Hailey took a seat at her kitchen table, shaking her head once.
-Are you sure you want to go? – she asked her husband one more time, letting a sigh out.
-It's Kevin's birthday. -her husband answered while he grabbed one of his only suit jackets. Tonight's dinner was slightly fancier than usual, because Vanessa, Kevin's sister had insisted on throwing him a party at a restaurant, renting the entire place for her brother.
-I know, but maybe you can go alone. – Hailey tried once more, knowing that her colleague wouldn't like her not going.
-Do you not feel ok? Is it the baby? -He asked her taking a step towards his wife.
Hailey raised her eyes towards Adam Ruzek, her husband of now two years, and she shook her head once more. She looked down at her sixteen weeks belly and added. – No, the baby is fine. I'm fine. Let's go. – she assured him, getting up from the chair.
The petite detective was wearing a black jumpsuit and she added a jean jacket, considering the night breeze of the summer. She looked up at her husband and followed him out the door towards his car.
While she got in the car, she remembered that their two-year marriage hadn't had the best beginning. After sleeping together for not more than two months, Hailey had found that she was pregnant, and the news had hit both of them hard. Neither of the two was ready to be a parent, but Adam had insisted on marrying Hailey, implying that he didn't want his kid to grow up in separate homes like he had.
Thinking back, she knew she should have said no, that she should have insisted that they didn't knew each other enough. That a baby wouldn't simply made them love each other.
But she had been alone and scared and bringing a baby to this world wasn't in her plans. So, she had agreed to a quick wedding, with unexpected support of their colleagues. Even Kim Burgess had shown up to support them, and the biggest shock was that she seemed happy that Adam had moved on.
Hailey adjusted her jean jacket around her, feeling the breeze enter through Adam's open window. – You cold? – he asked her, but Hailey shook her head, knowing that it was the memories what caused her chills.
She had lost the baby a few weeks after the wedding, and she had never really gotten rid of the feeling that it had been her fault. Adam had promised her more than once that there was no one to blame, but she had only withdrawn more from reality after hearing him.
Their home had turned into a hostile environment for both of them and working together hadn't helped their marriage. Both had kept their professionalism, but it was noticeable to their colleagues that the situation wasn't easy.
After more than year putting up with everything, Hailey had finally found the courage to ask him for divorce. But one drunken night had changed everything for them, once more. Pregnant again, Hailey had decided that maybe this was fate giving them another chance. But four months into her pregnancy, she wasn't sure Adam agreed with her.
He hadn't left her, yes, but they barely spoke, and Hailey was reconsidering her decision to stay married to him. Maybe love just wasn't in the cards for them.
-I hear Jay is bringing his new girlfriend. -Hailey told him while he parked the car near the restaurant.
-Have you met her? – Adam asked her turning off the car and opening his door. – Hold on, let me open the door for you. -
-I'm pregnant, not sick. – she told him, trying to smile for him, which earned him a glare from her husband.
-Just trying to take care of you.-
-I know. Thank you. – she said getting out of the car-
Hailey looked up to him, and against all odds, Adam offered her his hand to walk.
She didn't know what kind of behavior this was, but it wasn't usual of him. Which didn't mean it was unwanted by her.
The blonde took her husband's hand with her own and started to walk with him towards the restaurant.
-Hailey! Adam! -they heard someone call for them from behind, and they both turned around to find Jay and his new girlfriend, Samantha, with him.
The Ruzek's smiled at their colleague, before Jay spoke again. – Guys, this is Sam Montgomery. Sam, these are Hailey Upton, my partner, and Adam Ruzek, my colleague for more years that I want to admit. –
-Nice to meet you Sam. – Hailey said shaking the woman's hand. Adam did the same after that.
-It's a pleasure. – the brunette said, and when she smiled, Hailey was remembered of Erin Linday's own smile. And maybe Halstead had a type.
She turned to look at her husband and when she crossed looks with him she knew he was thinking the same thing, which made both of them giggle.
-You two seem happy tonight. -Jay added, grabbing Samantha's hand while they entered the place.
-I think we are. – Adam answered before his wife could, and she kept her smile on her face. She would enjoy a rare fun night with him and their friends, not even thinking about what the next day could bring.
-I don't know, she just got in her head that she wanted this place for my birthday celebration. She wanted nothing to do with Molly's or anything like it. – Kevin explained to his team members who were all standing in a round having drinks.- Maybe Buffalo people are putting ideas in her mind. But as long as she doesn't become a Cowboy's fan, I'm fine with it. –
Hailey shook her head, sipping her soda, while her colleagues laughed.
-You need a refill? – Hank asked her, standing next to her.
Hailey nodded, walking to the bar with her boss. – How is the baby treating you, Hailey? –
-We're both fine, Hank. -she assured him, knowing that he and the rest of team still worried about her. They knew how hard it had been for her last time. - It won't happen again. -
-As long as you're healthy. -her boss said with his rough voice.
-I am. -she ordered another soda from the bartender and turned back to look at the group. - Soon I'll be tied up to desk duty. –
-Trudy will be lucky to have you. -Hank promised her.
-I don't believe that for a second. - Hailey laughed shaking her head.
-Well, as long as it's for your safety, I'm sure she'll agree. – Hank added looking up to see that Adam approached them from a distance. - Has he been treating you nicely? –
-We're trying Hank. We're both trying. – she assured him, not completely sure that was true, but at least for tonight, it seemed it was.
