Jay paces nervously in the waiting area outside the operating room, his mind filled with worry as he waits for news about his father, who's currently in surgery.
His team, the intelligence unit, is sitting patiently around him, watching his anxious pacing with concern. Adam and Kevin are sitting next to each other on a couch, while Kim and Hailey are sitting at a table nearby.
Ruzek breaks the silence: "Hey, man, maybe you should sit down and take a breath. You'll wear out the floor with all that pacing."
"You're right, Hailey. But it's still hard to just sit here and do nothing. I feel so helpless."
Ruzek stands up and puts a hand on Jay's other shoulder. "We all feel the same way, man. But we're here for you. Your dad's gonna make it through this."
Just then, Dr. Rhodes walks out of the operating room and approaches the group.
The entire intelligence unit, including Jay, looks up as Dr. Rhodes approaches. They all stand up as he walks over to them, a serious expression on his face.
Dr. Rhodes addresses the group, but his eyes are focused on Jay. "I have some news about your father, Jay. May I speak with you privately for a moment?"
Jay nods, his heart racing with worry. He looks at Hailey and hands her his cell phone without a word.
She takes it, giving him a reassuring smile, and Jay follows Dr. Rhodes into a nearby private room.
Once the door shuts behind them, Dr. Rhodes looks at Jay with a serious expression.
"Jay, your father's surgery went well. We were able to remove the cancerous tissue and we're confident that we got it all. But I need to talk to you about a complication that arose during the operation."
Jay's heart skips a beat as he hears the word "complication." He looks at Dr. Rhodes, his anxiety mounting. "What kind of complication? Is my father going to be okay?"
Dr. Rhodes nods, his expression turning sympathetic.
"Yes, your father is going to be okay, but I'm afraid the complication is serious. During the surgery, we discovered that your father has a heart condition that we were not aware of. It's called a Ventricular Septal Defect, and it's a hole in the wall between the two lower chambers of his heart."
Jay's eyes widen in shock and fear as he tries to process what he's hearing. "A heart condition? My father never mentioned anything about that to me. How serious is it?"
Dr. Rhodes sighs and clasps his hands together. "It's fairly serious. The VSD is causing extra pressure on his heart and lungs, which can lead to heart failure if left untreated. But we can manage it with medication and regular monitoring to prevent any further complications."
Dr. Rhodes is still speaking to Jay about the treatment options for his father's condition when a nurse suddenly peeks her head into the room.
"Excuse me, Dr. Rhodes, you're needed in room 611. It's Jay's dad."
Both Jay and Dr. Rhodes exchange a glance, worry etched on their faces. Dr. Rhodes quickly excuses himself and rushes out of the room toward his father's room, with Jay trailing closely behind him.
The intelligence unit, who had been waiting anxiously in the waiting area, quickly stands up as they see Jay and Dr. Rhodes rushing down the hallway. They follow closely behind, their faces filled with concern and worry.
They reach Room 611, where Jay's father is lying in the bed, looking pale and weak. Dr. Rhodes and the nurse are already at his bedside, checking his monitors and preparing medication.
The intelligence unit stands at the door, watching helplessly as Dr. Rhodes and the nurse work on Jay's father. Jay pushes through the group and steps closer to the bed, his eyes fixed on his father's face, trying to ignore the machines that are beeping and blinking everywhere.
Dr. Rhodes glances up from his work and looks over at Jay. "Jay, your father's vitals are stable, but he needs to rest. You should all go back to the waiting area for now."
Jay looks torn, his eyes flickering between his father and the doctor, reluctant to leave his side.
Hailey steps forward, sensing Jay's hesitation. She lays a gentle hand on his arm.
"Come on, Jay. Let the doctors do their job. We'll be right here if anything happens."
Jay looks at Hailey, his eyes pleading, but he knows she's right. He takes one last look at his father's unconscious form before reluctantly allowing Hailey to guide him back out into the hallway.
Will and Natalie are walking down the hallway, their heads bent together in conversation, as they approach the waiting area. Will is chuckling at something Natalie said, completely oblivious to the tension in the room.
Jay sees Will and Natalie coming towards the waiting area, and his annoyance flares. He scoffs and crosses his arms, calling out sarcastically to Will.
"Well, look who's having a good time."
Will looks over at Jay and his smile falters as he sees the irritation on his brother's face. He glances at Natalie, silently asking her to give them a moment.
Natalie nods and steps back, sensing the tension between the brothers. Will walks over to Jay, his expression serious now.
"Hey, what's the deal? You look like you're about to explode."
