"Lily it's not fair."
"What's not fair mummy?" Lily questioned, climbing up onto the lounge next to her mother.
"The fact that both you and your brother are your father all over, the eyes the freckles…"
"But an attitude like their mother, well Miss Lilian does anyway," Jay said butting in as he arrived home with a takeout bag in his arm.
"Daddy's home!" Lily said excitedly as she ran over to her father.
"Hey beautiful girl," Jay gave Lily a squeezy hug and kiss before walking over to Erin to give her a kiss aswell, "Hi Mumma."
"Hi baby, how was work?"
"In the middle of a kidnapping case so I actually…"
"Daddy's gotta go back to work?" Lily said dropping her bottom lip.
"Yeah baby I'm sorry."
"But daddy I don't want you to go."
Jay watched as Lily sunk down into the couch and folded her arms, "Lil I'm sorry, how about I read you a bedtime story before I go back?"
"No, just go."
Erin and Jay exchanged looks, Erin's heart broke for him, after they'd had their big chat he'd really been lifting his game, but there were still times that he couldn't get away from being sergeant of the most elite unit in Chicago but of course Lily didn't understand that, she was a four year old who wanted her father.
"Lily let daddy read you a story sweetheart."
"Mummy I don't want him to go."
"I know sweet girl but he has to, he has to be a hero remember, he does this so you get to live in a better world."
Jay smiled as he watched Erin try to calm their daughter down while she held their baby boy in her arms, she really was amazing. All the credit he gave her was not even close to what she deserved.
"Alec wants a bedtime story too." Lily said as she looked back up at her parents.
Jay once again smiled, "Well I guess Alec gets one too."
Erin and Jay sat on the lounge together eating the Chinese Jay had bought them, Erin didn't eat a lot because she had eaten earlier with Lily but by the way Jay had scoffed his down he hadn't eaten all day, "I hate this."
"It's just hard for her, maybe it might be best if you don't come home at all if you have to go back or just don't say anything until she's asleep and then she won't know, as bad as that is."
"Maybe. Anyway babe I really have to go, teams getting in after yet another dead end."
"Before you go back I have a question, for the boss man."
They stood up together and Jay raised his eyebrow in question, "Okay…I'm listening."
"Who will be my partner when I come back next week?"
"Still can't wrap my head around you returning to work as me as your boss," he watched as Erin rolled her eyes, causing him to chuckle, "Sorry. Uh actually I'm in the process of interviewing or trying to find a new fit for intelligence. We need someone else so I'm hoping you will help me mould someone new."
She nodded, "Hmm. I like that, but I'm surprised your not getting Hailey or one of the guys to do it."
"I have my reasons."
"Okay. Anyway you better go, I love you."
"Love you, see you soon hopefully."
Jay sat at his desk after closing the kidnapping case, he'd interviewed multiple officers for the job, ones that he'd handpicked from the academy, ones platt had told him about and even ones that had Voight seal of approval but he didn't think any were suitable for the job or suitable to be Erin's partner?
Was the emotionally attachment to Erin and her safety the reason he couldn't find anyone? He wasn't sure how to let someone else be her partner but he had to, he had no choice.
"Knock knock."
Jay looked up to see Hailey staring at him, "What's up?"
"You picked someone yet? Detective Superintendent is asking, says your ignoring her calls."
"Who's your pick?" Jay asked as she walked in and took a seat.
"Detective Andrew's. Seems to be a good fit for the unit, he's fresh out of the academy, we'd be able to mould him how we like. His tough, scored well in all areas…"
"But do you think he has what it takes?"
"For the unit or for Erin?"
He frowned at Hailey's comment, "Hailey…"
"Halstead I was partnered with you for how long? I know what your like when it comes to Erin, yes she is your wife and the mother of your children but you have to not let that cloud your judgement."
She watched as he sighed, "Righto I will make the call. Hailey just one more thing."
"What's that?"
"Just look out for her aswell on the field, cause I know I can't always do that now."
Hailey smiled, "Always. We all we, we look out for each other remember."
"Thanks. Anyway you better go I gotta make a phone call."
