Author's Note: I'm finishing up a big chapter, so here's just a little something to hold you over until that one is ready to go.

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Chapter 26-Girl Talk

Since Jay and Erin had covered for Hank while he was gone to California, when things slowed down, he'd given them a couple of days off, leaving the unit short-staffed again. Unfortunately, that meant a couple of late nights for Hank.

Jenna texted Hank to ask if he wanted her to hold dinner for him, but he said he'd be really late, but he'd try to see her if he could.

Late that evening, Jenna had just changed into pajamas when she heard a knock on her door. Since the Pulpo incident, she couldn't help but feel a little nervous being home alone. She checked the peephole and was surprised to see a tearful Erin at her door.

"Erin," she said, as she opened the door.

"Can I come in?" Erin asked.

"Of course you can," Jenna said as she hugged her. "What's wrong, Sweetie?"

Erin plopped down on the couch. "Jay and I had a fight. I needed to get out of there for awhile."

"What was the fight about?"

Erin threw her hands up in frustration. "It's stupid."

Jenna couldn't help but smile. "I'm sure it isn't stupid. I can't help if you don't tell me."

Erin sighed, wiping at her tears. "Jay has really been talking about future things a lot lately. He's…making plans. He started talking about kids, and I told him that I'm…not sure that I want kids."

Jenna put her hand on Erin's shoulder as Erin's tears fell harder. "It's ok if you don't want kids. Not everyone does, and that's perfectly fine. It's good that you were honest about that with Jay."

Erin wiped at her tears. "Yeah, except that I wasn't honest. I want kids, Jenna."

"So why did you tell him that you weren't sure?"

Erin put her head in her hands. "Because I think I would be a horrible parent."

"Oh Sweetie," Jenna said as she hugged her. "Why do you say that?"

"Look at me! I don't know who my father is, and you've met Bunny! How does that combination equal a good mother?"

"Erin, do you think I'm a good mother?"

Erin was surprised at Jenna's question. "Of course I do! You're probably the best I've ever known."

"My father left our family when I was a kid. My mother blamed me and my sister and said we were the reason he took off. My sister left when she was 16, because she couldn't handle dealing with our mother anymore. All of my mother's rage fell on me. She was…unbelievably awful. When I got married, I cut her out of my life completely, and I haven't seen her since."

"Wow. I had no idea."

"Growing up, I had always imagined what my family would be like. I wanted a lot of children, a huge family. I always dreamed of six children."

"Six?" Erin asked, a shocked look on her face.

"Six. I wanted to be a mother so bad, and I swore that I would be different than she was. I would do everything in my power to be the mother I wanted, the mother my kids deserved. It was hard, but I knew that I would do anything for them."

Jenna took Erin's hands. "Erin, I won't lie to you, being a mother is the hardest job in the entire world. But the rewards…Sweetie, they far outweigh the tough moments. You are one of the strongest women I've ever known. You had a wonderful example of a mother in Camille, and if you really want this, you can do this. You would be an incredible mother, and your children will be lucky to have you."

"Thank you Jenna," Erin said, dissolving into tears in Jenna's arms. Jenna stroked Erin's head as she let her own tears fall.

A few minutes later, Hank walked in to see his girls crying on the couch.

"What's going on?" Hank asked, rushing over to see them.

"Girl talk. Go away," Erin said, managing to laugh through her tears.

"Hi honey," Jenna said, standing up to hug him. "Erin and Jay needed some time apart, so she came over."

"What did Halstead do? Did he hurt you?" Hank asked, his voice and anger rising.

Erin held her hands up. "Calm down, Hank. If anything, I hurt him. We just had a disagreement."

"Erin is going to stay here tonight. Will you text Jay and let him know she's with us and she's ok and we know they'll work through this?" Jenna asked.

"But I would never say that," Hank said.

The girls both laughed. "I'll go call him," Erin said. "He should hear it from me."

As she went to Jenna's room to make her call, Hank pulled Jenna into his arms. "Thank you for taking care of her."

"Of course. I love her."

"She loves you too." They stood in silence in each other's arms for a few more moments. "Does this mean I have to sleep on the couch tonight?" Hank asked.

Jenna giggled. "Probably."

"So you'll sneak out here and join me when Erin goes to sleep?" Hank said softly in her ear, as one of his hands drifted down to rest gently on her backside.

Jenna ran her hand down his chest until her fingers landed on the buckle of his belt. "I'll think about it, babe."

Erin chose that moment to walk back into the living room. "Please don't feel each other up in front of me," she said teasingly.

"No one is forcing you to stay. If you go home, I can feel my girl up in peace," Hank said.

"Oh my," Jenna said, covering her blushing face with her hand and turning away from both of them. Hank and Erin both couldn't stop their laughter.

"Well, you're in luck, because I talked with Jay, and we made up, so I'm going to head home."

"I'm glad you're working things out," Jenna said.

"We still have a lot to talk about, and I have some explaining to do, but staying apart won't accomplish anything." She walked over to Jenna and gave her a hug. "Thank you for everything."

"Whatever you decide, it's all going to work out. Don't let fear drive your decision, ok?" Jenna said.

"I won't." She hugged Jenna again.

"I love you Erin," Jenna said softly.

Erin teared up. "I love you too." She gave Hank a hug before leaving.

When Jenna looked over at Hank, he had a questioning look on his face. "She's working through some things and making some decisions about her future. She'll be ok."

"I'm so glad she has you to help her," Hank said, putting his hands on her hips.

"I'm glad I can be there for her."

"So…since Erin is gone, does that mean I get to feel you up now?"

Jenna shoved him playfully. "You're terrible," she said, taking his hand and pulling him to her bedroom.