Hi, friends!

One more Wednesday without our best cast, but we can officially say they come back next month! So excited!

Work and life got in the way last week but finally, here's day 6 of the Upstead prompts.

As always, thank you for all the reviews, favorites, and follows. Always makes me smile!

Happy reading! xo, S.


Jay kissed his way across Hailey's abdomen, his fingers running up her sides to softly tickle her. She wiggled under him, giggling, and Jay smiled against her. His fingers are much gentler against her skin now, compared to what they were doing to her a few minutes ago. She felt him kiss lower and lower down her front, until his mouth was there and she arched her hips into him, sighing his name as he gave her the most intimate series of kisses.

She knew in the back of her mind that was supposed to facetime with Vanessa tonight, and when Jay distracted her in the bathroom with his lips on her neck, she knew she had some time before her phone call. But now, she also knew they had been at this for a while, and she didn't want to miss chatting with her best friend.

Hailey felt his tongue against her, letting out a breathy moan of his name, slipping her fingers through his hair. She glanced sideways to the clock on her nightstand, seeing she had about ten minutes until she knew her phone would ring, "Ba-babe...we have ten minutes."

He pulled away from her, his eyes glassy with want and smirked, "And I'll be done in five. Promise." He kissed the inside of her thigh and threw her a wink, Hailey feeling her insides clench. This man…was something else. He was strong and kind and decent, and he learned her body fast, knowing exactly what made her tick.

She felt him throw her leg over his shoulder and slide one of his long, nimble fingers inside her. And that did her in; between his tongue and finger moving in tandem, it didn't take long until she felt her legs quivering and she tossed her head to the side, arching into him again and softly calling out his name. As she fought to catch her breath, Jay kissed his way back up her body, hovering over her, "Told ya, five minutes." He bent his head down to catch her lips, and she mumbled against him, tasting herself there, "Always so punctual." He chuckled against her and rolled to the side, bringing her to lay against him. She kissed the side of his shoulder, "We'll pick this up later."

Laughing at her, he pulled the comforter over his legs, watching her move around the room to put on the clothes he slowly tugged off her earlier. As she slipped on her lace panties and grabbed his button-up, closing it over herself, she walked over to him and bent down to quickly catch his lips with hers, "Feel free to come say hi. Might wanna fix your hair though." He playfully swatted her hands away, catching one in his and kissing her knuckles. He was about to reply when they heard the phone ring and Hailey pulled away, running around to her side of the bed, answering the phone excitedly, "Vanessa!"

Jay happily laid there, listening to Hailey and Vanessa chat for a few moments, and it made his heart swell listening to how happy Hailey sounded. He knew that she loved him, and that he was it for her, but as she explained, there's just something about talking to your best friend. And he totally understood, because on the rare occasions he could catch Mouse on the phone, it made him feel complete. He decided he'd give them some time to catch up on their own, so he wiggled in his spot until he got comfortable, letting the sound of Hailey's laugh floating into the room lull him into a nap.

Hailey propped the phone on a pillow next to her so she could put her arm down and not hold the phone out in mid-air and that was when Vanessa noticed that the shirt she was wearing, was in fact not hers, "Hails, I know you love your flannels, but don't you think that one's a little big?" Hailey looked down to notice that the collar of Jay's shirt was hanging off her shoulder, exposing her bare skin underneath.

She laughed and tugged it up, "Oh ya know, it's comfy to lounge in." She immediately started laughing, because she knew she was caught. Vanessa smiled, "So, where is he?" Hailey jutted her head to the bedroom door off to the side, "I think he fell asleep." Vanessa wiggled her eyebrows at Hailey, while she shook her head at her friend's antics, "Go ahead, get it all out." Feigning innocence, Vanessa chuckled, "What? I have no idea what you mean." Rolling her eyes playfully, Hailey shrugged back and shook her head, "Sure you don't."

As she settled back into the pillow and laughed along with her friend, Vanessa suddenly stopped, turning serious for a second, "All in good fun babe. But seriously, you look so happy and like…carefree. And I'm happy for you. Remember girl, it's easy because you love him."

