Thank you all for the reviews! It's so much more motivating to continue when people actually act interested in what I am writing. I've enjoyed reading all of the reviews and PMs I've been sent, so please keep them coming!

Someone requested that Erin and Jay at least talk about children in this story if I choose to do the second round of A-Z focusing on their kids, and you will see that eventually. I have one chapter that I know will talk about Erin's worries of having kids (and we saw that a little bit in Darkness), and there will be one where it's seen as a more positive thing.

I've had a couple people asking about a chapter where something happens with Jay and Erin is there for him. This story is supposed to be focused on things Jay is learning about Erin, so it is more Erin-centered. That being said, I am working on a chapter that involves Jay's past and Erin being there for him. I wasn't originally planning this, but someone brought it up and I thought it could work nicely, so if you have anything you would like to see, let me know and I'll try to get it in!

F: Found, Not Lost

*Erin realizes that she's got a family now with the Intelligence Unit and she's got something even better with Jay.

Erin pulled her car onto the street outside of Voight's house and turned to look at Jay. He smiled at her and then got out of the car to grab the bags of food she had stashed in the trunk. She waited for him and they walked up the stairs together and went into the house.

"Happy Thanksgiving!" Ruzek shouted as soon as they entered.

"Happy Thanksgiving." Jay repeated. Erin opened her mouth to speak until she heard a tiny voice.

"Aunt Erin!"

She turned to see Justin's two-year-old son, Daniel, racing towards her. She squatted down so that he could run into her arms and then lifted him up and kissed his cheeks.

"Hi buddy! I missed you!" she kissed his forehead. Before she could even move, Justin came over and wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head.

"Good to see you, Erin." He pulled back. "Danny's always wondering when he'll get to see his favorite aunt."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm his only aunt." She turned to Justin's wife. "Hi Olive!"

"Hi, Erin! Happy Thanksgiving!" she smiled.

"Hey bro." Justin reached out to shake Jay's hand. "You better be treating my sister right."

"He is." Erin confirmed.

The door opened and Antonio entered. Erin was happy to see he had his two children, Eva and Diego, with him. Since his divorce, Antonio didn't get to see his kids as much, so it was nice that his ex-wife was letting him have them for Thanksgiving.

"Everyone, come in! Sit down!" Voight ordered. Jay chose a recliner and without a second thought, Erin went over and sat on his lap, keeping Daniel in her arms. "That's funny, Halstead. I'm sure there are more seats in this house."

"She's the one who sat on me!" he defended himself.

"Oh sure, blame Erin." Antonio joked.

The chatter in the background started to fade as Erin stared at Daniel. She was beyond relieved that his holidays would always be like this. He would always have family around to celebrate with, and people who loved him.

Her thoughts drifted to her own Thanksgivings as a child. She could specifically remember one from when she was four years old. Her mother had tried to make a turkey and Erin wanted to help, so she let her mix a bowl of mashed potatoes. Her father got home and slammed the door shut, which scared Erin and made her drop the bowl. He hit her for making a mess, and then hit her again when she cried. He told her that she was nothing to be thankful for, so he shouldn't bother celebrating. She had run to her room and hid under the bed and cried herself to sleep.

She was drawn out of her thoughts by Jay's hand gently rubbing against her back. She looked around and saw that everyone was still in conversation, besides Jay. He had that concerned look on his face and she couldn't believe she was so lucky to be with someone who could tell her mood changes that easily. Someone who cared enough to be able to tell.

"Where did you go just then?"

She put Daniel down so he could walk around the living room. Erin leaned back so she could rest her head against Jay's shoulder and turned slightly so she could look at him.

"I was just thinking about how different Daniel's life will be from mine."

Jay kissed her forehead. He lifted his head up to look around and when he saw that everyone was occupied, he gently kissed her lips.

"The way you grew up made you who you are, Erin. It was painful and you never, ever deserved to go through the things that you did, but if you didn't, you wouldn't be here. We wouldn't have ever known each other."

"I think we would have."

He looked at her in surprise. "Really?"

"People who are meant to be together always find their way in the end."

Voight had been standing in the doorway and he heard part of the conversation between his two detectives. When he saw that they stopped talking, he went over.

"Erin, can you help me in the kitchen for a second?"

She laughed. "Yeah, if you want your house burned down."

"It's something simple."

