Jay stood from his desk and pulled his coat off his chair. "So drinks at Molly's?" Ruzek asked. They had just wrapped a case, and were getting out early.
"Nah man, sorry I got plans," Jay answered as he put his coat on and started to head out.
"Ahh, got a hot date?" Antonio asked. Jay looked over his shoulder and eyed Erin. The slight smile that was on her face fell, and she stared down at her desk. Both Jay and Erin had been apart for exactly 3 months today. Both of them still feeling the effects of 'cooling it off'. He shook his head and sighed.
"I have plans, just leave it at that," he continued through the bullpen and rushed down the stairs.
"What kind of plans could he have on a Friday night that don't include a date?" Ruzek asked no one in particular.
"Just leave it Ruzek," Erin sighed and followed the path Jay had just left. She rushed down to her car and left for the day.
XXX
Jay stood at the front door of his apartment staring into his living room. It was covered in pink and Disney Princess themed party supplies. He sighed. "Jay?" Mollie asked. "Doesn't it look pretty?" She asked again.
"It looks great Mol, but you're sure princesses is the way you want to go? I mean we could have a cop themed slumber party instead," Jay walked into his kitchen and grabbed a beer.
"Jay," Mollie prolonged his name. "Daddy said no alcohol. This is a kids party," Jay put his beer on the counter.
"Yeah, well Jay is doing Dad a favor, so he can have a beer before your guests arrive," he continued to take a drink until he heard someone knock at the door.
"Jay! Jay! Jay! Someone's here, someone's here! Quick open the door," Mollie exclaimed. "It's probably Allison, she's always early," Jay sighed and walked over to the door. He opened the door to reveal a small blond girl and her father.
"Hi, Jay Halstead. Nice to meet you," he stuck his hand out towards the older, bigger man.
"Eric Bauman, Allison's father. So you're Mollie's father?" He asked.
"God no, I'm her older brother. Our dad is on call at the hospital tonight, so I figured I'd help him out. Hi Allison, I'm Jay come on in and make yourself at home," Allison ran into the apartment and found Mollie in the living room.
"Good luck man," Eric said.
"Do you know how many kids are coming to this thing?" Jay laughed.
"I believe my wife said something like 7 to 10 little girls," Eric laughed. "Have fun," he turned and left.
Jay stood at the door every so often another 10-year-old girl showed up and entered his apartment. Finally after what Jay thinks is 7 more, Mollie yells that everyone's here and the games can begin.
"Jay, what games are we playing?" Mollie came up and asked.
"I didn't have any planned Mol, dad gave me this task yesterday. What game do you want to play?" Jay asked hoping that they could entertain themselves until they fell asleep, so he could finally sleep.
"I don't know. I've never done this before," Mollie sighed.
"Me neither Mol. My buddies and I just played video games," Jay sighed. All the girls sat in a circle talking.
"Well I can stall them for about twenty minutes with talking, but a 10 year old only has so much conversation to have. They're going to want games. So do something," she whispered and returned to the circle to continue having conversations.
Jay pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. He dialed the familiar number and hoped she would answer. "Hello?" He heard on the other line.
"Erin, thank god. I need help. There's this party, and I have no idea what to do," he stated.
"Jay I don't want to come to a party. These were your plans? A party? How drunk are you?" He heard the laugh and sarcasm in her voice.
"I'm not drunk. I am hosting a 10-year-old birthday party with princesses and pink and stuff, but they need to be entertained. How do you entertain 9 10 year-old girls?" He freaked.
"Wait," she laughed. "You're hosting a 10-year-old's birthday party? What did you post an ad on craigslist? I can see it now '30 year old man wanting to host 10 year old girl's birthday party," she laughed harder.
"It wasn't an ad. Just, can you help me out?" He pleaded.
"What exactly do you need help with?" She asked.
"I need activities. Apparently 10 year olds don't go to sleep as early as I thought," he whispered.
"Okay I'll be over in 10, just stall," she laughed. "I'll see you in 10," he hung up the phone.
"Okay girls, the party's on the way. Who wants to watch the Blackhawks game?" He grabbed the remote.
