Hi friends! Thank you for reading this story and for all your sweet comments and messages on the last chapter! This is a bit of a filler chapter before things really pick up, but I'm still pretty proud of the cuteness and fluff in this one. I hope you enjoy and as always, I would love to know what you think!
The next month passes by in a haze and somewhere along the way Hailey and Jay's partnership shifts. She notices the lingering looks, the soft smile he continues to use seemingly only with her, but she never comments on it. He's been more protective, more careful with her since they got caught in the explosion and she got hurt, but Hailey chalks it up to him just being a good partner, a good friend. One who knows she has a kid to go home to at the end of the day.
A kid who adores him no less because over the last four weeks her partner has become an unexpected fixture in her daughter's life. He almost always meets them at the park on their day off and the three of them get lunch, their time spent with one another much similar to their first outing together. Avery asks him questions and he tells her stories and makes her laugh endlessly and Hailey always enjoys watching the two of them together when they get caught up in their own little world.
It should probably concern her that her kid would much rather prefer Jay carry her now or hold his hand when they're together, but for some reason that Hailey can't explain, it just doesn't bother her. She knows it's not a bad thing that her girl has another person in her life who loves her as much as Jay seems to and she figures one day a week with the guy isn't going to cause any damage.
And the time Hailey and Avery spend with Jay is just as much for her as it is for her daughter. They make it their thing, a thing that works. A thing that makes them closer friends and better partners, because as great a friend as Vanessa is, Hailey can't always confide in her about work related things. The scary things she sees on the job and the close calls, and having someone who gets it, who sees the things she does is a relief. It's something she didn't realize she needed before now.
Her friendship with Jay is easy, he makes it easy. He can read her well, almost too well sometimes, and he doesn't push her to talk when she doesn't want to or if she's not ready. Vanessa is the opposite most times, but Jay gives her space, gives her quiet when she needs it. And usually it's without her even having to ask for it and she's grateful.
Hailey knows her partner isn't stupid though, far from it, and he can tell something has been bugging her, but he doesn't push her. He just reminds her that he's there for her when she's ready.
Except she doesn't know when she'll be ready to talk about the things that have been eating away at her lately, the things that keep her from sleeping through the night.
The random text message she got at the picnic a month ago wasn't a one off like she had hoped it would be. She's gotten one once a week over the last four weeks and they're always the same random questions about the weather or how her day is going, and always from the same unknown sender that she can't trace. And she's tried. She's tried every app that Google has recommended and has gone to the techies in the forensics lab off the books. The only thing she knows is that the messages come from a burner phone that can't be traced.
Hailey doesn't tell anyone though and she never replies to the messages. She's still not entirely sure if it's even anything to worry about because the month has gone by seemingly normal aside from the random texts, but the fact that it happens too regularly still makes a chill run through her when she gets them. It has her looking over her shoulder more than usual and holding Avery's hand a tad bit tighter when they're out in public.
It keeps her wondering whether or not she's being too paranoid or not paranoid enough.
It's Tuesday, the day starting out normal enough, but an early morning start since Vanessa is up to her eyes in schoolwork as the end of her final semester approaches.
Hailey arrives at the district before the rest of her team and gets herself situated at her desk, powering up her computer and organizing her paperwork for the day. She ends up in the break room a short while later to prepare a fresh pot of coffee and when the machine beeps at her she hears footsteps behind her in the doorway.
"Morning partner," Hailey calls over her shoulder. She knows it's him without having to turn her head and grabs two mugs to pour them both some coffee.
"How'd you know it was me?" Jay asks, entering the break room and moving to stand next to her at the counter.
"Your footsteps," Hailey says simply as she pours.
"My footsteps?"
"Mmhmm. They're light, but you walk with a purpose in your step, Halstead."
She's not surprised to find an amused smile on his face when she looks over at him to pass him his mug.
"You're observant," he comments, stepping backwards to the fridge.
"I have to be with a toddler."
Jay hums out a response as he moves back to the counter with a carton of almond milk in one hand and passes her the half and half with his other.
"What else have you noticed?"
She shrugs her shoulders at him while they make up their coffees and passes the creamer back over to him as he heads for the fridge again. "Just little things."
"Like?"
"I don't know, things," she shrugs again. "Like the way Ruzek shuffles his feet almost all the time. Bit annoying actually. And Kim walks into the bullpen at eight on the dot every morning like clockwork. Kev always eats a protein bar at his desk for his second breakfast as he likes to call it."
"And what about me?"
"What about you?"
"You've had to notice something about me besides how my footsteps sound and you know I'm too curious for my own good, so let's hear it, Upton."
She stares at him for a moment, taking in the daring smirk on his face and shakes her head at him playfully.
