Chapter 7- 3 Meals, 2 People, 1 Surprise
So this one just kind of came out of inspiration from what is happening this week: Thanksgiving! Everyone has their own way of celebrating the holiday, but for this story we're going to see a little of how I celebrate Thanksgiving woven into things. This will be so fun, having Jay and Hailey tell their surprise three times in three very different settings. Humor is bound to happen. I'm so excited for it. Let's get going!
"3…2…1. Let's have a parade!" Cue the confetti falling, the cheers and smiles as Macy's was not only able to orchestrate hundreds of flying balloons on a windy day, but the fact they took out the giant scissors once a year. The world's largest gold sheers for a single, thin, red ribbon. It waited all year for that spilt second moment, returned to storage before the first musical act wrapped up on the center stage. But neither of them were paying any attention to what was happening on the TV, too busy 'keeping warm' under the sheets, giggling and telling the other they had to get going while things continued.
"Jay…Jay! Come on, seriously we have to get going."
"Just five more minutes," he joked between kisses on her neck. She loved oh so much when did that, Hailey loudly exhaling and laughing as he did it.
"Jay, we've been saying five for minutes for close to an hour. Come on, we have a full day and we've got to get going. Act like everything is the norm." Jay sighed, rolling to his side so each was looking at the other, both propping heads up with a hand as they gazed. They would never admit it, because timing is everything, but they wished they'd done this sooner; admitted feelings at least a year ago. It was so obvious that they cared for each other that much, that eventually things would end where they were now. It had only been three months since that night Hailey denied the FBI for a life adventure with Jay. At the time she was slightly unsure if giving up the career maker was the right move. But now, with both wrapped up under his sheets and unable to stop their passionate love, she wouldn't change a single thing about how things turned out.
"Tonight, we're right back here."
"I think we'll be too exhausted and bloated to do anything."
"Then we'll consume Alka-Seltzer together before rolling our beached whale bodies into bed." That got her to laugh, sitting up and stretching as he made it as far as sitting up. With nothing on, the whole apartment was freezing, Jay shivering to himself before stating the obvious.
"You think? I'll go turn the heat on." She grabbed his shirt that was on the floor, donning it and slides before venturing to the thermostat, hitting buttons till the furnace rattled to life. The warm air was puffing into the place by the time she returned.
"Jay! Come on, get out of bed." He was glued to the TV, having not a single clue as to what was going on or being said, but he couldn't drag himself away. Hailey rummaged for the buttons to eventually turn the TV off.
"Hey!"
"Jay, we really need to get going. We told Will we'd be there forty-five minutes from now."
"Wait, what?" Hailey nodded as she threw boxers and another shirt at Jay, striking his face with both as he started to stand up in haste.
"Holy cow, where did the time go?"
"I think you know where." Jay ignored her response, going straight to the bathroom and analyzing himself in the mirror.
"Okay, I don't think I need a shower. What about you?"
"No, I'm fine," Hailey said through a laugh. She'd never seen him this flustered in his life. The man who could lead a raid or tackle wanted felons was afraid of showing up late to his brother's place. It was so Jay Halstead of him.
"I still don't know what I'm supposed to wear. What do people who are telling people about a relationship on Thanksgiving wear?" There was the true reason for his antics, the confession. Hailey found this a tad surprising since it was Jay who brought up the idea of telling. Hailey was perfectly fine with keeping things the way they were, but Jay said it was getting to hard to hide things and it was time to tell.
"I don't know. Whatever you'd normally wear to a holiday dinner."
"Well, what are you wearing?"
"What I normally wear."
"Okay, so I'll do the same." The two of them dressed in the closet, neither saying anything, just trying to get out the door as quick as they could. Jay was done first, waiting for Hailey before they moved to the next step: bathroom prep. Hailey busied herself with quick hair and make up routines while Jay brushed his teeth an extra long time before perfecting the hair. The nervous energy was there for both, which they didn't understand. It wasn't like they were getting married or having a child. It was just dating, something people did all the time. Perhaps it was the worry of what would come next at work. Would they both be Intelligence? Who would make the sacrifice in going somewhere else? How long would things have to be that way? They never discussed it, Jay now worried they should have before announcing things.
"Are you sure you want to do this," Hailey asked when both were pulling on shoes and getting out the door.
"Yeah, absolutely. Why?"
"You just seem nervous."
