Jay enters the living room holding their two-year-old daughter, Layla, in his arms. Erin is sitting on the couch, noticeably pregnant with their second child, her hand resting on her belly.
"Hey, how's my two favorite girls doing?" He smiles and kisses Layla's forehead before setting her down on the floor.
Erin looks up from the pregnancy book she was reading and smiles tiredly. "We're okay, just a bit tired."
Jay sits down next to Erin, putting his arm around her. "Still having trouble sleeping?"
Erin sighs and nods. "Yeah, this baby is making it really difficult to get comfortable at night." She rubs her belly.
"Maybe I can help you relax a little," Jay suggests, starting to rub her shoulders.
Erin melts into his touch, letting her head fall back against the couch. "Mmm, that feels good."
Jay continues to massage her shoulders and neck, slowly working his way down to her lower back.
"You're so tense," he says. "You've been taking on too much lately, trying to do everything on your own."
As Layla touches her stomach, Erin's expression softens and Jay smiles affectionately at their daughter.
"Look at that, she already loves her baby brother or sister," Jay says, watching their daughter interact with Erin's tummy.
"Yeah, she's so sweet," Erin agrees, feeling her baby kick inside of her. She places her hand over Layla's on her stomach.
"Can you feel that? The baby's kicking."
Layla's eyes widen in wonder as she feels the baby kick under her hand. She looks back and forth between Erin and Jay, a look of excitement on her face.
"Baby kick!" she exclaims, which only makes Jay and Erin laugh more.
"That's right, baby kick," Jay chuckles, playfully booping Layla on the nose. "You're going to be a great big sister, you know that?"
Layla grins widely, clearly excited about the prospect of having a sibling. She climbs up onto the couch between her parents, still touching Erin's belly.
"Baby come soon?" she asks, looking up at them expectedly.
Erin and Jay exchange a look, both of them knowing that there's still a ways to go before the baby arrives.
"Not quite yet, sweetie," Erin says, gently stroking Layla's hair. "It'll still be a few more months before the baby's ready to come out and meet us."
Layla pouts a little, clearly not happy with the answer. She snuggles up against Erin's side, her small hand still resting on the bump.
"Want baby now," she says, sounding a little grumpy.
Jay can't help but chuckle at his daughter's impatience. "I know, kiddo, but the baby has to stay warm and cozy in Mommy's belly for a little longer," he explains, ruffling her hair playfully.
Layla sighs, resigned to the fact that she'll have to wait a while longer to meet her baby sibling.
Erin smiles and pulls Layla closer to her, wrapping her arms around the little girl. "Don't worry, sweetheart, the time will go by before you know it."
Just as Erin and Jay are cozying up on the couch with Layla, there's a sudden commotion as Adam Ruzek and Kim Burgess burst into the room, carrying bags of Chinese takeout.
"We brought dinner!" Adam exclaims, holding up the bags.
While Erin and Jay are surprised by their unexpected guests, Layla immediately gets excited, recognizing her favorite uncle and aunt.
"Uncle Adam! Aunt Kim!" she cries, squirming out of Erin's lap and running towards them.
Adam grins and sets the takeout bags on the table before scooping Layla up in his arms.
"Well, if it isn't my favorite girl," he says, tickling her stomach and making her giggle.
Kim sets down the other bags of food and walks over to the couch where Erin and Jay are sitting.
"Hope you don't mind that we just let ourselves in," she says, giving them a sheepish smile.
Erin laughs and shakes her head. "No, it's fine. You guys never knock anyways."
Jay just rolls his eyes affectionately, obviously used to their lack of boundaries by now.
"Yeah, well, you know us. We couldn't resist a chance to see our favorite expectant parents and little Layla," Adam says, setting the toddler down and sitting down next to Kim on the other couch.
Layla immediately toddles over to the coffee table and starts opening the takeout containers.
"Make yourselves at home," Jay says wryly, watching as Layla tries to scoop some noodles onto her plate with her tiny hands.
Erin leans forward a bit, her stomach making it difficult to move around too much. "I'm just glad you guys showed up with food. I was starving."
"Oh, yeah, we figured you probably hadn't eaten yet, so we stopped by that place you like on the way over," Adam explains, pulling out the plastic containers of food.
Kim nods. "Yeah, and we got enough for everyone, including tiny princess here," she says, tickling Layla's chin, making her squeal with glee.
