Happiness and cuteness on the way, so...
Happy reading.

Chapter 13 - Little bit of light

"Men do change, and change comes like a little wind that ruffles the curtains at dawn, and it comes like the stealthy perfume of wildflowers hidden in the grass."

- John Steinbeck

She herself in NY was the person who drove, but she didn't have the same grace as before with a specific person. She would even like to drive through the streets of Chicago again, but she preferred to just go after it with her daughter.

Looking at those streets, buildings and restaurants in her town was nostalgic. She remembered her patrol days, her teenage moments - those in particular weren't good memories. She remembered going out to Molly's or days when the Cubs or Blackhawks were playing and she would go to the stadium with Jay and friends. Several memories went through her head and then she saw the Purple Pig and her memories were directed towards someone very specific.

She remembered morning runs, remembered late-night dates or sometimes it wasn't even a date where they dressed up and went to the restaurant, they just liked to walk to the pizza place and order theirs. When her daughter moves in her car seat, she remembers the baby she lost, she remembered moments back then when she saw couples walking with their children on the street and imagined herself like this with Jay and his son, but she didn't have that and she can't hating fate so much, for she loved Charlotte and felt that life must have some purpose in bringing them together.

At the hotel Erin said goodbye to her friends and went to her suite. It wasn't a surprise to say that Lindsay spent the rest of the night up, she could swear she hasn't slept a full hour since she arrived. Lucky for her Charlotte slept through the night, but she couldn't stop her mind from reliving her life in Chicago, the good times and the bad, everything she gave up, everything she left behind and who she left behind. .

She thinks about the next day, how she will be received by her old team, she always told her daughter that they were her family, but is it really? She wonders, does she deserve to be in their family? She knows she had her reasons for going and not looking back, but now that she's back she's scared of how she will be received and how it will all turn out.

She also remembers the last time she was in Chicago and that's one of the secrets she keeps. Her last time wasn't in 2017, the last time was when Al was gone, well she missed the funeral and everything and that was one of the reasons she and Hank drifted apart, she only found out about his death months later. No, it wasn't for lack of communication because she was in Bolivia, as she was informed when the case was reopened and she was already on mission. Voight and Olinsky stopped her from coming back, well not only them but the FBI, besides she was on a mission at the time she was still under the deal and that was just one more reason why she knew she needed to get out as soon as possible counterterrorism unit.

So, after the mission that almost led to her own death, which led to her filing a case against members of Counterterrorism and that's why she ended up meeting Marshall Sánchez. She had a few days to fly to Chicago and visit Alvin and Nadia, she didn't speak to anyone as she figured she wouldn't be well received after all.

Time passed and she ended up falling asleep with her thoughts. It wasn't Charlotte or the sunlight or her alarm clock that woke her, it was a nightmare. It had been a busy night for her and now she would have to face her past head on. She soon got up and lifted Charlotte.

One thing she learned from reading maternity books was to let her children have autonomy and she let her daughter have hers and let her choose her clothes, of course for moments like today the girl had limits, because if she let Charlotte she would dress like a princess every day.

- Why not? - She answers her mother while she is wrapped in her bath towel.

- Because we're going to mom's old job today. - Erin explains to her daughter the reasons she can't go with Princess Elsa's dress and how she knew the girl would be reluctant, she already had a plan in her mind. - But you want to know a secret? - Erin whispers as if it's really a secret and that catches Charlotte's attention. - Real princesses wear their own dress, they don't need a costume and I know you have three very beautiful dresses and you can choose one of them and you will be the most beautiful princess ever. - Erin says and knows that she won it just by her daughter's big smile.

Dropping the towel and running naked to her suitcase she tries to open it in search of one of the dresses, but as it was completely closed she is unsuccessful.

- Hey young lady, calm down. - Erin laughs at her daughter, someone was excited for today.

Soon with leggings, a white sweater in the same style as she used to wear, and being a short black boot with heels being the difference between Erin before and now, Erin leaves the hotel room holding hands with her daughter who chose in turn a dark blue long-sleeved dress, white tights and white short boots with glitter, of course in her arms was Mrs. Baaa and in the other Mrs. Purple Pig, one being a little harder to hold as it was holding hands with its mother, but she insisted on both. While Lindsay carried her backpack, this one had no animation, but was a pink stuffed backpack with pompoms.

Everyone met and Nick again drove through the streets of Chicago, now brighter and the streets she loved to drive were perfectly visible.

- Are you worried? Nick snaps her out of his thoughts and stares at her in the rearview mirror.

- Just thinking. - She gives a half smile before Tereza gets into the subject.

- Don't worry, if they're mad at you, use Charlie's cute face to your advantage...

- What about me? - Charlie asks and the three adults laugh.

It was a mixed sensation the moment she laid eyes on District 21. She remembers the last time she was there, how afraid she felt, knowing that this was her last there and now four years later she was back.

