It's Haven's birthday. It's her first birthday. It's been a whole year and the time has gone by much too fast. She was growing up too fast and both her parents would do anything in this moment to freeze time, to embrace these seconds, to live through the last year and their daughter's first milestones all over again. Erin and Jay didn't want any more children and many people have a lot to say about that, but after finding out she was pregnant during the investigation of a serial killer, surviving said killer and giving birth to her bonded them and their baby to a level that many have and will probably never reach. Erin didn't just carry her in her stomach for technically eight months since she went into early labor, but she carried her through the adrenaline, through the fight against Tyler and every part of the investigation. She felt closer to her baby to an extreme that one could argue maybe a little unhealthy. In time, when she's older, she'll work on it, but right now, when her parents are her favorite people, Erin was going to enjoy it. They loved that little girl with every part of their body and with every fiber of their being. The love for her was so strong they felt like they wouldn't be able to love another kid the same and maybe people don't understand that, but they've never bonded with their only child through the reign of a serial killer, they've never almost lost their kid to that same killer twice.

Just last year Erin was practically forced into early labor, rescued from Tyler's house, taken to the hospital only to deliver her baby, her safe haven, the comfort and security in Erin's arms and in her heart. She lives up to her name, being that refuge and sanctuary for her parents, providing them that endless amount of love that they sometimes feel they don't deserve. In her hazel eyes, they see absolute trust. How could someone trust another person that much? In those same eyes, they see unconditional love and adoration. No matter their flaws, Haven loves them for it; she couldn't care less about them. They're her parents and that's never going to change.

Haven Camille Halstead –H.C.H. - wasn't planned but she was the best surprise they've ever had or will receive. She's just another, albeit the largest, reason they make it through the day, their motivation to come home after work and the drive they need to make the streets as safe as possible, for her, for other kids and for all the parents out there that loves their kids just as much.

She's the apple of their eye.

She's the best thing they've ever done and created.

She's everything that's good in the world; she's everything that's good in them merged together.

She's their true love.

She's their world, their life, their adoration and their heart in human form.

She's absolutely everything.

And at the age of one, she doesn't even know it.

Erin could barely move from her spot in the baby's nursery, cradling her daughter to her chest as she rocks back and forth. She thinks about the creation of this nursery; it had to be perfect for their little girl and even though most nights she spent with her parents, decorating and designing it, wasn't a waste of time. All of the people who loved her came together for her kid and she could never repay them. Her daughter was loved by many and she could never say thank you enough. Her little angel wasn't asleep. They had been up for the last three hours; both were bathed, dressed and ready for the day's events, the day that in this household is dedicated to the toddler in her arms. Erin slows the rocking chair to a stop the second Haven looks up at her, hazel eyes wide, innocent and full of joy as she looks into the matching pair of her mother.

With her little, chubby legs resting on either side of Erin's waist, her mother's arm wrapped around the small of her back as her other hand continuously runs up and down her daughter's back, "Can mommy have a kiss?" She puckered her lips and just like she always does, Haven leans forward and brushes her lips against her mother's lips, "Thank you."

A toothy grin stretches across her face. She didn't have all of her teeth yet, but the few that she did have made an eager appearance every time she was happy and excited. Her lower teeth, the ones toward the right and left of the center made their debut in time for her to enjoy her first birthday cake. Haven giggled at Erin's words before kissing her again. Erin lived for these moments, these kisses and giggles and baby hugs.

"Do I hear laughing?" Jay poked his head in the nursery. He's fully dressed and ready for the party. His arms are open and he enthusiastically walks towards his baby girl before enveloping her up into his arms. She starts to laugh harder as he maneuvers her around in his arms. She winds up being held on his shoulder where she's facing his chest and her arms are draping over his shoulders. He has one hand resting on her back while the other hand is offered to her mother, his wife, his favorite woman and just as enthusiastically as he entered the room and lifted his daughter, she grabbed his hand and hopped to her feet.

His back is straight to avoid any strain; he's learned the hard way that arching his back while carrying his baby girl can result in enough pain in his back that reminded him of his age. Jay walks out of the room with his wife following closely behind; sporting silly faces that have their daughter hiccupping laughs fill the room. That little laugh of hers, rooted in the base of her tummy and spurting out in giggles, hiccups and loud laughter has her bouncing against his shoulder and sending chuckles of his own down his spine. With his free hand, he held the banister and walked down the stairs, "Guests should arrive any time now."

And he must have put it in the air because once his words were spoken, the doorbell rang. With the baby draped over his shoulder, he walks the two of them to the door. Jay sets her down on her feet and he feels her small hands grip his pants leg, sticking close to one of the two most familiar faces, -her parents. She leans her forehead against his leg just as Jay reaches forward to open the door, "Hey guys," he greets Ruzek and Burgess, "you two are the first ones here." And just as he's about to close the door, he sees Atwater and Dawson walking up the driveway.

"Happy Birthday Haven," Kim says, stooping low to be leveled with the bashful girl whose arms are wrapped pretty tight –for a one year old- around her dad's leg.

Jay rests his hand against the top of his toddler's head, "Can you say thank you?" She can't. It doesn't stop her from trying though. She babbles something and Kim pretends as if she understood it completely, providing a nice follow up, "You're welcome."

"Happy Birthday Hav," Ruzek replies next and her grip around her dad's leg starts to loosen.

"There's a table set up in the living room for all the presents," he tells them, noticing either a gift bag or a wrapped box in their hold, "just set it down in there."

