Let me know what you think!
Jay was absolutely distraught as he forced himself onto his feet after searching beneath Piper's bed. He swallowed, his mind venturing all kinds of terrible places.
Had she been taken?
Had she just left?
How could he have been so careless to lose the child he'd been trusted with?
Erin would never forgive him. Hell, he'd never forgive himself.
His heart pounded loudly in his ears as he tried to gather himself. She was small, so she couldn't have gotten more than a few miles away, if that. He swallowed. A few miles in Chicago could mean she could be anywhere. He didn't even know if she knew how to use public transit, or what shoes she was wearing. If she'd gotten on the CTA, she could be anywhere. Jay gasped for a breath when he realized he'd stopped breathing. He couldn't fall apart just yet, he needed to try and find her.
Jay blindly stumbled back toward his bedroom to grab his phone so he could call it in. How could he have been so stupid? After the traumatic day she had, Piper needed him to be close, and instead, he'd just let her fall asleep and didn't think to spend the night on the couch. Hot tears filled his eyes as he pushed the items on his bedside around in search of his phone. He'd have every cop in Chicago looking for Piper, time of day be damned.
He fumbled with the device and was about to dial when a small voice nearly caused him to drop it. "Piper?" Jay gasped out, frantically glancing around his bedroom, "Piper?"
"J-Jay?"
The voice was louder this time. Piper was in the apartment. She hadn't left, and she hadn't been taken. She sounded scared. He hurried back into the living room, "Where are you kiddo?" he said, trying to keep his voice more measured than he felt, "Where are you?"
A sniff drew his attention toward the kitchen. Jay quickly crossed the living room and heaved a sigh of relief when he saw Piper huddled on the kitchen floor behind the counter, eyes wet with tears. "Oh, Pipes," he exhaled, placing a hand on his bare chest, feeling his heart positively fluttering with anxiety, "You scared me for a second there." He paused and crouched down on the kitchen floor to meet the little girl's gaze. "What's wrong, kiddo?" Jay asked softly, "What are you doing up?"
"I don't feel good," she whimpered, "I-I'm sorry, I didn't want to make you mad earlier."
Jay felt his heart start beating even quicker as he cleared the cobwebs from his head. Piper was safe in his apartment. She hadn't left, but she wasn't well. "Oh, no," he shook his head, "I wouldn't ever be mad if you weren't feeling well. What's hurting?" He sized up the shaking child in front of him, concern ramping up with each passing second.
"My stomach doesn't feel good," she managed after taking a shaking breath, "I-I thought I should get some water but I-I didn't want to break a glass."
"I'm sorry Pipes." Jay reached a hand out and placed it on Piper's forehead, relieved that it was cool to the touch. "How about some ginger ale?" he offered, gently stroking her soft cheek, "If your tummy isn't feeling too good?"
She managed a small nod and leaned into Jay's bare chest. "I'm sorry," she mumbled again, "I didn't want to wake you up."
"I was already awake," he replied, anxious thoughts racing through his mind as he held her closely, "But you can always wake me up for anything."
"I didn't want you to be mad," she repeated, "'cause I wasn't feelin' good and I wasn't honest about it earlier."
"That's okay," Jay soothed, gently running his fingers over Piper's back as she held tightly, "I'm just worried about you. You want to climb back into bed while I get a few things from the fridge?"
Piper shook her head. "I want to stay with you," she whispered, "I don't wanna let go."
Jay swallowed and pressed a gentle kiss atop the little girl's head. Truthfully, he didn't want to let her go either. After briefly not being able to find her, all he wanted to do was keep her in his arms forever. "Okay, can I pick you up?"
"Uh-huh," Piper consented, continuing to keep her arms around Jay's neck as he lifted her, doing his best to keep his own heart from pounding out of his chest from anxiety.
The clock on the oven indicated that it was just after two in the morning. He grimaced as he examined the contents of the fridge, unable to locate a ginger ale. He'd finished the last can a few days before Piper joined him after a particularly difficult Molly's-induced hangover following a rough case. "How about a glass of water for now?" Jay suggested, trying to keep the nervousness out of his voice, "We need to keep you hydrated." He wracked his brain, "I'm going to send a quick text to my brother who's a doctor, just to see if he has any ideas."
Piper nodded against his chest while Jay fumbled in his sweatpants pocket for his cell phone. He sent a quick text message to Will, and one to Natalie, in the hopes either of them were awake at the same ungodly hour. "Does anything else hurt beside your belly?" Jay asked, carefully stroking Piper's hair back.
