Hailey slipped her hands around Jay's waist and pressed her face between his shoulder blades while he finished cooking over the stove.

He chuckled and turned his head, "Hey, you."

"Hi," Hailey whispered and reached up to kiss the back of his neck, "Thanks for cooking dinner."

"If it's gonna mean more of this and you on top of me, I'll do it more often," Jay said.

Hailey laughed softly and lightly patted his chest before stepping away, "Let's see how good it tastes first."

"Oh, it'll be good," Jay scooped some of the chicken and rice onto a spoon, "Try it."

"But I think I should give first impression at the table in front of everyone," Hailey winked.

"Please," Jay lightly touched the spoon to her lips, "Open for Daddy."

Hailey laughed and grabbed his wrist, "You've been feeding Blake too much."

At the sound of his name, Blake looked up from his spot next to the kitchen table where he was playing with an extra spatula and smiled, "Mama."

Jay looked over Hailey's shoulder and chuckled, "Hailey."

She closed her eyes and breathed shakily, "Did he say it?"

"Mama," Blake repeated and tried crawling over with the spatula in his fist, but couldn't figure out how to hold it while moving.

Hailey turned and blinked her eyes quickly as she squatted down, "Hi, honey. Yes, I'm Mama. I'm your Mama."

Blake giggled and let go of the spatula to crawl toward her, "Mama."

Hailey scooped him up and hugged him tightly, "Oh, my baby."

Blake immediately tangled his hands in her hair and hid his face in her neck.

Jay watched Hailey lightly bounce Blake against her and smiled. He knew she struggled making the decision to step away from Intelligence, but there was no doubt in his head that she was making the right decision for her and for Blake and for Drew. This wasn't about him or Voight, it was about Hailey's family and her heart. It was her choice.

The doorbell rang and Drew ran down the stairs, "It's Aunt Vanessa! Aunt Vanessa's here!" He waited by the door and bounced on his feet, "Dad! Mom! Come get the door!"

Jay laughed and kissed Hailey's forehead before walking around to the front of the house, "All right, all right." He opened the door and smiled at Vanessa, "Hey, thanks for coming."

Vanessa nodded at him and pasted a smile on her face when she spotted Drew, "There's my favorite boy!"

Drew laughed, "Hi, my dad said you'd want to see my Lego houses."

"Oh, totally," Vanessa stepped in next to Jay and passed him her jacket, trying not to make eye contact with him, "Did you use the directions or did you make your own?"

"Both," Drew said and put his hand out, "Want to come look?"

Vanessa stopped wiping her eyes and softened at Drew's outstretched hand, "Sure." She put her hand in Drew's and let him drag her upstairs.

Jay took a deep breath and returned to the kitchen.

Hailey turned, "Hey Va-where is she?"

"Drew took her upstairs," Jay said with a shrug, "She's sort of crying."

Hailey raised an eyebrow then wordlessly passed him Blake and hurried up to Drew's room.

"This is the school," Drew was saying, "It's only for kids that are kind and follow rules."

"Oh, I like that," Vanessa replied.

Hailey set her hand on the wall as she listened to Drew give her the tour of what he'd built.

"And this is where my mom and dad live," Drew pointed, "It's the biggest one because, well, obvious reasons."

Vanessa laughed, "Are one of these mine?"

"Which one do you want?" Drew asked.

"Hmm," Vanessa looked over the variety of houses, "That pink one."

"Cool, Uncle Kevin lives in the blue one next door," Drew said.

Hailey stepped in the room, "Hey, V."

Vanessa waved slightly, trying to hide her glassy eyes.

"Drew, you okay if I talk to Aunt Vanessa for a little bit?" Hailey asked.

Drew's face fell, "What? But…"

"We'll talk later, Hails," Vanessa turned back to Drew, "I like hanging out with Drew, it's okay."

Drew smiled, but still glanced at Hailey, "Did you want to come look at my creations too?"

Hailey breathed in, noticing Vanessa pressing a hand into her eye, "Okay, yeah, let's see what you've made."

"Well, you've already seen everything," Drew said, "But it doesn't hurt to look again." He patted the carpet, "Come here."

Hailey laughed softly and sat next to him, lightly rubbing his back, "You're right. I like looking at what you've made anyways."

"Maybe I can be an architect when I'm older," Drew smiled at his houses and straightened them out.

"You are really smart," Vanessa said.

"Yeah," Drew nodded.

Hailey snorted quietly and shook her head.

Drew looked at her, "I am. I have a really big brain. It's different, but it's big."

"I know, sweetheart," Hailey smiled and lightly kissed the top of his head, "Just sometimes you need to practice being humble."

Drew shrugged and crawled over to his bin of Legos and started putting some of the pieces together.

"You okay?" Hailey whispered.

Vanessa tried to smile, "I'm good."

