Please enjoy some cute family time AND a light-drama request that dates back all the way to the second installment.
"Tiger. Lion. Monkey."
Erin glanced up from her laptop and had to smile. All three of her kids were on the living room floor together. Piper was balancing Liam and Ryan in her lap along with a cardboard baby book, reading aloud to her little brothers.
The first few days of getting back to work was certainly an adjustment. Dropping her baby boys off at daycare felt like ripping out a piece of her heart. She managed to keep it together until she got in the car to drive to the office, but seeing Jay's car turn toward Piper's school in the rearview mirror was the final straw.
After fixing her makeup in the parking lot, Erin headed up to her office. She had expected a rocky transition, but somehow it was like no time had passed. The day flew by between meetings and paperwork and suddenly it was time to pick all her kids up from school. And Erin had never been more grateful to hear her phone's reminder chime.
She quickly realized that her working from home was Piper's dream scenario. Her little bug loved to come home with her and immediately took it upon herself to keep an eye on her brothers while Erin sent a few emails. While the boys had their afternoon naps and Erin had scheduled calls, Piper sat quietly at Jay's desk in the office working on her homework.
Piper looked up from the book to give her mommy a big smile. "Liam likes the animal pictures," she explained, "But I don't think Ryan gets it yet. He just wants to hold the book." She leaned down to kiss the top of her little brother's head. "I think they're getting sleepy."
Erin glanced down at her watch and did a double take. It was approaching the boys' bedtime and they hadn't even had dinner yet. And Jay was supposed to be home already. "Time got away from me there," she said, quickly closing the computer, "You must be hungry too. I'll text Daddy to see if he's bringing home dinner before I order something."
"Are we doing bath time for the boys?" Piper asked, wrinkling her nose slightly, "Because Liam just pooped."
Erin set her cell down. Bath for their sons was usually a two person job with how wiggly they could be. Piper typically acted as back up while Jay and Erin managed Ryan and Liam…but based on her partner's text, Jay was going to be later than he thought.
"Oof," Erin grimaced when she lifted Liam up, "He definitely needs a change. And probably a bath." She sniffed her son and frowned again. "Yikes."
"I can help," Piper offered, shifting Ryan carefully so she could stand up, "I watched you and Daddy do it before." She paused. "How come he isn't home yet?"
"Something came up at work," Erin explained, "Daddy might be on the later side, so it's just us girls tonight. But I think we can handle these guys. What do you think?"
Piper nodded emphatically. "Definitely," she agreed, "You want a bath, Ry?" She patted her brother's back gently and smiled again for her mommy. "Your book says we gotta talk to them even if they don't understand so they learn words."
"You've been reading those baby books?" Erin raised her eyebrows. She knew that Piper had picked up a few of the pregnancy books Jay purchased but she didn't realize her little girl was also keeping up with the baby milestone books. "Really?"
"So I can help," Piper explained, "That way you and Daddy don't have to do everything. And so I know what to do in case something happened." She shrugged her shoulders. "I know you guys wouldn't leave," she continued, "But it makes me feel better to know I could do it."
Erin swallowed. Her daughter was not only the sweetest little bug, but also the most anxious. And rightfully so. She knew from Piper's file that her child had been left to fend for herself for a lot of her young life. Erin knew from experience what it was like to take care of a child when the parent wasn't around – first Teddy and then Piper – but she hadn't considered just how much that would impact her daughter's relationship with her sons.
"Sweetheart," Erin managed, "You are an amazing kid. And I know how you want to help, and Daddy and I are so grateful for you. But if anything ever happened, it wouldn't just be you with the boys."
"But it was just you with me," Piper whispered, "I know you and Daddy said I would always have someone and I know that but want to make sure I can do it if I have to."
All she could do was nod. She didn't have a good response because she'd been there. She had to learn how to take care of Teddy when Bunny wouldn't. And even if god forbid anything were to happen to both her and Jay, her kids would still have a community of people that would be there for them. But those people wouldn't be her boys' big sister.
