Hailey slid the bottle of whiskey across the kitchen table and picked up the tape, "Do you think he'll like all of this?"

"Little late now to go back," Jay took a long sip of the whiskey.

Hailey sighed, "I just want this to be perfect," she finished wrapping the box of legos.

"It will be," Jay passed the whiskey back to her and grabbed the dinosaur wrapping paper, "It's not like we picked stuff he doesn't like," he stared at the birdhouse in the shape of a police car and tried to think of how to wrap it.

"I know, but the whole day," Hailey said, the bottle paused halfway to her mouth.

"Just…believe," Jay said and started wrapping the birdhouse.

Hailey rolled her eyes, "Believe?"

"Yeah," Jay chuckled, "It'll be okay."

"It's his first birthday with us," Hailey said.

"Which means his other birthdays were probably crap," Jay glanced up at her, "I think he'll appreciate anything we do."

Hailey took a deep breath and nodded, "Sadly you're right."

Jay smiled slightly and grabbed the tape from her, "I know."

Hailey watched him finish wrapping the gift and add it to the pile on the kitchen table.

"There we go," Jay dusted his hands off, "Nice job, Halsteads."

Hailey laughed, "You're such a dork."

"Your dork," Jay winked and grabbed the whiskey back to take another sip.

"Can I ask something a little sobering?" Hailey asked.

Jay nodded and passed her the bottle.

Hailey took a drink before saying, "Tomorrow's the longest we're not going to see Blake in a week."

Jay nodded and bit his lip, "I know."

"Do you think he'll miss us?" Hailey asked softly.

Jay scooted his chair closer to her, "Honestly? I don't think so," he took her hand, "He's so little, I don't know if babies' memories work like that yet. I could be wrong and that would be awful and I'd feel like the worst dad ever-"

"Not helping," Hailey breathed.

Jay shook his head, "Okay, fair. Hailey, I think he'll be okay, though. We'll still go at night and we can hold him for as long as we want then."

Hailey nodded slightly and squeezed his hand.

"It'll work out," Jay said, "I promise."

"Okay," Hailey whispered.

Jay kissed her forehead, "Should we head to bed?"

Hailey shook her head and pointed to the bag of birthday decorations on the counter.

"Right, right," Jay sighed and stood, "All right, let's do this."

Jay pushed open Drew's bedroom door for Hailey as she walked in carrying a donut on a plate with a candle stuck in it.

Hailey smiled and carefully sat on the edge of Drew's bed.

Jay chuckled and winked at her before tickling Drew's sides and yelling, "Happy birthday! Happy birthday!"

Hailey laughed, "Jay!"

Drew jerked awake and tried getting away as fast as possible. He caught his breath and stared at Hailey and Jay with wide eyes.

Jay softened and said quietly, "Hi."

Drew blinked a few times then smiled, "Hi."

"Happy birthday, sweetheart," Hailey said.

Drew turned to her and his face lit up, "Is that for me?"

"Of course it is," Hailey smiled and held it out.

"Happy birthday," Jay hugged Drew to his side.

"Oh wow," Drew looked at the candle burning.

"Here," Hailey smiled at Jay and started singing 'Happy Birthday' with him.

Once the song was finished, Jay said, "Make a wish."

Drew closed his eyes tightly and thought for a solid minute before blowing out the candle. He looked between the two of them with a big smile.

Hailey rubbed his arm, "We love you so much."

Jay nodded, "More than anything." He took the donut from Hailey and handed it to Drew, "Want to eat your breakfast in bed?"

Drew laughed softly and bit into the donut, "Thank you. This was the best birthday ever."

"Was?" Hailey raised an eyebrow.

Drew nodded and swallowed, "It was good. Thanks!"

"Bud, your birthday isn't over," Jay said slowly, "It's not even 7:15am."

"What do you mean?" Drew asked.

"That your birthday lasts all day," Hailey bit her lip.

"Really?" Drew set the donut on the plate.

"Yeah, I…I'm confused," Jay shook his head, "Drew, what…why…I'm just not sure what's going on right now."

"Last year my birthday was only breakfast," Drew shrugged, "And I think the year before that too. Ms. Isabetta would give us sprinkle muffins."

"Hey," Hailey ran her hand over his hair, "Your birthday's not going to be like that anymore, okay? Today we're going to have more donuts and you'll open presents and then-"

"Presents?" Drew whispered, "Like more than one?"

Jay nodded, "We got you a few."

Drew breathed shakily and lightly scratched his arms. His lip wavered as he tried talking, but nothing came out.

Hailey set the donut plate on the ground and hugged him, "What's going through your head right now?"

