Hi Readers: My apologies once more for doing this to you, but I decided to restart once more. I want nothing more than to get a story out to you guys, and I can only hope that (in time) I'll be able to do that (soon). Thanks again for your patience. Here we go again.


Chapter One
Here for You


Halstead Headquarters, Chicago – October 10, 2018
It's only been a week since the company lost it's founder; since they lost their former leader: Patrick Halstead.
It's only been a week since her husband and brother-in-law lost their father, the only parent they've ever known.
It's only been a few days since Jay took time off to grieve, but now he was back at the office as "he was okay".

And that's precisely why our story starts here, at the office, rather than with Jay Halstead and his wife Alexandra at their home; the home where Jay can grieve the loss of his father. A loss that only took place a week ago, which he most certainly has not processed yet. Rather, he was just pushing it to the side. He was pushing down the emotions that he was feeling right now, as he didn't want to portray himself as weak when he has a reputation to uphold: a strong military veteran and husband-turned-business tycoon after the (forced) retirement of his father after he had a stroke. And that was why Jay felt like he needed to be here right now, rather than at home, which is where he really needed to be as he wasn't okay (contrary to what he told his staff). He told them all in a meeting today that he was okay, that he was more than ready to work, and that he was going to be taking time today to review everything that happened while he's been gone so that they can get back to work on Monday. That was, until his personal assistant got worried.

And that's precisely why she was here, why his wife of four months and two days was here at the office; so that she can talk to her husband and make him realize that he shouldn't be here right now, when he needs to be at home. But first, she was getting briefed by his personal assistant Hailey, as well as her brother-in-law Will. "He's tried to work off-and-on. But, he's mostly done a task for maybe 20-25 minutes, then just sits there for around 30-40 minutes. Then, he has to restart the task as he gets lost." Alex sighed as she turned her head and looked at her husband, the husband who was clearly suffering right now; the husband who probably didn't even know that he was suffering due to the fact that he has too much pride to tell the world that he was suffering, let alone admit that he was suffering to himself. "I'm honestly surprised that he's even here." Alex agreed with her brother-in-law as he said that, especially since she made a lot of effort to try and ensure that his brother wouldn't come to the office; including moving where they live.

After all, they do have a couple homes around the world; and right now, they're currently staying at their home in Naperville, Illinois. It's about an hour drive from Chicago, which is why Alex thought them going all the way there was a good idea; because it would be a good deterrent for her husband to come here as it would take him an hour to get here and an hour to get home. Then again, her husband is pretty stubborn at times and knows what he wants. "I swear. I thought me choosing the home in Naperville was far enough." Turning to look at her brother-in-law, Alex decided to remind him that he thought the same. "And don't talk back to me about how you were wrong Will. You and me both agreed that being in Naperville was a good distance away. I asked you for your advice since you know your brother best, and you knew how you would be. You told me it was far enough, but it turned out it wasn't." That was when Jay's assistant Hailey spoke up. "For what it's worth Ms. Halstead, I believe I heard a helicopter landing this morning."

Turning his head, Will looked at Jay's assistant. "You couldn't have told me that right away? I was literally only here to pack up my things that I left here before my dad died, then I was headed home." Hailey sighed, well aware that she should've told him, which is when Alex decided to talk to Hailey. "Hailey, can you please ask the helicopter pilot to be on standby? I think we might as well use the helicopter to go home." Hailey agreed with her boss' wife, more than ready to do that for the both of them. "Of course, Ms. Halstead." Alex agreed with Hailey as she said that, smiling as she turned her attention to her brother-in-law before walking up to him and hugging him. "How are you doing?" Will sighed. "I'm hanging in there. Natalie and Owen are helping." Alex agreed with Will, glad that he has his fiancé Natalie and their son Owen in his corner. "I'm glad that you have them. Jay only has me." Will smiled. "I think that's all Jay needs, as he loves you Alex." Alex smiled. "Yet, you thought that the age gap between us would be too much."

