Surprise! Thought I'd treat ya because I finished this one early and I love the ending of this one too :)
"Erin, baby, it's me. It is so good to see you honey."
Erin drew in a breath, grateful for the cold Chicago air. She hadn't been expecting to see her mother after a long week or work, or ever, really. After signing away her parental rights to Piper, Erin thought the door had closed. But of course, Bunny always found a window to crawl through.
"Bunny," she said curtly, "What are you doing here?" She glanced to the other establishments in the strip of businesses and spotted a liquor store two doors down from the dry cleaner. "Oh. Never mind."
"How are you? Are you still with Jay?" Bunny asked, "And how is that sweet little girl of mine?"
In an instant, Erin saw red. Running into her mother unexpectedly always turned her stomach, but seeing the woman who had left her little sister to fend for herself after she was supposed to be caring for her filled her with a rage she'd never felt before. "Don't you fucking dare," Erin growled, "She's not your little girl. Not after you drugged her and left her alone for days on end." She glowered at the woman who had given birth to her. "She nearly died in that house, thanks to you."
"I don't know what you are talking about," Bunny said defensively, "I would never harm a child."
"She passed out when the social worker found her!" Erin exploded, "I got a call that she was in the hospital, malnourished and severely dehydrated, and then I hear that you had all your drug dealing friends over while Piper was in the house." She drew in a breath. "She's traumatized, and all I can think is that thank god you sobered up for a half a second to sign away your parental rights."
Bunny's eyes darkened. "I can't imagine you doing any better," she snapped, "With your history of men. Nothing but a worthless junkie."
"That's really fucking rich, coming from you," Erin bit back, "Considering the fact that you gave your own child drugs and tried to keep her from getting adopted. I know about that note you sent to her foster parents."
"I did no such thing," she replied haughtily, "She probably got them from your medicine cabinet. You can't be too careful with children, Erin. You of all people should know that. With all the times you stole from me."
"What are you talking about?" Erin growled, "I don't even remember you being sober or around for most of my life, Bunny. We didn't have anything to steal since you pawned it all away to inject that crap into your veins."
"You're no better than I am, Erin, remember that. And that little girl of mine is going to suffer because of you." Bunny gave a condescending smirk. "We'll see how long you last with her. But don't worry, I'll be there waiting for her. I've got some calls lined up to figure out how I can get her away from you. Guardianship isn't adoption, honey."
"Stay out of my life. And Piper's," Erin replied, climbing into her car, "You have no right to either of us anymore."
"Hey babe," Jay greeted as he stirred the chicken tortilla soup he'd concocted with Piper, "How was work?"
"W-where's Piper?" Erin choked out, unable to answer her partner's question. She dropped her coat to the floor and kicked off her heels, quickly making her way into the kitchen.
"She was a little cold so I told her to grab a sweatshirt," he said, concern immediately ramping up when he heard his girlfriend's tone, "What's going on?"
"I-I just need to see her," she stuttered, raking a hand through her hair, "I just can't-"
"Hi Erin," Piper said with a smile, hurrying down the steps, "You're home early!"
Erin wordlessly brought the child into her embrace, holding tightly. She buried her nose in Piper's hair, feeling the warmth of her little sister against her chest. She was alive, breathing, healthy, happy. She was safe from Bunny, safe from anyone who wanted to harm her. Erin inhaled, memorizing what it felt like to have the little girl in her embrace.
Piper looked curiously to Jay as Erin continued to hold her, unsure what was going on. "I love you so much," Erin managed, lifting Piper into her arms. She couldn't hold her as effortlessly as Jay could, but she was determined. After seeing her mother, Erin needed to keep the child as close to her as humanly possible. "So much, Noodle."
"I love you too," Piper replied, gently tucking some of Erin's hair behind her ear, "A-are you okay?" She looked to Jay again, who was still standing in the kitchen, brow furrowed in concern and confusion.
"I am now that I'm home with you guys," Erin exhaled, adjusting Piper in her arms, "Sorry if I worried you, I just wanted to hold you close."
Piper smiled and hugged back. "I thought I would be too heavy for you to lift. But you're strong."
