62. Baby, You Save Me

Thank you so much for the reviews on the last chapter. So sweet of all of you to take the time to leave me such kind words after an emotional start to the chapter.

I hope that you guys like this chapter.

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One Month Later

Jay yawned and stretched his arms over his head as he leaned against the pillows in his bed. He dropped his case notes on his lap and turned his gaze to Erin, who hummed softly as she and Everly rocked gently in their rocking chair. Everly was sound asleep, her flushed cheeks resting against her mother's breast as Erin gazed down at her and stroked her hair.

"Why don't you put her down and come to bed?" Jay yawned again. Erin continued to rock the baby, turning her gaze to her husband.

"I'm not ready to put her down yet. not after everything that's happened the past few days" She smiled softly and looked down at the sleeping baby again. "Sometimes it amazes me, you know?"

"What?" he asked, placing his hands behind his head.

"That you and I made such a perfect little person.

Sometimes I find it hard to believe that this beautiful little girl came out of me."

Jay smiled and crawled down to the end of the bed, leaning his head over the baseboard as he watched the baby intently. "I know exactly what you mean." He ran a finger over the outline of the baby's face and she began to suck, still carrying the instinct of an infant. "I can't believe that Jay Halstead, had a part in doing something that some people only dream about. It's still hard to believe she's mine."

Erin nodded silently and ran her fingers through the dark hair Everly had inherited from her parents. "She's only been with us for a a little over a year, but I can't remember my life before her. I can't imagine what it would be like if we hadn't kept her. If we never do anything right again Jay, at least we have this" Erin said looking at Everly before dropping her hand to her stomach. "And them"

"It's all I need for the rest of my life. Just this." He leaned forward and kissed Erin's head tenderly. "Now you really should get some sleep."

"Okay," she whispered, leaning down to kiss Evie's head gently. "Goodnight my love." Jay slid the baby from her arms and together they walked into the nursery, tucking their daughter into her crib.

"Sleep well monkey," Jay whispered, placing a kiss on his fingertips before touching them to the baby's moving lips. "Daddy loves you." Wrapping his arm around Erin's shoulder they walked back into their room and slid into bed.

Jay buried his face in Erin's hair and inhaled the scent he loved so much. Erin's voice broke the silence and he kissed her head as she spoke. "Thank you for giving me our babies, Jay. I don't think I've ever thanked you for that."

Jay smiled softly and held her tightly.

"Thank you for having my babies."

Erin sighed and buried her face in his chest, closing her

eyes. "Goodnight Jay, I love you."

"'Night Er, I love you too. More than you will ever know." They fell asleep in each other's arms.

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"It was soooo hot," Kim whined, fanning herself with a magazine at the memory as she reclined lazily in Erin and Jay's living room. A diaper clad Jackson asleep on her chest. "I have never felt heat like that before."

Kim of course was referring to the early summer heat wave that was hitting the Chicago area. And of all times for the air to go out at her and Adam's home, it was during the hottest heat wave on record for the city. So, Jay and Erin had agreed to take them in until their apartment complex was in working order again.

Adam nodded his head in agreement and plopped down beside her. "Let's go to the beach."

Erin walked slowly into the room and smiled softly before bending over to collect Everly's toys from the floor. "Erin sit down, it's too hot to be working, and not in your condition either" Burgess stated, pointing to the chair beside her.

"It's too damn hot to be alive." Erin turned toward the door as Everly squealed and ran into the living room, bare naked.

"That's the spirit," Ruzek grinned, tickling the little girl's tummy. "Too bad we can't all get away with that huh?"

Everly giggled and pulled her toys from the box Erin had just placed them in.

"Where is your diaper?" Erin sighed, taking a seat in the chair.

"Gone" Evie said as she grabbed her toys.

"Mommy told you to leave it alone." Everly giggled and made a face at her mother, causing the three to laugh. "Go get your diaper for Mommy." Everly squealed and tore out of the room, her tiny bum wiggling as she ran.

Burgess laughed and fell back into her chair.

"Er?" Jay called as he opened the front door. "Is Erin home?"

