Erin bounces the baby in her arms as she walks her back and forth, patting her back and trying and struggling to coax her to take her mid-day nap. Emma yawns, obviously tired, but for a little one her age, she doesn't yet realize that a nap would be the answer to her cranky and tired mood. Erin shushes her, burrowing her nose into the crook of the baby's neck, rocking the baby side to side. Jay silently observes, leaning back on the waiting room couch with his arm draped around the back of it where Erin was just sitting moments before getting up to rock the baby, "You know you didn't have to come here with me. It's no way she's going to fall asleep with so much action around her. I mean it's a whole new environment with all these new faces."
"Yeah, you might be right," Erin double-pecks the baby's head, "I just figured since her monthly check-up is right after this, it'd just be easier to go straight there from here."
"I mean your logic makes sense, I just didn't think you'd want to wait with a baby for almost an hour. I know I invited you but I wouldn't have been mad if you chose not to come."
"It was either wait with a baby here or wait with a baby at home, I'm not sure it's much of a difference," Erin moves Emma from one shoulder to the other, "and besides, why waste gas and take separate cars when we can go to her appointment together, and the doctor's office is closer to here than my apartment." Erin turns her head at an awkward and uncomfortable angle to see if the baby was asleep, unfortunately her eyes were wide awake, peering over her shoulder at the strangers in the room, "and fortunately for me, we have enough toys in the bottom of her stroller to entertain her if she continues to refuse her midday nap."
Though they both became parents at the same time, Jay looked to Erin as being a bit more knowledgeable in the parenting category considering she's spent more time with the baby. Jay sits up, dropping his arms to his lap and watches as Emma starts to fret, it's not a full cry she's letting out but it's a bothered one. She sounds uncomfortable, and with her wiggling and stretching her fists in the air, Erin appears to read it too because she maneuvers the baby around from chest to chest contact to a cradle hold and Emma's murmurs immediately silenced. Just like he thought, she knew what she was doing and was way better at this than him.
"Mr. Halstead," the receptionist calls his name. And he knows the routine, he rises to his feet, gearing to head to Milah's office, when he hesitates, "Er," he waits for her to face him before he continues, "if you do get restless or she gets cranky, just tell the receptionist to get me."
Erin nods, despite already knowing that there is no reason under the sun that will convince her to interrupt his therapy session. But, there was no point in arguing. Erin hums a low melody in her daughter's ear and rubs her back as she continues to sway her in her arms.
Jay kept looking over his shoulder, watching Erin until he couldn't see her anymore. A small smile graced her face at the burning feeling of his gaze observing her. His visual was cut off when he made a right turn, entered the office and took his usual seat. Milah wasn't in the room yet, but a few minutes later when she walked in, she wore a beaming smile on her face, "Something tells me that precious little ladybug out there in the waiting room is yours."
"...probably the endless amount of photos I show you at the end of every session," he retorts, smiling through his teeth at any and all conversation surrounding Emma. It almost amazes him with just how comfortable he is with her now versus when he first started. It's like night and day.
"...yeah, maybe that did kind of help clue me in," Milah jokes, sliding her reading glasses on before grabbing her notepad and pen and taking the usual seat in her armchair. She throws one leg over the other then gives him her undivided attention, "Was that Erin out there holding her?" It was a pretty obvious answer but Milah didn't like to assume.
"Yeah, Emma has a doctor's appointment after this so we're going there together next."
"Hm," she whispers, nodding her head and jotting something down that he cannot see.
Without any push, Jay elaborates, "We've been in a better place since the last time we spoke, sorry about having to cancel our last session. There was a lot going on."
"No worries, life happens," Milah sets her pen down and looks up at her client, "I'm happy to hear about you and Erin, what went into this improvement in your relationship?"
"Having a common enemy," he jokes, before getting serious and answering the question, "but honestly, I had a rough few days and she made me dinner. We talked until hours in the morning."
"...sounds like you two had a good and much-needed conversation," he nodded to agree before she subtly changed the conversation, "but you also mentioned having a common enemy."
"I was joking," he makes a poor attempt to defend.
"I know, but humor me, who's the enemy?"
"Abby," he says, and any hint of the gleam in his eye from the earlier joke was gone. And best believe, Milah noticed, "Is it safe to assume she played a role in why you had a few rough days?"