"Eh, just excited energy more then anything."
"Okay, if you aren't ready we can hold off."
"Hailey, I can't wait to tell everyone you're my girlfriend." They stopped to scan the other a final time, both nodding their approval before Jay opened the door and ushered Hailey out.
"You look nice."
"You look nice too." The door was locked, Jay extended his hand, the two walked off like a pair of love birds.
"We need to work on that."
"Work on what?"
"The name. I don't like boyfriend and girlfriend, feels juvenile."
"Okay, we can figure something out." They climbed in the car, turned it on and waited the couple minutes to warm up before pulling out into the city. Let the longest, craziest, most wonderful day commence.
…
They pulled up to Will's apartment building half an hour later. The usual fifteen minute drive was doubled thanks in part to parade routes and early Black Friday shoppers. It was both sad and incredible how early some people got out just to get deals that would be available on Cyber Monday. The holiday that was once centered around family and food and thankfulness was now a starting gun for the holiday frenzy. Food was consumed on the way to the mall, family bickered over who would shop where as the turkey and stuffing got ice cold. Call them old fashioned, but Jay and Hailey relished for the days where things slowed down, or shut off, on this day. They wished people appreciated what they had before adding to it. But enough of their soap box speech for now, because it was about them, and their holiday with what they were making of it. This Thanksgiving was a celebration, a joyous one where they were welcoming those they cared about into their next step of their relationship. Hailey was nervously, yet quietly excited. Jay on the other hand, just looked be dreading the whole thing. He was slow to park the car, constantly looking around or at his phone, glancing over at Hailey most of the way to the building.
"What are you so nervous about?" She smacked Jay's arm, finally getting him to put the phone down and get eye contact.
"I'm not nervous!"
"That is the biggest lie. You won't even look at me and you keep scrolling through your messages."
"No, I'm not."
"So messages isn't pulled up on your phone right now." Jay had to give her that, she really did know him so well.
"Will and I…we don't usually do this kind of stuff."
"Hanging out?"
"No, announce things. We just do it and the other catches on sooner or later."
"Jay, he's your brother. He'll be excited for you, for us."
"I know, it's that…I don't even know how to go about saying things without making it weird." They were standing at the opening of the floor, the elevator doors rolling open and chiming that they had arrived. Hailey looked to Jay who insisted she go first. She wasn't sure if he was being courteous or terrified, but she took it nonetheless.
"Jay, I think just the two of us showing up together on this day will be enough. Look at it this way, we have to do this two more times. This is your dry run with Will and next will be my dry run with my parents. By the time we get to Voight's we'll be super good at this."
"Fine but.." Jay's train of thought was unexpectedly interrupted by screaming. The initial reaction was that it was coming from one of the neighbors, after all there were a lot more people in the building today. Jay and Hailey stood where they were, in the middle of the hallway, and kept listening. It was what they were trained to do, follow the sound and figure out what was going on. It was quiet for ten, fifteen, thirty seconds before Hailey shrugged her shoulders, telling Jay with her eyes that it was nothing. But what came next was laughing, very joyous and quite loud. It wasn't coming from any of the units behind them, so the two of them kept heading forward. As they slowly crept the laughing went on once again, definitely a woman's and whatever she was laughing about needed screaming as well. Jay had his phone out, ready to call it in when Hailey put her hand out for Jay to hold on, pointing to a door with raised eyebrows.
"Was that.." Oh yes, unit 713: Will's place. Now Jay was torn, call in help or wait for more noises. Hailey's answer was to lean right above the door, trying to hear if some woman was pulling a Goldilocks and overtaking Will's place while Lord only knew was happening with him or something else entirely.
"Well," Jay whispered as Hailey shook her head through closed eyes. She waved her hand for Jay to be quiet, ear now totally on the door, praying Will didn't open it because she would fall in. The woman laughed again, still very happy and borderline playful. But this time a second laugh broke out: Will's. Will who was also very, very happy sounding, mischievous one could conclude.
"Oh no," Jay figured out, putting the phone away as Hailey stepped back with hands over her mouth.
"What do we do," Hailey asked? Jay knew he had no other choice. Out of the two terrible options, it felt less terrible to knock and get the laughing session complete then to keep hearing things no brother ever wants to hear. Jay held his fist just above the door for five seconds, praying Will and whoever had come to their senses and stopped things. But the crash and continued laughing was Jay's answer, he had to do it.
