83. Who You'd Be Today
Thanks for the reviews guys. I am so thankful for all of them. I hope that you like this chapter.
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The TV was casting a faint glow, the sound turned down low, the images flickering silently across the screen. Erin tucked the end of her towel in to hold it where it was wrapped around her and crawled across to Jay on the bed, drops of water from her wet hair trailing across the bed spread.
Settling next to him, her eyes raked appreciatively over his bare torso, the shadows highlighting his tan, muscled body, before following his gaze to the screen.
"You're watching the country music channel, Jay"
Her voice was filled with wry amusement at the irony, but Jay didn't seem to notice, his blue eyes staring ahead, clouded and her words hung in the air for a moment before he spoke.
"How long do we have?"
He had been trying to put it off, trying not to think about it, not to ask it, afraid it would sour the carefree mood, unsure of how she would react, uncertain that he wanted to know. But it hadn't gone away, the feeling that they were living on borrowed time, waking him in the small hours of the morning, when he watched her sleep, and he had to ask.
Erin knew it was coming, knew it was her call. Hated making it.
"The funeral starts in two hours"
"How is Kevin?" Jay asked still looking at the TV.
Erin cleared her throat. "He's doing OK. They said he'll be released from the hospital in a few days"
Jay nodded as he kept his gaze on the TV. Numb to everything around him.
Numb to it all.
He was thankful that Atwater was OK, but he couldn't get the vision of Mouse falling down to the ground in front of him. Bleeding to death in the ambulance on the way to the hospital before he could get the help he needed.
Erin watched the TV, some cowboy singing as the sun set behind him. Jay looked away from the clip, searching her face. He hesitated, not wanting to push, trying to keep his tone light, but asking nevertheless.
"Do you want me to get the kids ready?"
Erin didn't look at him.
"Jay..." she paused. "No, I can do it"
He took a breath, and asked again.
"So how long do we have?"
Now she turned to face him, her eyes gentle, but troubled.
"I don't know" she said honestly, and Jay smiled slightly; she hadn't said anything, but she hadn't said nothing. For the first time in her life, she wasn't sure what to do to help her husband.
Erin looked at Jay's uniform that was hanging on the back of the door. She smiled sadly and looked over at her husband.
"You're wearing your uniform? You're going to look really handsome" Erin said.
Jay didn't answer. He kept his gaze focused on the TV in front of him.
"How long do we have?"
Erin smiled, "I don't know" and almost laughed at the repetition.
Jay shrugged his shoulders as he heard her snicker softly
"Do you know anything, Erin?" he asked. His gaze not moving from the screen
"Jay" Erin started.
She watched as Jay stood from the bed and walked towards the bathroom.
"I'm going. No need to keep reminding me about my best friend's funeral"
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Everly stood in front of the mirror and spun around in her dark blue dress as Erin finished nursing the twins.
"Mommy" Everly's sweet voice spoke breaking the silence.
Erin's gaze rose from Arden's face and up to Everly who was looking at her.
"Yes, Everly?" Erin asked
"Daddy sad?" Everly asked simply as she walked over to the glider as Erin adjusted her dress strap.
Erin nodded "Yeah, daddy's sad. But he's going to be OK"
"Why sad?" Everly asked as she looked at her baby sister who stared back at her as Erin burped her.
Everly's finger reached out and she ran it across Arden's fist and the baby grasped it tightly.
Erin thought for a moment as she patted Arden's back.
"Daddy's sad because Mouse had to go away" Erin explained.
"He comin' back?" Everly asked as she looked at Erin.
Erin shook her head "No, baby. He can't come back. Somebody did a very bad thing and Mouse had to go to with an angel"
"To da moon?" Everly asked.
Erin smiled in spite of it all. "He had to go to Heaven, Evie. That's way past the moon"
"Daddy goin' too?" Everly asked.
Erin shook her head "Not for a very, very long time"
Everly looked at her mother and nodded "Mmmkay"
Erin pulled Arden against her after the baby burped and she stood up and walked the baby over to her crib and laid her down next to Caleb who was happily sucking on his binky.
