"Yes."
Yes.
Yes.
Erin's affirmation washed over Jay after what seemed like an eternity of waiting. The one word, the three letters that he had been hoping to hear since the question left his lips made him feel like he was floating. He kissed her lips gently, unable to find the words he was looking for. Luckily, his girl, his fiancé, knew exactly what he was trying to say. "I love you," Erin murmured, resting her head beneath his chin.
"I love you," Jay echoed, kissing the crown of her head, "Voight's not going to be mad that I didn't ask his permission first, right?"
Erin chuckled, "You remember what I told you after we had been partners for a month?"
"Any guy that needs to ask your dad's permission shouldn't waste his time?" Jay recalled, "I know. I just-"
"We're raising a child together," Erin looked up at him, "Don't worry about Hank, okay? If I'm happy, he's happy. And I'm happy, Halstead."
He grunted slightly in response, but decided to let it go. His girl was happy, and he was too. "I, uh, do have a ring. It's in my sock drawer."
Erin smiled, "I know, you mentioned it. But I don't want to move her." She gestured to the sleeping child in their lap, "She...just looks so peaceful. And she fit so perfectly between us."
Jay nodded in agreement, "Do you think she's going to understand what us getting married means?"
"Well, it isn't much different than what we've already been doing." Erin ran her fingers through Kate's hair, "And I think all she wants is for us to just be together. And that's what I want too."
When Jay awoke the next morning, he couldn't help but grin. Snuggled up beside him was his fiancé. After another hour on the couch, the little family migrated to their bedroom. And while the detectives would have liked to spend their engagement night just the two of them between the sheets, their little girl had just been returned to them and they couldn't bear the thought of her spending the night alone in her bedroom. She had barely let go of Erin since they had arrived home, and Jay knew that if Kate were to wake up all alone, she would be frightened to no end.
For what felt like hours, Jay laid in bed with Erin's head nestled against his shoulder and Kate's tiny body curled against Erin's stomach, feeling like the luckiest man in the world. His little girl was home, his girlfriend was going to be his wife, and they were all together and at peace.
After a while, Kate stirred gently. "Morning Squirt," Jay breathed, running a hand over the back of his daughter's head, "How are you feeling?"
"Good," Kate mumbled, turning over so she could look up at her father, "I'm glad to be home."
"We're glad you're home too," Jay kissed her forehead, "Are you hungry? Maybe for some scrambled eggs and bacon?"
Kate shrugged her shoulders, "I'm not hungry."
Jay frowned slightly, "What about some French toast? Or pancakes?"
She shrugged again, glancing over to her mother who was still sleeping soundly. "Do you feel sick?" Jay asked, gently stroking Kate's warm cheek with his thumb. He frowned again when his little girl managed a small nod, but was thankful she was at least able to tell him. "Can we go try to take some medicine?" He offered, breathing a soft sigh of relief when she nodded her approval.
Kate gingerly climbed off the bed, wincing with every movement. Jay felt his heart clench as he lifted her into his arms, trying not to take her rigid posture personally. "Sorry, kiddo," he whispered as he carried her to the kitchen, "I didn't mean to hurt you."
