Eeeep sorry it's been so long. I ended up re-writing this part a few different times and now it's going to be two chapters, so Part Two isn't over just yet.

"Babe."

Erin tapped Jay's chest gently with her fingertips in an attempt to rouse him, "Jay, wake up. Listen."

Jay stirred slightly. "'s the boys?" he asked blearily, "'hat's wrong?"

"Boys were fussing but Noodle's in there," Erin whispered, "Listen, babe."

"Pipes?" Jay was attempting to clear the cobwebs from his head, "Nightmare?"

"She's in the nursery with them," she said, gesturing to the baby monitor, "I guess they were fussing or awake and we didn't hear but now she's in there and you've gotta see how freakin' cute this is."

"Mm," Jay mumbled, rolling over to bury his nose in Erin's hair. He was almost asleep, and her sweet scent was the salve he needed after a long day. Jay pulled her closer and followed his fiancé's finger to the baby monitor screen.

Piper had lifted both boys out of their cribs and onto a blanket on the nursery floor. Liam was drinking from a bottle that was propped up by a pillow and his little girl was finishing what appeared to be a diaper change on Ryan. "You guys were up really early," she said to them as she carefully fastened Ryan back into his sleep suit, "But I think you might go back to sleep for a little so Mommy and Daddy can sleep in."

She stroked Liam's tummy. "When I used to wake up at night, Daddy would tell me a story," she said, smiling as the baby sucked on his bottle, "And he was really good at thinking up stories. I can't think of any right now though."

Piper lifted Ryan into her arms and patted his back, just like they'd seen on the parenting videos. Erin wiped her eyes as she watched her little sister care for her babies. Piper's maturity and sweetness was unmatched.

"You guys have the best mom and dad in the whole world," Piper told them, "They love you so much, and I do too." She kissed the top of Ryan's head, and Erin wiped away another tear. Jay held closer and pressed a kiss just behind her ear as they watched the monitor.

"You are so lucky," the little girl continued, "And you are incredible."

Jay sucked in a breath. He first told Piper she was incredible in the first few days of her staying with him, before Erin even came into town. She'd broken his heart when she told him that he was the first person to ever tell her she was incredible.

"You are loved by so many people," Piper said, placing Ryan back down on the mattress in his crib before lifting Liam into her arms, "You have amazing parents, and a whole bunch of other people like Grandpa Hank and Uncle Will who love you too." She nuzzled Liam's head with her nose, "But I hope that I'm your favorite."

"She got them bottles and changed them so we could sleep in," Jay said incredulously, unable to process just how amazing their daughter was, "She's ten years old."

"Eleven next month," Erin reminded him, settling against Jay's chest, "Our baby is going to be eleven." She pulled his arms tighter around her. "The best big sister. Look at how Liam loves her."

"Everybody loves her," he replied, pressing another kiss into her hair, "She's the most loveable little bug on the face of the earth. And instead of being annoyed about getting woken up at three in the morning, she decided to change and feed them. She's beyond incredible."

"We should do something special with her," Erin mused, continuing to watch as Piper gently rocked Liam in her arms, "Last year this time we were up in Wisconsin."

"Wish we could take them up there," Jay said with a sigh, "But you're just getting back and I'm pretty much outta furlough." It was Piper's spring break and the year before they had all been up in Wisconsin. In spring there wasn't a lot to do with melting snow and mud, but it was still a change of scenery. Last year they spent hours in front of the fire as a little family of three while Piper and Jay recovered from Jay's undercover assignment that had gone south.

This year, the plan was for Piper to go to the district during the time when she'd normally be at school. Daycare was still open for the boys, so their schedule thankfully wouldn't change, but they needed a place for Piper and Erin's office was not a kid-friendly option. The bullpen wasn't much better.

It did, however, have a future father-in-law who was moderately understanding of the situation. Prior to the boys' arrival, Piper spent many afternoons sitting at a table in the breakroom, at Jay's desk or sometimes even downstairs with Sergeant Platt.

