Last one! Thanks for stickin' with me yet again. As it turns out, I can be convinced to do just about anything, so I am planning a follow up chapter story to this one!

If you are still down to read a third installment, I included a liiiiittle teaser from one of the first few chapters at the end.

"Did you ask Hank?" Piper asked excitedly when she climbed into the back of Jay's car at pick up, "What did he say?"

"Hello to you too, kiddo," Jay teased, "I um, I didn't ask him yet."

Piper furrowed her brow. "Why not? Erin already said yes."

He managed a chuckle. "Well uh, to be honest with you, I'm a little nervous."

"Jay," Piper said seriously, "Hank likes you. He just pretends he doesn't because he loves Erin. He even told me that he liked you with his own words and it wasn't just because you got shot. He just wants Erin to be happy, and you make Erin happy, so he's going to say yes."

"You're that confident, huh?" Jay smiled in the rearview as he drove along the street, "You really think he's just going to say yes?"

"Well he's not going to say it like yes," Piper waved her hands in the air dramatically, "But he'll say something like," she folded her arms across her chest and leaned back in her seat, "Took you long enough, Halstead."

He smiled and shook his head. He absolutely loved the goofier side of Piper, especially when it came to imitating people. She was such a perceptive little girl that she could usually nail any impression. "You think I should ask him today?"

"You shouldn't wait," Piper informed him, "And you should probably tell him that you're going to ask, not that you already did."

After proposing on their kitchen floor and celebrating until long after Piper had gone to bed, Erin casually mentioned that they should wait to tell Hank until he had a ring. Jay's heart had almost stopped, but she assured him it was just her father-figure's traditional nature and that he'd eventually get over it. They'd planned to tell him together after the ring proposal, but Jay had other plans. He wanted to ask Hank in the most traditional way possible to avoid any type of blowback.

"How are you so smart?" he asked playfully, pulling into the district parking lot, "Okay. I'll do it today."

"Good," Piper beamed, opening her car door but pausing before getting out. Jay was still seated in the driver's seat. "What are you doing?"

"Building up some courage," he said honestly, "I um, I don't know what I'm going to say."

"What were you going to say before Will ruined the surprise?" Piper asked, "Say that."

"You think so?" Jay blew out a breath, "I just uh, I don't want to mess it up."

"I'll go with you," Piper offered sweetly, "Hank tries to be really nice when I'm in the room because he knows I get nervous." She offered a shy smile, "We can use it to our advantage."

Jay grinned. His little girl was the most perfect little human on the planet. "You'd do that for me?"

"Yes," she insisted, "C'mon. You can do it, I know you can."

Jay held tightly to Piper's hand as they walked through the bullpen. "Hey, Snipes," Hailey greeted, offering a wave, "How you feeling?"

"Good," she smiled back, giving Jay's hand a squeeze. "I brought you a new book that I think you would like."

"You did?" Hailey gave a big smile. After discovering that she could connect with the little girl about books from her own childhood, Piper periodically loaned her kids books that she'd been reading. It was incredibly endearing, and it always made Jay smile. "We still have to talk about Hatchet, right?"

Piper gave a nod. "I will be right back," she said, squeezing Jay's hand as his eyes remained trained on Voight's office door. "You ready?" she whispered when he knocked.

Jay managed a small nod. "Hey, Sarge," he greeted awkwardly.

Hank immediately wrinkled his brow. "Everything alright?" He offered a smile to the little girl standing beside Jay. "Hi Peanut. How are you feeling? Any better?"

"Better," Piper confirmed with a small smile. She gave Jay's hand a tug before looking up at him. "Jay."

"I um, I want to ask Erin to marry me," Jay blurted out, his face immediately turning red. He was supposed to lead up to the question, and not just blurt it out. Apparently he'd taken a page out of his brother's big mouthed playbook. "I mean, I-"

"It is about damn time," Hank said, offering a smile, "Did you bring a child with you for protection, Halstead? I know she's a little fighter."

Jay's face turned even redder as Piper grinned. "Told you that you didn't need to be nervous," she said, giving Hank a knowing look, "Hank just wants Erin to be happy, and you make her happy."

"She's the most amazing woman I've ever met," Jay managed, "And um, she's not the type of woman who would want me to ask her father's permission but uh, I know that anyone who comes near my little girl is going to need mine."

Hank beamed and Piper put a palm to her face. "Jay," she groaned, "I'm ten."

"And growing up way too quickly," Hank supplied. He extended his hand to his detective. "Welcome to the family, Jay."