Caleb's blue eyes darted over to his twin sister as Erin laid Arden down next to him and he reached his hand out and grasped Arden's fist as she looked at him.
Erin smiled down at her twins holding hands and she looked over at Everly and walked back over to the glider and pulled her into her lap.
"Can you do mommy a big favor?" Erin asked as she looked at her oldest daughter.
Everly nodded "Yes"
Erin looked at the doorway as Jay walked past her in his uniform and went down the hall towards the bathroom, not even glancing in the nursery.
Erin looked back at Everly and sighed "Can you be extra good for mommy and daddy today?"
Everly nodded "Yes"
Erin smiled and looked at her "Mommy and daddy love you so much. And we're so proud of you and how good of a big sister you are. Do you know that?"
Everly nodded "Me do"
Erin lauged and tickled Everly's sides before pulling her to her and kissing her gently on the lips. "You're so silly"
Erin heard Jay swear down the hall and she sighed and slid Everly off of her lap. "Can you go entertain your brother and sister for a minute? Sing them a song"
"Hello other side?" Everly asked.
Erin nodded and smiled at her daughter's newest obsession with Adele. "If that's what you want to sing"
Everly quickly ran to the crib and held onto the bars as she started to babble to her brother and sister. Her sweet voice singing softly as Erin walked out of the room and down the hall.
Erin reached the bathroom and leaned against the doorway as she looked at her husband dressed head to toe in his Army Ranger uniform.
Jay's gaze was focused on his reflection as he finished fixed his tie and clipped it to his dress shirt.
"Damn, my husband is sexy" Erin walked closer to Jay.
Jay looked over at Erin and then back at his reflection. "What time is it?"
Erin looked down at her watch and back at her husband. "We still have a little while before we have to leave"
Jay shook his head "I should probably head on down there. Some of the other guys from the unit are supposed to meet up. Pay some private respects"
Erin reached her hand out and touched Jay's shoulder "Baby"
Jay moved away from Erin's touch and walked out of the room. "I'm fine"
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Kim pulled her sweater over her head and pulled her hair out of the collar, letting it fall in waves over her shoulders. She had been debating cutting it in the last few weeks but Adam loved the long silky strands. When he would kiss her, when they would make love, he would bury his fingers in it and hold her captive against his lips. Kim loved it when he did that and that was what kept her from cutting it. But it was just getting so annoying. Her hair had been long since she was thirteen and she was ready for some kind of change. Maybe she would just cut it to her shoulders. It would still be long enough for Adam to thread his fingers in and it would give her the change she seemed to be looking for.
Adam walked into the bedroom and watched her silently as she put her earring on, in the mirror on top of her dresser. They were already late but he couldn't bring himself to hurry her. Not when she looked so breathtaking standing in front of him doing something as simple as putting on earrings. Adam moved closer to her and she caught sight of him in the mirror.
"Hey," She said softly as she grabbed her brush and ran it through her hair one more time. "I'm almost done. Five more minutes, I promise."
Adam stepped up behind her without speaking and slid his arms around her waist but his eyes never left hers.
She smiled at the look in his eyes. It was true that eyes were the windows to the soul. At least Adam's were. Everything he felt for her was right there in his eyes and that combined with his gentle touch, Kim knew without a doubt she was loved. She only hoped that he could see and feel the same from her.
One of Adam's hands lifted and swept her hair back behind her shoulder, exposing her neck. His eyes fell from hers and his head bent down as his lips caressed the warm skin just below her ear. Kim sighed and closed her eyes as she tilted her head to the side.
"Adam, if you start doing that, we won't ever make it to the funeral home today." She breathed as the hand that still rested on the swell of her stomach made soft circles over the angora sweater she wore.
Adam's lips brushed against her ear. "Well then, we better stop." Adam lifted his face and released her as he grinned devilishly and Kim huffed out a very frustrated breath.
Kim turned to face him and she could see the desire in his eyes. That was enough. Just to know for sure that he was as affected as she was.
