In That Moment- A Chicago PD FanFiction

Chapter 24

Erin's P.O.V.

It's like time stands still from the moment those words leave my mouth. I look up at Voight and then at Jay, they both look as though they've just seen a ghost. I can't look any better than they do. I'm not ready for this, this can't be happening yet. I'm supposed to have another five weeks to get ready for this. No. This can't be happening. This must just be some kind of nightmare, I am in no way ready for this to be happening. The pain that's ripping through my body seems to suggest otherwise though. "Ouch." I hear Voight mutter, then I realise I'm crushing his and Jay's hands. "Sorry..." I mumble, my head is spinning, this is really happening. There's a few moments silence but eventually Voight seems to regain control of himself. "We need to get you to the hospital." He says, and although he sounds calm his face is showing me that he's far from it.

It takes a while but eventually we reach the hospital. It was a miracle I didn't fall down the stairs getting out of the apartment. Jay seems to be in another world entirely, only snapping out of it when we finally reach the hospital room. The nurse helps me on to the bed, Jay and Voight both standing nervously in the corner. It makes me laugh a little, and they both look at me like I'm insane. "You two look so scared!" I laugh and they both smile a little. I'm about to speak again when another contraction rips through me. I'd thought being attacked by suspects was painful but this is a whole new level. Jay comes over and takes my hand, a decision he probably regrets judging by the look on his face as I squeeze it tight. Voight looks around nervously, flashing me a quick smile. "I'll leave you to it.... Good luck.." He says, rushing out of the door. If this didn't hurt so much then I'd probably be finding it hilarious

Hours later there's still no progress. The next person that tells me that I'm doing really well I'm probably going to strangle. Jay's sat next to me, holding my hand nervously. "Um... Erin... do you think maybe you could not hold my hand quite so tightly?" He asks, brushing my hair out of my face. I look down at our hands, my knuckles white where my hand is clenched around his. "Sorry..." I say, loosening my hand slightly. "This is all your fault..." I groan as another contraction hits me. He laughs which makes me smile a little bit despite the pain. I know I'm probably crushing his hand again but I don't think I could actually unclench it right now. The doctor looks up at me and gives Jay a sympathetic smile. "Ok Erin, you're doing so well... We just need you to push ok?" She says, and I turn and look at Jay who gives me an encouraging smile. I can do this, I try and tell myself- it's not like I've got any choice anyway.

Jay's P.O.V.

The grip Erin has got on my hand is excruciatingly painful, so I can only imagine how much this is hurting her. "Come on Erin, you're so nearly there." I say, trying to encourage her. She glares at me "I am never having sex again." She mutters and me and the doctor both laugh. The doctor says something to Erin that I don't quite catch, then she squeezes my hand again. The sound of crying fills the room and the doctor looks up at us both and smiles. "It's a little girl." She smiles. I watch as the nurse takes her from the doctor, I can't believe this is actually happening.

Then I tear my eyes away from our daughter to look back at Erin. That's when I realise that her vice like grip around my hand has loosened. My blood runs cold as I turn to look at her. "Erin?!" I call frantically as I'm quickly shoved to the side by doctors and nurses as they rush into the room. Someone puts a hand on my arm and gently guides me out of the room. "What's happening?" I ask, trying to turn around. I have to get back to her. But they wont let me. "The doctor will come and talk to you soon." The nurse says soothingly, pushing me towards a waiting room.

There's a little cheer as I walk in, the rest of the unit is in there. I look at their smiling faces, the teddy bear that Voight is holding and it makes me feel sick. Their cheers of congratulations soon fall silent as they take in the look on my face. "Halstead?" Voight rushes up to me, putting his hands on my shoulders. "What happened? Is-" He stops, waiting for me to speak. I don't think I can even bring myself to say the words. I shrug out from under his hand, turning around and walking out. I need a few minutes, some fresh air. This is supposed to be one of the happiest days of my life, and right now I want nothing more for this all to be a nightmare. She has to be ok. She can't leave me. I can't do this on my own.

I stand there, staring out of the window at the city, watching the snow fall. How did I even end up in this situation? If you'd asked me a few years ago how I thought my life would turn out I can guarantee this isn't what I would have said. There's a tap on my shoulder and I turn around to find a nurse standing behind me. "There's someone who'd like to see you." She says, and I look down at the tiny little baby. "She's a little on the small side but other than that she's perfectly healthy." The nurse says, giving me a reassuring smile. She slowly passes her to me and I stare down at our baby for a few seconds before I look back up at the nurse. "Erin?" I ask her hesitantly. She gives me a sad smile. "There is no news yet." She says, squeezing my arm before turning and walking away. I sit down on a chair and look down at the tiny baby who's asleep in my arms. Erin has to be ok, I can't do this on my own. She's so tiny and fragile, she needs her Mom.

I have no idea how long I've been sat there, just watching her sleep when someone sits down next to me. "She'll be ok. She's a tough one." Antonio says, putting a hand on my shoulder. He smiles as he looks down at the sleeping baby in my arms. "Trust me Halstead, there's no way she'll miss out on seeing this little girl." He says, and I can feel my eyes filling with tears. The prospect of our little girl growing up without a Mom is too much for me to even imagine. "I can't do this on my own." I whisper. "You aren't on your own." I hear Voight's voice behind me. Turning around I see Voight, Ruzek and Olinsky who all smile at me encouragingly. "Erin's going to be out here kicking your backside and making you get up in the middle of the night because the babies crying before you know it. I promise." Olinsky says and I smile slightly back at him. Then I see the nurse coming towards us. "Could you?" I say to Voight gesturing to the baby. He nods and steps forwards, taking her from me. It's a weird image, Voight with a baby, but I've got bigger things to worry about right now. I look over my shoulder once more, before walking towards the nurse, praying for good news.

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