A Chance for a Better Life
Chapter Thirty-Two
The last three weeks flew by. Jamie and Eddie have the baby's room ready. Jamie had a full schedule. Someone was at the house with Eddie 24-7. He knew that she was capable and able to do anything, but he wanted to make sure that someone was there with the kids in case she went into labor. Jamie knew all of the attention may drive her nuts, but he wanted her to have all the help she needed, and there was one rule. If Eddie was in their bedroom, it's her sanctuary. If she needs some time alone, she can go in there for as long as she needs. Jamie knew she usually fell asleep when she did, and he knew she needed a lot of sleep currently.
At their apartment it was a relaxing Saturday, Erin and Nikki were over playing with the kids and spending quality time with Eddie. Overall, it was a great day. Mei Lin and Isaac were teaching their cousin all about how they are able to cook their mom and dad dinner. They do it with minimal help from their dad. They love that they can help. Nikki thinks that it's so cute, while Erin is remembering Jamie when he moved in, and how he would do everything himself.
Jamie's working. He's out on patrol with a Rookie. One of his TO's called in sick, and he didn't want him stuck in the office all day.
"Sir, am I in trouble already?" Officer Kimbell asked as he looked around nervously. He liked his job. He's learned a lot from his TO so far and he couldn't wait to see how far he could go, but riding with his Sergeant who's a Reagan wasn't what he thought he'd be doing at this point in his career.
Jamie laughed. "No. Your TO called in sick and I'm just helping out." Jamie was going to explain further, but they were interrupted by a robbery in progress.
Jamie went in the front with Officer Kimbell at his back. Jamie didn't make it five feet in the door before he went down. He was hit with two rounds to the chest. Officer Kimbell shot back at the robbers while they were running out the back door. Kimball wasn't able to get them, and he didn't care because he needed to get his boss to the hospital.
The 10-13 went out over the air. Danny heard it, but didn't know anything yet.
Frank was sitting in a meeting with all of the chiefs. The chief of patrol was explaining the newest progress from the meetings with Jamie. Neither chief wanted these meetings to stop they were learning too much. Frank was almost beginning to like these meetings.
Garrett had been having a good week despite having to work a Saturday. The call from Renzulli ruined that day. Renzulli was on his way to pick up Eddie and family to take them to the family.
Garrett had to interrupt the meeting. This was the last thing he wanted to tell his boss and best friend. "Frank, we have an officer down, we need to go to Kings County Hospital."
Frank had a bad feeling, he'd had a bad feeling when he woke up, it was one reason why he elected to come into the office for a day of meetings. Anything to keep his mind off of what could happen. "Garrett, who is it?" He knew both of his boys were working today. He couldn't stand for anything to happen to either one.
"Jamie, he took two shots to the chest."
Frank had to sit down, he couldn't breathe, he couldn't lose another child. "He was wearing a vest, right?"
Garrett swallowed. "Yes."
"But…" Frank knew Garrett too well not to know that there was something else.
"Jamie's been unconscious since he went down." Garrett paused. "Renzulli went to get Eddie."
"Okay, take me to my son." Frank didn't care about anything else.
Renzulli never wanted to have to do this, but he knew it was his job. It was one of the things he hated about climbing the ranks. He could see the fear when Erin opened the apartment door. She knew why he was there, and she couldn't stop her brain from going right to what happened to her brother Joe.
"Is he okay?" Erin had to get herself under control. She couldn't go and get Eddie like this.
"Jamie took two shots to the vest. He's on his way to Kings. I'm here to take all of you to the hospital."
Erin was trying not to cry. She needed to stay calm for Eddie and the kids. She needed to stay strong. She could tell something else as wrong, but she didn't want to find out any more bad news. Renzulli waited with Nikki and the kids while Erin got Eddie.
"Eddie. Eddie. Eddie, please wake up." Erin said as she gently shook her sister-in-law.
Eddie blinked her eyes repeatedly as she tried to wake up. She was having the best dream, and she didn't want to wake up. She just wanted Jamie home so they could spend time as a family and snuggle. "Erin, is everything okay?" Eddie started to sit up slowly.
Erin grabbed a pair of Eddie's shoes. "Sweetie, we need to go to the hospital. Jamie got hurt at work."
Eddie's eyes got big. "Is he okay?"
"Yes. The doctors are gonna check him out and he'll be home in a day or two." Erin explained. She prayed that she was correct. This family had been through too much tragedy.
Ten minutes later Eddie was dressed and ready to go. She didn't know how she'd gotten ready so fast. Fast wasn't something she did right now. It took another ten minutes to get everyone loaded into the cars. Renzulli called his wife on the way to Jamie's and Marie was going to meet them at the hospital. Tony knew that she'd have family at the hospital, but having friends there help too.
