(22)
There was a gentle and content smile on Erin's face as she kept looking at their Christmas tree. The tree wasn't big by any means nor did it have a ton of ornaments. It was understated, unpretentious and it was so perfectly them that Erin just loved it all the same. Even without all the fancy trimmings.
"Here you go." Jay's hand holding a cup of hot cocoa broke Erin out of her thought and she took the cup from him, giving him a grateful smile.
"Thanks," she murmured before diving head first into the cup of chocolatey goodness. Jay laid a kiss on her head and took the seat on the couch next to her, a cup of his own cocoa in hand. He sighed, sounding nothing but relaxed and at peace, and brought his arm around her shoulder, pulling her into his body. Erin scooted closer to him, leaning into his side. He was so warm, his body heat acting as her personal furnace. Just like she loved.
"How are you feeling?" Jay asked, his thumb drawing random patterns on her shoulder.
Erin held in the urge to roll her eyes. Ever since they found out that she was pregnant, Jay had been more overprotective than usual. It had been cute and endearing at first but that quickly wore off in a couple of days. Now Erin was bordering on irritation at being coddled and she was trying her best to restrain showing off that irritation. She knew Jay was just excited. Not to mention, nervous and this was his way of trying to feel like he was in control of his nerves.
Erin understood that. It wasn't like she wasn't scared and nervous herself. So much so that she had opted out of the work trip that she was supposed to be on right now. Instead, she was spending Christmas with Jay. Jay had been pleased, always wanting her close and she couldn't lie to herself that this was how she wanted to spend her favorite holiday also.
But if Jay didn't stop asking her how she was feeling every five second, Erin swore Jay wouldn't live to see the new year. And she'd have a perfectly valid excuse for her actions, what with her pregnancy hormones and all.
"Jay, for the fifth time in the last…" she looked at her watch for dramatic effect, "ten minutes, I'm fine," she gritted out, her annoyance poorly contained on her face. Jay winced at seeing the expression and he backed off a little to give her some room.
"I'm being annoying, aren't I?"
Erin melted at the small pout that appeared on Jay's face and she found herself scooting closer to Jay to make up for the distance between them. "A little?" Erin replied, pinching her index and thumb together. "But it's okay. I get it," she consoled him. "This is new for us."
Jay nodded, becoming brave enough to put his arm around her again. "Very new. I guess I just don't really know what to expect."
"Me too," Erin admitted. "But you know, we just got to take it one step at a time."
"One step at a time," Jay repeated, smiling and lacing their fingers together.
After finding out that they were expecting, they celebrated that night by doing the very thing that got them in the situation in the first place. Erin had very fond memories of the night and the way Jay made love to her. The way he treated her so carefully, like she was precious. Something to be treasured. He kissed his love into every inch of her skin, coaxed every last ounce of pleasure from her body and just held her so close as she came down from several earth-shattering highs. There was just something so raw and beautiful about making love to Jay and joining their bodies in the most intimate of ways while she was carrying the product of their love inside her body.
"What are you smiling about?" Jay asked, nudging her. Erin shook her head, keeping her replaying the memories of that night in her mind a secret. Jay nudged her again, wanting an answer.
"I was just thinking of the day that we found out," Erin revealed. "Or more specifically, that night."
She wiggled her eyebrow suggestively at Jay and his eyes darkened as he too recalled that night. A salacious grin crossed his face. "That was a very good night," Jay said, dropping his voice low. He leaned in closer to her, Erin feeling his breath ghost across her face. "One that we can repeat right now," he suggested, raising his eyebrow.
"Mmm," Erin pretended to think about it. Jay leaned in even closer and brushed his lips over hers, their noses touching. "Hmm," Erin moaned out softly when Jay's fingers started traveling up her sides before going underneath her sweater, the ticklish feeling sending goosebumps on her arms. He had a smirk on his face, clearly enjoying the reaction he was getting from her.