"Alright," she caves in, leaning against the counter and crossing her arms over her chest as she looks up at him. "You chew gum, a lot of it, but only in the truck or during surveillance. Never anywhere else that I've seen. You're an anomaly and hate ranch dressing and you know the lyrics to more Taylor Swift songs than you'd like to admit. How's that for being observant?"
"I don't know that many of her songs," he quips.
The same little smile tugs at the corners of his mouth and Hailey raises an eyebrow as they each grab their mugs and head back out into the bullpen.
"Sure ya don't," she says as they take a seat at their desks. "What was it you were humming in the truck yesterday? Haters gonna hate or something like that?"
"It's a catchy song!"
Hailey laughs at him before taking a sip from her mug and he rolls his eyes at her. She sets her mug down next to her keyboard and turns her attention to her computer, doing a double take as she looks between the screen and the calendar on her desk.
"It's Tuesday," she comments as she reaches for her phone.
"Yes, it is. I'm glad you know what the days of the week are," he teases, but when he glances over at her and sees a look of something on her face he nods his chin to her. "Everything okay?"
"Uh, I don't know yet. I have to call Vanessa, hang on," she says, swiping away at her phone screen before bringing it to her ear.
Her friend picks up on the second ring, sounding in a hurry and out of breath. "Hey, I'm late for class and that damn elevator is still broken. Everything okay?"
"Yeah, but uh, your group project thing. Is that today or tomorrow?" Hailey asks.
"It's today at three. Oh my god, did I not put it on the calendar?"
Hailey's eyes close and she leans back into her chair, running a hand through her hair. "No, no you're fine. I have that court thing today and I just got the days mixed up. I thought it was tomorrow. How late do you think you'll go?"
"At least a few hours. Probably won't be home 'til after dinner time."
"Crap," Hailey mutters.
"Are you gonna be able to get Ave?" Vanessa asks from the end of the line.
"Uh, yeah. Yeah, I'll figure it out. It'll be fine. Go to class and I'll see you tonight," she tells her friend.
"Are you sure? I can try to move things around."
"Don't do that. You have a lot on your plate right now with school. It's my bad. I'll handle it."
"Alright, I'll text you later," Vanessa says.
"Sounds good, bye," Hailey says. She ends the call and drops her phone down in front of her, sighing loudly as she leans back into her chair again, annoyed with herself and in disbelief.
She's mixed up their schedules. It doesn't happen very often, they have their system down pat most days, but Vanessa has a group project and Hailey has a court appearance, and neither of them can be in two places at once.
"You good?" She hears her partner ask.
"No, I'm an idiot," Hailey huffs.
She stands from her desk and makes her way to her Sergeant's office, knocking twice before he waves her in.
"Hey Sarge. That Petersen case for court today? Any chance I can pass that off to someone else to handle?
"Probably not," he tells her. "You were the arresting officer and first on the scene. DA is gonna want you there. What's up?"
"I mixed up my schedule," Hailey breathes out. "I have to be at the courthouse by one this afternoon and I don't know how long it'll run. Daycare closes at five."
He nods then, knowing what the issue is and sighs as he leans back in his chair. "Is there anyone else that can get her?"
Hailey shakes her head. "My nanny has a school thing today."
"I'm sorry Hailey," he says, a tone of sympathy in his voice as he stares back at her from behind his desk. "Usually I'd say yes, but this case has been a thorn in our sides for months and the trial needs to go off without a hitch."
She nods, sighing out a deep breath and shuffling on her feet. "Yeah, I know. I'll figure it out. Thanks Sarge."
Hailey gives him a tight lipped smile and walks out of the man's office, closing the door behind her before heading for her desk and plopping down in her chair.
"I can do it."
Hailey looks up, catching her partner's eye, and quirks an eyebrow at him. "What?"
"You're in a bind with Ave and you need help," he says simply.
Hailey shakes her head quickly as she realizes what he's saying and leans forward on her desk, glancing back to her computer screen. "I'll figure it out."
"How's that? You crack the code on how to be in two places at once?" He asks her with a playful tone before leaning in a bit closer over his desk. "It's probably gonna be another slow day and I'm sure Voight won't have an issue if I cut out a little early. It's not a problem."
"I can't ask you to do that," Hailey says, shaking her head again as she reaches for her phone. She starts scrolling through her contacts for a moment before dropping her phone back down to her desk a moment later. She knows she doesn't have anyone else to call.
"You're not asking. I'm offering."
"Jay – "
"Will you stop being so damn stubborn? I told you before if you ever needed anything that I'm here. That wasn't some empty promise, ya know?"
"This is different," Hailey argues. "This is – "
"This is you needing help and I'm here offering, so let me help," he tells her.
He stares at her between their desks, that familiar soft smile on his face, and then she's nodding slowly.
"I do need help," she admits.
His smile widens and he nods his head along with her. "Just tell me what to do."