"I'm right here," she sighed, rubbing her forehead tiredly. Still fighting off the nausea that was accompanying her pregnancy "Don't leave the door open, Everly's running around."

Jay walked gingerly into the living room, he was already sweating from the walk from the car to the house. He walked to where Erin sat and placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head.

"Hey."

"Hey," she smiled back. "You're home early."

"I'm the boss, I make my own hours." Erin laughed and took his hand as he sat on the edge of her chair.

"I doubt you'll be saying that when Voight comes home from New York" Ruzek joked as he looked at Jay.

"What's your point?" Jay asked looking at Adam.

"He'll be back this weekend" Erin said with a nod as Everly came screeching back into the living room, her diaper clutched in her tiny fist. She laughed when she saw Jay and ran into his arms, dropping her diaper in Erin's lap.

"Daddy" Everly said with delight.

"Everly" Jay greeted back and pulled his daughter into his arms.

"Let Daddy put your diaper back on," Erin ordered the little girl who wriggled happily as Jay tickled her sides.

"So I have good news," he said casually as he lay the baby on the floor. Erin looked at him curiously and waited for him to continue. "The case is wrapped up and with Voight in New York I thought that we could go to Wisconsin for a few days. That is, if you want to" Jay grinned back and set Everly on her feet.

"As fun as that sounds, I don't want to miss work. I'm waiting to hear back from my CI on something" Erin's voice trailed off.

"What would we do with Evie?" Erin asked as she made a silly face at her daughter. "Besides, you'll want to spend all your time on the lake and I don't think a boat's the safest place for an seventeen month old baby to be," Erin looked regretfully down at her baby.

Jay just grinned. "Actually, I have baby proofed our boat."

She looked up at him amused. "How exactly did you do that?"

"Well," he began. "I started by putting higher railings on deck, then I added netting around them. The ropes for the sails are all higher and I put a playpen in the cabin." Erin grinned at him, amazed.

"I assume that you want her to come with us then?" Jay chuckled and swung Everly up in the air.

"It can be our final family vacation as a family of three. It'll be fun." Jay added

"Well, let's go down to the marina. You tell me when we put her in the water, I'll see if she floats and then I'll let you know if I think it's safe enough to put my baby on it." Erin said standing up from her seat.

Jay grinned and rolled his eyes at her. "Now good for you? I even got non alcoholic champagne."

Kim laughed at her friends. "We're going to christen your boat now?"

"Why not Burgess?" Jay asked. "You look like you're so busy over there."

"It's hot Jay," she sighed as she patted Jackson's bottom as she raised up.

Kim laid Jackson down in his MamaRoo and held her arms out as Everly waddled over to her aunt.

"Then don't come. I'm taking my wife and daughter down to the beach to christen my sailboat. You wanna come, come, you don't, stay. Or better yet, how about you and Ruzek go to your house?." He shrugged his shoulders and stood up, holding his hand out for Erin.

"Hey" Ruzek interjected "We don't have air condtioning there. Burgess can go home, I'll stay here"

"Thanks Adam" Kim said dryly. "So nice to be married to you"

"You got the ring, Darlin. You're not going anywhere. It's every man for themselves in this heat wave...I do love ya though" Adam said.

Kim shook her head at her husband "Shut up"

Erin sighed reluctantly and let Jay pull her out of her chair. Erin ran her hand over the slight swell of her stomach. She was already starting to show. So much earlier than she did with Evie. And it was still an adjustment for her. "Come on Evie, let's go see Daddy's boat."

Everly held out her hand and walked over to Erin, taking her mother's finger in her hand. "Go bye bye?"

"We're coming," Burgess sighed, after serious consderation she pushed herself slowly out of her chair as Ruzek did the same.

"I need to get this handsome man ready." Kim cooed down to Jackson as he stirred from his nap and started to wake up.

"I'm almost ready" Adam said "Just need to get my shoes"

"I wasn't talking about you" Kim said as she pulled a now awake Jackson up out of his MamaRoo and kissed his cheek.

"Ouch. That hurt Burgess" Adam said.

