"Mom, I think you're going to hurt yourself."

"No, no, it's fine. Everything is fine."

Drew pursed his lips then shook his head, "It does not look fine."

Hailey sighed and set her wedding ring on the counter, "I need butter."

"Butter!" Drew's eyes widened. He ran to stand in front of the fridge, "You cannot waste our butter! It's okay that your hands are fat. I use butter for toast."

Hailey shook her head, "Move over. I need-"

She stopped and put a hand on her stomach. Breathing in shakily, her lips parted as if to talk, but she had no words.

"That's right," Drew nodded, "You don't need butter. It's just jewelry." He shook his head while walking over to pick up Hailey's wedding ring, "Ladies and their jewelry."

Hailey didn't hear him as he continued mumbling about jewelry and Adam warning him about women. All she was focusing on was the cramping in her stomach. She didn't like it at all.

"Dad's home!" Jay yelled as he walked through the door.

Blake squealed and dropped his toys to run over to him.

"You're early," Drew said. He sat on the stairs while playing with Hailey's ring.

"Thought I'd make dinner for you all," Jay smiled. He noticed the ring in Drew's hand and raised an eyebrow, "Why do you have that?"

"Mom was making meatballs and took it off," Drew said.

"Oh," Jay put his hand out, "Give it here."

Drew sighed then passed it over, "But it doesn't fit her anymore, so she's having a jewelry crisis. I want it. I think it's special."

"What?" Jay breathed. Blake tried reaching for the ring from his place in Jay's arms, but Jay ignored him and walked into the kitchen where Hailey was still standing by the fridge. "Hey, Drew said this didn't fit," he said, "And also I was hoping I could make you dinner tonight to give you a night off; can we freeze the meatballs?"

Hailey glanced over at him then down to her hands pressing over her stomach where the cramping felt the worst.

"You okay?" Jay asked and set Blake on the ground.

"Mama!" Blake ran to her and hugged her legs.

"Um," Hailey began quietly, "I feel crampy."

"Crampy?" Jay repeated. He walked over to put his hand next to hers, "Like…"

"Like how I'd feel once a month before I got pregnant," Hailey whispered. Now that she was talking and making comparisons, she felt scared. As the panic started to settle in the pit of her stomach near those cramps, tears came to her eyes.

It took Jay a second to understand what she meant and then his eyes widened, "Your…are you bleeding?"

"I don't know," Hailey whispered, "I don't like this."

"Okay, okay, um," Jay took a deep breath, "I…I will call Kim and she'll come watch the boys and then I'll take you to the hospital."

"You're not going to call Will?" Hailey asked.

Jay shook his head and pulled out his phone, "No. I'm taking you in. I don't like the sound of this."

Hailey closed her eyes against the tears and nodded.

While Jay talked to Kim, he reached over and wrapped an arm around Hailey's shoulders. Pressing a kiss to her temple, he whispered, "We'll figure it out."

Hailey tried staying calm. She tried not to think the worst. She tried holding Jay's hand.

But nothing felt okay.

"You're so strong and brave," Jay whispered. He brushed his fingers through her hair as the doctor looked Hailey over. "I'm so proud of you," he continued, "You're growing a baby."

"I'm trying," Hailey whimpered, "But it's going-"

"You said your due date's the 30th, right?" the emergency doctor asked as he straightened up.

"Of June," Hailey said quickly, "June 30th."

The doctor nodded, "You have a month then."

"Will it be that long?" Jay asked, "Is everything okay?"

"Everything looks great," the doctor smiled, "Just braxton hicks. I'll give you a pamphlet on them, but it's your body getting ready for the birth."

Hailey just stared at him.

"So nothing to worry about?" Jay said.

The doctor shook his hand while standing, "It's normal. Usually changing positions will help or they'll go away on their own. They're typically not super painful. You'll know when they're real contractions. I'll be back in a few minutes. Feel free to open the curtains once you're changed." He grabbed his clipboard then walked out of the room.

Jay helped Hailey sit up, "Well that's good news."

Hailey scoffed.

"What?" Jay asked.

Hailey angrily wiped her face then hit the table she was sitting on, "Not super painful? He's lucky I don't have my gun because I could kill him."

