So I ended up at a concert until midnight...then I got back to the house and found that my computer had picked up a number of viruses (I knew there was something I forgot to update the other day :/) it's all sorted now (I hope)...Anyway it means that this chapter is a bit short and disjointed, I still got out everything I needed to, just not in the best possible way. I didn't want to leave you hanging, I'll update properly tomorrow :D
Erin was up and out the door before Kelly was fully awake. Heading straight for Voight's house she ran over the possible directions the conversation could travel, none were particularly appealing. She knew one thing for certain, she was going to marry Kelly, with or without Voight's support. Knocking on his front door she questioned how best to start the conversation.
"Erin, what's up?" He asked when he pulled the door open to see her pacing back and forth across his front porch.
"We need to talk" She said, pushing past him into the house. Leading the way into the sitting room she stopped and turned to check he had followed. "I don't know why you thought it would be okay to get the unit to ignore my engagement, but that's really not okay. You can ignore it if you want, though I'm a little confused because you seemed fine with it at lunch the other day. Basically I don't care what you think, the rest of the unit can form their own opinions, if they conflict with yours that's your problem not mine" Erin stated feeling instantly relieved.
"I'm sorry" He replied softly, slightly taken aback by her straight to the point approach. "I just want you to be doing this for you, not because it's what people expect" He added when he'd had a moment to think.
"I'm not a kid anymore, I am doing this for me, and for Kelly and Shay" Erin said with great conviction.
"I wanted to give you a chance to think about it before everyone came rushing in with opinions and advice. It didn't turn out how I intended at all, I am really sorry" He reiterated, he had known she wasn't sick but had no idea that this was what the problem had been. In truth he had regretted saying anything at all, he needed to learn to trust that he'd raised her right. It was hard to look at her and not remember the struggling teen she had been when they first met. At that point she had already been through so much and he knew she deserved a smooth run from here on out.
"Good. Just to clear things up, in case you're in any doubt, I love Kelly and I want to spend the rest of my life with him" She assured.
"I get that, I just know that up until he proposed you were against marriage" He reminded recalling the numerous conversations they had had on the topic over the years.
"I know, it just felt right" She answered, it was weak but there was no way to describe what she had felt in the moment that Kelly knelt down.
"Yeah?" He asked sounding skeptical
"How did you know when to ask Camille?" She questioned in the hope that relating it back to his own life would help him understand.
"It was just the thing you did back then, after you dated for a year or so, it was expected" He said, knowing well that she was right. There was a particular feeling associated with the realisation that that one other person was the one to spend the rest of your life with.
"But you still felt something, like you wanted to have a family and grow old together" Erin checked suddenly concerned her plan would backfire. Camille and Hank were such a strong couple, the perfect role model for her as a teen, surely there was more to it than societal expectations.
"Of course" He acknowledged, looking over his shoulder to check the time..
"Well that's how I feel with Kelly, I don't see the wedding as anything more than a way to celebrate that feeling" She justified.
"Alright, it's just a little sudden" Hank said finally.
"A few weeks ago you were bleeding to death on the floor of a crack house, maybe I've learned to seize the day" She defended quickly, it still wasn't a pleasant thing to bring up. Just the mental images were enough to make her feel nauseous. However, her words had the desired effect and he stopped for a moment.
"Are you coming to work today?" He questioned, figuring that questioning her logic was pointless.
"Yeah" She nodded.
"Well in that case, you're late, get going" He instructed, throwing in a small smile so she knew that everything was alright.
"I'll see you there" Erin assured.
"Erin, wait!" He called after her, she stopped on the spot and turned back to see what was wrong. "I'm so proud of you, everything you've managed to achieve over the years. Including building your own family with Shay...and Kelly" He said finally accepting that Erin's judgment would have to suffice, not that he really had any reason to dislike Kelly. There was just always the possibility that he could hurt her, apparently Erin loved him enough to take the risk.
