~Abuse~

Chapter 106

Erin had been soundly sleeping when she realized Jay was no longer beside her in bed.

"Jay?" she whispered.

The sound of banging and clattering reached her ears.

"Jay?" she called out louder.

Erin rose from bed and hurried toward the sounds.

"Jay?" she whispered.

Jay was dismantling the toys and the basketball hoop.

"Honey? It's 4 AM. Why are you awake?" Erin inquired.

Jay glanced up, his response tinged with irritation.

"What does it seem like? I'm converting this bedroom into a guestroom," Jay retorted sharply.

Erin recognized the fatigue in Jay's voice. She decided not to address it just yet, opting to wait until Jay had fallen asleep on the floor of the bedroom.

"Alright..." Erin whispered.

Erin returned to the bedroom and turned on the TV.

After a while, she noticed Jay was still not in bed.

Erin rose and walked toward the guest room.

As she opened the door, she saw Jay fast asleep, clutching a teddy bear.

Erin pouted, approached, and gently removed the teddy from Jay's grasp.

"Let's get you back to bed..." she whispered.

Erin helped Jay to his feet, stirring him awake.

"Erin?" Jay mumbled.

Erin nodded and led the way to the bedroom.

"It's okay. You fell asleep on the floor in the baby's room. I'm carrying you back to our room," Erin said.

Jay was too exhausted to argue; he just rested his head on Erin's shoulder.

Moments later, Erin guided Jay to the bed and gently laid him on his stomach to rub his back, aiding his descent into sleep.

She climbed back into bed and continued to massage his back, his shirt moving with each breath.

"It's okay, Bean and I are here," Erin whispered soothingly.

The gentle sound of Jay's snores signalled that he was deeply asleep.

Erin dozed off briefly and awoke just in time to head to the district.

The following morning, Erin and Jay entered the bullpen.

As Erin and Jay approached their desks, Hank emerged.

"Don't get comfortable. Halstead! We've got a case—kidnapping!" announced Hank.

Promptly, the unit rose and made their way to the stairs.

Erin caressed her baby bump after bidding Jay farewell with a kiss.

"Stay safe out there, babe!" Erin said with a smile.

Jay returned her kiss tenderly on the lips and then on her stomach.

"I will," Jay assured her, smiling.

With that, Jay hurried downstairs while Erin strolled through the bullpen.

Kim and Jay succeeded in arresting Victor, securing his conviction for murder and kidnapping.

The team returned to the district, finding Erin asleep in the breakroom.

Jay approached and softly touched Erin's shoulder.

"Mmm..." Erin murmured.

Opening her eyes, she recognized her husband.