A/N: So, I've definitely hit a little bit of writers block with this story. I'm ready for the new season of Chicago PD to start to give me some new inspiration! Hope you enjoy and I'll try to get the next chapter out sooner rather than later. As always thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy!
MACKAYLA'S P.O.V. (2 WEEKS LATER)
"Seriously Stone? How many more times are we going to have to go through the same thing? I know my testimony inside and out. I know what to expect from Jenna's lawyer and Shaw's lawyer. I don't think it is possible for me to be any more prepared than I already am." I said to the Assistant States Attorney from the witness stand in an empty courtroom.
We were the only two in the courtroom. James and Chris were guarding the outer doors and if I knew my Uncle, he had a couple of patrolmen posted somewhere around the building as well. I had arrived back in Chicago four days earlier and have been locked either in a courtroom or in Peter Stone's office since my plane had touched down. I had barely seen Uncle Hank or Justin. I hadn't spoken to Jay since I left his suite in London, but I wasn't ready to think of that just yet. I knew he wasn't going to give me much more time to decide if I wanted to be with him or not. I mean who in their right mind would put up with my life and the craziness that comes with it.
"Mackayla? Did you hear me? What do you think?" I heard Peter ask. "I'm sorry. My mind was somewhere else. What did you say?" I replied. "I said it's getting late and then suggested we get out of here and finish reviewing everything over dinner." he said. "Oh. Peter, I appreciate the offer but I'm exhausted. I really just want to head home." I said, stepping down from the witness stand. "I'll see you on Monday. Day one. I'll be here bright and early. Oh, and I don't know if you are aware but Liv is coming for a couple of days to offer her support. Plus, you'll have most of the Intelligence Unit here as well, since they have to either testify or just want to offer their support." I told him, slipping into a black leather jacket.
"Ready to go, Mackayla?" James asked as I walked out of the courtroom doors. "Yeah. Hey, I think I would like to swing by Molly's tonight instead of heading straight home." I said to my two friends and bodyguards. "Whatever you want is good with us. We may have to take the long way tho...the paps got word that you are back in Chicago for the trial. You know they'll be all over you." Chris told me. "Whatever. I'm used to it at this point. I just want to have a couple of beers, catch up with whoever is there and grab a burger or a pizza. You guys must be starving, unless you ate while I went through everything with Stone for the millionth time." I replied as I slid into the back seat of the SUV.
Minutes later we were pulling up to the corner bar in the Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago. The great thing about Molly's is that it was only about a fifteen minute drive from my condo in Lincoln Park. The condo that I was going to be putting on the market in a few days. I had found a house for sale shortly before I left for London that I purchased and had renovated. I had received word when I returned from London that it was ready for me to move in. The property consisted of three buildings. The main house was a four story, five bedroom house. The second home, with two bedrooms, was an oversized carriage house, and would be for Chris and James. The third building had been converted into office space for my production company. It was still in Lincoln Park, but it would be a house and not a condo.
"Well look who just couldn't stay away!? Always knew you weren't gone for good and would be back to Chicago. Just couldn't stay away from us could you!?" Hermann said, engulfing me in a hug as I walked through the door. "Hey Hermann. It's good to see you." I replied, scanning the room. "21 isn't here yet. They'll be by a little later I'm sure. However, I know that group over there will be happy to see you. I'll send your beer over." he said, nudging me in the direction of Casey, Severide, Sylvie, Otis and Cruz.
"You're back! Are you here for good?" Sylvie asked as she got up to give me a hug. Severide got up from his barstool so I could sit. "No, I'm good standing. I've been sitting on a witness stand for the past four days. I don't want to sit anytime soon." I replied, as I shifted my position so my back was to the wall and I was facing out at the room. Some things don't change I thought to myself as I sipped the Sam Adams Octoberfest Hermann delivered to the table for me.