She shrugged, "I just don't feel good."
"Okay," Jay kissed the top of her head again, overwhelmed by how little he could do to ease Piper's discomfort, "Can you have some water for me? Just a few sips?"
She nodded and took a sip when Jay lifted the cup to her lips. Piper was quiet as Jay held her in the kitchen, anxiously waiting for Will or Natalie to text him back. He thought for a moment. There was a 24 hour mini mart on the corner of the street, but he didn't want to leave Piper alone for any period of time, or drag her out into the night.
His thoughts were interrupted by the buzz of his cell on the kitchen counter.
It wasn't Will or Natalie – it was Erin. He wrinkled his brow, confused at why she'd be texting him at such an odd hour.
Can't sleep. Thinking about Bunny but so glad we talked today
He smiled. He was glad they talked as well, but his heart clenched when he read that Erin couldn't sleep. "Feelin' any better?" Jay asked gently, glancing down to see if his little friend had fallen asleep like he'd hoped. Unfortunately, she shook her head, and Jay winced. He needed to call in reinforcements.
"I think Erin's awake. Is it okay with you if I give her a call, see if she can bring by any ginger ale for you?"
Piper nodded, "She slept in her own bed tonight?"
"Yeah," Jay chuckled softly, "She's got her own bed, but she's awake, and worried about you. I'm going to give her a call."
"Didn't think you'd be up," was Erin's muffled reply after Jay lifted the phone to his ear, "Couldn't sleep either?"
"Thought I'd ask you for a favor," Jay replied slowly, not wanting to freak out his former partner, "Pipes isn't feeling too great. Was wondering if you could swing by with a ginger ale, maybe some crackers? There's a 24 hour place right on the corner."
"Is she sick?" Erin asked, immediately sitting up and rustling the sheets.
"Just not feeling good," Jay said, "No fever, but I'm waiting on Nat or Will to text back."
"I'll be there in five," Erin promised, locating her boots in the darkness, "Thanks for calling."
Jay exhaled, "Erin's coming," he murmured into Piper's hair. He could have sworn that the little girl relaxed slightly at the news. He was already feeling better knowing that he'd have back up.
Erin wasn't sure what to expect when she knocked on her former partner's apartment door after two in the morning. She hastily thrown on a t shirt and jeans, and instantly regretted leaving her sweatshirt on the kitchen table. The summer months were hot in Chicago, but the night brought a chill, and she was cold.
When Jay pulled open the door, she once again found herself stifling a gasp. He looked like such a dad with the little girl on his hip, wearing only a pair of sweatpants as he shifted nervously on his feet. Even though Piper was wrapped around him, she could clearly see his chiseled body, somehow even sexier than she'd remembered. "Thanks for coming," he said, opening the door wider, cheeks darkening slightly when he realize he was indeed shirtless.
"Of course. Hi Noodle," Erin whispered, reaching a tentative hand out to stroke Piper's hair after she kicked her shoes off, "I heard you're not feeling too good."
"My stomach hurts," the little girl replied, voice muffled by Jay's shoulder, "I-I couldn't sleep."
"I couldn't sleep either," Erin assured her, placing the bag of ginger ale and crackers she'd purchased from the mini mart down the street onto the counter, "How about some ginger ale or crackers to settle your tummy?"
Piper shrugged, still clinging to Jay. "I didn't mean to wake you guys up."
"Don't worry about that," Jay said, "I'm going to sit us on the couch and-"
"I don't wanna let go," Piper interrupted, her small voice sounding tearful.
Erin cast a knowing look to Jay. "Jay's not letting go," she promised, "I'm going to get you a bit of ginger ale, and we're all gonna sit on the couch til you're feeling a bit better."
"'kay," Piper exhaled, settling against Jay's chest while Erin uncapped the bottle and poured a bit of soda into a cup. She extended the cup to Jay and perched on the edge of the sofa, shivering slightly.
"Good job," Jay praised after Piper took a few sips, "This'll help get you feeling a bit better, kiddo."
"Thank you," she whispered, closing her eyes as Erin began gently threading her fingers through her little sister's hair in an attempt to provide as much comfort as possible.
Jay glanced down at his phone and opened a text from Will, who had asked how much Piper had eaten prior to taking her iron supplements.