"You're evil, Adam Ruzek. Evil." Kim accused as she pushed past him and walked into the living room where their luggage was sitting next to the door.
Adam chuckled as he followed behind her with his hands in his dress pants pockets.
"Where are all the presents Adam?" Kim asked as she walked into the kitchen to check one more time that she had turned everything off.
"Honestly? I put them up. I wasn't sure if it was a good idea to be celebrating. You know...considering" Adam responded as he put on his coat and grabbed Kim's off the hanger. "I don't think it's going to be a very Merry Christmas."
Kim nodded sadly and walked back into the living room and Adam held her coat out so she could slip her arms in the sleeves. He kissed her cheek before he stepped back and bent to pick up their suitcases.
"Are you sure you're all right with me inviting Sean? I just felt so bad he was all alone."
Adam smiled at her. "Yes, Burgess. I told you five times already that I'm fine with it. I know you and your affinity for stray dogs."
Adam opened the door and placed the suitcases in the hallway as Kim stepped closer to him. She raised her hand to his cheek as she leaned up to kiss him.
"I love you Adam."
Adam wrapped his arms around her as he bent his face to kiss her again. "Yeah, yeah." He teased as he released her and urged her out the door. "I'll remember that some time when I bring home my own stray dog."
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Erin walked into the Elms Funeral Home with Adam and Kim who pulled in next to her and were gracious enough to help her with the twins and Everly.
Erin held onto Everly's hand with one arm and Caleb's car seat with the other as she followed behind Adam who was carrying Arden's car seat and Kim who was carrying Jackson.
Erin couldn't help but remember Nadia as she walked into the funeral home and was hit with the smell of a mix of many different flowers. And her heart once again ached for the loss of her best friend. She couldn't believe it had been a year since Nadia had died. Sometimes it felt like it had been longer other times it felt like it was only yesterday.
"Is here ok?" Adam asked as he gestured to a few empty seats.
"It's great" Kim assured and she gave her husband a sad smile as she moved to sit down.
"P-way?" Jack asked as Kim sat down and adjusted him on her lap.
"No. We have to be good and quiet" Kim explained as she reached into Jackson's diaper bag and handed him a few toy cars.
Jackson wiggled out of Kim's lap and onto the floor as Kim sat the toy cars on the seat next to her. Jackson looked at his mother as he started to run the cars over the seat.
Erin took the row in front of Adam and Kim and sat Caleb's car seat down on the floor as the baby boy started to fuss.
"What's the matter, buddy?" Erin soothed as she sat down in the chair and unbuckled Caleb and pulled him up into her lap.
Caleb's cries slowed as Erin pulled him to her chest and she looked at Adam and gave him a silent thank you as he sat Arden's car seat down on the floor next to Erin's feet.
Everly looked down at her little sister and slid off of the chair she'd climbed up on and she knelt down in front of Arden and reached out and touched her sister's hands.
Arden watched Everly with intent as she looked up at her.
"Sisser" Everly said as she pushed the car seat toys that were hanging from the handle.
"Shhh" Erin said as she looked down at Everly.
Erin's gaze rose up and she saw her husband walking in with a few other men she'd never met. Ones she assumed were men from Jay's unit.
Erin's heart ached as she looked at her husband. And she patted Caleb's back as she felt Hank and Olivia take a seat next to her.
"Hey kid" Hank greeted as he unbuttoned his suit jacket.
"Hey" Erin said softly as she adjusted Caleb in her arms.
"Papaw" Everly said as she forgot all about Arden and moved past Erin to where her grandpa was sitting.
"Hey pumpkin" Hank greeted as he pulled Everly up and onto his lap.
"Noah?" Everly said as she looked over at Olivia who was holding a sleeping Noah against her.
"Noah's sleeping. He's not feeling well" Olivia explained as she looked at Everly.
Everly satisfied with Olivia's explanation tilted her head back to look at Hank. "Papaw"
"What?" Hank said as he bent his head and placed a kiss on Everly's head.
"Hi" Everly said with a laugh.
Erin laid a now sleeping Caleb down in his car seat and covered him up before scooting Arden's car seat next to Caleb's.
