Epilogue
REPOSTING this because a lot of people have told me they could not see the last chapter. Fanfic is being weird. So for some of you may see the Epilogue twice.
It's been two years since Jay and Erin tied the knot in a small ceremony with friends and family. Life had been good for the Halstead's, three months ago they had moved into their first house
right. They had talked about housing hunting ever since they got married two years ago. Ollie was getting bigger and both wanted a backyard for Nadia to run and play instead of being stuck in an apartment. But they kept putting it off as something they would want in the future. Then Erin found out she was pregnant.
*Flashback*
Jay walked into the apartment after a long day at work. They had just wrapped up a big case but Jay's mind was on Erin. She had been sick for the past couple of days and today she went to the doctor to find out what was going on. She had called him earlier but he wasn't able to answer it since they were knee deep in a case. But she left a voice mail saying that she would talk to him when he came home.
Jay sighs and closes the apartment door and walks slowly into the quiet apartment. He sets his stuff down and heads to Nadia's room to check on her. He quietly opens her door and peaks in. He finds her fast asleep with her mouth wide open and a hand draped over Ollie. Jay smiles at the scene and walks over to the bed and places a kiss on her being careful not to wake her. He gives her one last glance and turns and walks out the door. He heads to their bedroom and finds Erin sitting up with her back against the head board waiting for him. "Hey." She greets him as he walks to the room.
"Hey." He says tiredly as he sits on the bed and takes off his shoes. "How did your doctor's appointment go? Did they find out what's wrong?" Jay replies as he moves closer to her on the bed.
Erin takes Jay's hand, "Well, it's what I suspected it to be."
Jay gives her a concerned look, "Erin, you're starting to scare me what's going?"
Erin smiles at him, "I'm fine Jay, I promise."
"Obviously, you're not since you have been throwing up the past couple of days."
"Well, the doctor did find the reason why I've been throwing up."
Jay looks at her anxiously, "What is it?"
Erin leans over and grabs something off the dresser. She hands him and envelope. Jay takes the envelope in his hands and looks up at her. She nods her head at him, "Open it."
Jay opens the envelope and pulls out a photograph. He looks down at the sonagram in his hand. Recognition appears on his face, he looks up at Erin and gives her a huge smile. "You're pregnant?"
Erin smiles, "Yeah, the doctor says I'm about 8 weeks." She says in a small voice.
"We're going to have a baby!" Erin laughs as Jay pulls her into his lap and places passionate kiss on her lips.
*End Flashback*
Erin was in the kitchen cleaning up the dinner dishes as she waited for Jay to come home. Nadia was in the living room watching tv. The house is quiet for a moment and Erin relishes in it. She hears the door open as Jay enters the house. He finally walks into the kitchen and greets her, "Hey." He says as he gives her a kiss.
"How was your day?"
Jay nods his head, "Good. It was light day today."
"That's good."
He pulls her into his arms, "How was your day?"
Erin lets out a sigh, "Exhausting." Erin pulls back from the hug, "I left you a plate. I wasn't sure if you ate or not." She moves to go and get the plate but Jay grabs her arm to stop her. "Why don't you go and grab a shower and relax a little." As soon as the words leave his mouth a cry breaks out. Erin moves to go and get the baby but Jay stops her, " I got this."
She places a kiss on his lips, "Thanks babe."
A little while later Erin exited the bathroom towel drying her hair. It had been two weeks since she had given birth and she was utterly exhausted. She had forgot how exhausting it was having a newborn but it was nice to have help this time around. Jay had been a godsent these last two weeks. He couldn't do much in the way of feeding since Erin was breastfeeding but he was there to change diapers and get up with the baby in the middle of the night.
Today was his first day back to work since she had the baby and her amazing husband was still taking care of her. She smiles as she makes her way downstairs and finds Jay passed out on the couch with his head tip back on the back of the couch while their son fast asleep on his chest. Nadia was sitting at the opposite end the couch watching Frozen 2 on the tv. Erin smiles as she takes in the picture in front of her. She quickly grabs her and takes a picture before she makes her way over to them. She grabs Nadia and pulls her into her lap and as they as the watch the movie together.
