March 25th, 2020
12
They accustomed astonishing quickly to their new routine. Jay started the first week of work as a jail guard at the day shift, meaning he had to leave around 8:30 am, and was back at around 5:30 pm. He thus saw Sophia only in the early hours of the morning and just before she went to bed. After she fell asleep, he wrote his report of the day and read and spell-checked Erin's.
At work he met the husband of Samantha, the owner of the closed hair salon they had met at the church on Sunday, Mitch. He seemed to be quite close with Johnny and Gary, who he'd spoken to on Sunday, as well. They were all supposed to meet at the gun range on Wednesday night. That was, of course, against the stay-at-home-order, but as the gun range was closed for business, and owned by Gary's father, they had the opportunity and of course took it. Who would control it at night in a rural area?
The women were a bit keener on following the rules. Erin had only met Loreen with the kids on Monday in the grocery store to get the crafting supply she needed for the planned session on Wednesday. She had also gotten scissors and special glitter glue for Sophia, so that the girl could craft alongside her. In addition, she had gotten everything she would be needing to potty train Sophia: training panties, some additional pants and a special children's toilet seat for the toilet downstairs. Loreen gave her some useful advice for that as well. „Be patient." „Let her sleep in diapers as long as possible." „Don't force her."
At the store they had also met Marge, the old lady from church, who was also the mother of the deceased Sam and Johnny. She worked there as a cashier. She had been very delighted to see them all, but had complained about her legs, that were hurting badly.
Erin's own physical condition improved day by day. She followed the plan by her physical therapist Tina remotely whenever Sophia was taking a nap. During that time, she also was active on the different social media groups of the women she met at church. She participated in those groups by posting her own fake comments. At night, when Jay put Sophia down, she wrote her report of the day and counter checked Jays. After that they were discussing what they had learned about the community they were watching. This routine left time for household chores only when Sophia was awake. Because Erin wasn't used to do these chores on her own while she was taking care of her child, she had had a cleaning woman ever since she became a detective, and a live-in-nanny ever since Sophia was born, this proofed to be quite a challenge for her. Grocery shopping, cooking, doing the dishes, tidying up, laundry, it all was quite a lot next to a demanding toddler.
By Wednesday, when she was expecting Brianna, Johnny's wife, and their son Alex for the crafting session, she still the felt she needed to find a better routine for everything. After breakfast, she realized that the kitchen didn't really look like you could invite someone you hardly knew for a crafting session. Erin had just begun cleaning up the breakfast table when her phone rang. It was Brianna.
„Hi Brianna! How are you?"
„Hi Erin, good, how are you?" Erin immediately got the feeling, Brianna was lying. Her voice sounded flat and strained.
„I'm good!" Erin answered trying not to sound too worried. „Looking forward to seeing you two later."
„Listen, Erin, something came up, I need to go somewhere like now. Could I maybe come by now and leave Alex with you? Marge and Johnny are both working. I would still come by in the afternoon as planned."
„Yes, sure, no problem, although, I mean, Alex doesn't really know us that well, does he?"
„He loves Sophia. Couldn't stop talking about her, and he likes you. He trusts you; I could see that."
Erin was a bit irritated. She hadn't heard the boy speak a word on Sunday, even thought, he hardly reacted when she talked to him, so she couldn't imagine him talking about Sophia. Nevertheless, she got the feeling Brianna really needed her help urgently, therefore she agreed without further hesitation.
As it turned out, Brianna was already in front of her door.
„You could have just rung the doorbell, you know?" She said when she opened the door to Brianna.
Brianna had one hand in Alex's and one on her stomach. She looked pale. „You alright?" Erin asked when she realized something was physical wrong with Brianna.
Brianna forced a smile. „Yes, got to go to my OBGYN ASAP. But hope it won't take too long."
Erin got big eyes. „You're pregnant? Is something wrong? Shall I drive you?"
Brianna nodded towards Alex, who looked at her in fear when he heard what Erin had said.
„Mommy's gonna be fine, Alex! No need to worry. Aunt Erin will take care of you for a few hours, and you can play with Sophia. "At that Sophia came running to the door. „Hi Sophia! How are you?" Brianna asked her.
„Geat!" Sophia answered beaming. She'd already taken the hand of her new friend. „Come!" she said to him. Alex looked uncertain at his mom.
