I am on a roll so going to keep them coming as much as I can! Let me know if you like it.
"Jay?" Erin mumbled into the receiver, "Is Piper okay?" She'd had trouble falling asleep, her mind elsewhere after the confrontation with Bunny. Her mother always knew just how to play with her mind, and dropping Nadia into the conversation was a low blow, even for her. She could have stayed at Hank's, or taken comfort in the bottle at a bar down the street, but instead, Erin went home alone. She needed to fight the demons without alcohol and without her father figure, especially if she was going to be responsible for a whole other human life.
"It's Piper," the little girl managed, her voice wavering, "I-I need you to come to Jay's."
"Piper?" Erin immediately sat up in bed, "What happened? Are you okay?"
"Just come, please," Piper begged, "It's Jay, he needs you."
"I'll be right there," her sister replied, blindly grabbing clothes that she'd strewn across her rented apartment, "Hang tight, okay?"
"I'm gonna unlock the door so you can get in," Piper informed her, glancing down at Jay worriedly, "Please hurry."
Erin had never been more grateful to have coincidentally picked a short term rental on the same block as her ex-boyfriend. Piper's panicked phone call was like a bucket of cold water, and she was functioning on auto pilot. Her partner, and her sister, needed her.
She didn't know what to expect as she hurried up the steps to Jay's apartment, unwilling to wait for the elevator. She'd stupidly worn an old sweatshirt of Jay's that had made the trek with her to New York, and regretted the fact that she was only wearing pajama shorts instead of real pants. Erin usually reserved that sweatshirt for when she was really missing home and her old life, and despite being back in Chicago, the confrontation with her mother meant she needed the extra comfort.
Piper had thought to unlock the door, so she tentatively pushed it open, holding her breath in anticipation of whatever she was going to find.
Erin's chest tightened as her eyes immediately fell on Jay and Piper. The little girl had her tiny arms wrapped around Jay as best she could, standing beside the detective as he sat against the hallway wall, knees at his chest. "What happened?" she breathed gently, immediately sinking to her knees in front of them.
"He had a bad dream," Piper told her, one hand carefully rubbing Jay's arm. His face was obstructed by his hands and even though Erin couldn't see his eyes, she could tell he'd been crying. "I-I was trying to make him feel better, but I thought you would know what to do."
Erin nodded wordlessly. She reached a tentative hand out and rested it on Jay's knee. "Hey," she murmured, running her fingers carefully over his sweatpants, "It's me. You're okay. You're home, and you're in Chicago."
He gave a nod in response, but kept his head in his hands. "Can you take a deep breath for me?" she asked, "It's just me and Piper here with you. You're safe."
Jay took a deep breath. "I know," he croaked, "I'm sorry."
Erin scooted closer and rested a hand on Jay's shoulder. "Do you want to talk about it?" she asked carefully.
He lifted his head slowly from his hands. When Erin caught sight of his bloodshot and tired eyes, her heart clenched. "Jay," she whispered, rubbing his shoulder in an effort to keep him calm, "It's okay."
"'s not," he mumbled, "I woke her up." He took a shaky breath, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you, Pipes."
"You didn't scare me," Piper replied, tiny arms still around her friend, "I'm not afraid, I promise." She looked at Erin, "I was just worried. And I knew to call Erin, 'cause she makes you smile."
He choked out a chuckle, and a smile played on Erin's lips. "I knocked over the coat rack," he gestured to the fallen piece of furniture, "And it just set me off." Jay swallowed, "I um, haven't had a night like this in months. I'm sorry you guys had to see it."
Both Erin and Piper shook their heads. "I'm just glad you're okay," Piper whispered, relaxing into Jay's embrace when he looped an arm around her, "I want you to feel better."
"You helped," he insisted. He turned to Erin, "I um, I went to check on her, after I woke up the first time, and she got me back to sleep."
Erin smiled, "You did a good job, Noodle. I'm glad you called me." She leaned her forehead onto Jay's arm, "I wasn't having too great a night either."
Jay wrapped his other arm around Erin. "Thank you," he murmured, "For coming. For being here."