"I don't think this is right," Drew shook his head, "This never happened to me."

Hailey rubbed her hands up and down his back, "Just take some deep breaths for us and then we can talk about it."

"We're sorry," Jay said softly, "We didn't mean to overwhelm you. We want you to have a good day."

Drew rubbed his eyes and looked over, "Really?"

Jay smiled, "Of course we do. Like Mom said, we love you, bud. Today's all about you."

Drew took a deep breath and looked up at Hailey.

She nodded and gently wiped his eyes, "It's true."

"What are we going to do?" Drew sniffled.

"Uncle Will's going to come over in a little bit," Jay said, "And then we're going to go on a water taxi with him and Ms. Kim, Mr. Adam, and Cara to the aquarium and spend the day there."

"The aquarium?" Drew finally smiled again, "I've never been there."

Hailey smiled at him, "So it's the perfect day to try it out."

"And I don't need to go to school?" Drew asked.

Jay chuckled, "No, you're not going to school today."

"Well, then let's start!" Drew jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom.

Hailey laughed briefly until she remembered their conversation just minutes before and her face fell. She set a hand on Jay's leg and shook her head.

"I know," Jay whispered.

Hailey took a deep breath and stood up, picking up the donut from the ground, "Damn abusive people. They belong in hell."

Jay watched her walk away and breathed out before picking out an outfit for Drew and laying it out on his mattress. He went downstairs to wait in the kitchen with Hailey.

She was finishing a sprinkled donut in her seat and glanced up at him, "I couldn't wait. I was angry."

Jay chuckled and sat across from her, "That's fair. I don't think he'll mind."

Hailey shook her head, "My blood just boils when I think about what he's gone through – what both our kids went through!"

Jay reached over and squeezed her wrist, "I know."

Hailey wiped her fingers on a napkin, "It makes me want to go back to work and shift my focus to child crimes or something. People who hurt children, whether they've been born or not, deserve to die."

"Okay," Jay scooted his chair closer to her. He lightly held her face, "Look at me. You are not going down that path again, understand? I will not let you. I understand you are angry, those people are disgusting, but I will not let you kill anybody."

"You 'will not let me?'" Hailey raised an eyebrow, "Jay Halstead, I know you are not telling me what to do."

Jay couldn't help but roll his eyes, "I don't care. I do not care if you think I'm being overbearing or if I'm being anti-woman or anything like that. You are not going to commit murder under my watch."

Hailey breathed shakily and pursed her lips before tearing her gaze from Jay and looking down at her hands.

Jay waited a minute and then hugged her tightly, "I can't lose you," he whispered, "Whether you go to jail or not…I cannot lose you."

Hailey squeezed her eyes shut and buried her face into his shoulder.

"Whoa!"

Jay and Hailey quickly pulled apart and turned to see Drew looking around the kitchen and living room with wide eyes. He smiled at the streamers and birthday signs hanging from the walls.

"This is so cool!" he bounced up and down. His eyes turned to the kitchen table and his jaw dropped, "Are all those donuts for me?"

Hailey laughed and wiped her eyes, "Well, not all of them, you shouldn't eat eleven donuts, but you are certainly allowed to have a couple."

"Thank you so much," Drew sat next to Jay and reached forward for a chocolate donut.

"Oh those are delicious," Jay chuckled while grabbing one for himself.

"Do you want some milk or juice?" Hailey stood from the table.

"Mhmm," Drew said around his bite of donut.

Hailey laughed softly and walked to the fridge.

There was a knock on the door before it opened and Will called out, "I heard it's someone's birthday in here!"

Drew pushed away from the table and ran around to see him, "It's mine!"

Will laughed and set his present on the ground to put his arms out, "Happy birthday!"

Drew smiled and happily hugged him, "Did you know it's going to last all day?"

Will raised his eyebrows and looked down at him, "What're you talking about?"

"Mom and Dad said we're going to celebrate my birthday all day," Drew said, "Isn't that cool?"

"Um," Will walked with him to the kitchen, "Yes?"

"Hey," Jay smiled at him, "Want a donut?"

"Of course," Will sat down, "How's it feel being eight?"

Drew shrugged and took his glass of milk from Hailey, "I'm fine with it."

Will chuckled, "Well, that's good."

"Thanks for saying you'll hang out with us today," Hailey sat next to Jay again.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Will winked at Drew.

Once Drew finished his donut and milk, he couldn't take his eyes off of the pile of presents at the other end of the table. He nervously rubbed his arms, but was also bouncing his knee in excitement.

Jay caught his eye and smirked, "Do you want to open those?"

