"Alright, take 1!" The director shouted through the microphone. Erin exhaled and started the engine. "And action!"
"Wait!" A sudden interruption rang out on the set, everyone's eyes falling on the person that spoke out. Erin killed the engine, got out of the car and stood waiting between the opened door.
"What's the problem, Landon?" the director shouted into the microphone. Everyone was wondering what the hold up was and why Landon had suddenly stopped the scene.
"Where the fuck is my badge!?" Landon barked at his wardrobe stylist standing nearby. The stylist released a scared squeak as she searched the fanny pack on her body for the missing piece of the uniform.
"Sorry!" she squeaked. "I'll go grab it!" she shouted as she ran to the tables where the props and wardrobe were located.
"Can we do the scene without it?" Steven, the person in charge of the special effect, asked after a few minutes had passed and the stylist was still unable to find the badge. He was holding the detonator for the explosives and was bouncing on his feet. Erin studied Steven and noticed him looking nervous and sweaty. Erin just chalked it up to him being a bit tense about making sure the special effect for the scene went well.
Even though both Steven and the director had assured Erin that the explosives they were using in the scene was purely for effects and wouldn't cause her any harm, Erin couldn't help but feel a bit apprehensive about everything. It didn't help that there was a strange feeling that was quickly forming in her gut about one of her closest friends. Her mind was a bag of mixed emotions right now and she was having a hard time trying to stay focused since being too distracted would be unconducive to getting the scene done.
Erin's eyes shifted over to where Caitlin stood a few feet away behind the cameras. She didn't really know what to think about the woman. Erin thought she knew Caitlin well enough. Erin befriended her. She had confided in her. She thought she had found a kindred spirit in Caitlin, someone that had been through similar experiences as Erin. Someone that knew the industry and the ugly side of it. Someone that Erin thought she could trust.
But Annie's confession earlier had Erin's mind swirling with doubts about just how well she really knew Caitlin. Caitlin had acted like she was oblivious about Erin having been in rehab and had found out when the magazine article had come out. Did she do that to protect Annie spilling Erin's secret? Or was there another reason behind Caitlin's act?
"Oh come on! What the fuck is taking so long?" Steven's loud yelling pulled Erin's attention away from Caitlin back over to the man. He was acting strange, Erin noticed. The outburst was uncharacteristic from the usually quiet and meek man. Erin didn't know much about Steven other than he seemed like a nice person. He was shy and a bit socially awkward. He had trouble meeting Erin's eyes when they first started but he had gotten a bit better in later interactions, like he was starting to come out of his shell more.
"Sorry!" the stylist shouted, still frantically searching the tables for Landon's missing badge.
"Fuck. This is….fuck!" Erin heard Steven cursed to himself quietly, shaking his head. "I can't believe this is happening."
"Hey, it's okay," Erin spoke and tried to calm the man down. She was already nervous enough about the explosives herself, she didn't need the person who was supposed to be controlling her safety freaking out himself. Her words did little to comfort the man who kept on muttering expletives under his breath.
"Found it!" the stylist declared, victoriously holding up the badge in her hand and running back over to Landon. "I got it!"
"Finally!" Steven hissed. "Let's get this shit over with!"
Jay's car barely had come to a stop before Jay was already running out of it. If the theory that he, Mouse and Nadia had come up with earlier was true then Erin's life was in danger. Erin had no idea what she was walking into.
"This way!" Mouse shouted behind him, showing Jay the direction to the set where they were shooting. Jay turned and followed, Mouse leading the way. He had called his unit on his way here, hurriedly shouted the information into his phone and told them to get to downtown where the filming was as soon as they could. He just hoped that they'd get here soon even though they were across town.
There were barriers ahead as well as a few security guards standing by to prevent anyone not authorized to get access to the closed set.
"Lynch, I need to get in," Mouse shouted, still a few feet away. One of the guards, Lynch, recognized Mouse and let him in but as soon as Jay tried to follow Mouse to the other side, he was stopped.
"Hold on! Sorry man. You're not allowed on set," Lynch explained, pushing Jay back. Jay quickly shoved Lynch's hand from his chest and tried to push his way in.
"This is an emergency. I need to get inside," Jay barked, willing to just bulldoze his way inside and get to Erin if he had to.
"Come on, Lynch. Let him through," Mouse pleaded Jay's case but the guard wasn't budging, pushing Jay back.
"I don't fucking have time for this! Erin's life is in danger!" Jay pushed back.
"The only person that's a danger to Erin is you. We have specific orders from her manager to make sure you don't get anywhere near Ms. Lindsay," Lynch revealed. Of course Bunny fucking would, Jay cussed.
Jay understood that Lynch was just doing his job. He had gotten instructions from Bunny to not let Jay inside and he really thought that Jay was there to harm Erin. But if Jay had to fight this man and everyone else here to get to the other side and stop Steven and Caitlin before Erin got hurt then a fight it'd be.
He pushed Lynch, trying to tackle him. But the guard had nearly four inches and sixty pound on him and wasn't willing to go down easily. Lynch fought back and Jay was tossed on his back, trying and failing to gain leverage on the larger man. The other guards surrounded Jay and he heard scared Nadia shouting at the guard to listen to them and just let them through.
"Mouse! Go! Stop them!" Jay shouted between pants, clearly outnumbered by the guards. "Go!" Jay instructed again, trying to get Mouse to go ahead without him. As long as Steven was stopped, Jay didn't care who did it.
Mouse looked a bit shell shocked but managed to gather himself and nodded before running off.
"Go!" Jay screamed while two guards picked him up off of the ground and restrained him.
"What the hell is this?" A shrill and familiar voice came onto the scene and Jay looked up to see Bunny.
"Bunny! You need to let me through!" Jay shouted when the woman came closer, a momentary relief flooded through Jay at seeing Erin's mom. He might've been too optimistic in thinking this but he pinned his hopes on Bunny loving Erin more than she hated him.
"Yeah, right," Bunny scoffed, crossing her arms mockingly at Jay. "You've been fired. You have no reason to be here."
"Bunny, Erin's life is in danger. She's being set up and I have to get to her!" Jay urged.
"He's telling the truth. You have to let us through!" Nadia added, pleading their case. "Erin is in danger."
"My daughter is perfectly safe, away from him." There was so much disdain in Bunny's voice when she referred to Jay. "And she's gonna stay that way. Did you think I forgot about you selling Erin's secret to the tabloids for money? You broke my daughter's heart and I will never forget it."
"It wasn't me," Jay claimed his innocence. "It's Caitlin and Steven and they're setting Erin up. I need to get through." Jay grunted in frustration. Bunny wasn't listening so he tried another method. "Okay fine, then just get a guard to the set and stop the scene. I'm begging you, Bunny!"
"It's a private set. They're shooting an important scene. I am not going to cause a scene and ruin Erin's professional reputation," Bunny countered, completely rejecting Jay's pleas.
