And Love
Chapter 15 I can't do this
A/N: To my reviewers:
To patrickpopp, Eddie can't leave the force? Sorry.
To skyross19, DO NOT SHUT UP! I love your reviews.
Agree with comments on adoption.
Chap 16 is intended as an epilogue. Unless there is a clamor for more.
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SWING TOUR 12-CHARLIE
Jamie is riding with Kara Walsh, she is driving.
"You think you're smart, don't you! Beating me to the lot with car keys." Jamie is mildly pissed.
"Yup! Eddie will love to hear this." Kara boasts.
"I am sure. This means I pick our meal spot; you know."
"Ah, no. Rock, paper, scissors."
"Sorry, rank!" He points to his sleeve.
She groans. 'Damn'
"Central, 12-Charlie on the air."
Jamie keys his shoulder mic, "Go ahead central, 12-charlie on the air."
"12-charlie, domestic disturbance middle of the block up ahead. Baseball bats reported."
Jamie activates lights & sirens as Kara speeds up. As they approach, Kara squeals to a stop; Jamie leaves lights on, deactivates sirens. They see a cluster of 6 African-American men, swinging fists and 2-3 bat-like clubs. They exit the RMP with their asps in hand. STAND DOWN, Jamie hollers. All the men whirl around to face the officers; 2 men with clubs immediately charge. Jamie draws his Glock and repeats STAND DOWN! Before Kara can draw, ne of the men is upon her, striking her twice in the side of the head. Jamie aims at Kara's assailant and fires into his shoulder. The rest of the men back up and drop their weapons. Jamie calls for back-up and 2 ambulances. He quickly cuffs the downed perp, keeping an eye on the other men. He then turns to Kara; "Kara, do you hear me? Stay with me Walsh!"
She is lapsing into unconsciousness. She is breathing, and pulse strong. They are 1 block from an FDNY station; the ambulances are there in 2 minutes. 2 RMPs arrive shortly.
The EMTs take over the scene; one officer rides with the shot perp, Jamie rides with Kara to the ER.
At the ER Jamie gives his statement to detectives, then returns to Kara's side. He sends a TXT to Eddie; Kara and she are BFF on the force.
J: Kara, head wound, bat. Not conscious.
E: You?!
J: OK, rly. Worried.
E: Brandon & boys?
J: DNK
E: shall I call.
J: No, pray.
E: K, 1-4-3
J: 1-4-3
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'S
Eddie has called Nicky to see if she can accompany her and the girls to the hospital. Nicky will meet them there.
Eddie waits in the main lobby for Nicky, Mal is a wreck. She doesn't know Kara, but has heard her name several times, and knows that she is a close friend of her mom's.
Nicky rushes in from the subway stop, she sees Eddie and girls in the front lobby.
"Where is Kara?" She asks, out of breath.
"ICU, I hope they let me see her," Eddie says.
"Use your courtesy card!"
"I don't think it will work here."
"Pshaw, we're Reagans!"
Eddie stares at Nicky, wide eyed. 'What the hell. They get trained young.'
They go up to the 3rd floor and check in at the ICU waiting room. In 5 minutes, a nurse comes out, "Edit Janko?"
Eddie stands, handing Mary Rose to Nicky. "I am Edit."
"Identification please." The nurse holds out her hand.
Eddie shows her NYPD ID. The nurse examines it carefully; "Ok, you are one of Officer Walsh's emergency contacts. Follow me, you can see her for 15 minutes."
Eddie enters the room; Kara is pale and still. An IV is giving her fluids; monitors show her heartbeat, respirations, and O2 sat. She is breathing quietly on her own, but Eddie sees a ventilator in the corner of the room, just in case.
She pulls a chair close to the bed, sits and takes her friend's hand. The skin is cool and clammy; Eddie shivers at the touch.
A nurse comes in, walks around the bed checking Kara's IV and monitor leads. "Do you work with Officer Walsh," she asks softly.
"Yes, NYPD." Eddie admits. "Has she been conscious yet?"
"Not yet. You can talk with her; her subconscious will probably hear you. It may help her to wake up . . . you never know."
"Thank you."
"You are supposed to be here only 15 minutes. But as long as she is stable, we won't kick you out."
"I have a 2-month-old daughter in the waiting room; I am breast feeding."
The nurse gives Eddie a soft, loving look. "If she is quiet, we won't notice. Be careful."
Eddie pats her arm as she slips out to get Mary Rose.
Back in the room Eddie arranges a baby blanket and Mary Rose starts to suckle. The same nurse stops by, gazes at mother and child, "Beautiful child. Name?"
"Mary Rose."
The nurse sheds a tear, "My mother." She slips out.
"Kara, it's Eddie. I brought Mary Rose to see you. She is suckling. She's a hungry little Serbian girl. Just like her mommy! Jamie thinks he's in trouble now – three Serbian, part Serbian girls. But he loves us all. You better wake up soon, or you will miss some of Mary Rose's milestones. You don't want to do that. When she finishes, I am going to lay her next to you and take a picture; I hope you don't mind BFF!"
