Chapter Text
Jamie was the baby. The adorable, cherubic baby who turned into a strong, polite, respectful, handsome man. The son who has come to him for pretty much everything because of his absolute trust and confidence he wouldn't be turned away.
Except this time.
Jamie was kissing a man. A man who looked to be the same age as his son. A man with kind eyes and a warm smile. A man who was gazing at Jamie with utter devotion and adoration. A man absolutely besotted and in love with his youngest son.
His youngest child couldn't share with him one of the most important details about his life. About who he is as a person.
Jamie, well, Jamie was a lovely baby. A sweet child. A polite boy. He kept his head down and focused on his ambitions in becoming a lawyer. He was quiet, respectful, and loyal. He was their easiest child to raise. He never had a rebellious stage. He never blatantly disobeyed or broke rules. Nothing mattered more to Jamie than his family.
Especially after Joe's passing.
His youngest child was the best of every single member in their family. He had the gentleness of his mother. The stubbornness of Danny. The level-headedness of Erin. The ambition of Joe.
His youngest son had wisdom beyond his years. He saw things with clear eyes and a cool demeanor. He is thankful he received that trait.
Jamie was a culmination of all of the best Reagan traits. That tends to happen when the youngest is so much younger than everyone else. He learns from his older siblings mistakes and sees the consequences of them.
He doesn't want to make this about him, or what he's done wrong. Jamie has his reasons.
He walks toward them not wanting to keep secrets and hide this from his youngest son. He places his hand on his son's shoulder.
Jamie looks up, startled by his presence, but smiles nonetheless. "Hey Dad."
"Hello Jamie." He turns to the man sitting across from Jamie. "I'm Frank Reagan, it's nice to meet you."
The man smiles at him, taking his hand and shaking it firmly. "My name's William. It's a pleasure to meet you, sir."
Frank takes his seat in between them. "I think I know why I'm here, son."
Jamie's eyes were knowing. They stared at one another for a few seconds before Jamie laughed. "Figured you would put the pieces together, dad."
"How long have you two been together?" He asks politely and genuinely interested in this man who managed to capture the heart of his guarded son.
"Unofficially a year and a half, officially dating for a year now," Jamie answers. His eyes are fond as he looks at William.
"That's a long time to keep your partner a secret from the family."
"It wasn't intentional, dad. This is something I needed to figure out on my own without the nosiness and opinions from some of our family. I don't enjoy keeping things from you, but this is mine. This part of my life is the only thing that is private and I wasn't going to jeopardize that until I was ready to face the music."
"I understand. William, tell me what you do in life?"
"I am a chef. A head chef. I used to be in construction, but my mom and dad surprised me and sent me to culinary school so I could pursue my dream. I am blessed that it worked out and I'm as successful as I am now." William speaks softly as if he's considering each word he says.
"Congratulations. How'd you meet my youngest son?"
"The restaurant I worked at was robbed and I was taken as a hostage. Jamie here took my statement, but...stayed around to make sure I was genuinely okay. His concern, his patience, and his gentleness toward me really stuck out to me once I got over my shock. I decided to reach out to him and ask him out to dinner. I knew it was likely he would say no, but he surprised me. He accepted."
"I'm sorry you experienced that, William."
"I'm not. It brought me Jamie."
Frank smiles at him. A warm, genuine smile. Williams honesty and openness to share was something he respected. He could tell that the man had a strong work ethic but a gentle nature to him that is good for Jamie.
"What should we have for lunch, boys? My treat."
Jamie looks relieved. "Thanks Dad."
The statement means far more than just thanking him for dinner and he knows it.
"Of course, Jamie."
Frank enjoys their lunch, and enjoys Williams company even more so. It is nice to be around someone who is thoughtful in his words and mindful of his interactions with others. His children can be a bit stubborn and fiery at times, so it's a nice change to be around someone as considerate as William is.
"We need to talk about the family. I'm assuming I was the test run, and I promise I will keep this secret until you both are ready to share your relationship with them. I'm very proud of you both for fostering a relationship that is determined on partnership and mutual respect. It is clear that there is plenty of love and adoration between the both of you. You two just keep me in the know when you're ready to share."
"We want to tell Danny and Linda first. We want to be able to give them a chance to explain to the boys, and then we will share next Sunday night, if that's okay?" Jamie asks tentatively, as if there was a chance he would say no.
He turns to William, "You will always be welcomed at my table and in my home. I would love to have you there on Sunday night."
"I will be there, sir. Thank you for the warm invite." William gives him a smile and be can see the tension bleed from his shoulders.
"Would you mind being there with us, when we tell Danny? Danny…acts marginally better when you're around."
"Sometimes," he jokes.
"It would be nice to have you as a buffer. I know I'm a grown adult, but telling Danny makes me the most nervous."
"I'm your father, of course I'll be there."
"We're having dinner with them in two days, you could join us?" Jamie asks softly.
Oh, how his heart increased in love for his youngest child.
"I'll let Baker know to clear my schedule."
Two days pass and he finds himself at Danny's house sitting around the table. There seems to be a stare down between his sons.
"Boys," he says. They immediately break the staring contest to look up at him. "Danny, you are not entitled to know every detail about Jamie's life. We are family, but something's are supposed to be private. He wasn't being deceitful or manipulative. I want you to feel proud of Jamie and I want you to be happy for him. I will expect nothing less if you want to still sit at my dining room table on Sundays."
"He's only ever dated girls, dad. All of a sudden he's dating a guy?" Danny finally asks.
Linda rolls her eyes and apologizes for her husband.