She takes a deep breath as she stares over at him, then leans back in her chair. "You'd just need to pick her up and take her to my place, hang out with her for a bit until I get home. She'll probably talk your ear off like she always does with you, but I shouldn't be too late. Six or six-thirty at the latest depending on rush hour."
"I can do that," he tells her.
"Aright," Hailey says quietly, still nervous for some reason she doesn't quite know, but she reaches for her jacket pocket nonetheless and pulls out her keys. She unclips a gold colored one and hands it toward him. "That's the house key. I'll text you the alarm code, but we don't ever use that thing so you shouldn't need it."
He takes the key from her with another sure nod of his head. "What about her seat? Don't reckon you have an extra one of those somewhere do you?"
She shakes her head. "I can take it out of the Jeep and put it in the truck before I leave, and I'll call the daycare too, let them know you're getting her so you shouldn't have any problems. I'll text you the address."
"Sounds like a plan to me."
"Are you sure about this? I don't want you feeling like you have to – "
He holds up a hand at her and shakes his head. "Hailey, I'm sure. I got your back, remember?"
She breathes out through another deep sigh and then offers him a smile, nodding her head slowly. "Okay."
"Okay," he smiles back.
They go back to their computer screens and case files, working silently as the rest of the team trickle into the bullpen.
The morning zooms by, the day proving to be a slow one after all, and after lunch Jay and Hailey walk out to the parking lot together before she has to leave for the courthouse. He watches her unhook and lift her daughter's car seat from the back of her Jeep easily and they make their way a few spots down to his truck.
He pulls open the back door of the cab, then takes the car seat from Hailey and sets it down in the backseat. He's never handled a car seat before so he steps back and watches as Hailey climbs up on the step bar to buckle it in securely. She hops down a moment later, closing the door and glances between him and the truck a few times.
He rolls his eyes at her, but smiles softly again. "I know you're freaking out, but I promise it'll be okay. Avery knows me, she trusts me. And you trust me too, right?"
"With my life," she says quickly and surely, then points a finger in his direction. "But no speeding!"
"I will be very careful," he assures her.
"Okay," she says, running her hand through her hair and chewing at the inside of her cheek.
"You should go before you're late. If I need anything I'll text you or Vanessa."
"Ya know, I'm still a little bothered by the fact that you and her have apparently become such fast friends," she huffs out as they walk back to her Jeep.
"You jealous?" He smirks.
"Hardly," she says. "I just mean that it's bad enough she gangs up on me. I don't need the two of you joining forces."
Jay laughs and she rolls her eyes, but there's still a smile on her face as she pulls open her driver's side door.
"Good luck in court. I know you'll do great," he tells her.
"Thanks. And thank you for doing this. I owe you."
"It's what friends are for," he says with a shake of his head. "Now go. I'll see you later."
Hailey nods and gets into her car, throwing her partner another smile as she closes the door, and Jay watches as she pulls out of the lot before making his way back inside the district.
The rest of the afternoon passes a little too slowly for Jay without the distraction of Hailey stealing his pens or her rolling her eyes at him over some stupid joke he tells her.
His partner had texted him about a half hour after she left the district with the alarm code for her house and the address of the daycare as promised, and when the clock finally hits four-thirty Jay stands from his desk and heads for his Sergeant's office. The door is open and his boss isn't on the phone so he walks in, nodding to the man behind his desk.
"Hey Sarge. You alright if I head out for the day?"
Voight glances down at his watch then looks up at his detective, a knowing smile on his face. "Hailey asked you?"
Jay nods, hooking a thumb over his shoulder. "Case files are caught up and I can come in early tomorrow if you need me to."
His boss shakes his head. "That's not necessary. Just go, pick up the kid, and I'll see you tomorrow."
"Thanks Sarge," Jay tells him before slipping out of the office.
He powers down his computer and grabs his jacket, ignoring the questioning glances from the rest of the team as he tells them goodbye, and then heads down the back stairwell to the lot. He settles inside the truck, turning the ignition and plugging in the address Hailey had given him into the GPS, then starts driving.
He arrives at the daycare less than twenty minutes later and when he goes inside, he's greeted by a young woman sitting behind a desk near the door.
"Hi there! You here for pick-up?" She asks with a friendly smile.
"Yeah, uh, Avery Upton," Jay tells her.
"Well, you're definitely not Hailey or Vanessa. What's your name sir?"
"Jay Halstead. I work with Hailey."
"Okay, Jay Halstead," she says slowly, looking down at a clipboard in her hands for a moment before glancing back up at him with a friendly smile. "That name is here and approved for pick-up. I just need to see some I.D. please."
Jay nods and pulls out his wallet, then his driver's license, and hands it over to the woman. She stares at it for a few seconds, glancing between it and Jay, then nods again.
