"Oh come on Jay, it's a harmless breakfast", Erin said as she entered her closet and searched for a shirt to wear.
"Yeah, but it's at Voight's", Jay answered as he paced. He heard Erin laugh as he stopped pacing and stood in the middle of her room. Well, maybe it should be considered their room.
When he went back to his apartment a week ago, Jay officially signed his apartment over to his brother, Will. Will didn't ask any questions, just accepted his brother's offer and took the keys from him. Jay, of course, kept the spare key because all of his clothes and other personal items were there. Now, all he had to do was wait for Erin to officially ask him to move in.
Maybe he was being too cocky and he would have to move back to his apartment. Afterall, he and Erin had only been together for a little over a month. But, he was always at her house and it just made sense. Mia already loved having Jay there, because of all the time they got to spend together, and Jay assumed Erin liked when he was there as well. But, with all of her commitment phobia issues, Jay didn't know what she was thinking about this new found relationship they had and when the right time to ask her about moving in would be.
"Jay", Erin's voice suddenly snapped him away from his thoughts.
Jay quickly shook his head coming back to reality and saw Erin standing in her bathroom with her arms crossed over her chest. "Did you hear anything I just said", she asked.
"No, I'm sorry", Jay apologized as he took a step forward and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"I said that Voight specifically asked for all three of use to come to breakfast today", Erin as she wrapped her arms around her boyfriend's neck.
Sure, it had only been a month, but Erin could say for certain that Jay was her boyfriend. She may not say it out loud, but it's what she thought. They spent double the time together now that they were a couple. Plus, with this initiation by Voight to have breakfast with all three of them, Erin was confident for once in her life that this relationship could work out for the better.
"Yeah, but it's Voight. He's never been my biggest fan. Especially when it comes to you and me", Jay explained.
"Well, now he has no choice", Erin smiled as she leaned up to kiss his cheek gently.
"Please tell me there aren't going to be any guns", Jay asked as Erin went back to the sink to fix her makeup.
"It's Sunday morning breakfast, Jay. Stop freaking out", Erin laughed. Jay showed no emotion as he raised his eyebrow, knowing she was dancing around the question.
"There's no guns stashed under the kitchen table, if that's what you're asking", she answered him.
"Yes, that's what I am asking", Jay said causing Erin to let out a throaty laugh that made her smile from ear to ear and made Jay smile just as big.
"Can I come in", Mia asked suddenly as she knocked on the bedroom door.
"Come on in, M&M", Jay answered as Mia came skipping in and jumped on top of the bed next to Jay. Immediately Mia cuddled into his side, wrapping her tiny arms around him in a hug.
"Daddy, you coming with us to Grandpa's", she asked looking up at him with the big puppy dog eyes that made Jay's heart melt.
Jay suddenly heard Erin clear her throat as she looked up at him raising an eyebrow in his direction. "Yes. Of course I'm coming", he answered not breaking eye contact with Erin as she broke out into a smile.
"Yeah! You get to try Grandpa's favorite chocolate chip pancakes. They're my favorite", Mia exclaimed.
"Alright, you two are making me hungry", Erin said as she turned off the light in her bathroom and walked out into the bedroom, standing at the foot of her bed. Mia quickly stood up on the bed and wrapped her arms around her mother as Erin placed a kiss against her cheek.
"Are we ready to go", Erin asked looking over at Jay. Jay nodded as he stood up from the bed and stood next to Erin.
"Let me guess you're driving", Jay teased as Mia walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck to be picked up.
"You know me too well", Erin smiled as she kissed his cheek quickly and then left the room with Jay and Mia following behind.
xxx
The ride over to Voight's was full of Mia's chatter about the dream she had and how she couldn't wait to see her room at Hank's, which was actually Erin's childhood room. Fifteen minutes later, Erin pulled into Hank's driveway and immediately noticed Jay's leg anxiously bouncing up and down.
"Hey", Erin said as she placed a gentle hand on Jay's knee. "This is going to be fine. You work with Hank every day", she tried to comfort him.
"Yeah, but this is his house Erin. Remember, he pretty much threatened my life if I even looked at you when we were first partners", Jay explained.
