One of Jay's old army buddy, Chase, was getting married in just a weeks time. They'd kept in touch over messages since they both left 10 years ago, but they'd never actually met up. When Jay got the invitation through the post, he wasn't suprised. Chase had told Jay so many stories about his fiancé, Mckenna, over the past five years and got sent an exited message the night Chase had popped the question along with a romantic picture of them both. For Jay to say he was over the moon for the couple was an understatement; he didnt know anyone more deserving of a happily ever after.
But when he saw 'Plus One's happily welcome' at the bottom of the invite, Jay's head freaked out on him. Jay hadn't a girlfriend, Chase knew that, but he also wasn't going to know anyone else at the wedding. Chase didn't talk to any other army buddy's other than him, so Jay knew he was going to be uncomfortably alone for the whole day.
Now, with only a week until the big day and many messages later off of Chase about him bringing a plus one, Jay was stressing. He knew exactly who he wanted to take as his plus one, he just wasn't sure how to broach the subject with said person; also his partner and bestfriend. It wasn't for the lack of trying over the past three months, but Jay and Hailey were always sidetracked by either a case or the group chat blowing their phones up. It was frustrating for Jay, and he knew Hailey was getting frustrated waiting for him to spit it out.
So when Voight dismissed the Unit for an actual lunch break, Jay grabbed the opportunity and asked Hailey if she wanted to head out to a nearby café for a bite to eat. Hailey didn't even reply, she just threw down her pen and grabbed her hoodie. That was Hailey's way of telling Jay he was a saving Grace for getting them both out the bullpen for lunch, because she was sick of Kev and Adam ordering them all Subway or Chinese every day.
"Why you got your knickers in a twist, Jay?" Hailey really didn't him a moment to even read the menue before she got to the point.
They were given atleast half an hour of no interruptions, so Hailey had to know what it was that had been causing Jay to be on edge the past weeks.
"I haven't" Jay frowned, grabbing the menue to avoid Hailey seeing his face turn red.
"You have, and you've also been trying to tell me something but every damn time we get interrupted; so out with it, Halstead" Hailey practically demanded, snatching the menue out of Jay's hands.
"You're such a gentle soul" Jay frowned. "Can I atleast order us our lunch before you interogate me?"
"Whatever" Hailey rolled her eyes, but grabbed her card to give to Jay. "I'll have the cheese and tomato toastie"
"I'll get you it" Jay pushed Hailey's arm back towards the table.
"You really are buttering me up" Hailey teased lightly.
"Shut up" Jay glared, feeling as if he was sixteen and about to ask a girl to prom. "I'll be back in a minute"
Hailey shook her head at Jay's antics and aimlessly scrolled through her phone. Hailey could read Jay like a book and knew what he wanted to tell her with only just one look, but recently she wasn't able too. He'd been awkward, jumpy, and avoided her like the plague whenever he could after they'd been interrupted so many times. For the life of her, Hailey couldn't figure out what she'd done wrong.
"Right" Jay abruptly stated a couple minutes later, sitting in the seat across from her. "An old army buddy of mine is getting married in a weeks time"
"Aw that's sweet" Hailey smiled, she was a sucker when it came to couples who had their shit together. "Where at?"
"Hoosier Grove Barn" Jay answered.
"Wow!" Hailey gasped.
She'd seen pictures of the barn and land surrounding it, and it took her breath away. It was the most beautiful place to get married within Chicago she'd ever seen.
"You've seen it?" Jay questioned, suprised by Hailey's slightly exited reaction.
"Who hasn't?!" Hailey exlaimed. "It's like something out of a Disney film! It's rustic, but so understatedly beautiful! The views around the land are breath taking!"
"Didn't know you were so into weddings" Jay raised his brow with a little smirk.
It was endearing how excited Hailey was over the place Chase was getting married. Jay never really thought of Hailey as a person who was into wedding venues, receptions etc, but seeing her face light up at the mention Hoosier Barn was everything. Her face was like a child's on Christmas day.
"I'm not really, but an old friend of mine was thinking of getting married there. She showed me some pictures" Hailey explained.
"How come they didn't?" It was off topic, but Jay's curiosity got the best of him.