Kim extended her hand towards the little girl and patiently waited for her to take it. She did after a little coercion from her father. Haven walked alongside Burgess into the living room. Just as Ruzek set their gift down onto the table, Erin turned on some music. Now that the guests were starting to arrive and the girl of honor wasn't tired and was being a little social, this was the best time as any to start celebrating. Erin organized the gifts on the table so it would look a little neat, "Thanks again guys for coming."

Burgess shrugged and lifted Haven into her arms, "We wouldn't have missed this for the world."

First birthday parties were always tricky because the kid is too young to actually remember it but at the same time you want to do something special to commemorate their first year. So much has happened since this time last year. Tyler's attack, the pre-term labor, Tyler's arrest and then him breaking out, kidnapping Haven and then dying; it was all a thing of the past. It was all something they had to heal from one day at a time. There were good moments too though like bringing Haven home from the hospital, going out for Atwater's birthday, -that'll always be special since that was their first time leaving the house since the baby's birth. Haven's first time crawling, learning how to walk and her in the beginning stages of learning how to talk.

She's developing this independence about her. She's not as clingy as she used to be, but at the same time she won't try anything new unless she saw Erin or Jay standing near. Just as Hank, Olive and Danny arrive, she starts to think of just how close Danny and Haven have gotten in the last couple of months. He went from being jealous of her to being one of her little protectors. He always made sure he was close by to stop her from venturing off somewhere without adult supervision. He would either grab her hand or if it were something out of his control, he would come to an adult. Danny loves that little girl like a sister.

Erin remembers her first holidays: Christmas, New Years, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Independence Day, Halloween and Thanksgiving. They say another year older, another year wiser. Haven walked, more like waddled, around in her birthday outfit saved especially for this day. She has Danny trailing closely behind like a protective older cousin. She could only picture them when Haven becomes a teenager, Danny will be an adult by that time but they'll be two unstoppable forces against the world.

Mouse and Olinsky were the next to arrive. Then Annie and her son Travis; her boyfriend couldn't make it because he had to work. Each of them greeted Haven with either a hug or a wave. Annie opted for the wave since she was one of the unrecognizable faces to the little girl and she didn't want to spook her by going in for a hug. By the time Emily, her husband and their two kids arrive, Jay, Adam, Mouse and Haven are in a tickling battle with the three men all teamed up against a poor defenseless toddler. Those moving fingers of the guys are tickling her belly so much that her face is turning red and she's breaking out into a fit of giggles. Jay lifts her up into his arms, granting her reprieve, and drops her gently onto the cushions of the couch. If it was possible, she laughed even harder. She held her arms in the air and exclaimed, "Again!"

And Jay found his escape when the doorbell rang. Dawson filled in, lifting the little girl up, tossing her into the air before catching her and dropping her onto the couch. Haven was going to be exhausted by the time her party was over and Erin loved it. She thought about what she wanted to do the second her toddler was down for the count. She could have a glass of wine, cuddle up with her husband and watch a movie. The small things in life felt so grand to a woman with an energized toddler.

Jay soon returns to the living room followed by Aly and her fiancée Megan. Aly had only met Haven once and Megan had never met her at all, but when Jay found out they were in town, he just had to invite them over. It was the day before they were set to leave for Arizona so it all managed to work itself out. Aly was going to see Haven and Erin again and Jay got to see his childhood friend once more. They set the gift they had gotten her down on the table, it was getting crowded. So many presents for a one year old just showed how much she was loved.

By the time Will, Natalie and Owen arrived; Haven was resting in Kim's arms, holding both of her hands around a freshly prepared bottle Erin had just handed to her. Playing with Dawson had worn her out; she wasn't running around the house, she wasn't squirming around in the arms of whoever tried to hold her and she wasn't hollering and whining at the top of her lungs.

"Antonio, if being a detective doesn't work out, maybe you should consider being a babysitter," Jay had joked the second his eyes fell on his daughter silently drinking from her bottle. Her head was back; resting against Kim's shoulder and her chest rose and fell with each huff of breath.

She emptied the bottle. Erin surprisingly turned to face Dawson, "Antonio, what did you do to my kid? You wiped her out," she chuckled.

"She'd make a great workout buddy," he flexed his arms, "my muscles are burning. If you ever need a last minute babysitter, just give me a ring and I'll meet you at the gym." That's definitely no place for a one year old.

"Jay, can you bring in her high chair?" He nodded at his wife's words and disappeared to retrieve it as she went into the kitchen to grab the homemade cake. She worked hard on this, decorating it in white and red and placing a few Elmo designs into the white icing. One candle was pressed into the center and before lifting the large dessert, she lit the single candle.

By the time she had a good grip on the cake, lifted it up and began walking into the living room, she saw her little girl already placed and strapped into the high chair. A rendition of happy birthday filled the room with Owen and Danny adding notes to the song that didn't exist. She set the cake down on to the tray table connected to her high chair and Jay remained close to ensure she didn't reach for the candle and burn herself.

Haven bounced up and down in her seat, clapping her hands because of all the attention she's getting. Jay kept one hand on her shoulder to limit her movements, "Happy birthday baby," he grinned; the proud smile on his face warmed Erin's heart, -she loved that man tremendously, "blow out your candle, Havie." She didn't understand his instruction. So instead, he unstrapped her and his wife held the cake as he pulled Haven to her feet, allowing her to stand in her highchair. He leaned forward and his daughter followed his movement. His arm is protectively wrapped around her small waist, her little hands are clasped around his arm, "We're going to blow on the count of three, like this," he faced her direction and blew; she giggled when it hit her face, "you try it, come on blow," he blows in her face again and this time she tries too. Her little lips scrunch up but no air came out.