"And now we are dating. This could be his master plan to throw me in a river. Mia. Erin. It's been fun", he finished hearing Mia giggle in the passenger seat.
"Daddy", Mia groaned as she unbuckled her seat and climbed in between Erin and Jay. "Grandpa would never do that cause you're my daddy and we're a family", she explained.
"Right", Mia asked turning her head towards Erin.
"Correct, Mia", Erin said. "Now, let's go inside before Hank grows suspicious", she said as she got out of the car.
Erin jumped out of the car while Jay got out and opened the passenger door for Mia as she reached up and he lifted her into his arms. Erin was the first to climb the steps and knock on the door, with Jay and Mia following behind her.
"No key this time", Jay teased as Erin turned around and stuck her tongue out at him.
"Grandpa", Mia suddenly exclaimed as she saw Hank standing in the doorway.
Hank smiled as he opened the door and let all three of them in. Erin wrapped Hank in a hug as she entered the foyer. Jay set Mia down as Hank extended his hand for a handshake.
"Glad you could make it, Halstead", Hank said as Jay shook his hand.
"Well, Mia wouldn't stop talking about your famous chocolate chip pancakes", Jay said surprisingly causing Hank to laugh.
"You did make them right", Mia asked as she hung from Hank's shirt.
"Well you remember our tradition don't you, Mia", Hank asked as he looked down at her. Mia nodded her head with excitement as she realized what Hank was talking about.
"I get to stir the batter", Mia stated with a bright smile on her face.
"Better get in there so we can eat", Hank explained as he lead Mia into the kitchen leaving Erin and Jay alone.
"See, this isn't that bad", Erin said as she turned and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Jay let a weary smile spread across his face at Erin's words. "Look, I just want you here cause not only did Voight ask you here, but Mia wants you here and you mean a lot to her", she explained.
"And you mean a lot to me", Erin added watching as Jay's weary smile began to brighten. Erin couldn't help the smile that spread her as Jay bent down and kissed her forehead lightly.
"You mean a lot to me too", Jay said as he stood up straight again and brushed a piece of hair from Erin's face.
"So much so, I came to Voight's home with you for breakfast", Jay lightly teased "Pretty big deal if you ask me", he finished as Erin shook her head laughing.
"Hey, you two! Mia has the pancakes on the griddle. You're going to miss them if you don't get in here", Hank called out from the kitchen.
"Come on. I am not missing out on this", Jay said as he grabbed Erin's hand and brought her into the kitchen.
xxx
"Mia, you better slow down there or you're not going to have dessert tonight", Erin lectured as she watched her daughter eat her fourth chocolate chip pancake.
"You look like a real M&M, M&M", Jay teased as Mia looked up to show her parents and grandfather the chocolate mess she had created on her face.
Gently Jay took his napkin and wiped it over Mia's face as her face shook with laughter. Erin and Hank couldn't help but laugh at Jay's attempt to clean Mia's face, a struggle the both had experienced even when Mia was an infant.
"So, how have things been at the district", Erin asked turning her attention towards Hank.
"Have you caught all the bad guys", Mia suddenly piped up as she finished off one of her pancakes.
"We have definitely been catching all the bad guys, but it's definitely different without your parents there, Mia", Hank explained.
"Because they're the best detectives in the world right", Mia asked stumbling over the word 'detectives' as she spoke.
"I would say they're pretty good", Hank confirmed her beliefs.
Mia smiled as she wiped her face off one last time, climbed off of her seat, and over to Jay's where she sat on his lap.
"But, we do need you guys back soon. Not that you're running out of vacation days it's just different without my two best detectives around", Hank continued to explain.
"Best detective, Daddy", Mia exclaimed as she pressed her hands against Jay's cheeks causing him to laugh.
"So, care to give me any status on when you plan on returning to work", Hank asked.
"We are touring a preschool near the district tomorrow", Erin announced. "Mia's going to come with us so she can see what it's like. Right, M", she continued looking towards Mia.
Mia nodded her head as she leaned it up against Jay's chest. "Mommy showed me pictures of the school. They have a big playground", she said smiling.
