One Chicago: Health First Part 4

Chapter 1220

Meanwhile, with Jay & Erin
Jay's POV: As I stand in the gym downstairs in our basement, I take some time to use my punching bag because of how frustrated I am. I mean, I am an army veteran for crying out loud and my brother is a doctor and I can't even recognize when someone is battling mental illness? What kind of friend doesn't recognize that they are battling something and should get help. I then stop boxing for a bit and turn around when I see Erin sitting there in the chair I set up for her. "How long have you been sitting there?"

Erin then looked at me and sighed. "At least 20-25 minutes. You were so in the zone that I didn't feel like I should disturb you." I then sighed and looked at her. "You okay?" Erin nodded as she looked at me. "I could ask you the same question. I see those wheels turning in your head Jay and I can tell that you feel guilty about something. So, spit it out and tell me so that I can help you through this. Is it January 6th again? Or is it something else?" I then sighed as I went to shut off my music. "It's something else. I mean, I am a veteran. How do I not recognize PTSD?"

Erin then sighed when I said that. "Jay, you are a veteran and a great intelligence officer. But, you are not a doctor. That's the other Halstead in this family. Jay, you did everything you could. You have been doing your job perfectly and you have been the perfect husband in my opinion. Yes, did we all miss the signs? Of course we did. We all have the training that can give us hints that someone is dealing with mental illness. But, we don't always catch them." I nodded and understood before sighing as I walked over to her. 

"You're right. I guess I am just trying to figure out what I could've done that might've enabled me to try and prevent some of this pain from happening to Antonio." Erin then moved her hands to my chest before leaning up to kiss me softly. "Jay, you are an amazing husband, father, friend, police and intelligence officer. Keep being that and you will make a difference in the world." I smiled when Erin said that and nodded. "Well, I am not a father yet."

I then moved my hand to Erin's stomach and smiled as I rubbed it, so excited to be expecting our first child together. "How much longer now?" Erin laughed and smiled at me. "4 months." I then groaned. "Why couldn't you say 4 days?" Erin smiled when I said that before going to wrap her arms around me. "Listen, how about we try a different stress reliever in private?" I then smirked when she said that. "Does it involve me doing this?" I then went to grab her shirt and took it off.

Erin the nodded and smirked. "It does." I then moved to pick her up in my arms and smiled as I moved to cradle her in my arms. Erin then wrapped her arms around my neck and smiled as I carried her up to bed. "You are so going to get a lot of pleasure as soon as we are upstairs." Erin smirked and agreed when I said that when I felt my watch vibrate. I then saw it was Will and sighed. "It's Will." Erin then went to grab my neck. "Get me a snack while you talk to him."

I nodded and agreed, letting her down. "I still expect my pleasure in bed!" Erin then grabbed her shirt and smirked. "Oh trust me, that's guaranteed." I then smiled as she walked away before going to answer my brother's call on my Apple Watch. "I swear, your timing is horrible." Will then laughed. "What was going on? How's Antonio?" I sighed and knew that was why he was calling. "Devastated. He took leave from the CPD and got it. Sylvie's depressed."

Will then sighed and understood. "This is going to be hard for them. He better have taken time off." I then groaned. "Can we please not talk about work? Will, I already speak about it a lot with Erin. Oh, and I am already a little bit mad at you." Will was confused. "What did I do?" I then sighed. "When you called I was in the middle of walking up form the gym with Erin in my arms...ready to take her upstairs." 

Will then laughed. "Well then, my job is done." I then got confused. "What are you talking about?" Will then sighed. "You need to learn that a kid doesn't wait for when it's convenient for you to take care of them. So, enjoy the sex now brother. Then, it goes down the drain fast." I then sighed. "How in the world is it that my younger brother is giving me this type of advice?" Will laughed and agreed. "Hey, not my fault that you didn't put your phone on silent."

I nodded and understood. "I am actually talking to you on my Apple Watch." Will was shocked when I said that. "No way, this call is so clear. This has to be your phone." I then shook my head. "Nope, it's my Apple Watch. They are really good at making quality watches. It's incredible the technology they have." Will then made a joke. "Well, you know what my baby shower gift is now." I was shocked by that. "Yeah right. Because I am going to buy one for my Doctor brother."

That was another thing that bugged the crap out of me. I was older, had a longer career, and was in the military. Yet, even with all of those sources of revenue...Will still made more money than me somehow just by being a doctor. "True there. Maybe I can get a deal and buy one for both me and Natalie. That way, we can get a baby monitor on our wrist." I didn't even think of that. "I should check whether the baby monitor we have has a Watch App. Thanks for reminding me."

Will laughed and smiled. "Listen, I just wanted to say that Sylvie has been cleared to go home. So, they are heading home soon." I understood and sighed. "Good, still feel so bad for them." Will agreed. "Same here. I swear, the Dawson siblings are not lucky when it comes to babies." I then realized what he meant and sighed. "I completely agree with you there. Now listen, I need to make me and Erin some lunch and then give it to her. Talk later maybe?"

Will agreed. "Sure thing. Later bro." I then smiled and hung up before going to make me and Erin some lunch.