"Where's everyone else? Where's Gabby, Stella and everyone from Med?" I asked. I noticed a few glances around the table. "Gabby's out of town. Stella had a date and the group from Med and 21 should be here shortly." Otis said. I knew there was a story about Gabby, when I noticed the look on Matt's face, but figured I would find out from either Sylvie or Kim later.
The subject then changed to my time in London and the upcoming trial. "It's not something I can really talk about yet. Not until it's over. Peter Stone would probably have heart failure if he knew I was out having fun and not sequestered in a safe-house like he wanted." I told them.
JAY'S P.O.V.
It had been a long week. Actually, it had been a long two weeks since Mackayla walked out of my London hotel room after I proposed to her. I hadn't been planning on doing it there. I didn't even have the ring with me. I half-assed the thing because I was so nervous. I completely fucked it up and really couldn't blame her for walking out. I might have even told her that it was time to shit or get off the pot.
"Man, you need to just get drunk tonight. It's guy's night. Forget about your problems. You can deal with it on Monday when you see her at the trial. Let's just get shitty at Molly's and Antonio will make sure you Uber it home." Atwater told me as we walked out of the District.
"Why the fuck do I have to be the responsible one?" Antonio asked. "Because you're a dad. Dads are supposed to be responsible." Ruzek replied. "That's the stupidest thing I have ever heard. I don't even have my kids this weekend. They're at my ex's place. I plan on getting a little drunk myself and letting Sylvie have her way with me." Antonio told us.
"See you guys there." I said as I walked over to my truck. I really wasn't in the mood to go out. Maybe I should just go for one drink and then head home and hibernate for the weekend. I knew Mackayla was back in town but she hadn't reached out...not that I blame her for that either. Fuck, I thought as I made the short drive to Molly's.
I walked into the bar and automatically knew something was different. I looked over at the back corner where the tables were normally occupied by 51 and that's when I saw her. Mackayla was back at Molly's. She hadn't noticed me yet. I walked over to the bar and Hermann placed a shot of whiskey and a beer in front of me. "Figured you could use the shot. She looks tired, Halstead, and from what I've heard, Stone has been working her pretty hard for the past four days in order to get ready for next week." he said. I didn't respond. I downed the shot and watched her from the end of the bar while I sipped on my beer.
Adam walked in a few minutes later, followed by Atwater and Antonio. Dawson headed straight for Sylvie but stopped halfway there when he noticed Mackayla. He turned and walked back to me. "Guy's night. I'll hook up with Brett later." he said. "No man. Do your thing. I'm okay." I told him. He looked like he didn't believe me but instead of arguing he grabbed a beer and walked over to 51's table. I watched Mackayla smile at him as he greeted her and continued to watch as her eyes scanned the bar before landing on me.
MACKAYLA'S P.O.V.
I saw him the second he entered the bar. I didn't want him to notice me so I quickly averted my eyes before his met mine. After saying hi to Antonio I knew that I couldn't avoid Jay for much longer.
"I'll catch up with you guys later. It's been a long few days. I'm going to take off." I said to the table. "Don't avoid him. You both deserve to be happy and I know you make each other happy." Sylvie said as she hugged me goodbye.
I walked to the end of the bar where Jay stood with Adam and Kevin. "Hey." I said as I approached them. I gave Adam and Kevin a quick hug. "Kim's going to be disappointed that she missed you tonight. If she knew you were going to be here I'm sure she would have come with us." Adam said. "She didn't want to ruin your guys night. She and I are having lunch tomorrow to catch up on all things wedding-related. But I don't want to ruin your guys night either so I'm going to get going. Um, Jay, would you mind walking me outside for a second?" I said.
Jay placed his beer on the bar and lead the way outside. James and Chris were waiting outside the SUV halfway down the block ready to drive me back to the condo. "I'm sorry about London." I started. "Mackayla, you don't have anything to apologize before. I was an idiot." he replied. "Look, I meant what I said. I don't want to intrude on your guys night but if you don't have plans for tomorrow night I was hoping you could meet me somewhere. There's something I want to show you." I said to him. "Of course. Just let me know where and when. I'll be there." he responded, taking a step closer to me. Before more could be said two photographers rounded the corner.