He bites his bottom lip, contemplating to himself how honest he wanted to be in his answer. He thinks back to his past sessions with Milah and telling her about Abby's behavior, and while Milah made it clear to him that she's not in the business of telling her clients what to do, she did express concern related to the high levels of toxicity in the relationship. She knew most of every detail related to his relationship with Abby, so why should he start to lie about it now?
"You already know I broke up with her."
Milah smiles, "yes, good for you." It's the biggest hint he's received in terms of her feelings about his ex, "but what brought it on? What was the final straw for you?"
Jay releases a dry chuckle, completely void of humor because he knows this next bit of information is going to be what may just break his professional therapist out of character.
"She got two tattoos of Emma; one of her face and one of her name."
Milah blinks, face frowned in confusion, "I-I think I heard you wrong."
"I'm pretty sure you heard me right. She got two big ass tattoos of my kid."
"Jay," Milah gasped, leaning back in her seat. Any and all pretense of professionalism gone when she takes off her glasses, pinches the bridge of her nose and throws her head back.
"I'm pretty sure we're thinking the same thing."
Milah scoffs, "Yeah, the only difference is I can't say it because I'll probably be out of a job."
"I'm pretty sure you told me what's said in here, stays in here."
"I owe you confidentiality. You don't owe me anything," She puts the glasses back on and sits up straight, her cue to him that they're getting back on track, "So the order of events, Abby got this tattoo, you broke up with her, I'm sure she didn't take that well."
"I'll just lay it all out for you doc. Abby was responsible for bringing Erin's ex back into her life, she also got the tattoos, she left a note on Erin's car basically warning her to stay away from me, she lied about going to see a therapist and she assaulted herself hoping I'd stay."
"Wait, wait," Milah raises her hand to stop him, "assaulted herself?"
"Yes, like fist to face type assault while screaming Jay stop hurting me."
The innocence from the start of the session at the talk of Emma is gone. The humor from the start of the session at the mention of his relationship with Erin is absent. In it's place, Milah appears unreadable. She isn't writing. She isn't tapping her pen. She isn't saying anything. She simply watches him, which makes him watch her, afraid now of what she'll say or do considering she's a mandated reporter and he doesn't know if any of what he's mentioned, she's required to disclose.
"Your silence is making me a bit anxious here doc," he nervously scratches the back of his neck.
"Jay, I'm concerned," she chooses her words carefully.
"I have everything under control. I recorded the audio of what she did so if she tries to blackmail me it won't work. All her calls I send to voicemail. The only thing I say in response to her texts is if the tattoo of Emma is gone. She's been trying to convince me to give her another shot, I'm not, but I'm just hoping she gives up soon. She stopped by my job yesterday with coffee and donuts, tried to buy my forgiveness, my team all have my back because they kicked her out before I even got there. It's handled, Milah. Abby will get the hint soon enough."
"I'd believe you if she was mentally healthy, and in my profession, I'm not allowed to diagnose if I do not complete an assessment directly with the person I'm diagnosing but I can still say from the sounds of what I'm hearing, in my professional opinion, she is battling a mental disorder."
"It's not like I can force her to get treatment."
"That's true, but you can be more cautious and take the necessary steps to protect yourself."
"I'm armed majority of the time and Abby may be a bit off the edge but she wouldn't hurt a fly."
"She wouldn't hurt a fly until she does," Milah retorts, leaning forward to set her notepad down on the coffee table, "it's better to be safe than sorry. I'm unattached in all of this, I hold no stakes whatsoever and unless what you've told me is made up, that is reason to be concerned. Remember in past sessions we've talked about your blinders, just because they've come down a bit doesn't mean they've come down all the way."
That's definitely food for thought. He'd definitely been living in a cloud of haze since his dinner with Erin, operating as if he just has to juggle the slew of texts and calls from Abby but with the seriousness in Milah's eyes, he starts to wonder if maybe she's right. Maybe he's still operating from a biased point of view? Maybe he's underestimating what she can do? Hell, if someone bet him his life savings that he'd witness Abby beat herself up and try to blame him, he'd be out of a lot of money. That's why Milah makes the big bucks because not only can she see what's really going on but she has a way of bringing it to his attention without insulting his intelligence.
Gone is his relaxed posture. He sits up, shoulders tense up, practically stiff and firm near his ears and he meets his therapist's gaze, "Let's say that you're right. What are you thinking?"
