Chapter 16; Cops Or Firefighters

Hi lovelies!! Happy Saturday!! Hope you're all well and keeping safe! Thank you for the lovely reviews on my last chapter, hope you all enjoy this one just as much, it's kinda weird lol. Enjoy!

~Lyrics are from Niall Horan's 'This Town'~

"So I talked to a few of my guys and your mother was telling the truth. There were some technicality's with evidence." Hank sighed.

Hank, Erin and Jay were sat in his office. It was a Friday morning and Hank had finally heared back from his guys handling Bunny's case.

"Ridiculous." Jay muttered as he he looked over to his girlfriend who was currently shaking her head, looking out the window. "How could a judge pass that? She was on death row?"

"No clear evidence? No case." Hank said. "Erin listen, your mom will not go near you-"

"You think that's what I'm worried about?! Bunny, a sadistic, killer junkie, know's I'm pregnant! She know's I'm biologically having her grandchild! I can't do that with her around."

"She will not be around you's." Jay confirmed.

"She's going to do something. Something to mess everything up." Erin sighed.

"Like what?" Hank questioned.

"Bunny know's me and Jay aren't going to let her near the baby, she's going to be pissed. She is pissed." Erin muttered. "I can feel it."

"What do you think she'll do?" Jay asked, putting his hand on her thigh, giving it a gentle rub.

"I think she'll use mine and Jay's screw up's against us. My past." She turned to Jay. "You're in ptsd recovery right now. We both work dangerous, time consuming jobs. I'm scared she'll do anything to make it harder for us to become parents. To enjoy it."

"How would any of that be useful?" Hank asked. "What is she going to do? Bring you's to court and get custody because you's don't necessarily work a 9-5 job?" Hank asked, unclear as to what Lindsay was so worried about.

"No. I'm just scared she'll try get visitations. Like she'll find a way to insert herself into the baby's life. I mean she called herself a grandmother." Erin's stomach churned at the word 'grandmother.'

Unfortunately, both of Daisy's grandmothers had passed away. Camille Voight and Lydia Halstead. Not Bunny Fletcher.

"Erin, you're stressing." Hank told her.

"Well wouldn't you! I don't want my daughter near her!" Her voice cracked.

Bunny always had a way of getting to her.

"Babe, it's 10 weeks till she's here-" Jay began, obviously not catching on that, that would obviously stress her out more.

"Is that meant to make me feel better?! Geez, best get a 'until my mother can harm my baby' countdown on my phone!" Erin sighed sarcastically.

"Erin, what I mean is, that's 10 weeks we have to set your mom straight. She isn't going to harm the baby. Her lawyers won't. No one will." Jay smiled, sympathetic to his girlfriends anxiety. "Remember what I told you? About keeping you's both safe? That includes from Bunny."

"I know. I just worry."

"It's because you're a mom." Hank winked.

"So is Bunny." Erin muttered. "All she worries about is how she's going to cause us more stress."

"Erin-" Jay began.

"No seriously! Her and her lawyer buddy!" Erin shouted.

"Erin." Hank sighed.

"Hank, you know my mother just as well as I do. One day I'm her long lost cat Ellen, other days she remembers everything that I've ever done since conception! They're bound to do something. Find something out. I mean how did she find out about my father?"

"How is your father?" Hank asked, changing the topic.

Erin sighed, maybe stressing about Bunny just wasn't worth the trouble. "I've called my friend Reid, who works down at the jail. He said my father has been nothing but a picture perfect inmate."

"How long is he doing, again?" Jay asked.

"24 months."

"Did you ever end up contacting anyone." Hank asked.

"I called his wife, ex wife." Erin corrected. "I mean everything he told me was correct. My grandfather lives up here in Chicago, she lives down in Florida with their two kids." She didn't know why he insisted bringing up her father.

"The kids know you?"

"No. They know they're dad got in trouble in another state. Don't even know it's Illinois though. I mean they're adjusting and.." Erin sighed. "I just don't do well with biological family.

"What about your dad?" Hank asked, looking at Jay.

"What is this? A well-being check?" Erin asked.

"I'm checking in on two of my detectives, who are about to become parents."

Jay smiled as Erin rolled her eyes. "My dad's fine, Will is nursing him back to health."

Hank was about to reply, when someone knocked on the door. Antonio then popping his head in.

"New case, guys."

Hank just got up and gave the couple a sedimental smile and walked out, leaving the two detectives alone.

"We have terrible parents." Erin shook her head. "Voight just proved it."

"Doesn't mean we'll be terrible parents." Jay told her, taking her hand.

"You think?"

"I know it."