At the hospital Jamie was being wheeled into the ER, while the waiting room filled up with officers. He had woken up during transport. His first concern was for Officer Kimbell, and then his family. He hoped the stress of his injury didn't put Eddie into labor. This was not how he wanted his baby girl to born. The thought of never meeting their baby girl Allison scared him, but he knew what he did kept his family safe. It hurt to breathe, and his best guess was that he had a couple broken ribs.
Renzulli called ahead to the hospital and let them know that Eddie's very pregnant. He wanted to make sure that anything Jamie would be worried about was taken care of. He just hoped the kid was okay.
Eddie walked into the hospital with Erin on one side and Renzulli on the other. Nikki had Mei Lin and Isaac. She was holding their hands because she knew from experience that being in the hospital is scary. Once they got Eddie and the kids seated in the waiting room, Renzulli went to find the doctor. He hoped that he had good news.
Frank was only five minutes behind them and his first stop was to see the doctor, but he really wanted to see his son. Even though he knew he wasn't likely he wouldn't feel better until he saw him.
Danny was right behind his dad. He hated how many times he's had to come to the hospital for Jamie. He wondered if after something like this that Jamie would decide it was time to change to a safer career.
It was only five or ten minutes after Eddie arrived that a nurse came back to get her. Jamie hadn't been moved to a room yet.
Jamie's tired and in some pain, but very happy to see Eddie. "Hey babe, are you okay?"
Eddie quietly laughed. Of course, Jamie would be laying in a hospital bed and ask how she was. "I'm fine, how are you? You look like you're in some pain."
Jamie knew not to laugh. He knew if he did, his pain would intensify. It hurt enough to talk. "I am, but I was wearing my vest and I'm here and I'll be here when Allison is born. Don't worry babe. Everything is going to be okay."
"We got lucky today." Eddie cried. "I'm gonna let everyone know that you're okay, and I bet your dad's here now."
Jamie couldn't argue. He knew that he was lucky today. He didn't hear his dad enter the ER cubical.
Frank could tell Jamie was lost in his own thoughts. He wondered what he was thinking about. Out of all of his kids, Jamie was the one that he was never sure where his head was at. "Hey Jamie. Are you okay?"
"Hi dad. I'm okay. I'll be better as soon as I can see my kids, so they know that I'm okay."
"I can bring them in." Frank was surprised that the doctors would let the kids to come back into the ER.
"No dad. I don't want them in the ER. The doctor said that I'm gonna be moved to a room within the next hour."
Frank took a deep breath. "Did the doctor say anything else. I haven't been able to talk to him yet."
Jamie sighed. "They're worried about bone fragments, so they are gonna keep me here for a couple days of observation. Other than that, I'm sore, and bruised."
Frank sighed this time in relief. Jamie could've died today. "I'll work with the family, so you and Eddie have food, and we'll make sure that Mei Lin and Isaac are taken care of. You just worry about getting better, and all Eddie has to worry about is you and the baby."
Jamie smiled. He could tell that this was hard on his dad. "Thank you. My biggest concern is for Eddie. She doesn't need this stress a week before the baby's born."
"She's strong. Don't worry any more than normal."
Fifteen minutes later three nurses came in and moved Jamie into his room for the next few days. Jamie knew it was gonna hurt, but he just wanted to hug his kids, and make sure that Eddie had somewhere comfortable because he knew she wouldn't go home until he did.
Jamie really thought it would hurt more being moved. Maybe he could either sign himself out AMA or maybe the doctors would just change their minds. He really just wanted to go home.
It was another long fifteen minutes before the kids were brought it. Frank was able to talk to a doctor, and the news he got wasn't as good. They'd been able to review Jamie's x-rays and what Jamie didn't know yet was that as soon as the kids left the room, he was going into surgery to remove five bone fragments. Even though the doctor said that the surgery wouldn't be that bad, Frank couldn't help the fear he felt.
Both kids were reading Jamie stories. Isaac was on his right side while Mei Lin was on his left. Out of all of his kids Jamie was the one that never talked about having a family when he was growing up. He was too focused on surviving for so long that by the time he started acting like a kid he got sick and was forced to learn to survive another way. Mei Lin was holding onto her daddy tight. Both of the kids just knew that daddy was hurt at work. Neither knew that he was shot. Jamie and Eddie decided early on that they were not gonna hide when he was hurt at work, but they were only gonna tell them what they thought that they could handle until they were old enough to handle the truth.
