Happy holidays to you! I give you the last chapter and some good news – I'm planning a sequel! I was blown away by the responses, I honestly didn't know how many of y'all had stuck with me. Thank you for encouraging me and I hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday.
"That's why we're staying in Chicago."
Jay felt his heart stop. He couldn't believe his ears. Piper was staying in Chicago? Erin was staying in Chicago? They both were staying in Chicago?
"W-what?" he stammered, "But you just said-"
"I said I never want her to feel like she's been abandoned," Erin said, wiping the tears from her own cheeks before reaching out and brushing Jay's, "And even if we kept in touch in New York, it wouldn't be the same." She managed a small smile. "I-I know we said we were going to prioritize her, and this is me doing that. She needs you, Jay. I need you. We're both really, really afraid of losing you again."
"But your job and-"
"I was waiting to tell you until it was official." Erin took a breath, "Turns out that bureaucratic bullshit meeting I had right before you got hurt was a promotion. My boss's boss, the asshole who was giving me a hard time a few weeks back, he's the one who was fired. And uh, I got the job. I pretty much accepted it on the spot."
"Erin, that's incredible," Jay gushed. He knew just how deserving his girl was of a promotion. "I'm so proud of you."
She smiled wistfully. "It's a desk job this time. A-after Piper I asked to be transferred to something a little more stable with less travel, and this gig just so happens this one is in Chicago too. I'll be able to pick her up from school, and be there for whatever she needs." She paused, "Plus it has the added benefit of being close to you."
At that, Jay beamed. "I can't believe you're staying. Both of you."
"I've been waiting for the right time to tell you," she murmured, resuming the motions of running her fingers across his arm, "I-I wasn't sure if it was the right move for us but after I saw you in the hospital I-" Her voice cracked slightly, "I just knew I couldn't leave you again. Me and Piper, we uh, we love you too much."
"I don't think I could have let you leave," he replied, gently wiping her cheek with his thumb, "I was ready to follow you, whether you wanted me or not."
Erin choked out a laugh. "That's what your brother said too." She took his hand. "I um, now that I'm staying I just…I wanted to see if you um, maybe wanted to try us again. I-I know I've fucked it up more times than I can count but-"
Jay cut her off with a kiss. "Is-is that a yes?" she teased, pulling back slightly, "Even though there's Piper and work and-"
"Yes," he replied, kissing her again, "Yes, yes, a thousand times yes." He tugged her closer against his chest. "I'm with you, babe. For all of it. Piper, work, everything. I love you, so much."
Erin settled in closer. "I love you more," she mumbled against his shirt. She exhaled heavily. "I feel like I've been waiting ages for this."
He chuckled softly and kissed the top of her head. "I feel the same way. Gets better every time." Jay lightly stroked his fingers through her hair. "Does Piper know you're staying in Chicago yet?"
She shook her head. "I um, I wanted to see what you thought first. And I wanted to ask if I could tell her that she could still see you, as much as we want."
Jay grinned so hard his cheeks hurt. "The two of you are going to get sick of me."
Erin wiped her eyes shakily. "I don't think that's possible."
"Did you have a good conversation with Dr. Murphy, Noodle?" Erin asked, nervously rubbing the spot between her index finger and thumb as she sat beside her little sister at the kitchen table. Jay was in the process of cutting up an apple for a snack for Piper, and they were going to tell her that she and Erin were staying in Chicago. Despite the good news of the situation, Erin was oozing anxiety.
She and Jay decided that it would be best to wait on the impending confirmation of custody, but that telling the little girl that Erin wasn't leaving would be a good way to set her mind at ease. After court and the stamp of approval from the judge, they'd finally get to tell Piper that Bunny was no longer attempting to worm her way into Piper's life, and that Piper would forever be safe with Erin.
They had a hard time keeping the news to themselves as Erin drove them back to Jay's apartment. Jay could barely keep a straight face after hearing the news that both of his girls would be remaining in Chicago.
