It was a surprise when Joe's number flashed on her phone. It had only been a week since the family had met Joe Hill and it was very interesting for Eddie because she wasn't the new family member anymore. The ride home that night had been quiet. Jamie lost in the thoughts of his brother and the fact he wasn't there to meet his son.

"Hello?"

"Eddie?"

"Yeah that's me. What can I do for you Joe?"

"Would you be able to meet me? I don't know where." He sighed, "I'm sorry. I am a little overwhelmed and I thought you might understand."

"It is an interesting thing coming into this family." she paused, "Why don't you come to our place. Jamie is pulling a double, so it will just be us till about 2."

"That's great. I appreciate this."

"No problem. I'll text you the address."

"See you soon."

After hanging up and sending the text, she started cleaning up the apartment. As a general rule they weren't messy people and they stayed busy enough to keep it mostly clutter free. Making sure there was fresh coffee, she sat down on the couch. Not wanting to surprise Jamie with a guest, should he get home early, she sent off a quick text. "Hey boy scout. Joe is coming over for some advice on joining the family. Love you. Be safe."

It wasn't long before there was a buzz from downstairs. After a quick exchange she buzzed him in. Opening the door she really could see the family resemblance. " Welcome. Please come in."

"Thank you."

"Would you like something to drink? I made fresh coffee and I promise it's better then Jamie's."

"Thank you but no. So is it it Aunt Eddie or just Eddie?"

She chuckled, "It's up to you. Nicky, Jack and Sean call me Aunt Eddie but don't feel like you have too."

"It's just weird." He sat on the couch, "I mean it's just my mom mostly. She never really would talk about who my father was. Just that they had met in police training and that he was a good guy. Then a random DNA test and my choice of assignment make it to where I have family but it's not just any family, it's THE law enforcement family."

"I understand. Jamie and I met when I got out of the academy. He was my TO." Joe laughed at that. "The stories you hear about them when you are in training, makes them seem almost untouchable. But they have lost so much. Did your mom tell you how your father died?"

"Just an op gone wrong. I heard later that it was a dirty cop and that the Reagans had caught him."

"It was before my time but you will have to talk to your Uncle Jamie about that. He went through a lot to find out what happened to Joe. The whole family misses your dad but Jamie was really close to him. That is partly why he joined the force after getting a law degree." She let him think a little. "I had my battles when I joined the family. Trying to be me while becoming an extension of them. Like you said they're THE family but there is no one else I'd have supporting me. They are stubborn, hot headed and fiercely loyal.I've seen them fight like they hate each other and then be the first one to show up to help each other."

"How do you be part of the family but not make it seem like you have a free ticket? I think…. career wise… I just don't want anyone to think it's all easy. Like I have a permanent get out of jail free card. I have worked really hard to be where I am."

"I get that and that's why my name plate at work still says Janko. I know that most are aware I'm married to 'Sergeant Regean the PC's son'. But it gives me the freedom to do things my way. I still have tried to be a little more aware of my actions because of how it would reflect on everyone but I still am me. It took Jamie a bit to figure out but he understands. So if you wanna jump in and change to a Reagan go for it or you can just quietly come for dinners and family functions. I know they will just be happy having you around."

"Thank you for this. It's good to get to know you and get some help."

"Anytime. Fair warning, they will have questions and want to help. Just be honest in what you want and it'll be ok."

"Ok." He smiled, "So they have dinner every sunday?"

"Yes and holidays of course. Occasionally there will be dinners on other days but it's rare."

"Good to know. So can you help me with names? I mean I obviously now Danny, Erin, Frank, Jamie and Henry from work. I know yours and Sean had been texting me a lot. But I don't know much else."

"Sure, well Ma.."

"Eddie I'm home."

"We're in here babe."

"Hey how's it going?" Jamie asked Joe while shaking his hand.

"Good. Eddie has been giving me some advice on how to join the family with a little grace."

"Hard earned information." She laughed as Jamie kissed her cheek, giving her a look. "How was your day?"

"The usual. So what did I interrupt?"

"Oh Joe asked about the family that wasn't at dinner. Why don't you do that and I will get us all something to drink. Any preferences Joe?"

"Just some water please. I have to leave soon. I've got a night shift."

"Bummer. I just got off those." Eddie walked over to the kitchen and listened to them talking.

"So Frank and Mary are my parents, we lost mom to cancer. Danny is the oldest and was married to Linda. They have Jack who is in college and Sean. Linda was killed by Jose Rojas in a helicopter crash. Erin is divorced from Jack Boyle and they have Nicky, who lives in San Francisco. Then it was your dad and then me. Pops was married to Grandma Betty. She was from Ireland, as was Pop's dad."

"Ok. so very Irish."

"Definitely."

An hour later Joe had to leave and Eddie felt Jamie's arms around her. She leaned into him, enjoying the feeling. "I love you." He whispered in her ear.

"I love you too." She turned, "You ok with all this?"

"It's weird but I'm grateful. It's an unexpected gift to have part of my brother around. Though I have to remind myself that he didn't know Joe."

"Well it will be interesting but I have a feeling he is very Reagan."

Jamie raised an eyebrow. "We will have to see."