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Eddie gasped, nearly doubling over in pain.
“Jamie,” she choked out. “Jamie, it’s time.”
Jamie froze, his hand previously outstretched to turn the doorknob.
“Time, time?”
Eddie nodded.
“Ready or not!”
“God, okay,” said Jamie, springing into action. He grabbed the already-packed bag from the corner and took Eddie’s hand. “Come on; let’s move!”
“Yo-You’re working tonight!” panted Eddie.
Jamie shook his head.
“Not anymore, I’m not. I’ve had coverage ready for weeks. I’ll call her from the taxi. Let’s go!”
***
“Well?” demanded Erin, hurrying into the lobby.
“Nothing yet,” said Danny, his eyes sparkling.
Frank looked between his two eldest children. Amusement was clearly written across his face.
“Danny was the first one here,” supplied Frank.
Danny shrugged, but Erin’s eyes grew wide with a mix of awe and fondness for her brother.
“You’re loving this!” she accused him.
“And you’re not?” said Danny. “Just think about those two dealing with a little one. Then one day a teenager.”
“Hell,” laughed Henry, shaking his head.
“They’ll handle it,” said Frank confidently.
“Never said otherwise,” said Danny. “But while Eddie’s teaching that kid to fight, Jamie will be making sure they’re the most well-adjusted toddler.”
The group all laughed that time.
“It’ll be cool having a little cousin,” said Sean.
“Not jealous you’re no longer the youngest?”
Sean gave his father a look.
“I’m 20, not 2. I’m not exactly gonna throw a temper tantrum, am I?”
Danny ruffled his son’s hair. Frank caught the wistful smile on his face.
“It goes fast,” said Frank. Danny nodded.
“It sure does,” agreed Henry. He and Frank shared their own special look.
The group lapsed into silence, only punctuated by Erin’s nails clicking her phone screen as she texted Nicky the latest news. Sean did the same for Jack.
“Remember when Jameson was born?” said Henry.
“Like it was yesterday,” said Frank. “After 20 hours of labor, Mary all but made me swear in blood that I’d never come near her again.”
“Or she would drop you with a deer rifle,” added Henry.
“She didn’t say that!” gaped Erin as Danny threw his head back and laughed.
“Sure did,” said Frank fondly. “Do you kids remember that day?”
“Of course,” said Danny and Erin in unison.
***
Danny was furious. He liked things as they were. He already had a brother he liked and a sister … Well, he tolerated her. They didn’t need anyone else to ruin things.
“When’s Mom coming home?” said Danny.
He wore a deep frown as he looked up at his grandmother. Betty tutted and smoothed his features with the pads of her thumbs.
“Not for a while now, dear,” said Betty, smiling. “Cheer up, Daniel! You’ll love having another sibling. Look how close you and Joe are.”
“But what if it’s another girl?” argued Danny. “And Joe is big. What can I do with a baby?”
“Well,” said Betty thoughtfully. “A new baby is a wonderful opportunity to bring more love into your heart. And you show us every day how much you love your younger siblings when you watch out for Erin or teach Joe how to be a big boy.”
That was true. Danny liked teaching Joe things – Joe was a quick learner. And as much as Erin frustrated him, Danny would do anything to protect her.
“Where is Joe?” asked Danny suddenly.
“Doing his homework in the kitchen. But don’t dis –”
Danny tore off, barely hearing as his grandmother told him not to run.
***
“Betty had a way with you kids,” said Henry with a nostalgic smile. “Especially you,” he directed at Danny.
Danny couldn’t argue. He loved his grandmother as much today as he did when he was a boy.
“Perks of being the first grandchild,” he smirked.
“Please,” scoffed Erin. “That’s nothing compared to being the only granddaughter.”
Frank rolled his eyes slightly at their antics.
“Joe was excited about Jamie, if I recall,” said Frank. “Certainly enough to make up for you.”
Danny and Erin exchanged knowing grins.
***
“What are you doing?” demanded Erin.
Danny turned to see his kid sister with crossed arms and an arched brow. He rolled his eyes.
“I’m not doing anything.”
“Oh, because you’re so innocent.”
“Think I’m guilty of something?” challenged Danny. “Prove it.”
“Hush!” said Joe without malice. Erin wandered over to the kitchen table. “I’m making the baby a welcome home gift.”