Erin drove through a drive-thru smoothie spot to pick up a mid-morning treat, intent on honoring the schedule she and Jay had outlined for Piper earlier that day. She'd also read that it was important to keep to whatever timeline and expectations had been set with the child whenever possible in order to continue to build trust. Truthfully, all Erin wanted to do was let the news burst through her lips, but she knew she had to wait for the right time. That meant getting Piper back into a place where she felt comfortable, like Jay's apartment, and carefully divulging the news, rather than just springing it on her.
"I think so," Piper said after thinking for a moment, "She was really nice and asked me some questions, but she didn't make me nervous. I liked that you and Jay came in first."
"I'm glad," Erin nodded. It had been a great call by her partner to ask if they could sit for a few minutes. She forced a smile when Jay set the apple slices on the kitchen table.
"You want some peanut butter with those, Pipes? For some protein?" He grinned when she gave a nod and Erin shot him a knowing look. He loved just how well he knew his little friend.
"Is everything okay?" Piper asked both the adults after Jay put a dollop of peanut butter onto the plate. She glanced at Erin, and then to Jay.
"What do you mean?" Jay asked innocently, trying to maintain his poker face. It was Erin's news to share, even if it did fill him with more joy than he ever thought possible.
"You look worried," she said, locking eyes with her big sister, "Did…did something happen? Did you find our dad?"
"Not yet," Erin shook her head quickly, "But the feds are on it, and you're safe. We're both safe." She swallowed and looked to Jay, who gave an encouraging nod, "But I do have some news for you."
Piper set the apple slice she'd picked up back down on the plate to regard Erin nervously. "You know that um, my job had me living out in New York, and traveling a bit, right?"
The little girl nodded slowly, gripping the seat of the chair tightly. "That's how come if I get to live with you, I gotta move to New York?"
Erin nodded. "Yes, but um, I got some news that might change that a bit. I'm still doing everything I can to get you to live with me and at this point, we're pretty confident it's going to happen," she said quickly after Piper's face fell, realizing that her little sister might think she was abandoning her, "But I was thinking it might be better for us to stay here, in Chicago." Erin gave a tentative smile and paused to see what Piper's reaction would be.
"You…you would do that? Just because I said I didn't want to move?" Piper drew in a breath, "I-I don't want you to quit your job or-or give something up for me."
"I got a new job," Erin assured her, reaching out a hand to gently stroke Piper's fingers, "Still with the FBI, but I'll be doing a little different work, which I'm excited about. And I would do anything for you, Noodle. Anything."
Tears filled Piper's eyes. "I love you, sweetheart," Erin continued, swallowing the lump in her throat, "And I'm going to keep fighting as hard as I can to keep us together, but no matter what, I am going to be close by. I'm not leaving you, not now, not ever."
Piper burst into tears and slid off the chair before crashing into Erin's arms. Erin held her tightly, the tiny person in her embrace a reminder of just how much they'd overcome. "I love you too," Piper mumbled into her shoulder, "I-I'm so glad you're my sister."
Erin kissed the top of Piper's head and lifted her eyes to meet Jay's. He was positively beaming at the scene in front of him. He loved watching his girls get closer. "And Jay's gonna be close by too," Erin whispered, loud enough so he could hear as well, "Me and him, we're not going anywhere."
Piper lifted her head. "Really? We still get to see Jay?"
"All the time," Jay said, clearing his throat, "Told ya you weren't getting rid of me that easy, Pipes."
She released her hold on her sister and looked over to Jay as if she wanted to throw her tiny arms around him. "You won't hurt him," Erin said knowingly, stroking Piper's back gently. She too wanted to throw her arms around her partner.
At that, Piper cracked a smile. "C'mere, you," Jay said, boosting the little girl into his arms and holding her close on his good side, "Nothing could keep me from a hug from my favorite kid."
Happy tears welled in Erin's eyes as she watched her partner, the love of her life, hold her little sister in his arms. Piper wrapped her arms around Jay's neck and held tightly, relief evident in how she melted into the detective's embrace. "'m so glad we get to see you," Piper whispered, "I don't know what we would do without you."
