'Til The End of Time

Chapter 25: "Home is where the Courthouse is"

Erin stood back and watched as Easton climbed into the suburban. She buckled Jack in then got in the car... Her stomach start growling.

"Jay let's stop for food. I'm hungry." Erin cried.

"Okay I will.." Jack fell asleep within minutes. Easton, crashed listening to music.

"Do you like the name Weston?" Jay shook his head no.

"No.. What about Levi? Maybe Levi Andrew?" Erin smiled.

"Oh maybe Delilah Jane?" Erin said.

"No... I like Caroline Taylor. Maybe Finley Rose?" Erin shook her head.

"Jay it's Caroline Taylor for a girl then for a boy Levi Andrew or Isaiah Henry Patrick." Jay shook his head and bent over and kissed her.

"Aw Jay, look at our boys." Erin said as she turned around. She smiled big then placed a hand on her stomach...

"9 months Jay.. We'll have our little baby.. I'm hoping it's a girl but if it isn't.. That's okay, because we'll have three boys. I don't mind.." Erin chuckled.

"Well Easton was another brother.. Jack probably doesn't understand.." Jay pulled into McDonald's, Erin turned her head and shot him the dirtiest look.

"What you said you wanted food?" Erin crossed her arms.

"I said food.. I never said McDonald's..." Jay scoffed pulling out and driving to another restaurant.

"Well baby what do you want?" Erin smiled, then fixed the chair.

"Anything but McDonald.. Ew. Taco Bell." Her eyes nearly popped out. Jay laughed...

"Alright baby.. We'll get Taco Bell.. I love you my sweet." Erin put her head down then turned on the music.. Jay drove and got Taco Bell then he started driving home.

By noon they were in Ohio, so Jay stopped for lunch.. Everyone was sleeping, but Easton.

"So Are you going to adopt me when I get home?" He asked..

"Yeah I think we are going to do it today.. Maybe go out with the team to celebrate and you can invite Owen or Aidyn.. I don't care." Easton smiled.

"Okay.. Thank you."

"Look bud your mom might try to get you back but we aren't going to let that happen.. I promise.. We'd never make you go back.. Easton, I wanted to save you because my dad was never really there for me. At all... Look when I was your age I was molested at soccer practice and I told my dad and he didn't believe me.. He called me a liar because it was his best friend coaching.. Then when I was 18 he told me to go to hell because I wanted to go into the Army. What I'm getting at is Easton you can come to me for anything.. I promise to always protect you.. No matter what I need you to understand that I did this for you and I. .. Yeah I already have a son but I saw the look your eyes they were calling for someone to help..."

"Thank you... Everyday at school my friends they never asked me if I was okay.. They never asked me anything. It was like I was invisible.. Owen he was my best friend but I kept this personal.. I never told anyone.. I didn't know how. I wasn't sure if anyone would look at me weird or anything else.. I was confused and my mom wasn't much help she would always get a fix before she'd help me. Then she chose her boyfriend and drugs before me.. I didn't know how to react to that. I was scared because she was the only way I was getting food and I went two days once without dinner.. My friends at school thought something was wrong with me..., there wasn't."

"Over a year ago before we had Jack.. Erin and I had trouble getting pregnant.. She was sad because she knew how much I wanted kids but she never stopped and realized how much she wanted them.. It was almost as if she just wanted them because of me... When Jack was born she was a different person.. Now she's the best mother and wife.. Now she is stronger.. She is a lot stronger and I love her for it.. I love her even more because she wasn't sure if she wanted to become a mom or if she was a good enough one but she is.. She's the best and she is the strongest person I know.."

Erin opened her eye wide and smacked Jay across his body.

"Erin, what's wrong?" She start hyperventilating.

"I I had a dream the baby died and then you left me for someone else and Jack turned on me and he didn't love me and Easton was away at war..."

"Erin, that will never happen.. I promise.. You are mine till the end of time.." Erin smiled then pulled her knees to her chest, and start dozing Off.

"Jay, We can name the kid whatever you want... It doesn't matter." Jay chuckled

"Erin, I named Jack you can name this one... Or how about we let Easton decide?" Easton picked his head up.

"Wait what?" He said..

"You are naming the baby.." Easton smiled..

"I like Levi... We should name him Levi if it's a boy if it's a girl Brylie Shay. Or Caroline Taylor."

"I like Brylie, but Caroline is more better.." Easton smiled..

"Alright there we have it... Caroline and Levi..."

Jay stopped the car and pulled into the courthouse.. Easton started getting butterflies..

"So you are really adopting me?" Easton asked.

"Yeah bud.. It's what you want right?" Easton shook his head.

"Yeah.. I need to get out of that house." Jay wrapped his arm around him.

"Bud you are going to be fine.  They'll probably ask you a lot of questions. Just mind it. In the end you'll be a Halstead." Jay smiled then turned around to take Jack out of his car seat. Erin grabbed her purse and phone then she walked inside..  Jay put Jack on the ground and held his hand.. Easton hopped on his crutches.

"Hi we would like to adopt the one in crutches." Erin said. She made the clerk laugh.

"Alright.. What's his name?" Easton cleared his throat.

"Easton Joseph..." The clerk bent her head and started writing.

"What is the reason you are adopting him?"

"His mom abandoned him.. He's my nephews best friend and I saw him and I asked him a question and he told me that his mom is a druggie and a drunk and she would slap him..." Jay walked closer holding Jack in his arms.

The clerk smiled a bit then pushed the paper towards Erin and Jay.. Erin looked up at Jay then back at the paper. She grabbed the pen and swiped it across the paper.. Signing her name Erin Danielle Halstead..

Jay grabbed it after and signed his name. Jay Richard Halstead." Easton stepped back and smiled big..

"Welcome to the family Easton Halstead." Easton sat back down and nothing could wipe the smile off his face except

She stormed in the building with two officers on both sides of her.. Nothing could wipe that mean face off of her..

Easton stood up.. "Mom.. Go."