73. Chapter 73

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"Hey, Trudy," Alexa Carlson, Kate's teacher greeted, "You're a bit early." She paused when she saw the older woman's somewhat rattled features. "Is…is everything alright?" Alexa glanced into the classroom, where all the kids were busy at work crafting what appeared to be a picture frame with colored pieces of pasta.

Sergeant Platt shook her head grimly, "It's Erin," she whispered, "Um, looks like she was shot, but um, don't react right now, okay? I don't want to spook Kate."

Alexa widened her eyes and stiffened, "Of-of course. Is there anything I can do?"

"I just gotta pick her up and bring her to the hospital," Platt replied, swallowing the lump in her throat, "Halstead and Voight are either there or on their way, Kate's uncle is a surgeon so he can't pick her up and I'm supposed to be at the hospital as well, but I didn't want a uniform to come get her because of last time and…" she trailed off, "Is that alright?"

"Of course," Alexa replied, "Please, give me a call if there's anything I can do. And send Erin and Jay my best, okay?"

Platt nodded and waved at Kate, who had caught sight of her from her desk across the room. "Hi Sergeant Platt!" Kate greeted, smiling widely, "How come you're picking me up early?"

Sergeant Trudy Platt, who usually was not short of things to say, was at a loss. "Um, you and me, we'll talk a little more in the car okay? But can you go get your backpack?"

Kate nodded, the smile quickly fading off her lips. She quickly fetched her backpack and coat from her designated hook and returned to Platt's side. "I'll give you a call," Platt said to Alexa over her shoulder, taking Kate's little hand in her own, "C'mon kiddo."

"What's happening?" Kate asked worriedly as Platt hastily buckled up the little girl in the back of her car, "How come you getted me early?"

Platt took a deep breath and finished the buckles on Kate's car seat. "I need to take you to the hospital where your uncle Will works because," Platt swallowed, "Your mom, um, she got hurt this morning."

Kate's eyes immediately filled with tears, "She's going to be okay, kiddo, the doctors are with her now," Platt continued, "But we're going to meet your daddy and Grandpa Hank and everyone at the hospital right now."

The little girl didn't speak but managed a tiny nod, the tears threatening to spill over her cheeks at any minute. "Hang tight, we'll be there soon," Platt said, closing the back door and igniting her vehicle, intent on getting to the hospital as soon as possible.

"This has got to be the cutest picture in the history of the world," Erin declared, holding up her cell phone so that Jay could see, "Look, babe."

Jay placed his coffee on the counter in the kitchen and peered at his girlfriend's phone. She had snapped a picture of Kate and Jay sitting across from each other in the diner. Jay had placed some whipped cream from Erin's waffles on his nose and made a silly face, and the little girl was laughing hysterically. Erin had run to the restroom quickly, but gotten the picture just in the nick of time. It had been their first meal in public as a family, following their fourth full day together. Kate was still adjusting, as were Erin and Jay.

"When did you take this?" Jay asked, unable to keep the grin off his face. The carefree smile on his daughter's face as she laughed at her father's antics in the diner warmed his heart, as she was normally so tense.

"Right after I came back from the bathroom, when you were monkeying around in public," Erin said, still focusing on the picture. She glanced up at her partner, who was still staring as well, "Is it weird if I make it my phone background?"

"What? No! Of course not," Jay offered another grin, "It's a great photo." He reached into his pocket for his cell phone, "You wanna see mine?"

Erin raised her eyebrows and accepted her partner's phone. Her heart immediately melted at the background, which was of her and Kate. They were seated on the couch, Kate in Erin's lap, both dozing softly with a book across their lap. "When was this?" she asked, swallowing to keep the tears out of her eyes.

"Tuesday," he murmured, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, "Can't believe she's been ours for a week."

Erin nodded, "I feel…I feel like I've loved her forever." She glanced up to Jay with a watery smile.

"I felt like that the day I met you," Jay replied honestly, "And the day I found out she was mine." He paused, "But really babe, she's ours. I can't believe she's ours. And gonna be our phone background forever."

"You're in no condition to drive," Antonio had said, grabbing Jay by the arm as he attempted to hustle out of the 21st district, "Let me drive you."