"The baby's doing good," Erin replies, rubbing her hand over the bump. "Kicking a lot lately, which has made it hard to get comfortable at night, but other than that everything's fine."
"Speaking of sleep," Kim says, turning to Erin. "You look tired."
Erin sighs and nods. "Yeah, I'm exhausted. I've been having trouble sleeping lately, plus my back has been aching a lot."
"Well, that's to be expected in the third trimester," Adam chimes in, taking a bite of his food.
"You're lucky it didn't start sooner," Jay says, shooting Erin a sympathetic look.
Erin rolls her eyes at Jay's comment but can't help but smile. "Yeah, yeah, I know. But it doesn't make it any less annoying."
Jay reaches over and pats her leg. "I know, babe. Why don't you go lie down and rest while we eat?"
Erin looks like she's about to protest, but then a yawn escapes her mouth, making everyone laugh.
"Yeah, I think I might take you up on that," she says, slowly getting to her feet. Layla looks up from her plate, reaching out to her.
"Mama go?" she asks, looking up at Erin.
Erin bends down and kisses the top of Layla's head. "Yes, sweetheart, Mama's going to go lay down for a bit. Don't misbehave for Uncle Adam and Aunt Kim, okay?"
"Okay," Layla says, returning to eating her food.
Erin waddles out of the room, the weight of her pregnancy making it difficult to move freely. Adam watches her go, shaking his head.
"Man, you'd think she was about to pop any day now with how big she is," he remarks, watching Erin go.
Jay shoots him a look. "Well, she's carrying a whole other human being. Cut her some slack."
"I'm just sayin', it's not the first time she's been pregnant. You'd think she'd be used to it by now," Adam says with a shrug.
Kim smacks him on the arm. "Don't be an idiot. You know pregnancy is different for every woman."
Jay nods in agreement. "Yeah, and she's having a harder time this time around. Plus, she's older now, so her body's not bouncing back as quickly as it did when she had Layla."
"Yeah, well, it's her own fault for waiting so long to have another kid. If she had done it sooner, she'd be having an easier time," Adam mutters.
Kim smacks his arm again, harder this time. "Seriously, what is wrong with you today? You're being a jerk."
Jay bristles at Adam's comment but tries to keep his cool. "Can it, Ruzek. You try carrying a pregnancy at 37 years old and then get back to me about how easy it is."
Adam throws his hands up in surrender. "Alright, alright, I'm sorry. No need to get testy about it."
Kim rolls her eyes at him and turns back to Jay. "How are you holding up? I know it can't be easy, having a super pregnant wife and a toddler to take care of."
Jay was about to respond when Layla, who had been playing with her food, looks up at Kim and pipes up.
"Daddy taking care of Mama, 'cause she not feeling good," she says, her plate covered in noodles.
Jay chuckles and ruffles Layla's hair. "Yeah, something like that."
Kim smiles at Layla's cute response. "Aw, that's sweet. You're such a good helper, aren't you, Layla?"
Layla nods, her little face covered in sauce. "Uh-huh! I help Daddy take care of Mama."
As they're talking, all four of them hear a loud thud coming from upstairs. They all freeze, looking at each other in concern.
Jay is the first to react, standing up quickly. "What the hell was that?"
"It came from upstairs," Kim says, also standing up.
Jay is already heading towards the stairs, taking them two at a time. "I'll go check on Erin," he calls back to them.
The others watch as Jay runs up the stairs, worried about what could have caused the noise. They hear him faintly calling out for Erin as he heads down the hallway towards their bedroom.
"Erin! Erin, where are you?" Jay calls out, his heart racing as he approaches the bedroom door. He pushes it open and rushes inside, his eyes scanning the room.
Erin is lying on the floor next to the bed, clearly having fallen out of it. She's rubbing her back and wincing in pain, trying to sit up.
"Babe, are you okay?" Jay asks, rushing to her side and helping her sit up.
Erin nods, still looking a little dazed. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just fell out of bed. Stupidly tried to get up and go to the bathroom on my own."
Jay lets out a sigh of relief, but he's still concerned. "You really need to be more careful. You can't be doing stuff like that on your own anymore."
"I know, I know. I was just feeling restless and didn't want to bother you," Erin says, still rubbing her back.
Jay shakes his head, exasperated. "You're not bothering me. You're my pregnant wife and taking care of you is my job. You need to start asking for help instead of trying to do everything yourself."
As Jay and Erin are talking, they're interrupted by Kim and Adam rushing into the room, little Layla following behind.
