September 6, 2024. Chapter 20 ready to go. As always, I so appreciate the kind comments. As much fun as I have writing, it's really encouraging to know that people are reading and enjoying my work. The last chapter, the ladies shopping trip, was a fun one. This one, a conversation between father and son, has a bit more tension, but hopefully, some lighter moments here, too. Happy reading!
Chapter 20: Tuesday Evening
Jamie stepped back, silently inviting his father into the apartment.
"If it's about that woman…about Lucy...I have nothing to say."
"That's just fine, because I have plenty to say."
As Frank walked past, Jamie could feel his father's anger and frustration. Taking a deep breath, he closed the door and turned to face him.
"You need to stop acting like an ass to her."
"I'm not allowed to disagree with you now? Or to not approve of this woman? Disapproving is being an ass?"
"Disagreeing? No. Accusing me of cheating on your mother? Accusing her of being a gold digger? A liar? Manipulative? Insinuating that she's a danger to my father? That qualifies."
"So I'm not supposed to have my own thoughts or feelings about this? Not express my concerns? I should just sit back and keep my mouth shut when I feel like you're taking a very dangerous course of action?"
"Of course you're allowed to think and to feel what you do. Hell, you can even say what you want. Express your concerns. To me. In her presence, though, keep your negative thoughts to yourself. In other words, be nice or shut the hell up. I don't want to upset her."
Jamie snorted.
"She's not as delicate and helpless as you think, Dad."
"Helpless? Definitely not. But more delicate that she wants to acknowledge right now. This is a high risk pregnancy, Jamie, and I want to do whatever I have to to protect her and our babies. Just like you do with Eddie."
"Alleged babies. And it's an entirely different situation with me and Eddie."
Frank clenched his fists and shook his head angrily.
"Babies, Jamie. I don't know why you're having a problem with this."
"You really don't know why I have a problem with this?" Jamie fired back.
"You seem to refuse to believe that these babies even exist. I was there for the ultrasound. I heard the heartbeats. I saw them on the monitor. Watched them moving, their little hearts beating. I have copies of the photos and video on my phone, if you'd like to see."
He held up the device, showing the video.
"Not necessary."
"Because you'd rather believe there's some evil plot, some conspiracy with Lucy and her doctor to trap me into a relationship. Even though that makes no sense whatsoever and wouldn't benefit either one of them in the least, you think that's more likely than the simple explanation that she is, in fact, actually pregnant."
"Things like that happen, Dad. I'm sure there's someone in the fraud division that can refresh your memory."
"I know things happen, Jamie. I'm not the doddering old fool you take me for."
"I never said that, Dad."
"You're certainly suggesting it. Believe it or not, pregnancy scams are not a new thing. It happened back when I was young, too. I knew guys who got trapped or almost trapped by a woman claiming an unplanned pregnancy, including some times when there was probably no pregnancy. I'm aware it can happen. But that's not the case here. Lucy is pregnant with my babies."
"How can you be so sure that you're the father?"
"Timing. The doctor said everything looked on track with the date of conception. And my personal instincts," Frank replied. "I just don't get the feeling she's being dishonest with me."
"Well, I do. And so does Erin."
"Based on what?"
"Our instincts."
"You barely even know her."
"Neither do you."
"I know her a lot better than you do. I've spent time with her. Talked to her. Listened to her. You made up your mind before you even met her."
"What she's doing tells me all I need to know."
"What you think she's doing says nothing about her. It says a lot about you, though. That you're willing to believe the worst about someone you don't even know. Which is very unlike you. You usually think the best of people until proven otherwise. You give people you arrest more benefit of the doubt than you're giving her."
"You've always told us to listen to our instincts, Dad, and my instincts tell me not to trust this woman."
Frank laughed.
"I hope you understand that I have more faith in my instincts than I do in either of yours in this particular case."
"You don't think that you might be too emotionally involved?"
"Of course I'm emotionally involved. This is a woman I care deeply about. A woman who is pregnant by me. A woman that I plan to marry and to spend the rest of my life with. You're damn straight I'm emotionally involved and protective. Wouldn't you say you're the same where your wife is concerned?"
"It's not the same, Dad."
Before Frank could respond, Jamie turned towards the front door, holding up a hand to forestall his reply.
"That you, Babe?" he called, crossing to the door. He glanced through the peephole, then opened it to look out into the hallway.
Empty.
"I thought I heard Eddie," he told his father as he closed and locked the door. "She's out dress shopping with Nicky and that…and Lucy."
"I know. Lucy was looking forward to getting to spend some time with them both. To get to know them better. I really think she and Eddie will hit it off."
"I doubt it. Eddie has good instincts, too, and she's going to see Lucy for the manipulative liar she is."
"Except that she won't. Because she's not."
"I guess we'll see when she gets home." He looked at his watch. "Which will hopefully be soon."
Frank glanced at his watch as well.
"Lucy is supposed to be at work at 8, so they won't go too late."
"Yeah, well Eddie shouldn't even have gone. I can't believe that woman…Lucy…would even invite her, all things considered."
"My understanding is that it was Nicky's idea, not Lucy's," his father informed him.
"Then Nicky shouldn't have invited her," Jamie huffed.
"Considering what things?"
