AN: Hey everyone while not needed there is a reference or two to my story "Little Halstead" in here so it might help to read it. Also it's really good if I do say so myself.
"Rocking around the Christmas tree at the new years party hop." Emmy Halstead sang.
"Those aren't the right words." Her six-year-old cousin Liam pouted.
Hailey realized that if she thought the cabin was loosely organized chaos when her and Jay brought their kids up the whole Halstead family plus others was a three-ring circus. She looked up and saw how Emmy was dancing and what she was holding in her arms. "Emmy, don't bounce him so much."
The ten year old looked at her mom. "Can I give him his bottle? Please?" Emmy said referencing the ten-month-old baby in her arms. Hailey motioned for the couch and Emmy sat down next to Owen with baby Patrick on her lap. Owen started tickling the little guy's feet before Emmy popped the bottle in.
Two months prior on what was Hailey's last day before retiring Intelligence had raided a stash house and found a neglected baby boy. Hailey and Jay had felt an instant connection to the little guy. In the two weeks he was in the hospital DCFS had not been able to identify or locate any family. Hailey showed up to the hospital every day while Danny and Emmy were at school and Jay had stopped by as often as he could too. They had put together a duffel bag of Danny and Emmy's baby hand me downs, blankets and a few stuffed animals on the day he was discharged to give the social worker for him. Hailey was almost crying at the thought of not seeing him every day when she walked into the hospital. When the social worker had suggested they become foster parents to Baby Doe as he was listed on the file Hailey's only response was to take the baby as fast as she could and say, "We call him Patrick."
"It's funny how many of the kids that set of PJs has made it's way through." Will said. "They grow like weeds."
Hailey smiled at the thought of the fleece one piece with penguins on it. "Yep it ping ponged between houses also, bought it for Danny, gave it you guys for Colin, back to us for Emmy, then Liam and now Patrick."
"Little guy is starting to put on weight." Will said he and Natalie would occasionally sit with his brother and sister-in-law on their breaks. Natalie might have been the one who first put the idea of them being foster parents in the social worker's head.
Meanwhile in the kitchen.
"Dad she's obsessed with the baby. Like I think it's getting worse." Danny said to Jay about his sister while helping him serve the hot chocolate that had been warming in the crockpot.
"Oh leave her alone. My mom said when we were little I was crazy when it came to you. Told everyone we were partners." Ally Ruzek-Burgess said as she popped a marshmallow in her mouth and ruffled Danny's hair. Kim and Adam were taking a trip for their anniversary so Jay and Hailey offered to watch Ally and bring her along on the trip up to the cabin. Jay saw the look on his sons face and realized that while Ally may have been crazy protective when they were little his son was now crazy about the fifteen-year-old daughter of his two friends.
"Ok everyone grab your drink." Jay said handing a mug to his 9-year-old nephew Colin. "Careful buddy."
"Yep Uncle Jay." Jay then grabbed another mug and headed over to where Emmy and the baby were.
"Emmy here give me Patrick so you can have your cocoa." Jay said as he put his hands out for the baby. Emmy reluctantly popped the bottle out of Patrick's mouth so she could hand him to her father.
"Dada" Patrick squeaked. Everyone in the cabin immediately stopped.
"Was that his first word?" Natalie asked.
"Dada." Patrick said with more emphasis and his little face scrunching because he was getting upset.
"Aww it's ok I got you." Jay said soothing the baby.
"Did my smart boy just say his first words?" Hailey cooed as she walked over to Jay and Patrick.
"See that means we have to keep him!" Emmy said as she took a sip "That's really tasty."
"I don't think that's how it works." Danny commented back as he sat down next to Ally on the couch.
"Shut up." Emmy said.
"So I gotta say not how I imagined you being retired but I love how you look with a baby in your arms." Jay said later that night lying in bed as he watched Hailey put Patrick back in the pack n play after a diaper change.
"Oh I know." Hailey said as she climbed under the covers.
"Oh you know do you?" Jay smirked back.
"I'm a mom, moms know everything."
"Oh since you know everything how long has Danny had a crush on Ally?" Jay asked about his realization from earlier as he climbed into bed. He had expected the news to be earth shattering but Hailey just shrugged.
"Like two months now." Hailey leaned over and gave him a kiss. "Good night I love you."
AN: Thank you everyone for reading. Reviews are appreciated. Also if One Chicago does not come back soon I may cry (But I'll just blame it on post partum hormones) haha. Stay safe everyone.