Chapter One

A limo picked up each family the day of their trip. Both April and Max were still sleepy for their early morning flight. Jamie carried Max and Eddie pushed April in the stroller. They met Kara, Luke, and the boys for breakfast before their flight. Kara looked like death warmed over and was leaning on Luke's arms.

"Hey, you okay?" Eddie asked her friend and Kara only smiled. She would tell her later, but for now she only nodded and sipped at some tea to settle her tummy.

Kara was sick the entire plane ride, so Jamie and Eddie took charge of the boys on the flight, allowing Luke to tend to Kara. Eddie watched him, and remembered Matt at the hospital, this was nothing compared to what happened when Kara was shot, but Luke was so much more attentive and caring than Matt had been or could be. It was the difference between true love and simple commitment.

By the time they landed in Montana, Kara was feeling better and Eddie's radar was through the roof. She pulled her friend aside, "Are you okay? What's wrong?"

Kara smiled, "Nothing is wrong…everything is right." Kara took Eddie's hand into hers, and smiled with tears in her eyes. "I didn't want to say anything to anyone, but you aren't just anyone. You're my best friend in the entire word and I have to share this with you. Luke and I are having a baby, I'm six weeks pregnant!"

Eddie squealed and hugged Kara tight, "Oh, that's wonderful. Congratulations! That's so terrific."

"I'm so happy, Luke cried when I told him," Kara gushed. "I hope it's a girl, and I think Luke wants a girl, but we'll be so happy no matter what we have."

"I know, I felt that way with April," Eddie replied. "We have one of each already, and it's such a blessing. This is such a blessing."

Kara covered her still flat belly with her hands, "We'll be happy on matter what. We will be blessed and this baby…it's giving Luke back something he lost. We wanted this so much. It happened just after we got home, and here we are to plan your wedding."

Eddie beamed, "Yes, we are. I'm so happy, Kara. Jamie and I decided to try, we stopped birth control already and we hope for a honeymoon baby. After everything I went through with this undercover, after everything Jamie and I both went through…we don't' want to waste time, we want to expand our family. I'm just…I'm ready to be a Mommy again and…raise my three."

Kara nodded, "I had those first years with my kids, I just went back to work before the mess with Cutter. I know and I'm so glad. I want you and Jamie to be there when this baby is born and I want to be there for you. I want our families to enjoy the same friendship you and I do."

"I want that too," Eddie replied. "Now is this a secret or can I tell Jamie?"

"It's a secret mostly but you can tell Jamie because I know you don't like to keep things from him and I don't like to from Luke either…tell him later…"

Eddie beamed, she couldn't wait to share this good fortune, it was a great way to start off their trip.

While the girls were talking, Jamie took the opportunity to speak to Luke. It was late August, nearing his and Eddie's partners' anniversary. What would be better than marking that event in their special place?

"Luke, would you be able to help me set up a little surprise for Eddie? I want to go to dinner, all of us and do something a little different and fun…" Jamie suggested.

"There's a great family style place, it has line dancing, games for the kids, and the best food in these parts by a mile," Luke told Jamie. "Even better than the big game. You'll love it, and of course, that night we'll keep you kiddos so you two can celebrate in private. Those days are kind of over for me and Kara right now, she's too sick to enjoy…" Luke caught himself and hid a smile behind his hand.

"Kara's sick?" Jamie asked then notice the smirk. "Oh, that kind of sick…Congratulations, Luke. That's wonderful news. Not about her being sick, but the reason is wonderful."

"Yes, we're so excited," Luke beamed. "Kara was a little nervous about how she'll look in her bridesmaid's dress at 4 months along, but I know Eddie will pick something flattering for her. Those two are just the best of friends."

Jamie agreed, "When Kara was shot, Eddie sat at her bedside and promised to help her find love in her life. We didn't' know you two had already found each other at that point. I think this will be the first of many family trips for us. Now, what is the name of that place?"

Jamie made the reservations for the next evening. With all the wedding planning to be done, Jamie didn't think Eddie remembered it was their partners' anniversary. She did, of course, but wasn't planning to make a big deal if he forgot, there was so much to do.

Eddie made plans to meet with the priest and a preliminary shopping trip with Kara to select florals and things they couldn't bring from New York. The men would take the kids to the amusement park to play and run around and keep them out of their mother's way. Three of the four kids liked this idea, April announced, "I girl, I go Mommy…"

Eddie had to laugh at that logic, "We'll see," was the only answer she gave her. She didn't know if the little girl could sit and be patient well enough while they made their selections. "It's not that long a trip between the two points," Jamie reasoned. "If she gets antsy, we can get out hands stamped and go pick her up. Throw in some ice cream for the boys and they won't give us a hard time about breaking up the day."