Erin chuckled. "All those early morning workouts in the basement Jay wakes me up for are paying off, hm?" She kissed the top of Piper's head again. "Thanks for indulging me, Noodle. I missed you a whole lot this week. Both of you."
"We missed you too," Piper said seriously, "Jay said we get you all weekend."
"All weekend," she confirmed. Erin let out a breath before noticing that Piper wasn't wearing the sweatshirt Jay had sent her upstairs to put on. "Are you still a little cold?"
Piper gave a shy nod. "I heard you come back right when I got upstairs and I forgot to get the sweatshirt from my drawer."
"You want to go grab it before we eat? That soup you guys made smells phenomenal." Erin gently lowered Piper to the floor and turned to her partner when she scampered up the steps. He was quiet, waiting for her to take the lead. "I ran into Bunny," she whispered, finally meeting Jay's worried gaze, "At the dry cleaner. She was at the liquor store in the same plaza."
Jay's eyes widened, and then darkened. "What did she say to you?"
Erin shook her head. "She was back on her usual bullshit. Told me I wasn't good enough for Piper, that she'd try to come after her again, that I'm worthless, that kind of thing."
"Babe," he murmured, cupping her cheek gently with his palm, "I hope you know that she's full of shit. You aren't worthless."
"She asked about Piper," Erin managed, "She denied that she did anything to hurt her."
"I'm not surprised," he replied, lightly stroking her cheek with his thumb, "She's not one to take responsibility."
"She told me it was my fault Piper was sick and drugged up after being at her house," she whispered, "That she probably took something from my medicine cabinet. Jay, I swear, I don't do any of that stuff anymore, I haven't since Nadia and-"
"I didn't think you did," Jay interrupted, continuing to stroke her cheek, "I know you don't, babe. And there's no way Piper could have gotten any of what Bunny dosed her with by herself."
"I'm worried she's going to spin it back on me." Erin drew in a shaky breath, "She mentioned trying to get her back or-"
"That isn't happening," he promised, "Piper's safe with us. Bunny doesn't have any sort of legal claim to her, not any more. And if she even tries to get close, I'll book her for possession so fast she won't know what hit her."
Erin let out a heavy breath and crumbled into her boyfriend's chest. "You are not worthless," he said, almost forcefully, "You are the most important person in Piper's life, and my life. You're everything to us, babe. Please don't let Bunny's words get to you." He kissed the top of her head. "I love you so much."
She sniffed. "I love you," she mumbled into his t shirt, "Thanks for uh, talking me down." She pulled back slightly to meet his gaze. "The soup does smell really good."
"You want to hop in the shower before dinner? It might help you relax a bit." Jay leaned down to kiss her nose carefully. "Soup will still be here in a bit."
She shook her head. "M-maybe after Piper goes to bed. I just…I want to spend all the time I can with her right now."
Jay nodded in agreement. "She's so excited to have the weekend with you," he said with a smile, "I brought up the ice skating and she's amped."
"You're pretty excited yourself," Erin chuckled, "Looking forward to watching your girlfriend fall on her ass for an hour?"
Erin pressed yet another kiss on Piper's forehead as the little girl slept soundly in her bed. The evening together was the salve she needed after seeing Bunny on top of an incredibly long week of work. Getting to snuggle with her boyfriend and her sister on the couch, paying no mind to whatever game was on, was just perfect.
Jay had carried a sleeping Piper up to her bed, but Erin couldn't leave her just yet. Whenever Piper was able to sleep soundly, Erin could have sworn that the little girl was an angel sent directly from heaven. She loved her, with every inch of her being. Just getting to hold her sister in her arms was a privilege she never wanted to take for granted.
"Hey," Jay murmured when Erin finally shuffled into their bedroom, shedding his long sleeve t shirt, "She still sleeping?"
She nodded and let out a breath. "Peacefully, for now." Erin tilted her head back and forth, feeling the tightness in her neck after the incredibly long week. "I um, I think I'm going to hop in the shower. Wash off the Bunny."
"I drew you a bath," Jay offered, "I thought it might help relax your muscles." He gave a small smile. "I could feel how tense you were when we were on the couch, babe."
