Thank you all for the reviews. I'm very happy to hear from everyone. I'm also happy and very pleased with this chapter. I've done a bit of a tine jump in the middle to speed up the pregnancy. So keep that in mind when reading. Also, this was fun and I had a blast writing and researching this chapter.
Lastly, my apologies for any errors, I've stayed up until almost 2am most nights writing bits and pieces to this. And now, it's five minutes past one as I'm posting this.
Enjoy.
"Jeez," Erin muttered and winced, her hand quickly falling from her keyboard to her stomach.
Jay glanced up from his desk, "You good?"
Erin nodded slowly, pressing her fingers deep into her belly.
"He kicking again?" Jay asked as he pushed back in his chair, grabbing his coffee mug off his desk before walking over to take Erin's mug.
Erin gave him a small smile, "He keeps getting foot lodged in my ribs."
Jay scrunched his nose and frowned, "Maybe try walking around...that seemed to help at home."
Erin nodded and stood up slowly, "You grabbing another cup?" She pointed to Jay's mug, his fourth cup that day.
"Yeah, I'm going to need it if we plan on catching this jackass."
Erin sighed loudly and started to head towards the break room, "You get any leads from your CI?"
"Still waiting to hear back." Jay poured himself some coffee, adding a heaping tablespoon of sugar.
Erin leaned against the counter, the edge of it hitting her lower back in the perfect spot, relieving the slight ache.
"How about you? You get anything from Miller's bank records?" Jay went over to the fridge, pouring Erin some iced tea.
"Nothing." Erin groaned, "It's like this guy isn't even a criminal."
"Considering the fact we found bricks of cocaine in his house, I'd beg to differ." Jay took a sip of his coffee and glanced at his watch, "You eat anything yet?"
Erin nodded, "I had a granola bar about an hour ago."
"That's not food, Erin." Jay responded with a stern gaze.
Erin looked over at her boyfriend, "I'm not hungry honestly."
"Erin you are always hungry." Jay smirked and stepped away knowing he was going to be swatted.
"I'll wait until you guys grab lunch. I can wait another hour-" Erin almost dropped her cup on the floor as she felt the baby shift and start to pedal against her bladder.
"Go." Jay quickly took the cup from her as she headed towards the locker room. He walked back to the bullpen, setting his mug on his desk and putting Erin's back on her own.
Dawson trotted up the stairs, waving a paper in his hand, "Got a lead! Miller was spotted heading downtown. Caught a screenshot from a traffic camera."
Voight walked out of his office, adjusting his holster, "Suit up. We better catch this guy today."
Everyone stood to their feet and head downstairs to get their vests on. Jay stayed back and waited for Erin get out of the bathroom.
She waddled out, stunned to see everyone but Jay and Mouse gone. "You guys get a lead?"
Jay nodded, "Caught him on a traffic camera." he swiped his phone off his desk, shoving it on his pocket. "You'll be fine here?"
Erin waved him off, "Go. Save the day." Jay smiled and walked over to give her a quick peck, but she pushed him away. "Halstead, go." Jay patted her stomach softly before heading down the stairs, "Bring me back a slice of pizza!" She shouted just as Jay opened the gate to exit.
Mouse chuckled softly from his desk.
Erin squinted at him, "What's so funny?"
Mouse stood up and showed her his phone, a menu from the local pizzeria was pulled up in his browser. "What toppings you want?"
"Pineapple and sausage." Erin smiled at Mouse.
"Pineapple? Betcha Jay loves that." Mouse says sarcastically, knowing Jay was never a pineapple fan.
Erin laughed going back over to her desk, "He normally picks them off and give them to me."
"Well, sorry to break it to you but I won't be sharing. I love pineapple too." Mouse dials the number and presses his phone to his ear.
Erin taps away on her computer, looking over another sheet of bank records. "Mouse, get Voight on the phone, Miller just made a purchase at a hardware store on Michigan Ave."
Mouse quickly hung up his call and radioed Voight and texted everyone the address.
"I gotta grab a form to access the hardware store's surveillance," Mouse announced, "You going to be alright Lindsay?"
Erin smiled at her friend, "I'm fine Mouse."
Mouse nodded and glanced over at her stomach. Her hand rested on her 26 week belly as fingers applied pressure over her burgundy T-shirt. "You look nice today, Erin."
"Thanks Mouse," Erin blushed, "Now go get those forms so we can back to ordering pizza."
"Yes Ma'am," Mouse teased before going downstairs.
.
It had taken longer than expected to catch Miller. Almost five hours longer. So by the end of shift, Jay was exhausted. He grabbed his jacket from his locker and heading outside to meet up with Ruzek who was giving him a ride home since Lindsay had to take the car to her doctor's appointment.
Jay toed off his shoes at the front door, tossing his keys in the glass bowl where Erin's keys were. "Erin? I'm home." He walked further into the apartment, undoing his gun from its holster and walked into the bedroom, to the closet to put it away in the safe.
