Hailey and Jay walked up to the bullpen three days later each with a cup of coffee in their hands.
Kevin spotted them first and quickly stood, "What's going on? Thought you two were on maternity leave or something."
Jay shook his head, "We can't do it."
Hailey nodded and walked to her desk, "The past two days were filled with too much sitting around and worrying."
Hank came out of his office and crossed his arms, "Turn right back around you two."
"We need to work," Jay said while sitting down, "It'll keep our minds busy."
"Isn't today the day though?" Vanessa asked.
"Fingers crossed," Hailey breathed while booting up her email.
Hank shook his head, "Fine, but desk duty."
"Fine by me," Jay nodded.
Everyone fell into a silence as they all worked on current assignments. Kevin and Vanessa went out to work a case. Hank was in and out of the office attending numerous meetings. Adam and Kim were running financials on a current case.
The quiet work days were usually a blessing for Jay and Hailey, but by the third hour, it was just as bad as staying at home the past two days.
Hailey sighed loudly, causing Jay, Adam, and Kim to look over at her.
"Care to share with the class?" Adam asked.
"I…I'm dying," Hailey ran a hand through her hair, "This is rough. I either need to get out and follow a lead or two or go back to bed."
"I thought going to bed was boring," Kim said, "Isn't that what you two were doing the past two days?"
"Yeah," Hailey shrugged, "Some of the time."
"We went out and bought a ton of diapers, formula, and a bunch of little things," Jay said, "So then we had to set all that up in the nursery. We packed hospital bags for us and Bl-" the name died on his lips and he quickly looked away.
The corners of Adam's mouth turned up, "Bl? What's his name? We've been wondering what you two were going to name him."
"We're not telling you until we see him," Hailey looked to Jay, "Just in case."
He blushed, "Sorry."
Hailey laughed softly, "It's okay," she reached their computers, "We'll be able to tell them soon."
He smiled and squeezed her hand, "I hope so."
"No, we know so," Kim interrupted, "You will be able to tell us because he will be coming home with you all."
"Thank you," Hailey smiled.
"Anytime," Kim nodded and winked.
"Can we have a hint though?" Adam asked, "Like maybe you named him after one of your best friends?"
Jay laughed, "Nice try."
"Oh come on, I'll take the middle name," Adam said.
"Nope," Jay chuckled and turned back to his computer.
Hailey shook her head with a smile and walked to the break room for a water. When she came back into the bullpen, she was surprised to see Grace walking up the steps.
"Hey!" Hailey said and walked over to her, "What's going on?"
"I was actually going to talk to Sergeant Voight about some kids," Grace smiled slightly, "It's good to see you two here. Probably helps to keep your mind busy."
"Why do you want to talk to Voight? That really can't be good," Jay stood and leaned against the desk.
Grace sighed, "Yeah, it's not. Give me a few minutes?" She waited for them to nod before going into Hank's office and shutting the door.
"She's good at what she does," Adam said.
Hailey nodded, "She pays a lot of attention to the babies and kids she works with."
"Maybe I should get in there to help," Jay glanced behind him at the closed door.
"I don't know, you don't want to dive head first into a big case right before you adopt your baby," Kim said.
"She has a point," Hailey rubbed Jay's arm.
The office door opened and Hank stuck his head out, "Burgess. You're running point on this, get in here."
Kim nodded and hurried over.
"That should be us," Jay looked at Hailey.
"Hey," she turned him so they were face-to-face, "I know you want to help Grace and whatever those kids are going through, but right now we need to focus on our family, okay? Kim was right; whatever case that's starting in there right now is going to haunt you and you'll end up torn between that and the baby. I know I would."
"Okay," Jay took a deep breath, "That's fair."
Hailey set her hand briefly on the side of his face before sitting down at her desk.
"You're a good mom, Hailey," Adam said while turning back to his computer.
Hailey smiled to herself, "Thanks, Adam."