"Let me make a copy of this real quick and then I'll go get Avery," she tells him.
He smiles at her in thanks and she leaves the desk, returning a minute later and handing back his license. She walks around the desk to a door and pulls out a card from her pocket. She swipes it across the handle and the door clicks open, and she disappears behind it.
A few more minutes pass with Jay rocking on his feet until the same door clicks open again and the woman returns, Avery at her side with a purple backpack over her shoulders. As soon as the little girl spots Jay her whole face lights up and then she's running toward him.
"Jay!"
He grins back at her and squats down to meet her just as she tumbles into him.
"Hey Ave!" Jay says, lifting her into his arms and standing up straight.
"Why are you picking me up?" Avery asks, her little nose scrunching in curiosity.
"Mama has something to do for work and auntie is at school. So you get me today. Is that okay?"
The little girl nods excitedly and they say a quick goodbye to the receptionist before heading out to the truck. Jay pulls open the back door of the cab and takes the little girl's backpack from her shoulders to put it on the floor before settling her in her car seat.
He fastens the first buckle, then the next, going back and forth a few times to make sure they're secure. He doubles back again, second guessing himself, and redoes the buckles one more time, making sure they're right, and then Avery drops her hands on top of his and laughs at him.
"It's good Jay! I'm good!"
He shakes his head at the little girl, smiling at her, but checks the buckles one more time, nonetheless. "I'm just being careful kiddo."
Avery shakes her little head, giggling at him again, and when he's certain she's buckled in safely enough he steps back and closes the door. He rounds to the other side quickly and gets into the driver's seat, turning his head to look back at the little girl.
"You ready kiddo?"
"Yeah. Are we going home?" She asks him.
"Yep, but we're gonna stop at the grocery store first. I thought you and I could grab a few things and surprise mama with dinner. Is that okay?"
"Okay," she says with a nod.
"Did you have a good day?"
"Yeah! We got to paint again. I got it all over my hands, but it was a lotta fun! I show you when we go home."
"Sounds good kiddo," Jay tells her, smiling at her through the rearview. He checks his mirrors twice before pulling out onto the main road and heads towards a grocery store a few blocks from Hailey's house.
When he parks the truck a short while later and goes to pull the back door open to get Avery, the panic sets in. He quickly realizes he is fully responsible for the little girl in his back seat, if only temporarily, and he takes a deep breath as he opens the door and helps her out of her seat.
"We're just getting a few things really quick, but I'm gonna carry you, okay Ave?"
She nods and he tightens his arm around her as they head inside the store. He grabs a basket with his other hand and they make their way through a few aisles, Avery being a little helper and grabbing things for Jay that he nods to and tells her they need.
As they head down another aisle a sudden though creeps into his head and he looks at Avery, mentally kicking himself for not asking Hailey earlier.
"Are there any foods you're not allowed to have Ave? Does anything make you sick?"
She tilts her head at him, her little eyebrows furrowing together, and then she shakes her head at him. "I don't think so."
"Nothing makes you itchy or cough or makes your tummy hurt?"
"Nuh-uh," she shakes her head again.
"Okay, good," he says, squeezing her against him. "I think we've got everything we need. Ready to go home?"
Avery nods and they head to the front of the store to check out. When they get back to the truck Jay buckles her into her seat, a bit more confident this time around as he only checks the buckles twice, and then he makes the short drive to Hailey's house.
He pulls up outside of his partner's house ten minutes later and parks along the street. He gets out quicky and grabs Avery, setting the little girl on the sidewalk and handing her backpack to her. He reaches out a hand to hold one of hers and grabs the grocery bag with his other, and they make their way up the driveway together.
He lets them inside using the key he was given and closes the door behind them as Avery pulls off her shoes in the entryway, and then scurries off to the kitchen. He takes off his boots, setting them on the floor, and hangs his jacket by the door and follows after her. He sets the groceries on the counter before looking down at the little girl.
"Alright Ave. Just you and me for a bit. Any rules I should know about?"
Avery looks up at him curiously. "Rules?"
"Yeah, like things you can or can't do," he says, squatting down in front of her. "You're a pretty good kid though so I think we'll be okay."
"Mama only has one of those," she tells him.
"And what's that?"
"No mean marks," the little girl says simply.
Jay quirks an eyebrow, his curiosity peaking. "What are mean marks?"
"You can't put your hands on anyone and leave mean marks on 'em. You can't hurt 'em. That's the only thing mama says all the time."
"That's a good one," Jay says quietly, nodding slowly and understanding immediately what the little girl is telling him. He smiles softly at her then points to the groceries on the counter next to them. "Wanna help me make some dinner?"
She nods excitedly with a toothy grin on display and sets her backpack on a stool before she turns back to face Jay. He smiles at her again and leans down to lift her into his arms, setting her on the counter by the sink and they wash their hands together.