"You smell good," Jay whispered seductively, his mouth hovering over hers. Not quite touching, just close enough to drive her crazy. His fingers were still dancing on her skin and he grinned before connecting their lips together. "You taste good too," he whispered after breaking the kiss.
Erin was just trying to get her breath under control, his fingers sending heat all over her body. Jay knew what she liked and he wasn't above using it to his advantage. But Erin wasn't going to give in just yet. Not until she got what she wanted. So she took him off guard by pushing him back so he was resting on the couch, allowing her to straddle him. She saw the surprise flashed across his blue eyes for a brief second before a thrilled look took over and he immediately rested his hands on her behind, pulling her closer.
Erin wrapped her arms around his neck, her hair falling around both of their faces like a curtain. His hands were kneading her ass, entirely appreciating the free reign he had on her body. One that she was giving him. Erin was more focused on continuing to stare into his eyes— the usual baby blues now darker in the dim light with lust and want— and she held his face in her hand, her thumb brushing against his jaw.
"I would love nothing more than to repeat everything we did that night," Erin drawled, her voice raspy and low just the way she knew Jay loved. He wasn't the only one who knew just what the other person loved. What got them going. Her point was proven when he squeezed her ass tighter in response. "And we can do all that…...after we open our Christmas present."
Jay was about to kiss her when he pulled back, looking confused. "Wait what?"
"Come on Jay. Let's exchange gifts tonight," Erin pleaded, trying to get Jay to change his resolve on waiting until Christmas morning to exchange gifts.
"Erin, it's Christmas eve. It's just going to be a couple of more hours."
"Yeah, exactly. Just a couple of more hours so what's the harm in exchanging gifts tonight?" Erin questioned. She threaded her fingers together behind Jay's neck and pulled him closer, giving him her best puppy dog eyes. "Please. I'm dying to know what's inside those boxes under the tree. It's killing me and I've already had to wait three extra days to find out."
As if to help make her argument, Frankie jumped on the couch and perched herself right next to Jay, looking at him.
"See, Frankie wants her gift tonight too," Erin pointed. "Come on, Jay. Look, it's snowing outside and we have our tree and we have the fire going. We even have our hot chocolate. Tell me it's not the perfect time to open our presents too. It's Christmas Eve."
Jay groaned and tossed his head on the back of the couch. Erin bit down the victorious grin, knowing that she won. "Okay," Jay gave in. "God, I can't say no to you," Jay griped, more to himself than anything.
Erin let out a small yelp of victory, kissing Jay firmly before getting up from him. "I can't wait to see you open the present I got you."
Jay took a deep breath, wiping his hands on his jeans. "Yeah, me too," he whispered. Erin paused, taking a brief moment to look at him. Jay almost looked nervous although Erin had no idea why.
"You okay?" Erin asked, resting her hand on his shoulder.
Jay nodded, giving her a smile to reassure her. "I'm great. Let's open the presents."
Erin kept her eyes on him for a beat longer, only resuming when she was sure that Jay was okay. She sat down on the floor in front of the tree, Jay joining her. Frankie was in her own little world, going back and forth around the tree.
"Here, open my first," Erin said, giving Jay the present she got for him. "Merry Christmas, babe."
Jay looked excited as he carefully ripped the wrapping paper. It was a big box and Jay opened it, looking inside. "No fucking way!" Jay exclaimed when he saw what was inside. Jay looked completely in shock as he pulled out a motorcycle helmet. Only this wasn't any old regular helmet. "Erin," Jay called her name, his eyes completely taking in the special helmet she had gotten him.
"You like it?" Erin asked, even though she had already gotten her answer by his reaction alone.
Jay could only nod, his eyes still on the helmet, his fingers touching the autograph that was on the object. "I can't believe this. An autographed Rossi helmet? How did you even?"
Erin chuckled at seeing the almost child-like awe and excitement written clearly across Jay's face. Seeing that reaction alone had been worth all the trouble she had to go through to get the helmet signed by Jay's favorite motorcycle racer, Valentino Rossi. It hadn't been easy and it certainly wasn't cheap but it was all worth it.
