Okay, this one was going to come without an author's note, but the comments brought me here.

First, sorry for the confusion son or daughter, it was the broker. I wanted to say that Erin would never hide a child from them from Jay, no matter the sex hahaha. Well, the bug has been fixed (blame the translator and my lack of attention). Daughter, Charlotte, three years old.

Second, I want to make it clear that Lindsay never asked Jay to stay in the hospital (yes, I know she told Nick they would have to talk), but she knew he would imagine the situation and she would have to explain, but I want you to know that it's Jay who's insisting on staying, thinking she's his daughter. All this is part of a whole, I know it seems confusing now, but you will understand little by little. Well, this has always been my line of reasoning for this story, don't hate me, there will be a lot of story yet, I ask you to stay with me, I guarantee it's very worth it, because I really love this story and I hope you do too. I didn't want things to be rushed and I'm trying not to let this story get out of hand, it will have its moments, but I still want it to have a less rushed line and I don't know...

I also don't give too many details when they PM me, because that would be like a spoiler, hahaha, so I leave the questions open, unless you are very, very curious and can't stand it, you can send a pm talking (for please tell me, i need to know now) and i say but guys, don't worry, everything will be explained and besides, this is still a linstead story.

As I'm a very anxious person, I want things fast and without too much suspense, but I also love suspense. My stories often quickly jumped to the Linstead moment and I chose to write a different story. I really want you to continue and I assure you, it will be worth it!

Even in the first chapters we will see Jay and his anger and you will also understand why he is angry. I know he's being irrational, but that's part of the story. You're going to see a lot of Lindsay's thoughts that I know aren't being portrayed yet, but that's also my plan here. In short, every little detail is part of a plan and it will be dissected throughout the chapters. I know it's being confusing, but I assure you and I emphasize it's super worth it!

About the updates, which I received some messages asking about and I know that some are curious, well, I work, study and I have just moved to another country, which means instability at the moment.

This story started a year ago. As you can see February 2021 was when the new season of Chicago PD started. It contains 8 chapters, however, I stopped writing due to lack of time and I still don't have it, but I love it and decided to leave it as a hobby to make me happy when I have free time. Writing about Linstead makes me overjoyed. So the first four chapters just needed proofreading, and it's perfectly written, however for those who don't know I don't speak English so it's written in my native language and maybe the translation doesn't do it justice (sorry about that). The other 4 chapters need a readjustment as my idea changed a little bit, and so, because of that, it takes a while to come out and after chapter 8 updates may take a little longer to come. Sorry about that.

Well, I also apologize for the long note from the author, but I felt the need to explain to you guys a little bit about everything haha. And I certainly wouldn't make this a one-time update without following up on Chapter 5. Anyway, I hope you understand and...

Good reading :-)

Chapter 5 - Before the fall

"No matter how many plans we make or steps we follow, we never know how our day is going to end up."

- Grey's Anatomy

At FBI Headquarters some were back, they were working and solving the case, so when he got back Upton missed Jay and called to find out where he was. She was surprised what he said, it was personal, he was with Lindsay. Did something happen to her? She didn't know and her curiosity was killing her. When Agent Tucker returned with news he was ready to warn Lieutenant Lindsay, who he realized was not at headquarters. He called but got no response from her. So he waits and Hailey informs him of her whereabouts.

- Halstead said they're in the hospital, but they're fine. It was Lindsay's personal business. - She counts.

- Charlotte. - He says quickly and picking up his cell phone again, two more calls she didn't answer. He gets worried. Probably something happened. He knows she was difficult this morning.

He doesn't know what's going on, but decides to take matters into his own hands while his lieutenant is away. Nearly an hour later, he gets a call from her.

- Lindsay and Halstead are out for the day. Charlotte isn't feeling very well and they go to solve a problem. So, in the meantime, let's get on with the case. What do we have? - Everyone is working and moving. Minus Hailey.

He found out, he knows she has a daughter and from what she's seen of the little girl he has a daughter. That would be the only reason he would stay. Jay is a good man, but he wouldn't take a day off to be with a child that isn't his and his ex. He found out. Hailey's heart stops.

A few minutes away, Jay's heart is the same. Stopped. I never told you about her because Charlotte is not your daughter. Those words were playing with him, were making his world go round.


Some time before...

Lindsay had left him in the room alone with the girl. It was no longer a triage room. When he went to get the shirt for her, the girl was admitted to the hospital and transferred to the pediatric ward, the room was better and bigger, it still had the air of a hospital, like every hospital, but it was less worse than the emergency department .

