Christmas had been Jay's favourite holiday for as long as he could remember, and he had always hoped to instill that same joy in his own children one day. Erin didn't have the happiest holiday memories, but she wanted to give her children the childhood she hadn't been lucky enough to have herself. Together, Jay and Erin were determined to create the perfect Christmas for their own family.

They had trudged through the heavy December snow to cut down a tree, and Jay had a childlike gleam in his own eyes as he and Ben decorated it together. Technically it was their firstborn's second Christmas, but it was the first that he would truly remember; they wanted to make it special. At fifteen months old, Ben was just starting to show excitement at stories of Santa Claus and talk of opening presents.

Erin was curled up on the couch with newborn Zachary William Halstead nestled against her chest, beaming with pride as she watched Jay and Ben interact. She honestly couldn't tell who was more excited, father or son.

"Okay buddy, time for the finishing touch," Jay announced, pulling the last decoration from the box and lifting Ben up onto his shoulders. He placed it in his son's hand and helped him to guide the twinkling star to its rightful place at the top of their tree. "Awesome job little man! Now remember, just like I showed you," he made a fist and held it to Ben. The toddler mimicked his father's action and giggled when Jay pushed his large fist against Ben's smaller one. Hearing the little boy's laughter had Jay grinning from ear to ear.

"Wait! Before you put him down I want to take a picture," Erin exclaimed from her perch on the couch as she grabbed her phone from the coffee table. Jay turned to face her, he and Ben with matching smiles etched on their faces.

Jay pulled Ben down from his shoulders and perched him on his hip. "Well little man, we should probably get you to bed! You've got a big day tomorrow—are we going to see Santa?" Jay's smile grew as he spoke; he and Erin had been trying to build their older son's excitement for Santa for weeks in anticipation.

"Jay, let me put him to bed? I feel like I haven't been spending enough time with him now that the new baby is here," Erin bit her lower lip, clearly feeling guilty.

"Sure thing babe, gives me some time with my littlest dude!" Jay and Erin effortlessly exchanged children. Going from one child to two had been overwhelming at first, but they had really found their groove in the last couple of days. Erin started toward Ben's bedroom when Jay spoke again, "Hey Er? Ben is so happy and he loves you so much. You have absolutely nothing to feel bad about babe."

Jay had read her like a book, as usual. His words reassured her, and a smile appeared across Erin's face. "You're amazing."

"Oh yeah," He winked as Erin moved back into the room to kiss him before taking Ben to bed.

Jay sunk down into the couch with baby Zachary in his arms. At only two weeks old, he was so tiny—Jay had forgotten how small newborns were. "Hey Zach-man, it's just you and me for a little bit," he cooed, smiling with pride as ran his finger along the baby's cheek. "Mommy and Daddy and Ben love you so much, we're so happy you're finally here with us. Just in time for Christmas. I know you'll probably sleep through most of it, but it's going to be so much fun to all be together as a family." Jay leaned down to place a soft kiss on the newborn's forehead; he couldn't believe how lucky he was.

As Erin made her way back into the living room, she paused and leaned against the doorway, completely entranced by Jay holding and talking to their new baby. Her heart swelled at the sight; seeing her big strong husband be so gentle with their babies made her love him even more than she ever thought possible. It was mesmerizing.


The next day was the unit's Christmas celebration. From the way Jay and Erin had loaded up, you'd think they were leaving for a month, not just heading down to the district for the afternoon. "Hey babe, do you think we're bringing enough stuff?" Jay asked sarcastically, smirking as he surveyed the mountain of Christmas gifts and baby and toddler gear that had filled their vehicle.

Erin just laughed in response, playfully swatting at Jay as she moved to buckle Ben in; Zach was already fast asleep in his own car seat.

They enjoyed a comfortable silence for the first few minutes of the ride. The boys were both sleeping in the back, and Jay held Erin's hand in his as he drove his family toward the district.

As they pulled into the parking lot, Erin broke the silence: "Do you think Ben will be scared?"

"Of Santa? No way! Honestly I think we should be more worried that he'll recognize that it's Adam under that beard and hat—now that would be enough to scare anyone." Jay was trying to ease his wife's worries, but secretly he too was feeling anxious about their older son's reaction to his first visit with Santa. Ben was still shy around new people.

Zach's stirring in the backseat pulled his parents from their thoughts.

"Oh, he probably needs to be changed," Erin murmured, unbuckling her seatbelt and reaching for the door.

"I've got it babe," Jay offered with a smile. "Why don't you and Ben take some of these presents inside? The little guy and I will join you in a minute?"

Not only did this plan give Erin some extra time with Ben, Jay was excited at the prospect of being the one to show the new baby off to everyone. Voight had been at the hospital when Erin delivered, and several of their colleagues had visited in the last two weeks, but this was Zach's first visit to the district, his first time meeting their entire District 21 family.


"Ho, ho, ho Merry Christmas!" Adam's fake Santa voice caught the attention of everyone in the room. The guys were all trying their best not to burst out laughing—Adam looked even more ridiculous than usual.