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"Yo, Erin." Adam called.

They were all in the bullpen, Hank and Al out talking to CI's. Their new case was the kidnapping of a young girl, them all currently trying to find leads.

"Yeah?" Erin asked.

"You dated Severide, right?"

This definitely caught the attention of Jay, him immediately looking up towards Erin.

"Yeah for a while, a few years ago. Why?" Erin asked, not looking up, too busy skimming through a file.

"Well I've been seeing this girl.. and well her ex is a firefighter-"

Erin looked up to him, a little smirk on her face, taking a small sip of her drink, that would soon be spat out after Adam asked his next question.

"And I need to know who's better at sex."

Jay could of sworn he felt Erin's water spray onto his face that she had accidentally spat out.

"Excuse me?" She coughed out.

"Adam! You can't ask that." Kim warned.

"C'mon Lindsay. Cops or firefighters, who's better?"

"Adam, I am not discussing my sexual partners with you." Erin raised her eyebrows, looking towards Jay who looked very curious. "Oh, get that look off of your face, Halstead."

"Answer his question, Lindsay." Jay smirked.

"I'm not answering that!" Erin laughed.

"Poor Lindsay. Adam why you like this?" Tony laughed.

"C'monnn, Linds I know we like to mess around but I generally need to know. I don't want to look like an idiot. I've to be ready."

Because you're magically going to turn yourself into a firefighter if she says firefighter..?" Mouse raised his eyebrows.

"Not a hard question, Erin. Kelly of Jay. Who's better?" Kevin laughed, everyone staring curiously at her.

"Adam, I'm not answering that."

"So firefighters?" Adam questioned.

"Aw, Jay's heartbroken." Mouse joked.

"I never said that!!!" Erin shook her head, looking at Jay who began to jokingly wipe fake tears.

"Well if it were Jay, you wouldn't be hesitant to answer." Adam shook his head, genuinely disappointed. "How was Severide better?"

"I'd say it's those muscles." Kim smirked.

"I never said Kelly was better!" Erin exclaimed.

"You never said he wasn't." Jay noted.

"Adam, sweetie. One day, you'll learn sex isn't just about sex. It's about love. And it's always better with someone you love."

"Well said, Lindsay." Antonio smirked.

"I think I care more about what kind of kitty litter my grandmother buys. I care about who's physically better." Adam sighed. "Who gave you more of a rush?"

Erin sighed. "You really going to make me say this. Right here?"

"Well unless you want to tell me in a rocket ship?"

"If you don't say it, it's obviously Kelly." Kev laughed.

"You's are terrible people. Erin, ignore them." Hailey told her.

"Listen, I love Jay, Adam. Me and Kelly, we didn't love each other like that. So obviously.. Jay's better." Her cheeks red with embarrassment.

"So cops are better..??" Adam asked, scratching his head. Erin made things so complex.

"No. I said Jay is better because I love him." Erin corrected. "Jay just happens to be a cop."

"Erin, you're confusing me." Ruzek scratched her head.

"Yes Ruzek." Erin gave up, having no more energy to try and explain this. "Cops are better."

"Yay! That is amazing, thanks Lindsay!!" He clapped his hands. "Jay." He pointed to him. "My man! We're invincible men!"

Erin just shook her head. These were actual children, though she smiled at the satisfied look on Halstead's face.

"I think we have a lead!" Hank exclaimed, him and Alvin trotting up the stairs. "We've an address."

"Apparently mom and stepdad sold her for a payout." Al shook his head. These cases were always the worst.

"Let's get suited up." Hank told his team. "Hailey, go with Erin, go see what her biological father has to say about this."

"Where is he?" Erin asked, putting her jacket on.

"5 to 10 in county. Armed robbery."

"Lovely." Erin sighed. "Be safe, guys." She called to her team as they made their way out to the roll out.

"You's too." Jay smiled at her, them making that eye contact they always made when they went out in the field without each other.

"Firefighters are good though, right?" Hailey asked Erin as they made their way down the front stairs.

Erin just looked at her, sarcastically shaping her mouth like an O. "Hailey you have no idea."

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"So, you and Jay okay?" Hailey asked.

Erin and Hailey were currently coming back from visiting the kidnapped girls father, who was absolutely useless to their investigation. Luckily Hank had called them when they were leaving saying they got the little girl safe and secure.

Erin turned to look at her, stopping at the red light.

"Yeah, we're great actually. He's been doing great, attending all of his meetings."

"That's so good to hear." She smiled. "So I'm guessing you's are going to the gala tomorrow?"

There was a police gala tomorrow in aid of first responders, and though an important cause, 30 weeks pregnant and galas? Don't really go together.

