A/N: Thank you all for your kind words after last chapter! I'm so glad you've been liking the story. This is actually the last chapter so I hope you enjoy! :) It takes place in the future and I know a lot of people have been asking for this one. (also…most of my stories all connect, but this one single chapter is not in the same world as my story "We Can," but otherwise you can connect it to the rest :) )
Hailey ignored the pain in her stomach as she tried to make dinner. It was coming harder than she was used to, but still about twelve minutes apart. Jay was going to be home any minute and she wanted to have a nice dinner on the table.
She groaned and leaned against the counter, praying it would end. She set her hand on the side of her stomach and felt the baby kick against her.
"It's okay," she whispered, "You're okay."
"Hey, Baby Mama," Jay called as he walked through the front door.
Hailey took a deep breath and relaxed as the pain subsided. She straightened up, "In here."
Jay set his keys on the side table and walked into the kitchen, "Hey you." She wrapped his arms around her from the back and kissed her cheek, "How're we doing?"
"Good," Hailey said softly and leaned back into him.
"Good," Jay smiled and softly rubbed her stomach, "How's my baby?"
The baby kicked hard again and Hailey groaned quietly, her hand clenching into a fist.
Jay raised his eyebrows and turned her, "Are you really okay?"
Hailey chewed her lip and slowly shook her head.
"What's going on?" Jay led her to the kitchen table.
"I think the contractions started," Hailey said and lowered herself into a chair.
Jay's mouth gaped, "A-Are you serious?"
Hailey nodded, "They started about an hour ago. They're about twelve minutes apart right now. I just had some before you walked in."
"Okay," Jay whispered and stepped back. He ran a hand through his hair, "Okay. Um, let's go have a baby. I…I'll go get the bag and then we'll go to Med."
"Jay," Hailey reached out and took his hand, "Honey, you need to breathe."
"You-You're about to shove a baby out of you," Jay said, "How can you breathe?"
Hailey laughed softly, "I don't know. I'm just kind of ready to not be pregnant anymore. I want to meet this little bean."
Jay swallowed and nodded, "All right."
"Go get the bag," Hailey squeezed his hand, "I'll wait here."
Jay weakly laughed, "Okay," he kissed her head and hurried upstairs. He walked out of their room carrying the duffel bag, but instead of going back downstairs, he walked straight to the nursery.
The bag slipped from his hand and he stood in the middle of the room. He and Will had spent a whole Saturday painting green and white stripes around the bottom half of the room. He swore he was going dizzy from doing it, but Hailey kept insisting that it'd be cute in the end and he had to admit, it did look nice. There was a pile of stuffed bears in the corner of the room, and Jay slowly walked toward them. He picked one up and smiled slightly.
"Hey," Hailey huffed and leaned against the door, "What're you doing?"
Jay turned and looked at her, "Sorry, I got distracted."
"Clearly," Hailey smiled and walked over. She took the bear from his hands and laughed at the police uniform it had on, "This one's from Will, right?"
"No, that was this one," Jay picked up the one dressed like a doctor.
"Of course," Hailey laughed.
"That one's from Kim," Jay chuckled, "She said something like that it represented all her years of hard work."
Hailey shook her head and smiled, "That's fair."
"Should we go?" Jay took the bear from her and put them back.
"Yes," Hailey said and took his hand, "Let's have a baby."
"Do I look cute?" Hailey asked and posed in her hospital gown.
Jay laughed and nodded, "The cutest."
Hailey smiled and sat on the hospital bed, "I'm ready for that epidural already."
Jay's head snapped to look at her from the monitor, "What?"
"I want an epidural, I'm over this pain," Hailey scooted back against the pillows.
"Uh, I thought we were going to go all natural," Jay said and sat next to her.
Hailey laughed, "I never said that! And what is this 'we?' The baby is coming out of my body, not yours."
"I don't think I can be here during that," Jay shook his head.
"You don't have to watch it go in me," Hailey said, "But you will be here."
Jay's mouth went dry, "Hailey."
"I'm serious, Jay, you are not leaving this room," Hailey's eyes started tearing up, "I'm having a baby, I need my husband."
"Okay, okay," Jay breathed and hugged her tightly, "I'm sorry, I'll stay."
A nurse walked in, "All ready? I can start your IV now."
Hailey nodded and pulled away from Jay, wiping her eyes, "All ready."
Jay helped her get comfortable with the pillows, "I'm staying right here."
She smiled a little, "Thank you."
