BLUE BLOODS: RETURN TO DUTY

EPILOGUE

JIMMY'S RESTAURANT

NEW YORK CITY, NY.

Thursday, June 9, 2016: 7:00 p.m. EDT

Frank Reagan entered the restaurant where his family celebrated its lifecycle events.

"Hello Jimmy." He said in greeting to Jimmy Reagan, no relation.

"Frank how are you?" Jimmy replied, hugging his friend and favorite patron. "They're all in the back." He stated, hooking his thumb towards the private dining room.

Frank entered to find his family, along with Angie and Eddie.

He walked over to his middle son. "I've waited seven long years to say this to you. Happy Birthday" he announced as he joyously hugged Joe.

"Thanks Dad. I've waited seven long years to hear it" Joe replied.

"Before we get started celebrating this perp's birthday" Danny announced, "the four of us have something for you Dad."

"We figured that you were due for an update." Erin remarked.

"And now that Joe's back, it seemed the perfect time." Jamie concluded.

With that, Joe exited the room and returned with an easel and a large object that was covered with a black table cloth.

He placed the object on the easel and stood to its right as Erin came and stood next to him, and Jamie and Danny stood to the other side. On the count of three, each of the four siblings lifted the black cloth to reveal a beautiful 24x30 framed portrait of Danny, Joe and Jamie snuggled around Erin.

Frank's eyes began to tear up.

"I never thought I would see a new photograph of the four of you together." He said. "It's beautiful, thank you all so much." He emotionally stated as he made the rounds hugging and kissing each of his children.

"Wow, it's magnificent." Nicky observed.

"It's perfect." Linda exclaimed.

"And, we have arranged for the same photographer to come out to the house next Saturday afternoon to take a complete family photograph, and that includes Angie and Eddie." Erin announced.

"Me?" Eddie asked.

"Yes, you." Danny answered.

"Angie, I can understand, she's engaged to Joe, but Jamie and me" She began, only to get cut off by Jamie.

"Edit Malina Janko" Jamie announced as he got down one knee and held out a beautiful 3 carat Marquis Diamond ring.

"It's true, you are bossy, pushy, and eat too much, but I have never been happier than when I am with you. After Vinny's death, I never imagined I could continue on, as a police officer or as a human being, but you changed all that. You made me laugh again and you brought with you a determination to pull me through and to start living and caring again and for that, I will always be grateful. I can't think of anyone I would rather come home to each night, or wake up with each morning than you. Therefore, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" Jamie asked, holding the ring next to Eddie's ring finger.

"Oh Jamie, yes, of course I'll marry you." She tearfully replied as he slipped the ring on her finger, after which the two kissed to the cheers and cat calls of the remaining Reagans.

"Wait until Walsh sees this tomorrow." Eddie announced.

"She may even let you drive." Jamie teased.

"What's with my partners, nobody lets me drive." She complained.

"Because you can't see over the dashboard, shorty." Jamie quipped, earning a smack on the arm.

Jamie pulled her to him and kissed her again. "Hopefully our children will get their Uncle Joe's or Grandpa Frank's height." He teased.

"I wouldn't complain about that." Eddie laughed back.

"Eddie, Jamie" Frank began. "Our heartiest congratulations. Eddie, when Jamie's mother passed, we lost the innocence in him. When we thought his brother was taken from us, we lost the smile on his face, and when officer Cruz died in Jamie's arms, we lost the light in his eyes, but you have brought all of that back to us, with a little help from Joe's return, and we are all grateful to you for always having his back, and for bringing him back home to us. You are very much a part of this family and we all love you deeply."

Everyone cheered and clapped, and an embarrassed Eddie, who never knew what a loving family could be like, realized that she had finally found hers.

For the next three hours, the Reagan family, which now included Angie and Eddie, celebrated.

They celebrated the life of the brother and son they once thought had died. They celebrated the life of the brother who pulled through. They celebrated the unions which would be sealed within the upcoming year, and the special bond the four siblings would always share but most importantly, they celebrated the love they all had for one another.

Joe had opened all his birthday presents, except the special one he knew Angie would be giving him when they returned home. He was truly grateful for his family, especially his brothers and sister, but above all, he was glad to have returned home to them.

Finally, it was time to leave.

"Just a moment" Frank announced after he had signed the check.

"There is one more present I have for Joe, but I couldn't quite carry it in here with me." He stated, giving Detective Nuciforo a nod, whereupon the detective pulled out his hand held radio and gave a succinct instruction. "Now."

"Let's all head out, shall we." Frank suggested.

Everyone exited the restaurant to hear the sound of what Jamie had often referred to as "pure mechanics", followed a moment later, by the totally unexpected sight of Abigail Baker pulling up in front of the Reagans behind the wheel of Joe's 1971 Nevada Silver Chevrolet Chevelle SS.

Joe couldn't believe his eyes.

"I thought Jamie totaled her." Joe remarked.

"Hey, it wasn't exactly my fault." Jamie defended himself.

"I know, Malevsky cut the brake lines, but I thought she was a write off." Joe replied.

"She was. I bought her from the insurance company for salvage and put her in storage. Call it sentimentality." Frank replied.

"So that's what all those storage unit receipts were for." Henry noted.

"But when did you restore her?" Jamie asked.

"When Joe came back, I made a call to a couple of guys who I busted back in the day who would be doing more time than they had if I hadn't cut them a break, pardon the pun." Frank smiled. "They specialize in restoring classic cars."

"Dad, she's perfect." Joe announced.

"I know that I had given her to Jamie because we thought you were gone, but." Frank said looking at his youngest son.

"No problem with me, this was always Joe's car. I just wanted it because it was a part of him, but who needs the car when I have my brother back." Jamie grinned.

"So kid, does that mean if something happens to me, I should leave you my Jeep?" Danny asked.

"Yeah, or me my Volvo?" Erin inquired as she folded her arms.

"If they were of the caliber of this Chevelle, heck yes." Jamie answered.

"Smartass." Danny replied.

"Ungrateful Brat." Erin responded.

"Dad, I can't thank you enough." Joe stated while hugging his father.

"Just like I said a decade ago when I handed you the keys, take good care of her." Frank replied as he returned the hug.

With that, Baker climbed out from behind the wheel as Joe walked over and opened the passenger door open for Angie who eagerly hopped into the car which held so many memories for the both of them.

Then he walked around the car until he reached the driver's side whereupon he gazed upon his family, knowing how lucky he was to be a part of them.

"I love you all." He smiled as he got into the car, closed the door, and gently pulled away, the best part of his life in front of him, like the sparkling silver hood of his beloved Chevelle.

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