Looking at the three year old girl in that hospital bed was overwhelming, she was so tiny, the big bed made her look even smaller. He was nervous as he watched her, she had an angelic face, he felt it was like her mother's, whenever he looked at Lindsay's face, it was like everything calmed down. He had that feeling with this girl. He watched her little red face, she was sleeping and looked exhausted. Probably in pain. She threw up in the time he was gone, her fever was 102.2, the doctors were being careful with the medication they were giving her.

Halstead mustered up the courage and approached her. She is beautiful. She's got long hair, it's dirty blonde almost like Lindsay's when Jay first met her and it's a mess, but she still looks beautiful. He watches the way she sleeps, her breathing even and the air going in and out of her lungs, she needed that rest after so much crying.

And then he thinks this little girl is his, he's good at math, she's three, he doesn't know how many months exactly, but it's going to be four years since they broke up in a few months. She has her eyes, he thinks that even her nose is the same, he is looking for similarities in every detail, similarities between him and the little girl, her daughter, he confirms with himself and smiles. He has a daughter, a beautiful, beautiful little girl. He's angry, very angry at Erin, but that pretty face calms him down and makes him think she's half of him and the woman he loved. That she has characteristics of both, that she is half of him and the most beautiful woman he's ever known, but he can't think like that anymore, but at this moment he doesn't think about anything, it's just him and his daughter in this room. Her mother is outside. And he has a little girl, it's something he can't and doesn't even know how to explain, it's decided, he won't miss another year of his daughter's life.

He wants to see more of the girl, he wants to see her healthy, he wants to see if the smile is his or her mother's, he wants to see her playing and running, he wants to see her face lit up, full of color, not a pale red face with eyes swollen from crying. She's so small and the case they're working on is about children, he hates himself for thinking about it but would be terrified that the child hunter would catch her, imagine if he found out the hard way? This one was bad, but she was alive and well… at least she would stay. He's mad at Lindsay, but he doesn't even think about it at the moment, he thinks about how hard this case must be for Erin, but now it's just him and her daughter, the fruit of their love, lying there and sleeping. It felt like a dream.

A nervous voice calls him, takes him out of his thoughts and when he faces her his anger comes with force, he won't wait for the right moment, or the perfect moment, he needs this conversation and it has to be now!

He was so hurt by the lie, by the situation. He'd never imagined she'd be capable of it, he'd never felt so hurt or so betrayed. He didn't care if he was yelling, if he was being rude, if they were both crying and if people were looking, he'd even be surprised no one interrupted them, he'd be grateful if his mind wasn't clouded. First it was a shock, he has a daughter, then an inexplicable feeling for the girl, then anger and hurt. He had mixed feelings because after saying everything he thought to Erin, he felt guilty, yes, he blamed himself, she left with their daughter, maybe out of fear of him, out of fear of him becoming Patrick, maybe she was with afraid of the man he would become.

He wondered about their love, their friendship and their loyalty to each other. Was it real? Did she take revenge? He hadn't imagined she would be like this, but he was afraid he wouldn't know the Lindsay he knew, maybe he never really knew her and he doubted her now. He wasn't really listening to her and if she said she loved him or at least tried or something he would cut her off because it was impossible to hear, believe and he only listened, only stopped talking when he heard those five words leave Lindsay's mouth, Charlotte is not your daughter.

Weren't those eyes his? That nose? That blond hair that might have been a family lineage. Did he make a mistake? but... but her name... her name is... If the account is right? Did she betray you? He may not know her anymore, but he doesn't believe it, but then did she move on so fast? Maybe it was a one-night stand, if not what other reason could the child's father not be there? But the truth he was, he was there, his accounts matched, his daughter looked like him and...

- She... is... her name... her name is Charlotte. She has my mother's name.- He finds himself without the strength to speak, but he needs to. - She's... she's three years old and she...

- Jay... - Erin's voice is a whisper, it's soft and affected, her tears are company for Jay's, she takes a step forward trying to reach him, but he doesn't let her. -I know all this, but she's not hers, I wish it were, but...

- No, I can't believe it... - He says and at that moment neither of them realize that two people are watching the conversation, most of them leave them, besides, they are in an empty hallway, but it is still possible to see some people with some distance away, just like Charlie's room. Most people are leaving both to their private affair, but two are letting their curiosity get the better of them. They don't hear properly, only when one of them raises the pitch, but they quickly come to and speak quietly again. Both people make theories about what it might be. The man is angry, he is the one who seemed the most angry and hurt, he also raised his voice more, the woman seemed guilty and sad, they thought the same as Jay. - I can't, no, I don't want to believe that you betrayed me... - And he is immediately cut off.