"Considering how I feel about the whole situation," Jamie explained. "Going behind my back and totally disregarding my feelings about this woman being a danger to our family."
Frank stared at him.
"Really? You're picking her friends, Jamie?"
"And because she needs to be resting more, not out gallivanting around to overpriced dress shops."
Frank's irritation turned to concern.
"Is there something wrong? I know she had an appointment with her doctor today. Is there a reason they're telling her to rest more?"
"No," Jamie hastened to assure him. "It's just that she's seven months pregnant and it's been rough on her."
The older man nodded.
"Of course."
"So this discussion needs to end when she gets home."
Frank raised an eyebrow.
"This tension between us bothers her."
"I know it does. I picked up on that at Sunday dinner."
Jamie cocked his head as he looked at his father.
"Really? I think I would have noticed that."
"Probably not. You were too wrapped up in your own emotions to pick up on what anyone else was feeling. Even your own wife."
Unable to come up with a response, Jamie decided to ignore the comment.
"I don't want to stress her out because that could cause problems for her and for the baby."
"Even though she's far from delicate or helpless and will be the first to tell you she's fine and can take care of herself, you still feel the need to protect her. To protect them both," Frank said, a touch of sarcasm in his tone.
"Damn straight I do. This is my wife and my child and I will do everything I can to protect them from anyone who will put them at risk. Even if that's my own father."
Frank stared at him a moment in disbelief.
"Do you really think I would risk Eddie or your baby? You are the one married to her, but she's my family, too. Marrying into this family made her one of us. You do remember asking if she could stay at the house with me and Pops when you had to work. I sat with her when she was sick. Took her to the hospital when she was dehydrated and sat with her there, reassuring her that she was a good mother and a good wife and that you weren't upset with her. I'm as protective of her as I am of you or your brother or sister. That's why I'm here when I knew she wouldn't be. I didn't want to have this discussion in front of her."
"Why would I have been upset with her?"
"Because she felt like she wasn't doing her fair share. I told her that carrying the baby was more than her fair share and that when you took a turn at that, you would have a right to be upset. But you weren't."
"Why didn't you say something to me?"
"Because she was upset and didn't mean to say anything and then made me promise not to tell you and I didn't want to upset her more, so I agreed."
"Oh."
"Yeah. Oh."
After a moment, Frank continued.
"I was just making the point that your need to protect your wife and child isn't any different than my need to protect Lucy and our children."
Jamie's face hardened again at the mention of the woman's name.
"Entirely different situation, Dad."
"Other than the fact that she's not my wife yet, it's very much the same situation."
"But she's not your wife. She's not even a girlfriend or someone you've been seeing. She's someone you don't even know, that you had a one night stand with who is now claiming that you're the father of her babies."
"I suppose I should be glad you seem to have at least accepted that she is pregnant," his father replied.
"Doesn't mean I'm willing to accept that you're the father."
"That's fine. I do."
"And you're okay with alienating your whole family over this woman?"
Frank glared at him.
"For someone who had nothing to say, you've sure said a whole lot. And most of it is ridiculous stuff you've already said. More than once."
"Still true."
"Your opinion isn't necessarily truth, Jamie. I'm not alienating my family. Lucy and those babies are my family, too. Pops is crazy about her. Nicky and Joe like her. Danny is willing to support us. Sean seems to be giving her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe Jack as well."
"I don't think I can do that though. I'm not comfortable that she's who she says she is or with this situation."
"But I am. Look, Son. Whatever you may think, this wasn't just some one night stand. This was a woman that I was attracted to. Drawn to. Someone who interested me and intrigued me more and more the more time I've spent with her. Someone I connected with in a way I haven't felt in a long time."
"Being attracted is understandable, I suppose. She's not bad looking, if you like that type. But the rest of it…that takes time, Dad. You don't just form those bonds, those connections. You can't rush things like that."
"I know you and Eddie took your time getting there, but sometimes, it does happen fast. Sometimes, you meet someone and you just click and you enjoy being with them and you want them in your life."
"Eddie and I did 'click' like that. As partners and friends. We had a connection that grew into something more. Over time."
"And over time would have been good. But because of things that happened, choices that we made, we don't have the luxury of that time and I do think there's a good chance we could have ended up together anyway."
"Really? Because it seems like you slept with her, then ghosted her. That doesn't say like a long term relationship was in the cards."
"I guess I did. I was embarrassed and ashamed of myself, taking advantage of her in a vulnerable moment and it was difficult to face her after that. And I was scared. Because I wanted to spend time with her. Get to know her better. And that made me feel guilty."
"Sounds more like she took advantage of the situation, then laid a guilt trip on you."
"No," Frank huffed, frustrated. "We both needed someone in that moment, and we were able to be that for each other. I felt guilty because I really cared for her and felt like this was someone I could see myself with in the long term. And I hadn't felt that in a long time."
"Since Mom."
Frank nodded.
"You cannot tell me you love this woman anything like you love Mom."
"As you've pointed out, I don't know her that well, but I do care deeply for her. Given time…who knows what could happen."
"Nothing. You've said, more than once, that Mom was the love of your life. That you could never love anyone the way you did her. The way you do love her."