"My mommy says that boys who watch sports over talking to girls are stupid, and the reason why she left daddy," one girl he didn't know the name of stood up.
"Well good for your mommy and daddy. But I don't have a girlfriend, so sports are my favorite thing to do. Plus my last girlfriend loved sports," he heard a gasp come from Mollie's mouth.
"You had a girlfriend. Why didn't you bring her to meet me?" Mollie asked.
"We only lasted a couple weeks Mol. Not long enough to bring her to meet dad," Jay sighed. He heard a key in the door, and he had a sigh of relief. He stood and rushed to greet Erin at the door. "They're like monsters," he whispered and she laughed.
"Here, put this in the freezer," she handed him a bag of ice cream. "I'll go entertain the monsters," she laughed as she walked into the living room. "Jay? Who threw up pink in your living room?" she stared in awe as the little girls all turned their heads towards her.
"Who are you?" Mollie asked.
"I'm Erin, who are you?" Erin mocked.
"I'm Mollie, Jay's sister."
"Well, I'm Erin. Jay's partner," Erin laughed.
"Did you get to meet Jay's last girlfriend? Cause he said he had one, but I never got to meet her," she pouted.
"I… Um… We…," Erin was interrupted when Jay walked back into the room.
"Good you guys met. Mol, Erin works with me at the precinct. Erin, this is my little sister Mollie," he pointed.
"Yeah, you're a little late. Introductions are over. Which girl want's to make ice cream sundaes for dinner?" Erin asked as every girl's hand shot up. "Great well everyone gather in the kitchen. Jay is going to scoop ice cream into bowls and there's all kinds of sprinkles and caramel sauce," she laughed as all 9 girls ran into the kitchen. "Sugar Jay, that's the secret. You give them sugar they get hyper, you have a dance party, then they crash," she whispered as she walked past him and into the kitchen. She opened the containers of sprinkles. And placed them on the table.
"Who wants vanilla ice cream?" Jay exclaimed as he placed 3 bowls on the table. The girls dove towards the bowls and began pouring sprinkles on the ice cream.
"There's one rule. Jay and I are in charge of the syrup and whipped cream," the girls nodded and began digging into the ice cream. Jay and Erin leaned up against the counter and watched as the girls threw sprinkles across the table, and devoured their ice cream.
"That's a mess," Jay pointed towards the table.
"A mess you can clean, 9 bored girls will make you want to pull your hair out," Erin reasoned.
"How'd you know all this?" He looked straight at her.
"Listen, I had some days that were quite normal for a child," she eyed him. "When I was 10, my mom had sobered up for about a week. I got invited over to this girl's birthday party. It was a slumber party. One of the first nights I had actually felt safe in such a long time. We ate pizza, talked about little girl things, ate ice cream sundaes and danced until her mom made us lay down and watch a movie. That is one of the only days I can remember vividly from my childhood. One of the best," she smiled over to him.
"I'm sorry you only had one day like that," Jay smiled back and reached for her hand. He pulled their joined hands close to his chest. "I'm sorry you didn't have more," he wiped a tear from her cheek.
"You're the girlfriend," they turned their heads when they heard Mollie scream.
"What do you mean?" Jay asked.
"Well, when I asked if she knew your last girlfriend she stuttered. And now you two look like you want to kiss. I knew it. Allison you owe me twenty bucks," Jay laughed.
"Your little sister is a monster," Erin whispered.
"It doesn't matter now," Jay yelled to Mollie. Hurt still evident in his voice. His heart was still broken, so was Erin's.
"Who wants to play freeze dance?" Erin questioned as the girls ran over to the living room. Erin set up her phone and the speakers and played music as the girls danced. After an hour of dancing the girls began to get sleepy. They sprawled out on the floor and started watching the movie. Jay sat on the couch and Erin sat on the opposite side. Every so often he would check to make sure Erin wasn't asleep. She never was. Her eyes fixed on the TV. He looked at the floor and found all 9 girls asleep. He stood and walked over to turn the movie off. He walked to the kitchen and pulled out two beers from the fridge as Erin walked into the kitchen.
