There was a knock on the door and Drew ran to open it, "I got it!"

Hailey looked at Jay and breathed, "How is it that his first friend is Trudy Platt?"

He shook his head and finished setting the table.

"Hi Drew!" Trudy said as he opened the door, "How're you?"

"I'm good," Drew stepped back, "Please come in."

"You are so polite," Trudy smiled and walked in.

"Thank you," Drew closed the door, "Should I take your coat?"

"I am incredibly impressed by you," Trudy said and passed him her coat, "Thank you so much."

Drew smiled and put her coat on the steps, "Dad made steak."

"Sounds delicious," Trudy walked around to the kitchen, "Hello."

"Hi!" Hailey said, "Thanks for coming."

"Cool it, Halstead," Trudy shook her head, "I know I'm here because of your son."

"It's still very nice that you came," Hailey said.

Jay nodded, "He's been excited. He's said you're very funny and can't wait to hear more stories."

"That's true," Drew walked in and sat at the table, "Want to tell one now?"

"A story about what?" Trudy asked.

"About my mom and dad," Drew said and folded his hands on the table.

"Oh no," Hailey breathed and turned back to the counter.

Jay swallowed and walked outside to the grill.

"Oh, I've got a lot of those," Trudy smiled.

"Yes," Drew bounced up and down in his seat.

Hailey blushed bright and squeezed her eyes shut.

Trudy laughed, "Where should I start?"

"Something funny," Drew said.

"Sergeant Platt doesn't need to do that," Hailey said and sat a salad on the table.

"I think I do," Trudy nodded, "It's what he'd like."

"I do want that," Drew told Hailey.

Hailey cleared her throat and tilted Drew's head back to look him in the eyes, "People like to talk about themselves. How about you ask about her instead? Dad and I can tell you stories later."

Drew winced, "Don't touch my hair."

Hailey sighed and stepped back, "I'm sorry."

"Well," Trudy set her hand on the table, "I've known your dad longer than I've known your mom. He used to get in lots of trouble."

"Oh boy," Drew smiled.

Jay walked in with the plate of steaks, "Dinner's ready."

"Dad, Sergeant Platt's going to tell me stories about when you used to get in trouble at work," Drew said excitedly.

Jay looked at Trudy, "Is that so?"

"Remember when you needed to go through all that dog poop at the vet?" Trudy asked.

"That's disgusting," Drew scrunched his nose.

"It was," Jay weakly laughed.

Hailey set her hand on his arm and sat at the table.

"Once, your mom poured coffee all over me," Trudy shook her head, "It was a tragic day."

"Oh, I bet, I hate spills," Drew said.

Jay sat down, "Anyone hungry?"

"Definitely," Trudy nodded, "I hope it's good."

Jay sucked in a breath, "Me too."

"It looks really good, Jay," Hailey smiled.

He winked at her, "Thank you."

"I think it'll be better than last time we had steak," Drew took a spoonful of corn.

"What happened last time?" Trudy asked.

Jay and Hailey exchanged a look and Hailey said, "Um, a month or so ago-"

"I met Mom's mom and dad and they weren't nice," Drew admitted.

Trudy's eyes widened, "They weren't?" she looked toward Hailey, "Did something happen?"

Drew bit his lip and looked at Jay, "Mr. Upton didn't like Dad. I heard him say it. I don't know why because I think it's cool that Dad's a detective."

Trudy softened, "Oh."

"I am so sorry," Hailey told Drew, "I had no idea that you heard that. That was completely inappropriate and, like you said, not nice."

Drew nodded, "It's not your fault."

Hailey smiled a little, "Thank you for saying that."

Trudy glanced toward Jay quietly cutting a steak for Drew. "Drew," she said softly, "You're right, your dad is really cool. I've seen him do some super cool stuff."

Jay looked up, "Where are you going with this?"

"It's true," Trudy nodded, "You're a cool detective. He has saved so many people's lives and he's protected so many people. Your dad is one of the most respectable detectives I know. Once, a man was hurting his wife, so your dad went and saved her. He helped her get on a plane to go somewhere safe."