Will laughed, as he was truly worried when they first met. After all, Alex will be twenty-three in a week; meanwhile, his brother is thirty-two. "I mean, nine years is a lot." Alex agreed with her brother-in-law, well aware that was the case. "But, it's worked out and we're happy." Will agreed, well aware that she and his brother were happy right now. "I know. I see the smile you bring to Jay's face all the time. So, I know that you're the woman who can help him through this." Alex agreed with Will, well aware that was the case. "Thanks, Will, I appreciate you telling me that. Now, I think we both know that you aren't the one I need to be speaking to right now." Will agreed with his sister-in-law, prior to going to hug her once more. "No, I'm not. Now, get in there and take my brother home." Alex agreed with Will, as that's precisely what she plans on doing. But first, she looked at Hailey. "Please cancel all of his meetings until further notice." Hailey agreed. "Yes, Ms. Halstead." Alex smiled as Hailey said that, before turning to walk into her husband's office.

However, she did so quietly as she didn't want to disturb the peace that Jay was in at the moment as she watched him sitting in his chair and looking out the window; though, it seemed like Bobby (who is Jay's Yorkshire Terrier service dog for his PTSD from his time overseas as a military intelligence officer) had other plans. He wanted to disturb the peace, as he liked the say hi to Alex whenever she got here. However, that was the last thing Jay needed at the moment. "Come here Bobby. Come here and shut up." Sighing, Alex could hear the frustration and anger in her husband's voice that came with him grieving. So, she decided to pick Bobby up in her arms and carry him towards Jay so that he could help him relax; so that they could both held her husband relax, which is what he needs to do right now. But, he doesn't need to do it here. Rather, he needs to do it at home with her. But first, she decided to let Bobby calm him down. So, she set him down in his lap (which confused Jay as he normally jumps up). "What the?" Smiling, Alex got close to Jay.

After which, she ran her fingers through his hair. "You really thought that your brother and assistant wouldn't call me?" Turning his head when he heard his wife's voice, Jay smiled as he was happy to see her here; how could he not be, when he loves her more than anything? "Hey, when did you get here?" Alex smiled. "Maybe ten minutes ago." She said, as she looked down at Bobby. "Bobby, off." Bobby agreed, jumping off before going to lay down on his bed. Meanwhile, Alex proceeded to take off her shoes as they were the last thing she needed to wear when she wanted to be comfortable in her husband's lap, which she soon got into the moment she took off her shoes, as she wanted to hold her husband close to her. And let's just say that really made Jay quite happy as he's always comfortable when he has Alex in his arms, especially when he gets to touch her; just like he can right now as he placed his hand on her leg. Meanwhile, Alex placed her hand on his face as she stared into his eyes and leaned her forehead against Jay's this morning.

And that's precisely how they sat for a moment: they sat together in silence so that they could calm down and take it easy with each other. That was, until Alex broke the silence as she whispered to her husband: "I thought we agreed that you would take some time off work so that you can concentrate on your grief and mental health." Jay sighed, well aware that was something they agreed on. "I know, but the company still needs a leader." Alex agreed with her husband as she kissed him softly, proud that he wanted to be the leader the company needed, even when he needed to grieve his own loss; however, that didn't mean that she agreed with his decision due to the fact that she knew that her husband wasn't in the headspace to lead the company right now. "Jay, I get that, okay? I know you want to lead the company through this hard time. But, we both know that you aren't in a place to do that yet. Jay, your dad only died just over a week ago. I love you baby, and I want to support you coming back; but we both know that you aren't ready yet."

Jay sighed as he placed his hand on his young wife's leg, well aware that he wasn't ready to be back at work; that's something that he could readily admit simply due to the fact that he hasn't been able to concentrate much today. "Yeah, I can see that being true when I can barely concentrate." Alex agreed with her husband as she placed her hand on his face. "Why do you think Hailey and your brother called me? Because they can tell you that you shouldn't be here all they want, but you'll only listen to me." Jay smiled as Alex said that, well aware that was the truth. Only she, his gorgeous wife, can truly tell him what he really needs to hear: that he isn't ready to be here at the office, not when he's still grieving. "I know your brother said that to you, that some of your staff told you that; but now, I'm here to tell you it because you need to listen to us Jay. Jay, you aren't ready to be here, and I'm worried that you being here is going to just hurt more." Jay sighed. "I just…I like being here to remember my dad the way he used to be." Alex sighed, agreeing with Jay.