Hailey smiled and nodded, instantly transported to their conversation in the waiting room at Med, when they were both unsure of what would happen to Jay. She never wanted to feel that way again. Shaking her head in agreeance with Vanessa, "Thank you. I am happy…so happy. Being with Jay is easy in a way I've never felt before. I really do love him." Vanessa's face broke out into a huge smile, "And that's all I ever want for you. And if he hurts you, I'll kick his ass from here to next Tuesday. I may be short, but that won't stop me."

Hailey threw her head back laughing at the image of Vanessa beating up Jay, "Copy you, V." Unknown to Hailey and Vanessa, Jay was standing at the bedroom door, not meaning to eavesdrop but as he heard Vanessa tease Hailey about them being together, and then hearing Hailey's reply to her; it made something deep inside him twist and ache in the best way, and he thought that this must be what the movies and the books describe as being hopelessly in love with someone.

He opened the door and padded out to stand behind Hailey, bending down so he'd be visible in the frame, his hands on her shoulders squeezing lightly. It wasn't lost on Vanessa that as soon as Jay placed his hands there, Hailey's left hand came up to snake their fingers together, almost as if it was instinct. She just smiled, and waved at Jay, "Halstead." He nodded back at her, "Rojas. How's that UC life treating you?" He picked up the phone and sat next to Hailey, holding it out for them and Hailey curled into his side, her right arm snaking under his left, as the three of them continued chatting.

About an hour went by and Hailey yawned, putting her hand over her mouth, "Mm, sorry V. Long day." Vanessa laughed and nodded, "I hear that. It's almost eleven, Halstead – you should probably go home, let Hails here get her beauty sleep." All of them knew Hailey was cranky when she was tired, and she sheepishly looked at Jay while her face turned a shade of pink, "Well, V, there's one more thing I should probably tell you." Jay chuckled and kissed the side of Hailey's head, "But I'm already home, Rojas." Vanessa's eyes grew wide and another grin split across her face, "No way. Wow guys! I'm really happy for you." Not wanting Vanessa to feel as if she was forgotten, Hailey quickly jumped in, "But V, we have a spare room, and most of your stuff is in the closet there, and it's all yours whenever you come back. You know you always have a room here." Jay nodded, echoing Hailey's words, "Three people and one bathroom may be a little problematic, but we'll make it work."

Vanessa teared up a little at their words, still feeling like she struck gold in having Hailey and Jay as her friends, "Thanks guys." An alarm went off on her end of the call, and Jay and Hailey both knew what that meant. Hailey smiled at her, "Be safe, V. Let me know when we can talk again! I don't care what time." Jay waved at her, "Stay smart out there, Vanessa. We'll see you soon." Vanessa smiled and waved goodbye, "Bye guys, thanks! Love you Hails." Hailed smiled again and gave her a wave back, "I love you, V. Talk soon."

Vanessa hung up and Hailey settled into the couch, leaning her head on Jay's shoulder, "I miss her, but I'm happy she's doing well. She's like a chameleon, she fits in anywhere." He tilted his head down, kissing her temple, "She really does. She'll be back soon, babe." Hailey nodded and then shifted against him, so she could see his face, "Also – I know we haven't really talked about Vanessa coming back here when she's done, it kinda just slipped out. I didn't want her to feel like I kicked her out, ya know."

Jay shook his head and ran his fingers through her hair, "I wouldn't ask you to. She's important to you which means she's important to me too, and we both know how hard it is to go back to a normal life after being under for so long." Hailey smiled at him and ran her finger down the side of his face, tracing over his lips, "My best guy." He smiled and kissed her finger, "My best girl."

Wrapping his arms around her waist, he stood, throwing Hailey over his shoulders, "I believe Rojas did interrupt us though." She squealed as she bopped against him, and as he carried her back to their bed, she pinched him lightly, "Nice butt, Halstead."

Laughing, he dropped her on the bed and crawled back over her, "Nice everything, Upton." He unbuttoned his shirt, kissing his way down her front again, making a mental note to get up early and make her coffee, because Hailey wasn't going to sleep anytime soon.