After getting Beth to school Hailey works around the house. Checking fire alarms, making sure windows open and cleaned all the little places she has never cleaned before. She finishes up around 1:30 in the afternoon when she is double checking the home inspection list she found on the DCFS website.
"A landline? Who the fuck has a landline these days?" Hailey says to herself reading the list, "I'm not getting a landline," She checks the time and sees that she has just enough to run out and get a plan on her old cell phone before picking Beth up from school. After spending way too long at the getting a plan in which the cell phone guy tried to oversell her on almost everything Hailey is on her way back to the school. When pulling around the corner by the school Hailey had never once seen a line of traffic so bad even when she was on the beat directing traffic. She pulls into the pickup line and it is almost 20 minutes later when she pulls up at the front. Beth sees her pull up immediately and walks over. She pulls open the door and jumps into the seat. As they pull out of the parking lot line Hailey asks if this is how it is everyday.
"Ya it is. Sorry I should have told you to park down the block and I can walk to the car," Beth replies,
"It's no problem I just would have left earlier," Hailey says, "Okay now let's get you clothes that actually fit you. This is for you. I put Jay's and my numbers in it," Hailey hands Beth the phone.
"You are giving me a phone?" Beth asks,
"Why? Are you too young to have a phone?," Hailey says panicky, "I just don't have a landline so…"
"No most of the people my age have phones, it's just a phone is a big commitment. The plans are for like years," Beth says,
"Bigger than having you live with me?" Hailey questions,
"I guess not," Beth says shrugging.
The girls spend a couple hours at the mall going from store to store for almost an entire wardrobe for the young girl. After every store Beth tried to say that she has enough. Hailey expected this, from the cases she had worked that involved foster kids and living with Vanessa, Hailey had learned that these kids would try to 'keep things tight' as Vanessa would say and try not to cause any disruption in other people's lives. Hailey wanted to make sure that Beth learned that she didn't have to act that way anymore.
As they are driving home Hailey's phone rings. She motions to Beth to pick it up.
"Hello?" Beth says into the phone.
"Hey Beth?" Jay answers, "It's Jay."
"Jay," Beth says to Hailey, "What's up dude?"
"Not much," Jay replies, "How was school?"
"Fine," Beth answers, "Nothing exciting. Hailey and I were just shopping,"
"Ya, she told me," Jay says, "Can you ask her if she still needs me to take a look at that window?" Beth repeats the question to Hailey,
"Ya I do," Hailey says, "Tell him I'll make Gyros for dinner in return,"
This is repeated into the phone by Beth.
"Have you had Gyros before?" Jay asks
"Nope," Beth answers,
"Well they are very good and Hailey makes the best ones I have ever had," Jay tells her, "Okay I am just leaving work now and I have to stop by my place to grab some tools so I'll be there in about 30 minutes,"
"Sounds good," Beth says, "See you then," Jay replies with a short bye before hanging up his phone.
"He has to get some stuff from home so he'll be here in about 30," Beth says as they pull up outside the townhouse, " What window needs to be fixed?"
"The one in your bedroom doesn't open and it should," Hailey says as they enter the house.
The doorbell rings and Hailey walks over opening the door already knowing who is behind it. Jay walks in lifting a toolbox to show Hailey.
"Thank you so much," Hailey says as they walk into the kitchen,
"No problem," Jay replies. He sets the tools down on the island walking over to where Beth is sitting. He looks over her shoulder.
"What are you doing?" he asks,
"Balancing chemical equations," Beth answers, "Well trying to at least,"
"Fun," Jay says to Beth before turning to Hailey, "What window?"
"The one in Beth's room. I'll show you," Hailey says turning away from the stove, "Beth don't let this catch on fire,"
Beth nods in response. The adults walk up the stairs and enter the room.
"See I tried to open it and well it did open but now I can't get it to close," Hailey says proving her point by twirling the handle and showing that it doesn't move.
"Ya this is no problem," Jay says moving past Hailey and looking at the window, "I can fix it,"
"Okay great," Hailey says excitedly, "I'm gonna go finish dinner. But the hockey game starts soon so we can watch that well we eat,"
Jay gives a thumbs up as she leaves the room.
