Waking up on Sunday morning, Jay knew there was no way this Mother's Day could be perfect for Hailey. When they'd gone to bed the night before, Vanessa was still in a medicated coma with no clear tell as to when she'd wake up. Personally, he was scared out of his mind and was still grappling with the idea that this was his fault; however, he knew Hailey was terrified. This was her best friend. She'd already gone through almost losing him, and now she was at risk of losing her best friend. Life wasn't fair.

He pushed those thoughts to the side and rolled out of bed to attempt to normalize the day. While he knew Hailey was going to want to go sit with Kevin, he personally wanted her to enjoy a little bit of the day as a family, so he headed downstairs to start making waffles for breakfast.

What he couldn't hear because of the sizzling bacon was the soft thumping of Blake sliding down the stairs on his stomach. When he reached the hardwood, he slowly stood up to toddle into the kitchen.

Jay turned off the frying pan just in time to hear the tiny footsteps coming toward him. He hesitated, then slowly turned to see Blake standing by the counter sucking on a pacifier.

"Hello," he said.

Blake simply waved in response.

Jay held back a chuckle and crossed his arms, "What're you doing out here?"

Blake glanced around then shrugged.

"You're supposed to be in your crib," Jay raised an eyebrow.

Blake shrugged again and swung his arms around while staring at Jay.

Jay then cracked a smile, "You're an escape artist. I'll lower the mattress later, you little monkey. Right now, come help me back Mommy her special breakfast."

Blake smiled around his pacifier and ran at Jay to hug his legs. "Mama," he said.

"Yeah, Mama," Jay picked him up. He grabbed a blueberry and slipped the pacifier from Blake's mouth to feed it to him, "It's Mama's day today, okay? We need to be nice and show her we love her."

Blake nodded and reached for more blueberries.

Jay passed him one, "Are you listening to me or are you just hungry?"

"Boo, boo," Blake put his hand out.

"Thought so," Jay chuckled. He handed Blake another blueberry then grabbed the plate of waffles and fruit to carry upstairs. As he walked, Blake kept eating any blueberries he could reach.

Drew was slipping out of his room when they reached the landing. He smiled and waved while holding a pink bag in his hand, "I have our gift."

"Awesome," Jay smiled, "I have breakfast."

"Did you get strawberries?" Drew asked as he walked over.

"Course," Jay nudged the door open.

"She's going to be so excited," Drew quickly ran in the room. He slowed down next to the bed and stared down at Hailey. Smiling, he lightly touched her arm then said, "She's really pretty, don't you think?"

Jay smiled at him and set Blake on the bed, "I do."

Blake tried climbing on Hailey's legs so he could pat her stomach, "Mum."

Hailey stirred and blinked her eyes open, "What's going on?"

"Mother's Day," Drew said. He quickly dropped a kiss to her head then blushed and stepped backwards.

Hailey smiled and rubbed her face, "It is?"

Jay sat on the bed by her feet to pull Blake on his lap, "It is. Happy Mother's Day, Mama."

Blake clapped, "Mama!" He giggled and grabbed another blueberry off the plate in Jay's hand.

Hailey laughed while sitting up and smiled even more when Drew shot forward to put a pillow behind her back. "Thank you, sweetheart," she said.

Drew relaxed and nodded, "You're welcome."

"Come here," Hailey put her arms out, "Can I have a hug?"

Drew nodded again before hugging her tightly, "Thank you for giving me a family."

Hailey froze and she met Jay's eyes for a brief second. Drew's fingers lightly played with the ends of her hair as she fought back tears. She breathed shakily and closed her eyes then said, "I love you."

"I love you too," Drew whispered. He tried to move away, but she tightened her hold on him.

"I don't get this often," Hailey mumbled, "Give me a minute."

Drew's cheeks burned, but he leaned into her hug.

Jay sadly smiled and lightly rubbed Hailey's leg the best he could while still balancing Blake in his lap.

She opened her eyes and winked at him.

Blake stopped eating his blueberries and reached for her, "Mama."

Hailey put her hand out and helped drag him over, "Hi, baby boy, good morning."

Blake kissed her cheek with a giggle then licked Drew's cheek too.

Drew gasped and shoved him as he hurried away, "You're disgusting!"

Jay barked a laugh and reached for him, "It's just a lick."

"I've seen him eat dirt!" Drew yelled while wiping his face.

"He tried kissing you," Hailey smiled, "It's cute."

Drew scoffed and shook his head, "No."

Blake couldn't stop laughing as if he knew what he did was wrong.

Jay moved to sit up next to Hailey, "I've licked Mom."

Hailey's eyes widened, "Jay Halstead!"