Holding Charlotte's hands and with her friends in tow the four enter the 21st and not surprisingly the first person she sees is Desk Sergeant Trudy Platt. Erin imagined that the woman who loved her years ago would be mad at her, but when the gray haired woman's eyes leave the counter and meet Erin's she breaks into a smile and her eyes sparkle and it's that smile that Lindsay feels. safe and that everything will be fine.

- My God... is it really you? - Trudy asks with a huge smile on her face as she leaves the counter hurriedly and then hugs Erin, surprising everyone who knows Sergeant Platt and her unfriendly way.

- Hi... - With her characteristic smile, Erin returns the woman's hug with her free hand while the other still holds her daughter's hand.

- I missed you. -Platt says as he walks away from her.

- And I yours. - Lindsay says soon seeing that the woman has taken her focus off Erin and is looking at the child who is staring at her.

- Oh my...

- Trudy this is Charlotte my daughter. - Erin soon introduces her seeing the shock on the older woman's face. She bends down to the girl's height and smiles sweetly at her.

- Hi sweet girl, I'm Sergeant Platt, but for cute people like you, I let you call me Trudy. - She blinks smiling at the three-year-old girl.

- I know, mommy said you're the toughest and that you keep everything in order. - Charlie says smiling to the woman, not knowing which sentence touched the sergeant's heart. Trudy's gaze goes to Erin, she is thrilled to learn that she was mentioned to the child.

- Oh I am, because if not who will do the work? - She says and with that gets a laugh from Charlotte, Trudy watches her and then looks at Lindsay again. - She is...

- No. - Erin almost whispers and shakes her head knowing where the subject was going.

Erin doesn't mind and knows that anyone who knows her, Jay and their story will think just that, she was already prepared for the questioning looks when she went upstairs. She doesn't mind that because she knows that maybe because of her size or eyes or hair everyone thinks that, she thought when she met the girl, she had a slight resemblance to Jay and that turned out to be remarkable, she knew that if she hadn't met the girl. her daughter's family, she would also have her misgivings.

Erin introduces Nick and Tess to Trudy and before long now the five of them are climbing the steps to the bullpen and that's when Erin's heart races, she's about to face everyone, see her family again after years and after having gone, without warning, without looking back. She takes a deep breath before taking her last step on the step, it was now.


The intelligence team arrived early, they were going all out on this case and they were working with everything they got from the last kill and the files Lindsay asked Marvin to send them. The whiteboard was already fully marked, had photos, and was so full they had to take a second.

Halstead and Upton were at their desks facing each other, both picking up information they thought was necessary from what they had gotten in New York. Atwater and Burgess were marking the whiteboard while Ruzek was at the printer getting some information when the five of them heard the corral door open and Platt scream.

- Cover everything, child going up. - At that moment, Adam flipped one frame while Kevin flipped the other. Before whoever was climbing showed up, they were confused as to why a child was climbing, as Jay imagined what it was and by Hailey turning around in her chair it was conceivable that she must have imagined the same.

The suspense didn't last long when right behind Trudy, Erin Lindsay emerged. Four years, no phone calls, no explanations, no one kept in touch, but here they were reunited.

At first it's as if the bullpen were a television and you could put it on the change. Eyes staring at each other, thoughts racing all around that it was hard to think straight. Erin's heart was beating fast in her chest, she felt like she was having to present a paper at school, but as much as it felt like an eternal silence, it was a few seconds before someone spoke and cut the tension.

- Erin, it's so good to see you. - Kim was the first to say something, to approach and hug Erin. As much as Charlotte knew these people, the commotion she started made her a little scared and still holding her mother's hand she hid behind her leg.

- Linds, it's so good to see you back. - Kevin was the second to speak and approach, also hugging his former co-worker and kissing her temple.

- It's good to see you. - Erin smiles with her heart a little more relieved now. She returned the hug as best she could and then Adam approached.

- Dude, the FBI stealing you from us again. - He says and hugs her tight. - I can't blame them for wanting the best. - He smiles after walking away.

- Thanks. - Erin smiles with bright eyes. - It's really good to see you...- She repeats and when she realizes that Kim has already noticed the mini human between her legs, she clears her throat and starts talking, her gaze darting quickly to Voight who probably heard the commotion and was standing still. at your office door. - Guys... yeah... these are SSA Nick Tucker and agent Tereza Sánchez. - Quickly the hands begin to meet in greeting and presentation. This gave Erin time to crouch down to her daughter who was a little shy about everything and comfort her. - And this one... - She tickles her daughter's belly. - It's Charlotte... she's my daughter. - She says noticing the surprised look of her friends, but doesn't pay much attention. - Well, Charlie was looking forward to meeting you all, isn't it sunshine? - She asks her daughter who nods slowly in confirmation. - Do you want to say hi to them? - She asks and the girl looks up meeting the eyes of the three adults.