The guests in the room burst into a fit of giggles.

"Try again baby," Erin whispered; Haven tried just as her dad did. It was a little better, not perfect, but definitely better than her first attempt.

"Let's blow your candles out," he turned his head to face her cake and she did as he had done. He twisted his lips and so did she. He pretended to blow out but she actually did. The lit flame wavered and he pretended to blow again and she followed and after a fourth attempt it finally blows out sparking a chorus of applause and cheers.

"Sit back down baby," he pats the seat and slides her back into it, strapping her into the high chair just as Erin sets the cake back down, "Next step birthday girl," he lifts his hand and makes a motion to smash the cake, or at least the side of the cake closest to her.

She doesn't follow. She babbles, "No."

"…like this Hav," Ruzek approaches her other side, "this is one year old tradition, you have to do it," he lifts her hand and carefully stretches it out. She immediately pulls her hand away. He tries again, this time his grip is a little firmer; she can't pull away this time so she whines. And Kim smacks his hand away, forcing him to drop his hold.

"She obviously doesn't want to do it," Kim pulled her fiancé away, "don't force her!"

"I was just trying to help."

"Well, she doesn't need your help," Burgess retorted, nodding over Ruzek's shoulder and out of curiosity he turned around to see both of her hands smashed into the cake.

"It seems my efforts did not fail," Ruzek smugly replied.

"Nah, it was all Jay," Erin chuckled, removing the cake from the high chair tray table, "she didn't mind doing it once her dad stuck his hands in." She nodded towards Halstead's messy fingers. He did it and she didn't even hesitate to follow his lead.

Natalie grabbed the cake from Erin's arms, "I'll take it into the kitchen, salvage what wasn't destroyed and cut it up for whoever wants cake." Erin whispered her thanks.

Haven held two handfuls of smashed cake in her palms. Bread crumbs fell to the tray table and icing seeped through the cracks of her fingers. She didn't care though. She was in absolute heaven the second she brought the dessert up to her mouth and started to eat it. Erin took pictures on her cell; she took enough pictures to satisfy Jay who had disappeared to clean his own hands.

"You're just so messy," Olive approached to take her own photos. Haven had reached one of her hands out towards Olive, silently offering her a taste of the cake, "I'll pass, thanks though."

The room chuckled. Owen and Danny disappeared to hover around Natalie until she cut them a nice, sizeable piece of cake. When Jay reappeared, his hands clean, he was holding a pair of wipes. It was time to start the battle of cleaning a toddler's hands and mouth. She kept eating the cake, but majority of it seemed to miss her mouth and either land on her clothes, in her hair or around her face. Bath time tonight will definitely be interesting.

"Alright little one," Erin unstrapped her from her high chair and lifted her up. She carefully held her in front of her with Haven's back against her chest. With one hand around the baby's waist and the other supporting her bottom, she ensured that none of the mess got onto her.

Haven looks around as her mother carries her towards the table full of presents. She spots Ally and Megan and neither of their faces is recognizable to her. They wave and she hesitantly waves back, opening her palm and causing the remainder of the cake in her right hand to fall to the floor. They laughed out an apology just as Annie offered to clean it up.

Erin sets her kid on her feet on the table. Jay stands to one side and Erin on the other to ensure she didn't fall. Together, like partners, they cleaned up their energized kid to the best of their ability. As they did so, Natalie served cake, with Danny and Owen as her helpers.

"Auntie Erin," Danny approaches her; his mouth is full of cake, "when will Haven open presents? I want her to see what me and mommy got for her!" He was practically bouncing on his feet. Olive will have a long night ahead of her, trying to get him to bed later.

"I'm going to clean her up and then we can start," she answered.

He nodded eagerly before running over to tell his mom, "No running in the house," Olive chastised, watching her son come to an abrupt stop at the reprimand.

Jay had saved the last wipe for her mouth. She wasn't clean, per se, but she wasn't as bad as she was before. And her hands and mouth were no longer sticky so both parents considered this a success. Erin lifted her up and set her back onto her feet on the floor, "Let's put the gifts on the floor and let her choose which one to open first." They were teaching her autonomy; Erin had read somewhere in a baby book that it's good to start allowing your kid, as young as one, to start making minor decisions. This was minor enough.

Erin and Jay had already gifted their daughter the night before with multiple seasons of Sesame Street, a few outfits and a doll baby who kind of resembled her appearance.

Today's gifts were from family and friends. Olinsky and Mouse had volunteered for the task, lifting each present either gift wrapped or in a gift bag and set it onto the floor. Haven watched with amazement, especially because majority of the boxes were bigger than her. Erin stooped low to be eye level with her girl, "Which one?" She points to each one, trying to signify to Haven to choose.

"This one is from me, grandpa and mom," Danny exclaimed, swooping in to grab a wrapped gift.

"Sweetie, we're letting Haven pick," Olive sighed, grabbing her son by the shoulder and directing him over to a seat.