Once they've finished, he moves the little girl over to the countertop at the island and he reaches for the grocery bag, pulling out the items he'd bought earlier and setting them on the counter.
"What are we makin' Jay?" Avery asks, looking at the items curiously.
"It's called chicken alfredo. It's really good and it doesn't take too long to make," Jay tells her.
"What's that?"
"It's chicken and noodles with really yummy cheese sauce."
"Like a-sketti!"
He nods at her, a grin on his face. "Yeah, it's sort of like spaghetti, just cheesier. You ready my little sous-chef?"
"What's a soup chef? I thought we makin' the chicken," Avery says, scrunching her face and quirking a little eyebrow at him.
It reminds him so much of his partner that he chuckles at the sight and he shakes his head at the little girl. "A sous-chef. It just means you're helping me. We're still gonna make the chicken."
"Oh, okay," Avery shrugs.
Jay shakes his head again, smiling fondly at the little girl as they start preparing dinner together. He takes care of the chicken in one pan while Avery waits patiently after he promises her turn is coming, and when it does, she follows his directions easily. He pours a bit of salt into her hands and she tosses it into a pot of water, then drops in the fettucine carefully when the water starts boiling. He hands her a wooden spoon and tells her to stir slowly so she doesn't splash hot water on herself and she nods, heeding his every word.
The sound of the front door opening echoes into the kitchen a few minutes later and another moment after, Hailey comes around the corner.
"Hi mama!" Avery greets her mother excitedly, a grin plastered on her little face as she keeps stirring the pasta slowly.
"Hi baby," Hailey calls over to her, smiling at the little girl as she walks toward the island and stands next to Jay. "What are you doing?"
"Me and Jay are makin' chicken a-sketti!"
Hailey quirks an eyebrow, glancing between her daughter and her partner. "Chicken spaghetti?"
"Actually chicken alfredo, but same difference," Jay tells her, smiling at her briefly before returning his eyes to Avery.
"You're making dinner," Hailey says, intending for it to come out as a question, but her words fall short as she stares at Jay.
"Yeah," he says simply, glancing back at her. He notices the stunned look on her face and his eyes widen. "Uh, should I not have done this? I just – I figured it was something for me and Ave to do together to surprise you. I'm sorry if I – "
"No, it's fine, it's a good surprise. I just wasn't expecting it," she says, waving off his concern. "Do I have time for a quick shower before we eat?"
"I'm sure I can turn the burners down and give you ten or fifteen minutes."
"You're the best, Jay Halstead!" Hailey grins, stepping forward and not thinking too much on it as she leans up on her toes and presses a quick kiss to his cheek. "I promise I'll be fast!"
She turns and hurries out of the kitchen, unbuttoning her blazer as she goes, and Jay stares after her as she disappears around the corner. A flush of pink tints his cheeks, his mind swirling as he realizes what just happened.
"Jay?"
"Jay!"
"Huh?" He asks, turning his head to see Avery staring at him peculiarly. "What's up kiddo?"
"I think it's done," she tells him, pointing at the pan in front of him that he'd forgotten about that was now close to bubbling over.
"Oh, it is! Good eye Ave," he says, clearing his throat and turning down the burner before his eyes drift back to the spot his partner had been standing in a few moments before.
'It was a friendly thing. A thank you. Nothing more, nothing less,' he tries to tell himself, shaking his head to rid himself of the thoughts still swirling as he looks back at the little girl by his side.
He finishes making dinner, Avery still helping with a few more little things as he starts the alfredo sauce, and when it's ready a few minutes later he mixes in the chicken and the fettuccine. He has Avery stir it all together, and then he lifts her from the counter and sets her down on a stool at the island.
"You want some juice or water?" Jay asks her as he goes through the kitchen, finding plates and cups and silverware for their meal.
"Hmmm, water please."
He nods and grabs some for the little girl, setting it down in front of her, before doing the same for him and Hailey and portioning some plates for the three of them. He takes a seat on one side of Avery, leaving the other seat beside her for her mother.
His partner comes down the stairs a few minutes later and enters the kitchen wearing a pair of sweats and a hoodie, her hair hanging over her shoulders and still damp from her shower.
"Jeeze, that smells wonderful," she sighs happily, rounding the island and hopping up onto the stool next to Avery. She leans over and kisses the top of her daughter's head, a sweet smile on her face as she looks down at the little girl. "This looks so good baby. You and Jay did a great job."
"Thanks mama," Avery says with a grin.
The three of them dig into their meal, eating quietly for most of it, until Hailey asks Avery how her day was and what she did at daycare. The two of them talk amongst themselves, Jay watching them from the other side of the little girl, and he smiles fondly at the two of them.
When they finish dinner, Hailey reaches for Avery and sets her on the floor, watching as she grabs her backpack and runs off to the living room. She turns around to grab their plates, but sees her partner has already gotten them and is at the sink.
