Summary: Ruzek told him he needed a simple night out to relieve some stress and have some beers. A night out is what made Jay realize everything he could possibly want is waiting for him at home.
Disclaimer: I don't own shit. La-la-la I wish I owned something.
So this is a Linstead One-shot based off the song Honey, I'm Good by Andy Grammar. I heard the song today for the first time and had this idea and wrote it down. I had to write, it was calling me. I usually don't write much Chicago PD stuff so I'm still new at this branch of fanfiction. Enjoy it though!
Honey, I'm Good
"Coming tonight, Jay?" Ruzek popped himself on the side of my desk, sitting on the edge. "You haven't been out in a while. Just a couple of beers at Molly's then you can go home."
"I don't know man," I sighed. A beer sounded amazing to me, but going home to Erin and the kids sounded better at this point. The week has been a long and tiring one especially with a three-month old, Isaiah who barely slept through the night and a five and three year old who made our bed their own every night. I don't know if I have the energy to go out for the night.
I lived through wars where I grew accustomed to falling asleep to the sounds of gunfire and explosions but yet I couldn't sleep with a baby crying or a foot in my back. Damn kids.
"Erin will understand, Man. If Kim does, she will. You need a beer, or more then one. You look like hell." Ruzek stated so nicely. "I mean damn, don't you get a break?"
"There's not really time for a break," I shrugged it off, "and I don't mind that. In eighteen years I'll have a break." At least that was what Erin kept telling me and after five years, I am starting to believe it, but according to Voight you never get a break. You start worrying about other issues.
"That's it, man. You need to go out. Yesterday you showed up with make-up on your face."
"Eleanora wanted to play with her mommy's make up while Erin went to the doctor." I frowned at that memory. I was in a rush to get to the office when Erin got back from her three month post partum check up that I forgot what Ellie was doing before I left.
"Exactly, you're turning into a girl. Get out and have a beer. Call Erin, she'd say yes. Tell her Kim will stop by and they'll have mommy/baby dinner." Ruzek smirked continuing to try and talk me into this boy's night with beer.
I shook my head unsure of what to do. A beer could do me good tonight but when would Erin get a break? She still didn't return to work yet, even if the doctor gave her the okay, and Voight did not.
"Come on man. New babies are hard. You can celebrate getting through three months and the kids still alive." Antonio joked from his desk. "Just a beer."
"Erin probably won't like that."
"Did you even ask her yet?" Ruzek spoke up again, "Until you actually ask her don't give us a response. Plus if you lie, I'll get the truth from Kim."
Since Kim was also out on maternity leave, she and Erin spent a lot of their time together. Erin would drop Mathias and Eleanora, if it was Tuesday or Thursday, at school, and then meet up with Kim for coffee or to walk around the park.
"No I did not ask her yet." I sighed. Truth be told, I was nervous to ask her. She's been just as stressed, as I was these past few weeks. Isaiah wasn't like the other two. He was needy and crying all the time. I was not sure how Erin handled him every day.
"Then call and ask her. We are having boys night." Ruzek decided before I could even make up my mind.
"Fine." I gave in pulling out my cell phone. "I'll call her, okay?" I grabbed my coat off the back of the chair and made my way outside. I did not want to call her with them around especially if she says no and goes on a rant about her boobs and nipples being sore like last week.
I dialed the number I grew to remember by heart and waited for a response as the phone rang and rang.
"Hello?" Erin's voice came clear in a huff of her trying to gain her breath.
"Lindsay, why you running to the phone?" I joked around.
"Mathias decided to duct tape Ellie to the chair as that's what 'Grandpa Hank' does to the bad guys. I was un-cutting her when the phone rang." She laughed slightly. "Quit funny cause she actually let him."
"Of course she did." I sighed, as it was nothing different. Eleanora worshiped the ground Mathias walked on. Anything her brother did, she had to do it too. "She'd do anything he'd tell her too."
Mathias Jamison was the leader, born five years and a couple of months after Erin and I went public with our relationship. He took charge in everything he did. He's newest adventure is to become a cop like every one he knows. I think Erin is terrified of him becoming one because he has the attention span of a fly.
Eleanora Camille, or Ellie since she can't pronounce her full name does anything her brother wants her too and has me giving into her every want and need. She's my baby girl at three and has one hell of a personality that matches her mother's, stubborn and driven.
