Chapter 1

Two years ago it was Christmas 2017 and the Halstead's had settled in nicely at their new home at their cabin. Their family had come up for the holidays and the basement had been turned into guest rooms and the kids all shared rooms. Jayla and Jayden were four months away from turning two; Grace, Will and Nat's daughter, was three months away from turning one; Jayson still had seven months until his first birthday, and Kelly and Shay announced they were expecting.

It had been crazy and chaotic with everyone under one roof, but it had been one of their best Christmases.

Now it's 2019, and Lauren was standing at their big windows looking out over the back yard watching the snow fall as her husband and children played in the snow. The twins were almost four and were so full of energy; Jayson was almost three and tried everything his older siblings did.

They'd gotten the kids a dog for Christmas after much begging on their parts and he was playing with them. Striker was a retired police dog that Jay had found, but he was just three years old. So he was young enough to still play with the kids but old enough he was trained well. They'd made him a home in the basement with a doggie door cut into the door already there so he could go out when needed. They'd fenced in part of the back yard too so he couldn't escape.

Lauren ran her hands over her eight month pregnant stomach as she watched and smiled. Next month they'd welcome baby number four to their crazy mix. This baby was definitely planned. After Jayson went on formula, Lauren got back on birth control declaring there would not be any more babies in her future. Three was more than enough to handle. But when the twins turned three, she felt like they were missing something. Her babies were growing up and she missed having a little one around. So she and Jay decided they'd try for another one. If it happened they'd be thrilled, but if it didn't then they'd know their family was as perfect as it was going to get. Surprisingly enough she was pregnant almost right away and now baby four would be here next month. They'd decided not to find out what this baby was wanting to be surprised for a change. Jay swore it was another girl, but Lauren had bets it was another boy.

They'd added a room and a bathroom onto the kids end of the cabin for their new addition. Each kid would be able to have their own room now. Kelly had been a big help with that. They'd also turned Jay's half of the basement into three bedrooms and bathrooms so when everyone came up for holidays they all had somewhere to stay. The kids all loved being able to bunk together so they saw no need to add bedrooms for them.

Will and Natalie had completed their family with the addition of Matthew William, "Mattie," in September the previous year. They both declared two was more than enough for them with their busy work schedules. He was a mini version of his father and they loved him dearly.

Kelly and Shay had a baby boy, Braxton Cole, in August the pervious year, and were already adding to their family. They hadn't planned on adding so soon, but they'd welcomed the addition lovingly after Braxton. Shay was due in July, after Lauren, and was expecting a girl. Lauren knew she'd be one of the most spoiled little girls around with Kelly doting on her but she couldn't wait for her niece to arrive.

Jay was still working for the police department in Silver Lake, but he'd made chief this year so he was in even less danger than before. Lauren had gone back to school and finished her online medical coding and billing degree at Kelly's suggestion. She was currently working from home doing medical coding. She loved that she was able to stay home with their kids but still take some of the load off Jay. It'd been rough while she'd been in school, but they'd managed. She'd started selling clothes from home while going to school and managed to keep doing it now.

Will had made head of emergency at Chicago Med last year and Natalie was currently the top pediatrician at Med.

Kelly had made chief of his own house in the city fire department, and Shay was head EMT in Kelly's house. Both had worked their asses off to prove they belonged in the same house, and it had paid off.

Mouse was still working as the tech guy under Antonio in Intelligence. He'd even met someone at a tech convention through the police department. She was an ex-cop turned techie for Cook County. They'd been dating for a little over a year now, and she seemed to really make him happy. She understood all his little quirks and even proved she could handle his PTSD flair ups. Jay and Lauren really liked Sarah and was glad Mouse had her. He'd even brought her to Christmas to "meet the family," saying they were his only true family.

Christmas was yesterday and everyone had left today to return home. The house was strangely quiet, but Lauren enjoyed some peace while Jay was playing with the kids. She cleaned up around the cabin throwing away all the discarded wrapping paper from presents and just tidying up. She knew she could consider it nesting, but she also knew this baby would be stubborn and not come early like her other three. The baby had already proven his or her stubborn streak by hiding at ultrasound appointments and making his or her parents worry. Lauren smiled at least a little relieved to know this one would not grace them too early.