Drew bit his lip over a smile, "Can I?"

"Oh, wait," Will hurried back to the front of the house and returned with his present, "Okay, now you can open them."

"Wow," Drew whispered.

Hailey tilted her head and looked at him, "Feeling okay? If you don't want to open all of them right now or even any of them, that's fine."

Drew shook his head, "I-I'll open them." He opened the card on Will's gift and opened it. He scrunched his nose up and picked up a small piece of paper, "What's this?"

Will laughed softly and took it to pass to Jay, "Remember when I gave your mom that money for Blake?"

Drew thought then nodded, "The future money."

"That's what that is," Will said.

"Will," Jay shook his head, "How-"

"Consider it from Dad," Will shrugged, "Okay?"

Jay nodded and smiled slightly, "Thank you."

Drew tore off the paper from the box and gasped, "Wow!" He showed it Jay and Hailey, "I can build a robot!"

"Now that's pretty cool," Jay said.

Hailey laughed softly, "I agree. What do you want to make it do?"

"Anything," Drew shook his head.

Will smiled, "So you like it?"

"So much," Drew nodded quickly.

Jay chuckled, "Want to open the ones from me and Mom now?"

"This is crazy," Drew breathed while starting to unwrap the gifts. They bought him the birdhouse shaped like a police car, a lego set of birds, a pop-up dinosaur encyclopedia, a solar system set, and a science board game. By the end of opening them, Drew was out of breath and had whispered 'wow' more times than any of them could count. He stood from the table and walked to Hailey. He blinked several times and then hugged her tightly.

She rubbed his back and kissed the top of his head. "I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too," Drew mumbled. He stepped back and did the same to Jay.

Jay lifted him on his lap and tilted his chin up, "You mean everything to us, okay? I love you so much."

Drew nodded and swallowed.

Jay smiled a little, "It's okay, buddy."

"It's a lot in my head," Drew whispered.

"I bet," Jay said, "Take all the time you need."

Drew rubbed his arms then hugged Jay.

"I've got you," Jay breathed.

Hailey patted Jay's leg and smiled at him. "I love you too," she whispered.

Jay winked and whispered back, "I love you too."

After Drew was able to gather himself together, the four of them headed to Navy Pier and met Adam, Kim, and Cara at the water taxi to head to Shedd Aquarium.

"Happy birthday!" Cara yelled and jumped at Drew.

Drew winced, but still smiled and hugged her back, "Thank you."

Adam lightly punched his shoulder, "Happy birthday, kiddo, how're you doing?"

"I'm good," Drew nodded and grabbed Hailey's hand.

Kim smiled and waved at him, "Happy birthday, Drew."

Drew waved back, "Thanks."

Jay walked over with the tickets, "Everyone ready?"

"So we take a boat?" Drew asked and looked at it.

"Yeah," Jay set a hand on his shoulder and started walking over.

"Is it safe?" Drew looked up between Jay and Hailey.

Hailey nodded, "People go on water taxis all the time."

"It's a lot of fun," Will smiled, "I think you'll like it."

"Do you think I'll like it?" Cara asked.

Will laughed, "Yes, I do."

"Good," Cara grabbed Adam's hand.

He picked her up, "Stay with me, okay?"

"Adam," Kim held out a small backpack in the shape of a monkey.

"Kim," he sighed, "No."

"Put it on her," Kim hissed.

"What is it?" Hailey asked.

They made their way to the water taxi and stepped on. Will stood on Drew's other side and grabbed his hand as well while they all walked to two benches facing each other within the taxi.

"It's humiliation," Adam said.

Kim rolled her eyes and sat next to Cara, "Cara, put this on."

Cara shrugged and put the backpack on.

"Take it off," Adam shook his head.

"It's cute," Cara smiled.

Jay chuckled, "Is it-"

Kim hooked a leash onto the backpack and slipped it around her wrist.

"Yup," Jay nodded with a smirk.

"I can't look," Adam shook his head and looked up at the ceiling.

"How many missing kid cases have we been on?" Kim whispered dangerously, "She is five and very adorable. I'm not losing her."

"Honestly, not a bad idea," Hailey said.

Jay's head spun to her, "What?"

"You've said it too!" Hailey laughed.

"In theory," Jay said slowly, "He's too old now."

Will laughed, "He's eight."

"He will stay by us the whole time, right?" Jay raised an eyebrow at Drew.

Drew blushed, "I can't run?"

"Absolutely not," Jay shook his head.

"Fine, fine, I'll try," Drew said.

"Do more than try," Will butt in.

Drew nodded, "Okay, got it."

Hailey reached over and squeezed his leg, "Do you want to see a dolphin show?"

