The Calm Before the Storm (Jay Halstead)

Chapter 35

Cassie's P.O.V.

Christmas. I love Christmas. The air was nice and crisp, snow falling gently on the cold ground. Christmas was always my favorite time of the year. It had been two weeks since I last talked to Jay. It's been grueling because of how much I miss him. He has been calling me but I just can't bring the courage to talk to him.

After shift was over we were in the locker room grabbing our jackets and other belongings.

"So what do you have planned for Christmas? Even though it's like two weeks away" I said as I grabbed my jacket.

"Spend it with the woman I love. I'm glad we have Christmas day off" Nathan said as he also grabbed his jacket "What about you?"

I put on my warm jacket as I moved my hair aside "That's good. I don't think Kelly has the day off so I'll probably spend it with him at the firehouse"

"Have you spoken to Jay?" He asked as he grabbed his keys and wallet.

I fixed my jacket "Nope. I haven't had the courage to talk to him. And I don't know if I ever will"

He closed his locker "Well, if you ever need anything I'm only a phone call away you know that"

I nodded my head "I know, thanks"

"I'll see you later" He said to me before leaving the locker room.

I grabbed my bag and closed my locker. I sighed as I stood for a few moments. I hung my bag over my shoulder as I walked out of the locker room. As I walked out of the district I was looking down at my phone. The cold chill hit me causing me to slide my phone in my back pocket. I closed my jacket as I walked down the stairs.

Upon making it to the last few steps I finally looked up. I stopped when I saw Jay standing a few feet from the stairs. I took a hard swallow as I stared at him, and he stared at me.

He had his hands stuffed in his jacket pockets. He had a sorrowful expression as he stood there. As I exhaled the cold crisp of my breath appeared in the air "What are you doing here?" I asked. I glanced down as I walked down the last few steps.

"I've been trying to call you these past few weeks. I've been trying to see you"

"There's a reason why I haven't been answering" I turned to my right and began walking to the parking lot where my car was at.

"Cassie" Jay moved a few steps in font of me to prevent me from moving "I've tried to explain to you"

"You don't have to explain anything" I said looking at him.

"Yes I do" He said in a persistent tone.

I stayed standing there.

"When Maddie told me she was pregnant I was shocked. I've been so dedicated to the job I've never thought about having a kid. I wasn't sure if it was mine, and I wasn't sure it wasn't. I've been thinking about it these past few weeks. If this baby is mine then I want to be apart of its life, and your life. And if it's not.. then I want to be apart of your life"

I continued to look at him.

"I'm not perfect Cassie. But I have never doubted how much I love you and how much I want to be in your life.. how much I want to be with you. Maddie is my past, your my future"

Everything he was saying. I was beginning to believe him, I know I shouldn't but I couldn't help it. In the end Jay was the person I wanted to be with. He was the one person I couldn't be without.

~

I sat on the couch with Jay. We were comfortable as our hands were intertwined. I looked at Jay and smiled at him. He leaned in and laid a kiss on my forehead. A knock on the door interrupted us. He stood up from the couch and began walking to the door. I stayed sitting on the couch and looked over to see who was at the door.

Jay opened the door "Maddie, hey"

Seeing her made me stand up and walk by Jay's side.

"Hi"

All I wanted to do was punch the hell out of her, but I stayed my ground.

"I'm not going to stay. I just wanted to let you know I'm leaving town"

Jay and I exchanged confused glances before looking back at her.

"Honestly, I came back because I was always jealous of the two of you. When Jay would speak about you I wished he were talking to me. And I think that's why I convinced myself that this baby is yours"

I swear when she said that it felt like a brick lifted off my back.

"I'm really sorry if I caused any drama. Goodbye" With that Maddie turned her back and walked away.

Jay shut the door and turned to look at me. I looked at him "Well... I still don't like her"

A light chuckle escaped Jay's lips as he grabbed me and wrapped his arms around my waist. I wrapped my arms around his neck "I love you"

I leaned in and pressed my lips against his. He kissed back as I slowly pulled away. Our noses brushed against each other "I love you too. Always"

Author's Note:

I am sad to say this is my last chapter!

I know I'm sad it's ending too. I absolutely loved writing this story and I hope you all enjoyed reading it!!

I'm sad but at the same time excited because I am in the process of writing yet another Chicago story! I know another one! But I love writing these stories, mostly because I love the One Chicago series so much!

Let me know if you guys would be up to reading another one. Like I said I'm in the process of writing it but I want to know if anyone will read it before posting it. Or if you guys are tired of reading my stories then I completely understand!!

Anyways. A big thank you once again for reading this story!

Much love!! ❤️