Chapter 18: When the Chips are Down
"Where did you get that?" Jamie suddenly just demands of Caitlin.
Surprised and slightly confused Caitlin looks over trying to figure out what he's referring to "Get what?"
"This." Jamie prompts as he lifts his free hand and points at a photo directly behind Eddie.
"That?" Caitlin replies wondering what the fuss is over an old photo "That's my Great Grandparents."
Jamie's face turns to a sheet of white.
"Jamie?" Eddie prompts in concern at seeing the look on her husband's face and also not being able to see what he is referring too "What is it?"
Shifting his gaze to look straight into his wife's eyes, Jamie reaches over with his free hand to pick up the photo and show it to his wife and the second she sees it, Eddie's eyes go super wide in recognition. Almost immediately her eyes dart from the photo to lock with her husband's own wide eyes.
"What are their names?" Jamie demands of Caitlin while still staring at Eddie and bracing himself for the answer. If she got it right, could he deny it any longer? That gut feeling. He still had no idea how it was possible but yet apparently, it seemed… it was…?
Still confused, Caitlin slowly replies "Henry and Betty Reagan why?"
Forcing himself to break eye contact with his wife, Jamie shifts his gaze to look Caitlin square in the eye "Because this is my Grandparents."
Caitlin's mouth drops open.
"I KNEW IT!" Caitlin suddenly calls out in the ultimate triumph "I knew it! I knew it! I KNEW IT!" She rapidly repeats in delight "We ARE related!"
"Oh god…" Eddie mutters "…she's got that gut feeling too."
"But how?" Eddie then questions as she looks at Caitlin, then Jamie then back at Caitlin again waiting for an explanation.
"What are you looking at me for?" Caitlin counters "I'm just as surprised as you."
Always the level headed one and needing answers himself, Jamie prompts "Okay, walk me through your family tree. You have a brother – Alex right?"
"Right." Caitlin confirms "Our parents were Thomas and Kathleen Reagan. My Dad, Thomas was the son of Peter and Aileen Reagan and Peter Reagan was the son of Henry and Betty Reagan."
Immediately Jamie closes his eyes trying to process that information – he heard her say all the right key words but yet it was still unbelievable to accept – well correction, it WOULD be unbelievable except for that damn gut feeling and the fact that this wouldn't be the first time something like this happened to the family – there was afterall his recently discovered nephew Joe Hill…
"Wait…" Eddie slowly begins confused "Wouldn't that make Peter your Dad's brother?" She questions of her husband "I thought Frank was an only child?"
Slowly Jamie opens his eyes to look at his wife "No. Pop and Grandma Betty had another son Peter – my Dad's older brother – but he supposedly died when he was 18 months old of Leukemia."
Eddie looks at her husband floored "How did I not know that?"
"No one besides Pop and Dad knew that..." Jamie explains "…until Pop told me on my last call home when I asked about her." He adds as he gestures to Caitlin before getting a thought and looking back at Caitlin "Wait his headstone just said Peter Reagan. What was his middle name?"
Caitlin looks at Jamie a little confused "Um as far as I know he didn't have one – he was just told the name given to him by his biological parent's was Peter Reagan."
"Biological parents?" Jamie questions.
Caitlin nods "Well the story goes that Grandpa Peter wasn't raised a Reagan. The woman that raised him – we refer to her as Nana Mary…" She explains "…confessed to Grandpa Peter on her death bed that she wasn't his biological mother. His real parents died and he had no other family so that's why she raised him. She told him his birth name was Peter Reagan, gave him this photo of his real parents – Henry and Betty Reagan and said she was sorry for lying to him for all those year but Grandpa Peter was devastated by that. He loved Nana Mary but he also felt betrayed by her actions. He felt he could have still loved Nana Mary and honored his birth parents but she didn't give him that option so rebelling, he changed his name back to Peter Reagan."
Jamie and Eddie get even more confused looks on their faces as they look at one another "Um…" Jamie hesitates trying to figure out where to even begin with all that because that only brought up a million more questions but finally he looks back at Caitlin and just goes with "I hate to break it to you but Henry and Betty Reagan lived a full life. In fact, Henry Reagan, my Grandfather, your Great Grandfather…" he clarifies "...is still very much alive and kicking and living in New York City."
For a good long moment Caitlin just stares at Jamie in complete and total shock before suddenly just exploding with an excited "SHUT UP! Are you kidding me? Because if you are that is completely cruel!"
"No joke." Jamie confirms.
Then Caitlin scrunches her face up deep in thought trying to figure this all out "So if Grandpa Peter didn't die as a baby and Great Grandpa Henry and Great Grandma Betty didn't die then?…"
But any further discussion about the matter is immediately waylaid when Eddie begins to just topple over in the chair on her way to passing out.
"EDDIE!" Jamie calls in alarm as he springs into action catching her "Hey Eddie! EDDIE!" he pleads "Come on Babe, don't pass out on me now!"