Kim shrugged her shoulders and looked at her husband. "Well, that'll teach you to send me home with no AC. I'm going to go get our son ready to go"

"I'll do it," Ruzek offered as he took Jackson from Kim and started walking up the steps towards the guest room. "Come on buddy, let me tell you all about that mean old mommy of yours"

Erin slipped a sundress over Everly's head."So what else have you done to the boat?"

Jay handed her Everly's sandals and sat on the bottom stair as she struggled to slip them on the fidgeting girl.

"You're just gonna have to wait until I give you the grand tour," he smirked, making a face at his daughter.

"Alright Jay," she shrugged. "But what if I don't like it? I'm not going to Wisconsin if I don't like it."

Jay rolled his eyes at her again, causing Everly to giggle and stick out her tiny tongue. "Real mature Jay," she smirked.

"It's why you love me," he shot back. "I can guarantee you that you'll like it and you've never complained about Wisconsin before."

"You obviously don't remember the first time you told me about it. But I'm pretty sure that's the day I tased you right in the ba-" Erin teased as Jay held his hand up to stop her from finishing his sentence. His face twisting at the memory of that day. But then his lips turned into a sly smile as he thought about how he and Erin nursed each other back to health after their taser filled induced foreplay

Erin shook her head knowing full well what her husband was thinking about. She stood from the stairs and pulled Everly into her arms. "Let's go, they can meet us there."

Jay yelled out their intent to leave and followed his wife to their car.

The sound of car keys caused Kane to jump to his paws from his place on the cool kitchen floor and come barreling into the living room.

"Sorry buddy, not this time" Jay said reaching down to rub the dog on the ears.

Kane put his ears back and whined as he took a few steps towards Jay as he walked to the front door.

"Next time buddy" Jay said as Kane sighed.

"Bye bye, Kaney" Everly waved over Erin's shoulder at the dog. "Bye bye"

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"Boat," Everly squealed as Erin rolled the stroller along the docks toward the berth where his boat floated in wait.

"That's right," Jay told his daughter as she looked up at him and pointed. "Can you say sailboat?"

"Boat," Everly repeated proudly, turning her gaze to the vessel in front of her. "Daddy boat."

"Yes, that's Daddy's boat," Erin grinned, kneeling in front of her baby while they waited. "Are we gonna take a ride on Daddy's boat?" Everly giggled and clapped her hands together excitedly.

"Wow, Jay," Burgess smiled, as the four made their way down the docks. "It's beautiful. You did a great job."

Jay nodded and turned to the boat. "She's pretty gorgeous. But I did have a lot of help from someone special"

"Aw, thanks buddy" Adam added looking at Jay. "I'm glad that you appreciate me"

Erin rolled her eyes and lifted Everly from her stroller.

"Seafarers superstition says if a boat isn't christened by a woman it's bad luck so being one who always follows tradition, I would ask you all to turn your attention to Mrs. Erin Halstead as she christens the Halstead family boat. Who won't let me live out my dream of motorcycle racing, but lovingly let me buy this boat"

Erin looked at Jay amused and shook her head for the benefit of her chuckling friends. Taking the bottle of champagne from his hands she and Everly walked closer to the boat, pulling her arm back before swinging at the boat. The glass shattered and Everly gasped in surprise looking at Erin for reassurance. Erin grinned and made a face and Everly relaxed, clapping her hands along with the rest of her family.

She turned towards her friends and shrugged. "I don't know what I'm supposed to say so, I now declare this boat, christened."

"Doesn't she have a way with words, ladies and gentlemen." Erin laughed and punched him playfully in the shoulder.

"Bite me Jay." He raised and eyebrow and nipped her neck playfully.

"Let's save that for later. We can christen the boat for real."

"I'm gonna hurl," Ruzek warned from beside them. "Let go of each other and give us the grand tour." Erin pulled away and allowed Jay to lead her towards the ladder. He climbed up and turned around to collect Everly from Erin's arms. After everyone was up Jay led them down into the cabin.

"This is pretty nice, man." Ruzek said looking around the boat. "All this from Bass Pro Shop?"

Jay nodded "Yeah, but with a few modifications. I've been talking about getting it since Everly was born. Something nice to have up at the cabin. Let my kids have Summers that Rachel, Will and I used to have"

Erin's smile fell at the mention of Will. She'd promised Natalie that she'd talk to him about Will, but she just hadn't found the right time. Maybe a few days in Wisconsin would be a good chance for her to do so.

