Chapter 18,

Jay woke up in the middle of the night completely disoriented. The house was dark and silent, and with the moon blocked behind dark clouds, the only light in the room came from the small clock on his bedside table. His left arm was completely numb, and as he began to wiggle it around to gain feeling back, reality began to slowly set in and the previous night came back to him. He looked down at his arm, now full of pins and needles, and saw his beautiful wife lying on top of it, her head resting half on his shoulder and half on the pillow. Her normally tame hair was spread over the pillow, his arm, and her face. He turned his body towards her, and slowly pushed her hair out of her face. He couldn't believe she was really here, in their bed, in his arms. He buried his face in her hair, breathing in his favorite scent. The scent that managed to excite him and relax him all at the same time.

He peered at the clock on his bedside table, and calculated that he had about three hours until they needed to wake up and get Sophie ready for the day. He was too wired to sleep, worries slowly filling his mind. He was worried about his daughter, this being her first night back from the hospital. He was also worried about his wife. What if Erin woke up and changed her mind? What if she woke up in his arms, and didn't feel what he felt.

He shifted slightly to get his arm out from underneath Erin. He could worry about Erin all he wanted, but he was just going to have to wait until the morning. The minute she opened her eyes and looked at him, he would know how she felt. They had been on and off and back and forth enough times in the beginning of their relationship for him to be able to gauge her feelings when she woke up in his arms. Whether she wanted to stay or go, take a chance or run away scared.

But he could at least assuage his worries when it came to Sophie. He slowly got out of bed and quietly walked to the door of his bedroom, his eyes finally adjusting to the darkness that still covered the room. He opened the door and allowed the hall night light to guide him down the hall to his daughters room.

When he saw his daughter lying in her bed, the covers hovering at her feet, she took his breath away. It was remarkable that she could do that, even two years after she was born. Her hair was a curly mess, strewn all over her face and pillow... just like her mother's. She was the best combination of both of them and she was the most precious thing he had in his life. He brushed her hair out of her face and bent down to kiss her forehead lightly. After he let his lips rest on her forehead for a moment, he shifted his face, allowing his cheek to rest on her forehead and feel for any warmth or signs of fever. Satisfied that she looked comfortable and didn't feel warm, he went back to his room.

In the five minutes he had been gone, Erin had taken over his side of the bed. Well, to be fair, it was really her side of the bed. He had been sleeping on her side, head snuggled in her pillow, since the night she was shot. Even when the scent of her vanilla shampoo faded, when the shape her head had left in the temperpedic pillow had shifted to the shape of his, he stayed on that side. It made him feel closer to her, less alone.

He went to his side of the bed and got under the covers. He reached for Erin and gathered her up into his arms once again. The exhaustion of the day set in and he wanted to close his eyes and succumb to sleep. But he didn't let himself - not yet anyway. He just needed a few more moments... A few more moments where his wife was in his arms, exactly as it should be. Just in case this was the last time.

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Erin eyes fluttered open, and she breathed in the familiar scent of her husband. Her head was resting on his chest, and both his arms were wrapped tightly around her, as if he was afraid she was going to escape in the middle of the night. Well, I don't blame him for that one, she thought.

She lifted her head and watched him sleep. He was snoring lightly. She used to make fun of him for that and she used to try to shove him in the middle of the night to get him to stop snoring because it was keeping her up. But right now... right now, it was the about the best sound she had ever heard.

She looked at the clock on Jay's bedside table and realized it was nearing the time they needed to get up. She leaned over and pressed a kiss to Jay's lips. At first he didn't stir, but then when she kissed him a second time, he reluctantly opened her eyes. "Good morning, baby," she said huskily, her voice still full of sleep.

"Good morning, beautiful," he took a strand of her hair and pressed it behind her ear, letting his fingers lightly brush her face along the way.

It gave her chills, and she was sure he felt them, because his smile suddenly grew. He gazed into her eyes, but she could tell he was still a little apprehensive. She had certainly given him a million reasons to be nervous in the past, but he didn't need to be now. "I'll get the coffee, you get the little one?"

Jay just stared at her and smiled even larger, if that was possible. It was just what he wanted. Finally, finally. Coffee at home.

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"Are you sure you have to go?" Jay and Erin were in the break room, and he was currently pouring both of them their third cup of the day. They hadn't had a case in a few days, and the days were slowly dragging along.

"Yes, Jay. I have to go," she took the coffee from him gratefully, and then leaned in and gave him a quick kiss. "But I do wish I didn't," she smiled shyly at him and then moved to sit at the table.

Jay added some milk into his coffee and then sat beside his wife. "But I just got you back into my bed."

"Our bed," she corrected.

"My point exactly," he smirked. The past two weeks had been amazing. The morning she woke up in his bed, everything just shifted back to normal. It was almost too normal, and he had felt the need to check in with her the next night and make sure that everything was good... that they weren't moving too fast, that he wasn't pressuring her... that she wasn't still upset and hurt by everything that had transpired. She had promised him that this is what she wanted.