"Me either," Erin agreed, wiping the tears from her cheeks when Jay extended an arm to bring her in close as well. She leaned into his side carefully, mindful of the fact that he'd just had surgery days prior. Erin let out a breath when Jay dropped a kiss atop her head and let his lips linger.
"Are…are you guys going to be partners again?" Piper asked curiously, resting her head on Jay's shoulder and looking at Erin quizzically.
Erin stiffened slightly. She and Jay hadn't reached that part of their plan to tell Piper that she was staying in Chicago. They'd agreed earlier to give their relationship another shot, but explaining it to a nine year old was another thing entirely.
"We've been talking about it a lot," Jay said slowly, giving Erin's shoulder a gentle squeeze, "Erin and I, we're always going to love each other, no matter what. And before, we both had some stuff that we needed to work through. But now, with all of us staying in Chicago, we want to try being boyfriend and girlfriend again." He paused, "But we also decided that no matter what, you come first. And you are going to have both of us in your corner and looking out for you no matter what happens."
Erin let out a breath. Her partner always knew what to say. "We love you," she said softly, reaching up to stroke Piper's hair, "And we know this is a little bit confusing for you, but we're always going to be honest with you."
Piper looked from Jay to Erin. "You guys are the happiest when you're together," she said, extending one hand to hold Erin's while still snuggling into Jay's shoulder. "I just want you to be happy. And I want to have both of you."
"You ready to tackle this recipe, Noodle?" Erin asked, a grin forming on her lips when Piper nodded seriously.
"No burned kitchen tools," Piper reminded her, "We can do it."
Erin couldn't remember a time in recent years when she'd felt so happy.
After Piper basically gave her blessing to Jay and Erin, it felt like everything clicked. They were a family. Erin had always known that Jay was her family, even back when they were just partners, but the addition of her little sister filled her heart in ways she never thought possible. She still couldn't believe that Piper was going to be hers forever. Theirs forever.
Piper and Erin insisted that Jay take it easy in the form of an early afternoon nap. Erin wanted to keep her promise of making something from Camille's cookbook while Jay rested, and she and Piper determined that scones would be a fun treat, especially since Jay was drinking so much tea in lieu of coffee.
"Blueberry scones," Erin said, reading from the recipe book that Hank had gifted to Piper, "Top of the list is all purpose flour, granulated sugar and buttermilk."
Piper wrinkled her brow. "I know Jay's got flour and sugar but I don't know about buttermilk."
"Hm," Erin tapped her chin after peering into the fridge, "I think it's something we can make, or maybe there's some kind of substitution. I bet the internet has a suggestion."
Piper nodded and gestured to Jay's computer, which was sitting on the kitchen table. "Let's see," Erin mused, opening the computer and pulling up the internet browser. "Buttermilk, buttermilk."
"Ah-choo!" Piper sneezed, immediately covering her face with her hands. "The flour is making me sneezy."
Erin chuckled. "You want to go wash your hands while I figure out a buttermilk recipe?"
The little girl scampered to the bathroom to wash up and Erin returned to her search. The scones were going to be a surprise for Jay, since he was absolutely obsessed with the scones from a bakery down the street from the district. It used to be one of Erin's favorite ways to show her partner love, by bringing him a morning treat.
She scrolled through the internet in search of a recipe, but stopped when she saw a minimized browser window. Curiosity got the better of her, and she clicked.
Had Jay been planning to move?
There was a tab open with a home listing, recently for sale. It was close by to his apartment. Four bedrooms, with a yard and a huge kitchen. Open floorplan, flooded with light. It was absolutely gorgeous, and Erin found herself clicking through the images, her imagination running wild.
Even when they were dating, Jay had always loved looking at houses. He'd point out ones that he liked when they drove around the city, citing perfect climbing trees or bay windows. She always nodded along, having never really considered real estate to be a big interest. Erin liked her old apartment.
But now she was staying in Chicago, and she needed to figure out where she and Piper were going to live. She could always extend the temporary place that was down the street from Jay's, but if she was moving back for real, she wanted a place that she could decorate and where Piper could have her own space.
"Did you find a recipe?" Piper asked, immediately bringing Erin back to the present, "We could make something else too."