Jay tried to free himself from the hold the guards had on him but he was overpowered. He cussed loudly, his anger and vexation towards Erin's mother exploding. Bunny wasn't moved and she was perfectly calm, like just the possibility of her daughter getting hurt wasn't even a blip on her radar. As long as nothing distrubed the shooting, Bunny didn't care about anything else. Jay gulped to get a breath in and looked behind Bunny to see how far Mouse had gotten, praying that Mouse had gotten far enough to get to Erin in time. Bunny followed Jay's eyesight and saw Mouse.
"Stop him!" Bunny pointed and ordered the guards that were standing around. "Don't let him get anywhere near my daughter!"
The guards followed the order immediately and chased after Mouse. Even though Mouse had gotten a head start, he was still no match for the more athletic security guards. He was quickly chased down and apprehended by the guards, too weak to fight them off.
"Fuck you!" Jay fumed at Bunny. "Your daughter is in danger and you're too stubborn to listen."
Bunny sneered. "Oh really? Erin's in danger? On the movie set surrounded by security guards and hundreds of staff members and you'll be the one to save her?" Bunny mocked. "You're the one that hurt my daughter. You filled her head with ideas about quitting and you betrayed her. You're trying to ruin her life."
Jay inhaled a sharp breath. He really didn't have time to argue with Bunny right now. The important thing here was to get through security and get to Erin. If that meant he had to beg Bunny and let her think whatever she wanted then he would do just that.
"Bunny, you want me out of Erin's life for good? Fine, I'm gone but after I stop Steven and Caitlin." Jay promised. "Erin's in trouble right now."
"Just fucking listen to him, Bunny!" Nadia chimed in, frustration pouring out at how stubborn Bunny was being. "He's telling you the truth."
"Caitlin is Erin's friend. The girl practically owes her career to Erin because lord knows she'd be working as a checkout girl if Erin didn't keep getting her roles," Bunny huffed. "And I don't even know who Steven is. You're telling me that they're going to hurt Erin? Why?"
"That's exactly it," Jay spat as Mouse was dragged back over to them and finally released. Jay was still hinging on the smallest of hope that Bunny would actually listen and believe them. "Caitlin has always lost to Erin. She's stuck doing small roles while Erin's headlining a movie. Caitlin's jealous and vindictive. She has all the reasons in the world to hurt Erin."
"Caitlin is all bark and no bite. I've known that girl for a long time and she's always full of herself but I know that when it comes down to it, she's too weak to do anything. What's she gonna do anyway? Besides Erin is shooting a very important scene right now and can't be interrupted for something so stupid. The movie is important…."
Jay gritted his teeth. "Bunny, shut the fuck up and listen for a damn minute!" Jay shouted, cutting Bunny off. "Forget about how much you hate me for a second and really listen to what I'm telling you. Caitlin hates Erin. She wants to hurt Erin and Steven is helping her. Erin is about to shoot a very dangerous scene right now and her life is in Steven's hands. You have to let me through! Or get the guards to go and stop the scene!" Jay begged, desperation filling his voice. "Just stop the scene before Erin gets hurt."
Bunny stood and studied Jay like she was still unsure about what he was saying.
"Damn it! If you love your daughter, you'd listen. Stop caring about the movie for a damn second and put Erin first for once in your life! Please! Be her mom, not her fucking manager!"
Bunny looked offended at Jay's words and she was about to retort. But she must've seen the look of pure fear and desperation on his face because in a surprising turn of events, Bunny just sucked in a breath and turned to the guards. "Let them go," she ordered before she tugged on Jay's shirt and pulled him close. "Make sure Erin's alright!"
Jay was shocked for a second before he nodded, immediately running off to where the shooting was taking place. He heard Mouse and Nadia following him as well as Bunny ordering the guards to assist.
Jay sped up to make up for the lost time fighting with Bunny. His boots pounded against the pavement, matching the racing pace of his heart. His chest felt so tight, both from running out of breath and the stricken fear of being too late. The squeeze in his chest was rendering him breathless but he ignored the pain. He pushed himself even more, all the while praying and pleading that he'd get to Erin in time. That she'd hold on until he got there.
He just hoped that he wasn't too late.
Erin got back into the car and waited for Landon to get in beside her. The actor was still taking his sweet time even though he had interrupted their scene and was still leisurely drinking his water after the stylist found the badge and pinned it back onto his uniform.
"Idiot," Erin muttered to herself, wondering how she got stuck with such an unprofessional co-star. At least, they were almost done with the movie. Just a couple of more scenes and they could officially wrap. It couldn't come sooner for Erin who was just over the whole thing and just ready to get it over with. She dreamed of a simple and normal life she could have after leaving the whole industry behind. She was ready, she was sure of it. Filming and acting had been fun for her once but it had been such a long time since she had been truly happy with her life. She spent so long trying to please her mom as well as everyone else in her life.
It wasn't until she met Jay that she had finally gotten the courage to face the truth. She wasn't happy. She was too busy trying to make everyone around her happy and employed that her own happiness had withered away before she even realized it. It took Jay asking her a simple question— one that no one cared enough to ask— for her to realize what she really wanted in life. She was finally brave enough to put her own wants and needs first.
"Let's do this," Landon announced as he sauntered back over to the car, finally ready to resume shooting the scene.
"Everyone, in place!" the director ordered and Erin restarted the car engine. She exhaled deeply in hopes of letting go some of her nerves.
"Eh, you scared?" Landon teased her when he sat back down on the passenger side next to her. He reached over and jokingly massaged her shoulder. "Don't be such a girl. Everything's perfectly safe. You know I wouldn't risk my pretty face getting in the car if it wasn't."
Erin chuckled and rolled her eyes at Landon's attempt at a joke but she appreciated his effort to calm her nerves all the same. "Thanks," she told him.
"I think this is the first time you've ever thanked me," he retorted. "Wait, are we….are we actually friends?"
Erin just rolled her eyes again and pushed Landon away. "Just focus on the scene," she said without any bite.
She just laughed to herself quietly. At least she saw a good side to Landon once before they finished working together.
"Okay, all set?" the director's voice came through his loudspeaker. Landon gave him a thumb up through the window. "You guys all set?" the director asked Steven.
"What's with him?" Landon tilted his head over to where Steven stood.
"What do you mean?"
"He's a weirdo," Landon mocked.
"He's just a little different," Erin defended Steven. "Leave him alone."
Landon held his hand up. "Hey, I"m not doing anything to him. Just noticing how fucking weird he is."
"He's just shy."
"Ha!" Landon guffawed. "I guess that's the angle he's working with. Whatever works right?"
"What are you on now?" Erin asked, glancing over at Landon.
"He didn't look particularly shy when he was all over your friend behind the trailers," Landon revealed.
"Wait, what?" Erin sat up straighter. "My friend?"