"Wow," Drew breathed, "You did that?"

Jay blushed slightly, "Uh, yeah, yeah, I did that."

"You're a hero!" Drew smiled.

Hailey nodded and reached across the table to squeeze Jay's hand, "He is. Once, he saved a whole building filled with thirty people. Dad was having to think about his PTSD when he did it, but he wasn't scared at all."

"Hailey," Jay whispered.

"He needs to know that even though you have a bad days, you still push through and do something amazing in the end," Hailey smiled.

Drew looked at Trudy, "Dad saw some terrible things when he was a soldier so he has bad dreams sometimes. We think I might have the same thing."

Trudy slowly nodded, "I see. Did…you see terrible things too?"

Drew bit his lip and scratched his arms.

"Honey," Hailey whispered and shook her head, "Focus on your food, don't scratch."

Jay passed him some steak, "Eat up, bud."

Trudy looked between them all, "Hey, Drew, your mom and dad have said you like birds."

Drew relaxed and smiled, "Yeah. I go bird watching almost everyday. You could say that birds are like small dinosaurs. I know a lot about dinosaurs too. I should show you my journal."

"After dinner," Hailey said.

"Okay," Drew nodded and started eating.

Trudy slowly put food on her plate. She watched Hailey put more food on Drew's plate and Jay cut more food for Drew than himself. She smiled softly at the two of them and was pleasantly surprised that the dinner was really good.

"Sergeant Platt, you can sit here," Drew patted the couch, "This is my bird journal."

"Very cool," Trudy said as she walked over. She sat down, "So you made all of this?"

"No, Dad bought the book," Drew slightly rolled his eyes.

Hailey glanced at him, "Drew, be polite."

"Sorry," Drew blushed.

"It's okay, I'm sassy all the time too," Trudy nodded.

Drew smiled a little, "Okay," he opened his book, "Here, this is what I've drawn."

Jay set a hand on Hailey's back and watched him explain different birds to Trudy, "You didn't have to defend me like that earlier."

Hailey looked up, "I wasn't defending you, I was helping Drew understand that you've done amazing things. I feel terrible that he heard what my dad said and I feel even worse that since he heard, you must have heard."

"Of course I heard," Jay said quietly, "But it wasn't anything I didn't know."

"You knew?" Hailey breathed.

Jay raised his eyebrows, "Hailey, your dad's never liked me and he's been obvious about it, yeah, I knew."

Hailey bit her lip, "I'm so sorry."

Jay shook his head, "Don't be. I'm fine with it, really."

Hailey sighed and squeezed his hand, "I don't like it."

"I know," Jay shrugged and kissed the top of her head.

"Hey, Halsteads," Trudy said, "Come here, I need to tell you something."

"Oh boy," Jay said under his breath as they walked over.

As they sat, Trudy smiled at them, "Drew is an incredible kid. You two are so lucky to have him."

Hailey smiled, "Thank you. He really is the best," she winked at Drew and sat in the recliner.

"I'm lucky too," Drew said, "Mom and Dad are the best. They never hurt me and they take care of me and they even made me a super cool bedroom, do you want to see it?"

Trudy nodded, "I would love to," she followed Drew upstairs.

"Do you think it's going well?" Jay asked Hailey.

"Yeah," Hailey said softly and smiled, "It's taken a different turn than I originally thought."

Jay chuckled and walked with her up to Drew's room.

Drew was swinging on his chair, "I wake up early, so this is where I sit."

"It's a very cool room," Trudy nodded.

"What's your room like?" Drew asked.

"Well," Trudy shrugged, "It's probably like your mom and dad's room, mostly just a bed."

Hailey winced, "I don't want to-"

"Yeah," Jay breathed, "Me neither."

"Did you know I'm going to get a baby?" Drew asked.

"Really?" Trudy looked to Jay and Hailey.

Hailey nodded, "We're going to adopt Nicole's baby."

"That girl from the last big case?" Trudy asked.

Jay nodded and wrapped an arm around Hailey's waist.

"That's amazing," Trudy said softly, "You should be so proud of yourselves."