"Is everything okay? We heard a loud thump and..." Kim trails off as she sees Erin sitting on the floor, clearly shaken up.
Adam's eyes widen when he sees Erin on the floor. "Whoa, what happened?"
Jay gestures to Erin. "She tried getting out of bed on her own and fell. I told her to let me help her, but she's stubborn as hell."
"Hey, I am right here, you know," Erin says, shooting him a look.
Kim crouches down beside Erin, looking her over. "Are you sure you're alright? You didn't hit your head or anything, did you?"
Erin shakes her head, gingerly feeling the back of her head. "No, I don't think so. I just fell on my back. It hurts a bit, but I think I'm fine."
Jay gently helps Erin to her feet, ignoring her protests. "No, you're not fine. We're not taking any chances. We're going to the emergency room and getting you checked out."
"Jay, I'm telling you, I'm fine," Erin protests, trying to shake him off.
But Jay is having none of it. "I don't care. You fell out of bed onto your back while pregnant. We're going to the hospital and that's final. End of discussion."
Erin looks up at him, knowing that there's no point in arguing. She knows that when Jay has made up his mind about something, there's no changing it.
"Okay, fine," she grumbles, reluctantly accepting his help as he starts leading her towards the door.
Kim and Adam follow behind them, still looking concerned. Layla clambers after them, her little feet pitter-pattering on the floor.
"Where Mama going?" she asks, looking up at Jay.
Jay picks up Layla, shifting her in his arms. "Mama's going to the doctor for a little check-up, honey. But don't worry, we'll be back soon," he says, giving her a reassuring smile.
Layla frowns a little, clearly not understanding. "But I wanna come too!" she says, clinging to Jay's shirt.
"I know, sweetheart, but this is a grown-up trip. You have to stay here with Kim and Adam," Jay replies, gently prying her hands off his shirt.
Layla pouts, unhappy with the answer. "But I wanna go with Mama."
Erin reaches out and pats her head, feeling guilty for having to leave her. "I'll be back soon, baby. I promise."
Kim steps forward, offering to take Layla from Jay. "I'll keep her occupied, don't worry. You just focus on getting checked out, Erin."
"Thanks, Kim," Erin says grateful for her friend's help.
Jay nods in agreement, handing Layla over to Kim. "We should be back in a couple of hours. Call us if you need anything."
"We'll take good care of her," Kim assures them, tickling Layla's chin and making her giggle.
Jay puts an arm around Erin and steers her out the door and towards the car.
They make their way out to the car, Erin walking slowly and still wincing every now and then with pain. Jay opens the passenger door for her and helps her into the seat, making sure she's comfortable.
Once Erin is settled, he climbs into the driver's seat and starts the car. As he pulls out of the driveway, he steals a glance at her.
"You doing okay?" he asks, concerned.
Erin nods, her hand resting on her stomach. "Yeah, I'm good. Just embarrassed, mostly. I can't believe I was so clumsy."
Jay reaches over and takes her hand, giving it a squeeze. "Hey, accidents happen. You're pregnant, it's to be expected. Plus, you're carrying a little extra weight these days," he teases.
Erin rolls her eyes at him but can't help smiling a little. "Shut up. I can't help it that this kid is taking up all my usual body real estate."
Jay chuckles, his free hand resting on the steering wheel. "Hey, I'm not complaining. I think you're cute when you're pregnant."
Erin snorts. "Cute? Is that a polite way of saying enormous and waddling like a penguin?"
Jay grins. "Hey, waddling like a penguin is cute. And you're not enormous. You're just...round. In all the right places," he says, giving her a suggestive look.
Erin playfully swats him on the arm. "Keep your mind out of the gutter, Halstead. I'm too exhausted to do anything even remotely fun right now."
Jay chuckles. "Hey, I'm just saying. Pregnancy can be a beautiful thing, even if it does come with some added inconveniences."
He glances over at her belly. "Though I won't lie, I'm looking forward to not having to share our bed with an extra body."
"Oh, you mean you don't like being constantly woken up by my bathroom breaks and constant turning and tossing?" Erin asks sarcastically.
Jay laughs. "Well, I could do without the bathroom breaks every ten minutes. Your bladder seems to have shrunk to the size of a thimble lately."
"It's not my fault. The baby's putting constant pressure on my bladder. Trust me, I'm not thrilled about having to pee ten times a night either," Erin replies, a hint of irritation in her voice.
