Erin woke up super early the day of Emery's birthday. December 8th, 1996 was a day that was forever sketched in the young mother's mind. It was the day she got to hold her daughter for the very first time and also the day she met her true love. She made breakfast, French toast and bacon which was her daughter's favorite. Erin was thankful for that because that was about all she knew how to make. Jay woke up shortly after her and helped Erin prepare.
"Hey babe. How's it going?" He says kissing her.
"Good it's just hard to believe that on this day, nineteen years ago I became a mom." Erin says with a smirk.
"She's a great kid, well not so much a kid. I'm glad we've grown so close in this short amount of time I've gotten to be her dad." he says with a giggle.
"I was only thirteen when she was born. I had no clue how I was going to be her mom. Here we are we made it, it's been hard for both of us but I wouldn't change a thing." Erin says.
"Is this the first birthday you've spent with her in awhile?" Jay asks.
"No I got her every year on her birthday. That was part of mine and Dylan's deal. It just feels different this year. Maybe because he's gone or maybe because I have her all to myself now. I don't know what it is." She says clarifying.
"Well she's here with us. She's had a hard year so let's make her birthday a good one." he says with smile.
"Don't you have to work?" she asked him.
"Hank called said I could take the day for her birthday. If he needs us he said he'd call." he said.
They set the table and let Emery sleep in a little longer. They sat and talked Erin told him a little bit about what they usually did for her birthday. Emery woke up around ten she rolled over to check her phone and to her surprise she had a long cute message from Cody. She was surprised because she hasn't really spoke to him much since she visited his apartment. He was still on medical leave from school but he always seemed to know when Emery needed him. Healing from a gunshot wound could take some time and she knew that. She got dressed and headed downstairs. She found her parents sitting at the table, Emery loved watching them they were so loving with one another.
"Hey baby. Happy Birthday." She says walking over to kiss her daughter's head.
"Thanks momma." she says hugging her.
"Happy birthday sweetie." Jay says hugging his daughter.
"Thanks dad."
"What do you say we eat breakfast and then we will do whatever you want for the rest of the day. Well at least until dinner with your grandpa." her mother says.
"Okay, ummm I'm not sure what I want to do." Emery says.
"We can go see a movie or go shopping." Erin says.
"Movies and shopping?" She says glancing at both her parents.
"Fine but only because it's your birthday." Jay says with a smile.
They ate breakfast and then headed out. Emery wasn't ready to see a movie that early in the day so they went shopping first. Emery got a few new outfits and a few other things. They were done shopping by one and Emery was getting hungry.
"Can we get lunch?" she asks.
"Yeah, where do you want to go?" Jay asked.
"Portillo's." Emery said without thinking.
"You are just like your mom." He said looking at the both of them.
They went to get lunch and talked about everything. Emery wasn't very talkative since everything with Tessa came out. Erin was just glad that she was happy for once. They headed for the movies and decided on one that no one had ever heard of but it sounded good. The movie got out around four which gave them two hours to relax. When they got home Cody was waiting on the porch with a bouquet of roses and gift bag.
"What are you doing here?" Emery says with a smile.
"What kind of boyfriend would I be if I missed your birthday?" He asks kissing her softly.
"Boyfriend." Jay mumbles under his breath to Erin.
"Let's go." she says dragging him inside.
They both sat on the porch and talked for awhile. They talked, held hands, and laughed. Jay watched out the window as his daughter, from what he could see was falling in love.
"Jay, let them be." Erin says.
"I never thought someone could mean so much to me." He says staring at the young women on the porch.
"Are you going soft on me Halstead?" She says with a giggle.
"You both are my world and just thinking she could leave whenever she wants to scares me. One of these days if it's Cody or some other guy she isn't going to live with us much longer. I mean she's nineteen." Jay says.
"Welcome to parenthood babe." she says kissing him softly.
On the porch Cody hands Emery a small bag.
"You didn't need to get me anything." she says.
