Jay held the front door open for Hailey and Drew as they filed into the house after spending the day with Blake in the NICU.
Hailey faltered and laughed, "What is going on?"
"Surprise!" the members of Intelligence yelled.
Drew covered his ears and ran into Jay's side.
Kim and Vanessa waved their sign together that read 'It's a boy!' and Vanessa said, "Congratulations!"
Jay shook his head and rubbed Drew's back, "You didn't have to do this."
"It's just pizza," Hank spoke up from his spot in the back, "Accept it, you two."
Hailey blushed and moved to hug everyone, "Thank you."
Cara looked around, "Where is he?"
"Cara," Kim shook her head and pulled her away, "I told you-"
"He's sick," Drew said.
"That's sad," Cara frowned, "How can we fix him?"
"Dad says love, but I'm pretty sure medicine is the only fix," Drew sighed while walking to sit on the couch.
"How cute," Kevin winked at Jay.
Jay rolled his eyes and smirked, "It's the truth."
Hank gestured toward Hailey and walked with her to the kitchen, "How're you doing?"
"I'm okay," Hailey said softly.
Hank raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms, "Hailey."
Hailey let out a breath and looked to Jay showing Kim and Trudy more pictures on his phone, "It's stressful and scary, but nothing we can't handle. I'm sorry we've been kind of keeping to ourselves. We wanted to talk to everyone in person."
"I understand," Hank nodded, "We're here if you need anything."
Hailey smiled slightly, "Thank you."
"Hails," Jay said and waved her over. Once she was next to him, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, "Can we tell them all his full name?"
Hailey's smile widened, "Yes."
"So he's not just Blake?" Kim asked.
Hailey shook her head and made eye contact with Hank, "No, his name's Blake Henry Halstead."
Everyone turned toward Hank and waited to see his reaction. His mouth gaped for a second before he shook his head and walked over to Jay and Hailey. He hugged Hailey tightly and then did the same to Jay.
"Means a lot," he said quietly.
Jay nodded and clasped his hand on Hank's arm, "You mean a lot to us."
Hank smiled and rubbed his face. He pointed his finger at Jay and looked like he was about to say something, but decided against it and went to the kitchen to start serving the pizza.
"I got it on video," Adam whispered to Kevin.
"I'm proud of you both," Trudy said and hugged Jay, "You're doing great things."
"Sucking up for a future girl baby?" Jay joked.
"No, I know Burgess's kid with have my label on it," Trudy gestured toward Kim.
Kim's eyes widened, "Um."
Trudy winked at her and nodded.
"Is that true?" Adam asked softly.
"Actually, I want our baby to be named Jasmine Sparkle," Cara pulled Adam's hand.
"Don't get your hopes up," Drew mumbled, "They'll just go and name the baby whatever they want."
Hailey laughed softly and kissed the top of his head, "We're still calling him Buzz."
"I know, but it's not the same," Drew said.
Hailey shook her head and sat next to him. She hugged him to her side and whispered, "You were the best big brother today."
Drew smiled up at her, "I liked it."
"And I liked watching you," Hailey said.
Jay brought over two plates of pizza, "You two hungry?"
"Starving," Drew reached for a plate.
"Sit on the floor and eat so you can use the coffee table," Jay said.
"Good point," Drew knelt on the floor next to Cara and accepted his pizza.
"Do you like being a brother?" Cara asked.
Drew bit into his pizza and nodded, "I need to protect him, but it's pretty good so far."
"I'm hoping I can be a sister sometime," Cara nodded.
Hailey looked at Kim and smiled. Kim just shook her head and bit her own piece of pizza.
Jay looked around at the blue balloons and streamers before kissing the side of Hailey's head.
"Hmm?" she lightly knocked her shoulders against him.
"We have good friends," Jay said softly.
Hailey's smile widened, "The best."
It was getting late, but everyone was still over eating cake in the living room. Cara had fallen asleep first on top of Adam followed quickly by Drew falling asleep with his head in Hailey's lap.
"So, what're we doing for that guy's birthday this week?" Kevin asked with a nod toward Drew.
Hailey lightly rubbed his back, "We were thinking of taking him to the aquarium. Anyone want to join us? Will's gonna come."
"We'll go," Kim nodded.
"I could use a day off," Adam chuckled.
Trudy rolled her eyes, "From what? You haven't been busy this last week."
"Busy enough, work is tiring," Adam scoffed.
"I'm the one who took fire yesterday," Kevin butt in.
"What?" Jay sat up, "How come you didn't say anything?"
Kevin shrugged, "You two were busy."