- No, no. no, Jay, I would never, ever do that. - She feels bad for everything he threw in her face, for everything he blamed on her and all the mistrust, she knows a lot of it isn't true and he just says it out of anger, but it doesn't make it hurt any less, but she understands and hope to be able to explain. - I don't cheat on you, EVER. I loved you with my life, I loved you more than you can imagine. Charlotte is...

- MS. Lindsay... - The nurse interrupts them. She can't remember his name, but she pays attention. Jay does the same. - Charlotte woke up. - Lindsay looks at Jay and walks away entering the room, he doesn't want to, but it's involuntary and he follows her.

- Hi my beautiful, it's all right, I'm here. - Now with the changed blouse she takes the crying girl and calms her down.

- I'm here with the test results. - Dr. Smith enters the room. -I have good news, she doesn't have covid and it's not a drug reaction from her old history.

Drugs? History, how does a child relate to this at just three years old? Jay doesn't think much because he wants to hear what the doctor has to say, he shouldn't, but if no one is kicking him out, he'll get as much detail out of the situation as possible.

- I know your fear about your drug withdrawal is great, I talked to her pediatrician, but you have nothing to worry about, she's fine about it. What this beautiful little girl has is just an infection known as a hand, mouth and foot. - She says and looks at the girl, but continues talking to Lindsay. - It is common to get in day care centers and schools and like this little girl here, she didn't have many friends before entering the day care she was prone to contaminate herself. - She counts.

- But will she be all right? - Lindsay asks stroking her daughter's head.

- Yes, we are going to do a stomach cleanse, but this disease will still be around for some time. - She says approaching while Lindsay puts her daughter to bed. - As she was in day care, it is common that she does not have antibodies formed yet for certain infections. We'll keep her here for observation, she'll need to replace her fluids due to the vomiting and then she'll be treated with antibiotics anyway. - She shows some parts of her daughter's body. - See these spots here? - She points to red dots that weren't there before and are now in evidence. - That's the infection and it will increase before it subsides with antibiotics. - She calms Lindsay and approaches the girl. - And then you will be well in just a few days. All you need is some medicine, rest and lots and lots of snuggling with Mom. - She caresses the girl's belly. - I saw that she already had the flu shot, so let's just replace the fluid she lost. - She tells Erin. - Taylor, can you... - Taylor, that was the name. Erin watches him with a tray.

- Can you explain what you're going to do for her? She's more understanding if she knows... - She asks.

"No problem." He smiles at Lindsay and then at the kid. - Hi Charlotte, I'm Nurse Taylor, you can call me Ty if you want. Can I call you Charlie? - He asks and she nods. - OK. So Charlie, this bag will help hydrate your little body. - He shows it to her before hanging on the iron. -I'm going to need to make a hole in your arm so you can get all this liquid, I'm not going to lie, it's going to hurt a little bit, but it's going to be very fast and Mom can hold her hand, okay? She didn't quite understand, but nodded, her little blue eyes wet and wide, as she watched the needle enter her arm. Erin holds her hand, but just for comfort, she doesn't cry into the needle.

- Wow, you're so brave. - Taylor says.

- She is. - Erin says and kisses her forehead.

- Now I'm going to connect this, here. - He shows the IV wire and the small device inserted into her arm and joins them together. - Ready. - He smiled. -Look, now it's dripping, passing through this tube and going to her body to replace the water and electrolytes in her body. The nurse explains what electrolytes are when the doctor calls Lindsay. She turns away from her daughter who is paying attention to the conversation about minerals and what they do in the body and looks at Halstead, he is focused on the girl and only looks at Lindsay when she feels she is being watched, she looks away and pays attention at the doctor, Jay overhears the conversation.

- We'll keep her here for observation while we replenish the fluid and electrolytes in her body, there's no need to spend a night here, she's probably just wanting a cuddle from her mother in the comfort of her home. - The doctor smiles and Erin nods. - She will need a more balanced diet, I'll put it in the prescription along with the prescribed antibiotics and I'll ask for it at the hospital pharmacy and you can get it when she's discharged. I advise her to stay at home for the first few days as she can have some reactions and can still be transmitted to other children. - She explains. - There's nothing to worry about, your daughter will be fine. - She leaves to ask for an intern to ask for the medicines at the pharmacy and goes to other patients.

Jay watched the whole scene in front of him, watched Erin taking care of her daughter, the doctor telling him about the girl's history, which left him confused to be honest, the nurse explaining medical things to a three-year-old girl and her watching intently as she understand. He saw a look on Lindsay that went beyond the concern he'd seen her with other children, it was a look he knew was only directed at Charlotte, a motherly look, her concern for the little girl made him jealous, sad and angry, he believed that the girl was his, believed that something good, pure came from their love, but his hopes died as usual, his beautiful dream was a nightmare, she was not his, Erin moved on so quickly. This was all real and it was sad. He didn't know if he would be ready to be a father and he knows he wasn't at the time either, but he wouldn't care, he would love her, he would get her family with Lindsay. Everything could be perfect, but perfection doesn't exist, life doesn't go according to plan. And that was shit.