"I know, I know," Jay says, trying to appease her. "But I'm just saying, I miss the days when we could actually get a good night's sleep."
He glances over at her, noticing the discomfort on her face. "Is your back hurting again?"
Erin nods, wincing as she tries to find a comfortable position. "Yeah, it's been aching all day. I think I must have twisted it when I fell."
Jay frowns, concern on his face. "I hope you didn't do any lasting damage. The thought of you not being able to move around properly is stressing me out."
"Me too. But I'm sure it's just a minor sprain or something. I just need to rest and take it easy for a few days," Erin says, trying to downplay the pain.
"You're not really good at taking it easy, you know," Jay points out, giving her a sideways glance. "You always insist on pushing yourself too hard, even when your body is screaming at you to slow down."
"I know, I know. But I can't help it. I've never been good at sitting still and doing nothing," Erin admits, shifting in her seat trying to get comfortable.
"Well, you're going to learn how to do it whether you like it or not," Jay says firmly. "No more trying to do things on your own. If you need something, you ask me for help. Got it?"
Erin sighs, knowing that arguing with him is pointless. "Got it. I'll try to be better about asking for help."
She leans back in her seat, wincing again as her back twinges.
Meanwhile, back at Jay and Erin's house, Kim and Adam are trying to keep Layla entertained. They're playing a board game with her, but she keeps getting distracted and trying to run off to go find Erin and Jay.
"Layla, honey, you have to stay here with us for a little bit," Kim says, gently guiding her back to where she was sitting.
"But I want Mama," Layla pouts, her lower lip sticking out in a pout.
Adam pats her on the head, trying to smooth things over. "I know you do, kiddo. But Mama needs to go to the doctor for a bit. She'll be back soon."
Layla's face looks like it's about to crumple into tears, but Kim quickly tries to distract her with a toy nearby.
"Hey, look at this! Isn't this a cool toy?" she says, holding up a brightly colored stuffed animal.
The distraction seems to work for a moment as Layla looks at the toy with interest. She reaches out and grabs it, inspecting it closely.
"Pretty," she says, her pout disappearing for a moment.
Kim and Adam exchange relieved looks, glad that they've managed to stop her from throwing a full-blown tantrum.
"Yeah, it is pretty, isn't it?" Adam says, giving Layla a smile. "Why don't you play with it for a little while?"
Layla nods, clutching the stuffed animal to her chest. She sits down on the floor and starts playing make-believe, babbling to the toy and making up stories.
Kim watches her for a moment, shaking her head. "She's like a mini version of Erin, I swear."
"Yeah, definitely has Erin's stubborn streak," Adam agrees, watching Layla play. "She gets fixated on something and doesn't let up until she gets her way."
Kim nods, chuckling. "Oh yeah. We've all seen Erin in action when she's on a case. Like a dog with a bone, that one."
The conversation is interrupted by the ringtone of Kim's cell phone. She checks the caller ID and sees it's Jay.
"Speak of the devil," she says, picking up the phone.
"Hey Jay, what's up?" Kim answers, putting the phone on speaker.
Jay's voice comes through loud and clear. "Hey Kim. I wanted to give you an update. We're at the ER now and the doctor is checking Erin over."
"Is everything okay? How's Erin doing?" Kim says, her concern evident.
Jay lets out a sigh. "She's fine, as far as we can tell. The doctor is going to do some X-rays just to be safe. Her back is pretty sore, though."
Kim nods, relieved that Erin seems to be okay. "That's good to hear. What did the doctor say about her falling? Is it safe for the baby and everything?"
"The doctor said it's most likely just a minor strain and that it shouldn't affect the baby. But he wants us to stay for a while longer so they can monitor her and run some tests. So we might be here for a few more hours, at least."
As Jay and Kim are talking, Layla suddenly looks up from her toy, having overheard the conversation.
"Mama hurt?" she asks, her brow furrowing as she looks up at Kim and Adam.
Kim and Adam exchange a look. They hadn't realized Layla had overheard the conversation.
"Hey, kiddo, don't worry. Mama's just a little sore, that's all," Kim says, trying to reassure her. "She'll be fine, the doctor's going to make sure of it."
Layla nods, still looking concerned. "I want to talk to Dada," she says, holding out her hand for the phone.
Kim glances at Adam, then hands the phone to Layla. "Okay, sweetie. You can talk to Daddy."
