A/N: Don't hate me…
Chapter 26: The Call
Having tied up all the loose ends with the case and their UC apartment, Jamie and Eddie along with Joe, Alex and Heather are back at Caitlin's all gathered in the living room making final plans for the trip to New York City the next day.
Everyone is laughing when Jamie's phone in his pocket begins to ring. He pulls it out to look at the call display then happily answers his phone "Hey Dad!"
He listens a moment then says "Yeah what's up?"
He listens another moment and suddenly Jamie's happy attitude vanishes and he closes his eyes in anguish as he tries to take in the information he is hearing "When?" he very seriously inquires.
Immediately everyone in the room looks over and quiets down as Jamie listens again and as he does, he starts to pace a little and run his hand over his face and head "Do we know how? Oh." He sighs out in defeat when he hears the answer then listens again "Yeah he's here with me." He adds into the phone as he glances at Joe "I'll tell him. I'll tell them all." He adds in defeat "Do you need me to do anything?" he dutifully queries "Are you sure?" he presses before just nodding at whatever is said on the other end "Okay well we'll be home as soon as we can. Yeah. Bye."
Jamie hangs up his phone and for a moment just stares at it in shock.
Everyone in the room all look around at one another knowing clearly something bad happened but no one is sure they want to know until finally Eddie bites the bullet and speaks up.
"Jamie?" She softly prompts "What happened?"
Slowly Jamie looks up at the sound of his wife's voice and when he does he sees everyone's eyes intently focused on him – God, how was he going to tell them? - But he knows he has too so he takes a deep breath and clears his throat in an attempt to keep the tone of his voice level and together "Um that was Dad… it's um… it's Pop. He… he's gone."
For a moment there is just silence. A pure, devastating silence until
"Oh Jamie." Eddie breathes out as she immediately moves to embrace and comfort her husband while Joe simply and silently just sinks down to sit in a chair.
Caitlin's breath hitches and she brings a hand to cover her mouth in despair while Alex just repeatedly blinks his eyes trying to make sense of it all – they had just found their Great Grandfather and now… now he was gone? "How?" he finally asks.
Slowly Jamie pulls away from Eddie to answer "In his sleep."
"But we just talked to him." Caitlin insists in denial "He was fine!"
Tears threaten to slip from Jamie's eyes "He went to bed…" He explains "…and just never woke up."
"But…" Caitlin again begins to protest as tears do fall from her eyes "We were going with you tomorrow to meet him in person!"
"Caitlin." Heather gently interjects "I know it's hard to understand but…"
"No!" Caitlin protests upset "This isn't fair! It's cruel beyond anything! I finally got my wish for more family and never in a million years did I think that would include my Great Grandfather but I got him and then to have him just snatched away is… is…"
"Caitlin." Alex tries.
"DON'T!" Caitlin barks before just running from the room.
"CAITLIN!" Alex calls again as he moves to go after her but Jamie's next words stop him
"Don't. I'll go."
"No." Joe suddenly interjects as he stands "I'll go."
"Why you?" Alex questions.
"Because as horrible as this is – and believe me, this is horrible…" Joe reiterates "Caitlin at least got to meet and talk to Great Grandpa, I never got to meet my Dad."
Jamie nods his head in agreement with Joe's reasoning "Go." He instructs and so as Joe heads after Caitlin, Eddie turns her attention back to her husband "Are you okay?" She presses in true concern.
There was a time before Eddie when Jamie's automatic response to that question would have been "I'm fine, what do you need?" but looking into the eyes of the one person he lets himself be vulnerable with, Jamie just shrugs as an overwhelming feeling of grief envelopes him. Immediately Eddie pulls him back in for another hug "I'm so sorry." She emotionally whispers in consolement.
….
Joe walks out the front door to find an emotional Caitlin gripping the porch railing tight "I won't ask if you are okay…" he begins.
"Good!" Caitlin hotly tosses back.
"Because I know you're not…" Joe adds pushing forward as he ignores her outburst "None of us are."
