Hello everyone!
As always thank you for the wonderful reviews and kind words. This chapter was one of my favorites to write. Not sure why but to me it was different to write.
I have been dealing with a bout of writers block this week; but fear not I have this story written a few chapters ahead of time so this story will not fall through the cracks while my writing becomes gibberish :D Please bare with my if I am a bit sluggish on my other story: Baby Toes and Marriage Bliss.
Also my motivation to write has been lacking due to the fact my mother took a bit of a tumble on Saturday (literally tripped over the cat.) Both are fine but my mom has a nasty bruise on her chin (eek!) but we did have to call EMS for assistance. (Is it odd that I hoped a Kelly Severide or Jay Halstead look alike would come to rescue? If only! But they weren't bad on the eyes. :P)
But on a positive note: That same night we got a call saying my sister had her baby boy. I'm aunt again! Welcome to the world Hugo.
Your reviews and PMs motivate me to keep pushing on with this story even if I'm down in the dumps. So thank you. It means a world to mean with every word you say and the heartfelt comments you share with me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Enjoy and stay positive.
Hank sat on the couch, his feet propped up on the coffee table as read the Chicago Tribune. Camille rested her head on the pillow that was on his lap. Her eyes slowly drifted shut as sleep threaten to take over the rather quiet Saturday afternoon. It was the first Saturday in months that Hank had a day off of work. He spent most of his day relaxing.
Justin had a sleepover over the weekend it was quiet than most days without the six year old galloping around.
Erin came through the front door, mail tucked under her arm as she double fisted grocery bags.
"Find everything?" Hank looked to the teen that sat a bag of groceries down, she slipped out of her flip-flops and tossed her purse down on the bench.
"Pretty much." Erin gave Hank a small smile. The smile widened when she saw Camille fast asleep. "How long has she been out?" Erin brought her voice down a notch, just above a whisper as she walked over to the edge of the couch, handing the mail to Hank gently, not wanting to disturb Camille.
"Not long." Hank looked down at his wife, he ran his hand through her soft curls. "I'd say about ten minutes or so."
"Well I'm going to put these away." Erin grabbed the bag from the bench and she walked to the kitchen.
Erin placed the milk in the refrigerator. Along with the vegetables and fruits she picked up from the market. It was a beautiful day being mid June. The sun was beating down, but there was a slight breeze making it a decent day to walk to the market, which is what Erin did.
It gave Hank a break, as he normally does most of the shopping on the weekend. Erin thought since it was his day off and the weather wouldn't leave her in a pool of sweat, she would offer to do the shopping.
Once the groceries were put away, Erin reached into her back pocket of her shorts, taking out the receipt and change.
She made her way over to Hank, handing him the money and receipt.
"Keep the change." Hank pushed the money back into her hand.
Erin stuck the ten dollars back into her pocket, a smile on her face that she had some extra spending money. "So if it's okay, I'm going to head out."
"Where to?" Hank wondered.
"I kind of wanted to just walk around the park today." Erin stated as she grabbed her cell phone, glancing at the time. She then placed her sunglasses she had hooked on her tank top; she placed them in her hair, pulling her bangs from her face.
"Well before you go you have mail." Hank handed her an envelope addressed to her.
Erin studied the return address: Illinois Secretary Of State. In red ink was printed, Do Not Bend. Erin used her fingernail to slice the envelope open. She unfolded the paper that hand her full name printed on it. Erin Elizabeth Lindsay. She read the rest out loud.
"Attached below is your….Driver's License." Erin's eyes widen, her dimples appeared deep as she smiled.
"Congrats Kid." Hank gave her hand a small squeeze. "Let's see the picture."
Erin detached the license from the paper; she glanced at it first before showing it off.
"Look at that." Hank laughed with a smile of his face. "We got ourselves a new driver."
"Yes we do!" Erin squealed, she quickly brought her hands to her mouth, "Sorry." She whispered as she saw Camille stir in Hank's lap. She sighed thankfully as she didn't wake the sleeping woman.
"So do you feel like driving to the park?" Hank laughed as the teen nodded excitedly.
"Really? Can I?"
Hank gave her a nod, "Go to my room, and grab my keys."
"Where in your room?" Erin asked as she walked half way up the stairs.
"On the nightstand." Hank stared down at his wife, petting her head softly.
Erin grabbed the ring of keys from the table. Her smiled seemed to get bigger and bigger as the thought of freedom ran through her mind.
"Got 'em" Erin handed the keys to Hank.
Hank took the car key off, "Be careful." He placed the metal into the teen's hand. "Make sure you keep your cell phone on. Wear your seatbelt. Use your blinkers. Don't turn the radio on."
"I know, I know." Erin shifted anxiously. "Can I go now?" Hank let out a small laugh and a sigh escaped his lip as he nodded. "Thanks Hank." Erin hugged him quickly.
"Be careful." He warned once more as the teen grabbed her purse and placed her sunglasses over her eyes.
Erin gave a small wave and skipped to the car. She sat in the driver's side; her fingers strummed the steering wheel. She placed the key in the ignition, waiting to turn it clockwise, just taking in everything.
She breathed in, smelling the pine air fresher and let out a sigh of content. She reached for the seatbelt, clicking it in tightly, securing the strap snuggly around her waist and chest. The new driver made sure she adjusted the back of the seat to her liking. Next was the rearview mirror, she was looked back at the Chicago sun.
She turned the car on, the engine rumbled. She carefully backed out of the driveway and headed down the street. She still couldn't believe it was just her in the car. No adult; no driving instructor; no one but her.
SHELTER
Erin pulled into a parking spot in front of the park. She rolled up the windows and locked the doors. She found a tree, sitting underneath it. She rummaged through her purse, pulling out a granola bar and a magazine.