Hailey glanced to Drew then crossed her arms.

Vanessa chewed her lip then said quietly, "It was bad. I yelled at him in the car. He-"

Jay knocked on the wall, Blake in his arms, "Hey, dinner's ready."

"Good, I'm really hungry," Drew hurried past him and ran downstairs.

Jay looked to Hailey and Vanessa, now noticing how close they were and how upset Vanessa looked again, "I can probably hold him off for a few minutes if you need to finish up something…"

Hailey nodded, "Thank you."

Jay smiled at them then closed the door on his way out.

"You didn't have to do that," Vanessa said softly.

Hailey raised an eyebrow, "Talk to me. I'm your best friend."

Vanessa couldn't help it and laughed quietly, "Yeah, you are."

"So tell me," Hailey lightly pushed Vanessa's shoulder, "What happened with you and Kevin?"

"He cut off the deal," Vanessa whispered, "I had it, Hailey. I was going to close it and we were going to put away those people who were selling the fake heroin and then Kevin used the safe word."

Hailey nodded along, "Do you…do you know why he would have called it?"

Vanessa played with her fingers and mumbled, "He started getting handsy."

"Are you okay?" Hailey asked, "Did he touch you?"

"Well, yeah, he touched me, but I'm fine, Hailey," Vanessa sighed, "I can handle myself, we all know that, but the second that creep put his hands on me…blanket. We're done. It was so unnecessary and he might have blown it for the future. Voight's trusting his gut, but he's pissed; I know he is."

"I know how frustrating that is," Hailey nodded, "There have definitely been times where Jay and I have both gotten a little too protective of the other."

"But you're both equal," Vanessa shook her head, "You're both detectives. The way Kevin did it was so demeaning like I'm some kid."

"I mean technically Jay has been on the job longer," Hailey said.

Vanessa rolled her eyes, "But still. He probably never makes people look at you like you're less than."

"Kevin does not think you're less than," Hailey lightly touched her hand.

"I don't know," Vanessa sighed and twirled a strand of her hair, "It hurt."

Hailey nodded and breathed, "I bet."

Vanessa groaned as she rubbed her face before standing up, "Okay, I'll just go eat, maybe that'll help. Do you mind if I have a drink?"

"Uh, sure, go for it," Hailey stood with her.

"Awesome, you feel like a beer?" Vanessa asked.

"Oh," Hailey hesitated, "Um…Jay'd probably drink with you."

Vanessa looked back at her, "You don't want one?"

"Not really in the mood," Hailey weakly smiled.

Vanessa narrowed her eyes, but didn't think much deeper into it as they heard a loud yell from the living room.

Hailey pushed past her and ran down the stairs, "Drew!" She came to a halt at the edge of the carpet when she realized he was playing with Jay.

Specifically, they were wrestling.

She laughed softly and crossed her arms when Jay sat on Drew and panted, "Gotcha."

"Get off," Drew laughed and pushed at Jay's arms.

Blake squealed in his swing and clapped his hands together, kicking his legs as he swung back and forth.

"I thought you were hurt," Hailey said and walked over to tug at the back of Jay's shirt.

He chuckled while standing, "Just wanted to show our kid how strong I am."

"You're strong, I know," Drew laughed and sat up, "They're here now, can we eat?"

"Yeah," Jay pulled him up, "Go sit down."

"Jay, you want a beer?" Vanessa asked, "I asked your wife, but she said no."

Jay looked between her and Hailey then slowly nodded, "Uh, sure, yeah, I'll have a beer."

"Cool," Vanessa smiled and followed Drew to the kitchen.

Jay made eye contact with Hailey and raised an eyebrow.

She shrugged and squeezed his hand as she past him on her way to the table.

Jay took a deep breath and ran his hands over his face before walking to the kitchen.

"Thank you for having me over," Vanessa said and passed Hailey the pan to dry.

"Of course," Hailey smiled.

"If we're being technical, I'm definitely the one who invited you over," Jay smirked while wiping the table off.

"And I appreciate you too," Vanessa winked.

Jay laughed, "Back at you."

Hailey leaned against the counter, "Anyone else feel like ice-cream tonight?"

"Oh, that sounds delicious," Vanessa nodded, "I'm in."

"You want ice-cream?" Jay asked.

"Yes," Hailey said, "Strawberry ice-cream."

"Weird choice," Vanessa shrugged, "But whatever. I want chocolate."

"Strawberry ice-cream?" Jay repeated, "Are you craving that?"

Hailey blushed, but still laughed it off, "No, of course not. It's just something I want right now."

Vanessa scrunched her eyebrows together and watched them.

"Something you want right now," Jay laughed, "Yeah, totally not a craving."

"Well, it's not like I'm going to die if I don't have it," Hailey hissed, "Knock it off."

Vanessa cleared her throat, "As cute as this ice-cream fight is, are you done?"