"Yeah, the mousy looking brown haired one," Landon replied. "The one that's hanging all around the set even though she only has one line. What's her name?"
"Caitlin," Erin muttered, trying to process the information that Caitlin and Steven were together. "You said she's with Steven?"
"If they're not together officially then they've definitely hooked up, if you know what I mean," Landon said, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. "They were hooking up behind the trailers last week. Hey, I'm not opposed to public exhibitions myself but it was not a pretty sight."
Erin grimaced at the smarmy words. Maybe she had deemed Landon good too soon. Her mind went back to what Landon just said. Caitlin and Steven were dating? He was Caitlin's new boyfriend? Her friend had kept the identity of the man she was dating a secret but Erin didn't understand why. It wasn't as though there were any rules preventing cast and crew from dating. Unless…..
Erin shook her head, pushing away that nagging feeling in her guts again. She knew she was missing something like it was staring at her right in the face yet she couldn't see it.
"We're good to go. Okay, get set everyone!" the director's voice brought Erin out of her thoughts and she grabbed the steering wheel. She glanced over to where Steven was standing outside with the detonator in his hand before shifting her eyes over to where Caitlin stood waiting off set, her eyes carefully watching the scene with a slight smirk on her face.
"Ready and action!"
The director's voice sprung her into action and she shoved other matters away in her head. She needed to focus and not be distracted with some weird unsettling feelings that were left undefined.
She shifted the gear into drive and stepped on the accelerator. The car began to drive down the pathway they created on set. They were shooting the scene where Erin and her partner were supposed to be ambushed with a bomb by the villain of the movie. Erin knew she was supposed to drive to the marker a few yards ahead and when she'd reach the marker, Steven was supposed to hit the detonator causing the explosion.
She spotted the marker in the distance, Landon reciting the line he was supposed to while Erin nodded along like the script called for.
"What the?" Landon's sudden departure from the script snapped Erin's attention and she followed his eyesight. There was a group of people running towards the set, their arms waving and they were shouting something Erin couldn't quite hear.
The crew members' attention also went to the incoming intruders, trying to figure out what was going on. Erin stepped on the brake, a few yards away from the marker.
It was only when the newcomers got closer that Erin recognized who they were. Her brows furrowed in confusion as she saw Jay, Mouse and Nadia heading toward her. Jay was screaming something out of the top of his lungs but Erin couldn't really make out the words. She leaned closer over to the passenger's side of the car to hear better and slowly Jay's shouts became more clearer and more coherent.
"Get out of the car!" Jay shouted as loud as he could, Mouse and Nadia echoing his directions. "Erin, get out now!"
"Bomb!" Mouse screamed behind him. The cast and crew that were on scene started panicking at the word, all shouting and scrambling to get away from danger. People were screaming in panic, all running in one direction. Through the chaos, they didn't even notice Caitlin who was running towards Steven ahead of heading to safety herself.
"Get out of the car Erin!" Jay continued yelling as he pushed his way through the stampede of people.
Erin quickly complied, taking off her seatbelt and opening the car door. Landon who was on the passenger side had a shorter route to safety and he was out of the car before Erin and was already running away. Jay was trying to get to her as fast as he could while Erin was making her way around the car and get to Jay.
"Do it!" Erin heard Caitlin's voice and she turned around to see Caitlin in Steven's face, hollering at him. Steven looked conflicted, his thumb on the detonator and his eyes wide opened. Erin was so caught up in watching the scene that she didn't even realize she began to slow down.
"Erin, come on!" Jay's fearful shout snapped Erin's attention back to the task and Erin started speeding up again. Jay was so close to her and he held his hand out for Erin to grab as he begged her to get away from the car as far as she could. Erin reached for him, her arms desperately trying to make contact with Jay.
But it was too late as Caitlin pushed Steven aside and grabbed the detonator from his hand and without a second of hesitation, she pressed the button.
A thunderous boom sounded in the air first before Erin felt the force of the blast on her body. Terrified screams rang out in the air as the car that Erin was just in seconds ago exploded and quickly caught on fire.
Erin wasn't sure if she was being thrown forward by the force of the explosion or somebody was grabbing her but the last thing she noticed before everything went dark was the petrified look in Jay's eyes as he caught her in his arms.
Jay's chest rattled with pain when Erin's body made impact with his but he knew it was nothing compared to the pain he'd feel if Erin hadn't made it out. She felt solid against his body and he pressed her closer to him as he carried her away from the fire as quickly as he could.
Erin wasn't conscious and Jay was trying very hard not to freak out about that. He was praying that she had just passed out from shock, not because she was seriously injured.
Everything blurred around him. His feet felt like lead when he was trying to reach Erin earlier. Like he was running on quicksand and no matter how fast he went, he wasn't quick enough to get to her. The urgency and desperation that burned in his chest to get to Erin in time and away from danger was pure anguish. Even with Erin pressed up against him now, that burn wouldn't yield.
He carried Erin in his arms until they got far enough away from the fire and he gently placed her unconscious body on the ground. He brushed her hair away and cradled her face gently.
"Erin, come on," Jay didn't recognize the sound of his own voice. Instead he heard a desperate man, frightened with fear and panic about losing the love of his life. "Wake up, please."
His pleas went unanswered as Erin's eyes remained close. His fingers shook as he brought his fingers up to her nose and there was a flash of relief when he felt the warm breaths brushed over his fingers. Erin was still breathing.
Jay was so focused on Erin, everything and everyone around him faded into the background until he heard a medic team push their way through the crowd to help Erin.
"Help her please," he pleaded with the first responder as they worked on Erin. It was just minutes but it crawled slowly like hours for Jay as the medics tried to help Erin. "Come on Erin. Wake up," Jay kept repeating as he held her hand, lacing their fingers together.
His prayers were finally answered when Erin's eyelashes began to flutter against her skin and slowly but surely Erin's eyes opened. Jay released a few shaky breaths as Erin blinked rapidly several times, trying to adjust to the surroundings.
"Erin," the relief that poured through Jay's body rang loud in his voice. "Good job, babe. You're doing so good. Just wake up babe."
Erin blinked a few more times and she groaned. "Jay?" she whispered weakly as she searched for him.
Jay squeezed her hand. "I'm here, Erin. I'm 're okay." He stroked her hair softly. "You're safe. You're safe now."
Erin slowly brought her arm up to her face but groaned loudly in pain at the movement.
"Don't move, Erin," Jay said, trying to sound soothing and comforting. "I think you might have a dislocated shoulder. Don't move. You're gonna be okay."
"Jay," she called for him again and he leaned closer so she could see him more clearly.
"I'm here," he reassured her again, his hand moved to her face and Jay brushed his thumb across her jaw. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm here."
That was the mantra he kept on repeating to her as he rode with her in the ambulance, not releasing the hold he had on her hand the entire way there.
