****

Erin awoke to Jay's chest rising and down. She remembered the previous night and couldn't help but let the smile invade her features.

"Morning..." Jay breathed, he had been watching Erin sleep for a while now but she looked so comfy, her head rested on his chest he didn't want to have to wake her up.

"How long have you been up?" Erin asked as she snuggled closer into Jay's bare chest.

Jay turned his head back to his dresser where his alarm clock lay and noticed the time. 6:08am.

"Only a few minutes." Erin could feel Jay's bare chest rise beneath her head as he spoke softly. "We should get up, though. Sophie's gonna be here any minute now."

Sophia would no doubt jump from her room any time soon demanding to be fed and true to his predictions a stampede of little feet could be heard from down the corridor and it only took a matter of seconds for his bedroom door to be hauled open and a small weight to jump onto the bed.

Jay laughed as Erin scrambled to the top of the bed, pulling the duvet cover with her as if to shield her body for a moment. Jay was used to being woken up by his hyper 5-year-old jumping on his chest, it had become a daily routine by this time.

The jumping 5-year-old suddenly stopped and stared wide eyed at the woman in her father's bed. Her inquisitive self began to ask questions immediately. "Daddy? Why's pretty lady Erin sleepy with you?" She asked slightly confused.

Jay and Erin shared a look with each other, neither were exactly sure how to answer Sophia's question.

Jay sat up slowly and began to think of a way to answer his angel but Erin beat him to it.

"How about we get you some breakfast muffin?" Erin smiled as she used the nickname Sophia seemed to love.

Sophia began to bounce on Jay's chest again mindful of her still casted arm but suddenly she stopped for the second time. Jay had noticed the action and muttered "Oh boy," in hushed tones, he knew his daughter wasn't finished.

Sophie pointed to her daddy with her unbroken wrist and tried her best to narrow her eyes but her attempt was unsuccessful and just seemed to widen. Both the adults tried to keep their expression neutral and keep any trace of laughter away as Sophia had a VERY serious expression on her face. "You told me I not allowed to sleepy in bed with peoples until I am-" Sophia stopped for a second as she tried to use her fingers to work something out. Finally smiling as she held 7 fingers up she continued, "three and five."

Erin had to use her hand to hide her smirk but a giggle seemed to seep through somewhere.

"More like forty-five angel" Jay declared pointedly his eyes focusing on his daughter. He knew not to fall in this trap but his angel was far too cute.

Sophia's sassy attitude seemed to have returned as she crossed her arms uncomfortably and shook her head exasperatedly at her daddy as if he had committed the worst possible crime. "But you're sleepy with Erin." Sophia whispered hoping Erin had not heard but despite her efforts the 5-year-old's attempt of a whisper had been more of a hushed shout. "Naughty daddy...you gonna be on the naughty step now daddy."

"Uh-um-" Jay stammered slightly as he couldn't bring the words to respond to his kid.

Jay looked to Erin who had now snuggled back in the duvet. "Naughty step?" She mouthed with a wicked grin.

The naughty step was a form of time out which Jay had used to assert authority when Sophia went through her terrible two's it worked for all of 10 minutes when Sophia had realised that she wasn't stuck to the chair and jumping from it was possible. That was when Jay realised his daughter was far too clever for her own good and would get very far with the little attitude of hers.

Jay rolled his eyes at Erin before turning back to his daughter who had a very thoughtful expression on her face. Jay narrowed his eyes for a second as he tried to figure out what his daughter was doing. "Why've you got your thinking hat on?" Jay asked.

Sophia's head didn't move from where she looked at her hands instead her gaze was pointed in Jay's direction. "Numbers. Duh daddy" She said as if it had been completely obvious.

"Counting" Jay mouthed to Erin who had clearly been trying to decipher Sophia's language. Turning back to his daughter Jay nodded. "And what are you trying to work out?"

Sophia looked up to her daddy, "How many ages are you daddy? I'm five." Sophia declared as she held up five fingers to emphasise her point, looking back down to her hands her eye brows creased in confusion. Her big blue eyes focused on her daddy again. "And if you sleep with pretty lady Erin you are..."

