The next morning, Jay wakes up to the sound of his alarm. He groggily reaches over to turn it off, feeling the weight of another restless night. He sits up and takes a moment to gather himself before getting ready for the day.
After a quick shower and a cup of coffee, Jay heads out the door and makes his way to the district. The morning air is crisp, and he takes a deep breath, hoping it will help clear his mind.
As he walks into the precinct, he's greeted by the usual hustle and bustle. He nods to a few colleagues and heads straight to his desk, ready to dive into the day's work.
Just as he's settling in, Kim walks over to his desk. "Hey, Jay. How are you holding up?"
Jay offers a small smile. "I'm managing. Just trying to stay busy."
Kim nods, understanding. "If you need anything, just let us know. We're all here for you."
"Thanks, Kim. I appreciate it," Jay replies, feeling a bit of warmth from her support.
The day continues, and Jay focuses on the work in front of him, finding solace in the camaraderie of his team.
As the day winds down, Jay finds a quiet moment to step outside and make a phone call. He dials Olivia, Hailey's boss, hoping for some clarity.
"Olivia, it's Jay Halstead," he says when she answers.
"Jay, hi. How are you?" Olivia's voice is warm but professional.
Jay swallows hard, trying to keep his emotions in check. "I'm hanging in there. I was wondering if you had any idea when Hailey might be coming home?"
There's a brief pause before Olivia responds. "Actually, Jay, Hailey asked for an extension on her assignment. She'll be staying in New York a bit longer."
Jay feels a pang of disappointment and struggles to hold back his tears. "I see. Thanks for letting me know, Olivia."
Olivia senses his distress. "Are you okay, Jay?"
Jay nods, even though she can't see him. "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks, Olivia."
"Take care, Jay," Olivia says gently before they hang up.
As soon as the call ends, Jay's composure crumbles. He breaks into sobs, the weight of Hailey's extended absence hitting him hard. He leans against the wall, letting the tears flow freely, feeling the full depth of his loneliness and heartache.
As Jay's sobs begin to subside, he hears a knock at the door. He wipes his eyes, trying to compose himself, and heads to the door. When he opens it, he's surprised to see Erin standing there, a concerned look on her face.
"Erin?" Jay's voice is shaky, a mix of surprise and relief.
"Hey, Jay," Erin says softly. "Hank called me. He thought you could use a friend right now."
Jay nods, unable to hold back his emotions any longer. Erin steps inside and wraps him in a comforting hug. "It's okay, Jay. I'm here."
Jay clings to her, the tears flowing freely again. "I miss her so much, Erin. I don't know how to handle this."
Erin holds him tighter, her voice soothing. "I know, Jay. It's going to be okay. We'll get through this together."
They stand there for a while, Jay finding solace in Erin's presence. Eventually, they move to the couch, where Erin listens as Jay pours out his heart, sharing his fears and struggles.
As the evening wears on, Jay eventually succumbs to exhaustion. He lies down on the couch, resting his head on Erin's lap. Erin gently strokes his hair, offering silent comfort as he drifts off to sleep.
The room is quiet, the only sound being Jay's steady breathing. Erin watches over him, her heart aching for her friend. She knows how much Hailey means to him and how difficult this separation has been.
Jay stirs slightly in his sleep, but Erin's soothing presence keeps him calm. She continues to sit with him, determined to be there for him as long as he needs.
In that moment, Jay finds a small measure of peace, knowing that he has a friend who cares deeply for him. And for the first time in a while, he sleeps soundly, comforted by Erin's unwavering support.