„I don't think this is a good idea."

Erin sat down on the couch. Despite her concern Jay still loved the idea of spending his free time with their son in a special way.

„Jay, he's just 8 years old, far too young for that."

„He's already in school, Erin. My Dad took me to hunting when I was in kindergarten."

„Oh yeah. On which time are we referring here? Did we already hit the Stone Age?"

„Don't mess with me. It's been around 1989. Joey isn't different than I was."

„Except that he lives in the 21st century in the city of Chicago, not on a farm and he still isn't a clone of you."

Jay sighed loudly.

„It's just an evening at a shooting range between father and son. I'm not flying to Afghanistan with him."

„But we still talk about our boy here. How would you explain it to his class teacher, who asks about holidays and getting a report of a gun battle between father and son? Not to talk about the risk of getting hurt."

Jay rolled his eyes.

„Erin, if we really decide to go on that trip, I'm gonna have a long talk with Joseph before. He won't leave my side, until I instruct him to do so. Besides the fact that shooting trains concentration and self-confidence."

Lindsay wasn't pleased, even when her 8 year old son jumped from the last step of the stairs with his favorite book

„Daddy? Can you read me a good night story?", he landed on Jays lap.

„Well, let's see buddy. We're just talking about our trip on next Sunday right now", Jay explained, resulting a reproachfull glance from Erins side.

Joeys eyes started to light up.

„And?"

„And Mummy and I worry that you're not ready for it."

Joeys face became sad.

„That's not fair. Daddy, please. Mummy! Let me go", he begged his parents, who looked at each other until Erin shrugged her shoulders and groaned.

„Okay, I'm done. Do whatever you want to."

„But Joseph…"

The small boy looked at his father.

„We play to my rules. Get it?"

Joey nodded, getting closer to his parents, while Jay told him the rules.

„First: You're not running in the line of fire, to take a look at the shooting score. Never, ever. Do you hear me?"

„Go ahead."

Secondly: You're waiting for my instruction. You're not pulling the trigger until I tell you so. Do you understand?"

„Yes, Sir", Joseph gestured like a soldier, a huge smile on his face.

„Thank you, Daddy", the little boy hugged his father, who looked at Erin in emberassement.

„You better hug your Mummy too, buddy", Jay underlined, before Joey walked towards his mum, doing what his father required.

„I'm gonna brush my teeth", he explained to his parents, leaving Erin and Jay with a smile, before he ran upstairs…

„I swear to you, if I regret my desision, I'm gonna kill you with my bear hands", Erin hissed to Jay, despite her smile, making him grabbing her hand.

„ I won't lose sight of him. He's the one who conects us for lifetime", Halstead promised, kissing Erin before she was ready to answer.

„Honestly, Erin. He's old enough to handle it in a responsible way. He just can win, getting new experiences, educating, concentration."

„I hope you're right, superman", she joked, looking at Joeys stuff animal with a sigh.

„He's just growing up too fast. Hopefully he doesn't follow our foot steps."