"I got it," Erin replied quickly, minimizing the tab with the home listing, "Let's do this thing."
Later that evening, Piper was snuggled into Jay's side as they sat on the couch watching a Blackhawks game. Her breath was slowly evening out despite the early hour, likely due to the exhausting visit to the therapist's office and waking up at the crack of dawn in Voight's house.
"How are you feeling?" Erin asked, gently running her fingertips across Jay's cheek, "Any pain?"
He shook his head. "Best I ever felt, I think." Jay kissed her forehead as she settled against him and reached a hand over him to stroke Piper's arm.
"She's out," Erin chuckled softly, "Big day for her."
"Big day of all of us," Jay replied, "I got the okay from Will for coffee and booze this afternoon too. One more week laid up at home and then I'm back on desk duty, being very careful."
"You better be," she said, "You may have the doctor's stamp of approval, but you still need the girlfriend's."
Jay grinned. Erin was his girlfriend. "I promise. I won't do anything reckless. Not when I have two girls waiting for me back home." He smiled wider when Erin settled in closer, draping one leg over his. His girl was never a big one for PDA especially given that they worked together, but the second it was just the two of them, Erin Lindsay couldn't keep her hands off him.
He widened his eyes slightly, remembering just why their PDA was so limited in their last relationship. She was the boss's daughter. "Does Hank know? That you're staying?"
"Not yet," Erin rubbed his chest delicately. "I don't need his approval." She paused, "I wanted to tell you first. You and Piper."
He kissed her nose and she scrunched up her features before letting out a content exhale against her partner. "We should celebrate," she murmured, "Maybe do something fun."
"Mm," he nodded in agreement, eyes twinkling, "I can think of a few fun things."
"Good thing the bullet left your dirty mind intact," she scoffed teasingly, "I was thinking a drink, Halstead."
"Sure," Jay rolled his eyes before biting his lower lip, "Sure you were." He let out a low chuckle when Erin's cheeks darkened. "There's actually a bottle of whiskey in the lower right cabinet."
"Perfect." Erin stood to retrieve the beverage. Jay watched as she stood on her tip toes to fetch the tumblers, overwhelmed by just how much he loved her. Everything about her turned him on, but his favorite was sleepy Erin. After long days, his girl was softer, cuddlier, all around gentler. She would melt into his side, warm breath on his chest. The memories of lazily tracing circles on her back as they laid on the couch were some of Jay's fondest, and he swallowed the lump in his throat at the realization that they no longer had to be memories. Erin and him, together, it was real life again.
"You never opened it."
Jay blinked when he realized that Erin was holding up a box of whiskey. The same box that she'd gifted to him for his birthday a year prior, when things between them were…difficult.
"Uh, yeah." He rubbed the back of his head self-consciously. "It felt wrong to open it, without you." Jay offered a small smile, "There was nobody else I wanted to drink it with."
Her eyes softened as she poured the amber liquid into two tumblers and returned to the couch. "Cheers," she whispered, raising the glass to Jay's.
He tapped his glass to hers before taking a long sip. "That is smooth."
"Can't believe you let whiskey this good just sit unopened for over a year," she teased, "It's really nice."
"Worth the wait," Jay replied, letting out a small breath as Piper settled against him in her sleep, "So, so worth it."
Jay was on cloud nine.
He hadn't felt so relaxed in years, and the days off following his unfortunate run in with a bullet were everything he could have dreamed of and more. Erin had taken time off after accepting the new job, and was honoring her promise to keep an eye on him. While both his girls made sure he was getting rest and taking things slow, he watched their relationship continue to blossom. Piper giggled at Erin's jokes, and his girl appeared more at ease than she had in all the years he'd known her.
Erin had all but moved into his apartment. She claimed it was to keep an eye on him, but they both knew how much better sleep they got when they were beside each other. Jay was grateful that Erin was there, especially when it came to Piper. His little friend was faring much better in the daytime with both adults she trusted close by, but the nights were still difficult.