"Hey you." Jay could hear the smile in her voice when he entered the hospital room and just as he was hoping, he was greeted by the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. Erin was lying on the bed, her left arm in a sling, and she was giving him a smile, a little tired but beaming all the same.
He walked over to her just as she was reaching for him with her good arm. He threaded their fingers together and leaned down to press a kiss on her hair, lingering for a minute. He almost lost this. He came so close to never getting to kiss Erin, to touch her, to hear her voice or see her smile.
It seemed as though Erin came to the same conclusion as him because she splayed her hand out on his chest, right over his heart. He knew that she could feel how fast his heart was racing, still not completely recovered from everything that had happened earlier. Even though his brother had already reassured him several times that Erin was alright, that she had just passed out from shock earlier and her dislocated shoulder would heal in a couple of weeks.
"How are you feeling?" he asked when he finally managed to pull himself away from her far enough to sit down by her bedside. He held her hand again, unable to stand to be in contact in some way with her.
"Okay," she replied with a small shrug to her shoulder, grimacing in slight pain when she remembered the injury she sustained. "Tired."
"Yeah, that's to be expected after you fainted. How about your shoulder? Are you in a lot of pain?"
Erin gave him a small smile. "A little but it's manageable."
Jay guessed that was good enough for now. "Do you need anything?" Erin shook her head. "You sure?"
Erin seemed to be thinking her answer over. "You can tell me what exactly happened."
Jay exhaled at her request, not really wanting to get into the whole ordeal with Erin just yet. Not until she was feeling better and not so traumatized by the near death experience she just had. But Jay knew that she was giving up until he gave her the whole rundown.
"Steven rigged the explosion," Jay began to explain. "He was going to blow up the car…..with you in it." He gritted the last part out like the words were poison. Just even thinking about what could've happened to Erin was harrowing enough. She could've died, burned alongside the car until there was nothing left of her but ashes.
Erin's mouth parted but she shut it just as quickly, signaling Jay to continue.
"He wanted to hurt you. To kill you." Anger seeped into his voice and his fist clenched. Jay took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. "He set you up and it isn't the first time Erin. I think the incident with the lighting a while back, he's behind that too. He's been after you for a while. And not just him. He's working with….."
"Caitlin," Erin cut in, Jay's eyes widening that she already knew the answer.
"How do you know about Caitlin?" Jay asked.
"I found out that Caitlin already knew about me being in rehab. Annie told her. And Landon said that she and Steven were together. I guess I just put 2 and 2 together. I just had this nagging feeling all day and I knew something was wrong." Erin licked her lips. "She's really a part of this?"
Jay didn't want to confirm it for her. He didn't want to be the one to break her heart and tell her that a person Erin considered as a friend wanted to hurt her. "Yes," he whispered, carefully watching the way different emotions played out on Erin's face— disbelief, confusion, hurt before settling on acceptance. She knew that Jay wasn't lying.
"Why?" Her question broke his heart.
"I don't know for sure but I can make an educated guess," Jay replied. "Jealousy. She wanted what you have."
Erin sighed. "It's all so fucked up. Everything." Jay nodded, agreeing with her. "She was my friend. I can't believe…." Erin shook her head, still trying to process the whole thing. "How did you figure it out?"
"Mouse helped me. We investigated who was behind selling you out to tabloids. Someone picked up the check in person and it was Steven. We didn't put the whole thing together until Nadia came home and told us that Steven and Caitlin were together."
"The check was in your name though. They wouldn't have even been able to cash it."
"I don't think they ever intended to. They weren't after money, or at least Caitlin wasn't. She just wanted to set me up and get me out of your life."
"What's Steven getting out of this? Why did he go along with everything then?"
Jay pressed his lips together before answering. "I don't know but you better be damn sure I'm gonna ask that when I see him."
With a chaste kiss on Erin's lip that lingered a little bit too long and a promise from Erin that she'd stay until the doctors release her, Jay headed back to the station. He wanted answers and there were two people who could give those to him.
Lost in the shuffle of making sure Erin was okay, Jay had trusted his team who had arrived just in time to deal with Steven and Caitlin. Intelligence was taking over the case and had both Steven and Caitlin in custody.
Jay entered the interrogation room and came face to face with Caitlin sitting on the other side. She looked calm and collected, like she wasn't afraid of anything. There was even a slight smirk that crossed her face when she saw him.
"Jay or should I call you Detective now?"
Jay sat across from her, placing a file he was carrying on the table and Caitlin crossed her arm and leaned back against the chair.
"Do you know why you're in here?" Jay asked, ignoring her earlier question.
Caitlin shrugged. "No clue. All I know is that I've been kept here for hours for no reason when my best friend is in the hospital."
Jay snorted. "So you do care about Erin."
"Of course. She's my best friend."
"A best friend that you've tried to kill," Jay retorted. "Several times, actually."
Cailtin placed her hand over her heart. "What? I haven't done anything. I wouldn't do that to Erin."
Jay tilted his head to the side, amused by the innocent act Caitlin was putting on. "Oh so it wasn't you that changed the smoothie order to include peanut butter knowing that Erin was allergic. Or you manipulating and convincing Steven to go along with botching the lighting so it'd fall on Erin or rigging the explosives?"
Caitlin shook her head. "Okay, I have no idea where these accusations are coming from or what that freak Steven is telling you but I did no such thing. I would never hurt Erin. I owe her a lot."
"You're right about owing her. After all, she was the one that kept getting you roles on her projects. She always made sure that you had work." Jay crossed his arms and looked at Caitlin. "I mean they're not big roles but you know what they say, beggars can't be choosers."
Caitlin's eyes narrowed at the statement. "I am not a beggar."
"Looks differently from where I'm sitting," Jay shot back. "You couldn't get any roles on your own and you weren't happy with the roles Erin was getting you. Instead of getting mad at yourself and your failures, you got mad at the one person who had been there for you all this time. You wanted to take your anger and jealousy out on Erin. You hate her so much that you wanted to kill her." Jay was getting to Caitlin and her composure was beginning to slip away so Jay continued. "Erin considered you as one of her best friends. She would've done anything for you."
"Stop trying to make her out to be a saint!" Caitlin snapped, slamming her hand on the table. "She's not some angel with a bleeding heart. She wanted to help me? Then why didn't she fight to get me bigger roles? Or why did she keep auditioning for the same roles as me? She's not innocent here. You're the one who's stupid enough to buy her 'poor me' act."
"So you wanted her to step aside so you wouldn't have any competition?" Jay questioned.
"I'm a better actor than she is. I should've gotten that One Tree Hill role, not her." Caitlin scoffed. "That ungrateful bitch didn't even want them."
"And that must've burned you," Jay interjected. "Seeing everything come so easily for Erin. She got the roles you wanted, got the career you thought you deserved, and it must've killed you that she didn't even want it as much as you did."