"Just open it." he says.
Emery pulls out a small blue box and opens it carefully. She glances up at him and smiles once she sees the locket in the box.
"Cody it's beautiful but it looks very expensive."
"You deserve it. After all I did get you in trouble with your parents."
"Speaking of my parents, my dad has been looking out the window since he went inside. You want to come meet them."
"Of course but I can't stay long first day back at work today."
"Don't let my dad intimidate you. He acts big and bad but he is a huge teddy bear." she says opening the door.
"Hey sweetie." Erin says.
"Mom, dad this is Cody. He wanted to meet you both."
"It's nice to finally meet you Cody. How are you feeling?" Erin asks.
"I'm good and it's a pleasure to meet the both of you as well."
"Polite that's good." Erin says shaking his hand.
Emery shook her head in embarrassment. Jay glared at Cody while Erin and the young man talked.
"It's nice to meet you." Cody says putting his hand out for Jay to shake.
"Jay, nice to meet you." He says crossing his arms.
"Come sit down." Erin said motioning him toward the couch.
"I have to go to work actually I just came by to give Emery her present but it was really nice to meet both of you."
"Goodbye. Hope to see you again soon."
As soon as the door shut Erin smacked Jay's arm.
"Ow, what was that for?"
"Really Jay? You didn't even shake his hand."
Emery walked Cody out to his car. She gave him a hug and kissed him passionately.
"Don't be a stranger." she says.
"Now that I'm better you won't be able to get rid of me babe." he says.
"Ok go to work. Text me later. Thank you for my locket." She says kissing him again.
Emery headed back inside and over to the couch where her parents were.
"Did he kiss you?" jay said kind of uncomfortably.
"Yeah dad we actually had a quickie in the backseat of his car too." She said with a smile.
"That's not funny." he said as his face went blank.
"Ok go get ready we have to get going." her mother said.
Dinner with her family that night was amazing. Her grandpa got her a cake and made her fettuccine alfredo. She got cards from her uncle and his family. It was just what she needed after everything that was happening lately. Emery was playing with baby Daniel right after dinner. He had just learned how to walk so she was having a lot of fun watching him.
"Come on little man, walk to me." she says.
He giggles and takes little steps towards his big cousin. When he finally reaches her he falls into her arms.
"Good job baby!" She says making him clap.
"She's great with kids Erin." Olive says.
"She always has been. I don't know where she gets it from."
"Come on we all know she gets it from me." Justin says with a laugh.
"Yeah, if I remember right when she was four you pushed her down to get to the ice cream truck first." Erin says raising her eyebrow.
"Hey now. Ok maybe it isn't from me but she did get her awesomeness from me."
They all laugh at him and then head into the living room where Daniel and Emery are. Erin scoops the toddler up and blows on his belly. He laughs and grabs his aunt's nose.
"No idea where she gets it from, huh?" Voight says with a giggle.
They left her grandpas house around 9:30, when they got home Emery didn't say much she just went upstairs and took a shower. Jay and Erin sat on the couch they waited for her to come down like they knew she would eventually. They waited for about an hour before heading to bed themselves. Shortly after they laid down there was a knock on their door.
"Come in." Erin says turning her lamp on.
"Hey, I just wanted to say thank you for everything you both did for me today. I had a great birthday with the people I love."
"We actually have one more thing for you." Jay says reaching for his night stand.
"Really?"
"I know Cody got you a necklace but I got you this bracelet because it symbolizes the first birthday I get to spend with you."
"I didn't give you the gift of life but life gave me the gift of you! Love dad." Emery read the back of the bracelet as tears streamed down her face.
"Do you like it?"
"I love it dad thank you!" She says hugging him tightly.
"I love you." jay says.
"I love you too. I love you both." she says pulling her mom in for a group hug.
They sat there for a short while and then Emery headed upstairs and to bed. She had a wonderful birthday just like always but this time it was better. As soon as her head hit the pillow she was out for the night.