Haven chooses based on color and giftwrap. A large box is wrapped in Elmo wrapping paper and recently Sesame Street has become her new obsession. She made her decision based on that. It just so happened to be the gift from Olive, Hank and Danny. She went for the box that was wider, taller and heavier than her but it didn't stop her from trying to wrap her arms around it. Hank chuckled, snapping a picture of it on his cell, "Determined, just like her mother." Haven tried to lift it again and the box didn't move an inch.

She took a step back and looked at her dad before a small whimper emitted from her mouth.

"You were doing so good Hav," he applauded, clapping his hands as he walked over, "you're so big and strong, just like a big girl," he lifted the box and carried it over to the center of the room.

Erin extended her hand towards her kid when she realized she wasn't following. Haven grabbed her mom's finger, wrapping her own tiny hand around her pointer finger before being guided towards the box. Both parents directed their daughter to open the present by showing her how to tear into it. She did. And she seemed to enjoy the wrapping paper more than the actual gift. It was a dollhouse, -a huge dollhouse.

"This is amazing," Erin whispered at the detailed toy home, "look Hav," Erin starts to point at pictures on the box, using her own excitement to get her daughter excited.

"That's from us," Danny announced, running over. He wraps his arms around his little cousin and lifts her up to the best of his ability. She was a bit heavy for him to hold. It lasted only a few seconds but it was long enough to cause the little girl to giggle.

"Olinsky and I will put the dollhouse up in her room and set it up before we leave," Hank offered. Lindsay mouthed a thank you because she couldn't imagine trying to deal with it.

"Go choose another one," Erin points and this time Jay follows her over towards the array of presents, standing near because he knows she's going to need help.

Haven went towards the second biggest box and struggled to wrap her arms around it. It looked like she was hugging it. Her head laid against it and when Jay went to pick it up, he wrapped his arms around both her and the gift. Erin stared at the flex of his muscles; this was not the time, but who could blame her for checking out her husband. Those muscles; he caught her staring and he smiled and if it was possible, she fell more in love with him than she was seconds ago. He carefully set the gift and their kid down onto her feet and Erin dragged the box towards her.

It was a gift from Dawson, "the kids helped me pick it out," it's all he supplied them with before they allowed Haven to tear into it. Once again, it appeared that she loved the act of tearing into the paper more than she did the gift. It was fun to her, like a game. And this gift felt like it was more for Erin and Jay than their kid, "Thanks man," Jay whispered, eyes averting from the new toy box to the long line of gifts she hasn't opened yet, "after today, we'll definitely need this."

Jay's a neat freak and no one is surprised by his reaction. Haven's attention was on the gift for about five seconds before she starts to play with the wrapping paper. Dawson has kids; he didn't take it personal. Erin pushed the gift to the side and as if on repeat Jay walks over to the line of gifts from their family and friends, allowing Haven to pick the next, -a gift bag with pink tissue paper sticking out to hide the gift from prying eyes. It's from Burgess and Ruzek.

It's a toy stroller for her doll baby.

Annie and Travis got her a baby doll which Haven happily –by guidance from her mother- put her in the stroller, upside down but she was in there nonetheless.

Olinsky had gotten her a toy kitchen. The add-ons such as the plastic food, silverware, pots and pans, Jay could already see them ending up in various places around the house. The add-ons will be the first toys to go into the toy chest. Aly and Megan gifted her with a plastic tea set and Aly couldn't help but to crack jokes in regards to Jay not being able to turn down or resist a tea party when she's a little older to understand how it works. Jay couldn't deny it either. He nodded affirmatively and actually admitted that he was looking forward to it.

Mouse and Atwater teamed up for a gift and purchased a talking Elmo. Haven was ecstatic; it was the one present that she chose over playing with the wrapping paper. It came with batteries so when Haven grabbed Elmo's hand and he started talking and rocking side to side, both parents sighed in defeat, knowing that she was going to repeatedly press his hand to spark entertainment.

"I swear, just wait until one of you have a kid," Erin threatened, handing the Elmo back to her kid when Haven started whining the second she pulled it away, "I'm getting you both back for this. I'll get the loudest, most obnoxious toy there is. You both have my word." They swallowed dryly, both knowing that Erin is the one person they could count on to follow through.

Emily, her husband and two kids had gotten her a plastic and colorful tool set; it came with a yellow and green plastic drill, chunky nuts and bolts to ensure she didn't swallow them, a yellow and orange screwdriver and four plastic cars with spinning wheels. Emily grinned when Haven walked over to her, needing no prompting from her mother. This was a woman she saw almost as much as she sees her parents. She wrapped her arms around Emily's leg and held on tight.

"Isn't that sweet?" Erin gushed, heartwarming at the sight before her.

"It's good to expose kids with a variety of toys that were labelled for the opposite sex. It doesn't hurt to let little girls play with race cars, toy tool sets and action figures," Emily defended her option for a gift even though she didn't need to offer it. Erin trusted her and who could blame her when she saw the look in Emily's eye. She truly cared for children, all children, like they were her own. Emily lifted Haven into her arms and carried her over to her parents, "You still have a few more gifts to open," Emily asserted before following her statement up with a sentence in German that Haven understood. The little girl smiled and nodded her head before being set back onto her feet, "I just told her that she's getting so big."

Haven ventured back over to the remaining presents, choosing one by pointing at it and waiting for her father to come pick it up. She knew the routine now. She didn't even attempt to carry it anymore. Bunny had gotten her granddaughter a gift and dropped it off the night before since she wasn't invited to the party. It was more so to keep the peace. This day was about Haven, not about the long lasting feud between Bunny and Hank. Bunny had purchased a coloring book with a big box of crayons. It was something simple but it was something needed for such a young and creative little girl. Haven grabbed the box and held it towards her mother, "You want me to open it?" And when Haven nodded, Erin did as she asked.

