#ivy halstead

[ummm-okay]

when ivy doesn’t believe that love is a lie bc she sees them✨💖

[kiddbegins]

ivy and friends part whatever

last part bc I don't feel like tagging every single part anymore.

[ameliagiovanna0]

20 questions for fic writers

thank you @sisterofficerlucychen ilu 💕

How many works do you have on Ao3?

13

2. What is your total Ao3 word count?

22,129

3. What fandoms do you write for?

The Rookie and Chicago PD

4. What are your top five fics by kudos?

I Guess I'm Still Learnin' (How To Talk To Girls)

Feel Your Kiss On Me

I Kinda Might Sorta Like Love You A Little Bit

When I Taste Tequila

Forever Feels Like This

5. Do you respond to comments?

I definitely try to. I used to be a lot better about it. But I absolutely read every single one

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I don't think any of them? I don't really do angst 😅 If I had to pick, I'd say Giants simply because the ✨situation ✨wasn't resolved

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

I Guess I'm Still Learnin' (How To Talk To Girls) is hella fluffy and it just has happy vibes. The ending for You Guys Got Married is just warm and fuzzy for me because I wrote it exactly how I wanted it to happen on screen

8. Do you get hate on fics?

nope! I've never gotten any negative comments. Everyone has been so kind 🥰

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

I've tried, but I'm very bad at it lol. I've definitely written my fair share of allusions to something more spicy, but that's about it. I'd love to give it a better shot one of these days

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

no, it's not really my thing. I'm not really a huge fan of reading them either

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

I once had a scene stolen almost word for word, but not an entire fic. I hasn't thrilled about it, but I chose to take it to mean that I did well writing the scene 😂

12. Have you ever had a fic translated? 

no, but that would be pretty cool!

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Not really. @lady-rhaesnow beta read You Guys Got Married and offered some suggestions after I pestered her lol. I would love to cowrite something. I'm going to quote Ivy and say holler at me if you want to 😁

14. What’s your all time favorite ship?

Upstead was the reason I joined tumblr and started writing fics to begin with, and they'll always be my first love. Booth and Brennan were my first ever ship, so they hold a special place in my heart. However, Chenford has my whole heart at the moment ☺

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

I Guess I'm Still Learnin' (How To Talk To Girls)

I've been working on a third chapter off and on for months. I just can't figure out how to make it work the way I want it to. I just don't have the inspiration for it

16. What are your writing strengths?

Emotions, I guess? I think I'm pretty good at writing how a character feels and how their emotions affect them

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

descriptors. I suck at describing body language and movement

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

I've done a sentence or two, but that's it. I took four years of French in high school, and when someone says "it gets lost in translation," they're definitely right. I used Google Translate for those few sentences, and Google Translate sucks are nuances, so I'm afraid that I wouldn't get my point across properly. If I knew the language better, I'd be all for it

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Chicago PD, specifically Upstead ☺

20. Favorite fic you’ve written?

DON'T MAKE ME PICK BETWEEN MY BABIES I'm going to say Feel Your Kiss On Me or When I Taste Tequila. Idk I just really like them. I feel like they're really true to the characters, and I love the fluff and humor in them

Tagging @sylvies-chen @headlightsatmidnight @silverskull @fighterkimburgess @justmypartner no pressure 💕

[finalgirlkateausten]

"So, who..." "Not going to talk about that." for the Ivy au maybe? 👀

this prompt for this au is absolutely iconic ily ❣️❣️

Ava makes the mistake of heading to the ER's doctor's lounge instead of trekking back up to the CT floor, needing any moment of rest she can steal ten hours into a twelve hour shift. But when she enters the room, Will, Natalie, and April all stop talking, instantly and badly acting like they're focused on random things. Ava rolls her eyes, resisting the urge to tug her lab coat back over her abdomen. "God, you can just ask."

Natalie holds up her hands in a gesture of innocence, and Will grimaces and looks away, but April offers an awkward smile. "Congratulations...?"

"Yes," Ava confirms, the word ending in a hiss of irritation. "I'm pregnant. And I was really hoping I could avoid becoming everyone's business."

"Sorry," Will says sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.

"How are you doing?" April asks, a mixture of curiosity and compassion in her eyes. Honestly, Ava doesn't want either.

