Erin was shocked, she couldn't be hearing correctly. She had never really wanted kids but Jay changed that. She knew that all Jay ever wanted in life was to have a real family, a wife and and a couple of kids. They had spoken about the possibility of starting a family soon but each time Erin wasn't sure she was ready and each conversation ended with Jay telling her he was willing to wait until she was ready but that as soon as she was so was he. Erin stared at her brother in law.
Erin: What do you mean, I'm pregnant?
Will was extremely emotional and tired. This was not how he planned on finding out that his brother was going to be a dad. It was really hard on him especially since Jay wasn't there to calm Erin down. Will knew that Erin was slowly coming around to the idea of starting a family, but this was Jay's dream not hers and now he wasn't even here to experience his dream with her.
Will: What do you think it means Erin? You and Jay are going to have a baby, you will be parents.
Erin: Are you sure? I mean how is this possible, Jay hasn't been home in almost 4 months.
Will: I'm pretty sure it happened after the two of you did you know what.
Erin: Okay, eww I don't need you talking about my romantic life with your brother. I know how babies are created Will, I wasn't born yesterday. But how can it happen if Jay isn't home.
Will was relieved when the OB on call, Dr. Natalie Manning walked into the room.
Natalie: So how is the mother to be feeling today?
Erin: Lousy, but most of all I'm in shock.
Natalie: Why are you shocked.
Will: Nat, she didn't know she was pregnant until a few minutes ago.
Natalie: Oh, I'm so sorry Mrs. ...
Natalie looked at Erin's chart before continuing.
Natalie: Halstead?
Erin: Yeah, Erin Halstead
Natalie turned towards Will
Natalie: I didn't know you were married Will.
Will: Oh I'm not, she is my sister in law. She is married to my brother Jay.
Natalie: The one in the army?
Will: Yeah that one.
Natalie: I'm sorry Erin, I know this must be extremely overwhelming for you especially with your husband over seas but there are a couple of things we need to discuss and then you can be on your way.
Erin: Okay.
Natalie: I'm going to do a quick ultrasound to find out how far along you are okay?
Erin: I can't believe this is happening. Jay would have been over the moon with this news.
Will: Er, I know this is hard for you right now, but you know we are all here for you, for both of you.
Erin: I know, I know. I just wish Jay was here with me.
Will: We all do. Why don't you let Dr. Manning finish the ultrasound, I got off shift an hour ago. So if you want I can take you home and you can call Jay with the good news.
Erin: Oh my god, how can I tell Jay? What will I tell him.
Natalie: Can I continue please.
Will: Of course, I'm sorry.
Natalie positioned Erin on the bed with her feet up in the holders and then Dr. Manning started to do a vaginal ultrasound. As she was trying to do her job Erin started screaming out in pain, and Natalie stopped what she was doing.
Natalie: Are you okay Erin?
Erin: Is it supposed to hurt this bad?
Natalie: I don't think so.
Erin: Is there another way to do the ultrasound?
Natalie: Not if you are within the first couple of weeks, no there isn't
Erin: I guess I will have to suck up the pain than.
Once again Natalie started the process and once again Erin screamed out in agony. This time however Natalie pushed on and eventually the level of pain decreased enough for Erin to relax. After a few minutes the sound of the baby's heartbeat filled the room and Erin was able to see the image of her baby on the screen. Eventually Natalie finished the ultrasound and started talking to Erin and Will.
Natalie: Erin, you are about 16 weeks now.
Erin: Are you trying to tell me that I am 4 months pregnant and I had no idea.
Natalie: Under your current amount of stress it's totally normal to miss something like this.
Erin: How is the baby?
Natalie: The baby's heartbeat is a little weak
Erin: Tell me the truth how bad is it?
Natalie: Right now I am not so concerned however I do want you to take it easy for the next week. I also want you to schedule an appointment for next week so I can keep track of the baby's heart rate.
Erin: So there is something wrong with the baby?
Natalie: Not necessarily. For now there is nothing you need to worry about except taking it easy.
Natalie left the room and Erin turned towards Will.
Erin: Tell me the truth Will what is wrong with the baby?
Will: Erin, I'm not an OB, but Dr. Manning is the best there is, if she said you don't have to worry than there is nothing you should worry about.
Erin: Are you sure?
Will: It's Jay's kid we are talking about here I wouldn't lie to you about this okay,
Erin: You like this Dr. Manning, don't you?
Will: She is an amazing Dr. and a great colleague.
Erin: Will, that is not what i meant and you know that.
