Chapter 7
The next week at work brought Intelligence a new drug case requiring Hailey and Kim to go undercover as waitresses in a club. It made for many late nights and Hailey was thankful for the support of Maddie and Natalie for allowing Ellie to sleep over a few nights. Ellie enjoyed the change of pace with her first sleepover, but she missed her usual evenings with her mother and with Jay.
Jay was sitting in the bullpen on the second night of the undercover. Hailey and Kim were working the club with Adam and Voight backing them up in the surveillance van and Kevin inside the club as a patron. Jay was staying back at the district as a point person to coordinate and look into new faces in the club.
Currently, there wasn't much for him to do as it was early for the club. Not many patrons were inside yet, and none of their targets. Jay was sitting back in his desk chair, listening to the mic feed and watching a Sox game, when his personal phone rang.
He picked it up from his desk, surprised to see the name Natalie Manning flashing across the screen.
"Nat, hey, everything alright?" Jay asked, quickly accepting the call. Ellie was sleeping over tonight at Nat's for the second day in a row.
"Yeah, everything's fine, but Ellie fell playing with Owen outside and cut her forehead," Natalie quickly replied in her reassuring doctor tone. "She's gonna need some stitches. I'm on my way to Med with her right now. She's ok but she's a little nervous. I tried calling Hailey but she didn't answer, so I'm assuming she's in the middle of something."
Jay had sat up straight in his chair at her words. "You sure she's okay? How bad did she hit her head?"
"Jay, calm down, it's a small cut. She just scraped it on a rock when she fell," Natalie reassured him. "She didn't lose consciousness or anything, she just needs a couple of stitches for it to heal up nicely since it's on her face."
"Okay," Jay said, trying to calm himself down.
"Jay, since I can't get ahold of Hailey, Ellie is asking for you to come to the hospital," Natalie told him. "It's fine if you can't, we'll be okay and I'll be with her-"
"I'll be right there," Jay said, already standing up and heading out of the district. He hung up the phone, quickly dialing Voight as he jumped into his truck.
"Sarge, I gotta go to Med for a bit," Jay said when he answered. "Ellie fell and needs a couple stitches."
"She okay?" Voight asked. "Need me to pull Hailey?"
"No, keep her under," Jay said, unsure if this was the right thing to do or if it would anger Hailey. "I'll stay with Ellie until Hailey's all done for the night."
"Alright, keep me posted, I'll let Hailey know as soon as I can," Voight replied.
"Thanks," Jay said and hung up. He zoomed to the hospital, not much traffic out on the streets after ten o'clock on a Wednesday night.
He hurried into the ED when he arrived, quickly finding April who led him to the right room.
"Hey, you okay?" Jay asked as soon as he entered the room, seeing Ellie sitting up on the hospital bed, gash on her forehead still trickling blood. Natalie was opening suture supplies on a table next to the bed and looked up with a smile when she saw him come in.
"Jay!" Ellie said eagerly. He quickly crossed the room to her, sitting down on the edge of her bed and opening his arms as Ellie leaned in for a hug. It was evident to him that she had been crying recently.
"I cut my head," Ellie said when she pulled back.
"I see that," Jay said, grabbing a piece of gauze and dabbing gently at the trickling blood. "Does it hurt?"
"Not that much anymore," Ellie said. "Jay, I don't want any stitches. I don't like needles."
"I hear you, I don't like needles either, but we've gotta close up that cut so it doesn't keep bleeding and so you don't have a scar," Jay explained to her. He hadn't thought about the needles until that very moment. He had never been a very good patient and he didn't like watching medical procedures either but he knew he'd have to suck it up for Ellie.
"But it's gonna hurt!" Ellie said, close to tears again.
"Shh, Ellie it's ok, Natalie is going to numb it first so you won't feel it," Jay said, looking to Natalie who nodded her head in confirmation.
"Ellie, I'm going to give you some numbing medication with a really small needle, and it'll hurt for a couple seconds but then you won't feel it anymore," Natalie explained calmly, her pediatric training evident.
"No!" Ellie squealed as Natalie approached with the needle. She shifted away on the bed closer to Jay. Jay wrapped his arms around her and turned to look at Natalie again for guidance. She was looking at Jay in much the same way.
Inspiration suddenly striking him, he pulled slightly away from Ellie to be able to look down at her.
"Ellie, what if Natalie numbs me first so you can see that it's ok," Jay suggested. Natalie didn't shoot down his idea, looking at Ellie to see her response.
Ellie wiped her tear-stained face against Jay's shirt, turning to look up at him.
"Really?" Ellie asked.
"Sure," Jay said. He extended an arm out to Natalie figuring that would be the best place to go numb for a little while. He tended up a bit as she approached with the needle but he was determined to go through with this for Ellie. Natalie plunged the needle into his arm and injected some of the lidocaine. He felt the sting as it went in but then a few seconds later he couldn't feel it any more and Natalie removed the needle. Ellie was watching Jay the whole time.
"See, it wasn't too bad?" Jay said reassuringly to her. "It stung just for a couple of seconds and then I couldn't feel it at all. See?" Jay started poking at the spot on his arm that was numb, even pulling out a few hairs to prove he really couldn't feel it.
