November 16,2017
"Dad! You know how I was on Lady Lightning?" yelled Grayson

"We are going to World's!" Jay looked up from his paper.

"Mhm, What's World's again? Sorry Sweetie."

"The biggest competition. We are going. And I am so excited."
Jay looked back at the newspaper.

Erin walked out of her room. "What's she so excited for?"

"Some big cheer competition. Is Shane up?"

Erin looked down "He should be." Erin sat next to him..

"Coffee?" Erin smiled

"I actually can't have coffee. At least not your coffee and I can't drink beer anymore.." Erin smiled again Jay looked up from his paper.

"What do you mean you can't have beer or coffee?" Jay looked confused.

"I'm pregnant Jay. We are going to have that baby finally." Jay got up from his seat and hugged Erin.

"I can't believe I'm going to be a father again." Jay kissed her.

"Jay,I'm gonna be a Mom and I'm carrying a tiny human inside of me."

"Just think in 9 months this little human our baby will be out of you. I promise He'll be good."

"How are you so sure it's a boy?"

"I have a sixth sense. I was right about Shane. I'll be right about this baby." Jay bent down and kissed her flat stomach.

Kim walked into her room and stared down at the pregnancy test. She didn't know what to say. She was speechless. Her first kid with Adam. She married him a couple months ago but They never talked about kids yet. She walked back into the kitchen and started making dinner. Adam was coming home from getting groceries.

"Hey Darlin',How's my wife?" Adam walked into the kitchen and wrapped his arms around her tiny waist and kissed her cheek.

"Adam,I have something to tell you." Kim dropped the knife on the counter and turned around

"Kim,What's wrong?" Adam put a smile on his face.

"I'm pregnant and I know we didn't plan it and I'm excited but I'm worried Adam." Adam put his hand on her cheeks and pulled her in for a kiss.

"Kim,I don't care if you are scared. We are going to have a little boy running around this apartment in about two years."

"Adam,It could be a girl."

Shane sat in the living room watching the Blackhawks game. Grayson sat next to him.

"Shane,Let's go basketball game." yelled Jay

Shane jumped up from the couch and ran to the door.

"Grab your jacket. We have to make a detour before we go." Grayson grabbed her jacket and her phone.

"Gray,You and your Mom are coming later. I have to take Shane somewhere's before the game."

"Alright. Love you Dad. I'll see you at the game." Shane and Jay got out the door and got into the truck.

"Uncle Jay,where are we going?"

"To the adoption place. I am adopting you. Your dad left a note in the will for you. He wants you to read it."

Jay handed him the letter and Shane ripped open the envelope.

"Dear Shane,
You are probably reading this because Your Uncle Jay gave it to you. I may have passed away by the time you are reading this but He's going to adopt you. I don't want anyone else raising you besides Him. He's my best friend and I love him. Shane,I love you Son. Remember 'Be the Strongest of the Strong. Be the Bravest of the Brave.' Always be brave kid. I'll see you again someday and I'm watching over you. I am letting him adopt you because He's your Uncle and he's like a dad but You can call him dad. I don't care. I know and you know he will never replace me but I love you. And tell him to marry Erin already.
Love,Dad"

Shane burst into tears and hugged his Uncle.

"Uncle Jay,I didn't know he was letting you adopt me."

"There's a lot you don't know kid, but I love you and I have always loved you like my own son. That's never going to change. I want to be as close to a father-figure like your dad. I know. I can never replace him. But know that I'm trying to fill his shoes."

"You've got big shoes to fill." Shane buckled up. Jay drove to the adoption place and they both walked in.

"I am here to adopt him." Jay said proudly.

"What is your relation to the kid?"

"He's my best friend's kid. He's legally mine but I wanna adopt him. Officially."

Jay saw the lady take out the papers and hand Jay a pen.

"Here it goes Shane." Jay signed the adoption papers,officially making Shane his.
He signed "Shane Michael James Halstead."

"Well Shane,You are officially a Halstead." Shane hugged him tightly.

"I love you Dad. I love you a lot. I know you'll never fill his shoes all the way but you'll try."

Jay hugged him. After that they drove to the game. Erin and Grayson sat waiting for them.

"You two are slow." Laughed Kevin

"Sorry,I was adopting him. He's officially mine." Jay held up the papers and smiled proudly.

Erin got up from the bleachers and hugged him.
"I'm so proud of you Jay." Erin kissed him. Shane started dribbling the ball and made the shot.

"Go Shane!" yelled Grayson

Shane looked over at Morgan sitting next to Grayson. She waved then he shot her a smile.

"You got this Shane." whispered Jay

"He's got it."

10 seconds left in the game 81-81 the score is tied. Shane has the ball. He dribbles and makes the winning shot.

Grayson got up from her seat and ran to hug Shane.

"Big Bro,Great Game." She punched his shoulder

Shane punched her back, then they both started laughing.

"Alright you two. Pizza to celebrate?" asked Erin

"Kim,Adam and I are going home. We'd love to go but I'm not feeling good."

"Kim,Don't sweat it. It's no big deal. Tomorrow you and I can do lunch. I have something to tell you." Kim smiled then walked off.

"Pizza is okay." Erin held hands with Jay and Shane and Grayson walked off in front of them.

They drove to the pizza place and ate their pizza. Erin and Jay decided they would tell the kids on Christmas. They were in no rush.

This chapter was seriously so sweet to write and I loved writing it, I am so glad all of you like this story. Since this is a Military story, I would love to thank those who can't come home to their families. Thank you for keeping us safe and giving us our freedoms. I can't express enough words to thank you.