of his kids Jamie was the most like him. His father never let him forget that, and it didn't matter that he wasn't his. "Jamie you can take family leave. You're adopting two children. It's not gonna be easy."

"I know Dad. I know, and they are younger than I was when you guys adopted me."

"I have to go. I have an event tonight, but if you need something don't hesitate to call." Frank gave both of his kids hugs and then made his way out to his detail.

Jamie and Eddie continue their work.

"He's gonna tell everyone isn't he?" Eddie wondered out loud more to herself than to Jamie.

"I honestly don't know. I'm kinda surprised that Danny's kept it quiet all this time."

"I'm not. Living here has been good for him and he respects and trusts us. If he told, what would it do to that respect and trust from our end."

Eddie was right. He hadn't thought about it that way. "You're right. Thank you. Now let's get finished. We need to relax because soon that will become something of a rarity."

Eddie laughed and couldn't stop laughing. There life was about the make the biggest change since they'd been married and they both knew that it wasn't going to be easy, but it would be worth it.

Saturday morning their social worker, brought the kids over with their few things that they owned packed in the bags that Jamie and Eddie had given them for the move. Eddie had explained to Jamie that most of the kids when they moved out had their things in trash bags and that wasn't something that they wanted. The bags matched their rooms and had their names embroidered on them.

"Do we really get to stay longer than one night?" Mein Lin asked excitedly.

"Yes, you do. In about a month, we are gonna go to a big courthouse and we'll sign papers saying that you both get to live here forever." Eddie explained.

"If you both want to. People are gonna come and they are gonna ask you questions. You'll tell them the truth if you want to stay with us or not. Whatever you choose is okay, and then if everyone agrees then we will go to the courthouse." Jamie still remembered the day that he had to go and see the psychiatrist. He was afraid but hoped that he'd be able to get what he wanted.

It had been a year of memories it seemed. Now that the kids were home, and he was seeing the apartment through their eyes it brought back memories of seeing the Reagan home for the first time. He felt like he was moving forward in a positive direction.

"Will we sleep in the same rooms as we did before, or do we have to share?" Mei Lin asked. She loved having her own room again. It made her think of her parents.

"The same rooms. Let's go look." Eddie said and smiled.

Isaac hadn't said much, and he loved any time he got to spend here, but he hadn't had many good things that last too long. He wanted to stay forever, and he wanted Mei Lin to be his sister.

Mei Lin couldn't believe that this was her room. "Is this really my room. I love unicorns."

"Yes, this is your room." Eddie smiled as Mei Lin ran a short distance and gave her a big hug.

Next, they moved to Isaac's room. He'd never had a room of his own before, and it had cool cars on the walls and on his bed. It was a dream come true and the people he was with were so nice.

"Thank you." Isaac whispered.

Jamie got down to his level. "Your welcome." Jamie paused. He wasn't expecting a hug but hoped for a smile. "We love both of you and want to know that you can talk to us about anything."

"And if you need anything just ask. It's okay." Eddie said hoping that they understood.

Even though the kids had stayed with them before they showed them around the apartment again, just so they knew where everything was.

Sunday was the first day that both kids were going to church and family dinner with them. Both of the kids were nervous about meeting so many new people. Danny couldn't wait to see Jamie with two small kids.

Church went smoothly. Jamie thought both of the kids were too afraid to do or say much, and he understood. He hoped dinner went the same way.

Frank couldn't be happier than to see his youngest son enter the house carrying a little boy. It didn't matter how the two kids got there, all that mattered was that his son was becoming a father, and he loved seeing it. Eddie had Mei Lin in her arms, and she was hiding her face in Eddie's neck.

Henry was excited to meet his news gg's. Jamie and Eddie looked so happy. The entire family was happy.

"Hey guys. This is Isaac and Mei Lin. They are both five-years-old and have been living with us for the last three days."

Erin always knew Jamie would make a great dad. He was always great with Nicky when she was little.

Danny wished that Jack and Sean were around he knew that they'd be able to get the kids to let go of their new parents and have some fun.

Nicky was so excited. There was another girl in the family. "Hi, I'm Nicky. I'm your cousin."

Both kids looked at Nicky but had yet to say anything.

Jamie smiled. He knew from experience that it just took time, and this was the first time that their kids were meeting his big loud family.

"Eddie, I need to go to the bathroom." Mei Lin whispered.

Eddie smiled. "Okay, we'll be right back."