She moved her hand to his chest. "I wasn't there when you needed me before, but I'm here now." Erin exhaled when Jay gently kissed the top of her head. He let his lips linger, basking in the familiarity and love for his partner.
"You wanna get back in bed before you fall asleep out here?" Erin asked after a moment. Jay had been lightly tracing circles on her shoulder with his index finger, but the motions had slowed when the exhaustion caught up with him.
"Probably a good idea," he mumbled. Erin extracted herself from Jay's embrace and immediately shivered.
"You sleepy, Noodle?" She smiled knowingly at the little girl, who had just let out a yawn. Her sister shook her head valiantly but leaned into her sister's embrace.
"'m glad you comed over," she murmured into Erin's – Jay's – sweatshirt, "I like it when you do."
"Me too," Erin replied, gently stroking her sister's soft locks, "How about we get Jay tucked in bed, and then I can tell you a story til you fall asleep?"
Piper nodded in agreement. Jay hoisted himself off the floor and took in a shaky breath. "Nice sweatshirt," he teased, eyeing the Blackhawk hoodie Erin was clad in, "Suits you."
Her cheeks darkened and were visible in the nightlight's glow. "Couldn't bear to part with it," she replied, grabbing Jay's hand to lead him toward the bedroom, Piper still wrapped around her hip. "C'mon, Halstead, let's get you in bed."
"Do I get a story too?" he asked playfully when Erin gestured to the bed, indicating for him to get in.
"You gotta give him a story too," Piper insisted, looking up at her sister with a goofy smile, "Otherwise he'll be sad."
Erin let out an exaggerated huff. "Okay, but only because Piper insisted." She wiggled her eyebrows, earning a chuckle from her former partner as he settled in bed, scooting toward the middle to make room for Erin. She perched herself on the edge of Jay's bed and exhaled again. "What kind of story?"
"How about a story about your first partner?" Jay suggested, another yawn escaping his lips.
"You already know all those stories," she replied with a shake of her head.
"Piper doesn't," he reminded her, "C'mon, tell the one about the meatball sub."
Erin rolled her eyes but nodded. "Okay, Noodle, this one's for you too." The little girl had clambered onto the bed and was sitting against the headboard, her eyes clouded with exhaustion. Erin knew she'd end up falling asleep, but she figured she'd carry her to bed a bit later. "On my first week on patrol, my partner decided he really wanted a meatball sub for lunch."
She launched into the story of how her first partner, Kyle Alexander, had inadvertently dumped tomato sauce all over their squad car, and detailed the adventure they had looking for a place to get it cleaned. Erin absentmindedly stroked Jay's arm throughout the story, reminiscing of what it was like to actually work with a partner she loved. The story may have been about Alexander's mishap, but all she could think about was the days she spent driving around with Jay.
Piper had almost instantly fallen asleep, and was nestled in the extra pillows on Jay's bed. Erin finished her story but made no moves to leave Jay's side, at least not yet. There was something about just sitting beside him that made her feel more at peace, and more whole. When his breath evened out, she finally sighed. She needed to get Piper into her own bed.
Erin stood to leave, but Jay's fingers caught her. "Can you stay?" he asked softly, eyes still closed. "Just tonight."
It was the words she'd really wanted to hear, but wouldn't let herself admit to. All she wanted to do was stay, even though her head was telling her she needed to keep the space they'd established between themselves. But Jay had a rough night, and she'd had a rough day, and she knew they both needed it.
She sat back down and tucked herself into Jay's embrace, her body instantly feeling lighter. She felt his form relax as well as she snuggled into his chest, allowing the steady cadence of his heartbeat to lull them both to sleep.
When Jay awoke, the first thing he felt was panic. The night before had been plagued by nightmares and anxiety, and he'd woken Piper up several times, only for her to call Erin of all people to help calm him down.
The panic immediately faded when he remembered that Erin had stayed. She was still tucked into his left side, head resting on his chest and arm slung over his waist. Erin's hand was keeping Piper close, who had scooted over during the night into Jay's right side. Both of the ladies in his life were fast asleep in his arms, and it was then Jay realized he'd never felt more whole.