"I completely forgot about that. But yeah, Jay wouldn't let us miss one of them."

"Sounds like Halstead."

"He doesn't turn up free booze or the chance to see me in a dress."

"Sounds even more like Halstead." Hailey laughed.

"That it does." Erin smirked.

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When the girls made it up the stairs, they were pretty surprised at the sight they saw.

Their 6 year old kidnap victim, Ella, was sleeping soundly in Jay's arms at his desk.

"You.. practicing?" Erin laughed, as quietly as possible, not wanting to wake up the sleeping girl.

"Girl wouldn't let go of him." Kim smiled.

"Aw." Erin smirked. "Well, you are quite lovable."

"You's take her to med already?" Hailey asked.

"Yeah, she was fine, just a few cuts and bruises. Wouldn't leave Halstead's hands though." Antonio said.

"You's call DCFS yet?" Erin looked to Hank.

"They'll have a placement for her tomorrow. She'll have to go into the system tonight, though nobody is able to come collect her till this evening." Hank told her, Erin nodding.

She had a slight feeling when she glanced at Jay holding the little girl that she wasn't going to be put in the system, not on their watch anyway.

Hank was about to speak again, when the little girl began to stir.

"Hey, Ella." Jay cooed, the little girl immediately latching onto Jay. "There's some people I'd like you to meet, is that okay?"

The little girl slightly nodded against his chest, Jay turning her to sit upright, the grip she had on his t-shirt increasing.

"You remember everyone from where we found you right?" The little girl nodded. "Well this is Hailey." He pointed at Upton, who came to shake her hand.

"Hi Ella. It's really nice to meet you." Hailey sweetly smiled, the girl not showing much recognition that she was there.

"And this is Erin, remember I was telling you about my girlfriend?" Jay pointed to Erin, who began to make her way over to the pair.

"Is Ewin pwegnant?" Ella whispered.

Jay smiled at how Ella couldn't say the word 'pregnant' or Erin's name, but nodded. "She is."

"Hey Ella." Erin smiled, bending down to shake the little girls hand.

"Hi." Ella muttered. "You pwetty."

"Aw, thank you. You're very pretty too, Ella." Erin's heart melted, as she looked up to Jay, her knowing he felt the same.

Ella was adorable.

And she was certainly not going into the system tonight.

Ella smiled at the compliment. "Are you having a baby?"

"I am, sweetie." Erin winked, "A little girl. Just like you."

"How?" Ella asked, looking from Erin, up to Jay, curiously.

How..?" Erin asked, not sure what Ella was asking.

"How is she in there?"

"Yeah, Erin, Jay, how is she in there?" Adam asked.

"Ella, why don't we go make something to eat in there." Jay coughed, pointing at the break room.

"But Miss Lindsay and Mr Halstead aren't done sex ed class." Adam frowned, everyone just looking at him like 'what in the world is wrong with you?'

"What does that mean?" Ella asked curiously, as Jay walked into the break room, Ella in hand.

"So, do you like Oreos!?"

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"Do you's think fish get thirsty?" Adam curiously asked.

Everyone, bar Jay and Ella who were in the break room, was sitting out in the bullpen doing paperwork, when Adam just had to show everyone just how oddly his brain worked.

"What?" Hailey asked, scrunching her brows.

"Fish. Do they get thirsty?" Adam repeated.

"Why don't you go ask one?" Erin sarcastically suggested.

"Fish can't talk, Lindsay." Adam said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"I think you should be promoted to detective." Antonio said.

"Or maybe he should go live with some fish. Be a marine biologist." Kim suggested, giving Ruzek a snarky look. "Far, far away in the deep blue sea."

"Hey!" Adam defended.

"I think you'd make a good fish, bro." Kevin jokingly winked.

"Thanks babe." Adam smiled seductively, sarcastically of course.

"Kevin just got more action from Adam in 2 seconds then I did in our 2 year relationship." Kim shook her head.

"Ouch, someone call the burn unit." Mouse laughed.

"Or the animal unit." Al muttered.

"Why don't we all stop acting like toddlers and do our paperwork?" Hank asked, coming out of his office, but was soon interrupted by Ella and Jay.

"Ewin." Ella said, Jay putting her down so she was standing.

"Yeah, sweetie?" Erin asked, looking up to the nervous looking girl.

"Jay-Jay said he can't do bwaids but he said maybe you can do some bwaids in my hair, pwease?"

Erin smiled at Jay who was smiling just as wide.

"Yep, I can do braids. Which one's do you like?"

"You can do any bwaid?!" Ella asked, as Jay handed Erin Ella's hairbrush and a few hair ties.