"I'm alright, just tired," she answers, her gaze drifting away. She sinks down onto the couch, hoping for a moment to close her eyes, but Natalie speaks before she can actually relax.

"So, Ava," she says, lips pursed, clearly going for nonchalance, "who..."

"I'm not going to talk about that," Ava says, a little more sharply than she means. Between the ache between her eyes and the fuss happening around her, she's at the end of a quickly-fraying rope. But her attempt to firmly end the conversation is foiled by Will.

"Nat," he says, not even doing Ava the kindness of actually addressing her, "it's gotta be Connor."

Ava drops her head into her hands-- she's too stressed and tired to argue, and besides, any protest she could make would only make him more certain.

"Wait, Ava, did you sleep with him?" There's an added weight to the couch, telling her Natalie has taken a seat next to her. She doesn't answer, fast regretting inviting this conversation at all.

"Hey," April interjects, "are we maybe crossing a line? Ava, you don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

"Thank you, April," she sighs. "I don't-- I don't mind people knowing, I just don't want to be everyone's gossip. It feels..." she shudders, picking up her head and running her hands through her hair. "...gross."

She almost regrets her wording at the look on Natalie's face, but really, she can't spare much energy for comforting the other woman, even if her intentions are harmless.

"Hey, sorry," Will offers. "Congratulations. And it's... none of our business."

"Of course not," Nat agrees. "Sorry, Ava. If you need anything, just ask, okay? I'm happy to help."

Ava knows the offer is genuine, but she can't help but feel that she's not sure she knows her well enough to take her up on it. Another thing that's not Natalie's fault; she never really feels like she can connect with people easily, even when there's no reason they shouldn't be her friends. Again, she closes her eyes, too tired to voice any of this. "Thank you, Natalie," she murmurs, her voice almost too quiet for anyone to hear.

"Hey, let's clear out," Will suggests. "I can't even imagine what surgery shifts are like when you're wiped out like this."

"I'll come get you if you're needed for a patient," April promises.

"Good luck, Ava," Natalie says, her hand brushing her shoulder.

Ava makes herself open her eyes to smile gratefully at them. "Thank you."

It's not enough, but it's something.

[batmannotes]

The Epic Saga Concludes with Part Three of the Highly Anticipated Trilogy!

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three   

Based on DC’s iconic comic book limited series ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’ by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, join DC Super Heroes from across the multiverse in the action-packed conclusion of the three-part DC animated film Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three. The eagerly awaited film brings to a close the thrilling trilogy that marks the end to the Tomorrowverse story arc.

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, DC and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, the all-new, action-packed DC animated film features some of DC’s most famous Super Heroes from multiple universes including Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, who come together to stop an impending threat of doom and destruction. Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three will be available to purchase exclusively on digital on July 16 and on 4K UHD in limited edition steelbook packaging and Blu-ray on July 23.

Fans of this superhero adventure will also be able to indulge in a range of bonus features including interviews with the filmmakers on how they created a comprehensive universe across seven films.

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part One and Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Two are currently available on Digital, 4K UHD and Blu-ray.

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three features returning popular voice cast members: Jensen Ackles (Supernatural, The Boys, The Winchesters) as Batman/Bruce Wayne, Emmy winner Darren Criss (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, Glee) as Superman & Earth-2 Superman, Aldis Hodge (Straight Outta Compton, Black Adam) as Green Lantern/John Stewart, Meg Donnelly (Legion of Super-Heroes, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,) as Supergirl & Harbinger, and Stana Katic (Castle, Absentia) as Wonder Woman & Superwoman, along with Corey Stoll (Ant-Man, Black Mass) as Lex Luthor.