"Will," he knocked? They could hear gasps, questions of the time and why alarms didn't go off. There was some serious scrambling, mumbled and racing minds over how to cover this up. Jay knocked again.
"Why is he early," the woman asked?
"He is actually ten minutes late," Jay spoke to the two of them, Hailey giggled with her mouth covered. At last Will found his way to the door, opening it enough to stick his head and head alone out, a look of stunned embarrassment.
"Hey Jay…Hailey?" She waved once as Will looked at the two of them dumbfounded and morbidly humiliated. They didn't have to say anything, they all knew what the thing they weren't talking about was.
"Hi," Jay greeted, trying his very best to not laugh. Lips were curled in so that he didn't burst, eyes wide open and eyebrows raised as they all stood there doing nothing, like a stickup minus the guns.
"Should…should we wait a few minutes for you to get things together." Jay was really trying his best to look past things.
"Will, I'm running in the shower," a very familiar female voice called out. Will closed his eyes, realizing how much worse this was about to be. Jay looked past Will to see Natalie wrapped in nothing but a blanket sprinting to Will's room. Jay's mouth might've dropped open at that one.
"Yeah…I was going to tell you at dinner."
"Well, it looks like we both have things to tell each other." Hailey couldn't take it anymore, she let the laughter completely out. Leave it to the brothers to be keeping secrets about their sex life.
…
"Well good news for you, I don't think our meeting with your parents could go any worse then this."
"HA! You haven't met my parents." Will and Natalie were taking their dear sweet time in getting ready for the meal, the door had been closed and locked for close to an hour now. In that time Jay and Hailey offered to finish things up, make sure food was still warm and get the table set. Will was so mortified that he took whatever they offered, just about running after Natalie and slamming the door behind him. You could hear the sounds of serious talking and hurried minds brainstorming how to get over this situation they found themselves in. Jay may have taken his time in tidying up the living room just to pick up pieces of what was being said. He couldn't help it, it was his whole job after all.
"No, I don't think we'll be walking in on anything like that." Jay was rounding the table with wine glasses now, his final layer of stuff before moving into the kitchen to help Hailey with food prep.
"No, that won't be happening. It's just the threat of everything else that could scare me." That one toned things down for a time, they both knew the dynamics of her parent's relationship, fully understanding the dynamite keg they were going to spend time with. As much as both felt uneasy about bringing something like that into a relationship like that, it was her family and this was a holiday so they had to make the best of it.
"How's food coming along," Jay asked in an effort to change the topic.
"Fine. What do you think they were doing anyway?"
"I really don't want to know. You didn't hear it from me, but I found a whipped cream can under the couch."
"Well thank goodness we aren't staying for dessert," Hailey chuckled under her breath. Jay groaned in disgust out loud.
"What are we missing drink wise?"
"Oh, grab the red and white out of the cooler. Water glasses are filled?"
"The pitcher is." Jay located the wine cooler and selected the two options Hailey suggested, setting them on the counter as he watched her pull food out of the ovens. He could totally get used to this, holidays where they were together and she was taking control of things. This all felt so right, something that they felt to have been doing for so long. Comparing the two couples, one never would've guessed they were the new relationship.
"Will makes turkey?"
"No way. He can cook, but not this well. This was definitely all Natalie."
"Who normally hosts."
"Me, I probably should've seen what was going on when he insisted on doing it this year. But, you know, I was a little distracted."
"Oh well sorry," Hailey teased, tossing him a pair of oven mitts and pointing at platters.
"Sides go all on the edges, turkey in the middle."
"Yes, mom," Jay joked, leaning over for a quick kiss before the two of them hoisted and headed for the table. Jay was en route with turkey when the spoken of couple finally made their debut.
"I'm so sorry we took so long," Natalie exclaimed, immediately going in for a hug from Hailey. There was no other option for Natalie, it was totally brush everything off and plow right ahead. Will meanwhile hung back, waiting for Jay to return to the kitchen before doing anything.
"So…how much did you guys hear," he whispered when Jay was in earshot?
"Umm, enough." Will closed his eyes and stood in disbelief, this one was going to be tough to overcome.
"Boys, table? Food is getting cold," Natalie ordered, ceasing the conversation she knew was going down. The two of them said they were coming, splitting left and right to sit next to their significant other. It was the women across from each other, leaving the brothers to kick the other in the leg.