"And that's all true. I fell for your Mother hard and fast. I will always love her and nothing and no one will ever change that."
"And Lucy is desperate enough to settle for someone who will never love her. For someone she will always be second best to?"
"Is that what you think I'm doing, too? Accepting second best? Because she's still very much in love with her late husband as well."
"Assuming she really did love him and wasn't just using him, too."
"Why would you even think that?"
Jamie shrugged.
"Just my feelings."
"Feelings and instinct are just starting points, Jamie. If you took your sister a case to prosecute just based on your feelings, she would laugh you out of the office. And rightly so. Feelings and instincts have to be backed up with facts."
"And time will prove that she's exactly what I think she is. The two of you will never love each other like you and Mom did."
"Exactly like we did? No, or course not. As Pops pointed out to us, there are different kinds of love, Jamie. Different relationships grow from different kinds of love. When Joe was born, I felt such overwhelming love, I couldn't imagine feeling that way about anyone else. Then when Danny was born, it hit all over again. And again with Erin. And with you. New and different every time, but without diminishing what I felt for anyone else."
Jamie shook his head.
"I just can't accept this, Dad. Everything in me says this is wrong and dangerous and it needs to be stopped."
They heard keys jingling in the hallway and Frank stepped close to Jamie, lowering his voice.
"As I said, you have the right to think and feel what you do. All I'm asking is that you show simple common courtesy to the woman I'm going to marry by not saying or doing things to make an already stressful situation more so. Just like you asked me to do regarding Eddie. You are my son and I love you, but if you or anyone else says or does anything to cause complications for her or our babies…"
He held his gaze steadily as the door opened. Finally, Jamie offered a jerky, reluctant nod.
"I'll try."
Eddie came into the apartment, closing and locking the door before dropping her purse and keys on the table.
"Hey, Babe!" she greeted her husband with a smile.
Frank stepped over to relieve her of the garment bag she was carrying as Jamie pulled her close for a kiss and an embrace.
"Hey, Frank," she greeted the other man as Jamie helped her with her coat.
She grabbed the garment bag from her father in law and headed to the bedroom.
"Be right back," she called.
"Bathroom," Jamie told his father.
Frank looked at his youngest.
"Whatever your thoughts on my situation, how I proceed is up to me. And Lucy. We're getting married on Saturday and your lack of approval is not going to change that. I'm not asking for you to approve, I'm just asking you to be polite and not say things to her or around her that are likely to upset her or stress her. Please."
"I'll try, Dad."
When Eddie returned to the room, she slipped her arms around Frank.
"Did you enjoy your shopping trip?" he asked, returning her embrace.
"So much!" she told him. "Lunch. A few shops. Early dinner and planning session."
She looked up at him.
"I really like her, Frank," she told him. "A lot."
He quickly glanced at Jamie before smiling and leaning close to her.
"Me, too," he whispered conspiratorially.
"I can't wait for you to see her in the dress," she told him, moving to take a seat on the sofa. "I think that's my favorite part of the whole wedding, when the groom first lays eyes on his bride."
"So, I guess she found something she liked?"
"She did and she looks absolutely gorgeous."
"I have no doubt," Frank replied with a smile.
"You bought something, too?" Jamie asked, nodding towards the bedroom where she had taken the bag. He glanced at the papers on the coffee table where he had been crunching numbers to see if their budget could handle a little more stretching and hoped that she hadn't spent too much.
"Oh, no," she assured him. "Those are actually Lucy's dresses."
"Why do you have her dress?"
"Not her dress for the wedding," she clarified. "Dressy dresses for events and parties for the future."
Both men looked confused, so she continued.
"Frank told her that, in his position, he is expected to attend formal events from time to time."
"Unfortunately, true," he acknowledged.
"And that, as his wife, she would be expected to attend as well."
"If possible."
"She's not a big fan of shopping, so since we were already at the shop, she decided to go ahead and maybe find a couple of dresses that she would be able to wear for things like that a few months down the road."
"I still don't understand how that involves you," Jamie told her.
"Well, we're about the same non-pregnant size and have similar enough coloring that we kind of look alike."
"No, you don't," Jamie protested.
"The guy at the shop thought we were sisters," she told him. "And Nicky told him that the men in her family apparently have a type…smallish fair skinned blondes?"
Frank considered, then nodded.
"The two of you. Linda. Angela. Paula."
"And Danny's new lady," Eddie added. "What's her name again? I forget…"
"I don't think you ever knew," her father in law reminded her with a smile. "But that was a good try."
"Darn."
"Don't worry. You'll be finding out soon enough. We're meeting with Kevin Friday night for a walk through, then taking the family out for dinner. Danny is planning to bring her.I know it's short notice, again, but we hope you'll be able to join us."
"We'll be there," Eddie assured him.
His look at Jamie reminded him of their agreement, and the younger man nodded.
"Of course."
"Brewster's Steak House at 7," he told them.
Eddie nodded and made a note in her phone.
"Back to the dress," Jamie reminded her.
"Oh, yeah. So, she figured she would need maternity dresses for when she's further along, but since she's still not showing, it would be hard to tell how something will fit or hang on her, so I tried them on as a stand in for future Lucy so that she could get an idea of how they would look on her."
"Makes sense," Frank said, nodding.