"Damn right it did!" Caitlin roared.
"So you wanted revenge."
"You're damn…." Caitlin was about to admit her guilt but managed to stop herself in time. "Ooh, nice try Detective. But you're not gonna get me to say anything to incriminate myself. I didn't do anything. You have nothing that can link me to the crimes."
Jay smirked at Caitlin's confidence that she covered her tracks. She was planning on pinning everything on Steven while she got away scot free. "That's where you're wrong," Jay began. "You picked the wrong person to manipulate, Caitlin. You should've picked someone more loyal because Steven is down there after he sang like a canary."
Caitlin's jaw tensed at being sold out by Steven but she wasn't giving in. "He's lying."
"I'd figured you say that. You know where you are, Caitlin?" Jay asked, waving his index finger around the small room. "This is Intelligence. You may not know much about my unit but one thing you should know is that we're really good at getting what we need to nail the bad guys. In this case, the bad guy is you."
Caitlin sat up straighter but kept quiet. Jay picked up the file he brought in.
"Steven has already admitted to everything earlier. To the attempt on Erin's life with the lighting. To rigging up the explosives to purposely injure and kill Erin. That's attempted murder in first degree. It was easy to crack him, really. You didn't pick a good partner. All he cared about was wanting to make a deal, gave you up in hopes for one."
"He's desperate. He's willing to say anything to get himself out. He's lying," Caitlin maintained her innocence.
"Caitlin, you do remember that my unit is called Intelligence right? I mean, the word intel is literally in the name." He began laying the evidence out right in front of Caitlin, page by page. "It's not just Steven's words that we have against you."
"What's all this?" Caitlin asked, eyes stuck on the pages in front of her.
Jay picked up a page and held it in front of Caitlin. "This is just a small sample of messages that we've found between you and Steven. Incriminating ones." He picked up another. "This is an affidavit from the person who was working at the smoothie shop at the time of you changing the order. He's willing to testify that someone deliberately changed the order last minute. We're gonna get the recording of the call and I bet it's gonna match your voice." Caitlin began to turn pale but Jay wasn't done just yet. "The tabloid magazine that you and Steven sold the story to are also cooperating and they've willingly turned over the footage of Steven picking up the check for the scoop in person, along with a witness who will confirm Steven's identity and his presence at the magazine. Not to mention, we've traced the initial email contact to the magazine and one guess as to who we've traced it to."
The look on Caitlin said she knew she was busted.
"We've found all this evidence in a matter of hours. Just how much more do you think we'll find when we keep on digging, Caitlin?" Jay asked. "Everything here corroborates Steven's confession, about how the two of you plotted and planned everything. Or according to Steven, you planned everything and he was manipulated and seduced into complying."
Caitlin scoffed. "He's a grown man. He's responsible for his own choices."
That was as good as a confession for Jay. He knew that Caitlin would never really admit to her guilt in front of him but it didn't matter at this point. They got what they needed to make sure that Caitlin would face punishment for her crimes. "Oh no doubt about that and he's going to face up to what he did." Jay stood up, ready to leave. "And so will you."
He exited the interrogation room and headed back into the bullpen. He was just ready to wrap up the case and go back to Erin. With both Steven and Caitlin in custody, he was breathing a little bit easier. Erin was safe now and that was the only thing that mattered.
He saw Kim nudged her head towards the break room at him so he turned around and started for the break room.
"Erin," he called out in surprise at seeing her there. She was supposed to be at the hospital, not at the station. "What are you doing here? Are you okay?"
He went over to her immediately and started patting her down, like he was looking for an injury that wasn't there. Aside from the sling around her arm, she seemed perfectly fine.
She looked amused at his reaction and she placed her good hand on his chest so he'd calm down. "Jay, I'm fine."
"What are you doing here? You're supposed to be at Med."
"I think the hospital can put the room to a better use than for a measly dislocated shoulder," Erin replied. "I'm fine."
"Did the doctor say that?" Jay asked, narrowing his eyes at her. He wouldn't be entirely surprised if Erin checked out of the hospital on her own against medical advice.
Erin rolled her eyes fondly. "Yes, the doctor said I can leave. Now are you going to keep asking me questions or are you going to kiss me?"
Jay grinned before bending his down to meet her in a soft kiss. He heard Erin sighed into the kiss, a moment of sweet solace in the midst of chaos for both of them. He cradled her face and just took her in. She was so strong and resilient. She was still standing tall even after everything and he just loved her so much.
He brushed his thumb over her lips— pink and pillowy as always— before his lips followed and he kissed her again. He just wanted to hold her in his arms and kiss her forever if he could. Just let the world and everything and everyone in it just disappear until only the two of them remained.
Erin released a soft sigh when they broke apart and Jay wrapped his arms around her, mindful of her shoulder. Erin hid her face in the crook of his neck, her hand still bracing his chest. She clutched at his shirt, the fabric crumbled up in her hand.
"I'm okay, Jay," Erin whispered into his neck, her breath warming his skin with every wispy word. "I'm okay."
Only then did Jay let go of the last remaining weight on his chest, finally accepting that the ordeal was over. Erin was safe. She was here, in his embrace where she'd always belong. Erin pulled her head back to look at him, her hazel eyes studying him. Her face softened and she caressed his jaw tenderly.
"Thank you," Erin voiced with a small but genuine smile. "For saving me, like always."
There was no need for thanks between them and Jay made that known to her. "Besides," he continued. "It's not entirely selfless of me."
"What do you mean?" Erin asked, her eyebrows furrowing in the cute way Jay adored.
"I wasn't going to let anyone take my world away from me. Not without a fight."
Erin's face broke out into a smile, her dimples showing, when she understood that Jay was calling her his world. But it was the truth. She had knocked down all of his walls and had taken over his heart until she was the sole occupant of it. He was hers completely and he wouldn't have it any other way.
"Jay, there's something I want to do."
Jay looked at her, concerned. "What is it?"
"I want to talk to Caitlin."
"I don't know if this is such a good idea."
Jay was making his concerns known, not completely convinced that she should be talking to Caitlin as they made their way back to the interrogation room. Erin understood that Jay was just looking out for her and he just wanted to protect her. Erin appreciated that. She appreciated him. But she also knew that if she was going to get any real closure to the whole thing, she needed to talk to Caitlin. Even if it was just for a little bit.
"I just need five minutes with her, Jay," Erin replied, the two of them standing outside the interrogation room. Jay made a face and exhaled, his worry still palpable. "I promise I won't ruin the investigation or the case."
"I'm not worried about that," Jay countered. "I'm worried about you."
"I'll be alright," Erin reassured him. "I just need to at least talk to her face to face. Get some closure, you know?"
Jay sighed, conceding to her wishes. She thanked him with a quick kiss on his cheek before Jay opened the door to let Erin inside.
Caitlin was sitting and she looked up at the sound, their eyes meeting.