"She cheated on her fiancé with one of my Ex's" Hailey said so nonchalantly, taking a sip of the water Jay had bought back with him.
"Jesus, Hails" Jay winced. "That had to hurt"
"It is what it is" Hailey shrugged, that part of her life never crossed her mind anymore. Looking back, Hailey was glad it had worked out the way it did.
"I guess he was the one who really lost out" Jay kicked himself for saying that, it sounded like something a bestfriend and partner definitely wouldn't say.
"Flatterer" Hailey threw one of her crisps at Jay, only he would say something like that. "What has this got to do with me anyway? Why have you been taking your jealously out on me? It's not my fault you've got no game with women"
"That was brutal" Jay clutched his chest mockingly, but it was genuinely brutal the way Hailey went for him.
"I need a plus one" Jay stated.
"You mean you want me to be your plus one?" Hailey checked.
"Yeh" Jay confirmed, sighing out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding.
"You know you could have just asked me without any of the rambling you've done over the past while?" Hailey chewed the corner of her lip, trying to hold in her amusement at how pickled Jay had got himself.
"I didn't want you to kick my ass if it came across the wrong way" Jay admitted, bitting into his boiling hot toastie the waitress had just placed in front of him.
"What? Like you were hitting on me? Trying to make a move and use the wedding as your exuse?" Hailey scoffed. Jay was smooth, but not that smooth.
"Maybe" Jay shrugged, honestly not sure what he was scared of.
"You're funny" Hailey grinned amusedly. "But yes, I'll be your plus one"
"Really?" After all the teasing, Jay was sure Hailey was going to say no. But then again, Hailey never let Jay off the hook without bullying him a little beforehand.
"Yes, you Muppet" Hailey smiled, but this time she wasn't being her silly self with it. She couldn't have been more serious.
Truthfully, Hailey was a little giddy on the inside from Jay wanting her to he his plus one to a wedding. It was totally different to having pizza after work and watching Netflix, or going to the gym together on their days off. Sure pizza after work had became slightly intimate in the way of falling asleep on each other's shoulders, but going to a wedding together was another level. They were going to be dressed up to the nines and people were going to assume they were a couple. It was a huge deal.
Hailey would never admit that to Jay, though.
"I owe you one" Jay said, taking a sip of water.
"Just pick me up and drop me off, that's all I'll ask in return" Hailey requested; it wasn't like spending the day with Jay was a hardship.
"Next Saturday, I'll pick you up at half ten. The wedding is at twelve, but the traffic on a Saturday is questionable" Jay said.
"Sounds perfect" Hailey smiled softly.
"Yeh" Jay smiled back, but his voice was barely a whisper.
Saturday came quicker than either Jay or Hailey expected, catching them both off guard; especially with how crazy the week bad been at work. Hailey dragged herself out of bed at seven am, alot earlier than she thought was legal for a day off, and brewed herself a coffee. She looked through her wardrobe for an appropriate dress that felt right on her. Not really being a social butterfly, Hailey hadn't many fancy dresses. In fact, all she owned was three:
A Royal blue body-snug one that went down to her knees with a wavy layered chest detail.
The some styled one but in olive green that went down to her ankles and had a slit up the left leg.
Or a wine-red coloured dress that floated after it sinched at the waist, that also had a slit up the leg.
All of them were gorgeous and had been worn before, however, Hailey wasn't sure which one was the best one to wear around Jay. She wanted to look pretty, but not come off as over the top. After throwing each one on and then tossing them onto the bed afterwards, Hailey chose to shower and decide whilst she was in there. Going out all dressy was Hailey's worst nightmare, but this time was made ten times worse because she was going out as Jay Halstead's date more or less.
Across town, Jay wasn't in a much better position. He'd gotten himself up at the crack of dawn to prepare himself for the day, had his only suit all hung up ready to wear, but he felt the nerves shoot through him every time he glanced at his wardrobe. Weddings were easy, Jay had been to more than he could count, but he'd never gone to one with Hailey. Jay found Hailey stunning on a normal day when she was wearing a hoodie and leggings with zero makeup and a messy bun, so the images he conjured up mentally of her in a dress sent his blood warm. It was ages ago that Jay accepted his feelings towards Hailey, and today he was going to have to spend the whole time trying to not let his feelings and the sight of her affect him. She was doing him a massive favour, and Jay wasn't about to ruin it because he couldn't get a grip of himself.