It was a Sunday, and he'd originally planned to take Piper to the park to kick the soccer ball he'd gotten her around. With the unpredictability of his schedule and the summer heat, they'd yet to find a good time but Jay had checked the weather, and he wanted to teach Piper how to play.
Erin's mouth was open slightly as she deeply breathed against his bare chest. He recognized the sheer exhaustion on her features well. After long and difficult cases, no matter the outcome, everything always caught up with his girl. There was generally an opportunity for a day off after a case, and she'd relish in the privilege to sleep in. She was usually tucked into Jay's right side, on her preferred side of the bed. He could have chuckled at his memory of Erin's preferences and quirks, but he didn't want to wake her. Instead, he glanced down to her little sister, equally as asleep on his other side.
Subconsciously, he was still felt incredibly guilty for waking up Piper. The first nightmare that had woken him up in the first place wasn't actually about his time in the military or in the police – it was about Piper. After the night where she'd been cowering in the kitchen and Jay hadn't been able to find her, he had been absolutely shaken. In his dream-addled state, he thought she'd gone missing, and needed to make sure she was still tucked in bed.
Thankfully, she had been tucked under the covers, and the comfort she brought to him was just like Erin. They shared a lot of the same mannerisms, and apparently the same techniques at calming people down. He'd immediately fallen asleep beside her, just so grateful that she was still in his apartment, and still safe.
It was the second nightmare that really threw him. Again, it wasn't about Afghanistan or the gruesome sights he'd seen in Intelligence. This was about Erin, and the day she'd gone in without back up to the home of Tawny and Spence, the robbery crew who was ripping off families by putting them out with nitrous oxide. They'd only been dating seriously for a month or two, but the anxiety that filled him when he knew she was in danger was a consistent theme in his recurring nightmares.
Piper had made the right call in reaching out to Erin. As he sat against the hallway wall, he knew that he'd calm down in a bit. Yes, the coat rack falling had rattled him, but he'd had worse nightmares.
But Erin.
Having Erin to talk him down in that raspy voice he loved so much was everything he never wanted to admit he needed.
There was something about the cadence of her speech and the comfort of her touch that erased the lingering nightmare from his brain and brought him back. He swallowed. He knew that the past year would have been easier on him had he just let her in from the get go.
But he didn't. And it hurt. And she left. And that hurt even more.
But she was here now. For how long, he wasn't sure. He felt Piper stir slightly, and it all came rushing back, just how temporary everything was.
He couldn't let the fleeting moments pass him by. Jay shook off the feeling of impending sadness for when eventually Piper and Erin would walk out of his apartment and replaced it with what was in his arms, right now. Two people he loved and cared for so deeply were in his arms, and he felt more whole than he'd ever felt in his whole life.
Piper stirred again and opened her eyes. "You okay?" she murmured to Jay, who was laying on his back, eyes staring up at the ceiling.
"Hey, kiddo," he replied, lightly stroking her hair, "I am, thanks to you."
She gave a small smile and rubbed her eyes, realizing that Erin was still asleep beside Jay. "Erin stayed too," she whispered.
Jay nodded. "Thank you for looking out for me last night. You and Erin really helped me feel better."
Piper snuggled closer to Jay, and his heart leapt. "You guys made me feel better too."
Erin shifted slightly and snapped her eyes open. She'd forgotten that she'd migrated to Jay's apartment in the early hours of the morning, and that she ended up getting into bed with him and Piper. "Hi," she said, relaxing when she saw that Piper was cuddled into Jay as well. Somehow it felt less weird with her sister providing comfort as well. "How are you feeling this morning?"
"Much better," Jay replied, acutely aware of Erin's awkwardness. Maybe they'd crossed a line. "Thanks to you guys."
She smiled and ran her thumb over Piper's back. "You did such a good job last night, Noodle," she praised, "We're so proud of you." Erin tried not to let her voice hitch on the we're. There was so much of the parenting work that was suddenly her and Jay, but they weren't together, and we're felt weird, but also right.
Piper gave a bashful smile. "I um, I am a little hungry," she said quietly.