Layla takes the phone with both hands, holding it up to her ear. "Daddy?" she says, her little voice coming through loud and clear.
Jay's voice comes through the speaker, sounding reassuring. "Hey, princess. Are you being a good girl for Aunt Kim and Uncle Adam?"
Layla nods, even though Jay can't see her. "Yes, Dada. I's being good."
Jay chuckles. "That's good to hear. I'm sorry I had to leave you, honey. But Mama needs to get checked out. She fell out of bed and hurt her back a little bit."
Layla's face twists into a worried frown. "Mama hurt? Is Mama okay?" she asks, her voice trembling a little.
"She's going to be okay," Jay assures her. "The doctor's taking good care of her, and she's going to be just fine. I just need you to be a big girl and be extra good for Aunt Kim and Adam until I get back, okay?"
Layla nods, her bottom lip sticking out a little. "Okay, Dada. I be good."
Jay can hear the tremor in her voice and knows she's still upset. "I know it's hard, princess. But Mama and I will be back soon. Just keep being a good girl, okay?"
"Okay, Daddy," Layla says, although there's still a hint of worry in her voice.
Jay tries to reassure her again. "Don't worry, honey. We'll be back before you know it. Love you."
"Love you, Dada," Layla replies, her voice a little shaky.
Jay says his goodbyes and hangs up the phone, feeling a pang of guilt for having to leave Layla behind.
Finally, a few hours later, Jay is allowed to go back and see Erin in the hospital room. He enters quietly, not wanting to disturb her if she's resting.
Erin is lying in the bed, surrounded by various monitors and machines. She looks up as Jay walks in, her face lighting up a little at the sight of him.
"Hey," she says softly, her voice sounding a little raspy. "Finally, some company."
Jay walks over to the bed and sits down in a chair beside it. He takes her hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Hey, how are you feeling?" he asks, his concern etched on his face.
"I'm okay, I guess," Erin says, wincing as she shifts to trying to find a comfortable position. "My back still hurts like hell, but the doctor gave me some strong painkillers that are helping a little."
Jay nods, his thumb tracing circles on the back of her hand. "I can see that. You look a little out of it. Those drugs must be kicking in."
Erin nods, her eyelids starting to droop. "Yeah, I'm kind of feeling tired. These meds make me drowsy as hell."
"Try and rest, sweetheart," Jay says, gently pushing back a strand of hair that had fallen on her face. "You need to rest and let your body recover."
Erin nods, her eyes closing as exhaustion takes over. "Yeah, I'll try... Just stay with me, okay?"
"Of course," Jay says, his grip tightening on her hand. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll be right here, as long as you need me."
Erin smiles weakly, her eyelids fluttering shut as she succumbs to the drugs and sleep. Jay watches her for a moment, his heart aching at seeing her look so small and vulnerable.
A few minutes later, a doctor walks into the room, interrupting the quiet moment. He gives Jay a small nod before addressing him directly.
"Excuse me, sir. Can I have a word with you outside?"
Jay glances at Erin, who is now fast asleep in the bed, before turning his attention to the doctor. "Yeah, sure. What's going on?"
The doctor motions for Jay to follow him out into the hallway, away from the room. Once they're outside, the doctor speaks in a low voice.
"I just got the results back from Erin's X-rays. They show no signs of any serious injuries or internal bleeding, which is good news."
Jay lets out a sigh of relief, his shoulders relaxing a little. "That's good to hear. But, what's the bad news?"
The doctor pauses, looking a little uncomfortable. "Well, there is one thing. The X-rays also show that Erin's blood pressure is slightly elevated. It could be due to the fall, but it could also be an indication of preeclampsia."
Jay's expression darkens at the doctor's words. "Preeclampsia? Isn't that dangerous, especially with her being so far along in her pregnancy?"
The doctor nods, his expression serious. "Yes, it can be. Preeclampsia is a condition characterized by high blood pressure and excessive swelling during pregnancy. If it's not properly managed, it can lead to serious health complications for both mother and baby."
Jay rubs a hand over his face, his mind racing with worry. "What do we need to do to manage it? Does she need medication or something?"
The doctor nods. "Yes, we'll need to monitor her blood pressure closely and start her on medication to help bring it down. She'll also need to be seen regularly by her obstetrician to ensure the pregnancy is still progressing smoothly."
"Okay, okay," Jay says, his mind already going into problem-solving mode. "What about the baby? Is the baby at risk?"