"It's raining," Piper said sadly, pointing out the dreary cabin window, "I don't think we can go for the hike."

"I think you're right," Jay mused, scratching the back of his head. He'd finally gotten the ring back from the jeweler's, and he and Piper decided that he should propose again on the top of the hike over Memorial Day weekend, just like they had originally planned. "I don't think we're getting Erin out of bed until noon."

"She's snoring," she informed him, "I think you just gotta do it. In the moment." Piper looked up at Jay seriously, "Otherwise we're gonna be planning forever and Erin isn't patient."

He chuckled. His girl really wasn't patient, and he found it hilarious that Piper recognized it as well. "I don't want you to feel left out, kiddo."

"I already got to be there for the first one thanks to Will," she reminded him, "And maybe Erin would be more surprised if you just do it. She's already suspicious. Plus you promised Hank you were actually gonna give her a ring not just your word."

"I did promise that, didn't I?" Jay rubbed his cheek. He was honestly so glad Piper had been there when he asked Hank for Erin's hand. His boss had informed him that it was well overdue, and that he of course, was happy for all three of them. "What, you think I should just wake her up and hold out the ring?"

"No!" Piper giggled, "I don't know, maybe. You might have to since she's gonna be sleeping all day if you don't wake her up."

"Oh no, I'm not doing that," Jay shook his head, "She gets grumpy when I wake her up. Maybe you should do it."

"No way," Piper backed away from the bedroom, "I know Erin tries not to get grumpy with me but then she's still gonna be grumpy with you. And then you go like this." Piper demonstrated with an exaggerated huff.

Jay laughed. "Well, I guess we should let her sleep then. But you and I can still do something fun." He thought for a moment. "Did you bring your rain boots?"

Piper nodded and pointed to the pair of hunter green boots by the door. "Perfect. Did I ever tell you about the game that Will and I made up for when it rains?" Jay's eyes twinkled. "It's called Mudslides."

"Mudslides?" Piper wrinkled her brow, "What does that mean?"

"It means we're going to get really muddy, but it's really fun. What do you say?"

Erin startled awake at the sound of a muffled joyous giggle. She'd told Jay in no uncertain terms that she was mostly looking forward to Wisconsin to sleep in and doze on the couch. With Piper's troubled sleep schedule, their entire family was in desperate need of some long sleeps, and Erin knew that her little sister always slept better in the countryside, and she did too. She figured that he'd figure something fun to do with Piper while she slept in, but she hadn't expected to glance out the window and see her family covered head to toe in mud.

Jay and Piper were slipping and sliding on the muddy grass beside the cabin, using trash bags as makeshifts sleds. Piper had dissolved in giggles as Jay fell over, his entire back covered in mud. She shook her head. Her partner could be such a child and Piper really brought out that side of him.

"Check this out," he insisted, doing a running dive onto the plastic and sailing across the muddy yard, "It's like sledding!"

Piper giggled and shook her head, raindrops flying in all directions. "You're so muddy!"

"I do the laundry anyway," Jay shrugged, slipping again and landing directly on his rear. The little girl doubled over with laughter before mimicking Jay's running dive.

"Halstead!" Erin shouted out the window, "It's freezing outside."

"It's Mudslides, Erin!" Piper exclaimed, giggling relentlessly as Jay lifted up the muddy little girl over his head, "Jay says the rain cleans us off."

She shook her head, amused smile on her lips. Jay swirled the little girl around as she laughed. "C'mon, babe," Jay called, "You're missing out."

"No way," Erin shook her head again, "You guys are coated in mud."

"Oh, come on, Er," Jay wiggled his fingers toward her, "Just try it out. I just taught Pipes the Halstead run 'n slide."

"Yeah, come on, Erin!" Piper cheered, giggling when Jay skidded. The hopeful look in her sister's eyes was enough to convince her that the mud was worth it.

"Okay, just a second," she acquiesced, shutting the window and donning a pair of Jay's sweatpants. If she was about to get seriously muddy, it was better it was Jay's clothes instead of hers.

"Oh, I see how it is," he quipped when she carefully stepped outside, "My clothes are okay to get dirty, huh?"

Erin gave a confident nod as the rain trickled down on her. "It's pouring out here. How are you two not freezing?"

"We've been running," Piper informed her, "Look!" She took off in a jog and landed on the trash bag, skidding down the grass.

"Nice one, kiddo!" Jay praised. He held out a muddy palm to his girl, "You wanna try, babe? See if you can beat Pipes?"