Cringing tightly, Caitlin squeezes her eyes closed in regret "I'm sorry."
"Don't be." Joe dismisses as unbeknownst to both of them, inside the house, Jamie steps to the open window to listen in "I get it and I know you probably don't want to hear this right now but I'm going to say it anyway and then just let you be. I never met my Dad. I never got to hear his voice or see him laugh – okay I mean sure, I've seen pictures and some videos…" he corrects "…but it's not the same. I never got that one on one personal interaction with him. You on the other hand did get that with Great Grandpa – even if it was just over video." He quickly adds "Now was it enough? No but when is it ever right so just cherish and hold onto what you did get and I know Uncle Jamie, Aunt Eddie, myself, and all the other Reagans that you haven't even meet yet - but will - aren't replacements for Great Grandpa but we are here to support and help you - and each other - through this. It's what Reagans do so as hard as it may seem right now – don't look at this like it's something you were robbed of – look at it for what it really is - a new beginning to something that is still too come."
Caitlin just blinks her eyes at Joe trying to take everything he is saying in.
"I'll leave you be now." Joe adds before just turning to walk back into the house and when he does, he sees Jamie just sitting on the edge of a desk by the window looking down at his hands.
Immediately deducing that Jamie was listening in, Joe steps towards him "Listening in where you? What?" he then prompts in a bit of irritation "Didn't trust me to handle it?"
Watching as Jamie finally looks up at him, Joe sees a sea of emotions swirling in his uncle's eyes "What?" he now prompts slightly confused.
Now feeling even more overwhelmed than he was before, Jamie scrubs a hand over his face trying to quickly rid his eyes of the water pooling in them "You may never have met your Dad…" Jamie finally speaks as he lifts himself off the desk "But you sure as hell just sounded like him." He adds before just turning to walk away.
Stunned speechless at hearing that, all Joe can do is blink his eyes as he watches his uncle leave.
…..
After having taken over the final coordination of everyone traveling to New York City from Jamie, Eddie walks into hers and Jamie's temporary room in Caitlin's house to see Jamie alone, just sitting on the bed staring at his phone.
She silently walks over and carefully sit down next to him. She looks over to see one of the photos Erin and Sean had uploaded to the cloud – a photo of Henry and Jamie smiling and laughing.
Holding back her own tears, Eddie circles her arms around her husband's waist trying to comfort him "Whatever you need, I'm here okay?" She gently reminds him.
Overwhelmed, Jamie can only nod in understanding so Eddie leans up and places a light, lingering kiss on his head before pulling back to rest her head on his shoulder while one her hands begins to rub gentle, soothing circles on his back.
Feeling his wife's touch, Jamie finds himself leaning down to kiss her. It starts just as a simple kiss but with each passing second Jamie increases the intensity of the kiss and absently places his phone down on the nightstand so he has both hands free.
Jamie desperately needed his lifeline – he desperately needed his wife - so as things heat up, he starts to claw at her clothes but when his hand comes in contact with the bandage on her arm, he remembers her injury and immediately pulls back "Sorry." He mumbles in regret.
Eddie smiles at little in understanding at her husband. Their personal, professional and intimate relationship had always been one based on mutual love, care and respect so she knew he pulled back out of fear of hurting her because she got that Jamie wasn't looking to make sweet, slow love right now. He was grieving and needed an outlet for that and if she could give him that, she would.
"Jamie it's okay." Eddie softly promises but Jamie shakes his head no.
"Hey, it's okay." She reiterates as she leans up to take the lead and initiate a kiss.
At first Jamie tries not to response so Eddie kisses him again "Whatever, and however, you need." She adds as she continues to kiss him and in doing so, Jamie slowly starts to response so she keeps going "You won't hurt me." She urges him between short, small kisses "I promise." and at hearing that combined with Eddie's touch Jamie's resistance to holding back both his need for his wife and his grief breaks. Suddenly he just grabs for his wife and kisses her hard taking back the lead and Eddie lets him…
...