"Erin?" Jay popped his head into the bathroom, to see her soaking in the tub. Her hair was gathered in a bun on top of head and a soaked washcloth sprawled out across her chest. She had her eyes closed and small short breaths slipped through her lips.
Jay knelt down on the memory foam bath mat as he dipped his hand in the warm water, moving the suds around causing the lavender scented bubbles to linger in the air.
Erin opened her eyes slowly, "Hey."
"How'd the doctors go?" Jay reached over to rub her belly, moving the bubbles over it. He tapped gently on her protruding belly button. He chuckled when his son responded to his touch.
Erin moved her hand up to grab Jay's wrist, "He just settled down. Don't poke him."
Jay smirked and pressed his lips to her forehead, "Sorry."
Erin let out a slow, content sigh, "Dr. Milford said he's growing nice and strong. Got some ultrasound printed too."
Jay smiled, "She say anything about the kicking?"
"She said for me to fight back." Erin laughed, "I can nudge him back to make him turn. Also exercise can help."
Jay moved the washcloth from her breast, ringing it out before soaking it under the running hot water he turned on. He brought the cloth back over her chest, neck and shoulders.
"That feels good." Erin hummed, letting her eyes close.
Jay continued to run the warm washcloth along her body, he watched as Erin relaxed further into herself. A small moan slipped from her lips as her tongue grazed her bottom lip.
Jay raised his brow, the corner of his mouth turned upwards in a smirk. "You know, I know the perfect exercise we can both enjoy."
Erin opened one eye, squinting at Jay, "Not going to happen." she let her eyes shut again.
Jay frowned, "Why not?" he never stilled the washcloth, washing over Erin's feet and legs, up her thighs.
Erin breath hitched as she squirmed under water, "Halstead."
"Lindsay." he retorted with a smirk.
Erin moaned again as she felt her face became flush and heart rate pick up. She composed herself, sitting up out of Jay's teasing reach.
"C'mon," Jay near begged. "I miss you."
Erin opened her eyes just in time to roll them, "You can't miss me that much."
"But I do. Especially since I come home to you like this." Jay let his eyes dance over her naked form.
Erin flicked water at him, splashing him in the face. He scowled and wiped his face off with his shirt, exposing his abs. Erin let a short laugh only to prompt Jay to remove his shirt.
"What are you doing?" Erin paused and watched.
"If you want to play like that...then it's war." Jay stated, unzipping his jeans and removing them along with his boxers. He stepped one foot in the tub.
"You're not serious? Jay you can't fit..." Erin bent her knees quickly as close to her chest that her belly would allow as Jay brought his other foot in. He kneeled down and leaned over, gripped the rim of the tub so he was hovering Erin.
Jay grinned, capturing her lips in a hard, passionate kiss. "God, I missed you." He groaned, leaning in to kiss her again.
A nudge of the baby's foot radiated from Erin's belly to make contact with Jay's abs. Jay chuckled, pulling away slowly to stare down at her belly, "Is this how it's going to be when he's born?"
"You mean him interrupting sex?" Erin teased. "Yes."
"Great. I guess we better make the best of our time before he's here."
Erin nodded and snaked her arms around his neck, pulling back to continue their kisses.
.
Two weeks later
Erin leaned against the soft grey wall of the nursery, her fingers laced together as she used her bump as a perch. "How's it going?"
Jay glanced up from the numerous pages of instructions he had laid out on the yellow shag rug. "I think we'll have a crib up before dinner."
Erin smiled widely and looked around the almost finished nursery. The walls were painted the week before and they already had the changing table and glider delivered to the apartment. All that was left to assemble the crib. Which fell in the hands of Jay. Erin tried to help but there wasn't much she could lift. So she stuck with organizing.
The weekend was spent washing and folding baby clothes they had accumulated. Mostly as gifts from the unit and others they'd picked up on their many shopping sprees.
Slowly but surely everything was falling into place. Their apartment finally looked like it was ready to welcome a baby.
"You think you'll be done by six?" Erin shifted, bumping a framed sonogram photo of the gender reveal. She quickly caught it before it had a chance to fall onto the wooden floor.
"Yeah, why? You got dinner planned?" Jay teased as he used the drill to secure one end of the crib to the other. He gave it a shake, checking the fit and sturdiness.
Erin stared at him flatly, "I have Lamaze class at six-thirty. You said you'd go with me since you had worked over time the last two classes."
Jay sighed and nodded, "Right. Yeah, I'll be done. If not I can pick up where I left off when we get back."
Erin gave him a small smile, "Good because Hank isn't the best supporter."
.
Erin sat on the large exercise ball, Jay's thumbs pressed into her lower back as he knelt behind her on the soft, cushioned mat.
"Deep breaths," he spoke softly as he was prompted by the instructor. "How does this feel?"
Erin shrugged as she adjusted her footing, making sure she wasn't going to fall off the birthing ball. "I think I liked when you were in front of me. I feel unsteady."
"Admit it, you just love holding onto me." Jay teased just above a whisper.