"Thank you," Hailey smiled, "Not everyone agrees."

"Who?" Trudy raised her eyebrows.

"Um, Kim," Hailey bit her lip.

"Burgess?" Trudy asked.

Hailey nodded slightly.

"Huh," Trudy crossed her arms, "I'll talk to her."

"No, you don't have to do that," Hailey put her hand out, "Really, it's okay."

"You were pretty upset," Jay said quietly.

"That's for me to deal with on my own," Hailey whispered.

"When were you upset?" Drew asked.

"I'm okay," Hailey shook her head, "Don't worry."

"Burgess has no right," Trudy said, "The second I leave, I'll be calling her."

"Really, it's okay," Hailey said.

"Don't even worry about it," Trudy walked over, "I'll take care of this. Congratulations," she quickly hugged both Jay and Hailey, "You're really good parents," she said softly.

"Thank you," Jay smiled.

Hailey nodded, "This was actually really nice."

"Did you doubt me, Halstead?" Trudy asked.

"Of course not," Hailey said quickly.

"Uh-huh," Trudy turned to Drew, "Drew, I'm going to leave. Thank you for being an amazing host."

Drew smiled, "Thanks for coming," he walked over and held his hand out, "I liked hearing about how cool my dad is."

Trudy squatted down in front of him, "I'm going to be honest with you, you are just as cool as he is and just as brave."

Drew blushed, "Thank you."

Trudy lightly touched his arm and stood, "I'll get going. See you two tomorrow."

"I'll walk you out," Hailey said and followed her downstairs.

Jay sat on the bed, "Come here."

Drew walked over to him and hesitantly sat on the bed, "Am I in trouble?"

"Not at all," Jay said softly, "How's school going?"

Drew chewed his lip and his hands shot up to his arms.

"No," Jay shook his head, "Deep breath," he passed Drew his stress ball.

"Sorry," Drew whispered and squeezed the ball.

"I'm worried about you and how you've been getting so upset during the day," Jay said.

"I…I just get overwhelmed, not upset," Drew looked down at the ball.

Jay slowly nodded, "Okay, but bud…"

"You're making me nervous," Drew whispered.

"And I'm sorry for that," Jay tilted Drew's head up, "I don't want you to be nervous. I want you to talk to me if something certain is making you uncomfortable whether it be at home or in school."

"I know," Drew said.

"Good," Jay lightly squeezed Drew's knee, "How's Matt doing?"

"From swim?" Drew asked. When Jay nodded, he sighed, "He's fine. We talk sometimes when it's appropriate. He doesn't really have a lot of friends either."

"Do you want to invite him over some time?" Jay asked.

"No, this is our home for family only," Drew shook his head.

"Sergeant Platt's not family," Jay raised his eyebrows.

"She is enough," Drew pointed to the picture of Jay, Kevin, and Adam from Hailey and Jay's wedding on his wall, "Look, she's in the back talking to Mom."

Jay smiled slightly, "You have a point."

"And," Drew continued, "Doctor Will said blood doesn't make a family, remember?"

"Of course I do," Jay said softly.

Drew nodded, "I was worried you forgot because…" he blushed and looked down.

"I know," Jay nodded, "I'm sorry."

Hailey walked in, "Jay, she's going to cause drama."

He looked over at her, "I don't think so."

"It's like we're going to be on Real Housewives of Chicago," Hailey breathed and sat on Drew's bed, "This sucks."

Jay chuckled, "Well, if it helps, neither of you are housewives."

Hailey rolled her eyes and rubbed her face, "It doesn't. Kim's my friend-"

"And she hurt your feelings yesterday," Jay shrugged, "I'll be honest, I told Adam to tell her to apologize. Like Platt said, it was totally uncalled for."

"What'd she say?" Drew asked.

"Nothing," Hailey shook her head, "It's just adult stuff."

"I can understand adult stuff," Drew said.

Hailey smiled a little, "Thank you, sweetheart, but I'm going to keep this between me and Dad."

"And apparently Sergeant Platt and Ms. Kim," Drew shrugged.