"She does so much." Erin gestured to the baby monitor, "So much, without ever being asked. She just does it because she wants to help." She echoed Jay's earlier sigh. "I don't know how to thank her."

"A puppy," Jay suggested playfully. He chuckled when Erin glanced up at him, her face deadpan. "I'm kidding, babe."

"At least you didn't suggest another kid," she replied dryly, bringing a hand to her chest, "You might never get my boobs back."

Jay kissed her shoulder and wrapped his arms around her torso. "A fish?"

"You really want something else we gotta keep alive?" Erin asked, "That one plant we have looks like shit."

"It's a fake plant," he assured her, "Very much not real. And I'm just tossin' ideas out there." He glanced up at the monitor again to see Piper quietly creeping out of the nursery. "Damn. She got both of them back to sleep."

"Such a good little bug," she exhaled. Erin paused when she heard their bedroom door creak slightly. "Noodle?" She lifted her head to see the small form of her sweet little girl standing in the doorway of their bedroom nervously. "You okay, sweetheart?"

"Sorry," Piper whispered, "I-I thought you were sleeping. I didn't mean to wake you up."

"No worries at all," she replied, reaching out a hand to Piper, "It's still early. You want to come lie down with us for a little?"

Piper nodded shyly and hurried over to the bed. "The boys are sleeping," she said softly as she climbed onto Erin's side, "I checked on them."

"Thank you, sweet girl," Erin murmured, pressing a kiss to Piper's head when her little girl settled in next to her, "You are such a good big sister."

Jay glanced into the breakroom worriedly, his cell at his ear. He'd sent three text messages to Erin with no response and figured she was likely in a meeting (and probably an important one at that) which was why she had yet to reply, but he needed her at the district. More specifically, he needed Piper out of the district.

"Sorry, one moment," Jay overheard when Erin's side picked up, "Hey, I'm in the middle of a meeting can I-"

"I'm so sorry," Jay rushed out apologetically, "But we gotta get Pipes out of here." He lowered his voice in recognition that his little bug was observant and would likely pick up on any raised tones from the other room. It was her fourth day of spring break that was spent in her daddy's place of work. While the boys were at daycare and Erin was working, Piper quietly sat at the table in the breakroom and read her books. "She's in the breakroom and she's safe and fine and oblivious for now, but someone called in a threat to the district."

Jay grimaced when he heard the rustling of paper and apology leave his girl's lips. "Threat?" Erin asked as she shoved her laptop into her bag, "What kind of threat? I'm on my way."

"Non-specific. Platt's got everything pretty much on lockdown and Pipes has just been in the breakroom so she doesn't know yet but if anything were to happen." Jay paused to take a breath. His little girl was fine. Piper was safe and unaware of the situation, but the proximity of his child to the danger that he willingly walked into every day had his stomach in knots.

"I don't like the fact that you're in a place where a non-specific threat was made either, babe," she said, swinging her purse onto her shoulder before hustling out of the office with an apologetic wave to her coworkers, "Are they going to evacuate?"

"I'm not sure. We're waiting on word and all supposed to hang tight for now. I'm sure it'll be fine but-"

"I'm on my way," Erin repeated, "Is the whole block shut down? How are you going to get her out?"

Jay brought his fingers to his forehead. He hadn't gotten that far. Piper's blissful ignorance was about to be completely shattered and there was little he could do to reassure her. And he was nearly one hundred percent positive she wouldn't want to leave without him, which might mean he'd need to skirt the truth.

And he hated skirting the truth when it came to Piper.

"I'll figure it out," he managed, "I love you. And I'm sorry."

"I love you and please don't be sorry," Erin replied, "Five minutes out."

Jay let out a breath. It wasn't that he didn't like having Piper at work with him – he honestly enjoyed it and it helped his boss keep his lid on – but a police station really wasn't a place for an almost eleven year old. He and Erin needed to figure out another solution with the summer months approaching soon.

"Daddy?"

Jay turned, his thoughts interrupted by the voice of his sweet little girl. He never got tired of hearing her call him daddy. "Hi bug," he said, forcing a smile, "You finished another book, huh?" He beamed when Piper nodded shyly. "That calls for celebration, I think."

