His Forever Flame

29. The Talk/Grad Party

Jay and Lauren had been home since Wednesday. He'd made sure she took it easy. They laid around and watched a lot of TV and Netflix. On Friday, Hank asked him to come in and fill out the paperwork for his leave for this week. Lauren told him to go that she would be fine.

He made her promise to just relax and that he would be back before she knew it. Lauren smiled as she watched him. She had no idea how she got lucky enough to find this amazing man, but she was one lucky woman. She laid on the couch and rubbed her belly. "You have an amazing daddy little one. We are so lucky."

She felt the tiniest flutter and smiled. "I feel you love. Before long you'll be kicking up and storm and daddy will be able to feel you too." She felt another flutter. She loved being able to feel their baby and she knew Jay was excited and waiting for the day he could as well.

It wasn't long and she felt herself drifting to sleep. "Maybe a little nap til daddy's back," she whispered and fell sound asleep.

At the district, Jay met with Voight and signed all his papers. He asked how Lauren was doing and Jay smiled. She was his favorite person to talk about; "She's doing good. Much better than last week. Just been resting a lot."

"That's good kid. I'm glad. Party Monday at Molly's?"

"Yes. She said she's up for it, so we're going to celebrate. She deserves it," he smiled.

"We'll be there," Hank said and Jay nodded. He was ready to get back to her.

"Thanks for the time off. I'll be back after Christmas."

"Of course. I understand kid."

Jay nodded and headed out. Erin was waiting on him and he sighed. "What do you want?"

"Jay... please. Let's talk."

He sighed as he looked around at all the others looking at them. He did not want another scene in front of everyone like at the fire hall.

"Fine," he said heading for the locker room.

Erin followed him. She knew she needed to talk to him because they hadn't since Thanksgiving. She hated not being partnered with him, and since he'd been off for over a week now, she missed him.

"Make this quick. I need to get home," he said propping up on the lockers.

"Can't we just sit and talk like before?"

"Are you fucking kidding me Erin?"

"No. I'm not. I'm your partner, but yet we haven't worked together and you won't fucking talk to me."

"Because you tried to ruin my life!" He tried getting control of himself or they would be making another scene.

"No, I didn't. I was trying to look out for you. You're my partner Jay."

"Yea well not now! You had no right, no fucking right to say any of that to her! I get it, you like me and want me for yourself, but I. Am. Married. I love Lauren. I love my baby. You should've came to me with your 'concerns,' but you didn't. You said shit to her that I've never said and I would never say. It was all things in your head and you fucked with her!"

Erin looked down and tears gathered. "Jay..."

"No Erin! I don't trust you and I don't want you to be my partner right now. Partners don't do that to each other. They don't try and ruin the others life for their own selfish gains."

"Jay wait... I just... with everything that's happened in my life you were my other rock. Everyone always leaves. Hank is the only one who hasn't and you hadn't until now. Your marriage... it was taking you from me. We don't hang out or anything like we used to and I can't handle losing you too. I miss you," she admitted quietly.