The star-studded ensemble voice cast also includes Gideon Adlon as Batgirl, Ike Amadi as Martian Manhunter/J’Onn J’Onzz, Geoffrey Arend as Psycho Pirate/Charles Halstead, Troy Baker as The Joker & Spider Guild Lantern, Brian Bloom as Adam Strange & Sidewinder, Matt Bomer as The Flash, Ashly Burch as Nightshade & Queen Mera, Zach Callison as Earth-2 Robin & Robin/Damian Wayne, Kevin Conroy as Earth-12 Batman, Alexandra Daddario as Lois Lane, Brett Dalton as Bat Lash & Captain Atom, John Dimaggio as Lobo, Ato Essandoh as Mr. Terrific, Keith Ferguson as Doctor Fate & Two-Face, Will Friedle as Batman Beyond & Kamandi, Jennifer Hale as Hippolyta & Green Lantern Aya, Mark Hamill as Earth-12 The Joker, Jamie Gray Hyder as Hawkgirl & Young Diana, Erika Ishii as Doctor Light/Dr. Hoshi & Huntress, David Kaye as The Question & Cardonian Lantern, Matt Lanter as Blue Beetle, Liam McIntryre as Aquaman, Cynthia Kaye McWilliams as Dr. Beth Chapel & The Cheetah, Lou Diamond Phillips as The Spectre, Elysia Rotaru as Black Canary & Black Canary II, Matt Ryan as Constantine, Katee Sackhoff as Poison Ivy, Keesha Sharp as Vixen, Jimmi Simpson as Green Arrow, Jason Spisak as Blue Lantern Razer & Hayseed, Armen Taylor as The Flash/Jay Garrick, Gas Soldier & Executioner, and Dean Winters as Captain Storm.

Justice League Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three is produced by Jim Krieg and Kimberly S. Moreau and executive produced by Butch Lukic, Sam Register, and Michael Uslan. The film is directed by Jeff Wamester from a script by Jim Krieg. Casting and voice direction is by Wes Gleason. The film is based on characters from DC and the graphic novel “Crisis on Infinite Earths” by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez

Justice League Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three will be available on July 16 to purchase digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu and more. On July 23 the film will be available to purchase on 4K Ultra HD in limited edition steelbook packaging and Blu-ray Discs online and in-store at major retailers. Pre-order your copy now.

Additionally, the Justice League Crisis on Infinite Earths Trilogy will be available on July 16 to purchase digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu and more, and features an exclusive special feature - An Epic Challenge: Crisis in Comics and Animation.

SYNOPSIS:

Now fully revealed as the ultimate threat to existence, the ANTI-MONITOR wages an unrelenting attack on the surviving Earths that struggle for survival in a pocket universe. One-by-one, these worlds and all their inhabitants are vaporized! On the planets that remain, even time itself is shattered and heroes from the past join the Justice League and their rag-tag allies against the epitome of evil. But as they make their last stand, will the sacrifice of the superheroes be enough to save us all?​

SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE:

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three - Physical and Digital

A Multiverse of Inspiration

Jon and John: Stewart and Constantine

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Trilogy (Digital only)

An Epic Challenge: Crisis in Comics and Animation

Running Time: 98:06

Rated PG-13 for some violence and language.

*Digital version not available in Canada

Available exclusively on Digital on July 16

4K UHD in limited edition steelbook packaging and Blu-ray arriving on July 23

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Trilogy Also      

Available exclusively on Digital on July 16

Preorder at Amazon.

[torreshalstead]

Pride and Joy

Summary - ‘Congratulations Class of 2042,’ Sergeant Jay Halstead announced loudly and proudly from his position on the small stage to the rows of fresh faced rookies staring up at him, a pair of familiar green eyes sparkling back at him in the middle of the crowd. His speech was for all the recruits and he was truly proud of each and every one of them, but his eyes were centred on one in particular. ‘Welcome to the Chicago Police Department.’ AO3 Link

‘Congratulations Class of 2042,’ Sergeant Jay Halstead announced loudly and proudly from his position on the small stage to the rows of fresh faced rookies staring up at him, a pair of familiar green eyes sparkling back at him in the middle of the crowd. His speech was for all the recruits and he was truly proud of each and every one of them, but his eyes were centred on one in particular. ‘Welcome to the Chicago Police Department.’

Jay had taken up a position teaching at the academy years ago when Hailey had returned to work after her maternity leave had ended. They had decided together that one of them should work a 9-5 whilst their daughter was young and then in school so they could be around and he had volunteered. He had already been half way out the door in Intelligence, itching to get his hands on his own command and knew if he spoke to Trudy, a position at the academy could be his. The Desk Sergeant had hinted at it a couple of times already, she knew he was eager to move on probably before he had even fully come to terms with it himself, she had that sixth sense. Teaching at the academy, shaping the lives and careers of the people who would follow in his footsteps, it had a certain appeal.