The nurse took Hailey's hand, "This is your first baby, right?"
Hailey nodded, "Yeah," she closed her eyes and rested her head back.
"I'll be quick," the nurse said, "Do you not like needles?"
"I don't mind, but my husband hates them," Hailey squeezed Jay's hand.
The nurse laughed softly, "Well, don't look, Dad."
Jay blushed and looked at Hailey's face, "I'll be fine. It's the epidural that'll freak me out."
Hailey hissed as the needle went in her hand and shook her head slightly.
"I'll make sure to mention that you'd like one," the nurse finished putting the IV and squeezed Hailey's shoulder, "All good for now?"
"I think so," Hailey chewed her lip and looked at her hand.
"Great," the nurse started the IV before leaving the room.
Jay groaned and stepped away from the bed. He wiped his forehead and sat on the couch, putting his head in his hands.
"You need to pull it together," Hailey said, "I need you."
"I know, I know," Jay sighed, "This is all just a lot."
"It's not even happening to you," Hailey rolled her eyes.
"I'm sorry," Jay stood and rubbed his face, "Let's do this. Let's have a baby. That's our motto. It's baby time."
Hailey laughed, "Yes. I am ready."
"I need it, I need the drugs," Hailey whined into Jay's neck.
"I know," he whispered and rubbed her back, "She's coming."
Hailey dug her nails into Jay's arms, "Oh my god. Make it stop."
He kissed the top of her head, "Deep breaths. You can do this. We are so close."
"No, no, it's not," Hailey started crying, "It's not close."
Jay ran his fingers through her hair, "Don't give up, babe. By the time the sun rises, you'll be holding a baby and all this will be worth it."
The nurse walked in with the anesthesiologist, "All right, Hailey, are you ready for your epidural."
"Please," Hailey sniffled and sat up.
"Okay," the anesthesiologist pulled a cart over, "I want you to face your husband. This isn't extremely quick, but I've done hundreds if not thousands of these, you're in good hands."
Hailey nodded and turned to the side of the bed with Jay's help.
"I'm right here," Jay whispered and held her hands, "Eyes on me."
Hailey tried smiling and nodding.
"Just stay still," the anesthesiologist said as he started the epidural.
"You're doing so good," Jay said, "I am so proud of you."
Hailey closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"Nice job," the nurse sat on a chair next to Jay, "You're going to feel so much better soon."
Jay couldn't help but let his eyes flicker to the anesthesiologist. He swallowed hard and squeezed Hailey's hands.
Finally, the anesthesiologist straightened up and put everything back on the cart, "Okay, you should be feeling better in at least five minutes, but your pain should be gone by half an hour. If not, please let us know."
"Thank you," Hailey breathed and wiped her face.
"I'll bring you another blanket," the nurse stood, "You should be able to take a quick nap now."
"We appreciate it," Jay said as he watched the anesthesiologist and the nurse leave. Once the door was closed, he walked over to the bathroom and leaned over the sink.
"Jay?" Hailey asked, "What're you doing?"
Jay gagged into the sink before splashing water on his face, "Oh my god."
"What's going on?" Hailey laid back in the bed.
"Don't worry about me," Jay gasped for breath, "Wow."
Hailey sighed and bit her lip. She reached for her phone and quickly sent a text to Will asking him to come up to her room.
Jay was still drinking from the bathroom sink when the nurse came in and set a blanket on the end of Hailey's bed. She raised her eyebrows at Jay and looked toward Hailey.
Hailey just shook her head.
The nurse laughed softly and walked out as Will came in.
"Hey, how's it going?" Will smiled and gently hugged Hailey.
"I just got my epidural, thank god, but Jay," Hailey nodded toward the bathroom, "He's struggling."
Will looked over and chuckled softly. He went to the bathroom and leaned against the door, "Hey."
Jay looked up and took a deep breath, "Hey. She looks good, don't you think?"
Will glanced behind his shoulder at Hailey, "Yeah, she does, but I'm guessing you had a hard time with the epidural?"
Jay groaned and leaned his shoulders onto the sink, "I looked at the end. I saw him put the needle and all his stuff away. That was in my wife."
Will smirked, "It made her feel better though, at least, it's going to kick in soon. She needs you at your best."
"I know," Jay breathed, "I…yeah."
Will reached around him and grabbed paper towel, "Wipe your face then get out there. Homestretch now."
Jay nodded and rubbed the paper towel over his face, "Thanks."
