"Mommy is coming home. Time to show her what you've learned today", Jay told his son, when he noticed Erins shoes entering the floor.

Minutes later Lindsay sneaked into the living room, where she found her son and boyfriend sitting on the carpet, building a tower with bricks.

Recognizing the noises, 11 months old Terry looked up with big eyes and giggled.

"Come on, buddy", Jay begged his son, getting up, so eventually the infant would do the same.

It seemed to work. Terry tried to stay on his own. Helping him to take the first steps, Jay kneeled down and took him by the hand.

"Alright, here he comes", Halstead commented on his toddlers efforts.

Curious Terry tried to take further steps in aim to his mother.

Some inches in front of Erin, Halstead decided that it would be time to let him walk alone.

Slowly he got rid of the little boy, that continued walking on his own.

Erin smiled when she glanced at her son. It was a hard fight not to follow her instincts to grab him and pull him into a bear hug, before he reached her.

Finally arriving in front of his mother, both parents started to applaude.

"Amazing", Erin lifted her little boy up and embraced him, before she overloaded Terrys face with kisses.

The little child continued to giggle and ran his hand through Erins hair.

"How was your day, little munchkin? Did you keep Daddy busy?"

"Bu-sy", the 11 months old repeated, receiving a nod from his mother, who inhaled the decent of his baby shampoo.

Jay stepped nearer and gave Erin a long kiss.

"Come here, buddy. Allow Mommy to get undressed", Jay took Terry into his arms, who still watched his mother putting off her shoes.

" By the way: It's bedtime soon", Jay explained to his son who looked at him like a puppy that had eaten a newspaper.

"No bedtime."

"You little hellion", Erin smirked, tickling her son who started laughing again.

But despite her pokerface, Jay noticed that something kept her busy.

Knowing her since over 7 years, he realised that something was wrong.

Being the one, that read a goodnight story to their son, because of spending time at home, until Terry would celebrate his first birthday, Jay caught Erin two hours later on her desk when she was writing something down, crying in silence.

Looking at his girlfriend in concern, he stepped closer.

Thats when she noticed Jay, looking up frightened, fastly stroking the tears from her cheeks.

"Are you alright?"

She didn't answer, so he grabbed a chair and took a seat next to her.

"Talk to me. What's going on?"

Erin sighed. She wiped her tears away, still ashamed that he caught her in such a vulnerable mood.

"We had a rough day at work. That's all. There is a… cop killer in town. Someone that is murdering detectives and police officers."

"!What?"

Jay couldn't believe what she told him.

"You remember Jenny Skinnert from the 10th precinct? She was found in her apartement. Stabbed to death. It's rumoured that there is a black list outside, including all patrol men and police staff."

Erin looked up at him, fresh tears in her eyes.

"Jay, she had a newborn baby. Thats when I started to think what would happen to Terry if it hits us. It's not only that case. It's more about the whole issue. So, I used to to write letters, in case any or the two of us wouldn't make it home one day."

Jay stared at his girlfriend with wide eyes.

"Did you get a threatening note?"

"No. It's just… we're not 27 anymore. On days like this, I feel what kind of responsibility Terry birth brought with. Facing the fact that he might never know who his dad or his mom were…it scares me. He's still in an age where he wouldn't remember."

Jay put his hand around her shoulder, trying to comfort her as best as possible.

"Erin, hey."

"I love my job. It's not that I regret it, but when I take a closer look at next door… seeing him sleeping, is like I wish there would be other options."

Jay pulled her closer, so she could sneak on his chest, while he inhaled the decent of her shampoo, kissing her hair.

They said nothing, just enjoyed each other.

"Can you start writing letters too? I'll create a box and handle it to Platt or Voight. In case… you know", she wasn't able to speak out what she thought about.

"I think I can do that", he tried to comfort her, gentely rubbing her back...