- I'll leave you alone, she should go back to sleep in a moment. - Taylor says and leaves. It was normal for kids to sleep when they got sick, but it wasn't as normal to wake up as often as Charlie, however, the girl had some problems sleeping in different places, so she always woke up.

They look at each other, they are silent and if no one was going to take the first step Charlotte decided to be that person.

- Mommy.. - She calls and gets their attention.

- Hi, my sunshine. - She goes back to her daughter.

- Mommy, the man in the picture. - She says knowingly.

Man in the picture? Does she know who he is? Or something like that?

- Oh, of course. How I forgot. - She forces a smile. - This is Jay Halstead...

- The stowy man. - She says smiling. Lindsay hadn't expected this, but she shouldn't forget that her little girl was perceptive. Jay, was confused, does she tell stories about him? - Mommy... - It's a whisper, but Jay doesn't want to miss anything. - He looks sad, just like u. - It makes everyone sadder.

- Yeah... hmm...

-Hi...-He doesn't remember the last time he cried around a child, well he wasn't really crying, he had swollen eyes, red eyes and nose and he was also trying to find words to talk to a three-year-old girl years old.

- Hi. -She smiles shyly, but she doesn't try to hide with shame, just like with strangers. - You wewe Mommy's partner. - She says. Jay can now see her eyes better, they're blue, okay they're not green like his, but still...

- Yes, we were partners. - Is he embarrassed, because Erin told stories about them? She just said he wasn't the father.

- Mommy said you're vewy funny. - She looks at Jay, he didn't look at Charlotte this time it was at Lindsay.

- I'm? - He smiles shyly, but with a teasing sound. Erin smiles awkwardly and raises an eyebrow, there are two things, first, her daughter has never talked so much before, yes she was talkative but not with strangers and second, she never realized she shared so much with a three year old.

- Uhun, she said you always had fun. - They look at each other, there's so much pain in their eyes that they can't hide it. When did everything get so bad between them? What was the moment when their lives changed?

- She's right, we had a lot of fun. - He gives his best smile, even with his emotions eating him inside, he didn't want it to affect the child.

They are silent when she starts to fall asleep, she wanted to talk to the man in the stories, but she doesn't have the strength to fight sleep.

- Story man? - He asks as soon as her breathing evens out and speaks softly so as not to wake her up.

- Well, don't get so cocky, it's just Chicago stories. - It's a lie, but he doesn't need to know and she'll take care when her little monster is better, she's very smart. Erin gets up. - Jay, thank you for today, for bringing us and being here, you didn't have to...

- No, no need to thank ok? -He did all this because he wanted to, his personal feelings weren't the reason, at least not for the most part. - But I still want to understand... - He whispers and approaches. - Everything still indicates that she is ours... I need to understand this. - Their hearts always hurt, that was what they dreamed of one day and each time everything fell apart.

- Okay... - She says awkwardly, she clears her throat and walks a little further to a corner of the room, away from her sleeping daughter. The look she gives him is a request for him to accompany her and he does and when they look at each other she starts. - When I said she wasn't yours...

- Look I'm sorry for what I said, it was all so confusing and I shouldn't have said that, I don't think you would do that. - He feels guilty and she nods. - You don't owe me explanations about your daughter's father and...

- I adopted her, actually... - She looks at her daughter and smiles. - ...in a few days it will be a year since she officially became mine. - She looks at him. - I met her and she was only 1 year and 3 months old, at 1 year and 10 she was in FBI protective custody. - It makes Jay wide-eyed, he thought it was his, then cheating, then he thought she moved on or had a one night stand but never this.

- Her parents, you... - He manages to ask.

- I was undercover on a case, the people we were investigating were her parents, her mother died and her father is on the run. - She counts and approaches. - That's not all Jay, I... I need to talk to you about something, but this is not the time, I need to focus on Charlotte and her recovery. - She looks into his eyes hoping he understands.

- I have many questions, but now is not the time. When she gets better we can have a chat. - He is very bad, but he knows that if he just feels angry and doesn't understand her, it won't get him anywhere. He always had questions, he would take this chance.

- Yeah, I think I stole too much of your time today. I think you should go back to your hotel to rest or...

- No, I brought you and I will. I don't have much to do here either, I came for work. - He cuts it quickly.

- You sure...