"Any braid." Erin winked.

"Can you do fwench bwaids?" Ella asked, Erin lifting Ella up onto her name, brushing Ella's long brown hair.

"Of course. How many?"

"Ehhh... this many!" Ella held up two fingers.

"Two?! Sure you don't want... seven!!??" Erin joked.

"Seven?!" Ella asked, very suprised. "You can't wear seven!!"

"Once, Jay let his hair grow longer than mine and I was able to put little tiny braids in his hair." Erin smiled at the memory of her boyfriend having several mini braids coming out of his head, this causing Ella, along with the team to burst out laughing.

"Did he look like a girl?" Ella laughed as Erin began to braid her hair.

"Yep. I called him Jade for a week."

"Jade. I like that." Ruzek nodded his approval.

"Thank you, Lindsay." Jay shook his head, though smiling at the sight of Erin and Ella bonding.

Erin was going to be the best mom to a daughter.

"Maybe that's her name? Baby H's? A hint?" Kim laughed.

"That is not her name." Jay stated, earring a death glare from Erin.

"You's have a name!?" Pretty much everyone said at once.

"Jay, you're worse than Adam." Erin shook her head, just finishing off Ella's last braid.

"How could you not tell us Erin Lindsay?!" Hailey pretended to act offended.

"You have to tell-" Kev began.

"Ahhh!!" Erin shouted, putting her hand to her baby bump, Ella immediately hoping off of Erin's lap. "Ouch."

"Erin?! What's wrong?" Jay asked, suddenly at her side.

"I- I think I'm havi- having con- contractions."

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"Will! You need to meet us at the door. 2 minutes!!" Jay shouted down the phone to his brother, Erin huffing and puffing in the side seat.

The rest of the team were right behind them, Ella even agreeing to ride with Upton and Burgess.

"Jay, it's too early. I'm only 30 weeks."

"Don't worry babe. Will will sort you out."

"Ahhh!! It hurts."

"Just hold on baby." Jay said, pulling into the parking lot of med, immediately seeing Will and Natalie at the entrance.

"Gurney!" Natalie shouted as they pulled in, Will opening the door to help Erin out.

"Hey, Erin. Keep breathing. When did this start?" Will looked towards the woman.

"10, 15 minutes ago." Erin managed to get out.

"How far apart?" Nat asked as they made their way into a room.

"They haven't stopped, only for a minute or two in the car."

"Okay, get me an ultrasound." Natalie told Will.

"Is she okay?!" Jay asked, not letting go of Erin's hand.

Natalie and Will didn't answer, both looking towards the screen.

"Will!?" Jay shouted.

"Jay. Breathe." Natalie told him. "She's fine. They both are."

"You sure? I feel like a baby is about to pop out of me." Erin said, sarcastically.

"Erin, you're experiencing something called Braxton Hicks." Natalie smiled.

Erin sighed, she knew what Braxton Hicks were. She knew she was more than likely going to experience them. But this pain was so bad. It felt so real. "I should of known that. I was just so scared."

"Wait, what?" Jay asked.

"False labor. It's her body's way of preparing her for real labor." Nat told him.

Jay's eyes went wide. If that was 'false' labor, he couldn't imagine real labor.

"We'll give you some fluids, pain should subside in a few minutes, you'll be good to go." Will told her.

"Thank you's, seriously." Jay told them.

"No worries." Natalie smiled, her and Will leaving the room.

"Well who gets to tell them it was false labor?" Erin laughed.

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"False labor?! Do we need anymore proof that Lindsay is the devil?!" Adam laughed.

"Seriously Adam?" Kim glared at him.

"Joke."

"But she's okay?" Hailey asked, holding Ella's hand.

"She's okay, ready to go home."

"Thank God." Hank sighed.

Everyone began to chatter and began to gather their things when Hank pulled Jay aside.

"You might wanna say goodbye to her." Hank indicated to a nervous looking Ella.

"Sarge-" Jay sighed.

"Jay, you's can't do it." Hank knew what he and Erin would try to do. "Erin nearly went into labor!"

"Sarge, it's only for a night. And Erin didn't 'nearly go into labor.' She had Braxton Hicks. Natalie is going through how to differentiate between real and Braxton right now. Please Sarge. You know Erin won't drop this."

"It's true. I won't." Erin appeared from behind him, Will pushing her in a wheelchair."

"There's our girl!" Kev laughed.

"How did you get her in that?" Jay shook his head.

"Used the baby card." Will winked.

"Geez, that must of been a quick labor, Erin." Adam laughed, everyone joining in but were soon interrupted by the loud cries of Ella.