She heard Jay and the kids come in and smiled. She heard Jay telling them to clean up their mess of shoes and snowsuits and she giggled. He still liked his neat and orderly house even with three kids.

Jay heard her giggles and smiled. He walked up to her and softly kissed her. "What's so funny Mrs. Halstead?" he grinned.

"You like your order around here," she giggled. "Even with three kids, a dog and another baby coming."

"Doesn't hurt them to learn to clean up," he smirked. "Besides it helps you out."

"Yes it does," she smiled softly kissing him.

The baby kicked against him as he hugged her to him in the kiss.

"Hey daddy's baby," he cooed rubbing her belly. "Was I not giving you enough attention?" he asked softly kissing her belly.

Lauren smiled watching him talk and kiss her belly it was one of her favorite things ever. The baby kicked against his lips making her smile. It was as if the baby was following his movements.

They could hear little feet running down the hallway and smiled.

"Mama, mama," they all tried at once before she put her hand up silencing them all.

"One at a time," She gently reminded.

"Mama, mama, guess what?" Jayden said excitedly.

"What baby?" she smiled and Jay kneaded her back standing behind her. He knew her back always bothered her while pregnant and he loved being able to make her feel better.

"Daddy helped us make snow angels!"

"Oh wow. I bet that was fun," she smiled as he nodded.

"And a really big snowman," Jayla added making her curls bounce. She had long dark curly hair like her mama with her daddy's eyes. Both boys were spitting images of Jay.

"And daddy was on my team for the snow ball fight," Jayson exclaimed clearly happy to be on the same team with his daddy.

"Did you win?" Lauren asked him.

Jayson nodded big with a smile.

"Daddy's team always win," he smirked so much like his father.

"And daddy said we could play hockey soon," Jayden said clearly excited to take part in one of his father's and uncles' favorite sports.

"Well I'm sure that will be fun," she smiled before bending down and kissing each one of their heads. "Well my little snow bunnies go wash up for supper," she said getting groans from them all.

"Na huh, no groaning. If you wanna eat you've gotta be clean," she said.

All three nodded their heads before kissing her belly and going to wash up. They'd taken to 'kissing the baby' after having seen Jay doing it and she loved it. So far they loved their new sibling and she hoped once he or she was there that love would continue.

After supper they watched Mickey's Christmas because the kids loved it. Next week, they'd clean up all the Christmas decorations but for today they'd watch another movie.

Lauren laid between Jay's legs on the couch and all three kids piled in the floor to watch. Jayson had his head on Jayla who had her head on Jayden who was laying on Striker. Jayson fell asleep halfway through and the twins were almost there when it was over.

"Bed time," Jay said picking up Jayson as Lauren turned the tv off.

The twins sleepily nodded and slowly got up. Lauren wrapped her arms around them slightly sad she couldn't carry them to bed any more. Jay tucked Jayson in while Lauren got the twins changed into pjs and into their beds. "Sweet dreams angels," she whispered to each of them after tucking them in. Jay came in behind her to tell them goodnight as she went to kiss Jayson.

All three were fast asleep worn out from their exciting last few days. Jay took Striker back downstairs to his bed before joining Lauren in bed.

"You're so good with them," she smiled softly kissing him.

"So are you love," he smiled tucking her into his side and softly kissing her as he rubbed her belly.

"We've done good," she smiled so happy with how their life had turned out so far.

"Yes we have," he agreed.

"And one more to join our crazy mix," she giggled.

"We're just that good," he smirked making her laugh harder.

"Yes chief you are," she whispered biting his ear lobe softly.

"Damn woman you know what that does to me," he moaned making her giggle.

"Maybe you should show me," she winked slipping her gown over her head.

Jay moaned again before showing her just how much she still effected him even at eight months pregnant. They both slept peacefully as more snow fell in their little piece of paradise they called home.