Just want to say thanks to Firstamamawifeafriend for the help & inspiration for this chapter :) It's a long one so enjoy :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Chicago PD, Chicago Fire or any of its characters.

Chapter 28: Three Days & Graduation

The next day Lauren headed back. She just wanted to stay, but kept telling herself it was just three days. The first day was uneventful; the second day looked to be much of the same. That night though her mom drove to town and they had dinner. It had been her last day of student teaching and she was thrilled.

She was moving to Chicago permanently tomorrow and then she graduated next Friday. Over dinner they kept the conversation light; school, her brother and grandparents. She'd been able to hide her growing bump all night with a loose fitting long shirt. Lauren knew she had to tell her about Chicago and the baby, but she was nervous. "So…. Mom, I wanted to tell you that I'm moving to Chicago for good tomorrow."

"We're not discussing this Lauren Kathleen!"

"Mom, we have to. You can't stay mad at me forever. I'm moving, don't you want me happy?"

"I said no. Now enough."

Lauren sighed as her mother paid for dinner. She decided it might be best to keep the baby to herself for a little while longer. "I love you mom, but I am moving. I'm married and I'm happy. I was hoping we could put this behind us."

"You went against everything I said, everything I thought I'd taught you to believe. That's not something we just up and put behind us. Now I don't want to hear another word about it."

Lauren nodded as they left the restaurant. "I have a long drive tomorrow so I will see you at graduation," she said getting into her car. Her mother didn't reply; just nodded and left.

Lauren was sad her mother wouldn't listen to her or try to work it out. Deep down she'd known she probably wouldn't, but it still stung. She vowed that no matter what she would always try and listen to her children. She'd just gotten back to the motel room when her phone rang showing Jay was calling.

She couldn't help but smile hearing his voice.

"Hey my beautiful wife. How'd it go?" He knew she was going out to eat with her mom and he wanted to check on her.

"It was alright until I brought up tomorrow, and she didn't want to hear about it."

"I'm sorry baby," he said knowing she'd wanted to make it work with her.

"It's fine. She's choosing to shut me out so…"

"I know, but it still hurts and I wish I was there for you."

Lauren smiled; he could read her like a book. "Yea, but I'll get over it. Tomorrow is going to be a good day, and I will see you then."

"Yes you will. I have a surprise for you in the morning too. So sleep in and don't leave until about nine thirty."

"But it's a long drive babe."

"I know, but it'll be worth it. I promise."

"Ok, ok, I'll sleep in," she said giving in because she did love his surprises.

"Get some sleep love and tomorrow you'll be back in my arms. You'll be home."

"Goodnight Jay. I love you."

"I love you too baby."

They hung up and went to bed. The next morning Lauren slept until about nine. She text him as soon as she was up, but he didn't text back which was odd. She still had about thirty minutes until her surprise would arrive, but she was anxious to get on the road. She decided to get ready to pass the time.

Just as she finished her hair and making sure everything was packed, there was a knock on the door. 'His surprise is here,' she thought as she went to open the door. To say she was surprised was an understatement. There he stood on the other side of the door with a big smile.

She jumped into his arms kissing him. "What are you doing here?" she finally asked.

"I didn't want you driving back by yourself, so I took the day and flew down to surprise you."

"Jay Matthew Halstead you are the best," she smiled kissing him again. They got all her stuff loaded and checked out. They made it back to Chicago right at ten hours later. She was so glad to be home and in his arms. This was the start of their happy ever after.

7 days later….

Lauren had been home for seven days and it had been the best seven days ever. Jay had worked every day but Sunday since she'd been home so he could be off to go back with her for graduation. He'd been partnered with Antonio or Atwater since Thanksgiving; he hadn't spoken to Erin about it because he was constantly busy. He wasn't too worried about it though because he still wasn't ready to talk to her without exploding on her.

Lauren used those seven days to get everything situated in the apartment. She didn't move anything too heavy, nor did she do a lot each day knowing Jay would die if she did. She had supper waiting on him each night, and her favorite part of the day was when he would come home.

It was Wednesday, and she was packing their stuff to go back to Tennessee tomorrow. Graduation was Friday night, and they were coming back on Saturday. She felt hands wrap around her waist over her bump.