"Me too," Jay replied quickly. He was absolutely over the moon. Piper had yet to express when she was hungry in the month they'd been together, and the foster care parenting book he'd been reading outlined that verbally expressing feelings of need, like hunger, was a huge step for a child coming out of serious trauma. "What if we do breakfast tacos this morning, hm? Try that place we drove by over near the zoo?" He grinned when Piper nodded, "Alrighty, you go get ready and we'll head out in a few, sound good?"
As soon as Piper scampered off to get changed, Erin extracted herself from Jay's embrace. "Thank you," he said softly, propping himself up on his elbows, "Really, Er. For coming."
She nodded, "I-I meant what I said last night. I do want to be there for you Jay, I mean, it's the least I can do. You're taking care of my sister and keeping her safe and happy."
Jay smiled, "Yeah, telling us that she's hungry is huge."
Erin nodded again in agreement. "I'm proud of her for comin' so far. I mean, last night she was just…" she trailed off, unable to express how impressed she'd been with Piper's ability to handle Jay's nightmare.
"She's probably the most perceptive person I've ever met," he mused, "Last night, I um, I dreamed I couldn't find her, like what happened a few nights back. I-I totally woke her up when I went to make sure she was in bed but god she just knew how to bring me back." He looked at Erin wistfully, "Must be in the genes."
Erin snorted and shivered slightly. "Well, speaking of genes, I actually need to put real jeans on because it is so cold in here, and these pajama shorts aren't cutting it."
Jay tugged at the pocket of the sweatshirt that Erin was wearing. "I love that you kept this," he said honestly, "Always looked better on you than it did on me."
Her cheeks reddened slightly. "I um, wear it when I'm missing home. And even though I'm in Chicago, after the whole thing with Bunny yesterday I um," she swallowed, unable to finish her thought. "I'm glad Piper called me."
He rubbed the material between his thumb and forefinger. "Me too." Jay was about to mention just how much he missed Erin in bed beside him when his phone rang. "Jenna," he explained to Erin and quickly answered. "Hey, Jenna. Yeah, um, we found out yesterday, she kind of crashed a barbeque looking for Erin…Okay, yeah. Great. See you today." He hung up, Erin looking at him nervously. "She called to tell me about Bunny's visitation being revoked," Jay started, "And that there was a last minute mix up at DCFS and you guys can have a sister date this afternoon."
Erin exhaled in relief. "I um, I thought since Bunny's got cancelled, mine might too," she said honestly, "I told my lawyer about Bunny stopping by and making threats, and she said she'd try to handle it."
Jay nodded and glanced down at his phone. "You want to join us for breakfast? I know the formal visit thing is a little weird since Piper's gotta get picked up and dropped off but-"
"That sounds great," Erin interrupted. "Thank you. For always including me, so I can get to know her. I um, I really appreciate it."
"Of course," Jay replied, "It's good for you guys to spend time together and-"
"Are you okay?" Piper glanced into Jay's bedroom worriedly, dressed for breakfast. Erin's chest tightened at just how small and innocent her little sister appeared in the tiny jean shorts and t shirt Jay had picked out for her from Target.
"I'm great," Jay flashed a goofy grin, but then wrinkled his brow when Piper still looked nervous, "Why? Do I look weird?"
"You're still in bed," she explained, shifting from one foot to the other, "I-I got worried that you were sick or something."
"Nah, I'm good," Jay insisted, "Erin's gonna join us for breakfast tacos, how does that sound?"
A smile spread on Piper's lips and she nodded. "Alrighty, two minutes, I just need to change," Jay said, "Er, you wearing those pajamas to the taco place?"
Erin rolled her eyes, and Piper giggled. "No, I do need to stop by my place and change, but I might need coffee first."
"I can do the coffee," Piper said seriously, "Jay teached me how."
"No way," Erin smiled, "Noodle and I will get started on the coffee, Halstead. Don't be too long, I'm starving."
Breakfast tacos were a success, as was informing Piper that she and Erin would be having a sister date later in the day. Erin promised ice cream as a re-do of their last plan, and Jay was excited that Piper was excited. Jay decided against teaching Piper how to play soccer in the park so he didn't tire her out before ice cream with Erin, and instead opted to show Piper one of his favorite movies – Back to the Future.