"But why did you bring them home?" Jamie asked.
"They're on loan."
They had returned to the diner where their afternoon had started. Lucy opened the back of the SUV and handed Nicky the bags with her purchases. When she went to put them in her car, Lucy grabbed the garment bag containing the maternity dresses and handed it to Eddie.
"These are yours," the younger woman said, refusing to take the bag.
"Yes, they are for me. But I have no use for them at present."
"So, hang them up in your closet for when you do."
Lucy nodded. "I could do that. But you remember saying that it seemed a waste to spend money on something you may only wear once or twice?"
Eddie nodded as Nicky returned.
"I agree. And I will probably only have a couple of opportunities to wear these as well, so I was thinking I could loan them to you, for now."
"That's really nice of you, but I couldn't possibly accept."
"Why not? I've got a few months, hopefully, before I would need them and it seems a waste to have them hanging in my closet when you could have them available to use for the next couple of months, then return them when I need them."
"That would be a good way to get more use out of them," Nicky commented.
"True."
"And you already know that they look good on you," Lucy reminded her.
"As good as anything does at this point," Eddie replied, rubbing her stomach.
"You were glowing in there, when you tried them on," Lucy said. "You looked great and you knew you did."
"That blue really set off your eyes," Nicky added.
Eddie considered. "But it feels really weird to borrow something that you haven't even had the chance to wear yet."
"Why?"
"Because when you buy something, you should get to wear it before anyone else does. My girlfriend group in college shared clothes all the time, but no one would wear something of someone else's first. It just was a rule."
Lucy shrugged. "It's not my rule. I'm not particularly possessive about things and I'd much rather it be used now, even if it's not by me."
Nicky grinned. "Not possessive about things, huh? So, does that mean you'll let me drive your car?"
"My SUV? Sure. It's great for moving stuff or for road trips."
Her grin widened. "And your Mustang?"
Lucy looked uncomfortable, then shook her head.
"Ok. Maybe I'm a little possessive about some of my things. That was Oscars. One of the guys he served with left it to him."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay. You had no way of knowing," Lucy assured her.
"I was kidding. I wouldn't be comfortable driving it, anyway."
"The dresses, though," Lucy continued, "I would love to let you use."
She held the bag out to Eddie again.
Eddie chewed her lip as she considered.
"I did look particularly good in that blue one," she said.
'You absolutely did," Nicky agreed.
"And you need something to wear to my wedding," Lucy added.
"I do have a dress…"
Lucy sighed, then took her car keys out of her hand. She handed them and the garment bag to Nicky.
"Could you put these in her car for her?" she asked.
"On it," Nicky said with a grin, grabbing both and heading across the lot to where Eddie's car sat.
"Hey! I hadn't agreed to anything."
Lucy shrugged as they watched the young woman.
"Well, now they're in your car and you can do with them what you like."
"So, now I have something nice to wear to Frank's wedding," she concluded, smiling almost shyly at her husband. "If it's okay with you."
"Of course it's okay with him," Frank assured her.
Jamie almost refuted his father's statement, until he saw the hopeful look on his wife's face.
"As long as you and Lucy are okay with it," he conceded "Though I do have to wonder how much this shopping trip cost you, Dad."
Frank gave him a blank stare.
"Why are you wondering what it cost me? I wasn't there."
"No, but I'm assuming you paid for it."
"How would I have done that?"
"Gave her your credit card or something."
Eddie shook her head.
"No, she was looking at something when they finished ringing her up and they handed me the card. It was her card, her name on it."
"But she'll have Dad pay the bill."
"Why do you think that?" Frank asked.
"Because younger women tend to find an older man's back account very attractive," his son shot back.
"Jamie!" Eddie said, glaring at him.
Growling in frustration, Frank pointed to the laptop sitting opened on the coffee table between them.
"Is that yours?"
"Yeah."
Frank handed it to him.
"I'm a city employee. My salary is public information. Look up the city budget for the year and you should be able to find it pretty easily."
While he started typing, Frank turned to Eddie.
"You have your phone handy?"
She held it up.
"I want you to do a search for the average salary of an emergency room doctor here in New York City."
She got to work as well.
After a few minutes, Jamie turned his laptop to face his father.
"This right?"
Frank nodded.
"Decent enough, but not really 'gold digger' type money."
"But that's just your salary. You also have retirement savings, plus your pension. And the house."
"You know how lucrative an NYPD pension is. That's why so many retired cops are doing private security or other second jobs."
Eddie interrupted their discussion with a low whistle.
"You two have talked about finances and salaries and stuff?" she asked.
"We have."
Eyes wide, she showed him her phone.
"Is that right?"
"Sort of."
She looked at the numbers on Jamie's laptop, then showed him what she had pulled up.
"That's average. She's been doing it for over 20 years and is also the assistant director at one of the highest rated ERs in the area, so she brings in a bit more than that," he told them.
"Wow," Eddie commented.
"She also has a fully paid off house in a nice neighborhood, two paid off vehicles, a hefty emergency fund, a well funded retirement fund, and a bank account that would allow her to retire tomorrow, if she wanted to."
"So…pretty comfortably well off," Eddie said.
"Yeah. Still think she's a gold digger, Jamie?" Frank asked.