"Erin, seriously. I've seen the prices helmets with his autograph go for. Thousands of dollars. Tens of thousand of dollars in some cases. Don't tell me you really paid that much? How did you get this?"
Erin smirked. "You're the only one that knows a guy you know? I have my own guys too."
"Come on. How much did you pay for this?" Jay asked.
"That's for me to know and for you to not worry about," Erin returned. "All that matters is that you like it. So do you like it?"
"Are you kidding me? This is like the….third best present."
"Third?" Erin asked, confused. "Third?"
Jay laughed. "Obviously, our baby is the best present I could've ever asked for. No contest."
"And the second?" Erin prodded. All she got in response was a mischievous grin from Jay.
"Thank you for this, really," Jay said instead, putting the helmet on. "I can't even believe this. We have got to put this on display. Give it a place it deserves," Jay said, his excitement obvious. He gave her a thank you kiss, sincere and heartfelt. "Okay, I'll open the rest of my presents later. I really want you to open yours." Jay reached for one of the presents he had under the tree for Erin and passed it to her.
Erin gave him an eager questioning look as she started to unwrap his first present for her. It was a necklace with a simple diamond pendant. It was beautiful and simple, just like how she preferred her jewellery. The diamond shone brightly in the light, shimmering with every movement of the jewelry box.
"Jay, it's so beautiful," Erin gasped, her hand holding the necklace.
"I thought it would go well with all of your pantsuits," Jay said, grinning. "I noticed that you like to wear a necklace with your work clothes. I saw this and thought you'd like it. Do you?"
Erin nodded. "I love it. It's beautiful and it's exactly my style. Thank you," she said, giving him a kiss.
"There's more," Jay said, giving her another gift. "This one….I'm a little nervous about it. I hope that you like it."
That piqued Erin's interest and she worked to unwrap the present. Jay did look nervous while he waited and Erin was left wondering just what did he get her that had him acting like this. Her question was answered when she opened the box and saw a photo album. The album itself was a high quality leather bound book and it had a nice weight to it. It was simplistic in its beauty, like it was meant to be timeless to hold the the important thing was what was inside of the album and Erin took a sharp inhale when she saw the pictures inside. Now she understood why Jay was so nervous.
Inside, the pages were filled with the pictures of her growing up. The very same ones that Jimmy had thrown in her face and onto the dirt covered street when he spat accusations in her face. Ones that Erin had picked up while holding back her tears and willing her heart to not completely break in the street. Ones that she had shoved in a box somewhere, the pictures themselves and the memories accompanying them too painful to remember. Ones that Jay had somehow found, painstakingly cleaned up and had arranged them into this album for her.
She was at a complete loss for words. Her fingers trembled as she turned the pages, each page of the album showcasing herself at various ages. Erin in her tutu that she had begged Bunny for so long, Erin holding up a cupcake to the camera accompanied with a missing front tooth— her 5th birthday and the cupcake being her only present of the day, and Erin in her school picture— one that her teacher had generously bought for her after Bunny forgot to give her the money for the copies of the pictures. So many instances of her childhood—rare moments of good in the ocean of bad— forever captured and memorialized in between these fancy pages.
Jay inched closer to her, gently resting his hand on her thigh. Erin could feel his eyes on her, could feel him carefully studying her reactions but she couldn't tear her eyes away from the album. There was a whirlwind of emotions storming inside of her— good and bad— and she just needed time to come to terms with it.
"Erin," Jay called her quietly, his voice barely a whisper. "I….I found those pictures while moving my things in and I just...I remembered the conversation we had when we shared what was in our boxes with each other, about how we agreed to not just hide our past in boxes. About how we should remember the good parts, not only the bad."
Erin nodded to let him know that she was listening to him.