Jay was hoping that things would get easier for Piper after they got back into a routine. With the brief transition to Bunny's house, the night in the hospital and the stint at Hank's, he could tell the child's brain was incredibly thrown off. He knew that Piper was in for another big transition when she went to live with Erin officially, but he was hoping they could make the switch as seamless as possible.
He was waiting for the right time to ask Erin to officially, officially move in with him. Jay sat beside Piper on the couch, practically vibrating with anticipation. They didn't want to spook Piper about the court case, and had told their first white lie of parenting by allowing Piper to assume her big sister was needed at work. It wasn't a total lie, as Erin had stopped by her soon to be new office that morning, but they knew it was better than bringing up terrible memories for Piper. Erin left earlier that morning, and Jay could tell that without her big sister, Piper was slightly out of sorts.
Erin's ears were buzzing and her heart was thumping as she sat in the same courtroom where Piper had been taken from two weeks prior. This time, Bunny's side of the court was empty, and the new judge appeared far more understanding of the situation. There were a lot of words being said, but Erin could barely hear. All she could think about was Piper, and just how badly she wanted to keep her safe.
She'd honestly never known a love like the love she felt for her little sister. Of course, she loved Teddy and always tried to protect him, but he was in and out of her life, and she was also just a child herself when she was trying to keep them both fed and sheltered.
Piper was impossibly sweet and the most empathic little person Erin ever met. Her little sister seemed to pick up on everything, from when Jay's shoulder was starting to get achy from healing to when her big sister needed another cup of coffee. She couldn't believe someone so perfect could have emerged from the situation that Piper did, and Erin was forever grateful that she had.
Erin zoned back in as the judge's gavel banged.
"She's yours, Erin," Leslie said, offering a wide smile, "She's yours."
Erin gave a watery nod and a thankful look to the new judge. "Thank you so much, Leslie," Erin choked out, "Thank you."
"Congratulations, Erin," Jenna O'Donnell, Piper's social worker, said, giving her hand a squeeze. Erin had forgotten she was sitting beside her.
"Thank you," she whispered, "For being here. For finding her, and for looking out for her. I-I can't thank you enough."
"It's my job," Jenna said with a smile, "And a job I take seriously. I'll still be here to support you and Jay as you begin to transition Piper out of his care. In these cases, the court will allow DCFS to help with timing, recognizing that you might need to get things in order as your residence is out of state."
"I um, I'm actually moving back," Erin said, "I uh, wanted us to be close to home."
"I'm sure both Jay and Piper were relieved to hear that," she said knowingly, "Your sister is very lucky to have the two of you."
Erin nodded. "So, uh, what do I do next?"
Jenna smiled again. "Well, for starters, you get to tell Piper. And then, hopefully tomorrow, we can schedule a short conversation with her and I, which is fairly standard. With your personal relationship with Jay, this process will also be a lot easier."
Erin let out the breath she'd been holding for eight weeks. Between her and Jay, Piper was going to be just fine.
"When's Erin coming back?" Piper asked Jay, glancing up at the detective from her seat next to him on the couch, "She is coming back, right?"
"Absolutely," Jay confirmed, "Soon, I think. Probably just wrapping up a few loose ends." He picked up his phone, intending to send a quick text to his girlfriend.
It's official.
The words flashed across Jay's phone screen and he grinned. Piper was safe, forever.
"She's probably on her way back now actually. Just got a text from her." Jay leaned down and kissed the top of Piper's head.
Piper exhaled and cuddled into Jay's side. "I get worried," she whispered, almost shamefully, "When I don't know if you guys are coming back. I-I know I'm supposed to remember that you're gonna, because I trust you, but I still get worried 'cause I'm just used to people not coming back."
Jay swallowed the lump in his throat. Every time Piper alluded to the trauma of her previous life, his heart broke a little more. "We will always be back for you," he promised, "No matter what. That is a Jay Halstead promise."
She smiled and placed her small fingers on his hand. "I know," she said simply, "You promised you were gonna keep me safe, and you did. I knew I could trust you when I first met you, after you told me about how you got that scar."
