Chicago Love ✔️

Chapter 67: Telling the Team

Now that Hank knew the truth, there was only one thing left to do - to reveal the news to the rest of the Intelligence Unit that she would be leaving with Alex. Hank called Trudy up, knowing the desk sergeant would want to know the news. He then stood back as he watched Hailey state the news to the rest of her teammates in a group, smiles on both her and Alex's face as they were set to start their future together.

"You better take care of her and treat her right," Trudy speaks up first, walking over to offer a hug to her young protege, booming with pride in seeing how far she had come since walking into the 21st district. 

"Always, ma'am," Alex simply responds as he holds out his hand for a shake from Trudy. She does not accept, rather embracing the young man in a hug to his surprise. Hailey can only smile in watching the scene, knowing that meant he was definitely accepted by her. The fact that Hank and Trudy both took a liking to him quickly meant a lot to her. 

"I wish you the best of luck, both of you," Erin comments, offering a hug for each of them. She then lingers a bit as she locks eyes with Alex, thinking back to earlier that year. "It's too bad I chased her out of your house that morning. She could have healed your wounds and taken care of you then." 

"I guess that meeting was meant to be at Molly's if they found themselves together again," Adam muses as he thinks about what he had said to Hailey earlier in the week. He kept repeating those words in his mind as he watched them together. He almost wondered if they were worth repeating, or if his worries were worth nothing right now. 

"They always say the heart knows what it wants, and if it's meant to be, you will be led back to that again." Erin glances towards Jay, reaching for his hand with a smile of her own. "I never thought I'd be returning back to Chicago and back with this guy again. I didn't think it was possible after he and Hailey...." She then takes a deep breath, knowing it was probably not the right place to say it right now. "I am happy for you, both of you, honestly. It's great to see you both happy." 

"Are you absolutely certain about this decision?" Jay questions, catching Hailey's attention. She just nods her head in return, already knowing what he was about to say before the words were spoken. "Please don't tell me that you are doing it to just get away from us, and what we had. Please don't tell me that you're diving in too deep, too fast after what happened. I never meant to hurt you. I never meant to put you through all that. I don't want to see you hurting so please tell me that you are doing the right thing here..." 

"He makes me happy, and I truly believe that this is what I need to do for me," Hailey answers, as she takes a deep breath. The pair hadn't talked much about the exact divorce and their feelings on either side since the papers were signed. It was just assumed that he was meant to be with Erin, felt closer with her. It was also just assumed they would always care about each other and remain friends. It was why they had been able to continue working together with issues. "It has nothing to do with what we had. I appreciate you, and will always cherish you. I will always care about you and will be definately checking on you. You still mean a lot to me, but Alex means so much more. He's special, Jay, and I know that I am doing the right thing here.."

"I believe you, honestly. I know that nobody could force you to do something that you didn't want to do. I am glad that you have been able to turn things around and be happy. You deserve it." A small smile forms on Hailey's face, as she watches Jay turn his attention to Alex. "Who knew when we got trapped together that next thing you would be hooking up with my ex-wife. Nobody could have guessed what happened. I confided those feelings about her and Erin with you because I knew I could trust you. I trust you, and I hope I am right in that judgement. I hope that you can make her happy. Just remember that she has the most elite unit in Chicago to hunt you down if something happens." 

"Jay...." Jay just offers a wink as Alex takes a deep breath. He should have known those words would be said by someone in the room. He was more so expecting Adam to say those, not Jay, though. 

"You won't be having to worry about any of that because I won't hurt her," Alex assures him as he clasps Hailey's hand with his, trying to calm his own nerves right now. Why was this so difficult? "I love her. I trust her. She means a lot to me. I am not going to do anything to risk that. I wouldn't had suggested her leaving all of you to come to North Carolina if i wasn't absolutely certain about this. But it's also why we have left the door open for her to travel back and see you whenever. You're also all welcome to my house if you want to come spend time in North Carolina." 

"I will be certainly taking you up on that offer as I am going to miss this girl!" Kim lets out, wrapping her arms around Hailey tightly. She was giddily with excitement for her friend in seeing her admit her feelings and ready for this, but yet also knew the friendship piece she would be letting go of.

Adam wasn't watching his wife in that moment, though. Instead, he focused on the looks being traded by Jay and Hank in watching the scene now before them. He knew there was something they both had in mind. But what? Should he be worried? But also, how could he get himself involved in it?