The doctor shakes his head. "From what we can tell, the baby seems to be fine. But we'll need to keep a close eye on both mother and child to ensure everything is progressing normally."
Jay runs a hand through his hair, looking frustrated and worried. "Look, we've got a two-year-old daughter at home, and she gets scared when we're not there. Is there any way I can take Erin home with me? I understand if not, I just want to know what our options are."
The doctor looks sympathetic, but shakes his head. "I can understand your concerns, but it's highly recommended that Erin stays here for observation. We need to make sure her blood pressure comes back down to a safe level, and that requires constant monitoring."
Jay takes a deep breath, trying to push down his frustration. "So, what are our options? Can I at least stay here overnight with her?"
The doctor considers this for a moment. "As long as you don't interfere with our staff or procedures, you can stay with your wife overnight. But please understand, we'll be taking regular vitals readings and possibly doing more tests during the night. So you'll need to keep it quiet in the room."
Jay nods, grateful that the doctor is willing to make an exception. "Of course, I understand. Thank you. I just don't want Erin to be alone here, especially with her being so vulnerable right now."
The doctor gives him a sympathetic smile. "I completely understand. And I can assure you that our staff is here to look after your wife and ensure she's receiving the best care possible. But I understand your concern. You're welcome to stay with her tonight."
Jay nods, his mind still whirring with worry. "Okay, thank you. I'll just go home real quick and grab some stuff for us and get our daughter tucked in for the night. I'll come back as soon as I can."
The doctor nods, understanding. "That's fine. Just make sure to be back within the next hour or so. We'll be keeping a close eye on your wife's vitals in the meantime."
Jay nods, already starting to mentally plan the trip home and back. "I'll be as quick as I can. Thank you again for accommodating us."
The doctor nods, giving him a reassuring smile. "No problem. We understand that this is a difficult situation for your family. Just take care and come back as soon as you can."
Jay rushes out of the room, his mind already focused on the task at hand. He needs to get home quickly, grab some essentials for himself and Erin, and make sure Layla is okay.
Jay hurries up the steps to their apartment building, taking the steps two at a time. He unlocks the door and walks in, immediately being greeted by Layla who had been waiting for him.
"Daddy!" Layla exclaims, running up to him with a big smile on her face. "You're back!"
Jay scoops her up in his arms, giving her a tight hug. "Hey, sweetie. Yeah, I'm back. How are you doing? Were you a good girl for Aunt Kim and Uncle Adam?"
Layla nods, resting her head on his shoulder. "Yes, I was good. Aunt Kim and Uncle Adam read me bedtime stories."
Jay smiles, touched by her obedience. "That's my girl. You were such a good girl. But now, Daddy needs to grab some things really quickly, okay? Can you be patient for just a bit longer?"
Layla nods, her little fingers playing with the collar of his shirt. "I be patient, Daddy. I be good."
Jay races up the stairs, taking them two at a time, his mind already ticking off the things he needs to pack. He enters the bedroom and begins pulling things out of drawers and throwing them into a small backpack.
He grabs sweatpants and a shirt for himself and digs through Erin's drawer for something comfortable for her to wear, eventually settling on a soft pair of yoga pants and a hoodie. He also snags a few toiletries for both of them, shoving them into the backpack.
As he's digging through the drawers, Jay notices Erin's wedding ring sitting on the dresser. He picks it up and tucks it safely into the pocket of the backpack before zipping it up and slinging it over his shoulder.
He takes one last look around the room to make sure he hasn't forgotten anything important before heading back downstairs.
As Jay makes his way down the stairs, lost in thought, he's suddenly startled by a voice from the living room.
"Hey there, Jay. Welcome back."
Jay whips around, his heart racing for a moment before he realizes it's just Adam and Kim.
He takes a deep breath, trying to shake off his surprise. "Jesus, guys. Haven't you ever heard of knocking?"
Kim grins at him. "Hey, we were being quiet. Not our fault you were so deep in thought you didn't hear us."
Jay rolls his eyes, unable to stay annoyed with them for too long. "Yeah, yeah. I was just in a rush. I need to get back to the hospital as soon as possible."
Adam nods, understanding. "Of course, man. We get it. How's Erin holding up?"
Jay's expression darkens a little at the mention of Erin. "She's...she's okay. The doctor says she's stable for now, but they want to keep her overnight for observation."
"She's on some meds to lower her blood pressure. They're worried about preeclampsia," Jay adds, his voice low.