Jay's eyes flickered over to her, "Yeah, yeah, uh…I'll take the boys and we'll go get some strawberry and chocolate ice-cream."

"Thank you," Hailey said softly and waved at him as he walked out of the room.

"Cravings?" Vanessa asked.

"It's not a craving," Hailey sighed, "Ignore him. That's what I do."

"You do not," Vanessa laughed, "You are head over heels for him and have been for years."

"We are married," Hailey held up her left hand.

"Yeah, married for three years now, right?" Vanessa smirked, "I'd say that's usually when people have babies."

"We have babies," Hailey sighed.

"You have a baby," Vanessa looked around and smiled at the pictures stuck to the fridge, "And you have a child. Are you forgetting you told me weeks and weeks ago that you two were trying to get pregnant?"

Hailey shrugged and started the dishwasher.

Vanessa's smile widened, "Hailey Anne Halstead, are you pregnant?"

"Shh," Hailey whispered, "Drew could hear you."

Vanessa jumped slightly, "You are!"

"No, stop," Hailey waved her hands, "I am not. Stop it. We're trying. I'm not pregnant."

Vanessa's smile faded, "Oh."

"Don't mention it around Jay, it stresses him out," Hailey continued.

"Why?" Vanessa leaned against the counter, "Afraid he can't do it or something?"

Hailey blinked her eyes quickly then said, "Yeah, yeah, he's worried that…he's broken. Too many gunshots."

"I don't think that's how it works," Vanessa crossed her arms, "Maybe he should talk to Will. Is that weird? Do siblings talk about sex together?"

"No idea," Hailey laughed slightly, "Definitely wouldn't talk to my brothers about it."

"Good point," Vanessa nodded, "Well, you want to watch TV? I'm sure we could find something not kid appropriate for the next twenty minutes or so before Jay comes back."

Hailey smiled, "Yeah, uh, I'll grab us some water."

"Or wine," Vanessa winked on her way to the living room, "Your choice."

Hailey waited for her to be out of sight to take a deep breath and steady herself against the counter.

"Dammit," she whispered.

Vanessa held Blake in the rocker in his room as Hailey searched for a pair of pajamas for him.

"You know," she said, "I could get used to this mom stuff."

"Okay," Hailey laughed, "Are you forgetting every time you've ever babysat him?"

"Hush," Vanessa smirked, "That's when I was alone. I think if I was mar-"

Hailey looked up in time to see Vanessa's voice get stuck in her throat. She walked over with a onesie and said softly, "You okay?"

Vanessa shrugged and looked down at Blake staring up at her, "We didn't break up, but it really feels like we did."

Hailey slowly nodded then placed the onesie over the arm of the rocker, "Be right back."

She walked out heading downstairs where Jay and Drew were playing video games. She leaned over the back of the couch and whispered in Jay's ear, "Can we talk?"

"Huh?" Jay glanced at her.

"Can we talk?" Hailey repeated.

"No," Drew answered, "Dad and I are busy."

Hailey raised an eyebrow and reached over to easily slip the controller from his hands and pause the game, "Go brush your teeth."

Drew's jaw dropped, "Mom!"

Hailey pointed to the stairs, "Now."

Drew groaned and marched upstairs pounding his feet on the way.

Jay chuckled and set his controller down, "What was that for?"

"He can't talk to me like that," Hailey said while sitting next to Jay, "He can't talk to either of us like that."

"Yeah, I know," Jay shrugged, "All right, I'm all yours though, what's up?"

"Can she stay the night?" Hailey asked.

Jay thought for a moment then said, "Vanessa?"

Hailey nodded, "She needs a friend. We both know that she spends more nights with Kevin than without."

"I love her, you know I do," Jay started, "But where's she going to sleep?"

"Jay," Hailey grabbed his arm, "That's a lame excuse."

Jay breathed in, "I…I just remember all the sleepovers you two used to have and," a smile spread on his face, "You two are kind of a handful."

"I won't be drinking tonight," Hailey laughed and squeezed his arm again, "You know that."

"Yes, but that's not going to stop you two from being loud and laughing at two in the morning," Jay said.

"We'll behave," Hailey smiled, "I promise."

"Yeah, based on that face I believe you," Jay chuckled, "Whatever, yeah, I'm fine if she stays the night. I'll sleep in Drew's room, she can have my spot on the bed."

Hailey kissed his cheek quickly before standing, "She never sleeps in your spot, but thank you. You're the best."

"Uh-huh," Jay laughed as she hurried back upstairs.

Hailey made a quick stop in her room to the closet before returning to the nursery and holding up a pair of her sweatpants and a t-shirt, "Sleepover?"

Vanessa's face lit up, "Hell yes."

"Wait, wait, I want a beer."

"I want chocolate."

Jay turned in the doorway and crossed his arms, "Hailey."

