The Halstead Freckles - [Linstead] ✓

16. - The World Is Different From Yesterday

"Erin?" Jay calling her name brought her to reality again.

She swung the door open and looked Jay in the eyes. They were full of expentation, maybe hope.

"So?"

She only shook her head and another wave of tears came. He slowly wrapped his arms around her and pulled her softly against him. "Hey, it's okay."

"I was just... I... I don't even know why I'm crying, Jay. Why am I sad over something I never had? And it's probably for the best." she added quietly at the end.

Jay pulled back just a slight so he could see her face. "Hey. Don't say that. Don't you want another kid?"

"Jay, of course I do, I mean, someday. But Oli kinda needs my attention at the moment and I can't take care of another kid and..." she was sobbing while trying to explain she didn't mean any bad with what she said.

"Hey, it's okay. Calm down." he pulled her back to him and his hand found its way under her sweatshirt and his warm fingers softly caressed the small of her back. "Nothing's changed. We're okay."

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Minutes later, they were cuddled together in bed, Erin's tears stopped pooling in her eyes (Jay's hugs and kisses made it all better) and it was raining outside, again. Neither of them was sleeping, though. Jay's hand was still going through Erin's hair, and Erin had her face burried in Jay's chest, just appreciating the warmth of him.

"Jay? You still awake?" Erin whispered into the dark.

"Yeah." he answered and kissed the top of her head. "What's up?"

"I'm sorry I reacted the way I did earlier, I just-"

"Erin. It's okay. I don't blame you for anything and sometimes it's okay to cry, you know."

"I know but lately it seems that's all I've been doing. I'm-"

She was interrupted by the sound of the door handle being slowly turned.

"Mommy? Daddy?"

Erin gasped and Jay squeezed her hand. She could feel his lips curling into a smile. Tellin Oli that he was his dad was one thing, but hearing Oli call him that was another. And it was good. It was amazing to hear it.

"Yeah, sweetie?"

Now Oli slowly reached their bed and was rubbing his eyes "I had bad dream. Can... Can I stay with you tonight?" he asked slowly, as if he was afraid of the answer.

"Of course you can." Erin reached to turn on the little lamp she had on her nightstand and pulled the covers down a little.

"Get in here, Monkey." Jay said with the biggest smile.

Oli returned it and crawled in between his parents.

"Um." he said after Erin turned off the lamp. "Was that okay?"

"What?" Erin asked and ran a hand through his hair.

"Is it okay if I call you daddy?" he turned to Jay.

Jay looked at Erin. She was tearing up again, but this time they were tears of joy.

"Yeah, of course." Jay chuckled and kissed the top of Oli's head "I love you."

"I love you too." Oli said, cuddling into Jay while already drifting back to peaceful sleep.

Erin couldn't believe it, and neither could Jay. The d word and an I love you, both in one day? How much better it could get?

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a/n

this one is really short too, i know. consider it the other half of the previous chapter. i didn't have time to write much, but i wanted to give you an update asap bcs i didnt want to leave you hanging for too long hehe.

xoxo, v

tell me what u think, vote and comment pls^-^