52. Seasons of Love
Thanks for all the reviews on the last chapter. I hope that you guys like this chapter.
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Kim stood in the kitchen stirring her herbal tea, her silk robe wrapped around her naked body. She glanced over at the clock and noticed it was almost dinner time. No wonder her stomach was growling. Her morning sickness had eased quite a bit in the last week or so and she was tremendously grateful for that. It was nice to be able to eat something again and not wonder how long it would be until it came back up.
Kim lifted the cup of steaming liquid to her lips and took a small sip, knowing she would have to go back into the bedroom sometime. She couldn't believe she and Adam were fighting again.
Well, it wasn't really a fight. More like a disagreement.
Well, not really a disagreement. More like she'd blown up at him for their friends finding their ultrasound picutre and he acted all defensive about it.
A defensive Adam and an emotional Kim were not a good combination. Not a good one at all.
Kim knew she overreacted. What was the big deal? So she wasn't able to tell them. She knew he hadn't left the picture out on purpose. How was he supposed to know their entire circle of friends would show up unannounced the night before she came home.
Kim sighed as she took another sip of her tea. Her stomach growled loudly, reminding her that she had a child inside her who needed its nourishment.
"Okay, okay, let's see what we've got in the fridge," Kim said softly as she smiled and rubbed her belly gently.
Kim knew she needed to walk back into their bedroom and apologize to Adam to her erratic behavior but first she needed something to eat.
Adam walked into the kitchen wearing only a pair of boxers. He had waited almost a half hour for her to return. He figured when she threw back the covers and stormed out of the room, it was an indication that she wanted to be alone for a while.
Everything had been going wonderfully. After they showered, he carried her to their bedroom where they made love in the bed. Afterward, while they were laying in each other's arms, she had started talking about how she couldn't wait to tell everyone about the baby now that she was safely in her 2nd trimester. Not that everyone wouldn't be able to notice. Her stomach was swollen enough so that it was definitely obvious she was pregnant.
Adam had cringed slightly as she talked excitedly and she could sense his change in demeanor. When he told her what happened, he could see the disappointment sweep across her face.
He apologized but she remained silent. He begged her to please talk to him but she refused. He pointed out that it was an accident and that she shouldn't be upset and that was the last straw.
Without uttering even one word to him, Kim got up, grabbed her robe out of her suitcase and walked out of the room.
Adam rubbed his temples as he stepped closer to her. The urge to sweep her into his arms and carry her off to the bedroom and make love to her for the rest of the night consumed him. Being apart from her had killed him and he didn't want one more second of their time together to be wasted over something like this.
Kim was leaning down looking in the fridge and didn't know he had come up behind her until she felt his hand on her hip. She stood up startled and Adam stepped back.
"I'm sorry Darlin'. I didn't mean to scare you."
Kim didn't answer him. She only walked over to her tea and took another sip. She was feeling stupid about her reaction earlier but she didn't know how to start her apology.
"So, are you going to give the silent treatment for the rest of the day?" Adam asked trying to keep the accusatory tone out of his voice. He didn't want to fight with her. He wanted to hold her and kiss her and make love to her. Make up for the week where she was at her parents house.
Kim looked up at him and sighed. "Adam, I'm not giving you the silent treatment. I just got off a six hour flight and I'm tired." She hesitated for a moment. "And I feel like a bitch for the way I acted back there."
Adam felt relief flood his entire body and he stepped over to her, enveloping her in his large arms, burying his face in her soft hair.
"Kim, you weren't a bitch. I understand why you're upset but I can't go back and change it. If I could I would. I'm sorry."
Kim placed her cup on the counter and turned in his embrace. She wrapped her arms around him as she nuzzled his throat. "Adam, you have nothing to be sorry about. I just let my overactive hormones take over again."
"I know how much it meant to you that we tell everyone together. It figures I was able to keep it under wraps with Platt here. She's one of the biggest snoops I know."
Kim giggled as she rubbed his lower back gently, her fingers dipping into the waistband of his boxers. Adam caressed her spine gently and she arched toward him, her breasts and stomach pressing tightly against him.
"I know. Platt is the queen of snoops." Kim sighed softly as Adam's lips grazed her temple gently.
Adam nodded his head. "I made an appointment with Dr. Anderson for Tuesday afternoon. I figured that would give you the chance to tell Platt on Monday that you need Tuesday off. We can go to see my family and then tell them together"
Kim's smile widened as he spoke. "You took care of everything didn't you?"
"I always will Burgess." Adam murmured against her hair before he stepped back. "Now are you two hungry?"
Kim nodded her head enthusiastically. "Are we ever?"
Adam walked over to the cupboard. "Well, we have two choices here. We can eat something that is good for you and baby Ruzek."
"Or?" Kim questioned amusedly, her eyes twinkling.
"Or we can gorge ourselves on these." Adam held up the plate of double fudge brownies that Erin had brought over the night before.
Kim got only one whiff of the decadent dessert before she turned green. She covered her mouth with her hand as she turned and ran out of the kitchen and down the hall to the bathroom.
Adam heard the bathroom door slam as he lifted one of the brownies to his lips and took a bite.
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Erin stood in Everly's nursery packing her daughter's bag for the weekend. Evie crawled from her spot on her blanket with her toys over to Kane who was laying by the door.
Everly spit her binkey out as she made her way over to the dog and patted his stomach with her tiny hands.
Kane raised his head up off the carpet to look at Everly before laying it back down on the carpet as Evie patted his belly again.
Everly laughed and grabbed a handful of Kane's fur and pulled herself up so she was laying half on top of him and patted him again.
Kane exhaled as Everly patted him again and babbled. He turned and licked the side of Evie's foot and the baby giggled as Jay walked in.
"What's going on in here?" Jay asked as he leaned down and picked Everly up off of Kane.
Everly wiggled to get out of Jay's grasp and whined down at Kane who raised his head when she whined and yawned before laying his head back down on the carpet.
Jay stepped over Kane and walked over to where Erin was and he smiled as he watched his wife pack.