„Go, Alex! I'm sure Sophia wants to show you her new house and all the toys she got. Don't you Sophia?"
Sophia nodded and said „Come" again to Alex. He nodded and followed her inside.
Erin followed them with her eyes, and then went back to Brianna who handed her a bag. „That are Alex diapers, and some other things he might need, but I should be back in the afternoon."
„Are you sure, you're ok to drive?" Erin asked carefully.
Brianna put on a small smile. „I was ok to drive here, wasn't I? And I don't want Alex near a hospital during these times. You'd help me best if you take care of Alex."
„Of course, I will, don't worry. Let me know if I can do anything else, like drive you!" she tried again.
„I'll be fine!" Brianna assured her.
Erin nodded and let Brianna get back to her car.
„Good luck!" she said before Brianna closed the door.
Brianna waved at her from inside the car and formed another „thanks", then she drove away. Erin had a bad feeling, but also thought, Brianna was right to let her stay with the kids at her house. They wouldn't have been allowed inside the hospital anyways. And driving with two kids back and forth to Celina, wouldn't have been fun. Even if Celina was close.
She went inside again, and saw Alex and Sophia were already building a fortress in the living room. Erin sighted. More tidying up to do. But at least Sophia was occupied, and so she could finish the kitchen. Although she wasn't sure, if Brianna would be able to make it back for the Easter Basket crafting, she wanted everything clean enough, that there wouldn't be any chaos in the background, when she started the online crafting session. She continued to wash all the pots and pans from last night that wouldn't fit into the dishwasher. When she was drying them, she remembered, she only had got scissors for Sophia, thus she looked, if Brianna did pack some for Alex as well. Luckily, she did. There were also some cookies, a teddy bear, some toy cars, and some pjs, and a toothbrush. That confused Erin. She went back into the living room.
"Alex, honey, can you come out of there for a minute, please?" she asked bending down to the kid's level. Alex crawled out from under the couch cushions, they had used for their fortress, grinning.
Erin had never seen him happy before. She had to smile at him. "You two were quite fast in building that!" she said impressed. "Do you do that often?"
Alex shook his head. "Daddy doesn't like that," he all but whispered looking down, but Erin was still impressed, that he talked at all.
"Well, Sophia's Daddy likes to build fortresses with her, doesn't he, Sophia?"
Sophia came out behind Alex. "Daddy's fortress's the best!" she beamed.
"This looks quite great as well! Daddy would be impressed! I'm sure of that!"
She turned back to Alex. "Alex, do you brush your teeth before naptime?" she asked.
Alex looked at her a bit confused. He tilted his head a bit then he nodded.
"And do you wear your pjs during naptime?" she continued asking.
Alex shook his head.
Erin nodded. "Okay, maybe she packed it just in case. I'll ask her." she said more to herself than the kids. Then she smiled at them. "If you want you can play in your fortress for some more time, but you have to tidy it up before lunchtime, do you understand?"
She looked especially at Sophia. "Daddy see!" the girl demanded.
"I'll take a picture, and sent it to him, before you tidy it up, deal?" she asked her daughter. She looked at her contemplating than she nodded. "Picture now!" she demanded.
Erin smiled. "Fine, you two! You can sit in front of your fortress, and I take a picture and sent it to Daddy and your Mommy, Alex, okay?" Both Kids nodded beaming.
She got her phone, and let the proud builders sit in front of the entrance. Alex had his arm around Sophia smiling as brightly as Sophia. It became a really cute picture.
Erin immediately sent it to Jay texting "Don't be jealous, your daughter found somebody new to build fortresses with ;-)"
She sent the same picture to Brianna with the caption "the kids are fine! :-)"
Brianna immediately replied with a heart emoji, and the text. "I'm already waiting inside, OBGYN should be in shortly. I'll text you as soon as I know when I get back."
"Good luck!" Erin texted back. "Hope we won't need Alex's pjs..."
"I packed them just in case, as extra clothes. Don't worry about it." Brianna replied.