"Can you keep an eye on them please?" Erin asked as she stood up and looked at Hank.
"Of course" Hank said as he pulled out his phone for Everly to play with.
"Thanks" Erin said as she moved out of the row of seats and to the front where Jay had taken a seat.
Erin sat down next to him and reached her hand out and Jay silently took it as he kept his head forward as the minister stepped up to the microphone stand.
"Gregory Stephen Gerwitz was born on October 22nd, 1984. The son of Donald and Joyce Gerwitz. He was a retired vetern with the United States Army having served two tours for his country. Greg departed this world on December 17 tragically doing what he did best. Working to protect"
The minister paused as he spoke "I ask you today, there anything more ironic?"
"Can anything be more ironic than the lives of our nation's military? They love America, so they spend long years in foreign lands far from her shores. They revere freedom, yet they sacrifice their own so that others may be free. They defend their own right to live as individuals, yet yield their individuality in that cause. Perhaps, most paradoxically of all, they value life, yet so bravely they ready themselves to die in the service of their country.
"I like to call those who serve one of, if not the greatest assest to our country. Like so many, Gregory quietly served his country, looked out for his battle buddies, and managed to survive the untold horrors of the war. He returned a bona-fide hero.
In the Bible, Jesus had an encounter with a soldier, a Roman Centurion, who asked Him to heal a servant, and Jesus said He'd not seen such faith in all Israel. I'd like to think that soldiers are especially capable of trusting their chain-of-command. I've seen foxhole faith that fades with time, but I've also seen a lasting trust in God that prevails throughout the years, in times of great strife and in times of peace.
Those who spend time in military service have an uncomfortable life—at times we begin to think that being miserable is part of the mission. Field duty is usually an ordeal: Eating C-Rations/MREs, cleaning weapons, guard duty, braving the harsh elements, long hours, and living in a tent. The Apostle Paul never served in the military, but as a tentmaker he knew what it was like to live a nomadic life under harsh conditions"
The preacher looked around the room before he continued.
"For troops on deployment, a tent is frequently "home sweet home". It's all part of military duty, but no one lives permanently in a tent. It may SEEM like it at times, but the truth of the matter is, that at the end of every field exercise soldiers return to their barracks or quarters, not a is exactly the word-picture Paul is presenting. Paul is saying that our bodies are a lot like tents. They provide a place to live, but only for a brief portion of our existence. Like the canvas of a tent, our flesh is just a temporary structure. Paul's idea of death is breaking down a tent and folding it up, in preparation for moving into a permanent facility. At the end of life, we can add these words to our obituary: "TO BE CONTINUED". There's more to come"
Jay took a shaky breath as he listened to the preacher and he felt Erin's hand tighten around his.
"Scripture says: "In My Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you." There's plenty of room; in the meantime, we should prepare to get our room ready. hen soldiers are on maneuvers, what do they talk about? They talk about how they can't wait to get back home; how glad they'll be to get back to the "real world".
The misery and hardships troops endure make homecoming all the more sweet. Our problem is that we often think the tent we're living in is the real world—it's not. What we are experiencing is but a shadow of reality. We hope to move from the shadowlands of life some day to encounter Reality is all its fullness.
We are offered assurance that when our earthly existence is over, we will leave our tents and dwell forever in our permanent home. This life is the only life we've known, but there's another life coming. Death is merely a transition in life, like getting orders for a new assignment. We who remain are left with sorrow, but we find comfort in the certainty of reunion and rest. We who remain, grieve-but with hope. To be absent from the body-this temporary tent-is to be at home with the Lord. I know Greg or "Mouse" as he was affectionately referred to, was a great son, friend and fellow serviceman. His loss is great and profound and in the coming days I hope for peace for those who knew and loved him"
Erin looked over at Jay and she felt him tighten his grip on her hand as the service came to a close.
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Three Days Later
"Are you sure that you guys are going to be OK?" Erin asked as she loaded Everly and Arden into the car.