"And there they are." I said backing up. "I'll text you the details. Good night Jay." I said, quickly turning and heading towards where Chris and James waited.
JAY'S P.O.V.
"Well that didn't seem to go horribly wrong from what we could see." Atwater and Ruzek said when I walked back into Molly's. "She wants to get together tomorrow night." I told them. "See, good things are to come. We all know you are meant to be together. She's just gone through a lot." Kevin told me. "Thanks. I'm going to take off. I haven't slept much and need to get some stuff done at home. I'll talk to you guys later." I said, making a quick exit. I didn't want to hear shit from them about bailing on guys night.
Shortly after getting home my phone dinged. It was a Google alert. I received a notification each time a story was posted about Mackayla on any website. And there it was. The picture of the two of us outside of Molly's with the caption "Is Mackayla Back With Chicago's Finest!?" There was a five sentence article describing how we had been spotted together and it wasn't clear if we were getting back together or breaking up again.
I shook my head and walked into my small galley kitchen to grab a beer. I heard my phone ding again. Jesus, not another one I thought to myself. I walked back into the living room and picked up my phone. It was a text from Mackayla.
Tomorrow...7:30pm...2330 N Cambridge Ave...come hungry - MK
What the heck was 2330 North Cambridge Ave? I suppose I could google it and find out but she obviously had something in mind so I decided to let it be. I got up and walked into my bedroom. I opened the safe in my closet. I pulled out the box with the ring. I opened the box and looked at the shiny ring. With any luck this ring will be on her finger tomorrow night, I thought to myself before putting it back in the safe.
MACKAYLA'S P.O.V.
"Yes, Uncle Hank. I'll be there tomorrow for family dinner. I promise." I told my Uncle. I called him after lunch with Kim when I was on my way to the new house. I had a couple of hours before Jay arrived to get everything set.
"Any news for me Mac? What have you been up to since you got home?" he asked. Shit...how did he already know? "I'm guessing you know about the house." I replied. "You bought it three months ago before you left for London! Of course I know about it! But that's not what I was referring to. I saw the picture of you and Halstead outside of Molly's." he said. "We were talking. That's it. You know those tabloids always make things into something they aren't." I reminded him. "So, there's nothing going on between you and Jay?" he asked.
I didn't know how to respond so I paused to think of a careful way to explain the situation. I couldn't come up with one. "Ask me again tomorrow at dinner." I replied before saying goodbye and ending the call.
James, Chris and I walked into the house. "This place is unbelievable. The interior designers did a great job while we were in London. Seems that they followed everything to your specifications." James said. I couldn't help but agree as I walked through the first floor of the house. "You two are off duty tonight. No one knows about this house so I'm not worried. I have the alarm code and will make sure it's set before I go to bed tonight. Why don't you guys either go out or just go relax in your new home? I need to get things set before Jay gets here." I said, opening the door so they would understand it was time for them to go.
It was still relatively warm out for an early fall evening in Chicago but I decided to light a fire in both the outdoor fireplace and the living room fireplace. I had Karli, my assistant, help me line the private patio with lots of candles. There were so many candles lit that I was sure the crew from 51 would kick my ass if they ever saw it. The lights inside were turned down low and there would be a private Chef arriving shortly to prepare dinner for Jay and I.
I walked down to the wine cellar that held 875 bottles (maybe one day I would have it completely filled but that wouldn't be happening anytime soon) and selected a bottle of Cakebread Cabernet. I also made sure the wine fridge in the kitchen had a bottle of Dom Perignon chilling. Hopefully we would have something to celebrate. That is if he could forgive me for being such an asshole in London and running out on him.