The month apart had almost been good for them. Well not good, but eye opening. They could have lost everything, they made mistake after mistake, they didn't communicate properly, they had been moving backwards. But now... now they were moving forward, stronger and happier than ever.

"You'll get over it," she said, taking another sip of her coffee. She used to hate slow days at work, but today she didn't mind being able to share a quiet moment with Jay in the middle of the day. It was something she probably wouldn't have appreciate before, but now meant everything to her. "Plus if you really want, I'm sure you could find another girl who would love to spend the night in your bed," she winked.

"Don't I know it," he laughed and took a sip of his coffee, mirroring his wife's actions. God, he had missed this. "But last time I let Soph sleep with me, she didn't want to go back to her own bed the next night."

"I can't say I blame her," Erin smiled as she thought of her daughter. "But I wasn't actually talking about Sophie, because I'm bringing her with me."

"What?" He asked, now genuinely surprised. "Kim's okay with that?"

"Yeah, Kim was the one who suggested it actually. She said Soph's the flower girl and therefore has to be there." Kim and Adam's wedding day was the next day, and she was sleeping at Kim's apartment. She had insisted on Sophie coming, too. At first, Erin thought she was just saying it to be nice and gave her several opportunities to change her mind. But Kim loved Sophie, and she wouldn't take no for an answer.

"So what am I supposed to do all alone?" Jay asked incredulously.

"I'm sure you'll think of something," she winked at him and stood from the table, leaving Jay to watch her as she walked out of the room. He smiled, knowing that extra swing in her hips was there just for him.

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Erin woke up in the middle of the night in the spare bedroom at Kim's apartment. It was still dark, and Sophie's feet were both lying next to her face. She wasn't sure what it was that had woken her up, she usually slept soundly through the night. Suddenly, a wave of nausea hit her and she ran to the hallway to find the bathroom. She made it just in time, and she spilled the contents of her dinner and dessert into the toilet.

Shit, I cannot believe I am going to be sick on Kim's wedding day. She splashed some cold water on her face and brushed her teeth, almost instantly feeling better. She walked into the kitchen looking for some crackers, needed to refill her empty stomach. She found a box of saltines and inhaled five in a row. With her mouth dry and full of crackers, she took a long sip of water. She replaced the crackers back onto the shelf, but brought the water bottle with her into her room.

When she got there, she saw Sophie lying diagonally across her bed and she stopped in her tracks. She had just vomited her entire dinner and dessert, and then immediately went in search for food. Usually when she had a stomach virus, the thought of food repulsed her. There was only one time in her life that that hadn't been true.

Armed with that thought, she grabbed her phone, shoes, and wallet, and raced out of the house. She left a note for Kim, even though she knew she would be back before Kim or Sophie even woke up. Just in case, she thought. She put the pen down and rushed out of the house, still clad in her pajamas, at four in the morning. She just had a quick errand to run.

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The sunlight traveled through the blinds and into Jay's eyes as he slowly awoke. His arms felt empty and he turned to Erin's side of the bed in an attempt to fill them. It was only then that he remembered what day it was, that he realized he was alone.

He hadn't spent a night without his wife in two weeks, and he had almost never spent a night away from his daughter. It felt strange. He slowly got up and got into the shower, letting the water slowly roll down his body, as he tried to figure out what to do with his day.

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"Are you ready, Soph?" Erin whispered into her daughter's ear. Her and Sophie were in Kim's room and Erin was holding Sophie in her arms as they quietly tiptoed towards Kim's bed.

"Yes!" Her daughter responded in an excited whisper. "I'm ready!"

"Okay! One, two, three, jump!"

Sophie jumped out of Erin's arms onto Kim's bed and began to tickle her. "WEDDING DAY!" She yelled at the top of her lungs! "AUNT KIM WAKE UP! IT'S WEDDING DAY!"

Erin knew Kim had been pretending to sleep through this, but she played the part well. "It is, isn't it!" She said, smiling at her favorite little girl. Then Kim jumped up onto her bed and began dancing around with Sophie, both of them laughing the whole time.

"Come on, girls. It's time for breakfast." Erin said, lifting Sophie off the bed. Erin put Sophie down and she ran into the kitchen, leaving Erin and Kim alone. As soon as Kim stood on solid ground, Erin gathered her tightly in her arms, letting the emotion overcome her. "I'm so happy for you, Kim." Tears began to form in her eyes, but she pushed them away. "And I just want to say thank you. Thank you for everything you have done for me, and for Jay and Sophie, and our whole family. I wouldn't have made it through any of this without you, and I'm so proud to stand with you today as you marry the love your life."

Erin may have pushed the tears away, but Kim let her tears fall freely. "Your welcome," she said seriously. But then she pointed at her tears and laughed, "Better get all of this out now before we do our makeup."

"Why you do think I said it now," Erin joked, as she threw her arms around her friend and ushered into the kitchen.