Jay glares at Will, his anger bubbling to the surface.
"The deal is, while you're laughing it up with your pregnant girlfriend, our dad is in the next room fighting for his life. How can you be so damn cheerful right now?"
Will's expression softens as he understands his brother's frustration. He steps closer to Jay, his tone gentle.
"Look, I know this is tough. But believe me, I'm just as worried as you are. Laughing with Natalie is just a way to relieve some of the tension. You can't expect me to be miserable 24/7."
Jay shakes his head, still scowling at Will.
"Oh, no. We can't have the famous-doctor Halstead."Miserable" can we?"
Will sighs, trying to keep his patience. "Jay, come on. Don't pull that crap on me. I know you're worried and frustrated, but that's no reason to take it out on me. I'm here for Dad too."
Jay takes a deep breath, trying to calm down.
"I know you are. But it just feels like you're handling all of this so calmly, like it's just another day at the office for you. I can't seem to get past the anger and fear I'm feeling right now."
Natalie and Will are about to leave when Jay's snide remark catches their attention. They both turn to look at him, confusion and annoyance evident on their faces.
"Oh, yeah. Go ahead and leave. It's not like you ever stick around for anything important."
Will bristles at Jay's words, while Natalie shoots him an icy glare.
"That's not fair, Jay. We're both here because we care about Dad, just like you do."
"We'd stay here if we could, but we have a scheduled ultrasound appointment for our baby. We can't just drop everything."
"Oh, of course. Because your baby scan is much more important than staying here for Dad. It's all about you guys all the time, isn't it?"
Will clenches his jaw, his patience wearing thin. "That's not fair, Jay, and you know it. We're not choosing to leave. We have responsibilities too."
"Responsibilities? Right. And I guess my worries and fears for Dad are insignificant compared to your responsibilities as a soon-to-be parent. It's always about you guys and your happy little family."
Natalie can't hold back her annoyance anymore. "You're being completely unreasonable and insensitive. Just because you're worried about Dad doesn't give you the right to attack us."
"Jay, listen to us. We're not trying to diminish your concerns for Dad. We're just trying to manage our own lives too."
Jay throws his hands up in frustration, his mood darkening even further.
"Fine. Go then. Do what you want. I don't care anymore. It's not like anyone ever considers how I feel anyway."
Will and Natalie exchange a frustrated glance, knowing that arguing with Jay in this state is futile. Will walks over to Jay and places a firm hand on his shoulder.
Will and Natalie exchange a frustrated glance, knowing that arguing with Jay in this state is futile. Will walks over to Jay and places a firm hand on his shoulder.
"We're not leaving because we don't care about Dad or you. We'll come back as soon as we can. Hang in there, okay?"
Jay nodded, his anger rising. "Yeah. While you two are at it? Why don't you try for another baby?"
Will's grip on Jay's shoulder tightens as he hears his brother's biting remark.
"What did you just say?"
"You heard me. Go make another baby. It's all you two ever do anyway."
Jay's snide comment strikes a nerve with Will, and the anger he's been bottling up suddenly boils over. Will lashes out with a powerful punch, landing a direct blow on Jay's face. The force of the punch sends Jay sprawling to the floor.
The intelligence unit gasps in shock at the sudden violence. They all rush over to intervene, trying to pull Will away and check on Jay.
Hailey and Adam quickly grab Will by the arms, pulling him back from Jay, who's on the ground clutching his face.
"Whoa, whoa, Will! Calm down! What the hell, Man?"
Kim and Kevin kneel down beside Jay, helping him up and assessing his injury.
Jay sits up, wincing in pain as he touches his face. He can already feel the skin swelling beneath his fingers.
"Damn it, Will!"
Will struggles against Adam and Hailey's grip, still fuming with anger.
Jay gets up, albeit slowly and cautiously. He's nursing a bruised ego and a bruised cheek as he approaches Will and Natalie. He's still seething with anger, but also hurt and betrayed.
"You know what, Will? I actually wanted my brother today. Not some overprotective, hormonal father-to-be who can't seem to care about anything other than his damn unborn kid."
Natalie gasps at Jay's words, her own pregnancy hormones causing her to tear up slightly.
"Jay, you're out of line! Don't you dare bring Natalie into this!"
Natalie looks at Will, silently pleading with him to not escalate the situation further.
Jay pulls away from Adam and Kim's hands and starts to walk off, still holding his swollen cheek.
Hailey: "Hey, Jay, you're bleeding! Let me take a look."
"No, I'm fine. Just a split lip, I'll be fine on my own. Stay here with your friends. I don't have any anyway."