The night goes similarly to the last. The three of them eat, watch the game and then the girls go to bed and Jay goes home.
A routine quickly sets in for Jay, Hailey and Beth. The girls get up and get ready. They eat breakfast before Jay picks them up a coffee in hand for Hailey. The adults drop Beth off at school and then go to work. Beth takes the L train home making sure to text Hailey once she gets home. Most days Jay and Hailey are done work in time for dinner, there have been a few where Beth has had to make grilled cheese. But most days the three of them will eat dinner, watch some tv or play some video games and Beth would go to bed. Jay and Hailey would then hangout or do their thing if it was needed before Jay would leave for the night promising a coffee in the morning. Weeks went by with this routine, The inspector came and passed the house and all the papers were signed and it was sinking in for Hailey that this was her life now. Honestly even if she never saw it coming she really liked it. Now Hailey stands at Platts desk signing some forms while waiting for Jay to come down. She hands the form to Platt,
"So how is the family?" Trudy asks,
"What do you mean family?" Hailey asks leaning on the desk,
"I mean you, chuckles and shorty," Platt replied, "You know the person you come to work with and then go home with,"
"Well Beth is fine," Hailey responds, "But Jay and I are just partners or friends. We aren't a family,"
"So you don't eat meals together?"
"No we do,"
"You don't spend your evenings together?"
"Ya we do but we are just friends,"
"So Adam is also taking your kid to get her bloodwork done and helping her write an essay," Trudy says sassily,
"No but Jay only took Beth to get her bloodwork done because I had to be in court," Hailey says, trying to defend herself. A voice coming from the top of the stairs made both ladys look up.
"Hails, you ready to go home?" Jay says as he jogs down the stairs.
"Uhhh ya," she says, pushing herself off the desk as he walks towards them.
"Let's go then," Jay says, "See you later sarge," and he starts to walk out. Hailey is close behind him but she looks back at the desk sergeant who mouths family at her. The drive on the way back to Hailey's was silent. All Hailey could think about was the words that Trudy had told her. Do they act like a family? Do people think they are a family? Does Jay think of them as a family? Does Jay even want this or is he doing it because he thinks she needs him to? Does Beth think they are a family? Is she relying on Jay too much? Even throughout the night Hailey can't stop these thoughts. Jay notices the change in Hailey's behaviour. He notices that she is often deep in thought. She seems like she is a million miles away. He points this out and asks if she is okay once Beth goes to bed later that night.
"Ya I'm fine. Just tired," Hailey lies, "I should probably get to bed," Hailey stands from the couch and Jay follows the action. They walk towards the door.
"Okay well then I'll see you tomorrow morning ," Jay says.
"You don't have to pick us up tomorrow," Hailey says, "I'll just meet you at work,"
"Okay what is up with you today?" Jay says not beating around the bush any longer, "You have been acting weird all evening,"
"I'm fine," Hailey says, "This is just starting to feel like something it isn't,"
"What do you mean?" Jay asks.
"This," Hailey motions between them and the up to where Beth is sleeping, "We aren't a family. Beth is my responsibility and I feel like I am relying on you too much. I don't want to cause Beth to have more instability in her life,"
"What's unstable about this?" Jay questions,
"Jay we aren't together," Hailey says, "You are here now but what about down the line? What about when you get a girlfriend or something..."
"Hailey," Jay says, "I don't really know where all this is coming from but I think I know where you are going with it. I don't want a girlfriend, well I do but not one that will mess this up. Hailey I want you,"
"I don't come alone anymore. I come with a daughter," Hailey says walking into the kitchen,
"Hate to break it to you but I kinda like hanging out with your kid," Jay says following her.
"If this,us, is not something you want then tell me but if it is then trust me when I tell you I want it all. You and Beth and everything that comes along with it," Hailey doesn't say anything she looks down at her feet. Jay takes a couple steps towards her so that he is right in front of her.
"Jay…" Hailey whispers still not looking up.
