Holding Onto Him

The Announcement

Jay had everything set up, he had just changed Libby into the light purple shirt that had gold sparkly writing on it. In big bold letter's the words 'World's Best Big Sis' were written across the shirt, as Erin stood in the kitchen with her newest ultrasound on the counter. The baby was so big already, during the ultrasound the baby kept moving and jumping around. Erin had watched Jay's face most of the time during the ultrasound, smiling wide when she heard a chuckle leave his lips. When they had gotten back from Wisconsin Erin had decided that it would be best for them to wait the two weeks for her twelfth week ultrasound so that the baby would be bigger, Jay of course agreed with his wife. Things had been great since the Wisconsin trip; Erin was more relaxed, and she was taking more of a head leadership role letting James along with Andrea take the bulk of the field work. Erin had not told her team yet, because she knew that her and Jay had this announcement planned.

"Alright mommy," Jay says as he turns picking up their daughter, "Libbybug is ready for her photoshoot."

"That is wonderful," Erin says smiling as she looks at her daughter, she then adjusts her own shirt, "What do you think of my choice of clothing?"

Erin did a twirl; she was wearing a pair of jeans and a black tank top that had the words 'Baby Halstead' along with an arrow pointing to her stomach. Jay smiles his hand reaching out to take Erin's hand. Jay was wearing a black t-shirt with the words 'Yes, it's true. Daddy of two' written on it and a pair of jeans that matched Erin's outfit.

"I think your outfit is perfect," Jay says smiling as he walks out to the porch, "We are ready for our photos to be taken."

Natalie smiles holding out a camera as Owen played on the swing set that Jay and Will had just built for Libby. Libby was so excited; Jay and Erin had just told her about the baby an hour before Natalie and Will got to the house. She was so excited that when her aunt and uncle walked in, she told them both about the baby in Erin's belly. Natalie along with Will of course both already being in the know since the beginning had to act surprised. It was an extremely cute moment for the family, Natalie headed to get everything set up on the back deck for the small photoshoot.

"Alright so I was thinking we get the photo of Libby with the ultrasound first and then one with all three of you," Natalie says smiling as she watches Jay place Libby down on the deck.

"Libby can you stand by Auntie Nattie," Erin says walking over to Libby holding the ultrasound photo in her hand, "Mommy is going to give you the picture of the baby."

Libby looks at Erin smiling as she walks with her mommy to stand in front of Natalie as Jay stands back with Will. He smiles wide when he watches his wife get a kiss on her stomach by their daughter, he also watches Natalie snap a photo of the moment, as Erin smiles down at her daughter, holding the photo out to Libby. Libby takes it, she grins at Natalie who snaps another photo, once Libby was all set in the position Natalie needed her to be in Erin stepped a few steps away letting Natalie get the photo she needed. After getting the shot she needed Natalie motioned for Jay to come over and Erin to move back into frame. Natalie then took her phone out placing the camera down taking a few canid photos of the family before Libby lost interest and went to go play with Owen.

Jay wraps his arms around Erin holding her against his body, their foreheads touching. As he locks eyes with her, she grins at him, her hands resting on the middle of his back, Natalie smiles wide taking a photo of that sweet moment and Erin glances at her sister in law.

"Did you get all the photos that you could of Libby? She has been so in love with being outside lately its been hard to keep her focused on anything," Erin explains watching Natalie nod.

"Yes, I got the photos that I need, don't worry about it. I know what it's like to have a toddler running around the house," Natalie says pointing to Owen who was now playing with Libby.

Will walks over to Natalie wrapping his arm around, as he watches his brother with Erin. He was genuinely happy that both him and Jay had found happiness with the women they loved.

"It will be harder once I get bigger," Erin says turning to lean her back against Jay's chest, "Libby will want to be outside a lot when I am as big as a house."

"That is when I come in," Jay says his hand resting on the small bump that slowly became more and more noticeable by the day, "I'll help out with Libby as much as I can."

Erin smiles placing her hands over Jay's as he sways slightly side to side. Her head leans back against Jay's shoulder as she closes her eyes.

"This is perfect," Erin mutters before opening her eyes, "Hey Nat, Will do you guys want to stay for food?"

"What type of food do you have in mind?" Jay asks as he watches Libby run over to the slide, he smiles when Owen helps her up the steps.

"How would you feel about chicken cordon bleu and macaroni with cheese," Erin suggests as Natalie smiles nodding her head.

"Sounds great. I can help with the prep," Natalie says smiling as Will kisses her head, she watches him head out to the yard to be with Owen and Libby.

"That would be great," Erin says smiling, Jay moves his arms from around his wife after placing a gentle kiss on the back of her head.

"I'm going to go help Libby and Owen on the playset," Jay mutters as Will nods letting go of his wife as well, "If you guys need anything just let me know."

Just as Jay was walking off the steps of the porch is phone rang, pulling out of his pocket he places it to his ear, "Halstead," he says as Erin pulls open the sliding glass door.

Will walks over to Owen who was trying to get up on the swing that was hanging from the playset, as Jay leans against the railing of the back deck his phone still to his ear. Libby was climbing up the small slide steps again, she smiles at her uncle, who moves to catch her as she slides to the bottom. As Will picks up Libby in his arms he watches Jay turn heading to the sliding glass door. Opening it he calls for Erin who walks over. Jay leans in kissing her gently before muttering to her that he must change and head out that there was a crime scene that Hank needed help with. Erin frowned slightly knowing of course it was a Friday night and that sometimes the Intelligence Unit had to work, as she walks out to watch the kids and Will. She tried to put on a brave face, Will put Libby down who ran over to her mother, hugging her legs which caused Erin to smile at her daughter.

"Hey Will," Erin says watching him push Owen on the swing, "Jay got called into work. Libby just asked if she could watch a movie. Do you think Owen would enjoy some cookies, juice and the movie Cars?"

Will glances at Owen who perked up at the mention of cookie's and Juice, "I think he might like that. Why don't we go check with mommy and see if it's okay with her," Will suggests to him as he helps him down off the swing, he watches his stepson run up the stairs.

"You okay Erin?" Will asks as he walks up the steps watching his niece run in the house after her cousin, "Jay did not look to happy about going in."

"Yeah he was hoping that he could have one Friday night with the family," Erin says glancing at Will who nodded, "It's hard we just got back into the swing of things. I am okay Will thanks for asking, what about you?" 

"I am okay, its nice to have some downtime. Natalie and I hardly have it sometimes with working at the hospital," Will says looking at Erin who nods walking to the glass door, "Erin I know that I've said this before but, I am really happy that you decided to stay here."

"Me too," Erin says holding the door open for her brother in law, "It has been the best decision I made. Because if I would have been in New York right now I would be miserable."

"Erin, I sent you a few photos that I took with my phone. I got a great one of you and Jay," Natalie says as she places her phone down turning back to see if the pot of water was boiling. 

"Really? Thanks, so much Nat," Erin says pulling out her phone looking through the photos. 

Erin smiles seeing the photo of her and Jay both looking at Libby. She changes that to her background then she scrolled through the rest of them finding the one with her and Jay gazing at each other with their foreheads together, she makes that photo her lock screen. Erin sent all the photos to Jay that Natalie took, wishing that the images brought him some sort of joy during the case that he was called out on.