Ellie didn't seem entirely convinced but she didn't balk when Natalie approached again with a fresh needle. Jay shifted in the bed so he was sitting right next to Ellie at the top of the bed. He wrapped one arm around her to pin both of her arms gently against her body. His other arm reached up to her face and gently pushed her head against his chest so she couldn't move when Natalie stuck her with the needle. He nodded to Natalie once he had her securely and she quickly plunged the needle into the skin.
Jay winced as Ellie squirmed and cried, but he held her firm against him for the seconds it took for the area to become numb.
"Ellie, it's ok, you did great, the numbing is all done," Jay said as Ellie's crying stopped again. "Nat's gonna put in the stitches now and you won't feel it ok?"
Ellie nodded. Jay loosened his grip on her arms so she could move them but still kept her head in place. He didn't want any sudden movements from Ellie to result in botched stitches.
Natalie worked quickly and efficiently. Jay thought Ellie was incredibly brave, not crying again or complaining at all once the lidocaine injection was done. She only needed three stitches, and Natalie was soon done, putting some antibiotic ointment and a dressing over the area.
"She only needs the dressing tonight to prevent any infections and then it can be open to air. You can wash it gently with soap and water and she'll need the stitches removed in about 5-7 days," Natalie rattled off to Jay.
"Ok, thanks Natalie," Jay said.
"I'll go get her discharge paperwork," Natalie said, getting rid of her supplies. "Do you want me to take her home with me or-"
"No I want to go home!" Ellie exclaimed for the first time since her outburst before the stitches.
Jay looked down at her. "Your mom's not home, Ellie, and she probably won't be for a few more hours," he explained.
"But you could take me!" Ellie pleaded, close to tears again.
"Ok, it's alright, calm down," Jay tried to reassure her. "I'll take you and I can stay until Mommy gets home."
Ellie calmed down quickly, happy with the fact that he gave in so easily. Natalie smiled at their exchange and headed out to get the paperwork, returning in a few minutes as promised.
They walked out of the hospital together and were almost at Jay's truck when he realized he didn't have a booster seat for Ellie.
"I have the spare one Hailey bought for Maddie," Natalie offered once he voiced his concern. "Why don't you take that and Hailey can just bring it back tomorrow when she drops Ellie off again."
Jay gratefully accepted, deftly installing it into the back of the truck and buckling Ellie in. She was getting sleepy as it was approaching midnight, long past her bedtime. Jay anticipated she would be asleep before they even made it back to the house.
He was proven correct as she was out cold by the time they were only a few blocks away from the hospital. When they got to Hailey's, Jay sorted through his keys, finding the correct one which he had never used before. He and Hailey had exchanged keys long ago for emergencies, but he had never had an occasion to use it before today. With the correct key in hand, he turned to get Ellie out of the truck. Not having the heart to wake her up after her traumatic evening he scooped her into his arms to carry her into the house. She wrapped her arms around him, cuddling into his neck instantly and it warmed Jay's heart.
He carried her all the way up to her bedroom and laid her down gently on her bed. She stirred at the feeling of going from the warmth of Jay's arms to the cold sheets on the bed.
"I need my pajamas," Ellie mumbled sleepily, and Jay nearly laughed that she was thinking about that. He fought back the laughter though and went over to her dressing, taking a guess and opening the top drawer. He found a pair of Frozen pajamas he had seen her in a few times and carried them back over the the bed. He paused for a moment, unsure what to do. He was certainly around Ellie a lot and knew she was comfortable with him, but he had never had to help her change before.
He looked down at her as she sat up on the bed. "Do you need help?" Jay asked, hoping for guidance from her.
"No, I can do it myself," Ellie replied, reaching slowly for the pajamas.
Jay nodded, grateful for the out and quickly stepped into the hall to let her change. She called him back in a moment later and Jay gathered the clothes she had changed out of and flung onto the floor. He carried them to her hamper and tossed them in before turning back to Ellie.
"I wanna sleep in Mommy's bed," she said suddenly.
"Are you usually allowed to sleep in her bed?" Jay asked. He knew he probably shouldn't be getting his information from the five year old, but he wasn't privy to their usual sleeping routines.
"She let me sleep in there once when I was sick," Ellie replied honestly. "But I want to see her when she gets home."
Jay again gave in easily, knowing he could never say no to that request. She climbed quickly from her bed and Jay followed her next door to Hailey's room. He had never been in the room before but he had seen it on their FaceTime call when she had first come back from New York. It was neat and organized, as he would expect from his partner. The bed was neatly made until Ellie bounded up into it, settling in the middle of the bed and pulling the sheets and comforter up to her chin.
"Ok, good night, Ellie," Jay said, standing awkwardly in the doorway and turning out the light. He had never put a kid to bed before either, one of the many firsts for him here tonight.
"Wait, can you stay with me until Mommy gets home?" Ellie's quiet voice came through the dark.