"You drew me a bath?" Erin blinked in surprise. Her boyfriend was probably the most gentle and caring person she'd ever met. His simple ways of showing affection for her were unmatched by anyone she had ever dated. "Really?"
"Really." He extended a hand to lead her into the bathroom. "You've had a really long week. Least I could do is fill the tub and light some candles."
Erin took in a breath when she entered their bathroom. The tub that didn't get near enough use was filled with steaming water, surrounded by candles that Erin didn't even realize they owned. Jay had even dimmed the lights, creating a warm and cozy environment in the usually chilly bathroom. She turned to him and placed a gentle hand on his bare chest. "Babe," she breathed, "Thank you." Erin paused and glanced to the tub before meeting his gaze again. "Can you join me?"
Jay looked toward the bedroom, unsure if joining his girlfriend in the bath with Piper sleeping down the hall was actually a good idea. "I just want to be close to you," Erin continued, tracing her fingers over his collarbone, "Please?"
"I can't say no to you," he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek. He knelt down to help his girl out of her professional work slacks and blouse, methodically running his warm hands over her cool skin.
She swallowed the tears that sprung to her eyes at the sheer tenderness of her boyfriend as he carefully unclasped her bra and pulled her hair into a loose high bun to keep it dry. He guided her into the hot water before stepping in himself, leaning against the far back of the tub. Erin settled in the tub with her back against Jay's chest, the warm water and comfort of her boyfriend doing wonders for her tense muscles. "This is just what I needed," she mused, resting the back of her head against his shoulder, "Thank you."
"Of course." Jay kissed the side of her head gently, "It's been a long week."
She nodded in agreement. "Seeing Bunny always wrecks my day," she muttered, "But this is making up for it."
"She's not coming near you or Pipes," Jay promised, gently running his fingers across Erin's back, "We're not going to let that happen."
"I hate that she's our mother," Erin whispered, emotion rising in her throat, "That just seeing her alone makes me feel like a kid again." She shuddered slightly. "But now, with Piper, I just get so angry." Erin clenched her fists, "To know that she tried to prevent her from getting adopted. That she pretended to not know she existed while she moved from family to family, dealing with abuse and-" Her breath hitched, and Jay gently kissed her neck.
"I know," he said sadly, "And you have every right to be angry."
"I want to forget it all," she managed, "I want to forget her, everything she did to me. I'm so tired of getting dragged back there." She leaned her head back into her partner's shoulder heavily. "Wanting to forget is how Charlie got me hooked." Her voice wavered, "He said that it would help me forget about terrible a mother she was. But it only made me more like her."
"Babe," Jay breathed, "You're not Bunny. You got out of that life."
"I'm worried that Piper is going to want to forget too." Erin shook her head, unable to keep the tears from her eyes. "What if she turns out like I did? What if Bunny shows up and turns her all around and-and she winds up-"
"Erin." Jay brought his head closer to hers, "Piper is going to be okay. She's got you, she's got me, and neither of us are going to let that happen to her. You didn't have people looking out for you when you were a kid, but she does. And no matter what, we are going to love her and keep her safe."
She swallowed a sob, her boyfriend's words and the warm bath water washing over her. "I love her so much," she choked out, "If anything happened to her I-"
"We're not going to let that happen," he insisted, "I'm here for both of you, for all of it." He kissed the side of her head. "I love you both too much."
Erin relaxed slightly, unclenching her fists. Seeing Bunny always sent her into a spiral, but with Piper now her responsibility, she felt the pressure and the anxiety even more. "You're so tight, babe," Jay said, feeling just how coiled his partner's muscles were as she leaned against him.
"I thought working with the police would cause me more pain, but sitting at a desk all day is harder," she replied, eliciting a soft moan of appreciation as Jay massaged her neck and shoulders, "I feel like my jaw's been clenched for hours."
"Staring at a screen all day will do it to you," he agreed, pressing his thumbs into her tightly wound shoulder muscles, "Just try to relax against me. I've got you."
Erin awoke with a gasp, unable to shake the feeling of dread that had filled her stomach. "Er? You okay?" Jay mumbled, lifting his head slightly to regard his girlfriend, "What's wrong?"