Five-year-old Erin squinted at Joe’s materials.
“Is that …?”
“Yup,” snickered Danny.
“Joe,” said Erin slowly. “Why are you using food for your card?”
Alongside Joe’s pieces of paper were ketchup, mustard, and relish.
“My crayons are at home,” said Joe simply. His eyes were focused on his messy creation.
“Why not use your pencil?” she pressed.
Joe sighed and gave her an obvious look.
“Because it wouldn’t be colorful!” said the three-year-old.
“Of course,” said Danny, grinning.
“You’re gonna get in trouble,” sang Erin to Danny.
Danny’s smile slipped off his face.
“It was his idea!”
“You’re older,” replied Erin with a haughty look.
The two of them glowered with stubborn defiance. Then something registered behind their eyes.
“GRANDMA!” they shouted in unison, fighting to out-run the other.
***
“How is it that I couldn’t sit down for days and everyone oohed and aww’ed over Joe’s mess?” muttered Danny.
“Because no one believed you didn’t encourage him,” said Erin dryly.
“Goody, goody,” said Danny, rolling his eyes as he leaned backwards.
“He was enamored with Jamie, wasn’t he?” said Erin, suddenly sad.
Danny glanced at her before lowering his gaze. They all knew if Joe were here, Jamie would be asking him to be the baby’s godfather.
“It was mutual,” said Danny eventually.
The group was silent until Sean interjected.
“What about you, Aunt Erin?” he asked.
“What about me?”
“How did you react to Uncle Jamie being born?”
Frank and Danny looked amused. Erin shot them both warning looks.
“Your Aunt Erin was a tad disappointed,” said Frank, fighting a laugh. “She was rooting for a baby sister to avoid being out-numbered.”
“I got over it!” protested Erin.
“It’s not like you didn’t take matters into your own hands at times,” said Danny.
Sean furrowed his brows and Erin sighed.
“I was eight and Uncle Jamie was three …”
***
“Erie!”
“Hi there, Jamie,” said Erin. “What’s up?”
She smiled at her chubby-cheeked baby brother. From the time that he could speak, he called her ‘Erie’ because it was easier. Erin refused to let anyone else use it.
“Play with me,” requested Jamie.
“Please,” emphasized Erin.
“Please?” repeated Jamie with hopeful eyes.
Erin closed her book and stared thoughtfully at him. Inspiration struck her.
“Can I choose the game?”
Jamie nodded eagerly, and Erin grinned.
“How do I look?” asked Jamie about twenty minutes later.
“Pretty,” smiled Erin. “Almost … perfect! Here, look!”
Erin lifted him so he could see himself in the mirror. His eyes widened.
“I look like Mommy!”
Erin giggled.
“I always wanted a little sister.”
“But I’m a boy,” he pouted.
“You are,” she confirmed with a laugh. “But you’re way more fun than Danny or Joe.”
Jamie beamed under the praise. He looked at his reflection again with thoughtful eyes.
“Why don’t they play dress-up with us?”
Erin gave a long-suffering sigh.
“Because they’re boring,” she said. “Promise me that you won’t become boring?”
“I promise!”
Erin extended her pinky and clasped it around Jamie’s pinky. He looked at her confused.
“You can’t break a pinky promise,” she explained.
“What’s a —?”
“Hey, Erin, are you …?”
The door opened and Danny and Joe stood there looking stunned.
“I look like Mommy!” repeated Jamie, wiggling in Erin’s arms.
“What the —?” began Danny, but Joe elbowed him hard.
“You do,” agreed Joe. Even at age six, he knew anything his older brother said next would upset Jamie and make Erin mad. “Does Mommy know you look like her?”
Jamie looked at Erin for confirmation and Erin shook her head. Danny gave a wicked grin.
“Oh, really?” said Danny innocently.
“Go away, Danny,” snapped Erin.
“With plea —”
“What are you all doing in the bathroom?”
The four kids spun around to see Mary standing there with her hands on her hips. She took one look at Jamie and was brought up to speed.
“Hi Mommy!” greeted Jamie.
“Hi baby,” said Mary, her lip twitching. “Are you having fun?”
Jamie nodded.
“Erie’s playing with me!”
“That’s nice, dear,” said Mary, glancing at her daughter. “I think that it’s time for your bath. And next time,” she continued, “perhaps Erin will ask me if she’s allowed to borrow my make-up.”
