Holding Onto Him

The Getaway

Erin had woken up early that morning having always been an early riser since having Libby, she was up to watch the sunrise on the front porch as to not wake her husband. This get away was just what she needed, it was helping her recharge, as Erin went to turn on the coffee pot to wake her husband she decided to take a small walk out in the field that was on the Halstead plot of land. Jay woke up to the smell of brewing coffee, he knew the smell of it would make Erin sick, as he got up getting himself a cup full of coffee. As he sips his coffee, Jay moves towards the back porch where he sees his wife walking around the field that was by the pond. It was a natural spring which was created many years ago, it was all theirs; It was at least five acres of land, there was a small run off creek down a few feet past the cabin. Jay places his cup of coffee down on a table by the porch swing, as he walks down the three steps it took to get to the grass.

Walking up to his wife, he reaches for her hand, "Thank you for making coffee this morning," he says holding her hand in his grasp, he watches Erin take a breath before turning to face him, "I know the smell is going to bother you. So, I am airing out the cabin as we speak."

"You did not have to do that babe," Erin says placing her hand on Jay's shoulder moving closer to him as a gentle breeze moves her long wavy hair, "I would have been fine sitting out here."

"This place is growing on you," Jay says a hint of pride in his voice, he knew the moment they would come up here Erin would change her tune about it.

"Yes Halstead," she mutters moving her hand to rest on his chest her lips parting slightly, "You win. All those years ago when you told me about this place," Erin glances around taking in everything, "I never really knew it could be this peaceful."

"I just knew that you would fall in love with it," Jay says letting out a chuckle causing Erin's hands to move, "I am happy that this place is helping us relax. Although it is quite chilly today aren't you cold?"

"Not even a little bit," Erin says looking at Jay glancing at him, "It's only the beginning of September. It does not get really cold until the end of September beginning of October."

"True," Jay says nodding, he was not really looking forward to the winter this year, maybe it was the fact that Erin would be well into her pregnancy or the fact that when it snows in the city sometimes if the roads are not taken care of it makes going to work ten times harder than it has to be.

"I know that expression," Erin says running her thumb up and down Jay's chest were her hand was, "What are you worrying about this time?"

"Who said I was worrying about anything," Jay says his eyes glancing around trying to hide the fact his wife was right.

"I've known you for a very long time Jay," Erin mutters leaning head to rest on his forehead, "I know something is bothering you. I am your wife; you can't hide things from me."

"This winter," Jay says looking at Erin, "I am worried that something could happen to you and the baby."

"Jay I will be fine," Erin says taking in a sharp breath as she moves her head, "I was pregnant with Libby during a New York winter. If I can handle a winter on the east coast, I can most definitely handle a winter being pregnant in Chicago."

"But this time we have a toddler," Jay points out his hands moving to grip Erin's waist, "Things are going to be different this time."

"Yes, things are going to be different," Erin mutters in agreement, "I have my family with me this time. I have our bug, you, my father and not to mention two doctors in the family."

"You are not going back into the field once we are back in Chicago, are you?" Jay questions looking at Erin who shakes her head, "Because I don't think I will be able to handle that."

"No," Erin says taking Jay's hand placing it on her stomach, "by the time I get back to Chicago with you. My stomach will be sticking out a little more than it already is, I will have to talk to the higher ups and inform James who is my second he will be the first in command when it comes to on scene things."

"Desk duty," Jay says smirking a little, "You and Mouse will have some time together this pregnancy."

Erin grins as she lets out a small puff of air, "Don't remind me. At least I am head of my own team this time. Mouse will probably be reporting our days to you by the hour, am I right?"

"I might have mentioned something to him the last time he was over," Jay says looking at his wife smiling a little, "Not about the baby. Just that he would have to keep a close eye on you soon."

"Overprotective daddy mode," Erin says letting out a giggle as she smiles, "So, you said something about going on a boat today."

"Of course," Jay says his thumb running up and down Erin's stomach slowly, "Are you sure that you are up for a boat ride? Won't it effect your morning sickness?"

"I am sure I'll be fine, as long as we don't rock the boat to much," Erin says placing a gentle kiss on Jay's nose, "When do you want to go out on the water?"

Once Jay and Erin were out on the lake, Jay let the boat float on the water. He didn't want to exacerbate her morning sickness, he watches his wife closely before looking around at the scenery.

"This is really relaxing thank you for insisting we come here," Erin says glancing taking In the new view from the boat.

"When Libby gets a little older we should bring her too," Jay says smiling, "I would have brought her this time but, I would've had to safety lock the doors from the front porch and the back porch."

"I agree Jay, our daughter is not old enough to be here yet," Erin says closing her eyes as she tilts her head up letting the warmth from the sun soak into her body.

Before Jay and Erin knew it, there weekend getaway was over. As Erin packed up her bag with her clothes, she heard the front door to the cabin open. Hearing footsteps coming down the hallway, her hands stop on the zipper for a split second she almost reached for her gun. She was very jumpy the past day and a half, as she sees Jay walk in heading to grab another bag. His eyebrow raises slightly, watching his wife sipping up the bag after placing her gun in its holster.

"You okay babe?" He asks a hint of concern flooding his voice.

"I'm fine. Just a little jumpy, everything is packed and ready to go," Erin says smiling a little as she picks up her holster heading out of the bedroom, leaving Jay to put the bag over his shoulder, "I'll grab the snacks. We have the security system ready to go once we leave right?"

"Of course," Jay says walking down the hall with Erin, he watches his wife relax once more before heading to grab the snacks they had brought with them on the car ride up, "You know we can always come back up here. Everything is going to be the same when we come back."

"I know, it's just I had to pop that getaway bubble yesterday," Erin says holding the bag of pretzels and trail mix in her hands, "It was not fun. Which is why I've been on edge more."

 Jay places the bag he had over his shoulder onto the couch, walking over to his wife he reaches up to caress her cheek, "Everything is going to be fine Erin. Bunny has been taken away on charges of her own creation. No one is going to come after our family," he says softly before placing a gentle kiss on Erin's forehead. 

"So, I have been thinking," Jay says trying to change the subject and get Erin's mind on something fun, "How about we stop at a store somewhere close to the highway and pick something up for Libby."

"What did you have in mind?" Erin questions as Jay unwraps his arms from around her body.

"I was thinking maybe a shirt that reads Big Sis," Jay says smiling, walking with his wife out to the car, "We can take a picture of her in the shirt with the newest ultrasound photo."

"That sounds like a great idea," Erin grins as she looks at her husband after opening the door for him so he can throw the bag in, "I do have that doctor's appointment tomorrow. So, let's get the shirt, we'll have the photo tomorrow."

"Yes, then I can put it up at work. With a handwritten note," Jay says smiling after getting in the driver seat of their truck, "My first photo of my children together. The newest Halstead siblings."

"I really like the sound of that babe," Erin says opening the bag of pretzels and taking a few out, as she nibbles on the corner of the pretzel Jay begins the drive back to Chicago.