"It was a short one." Piper giggled when Jay reached down to lift her up into the air. "So it wasn't hard." She smiled up at her daddy when he returned her to the ground. Coming to work with him was one of her favorite things. It was a lot more boring than school because there weren't other kids and she wasn't doing school work, but getting to sit close by to the person who made her feel safest in the world made it really worth it. "Are we going to get lunch soon?"

Jay glanced down at his watch and resisted the urge to grimace. It was definitely lunch time, and the only food they had in the breakroom was some stale crackers and an empty jar of pickles. Nothing had been replaced since the last team all nighter when they cleaned out Jay's desk that usually had at least a few snacks for Piper. "It is lunchtime," he said slowly, "But we've got a little change of plan." He forced a smile to his lips. "Mommy's on her way to pick you up early today."

He watched as his child's expression shifted from concern at the mention of a change of plan to joy when she realized it meant she would get to see her mommy earlier. That got a genuine smile on his lips. He loved how much his girls loved each other. "Really?" Piper asked excitedly. She paused. "I have fun here too, Daddy."

Jay chuckled. "I know you do. But I've got some stuff I've gotta deal with here and Mommy was able to cut out of her meeting early." He swallowed when the white lie left his lips. He didn't love it, but it also meant that he wouldn't be handing off a hysterical child to his fiancé. "She should be here any minute and I thought we could walk down the block to meet her so I can get a little fresh air. What do you think?"

Piper gave an enthusiastic nod and scurried to the breakroom. "Vest up, Halstead," Voight barked when Piper was out of earshot, "Platt's orders."

He swallowed again. "Sarge-"

"Not up for discussion," Hank shot back, "If we had a Peanut sized one, I'd have you put her in it."

"Erin's picking her up." Jay accepted the vest that Hailey tossed toward him, "Right now. I'm trying not to spook her but-"

"Take her around the back," his boss instructed, "Back staircase." He offered a friendly smile when Piper emerged from the breakroom with her jacket and backpack. "Hey, Peanut. You finish that book?"

Piper nodded. "Mommy's coming to get me early today," she said, reaching for Jay's hand as she sized up the energy in the bullpen. "How come everyone is wearing a vest?"

"To be safe," Hank supplied when Jay opened his mouth, "We're headed out in a bit. You tell your mom I say hi, okay?" He gave his detective a look, encouraging him to leave the premises, "I'll try not to keep your dad too late."

"Daddy is totally going to cry," Piper informed Erin seriously when she held up two miniature flannel shirts that were a close match to Jay's favorite flannel, "He's gonna do that thing where he goes like this." She dramatically put her hand over her heart just like Jay did whenever he couldn't find the words to express how adorable his kids were.

Erin chuckled. "So these are a yes?" she asked, beaming when Piper nodded vigorously, "Okay, great. I know it's springtime but it's still pretty chilly outside." She dropped the items into the shopping cart and quickly examined the items they picked out.

After picking up Piper a block from the district and getting a sense of just how on edge her partner was, Erin determined that a trip to the mall for lunch and some shopping would be a good distraction. Thankfully, it appeared their little bug hadn't been too fazed by the last minute change of plans.

Even though she'd left early for the day with an inbox of unread emails and two meetings left on the calendar, Erin found herself grateful. Her little girl was okay and unaware, and quality time with Piper was just what Erin needed. After her first few days back at work and even though she was working from home in the afternoons, she still found herself missing her daughter. And Piper had been missing her.

"I think we got a lot of good stuff," Erin said after examining the contents of their cart. Piper needed some new spring clothes and shoes, and they both had fun picking out outfits for the boys. Her little girl was typically reluctant to choose items for herself (which gave Erin flashbacks to the times when Camille would take her shopping), but managed to select a few items that she decided she would want to wear to school. "Did you see anything else you liked?"

Piper shook her head. "We did good," she agreed, offering a smile to her mommy, "Are we going to pick up the boys now?"