"N…n…not fine." Eddie stutters out in barely a mumble.
With pleading eyes Jamie looks up at Caitlin "Okay a first aid kit isn't going to cut it. She needs a medical professional - come on, you must know someone we can trust!"
Caitlin repeatedly opens and closes her mouth as her head waves a bit from side to side thinking "Well there is Heather." She admits.
"Great. Yes." Jamie immediately remembers in understanding "Call Heather."
"Well, it's not that simple." Caitlin rejects. "She's Alex's girlfriend."
"I know!" Jamie bites back in frustration on why he is suddenly receiving push back from Caitlin as he tries to split his focus by talking to Caitlin and keeping tabs on Eddie "Eddie come on..." He prompts his wife "...stay awake."
"Trying..." Eddie mumbles.
"Well we aren't exactly on speaking terms right now…" Caitlin tries to explain "…so..."
Not in mood for family dramatics and scared for his wife, Jamie minces no words. "Look I don't care about your family squabbles! Lord knows my family has had enough of them but if we truly are family…" He urgently presses "…there is one thing I know without a doubt and that is when the chips are down and one Reagan needs another – we come through for one another now get on the phone, call him and have him bring Heather – and I will make that an order if you need it to be Rookie!"
For a moment Caitlin just blinks her eyes at Jamie but then she moves to retrieve her cellphone from her pocket "Okay first off you are a Sergeant in New York City not here so technically…"
"JUST CALL!" Jamie barks out in growing urgency and frustration but Caitlin is already dialing.
"And secondly all you had to do was ask nicely." She adds unphased by his prickly attitude as she lifts her phone to her ear and waits.
"He did ask nicely." Eddie mutters out in the little bit of amusement and energy she can barely muster as she hangs onto Jamie for support.
"Save your energy Babe." Jamie pleads but even with her eyes still closed as she rests her forehead against him Eddie can't help but smile a little "You are all so totally related." She notes "Told you."
If he wasn't so concerned for her at the moment, Jamie might have challenged his wife on that one but instead he just goes with a soft, agreeable "Yes you did."
But then Eddie's smile fades along with the little amount of energy she had left "I think I should lie down now." She more seriously admits so as Jamie begins to sweep Eddie up into his arms, Caitlin's call is answered "Alex." She greets into her phone while gesturing with her finger directing Jamie to take Eddie into the living room "It's me. I really need your help."
….
Caitlin heads for the front door at the sound of knocking. She swings it open to see Alex and Heather on the other side "Wow." she can't help but note a bit impressed "You knocked. I thought considering you own half the house you would have just walked right in."
"Really?" Alex challenges unimpressed "That's how you greet us?" He snarks "Because I'm pretty sure you called us over."
"Yup, she did." Jamie interrupts as he just suddenly appears behind Caitlin "Hi remember me?" He cordially but very 'I'm on a mission' greets and the second Alex's eyes land on Jamie they go a bit wide in shock at recognizing Jamie from Nathan Meretti's birthday party and the restaurant.
"You!" Alex breathes out in alarm but Jamie doesn't have time to explain things.
"Yup me." Jamie simply confirms "Hear we are related." He adds before turning to focus his attention on Heather "Hi Heather, thank you for coming – both of you." he adds as he again glances at Alex then shoots Caitlin an unhappy look at the way she greeted them before focusing on Heather again "Come with me please." He requests before just turning to walk away "Eddie's got a deep graze from where a bullet hit her arm…" he begins to explain as Heather moves to follow and listen "…we went to the hospital and well let's just say we got interrupted before she could get it cleaned and stitched and now I'm worried it's only gotten worse and /or infected."
"Oh boy." Heather breathes out with a frown "Well that doesn't sound ominous at all."
"They really are lovely people!" Caitlin reassuringly calls to Heather.
Alex watches his girlfriend disappear into another room with a man he only knows as being associated with a crime family then looks at his sister "Okay start at the beginning." He demands "Why are there known associates of the Meretti's hiding out in our house – and with a gun shot wound no less!"
"Oh that's only because they are working undercover." Caitlin immediately dismisses before dawning a borderline giddy look "They are police officers just like me and Dad!"
"Why did he just say we are related?" Alex again demands.
"Because they ARE related to us Alex!" Caitlin excitedly exclaims "They're real name is Reagan and Grandpa Peter was not an only child!" She begins to ramble "And Great Grandpa Henry is still alive and living in New York! And…"
Alex looks at his sister like she is nuts "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?"
..
From inside the living room, Eddie lays on the couch hoovering somewhere between asleep and awake while Jamie watches on pins and needles as Heather concentrates on accessing Eddie's wound but at the sound of her partner's loud agitated voice drifting in from the other room, Heather pauses from her task to look in the direction of Alex's voice with a concerned look on her face.
