Promises

Chapter 4: "Forget You"

Erin stood in the hospital room looking at her unconscious son. The monitors started beeping and Shane woke up. Erin walked to the bedside and sat next to him. Jay walked in and sat next to Erin.

"I'm sorry Er."

"Why are you saying sorry? This isn't your fault."

"It is. I i. Nevermind." Jay walked out the door after kissing his wife. Erin walked towards the door.

"Jay,I'm your wife. Tell me what happened."

"I got called back to war." He blurted out. Everyone in the waiting room looked at him.

"How long did you know?"

"Almost a month. I leave next week. I didn't know how to tell you or the kids. I was worried you would leave."

"Jay,I'm not leaving. Neither are the kids. You are my husband and I'll be here when you get back. I know you'll be coming back. You better be Halstead." Erin hugged him tighter and kissed his forehead. Hank walked over.

"You'll have your spot waiting for you when you get back. No one will take it." Hank patted his shoulder.

"Alright." Lainey walked into the waiting room.

"You should've told us Dad."
Lainey walked into Shane's room.

"I knew this would happen. You should've told someone. They can help."

"I woke up and came back Because of Kyle. He's the reason I'm here." Lainey walked closer to his bedside.

"What do you mean he's dead."

"I visited him in heaven because I was nearing death and God decided it was good for me to visit purgatory. I'm glad I did. It made me realize that I shouldn't do this to myself. It wouldn't be good if I did."

"Shane,I don't want you leaving yet. I can't lose my big brother." Lainey smiled. Erin sat next to
Jay and buried her head in his chest.

"I don't understand why this happens to us." Lainey sat next to Shane.

"Thanks Shane for coming back to me. I can't lose you big bro." Lainey fistbumped him. Jay walked into the room and saw the twins bonding. He smiled.,

"You two. I'm sorry for not telling you. I was going too."
Lainey scoffed

"When were you Dad? You waited Til two weeks before you leave. I'm not trying to fight with you but I can't lose you like I lost Kyle." Lainey wiped a tear. Jay walked over to her and hugged her.

"You are not going to lose me. I promise." Jay said

"Dad, y you don't know. I I don't want to lose you. I I can't. I lost my big brother and I if I ever lost you I don't know what I would do. You are my best friend and my protection against all evil.. Who else is going to protect me?"

"Your brother... He loves you more than anything. I promise. He'll protect you."

"I know.." She said agreeing with her dad. Jay let go of Lainey then walked over to Erin and gave her a kiss.

"Er, I'm not going anywhere. I promise."

"You promise Jay?" Jay smiled shaking his head

"I promise.. This is a promise I'm keeping. Erin I keep this with me everyday.." Jay pulled the ultrasound photo out.

"You kept this all these years?" Erin asked

"Of course I did.. Our little girl was my baby girl.. I I couldn't forget about her. Erin it's what kept me strong and kept me going.. I I just look at it and get reminded of the happiest time of my life..."

"J Jay b but it wasn't the happiest time."

"Y yeah it was. Th the day you told me you were pregnant.. I I went out and bought a um onesie.. For her. I I didn't know she was a girl and I was going to keep it until sh she was born. I I still have it. I I just never told you.. It says on it "Daddy's Little Princess." I just wanted it to be a surprise. Erin I love you and I'm not going anywhere. I'm coming home to the kids.. W when you and I found out we were having a girl I I was so excited.. I I always wanted a girl. Sure the boys are great but I just wanted someone I I can spoil, just her and I. I I have. T that's why I was so excited when we found out what we were having. Having my girl.."

"Jay y you know I I always doubted that I'd be a good mom, b but you helped me see that I would be a great one.."

"Erin you are an amazing mom. You always will be.." Jay gave her a kiss on the cheek then walked away to his son's room.

"Dad go away. I I don't want to talk..." Jay rolled his eyes then sat down on his son's bed.

"Son hear me out. I I couldn't bring myself to tell you... A after what happened with Kyle. I just couldn't tell you. Or anyone else. I I understand if you are pissed off at me. I I would be too. I'm sorry Shane.."

"You better come back home dad.."

"Don't worry I am." Jay gave his son a kiss on his head.

"Dad did you want Kyle to be a boy?"

"Yes and no.. A part of me wanted a girl.. I mean after losing your older sister. I I just wanted our baby to be healthy.. Wh when I found out you were going to be a boy and your sister was going to be a girl.. I was so excited to have a girl.. My girl, I just wanted someone I can spoil more than you two boys... I did.. She's my little princess."

"Dad I'm sorry.. I I just I haven't been the same since Kyle an and w when y you told me I I just couldn't keep going."

"Shane I'm here if you need to talk. I always will be.. Y you are my son and I I just can't lose you.." Shane smiled. 

"I love you Dad."