"Actually looks more like you're the gold digger, Frank," Eddie joked.
He grinned back, shrugging.
"What can I say? I'd like to be taken care of in my old age. Besides, we talked about it. I'm more interested in her body than in her money."
"Okay," Jamie admitted. "Maybe she's not after your money."
"Maybe?"
"But she's after something. She has an angle."
Eddie turned a disbelieving expression on her husband.
"An angle?"
"Something she wants from him," Jamie clarified.
"I'll tell you what she wants," Eddie told him, angrily. "She wants to raise her children with their father. Give them a family and a real home."
Jamie turned to her, reaching for her hand to try to calm her down.
She pulled away, glaring at him.
"Which is pretty much the same as what I want. Is that a problem for you? Do I have an 'angle,' too?"
"Of course not, Babe. The situation is entirely"
"Different," she finished for him. "I know."
"You've been together long before this baby was ever even thought about," Frank told her. "Jamie is just concerned about me, which I appreciate, as his father."
"You're okay with him attacking Lucy like this?" she asked, turning her anger to the older man.
"Of course not. But if he feels the need to vent to me, I can deal with it. As long as he stops with the rude remarks to her."
"Well, I don't particularly want to hear it either," she told them, crossing her arms across her chest.
"Eddie," Jamie cajoled.
"She's my friend, Jamie."
"You barely know her, either," Jamie declared, throwing up his hands in frustration. "You spent a few hours with her today when she knew she was being judged."
Frank tried to get his son's attention. If he was so concerned about upsetting Eddie, he was certainly going about this the wrong way.
"I did. And she was nice and friendly and kind. To us. To the server. She tipped generously and, no, she didn't flaunt it. She was polite to the clerks at the bridal shops, even the one that was a total asshole. She's got a great sense of humor. And she really cares about Frank."
She looked over at him.
"The way she was smiling when she was texting you and talking to you on the phone was so cute."
"You heard our phone conversation?" he asked, remembering the topic of conversation and feeling a bit uncomfortable.
"Only a little bit," she assured him. "Nicky and I hit the bathroom when it sounded like it was getting…personal."
He noticed her blushing a bit and decided to tease her a bit.
"So, you didn't hear me tell her 'all of the above?'"
"Nope."
"What does that mean?" Jamie asked.
"You don't want to know," his wife told him, then turned back to Frank. "She showed us the pictures from the ultrasound. They are absolutely perfect."
"Yeah. Her doctor says they're both a little small, but everything looks really great otherwise. Lucy is also in good health, so we're all cautiously hopeful everything will go well."
In spite of his soft smile, Eddie detected concern on his face and a trace of fear in his eyes.
"But it's still pretty risky for all of them, right?"
He nodded. "The doctor said she's hoping to get them to at least 28 weeks. They'll have a decent chance, but it will still be rough. And there's a good chance that Lucy will be put on some degree of bed rest at some point. There's just so much that could go wrong."
He caught himself and shook his head.
"Sorry. That's not the kind of stuff you need to be hearing about right now."
"It's okay," she said at the same time Jamie was shaking his head.
"No, it's not."
Eddie's phone rang and she looked at the caller.
"I need to take this," she told them apologetically as she connected.
"I should be going," Frank commented quietly, rising from his seat.
"Just a minute, Mom," Eddie said into the phone. She stood up as well and walked over to her father in law, arms out.
He pulled her close, squeezing gently.
"Thank you for going with Lucy and Nicky today," he told her.
"I'm glad Nicky invited me and Lucy agreed to it after the way I acted on Sunday. I had a really good time with them."
"Glad to hear that."
She looked up at him seriously.
"I really do like her and I think she's good for you."
Frank noticed Jamie making a face behind her back, but didn't comment.
"And the two of you are really blessed to have found each other, whatever the circumstances were leading up to that."
"I happen to agree," he replied, dropping a light kiss on the top of her head. "Tell Lena 'hello' for me."
"Me, too," Jamie told her. "I'm going to walk Dad downstairs."
He kissed her, then followed Frank to the door.
Jamie stayed silent, hands in his pocket and head down as the two walked down the hallway towards the elevator.
"How's Lena adjusting to the idea of being a grandmother?" Frank asked.
"Okay, I guess," Jamie shrugged. "I think Eddie was hoping for her to be a little more excited for her. Want to spend more time with her."
"That's not happening?"
"Not so much. Apparently, Lena didn't have the morning sickness like Eddie did and wasn't very sympathetic. Told her to power through it. That it wasn't really as bad as she was making it out to be."
"Because we all know how much of a whiner Eddie Janko is," Frank replied sarcastically.
"Exactly," Jamie said. "But now that she's past the worst of it and is feeling better, Lena's getting a little more involved."
"That's good. This is a time when a woman really needs support. Especially from other women. From her mother."
"Yeah."
Frank watched his son as they waited for the elevator.
"Important for a man, too."
Jamie looked up at him.
"To have his mother."
He ducked his head again, sighing heavily.
"I miss her, Dad."
"I know you do."
He caught his father's gaze.
"Don't take this wrong, Dad. I'm really glad to have you here, have your love and support. I feel that. I love you and I know how blessed Conor is to have such an amazing grandfather."