"This all looks so good, did you do this Will?"
"No, it was all Natalie's doing. I just watched."
"Oh stop, you helped shop and get things set up." Jay and Hailey wanted to majorly eye roll at the cheesy behavior unfolding in front of them. The giggling, the hand holding, the insisting of the other, they were so glad they weren't this way. Food was dished out in a conveyer belt fashion, plates being passed to the person closet to the next platter, servings being dished out according to 'mores' 'whoas' and 'that's enough.' The dancing of the plates lasted a couple minutes, the transplantation of food from serving dishes to plates being a wild success.
"Okay, before we dig in we have to say what we're grateful for and I'll start. I'm thankful for this time we all have together. And the fact we aren't hiding things from each other anymore." Oh, Natalie was toeing the line with that one. The invisible talking stick was just about thrown at Will who caught it with a stuttering face.
"I'm…uh..I'm thankful for locks on doors." Natalie landed a hard smack on his arm, which had him reacting while Jay and Hailey looked away so they didn't start laughing.
"No, you should be thankful I didn't call for backup," Jay finally let out, which earned him a solid kick from Hailey. Women score 1, men 0. Now, it was Jay's turn.
"I'm thankful that the FBI's offer wasn't super tempting, otherwise we wouldn't be doing this right now."
"And I'm thankful to celebrate my first Thanksgiving with you guys and hope there are more to come." Hailey came in clutch, everyone clinking wine glasses together in agreement for that. From there all that could be heard was chewing and cutting and poking with utensils, compliments to the chef and her assistant as each element of the food was consumed. It wasn't until plates were licked clean and all of them were sitting back in a food coma did the conversation lead to the surprises that they all wanted to share. For the sake of not laughing out loud the entire time, Jay took the reigns first, glancing to Hailey for support who kindly nudged Jay to get going.
"So, Hailey and I are officially dating."
"That's so awesome! I was honestly kind of waiting for this to happen. Whenever you two came into Med I always thought you just clicked," Natalie said, all eyes going to Will who nodded to everything she said.
"Yeah, I can definitely agree that it was a long time coming and I'm glad you guys are taking that step."
"Awe, thanks. So…what about you guys?" Bravo Hailey for gingerly and perfectly throwing it back in their court. Will looked to Natalie and the two of them beamed at each other, seriously like lovestruck teenagers. It took everything to not gag.
"I don't know, it just kind of happened. We got caught up on a case a few weeks back. We worked together a lot and we just gelled so well. We went out for drinks later that night…and the next night…and then the night after that we stayed at her place and.."
"-I think we got a good picture of that today."
"Jay!"
"Hey, it was there and I had to take it." Hailey hung her head in disbelief, amazed Jay could go there with his brother, on Thanksgiving of all days. While she was upset, the rest were laughing. In all honesty it was the only remedy to getting past things.
"Yes, it was a lot like today," Natalie responded in embarrassed admission.
"So…are you two like…back together?"
"Yeah, we call it that. We're taking things slow. It's a lot to get through and start over, but so far we're really happy with how things are."
"Good! That's awesome. So happy for you guys."
"Yeah, what an exciting time for all of us! Are you guys staying for dessert?" Hailey and Jay were truly holding back the vomit now.
…
"So, that was a holiday." Jay couldn't help but roll his eyes, sighing quite loudly as he made the left hand turn towards the northern suburbs. One down, two to go. His role in leading things was over, now the task being passed off to Hailey. His couldn't have gone any worse and been more embarrassing, but at least the news got out. He could only hope and pray things only got better from here.
"Yeah, that was not really how things go between the two of us. It's usually a lot more mature and clothed and just normal."
"I would certainly hope you don't have to constantly break up your brother's sticky couch sex."
"Okay! Don't need that reminder again. The last I want to do is show up at your parents house throwing up." Hailey giggled, she couldn't help it and loved to tease him whenever she could.
"Please, showing up like that would be fine compared to what typically happens." Any thoughts of laughing or continuing the lighthearted mood ceased at that. It was rather apparent that this wasn't something Hailey wanted to do, probably had never even told her parents about the majority of her adult life. But for reasons untold to Jay, she felt the need to introduce him to her family. Knowing full well what went down and the lack of being able to to anything, part of him figured there was an invite and Hailey used that to bring back up just in case. Jay would never flat out ask her, but that was his running theory.