Drew's face blushed a bright red and he shook his head quickly, "No, no, no."

Blake looked at Jay and clapped his hands.

"Don't even think about it," Jay chuckled and lightly pushed his head away.

"Can we please keep our mouths to ourselves?" Drew asked, "I know I started it, but now I need to end it."

Hailey smiled and put her hand out, "You can end it. Now come here and show me that gift."

Drew shot a glare toward Blake now distracted with the last few blueberries on the plate. He then sat next to Hailey and passed her the bag. "I made it with Buzz," he explained, "But don't forget the card."

Hailey smiled while taking two folded pieces of paper from the bag. One was covered in a rainbow of scribbles on the outside and had Jay's handwriting in the middle with "Happy Mother's Day to the best mom! Love, Blake" surrounded by more scribbles. She smiled at Blake, "This is so nice; thank you, baby."

Blake giggled and pointed to the card, "Mama."

"Yeah, you made that," Hailey nodded smiling.

"Mine next," Drew said happily.

"Oh boy," Hailey winked at him then looked at his card. The front was covered in flowers and he wrote 'Happy Mother's Day' inside each one. When she opened the card, she saw a drawing of the two of them on one side and on the other, it said, 'You're my mom and I love you. I think you're an amazing mom. You make me happy. I love you again. From Drew Alexander Halstead.'

"Drew," Hailey breathed in, "You're giving me lots of happy tears today."

"I'm sorry," Drew frowned.

Hailey shook her head then hugged him, "Don't be. Thank you."

Drew's face lit up and he squeezed her before saying, "You're welcome."

"All right," Hailey wiped her thumb under her eyes, "Should I open this gift or should I eat those waffles? They look delicious."

"Well, someone ate all your blueberries," Jay chuckled, "Sorry."

Hailey kissed Blake's nose, "I forgive the blueberry thief."

"Hey, hey," Drew patted her arm, "No mouths."

Hailey laughed, "Sorry, sorry." She opened the gift bag and pulled out a long box that had a charm bracelet inside. One charm was a little bluebird, another was a bee, and then there was a pink heart. Between the charm were two circles, one with a D and one with a B. She smiled at it and shook her head, "Oh my gosh."

"Do you love it?" Drew asked.

"So much," Hailey blinked her eyes quickly, "It's very cute and very pretty."

"Dad bought a secret letter," Drew explained, "He wouldn't tell us what it was."

"For Princess," Jay winked.

Hailey's smile grew, "I can't wait to add it." She put a hand on her stomach, "Thank you, guys."

Jay watched her hug Drew and Blake again, then couldn't help it and leaned over to kiss her.

"Dad," Drew whined.

Jay chuckled, "I just love Mom."

Drew sighed, "We all do, but we don't need to do all the kissing."

"I have better things we can do with our mouths anyways," Hailey said and grabbed the plate from Jay's hand, "I've been dying to eat these."

"Made 'em with my own two hands," Jay said, "And a little help from a certain toddler." He poked Blake's side, "Right, buddy?"

Blake giggled and covered his face.

"Yeah?" Hailey smiled. She cut off a piece of waffle and held it out for Drew.

Jay nodded, "Someone needs a new bed."

Hailey paused, "What?"

"He came downstairs on his own," Jay said.

Drew's mouth gaped once he swallowed then he laughed, "He's a ninja."

Blake laughed with him as he rolled around between Hailey and Jay.

"You're kidding me," Hailey looked at Jay.

He shook his head, "I'm not."

"He's…no," Hailey said, "He's too little to do that."

"He's eighteen months and we've caught him trying," Jay shrugged, "I already lowered the mattress."

Hailey sighed, "Well, stop him."

"I can't," Jay chuckled.

Hailey took another bite of waffle then brushed Blake's hair back, "You're going to give me a heart attack, aren't you?"

He opened his mouth so she could give him a piece of waffle then smiled and clapped as he ate it.

"Mom," Drew grabbed the bracelet, "Put this on."

"After I shower, okay?" Hailey ate a strawberry, "Then I'll put it on and I think I want to go see Aunt Vanessa."

"Did she wake up?" Drew asked.

"Um, not yet," Hailey gently nudged him off the bed, "But I'm going to sit with her and tell her I love her."

"No, it's Mother's Day," Drew said. He watched her waddle over to the closet to search for clothes, "We were going to eat cake."

"And we can still do that," Hailey pulled out a shirt, "But Aunt Vanessa needs me."

"How do you know?" Drew asked.

"I just do," Hailey shrugged.

"Dad," Drew whined.

"It won't be all day," Jay said, "Everything will be okay. Mom?"