She smirks at him as she moves toward him. "You know, the rule of the kitchen is whoever cooks doesn't clean."
He turns his head and catches her eyes, rolling his at her while he rinses their dishes and places them in the dishwasher.
"It's a habit. You know I'm a neat freak," he tells her.
"Yeah, but still. You did enough for me today, I got this," she says, swatting at his shoulder.
Jay shakes his head, but moves out of the way and goes to plate the rest of the food for Vanessa for later, knowing she's had just as long a day as his partner. Hailey takes over at the sink, putting the rest of the dishes in the washer, and then works on the pans. It only takes her a few minutes, but when she finishes and washes her hands, she turns around to find Jay staring at her, a too familiar look on his face that she tries to push to the back of her mind.
"What?"
He shakes his head again. "Nothing. How was court today?"
She groans as soon as the question falls from his lips. "It's finally over, but the entire trial was a nightmare. I can't stand lawyers."
He smirks at her comment and leans forward on his elbows over the island. "What was the verdict?"
"Guilty as we hoped, but you know how the system works. He got 10-15 for the armed robbery, but he'll sweet talk the parole board and be out in what, five?" She sighs, raking a hand through her damp hair. "It's a never-ending cycle, I swear."
"It's something at least," he tells her and she nods before tilting her head to the living room.
"Was she good for you today? No tantrums I hope."
Jay shakes his head, smiling over at her. "She was an angel as always."
"For you maybe," she laughs. "Seriously, no issues?"
"None," he assures her. "She was pretty excited when she saw me at daycare. We stopped at the store to grab dinner and then we came back here."
"Thank you again for that," she says, smiling again at him. "I was fully prepared to come home and make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches."
He quirks his eyebrows at her. "For dinner?"
Hailey just shrugs. "She's three and a half. You can never go wrong with PB&J or mac-and-cheese. Although, I'll never complain about chicken alfredo. It really was delicious."
"I'll remember that for next time."
"Next time?"
"Yeah, apparently I'm on the approved pick-up list now," he smirks at her.
Hailey rolls her eyes. "I had to do that so they didn't think you were kidnapping my kid."
He hums out a response and she shakes her head, laughing at him as she leans back against the counter behind her, staring at him.
"I didn't know you could cook so well."
"I am a man of many talents," he tells her and she snickers at him.
"Yeah, one of them being cocky. Can't you ever just say thank you when someone compliments you?"
"I could, but then I wouldn't be able to annoy you and what fun would that be?"
"I hate you," she tells him, shaking her head at him with a playful scowl.
"Doubtful," he says quietly.
That shift in their partnership she'd noticed over the last month makes itself known again as he stares at her from across the island and she swallows nervously, nodding slowly at him.
The moment lasts a few beats too long as usual as they keep their eyes on one another, but seemingly not long enough as the front door opens and Vanessa comes around the corner seconds later.
"Hey guys," She greets them with a tired smile. "Ugh, what smells so good? And please tell me there's some for me."
Jay smiles at the young woman and points to the fridge. "Chicken alfredo and don't take me for a fool, Rojas. I know better. There's a plate in there for you."
"God bless you, Halstead," she sighs, dropping her bag on the island and beelining for the fridge.
"How was school?" Hailey asks her friend as she pulls out the plate and puts it in the microwave.
Vanessa groans, looking back at the blonde. "Classes were fine today, but that damn group project is something else. Why is there always one person that doesn't do what they say they're going to do? Is it that hard?"
Hailey shakes her head, a sympathetic smile on her face. "I'm sorry, V."
"Eh," Vanessa shrugs. "It's just super annoying. A few more weeks and I'll be done. How was the court thing today? You got Ave okay?"
"Court was fine, just long as usual. And no, actually, Jay picked her up for me."
Vanessa swivels and throws a glance over to the man. "That was nice of you."
"I'm a nice guy," he says, his eyes matching the smirk on his face as he looks between Vanessa and Hailey.
"Please don't get him started," Hailey laughs, looking over at the woman. "He was finally settling down."
"You hurt my feelings Upton," Jay sighs.
Hailey pouts, tilting her head at him. "Aw, poor baby. I'm sure you and your ego will be just fine."
"Anyway," Vanessa drawls out, breaking up their banter and nodding to Hailey. "Where's my favorite human?"
Jay pushes himself off the island and stands up straight, gesturing to himself. "Vanessa, I'm right here."
She rolls her eyes at him, shaking her head and Hailey laughs, pointing over her shoulder. Her friend grabs the plate from the microwave and pulls a fork from a drawer before leaving the kitchen and heading to the living room.
"I guess I should get going," Jay says then. "You mind if I say goodnight to the kid first?"
"Not at all."