She looked at him and heard the seriousness in his tone. She got off of Jay's lap and followed her father figure into the kitchen. "What's up?"

"Are you okay?"

Erin frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I saw the look on your face, and I heard part of what Halstead was saying to you."

She sighed. "Holidays have always been hard. You know that."

"You know that things are different now, right?" she tilted her head to the side to silently tell him to elaborate. "Back then, it was just you and me and Justin and Camille. Now, you've got a whole family." He led her to the doorway of the living room. "They all love you and care about you. I know a lot happened with Bunny and your dad, but you've gotten past that. You've grown so much, Erin, and I'm so proud of you."

She couldn't help but hug him. "I couldn't have done it without you. Thank you."

"Hey, things that are meant to happen find their way in the end."

She fake gasped. "Are you making fun of me?"

Hank smiled. "Your boy looks like a lost puppy without you. Halstead's a good guy."

"I know." She couldn't help the smile that lit up her face.

"You're happy, right?"

Erin looked at him. "I'm happier than I can ever remember being."

"You deserve it more than anyone, kid."

When she went back over to Jay, he pulled her into his arms happily. "What was that about?"

"He was just checking on me." She smiled at him. "Thank you, Jay."

His eyebrow furrowed. "For what?"

"For dealing with me and all of my baggage and caring enough to stick around."

He shrugged. "You're worth it, Erin Lindsay. Don't ever forget that." He leaned forward and kissed her. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"Wow, I think I've seen more PDA between Halstead and Lindsay in the past minute than in the past year." Ruzek commented.

"Shut up, Ruzek." Erin rolled her eyes as she spoke.

LINSTEAD LINSTEAD LINSTEAD

The turkey didn't take too long to finish, and it was right on time with the rest of the sides. Hank carried it out to the dining room table as everyone squeezed in. He was happy to have his entire unit there because they were the closest thing he had to a family.

He glanced to his left where his son sat. Camille would be so happy to see that their boy had turned his life around. Hank knew he had to give credit to Olive for a large part of that, and to his grandson.

He looked to his right. Erin was laughing happily as Halstead whispered something into his ear. She had been a handful since the moment he met her, but he knew there was something special about her. It was the reason he was willing to put his job on the line, and why he had fought with Camille so hard over if she could come live with them or not.

Erin deserved every happiness in this world. At first, he didn't think Halstead was the right guy. He was too clean cut, too used to following the rules. Erin needed someone who could keep up with her and take on all of her issues from her past. Hank was terrified that their partnership would be ruined if their relationship didn't work out, but he knew that it was worth the try. If he had taken a chance with Camille, why couldn't Erin and Jay have their chance too?

He hoped that the two would make it in the long run. As much as it pained him to admit it, Halstead was the one man in Erin's life who had more pull than he did. It was Jay who brought her back from her bender after Nadia, not him, and while it hurt, he was glad she had someone who cared enough to fight for her. Even though Halstead's smug little grin could take him to his breaking point, he knew he made Erin happier than he had ever seen her.

Daniel let out a loud yell and it caught Hank's attention. His thoughts blended and he imagined that next year, he could have another little grandchild, but this time from his surrogate daughter. His heart race increased at the idea of Erin giving herself to Jay so fully that she would allow herself to get pregnant with his child. She was the last person in this world that he wanted to get hurt and he could just imagine how crushed she would be if he broke her heart.

But then he saw Halstead lean over and kiss Erin on the cheek as he passed her the bowl of mashed potatoes. He watched the blush cross over her face and the way that Halstead's eyes lingered on her face, then he reached to grab the bowl of applesauce from Ruzek. That stupid grin stayed on his face and Hank remembered just how smitten the boy was.

Hank pictured a little girl with blue eyes, Erin's naturally dark hair, and dimples, and then remembered that he was a man and should not be picturing his (hopefully) future grandchildren. He shook his head to bring himself out of his thoughts and noticed Erin looking at him with an eyebrow raised.

"You alright?"

He smiled. "Just thinking about what this table could look like next year."

"Okay?" she said, kind of confused.

"Erin?"

"Hmmm?"

"I love you."

She smiled. "Love you too, Hank. Happy Thanksgiving."

Even though holidays were usually rough, this was the best Thanksgiving she had ever had. Erin was surrounded by her family and by a man she loved more than anything and she was so grateful.

Next up… G: Gentle