"I beat Jay!" the little girl said seriously, "I get way farther on the grass than him."

"Is that so?" Erin teased, "Alrighty then Noodle, step back and let your big sister show you how it's done."

Piper widened her eyes and stepped back as Erin ran toward the trash bag and skidded down the grass. "Wow!" Piper squealed, "How'd you get so far?"

Erin shot Jay a confident look as he grinned. "I've got some practice," she said nonchalantly, "Jay wasn't the only one who made up games when he was a kid." Erin smiled wistfully, "Justin and I did this a few times when Camille sent us outside for goin' stir crazy."

"Can you teach me?" Piper asked, looking up at Erin hopefully, "I want to be as good as you."

"What about me, Pipes?" Jay put his hands on his hips and gave a goofy smile, "You didn't learn enough from me?"

"Erin is so much better," she replied sweetly, earning a large grin from her sister, "She goes way farther."

"That's my girl," Erin beamed, leaning down to kiss the top of Piper's rain-soaked head, "Okay, you ready to see the trick?"

"It's like she's tranquilized," Erin joked, stroking Piper's cheek as the child continued to snooze against Jay despite being shifted from the couch, "She's totally out." After using the outdoor hose to clean off and after warm showers, their little family returned to the living room couch to round out the lazy day. Piper had fallen asleep quickly after dinner and had been resting against her big sister until Jay lifted her to carry her off to bed.

"I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere," Jay promised, heading up the steps with Piper in his arms. He quickly got the little girl settled under the covers and pressed a kiss to her forehead before ducking into the spare bedroom.

It had been his back up plan for the back up plan if the proposal hike didn't happen. With his girl's commitment to a lazy weekend, he wasn't sure if he and Piper could actually convince her to embark on a five mile hike, even if the view was gorgeous.

So he packed a suit. It was actually the suit he'd worn to her high school reunion all those years ago – one of his nice suits. His usual Wisconsin attire was even more laid back than his normal clothes, and he wanted to look nice when he asked the question. No pizza crumbs on his jeans.

"She go down okay?" Erin asked when she heard Jay's footsteps return back down the steps, "She was pretty out of it…why are you wearing a suit?"

Jay smiled and took a step toward the couch. "I have nice suits."

"I know you do," she replied, her pulse quickening, "But we're in Wisconsin. We spent hours playing in the mud today."

"I know." Jay reached a hand out to pull Erin off the couch, "But I thought I should clean up. You know, after the mudslides."

Erin nodded and adjusted the lapels on his coat. "You do look very handsome in a suit," she mused, running her fingers over his chin, "But then again, you're always handsome."

He chuckled softly. "I'm glad you think so," he whispered, "I wanted to look extra-handsome for when I do this."

Jay sank to one knee in front of the fire and held out a small red box.

The same red box that had been in his pocket two years ago.

The same red box that was stashed in the back of his closet in a shoebox because he couldn't bear to look at it, but he also couldn't bear to put back in his mom's safety deposit box.

Erin's eyes widened. "Jay-"

"I asked Hank this time," he said carefully, "Actually, Piper and I asked him together. And I know you said that any man who needs your father's permission to ask you out should save himself the trouble, but I know that if anyone ever wanted to take out our little bug, I'd expect a full speech as to why anyone thought they were good enough for her." He managed a smile when he saw the tears form behind his girl's eyes, "And then I got into his office and I couldn't think of any reason good enough for why I deserve you."

Jay drew in a breath, "Because you are the most incredible woman I have ever met. You amaze me, every single day, with how passionate you are, how willing you are to help others, and how you can make all the heads turn in a room with how effortlessly gorgeous you are. You have made me happier than I ever thought possible, and you allowed me to be a father to your little sister. I don't know if I'll ever be able to tell you just how much I love you, and our family, but I'm hoping this is a start." He rubbed her fingers delicately before opening the box.

Erin gasped. The ring was beautiful. It was simple, with one larger diamond in the middle and two smaller ones on either side. "It was my mom's," he whispered, "And uh, I've been waiting for way too long to give it to you. Erin Lindsay, will you marry me?"

She nodded wordlessly. "Yes," she breathed, sniffing when he slipped the ring on her finger, "Yes, again. Yes again, and again, and again."

He lifted her into his arms, kissing her deeply. "I love you," he managed, kissing her cheek, "More than anything."

"I love you," she replied, wrapping both her legs around him and cupping his cheeks with her palms, "And you deserve everything, Jay Halstead. You're the best man I know. An amazing partner, and an even better dad." Erin leaned forward to kiss his lips, "I think I've fallen in more in love with you every day since I got back."