Hailey smiled to herself then turned, "Yes?"

Jay smirked, "It'll work out, okay? She's going to be okay."

Hailey took a deep breath, "Jay."

He got off the bed and walked over to hold her waist, "She's okay."

"You don't know that," Hailey whispered, "I shouldn't have even left."

Jay shook his head, "You needed a break. You can't sleep in hospital chairs anymore."

Hailey rolled her eyes, "Jay, not funny."

He smiled slightly, "Sorry."

Hailey rubbed her lower stomach, "I'm worried about her."

Jay nodded, "We all are. We just have to remember that's she's strong."

"She is," Hailey said softly, "She'll wake up."

"Do you want me to drive you?" Jay asked.

Hailey shook her head, "I'll be okay."

Jay raised an eyebrow, "Please be careful."

"Course," Hailey kissed his cheek before bringing her clothes in the bathroom.

Hailey wasn't surprised to see Kevin sitting next to Vanessa's bed when she arrived at Med, but she was surprised to see Vanessa awake.

"Hey," she breathed as she stepped in the room.

Vanessa weakly smiled and tried to wave, "Hey."

"She just woke up like twenty minutes ago," Kevin cleared his throat and stood up, "Doctors already checked her over."

"I'm alive," Vanessa smirked.

Hailey rolled her eyes and hurried over to grab her hand, "How're you feeling?"

"Horrible," Vanessa cleared her throat and winced, "I don't know how your husband does this."

"You're full of jokes, aren't you?" Hailey said while sitting in the chair Kevin held out for her.

Vanessa softly laughed, "Yeah, I am."

"I'll be right back," Kevin said and slipped from the room.

Hailey's eyes widened, "He didn't have to leave." She turned to call him back, but he was already gone.

"It's okay, he'll be back," Vanessa closed her eyes, "Happy Mother's Day."

Hailey smiled slightly, "Thank you."

"What'd the kids get you?" Vanessa asked.

"Are you too tired? I can leave," Hailey said.

Vanessa blinked her eyes open, "No, no, stay. I'm just…trying to focus on anything other than the fact that I'm terrified I won't be able to have kids or be able to walk or eat through a tube or-"

"What?" Hailey asked, "Are you serious?"

"Nothing's confirmed," Vanessa mumbled, "I'm scared. They said they'll do more tests tomorrow, but I keep thinking worst-case scenario."

"Positive thoughts only," Hailey said, "That's an order."

Vanessa smiled, "Yes, Detective."

Hailey laughed softly, "Thank you."

"Now," Vanessa moved her bed so she was sitting up more, "I'm serious, what gifts did you get?"

Hailey held out her hand with the charm bracelet hanging from it, "It's really cute, don't you think? I've never had one. I'm not huge on bracelets, but I do love it."

Vanessa lightly touched the charms, "That's adorable. And a B and a D…what's the third letter? A V?"

Hailey laughed and shook her head, "No, sorry."

"Maybe if I would have died," Vanessa teased.

"You're making sick jokes today," Hailey raised an eyebrow, "Knock it off."

"Okay, okay," Vanessa laughed softly, "Sorry."

Hailey rubbed her hands over her stomach, "She needs her aunt, though, we wouldn't have been okay without you."

"I'm stronger than a couple bullets, Hailey," Vanessa reached as best she could until Hailey grabbed her hand, "But, let's look at the silver lining, your husband's probably going to have to give me some time off, so I can now spend more time with you."

Hailey smiled, "I guess we could focus on that."

"I can't wait to meet her," Vanessa said, "My little niece. She's going to have the cutest outfits, I promise."

"She's going to be my daughter," Hailey laughed, "You won't have to buy her clothes and dress her."

"You'll have to hold me back," Vanessa raised an eyebrow, "Are you going to fight me right now?"

Hailey smiled and rolled her eyes, "No, I won't." The baby started kicking, so she stood and pressed Vanessa's hand to her side, "Feel her?"

"That's so amazing," Vanessa breathed, "Hailey, you made life."

Hailey weakly laughed, "Yeah, I guess I did. Jay helped."

"Well, obviously," Vanessa laughed, "But this really is…wow. She's going to be perfect, I just know it. I think she'll look like you too."

"I don't know," Hailey sat down after a minute, "I think she'll be cute, but what if she's reckless?"

"Then she's reckless," Vanessa shrugged, "That's not genetics, and if it was, Jay has a history of being reckless too – we all do. Believe in yourself, okay? You're going to be a good mom to her. You already are amazing to Drew and Blake. We all believe in you."

Hailey shakily breathed in, "Thank you for saying that. That's really nice."

"You're all my family," Vanessa said, "I love all of you."