She felt him softly kiss on her neck making her giggle. "We have four straight days together, and I know something we can do to pass the time," he whispered in her ear.

"Jay…. I have to finish packing, she giggled.

"It can wait," he said picking her up and tossing her on the bed. They made love all night long. The next morning, he finished packing and made her breakfast. After they ate, they headed out for Tennessee, with Lauren sleeping most of the way.

On Friday, they did lunch with her family, since graduation was at night. Her mother wasn't happy with Jay being there, but Lauren told her to get over it. He was her husband and he was going to be there, or neither of them would be.

Lunch was mostly pleasant since it was most of her family and not just her mom and step-dad. Her mom didn't really talk to them much, and that was ok with Lauren. She was just ready for graduation to be over so she could get back home.

It seemed like graduation took forever that night, and Lauren was glad when it was over. She couldn't get out of the hot auditorium or her cap and gown fast enough. They took quite a few pictures with everyone, and Jay sent some pictures and videos to Kelly.

She'd only had a set number of tickets to give to people, and Kelly had told her not to worry about it. He was so proud of her, and he and Shay stayed in Chicago and planned her a graduation party at Molly's for Sunday after they got back.

Lauren was thrilled; she now had her degree. All she had to do was pass the Illinois state exam and she would be certified to teach in both Tennessee and Illinois.

Once they finished up at the college, Lauren told Jay she wanted to try one more time to get through to her mom. Jay offered to go with her and Lauren told him no. She was adamant that this was something she had to handle alone. Jay reluctantly agreed and dropped her off at her mom's.

He told her he was going to pack up at the motel and that he would be back within two hours, maybe sooner depending. He headed back to the motel to pack everything for their return trip tomorrow. He prayed, for Lauren's sake, that her mom would listen.

Lauren and her mom had gone upstairs to her mom's room to talk away from Michael and her brother. Lauren tried everything, but her mother wouldn't listen. She kept telling Lauren how crazy she was and that she couldn't believe she would just up and marry someone and move states away without approval.

Finally Lauren had heard enough. They walked out to the top of the stairs screaming at each other. Lauren told her that there was nothing she could do because she was happily married and officially moved to Chicago. She had nothing left to hold over her. At this point, her mother had given her no reason to ever come back or any reason for Lauren to ever let her have anything to do with her grandchildren.

Lauren knew Jay was still twenty minutes out, but she was done with this conversation/argument. She would wait outside until he got there. She'd tried and her mother just wasn't listening.

"I hope your future children treat you better than you have me!" her mother yelled.

"They will because they will know they're loved and supported no matter what!" Lauren yelled back. She'd turned to leave before turning back to yell at her. It caused her to lose her balance. She grabbed for the hand rail, but she was too far from it.

She felt herself falling and she protectively wrapped her arms around her bump as she screamed. It was like slow motion for her mother watching her daughter fall down the steps, hitting her head on the way. Her screams became silent as she landed.

Her brother was already on the phone with emergency personnel, having dialed 911 has soon as he saw her falling. Deb ran down the stairs screaming Lauren's name, not getting a response. "Don't move her. We don't know her injuries," Michael said stopping his wife from moving her daughter.

Lauren had landed on her back and her arms were still around her stomach. "Oh God…. Oh God…. Oh God…. What have I done? What have I done?" Deb cried. She knelt down and rubbed Lauren's cheek begging her to wake up.

The EMTs were there in fifteen minutes, just before Jay. He pulled in seeing the ambulance and panicked. He jumped out and ran up the steps; they had just loaded her on the stretcher and were fixing to take her. "Lauren!" he screamed reaching for her.

"Sorry, sir. We need to move now."

Jay barely managed to get the name of the hospital so he could get there before they took her away. She was pale and looked like she was sleeping and he was freaking out. Her mother was sobbing uncontrollably at this point.

"What the hell happened?!" he screamed.

"She fell down the steps," Michael said trying to console Deb as her brother brought them the car keys.

"Fell? Or was pushed?" Jay accused feeling his anger and fear coming out.

"She…. She…. Lost…. Her balance…. And fell, I swear," Deb sobbed. Jay had heard enough and sprinted back to her car. He typed the hospital name into the gps and took off for the hospital.

He called Kelly first. "Hey Jay. Everything's set for Sunday."