Right at 7:30pm the doorbell rang. I took one last look in the mirror. I had on a black wide leg jumpsuit with rhinestone cuffs at the wrists. The top of the jumpsuit wrapped around my waist and tied at my left hip. I had a pair of sparkly silver Louboutin pumps on my feet. My diamond chandelier earrings were the only jewelry I wore. My makeup was subtle and natural looking.
"Hi." I said when I opened the door. He looked wonderful. He was in all black. Black pants...black button-down shirt...black suit jacket. He held a bouquet of red roses in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other hand. "Hi. I wasn't sure what the deal was with this place when you sent the address. I didn't look until today. I wasn't going to look at all but needed to figure out how to dress and what to bring. I was surprised to find out that it was a house. You look beautiful, by the way." he said as he walked into the foyer.
He kissed me softly before handing me the roses and the wine. "The flowers are beautiful. Thank you, Jay. I opened a bottle of wine a few minutes ago. It's breathing in the kitchen. Let me put the flowers in water and pour us each a glass. I thought we could go out to the patio before dinner. We have an hour or so before dinner. Why don't you have a seat?" I suggested leaving him in the living room and heading into the kitchen. I watched him from the kitchen as I arranged the roses in a vase. I loved the open concept layout of the new house. I had the perfect view into the living room and dining area from the kitchen.
"Here." I said, minutes later, holding a glass out to him. "Let's go outside." I said, leading him out to the patio. I stopped when we crossed the threshold of the patio and watched him take it all in. The candles...the fireplace...the tv above the outdoor fireplace that was playing music.
"What is all this? Whose house is this?" he asked. I didn't say a word. I took a sip of my wine, put my glass down on the table and prepared for the most important monologue of my life.
"Jay, we have only known each other for about 9 ½ months now. But there was something about you from the first time I saw you. You infuriated me. You thought I was spoiled and entitled. But there was something else about you. Yes, at first it was definitely a physical attraction but then I got to know you. I got to know the person you are. You are selfless, brave, sweet, thoughtful, caring and extremely loving. I wouldn't have been able to get through everything without you. You make me stronger. You make me want to be a better person. I wasn't a good person after Florida and I definitely wasn't a good person in London. I love you so Goddamn much Jay but I was scared. I still am scared. I'm afraid I'm going to hurt you. I'm afraid one day you'll wake up and decide that my life is too damn crazy for you to be part of. I don't want that to happen but I don't want you to regret giving up your privacy by being with me. You asked whose house this is. It's my house and if you're willing to still have me...if you're willing to still be with me...it's your house as well. It's our home, Jay. That is if you want it." I said.
JAY'S P.O.V.
Holy shit. She's asking me to move in with her. This is it. This is the perfect time. She doesn't even realize she set the scene. It is absolutely perfect I thought as I reached into my pocket. Her blue eyes stared up at me...waiting for my answer.
"Mackayla, I'll give you an answer when you give me one." I said, as I dropped to my knee. "I blew this the last time so let me please get thru it this time before you say anything. You, Mackayla Kennedy, have been the love of my life from the moment I saw you. I tried to push you away but I couldn't let you go. I couldn't imagine my life without you in it. I couldn't imagine loving anyone the way I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life proving how much I love you and reminding you on a daily basis how truly amazing Mackayla, the normal girl, is. This ring was your Mother's. Hank gave it to me when I asked him for his blessing three and a half months ago. Mackayla Theresa Kennedy, will you please do me the honor of marrying me and becoming my wife?" I asked holding the ring box up to her.
I saw the tears in her eyes as she covered her mouth with one hand. She was surprised. I can't believe she wasn't expecting this but I think she was too focused on convincing me to move in with her. God, please let her say yes this time I silently prayed.
"Yes, oh my God! Jay, yes I will absolutely marry you. I love you." she said crying and laughing as I slipped the ring on her finger. She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me down for a kiss. It was the perfect kiss. Everything at that moment was absolutely perfect. "I love you Mackayla. Welcome home." I said, gently wiping a tear from her face with my thumb. "Welcome home, Jay." she replied softly, smiling at me.