I hope you all enjoy it. Will Jay manage to raise 2 children by himself? Your thoughts?
It does not matter when you lose a person. It's always too early and it still hurt.
It was cold in Chicago. Dark and gray, as was usual at the end of November. Rain and fog took turns; the sun hung as a dull spot in the sky. A light autumn wind blew.
The pastor spoke the final words. Family, relatives, friends and colleagues gathered at the coffin. The family stepped forward, silently placing the flower wreath in the grave and standing slightly on the side. The rest now stepped forward and did the same. Then they expressed their condolences to the family again. Jay tried valiantly to hide his tears, to act strong for his kids. Zach remained silent next to him. Not a single tear rolled down his cheek. He just stayed motionless, watching the last moments. Zoey, on the other hand, clung to her brother, tears streaming down her face. Never would the two of them have thought it possible to grow up without their mother.
"I'm so sorry." Kim whispered and took the two kids in her arms, "We're here for you kids."
Antonio, Olinsky, Ruzek, Atwater and Platt did the same. Will and Natalie also approached the children. Both of them hugged them and promised to be there for them.
"Halstead. If you need help or rest for a few days, I can take the kids for you." Voight said. Halstead shook of his head. The children gave him a bit of comfort. He didn't want to send them away at the earliest opportunity. They had to somehow manage together through the difficult time.
After the funeral, the closest circle of friends gathered together in Voight's house. There was a small funeral service with cake, coffee and hot chocolate for the kids. Some colleagues of CPD, Firehouse 51 and Med came over. Thank God Bunny did not show up, neither at the funeral nor at the funeral service.
Halstead was surrounded by his colleagues and his brother, while the two children had withdrawn themselves from the crowd. They sat on a small wall in the back of the garden. They did not talk or play, they just kept silent.
"How are they?" Atwater asked, watching them from a distance.
"How should the kids feel?" Jay asked.
"Both of them need time, as do all of us." Antonio said.
Silently, Jay listened to the conversations of his friends and colleagues. They remembered the fun and beautiful moments back with Erin.
"Why were you never allowed to drive the car?" Kevin asked.
"I once forgot to put the handbrake on." Jay smiled lightly. Erin immediately took the car keys from him. She made it clear to him that women were clearly the better drivers.
"You really had a harmonious bond." Kim enthused.
"Do you remember the Taser training?" Ruzek asked. They laughed lightly.
At home, the three of them lay in the big bed. Zoey did not want to sleep alone and Zach just wanted to feel his father's closeness.
"Dad. What happens after death?" Zach asked, who had been puzzling for a long time.
"What do you think?"
"I don't know. I think you come to a road that is a kind of ski jump. From there you go to heaven. In the sky it is completely white and foggy. Otherwise it looks just like on earth. However, there are no corners; everything is very round and soft. And humans and animals have wings and can fly around. Everyone is very happy and there is no hostility- not even between the animals."
"That's a nice idea." Jay said.
"Will we really never see mommy again?" Zoey asked.
Jay nodded and added, "Your mum will always be in your heart."
"Do you die too?" Zoey asked shakily.
Jay swallowed hard, "Everyone can die. Animals, plants, you, Zach and me."
"But why?"
"That's part of life." Jay said, briefly considering, "Look at a tree. The leaves grow in the spring, become colorful in the fall and then fall off and then new leaves follow."
"And you're really sure that mommy will never come back because the leaves are coming back in the spring, too." Zoey said hopefully.
"Yes I am sure. Honey, the leaves in spring are not the same ones that fall down in the fall. They are, so to speak, babies that develop, grow older, and then fall down one day." Jay said.
"I want my mommy." she cried and Jay pulled her into his arms. He gave her a gentle kiss and stroked her back.
"I know," Jay whispered, "but that's not possible. But we will remember mommy. She will always accompany us, even if we cannot see her anymore."
"I want Mommy!" she howled.
"Do you remember Zoey, when we surprised mommy on Mother's Day?" Zach asked.