Jay raised an eyebrow, "Hailey-"

"Has he ever been pregnant?" Hailey interrupted, "Has he ever wondered if his body was hurting his child? Has he ever had these braxton hicks contractions? No! So 'not super painful' my ass."

"Okay," Jay nodded, "I hear you, but let's not make death threats."

"I'm eight months pregnant, I will threaten anyone who sticks their fingers in me then implies I'm overreacting," Hailey snapped.

Jay nodded again and rubbed her back through the gown.

"I hate this," Hailey sucked in a breath, "I want this baby to be healthy. I-I will love her no matter what, but I want her fully cooked and strong enough for this world. You remember how little Blake was - barely four pounds and connected to more tubes and wires than we've ever had on us combined. I couldn't control that, but I can control this and I need to try."

"I understand," Jay said softly, "And I hate what I'm about to say-"

"Then don't," Hailey sniffled, "I was hurting. I know you've been shot, but this hurt."

"No, no, it wasn't about that," Jay brushed his hand over her hair, "I know it hurt and I know I'll never understand. I am fine with that. What you're about to do?" He put his hands up and shook his head, "I could never."

Hailey smiled slightly, "I think you could."

Jay chuckled and shrugged, "Maybe." He returned to running his hand through her hair and down her back, "What I was going to say was that I think you won't be able to control this. You've been healthy, you are healthy, but sometimes babies just come early. If this little girl chooses to meet us tomorrow, we need to be ready."

Hailey frowned and looked down at her hands on her lap, "Yeah."

"So should we head home?" Jay asked, "We could stop for some dinner on the way and then double check the nursery to make sure it's ready for our princess."

Hailey laughed softly as she leaned into him, "I like that plan."

"Do you like…strawberries in the bath?" Jay added.

Hailey glanced up at him, "Are you serious?"

"Course," Jay smiled.

"Will you get in with me?" Hailey asked.

Jay hesitated, "Our bath is smaller than that hotel one was."

"I'm going to be pushing a child out of a ten centimeter hole that's going to form in my body where there currently is no hole," Hailey raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, okay," Jay said, "I'll get in the bath with you."

"Thank you," Hailey kissed his cheek.

Jay chuckled, "You're sneaky."

Hailey shrugged and rubbed her face before carefully standing up, "I am pissed off still. Stay between me and Dr. Dick because I'm fully ready to kick him in the balls for that pain comment."

Jay sucked in a breath then helped her slip her gown off, "Was that his name?"

Hailey snorted, "No."

"Oh my god," Jay rolled his eyes and laughed, "You-"

"Are having a baby," Hailey faced him and put her hands on her hips, "Do you want to join him?"

"Nope, not at all," Jay said quickly.

"Thank you," Hailey grabbed her clothes. She couldn't help but notice her empty ring finger and sighed to herself.

"You okay?" Jay rubbed his hand over her back.

"Yeah," Hailey breathed and slipped her bra on.

Jay helped her with the clasps, "Good. Do those contractions hurt? Are you still feeling them?"

Hailey closed her eyes as his hand slid down her spine and she could feel the metal of his ring against her skin.

"Hailey," Jay's hands slipped under her stomach, "Talk to me. That's my deal with this bath thing. I'll take a bath, but for this next month, I need to hear about everything you're feeling and thinking, okay? Please."

Hailey chewed her lip and thought over his words before she nodded, "Okay."

"So talk to me," Jay said against her temple, "Let me in."

Hailey breathed in then held up her left hand and said, "I'm pissed off that it doesn't fit. I just took it off so I could make meatballs and then I couldn't put it back on."

"Was it hard to get off?" Jay asked while reaching over to grab her hand.

"A bit," Hailey nodded. She leaned back into him, "I need it."

"It's a ring, Hails, it's okay," Jay brought her hand up to kiss where the ring should have been, "I understand."

"But…" Hailey sighed.

"I'm here, I'm listening," Jay said softly.

Hailey took a minute then said, "It's not about the ring. It's about you and always having you nearby. I can't do this without you."

"You won't," Jay shook his head, "I promise."

Hailey waved her empty hand around, "Jay."

