Chapter 29-It's Almost Time
Hank woke up early, Jenna still sound asleep in his arms. It was their wedding day.
Wedding day.
The words echoed in his head. It sounded so unreal. He still didn't know how he found someone like Jenna, and he really didn't know how someone like Jenna would agree to spend the rest of her life with him. He smiled as she stirred, snuggling herself closer to him. He kissed the top of her head before tucking it under his chin.
He couldn't help but think about Justin. He missed his son every day, but on the more special days, his heart ached even more. He knew if Justin were here, he would love Jenna too. He also knew that Jenna would've been so good for Justin, just like she was for Erin, and he so badly wished that Justin could be here with them today, standing beside him as he and Jenna joined their lives together. He let himself drift off back to sleep, content to stay right here with Jenna as long as she would let him.
A couple of hours later, they were both awake, ready to start their day.
"Good morning, almost-husband," Jenna said softly, grinning up at him.
"Good morning, almost-wife," Hank said, chuckling under his breath.
"Do I really get to marry you today?" she asked.
"I think it's more like I get to marry YOU today. I'm the lucky one in this situation."
Jenna shook her head. "No, I'm pretty sure I'm the lucky one."
"Then we'll just have to agree to disagree," Hank said as he kissed her. Suddenly, they were interrupted by a knock on the bedroom door.
"Hank? Jenna? Are you decent?" they heard Erin ask.
Hank groaned. "How did she get in here?"
"I gave her a key for emergencies a few months ago. I'm regretting it now," Jenna said softly. "Come on in," she yelled to Erin.
Erin let out a frustrated sigh when she saw them. "Paige, get in here. They are still in bed," she yelled down the hall.
"Mom!" Paige said, stepping into the room. "Get up! We have so much to do!"
Jenna looked up at Hank. "We should've eloped."
"Get up!" Erin said. "Hank, you're going back to your house to get ready. Jay is there to help you. Paige and I will take care of Jenna."
"I am perfectly capable of dressing myself Erin," Hank said.
Erin rolled her eyes. "Get out of here."
Hank sighed. "Fine. Can you give us a few minutes?"
"Five minutes before we drag you out of here ourselves," Erin said as she and Paige walked out.
Jenna sat up, leaning against the headboard. "Guess we better get this party started."
Hank moved to sit next to her. "Guess so." He pulled her close and kissed her. "So I'll see you in a few hours at the end of the aisle?"
Tears formed in Jenna's eyes. "I'll be there," she whispered, kissing him again.
"See you then." He brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. "I love you Jen."
"I love you, and I can't wait to be your wife."
Hank kissed her one last time before reluctantly leaving. When he was gone, Erin and Paige joined her in the bedroom.
"Mom, what's wrong?" Paige asked, rushing over to her when she saw Jenna's tears.
"I'm just happy," she said, wiping at her tears.
"He is too," Erin said, fighting back her own tears.
Paige was determined not to cry with them, so she forced herself to take control. "Ok, we don't have time for tears. We've got a lot to do, so let's get to it!"
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The girls spent a fun morning together helping each other get ready. Jenna cherished the moments with her girls and again thanked God for Paige's decision to be with her. While she would miss the rest of her girls terribly, she was so grateful to have a small part of her family with her.
At Hank's house, he and Jay were sitting in the living room in silence. Hank appreciated that Erin wanted him to have someone around, especially since Justin couldn't be there, but he and Jay never spent time alone unless a case required it. They both attempted to make small talk, but they could sense they were equally uncomfortable.
Jay had been working up the courage to have a serious conversation with Hank for a few weeks, but he wasn't sure how to bring it up. He wasn't sure that Hank's wedding day was necessarily the right timing, but he thought maybe he should take advantage of the time alone with him.
"Sarge, can I talk about something serious with you?" Jay asked.
"I suppose," Hank said. "What can I do for you, Halstead?"
Jay was suddenly overcome with nerves. Could he actually say the words out loud? "Um...it's about Erin."
"Is everything ok?"
Jay looked down uncomfortably. "Yeah. Hank, I...I love her. So much."
Hank sighed. "Yeah I know you do."
"I don't know if this is the best time to have this conversation, but since we don't get a lot of time without the girls around, I thought maybe we should talk. I don't know how to say this, so I'm just going to say it." Jay took a deep breath and forced himself to look Hank in the eye. "I want to marry her, and I'd really appreciate it if you gave me your blessing."
Hank stared at him for a moment, trying to figure out how to react. He knew Jay loved Erin, and he knew he would take care of her and be good to her. He put a lot of trust in Jay, not just as a vital member of his unit, but also to look out for Erin in the field. But the thought of his little girl getting married had him conflicted. He was overwhelmingly proud of how far she'd come and of the woman she'd become. The deck was stacked against her from the very beginning, but she overcame the odds and had made a great life for herself. But a part of him still saw her as the fifteen year old girl he brought into his home, and he couldn't help but be overprotective of her. He wished that he could guard her from every opportunity for heartache, but it was time for him to accept that she loved Jay, and they deserved to have a future together.
"Jay, I know I haven't been the most supportive person regarding your relationship with Erin. It's been hard for me. She's my daughter, and I know you know why I have felt this way."
