Author Note: Thank you so much for all the wonderful reviews. I'm sorry for people who may have thought this was going to be an Upstead fic. I don't have anything against Hailey I just don't think she's right for Jay. But I'm biased to Linstead. Hope you guys enjoy this next chapter.

Chapter 11: Nadia's Birthday

A couple of minutes later Jay walked into Molly's still in complete shock about what transpired between him and Hailey. He spots Will at the bar and heads over to him. He grabs the beer that's in his brother hands him and takes a drink.

"Slow down there little bro." Will says with a laugh as he slaps Jay on the shoulder.

"Can I talk to you for a sec?" Jay asks Will.

Will looks at his brother and nods his head. The two head to secluded corner of the bar to talk. "What's going on Jay?"

"Hailey kissed me." Jay says as he takes another drink.

Will chokes on his beer.

"Yeah." Jay says looking at his brother, "And that's not all. She told me she is in love with me."

"What?"

Jay takes a breath and shakes his head says, "First Erin comes back dredging up the feelings I had for her and now I got one of my best friends kissing me and telling me she loves me."

Will nods his head. "I gotta ask, do you have feelings for Hailey?"

Jay takes a minute before he responds, "This kiss caught me off guard but I can't say that thought hasn't crossed my mind the in the last couple of years. She's really been there for me during some dark times but I don't think I feel the same way."

Will takes a drink from his beer and looks at his brother. "Speaking as someone who's been caught up in a love triangle before. There not fun to be in. You got to know what you want Jay." Will pauses before she continues. "If you want to stay friends with Hailey and pursue Erin great. If you want to try something with Hailey and stay friends and co-parents with Erin that's fine too. But you can't string either one of them along. Trust me it only comes back to bite you in the end."

Jay takes and drink and thinks about what Will is saying. His eyes find Erin laughing at something Kim says. She looks so carefree in this moment and his missed seeing this side of her. A smile begins to cross his face.

Will sees the smile on his brother's face and turns his head to see what he's smiling about. He sees him staring at Erin and Will smiles and shakes his head. "Personally I think that you should purse Erin."

Jay removes his eyes from Erin and looks at his brother.

"Jay, I see the way you look at her, the way you have always looked at her. Now that she's back and I think you owe it to yourself to try." He pauses before he continues. "Do I think you and Hailey might have potential. Sure. But you don't look at Hailey the same way you look at Erin." Will shakes his head. "I don't know there just always been something about the two of you together."

"I can't explain it either, we always just click even before we a couple. There was just this undeniable thing between us" Jay sighs, "When we're spending time together as family it feels like we're actually one but then they leave to go back to Erin's and it's like a part of me is dying." Jay pauses. "I want my family."

Will slaps a hand on his brother's shoulder and says, "Then fight for them. Tell Hailey that you value her friendship but that's all you can give her." Jay nods his head. "You should definitely tell Erin about the kiss before she finds out."

Jay looks up at his brother and holds up his hand. "Wait. What? How would Erin find out about any of this?"

"Trust me, little brother things like this, they always come out. I would be surprised if she already suspect that something might be going on between you and Hailey."

"First of nothing is going on between me and Hailey and secondly why would Erin think there is something going." Jay asks.

"Jay, come on I saw how Hailey was acting around you at the hospital. At first I thought it was just a partner protecting her partner but now that you told me that she's in love with everything makes much more since."

Jay sighs and takes a drink of his beer. "So, really think that Erin thinks there's something between me and Hailey?"

Will laughs. "It was like the minute Erin arrived she didn't want to leave your side and let's not to forget the longing looks she gives you." Will laughs and says, "If I noticed all this then trust me, Erin has definitely noticed."

Jay sighs feeling like his life is becoming more and more complicated. Will talking pulls him out of his thoughts.

"Secrets came between you guys before don't let them come between you now."

"You're right, but I need to talk to Hailey first."