"Kiddo." Jay cooed, picking the little lady up. "What's up?"

"Is Ewin okay?" She cried on his shoulder, Jay smiling sadly down at Erin, who looked just as sad.

Erin felt sort of guilty. Ella must've gotten a massive fright when Erin started to shout in pain, and suddenly all the attention was on getting her to the hospital and not on the scared little girl.

"Aw, Ella. Come here." Erin cooed, Jay placing Ella in front of her. "I'm okay."

"You seemed huwt. I don't like when you got huwt." Ella sniffled.

"I'm not hurt, sweetie. The baby is just getting ready to be born so she's just moving around a little." Erin explained.

"Oh." Ella sighed.

"Sarge, please." Jay got up and looked towards his Sargent.

Hank nodded. Jay and Erin's place would be the best for Ella, even if it were just for a night. "You better not get attached, Halstead."

"We won't. Don't worry."

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"So will you be okay sleeping in here tonight?" Jay asked Ella.

They were currently in Daisy's room, Jay having placed a blowup bed in the center as Ella obviously couldn't sleep in Daisy's crib.

"Who's D-ai-s-y?" Ella asked curiously, sounding out Daisy's name, pointing to the colored letters Jay had put up over her crib after the team left.

"That's what we're calling the baby. But you can't tell anyone. It's a secret." Jay put his finger to his lip, Ella giggling doing the same.

"You's two ready for dinner?!" Erin called out. "I made pasta."

"I love pasta!" Ella smiled, running out of the bedroom.

Jay had only met Ella a few hours ago, but letting her go to another family will be hard.

But they couldn't keep her.

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"So what's your favorite movie, Ella?" Erin asked, plopping onto the chair.

They had just finished their dinner, Erin's pasta bring relatively good. Jay was currently getting them some ice cream for desert.

"I like pwincesses. But I don't think Jay would."

"Jay loves princesses!" Erin exclaimed.

"He does?" Ella asked, shocked.

"Yep. I love princesses." Jay said, coming out from the kitchen, handing both girls some chocolate ice cream topped with whipped cream.

"My stepdaddy never let me watch pwincess movies." Ella sighed sadly, Jay and Erin's heart's breaking.

They'd never let their baby grow up like that.

"Well you can watch princess movies here. Which is your favorite?" Erin asked.

"Emmm... Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs!!"

"Good choice." Jay smiled as Erin flicked through the movies on the tv, popping on Snow White.

After a few minutes of the movie, Ella looked up between Erin and Jay. "Ewin, Jay."

"Mhmm." They asked.

"Where will I go?"

Jay and Erin looked to each other, Jay deciding to take the lead.

"Well." He sighed, pausing the movie, lifting Ella onto his lap. "Remember Sargent Voight?" Ella nodded.

"Sargent Voight talked to our friend Hazel, down at DCFS, and she found a family for you. Their names are Gavin and Rosie Smith and they have a little boy around your age. They live only a few minutes away and are very excited to meet you."

"But I will miss you and Ewin." She sniffed, tears in her eyes.

"Aw, sweetie." Erin cooed, and flattened her messy braids down. "Mr and Mrs Smith only live a few minutes away, you'll always be able to come visit."

"And it's so close you'll be going to the same kindergarten." Jay smiled.

"Will I be able to come see Daisy?" She asked hopefully. "Oops! That was meant to be a secwet. Sowwy Jay." Ella sighed sadly.

Erin smirked at Jay. Jay coaxing a little girl into keeping a secret so she wouldn't give out to him. Crazy.

"That's okay." Jay said. "You spelled it out yourself."

"Wow! Such a big girl. You must be very smart!" Erin smiled.

"I like to wead!" Ella exclaimed, yawning. "I'm tiwed."

"How about you go brush your teeth and then hop into bed, me and Erin will come read you a book."

"Okay." Ella sighed, hopping off of Jay's lap.

"You don't want to let her go, do you?" Erin smiled, cupping Jay's cheeks.

"We have too."

"Rosie and Gavin are good people. It'll be good for her to have someone her age as well." Erin told him.

"Yeah."

"She's brave, Jay."

"I'm rweady!!" Ella called.

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"And they all lived happily ever after." Jay said, softly, closing the story book.

Jay and Erin were sitting either side of Ella, who had completely conked out.

"You better do this every night when Daisy get's here. It's adorable." Erin smiled.

"No problem." Jay smirked, leaning over to kiss her.

"I'm sorry if I scared you today." Erin sighed, stroking Ella's hair. "I just panicked."

"Hey, not your fault."

"It made me think."

"About."