After all, Pat was a shell of himself in his later years. "I know, this is where you have good memories with him; but they're also memories that hurt you, as you know that you have regrets from the last years of his life. Jay, I love you and I want to support you. I want to be the woman who can let you do what you need to grieve. But, I also know that this isn't what you need to do to grieve; you don't need to be here, not when you're hurting so much. You need to take it easy, at home with me so that you can breathe and relax." Jay nodded, as he knew that was true. "And, you don't need to work right now. You know that your staff have everything under control. So, it's ok to be nothing more than a grieving son right now." Jay agreed with Alex as he wrapped his arms around her, only to lean in and kiss her softly; something which led to Alex wrapping her arms around his neck and taking things nice and slow with her husband. "How did I get so lucky when it came to picking out a wife?" Alex smiled as she placed her hand on the back of his head.

After which, she leaned in and kissed him softly. "You picked right, and you hit the jackpot. A very sexy jackpot." Alex said, as she turned her head and leaned in to kiss his neck softly. "Jay, come home. Come home with me so that I can help you grieve and take it easy. That's all you need to do right now. Hell, maybe we can even take a vacation. Get away and just relax with each other. Is that what you need right now?" Jay shrugged, as he didn't know what he needed. "I'm not sure what I need other than you." Placing her finger on Jay's cheekbone, Alex smiled as she rubbed it and kissed him softly. "I love you and I want to help you through this baby. But, we both know that in order to help you, I need you at home with me." Jay agreed with Alex, well aware that was the case. He knew that he needed to be home with his wife, so that she can help him. "I want to be home too." Alex agreed with Jay and smiled at him. After which, she placed her hand on the side of his face as she kissed him slowly. "Then pack up, the helicopter is waiting for us."

Jay was surprised. "You booked the helicopter?" Alex agreed with her husband. "Oh, I forgot to mention. We aren't just going up to the penthouse. We're going back to Naperville. And I'm confiscating your car keys." Jay laughed as Alex said that, but she was being serious. "I'm serious…" She said, while putting her hand out. "Hand them over." Jay just looked at his wife. "Ok." Going to grab his keys from his pocket, he proceeded to give them to his wife. After which, she wrapped them around her arm. "You are not going anywhere until I think you're ready and in the right headspace. Jay, you know that you need to take much more time. You already have mental health problems (PTSD) as it is. Do you really want to take the risk and get more because you rushed back to work?" Jay sighed, as that was the last thing he wanted: more problems with his mental health than he already had. "So, you're going to take time off. Ok?" Jay agreed with his wife once more, as he knew that was the best thing for him to do: take some more time off with his gorgeous wife.

Plus, he loves his wife and loves spending time with her. "I think that sounds like a good plan." Alex smiled as she kissed Jay softly, only to lean in and kiss his neck as she whispered to him. "I promise, I'll give you some attention to make you feel better." Jay smirked as Alex told him that, more than ready to go home now so that he can get some attention from the woman he loves. "God, I love you so much." Alex agreed with her husband, well aware that was the case as she got up out of his lap. "Here, I'll get the dogs ready to go. You pack up your laptop, and only your laptop." Walking over to Bobby, Alex smiled as she grabbed his leach. "C'mon Bobby, let's get you ready to go." She said, as she went to get Bobby ready to take him home, which is the only place he belongs right now. "Oh, do me a favor Jay and leave your secure combo thing here?" Turning his head, Jay sighed. "Alex, you know that they need my codes if they need to make a large payment." Alex sighed. "Fine. But, I'm going to make sure you take time off. You are not working, that's final."

Jay agreed with his wife, well aware that she wasn't kidding when she said he wasn't working, which is good, because he really thinks that he needs to take time off the more he thought about what his wife said. His dad just died, and he needs to be a son and nothing more right now. He needs to go home with his sexy, twenty-two (almost twenty-three) year old wife and grieve with her help. "You call the driver already?" Smirking, Alex turned her head. "I have the helicopter waiting so it takes us less time." Jay smiled, as he likes the sound of that. "That sounds perfect, especially since we can land in our very own backyard." Alex agreed with her husband. "Why do you think I asked for the helicopter? Takes us right now." Jay then thought about something. "And it leaves us dependent on one car, your car that I wouldn't be caught dead driving." Alex smirked. "Oh, does it. I didn't think about that." Going to unplug his laptop, Jay shook his head; that was, until he remembered something. "You forgot one of my vehicles." Alex just looked at her husband.

