And love
Chap 70 History, tell all?
FEBRUARY 14, Friday
8 AM, 1PP
"Good morning, Frank, sir!" Abigail Baker grinned at her boss. He is just arriving for work.
He stopped and stared at his trusted assistant, before he enters his office. "Well, you look like the cat that swallowed the proverbial canary. Apparently, you had a good 2 days off."
"I did!" Silence.
"Well?"
"2 days at the Westchester farmer's market."
"And?"
She holds up her phone, showing him a picture. "For you."
"The man? The kids? The donkey, or the cart?"
Next picture – FOR SALE sign on said cart.
"Oh . . . OH!" He exclaims. "I wonder if it's still available?"
"It is, grandpa." She grins even wider.
"And you know this, how?" He smirks.
"I put $200 down as a deposit. For you; after 10 working days I charge interest."
"I am sure you do. I can't read the phone number-
She hands him an already filled out post it note.
"Thanks," he nods and slips into his office. "How does she do that?" He mutters as he hangs up his coat.
"Do what?" A familiar voice inquires.
Frank hadn't seen Garrett in the high-backed chair.
"Do things for me before I even ask," he explains.
"Aren't you used to that by now, Frank?"
"Yes . . . and no. Sometimes she still surprises me."
"Join the club! By the way, I looked for info on horse auctions as you asked. On my own time, of course."
"Of course. And?"
"Here is what I found-
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ON THE ISLAND, February 14, supper time
"Some of us girls at school were talking at lunch time. Tomorrow is Valentine's Day you know," Cassie looks at her parents. "And we shared how mom and dad met. I didn't have much to say," she grins. "How did you two meet?"
Jamie & Eddie look at each other with a grimace. They knew this would happen sooner or later. Mal knew a little, she had been exposed to the brouhaha that occurred early on when her mom and Jamie tried to integrate into Reagan family dinners as a couple. But the story as a whole was a mystery to all 3 daughters.
Cassie goes on, "that story would be perfect to video! For the family library, you know!"
"YES!" Mal and Mary Rose exclaim.
Jamie blanches, Eddie blushes.
"Did I say something wrong?" Cassie squeaks. She reads body language very well.
Her parents stand in the middle of a minefield, neither knowing what to say. They must say something. To request time to craft a 'press release' will be immediately seen as dodging. Their daughters will not let them get away with that. They should have been ready for this, and they know it. Their children deserve to know the story, they shouldn't have to rely on the grapevine. Or uncle Danny or aunt Erin.
Jamie takes a leap, "We met at a bar. I had recently had my fiancé change her mind, and give back the ring."
"Daddy, she gave up on you?" Mary Rose cannot believe it. Her daddy is a nice, wonderful person.
"Well, I switched from being a lawyer to a cop. Sydney couldn't handle that. The dangers of the job were too much. I guess."
"Sydney was her name?" Cass surmises.
"Yes."
"Did you love daddy right away, mommy?" Mal inquires.
"Ah, no. It's complicated." She looks to Jamie, a 'what are we gonna do' look on her face.
"You were gone for a long-time daddy, then you came back." Mal voices. "What happened?"
"It's time, isn't it?" Eddie says to him. "What about Cassie's idea?"
"I think we should tell the story; then do a recording later, if we decide to do that. You?" He opines.
"I agree. Shall I begin?" Eddie asks.
He nods, she starts, "As daddy said, we met at a bar, neither of us was expecting to meet someone special." She pauses.
He picks up the story. "But we did . . . meet someone special that is. Both of us had a relatively recent breakup. We bought each other a drink, danced some – that's what started it for me. Dancing with her in my arms was . . . special. I hadn't felt like that in . . . forever, really."
He passes the baton; the girls are transfixed.
"That started it for me too! We left the bar and walked around mid-town Manhattan for a while. Soon after we started walking, one of us reached for the other's hand; I steered us toward a private place that I knew so we could talk and get better acquainted."
Cass: "So you would be totally alone there, right?" She grins.