Erin chuckled and shook her head, glancing around the room briefly at the five other couples. The instructor weaving in and out of the pairs. Offering advice and comfort.
Jay stood up and moved so he was facing Erin. She wrapped her arms around his torso, hugging him with her cheek pressed into his shirt, "Better?"
Erin nodded, her eyes closing as she focused on short pants of heeing and hooing like the instructor suggested.
"Alright, for the mothers who don't want to depend on the birthing ball and focus more solely on their partners, I'd suggest trying this." The instructor made her way over to Erin and Jay. "The both of you stand."
Jay reached for Erin's hand, helping her stand up and waited for her to get her balance from sitting for so long the ball.
"Now, Erin, I want you to lean against Jay, your back to his chest." Erin did so, "Now Jay, you can support her by hooking your arms under her arms."
Jay snaked his arms under Erin's, her weight supported by him as she felt relaxed.
The instructor smiled at them and made her way to the next expectant parents.
"How you doing?" Erin questioned, tilting her head up to catch a glimpse of Jay's stubble.
"Good. You?"
"Good." Erin responded, shifting.
Jay pressed his lips to her head, "You sure?"
Erin sighed, "Not really. My legs are going to be like Jell-O if I have to stand like this for hours. Plus, your arms will start to hurt if you have to keep holding me up."
"Erin, don't worry about me. I'm here to support you. You're the one that is going to be giving birth." He ducked his head down a bit to kiss her neck, feeling her pulse against his lips. "Just try and relax."
Erin sighed again, "I'm sorry, you're right."
"It's okay." Jay mumbled against her skin, his hand falling to her belly. There was a few minutes of silence shared between them. Erin slow inhales and exhales and Jay's whispers of support broke up the quietness.
"Alright now let's try some exercises to relieve labor pains in the back." The instructor announced as she made it to the front of the room. "If the mothers would get on all fours, arching your backs out and in will help stretch the muscles. Dads, you guys can help with massaging their backs."
Erin pressed her palms firmly into the yoga mat, her knees apart and parallel with her arms. She arched her back to the ceiling and brought it back down. Jay placed his hand to the middle of her back, drawing circles lazily over her T-shirt.
"This position okay?" Jay asked, able to sit on the floor and see somewhat of Erin's face. He glanced at her for a moment before looking at her belly.
"It's okay, better than the standing one." Erin flicked her head back slightly, a few hairs falling in front of her face. Jay reached over to tuck then behind her ear. "Thanks."
Jay smiled at her and let out a small chuckle as he glanced over her back and along her belly.
"What's so funny?"
Jay got really quiet and whispered, "How many people do you think ended up pregnant because of this position?"
Erin rolled her eyes and suppress laughter, "Halstead."
"Come on, don't act like you weren't thinking about it when she asked you to get like this."
Erin gave Jay a smile an shook her head guiltily. "Let's just get back to back rub."
Jay smiled back before kissing her shoulder as his hands rubbed her back. "Kinda glad Voight wasn't here this time.."
"Halstead." Erin warned.
.
Erin flicked off the kitchen light and shuffled to the living room, shutting the blinds as the city lights glowed.
The rest of the apartment was almost dark, aside from the TV and a soft light coming in from the nursery. There was a faint lullaby of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star heard as she passed the TV to turn it off.
Jay sat in the glider, a beer in one hand as he stared at the finished crib. The mobile spinning and singing.
"Hey," Erin tiptoed in.
"Hey." Jay said, still staring off. He shifted to set his beer down on the floor as she took a seat on his lap.
Erin leaned down to give him a quick peck, the aftertaste of his beer wetted her lips. She pulled away and brought her hand up to caress his cheek.
"You seem tired." Erin brushed her thumb under his eye.
"I'm just thinking," Jay finally met eyes with Erin. He gave her a small smile before we went back to staring at the turning mobile.
"About?" Erin settled more into his lap, her head resting on his shoulder.
"The baby." Jay stated with a heavy sigh. "And my mom."
Erin pressed her lips to Jay's neck and brought her hand up so her finger could toy with the collar of his T-shirt. Her knuckle brushing against his throat, feeling him swallow the blimp forming there.
"She would have loved to meet you...and even more excited to find out you were giving her a grandkid."
"Yeah." Erin whispered, listening.
"I guess...I just miss her. I know how much she would want to be here for me. For you." Jay mumbled, his hand finding Erin's stomach, "Just wish it still wasn't so hard."
Erin sighed, "I know what you mean, I kept thinking about Camille and Nadia today."
Jay leaned in to kiss Erin's temple, "I love you so much."
Erin nodded, feeling herself tear up at all the memories and hopes flooding her mind. "Love you too." she managed to blubber out.
Jay moved his hand up to her face, cupping her jaw gently and easing her to meet him in the middle. Their lips attach in a slow, passionate kiss. The saltiness of their tears trickled down their cheeks to their soft lips as they both broke away to catch their breaths.
"Marry me." Jay blurted out.
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