Kim leaned into her friend and smiled, feeling beyond ready to start her day. She couldn't believe this day was finally here.

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Jay: Where are you?

Erin: Should be there in 15 minutes. See you at the top of the aisle? ;)

Jay had been at the church for almost an hour with Adam getting ready. He hadn't realized the girls were getting ready and taking pictures somewhere else. He had really hoped he would have a minute with Erin before the ceremony began.

Jay: I'll be waiting. I love you.

Erin: I love you, too.

"What are you smiling about? I thought I was the one getting married today?" Adam joked as he fastened his silver cufflinks.

Jay hadn't realized he had been smiling down at his phone, and he was slightly embarrassed at being called out. "You ready?" He smiled at his friend, "Because once you get married, it's all down hill from there," he said shaking his head and dragging out the words dramatically.

"Oh sure," Adam smirked at his friend, "I guess I misinterpreted the past two weeks of you and Erin throwing googly eyes at each other?"

"You're right." Jay laughed and smiled even brighter. "Marriage is awesome."

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Jay was standing in the front hallway of the church, waiting for his girls. Adam had already taken his place at the end of the aisle while Kim was outside. She hadn't wanted him to even have a small chance of seeing in her dress, and she waited until all of the guests were seated before she allowed the limo driver to pull up to the church.

Jay would have thought that that was sweet, except he needed to see Erin before they walked down the aisle together. He needed just two minutes.

As if on cue, the front door to the church opened and his girls walked through the door. "Daddy!" Sophie yelled, and she ran into his arms.

He looked down at his little girl. She was wearing a white dress with a pink sash, a flower crown on her head, and her curly hair flowed beautifully past her shoulders. "You look beautiful, princess." He said, kissing her forehead but being careful not to mess with the flower crown.

"You don't look so bad yourself," Erin said huskily, as she walked towards her husband. It didn't matter how many times she saw him, if he was in a long sleeve henley at work, if he was in a t-shirt and sweats at home, if he was lying on top of her, completely naked... he took her breath away, every time. But damn it, if he didn't look good in a tux.

Jay's eyes lifted from his daughter at the sound of his wife's voice. "Wow," was all he could manage. She looked amazing. She was dressed in a floor length black gown that had small cutouts on the side and was tight in all the right places. Her hair was swept back in a low bun and her lips were slashed with a deep red lipstick. "You look... Erin, you look stunning." He finally found words, but he knew those words didn't do her justice.

A slow smile spread on her lips as she stepped towards him, "Thank you, baby."

It took him a moment to remember where he was, to register that they were about to walk down the aisle together, and he still had something to do. He put Sophie down and walked towards Erin, taking her hands in his. "Erin, before we walk down the aisle-"

"I have to tell you something," she said, cutting him off.

"Okay, can I go first?" He had his speech prepared, and he didn't want to lose it. She nodded and he continued. "These past couple of months have been some of the hardest of my life, but also some of the best. I was reminded of what is important. I love you so much, and I love the life we created together." He took one hand from hers and reached into his pocket, removing the box that had been resting there all day, just waiting for her arrival. "This morning I woke up alone in our bed, and I realized I never want to wake up without you in my arms ever again. And if you feel the same way, I was hoping you might wear these again." He opened the box to reveal her shining engagement ring and her wedding band.

Now it was her turn to lose her words. Erin smiled up at her husband with tears in her eyes and simply nodded, reaching out for the rings and sliding them on to her left hand. "Thank you," her voice was barely above a whisper and she wasn't able to take her eyes off her hands. Her hands looked so much better - so much more complete - when they had her rings on them, when they had Jay's hands in them.

"It's time," the voice of the usher broke through their moment, and they began to take their place at the top of the aisle. They stood directly behind Atwater, who would be escorting one of Kim's flight attendant friends.

The door opened and the couples began their walk down the short aisle. "Wait, what was it that you had to tell me?" Jay asked, realizing they had been cut off.

"Daddy," Sophie tugged on his jacket, "Pick me up!"

"You don't want to walk, princess?" They had planned to walk down the aisle, each holding one of Sophie's hands. Sophie shook her head, and Jay lifted her into his arms. "I guess that means I get to hold your hand then," he raised his eyebrows suggestively at his wife as he reached for her and intertwined her fingers in his.

"I guess so," she winked back, squeezing his hand slightly.

"Wait. We keep getting cut off. Tell me before we walk down?" Jay asked, as Atwater and the woman he was escorting were directed to begin walking down the aisle.

It was nearing their turn and she wasn't sure if she should tell him now or wait. But she couldn't hold it in any longer, so just as they began their march, she leaned over and whispered into her husband's ear. "I'm pregnant."

Then they walked down the aisle, hand in hand, as a family.

THE END!

xoxo

Hi :) I hope you all enjoyed the last chapter. I had the best time writing this story, and I hope you all liked reading it! Thanks for sticking with me! :)