Till lunchtime, Erin returned to cleaning the kitchen, and then spent some time checking her fake profiles and neighborhood groups online. It was astonishing how fast new conspiracy theories were shared there since the stay-at-home-order had come into effect on Monday. In one post the virus was supposed to be a bioweapon developed by China to fight the US, in the next it was a total hoax, plot by the "deep state" and the mega-corporations to control the population by caging them indoors and profit from the crash of the economy. Some people commented questions like: "Does somebody even know someone who had it?" Erin would have loved to write "yes, I had it, and it wasn't fun", but that was obviously against her cover, so she recused herself from doing so. And, of course, there was more than one "it's not worse than a flu". Again, Erin was very tempted to write a reply. Appalling were the Anti-Semitic or Islamophobic theories. It was interesting that the same people who shared comments like the virus is basically a hoax also shared post that it was a weapon developed by "China", "the rich", "Bill Gates" ... Why would someone develop a weapon, that wasn't even dangerous? Erin sighted. She really didn't feel like commenting on this bullshit anymore.
Luckily, she got a reply from Jay on the picture she'd sent earlier.
"I can live with that rival, as long has he doesn't join or find a rock band in later life. ;-) Brianna already there?"
Erin wrote a fast reply. „Only the boy, Brianna has a doctor's appointment. Should be back after naptime."
„You really got this mommy-modus down. We working people call that „afternoon" :-p"
Erin rolled her eyes at that one. „Maybe you should really do just that: work, and not let your employer pay you for writing texts."
„On lunch break, got a cute picture from my wife, had to reply."
„Speaking of lunch, should get that ready for the kids now. CYA!"
„I really love your Mommy-Mode ;-)"
Erin rolled her eyes again and sent him the emoji expressing exactly that. Nevertheless, she kept on playing her role as a dutiful mother and housewife and began to prepare lunch for the two kids and herself.
After lunch, changing two diapers and brushing the teeth, which was new to Sophia, she managed to put both kids down for a nap in Sophia's bedroom. Just when both kids had fallen asleep, she got a call from Brianna telling her that she was asked to spend the night at the hospital for observation.
„I'm sorry, Erin! I'll hope you'll manage the crafting session without me. I think Johnny still would want to go to the meeting at the gun range tonight. And Marge has these leg problems lately... I'm really sorry to have to ask you, I mean we don't know each other that long, but do you think it would be possible for Alex to stay at your place for the night? That would really help us out!" Brianna asked her.
„Of course, don't you worry. I would have offered if you hadn't asked. Have you spoken to Johnny, yet? "
„Yes, but only very quickly. He'll be here later. I'm gonna ask him then, if he would be ok with Alex staying at your place for the night. I would let you know as soon as I know. "
„I thought there were no visitors allowed in hospitals these days?" Erin asked confused.
„Well, you don't know Johnny yet, but I'm sure, he'll find a way."
Erin didn't hear back from Brianna till after the crafting session. Both kids loved the glitter glue, and after some trials, Erin managed to build at least one okayish Easter basket with the remote online help of Loreen and the other women from their congregation. Erin was very delighted to see how Alex showed Sophia how to use the scissors and the glue. He'd obviously done crafting with his mom before. Sophia loved cutting the colored paper and gluing it on one another. The glitter of course was the best. Not for Erin's kitchen though. She definitely hadn't thought that through. There was glitter everywhere. She probably would have to clean with chemicals to remove all the stains, but the kids had fun, and both were immensely proud of their projects in the end. Alex has cut out a heart from pink paper and used the glue like a pen to make little points of glitter on top. It was for „Mommy ", of course. So, she „gets better soon." Alex still didn't talk much, but he did talk. Sophia's art was more abstract: triangles in different sizes, forms and colors on a light green paper. All the triangles were covered with glitter glue. It was for „Daddy", of course. She kept on talking in her two- to sometimes three-word sentences without any break. That made Erin even more impressed that Alex talked at all. She wouldn't have put it against him, not to talk against all those words that came out of Sophia's mouth.
Towards the end of the crafting session, Erin's hands behaved strangely. She had like a slight tremor in both hands. She opened and closed her fists a few times, then it got better. But as soon as she started crafting again, it became worse again. She shook her hands, which got the kids attention. Sophia touched her right hand and asked: „Mommy?"
Erin took her little hand in hers and smiled at her reassuringly. „Everything's fine. Let's start tidying up. Will you two help me?" she asked looking at both kids.