Suddenly, it clicked. Iron supplements could cause discomfort if they weren't taken with a bit of food, and Piper had barely eaten all day. He grimaced. They also weren't supposed to be taken with dairy, yet he'd stupidly given Piper ice cream and pizza. It was his fault the little girl was feeling so poorly. Erin furrowed her brow when she caught Jay's troubled expression. She reached over her sister to touch his arm, silently asking him what was wrong. "This is my fault," he said guiltily, "I um, don't think I gave you enough to eat before you had the iron pills." Jay swallowed, "I'm so sorry Pipes."
Erin's heart tightened at how distraught her former partner looked. "'s not your fault I didn't eat," Piper mumbled into his neck.
"It is my job to take care of you," Jay shook his head, "And I should have thought more before giving you the supplements. I'm sorry kiddo."
Piper leaned back, "I don't want you to feel bad." She instinctively held closer, "I didn't eat 'cause I was nervous. It's not your fault."
Erin ran her other hand up and down Jay's arm, doing her best to comfort him as well as Piper. "When I'm nervous, I don't feel hungry either. These things just happen sometimes," she murmured, "But the good news is after we get some food in your belly, you should start feeling better. How about a few crackers?"
"'kay," she murmured, still pressed against Jay's chest, "Can I stay here?"
"Of course," Jay managed, giving a grateful smile to Erin as she assembled the crackers, "I'm still sorry Pipes. I hate seeing you feeling sick."
"I never had anybody take care of me before," Piper informed him, "Whenever I got sick before, nobody cared." The little girl exhaled softly when Jay kissed the top of her head, relishing in the comfort he provided.
Erin fought to keep the tears at bay as she slid a few crackers onto a plate and returned to the couch. "Can you try to have two?" Jay asked, his voice muffled slightly by Piper's hair, "Just to get something in your tummy."
She nodded and accepted the cracker from her sister. Erin shifted closer and draped one arm over the back of the sofa to gently stroke the back of Jay's neck. Despite having the little girl in his arms, she could tell just how tense he was, still wracked with guilt. His tightly coiled muscles relaxed ever so slightly, her touch grounding him.
Wordlessly, Jay reached one hand to the table beside the couch and produced a zip up he'd abandoned earlier that evening. "You're shivering," he said knowingly, passing the soft material to his former partner.
Erin gratefully accepted and slipped the sweatshirt on, overwhelmed by the sense of calm that covered her. She had forgotten just how much comfort could come from wearing something that smelled distinctly of Jay. The two hoodies and few t shirts she'd smuggled with her to New York had since lost their Jay-scent. "Thanks," she whispered, settling back against the couch and returning her hand to the nape of his neck,
"I feel better," Piper said after four crackers and a few minutes, "A lot better."
Jay relaxed further, Erin's gentle ministrations continuing to provide the comfort he so desperately needed. "I'm so glad, kiddo," he said, kissing her soft hair yet again, "I was really worried when I couldn't find you."
Erin wrinkled her brow, not sure to what her former partner was alluding to. "I didn't want to wake you up," Piper whispered, "'cause I used to get hit when I did that."
Jay's breath hitched and Erin felt her heart drop. "That's not going to happen again," Jay swallowed, "I promise I'm not going to let anyone touch you like that, ever again."
"I know," she breathed, "I know I'm safe here. I think I just forget sometimes."
Erin gently rubbed her sister's shoulder. "It's hard to forget the bad stuff sometimes." She swallowed the lump in her throat when Piper nodded in agreement, "It took me a long time too."
"Really?" Piper turned her head slightly.
"It gets easier," Erin reassured her, "Over time, it does. And when you have people fighting for you, like Jay, it gets better." Jay cast a knowing glance at his former partner, her hand still on the nape of his neck.
Piper's breath began to even out, exhaustion finally catching up with her. "Can we get you settled in bed?" Jay asked finally, glancing down at his little friend, "A good night sleep should help make you feel better too."
She nodded. As Jay carried her toward the bedroom, she lifted her head off his shoulder. "Can you stay?" Piper asked Erin softly, her voice thick with drowsiness, "Please?"
Erin nodded and swallowed another lump in her throat. Piper trusted her, and she was comforted by her. It felt so good to know that her little sister wanted to be around her despite all the stories their mother had shared hours before. "I can," she replied, following her ex-partner into the little girl's bedroom, "I'll be right outside."