"Kelly…." Jay had to take a breath to choke back the tears. "Somethings…. Somethings happened. She… she was at her mom's because she wanted to try one more time and I let her. She… she fell down the stairs and was unconscious. They…. They…. They took her by ambulance to the hospital and I'm on my way," he said unable to choke back the tears.

"Fuck! Are you sure she fell?" Kelly was furious and worried.

"I dunno. That's what they said. Deb was too upset to give a full story, but she just kept saying she fell. I never should've left her there Kel."

No matter how worried he was, Kelly couldn't let Jay blame himself when he knew his sister. "No, she's stubborn and probably insisted on doing it on her own."

"Yea… yea she did."

"I know. Keep me posted and I'll start looking for flights."

"I will. See ya," Jay said as they hung up.

He dialed Will next. He knew he wouldn't know much, but he could at least investigate for him. Jay needed to know if this was a good hospital or not, and he needed Natalie to call Lauren's old OB and get her to the hospital stat. He should know all these doctor names but he didn't because he didn't figure she'd be seeing any of them again.

Jay made it to the hospital about twenty minutes after the ambulance. He flashed his badge in the ER demanding information on his wife. All they told him was that the doctors were working on her, but that wasn't good enough for him. He demanded to know where, and finally one of the nurses took pity on him and showed him to her room.

The doctors were hooking her up and assessing her. They'd just gotten her back from an MRI and were putting her on oxygen and IVs. "My baby. Is the baby ok? Is there a fetal heartbeat? Is my baby ok?" Jay kept asking seeing they had not hooked her to any type of fetal monitor.

The doctors were ignoring him and pushed him in a corner. He was getting furious that they were ignoring him, but he knew they needed to work. She was so pale and still and it broke his heart. Tears slipped down his cheeks as he prayed they were both ok.

In about five minutes another doctor walked in with a Doppler. Jay pushed off the wall and walked over to her bed. The other doctors went out leaving just the one. "Mr. Halstead? I'm Dr. Allen. Dr. Manning gave me a call. We're going to check on the baby ok?"

Jay nodded as he held her hand brushing his thumbs across her knuckles. "I understand she fell?" Again Jay nodded as he held his breath waiting for his baby's heartbeat to fill the room. Dr. Allen moved the wand around, hearing nothing.

Jay felt like he was breaking in two. He couldn't lose them, he just couldn't. He felt his tears fall faster. "Please no," he whispered still listening hard but hearing nothing. He held her hand tighter as he cried. Dr. Allen called for an ultrasound machine as she kept moving the Doppler around. As soon as it was brought in, she switched to it.

Once she moved it around just a little she saw the baby and they could hear the heartbeat. "There he or she is Mr. Halstead," Dr. Allen smiled. "The baby was just hiding. Sometimes when the mom is distressed the baby will hide. With the Doppler it's harder to find their heartbeat if they're hiding."

Jay cried tears of joy seeing his, their baby on the screen. He or she looked more like a baby now. He laid his head on the bed beside her belly as he cried. Dr. Allen watched to make sure the baby was stable. Jay softly kissed her exposed stomach. "Daddy loves you baby. You and mommy are going to be ok," he whispered.

Dr. Allen smiled seeing the baby move hearing daddy's voice. "Say something else and watch the screen," she smiled at Jay.

Jay glanced up at the screen wondering why she wanted him to, but he did it anyways. "We'll be home some, baby," he whispered and watched as his baby kicked. A few more tears of relief fell watching the baby moving on the screen.

"She can't feel it yet because the baby is too small still, but as the baby grows, she'll start to feel flutters and then kicks. I'd say in the next week or two she will start feeling it and maybe even you too." Jay nodded as he watched his baby amazed.

"She's going to be ok right?" he asked glancing back at Lauren.

"I'll let her doctors talk to you," Dr. Allen said turning off the machine and wiping the gel off her stomach. "I'll be back later to check in, but this will monitor the baby," she said hooking her up to a fetal monitor.

Jay nodded and laid his head back on the bed. He kept his hand in hers and laid the other one across her bump, softly rubbing.

In just a little bit, he heard the door slide open again. He glanced over expecting to see a doctor, but instead saw Deb and Michael. "Get out! You're not welcome in here!"

Deb was still sobbing. "You can't make those decisions. This is our daughter," Michael said.