“Sorry, Mom,” said Erin dutifully.
Mary gave her a slight smile and took Jamie from her.
“No fighting,” she warned Danny and Erin.
***
“He looked ridiculous,” said Danny.
“He looked adorable!”
“You put him in make-up?” said Henry, flabbergasted.
“I didn’t cuff him to a pipe bomb,” said Erin flatly. “He always was a better sport than the others.”
“Fine with me,” snorted Danny.
“I’m pretty sure Mary took photos that I still have stored somewhere,” said Frank thoughtfully.
“Should have included them in the wedding slideshow,” said Sean with a grin.
The others laughed. It stopped as the sound of feet running toward them grew louder.
“Well?” said Frank, standing immediately.
“Boy or girl?” asked Erin.
Jamie was beaming from ear-to-ear, his eyes shining with emotion. He looked at Frank.
“Come meet your new grandson.”
***
“Hi,” greeted Eddie tiredly.
Despite the fatigue, she was glowing underneath the otherwise unflattering fluorescent lights. She held a bundle of blankets in her arms.
“He’s so tiny,” said Sean, awestruck.
“Kinda how it works,” said Danny, but he too was staring in wonder at the newborn.
“Danny?”
Eddie motioned for him to hold the baby. Danny looked surprised, looking toward Frank.
“Me first?”
“I’d say it’s only right,” said Jamie with a grin. Danny looked toward him. “So long as you promise not to teach your godson any back alley fighting tips.”
“Without my approval,” finished Eddie. Jamie rolled his eyes.
Danny, on the other hand, felt a lump form in his throat. Danny looked between the new parents, his eyes lingering on Jamie as if to ask, Are you sure? It was never going to be this way.
“You’ve looked out for me my whole life, Danny. Even when you’re being a pain in the ass about it,” said Jamie with an easy but meaningful smile. “Besides, it’s about time you called somebody else ‘kid’, don’t you think?”
Danny blinked several times.
“Nice try, kid.” The others laughed.
“Worth a shot,” said Jamie. “C’mon. He’s ready to meet his Uncle Danny.”
“Hold on a sec —” muttered Erin. She looked at Sean. “Are you …?”
He nodded, also tapping on his phone. Then almost in unison:
“Hi!”
“Jesus,” gasped Danny, holding the baby closer. “You couldn’t have done that a minute ago?”
“Turn me around!” said Nicky through the screen. “Oh, he’s adorable!”
“Looks just like Eddie,” said Jack. “Thank God.”
“Watch it,” laughed Jamie.
“What’s his name?” asked Henry, gently stroking the baby’s hand.
Jamie glanced at Eddie, who nodded in support.
“Jamie chose it,” she said. “And I think that it’s a great one.”
Jamie pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
“Vincent Joe Reagan,” said Jamie, with a nervous smile.
There were a few intakes of breath, followed by several sniffs. Erin leaned over to hug her younger brother with a single arm.
“I love it,” said Nicky’s voice, breaking the group’s silence. “Did you tell cousin Joe yet?”
“Yeah,” said Jamie. “He’s undercover right now, but we spoke with him a couple weeks ago. He gave us his blessing.”
Frank nodded, feeling too overwhelmed to speak. He settled for pulling Jamie in for a hug.
“You know Joe and Vinny are tight up there,” said Danny. “Causing havoc, flirting with women.”
There were scattered chuckles and the room felt somewhat lighter.
“My turn,” said Erin, taking little Vincent from Danny. “He’s got your eyes, Jamie.”
“He’s totally gonna have you wrapped around his finger, Mom,” laughed Nicky.
“Don’t I know it,” said Erin softly.
“So does that mean you’ll be his godmother?”
Erin’s head whipped up to look at Eddie.
“Really?”
“Are you kidding?” said Eddie. “You’re the sister that I always wanted, Erin. There was never gonna be anyone else.”
“I’d be honored,” said Erin, reaching out to squeeze Eddie’s hand as she cradled Vincent.
“How long are you staying at the hospital?” asked Jack.
“Doc said forty-eight hours, tops,” said Eddie.
“Gives us plenty of time,” said Frank.
“Time?” said Jamie, tilting his head.
Frank nodded gruffly.
“Time to go through storage,” said Frank. “We’re gonna have a new family member at Sunday dinner, after all.”