A Chance for a Better Life

Chapter Thirty-Three

Jamie was happy to see the family fussing over Eddie, but he really wished that they would leave him alone. Sunday night proved quiet. Eddie's contractions came every couple of hours and then she and Jamie would go back to sleep.

Frank already called Baker to let her know that he wouldn't be in on Monday. Erin and Danny each called in sick. Frank was happy to see Jamie resting as much as possible. He'd met with Jamie's doctor a few times and each time he'd reassured him that his son is doing great.

Eddie woke up that morning and things progressed quickly after. All of the other family members were asked to wait in the waiting room.

Jamie was doing everything he could think of to support Eddie, after all she kept repeating that this was all of his fault. He couldn't stop smiling. If his dad was in the room, he'd say that he was smiling like he did the day he was adopted. He couldn't wait until he got to go and pick up the kids so they could meet their new sister.

In the waiting room nerves were winning out over excitement.

"Erin, have you heard from Nicky?" Frank asked.

"Yes, she is going to meet Kelsey and pick up the kids after school. They're going back to their apartment since it's closer to the hospital and then when she hears from me, they'll come up here."

"Good, good." Henry said without taking his eyes off of the doors where they hoped the doctor or Jamie would come and tell them the good news, and the little girls name.

Frank had been quiet. Henry knew if he checked with Jamie's doctor one more time he might get kicked out of the hospital. He wasn't sure which one of his children he was more worried about, Jamie or Eddie. He had yet to get over the call he'd gotten a short few days earlier. Hearing Jamie had been shot in the chest stopped his heart. His vest being the only thing that saved his life. He knew that Jamie was fine, he'd seen him last night and again this morning before they'd been kicked out. Reality rarely stopped the nightmares. He knew if he didn't change his attitude that his dad was gonna have a talk with him and he didn't need that.

Two hours had passed, and they hadn't had an update. Danny was pacing because he couldn't sit when things he couldn't control were happening. Linda had already called him twice to check on Eddie and he didn't have any answers for her. The boys couldn't wait to meet their new cousin the next weekend.

Jamie came out to give the family an update. What happened days earlier had been erased from his memory. His baby girl would be arriving in the next couple of hours.

"Eddie's doing great. Baby girl will be in here in the next couple hours." Jamie couldn't stop smiling.

"No issues?" Danny asked.

"Eddie's got to be tired." Erin knew from experience.

"She is, but she's doing great. The doctor is happy with how everything is progressing." Jamie paused. "Erin, can you go and stay with her for about thirty minutes. I have to run upstairs and get my final check before the baby is born."

"Yeah, I'll stay with her as long as you need."

Jamie came as close to running upstairs as he could. A nurse had let him know that the doctor had a few minutes to do his final check.

"Hey doc. My baby girl will be here in two hours or less." Jamie was still smiling.

The doctor has been around a lot of men like Jamie. He was in a service role for a reason. He worried about everyone, but himself. "This should take fifteen minutes or less, but I need the truth."

"Okay, go for it."

"I've heard you've been helpful with your wife and not resting. Have you had any pain above the soreness that we told you would stick around for a few days?"

"I'm a little sore, but I haven't really had much pain since yesterday." Jamie knew he had a high tolerance for pain. You didn't live his life and not have a high tolerance for pain.

"Have you been taking any pain medication?"

"No."

The doctor sighed. "Have you had issues breathing?"

"No." Jamie tried not to laugh. He almost ran all the way up. He knew that he'd feel it later, but he wasn't gonna say anything.

"Okay let me check the surgical sites and as long as everything's good, you can head back downstairs."

Jamie didn't flinch as the doctor checked each of the four sites. The doctor was a little amazed. Even the other cops and EMTs he saw would flinch with what he was doing. "Have you been injured a lot during your career?"

"A few times, but nothing extreme." Jamie was a little worried. He needed to be with Eddie, not back in his own hospital room.

"Even if you're not in pain, anyone I know would at least flinch with what I just did. Call it professional curiosity."

Jamie sighed. "I had leukemia when I was a kid. I had years of being a pin cushion. Stuff like a bruised chest and a couple surgical sites is nothing compared to any that."

The doctor made a point to spend more time reading his patients files. That was a big miss, granted it was from a long time ago, but it still explained a lot about his patient. "Okay. Everything looks good. I'd like to see you in two weeks, and we will look at getting you on limited duty then."

"Thanks, doc." Jamie said as he tried to calmly walk downstairs.

Frank was now watching the elevator doors and the doors back to labor and delivery plus checking his phone in case Jamie had to be admitted again.