Alex eagerly nodded, while Sophia didn't appear that keen on the task. She still looked at her mother worried. Erin began to clean up the mess they made, trying another reassuring smile on her daughter. „Come on, Sophia!"
„Uhm, Erin, you still there?" her laptop asked.
Erin had completely forgotten about the other women. Luckily, she'd muted her microphone. She went back to the laptop and turned the microphone back on.
„Sure, sorry, the kids are done. We started tidying up. I'm sorry, I don't think, I will manage more than the one Easter basket today, but I think, I got how they are made now, so maybe, I craft some more tomorrow. Thanks for teaching me and letting me be a part of this!" she said smiling in the Camera.
„You are very welcome!" Loreen said. „Samantha is asking when you can teach us something."
„Do you think, we should do that, as long as the stay-at-home-order is in place?"
Samantha laughed. „She really was a cop! Obliged to follow the rules."
„I just have another kid over, I'm not that obliged!" Erin defended herself. „But my house is not big enough to teach martial arts to all of you." She got an idea. „but maybe our back yard is? Though, that might be seen by the neighbors and the weather has to be better." She thought out loudly. To herself she thought that maybe her physical condition needed to improve more as well, but the others didn't need to know that.
„What about, you teach us Martial Arts one on one, starting with me?" Samantha asked smiling into the camera. „In exchange, I'll give you a free hair cut?" she smiled even more.
„Actually, I could do with a new haircut, and we have a punching bag in Jay's" she made air quotes „'man cave'. If Jay doesn't have different plans, you could come by Saturday? Then he could watch Sophia. If the others are okay with that." She looked at the other faces on her screen, that nodded to her question.
„I think this Martial Arts thing was more Samantha's thing. She can tell us Sunday how it went," Loreen said.
„Well, I'm sure, you're all loving it in the end!" Samantha said. „So, Saturday it is! Talk to your hubby, and let me know, when I can come over!"
„I'll sure do so!" Erin said smiling. „I don't know when he'll be back tonight, but I'll ask him tomorrow morning the latest."
„Oh, yeah!" Samantha remembered. „They are at the gun range tonight. When are we going there? Have you asked your father-in-law already?" she asked her sister Loreen.
„No, I haven't, I could ask Gary to ask him tonight, though."
Erin looked at her hands. She carefully took them from the table. They weren't shaking anymore. Hopefully, it just had been a onetime thing. It would really look bad, if she wasn't able to aim her gun properly, not to mention what it would mean for the mission. She wouldn't be able to defend her family. She tried to put away these dark thoughts. It surely only was a onetime thing! Just in case she answered. „Shouldn't we wait for Brianna to get better for that?" she asked.
„Yes, I agree," Loreen said. „That would only be fair."
„I don't know," Samantha said. „Johnny wasn't that keen on her shooting anyways. So, I don't expect her to join, do you?" she asked the others.
„Maybe you're right." Loreen said. „But to be fair to her, I'll ask Gary to ask for next week, or what do you think?"
The others nodded, Erin as well.
„Fine, I need to join the kids tidying up, otherwise my kitchen is going to look like a far worse mess than it already is," she said. „I'll let you know about Saturday ASAP, Sammy!"
With that she said her goodbye and ended the call. The kids were already done with what they thought was tidying up, and back at building a new fortress in the living room. A good parent probably would have asked them back in to clean up properly, but Erin was kind of glad, they found something to do. She looked at her Easter basket critically, and then began cleaning up the rest. Jay would make so much fun of her basket. She was sure of that.
Different to what Brianna had expected, Johnny wasn't able find a way to see his wife. Accordingly, he was quite loaded with anger when he reached the gun range. Jay had already been firing a few rounds with different guns and rifles and impressed Gary, his new colleague Mitch as well as Stan, who worked in Gary's car shop and Stephen, another one of Jay's new colleagues.
„Hey, Johnny!" Stan greeted him. „You have to see this new guy shoot. That's impressive!"
Johnny nodded towards Jay. „Not surprising if he used to be a Ranger AND a police officer, is it?" he asked moodily.
„You're Police?" Stan asked shocked.
„Used to be," Jay explained. „Had the feeling that I wasn't fighting the good fight anymore back in Chicago, so I left."