They dropped Erin back at her apartment so she could get a jump on a few things for work, and if he was being honest, Jay was grateful for a little one-on-one time with just him and Piper. As much as she was learning to trusting Erin, she was still less talkative and more reserved than when it was just the two of them. He loved getting her out of her shell a bit more each day, and picking up anecdotes from her previous life. With the way the case was going, no detail Piper could share would be too small, and Jay and the rest of the unit needed all the help they could get.
Unfortunately, when Jenna showed up at Jay's apartment door, the little girl practically shut down. It was then Jay realized that the last time Jenna had been to his place it was when she was taking Piper to meet Bunny, and they all knew how that went. "You sure you can't come?" Piper asked softly as Jay held her closely in the process of saying good bye, "You like ice cream."
"I do," Jay chuckled, relishing just how much Piper loved and trusted him, "But I want you and Erin to get to know each other. And I'll be just up the street, and I'll be waiting right here for when Ms. O'Donnell brings you back."
Piper held tighter to Jay. He was lightly stroking her back as the social worker stood in the doorway patiently. "I like Erin," she murmured, "I-I just don't like leavin' you."
Jay's heart clenched. God, he loved Piper so much it almost hurt. "I know, I feel the same way," he said, "But what gets me through is that you're gonna be coming back through that door in an hour or so, with ice cream for me, right?"
She nodded, "You're gonna be right here?"
Jay paused. He had actually planned on attending a veteran's support meeting around the block while Piper was with Erin. He hadn't been in a few weeks, and after his nightmare he knew that he needed to talk it out. "I'll be here when you get back," he started, "And while you're with Erin, I'm going to go to a quick meeting up the street with some guys who were also in the military." He looked up to Jenna, who had raised her eyebrows in appreciation. "It's a support group," Jay explained, "And I know that sometimes it's just good for me to talk to other people who have been through some of the same stuff I have."
Piper nodded slowly. "Kinda like me? And Erin?"
Jay's breath hitched. He knew just how hard Erin's growing up was, and was still putting the pieces together of Piper's, but the little girl was right. Having someone like Erin, who'd dealt with drug dealers and bad parents growing up was important for Piper to see how people's lives could get better. "Exactly," he said finally, pressing a kiss on the side of her head, "I promise I'll be right here waiting for you though. And I won't start the lasagna til you get back."
"Good," Piper exhaled and hugged Jay, "If-if I faint again, you'll still be close?"
"I'll be there in two minutes if anything happens," Jay promised, "But you're going to be totally fine, and it's going to be great."
Erin plodded along the street, music pumping in her ears. She'd missed running in Chicago. New York had great parks, but there was something about the familiarity of the streets in her hometown that made the workout that much better.
The visit with Piper had gone as well as she could have hoped. The little girl was still somewhat nervous around without Jay, but slowly warmed up to her as they walked around the park with their ice cream. Erin decided it would be best to take her cues from Piper when it came to talking about either of their pasts, so she asked her little sister about Back to the Future, and about some her new books. She was grateful that Jay had sent her a text informing her that Piper was a bit nervous, and that he would just be around the corner should anything happen. After the last visit that ended with Piper in the hospital, Erin had been on edge as well.
Piper had managed a hug goodbye when Jenna came by to pick her up, which pleased Erin to no end. It was one thing for her to be able to talk about her growing bond with Piper to her lawyer and in court, but for Piper to show it to the social worker was huge. Erin left the visit feeling a sense of renewed hope after a tricky few days between Bunny and Piper fainting. Maybe things would work out just fine.
Suddenly, pain radiated from the back of Erin's head as she stumbled to the ground. Her instincts kicked in and the headphones fell out of her ears, music replaced with loud ringing and a man shouting. She took a blow to the face as she struggled against him. "Your dad sent me. If you don't back off, next time I'll snatch the kid," the man snarled. Erin writhed on the concrete and got her fingers into his neck in an attempt to get him off.
As quickly as he'd come, the man was gone, leaving Erin on her back in the alley, the brief sense of hope evaporating into thin air.
Told ya it was about to get ~twisty~! Not gonna even leave a hint to what's next to keep you guessing ;)
PS - I am still updating my other story but it is taking way longer than this one