Cara gasped, "A dolphin show? With real dolphins?"

"Mhmm," Hailey smiled.

Cara clapped her hands, "Yes! I love dolphins."

"Since when?" Adam laughed.

"Since ever," Cara rolled her eyes.

"Whatever," Adam shook his head.

"Did you eat sprinkle muffins this morning?" Cara asked Drew.

"Nope," Drew answered, "But we had donuts."

Cara's eyes sparkled, "Oh boy. I love donuts. Kim doesn't let me eat them a lot, but Adam bought me-"

Adam quickly covered her mouth, "Hey, that was a secret."

Kim crossed her arms, "You did what?"

"Nothing, nothing," Adam waved his hand.

Cara moved his hand off her mouth, "He bought me a donut on the way to school the other day."

Drew smiled wide and looked up at Hailey, "Can you buy me a donut on the way to school?"

Hailey laughed, "Not for a while. You have some at home that will last us another day."

Drew blinked his eyes quickly and pouted, "But it's my birthday."

Jay burst into laughter, "He caught on to the birthday card."

"Smart kid," Will smirked and gently knocked his shoulder against Drew's side.

"I know," Drew shrugged.

Hailey shook her head with a smile and breathed out as she leaned back in her seat. She looked out the window laughing softly as she listened to Drew and Cara banter back and forth, glad that they were all going to the aquarium together today.

Jay wrapped his arm around her shoulder as he talked to Adam. His fingers lightly rubbed over Hailey's coat and occasionally played with her hair. He eventually caught her eye and smiled.

Hailey nodded in return and rested her head on his shoulder to watch Drew talk so excitedly the rest of the trip.

The entire time in the aquarium, Drew and Cara were equally shocked at all the fish and sea creatures they were seeing. For the first half hour, they were silent as the adults walked them around just staring through the glass at the bright colors.

Will eventually asked, "Anyone want to go touch some starfish?"

Cara whipped around from having her face pressed against the glass, "You can do that?" she gasped.

Will smiled and nodded, "Yeah, it's pretty cool."

"Oh, please, please," Cara tugged at Kim's hand.

Kim laughed, "We can definitely go there."

"I…no," Drew shook his head, "No."

"Why not?" Hailey asked.

"You're not allowed to touch under water animals," Drew pointed to the starfish at the bottom of the tank, "Look at them. They're not used to people touching them. And besides, what if they hurt me?"

"They won't hurt you," Jay said, "Let's just go check it out and see what it's like, okay? Cara wants to, so we'll go with her."

"Fine," Drew kicked the floor with a sigh.

They all walked around the corner to the play zone and stood in line. While in line, Cara was bouncing and telling Adam how excited she was. On the other hand, Drew was nervously playing with Jay's fingers and looking around the room.

They made their way to the front and Kim pulled her phone out to take a video of Cara and Adam petting a starfish and sea urchin.

"Still nervous?" Hailey asked Drew.

He nodded and grabbed onto Jay's shirt.

"You don't have to touch them at all," Jay shook his head.

Will nodded, "Want to just watch your dad and I do it?"

"Be very careful," Drew said.

"We will be," Will smiled and lightly touched the starfish being held out to him.

"Is it pokey?" Drew asked.

Will chuckled, "A little, but it doesn't hurt."

Jay ran his finger over it and nodded, "It's pretty cool, bud."

"I'll try," Hailey stepped forward and joined them.

Drew stood on his tiptoes as he watched, "Did it hurt you?"

"Not at all," Hailey said.

Drew bit his lip, "I guess…maybe I'll try."

"Cool," Jay smiled and lightly grabbed his hand. He helped him touch the starfish and Drew's eyes widened.

"I did it!" he said.

"Isn't it cool?" Cara bounced.

Drew smiled and touched it again, "I think I want one of these."

"No," Hailey shook her head.

"It was a good try," Cara nodded.

"I know, it's my birthday which is apparently a big deal," Drew covered his hands in the hand sanitizer and rubbed it up and down his arms.

"Huh, weird," Cara said.

"Right?" Drew waved his arms around. He squinted his eyes and tried rubbing them again, "I used too much."

"Here," Hailey squatted in front of him and tried wiping some of the foam into her own hands.

"What did you do?" Jay laughed.

"I made a mess," Drew blushed.

Will chuckled and helped Hailey clean off Drew's other arm.

"That should be good," Hailey looked him over.

"Dolphin show?" Kim smiled.

"Yes, yes, yes!" Cara started to run, but was jerked backwards by the leash connecting her to Kim.

Kim raised an eyebrow at Adam and smirked while walking away.