Milah rose from her seat, the one she sits in every session in order to take a seat next to him. This was different, Jay could tell this was major. Milah intertwined her fingers together, her face stoic which made him nervous, "From what you're telling me about Abby, this can potentially become dangerous. I know you're in the business of law enforcement and are aware of what a stalker is and can be, but are you aware of the types?" He silently shakes his head and she then pouts, "this isn't a lesson on psychopathology behind stalkers or to get into the meat and potatoes of stalking, but there is one particular type I want you to be aware of, -a rejected stalker. Have you ever heard of that term before?" And by the crease in his forehead, she can infer the answer.
His therapist rises from the couch and makes her way over to her file cabinet, unlocking it and drawing it open before scanning through the alphabetized folders, "I'm going to give you some psychoeducation on stalking, but there are a few things I need you to know because a lot of what you're telling me and have told me about Abby is concerning."
"Are you sure stalking is the right word though? That seems a bit extreme."
Milah closes the file cabinet after finding what she was searching for, "I want you to read this and let me know if you think I'm being extreme," she hands him the printed pdf.
He starts at the top, skimming the criteria, eyes widening as he starts to believe her. Though he is reading, that doesn't stop Milah from speaking, "a rejected stalker pursues their victim in order to reverse a rejection or avenge a rejection. The rejection in your case is you breaking up with her." Milah retakes the seat beside him, "unless what you told me isn't true, she is displaying an obsessive nature with an inability to see reason. The victim of a rejected stalker is usually a former intimate partner that arises in the context of a breakdown of a close relationship. She has an image of you in her mind that is unrealistic and her actions show that she is unable to cope when she sees your real personality, the part of you that is imperfect and human."
"I don't get it though Milah," he flips the paper over to read the back, "she's like this but-"
"But, at the same time it's like she isn't," his therapist finishes and he nods because that's exactly what he was thinking, "it's your blinders up again, detective. Keep in mind, a rejected stalker is intimacy seeking, they seek to establish an intimate, loving relationship with their victim and for too many of them, their victim is a long sought after soulmate and in their mind they were meant to be together. In past sessions, you've said that, almost verbatim. Don't let your past experiences with her shape your current ones."
"How could someone so sane turn into this?" He shakes the paper for emphasis, "She's not the stereotypical image of a stalker. Anytime I come in contact with one, they're lurking in bushes, sneaking photos, making threats, and all this other bullshit. Abby doesn't do that."
"No, she just gets tattoos of someone else's kid, threatens to hurt herself if you leave, intentionally brought back an abusive ex of your kid's mom to lessen the threat of you ending the relationship, lied about being in therapy to manipulate you, literally beat herself black and blue to get you to stay, tried enlisting your family to campaign for your relationship, showed up uninvited and made persistent phone calls and text messages despite you telling her to stop-"
"She hasn't done those last two in a while."
"You're making excuses for her."
"I know," He looks down at his hands, seemingly finding interest in the lifelines on his palms.
"Look Jay, you don't have to tell me if she's doing this or not but she'll try by many means to persuade you to agree to get back together or punish you for ending the relationship. To reconcile the relationship or exact revenge for the end of it can be either of her motives. I can't tell you what to do, that's not for me to decide, you have to make that decision for yourself."
Jay wrings his hands together, his nerves surrounding this whole thing heightening and it's the first time where he actually considers asking for session to end a bit earlier than usual, but he toughs it out, not for himself but because this information is important for the off chance that it could potentially protect Emma and Erin if any part of what Milah is saying is true.
"If you cut her off, make it a clean cut because any contact with you, even if you're pissed off, making threats or demands, can give them satisfaction because it's still attention. Your best bet is to cut off all means of communication, don't even waste time trying to tell or convince her to stop talking to you because you need to keep in mind, you'll be making reasonable points to an unreasonable person. A reasonable person who hears a clear and direct message understands it."
He stares down at the paper, unblinking, feeling physically stuck. Whatever Milan is saying doesn't register because a part of him disassociates from the present. He's zoned out, lost in his thoughts until his internal voice shouts for him to pay attention leading him to snap back into the here and now and follow along with the rest of what his therapist is saying.