"You look pretty happy in those pictures," Jay continued and Erin could hear the small smile in his voice. "This is your childhood, Erin. The girl in those pictures, they're a part of you and they're a part of who you are today. You can't run from it. Hey, look at me," Jay pleaded. Erin swallowed and lifted her head to meet his eyes. She could feel unshed tears gathered in her eyes, blurring her vision but she saw the love and tenderness in his eyes when he looked at her all the same. Jay smiled when he saw her face and he held her face in his hand, holding her up. "I think that you are absolutely amazing. The woman— the person— that you are today, Erin, I don't know anyone better."
Erin was at a loss for words and she could only continue to stare at him, the album clutched to her chest.
"I know I might've crossed the line by going through the pictures, especially since I know how you felt about them after everything that went down with Jimmy. I'm sorry but I...I just wanted you to cherish the pictures because they're all a part of who you are today. Someone that I am so proud of. Someone that I love so much. That little girl in those pictures...she deserved to be remembered, not shoved in a box somewhere," Jay explained.
"Jay."
"I'm sorry if I overstepped…"
"No," Erin interjected, shaking her head. "Jay, I'm not mad." She wasn't. She was overwhelmed for sure but anger wasn't in the bag of mixed emotions, especially not at him. Not at Jay for doing something so thoughtful and sweet.
"You're not?" Jay asked.
Erin gave Jay a small smile to reassure him. "No, I'm not." She wiped the tear that fell on her face and sniffed back the rest. "This is so incredibly sweet, not to mention thoughtful."
"Yeah?" Jay reached up and wiped away her tears for her. Erin held his wrist so he could stop what he was doing and look at her.
"I love it," Erin declared. She sniffed back the tears again. "You know what happened with Jimmy and the pictures. You were there." It was a moment in her life that she didn't like thinking about. Not only for the way everything with Jimmy and Bunny went down but for the way she took her anger and frustration out on Jay. He was trying to protect her and even though he didn't go about it the best way, he didn't deserve her lashing out at him. But Jay had been there for her when Erin came home with her tail tucked between her legs— heart shattered and her whole being just completely broken— and Jay didn't say 'I told you so'. He had taken one look at her— her deflated body, her redshot eyes— and he had pulled her into his arms. He held her so tight that whole night, like he could absorb her pain by just doing so.
"It's his loss," Jay spat, still angry on her behalf for how she was treated. "But don't let what happened with Jimmy taint these pictures, Erin."
"I won't," Erin assured him. "Not anymore. Not when I could have this instead," Erin said, holding up the photo album. She leaned in closer to Jay and softly held his lips. "Thank you for this. I love it."
Jay smiled, his eyes crinkling by the corners like she adored. He pressed his lips against her again, Erin wrapping her arms around him. She cupped his jaw, wanting more of Jay, and her hands traveled underneath his shirt, loving the feeling of his warm bare skin underneath her hands. She felt her body grow hotter when he pulled her in even more, Erin bracing her hands on his chest so they wouldn't topple over to the floor.
The kiss grew more intense, Jay's hands on her body sending goosebumps up and down her arms. She wanted to take it further, her hands coming up to the edge of his shirt to pull it up but Jay stopped her. Erin frowned when Jay pulled back, disconnecting their lips. He was breathless, trying to catch his breath as he buried his face in her neck. She shivered slightly when he laid a flutter of kisses on the sensitive patch of skin on her neck.
"As much as I want to continue this," Jay whispered against her skin before finally pulling his head up. "I have one more gift for you."
Erin glanced over at the last box addressed to her underneath the tree and chuckled. "Well, I'm not gonna say no to more presents," she teased, pulling herself off of his body and resuming her seat on the floor.
Jay gave her an exaggerated affronted look at her choosing getting a present over continuing their makeout session with him. But he reached for the present and handed it over to her all the same.
"So many presents," Erin murmured as she unwrapped the present. "You spoil me."
Jay bit his lips and stopped her from pulling the lid from the box up. "Hold that thought," he said, the nervous look returning to his face again. "This is more of a present for me," he warned.
