Hi Readers: Hope you guys are liking the story of late. And I really hope that you guys enjoy the Casey chapters, but I now have some ideas for some more Halstead chapters; and that's exactly what I plan on covering for you now,
A Visit from Uncle Will & Aunt Natalie
Part One: Destressing with Gossip and Beer
Washington Park – Now this is exactly what the couple need at the moment, a visit from their family; but more specifically, family that they could rely on to (hopefully) not create any drama. This being in comparison to his father-in-law, whom they basically should really expect to create drama from the moment he walks into a room. But right now, they don't need to worry about that; and that's due to the fact that they have a set of reliable family members here whom they can trust not to create drama. And that's due to the fact that his brother has been going through this with him every step of the way, simply due to the fact that he always talks to him; and while Alex was pregnant with the twins, he was his go-to person to just have a talk to when he needed to. And that's exactly what Jay was hoping to do, as he hosted his brother and sister-in-law; that way, Natalie can take it easy with Alex…while he talks to his brother.
But first, he wanted to make sure that Alex and the kids were okay, which is exactly what Jay's in the midst of doing, as he walked in to his and Alex's room with some water for his wife. "Here, I got you some water." Turning her head, Alex smiled as she most certainly was happy that Jay just brought her some water. "I appreciate that." Jay agreed with Alex as she said that, smiling due to the fact that this is exactly what he needs to do right now; he needs to take care of his wife, and he needs to make sure that they're both happy right now. "Hey, this is my job as your husband to take care of you." Alex agreed with her husband as he said that, before smiling as she watched him walk over to her; after which, Jay set her bottle of water down on her side table. "Thanks Jay." Jay then pointed to his lips, as he leaned over Alex; meanwhile, Alex put her hand on his face and smiled as she took things nice and slow with her husband.
That was, until they heard Natalie come out of the washroom. "Ok. You guys can break it up, I'm back now." However, that was the last thing that Jay and Alex did; as rather than break it up, they just kept kissing each other. Because that was what they wanted to do, they wanted to kiss each other and just take things slow with each other for a moment; but now, that moment is over due to the fact that Natalie just spoke to them again. "Jay and Alex, take a breath and relax." Sighing, Jay agreed with his sister-in-law as she said that; after which, he stood up and turned around so that he could look at her. "The kids are asleep, that means that we have a bit of time to kiss each other; so, I take whatever chance I can to kiss my wife." Alex smiled as she heard Jay say that, while looking up at him; at the same time, he moved his hand to the back of her head and proceeded to take things nice and slow with the woman he loves.
His soulmate, and the mother of his children. "I love you." Alex agreed with Jay as he said that, before smiling at the most handsome and loving husband and father in the entire world. "Listen, go talk to your brother and just take it easy, okay Jay? I want to have a bit of girl time right now." Jay agreed with Alex as she said that, before smiling at her. After which, he got up and went ahead to leave the room so that he could go spend time with his brother like his wife told him to do. Meanwhile, Alex turned her head and smiled as she looked at Natalie. "I swear, I keep wondering whether I'm the one that's pregnant; or whether you're the one that's still pregnant." Alex snickered as she heard Natalie say that, well aware that she was talking about how hormonal she is with Jay at times. "I know, you're talking about how hormonal I am with Jay." Natalie agreed with Alex, as that was exactly what she was talking about.
After all, they are always all over each other. "You act like hormonal teenagers." Alex agreed with Natalie as she said that, as that most certainly is exactly how she acts; like a hormonal teenager, but there's a reason for that. "Well, you have to remember that this is really my first real relationship." Natalie was confused as she heard Alex say that. "What? No? Jay isn't your first boyfriend-turned-husband." Alex agreed with Natalie, as that's exactly what Jay is. He's her first boyfriend-turned husband. "Yes, that's exactly what he is. And that's due to the fact that I've never really been allowed to date anybody with my father being so overprotective, but Jay was able to just break him." Natalie agreed with Alex as she said that, glad that was the case. "God, I know what you mean; you should've seen Jeff's ex. She was protective of me and wasn't even my mother." Alex agreed with Natalie as she said that, smiling at her friend.
