One Chicago: Linstead The Next Chapter

Worrisome Wife

Shay's return home was a little rough for Erin especially. She was so scared something would happen to him, so scared she would lose him, she hardly let him out of her sight. 

Even months after the accident, Erin worried like crazy. Jay did also, but not as much as his worrisome wife. 

One day, Jay and Erin were headed up to a baseball game, meeting Shay at the field. He was starting, playing first base, he could play any position, the only one he was not good at was shortstop, anywhere else, he did tremendously well. Erin, Jay and Addie sat proudly in the stands, cheering loudly for him. 

It was the fourth inning, Shay's team was up by 5 runs, they were pitching. The pitcher, Marty Johnson, threw a fast ball. Unfortunately the batter hit it towards third base and the ball was thrown to Shay. Shay caught the ball successfully, resulting in an out for the opposing team, although the runner still slid and knocked Shay down. This caused Shay to hit his head. As he lay there on the ground, unable to get up, Erin started to freak out, internally. She was so in shock, she couldn't move. She was terrified. She just sat there. Jay ran down to the field and Addie grabbed Erin's hand. 

Shay started to get up but Jay stopped him.

"Stay down, Shay, we're gonna get someone to check you," Jay assured.

"I'm okay, dad. I'm fine," He said, attempting to get up again.

Jay helped him up and into the dugout. Seeing Shay walk pulled Erin out of her trance, it made her feel a lot better, although this experience made her feel even more protective over him.

"Mrs..., sorry, Erin, are you okay?" Addie questioned.

"I'm okay, just nervous," Erin smiled softly.

"Me too, you're son is so very stubborn sometimes," Addie explained.

"Yeah, he gets it from his father," she replied playfully.

The game continued and Shay was back at first base after a short timeout. Jay returned to the bleachers and wrapped his arm around Erin, as if he was saying 'everything is going to be alright.'

On the way home, Jay and Erin stopped by Kim Burgess' house to retrieve the rest of their "Brady Bunch" and returned home.

Shay sat in his car, parked in front of Addie's house. They had been talking for half an hour, about anything and everything. So very in love, so very young, but the two of them, great together. 

"I haven't said it yet, but I'm so thankful for you, Addie. I don't know what I would've done without you by my side. I don't know if it's too soon, but we've been friends for forever and I said it to you when we were friends, now I guess it has a bit of a different meaning...," But before he could finish his statement, she interrupted.

"I love you, Shay, I love you. I'm thankful for you, also and I'm happy to be by your side," Addie explained.

"I love you, too, Addie. So very much," He kissed her, reassuring her of his love.

Friends for 5 years, more than that for 7 months. And they were great together, perfect one might say. 

~~~~

Erin and Jay lay in bed, Thea in between them. After the scare with her days before Shay's accident, when they rushed her to the hospital, only to find out she had a mild fever, they didn't want her to be alone. Thea fussed a little bit, but other than that, she was a sweetheart laying between the two. Erin smiled and rubbed her belly, soothing her to sleep. Slowly but surely, she passed out. 

Jay smiled, he loved his family, he loved them with all of his heart and even more. He kissed his daughter on the forehead.

"What, I don't get one?" Erin whispered, she smiled big as Jay leaned across Thea and gave Erin a kiss.