A/N: I think we can all agree it has been way to long since I have updated. With school and the holidays only a few days away, things have gotten a little crazy. But, know I have a two week break which means a lot more writing. So, enjoy this chapter and let me know what you think. Oh, and also make sure to check out my other story Finding Mia which I want to update in the next few days as well. Love you all :)
After only two days in the hospital, Jay was cleared to go home. All of his tests showed a good and healthy recovery, plus no sign of a concussion from the impact of the fall. Although he was stitched and bruised up here and there, Jay knew this was something he could handle. All he wanted to do was get back home to Maggie and Erin.
As Jay pulled on his shirt and threw the hospital issued sweats to the side of his room, he began to think about how it felt good to know he was going home to Erin and Maggie. But, now that majority of the unit knew about their apparently not so secret relationship maybe they could progress. He did after all see a future with Erin, someday.
"Halstead", a rough voice called out from the door as Jay was packing away some of his things.
Jay turned around to meet the gaze of Hank Voight leaning against the frame of the door. Immediately, Jay's heart rate went up. He knew that Hank knew about him and Erin and the only reason why he would be here is because he probably wanted to punch Jay for going against him.
"Hey Sarge", Jay answered trying to act calm and collected when on the inside he was just a mess of nervous energy.
"Glad to see you are doing okay. We were all pretty nervous. Especially Erin", Voight stated.
Jay stood there not wanting to say anything because if he said the wrong thing, Voight could possibly freak out and if he said the right thing, well Voight could still freak out.
"Look, I know about you and Erin", Voight finally said. He watched as Jay took a deep breath, once again not saying anything.
"I wasn't happy when she told me and over the past couple days, I have been trying to move past it. Would you like to know why", he continued.
Jay simply nodded his head, still holding his breath and getting ready for a punch.
"Because I saw the look in her eyes when she found you in the warehouse. She held the same look in her eyes when she told me about the two of you. I knew she cared about you. Way more than a partner should", Voight explained.
"She loves you", he finished.
Jay finally let out the breath he had been holding. Voight understood. Well he semi-understood.
"And she loves that little girl of yours. I'm pretty sure she would do absolutely anything for that one", Voight continued. Jay smiled at the comment, because it was true. Erin would probably do just about anything for Maggie if she asked.
"What I'm telling you here Halstead is that if you hurt her or break her heart, you will be treated like any other criminal we deal with. Do I make myself clear", Voight clarified.
"Crystal", Jay answered has he reached out his hand for Voight to shake. Surprisingly, Voight smiled as he shook the young detectives hand. After all, there was a part of Voight that liked Jay.
"On a not so lighter note, while Erin was telling me everything, she told me about the custody battle you have been dealing with", Voight questioned.
Jay sighed as he ran a hand through his hair, "Well more or less, it hasn't even begun yet. The real battle that's going on is the one where I am trying to find a lawyer", he answered thinking back to his last conversation with a lawyer.
"Well, I have a friend who works those kind of cases. He used to be a cop", Voight said as he pulled out a business card from his wallet. "I know that he would probably be more than happy to help you out", he said handing Jay the card.
"Thanks", Jay said as he took the card from Voight.
"Daddy", Maggie's voice called out as she came barreling into the room.
Both Voight and Jay turned to see her run straight into the room and hook her tiny arms around Jay's legs. They both laughed at Maggie as Erin entered the room behind her.
"Hey Hank, what brings you here", Erin asked as she stood next to Maggie and Jay.
"Just needed to make sure one of my best detectives is ready to get back to his job", Voight said giving Erin a smile.
"Did you catch all the bad guys, Sergeant Voight", Maggie said looking up at Voight.
"Yeah, Maggie we got all of them and now your Dad can go home and get better so he can come back to work", Voight explained.
Maggie's smile beamed as she looked up at Voight who smiled right back at her.
"I have to go sign a couple more papers and then we will get out of here, okay", Jay stated walking towards Erin as he gave her hand a squeeze.
"I'll go with you", Maggie exclaimed as she skipped out of the hospital room hanging on to her dad's pant leg.
As soon as Maggie and Jay left the room, Voight turned to Erin, "I am sorry I was not understanding when you first told me", he apologized.
