What they don't know

Chapter 28

2 months later....

Erin and the kids had been living in Mexico City, Mexico. The time away from Chicago had been so therapeutic to both Erin and the kids. During their first month Erin ended catching a nasty bug for a few weeks, but then It cleared up. Hank called almost everyday but she didn't answer the phone, even the team tried to reach out and talk to her but she wasn't ready to open up yet. The family of three was approaching their last days in Mexico, before they hopped on a plane for their next adventure. Before they flew off to their next destination Erin decided to call hank and give him an update.

Hank: Hello!
Erin: Hey Hank!
Hank: (trace the call) It's good to hear your voice, how are you?
Erin: umm we're doing good, we're getting as much family time as possible. I just wanted to call so you know I'm not dead, and We miss all of you. Antonio you can stop tracking me, I'm in Mexico. We love all of you and we will be back soon, I promise. Bella and mav come tell everyone hey!
Bella: Hey papa, I love you byeeee..
Maverick: hi papa, I wub youuuuuu!
Erin: Bye guys!

With that Erin took the battery out the burner phone an tossed it in the trash. The family headed out so they could catch their next flight, Erin picked Europe as their next destination. They would fly into Italy and spend about a month their before heading France and a few other countries.

A month later
The family of three was now in Paris, France, this was the perfect time to celebrate their birthdays a little early. Erin and the kids spent the day site seeing with the kids building memories. Even Maverick was enjoying his trip, Erin got few pics of Maverick trying to climb the legs of the Eiffel Tower. It was finally good to see the kids with smiles on their little faces. She took a few selfies with her and the kids to send to hank to let him know that they were doing good. She did have to call Will, she left so quickly she didn't even think about telling him.

Will: Hello!
Erin: Hey Will it's me!
Will: wow so you do have a phone where your at?
Erin: yea, I do, but it was just to hard to call you. You and jay had some of the same features. The Halstead grin, the freckles, and the charm. Here switch to FaceTime so you can see the kids.
Will: okay, and I understand that. I do miss him too, so where are you guys at?
Erin: we're in Paris, we'll be here a few more day then we're off to Denmark.
Will: what inspired this get away?
Erin: Jay did, when we went to the cabin for our anniversary, we talked about all the things we want to do with the kids, and this was some of the picks.
Will: That's amazing!
Bella: Hi uncle Will.
Will: Hi my beautiful niece, are you having a great time.
Bella: Yea it's so much fun, we get to see new places everyday, mom said we're taking a train in A few days to go to a new country.
Will: That's great Bella, can you send me a postcard and bring me back some souvenirs.
Bella: okay I will!
Maverick: hi!
Will: There's my little buddy, hi Maverick. Geez Erin their getting so big.
Erin: who are you telling, Maverick is almost 2 years old, and soon Bella will almost be 5. My babies are growing, and I hate that he can't see them grow up.
Will: he'd be extremely proud of them and you as well. I'm glad your all doing pretty good, I love you guys and if you need anything just call me and I'll be there.
Erin: I know you would, we miss you and love you Will. I'll let you know when we're back in the states. Munchkins tell uncle Will bye.
Bella: bye uncle will, love you
Maverick: Bye bye, wub you.

After Erin talked to Will, she then Skyped Hank and the team.

Hank: Hey guys Erin's calling.
Kim: we haven't seen her in like 3 months.
Hank: I know, but she needed time to heal. Hey kiddo!
Erin: Hey Hank!
Hank: How are you and the kids?
Erin: I'm good, and their good to. How's the team?
Hank: Here they are, ask them.
Erin: Hey guys, how are y'all doing?
Kim: Good, really missing you and the kids.
Erin: we miss you to Kim.
Adam: Hey Erin, i hope you and the kids are doing well.
Erin: Hey Adam, we are doing good, just getting through everyday.
Kevin: Hey fam, I'm doing good, but I want to know where y'all at. I miss the kiddos.
Erin: Thanks Kev I miss you too, and we are currently in Paris.
Antonio: As in Paris France?
Erin: That would be the one, the kids wanna say hey.
Bella: Hey ☺️
Maverick: Hii
Hank: wow they've grown so much, especially Maverick. Are you gonna be back for their birthdays?
Erin: No, Im not sure when we will be back. Who did you get to take my place.
Hank: umm Haileys back, and we have floaters in Jay's spot till we can find someone permanently.
Erin: Wow!
Hank: What did you expect kiddo, you just up and left.
Erin: Actually I took a leave, Trudy has the paperwork.
Hank: still we needed to put someone in your spot.
Erin: It's fine Hank, I have to go. Bye!