Hank smiled at his granddaughter's small joy over something as petty as being able to play on a playground with other kids. He was so happy Mia was back home with Erin and Jay. He never imagined that thought would be running through his mind. Here were the four them all together enjoying a breakfast together, like a real family. This was exactly what Hank wanted for Erin, but he never imagined it with Halstead.
When Jay had first entered the unit, Hank kept a close eye on him making sure that he didn't even attempt to enter in a relationship with Erin. What Hank had no control over was the bond Jay created with Mia. He would never admit it, but Hank was glad Mia had a father figure like Halstead and Erin had someone like Halstead who seemed to always be there for her.
As these thoughts ran through Hank's head, he watched as Mia's eyes slowly began to close as she became comfortable leaning against Jay's chest.
"Mia Lindsay, are you about to fall asleep at the breakfast table", Hank laughed as he spoke and his granddaughter's eyes fluttered open.
"No", Mia said sitting up quickly in Jay's arms causing all three adults to laugh. "Can I go show Daddy my room, Grandpa? He's never been here before, so I wanna show him", she asked.
"Yes, you can go show him. I'm pretty sure there is a guest waiting in there for you", Hank smiled as he saw an excited expression come across Mia's face and a confused one on both her parents.
"MY PUPPY", she suddenly exclaimed jumping right out of her seat and grabbed Jay's hand pulling him up abruptly as she sprinted towards her room. Jay laughed as he followed suit and left Erin and Hank in the living room together.
"She has a stuffed dog I bought for her the first night she spent her as a baby. As she got older I told her that it was her puppy to keep at my house. She would drag that thing everywhere", Hank explained to Erin.
Erin couldn't help but smile as Hank's face beamed with joy over the memory he had with his granddaughter. Before Jay was in the picture as a father figure for Mia, she had Hank. Mia would always have Hank.
"Why don't you help me clear the table, kid", Hank teased as he stood up and grabbed the empty plates that sat on the table.
Erin followed him into the kitchen with more dirty plates. "I'm really glad you are taking Mia to go see a preschool tomorrow", Hank began as he handed the plates to Erin to put in the dishwasher, just as they had done when she was teenager.
"Yeah. Jay and I have been looking for the right school these past couple weeks and this one is close to the district and when we tour it, we can have a better idea about security and classroom size", Erin explained.
"I think school is just what Mia needs now, you know", she continued to explain. "She has spent enough time with Jay and I and she seems to be fitting right back in where she belongs. She doesn't have any more nightmares and she's her old self", Erin finished as she closed the full dishwasher.
"Well, I am glad to hear that kid", Hank stated, turning around to lean on the sink and face Erin where she stood against the wall. "I need you and Jay back in the district", he said.
"Told you that place couldn't run without us", Erin teased causing Hank to laugh.
"About you and Halstead", Hank alluded to the conversation he never thought he would be having with Erin. When he had told Halstead that Erin was "off limits", Hank was confident that he had scared him off for good. But, then Mia got kidnapped and Erin needed someone and he was there for her. It would still take some time for him to get used to Halstead hanging out a lot, but Hank would get used to it for Erin and Mia.
The second Halstead's name came rolling off his tongue, Hank saw the deep blush and smile that spread across Erin's face. "We've only been together for a month", she explained.
"And?!", Hank laughed at her comment. "Erin, he obviously cares about you. He came to breakfast with you and Mia this morning", he began.
"Because you asked me to bring him", Erin cut him off.
"And even if I hadn't asked for you to bring him you still would have brought him", Hank protested in return. Erin rolled her eyes in defeat as her pseudo father began to speak.
"The point I am trying to make here is that you care about him. You can say whatever you want about only having been together for a month, but you have been partners for nearly three years. And you can convince me all you want, but I know that Halstead has always wanted to be anything, but professional with you since the second I partnered you together", he continued causing Erin to laugh at his last comment.
"Just don't build up your walls because you know he's not going to give up on you or Mia if you do", Hank finally said the thought that was nagging at the back of his mind.
"I just want you to be happy, okay? And Halstead...well, he obviously makes you - and Mia - very happy", Hank said watching a smile come over Erin's face.
With that final statement, Erin took quick steps towards Hank and wrapped him up in a hug.
"Thank you", she said in a low voice.
