Locked and Loaded: A Jay Halstead Fanfiction

Chapter 48

"You're beautiful, you know that?" Jay spoke softly from our spots on the couch.

The kids were all in bed, so we were having some adult time on the couch. Jay was having a few beers while sipped some mocktail wine. My legs were draped across his lap as the tv played.

"Oh stop. You're just saying that because you're emotional we saw the baby today," I chuckled.

"I'm serious and you know it," he chuckled before falling serious, "You know, sometimes I wish my mom was here to see the amazing kiddos we created or the beautiful woman I married."

"Yeah I get that. It's hard sometimes."

"I know my mother would have loved you."

"Really?"

"Oh yeah. When I came home early from deployment to take care of her, she knew the cancer was probably going to win. So we were talking about future stuff. She used to tell me growing up the kind of girl she wanted me to marry, but this was serious. This was her knowing she wasn't going to get to meet that woman," Jay spoke as his ran his hand up and down my leg, "She wanted me to find someone kind, someone who would understand all my hardships and not judge me for them. Someone who would be an outstanding mother to her grandkids. Her big thing she used to tell me was I need to find someone who sees my demons and instead of running away, wants to battle them beside me. She told me I needed to find my safe haven in my wife.... and you, you're everything she wanted for me and more. You're my safe haven. You understand me more than anybody, hell sometimes better than I get myself. Mom would have called you my dream girl."

"You know I'll always fight your demons right beside you. We're a team, we rise together and we fall together," I smiled, "I wish I got to meet your mom. From your stories it sound like she was one hell of a woman."

"Oh you two would have gotten along perfectly. Not a doubt in my mind about that."

******

The next morning was a lazy Sunday. We got to sleep in. With the cold temps, we decided to have a family day indoors. Jay took them out to play for a little bit and had blankets along with hot cocoa to quickly warm them up. We then baked some cookies and watched some movies. Skylar was my big helper of course.

"So I've got news for you guys," Jay and I smiled as they sat eating cookies and sipping cocoa.

"What's up Mama?" asked Ashton curiously.

"You're gonna have another baby brother or sister!"

"Yay!!" Skylar cheered.

The kids were all excited, thankfully. Ryder was already trying to talk to my belly. We all cuddled up on the couch, spending the lazy day together.

******

"You look cute like that," Jay smiled, hands playing with the hem of my shirt.

"In your shirt?" I questioned with a chuckle.

"You know I always like it when you wear my clothes."

"Well right now, I'm wearing your flannels to keep the bump hidden a bit longer."

"You're almost out of the first trimester and then we can tell the unit, right?"

"Yes. Then we can tell them. Now come on, Becca bought us time by taking the kiddos to school, but we're gonna be late for work."

We climbed in the truck and headed to work. My mind was swimming with all the things I needed to get done.

"So I guess we should just move Ryder and Ashton to room together. Then convert Ryders room into the baby's room," I thought aloud, bouncing the idea off Jay.