Jamie was humming as he came through the elevator doors. He wasn't a hundred percent sure that he wasn't gonna be re-admitted.

"Hey, did I miss anything?" Jamie asked the group.

"No, but before you go back how are you doing?" Henry asked for his son.

Jamie smiled, and hugged his dad, brother, and grandfather. "I'm good. The doctor checked me all out and he doesn't need to see me for two more weeks. Now I can focus on Eddie and the baby, and my reason for being in the hospital can be forgotten."

Frank cleared his throat. "Not forgotten. You still have to heal, but I'm happy to hear the good news."

"Thanks dad."

Erin walked out a few minutes later with a smile on her face. Her brother and sister-in-law both looked so happy. She understood, she remembered when Nicky was born, but for Jamie and Eddie if felt like it was about more than just the baby. They already have two beautiful children, and good careers. Jamie wasn't the same little scared kid that came up and surprised them all those years before. He hadn't been that little scared kid for many years, but she and Danny had long memories and were not so great about letting him grow up. Oddly enough they each gave their own kids more freedom.

Henry finally felt the smile lift to his eyes. Both of his older grandchildren and his son all seemed to relax. Danny had finally stopped pacing.

An hour later Jamie almost skipped out the doors. "My baby girl is here. Alison Margaret Reagan, born at 1:45 this afternoon weighing in at nine pounds and three ounces. Eddie's tired but doing great."

"I can't wait to meet her, son." Frank said as he hugged Jamie careful of his injuries.

"It will be a couple hours, when it's time I'll come and get you guys. I do have a favor to ask."

"What is it, Jamie?" Henry would do anything he could to help.

"After you guys see the baby, can all of you go to my place and pick up the kids and take them out for a nice dinner. They'll meet their new sister tomorrow afternoon and then Eddie and Alison should be going home the following morning."

"One of us can stay here if you need." Erin thought.

"No, we're good. Tonight is gonna be our night where it's just the three of us. Tomorrow it will be all five."

Frank looked at Danny and Erin's faces and then locked eyes with his dad. Two hours later they all got to meet Alison. Frank loved all much Alison looked like Jamie. This was a day he never thought that he'd see. Erin was quick to get photos of everyone with the baby, and her first photo was of Jamie holding his baby girl. She had plans to start at baby album for them and she's gonna add the photos to the family books.

The next morning Jamie, Eddie and Alison were enjoying each other's company. It had been a busy night for Eddie as she went through her first night of feedings every two hours. Alison definitely got her appetite.

The afternoon when Mei Lin and Isaac came in and got to meet their new sister was full of excitement and nerves. Frank volunteered to bring the kids to the hospital. The city of New York is just gonna have to live without him for the week he'd decided that morning. The kids woke up to pigs in a blanket and the promise of a visit to the park before going to the hospital.

The first time the family of five were together it was like a dream. Eddie had been so worried that things were not going to go well, and she was wrong. Mei Lin and Isaac were so excited to visit their sister. Jamie took photos of both kids holding their new sister and one of all three of his kids together. Nothing else mattered in the world. Eddie enjoyed the first time her family was all together until the end when the kids realized that everyone wasn't coming home with them.

The kids were both in school the next morning when Danny took Jamie, Eddie and Ali home. Jamie an Eddie were so happy to be home. It had been a long, wonderful week, but being home with their daughter for the first time. As soon as Danny left with a promise to pick the kids up from school, all of the excitement from the last couple days caught up with him. Eddie got Ali set up in her bassinet, when she came back down, she saw Jamie asleep on the couch. She'd forgotten about his injury because he was moving around like normal, but she could almost bet that he was in pain. She was.

Eddie was surprised at how quiet it was. Jamie and Ali were both sleeping, and she knew she should be too, but right now she needed to take a moment to realize how lucky she was that her husband was still alive, and their baby girl was finally there.

An hour later, Eddie was trying to figure out dinner when she heard the door. "Hey Danny. Where are the kids?"

"They're at my apartment with Kelsey. She's helping them with their homework."

"You can bring them up." Eddie started to worry that something was wrong.

"Pop is coming over with dinner, and he hasn't gotten any time alone with his newest gg. He's requested dinner with you guys, so he's dropping food off by my place for me and the older kids."

Eddie wasn't sure what to say.

"Thank you." They both heard Jamie before they saw him.