"Is this your first time outside of the house attending Thanksgiving?"
"Um, well…pretty much. When I hit 18 I packed up and ran. I couldn't stand the thought of living under that roof a second longer. Too much tiptoeing and covering up and constant stressing over what would be the next trigger."
"So, and I don't mean to sound insensitive or prying, but is there anything I should or shouldn't say? Meaning what is most likely to set him off?"
"Alcohol. Oh he never got violent when company was around, everything was about the facade that he loved his family and would never harm them. That was his way out of every prying situation. Whenever someone came to 'check on things,' he overdid it all. Would make a point of being super affectionate, call her the sweetest names and volunteer to play with us and compliments to the extreme. It was sickeningly evil to watch, but the wrath that would come later if we stepped out of line made us go along with it all." This was such a huge step for the two of them, the fact Hailey was even diving into her past and telling it all to Jay. Jay felt both honored to be her person to lean on, to comfort and house secrets, but also quite upset that she even went through all that she did. Jay's response was to extend a hand and Hailey was slow to accept, but did in time. They were at a traffic light now, allowing Jay to look over at her while she turned her head towards the window; her calling card for hiding emotions. If he could've, Jay would reach over and hug her. Curses to green lights.
"There were so many Thanksgiving clean ups where I had to take over, be as loud and busy as possible to mask what was going on in the bedroom. And then there was one Thanksgiving night that we…we ended.."
"-Hailey, you don't have to tell me." Jay squeezed her hand, feeling her return the gesture and place her other hand on top. He was there for her and she was letting him know that she appreciated it.
"Thanks. So to answer the question, things will appear very fine so don't worry about saying things."
"Okay, sorry I asked." The car came to a halt outside a picturesque MidWestern home, front porch neatly put together with two rocker chairs and small garden lining the perimeter. The front yard with almost neon green, a few fall colored leaves here and there. The rod iron fence around the property to guard off strangers but in a less harsh way. The house was a grey painted brick, two story symmetrical structure that to the outside world was charming and welcoming and normal. Oh what those walls could tell, the tears dripped onto its' floors and steps that if they could, would be upset for the extra job they were assigned. To those who knew the truth, there was a shadow cast on everything, a big scary monster lurking in the cabinets and closets and hallway nooks. Jay put the car in park, the two of them looking out at the building in front of them before looking at each other, making sure this truly was what they wanted. Even now, it wasn't too late to turn back towards home.
"How long do you want this to be?"
"Twenty minutes, tops. We'll do all the niceties and have a couple slices of pie, but then we're done. After twenty minutes I'll be really resisting the urge to punch something." Jay was so proud of her for going forward with this meeting, it was crystal clear that she had zero intention of keeping a quality relationship up with her parents. If she was doing this for him, he felt incredibly guilty. But she swore it was caving to the pleads of her mother. The two of them got out at the same time, rounding the car and meeting at the gate. Hailey lead the way, unlatching the lock and slowly, nervously padded down the walkway and up the front stairs. She held out for Jay to hold her hand and he quickly did. Both took a breath, exhaled, and Hailey rang the doorbell.
"What ever you do, do not eat the.."
"-HAILEY!" She was the spitting image of Hailey, same height and build and thinness and smile. The only exception was that her blonde hair was now overall grey. She was an aged woman for benign her early 50s, looking to be pushing late 60s. Sad what a hard life can do to the human body.
"Hi mom." Jay wanted to hold things up in an effort to allow Hailey to finish. What was this foul thing he couldn't consume. Was it rat poison pie? Raw egg tarts? He had to know. But instead he grinned at her mother before embracing her in a hug, Jay giving Hailey a look and she shook her head.
"Mom, this is my boyfriend Jay."
"Oh, it's so nice to meet you, Jay! You are the first man she's brought home." It was a pity her mother didn't fully understand why, but Jay totally went with the situation.
"Really?! I feel so honored."
"Well let's get inside before we all freeze." Jay insisted that two women went ahead of him, allowing Hailey's mother in first so as to give Hailey another look. She looked at him like he was crazy, really shaking her head as she crossed the front doorway. Jay was right behind her, let the countdown begin.