Eddie agreed, their third day in Montana would be, at least during the daylight, sexually segregated.

April and Max especially loved the wide open spaces of the chalet, there was a lot of room to run around, hide, then scare each other. Max liked to scare April, but she only tolerated that for a bit of time.

Then she hauled off and hit him in the head with a tiny little fist.

"Mommom…" Max wailed and ran to Eddie crying with his arms out stretched. Eddie sighed and took him to her side, "What's the matter, Max? Did April hit you?"

"April hit me," he sniffled. He was almost twice her size, but she had spunk.

"Maxy, jump me…" April told her mother. "Go boo, boo…"

"Okay," Eddie sighed. "April, I'll talk to Max but we do not hit! Use your words, this is your warning, do not hit your brother!"

April nodded and pouted a bit, Eddie wiped Max's tears, "Max, do not scare April. It's not nice, this is your warning. Place nice."

Jamie watched Eddie discipline their children in a natural and loving manner. She smiled and hugged each one as they went about their business. "Kara and Luke said they'd take them tonight, so I made reservations at the big game place for you and me. "

Eddie smiled, she knew Jamie would plan a romantic night for them as soon as possible. "That's great, we have to meet with the priest today too, so I'll run them down to Kara and we'll see him, then give her a chance to nap…Oh…I didn't tell you, Kara's…"

"Pregnant,' Jamie finished, laughing at her. "Yeah, Luke told me. He's so excited, they both are so excited."

"My appointment is the day after we get back, and I hope we'll have a reason to be excited very soon."

Jamie kissed Eddie's head, "I know we will. Let me run these two to their room, then maybe I'll take them swimming with Kara's kids while she gets a nap, huh? You can primp and spruce, I want my best girl to look beautiful."

Eddie smiled, she loved this side of Jamie. He was happy and playful, smiling and laughing. It was as if her decision to retire took all of his stress away and made him feel better and more secure. She was glad that this decision was so beneficial for them both.

Jamie and Eddie held hands as they waited for the officiant to meet with them. "Now, we want to do our own vows," Eddie confirmed. "You're sure, you don't want traditional vows?"

"We've both gone that route, we are not traditional and I think that we'd do ourselves a disservice by just saying a simple "I do". We're deeper than that."

"Yes, we are," Eddie whispered and leaned up to give him a kiss. They were mid-smooch when the priest came in and smiled. "I wish I caught every couple that I marry doing that. The ones I catch are usually the ones that make it."

He shook Eddie and Jamie's hands then sat down with his clipboard, "So you have expressed the desire for a religious ceremony outdoors, but that old oak tree on the chalet property. I'd be happy to perform the ceremony there. Would you like traditional vows?"

"We'd like to write our own," Eddie replied. "And we'd like some mention of joining a family in the ceremony as well."

Jamie smiled "We have children and we'd like to include them a bit, join the whole family."

The priest was making notes and smiling, "A large bridal party?"

Jamie shook his head, "No, very small. Guest and all, the whole thing is maybe fifty people, small, intimate, and very special." He couldn't help but lean over to kiss Eddie's lips lightly.

It only took a few more minutes to finalize the details of the ceremony, Eddie had done most of it over the phone with the event planner. It would be a small, elegant, and dignified celebration of their love.

They walked back to the chalet along the pond, holding hands and looking out over the water. "I love this view, I love it here…" Eddie replied leaning into his side. "We need to retire here, when we officially retire all the way. After your twenty."

Jamie nodded, "I can see us here, old porch swing, kids running all over the place and you sitting near me, cuddling close, my hand on your thigh…"

"I like the sound of it, I love that dream of that, Jamie…" Eddie whispered and leaned up for him to seal the dream with his kiss.

Jamie picked up the kids and acquired Jake and Alex. All four kids were dressed in their swimming attire, April and Max with a tube and floaties respectively

Jake and Alex waved bye following Jamie, with the little kids walking a few steps ahead. Max reached his little hand out taking his sister's.

April had a hard time holding her tube and Max's hand. She walked deliberately with her flip flops on her tiny feet. "Jake and Alex, you two stay where I can see you," Jamie warned. An arm's length from me at all times, and where you can touch, you hear?"

"We will," the boys agreed without so much as glancing at each other. "Do they know how to really swim yet?"

"I know how swim!" April said feeling like the question was a put down to her. Jamie answered, "They do okay with this swim aids but I have to be right next to them."

Alex smiled at her, "Sure we can show you too it's really fun and easy." as they got closer the pool came into view already busy with families.

"April and Max, hold Daddy," Jamie told them firmly. "Max go on and start in..." Jake was the oldest at seven and could stand in the shallow end. He jumped in and waited for Max to come down the steps"

Max dipped a cautious toe in taking slow steps until he landed in Jake's arms giggling. "It's warm right. Come on April."