She relaxed in the shade, her flip-flops off and her toes buried in the green grass.
"Well look what the cat dragged in." Erin heard from behind her. She turned her body to the person, she smiled.
"Hey Mr. Olinsky." Erin looked around, "Where's Lexi?"
"Meredith took her for a diaper change." Alvin knelt down next to Erin, "What are you doing here?"
"Just relaxing. I thought I'd get out of Hank's hair since it's his day off."
"He's not here?" Alvin looked around in search for his partner.
"Nope. Just me." Erin tucked her magazine away, fully indulged to the conversation.
"You walked?"
Erin shook her head, her medium length brown hair tickling her exposed shoulders. "Nope. I drove here."
Alvin let out a low laugh, "Get outta here."
"Honestly, I did."
"Does Hank know?"
Erin rolled her eyes, "Yes he knows." She scoffed. "He gave me his keys."
"Bless him." Alvin joked, "Just kidding." Alvin spotted Meredith walking out of the bathroom, Lexi on her hip. "Look at her go." Alvin watched as his wife brought his daughter down to the sidewalk, her little tennis shoes hitting the pavement as she walked. Her arms flailed for balance, a giddy grin on her face.
"She's getting so big." Erin commented as the pigtailed toddler shrieked, finding a stray ball.
"That's for sure." Alvin huffed, "She'll be one in August."
"Wow." Erin said in shock, "Time flies."
"That it does." Alvin looked down at the newly licensed teen, "That it does."
SHELTER
"Hey Kiddo." Hank greeted Erin who arrived home two hours later.
"Hey." Erin smiled.
"Keys, please." Hank held out his hand.
Erin fished through her purse, handing him the key.
"How'd it go?"
"Really good." Erin nodded.
"Did you wear your seatbelt?"
Erin let out a sigh of annoyance, "I did and I used my blinkers."
"I'm just checking." Hank defended.
"So where's Camille?" Erin pulled her hair into a messy bun.
"She in the backyard."
"What is she doing out there?" Erin walked into the kitchen to grab bottled water; She unscrewed the cap taking a sip.
"Just putzing around in the garden." Hank commented, "Hand me one." Erin reached back into the fridge, handing Hank water. "Thanks."
"Mhmm." She gave him a nod, "So what's for dinner?"
"I'm doing barbeque tonight." Hank said proudly.
"Nice." Erin smiled. "Need help?"
"Sure, if you can make a salad. Maybe ask Cammi if there are any tomatoes ready."
"Sounds good to me." Erin made her way out onto the deck.
Camille kneeled on a garden pad, wearing a large sun hat, shading her from the sunrays. She wore gloves and gripped a hand shovel.
"Hey." Erin knelt down next to the older woman, "Hank wants me to make a salad; got any tomatoes ready?"
"Hello Sweets." Camille pulled away some vines, revealing a few green tomatoes. She pushed deeper into the plant spotting three large red tomatoes. "Yes I do." She grabbed her shears, cutting the red fruit from the vines. She handed them to the teen.
"Nice." Erin eyed the garden grown produce. "Thanks."
"Hank said you got some exciting news today." Camille smiled.
"Yes I did." Erin matched her smile. "It was amazing."
Camille laughed, "Glad to hear. So how was the park?"
"It was really good. I ran into Mr. Alvin and his family. Lexi is getting so big."
"I know she is such a cutie." Camille gushed.
"Well I going to rinse these and start on the salad." Erin informed.
"Okay. Let Hank know I'll be in a second to help with the ribs."
Erin gave a small nod before heading into the house. She let Hank know who was standing over a pot of boiling water, dropping corn into the pot.
"How has your day off been?" Erin wondered as she rinsed off the dirt from the tomatoes. She grabbed a cutting board and knife.
"Really good." Hank smiled, "I'm just happy to be able to relax." Hank said relieved, "Have you thought more about working with me at the station?"
Hank sat Erin down last month as summer came to a start and school ended. Since the teen would have time on her hands he offered her a desk job at the station. Nothing too big, just filing papers and answering phones. She would be able to see a little action but not be too close and personally with the crime filled streets.
"I've thought about it." Erin stated, "I think I'd like to that."
"Okay." Hank nodded, "I'll get a meeting with the Commander and then I'll get back to you."
"Cool." Erin chopped the tomatoes into chunks before adding them to the lettuce Hank had already washed and ripped apart.
The three sat down at the patio set, outside on the deck. They had small causal conversation as they devoured the ribs that were rubbed with a special blend of spices Hank mixed together.
"So when we are done eating. I was thinking Miss Driver over here could grab us some frozen custard." Hank winked to the teen.
"That sounds good." Camille agreed. "Do you mind Erin?"
Erin shook her head, "Not at all."
SHELTER
Erin orders two scoops of custard each for all three of them. She added Hank favorite topping, Camille wanted hers left plain and Erin decided to add sprinkles to hers. She steadied the tray of ice cream into her arm and used her free arm to open the door. When she struggled to find her keys in her purse; she went to set the tray on the hood of the car, but a hand grabbed it instead.
"Here let me help," he said.
"Oh thanks," she turned to the helpful stranger. A gasp escaped her lips when she looked into the eyes of the familiar face. She gulped in shock, "Landon?"
Uh oh! Lol. So what do you think? Good? Bad?
:D I must state for future chapters that I had this chapter (and the next two) written before Landon came into the show. Landon was originally named Caleb in this story. So if for some reason you read the name Caleb, it's because I forgot to change his name to Landon. If you are even confused reading this as I am writing it; you can ignore this. Lol.
Review to give my mom some love and to welcome my nephew into the world! *fingers crossed* to get to 150 (I know its a far stretch. lol. But a girl can wish :D )