- Hi... - She smiles at them, but her cheeks turn red and that's when she wins everyone's hearts with her shyness and cute voice.

- Hello... - Kim is the first. - I'm Kimberly, but you can call me Kim if you want.

- Kim, the best friend of all. - The girl says and Erin stares at her daughter, apparently the girl has a good memory. - Mommy said she loved talking to you... - Kim looks at Erin and just like Trudy her eyes are bright with unshed tears. She wouldn't stop there... - You'we the funniest uncle Kevin of all, mommy said you tell the best jokes. - She says in her cute childish voice and giggles adorable.

- Hey... I'm the funniest. - Adam interrupts and the girl laughs. - It saw...

- Get out bro, don't start lying to the girl. - Kevin talks to Adam and Charlie finds the situation funny.

- Mommy says you'we the dumbest of them all... - She puts an emphasis on "all".

- I'm the nicest of them all. - He says and before they can continue, Voight decides to interrupt and clears his throat.

While they were all around, Jay, Hailey and Hank just watched everything, but Voight felt it was time to interrupt. He also wanted some time with the girl before they started back to work, but the moment he cleared his throat, Kevin and Adam moved out of the way of the girl, leaving the way clear for her to see everything else. She noticed Voight at the door and would say hi to him or Hailey, but she saw Jay's head peeking over the table and she felt like her friend, after all he gave her a stuffed animal.

- JAAAY! - And it was with this excitement and this happiness that she crossed the entire bullpen, apparently her shyness disappearing when she saw him. She walked around the two tables facing each other and finally found her friend Jay.

- Hi Princess. - Jay picks her up and puts her on her lap. Feeling her heart explode as she hugs him, of course as best she can by having two stuffed animals in her arms. She smiles at the nickname, it's become her favorite coming from him. - Wow, how you've grown. - He notices, but she doesn't give it much importance and he pretends not to give it too much, but the feeling inside him, that two months is a lot in a child's life, didn't go unnoticed by him.

- I missed you. - She reveals.

- And I yours... - He admits and runs his index finger on her nose.

- I bwought Mrs. Purple Pig, she missed her too. - The girl counts.

- Oh, it's a good thing she was in good company, isn't it? - He says, his smile being the biggest his friends have seen in ages.

- Yes... - Charlotte agrees. - Mommy told me a secwet today. - She says it as if it were a whisper, but even everyone at the bottom of the stairs can hear.

- Yea? - Not only Jay and Erin are afraid of revealing this secret.

- She said pwincesses don't need to wear costumes, so I chose this blue dress and she said I was a pwincess. - She excitedly tells Jay that he always calls her princess, in addition it relieves Erin, she knows she didn't say anything to her daughter, but you never know what a child absorbs from adult conversation until she leaves innocently telling everyone.

- Well, she was right and you are the most beautiful princess of all. - Jay praises and again those cheeks are dyed red. - Now you want to know a secret of mine? - He offers and she nods excitedly. - Blue is my favorite color.

Well, whether or not Jay forgot that he was in front of his entire team, his boss who is almost an ex father-in-law and besides his ex ex, his current ex or whatever... Hailey was right in front of him and even though the others were on the stairs, the interaction didn't go unnoticed and if no one thought he was the father before, now it's surely gone through the minds of those who didn't know the story and those who did let their minds wander on how Jay felt about it all.

The interaction might be cute, but it was also painful for some, and Voight again was the one who interrupted them.

- Hi Charlotte... - He calls.

- Hi Hank... - Still on Jay's lap she greets him.

Then, with a slightly shyer smile, she says hi to Hailey and Trudy heads back downstairs. Jay, Erin and Hailey half smile and shake hands. Erin knew they had to work and her daughter was all the distraction. She had a struggle choosing to be under the gaze of her former co-workers who had questions on their minds, many of which she could imagine the topic of or having to go take her daughter from Jay's arms. As they had to work and the daughter was hers, she opted for the second option.

In the short time she walked, she noticed how the bullpen was still decorated for the maybe 2000s. It wasn't all technological like FBI Headquarters. She liked them both, in her days in intelligence it was never a problem to use whiteboards. She noticed that even though the decor was the same, some things had changed and she passed the tables that were once separate and are now glued together.

Passing by the place where her old table was, she saw Jay and Hailey's table glued together and almost smiled thinking that if it was her and Jay that would be a big mistake Voight would make, given the distance they had from each other. their desks in the old days they couldn't stop looking at each other so so...especially with the fact that Jay now had his back to Voight and she knew that Jay would use that to his advantage and Erin would have to stay in control . But that thought gave way to Hailey, they were together now and that was why Erin didn't smile, he probably did, but now with someone else, another partner. She cuts herself again, her focus shouldn't be on that but on the work she has to do, the reason she's back in Chicago.

