Since Diapers

Chap 18 (Just Friends)

TK's POV

Three and a half months later, I was packing up the last of Eva's clothes that she wanted to take with her. There was a knock on the door. I walked downstairs and opened the door. "Hey, CJ," I stated.

"Hey, TK," CJ replied as I gave her a hug. "Are you sure that she 100% doesn't want a birthday party?"

"I've asked her every single day for the past 3 weeks," I replied. "Her answer has always been the same." Eva ran up to CJ and gave her a hug. "Eva, do you want a birthday party?"

"No," Eva nodded. "I'm ready to go live in Chicago with Mommy."

"Well, you and I have to leave in 3 hours," CJ replied.

"Three hours?" I asked.

"Hey, TK," Carlos popped his head in. CJ looked past me. "Oh, hey, CJ."

"So, what happened to the house?" CJ asked.

"I still live there," Carlos nodded. "I just came by to hang out with TK and Eva."

"You know that I know when you're lying, right?" CJ asked. "I'm glad you've found someone to be happy with, TK." She picked up Eva. "We gotta get to the airport."

"I thought we were going to spend the day together," I replied.

"We were, if Eva were going to have a birthday party," CJ replied. She played me a recording the day I agreed to that. "Those are your words, correct?"

"Yeah," I sighed. CJ smiled. "Have you started talking to anyone in Chicago?"

"No, I'm just focusing on Eva and l," CJ nodded. I walked her out. She put Eva in the car and closed the door. "I guess you and Carlos are together again."

"Yeah, but I promise that I will teach her he's her step-father," I stated. "It's going to confuse her enough that she has 2 dads, and maybe a third if you find someone."

"Whenever that happens," CJ nodded.

"What about Severide?" I asked. "He's a good looking guy."

"We've dated before and he's also trying no fix things with his wife," CJ nodded. "We also work together. I don't need him worrying about me."

"Okay. How about Kevin Atwater?"

"He works for Intelligence and is Jay's best friend," CJ stated. "And, uhm, I wouldn't be dating anyone from the department. I just wanna try to move a bit away from that world."

"So, are you saying you wouldn't get back with Jay if he came back?"

"Not immediately, no, but I would like to rebuild my friendship with him."

"Really?"

"Whether you like it or not, he's my childhood best friend."

"Okay," I put my hands up in surrender. "I guess I'll see you for Thanksgiving." CJ nodded. She got into her car and drove off. I walked back inside and Carlos was waiting for me. "What?"

"So?"

"I don't know. She just seems like a different person from 8 months ago," I shrugged. "Very independent and stabled. She's just focusing on her and Eva."

Jay's POV

I was at the airport, waiting for CJ's and Eva's plane to land. I saw CJ walking and holding Eva's hand. "Hey, guys," I stated.

"Eva, this is Mommy's friend," CJ stated. "His name is Jay."

"Hi," Eva waved.

"Hi," I stated as I squat down to her level. "I'm going to take you and your Mommy to your new home. Is that okay with you?" She nodded. "Alright, let's go." We got into the car and I started driving. "Was the flight okay?"

"Yeah," CJ nodded. "She did good on the flight."

"Was it her first flight?" I asked.

"No," CJ replied. "Will actually invited us to Seattle last year and we went. TK and I didn't last very long after the trip." Once I got CJ to her apartment, Eva was out like a light. CJ took Eva inside to her room as I grabbed their luggage. When I walked in, CJ was walking out of Eva's room. "I guess I'll give her the tour tomorrow."

"You sure you don't want me spending the night?" I asked.

"Yeah, tonight is a night Stella's home," CJ replied.

"I'm home," Stella walked in. "Am I too late?"

"She fell asleep on the drive here," CJ replied. "You can see her in the morning. Oh, how was your flight?"

"I was trying to get here in time to see the mini you," Stella set her bag down. "I'm sad I missed it."

"Are you still wanting to bounce between Severide and I, still?" CJ asked.

"Yeah. So, I'll be here the morning after shift and the night 0f that day," Stella nodded. "Then, I'll be at Kelly's the night before the day of shift."

"Okay, well does Aunt Stella have plans tomorrow?" I asked.

"I've been promoted?" Stella asked.

"I have a meeting arand 11 and Jay knows I can't miss it," CJ lied. "I got Eva registered for school, and they failed to give me the welcome packet that needs to be filled out."

"Okay, yeah, I can take Eva out," Stella nodded. "Since she's asleep, I'm gonna go ahead and take a shower."

"Alright," I sighed. "Uhm, you got everything?"

"Yeah, Jay. If I need anything, I got Stella," CJ replied. "I'm just glad to have my daughter back."

"Do you guys possibly want to go to Molly's tomorrow?" Stella asked.

"I don't have a sitter just yet for Eva," CJ stated. "She's going to be starting in a couple days."

"On your off day?" I asked.

"Yeah, just to get her aquainted to Eva," CJ replied. "Also, to go over a few rules and regulations."

"Jay did a background check?" Stella asked.

"She's clean," I shrugged. "I thought she was too clean."

"She's college student with strict parents," CJ replied. "I trust her."

"It doesn't hurt to keep an eye on the situation," I stated. CJ looked at me. "That's why you had me install those motion sensor security cameras." CJ nodded. "That's very smart thinking."