- What? Do you think I'm going to miss Charlotte telling me about how you described how amazing I am? -He jokes, it was always good to fight with Lindsay, except now, all he felt was a crushing pain in her chest and he was trying his best not to show it.

It's hard to stay normal, but he still wasn't ready to walk away and not see the girl. Also, it was nice to have moments when they weren't fighting or hating each other. They enjoyed the moment when they were like this, just being themselves, just living in the now.

If he'd really thought twice before speaking, he would have kept his mouth shut, but when Erin joined her daughter on the bed and caressed her, it was as if the words came out involuntarily.

- When I wanted to do the DNA test at the time of Jimmy I didn't think it would backfire on me. - He comments, that present pain.

- Jay... I'm not lying, she's not even mine biologically. - She says with a tightness in her chest, because he is still suspicious and because Charlotte is not theirs.

- No, I believe you, that's not what I meant, I understand you now when you asked if it was a fantasy that I let you live there for a while. -He can't look at Erin, her attention was on Charlotte, with that he doesn't notice the tear escaping Erin's eye.


- Do you want to go walking? - Erin asks when her daughter is discharged. She denies it and extends her arms. - Okay then, young lady. Come... - She catches her daughter smiling. - Ugh. You're getting heavy. - She kisses her temple as they leave.

Ever since he'd found out Erin Lindsay was a mother, he'd been amazed at this side of her. Being a lieutenant didn't even come close to the way she surprised him. That was her, always surprising him. That was incredible. He met several versions of his ex girlfriend and seeing this one, the mother version was becoming one of his favorites.

- Are you still here! - The child smiles when he sees Jay at the door.

- I'll take you and your mom home. Did your mom ever tell you I'm the best driver ever? - He asks letting Erin pass him, but she stops and turns around with the sentence.

- No, I said you only knew how to complain. - She looks at him.

- You shouldn't be lying to a child. - He whispers to her.

- You should listen to your own advice Halstead. - She smiles walking down the hall with her daughter.

Erin was at the hospital pharmacy while he waited at the front desk when her phone rang.

- Damn it. - He curses for forgetting to warn Hailey. - Hi... - He answers. - I'm sorry, a lot has happened and... - He starts.

- It's all right. Nick told me. I just called to see if you're all right? - She says on uber to the hotel.

- A lot happened today and I want to talk to you, but I feel that by cell phone is not a good idea. - He explains.

- Are you coming back already? - She asks scared.

- Yeah... yeah... Hailey... when I get there I'll tell you. - He gives up trying to summarize.

- Alright, I'll wait for you up then. - She warns.

- Okay, I have to go now. Until later. - It hangs up when Erin and Charlotte show up. - Ready to go? - He asks.

- Please. I am exhausted. - Erin says.

- Pease. I am exhausted! - Charlotte repeats, drawing a good laugh from both of them.

- I think you're the funny one here. - Jay tickles her and then they leave the hospital.

- Mommy, my chair is not here. - She has knowledge of the facts.

- You go on mom's lap. - She says stepping back.

- YAY! - She celebrates and Jay sits in the driver's seat.

- YAY! - Jay says and Erin strange. - You know, just so your mother lets me drive, Charlotte. - He says smiling and the girl smiles.

- Just don't try to kill us. - She says after putting the belt on her and her daughter. The girl notices her teddy bear next to her, Dr. Smith took Teddy back.

- Papa mommy. - She asks.

- But then you won't be able to talk to Jay. - She says.

- What is Papa? - Jay asks, apprehensive that papa is what she calls Nick.

- Her pacifier. - Erin counts and doesn't even notice Jay's breathing steadying.

- Oh, how are you going to tell me your favorite things with the beak? - He looks in the rearview mirror. - Like for example. What is your favorite food? - He asks.

- mac and chesse - She tells and that makes Jay look at Lindsay who is looking at him. It's hard to hide emotions.

- Serious? It's my favorite food too. - He counts.

- We see that your taste is still the same as when you were three years old. - She jokes.

- Good tastes never change. Although I like truffles too. - They both laugh.

The conversation between Jay and Charlotte flows with Erin explaining a few things. His sickly daughter is happy that the man she hurt was mature enough to put his grudge aside for a while to entertain the child he thought was his. She so wanted it to be.

- Hmm let me see... what's your favorite toy? - He asks.

- Good luck. - Erin laughs.

- I don't know. - She thinks. - I like Mr. Stripes by Mr. Thorn, by Mrs. Sweetie...

- Are these toys? - He looks weird and looks at Lindsay.

- Stuffed animals. - She whispers and observes the look of understanding on his face.

- Do you like pets? - She asks.