"It's Erin!" Jay sputtered, unable to form coherent sentences, "She's, she's at Med, I gotta…"

"Get in," Antonio instructed, grabbing the Sierra keys out of Jay's hand before he had a chance to react while simultaneously pushing the younger detective into his car, "C'mon, man, I'll drive you."

Antonio peeled into the emergency entrance. Before the car had even fully stopped, Jay jumped out of the vehicle, intent on closing the gap between himself and his partner as quickly as possible.

"Where is she?" Jay shouted, bursting through the emergency room doors, "Where is my partner?"

He searched frantically for someone that he recognized, but all the faces were blurred as he whirled around. "Jay!" He heard a voice call from across the crowded Emergency Department, "Jay?"

Jay couldn't tell where the voice was coming from. He spun around again, nearly sick to his stomach as it settled in his chest that Erin was so close, yet so far. A familiar face swam into view as Jay tried to focus. Natalie.

"Where's Will?" Jay croaked, "He around?"

"He's with her," Natalie said, resting a gentle hand on Jay's shoulder, "He said that he wouldn't leave her until you got there."

Jay gulped for air, "So…he's with her?"

"Yep," she confirmed, guiding the frantic detective over to a chair against the wall. She eased him down, Jay in a trance, barely recognizing that he had moved from the entrance across the room. She took a seat next to him. "Will is sitting with Erin in the OR. Pretty sure he even convinced her surgeon that he could hold her hand through the procedure. She's not alone, Jay."

Jay gasped again, desperately trying to suck in a breath. "Breathe, Jay." He heard Nat's voice circle around his head and her soft touch on his shoulder, "She's going to be okay."

"You don't know that," he managed after a moment, lifting his head from his hands, "You can't."

"I am a doctor," Natalie retorted, "And I know Erin, alright? Just trust me."

"She-she must be so scared," Jay choked, trying to keep the tears out of his eyes, "She's so strong but-"

"Will's right beside her," Natalie reminded him, "He's holding her hand until she's out of surgery, and I'm sure he won't let go until you're there."

With that, Jay let out a painful sob and buried his head in his hands, overwhelmed by the weight of it all.

Kate sat in Erin's lap, examining the woman's hands intently. She didn't remember ever meeting anyone with colorful fingernails and especially not blue. Erin was reading a story aloud, her navy-blue nails sliding over the pages as she turned them.

Slowly, Kate reached a hand out and gently touched Erin's painted nails curiously. "What's up, baby?" Erin asked, electing to use the nickname she'd taken to calling Kate, "You okay?"

Immediately, Kate drew her hand back and went rigid. "I-I never seen blue fingers before," she whispered after a moment, reminding herself that Erin was nice enough for her to be honest, "I'm sorry."

Erin felt her heart clench. "No need to be sorry, sweetheart." She extended her palm, "I did these ones myself actually. There's paint that's just for your nails and I picked blue."

Kate observed Erin's glossy fingers, mesmerized, "It don't hurt?"

The young detective smiled and shook her head, "Nope. It smells kinda funny when it's wet, but after it dries, it looks nice, don't you think?"

Kate nodded, "I like it." She paused, "How come Jay don't have blue nails?"

At the sound of his name, Jay blearily opened his eyes. He had accidentally fallen asleep beside his girls as Erin read a story, having been exhausted from the long work day after a night of minimal sleep due to his poor little girl's terrible nightmares. "What about me?" he mumbled as Erin smiled softly and kissed the top of Kate's head.

"Well baby, I'm not really sure why Jay doesn't have blue nails. I guess guys like him usually don't wear nail polish." Erin flashed Jay a cheeky grin, "What do you say babe? You wanna get your nails done?"

"Um," Jay blanched slightly, still groggy from his brief nap, "Wait, what?" He exchanged glances with Erin, whose expression was taunting. "I'm getting my nails done?"

"Mm-hm," Erin replied, boosting Kate out of her lap and beside her on the couch, "I'll be right back, baby, okay?"

While Erin scurried to the bathroom to acquire the necessary nail supplies, Jay turned to Kate, "I've never had my nails done," he said honestly, rubbing his eyes as he stifled a yawn.