"Came to gloat?" Caitlin sneered when she saw Erin.
"What's there to gloat about?" Erin shot back as she sat down in front of her.
"You mean the sight of me in cuffs in a dingy interrogation room doesn't fill you up with glee?" Caitlin asked sarcastically. "You're just going to stick with your angel act, aren't you?"
Erin ran her tongue over her teeth and chuckled. "I think between the two of us, you're the better actor. After all, you've been acting like you were my friend for years. I never even knew otherwise."
"Yet you're the one that booked all the roles," Caitlin mocked.
"So that's why you hate me. Because of stupid roles?"
Anger took over Caitlin's face and she glared at Erin. "That's not the only reason why."
"Then why? What did I do to you? Why do you hate me so much that you wanted to kill me?"
"Because you stole the One Tree Hill role from me!" Caitlin exploded, slamming her hand on the table in rage. "You and your bitch of a mother backstabbed me and stole what was supposed to be mine!"
Erin reeled back in surprise. "What?" she uttered. "What are you talking about?"
"I was supposed to get that role!" Caitlin growled. "It was mine."
Erin knew Caitlin was lying about that because the role hadn't even been cast when Erin auditioned. She and Caitlin had auditioned for the role at the same time.
"Your mom wouldn't have even known about the audition if it wasn't for me," Caitlin continued. "She was eavesdropping when my agent was telling me about One Tree Hill and my audition time. You guys didn't even know about the show but somehow your mom got you an audition. You want to guess how she did that?"
Erin didn't appreciate what Caitlin was implying. "She would never."
Caitlin barked in laughter. "Stop being delusional, Erin. You really think Bunny wouldn't stoop so low? She seduced my agent, had sex with him in exchange for you getting the audition. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if she had you fucking all the casting directors to get the role. Like mother, like daughter right?"
Erin's jaw twitched in anger. "Watch your mouth, Caitlin. You know I would never sleep with anyone for a fucking role."
Caitlin scoffed. "Right. Because you're so honorable. You have integrity. Tell me Erin, where the hell was your integrity when you were snorting lines of coke and passing out in clubs?"
Erin wished she was surprised that Caitlin would use Erin's darkest days and throw them in her face but after today, Erin couldn't be surprised by anything her once friend did anymore.
"You want to come off as this good girl. You want everyone to think that you have this halo around your head but you're just a mess like the rest of us."
"I've never pretended to be perfect, Caitlin," Erin defended herself. "And I didn't steal anything from you. I didn't know that Bunny did what she did to get me that audition but I know that I earned that role on my own merit. I didn't sleep with anyone to get it."
Caitlin just laughed at her derisively, Erin's defense of herself going in one ear and out the other.
"And I've tried to help you. I always put in a good word for you and got you small parts."
Caitlin snickered. "Right. Of course. My hero. How magnanimous of you Erin to help out poor little me after screwing me over twice. Thanks for the scrap roles, bestie."
"Twice?" If the audition debacle with Bunny was one, then what was the other?
"Yeah, twice. I was supposed to be on One Tree Hill in season 10 with a permanent role and guess why I didn't."
Erin closed her eyes when she realized what happened. Season 10 of One Tree Hill never happened because Erin quit at the end of season 9 and the show was cancelled after her departure. Unknowingly, Erin had taken away Caitlin's big chance at fame.
"I didn't know," Erin murmured. She had been completely exhausted both mentally and physically when she quit the show and she had no idea of anything that was going on. "Caitlin."
"You know what the worst part is? Why I absolutely despise you?" Caitlin asked with so much disdain. "You don't even appreciate any of it. You don't even care. You are willing to walk away from everything when there are so many other people that would kill to get what you have. You're an ungrateful bitch."
For a brief moment, Erin could sympathize with Caitlin. It must've been difficult for Caitlin to covet something she never had while Erin had something she didn't even want. But that was life. What mattered to everyone differed and what was important to Caitlin wasn't nearly as important to Erin and vice versa. It didn't give Caitlin an excuse to want to hurt her or gave her a free pass.
"Maybe to you, I am. I am truly sorry about what Bunny did, really." Erin hoped Caitlin would accept her sincere apology for that at least. "And you're right. I don't care about any of these things. Not as much as you do. But it doesn't entitle you to anything, Caitlin. You weren't entitled to the role of Brooke just because your agent got you an audition. There were dozens of girls who auditioned for it. I didn't steal the role out from you."
Caitlin turned her head to the side, not wanting to listen to Erin but Erin surged on. She needed to finish what she wanted to say to Caitlin and then she can close this chapter of her life for good.
"As for One Tree Hill getting cancelled, that wasn't my choice to cancel it. I made a decision for my own self, for me to leave the show. I didn't decide to cancel it."
"Don't act like the show would've got cancelled if you stayed on."
Erin licked her lips and nodded. "Maybe not but it still doesn't change the fact that the executives were the one that decided to cancel the show. I won't apologize for making a choice that was best for myself."
Erin had carried around the guilt for a long time. Had so many restless and guilt-filled nights, thinking about if she hadn't quit, would the show still be on-going? Would all those people still be working on the show? It had consumed her and wrecked her so much so that she had turned to drugs to distract herself and it had landed her in rehab.
It took a long time for her to let go some of the guilt and the weight of carrying it on her own shoulders. Because the truth was that at the end of the day, she could only make the decision for herself. She couldn't be held accountable for what the executives of the station chose to do. She couldn't be responsible for everyone on the show, it shouldn't have been her burden to bear.
Caitlin had blamed her and had carried around the resentment for her for so long until it got to be too much. Where the blame and resentment had festered into pure hatred for Erin, strong enough to want to hurt her physically. These were the choices that Caitlin made and she was going to have to face consequences for her own actions. There was nothing Erin could do for her.
"I'm sorry that we've ended up here," Erin said. "But we've all made our choices and we just got to live with them."
"I hate you so much," Caitlin spat. "I always will."
Erin stood up and nodded, heading to the door. "I'm sorry to hear that because I really considered you as a friend. Good luck, Caitlin."
With that said, Erin exited the interrogation room. Jay was waiting for her outside, leaning against the wall. As soon as he saw her, he straightened up and walked over to her. One look at her face and without needing any words to be exchanged, he pulled her into his arm and tucked her head underneath his chin.
He just held her, the two of them rocking slightly back and forth. Erin leaned on him, took the support and strength he was giving her freely, as she wrapped her arm around him. She felt him press his lip to her forehead before he bent his head down to catch her eyes.
"You alright?"
Erin smiled, her heart slowly healing with the amount of love and affection she heard in his voice. Everything that happened today still felt surreal and not completely real just yet for Erin. She was still trying to process everything she found out today. About Caitlin. About her mother. But as she stared into Jay's eyes that were still looking at her so lovingly and so adoringly, Erin knew everything would be okay. She would be okay because she had Jay.
