Fighter

Chapter 34

Erin's eyes widened as she took in the scene in front of her. When she had finally agreed to get back together with him, she had no idea how difficult things were going to get with her health complications. In fact, she had actually been very out of character for herself, and tried to stay optimistic. When things started to nose dive treatment wise, she honestly just wanted to let old Erin out; to put up those walls once more so no one else would have to deal with this situation at hand. Especially her former partner and boyfriend, now down on one knee in front of her. She truly didn't see this coming, at all. Why on earth would he want to do this now.

"Jay...I-." She paused, biting down on her lower lip. Suddenly the tears began to form at the corners of her eyes, and though she hated to cry in front of other people, she had zero control over the emotions taking the drivers seat, as they spilled down her cheeks. Picturing a life beyond a hospital right now, hadn't exactly been on her radar, she didn't allow herself to hope there could be. It was clear, however, that Jay did. As she eyed him, the now concerned look that formed on his face, still holding out the ring to her, how could she possibly say no, when this is what she dreamed of for so long. It seemed like it was typical Erin Lindsay luck that she would end up potentially terminally ill, for her dreams to come true. "Y-yes." That concern vanished and a grin bigger than she had ever seen on his face appeared. He gestured for her hand and slipped the ring from the dark red velvet box, and onto her hand. "It was my moms ring. She always said whichever of her boys found their forever first, gets it first. Technically I did, before you had to leave so soon. But Will let me keep it, just incase." She covered her mouth with her free hand as a sob attempted to escape. How had she found someone so perfect, as Jay Halstead. "I love you." He said, taking her hand in his. "I know you're scared that our forever might not be long, but I'm holding out that it's longer than we think it will be. I've waited too long to be with you again, and I refuse to think it's going to be ripped away from us again." He said. She reached out and rested her hand against his cheek. "I love you, too." He stood from the ground, the chilled air around them now had her slightly trembling. "Come on, let's get you back to your room before Kara has both of our heads on surgical tray." He helped her up, and as they walked, her leaning into him, she realized forever wouldn't be long enough to be with Jay.

Kara eyed them as they walked up to the desk. "How was the fresh air?" Erin looked up at Jay, and he gave her a nod. She raised her hand, now sporting the diamond. "No. No way! That's- wow. Congratulations you two. You know; Mia and I had bets on this." She laughed. "Oh?" Jay raised an eyebrow. "Uh huh. She won." "Well I'm glad she was right." Jay said with relief. "I'm seriously excited for you both though. I hate to be the one to cut the celebrations short, but Erin you need your rest, so Detective, escort your wonderful fiancé back to her bed. Get some rest. Both of you." Erin smiled. "Thanks Kara." Kara gave her a smile, before returning to the patient files.

"There you two are." Voight said, sitting up and sipping on a coffee as Jay and Erin entered the room. He helped her into the bed, and sat down next to Voight. "Where do you head out to?" "Actually...I went out to the terrace. Um. I have some news." She held up her hand to him. "Jay asked me to marry him." She was shocked, to say the least when her father figure didn't overreact as he normally would. As he had in the past whenever it concerned Erin and a guy. Just as shocked as she was when she had told him her and Jay were dating again and he was calm. "I'm so happy for you, kid. You deserve happiness, and if this is what that is to you, I'm happy for you. Both." He said, looking next to his detective. "Thank you." She whispered, settling down into the blanket. She was asleep within minutes, a smile still on her face.

"I meant what I said, Halstead." Jay tilted his head away from his sleeping fiancé, and toward their boss. "Thank you, for making her happy. It's been a long time, I'd say. Since she's been able to be genuinely happy. So, thank you."  Jay nodded. "She makes me the most happy I've ever been, too. I really wasn't sure where I was headed after she left. But I couldn't be more thankful that life brought us back together...even under these crappy circumstances. I think everyone feels the same." "I think you're right. I haven't seen our bullpen look so happy as they did the day she walked back in." Hank said in acknowledgment of his younger detective's statement. He had also missed her, more than he had let on. She was truly all he had left in this world, and having to send her away to New York after the whole bunny fiasco, it nearly killed the Intelligence sergeant. So even if life had a cruel way of bringing her back to them, he'd take any way he could. They all would. Eventually she would be back on her feet, but for now they just had to keep the hope alive for her.
Judging by the smile on her face as she dozed off though, it seemed that maybe that fire of hope could be lit within her again. She had so much left to do, so much more loving and he refused believe that cancer would take his last piece of family away.