Eddie and Erin were in the waiting room waiting for Kelsey to come with packed bags for the kids for a few days.
"How are you holding up?" Erin wasn't sure if she was more worried about her baby brother who was shot or his wife that's nine months pregnant.
"I'm fine. He's fine." Eddie couldn't stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks. As long as Jamie didn't see her cry, she was okay. She wanted him to heal and not worry about her.
Erin wrapped her in a hug. "I know he's fine, and he'll get some time off from this. Pop has already started cooking so we are all gonna eat good." Erin laughed. Not only would she get to spend some time with her niece and nephew but because she was helping pop was gonna bring them food too.
"I'm gonna ask Danny if he'll stay with Jamie tomorrow morning. I have what should be my last doctor's appointment before the baby's born."
"Are you ready for the baby?"
Eddie took a deep breath and looked around the waiting room. "As long as we all get to go home from the hospital at the same time, I'll be great."
Back in Jamie's room the stress has gotten to the kids and one by one they fell asleep. Jamie was the last to fall asleep.
Frank was worried when he saw all of the adults in the waiting room and the kids weren't with anyone. He'd found out what room his son was in from the nurses station. When he got to Jamie's room his heart melted. Jamie had both of his arms around his kids and all three of them were asleep. He couldn't resist getting a quick picture with his phone. He decided that if the doctors aren't rushing around to get him into surgery than he shouldn't worry.
Sitting with his son and grandchildren gave him some quiet time to think. The kids helped Frank separate this hospital visit from all the time that Jamie had spent in the hospital.
A few minutes later Eddie came into the room expecting to hear the kids' reading to her husband. Seeing everyone asleep melted her heart. The baby kicked. She wanted to be a part of the moment too. Eddie couldn't help but smile and run her hand over her belly. She took a quick photo of her family and then needed to get the kids up so they could go back to their aunt Erin's to eat dinner and settle down for the night.
Frank immediately jumped into action helping get the kids out of Jamie's bed. They needed to get up so they could eat and sleep tonight. Thankfully they don't have school, and he understood if no one made it to church.
An hour later Erin and the kids were back at her place. They felt better after seeing their daddy. They promised everyone that they would be good and listen to their aunt Erin and cousin Nicky.
Frank and Eddie were in Jamie's room watching him sleep in relative silence. After all the excitement of the day Eddie knew she could go back to sleep, but she wanted to talk to a doctor first.
Jamie was taken for another round of x-rays. Frank could only think that the doctors were not positive what they wanted to do.
An hour later Jamie was back in his room exhausted after the x-rays and other rounds of tests. He didn't understand why he was having so many tests when his chest was just bruised. His childhood fears were bubbling up, but he couldn't let Eddie know. He had to wait until the doctor finally let them know what was going on.
Frank could see the fear in Jamie's face, and he wondered if what he had to say was going to help or not. "Are you okay Jamie?"
"Yeah, I haven't been a pin cushion like that in a lotta years." Jamie could tell that his dad knew more. "What did the doctor tell you?"
"That you need surgery to remove the bone fragments. I thought that they'd have you in already."
Jamie sighed in relief. "That's it?"
"Yes."
"Ok, so no big deal." Jamie wasn't surprised with the force of the bullets that hit him. At the time he was worried that they'd penetrated his vest. "Like Eddie said as long as I can home with her and the baby, we'll be good."
"Eddie's not due for a week. You'll hopefully be home before the baby comes."
"If baby girl waits that long. Eddie's already dropped. I think that she's ready to enter the world."
Eddie came back into Jamie's room after a short walk. She was happy to see him back and awake. She'd had a quick call with the kids too. They were happy. Aunt Erin made macaroni and cheese for dinner.
Five minutes after Eddie sat down and got comfortable, which isn't easy, the doctor came in and they started prepping Jamie for surgery. Jamie was ready. He wanted the surgery done and the focus off of him. He couldn't wait for Allison to get here for that reason. It had been the same when they adopted Mei Lin and Isaac.
The doctors warned all of them that it would be a long surgery because it's a delicate surgery. Jamie told Eddie not to worry that he'd be okay. He's survived a lot more than this little set back.
Frank had Danny go and get Eddie one of her favorite snacks that he knew Eddie needed to breathe a little. He knew that wouldn't happen until Jamie was back in his room and they all knew that he was okay.
Danny had only gotten to see Jamie for a few minutes before he went into surgery. Now he knew the priority was Eddie and the baby. Plus, he's the older brother he needs to not only watch out for his younger siblings, but their families too.