"It's really nice, Jay" Kim said as she looked around the boat. "You like the boat Cracker Jack?" Kim cooed as she looked at Jackson who was taking everything in.

Jackson was quiet for a moment before he loudly squealed and smiled.

"I think he's impressed, Jay" Kim said with a smile.

"Glad to know he is" Jay said reaching his hand over to pull at the brim of Jackson's hat down over his eyes.

Jackson laughed as Kim pulled his hat back up on his head the right way. "Is your Uncle Jay just so silly?"

"Silly and full of shit" Ruzek joked as Kim smacked his shoulder.

"Just walk," Kim sighed and pushed him, rolling her eyes.

"It doesn't still have the hammocks does it?" Erin asked.

Jay stopped cold and turned around to look at her, a look of mock frustration on his face. "In case you've forgotten, Er, we had a lot of fun on that hammock when I first bought this boat. And just because my wife is spoiled beyond all belief, our tax money went to this cabin with her comfort in mind. So stop your whining and pay attention."

Erin sighed loudly at him, to Everly's delight and pushed him into the cabin. She gasped in disbelief when she took her first look at the changes on the new boat.

A queen sized futon rested on the far side, hand made pine drawers and cabinets lining the wall behind it. A door in the middle of the wall, Erin guessed was the bathroom. To the right lay a large playpen, filled with blankets and toys for the Everly and one day their next babies.

Further down, an oven was nestled into the wall, underneath which a stove was embedded into the small line of counters, containing a sink and more drawers and cabinets. A window was placed at eye level, looking out onto the deck. Jay had even gone so far as to find matching bedspreads for the futon and playpen and pairing them up with the same pattern for the curtains over the window.

"Jay this is incredible," she was still stunned. "I cannot believe you did this, it's so beautiful."

Jay beamed proudly. "Well, I do have a guy for everything...Wait'll you see this." He grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the door at the far end. Opening it quickly he gestured for her to take a look. The bathroom was small, nothing more than a five by five box containing a toilet and to Erin's delight a small bathtub with a shower head. "We won't fit in it together, but it'll be good for Everly and the twins." Erin grinned and turned around, setting Everly on the floor.

"This is perfect Jay." She pulled him close for a tight hug.

"You did a great job, Jay," Ruzek slapped his friend's back. "I am stunned."

"Thanks," Jay continued to beam. "I mean, it's no motorcycle but...I'll wear Erin down on that"

"Not happening" Erin said as she looked down at Evie.

"Well then it's a good thing you've landed yourself a boat isn't it?" Burgess grinned as she swayed with Jackson.

"Thanks Burgess," Jay ruffled his hand through his hair and sighed happily

"Now let's go eat, I'm starving." Ruzek added.

"What else is new," Kim muttered, pulling away from his arms.

Adam slung his arm over her shoulder casually.

"What did I ever do to deserve you, darlin?" he grinned sarcastically.

"I couldn't say," she grinned back, pecking him on the cheek as she followed her friends back onto the land.

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Everly gripped the netting in her tiny fists and waved happily to everyone on the dock as the boat made it's way out of the pier. "Say bye bye Everly," Erin smiled, kneeling beside her daughter on deck.

"Bye," Everly shouted in her tiny voice, turning to her mother for praise.

"Say "See you soon"" Erin encouraged.

"Soon," Everly agreed, still waving. She stopped and looked to Erin, surprised. "Daddy?" she asked matter of factly, looking around the boat. Erin grinned and picked the baby up happily, swinging her around.

"Daddy's driving the boat. Do you want to go find him?"

"Find Daddy," Everly agreed, continuing to look for her father.

"Okay," Erin tickled her sides as they walked along deck. "See there's Daddy," she pointed to where Jay stood, steering the boat.

Everly shouted to get her father's attention and began to wave."Hi Daddy."

Jay chuckled and waved back.

"Hi Princess. How are you?"

"Tell Daddy you're wonderful," Erin told her daughter, kissing her head gently. Everly giggled and squirmed out of her mother's grasp.