- Well, when I was little I had a stuffed dog and I called him Cookie. - He tells and Erin laughs.

- You and your creativity. - She already knew that name, she always made fun of him for it.

- What's up Miss Dorothy? - He scoffs back.

- That's Wizard of Oz. You fool. - She says as if naming her favorite toy after Dorothy isn't as bad as Cookie. Which Jay disagreed with, but they didn't have time to say anything.

- UGLY WORD, MOMMY. - She says looking at Lindsay.

- Sorry, sunshine...

- It's mommy, ugly word can't. - He said without thinking. Both their hearts froze at him talking to Mom, they were tense and silent the rest of the way.

- We're here. - Jay didn't know NY, let alone the good neighborhoods. Then he was impressed with the building's address that was on the GPS, which Erin typed in.

- Look, I have to say, I'm impressed that you didn't get lost this time. - She says when she sees they are in the right place.

- That was once! - He protests and she raises her eyebrows. - Okay two. - She's still looking.

- Two? - She questions.

- That time was not my fault, the GPS was wrong. - He defends himself.

- If it makes you sleep at night. - She teases gathering her daughter's things and opening the door. He also leaves.

- I'll show you all my toys! -She says excited, but her excitement is not reciprocated.

- Maybe another day. - He says and feels bad for taking away the smile of a three-year-old. He just didn't expect her to cry.

- Hey little monster. It's late, you and I need a shower, dinner and bed. Jay is tired, he'll come another day ok? But only if you don't cry now. - She says wiping her few tears. - That's more fatigue talking than anything else. - She says shaking her daughter.

- Alright, I just have it in one place. - It was true at least, but the conversation between the two had been good and to keep the peace between the girl, however, it's not like they were best friends, so technically, both were grateful for not having to go through this moment. - huh, Erin... - He's kind of awkward with his next words. - I hope I don't have to stay here too long, I hope we can catch our guy fast, but first I wanted to talk to you. - He says. This time he doesn't leave without some answers. She nods and bites her bottom lip.

- Tomorrow night, I'll leave her with the nanny. -She says and her daughter joins the conversation.

- I thought you were going up. -She didn't cry, but her sad voice made him sick.

- I promise I'll come see you. - He says awkwardly.

- Little finger? - She asks.

- Yes. He smiles when his big pinky finger makes contact with her tiny one.

It wasn't typical for her daughter to be so receptive to strangers but she has to remember Jay was very talkative and friendly and she would tell her stories from everyone in Chicago and it could be that Jay was one of the main ones but that was just because they were partners .

If it makes her sleep at night...

- Thanks for today. I know what you said, but I really appreciate what you've done for us today and after all…" His gaze is genuine and they look at each other so deeply they don't notice a man approaching until Charlotte screams.

- Mommy, Ucly Nick! - She says looking at the man approaching.

- Look, there's Chachaa. - He arrives at the three of them stretching his arms to the girl and using the nickname she gave herself. Charlotte called herself that when she asked her name and she couldn't quite say it. - Come here. He takes her from Lindsay's arms and they hug. - How are you feeling? He tucks her hair behind her ear and strokes her head.

- Well. - She says, fiddling with his wine tie.

- Hi Linds, hey Jay. - He greets them, Jay gives a fake smile.

- Hi... - Erin turns to him. - What are you doing here? - She asks smiling at him.

- I couldn't sleep without seeing if my baby girl was okay, besides, you three must be hungry. - He shows the bag of food.

- You have dinner, I have a place to be. - He holds out the car key.

- No, keep her, it's the least I can do after what you did, besides, I'm already home, go with the car and you'll deliver it tomorrow at the headquarters. - She says.

- How will you go tomorrow? - He asks.

- I'll get her… - Nick says and if Charlotte hadn't stretched out her arms to go back to Lindsay, they would have seen Jay clench his jaw.

- Yes please. - Erin asks, she doesn't say anything about Nick, because it was common for them to hitchhike, but her car stayed at the headquarters. He wanted to say no, but he knew he wasn't going to be able to, and besides, Charlotte wanted to tell Nick news.

- Ucly Nick... - She calls him and continues when she has his attention. - Did you know that Jay is mommu's partner just like you and her? - She says happy about it, not noticing that her mother and Jay swallowed hard.

- Yes, I knew...

- Are you going to stop being mommy's partner? - She asks.

- Your mother is very independent now, so when she needs me I will be, whenever she wants. - He smiles at Lindsay. - And Jay, he's from Chicago, so he helps the FBI. - He explains. - In the end she rules us all. - With that her eyes widen. She faces him.