J: "Correct. As it happened, kissing for a long time led to sharing our love. And we made our 1st mistake – we didn't take any precautions to prevent pregnancy." (They held their breath. The questions never came)
E: "And I got pregnant. Here I made the 2nd mistake. I had no family support system. My mother had died of cancer, my dad was in prison. I only knew Jamie was his 1st name. When I did find out that he was a Reagan, I was terrified. I discovered who his family was, how important and powerful they probably were – so I didn't tell Jamie about the baby. I was afraid his family might band together and take Malina away from me."
"They wouldn't do that mommy," Mary Rose exclaimed.
E: "I know that now. I didn't then."
J: "We met again when I was assigned to be her TO. When we realized what had happened, we couldn't be police partners. So, cousin Joe took over for me."
E: "Then I decided that being a mommy was more important than a dangerous job. So, I switched to paralegal. And here we are."
"I think we could record that, don't you?" Cassie asks.
"Maybe, let daddy and I talk it over. Ok?" Eddie voices.
"Ok. What about my part of our story?" Cassie wonders.
"You know what, Cass. Your interest in video is great. Your story would be a good project to start with. Why don't you start working on a script, and let mother and I look at it and advise you?" Dad suggests.
"Really?" She is amazed.
"Yup, really." Mom smiles in support.
The girls hop up and head upstairs. Apparently satisfied with the explanation they got. Now Eddie & Jamie will wait and see what comes off the grapevine.
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2 WEEKS LATER
Grandpa Frank and GG Henry have a very special belated valentine for Mary Rose and the family. They purchased the cart Abby Baker had found at a farmer's market. It was delivered to SRR* where Palmer and boys checked it out. It came fully equipped with harness et al – so it was ready to go. They had made sure that the harness fit Joseph. The driver's seat would hold 2 kids or 1 medium sized adult and 1 kid. The bed could hold 4 kids – not 4 bulky teenagers. All 5 Reagan children could be accommodated plus 1 parent. As the children grew, space would become an issue.
Today, while the girls were at school, Palmer and Carroll deliver it and checked everything. When they were done, the cart was placed in the middle of the barn. A big red ribbon and bow on it – it awaits Mary Rose's arrival home. Her routine is to drop off her backpack and head to the barn to check on Joseph.
2 PM
The girls arrive, Cassie & Mal head upstairs to their room. Mary Rose drops her pack at the bottom of the stairs and runs out the back door.
SUDDENLY
"WHAT IS THIS? OH MY GOD! MOMMY, DADDY!"
Mary Rose runs back into the house, skidding to a stop on the linoleum kitchen floor as she collides with Eddie.
"Have you seen what is in the barn, mommy?"
"Yes, baby. Isn't it beautiful?"
"It's awesome! Do you know what Joseph and I can do now?"
"Yes, we can go for rides, all of us. Did you see what else is in the barn?"
"No, what else?"
"Let's go see." Eddie says.
Mary Rose dashes out the back door, mom right on her heels. The young 'un gets to the barn 1st. "Oh my god! Betsy! And Hero! We can all go riding together. Who did this?"
"Go into the family room and see."
They dash back into the house and into the FR.
"GG and Grandpa! Did you see . . . wait, did you give us the cart?" She throws herself into their arms, laughing and crying. Standing by the fireplace, Palmer and Carroll chuckle. Such joy is a thing to behold.
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10 DAYS LATER
The phone rings on Lt. Reagan's desk at the 3-5. "Lieutenant Reagan."
"Harvard, I need your help. I talked with Captain Espinoza, and he said you are the only one he can spare."
"Sarge, what's up?" Jammie and Tony Renzulli have been on a first name basis for years.
"My Seargent Wilson has a medical emergency at home. I need someone to finish his shift with his rookie, a Jose Cruz. Can you help me out?"
"Can't you do it?" Jamie grimaces.
"I'm the only sergeant with enough experience to run the shop. Please?"
"You owe me."
"Anything, Harvard, anything."
Jamie smiles, knowing better. "Ok, Tony. Be there soon."
12th PRECINCT
Jamie is introduced to officer Cruz. Renzulli had told him that Cruz has driven a few tours. As there is only 4 hours left in this tour, Jamie elects to allow the rookie to drive.
"You got the keys, Cruz?"