As for Isaiah Theodore, who knows how he's going to turn out. With an older brother who will tell him what to do and a little sister who is dying to dress him up like one of her dolls. As of now he's a crier, a screamer and an attention hog. He has to be held and does not understand his nights from his days.
"And that is why I think it's time Ms. Eleanora went to preschool full time and not this two days a week crap." Erin, I could tell, was smirking through the phone. She's been pushing full day pre-school since Isaiah was born. "Have her meet kids her age that won't duct tape her to chairs."
"I mean we could always send her to Ruzek's for the day. He acts like he's three." I teased back.
"And that will never happen. Kim should be worried enough about him with that poor kid. Hold on one sec Jay." Erin stated. I could hear the mumbling voices of Erin telling Mathias not to play with the nurf gun in the house and not to aim the targets at Eleanora or the dog's butt. I just had to laugh. "Okay, I'm back. Please tell me again why you though this nurf gun would be such a good thing?"
"He kept asking to have a gun, Erin. It was that or a real gun like Voight wanted. It was the least of two evils."
"I'm hiding this damn thing when he goes to bed. If I get shot at again I'll break it."
"I'll let Voight know not to buy him another one."
"Or tell him that it will be kept at his house when he keeps them for a week because I need a damn vacation with no spit up and no Lego's. Those hurt!"
"I tell you that every time I see them on the floor. I stepped on one yesterday and you laughed at me!"
"It was three in the morning, I had gotten an hour of sleep prior to that. So I'm allowed to laugh at you."
"Sure you are." I laughed. "Ruzek has this bright idea that all the men go out for beers. Dawson is cheering him on saying Isaiah is three months old and that deserves a beer."
"Sounds like an amazing idea, but I still can't drink. Jay, I want a beer. Just one good cold beer."
"Pump and dump?" I asked before realizing I'm outside on the busy street of Chicago. It sounded very interesting to anyone who walked past and did not hear the rest of the conversation.
"Yeah, not worth it." Erin sighed. "But you should go. Maybe I'll call Burgess and see if she'll want to come over. Keep the kids all entertained."
"Are you sure, Er? I mean I know this morning you said you wanted a relaxing night."
"Positive Jay. You need a break. You look like hell lately and I can't have that. You know what the other kids at the schools moms say when you pick up? They call me an unlucky b-i-t-c-h for getting you. I need to keep my image up."
"Using me for your own good, Lindsey?"
"Duh, I have to make it through those PTA meetings some how."
"PTA meetings, and nurf guns; Erin Lindsey what has happened to your life?"
She huffed before responding, "Kids, Jay. Three annoying kids." She sighed. "They can be adorable at times, but they're annoying."
"Halstead stop the lovey dovey crap and let's go." Ruzek complained once everyone made their way outside. "You'll see her later."
"Calm down, Ruzek." I sighed turning my attention back to Erin on the phone. "I'll be home early. I'm not going to stay out too late. Just a beer or two"
"I'll be fine with them. Go have fun and relax. Maybe it will be our luck, since it is a Friday, that all three will be asleep at the same time?"
"Doubt that, Babe. I love you. Let me go before Ruzek destroys this phone."
"Tell him if he gets you drunk I'll tase him in the balls."
"Will do, Er." I smiled hanging up. "Happy now, Ruzek?"
"And the leash is broken." Ruzek howled like a dog.
"Why do we even put up with you?" Dawson laughed as we began the journey of the three-block walk to Molly's.
-XO-CPD-XO-
I sat at the table, sipping slowly on the beer. I missed it. I missed the cold liquid going down my throat, coating it on the way down. I promised Erin every time she got pregnant that I'd give up beer till she can have one again. Dawson and Ruzek were playing a game of pool and I just sat and watched. I wasn't really up to playing.
"Halstead cheer the fuck up." Dawson spoke clearly. "Your lady let you out, away from the kids. Enjoy the peace."
"If Erin heard you call her 'my lady' you'd be down on the ground." I joked back, somewhat serious. Erin hated those terms, hence why she hated marriage. She was content with us being together without a marriage license. She has the ring, just no date set for now or in the far future.
"Then she doesn't need to know, does she?" He smirked sipping his beer. "Speaking of her, when's Erin coming back?"
"Whenever Voight let's her. He's clear as day that if she came back, against his wishes I should say, is when Isaiah turns six months old. He keeps pushing it back. You know him and Erin." I roll my eyes. "He doesn't think she should still be working."