With that, Jay storms off, leaving the intelligence unit standing there staring after him, feeling conflicted and guilty.
Hailey watches as Jay walks away, her heart sinking. She can see the pain and hurt etched on his face, and she knows he's struggling to deal with it all on his own. The rest of the team looks just as upset, knowing that they're caught in the middle of a family conflict they have no control over.
Natalie and Will stand there, looking ashamed and guilty, their earlier happiness now completely shattered.
"You two should be ashamed of yourselves. Fighting like that when your Dad is in surgery?" Kim explained.
"And you, Will. You punched your own brother. What the hell, Man?" Adam commented, shocked.
Natalie looks down at the ground, tears streaming down her face. Will looks pained and regretful, but still too proud to admit that he was in the wrong.
"You two really have your priorities mixed up. I get that you have a baby on the way, and that's amazing, but Jay's right here struggling. And you just brush him off like he doesn't matter." Hailey explained.
Will huffs, still in defensive mode, but the guilt is clearly eating away at him.
"We weren't brushing him off. We just have our own responsibilities to manage too."
"And Jay doesn't? He's dealing with the fact that your father is in the operating room fighting for his life, while you're off playing happy family with your pregnant girlfriend. You're being insensitive and cold, Will."
Will looks away, unable to meet the team's gazes. He knows they're right, but his own hurt and anger at Jay's words is too great for him to admit it yet.
Voight, who had been silently observing the whole ordeal, finally steps in, his stern voice silencing the team's bickering.
"Alright, that's enough! We all have our own baggage and problems, but we don't turn on each other like this. I won't tolerate it."
The team falls quiet, listening to Voight with respect.
"Now, Jay is going through a lot right now. He's worried about his father, and his outburst isn't about this baby. It's about the case he worked a few months ago. A very personal case that hit him harder than anyone can imagine."
The team looks puzzled, wondering what case could have affected Jay so deeply.
"A few months ago, Jay was undercover working a case. He became very close to the victim, a young teenage single mother. The case didn't end well, and Jay blamed himself for the outcome."
The team looks at Voight, their expressions showing concern and empathy for Jay.
Hailey stands up, concern in her eyes as she picks up her bag and jacket. "I'm going to find Jay. I have a feeling I know where he went."
The team nods, knowing that Hailey is the best person to reach him in this state.
Adam pipes up, his concern evident. "You sure, Hailey? He seemed pretty upset. Maybe he needs some space."
Hailey shakes her head, resolute.
"I know him, Adam. He thinks he needs space, but he actually needs someone to talk to. I'm going to find him."
The team nods, trusting Hailey's judgment. Kim pipes up, her eyes worried. "Be careful, Hailey. He's not in a good headspace right now."
"No, Kim. He's not some ticking time bomb about to explode. He's hurting and scared, but he's not a monster! He doesn't 'need' people to walk on eggshells around him. He just needs someone to listen, and for someone to care about how he feels."
Hailey's voice cracks with emotion as she defends her partner, her love and loyalty to him evident.
The team is taken aback by Hailey's vehemence, but they can see the hurt and defensiveness in her eyes.
"We weren't trying to imply that, Hailey. We're just worried about you, and about Jay too."
Kim steps forward, her eyes pleading. "Hailey, you know that's not true. We care about Jay too, but you can't deny he's been... different lately."
"Because all his life, even when his mom died, he never had anyone hold him since he was a kid. Because every time he tries to open up, he gets shut down or brushed off. He's been on his own his whole life, and the one time he lets himself care, let himself feel, it ends up hurting him more than he could handle."
*Hailey's voice breaks as her own pain and sadness for Jay seeps through.
The unit is quiet, struck by the truth and the weight of Hailey's words. They realize that they've all been guilty of shutting Jay down whenever he tries to open up and deal with his emotions.
"Now, if you lot are quite finished with degrading him, and pretending that he's some ticking time bomb, maybe you should focus on the fact that he's been carrying a lot of pain and guilt on his own for a long time now. And instead of helping him deal with it, you've all ignored it and brushed him off every chance you get."
Hailey shoots each one of them a pointed glare, her expression stern and unforgiving.
The unit hangs their heads, feeling guilty and ashamed. They know Hailey is right. They've all been guilty of overlooking Jay's emotional distress, thinking it was his nature to bottle up his feelings and deal with them on his own.
"I'm done talking. I'm not gonna keep arguing with you guys when I have a partner to find."
With that, Hailey grabs her jacket and bag, and walks out of the room determined to find her partner. The unit looks after her, remorse and guilt etched on their faces.