"...but just be mindful Jay, she can also become or may even be a resentful stalker," Milah hands him a second document, this one tilted with a different type of stalking, "I don't want to overload you with information, but just be on the lookout, this type tends to pursue a vendetta because of a sense of grievance against the victim, so they're more so motivated by the desire to frighten or even distress you, and this can be targeted towards not only you but Erin too."
"Wait…wait, Erin can be in trouble?" Now the measure of his attention has increased; he's more alert.
Milah refused to confirm or deny, she is not a psychic and cannot predict the future, but she did have a duty to warn, "A resentful stalker can seek revenge against someone who has upset them."
"Erin hasn't done anything to upset her, I have, not her."
"Once again, you're thinking reasonably. That's not how Abby perceives it according to what you've told me in past sessions. She may think she's fighting back and there's no wrong in her actions. A resentful stalker isn't as physically dangerous as a rejected stalker, but they do tend to make a lot of verbal threats. They could use personal threats, or make complaints to law enforcement, damage property, hurt a pet, break into your home, watch your movements, leave notes on your car-"
"Erin got a note on her car, she tossed it but she believed it was from Abby." He interrupts.
"My point exactly. A clean cut is needed."
"I've just been trying to let her down easy."
She shakes her head. "You can't do that with everyone," Milah's tone expressed adamant concern, "the test of stalking is based on what a reasonable person would understand. You don't have to be cruel in letting her down but you need to be firm. No need to offer explanations or promises. Don't return phone calls or texts, but keep a record of all of them."
"She's lost her mind," he's willing to agree with that, "but if you met her, you'd see she is a nice person."
"A nice person wouldn't assault themselves and imply that you're responsible for it. A nice person wouldn't get someone else's baby's face tattooed on them and will only remove it if you decide to return to the relationship. We've talked a lot over the last few weeks, and I feel confident enough in thinking that you trust my clinical judgment," he nods, "then heed my warning, Jay. We've made a lot of progress, from the start of us working together you were able to realize that while you didn't want to be with her, you couldn't leave, and now here we are, you left. But, just because you leave, it doesn't mean the psychological damage done is healed. You naturally want to protect others, especially women and especially children, it's the cop in you and that's not a bad thing, but please just keep in mind that everyone doesn't need or deserve protection."
What she spoke, he needed to hear. Without saying it, she's basically reassured him that he wouldn't be a bad person, an evil man or a selfish bastard if he cut all ties with her, if he regressed their relationship to one of a stranger. He recalls in another session how they discussed the psychology behind staying in a toxic relationship and it was through the two of them acknowledging how Abby's behavior way before the move were reg flags, it was through exploring the effect of having no support from his family and how it opened up room for Abby to swoop in and fill that void, it was through discussing his fear of their opinion of him if the one person they liked him with was no longer in the picture, and closing it out with understanding his fear of being alone, having no one. If Abby left, outside of Emma who was a baby, he'd have no one.
Erin would eventually start dating again, it was only a matter of time and while a part of him was hoping she was waiting for him, he couldn't ask that of her. She got out of her own toxic relationship, got a therapist and did the work and he refused to do anything to set her back. Erin was only in his life because of Emma, any conversation they had tended to surround Emma, he couldn't classify her as being someone he has.
Will, his brother, would eventually call him out on stalling the introduction he's been hoping to have with his niece. Jay just isn't ready to merge those worlds. His brother is far from being in the running for best brother of the year award but for some reason, despite his feelings towards Jay, he really wants to see his niece. Jay isn't concerned about how he'll treat the baby, he's more concerned with how Will will treat him if he comes here and sees just what is going on in his life. He was adamant about this career change, this move and so far, outside of Emma, it hasn't backed up the words he said to his family back in Wisconsin.
And his dad will just continue to be his dad. He'll continue to ignore him and act as if he has one son. At least Will sends texts to ask how Emma is doing, Jay can't even get that from his dad…or should he say Patrick because since his mom died, he's never really been a dad to him. Or maybe it's his blinders up again and it was long before that and his mother just overcompensated for his dad's failures because truly, if you're a devoted dad, how could that just drastically change because your wife dies. He could never picture treating Emma anywhere near how his dad treated him. And it's hard to believe he's been more of a dad to Emma in this short amount of time than his dad has been to him his whole life. Jay thought new life tended to foster new beginnings but he realizes it's best to not hold his breath when it comes to Patrick Halstead.