"Then why don't you quit and Erin can come back." Ruzek suggested. "Then we'd get some entertainment around the station again." He paused. "Boobs dude. I love women who are breast feeding or are pregnant because of the boobs."
"Don't you have a wife at home to stare at her boobs instead of Erin's?" I grinded my teeth shaking my head, "What would Burgess say to that?"
"As long as I don't touch, she don't care."
"As long as she doesn't know what you just said, she will not care." Dawson corrected him.
"And since this is boys night, she will not find out." Ruzek set up another shot.
I stood up from the bar stool at the table, "I'm getting another beer." The first beer felt so good that I had to have another. After the next one I am heading back. I miss my family. I felt my phone ding, as it indicated a text message and quickly peaked at it.
Don't worry about us and have some fun tonight. Love you XOXO.
It was from Erin and attached was a picture of the kids. Mathias's face was formed into a goofy smile with his tongue sticking out with pasta sauce all around it, Eleanora's had her 'duck face' on that Ruzek taught her, sadly, with pasta sauce on her face, a tiara in her hair and a Disney princess dress on, and Isaiah had his toothless, baby smile as he was finally content for the moment from his little baby seat.
That picture made me want to rush home, not stay at a bar. This wasn't my scene anymore and I don't think it will be ever again.
I quickly saved that picture, making it my new phone background replacing the photo taken when Isaiah was born. It was time for a replacement.
"Grab me one." Dawson yelled as I walked through the semi crowed bar and I was certain I heard Ruzek say me too. It was Friday night happy hour time and the usual hustle and bustle crowed was gathered around the already small space.
Making my way to the bar area, I find a little empty space big enough for myself to fit as I wait for the bartender.
"You look mighty handsome to be here alone." I hear and I look over to a girl that looks the opposite of Erin. Bleach blonde, bimbo hair, and a face painted in make-up is not something a man enjoys. Plus a dress that looks like it was painted on is a no-go for me. I noticed this girl eyeing my finger for a ring and these are the times I wish Erin would just pick a date and we could get married already.
"I'm not." I simply respond turning my attention to the hockey game on the television above the bar.
"No ring, no lucky lady, huh?" She rubbed her hand up my arm, "I'm Allie."
"Lucky lady's at home, with the kids." I smiled politely trying to shake her off of me.
"You know I don't live too far from here, you can come back to my place later. What the lady doesn't know won't hurt." She held on tighter. "Come have a little fun."
"No thank you." I had given up on wanting a second beer. Who the hell only schedules one bartender during happy hour on a Friday night? "Excuse me."
"Where do you think you're going?" She tried to stop me. "Come have some fun. You seem like you need it."
"No thank you. Now if you excuse me." I tried once again to move but somehow this blonde bimbo stopped me again. "Honey, I'm good. I don't need you. Leave me alone."
I was angry, cranky even some may say, and the cure for that was Erin. I knew coming out was a bad idea. It was the first time I went out without Erin since Isaiah was born and it will be the last. I do not like it.
I made my way back to the billiards tables and threw on my coat. "Guys I'm heading out. I knew coming here was a bad idea." I sighed.
"No beers?" Ruzek looked sad.
"Sorry. I don't belong here." I sighed. "I knew I shouldn't have came out tonight."
"Dude, what's going on?" Ruzek became serious. "Erin's probably fine. She can handle being the only girl in the intelligence unit I think she can handle three kids like she does every day."
"That's not the point." I shook my head; "she shouldn't have to be alone with them all day long. I'm gonna go see them. It's been a long week and man, I just want my family."
"If that's what you want." Dawson shrugged and then smiled. "See ya Monday. Enjoy the weekend."
I quickly exited the bar, walking back as fast as possible to the car parked at the station. I just was in rush. Something inside of me had this feeling that I need to get home quickly. Nothing bad, but it was just this need.
The drive home was usually a quick twenty-minute maximum drive, but of course I hit every single red light possible in this city.
I finally pulled up to the old building that was once an old elementary school and was now a bunch of condominiums that we called home. It was just the perfect amount of space for us and had even more space to grow if Erin even wanted to add another one which I am all for.
Checking my watch before I entered, I knew it was bath time, the worst time in the Lindsey-Halstead household.
Opening the door, I was bombarded with a naked, soaking wet Ellie.
"Daddy! You homes!" She shrieked excitedly hugging on to me tightly. "I jumped and ran!"