"Tell me," Jay says and he puts his fingers under her chin to bring her eyes up to meet his, "Tell me and I'll leave,"
Hailey shakes her head slightly. Jay sees the tears that are threatening to fall from her eyes. He puts his hand on either side of her face and runs his thumbs back and forth over her cheek bone. His eyes hold hers for a moment before he lowers his head towards her hers. Hailey's eyes flutter closed as he kisses her. She kisses him back placing her hands on his forearms. It is a gentle kiss, a slow kiss, a reassuring kiss. Jay pulls back just far enough to breathe, placing his forehead against hers.
"Okay?" Jay whispers. Hailey nods as they stare at each other. It is Hailey's turn to start the kiss. She moves her hands to snake her arms around his neck and his fall to her waist. Jay pulls her flush against. This kiss is more, more passion, more heat, more speed. Jays tongue slides across her lips asking permission. Hailey opens her lips granting him access. Jay slides his hand down her sides before grabbing her thighs, picking her up. He turns slightly to set her on the counter. Hailey's legs wrap around his middle pulling him closer. Jay lips leaves her and trails kisses down her neck. A moan slips out of her mouth and she feels Jay smile against her neck. Hailey hands kind their way under his shirt and she feels his shiver as she runs her finger along his back. The two of them forgetting where they are as Hailey pushes Jay's shirt up and over his head. Jay brings his lips back to hers as he slides his fingers under the edge of her flannel. He taps his finger on her skin silently asking if this is okay. Hailey nods her head as his hands slide up her back.
"FUCK," a yell breaks them apart. They both look towards the sound and there is Beth a hand slapped over her eyes standing at the bottom of the stairs.
"Did you forget there is a child living here? This is a public area. Like holy shit guys. I mean it is about time but is this the place for it?" Jay grabs his shirt from the floor pulling it back on as Hailey jumps off the counter.
Jay leans up against the opposite side of the counter facing Beth who is pacing the entrance of the kitchen rambling still with her hand over her eyes. He pulls Hailey so that her back is leaning up against his chest. Hailey smirks as she feels him pressed up against him.
"What do you need, kid?" Hailey says, "You should be in bed,"
"Maybe you should be too," Beth says, "I need a glass of juice my blood sugar is low,"
Beth tries to make her way to the fridge blindly feeling her way around.
"You can look now," Jay says.
"I don't know if I want to. I'm young and innocent," Beth says, "Well I was before I witnessed that," Both the adults laugh. Beth removes her hand and walks to the fridge pulling out the orange juice. Hailey turns around and reaches behind Jay into the cupboard for a cup handing it to Beth. She pours herself a glass before turning,
"I'm going to go back upstairs now," Beth says, "Let's not ever do this again, okay?"
Hailey turns around and pushes her face into Jay's chest.
"I am a terrible mother," Hailey says. Jay laughs at her.
"I'm serious," Hailey says swatting his arm lightly, "I forgot that she was here,"
"Think about it as a sex ed class," Jay says still laughing.
Hailey shakes her head.
"Are you going to stay?" she asks.
"Do you want me to stay?" he asks back. Hailey nods "but no funny business there is a child in the house," Hailey says.
"Yes mam," Jay says. They walk up the stairs. Hailey points to the room at the end of the hall. Jay nods and walks away. Hailey cracks open the door to Beth's room and lets out a small laugh at what she sees. She quietly shuts the door behind her making sure it is completely closed then she goes down the hall and into her room. She shuts the door behind her. Jay is sitting on the edge of her bed checking his phone. He looks up and smiles at her as she walks over to stand between his legs. Jay reaches over and sets his phone on the bedside table. Hailey places her hands at the base of his neck and plays with his short hairs there. Jays place his hands on her hips, his thumbs rubbing back and forth.
"Beth has put in her headphones and placed a pillow over her head," Hailey says.
"Thirteen year olds and their dramatics," Jay says shaking his head laughing. Hailey leans her head in kissing him again. Jay kisses back and the kiss gets heated quickly. Jay runs his hand down, settling them on her butt. Hailey pushes on his chest so he is laying on the bed. She climbs up his body.
"What happened to no funny business?" Jay mumbles against her lips.
"Well we don't want all her efforts to go to waste," Hailey says kissing him again, "and I can be quiet. Can you?" Hailey looks him directly in his eyes challenging him. Jay grabs her head and brings her lips back to his.