Erin let herself relax in Kelly's arms, happy just to enjoy the moment while it lasted. She had brought too much stress upon herself over the last few weeks, completely unnecessarily. The calm couldn't last forever, not with Shay roaming the house unsupervised. Neither of them expected to hear a sickening thud from the stairs but it was certainly effective in getting them out of bed. Rushing out of the bedroom, tripping on the sheet they shared for modesty, they found the baby gate at the top of the stairs hanging open. Erin rushed forward so she could see down the stairs while Kelly hesitated a moment, not sure he wanted to see.
"It's okay, it's just a book" Erin announced quickly looking back at Kelly, considerably paler than usual.
"Where's Shay then?" He asked. Erin clicked the gate closed then let him guide her back towards Shay's bedroom. They found their cheeky toddler halfway up her bookshelf, talking to herself as she selected a book. Curious, they stood back and watched as she climbed down.
"Look" Shay instructed them as she carried the book to the top of the stairs and placed it on the floor. It wasn't very thick but gave her just enough height to be able to reach and use the gate latch. With the gate open Shay picked up the book and sent it flying.
"Why are you throwing books Shay?" Erin asked hoping there was some sort of explanation.
"Gravity" Shay claimed looking up at her father for approval.
"What have you been teaching her?" Erin questioned, either their child was a genius or he had reverted to answering her constant questions with ridiculous answers.
"We watched a documentary the other day, they were dropping books as an experiment" He said starting to realise that Shay was increasingly aware of the things they watched on television.
"Right. And how long has she been opening the gate?" She asked, now nowhere was safe if Shay could simply find something to stand on.
"That's new and not my fault" He defended instantly, willing to take responsibility for the books but nothing more.
"Sure" She said sceptically as she took Shay's hand. "Shay, we don't throw books. Books are for reading" She explained as she led them through to the bedroom, Kelly catching up quickly before he lost the sheet. He pulled on his discarded pyjama pants as soon as he had the chance. Erin pulled the sheet tighter around herself then stepped out of the room for a second. Returning with a picture book in hand she handed it to Kelly. "Daddy's going to read to you while I take a shower" Erin instructed.
"I shower" Shay complained.
"Not this time baby girl" Kelly consoled as he settled her on the bed and started to read the story. The princess saved the dragon in typical storybook fashion, Shay seemed more amused by turning the pages. Erin watched from the doorway, wondering where another baby would fit. "Breakfast?" He questioned hopefully when he noticed her.
"Yeah" She agreed leaving Kelly to put the book away while she took Shay downstairs. Marvelling at how Shay had suddenly become an escape artist, climbing out of bed and getting the gates open. Working out what to have for breakfast was the next dilemma. Toast with avocado was easy to prepare but not something they had every day. Shay decided she hated it before she even tried it, scraping the avocado off and squelching it between her fingers.
"Shay, eating not playing" Kelly coached as he joined them, showered and dressed.
"There are three major things we have to talk about…" Erin started.
"Sure, what's up?" He asked taking the toast from Shay before she could throw it.
"First thing is Katie. You mentioned something the other night but never explained yourself" She prompted.
"Yeah, sorry. I offered to let her stay here for a few weeks while she gets settled in Chicago. She's got a new job but doesn't want to move back in with her family" He explained.
"You are her family. When does she arrive?" Erin asked neutrally.
"Monday" He offered hesitantly.
"Okay" She nodded.
"I know I should've asked you but I figured it wouldn't be too big a deal, we have plenty of space" He half apologised, unable to judge her reaction.
"Its fine" Erin smiled, it would be interesting to spend more time with Katie and Shay would love having someone else to play with.
"What's next?" He asked, pleased to have already ticked one item off the agenda.
"Umm…What were you talking to Voight about yesterday?" She asked softly, not sure it was any of her business.
"We were talking about schools" He clarified quickly.
"Why?" She questioned.
"You know I've been fundraising for Naomi Newhouse, since it's my fault her dad can't work. Well she's a really bright kid and Voight mentioned at the wedding that he could get her into a good school" Kelly informed
"Yeah he's good at that" Erin smiled, remembering how easily he had talked his way into getting her a place at an incredibly good school.
"He definitely is. Oh, and we're going to a movie night at the firehouse tonight. Well you don't have to come but I'm taking Shay" He added before he forgot.
"More fundraising?" She hardly needed to ask.
"Textbooks and uniforms" He nodded "if we get decent numbers we'll send some money to the local youth group as well."
"Sounds good. Third thing is working out how we're going to keep our little monkey from getting hurt" Erin moved on.
"That is a problem. All the gates have essentially the same locking system so we can't just buy different ones. The stairs are really the only major hazard though" He said as he thought about the issue more seriously.
"True, but it's nice to contain her" She reminded.
"I know but maybe it's time we got rid of the gates, before she starts sneaking through them. We'd just need to keep a close eye on her for a few weeks and teach her not to use the stairs if we aren't there" He proposed.
"Maybe" She said, encouraging him to continue.
"We'll make it into a game somehow" He assured.
"Alright. Any ideas for keeping her in bed?" She asked smiling when Shay finally decided she was hungry and started munching on her toast.
"Shut her bedroom door?" He put forward.