At the same time, she smiled due to the fact that she's really happy that she's getting a bit of girl time right now; girl time which is also spent pumping some breastmilk. Yes, that's exactly what Alex is in the midst of doing right now; she's not just talking to her sister-in-law, but she's almost making some breastmilk. "So, just curious. Does that thing hurt?" Alex shook her head. "If anything, it makes me feel better." Natalie was confused. "It helps when it comes time for me to feed the kids, and it makes sure that I'm not exhausted. And I've been doing it whenever I can, as I want to be able to sleep if I can. Trust me, it's been a lot to deal with recently." Natalie agreed with her sister-in-law as she said that, well aware that was the case. "We have been through a lot lately." Alex sighed. "How are you doing, anyways? Have you figured out what you're going to be doing when it comes to work?" Natalie smiled as Alex asked her that.
And that would be as a COVID-19 advisor. "My job is to assemble all the data and information I can related to the pandemic, and to make sure that it's all in order for when Matt needs to figure stuff out related to the business." Alex agreed with Natalie as she said that, well aware that there's a lot to know when it comes to the pandemic. "Honestly, I really love Dr. Fauci. He's really good, and I am so glad that he's leading the country through this." Natalie agreed. "Let me guess, you listen more to him than you do the president?" Alex agreed with Natalie, as that most certainly is who she's listening to; she's listening to the medical professional, rather than the idiot. "I think that most certainly is the right thing to do, due to the fact that we have a complete idiot for a president." Natalie agreed. "Who did you vote for on Tuesday?" Alex smiled as she looked at Natalie. "Biden." Natalie smiled as she heard Alex say that.
After all, she was worried that she may have voted for Bernie. "I was worried that you were going to vote for Bernie." Alex agreed with Natalie. "I want to just have him win right away." Natalie agreed with her sister as she said that. "I just wish the election was tomorrow, and the inauguration was next week." Alex agreed with Natalie, more than understanding why that would be the case. "Oh, I bet I know why." Natalie agreed with Alex. "Might save lives if he was already the president." Alex took a breath, before sighing as she turned her head and looked at her children. "To tell you the truth, I just hope that we have a female president in the future." Natalie then turned to look at her niece and nephew as well, as she most certainly can agree. "We almost had one in 2016." Alex agreed. "I always thought that Hillary really won, not that I want to be a conspiracy theorist." Natalie snickered and agreed with Alex.
I mean, what woman didn't want Hillary to win. "I still can't wait to hear that title someday. Madam President." Alex smiled as she heard Natalie say that, as she felt the same way. "But enough with politics, and the heavy stuff. We just want to have fun right now, that's why we're here right now." Alex agreed with Natalie as she said that, before realizing something; and that would be that she has a package to give to Natalie. "Okay, I just remembered something, and I am going to get you something before I forget." Natalie was confused as she heard Alex say that, while watching her walk over to her dresser. After which, he proceeded to open the bottom drawer of her dresser. "What are you doing Alex?" Smiling as she got up, Alex made her way back over to Natalie so that she could give her some clothes. "I know that there are some girl clothes, but I thought you could use them for your next baby." Natalie laughed.
After all, she and Will were already talking about a timeline. "Yeah, me and Will are already talking about that." Hearing Natalie say that, Alex was absolutely shocked; because there was no way that she heard that right. She didn't just hear her sister-in-law say that she was already talking about having a second child with her husband, when she hasn't even given birth to the baby she's currently pregnant with. That's something that she can't already be doing. "There's no way that I just heard that right, you guys aren't ALREADY talking about having a second child; when you haven't even given birth to your first child!" Natalie laughed as she heard Alex ask her that, she they really were already talking about it. "Yeah, we're already talking about it as we want to make sure that we're on the same page when it comes to a timeline. And we've decided not until after the pandemic, maybe even three years." Alex agreed.