"Okay," Erin said after a moment, "I…I understand, Noodle. I get it. And if it makes you feel better to read the books, that's okay. But I want you to know that if you're feeling worried about me or Daddy, you can talk to us. Or Dr. Murphy, or Will or Hailey or Hank or Kim. Even Adam. We don't want you to be worried by yourself."
Piper nodded. "I know everything is okay," she said brightly, "It just helps."
"Hey, babe," Erin greeted when Jay crept into the house early in the morning, "Long one, huh?"
Jay nodded apologetically. Ever since becoming a dad, the nights where he was needed at all hours reduced in number. It wasn't because of the cases – they were still every bit as challenging and gut-wrenching – but his team seemed to have an unspoken agreement amongst them that they would cover as best they could so he could be the father he wanted to be.
It was a true testament to the fact that the people he worked with were not only his coworkers and friends, but also an extension of his family.
Unfortunately, this case was an all-hands-on-deck situation, and leaving his team, especially when he was working to establish himself as the clear leader, was not an option. Erin was understanding, but it didn't stop him from feeling guilty when the late Thursday turned into an early Friday.
"I am so sorry," he said quickly, discarding his shoes by the door, "This case is just…" Jay trailed off. He didn't want to get into the case again. "And I know you've had a long night too so-"
"Hey," Erin interrupted, bringing a hand to his chest, "We're a team. And I've done the job, remember? I know how the cases can get." She rubbed her hand over his heart. "I'm just happy you're home."
Jay kissed her lips gently. "I really am sorry," he repeated, gesturing to the two cups of coffee he'd left on the kitchen counter, "How did Pipes do?"
"She understood," she promised, wrapping her arms around his back to rest her head against his chest, "I slept in her bed though. She was pretty wiped from school yesterday. Didn't even wake up when the boys did." Erin pointed to the bassinets where both of the boys were enjoying a morning bottle. "These two just went down since they were up early. They'll be nice and sleepy for daycare."
He smiled at his sons and kissed the top of Erin's head. "Wait, she's still sleeping?" Jay asked, raising his eyebrows in surprise, "They didn't wake her up?"
Erin shook her head. "Nope. Little bug is still snoozing." A smile formed on her lips. "You wanna wake her up for breakfast?"
She beamed when Jay's eyes widened. Watching Jay wake up Piper over the baby monitor was secretly one of her most favorite things in the entire world. Before the boys, it was usually Jay who woke Piper up for school and he often let Erin continue to lie in bed while he did so. Instead of getting into the shower like she promised she would every morning, Erin would lie on her side and watch her partner carefully rouse their little girl from sleep over the baby monitor. "Go on," she teased, "I've got eyes on these two."
Jay pressed another kiss to her lips before quickly hurrying up the steps toward Piper's bedroom. He absolutely loved waking her up in the morning. She was the opposite of her big sister when it came to greeting the day. While Erin would groan and attempt to squeeze out a few more minutes, Piper would sleepily rub her eyes and melt into his arms for a morning hug. And it filled his heart a thousand times over.
With the boys, Piper was often rising before the sun. She would wake up despite their best efforts – noise machines, attempting to reach the boys before they started crying, everything. Their little bug was a light sleeper and would usually wander into the nursery while Jay or Erin or both of them were attempting to quiet the wide-awake newborns.
Seeing his sleepy little girl in the doorway to the nursery always had Jay feeling guilty. Piper was perpetually exhausted and never seemed to get enough sleep, but never complained. Their morning routine of slow wakeups were swapped with diaper changes and fussy babies, and while Jay wouldn't change a thing about their sons, he seriously missed getting those special few moments with his daughter.