Erin just tossed him a confused look at the strange way he was acting, so completely different from how he was just a couple of minutes earlier. "Okay?" she said as he released the hold on the box and let her open it.
Erin teared her eyes away from Jay to look at what he had gotten her when her heart came to a sudden stop. Because inside of the big box laid a smaller one. Much smaller. Small enough to contain only one thing. Now she understood why he had been so nervous.
"Jay," she could only utter his name in complete shock. She couldn't form any coherent words nor could she stop her heart from nearly beating out of her chest at seeing the small velvet box. Whatever she had been expecting, it wasn't this.
She saw the way his fingers trembled when Jay reached inside of the bigger box for the ring. She faintly registered hearing him gulp, trying to swallow down his nerves, but her mind was way too occupied to really pay attention. But when Jay shifted and got on his knee, Erin's mind caught up and she finally realized what was happening.
"Erin," Jay started, his voice shaking. He looked like a perfect mixture of both excitement and jitters that if Erin wasn't going through a rollercoaster of emotions of her own, she'd be more amused at his reaction. But all she could focus on was that Jay was on one knee. Jay was holding a ring. Jay was about to propose. "We've been through so much together. To hell and back and we're still here together. Stronger than ever. You are my best friend ever since the first day I met you. You are and will always be the most important person to me. Distance didn't change that. Time didn't change that. It will never change. Neither will the fact that I am so in love with you and I always will be." Jay released a soft laugh and he gently laid his hand on her stomach. "You've always been my family and now we're about to have another addition to our family. You make me so happy and you are all I think about, every day. Every second. Every hour. I can only hope to try and make you as happy as me. So Erin Lindsay, will you give me the chance? To make you happy like you deserve? To show you just how much I love you? How much I love our baby? Will you marry me?"
Erin could only laugh with happiness as she nodded fervently. As if there was a chance that she would refuse to marry the love of her life. "Yes," she repeated, tears running unabashedly down her face. Erin didn't bother wiping them off this time. Because these were tears of absolute happiness. Elation. Joy that she didn't know she could ever feel. The idea of spending the rest of her life with Jay as husband and wife sending her to the moon.
"Yeah?" Jay asked, grasping her hand in his. He looked like he couldn't believe that Erin said 'yes'.
"Yes, Jay. I will marry you," Erin repeated, giving him the confirmation he needed and just as suddenly, Erin found herself in Jay's arm, clutched tightly to his chest. She hugged him just as tight, both of them unable to peel themselves away from each other.
"Okay," Jay whispered, finally managing to pull away from her long enough to take the ring out of the box and gently slipped it onto her ring finger. The ring was gorgeous but even the way the diamond shimmered as it caught the light paled in comparison to the radiance and joy gleaming off both of their faces. Their eyes filled with glistening tears, their mouth spread into big wide smiles, their bodies so close together and their heart filled with so much love for one another. "Wow," Jay muttered in awe as he stared at the ring on her finger. He shook his head like he was still in disbelief.
Erin understood what he was feeling because she felt the same. After everything that they've been through together, apart and together again, the fact that they were here in this moment, promising to spend the rest of their lives together said it all. They belonged together. There was no one else. Well, almost nobody else.
Erin rested her hand on her stomach like she could feel their baby inside, even though it was too early. But the gesture was symbolic because soon enough, it wouldn't be just the two of them. It would be the three of them and they'd be so happy. Erin caught Jay's eyes and she smiled because she saw it all in his eyes. Their future.
xxxxxx
Erin was breathless and spent as she came down from the high of ecstasy. She laid on Jay's body, her bare chest to his, as they both caught their breath. There was a thin sheen of sweat on her body from what they had just done and Erin shivered slightly when the chills of the room ghosted across her body. Jay held her closer, his other hand blindly searching around for the blanket that got tossed all over the floor during their bouts of lovemaking. Erin snuggled closer to Jay when he covered her with the blanket and she sighed, content and happy.