Jay pressed a kiss to her neck, and then her lips again. He chuckled as he felt her hands pushing his jacket off his shoulders and settled them down on the couch.

"'s a really good thing Piper was so asleep," Erin mumbled against his bare chest as she laid against her fiancé underneath a knit blanket in front of the smoldering fire. The living room was warm from the coals but even warmer from the heat of their bodies. "Wouldn't want our little bug walkin' in on that."

Jay chuckled. "One of the many reasons I tuckered her out this afternoon," he mused, pressing a kiss to her shoulder, "She's a smart kid. Would have been tough to explain our way out of this one."

"Mm," Erin mumbled, resting her head against his heart, "She is smart. Was she in on this proposal too?"

"Not exactly," Jay mused, "This uh, was the back up back up plan. We were going to do the actual back up plan this afternoon, but it was too gross outside, and Pipes told me you were getting impatient."

"What?" Erin lifted her head, "Me? Impatient?"

He laughed. "You don't like to wait for things babe. She told me that if we kept trying to plan, it would take forever. So I seized the moment."

"What was the plan?" Erin asked softly, tracing circles on Jay's shoulder, "I want to hear the whole story."

"The whole story?" Jay swallowed, "Well, it's a long one. But it's got a good ending."

"Start from the beginning," she insisted, "I want to hear all of it."

"Well it starts back in 1985 when a little Jay Halstead-"

"Not that far back, you goon," Erin rolled her eyes, "The beginning of you planning to propose."

He snorted and let out a breath. "Well, it really started when I first met you. But you know about that chicken sandwich." Jay gave a wistful smile when Erin rolled her eyes, "And then you know all about us before, and my original plan to ask you about two years ago."

Erin gave a small nod. She and Jay had talked about his original proposal, and it had broken her heart wide open. They'd both been so shattered, but she was so glad she found her way back to him. "This story starts a few months back in the coffee shop down the street from the district. Pipes and I were grabbing a snack, and she asked me why you and I weren't married."

"She didn't," Erin's jaw dropped, "What did you say?"

"Well, I told her I was waiting for the right time. And waiting for us to be ready. And she said 'How do you get ready?'"

"Oh my god, she's too much." Erin rested her head back down on his chest, "And that's when you guys started planning?"

"Mm-hm." Jay ran his fingers over Erin's bare back. "My plan was to start by asking her permission first, but she gave me her blessing right then and there."

Erin's heart just about melted. He had wanted to ask her little sister's permission to make sure she was comfortable with the idea. He was truly the best man she knew. Emotion rose in her throat, and all she could manage was "Aw."

"We started thinking about where and when," he continued, "And we landed on Memorial Day, on top of the big hike where it's so gorgeous you can see for miles. Not too hot, not too cold. But then of course, my brother opened his big mouth before I got the ring back from being sized."

He smiled, "So we needed another plan. And the plan was still the hike, but not before we asked Hank."

"I can't believe you asked him," Erin mused, "And that you're still alive. I know we said we'd tell him together but-"

"Pipes came with me for protection," he chuckled, "It was after we decided we didn't want to tell him before I gave you a ring. And he told me it was about damn time."

She snorted. "I think that's the best case scenario."

"Mm-hm. After Pipes was out of earshot he told me if I didn't ask him soon he was going to pull the shotgun on me just for good measure." Jay chuckled, "But he kept it together while she was in the room. And our plan was still for this weekend, but then this morning it was raining. And that's when Pipes told me that I should just do it already, and she promised she wouldn't feel left out if I did it without her." Jay kissed the top of Erin's head. "And here we are."

"And here we are," Erin repeated, "That is a good story." She tilted her head up to kiss his lips. "I never thought I'd get one proposal, let alone two."

"I'd get down on one knee every night if I could," Jay insisted, "I don't think I'd ever get tired of hearing you say yes."

Erin had a hard time trying not to smile all the time, but every time her ring sparkled, she felt her heart flutter. She was going to marry Jay Halstead.

Growing up, she honestly didn't think she would ever get married. She saw the type of men that Bunny brought home – none of them decent – and decided that she was going to do her damn best to be independent as long as she could. Of course, Charlie came and then there were the string of broken hearts that Hank so fondly referenced, but then, there was Jay.

And he was the most incredible man she'd ever met. He loved her in ways she didn't fully understand, and he knew her heart in ways she didn't even know herself. Everything about him, from his boyish smile to his dad-isms, had her falling in love with him more and more each day.

