And love
Chapter 90 MCU – MAJOR CRIMES UNIT
Last Time
NYPD 1-PP
Captains Espinoza, Wells and Jacobs stand at attention in front of PC Frank Reagan. He stands and returns their salute, "As you were." They relax and sit before him.
"I have read your recommendation, gentlemen. Something seems to be missing. A name."
They look at each other, it was a long shot.
"Sir?" Captain Wells tries to appear puzzled.
"Your recommendation appears sound. However, it lacks a name!"
"Is this candidate lacking in some way, sir?" Captain Jacobs tries his hand.
"Only in that I don't know who he or she is. You are trying my patience!"
"Does that matter, sir?" Captain Espinoza tries.
Frank Reagan stares (glares) at them.
The trio look at each other; finally, Jacobs speaks up. "Lieutenant Jameson Reagan, sir."
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FLASHBACK – 1 MONTH AGO
WEEKLY COMSTAT MEETING 1-PP
"Captain Wells, that report is very disturbing. The incidence of major crimes in NYC for the last 6-months is off the charts. Do you have any explanation for that?" PC Frank Reagan is uneasy about this report.
"Solid explanation, NO. But I believe we can we can point to some factors. Our best detectives are scattered around throughout the precincts. AND assignment of cases is 'next team up'. So, it is a crap shoot as to whether a major crime is assigned the best detectives to solve."
"Reasonable. Therefore?"
"Some of us have tossed around the idea of a major crime unit. When a crime meets criteria, it will be assigned to the MCU."
"And which of you have thought of this?" Frank posits.
Captains Wells, Jacobs and Espinoza were assigned to flesh out this idea, and present a proposal. Thus, this discussion – starts with the person recommended to lead the MCU.
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PRESENT DAY
"Gentlemen, you know my feelings regarding my sons."
"We do, and frankly we see no merit in that."
Frank frowns, but refrains from commenting.
"Jameson's record and accomplishments do merit this recommendation."
"If not him?"
"Second choice is way behind, but we have a counter offer, so to speak."
Frank nods for Captain Espinoza to go on.
"If no promotion, we recommend captain's pay, and leave Jameson at Lieutenant."
Frank's countenance brightens. After considerable discussion, this part of the proposal is accepted. They go on, realizing that Jamie should participate in further talks. If he accepts of course.
He does accept!
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SUPPER ON THE ISLAND
Mal has made beef stew; served with French bread, butter and a green salad. She proudly presents her latest creation; her family is effusive with their praise and thanks.
After they begin eating dad has an announcement. "I received a promotion today. Well, a pay increase but staying at Lieutenant."
"YAY!" The girls shout. AJ and Jonathon bang on their high-chair trays – even though they don't understand what the excitement is all about.
Eddie blows him a kiss from her end of the table and mouths 'more later'. "What's the deal, babe?"
"I will be leading a new Major Crimes Unit. With captain's pay." He goes on to explain.
"So, we can afford a horse for Cassie and Mal?" Mary Rose hopes.
"We shall see," mom cools the enthusiasm a bit.
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BEDTIME – MBR
"It's been a long time . . . since . . . –
"Spit it out Jamie." Eddie smirks.
"Well, you explored moving up to attorney."
"What!" Eddie is caught by surprise.
"Well, Mary Rose's thought regarding more horses caught my attention. That is expensive, you know. We probably have a way to go, if we even want to go there."
"Yes, I am not even sure that her older sisters want that. We need to talk about more horses, with the girls." Eddie is thoughtful.
"So, sweetheart. Have you thought any more about tackling law school? You have a built in, loving and very supportive tutor!" Jamie grins.
"You would support that?" Eddie is frankly shocked. Her husband's reaction last time was NOT positive. Though that was colored by her secrecy.
"We might need a nanny," Jamie has a twinkle in his eye. "If you add law school to your paralegal and home life."
"Jameson, what's up your sleeve?" She cocks her head.