"We'll be fine" Jay assured as he held Caleb in his arms. "I just want to get a few things done before I go home"
Erin nodded and looked at her husband and gave him a small, sad smile.
Jay had came through the funeral and had spent the last three days acting like nothing was wrong. And it really concerned Erin. She knew how Jay was. He held things in and she was afraid that this was going to be too much for him to handle.
"Are you..." Erin started.
"Erin!" Jay said suddenly "Just go. Go with Natalie. Finish whatever it is you're going to do and I'll see you tonight"
Erin nodded and placed a kiss on Caleb's forehead and she gave Jay a quick kiss on the lips as she got in the car as Natalie drove off.
"Your mom needs to chill" Jay said as he looked down at his son.
Caleb looked up at Jay as Jay walked into the district.
"Hey Halstead" Trudy called from her desk.
"Yeah?" Jay asked as he walked over to the desk.
"Um, Mouse's desk" Platt said quietly.
"I'll take care of it" Jay said simply.
"I can do..." Trudy added as she watched Jay's demeanor changed.
"I've got it" Jay said as he quickly carried Caleb upstairs.
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Jay sat Caleb's car seat down on the desk as he looked at the empty boxes he needed to fill.
Jay quickly started to fill the boxes as he opened one of the drawers he saw a picture of him and Mouse from their days in the army.
Jay and Mouse were dressed in their gear having just completed thier watch and they were smiling for the camera. Each with an arm wrapped around the other.
Jay sat the picture down and slammed the drawer shut as he felt his pulse start to quicken. He paced back and forth for a moment and paused in front of the mirror as he was met with his reflection.
The next thing he knew his hand was bleeding and the sound of his son's cries filled the small office.
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Carrying Caleb downstairs, he sat him up on counter that surrounded Trudy's desk.
"Can you watch him for a few minutes, I need to go see how bad this cut is?"
"Yeah…but what'd you do?"
"Broken mirror," he mumbled walking off and towards the bathroom.
Pushing open the door with his back, he backed into the room, before turning and heading to the sinks. Turning on the tap, he stuck his hand underneath it, washing away the blood.
Pulling it back, he watched as it continuously bled.
"Son of a fucking bitch," he swore loudly, knowing good and well it needed stitches.
Grabbing a couple paper towels, he held it to his hand as he walked back out front. "Can you call Erin and tell her I'm going to the hospital…but make sure not to scare her, it's not a big deal."
"Do you need someone to go with you?"
"No, no…I think I can manage," he answered, lifting Caleb up into his arms and heading out to his car. Fishing his keys out of his pocket, Caleb's car seat rested against his hip.
Easing him into the backseat, he watched as he watched him carefully. He knew she could sense something wasn't right with the way he was acting.
"I'm fine, buddy," he said with a tight smile, leaning back in the car to kiss his small forehead.
Pushing his seat back to lock it in place, he slid into the driver's seat. Pulling the seatbelt over his body, he started up the ignition by reaching over and using his left hand.
Easing out of his spot and off the lot, he headed towards the hospital.
After struggling with getting and carrying Caleb into the emergency doors, he finally reached the admit desk.
"How can I help you?"
"I cut my hand and I'm pretty sure it needs a couple stitches."
"Okay, fill out this," she said handing him a clipboard, "and go have a seat over there in chairs. A doctor will be with you as soon as possible."
"Thanks," he said, grabbing the clipboard and tucking it under his arm in-between their bodies.
Sitting down in a chair, he shifted Caleb over to his right arm, wrapping his arm around him. Struggling to get a good enough grasp to write while holding him, he shifted them both again.
Laying his head against Jay's chest, he slipped his thumb into his mouth.
Looking over at him, he smiled softly, "Thank you for being such a good baby right now," he whispered, pressing a loving kiss against Caleb's soft skin.
Jotting down the information the best he could, he finally finished and handed it to a nurse that was passing by so he wouldn't have to stand up.
Noticing that Caleb was nodding off in his lap, he shifted him over to his left shoulder so he could rock him gently in hopes he'd go ahead and fall completely asleep.