Jay hit Adam's arm, "Looks like it was necessary."

"Still embarrassing," Adam whispered as they started making their way to oceanarium.

"Where should we sit?" Hailey asked once they walked in.

"The front," Drew said confidently.

Everyone turned to look at him. "Are you sure?" Will asked.

Drew nodded, "I want to be super close."

"I like that idea," Cara said.

"All right then," Hailey breathed and led the way to the front row. She looked at Jay as he sat next to her, "Do you think he'll be okay?"

Jay glanced around her at Drew smiling wide at the empty pool. He nodded and sat back, "He wants this. It's not like we're forcing him."

Hailey nodded slightly and rubbed Drew's back.

He turned to look at her, "Yeah?"

"Nothing," Hailey smiled a little, "Just want to make sure you're having fun."

"This is one of the best days of my life," Drew said before turning back to the pool.

Hailey breathed out and shook her head in disbelief. She kissed the top of his head and hugged him to her side.

As the show started, Drew and Cara began laughing in disbelief. They clapped along and gasped at all the right parts. Jay, Hailey, Kim, Adam, and Will were more interested in watching their reactions than the dolphins and whales just because it was so cute to experience the show through their eyes. Drew even got slightly wet at one point, but he didn't care. He just showed Will the wet spot on his shirt and laughed even harder.

When it ended, Cara and Drew jumped to their feet and clapped loudly.

Kim laughed and made eye contact with Hailey. Hailey smiled and shook her head as Cara and Drew started talking about their favorite parts. It was the cutest thing either of them had seen in a long time.

The sun was setting as Jay, Hailey, and Drew walked into the NICU. Drew yawned as they walked back to Blake.

"Did today wear you out?" Jay chuckled.

Drew nodded and rubbed his stomach, "The pizza made me full."

"It was delicious, wasn't it?" Hailey smiled.

"Yeah," Drew breathed. Once Blake's incubator came into view, Drew's face lit up and he hurried over. "Hi, Buzz," he whispered into the hole, "How're you? Did you know it's my birthday?"

Jay smiled and bent down under the incubator where there was a small blue bag.

Hailey waved a nurse over and together they lifted Blake out so Hailey could hold him in the recliner.

Drew sat in the chair next to her on his knees and bent down to whisper in Blake's ear, "I had the best day. Mom and Dad gave me donuts and so many presents and Uncle Will came over and then we went to the aquarium with Ms. Kim, Mr. Adam, and Cara and we even took a water taxi and we also had pizza for dinner with Mr. Kevin and Ms. Vanessa. Oh! And they all gave me presents too. I'm so lucky, Buzz."

Jay chuckled as he sat down and set the bag in his lap.

"He's happy to see you," Hailey said softly, "Look at his smile."

"Is that really a smile?" Drew asked.

"It's close enough," Hailey smiled herself.

"Bud," Jay leaned over, "Blake got you something."

Drew raised an eyebrow, "Really?"

Hailey laughed, "Yes!"

"He's tiny," Drew sat up and crossed his arms.

"Just take it," Jay chuckled and waved the bag.

"All right," Drew said quietly and accepted the bag. He looked inside and smiled as he pulled out a small picture frame with a photo of him and Blake inside. On the frame, it said 'Best Brothers Forever.' He hugged the frame to his chest and closed his eyes.

"Do you like it?" Hailey asked.

Drew nodded and looked at it again, "It's perfect. Will you help me hang it in my room?"

Jay smiled, "Definitely."

Drew set the frame on his seat and lightly touched Blake's hair, "I don't know how you did it, but thank you."

After a while of sitting in near silence, Hailey asked softly, "Did you have a good birthday then?"

Drew looked at her with a huge smile on his face, "Obviously."

Hailey smiled back, "I'm glad."

"What do you say," Jay chuckled, "Same thing next year?"

Drew laughed, "Yes please!"

"I can't wait," Hailey said.

Drew surprised both Jay and Hailey by bending over and kissing Blake's head, "I hope you'll be able to come with us next time."

Jay nodded and squeezed Hailey's arm, "He'll be there. I promise."

"Come home soon," Drew whispered to Blake, "Please."

Hailey smiled again and lightly ran her hand over Drew's hair. He flinched, but didn't pull away. Instead, he looked up at her and just smiled and it was the most genuine smile on his face the entire day.

A/N: It's been a couple days, so I hope you're all still interested! I was really excited for this chapter and I hope I did a good job at it. Please let me know what you think! I'm going to try to get out the next chapter in the next day or two…I came up with it last night and I hope I do it justice – there's definitely more to come! Talk soon!