"Baby, she's spending the night with Hank. We're not giving her to him"
Erin sighed and looked at her husband. "I just don't want to forget anything that may be important. Do you think I should pack the baby Tylenol?"
Jay shook his head and looked at Evie before looking at Erin. "No, I don't think you need to pack the baby Tylenol. She's fine"
Erin looked back down at the bag and sighed. "It's just our first night without her and it's scary"
"How scary can it be? She's going with Hank" Jay was quiet for a minute "Maybe we should just leave her with us. I mean you stayed with Hank and look how you turned out"
"Shut up" Erin narrowed her eyes at her husband and zipped up the small carry on bag that she'd used to pack Everly's clothes and extra diapers.
Jay looked at the bag and sighed. "Erin, you know that Hank probably has some of the stuff at his house. It's not he's never baby sat Everly before"
Erin nodded and sat the bag on the floor. "Not overnight Jay"
Jay kissed Everly's cheek before looking at Erin. "She's going to be fine. Besides, Hank's doing us a favor. We didn't get to spend any one on one time for our anniversary and I think it's only fair that we get to do something just us"
Erin sighed and reached for Everly and placed a kiss on her daughter's cheek before pulling her against her chest.
"You're right. I just am going to miss her" Erin sighed.
"We'll see her tomorrow night, Er" Jay said. "And I think we need a break, and I'm pretty sure our dog does too"
Erin looked over at Kane who was snoring softly in the corner and she laughed as she looked back at Jay. "It is a little chaotic with a baby who's mobile now"
Jay nodded "Yeah, but I guess we'll keep her"
Jay reached over and tickled Everly's belly and the baby laughed showing off her tooth and dimples she'd inherited from her parents.
The doorbell rang and Erin sighed and looked over at Evie. "Are you ready to spend the night with grandpa?"
At the sound of the word "Grandpa" Everly's eyes lit up and she clapped her hands excitedly and babbled.
"I'll take that as a yes" Erin said as she looked at Evie and laughed.
Erin walked downstairs with Everly and Jay grabbed her bag off the end of the floor before following Erin.
The two walked down the stairs and Erin opened the door for Hank.
"Hey kid" Hank greeted as he walked in and shut the front door behind him. "Halstead" Hank nodded to Jay.
"Hank" Jay said "What do you guys have planned tonight?"
Hank shrugged his shoulders and eyed Jay. "I don't know, Halstead. Are you writing a book?"
Jay walked into the living room and grabbed Everly's diaper bag off of the couch. "Yeah, I'm calling this chapter "Where Are You Taking My Kid?"
Erin shook her head as Everly squealed and reached for Hank to take her.
Hank laughed and reached for the baby and pulled her into his arms. "Are you ready to hang out with grandpa? We're gonna have a great time just me and you"
Everly babbled to Hank as she patted his chest with a pudgy hand and she sighed dramatically as she finished.
"I've told your dad about that" Hank said.
Everly was quiet for a moment as she looked over at Jay and then back at Hank and laughed.
Erin, Jay and Hank laughed as they looked at Everly.
"Well, we better go if we're going to make it to our reservations" Hank said looking down at his watch.
"What do you need reservations for with a seven month old?" Erin asked as she walked over to the living room closet and pulled Everly's sweater out before walking over and taking her daughter from Hank's arms.
Everly started to whine and wiggled to get out of Erin's arms as Erin moved to sit on the couch.
"I'll give you back to your grandpa grouch" Erin explained as she pulled Everly's arms through the sweater and stood up.
"The finest restaurant in town" Voight explained as Erin handed Everly over to him.
"Just take care of my kid" Erin sighed and leaned in and kissed Everly on the head.
"Have fun with grandpa. Mommy will see you tomorrow, I love you" Erin said as pulled away so Jay could say his goodbye.
"Bye stink face" Jay said kissing Everly on the face as Kane came down the steps
Jay handed Hank Everly's diaper bag and overnight bag and Hank gave his goodbye before walking out the door and closing it behind him.
Kane looked at the door as it closed and whined before walking over to it and clawing at the door and whimpering.
"She'll be back buddy" Jay assured as he reached down and rubbed Kane on his head.
Kane looked up at Jay and put his ears back and whined louder.
"Do you want a bone?" Jay asked as he watched Erin walk into the kitchen. "Let's go"
Jay started towards the kitchen and looked back at Kane who circled once and laid down by the front door and whined one last time before sighing.
"I think our son just might be missing his playmate" Jay joked as he walked into the kitchen and grabbed a beer.
"It's weird how quiet a house can suddenly get" Erin sighed and poured herself a glass of wine.
"True, but we haven't had this kind of alone time in what almost 8 months" Jay said as he took Erin's wine glass from her and took a drink out of it.
The two stood in silence for a few moments before Erin finally spoke. "What did we do before we had Everly?"
"We had sex" Jay said taking another drink of the wine and handing it back to Erin.
"No...we did other stuff..." Erin furrowed her brow and took a drink of wine "Didn't we?"
Jay nodded "We did sexual stuff"
Erin sighed. "Well what do we do now?"
Jay turned towards Erin and raised an eyebrow
"Not happening" Erin said shaking her head.
Jay laughed and reached for Erin's hand. "I wasn't even thinking about that. Let's go get our pajamas on. I've got a surprise for you"
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"You are going to love this, Sweet Pea" Hank said as he took the mashed potatoes off of the stove and turned it off. "I used to make these for your mommy all the time"
Everly looked over at her grandpa from where she was sitting in her high chair playing with a Doc McStuffins toy. She smiled at her grandpa as he spooned some mashed potatoes into a bowl and he made made up his own plate.
Hank walked over to the table and sat down and put his steak and mashed potatoes down and he put Everly's bowl of mashed potatoes on the high chair and picked up a spoonful before blowing on it and tapping it to Everly's mouth.
Everly swallowed the mashed potatoes and grunted before opening her mouth again.
Hank laughed and spooned another scoop on the spoon and fed it to Everly.
"I think you and I should have a Grandpa to Evie talk" Hank said as he looked at Everly.
Everly grabbed a cut up green bean that Hank had placed on her high chair and she put it in her mouth and chewed.