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Hearing her phone ring, Erin dug around on the floorboard as Natalie drove them towards another store they'd been to earlier that had a train set for Owen she thought he'd like for Christmas.
Finally getting to it, she brought it up so she could answer it. Seeing the district's number on the caller id, she smiled.
"Hey baby."
"Well hello to you too darling," Trudy laughed out.
"Oh, how embarrassing…" Erin muttered, "I'm sorry. What can I do for you, Sargeant."
"Not a problem, and I was supposed to call and tell you that Jay was on his way to the hospital to get his hand stitched up, but it's not serious and you don't need to worry about it."
"Hand stitched up? What'd he cut it with?"
"A piece of glass, from a mirror."
"Is Caleb with him?"
"Yes, he took him with him and insisted he didn't need any help."
"Well, thank you for calling."
"No problem, and remember not to worry. He's just fine."
"I know…bye."
Hearing Trudy's voice echo hers, she ended the call.
"What was that all about?"
"Jay went to the emergency room, apparently he cut his hand open."
"On what?"
"Glass."
"Is it bad?"
"I guess not, but he could've been lying to her about how bad it was."
"Do you want to go to the hospital to check on him?"
"Yeah, I kinda do, that is if you don't mind."
"Of course not," Natalie said with a smile.
"Thanks" Erin said, pulling off the road so she could turn around and head in the other direction.
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Erin walked into the emergency room and up to the front desk.
"Excuse me, do you know where I could find my husband, Jay Halstead?"
"Erin," Jay called out, still sitting over in the waiting area.
"Jay," she said walking over to him quickly, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"Let me take him," Natalie offered, lifting Caleb from his body and looking to find an empty chair in the crowded waiting room.
"Thank you, he was starting to get heavy."
"Let me see your hand," Erin instructed, sitting down beside him and taking his hand into hers. Turning the large palm upwards, she lifted the wad of paper towels to examine the cut. "Oh, Jay."
"It's just a little cut, I'm fine. Where are the girls?"
"Little cut," she said meeting his eyes, "That's a gash, Jay. And the girls are with Hank. I dropped them off on my way over here"
"Okay, it may leave a small scar," he teased.
Leaning forward she pressed her lips to his forehead, teasing him slightly as she spoke, "You're so tough."
"Don't I know it."
"So tell me, how did this happen exactly?"
"Let's just say it's been a long, long day…and we're all lucky he's like that," he said with a laugh, motioning to his sleeping son.
"He did not cut you," Erin challenged with a giggle she couldn't suppress.
"No, he didn't. He was being good. I just was doing some stuff and I don't know. The mirror broke, mostly cause I drove my fist through it," he breathed out.
"Oh…well it sounds as if you both need a babysitter," she said, bumping his shoulder with hers.
"There's a distinct possibility that that could very well be true," he said with laugh, before adding, "Oh, and you were right last week, you know, about Everly studying what we're saying."
"She's almost two, Jay…it's not at all uncommon for that age."
"I suppose not."
"Why what did she mock you saying?"
Grinning sheepishly he looked down.
"Jay, what vulgar string of obscenities have you taught my child?"
"Shit," he said looking over to gauge her reaction.
"I told you to start watching your mouth, but noooo you wouldn't listen," she teased, knowing Everly hadn't learned the word, but had just mocked the sounds she heard from him.
"I know, I know…I promise to try and watch my mouth from now on, but in my credit she was terrible two-ing really hard last week," he said, holding up his hand.
"All you said was shit after doing that? I don't believe you."
"That's all I said in front of her, the rest I spout off in private."
Rolling her eyes, she pulled his chin towards her to brush her lips against his. "You may be vulgar, but I love you despite it."
"You're not mad?"
"Of course not, not about that anyway…I am mad that I've been here, what, fifteen minutes and you still have been taken care of, I can't imagine just how long have you've been here."
"Almost an hour, I think. I really didn't check the time."
"Well if they don't hurry up, I'll go hurry them myself."
"That's sweet, but I know you guys were busy, and I didn't intend for you to stop what you were doing to come here."