Hailey blushed, "Yes."

"Can one of you read to me?" Drew asked and hopped off the bed.

"Definitely," Jay nodded, "Pick out anything you want."

Drew looked through the books and faltered, "I thought we got rid of this book?" he held up a copy of the book he'd ripped a couple months before.

"Um," Hailey bit her lip, "I bought a new copy that wasn't ripped for you. I thought maybe we could eventually try to read it again."

"Huh," Drew stared at it then dropped the book to the ground.

"Drew," Jay shook his head, "Pick that up."

"I don't want it," Drew said.

"Pick it up," Jay repeated.

"I don't like that book," Drew clenched his fists.

"Drew Alexander," Jay raised his eyebrows, "Pick up the book and put it back on the shelf."

Drew shook slightly and stiffly bent down to pick up the book. He shoved it into the bookshelf, "Happy?"

"Watch your attitude," Hailey warned softly.

Drew squeezed his eyes shut.

"Think about what you're going to do before doing it," Jay said.

Drew groaned loudly and kicked the bookshelf, "I need it to be quiet."

"Okay," Jay stood, "Mom and I are going to go to bed then."

Drew's eyes shot open, "What?"

Jay nodded, "You want to be alone and you're being a little sassy right now. You need to cool off."

Hailey passed Drew his stress ball, "Things are going to be okay."

"No," Drew's lip wavered and he threw the ball down.

"Deep breaths," Jay said while walking past him to the hallway.

Drew's mouth opened, "You're going to leave me?"

Hailey glanced back at him, "Like Dad said, you need to cool down on your own right now."

"I…I'm starting…you can't do this," Drew breathed shakily.

"You cannot throw things and kick your stuff," Jay said.

Hailey nodded, "Take a few minutes and when you think you've calmed down enough, then we can read a book to you," she quietly shut the door and looked at Jay, "How-"

Drew yelled on the other side of the door and they could hear him kick something.

Jay winced and took a deep breath.

Hailey looked at the door, "Should we stop him?"

"I think he needs to deal with this one on his own," Jay said quietly, "Especially after how he was yesterday in school. He needs to learn how to calm down without us."

"I can't stand here and listen," Hailey breathed and walked downstairs.

Jay heard another loud noise and bit his lip to stop himself from opening the door. He sighed and followed Hailey.

They could still hear Drew crying and yelling upstairs half an hour later and it was starting to gnaw at Hailey.

"I thought he'd be down here by now," Hailey whispered.

Jay shook his head, "How has he not just worn himself out yet?"

"Do you think he's hurt?" Hailey glanced toward the stairs.

"Don't get me worried like that," Jay stood.

Hailey bit her lip, "I can't help it. I'm really worried about him."

Jay quickly walked up the stairs with Hailey on his tail. He hesitantly cracked the door open to see Drew sitting in the middle of his room crying loudly into his hands. There was a book torn up around him and he had his pajamas next to him as well with one of his stuffed animals.

Jay closed the door quietly, "I don't think he's hurt."

"Could you see his arms?" Hailey asked.

"I didn't pay attention," Jay admitted.

Hailey sighed and walked around him to peek in Drew's room. Her heart broke listening to Drew cry, and she was sad to see a few bright scratches on Drew's skin. She stepped back and closed the door, "Jay, I don't like this."

"I know," Jay said quietly, "But I really don't think we should go in there. We need to stick to what we said and let him come out on his own."

Hailey ran a hand through her hair, "He was doing so well today, I don't understand."

"I think it's my fault," Jay bit his lip, "Hailey, I just wanted to know how school was and what if that set him off?"

"I'm the one who bought a new copy of that book," Hailey shook her head.

Jay glanced to the door, "We can't sit here and pick it all apart. The truth is, we're not in his brain and we can't figure it out on our own. We'll just have to wait until he stops."

Hailey nodded, "Fine," she walked to their bedroom, blinking her eyes quickly.

"Hails," Jay followed her, "Talk to me."

"What if Kim's right? What if we can't do this?" Hailey asked.