Henry and Erin went to finish dinner. Dinner was going to be simple because they all knew how picky young children could be and they wanted them to feel welcome and comfortable.

The table was full for the first time in a long time. Both Isaac and Mei Lin had finally let go of Jamie and Eddie and were both hungry. They both loved the food that they were getting to eat since their latest move.

Jamie was now sitting next to his dad at one end of the table with Isaac next to him and Mei Lin next to Eddie and Eddie now sitting next to Henry. Nicky was sitting next to her grandfather on the other side of the table with her mom next to her and Danny next to Henry.

"So kid, are you enjoying your time off?"

"Yeah. I didn't realize that I needed a break."

Eddie laughed. "With the apartment construction and other things, I think it's good that we're both on a break."

"How are things at the apartment going?" Henry wanted to help but knew he couldn't do much anymore.

"Good, our bathroom is almost done, and they have started with the powder bath that we decided to add along with the modifications that we made to the other two bathrooms. The rest is just some smaller things and painting. They actually moved the date up on us, so we added a few changes to the second apartment up there. We're gonna use that as an office." Jamie explained.

"Are we gonna move again?" Isaac asked looking up at Jamie.

Eddie smiled; she loved watching Jamie with the kids. "Yep, we are gonna move into that big apartment upstairs that we showed you yesterday."

"It's so big!" Mei Lin said right before taking a bite of macaroni and cheese.

Everyone at the table laughed.

"It is big, but that means that there's room for all of us." Eddie explained.

"Okay." Mei Lin and Isaac said at the same time.

Danny and Erin volunteered for dish duty the first couple weeks that they knew the kids would be there so they could get comfortable.

"They're cute. Have you spent any time with them besides today?" Erin wondered out loud.

"No, Jamie and Eddie asked for quiet this week and next week. The kids start school next Monday and I know that they want the kids relaxed and ready."

"Makes sense. Will the boys be here next weekend?"

"Yeah, and Linda's gonna stay with her sister who just moved back to Staten Island for the weekend."

"Do the boys know about their new cousins?" Erin wondered how it would go since this would have the biggest impact on Sean. He wasn't the youngest anymore.

"Oh yeah, they saw them a couple weeks ago during a one of their weekend visits. It was just quick. We were heading into the apartment, and they were heading out."

Jamie was in the living room with his dad and grandpa while Eddie and Nicky were playing with the kids.

"How's everything going?" Henry wondered.

Jamie sighed. Nothing worth doing was ever easy. "Neither one has been sleeping great. They aren't used to having their own rooms, and they've said it's too quiet. It's just an adjustment and they start school next week so it's gonna get tougher before it gets easier."

"We can be there to help." Henry said without a pause.

"I know, it's just they're still getting used to everything and we're gonna keep it to the four of us for another week. A lot of things are overwhelming to them right now and the social worker will be here next week."

Frank sighed. He wished that Jamie knew that they didn't have to do everything on their own, but knowing Jamie he knew that they had a plan, and everything worked out since Jamie went back to work on Thursday. "Call if you need us."

"Believe me, we will, and we've asked Eddie's the same things. Week after next we are gonna start rolling with the new normal and Ed and I will both be back to work, and we'll expect a lot of visitors."

"Do you have alternates down to pick up the kids in case you guys can't?" Frank worried that Jamie or Eddie hadn't thought that far since everything was moving so fast.

"Yep. Danny volunteered and we have Eddie's mom and a few other people."

"Well, add both of us." Henry said without pause. He'd happily pick the kids up and watch them after school.

Jamie smiled and sighed happily. "I hoped that you'd say that. I'll add you when I drop the kids off tomorrow morning."

The three continued to talk until it was time to pack everyone up and head home. Jamie hoped that they both loved school as much as he did.

Eddie and her mother had spent hours shopping for clothes for the kids. Eddie had always loved wearing a new outfit on the first day of school. It helped give her confidence. She wanted the same for her own children.

Mei Lin was so excited about her new clothes, Isaac not as much, because he was worried about what school was going to be like outside of the group home.

Jamie and Eddie decided it would be best if Eddie took the kids to school on her own because most of the time that would be the norm. Eddie would pick up most days too, but he was gonna do pick up on his days off or when he worked midnights. He was determined to be a part of his kids lives. He loved his dad, but he wasn't around much, and he didn't want his kids to love him, and not know him.

When Eddie arrived home it was obvious that she'd been crying, and Jamie was worried that something went wrong.