"But you wish your mom was here, too."
"I do."
"Of course you do, Son. Your mother was your biggest supporter. Your loudest cheerleader. You were her baby and she was so proud of you. She would be so thrilled to watch you become a husband and a father and I wish that she could be here, too. I miss her, too."
The doors slid open and they stepped into the car.
"Really? Because it seems like you've moved on with Lucy."
Frank sighed.
"It's not like I'm choosing her over your mother, Jamie. She's been gone for a long time now. I've finally met someone who's made me realize that something is missing in my life. She won't ever fill the hole your mother left, but she fills another empty spot I didn't even realize was there."
Jamie crossed his arms and leaned back against the elevator wall.
"What's really going on, Jamie?"
"I think I've been pretty clear about my feelings."
"Yeah. Feelings. Which aren't permissible in a court of law."
"This isn't a court of law, Dad."
"No, it's not. It's my life, Jamie. My family. You've admitted that you don't have any real, concrete reason not to like her. I care about her. Pops cares for her. Your brother and nephews at least acknowledge that this is my choice. Nicky likes her. Even your own wife who you said has 'good instincts,' likes her. Really likes her. Thinks she's good for me."
"Yeah."
"And you know that this has nothing to do with my feelings about your mom. That I will always love her and always miss her."
"I know."
"Talk to me, Jamie. Tell me why you can't just be happy for me."
"It's just too much," the younger man told him as the doors slid open.
"Too much what?"
He muttered something under his breath.
Frank stepped closer.
"Too much what?" he repeated.
"Change."
Frank waited for him to continue.
"We're having a baby, Dad. Like you said, there's so much that could go wrong. For Eddie. For the baby. And even if everything does go perfect, everything is going to be different. It won't just be me and Eddie anymore. No more spontaneous date nights or trips. There's someone else we have to consider and plan for. Don't get me wrong. I'm thrilled about this. It's something we've been hoping for for a long time, but it's a big change. We're looking for a house. Trying to make a decision about a vehicle, because neither one of ours will work well for a family."
He took a breath.
"There's reorganization at work. People leaving, new people coming in.
New people to prove that I'm more than just my name."
A nod.
"Danny dating again. Seriously dating. I know I said I remembered girls before Linda, but she was the only one he was ever really serious about. And this feels similar. And it means change in the family dynamic."
"It does."
"Then there's Erin and Jack."
Now it was Frank's turn to make a face.
"That seems to be getting serious again."
"I hope not. I'd hate to see her hurt again."
"I know. Their on again/off again cycles shake everything up."
Jamie reached up and rubbed his eyes and Frank saw, not his confident, capable son, but the frustrated, nervous little boy who had always liked things just so.
"And now you…"
"I'm making changes, too."
Jamie nodded.
"You and Pops…you are the cornerstones of this family. The calm in the center of the storm. The lighthouse that we can always follow home. Unwavering and never changing. It's like someone cut the rope on my anchor and I'm adrift."
It was on the tip of Frank's tongue to reply that he understood completely. That he felt much the same.
Life changing all around him.
But he didn't.
Because right now, Jamie needed assurance.
"I'm sorry, Son."
"It's overwhelming and I just can't deal with any more right now, Dad. I can't just deal with this woman and all the changes that come along with her. Not now."
"I can't wait," Frank told him quietly. "Lucy and I need this settled."
"I know you do. I just can't right now. It's just going to take me some time to adjust to everything."
"It's a lot to deal with all at once," his father agreed.
"Sorting through all that is not my priority, Dad. I'm sorry."
Frank nodded. "That's fair. All I ask is that, in the meantime…"
"Be nice," Jamie finished.
"Or at the very least, be neutral."
They started towards the car, his detail following at a discreet distance. When they reached the vehicle, Nucifero stepped over to open the door, then stepped back, his gaze roaming the garage.
Jamie ran his fingers through his hair.
"This means a lot to you."
"She does," Frank nodded. "They do."
Finally, Jamie sighed.
"Okay. I understand the need to not stress her out, so I will do my best to not bring my concerns up in front of her."
"That's all I ask."
"You still want me at the wedding?"
"If you can stick to that, we would love to have you and Eddie at the wedding. And at the dinner the night before."
"Then, we'll be there."
"Good. And if there's anything I can do for you and Eddie…if you've reconsidered the loan…"
"We haven't. We need to do this ourselves. Besides, you've got your own additions to your family to worry about."
"The offer stands," his dad reminded him. "For money or for anything else you might need. A listening ear."
"Thanks, Dad. But we'll get it figured out."
"I know you will."
"Thanks for coming by," Jamie told him.
"Thanks for hearing me out. I'm glad we could come to an agreement."
The two said their good-byes, Frank climbing in the SUV and Jamie heading back to the elevator and up to his apartment and his wife.
When he got there, Eddie wrapped her arms around him.
"Did you and Frank wrap things up on a civil note?" she asked, looking up at him.
"Civil enough, I suppose," he told her, returning his embrace.
Her eyes narrowed.
"You're going to give him and Lucy your blessing to be happy together."
"Sort of."
"What do you mean 'sort of?' He pretty well proved that she's not some fortune hunter who thinks she's hit the jackpot."
