21. Chapter 21

Hey guys, thank you for everyone who read and reviewed the last chapter. I really appreciate it. I've been super busy at work so I've barely done any writing and I'm running out of pre-wrote chapters to post so I might not be posting three chapters a week anymore. I will aim for two, depending how inspired I become with season 2. Yay! So as always please be kind...read and review! Thank you!

Chapter 20

Erin was sitting on the couch; wearing grey sweatpants and a black loose fitting t-shirt; her hair pinned up in a rough bun. She had a book in her hands; her feet were curled up under her. She heard the apartment door open. She spun around to face Jay.

"No dinner made?" Jay asked.

"You actually meant that?" Erin replied. "I thought it was all part of your code."

"Good job I stopped and got us Chinese then." Jay retorted, pulling out a paper bag out from behind his back.

"See, I knew it was part of your code." Erin said, putting down her book on the coffee table and walking towards the kitchen counter.

"No, I just knew you wouldn't cook." Jay shot back with a smile.

Erin shot him a look as she grabbed a carton out of the bag. She peeked inside. "Hmmm...Moo Chu Pork." Erin sighed. "It's like you read my mind." She hopped onto the kitchen counter and grabbed a pair of chopsticks.

"Hardly, it's all you ever order." Jay retorted as he hopped onto the counter opposite her; a carton and chopsticks in his hand.

"So, how was Olinski and everyone?" Erin asked, looking over at Jay.

"Nothing new. Ben is still a person of interest and I let him know about Amy. Ruzek is going to be on her tail" Jay replied.

"And Nadia?" Erin asked, between mouthfuls.

"Antonio is looking out for her. She's doing fine. Lexie is even helping her study." Jay replied, between mouthfuls.

"Good." Erin said, relieved. "Lexie is a good kid."

"Of course she is with Al for a dad." Jay replied.

"So um...what did you order?" Erin asked as Jay filled his mouth with noodles.

"Chicken chow mein." He replied; a knowing look in his eyes as Erin tilted her head sideways and sighed. He sighed and swapped cartons with her. "Every time." He muttered under his breath; knowing that Erin always wanted what he ordered.

"Thank you Jay." She replied; her smile beaming.

Jay glanced over at her as she began to demolish the chow mein and shook his head; quietly laughing. Yep, that smile was definitely worth the trade.

Jay entered Erin's bedroom, dressed in his running gear. He walked towards the bed, where Erin lay; peacefully sleeping. He looked down at her; her hair slightly tossed; her mouth slightly agape; a small puddle of drool lying on the pillow case. He ran his fingers through his hair; debating whether or not he should do what he was about to do.

"Oh screw it." He muttered and pulled up the bed sheets. "Time to get up sleepy head if you want to join me on my morning run."

"Jay!" Erin squealed, jumping up. She pulled the bed sheets around herself. "I could have been naked!"

"Yeah, like you would sleep naked when I'm just next door." Jay retorted, already heading into the living area. "I'm leaving in 10 – loser makes breakfast."

Erin smiled and pulled the bed sheets back. "Challenge accepted." She stated, heading into the bathroom.

"And the winner is...!" Jay cheered, holding his arms aloft as he entered the apartment, closely followed by Erin.

"I demand a rematch!" Erin stated, between pants.

"Erin, I won fair and square." Jay replied. "I guess your fitness has slipped playing housewife."

"Hey!" Erin exclaimed.

"By the way, I like my eggs scrambled." Jay added, before taking his towel and smacking it off Erin's bum.

"Hey!" Erin giggled as Jay jogged towards the bathroom, also laughing; before Erin could retaliate.

Erin followed Amy and Poppy around the store, looking at clothes. They had been shopping for the last two hours. Amy and Poppy were both laden down with bags; Erin had one.

"I swear, I don't know what I am going to wear to this luncheon." Amy sighed; flicking her way through the racks of clothes.

"Amy, I know you have a million and one outfits at home." Poppy stated.

"But I've already wore everything at least once." Amy said.

"And can't you wear it again?" Erin asked.

"Oh Erin, you are so funny!" Amy laughed, gently stroking Erin arm.

"Sweetie, due to social media nowadays, we can't wear the same thing twice." Poppy said. "Always remember that." Poppy's phone began to beep. Poppy looked at her screen. "Oh God! It's my hour with the kids. They've just woke up from their nap." She gave Erin and Amy a quick kiss on both their cheeks. "Always lovely to see you Erin. Amy...I'll see you tonight."

"Does she schedule time with her children?" Erin asked as she watched Poppy exit the shop.

"Of course!" Amy replied. "What else is she going to do?"

"Maybe actually raise her kids." Erin shook her head and muttered under her breath. She paused and looked at Amy. "So um, you are meeting up with Poppy tonight."

"Oh yeah, it's a um...lady's council thing." Amy replied. "It's a total bore fest." Erin nodded. She knew Amy was lying about her plans for the night. "So how are things going with Jay?"

"Still the same." Erin replied. "He even slept on the couch last night."

"Oh sweetie." Amy sighed. "You know...I was going to stop by Tony's office for a little lunch time nookie. Maybe you should surprise Jay too and relieve some of his stress?"