"She is NOT your daughter, she's Deb's. I can make these decisions! She's my wife and I said get out!"

Lauren's blood pressure was rising and a nurse came in. "I will make you all leave if you don't calm down and quit fighting. Stress is not good for her or the baby!"

Jay laid his head back down ignoring the shocked looked on Deb and Michael's faces hearing the word baby. He rubbed her hand and whispered to her that he was there and it was all ok. Michael pulled Deb back out to the waiting room.

Lauren's BP came back down and the nurse left him with her. He begged and pleaded with her to wake up, just needing to see her beautiful green eyes again.

In just a few minutes the doctor walked in. "Mr. Halstead? I'm Dr. Novak."

"Nice to meet you," he said sitting up and wiping his eyes. "Is she ok?"

"Mr. Halstead from my understanding your wife suffered a serious fall. She and her unborn child are stable at this time. Having said that, we've discovered some unsettling findings from her MRI."

Jay looked panicked fearing the worst.

"Your wife suffered a MTBI, more commonly known as a minor traumatic brain injury. What concerns us is there is some swelling present on the frontal lobe. We are administering IV fluids, antibiotics, and a medication to help reduce the swelling. I realize this is a lot of information, but Mr. Halstead rest assured, my team and I are monitoring her condition closely. At this point I'm confident enough to say that she should make a full recovery."

Jay nodded taking it all in. "When…. When will she wake up?"

"Unfortunately in cases such as your wife's, we don't have a time frame. The brain is a complex organ. Each patient reacts to treatment differently. Let's try to keep a positive outlook; continue to communicate with her. We've seen patients respond much more efficiently to treatment when loved ones spoke to them. We will continue to monitor her and the baby. I'll check back in soon."

He sat there for the longest just watching her and softly talking to her and the baby. He knew he needed to call Kelly and Will so he stepped right outside her room where he could still see her.

He called Kelly and gave him the update. Kelly said if she hadn't woken by the morning, he would catch a flight down. Jay called Will next. Will told him to keep him updated; he was on shift all night so if Jay needed anything, even just someone to listen to call.

After hanging up with them, Jay took a deep breath before turning to go back. He saw Deb walking towards him and sighed. It would be better to have this conversation away from Lauren, so he stopped before going back into her room.

Deb had managed to get herself mostly under control although she was still crying some. "Is she ok Jay?" she asked.

"She will be eventually. She has some swelling on her brain, but they're giving her medicine for it."

Deb started crying again. "What… what was that about a baby?"

Jay sighed a little. "Deb… Lauren is seventeen weeks pregnant. We found out over fall break right after I proposed."

"She's….. She's…. really pregnant?"

"Yes she is."

"Is the baby ok from the fall?"

"They're both stable for now. Look I don't know what happened, and I'll get Lauren's side later, but I have to protect my wife and baby."

"I know I screwed up," she cried. "But I will make this right Jay. She's my daughter…. My little girl. She needs me."

"Yea… She's needed you for a while but that didn't seem to matter."

"I know…. I know…. I've really screwed up, but I can't lose her Jay. I can't," she cried.

Jay was quiet for a minute. "I understand. Right now I just need to keep her calm and get her awake. After that happens, we can go from there, ok?"

"I…. I… understand," she whispered. Jay felt for her and there was no way he'd ever keep Lauren from her mom, but right now he had to protect them until he knew what really happened and she was awake.

"I…. I…. I need to talk to her before yall go back, I just have to, please," she cried.

"I understand, and when she's more stable and awake we'll talk. But it will only be you. Michael has no rights and after the way he's always treated her, I do not want him around her or our baby."

"I understand," Deb said with a sniff. Michael came looking for her and instead of having another fight, Jay turned and walked back into her room. He sat back down by the bed holding her hand.

He told her the story of when they first met and how he knew then that she was the one for him. He begged and pleaded some more for her to wake up because he needed her and couldn't go through this life without her. He told her how their baby was looking more like a baby and he just knew she was going to look Lauren. He was still adamant that the baby was going to be a girl that looked just like her mommy.

The nurses came in around two and checked her vitals and IVs; both Lauren and the baby were still stable, she just wasn't waking up. Jay laid his head on her bed holding her hand and eventually cried himself to sleep. He was so afraid she was never going to wake up, and he just didn't know what he would do if that happened.