Hailey had wanted to stay in Intelligence a little longer, although she had thought that after a couple of years she would transfer elsewhere having learnt everything the department could offer her. But Voight’s shock retirement had opened up the Sergeant position for her and she had accepted it with open arms. Intelligence was no longer the same place it had been when they had both worked there and had fallen in love as partners in that very same bullpen.

Hailey had shaped it into one of the most respected units within the CPD. There was no more cloak and dagger, no more hiding evidence or fudging reports, everything was done by the book. Hailey was a trusted and valued Sergeant and people were desperate to prove themselves to get a chance to work underneath her - she had her pick of officers from across the city. The unit was even more of an eclectic mix under Hailey, with years of experience ranging from a couple of months out of the academy to 20+ years on the force. But somehow they all worked seamlessly together and not only handled some of the toughest cases the city had to offer but were pulled into assisting on cases further afield in the state and elsewhere.

Jay was so proud of his wife, he knew returning to work after the birth of their daughter hadn’t been easy but Hailey had taken everything in her stride and become the leader he knew she was born to be.

Their daughter, Ivy Halstead, was a gift and one they never took for granted. She was the light of their life, even when she sometimes made Jay’s nerves fraught with worry.

Being the daughter of two police officers came with its own challenges and ones that Hailey and Jay were not blind to but they did their best and she had grown into the most wonderful young woman. She was now 22 years old, living in a small apartment she shared with her college roommate Anya just a couple streets over from where Hailey and Jay’s first apartment sat. It was a full circle moment, and Ivy rolled her eyes whenever Jay would mention it.

Ivy Halstead had followed in her parents footsteps and was currently sitting in the crowd in her dress blues as her father announced her graduating class from the Chicago Police Academy. Although if you meticulously checked the paperwork, there would be no other Halstead listed as attending the graduation, student or staff.

‘Are you sure you don’t mind Dad?’ Ivy had asked as she had sat filling in her intake paperwork for the academy, the paperwork spilling across their family table in the kitchen.

‘Of course not pumpkin,’ Jay said honestly, trying to calm the stress he could see was bubbling up in his daughter, she took after her mother that way. But he’d had years of experience of calming them both down.

‘It’s not that I don’t want to be a Halstead,’ she muttered, tapping the pen frustratingly against the table, avoiding meeting his eyeline.

‘But it would be easier for you if you didn’t have the same last name as one of the instructors,’ Jay finished for her.

‘If you were just one of the instructors Dad it wouldn’t be so bad, but you’re the instructor, in charge of everything and-’

‘And you want people to know you got everything on your own merit,’ Jay smiled. He understood his daughter's concern. He had seen plenty of people get treated differently due to their parentage or links within the department and he didn’t want that for his own child. Ivy was going to be an excellent cop and she didn’t deserve to have any of her experience tainted because of some supposed notion of nepotism.

‘It’ll be weird going by Upton,’ Ivy hummed.

‘You know people will still know who your Mom is right? Firstly, you’re her twin,’ Jay chuckled as Ivy shook her head dismissively but a smile tugged on her dimpled cheeks and Jay’s comment was proven right, ‘and secondly, she’s one of the most respected sergeants in the CPD.’

‘But she’s not the one people might bump into walking the hallways,’ Ivy said exasperatedly. ‘This is why I should have become a firefighter.’

Jay chuckled.

It had looked like a serious possibility for a while and although the idea of his daughter having to wear a bulletproof vest everyday scared him, the thought of her running into fires terrified him even more.

Ivy had joined Girls on Fire, Stella Kidd’s female led firefighter in training program, as soon as she was old enough to do so and loved it. She had grown up alongside first responders; her parents and godmother were cops, her uncle was a doctor and a large number of the Halstead’s family friends were residents of Firehouse 51. She’d rubbed shoulders with both firefighters and the children of said firefighters since she could walk and talk.

For the longest time it had looked as though that would be the career avenue she would pursue and Jay and Hailey were as supportive as anybody could be. Jay turned up to sessions to cheer on his daughter as often as he could, would go on runs with her to build up her stamina and would take her to the district gym whenever she asked.