„He's trustworthy, don't worry," Mitch backed Jay. „I worked with him the past days; he thinks like one of us."
Stan nodded. Johnny had wordlessly grabbed his gun and shot some rounds on the stands. They all went back there and did the same.
Between the rounds, Johnny was mocked by Mitch after he'd seen his shots. „Not your day, man, is it?"
Johnny turned around. „Don't cross me today, Mitch!"
Jay looked at him. "How's Brianna?" he asked calmingly.
Johnny turned around angry. "I wouldn't know! They wouldn't let me see her! Just because of this hoax virus!"
"Wait, what's up with Brianna?" Gary asked. "Did she get the virus?"
"Of course not! That's a hoax, not worse than the flu. Only old and sick people have to go to the hospital because of it!" Johnny said annoyed. "She just wanted to check out some issues, they wanted to keep her over night, but I don't know more, because they wouldn't want me in the hospital because of the hoax virus!"
"Sucks, man!" Gary patted him on the back. "Let's take a break!"
They all went to the break room, which was empty now, because the range was officially closed, and no one was working here at the moment. Gary offered them beers from the fridge.
„So, Army Ranger, and Police," Gary said when he turned to Jay with a beer. "still not all soldiers and police officers can shoot like that. Otherwise, we would win every war and the streets of our cities were much safer from n... gangs and MS13 scum." Gary said.
Jay had to put all his will into not reacting on the N-word, and thereby maintaining his cover. „Used to be a sniper," he said instead shrugging.
Stan got big eyes. „Wow, did you shoot someone important?" he asked impressed.
„Well, an Al-Qaida war-lord once, back when I was overseas, and more than one drug dealer, and other scum from Chicago's South Side."
„You like killing?" Johnny asked to provoke him.
„I like to protect the community I'm part of from danger. If that means killing someone bad, I'm more than fine with that." Jay really hated the role he was playing, but the others seemed to buy it.
Gary exchanged glances with the others.
"What do you think?" he asked them.
"He seems to be alright," Stan said.
"I trust Jay!" Mitch offered.
"Me too!" Stephen said patting Jay on his back, who tried to look as if he didn't know what that was all about and looked with questions in his eyes at Gary.
Gary had turned to Johnny. "I know, you got other things on your mind right now, but what do you think, Johnny?" Johnny looked up from the second beer he'd just gotten himself.
"He's a cop!" he exclaimed.
"Used to be!" Jay repeated. "What is this about?" he asked towards Gary.
"We could need a guy with your skills," Gary began.
"And attitude towards what's going on in our country", Mitch continued.
Jay still tried to look a bit confused. "What do you mean, Mitch? The Virus?"
"Nuh! That's only a hoax to keep us in line!" Stephen answered.
"We think, it's part of a deep state liberal agenda to reclaim our country," Gary explained.
„You think so?" Jay asked contemplating.
They all looked at him.
„I mean, from what I learned working for the damn liberal higher ups in CPDs, it actually doesn't even sound that farfetched, if I think about it."
„See!" Stephen said turning to Johnny. „He thinks like one of us."
Johnny shrugged emptying his second beer. „Maybe you're right. We need a replacement for Sam."
Gary turned to Jay again. „We'd like you to join our militia group, the Sons of Mercy. We keep our community save from, well everything and everyone threatening it."
Jay took a sip from his beer. „Sounds like an honorable cause to me!" he then said. "Tell me more!"
What followed was an explanation of their right-wing agenda. From what he heard, he actually would have needed a lot of alcohol to digest that, but he knew he had to stay sober enough to control what he was saying, and to be able to write his report later on. Thus, he only pretend-drank and joined the conversation. Of course, he made clear, he felt honored to be considered as one of their members.
They didn't share their attack plans yet. But that was to be expected. They had to get to know him better for that. By the end of the night, he'd joined their group. Johnny was quite drunk. Jay offered to drive him home in his car. He'd come carpooling with Stephen from the jail.
"Need to get my son!" Johnny slurred.
"Your son is safe with my family!" Jay reassured him.
"I need to see my son!" Johnny slurred more forcefully.
Jay exchanged glances with the others.
"Come on, man! I'm driving you to our place. We got a futon downstairs for guests. You can sleep there and see your son in the morning."