"And we love you," Hailey smiled. She blinked her eyes quickly, "Okay, we need to talk about something else because this pregnant lady's about to cry."

Vanessa laughed, "Okay, sorry, sorry. Um…talk to me about Jay or will that make you cry too?"

"You really are hilarious," Hailey teased back.

They were only alone for a few more minutes before Kevin returned with a pink box, "Told you I brought it."

"You're the best," Vanessa smiled.

"What is it?" Hailey asked.

"A gift for you," Vanessa said happily, "Happy Mother's Day!"

Hailey raised an eyebrow as Kevin passed her the box, "You didn't have to get me anything."

"I made it," Vanessa waved her hand, "So no fighting me on it."

Hailey shook her head and lifted the lid from the box. Immediately, her eyes filled with tears at the small scrapbook with the first ultrasound picture stuck in the cover. She shakily pulled it out and flipped through the pages.

A lot of the pictures were from the family photoshoot Vanessa had set up for them the month before – it had felt awkward at first, but then Blake started laughing and jumping around in the grass and she relaxed enough to enjoy what they were doing. She'd only printed out a couple of the pictures so far because, in all truth, she loved them so much that looking at them made her cry. Now, she had them all in a scrapbook filled with stickers and ribbon and Vanessa's handwriting.

Other pages, though, were filled with the pictures Jay had taken of her to measure her bump throughout the past few months. There were also some from Christmas when it was getting obvious she was pregnant and of the baby shower. It was all perfect.

Hailey knew she was crying, but it didn't register until Kevin slipped some tissue into her hand. She laughed and wiped her eyes, "Thank you. And thank you," she looked at Vanessa and shook her head, "This is…thank you."

Vanessa smiled and nodded, "Anything for you."

Hailey sniffled and lightly traced the picture on the last page with her finger. In it, she was sitting between Jay's legs on the grass. Their faces weren't visible, just their hands resting together on her stomach, but she remembered how she'd felt. It had been one of the last pictures they took that day and as tired as she'd been, she was happy. She knew they were kissing in the picture and she could clearly hear Drew saying they were gross – it just caused Jay to laugh against her lips and kiss her longer. When it lasted just a second too long, Drew had sent Blake running at them to break them apart. It was the perfect end to their night.

Hailey again wiped the tears under her eyes.

She'd found her family and loved every second of it.

That night, after putting the boys to bed, she stood in the kitchen to eat another piece of the chocolate cake she'd made with Drew. It was the perfect solution to her chocolate cravings.

"Hey."

Hailey turned at Jay's chuckled, "Yeah?"

"What're you doing?" he asked, "I went to the bathroom and came out and you were gone."

Hailey blushed slightly, "I'm hungry."

Jay nodded, "It was a good cake." He walked over to stand behind her at the counter. "Lean into me," he whispered.

"What?" Hailey turned her head.

"Just lean into me," Jay took the fork from her hand and set it on the counter.

Hailey hesitated, then leaned back against him so he could reach around her and slip his hands under her stomach. "What're you doing?" she asked.

Jay ignored her, though, and lifted her stomach up.

"Oh my god," Hailey breathed. She pressed her face into his throat, "Where-"

"Will," Jay chuckled softly, "He said it could help."

"It is," Hailey whispered. She breathed him in for a moment then again said, "Oh my god."

"Feel okay?" Jay asked.

"Mhmm," Hailey hummed.

Jay's thumbs brushed against her stomach and he turned his head to press his lips to her hair.

Eventually, he lowered her stomach back down and she reluctantly groaned. "Thank you," she said.

"Yeah," Jay brushed her hair back, "Thank you for protecting her and caring for her."

Hailey pushed up on her tiptoes and kissed him softly. "Mind going upstairs and caring for me?" she whispered.

Jay smirked, "I will definitely go care for you upstairs. Do you want to bring your cake?"

"Um," Hailey glanced back at it, "I'll just have ice-cream later."

Jay laughed and took her head, "Come on, baby mama. Let me show you how much I love you."

Hailey laughed with him as he led her up to their room. Becoming a mom through adoption and the "normal" way was perhaps the best thing she'd ever done in her life. Today was filled with enough laughter, cake, happy tears, and smiles to remind her how much she really did love her life.

A/N: I guess last chapter ended a little mean, so I hope this made it up to you :) Also, someone suggested the pregnant belly thing a while back and I never wrote your name down and I can't find your review or message and I'm sorry, but I hope I did your suggestion justice! As always, thank you all for reading. You have no idea how much it means to me that you still read and that some of you say such nice things even when I'm not updating this as frequently as I did the first one. Just thank you for everything.