Luna- 7

It was late December in Chicago, which meant two things. One the winter was here, the cold air was harsh and brutal. Snow fell from the sky and blanketed the city. The second thing, Christmas time.

Houses were decorated, stores were decorated and filled with people. The mall was filled with people shopping. In the center of the mall kids were lined up to see Santa. And that's where Will was with his daughter.

Will had held his daughter's hand, when he looked down at her she was the most beautiful gift of all he could ever get. As she was getting older she looked more and more like him every day. Her fiery red hair was getting longer, they had some curls in them. She had big brown chocolate eyes like he did. Some of the facial features were her mother but the rest was all him.

Luna was dressed in a green dress, it had complimented her red hair. She had on white tights and red dress shoes. The seven year old was beautiful.

Will's legs were tired and sore from waiting in line for so long, it felt as if it wasn't moving. Before they knew it, the line moved and soon it was Luna's turn. Her father smiled while watching her. He already knew to make copies, Maggie and April would want them and go on and on how Luna looks, how her outfit is, etc. He would definitely give one to his brother. One was definitely going into his locker.

He always kept a picture or two in his locker, when he worked nights and he couldn't be with his little girl he'd go to his locker to look at her pictures. It's what got him through his shifts.

While the little girl was telling Santa what she wanted and Will watched, Jay popped up behind his brother holding a tray cup. "Figured you could use some caffeine"

Turning the older Halstead saw his brother. "You're a lifesaver"

"How's this going?" Jay drank some coffee.

"Besides my legs aching for standing so long, it's good. Luna was really excited to come today"

Jay saw the biggest smile on his niece's face when she was getting the pictures taken. "She is really happy. You're a great dad Will. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise"

"I really appreciate Jay. And I really appreciate all your help"

"That's what family is for. I'd do anything for you and for Luna"

"Speaking of, did you wrap the presents?"

"They've been wrapped and put away"

"You're the best brother ever"

He smirked. "I know"

Luna was finished with her pictures as she ran back over to her father. "All finished daddy"

"Hey munchkin" Jay greeted his niece.

"Uncle Jay!"

She ran to hug her uncle. He stumbled back a bit. "Careful kiddo, I don't wanna spill my coffee"

"Sorry"

"What did you tell Santa you wanted for Christmas?"

"It's a secret"

He smiled. "Really?"

She nodded. "Do you wanna help me and daddy put up the tree when we get home?"

"I'd love too"

After paying for the pictures Will grabbed them and the small family went and ate. Once lunch was finished and they cleaned up they had headed home. Will had pulled out the Christmas tree and started to put it together.

Jay was trying to get the decorations, when he looked in the box he saw different ornaments, he saw some girly ones he knew his niece had just bought recently. Luna was changing out of her dress and into regular clothes, Will didn't want her to ruin it.

"And….the tree is up," Will said.

The younger Halstead looked over. "Looks nice man. Good job"

"Time to decorate it" Luna says coming out. She was changed into a light blue long sleeve shirt and jeans, her hair still in the braid.

The two men chuckled and started to pull the decorations out, after about a half hour the tree was covered in streamer, the lights, the balls, Luna had put on little character figurines.

"All done" She smiled brightly.

The three Halsteads stood back looking at it, they all smiled. Jay looked to his brother who had the biggest smile.

"It's perfect," Will said.

"Now we gotta wait for Santa," Luna looked to her father. "We gotta leave him milk and cookies, we gotta leave the reindeer carrots because they'll get hungry too"

"And we will do just that"

Before anyone knew it, it was Christmas Eve, Luna and Will spent all day baking cookies. They made a gingerbread house and put it together. They then started baking cookies, they started with chocolate chip. Luna had wanted those for Santa. The father and daughter then started working on sugar cookies, she wanted to make them for the people at Med.

Her father worked on Christmas Eve, she was saddened but she knew he'd be back in the morning. Will had tried everything to get his shift changed so he could be with Luna for Christmas Eve.

The seven-year-old looked to her father with wide sad eyes. "Daddy, do you gotta work tonight?"

He bent down to her level and brushed her curls back. "I'm sorry my little love, I tried but I couldn't get it switched. I promise I'll be back bright and early in the morning. We'll have breakfast and open the gifts from Santa"

She smiled and hugged him. "I love you daddy"

The young father embraced her. "I love you too princess"

While Luna was setting up the small table, Will was getting ready for work, he dressed in his burgundy scrubs and some warm clothes. The temperature at night was brutal and a lot colder during the day.