Jay carefully tapped on Piper's bedroom door before inching it open, hoping to catch the last few moments of his child's peaceful snooze. He and Erin made it a point to always knock before entering Piper's bedroom. They both wanted it to be her safe space and especially as she got older, it was important that she had an appropriate amount of privacy.
As his eyes fell upon his beautiful little girl starting to stir from sleep, Jay couldn't imagine her growing up. She was his first child, even if it wasn't by blood. There were so many days he missed.
Three thousand, three hundred and thirty five days.
He'd done the calculation in his head when he was lying in Erin's bed at Hank's house. It had been one of the lowest points of his entire existence to be miles down the road from his girls when they both needed him. He also knew they needed him to be a better version of himself.
There had already been three thousand, three hundred and thirty five days where he hadn't been able to be there for his little girl. Those days weren't his fault because he didn't know about her, but in that moment, Jay swore it wouldn't be another day more.
Looking across the bedroom at his daughter, Jay wanted all of those days back. He wanted the baby Noodle snuggles that he dreamed about. He wanted her first laugh and first words and first steps and all of the other firsts that were soon to come with their boys. He wanted so badly to take away all of the hardship and hurt and trauma from the days when he didn't know about her so the precious child stirring in her bed would look as relaxed awake as she did asleep.
"Good morning kiddo," Jay said thickly, crouching down beside his daughter's bed. He carefully stroked her cheek with the pads of his fingertips. "Time to wake up."
His breath caught when Piper's eyes fluttered open. She really did have the same eyes as her big sister. "Hi," she whispered sleepily, "'at time is it?"
"A little bit after seven," he replied, smoothing her hair off her forehead, "Did you have a good sleep?" He smiled when Piper nodded shyly. "The boys didn't wake you up this morning, huh?"
Piper immediately wrinkled her brow. "They're okay?"
"Totally good," Jay assured her quickly, "Mommy said they just went down for their morning nap." He offered a wider smile when Piper relaxed. "How do you feel about some special pancakes?"
Jay nearly melted into a puddle when Piper reached forward to wrap her arms around his neck. She was almost eleven, but she was still his baby girl. "I love you so much," he managed, holding her tightly, "I'm so glad that I get to be your dad."
Piper snuggled closer. "I love you," she murmured against his neck, "I never got to be so happy when I waked up before I met you." She let out a content breath. "But now I get to be the happiest 'cause even though I mostly wake up because of the boys, it means that I have little brothers and parents."
If he wasn't a puddle before, Piper's sweet statement had tears leaking out of the corners of his eyes before he could stop them. Leave it to his little girl to be grateful for getting woken up by crying babies each morning. "You are the best kid in the entire world," Jay said seriously, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "I love you with all my heart, sweet bug."
"I'm so sorry for being late again," Jay said, setting the takeout he picked up on the kitchen counter, "Perp just wouldn't fold."
An incredibly busy case unfortunately happened to coincide with Erin's first week back at work. His girl was shouldering much of the family responsibilities between picking up the boys from daycare and taking care of them while also attempting to work from home. He knew Piper had been incredible in her eagerness to help with the boys, but by Friday Jay was hoping to allow Erin time to relax, even if all he wanted to do was fall into a dreamless sleep.
Erin bounced the wailing baby in her arms in an attempt to quiet him. "He cracked though?" she asked, patting Liam's back, "Shh, shh, shh, buddy. It's alright."
"Gave up his boss and everything," he replied as he quickly washed his hands, "You want me to see if I can get the big guy to quiet down?"
"Please." Erin extended Liam to Jay. "He's been in a mood since I picked him up. Daycare report was totally fine. Naps, poops, bottles, all normal." She let out a heavy breath of relief when her partner took the baby. It had been a long day for her as well, and it didn't help to have her son in discomfort.
"Are you starting to get your teeth, bud?" Jay glanced into Liam's mouth as he screeched, "That what's bugging you?"
"It's early, but maybe." Erin dragged her fingers through her hair. "Noodle's finishing up in the shower now and Ryan's in the swing. What did we get for dinner?"