"Can you make your old grandpa a promise?" Hank asked as he reached over and ran his hand over Everly's face.
Everly looked up at her grandpa and offered him a cut green bean. Hank laughed and shook his head "No, Bug, you eat that"
Everly babbled and put the green bean in her mouth and chewed. Her eyes never leaving Hank's face.
"You know how your mommy and daddy always read you the princess stories and the princess grows up and marries the prince? Can you promise grandpa that when you grow up and you get married you'll find a man who treats you like a queen. And that he'll always respct you, and he's only going to put his hands on you to love you" Hank said.
Evie looked at Hank and smiled as she looked Hank.
"Do you know who's going to make sure that this boy does all of these things?" Hank asked.
"Dada" Everly said.
Hank nodded "Yeah, your daddy and Grandpa Hank. Cause Grandpa Hank loves you so much, kiddo. You don't even know"
Everly laughed as she looked at Hank.
Hank laughed and scooped up another spoonful of mashed potatoes and plopped them into Everly's mouth.
After he and Everly had finished their dinner and he cleaned up the kitchen he gently lifted Evie out of the high chair and carried her to the living room to grab her diaper bag. Hank grabbed a clean towel and a wash cloth off of the laundry basket and walked back into the kitchen. He placed the stopper in the sink and turned the water on and filled the sink with water as he stripped Evie and sat her down in the warm water.
Everly splashed her hands as Hank reached into the diaper bag and pulled out the small toiletry bag that Erin had packed and he pulled out a travel size of baby wash and he squirted it into the water and Everly laughed as the running sink water caused the baby wash to make bubbles. Hank laughed as he looked down at Everly and he grabbed the wash cloth and turned the water off. Hank wet the wash cloth and put some soap on it before he started washing Everly's body.
"Everly, you have rolls for days my girl" Hank said as he soaped Everly's body.
Everly laughed and leaned her head back as Hank started to quickly wash Evie's hair.
"Papa" Everly said leaning her head back to look at Hank and she pointed her finger at Hank.
"Yeah, I'm papa" Hank said with a smile. He grabbed the towel and leaned it against his chest as he lifted Everly out of the sink and cuddled her against him. He wrapped the towel around Everly and walked into the living room and dressed Evie in her pajamas.
Hank turned the TV on and sat down in his arm chair with Everly and he draped her pink blankie over her and he rocked in the chair as he tried to find something to watch on TV.
"Do you like Storage Wars?" Hank asked Evie as she cuddled into Hank's arm and looked up at him.
Hank looked down at Evie and smiled when he saw her looking up at him her binky gently moving in her mouth as she sucked it.
Hank turned off the light and the room fell into darkness as he started rocking. After a few minutes of explaining "Storage Wars" to Evie he looked down and saw that she was asleep. Hank stood up and walked up the stairs and into his room and he placed a kiss on Everly's head before laying her down in her pack n play and walking out of the room and down the stairs.
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"Are you sure about this?" Erin asked as she looked at Jay.
"It's going to be fun, I promise" Jay said as he filled the inflatable pool with another blanket.
The sound of crickets filled the night air outside of Erin and Jay's house as Erin watched her husband lay another blanket down. After Jay and Erin had ordered take out for dinner and showered Jay was ready to show Erin his surprise "date night" idea.
Erin was thinking a nice massage or a movie night, but no. Here she stood in the backyard watching her husband fill an inflatable pool with another blanket for their camp out under the stars. The promise of the pool was Jay's selling point as Erin wouldn't be laying on the grass or have to deal with bugs crawling all over her.
"It's going to be great baby" Jay explained as he pulled out a comforter and laid some pillows down in the pool.
"I'm not going to have sex with you out here" Erin said folding her arms over her chest.
"Did I ask you to?" Jay asked "I'm a little hurt that you think that's all I want from you"
"Bullshit" Erin laughed and looked at Jay.
"Am I not human? Do I not have feelings?" Jay asked.
"Jay" Erin started "I know what turns you on. If I wanted you, I could have you"
"Don't be so sure of yourself, Lindsay" Jay said as he slipped of the sandals he was wearing and into the pool filled with pillows, blankets and a few memory foam mattresses.
"Are you trying to say I can't turn you on?" Erin asked as she slipped her own sandals off and stepped into the blanket filled pool.
"I never said that" Jay said as he wrapped his arms around his wife.
"Socks and sandals, Jay?" Erin asked as she wrapped her arms around Jay.
"I didn't want to drag grass into the pool. You should thank me" Jay said raising an eyebrow and looking down at Erin.
"Thank you?" Erin asked.
"Yeah, with your mouth" Jay smiled and he laughed when he saw Erin's reaction.
"I don't think so" Erin said shaking her head. "Neighbors remember?"
"They're on the other side of the trees" Jay said.
"It's not going to happen" Erin said again.
"It was worth a shot" Jay said as he sat down in the pool and pulled Erin down with him.
"This is nice" Erin said as she took a seat and placed her legs under the comforter.
"What was that?" Jay asked "Is that the sound of me proving Erin Halstead wrong?"
"Maybe" Erin said bumping her shoulder against Jay's.
"Can I have my anniversary gift?" Jay asked "Since I didn't get it the other night"
Erin thought for a minute and reached on the other side of the pool onto the ground and pulled the small bag up and handed it to Jay.
"Thanks babe" Jay said as he opened to bag and pulled out a small square box.
Jay opened the tissue paper and pulled the tissue paper back to reveal four tickets tickets to the Chicago White Sox game playoff tickets.
"Thanks Er" Jay said leaning over to kiss her.
"You don't have to take me. You and the guys go and have fun" Erin said. "You deserve to have a great time"
Jay nodded and reached over to the side of the pool and grabbed his bag and handed it to Erin. Erin opened the bag and pulled out a small velvet box and she opened it.
Hot tears welled in Erin's eyes as she looked down at the charm in her hands. The portrait necklace in her hand was one of her and Nadia from Erin and Jay's wedding. The two were seated at the table at the reception and Erin's veil was pulled over both her and Nadia's head as they both smiled and stared into the camera.
