And love
Chapter 99 Settling down
12th precinct
"Sgt Renzulli, here."
"Sarge, Jamie here."
"Lieutenant Reagan! What can I do for you, this fine day, Harvard?"
"Is detective Joe Hill in the house?"
"Yes, you need him?"
"Just a chat, no trouble. I'll be there in 15."
"Ok, I'll warn him."
"Don't both- CALL ENDED
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Jamie approaches Joe's desk. Joe jumps to attention and salutes. Jamie reciprocates and smirks, "As you were, defective." He sits at the next desk's open chair.
"Well, Joe. What's this I hear about you, Cassandra, and an asp?" He frowns.
"Ah, well you see, she asked me about that the last time mom and I were at your place for dinner."
"And?"
"I told her that I could teach her if it was ok with you and Eddie. We didn't have anything set up. Why are you asking?"
"It came up the other day. Nothing set up?"
"Nope. And I would not go there without the word from you and the missus. Trust me."
"Ok, got it. Well, I am ok with that, I will ask Eddie and let you know what she says. All right?"
"Good with me, sir!"
They rise, salute again and Jamie exits.
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BAY RIDGE – NEXT SUNDAY
Jamie, Nicky and Mal are in attendance representing the ON THE ISLAND 'ZOO'.
"We only get part of the ZOO at family dinners?" Frank inquires.
"We all decided that all the animals showing up might be too messy," Jamie admits. All laugh. "But, on special occasions, or by special request, all will come – don't worry."
"Mom, how is it going here with grandpa?" Nicky inquires.
Erin looks to Jack, nodding for him to answer. "Well Nick, we are done with the remodeling, and we all are very satisfied."
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FLASHBACK – 4 DAYS EARLIER
Frank, Erin & Jack talk with the lead contractor, "Are you folks satisfied with the work that has been done?"
They review the final invoice: 1) upstairs master bedroom enlarged; 2) accompanying sitting area and ensuite bath with jacuzzi tub; 3) 2 guest bedrooms with full bath between them; 4) main floor master bedroom with full ensuite and sitting area; 5) main floor half bath [sink, commode & shower].
They look at each other and nod in agreement. Frank speaks for them, "Yes, that is done as agreed upon; and is satisfactory. We believe we have 10 working days to get you our payment, correct?"
"Correct, sir."
"Ok, I will deliver the checks on Monday, 5 days from now."
"Very good, we will wait for that. It's been a pleasure doing business with you!"
They shake hands all around; the contractor departs.
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"So, you all are happy, eh. Do we get a tour?" Linda asks.
"Yes, after dinner," Erin assures them.
Dinner conversation flows easily, with light chit chat.
Frank and Jack are assigned dish duty; Erin leads a tour.
They love the new, larger MBR, ensuite & jacuzzi.
"I really like the colors you chose, Erin," Linda compliments her sister-in-law."
"Thanks Lin, Jack and I wanted it to really feel new, and our own."
"I think you achieved that."
"May we take pictures, sis?" Jamie wonders.
"Surely." Erin approves.
Jamie nods to Mal, asking her to take pictures for Cassie. So her sister can make a digital collage for the 'ZOO animals'. Mal starts snapping.
They like the 2 sleep rooms and full bath. There is room for family sleepovers.
"We discussed bed choices for the guest rooms," Erin tells them. "As you see; we ended up choosing 2 trundle beds in 1 room, and a trundle and bunk in the other. We feel that this will provide options for the various family configurations who come to stay with us."
"Good choices, mom. We have 2 trundles and 1 bunk bed in the upstairs girls' room at Jamie and Eddie's. It works great!" Nicky declares.
"So, you are paying the bill Monday, I heard." Jamie voices.
"Yup, I'm delivering 3 checks Monday."
"3?" Danny cocks his head.
"Yes, Daniel. Erin, Jack and myself split the bill evenly." Frank looks pleased.
"Is that fair?" Danny persists, Linda gives him a soft elbow.
Jack scowls, Erin nudges his hip with hers.
"I believe so," Frank intones. "We are all satisfied."
Downstairs on the main floor, Frank shows them his bedroom with ensuite and sitting area. And a half bath for main floor guests to utilize. He is pleased, as are Erin and Jack.
"We have one more thing to announce, why don't we all retire to the living room," Erin puts out there.
After they are comfy, Jack starts. "Obviously I have given up my apartment what with moving in here with Erin and dad. Both Erin and I are saving considerable expenses now. So, we are wondering about her apartment." He turns to Erin, who picks up the narrative.
"We are considering holding on to my place for 1 year. For family members to use when they need to stay overnight in Manhattan for 1 or 2 nights."
"Ah, may I get Eddie on speaker," Jamie asks.
"Surely."
He does, and explains to her where they are in the discussion. She is very interested, and listens as Erin continues.
"We thought that instead of giving everyone a key – we would provide the super with a picture & description of those who are at all likely to use the apartment."
Jack picks up the baton; "Then if you need to use the place, just call Erin or myself and we will let the super know that it's ok."
"That's great," Eddie remarks. "Once in a while I have interviews to do in Manhattan; twice I have needed to go in and back 2 days in a row."
"Me too," Joe added," also on speaker. "Sometimes a case me and my partner are on pushes us into 48-or-72-hour duty."
"Duh . . . sleep at the precinct, buddy!" Danny chortles.
"Done that, Danny! Erin's old place would be more restful. Thanks Erin & Jack."
Frank and the rest frown at Danny. They can just hear Pops saying, 'keep it civil, Daniel'.
They group all thank Erin & Jack. Erin takes pictures of those present, soliciting pictures of Eddie & Joe. Then they depart for their homes.
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ON THE ISLAND
Mal shows the pictures around, then gives Cassie her phone so her big sister can download the originals for the promised collage. That collage will be a part of the Reagan family history Cassie is building. She asks Nicky to rite an accompanying story. Her cousin agrees.
BEDTIME UPSTAIRS PRAYER CIRCLE
Nicky: Lord Jesus, please be with my mother and father. I hope that they will have learned to compromise with each other. I love them both, and hope that living with grandpa will go well. AMEN.
Mary Rose: Lord Jesus, thank you for the time I had to be with our GG. I loved him so much. And watch over my mommy, daddy, and all my sisters and brothers. AMEN.
AJ: Jesus, please be with all my family. Even Joseph, Maddie, Hero and Betsy. I love them all! AMEN.
Everyone got to pray; then they hugged, kissed and went to bed. As Pat & AJ passed mom and Dad's room, they heard their parents praying for all their children. The boys slipped into the MBR – they snuck up behind mom & dad as they knelt beside their big bed. They hugged their parents, kissed their cheeks and accepted the same as mommy and daddy turned around.
"Love you guys," Eddie whispered.
"Same for me," dad whispered. "Do you need help getting to bed?"
"No, thanks dad. See you in the morning mommy!"
A final kiss, then off to bed the boys scampered.
IN BED
"Jamie, aren't we fortunate?" She snuggled close.
"Yes, love. Did you ever imagine this?"
"Nope! I thought that when I got you, my life was full. If I only knew!"
"Regrets?" Jamie thinks he knows the answer.
"NONE! NEVER! You?"
He was right. "NONE! NEVER! 1-4-3, always & forever!"
"1-4-3, Always & forever!"
"G'nite, babe."
"G'nite, love!"
Peace and love ON THE ISLAND!
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TBC