She felt the heat of Jay's breath on her forehead and he reached up to tuck her hair away before laying the gentlest of kiss on her forehead. Erin laid her hand on his chest and it wasn't long before Jay threaded their fingers together before bringing them up to his lips to kiss it.
Erin could tell that Jay was still mesmerized by the ring on her finger, given the way he hadn't been able to tear his eyes away from it.
"It's a perfect fit," Erin commented. "It's the perfect ring. Did you pick it out yourself?" Jay nodded, his other thumb skimming across her bare back. Erin let out an impressed hum. "Mm, you did good," she praised him. "How did you even?"
"I saw it and I knew immediately," Jay replied, bending his head down to meet her eyes. "I know you and I know what you would like."
Erin quirked a brow. "So you're like a self-proclaimed Erin expert or something?"
Jay chuckled. "Something like that."
Erin rolled her eyes affectionately before her eyes fluttered closed when he kissed her hair again. Erin sighed happily, again, and her eyes shifted around the room before landing on the Christmas tree just a couple of feet away. A serene smile took over her face as her eyes remained glued on the tree.
"What are you thinking about?" Jay asked after noticing her being quiet for a minute.
Erin pulled her eyes away from the tree to look at Jay and bit her lips. "I'm just thinking that by this time next year, we'll have a family of our own. We'll even be husband and wife."
Jay beamed, cupping her face. "Is that so bad?" Erin gave him an unamused look.
"It's just….a lot of changes. Good but still big."
Jay nodded in understanding. "You know that the fact that you're pregnant had nothing to do with me proposing right?" he asked, sounding earnest. "I've been wanting to ask you to marry me for the longest time so it's not just rushing into things just because we're about to have a baby."
Erin rested her chin on his chest and held his gaze. He just looked so sincere and serious as he tried to convince her of that. She found him just utterly adorable. "Jay, relax," she stopped him, chuckling. "I know. The present box has been under the tree for weeks now. Way before the possibility of me being pregnant ever crossed our minds. I know that you asked me to marry you because you love me and you want to spend the rest of your life with me." She lifted herself up and rested her weight on her elbow, her fingers reaching up to brush against his eyebrow before holding his jaw so he understood her clearly. "And I said yes to marrying you because I want to marry you. Because I love you. I don't need other reasons."
Jay pulled her head down gently so their lips could meet. "Good," he whispered against her lips as Erin rested her forehead on his. Erin smiled against his lips before she connected their lips again.
The gentle kiss grew hotter, more passionate, as Jay worked to pry her mouth open so he could kiss her deeper. Erin moaned when he sucked on her tongue, her toes curling in response. She could feel his smug grin against her lips at her reaction and before she could even say anything, Jay had flipped them over so she was laying on the floor and his body was hovering over her.
His lips found home on her neck next, Jay carefully and meticulously kissing every inch of her neck. Erin gasped in pleasure and she wrapped her arms around him, unable to stop herself. Jay began to suck on the skin, sending pleasure all over her body and Erin could only claw at his back as her body arched up in pleasure.
The way Jay was alternating between licking, kissing and sucking on her skin was driving her crazy. She was so consumed with pleasure that she didn't even care that Jay could leave a mark for everyone else to see. Not now. Not when his mouth was working its usual magic, Erin unable to hold back her moans.
Jay gave her a searing kiss on her lips before he pulled away, his eyes darkened with lust and need. He smirked when his eyes trailed down over her bare chest that was heaving and was flushed. Jay bent his head down to lay a kiss between the valley of her breasts then her stomach before travelling to the most sensitive part of her body.
Erin gasped as her body arched up in euphoria at the way Jay was focused on pleasing her and pushing her over the edge with his mouth only.
Erin's mind was devoid of any rational thought, too focused on the way he was making her feel. The only coherent thought she was able to form just before Jay pushed her over the edge was that she could definitely spend the rest of her life with Jay, doing this forever.