"How'd?" Erin asked looking at Jay.
"I asked our wedding photographer for the picture. I know it's one of your favorites and I thought this way you could keep it close to your heart" Jay explained.
"Thank you" Erin said as she felt Jay brush a tear off of her cheek.
"I didn't do it to make you cry, baby" Jay explained. "I did it because I wanted you to have something to remember Nadia by"
"I love it" Erin said looking back at the necklace and leaning over to kiss Jay.
Jay ran his hand over Erin's jaw as Erin deepened the kiss and the two slowly laid back down into the pool.
Erin groaned and moved to straddle Jay as he laid down. her hands running through Jay's hair as his slid down her sides and rested at the base of her spine.
Erin pulled back to look at Jay and nuzzled her nose against his. "I love you so much. I don't know what I ever did to deserve you. Or why you'd ever want to be with me"
Jay looked up at Erin and rolled them so that they were both on their sides facing each other. Jay rasied his hand and brushed Erin's hair across her face.
"Can I tell you someting?" Jay asked.
Erin nodded as she looked at him.
"Do you remember after we first met and Hank was giving the speech about how the people standing next to us were are family?" Jay started.
Erin nodded "I remember"
Jay sighed and continued "That's the day that I knew you were the one"
"No" Erin said shaking her head.
"I'm serious" Jay said. "I'd just joined intelligence and I remember during that speech I glanced over at you and you looked back at me and our gaze locked and I just knew. I'd met my wife"
Erin smiled and looked at Jay. "I love you"
Jay smiled and leaned over to kiss Erin "When did you know I was the one?"
Erin was quiet for a minute and "I'm still not sure you are"
Jay rolled his eyes as Erin laughed and cuddled closer to him. "It was when you covered for me when the stuff first happened with Charlie. Nobody other than Hank had ever done anything like that for me and I didn't quite know how to process it. But that was the day that it really set in motion that you were so much more than just a partner to me. You were my best friend"
Jay pulled Erin closer to him and ran his hand down her back. He reached down and pulled the comforter over them both. "I know it's weird, but I have Antonio to thank for leading me to you"
"Really?" Erin said.
Jay nodded "Yes, it's because of him getting me into intelligence that I even crossed paths with you. And I owe him everything for that. It's funny I can remember sitting on that ambulance outside of Molly's when I got shot and I would've never known how my life was about to change"
"I love you so much, Jay" Erin said lifting her head up to look at Jay and running her hand over his stubbled jaw.
"I love you Er, and I'm going to love you forever. Just like I told you the night in your apartment. I'm all in" Jay assured.
"All in" Erin repeated and leaned up to kiss him.
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Halloween
"You look so cute" Erin exclaimed as she put the finishing touch on Everly's costume.
The sound of Jay walking in the front door and tossing his keys on the table caused Erin to make an excited face at Everly.
"Daddy's home, it's almost time to go trick or treating" Erin excitedly said as Everly kicked her legs excitedly and clapped.
"Dada" Everly excitedly called as Jay walked into the nursery.
"Everly" Jay called back and he stopped in his step as he looked at his daughter.
"Really? A cupcake?" Jay said looking at his daughter in her costume.
"What's wrong with it? Erin asked adjusting the beanie cap that had a cherry on top of it.
"I thought we were going with the cop costume" Jay said walking over to Erin.
"Well we changed our mind" Erin cooed down to Everly "Didn't we?"
Everly laughed as Erin tickled her pink tights covered legs.
"Besides I don't want people thinking that Everly is a boy" Erin said standing up and pulling Everly up on her hip.
"Nobody is going to think she's a boy. The cop costume was bitchin" Jay explained as he took Everly who reached for him.
"Watch you mouth in front of the baby" Erin sighed and rolled her eyes as she walked out of the nursery.
"Your mommy is being a grump. You liked the policeman costume didn't you?" Jay asked bouncing Everly in his arms.
"No no" Everly said shaking her head.
"It's really not fair that you two gang up on me" Jay said leaning in to kiss Everly's cheek as he carried her out of the nursery.
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"Are you ready?" Erin asked as Jay parked their Chevy Equinox in front of Hank's house.
"What the hell is your brother wearing?" Jay asked as he took his seatbelt off and watched Teddy passing out candy on Hank's porch.
"He's a construction worker" Erin said.
"You know what's scary? The fact that you're not even phased by this. He's half dressed standing on Hank's porch. What the hell have I married into?" Jay asked as he reached for the door handle.
"Real funny, Jay" Erin sighed and got out of the car.
Erin opened the back door and made an excited face at Everly who was staring at her. "Are you ready to go trick or treating?"
Everly clapped her hands at the excitement in her mother's voice and squeeled with delight as Erin unbuckled her and lifted her out of her seat.
Erin walked around the car and over to Jay who was carrying the small trick or treat bucket that said "Too Cute To Spook"
"Where the hell you have ya'll been" Teddy asked as Erin and Jay walked up to him.
"Well, we were going to dress up, but we were worried we'd look stupid" Jay explained as he looked over at Burgess and Ruzek who were walking up to Hank's house dressed as a witch and a hot dog.
"Kind of like that" Jay said as Ruzek walked up to him.
"I told her to get me something scary" Ruzek sighed "How's a hot dog scary?"
Kim sighed and looked at Adam "I told you that Evie, and Erin and I were having a Girls Day and I asked Evie what her Uncle Adam should be and it's what she pointed at"
Adam sighed and looked at Kim. "If you bought everything that Everly pointed at you'd have a house full ot Doc McStuffins toys and Platt"
"Just stop complaining" Kim sighed.
"I hope that you guys are going to put out a bowl of candy so Hank's house doesn't get trashed" Kim said.
"I don't think we have to worry about that" Hank said walking out on to his porch. "Nobody ever trashed this house on Halloween"
"Well, I wasn't going to trash my own house as a teen" Erin said adjusting Everly on her hip.
"Funny" Hank said reaching for Everly. "Nice costume, Ruzek"
"Thanks, Sarge" Adam said looking down at the ground.