"Ordered from that Italian place," Jay said, gesturing to the bag, "Picked up the usual." He frowned when Erin pulled out containers that were not their usual order. "Shoot. Maybe I grabbed the wrong bag."
Erin offered a smile. "Unless you changed your name to James Hanson." She turned the bag so Jay could see the name that was scrawled on the front. "I think someone else got our meatballs and chicken parm. It's fine. Looks good, whatever it is."
Jay resisted the urge to groan. It really was not his day. "I'm sorry," he repeated, his apology drowned out by the screams of his son, "I can take it back-"
"It's just pasta, babe," Erin assured him, examining the contents of the containers. "Looks like we got some kind of lemon chicken thing and maybe an alfredo. I'm starving. At this point, I'll eat anything."
"Hi Daddy," Piper greeted, "Did you get the bad guys today?"
His heart swelled when he saw his baby girl. Even though he'd seen her earlier that morning, the busy week at work had him missing his whole family more than usual. And his little girl looked extra adorable in her spaghetti pajamas.
"We did get them." Jay bounced on his feet, hoping to finally quiet Liam. He wanted an after work hug from his little girl, but his son's unhappy cries meant he couldn't put him down. "I'm sorry I'm so late."
"Daddy picked up some new Italian for us to try," Erin said to Piper, "Noodle already set the table, babe. I was about to put Liam down before you got home if-"
"You guys eat, I'll try to get him down." Jay pressed a kiss to the top of Piper's wet head, "Ryan loves that swing."
"I don't think the boys understand taking turns yet," Piper said after swallowing a bite of the pasta. Ryan was still content while Erin and Piper ate dinner, happily sitting in the baby swing despite his brother's earlier displeasure. "They both really like the swing."
Erin nodded in agreement. Both boys were their happiest in the baby swing that Will had purchased. "We might need to get another one," she mused, "Or find another magical device that keeps the boys happy."
"Taylor's new brother has a bouncer, but he's a lot bigger than the boys. She said he was a year old." Piper took another bite of pasta. "She says she doesn't like him but I think she's trying not to."
"This was her little brother's biological brother, right?" Erin asked, trying to recall the last update she had gotten from her daughter on her school friend's family situation. Guilt crept up in her throat. Piper telling her stories from school and about her friends was a good thing. The least she could do was remember.
"Yes," Piper confirmed, "Elliot's biological brother that they didn't know about. He came to live with them last week. His name is Parker and he looks just like Elliot."
"That's a big adjustment for Taylor I bet," Erin said thoughtfully, "Is she doing okay?"
"She's really angry," Piper told her sadly, "I told her it wasn't her new brother's fault that he cried because that's how babies talk and she said he wasn't her brother." She paused. "It um, it made me really sad. Because when I lived with Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery, they had two kids who would always tell me I wasn't their sister."
Erin felt like the wind had been knocked out of her. Whenever she got a glimpse into Piper's past, it usually ripped her heart out. "Sweetheart-"
"It's okay now," she said quickly, "I know they weren't my sisters. But when Taylor said that it made me remember that I was sad when I was little."
Erin swallowed the lump in her throat. "I get that," she whispered, "Justin once…he was upset and told me I would never be his sister. Made me really sad too."
"I don't think he meant it. Because I don't think Taylor meant it either. I think they were both just really angry." Piper smiled sadly. "Dr. Murphy says sometimes when we're angry we say things that we don't mean."
"You're right," Erin agreed, "And-" She paused when Ryan let out a cry. "Oh man, he might need a change."
"It's also his bed time," Piper reminded her, "So he might be tired too."
"I can take him," Jay said as he descended the steps, "Liam just went down."
"Your food's getting cold. You eat, babe. I'm almost done and can take him up quickly." Erin pushed out her chair. "Can we continue our conversation when I'm back, Noodle?"