As Hailey leaves the room, she takes a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart. She's always been sensitive to Jay's emotional state, and seeing him hurt and angry earlier had felt like a punch to the gut.
Hailey walks through the hospital corridors, her eyes scanning every corner, hoping to spot Jay somewhere. She knows he won't have gone far, and that his usual spots are either the cafeteria or the gym.
She heads to the cafeteria first, and sure enough, she spots Jay sitting alone in the corner, his head bent over his cup. His face is a mess, with a swollen lip and the beginnings of a black eye.
Hailey looks at him for a moment, her heart breaking at the sight of him. She's never seen him look so broken and defeated before. Taking a deep breath, she walks over to him and slides into the seat across from him.
Jay looks up as soon as she approaches, his expression guarded. He knows he can't hide his bruised face, and he knows she's here to talk. He doesn't say anything, just looks at her, waiting for her to speak first.
Hailey looks at him silently for a moment, her eyes roaming over his bruised face. She resists the urge to reach out and touch him, knowing he wouldn't welcome it right now. Instead, she speaks softly, her voice gentle and concerned.
"How's your face?" she asks, referring to the swollen lip and the blossoming bruise on his cheek.
Jay shrugs, wincing slightly as the movement pulls at his split lip. He tries to mask the pain with a casual shrug, but Hailey can tell it hurts.
"Sore. But it'll heal." he says, his voice hoarse and rough. He takes a sip of his coffee, looking away from her as if avoiding eye contact would make the conversation easier.
Seeing his attempt to avoid talking, Hailey decides to dive in headfirst. She leans forward, making sure her eyes are locked on his face. She knows the only way to get him to talk is by being direct and making him confront his emotions.
"I'm not here to ask about your face. I'm here to talk about what happened in that room." she says, her voice direct and firm. "I'm here because I know you, Jay. I know you're not really mad about the baby news. You're mad and hurt about something else."
Jay shrugs, wincing slightly as the movement pulls at his split lip. He tries to mask the pain with a casual shrug, but Hailey can tell it hurts.
"Sore. But it'll heal." he says, his voice hoarse and rough. He takes a sip of his coffee, looking away from her as if avoiding eye contact would make the conversation easier.
Seeing his attempt to avoid talking, Hailey decides to dive in headfirst. She leans forward, making sure her eyes are locked on his face. She knows the only way to get him to talk is by being direct and making him confront his emotions.
"I'm not here to ask about your face. I'm here to talk about what happened in that room." she says, her voice direct and firm. "I'm here because I know you, Jay. I know you're not really mad about the baby news. You're mad and hurt about something else."
Jay looks at her, his eyes hardening as he senses where this conversation is heading. He tries to brush her off with a casual shrug, but Hailey isn't buying it. She leans forward, her eyes never leaving his face.
"Cut the bullshit, Jay. I know you. You don't lose your cool like that unless something is really bothering you. So spill it. What's going on?"
Jay looks away, his jaw clenching as he tries to keep his emotions in check. He fights the urge to lie to her, to hide his true feelings like he always has. But he can't. Not with her. She knows him too well. He takes a deep breath and looks at her again, his eyes weary and pained.
"It's just...everything's so messed up right now. My dad's in danger. And...I feel so goddamn helpless." he says, his voice cracking slightly as the emotions he's been bottling up flood out. "I'm used to having control, being the one to protect the people I care about, and now...I can't even protect my own father."
Hailey nods, her eyes filled with sympathy and understanding. She knew he was struggling with the helplessness and fear he's been feeling, watching his father lay in that hospital bed. She reaches out, placing her hand gently on his, hoping to offer some comfort.
Jay looks down at her hand on his, feeling comforted and yet overwhelmed at the same time. He takes a deep breath, trying to collect his thoughts.
"I've never told you about my childhood, have I?" he says quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. Hailey shakes her head, listening intently as he continues. "It was...messy. My mom died when I was just a kid, and my dad...he wasn't around much. I had to grow up fast, you know? He always put work first."
Hailey nods, her heart breaking at the thought of a young Jay trying to navigate the world alone. She squeezes his hand, offering him silent support as he continues speaking.
Jay looks down at her hand on his, feeling comforted and yet overwhelmed at the same time. He takes a deep breath, trying to collect his thoughts.
"I've never told you about my childhood, have I?" he says quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. Hailey shakes her head, listening intently as he continues. "It was...messy. My mom died when I was just a kid, and my dad...he wasn't around much. I had to grow up fast, you know? He always put work first."