"And I am?" Jay pressed, he could feel Erin chuckle from behind the young father.

"Oldie" Sophia said seriously but soon enough she began to giggle.

Jay groaned. "Alright, come here you" Jay pulled his daughter closer again careful of her casted arm, and began tickling her which made the young girl shriek with happiness. "That's what daddy is, is he?"

Erin watched as the father and daughter interacted, and her heart warmed at the beautiful sighed which made her long for the day where she could be a part of a bond like this.

"Daaadddy!" Sophia tried to catch her breath between her giggles as she begged Erin to help. "Pretty lady Erin! Help me! Daddy's ticklishing me"

Erin chuckled, "No can do muffin, your daddy's got you well and truly trapped there."

"Sneaky Erin." Sophia complained as she continued to try and catch her breath "Daddy stop."

Jay stopped tickling his daughter who quickly jumped to the foot of his bed where she waited for her father.

"We should get up. She's not going to go away anytime soon." Jay murmured the last remains of sleep slowly leaving his eyes as he watched his daughter who still seemed to be contemplating the idea of him and Erin in a bed together.

"Daddy?" Sophia demanded from the foot of the bed. "Why-"

"Stop with the questions." Jay tried to coax. "I'll give you some ice cream."

Sophia thought about that idea for a few moments. "Yes, yes!" Sophia cried out happily, once again bouncing up and down.

"Okay. I'm going to get dressed. How about you take Erin and go-" Jay tried to think of something for the pair to do whilst he showered.

"Why don't you take me to go and find some of your toys?" Erin suggested. Quickly rising from the bed she offered her hand to Sophia who accepted it just as fast.

"-and show her where the breakfast is?" Peering his head from the bathroom door Jay reminded his daughter

"Okay, Officer Daddy!" Sophia nodded, waiting patiently as she waited for Erin.

"Come on muffin. Let's go get some coffee ready for daddy."

Sophia clung to Erin's hand as she let herself be guided towards the living area. After showing Erin where the coffee grounds were kept and giving her a very thorough explanation on why coffee 'stops you grow' – a lecture Jay had given his daughter on several occasions – Sophie lead Erin to her toys.

Jay was used to showering quick, he was used to it from his career as a military man and from his past 5 years as a definite early riser and responsible father to his daughter. He was using a towel to dry his hair when he returned to the living space where he caught sight of his daughter playing with Erin. It was a beautiful sight and Jay couldn't help but imagine the woman as a mother herself.

"Are you gonna come and get some breakfast angel?" Jay asked making the pair jump.

Sophia nodded quickly and jumped from the floor and headed towards her seat at the table. Sophia watched as her father started making the pancakes and she started bouncing in her place.

"You like pancakes muffin?" Erin asked sitting down at the table beside Sophie. The little Halstead nodded enthusiastically which made Erin smile brightly. "Well you better hope your daddy made enough for us because I'm super-duper hungry and pancakes are my favourites too!"

"Daddy!" Sophia called from her seat. "Pretty lady Erin want pancakes too"

"I heard angel"

Jay had finished making the pancakes and placed the plates in front of the pair before getting his own.

"Are you ready for school today angel?" Jay smiled, as he took a seat at the table, his coffee mug and a fresh one for Erin in hand.

Sophia's arm was healing well and he was sure that his daughter was going to be rid of her cast within the next few days. He had decided to keep Sophia off from school especially after she began to suffer from the post-concussion symptoms but he was certain his daughter would be excited to return to school. After all she loved it there. But neither he nor Erin missed the 5-year-old's body tense at the words.

"Sophie?" Jay pressed gently. His daughter's head lowered, he used his finger to lift her chin up. "What's wrong, Angel?"

Sophia's body stiffened and the two adults shared a concerned look. Erin decided she would give it ago. "Muffin? Why don't you want to go to school?"