"Probably unlikely," he admitted with a sigh.
"Are you still doubting she's even pregnant? Because she showed me and Nicky pictures from the ultrasound."
"Dad has those, too."
"They're so tiny."
"Yeah, they are. But that doesn't prove that he's the father."
She huffed in frustration. "But he accepts that he is."
"Because she says so."
"Yeah. And he trusts her. And so do I. She's really special, Jamie, and she and your dad could really use the support from the family right now."
"I know, Babe, but I just can't. Not right now."
"Why not?"
"I just have too many questions and concerns and I just don't have the time or the energy to deal with them right now."
"But this is important to Frank."
"I know it is. But between work stuff and getting everything ready for the baby, I just feel like my plate is full and one more thing is more than I can deal with right now."
Eddie saw the stress and tension on his face and pulled him close.
"I'm sorry. What can I do?"
He held her close.
"Just be here. Be safe. And be patient with me."
"Of course," she assured him.
He pulled her over to the couch.
"Dad and I talked and I agreed to dial things back a little on the negativity. I told him that I will cut out the doubts and the questions about her character when she's around. Not upset her or stress her out. Then, when I've dealt with some of the stuff I've got going on and I'm feeling a little less overwhelmed, I can take some time and talk to her. Sort through my impressions and feelings. I just need time, Eddie."
"Okay," she nodded. "I just really hate it when things aren't good between you and Frank and Henry. I know how important you all are to each other and I hate when you disagree."
"Me, too," he assured her. "We'll work it out. I promise."
"Good," she replied, settling into his embrace. "Because we don't want to cut off any possible babysitters."
BBFFBBFF
In his vehicle, Frank settled in for the ride home. He wished things had gone better with Jamie, but he had, at least, agreed to make an effort to be courteous to her. He finally seemed to understand that Frank's desire to look out for Lucy was as primal as his own need to protect Eddie.
And their children.
He pulled out his phone, the pictures from their ultrasound still pulled up. He studied the pictures of the two tiny creatures, each about the size of his thumb, who had turned his life upside down simply by existing. Scrolling back, he stopped at the video, running it again and again.
The movements.
Tiny arms and legs,
The flutter of tiny hearts.
A flick of his thumb brought up another picture.
Their mother.
At the movie.
She had a drink in one hand, her other arm wrapped around the bucket of popcorn.
With extra butter.
With both hands full, she had lowered her head to sneak a mouthful of popcorn. When he snapped the picture, her cheeks were puffed out, chipmunk style, and the end of her nose glistened with butter.
Another shot was from the chapel where they would be getting married. She stood gazing upward at the stained glass window, surrounded by color.
The third was from that night at the house in Bay Ridge. She and Pops were cleaning up after dinner, seriously discussing the merits of salted versus unsalted butter in a recipe.
The affection between the two was clear
He checked the time, then fired off a text.
*Eddie said she enjoyed the day*
Moments later, his phone rang.
"She told you that?"
"She did," he affirmed.
"Oh, good. I did, too."
"And she said she really likes you and she thinks you're really good for me."
"I hope so."
"She also said you found a dress for the wedding. And a couple of others."
"When did you see her?"
"I stopped by to talk to Jamie," he told her.
"About?"
"You."
"Francis."
"I don't like the way he was acting towards you, Lucy."
"I can handle it, Francis."
"I know you feel you can."
"I can."
"But you shouldn't have to. No one should have to put up with being treated like that. Not by my kids. They were raised better than that."
She sighed.
"I don't want to cause problems between you and your kids."
"You're not. I know you say it doesn't bother you, but I'm concerned. This is a high risk pregnancy and I want to minimize the stress you have to deal with. Please, let me do this for you. Let me stick up for you."
"Okay," she said quietly. "Thank you."
"My pleasure."
"So…how did it go?"
"Good. He's feeling a little overwhelmed by all the change in his life and in the family right now and that's more the issue than you. But he's going to refrain from the rude remarks."
"I'll appreciate that. And he was okay with Eddie borrowing something to wear to the wedding?: she asked.
"I think we were both a little suspicious about how that worked out…"
"I don't know what you mean."
"Right…"
She laughed. "I remember saving up for a baby when the budget was tight and there was no room for 'wants.' I would have gladly bought her something, but I also remember enough about that time to feel that offer would not have been accepted."
"You're probably right. As for Jamie's response, we Reagan men are a pretty soft touch when it comes to our ladies."
Clearing his throat, he continued.
"Eddie said that you had a productive shopping trip."
"We did. It's not exactly a traditional wedding dress, but I really like it and I think I look pretty good in it."
"I have no doubt. You're a very beautiful woman, Lucy."
"Clearly you've forgotten the ugly crying breakdown last week," she laughed.
"I forgot nothing, Sweetheart. It hurt to see you so upset, but you still looked beautiful."
"What am I going to do with you, Francis Reagan?"
"Marry me."
"I think that's why I got the dress."
"That's good."
He paused for a moment.
"Is that all you got? Dresses for you and Eddie?"
"And some shoes," she added. "Oh, and a dress for Nicky. As a 'thank you' for her help with the wedding."
"Anything else? I think you mentioned something about nightwear?"