"Of course I was going to come, even if you weren't bleeding to death," she exaggerated, "Having Caleb on top of it couldn't have been easy. I'm sorry I wasn't there, so it wouldn't have happened."
"Overreact much? It's a cut Er, it'll be stitched up and I'll be good as new. I just got frustrated. It was nothing...I'm good as new now, honestly." Jay explained
"Jay Halstead?" The nurse called out, looking around for him.
"Right here," he answered, standing up.
"Come with me." Then nurse said.
Watching Erin get up and follow him, he stalled waiting for her to fall in stride with him.
"You don't have to come with me, you know?"
"I know, but I want to."
Smiling at her softly as they were both ushered into the suture room.
Watching as the doctor that looked about three years short of high school graduation stitched him up, Jay sighed.
"There we go, last one. Keep it covered, clean and dry then come back in seven to ten days to have them removed…or go to your family physician, either way."
"Thanks," Jay said distractedly, looking down at his palm.
"Ready, baby?" Erin asked
"Yep," he answered, standing up.
Finding Natalie out in the waiting room, with Caleb still asleep, they all got up and got ready to leave.
"Thanks," Jay said, moving to take his son from her.
"I've got him," Natalie insisted, "No need to carry him when you don't have to. Besides, I kind of miss mine being this little and not squirming to get down"
Nodding in thanks, he followed them out the automatic doors.
"You going with me Natalie or me?" Jay asked after they'd managed to get Caleb loaded.
"Well, um…"
"Go with Jay, I can get the train by myself…and I can't thank you enough for letting me drag you with me. Especially on December 23rd" Natalie said with a smile
"Thanks Natalie." Erin said.
"We'll see you later," Jay said as he slid into the driver's seat, just ready to go home.
"Yep," Natalie answered, waving at Erin as they both moved to climb into the respective cars.
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Sitting down on the couch next to Jay, Erin smiled. "This is the first time you've had stitches in quite awhile."
"Uh huh," he said, not taking his eyes of the TV screen.
"You remember the last time you had stitches?" She asked, resting her hand on his thigh.
"Yeah, the fence out back when we moved in."
"No, no, no…you've had them since then. You don't remember?"
Smirking over at her, she knew instantly he remembered. "Of course I do, it took me a good half hour to make up a lie before we could go to the emergency room to get me sewed up."
Giggling, she reached up and touched his eyebrow lovingly. "Lord knows you're the only one that could hurt themselves with a showerhead."
"I believe I wasn't the only one that had something to do with that little accident."
Curling up next to his, she rested her head on his shoulder. "That was a good night until you got hurt."
"Hey now, it was still a good night…I finished what I was doing, despite the blood running down my face."
"Yes you did," she said laughing, "And Everly very well may have been have conceived during that little accident."
"Well that's better than her being an accident," he said smirking over at his wife. "And we never determined whether or not it was that exact time, it's not as if we didn't do it multiple times surrounding the little shower incident."
"I know, but it was by far the funniest time…so I like to go with it." Erin teased
"Funny? Me getting hurt is funny to you?" Jay said with mock hurt in his voice.
"Just a little bit," she said pinching her fingers together for effect.
"I love you too," he mouthed off sarcastically, pulling her closer to him with his good hand. "Talking about that shower makes me want to go take one."
"You can't get your hand wet."
"I have to bathe, Er', because I will start to smell eventually."
"Well not tonight, give it time to at least start to heal before you start disobeying the doctors orders." Erin explained
"Okay, okay…I think I know how to fix that problem completely." Jay said.
"How?" She asked, a little leery of the giddiness in his voice.
"Sponge bath," he spit out with a blatant smirk.
"We'll see," she said with a smile, looking up and meeting his blue eyes that were dancing with mischief.
"Nice…" he drawled out comically, before brushing a gentle kiss against her forehead as he tried to put the thoughts of Mouse in the back of his mind.
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Please Review.
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A.N
It was so cool to make it into Derek's Q and A. Even though he doesn't read Undercover Honeymoon, it was still neat to see him answer a question about it. So whoever asked him, thanks. You really made my day.