Hailey pushes herself off the counter and she follows after him into the living room. They find Avery and Vanessa sitting on opposite ends of the couch, the young woman inhaling her food happily, and the little girl distracted with a coloring book in her lap.
"Hey kiddo," Jay calls out to Avery and she smiles immediately when she looks up and sees him.
"I'm about to leave, but I wanted to say goodnight to you," he tells her, walking around the couch and kneeling down in front of her.
Avery pushes her coloring book away and leans forward, wrapping her little arms around Jay's neck and squeezing him as hard as she can. "Goodnight! Thank you for letting me help with the a-sketti."
He squeezes her back just the same, pulling back a few moments later and smiling at the little girl. "You're welcome. Thanks for being such a great helper."
Avery nods and as he stands she grabs his hand. "Wait! I wanna show you my picture!"
Jay kneels back down in front of her, watching as the little girl pulls a piece of paper from the backpack beside her, and then she hands it to him. He takes it and looks down at it, his smile turning into a full blown grin as he looks at a finger painting of what he's pretty sure is supposed to be himself and Avery and Hailey at the playground the three of them frequent together.
He looks back up at the little girl and nods his head. "You did such a great job Ave! Is this us at the park?"
She nods and points down to the paper in his hands. "And there's mama and the swings and the slide on the other side!"
"I love it," Jay tells her, moving to hand it back to the little girl, but she shakes her head at him.
"You keep it! I made it for you," she says.
He raises an eyebrow, glancing down at the paper again before looking back up at Avery. He wears the same soft grin on his face as he looks at her and says, "Thanks kiddo."
He leans in to hug her again, kissing the side of her head when he pulls away, and then stands to his feet. "I'll see you soon, okay?"
Avery nods and reaches for her coloring book again as Jay moves back around the couch, ignoring the smirk on Vanessa's face.
"Rojas," he says, nodding his head at her.
"Halstead," she counters, shaking her head as he walks toward Hailey. "Thanks for dinner by the way!"
"You're welcome!" He calls back over his shoulder.
He meets Hailey in the entryway between the kitchen and the living room where she'd been standing, catching the soft smile on his partner's face and the glassy look in her eyes.
"You okay?"
"Yeah," she says quietly before clearing her throat. She nods at him, glancing over her shoulder and he follows her to the front door.
"You sure you're okay?" Jay asks again.
"Yeah," Hailey says. "Kid's just too sweet for her own good. Still catches me off guard sometimes."
He can tell there's more to it than that, but he figures he's teased her enough for one day so he just smiles back at her and turns, leaning down to quickly pull on his boots and grab his jacket.
"Oh," he says as he reaches for the door. He turns to face her again, pulling his keys from his jacket pocket and unclips her house key from the loop to hand it over to her. "You might need this."
"Thank you," Hailey smiles, taking it from him quickly as their fingers graze one another's.
She stares at him for a moment, an expression on her face that Jay can't quite read and he tilts his head at her.
"What's up?"
Hailey shakes her head, letting out a laugh as she stuffs her hands into the pockets of her sweats. She can't quite describe the feeling she's suddenly overcome with so she won't try to.
"Nothing. I'm fine, I promise," she tells him.
"If you say so," he laughs. "You wanna grab her car seat or deal with it tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow, please," she says, a tired smile on her face. "Vanessa still has the one in her car so we'll be fine."
"See you tomorrow then?"
"Yeah, goodnight Jay. And thank you again for today. You really saved my ass," she tells him.
He nods, reaching for the door again and throws her one last smile. "Anytime."
Hailey watches him walk down the driveway, her eyes glancing to a car parked across the street that she doesn't think she recognizes, but when Jay reaches the truck she closes her door without a second thought. She locks it up for the night and sighs loudly as she turns around and makes her way back into the living room.
She finds her daughter and Vanessa right where she left them and takes a seat on the couch between them. She can feel Vanessa's eyes on her, but she just keeps hers on Avery, smiling softly as she watches the little girl.
"Did you have fun with Jay today, Ave?" She asks her daughter.
Avery looks up, smiling and nodding her head. "Yeah! It was a surprise to see him at school, but we had a lotta fun today."
"I bet you were surprised. I'm glad you had such a good time with him though," Hailey tells her and the little girl puts her attention back on coloring.
She hears Vanessa clear her throat beside her and Hailey rolls her eyes as she turns to look at her friend.
"What?"
"We're really not gonna talk about any of what I just saw in the last twenty minutes?" Vanessa asks her.
"Any of what?"
"Oh please," Vanessa scoffs as she stands from the couch with her empty plate in hand. "You like him."
"Of course I like him. I kinda have to, he's my partner," Hailey laughs.
"No, you like him, as in you like him," Vanessa says, glancing at her friend as she heads for the kitchen.