She'd gotten congratulations at work and a proud kiss to the forehead from her father-figure, along with grins and hugs from her former coworkers. The best part of the whole situation was how excited Piper was. After seeing the ring on her sister's finger the following morning, the little girl had squealed and hugged Erin as tight as she could. It was by far and away the best reaction.

Erin had seen Annie a handful of times since returning to Chicago, but they hadn't gotten a chance to have both her and Travis over to the new house. It was a sunny but cold early June Saturday when the mother-son duo finally came over, and Erin had a chance to catch up with her childhood best friend.

"Hey man, you wanna come kick the ball around with us outside?" Jay offered, pointing to the soccer ball in Piper's hands, "It's a little windy today, but there's more space than in the basement."

Travis looked to Annie and then back to Jay and Piper. "Okay," he nodded, trailing after the little girl and detective. Piper held tightly to Jay's hand as they walked down the porch to the backyard.

"He's really good with them," Annie remarked, watching through the back window as Jay provided soccer instructions to Travis and Piper in the backyard, "Travis isn't usually one to trust other men."

Erin smiled and handed Annie the mug of coffee she promised. "He's really good," she confirmed, "Piper trusts him like nobody else. And he's such a good dad." She smiled wistfully as Jay let out an exaggerated groan when Travis kicked the ball past him. "He's got all these plans for the backyard, like some kind of playground thing and a miniature soccer field for Piper to practice."

"So when are you guys having kids of your own?" she asked nonchalantly, "If Jay's such a dad?"

"Piper is ours," Erin said quickly, glancing down at the little girl in the backyard, "As much as any biological kid."

Annie gave a kind nod. "Of course she is," she assured her, "I just meant-"

"We've talked about it a bit," Erin shrugged, "But uh, I'm not sure it's going to happen for us. We're focusing on Piper right now, and with my uterus's track record, I don't know. Taking it a day at a time, I guess."

"I have a question," Piper said, looking from Jay to Erin across the dinner table. "But I don't want you to freak out."

"Us? Freak out? Never." Jay pointed to his chest, shook his head and offered a goofy grin after swallowing a mouthful of spinach.

He and Erin made a point to try to have dinner as a family every night. It didn't always work with their schedules, but the routine of setting the table and telling her parents about her day was great for Piper. It got her to open up more, and also allowed Erin and Jay to get to know their little bug better.

"You freaked out last time I asked you a big question and nearly choked on your scone," Piper informed him. She looked over at Erin. "I asked Jay how come he hadn't married you yet."

Erin snorted when Jay's cheeks heated up. He'd told her after the second proposal which included the ring that while he'd been planning to ask her to marry him for many, many months, Piper had pushed him along. "So I heard. What's this big question you got, Noodle?"

"When are you guys gonna have babies?"

Both Jay and Erin's jaws dropped. "Uh," Erin looked at Jay, and then back at her curious little sister, "W-why do you ask?"

Piper shrugged. "'cause after people get married, they have babies. Ms. Brady got married, and now she's having a baby," she said, "She told our class today, that's how come she's not comin' back to school until next spring."

Jay managed a small nod. He and Erin had talked about kids before, but more from a 'whenever they're both ready' standpoint. They hadn't been trying, nor did they have any major plans. Erin was still busy at work, and they'd finally, finally gotten Piper into a solid routine where she was eating enough and getting healthier. They were still working through the night terrors and the limited sleep, but were making slow progress. "A baby is a big step," he choked out, "A big, uh, responsibility."

"I would help," Piper offered sweetly, "I know how to hold the bottles and stuff. I did it for Drew when he first came home to the Chases."

Erin swallowed. She'd forgotten that Piper had some experience with a newborn, while she on the other hand, had none. "You…you would be okay with it? If we had a baby?"

"Yes," she nodded adamantly, "'cause I'm still staying with you no matter what? I'm still yours?"

"Yes," Jay and Erin confirmed in one breath.

"You are most definitely ours," Erin promised, "And another kid wouldn't change how much we love you." She drew in a breath, "But it might not be for a little while. These things uh, take time."

Piper nodded slowly. "You guys are already the best parents," she said simply, "So it makes sense that you should have a baby."

Jay's heart melted. "And you are the best kid ever," he beamed, pushing his chair back to bring Piper onto his lap. He kissed the top of her head when she snuggled against him. "The best."

She giggled when Erin kissed her head as well. "And no matter what, you will always be our first baby," Erin said thickly, "You might be ten, but no matter how old you get, you will always be our baby."