"Mm-hm." Erin picked up her phone to see if Jay had texted. He promised he'd send updates, but the last message from him had been an hour ago and only said that the situation was unchanged. "Sorry, sweetheart. I was just seeing if I had any messages from Daddy."

"He was stressed today, I think," Piper said thoughtfully, "He kept standing up from his desk. I thought his back might have been hurting him but he said he was okay when I asked."

Erin stroked Piper's hair back with her fingertips. Her little girl really did listen to everything. Even though it was months after his knife wound had healed, Jay would experience periodic spasms if he wasn't diligent about the physical therapy exercises. "You may be right. I'll bug him about doing his back stretches when we get home."

"Good idea." Piper slipped her hand in her mommy's. "Daddy does that thing like you do. When you pretend to be irritated but it's only 'cause you know he loves you."

Erin chuckled again. "He takes good care of me, so I gotta do the same," she replied, giving Piper's hand a gentle squeeze. "And you take good care of both of us."

Piper leaned into Erin's legs for a hug. She really loved having a mommy and a daddy who loved her so much. "'cause you take care of me," Piper murmured into her hip, "You are the best mommy ever."

"You are going to make me cry," Erin choked out, leaning down to kiss the top of her daughter's head. "I love you so much Noodle." She quickly wiped her eyes. It didn't matter that they were in the middle of the mall. Hugs and connection with her child were priceless.

Erin couldn't keep the smile off her face as she walked hand-in-hand with Piper through the mall. For a weekday mid afternoon the mall was crowded, and crowds were never a favorite of Piper's. Even so, her little girl was doing remarkably well. "You want to go in here?" she asked, gesturing to the store window that had captured Piper's attention. It was a bright pink accessory store, complete with feathery hair clips and glittery earrings. "They've got a ton of stuff. All kinds of jewelry, like bracelets and earrings-"

"Earrings?" Piper paused to examine the display. "This is where you get your ears pierced?" she asked curiously, "Just in the store with all those toys?"

"Mm-hm," Erin nodded, "Super easy too. Much better than when I was a kid."

"Taylor said she got her ears pierced here, I think. That's how come I looked at the sign." The little girl shifted on her feet slightly. "Her ears look really pretty. Like yours."

Erin brought her free hand to her ears. Piper did love to help her pick out earrings. Some of her favorite moments with her little girl was when she was getting ready for an outing and Piper helped her get ready. Watching her carefully examine the outfit and jewelry options always had Erin feeling like a mom in one of the romantic comedy family movies. It was something she didn't get until Camille, and even then, it wasn't like it was in the movies. But with Piper, it was. "Do you want to get your ears pierced? Maybe for your birthday?"

Piper's eyes widened. "I could have pretty ears like you? Really?"

Erin's heart swelled. "Your ears are already pretty," she teased, tucking some of Piper's hair back to reveal an adorable little ear, "But earrings are fun. They're my favorite way to dress up." She ran her fingers over Piper's tiny features. "We don't have to do it today. Just something to think about, if you want to."

"I don't know how you do this every single day," Will Halstead griped, double-tapping his phone screen to check for an update from his girlfriend or brother, "I'm going to have to start taking antacids."

Upon hearing that the 21st District was in lockdown due to a threat, Will headed directly to Erin, Piper and the boys. Jay's girls were his girls and he knew that his little brother in another life or death situation would be causing an immense amount of stress. However, upon arriving at his brother's house, he was met with an unusually relaxed Erin and two sleepy nephews, with Piper upstairs in the shower.

Erin snorted as she bounced Ryan in her arms. Teething had struck her red-headed Halstead as well and he was deeply displeased. Focusing on her son was helping to keep her mind off her fiancé who hadn't returned a text message in over thirty minutes. Distraction was the name of the game – it had worked on Piper earlier and her future brother in law needed some distracting as well. "You love her," she teased, offering a knowing glance when Will's cheeks darkened. "C'mon, Halstead. Don't deny it."

Will clicked his phone on and off again. "Sucks," he muttered, "Waiting for a call or a text or-" He drew in a breath. "Doesn't help that it's my girlfriend and my baby brother."