Sophia's head bounced up and her blue puppy dog eyes widened as if Erin had some sort of sixth sense.

"Sophie." Jay warned. His daughter was so much like him sometimes he worried. Jay was someone to keep his feelings to himself so that naturally meant his daughter was the same. "What happened at school, baby?"

Sophie shifted in her seat uncomfortably and her usual sassy persona now vanished. "The boy kicked me, Daddy."

Jay almost shot up from the table but Erin's hand that stretched over the table almost as if to tell him to stop made him sit still in his seat.

"When did this happen, Sophia?" Erin asked gently.

"The day I went in the amblimans and Dr. Roadie said I was brave like you, Daddy." Sophia admitted shyly. "The boy said you did nasty things daddy. Did you take away his daddy?" Sophia sniffed.

Jay didn't know what to do. The emotions of anger and worry surged through his body. Some kid had hurt his baby girl and it was all because of his job. He couldn't keep up this façade, he couldn't let his daughter continue to believe he was a superhero if it was hurting her.

Sensing Jay's need to warn Sophia about the dangers of his job she quickly stepped in. "Hey muffin, look at me." Erin ordered softly. "Your daddy, he does a really important job. He protects this city and yeah some people don't understand that but you know deep down in that tiny little heart of yours that your daddy is a superhero. Okay? Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Sophia sent her father and Erin a toothy grin jumping from her chair and giving her daddy a hug. Jay cradled his daughter to his chest and let her snuggle into the crook of his neck, he took a moment to remember her sent before he looked up. Erin was watching with a delightful smile on her face.

"Thank you." Jay mouthed to Erin.

****

Sophia sat in the centre of the lounge, playing contentedly with her toys, while Jay headed into the kitchen to begin making lunch. Erin smiled as she watched Sophia enjoy her time with her toys.

If there was one thing Erin knew for sure, it was that she already loved the little girl in front of her, and would do anything in her power to protect her. Erin saw the attachment Sophia had with her father, and if the custody case went in Amanda's favor, Sophia would be heartbroken. All she had known growing up was her father, and the love and protection he gave her. And Erin vowed that Sophia would remain exactly here, with Jay, with Erin, with those who actually loved her.

"Pretty Lady Erin?" Sophia suddenly questioned from her place in the center of the living area.

It took a few moments for Erin to back away from her thoughts. "What's up kiddo?" She hummed. She slid from the sofa and knelt beside the little girl, her curls covering her face as she did. Using her hand Erin tucked her hair behind her ear before she rested her arms on her knees.

"Can you make sure Daddy doesn't toast my chicken again?" Sophia whispered.

Erin was slowly getting used to Sophia's own personal language, she assumed the little Halstead had meant burn but she was happy to go with whatever Sophia said, it would probably make her life a lot easier. "How about I go supervise Daddy? Make sure he doesn't 'toast' your chicken." She chuckled.

Sophia giggled. It was almost as if she believed that she had got one up on her father. "Thank you pretty lady Erin."

Just as Erin was about to get off the floor, her phone rang. As she stood up, she pulled out her phone from her back pocket and checked the caller ID. Kim Burgess was calling. Erin answered. "Hey, Kim."

"Hey, Erin," Kim replied. "Where are you? Voight's asking. We caught a case."

"Oh shoot, yeah okay, I'll be there in 30 minutes," Erin assured her friend hastily before hanging up. She made her way into the kitchen where she found Jay cooking Chinese Chicken for lunch. Erin walked up behind Jay and placed a hand on his back gently.

"I've been sent to make sure you don't 'toast' the muffin's chicken." Erin smiled. It was a genuine smile, she understood now why Jay always had a smile on his face.

"Ahh...she means-" Jay had began to tell Erin what Sophia meant but Erin cut him off just as quick.

"Burnt. Yeah I got it." Erin stated as she moved so she was stood beside Jay. "I catch on quick."

"She's one of a kind." Jay commented.

"Jay, I was thinking," Erin started off slowly. "Well, I was thinking, you should tell the rest of the unit about Sophie, they need to know."