- Hey young lady... - She catches her daughter's attention. - Do you remember that I told you that you would be able to paint like you do in Mom's office? - She questions and the girl nods. - So let's go, we already have to start working. - She says still with a certain distance from Jay, she already took Charlie from his lap once, but she hoped not to need a second.

- Do you want to paint with me? Same as last time. - Charlotte invites Jay.

- I'll love it, but first I have to work a little and then I'll join you, okay? - He asks.

- You promise? pinky? - She offers her pinky.

- Of course yes. - His makes a silly face, one Erin saw whenever they were playing with each other. Jay seals the promise by crossing his big pinky with the girl's tiny one, no one missing their interaction. Jay and Erin stare at each other and he notices her departure, he will deny it to death, but he would like to leave Charlotte on his lap until she goes to pick her up, but he sees in her eyes that she doesn't want that and so decides get it down.

She runs the few steps to her mother who guides her to the break room. Lindsay and Charlotte leaving Jay to deal alone with the weight of all the stares.


- Okay, what activity do you want to do? - Erin asks, already opening her daughter's backpack. She was already prepared with her daughter's various needs for food, toys and even clothes and a little blanket, she had everything.

- Dwaw... - She says sitting down at the table.

- Okay, why don't you draw everyone that's here for them to hang on the fridge later, hm? - She offers pointing to the fridge in front of them.

- Can I dwaw you, aunt Tess and uncle Nick? - She asks.

- Of course, but before you remember that here it's just like mom's work if you need me...

- I call you fwom the door, but I can't go thwough it. - She repeats her mother's usual words.

- That's right, smart girl... - Erin kisses her forehead and gets up, noticing only Mrs. Purple Pig with her. - Where is Mrs. Baaa, sweetie? - Erin asks.

- I left her with Jay to catch the bad guys mommy. - The girl counts. Lindsay doesn't say anything and just leaves, closing the door to the break room.


When Erin and the child left it was silent for a while, but those on the stairs started talking and Hailey noticed Jay.

- I think she always loses the sheep, don't you? - She looks at the plush on Jay's desk. He takes it but doesn't say anything and makes no move to follow Erin he doesn't want any more looks at him.

Tereza and Nick walk over to the three they haven't greeted yet. Hailey and Jay getting up this time until Lindsay leaves.

- Let's update everything we have, but first a word with the three of them in my office. - Voight says and before Erin enters Jay and stops near the breakout door, everyone can see it, but they both know how to whisper well and she lets her current co-workers into Voight's office while she waits for what Jay has to say.

- Hey... - He gives a half smile. - She dropped that again. - He shakes the sheep with a smile, one that Erin has to control so she doesn't get lost in thought.

- I think she wants the sheep to help you catch the bad guys, you gave her one, I think it's her way of thanking you. - Erin smiles holding back, because her daughter didn't let her uncles or Mac with the sheep and now she purposely left it with Jay? She doesn't say anything else and before she enters Hank's office he catches her eye once more.

- What does that mean? - He questions and that look, that raised eyebrow and that smile almost destabilized him, it took an expression. She just disappears into Hank's office and closes the door, her heart beating fast in her chest, the advantage of working at the FBI was having her cardio exam up to date, because without a doubt if her heart was weak she would have passed out already.

- I spoke to Marshall and he's willing you to stay until we get that bastard. - Voight says and they nod. - and...

- And... - Tereza and he talk together. - I'm sorry, continue...

- No, you can say. - Voight asks.

- What do your superiors think about it? I've dealt with some other authorities and it was a problem...- Tess talks about her problems without even knowing about Erin's.

- That's what I was going to say... - Voight reassures Tereza, but his gaze on Erin, he knew that was of interest to her. - Ivory Tower wants this case resolved as soon as possible, they have offered to offer you whatever is necessary for you to stay here. - He says. They know the more he helps the better he warns and the three of them nod.

They realized they were already being released when they had nothing left of Hank, but just as Erin was leaving he calls out to her.

- We can talk? - He asks and she just nods closing the door. - Ivory Tower knows your position, they don't seem to want to get into trouble with their superior and they don't even want to get into trouble with an ASAC, but no weapons in the interrogation room, even if the suspect deserves it. - He gives a half smile and Lindsay nods and when she was about to leave again he speaks.

- I know you just met your friends again, but can we have dinner tonight? Me you and Charlotte? - He asks and Erin stares at him.

- Let me know when it's all over. - She smiles at him and leaves the office leaving the door open because she knows he would also leave.

It didn't take long for everyone to start updating the team.

- The usual... - Voight who started it. - We know he has one foot here and the other in NY...

- What if he has a copycat? - Ruzek puts a perspective on them.

- I think it's unlikely... - Lindsay starts, but is interrupted.