Piper nodded. "The food is good," she determined, giving Jay a smile, "It's different than what we normally get, but it tastes good."
Jay relaxed slightly. "I'm glad you like it, kiddo. I was kind of hoping for some chicken parm tonight but whatever this is is going to have to do for now." He kissed the top of Ryan's head when Erin lifted him out of the swing. "Good night, bubba. Sleep well."
"I'll be right back," Erin repeated, "Don't go stealing my dinner, Halstead."
"It's really good chicken," Piper told Jay as he filled his plate, "But it isn't as good as Hank's chicken. I like that one the best."
"Mm." Jay bit into a piece, "This is pretty good. I think we've found a new dish we like. Definitely not as good as Hank's, but better than mine."
Jay smiled as he scarfed down the dinner. After a long day and a long week, he was famished. And it had been two days since he'd made it home for family dinner. Having dinner as a family was something that his mother had been a stickler for. Those dinners with his mother and father were silent and awkward, a stark contrast to the family dinners in his house.
Piper and Erin had first gotten to know each other over dinner at his apartment, and even after they all moved into the house together, it was a nightly tradition they tried to stick with. Jay loved to gaze around the table at his beautiful family and was looking forward to the days when his sons would join them too. Listening to his little girl tell him about what she was learning in school was such a privilege.
"You guys are really moving through the history of the world," Jay remarked, "History was my favorite subject too." He glanced over at Piper's plate. "Do you want any more chicken, kiddo?" Jay reached to clear her plate when she shook her head. "Alright, well it is Friday and I know I could go for some dessert. How about you?"
"I'm okay," Piper replied softly, glancing up the steps. "Is Mommy still upstairs with Ryan?"
"He might have needed a quick bath." Jay placed the plates in the dishwasher and pulled open the freezer. "That little man can certainly made a mess. You sure you don't want dessert? Not even ice cream?" He looked over at his little girl who was still seated at the kitchen table. "Pipes?"
"My um, my tummy hurts a little," she whispered, her voice small. "I don't want ice cream right now."
Jay quickly hurried over, forehead pinched in concern. "You're feeling sick, bug?" he asked, bringing his hand to her forehead. Piper's skin was cool and clammy. He grimaced when she nodded. "Do you think you're going to throw up?"
His question was answered when Piper's little hands flew to her mouth. He tried to act quickly and scooped her up to carry her to the bathroom, but the poor little girl was sick all over herself, and all over him. "Oh, kiddo," he soothed, hustling to the downstairs bathroom, "I'm sorry you're not feeling good."
Piper let out a low moan and gagged into the bathroom sink, trembling as her dad rubbed her back. "S-sorry," she whimpered, small body shivering, "I-I didn't mean to."
"Not your fault," he assured her, grabbing some toilet paper to wipe her cheeks, "How long have you been feeling sick? Since school?"
She shook her head. "Just happened," she managed, continuing to shiver, "I was okay today. I would have told you if I wasn't feeling good." Piper pulled at her soiled t shirt. "S-sorry."
"No big deal," Jay promised, carefully easing them both onto the bathroom floor, "Do you think you're going to be sick again?"
In lieu of a response, his little girl retched into the toilet painfully. Jay's chest ached for her. Getting sick was never fun for anyone, and he also had two babies upstairs that he didn't want to get sick either. He needed to fill Erin in and figure out how they were going to manage a sick kid and two babies.
"Babe?"
"Bathroom," Jay called back, holding Piper's hair in his fist, "Little bit of a situation." He grimaced when Piper let out a low whine. "Sorry, kiddo. I know this sucks." He glanced to the doorway and frowned. Erin was just as pale as Piper. "Babe-"
"I think there might have been clams or something in the pasta," she said weakly, leaning heavily against the doorframe. "I didn't think of it until I puked right after I put Ryan down."