Hailey looked away to find that Adam had been approached by Kim and they were sharing a conversation in the middle of the restaurant. She saw her husband's troubled face and she knew they were not having a pleasant conversation. Hailey took her drink and took a sip, looking back at Hank.
-I'm considering bringing in a new person while you're on desk duty and maternity leave. –
-Do you have anyone in mind? –
-Antonio suggested someone, and I agree with him. But I want to have a talk with you and Jay, considering she'll be filling in for you. – Hank explained to her, and she nodded.
-That's good. Who is it? –
-Melanie Williamson. –
-I don't know her, but I'll gladly talk to her. - Hailey assured him, but she saw the look change on Hank's face. -What? -
-After the baby is born… we'll need to talk to see if you want back in Intelligence.
-Hank… of course I want to come back. – Hailey told him, not knowing where he was coming from.
-We'll talk after the baby is born. But I hope to God that you do want to come back. -
-Why is that? – Hailey asked him, curious.
-Because I don't want to think about this team without you. -he sincerely told her, and Hailey smiled at her boss. He might seem hard on the outside, but Hank Voight took care of his own.
-I'll be back, don't worry. – she promised him, before putting her glass on the bar. – Excuse me for a minute, I'm going to the bathroom. – she said before heading towards the back room.
Hailey put some water on her face after using the toilet, and she looked up when the bathroom door opened. Kim walked in, with a colleague from the 21st and both girls waved at Hailey. The blonde girl headed towards one of the stalls, while Kim approached Upton.
The brunette looked amazing in a red blouse, with some skinny pants that highlighted her figure. – How are you Hailey? I've barely seen you tonight. –
-Good, good. I just have to pee really often. – Hailey admitted. The two women had kept a good relationship, both at the precinct and out of it, and the blonde appreciated that.
-The downside of the little nugget. – Kim told her smiling, referring to the baby. –
-I know. - Hailey smiled. – You doing ok? –
-Yeah... yeah. I'm good. –
Hailey couldn't force Kim to tell her if there was something wrong with Adam, but she could try. – And with Adam? –
-Adam? Oh yeah. We just have a disagreement over an old case. Don't sweat it. – Kim told her, and even if Hailey didn't believe her, she had to accept her words.
-Ok... I'll see you out there then. – Hailey smiled once more, before joining the party again.
-Hey! – she heard Adam call for her.
-Hey. – she said, putting one of her hands over her belly.
-I kinda lost you there for a minute. –
-Bathroom break. – she said tapping her belly twice.
-Are you feeling fine? – with the last miscarriage, he had felt he wasn't careful enough with her which cause him to be like this with this new pregnancy.
-Yes. If I feel there is anything wrong, I will tell you. – she assured him.
- You want another drink? – Adam asked her, and Hailey shook her head. – Food? –
- Yeah, let's find our places. – she told him, but before she could take another step, Adam grabbed her hand and started walking with her.
She followed him in silence, surprised at his behavior. He hadn't been this nice to her in a long time.
-Everything ok with Kim? -she dared asked him, after they found their places and the people started joining them.
-Yeah, I'll tell you about it tomorrow. -he said, without wanting to ruin their night talking about his former fiancée.
-Ok. Aren't you going to your sister's tomorrow? –
-I told her I would go next Sunday. I have an undercover op tomorrow afternoon, so we can have breakfast together. -he explained to her.
-Talking about work at my party? Shame, Ruz! – Kevin said taking a seat a couple of places from them. –
-Sorry man, I'll stop. – Adam told him raising his hands.
-How's my future godson treating you Hales? – Kevin asked her, while Vanesa and Jordan took a seat next to him.
-He or she – Hailey clarified – is fine. – she smiled at Atwater and he raised his glass to her.
-To she or him… so that little person is filling my next birthday with laughter. – he said clicking his glass with Adam's.
Both she and Adam nodded, raising their glasses to. – Happy birthday Kevin. – she said with a smile, while she caressed her belly with her other hand.
A couple of hours later, she and Adam entered their house, and Hailey took of her heels after taking a step into the house. – Oh, I've been waiting to do all night. –
She was expecting a sarcastic response from Adam, but she received silence while he headed towards the kitchen.
She followed him there barefoot and kept her eyes on him. – You ok? –
-Fine. – he said, staying silent after that. He grabbed a beer from the fridge and opened it, before taking a sip.
-I thought… -she said confused.
-You thought what? –
-Tonight was nice. – she told him, keeping her blue eyes on him. She didn't understand this change of behavior either.
-Isn't it what you wanted? – he asked her, leaning against one of the counters.
-Excuse me? – this was familiar territory for them. Silent treatments and fighting was all they seemed good at.
-You said last week that the least I could do was pretend in front of people. That I could hate you in silence like you hated me, but that in front of other people the acting was necessary. -
Hailey could not believe what she was hearing. Did he really think that of her?
-Oh my God, I can't believe you're twisting my words so much! – she said raising her hands.
-Did you or did you not say that? -he asked her, putting his bottle on the breakfast counter.
-I was mad, Adam! My parents were arriving in two hours and you had arrived drunk from a night of partying. What did you expect? – she told him trying to keep her voice calm. She shook her head, retreating to the living room so she could head upstairs to her bedroom.
-Hailey! – he called after her.
-Leave me alone! – she said at last, and that seemed to stop him.
It was all a lie, like it always was with him. Nothing had changed.