"Oh yeah. That was great." Zoey sniffed and wiped away the tears with the sleeve of her pajamas. Together, they remembered the beautiful time back.
-Flashback-
The sun was wonderfully warm this Sunday. Secretly, Zach and Zoey had prepared a picnic basket full of delicacies as an extra Mother's Day gift: ham and cheese sandwiches and a delicious apple pie from Grandpa Hank.
Full of anticipation, the siblings rushed to the terrace, where the parents had made themselves comfortable on deck chairs.
"Do you fancy a bike ride?" Zach asked. "With a great surprise," Zoey added.
"Oh no." Erin shook her head. "It's so cozy here in the sun. Today I would just like to do nothing and rest." Jay nodded. "Last week was very stressful."
"But it's Mother's Day!" Zach and Zoey exclaimed.
Erin struggled and closed her eyes. "I like to celebrate here in a deck chair honey."
Jay looked at the siblings warningly. "At least today you kids could treat us with some peace and quiet."
"Play together for a while." Erin suggested, "It would be a huge pleasure for me."
"And we have our rest." Jay grinned.
Zach grabbed his sister's arm and pulled her into the house.
"Let's give mommy a rest day." Zach said. "Maybe they'll wanna go on a picnic later."
They played all over the house and in the front yard, while Jay and Erin allowed themselves rest behind the house.
"They always want to rest," complained Zoey. "They're boring."
"Then we steal a little of their time." Zach grinned.
"How?"
Zach and Zoey dropped unto the grass in the front yard. "I'm sure I'll come up with something."
"Hello kids!" the new neighbor from across the street waved, "Are your parents' home?"
Zach and Zoey were startled. The Brownings. Last weekend they came over on an unwelcome visit to introduce themselves. That was definitely enough.
"Will you tell your parents that we'll drop by in half an hour with a bottle or two of sparkling wine?" Mrs. Browning beamed, "We'll be having a nice Sunday on your terrace like last weekend. That was nice, right?"
Shocked, the siblings looked at the noisy new neighbors. Last weekend was horror.
"See you later," Mrs. Browning said. Speechless, the siblings watched as the Brownings disappeared into the house. After that, they raced to the terrace behind the house with lightning speed.
"Mom! Dad! We have a problem!" Zach exclaimed excitedly, "The Brownings want to visit us!"
Erin jumped up, "The Brownings? When? How? Why?"
"Not again!" Jay moaned and straightened up, "Do you still want a bike ride?"
"Yeah!" the siblings shouted simultaneously.
"Let's go!" Erin said. In no time, they got ready and cycled comfortably to a beautiful park out of Chicago.
It was a great, happy family day with a delicious picnic surprise. The four of them sat together on the picnic blanket.
"Where did you get the delicious cake from?" Jay asked curiously.
"Grandpa Hank baked it." Zoey replied.
"Hank can bake?" Jay wondered.
"He can do so many things you cannot." Erin grinned.
"Hey! At least I can bake better pancakes." Jay laughed.
"You just picture that." Erin smiled, "This was my best Mother's Day. You two really are amazing. I love you kids."
"We love you too mommy." both grinned and hugged their mum.
"And me?" Jay said, "Doesn't daddy get a hug?"
"Today is Mother's Day, Daddy. It's your turn on Father's Day." Zoey grinned.
"Tough words for a four year old lady." Jay laughed.
"I'm not that mean." Zach grinned and gave his dad a hug as well.
"We men have to stick together." Jay grinned.
"Can we play soccer?" Zach asked.
"Yeah buddy." Jay replied.
"You don't stand a chance against us." Erin said, putting her hand on her daughter's small shoulder.
"Oh yeah? We want to see that." Jay said.
-End of the Flashback-
"Actually, the Brownings are not that bad." Zoey said, earning shocked faces from her brother and dad.
"Well without their threat, we would not be having a picnic." she explained.
"Yeah. You're right. It was a wonderful day." Jay said.