Jay's blood ran cold. His girls were allergic to clams. Erin mentioned it years ago back when they were first partners and he knew Piper shared the same allergy. He was typically very diligent when it came to eating out at restaurants or getting takeout, but he'd grabbed the wrong bag.
"Daddy," Piper croaked, "I'm gonna-" She heaved again, coughing violently.
"Oh kiddo," he said guiltily, "I'm so sorry." He looked up at Erin who appeared shaky on her feet. "Babe-"
"I've done this before," she said, swallowing the sour taste in her mouth, "It's not bad, I'll be fine in a couple of hours but-" Erin gestured to Piper. "We don't know how bad this is for her."
"I'll call my brother," Jay determined, reaching for his phone in his back pocket, "See if he can swing by. Otherwise I think we should go in." He lifted the phone to his ear. "Will? Pipes and Erin are having an allergic reaction and… I-I don't know man, I can't tell, can you please just get here?" Jay smoothed some of Piper's hair back when she retched again, "Please?"
He let out a breath at the confirmation from his brother that he was on his way and frowned when Piper sagged against him in exhaustion. "I'm so sorry," he repeated, "So, so, sorry."
"'s not your fault," Piper mumbled, closing her eyes as Jay rubbed her back, "You didn't know."
"I didn't check and I didn't think." Jay stroked her flushed cheek with his thumb carefully and glanced over at his partner, who had leaned against the bathroom wall with her eyes closed. "Er-"
"It's just nausea," Erin interrupted, "It'll pass." She exhaled heavily and opened her eyes. "Noodle's got it worse than I do."
Jay gently caressed Piper's head as she rested against him. The guilt was almost unbearable but he was trying to put it out of his mind and focus on his girls. It wasn't the first time either of his girls had experienced an allergic reaction, but it was the first one that he had to bear witness too, and it was the first one that was a direct result of him not being diligent enough.
"Do you think you're going to be sick again, sweetheart?" Erin asked hoarsely. She'd been resting against the bathroom wall beside her partner and could feel the anxiety and guilt radiating off him. After procuring a change of shirt for both Piper and Jay from the laundry room, she was exhausted. It had been years since she'd last accidentally ingested anything clam-based and she forgot just how much the reaction zapped her energy, even if it wasn't life threatening.
"I don't know," Piper mumbled, "I'm sorry."
"Not your fault at all, kiddo," Jay managed, casting another apologetic look to his fiancé. "If Will isn't here in five minutes, I think we need to go in. Make sure-" He stopped when he heard the rustling of keys followed by his brother's footsteps.
"Jay? Er?" Will hustled into the house and stopped short in front of the downstairs bathroom door. "I'm glad you called. Are they having trouble breathing? Hives? Swelling?" He crouched down beside his future sister in law and brought his fingers to her neck to check her pulse.
"Noodle first," Erin instructed, shaking her head slightly, "I just need a minute."
Will exchanged a look with his brother. The little girl was clamped to Jay and white as a sheet. "Can I take a quick look at you, Munchkin?" he asked, "Just gotta see that you're okay."
Piper recoiled against Jay and held tighter. "Please, kiddo?" Jay asked, "We need to see if there's anything else going on."
"It's just my tummy," Piper mumbled, continuing to shrink back against her daddy, "I don't want to." As soon as the words left her lips, she brought her hand to her mouth. Jay could have cursed, but he didn't want his daughter to think he was upset with her. Instead he smoothed her hair back and bit his tongue.
"She's been sick like five times," he told his brother after Piper finished coughing, "Nothing's coming up anymore."
Will grimaced. "Not a bad thing," he said, gesturing for Jay to bring Piper closer to him so he could take a look. "As long as her airways are open, Benadryl should help. Just need to check."
"It'll be super quick," Jay promised, "I'm right here. We need to make sure you're okay." He glanced over at his fiancé for backup and nearly choked. Erin's normally fair skin was pink and splotchy around her neck. "Babe, your neck."