Piper held tightly to Jay when he attempted to place her on the bed. "I-I-I don't want to let go," she insisted, "I want you to stay close."
"I'll be right down here," Jay gestured to his usual spot against Piper's bedside table, "I'll be here til you fall asleep."
"I-I feel better when you're right here," Piper insisted, "I don't wanna let go."
"What if Jay sits next to you on the bed?" Erin suggested carefully, not wanting to overstep. She could tell he was torn between doing what the parenting books had told him and what the little girl so desperately wanted.
Piper nodded, "Please?"
"Of course," Jay kissed the top of Piper's head yet again, doing his best to memorize what it felt like to have the little girl in his arms. He was constantly reminded that she wasn't his for much longer, and there was something about holding her closely that made him feel better as well.
"I want Erin too," she whispered after Jay settled her in the middle of the bed and perched on the edge. Jay smiled softly at his ex-girlfriend, who was standing awkwardly at the bottom of Piper's bed.
"C'mere," Jay gestured to the other side of the little girl, "You feelin' better Pipes?"
"Much better," Piper exhaled. Jay had an arm wrapped around her, still keeping her close while Erin maneuvered herself on the other side. "I feel real safe."
"Good," he replied, extending his arm so Erin could come closer. She obliged and laid her head down on the other pillow, facing Piper and Jay. "We'll stay til you fall asleep, don't worry."
Piper let out another sigh, relaxing further. After a few minutes, Jay's breath evened out, succumbing to sleep on the comfortable bed. Erin had reached over Piper to place a comforting hand on his bare chest, knowing just how much Piper's discomfort had rattled him.
"He usually doesn't sleep good," Piper whispered to Erin, gesturing to Jay's sleeping form. His mouth was open slightly as he slept heavily on the other side of the little girl, one hand atop Erin's which was resting next to his heart.
"Yeah?" Erin raised her eyebrows slightly, "He told you?"
She shook her head, "I wake up easy, so I always hear him. He tries to be real quiet, but he wakes up a lot during the night." She exhaled softly. "He always checks on me, to make sure I'm sleeping."
Erin smiled sadly. It was just like Jay to check on Piper after he had a bad dream of his own. "He's a good one."
Piper nodded tiredly, "I didn't mean to make you guys worried again."
"It's not your fault," Erin reached the hand that wasn't on Jay's chest to take Piper's tiny fingers in her own, "You should have people worrying about you, especially if you weren't feeling good."
She gave a small smile, "I feel better now. I think 'cause of the crackers. And 'cause you came too."
Happy tears filled Erin's eyes before she could stop them, but she did her best to blink them back. "I'll always be there for you, Noodle. As long as you'll have me. That's what sisters are for."
Piper gave another sleepy smile and let out a breath. Her eyelids fluttered closed, and her breathing slowly evened out as she relaxed, finally feeling better. Erin watched her little sister's features go slack, overwhelmed by how much she could love someone she'd only met a week ago. "I love you Piper," Erin murmured, "I'll be here when you wake up." She lifted her head slightly to see if Jay was still fast asleep.
Her former partner was still sleeping peacefully, one arm protectively around Piper. His fingers were just at the top of Erin's head, and instinctively stroked her cheek when she placed her head back down on the pillow. She couldn't help but smile. "I love you, too," she whispered, "Always have, always will."
For the second time in a week, Jay slept well. His internal clock had him awake just before seven, a whole hour longer than he normally slept, and Piper and Erin were fast asleep to his right. Erin was on her side, one arm draped over Piper with her hand still resting on his chest. Piper was cuddled into his side, with Erin's head snuggled into her back, almost like she was listening to the little girl's heartbeat. He couldn't help but grin. Erin looked so much like her little sister in her sleep, features serene and relaxed.
Erin stirred slightly and lifted her head off the pillow to meet Jay's gaze. She smiled sleepily and exhaled, her palm still resting on Jay's bare chest. "Hi," she murmured, gently moving her fingers on her former partner's chest, "Sleep well?"
"Mm," he nodded. "After I woke up and couldn't find her I thought I'd never sleep again."
Erin furrowed her brow. She briefly recalled Jay mentioning he couldn't find Piper last night, but hadn't gotten a chance to ask him about it. "She was on the kitchen floor, shaking like a leaf," Jay explained in a whisper, realizing that she had no idea what he was talking about. "I thought she left after everything yesterday."
She nodded in understanding and gently stroked Piper's hair. "I'm glad she's here."