That was, until she realized the one he was talking about. "Shit, the pickup." Jay agreed. "Don't worry, I promise to be good." Alex agreed. "Good, because I have a punishment already set up." Thinking that Alex was playing with him, Jay played along. "Oh, and what's that?" Alex smirked. "Good boy gets lingerie; bad boy gets guest room." Jay agreed with Alex as she said that, as that most certainly is a very good punishment. "I promise, I'll behave." Alex agreed with her husband, well aware that he was going to behave. "That you most certainly will. Now, pack up. I want to go home with my husband." Jay agreed, as that's what he wants to do as well: he wants to go home with his wife so that they can get some time with each other, time to relax as they grieve the loss of Jay's dad.


Halstead Helicopter – The feeling of his wife's hand in his as they sat together in his corporate helicopter was everything Jay needed to know that he was making the right decision: the decision to leave work so that he could head home and take the time he needs to grieve. And even better, he was going to be doing it with his wife by his side as she decided to take time off too from her career as a lingerie model for Halstead Intimates, the lingerie company that his family company owns. It's actually where the two of them met: they met at work, fell in love at work, and then he proposed to her at work during one of her photoshoots. Now, here they are, married and going home together as they fly over the City of Chicago towards their home in Naperville. The perfect place for them to get some time alone with each other, since it was close to the water and very relaxing, which is something that Jay decided to talk to his wife about, right after he apologized and thanked her. "I hope you know that I'm sorry about all of this." Jay said, over the mic.

However, before Alex answered, Jay's pilot spoke up. "Would you like me to turn off the communications between myself and the both of you sir?" Turning his head, Jay agreed. "Yes, please. I would like to have a private conversation with my wife." The pilot agreed, doing as he was told to do; he shut off his ability to listen to their conversation, which meant that the conversation they were about to have is solely between the two of them. "Good idea." Jay agreed with his wife. "I want to talk to you, and only you at the moment." Alex smiled as she leaned in and kissed her husband softly. "But, I mean it Alex. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gone to work." Alex sighed as she looked at her husband. "Jay, I know it's in your nature to carry on and just do what you think is the right thing to do for others. And this morning, you were thinking about all the people that rely on a paycheck thanks to the company. But right now, you need to think about yourself. Jay, I know what the employees are thinking, because I used to be one of them." Jay agreed with his wife.

At the same time, he felt Bobby get comfortable at his feet as he curled up in a ball. "How he can sleep while we fly is beyond my understanding." Alex agreed with her handsome husband, as she didn't understand it either. "Tell me about it. There's no way I could ever sleep up here. However, I am not going to get sidetracked. We're talking right now, so concentrate." Jay agreed with his wife as he did just that: he concentrated on the woman he loves as they were in the middle of talking to one another on a private line. "You're right Alex. I need to take time with you to relax, to take it easy, and just concentrate on my mental health. There's nothing more that I can do at the office, that I can do at home. And yes, that's a place where I can feel connected to my dad, I can also feel connected to him in my heart." Alex agreed with her husband, as she felt the same way; she felt like he can be connected to his father in his heart, which is why he can be at home right now. "And that's why you can be at home and just take it easy with now Jay." Jay agreed.

After all, that's where he belongs at the moment: at home with his gorgeous wife and puppy. Well, puppies. They have another one at home, Bella. She's more Alex's dog due to the fact that she's (a) a girl, and (b) not a service dog. While Jay does play with her just as much as Alex, she's truly Alex's dog. "Did you put Bella in her crate before you came? We both know that she's still learning." Alex agreed with her husband, as she most certainly did put Bella in her crate before she went to the office. "Believe me, the last thing I want is a repeat of our last date night. Remember where she went?" Jay nodded, well aware that their dog went in the worst possible place: in their bed. "We were so hormonal, and we wanted each other so bad; but we had to delay it so that we could change the sheets." Alex agreed with her husband and smiled. "It was worth it though, as it was a lot of fun." Jay agreed as he smiled at Alex, prior to moving his mic out of the way; something Alex did as well as they both leaned in and kissed each other softly. "I love you."