And the truth was, that most certainly does sound like a good idea. "I just hope that we're done with the pandemic by then." Natalie agreed with Alex as she said that, as she felt the same way; she wanted to get past the pandemic as soon as possible, and she wants to make sure that they take it easy with each other. "But we don't need to worry about that right now, as we're just going to take it easy and relax right now." Alex agreed with her sister as she said that, glad that was the case. "I am so happy about that, and I love the fact that we're actually on a holiday from work." Natalie snickered. "Well, you are, Will isn't on break from work." Alex took a breath as she looked at her sister-in-law, as she was hoping to avoid this topic as long as they could; but right now, she wants to bring up the topic that she has on her mind. "How are you doing with that, anyways?" Natalie was confused as she heard Alex say that.
After all, she didn't understand what she was talking about. "What are you talking about Alex?" Taking a breath, Alex looked at Natalie. "I mean, you must be worried when he comes home." Natalie agreed with Alex, as she most certainly was worried whenever Will came home. "Well, that most certainly is the truth. I'm always worried when he comes home, but I know that he's going to be safe at the end of the day; and I know that we're not going to do anything to put our family at risk." Alex smiled as she looked at her sister-in-law. "Natalie, I already know exactly what you're talking about; because I know that you guys are taking every precaution that you can to keep us safe." Natalie smiled, agreeing with Alex as she said that. "I'm just glad that your brother is okay with talking to Will about this." Alex agreed with Natalie, smiling at her. "Jay needs it a lot, because he has a lot on his mind; related to my father."
Natalie sighed as she heard Alex say that. "I swear, there are times where I wish I still had my father in my life; yet at the same time, I don't want that due to the fact that I don't want the drama that comes with it." Alex agreed with Natalie, as that most certainly is not something that she wants for her either. "Oh, trust me, that's the last thing that you want." Natalie smiled, before going to hug her brother as she was really happy right now. "God, I am so glad that we're talking like this; as much as everything is all topsy-turvy and really depressing at the moment, I think we all know that this is going to be harder than people really think." Alex agreed with Natalie, well aware that's going to be the case. "I know what you mean, as I've been reading the news; and I've been talking to some friends in New York City, who are dealing with it right now." Natalie agreed with Alex, well aware that she has friends in New York City.
She just hopes that they're staying safe. "Are they staying safe?" Alex agreed, before reaching over to grab her phone so that she could show Natalie some of the texts that Olivia (Benson) sent to her. "Here, these are some of the texts that my friend sent me." Natalie agreed as she proceeded to grab Alex's phone, before looking at the pictures. "Oh boy." Alex agreed. "That's downtown Manhattan. Park Avenue." Turning her head, Natalie was surprised. "Really? I thought that was a busy thoroughfare!" Alex agreed with Natalie as it is normally. "Normally, it is a very busy thoroughfare. But right now, it's like a ghost town." Natalie agreed with Alex as she said that, clearly able to see that was the case. "Well, I'm sure that a lot of people are scared there in New York City." Alex agreed with Natalie, as people are. "Two of my friends there have young children." Natalie agreed with Alex, before taking a breath.
After all, that has to be something hard. "Let me guess, it's hard on them; isn't it?" Alex agreed. "They're doing okay, considering this is all new to them. They have no idea what to do with them, other than just do their schoolwork; not that it's really easy for them to do that, as they needed to hire a nanny. Or at least, one of my friends did due to the fact that she's a Captain in the NYPD; and she's the head of the Special Victims' Unit." Natalie was confused as she heard Alex say that she's in charge of the Special Victims' Unit, as she didn't know what that is. "What's that?" Alex laughed. "Sex Crimes Bureau." Natalie shivered a bit as she heard Alex say that, as that most certainly is not a job that she would like to work in. "God, I hate doing rape kits." Alex agreed with her sister-in-law as she said that, well aware that's the case. "Oh, we both know that's the case." Natalie took a breath, and just tried to relax at the moment.