Hailey nods, her heart breaking at the thought of a young Jay trying to navigate the world alone. She squeezes his hand, offering him silent support as he continues speaking.
"I never really had anyone to lean on, to talk to about my feelings. It was always just me and my dad, and he never had time for that. He expected me to act like an adult, take care of things, and not show any weakness. So I locked it all up inside..."
Hailey's heart clenches as Jay's words reveal the extent of his loneliness and emotional isolation from a young age. She wants to say something, to offer some comfort, but she knows he needs to keep talking.
"And now...my dad's laying there in that hospital bed, fighting for his life, and I can't do anything about it. It makes me so angry, Hailey. If I lose him...I don't know what I'll do. He's all I have left..."
Jay scoffs at this, anger flaring in his eyes as he pulls his hand away from hers.
"Will? Yeah, right. He's the perfect son, always has been. I'm just the screw-up who couldn't measure up. The black sheep of the family. I'm the last person he cares about."
Hailey's heart clenches at the pain and bitterness in Jay's voice. She's seen the rift between the brothers for years, and it's never been as clear as it is right now. She takes a breath and decides to push a little deeper.
"You can't truly believe that, Jay. I know you and Will don't always see eye to eye, but he's still your brother. He cares about you. I know he does."
Jay shakes his head, his jaw clenched in frustration.
"You don't get it, Hailey. Will has never understood me, or cared about me like I needed him to. All his life, he's been the golden child, and I'm the one who's screwed up. He thinks he knows best, and he loves nothing more than to rub it in my face whenever he can..."
Jay's voice falters for a moment as he speaks, the memory clearly still hurts to revisit. He takes a deep breath before continuing.
"And one time, when I was two…I had this really bad cough. I was coughing and crying all night, and my dad didn't want to deal with it...so he handed me a bottle of cough medicine and told me to just take some of that, and it'd knock me out."
Hailey's eyes widen in shock and horror at Jay's words. The thought of a little two-year-old Jay being given cough medicine in the middle of the night, just so he'd shut up and go to sleep…"
It's heartbreaking.
"I can still remember the taste of it, the way it burned my throat as I choked it down. All I wanted was for someone to hold me, to soothe me, to tell me it'd be okay…but no one did. I was just left there, coughing and crying, all alone…" A single tear rolls down his cheek, his walls finally crumbling down completely.
Hailey can feel her own tears threatening to fall at the raw pain in his voice. She wants to reach out and hold him, to comfort him, but she knows he's not ready yet. She keeps her hands firmly in her lap, waiting for him to continue.
Jay's voice grows even quieter, his eyes distant and haunted as he continues reliving the painful memory.
"And the day after, when I went back to daycare, nobody wanted to be near me. The other kids all stayed away, and even the teachers didn't want to come near me. I was just this snotty, coughing, pathetic kid, and no one wanted anything to do with me..."
Hailey's heart breaks even more as she listens to his words, the raw pain and loneliness in his voice cutting through her like a knife. She knows how much he's been hurt by his family, and how desperately he's tried to bottle it all up and pretend it doesn't affect him. But now that his walls are finally down, she can see the depth of his wounds.
Jay's voice shakes with emotion as he speaks, recounting the memory that still haunts him.
"I was so sick, I couldn't even stand. I used all the strength I had left to walk out the door, and then when I collapsed onto the street, Voight was the one who found me. He brought me back to the station, and the first thing he did was take my temperature…and it was 104. I'd developed a severe case of pneumonia, and I was in the hospital for days afterwards…"
Hailey's heart clenches in her chest as she listens to Jay recount his childhood memories. The pain and neglect he experienced is almost unbearable to hear, and she's filled with anger and sadness at the thought of a young, sick Jay all alone, abandoned by the one person who was supposed to love and care for him at all times.
"Voight was the only one there for me. He brought me to the hospital and stayed with me until my dad showed up. And all my dad could say was that I should've been more careful, that it was my own damn fault I ended up getting so sick."
Hailey swallows back the lump in her throat, trying to hold back her own tears as she hears the cold indifference in Jay's father's response. She wants to take him into her arms and hold him tight, to tell him that he didn't deserve to be treated that way, but she can sense that he's not done speaking yet.
"I spent days in the hospital, hooked up to machines. And I can still remember the fear and loneliness I felt when every other kid had their parents stay with them, and I was there all alone. My own dad couldn't even be bothered to stay by my side…he only came to visit once, and that was the time he blamed me for getting sick in the first place…"
Hailey feels her heart break even more for young Jay, left alone in a sterile hospital room, dealing with a serious illness while his own father couldn't even be bothered to show up for him. The pain and loneliness he must have felt is almost too much to bear.
