His Forever Flame

9. The Rest of Summer & The Return

They had just ten more days together. The more Lauren thought about it the sadder she got. She didn't want to leave Jay, but she was starting to miss Tennessee too. Tennessee had always been her home, and probably always would be, but living with Jay FELT like home, like she was where she belonged.

They'd planned on spending the last days as just the two of them, but what Lauren didn't know was that Jay and Kelly were planning a surprise for her. Jay wanted their last days together to be special, so he tried to be off early unless they were following a lead and he couldn't.

They were down to the last five days, and Jay could tell Lauren was sad. He wanted to make her happy again, so he asked Voight if he could have the rest of the day until Sunday off. Jay could tell Erin wasn't happy about it, but she would get over it. He'd tried limiting the time they'd spent alone, and she was accusing Lauren of driving a wedge in their partnership. Jay was getting tired of it, but he didn't know what to do about it.

Voight agreed, so he sent Lauren a text telling her to start packing. She asked why, and he told her he had until Sunday off so they were going to the cabin. Lauren was excited. She knew Jay must have taken the time off once he got to work, and it made her feel special. She text Kelly that they were going to be gone, but they'd be back on Friday so she could spend time with him. He told her he'd be fine and to enjoy her time away. He knew they needed that alone time before she left, so he was ok with it.

Jay and Lauren spent Monday through Thursday at the cabin. They enjoyed swimming, being lazy, watching movies and making love. They never talked about her leaving. On Friday, they headed back to the city. Jay was leaving her with Kelly for the day, and she didn't realize that it was all part of the surprise they had planned for her. Kelly helped her pack everything up, and then they settled in to watch a movie.

"I don't want to go, Kel. I want to stay with you and Jay."

"I know, Sis, but it's just until the first of December. We'll be able to make it."

"I know. I just... I don't want history to repeat," she sighed.

"Hey, look at me. Do you love Jay?"

"Of course, Kel!"

"Ok, and do you know if Jay loves you?"

She gave him a 'well duh' look, but just nodded yes. "Ok then, here's the thing; you're both older, hopefully you're both wiser. You both have lived without the other for a period of time. Sure you're going to fight and it's not always going to be easy, but if you both want it to work, and I think you do, then you'll make it work. It's just five months, and you're going to be here on breaks, so you can make this work."

"Thanks, Kel. You always know what to say."

"That's what I'm here for," he said as he kissed the top of her head.

A little later, after the movie was over, Kelly looked at his phone. He had one text that said "Ready."

"Come on," he said as he pulled her up from the couch. "We're going to Molly's tonight."

"But, I'm staying with Jay, and he should be back any time now."

"Oh, he text saying he was at Molly's." Lauren just shrugged as she followed Kelly out of the apartment.

At Molly's, Lauren could hear the music from outside. Must be big night, she thought. Kelly held the door open for her, and as soon as she walked through the door, everyone yelled "SURPRISE!" Lauren was shocked. Kelly and Jay had put together a going away party with everyone from the firehouse and the precinct. Jay walked up and handed her a drink. He pulled her into a hug; "We wanted to surprise you and give you one last night with your friends before you went home."