Dawsey: Starting a Family Part 3

March 31st, 2020

The Next Morning - Halstead Residence
Jay's POV:
As I come out of the washroom after getting changed to go workout in the gym that we have here at the condo, I smile considering Champ is currently in the midst of having breakfast while Erin is still asleep in bed. At least, I thought she was considering it's only 6:30. Seeing her come out, I smile at her. "Hey, did I wake you up?" Erin then walked over to me and nodded while going to wrap her arms around me. "Where you going?" I then went to kiss her forehead while I rubbed her back. "I am headed to the gym downstairs. Hope that's okay?"

Erin then looked at me. "Is the gym even open?" I thought about it and went to grab my phone to open my e-mail. Checking the latest e-mail from the condo board, they said that it was. "They say it is if you booked a spot. I booked a spot for 7 to 8. I didn't think you'd be up before then." Erin then went to rub my back and laughed when I said that. "Jay, I am pregnant and these kids of yours make me have morning sickness. I am always going to be up this early for the rest of the pregnancy." I sighed when she said that because I really felt bad. "I'm sorry about that."

"It's okay Jay, it's for a good reason. It's because I am pregnant with our kids." Going to wrap her arms around me, Erin smiled before looking up at me and going to kiss me softly. "You okay with me coming to the gym with you or would you rather I not come?" I then bit my lip and sighed when she asked me that. "Erin, I would love if you came to the gym but....the question is whether it is a good idea. I am not sure if it is safe. I am going to be safe but..." Erin then looked at me. "It's basically you just bringing it back here." I then thought about it and sighed.

"Are you going to workout?" Erin then laughed when I asked her that. "No, I am just going to be there to watch my husband workout. Believe me, I am not working out for a while. I just want to spend time with you Jay. We are still newlyweds after all." I nodded when she said that and smiled as I went to kiss her head. "The best decision I ever made was making you Mrs. Jay Halstead yesterday." Erin laughed when I said that and smiled. "Listen, you still have 30 minutes before we are going down to the gym. So can you make me some breakfast? I'll watch TV."

I nodded when she said that. "Go get changed first. That way, we can go after. Now, are you going to trust Champ to wander around the apartment while we are at the gym or do you want me to put him in his crate?" I then went to grab his water bowl as well as his food bowl before going to fill the both of them up. "If you want me to lock him up, I am going to need a minute to set up the crate in the guest room." Erin then looked at me and nodded. "Can't he come to the gym with us in case you have a PTSD attack?" I thought about it and nodded. "Yeah, he can."

Erin then thought about it and sighed. "Listen, I don't want to get in trouble yet. I want to talk to the landlord about it first." I then sighed and looked at her. "Erin, he can't do anything about it. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines PTSD as a mental disability. And since Champ is a ESD for PTSD...he is considered a service animal." Erin nodded and agreed with me. "Plus, I am sure that Hank already called." Erin laughed when I said that. "You know what, he probably did." Erin then went to pick up her phone and gave Hank a call.

"You calling Hank?" Erin nodded and agreed with me when he answered. She then put it on speaker. "Everything okay kiddo?" Erin then laughed. "I am fine. Just worried about Jay's dog for PTSD. I am worried that we'll get in trouble for him being around the apartment." Hank laughed when she said that. "Why did I know this was going to come up? Erin, I already spoke to your landlord. He knows who I am and I told him that my son lives there with his wife and their service dog. He is a military veteran and has PTSD attacks. He needs the dog."

I smiled when he said that. "Thanks Hank, I really appreciate that." Hank agreed with me. "Hey, nobody and I mean nobody messes with veterans!" I agreed with him. "Thanks Hank. Now listen, we are going to eat breakfast soon so that we can head to the gym." Hank then got mad when I said that. "Uhm, what gym? They are all closed and I am not sure that's the best idea with your wife being pregnant Halstead!" I then sighed when he said that. "There's a gym here at the apartment. You need to book a time slot and I did that. We'll be safe Hank, I promise."