"We'll definitely have to supervise this," Jay remarked, swiping a crayon from his daughter's hold when it's aimed directly for her mouth, "one second the box will be full and the next, it'll be empty because she ate them all."

"Put this on top of the table," she held the box up for him. They needed to keep it at a distance too high for Haven to put her little curious hands on it.

The one year old watched as her father set it even higher than the table her mother told him to put it on. He wasn't taking any chances. He sat it on a shelf above the fireplace.

"Come on Hav, last gift," this time Jay didn't wait for her to choose it because it was only one left. He picked it up and carried it over to her and her mother.

Last but definitely not least Will, Natalie and Owen had gifted their young niece and cousin with a personalized name puzzle. They had gotten her two: one that spells out Haven and another that spells out Halstead. It's a learning tool to teach toddlers how to spell their names.

"Haven, can you tell everyone thank you?" Erin asked her daughter.

As a response, the little girl cooed something similar to thank you, but not so much a thank you. It was a little mumbled and incoherent but it was the sweetest thing ever and everyone had thought it was so cute.

Hank and Al lift the dollhouse and carry it upstairs to start setting it up. Erin disappears momentarily to tell them where to set it up at. The baby's room was organized and after hurricane Haven blew through it a few nights ago, she and Jay set out to clean it, -by his insistence. Erin thought it would be pointless because she'll just blow through it again but this is where their difference of opinion lay. And now Erin was determined to keep it as clean as possible for however long as possible. It definitely won't be lasting long now that she has a whole array of new toys to bite on, play with and attempt to flush down the toilet.

Erin reappeared downstairs to be met with her one year old standing by the bottom step. She wanted her mama. And Erin happily obliged her daughter's need for her mother to always be within sight of her. She lifted her daughter up, setting her on her hip where Haven leans her head against Erin's shoulder. The baby is nestled into her mother's midsection, straddling her waist as Erin ventures into the kitchen, collecting dirty dishes around the house to set them inside the sink. Haven's head faces outwards as one hand rests against her mother's chest and the other on her back, "Mama," she babbles.

And the sound of her voice as she calls for her does something to Erin's heart.

"Yes baby," she replies; the arm on the side her kid is settled on is wrapped around the baby's back with her hand resting on her chubby thigh, "I can't wait until you're old enough to do chores kid."

Haven giggles, despite not knowing or at least understanding what her mother said.

"I doubt you'll think it's that funny in ten years," Erin joked, using her free arm to place the stopper in the sink, cut on the hot faucet water and add dish soap to the rising water.

"There are my two favorite girls," even though Erin's back was faced to him, she could hear him enter the kitchen. Haven, the little nosey girl, turned her head around to look. He walks into the kitchen, holding a recently prepared bottle, -one made by Natalie. He extended it towards her and she collected it with two hands, "Dada." That word combined with the lightness in her voice did wonders to his heart; it made it flutter and briefly stop. There was no getting used to it.

Placing the nipple of the bottle into her mouth, she started to drink with the thirst of a dehydrated person. The cake dried her mouth. She gulped down half its contents, earning a light chuckle from both of her parents. This moment, this day, it was filled with a collection of memories just like the photos lining the hallway leading from the front door to the remainder of the house. It was pictures taken years before the birth of their daughter, the nine months of her pregnancy and the twelve months of Haven's first year. Erin didn't have many pictures of herself as a kid and to remedy that, she ensured that Haven did. She may have taken more than necessary, but who could blame her? I mean…a combination of features between Jay and Erin created the perfect kid. Any parent would want to document perfection.

"Alright, alright, I'll put you down," Erin laughs the second Haven drops her bottle and starts to wiggle out of her mama's embrace. When her little bare feet touched the ground, she took off running –more like waddling with her arms held out like Frankenstein- in the direction of her uncle Will. His arms are spread open and he's stooping low. When he came in the kitchen, they didn't know, but Haven always had an eye out for her favorite uncle.

Haven wrapped her arms around her uncle's neck and he lifted her into his strong ones. He pressed a kiss to her cheek before walking further into the kitchen.

"You're stealing my kid," Jay joked.

"It's not my fault she has a favorite Halstead brother."

"Want to see something Erin's been teaching her?" Jay asked, excitedly holding out his arms and out of a natural instinct, she leans towards him until he scoops her up and sets her on his hip, "blow a kiss to Uncle Will, Hav," he directed, mimicking the action.

Erin's watching as she does the few dishes that were soaking in the sink, "You have to show and tell her a few times." She unplugs the stopper from the sink to let the water out.

"Blow him a kiss," Jay patiently orders.

"Look Hav," Erin shows her what to do, "blow a kiss. Mwah."

This had to be the most adorable thing that either one of them –Will, Erin and Jay- have seen as the baby brings her opened palm up to her lips and flick it away with a proud bravado.

"Yayyyyy," Erin and Jay applaud; Haven claps for herself.

"Thanks kid," Will ruffles her hair after catching the kiss and placing it upon his cheek.