Erin gave in and set the baby on the deck with a sigh. "You be careful, stay where Mommy can see you."

"Okay Er," Jay warned. "It is now officially vacation time, relax for a little while." He moved away from the wheel toward the sails, yanking on the cords to raise them.

Erin nodded, keeping her eyes on the baby who was again clinging to the railing as she watched the water beside the boat. Jay raised the sail and Everly turned to watch them work.

"So how long are we going to have it out here before we load it up and take it to Wisconsin?" Erin asked, waving slightly to the baby.

"Maybe until sunset. I thought we could head up to Wisconsin for the Memorial Day Weekend. Maybe get there late tonight and get enough groceries to last until we can get to a store in the morning."

Erin nodded wordlessly and followed the movements of her daughter as she yawned and climbed into the chair Jay had put on deck for her.

"Are you sleepy baby?" Erin cooed to her daughter.

Everly whined softly and rubbed her eyes, curling up in the chair. "We should put her down," Erin turned to Jay. "She shouldn't be out in the sun too long."

Jay sighed and lowered the anchor and sat down on the seats that lined the bow of the sailboat.

"Let's go take a nap." Erin said and bent down, holding her arms out for the whiny baby.

Everly whined and turned away from Erin "No nap"

"Come see Mommy, we'll go have a nap." Erin encouraged.

Everly whimpered and yawned as Erin groaned and pulled her up into her arms. She cradled Everly against her and held her free hand on the small hint of her baby bump. Knowing all too soon it would be more difficult for her to do these things with Everly without her belly being in the way.

"You are getting so heavy baby girl. You better stop it soon, Mommy doesn't want you to grow up anymore."

Everly sighed and buried her face in the crook of Erin's neck. She whimpered again as Erin made her into the cabin of the sailboat. She laid Everly on her tummy in the play pen and wrapped a thin blanket around her to protect her from the chilly air conditioned cabin.

She rubbed gentle circles on her back and Everly calmed instantly, sighing as she settled into a gentle slumber. Erin continued her ministrations on her daughter's back for a few minutes before bending slightly and kissing her head.

Erin pulled the blinds before making her way back on the deck. "Poor baby was so tired. She's had too much excitement for one day." Jay nodded and moved so Erin could rest in between his knees.

"I forgot how much I'd missed this," he said softly, placing a gentle kiss on his wife's head. "I hate to say it but this is a surprise, I mean we're only thirty minutes in, but I have to say, I am impressed" Erin grinned sleepily and reached her hand behind her to stroke Jay's cheek.

"You'll have to excuse me." Jay said shaking his head. "I've proved my wife wrong and I'm in shock"

"Shut up" Erin said shaking her head and running her hand over her stomach.

"Why don't you have a nap," Jay suggested, massaging her shoulders gently. "Everly will sleep for a good hour and half, you can rest for a while." Erin yawned and covered her mouth with her hand.

"We have alone time Jay," Erin sighed. "Let's take advantage of it." Jay raised his eyebrows and kissed her forehead.

"What exactly did you have in mind Erin?"

Erin slapped him playfully and pulled away from him.

"Nothing like that you pervert." He chuckled and reached for her hand. "Let's just lay here and enjoy the quiet. After October, it's not going to be quiet for a very, very long time"

"I can't wait" Jay said running his hand down Erin's arm and over to her stomach.

Erin placed her hand on top of Jay's and smiled. "Me either"

"You promise to be nicer to me in the delivery room this time?" Jay asked.

"I'll do my best. But you have to remember, I'll have to push two babies out this time. But, I'll try, ok?" Erin said tracing her fingers over Jay's hand.

Jay kissed her hand gently and pulled her back into his lap.

"Deal"

Erin smiled up at him. "I love you, Jay. And I know I say it a lot, but I do. You've shown me what it's like to really, truly fall in love and I can't thank you enough for picking me to be your wife."

"You're the one to thank for all this Babe," he grinned at her. "We wouldn't have a lot of things if it wasn't for you. Constantly challenging me, supporting me, loving me"

Erin smiled happily.

"What can I say," she shrugged. "You inspire me."