Grace came out of Hank's office a little while later on the phone. Jay looked up and heard her say, "I'll be right there."
"Everything okay?" he asked.
Grace blew out her breath and put her phone in her purse, "You two want to go for a ride?"
Kim and Hank came out of their office both with a slight smile on their faces.
"What?" Hailey quickly stood, knocking her keyboard and then her cup of pens over.
"That was Nicole," Grace smiled, "She said she's ready to talk to me about signing a few papers."
"You're joking," Jay shook his head, "You…this isn't real."
"It is real," Grace laughed softly, "Come on, I'll drive."
"Can you two get Drew today?" Hailey asked Kim and Adam while putting her coat on.
"Of course," Kim smiled wide and gently shook Jay's arm, "Go! We'll take care of everything."
Grace quickly led the way down to the parking lot and out to her car. Once Jay and Hailey were in, she started driving toward Med.
Hailey gripped Jay's hand as she stared out the window. She breathed shakily and rubbed her face.
"You okay?" Jay whispered.
"I can't believe this is happening," she replied.
Jay nodded and kissed the side of her head, "We're so close."
Hailey closed her eyes and leaned into him for the rest of the drive.
After the short drive, the three of them walked together into Med and then up to the maternity ward. Grace pointed to the waiting area, "Go ahead and wait there, I'll come get you when we're ready."
Hailey and Jay sat in some of the chairs in the corner away from everyone else. Hailey pulled her feet up onto the chair and wrapped her arms around her knees.
Jay laughed softly, "You look so small like that."
Hailey smiled and rested her chin on her knees, "I feel small. I feel like I have no idea what I'm about to get in to."
Jay tilted his head back against the wall, "I know. Parenting Drew is one thing, but he came to us potty trained and able to walk and talk. Hell, sometimes I'm convinced he's smarter than us."
Hailey shook her head with a laugh, "Honestly though."
"He's the definition of bright," Jay said quietly.
Hailey nodded and curled up further so her forehead was where her chin just was.
Jay set a hand on her back and kissed the top of her head, his thumb rubbing small circles against her shirt. He noticed Will walk in a few minutes later carrying a bag and waved him over.
"Hey," Will breathed while sitting on Hailey's other side.
She looked up and stretched her legs out, "What're you doing here?"
"It's been 72 hours, right?" Will smiled slightly, "Plus, Adam texted me."
Jay nodded toward the bag at Will's feet, "What's that?"
"Oh, some shirts," Will pulled them out, "You don't need one, but Hailey can borrow one."
"For what?" Hailey laughed and accepted the grey button down from Will.
"Skin-to-skin," Will said and put the other shirt back in the bag, "It'll be easier than you completely taking your shirt off and you should be more comfortable since you wouldn't have to completely undress in front of the nurses."
"Oh," Hailey bit her lip and looked at the shirt in her hands.
"You don't have to," Will shook his head, "Just thought I'd offer it. I put them in my locker yesterday. They're clean."
"Thank you," Hailey said softly and stroked her fingers over the material.
"Want to go change?" Jay asked her.
"Um, I think I'll wait," Hailey nodded, "I don't think I can get my hopes up."
"Hailey, we're here to finally adopt him," Jay said, "We shouldn't even have hope. We should just have knowledge and confidence that he's ours."
"What if she changes her mind last minute?" Hailey bit her lip.
"That won't happen," Will squeezed her knee.
Jay nodded, "For once, listen to my brother."
Hailey laughed and rolled her eyes, "What's that mean?"
"That sometimes he has questionable advice," Jay smirked.
"You're an ass," Will laughed.
"But you both love me," Jay crossed his arms behind his head.
"I guess I do," Hailey lightly poked his stomach.
Jay chuckled and grabbed her wrist, "Watch it, Halstead."
Hailey smiled and leaned up to kiss his cheek, "I do."
"Mhmm," Jay ran a hand over her hair.