"Daddy was supposed to be watching the movie with me but he fell asleep." She says with pout.
Erin pulls Nadia closer, "That's okay because that gives us some mommy daughter time." Nadia smiles and cuddles closer to her mother.
Since the birth of their son it's been she hasn't spent a lot of one on one time with Nadia. As she places a kiss on the side of Nadia's head Erin thinks back to when they told Nadia she was going to be a big sister.
*Flashback*
Erin was now three months pregnant and they were ready to tell Nadia that she was going to be a big sister. Jay was in the kitchen cooking dinner as Erin at on the couch watching tv. Nadia had spent the day with Hank and was heading home soon. Erin set on the couch wondering how they were going to tell Nadia she had been an only five years now. And she was nervous about how Nadia was going to feel about having a sibling.
The sound of Jay's voice brings her out of her thoughts, "Careful or you're going to bite that lip off."
She looks at him confused, "Huh?"
"You've been biting your bottom lip for few minutes. I called your name but you must have been in deep thought?" He sits down beside her, "What's got you thinking so much?"
Erin sighs, "I'm just wondering how Nadia's going to feel about having a sibling. It's just been me and her for a long time and now she has us both and I'm wondering if she is going to be ready to share her parents."
Jay pulls Erin closer to places his hand on the her tiny bump, "She's definitely going have to get used to sharing us with the baby but ultimately I think she is going to be excited about having a sibling."
Erin looks up at him, "You think?"
"I know." He says dropping a kiss to the top of her head. Just then a knock sounds at the door and Jay gets up from the couch and answers it. She hears him greet Nadia and then the sound of her little feet running to find her, "Mommy." Nadia says excitedly as she sees her mother on the couch.
"Hi, baby." Erin says as she pulls the little girl into her lap. She hears Jay say goodbye to Hank and close the door. He heads back into the living room and joins his girls on the couch. Erin settles Nadia between the two of them.
Jay pulls the little girl into his lap so she is sitting side ways facing Erin, "Mommy and I have something we want to talk to you about."
Nadia looks up at her father curiously, "What?"
Erin looks at Nadia and places a hand on her belly, "There's a baby in my belly. You're going to be a big sister." She finishes with a smile.
Nadia looks up at her mother, "How did a baby get in your belly?"
Jay looks over at Erin and then back at Nadia, "When a mommy and daddy love each other, they make baby. That's how you were made."
She looks at him still a little confused but says, "Okay."
Erin gives Jay a look at the lack of response from their daughter," So, how do you feel about being a big sister?" Erin asks her.
Nadia shrugs her shoulders, "Okay I guess. I just wished the baby was here now so I could play with it."
Erin and Jay look at each other and share a laugh, "Well, you're going to have to wait a little bit longer for that to happen."
Nadia crosses her arms lets out a loud huff, "I hate waiting."
*End Flashback*
Erin hears their son let out a soft whimper she glances over at him getting ready to comfort the baby but before she can Jay pats the baby's bottom and he falls back to sleep. Erin reaches her hand over towards Jay and runs her hand through his hair. As she strokes his hair she thinks back to the day she gave birth to their son.
*Flashback*
After ten hours of excruciating labor their son had made his appearance in the world. Erin was exhausted but she couldn't help but smile as she watched Jay hold their son for the first time. Tears appear in her eyes as she thinks about the moment that she took away from him with Nadia because she was scared. As if sensing her thoughts Jay leans over and strokes Erin head, "Hey, it's the past and where here now." She gives him a smile.
He sits on the side of her hospital bed, "Before we are bombarded with people. Have we officially decided on a name for this little guy."
Erin lifts her hand up to strokes the baby's head, "I know we couldn't decide between Liam or Noah. I personally think he looks more like a Noah than a Liam." She says with a smile.
