When Jay and Hailey walked into the district the next day, their legs were like jelly. After talking about their decision again this morning, they agreed on talking to Voight first. They wanted to know whether he would accept their relationship or not before letting their friends know.
"Here we go", Jay says as they walk up the stairs.
They greeted Kevin who sat at his desk, focused on his paperwork. Kim and Adam weren't there.
"Where are Kim and Adam?", Hailey asked, after she hung her coat over her chair.
"Don't know, I haven't seen them yet", Kevin replied, eyes on his paperwork.
Jay and Hailey shared a look but didn't say anything else. Instead, they went over to Voight's office and knocked on the door.
"Come in!"
They entered and closed the door behind them. Voight put his phone down and looked up at them.
"What brings my two detectives to my office this morning?"
"Sarge we need to talk to you", Jay answered and took a seat in front of Voight's desk.
"Okay… Everything alright?"
"Yes, we're good but we need to tell you something."
Hailey and Jay looked at each other. Voight noticed their glances and their nervousness. Neither one dared to speak.
"You lost your language?", he asked, trying to push them to continue.
"No", Hailey replied and shared one last look with Jay.
He nodded in encouragement.
"But we… we are… I mean…"
Voight raised his eyebrows. He had a feeling about what they were about to tell him, but he wanted to hear it from them first.
"We are together", Jay blurted out.
No one moved. Voight didn't show any reaction. He just sat there and looked from one detective to the other. Hailey felt uncomfortable and started to twist her fingers nervously and Jay's eyes scanned the window on his left side.
"How long?"
Jay shifted in his chair and eyed Voight closely. He'd expected him to jump out of his chair and scream at them for ignoring the regulations. But that question caught him off guard.
"I'm sorry, what?", Jay asked, completely confused.
"Is this question that difficult?"
Voight's eyebrows were still risen.
"No, I mean… Since a few months", Jay finally answered.
"Aha… Well, I'd lie if I said I'm surprised."
Hailey looked at him with a blank stare. How could he have known? They had done everything to keep it a secret…
"You know, I may not be the best with this love stuff myself, but I have eyes. You don't need to be a cop to notice these glances and the hearts in your eyes when you look at each other. I've been debating whether I see something real or if I make more out of it than there is, but after Molly's I was sure."
"The dance?", Jay asked cautiously.
Voight nodded.
"Look, I'm going to be honest with you. I'm not fond of it, not at all. But since Ruzek and Burgess already went down that road, kind of with my blessing, I can't forbid you to do the same. I only ask you to be careful. Whatever there is between you, must not influence your work, do you understand me?"
"Yes sir", Hailey answered, relieved that he didn't punish them.
"You think rational, whenever we arrive at a crime scene and you stay focused and in line for as long as we work the case. Are we clear?"
"Yes."
"Then I don't have anything more to say. Keep in mind, you are my only detectives. I need you on your best level whenever there is work to do."
"Understood Sarge", Jay replied and rose from his chair.
"Dismissed."
They emerged from his office and had to take a deep breath. Kevin looked up from his paperwork.
"Tough conversation?", he asked half interested.
"Kind of."
Jay looked at Hailey, then back to the bullpen. Adam and Kim sat at their desks and worked on their computers, Kevin was still behind his desk, organizing his folders and papers.
"Now or never", Hailey whispered and stepped forward, right into the middle of the bullpen.
"Guys listen up. Halstead and I need to tell you something."
Jay jumped slightly at her using his last name. She made it sound way too serious. The others looked up and stared at them.
"So, we wanted to share important news with you. Jay and I are together", Hailey said and smiled at Jay who came to stand right next to her.
"Really?! Like officially together?", Kim said, jumping out of her chair and smiling brightly.
"Yes."
"How long?", Kevin asked curiously.
"Some months… We didn't really count", Jay answered, putting an arm around his girlfriend, and pulling her slightly into his side.
"Congratulations guys, you did it! Finally!", Adam shouted and walked over to give them a hug.
"Why finally?", Jay asked.
The three officers looked at each other, no one knowing what to say.
"Ehm, I asked you something."
"Yeah, you know, we kind of… we had a bet going on about when you'd tell us that you're dating…. But that bet is lost by all of us. We thought you'd tell us much sooner."
Adam tried to smile innocently but it didn't work well.
"Okay, you know what? I'm done", Hailey said, throwing her hands up in surrender, "our friends knew it, Voight knew it, I'm sure even Trudy Platt knew it. Apparently, half of Chicago knew it!"
"Well, you weren't exactly good at hiding it. I mean, Severide and Kidd's engagement party? That was almost a confession", Kevin said, looking directly at Jay.
Jay's cheeks flushed at the thought of Kevin's questions that night.
"However, we're glad that you told us and we're happy for you. Speaking of Molly's, why don't we celebrate the news tonight? After work?", Kim asked.
The others nodded.
That night at Molly's, they sat together at a table and chatted about various things. Of course, Hailey and Jay paid one round to celebrate their news. They had a lot of fun together. At one point, Hailey walked over to the bar to order another beer for herself. She turned around, leaning against the counter, and observing her friends. She was very grateful for them. When she put herself back into her childhood, she would have never imagined back then to be blessed with such good people in her life. People she loved. By whom she was loved too.
Suddenly, the door opened, and a familiar face stepped into the bar.
"Vanessa?!"
"Hey guys."
A/N: Hey there!
As promised, I put on one chapter and the second one will follow tomorrow. Now that I've got that big presentation through, I have a bit more time to write.
As always, reviews are appreciated, ideas are always welcome and I'm looking forward to continue writing this story 😊.
Stay healthy and have a good day! ~D.