"Anything for you, kid"
xxx
"Mommy, look! There's the big playground you showed me", Mia exclaimed as Erin pulled into the parking lot of the preschool.
"Daddy! They have a soccer field! I could practice soccer and then maybe I could play on a real team", Mia continued to call out as her mother parked the car.
"Mia, you've never wanted to play soccer before", Erin asked turning her head towards Jay, knowing exactly how her daughter was about to answer the question. Jay loved all sports, soccer, basketball, football, hockey, and the list goes on. It doesn't matter what game is on, chances are Jay is watching it with all of his attention on it.
"Daddy and I were watching a soccer game and I said that I could run fast like that and then he said maybe he could teach me how to play soccer", Mia responded perfectly to what her mother had predicted.
As Erin heard the clicking of Mia getting herself unbuckled from her seat, she turned to Jay and saw him laughing. "You want to teach her how to play soccer", she asked trying to hide the smile on her face, but failing miserably.
"Yeah, I told her that if she wanted to try I would teach her. I figured it would be something fun for the both of us to do, other than watch princess movies", Jay explained.
Erin couldn't hold back her laughter as Jay finished speaking. "What", he asked not knowing why she was laughing.
"Nothing. I'm just….I didn't think she was ever gonna have anyone, a dad, to teach her how to play soccer", Erin explained.
"Well, Mia's lucky she has me. Right Mia", Jay spoke a little louder so Mia heard him.
"Daddy is the best Daddy in the whole wide world", Mia exaggerated as she crawled in between the space next to the driver and passenger seat and set her head on Jay's shoulder.
"Alright, come on you two. We are gonna be late for our tour", Erin said causing Mia to quickly hop out of the car.
"You know", Jay began to speak as Erin unbuckled her seat belt. "You're lucky to have me too", he said giving her his classic 'Halstead smile' that made her feel weak at the knees.
"Oh am I", Erin asked as she leaned toward him and quickly kissed his lips, leaving him begging for more. "Now, come on we are going to be late", she teased him and got out of the car where Mia was waiting for them.
"You kill me, Erin Lindsay", Jay complained as he got out of the car as well and met both of his girls on the other side.
Mia quickly grabbed both Erin and Jay's hands as they approached the front of the building and walked past the playground, where other kids were playing. It was a sunny Monday afternoon in September and a group of kids, who looked to be about Mia's age, were playing in groups on the playground. Of course because they were four year olds, a group of girls couldn't help but stare as the new family walked by.
Erin felt Mia's grip grow the slightest bit tighter on her hand as they walked past and she wondered if Jay felt the same thing. It was natural for Mia to be nervous. She had never been to school, because Erin never got the opportunity to enroll her.
"Hello", a peppy voice suddenly called out as Erin, Jay, and Mia entered the lobby of the school.
"You must be Erin Lindsay. We spoke on the phone. I am the Director of the Preschool, Lucy Thompson", a tall brunette woman explained as she walked up to them.
"Oh yes, hi", Erin said as Mrs. Thompson extended her hand towards Erin. "I am Erin Lindsay and this is my", Erin introduced herself and began to introduce Jay, until she didn't know what to say.
Her partner? Her boyfriend? Her….uh….Jay?
"Her boyfriend. Jay Halstead. It's very nice to meet you", Jay introduced himself as he shook Mrs. Thompson's hand.
"And this must be Mia", Lucy asked as she bent down to be at Mia's height.
"Hi, I'm Mia", Mia said shyly as she grabbed onto both of her mother's hands and scooted back into her legs.
"Well, Mia how would you like it if Ms. Janet took you outside where her class is playing and you can meet some of the other kids", Lucy explained to Mia as she pointed to a woman standing in front of the large wooden desk in the lobby.
Mia looked up at both her mother and father, silently asking if she could go to the playground.
"Go ahead, M&M. We will be waiting here for you when you get back", Erin encouraged her daughter.
Tentatively, Mia nodded her head and went with the younger teacher out towards the playground. "She's not always like that. She's just a little nervous", Erin explained to Lucy after Mia disappeared from her sight.
"Well, I'm sure she will feel more comfortable soon when she meets all of the other kids her age. That's why I sent her with Janet. If you decide to enroll her here, Janet would be her teacher", Lucy explained thoroughly.