Erin hung up the Skype, and went back to her kids. She was a bit irritated, but her kids alway brought a smile to her face. They family of three enjoyed their last few days in Paris before boarding a train to Denmark. They spent the next month in the beautiful country. The train allowed them to see more sites, and it also allowed them to collect stamps in their passports. After their month in Denmark Erin and the kids were off to their last European country, IRELAND 🇮🇪.

This had been a country both Erin and jay had wanted to visit. Jay wanted to see if his family tree had extended to Ireland, so while Erin and the kids are here she's gonna test the kids DNA. About a week later, it turns out there's actually there's a long history of the Halstead name in Ireland. According to their reports, Jay's great great grandfather came from Ireland. Erin and the kids spent the next 2 months soaking up all the new experiences and the entire journey through these last 7 months. After some much needed time away with the kids, Erin was ready to make the trip back to the US. They would fly in to Chicago, but Erin plan to take the kids to the cabin for a while.

Jay always said he felt at home when he was here. He wanted to bring the kids up here so they could experience the childhood he had. The only person who could help her give her kids the same childhood experience was someone who also lived it.

Will: How's my favorite sis in law doing, how are the kiddos?
Erin:I'm doing good, and they are too.
Will: okay, so what European country are you in now?
Erin: Wisconsin, we're at the cabin.
Will: The place Jay felt the most safe, except for by your side.
Erin: Yea, we talked about bringing the kids here to experience the childhood he had, but I don't know much about it.
Will: We'll Im off this weekend, I could come up there and hang out with y'all. You know if that's okay.
Erin: That would be great, can you do me a favor, don't tell Hank where we're at.
Will: No, problem see you this weekend.

The weekend had arrived, the kids was still sleep. So Erin did some light cleaning and then started making the kids some breakfast. While she was making breakfast there was a knock on the door, she turned the fires off and then opened the door. The red curly headed Halstead stepped inside the cabin and was just as surprised.

Erin: I'm making the kids breakfast, you want some?
Will: Yea, so yo....
Erin: Yup, and I don't want to talk about it, the kids will be coming down in a few.
Will: does anyone know?
Erin: nope, I will tell them when I'm ready. Right now my focus is on being a mother to my kids.
Will: I understand, just let me know if you need anything and I will be there.
Erin: That's why my kids love their uncle will!
Bella: UNCLE WILLLLLL
Will: There's my Bella, I've missed you.
Bella: missed you too. Are you hanging out with us?
Will: Yes, I am, I gonna teach you everything I use to do as a kid up here with your dad.
Bella: cool!
Erin: sit at the table munchkin your breakfast is getting cold. I'll grab Maverick!

Erin grabbed Maverick and brought him down stairs, at first he acted a little shy, but then he relaxed. Will said that's how was when he was a kid. They sat at the table and ate breakfast, after they finished will took the kids outside and taught them a few games.

Erin and the kids have been at the cabin for the last month, and every time will had the weekends off he'd always spend it with us. He did say some people were getting suspicious of what he was doing, but he didn't care he was helping out his brothers wife. This time before Will came to visit Erin asked him to pick up a few things from her house, and he did what he was asked. Will had been such an amazing help with the kids, they really loved spending time with him.

These next few months had gotten really hectic for Erin, the one year anniversary was was approaching, and trying to handle the kids was more than she bargained for. On this Day Erin planned for the kids to have a movie day so she could tired them out and she can catch up on sleep. She turned her phone on silence when the all the kids fell asleep. So she didn't see the incoming call.

Will was back at work, he'd already planned to go back to the cabin for the weekend. Erin needed as much help as possible. While Will was working he received a phone call!

Army: Hello,
Will: Hello, who is this?
Army: This is Commander Gary Johnson, is this William Halstead brother of Jay Halstead.
Will: Yes this is, what can I do for you?
Army: We were trying to get into to contact with Erin Halstead.
Will: She is busy with her kids, so she probably couldn't answer.
Army: Okay then you can relay the message. As reported, as of yesterday at 18:00 hours, Sergeant Jay Halstead and 2 members of his team were found alive. Jay Halstead was placed on a plane last night to Chicago med, he should be there late tonight or tomorrow morning. I am really Sorry about this.
Will: 😳😳😳 My brother is alive........