Since Diapers

Chap 21 (Telling Everyone)

CJ's POV

Everyone started showing up for the gathering. I was just glad my place was big enough to host everyone. I was sitting on my staircase just smiling at everyone as Maggie walked over to me and sat next to me. "Hey," I replied.

"Did you tell him?" Maggie asked.

"The day he came and saw me," I nodded. "We're trying. Our schedules are hard to work around."

"So, why are you guys being so distant?" Maggie asked.

"It's all for show," I replied. I watched as TK spun Eva around. "He doesn't want TK to get worked up. TK even asked if Crockett was coming."

"Seriously?" Maggie asked.

"Yes, I know," I sighed."I just want it to be over."

"Girl, the man brought his beau to this party," Maggie nodded. "You should be able to be with who you want."

"But I took Crockett to Thanksgiving last year," I looked at her.

"Here," April joined us and held out a glass to me. I looked at her. "It's sparkling cider, girl."

"It looks like champagne," I shrugged. I started sipping on it. Jay walked up to us. "Don't start. April knows."

"Okay," Jay put his hands up.

"Mommy," Eva ran up to us. She grabbed my hand. "Daddy wants to know if he can take us ice skating?"

"Does he mean you and him or all 4?" I asked.

"All 3," Eva smiled.

" Oh, uhm, when?" I asked.

"Tomorrow," Eva nodded.

"Sweetheart, Mommy has to work tomorrow," I replied. "I'm sorry, but you and Daddy will have a lot of fun tomorrow." I looked at Eva. "Do go want me go tell Daddy?" She nodded. "Okay, let's go." I followed Eva to TK. "Hey, T. Uhm, I'm going to need you to take Eva skating without me. I have a shift tomorrow."

"Do you have a sitter for her before I get here at 9?" TK asked.

"Yeah, her name is Grace and she's an in-house sitter," I nodded. "She's a college student. I did my research on her. I haven't had issues since she started."

"Okay," TK sighed. Once we all had dinner, Eva helped me pass out gifts. I got done passing out the last gift. "Uhm, CJ, did you mean to give me a gift?"

"If it has your name on it, it's yours," I replied.

"Alright," Jay nodded. We got through all the gifts, but the last one. "Alright, so, the last one is from both CJ and I."

"Oh, Jay actually got us a gift," Adam nodded.

"You will all open the gift at the same time. One, two, three," I counted. Everyone opened their bag. They all got a picture of an ultrasand, a picture of a pregnancy test and a little board that says Baby Halstead making a splash this summer. "I wanted you guys to know before we told anyone else."

"Why didn't April and Maggie get a bag?" Violet asked.

"They've known for the past month," I replied. "I do hope you show the same love to our baby, just as you have Eva."

"Where is Eva?" Stella asked.

"She went to bed after her last gift," TK nodded. "Uhm, congratulations to the two of you. I'll be by in the morning to pick up our daughter."

"Okay," I stated. TK left. Everyone started clearing out. It was only Jay, Stella, Severide and I. "Stella, you didn't ask questions when we told everyone we're having a baby."