There is a serene quiet in the kitchen of Frank Reagan's Bay Ridge house when the back door opens, Jamie enters and for the briefest of moments, an image of his Grandfather looking up and smiling at him while seated at the table flashes in his mind and he once again has to hold back tears.
Entering behind Jamie, Eddie sees her husband looking a bit frozen in place so she leans towards him "You okay?" She whispers as Caitlin, Alex, Heather and Quinn appear behind her.
Grateful for his wife breaking him out of this thoughts, Jamie replies "Yeah." before flashing a smile at everyone behind Eddie "Come on everyone, come in." he invites as he steps aside to make room for everyone before turning his head and calling out "HEY! WE'RE HERE!"
In a flash the door to the kitchen opens and Erin enters. She makes a beeline for Jamie and just pulls her baby brother into a big hug "I am so glad you're home." Erin states in pure relief as she squeezes Jamie tight.
"Missed you too sis." Jamie admits as he welcomes and returns her hug "Just wish it was under better circumstances."
"Yeah." Erin sadly sighs as she pulls back and shifts her gaze to Eddie before trying to offer her a small token smile "Welcome home."
Understanding Erin's feelings Eddie offers "Thank you." before just opens her arms to Erin and Erin moves in for a comforting hug "I'm sorry." Eddie whispers to her.
The sisters in law cling to one another for a few moments longer then Erin pulls back "Yeah." She again sighs "Everyone keeps saying that." She adds as her attention is drawn to the people behind Eddie and this time a true small smile appears on her face "And you must be our new family members."
"Erin…" Jamie begins to introduce "Meet, Caitlin Reagan."
Caitlin raises her hand in a hi gesture.
"Alex Reagan." Jamie continues.
"Hi." Alex greets.
"Heather Adams." Jamie tacks on "And Alex and Heather's son Quinn Reagan." And while Quinn looks up at Erin in thought Jamie finishes with "And this is my sister Erin Reagan."
"You're tall." Quinn suddenly tells Erin.
"Quinn!" Heather immediately chides before apologetically looking at Erin "I'm so sorry."
With her first truly amused smile threatening to appear on her face since learning the news about her Grandfather Erin promises "It's fine." to Heather before turning her attention to Quinn "I am a bit tall aren't I?"
Quinn nods.
Erin leans forward and crouches down a little to make herself more level with Quinn's height "Just wait until you meet your Great, Great Uncle Frank!" She quips with a slight smirk.
"Oh yeah." Jamie notes in amused understanding himself as he too turns to address Quinn "Then you'll really see what tall is."
Suddenly the back door opens and Danny enters.
He abruptly stops walking at the sight of everyone and immediately his eyes zero in on his brother and he and Jamie lock eyes.
"Hey." Danny greets.
"Hey." Jamie returns.
"You're back." Danny adds as he glances in Eddie's direction who raises a silent hand in hello.
"We are." Jamie confirms "Brought some people for you to meet."
"Right." Danny notes he turns to look at the new group of people in the house and plasters a surface smile on his face "Hi. Danny." He greets them.
"Caitlin." Caitlin greets.
"Alex."
"Heather."
"I'm Quinn!" Quinn enthusiastically greets.
Danny looks down at the young boy and just like with Erin, a small real smile appears on his face "It's a pleasure to meet you Quinn."
"Are you a cop like Aunt Caitlin, Uncle Jamie and Aunt Eddie?" Quinn questions when he notices Danny's shield clipped to his waist.
"I am." Danny confirms as he glances up at Jamie and Eddie noting their new monikers.
In response, Eddie leans down to Quinn "And you see Aunt Erin over there? She's a lawyer and works for the District Attorney's office just like your Dad."
Alex immediately looks over at Erin.
Caitlin leans over to Quinn "Except Aunt Erin is a boss and your Dad is… well not."
Alex turns his head to glare at his sister "Are you trying to say something… Rookie?" he challenges.
"Oh yeah!" Danny laughs "You're Reagans!" He acknowledges.