Jay hates to say it but for a long time all he really had was Abby and now that it's time to cut the strings, he's finding it hard to make the move. She pursued him, made him feel wanted and seen, she listened to him, offered him advice, made him laugh and did things with him that he enjoyed. That was her before the move to Chicago, but in working with Milah, he realized that those great things she did in their relationship led him to downplay and turn a blind eye to the warning signs.
The warning signs…none of which started because of the move, or because he slept with Erin or even because they conceived Emma. They were already there, Abby just did her best to keep them subtle. But, the dam broke. And the insecurity, jealousy, the controlling behavior, manipulation, the paranoia, the gaslighting, the lies and half-truths, all of it was a sign of what's to come. And what's to come is happening right now whether he wants to see it or not.
A silence befalls them, and neither of them want to break it for different reasons. Milah doesn't because she wants her words to register in Jay's mind. And Jay doesn't because he wants to give the topic no further thought. He feels a headache fast approaching, and he's already missed any chance to stop it.
This was a lot to take in, a lot to wrap his head around and consider and he hates to say it, but a small part of him still denies any connection to what Milah is saying to Abby. He doesn't know if that small part will ever really be believed. It just doesn't make any sense; did him sleeping with Erin really exacerbate all of this? Did having Emma really send her over the dark edge? It's all hard to believe. Imagine you meet someone that you clicked with and got to know and then imagine a version of that person that's completely different from the person you initially met, wouldn't that be hard to believe? That those two people can exist in one?
Wouldn't that be hard for anyone to understand and accept? Or is he crazy and just more broken than he initially thought?
His therapist checks her watch, realizing the silence went on longer than she intended and they're a minute over the end of session. Still, she doesn't rush it, instead, she speaks just as soft and just as careful as she did during session, choosing her words wisely for maximum impact, "Stalkers by definition are people who harass someone with unwanted attention, they do not give up easily and do not take the hint when the majority of society would. You, detective, specialize in upholding the law, I specialize in the psyche, take my word on this Jay because rejected stalkers can be some of the most dangerous of the types. I hope I'm wrong, but just in case I'm not, take those papers," she refers to the documents she gave him, "and pay attention."
He rose to his feet, folding the papers to stuff in his pockets, "Thanks Milah."
"Pay attention to the signs, Jay," Milah rose next and moved to go behind her desk, "You don't want it to be too late before you get the memo. I'll see you next week."
Milah knows he probably won't mention today's session in detail to Erin, though she hopes he does, but based on the look on his face as he left her office, she can tell he needs a little more time to process, to make sense of it all, and she's been in this business long enough to know and understand how the mind works in regards to mental health. She'd rather he take her words and process them than to immediately dismiss it all. All they've talked about today can be further explored next week, Milah just hopes in the meantime he errs on the side of caution.
Jay enters the waiting room to find Emma in the arms of a stranger, and Erin enjoying the sight of the elderly woman gushing over their baby. He approaches, hands tucked into his front pockets with the stalking information burning a hole in his back one, "Hey, you ready?" He shoulders the diaper bag and then grabs the handle of the empty car seat.
"Yeah," Erin answers him then turns to the older woman, "it was so nice to meet you Ruth, I hope everything works out for you" she carefully takes a sleeping Emma from the woman's arms, "Jay, she was a lifesaver. She got Emma to sleep five minutes after you left for your session. This woman is a miracle worker who has the touch of an angel."
"Oh," Ruth bashfully waves her off, "nonsense, it's what raising five kids and eleven grandchildren will do for you. I miss them when they're this small. My youngest child is 33 and my youngest grandchild is six and he's growing like a weed so any chance I have to help a young mom and hold her little one, I take, you're doing more of a favor for me than I am for you."
Erin carries Emma in her arms, Jay holds the door for them to exit and as they make their way to the car, he beats her to the punch in asking a question, "How'd the two of you hit it off?"
"Emma started getting fussy, and that started to agitate me because I couldn't calm her down and Ruth asked to try and once Emma was in her arms, she quieted and fell asleep. You heard her resume, the woman has experience and I even got some mommy tips from her."
"I wonder if she's here to see Milah?"
"Nope, she has another therapist here, I think his name is Charles or Carl or something like that."
He shrugs because he's not as familiar with the other therapists on staff, only his own, "She seems nice. I'm glad that she was able to help you out."