- Yes, exactly, impersonators always make some mistake and we can identify... - It was Jay who interrupted her, but not for long.

- Yeah, our killer has a pattern and he's very good at it, he knows what he's doing...

- Has practice. - Jay ends, neither do they and some caught what just happened, but some people did, it wasn't mentioned, but it didn't go unnoticed by everyone.

Garry Hughes was talked about throughout the performance, they wanted to know more about him, about how he managed to escape so easily, they needed to find out about it, find out what his weak point was and move on from there, but the guy was a mystery.


Two tables were added to the remaining space in the bullpen, but it was currently empty. Erin was jotting down information on the board, Nick was talking to Adam and Tereza wasn't there, she probably went to the bathroom.

- I think we can investigate and look for family and friends... - Burgess offers.

- We already did, we contacted his sister who lives in Connecticut, she said she hadn't spoken to him since childhood, we didn't get much beyond that. - Says agent Pierce coming back.

- Maybe we'll look for something here? Some friends or I don't know... - Offers Burgess.

- Well, let's get more information. I think we can link his name with some aliases, maybe try to find out if he uses an abbreviation or something. - Says Atwater and everyone agrees.

Not everyone was looking for names, everyone was doing different things trying to expand their searches so they would have a chance to get more information in a short period of time, but everyone shared their ideas with the team, as the saying goes, two heads thinking works better than one, so they were doing it.

- Leaving Chicago has some abandoned houses and what if he hides in one of them? - Lindsay thinks out loud.

- There are many, it will be difficult to surround them all and he can see us coming. - Upton says knowing exactly where she was talking about.

- We can send a car undercover. - Ruzek tries.

- I think he would still be suspicious. - Pierce agrees with Hailey's thinking. At this point Jay gets up and goes to a large map and places it on his desk, some surrounding him.

- There's this highway and it's quite busy... - Halstead points to the location on the map he's talking about.

- We passed by in my patrol season. - Atwater says and shows all around and looks at Burgess who agrees. - It used to be a place where young people went to do drugs and have sex, but now it's been watched, since they caught that serial killer. - The officer says and everyone remembers the case from a few years ago.

- We can ask the police to watch. It's a big area and he can run away through the forest... - Halstead says pointing to the green area.

- If he does that it could be almost impossible to find him, not to mention the fact that we'll attract a lot of attention with the police and helicopters, this area is huge and he may end up knowing it better than we do. - Lindsay says and everyone agrees.

- I'll notify the local security team. - Upton says and everyone nods and continues the work.

It was a good track, but they needed to go with the perfect plan, because if they didn't have the perfect plan, they would lose sight of Hughes.

- I think we can surround this area here, since it's the furthest away from the surveillance ones. - Ruzek points.

- Yes, this is...

- Mommy... - They are interrupted by Charlotte at the door.

I'll be right back and Atwater will speak again. Everyone was focused except for one person, that person being Jay. He watches as Lindsay bends down and can only see their mouths moving, Erin quickly stands up and takes her hand, both of them walking towards what Jay imagines is the bathroom and only when they disappear down the hall does his attention return to the plan.


They didn't stop investigating, Voight showed up and warned that they would need to have some kind of foolproof plan, but if a plan B failed. certain that he was hiding in these abandoned houses, he would not worry too much about looking for another place, since it was a large area and that the police would probably have difficulty searching all the houses, thus being a large space of time. for him to run into the woods and being a serial killer and fugitive for years, everyone feared that he would camouflage himself very well in the woods, being able to survive for days without anyone finding him.

Jay was tired and ended up needing some coffee, or for some it was an excuse to enter the break room ten minutes after Erin did.

- Am I interrupting? - He asks awkwardly from the door.

- Jaaay! - The girl screams excitedly, but Erin catches her before she falls off her chair.

- Hey little monster, do you want grapes? - Erin questions and the girl nods and so Erin goes back to Jay who was watching how that backpack seemed to have everything for the girl, he saw that Erin took some kind of blanket to get the food and there was plenty, the child could have a choice . - No, I know you use this all the time, I don't want to take your place. - She smiles gently at him. - I have the feeling that you are avoiding entering so as not to disturb Charlotte and you end up running out of your daily doses of coffee. - She says putting the jar of grapes in front of her daughter and taking the cookies.

- Oh, I'm sure we didn't go in here so she wouldn't distract us. - Jay laughs putting coffee in the police cup at the same moment that Erin puts Charlotte's bottle in front of her.

- No! - She screams and Jay turns to the scene.

- Don't you want juice? - Erin questions and the girl looks at Jay.

- I want coffee, just like Jay. - She says smiling.

- Hm, let me think maybe when you're older. - Erin says smiling again pushing her daughter's bottle towards her.

- No, I don't, I want coffee. - She begs pouting.