"I need to see my son!" Johnny demanded slurring again.
"Your son is at my place! I'm gonna drive you there."
Johnny looked at him thinking hard. Then he nodded and handed Jay his car keys.
Johnny had fallen asleep and snored loudly when Jay arrived at their new place. Jay texted Erin that he was coming, bringing Johnny with him just before he woke him. She came downstairs with the extra bedsheets and linen for the futon, when Jay supported Johnny entering the house.
Johnny looked up at her. "Wheresmysonn?" he asked loudly.
"Shhh!" Erin tried to quieten him. "The kids are sleeping!"
"Iwannaseemysonn!" he kept on slurring louder.
„You are not gonna see him, as long as you are in that state!" Erin looked at him angry.
„You bitch don't tell me what I can and can't do!" Johnny jumped towards Erin, but Jay was faster. He put his body before him and raised his hands.
„You're not talking to my wife like that!" he let Johnny know in a quiet but angry voice.
Johnny stared at him irritated. Erin had put down the sheets to be able to defend herself if necessary.
"Look, man," Jay tried to further calm him. "Your son is upstairs sleeping. You can sleep downstairs and see your son in the morning. He doesn't need to see you like this."
Erin had the distinct feeling that Alex had seen his father like this before but tamed her tongue not to provoke him anymore. There were two kids upstairs after all. Instead, she tried to be calm as Jay appeared, took the sheets back up, and handed them to Jay. "Maybe you can show your guest the futon and prepare it as a bed for him."
Jay took the sheets under one arm and used the other to guide Johnny downstairs, who didn't resist any more.
"You're such a sucker!" Johnny told him downstairs, while Jay was making his bed for him. Jay looked at him and continued with his task.
"Shouldn't she be doing this?" Johnny kept asking.
"If you hadn't called her a bitch, she probably would have. But after that, I don't want her near you in this state!" He looked at him angrily.
"Shouldn't she be able to defend herself, having been a cop and everything?" Johnny asked sarcastically.
"Believe me, she is. I was more afraid for your safety than hers!"
Johnny laughed loudly. "Sure! You make good jokes, Jay Halstead!"
Jay was done with the futon. He opened the bathroom door. "Here's the bathroom, if you need one!" On the way back to the futon he pressed the on button on the steppers secret microphone just in case.
"Kitchen is upstairs if you need to eat or drink anything. Good night," he said and left.
When Jay came upstairs, he heard Erin talking in a quiet and calm voice. "Don't worry, he won't come in here now. I locked your door, and that door leads to our bedroom. He would have to come through us, to get you. And you know what? We were both cops. We won't let anything or anyone bad come to you."
„Daddy's not bad!" Alex said. „He's just bad when he drinks too much. He's a good Daddy, Mommy says."
„I'm sure she does!" Jay entered the bedroom and saw through the open door, that Erin was sitting on the side of the bed in Sophia's bedroom and was stroking Alex's hair. „Tomorrow morning, your Daddy will be better, and so will your Mommy, and you all can go back home," she smiled reassuringly at him.
Alex's eyes widened when Jay moved in the adjoining bedroom and a floorboard squeaked. Erin looked to the door, where Jay had appeared. She smiled at him and turned back to Alex. „It's only Jay, Sophia's Daddy, he's not gonna hurt you, but protect you, as I will, okay? "
Jay carefully stepped inside the room. Now he saw why they were whispering all the time. Sophia was sleeping in the same bed. „Hi, I'm Jay. I think we saw each other at church the other day." He introduced himself.
Alex nodded. „You build fortresses with Sophia," he said.
Jay looked surprised at Erin and formed the words, „he talks" silently with his lips. Erin nodded.
Jay turned his at Alex again. „Yes, I do like to do that. I saw the picture of your fort at my lunch break. That was great!"
Alex beamed. „We built another one tonight, but we had to tidy it up!"
„Erin won't let you keep it?"
Alex shook his head.
„Tell you what: Next time you come we all build a fortress together! What do you think?"
Alex smiled happily. „Mommy as well?" he asked.
„If your Mommy wants to join us, she's more than welcome to do so!" Jay said.
„And Erin?" Alex kept asking.
„Wow! That must be a big fortress if we all have to fit in there!" Erin said smiling. „I think you can sleep now, and dream of that, what do you think?"