She smiled kindly. Will Halstead was truly a different man these days. He was different than the big city playboy surgeon that Jay used to describe in passing, and he was very different from the protective big brother who left her a series of angry voicemails when she left for New York. This Will was an irreplaceable member of their little family.

"I wish I could tell you it gets easier," she said, pressing a kiss to Ryan's forehead when he fussed, "But it doesn't. And I'm kind of glad it doesn't. I don't want to wait for the day when it's easy to let him walk out the door."

Will exhaled heavily and held his arms out. "Let me give you a break," he said, gesturing for her to pass him his nephew, "I know what it's like to be the red-headed big brother."

"These two were born at the same time," Erin cautioned pointedly as she passed over her son, "Exact same age. We don't need to give them another excuse to beat on each other. No violence."

"Yeah, yeah," Will scoffed, lifting Ryan up, "I was smaller than my little brother too. Don't worry." He frowned when Erin smacked him playfully. "Hey. I thought you said no violence."

"We're not putting them against each other in any way," Erin insisted, "The books say we're not supposed to compare them to other babies or even each other. They're their own person." She stroked Ryan's back gently. "He's my little man, even if he does like Jay better. And they both like Noodle best."

"She doesn't know about Jay yet?" Will asked, tilting his head toward the steps. He widened his eyes in surprised when Erin nodded. "How'd you manage to keep it away from her? Wasn't she at the station today?"

"Breakroom. I took her to the mall for a distraction. I might have started the conversation about getting her ears pierced which I know Jay is going to freak out about but at least she wasn't freaking out about him all afternoon." Erin lifted her phone. "Text message."

Will bit his lip as Erin scanned the screen. "All clear. He's on his way home." She let out a breath of relief. "Thank God." Erin held her arms out to take Ryan back. "I got him. Go see your girl, Halstead. Thanks for bringing dinner."

"Gotta make sure Jay's girls eat," Will replied, "Tell Munchkin I said she's off the hook for salad tonight."

"You have no idea how glad I am to see you," Erin whispered, bringing her hands to Jay's cheeks the moment he stepped through the side door, "What happened?"

"I'm okay," Jay promised, glancing over Erin's shoulder to see where his kids were, "How's Pipes? The boys?"

"Ryan's been fussy because of his teeth and Liam's in the swing," she said, not taking her eyes off Jay's, "Noodle's changing into new pajamas since she got some soy sauce on the ones she had on. Will brought over dinner but he left after you texted."

Jay nodded slowly. He was glad his brother had come over. Had the day ended differently…well, he didn't want to dwell on that. "It was some guy's brother who Upton busted a few years back when she was on patrol," he told her, keeping his voice low, "Stint for armed robbery meant that he lost his girl, his kid, everything. Took his life in prison and now his brother blamed Hailey for it and threatened to shoot up the 21st." Jay drew in a breath. "She um, she'd been getting threats for a week or so, but didn't say anything. To anyone."

Erin widened her eyes. "Babe-"

"Guys from the 14th got him on the block where we traded Pipes," Jay managed, "Babe, if it had been-"

"It wasn't," she interrupted, immediately understanding where her partner was going to go. If it had been earlier that day, she and Piper would have been on that block "He wasn't there when we were there. She's upstairs and is totally fine. We had a good day at the mall and she ate all her dinner." Erin brought her hand to Jay's chest. "We're all okay. Everyone's safe."

Jay just shook his head. He wasn't a stranger to having a target on his back because of the job he did, but that was before he was a dad. That was before he was responsible for three other human lives. And his partner had put that target on all of their backs by not informing anyone about the messages she'd been getting.

"Voight chewed her out," Jay continued, "She knew…she knows better. I know she does and I don't understand why she didn't say anything." He clenched his fists. Hailey was someone he trusted with his life. He trusted her with the lives of his children, his entire family…and finding out that she hadn't recognized the risk she was putting the entire unit in had him absolutely reeling.