He held his hand up slightly to see the scar that Piper was referring to. Jay had forgotten that it was a story about Erin that got Piper to trust him when he first brought her out of the locked closet in the Marsh's abandoned stash house. "And I knew you were special the moment I saw you," Jay managed, taking her fingers in his, "The most incredible kid I ever met."
Piper blushed and rested her head against his chest. "I'm really, really glad you're still gonna be close. Me and Erin both love you a whole lot."
"I put out forks and knives even though it's pizza," Piper explained as she gestured to the kitchen table, "'cause you usually order a salad."
"Excellent job, Pipes," Jay praised, "I know you're always down for some salad, but we'll have to convince Erin that it's good for her."
Piper giggled. "She does not like salad as much as you do."
"I am a better influence," he bragged with a silly face, earning another giggle from his little friend. He could listen to her laugh all day if he could.
When there was a knock at the door, Piper instinctively stiffened. "Just Erin," Jay said lightly, giving her a wink, "How about you wash your hands, and I'll help her with the pizza?"
Jay pulled open the front door to his apartment like he'd done a thousand times, but this time, wide grin spread across his lips when he met Erin's gaze, his girlfriend's gaze. Her eyes were shining and there was almost a glow about her as she supported a box of pizza and what appeared to be a side salad.
"Hey babe," she greeted with a smirk, "You gonna let me in?"
He leaned forward and cupped her cheek with his palms, allowing his lips to gently meet hers. "Missed you," he murmured against her lips.
"Missed that," she replied huskily, "If I wasn't holding a meat lovers pie I'd-"
The sound of breaking glass interrupted her thought as Jay's eyes went wide. "Pipes?" he called out, suddenly on high alert but doing his best to keep his voice measured, "You okay?"
"I-I was trying to fill up my water," Piper said apologetically, tears filling her eyes as she leaned against the fridge, "I wasn't holding with two hands, I'm sorry."
"No big deal," Jay replied, quickly crossing the living room to reach the kitchen, "No big deal at all. Can you stand still so you don't get any glass in your feet for me? Erin's still got her shoes on, but you're barefoot."
Piper nodded solemnly, her eyes trained on Jay as Erin grabbed a broom from the hall closet. Jay slipped on a pair of shoes before boosting Piper into his arms. He could feel the child's heart hammering in her chest. "Are you hurt?" he asked, relieved when she shook her head, "You sure?"
She nodded. "I'm sorry."
"These things happen," he assured her, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. He let out a breath when Piper relaxed against him. It was only six weeks ago that Piper had an absolute meltdown after dropping a glass and had cowered in fear of Jay hitting her. She was still nervous, but Jay was so glad she trusted him and wasn't afraid.
"All cleaned up," Erin determined, "No shards." She offered a small smile to the little girl, "You hungry for pizza, Noodle?"
Piper nodded again and returned the smile. "I missed you today."
"I missed you more," Erin replied, reaching up to stroke Piper's cheek, "Did Jay behave himself?"
She looked to Jay and then gave another nod. "We watched Back to the Future Two."
"One of Jay's favorites," she said knowingly, "I'm glad you guys had a chill day." Erin looked to Jay, the unspoken words on his lips.
You can tell her.
She's going to be so happy.
She loves you.
I love you.
"I also got some good news today."
Piper widened her eyes in anticipation. "I don't have to go to Bunny?"
Erin shook her head. "Bunny signed away her parental rights, which means she can't come near you again." She swallowed nervously as she watched Piper process the information. "And the judge said that I get to be your guardian."
"Really?" Piper whispered after a moment, "I get to be with you?"
Erin managed a watery nod. "Forever."
Piper let out a breath of relief. "I-I can't believe you want me," she said softly, lightly brushing the tears off Erin's cheeks, "I didn't think anyone would."
"I want you more than anything," Erin choked out, "You're my sister, Noodle. You are the most incredible kid that I ever met. I want you. We want you."
At that, Piper leaned away from Jay to wrap her arms around Erin's neck. Her sister held tightly, the little girl tucked in her embrace as she stood in Jay's kitchen, still wearing the shoes that she was supposed to take off when she came in. "I love you," Piper whispered, "Thank you."