Erin wipes and dries her hands on the dishrag before extending it towards her daughter. Haven loved to copy her. The one year old wiped her hands gently before dropping the rag to the ground. Erin stooped down to pick it up just as Jay set the toddler back onto her feet. Haven beat her mother to the gray dishtowel and lifted it up to extend towards her mommy, "Thank you pumpkin," Erin grabbed it and lifted it up to set on the counter, "Can mama have a kiss?" She's pointing at herself because that's what the baby knows her as, "Give mama a kiss."

Haven closed in the distance, one hand situated on her mother's shoulder for balance before rising to her tippy toes and pecking her mother's lips.

"I just love my baby's kisses," Erin cooed, patting her daughter's tummy, "Thank you!"

Haven went to grab her unfinished bottle to consume the last remnants of milk. She guzzled it down before dropping the empty plastic onto the tiled floor and taking off to take advantage of her developing ability in walking. She was on a milk-high; she was absolutely milk-wasted. Her little tummy so full of birthday cake and milk but it didn't slow her down. That energy high buzzed through her belly and with her small form and quick moves, it took a lot for Jay to catch up to her. Halstead grabbed her arm just as she gets to the front door, "Hey, hey, little lady, come on," he scoops her up with one arm; her feet dangle and her back rests against his chest, "Just where do you think you're going?"

She babbles something in reply. It's like she understands. It's like she's trying to communicate.

Jay carries her over to his wife, who is back in the living room, currently sitting on the couch, chatting it up with their loved ones. He hands the baby off to her. Haven is due for a good burp. If they wait too long, it'll only lead to indigestion or possibly an upset stomach which translates to both parents being up all night soothing a cranky baby. Erin positions Haven so she's now sitting on her lap and as she seems to always do now, Haven leans back, resting the back of her head against her mother's shoulder. Ensuring that her hand isn't holding her throat, Erin cradles the baby's chin with one hand and rests the heel of the same hand against her kid's chest, "Alright, give mama a good burp," with her other hand, she starts to pat against the baby's back gently.

"Seeing you as a mother still takes some getting used to,"

Erin continually pats against the baby's back until she hears a small burp followed by the feeling of a thick, liquid substance slide along her hand. She's been a mother for a year now. This isn't the first time her kid spit up on her. Haven's spit up has been on her clothes, in her hair, against her neck and now it falls slimy in her hand. Usually she remembers to grab a cloth, a bib or something to lie across her shoulder or lap to avoid getting spit up everywhere. She forgot this time. Oh well…it's just a little baby spit up. She doesn't react. She just slides Haven out of her lap and back onto her feet, "Excuse me Hav," Erin guides her baby to the side as she stands up.

"Peek a boo," Jay jumps out; Haven laughs. She loves this game. She takes off, her little feet scampering away as her dad gives cleaning her hands, Erin has her cell out, capturing a short video of the two of them playing in order to post it to her social media later.

Mouse joins in. Will does too. It was an unfair advantage.

Her one year old would fall over every other second because she may have walking somewhat mastered, but was nowhere near ready to run. And besides, adding the fact that she keeps laughing meant her poor balance was even more off. Three adults against a baby who has just graduated to an actual year wasn't a fair game so it was no surprise when she was eventually captured in the arms of Mouse. He lifted her into the air, draped her little body over his shoulder and carried her back into the living room where Ruzek had set up her coloring book and crayons.

She had the best family, -blood related and otherwise. It didn't matter. They were all family. And the whole saying about it takes a village to raise a kid was true. She wouldn't know what to do without any of them. Haven's birthday wouldn't be the same. No holidays would be either. The whole mess with Tyler, she didn't want to think about how it would have turned out if she didn't have any of them. She was grateful, -thankful and appreciative even. She loved them with every bit and ounce of her heart. Haven and Jay had the largest spot permanently carved out, but her team and Hank were permanently in there just as much.

Erin takes more photos, capturing memories with every flick of her flash.

Haven babbles and extends one of her crayons towards Ruzek; he comes over and takes a seat next to her on the floor before they busy themselves with coloring in a princess. He's trying to stay in the lines and she's doing everything possible to just add as many colors to the page. One part of the princess is nicely colored while the other part of her is scribbled all outside the lines. Ruzek set down the pink crayon and lifted the green in order to color in the grass, "The goal of this Haven is to color inside the lines. Our princess is starting to look like a monster."

She babbled a few words that no one understood; she was trying to have a full-on conversation with her uncle Adam but the latter struggled to keep up with the animated toddler. He simply nodded along and traded crayons with her when she wanted the green to follow his lead and color in the grass. She continues cooing, babbling and uttering noises that were supposed to be actual words but had only served to further confuse Ruzek, "Here, let's make the sky blue." She shakes her head, "No?" And when she pushes his hand holding the crayon away, his question is confirmed. She grabs another crayon out of the box –its white- and it'll most likely not be seen on the paper, but it didn't stop her from scribbling along the edges of the drawing.

"Your kid's stubborn Lindsay," Ruzek called out, setting the blue crayon down, "I'm pretty sure that's a trait she got from her mother."

Erin rolled her eyes, "I'm just a tad bit stubborn," she holds up two fingers mimicking a pinching position, "but that's only because I know what I want and when I want it."

No one objected. Everyone just laughed. Erin humphed.

"Here Haven, color the sun in yellow," Adam extends the yellow crayon towards her.

She simply pushed his hand away in order to reach for the black crayon. She was original. She was imaginative. Ruzek respected that about her.

"Screw it," he chuckled, lifting a purple crayon to color in the clouds. If she didn't want to stick to traditional colors for her drawing then she didn't have to, -she is the birthday girl.

