Chapter 34: Blame Game

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: 2/7/25. Date Finished: 2/10/25. Enjoy!

Jamie nursed a beer at the kitchen table of their home. He couldn't believe he'd let things just get so out of hand. Cora was his first baby girl. How could he have let her get so out of control?

"It's my fault. I let you have too much freedom when you were little baby girl."

He really wanted to go to the hospital and check on her. Getting to his feet, he felt himself stumble. Ok, maybe not the best idea right now. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and it lightly pushed him back down into the chair.

"Best if you stay home tonight son."

Jamie felt irrationally emotional all of a sudden and he looked up into his father's eyes.

"Dad, I have to go and see her. She's my baby girl. I feel like this is my fault."

Frank sat next to Jamie and frowned. His expression serious, yet his tone of voice was surprisingly soft and understanding.

"None of this is your fault son. She's a teenager. All teenagers go through some sort of rebellion against their parents. Your brothers Danny and Joe, even Erin. Erin wanted to dye her hair pink. Danny took Joe's car and stayed out all night with his girlfriend. He was grounded for 6 months."

Jamie felt a laugh bubble up in his throat and come out of his mouth.

"So that's why he was in trouble. I guess I was too young to really understand it all."

Frank stood from the table and went over to the kitchen counter.

"I'll make a pot of coffee."

Jamie nodded slightly and pushed his half-consumed beer away from him. He did need a clear head to think objectively. He needed to be there for Cora, not sitting here at home having a pity party. It was a few minutes before the coffee was ready. Frank poured a couple of cups and set one in front of Jamie. Taking the mug in his right hand, he put it up to his lips and took a couple of sips, letting the hot caffeinated liquid go down his throat. He swore after a few more sips he was feeling a little more coherent. He looked over at Frank who took another sip of his coffee.

"How are the kids doing dad?"

Frank knew Jamie was going to ask that question.

"They are all tucked in for the night over at mine and pop's place. You don't have to worry. Erin has also been checking in on them. Come on son. Let's get you up to bed."

"Where's daddy?"

Eddie scooted the chair a little closer to the bed and ran a hand through Cora's dark curls.

"He's coming honey. Get some sleep."

But Cora didn't want to sleep. She was very tired, but she wanted to see her dad.

"I don't want to sleep mama. I want to see daddy."

Eddie swallowed thickly and she squeezed Cora's hand.

"He'll be here any minute. I promise."

Cora nodded and shivered.

"Mama, I'm cold…"

Eddie felt the lump in her throat return. She kissed her forehead and pressed the call button on the remote lying on Cora's bed.

"I know honey. I'll have the nurse bring you another blanket."

There was a knock on the door, and it opened slowly, revealing Jamie behind it. Eddie gave Jamie a watery smile. Cora gave a weak smile and spoke.

"Daddy, you made it."

Jamie took in Cora's pale form. She looked so much worse than when he'd saw her last yesterday. He placed a kiss to her forehead. It was clammy. Eddie rose from the chair and pulled on Jamie's arm, taking him towards the window. A frown came to Jamie's face.

"She's so much worse since last night. What happened?"

Eddie shifted nervously.

"She's having trouble breathing. It's the reason she's being given oxygen. The antibiotics they aren't… They aren't working."

Jamie felt a weight settle in his chest.

"She'll need stronger antibiotics. She's a fighter babe. She'll get through this."

Eddie was about to respond when Cora called out.

"Mama how am I supposed to get into pre-med if I'm stuck in here? I've got a plan…"

Jamie walked over to the bed and sat down in the chair.

"I know you've got a plan honey. You'll get to see that dream come true."

Cora could only look at Jamie, a strange look in her eyes.

"Daddy? Am I going to die?"

Swallowing the lump in his throat, Jamie tried to shake his head.

"I won't let that happen baby girl. You're going to get better. I promise."

Cora nodded her head and then winced. Jamie noticed and gave her a concerned look.

"You ok ladybug?"

Shaking her head no, Cora pushed the blankets back to show Jamie her arms.

"No. Daddy, it hurts."

Eddie came back over to the bed and kissed Cora's forehead.

"It's ok baby. I'll have the nurse get you something for the pain."

Jamie gave his own wince and looked at Eddie.

"How long have her arms been like this?"

Eddie swallowed and opened her mouth, but the nurse looking after Cora, Amanda, came into the room.

"I'll get her another blanket. Does she need anything else?"

Eddie nodded and ran a hand through Cora's hair.

"She's in pain again."

Amanda nodded her head and went over to the cart by the door. Reaching into the top drawer, she found what she was looking for and came back towards Cora. Jamie pulled up Cora's chart on the computer in front of him. He clicked through to the second page and frowned.

"Says here in her chart she was given morphine six hours ago. Is she really in that much pain?"

Amanda nodded her head and came over to the computer, scrolling back to the first page.

"Her skin is irritated and red and sensitive to the touch. Her kidneys are showing signs of shutting down. Her liver function is fine for now. Her fever has been coming and going."

Jamie scrolled to the second page one more time.

"Says here, that with the infection, her kidneys are starting to shut down. The infection is starting to damage them."

Eddie wrung her hands in nervousness. She didn't like where all this was going. Swallowing hard, she spun the stool Jamie was sitting on, so he was facing her.

"Are you telling me she's going to need Dialysis?"

Jamie swallowed the lump in his throat.

"We're trying to stay ahead of that babe. We've got to stay positive here. I've been playing the blame game with myself for almost a week. Our baby girl needs us."

Eddie felt herself fold into Jamie's arms as he stood.

"Jamie I'm scared. I don't want to lose her. She's so tiny in that bed."

Jamie kissed Eddie's forehead and ran a hand through her blond locks.

"Everything is going to be ok. This is just a hurdle."

It wasn't until three days later, that Cora was showing signs of improvement. Several nurses and a few other doctors didn't know how to explain it. Her color was better, she was sitting up in bed talking and laughing. Her fever was gone, and she could breathe easier. She looked up from her tomato soup and smiled at her dad.

"This is the best tomato soup I've ever had daddy."

A smirk came to Jamie's face.

"Well, it should be ladybug, it's poppy's recipe. He wouldn't let you eat hospital food."

Cora beamed over at pop who was sitting in a chair by the window.

"Thanks poppy!"

Things were looking up again and Jamie hoped this was the end of Cora's rebellious streak.

To Be Continued…

A/N: So, what'd you guys think?