Alex nodded. „Good night, Erin, good night, Jay!" He said turning back in the bed hugging his teddy bear.
„Good night, little Alex!" Erin said, and gave him a kiss on his crown before she got up and joined Jay back in the bedroom.
"Good night, Alex!" Jay said before he was about to close the door.
"Don't close the door completely, I want to keep an eye on them," Erin said.
"All night?" Jay asked mockingly.
"If necessary! It's Sophia's first night in her own bed, and Alex just woke again. He doesn't know that room."
"Fine," Jay said smiling at her. "Why is Sophia in that room?" he asked.
"She wanted to be a big girl, and I think it's best if Alex doesn't sleep alone. Especially with our guest downstairs." Erin's face darkened.
Jay had another look inside the room. "I think they are both sleeping now."
"Good!" Erin said. "Go, wash your hands, and take a shower, then you can tell me, about your night."
"Yeah, I also still have to write my report." he yawned. "Gonna be a short night."
"Yeah, I gonna finish mine while you're in the bathroom. She got her laptop out of the nightstand. "Did you turn on the bug downstairs?" she asked while he was washing his hands with the door open. He came out with soapy hands. "Yes, it should be on channel 4 in the app."
Erin got her phone with the headset out and listened. She nodded. "He's snoring! I gonna keep this on, that we know if he wakes, while we are still up." Jay nodded and got his sleeping boxers from the bed. "Be back in a minute!" he said and closed the door to the bathroom.
When Jay came back into the room, Erin still had her headset in one ear. The report was still open in front of her, but she appeared to be done with typing. She was observing her outstretched hands instead.
"Still have to get used to the ring?" Jay asked cockily.
Erin paused something on the phone at looked at him.
"Sure," she just said looking up at him. His half naked body distracted her, as she realized that they would spend the first night just the two of them in the bed. She had to refocus immediately. "So, you joined a militia?" she asked.
"You already listened in on that?" Jay asked.
"Yes, I started, when the kids were in bed. Haven't heard all of it though. Did they tell you what they are planning yet?"
Jay shook his head, while he entered the bed on his side. He decided to come closer, that they could discuss everything in an extremely low voice.
"No," he said very close to her ear, "but they did point out they needed a sniper."
Erin turned her face to him. They were awfully close. "Well, it's a start." She whispered putting on a small smile.
"Guess it is," he said while looking into her eyes. He had to fight the urge to kiss her. Maybe he had had too much alcohol after all, or maybe she was just damn hot, as she'd always been to him.
Erin had similar thoughts, or more longings, but she waited for him to make the first move. He didn't. He turned away and got his laptop out.
"Shall I re-read yours first? Then you can sleep?" he asked her back to business.
"Won't take long, it's short," she said while she got out of bed. „I'll get some water downstairs. You need anything? Coffee?"
„Nuh, water will be fine, thanks!" He turned to his laptop and began to read.
When she came back with two small bottles of water, he was already busy with typing his own report. He looked up at her when she closed the door.
„I sent you yours, should be fine. Though I might have missed something. I'm tired!"
„Take this!" she handed him the water.
He took it and thanked her with a nod. When he put the bottle to his lips he stopped and looked at her. „Didn't you tell me just yesterday, that I shouldn't drink out of a bottle anymore, because of the virus?" he asked confused.
„Yes, well..." She had actually chosen to bring the bottles, because she still didn't trust her hands, and didn't want to spill anything on the way up, or in front of him, but he shouldn't know that. "I used disinfectants on the bottle," she quickly added.
"So, I drink disinfectants now? Where did I read again, that that might help against the virus?" he winked at her.
"Very funny! On the outside of course! I guess, this is in any case safer than the beer you had before."
"Maybe, thanks for looking out for me!"
"I'm your wife, aren't I?" she winked at him.
After a last view into the room with the sleeping children, she went back to bed and got her laptop out to send her report.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry for the delay on posting. Work has been quite busy those last few weeks. I try to be ahead a few chapters in writing, so that I am still able to change something in the ones I haven't posted. I'm done with writing chapter 15 now, and gonna post the next one (13) as soon as I'm done with chapter 16.
Thanks for all the reviews! You are the best!