(23)
Jay patted Erin's thing comfortingly as soon as the doctor stepped out of the room for a quick second. She looked tired and Jay didn't blame her. He'd be exhausted too after being prodded relentlessly and being bombarded with questions about her health history. But his fiancee— damn, that sounded good to Jay— was a trooper as always, not even complaining once after getting her blood taken and having her private region being poked and examined by the OB-GYN. Jay would definitely make it up to her when they got home.
For now though, all he could do was massage her thighs and give her plenty of water to drink. He passed her the water bottle again but Erin shook her head.
"I don't want to go pee again," Erin said, pushing the bottle away. Jay nodded, putting the bottle cap back on. He had been reading up on pregnancy and what to expect. Given that they couldn't get their first prenatal appointment for several weeks because of the holidays meant that Jay had plenty of time to read up on what to expect on their first appointment.
So far they both had been grilled about their family medical history, Erin had her blood taken for lab and her body checked out just in case while all Jay tried to keep her hydrated to make the whole process easier for her. He wasn't sure if it was helping but according to several pregnancy websites, more experienced women had suggested it. And who was Jay to argue with experience?
"You're doing great, babe," Jay praised her, wanting her to know how proud he was of her. "It's almost over."
Erin just nodded and leaned her head back on the patient chair while Jay sat next to her. She reached over and laced her fingers through his, giving his hand a squeeze.
"I'm glad you're here. Thank you," Erin told him.
Jay smiled, giving her hand a squeeze back. "Nowhere else I'd rather be," he returned, earnestly. Nothing was going to stop him from being here. There would probably had to be a meteor the size of California hitting the earth that could prevent Jay from being next to Erin for her first appointment. He leaned over and gave her a kiss, quick but loving all the same.
"Okay, are we ready for the ultrasound?" the doctor asked as she returned to the room.
"Yes, please," Erin said, Jay nodding in agreement. This was what they've been waiting for. The first chance to see their baby growing in Erin's stomach.
The doctor readied the machine and massaged the gel on Erin's stomach, Erin wincing at how cold it was. Jay gave her a grin and she squeezed his hand tight in return.
"Ready?" Erin nodded and the OB-GYN began putting the transducer on Erin's stomach, pressing the wand on her skin to get a clear image. She moved the wand along as Jay squinted his eyes at the monitor, unable to differentiate what he was seeing on the small black and white monitor. After moving around the wand for a little bit, the doctor rested the transducer at a fixed spot on Erin's stomach before scooting her chair closer to the monitor. "Here we go," she said happily. "You see this right here?" she asked, pointing to a small figure near the bottom of the screen. "This is your baby."
Both he and Erin inched closer to the monitor to get a better look, trying to see the image the doctor was showing them.
"He's moving," Erin exclaimed, pointing at the screen. "He's moving, right?" she asked.
The OB-GYN nodded and chuckled. "Yes, he is. And according to the measurement I'm seeing, it looks like you're just a little over 9 weeks along, Erin."
Erin and Jay exchanged a look, both smiling widely. 9 weeks, Jay processed in his head. 9 weeks. The little bean had been growing inside Erin's stomach for over two months and soon enough, he or she would be more than just a black and white image on the monitor. It was just mind blowing for Jay.
"See the way the image flickers? That's the baby's heartbeat," the doctor explained and he heard Erin take in a sharp breath. Jay couldn't stop alternating his eyes between Erin and their baby in amazement. The look of wonder was equally the same on Erin's face as they watched their baby's heartbeat on screen.
"It's….amazing," Erin breathed out, wiping her tears away. "Sorry," she said, embarrassed about her display of emotions. "Pregnancy hormones."
"What's my excuse then?" Jay asked as he felt tears gathering in his eyes at seeing the life he and Erin created together for the first time. Only he didn't have the excuse of pregnancy hormones to explain his tears. Nothing but just pure joy and wonderment at seeing their baby, even if the said baby was not fully recognizable just yet.
Erin laughed before reaching over and wiping his tears away for him, her thumb brushing over his jaw.