"When I'm going to start maternity leave." Erin sighed. "I don't wanna and I mean I still have at least a month but-"

"You're stressing."

"I'm not stressing."

"Babe, whenever you're ready to stop and go on leave, you do it." Jay stroked her hair. "Now, are you ready to stop working?"

"No."

"The just keep going. Just slow it down a bit."

"You're right."

"I know."

"Narcissistic." Erin smirked. "You look good with a daughter."

"So do you."

"I just want her here."

"10 more weeks. 70 days."

"We need Godparents." Erin said.

"You thinking of anyone?" Jay asked, rather surprised at how open Erin was with all this baby stuff.

"Well, I think the best people would be Will and Natalie. They're family, have good jobs, stable home, they have Owen, we trust and love them. We'd know they'd love Daisy. But I also want someone in intelligence, they're just as important as blood family."

Jay nodded. Will and Natalie would be great options and honoring someone from intelligence, a cop, someone from their 21st family, where it'll be Daisy's 2nd home, would be very meaningful to them.

"She could have multiple Godparents. I mean, I have 3. Who are you thinking? Hailey? Kim?" Jay asked, thinking Erin would like one of her girlfriends.

"No. Antonio."

Jay smiled. "Antonio would be perfect. He's done so much for me. For us."

"So, Will, Nat and Tony." Erin asked.

Jay nodded. "We're good at this."

"We are."

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"Thank you's for looking after me." Ella smiled up at Jay and Erin.

Mrs and Mr Smith stood at the door of their apartment with their son, Ella having her small pink suitcase with her very few belongings.

"No worries, kiddo." Jay rubbed her head.

"You're going to be the best girl for Rosie and Gavin, aren't you?" Erin smiled.

"Yes." Ella replied, shyly. "I'm going to miss you's."

Rosie bent down and smiled sweetly at Erin and Jay, understanding that they were feeling rather emotional.

"I have Jay and Erin's phone number so we can call them. And as long as it's okay with Erin and Jay, we can have them over for dinner soon. You can even show them your room!" Rosie smiled.

"Really!?"

"Yep!" Gavin now spoke.

"And we can play my PlayStation!" Their son spoke.

"Yay!!"

Erin and Jay smiled at how quickly Ella had warmed up to the Smith's.

"Come here, darling." Jay gave Ella a big hug and kiss on the hair.

"I'll miss you Jay."

"You too Ella."

Ella then moved to Erin. "Thanks for bwaiding my hair. It's wavy now!" Ella smiled, enveloping Erin in a hug.

"No problem, sweetie." Erin smiled. "It's very pretty."

"Thank you for being so brave." Jay smiled.

"Ready?" Rosie asked.

"Rweady." Ella smiled. "Bye-bye."

Rosie took Ella's hand. "Thank you's." Rosie smiled.

"Bye!" Erin and Jay smiled, and with that the family was gone.

"She is so so brave." Jay smiled.

"She is."

"You still up for the gala tonight?"

Erin moved over to face Jay and stood on her tippy toes to be able to reach up and kiss him. "Of course."

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"Babe, you read- wow." Jay began, but his gorgeous girl interrupted him. "You look- wow."

Erin hated galas as the ladies always wore ball gowns and she certainly wasn't a ball gown type of gal. But she always did wear one. It was only once a year, she could handle it. Plus with Hailey and Kim dragging her shopping, there was no escape.

She wore a pink, off the shoulder, floor length gown that highlighted her bump gorgeously. It was luckily long enough to not show that she was wearing flats because 30 weeks pregnant in heels was hell. Though she looked sort of short, but Jay loved that. Her long locks fell effortlessly in bouncy curls down her mid back and she kept her makeup minimal. The smell of her sweet perfume filled the room.

"Thank you."

"Wow. You are gorgeous." He bent down and kissed her, gracefully.

"You look pretty good yourself." She pulled at his tie.

Jay wore a clean cut black suit, with a white shirt and black shoes. He had grown a little stubble, at the request of Erin. His hair was nearly parted and his cologne invaded her nostrils, the smell of him giving her an odd comfort.

"Shall we go, M'lady. Or I mean we could just stay here? And have a little fun." He seductively whispered in her ear.

"Tempting." She also seductively whispered in his ear. "But no." She smirked.

"Tonight." Jay smiled.

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"Walk of shame!?" Adam howled at the couple as they walked into the loud venue, over to their table a few minutes late.

"Oh shut up." Erin shook her head.

To be fair they had a little few minutes of fun in the car before coming in, Erin having shouted at Jay for messing her hair up making it obvious that they'd done some sinning.

The team made playful banter until a few women, wives of some cops in their district came up.