It scared Jay just how much of a hold Hailey had on him.
Having the same coping mechanism as Hailey, Jay drowned himself in the shower to get his head into gear. Remind himself that him and Hailey were strictly friends, no matter his feelings or how gorgeous she was going to look.
Half ten on the dot, Hailey had just finished her hair and light makeup when she heard the familiar beat racking against her door. Knowing Jay was behind the door, Hailey's heart rate spiked and her hands got grossly clammy. She knew Jay was going to own whatever suit he was wearing, so Hailey felt the pressure to even look as half as good as him. Checking her beach-waved curls one more time in the mirror, Hailey threw on her black-healed shoes and wobbled her way to the door.
When she finally opened the door, both her and Jay gasped loudly and froze in their places. Not even a mutter of acknowledgement was exchanged between the pair, it was just complete silence as they admired each other in complete awe. Hailey couldn't get over how the blue suit bought out Jay's freckles, or even how handsome he looked in a suit. Her cheeks blushed violently at the sight of Jay in a suit. Jay was the same, completely stunned at how gorgeous Hailey was in the olive green dress she'd chosen and how she had styled her hair. In his head Jay had imaged a million different ways of beautiful Hailey was going to look, but neither of them even came close to just how beautiful was was.
The day was going to be long and hard for them both.
"Wow, Hails" Jay was the first to break the silence, unable to keep his thoughts silent.
"It's a good choice?" Hailey wanted to throw her head in the sand at her awkward response; who on Earth comes out with that when a man was speechless over you?
"I...you're gorgeous, Hails" Jay breathed out, unable to take his eyes off her.
"You're not half bad yourself, Jay" Hailey could feel the heat rising in her body from Jay calling her gorgeous, but the sight of him alone contributed to the rising heat inside of her.
"We...we should probably head off" Jay tripped over his own words, his brain completely in shambles.
"Yeh" Hailey agreed. "Let me just grab my phone and purse"
Hailey dashed back off to her bedroom briefly to grab her stuff, conveniently giving the two a moment to process the whirlwind of feelings that struck them both like a lorry out of nowhere. The feelings had always been there, but at that level? Never. Not in the way they hit when the door opened.
"Ready?" Jay checked when Hailey emerged from her room with her purse and phone.
"Ready as ever" Hailey gave a little smile, accepting Jay's offer of his hand.
The hours drive into the country was full of tension and steeling looks. The radio was on low to drown the silence out a little, but it done nothing for the tension lingering between Jay and Hailey. Though Jay was driving, neither of them could stop glancing across and admiring the other and blushed when they were caught. They both knew the other felt the same, finally, but neither were brave enough to not look away when they got caught. At one point in the drive, about half way through, a family of deer pranced in their path and both let out a cheer of suprise and delight that broke the tension for all of five minutes. After that and right up until they pulled into the car park of the barn, the tension kept taunting them both.
"It's even more prettier in person" Hailey's eyes lite up at seeing Hoosier in person, it was a million times better than the pictures on Google.
"If it looks like this in summer, imagen in Autumn with all the colours" Jay said, enjoying the scenery just as much as Hailey was.
"If I ever get married, which is a slim chance, I know where I wanna do it" Hailey said, looking up at Jay and seeing him lost in his own World.
His own World which had Hailey in a white dress and walking down the aisle with him waiting at the alter crying tears of joy.
"Jay!" Hailey elbowed him lightly in the stomach in a bid to bring him back from Mars.
"Ugh, sorry" Jay mumbled. "It's definitely an amazing place to get married"
"Where the Hell did your head go there?" Hailey asked, never having seen Jay so away with the Fairies in the six years they'd been partners and friends.