"Take me home, Jay."
Jay's face lit up, the exhaustion and the weariness of the whole day vanishing at Erin referring to Jay's place as her home. They leaned into each other until their lips met in the middle, soft pecks turning into a firm kiss filled with affirmation, relief and love.
She rested her forehead against his and Jay's thumb swept across her cheeks and he smiled.
"Let's go home."
It was only then did she understand that his love had given her the courage and the push she needed to stand up for herself. But when she told him this, he shook his head and told her differently. That she had it in her all along. All he did was support and love her.
"And I always will," he promised.
The end.
Erin scanned over her writing one last time and clicked 'save'.
Finally after six months of hard work and so many starts and stops, she was finally done. She had finally finished the long awaited sequel to her first novel, Pretense and Malice. Her editor would finally be happy.
Erin stretched her arms and rotated her neck, getting rid of the tension that had accumulated from sitting in front of her laptop for hours and writing. She heard the front door open and footsteps began to shuffle in.
Just in time.
She got up and headed to the living room just in time for Jay to loop around the couch, his arm filled with bags. Erin smiled as she sauntered over to him to help him carry some of it, greeting him with a kiss first.
"Did you get everything?" she asked as they went into the kitchen and dropped the bags on the dining table.
"Yeah," Jay said as he took off his jacket and draped it over on the dining chair. "Even got those streamers that you just had to have," he teased as he rummaged through the bags to find the package of decoration Erin wanted.
"Ooh," Erin exclaimed excitedly as she eagerly took the package from him. "These are so adorable. Thank you," she said, rewarding his efforts with a kiss.
"Mmm," he hummed into the kiss, satisfied with his reward. "You have no idea how difficult it was to get it. I nearly lost an arm."
"Awww, did my strong and muscular detective husband get hurt? Did you have to fight off all those crazy mothers?" Erin teased, poking his hard stomach.
"I'm just saying, it's a lot of craziness for something so small. I mean, are we even sure that Aria would even care what kind of streamers we got for her party?"
Erin snorted. "Of course she wouldn't. She's turning one."
"So I just fought off all those crazy moms for the last package for what exactly?"
Erin wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. 'Because we'll know. I'll always remember just how brave Aria's dad was so he can make sure she has the best first birthday party."
Jay grinned. "Well, as long as you don't forget." Erin's reply of 'I won't' was quickly swallowed when he kissed her.
They stayed wrapped up with each other, taking the moment to just enjoy each other's company. It was more difficult to find some alone time when they juggled their own careers and there was a baby always demanding their attention.
But four years together and they were still crazy in love. Only that love had grown and settled into something deeper, stronger and indestructible. It wasn't just the two of them anymore. Instead, they were now a family of three.
"Did you get any writing done?" Jay asked as they began putting the things away for Aria's party in a couple of days. It was their daughter's 1st birthday and Erin wanted to make sure they had the best party for her.
"Yeah," Erin replied, stopping what she was doing to look at Jay. He noticed her movement and he dropped what he was doing and gave her his full attention. "I'm actually finished."
Jay's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Yeah?" Erin nodded. "Babe, that's great!"
He pulled her into a hug and gave her a kiss to show how proud he was of her. "Took me long enough," Erin said. "But at least my editor can relax now and not worry so much about me making my deadline."
"Forget about her," Jay said. "I'm so proud of you, you know?"
Erin nodded. How could she not? Jay had been so amazing to her throughout the whole process, always there to give her support and to encourage her when Erin was frustrated with herself. But that was Jay. He had always been amazing ever since she first met him.
Sometimes, she couldn't believe it had been four years— going on five— that she first met Jay. She wasn't expecting to meet someone like him when she first signed up for the role on Chicago P.D. But he came into her life like a whirlwind, breathing much needed air into her life. He changed her life in the most greatest and unexpected way.
After the whole debacle with Steven and Caitlin, Erin was completely done with acting and the whole industry. But she still needed to finish out her contract and complete the filming. Chicago P.D was a moderate success at the box office— doing better than what the projections had anticipated. The whole drama surrounding the shooting of the film and everything that happened with Steven and Caitlin had worked as publicity for the movie, driving up curiosity and interest in the movie they wouldn't have gotten otherwise. But even with the successful breakout film debut, Erin was ready to walk away.
So that was what she did.
Chicago P.D was the last thing Erin had acted in and she had no regrets or second thoughts about walking away. Bunny had begged, argued, and protested it at first but soon given up when she finally understood that Erin wasn't changing her mind. Instead Bunny had taken on another client— another person's career that she could manage. Bunny had always hesitated on working with another client when she managed Erin's career— claiming that she didn't want to split her focus from her daughter. But with Erin quitting the industry for good, Bunny was finally able to be as ruthless and cutthroat with her other clients as much as she wanted. Despite everything that happened with Bunny, Erin wished her mother well. Erin had finally accepted that Bunny would never truly be a mother like Erin wanted but Erin loved her all the same.
Bunny returned back to L.A but Erin stayed in Chicago. Jay had opened up his home to her and they moved in together into his apartment until they bought their home a year later. It wasn't anything too big or fancy. Just a cozy and comfortable home, big enough for them to live in and grow their family. Erin was still getting residual income from her old projects plus her savings. She also lived modestly so combined all that with Jay's income, they led a comfortable life It was everything Erin wanted and needed. Jay was everything she wanted and needed.
Her career, on the other hand, didn't go as smoothly as the rest of her life post-retirement did. Erin was grateful for the break but too much free time during the day while Jay was at work quickly grew tiresome. She didn't really know what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. Jay, sensing her uneasiness, gave her a diary one day. He suggested that perhaps writing her thoughts and feelings down would clear her head and gave her the perspective and clarity she needed.
And as usual, Jay had been right. Not that Erin would ever admit that to him out loud.
Writing had been cathartic to her. Erin found herself jotting down her thoughts and anxiety into the little diary and one day, she found herself writing about the ordeal with Caitlin. It was like a weight lifted off her shoulder when she bared her soul onto the pages and she shared those pages with Jay one night.
Somehow he had suggested and encouraged her to write a book about it and one thing led to another before Erin found herself in front of an editor of a publishing house and soon enough, her first novel was published and made the bestseller list.
Erin loved the career she had today. She had always been interested in character development and really getting inside a character's head and understanding her motives and thought process. Writing allowed her to do just that with the characters she brought to life.
In the midst of her career as an author growing and Jay taking over the Intelligence unit after Voight's medical retirement, Jay had proposed and they had gotten married. And a couple of years later, Aria had come along with her chubby cheeks and clear blue eyes and she had completed their already fairytale life and made it that much more special.
Erin's heart was full these days and sometimes she couldn't believe how lucky she was. There was nothing more she needed in life. Well, maybe except for Aria's first birthday party to go smoothly.