The next day Jay knocks on Hailey's door and waits for her to answer. The door opens and Hailey looks surprised but pleased to see him.

"Jay, what are you doing here?" She says with a smile appearing on her lips.

"Can I come in?" Jay asks.

Hailey nods her head and moves aside so Jay can enter the apartment. "Can I get you something to drink?"

Jay shakes his head and says, "I'm good. I wanted to talk to you about last night."

Hailey sighs. Going by the look on his face Hailey knows that this conversation is not going to go the way she wants it to go. She knew she should have told Jay a long time ago. "I want to say something first. Hailey pauses before she continues, "I'm sorry I jumped you last night." She shakes her head. "When I went outside to talk to you, me kissing you was not part of the plan. I just needed to tell you how I felt."

"It's okay. It's not the first time I've been jumped by a woman." Jay says jokingly trying to lighten the tension in the room.

Hailey lets out a small uncomfortable laugh.

Jay takes a step toward her and says, "Hailey…" She shakes her head and puts a hand up to stop his movements. Jay stops walking toward her but continues talking. "You've been such a great friend to me. You've been there for me doing some really dark times but….

Hailey cuts him off." I get you don't have to finish. You don't feel the same way about me. It's okay." She says with tear forming behind her eyes.

"I'm sorry." Jay says.

Hailey shakes her head. "You have nothing to be sorry for." She takes a breath and says. "I knew that there was a chance that you didn't feel the same way but I knew I would always regret not telling you." Hailey sighs. "Just promise me that you are going to be careful with that heart of yours. I know it's not my place but you're my best friends and I saw what her leaving did to you." She pauses. "I just want you to be careful."

"Hailey, you don't have to worry about me. I'll be okay." Jay pulls Hailey into a hug as she nods her head against him. "We'll always be friends right?"

Jay pulls back from the hug and says, "Yeah, we always be friends." Jay gives her a smile.

"You're not going to be weird around me now are your?" Hailey says.

"Oh, definitely." Jay says with a smirk on his face.

Hailey shoves him and gives him a small smile and says, "Shut up, Jay."

Jay let's put a small laugh and the leaves.

Hailey shuts the door behind him and leans back against it and sighs. She has her answer now he only sees her has friend and she would rather have Jay as a friend than not have him in her life at all. She hopes Erin knows how lucky she is. Jay is a great guy and he is turning out to be an awesome dad. She just hopes that Erin doesn't screw up this second chance with Jay. She truly hopes that things work out between them because all she wants is for Jay to be happy and if being with Erin is what does it so be it.

Nadia's birthday fell on the week of Thanksgiving so Erin and Jay decided to have her party a couple of days before her actual birthday. It was going to be a small gathering with family, friends and a few of Nadia's classmates. When ask what kind of birthday party she wanted she told her parents she wanted a Tangled themed princess party. Since this was Jay's first birthday he was actually spending with Nadia they decided to have the party at his place. So, here they were decorating Jay's apartment with everything Tangled.

They had just picked up the cake for the party and now Jay was going around the apartment making sure everything was perfect for his little girl's party. Erin watches him move around the apartment like a nervous dad and she lets out a laugh.

Jay looks up from making sure that the decorations are perfect when he hears a laugh come from Erin. He turns toward her and says, "What?"

She smiles and says, "Nothing. You're just so cute when you're in dad mode."

"So, you think I'm cute?" Jay says in a flirty tone moving toward her.

Erin smiles, "No. What I said was that you in dad mode is cute."

Jay laughs. "Do you think she's going to like."

Erin looks around the apartment. "She's going to love it." She motions toward the kitchen and says, "I'm going to put the cake in the fridge."

"What'd you get Nadia for her birthday?" Jay asks leaning against his kitchen counter.

"I got her a digital kid camera for her. She's been asking for it for a while now." She says as she closes the door for the fridge and turns around. "What did you get her?"

"Our daughter has been asking for a puppy."