"I can see that, Baby Girl." I laughed lifting her into my arms not caring if I get a little wet or not.
"Eleanora Halstead, you better be back in the bathtub or no story tonight." Erin's voice was stern as she stood at the bathroom entrance with Isaiah in her arms.
"Go get back in there, Princess." I placed her on the ground and she went right back into the bathroom. "Hello to you, Beautiful." I walked over to Erin, placing a kiss on her lips.
"Take your son and let me get these demons out of here. You're on bedtime duty." She delegated handing over Isaiah. "Keep him awake. The little bugger still doesn't know his days from nights."
"I will try."
With Isaiah in my arms, I made my way over to the living room. The room was a mess. Toys spilled out from baskets that Erin bought to hide the kids' shit, and the pillows to the couches were on the floor like Mathias and Ellie were jumping off the couches again. It was a controlled chaos though, and I loved it.
"Isaiah, bud, we need to talk about this." I plopped down on the couch and helped support Isaiah in sitting up. "You see, Mommy and Daddy need to sleep and you not knowing to sleep at night is killing me." Isaiah let out a little gurgle. "Oh you think that it's funny, huh? It's funny that Mommy and Daddy are exhausted? It's not funny bud."
"Daddy, I don't think he knows any better." Mathias made his way into the family room in pajamas that are a little cop uniform. "Mama says he's not old enough yet."
"Well we need to start young, Matty." I smirked.
"Did you not start young with Ellie? Cause she's dumb at times."
"Am not!" Ellie stomped her foot and placed her hands on her hips. Her princess nightgown was big on her and dragged on the floor.
"Okay, no fighting. Mathias, please do not call your sister dumb." I sighed. I wanted to come home to a happy family. Not kids fighting.
"Bedtime, babies." Erin walked into the room. "Daddy will tuck you in."
"But Mommy, Daddy just got home." Ellie started to tear up.
"I know, baby but this weekend will be busy and daddy will be home all weekend." Erin went down to Ellie's level. "Come on baby, you all can lay in our bed."
I let out a groan as Ellie's face broke a smile and Mathias ran into the bedroom.
"Really, Erin?" I kinked a brow annoyed. "Our bed?"
"I can't deal with her sad face." She shrugged wrapping her arms around me. "I missed you." She placed a kiss on my lips. "Doctor gave me the all clear yesterday."
"And you're just telling me this now? Hell no are they sleeping in that bed tonight." I stated a little too excited. "Mathias, Ellie, plans have changed. It's off to your own beds tonight. Daddy's getting lucky tonight!" I handed off Isaiah to Erin and ran after Ellie and Mathias.
Entering the room, I grabbed each kid by one arm before walking into Mathias's room first to drop him off before making my way to the Ellie's room next door. "I'll read one story."
"But daddy," Ellie complained with a pout. "I stay in your bed." She climbed right onto my lap, and hugged me tightly. "I missed you Daddy."
"And I missed both of you." I kissed the top of her head. "Now pick out a book or you'll have to go to bed with no story."
"Fine." The little princess climbed off my lap stomping over to the book case and grabbed whatever book she could find and stomped her way back. "Here."
"Be nice, Eleanora." I warned.
I quickly read her a story, one that she did not even make it through the whole thing before passing out. Covering her up with her pink blanket and making sure her teddy bear was near by, I kissed her forehead and told her that I loved her before exiting the bedroom.
"Picked a story, bud?" I stuck my head into Mathias's bedroom.
"No, I'm too old for it. Max at school says he can fall asleep on his own without a story or his dad tucking him in." Mathias looked at me, "I wanna try that."
I nodded with a little ping of guilt at how old my oldest was getting. I felt like I haven't spent that much time with him over the years. Work is hard to get a break from. "If you want to try, then we can try. Night buddy."
"Night daddy." He responded, rolling over to face the wall.
I turned off the light and exited the room, leaving a gap in the door for the hallway light to be used as a night light.
There was a hop in my step as I made my way down the hall. I was excited. It's been three months since I gotten anything and it was finally time to get some with my sexy fiancé.
"Looking for me?" Erin laid on the bed. Gone where the yoga pants and t-shirts. She was now wearing some black lacy bra and panties.
I was in heaven. "Oh hell yes." I immediately jumped right on top of her. "Time to play some scrabble."
"Game on."
-XO-OTH-XO-
So what do you guys think? Was this good? I think I liked writing it but I want your opinions on it! Let me know!