"First, let's give you guys the full tour of this place and then we can talk about placement for Mia", she said knowing she was most likely overwhelming these first time parents with information.
As the walked down the hallway, they came to a closed door and Jay, being the gentleman that Erin always teased him about, opened the door for both women. Lucy began her speech on classroom size and academics as Erin leaned up to whisper in Jay's as she passed through the entryway.
"Thanks, boyfriend", she teased, watching out of the corner of her eye as he silently laughed at her comment.
"Like I said. You are very lucky to have me, Erin Lindsay", Jay teased in return as he grabbed her hand and they continued to listen to the director's information about what could be Mia's new school.
xxx
"So, I read over the information you sent about Mia, because she does not have a formal file. It said that she was abducted about a year ago", Lucy clarified as she led Jay and Erin into her office at the end of their tour.
"Yes, she was taken from her bedroom in the middle of the night and held by her kidnapper for over a year, until we found her last month", Erin explained.
"We", Lucy asked. "Erin and I are both detectives at the 21st District in the Intelligence Unit", Jay answered the question.
"Oh! So, you worked alongside Jules t", Lucy asked. Both Erin and Jay nodded in shock. They hadn't heard Jules' name brought up in conversation by anyone in a long time, except maybe Antonio with a good memory of her to lighten the mood.
"Her children attended school here. They were occasional students when their mother was still alive, but now that their father has to work double shifts at the hospital her youngest child goes here full time and her daughter comes for after care. Really great kids", she explained in more detail.
Jay and Erin both smiled at the memory of their friend and her family. Losing Jules was rough on the whole unit and even though it had been a few years since she passed, hearing anyone else speak of her, other than the unit, brought back repressed emotions.
"Speaking of after care, we have a great system here for kids whose parents work late. We stop the after-care at seven o'clock, but many kids are picked up by then", Lucy changed the subject.
"I think we will have more flexible hours to pick Mia up now that she has returned home", Erin answered. "But, it is nice to know that is there for us. We do work late, a lot", she continued.
"Well, we have covered everything. Classroom size, curriculum, security, etcetera. Do either of you have any more questions for me", Lucy asked.
Jay looked over at Erin, who was shuffling through the collection of papers they had received. He knew that she was nervous about this, moving Mia on to the next step in her life. But, Mia needed this to continue to thrive. She would do great in school. She was smart, like Erin, and had no social issues when it came to people, except for the occasional shyness. Jay wasn't worried at all about his little girl moving on to the big leagues of Pre-K. Erin, on the other hand, will put a confident front forward, but continue to be a nervous wreck.
"I don't have any questions", Jay stated. "Er?", he asked turning towards Erin, who now looked up at him and back at Lucy.
"I'm ready to sign the enrollment papers", she confidently stated after a few moments of silence.
"Great! I have them right here", Lucy said as she searched in a file cabinet in her desk.
"Are you sure you are sure about this", Jay asked in a hushed voice, leaning over to Erin as Lucy got all of the proper forms in order for Erin to sign.
Erin gave him a confused look as he whispered this to her. She figured he was on board about enrolling Mia here when he had no questions. Usually, Erin could read Jay's mind and she was so confident he was thinking the same thing.
"I mean, you're about to enroll the valedictorian of the 2016 Pre-K class", Jay teased as a sly smile graced his face.
Erin rolled her eyes, "Sometimes, I really hate you Halstead", she laughed with an equal grin on her face.
"Come on, you totally know I am right", Jay continued to tease.
"You're right", Erin admitted as she looked toward Lucy, who had spun around to face them with all the proper forms in her hand for enrollment.
"She is going to do great"
xxx
"I get to back there, right Mommy", Mia asked as all three entered their apartment after the tour of the school. Mia had been bouncing off the walls with excitement after she returned from her time on the playground with the other four year olds. She loved playing on the playground with the new kids and had already made dozens of new friends.
"Yes, baby, for the one millionth time, when mommy and daddy go back to work, you will get to go to your new school to learn and play with your friends", Erin explained as she entered the kitchen, followed by Jay, while Mia sat at the bar stool.