Erin gives Jay a look and crosses her arms, "Tell me you did not get our daughter a puppy."

Jay stares at Erin and shrugs his shoulders, which is annoying Erin. Sensing her annoyance at him he breaks into a smile.

"That's not funny Jay."

"Come on, I wouldn't do that without talking to you about it. But I do think it's something we should talk about."

Erin nods her head in agreement. "We'll talk after the party. So, what did you get her."

"I got her a princess castle playhouse for her room." Erin smiles at Jay. If he wasn't careful his apartment was going to be filled with princess stuff.

"What do you think Voight got for her?"

Erin laughs. "There's no telling with Hank. She has him wrapped around her finger just like you."

Jay was getting ready to object to her statement but he realized she was right so he kept is mouth closed. The fact that he doesn't say anything makes Erin laugh harder. He'll never get tired of hearing that laugh.

They had a few minutes before everyone was set to arrive. Jay takes to the opportunity of having Erin alone to talk to her. "I want to talk to you about something."

Erin looks at curiously. "What's up?"

Jay takes a breath and says, "A few weeks ago Hailey kissed me."

"Oh" She pauses before she speaks again, "Are you telling me this because the two of you are…

"No." Jay says as he cuts her off. He takes a step toward her and says, "No. She told me she was in love with me and I told her that all I wanted was friendship." He pauses before he continues. "I just didn't want any secrets between us."

"Okay. I appreciate you telling me. You didn't have to but I'm glad you did." She says in her raspy voice.

Jay takes Erin's hand in his and entwines them as he moves closer to her. He sighs and decides to take a leap of faith. "I want us to try and be a family."

Erin opens her mouth to reply but Jay stops her, "I just need to get this out." She nods her head and he continues. "When we're spending time together as a family it's the greatest feeling in the world for me."

"Me too." Erin whispers.

"But then you both leave and it's like my world is ending." Jay says a is voice begins to break. "I just want a chance to be a family."

Erin cups Jay face in her hand and says with a smile. "Can I talk now?"

Jay nods his head. "I want all those things too Jay and it scares me. Because I don't want to screw this up."

"You won't. We'll make this work." He says as he stares in her eyes.

"Okay." She whispers. "We still have a lot to talk about."

"I know."

Jay leans down to kiss her and Erin closes her eyes anticipating the kiss. Their lips are about to meet for the first time in three years. When a knock at the door breaks the moment. The two of them jump apart like two teenagers who are about to be caught by her dad. They both and Jay lets go of her hand and makes his way over to the door.

Jay opens the door and is greeted by the Hank and the birthday girl. "Hi, daddy."

"Hey, munchkin." He says picking her up and giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"Do you like my dress?" She says looking down at her dress.

"I love it."

It's for my birthday!" She says excitedly.

Jay feigns shock and says, "What? It's your birthday? How did I not know this?"

Nadia laughs. "Your silly daddy."

He walks her further into the room with Nadia in his arms as Hank follows behind them. "Are you ready for your party?"

Nadia nods her head excitedly

"Hey, Hank." Erin says as walks over to him and gives him a hug.

Jay sets her down and the little girl runs over to her mother. "Hi, mommy."

"Hi, sweet pea. Did you have fun with Poppa?" She asks as she helps Nadia take off her coat.

"Yup but I'm ready for my party now."

Erin laughs. "Of course you are. Well everyone should be here soon." She takes Nadia around the living room showing her all the decorations for the party. "What do you think?"

"I love it. Thank you so much mommy." She says as she hugs Erin.

"Don't forget to thank daddy too."

Nadia runs over to Jay and hug his legs and says, "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

The knock at the door brings more guests to the party. Soon the room is filled with kids and adults. The whole Intelligence unit stopped by to wish Nadia a happy birthday. Hailey had stopped by only to drop of a gift for Nadia since she had other plans for the day. Nadia was having the time of her life. Erin and Jay stand back watching their daughter open her gifts.