"Yeah?" Jay leaned down, catching her lips with his own.

"Prove it." Erin turned in his arms, a sexy smile on her face.

"You really want me to?"

"Uh huh," Jay smirked.

Erin pushed herself to her feet and stood in front of him.

In one motion her sundress and panties were off and she was left completely naked on the deck of the sailboat.

Jay was suddenly apprehensive. People get arrested for things like this.

"Er, we're not the only boat on the lake you know. What if someone sees us?"

"Shut up Jay," she crooned, crawling seductively into his lap, her breasts brushing in his face. "You told me to prove it, I'm proving it."

Jay groaned and wrapped his arms around his wife.

Erin bent over and ran her tongue along the shape of his ear. "That makes it all the more fun. Do you want me Jay?"

Jay grunted and shifted his weight, throwing her onto her back. Erin grunted in surprise and arousal, as he pressed his erection into her thigh and sucked gently on her neck.

"I want you twenty four seven Er," he said breathlessly against her mouth.

Leaving his mouth Erin dragged her tongue across his chest as she pulled his shirt off and pushed his shorts and boxers down his body. Panting, she pushed him back forcefully until he was sitting on the bench again. Moving quickly she straddled him, positioning herself above his straining erection before sliding down hard.

"God," she moaned.

"Erin, baby," Jay moaned softly. "We need to be a little quieter. We're gonna wake Everly up." Erin nodded, sweat dripping from her face and trickling down the valley between her chest.

"I'm so close Jay," she moaned into his ear. "God, you feel so good."

Jay groaned and grabbed her hips, thrusting into her hard as she bit his shoulder. Erin stifled a scream into his shoulder and raked her nails down his sweat slicked back, collapsing limply into his arms. They lay in each others embrace, chests heaving, for what seemed like an eternity.

Erin buried her face in the crook of Jay's shoulder and traced patterns on his bare arm. Jay sighed contentedly and ran his hands along the length of Erin's silky back.

Smiling happily, she pulled away and moved off his lap, reaching to the floor to retrieve her clothes.

She grinned and tossed Jay his shirt. "You're gonna get a sunburn," she warned, pulling her sundress and underwear back on.

Jay quickly got dressed and grabbed Erin by the hand and pulled her to him so she was sitting on his lap.

"It feels so good to be here with you." Erin nodded and kissed his cheek.

"It's a new beginning for us." Jay looked at her, a curious smile on his face.

"What do you mean?" Erin grinned and took a deep breath of air.

Jay looked out at the skyline of Chicago and gestured over to it.

"You and I had our start in this city. Look how much things have changed since then." Jay explained.

Erin nodded agreement and let him continue.

"I used to be afraid that it was an omen when Hank was so dead set on us not being together. I was afraid that we'd never have his support and I thought it meant we wouldn't make it." Jay tightened his hold on her shoulder and kissed her head comfortingly.

"Now I know I was wrong. Hank's approval means a lot. But I feel like this would've happened one way or another. It's always been there you and me" Jay said. "And my love for you and our daughter and..." Jay's voice paused as he laid his hand over Erin's stomach "These two, it's what makes my life worth living"

Erin smiled as she looked at her husband. "It's going to be crazy you know. Three kids under three"

Jay nodded in agreement. "But it's going to be amazing. And this weekend is going to be amazing. Have I ever let you down, Erin Halstead?"

Erin shook her head "Never. You're always there for me"

Jay raised his hand over Erin's cheek and smiled at her before he leaned up to kiss her.

"That's why you have backup"

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So, this was kind of fluff filled, I know, but I kind of think Erin and Jay deserve it for the things they've been through in the last few chapters.

Is there anything you guys would like to see happen in the next chapter when they're in Wisconsin?

Also, should Jay be willing to work things out with Will or do you think he should be unwilling to hear Erin out over his brother? UnWILLing === Haha, I'm on cold meds guys, but that was a great play on words.

What about Roman? Should he make a reappearance? I know he kind of went MIA after everything with Burgess. If ya'll want to see him worked in again before I wrap UH up let me know. If not that's ok too.

I really write this for you guys, so know that I take your opinions seriously.

Please Review