"This is going to be SOOO EXCITING! Don't you think so, Daddy", Mia asked.
"I think you're going to have a great time, munchkin. But, you know what will be even better", Jay asked.
Mia shook her head in confusion, not knowing what could be even better than going to school with her new friends.
"A bath", Jay exclaimed, causing Erin to break out into a fit of laughter and Mia's excitement face to immediately turn into a frown. "Hate to break it you, little stinker, but you smell like sweat after the very exciting day you had", he said.
"Can I take a bubble bath", Mia began to bargain with her father.
"Only if you agree to give me a bubble mohawk before I dry you off", Jay bargained in return.
Mia put on her best 'contemplation' face as she thought about her father's offer. "Deal", she finally agreed holding out her hand for Jay to shake.
"It's been nice doing business with you, Ms. Lindsay", Jay said as she shook her hand, listening to Erin giggle in behind him.
"Now, please go begin the bath with extra bubbles", he asked as Mia gave him a fake salute and trotted off to the bathroom to start the bath.
"You, Mr. Halstead, making parenting look very easy", Erin laughed as he turned to look at her.
"It's a gift you are very lucky to have in your household", Jay said as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her in for a hug.
"I am very lucky, aren't I", Erin said, watching as Jay smiled from ear to ear. "I've been trying to tell you that all day", he said leaning forward to kiss her forehead.
Erin laughed, resting her head on his chest as she listened to his heartbeat and the noise of Mia starting the bath in the bathroom.
"Move in with us", she suddenly asked, disturbing the silence in the room. Pulling away from his embrace, Erin stepped back to see the surprised look on Jay's face, but not missing that sly Halstead smile begin to spread across his face.
"You're constantly here and I like when you're here. Mia takes baths when you're here and you talk about teaching her how to play sports when you're here. And I know it's only been a little over a month, but we've been partners for a long time, just not you know, romantic partners, strictly work partners", Erin began to ramble, causing Jay to laugh.
"I just want Mia to finally feel like she has a complete family and with you around, I think we can work on creating a complete family. I mean, you don't have to move completely in if you don't want to. I could just...uh..give you a drawer or something", she continued.
"Erin", Jay cut her off quickly as she derailed her ramble from the 'moving in' topic to only giving him a drawer in her dresser.
Erin looked up to him, wide eyed and nervous for the first time he had ever known her. This was a big step for her, with all of her commitment phobia issues. Erin didn't even know where the sudden confidence to ask him to move in.
"I would love to move in with you and Mia", he answered, watching as relief washed over Erin, causing her to relax.
"You don't think it's too sudden", Erin asked, suddenly tensing up again. "Because we can wait until our relationship is a few months old", she said.
"It won't be anything different than having me here now. If it makes you feel better, I will condense all my clothes into one dresser drawer and small portion of your closet and then it will hardly feel like I moved in at all. I will just give everything else to Will", Jay teased as Erin laughed again.
"Now, I am not even sure I want you here", she teased in return.
"Oh, no you want me here", Jay said as he pressed a kiss against her lips. "And I want to be here", he said after the kiss ended.
"MOMMY! DADDY! IT'S TIME FOR MOHAWKS", Mia called from the bathroom. Erin and Jay quickly walked into the bathroom, where the found Mia covered in soapy bubbles.
"Time for your honorary bath time bubbles, Daddy", Mia said as she held a handful in both of her hands.
"Work your magic, M&M", Jay said as he kneeled next to the tub.
Erin laughed as she watched from the doorway, her daughter slab bubbles carelessly on Jay's head. Her best friend, now her boyfriend, was moving in with her to help raise the child he thought of like his own. Her little family was finally coming together and Erin was certainly lucky.
A/N: I figured a SUPPEERR LONG chapter was appropriate for my hiatus! Life and the terrible curse of writer block as gotten in the way of updating this fic and as usual I do apologize. But, now I AM BACK! I have been writing a lot of one shots and ideas for new stories lately, so adios writer's block! Thanks so much for sticking with this story because it is far from over :)
Anyway, please review and let me know what else you would like to see from the new family in the 21st District. Also be sure to check out Halstead's Secret and any other one shots I have coming up in the future!