- Baby, you still can't take it. Let's do this, you have your juice and mom lets you taste decaf tomorrow. Could it be? - Erin says having her daughter's attention and imagining that she was going to win, but she was wrong.

- No... - She says again.

- Charlotte... - Erin starts, but is interrupted.

- Hey princess... - Jay approaches. - Coffee isn't that good, but I think if… - He sets his cup on the table and takes another from the cupboard. It's a white one with the police department logo and goes back to the table taking her bottle. - You can have your juice in the cup. - So I, you... - He looks at that Erin has a cup of coffee on the table too. - And mom, let's stay the same. What do you think? - He asks pouring some of the juice into the cup and handing it to the girl.

- Can I mommy? -She looks excited, but before she wants to be sure, Jay looks waiting for an answer too because he didn't want to cross the line.

- Not before… - Erin picks up her own cup and taps her daughter's. - Cheers. - This widens the girl's smile, she loved it.

- Cheers, mommy. - She struggles to hand the heavy cup to Jay. - Cheers, Jay.

- Cheers - He says finding his with hers and smiles at her. Soon after he turns to Erin both of them tin tin with theirs too.

- Thanks. - She whispers.

- It was nothing. - He whispers back.

- You're right, the coffee here is terrible. - She smiles and he nods.

- You know, none of us were ever good at making coffee. - He says laughing.

- And apparently they haven't learned. - She jokes.

- Well, we hoped that the one who always made the best coffee... - and before he finishes the sentence the girl is already catching Jay's attention again, which was good because he's sure he would regret having finished.

- Shall we color now? - She questions.

- You can make a drawing for Jay and when we finish he will come, ok? - Erin asks.

- All right, mommy. - The girl agrees excitedly because she is going to make a picture for Jay and goes back to drinking from her cup, proud to be like her mother and Jay drinking from the cup.


People lost the shyness to enter the break room and as Jay said, Charlotte was quite a distraction. What was supposed to be just pouring coffee and leaving the break room with the cup turned into a very serious and important conversation with the new security of the break room. Three-year-old Charlotte Lindsay.

- I'll blow for you and you just take a sip, but mom can't know. - Adam says.

- Mommy said lying is wrong. - She says looking at Adam.

- That's not lying, it's omitting. She won't ask you and you won't talk. - Adam says and blows the coffee. - Okay, now a little bit.

- Is bad. - She makes a face.

- You get used to it. - He laughs knowing that the drink barely reached her mouth, it probably wet her lips and she already pushed it away.

- What do we have here? - Nick enters and both Adam and Charlotte jump in fright.

- Uncle Adam gave me coffee. - She tells and Adam looks at her.

- Hey... what about our deal? - He looks at her and smiles at her, the girl just shrugs her shoulders and looks at her uncle Nick.

- Coffee is bad. - She makes a face. Nick laughs and shakes his head, stepping further into the break room for the bad coffee.

- You're right Chacha. - Nick says after taking a sip. - You don't know how to make coffee? - Nick stares at Adam.

- You stole our best coffee maker. - Adam responds and Nick laughs.

- Lucky for us. - He laughs and Adam shakes his head.


- That's really good, thank you. Do you know? I love these cookies, they have a lot of chocolate. - Kevin says sitting at the table.

- I wove chocolate. - Charlotte says excitedly. Kevin went to get coffee, but when the girl offered him cookies, he couldn't refuse. - Mommy always makes it with lots of chocolate chips... - She leans forward to whisper. - But she lets me get some. - Kevin laughs at how adorable she is.

- Does your mother cook? - He's surprised. He won't miss the opportunity to joke with cook Erin.

- Yeah, she's the best. - Charlotte says. - We have a lot of chocolate chips at home.

- Well, I think we should...

- Is it serious that you even took the girl's cookies? - Kim walks in laughing.

- She offered it to me. And we were saying that we share the same taste, isn't it my little friend? - He asks the girl who nods smiling at him.

- Well, I guess I can join you for a little bit then? - Kim asks.

- Yes, do you want cookies? - She offers it to Kim.

- Oh, of course. - Kim accepts. - Thanks. You know, Makayla loves these cookies, there's a lot of chocolate. - She says and Charlotte looks at her.

- Who is Makayla? - She questions.

- Well, a little friend of mine who is six years old, you need to know each other to play together. - Kim says and the girl smiles excitedly at the proposal.


- Because it keeps us awake, but one secret is that they really make bad coffee here. - Tereza answers her goddaughter. Charlotte was intrigued when Jay said the coffee was bad and she "tasted" it for herself to know it was bad, but everyone went in and got some and when it was done they would turn the machine on for her to make more. And she wondered why.

Right after Tereza left the break room was empty for a while, but without any interest, Jay ended up going back in, he wanted his dose of bad coffee and his dose of good conversation with Charlotte, but apparently he wasn't going to get either of them. two.