Jay nodded. "I do. You're protective, and I understand that. But I love her, Hank. I'm going to be honest with you. I'm going to propose to her no matter what your answer is, but it will mean a lot to both of us, especially Erin, to have your blessing."
"I know, and out of everyone that Erin has dated, I know that you're the best person for her, and you've more than proven that you're going to treat her the way she deserves to be treated."
"I will. I promise. I'm going to do everything I can to give her the world."
"I know you will. I have a lot of respect for you for coming to me like this, and I absolutely give you my blessing." He shook Jay's hand.
"Thank you Hank. It means a lot to me, and I know it will mean a lot to her."
"You're welcome Jay. Just know that if you hurt her..."
"We'll go for a ride and you'll bury my body at the silos or throw me in the lake."
"As long as we're on the same page."
Jay smiled. "Thanks Hank."
"Take care of her, Jay."
"I will."
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Finally, it was time for everyone to start gathering at the church. The group was small, but it was exactly the quiet, intimate gathering that Hank and Jenna wanted.
While their guests were taking their seats, Jenna took a few minutes by herself, to gather her thoughts and to prepare for what was about to take place. It had been a year since she arrived in Chicago, desperate to overcome a painful past and move forward with a new beginning. In her wildest dreams, she never expected that in the span of a year, she would meet an amazing man, fall head over heels in love, become a substitute mother to another precious daughter, and build an incredible new life. God had blessed her more than she thought she ever deserved, and she couldn't help closing her eyes and whispering "thank you".
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While Jenna was taking a few minutes by herself, Erin walked into the room where Hank was waiting with Jay. "Will you give us a minute, babe?" she asked Jay.
"Sure. I'll be right outside."
Erin gave Hank a huge hug. "I'm so excited for you."
"Thanks Erin. You look beautiful."
"Thank you. Just wait until you see Jenna. She looks incredible."
"I can't wait to see her. I can't even believe this is happening today. I can't believe I'm actually getting married again."
"I know. But this is so right Hank. She's amazing, and you need her. You really do."
Hank nodded. "I do. I can't imagine life without her. I'm really grateful that you bullied me into asking her out."
Erin's mouth flew open in shock. "I bullied you? I don't think that's how it went!"
"Oh yes it did! You ordered me to go to her bakery and ask her out, and you told me you'd call that evening to verify that I did."
Erin rolled her eyes. "I don't think I'd call that bullying. I just…offered you a little encouragement. Forcefully."
Hank laughed. "Whatever it was, I'm glad you did it, and I'm glad you love her too. It means a lot that you're here with us."
"We have a family again. We've always been a family, but it feels…like we've been put back together again," Erin said, tears forming in her eyes.
Erin looked down at the buzzing phone in her hand. "I have to go. Paige and I have a surprise for Jenna, and it just got here." She hugged him again. "I'll see you in a few minutes."
"I love you kiddo," he said, kissing the top of her head.
"I love you too Hank."
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Jenna was shaken from her thoughts when she heard a knock on her door. "Come in! Unless you're Hank!" she said, giggling.
"Not Hank, just us again," Paige said, poking her head in. "It's almost time, but Erin and I have a surprise for you first."
Jenna shook her head. "Sweetie, no. I don't think I can handle anything else right now."
"I promise, you'll love this surprise." Paige and Erin stepped into the room, and Jenna was shocked to see her daughters Chloe, Sara, and Taylor file into the room behind them.
"Oh my goodness," Jenna said, as her tears began to fall.
"No crying!" Chloe said, rushing over and grabbing tissues to gently wipe Jenna's tears. "You'll mess up your makeup!"
"What are you doing here?" Jenna asked as she hugged them all, in shock that they were actually standing in front of her.
"We've been talking a lot over the last couple of weeks, and Paige and Erin helped us put things into perspective. We wanted to be here for your special day," Sara said. "We couldn't miss this."
"I'm so glad you're here," Jenna whispered as she desperately fought to keep any more tears from falling.
Chloe took Jenna's hands. "We still have some thoughts and some feelings to work through, but we wanted to be here with you. Now, let's get you fixed so we can get you married!"
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A few minutes later, Nick joined them, and Jenna was thrilled to have all six of her children together for the first time. This was truly turning out to be the best day.
Nick glanced down at his watch. "Well Mom, looks like it's time. Are you ready?"
Jenna nodded. "I'm ready."
The girls each gave her a hug before going to find their seats. Jenna thought she was alone, but she realized that Nick stayed behind.
"I know you and Hank are staying away from traditional things, and I know we haven't talked about this, but if you'll have me, I'd really like to walk you down the aisle," Nick said.
For what felt like the millionth time today, Jenna fought back tears. "I would love that. Thank you Sweetie," Jenna said as she hugged him.
Nick held out his arm, and she took it. They walked together to the closed doors that would lead Jenna out to the start of the rest of her life. This was it.
The music started, and Jenna took a deep breath as the doors opened.
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Hank took his place at the front of the church, looking down the aisle to the doors at the back, knowing Jenna was on the other side. This was it.
The music started, and Hank took a deep breath as the doors opened.