Molly's was almost full on Friday night. Kim was coming back from the counter with two drinks. She looked at their table where Hailey was sitting with Nat and Stella. They had their annual girls' night with some women from 51th and Med. At the nearest table Sylvie and April were chatting with Maggie and Trudy.
Kim sat down next to Hailey and handed the drink to her. Girls were talking about something that Severide had done, when Kim casually looked down. Hailey's phone sat on the table between them and an incoming message flashed on the screen. Ya coming overnight is always okay to me. Feel free to text if ya need a ride. Your carriage is ready, my princess. xxx.
Kim was ecstatic. There was only one person who could message Hailey like that. Jay. Finally! She knew this. She had had this special feeling around them for some time. She couldn't say what had changed, she just had a hunch. Oh god. They must be together. This was so good. They both deserved it. Kim smiled broadly.
Chatting had paused. Kim saw Hailey watch her phone. Happy smile spread to Hailey's face and she quickly typed something. Kim couldn't stop watching her friend, she looked so blissful. Kim was so happy for her. For them. There were so many questions on her mind, but she knew that Hailey and Jay were both very private persons. She didn't want to make Hailey feel that she would pry.
Their drinks had run out and Nat had already left saying she had to set the babysitter free. Stella had gone to talk with Herrman. Hailey came back from the ladies room and sat down opposite Kim.
"It had been super fun, but I think now is the time for me to call this a night. If I stop drinking now, I may not have a killer hungover tomorrow", said Hailey with a yawn.
"You are going to Jay's palace?"
Kim's question completely stunned Hailey. It's 1am, why did Kim assume she was going to Jay? Well… She was going, but Kim could not know it. How could she?
"What? No… How? Well…" Hailey stuttered before she could collect herself. Damn her drunken mind, she thought. If she had been sober, Kim could not have surprised her.
"Calm down. You don't have to say anything if you don't want to. I won't tell anybody, it isn't my thing to do. I get it, it's still delicate", Kim reassured Hailey. " I just want to say that I'm so happy for you both. I have known Jay for a long time and he deserves happiness. So do you."
Hailey sighed. There's no reason to deny it anymore. "Look. We didn't hide it because we wouldn't trust you guys. We just wanted to keep it to ourselves for a moment and maybe prove that we can do it. Be professionals despite being together. We would be grateful if you keep this for yourself for a while"
"Like I said, I get it. Though, if anyone can do it, it is you two", Kim smiled. "Besides, it doesn't change things so much. You lovebirds have been practically married for years."
Hailey chuckled. It felt good to hear that their friend believed in their abilities to build a healthy relationship. "Thank you. It has been only a couple of months. This is still new, but feels good. Really good. It's really strange how some things are still the same, but trust me, a lot has also changed. "
"Oh, I believe. Now you don't just have to watch, you can also touch. I bet that's a lot of fun… Tell me, is it a a six or eight pack?" , Kim quipped.
"Yeah. Ok. Let's not go there", blushed Hailey. On cue, her phone buzzed. "I think that's my sign to go."
They stood up. Hailey put her jacket on and turned to face Kim. She smiled and hugged her. "Say Jay, that if he hurts you, I'm gonna hunt him down", Kim whispered to Hailey's ear.
Kim went to sit with Sylvie and April and Hailey waved her goodbyes to them.
Jay's truck was in the parking lot already. Hailey hopped to the passenger seat and greeted him happily. Jay leaned over the console and kissed her before turning a gear to the drive.
"Hi babe! Did you have fun with girls? Did anybody dance on the table?"
"Well… Platt was on top of her game", Hailey fooled. "We had so much fun, but I might have missed you a little."
Jay smiled. "I definitely missed you. Will stopped by to watch the game but he isn't as good company as you."
Jay's hand rested on Hailey's knee while he drove. Hailey leaned to her seat and hummed with the radio.
"Oh, I have to tell you. Kim knows."
Jay raised his eyebrows. "Kim knows what?
"This. About us. Being together", Hailey rambled. "I'm sorry, I may had been a little tipsy and she ambushed me. I really don't know how she knows but…"
Jay cut her. "Whoa, stop right now. You have nothing to be sorry, babe", he reassured Hailey. " I know we said we keep this under radar for some time but we have no reason to be ashamed. We will not tell them, but if they figure it out, we don't have to deny it. Right? "
Hailey put her own hand over Jay's hand which was still resting on her knee. She linked their fingers and squeezed his much bigger hand.
"You're right. I love what we have and I don't want to deny it. Deny us." Hailey turned to look at Jay and smiled.
Jay lifted their linked hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles. "Me neither. I never want to deny your being my girlfriend"
"Kim said she is happy for us", told Hailey. "Oh, she asked to tell you that if you hurt me she will hunt you down."
"Pffff. As if you hadn't kicked my ass yourself long before she would get a chance" Jay grinned before taking a more serious look. "Hails… You know I would never intentionally hurt you, right? In addition, I will do my best not to do it unintentionally either."
"Jay… of course I know. I trust you for my whole heart. I love you. "
No matter how many times she had said it, to Jay it felt like he was in heaven every time. They had said it tens of times. Hell, he had blurted it in the first week. After taking so much time to actually get together, feelings had already grown so big during years, that confessing the love had felt surprisingly natural for both of them.
"I love you too, Hailey."
Jay parked the car outside his apartment and they got out of the car. Hailey yawned.
"Well, that may be my cue to take you up to take some water and sleep. We don't wanna you to be all miserable tomorrow", Jay teased.
"Water sounds good, but I think I have some counting to do before sleeping, Mr. Abs", Hailey said giggling before she turned to go to his front door, looking over her shoulder with a flirty smile.
Jay shook his head in amusement and laughed. "Do I even want to know?", he said and followed her in.
They were good. They're always gonna be good.