Jamie woke up when Danny arrived, but he was beyond sore. The bruising on his chest was hurting more than he thought it would or could. He hadn't realized how much he was running on adrenaline after he'd been released. Being home brought him a level of peace he hadn't found sine he was at the hospital,

"Sure, no problem kid." Danny eyed Jamie. He looked exhausted and he knew that sleep wasn't going to come easily. "Why don't I keep the kids tonight. They can stay in the boys rooms, and I'll take them to school."

"You don't have to do that Danny. I can take care of the kids and get them to bed while Eddie's taking care of Ali."

Eddie just looked at Jamie. "Jamie, one night wouldn't hurt."

"Tonight, it would. We need to make sure that the kids know that we aren't putting Ali above them." Jamie paused. "We will have the kids stay with you another night, but tonight we need to be together as a family."

"Okay." Danny checked his phone. "Kelsey said that pops just dropped off dinner, so he'll be up here in a few minutes."

Danny wasn't gonna fight. He decided that he'd call his dad. Since their mom's death his dad was the only one that could get Jamie to listen to reason.

"Hey dad." Danny went for a quick walk on the roof before going to eat.

"Is everything okay Danny?" Frank knew his dad was with Jamie and Eddie.

Danny sighed. "Jamie's exhausted. I think that the last couple days are catching up with him. I offered to keep the kids for the night, and he said no. Can you talk to him?"

"Did he have a reason, or did he just want his kids home?"

"Yeah, he's worried that the kids are gonna think that Alison is more important than they are, but I'm worried Jamie's gonna collapse."

Frank thought for a few minutes. "Jamie's talking from experience. Joe used to tell me that he worried that we'd decide we didn't want him anymore for a myriad of reasons. Jamie and I have talked about this subject many times since we found out Eddie was pregnant."

"Eddie seems to be doing better than Jamie, but I know he's gonna just push through. The kid never gives up, but one of these days it's gonna catch up with him."

"He's really doing that poorly?" Frank worried.

"Eddie told me that he fell asleep not long after they got home. He's pale and looks like he could sleep for a week. He needs us to step in and help like we did when he was sick."

Frank sighed. "Danny, he's an adult with three kids. Let him make his own choices." Frank knew no matter how old Jamie got; Danny would always have a hard time seeing Jamie sick. It was because Jamie was so sick when Danny came home from Iraq. "If they need help, they'll let us know, plus they have Kelsey. Check on him a couple times over the next few days, if we need to call in help, we will, and I'll talk to pop and see how their dinner went when he gets home."

"Thanks dad."

"And Danny, you just live downstairs so if he needs you, you are not far." Frank paused, the thought of both his boys living close helped calm his anxiety. "Danny, if you're that worried, they have a pull-out bed in the living room. Go and stay with them."

Danny felt like an idiot, and he touted himself as one of the best detectives in the NYPD. It was a good idea, and it would calm his own nerves. "Okay, thanks dad I will." Danny paused. His dad was being very helpful. "I'll call you when I get to work tomorrow and let you know how they are."

Frank couldn't help but laugh. His kids were more like him then he thought. Although the one most like him was Jamie. He wanted to take care of his family and do it quietly. "Thanks Danny."

Danny had a fun dinner with the kids and then packed a quick bag after he dropped them off at home. He didn't really need to, but he thought that he'd be able help out more if he had a few things that he needed. He decided to wait until after the kids would be in bed because he understood what chaos could ensue when something happened around bedtime.

Henry never thought this day would come where he'd be holding a biological child of Jamie's in his arms. He really didn't want to leave but understood that the family needed their time. Jamie and Eddie ate the stew he brought over. He brought some breakfast sandwiches for the morning too. He stayed until it was time to feed Alison and not long after he left Danny brought the kids up to spend some time with their baby sister before everyone went to bed.

Jamie gathered Mei Lin and Issac and read to them together instead of separately because he was tired. They both surprised him, and one read a book to him and then the other read another book. Jamie finished the night reading a new book he'd placed on the bookshelf before they got home about being a big sister and brother. He told the kids that each night they would get time with himself or Eddie. He wanted them to know that they were important members of the family too.

Over the next two weeks the new family of four find their new normal routine. Jamie's return to work came faster than they thought it would. As much as Jamie loves his family, he was ready to go back to work. He wasn't sure what was more exhausting, running his platoon or living in a house with three kids under seven.

Eddie wasn't ready for him to go back to work. She was sleeping when the baby slept. Jamie was taking care of the older kids while they slept. She wasn't sure that he got any rest while he was out, but there wasn't anything that she could really do. Now she just hoped that he wouldn't overdo it now that he was going back to work.