"Hi!" One of the women smiled. "I'm Karen, I'm Detective Roland's wife. We all just wanted to say congratulations and good luck with your little one, Jay and Erin. Kids are such a blessing."

"Aw, thank you." Erin smiled sweetly at the women, Jay nodding his gratitude.

"I bet you're going to miss the job, Erin." Another one of the women spoke.

Erin smiled. "Oh, I don't have maternity leave for another few weeks, plus I won't be taking too long off. I'll be back to normal in no time. Out catching bad guys in a few short months." She laughed, everyone in intelligence laughing too.

Lindsay would never stay away from the job for too long. It was her life.

"What?" One of the women spoke. "You're coming back? To such a dangerous job?"

This woman just started ww3. Everyone on the table just looked around like 'oh shit.'

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well you're a mom now. That's your job." One of the lady's spoke as if it were the most simple question in the world.

"I'm going to be a working mom. Just because I've a baby doesn't mean I've to give up my career."

"But you've a man willing to provide for you. It's what a good wife does."

"I can provide for myself."

The women's eyes all went wide, obviously being from a different generation. "Well, em, um.. we should go."

"Yes, you should. Go take your aprons and snickerdoodles somewhere else." Erin bit back, well the hormones more than Erin.

"You okay?" Jay asked once the women were gone.

"No. Let's go dance."

Waking up to kiss you and nobody's there
The smell of your perfume still stuck in the air
It's hard
Yesterday I thought I saw your shadow running round
It's funny how things never change in this old town
So far from the
stars

"Thought you didn't like to dance?" Jay smiled, as they began to softly sway to the Niall Horan song, along with many couples in the venue.

"I don't."

"Then why are we doing this?" Jay laughed.

"Because I was embarrassed."

"Erin." Jay sighed.

"That's like the 5th time that has happened. People just assuming that I'm going to stay at home."

"And yet you handled it like a boss."

"Still, it's shitty. It feels like I'm not doing my job as a parent."

"Can I ask you something?" Jay asked.

"Fire." Erin sighed.

"Do you think I'm doing my job as a parent?"

"Of course." Erin immediately stopped their swaying at this question. "You're going to be the best dad."

And I want to tell you everything
The words I never got to say the first time around
And I remember everything
From when we were the children playing in this fairground
Wish I was there with you now

Jay began to sway again. "Then you are too." Jay told her. "Erin, just because you're the mom, doesn't mean you've to stay at home. It's not 1950."

"I was scared that's that what you wanted. Like I'm not doing my job as a girlfriend or mom."

"Erin, stop. Those women don't know what they're saying. They're ignorant. They don't know the first thing about being a cop."

"I know."

If the whole world was watching I'd still dance with you
Drive highways and byways to be there with you
Over and over the only truth
Everything comes back to you

"What if they're right, though."

"Babe, if you decide that's what you want, I'm right behind you. Just like I know you would be if it were me. But only you can decide that. Not some old women who know nothing about you."

I saw that you moved on with someone new
In the pub that we met he's got his arms around you
It's so hard
So hard

"I'd never not want to be a cop. It's my life."

"Well then you'll stay being a cop."

"Jay."

"Mhm."

"Thank you." She leaned up to kiss him.

"I got you."

And I want to tell you everything
The words I never got to say the first time around
And I remember everything
From when we were the children playing in this fairground
Wish I was there with you now

"I got you." He repeated, just so she really knew.

As if the whole world was watching I'd still dance with you
Drive highways and byways to be there with you
Over and over the only truth
Everything comes back to you
You still make me nervous when you walk in the room
Them butterflies they come alive when I'm next to you
Over and over the only truth
Everything comes back to you

"I love you." Erin told him.

"I love you too. So much."

And I know that it's wrong
That I can't move on
But there's something about you

"If I have one goal in life, it's to get myself a girl that looks at me the same way Erin looks at Jay." Adam smiled, being serious for once in his life.

"Same with me. Need a man that looks at me the way Jay looks at Erin." Hailey sighed.

"I mean they literally are the perfect couple. It's crazy." Mouse shook his head.

"That they are." Al smiled, looking at the couple just smiling at each other, love filling their eyes.

"From the second they met, it was love at first site. I've never seen it before besides them two." Kevin smiled.

"It's faith." Tony smiled.

"It's love." Hank said.

If the whole world was watching I'd still dance with you
Drive highways and byways to be there with you
Over and over the only truth
Everything comes back to you
You still make me nervous when you walk in the room

"Wanna go back?" Jay asked, as the song began to finish.

"Let's go."

Jay took his girls hand as they walked back to their table.