The smile Erin gave him when he arrived at the district, a full twenty minutes after her, communicated clearly that everything was once again fine between them. He ordered them to work and made his way to his office, still displeased to remain behind when they went on raids. Explaining to Halstead the reasoning behind her day off was more difficult than she had expected but it was over by the time they arrived at the new gang head quarters. After receiving a tip off that the gang had moved they had decided it was the perfect opportunity to let their presence be known. They'd probably come away with a few minor drug offenses, nothing particularly dramatic.
Erin did not expect to have a gun pressed against her head only seconds after entering the house. Initially it was chaos, everyone yelling, her own instincts to fight only making the offender grip her hands tighter. Then things slowed as Halstead initiated negotiations, all the while watching as Antonio and Atwater made their way up behind the man holding Erin. Time slowed further, Erin had no idea what was going on behind her but could tell Halstead was trying to maintain her captors attention, she assisted by struggling as much as was possible. Forcing him to readjust his grip and providing the perfect opportunity for her colleagues to strike. The gun was gone and she was practically thrown from his arms, Halstead steadied her and checked that she was alright.
"Just part of the job" She laughed, slightly hysterically given the rush of adrenaline.
"Lindsay, you good?" Antonio questioned as Atwater roughly dragged their cuffed offender past the Halstead and Lindsay.
"Fine" She nodded. Erin was almost concerned at how just how lacking in fear she had been. At first the shock of the situation had gotten to her, then when the intelligence guys had started yelling she knew she would be alright. Voight might not have been there to save her but the rest of the unit were. They had done their jobs perfectly, just as she had expected. Erin put a round a Molly's on the line if they refrained from telling Voight about the whole thing, he would only worry and overdo his rehabilitation work to get back to protecting her. She understood that this was exactly the problem she had had with Voight, bribing the unit to keep quiet about something. Somehow though it was completely justifiable in her mind, ignoring the guilt she got to work on her report. Owing drinks at Molly's didn't actually mean drinks after work for her, she had a family she would much rather spend time with. She gave Halstead some cash then headed home. "Kelly we need to talk" She called as she kicked off her shoes.
"In here" He called back as softly as possible while still getting across the information. She found him on the couch, Shay sleeping against his chest. "What's up?" He asked.
"We need to set a date" She answered rushing into the kitchen, she returned with their calendar.
"What's going on?" He asked, still confused about their conversation.
"I had a bit of a close call at work, I don't want to wait forever to marry you so I want to set a date"
"Alright then" He agreed though he had to bite his tongue not to question the nature of her close call. Any close call was certainly enough to worry him.
"How about then?" She asked pointing to a blank weekend on the second page.
"I don't know, the weather could interfere" He answered sensibly, pulling the calendar from her hands so he could attempt to find it himself. "This is the best we can do" He concluded after flicking through the calendar.
"That's six months away" She complained slightly.
"You still have to work, and plan or organise the wedding. I'll be over before you know it" He promised as she took a seat beside him.
"Okay, done then. That's the date" She confirmed reaching across to the coffee table for a marker, all there was were stamping pens. Selecting an appropriate combination of red love hearts and yellow bell shapes she marked the day on the calendar.
"I'm already excited" Kelly admitted. Erin laughed then leaned across and kissed him, communicating her mutual excitement with actions rather than words. They settled in together to watch some television before dinner, Shay still sleeping peacefully oblivious to the drama that was going to unfold over the next few months. Wedding planning was rarely smooth but Erin was up for the challenge.
Regarding my 100th review one-shot prize: According to the site I still only have 97 reviews (it is being spaz and doesn't count guest reviews...I think it's probably something to do with my settings but it's 2am so I'm not going to figure it out now...forgive me). I am going to count guest reviews and that makes Joy the winner! Congratulations! Now the problem is working out how we will communicate. I don't feel comfortable sharing my personal email as it includes my full name - tomorrow morning (wait...this morning!) I will make another email account and post the address with the next update so you can you can contact me (I'm making the assumption that you have an email account). That's the easiest way I can think of :D Happy? If not I guess you could just post any requests in a review, it's up to you :D