Chapter 19
One Month Later
Jay and Hailey sat in the surveillance van hour after hour cataloging the comings and goings at a warehouse near the Silos. They had burned through all their snacks and were ready to move on to some other activity. Hailey gathered all the wrappers and stuffed them in a plastic bag.
Finally, Voight's voice crackled over the radio. "Anything, Halstead?"
"Negative. We saw some of the usual suspects, but not our guys."
There was a moment of silence, then Voight was back. "Okay, let's shelve it for today. I'm not sure this is the best use of our time."
"Copy that," said Jay.
Jay and Hailey were returning to the District when Hailey said, "It's the oval one."
They were idling at a red light and Jay glanced at her with a puzzled expression. "The oval . . . what? Is that the street name of one of those suspects? Although that sounds really stupid."
"Aren't a lot of street names stupid?" laughed Hailey.
"Yeah, I guess they are," agreed Jay. "Like when a fat guy is called Slim."
"Exactly." Then, Hailey showed him an image on her phone. "The oval diamond. That's my ring."
Jay reached over and tugged gently on the chain around her neck. "I thought this was your ring."
Ever since Hailey had said 'yes,' she kept the zip tie ring hidden under her shirt. "That's my first engagement ring," she clarified.
"I didn't realize girls got more than one," said Jay. "Wouldn't that be over-the-top?"
Hailey swatted his arm away. "Stop it!"
Jay smiled. "Seriously, I like the oval one, too." He had repeatedly assured Hailey the three or four rings she was seriously considering were within his budget.
So far, only Will knew they were engaged. As hard as it was for the elder Halstead, he was managing to keep his mouth shut. They decided to savor their secret for a little while longer. Hailey wasn't quite ready to be bombarded with endless questions and suggestions from Kim and Trudy and Vanessa.
"We can go get it tonight, provided the District is quiet," said Jay.
"Yes! Let's do that," said Hailey.
Jay loved seeing the big smile on her face and her excitement. He was also excited and couldn't wait to slip the diamond on her finger.
Crime exploded all of a sudden. There was no explanation for the increase, but it kept Intelligence running from dawn to dusk every day. One weary evening, Hailey and Jay were almost too tired to eat their warmed-up pizza.
Jay blew out a sigh. "We haven't even had time to discuss what kind of wedding we want. Big, small, elope? Any ideas?"
Hailey was now stretched out on the couch with her legs across Jay's lap. "Well, you know I'm not a fancy kind of girl, so I'd be fine with going to the courthouse at lunch one day."
"For real?"
"We could swing by Med and pick up Will to be a witness," yawned Hailey. Her eyes were closed and her hands were folded on her abdomen. "Do you think the E.R. could spare him for an hour?"
"You'd really be okay with that? What about your family? Or your brothers, at least?"
"I'll tell them later." She opened one eye to study her fiancé.
Jay shrugged. "I'm down with that." He idly ran his hands over Hailey's lower legs as he began to plan. "Let's try to get the license tomorrow. Then maybe we could take an afternoon off next week to do the deed. But I will need to have my best suit pressed."
"Wow, who would have thought Jay Halstead was a wedding planner?!" laughed Hailey.
Jay put a finger to his lips. "Sssh. Don't let the word get out. I might have to give up my Intelligence job."
"I can wear the dress I wore to Platt and Mouch's wedding. I think it still fits."
Jay scoffed. "Hailey Ann, I'm sure you're the same size you were in high school."
She adjusted the throw pillow under her head. "Actually, I think I'm five pounds heavier."
"A whole five pounds?" gasped Jay. "I'm going to alert the Tribune."
"Do what you have to do, but first, can you spread that blanket over me?"
"Yes, dear," laughed Jay.
Naturally, work had other ideas. Three times when they planned to get the marriage license, they caught a case. However, two weeks later, on a warm Friday afternoon, the detectives finally exited the courthouse as Mr. and Mrs. Jay Halstead. Will kissed the bride on the cheek and hugged the groom in addition to acting as photographer with his iPhone.