"Jay," she smirked.

"You said you two wouldn't be loud," Jay stated.

"We're not loud, we just want snacks," Hailey smiled.

"Please, Jay, please," Vanessa said holding her hands under her chin.

He rolled his eyes, "Yeah, whatever, be back in a few minutes."

"You're the best!" Hailey yelled as Jay left their room with a wave over his shoulder.

Vanessa fell back against the pillows and laughed, "Whipped."

Hailey laughed with her as she laid down, "I love him."

"You sure do," Vanessa said, "I'm really glad you have him, and not just because he's bringing me a beer right now."

Hailey rolled her eyes, but still had a wide smile on her face when she looked at Vanessa, "Thank you for always believing in us."

"Hey, I know it when I see it," Vanessa winked.

"Yeah, yeah," Hailey said softly, "And what do you see with you and Kevin?"

Vanessa breathed in, "I don't know."

"Are you going to let today stop you two from exploring anything more?" Hailey asked.

"I don't want to," Vanessa admitted, "But I don't like the idea that he sees me as a woman who needs saving. I can be a woman and work at the same time."

Hailey felt her stomach stir and nodded slightly.

"Just because we have boobs means we have to step aside and let the men do the work? No," Vanessa shook her head, "I can't do it."

"Sometimes," Hailey cleared her throat, "Sometimes stepping aside is okay though."

"For what?" Vanessa raised an eyebrow, "Literally what's more important than our job and our integrity?"

Hailey winced before saying, "Family."

Vanessa softened, "You're right, sorry. I…I guess since I don't have a family, I don't think about that one too much."

"You have a family," Hailey lightly touched Vanessa's arm, "We're your family – all of Intelligence. Drew was so excited that you were coming over today too. You're Aunt Vanessa."

Vanessa laughed softly, "I guess."

"Which," Hailey took a deep breath and sat up, "Is why I want to tell you something."

"About?" Vanessa moved next to her.

"What you were just talking about," Hailey started, "And something you said earlier today. I want to let you in on something, but you have to promise you won't tell anyone."

"I swear," Vanessa nodded, a smile starting to play on her lips.

"I'm sure you've noticed, but work's been tough lately for me," Hailey continued with a shaky breath, "I hate thinking that I've abandoned my kids, that's not who I am or who I ever wanted to be as a mother, so I've been playing around with the choice – my choice, not Jay's, not society expectations, my choice – to step down and just be a mom for a while-"

"Hailey," Vanessa said quickly, "I never, ever meant that-"

"I know," Hailey shook her head, "It's fine."

"No, it's not," Vanessa grabbed Hailey's wrist, "There is nothing wrong with wanting to be a stay-at-home mom. It doesn't make you anti-woman or anything like that. If that's what's best for you and your family, then okay. I will support you."

"Thank you," Hailey breathed, "And it was a hard decision, honestly, but – um – something…something made it easier," she weakly laughed, "I'm pregnant."

Vanessa blinked then lunged at Hailey and hugged her tightly, "Shut up! I knew it!"

Hailey laughed, "I know, I know, I'm sorry I lied."

"About what?" Jay asked as he stepped back in the room, a bottle of beer in one hand, a bottle of water in the other, and a Hershey's bar sticking out of his pocket.

"You're going to be a dad!" Vanessa scrambled off the bed to run and hug Jay, "Oh my god!"

"Shh," Hailey laughed, "Drew doesn't know."

"Sorry, sorry," Vanessa hurried back to the bed and squeezed Hailey again, "I'm so happy for you!"

"Thank you," Hailey smiled.

Jay chuckled while setting the drinks and chocolate down on the side table, "You're the first who knows, so-"

"Yes, of course," Vanessa waved one hand in his direction and set the other on Hailey's stomach, "How far along are you?"

"Just a few weeks," Hailey shook her head, "Today was our first doctor appointment."

Vanessa squealed quietly and bounced on the bed, "This is so exciting."

"I don't want to jinx anything yet, though," Hailey said, "It's so early and-"

"Hey," Jay pointed at her, "Stop it. This is going to work out."

Vanessa nodded, "I agree with the husband."

"Thanks Rojas," Jay said.

Vanessa smirked at him, "So you can make kids, huh? Not broken?"

"What?" Jay's face fell.

Hailey blushed, "It's nothing."

Vanessa laughed as Jay stared between the two of them trying to figure out what the joke was. He gave in after a minute once Hailey started giggling too and settled on just brushing a hand over her hair before leaving the two of them to whatever they did during their sleepovers. It was something he learned early on in his relationship with Hailey – he might be her husband (or boyfriend or friend), but he could never replace the spot Vanessa held in her life and he was okay with that.

A/N: Hey hey hey :) I hope you liked it! I want to write a oneshot about the sleepover thing, but I have a couple things in my cue first ;) Talk soon!