"She could still fall and hurt herself climbing out" She said, gently telling him his solution wasn't viable.
"Maybe it's time for an upgrade. We can get her a new bed now so it isn't a drama when the baby arrives" He grinned.
"That works" Erin nodded.
"She can move into a different bedroom at the same time" He added.
"Why?" She questioned, a new bed was a good idea but a new bedroom was pushing it.
"New baby?" He reminded.
"Will be joining us in our bedroom for the first six months at least. Getting a new bed will be enough of a change, we have to do things gradually" She informed as she handed Shay more toast.
"Okay. We'll look into getting a new bed. Anything else?" He asked.
"No I think that's it" Erin concluded.
"My turn then. What are we doing today? I think we need to celebrate" Kelly smiled pointing to the ultrasound picture he had already stuck on the fridge.
"There's plenty of washing to do" She suggested with an excessively enthusiastic smile.
"Seriously though, we have to do something" He encouraged.
"We'll you figure it out. I'm going to get on with housework" She agreed, not wanting to waste any more time. If Katie was coming she needed to neaten the guest bedroom and clean the bathroom mirror properly.
"I can help if you tell me what to do" He said as he got up to stop her, already concerned she was going to overdo things.
"I'm fine, I promise" She assured giving him a quick kiss before lifting Shay from her highchair and carrying her to the kitchen. Once most of the avocado was washed away she undressed Shay, dropping her pyjamas in the washing basket on the way upstairs. Dressed and ready for the day Shay was handed to her father for entertainment while Erin got on with cleaning. Kelly wanted to be helpful so with Shay's help, or rather hindrance, he got on with vacuuming. By midday the only thing left to do was wait for the washing machine.
"I figured it out, we should go to the zoo" He suggested when they met in the kitchen for a drink. "See how they contain their little monkeys" He joked.
"Sounds like a good idea" She agreed tickling Shay who knew they were talking about her.
"Should we have lunch first?" He asked, checking the clock.
"We could take lunch" She offered.
"Picnic at the zoo. I think that's a fitting celebration" He agreed, already moving to get organised.
"Definitely" She nodded. Shay spread mayonnaise on the bread, and all over herself, while Erin prepared sandwich fillings and fruit salad. Half an hour later they were seated on their picnic blanket watching monkey's climbing around in their enclosure. Shay had decided she was a monkey and clung to Kelly, occasionally loosening her grip for more food.
"When can we tell people?" Kelly asked, if it was up to him they'd announce it at the movie in a few hours' time.
"After the next ultrasound, two months maybe?" She answered throwing Shay a grape.
"That's ages" He complained.
"We should wait until we know everything is alright" She justified.
"It will be though"
"You never know" She shrugged, trying to keep things in perspective.
"I know that everything would be fine if you stop working" He grumbled.
"Really? It's been less than a day and you're already trying to get me to stop working. I am fine, the baby is fine and I'll work for as long as I want to" She said, making sure he knew things were no different the second time around. Her judgement was most important.
"But you'll tell Voight, straight away this time?" He requested extending his arm so Shay could swing from it.
"He already knows" She admitted gently.
"What? When did you tell him?" Kelly asked, looking hurt and disappointed.
"Yesterday, I mentioned it was a possibility the day before then confirmed it as soon as I knew" She answered honestly.
"Why would you tell him first?" He questioned.
"I needed to give a reason not to go undercover. Proof that I'm taking being pregnant seriously, if you didn't trust me" She explained.
"You know I trust you, I just worry" He clarified.
"Well you don't need to worry" She said, squeezing his hand reassuringly.
"Okay then, tell me honestly. When was the last time you got shot at?" He asked.
"That's not fair" She protested knowing the answer wouldn't make her point by any means.
"When?" He demanded.
"Yesterday" She admitted. "When was the last time you ran into a burning building?"
"Yesterday, but I'm not pregnant" He defended, shocked to know his wife's job was so risky. He had assumed she would tell him when they had to use their weapons but he was clearly mistaken.
"Whatever. Voight knows and he won't let me do anything too dangerous" She said finally.
"I love you" He used as an apology.
"I love you too. Now tell me about the movie we're going to" Erin changed the subject.
"It's Blaze" He beamed.
"The kids movie with the dog? Your idea wasn't it?" She accused with a laugh, he had enjoyed the movie far too much the first time. Shay owned a stuffed Blaze, pyjamas and shirts with the fireman's fury friend and a replica firetruck from the movie. Erin knew that if the clothing line came in adult sizes her husband would wear them too. She continued to tease him about the movie selection all afternoon. He tried to distract her with facts about the exotic animals they saw but she wouldn't let it go.
The firehouse looked great, the trucks were parked outside, door open for tours, leaving the open space for chairs and the projector screen. Kelly took Shay down the front where the children had pillows, blankets and bean bags. Erin used the chance to socialise, checking on her family every now and then to remind herself just how right she had been. Kelly was so great with kids and she was confident that together they would definitely be able to manage another.
I needed a chapter for them to talk things through but I mixed in some cute family time to keep you guys happy. I won't be able to update tomorrow :( Sorry, but I have to drive to my university for textbooks etc. and it's going to take all day.