"Yes, LT."
"Good let's go."
Their assigned sector is adjacent to the 3-5, Jamie knows it well. Jose dashes out of the house, Jamie hustling to keep up. They pile into their RMP and are off.
After 30" of patrolling, during which the 2 officers get a little acquainted, they get a call.
"Central, 12-Charlie on the air."
Jamie keys his shoulder microphone, "Central, 12-Charlie responding."
"12-Charlie, domestic in progress, address -. 1 GS reported."
"Central," Jamie starts. "Show 12-Charlie responding."
"Copy that, 12-Charlie. Central out."
"Cruz, you got that?"
"Yes, LT."
"You know where that address is?"
"Not sure, sir."
"PULL OVER NOW!"
He does, they switch places. Jamie takes off, tires squealing.
"Follow my lead, Cruz! Got that?"
"Yes, sir!"
''SHIT, A DAMN ROOKIE!' Jamie curses his luck.
Lights are on, no sirens. Jamie pulls up and screeches to a stop. Lights stay on, Jamie takes the lead and draws his weapon; Cruz dutifully follows. The address is a 3rd floor walkup appt.
As they approach the 3rd floor, they hear muffled cries and a 'thwap'; like a human body being struck. Jamie's blood runs cold!
"Watch my 6!" He says softly to Cruz.
"What?"
'DAMN!' "My back!"
"Yes, LT." Cruz whispers. Unbeknownst to Jamie, officer Cruz is adjusting his vest – in the middle of an op!
Jamie kicks the door in; he immediately sees a young woman on the floor. Standing over her is a short, stocky man – a baseball bat in his left hand and a gun n his right. He is about to strike her again.
"POLICE, FREEZE!" Jamie shouts, officer Cruz looks up – 'what the hell'?
The perp whirls around, rapidly raising his gun.
"DOWN!" Jamie screams to his partner.
SIMULTANEOUSLY
The perp fires; Jamie fires as he kneels, putting a neat hole in the perp's forehead; Cruz utters "What?"; the woman and 2 observers scream!
Jamie rakes 3 steps to the perp, kicking away his weapons, checking for a pulse – none; he whirls around, seeing Cruz DOWN, clutching his left shoulder; he yells to the 2 people in the doorway – "call 911, we need 2 ambulances here right away." He rapidly checks the woman. "I will be ok," she says.
He turns to Cruz; he applies pressure to the left shoulder wound which is bleeding moderately. He gets blood all over his hands, wiping them one after the other on his pants. Cruz is fading fast; "Jose, stay with me, keep your eyes open, JOSE!" No response; 'DAMN, why is he losing it so fast?'
"JOSE!"
He soon hears sirens; the woman looks at him, mouthing "Thank you!"
EMT personnel take command of officer Cruz. One look and they blanch – "we must scoop and run. The blood vessels behind the clavicle may be shattered!" The two swiftly scoop Jose onto the stretcher and take off at a run.
"Where are you going?" Jamie shouts.
"St. Victor," and they are gone.
Jamie talks quietly with the woman; soon a bus arrives to assume her care.
Shortly, Jamie heads back to the 12th as back up from the 12th arrive to take over the crime scene.
"Baptism by fire, eh Reagan?" Tony jokes as he sees Jamie head to a desk. He sits to do his paperwork associated with the incident. He will leave all follow-up to Tony and the 12th.
Jamie isn't laughing. "You really owe me now, Tony." He frowns, rapidly filling out his after-action report, and is out of there.
'Damn kid,' Tony thinks.
Jamie breaks several traffic regs on the way home. On the way he looks down at his uniform; 'hm, not as bad as from that little girl, but bad enough. I must clean up.'
He slides into the driveway, slams on the parking brake; dashes into the house, dropping his keys into the dish on the front entryway shelf. He dashes to the MBR, opens the door – he pauses, his hand on the doorknob.
He turns around and sees Eddie. She is standing in the hallway, 15 feet away. She looks at him, a wistful expression on her face – her arms open wide. After a moment, they rush into each other's arms.
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TBC
A/N: Skyross19, thanks for another insightful review!
SRR = Saddle Rock Ranch