"I'll allow this gross display of affection to occur in front of me since you're about to have a baby," Will said and leaned back in his chair.
Hailey laughed softly, "Thank you."
Jay's knee started bouncing as they continued to wait in the quiet room. Hailey rubbed her hand over his thigh and tried hushing him to calm his nerves. It might have worked had Jay not tuned into the way Hailey was twirling her hair with her other hand and lightly tugging at it as if she was trying to pull it out. Their nerves were building off of each other and seemed to peak just as Grace slowly walked out into the waiting room.
Hailey, Jay, and Will all stood upon seeing her.
"Hey," Jay breathed as Grace finally made her way to them.
"Follow me?" Grace asked quietly and turned away.
Hailey's hand slipped into Jay's as they walked behind her.
Jay glanced behind him and nodded at Will, tucking his bottom lip into his teeth.
Will smiled slightly and followed behind them.
Grace held open the door to a small conference room and waited for Jay, Hailey, and Will to file in.
Jay swallowed, "What's going on?"
Grace didn't say anything as she walked around the table to an array of papers on the table. She took a deep breath before sliding one paper across to Hailey and Jay with a blue pen.
Will spotted the heading on the paper first and weakly laughed, turning away to run his hands over his face then through his hair.
"Oh my god," Hailey whispered and lowered herself into a chair.
"Is this…is this it?" Jay asked.
Grace nodded and finally cracked a smile, "Just need two signatures and then I can take you down the hall."
Hailey laughed in shock and felt tears spring to her eyes as she stared at the paper transferring parenting rights from Nicole to her and Jay.
Jay sniffled and tried not to cry as he picked up the pen.
"Wait," Will said just a tad too loud.
"I swear to god," Jay spun to look at him, "What-"
"Let me record this," Will searched his pockets for his cellphone and quickly turned it on, "Okay, go."
Jay and Hailey couldn't help but laugh, neither really surprised that Will was doing this, but also incredibly grateful that he was.
Jay shook his head and signed his name on the paper. He passed the pen to Hailey and wiped his hand over his eyes.
Hailey smiled against the few tears falling down her face as she signed her name next to Jay's.
Grace happily took the paper and added her own signature to the bottom. "Okay," she slipped the papers into her briefcase, "We can finish the rest later, but for now, are you ready to meet your son?"
"Holy crap," Jay breathed and steadied himself on the table.
Hailey laughed and wiped her face before standing to hug him tightly, "We have a baby."
"Let's go meet him!" Will hurried over and wrapped his arms around them.
Jay rolled his eyes and pushed Will's phone out of his face before pulling his brother to his side, "You're a dork."
"I'm an uncle again! I'm excited," Will held the phone up again, "Dear little baby, I swear I'm going to be the best uncle to you ever."
Grace joined in on their laughter, "What are you all waiting for? I'm just as excited as you. I love this part."
"Gosh, thank you so much," Hailey hurried around the table, "Do you mind if I hug you too?"
Grace smiled, "Not at all."
"Thank you," Hailey breathed and hugged her tightly, "Thank you so much."
Jay nodded and stood behind Hailey, "We can't ever repay you."
"I'm happy to help," Grace said then turned to quickly hug Jay.
Will was bouncing on his feet as he led the way out of the room to the NICU. He made sure Hailey, Jay, and Grace all washed their hands and held the door open for them, "Let's go, let's go, let's go."
Hailey was grateful for his enthusiasm to distract her from the nerves that were beginning to bubble in her stomach. Jay lightly hit Will's arm as he passed, silently thanking Will for being there and being a sort of rock for them.
Grace walked them over to a station near the back where a nurse was looking into an incubator, "Nurse Kane? I have Jay and Hailey Halstead here."
The nurse turned and smiled wide, "Hello, call me Lilah," she shook Jay and Hailey's hands, "Are you ready?"
"I think so," Jay took a deep breath.
Hailey nodded and gripped Jay's hand.