The surgery lasted four hours and the doctors came out with a smile on their faces. They were able to remove everything. Jamie would be tired and sore for the foreseeable future, but he's alive and good.
It's the middle of the night before Jamie's moved back into his room. Eddie wanted to wait up for him, but she wasn't able to make it, and she fell asleep before she could see him.
The next morning it was only Eddie and Jamie in his room. They were both happy for the peace. As much as they loved their family a break was nice.
"Hey babe, how do you feel?" Eddie would always worry for her husband, and she knew he would always worry for everyone but himself.
Jamie smiled. Eddie looked beautiful. He knew if he'd decided to stay alone like he originally planned that he wouldn't be alone because his family would always have his back. "Sore, and tired but I'm okay. How are you and our baby girl this morning? Are you ready to go to your doctor's appointment?"
"Your situation made the news yesterday, and when Doctor Abrams called to confirm my appointment, she asked if you were involved at all, and I told her yes. She moved my appointment here so that hopefully you'll be able to join since you've been to all of my appointments."
Jamie's eyes got big. He wasn't expecting that. He was ready to send a text to his dad or Danny and see who could drive her to her appointment. "What time? I'll make sure that I'm up and around and I'll see if someone can get me some clothes."
"Not until later this afternoon, so we can both rest a while. Your grandfather is gonna bring us lunch. Someone is bringing us breakfast and I don't know about dinner yet. I'd like to call the kids."
"That sounds like a great idea, but they should be at church now."
Eddie had to look away for a moment. Frank had let her know that church was optional this week and they were all going to go the following week. "Your dad gave us the week off. He said when you guys were growing up that when hard things happened you would get a week off and relax. I was worried about the kids, and he told me that everything would be okay."
That surprised Jamie. He'd missed a lot of church with the family because he was sick or the chances that he got infected were too high. "Okay. We can call whenever you want."
The call to the kids was exactly what they both needed. Erin and Nicky made them pancakes and they were watching Disney movies in their pajamas. They would be back at the hospital at lunch time to meet with great-grandpa and they would all get to eat lunch together.
Sometimes Jamie couldn't help but to think that his life was a dream. His life has been so much better than the dreams he would have as a kid. When he was in the hospital as a kid, he had to see a psychologist to deal with being a kid who had cancer. One thing that she told him was to focus on the future. At the time he laughed about it. He had his family, but even then, doubts still crept up if they truly wanted him and all the trouble, he thought he caused. Now that he was an adult, he realized that those fears were irrational. Now that he was a parent, and both of his kids were adopted these memories were becoming more common. He was trying to be prepared when the questions would arise, and he expected more questions to come as soon as Alison was born. It's easy to compare and worry about the things that you cannot control.
Jamie and Eddie spent most of the day sleeping. Jamie joked that he slept when they weren't poking and prodding him. He knew that they were just doing their jobs, but he thought he'd feel better if they'd stop checking on his stitches.
Henry had made more food than any of them could eat, and he was their visitor for the remainder of the day. His dad said that he would be by later, but he had some work to do. Eddie told Jamie that his dad wouldn't leave until he knew that he was okay, but he had some work to catch up on.
Dr. Abrams arraigned for all of the needed equipment to be moved into Jamie's room, so he didn't have to move too much.
Jamie was determined to be up and around when the doctor came. He was sore, but it was manageable. His doctors were not happy. They thought that he was trying to do too much too soon.
Eddie's doctor was happy when she arrived. Eddie was more relaxed than she'd been in the last day and a half. She was excited that today would finally be her last appointment and that their baby girl would be here soon.
Eddie's doctor went through and got all of her general information. She was prepared to for Eddie's blood pressure to be high and the stress of the last few days to show through her vitals. She didn't need to worry, and she thought that it was because when she was around Jamie, he calmed her down.
"Okay Eddie. Baby girl is looking good, but it's a good thing that you're already in the hospital because I think that baby girl will be here before the end of the day tomorrow. Those pains that you've been getting are contractions. I'm gonna have you admitted and moved to the maternity ward."
Now it was Jamie's turn to be nervous. Eddie was in labor and the doctor's said it would be at least one more day before he would be released. He hoped that if he promised to be on his floor for all of his tests that he needed. He wasn't going to miss the birth of his baby girl because of his surgery.
Jamie called Erin to check on the kids and to give her the news that his baby girl would make her arrival the following day. He was getting ready to call his dad and give him the news when the doctor came in and let him know that they wanted to do x-rays one more time before the end of the day and that they'd be getting him in before dinner.
After the doctor left a nurse came in to prep him for his tests. He wondered and worried about what Eddie was doing. He's her husband he needs to be with her. His next thoughts go to sneaking to her room.