"We still want to know that you're okay," Hailey said. She looked around at everyone else, "Was anyone else's life in danger this week?"
Vanessa raised her hand slightly, "I was with Kevin."
"You need to be careful," Hailey hissed, "This job is dangerous and I cannot lose you. None of us can lose anyone."
"Hey, hey," Jay whispered and set a hand on her shoulder, "Hailey."
She shook her head and took a deep breath.
"Hailey, you know the number one rule is that we all go home at the end of the day," Hank said, "We've had it under control."
Jay nodded and brushed his thumb against the back of Hailey's neck, "They know what they're doing."
"I know," Hailey whispered, "Just please be careful, both of you."
Vanessa reached up from the ground with her foot and poked Hailey's leg, "Promise."
Everyone was quiet for a moment before Adam said softly, "Having Cara has made this job hard."
"I'd be lying if I said my anxiety's been low lately," Kim added.
Trudy looked around the room, "Here's the thing. You are all young and have your families and I don't think anyone would judge you for stepping away, but you're also all really good at what you do. I'll be honest, you've all pissed me off at some point or another, but I don't think Intelligence has been this strong in a very long time and it wouldn't be the same without you all together."
Hank nodded, "I completely agree. You all belong in my unit."
Hailey slipped her hand in Jay's and squeezed softly.
He smiled at her and kissed her forehead.
"Also," Kevin cleared his throat, "Have you ever seen a better looking group of people?"
Jay laughed, "I'll admit to carrying the team in that department."
"Okay, sure," Adam rolled his eyes, "My arms would beg to differ."
"I'm very into my hair," Vanessa said with a smile.
"Excuse me, I think I have that category in the bag," Kim tossed her hair over her shoulder.
Hailey just laughed and shook her head.
"Come on, Halstead," Kevin teased her, "What have you got?"
"Um," Hailey blushed, "I…I guess my hair too."
"I was gonna say your ass," Jay said.
"Oh that's a good one," Vanessa nodded.
"Your smile is key," Kim winked.
"Okay, okay, I get it," Hailey leaned into Jay, "Thank you all."
"Cocky bunch," Hank said.
"Honestly wouldn't expect anything else," Trudy shook her head.
Cara woke up on Adam's chest as he laughed and mumbled, "I wanna go home."
"Okay, baby girl," Adam kissed her head and stood from the ground while holding her with Kim's help, "We should get going. Congratulations again, you two, I'm so happy for you."
Kim nodded and quickly hugged Jay and Hailey, "I can't wait to meet him."
"Will was saying he might be able to get us a room for a day so we're not all shoved into the NICU," Jay said while walking them to the front door.
"That'd be fun," Kim smiled, "Goodnight," she walked out to her car with Adam.
"Ness, need a ride?" Kevin asked.
Jay, Hailey, Trudy, and Hank all watched Vanessa smile, "Yes please."
Kevin and Vanessa both hugged Hailey before walking to where Jay was waiting at the door. As Kevin briefly hugged Jay, Jay whispered in his ear, "Ness? Nicknames now?"
"Shut it," Kevin clapped him on the back, "See you soon."
"Bye Jay," Vanessa waved then walked out with Kevin.
Jay shook his head and closed the door.
"Do I want to know?" Hank asked.
"Maybe not yet," Hailey said.
Hank nodded, "Well, thanks for the heads up."
"Do either of you want to meet Blake tomorrow?" Jay leaned over the couch.
Hailey smiled, "It'd be fun."
"I have to work in the afternoon, but I'm sure the namesake wouldn't mind," Trudy said.
Hank chuckled, "Yeah, I'd like to meet him."
"Great," Jay squeezed Hailey's shoulders, "We'd really like that."
"I can text you when we're there," Hailey nodded.
"Sounds good," Hank walked over to the door as Trudy said goodbye to Hailey.
Jay followed him and passed him his coat, "You don't mind, right?"
"Mind what?" Hank put his coat on.
"That we named him after you," Jay rubbed the back of his neck.
Hank smiled and shook his head, "No. I'm honored, Jay. Thank you."
Jay nodded, "You're welcome."
"See you tomorrow," Hank said before walking out of the house.
"Send lots of pictures all the time," Trudy smiled and waved as she followed him.
Jay closed the door and leaned against it.
Hailey looked over at him, "Hey, come here for a second."
"Hmm?" Jay walked around the couch and sat next to her. He laughed softly, "He's still passed out."
Hailey smiled while rubbing Drew's arm, "He is."
"Did your heart just shatter when he tried calming Blake down earlier?" Jay asked.