"A week ago, Nicky called me. We met for coffee."
Eddie's mouth drops open.
"It seems that her mother and father are in the final stages of reuniting-
"WHAT?!" Eddie's mouth hits the floor, figuratively. "Getting married again?"
"Yup. And even though Nicky loves them both, she feels the need to distance herself from all those goings on."
"I can understand that! Things could get embarrassing, fast!" Eddie shivers.
"Yes. Plus, she is finishing her 2nd year at Columbia University. She really hasn't solidly committed to a career path. Incredibly, she asked me if you and I had ever discussed having a nanny."
Eddie stares at him, nonplussed.
He has to laugh. She scowls.
Jamie starts the next part of the discussion. "Ed, our girls are a joy in every way."
"They are; I have a hard time imagining life with the twins without them. And that's gong to get a lot more complicated until Pat and AJ are in school. So, we have 5 years or so when a nanny would be very helpful. Where did you and Nicky take the discussion?" Eddie asks.
"We left it that I would talk it over with you. As I think about it, we should talk this over with the girls also."
"I agree 100%. Let's do that tomorrow evening."
TOMORROW EVENING – FAMILY ROOM
"Dad and I have something to talk over with you girls," Eddie starts.
"Horses?" Mary Rose lays her heart on the line, expectantly.
"No, sweetie. Not yet, we need to let our finances settle a bit before we can talk seriously about that. But Cassie and Mal need to think about whether or not they even want a horse of their own. (Dad looks at Cass & Mal) You, little one (MR glares), are the family member who is into that."
"Anyway," Eddie picks up the talk. "Our talk came to the possibility of your cousin Nicky being a nanny for us. What do you girls think of that? Do you like your cousin?"
The girls look at each other, Mal responds. "Yes, we do," Cass & MR nod vigorously. "But what would she do?"
"Basically, a nanny lives with the family and cares for the children." Mom voices.
"You mean Pat and AJ, right?" Cassie declares, with narrowed eyes.
"Hmpf, we're not babies you know!" Mary Rose stands with hands on hips. Mal just scowls at her parents.
Jamie and Eddie look at each other.
"You are so right; this is a mine field!" Cassie observes. Then winks.
"We need to discuss this further," dad muses. "There is another elephant in the room that started mom and I thinking about a nanny."
Silence.
"Well?" Mary Rose spreads her arms, palms up. "Any time now. I'm not getting any younger."
"Dad asked if I still wanted to be a lawyer," mom throws out there.
The girls stare, open mouthed.
"So . . . mommy, paralegal, law student . . . and, oh I don't know, wife? Are we crazy here?" Cassie huffs.
Eddie cringes. "Well, if you put it like that-
"How else would you put it?" Mary Rose exclaims as all 3 girls rush to embrace Eddie.
Mal is in tears as she chokes out, "I love you mommy. I don't want to lose you, please!"
Eddie is also in tears and Jamie can't speak.
After composure is restored, Jamie speaks. "I think we all need to step back and rationally assess where we as a family want to move, forward together."
Everyone agrees. After a while the family heads for bed.
UPSTAIRS
The girls do their bedtime routines including donning sleepwear. They then gather in a circle on the floor.
"What do we think of all this," Cassie leads.
"I'm worried that mom might take on too much! We need her as our mommy, dad needs her too," Mal expresses.
"Yeah, I'm worried too," Mary Rose admits. "I love Joseph and Maddie, you know that. But not more than my sisters & brothers – or mommy and daddy. We need to stick together."
"Yes, we do. So, what do we tell mommy and daddy. I think the only reason mommy is thinking about being a lawyer is more money." Cass tries to sum up.
"Or more status," Mal inserts.
"True," Cassie agrees. "So, what do we tell them?"
"Well, if we can't have more horses without more money. I'll be fine with what we have," Mary Rose resolves.
(They currently have Joseph & Maddie [Mary Rose, Hero [Stallion, Jamie] and Betsy [Mare, Eddie])