"If you get dizzy or anything, call me and I'll bring you some smelling salts," Will lightly patted Jay's arm.
"Got it," Jay walked past him back to Hailey.
Hailey smiled and waved at Will as he walked out of the room.
"I'm sorry," Jay said softly and kissed Hailey's temple.
"I get it," Hailey squeezed his hand, "I'm not mad."
"Really?" Jay raised his eyebrows.
"Yeah," Hailey rubbed his leg, "I know you have a million thoughts running through your head. This isn't easy for you."
Jay looked down at their hands, "I'm trying. I was looking stuff up online and on YouTube to prepare."
"I know," Hailey whispered, "Thank you."
Jay smiled slightly at her and kissed her forehead, "We should be good now, don't you think?"
"I think I'll be much more comfortable now," Hailey said.
"Definitely," Jay grabbed the blanket, "Want to try and sleep?"
"Yes," Hailey nodded, "Will you hold me?"
"I wouldn't dream of doing anything else," Jay smiled.
"Just a few more seconds," the nurse said, "Five, four, three, two, one."
Hailey gasped and tilted her head back, "Oh my god."
"You're doing amazing," Jay wiped her face and squeezed her hand, "I'm so proud of you."
"One minute to rest; okay, Hailey?" the nurse asked.
Hailey nodded and tried catching her breath, "So hard."
"And you are killing it," Jay kissed the side of her head.
"The head is right here," the doctor said with a smile, "I think your next push is the one. Mr. Halstead, do you want to see?"
Jay bit his lip and looked at Hailey.
"Go," she breathed, "Watch the baby be born."
Jay squeezed her hand and walked to the doctor. His eyes glanced toward Hailey and he instantly started sweating, "Yeah…no," he swayed and reached forward, grabbing Hailey's foot.
"Jay Halstead, you do not pass out on me now," Hailey snapped and sat up slightly.
The nurse set a hand on Jay's back, "Let's go sit."
"No, no," Jay shook his head and took a deep breath.
The doctor passed the nurse a small bag of smelling salts, "Use this."
"I need to push," Hailey breathed.
The nurse held the smelling salt under Jay's nose and he blinked quickly.
"Get over here," Hailey held her hand out.
Jay hurried over and gripped her hand, "Last one."
"You're such an idiot," Hailey whispered.
"I know," Jay kissed her head and helped her sit up, "Come on."
"Ready, Hailey?" the nurse asked.
Hailey groaned and started pushing again, she screamed and gasped in pain.
"You've got this," the nurse smiled at her, "I see the chest!"
"That's my girl," Jay said, "You're so close!"
Hailey grunted and fell back against the bed just as the doctor held up the baby, "It's a girl," he smiled.
Hailey started crying, "A girl."
Jay kissed the top of her head over and over, "We have a girl."
"Go be with her," Hailey weakly pushed his chest, "Go see her."
"Okay," Jay kissed her nose, "I'm proud of you." He quickly followed the nurses to watch them clean the baby up.
Will poked his head in the hospital room, "Hey there, are you guys up for more visitors?"
Jay glanced up from the baby and smiled, "Yeah." He quickly looked back down at the baby girl wrapped in a pink blanket in Hailey's arms.
Will walked in the room and held the door open for the entire Intelligence unit plus Trudy and Hank to come in.
"Oh my goodness," Kim breathed and rushed over, "Hailey."
Hailey smiled and wiped her eyes, "She's here."
"Congratulations, brother," Adam said softly and hugged Jay.
"Thank you," Jay smiled and reached over to shake Kevin's hand.
"Does she have a name?" Vanessa lightly sat on the edge of Hailey's bed.
Hailey smiled at Jay and nodded, "We think so."
"You gonna leave us in suspense or do we get to hear it?" Kevin set a bouquet of flowers on the nightstand.
"It's not something sentimental like your undercover names, right?" Trudy rolled her eyes.
"They're naming her after me, obviously," Kim laughed.
"Hey, what about me?" Vanessa asked.
"Do you want to hear it or not?" Jay chuckled.
"Tell us," Hank looked over Kim's shoulder at the baby, "Then I want to hold her."
"Everyone," Jay gently took the baby from Hailey's arms, "Please meet our daughter…Elizabeth Mae Halstead."
A/N: Thank you to everyone who read this story! I really hope you liked it! I enjoyed writing all these one-shots surrounded by a similar theme, so maybe I'll do a similar short story like this :) Let me know what you think!