Erin paused, wondering how Jay would react to her surprise visit. He may not like it; then again, she really wanted to see where he was working. "Sure, why not?" She replied, shrugging her shoulders.

"Yay!" Amy cheered, hugging Erin. "This is going to be so much fun!"

Erin followed Amy out of the elevator; her eyes taking in her surroundings. District 21 definitely wasn't like this. "Oh how the rich live." She silently thought. "Even their work places receive the 5* treatment."

"Baby!" She heard Amy squeal; causing her to crash out of her thoughts. She looked up and saw Amy run directly into the arms of Tony, taking a leap and wrapping her legs around his waist. She whispered something in his ear and Erin knew by his eyes that he knew he was going to get lucky.

He had already begun to move himself and Amy towards his office when he noticed Erin. "Erin, Jay's office is just around the corner. He should be in." He said, almost shouting the end of the sentence as Amy pulled him into the office. The door slammed shut and blinds were pulled close.

Erin shook her head and continued down the corridor towards the corner knowing that what she just witnessed would definitely not happen in District 21. However, judging by the non-reaction of the assistants floating about the corridor, Amy's behaviour was nothing unusual.

She walked around the corner and paused as her eyes found Jay; leaning against the doorframe of his office; his hands shoved in his pockets; his trademark grin on his lips as he chatted to a blonde twenty-something assistant; wearing a skirt so short and a v-neck shirt that Erin thought was definitely not professional.

She walked towards Jay; she knew exactly what to do in this situation. "Hey baby!" She called, striding towards him. She gently kissed his left cheek as her left hand grazed his right cheek, displaying her wedding band.

"Erin...sweetie!" Jay exclaimed, taken aback as Erin slipped her arm around his waist. "I didn't know you were stopping by."

"Obviously." Erin replied, spinning around to face the assistant; taking pleasure from the look on the poor girl's face. She glanced at Jay. "Aren't you going to introduce us?" She turned back to the girl.

"Erin, this is my assistant Lara." Jay stated. "Lara, this is Erin..."

"His wife." Erin finished for him, offering her free hand to the girl.

The girl took it. "Pleased to finally meet you Mrs Kingston." The girl replied, regaining her composure. "Jay...I mean Mr Kingston has mentioned you a few times. Can I get you anything during your visit? A cinnamon latte maybe?"

Erin looked at the girl. How did she know her favourite coffee? "Um no...I just need my husband." Erin replied, confused.

The girl glanced up at Jay. "I'll hold your calls Mr Kingston and phone 'The Pit' and inform them you'll be a little late."

"Thank you Lara." Jay replied and the girl returned to her desk. Jay led Erin into his office and closed the door; Erin releasing her hold on him as he did. He quietly chuckled. "You are bad Erin...that poor girl!"

"That poor girl? You were flirting with her!" Erin retorted, crossing her arms as Jay took his seat behind his desk.

"I was talking to her." Jay replied.

"Jay it's not what you were saying, it's how your face looked as you said it!" Erin shot back.

"What? I was smiling...I'm a nice guy." Jay said. "I've given you that exact same smile."

"Exactly! You were flirting!" Erin snapped, staring at him.

"Aw, are you jealous?" Jay asked, putting on a baby voice.

"No!" Erin scoffed, finally sitting down opposite him. "I just want you to remember that you're supposed to be married."

"Trust me, I remember." Jay replied; the fingers on his right hand twisting the gold band on his left ring finger. "So what did I do to receive a visit at work?"

"Oh nothing." Erin replied, her eyes glancing at his ring finger as he continued to play with it. She looked him in the eye. "I was shopping with Amy and she invited me along. She's offering Tony some afternoon delight. She thinks I should so the same for you."

"Well it's not the worse idea in the world!" Jay teased.

Erin stretched her leg out and kicked him under his desk; grinning as she watched him grimace. "I think Amy and Poppy are going to the manor tonight." Erin said. "They said they have some lady's council thing but I could tell they were lying."

"Adam will let us know." Jay replied.

Erin nodded. There was silence. "So were you about to head out when I stopped by?" She asked.

"Yeah, I was going to one of Tony's club to address the security team." Jay replied. "I've made a few changes to procedures and they're getting a little pissy about it. I've got to go down and flash some authority."

"Well then, I guess I better let you go and show them who's boss." Erin said, standing up. "Will you be at the apartment for dinner?"

"Why? Are you actually going to cook?" Jay asked, grinning.

"Maybe." She teased, smiling back.

"Well then yes...this I have to see." Jay replied, getting up to lead her to the door. He pulled open the door.

Erin could see Lara at her desk; watching them from the corner of her eye. Erin turned around to face Jay. She straightened up his tie and tenderly let her hand trail down his chest. "Dinner will be at 7:30pm." She softly stated; looking Jay in the eyes. "Don't be late."

"I won't." He replied, meeting her gaze.

She paused; hesitant to leave him and she didn't know why. She quickly shook her head and turned around; shooting Lara a warning look as she walked away. She could hear Jay informing Lara that he would be heading out as she turned the corner; a smile forming; relieved that he was only talking to her about work.

To be continued...