"W-where's Piper?" Erin gasped, "Bunny, she's going to take her from us, she's still s-scheming and-" She scrambled at the bedsheets, "We need to get out of town, we need to take Piper and go where she can't find us or-"
"Woah, babe." Jay was quickly fully awake and took her arm gently after sitting up in bed, "Slow down for a sec, okay? What happened?"
"B-Bunny," Erin spluttered, struggling to get a breath in, "She wants Piper, she's going to try something again, I know it, I know her games, she's going to drag us back down with her and Piper's gonna suffer." She let out a gasp for air and coughed violently.
"Erin, babe," Jay soothed, rubbing her back gently as she wheezed, "Piper's safe. She's in her room, in this house. She isn't going anywhere. Just a bad dream, okay?"
Erin dissolved into sobs, her entire frame shaking as she was overcome with the memory of watching her little sister get hauled out of the court room, physically pried out of Jay's arms. "She-she could have died," Erin choked out, "With Bunny, in that house. If Jenna hadn't gotten there when she did, Piper, she-" she cut herself off with another sob and turned her face into Jay's shoulder.
Jay was quiet for a moment. His girl's run in with her estranged mother had thrown her for a loop, and whatever terrible dream she had felt all too real. "I know, babe, I know." He stroked the top of her head, "But Piper is safe now. You've got a signed document from the judge that's given you guardianship. Bunny can't undo that. Piper isn't going anywhere."
"She knows how to play the system," Erin whimpered, "I shoulda been taken from her so many times growing up but she knew how to convince them and I don't want Piper to live through that."
"She isn't going to have to," Jay promised, "Piper's staying with us. I will make damn sure of it. I promised both of you I'd keep her safe, and I will. I know that the safest place for her is right here, with you and me."
Erin stifled a sob and gave a tiny nod as Jay's words washed over her. "She's okay," he whispered, "Just across the hall."
"I-I shouldn't be freaking out like this," she said shakily, pulling back from Jay's chest, "Piper was the one who had to go through it, I wasn't even in Chicago when she was at Bunny's and-"
"It was traumatic for you too," Jay murmured, "I'm sure seeing your mom was pretty triggering." He continued to rub her back, feeling his girl trembling beneath his touch. "She put you through a lot as well, both before and after you knew about Piper."
"I used to not let her bother me," she said shakily, "I could brush it off. But now I'm responsible for a whole other human who has suffered so much because of our mother and I just feel…" She trailed off, more tears flowing down her cheeks as she struggled to regain control of her breath.
"Bunny has inflicted immeasurable trauma on you and Piper," Jay said gently, "Seeing your sister go through the same thing you did is like you going through it all over again." He wiped her cheek gently. "You might have some PTSD there."
She shook her head. "Dr. Peterson said I might have some kind of PTSD from the trial and trying to get custody of Piper, but I told her I didn't," Erin swallowed, "I-I wasn't in a shooting or at war or the one who got ripped away to live in my deadbeat mother's house and-"
"If I've learned anything about PTSD is that it isn't unique to war, babe," he whispered, "Re-living what your mom put you through growing up by seeing Piper go through something similar is all kinds of difficult." He wiped her cheek with his thumb again. "I also learned that we shouldn't compare our trauma to others. I used to think I didn't have it that bad because I made it back with both my arms and legs, my whole body intact. But I still went through something over there, and it's something I'm still dealing with."
He drew in a breath. "You have been through so much, and you are the strongest person I have ever met. But it doesn't mean you aren't carrying a heavy load, just because everything happened in Chicago and because you carry it well." Jay swallowed, "From what you've told me and what I know about you, there's a lot in that beautiful head of yours. I love you so much, Er, and I don't want you to diminish what you've survived." He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "You are incredible."
Erin sniffed and buried her face in the crook of his neck, attempting to allow his words to have the desired effect. "I feel like my whole body is on fire," she whimpered, "I-I can't breathe."
Jay frowned, recognizing that feeling all too well. "Come here, let me show you something," he said gently, standing from the bed to take Erin's hand, "It usually helps me."