Piper lazily opened her eyes and jumped when she caught sight of Erin beside her. Erin immediately retracted her hand, "Sorry Noodle, I didn't mean to scare you."
The little girl shook her head, "I-I didn't realize you stayed all night." She let out a breath and offered a smile, "Maybe that's how come Jay slept so good."
Erin chuckled as Jay's cheeks darkened. "It's a comfy bed," he replied, "How are you feeling this morning, kiddo?"
"Good," Piper confirmed, "After Erin came and I ate the crackers I felt better."
Jay relaxed, and pressed the back of his hand to Piper's forehead, which was still cool to the touch. "I'm so glad," he smiled, "We're just going to make sure that before you take any of the iron supplements, we get a good bit of food in you, sound good?"
Piper nodded. "Thank you for stayin' with me," she whispered, "I never had anyone do that before and I felt really safe."
"Any time," Jay leaned down to press a kiss on Piper head, and lightly toyed with the ends of Erin's hair with his hand, "What do you say we head to the diner for breakfast this morning? Maybe some waffles?"
She nodded excitedly, "Is Erin gonna come too?"
"If she wants," Jay replied, teasing lilt to his voice, "She's always welcome."
Erin and Piper sat across the table from Jay in the diner, another big stride in their relationship. Previously, the little girl had taken to sitting beside Jay whenever possible, but elected to scoot in beside her older sister. Erin's heart had leapt with joy seeing Piper get more and more comfortable with her. "You want some orange juice, Pipes?" Jay suggested as he perused the menu.
She nodded, "And an omelet, please." Piper looked up at Jay, eyes twinkling, "I can even put spinach in it."
Jay grinned, "Well I guess we'll just have to see if the omelets here are better than Chef Halstead's, won't we?"
Piper giggled and Erin rolled her eyes. Their conversation felt easy and light for the first time, now that Piper knew about their history, and that they'd had the initial conversation they needed to.
"Erin?" Piper asked after she'd finished a good portion of her omelet, "C-can I ask you a question?"
Erin placed the coffee cup she'd just greedily sipped from back onto the table. "Of course. What's up?" Jay had also placed his coffee cup down in anticipation, curious as to what Piper was going to ask.
"Did you ever know anyone named Kenny Charlton?"
Erin thought for a moment but shook her head and cast a quick glance to Jay. "I don't think so," she replied slowly, giving a thankful smile to the waitress who came by to fill her and Jay's mugs with coffee, "Why do you ask?"
Piper took a deep breath. "Um, because yesterday, I asked her who our dad is. That's the name she told me." She glanced from Erin to Jay, "I-I'm sorry I forgot to tell you yesterday. She said a lot of things and I don't know what's true and-"
"It's okay," Erin reassured her, "I um, I don't know who she's talking about, to be honest with you. But um, I'm going to text the lawyer so she knows too."
"I don't want to go to him," Piper rushed out, her heart suddenly thumping wildly in her chest, "I just told you 'cause I thought you wanted to know, not so he could take me."
"No, no," Jay interrupted, "You're staying here, kiddo. Erin's just gotta tell the lawyer so she can look into it, to make sure he doesn't try anything. You're safe." He reached across the table and stroked Piper's small shaking fingers, "I promise."
"She said he was in Juliet. And Greens-ville?" Piper said, relaxing in her chair when Jay confirmed she'd be staying, "Is that jail?"
Erin swallowed, "Yeah, um, Joliet and Greenville are prisons." She exchanged a glance with Jay, "Did she um, say anything else about him?"
Piper shook her head, "Only that she already told you 'bout him but that you took too many drugs to remember." She paused, "That's not true right?"
"I would have remembered if she told me about our dad," Erin managed, still constantly amazed by how her mother looked to undermine and hurt her at every step of the way. "She um, about a year ago, told me about this guy Jimmy, who she said was our dad, but she lied about that."
"How come she keeps lying?" Piper whispered, looking over to Jay whose gaze was focused worriedly on Erin.
"I'm not sure," she replied, her voice thick with emotion, "But I promise I'm telling the truth."
"I know," Piper said immediately and offered a small smile. "I trust you guys."
Jay smiled softly, "I'll ask around, see if I can find anything on this guy, if he is who Bunny says he is."
I was going to go one way and then I had some inspiration so I went another because I figured I owed everyone some cuteness. Don't worry it gets twisty up ahead ;) We'll see if anyone can guess...