Jay's voice betrays the hurt and anger he still feels at the memory of his brother abandoning him yet again.
"When I was finally discharged from the hospital, my dad sent me to stay with Will. And you know what he did? He kicked me out of the room as soon as his girl came over, so they could have some alone time. And I was left out in the living room, just on my own again..."
Hailey's heart aches at the thought of young Jay, already so wounded and alone, being so cruelly pushed aside by his own brother. She can see the pain and disappointment in his eyes as he relives the memory, and she feels a fresh wave of anger at the family who let him down time and time again.
Jay manages a small, ironic smile as he remembers the time when, for a brief moment, someone actually showed him kindness.
"The only time someone actually took the time to help me was when I was trying to learn my numbers. And it wasn't even my own family, it was Natalie's mom. She was the one who sat down with me and helped me figure it out…"
Hailey's heart warms slightly as she hears Jay's words, thankful that at least one person had been kind and supportive to him in the midst of all the neglect and indifference. But the pang of sadness returns as she's reminded of the harsh reality of his childhood - that his own family had failed him repeatedly.
Jay's tough exterior finally crumbles, and he lets out a shaky breath. He tries to continue speaking, but his voice catches in his throat as tears begin to fall from his eyes.
"It's funny, you know…" He pauses, trying desperately to keep his emotions in check. But the words start to pour out, as if he's been holding them in all his life.
"When I was a kid…all I ever wanted was someone to be there for me. Someone to love me and take care of me. But no one ever did..."
Hailey's own eyes fill with tears as she hears the raw, heartfelt confession from Jay. She watches as his body wracks with sobs, the pain and loneliness of his past finally unleashed. She reaches out slowly, gently taking hold of his hand and holding it tightly, silently offering him the comfort and support he never had as a child.
Jay's last shred of control crumbles, and he lets go entirely, burying his face against her shoulder as he falls into her arms. The sobs continue to wrack his body, his tears staining her clothes as the years of pain and hurt come flooding out all at once.
Hailey holds him close, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him close. She doesn't say anything, just lets him cry against her, making soft, soothing noises as she rubs his back in an attempt to comfort him. She's not sure if he's ever let himself be this vulnerable before, and it breaks her heart to see him in so much pain.
Time seems to stand still as they sit there, Jay sobbing in her arms while she holds him close. She continues to rub his back and runs her fingers through his hair in a comforting gesture, silently letting him know that she's here for him, that he's not alone anymore.
Hailey returns to the waiting area, her mind reeling over everything she'd just heard from Jay. The depth of his pain and loneliness had shaken her to her core, and her heart hurt for the young boy who had been so cruelly let down by the people who were supposed to love and care for him.
She sees Will sitting in a corner, his gaze fixed on her as she approaches. There's a hint of worry and apprehension in his eyes, as if he knows something had happened but he's not sure what it was.
The rest of the unit is gathered around, all of them looking at Hailey with curious and concerned expressions. She can feel their gazes burning into her, silently asking her what had happened between her and Jay. Will's eyes are fixed on her as well, his expression carefully neutral, but she can sense the tension in his stance.
Hailey takes a deep breath, her eyes fixed on Will as she speaks.
"Why don't you ask the golden child himself? He can fill you all in on what happened."
The rest of the unit exchanges glances, surprised by Hailey's slightly sarcastic tone. Will's expression darkens at her words, and he takes a step towards her, anger beginning to flare in his eyes.
"What did you say to him? What did you do to him?"
Hailey stands her ground, refusing to be intimidated by Will's obvious anger. Her tone is calm and controlled, but her words are sharp and pointed.
"I didn't do anything to him except listen to him. Something you've failed to do for years."
Will takes another step towards her, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. He's clearly not used to being spoken to in such a blunt manner, especially by someone he sees as beneath him.
"You don't know a damn thing about me or my family. You don't get to come in here and judge us."
Hailey clenches her own fists, her anger beginning to rise at Will's condescending tone. She's had enough of his crap, and she's not about to back down now.
"Oh, really? I know enough to know that your family has done nothing but hurt and disappoint him. Especially you."
Will's cheeks turn red, his anger rising rapidly at Hailey's challenge. He takes another step forward, his hands clenched so tightly that his knuckles have turned white.
"You have no idea what you're talking about. I've always been there for my family, I've always been the one doing everything to take care of us."