Lilah stepped away to show them the small baby nestled within the incubator.
Hailey gasped softly as she stepped closer.
Jay swallowed and bit his lip, "Wow."
The baby had a few tubes and wires connected to him to help him breathe and track his movements, but it didn't hide the way his eyes were wide staring up at them or how the hand not wrapped in a monitor was wiggling just the slight amount. He had a tiny blue hat on his head that had slipped off slightly to show the start of soft black hair growing.
"Would you like to hold him?" Lilah asked.
Hailey nodded and stepped away for the nurse to grab him.
"Sit here?" Jay whispered and nodded toward a recliner.
"Dr. Halstead, mind helping me out?" Lilah looked toward Will as she opened the incubator.
"Definitely," Will put his phone in his pocket and helped the nurse with the IV pole and monitors.
Hailey shakily sat down and took a deep breath.
Jay pulled a chair over and sat next to her. He ran a hand over her hair and smiled slightly.
"I'm nervous," Hailey breathed.
"It'll be okay," Jay kissed the side of her head.
"Yes," Lilah said while walking over with the baby, "He's a sweet little guy. You can't hurt him just by holding him."
"Oh boy," Hailey sat up and tried steadying her hands.
Lilah carefully placed the baby in Hailey's arms, "Here you go."
Hailey sniffled and smiled, "Hi."
Jay weakly laughed, "Look at him. Hi there," he lightly touched his foot.
"I know you just met," Grace started softly, "But does he have a name yet?"
"What do you think?" Jay asked Hailey.
She tore her eyes from the baby's to look at Jay and nodded, "I think we do. He…he's a fighter and I think the name we picked is a fighting name."
Jay smiled and touched his forehead to hers briefly then glanced at Grace, Will, and Lilah, "Yeah," he cleared his throat and looked back to the baby, "Meet Blake Henry Halstead."
Will's face lit up, "I love it."
Hailey smiled and gently touched Blake's nose, "What do you think? Sound like a good name? You're named after two very important people to us."
"I'm going to finish filling out some paperwork," Grace said softly to Will before walking away with Lilah.
Will took a couple pictures on his phone and squeezed Jay's shoulder before leaving as well.
Jay shook his head and held his hand next to Blake, "He's so small."
"He is," Hailey nodded and took a deep breath.
"He's also ours," Jay whispered, "You'll get to come home with us, buddy. How's that sound?"
Hailey laughed softly as Blake blinked up at them, "I think he likes that idea."
Jay lightly ran his finger over Blake's arms and chest, "It's a little scary seeing all this stuff hooked up to him, but…I feel whole."
Hailey nodded, "It feels right."
"Like the best decision we've made in a while," Jay continued.
Hailey smiled and rubbed her thumb against Blake's skin. Her heart truly felt warm holding him in her arms right then. She watched his small chest rise and fall with the help of the oxygen tube. It almost seemed unreal. The baby that she had wanted for the past couple months was finally in her arms and she could confidently call him her son.
Jay shifted in his seat next to her and hesitantly picked up Blake's foot, stroking his thumb over his toes.
"Want to hold him?" Hailey whispered.
Jay bit his lip in a lame attempt to hide his enthusiasm, "Are you sure?"
"Yes," Hailey laughed softly. She carefully reached over and touched the alert button.
Lilah quickly returned, "Everything okay?"
Hailey nodded, "Can Jay hold him?"
"Of course," Lilah smiled and took Blake from her arms, "Go ahead and switch spots, it'll be a little more comfortable for you."
Jay nodded and sat in the recliner. He rubbed his hands over his pants in an attempt to get them to stop shaking.
"Hey, wait," Hailey said. She leaned closer to Jay and started unbuttoning his shirt.
"What're you doing?" Jay chuckled.
"Will was talking about skin-to-skin, remember?" Hailey set her hand on his bare chest, "You should try it."
"I don't want to hurt him," Jay shook his head slightly.