"I should probably go," Erin said as Jay handed her a beer. She took a sip.
"Thanks for coming over and helping. I don't know how I would have done this thing without you," he smiled.
"You're my partner, I'll always have your back," she smiled. "By the way, why didn't you ever tell me you had a sister?"
"She's my half sister really. My dad remarried when I was 20. About 2 years after my mom died. I was away with the rangers when she was born. But every day since then, I've never let my dad turn his back on her like he did me and Will. So every year my dad makes a huge promise, and ends up working that day. So I ask her the plan and always make it special. Last year he was going to take her to Disney World," he gave her a small smile.
"Hence the week off to go to Florida," he nodded his head. "Where's her mom?"
"She ran off a couple days after I returned from Afghanistan. I'm basically the one who raised her. While Will was off partying in med school and my father working, I spent my days taking her to day care, going to the academy, and picking her up. My dad has gotten a little better since then, but he's hired a nanny. I don't get to see her as often as I'd like. With my busy schedule and the nanny from hell," he sighed.
"It's been a night of confessions hasn't it?" Erin asked as she leaned in closer to Jay.
"Too many confessions for one night," Jay laughed as he turned to look at Erin, her face millimeters from his. "We shouldn't do this," he softly whispered. As if Erin didn't hear what he said she leaned in to kiss him. The kiss soft and slow at first, Jay's shock weighing into the hesitancy he felt. Erin's tongue ran across Jay's bottom lip asking for entrance. Jay pulled himself together and opened his mouth. He quickly over powered Erin's forceful kisses as he took over. His hands fell against her waist and he pulled her closer. She regretfully pulled away.
"You're mean more to me than I first let on," Erin confessed.
"Hmm?" He questioned.
"I can't stand being away from you. My heart aches when I see you at work, and I know I'm not going to see you when we get home. My mind won't give up thinking about you. I told Hank after everyone left the district yesterday. I was going to tell you last night but I chickened out. And today, when Antonio mentioned a hot date, my heart shattered more than it already had been. I don't want to live another day not being able to be with you," she sighed.
She looked down and felt Jay's lips on hers he took the beers from their hands and slowly walked her in the direction of his bedroom. His hands landing on the small of her back as they entered his room. He kicked the door shut with his foot and reached behind him to lock it. His hands came to her waist and lifted up the t-shirt she was wearing, revealing her white t-shirt bra. His lips promptly returning to hers. "Jay, we can't. There are little girls in the living room. Their parents will kill you when they get here in the morning," she laughed.
"We'll be super quiet," he leaned down and kissed her again. This time he removed his shirt and placed it next to hers on the ground. He pushed her further into the room and closer to his bed. He hands dangerously close to the button on her jeans. He watched her nod and continued undressing her. First the jeans, then the bra, leaving the panties for last, he laid her down on the bed.
"This is weird right? Is this what it feels like to have sex when you have kids?" She watched as he shrugged his shoulders and climbed on top of her.
"Whoever's the loudest buys drinks at Molly's tomorrow," Jay winked.
"Your on Halstead," she laughed as he leaned down to kiss her neck.
XXX
"Jay!" Mollie yelled from outside his door. He opened his eyes and eyed a naked Erin next to him. He smiled and stood up to put his sweats and a t-shirt on. He unlocked the door and quietly slipped out leaving Erin to sleep.
"Yes Mol?" He questioned the little girl.
"We want pancakes. Is Erin still here? If she isn't she left her shoes by the door," Mollie mentioned.
"Wouldn't you like to know," he smiled. "Chocolate chip or blueberry?" He questioned.
"Chocolate chip please," she smiled and returned to her friends in the living room.
Jay got to work making the pancakes. He started the coffee and was mixing the pancakes when he saw his bedroom door open. Erin slipped out of the door wearing his basketball shorts and one of his army t-shirts. He laughed. "What's so funny?" She smiled.
"If there weren't children here we'd be naked right now," he laughed. She leaned over the counter and slapped his shoulder.
"Hand me a cup of coffee Halstead. I didn't get much sleep last night," she smiled.
"That's not my fault. You kept wanting rematches. I am so going to empty your wallet tonight at Molly's," she scoffed.