Meanwhile, out in the living room Jay brought him and Will some drinks; more specifically, some beers as they both want to just take it easy and relax. "Thanks." Jay agreed with his brother as he said that, before smiling as he proceeded to sit down with him in the living room. "So, talk to me. How are things in the hospital?" Will laughed. "Which one?" Jay was confused as he heard Will say that, unsure of what he was talking about. "What are you talking about? Isn't there only one hospital?" Will agreed. "Sorry, I meant which ED. There are two Emergency Departments now." Jay was shocked. "Really? Chicago Med got THAT busy since you left, that they had to add another ED?" Will then proceeded to give more clarification to what he meant. "There's an emergency department which is just in charge of dealing with the COVID patients, and an emergency department which deal with everything else." Jay then understood.
After all, it's not that hard to understand when you explain it. "Okay, now I get it." Will agreed with Jay as he said that, smiling at him. "I know, complicated." Jay snickered as he heard his brother say that; because it is complicated, yet it also isn't the most complicated thing. "Honestly, I don't think that it's that complicated due to the fact that I know what you're talking about. Remember, I have some information too." Will was confused as he heard Jay say that. "What are you talking about?" Jay smiled. "I have connections." Will looked at his brother as he said that. "I do. I talk to my friends in the intelligence division of the army." Will nodded as he heard Jay say that, because that makes a lot of sense. "And I also have a brother who keeps me in the know." Will laughed, agreeing with Jay as he said that. "I already showed you the test, right?" Jay agreed with his brother, as he did show him.
Not that he would be in here, had he not shown him the test. "Will, I wouldn't have let you in my house if you didn't show me that test." Will thought about it and agreed with Jay. After which, he smirked. "I have to say this though, I really love the fact that we basically live with each other." Jay laughed. "Basically? You guys are always over here." Will agreed with his brother. "Oh, you like it. Who knows, maybe I can convince Natalie to take your kids for you." Jay looked at Will as he said that, before smirking. "Oh, don't you dare play with me." Alex agreed with her brother-in-law, while getting up and proceeding to look around the corner. "Yes William, don't you dare play with me." Will just looked at Alex. "What? I want to start practicing being a dad." That's when Natalie came out and stood with Alex. "Did you really just volunteer us to watch their kids?" Turning around to look at her sister-in-law, Alex smirked.
After all, that's exactly what Will just did. "Oh, he didn't just volunteer you to do it; he just said that you were doing it. And you're watching them for two nights." Natalie was shocked. "I want a Friday date night!" Will laughed. "Well, I think we just got stuck doing it Natalie." Natalie agreed with her husband as he said that. "Sucks for you, I was going to take a bath tonight." Will was about to take a sip of his beer, when he heard that; after which, he was shocked. "Oh c'mon." Jay smirked as he heard Will say that, before taking a sip of his beer. "Jay, I'm going to…" Jay then went to go grab his phone. "Hey Alex, what do you want as a supper? I'm ordering a romantic supper for you." Alex laughed. "Who said that I wanted to spend time out here with you?" Will sighed as he heard Alex say that, while also looking at his brother. "I swear, I am not the biggest fan of what I just did." Jay agreed with his brother as he said that.
But at the same time, Jay knew that he needed to do something to make Will feel better. "Don't worry, we're going to owe you a bunch of babysitting when you have your kid." Will agreed with Jay as he said that, as that most certainly is exactly what he's going to owe him. "Well, I am so glad that you said that; as that's exactly what I want to hear, and it's now a promise." Jay nodded, smiling at his brother. "Okay, now back to what we were talking about. How are you doing with all of this at the hospital? And the balancing of work and the hospital?" Will sighed. "I'm not exactly there yet, because I have to do some stuff before I really get to treating kids." Jay was confused as he heard Will say that, not understanding what he's talking about. "What are you talking about man?" Will sighed. "There are a bunch of new procedures that I need to follow, and I'm just learning about all of them now." Jay agreed with Will.