"Ed, what happened?"

"Nothing, the principal was there, and she spoke to the entire kindergarten class since Mei Lin is in one class and Isaac is in the other and she encouraged them to be nice to them and be understanding if the kids had a hard time. They are in different classes like we requested and both classes have an aid who is going to pay special attention to both of them." Eddie smiled. She understood now, why Jamie pushed for the kids to go to his old school.

"Good. I hope that they both have a great day and start making friends." Jamie paused. He knew Eddie was thinking the same thing. "Do you need to work or can you come upstairs and help me paint one of their rooms."

Eddie smiled. "They're in school for eight hours, we might be able to get both rooms painted."

"Great! Let's get this done."

Four hours later they had pizza delivered for everyone working in the apartment. Danny had shown up an hour after they started stating that he had the day off and was happy to help, and the crew was happy to not have to try and clean up enough to go out and grab something to eat. When Jamie heard that he decided that he was gonna have food brought in each day. He liked the crew and was planning on using them for other remodeling projects.

"Kid, this place is really nice." Danny was looking around at an apartment that was bigger than his house on Staten Island.

"Thanks."

"Any update on the adoption?"

"They've only been with us a little over a week. Things are going well so far. We haven't gotten any negative feedback from our social worker."

"How are you and Eddie handling the new energy level in the apartment?" Danny missed the energy of his two boys.

"Good. We love it. We can't wait to move up here and once the landscaping is done on the roof, they'll have a place to play all the time."

"That is gonna be cool. Will I be able to bring the boys up when they're here?"

Jamie laughed. "Of course, and I hope that they get to spend some time with Mei Lin and Isaac."

"They will."

Jamie and Danny kept painting Mei Lin's room a pretty green as requested and Eddie was putting the finishing touches on Isaacs room it's blue. At his request.

When it was time for pickup, Jamie was waiting outside hopeful that they had a good day.

"Daddy!" Mei Lin screamed and ran into his arms.

Jamie couldn't stop the smile. He'd never felt more elated, and then his heart dropped when he saw Isaac slowly walking out. Jamie took a deep breath and put Mei Lin down and went to pick Isaac up.

"Hey buddy, how was today?"

Isaac was trying not to cry. "It was okay."

"What happened? Was someone mean to you?"

Isaac sniffed and rubbed his eyes. "Today was hard. Harder than school at the group home. Am I dumb?"

Jamie wanted to cry. "You're not dumb. Don't say that. We will talk to your teacher and there are things that we can do to get you help if needed. Remember today is only your first day, and the other kids have been in school a lot longer than you or Mei Lin."

"Okay."

Jamie got the kids home and gave them a little snack and had them play with some toys that benefited learning. Both kids were laughing and smiling again.

"Hey Ed. Let me help make dinner."

"What's up? What happened?" Eddie can see the concern on his face.

"Isaac's day at school didn't go as well as Mei Lin's. He struggled but we talked, and it will all be okay."

"Okay. I'll talk to his teacher tomorrow morning."

"It's gonna be okay, Ed. They are both going through an adjustment period, and probably will be for a while now."

"My plan is to help both of them with their homework if I'm home. It can be time we spend together, and I want to make school and homework a positive thing."

"Sounds good, and I'll help out when you're working."

Jamie smiled. "I know that you will. We are in this together."

The next few months go by without much excitement. Jamie and Eddie are regulars at the local park. The kids love the time outside. The first few days of school were rough, but they learned that it was Isaac's nerves about going into a new home again and a different type of school. Once he understood how things worked everything got better. Now both kids loved school.

The next week will be filled with two exciting events. First the adoption. Both Isaac and Mei Lin love their new home and can't wait to become Reagans, and they're moving into their new apartment.

As soon as Jamie knew the adoption date, he took a day and drove upstate to visit with Linda. The official adoption at the courthouse is on Friday morning, and one of his favorite memories was that the entire family was at the courthouse. He wants that same thing for his kids.

"Hey Linda. I hope I'm not intruding." Jamie had talked to Danny about his idea before spending the time and catching Linda off guard.

"No, your fine. Is Danny alright?" Linda was worried that something had happened to Danny. It was something she worried about since she moved.

"Oh no, he's great. He's at Dad and Pops with my kids doing a BBQ and playing basketball today."

Linda laughed. "Sounds like a good day."