"Me neither," Kate whispered, glancing down at her own tiny fingers. She looked back up at Jay, "Do I gotta, too?"

Jay shook his head quickly. His little girl was just four years old, and despite being very clever and having only had been his for a little over a month, he wasn't ready to see her wearing nail polish or make up or god forbid going out with boys. He shuddered at the thought. "Whatever you're comfortable with," he exhaled, offering a smile, "But I think Erin wants to see me with blue nails, just so she and Ruzek can laugh at me tomorrow."

"We're not going to make fun of you," Erin rolled her eyes, sitting down on the coffee table in front of her boyfriend. "Gimme your hand, Halstead."

Jay couldn't take his eyes off Erin as she delicately painted his fingers, doing her best to keep the polish on his nails and not on his fingers. He loved how Kate's eyes were trained on Erin as well, observing the woman's every move.

"Sorry about the blue nails, babe," Erin breathed softly as they lay in bed later that night, "I figured she's too young for you know, nail polish, so I figured painting yours to show it was harmless was the next easiest thing." She paused and chuckled softly, "Guess I could have just re-painted mine."

Jay snorted and kissed the side of her head, "I love you, you know that?"

"Mm-hm, I do," Erin replied, running her manicured fingers through his hair, "I love you too."

"She really looks up to you, too," Jay murmured, "Kate watches your every move and looks at you like you hung the moon."

"She does not," Erin scoffed, "She looks at you too."

"Mm, but not like you." He reached his hand across Erin's body and pulled her closer, "Every time I look at her, and you, I just can't believe how lucky I am. And how thankful I am that you brought her home."

"Where's Voight?" Jay managed, clearing his throat, "Is he…is he picking up Kate?"

Natalie looked up from her cell phone. "Hank's getting checked out right now, just as a precaution." Jay widened his eyes in concern, "When he didn't refuse, we thought something was up," Natalie explained, "I spoke with Platt, who said she'd be picking Kate up and bringing her here shortly."

Jay tried to nod, but his head felt too heavy, "When did she go into surgery?"

"About ten minutes before you arrived," she replied, gratefully accepting a cup of coffee that Antonio had acquired. He held one out to Jay, who gingerly accepted.

"Platt said she'll be here shortly," Antonio piped up, taking a seat on the other side of Halstead, "She's got Kate."

"God," Jay blew out a breath, "What…what am I going to tell her?"

Both Natalie and Antonio were quiet. "The truth," Antonio said finally, "Her mom got hurt doing the job she loves. The doctors are doing everything they can right now to fix her up."

Jay swallowed, tears filling his eyes again, "She loves Erin. So much. If, if anything happens, I-" his voice cracked.

"She's going to be okay, man," Antonio hedged, looking desperately at Natalie for some support, "It's Erin. Girl was born to fight."

He shook his head, "She thinks of everything. No matter what, she's always a step ahead of me and she knows just what to say. I-I can't raise our daughter without her, she's, she's…she's Kate' mom."

"Don't lose hope," Antonio instructed, "I was shot. Burgess was shot. We're both fine. Trust us, Halstead."

Antonio's positivity didn't have the desired effect. Jay was still reeling, thinking about his girls. He glanced around, "Where's Voight? Nat said they were checking him out, I should probably-" Jay caught sight of Voight coming from a bay, his shirt still splotched with blood. Erin's blood.

"Where is she?" Voight asked, appearing just as anxious as Jay, "Any update?"

Jay's eyes were trained on Erin's blood. "I'll go see if I can reach Choi for an update on Erin," Dr. Manning rose from her seat, "Sergeant Voight, I can direct you to the locker room, they keep extra clothes in there in case of um," she glanced down at his blood-stained shirt, "necessity."

Voight nodded wordlessly and followed the doctor, the fact that he was covered in his daughter's blood finally registering.

"Is my daddy hurt too?" Kate whispered, holding stringently to Platt's hand as they hustled across the hospital parking lot.

"What?" Platt stopped in her tracks to allow a car to pull in front of them, "No, kiddo, he's not. Why do you ask?"