A one year old had the attention span of a gnat. She didn't want to color anymore, especially when Kim decided to turn up the music in the living room. Haven dropped her crayons to the ground and waddled over to her cousins and Aunt Kim dancing in the center of the floor. Her outstretched arms extend upward as her legs mimic somewhat of a Frankenstein walk which actually works to keep her balanced.

"Dance Havie," Erin walked onto the makeshift dance floor which was actually created when Jay pulled the coffee table off to the side. Kim increased the volume of the music. Danny performed some of the most craziest and hilarious dance moves in order to elicit a laugh from his cousin; she tried to copy him, although it regularly ended up with her landing on her butt.

Haven, with help from Owen, was back on her feet in no time and she stuck to a slow bounce up and down. Her arms were held out and her knees bent and straightened with every beat of the drum. This was her music. This was the theme song to some animated show she watches regularly over Emily's house; it wasn't Elmo, although she adored the red furry monster. As her mom danced to the tunes, Haven had found herself waddling over towards her, wrapping her short, chubby arms around her mother's leg as Erin attempted to continue dancing.

"Come on Haven, show us your moves," Olive encouraged, only for the young child to turn her head inwards and bury her face into her mother's jeans, "Let us see what you got birthday girl!"

"No," Haven whined; her word a little unclear and her voice is muffled. She's getting tired.

Erin continued to dance in an effort to show her birthday girl exactly what she's missing. She reached down and ran her hand through her daughter's dirty blonde hair before lifting her up into her arms, "I honestly don't know if she actually understands that word," Erin chuckled, swaying to the music with the baby of honor in her arms. She dips Haven. She spins around with her in her arms and finally, she manages to elicit a giggle.

Haven yawns. She's starting to crash. Her sugar high was lowering. Erin's dancing time had obviously come to its end. She readjusts the child in her arms, putting her left arm over Haven's left shoulder while holding the baby's right thigh. Haven has one arm on each side of Erin's arm and her head lies near her mother's elbow. Erin's hands meet near Haven's crotch area. This position, this hold, this way of carrying her child in front of her had become something recent; -Haven enjoyed this for some reason. It soothed her in a way that no one truly understood.

"She needs another piece of cake to wake her up," Mouse had joked as he approached a yawning toddler. Her eyes fluttered. Her mother bounced her in this position enough times that it soothed her. She was fighting sleep. It was too much going on for her to peacefully accept that sleep was inevitably coming. She saw Will approach, apple in one hand while his other was empty.

She grinned and popped her head up, suddenly finding a semblance of energy. Haven squirmed in her mother's embrace and fought to get out of it.

"Fine…fine, I can take a hint," Erin set her back onto her feet.

"My favorite niece," Will stoops down to her eye level and she waddles on over to him. She adored him. He was a replica of her daddy and no one could truly blame her for succumbing to the Halstead eyes. She yawned again. She wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head against his shoulder before she started to tear up.

Will rubbed her back and pressed a kiss against the side of her head. He loved her like she was his daughter. She was family, -his only niece. God, he loved her so much.

"Will," he hears Natalie call out for him and he unfortunately releases his hold on his niece. And she starts to cry, more so because she's sleepy than because Will steps out of the living room.

Haven looks defeated. She looks drained. She partied until she had no energy left. She's whining; she's crying loudly even though there are no tears falling from her eyes.

She's fussy which means she's tired. Her sugar high was wearing off and the side effects of an absolute meltdown were taking over. Haven is standing barefoot in the middle of the living room, face is red, mouth is open and she's screaming tears. It's absolutely ridiculous. She isn't in pain, she's not dying and she's not scared. She's just tired.

Erin rolled her eyes and swept the toddler up into her arms. She drapes the baby's head and chest over her forearm, ensuring the baby's head –albeit screaming and wailing- is facing outward, resting by the crook of her arm, "Come on Hav," she whispers, patting and rubbing the baby's back with her other hand, "I think she's all partied out," Erin maintained support of her little girl's head, neck and chest; the toddler's legs dangled as her mother continued to try to soothe her temper tantrum. Haven squirmed and only cried louder, that is, until her mother put her down, "Jay, she needs a bath and a nap."

"It's her party; she can cry if she wants to," Kim joked, walking up to Haven to pinch her chubby cheek. The baby didn't appreciate it; she only cried louder.

"I guess that's our cue to leave," Olive chuckles, taking a hold of her son's hand, "I have to say I don't miss those years at all."

"I didn't act like that," Danny replied, pouting down as Haven sniffled.

"Yeah you did," Hank added his input, "kid, I think you actually invented it."

As Erin stays downstairs to bid their guests farewell and straighten up the living room, Jay took on the task of bathing and rocking their little cub to sleep.

"Bath time," he sang out, pointing towards the stairs, "Ready for a bath, Hav?"

Haven gave a bright smile and clapped her little, chubby hands before waddling towards the staircase. Jay made sure he stayed close behind her. Even as she attempted to be independent, grab onto the stair and climb up each step one by one, he remained close by for the small chance she may stumble back. At this rate, it was going to take forever.

Jay didn't rush her though. He watched as she slowly and gradually made her way up each stair. Haven had climbed the stairs before, her small hand wrapped around the bar as it helps her keep her balance. Every time she climbed, you could positively catch either him or Erin following behind. She thought she was a big girl and she wanted to do big girl things –including climbing the stairs. He and Erin mostly allowed her to do just that, but under parental or adult supervision because of gravitational circumstances, such as today where her foot lands on the edge of the step and when she pushes weight down upon it to climb, it slips. Panic takes over and he scoops her up before she could fall.