Jay was just getting some chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese ready for his niece's dinner as well as his own. Will had gone to his brother.

"Please make sure she goes to bed tonight" WIll says.

"Don't I always?" Jay teased.

"You know what I mean. I don't want her up all night waiting for me like before"

"She won't. Were gonna have a quick dinner then bath and bedtime"

"Good stick to that, I know how you cave in when it comes to her"

"I do not"

The older Halstead raised his eye. "You really wanna go there?"

"Ok maybe once or twice"

"Try all the time"

Will had gone to his daughter, she had just finished setting the plate of cookies out beside it was a plate of carrots and a glass of milk. He bent down a smile on his face.

"It looks perfect sweetie"

Looking back to see her father she wrapped her arms around him. "I'm gonna miss you tonight daddy"

"I'll miss you too but Uncle Jay will be here and I'll be home in the morning"

"Promise?"

He took his pinky finger in hers. "I pinky swear"

The smile grew on her face and she squeezed her finger with his. He kissed her head. "You know the rules when Uncle Jay watches you"

"I remember daddy. Eat dinner, bath time, bed time, no giving Uncle Jay a hard time about going to bed otherwise Santa won't come"

"That's my girl. I'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning"

"Bye daddy, good night"

"Good night my little love. Have sweet dreams"

After kissing her head one last time he left. Jay had dished out his and Luna's food.

About thirty minutes later and after driving through what seemed like mountains of snow, Will finally made it to Med. He rushed in trying to get out of the cold. He aired his jacket trying to get the snow off him. Maggie saw him and chuckled.

"Cold frosty?" She chuckled.

"It's freezing out," He replied, taking his wet jacket off.

"Did you bring what you said you would?"

He couldn't help but chuckle, he set his bag down pulling some stuff out. One was a big bowl of sugar cookies and he then pulled out a folder. He had managed to finally get copies made of Luna's Christmas pictures. He handed one to Maggie.

"For you Mags"

"Oh my gosh Will. She is so adorable"

"What's going on over here" April said coming over.

Maggie showed her the picture of the youngest Halstead, her mouth fell open a bit in an awe.

"Will she's so beautiful"

"Thank you both," Will smiled.

Ethan had come over to see and smiled. "She's beautiful Will, you're a lucky guy"

"Thanks Ethan"

Taking his stuff into the lounge Will was mentally preparing for his shift. Opening his locker he saw the pictures of his daughter, him and his daughter, and some with him, Jay and Luna. Looking at them always got him through his long exhausting shifts. Putting his stuff away he then went out to start his shift.

Back at home, Jay was putting his niece to bed after giving her a bath. Luna would sleep in her father's room when he worked. The young detective tucked her in.

"G'night Uncle Jay" She muttered.

"Sweet dreams little peanut" He whispered and kissed her head.

He took a quick picture and sent it to his brother. He then went to bed himself.

The following morning, it was snowing again. Will thankfully managed to get home before it got heavy. He walked in and the house was quiet which meant Jay and Luna were still fast asleep. Under the tree were loads of gifts, Luna's stocking was full, some of the cookies were gone off the plate, half the milk was gone, all but one of the carrots were gone.

Will smiled and went to check on his daughter, he knew that she slept in his room when he worked. He opened the door and went in. Luna was fast asleep curled up under the covers holding her stuffed Olaf close to her chest.

Bending down to her level he kissed her head and stroked her hair back. "Luna, wake up baby girl. It's Christmas"

The seven year old stirred, her eyes fluttering open. Her eyes met his and she smiled. "Merry Christmas daddy"

"Merry Christmas peanut"

"Can I go wake up Uncle Jay?"

"Go for it"

She ran from the room to her uncle's, she started to jump on the bed. "Wake up Uncle Jay! Wake up! It's Christmas! Merry Christmas!"

The young detective startled awake and caught his niece tickling her, the seven-year-old laughed and giggled. He set her down and she ran out with him following her. Will was making coffee.

He looked over to see his brother and grinned. "Nice wake up call I sent you?"

"Don't start until I've had my coffee"

"Don't feel bad, I had the same wake up call for seven years and I love it"

The two brothers had coffee and Will made his daughter hot chocolate, they had gone to the living room and the young father let his daughter open the gifts.

Ten gifts later the floor was covered in wrapping paper and ribbons, the floor was scattered with toys and all sorts of clothes. Jay looked to his brother.

"Sorry if I didn't get you anything. I was busy with work"

The older Halstead looked to his brother and then to his daughter. "It's fine. I got the best gift of all. My most precious gift is right here"

…

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my readers!