"Jay looks down at his son I agree. Noah Halstead. I like it."
Erin shakes her head and looks up at him, "Noah Patrick Halstead."
Jay looks at Erin stunned with tears in his eyes, "Patrick. Are you sure?"
"Yeah." She says as she wipes the tears that escape from his eyes, "You remember that night after we found out we were having a boy. You were so worried that you would pass the mistakes that your father made with you to him. You opened up to me about his death and how everything that you thought about him not being proud of you was wrong. I think this is the perfect way to honor the man who was proud of his son. Just like you are going to be proud of yours."
Jay leans over and places a gentle kiss on her lips, "Thank you."
There's a knock on the door as Will pokes his head inside, "Hey, you guys up for some visitors?"
"Yeah, send them on in. I know they have been waiting to meet this little guy."
Will opens the door further and let's Hank, Margie and Nadia into the room, "I figured I would late them in groups as to not overwhelm you guys."
"Thanks." Says to Will.
"Mommy," Nadia shouts as she sees her mother. Hank moves over to the other side of the bed to help Nadia sit down next to Erin.
"Hi, baby. Mommy missed you." Erin says as she places a kiss on her daughter's head.
"So, are you guys going to introduce us to the newest member." Will says.
Erin looks over at Jay, "I'll let you do the honors."
He smiles at her, "Everyone we'd like you to meet Noah Patrick Halstead."
Will eyes teared up at the name. He moves over to his brother and pats him on the shoulder as Jay hands the baby over to Will. He stares down at his nephew and then back at Jay, "You named him after dad?"
Jay shakes his head and looks up at his brother, "Erin thought this would be a nice way to honor dad."
Will looks over at his sister in law, "Thank you." She looks over at him and gives him a smile.
After a while Hank makes his way over to Will "Alright, I think I've been patient long enough," He hold out his hands, "I would like to hold my grandson."
Will carefully hands the baby over, "Alright, Noah your grandpa wants to hold you now."
Hank cradles the small child in his arms, "Hey, champ I'm your grandpa or poppa whatever you want to call me." He looks over at Erin, "You did good, kid."
She smiles at him, "Thanks dad."
"Alright, Hank I think you hogged him long enough." Margie says as she comes up behind him. "Now, it's time for grandma to have a turn." Hank hands her the baby and once his in her arms she begins too coo all over him. She looks over at Erin, "He's so precious."
Erin smiles at her as she watches Hank stands beside Margie as he runs his hand over Noah's head. Her eyes moved to the ring that now graces his finger and smiles. Hank and Margie had gotten married a few months ago in a civil ceremony at the courthouse. Having both been married before neither one of them wanted a wedding. Jay places a gentle kiss on her head begins her out of her thoughts. She looks up at him and gives him a tired smile.
"I love you." He tells her.
Her smile grows bigger, "I love you too."
*End Flashback*
The sound of Jay's voice breaks her out of her thoughts, "What are you thinking about over there?"
She blinks her eyes and looks over down at him, "Just thinking about how great my life is."
He smiles at her as he looks over at their now sleeping daughter and then at their son, "Oh, Kim wanted me to remind you that she and Adam were bringing dinner over tomorrow. They know we can't make this weekend to their house warming so they wanted to spend some time with us and the kids."
"Sounds good." Erin says in a tired voice.
Jay looks over at his wife, "How about I take Nadia up to bed and then we can try and get some sleep before this little guy wakes up again?"
"That sounds like a great plan." Jay hands Noah over to Erin and pulls Nadia up into his arms and takes her upstairs as Erin trails behind him. He enters their room a little while later and finds Erin nursing Noah. "Our plan got a little derailed. This one woke up hungry."
Jay quickly changes his clothes and gets into bed with Erin. He places his arm around Erin as he drops a kiss on the top of her head. "I love you."
Life has been good to them the last two years and she could be more grateful for the man who is by her side every day. She looks up at him and gives him a tired smile, "I love you too."