Jamie's first day back at the 7-6 was a lot different than he was expecting. He'd only been gone for two weeks, but the house seemed different. It was calmer than when he'd last been there and he wasn't sure why until his platoon started coming in.

"Hey Sarge, how are you feeling and how's the new baby girl?" Officer Reyes, asked. He was so happy that Jamie was back.

"I'm great and Alison is great. She's such a little angel, but Eddie and I are exhausted." Jamie laughed.

"You were missed."

"Thanks." This surprised Jamie. Although he thought he'd been making progress at the precinct he had no idea that he was making a difference yet.

As soon as roll call is done Jamie was summoned into Renzulli's office. Renzulli wanted to talk to Jamie. His plans had him staying in the house for at least another week if not two. Jamie's plans were to get back on the street as soon as he could. The meeting lasted forty-five minutes. Now Jamie's primary focus was catching up on paperwork.

Jamie knew paperwork was a part of life, and becoming a cop wouldn't stop the paperwork. He really just hoped that it wouldn't be what he was stuck working on for the next few weeks. There were a couple of upsides to paperwork, one was that he was good at it, and the second was that he'd be able to get up during the night with Alison or the other kids.

Both Jamie and Eddie are surprised how good of a baby Alison is, and her siblings adore her. Apparently, Alison isn't anything like Eddie as a baby, so everyone's guess is that Jamie was a quiet baby. A thought Frank can definitely believe since he was the quietest seven-year-old he'd ever met.

The first week was like Jamie thought. He spent the week doing paperwork and showing a diplomat around. He had tried to talk to Renzulli about getting back onto the street, but he wouldn't let him until he got a final sign off from his doctor.

The second week was a little better. Monday morning, he got the final sign off from his doctor. He was back on the streets or so he hoped. Somehow, he ended up assigned to the desk. It wasn't boring, but it wasn't what he hoped for.

"Hey kid." Danny said as he walked through the door. "How's things going?"

"Busy but good. What are you doing here?"

Danny shook his head. "Eddie told me that you didn't have any time for lunch today, so I thought that I'd stop by and see if you have time to take a break and hit up a food cart."

Jamie sighed. It was true. "Let me see if someone can cover for me."

It only took Jamie five minutes to find someone. Everyone was happy to help him.

Jamie hadn't realized how hungry he was. At home they were either feeding the kids or he was doing things around the house while Eddie fed Alison. It wasn't intentional, but he was missing meals.

"Kid, ya know most of the time people with a newborn at home are exhausted, but you look like you're losing weight."

Jamie laughed. If Danny noticed, then everyone in the family noticed. "I know. I've missed a couple meals."

"Why or more likely how?"

"By the time we get Alison, and the kids and Eddie fed I'm onto the next activity." Jamie sighed. "It's not a big deal."

Danny sighed and ran his hand over his face. "Tell me what else is going on kid. We've all been able to tell how stressed you've been."

"Everything's good now. A lot of it was the promotion and the transfer and Ali being born."

"Okay."

The rest of lunch just about had Jamie laughing so hard he was almost rolling around on the ground. His goofy brother was back.

Erin was the next sibling to show up for lunch later in the week, and Jamie was shocked that Erin had taken the day off. He loved his sister, but she never took a day off, and he knew she needed it.

One thing he knew for certain was that they wouldn't be eating at a food cart today.

"Hi Jamie. I'm going to see Eddie and Ali after lunch." Erin said as she hugged her baby brother.

"Great. Ed will appreciate that. Ali was fussy last night and Isaac and Mei both have school projects due next Monday."

Erin smiled. She missed helping kids with school projects. Nikki never asked for help anymore. "What's the project?"

"They each have to create their own five-page books about something fun that they've done or are gonna do."

Erin thought for a few minutes. She knew her mom never liked those assignments because somehow the NYPD always ended up in the story. Now she was wondering if Eddie had the same concerns.

"I can help them if Eddie needs a break."

Jamie laughed. "I know that she'd appreciate the help. The kids are excited about the project. They already know what they both want to write about."

"Oh, is it the same for both?"

"No, Mei's writing about a trip to the zoo and Isaac is writing about and Isaac is writing about fishing with me and dad."

Erin's shocked. The NYPD isn't involved in either story. "I'm just surprised that neither story has anything to do with the NYPD."

"I'm not. They're only six, and recently the NYPD hasn't been that great. Fortunately, they haven't had any more nightmares, but I know that they will come back. I know it's one of the bad parts about being a cop's kid."

Erin put a hand on Jamie's shoulder. "It's something that we all know well." She paused to really look at her brother. "Is Eddie doing okay with everything?"