"You know there's going to be hell to pay when everyone finds out," said Will. "Especially your female friends and colleagues. Does Voight know?"
"He didn't ask, just said to have a good weekend," said Hailey. "But I'm sure he suspects."
"He's probably surveilling us right now," added Jay as he rubbed the back of his neck. It was the same prickly sensation he got in Afghanistan when he knew the enemy was patrolling nearby.
Will clapped Jay on the back. "Forget Voight. Just go and enjoy yourselves for a few days."
"You don't have to tell us twice," laughed Jay. They were going an hour outside the city to the Montague Inn, an 1840s house that had been converted into a bed-and-breakfast. The newlyweds headed for Jay's truck in the parking deck while Will called an Uber to get back to Med.
I hope World War III hasn't broken out in the E.R., he thought. As he waited for his ride, Will noticed a black SUV pull out of a parking spot at the curb and head in the direction of District 21.
Guess Jay was right, thought Will as he stared after it.
Montague Inn
After a delicious dinner in the dining room, Jay and Hailey sat on the front porch in rocking chairs and held hands. "I like it here," said Hailey. "It's so peaceful."
"It's not too old-fashioned and quaint for you?" asked Jay.
Hailey shook her head. "Not at all. It's perfect and it's good to get away from fights and gunfire and sirens."
"Copy that," said Jay. "You about ready to turn in?"
Hailey tried to suppress a yawn. "Yep."
They went inside and up the wide oak staircase where a queen-size canopied bed with soft cream-colored linens and feather pillows awaited them.
Eight Months Later
"That is the last time we're eating at that place," declared Hailey as she splashed cold water on her face.
"Yeah, and to think it was only the first time we'd tried it," said Jay. They were discussing a new BBQ restaurant they had ventured into on the way home the previous evening. Jay rubbed his abdomen. "Oh man, I gotta go again," he said as he ran to the guest bathroom.
By the next morning, they were recovered from the food poisoning. However, a few days later, Hailey again did not feel well. Jay had left half an hour ago because he had to be in court. She stared at herself in the bathroom mirror. "No, it can't be," she said aloud.
She retrieved her phone from the bedroom and checked the calendar and counted. No, it's just the stress of the last few weeks. Maybe. Oh, I don't know. What if I'm . . . ?
She couldn't even process the 'p' word right now.
She left earlier than usual for work and went by the drugstore. She picked up a pregnancy test and read the instructions. Better get more than one. Might get a false-positive result. She picked up a second one, and then for good measure, a third one. How accurate are these things anyway?
Checking her watch, she saw that she had enough time to return home and do the test. There was no privacy at the District and she didn't want Platt or Burgess finding out, if indeed there was anything to find out, before she shared the results with Jay.
She paid for the tests and drove as fast as she dared back to the apartment. Her hands shook as she opened the package and carefully read the instructions and followed them. Closing the toilet lid, she sat down and waited the required 3 minutes, the longest 3 minutes of her life.
Her phone beeped when the time was up. Hailey had avoided looking at the stick while she was waiting, but now the moment of truth was here. She slowly reached for the stick and picked it up.
POSITIVE. There was no mistaking the result.
For a full minute, Hailey sat like a statue as various emotions assailed her. Suddenly, she snapped out of her daze. If she didn't hurry, she would be late for work. This was too much to consider right now.
Jay was stuck in court most of the day. He called a couple times and was clearly frustrated. "Too many damn delays," he mumbled. "What's happening there?"
"Not much. Catching up on paperwork. A teenager who said she was the niece of one of our counterfeiting suspects showed up. She gave up some info, but I think she's too scared to say much. We'll keep trying to work her."
"Good, good." There was a pause. "Looks like we're going back into court. I'll see you at home. Love you."
Hailey smiled. "Love you, too." She disconnected and chewed her bottom lip. It was a struggle, but she managed to keep her voice normal.