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"Well, that was an interesting night" Adam yawned as they walked into Firehouse 51 for the annual Halloween Party for Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. "And my back is itching. Jay, there's a hole in the back will you stick your hand in there and scratch my back?"
"Yeah, not happening" Jay shook his head adjusted Everly on his arm as he walked past his friend.
"Thanks for the help, buddy" Adam sighed.
"Are you really that uncomfortable?" Erin asked as she pulled Everly's diaper bag up on her arm.
"Oh no, not at all. I mean you'd think a big rubber suit with an air hole the size of a nickel would breathe well" Adam groaned.
Kim walked up with a small plate of food and looked at her fiance.
"Are you still complaining about the suit" Kim asked.
"Burgess, you don't know how uncomfortable that I am" Adam explained.
"Yeah? Try being pregnant" Kim shot right back.
"How long are you going to play the "Try being pregnant" card, darlin?" Ruzek asked.
Kim ran her hand over her small baby bump and looked back at Adam. "Um, I don't know...forever?"
"I was just wondering" Adam asked reaching his hand down and placing it on top of Kim's on her stomach.
"Do you guys want to grab a table?" Erin asked.
"No...I better go home and air out the hot dog" Kim sighed and took ahold of Adam's hand as they walked to the door.
"Call me later" Erin said looking back at Kim.
"I will" Kim assured as she and Adam made their way out the door and left.
Erin went in search of Jay and she stopped and smiled when she saw him talking to Matthew Casey.
Casey was standing in the corner with Jay holding his and Gaby's son Matt Jr. or Matty as everyone called him. The little boy was a few months older than Everly and a perfect mix of his mother and father.
Erin smiled as she watched Matty and Everly interacting. Everly reached out and touched Matty's hand and he reached out and pulled Everly's hand to his mouth and kissed it as Jay and Casey looked on and laughed.
Erin glanced over at Gaby who walked over to her. "I'd like to apologize for my son putting the moves on your daughter. You'll have to excuse him, he is his father's son"
Erin laughed and shook her head "I feel like it's a look into the future. Matthew and Everly Casey does have a ring to it in about thirty years"
"I'll just leave the part of me and Jay out. That seems like a safe bet, right?" Gaby joked.
"I think that's death bed confession" Erin said with a smile as she kept her gaze on Jay as he lifted Everly up above his head and quikly brought her back down to him and kissed her face.
"You know a few years ago before you and Jay ever made it official and you came to the bar and we talked about if you could ever really be with someone you worked with" Gaby asked
Erin nodded "I remember you saying something about the things that bring you together are the things that can tear you apart"
Gabby sighed "Yeah, but what I should've said was. Is that Sometimes in life there really are bonds formed that can never be broken. Sometimes you really can find that one person who will stand by you no matter what. Maybe you will find it in someone that you haven't met yet and celebrate it with your dream wedding. But there's also the chance that the one person you can count on for a lifetime, the one person who knows you sometimes better than you know yourself is the same person who's been standing beside you all along"
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Jay swayed with Everly in his arms to the song "These Are The Days" by Van Morrison. Her pink baby blanket draped over the pink sleeper that Erin had changed her into when they'd gotten to the Halloween party.
Everly nuzzled her head into Jay's neck as her eyes fought to stay open as she listened to her father softly sing along with the music playing in the firehouse.
Jay supported Everly with one arm and gently rubbed her back up and down as the baby finally drifted off to sleep.
Erin walked up to Jay and tapped him on the shoulder. "Can I cut in?"
Jay looked at his wife and down at his daughter who was sleeping in his arms. "I suppose"
"Well, thanks" Erin sighed as Jay walked over to Teddy and handed Everly over to him.
Jay walked over to Erin and smiled. "You ready to dance?"
Erin shrugged her shoulders "I don't think I want to now"
Jay pulled Erin into his arms and ran his hands down her back. "Tonight was a really great night" Jay said as he and Erin started to sway to the music as "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls started to play.
Erin nodded "It really was. Thank you"
Jay looked down at Erin and rubbed his hand up and down her shoulder. "For what?"
Erin shrugged her shoulders "For being a wonderful husband. And for being an amazing father. The best father I could ever imagine for our daughter. Thank you for working so hard to support us and for coming to things like this. I know that you're tired and that you really didn't want to come tonight"
Jay shook his head "Baby, I wouldn't have missed tonight for anything. All these firsts of our daughter. I wouldn't miss that for anything"
Erin curled into Jay's arm and laid her head against his chest. "I just regret my behavior after Nadia died. I know that she wouldn't want me to do those things. But I can't help but miss her. It's hard when things happen and I want to pick up the phone and call her and I can't. I can't even get ahold of my own mother now"
Jay tensed at the name of Bunny "Er, I don't think there's anything you need from Bunny. And I think there's a reason that Bunny has went M.I.A. Maybe she's doing you a favor by giving you space"
"It still hurts" Erin said "I know you're right. But I just want my mom to finally love me"
Jay pulled back and looked down at Erin as she looked up at him. "I know it hurts right now, baby. But you're so much more than what Bunny thinks of you. And that's not the kind of person you need in your life. And I know she's your mom. But you've got so much love from the people around you and it's more love than Bunny is able to give you"
Erin nodded "I know. I just wish I had Camille to talk to. Someone who I can go to with motherly advice"
Jay nodded and raised his hand to Erin's cheek and ran his hand across it. "I'm sorry baby"
Erin shrugged her shoulders "It's not your fault"
Jay pulled Erin back in his arms and kissed the top of her head as she laid her head back on his chest.
A wave of regret filled Jay as he and Erin swayed to the music. He'd done the right thing by going and talking to Bunny. Hadn't he?
He made a vow when he married Erin to protect and love her and he would keep that vow until his last breath. But what was he supposed to say to his wife when she was grieving for not only her friend but also the person who was supposed to and failed to love her unconditionally.
Jay knew that his decision was the right one and while he didn't have plans to tell Erin what he'd done, he still knew it was the right choice.