She stood on quivering feet, stumbling into her partner as he guided her toward their bathroom. "We're just going to sit down here." Jay sank to the floor, lightly tugging Erin's hand to have her join him, "It's a little cold, but it helps ground me. Reminds me that I'm in Chicago and not anywhere else."
Erin shivered after taking a seat beside her partner on the cold tile. "I'm here," he whispered, running his fingers through her hair carefully, "Just try to focus on my breath." He took in a breath of cool air and exhaled. Erin followed suit before cuddling into his bare chest. "Good," he praised, continuing the gentle motions of stroking her hair and rubbing her back, "There you go."
"'s better," she mumbled against his skin after a few minutes of listening to her partner's heart beat steadily. "Thank you."
"I learned it from you," he replied against the top of her head, "It's how you calm me down after a nightmare, just getting me to match your breath. Always helps."
"Seeing Bunny today," Erin swallowed, "I-It's turned me all around. I always feel like a kid again but this time feels like all those times over again. She denied everything, just like she always does. I-I never thought I'd have to see her again." She leaned heavily into her partner, shivering again. "I just wish she didn't have this power over me."
"You are so much stronger than her," Jay insisted, "You're giving Piper the life she deserves, the life you deserved growing up. Bunny will live the rest of her life knowing that the daughters she had are doing so much better without her." He wrapped both arms around his girl as she continued to shiver. "I am so proud of you, for everything," he continued, "And I am here for whatever you need."
Erin sniffed. "I just need this," she whispered against his neck, "You. All I need. A-and Piper, but she's probably asleep."
Jay smiled softly. "You guys are all I need too."
"What happens after the bathroom floor?" Erin mumbled after a few minutes. Her breath was finally back after Jay's gentle touches coupled with the chill of their bathroom floor helped in bringing her heart rate down.
"Well, I usually try to go back to sleep for a bit," Jay replied, "You okay to get back into bed?"
Erin nodded. "Thank you," she whispered, "For being here. I couldn't do this without you, babe. I know it."
He smiled and pressed a kiss atop her head again. "You can do anything," he said confidently, "But you don't have to. I'll be here, for as long as you'll have me."
"I promised Piper forever, so you're pretty much locked in there," she quipped, letting out a content sigh as her boyfriend continued to stroke her back gently. "I really love you."
"And I really love you." He smiled again when Erin cuddled closer despite her previous agreement to getting off the floor. "And I'm sure it goes without saying, but I really love Piper as well."
"I know you do," Erin responded, "It makes me love you even more, watching you love her."
"Erin? J-Jay?" Piper's small voice could be heard from their bedroom, dripping with nervousness, "Erin?"
"Shit," Erin cursed, "She definitely had a nightmare and we didn't hear."
"We're in the bathroom, Pipes," Jay called out. "It's okay. She just needs to see we're still here," he said, keeping his voice low, "Probably freaked a bit when she didn't see us in bed."
Piper's bare feet pitter-pattered across the bedroom, culminating in a heavy exhale when she saw Jay and Erin on the bathroom floor. "You're okay," she said, exhaling again, "I-I thought I heard you but then it stopped and I got worried so I came to check you were still here."
"Still here," Jay said, offering a smile, "You okay?"
Piper nodded solemnly. "H-how come you guys are on the bathroom floor?"
"I um, I had a really bad dream," Erin managed, pulling back slightly from Jay's embrace. She didn't want to lie to the little girl – especially not when her sister was dealing with nightmares herself on a more regular basis. "But I'm okay now. Jay helped." She rubbed his chest lightly, silently thanking him again for helping to bring her back.
The little girl gave a sad smile. "Jay's good at that," she said softly, "You are too."
Erin opened her arm, and immediately Piper rushed in to hug her sister tightly. "I love you so much, Noodle," Erin breathed, holding her as close as she could without hurting her, "So much. I don't know what I would do without you, sweetheart."
Piper wrinkled her brow. "Was your bad dream about me?"
She nodded slowly. "I just want to keep you safe, right here, forever," she murmured into Piper's hair, "I don't ever want to let you go."
