Chapter 41: A present for Pop
Author: zeusfluff.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Blue Blood's characters. They belong to CBS. I do own all originals though. Date Started: 3/11/25. Date Finished: 3/13/25. Enjoy!
"Are you sure you've got the soup bud? It's hot."
Patrick turned his attention over to Jamie and gave him a slightly annoyed look.
"I know it's hot dad. I'm not 5!"
Jamie, patient as he ever was, gave Patrick a confident look.
"I know you're not bud. It's more out of caution."
Patrick nodded and shifted the pot of soup in his hands.
"It is kind of heavy."
Jamie nodded in understanding and grabbed for the pot.
"I've got it. Ok bud. Get your jacket. Let's go."
Patrick rolled his eyes again and grabbed for his jacket. The walk to Frank and Henry's house was a short three blocks. The father and son pair walked up the steps of the century old house. It was Patrick who knocked on the front door. They heard loud footsteps towards the door and then it opened, revealing Frank behind it.
"What brings the two of you over?"
Jamie held up the pot of soup.
"Pat and I came to give pop some of his famous Rosemary chicken soup. We figured it would lift his spirits. Heard he wasn't feeling well. What's wrong?"
Frank ushered the pair inside and shut the front door.
"He's been feeling under the weather for a week or so. I've put a call into the doctor, but you know how stubborn pop can be."
The three of them were all gathered in the kitchen. Jamie set the soup on the counter. The look Frank was giving him spoke volumes. Jamie took that as his cue to check in on Henry. He looked to Patrick.
"You and grampy talk for a few minutes bud while I check on poppy."
Patrick handed Jamie his bag. Jamie had come prepared. He knew Henry wasn't going to be too happy that this wasn't just a social call. Blowing out a breath, Jamie made his way towards the downstairs bedroom, which had originally been the guest bedroom. Reaching the door, Jamie took another breath and let it out slowly, knocking on it. He waited for a moment or two and then he heard his grandfather's voice behind it.
"Come in."
Carefully opening the bedroom door, Jamie entered and then closed it again.
"Hey pop. Dad tells me you've been feeling under the weather for the last week or so. Can you tell me how you're feeling right now?"
Henry frowned at Jamie and shifted in the bed.
"I knew you weren't here for a social call. I just need some soup and some rest. I'll be fine."
Jamie frowned and approached the bed, sitting down in a chair next to it.
"I just want to make sure you're ok."
Henry shifted in the bed again.
"I told you Jamie I'm fine. I just need some soup and some rest."
Jamie gave Henry a sympathetic look.
"I understand. But I want to make sure this is nothing serious."
Henry relented somewhat.
"Alright."
Jamie nodded and looked at him sympathetically and helped him lean forward.
"Ok pop, I want you to take a breath for me. There you go. Another one."
A frown now plastered on his face, he took the stethoscope away and took the earpieces out of his ears. Then he helped Henry lean back against the pillows. Henry gave Jamie a pointed look, although it softened slightly.
"So, what's my diagnosis Doctor Reagan?"
Jamie sighed and looked at Henry seriously as he put his stethoscope in his bag.
"Pop. How long have you had trouble catching your breath?"
Henry waved Jamie off and gave a curt nod.
"I'm old Jameson. It's part of getting older. My blood pressure is high. Since my heart attack my heart isn't as strong as it used to be. Now I'm in Congestive Heart Failure. Doc says I could go in my sleep."
Jamie nodded somberly. He knew all the things that Henry could possibly go through. But he was elderly and the body over time wasn't as strong as it used to be.
"Pop, why didn't you say anything about having CHF?"
Henry grunted and looked Jamie directly in the eye.
"I didn't want to worry the family. There's no need to fuss over me."
A frown now appeared on Jamie's face as he fiddled with the equipment in his bag.
"Does dad know?"
Henry gave Jamie a hard to read look.
"No, and you're not going to tell him either."
Jamie backed down slightly, changing the subject.
"Alright. I won't tell dad. Now, Patrick and I brought some of your famous Rosemary chicken soup over. Since you didn't eat much food at dinner tonight, would you like a little bit of soup?"
Henry gave a tired smile.
"I could eat."
Jamie nodded and got up.
"Alright pop. Stay put. I'll bring the soup to you."
Henry looked at Jamie and tried to get up from the bed.
"Nonsense. Food should be eaten at the table. Not in bed."
Jamie shook his head.
"Can you make it to the dining room table pop?"
Henry relented and shook his head, grumbling.
"No. Alright. I'll stay put."
Jamie nodded and got up from the chair.
"I'll be right back pop."
Henry shifted in the bed once more to get comfortable. Jamie was back just as quickly with the soup.
"Here you go pop. Careful. It's hot."
Henry gave Jamie a look.
"Don't coddle me. I know it's hot."
Jamie gave Henry a sympathetic look.
"Sorry. So how is it?"
Henry took a spoonful and swallowed it. Then he gave his vote.
"It needs more Rosemary."
Jamie cracked a smile.
"I knew I didn't put enough. I could never get it just right. You know your middle grandson helped make your soup."
Henry lit up.
"Well kid, in that case, send my gg in here. I want to thank him personally."
Jamie kept smiling and went over to the door, opening it. Behind it was Patrick. He entered the room and looked at Henry seriously.
"Hi poppy. Are you ok?"
Henry gave a tired smile.
"I'm fine Pat. I heard you made my Rosemary chicken soup. Thank you. It needs a tad bit more Rosemary next time though. Thank you for bringing this over. Your grandpa and I will have plenty of food for at least a couple of weeks. This was a wonderful present. Thank you. Both of you."
Patrick didn't catch the look Henry was giving the both of them, but Jamie did. He was getting the feeling that Henry was trying to tell him goodbye in a way. Maybe Jamie was being selfish, but he wasn't ready to let Henry go just yet.
To Be Continued…
A/N: So, what'd you guys think?