After all, that makes a lot of sense; there's probably a lot of differences in how things work at the hospital pre-pandemic compared to the post-pandemic operations. "Well, I most certainly understand that due to the fact that I can see that happening. And I'm just glad that you aren't there yet, as I want you to see what happens. And I want you to make sure that you just stay safe." Will agreed with his brother, as that's exactly what he plans on doing. "I promise Jay, I'm always going to be safe. I mean, I want to make sure that I get a chance to meet my child." Jay smirked as he heard Wills ay that, well aware that he wanted to meet his child. "Are you guys already starting to create the nursery? Or are you waiting until my kids grow out of their cribs." While he was about to take a sip of his beer, Will ended up stopping as that most certainly is something that he plans on doing; he's going to take at least one of his cribs.
"Oh, you are so giving me one of the cribs that you used for the twins while they were babies."
Jay agreed with his brother. "I think I need to find it somewhere, as I'm not too sure where one of them are at the moment." Will agreed. "Take your time, we have until May." Jay agreed with Will, until he got a text from Alex; after which, he went to check it.
'I think I have it with the summer clothes we've yet to unpack.'
Jay agreed with his wife as she said that, before looking at his brother. "Here, come with me. Alex just told me where they might be." Will agreed with his brother, before getting up; after which, they both proceeded to make their way upstairs to the spare room (which they're using as a storage room). And it turned out, that was exactly where it was.
Walking in ahead of his brother, Jay smiled as he went to find the taped-up box. "Here we go. This is where it is." Will agreed with his brother as he said that, before walking over to it. "Hey, this is cute." Turning to look at Will, Jay was shocked that he didn't remember what it looked like. "Don't you remember what it looks like? You helped me put it together before we brought the kids home." Will then remembered, and agreed with Jay; smiling at his brother, he just thought back to those nice memories. "Well, I love that nice memory that I have." Jay smirked as he heard Will say that. "Well, I'm glad that you have good memories; because you're going to create a bunch of memories as you put it together alone." Will was shocked. "Excuse me?" Jay nodded. "I had to do it here!" Will agreed with his brother, but there was a reason for that. "I had an orientation meeting for Gaffney." Jay agreed with his brother.
"Here, come and help me."
Will agreed as he made his way over to the box, before smiling as he watched Jay move the box out; he then went to grab the other end of the box and smiled as he started to move it with the help of his brother. "Thanks." Will shook his head. "No problem, this is for me after all." Jay agreed with Will, smiling at him. "You ready to be a dad?" Will agreed with him. "Oh, I most certainly am ready to be a dad. But listen, how about we get this outside? Or maybe we can even take this over to my place, rather than just bring it downstairs." Jay thought about it and agreed with Will as he said that; after all, he was just going to have to do that. "I mean, I'm going to just have to do that when you leave." Will laughed, agreeing with Jay as he said that. "Well, we could go assemble it." Jay shook his head. "It's not that hard, and you need to do it by yourself." Will agreed with his brother, well aware that he needs to rest.
"Let me guess, you're going back to work soon?"
Jay sighed, as he wasn't sure what he was going to do. "I haven't spoken to Matt about that yet, but I am not thinking about that when I would rather just get this done; and then maybe I can spend some time with you and the kids." Will thought about it, and agreed with his brother as that was something that he most certainly wanted to do. He wanted to spend some time with his niece and nephew. "I love that idea. But listen, let's get this in my place before we wake up the kids." Jay agreed with Will as he said that, before making his way downstairs with his brother so that they can bring this crib over to his and Natalie's place.