Hank sighed when I said that. "I still don't feel comfortable with it considering my most senior detective in the unit is already confirmed to have COVID. So, I would like to keep my second and third most senior detectives safe from COVID....especially since Erin is pregnant." Erin then decided to ask him something. "I am the second most senior right?" Hank laughed and agreed. "Yes Erin, you are. And don't even argue with me on that Halstead! Remember, I can revoke and cancel this week long vacation I gave you to celebrate your marriage." I agreed and nodded.

Erin then agreed with Hank. "Sorry babe but, go get changed okay? I am going to keep talking to Hank. I want to know what he's doing during this time. Need to make sure he stays safe. Also, I want to know what we are going to do for work. We have to save up considering it's twins!" I nodded when she said that. "I just hope that we get one of each. Then, we are done trying." Erin looked at me when I said that. "I want to try at least one more time after this." I nodded and agreed with her. "You know what? We will. I just realized what that means for me."

Erin laughed when I said that before nodding. "Just go get changed before you make Hank barf!" Hank agreed with her when she said that. "Yes please. I need to talk to Erin for a bit anyways." I agreed and nodded while walking over to Erin in the living room quickly. Leaning over her, I went to kiss her softly. "Good morning Mrs. Halstead." Erin smiled when I said that and nodded. "Good morning Mr. Halstead. Now go get changed...." She then went to tug on my shirt. "No." I agreed and smiled when she said that, knowing exactly what she meant before walking away.

Erin's POV:
Once Jay walked away to go get changed (well, partially changed/undressed) into his sweats...I went back to my conversation with Hank. "How are you doing Hank?" Hank sighed when I asked him that. "Honestly, just worried. I mean, Antonio has this and this means it's getting close to us. Just promise me that you are going to keep Halstead in line. I don't need you getting it too." I nodded when he said that. "Of course Hank. I can keep him in line quite easily with my ways."

Hank laughed when I said that because he already knew what ways I was talking about. My sexual ways. I know it was wrong to talk about this with Hank but, I wanted to make him laugh considering I was already feeling bad that he couldn't see us right now. I love my dad and would love to go through this with both him and my husband but...it's just not safe. "You sure that you don't want us to do any work today?" Hank sighed. "We aren't really doing anything today. We are still trying to figure out how to work. I am going to keep intelligence home as much as possible. However, I am going to ask you to step up considering Antonio is out."

I nodded and understood why that was the case. "Me and Jay are both up for the task Hank. We can work from home and I am going to like that. Just promise me that you are now going to hold us back. If you need us to do something, then please let us know and we will help. I have my CPD issued laptop here and that means that I have access to the servers here at home. So Hank, I am all ready to work. Please, just give me something to do. Unlike my husband there, I don't have a choice whether I can leave the apartment. I mean, except for groceries right?"

Hank then vetoed that. "I would rather you find a grocery store that delivers." I agreed with him. "Or I can ask you to pick them up and drop them off." That's when Jay came back out in his sweats. "You can only get the groceries downstairs if you personally order them. Hank can't come in unless it's for official police business. That's what the homeowner's association agreed to." I sighed when Jay said that. "And that's why you need to stay safe. Get weights up here okay babe?" Jay nodded and agreed with me when I said that. "What am I making for breakfast today?" I then thought about it. "Can we order food? Is that allowed?"

Jay nodded and smiled. "I will put in an order at that place you like. Pancakes and OJ okay?" I looked at him when he said that. "Coffee." Jay then laughed. "Babies and coffee do not go together." I laughed when he said that and nodded. "Right of course." Jay then thought about something. "Actually, I am going to make you breakfast in bed. Your first breakfast as my wife is going to be in bed...made with love by your husband." I smiled when he said that and agreed. "Sounds good, you get cooking and I am going to continue this conversation in the bedroom." Jay nodded and agreed with me when I said that.

Quickly walking over to him in the kitchen, I put my hand on his chest before going to kiss him softly. "I love you." Jay smiled when I said that. "I love you three too." I smiled when he said that before going to put my hand on his cheek and kissing him one last time. "See you soon." Jay nodded and agreed with me when I said that. Walking away to the bedroom, I smiled as I kept talking to Hank while Jay made us some breakfast.