Erin opened her eyes and brought her fingertips to her skin. "Just a rash," she said after a deep breath, "Breathing's fine. Hasn't happened in years but it usually passes after a few hours after I get sick."
Will turned his attention from his niece to his future sister in law. "Can you tilt your head up for me, Er?" he asked, gently shifting her head to the side to examine her throat after Erin did as instructed. "Okay, open up."
Jay held tightly to Piper in his arms as he watched his big brother peer into Erin's mouth. "Airways look good," Will reported, "Benadryl might knock you out pretty good, but it should help you sleep in the event you start feeling itchy."
Erin nodded tiredly. "I'm more concerned about Noodle," she said honestly, gesturing toward Piper, "Should we take her in?"
The little girl clung tighter to Jay and shook her head rapidly. "No, no," she begged, "I don't wanna go."
"Can Will take a quick look at your throat?" Jay asked, continuing to rub Piper's back, "That way we can make a decision on if we need to get you some help. But otherwise we might have to go just to be safe."
Piper managed a small nod. "Great job, Munchkin," Will praised as he quickly examined the little girl, "I don't see any inflammation which is a good sign. How's your tummy feeling?"
She shrugged and huddled back into Jay's chest. "Benadryl would be good for her as well," Will continued, "Gotta get her hydrated too."
Jay pressed a kiss to the top of Piper's head. It was a good thing that neither of his girls were experiencing any more symptoms of an allergic reaction, but his heart was still pounding in his chest. "Thank you for coming," he said with an exhale, suddenly registering that his brother was more dressed up than his normal scrubs or after work clothes. "Did I pull you away from something?"
"I brought the something with me," Will replied cheekily, "Hailey's upstairs. Ryan was fussing."
"Did you even sleep?"
Jay glanced down at the love of his life. After Hailey settled Ryan and Will confirmed that Erin and Piper would be fine, he managed to get his girls upstairs and into their bed. The reaction on Erin's neck had already begun to fade and Piper was asleep before he stood from the bathroom floor, but the all-clear from his brother didn't settle Jay's nerves.
He tried to focus on the positives. His girls were both on the mend. It was a difficult night, but all things considered, they got very lucky. There wasn't a trip to the hospital, there wasn't a need for any major surgery or ambulance ride or overnight stay. His girls were okay.
But it didn't change the fact that they almost weren't.
"Babe," Erin mumbled, reaching a hand up to stroke his cheek, "You pulled two all nighters in a row."
"I wanted to make sure the reaction didn't get worse," Jay replied honestly, carefully running his fingers atop Piper's head. His little girl had slept against his chest as he sat up in bed, Erin at his side. His girls slept soundly and thankfully didn't have any issues throughout the night. The peaceful snores escaping Erin's lips didn't stop him from worrying despite the exhaustion in his bones. "How are you feeling?"
Erin stretched and scooted closer. "Slept like a rock," she said with a yawn. She raised her eyebrows when Jay didn't reply. "This is the part where you tease me about my snoring, babe."
"I love your snoring," he said thickly, "Let me know that you were still next to me." He shook his head when Erin's gaze softened. "I know you're okay but for a while there-"
"I know," Erin interrupted, "I get it and I know yesterday sucked but please don't beat yourself up over this. Could have been either one of us. And we're coming up on two years of having Noodle. I'm surprised it took this long." She stroked the back of Piper's head.
Jay nodded slowly. Erin was pulling him back. His girl could usually pull him back from the edge, and the gentle cadence of her voice and warm breath on his shoulder was helping. "I love you," he whispered, "And we're never eating Italian again."
"Chicken parm is one of your favorite foods," she said knowingly, "Give it a week, babe. But we can skip the creamy pasta if it'll put your mind at ease."
Keeping it cute in the next one, don't worry! It's the last of Part 2 also and I think I have a plan for Part 3 that I'm excited about. Would love to hear what you think!