Haven's tiny arms wrapped around her dad's neck and her head rested upon his shoulder. She yawned; she was too tired to climb the steps in the first place. At least she didn't cry after her near tumble. She buried her face in the crook of his neck and fought against sleep as it attempted to sway her eyes shut. His hand runs over her back as he presses the lightest of kisses against her cheek, "I got you love bug," he lays another kiss against her dirty blonde hair, "I always got you." He felt her lift her head; this girl and sleep were mortal enemies, she refused to let any semblance of it take over. He'll have to keep her bath short because when the battle of Haven vs. sleep occurs, she never wins.

"Bye Haven," Owen races to the bottom of the stairs to wave at his cousin.

Jay whispers a simple direction in her ear, "Wave bye-bye." He carefully turned around on the stair and lifted her arm to mimic the act of waving. It didn't take long for her to get the hang of it. She laid her head back down against his shoulder and continued waving despite Owen walking back over towards his mother.

It's the anniversary of parenthood for Jay and Erin and it has become clear that their day was going to be wrapped up earlier than expected.

Jay pecked his daughter's head before carrying her up the rest of the way. She had a bath planned in the near future. And while Erin packed away slices of cake for the guests to take with them, he was upstairs filling the tub with an inch of warm water. While she walked her guests out to their cars, thanked them for attending and bidding them farewell, Jay was upstairs singing his darling girl a song as he washed the soap off her body. And when she came back in the house to clean up –or at least clean up any food or crumbs to ensure no ants come out to feast- he was dressing the baby in a diaper and then crawling into the bed to rock her to sleep in his arms.

It's their one year anniversary of being parents. And it was magnificent, -a perfect combination of chill and chaotic.

Haven's little, pink lips are parted; her dad could feel her small, warm breaths beat against his neck. He presses and holds his own lips against her dirty blonde hair. Jay's sitting up with his back against the headboard and he looks absolutely uncomfortable, but he wouldn't change positions for anything in the world. His girl, dressed in only her diaper after a nice warm bath, is fast asleep against his chest. She has her chubby little legs wrapped around his waist, resting on either side of his hips; her tiny bare feet lay flat against the comforter of the bed and his arms are wrapped protectively around the small of her back.

Jay's eyes are fluttering open and close. He's trying to fight sleep and stay awake long enough for his wife to join them. Today had been a long and eventful day. It wasn't late, the sun was still out and high in the sky, but they were all completely exhausted. He leaned his head forward, burying his face in his daughter's hair, -that baby smell was everything.

"Do you want me to put her in her crib?" Erin walked in and asked when she noticed the baby fast asleep on what appears to be an uncomfortable Jay. His neck was going to be sore tomorrow if he stayed in that position, -he didn't care.

"No," he whispered; his voice is muffled by the baby's hair. He pecks her head again before lifting his own, "No, she can stay. I want her to stay right here," Jay felt the bed dip when his wife sat down near his feet, "the year went by so fast and I want to appreciate these moments before she's either too big and won't fit in my arms or she's too old and wouldn't want to be in my arms anymore." He kisses her head again before nuzzling his face in her hair.

That fresh baby smell was the best. He tightened his hold around her and in a brief moment, she pulled her head back, groggily yawned before laying her head back down, this time facing the opposite direction. Erin crawled up beside him on the bed and the baby's head was facing outward, now in her direction. Her hand caresses her daughter's back, her hand running up and down the baby's bare skin, "She'll never be too old for hugs and kisses especially if given by her daddy; she'll always be a daddy's girl."

Jay kisses the back of his daughter's head, "I hope so…"

"Lean your head forward," Erin grabs a pillow and places it behind his head the second he followed directions, "hopefully that makes you a little more comfortable."

A beat of silence passes by and it's filled with listening to the quiet breaths of their sleeping daughter. She cuddles up to his side, leaning her head against the side of his since Haven was currently occupying his shoulder. Another beat of silence passes and Erin is now trailing her fingers up and down her daughter's bare back. Jay readjusts his head, turning it to face his wife as they lay together in the warm bedroom, "It's hard to believe that this time last year you two were fighting for your lives."

"I've had better moments," Erin chuckled softly. She didn't want to wake the baby.

"It's hard to believe that we created her," he drops one hand from the baby's back and wraps it around his wife's shoulders to pull her in closer; the other stays on Haven's back, "she came out of our love and even though she wasn't planned, she was the best surprise we've ever had. It just took one year, one year for so much to change. Just one year down, many more to go, baby." His wife didn't respond; her breaths were even and he knew without looking that she had fallen asleep.

This wasn't the ideal position to fall asleep in. It's not the ideal time to even be asleep because it only meant that the baby will be up later than planned. With Jay sitting up against the headboard, Haven nestled against his chest and Erin wrapped in his arm, fast asleep against his side, this became the perfect moment, the perfect birthday that he's pretty sure his one year old won't remember in days and years to come. It'll be something he reminds her of. It has to be.

Her first year had its ups and downs. It had its happy moments and its upsetting times, but everything happens for a reason. She came into their life for a reason. She made this one year memorable and he knew for sure that all the years, the times and the moments and memories they create together will be just as unforgettable as this one year, -her first year.