The house was just as picturesque and pristine as the outside. There was the collection of things here and there, and furniture that was straight out of the 90s, but overall the house was well kept and clean. Hailey led him through the living room and into the kitchen, the soft muffling of a TV in a closed room catching Jay's ear as he nestled elbows up on the high counter. Laid out on an adjacent countertop was all the dessert options you could think of: cookies, cake, pie, coffee. At first Jay was shocked her mom thought the two of them could eat so much, but then Jay recalled a prior conversation involving the brother and his family. The sibling that chose to keep things strong in terms of the family relationship.
"So, how did you two meet?" Jay reached over and grabbed a cookie, glancing back at Hailey who nodded that it was clear.
"Um, we met through work."
"Oh, that's nice. Do you work together?"
"Yeah mom, we're partners in our unit."
"Oh, well that must be quite a job with a lot of stories." Jay nodded, swallowing his bite before talking.
"Definitely, a lot of stories."
"So Jay, what do you like about Hailey?"
"No! Mom! Jay you don't have to answer that."
"Oh stop, what's not to like? She's stunning, independent, driven, doesn't let people walk all over her. She's what you dream of finding in life." Hailey wanted to gag over the cheesiness, but instead smiled and looked away to the food on the counter.
"Where's dad?"
"Oh, he's in the bedroom cooling off." Jay clenched fist under the counter, doing everything he could to fight off the urge to beat this guy off. Cowardly is the man that mistook a woman for something to knock around.
"I'll go get him and let him know you're here."
"I'll go with you," Hailey offered, leaving Jay alone in the kitchen with booby trap desserts in front of him. He had no clue with one was the deadly one, all looking tempting and normal and not at all worthy of Hailey's freakout. Jay zeroed in on pecan pie, thinking that out of all the options, that was the least damaging. How could you mess that up? Without much thought he cut himself a piece and placed it on a plate, grabbing a fork and nonchalantly taking that first bite. His detective skills were trash when it came to food.
In an instant he couldn't breathe, the extremely strong waft of alcohol flooding his lungs, windpipe, entire body. It was the quickest jump to buzzed Jay ever experienced. It literally took his breath away, not able to taste anything but the super strong bourbon buried somewhere in the pie. Jay had to cough, it was that or puke. He managed to swallow before doubling over in a coughing fit, the three Upton's coming to find him doing his best to collect himself.
"Jay! Are you okay?" He could only nod, making a gesture for something to drink and Hailey was quick to obliged.
"Please don't tell me you ate the pecan pie," she mumbled under her breath, Jay shrugging.
"I'm so sorry," she said again, lightly slapping him so as to make him stand. He turned around with the most embarrassed of looks, not sure how to get out of this without offending or looking like a lightweight.
"Did you catch the bit of bourbon in there?"
"Oh, that's what I was tasting. It's so good." Hailey turned him to her father, looking down at the ground as she spoke.
"Dad, this is Jay. The guy I just mentioned."
"Ah, you are a very lucky man to have won her over." He didn't look like someone who could do the things he did. He was lanky, also quite aged and sheepish. He was soft spoken and very intelligent, adding to the evil creepiness of things.
"Absolutely, I realize that everyday."
"Take care of her, cherish her." His voice was now strong, borderline intimidating. He held his hand out for a handshake and Jay had to accept. His grip was so tight, clamped onto Jay and didn't look away. There was the devil showing a simple shade of his colors.
"I will," Jay answered, seeing the complete hypocrisy in that.
"So we're going to go," we have another stop to make before the day's done."
"Oh, okay dear. Well Jay, it was nice to meet you."
"Likewise." Hugs were dished out, asks of when they'd return spoken, and excuses and false well wishes all happened before Jay and Hailey got out the door.
"Well, how do you think it went," Jay mumbled when he opened the door on her side.
"I cannot believe you ate that."
"You didn't tell me which one was going to get me wasted." They both looked back to the house and waved, on the very off chance they were being watched through the windows. Jay rounded the turn for the driver's side and got in before letting it all out.
"Holy. Shit. Does she burn any of that off? I swear it was the entire bottle. Like an entire glass in one bite."
"Yeah, now imagine being twelve and consuming that."
"I swear I'm buzzed."
"You aren't, it's just a total shock to the system." Jay got things going on the road once again. Two down, one to go. But alas, this one was going to be the toughest.
…
"What about partners?"
"What?!"
"Partners, you know, what we call each other."
"Jay, that's terrible. That's what we call each other at work."