April held onto Jamie and stepped down with him. She floated off in her tube as they went

Alex went in swimming to his brother careful of Max who splashed around slowly in his tubes, laughing trying to swim like the big kids. "Like this, move your arms."

Max had the right form but his floaties were hindering his arm movement. "Off." he told Jamie waving his arms up and down.

"Not yet buddy, you're still too little yet, you still need the floaters. You're doing great," Jamie was impressed with how easily he got it

Max tried a little more with the floaties on before trying to pull them off himself. April floated around, making a face when she got splashed by Jake and Alex's game.

"No Maxy leave them on a little let's just practice right now," Jake praised showing him again how to move his arms and kick his legs.

Jamie was at his wits end with the four kids after about a half hour. The older boys were encouraging Max to swim with them and that made him pull off his left float almost consistently. April didn't like her face wet, the splashing made her cry.

"Alex and Jake I'm going to keep April and Max here with me why don't you swim around a little bit on this side where I can see you."

They headed off to play who can stay under longest while Jamie put Max's left floatie on for the tenth time.

When Jamie turned around April was behind him sticking to her Daddy like glue. "Daddy..." she was trying to wipe her face with her wet hands

"You're face wet, do you want to go back to Mommy?" She didn't look like she was having any fun.

"Mommy no wet face April," April reached both hands up to be lifted not liking having her face soaked by the older boys.

Jamie took both kids out of the pool and texted Eddie to come get April. Ten minutes later, Luke appeared from where he'd been caring for Kara. April saw him and threw a fit.

"No Uncle Luke want Mommy ...April Mommy no face wet." She clenched her fists waving them angrily through the air while kicking and stomping.

"Come on little one,' Luke drawled with a smile. "We're going to Mommy right now. Mommy's hair is all wet. Hold my hand and we'll go see Mommy."

April raised a close fist him at him, wanting her Mommy's comfort, sniffling hard, tired and not enjoying the pool at all.

Luke carried her back to Eddie, who held her on her lap for all of five minutes before she fell asleep. "Thanks for getting her Luke, I'll make sure she is in a better mood before we bring them back..."

"No worries Eddie guess she won't be requesting to go back to the pool anytime soon huh?" Luke smiled watching April peacefully resting in her Mommy's arms.

Eddie was down with Kara when Jamie returned with the boys. She didn't want him to see her prior to their date. "Hey Jamie thanks again for taking them. Were they good?" Kara eyed her two boys as they walked over to her wearing the same smile.

"They were," he replied. "Tell Eddie I'm going to be ready in a half hour."

Kara promised she would tell Eddie. She ushered the boys in to change out of their wet clothes.

Jamie showered, shaved, and put on khakis and a button down shirt. He got a flower for Eddie and headed to pick her up for dinner at Kara's room.

Jamie laughed and waited in the parlor of the chalet. Heels clicked on the floor turning Jamie's attention to Eddie walking over. Jamie's jaw nearly hit the floor when he saw how gorgeous she looked.

She wore a cocktail length plum dress with a deep V-neck and open back. There was a silver belt accentuating her waist and her trademark home in her hair. "Wow, Eddie you look amazing," Jamie stood offering the flower to her, admiring how beautiful she looked.

She kissed him gently and took his arm. With a quick warning to the kids to be good and promise to see them in the morning the pair left.

Jamie kissed her across the table. They ordered their usual meals from this place, and as always, they shared.

The room was quiet despite the couple's there but Jamie paid them no never mind reaching across the table for her hand. "May I?" he asked.

Eddie nodded getting up, "sure." She smiled when Jamie took her hand walking to the dance floor with him.

Jamie held Eddie close to him and led her around the dance floor. Jamie held her close, she laid her head on his shoulder. Jamie rubbed her back, enjoying the feel of her soft skin under his hand.

"This reminds me of us dancing after your buddy's wedding remember, with our matching black eyes" Eddie looked up until their eyes met.

"Yes, it does...the first time I did that..." Jamie laughed. "I love this...holding you close to me and loving you. I can't help it...I just love your hands."

"I love when you hold me Jamie you're so gentle. It feels great being in your arms. I saw the look you gave me, your eyes never left mine."

"Never," Jamie whispered. "I'm with you, and I'm so in love with you..."

Eddie couldn't hold back a smile dancing slowly with him. "I'm in love with you, too, Mr. Reagan. Boy scout."

Jamie pecked her on the cheek and touched their cheeks together. When the dance ended they went back to the table and began to enjoy their dinner. They reminisced about the older couple that sent them champagne with well wishes, right in this very restaurant. They'd finally come full circle, soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Reagan.