"She's tired." Jamie had a thought. "Are you only off today or are you off for the next couple of days?"

Erin smiled and she hoped that he baby brother was finally asking her for help. "I'm off until next Monday."

"Renzulli just let me know that McNichols called in sick tonight, and he thinks she's gonna be out the rest of the week because she's got the flu. I need to work tonight. Would you spend the night at my apartment and help Eddie?"

"Of course."

"Thanks sis. I'll let Eddie know she won't be alone tonight when I tell her I'm working." Jamie wasn't looking forward to missing bedtime.

The call with Eddie went better than he thought it would. She knew with the staffing issues that this would happen eventually.

Erin and the kids finished their books. She never realized how much she missed having younger children around.

The rest of the week goes slowly, and Jamie's exhausted. Renzulli's had him picking up a lot of extra shifts. Other than being exhausted, he's able to find what he needs to get McNicol's out. She really shouldn't have called out so many days. Now Jamie just has to figure out how to catch her in the act so there won't be any question as to her actions.

Jamie knew life with three kids under seven would be peaceful. Ever. School events were already popping up and with his schedule he could only make a few of them. Not as many as he'd like to, and he knew the kids understood in their own way. Alison is too young for anything yet.

Jamie couldn't believe how stupid McNichols was acting. She was doing everything but actually selling drugs out in the open in public. He couldn't figure out how she hadn't been caught yet. He found her second bank account. The thing that really upset him was that she had her daughter's name on the account too. He knew her daughter was only eight and didn't have anything to do with selling drugs.

Once Jamie had enough evidence, he and Renzulli had a plan to arrest her and any of her fellow officers who are involved. He was gonna have to give his dad a heads up what was going on. This was going to wreak havoc in and out of the department.

At home they were figuring out their new routine. Kelsey's internship was causing more issues than they anticipated. Kelsey's doing so good and she's far enough through her degree that she's started teaching tutoring sessions before and after school. Jamie knew that Eddie needed more help, and he was trying to figure out where it would come from. Nikky had been helping some, but she had to concentrate on school.

One thing that Jamie was thankful for was that with all of chaos going on everyone had seemed to have forgotten what had happened to him last month.

"Reagan, my office now!" Renzulli yelled making everyone think that he was in trouble. What the others in the house didn't know was that he and Renzulli had a code that was born when they were riding together. It was a way that could communicate, and the criminals wouldn't have any idea what was going on. They never imagined that they'd be using it against other officers.

"Yeah boss." Jamie made sure to look upset. It wasn't hard, Alison had a rough night, and according to Eddie the day before wasn't great either so he got up with her and stayed up with her when the only place she'd sleep was being held by someone.

"Rough night?" Renzulli remembers what it was like to have small kids. He only had 2, but they were close together in age.

Jamie ran a hand over his face. "Yeah, Ali would only sleep if she was being held."

"Any luck finding a new nanny?"

"We have a couple interviews on Saturday. It's not easy with three kids."

Renzulli knew what he was about to ask was going to cause issues, but Jamie was a unique officer who he was lucky to have at all. He knew that he'd have to share him at times. He felt for the kid though because he knew that he took the promotion so he could focus on his family. As long as he'd known Jamie he never did anything the typical way.

"What are the chances that you're gonna hire someone?" Renzulli knew Jamie wouldn't go away if home wasn't squared away.

"Good, we know all of the people that we are interviewing. One of the interviews is actually someone who used to volunteer with Eddie's non-profit. She spends a lot of time reading and spending time with kids in hospitals. She had a job but was laid off."

"Great! Next week you're going undercover. Intel has specifically requested you for the assignment. They told me they think that the assignment will last about a month when you go under."

Jamie sighed and got up to pace in Renzulli's small office. "When will I go under?"

"I don't know for sure. I was just told that you need to report to the 2-9 Monday morning."

"Thanks boss. Are you getting another Sergeant while I'm gone? And I'm I at the 2-9 as a Sergeant or a Detective?"

"Yes, we are gonna get Whitten back, and I'm gonna try and get her to stay even once you get back so we can work on our other case."

Jamie smiled. He'd been pushing to have Whitten assigned to the house for a while. Plus, he knew that she was working as more of a fill in where needed that having a home. "Great, I'm working out a plan for that case. When I get back, we can set it into motion."

Jamie wasn't looking forward to the conversation at home. He knew going under for a month wasn't gonna go over well, and he couldn't fathom how hard it was gonna be to be away from the kids for so long. All three of them were gonna change so much in a month.