Piper gave a grateful smile and settled against Jay's chest. "I love you guys," she murmured, "A whole lot."

"What's going on down here?" Jay asked as he came down the steps after his Sunday post-workout shower, "Is that Erin's French toast I smell?"

Piper nodded and offered a smile before taking a seat at the table. "We made brunch today."

"Mm, it smells incredible," he praised, "Anything I can do to help?"

"Nope, you can just park yourself at the kitchen table," Erin instructed, placing a plate of warm French toast in Jay's regular seat, "Kitchen's still standing, thank you very much."

"I didn't even ask," he protested, earning an eye roll from his girl, "I'm not that paranoid."

"Please, I saw that nervous look to the stove." Erin shook her head, "You gotta learn to trust me in the kitchen, babe."

"So I've been told," he replied, taking a seat at the table next to Piper, "It smells amazing." He looked down at his plate, "What's this?"

"A card," the little girl said softly, "For you."

"A card? For me?" Jay widened his eyes. His birthday had been a few weeks prior, and his girls had surprised him with a new stereo system. "My birthday was like a month ago."

"I know," Piper said, grasping her hands together somewhat nervously while Jay opened the card, "But today's Father's Day."

He nearly dropped the card. Emotion quickly rose in his throat. He knew that Piper was his kid, and that he was her father-figure, but he never assumed that he'd be getting a card from his little girl on a day meant for fathers. "Pipes-"

"I know you're not my real dad," she rushed out, "But when Erin gets to adopt me in August, I-I wanted to ask you to as well." Piper gave a small smile as Jay continued to look stunned. "You were the first person who ever told me that they loved me," she continued, "And I know you and Erin are getting married and you're not going anywhere, but I wanted you to know that I want you to stay with me forever too."

Tears streamed down his cheeks before he could stop them. Piper wanted him to adopt her. Every time he felt like his heart couldn't get bigger with just how much he loved her, she proved him wrong again. She had felt like his daughter from the first night he brought her into his apartment to keep her safe, but before, he never let his mind go there. He couldn't think about a future with Piper, because she wasn't his.

And even when Erin came back to Chicago, he had to remind himself constantly that Piper wasn't permanent. Erin was going back to New York, hopefully with Piper in custody, and he was going to be alone again. Instead of dwelling on what couldn't be, he chose to focus on just how much he loved the little person in his life.

Even when Erin decided she was staying in Chicago with Piper, Jay had to remind himself that he wasn't Piper's dad. He was a parental figure in her life, and he and Erin were both aligned that they would raise her together. He never brought up the idea of adopting Piper or getting any type of guardianship because it wasn't his place. Piper was Erin's sister, and under Erin's guardianship.

When Erin had told him in the hospital that she'd signed a document identifying him as a Piper's guardian if something were to happen to her, he'd been floored. He wasn't letting the little girl go anywhere regardless, but Erin's confirmation of his permanency in Piper's life filled him to the brim.

Adoption was something he wasn't expecting. He knew that Erin would be getting permanent custody of Piper come August, after the year statute on their biological father's claim to Piper expired. They talked about Piper taking Erin's last name, and of course how he and Erin would still be prioritizing Piper after they got married. They'd even talked about the implications of them potentially having kids and how that would impact their little bug, but none of those conversations included Jay getting to be Piper's dad on paper.

It was everything he could ever want, and more.

"I love you so much," Jay choked out, pushing back his chair so he could hold his little girl in his arms, "And I would love nothing more than to adopt you."

Piper scrambled off her chair and into Jay's embrace. "I love you too," she whispered against his neck, "Thank you. For saving me. And bein' my dad."

Jay made eye contact with Erin, who's eyes were wet with tears. "You saved me, Pipes," he managed, "Put me back together."

"Erin did that too," she said knowingly, lifting her head from Jay's shoulder to smile at her big sister, "She always knew just what to do."

Jay opened his other arm for his bigger girl to settle against his chest as well. "My girls," he breathed, kissing the top of each of their heads, "Putting me back together."

"I think you put us back together too, babe," Erin told him, "And we fit perfectly, don't you think?"

"You, me, our kid. Nothin' better than that."

He smiled. "I really love that she's our kid. I love that I get to be her dad." Jay paused when he felt Erin take a sharp breath in. "You alright?"

She gave a nod. "It's a perfect day. And uh, I guess it's as good a time as any to tell you that I think you're going to be a dad again."

And now that I kind of gave away what part of the next story will be about…what do you want to see?!