"Yeah, her husband died a few weeks ago so she's in therapy for grief but says meeting Emma was some of the best unintentional therapy she could have gotten today."
Jay throws his arm around her shoulders and chuckles, "You meet people everywhere you go."
"I can't help it, I must have one of those approachable faces. You should know."
"...but if I recall correctly, you approached me."
"I simply took a seat at the bar and spoke to be kind. I said hey then ordered my drink."
"I remember things a little differently."
"You remember things wrong. I sat down, said hi because my mama taught me manners and you wouldn't stop staring at me because apparently yours didn't," she jokes, elbowing him in the side, "I just wanted to order my drink and keep it moving."
"You kept it moving alright."
She elbows him again, this time a bit harder, "Jay Halstead, we have little ears listening."
"She's asleep, and she's almost three months old."
"Yeah but it's never too soon to learn how to limit the innuendos."
He couldn't argue with her on that. And he didn't. Instead, he threw up the figurative white flag to wave it as he opened the backdoor to connect the car seat to the base before letting Erin buckle their little one in. He jogged around to the driver's side to start the car and get the air conditioner pumping. As he waits for her, as he watches her ensure their girl is buckled in securely, he can't help but to think of how domestic all of this is, how family-oriented and homey the image of him driving, with Erin riding passenger and their baby sleeping in the back. He couldn't help but smile, a small one gracing his face to hide it from Erin as a collection of milestones he has to look forward to play through his mind all the way to the doctor's office to the check in and to when their name is called and they're brought to the back.
Since entering the second month of her life on earthside, Emma has already grown so much and it's these doctor's appointments that serve as a reminder at how fast time is flying. And to hear that their baby now weighs eleven pounds is mind boggling because where did their infant go.
"Any concerns at all?" The doctor checks Emma's ears.
"She hasn't been sleeping as much as she used to, and has been crying more."
"That's to be expected," the doctor says, all while his eyes are trained on Emma, "she's two months now, almost three in about a week and a half, she's a growing girl, two month olds are really comforted by touch so definitely increase snuggle time," he says as he begins to complete an eye exam, "things are looking good for Ms. Emma. This month she should be starting to focus on more complex objects so if you have a mobile, you might find her being more interested in it. She should now be able to follow objects with her gaze more," he holds the miniature flashlight in front of her eyes and watches as her pupils follow, "this is where I believe that babies start to become more fun, when you talk to her, pay attention to how she is actively listening. She might even coo or move her arms or legs in delight because of the back and forth."
Jay is grateful he found the time to come to this appointment, and even happier that it was after his therapy appointment. Ending the day on a high note plays an important role in how he maneuvers through the rest of his week. It's hard to believe these last two months have flown by, and for Erin, it seems to be some sort of sleep-deprived blur. Emma releases a coo, bringing everyone's attention back to her, -the star in the room. Jay grins, and runs his thumb up and down the sole of her foot, "When will she start to recognize us?"
"Honestly," he clicks off the flashlight, "as early as two months, usually three months is the latest. She's also going to be realizing that faces and voices go together and her communication may start to change," and at the look of confusion on the new parents' face, he chuckles and explains, "I'm talking about her cries. You'll be able to start telling her hungry cry from her sleepy one for example, if you haven't started already." The doctor checks her pulse then listens to her heart before moving his gloved hands to check her hips.
"Is there anything we can look forward to from her?"
"Of course," he chuckles, pulling off his gloves and grabbing his clipboard to document his updates, "just keep in mind babies develop at different rates but some fun things you might see is a big gummy smile, her to be more aware of her hands and some strength in her legs either in how they straighten out or those kicks. Also tummy time might increase." The doctor clicks off his pen and tucks it into his chest pocket before turning to the hovering parents, "okay everything looks good on my end, I'm going to send the nurse for Emma's next round of shots, then you are free to go, just stop past the front desk to schedule her four month check-up."
First the doctor leaves, then the nurse eventually comes in, and the appointment finally ends with dressing Emma back into her clothes and soothing her crying baby. They enjoyed visits to learn about her growth and to make sure she's safe and healthy but they hated the shots part. If they weren't so important, they'd skip them to avoid the painful cries currently bellowing out of their baby. Emma's cries took longer than expected to calm down, but Erin tried her best as Jay went to schedule the next appointment. And the moment he receives the appointment card and the reminder text, Emma is back to sleep in her mother's arms, finishing off her nap from earlier.