He grabbed it again and shook his head, "We will always be in this together, Hailey. I'm not leaving you."

Hailey turned in his arms, "I know, but it still feels off."

"Did you try the old silicone one?" Jay asked, "Maybe that'll fit."

Hailey shrugged and breathed, "I guess."

Jay watched her for a moment then rubbed his hands along her stomach, "Finish getting dressed then head home?"

"Sure," Hailey let out a breath, "Guess I need to wear clothes at some point."

Jay chuckled and helped her into her shirt, "I'm not complaining."

"Will you complain when I'm screaming and pushing a baby out of me?" Hailey asked.

"No, I can guarantee I'll be crying," Jay laughed, "I already know that watching you give birth to that little girl will be one of the best moments of my life."

Hailey softened and smiled as she placed a hand on the side of his face, "I love you."

"Love you too," Jay kissed her forehead.

Hailey stepped back from Blake's crib that Jay had finally converted to a toddler bed after they both pushed it off for too long. She looked down at him moving all his stuffed animals around and softly talking to them.

"Honey, it's bed time," she said.

"Oh," Blake scrambled out of his bed and hurried to his toys. He stared at them then grabbed his doll and one of his police cars before bringing them to his bed.

"Blake Henry," Hailey laughed, "You don't need to sleep with those toys. You don't even like the doll and you can't cuddle a car."

"Mama," Blake shook his head.

"There's not enough room," Hailey said, "The open bed is so you don't get hurt, not so you can full it with toys."

Blake giggled and laid down. He stared up at Hailey then tried rolling out of bed again only for her to grab him.

"No," Hailey said, "No. You stay in bed."

Jay came in while rolling up his sleeves, "What's going on?"

Blake squealed quietly and quickly pulled the blankets over his head.

"Hey," Jay walked over and put his hands on the top of the crib, "Look at me. Blake." He waited a beat then reached down to pull the blanket from Blake's head, "Blake."

"Dada," Blake giggled.

"No," Jay said, "Be good. You need to listen to rules and stay in bed. It's time to sleep. Goodnight."

Blake reached for his blanket, "Ni-Ni!"

Hailey grabbed it from Jay to lay it over Blake, "I love you."

He grabbed her hair then whispered, "Mama?"

Hailey stopped from straightening up, "Yeah?"

"La-la," Blake said.

Hailey sadly smiled and nodded. She brushed her hand over his hair then went to turn his nightlight on and slip from the room.

"Stay in bed," Jay said. He then kissed his fingers and touched them to Blake's forehead before walking to the door.

Blake sat up in bed and dangled his feet over the side of it.

"Blake Henry," Jay said without turning around.

Blake stifled a laugh in his hand.

"One," Jay started, "Two."

Blake gasped and hurried to lay back down.

Jay smiled to himself then closed the door. He was going to follow Hailey to their room, but he decided to wait for just a moment to see-

The doorknob jiggled then there was a soft knock on the door.

"Buddy," Jay turned to squat in front of the door, "You need to stay in bed. It's night time."

"Go to sleep!" Drew yelled from his room, "I need to rest."

"Drew," Jay laughed, "It's okay."

"It's a school night," Drew called back.

"He's not used to freedom," Jay said. He put his hand on the door, "Buzz, I need you to be good astronaut and go to sleep." He heard Hailey laugh behind him then smiled himself. "Do you hear me?" he asked.

The door opened just enough so Blake could stick his nose out, "Dada."

"Sleep, buddy," Jay said.

Blake looked at him through the crack then sighed.

"It's okay," Jay nodded, "Go to bed."

Blake reached out and wiggled his fingers around.

Jay stuck his pointer finger in his waiting hand and said, "I love you."

Blake's face lit up, "La!" He let go of Jay's finger then ran back to bed as Jay shut the door again.

He slowly stood up and took a deep breath while turning back toward his room where Hailey was watching from the door.

She straightened up with a smile, "Cute."

He chuckled, "Shh."

"Never," Hailey put her hand out, "Now come here and help me pack for the hospital. I want to control what we can."

Jay smiled at her and grabbed her hand, "Good idea."