"You will do the complete opposite, I promise you," Lilah smiled, "I could go into all the health benefits, both physical and mental, for him, or I could just place him on you to show you how much this is going to help you."
Hailey smiled and sat back, "Listen to the expert."
Jay laughed quietly, "Okay. We can try, but if he starts crying-"
"He won't," Lilah said softly and placed Blake on his chest, "There you go," she adjusted his blanket and helped Jay set his hands in the right spots, "Feel okay?" she walked around to double check Blake's monitors.
Jay just nodded and slid his hand over Blake's back.
Hailey tilted her head down and smiled, "He looks content."
Jay swallowed and looked down at Blake, "Are you okay? How's it going down there?"
Hailey kissed the side of Jay's head and rested her hand over Jay's on top of Blake.
"This is the first time he's really been held like this since he's been born," Lilah said quietly, "He really does seem content, you two. I'll be back over there if you need anything." She walked away leaving them alone again.
"He's warm," Jay breathed.
"In a bad way?" Hailey asked.
Jay shook his head, "No, not at all. It's sort of calming? I could get used to this."
Hailey smiled, "You should. He's ours now. We'll have a lot of time to sit with him in the coming weeks."
"I wish we could take him home today," Jay said and rested his head back.
"I know," Hailey sighed.
Blake whimpered against Jay and both Jay and Hailey's eyes widened.
"Hey," Jay whispered, "Hey Blake?"
Hailey couldn't help but laugh slightly, "You talk to him like when you talk to Drew."
Jay blushed, "I guess I haven't figured this out yet."
"No," Hailey set her hand on the side of his face, "I think it's perfect."
Jay smiled and nodded a little.
"Talk to him," Hailey said and sat back in her seat, "Please."
"Um," Jay weakly laughed, "What do I say?"
Hailey shrugged, "Anything."
Jay took a deep breath, "Okay. Uh," he cleared his throat and looked back down at Blake, "Hi, I'm your dad. Holy crap," he looked back at Hailey, "I'm his dad."
"Yes," Hailey's smile widened across her face, "You are."
"We haven't really said that yet," Jay said.
Hailey shook her head, "I like it though."
"So do I," Jay smiled, "All right, let's see. Well," he tried showing Blake to Hailey, "That pretty lady's your mom. She is the kindest, funniest, best person in this entire planet."
Hailey laughed, "Stop."
Jay glanced up at her, "I will never stop."
Hailey rolled her eyes and rubbed his arm.
Jay smirked and continued talking to Blake, "You have a big brother too. He's really excited to meet you. His name's Drew, but we'll let you call him something weird because," he lowered his voice to a whisper, "Drew wants to call you Buzz."
Hailey laughed harder and nodded, "It is a weird name, but it's your nickname whether you like it or not."
Jay chuckled, "Yeah, so that's that, sorry, dude."
Hailey smiled and fixed the blankets on top of Blake.
"Hmm, what else," Jay thought out loud, "You sort of have a big family, so we'll get to that later, I promise, but for now, I want to let you in on something," he gently lifted Blake higher on his chest to look him in the eyes, "We will all love you no matter what – that's me, Mom, Drew, and our whole family. I'm not gonna lie, Blake, things are going to be tough for a bit, but you don't have to worry about any of it. Mom and I will be strong for you, so if you want to cry and scream, go for it. We're not going to judge you at all."
Hailey nodded along, feeling the familiar sting of tears in her eyes for the umpteenth time just that day.
Jay took a deep breath, "We love you," he made eye contact with Hailey, "I love you. Mom loves you."
Hailey hastily wiped her eyes and tried to smile.
"Welcome to our family, Blake," Jay whispered.
A/N: A lot of you have been asking for this chapter for weeks now and I hope it met your expectations! I'm excited for things to come, but if you have anything certain you think would fit into the story, please let me know and I'll see if I can work it in. Have a great labor day weekend everyone! Stay safe!