"We could go super not like us and do baby, bubs, boo, one of those."
"Jay, I know what you're doing here. You're trying to delay going in there." It was very true, he was stalling for as long as he could. They were parked just around the corner from Voight's place, also being the very last of the group to show up. What they hadn't thought of was coming in one car, that being the dead giveaway that something was up. Out of all the announcement moments, this one was the one he dreaded the most. He knew what was going to come after this, had already been under the wrath of it once before. As much as he loved Hailey, he dreaded what would follow in the coming days and weeks. Furthermore, he wasn't sure if Voight had become hardened to him dating anyone in the team since the ending of things with Erin, or perhaps he'd gotten over it, had moved on and would be more lax. But who was he kidding, this was Voight. The softest thing about the man was his toothbrush, the rest was rock hard and unwavering. It was easy to see why Jay was on edge.
"How are we doing this?"
"We're going to do the exact same thing we've done all day long. We're going to get out of the car, walk up to the door, and go inside."
"But we're coming in the same car on a holiday."
"Yeah, so?"
"So? So that will spill everything before we even open our mouths."
"Jay, you're thinking way too far into things."
"Um, do you remember what we do for a living."
"Geez, you're impossible sometimes."
"But charming."
"Yeah whatever." Hailey was the first to open her door, made a point of getting out quickly and slamming the door behind her. She stepped onto the curb and waited, not turning to see if Jay was coming. He had to get out, he was boxed in and had no other choice. With a twinge of an exasperated exhale, Jay too got out of the car, closed his door, and met Hailey at the curb.
"Let's do this."
"You do not know what's coming after this."
"Jay, stop assuming the worst. This is like last time. Hey! Let's remember I'm doing this in front of the very last person I dated. Imagine doing that." She had a point.
"Okay then, after you." As they approached the door they could pick up the music, some clash of holiday with just loud. With the curtains drawn you could only make out outlines, but even then they could figure out that Kim and Adam were paired together while Kevin was third wheeling somewhere close by. Voight was off in another spot, the two blobs across from him very clearly being Trudy and Randall.
"Do we even knock?" Hailey laughed out loud as she lovingly slapped him, doing the task of opening the door and telling Jay to keep going. They cleared the foyer with no recognition, but as they rounded the turn to the living room holding hands, the uproar that ensued.
"It's about time!"
"Congrats!"
"I totally called it! Before Christmas it would happen." Jay and Hailey had to let go in order to accept the hugs and high fives and bro hugs that were being dished out all around. It was like a high school reunion, but they had just seen everyone the day before. They all were so excited, genuinely, and nothing but praise and encouragement. Any thoughts of a bad reaction went away as the outpouring of love kept coming. This was a side of things Jay didn't totally anticipate, given his history, but he was beyond appreciative for it all. The best part was that they didn't have to say a word. Just like a close knit family, they all knew before anyone had to utter a sound. Even Voight congratulated them, which had Jay on edge.
"So how long, guys?"
"3 months, right," Jay jokingly asked?
"Yeah, like the night I got the offer from the FBI."
"Oh, you guys are so sneaky. You managed to hide it all from us super well for that long?! You two deserve an award for that."
"And the fact you were able to work together while keeping that under wraps, that will help your case with Gwendolyn," Trudy dropped on them.
"Wait, who," Hailey asked? Jay's eyes were bugged out and mouth dropped open.
"No, no no no. She died like two years ago." Trudy smirked as she shook her head, plopping a drink in ghostly Jay's hand and confused Hailey's lap.
"Jay, who is she talking about?" Meanwhile Voight was gathered in the middle of the room, hand raised with glass high in the air, about to give his yearly kind toast.
"Thank you everyone for all your hard work this year. Chicago is tough and plays tricks on us, but so far we've been able to outmaneuver her. To family, friends, and justice." We didn't say it was a very poetic speech. Everyone clanked glasses, hugged a final time before emptying their drinks. As they all reacted to the strong flavors and alcohol levels, Hailey glared at Jay.
"Jay, who are they talking about? What case?"
"She quiet possibly the scariest person in the world."
