Just something I threw together quickly. Hope you enjoy.

Epilogue

The three males jumped out of their seats and cheered in unison at the unexpected turn of events they were witnessing on the television screen as the lone female in the group hunched forward and groaned in disappointment.

"Oh, Eli," Eddie sighed sadly, dropping her head into her hands after seeing a possible game-winning touchdown pass suddenly turn into a pick six going the other way with time running out. Jamie sat back down on the couch and rubbed her back gently as he and the others continued to watch the Jets players celebrate on the field.

Henry chuckled gleefully before turning sympathetic eyes towards his grandson's girlfriend. "Well, you win some and you lose some," he offered in a solemn tone.

Despite her team's loss, Eddie couldn't help smiling when she saw Henry's shining eyes. The man was a diehard Jets fan and had made the night all the more entertaining with his colorful commentary, even if it was to often disparage her beloved Giants. However, she was not one to be outdone and easily matched Henry's quick wit in the trash talk department...much to Frank and Jamie's entertainment. And she knew he was restraining himself right now. His tone reaked of forced compassion, but his expression did little to hide the taunts that must have been stacking up inside his head. "Don't hold back on my account, Henry. I can see you vibrating with excitement over there," she teased.

Frank smiled at the young woman. "You shouldn't give him permission to gloat, Eddie. You'll probably regret it. In fact, I know you will," he said. He was glad that Jamie had finally brought her over. She was going to have no problem fitting in with this family; she definitely gave as good as she got.

"I wouldn't gloat," Henry argued. "I'm a gentleman," he declared which had the others snorting in response. Henry ignored their reactions and backed his statement with his attempt at taking the high road. "It was a close, hard-fought game and could have gone either way," he said. But he was unable to restrain himself in the end and followed with a soft jab. "We're just the better team."

Jamie smirked as he sat back and threw his arms along the back of the couch, tilting his head towards Eddie. "Here he goes," he warned in a mock whisper, despite agreeing with his grandfather wholeheartedly. Jamie was a smart man and kept his mouth closed otherwise. He didn't want to get kicked to the curb when they got back to Eddie's place later; he planned to have her snuggled up next to him for the rest of the night.

Eddie snorted, crossing her arms in front of her as she readied herself for some more trash talk. "It's okay. I got my big-girl pants on," she said.

Henry held one hand up in Eddie's direction and backed down from further attack about as gently as the smug Jet's fan possibly could. "I'll just enjoy reading the sports section tomorrow," he replied, not wanting to pour salt into the wound. "And watching the highlights on Sportscenter."

Eddie nodded back. "I'm sure you will," she laughed.

Jamie looked at his watch and squeezed Eddie's shoulder affectionally. "It's late. We should get going," he said as he stood up from the couch, offering Eddie his hand.

Jamie led Eddie to the foyer with Frank and Henry following behind.

"Eddie, it was a real pleasure to meet you. We hope to see you again real soon," Frank said with a smile.

"Likewise, sir," Eddie replied while Jamie helped her into her jacket. The Commissioner had asked her to call him "Frank" several times, but she just couldn't. They may be in an informal setting, but this was the first time she had ever met him in person and she couldn't help seeing him as anything but her boss. Regardless of that fact, she could easily see why Jamie had turned out so well. He'd been warm and inviting, making her feel at home from the moment she stepped foot into the house.

"Same goes for me, young lady. And hopefully next time we won't have any rivalries getting in the way," Henry said. He'd enjoyed the back and forth with Eddie all night and she'd seemed to also enjoy a few of his cop stories from back in the day. On top of that, she had praised his cooking skills - which was always a great way to win Henry over. She had thoroughly enjoyed the fillet he'd treated them all to that night. He considered this a special occasion after all, finally getting to meet Jamie's girl. And he loved a girl who could eat, none of that salad only nonsense girls these days insisted on.

"I look forward to it, Henry. Goodnight," Eddie smiled.

"Goodnight," Frank replied as he pulled the door open for the pair.

Jamie sent a smile his father and grandfather's way, thankful for the great night they'd had. He knew they would take to Eddie as easily as he had. "Night, Dad. Pops."

"'Night son. Drive safe," Frank said.

"We will," Jamie said over his shoulder as he followed Eddie down the front steps.

Frank and Henry watched them for a few minutes until Jamie's car pulled away from the curb, then Frank closed the door with a satisfied sigh. "I think he's got a good one there," he said when he turned to meet his father' eyes.

"And a looker too," Henry threw out.

Frank gave his father a smirk. "Pop."

"What? I'm old but I'm not dead, Francis," Henry complained as he returned to the living room. "A cop and a football fan. I like her already, despite the fact she roots for the Giants," he said while moving through the living room turning off the lamps. "No one's perfect," Henry shrugged.

Frank chuckled at his father's assessment of Eddie. "Jamie always was a good judge of character. It's good to see him happy," he said.

Henry stepped over to the staircase where Frank was waiting for him. "Yeah, it is. I never understood how God could bestow such a heavy burden on a kid like him. It's tough enough losing your wife after decades of marriage, but just as your trying to get your life started together? No newlywed should have to suffer that kind of loss," Henry declared.

Frank nodded in agreement. "Makes you question a lot of things. But you have to trust that God has a plan for each of us," Frank offered.

"Yeah. But sometimes I worried we'd never have the old Jamie back," Henry said as he went up the stairs.

"Me too, pop. But not anymore," Frank replied with a smile as he followed Henry up the stairs.