Jay hesitated. He felt pretty tired himself from the day's events and the last few long nights working the case so he was pretty sure if he laid down with Ellie right now he would fall asleep. He felt a little strange about lying down in Hailey's bed to begin with without her permission. Under the circumstances however, he told himself that she would be okay with it. That it was just to comfort Ellie so she wouldn't be alone. Making his decision, Jay kicked his shoes off and walked around to the far side of the bed. He had seen Hailey's phone charger and a book on the nightstand nearest the door so he assumed that was the side she normally slept on and he didn't want to infringe on that.
He crawled under the covers with Ellie and she immediately curled up against his side, lying her head on his chest as his right arm came around to hug her to him. He inhaled the scent of Hailey's shampoo coming off the pillows and it was intoxicating. The only thing he felt was missing now was Hailey.
Realizing he hadn't checked in with the team or the case in a while, he fished into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He had missed a few messages and quickly read through them.
Any updates? the first message from Voight read.
Then about thirty minutes after that. We're getting some good info. Hopefully be done for the night soon.
Then about ten minutes ago. We've got enough to arrest so should be getting Hailey out of there soon and letting her know. How's Ellie?
Jay felt bad for missing all the messages and quickly typed out a response that he had taken Ellie home and she was doing good. He had just hit send when his phone started to vibrate with an incoming FaceTime from Hailey. He quickly answered, seeing Hailey's face pop up on the screen.
It was funny how different she looked with her hair curled so perfectly and her face covered in makeup. Hailey usually kept her look so simplistic but Jay always found her effortlessly beautiful. He preferred her with her hair pulled back and wearing one of her favorite flannels.
"Hey," Jay answered quietly, not wanting to disturb the slumbering little girl on his chest. He angled the phone down so Ellie's sleeping face was on the screen, the white gauze dressing glowing in the dark room.
"Hey, she ok?" Hailey asked, keeping her voice low. Jay could tell she was clearly on the street and could see the edge of the surveillance van in the background. Voight must have told her as soon as she came out of the club and she had wasted no time calling.
"Yeah she took it like a champ," Jay replied proudly. "Three stitches. She'll have to get them removed in about a week."
"She didn't freak out? You didn't freak out?" Hailey teased.
"She was a little nervous but Natalie was great with her and got it all done quick," Jay replied. He moved the phone screen again so it was back on his face.
"Thank god, and thank you for going," Hailey said sincerely. She had been so nervous when Voight told her that Ellie had to go get stitches but she was surprised how relieved she felt as soon as he told her that Jay had gone to be with her. Jay was a calming person to have in crisis and she knew she and Ellie were lucky to have him.
"No problem," Jay said. "I wasn't much use sitting back at the district anyway. You wrap the case?"
"Mostly," Hailey said. "Still a lot of paperwork to do and we haven't actually gotten a confession, but that's tomorrow's problem. We're just finishing up the arrest at the scene and then Kim will drop me straight at home so you'll have to give me a ride in tomorrow."
"Sure," Jay said.
"When did you get home?" Hailey asked.
"Maybe half an hour ago," Jay replied. "Ellie fell asleep in the car but she woke up enough to change into pajamas and request to sleep in your room. She said you let her when she was sick and I didn't want to argue with her."
"Yeah that's fine," Hailey replied. "I thought that didn't look like her room." Hailey tried to play it off like she didn't have butterflies of excitement in her stomach at finding out that Jay was lying in her bed right now.
"I'll keep the bed warm til you get here," Jay said, gleam in his eye.
"Excellent, like my own personal hot water bottle. I'm always cold," Hailey said.
"Well I'm happy to be of service any time," Jay replied, and it was not lost on Hailey that he had just offered to warm her bed for her again some time in the future.
"I should get back to work so we can finish up and get home," Hailey said, diverting their playful conversation back to safer territory. "It'll probably be at least another hour til I'm home though."
"That's alright, I've got no where else to be," Jay replied.
"Ok thank you, Jay, for everything tonight," Hailey said. "And feel free to sleep. You're welcome to spend the night... as long as you don't snore." Hailey added the last bit to bring back the playfulness after volunteering to share her bed with him for the night.
Jay laughed in response. "Well I never used to but it's been quite a while since I shared a room with anyone so I make no promises. Feel free to kick me out if I do."
"I'm sure we can work something out," Hailey replied, happy he kept the playful banter going. "Alright, I'll see you soon. Thank you!"
Jay just smiled in response before she ended the call to return to work. He set his phone down on the night stand and settled back into the darkness, smile plastered to his face. It took him a while to wind down from the high every conversation with Hailey seemed to bring him, but soon enough the exhaustion of the day caught up with him and he fell asleep.
He didn't stir at all when Hailey crept into the room almost two hours later to check on them, or when the shower turned on in the master bathroom, or even twenty minutes later when Hailey crawled into the bed on the other side of Ellie. Consciously he wasn't aware of her presence, but the coconut scent of her shampoo permeated his subconscious and he found himself having wonderful dreams of days spent beachside with Hailey and Ellie. He looked forward to a day that dream could become reality.
A/N: I really enjoyed writing this chapter so I hope you guys enjoy it too. More to come soon. Review please!