…
Monday Morning
It felt like high school all over again, sitting outside the principle's office with the girl you made out with instead of attending class. They were sitting on a bench right outside the office, legs crossed and wiggling out of nerves. It felt like their entire future hinged on this one person. That they were about to be sentenced detention or dismissal altogether. They didn't look at each other, weren't showing the smallest amount of PDA, just two people that just so happened to be sitting next to each other. Against the ringing phones and stacks of papers and people sitting at grey desks glancing over at them, they were the two examples of stillness and fear. Over the weekend Jay filled Hailey in about this Gwendolyn character, learning why she was something to be afraid of. The more Jay told, the more legendary and frightening she sounded.
Gwendolyn Baxsterby, yes that was her real name, was as old as dirt. No joke, she was probably there the day humans looked under their feet and figured out what the substance was. Gwendolyn was the last remaining OG to the building, the building! She had to be pushing late 80s, early 90s, yet showed up to work every single day. Perhaps it was the cold that kept her preserved, but she made Platt look tame. She was a small one, barely above five feet tall, skin that drooped off her thin frame and scraped the ground. She wore the largest, heaviest glasses in the world and had a bling chain that held them up around her face, and neck when they weren't being used. She always wore orange, like traffic cone florescent orange. She could barely see above her desk, so paper towel rolls were her choice for being propped up. She barely spoke below a full yell and was permanently slurred and slow thanks to the effects of a couple strokes. But despite all of this, she had a sixth sense for office romance, thus being coined the 'relationship guru' of the department. With a single 'yes' or 'no,' sentences regarding job placement or continued partnerships were deemed final. This was not the way Jay or Hailey saw their Thanksgiving weekend going, essentially getting and green or red light. But here they were, trying their best to not look completely freaked out.
"So that was a fun Thanksgiving."
"Yeah, it was definitely one for the memory books."
"I don't think I can eat another spoonful of cranberry sauce."
"Ugh, I think I'm going to sweat mashed potatoes." Hailey laughed hard at that one. He was so spot on.
"But overall, that went really well. It was so fun to see everyone and have everything out in the open."
"Yeah, let's just hope we can continue."
"I know, so very true." Just then the door to Gwendolyn's office slowly, eerily creaked open. There wasn't anyone that did the task and she was at her desk the entire time, so witchcraft had to have been used. Jay stood first, offering a hand to Hailey for support as she accepted. But as they entered the office both made a point of letting go of each other. They obeyed the command of the hot pink acrylic nail to sit, doing so before they were turned into something tragic.
"So you two are dating, is that correct?" Seriously the entire office could hear what was going on. Jay and Hailey felt to be naked in front of a crowd. Jay adjusted in his seat as he responded.
"Yes, we have been for about three months now."
"I see. And during this entire time you two have worked as partners?"
"That's correct," Hailey answered.
"Have you had any fights?"
"Like…over work?"
"Yes, what did you think I was talking about?" Jay shook his head for Hailey to not answer.
"No more then the usual amount. Partners bicker from time to time, but at the end of the day we are in it to help others."
"Have you ever had sexual intercourse while on the job?" Hailey did hang her mouth open at that, Jay going stunned before leaning closer to the desk.
"Isn't that a little too personal?"
"I said have you ever had.."
"-No! No not at all," Jay hurriedly responded.
"Okay, you two are good to go. You can stay being partners."
"Really," Hailey excitedly asked?!
"Oh thanks so much Gwendolyn." Jay got up and bolted before the woman could change her mind, giving Hailey the head nudge to get moving before things went bad. They beelined it out of the office and back down to their little world before either took a breath. It was an experience, one they'd never look the same at, but they got what they wanted.
"So…that was Gwendolyn?"
"That was Gwendolyn."
"She…was nice?!"
"Yeah, sure," Jay laughed.
"But hey, partner, we get to be ourselves fully and remain on the job. Talk about a successful weekend."
"Yeah, let's get back up to the office and help get this new person they were talking about." Jay was scanning his palm for the gate to open, listening to it chime before removing his hand and jogging up the steps. It took him a couple steps to realize Hailey wasn't following, spinning around to her smiling at him.
"Come on, are you coming up?"
"Person, we're each other's person."
"Hey…that actually kind of works. Hailey Upton is my person."
"And Jay Halstead is my person." They locked eyes for exactly two seconds before they met in their middle and relished a good, long French kiss. Because above nothing else, they were thankful to finally have their one true person.
"I don't care who sees."
"Neither do I."
It is finished! Hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I loved writing it! Send in those prompts! Let's have a fun hiatus. Thanks for reading!