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Thanksgiving
"Do we really have to go to Erin and Jay's for Thanksgiving?" Adam asked as he adjusted his tie and looked in the mirror.
"Yes, we were invited and don't act like you don't want to watch the Bears game with Jay" Kim said as she walked out of the bathroom and into the bedroom.
"Voight's going to be there" Adam explained as he got frustrated with trying to tie his tie.
"So" Kim said taking ahold of Adam's tie and fixing it for him.
"So? I mean we work with them, we go to church with them. We're going to spend ETERNITY with them when we all are dead and gone. We're all together so much we're the damn human centipede" Ruzek sighed.
"Aw, I love when you're so full of thankfulness. Especially on the day when we're supposed to give the most thanks" Kim teased.
"Burgess. I have a lot to be thankful for this year" Adam smiled and looked down at Kim before resting his hand on the small swell of her stomach. "But it's not going to hold a candle to next year"
"Gaining a wife and a baby in the new year? You're growing up, Adam Ruzek" Kim placed her hand on top of Adam's on her stomach and smiled.
"Only for you, Darlin" Adam stared lovingly down at Kim as he leaned down and gently touched his lips to hers.
The two kissed for a few moments and despite his best attempts to take it further, Kim just wasn't having it.
"We have to head up the road" Kim said pulling away from Adam to go to the closet and get her shoes.
"But I was about to show you just how thankful I am. You know on this day of thanks" Adam groaned.
"Nice try. But I'm in charge of bringing the corn. It's in the crock pot on the stove. Can you grab it?" Kim asked as she sat on the bed to slip her ballet flats on.
"They put you in charge of the corn? That's a big honor. What did you do to earn it?" Adam asked.
"Well, I do know the hostess. We're kind of best friends. You might know her, Erin Halstead. 5'4, quick witted, freakishly beautiful. She put me in charge" Kim explained.
"I think I know her. Married to my best, good friend" Adam said.
"Yeah that's her" Kim said standing up.
"She's not that quick witted" Adam mumbled.
"Really? Casue she put you in your place over the toilet paper at the precinct before" Kim walked past Adam and into the kitchen.
"Burgess, you have to put it under, Putting the toilet paper over is wrong" Ruzek explained as he followed Kim out of the bedroom and into the kitchen.
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"Jay, that ham still has an hour to cook. You're going to get sick" Erin sighed as she walked into the kitchen from putting Evie down for a nap.
Jay swallowed the bite of ham he'd cut off and walked over to Erin. "This is capital punishment, Erin. You can't have us here and not feed us"
Erin walked over to the sink and started loading the dishwasher. "You don't want to ruin your dinner. Do you, Jay?"
The sound of silence filled the room and Erin turned to look at Jay as he quietly ate a handful of crackers.
"Jay!" Erin said as Jay closed the cabinet door and turned to look at his wife.
"Hmm?" Jay asked his mouth full of unchewed crackers.
"What do you have in your mouth?" Erin asked raising an eyebrow.
The sound of Jay mumbling out the word "Nothing" filled the silence.
"Then whistle" Erin said simply.
Cracker crumbs flew out of Jay's mouth as he whistled and Erin shook her head as she looked at him as a smile crossed her face.
"You're unbelievable" Erin shook her head "I hope you know you're going to clean that up"
"Cause of this damn thing" Jay said gesturing to the silver band on his left hand.
"What about it?" Erin asked turning around.
"It's the finest piece of jewelry I own..." Jay said walking over to the kitchen closet to grab a broom and dust pan.
"Keep on talking if you want to be a single man by Christmas" Erin said.
"You love me" Jay said as he started sweeping up the cracker crumbs.
"You bug me" Erin said as she started the dishwasher.
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Ruzek stood in the backyard with Jay as he watched his best friend pull the lid off the deep frier. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?"
"Do you think it's that hard to deep fry a turkey?" Jay asked as he glanced into the pot at the oil.
"I didn't say it was hard for everyone else. I simply said it might be hard for you" Adam explained as he took a drink of his beer.
"I know what I'm doing" Jay said as he reached into the roasting pan and grabbed the turkey with the turkey hook and walked over to the deep fryer.
"If you say so" Ruzek watched as Jay slowly dropped the turkey into the deep frier.
"See, I told you that I knew what I was doing" Jay looked over at Adam and nodded.
"I'm proud man, I'm like a proud dad right now. My best friend knows how to deep fry a turkey" Adam clapped his hands as he looked at Jay.
"Are you going with me to Toys R Us tonight to pick up Everly's Christmas gift?" Jay asked.
"Brown Thursday shopping with my best friend? I don't think so. Only idiots go out and fight that crowd" Adam said his voice trailing off.
"You're going out aren't you?" Jay asked.
"Kim wants an IPad" Adam sighed. "So yeah"
"What's happened to us, man?" Jay asked with a laugh as he took his beer off of the table and took a drink of it.
"I ask myself that same question daily" Ruzek said. "It's a good life man"
Jay followed Adam's gaze to the kitchen window where Erin and Kim were standing. Kim was holding Everly and the two women were talking and looking at Evie as the baby smiled.
"That it is" Jay said as he clinked his beer against Adam's.
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"Kim, would you mind grabbing those napkins?" Erin asked as she carried the plates to the table.
"Sure" Kim said putting Everly down on the floor. "Wait right here Evie bug"
Kim grabbed the napkins off the counter and walked over to the table and started placing them around the table.
Everly looked around the kitchen for a few minute before spotting Kane's dog food bowl in the corner and she smiled and took off crawling across the floor. The tights she wore with her dress making her slide more than crawl as she made her way to the dog bowl.
After some effort Everly reached Kane's bowl and furrowed her brow as she looked at the Pedigree kibble in the dog bowl. She reached a chubby fist towards the bowl and whined as someone picked her up from behind before she could reach what was in the bowl.
"That's not for you, love bug" Hank said placing a kiss on Everly's cheek as he turned her around in his arms.
"Papa" Everly sighed and clapped her hands.
"Yeah, I'm papa" Hank said proudly as he kissed Everly's cheek.