With the coffee pot empty and Charlotte asleep at the table holding a green crayon, Jay smiles at the girl and starts the machine for more coffee. He thought and rethought seeing how uncomfortable the girl looked in that position and going against all his strength, Jay walked over to the girl's backpack, grabbed the blanket he'd seen Erin take off earlier and covered a part of the couch. He walked over to Charlotte and picked her up, she didn't hesitate and just snuggled into his shoulder.

- What are you doing? - Hailey entered the room and observed the girl in Jay's arms. He glares at her but is silent as he places her on the couch. Unfortunately they didn't have a pillow so the girl was lying there with nowhere to lean on, while Jay covered her with the part he left over from the blanket and soon after putting the purple pig next to her.

- She ended up falling asleep on the table. - Jay whispers and walks over to Hailey who is pouring herself the coffee that Jay just prepared, taking a cup for herself too.

- Hm. And did you go through her things? - She asks seeing the backpack and the blanket.

- Yeah, I hope Erin doesn't mind, but she didn't look comfortable at the table and I couldn't leave her like that. - He says and Hailey just smiles at him and they both leave the break room. Jay closes the door lightly and walks over to Erin.

- Hey - he says and she turns to him and looks at him.

- Hey... - She looks at the break room and then back at him. - Everything is fine? - She questions.

- Yes, it is... Charlotte was sleeping on the table and I hope you don't mind, I ended up putting her on the couch to make herself more comfortable. - He says awkwardly and afraid that she didn't like it, but her smile reassures him.

- Thank you very much. - She says. - You didn't need to bother, you could call me and... - She starts awkwardly.

- It wasn't a bother, it's ok and besides I know you were busy, I could do that one, I just don't want to cross the line it's just that...

- You're not. - She interrupts him quickly, not really. - She smiles and Jay smiles back. - I just don't want you to do too much, you know we're here to work and I bring my daughter and it's not...

- Hey don't worry, we understand, besides, she's really very obedient and quiet, and it's good to have her here, I saw everyone leaving the break room with smiles on their faces, she's the dose we needed to keep going and not him coffee. - He smiles and Lindsay smiles back and the two go back to work.


With not much else to do, the day ended an hour later than work hours, but it was no surprise to any of them. It was more common for them to work overtime than to go home at the usual time when people with more normal jobs were out and with a serial killer on the loose even more unlikely.

Erin's concern about having her daughter at work was put aside when she saw someone entering the break room with a sad and tired look, taking longer than usual and then leaving with a smile on their face and commenting something about Charlotte. After the girl fell asleep she still saw the smiles and she found it strange until she entered the break room and she saw the reason for the smiles herself.

Jay not only put her on the couch, she saw how he protected her body from coming into direct contact with the couch by placing the covers and how he covered her. The girl's hair was covering most of her face and one of her hands was holding Mrs. Purple Pig. As the white blanket with several unicorns covered the child's body, one of her small feet was sticking out and was tiny protected by the tights she was wearing. It was a lovely scene.

Erin started to gather her daughter's things to get out of the district, she was going to have dinner at Hank's house when her daughter woke up.

- Mommy... - She gets up and walks to her mother who then puts her on her lap.

- Sleep well? - Erin asks and kisses her forehead when she just nods in response to her mother. Charlotte wasn't the most talkative when she woke up, she had that to draw from.

- Oh, I found you awake. - Jay enters the room. He knows he's showing a lot of attention to the little girl, but he doesn't care, he liked her. - Well, Mrs. Baaa was of great help today ...-He approaches Erin and the girl in her arms.

- Did you catch the bad guy? - She asks.

- Not yet, but don't worry ok? - He asks and she nods. - I think someone missed you today. - He delivers the sheep to her.

- I have mommy and Mrs. Purple Pig. - She refuses the sheep. - I asked her to take cawe of you. - The girl tells and that catches the attention of the two adults.

- Take care of me? - Jay smiles a little uneasily. - Why? - He asks.

- Because you look sad and whenever I was sad and wanted mom I hugged Mrs. Baaa, mommy said if I missed her I just hug Mrs. Baaa and to think that it was her that everything would be all right. - That caught them both off guard, that was a shock to both, was the girl insinuating that besides Jay is sad, he was supposed to hug a stuffed sheep and think about her mother? He clears his throat, but before he can speak Hank appears at the break room door.

- Is ready? - He asks noticing the three.

- Yeah... one more minute and I'll be gone. - Erin comes out of her stupor and looks at Hank. When he left she took a deep breath, she saw the look he gave Jay and her, she knew one of the conversations he was going to have tonight. Erin puts her daughter down, not even caring that she's still only in her stockings. She needs to leave.

- No mommy... - Charlotte approaches her mother and holds her hand. - Did you forget you asked me to draw? - She looks up, her bright eyes meeting her mother's.

