Bless the Broken Road that Lead Me Straight to You

Chapter 8

Erin was glad that Maddie and Grace were both in the room for that big reveal. Jay looked like he might literally fall over. In fact, Erin was pretty sure that Grace was the only thing keeping him standing up straight.

Jesus. She knew Hank ran a tight ship at the district, and she knew he could intimidate the crap out of criminals, but she had to admit, this she hadn't been expecting. The way he was looking at Jay... she hadn't seen that face since she was seventeen and stumbled into the house drunk, three hours after curfew.

She couldn't blame Jay for the way he seemed to cower at Hank's was definitely scary... threatening even.

"How's the case going?" She didn't particularly care how the case was going, but she would do anything to divert Hank's attention.

"Finished." His face softened now, but he was still peering at Jay. "I actually came by because I'm hoping you would be willing to keep Grace for one more day. I have a few more things to check out, and I want to make sure she'll be safe." Well, that and to warn you off Erin.

"Of course." Erin watched as Jay's nerves seemed to dissipate slightly at Hank's words, and he lifted Grace into his arms. Jay then opened his mouth and he seemed like he wanted to add something, but then stopped short.

"Great," Hank said, and then turned to Erin. "Come on kid, I'll take you home."

It was her turn to open her mouth to speak and then immediately close it. She wanted to make an excuse. She racked her brain for one, to no avail. She wanted to stay so badly. She had just spent the morning imagining that she would never have to leave, and all she wanted was to stay. She wanted to stay so badly. But reality was setting in, and she didn't have a legitimate reason to stay. Not one that would stand up to Hank, anyway. So instead, she just nodded her head and replied, "Thanks."

"You're leaving?" Maddie cried. She had been hoping Erin was going to spend the day with them again.

"Yeah, I gotta head home, Mads." No I don't. She walked over to Maddie and lifted her from Hank's arms. "I'll come see you soon, though." She winked at her, and then walked over to Grace. "And I'll come check on you in a couple days, Grace." She felt completely secure in Grace's current placement, and knew that she couldn't justify a third home visit in as many days.

"Okay," she said, sadly. She didn't want Erin to leave either. "Bye, Erin."

Jay stood in his kitchen, still holding Grace in his arms. Erin was standing next to him, holding Maddie in hers, and talking kindly to Grace. He let his eyes close for just a second, taking in the moment. It was all he could do not to reach for Erin and bury his face into her, even with Hank standing in the corner of the room.

He wasn't sure what it was. Maybe it was that he had been alone for so long. Maybe it was that he desperately wanted Maddie to have a mother.

But he was pretty sure that wasn't it.

Because it had only been forty-eight hours since he had laid eyes on Erin Lindsay for the first time, but the idea of not seeing for a couple days had his stomach in knots.

When he watched Erin release Maddie, say a quick goodbye to him, and follow Voight towards the door, he almost spoke up. Almost asked her to stay. But when the door closed behind her, he realized he had missed his opportunity. Damn it.

He walked back into the living room and put Grace down. "How does macaroni and cheese sound four lunch?"

"I LOVE macaroni and cheese!" Jay was delighted when he heard Grace answer enthusiastically. She seemed more and more comfortable every minute.