The nurse slips in, she heard that last part. "Call me, I'll take the picture so you can be in it too."
Eddie nods and sheds a tear.
The nurse takes two pictures; one with Kara and Mary Rose, one with all three ladies. Eddie texted both to Kara's husband Brandon.
Eddie then collected Mal and Nicky and went home.
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AT HOME
Eddie is seated in the rocking chair in the nursery, Mary Rose is nursing. She gazes up at her mommy; she is really too young, but it sometimes seems like she is smiling. Eddie imagines it.
"I'm home," Jamie announces as he comes in the front door. "Daddy!" Mal gets up from the LR floor and rushes to his waiting arms.
"How is my princess?"
"Good, your other princess is being fed, they are in the nursery."
"Well, let's go see them."
"Ok."
They hurry down the hall and find mother and daughter in the rocking chair. He gives Eddie a quick kiss, then sits cross-legged on the floor with Mal in his lap.
"Brandon showed me a couple pictures."
Eddie tenses, Mary Rose feels it and loses contact with the nipple she was attached to. She immediately fusses, Eddie tickles her lips and she reattaches. All is well in baby land.
"Did he say anything?"
"He was touched. He appreciates you supporting Kara. Are you sure -
"That I should see her like this? Huh?"
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For thinking . . . for almost saying-
"Forgiven. I know it feeds my doubts . . . but I needed to see her, to support her. We had a nice talk, well I talked and she listened. The nurse told me that Kara's subconscious probably hears. I hope so."
"How strong are your doubts, babe?"
"99% to leaving training. I'm sorry."
"No, no. All I want is for you to be safe, happy and fulfilled. If being a cop doesn't do that for you, let's find what will."
"Thank you, sweetheart . . . I found something in the NYT today."
"Oh, what?"
"Paralegal."
Jamie sucks in a breath. Mal notices.
"Really?" He whispers.
"Yes. There was an ad from a 2-pefson law firm, 2 women who do family law. They are looking for someone to help with the workload."
"Well, a paralegal will certainly do that. But you have no training."
"Yes, but the ad said that they would support the learning curve if they found the right person." She batted her eyes at her fiancé. He chuckled.
"So, you think you can seduce them?"
"I got you!"
"Yes, you did! And we have Mal, and Mary Rose!"
"Want to come along to the interview?"
"To play the hot fiancé card? Nu thanks."
She pouts. "That's why I am marrying you!"
"Oh?"
"Among other things. Kidding. I'm really looking forward to more beautiful babies."
"Um, how many?" He is intrigued.
"2, maybe."
"I'm in for that. I better push for lieutenant then."
"Shoe in, smarty pants!"
He pauses while he plays with Mal's hair.
"Are you sure, sweetheart?" Jamie frowns.
"Sure enough that I want to look and see."
"What are you going to tell the NYPD?"
"I'll tell them what I've decided after the interview."
"Ok, you know I will support you either way. And, you will be a great cop if you choose to stay on that track."
"Thank you for your support, and your love, Jamie!"
"I love you Eddie , always and forever!"
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REAGAN SUNDAY FAMILY DINNER
AT THE TABLE
"Jamie, I was surprised to see that Eddie is dropping out of her training! What happened?" Frank opened with.
Eddie wasn't there as Mary Rose had a slight temp and the sniffles. She really wanted to avoid the blowback!
"She had some doubts based on an officer's death on our 1st tour; then Kara's situation, then Mary Rose's birth . . .it all piled up on her-
"So, she didn't have what it takes-
"Shut up Danny-
"Easy boys," Pops attempts to apply the brakes. "The NYPD is a tough, dangerous job. And she has two beautiful girls under three. I think she made a reasonable decision. Let's support her and Jameson."
Amens were heard all around the table. Danny was quiet. Jamie noticed and was concerned. 'I thought we were past this!'
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3 WEEKS LATER
Kara Walsh, Eddie's Maid of Honor, still has not awakened. Brandon had reluctantly agreed that Kara should be moved to a rehab facility after 10 days in the hospital. Eddie visits 2-3 times a week, usually taking Mary Rose and Mal along. Kara's status raises two big questions: the timing of the wedding, and the Maid of Honor?
"Eddie, we need to make a decision here," Jamie gently broaches the subject.
"I know, but who do I ask to replace Kara as my Maid of Honor?"
"Erin? Anyone else at the 12th?"
"Probably Erin." Eddie admits.
"She will be honored, babe!"
"I know, and she really has reconciled completely with us. If she agrees, we should be ready to go in 3-4 weeks. Can you check with Fr. Mark on Sunday plans 3 weeks or more out?"
"Will do."
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Erin agrees.
Wedding date is firm – four weeks from Sunday.
Five changes to the wedding chart:
Maid of Honor = Erin Reagan,
Bridesmaid = Kara Walsh, in absentia,
Flower girl = Malina Janko,
Cake & reception hostesses,
Gwen Adams,
Julie Nelson.
Law partners, training Eddie to be a paralegal.
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TBC