"You like Jay mama?" Avery pipes in then, looking at her mother. "Is that how come you kissed him in the kitchen?"
Vanessa stops in her tracks and turns back around, her jaw falling open and Hailey winces, nearly forgetting the gesture from earlier as she looks down at her daughter.
"I think it's past your bedtime," Hailey tells her.
Avery scrunches her face and looks up at the clock on the wall above the television and shakes her head as she glances back to Hailey.
"No, it isn't."
"Well, it's pretty close. Why don't we head upstairs and get you into some jammies, huh? And I'll read to you before bed."
"Can I have two stories?" Avery asks, looking at her mother with her big blue eyes and a little pout.
"Yes, you can have two stories."
The little girl squeals as she jumps down from the couch and runs into the kitchen. Hailey gets up and follows her daughter, ignoring the raised eyebrows from Vanessa as her and Avery pass through the kitchen and head up the stairs.
Vanessa follows them to the bottom step, calling up to her friend. "You better come right back down here when you're done missy! Don't make me come and find you!"
"Yeah, yeah!" Hailey shouts back.
Thirty minutes and two bedtime stories later as promised, Hailey shuffles downstairs into the kitchen with an annoyed look on her face for the conversation she's knows is about to happen. She spots Vanessa sitting at the island, a few textbooks and a notebook sprawled out in front of her.
"Let's get this over with," she says, waving her hand at the young woman.
"You kissed him?" Vanessa whisper shouts so she doesn't wake the little girl upstairs. "Oh, this is good. This is so good. I was right!"
"I did not kiss him, not the way you think."
"Then how exactly did you kiss him because clearly it was enough for Ave to notice," Vanessa tells her.
"It was just a quick one on the cheek. It was friendly, it was me saying thank you for surprising me with dinner. It didn't mean anything more than that."
"Yeah, okay," Vanessa smirks. "You still kissed him!"
"You're overthinking it, V."
"Would you kiss anyone else you work with on the cheek?"
"Yes, yes I would," Hailey tells her.
"Even your boss?"
Hailey scrunches her face, shaking her head. "Ew, no. Don't be gross."
"Okay, so maybe not your boss, but that doesn't negate the fact that you kissed Jay because you like him."
"Please stop."
"Just admit it and I'll leave you alone."
"Even if that were true and I did admit it, we both know you wouldn't leave me alone because you're annoying and too nosy for your own damn good sometimes."
Vanessa tilts her head, then nods. "Yeah, that's true. Did he say anything though? Was it weird after?"
"Why would it be weird? I kissed him on the cheek and then I went upstairs to take a shower before we ate. It just happened. It's really not that big a deal."
"Oh, it's a very big deal, but to avoid you slaughtering me in my sleep, I'll let it go for now."
"Gee, thanks," Hailey huffs. "So you're done then?"
"Yes and on to a new topic that's not anymore thrilling for you, I'm afraid," Vanessa says, a sheepish look coming over her face. "Did you schedule the appointment with Dr. Block yet? You said you would weeks ago, but I know for a fact that you haven't gone to see her yet."
Hailey sighs and shakes her head. "I haven't seen her yet because she's been booked solid, but I have an appointment in a few weeks."
Vanessa nods slowly, taking in the information, and then leans forward on her elbows. "There isn't anyone else you can see?"
"No one that I wanna see. She already knows the story, I've told her everything. And I'm comfortable enough with her. I really don't wanna have to start over with someone new," Hailey tells her.
"That's fair, I get it. You gonna be okay for another couple weeks though?"
Hailey runs a hand through her hair then shrugs her shoulders. "It's already been a month. What's a few more weeks gonna hurt?"
Vanessa stares at her for a moment, looking at her friend with concerned eyes, but she drops it, nonetheless. Teasing her friend about her partner is one thing, but she knows without a doubt that therapy and talking about her past is a completely different monster for the blonde.
"You heading to bed then?" She asks.
"Yeah, I just might," Hailey says, blowing out a deep sigh. "It's been a long day and I'm beat. I'll see ya in the morning?"
"See you in the morning. Get some sleep," Vanessa tells her.
"I will," Hailey nods, smiling at her friend, and then she heads for the stairs. She stops suddenly and turns back around. "Hey, one more thing?"
"What's up?"
"I know you mean well and I know it's only teasing, and it's fine when it's just the two of us, but can you try to watch what you say in front of Avery about Jay? That kid picks up on just about everything and I just, I really don't want her getting the wrong idea, okay?"
"I can do that," Vanessa tells her with a slow nod.
"Thank you," Hailey breathes out. "Night, V."
"Goodnight," Vanessa calls out as her friend disappears upstairs.
She goes back to the textbooks in front of her, smiling and shaking her head to herself. She reaches for another book, flipping it open, and mumbles, "It's only a matter of time. Idiots."