Eddie's doctor had a feeling that she would be in labor or going into labor. Stressful situations and someone who's nine months pregnant are not a good combination. She thought that she was going to be admitting Eddie and she'd be in bad shape. At this rate she was hopeful that Eddie's baby girl will be screaming her lungs out soon.
It only took Eddie an hour to get moved down to the third floor. Not that Jamie's floor was depressing, but she could hear all of the excited families as they welcomed their new family members. Being on the third floor made her nervous and smile all at the same time. Now that she was in her delivery room Alison's arrival was becoming real.
Danny had been called by Erin and it was his job to keep Eddie calm and comfortable. The plan was that neither Jamie nor Eddie would be alone at the hospital, but they also had to make sure that they had the kids covered. At this moment they were being fed by Henry. Henry was more than happy to keep the kids entertained while both of their parents were in the hospital. That last little bit of information wouldn't make it to their little ears until the baby arrived and they were going to meet their new sister.
Eddie had tried texting Jamie a couple of times without a response. The only thing that she could think was that he was getting tests done. Her nurse told her that they would have her walking around soon. She hoped that she could do some of her walking up on the fifth floor so she could make sure that Jamie's okay.
"Hey Ed." Danny loved his sister-in-law and seeing her in the maternity ward made him miss Linda.
"Hey Danny, can you do me a favor?"
Danny smiled. He was here to help. "Yeah, what can I do?"
"Can you check on Jamie? He isn't responding to my texts, and I'm worried that something happened."
"Erin's on her way. She took the kids to pops. They are gonna stay there tonight and I'll take them to school in the morning." Danny could see that although all the information that he was giving her was helpful it wasn't what she needed. "I'll go and check on Jamie. I'll be right back."
When he gets to Jamie's room what he sees surprises him. Not only is Jamie in his room, but he's up and dressed and packing his bag. It's a rare moment when Danny doesn't know what to say. "Jamie."
"Hey Danny. I know I need to reply to Eddie's texts, but I'll be outta here in about ten minutes." Jamie smiles. He never thought that he'd like getting tests done at the hospital, but both the doctors and nurses told him if he promised to come up to the fifth floor the next day to get a few last tests done that he could go and be with his wife.
"How?" Danny still can't believe what's going on. Jamie just had surgery. He needs to be resting. The family will take care of him, Eddie, and their kids.
Jamie could see the worry, but he was just glad that Danny hadn't started yelling. "I've been released. My wounds are healing well and there hasn't been any movement with my ribs."
"What about anymore fragments?" Danny knew that was their biggest concern.
"None. My chest looks bad, the bruises have come in, but I feel good. No problems breathing and I have a full list of restrictions that I will follow." Jamie finished packing his bag. He was ready to see his wife and support her.
"Does dad know?" Danny didn't want to have to explain this to his dad. There were several reasons why the entire family was extra protective over Jamie, but his dad took it to another level.
"Yes, because I was injured on duty, my doctor called dad right after he finished with me. He knows or will know everything. Don't worry about it. If dad's mad I'll handle it, plus he isn't gonna yell with Eddie in labor."
Danny smiled and laughed. Jamie had a point, and no one handled how overprotective their dad was better than Jamie. "Okay. Are you allowed to walk down, or do I get to push you down in a wheelchair?"
"No, let's go."
Ten minutes later they were in Eddie's room. Jamie asked Danny to go in first and let her know that he's okay.
"Eddie, he was out for tests, he'll be answering your messages soon." Danny couldn't wait for the surprise. He didn't think that it would go as Jamie planned and he was looking forward to the fireworks.
Eddie grabbed her phone. Jamie had only been gone an hour or so for tests when they'd taken him the last couple of times.
"Eddie, I'm fine. Are you doing, okay? Has the doctor or your nurse been in yet?" Jamie walked in like he hadn't just been discharged himself. He and Eddie had been waiting for this day for the last nine months.
Eddie just looked at him for a minute. He was dressed in his own clothes and not the sweats he was wearing earlier. He was dressed in the clothes that he was brought for when he was gonna be discharged. "Yes, I'm good. The doctor hasn't been in since she got me settled in here. My nurse said that she's gonna have me up and around soon. Are you good to be down here?"
"Yes, I've been discharged. I just need to run upstairs so they can check me over one more time before my follow up in two weeks. I promise that everything is above board, and I wouldn't have been released unless I was healthy enough to do so."
Frank had gotten to the door at the beginning of the conversation. He'd talked to the doctor, but he was happy to see Jamie up and moving around and looking good.