Hello guys! Thanks for continuing to read my fic and for all the reviews/follows/favorites. I seriously appreciate it so much. Next chapter is Micah's birthday, and the events that follow. I'll warn you it may become a bumpy road starting next chapter, so enjoy this last chapter rainbows and butterflies while it lasts. Keep in mind I'm a sucker for a happy ending though. :)
This chapter for some reason isn't uploading right. I've uploaded it and it will stay for a few hours and then disappear. It happened twice now, and I can't figure out why. Sorry, I'm doing everything I can to try and get it to stay up! Please bear with me.
Micah's birthday was approaching more rapidly than either Erin or Jay would have liked. They knew once his birthday came he would be leaving them for good. Erin was especially upset about it, though she never mentioned it. Reminding herself that Micah wasn't hers was something she had to do multiple times a day. She knew Jay's concerns about getting too attached were valid because now she could barely stand the idea of letting him leave.
It was a rainy Thursday night two days before Micah's birthday and party. Erin and Micah were playing in the living room when she heard Jay attempting to unlock the front door.
"Shh. Lets hid and surprise him." She whispered to Micah.
He smiled and nodded excitedly. The pair crouched down behind the couch. It wasn't the best hiding spot but it would do.
Jay yelled when he got inside. "Hello?"
Micah couldn't help but giggle until he clamped his own little hands over his mouth to muffle the laughs. Erin put one finger to her lips telling him to be quiet. It was obviously to late and Jay knew where they were, but he decided to play along.
"Huh." He said aloud. "They must have gone someplace. I'll just lay down on the couch and take a nap until they get back."
When he laid down Erin silently counted to three mouthing the numbers to Micah. On three they jumped up yelling "Boo!" Loudly.
Erin scooped Micah up under the arms and lifted him over the couch setting him on Jay's stomach. The boy giggled as Jay pretended to be frightened at first, and then tickled him.
The child wiggled around off of the couch to get away from Jay's tickling fingers. Erin sat resting on the back of the sofa laughing while watching on. When Micah got away from him Jay peered up at Erin.
"Your turn." He said reaching up and pulling her down on top of him.
"Stop! Stop!" She yelled as his hands poked and tickled at her sides. He obliged after a few seconds. She was now laying on her stomach on top of him looking into his ocean blue eyes. Her hair was falling into her face so she took her hand and pulled it all over to one side. Jay looked over to Micah who was only a about a foot away from them still giggling over the events.
Jay smirked. "Warning bro I'm about to kiss her."
"Eww!" He shrieked slapping his tiny hands over his eyes, making both Erin and Jay laugh.
He looked back up at Erin. "Yeah eww," she harassed before leaning down to meet his lips.
"You guys are gross. I'm going to play in my room." The boy yelled turning on his heels.
"Don't come back!" Jay teased him.
"Hey!" Micah retorted without bothering to turn back around. When He disappeared into the doorway of his playroom they continued kissing. After pulling away they stayed lying in place. Jay had slid his hands into the back pockets of Erin's jeans, and she had her hands resting on the base of his neck rubbing her thumbs along the stubble growing on his jaw and chin.
"So we're both leaving at five tomorrow to get everything for the party right?" Erin asked as the rain clattered violently against the windows.
"yeah." Jay agreed. "Everyone knows only to give him things that are small enough for him to take with him when he leaves right?"
"I told everyone that. Now hopefully they listen."
"Well we can count Ruzek out then." Jay teased.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Ruzek just tried to add his name to somebody else's card." She laughed before un-arching her back and snuggling her face into the nape of his neck.
"I've got bad news for you though." She warned.
"What?"
"Mic and I finished off the leftover Chinese food, so you're screwed as far as dinner goes. "
"Oh really it was you and Micah?" He questioned doubtfully.
"Okay, so it was me. Micah had mac and cheese. Every man for themselves Halstead."
"Every man for themselves? I thought we were a team Erin!" He dramatically played offended. "We're supposed to be partners! I thought you loveā¦." He cut himself off realizing what he was about to say.
It was too late though. She had heard it. It felt as though all the air had been instantly suctioned from her lungs. She stayed still, unable to move her face from its resting place between his neck and shoulder.
Their relationship was complicated. They had gone this long completely undefined. For over a month now they had been together in every sense of the word. Jay couldn't even remember the last time he slept in his own apartment. They had never used the 'L word' though. Any type of label had yet to be placed on their relationship. They weren't dating, or boyfriend and girlfriend. They were simply Jay and Erin, or Halstead and Lindsay. But now, after Jays accidental slip of that four letter word, it suddenly felt different. Almost like they had to give their relationship some sort of definition, or it would implode.
Finally able to regain function, Erin arched her back to look up at Jays face. Softly, almost timidly she spoke. "You thought I what?" But before she had even managed to get the full sentence out a loud clap of thunder sounded, followed by an ear-piercing screech from Micah.
They had realized that Micah was afraid of loud noises their first morning with him when the coffee cup shattered. Any sort of sudden loud clamor, or even yelling resulted in Micah nervously crying and shaking. They were sure it had something to do with his life at home with his father.
Erin rolled off of Jay ready to go comfort Micah.
"I got him." Jay spoke up walking towards Micah's playroom. When Jay scooped the child up in his arms all he did was cry for Erin, so Jay brought him to her.
Most of the time Micah was obsessed with being just like Jay. He constantly mimicked the way Jay would walk, and the phrases he'd say. The child was always glued to Jay's side. But whenever he was sleepy, scared, or got hurt he only wanted to cuddle up to Erin for security.
He crawled into her lap burying his face into her chest tears staining his cheeks. She rubbed his back gently. "It's alright buddy."
The rain was clashing against the windows rather harshly and bolts of lightning constantly lit up the room.
"I'm going to take him to lay down in the bedroom where there are blinds to help block out the lightning flashes."
"Okay." Jay nodded agreeing it was a good idea. "I'll come back in a little while."
When the storm subsided Jay headed to the bedroom. He discovered both Erin and Micah fast asleep. Erin was on her back, and Micah had curled into her side with one arm, and one leg flung haphazardly over her torso. Erin's head had fallen to the side, so her cheek was resting on the top of Micah's head. Jay took out his cell phone and snapped a quick photo to show Erin later.
Standing next the bed he leaned down and kissed her lips softly. "Babe."
When she didn't respond he kissed her again. He felt her mouth begin to move and her face muscles twitch a bit. "Wake up." He whispered in a sing-songy tone.
He kissed her one last time, and she kissed him back slightly. When he pulled away her eyelids fluttered open, and a grin appeared on her face.
"It's only eight forty-five. You got mad last time I let you fall asleep early because you say it messes up your whole sleeping schedule."
She attempted to stretch, but it was difficult with Micah asleep on top of her. "No, you're right. I should get up for a while. I wanted to shower tonight anyways."
Jay grinned widely. "Is than an invitation or?" he trailed off.
"You wish."
"Hell yeah I wish."
She stealthily scooted out from underneath Micah, and got out of bed sauntering her way toward the bathroom. Jay turned, and stood in place watching her in admiration. When she had almost made it to the restroom door she paused her stroll, and called to him without bothering to turn around. "Are you coming or what?"
Jay didn't need to be asked twice. He swiftly scampered to her; wrapping his arms around her waist from behind he lifted her up buried his face in her neck, and kissed her soft skin. She lifted her knees in towards her chest exhaling a quiet laugh as he carried her the rest of the way to the bathroom.