"Oh god," Hailey breathed, "It was the cutest thing I'd ever seen."
Jay kissed her head, "It was."
"I want to talk about something though," Hailey set her hand on his leg, "I…I thought of it this morning and then earlier when we were all talking."
"Shoot," Jay said.
Hailey winced, "About that…I think you really need to slow down at work. I'm not okay with even picturing you shot again. You have this hero complex and it needs to end."
Jay looked around, "What? Where is this coming from? What the hell?"
"Shh, Drew's sleeping," Hailey said.
Jay rolled his eyes, "Hailey."
"Jay, I'm serious," Hailey squeezed his arm, "You have gotten shot how many times?"
"It's our job, Hailey," Jay snapped.
"I know and yet Adam's never gotten shot," Hailey set her hand on the side of his face, "I've never gotten shot and neither has Kim or Vanessa, Kevin has once."
"Kim has gotten shot, thank you very much," Jay shook his head, "You just weren't there for it."
"Okay, fine," Hailey shrugged, "My point-"
"Have I taken more bullets than the rest of you? Maybe, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm really good at my job," Jay said.
Hailey smiled slightly, "I'm not saying you aren't good at your job, but Jay, you need to listen to me. I love you and our kids love you. Our kids. I will never tell you to quit, I am just asking that you double down and be extra careful when we return to work."
Jay sighed and ran a hand over his hair, "I see what you're saying, but Hailey-"
"No buts," Hailey rubbed her thumb over his cheek, "Please just remember what I've said next time you go in." She slid her hand down to rest on his shoulder, absentmindedly swirling her fingers over his shirt where she knew the worst of his scars was.
Jay glanced at her hand and nodded, "Okay."
"Thank you," Hailey breathed.
Jay kissed her quickly then stood up, "Let's get this guy to bed and then I'm ready to pass out. It was a long day."
Hailey laughed as he picked up Drew, "We were woken up pretty early."
"I'll say," Jay said, "And he treated me like a jungle gym, it hurt."
Hailey smiled and rubbed his back as they walked up the stairs, "You're a good dad."
Jay walked out of the NICU and waved Hank over, "Hey!"
Hank smiled and walked over to him, "Hey, how's it going?"
"Really good," Jay led him inside, "Hailey's sitting with him now, but I'm sure she'll share."
Hank laughed, "I'm fine with waiting my turn."
Hailey looked up as they came over, "Hey," she said softly and rubbed her hand over Blake's back. He was laying on her chest under a blanket, his tiny hands pressed against her skin.
"How're you doing?" Hank sat in the chair next to her.
"I'm good," Hailey smiled, "He's getting stronger."
"That's great," Hank nodded.
"Want to hold him?" Jay asked while pulling a chair over to Hailey's other side.
"Are you sure?" Hank looked between the two of them, "He seems happy where he's at."
"I wouldn't mind going to the bathroom," Hailey carefully sat up and turned toward Jay.
Jay gently picked up Blake and tried hushing him as he whimpered.
"It's okay, sweetheart," Hailey said while buttoning her shirt back up, "We want you to meet someone." She helped Jay with the IV pole and monitors as he moved them closer to Hank before hurrying out of the room.
"Here you go," Jay placed Blake in Hank's arms.
Hank chuckled and smiled down at Blake, "Well, look at you."
Jay smiled, "Look," he slipped Blake's hat off and ran his fingers over the small amount of hair, "Isn't that cool?"
Hank nodded and looked at Jay amused, "Very cool."
"He's so small, but like Hailey said, he's getting stronger. One week tomorrow," Jay sat back in his seat.
"He's a fighter," Hank rubbed his thumb over Blake's arm.
They sat quietly both looking at the baby until Hailey came back in the room.
"How is he?" she asked softly and sat down in her seat.
"He's fine," Hank nodded.
"Fine?" Hailey's eyes widened and she leaned in, "What's wrong?"
Hank raised an eyebrow, "Nothing."
"You said he's fine," Hailey said.
Hank slowly nodded, "He is."
Hailey took a deep breath and sat back in her seat, "Okay."
Hank's eyes flickered to Jay chewing his lip and Hailey clenching her hand into a fist over and over. "All right," Hank said, "We need to talk."
"Yeah?" Jay reached over and fixed Blake's blanket so it wasn't covering his mouth.
"Hey," Hank shook his head, "You two need to relax. You're on edge and it's a little much."
Hailey's jaw dropped slightly, "We…this is stressful," she waved her hands around the area, "Look where we're at! Our baby is broken!"
Jay's head snapped to her, "He is not broken."