Hailey scoffs at his words, shaking her head in disbelief. The arrogance and entitlement in his tone are almost comical.
"You've always been there for your family? Really? Then where were you when Jay was two, coughing his lungs out and your father was giving him cough medicine in the middle of the night so he'd go back to sleep?"
Will's expression falters for a moment at her words, caught off guard by her specific knowledge of his family's failings. But he quickly regains his composure, his shoulders bristling defiantly.
"You don't understand the situation. Our dad was a busy man, he couldn't always be there to baby us."
Hailey's anger flares even more at Will's dismissive tone, her voice growing stronger and louder.
"Jay wasn't a baby, he was a child who needed his father. But instead of being there for him, your dad pushed him aside and expected him to just deal with it all on his own. And where were you, Will? Why weren't you there for him when he needed you?"
Will falters once again, his expression faltering even more at her continued barrage of questions. But he quickly hardens his expression and his stance, his hands clenching even tighter at his sides.
"I was his older brother, not his parent. It wasn't my job to take care of him. I had my own life, my own responsibilities."
Hailey takes a step towards him, her eyes blazing with anger. She's not going to back down now, not when she's so close to making him see the truth.
"You were his brother. You were supposed to be there for him, to support him and love him. But instead, you abandoned him, just like your dad did. He needed you, and you let him down. And you've been letting him down for years."
Will's defenses are beginning to crumble, but his pride and stubbornness won't let him admit defeat just yet.
"You don't know anything. You don't know how hard it was growing up in that house. There was always so much pressure on me to be perfect, to do everything right. I didn't have any time to worry about myself, let alone babysit my little brother."
Hailey shakes her head, her expression stern and unforgiving. She's not buying Will's excuses, not when they're so obviously just a way to justify his own shortcomings.
"What about when he was hospitalized? When he had pneumonia that landed him in the hospital for days? How was your life so damn busy then that you couldn't be bothered to visit him even once?"
Will flinches at the sharpness in her tone, the truth of her words hitting him harder than he'd like to admit. He opens his mouth to defend himself, but she cuts him off before he can speak.
"He was all alone in that hospital, sick and scared, and he needed his family. But instead of being there for him, you were too busy having fun with Natalie."
Will's shoulders slump, his defiance finally giving way to shame. He knows she's right, that he failed Jay and let him down when he needed him the most.
"I wasn't thinking straight. I was just a kid, and I wanted to have fun. I didn't think about how Jay would feel, being left alone like that."
Hailey's voice softens slightly, the anger giving way to a hint of sympathy.
"He was two years old, Will. Two. He was just a baby, still young enough to need his parents. And he was coughing so bad he could hardly breathe, and the best your dad could do was give him some cough syrup without even checking on him. And when he ended up in the hospital, you were more worried about having fun with Natalie than being there for your brother."
Will looks away, his face pale and filled with regret. He can't deny the truth of her words, and he knows he's messed up. He tries to speak, but the words get stuck in his throat. Finally, he manages to stumble out a half-hearted apology.
"I'm...I'm sorry. I was young and stupid, I didn't think about how it would affect him. I should've been there for him, I know that now."
Hailey nods, accepting his apology but not letting him off the hook completely.
"I'm glad you realize that now. But you need to understand that Jay's carried that pain and loneliness for a long time. And it's only built up over the years, adding to all the hurt and anger he's felt. He still feels like he's not good enough, like he doesn't deserve to be loved and cared about."
Later that night, Hailey and Maisie are sitting on the sofa in the living room. Maisie is tucked into Hailey's side, her tiny fists gripping a handful of chicken nuggets as she munches happily. Hailey has a blanket draped over her lap, and she's watching over her daughter with a loving expression on her face.
The living room is warm and cozy, the soft light from the table lamp casting a warm glow over everything. The only sound is the soft munching of Maisie as she eats her dinner, occasionally pausing to offer a chicken nugget to Hailey. Hailey laughs and pretends to take a bite, making Maisie giggle happily.
Hailey's phone buzzes on the coffee table, and she reaches for it, still keeping one arm around Maisie. She smiles at the screen, seeing her husband's name flashing on the caller ID, and picks up the call, putting the phone on speakerphone.
Hailey: "Hey, babe." Her voice is soft and gentle as she speaks, her eyes still on Maisie as she feeds her another chicken nugget.
Jay's voice is low and rough from exhaustion as he speaks. He sounds like he's barely holding himself together, and she can hear the tiredness in his voice.
Jay: "Hey, Hails…" He pauses, his voice catching in his throat.