Lauren woke around five in the morning and looked around. She could hear the heart monitors and the oxygen machine. She felt the IVs in her hands and she saw Jay asleep holding her hand. She wanted to reach out and stroke his tear stained cheek, but his grip on her hand was tight, and she didn't want to disturb him. He looked peaceful even with the tear stains.

She had no idea how long she'd been there or been out for, but she could tell he'd been really worried and upset. She glanced around and saw the fetal monitor so she took that to mean her baby was still ok. A nurse came in just as she started drifting.

She asked her a few questions, which Lauren could answer, and told her the doctor would be around soon. Lauren fell back asleep.

When Jay woke the next morning, she was still sleeping. He ran a hand over his face and quietly went to find some coffee. He prayed she would wake up soon, not knowing, she'd already been awake. He sat back down by her bed and talked to her softly as he drank his coffee.

She heard his voice and then smelt the coffee. She slowly opened her eyes feeling sick. "Jay…. coffee… sick," she managed taking him totally by surprise. He grabbed the garbage can just in time for her to throw up in it. Once she was done, he got a wet wash cloth and wiped her face.

He cradled her face between his hands and cried from relief. "You're awake… you're here and awake," he whispered letting his thumbs rub her cheeks relaxing her.

"I'm ok," she whispered staring into his watery blue eyes. "But the coffee has to go," she said scrunching her nose. He'd forgotten coffee was still a trigger for making her sick while pregnant; she'd always been able to drink it before and loved the smell until it started making her sick after they found out about the baby. He got up and poured it out in the bathroom and threw it away.

He sat back down by her rubbing her cheek and just watching her. "I thought I'd lost you," he whispered.

Lauren felt tears gather at all the stress she'd put him through. "I'm so sorry," she whispered.

"It's ok… you are going to be ok and so is our baby. We're all going to be ok," he smiled softly kissing her. He was so glad she was awake. He hoped the doctor would give them good news and they could get back home. He just wanted to get her back where he could protect her and the baby and love her and keep her safe.

He knew he'd never keep her from her mom, but right now, he didn't think it was best for Lauren to be around them. He wanted her home, away from all this drama where she knew she was safe and loved. He held her to him and softly rubbed her back just needing her close. He felt her drift back off and he sighed. He softly kissed her forehead and laid her back on the bed. He sat down in his chair to wait on the doctor.

Dr. Novak came in around eight. "Good morning Mr. Halstead. I understand she's awake."

Jay nodded. "She woke up just a little bit ago and we talked for a few minutes before she fell back asleep."

"I understand she woke up about five too. Did you ask her any specific questions related to the fall?"

"No sir. I didn't know she'd already been awake and I forgot coffee still made her sick. So, she woke up sick. After that we talked briefly and then she fell back asleep."

Dr. Novak started assessing her. "See if you can get her awake for me?"

Jay nodded and moved to the side of her bed again. He reached over and rubbed her cheek. "Hey baby, wake up for me," he said quietly. Lauren whimpered a little and her eyes fluttered. She just wanted to stay asleep, wanted him to hold her and sleep. "I know… I know… Just for minute Lauren. Let me see those beautiful eyes," he whispered.

Lauren reached for him and fluttered her eyes open. "There they are," he smiled. "The doctor is here," he said placing a soft kiss on her cheek.

Lauren looked around and saw the doctor. "Hi," she said quietly.

"Hi, Mrs. Halstead. I'm Dr. Novak. How are you feeling?"

"Sleepy… really sleepy."

"I understand. If it's alright with you I'd like to do a quick assessment, then you may rest again. You're feeling slightly drowsy due to a combination of medication, in addition, you suffered a minor brain injury. Your body's way of protecting the vital organs is with rest. So please Mrs. Halstead, I encourage you to get as much rest as possible and take it slow."

"She will," Jay said before she could agree. Even if he had to take off until she was totally better, he was going to make sure she did whatever she had to to heal properly.

Dr. Novak completed his assessment. "Normally we would do more than one scan, but because of the pregnancy, we don't want to subject the baby to an excessive amount of radiation. We'll continue to monitor you and once the swelling goes down, we will be able to release you. That could be anywhere from tomorrow to a few weeks from now, but we will stay positive and continue to give you the medication."