"Erin, we talked about this already," Jay sighed. "You know I can't do that."

"Why? What's stopping you?"

Jay lowered the flame on the stove and turned to Erin, one hand on her cheek. He ran his thumb over her smooth cheek lovingly, and she pressed her cheek to his palm, enjoying the warmth that radiated from his body. "I can't risk it. I need to keep Sophie away from my job. The only way I know how is to keep her a secret, and that means, the unit CAN'T know, Erin. They can't know I have a daughter. Just please, I'm begging you, drop the subject."

"There's more to it, Jay," Erin piped up. "I know you. There's something you're hiding from me. What is it?" When Jay still didn't say anything, Erin moved closer to him, pressing her body to his and kissing him on the jaw. "Hey, you can talk to me, Jay. I'm your partner."

When she said 'partner', Jay sensed she meant in more ways than just one, and that brought a smile to his face. He leaned forward and kissed Erin, slowly, softly, but ever so passionately. Her soft lips felt like heaven, and he pulled her closer to him, if that was even possible. Erin's hands pressed against his chest, her palms pressed flatly against the rock-hard surface of his chest.

They pulled apart, and Erin sported the biggest smile on her face. "What was that for?"

"Just cause I wanted to kiss you," Jay gave her his signature smirk, and she turned a bright shade of red.

"Well, I need to head off to work." Erin pushed away from Jay, but her hands rested on his chest. "Make sure you keep a good eye on Sophie."

Jay rolled his eyes. "Trust me, I know how to look after my daughter, Erin."

Erin shrugged, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Oh do you?"

"Well, I've only been doing it for...oh, I don't know...five years now," Jay replied sarcastically.

Erin laughed. "Well, I'll see you guys tonight." With that, Erin kissed him again, before leaving the kitchen to head to work.

****

"Daddy!"

The sound came from Sophia's room. Jay, who was sitting in the lounge, watching the Cubs match, immediately stood up upon hearing his daughter's voice calling him. For as long as he could remember, Jay was on the alert, when it came to Sophia. Whether it was when she was sleeping, or eating, or even sleeping, Jay would make sure he was accessible in case she needed him, as was the case at the moment.

Jay entered Sophia's room, finding her curled up in a ball, holding onto Officer Bear. She was rocking back and forth, her eyes squeezed tightly shut, her face scrunched up in fear.

"Daddy!" Sophia screamed again, her body shaking violently.

Jay reacted instinctively, knowing at once that Sophia was having another nightmare yet again. This had begun ever since the kidnap attempt on her and had only gotten progressively worse since Sophia had heard and seen the way Amanda had acted towards Jay. Jay sat on the edge of Sophia's bed, and it dipped inwards. He gently took her in his arms, and her body stiffened slightly, before relaxing and her eyes fluttered open sleepily.

"D-Da-Daddy?" she stammered, her eyes darting around the dark room.

"Hey, baby." Jay helped her move into a sitting position on his lap, and he stroked her soft, silky hair, leaving a kiss on her forehead. "Daddy's got you."

Sophia snuggled into her father's body, burying her face into his chest, and taking deep breaths like he had always taught her whenever she was panicking or frightened.

"Daddy?" Sophia mumbled, tiredly. "Will you stay with me?"

"Of course I will, Angel." Jay hugged her reassuringly, resting his chin on top of her head. "I'm not going anywhere."

"But in my dream, you did go," Sophia revealed, sniffing sadly. "Mommy made you go."

Jay could feel Sophia tighten her grip on his t-shirt and he rubbed her back to let

him know he was here. "I told you, Sophie, Mommy can't take you away from me. Okay?"

"But she shooted you, Daddy."

This worried Jay more than he let on. He had known Amanda from his military days, but he never once thought her capable of any kind of evil deed, until now, that is. He heard Sophia sob, and he had no idea what to say to her, how to make her see that it was only a dream.

"Hey," Jay finally spoke quietly. "I'm right here, Princess. You just had a bad dream, okay? It wasn't real."