"I just want comfortable clothes," Hailey explained while pulling him to the closet, "What do you want?" She took out her old purple duffle bag and Jay's black one.

"Probably jeans and a t-shirt," Jay shrugged.

Hailey raised an eyebrow, "That's it?"

"It's not a hotel," Jay said, "I'm just there for support."

Hailey clenched her empty left hand and nodded.

"You though," Jay sat on the bed and pulled out his phone, "So I've been making a list."

Hailey's eyes widened and she stopped going through their sweatshirts, "What?"

Jay nodded then showed her his phone, "Just in case I'd need to pack an emergency bag. Tomorrow, I can go out and buy you some of those sticky socks, though I'm sure I have enough for you if you want mine, oh, or Will can just get you some from the hospital, and I can get you a robe that's not so fancy in case it gets…birth on it."

Hailey softly laughed and shook her head, "You're unbelievable."

Jay smiled, "Only the best for my wife."

"Thank you," Hailey said softly.

"Anything," Jay put a hand out and squeezed hers once she grabbed it, "How about you go get in the bath and I'll be right there? We can pack tomorrow."

"Just let me…" Hailey hurried back to the closet and stuffed a pair of sweatpants and one of Jay's shirts into the duffle bag. "Just in case," she said.

"Course," Jay chuckled.

"Okay," Hailey smiled and walked in the bathroom.

She started the bath humming softly then dumped some soap in the water. She wanted to enjoy this last month of being pregnant. It terrified her, but she needed to soak it in.

All she could think of while Jay drove her to the hospital was Blake. He'd been born too early and was so small. She knew he was also born addicted to drugs and her baby would not be, but it still scared her. She didn't ever want to see another baby too small in an incubator.

So she undressed and lowered herself in the warm water. If she relaxed enough, she could calm down and focus on the good: the fact that the baby was safe and healthy, that her middle son was now old enough and excited for his toddler bed, that her oldest was supportive even if he didn't understand what was happening, that she had great friends, and that she had the best husband she could ever imagine.

She tied her hair up in a bun before closing her eyes and breathing in the soft vanilla smell of the water. It was peaceful.

Then she felt a cold chain be draped over her head so something landed on her chest and her eyes shot open.

"Sorry," Jay said softly as he knelt down next to her, "Didn't mean to startle you."

Hailey grabbed at the chain around her neck then her lips parted.

His dog tags.

She'd only seen them once before in her time of knowing Jay - after he'd been shot.

"I thought you could wear them for the next month since your ring doesn't fit," Jay explained.

"You…are you sure?" Hailey asked quietly. She held up the chain enough so she could see the two dog tags. Just like she remembered, his name was stamped along the top above his social security number, blood type, and religion.

"Yeah," Jay took a deep breath, "You need them right now. They always help remind me that I'm alive and I can get through anything, so maybe they'll remind you that too. You're strong and you can have this baby whenever that may be. I know it's not your wedding ring, but-"

"I love them," Hailey whispered, "Thank you so much."

Jay nodded and kissed her.

Hailey slipped her hand around his neck and brushed her thumb along the back of his ear. "I love you," she said.

"I love you too," Jay replied against her lips.

Hailey sat back enough to look at him and smiled, "You love me."

"I do," Jay chuckled.

Hailey gripped the dog tags around her neck, "I'm wearing these everyday."

"Wouldn't expect anything less," Jay brushed his thumb along her bottom lip, "There room for one more in there?"

Hailey's smile grew, "Who are you?"

"Jay Halstead," Jay smirked, "Your husband, your baby daddy, your partner, and your best friend."

Hailey laughed harder and kissed him again, "You're also amazing."

"Of course," Jay smiled into the kiss then stood up to undress.

Hailey watched him with a wide smile on her face. Her thumb brushed over his name on his dog tags and she shook her head in disbelief.

Part of her loved the dog tags more than the wedding ring.

Jewelry crisis averted.

A/N: Hi hi! I've been waiting for this one for a while – a long while, like since July 16 when I published "Still a Soldier" ;) Check it out if you want to read the first time Hailey saw Jay's dog tags and you can also look at the A/N there where I tried hinting at why I was writing that story. On another note, only three more chapters until the baby is here! Are you ready? :)