Jay leaned over to kiss Piper's head as well. "We were talking about how much we love you," he said, "Which is a whole lot, in case you couldn't tell by how tightly Erin's squeezing you."
"I love you guys too," Piper whispered, delicately resting her head on Erin's shoulder. "I-I get worried when I can't find you." She relaxed further when Jay stroked her cheek gently. "But I like it right here. Before you guys, nobody really hugged me tight before."
"If I hug you any tighter I might break you," Erin said thickly, "But that's what Jay and I are here for." She peppered kisses atop Piper's head, earning a sleepy giggle from the little girl.
Piper let out a small yawn and then a shiver. "It's cold in here," she commented, "Much warmer in bed."
"Mm, I'm thinking I could use a little more Noodle snuggles though," Erin mused, continuing to hold Piper close, "Can I come snuggle in your bed?"
Piper giggled again and nodded. "You can't leave Jay all alone," she said knowingly, "So he's gotta come too."
"Jay's always down for a sleepover," Erin said seriously, "Always."
"Well, one of the Lindsay ladies is a real cover hog," Jay said teasingly, "But I think a sleepover can be arranged."
Jay paused when he saw both of his girl's faces fall slightly. He hadn't meant to actually offend Erin even though she was by all accounts, a huge cover hog. It wasn't about the sleepover either since Erin had just proposed it. He knew that after the nightmare she'd had, sleeping beside Piper would bring some relief.
The Lindsay ladies.
He felt royally stupid.
Piper's last name wasn't Lindsay.
Her last name was still Andrews, which came from the first foster family she had. Bunny had left her in the hospital without a last name, and Andrews got tacked onto her birth certificate and subsequent foster care file and followed her to every home she'd ever been in. He and Erin hadn't even discussed changing Piper's last name.
And then, Piper cracked a small smile. "It isn't me," she said, "Erin usually steals all the covers because she gets cold at night."
Erin let out a breath that she didn't know she was holding. "You kick the covers off anyway, Halstead," she retorted, "If I didn't take 'em, they'd end up on the floor."
Piper looked to Jay, and then to Erin. "My last name isn't Lindsay though," she said sadly, "But I wish it was."
At that, Erin felt her heart stop.
Hearing Jay refer to them as the Lindsay ladies made her heart skip a beat, but hearing her little sister say that she wanted to share the same last name as her was something she never knew she wanted, but the second the comment left Piper's lips, it was everything she ever could want. She and Jay hadn't really talked about changing Piper's last name.
If she was being honest with herself, the reason why she hadn't brought it up with him was because in the back of her mind, Erin was waiting to change all their last names to Halstead.
Lindsay was the last name she chose to separate herself from Bunny. She wasn't a Fletcher, she never was, and thankfully, Piper wasn't either. But Piper was her sister, a part of her. And the life Erin had built, she built as a Lindsay. Piper deserved to get to share that name, to feel like she belonged, to know that she was forever a part of their family.
"I do too," Erin choked out, "You…you would want that?"
Piper nodded fervently. "I want everyone to know that you're my sister."
Erin held the little girl impossibly tighter. "I want that too," she whispered, "No matter what your name is though, we will always be family." She kissed the top of Piper's head again.
"I know," Piper said gently, "'cause Jay's part of our family too, but his last name is Halstead."
Jay was honestly having a tough time keeping his eyes dry as he watched the child he'd taken into his apartment seven months ago take another huge leap in personal growth. He honestly could never have expected that same timid child to be the loving little girl in his partner's lap, and to be her full biological little sister. Watching the relationship between his girls get stronger with each passing day was one of the greatest privileges of his life, and Jay was so grateful to be a part of it.
"He is," Erin confirmed, meeting her boyfriend's gaze over the top of her sister's head, "I'd say we're pretty lucky to get to be Jay's girls, huh?"
Piper nodded again and reached out a hand to bring Jay closer. "I do love my girls," he murmured, dropping kisses on top of both of their heads, "More than anything in the entire world."
I loved the request for an Erin nightmare so had to work it in somehow. Thank you for continuing to share your ideas - I hope you're liking the spin I've been putting on them. It's kept me very inspired (as you can probably tell!). Let me know what you think!
