Since Diapers

Chap 13 (Different Paths)

CJ's POV

My phone rang and I looked at it. "Oh, that's the office," I signed. I picked up the phone. "This is Agent Strand."

"She changed her name?" Tommy asked.

"Yeah, she hyphenated," TK nodded. "It's Halstead-Strand. "

"Agent Strand, it's Agent Jareau," JJ stated. "How have you been?"

"Pretty good," I nodded. "How can I help you, JJ?"

"We have an international unit that —"

"No," I stated, cutting her off, as Owen left. "I can't."

"No?" JJ asked.

"Thanks for the offer, but no," I replied. "I am not joining an international unit."

"Оkay," JJ signed. "I'll let Emily know."

"Thank you," I stated and hung up."I gotta get home now. That means they're gonna need me for intel on a case."

"Can I keep our daughter?" TK asked.

"Only when she's old enough for a ride along," I smiled. He put her back in the stroller. "Say bye to Dada." We went out to my car. I detached the car seat from the wheels and set her in the car. "Okay. All strapped in." I drove us to our house. I walked up to my door and Hailey was sitting in front of it. "Hailey."

"Uhm, your father-in-law gave me your card and told me to make an appointment," Hailey showed me my card. "I thought friends don't make appointments."

"They don't, but you also didn't call me," I looked at her. She got up. I opened the door and we walked in. I closed the door. "What can I do for you?"

"I need you to notarize something for me," Hailey replied. She handed me the file. I looked at the papers. "Can you do this for me?"

"You're getting a divorce?" I asked. "From Jay?"

"He hasn't been back in a year," Hailey nodded. "I'm getting ready to move into my own place."

"Hailey, I can't notarize this. I'm not a notary in the State of Illinois, the County of Cook," I replied. I handed her the file back. "Even if I could, my seal would be void due to conflict of interest, because Jay is my ex-husband." I looked at her. "I could've saved you a trip here if you had called."

"Did Jay ever lie to you?" Hailey asked.

"Other than surprises, I would say we were good to each other," I replied. "I don't know, Hailey. Jay and I for really distant after Tk's death. I'm trying very hard to keep my life with my husband here in Austin. Our daughter has been a blessing." Eva was asleep in her stroller. "Why don't think Jay lied to you?"

"Because he did."

"I'm going to need you to elaborate on that vague answer."

"Jay told me his tour would only be 8 months tops. He's not answering my calls. So, I called last month and found out he has asked for an extension...indefinitely."

"That was his decision to make," I stated. "I understand your frustration, but he made that decision on his own."

"I'm sleeping through the day. I'm trying not to fade," I heard Jay's voice from Hailey's phone, "but every single night I've just been lying awake and I, I can't get you off my mind."

"Where did you get that video?" I asked. Hailey looked at me. "Jay made that video for me for my Sweet 16."

"You never get over your first love, do you?" Hailey asked.