Kim nods, a look of worry crossing her features. "That's understandable. Preeclampsia can be serious. But they're monitoring her closely, right?"
"Yeah, they are. That's why I need to get back as soon as possible," Jay says, his impatience now showing. "I don't want her waking up alone and scared."
Adam puts a hand on his shoulder, giving it a sympathetic squeeze. "We get it, man. Go, we'll look after Layla here until you come back."
Jay pauses, remembering that he forgot to inform Voight about the situation. He looks at Adam and Kim sheepishly.
"Actually, can you guys do me a favor? Can you call Voight and let him know what's going on? I completely forgot to call him earlier."
"Yeah, of course," Adam says, pulling out his phone. "I'll fill him in and let him know you're at the hospital."
Jay nods, grateful for their help. "Thanks, guys. You're lifesavers." He gives Layla one last hug goodbye, telling her he'll be back soon before heading out of the apartment and back to the hospital.
On his way back to the hospital, Jay makes a mental note to thank his friends for their help later. He knows that they'll take care of Layla and keep her safe until he gets back.
He arrives back at the hospital soon after, his mind once again focused on Erin and their unborn baby. He hurries back to Erin's room, hoping to find her awake and lucid.
As he enters the room, he sees Erin stirring slightly in the bed, her eyes opening slowly.
"Hey, you're awake," he says softly, crossing the room to her bedside. "How are you feeling?"
Erin moans softly, her hand reaching up to rub her eyes. "Like I got hit by a truck. Everything hurts."
Jay winces in sympathy as he settles into the chair beside her bed. "Yeah, that tends to happen when you take a fall like that. You're just lucky you didn't hurt the baby."
"The baby," Erin says, her hand automatically going to her stomach. "Is the baby okay? Did the doctor say anything?"
Jay nods, trying to reassure her. "The doctor said the baby is fine. They did some scans and didn't find any signs of injury. But they're concerned about your blood pressure. They want to keep you here overnight for observation."
Erin sighs heavily, her expression weary. "Great. Just what I need. To be stuck in the hospital overnight."
"Hey, don't think like that," Jay chides her gently. "It's just for one night, and the doctors just want to make sure you and the baby are okay. It's for your own good."
Erin nods, knowing Jay is right. "I know, I know. I just hate it here, you know? Hospitals make me anxious."
Jay takes her hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I know, sweetheart. But I'll be here with you, okay? You're not alone. And I won't leave your side."
Erin nods again, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Thanks. I appreciate that. I don't think I could handle being here all night by myself."
"You're welcome," Jay says, his tone soft and reassuring. "And don't worry, I've got some supplies for us. I brought some sweatpants and a shirt for you to change into, and your toothbrush and some toiletries. I also packed a change of clothes for me."
Erin's expression softens as she looks at him with appreciation. "You always think of everything, don't you?"
Jay shrugs, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "I just want to make sure you're comfortable and that you have everything you need. Plus, I didn't want you to be stuck in that hospital gown all night."
Erin laughs softly, wincing as the movement aggravates her sore back. "I'll take anything besides this damn hospital gown. It's so itchy and uncomfortable. I feel like a patient in a horror movie."
Jay laughs. "Well, we can't have that. Here, let me help you sit up so you can change."
Jay stands up and helps Erin sit up slowly, positioning himself behind her and supporting her back with his arm. Erin takes the clothes from him and begins to undress, wincing slightly as the movement causes her pain.
Jay watches her with concern, noticing the pain etched on her face. "Are you okay? You don't have to try and change if it hurts too much."
Erin waves him off, attempting to appear stronger than she feels. "I'm fine, I'm fine. It just hurts a little. I can do it." She eventually manages to get dressed in the new clothes, collapsing back onto the bed, clearly exhausted from the effort.
"Why are you so stubborn sometimes," Jay sighs, rolling his eyes affectionately. He tucks the blanket around her, making sure she's comfortable.
Erin sticks her tongue out at him playfully. "Hey, I'm not stubborn. I'm just independent."
Jay scoffs, crossing his arms over his chest. "Right, because there's a very fine line between being independent and being downright stubborn. And you, my dear, are constantly walking a tightrope."
Erin rolls her eyes, a hint of a smile on her lips. "Oh please, like you're one to talk. You're just as stubborn as I am, if not more."
Jay holds his hands up in mock surrender. "Okay, okay. We're both stubborn, I'll admit that. But let's not make this a competition, okay? We both suck at it, let's just leave it at that."