Some of the children seemed excited, while others were completely terrified. Emily, Kim and Adam's eight-month-old daughter, immediately recoiled into the safety of her mother's arms, and away from the strange bearded man approaching her. Adam looked down at his daughter with concern before glancing around the room. Jay had a smirk on his face and Adam just knew that if the kids weren't around, Jay would absolutely be calling him out for scaring his own child.

"Who wants to sit on Santa's lap?" Adam asked as he sat down in the chair at the front on the room. A chorus of "Me!" was cheered.

After the older children had all taken their turn, Kim approached Adam with their daughter. Emily had been calm, but the moment she realized where they were headed, she started fussing all over again; she kicked and screamed as her mother handed her off to the strange man. "Aw, what's got you so upset Ems?" Adam bounced his daughter on his knee as he held her little waist. Upon recognizing her father's voice, the little girl's tears stopped. She gazed up at him and cooed. "There's that smile. I know exactly what you want for Christmas." Kim snapped a photo on her phone while their baby was still smiling and happy. He nuzzled her nose with his and placed a kiss on her forehead before handing her back to Kim.

"You ready little man?" Jay walked towards Adam with Ben in his arms. He watched his son take in the man decked out in red and white. Ben held his father's shirt tighter in his little fists as they got closer.

"No! Dada, no!" Tears had pooled in his blue eyes, clouding his vision. He burrowed his face into Jay's neck hoping that his father wouldn't let the strange man get any closer.

"It's okay, it's just Santa. He wants to say hello and find out what you want for Christmas."

"Dada no." Ben whined.

"Don't you want Santa to bring you any presents?" Jay asked desperately.

Ben's cries grew louder. "No, no, no!"

Jay glanced over at Erin who was standing by, ready to photograph the moment. Her face was full of concern as she eventually shrugged at her husband. Neither of them wanted to traumatize Ben; it looked like a visit with Santa might have to wait until next year.

But Jay was determined; he pulled Ben closer to his chest and started moving even faster to where Adam was sitting. "It's okay buddy, Daddy's here, it's going to be okay little man." Before he could give it another moment's hesitation, Jay sat right down on Adam's lap. "Don't say a damn word Ruzek," Jay hissed out of the corner of his mouth.

"There's like a million things I could say right now," Adam muttered as he wrapped his arm around Jay, trying to ignore the irritation radiating from his friend.

Ben was noticeably calmer with his father there, but Adam could still sense his discomfort; he tickled Ben's arm to get his attention. When the little boy's eyes were on him, Adam tugged his beard down a little, revealing his true identity with a wink.

With Ben finally looking cheerier, Jay plastered a smile on his face and motioned for Erin to take the picture. He rose from Adam's lap the instant she had finished.

Erin was laughing hysterically when Jay reached her side.

"I hope it's a damn good picture. I swear to God if I sat on Ruzek's lap for nothing—"

"Oh babe, this is the best gift ever," Erin laughed even louder as she reached to swipe at the tears forming in her eyes.

"Let me see!" Jay demanded, reaching to try to snatch the phone from Erin's hand as she continued to giggle at him. He grabbed the phone and looked down at the screen, his eyes scanned the picture; Jay was the only one looking at the camera as he sat perched on Adam's knee. Ruzek was looking over at Ben, his fake beard hanging haphazardly and a smile plastered on his face. Ben was in the middle of a deep belly laugh, his eyes squinted from excitement as he reached one of his little hands over to his Uncle Adam. Jay smiled at the photo; although his son wasn't looking directly at the camera as he had hoped, Ben was still happy. And that's all Jay could ask for.

Voight approached Jay and Erin, rocking their sleeping baby in his arms. "Hey Halstead, isn't it Zachary's turn?" He chuckled as he walked off with the newborn, shaking his head at the look on Jay's face. Even after all these years he still loved messing with his son-in-law.

"I'm not sitting on Adam's lap again. Never again Erin," Jay had a serious look on his face.

"Oh please, you would do it again in a heartbeat to make your babies happy," Erin smiled at Jay as she reached up to run her hand along his chest, giving his pec a little squeeze. "Besides," she leaned closer to whisper in his ear, "I'll sit on your lap later."

Jay's eyes darkened and his jaw went slack, "You just gave birth, Erin, don't tease me."

"True," Erin shot Jay a pointed a look before continuing, "but that doesn't mean I can't find other ways to make it worth your while." She smiled at him before bending to pick up Ben, walking away from him with a little extra sway in her hips.

As he watched her walk away with their son, he couldn't help but think that this was going to be his best Christmas yet. Jay had never thought it would be possible to love Erin more than he already did, but seeing her as a mother to their children? She was absolutely incredible.

Jay's thoughts drifted to his own mother, and how she was surely watching over him and the life he had created, the amazing family he was building. He reminisced about holidays cuddled up by the fireplace under a warm blanket, drinking hot chocolate, and telling Christmas stories. His smile grew larger as he thought about sharing those same magical moments with his own children one day.

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