"I want another when the children leave," she winked. He nodded his head.
"You're on," he smiled.
"Jay! Are the pancakes ready yet? We're hungry," Mollie walked into the kitchen and found Erin sipping a cup of coffee. "Erin, you're still here?" She questioned.
"Yeah, you girls fell asleep late last night. It was too dark for me to drive home," she smiled.
"So where did you sleep?" Mollie asked curiously.
"You certainly ask a lot of questions," Erin smiled and watched Mollie nod.
"You didn't answer it," Mollie persisted.
"Jay and I had our own slumber party," she smiled remembering that they did everything but sleep.
"Hmmm, highly doubtful. But I won't tell anyone," she nodded.
"Thanks Mol," Jay smiled. "Pancakes are ready go get your friends," Mollie ran into the living room and returned with the other girls. They all gathered around the table and waited for the pancakes to be served. Erin sat on the counter next to the extra pancake. Jay returned and found her ripping apart the last pancake. "You're not going to share?" He smiled as Erin handed him part of her pancake.
"What did Mollie mean earlier when she said she wouldn't tell?" Erin asked.
"She walked in on me and my girlfriend doing it one time when I was a patrolman. I told her it was a secret and she couldn't tell anyone. I guess she still remembers the promise," he turned towards Erin's shocked face.
"You mean to tell me that she knew what we were doing?" Erin asked horrified.
"She knows that we were doing adult things, I don't think she knows exactly what it is we were doing," he laughed at Erin's horrified expression. "Will's already given her the sex talk," he laughed again.
"That is horrifying," she laughed. Erin watched him shrug and look over at the girls engrossed in conversation and breakfast. He looked back to Erin and leaned in to kiss her.
"Good morning," she smiled.
"Morning," she leaned in for another kiss.
"Okay kids," Jay walked over to the table. "Plates in the trash and go gather your things. Your parents are going to be here soon," as if on que there was a knock on the door. "See? Now hurry," he laughed. Erin walked up and answered the door.
"Hi, is this Jay Halstead's place?" A man asked her.
"Uh, yeah. I'm Erin, Jay's partner at work," she laughed as she opened the door wider to allow him to come in. Jay walked up to the door as Erin was closing it.
"So Jay, couldn't handle them alone could you?" Eric asked.
"Hell no, I tried for about 5 minutes before I called her," he laughed. After about 30 minutes all the girls had been picked up and the apartment was basically as it was. "Hey Mol, hang with Erin for a few while I shower and I'll drive you back to dads," he watched Mollie nod.
Erin sat on the couch and Mollie sat next to her. "You have a pretty good big brother," Erin smiled towards her.
"Yeah, my dad's not usually around. My mom left when I was little," Mollie sighed.
"I know Jay told me yesterday. But you listen to me, if you ever need any girl talk or advice you don't want to ask your dad or brothers you come straight to me okay?" Erin watched her nod. "Now, let me tell you something. You're entering some confusing years of your life okay. Things are going to start happening to your body. You're going to begin to get boobs, and your hips are going to widen. If you're ever confused as to why or if it's normal you call me. Your brother's are not going to be very good at explaining that stuff okay?" She watched Mollie nod again.
"You're going to be around for a long time right? Because there's this mommy daughter day at school in a couple of months, and I really want to go. I haven't ever been able to go to school on that day," Mollie looked at her shoes.
"You name the day and I'll be there," Erin watched as a smile grew on Mollie's face.
"You're going to make a very good mom some day Erin," Mollie smiled as she heard Jay call from the door. "Thanks for everything Erin. I'm glad you're my brother's girlfriend," she smiled and ran towards her brother's voice. Erin stood and walked over to the door.
"I'm going to go home and shower while you drop her off," she saw him frown. She leaned in and whispered in his ear, "Let me repeat that. You are going to take her home and then come over my place and join me in the shower," she winked and walked out the door. "Remember what we talked about Mollie," Erin winked at Mollie and continued down the stairs.
"What did you talk about?" Jay asked.
"Oh, just girl talk," Mollie said as her and Jay continued down the stairs of his apartment building.