This will be the finale chapter. Thank you to everyone that has read reviewed, favorited, and followed my story. You have made my first fanfic experience enjoyable. I hope you like the ending. :)
Upon seeing his partner walking towards her apartment door Jay jumped up onto his feet. He grabbed the couple of grocery bags Erin was carrying, and she fumbled through her bag looking for her keys. As she opened the door Jay began.
"I uh, I need to talk to you."
He followed her through her living room and to the kitchen setting the bags down on the counter.
"What we're you doing out anyways? Voight would be pissed if he knew you left." He inquired.
"That's why I didn't tell him. What he doesn't know can't hurt him. I was hungry and had nothing here to eat, plus I needed some air." She answered casually even though she was really nervous about what Jay needed to talk to her about. She convinced herself it was probably something to do with work.
He emptied the bags placing the merchandise on the counter top while she put them away.
"You could have called me. I would have went to the store for you."
"Jay we've had one five minute conversation in the last week. I wasn't going to call you to go and buy me groceries." She spoke while continuing to put away the food she bought. Jay couldn't see the expression on her voice but he could tell she was angry with him.
"I would have done it Erin. You know that." He said sincerely.
She turned to face him "I know you would have Jay, but if you had really wanted to hear from me you would have came and visited, or at least called me in the last few days. But you didn't, I can take a hint."
She looked back down at the counter and tightened her grip around the edge tensing her shoulders.. She needed to say that. It was bothering her that he hadn't even bothered to check on her. She knew that Voight was updating everyone in the unit, but she wanted him to take the initiative to checkup on her himself. Even if it was just as her partner, it was better than him not caring at all.
He gulped. She'd obviously noticed that he'd been avoiding her the last few days. It was now or never he had to tell her how he felt.
"Erin look at me. "
She turned to face him resting her hip against the counter.
"I know I've been a disappointment the last few days. I have a lot of regrets. I'm sorry I was an idiot and drank too much so I couldn't be there when you needed me. I'm sorry I didn't visit you the last two days because I felt too guilty. I'm sorry I tried to hurt you by telling Ruzek that my weekend with you was 'nothing special,' when in fact it was the best weekend of my life. But most of all I'm sorry I drove away instead of running after you and telling you how I felt on Sunday. I know we're partners and that it's complicated with work and Voight, but none of that matters. I know we can figure it out because…."
He paused and rested his hand on her cheek, taking a step forward to bring his body closer to hers. His heart was beating so fast and loud he thought she could probably hear it. Her eyes were locked on his waiting for his next few words.
"Because I love you Erin Lindsay." He finished.
Silence. She just continued to stare at him and Jay was sure he was about to throw up on her kitchen floor. He wasn't sure what he had expected but this was definitely not it. He took a small slow step back wards away from her. Finally Erin broke the silence.
"Why?" she asked barely audible.
Now Jay was completely lost. What did she mean why? Why did he just tell her that, or why did he love her? What exactly was she asking him? Before his mind could figure out what the question even meant his lips started moving and words were exiting.
"The way your eyes light up when you get excited after figuring out a case. The way you always have something quick and witty to say back to me. Your dimples that simultaneously make you look adorable and sexy. How protective you are over the people you care about. The way that you are the strongest person I've ever meet in my life, yet still have these glimpses of beautiful vulnerability. Those are some of the reasons I fell in love with you" He finished.
This time Erin took the step forward rested her hands on his chest, and brought her lips to his closing the space between them. She smiled into his mouth and pulled away.
A look of utter confusion consumed Jays face.
"I had to make sure" She said giving him a small smile that said sorry I put you through that.
"Make sure what?"
"That you didn't just convince yourself that you loved me because it was forbidden by Voight or you felt guilty for not being there when I got hurt. I needed to know why you loved me to make sure it was real, because I love you too."
The second she finished he meet her lips with his. This kiss was more passionate that the last. They were consumed in the moment. They were in love.
Jay pulled back and rested his forehead to hers. Staring into her eyes in disbelief at how much his life had just changed.
She stared back into his crystal clear blue eyes. Never had a single moment in her life felt so perfect. Finally she spoke, "I think you should take me to finish what we started Saturday night." She said suggestively with a huge grin covering her face.
Jay scooped her up in his arms and she laughed. He missed that laugh. Her lips grazed his neck while he carried her to her bedroom. He laid her down gently and for the first time they gave their whole selves to one another. Every second was perfect an outlet for emotion, passion, and love.
Afterwards Erin snuggled close into his chest.
"The way you complain about not driving everyday when I know you don't really care that much. Your ability to keep up with my sarcasm and playful banter. The way you talk about your family, and I can tell how much you love them. The way your blue eyes make me weak every time I look into them. The way you make me feel instantly safe just by being around. Those are just some of the reason I fell in love with you Jay Halstead."