Alex agreed with her husband, as she loves him too. "I love you too, forever. And that's why you can lean on me Jay. I'm here to help you through this. Yes, I know that you struggle with expressing your emotions, but you don't need to hide that from me. Jay, we're married, I love you, and that's never going to change. We're in this for life, that's just a fact that you're going to need to remember." Jay agreed with Alex, well aware that he needs to remember that; he needs to remember that this is forever, and that he can rely on her. "God, I am such a lucky man." Alex agreed with her husband, well aware that he's a lucky man. "I know, and I'm a lucky woman because I have a man who loves me more than anything in the entire world by my side for the rest of my life. But, he needs to remember that he can rely on me and talk to me whenever he needs to because I love him and want to make sure that he has a great life with me; a life that will someday include children, which means that we need to learn to communicate with each other more."

Jay agreed with Alex, as he most certainly does want children with her in the future. "Are you ready for that yet?" Alex shook her head. "Jay, we need to get our communication skills in check first, I literally just said that. And you aren't in a place emotionally. Jay, if you can't even work effectively, how are you going to be in a place to start a family right now?" Jay agreed with his wife, as she was right: he isn't in a place to start a family with her, not when he already has so much on his mind. "Let's just not leave it out of the realm of possibility. If it happens, it happens." Alex agreed with her husband as she cuddled up to him, while also feeling him wrap his arm around her, which led to their pilot smiling and speaking to them. "Well, seems like you guys are happy. By the way, Mr. Halstead. I already said this to your wife, but my condolences on the death of your father." Jay agreed with their pilot as he turned his head and pressed his lips to Alex's forehead. "Thanks Jack." Jack being Jack Andrews, their helicopter pilot. "No problem Mr. Halstead."

Jack said, ending their conversation as he allowed them to use the private line again. "See, I told you that people were rooting for you Jay." Jay smiled as he turned his head and kissed the top of his gorgeous wife's head. "I had no doubt in my mind that was the truth." Alex smiled as she agreed with Jay, kissing him again. "Want to take a shower when we get home so that you can calm down and get cleaned up for the night?" Jay smiled as Alex asked him whether he wants to take a shower when they got home, as he most certainly does. "I would love that. But maybe, we get a bit dirty before we clean up?" Alex smirked, as she loves the sound of that. The sound of them getting dirty before they get clean in the shower. "And just what might you have in mind?" Jay smirked, as Alex already knew what he had in mind. He wants to take his gorgeous wife in his arms in the comfort of their bed. "Well, we have to get naked anyways if we're going to take a shower. So, I thought…" Leaning in again, Jay placed his hand on his gorgeous wife's neck and kissed her.

While also, in between kisses, continuing to speak to her. "…we could take it easy in bed…" Kissing her slowly with passion again, Jay smirked as he finished giving Alex his recommendation. "…and get a bit dirtier, ahead of our shower." Placing her hand on Jay's face, Alex smirked as she leaned in and took things nice and slow with the man of her dreams. The man she most certainly does want to take things nice and slow with when they get home because of how much she craves him: how much she loves him and wants to be in bed with him, which is precisely what she's going to get when she's in bed with him today. She's going to get the man of her dreams in bed, holding her in his arms as they take things nice and slow with each other. "I love that idea." Jay agreed with Alex and smiled, as he's more than ready to take her in his arms when they get home; something the both of them want to do because of how much they truly love each other. And Jay has every intention of showing his wife just how much he truly loves her when they get in bed today.

Right after he gets her undressed so that she's just wearing the lingerie he already knows she's wearing for him. "On a scale of 1-10, how sexy is the lingerie you decided to wear for me." Alex smirked as Jay asked her that question, as her lingerie is very sexy. "I would have to say a twelve." Jay smirked, as he loves the sound of that: lingerie which is off the charts sexy. "Can't wait to see it and touch it when we're home." Alex agreed with her husband, as that's what she wants as well: she wants him to touch her and please her, as she helps him grieve the loss of his father. "I love you Jay, now and forever." Jay agreed with his wife, as he loves her too and always will. "I love you too Alex, now and forever." Kissing her once more, Jay smiled as they both continued to take things nice and slow with each other until they got home; especially since that's precisely what they want to do right now regardless of the fact that they're in a helicopter rather than their own bed. But, they're just treating this as a preview of what's to come…but nothing can preview that.