"No, Danny, I've dated guys. The only one I told was Joe." Jamie says softly.
Danny's eyes soften. They usually did when it involves his youngest brother. They all had a soft spot for Jamie.
"You were gone when I confronted my feelings. Joe helped me work through a lot of it. When you came back, you had a lot you needed to work through. I didn't want to burden you with something when you already so lost. I could never find the right time to tell you." Jamie looks so apologetic. Jamie never liked keeping secrets. Especially from his siblings.
"Ah, kid." Danny sighs, "You're my baby brother. It's my job to be there for you. I want you to feel comfortable enough to tell me these things. Who you love is none of my business, but I would have liked to have been part of your journey. I could have been a confidante."
"Who I love is your business. I invite them into our family and the family home and around your boys. I don't want rejection from you. It would destroy me, Danny."
"I would never do that. Whoever you date is obviously going to be one hell of a person, especially to entrust them around your nieces and nephews. I have never doubted that at all." Danny speaks intensely. "You understand me?"
"Yes. I didn't want to lose my only brother."
"If I can interrupt? Jamie and I almost broke up because of that reason. He loves this family so much. He would put this family before his own personal happiness if it meant having all of you in his life, and I would have understood. I understand that loyalty to family and how important they are. I also told him that his brother could never reject him from all the things he's told me. Thank you for proving me right. It means I can continue dating your brother without guilt that it is destroying his relationships with his family." William speaks softly.
"Danny, not many people are as devoted as Linda and William are. The Reagan name is hard cross to bear. We should be thankful Jamie found someone who isn't intimidated by the weightiness of our last name and that he loves Jamie for who he is and for what we all get to see." He speaks solemnly. Their name would always be a cross to bear for future generations.
"Well, I for one, think it's wonderful Jamie found someone so good in the kitchen. Maybe I'll finally get some more help on Sundays," Linda teases.
That Sparks laughter between the Reagan men while William smiles and promises to help.
The dinner goes well after that.
He watches as Danny embraces Jamie before Jamie and William head out. Danny squeezes him pulls away with a soft expression. He speaks to Jamie and whatever it is that he says he can see his youngest eyes water.
His boys would be okay.
Sunday night comes with excitement. The rest of the family were excited to see who Jamie was bringing home. Erin was only a little put out by being the only sibling to not know what to expect to which Danny was happily lording over her about.
Jamie walks in with William behind him. The boys run up to him and squeeze him tightly. Jamie bends down to hug them and kiss the tops of their head in a rare sign of affection. He bends down and begins to introduce them to William. The boys curiously look up to him, but remain polite as they're introduced and shake his hand.
William…looks smitten. The boys run off only to be replaced with Nikki. Jamie kisses her cheek and hugs her. He introduces her as well and Nikki beams at Jamie. She happily greets William, and knowing his granddaughter, immediately begins to interrogate him.
His daughter sits beside him. "Did you know about this?"
He laughs. "Sweetheart, I found out last Monday. This is the only secret your brother has successfully kept from me. Perhaps, your mother knew and didn't feel as though it was her secret to tell."
"Mom and Jamie always had a special bond." Erin smiles. "I'm not surprised. Jamie's ability to love just about anybody has always been something I admired about him."
"He's broken a lot of hearts over the years. A lot of them without him even knowing or realizing the effect he has on people."
Jamie managed to pull William into the sitting room and smiles at them both. His son gives him a hug first before being down to hug Erin and kiss her cheek.
William offers his hand to which he shakes warmly.
"Erin, this is William, my boyfriend. William, my older sister Erin." Jamie smiles.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. Jamie raves about you and his brilliant niece." William smiles and shakes her hand.
"It's nice to meet you as well." His daughter says politely.
"Hey Dad will you come with William and I to go talk to Pops?"
As if he could deny his son anything in the first place.
"Of course."
He stands up and follows them into the dining room where it is void of anyone but his dad. His father is sitting down looking unimpressed by the turn of events. His parental instincts to defend and protect rise, but before he makes any assumptions he waits.
"Pops, I'd like you to meet William. He's really important to me and it would mean the world if you'd give him a fair chance." Jamie spoke nervously.
He stares his father down.
"I don't like being lied to, Jamie." His father says sternly.
He can't help but roll his eyes. He places a comforting hand on his sons shoulder to express to him that he'll take over.
"Jamie didn't lie. In fact, we should be commending him for being at Sunday dinner even though he's been with William. He has put the family first in the wake of being in love. Pops, you're not entitled to Jamie's private life and his dealings. I think you should have a moment to think long and hard about your next words because you could lose a relationship with your youngest grandchild if you don't."
The senior of the family stares at the before nodding. "These last few years I've gotten more and more soft and I've been confronted by things I didn't exactly deal with when I was younger. It is different when those differences become personal. The last thing I want is to put a wedge in our relationship, Jamie. I may not understand things and I might speak out of turn because of my own ignorance. I am that you remain patient with me as I learn from you."
Jamie looks as though the weight of the world is lifted from his shoulders and he sags against his side.
"Aish, kiddo. You're family. I'd never turn you away." His father stands up and immediately goes to hug him.
Jamie looks relieved and stands back s moment later to officially introduce William to him. His dad shakes his hand and smiles at him. "Glad you could make it."
The family helps set the table as Jamie and William set the place settings. Jamie leans in to press a sweet kiss to Williams cheek in a casual and comfortable show of affection for the man.
His youngest son's happiness was all that mattered to him. The son who lived in a family that cast a big shadow with their success and reputation. Jamie would always make his own way, but it was nice to see the family rally around him in support and encouragement.