Erin's heart cracked wide open. Piper was hers, fully and completely. "I love you too," she whispered back. She looked up to meet her boyfriend's gaze. Jay's eyes were shining with tears as he watched the girls he loved so much finally get the happy news they deserved.
"You think she's okay?" Erin asked Jay as she slowed to a stop at a red light. They had just dropped Piper off at the DCFS office for her last meeting with Jenna. Piper was initially nervous, but seemed to adjust quickly after the confirmation that both Erin and Jay would be returning for her.
After the news that Erin would be her guardian and that Bunny no longer had a chance at custody, Piper slept through the night. She'd fallen asleep cuddled in between Jay and Erin, small body finally at a much-needed rest.
Jay nodded and glanced out the window. He wasn't exactly sure where Erin was driving to, and it was his car. "It's just an hour. She knows and trusts Jenna, and she knows that we trust Jenna too." He paused, "Where are we going?"
"Just a quick stop," Erin promised, turning at a stop sign in a residential neighborhood, "I uh, I have something I want to show you."
He wrinkled his brow as he looked around the neighborhood. It was nice, nicer than where he grew up, and all the houses seemed to have big trees in their front yards. He saw some kids tossing a baseball in the late summer heat, and dogs jumping up on fences as runners sped by. They were still in Chicago, but somehow it felt like a suburb.
"We're here," Erin determined, pulling to a stop and quickly disembarking, "C'mon."
Jay did as he was told, still confused. He glanced around, trying to discern exactly where they were, and why he found himself in a random neighborhood in Chicago. He turned, intending to ask Erin why the heck she drove them out there, when his eyes fell upon the house that Erin was standing in front of, looking incredibly guilty.
"I didn't mean to snoop," Erin rushed out before he could close his mouth to form words, "But I was looking for a buttermilk recipe on your computer last week when Piper and I were making scones and I saw that you had looked at this house and one thing led to another and I just wound up here the other day when I went to grab clothes from my temporary place." She shifted slightly on her feet as Jay looked around in surprise. "I guess our tastes are pretty similar because it looks like a house I always dreamed about."
He swallowed, still in disbelief. "It's the good lighting and open floor plan," Jay replied finally, "It's a great house."
"I know," Erin nodded, "Really good for a family." She cleared her throat, "There's a yard and room for a swing on the tree out back. I-I think it would be a good place for Piper to grow up."
A smile spread across Jay's lips. "I think so too."
"That's why I bought it."
He widened his eyes in surprise. "You bought it already? You guys made scones like three days ago. I had leftovers for a snack this morning."
Erin nodded again. "I put the down payment down yesterday, right after court. The old owners were eager to sell and I know I should have gotten it re-inspected but they're already moved out and I just wanted to have a solid place to tell Piper we were moving instead of that temporary place." She paused, hoping to get a read on her boyfriend. "Please don't get mad at me. I know you found it first but after I saw it I just kind of fell in love and I thought if you had already saved it, it would make it easier for you to say yes when I ask you to move in with us."
He didn't know what to say.
"How could I be mad at you?" Jay managed, shaking his head, "This is incredible, Er. You're incredible. Piper's so lucky to have you." He tugged her closer. "And I am too." He pressed a kiss to her lips.
"Is that a yes? You're down to move in with us?" Erin stroked the pocket of his flannel lightly, "I know last time-"
"This isn't last time," he reminded her, "We're better. Stronger. And we have Piper to think about too." He kissed her again. "Of course I'm down."
Erin grinned. "Let me show you the master bedroom."
"The bed's still comfy, right?" Jay asked as he poked his head into Piper's new bedroom. The next week and a half had been an absolute whirlwind, with Erin moving all of her stuff from New York back to the new house in Chicago. Their new house.
With Piper starting school, Erin starting a new job and Jay on medical leave, Erin and Jay decided it would be better to move sooner rather than later. It would allow Piper to get into a routine and become familiar with her surroundings before starting at a new place.