"More than you know." Jamie tacks on with a smile but slowly a silence fills the room and the mood becomes somber as those that knew him can't help but think Henry Reagan would have absolutely loved the little exchange that just happened.
Determined not to go down that rabbit hole, Jamie clears his throat and looks at Erin "Where's Dad?"
Erin looks over and sighs "Trying to work on his Eulogy."
"Right." Jamie notes.
"I think he'd really like to see you though." Erin adds.
"Definitely." Danny agrees "And while you do that…" he continues as he turns his attention to Caitlin, Alex, Heather and Quinn "… Erin and I will take the newbies here…" he jokes in an attempt to lighten the mood "…and get them settled in their rooms upstairs."
Jamie nods and turns to walk away but then pauses and looks backwards at his siblings "Don't give away my room." He reminds them knowing that's something they might do "Eddie and I are going to need that."
Knowing that due to the fire in their apartment building, Jamie and Eddie will be staying at the family home, Danny and Erin make no jokes and instead just nod in understanding "We know."
….
Jamie walks into the formal dining room to see his father sitting in his chair slumped over the table with his head in his hands staring at the piece of paper in front of him "Hey." Jamie awkwardly greets.
Immediately Frank looks up, his face softens and he smiles "Hey."
"Brought the gang." Jamie offers as he gestures behind him into the kitchen "Danny and Erin are just going to settle them into their rooms and then they'll be down."
Frank's smile grows a little "Can't wait to meet them."
Silence.
"How you doing?" Jamie checks.
Putting on a brave front Frank replies "I'm okay. You?"
"Same." Jamie counters.
Frank nods his head in understanding. Neither one of them was fine and they both knew it but openly admitting that to each other just wasn't something they did "It's good to have you home. You and Eddie." He adds instead "Where is she?"
"Taking our stuff up to our room."
"Ah." Frank accepts. "We put what we could save up there for you." he adds.
"Thanks." Jamie replies before thinking about that "Saved so much it all fit in my childhood bedroom huh?"
Frank apologetically cringes a bit "Sorry."
Jamie heavily sighs "Well Sean did say it wasn't much." He admits "And thank you."
Frank nods in acceptance.
Silence.
"It's crazy Dad." Jamie finally begins as he moves to sit down "There is a whole other branch of our family and Pop isn't even going to get to meet them."
"He did meet them." Frank corrects.
"Not in person." Jamie clarifies.
"No." Frank agrees "But the time he spent with you guys over the video chat getting to know them made him so happy. He had a permanent smile etched on his face from that moment on…" he notes with a smile of his own before being replaced with a look of sadness but then a moment later Frank pushes forward "…and you gave him that Jamie. I have no doubt that when Pop... slipped away..." He carefully nuances "…he did it content and happy with a smile on his face eager to see your grandmother and my brother."
Trying to hold back his emotions, Jamie scrubs a hand over his face then deciding they both need a distraction, he pulls out his phone and pulls up a photo. He turns his phone around and shows his Dad "This is Uncle Peter and his wife Aileen."
Frank takes Jamie's phone, looks at it and huffs out a laugh in awe.
"I know." Jamie muses "Like Eddie said, slap a mustache on him and he's you."
Frank clears his throat a bit overwhelmed "Wow."
"That's what I said." Jamie notes.
Suddenly Eddie appears around the corner "Am I interrupting?" she a bit hesitantly inquires.
Frank looks over and immediately his face brightens a little "Hey!" he greets "Welcome home!"
Eddie smiles warmly at her father in law "Thank you." She accepts "Now sorry to interrupt but there are some people that are very eager to meet you."
"Yes." Frank accepts as he stands and shifts into his trademark stoic demeanor so as Jamie also stands, Eddie steps back out of the room slightly and waves her hand in a 'come here' motion so one by one Caitlin, Alex, Heather and Quinn enter the room.
Frank plasters a smile on his face "Welcome!" he greets.
"Whoa." Quinn breathes out in awe as he looks up – waaaaaay up at Frank causing Jamie and Eddie to laugh before they once again begin the process of introducing everyone.
….