Erin laughs softly, her eyes fluttering closed. "Deal. We're both stubborn as hell, but at least we can admit it."
Kim stands over the crib, gently placing Layla down and tucking a blanket around her. She watches as Layla's eyes flutter shut and her breathing becomes slower and deeper, signaling that she's fast asleep.
Adam comes up behind her, resting his chin on her shoulder and wrapping his arms around her waist.
"She's out cold," he whispers, his breath warm against her skin.
Kim nods, a small smile on her lips. "Yeah, she was exhausted."
The room is quiet for a moment as they both stand there, watching Layla sleep. It's a comfortable silence, broken only by the soft sound of Layla's breathing.
The room is quiet except for the steady beep of the machines monitoring Erin's vitals. Jay is slumped in the uncomfortable chair, fast asleep. His head is tilted back, mouth slightly open, and he seems completely at peace.
A nurse cautiously enters the room, carrying a chart and a tray of medication. She notices the sleeping occupants and tries her best not to disturb them.
She approaches the bedside and checks Erin's chart, making sure everything is progressing as it should. She then checks the machinery and makes some adjustments before turning her attention to Jay.
She takes a moment to observe him, noting the deep lines of exhaustion visible on his face even in sleep. It's clear that he's been through a lot recently and hasn't had much rest.
The nurse jumps, startled by Erin's voice. She glances over at Erin, who is lying in the bed, her eyes open but still groggy.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you." The nurse whispers, not wanting to disturb Jay.
The nurse raises an eyebrow, curious. "Sure, what do you need?"
"See, that guy over there," she says nodding in Jay's direction, "he hasn't slept in days. I was wondering if it would be okay if he slept on my bed with me. In my arms."
The nurse looks at Jay's peaceful face, and her expression softens in empathy. "Normally we don't allow that, but given the circumstances and the fact that he looks like he could use some decent sleep, I don't mind if it's just for the night."
"Thank you," Erin murmurs, shifting slightly to make room for Jay on the bed. The nurse helps Jay stand and guides him to the bed, gently maneuvering him into a lying position next to Erin.
Erin immediately wraps her arms around Jay, guiding his head to rest against her chest. She rubs his back soothingly as he settles against her, his body relaxing into her warmth.
The nurse watches the scene with a soft smile, her heart swelling at the sight of the two of them snuggled together. "Get some rest, both of you. I'll come by later to check on you again."
Erin nods, her eyes already feeling heavy. "Thank you," she whispers.
The nurse nods and quietly exits the room, leaving Erin and Jay alone in their makeshift bubble of comfort and safety.
As soon as she's gone, Jay stirs slightly, his eyes fluttering open. He looks up at Erin, confusion momentarily clouding his features.
"What...what's going on?" He mutters, his voice groggy with sleep.
"Shh, lay back down," Erin whispers, running a soothing hand through his hair. "You're sleeping here for the rest of the night."
It takes a moment for Jay to process what she's saying. Once it sinks in, he nods and burrows closer to her, his head pillowed on her chest.
Erin smiles, the sound of his steady breathing a reassurance that he's finally getting some much-needed rest. She continues to stroke his hair gently, whispering soothing words into his ear.
"Sleep, you're doing good. I've got you."
Jay nods again, the soothing tone of her voice and the reassuring motions of her hand helping him relax further.
"You feel good," he murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper. "Soft and warm."
Erin chuckles softly, her heart filling with affection. "Glad to know I have my uses," she teases, her fingers still gently tracing patterns on his scalp.
"You have many uses," he mumbles, his voice growing more slurred with sleep. "But right now, you're the comfiest pillow I've ever had."
Erin laughs again. "Well, I'm glad I can be of service," she says, her fingers never stopping their soothing motions. "Now go back to sleep, okay? I'm not going anywhere."
"Okay," Jay says softly, his body sagging against hers as exhaustion and the comfort of her touch pull him back down into sleep. He drifts off, his breathing growing deep and even once more.
Erin smiles, her hand still stroking through his hair. She watches him for a few moments, a feeling of protectiveness and love washing over her.
"Sweet dreams, my love," she whispers, resting her head back against her pillow.
The room falls quiet again, the only sound the soft beep of the machines and the gentle sound of their breathing falling into sync.
I really hope you enjoy this chapter! I'll be posting lots more soon!
I appreciate all your feedback and support!