"I know what the job is," he rasped, "But it was too close today, babe. We can't…we can't put Piper at risk like that. I signed up for it but she didn't. It's not safe."

She gave a small nod. Jay was right. The district really wasn't a place for a ten year old child. "We'll figure something else out," she promised, "I'm just so glad you're okay, babe."

"The district isn't safe?"

Jay and Erin turned to see their little bug on the steps, her eyes wide with worry. "It's very safe," Jay attempted to clarify, "But-"

"You just said it wasn't safe. I-I heard." Piper's voice wavered slightly. "Are we not safe anymore?"

"No, no," Erin said quickly, abandoning the takeout containers to reach her little girl, "We are safe, Noodle. Everything's alright." She shot a look to her partner. "Sweetheart-"

"It wasn't safe so I had to leave," Piper said softly, the pieces coming together in her head. "That's what happened, right?"

Jay drew in a breath. "A little bit," he started, taking a seat on the steps to be closer to Piper's eyeline, "Everything is okay now. But for a little bit today, there was some worry that things weren't so safe. But they are now." He stroked her cheek gently with his fingertips. "You don't have to worry. Our job is to keep you safe. You and the boys."

"But you weren't safe today." The child's eyes filled with worried tears. "You weren't safe and-and-and-"

"Daddy's totally fine," Erin soothed, gently rubbing Piper's back, "We're all okay."

"You're supposed to be safe in there," Piper croaked, "I-I know it's not safe when you go out b-but you're supposed to be safe inside the district. That's what you said."

Erin swallowed. Piper wasn't wrong. They always talked about the 21st being a safe place – and hearing that it wasn't was causing all kinds of confusion for a child who had spent the majority of her young life in unsafe places.

"Sometimes, situations make places not safe. It doesn't mean it's always unsafe." Erin looked at Jay for back up. "The district is usually a very, very safe place. But today, someone said something that made Sergeant Platt a little worried, which is why we weren't sure if it was the safest place for you."

Piper looked from Jay to Erin. "Like how…like how I used to not be safe in the house? Because of the bad people?"

Jay felt his blood run cold. "You are always safe in our house," he said as firmly as he could, "Always."

"I know I'm safe here," Piper explained, "But before. Before I went to live at your old apartment. Houses are supposed to be safe, but those ones weren't."

Erin opened her mouth, but she couldn't form words. Again, Piper wasn't wrong. The houses that she lived in previously were most definitely not safe. Their little girl knew she was safe in their home and with her parents, but there was still some part of her that didn't always think of houses as a safe place.

"This is a very safe house," Jay confirmed, "School is also very safe. And daycare for the boys, and Mommy's work. And my work at the district is too. Today was just an exception."

"Those other houses weren't safe because of the people in them?" Piper guessed, wrinkling her brow. She frowned when her parents both nodded. "So there were bad people inside the district today?"

"Outside, for a little bit," he said carefully, "But they've been taken care of. Everything is okay." He stroked her cheek again. "I'm sorry, kiddo. I know this stuff is scary and confusing but all you need to know is that Mommy and I will do anything to keep you safe. You and the boys, okay?"

Piper nodded and leaned forward into her daddy's arms. Jay held tightly, the small human in his embrace a constant reminder of why he needed to keep himself safe too. His family needed him.

"Will's freaking out about Hailey," Jay sighed, dropping his phone onto the nightstand, "She's really beating herself up about the whole situation." He picked up his cell again in the off chance that his partner had replied to a text message in the five seconds he'd put it down. "I wasn't…I wasn't there for her, today. I didn't defend her or-"

"You were worried," Erin reasoned, wiping her eyes with a washcloth, "It was a close call today. She didn't tell anyone that she was getting threats. It was a mistake but she'll do better next time." She gave a small smile. "Partners are allowed to get annoyed at each other."

Jay sighed again. He knew Hailey was taking the consequences of her actions to heart. He knew that she knew that she could have risked an entire building full of people for not escalating the threats – not to mentioned Piper. "I asked if she wanted to come over and she said she wanted to be alone. I thought that meant with Will but I guess not. He said she's gone radio silent."