Them butterflies they come alive when I'm next to you
Over and over the only truth
Everything comes back to you
Everything comes back to you

"Romeo and Juliet are back." Adam smirked.

Erin was about to say a snarky comment back, but instead screamed at the sight in front of her.

Clowns.

Seriously? They just had to go and get the one thing Erin was afraid of.

Lovely.

xxxxxxxxxx

"What's wrong?!" Everyone at the table asked, alarmed, when Erin let out a scream and held onto Jay for dear life.

Jay's mind immediately went back to yesterday when Erin got Braxton Hicks, but he followed her line of view and saw what she saw.

A clown.

Erin was a badass. Murders and drug lords didn't have a chance at scaring her. But clowns? That was a different story.

He found this out when they had just become partners and had raided a drug house, there they found a passed out clown. Luckily it was only them two and Jay had taken care of it, but he's teased her about it ever since.

Everyone looked confused when Jay began laughing hysterically, taking his seat.

"Jay you have to get me out of here!" Erin begged.

"Wait, what's wrong?" Hailey laughed.

"Oh my god, I think I'm going to be sick." Erin muttered when she saw the clown hand out red balloons to all the little children who for some crazy reason, seemed to adore him.

"Clown." Jay murmered under his breathe.

"Erin, don't tell me you're still scared of clowns!" Al laughed.

"And yous aren't?!" Erin exclaimed, sitting in Jay's lap, once again, holding onto him for dear life.

"Yep, and we're scared of the dark too." Adam mocked, everyone peeing themselves with laughter.

"Clown Phobia is actually a real thing." Hailey told them.

"Yeah for children, that's Erin, nothing scares her. She hasn't taken her eyes off of it." Tony laughed.

"Linds, what are you going to do when it's baby H's birthday. She'll need some form of entertainment." Kev laughed.

"I'll get her a polar bear if she likes! No clowns. I don't like them. Never have, never will."

"Somethings never change." Hank shook his head.

"Wait. Has she always been scared of clowns?" Mouse asked through fits of laughter.

"Yep. Alvin remember Lexi's 8th birthday." Hank began, now turning to the rest of the team. "Erin had to leave early because of how bad her anxiety was."

"It was a park party! How was I meant to know Bozo the clown would be- ?" Erin began but jumped out of her skin and onto her feet when some tapped her shoulder. "AHHH!"

"Did someone say she was scared of Bozo the clown?" The big clown stood behind her with a sad face.

Erin eyes went wide as everyone began to laugh.

"Go away." Erin muttered.

"Aww no!! Bozo make her feel better! Give her a hug." Adam smirked.

The clown reached for something in his pocket. "Boy or girl!?"

"What?" Erin asked.

"Your little clown!" He indicated towards her belly.

"A-a um..."

"It's a girl, Bozo." Jay spoke for her, her clearly being too frighten to speak.

The clown pulled out a pink ballon and made it into a heart and handed it to her. "For a beautiful lady."

Erin accepted the balloon and was even more shocked when Bozo put his arm around her, with his hands

indicating for a picture.

Jay whipped out his phone, catching a priceless picture of Erin and Bozo. "This one is definitely getting framed."

"32 year old woman, with a child on the way who chases actual psychopaths for a living, who grew up on the roughest streets of Chicago, scared of a clown. Brilliant." Adam laughed, earning a death glare from Erin.

Suddenly Erin's phone rang. "I need to take this." She said when she saw the caller ID, handing the

balloon to Jay. "Follow me Bozo, I'll kill you."

Bozo just waved and winked at intelligence and walked away.

"Clown at a gala? That's a first." Kim laughed.

"Having leverage against Erin Lindsay? There's a first for everything, Kimberly." Adam winked.

A few minutes had passed and Erin still hadn't returned from her phone call, Jay being the concerned fella he is, went to check on her at the entrance.

She was sat in a chair at the lobby, head in hand.

"Erin, Bozo's gone, don't worry." He laughed and sat beside her, but quickly stopped when he saw the dead serious look on her face. "Babe, what's up?"

"My father escaped from prison."

Hi dolls!! I hope you's enjoyed. This chapter definitely had lots of twist and turns. I thought introducing Ella could give an idea as to what they'd be like as parents, so let me know if you'd like to keep her around as a family friend sort of thing!

Also couldn't resist the thing with clowns, I was watching that episode of Chicago Fire where Sylvie was scared of the clown on call and I thought it be hilarious to add in here!!

Anyways I hope yous enjoyed this chapter and if you did leave a review and let me know! I love reading them!!

Until next time, keep safe, be kind and enjoy your weekend!

All my love x