"Nowhere" Jay shook his head dismissively. "Chase is over by the door; let's go"
Hailey slipped her hand into Jay's like it was the most natural thing whilst they headed over to where Chase was standing by the entry way. He looked a lot more buff and rough around the edges than Hailey imagined, but it was blindingly clear he was a ranger. The way he held himself and greeted the guests, it was the same way Jay did.
Stoic but warm.
"Hey, Halstead!" Chase called when he saw his old mate closing in on them. "Looking good, Man"
"Can't believe you've settled down. you've done good for yourself, Buddy" Jay was so proud of Chase for how he turned his life around.
Out of all of the regiment Jay was in, Chase had suffered the 'worst'. His PTSD was off the charts, he was heavily reliant on opiods and would start a fight whenever he could. Jay wasn't much better, but the level of self-destruction Chase had was horrendous. Jay accepted help when he came out of the Rangers, but Chase didn't. Not until Mckenna came into his life when he got a part time job at Walmart through a Veterns support charity. Once Mckenna came into his life, Chase had a reason to try.
It scarily reminded Jay of himself and Hailey.
"Thanks, Jay" Chase beamed. "She's the best thing that ever happened to me"
"I get it" Jay replied understandingly, subconsciously squeezing Hailey's hand a little tighter as he did so.
"How come it took you so long to reply with the plus one, when you've got this stunner?" Chase lightly joked, tilting his head towards Hailey who was quietly standing and listening tentivly.
"Oh we aren't together" Jay quickly corrected Chase, a little too quickly for Hailey's heart. "We're just friends and work partners"
"Good luck with people believing that" Chase scoffed, patting Jay's arm in pitty. "I'll see you both after"
"We have tissues at the ready" Jay joked, feinging tears.
"Moron" Chase laughed, shoeing them both inside the church playfully.
Jay and Hailey were ushered towards the front by one of the best men next to an elderly couple. The elderly couple were quick to make conversation with Jay and Hailey, making small talk about what they were called, where they were from etc. It was small talk, but it wasn't awkward. It better than the heavy silence that would have been there if it wasn't for the chatter.
"Without prying too much, may I ask how long you both have been together?" The Woman asked, making Jay and Hailey tense up again.
They thought they'd dodged a bullet and proved Chase wrong, but clearly he was right. They weren't going to fool anyone, no matter how hard they tried.
"A few months" Hailey blurted out, catching both of them off guard.
"Aw how lovely" The Man smiled, finding Hailey and Jay adorable. "From partners to being a couple. That's admirable"
"Someone's gotta keep him in line" Hailey jestered, finding it too easy to keep the act up.
"Maybe one day it'll be you both standing where Mckenna and Chase will be in a few minutes" The Lady winked.
"Trying to kill me off?" Jay spluttered, making the elderly couple chuckle.
Luckily, the bridal music began and the guests stood to face the aisle. An orchestral version of 'Enchanted' by Taylor Swift played softly as Mckenna glided down the red carpet arm-in-arm with her Father, the maid of honour keeping the back of the ballgown dress under control. The dress was a silvery-white shade with lace embroidery across the top half; Mckenna shone in it. The bridesmaids were in a violet coloured dress with their hairs pulled back in a curled bun, it was a perfect combination of coloures that complemented the venue wonderfully. The entire bridal party glowed. When the music stopped and Mackenna and Chase locked hands, nobody could hold back the joyful tear; not even Jay. He was so proud of Chase and over joyed to see him so happy finally, it was impossible to not cry. Hailey swept her own tear away with a tissue, before passing it over to Jay. He tried to act like he wasn't actually crying, but the battle was quickly lost when one of his tears was caught by Hailey's thumb.
The ceremony was short and simple, but meaningful. The couple had their own vowes which made the guests cry even harder with how sweet and sentimental their words were. The words shared between Chase and Mckenna were relatable for everyone in the crowed in one way or another, with the words telling each other how greatful they were to enjoying life together and loving each other through the good and the bad. Wether it was between a couple, best friends or parent and child, those words were so important and it tugged on the guests heart strings. It was perfectly said. Once the vows had been shared and a few hyms sang, the bride and groom made their way back up the aisle and the guests followed suit.
The ceremony was everything a wedding should have been.
