It was the day of Pat's funeral, and the atmosphere in Jay and Erin's home was somber. The intelligence unit had gathered in the living room, waiting for Jay to come downstairs. Everyone was dressed in black, their expressions reflecting the gravity of the day.
Voight stood near the staircase, his eyes filled with concern. He turned to Erin, who was sitting on the couch, looking exhausted.
"How was he last night?" Voight asked quietly.
Erin sighed, her eyes red from lack of sleep. "He was crying all night, Hank. I tried to comfort him, but… it's just so hard for him."
Voight nodded, understanding the depth of Jay's grief. "He's strong, Erin. But he's going to need all of us to get through this."
Just then, Jay appeared at the top of the stairs, his face pale and drawn. He slowly made his way down, each step heavy with sorrow. Erin stood up and walked over to him, taking his hand in hers.
"We're ready when you are," she said softly.
Jay nodded, his eyes filled with pain but also determination. "Let's go," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
The team followed Jay and Erin out to the cars, ready to support their friend through one of the hardest days of his life. As they drove to the funeral, the silence in the car was filled with unspoken words of comfort and solidarity.
At the funeral, the unit stood together, a united front of support for Jay. As the service began, Jay felt the strength of his friends and family around him, giving him the courage to face the day and honor his father's memory.
As the team waited for Jay to come downstairs, they heard the soft patter of small footsteps. Tommy appeared at the top of the stairs, dressed in a cute little black suit, clutching Trudy Platt's hand tightly. His innocent eyes were filled with curiosity and concern.
"Why is Daddy sad?" Tommy asked, looking up at Trudy. "And why do I have to wear this suit?"
Trudy knelt down to Tommy's level, her expression gentle. "Your daddy is sad because he's saying goodbye to someone he loves very much. The suit is to show respect and love for that person."
Tommy nodded slowly, trying to understand. "But I don't like seeing Daddy sad."
Trudy gave him a reassuring smile. "I know, sweetie. It's hard. But we're all here to help him feel better. And you being here helps a lot too."
Tommy looked thoughtful for a moment, then nodded again. "Okay, Aunt Trudy."
Just then, Jay appeared at the top of the stairs, his eyes red from crying but filled with determination. He saw Tommy and managed a small, grateful smile.
"Hey, buddy," Jay said softly, walking down the stairs. "You look very handsome."
Tommy ran over to Jay and hugged him tightly. "I love you, Daddy."
Jay hugged him back, his heart aching but also filled with love. "I love you too, Tommy. Thank you for being here with me."
Erin joined them, wrapping her arms around both Jay and Tommy. The rest of the team stood close, ready to support them through the difficult day ahead. Together, they headed to the funeral, united in their love and support for Jay and his family.
As Jay stood at the podium, his voice trembled with emotion. "My dad was a complicated man," he began. "He wasn't perfect, but he loved us fiercely. He taught me the value of hard work, integrity, and standing up for what's right."
Halfway through his speech, Jay's breathing became erratic. His vision blurred, and he felt a crushing weight on his chest. Panic surged through him, and he couldn't continue. He turned, stumbling away from the podium, and rushed out of the chapel, gasping for air.
Erin immediately stood up, ready to follow him. Tommy, sensing something was wrong, tried to get up as well. "Daddy!" he called out, his small voice filled with concern.
Voight and the rest of the unit quickly intervened. "Tommy, stay here with us," Voight said gently, placing a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder. "Your daddy needs a moment."
Erin nodded to Voight, grateful for his support, and hurried after Jay. She found him outside, leaning against a wall, struggling to breathe. She wrapped her arms around him, trying to calm him down.
"Jay, it's okay. Breathe with me," Erin whispered, her voice soothing. "In and out, slowly."
Jay clung to her, his body shaking with sobs. "I couldn't do it, Erin. I couldn't…"
"It's okay," she repeated, holding him tightly. "You're not alone. We're all here for you."
Back inside the chapel, the unit kept Tommy occupied, explaining gently that his daddy just needed a little time. Tommy looked up at Platt, his eyes wide with worry. "Is Daddy going to be okay?"
Platt knelt down to his level, her voice soft and reassuring. "Yes, Tommy. Your daddy is very strong. He just needs a moment to feel better."
Tommy nodded, trusting her words. The unit stayed close, ready to support Jay and his family through this difficult time. Together, they would find the strength to get through the day.
After the funeral, the intelligence unit arrived back at Erin and Jay's home. The atmosphere was heavy with the weight of the day's events. Jay looked exhausted, both physically and emotionally.
As they stepped inside, Erin leaned close to Jay and whispered softly in his ear, "Let's go upstairs and lie down for a bit."
Jay nodded, grateful for her suggestion. He felt drained and needed some time to process everything. Erin took his hand and led him upstairs, away from the crowd.
The rest of the team stayed downstairs, giving them the space they needed. Voight, Platt, and the others quietly discussed how they could continue to support Jay and Erin in the days to come.
Upstairs, Erin guided Jay to their bedroom. She helped him out of his suit jacket and shoes, then gently coaxed him to lie down on the bed. She lay down beside him, wrapping her arms around him.
"It's okay to rest, Jay," she whispered, her voice soothing. "You don't have to be strong all the time."
Jay closed his eyes, feeling the comfort of Erin's embrace. "Thank you, Erin," he murmured. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
"We're in this together," she replied, holding him close. "Just rest now. We'll face everything else when you're ready."
With Erin by his side, Jay finally allowed himself to relax. The day's events had taken a toll on him, but he knew that with Erin's love and the support of his friends, he would find the strength to move forward. For now, he let himself rest, finding solace in the quiet moments with Erin.