"Oh, yeah. I did, didn't I?"
"You did."
"I may have picked up a couple of things."
"Oh, yeah?"
"Yeah. Found a big, cozy Patriots sweatshirt," she told him.
"Because I need extra motivation to strip you down in a hurry,"
She laughed.
"I look forward to that."
"Me, too."
"As Eddie reminded me, just four more days."
"You okay with that?:
"I am. How about you?"
They chatted for a few more minutes before she sighed.
"I should probably get ready for work," she told him.
"I suppose. Oh. I have a meeting with the mayor in the morning, so I won't be able to meet you for breakfast, but I was hoping you might be able to come by the house before work tomorrow evening. Join us for dinner? Pops says it's been too long since he's seen you."
"I'd love to."
After ending the call, Lucy went to her room to change into her scrubs. She had carefully hung the dress in the closet, but the lingerie was still on the bed. As she went to put it away, she had a thought.
A slightly naughty thought.
That she should definitely not do.
Because photos didn't always stay private.
Chewing her lip for a moment, she made a decision.
BBFFBBFF
Frank watched the traffic around them as they traveled the familiar route to his home in Bay Ridge. To his father and dinner.
His phone dinged with an incoming text.
*For your eyes only* it read.
The attached photo made his eyes widen.
She was cross-legged on the bed, wearing a dark red satiny looking robe.
Mostly wearing.
It was loosely belted, the sides covering her breasts.
Down the middle, though, an expanse of creamy white skin showed, all the way down to her navel.
Her smile was sultry. Inviting.
*Sneak preview* the text said.
The next picture showed her sitting on the counter in her bathroom. The white nightie was sheer and lacy and short. She held the phone so that the photo included the reflection, showing how deeply the back was cut.
In the front, the lace bodice offered tantalizing glimpses of skin, the hair pulled forward over her shoulders protecting her modesty.
She had her lower lip caught between her teeth and she gazed at the camera from beneath lowered eyelids.
*To whet your interest*
His mind drifted back, remembering the warm softness of her skin beneath his hand. The silkyness of her hair as he ran his fingers through it. The low sounds she made as he touched her.
He took a deep, slightly unsteady breath, then called her back.
"What do you think you're doing, Woman?" he asked, his voice low and rough.
"I'm so sorry, Francis. I don't know what I was thinking. I've never done anything like that before."
"I'm glad to hear that."
"I realized as soon as I hit 'send' that it probably wasn't a good idea."
"Definitely not. Especially if you still want to wait until our wedding night. Because pictures like those might have me breaking the speed limit heading over to your house forthwith if my self control wasn't so strong."
There was a moment of silence.
"You're not angry?" she asked quietly.
He replayed the conversation in his head, realizing how his opening could have been interpreted, especially from someone with abuse in her past.
"No, I'm not," he hastened to assure her. "Not at all. I'm sorry if it sounded like I was. I may be feeling one of the 7 deadly sins right now, but it ain't anger."
He heard her sigh, relieved.
"Just to be clear, though…when we ended our last conversation, you said you were going to get ready for work. You're not wearing that to work, are you?"
She laughed.
"No. That look is only for you. Besides, like most women's garments, neither of those outfits have pockets for my pens and stuff."
"Thank goodness for that."
"Besides, I think it would be a little chilly."
"It would. You should wait until I'm there to keep you warm."
"That's my plan."
"After the wedding."
"Right."
"We're still wanting to wait, right?" he asked, looking at the pictures again.
"I wouldn't necessarily say 'wanting to' wait," she admitted.
"But we should," he sighed. "Because we've done so much of this relationship ass-backwards already and things are hectic right now and it should happen when we have the time to be comfortable and relaxed."
"Probably so," she agreed. "And it's only 4 days away."
"Four days."
"And now, I really do need to get ready for work," she told him.
"Of course. I hope you have a quiet, easy night."
"Thank you."
"I'll call you in the morning on my way to breakfast, if that's okay?"
"It is. I always enjoy talking to you."
"Likewise."
"Tell Henry 'hello' and that I'm looking forward to seeing him at dinner tomorrow."
"Just him?"
"Both of you," she clarified. "Should I bring anything?"
"Just yourself. Though, we probably wouldn't mind if you brought dessert. Since you said you have a freezer full of stuff you need to clear out."
"Very true."
"Be careful out there and I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"I look forward to it."
'Good nights' were exchanged with reluctance and the call ended.
Frank settled back in his seat, overall content with his day. He did wish things had gone better with his youngest, but he supposed an agreement to limit his negativity at least in Lucy's presence was a step in the right direction at least.
He understood how stressed he was right now.
How scary the big changes were.
Boy, could he understand.
Hopefully, when things calmed down a bit, Jamie would allow himself to see what an amazing and special person Lucy Makenna really is.
And then there was Erin.
She would have to be dealt with, too.
But that was an issue for another day.
He pulled up the photos on his phone again, smiling as he scrolled through them, stopping on the ultrasound pictures.
Their babies.
Their future.
Just four more days.
And that's a wrap for chapter 20. I hope you enjoyed it and I would sincerely love to know what you thought. Did the excuses for jamie's behavior and attitude make sense?
Be well, dear readers. I'm off to work on the next chapter.