- Yeah... I have to go. - Jay interrupts. He's 100% annoyed and if he asked he wouldn't say. - Good night to you, bye Charlotte. - He says getting into the FBI car. Charlotte wasn't happy, but she said goodbye. Nick didn't understand him leaving so quickly, but he remembered him saying he had an appointment. Erin was the only one who understood, who knew, it was as if when they came into the world their minds were designed to listen to each other, or else their feelings were the same as they understood each other. After saying goodbye, the three enter just as Jay leaves.

Uncle Nick... Linds... My baby girl... I look for her... Mommy's partner just like you... I'll be whenever she wants to be. Jay rolled his eyes at each word. He got angry at each of them. Who does he think he is to compare himself to him? Charlotte he even understands, she's three years old, Halstead wasn't just any partner, he was the partner, he was the best. Plus, he was more than a partner, so he and Nick weren't the same, but…but what if Nick is too? What if he and Erin are partners and are more than that? He and Erin have always been professionals and as far as he knows no one knows about him and Hailey, so why couldn't Lindsay and Nick be together and just stay professional. First, Erin didn't even hesitate when Nick said he would take her, second that the three of them together looked like a family, anyone who saw them would think that. His bile rises just imagining it, so he imagines it's his, but it doesn't go far, he stops there, they weren't his girls. Call him selfish or whatever, he didn't want Charlotte to be half Erin and half Nick.

The trip to the hotel was accompanied by the traffic jam of his thoughts, he felt helpless, he didn't know what to do or how to react, everything was bad.


- I ordered room service, but this is much better. -She jokes, but he doesn't follow her mood, even if he tries.

- Goes into. - She speaks and he does it without hesitation.

- Got beer? -He asks without really expecting an answer and goes straight to the mini fridge finding what he needed from the moment he saw Erin Lindsay leave a daycare with her daughter on her lap.

- Are you okay? - Hailey asks leaning against the door as he sits on the edge of the bed. At that Jay huffs without any humor.

- Lindsay has a daughter... - He starts and takes a sip of his drink. He can't look at Hailey.

- I know... - She says and that catches his attention and he looks at her.

- What? Do you know? How? - He knows I didn't tell her. At least he thinks not.

- Yeah Nick told... - She says awkwardly and thinks for a second, there's no point in lying to him.

- Oh yes...

- But that's not how I found out. - The attention is on her again and his confused look makes her continue. - Yeah... when we arrived... uh... I passed Nick's desk... you know to research, only when I looked at the family picture on the table, it was him and Erin and a little girl and...

- She's not his... - He cuts her off. - I met her today and...

- She's yours... I know that too. - She says knowingly, his condition, the girl's appearance, it was not necessary to be smart.

- Why do you think that? - He stares at her.

- She looks like you. - Her voice is not so steady, how does someone look good when their boyfriend was going to propose to their ex and three years later finds out that they share DNA in a child? - Jay... I saw Charlotte a few months ago...

- She's three years old. -He looks at the bottle in her hands. - When I saw her, I heard things about her I... - He stops and stops, looking at her this time. - What? How so months ago? - He asks her confused.

- Jay... - She doesn't want to lie... not anymore, in case that's not lying right? It was Lindsay who lied, she only omitted one fact. - When I came to NY, I met Lindsay and Charlotte.

- What? Like this? - Now he's even more confused. - Did you meet her? Did you know I could have a daughter and you didn't tell me? - He gets up.

-Jay, I... yeah... I don't... -She stutters because she doesn't really know what to do. She can confirm that, but she doesn't want him to think that. She needs to think carefully about his words. - I didn't know her, I just saw them. - She says and takes a deep breath and walks over to him. - I worked at the same headquarters, but on different floors... - She says and looks at him. - One day, when I was leaving at the end of the day, I went out and heard a child screaming, I didn't care, but the voice that came next caught my attention and then I saw Lindsay take the girl in her arms. - She counts.

- You saw them and thought they were mine? - Jay asks.

- Yes... - She says low and whispered. - It was quick, but after they hugged I saw her on her mother's lap and I saw her green eyes, her blond curls, I thought it was hers, but I also saw Nick standing in the car door, they don't look alike, but Lindsay was with him and so I thought she moved on so I didn't want to comment. - She finishes. That day was one of the days she was sure she should say her feelings for Jay, because if she didn't, she might have a small chance that Lindsay would show up and say that child was his. However, that was to happen now.

- Did you know that I could have a child and yet you decided not to tell me? Did you not think for a moment that this would affect me? That it disrespected me? - He's starting to get mad at Hailey too.

- Jay, it wasn't my problem to tell... - She didn't mean it like that, but that's how she said it.