The little girl had been positively over the moon when they shared that Jay would be moving in with them, and that they were all going to be together. Piper was still skeptical about the prospect of starting school, but with Jay still on desk duty, he'd be able to pick her up and be available if she needed him while Erin adjusted to the new gig.
To Jay's surprise, his boss appeared to be thrilled at the fact that Erin was staying in town, and that he was moving in with Piper and Erin. He wasn't entirely sure what the sergeant had said because Jay nearly blacked out from shock, but it was something along the lines of 'You're good for them, Jay. Keep 'em safe.'
And that is what Jay intended to do.
Piper nodded and gave a small smile. It was the first night in their new house and despite the fact that both Jay and Erin were there, he could tell his little friend was on edge. It didn't help that school was starting next week and though she was repeatedly reassured that things were going to be okay, she was still nervous.
"We're going to have to do some more decorating in here," Jay mused, glancing around the bedroom. It was right down the hall from his and Erin's new bedroom, with two large windows that faced the backyard. He already had plans for a tire swing and maybe an entire playground, or maybe even a small garden. He thought Piper would be interested in growing vegetables. "We'll have to head to Target this weekend."
"Jay Halstead? Decorating?" Erin appeared behind him carrying another box of clothes up the steps that had arrived from her apartment in New York. She honestly had to keep pinching herself that she wasn't dreaming. Two and a half months ago, she got a call about a little girl who shared her mother and here she was, ten weeks later, home in Chicago, having won custody of her sister and now living with Jay Halstead, her partner and the love of her freaking life. She honestly couldn't believe it.
"I am not that bad," Jay tried to defend himself, doing his best to keep the smile off his face as Erin teased him.
"Please. You are to interior design as I am to cooking," Erin scoffed, "You've got like three things you know how to decorate, and all of them are a man cave. Your last apartment was an exception."
Piper giggled. She and Erin had surprised Jay with a new TV for the finished basement, along with a giant couch that was almost as stuffed as the one in Wisconsin. Jay had already known Erin would take on most of the decorating, but had been floored at the fact that she'd carved out a special space just for him.
"Okay, fine," he let out an exaggerated huff, "You brush your teeth, kiddo?"
"Jay. I do it every night and every morning," Piper informed him, earning a wide grin from her big sister. She flashed a smile, "I never forget, especially after you told me the story about Will's cavities."
"Oh, I forgot I freaked you out with that one," he chuckled, "But if it keeps those teeth in your head, I'm okay with it." He paused, noting just how his little friend had her hands clasped tightly in her lap. "So you know where Erin and my room is, and the bathroom is right over there." He pointed to the bathroom across the hallway. "If you need anything, we'll be right there."
Piper nodded slowly. "Are you still gonna tell me a story?"
"Absolutely," Jay promised, about to take a seat on the floor like he normally did.
"You can't sit on the floor," Piper shook her head, "Not if Erin's gonna get to sit on the bed."
Jay shot a knowing look at his partner. She was always reluctant to join in on his nightly routine with Piper, but the little girl always found a way to pull her big sister in. Erin beamed before setting the box down. Piper scooted in to make room for Jay and Erin perched next to him. "Okay," he said, unable to keep the smile off his cheeks as Piper rested on his arm, "What kind of story are you feeling tonight, kiddo?"
Piper thought for a moment and then looked over at her big sister. "A Jay and Erin story," she said, "You said you had a thousand Erin stories."
Erin's cheeks darkened. She knew that her boyfriend would keep things PG for her little sister but it didn't stop her from thinking about all the inappropriate stories he had in his Erin vault. Everything about him turned her on, but watching him be a dad to Piper was at the top of her list.
"Well, let me tell you about the day I first met Erin," Jay started, settling back against the headboard, each of his girls tucked into his chest, "It's one of my favorite stories."
Thank you so much for reading! What is next for this sequel you may ask?
Well, I am still working through it! I have an outline with a few key pieces that I know the story will be based around with Erin, Jay and Piper together (some love, some growth, some ~drama~) but if you are hoping to see something in particular, I would love to see if I could include it. I might even get it started before the end of the year :)
