Too Young

Ch 2

"Just let her cry it out," Jay groaned over the cries echoing through the house.

"I can't," Erin sighed, sitting up again and rubbing her arms in the cold. "She's probably freezing. The heater is almost shot, Jay. We should've gone with the house on 21st."

"It's just a heater," He said sleepily. "I'll get it fixed. I promise."

She stood and walked around the bed and down the hallway. She snuck into the small room and approached the crib. "Hey, Hailey bug. Shhh." She lifted the small infant from her bed and gently caressed her in her arms. "I know you're cold. You've got a onesie and two nice blankets. Are you just spoiled?"

"Hey," Jay walked in behind her in his grey sweatpants. "Why don't you just take her into our room?" He stood behind her and rubbed Erin's arms.

Erin looked over her shoulder. "So we can get zero sleep?"

"If she's warm she'll probably stop crying," he added.

Erin shrugged. "I don't really know. It's three in the morning and I haven't got any sleep whatsoever for three days straight. I can't think anymore."

Jay chuckled and kissed her shoulder. "Come on."

They walked back to their room and Jay slipped into the bed first, sliding to the far end and helping Erin into bed with one arm holding Hailey.

Hailey whimpered and made soft noises, but once Erin cuddled up against Jay she calmed down a bit.

"See?" Jay whispered, before kissing Erin's head.

She rested her head against Jay, taking advantage of the silence immediately. "You know, despite the craziness . . . I really couldn't be happier."

"Me too."

Erin looked up at him and pressed her lips against his. She began to fall asleep after a few seconds, so she let her head droop onto his shoulder. "Goodnight, Jay," she mumbled dreamily.

"Night, Lindsay." Jay kissed her forehead once more before relaxing and falling asleep.

                                                                                        ...

"Hey, you," Jay left the door open and walked over to Hailey. "Feeling better, bug?"

Hailey smashed a hand into her mushed peas (which disgusted Jay), and offered them to him generously.

He pretended to eat them, making hungry noises dramatically. "That's good stuff," Jay said, nearly gagging at the scent. He straightened and sat his keys on the counter. "Where's mommy, huh?" He walked down the hallway and into their bedroom.

"Kara, I don't care about curtain. I can't have Hailey left in her crib, basically in time-out for hours on end just because you were worried about losing money. This is a human life we're considering." Erin noticed Jay standing in the doorway and covered her phone speaker. "Hi," she said exhaustedly. She moved her hand. "Kara, this better not happen again. I have to go." She shut off her phone and tossed it on the bed. "How was work?"

Jay shrugged. "We didn't get much today. Patrol was busy, but no big cases. Unless you consider disk-copying felonies big."

Erin smiled and they walked towards each other until they were inches away. "I missed you."

Jay smiled. "I miss you too. But I'd rather have you here with Bug than on cases."

She looked down from Jay. "Jay . . . I'm hiring . . . a babysitter. I'm going back."

Jay frowned. "What? Erin, no. Please don't. I understand you feel the need to not be seen weak or whatever, but I can't have something happen to you. You've seen what happens on duty, and it's never pretty. You shouldn't be a part of that anymore."

"What do you mean I 'feel the need to not be seen weak?' Jay, I'm not happy here. I'm sorry if that's so difficult for you to understand."

"Hey, hey," Jay gently grabbed her arm as she started to walk away. "I get it. I'm just saying, I'm concerned about you. And Hailey. I've never . . . liked babysitters. And the thought of you being home and safe relieves me of a lot of stress."

Erin looked up at Jay and nodded slowly, glancing away uncertainly.

"If you feel that coming back is what's best for you, I'm behind you. You know that. I'm just trying to make sure that this is what's best for you AND Hailey."

She nodded and smiles for a moment before he kissed her. He put one hand on her shoulder and separated their lips for a half a second. He kissed her again and moved her to his side.

Then a cry went out from the kitchen. Jay lolled his head and sighed, before laughing quietly along with Erin.

Deep down, he wasn't happy about the idea of Erin being put in danger as a mother. But he also knew that he wanted her happy. And if working pleased her, then work she would.

//

I'll probably write a LOT tonight (Feb. 11, 2017) because I'm bored. So expect updates:)