His Forever Flame

58. Halstead Baby & Return

Almost a month after finding out they were having a boy, they got a phone call they'd been expecting. Natalie was in labor. They were thrilled for them and couldn't wait to meet the little girl.

After almost twelve hours of labor on March twelfth, Natalie gave birth to an eight pound two ounce baby girl. She had a head full of hair and Will swore she looked like Nat. They were a blissfully happy family of three.

Once they were home, Jay and Lauren took the twins up to visit. They'd told the almost one year olds repeatedly that they had to be very careful with the baby. Once they saw their aunt and uncle, Jaden wasn't fazed by the baby. Jayla cooed and babbled at her, clapping when Grace Marie opened her eyes to look at her.

Lauren and Jay took turns holding her. She was a beautiful little girl and they were happy to welcome her to the family. After fixing supper for the new little family, they ate and then took their rowdy two home to let the new family settle in for the night.

One week later Jay was settling in on the couch with Lauren while the twins were playing when his phone rang with a number he didn't recognize.

"Hello," he answered tentatively.

"Detective Halstead?" the voice said.

"Yes. Who is this?"

"This is Staff Sargent Andrews."

"Mouse?" Jay said on alert without thinking.

"Uh. That's why I was calling sir. You were listed as Greg's next of kin and he kept saying your name."

"What happened?" Jay asked quickly as Lauren's eyes watched him get up and pace.

"There was an explosion outside of base. Several humvees were returning. His was one of them. He's still alive but he is critical sir. His body was peppered with shrapnel and one artery was nicked. We're currently in Germany and he's undergoing surgery and a transfusion. Once stable he'll be flown stateside to DC."

"When will that be?" Jay asked his mind working over time processing the news.

"We're not sure yet, but I will call you back when I have details."

"Thank you sir," Jay said as the Staff Sargent hung up.

Jay ran his hands through his hair trying to contain his emotions knowing the twins were watching him now too.

"Jay," Lauren said softly laying her hand on his shoulder.

"It's Mouse," he whispered fighting the tears.

"I'm gonna call Kelly get them to come get the babies. Go to our room and I'll be right there ok?" she said hugging him tight.

Jay just nodded. He bent down and kissed her bump before kissing the twins heads and retreating to their room.

He sank down in the floor along the wall and let the tears fall. Mouse was hurt, seriously injured and Jay wasn't there. They said he was stable but what if something changed. He'd never forgive himself if Mouse didn't make it. He needed Mouse home.

Lauren heard his cries as she got the twins' stuff together, thankful that Kelly and Shay could keep them. She also text Will to let him know what had a happened. She prayed hard that Mouse would be ok, because they all needed him.

After Kelly and Shay took the babies, Lauren quietly walked into their room and found Jay still in the floor. "Oh baby," she said kneeling in front of him. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him to her as he still quietly cried. "It's ok baby. It's ok," she whispered holding him tight.

She held him as he cried. Once he'd settled some, she helped him up and took him to shower. After washing him off and massaging his head and shoulders, she took him to bed. "Talk to me," she whispered as his fingers softly rubbed on her bump.