"He's addicted to cocaine and he was born five weeks early," Hailey hissed.
"That doesn't mean he's broken!" Jay yelled.
"Hey!" Hank said harshly, "Both of you, knock it off."
Hailey took a deep breath and crossed her arms. Jay shook his head while looking away.
Hank pointed toward the door, "Go take a breather." Hailey and Jay stayed seated, so he said, "Now."
Jay rolled his eyes and led the way out of the NICU.
Hailey sat on a bench and stared forward at the wall as Jay sat next to her. While watching nurses and other parents walk in and out of the NICU doors, they stayed silent, neither even looking at the other.
Finally, Jay whispered, "He's not broken."
Hailey slightly nodded and bit her lip.
Jay looked at her, "I know he's sick-"
"Addicted," Hailey interrupted.
Jay winced, "Okay, he's addicted to cocaine and small, but he's not broken, Hailey."
Hailey breathed shakily, "It was a poor choice of words. I-I just couldn't take it anymore."
"You said it yourself, he's getting stronger," Jay tried.
Hailey blinked her eyes quickly, "He's still so small."
"It's not his fault," Jay set his hand over hers.
"I know," Hailey's voice cracked, "I hate that he's going through this, though. I hate watching his face scrunch up when a nurse checks his IVs. I hate the tape holding an oxygen tube to his face. I hate when he shakes in our arms because he's going through withdrawals. Withdrawals at a week old," she put her head in her hands, "Who would do this to a baby?"
"I know, I know," Jay whispered and gathered her in his arms.
Hailey tried holding back tears as she gripped Jay's shirt, "He makes me so happy and I feel like our family is complete, but he's s-so tiny."
Jay kissed the top of her head and rubbed her back while she finally broke down and cried quietly against his shoulder.
Hailey eventually stopped crying and sat up wiping her eyes, "God," she shook her head and sniffled, "Sorry."
"Don't be," Jay breathed and stroked his thumb over her cheek.
"I am sorry for yelling at you in there," Hailey said.
"I yelled too," Jay rubbed his hands up and down her arms, "So I'm also sorry."
"Guess Voight's right, we're both balls of nerves," Hailey pressed her palms into her eyes.
Jay chuckled, "I think it's expected that we are. It doesn't really surprise me that we've cracked."
"It's barely been a week," Hailey tried laughing, "We haven't even known him for a week. What are we going to do in week three or god-forbid week five?"
"Stick together," Jay held her hand tightly, "We're going to lose our tempers and we're going to fight, but we have each other. We need to be partners like always."
Hailey nodded and hugged him, "You always know what to say."
"Look who's talking," Jay smiled, "You've talked me down from some high cliffs before."
"What'd you say when you proposed?" Hailey asked, "We're two puzzle pieces that complete each other? Now's one of those moments where we have to do that."
"Exactly," Jay kissed her forehead.
Hailey wiped her eyes one last time and took a deep breath, "Should we head back in there?"
"I think we've been away from Blake long enough," Jay nodded and stood with her.
They walked back into the NICU together to where Hank was still holding Blake. He spotted them and raised his eyebrows, "Better?"
Hailey blushed as she sat down, "Yeah, I think so."
Jay sat next to her and rubbed her back, "We're good."
Hank watched them for a moment then said, "Parenting's hard in normal circumstances, so this makes things even harder, but if I had to pick two people to get through this, it'd be you two. I know you both have this…hero complex where you have to be strong for everyone else and you need to put it to the side right now. Why do you think I've been forcing the unit down your throats? You two don't ask for help and that needs to change."
Jay made eye contact with Hailey and said quietly, "That's fair."
Hailey stiffly nodded and swallowed, "We can try."
"No," Hank shook his head, "You're going to do more than try, you're going to ask for help and lean on your team because that is how you can be the best damn parents you can be right now. You two are doing great on your own, but to stay sane, you need help and that's okay. That's an order." He looked down at Blake and gently bounced him, "It takes a village and your village is ready for you."
Jay smiled slightly and nodded, "Thank you."
"We needed to hear that," Hailey breathed.
"I know," Hank chuckled, "Did you really think I didn't know you two after all this time?"
Jay shook his head, "This is why we named Blake after you."
"If you need that constant reminder of his name to tell you that everything's going to be okay, that's fine with me," Hank said.
Hailey smiled and gently touched Blake's head, "Copy you."
"Remember, we all come home at the end of the day," Hank said, "That includes this little guy. His day's just in a few weeks."
A/N: Seriously, you've all been super nice to me and it's been just what I needed at this time. I'm so happy you're all still loving this story and I look forward to sharing more with you!