- I know, sweetie, but now let's go to Hank's house, you can stay there. - She smiles, but the girl continues.

- No... - She says climbing up on the chair and ruffling the sheets and picking up a drawing. - You said I was supposed to draw you. - She says and Erin and Jay approach looking at the drawing, well, the different colors, shapes and symbols were not very well identified, but Picasso was an artist right?

- Wow! Did you draw us all? - Erin asks.

- Yeah. - She says excitedly. - This is Hank. Why is he always mad? - She asks and the two laugh at the question.

-He's like that even when he's happy. - Jay whispers getting a laugh from the girl.

- Uncle Nick and aunt Tessa. - She points to the two circles drawn next to each other. - This is uncle Kevin and aunt Kim with cookies and here is uncle Adam giving me coffee. - She makes a face.

- Did Adam give you coffee? - Erin asks.

- Yes, but I didn't like it, it's bad. - She makes a face again.

- I told you. - Jay laughs and Erin stares at him.

- Adam is unbelievable. - She says, but with a smile on her face and Jay smiles too.

- Hailey is here because she has blonde hair. - She says pointing to a circle with some yellow scribbles. - Here's Jay and you. - She points. - You are smiling because you always smile when you are together. - She counts it as more of a normal thing, still looking at her drawing and not realizing she made her mom and Jay completely uncomfortable. - Now can I hang it on the fridge? - She asks.

- Uh, baby...

- Of course... - Jay interrupts. - Comes here. - Jay pulls her into his arms with the sheet in hand and takes her to the fridge and helps her put it on. - You are an artist.

- I made a drawing for you too. - She says and Jay smiles.

- Great, now I have something to decorate in my apartment, can I see? - He asks and avoids looking at Erin, he knows he has pain in her eyes and he also has it in his, he doesn't want to admit it and so he avoids it.

- Is it you with Mrs. Baaa... - She hands it to him and he smiles.

- Wow! I loved it, thank you very much. - He smiles at her and soon the moment of the three is interrupted by Tereza and Nick.

Finally Erin managed to keep everything from her daughter, leaving the room with everyone and being watched by her old team.

- Tell me you're joining us at Molly's today. - Adam asks. They didn't go to Molly's all together like they used to, the truth is that a lot has changed and today apparently they wouldn't get together. Not as they wanted at least.

- No, I already have an appointment, but let's make an appointment. - She smiles at them.

- Who is coming? Adam asks, his gaze going to Tess and Nick.

- Are we invited? Because I definitely need to drink to get that awful taste out of this coffee. - Says Nick and everyone laughs.

- Of course, who better to tell us all about Erin behind her back than you. - Again laughter and Hailey looks around, everyone laughing with jokes and jokes, normally this is rare in the bullpen and she thinks that maybe they are being this way to be nice to the guests.

- They wouldn't dare. - She says looking at them.

- I'll have to miss this, but I hope to be updated later. - Says Burgess taking his things. - Good night people. - She says and Adam understands, but Erin strange, however she still hasn't had much time, it hasn't even been 24 hours since she was back.

- I pass too. - Hailey says without saying anything and goes down the stairs without giving them time to ask why, she even had an excuse in mind, but she still wanted to go without explaining. The truth is, she didn't have anything against Erin, but she didn't want to spend the night listening to her ex-partner, because apparently, she's the reason Hailey isn't dating Jay anymore.

- We will? - Voight leaves the room and Erin smiles nodding and says goodbye to everyone, but she remembered that her life was not like before, get her things quickly, say a broad goodbye and leave in seconds, she had a daughter and that meant everything would take time more than planned.

The child didn't have time to say goodbye to either Kim or Hailey, but she would go to the ones that were left. And one by one, including her godparents, she smiles, hugs and says goodbye. In Jay's turn, it's a goodbye to him and a goodbye to the sheep and that's what makes everyone intrigued. One of the thousands of reasons he's going to refuse to go out with his friends today.

With Kim having the acceptable excuse on account of Makayla, Erin on account of Hank and Hailey running away before giving one, Jay didn't have a son and wasn't even the "alleged" son of their scary boss, so he ended up not having much of a choice and was almost forced to join everyone at Molly's. Tereza would be uncomfortable being the only woman, but she at least had Nick for company and someone she knew so they wouldn't be uncomfortable with the three men.

The night would be full of conversation for many.

"Life is short and opportunities are rare. And we have to be attentive to notice them. And not just the opportunities to succeed, but the opportunities to laugh, to see the enchantment of the world and to live."

- One Tree Hill


A/N: That was cute wasn't it? Well, you guys need happiness before it gets bad again. I can't pick my favorite art of Charlie's interaction with the team, but without a doubt Jay, Erin and Charlotte are everything to me. Let me know which part you liked the most in the comments and until next time.