"Thank you doctor," Jay said. Dr. Novak nodded and went out. Jay rubbed her cheek just watching her. He got up and turned the lights down before sitting back down by her.

"Just rest love; I'll be right here," he whispered with a smile.

Lauren felt tears gather in her eyes. "I want you to hold me," she whispered as a few slipped down her cheeks breaking his heart. She felt the safest in his arms and right now that's just what she needed.

"Just until you're asleep. Then I'll stay right here," he said nodding to the chair. He gently lifted her and laid down holding her to him. Lauren fell asleep soon, and he gently laid her on the bed. He sat back down in the chair and called Kelly to update him. Kelly was glad she was awake and resting. He told Jay he would fly down if he wanted him too, and Jay told him it was totally up to him.

Kelly caught a flight that night. He needed to be there for his sister and he would. He and Jay sat with her day in and day out. Neither one hardly ever left her side. Five days from being admitted, she was more awake and not as tired as she had been. Dr. Novak determined the swelling had gone down and that he could release her. They were all relieved, and Lauren was glad to just be going home finally. Dr. Novak cautioned her to still take it easy and rest because her body would still be healing and she agreed.

It was still early enough that they decided to head back to Chicago once she was released. Lauren wanted her bed and her home, and Jay felt more comfortable getting her home and closer to Med where they knew everyone. Not that Dr. Novak or the hospital hadn't been good to her because they really had, but he just liked having people he knew and trusted treat her.

Lauren slept most of the way and so did Jay, letting Kelly drive them back. He'd laid the back seat down and Lauren slept on him with his hand resting protectively on her bump. Kelly smiled seeing them. His baby sister had someone that loved her unconditionally and made her happy and that was all he'd ever wanted for her.

They got home, and Jay carried her inside since she was still asleep. Will and Natalie were waiting on them with supper and Jay smiled. "Thanks guys," he whispered.

"Of course brother. How is she?"

"Asleep. She slept most of the way here. Dr. Novak told us that even though the swelling had gone down, she would still be tired and need rest."

Will nodded. "Are you going back to work?" he asked after Jay settled Lauren in bed.

Jay shrugged. "I need to, but I don't want to leave her yet."

"We can work out a schedule little brother and someone could stay with her while you were at work."

Jay nodded and gave Will a hug. "I missed you," he admitted quietly. He'd needed his big brother through all this and he was glad they were home now.

"I know buddy. She's ok though. She's just in there sleeping," Will said picking up on what Jay wasn't saying. He knew he'd been scared and he totally understood. He rubbed his head.

"Come on let's eat and then you go sleep with her. We'll stay tonight that way if anything happens were here. Not saying it will but I thought that might make you feel better."

Jay nodded; "Yea it would."

"I know," Will smiled as they fixed their plates. Jay looked worn down and he knew he probably hadn't slept much in the last five days. He hoped tonight would be uneventful and his brother could get some good rest. They ate and Jay was almost asleep at the table even though he'd slept most of the way home too.

Will patted his back. "Go to bed little brother and sleep. We'll be here if yall need anything."

Jay nodded and started to take his stuff to the kitchen. "Nope we got it," Will said grabbing his plate. "Bed, now," he smiled pushing Jay towards the bedroom.

Jay laughed a little. "Bossy," he mumbled.

"That's what older brothers are for," Will laughed. "Good night Jay."

"Night Will," Jay said walking into the bedroom and closing the door. Lauren was still asleep curled up on his pillow. He smiled; she must have been looking for him in her sleep like she'd done the last few days and found his pillow.

He stripped down to boxers and crawled in bed beside her. He gently lifted her off his pillow and she snuggled into him immediately. "I'm here baby. I'm here," he whispered gently stroking her back. Lauren settled down seeming to totally relax into him and stayed asleep.

Jay softly kissed her forehead and watched her for a minute. He loved this girl and baby more than he'd ever thought possible and he didn't know what he'd do without them. They were his everything and he would protect them at all cost. "I love you so much Lauren Kathleen Halstead and no matter what I'm always going to love you and our baby," he whispered. He saw her smile and he knew she heard him.

He kissed her forehead one more time and fell sound asleep too, glad to be home with her.

Hope you enjoyed and will let me know what you thought :)