The whole house was filled with their friends— people they considered as their family. They were all here to celebrate the first year of Aria's life and her turning 1. The birthday girl was having a blast, shrieking with laughter at being the center of attention and loving the many toys she was getting as presents.
"I don't think we need to buy any new toys for like three years," Jay commented as he glanced over at the living room. There was a mountain of ripped wrapping papers and Aria sat on the ground, surrounded by all her new toys.
"You say that but you'll be the one changing your tune when you see something you think Aria would like," Erin pointed out, knowing just big of a softy Jay was when it came to their daughter. She was completely a daddy's girl through and through.
"Hey," Jay protested, affronted at the statement. "I can be strong."
Erin laughed as she stood in front of him and patted his chest. "We both know that you're powerless as soon as you see her little cheeks, babe."
He looped his arms around her waist and pulled her flush against his body. "Can you blame me? They're just so cute, especially with those dimples like her mama," Jay gushed, completely proving Erin's point.
"So does that mean I'm cute too?" Erin said, wriggling her eyebrows.
"Damn cute," Jay murmured before crashing his lips on hers. "Fucking adorable."
"Whoa! Are you two trying to give Aria a sibling before her second birthday?" Platt shouted as she entered the kitchen and spotted them in an intimate moment.
They pulled apart and blushed at being caught. "Sorry," Erin offered, wiping her lips.
Platt just gave them a flat look. "You can make it up to me."
"How?" Jay asked.
"I'll forget that I saw Halstead trying to swallow your face if you make me the godmother to your second munchkin. How about it?" Platt offered.
Erin laughed. "You're already the godmother to Aria, Trudy," Erin reminded her.
"So?" Platt shrugged. "No law that said I can't be a godmother to both. So what about it?"
"Okay," Jay chimed in. "First of all, I need to point out that we only have one child."
"For now," Platt argued.
"Secondly," Jay continued. "You can't just call dibs on being a godparent, Serge."
"Who better if not me?" Platt asked. "We all know I'm the best choice from all those bozos out there," she said, pointing to the living room.
Erin and Jay exchanged a look and shrugged. "Can't argue with you there," Erin said, appeasing Platt.
Platt grinned, satisfied with thinking she won the argument. "Glad we agree," she said, heading back out. "Oh by the way, we've been ready for cake like an hour ago so why don't you two stop sucking face so we can sing to the birthday girl?"
Erin laughed while Jay looked mortified. "We'll be there, Trudy," Erin said, amused by her husband's expression.
Erin headed to the fridge to take out the cake that they ordered specifically for the party.
"Wait," Jay interrupted her. "Guess what I got!" he shouted as he rummaged through the drawers until he found what he was looking for. He looked excited as he ran over to Erin and held out a pink candle in the form of a number '1'.
Erin smiled as he carefully put the candle on top of the cake, his face beaming. Her heart melted at just how much Jay loved his family and it was evident in everything he did. He nodded at her, telling her to look at the cake.
"It's beautiful," Erin gushed and she cupped Jay's face in her hand. "I love you."
He looked back at her tenderly. "I love you too."
"Happy birthday, Aria. Happy birthday to you!" They all sang and clapped while Aria looked on in amazement, still a little too young to process everything that was going on. But she saw the cake and was happy enough to endure the singing. They cheered when the song was finished and Erin and Jay helped Aria blow out the birthday candle.
Jay handed Erin the knife to start cutting the cake but before she could, Aria reached up with her little hands and smashed them into the cake.
Everyone exclaimed at the sudden action before breaking out into laughter. Aria was too busy playing with the cake, her eyes lighting up in joy at the frosting on her fingers before bringing them to her face and putting them in her mouth. She exclaimed with glee at the taste, her face now smeared with frosting.
"Well, I guess that means she approves of the cake," Kim said.
"If she approves then who are we to argue?" Adam added. "So hurry up, Erin. I want some cake."
Erin laughed as she resumed cutting the cake that now had Aria's handprint in it but judging by the laughters and giggles in the room, Erin didn't think they minded too much. Everyone was just happy to be here.
The party was finally over and now it just remained the three of them— the Halstead family. Erin and Jay stood side by side at the sink, washing and drying the dishes.
"Who knew a child's party takes so much energy?" Jay asked as he wiped the dishes. "I'm beat."
"I think that's just a sign of you getting older, Halstead," Erin quipped, quirking her eyebrows at him.
Jay dropped the place on the counter and inched closer to Erin. "Not too old to make you scream, if you know what I mean." Jay said suggestively, dropping his voice to that sexy tone that Erin couldn't resist.
"Hmm, is that so?" Erin returned, smirking when Jay held her around her waist, Erin's fingers lacing together at the nape of Jay's neck. "I think I might need you to prove that."
His eyes clouded over with lust and he lifted her up, Erin's legs wrapping around Jay's waist. He kissed her hungrily and Erin moaned out in pleasure. He always knew how to kiss her in a way that had her toes curling. Always taking her breath away.
"I aim to please," Jay whispered seductively as he began carrying her to their bedroom, their lips connected the whole way there. Erin broke the kiss when Jay pushed her up against the wall, Erin holding Jay's face in her hand and looking into his eyes.
"What is it?" Jay asked, seeing the expression on her face.
Erin shook her head and gave him a small reassuring smile. "I'm just thinking about what Platt said earlier about making her the godmother again."
His eyebrow shot up as he gave her a flat look. "You're straddling me and you're thinking about Platt?" Jay asked jokingly. Erin giggled, trying to hide her amusement by placing her finger over her lip. "What about what she said?" Jay asked.
"I think we should take her up on her offer."
Jay frowned in confusion. "Okay, I guess but Erin, we don't even have…." he trailed off as his eyes widened in realization. "Are….are you…?" A hint of excitement made its way into Jay's voice.
Erin nodded. "I hope you're ready for more birthday parties," she whispered, leaning in closer to his face. "Because you're going to be a daddy again."
Jay released a laugh— loud and elated— before he met her lips in a hungry and passionate kiss. Erin kissed him back just as fervently, pouring all of her love and happiness and excitement into the kiss.
"Do you have any idea how much I love you?" Jay whispered, his voice filled with emotions. He laid fleeting kisses everywhere on her face before landing on her lips again. "I love you so damn much."
Erin didn't respond. Instead, she just held onto him tighter and kissed him more passionately, showing him that she loved him every bit as much.
And when he finally carried her to their bed and laid her down gently, Erin pulled him in closer. The two of them spent the rest of the night connecting their bodies in the most intimate way, both of their hearts completely full as their little family of three was about to grow that much bigger.
AN: I wanted to thank everyone that had reviewed/followed/favorited this story. Seriously guys, I can't say this enough but I'm really grateful and amazed by all of your support. And thank you for being so patient with me throughout the story and the sporadic updates. I hope you enjoy the conclusion and that it was worth the wait.