"Papaw" A tug on Hank's dress pants pulled his gaze down to see his grandson Cameron looking up at him.
"What's up, buddy?" Hank asked.
"Up" Cameron said holding his hands up to Hank.
"You don't have to pick him up, Hank" Olive assured as she walked into the kitchen. "I don't think he's let you put him down since we got into town"
Olive walked over to Cameron and picked him up "Cam man, let's get you ready to eat. Give grandpa some time to play with Evie"
Cameron looked at Hank and then back at Olive "Eat?"
Olive laughed as she looked at her son "Yes, eat"
"What's going on?" Justin asked walking into the kitchen. "Are we going to eat? Or are we all going to starve to death?"
"We're going to eat" Erin said narrowing her eyes at him.
"So pops, where's this Olivia that I've heard so much about?" Justin asked walking over to Hank.
"She's in New York" Hank sighed "She had a case to work on and she didn't want to bring Noah in for a weekend and then have to turn around and go right back"
"Are we ever going to meet her? " Justin asked. "I mean she must be pretty special if you're after a woman with baggage"
"Over the line, son" Hank said looking at Justin. "She doesn't have baggage. Her son is an added plus of knowing her. Don't ever let me hear you say anything like that again"
Justin made a face and looked at Hank "Sorry pops. It was just a joke. I'm happy for you. Mom would be, too"
"Dinner is ready" Erin said walking over to take Everly from Hank.
"Happy First Thanksgiving, my love" Erin cooed. "Can mama have a kiss?"
Everly smiled and leaned forward and pushed her mouth against Erin's.
"Thank you" Erin praised as she buckled Everly into her high chair.
Everyone soon came in and took their places at the table. Jay took the carving knife and fork and looked at them in his hand a moment before handing them over to Hank and sitting down next to Erin.
Hank stood up in front of the turkey and looked around the table.
"It's hard to stand here this year and not be thankful. We like to say 'If I had a little more, I would be very satisfied.' But that's wrong. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled. This year has taught us all about love and loss. I know that the past few months have been especially hard for some of us more than others, but if losing Nadia has taught me anything, It's life is a gift, and it's what you do with that gift that matters. And while this year has had tragedy, it's also had many blessings. Cameron turned one, and Everly was born. And new life is coming in the new year for Adam and Kim, and this year has also brought something great into my life that I never thought I'd have again. All I know is that when we die, there's going to be a date a dash and a date. 1962 to 2045, 1986 to 2077...and that dash signifies what you've done with your life. And I know that because of the people at this table, the people who are miles away, the people who are with others, or the people that we only have in our hearts my dash will have meant something. And I hope the same for each of you"
Everyone took a few glances around the table at each other as Hank started to cut the turkey. And after grace was said, dinner was ate, and drinks were drank. The group truly felt what it meant to have a humble and a thankful heart. Because Hank was right.
Their dash was going to mean something. And a life lived with thankfulness and appreciation, is so much better than a life lived with a bitter heart. So, they each made a promise to try to remind each other that even though we all have bad days, we also are blessed with the good ones. And the only thing worth living for is the good.
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Christmas Eve
"Er, we're going to be late" Jay called as he adjusted his tie in the mirror.
"I'm coming" Erin yelled back from the top of the steps.
"Are you ready for Christmas bug?" Jay asked from where Everly was sitting in her play pen.
Jay laughed when he looked down in the play pen at Evie. She was struggling to stand in the red tights that Erin had dressed her in to match the red and green dress and flower headband she wore. Evie grunted as she put her hands on the mesh sides of the play pen as she pulled herself up. Her small feet loosing their footing and the baby fell back on her bottom to the padded play pen.
"What happened?" Jay asked laughing as he reached down to pick his daughter up.
Everly sighed as Jay pulled her against him and kissed her cheek. "Dada" Evie siged as she patted his shoulder.
"Let's get your shoes on" Jay said walking over to the couch to sit down. He sat Evie on his lap and grabbed her black shoes and slipped them on over her feet as Erin came downstairs.
Jay looked at her and raised an eyebrow. Her hair fell in loose waves down her shoulders and the dark red wrap dress she wore matched his dark red tie.
"Damn, my wife is sexy" Jay smiled and looked at his wife.
Erin laughed as Jay stood up and walked the short distance over to her.
"You're not so bad yourself" Erin laughed as she looked up at Jay.
"We should get going if we're going to get a seat" Jay suggested.
"Ok" Erin said walking to the door and grabbing Everly's diaper bag.
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Jay adjusted Everly in his arms as he walked her down the hallway towards the church nursery.
"Are you going to be a big girl and stay all by yourself?" Jay asked as he opened the nursery door and walked in.
Everly held onto Jay as she looked down on the floor at all the babies playing and crawling around.
"Look at all the toys, Evie" Jay said as he sat Everly's diaper bag in a cubby with her name on it.
"Dada" Everly said holding tight to him as he walked over to a pile of toys on the floor and sat Everly down on the floor.
Jay knelt down on one knee behind Everly and pulled a Fisher Price Little People toy and handed it to her. "Look it's a policeman"
Everly took the toy from Jay's hand and studied it before looking up at Jay. "Dada!"
Jay smiled and looked at Evie "Right! Just like daddy"
Everly crawled over to the small box of Fisher Price Little People and started looking in it.
Jay quietly stood up and backed towards the door as Everly was distracted and quickly closed it behind him.
Everly grabbed an elephant out of the box and turned to hold it up for Jay to see. Only when she turned around, she didn't see her daddy. Evie looked around the room and saw her daddy nowhere to be found. She quickly dropped the elephant in her tiny fist.
"Dada?" Everly called.
Another baby from the nursery walked over to Everly and sat down to look in the box and he handed Evie a cow.
"Moo" The little boy said.
"Dada" Evie said
"Moo" The little boy said again.
Everly turned on her knees and crawled towards the door. She was almost to it when the nursery worker picked her up.
"Let's go play, Miss Everly"
"Dada" Everly called pointing to the door as she started to cry.
"It's ok, Evie" The nursery worker soothed.