"No," Jay set his hands on her arms, "We can. We are good parents."

"Listen to him scream," Hailey said, "Drew is screaming and crying alone in his room right now and we don't even really know why."

Jay shook his head and hugged her tightly, "We're learning and we're trying, that's enough."

"I hope so," Hailey whispered.

"Let's try and relax while we wait," Jay said and stepped back, "We'll watch TV in bed and see what happens."

"Okay," Hailey sighed and took a deep breath, "We'll try that."

In the middle of their second episode of The Office, Jay sat up, "Do you hear that?"

Hailey paused the TV and listened, "I don't hear anything."

"Exactly," Jay pushed the blankets off him and stood, "Maybe he's done."

"Remember, we said we'd wait," Hailey sat up against the headboard.

"Right," Jay breathed and sat back down on the mattress.

They waited a few minutes before Hailey caved and stood, "Let's just go check."

Jay nodded, "Good idea."

They walked over to Drew's room and Hailey lightly pushed the door open, "Oh," she breathed.

Drew was asleep in the same spot they saw him in last, but now he'd managed to get his pajamas on. There were more stuffed animals around him and it looked like he'd torn up another book.

Hailey hesitantly walked in and whispered, "He really did wear himself out."

Jay nodded, "He's out cold."

Hailey went to his bed and turned down the covers, "Let's put him to bed, though, I don't want him waking up with a stiff neck."

Jay gently picked up Drew and winced at his swollen face, "He sure cried a lot."

"Gosh," Hailey breathed, "Should I put a cold washcloth over his eyes."

"I don't want to wake him though," Jay said and set Drew on his bed.

Hailey nodded and covered him with the blankets, "I love you, sweetheart," she bent down and kissed his forehead.

Jay rubbed her back before whispering, "Sleep tight, bud."

Hailey wiped her eyes and walked out of the room.

"You okay?" Jay asked as he closed the door.

"I don't know," Hailey shrugged.

Jay nodded and squeezed her hand, "I know what you mean."

"I really wanted to talk to him tonight," Hailey said.

"And we'll definitely talk tomorrow," Jay kissed her head, "I promise."

"I know," Hailey whispered.

"Let's go to bed for real this time," Jay led her down the hall.

"It's a little early," Hailey looked up at him.

Jay shrugged, "More time for us to be together."

Hailey couldn't help but laugh, "The Jay Halstead I met years ago never would have said that."

Jay chuckled, "You made me soft."

"That's one word for it," Hailey smirked.

Drew woke with a start and groaned. His brain was pounding. His eyes were too big for his face. His throat burned. He wasn't okay and he didn't know why.

No. He did. He was bad and he needed to apologize.

He shakily got out of bed and stumbled to the door. He slipped on a piece of paper and fell to the carpet.

"Ow," he whispered and stood. He scratched his arm lightly and walked out of his room.

He pushed open his mom and dad's door and whispered, "Mom? Dad? Do you hate me?"

They didn't answer him and he started to panic, "Mom? Dad?"

He walked forward and noticed they were sleeping. He sniffled and glanced at the clock. 12:58am. That was late.

He tried not to cry so he scratched his arms harder.

It was cold in the house and he didn't want to walk all the way back to his room, so he quietly climbed onto the bed and fit himself between his mom and dad's legs, his head on his mom's feet. It sort of helped warm him up, but he was still freezing so he tugged at their comforter till it came out and pulled the end over himself. Nothing could get him now that he was covered and starting to warm up.

Jay stirred awake as he felt something at the bottom of the bed and then he felt the comforter tugged off, dropping the temperature of his body significantly since his feet were now only covered by the flat sheet.

He stuck his head up and noticed a little person curled up between his and Hailey's legs. He smiled and ran a hand over his face before laying back down.

Drew finally came.

A/N: Thank you for reading – I hope you liked it! I was finally able to get my writing bug back – yay :) I'm ready for the direction I'm pushing this one in. Thank you for those of you who suggested some story lines, I'll be happy to get to them…I've actually been planning a few of them for a while so I hope you'll like when they come out. Have a nice day!