Erin leans over and whispers to Jay, "I can't believe she's three already. It feels like yesterday that I was holding her in my arms and rocking her to sleep."

Jay smiles with a faraway look in his eyes. Erin turns toward him and says, "I'm sorry I kept her from you."

Jay shakes his head. "You're here now and that's all that matters." He says as he grabs her hand. She smiles at him and they both turn their attention back to their daughter.

It was Thanksgiving day and the Intelligence unit was working hard to finish up there paperwork so they could leave. With it being a slow day Jay had decided to let the team leave a bit early since they had no active cases. Hank invited anyone that didn't have a place to go over to his house for dinner. Atwater decided that he wanted to spend some quality time with his sibling so he opted out of the dinner at Hank's. Al, Kim, Adam and Hailey were headed over to Hank's for dinner along with Jay and Erin.

Things between Erin and Hailey were getting a little better. She doubted if Hailey and her would ever be friends but she was willing to be cordial. She hoped things wouldn't be awkward at Hank's since this would be the most time they have spent together outside of work.

Hailey shut down her computer for the night and grabbed her coat. "See you guys at Voight's." She said before she left.

Ruzek, Burgess and Olinsky head out next waving goodbye to Erin and Jay with promises to see them at Voight's. Erin looks up from her desk and sees Jay deep in thought as he finishes up his paperwork. Erin shuts her computer down and grabs her coat. She makes her way over to Jay's office and leans in the door frame.

"I'm headed out." She says in her raspy voice.

Jay looks up from his paperwork with a smile on his face. He sees that the bullpen is empty and gives Erin a flirty look.

"Don't give me that look." Erin says with a smile on her face.

"What?" He says feigning innocence.

"We said that we would keep this professional at work and that look your giving is anything but professional." She says with a laugh. They decided to keep their newfound relationship at themselves, first because he was her boss now and second because they were still figuring things out between them. It had only been a couple of days since they decided to give it another shot and they have had time to really talk. Between work and Nadia it was tough and now with Thanksgiving dinner at Hank's, they decided to wait till after the holiday to talk.

Jay laughs and grabs his coat from his chair and puts it on. They stop to pick up a pie for dessert before they go the Hank's. When they arrive at Voight's Al was already there and Nadia had the two older men playing tea party with her when they walked in. Jay both grabbed his phone to take a picture when Voight's raspy voice spoke, "Halstead you better not be taking any kind of photograph of me right now if you want to eat."

Erin let out a laugh as Jay halted his movements and slide his phone back into his pocket. Nadia finally notices her parents are in the room and runs over to greet them.

"You guys took forever to get here." She pouts. "Poppa said we had to wait for you guys to eat."

Erin passes Jay the pie they picked up so she can Nadia. "Sweet pea, we have to wait on a few more people before we can eat. Sorry."

Nadia huffs and Erin and Jay laugh. Jay goes to the kitchen to set the pie down as the doorbell rings. Hank moves to answer it. Erin puts Nadia down. "Hey, why don't you go and clean up your toys and then go wash your hands for dinner.

Jay comes back into the grabs Nadia hand and says, "Hey, munchkin, why don't I help clean up?" Nadia nods her head in agreement and the two head into the living room to clean up her toys.

As they do Adam, Kim and Hailey enter the living room. They all head into the dining room and take their seats. Erin and Jay are sitting on one side of the table with Nadia between them. Adam, Kim and Hailey are sitting at the other side with Hank and Al at the heads of the table. Hank made a feast of turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and rolls. The conversation flowed freely between everyone and they eat and broke bread together. Any awkwardness that Erin thought might happened never came. She looked over at Hailey who was laughing at something Voight said she hoped that the sense of peace they have between them right now would continue after the holiday.

Reviews welcomed For anyone wondering Nadia's birthday is Nov. 23rd. I based this off of the air date of Sophia's last episode. If you have any questions about timelines feel free to PM and I can explain.