"Oh trust me, I've seen plenty of tears in my exam room and I always welcome tears of happiness," the doctor said, looking happy for them. "Let me print you guys a copy of the image." Jay nodded his thanks. "How many copies would you like? We usually give out 2."
Jay met Erin's eyes and she shrugged, leaving it up to him. "Um, two's fine," he replied.
So far, they hadn't told anyone about their pregnancy just yet. They wanted to make sure that everything was alright with the baby and Erin was far along enough before they shared the news with their family and friends. But Jay knew that he might not live to see the birth of his child if he at least didn't make sure Voight got a copy of the ultrasound so it was better to be safe than sorry.
"Since you are 9 weeks along, we can try and listen to the baby's heartbeat. It might be a little too early but sometimes, we are able to hear the heartbeat at this stage. Are you interested?"
They didn't need to even discuss it, coming to the same agreement with just a look. There was no way they would pass up the chance to listen to their baby's heartbeat.
Minutes later, Jay grasped Erin's hand as the doctor worked on Erin. At first it was all silence and Jay tried not to get his hopes too high since there was a chance that it was too early.
Then like magic, the silence in the room was broken by a whooshing sound before clearing to a more succinct sound of what Jay could only describe as a horse galloping.
"Is that...is that the baby's heartbeat?" Jay asked and the doctor nodded. Jay looked over at Erin and saw the same overwhelming emotions he was feeling reflected back in her eyes.
Like their whole life had been colorless and bland until the heartbeat kickstarted it and filled it with color. Knowing that they were hearing the product of their love's heart beating and they were sharing this momentous moment together, it was everything Jay could've ever hoped for and more.
"I'll give you two a minute. I'll be back with the images," the doctor excused herself politely, knowing that they needed a moment alone.
"Jay," Erin called his name as soon as the doctor left, her voice filled with so much emotions. "That's our baby."
Jay could only nod before he got up and kissed her, pouring every ounce of love and affection into the kiss. He wanted Erin to know just how much he loved her, how much he already loved their baby.
"I love you," he whispered, pecking her nose before resting his forehead against her. Their breaths mingled as their lips ghosted over each other. He opened his eyes so he could look at her, seeing her looking back at him with so much affection in her hazel eyes.
"I love you too," Erin returned, Jay smiling widely before he hugged her, burying his face in the crook of her neck. His favorite spot.
He sighed happily into her skin and held her tighter.
He never expected to be here, in this moment. It hadn't been two years when Jay had resigned himself to a life without Erin and had accepted the fact that he'd never have a great love in his life again, not when Erin was in New York and out of his life. He had accepted that no matter who he might've ended up dating, they would just be a poor replacement for Erin so why should he bother?
Then she came back into his life like a welcome breeze on a hot summer day and she breathed life back into him. It wasn't easy getting to this place, to shed all the hurt and pain that they had inflicted on each other. But it was worth it because Jay was no longer just going through the motions. He was no longer just a robot void of all emotions.
Erin made him feel. She made him love. She made him want to be a better person. She made him happy.
Jay held her face in his hand and just took her in, all of her perfection and her beauty. The only thought that came to his mind was that he couldn't wait to spend the rest of their lives together. The three of them.
AN: And we have come to another conclusion of 23 encounters. I can't say enough of all the sweet comments and support all of you have shown me for this series. Really. Thank you because I just absolutely love reading each and everyone of your reviews.
I know some of you guys want me to continue this series and I am seriously considering it. I do think there is a lot left on the table and more "encounters" to write about. Like them telling other people that they are having a baby and getting married! I am debating whether I want to just go with bonus chapters in this one or start a new story. I think someone suggested 23 and married or something along those lines and I love that. But I'm not sure yet.
So if you guys have any preference, please let me know. Or any suggestions of what encounters you might like to read about, I'm open to suggestions as always.
Thanks again for your support and I hope you guys enjoy this chapter! I'll see you guys soon in my other stories.