Will: I don't know Erin.
Erin: You should ask her out.
Will: I'm scared.
Erin: Since when is Will Halstead scared of anything.
Will: Since my ex-fiance stood me up at the altar.
Erin: Oh I'm so sorry Will, Jay never told me.
Will: It's not something we like to discuss.
Erin: I understand. I still think you should ask her out. I think it will kill you more the not knowing than if it doesn't work out in the end.
Will: I'll think about it.
Erin: Promise.
Will: I promise.
As Erin was getting ready to leave Dr. Charles walked in.
Dr. Charles: Hi, Dr. and Mrs. Halstead I am Dr. Charles, head of psychology. Your Dr., Dr. Manning asked if I could talk to you about a couple of things regarding the baby and the baby's father do you mind if we chat a bit?
Erin: Of course not.
Dr. Charles: If I heard correctly Mrs. Halstead you are a detective with the intelligence unit of CPD
Erin: That is correct.
Dr. Charles: And your husband Mr. Jay Halstead is currently overseas in the army, am I correct?
Erin: Yeah,
Dr. Charles: And this is your husbands second time with the army?
Erin: Ya
Dr. Charles: In between both rounds though he was working under your father's supervision and as your partner in the CPD
Erin: Yes, I don't mean to be rude Dr. but what does this have to do with anything?
Dr. Charles: My experience in this line of work has taught me a number of things, but the most important one is that most people will do anything at all if they think it will benefit those they love.
Erin: Okay, I don't think I follow.
Dr. Charles: Let me ask you this Mrs. Halstead, While working together with your husband has Jay ever done anything stupid jeopardizing his life in order to save your own.
Erin: I don't kn...
Will interrupted her.
Will: Erin, correct me if I'm wrong but there was this one time a couple of months after they got married that my brother ended up in the hospital with a gunshot wound to the chest after jumping in front of a suspect who had a gun held to Erin's stomach.
Dr. Charles: Is that true Erin?
Erin: Yeah, I can't believe it slipped my mind but I remember that day like it was yesterday. I told Jay not to do anything, that i had the situation under control but he didn't listen to me. He ran in front of the gun just as the suspect pulled the trigger. Jay had ended up in the hospital for over a month and we were all really lucky he survived that.
Dr. Charles: Is that the only time it happened?
Erin: It's the only time it landed him in the hospital but the thought of loosing me has caused him to do many stupid things over the years.
Dr. Charles: That's what I thought. Erin, what I am about to suggest might seam cruel and it will be extremely hard to pull off but if you care about your family at all I want you to listen carefully to what I am about to say. You too Dr. Halstead.
Will: We are all ears.
Dr. Charles: Many men who go to the army the first time around have nothing to loose if they don't make it back home alive. However when a man gets drafted into the army, especially one who is married and about to start a family, many of them don't want to be there. They are constantly in fear of what not making it out of there alive will mean not only for them but for the wives and children they had left behind back in the states. As weird as this may sound you are not the first woman to find herself in your current situation. Many women find out they are expecting several months after their husbands left for war.
Erin: What usually ends up happening?
Dr. Charles: What I've seen in the past, is the men who were told that they were fathers to be ended up dying in combat while trying to do something heroic.
Erin: I don't understand.
Dr. Charles: For many men the thought of leaving behind a wife and child is so daunting that they end up being stupid at one point or another, which ends up costing them their lives.
Will: So what do you suggest we do?
Dr. Charles: I think we should take this pregnancy one day at a time and hope Dr. Halstead that your brother makes it home alive.
Will: And what should we tell Jay?
Dr. Charles: It's entirely up to you, what you want to tell him.
Will: But you think we should hide the information from him?
Dr. Charles: Not hide, just don't mention it. Right now the most important thing is for Jay to come back home to both of you in one piece. From what you told me, it sounds like it is really hard for him to be away from you Erin. Knowing that you are expecting will only make it that much more difficult for him. In the past he has already done stupid things trying to save you, imagine what he would do if he knew you were expecting.
Erin: So I shouldn't tell him?
Dr. Charles: In my professional opinion no, If however you decide to go ahead and tell him let me know and I will help you prep for how to break the news to him okay.
Will: Thank you Dr. Charles, we really appreciate your help. We will be in touch.
Dr. Charles left the room and Erin and Will followed after him quietly. They each remained in their own thoughts as they walked to their cars. Erin got to her car and opened the door. She was about to sit down when will blurted out.
Will: Don't tell him.