"DADA" Everly scramed. Hot tears ran down her red face and onto her red and green dress.
"Shhhhh. Daddy will be back" The nursery worker assured.
The door to the nursery opened and Olivia walked in holding Noah's hand.
"Look at all the kids to play with, Noah" Olivia said as Noah held onto his mommy's hand.
"Ev Ev" Noah said pointing at Everly.
"Yeah, there's Everly" Olivia said shutting the nursery door behind her.
"Cwy?" Noah said.
"Yeah, she's sad" Olivia explained as she walked over to the nursery worker and Everly. "What's wrong, Evie?"
Everly extended her arms out to Olivia as a sign for Olivia to take her.
Olivia let go of Noah's hand as she reached for Everly. "What's wrong sweet girl?"
Everly started to calm down when Olivia took her. "Dada" Everly said sadly.
"Did daddy leave you?" Olivia asked as she used her hand to wipe the wet tears off Everly's cheeks. "That wasn't very nice, huh?"
Olivia looked down at Noah who was across the room playing at the train table with another little boy. She walked over to him and knelt down by him.
"Noah, I'm going to take Evie to her daddy. I'll be back, ok?" Olivia assured.
"Bye bye, mama" Noah said not turning around to even acknowledge his mother.
"I'm glad you're so concerned, son" Olivia said standing up and taking Everly's diaper bag from her cubby before walking down the hall.
Olivia walked into the lobby of the church and saw Erin standing at the announement table talking to Gaby.
Erin smiled when she saw Olivia walking towards her with Evie oh her hip.
"Thanks. I told Jay I didn't think she was going to stay alone" Erin said as Olivia handed Everly over to her.
"You're welcome. I was back there with Noah, I thought I'd just save you a trip" Olivia said.
"I appreciate it" Erin said as Evie laid her head on Erin's shoulder. "Are you and Noah coming over tomorrow with Hank?"
Olivia nodded "If that's ok with you. I don't want to impose or anything. I know that the idea of Hank and I is probably weird to you, Erin. It's something I'm still trying to wrap my mind around myself. But I want you to know, I'm not trying to take the place of Camille or anyone else for that matter"
Erin shook her head "I never even thought you were. I'm glad that Hank has you. I just feel like his protector since Camille died"
Olivia gave an understanding smile as she looked at Erin. "I understand that. But I would really love to get to know you and your family. If that's ok with you"
Erin nodded and gave Olivia a smile "I'd like that"
"Great" Olivia said as the two made their way into the sanctuary.
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Adam sat next to Jay holding onto a cup of Gerber Graduate Cereal Puffs as Everly sat on Jay's lap and ate them while the preacher read the Christmas story.
Everly reached over for Adam and he smiled as he took her and stood her up on his legs. His arms around her to support her body as she had a cereal puff in each hand.
Everly reached out to put her hands on the pew in from of her where Platt and Mooch were sitting. Everly ate one of the cereal puffs in her hand before dropping the other in the hood of Platt's coat.
Adam bit his cheek to keep from laughing as he held the cup up to Everly who was clearly done eating her snack and more intersted in playing with the puffs. She grabbed a tiny fistful and dropped them into the top of Platt's hood and looked back at her Uncle Adam who gave her a nod of encouragement.
Everly smiled and reached for another handful of puffs and dropped them into Platt's hood. Her infectious giggle filling the quiet sanctuary.
"Shhhh" Platt said over her shoulder.
Everly looked back at Adam who shook the small container and nodded.
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Christmas Day
"Well, I can honestly say, I think Everly got more for her first Christmas than I've gotten in any Christmas...ever" Teddy said as he took a drink of his coffee and looked at his niece who was passed out asleep in her play pen.
"We may have overdone it" Erin said as she took a drink of her coffee.
"Not at all, but I'm pretty damn jealous of that bath set. Probably going to use that. Not going to lie" Teddy took another drink of his coffee and looked over at his sister.
"I guess that means you don't want your gift from me and Jay tonight when everyone comes over to do gifts" Erin said.
"I didn't say that" Teddy said "What did you get me though?"
"You'll see" Erin looked over at Teddy and smiled.
"Is it Jay? Did you get me Jay?" Teddy asked raising an eyebrow.
"What was that?" Jay asked walking into the living room from the back room.
"Nothing honey" Teddy said.
Jay shook his head and mumbled the words "This family" before walking into the kitchen.
Erin and Teddy laughed as Jay walked away.
"Are you ever going to lay off him?" Erin asked.
"Never" Teddy said. "Honey I manage a hotel, I need to get my kicks somewhere when I deal with the public all day"
Erin nodded and looked at Teddy. "I wish that you'd been here for Thanksgiving. I know that you had to work"
Teddy took a drink of his coffee and looked at Erin. "I wish I was too. I wish my hours weren't so crazy so I could see you guys more than I do"
"You're here for Christmas, that's all that matters" Erin said.
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Erin stood in the living room as she looked at everyone from District 21 around her living room. They had stopped by to exchange secret Santa gifts and were now setting in to watch a few Christmas movies.
Erin felt two arms wrap around her and a kiss on her cheek as she leaned back into Jay's embrace.
"Merry Christmas, baby" Jay whispered in her ear.
"Merry Christmas" Erin repeated as the red and white dressed figure made it's way past her.
"This is gonna be great" Adam said from beneath the white beard as he looked into the living room where Noah and Everly were playing.
"Man, I don't think this is a good..." Jay started.
"HO HO HO" Ruzek cheered as he walked into the living a few seconds later the sound of screams and Noah and Everly both sobbing filled the living room.
"Merry Christmas indeed" Jay said as he shook his head and went in search of his crying daughter.
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Soooo. I hope that you guys liked this chapter. If you have any suggestions for Everly's FIRST birthday. Feel free to drop them in a review. As the next chapter will focus on that.
Also I know it's a few days early but I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Maddie ( Naley23alwaysforever) I know it's a few days early, but I have to work on your actual birthday and won't be able to post. So, I hope that you have the happiest birthday and you get everything that you could want. Except Jesse, Jesse's mine. Just Kidding.
Please Review!