Kate looked nervous, "I don't want to have no mommy and no daddy again." Tears that had filled her gentle eyes quickly spilled over her cheeks, "I just got them."

"Oh, sweetheart." Platt bent down and scooped the distraught little girl into her embrace and held her tightly, "Your dad is just fine. And your mom is one of the strongest people I know, alright?" She looked both ways before crossing over to the hospital entrance, Kate on her hip, "We're going to go inside now and find your dad, and then we'll get an update on your mom."

"Wait," Kate sniffed, causing Platt to stop ahead of the doors, "Wait."

"What's wrong?" Platt raised her eyebrows in concern. "Are you okay?"

"I-I need to get down," Kate replied, wiping a small hand across her cheeks. After Platt set her gently on the ground, the little girl looked up at her solemnly, "I-I gotta be brave. For Daddy."

"Oh, sweetheart," Platt repeated, bending down to hug the child again, "Your folks are so lucky to have you." She took Kate's small hand in her own and entered the Emergency Department, searching for a familiar face.

"Hey, Sarge," Antonio greeted, catching sight of Platt from across the room. He smiled kindly down at Kate. "Hey there, Miss Halstead. Your dad is right over there." He gestured to where Jay was still seated.

"Did you see my mommy?" Kate asked quietly, still gripping Platt's hand. Her father had his head in his hands, completely unaware that his daughter had arrived.

"Not yet," Antonio said, making eye contact with Platt, "But Dr. Manning said we should have an update soon."

"You wanna see your dad, munchkin?" Platt pointed at Jay, leading the child over to where her father sat. Jay was still zoned out as Platt, Antonio and Kate approached.

"Daddy?" Kate whispered, placing a hand on her father's knee gently. Jay lifted his head off his hands and peered at the little girl with red eyes.

"Hi," he choked out, lifting her into his embrace, "Hi Squirt." He exhaled as he held her closer, his daughter molding into his side, "I'm so glad to see you."

"Is Mommy gonna be okay?" she whispered, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.

"I hope so," he mused, "I haven't seen her yet, but Dr. Manning went to go get an update." Jay kissed the side of Kate's head, "Uncle Will's with mommy too."

"He hasn't left her side," Choi confirmed, emerging from the OR restricted area beside Dr. Manning.

Jay stood to greet the doctors, Kate still in his arms. "Hey, monkey, why don't you and I go pick something up for your mom at the gift shop while your daddy and Dr. Choi talk a bit, hm?" Dr. Manning offered a smile, "I got her, Jay."

"You gonna be okay, Daddy?" Kate murmured into his ear. He offered a small smile and gave her another kiss on the forehead.

"I will be, Squirt. I'm sure whatever you pick out, Mommy will love." Jay set the little girl down gently. She took Dr. Manning's hand and followed her toward the gift shop, but looked over her shoulder to ensure her dad was still okay. Jay looked at Choi expectantly, "So?"

"Erin lost a lot of blood, but she got really lucky," Choi informed him, "Bullet entered through her shoulder and exited through her upper back, through and through. No bone damage but she'll be in some discomfort when she wakes up. We've got her on a morphine drip for now and it's going to be a bit before she's awake."

"So she's going to be okay?" Jay asked, waiting on the doctor to confirm that his fiancé was indeed going to be okay.

"She will be. Her heart rate was dangerously high when we first started surgery, but with the blood she received, it looks like we avoided hypovolemic shock. It also doesn't look like she'll lose any mobility in her shoulder, though she'll need physical therapy to avoid muscle atrophy and to help it heal quicker. We've also got her on some strong antibiotics to prevent any infection which can unsettle the stomach, but all things considered, Erin's going to be fine." Choi offered a kind smile, "She's a tough one."

"Thanks man," Jay exhaled, "When can I see her?"

"They're moving her from the OR now. Your brother's been with her the whole time," Choi said, "I'm going to go check on her now, and I'll have a nurse come get you."

"Thanks," Jay repeated, sinking into the chair. He let out another breath.

Antonio put a strong hand on his shoulder. "Told you she was a fighter."

Jay lifted his head off his hands, tears brimming in his eyes, "I just…I just need to see my partner."

Jay & Erin reunion up next! Thanks for being patient :)