It wasn't until eight pm that Jay dropped Hailey back off at her apartment. The after party had been a hoot. The speeches were hilarious, they had little games set up across the field and the music was next level. Apart from the first dance song, it was mostly party and nineties songs until an hour into the party when a slow dance song came on. Hailey and Jay were sitting on the side enjoying the light chatter between them and watching others drunkenly dance to 'Uptown Funk', but when the slow song came on, Jay put his drink down and held out his hand for Hailey to take. She looked at him with nothing but love and took Jay's hand without a second thought; she didn't want to fight it anymore. Slow dancing with Jay seemed like a dream, so she wasn't going to pass up the opportunity. Hailey rested her head on Jay's chest and listened to his heart beat under her ear. It relaxed her, calmed her, and the way Jay rested his cheek on her head made her heart flutter. They both felt something they'd never before. It was different to when they saw each other that morning and usual. The feeling was pure love. A feeling of love so foreign to them both. It felt right.
When the song finished, Jay and Hailey silently agreed to head back to the city and drop her off at the apartment. The ride home was peaceful, and when he pulled up in the garage, Hailey offered for Jay to go inside with her. He'd been inside many a time, but something about Hailey asking him to go in felt different than the rest. Because it was. They had both crossed so many lines in the last twelve hours, neither were sure where they stood. What they did know, however, was that they weren't ready to part ways. Jay answered by switching off his engine and jumping out of the truck. Hailey even waited and reached out her hand for him to take. As they walked hand-in-hand up to her apartment, neither of them knew where the night was going to take them.
Locking the door behind her, Hailey threw her purse onto her kitchen island and kicked off her heels; her feet were dead. Jay was right behind her, tossing his shoes and coat by the door aswell. The apartment was silent as Hailey grabbed them both a much needed beer, despite Hailey already having a few whiskies down her. On the other hand, Jay was fully sober and needed a beer desperately after the day.
"It was a nice day" Hailey commented observantly, flopping down onto her sofa.
"It was" Jay agreed. "I'm so chuffed for them both"
"I'm glad you asked me to be your plus one" Hailey smiled thankfully, reaching out her hand and boldly rested it on Jay's thigh.
"I wouldn't want anyone else" Jay admitted, tilting his head to face Hailey. "Nobody else would have blown anyone away like you did today. Even Mckenna couldn't believe how good you look in the dress"
"I don't even have much makeup on or a fancy dress. There was so many other woman dolled up way more than me" Hailey didn't understand how she'd turned to many heads considering she was wearing the least makeup out all the women.
"Exactly" Jay stated. "They were all dolled up. You're just effortlessly beautiful"
They were both being incredibly bold and honest, more than they ever would have been if the day hadn't taken the turn it had. Faking being a couple, being dressed up at a wedding, slow dancing and a some liquid courage to top it off, it was enough to feel a little brave.
"When did you get all sappy?" Hailey mocked, needing the mood to lighten a little before she lost all control of her emotions.
"I'm just telling you the truth" Jay countered; reaching forward slightly and cupping Hailey's cheek in bus hand.
"Jay" Hailey breathed out breathlessly, tears stinging her eyes.
"Hailey" Jay sighed emotionally, stroking his thumb gently across her cheek causing Hailey's eyes to fall closed. "Hails, look at me"
"I love you, Jay" Hailey whispered as she opened her eyes.
Jay's eyes welled with tears at Hailey's admission. He loved her so much and wished for her to feel the same way, and she did. Jay heard Hailey whisper the words to him in her apartment. Just them after the emotionally long day.
"I love you, Hails, so much" Jay warmly smiled, his words filled with love.
"Kiss me" Hailey asked, wrapping her hand around Jay's that was still resting on her cheek.
They both beamed ear to ear as Jay lent in and pressed his lips to Hailey's for the first time. The spark between them was electrifying, and they felt at home for the first time in their lives truly. Their lips worked together liked they'd been doing it for years, it was just so right. Pulling back when they needed air, Jay wiped away Hailey's tears and reached for the thin straps of the dress. He looked at her to make sure it was okay, and with one small nod Jay got all the permission he needed to push them off her shoulders.
They were crossing the line and it felt like forever was finally beginning.