Chicago Love ✔️

Chapter 63: A Daughter's Worry

Isabelle puts down the pair of milkshakes between the pair, offering a smile as she glances between them. Her eyes settle on Alex for a moment, before looking back towards her childhood friend.

"He's cuter than the last guy you let me meet," Isabelle teases as Hailey's cheeks immediately turn a dark shade of red. She remembered the last time her and Jay had come here for milkshakes in needing a pick me up after a rough case, but wanting to avoid alcohol that night due to a possible concussion. She couldn't help but shiver at the thought, as that case was forever imprinted on her mind - Booth.

"This is very good," Alex comments, focusing on the drink on the table as he takes a couple sips. He wanted to ask in whom Isabelle was referencing, but figured it was probably Jay. Was he ready for more comparisons and questions around town about the relationship? "The food was great. But this, this is amazing..." 

"It's the same recipe as Hailey's mom used, but yet perfected a little bit with a special touch." Hailey smiles as she remembered when Isabelle revealed she had changed the milkshake recipe, letting her try it for the first time. She then shared the secret, which Hailey could not deny certainly helped in giving it the extra bit of flavor it needed.

"Well, it's perfect. I've had my share of milkshakes but they don't hold a candle to these." Hailey could not help but look a little shocked, but already had an idea in mind. She knew as much as it would be for him, it would be beneficial for her. She was not about to miss the taste of these on a regular basis.

"Remind me to get the recipe from you so that I have it," Hailey suggests as Isabelle looks at her a little confused. Why wouldn't she be coming to her for the milkshakes herself? It was not just about the drink. It was sometimes about the conversation shared. What was happening? "You could say that he is not just cuter, but even more amazing. I may be moving to North Carolina. I would not want to miss the taste of these while I am not in town." 

"You are leaving Chicago?" Isabelle questions with a shocked face, pretty much matched by Alex. They had talked about it being a possibility. They had talked about that happening eventually if they wanted to really have a future together. But those words she had just said seemed like her mind was fixated on it happening now. "I never thought I would hear you say that. I figured you would have lived it out here longer than anybody else. Are you sure about this, Hailey?" 

"Like I just told Alex before you brought these over - I plan on being here for him for a long time. The only way to do that is by being where his world is down in North Carolina. I never thought it would happen, but he's turned my world literally upside down." Isabelle smirks as she glances between them, in seeing the smile that was forming on Alex's face in response to her words. There was certainly chemistry that she could see between them as they sat there together. 

"You are welcome to move in with Finn and me whenever you want," Alex tells her as he reaches for her hand, clasping it with his own. He just hoped she did not get the wrong idea by the next words he was about to say. "I just don't want you to do it sooner than you are truly ready to do it. I can wait until the right time." 

"The immediate reaction in seeing you at the 21st district that I had said it all. The fact that I am having a total blast with you, and wouldn't change a moment about it to be somewhere else says enough. I guess you could I am cast under your spell." Hailey takes a deep breath, knowing there was only one thing that could possibly stop her from leaving town. It was one of the things that had stopped her from even moving to a different part of Chicago until her and Jay were real close. "Just promise me that you will look out for my mom. Please be there for her when she needs someone. I don't want to be alone." 

"I can do that," Isabelle assures her as Alex watches the interaction between the friends closely. Hailey never mentioned her parents, but yet had done so that day with the back story to the diner. She was now mentioning her mother, and needing to be cared for. That had to be mean something. You did not just care for someone for no reason.

"I can also assure you that you can come back home and see her whenever you want," Alex adds as he tries to be comforting in seeing the apprehension on Hailey's face. What if that prevented everything from falling into place? "We know a pilot so we can be here in a moment's notice. She's also welcome to come stay with us if she wants to travel to North Carolina." 

"I appreciate that," Hailey simply comments as her eyes do not leave Isabelle's. More than anybody, they both knew what the words meant between them in relation to her mother. Isabelle was one of a few, including Jay, that knew the truth about her mother and father. "Hopefully things don't turn as ugly as they have for her. I would feel terrible for something to happen and not be here. I've tried....but...." She takes a deep breath. "It would still hurt a lot." 

"She's your mother so of course it would," Isabelle comforts her as she places a hand on her back in both having the same understanding together. "No matter how much we try to help, and they don't want to accept it, we still feel bad for not convincing them to do the right thing. But there's only so much we can do, Hailey. You've done what you can."