"Linda, Friday Eddie and I are adopting Isaac and Mei Lin. I would like Jack and Sean at the courthouse. Having the entire family there meant so much to me, and if possible, I'd love to have that same memory for my kids." Jamie could see the uncertainty in Linda's eyes. He knew that he was asking for the kids to miss a day of school.

Linda would always remember Jamie's adoption day. "I have a meeting late on Thursday, and I don't think that I'll be able to drive them down, but if someone can either drive up and meet them or meet my mom halfway that would work."

"I can drive up and pick them up on Thursday. Thank you, Linda!"

Jamie was happy that he'd taken the time to go up to Linda's. It was worth it for the memories for their family.

The day of the adoption the entire house woke up ready to start the day. Jamie planned a big breakfast because he knew it could be a long day at the courthouse depending on how many adoptions were planned for the day and when they would be on the docket.

When they arrived at the courthouse, his family was already there. Nicky, Jack and Sean were all excited to see Mei Lin and Isaac dressed up. Everyone was dressed up.

Once they were all through security, they made their way to the courtroom. Jamie was a little disappointed to see that they were the last family on the docket, but he enjoyed seeing all of the new families. The longer he sat there the more memories of his adoption were flooding back, and even more so the judge was familiar. A few minutes more and he realized that it was same judge from his adoption day, and a huge smile came across his face.

Eddie knew that this would an emotional day for the entire family, but more so for Jamie and the kids.

Lunch was spent eating hot dogs at the park across from the courthouse. It had been a good day so far and it would just get better.

Frank had been watching Jamie closely. He wondered how much Jamie really remembered about his own adoption. He and Mary never wanted him to remember the bad things, but he wanted him to remember the good things and his adoption day had been a very good day.

Jamie was proud of how well two five years olds did sitting in court all day. Then again there had been a lot of stuffed animals and pictures and it had been loud when they cheered for each new family walked out of the courtroom.

The judge smiled. He'd been waiting for this case all day. "Mr. and Mrs. Reagan are you ready?"

"Yes, your honor." Jamie smiled.

"I know that you have heard everything that I'm about to say most of the day, but I promise it will be a little different." The judge said looking at Isaac and Mei Lin.

Everyone was so focused on what was going on at the front of the courtroom no one noticed Linda enter from the back. She couldn't miss seeing Jamie's family.

"Yes, your honor." Isaac said repeating what his daddy said.

Being a judge in family court could be hard. There were many days that he hated his job because he knew he saw most people on one of the worst day of their lives. He loved adoption days for that reason.

"Now I'm gonna ask you both the questions, so I want to hear both of you answer."

"Yes, your honor." Isaac says excited.

"Yes sir." Mei Lin smiles shyly holding Jamie's hand.

"Do you both wish to become Reagans?"

Both of the kids are so excited they are almost jumping up and down. "Yes, yes, yes!"

"Mr. Reagan, you were very young the last time that you were here. Do you remember

your day?"

"Yes, your honor. I do, and I can only hope that I'm half the dad that my dad was." Jamie smiled and looked back at his dad. Happy that he took the day off to be with them.

"You've always been a very formal young man. I see that hasn't changed. When you were here last you had two wishes, one for a family, and the second was to go to college. Did you achieve your dream?"

Frank couldn't resist. In many ways Jamie was still their miracle child. "Yes, he did. He graduated first in his class from Harvard Law and the Police Academy. Jamie's come a long way."

"I couldn't be happier, and I am so happy that I could be a part of your day as your family grows."

"Thank you, sir."

Linda wasn't able to make it out of the courthouse before she was seen, and she was invited to dinner along with the judge. The day ended with a big celebration.

The next morning Danny and the boys came up stairs ready to start helping with the big move. "Hey baby brother. Ready to say goodbye to this apartment?"

"Yep."

"We need more space now more than ever." Jamie laughed.

Danny shook his head. "It was a little tight, but you do fit in this apartment."

Eddie smiled. They had told the kids during breakfast, but they needed the rest of the family to arrive soon. Thankfully the rest of the family crowded into the apartment already filled with boxes. Jamie knew the day would go by quickly.

"Before we begin the move we have an announcement. We didn't want to tell anyone yesterday because yesterday was adoption day, but in six months Isaac and Mein Lin will be a big brother and sister."

"I'm pregnant!" Eddie announced. It was a happy surprise.

Danny couldn't help but laugh. Only Jamie would have three kids in less than a year. He always was an overachiever. "Congratulations!"