Hailey's expression softens further as she hears the raw emotion in Jay's voice. She knows this is hard for him, and she can only imagine what he's been through.
Hailey: "How's your dad?"
There's a long pause on the other end, and when Jay speaks again, his voice is even rougher than before.
Jay: "Not good. The doctors said he's in critical condition. They're not sure if he'll pull through."
Hailey feels a pang in her chest at his words, her heart breaking for him and everything he's going through. She glances down at Maisie, who is blissfully unaware of their conversation and still happily munching on her chicken nuggets. Hailey rubs her hand over her daughter's hair, silently wishing there was something she could do to ease Jay's pain.
Hailey: "I'm so sorry, Jay. Is there anything I can do?" Her voice is gentle and caring, her words meant to offer support and comfort to her husband.
Jay's voice is soft and weary on the other end of the line, the weight of everything he's dealing with hanging heavily in his words.
Jay: "I'm gonna grab a coffee, then I'll be home. I just need a little time alone to clear my head."
Hailey nods to herself, understanding his need for space and solitude. She knows how hard this is for him, and the best thing she can do now is give him the time and space he needs to process everything.
Hailey: "Okay. Take all the time you need. I'll be here when you get back, alright?" Her voice is still soft and caring, her words meant to offer reassurance and support for her husband.
Jay doesn't say anything for a moment, but when he speaks again, his voice is quieter than before, like he's speaking more to himself than to her.
Jay: "I love you, Hails."
Hailey smiles softly at his words, her heart swelling with love and emotion.
Hailey: "I love you too, Jay. More than anything."
She can hear his shaky exhale on the other end, and the sound of him struggling to hold back tears breaks her heart. She wants more than anything to be there with him right now, to wrap her arms around him and hold him close as he falls apart.
Hailey: "Be careful on your way home, okay? I'll see you soon." Her voice is gentle and loving, filled with an unspoken promise that she'll be there for him, no matter what.
There's another moment of silence before Jay speaks again, his voice still rough but a hint of a smile in his tone.
Jay: "I will. See you soon."
Hailey nods, even though he can't see it. She doesn't want to end the call, but she can tell he needs time to himself before coming back home. So she reluctantly ends the call, feeling a pang of sadness and worry as she sets her phone back down on the coffee table.
Maisie finishes the last of her chicken nuggets, her little face covered in sauce. She looks up at Hailey with tired eyes, rubbing her fist against them as she yawns cutely.
Hailey smiles at her daughter, seeing the tiredness in her eyes. She adjusts the blanket draped over her lap and picks up Maisie, holding her close as she stands up from the sofa.
"I think someone's getting sleepy." She says in a soft, sing-song voice as she bounces Maisie gently in her arms, trying to soothe her to sleep.
Maisie snuggles against her, burying her face in her chest. She yawns again, her eyelids drooping lower and lower as she starts to doze off in Hailey's arms.
Hailey smiles down at her, feeling the warmth and love radiating from her daughter. She rocks her gently, walking towards the nursery, her steps slow and soft as she tries not to wake Maisie.
As they reach the nursery, Hailey quietly opens the door and steps inside. The room is dimly lit, and a lullaby plays softly from the baby monitor on the nearby dresser. She lays Maisie down in her crib, tucking her in with a blanket and her favorite teddy bear.
Maisie immediately snuggles into her pillows, still mostly asleep. She yawns one last time before her eyes finally close, and she drifts off into a peaceful sleep.
The door to the apartment slowly opens, and Jay steps inside, looking exhausted and drained. His shoulders are slumped, and his face is pale and drawn. He moves slowly, like every step is an effort and an inconvenience to him.
Hailey looks up from her spot on the couch as he walks in, and her expression immediately softens as she takes in his appearance. She can see the pain and exhaustion etched on his face, and her heart aches for him.
"Hey." Her voice is soft as she calls out to him, setting her glass down on the coffee table. She stands up from the sofa, taking a few steps towards him, her eyes never leaving his face.
Hailey continues massaging his upper body, her fingers working their magic on his muscles. As she moves her hands to the back of his head, she starts scratching gently along his hairline. She knows this is a spot that always seems to soothe him, and sure enough, he lets out a soft sigh as she applies pressure to that area.
Hailey smiles down at him, her fingers still moving in a slow, rhythmic pattern as she scratches his scalp. She watches as his eyelids flutter shut, and his breathing evens out, signaling that he's finally fallen asleep.
Really hope you enjoyed this chapter. This was part one of Jay opening up about his childhood trauma.
There's more to come with Jay opening up to Hailey and Pat's funeral.