- Wasn't that your problem? Oh okay then. He takes a deep breath and turns to her. Since when are you like this? Maybe forever isn't it? I thought we were friends, if it was at the beginning and you didn't tell me that was fine, but after you got back we got into a relationship and if you had any consideration you would have told me. -He says looking at the floor, he doesn't know if he'll be able to look at her.

- Jay, I love you... - She approaches him. - Of course I had consideration for you and that's exactly why I didn't tell you. See, in the photo I saw yesterday the girl had blue eyes and I couldn't go back and leave that doubt planted in her head. You've been through so much and I didn't want you to go back in there, I didn't want you to go back to the hole you were in after Erin left, because if she wasn't your daughter and you saw her move on like this, you'd be sick. - She counts. "But Jay..." She puts her hand on him, but he doesn't look up. -I'm sorry to hear that she lied all these years about her daughter, I swear I didn't want to believe she did that. - She says and at that moment Jay looks at her.

- She didn't lie, the girl is not my daughter. - He tells and it surprises her.

- How not? - She pulls away and looks at him waiting for him to continue.

- I asked her how she hid my daughter for three years and she said she wasn't, that she was adopted. About two years ago. - He says.

Hailey will deny it and keep her two feelings from leaving. She was glad she wasn't, in fact she thinks she'll let this one out and share it with Jay as she imagines how happy he must be too. Yeah, sure it's all very confusing, but it would be even more so to have to do this guard thing in different states and now with her and work she knows Jay wouldn't move. However, thinking now if the girl was Jay's daughter, she should have taken the job at the FBI so she and Jay wouldn't have to separate. Another thing she doesn't know if she should share is her belief that Lindsay's lie. Granted, the girl wasn't identical to Jay, but a few things do add up, age and a little bit of looks. However, that is, just because the child appears to have pulled some of Jay's DNA doesn't mean that Jay and she are father and daughter. Even because she had blue eyes and was not the girl's mother.

- Jay, that's wonderful. - She says with a smile, but it was not returned. -Listen, you found out that she didn't lie and that she doesn't have a daughter she doesn't know. - She shows the positive side, however, Jay doesn't seem to be happy, in fact he looks… sad? Hailey shakes her head, she doesn't want to go there, she can't. She takes a deep breath, but it's Jay who does the talking.

- She looked so much. - He counts. His family was confused. Jay's father had blue eyes and his mother had brown eyes. Jay took after his grandfather who had green eyes and Will inherited his mother's brown ones. Jay's childhood red hair and Will's red hair to this day were his mother's offspring, but Jay ended up going brown when he grew a little more, maybe that's why he thought the girl had his features, but unfortunately not. Maybe it was just in her head or the time, or her age, but... -She's called Charlotte.

- I know, Nick said. - She adds the last part not wanting Jay to think she knew more last time.

- It's my mother's name. - He tells her and she looks at him in surprise.

- Jay, I didn't know... - That was true, Jay was never one to talk about his family with Hailey and she didn't ask because of the way they were when Jay's father died, she didn't support him, so in that, they had a point where they would never touch, but Erin knew and that left Hailey even more confused and decided to share. - Jay, are you sure it's not yours? Maybe she's lying about it. - Hailey says. - I'm sure a lawyer can verify that. - She encourages him.

- I believe in Erin, she wouldn't lie about it. - He says.

- I don't know Jay, she might be scared. - She insists.

- She wouldn't lie. - Jay insists too, it may have been years and there's a lot of heartache involved, but he believes she wouldn't do that to him.

- Jay... - They are interrupted by the door, it was room service.

- I am going to bed. - Jay says as the waiter comes in with the cart.

- No... - Hailey holds him. - Stay, I ordered for both of us and I don't think you ate anything. - She smiles gently at him.

- I'm not hungry. - And that was it, his last meal was breakfast, but he knows he wouldn't miss a thing if he tried.

- So spend the night... I don't want you to be alone. - She says and he doesn't know how to say it, so he just refuses again.

- I need to be alone. - He says getting out of her hands.

- Jay, I know she gave you false hope and lied to you, you can trust me, tell me things, please stay, we are not like that. - She says trying, it will be the second night he pushes her away

- Is it really Hailey? She never said anything as the girl is not my daughter but you didn't know that, can I really trust you? - He asks and it's the moment he leaves that she knows she was wrong with him. She sits on the edge of the bed and puts the no on her head.

- Damn it! - She curses herself.

"That's life, you know. We never ended up where you thought you wanted to be."

- How I Meet Your Mother


Quick note: For anyone who wants to know, I imagine Nick Tucker being played by Justin Hartley and I also wanted to thank you for reading and commenting, it makes me even happier. Thank you very much. Kisses, don't hate me and until the next chapter!