Erin raised her eyebrows after removing the washcloth from her face. They'd gotten Piper into bed relatively easily and the boys were fast asleep, which meant she and Jay finally had a chance to debrief on their day in private. "She's not answering his calls?"

"Only texted to say that she was fine and that she'll see him tomorrow. Didn't even reply to my text. Or Voight's. Or anyone on the team for that matter. Kim said she wasn't at home." Jay blew out another breath in aspiration.

"He loves her," Erin offered, crawling onto the bed to settle beside her fiancé, "He was freaking out about the both of you when he stopped by today." She rubbed his chest gently. "He cares a lot, you know."

"I know," Jay murmured, "I know. And Hailey's the happiest I've seen her since I've known her, I think. She likes him. It's a good thing."

"But," she prompted knowingly, "I know there's a but on your lips, babe."

"But I'm just worried is all," he said honestly, "Will isn't…he isn't always good at getting it. Like you, you get it. You've done the job, you know what the days are like sometimes. He doesn't."

Erin shook her head. "I don't think you're giving him enough credit," she said gently, carefully tracing the scar on Jay's shoulder with her index finger, "He's seen a lot in the hospital. Been through a lot. Been through a lot with you too. He might get it more than you or Hailey know." Erin offered a smile. "And she has you also, right? You guys are partners. You get it."

"'s what worries me. If I were Hailey right now, after today-" Jay grimaced. He didn't want to go there.

"She's an adult," Erin reminded him, "And she'll come around. Might just need some time to decompress. I can give her a call tomorrow if you think that would help."

Jay widened his eyes. "You would do that?"

"Of course. I like your partner. And I like her for Will. He's been talking about us going on a double date for weeks now. And plus, if they break up, we're going to have to explain it to Noodle and that's not going to be an easy conversation." Erin smiled wistfully. "She loves them both."

He nodded. "She did good today?"

"Really good. The mall was pretty crowded but she stayed close and didn't seem to freaked out. And it was a really good distraction." Erin bit her lip. "We might be taking her to get her ears pierced for her birthday." She rolled her eyes when Jay pulled back in alarm. "Just the ears. Not her nose, babe."

"I know, but piercings? Two? One in each of those tiny ears?" Jay buried his head in his hands. "I get that other kids her age are doing it but-"

"I was eight," Erin interrupted, gently rubbing her partner's shoulder, "Pretty sure I was eleven when I got this one. This one when I was thirteen." She gestured to the earrings she was wearing. "But I also had them done in the back of a bar."

"This is not helping," Jay croaked. He lifted his head from his hands. "You were eight?"

Erin gave a nod. "One of Bunny's girlfriends did piercings in the back of a bar downtown. But other eight year olds do it in the mall or whatever. Bunny was just ratchet." She smiled when Jay shook his head. "It's super clean these days. And easy. They pick out earrings, sit in a chair, boom, boom, done."

"Can't believe she's going to be eleven," Jay muttered, "Not fair. Feels like it was just yesterday I was showin' her around the apartment." He swallowed at the memory. He didn't even know that Piper was Erin's sister at the time. There was an instant connection with the child that he couldn't deny from the moment he laid eyes on her. Offering to take her home with him had been a gamble, but the best gamble he'd ever made.

"First place she ever felt safe," Erin mused, "Her comment about the houses today-"

"I know," he interrupted, "We didn't know that before. But she knows this house is safe and that we're safe and that she's safe with us." He pressed a kiss to the side of Erin's head. "She's come so far."

Erin nodded. "She has," she exhaled, "She's a miracle. Kept Liam occupied all afternoon while I tried to calm Ry down. Poor little man is not loving the teeth situation." She glanced over at the baby monitors on her bedside table. "But all our kids are sleeping now. Everyone's safe."

"Everyone's safe," Jay mumbled into her hair, "I like to hear that."

I'm stuck with how I want to do Part 3 (I feel like I have mini ideas but none of them fit together) so still playing around with that. If you're still reading, please let me know :) Helps to be inspired when people are engaged