Erin just nodded and let Voight continue, "I can learn to understand, but as long as theres no PDA during work. And you can still be partners, but if I see it interfere with work than I'm going to split you up and", Voight continued, but was quickly cut off by Erin hugging him.
"Thank you", Erin said as she released him from the hug.
Voight smiled as Erin stood in front of him with a huge smile on her face. "You really care about them don't you", he asked.
"Yeah", Erin said as she glanced towards Maggie and Jay watching Maggie easily winning the hearts of the nurses at the desk.
"Then I will learn to expect, you know this. Just don't go and get married anytime soon, okay", Voight warned causing Erin to laugh.
"Don't worry, I don't think that's in the cards anytime soon", Erin reassured him.
"Mommy! Daddy's doctor said he can go home now! Can we go home now", Maggie asked as she skipped up to Erin trying to climb up into her arms.
"Not in the cards", Voight questioned looking towards Erin.
"Not in the cards. At the moment", she reiterated as she picked up Maggie setting her on her hip.
"Mommy, can we go", Maggie begged.
"Why don't you grab Daddy's bag and bring it out to him, okay", Erin requested as she set Maggie down.
Maggie smiled as she walked over to the bed and dragged Jay's bag out of his hospital room. Both Erin and Voight laughed as the little four year-old struggled with the bag of clothes.
"I'll see you tomorrow, okay", Erin stated giving Hank a smile.
"You know what, take a couple days off. I hear it's almost her birthday and Jay probably needs help getting back on his feet", Voight quickly requested.
"Seriously", Erin responded surprised.
"Yeah, it's the least I can do", Voight replied.
"Mommy, come on", Maggie's voice suddenly called from the hallway where her and Jay were patiently waiting.
"You better go", Voight stated.
"Thanks, Hank", Erin said giving her father-figure one last hug before she left the hospital room and was greeted by Maggie and Jay as they left the hospital.
Hank Voight watched as they disappeared down the hallway. "This is what she wants", he whispered to himself.
He would learn to become understanding of Erin's decisions. After all he practically raised her to make her own decisions and follow her heart. Her heart led her to Jay and he would learn to except that.
xxx
Later that night when Jay, Erin and Maggie arrived home, Maggie immediately insisted on a pizza movie night. So, Jay ordered a pizza while Maggie and Erin picked out a movie. By the time the pizza arrived, Maggie and Erin had decided on a Disney princess movie that Maggie immediately insisted was her 'favorite movie of all time'. Between the movie and the two pieces of pizza Maggie had consumed, she was beginning to drift in and out of sleep about halfway through the film.
"Maggie, sweetie. If you are too tired I can go tuck you in", Erin suggested looking down at the toddler who was fighting to keep her eyes open.
"No, I wanna finish it", Maggie insisted as she crawled from her side of the couch over towards her mom and dad.
Being extra careful, Maggie gently snuggled herself right in between them, making sure she was close enough the Erin could run her fingers through her brunette curls and close enough to know her dad wasn't going anywhere.
"Daddy", Maggie suddenly spoke up looking towards her father.
"Yeah, baby", Jay responded.
"You're not going to end up in the hospital anymore, right", she asked.
"No, of course not", Jay answered simply. "I missed you guys, way too much", he said looking up towards Erin who had an almost sad smile on her face.
"We missed you too", Maggie said laying back down and continuing to watch the film.
"Yeah, we missed you too", Erin repeated looking towards Jay.
Jay smiled as he leaned towards Erin to give her a quick kiss, which was quickly broken apart by Maggie's giggles.
"You guys kiss too much", she squealed putting her hands over her eyes.
"That's what happens when you love someone, Mags", Jay answered.
"Oh, no Maggie. Daddy's getting mushy with love on us", Erin teased.
"Ew, Daddy! You're mushy with love", Maggie squealed once again.
"Did my own daughter just call me 'mushy'", Jay protested. "Look's like someone is getting tickles", he teased knowing his daughters weakness.
"No, I'm sorry! I promise, I won't do it again", Maggie said in between laughter as Jay tickled her.
All three laughed as Jay stopped and Maggie dramatically sighed and snuggled back in her parent's hold to watch the last of the movie.
Jay looked over at Erin, who could not seem to wipe the grin off her face as she played with Maggie's hair. She was right. He was a 'mush of love' for this girl.