Really needing Heather to focus solely on helping Eddie, Jamie takes a step toward the women "You concentrate on Eddie please and I will take care of what's going on out there." He promises before just disappearing out of the room.
Knowing how heated things can get when Caitlin and Alex go at it, Heather takes a deep breath "Good luck." She mutters as she turns her attention back to Eddie and her job.
"You two!" Jamie barks the second Caitlin and Alex come into view "Shut it!" He authoritatively growls.
Startled, both Caitlin and Alex look over to see Jamie lift his finger and point at a closed door "Now what is behind that door?" He demands.
"Kitchen." They reply in unison.
"Kitchen!" Jamie then very seriously instructs of them to get them further out of earshot of distracting Heather "NOW!"
Momentarily stunned by Jamie's demand, Caitlin and Alex just stare at him but the next second they both just silently and obediently turn and head into the kitchen as requested.
..
Having been listening back in the living room while she works, Heather impressively lets out an "Oh. Haven't heard that tone in a while." while Eddie having also heard her husband's raised voice mumbles out a concerned "Jamie?" causing Heather to immediately offer out a soothing "Shhh, it's okay." to her patient.
"But Jamie." Eddie insistently mumbles out as she tries to sit up "I heard Jamie…"
Immediately tuning into the protective vibe coming off Eddie, Heather promises "Yes, don't worry about it." as she tries to gently get Eddie to lay back down "It's all good. Jamie is taking care of it so you can rest."
"Oh." Eddie accepts "Mmm. K." She tiredly concedes as she lays back down and fades out again.
….
Caitlin and Alex walk into the kitchen followed by Jamie and as he turns to shut the door behind all of them, Jamie takes in a deep calming breath and he tries to get himself in check "Look." He calmly begins as he turns to face the siblings "You have questions – we all do and we all want answers but right now my wife is in the other room with a gunshot wound and I really need Heather to concentrate on patching her up so can we please tone this down a couple of notches while we all try to figure this out together?"
In awe at what he is witnessing, Alex leans towards his sister "Good god, he sounds just like Dad."
Caitlin leans towards her brother but points at Jamie "Did I mention he is also a Police Sergeant but with the New York City Police Department?"
"Oh you're kidding right?" Alex replies.
Jamie watches the exchange with fascination – they could fight like cats and dogs but then the next second turn around and have a civil conversation and it's that revelation that makes him just start to laugh.
And laugh and laugh.
"What's so funny?" Caitlin inquires.
"If I close my eyes, I could swear it was my brother and sister I was dealing with, not you two."
"See." Caitlin tosses out in definite conclusion "We're related. …Wait..." She then notes "...you have a brother and sister?"
"Okay PLEASE!" Alex begs "Someone start at the beginning!"
But just then Jamie's cell phone dings with a text so he pulls it out to read a message from Joe
Have car. U status?
Jamie sighs in relief and replies: Safe
"Um who are you texting?" Caitlin can't help but curiously inquire.
"Your cousin." Jamie absently replies before looking up in thought "2nd cousin?" he then corrects as he thinks.
"Exactly how big is this new family of ours?" Caitlin curiously inquires.
"Big." Jamie admits.
"Cool." Caitlin notes.
"I think I need to sit down." Alex decides as he just pulls out a kitchen chair and sinks down into it "Because none of this makes any sense."
"It does actually." Jamie admits "In a way…" he then hesitantly adds for they still didn't have all the answers.
Caitlin and Alex both look over at him.
"As I was telling Caitlin before…" Jamie begins "…my Grandfather – Henry Reagan - confirmed he had another child, a boy – an older brother to my Father, Frank Reagan that he and Grandma Betty named Peter but Peter died of Leukemia when he was a toddler – at least they thought he did – but now based on what Caitlin has told me I'm going to assume that wasn't the case and there was a mix up when they took him to the hospital – intentional or not – I don't know but your Nana Mary as you call her either figured it out or knew the whole time – maybe her baby was sick – again, I don't know and being so long ago maybe none of us will ever really know for sure but the bottom line is my Uncle, Peter Reagan – that sounds weird even saying it…" Jamie admits "...but it wouldn't be the first time something like this happened in the family so I'm just going with the flow now..."
"What?" Caitlin interrupts confused.
"Never mind." Jamie dismisses "That's a story for another time but my point is my Uncle, Peter Reagan didn't die and he created another branch of the Henry Reagan family line – you." He adds as he gestures between Caitlin and Alex before getting a thought "In fact hang on, maybe this is the right time…" he decides as he turns his attention back to his phone and begins to type again.
"What are you doing?" Caitlin inquires.
"Texting." Jamie just replies.
Alex rolls his eyes at that non answer "Yup we're related."
"HEY!" Heather's voice suddenly sounds into the kitchen "CAN I GET SOME HELP HERE!"
A look of panic crosses Jamie's face and in a flash he is bolting from the kitchen and heading back towards his wife with Caitlin and Alex hot on his heels…
...