"You know, I'm in the mood for some lunch."
"Let's go somewhere with a drive-thru, I think I'm about due for a nap next."
"I think there's a White Castle down the street, want that?"
Erin's face scrunches, "I'm not really in the mood for sliders."
"What are you in the mood for?"
"I don't know, name some things."
"Panera bread?"
"No," she whispered, biting her lip because of her indecision.
"What about-"
"Jay," there is hesitation in her voice, speaking in fear because she doesn't know how he'll react to seeing her here. She rocks from side to side, wringing her fingers together. He turns around.
"Ab-Abby, wh-what are you doing here?" He stutters in disbelief. And suddenly Milah's words start to flash through his mind and his body shudders then stiffens and he tightens his hold around the baby carrier, "How'd you know we'd be here?"
"This appointment was scheduled back when we were together," she says as if it was obvious, "I listened to the things you told me and I remembered."
"...but why are you here?"
"I need to talk to you and you aren't responding to my text messages."
"We have nothing left to talk about," he tries to turn around and she stops him. Her hand gently wrapped around his forearm before tugging him to face her.
"I came all this way, can I at least see Emma?"
The question was odd. Since when did Abby ask or express any interest in the baby. Neither parent was interested in finding out, and though Erin was going to let Jay handle this, she stepped in to respond to Abby's request, "Did you get rid of that tattoo?"
Abby glares at Jay, acting as if she didn't know, "You told her?"
"Why wouldn't I tell her? It's her baby."
"Look I just want to see Emma then I'll be on my way."
"You're not seeing Emma," Erin crosses her arms and digs her heels in.
"She's her own person, you can't decide for her."
"You sound absolutely dumb, do you know that?"
"Erin," Jay whispers because he doesn't need her making things worse and the last thing he wants to do is cause a scene at his daughter's doctor's office, "look Abby, no, you can't see her."
"I have a right to see that baby."
"Do you hear yourself? No, you don't actually."
Erin wrapped her arm through Jay's and the two of them, along with a sleeping Emma, walked out of the hospital. Abby trailing behind them, the sight of Erin so casually and comfortably having her arm looped through his is enough to make her blood boil, but she holds back. Her fingers tap against her thigh, and she hums a silent tune to calm her racing thoughts. No, now isn't the time to push Erin in front of the bus that's approaching. No, now isn't the time to pull out the box cutter and tear it through Jay's flesh. No, now isn't the time to snatch that baby out of her car seat and toss her off the roof of the building they just left. She needs patience. Despite the way they're talking to her, she has to be the bigger person and practice patience but how can she do that when they won't give her the time of day? She wants to see Emma, to become familiar with her so when the time does come to strike, Emma feels safe in her arms and her parents don't look at her as a suspect because why would a woman that's so caring and nurturing to the baby be responsible for hurting her? Abby clenches her fists and stomps her feet as she marches away.
Erin tugged the car seat to ensure it's fully connected to the base, "I can't believe she showed up here," she presses a back to back peck against Emma's nose, smiling when her daughter scrunches her nose together as if her kisses tickle, "I'd love to know how her thought process works because how in the hell did she convince herself it was a good idea to show up here?"
Milah's words come to his mind; the test of stalking is based on what a reasonable person would understand. She's unreasonable so things like this that are objectively weird to most people doesn't come across as odd to her. There is a disconnect for her and that was Milah's whole point, he realizes. Jay opens the driver's side door and hesitates before getting in. He feels his back pocket, realizing the papers are still there, and he juggles the idea of handing them over to her, having her take a look and tell him if she thinks that fits Abby's behavior.
"Hey," Erin leaned over the console to glance at him, "it'd be nice if we can pick up some food and get home before the gremlin gets cranky."
He snaps out of his daze, and realizes that Abby's short visit didn't deter their plans or her mood and he doesn't want the papers burning a hole in his pocket to be the thing that does. So, he keeps quiet, instead rolling his eyes and hops into the car, "Alright, since you couldn't decide where you wanted to eat, we'll stop at the first drive-thru we see."
"I can't argue against that."
"And also watch your mouth," he jokes, "my daughter is not a gremlin."
"I wasn't talking about your daughter," she laughs, "I was talking about me."