As much as the thought of having to wait for news of her coming home safe after big calls terrified him, if it made his daughter happy, he would always support her. He would never stand in her way. He wasn’t that kind of father and had sworn to himself when he had first held that tiny baby in his arms and felt his heart burst with love that he never would be.

‘Ivy’s doing a ride along on 51 tomorrow,’ Hailey said one evening whilst the pair were sitting on the couch, a bottle of whiskey and two glasses sitting on the coffee table between them. ‘Stella called earlier to let me know.’

‘Let’s keep our fingers crossed for a dull day for them,’ Jay murmured. He’d been at some of the calls Stella’s crew had taken in the past few months and he didn’t want Ivy anywhere near them. Although the crew worked seamlessly together, the idea of Ivy being within breathing distance of a fire was not one he wanted to entertain.

‘And when she decides to apply for the academy?’ Hailey asked, nudging her husband with her toes.

‘Then I’ll be the loudest person in the audience when she graduates top of her class,’ Jay sighed. ‘Doesn’t mean I won’t be worried for her.’

‘You’re a good father Jay,’ Hailey smiled.

‘Just wish we had a kid who wanted to be an accountant or something equally dull and safe behind a desk.’

‘Because both you and I do so well behind a desk,’ Hailey chuckled whilst Jay frowned.

‘Maybe she could be the exception to the Halstead rule,’ Jay shrugged.

‘A kid with your genes was never going to be able to sit behind a desk babe, time to face facts.’

Jay had been fully anticipating Ivy to come home one day and announce she was going to be applying for the CFD academy, he had prepared himself mentally for such an occurrence, but she had shocked them all and announced her intention to go to college instead.

She didn’t know her major yet but told her parents she was leaning towards Criminal Justice. They were proud beyond measure when she got accepted into UChicago. She’d be close to home and it was an exceptional school. She’d excel there, like she did with everything else that she put her mind to.

They were much more surprised when during her Christmas break Junior year, she told them her intention of applying to the Police Academy when she graduated.

It shouldn’t have been a shock for them when both her parents were in the force but Ivy had never expressed much interest in their jobs since she was old enough to truly understand what they did. Sure, as a kid, she had loved walking proudly into the district hand in hand with her mother and knew her Mom held a position of power within the building with all the nodding and yes Sarge’s she received, but the ins and outs of it had never been a topic of conversation that she ever initiated.

‘I know the risks Dad, I spent years watching you and Mom walk out the door with a badge and a gun on your hip not knowing if you were coming home,’ Ivy said with a huff. The family sat around the dining room table, their dinner starting to cool on their plates having been untouched since Ivy’s big announcement. ‘I thought you’d be proud of me,’ she said quietly, the hurt edging its way into her voice.

‘Of course we are proud of you,’ Hailey said without hesitation, reaching across to place a warm hand over her daughters.

‘We are the proudest parents in the world pumpkin, we just want you to be certain before you decide,’ Jay nodded.

‘I’m certain,’ Ivy said firmly. ‘I’ve been speaking to Trudy about it.’

‘Of course you have,’ Hailey chuckled.

‘And she didn’t sugarcoat it,’ Ivy implored, her eyes darting between her parents as if trying to telepathically communicate that she knew what she was getting herself into.

‘Well that I believe,’ Jay said, knowing that Trudy would have given her the truth, the good, the bad and the ugly.

‘Is it so bad that I want to follow in your footsteps?’

‘No darling, of course not,’ Hailey said.

‘I guess it’s better than you being a firefighter,’ Jay scoffed.

‘Well, now you mention it…’ Ivy chuckled as her parents shook their heads, the lighthearted air returning to the Halstead household as the family’s attention turned back to their dinner.

Ivy had entered the Academy with the weight of her parents' names firmly on her shoulders, even if she was only going by one of them and not the other. It didn’t matter, her classmates found out who her father was soon enough and although no rumours of any inappropriate comments reached Jay’s ears, he knew what people would be saying behind his back.

But Ivy just brushed it off and took it in her stride, she worked harder than any other recruit and proved to anyone who thought she had gotten in on nepotism alone that she deserved to be there. Jay’s heart nearly burst with pride when reports fell on his desk with nothing but glowing words on his daughter's antics.

‘Detective Aert came to speak to me today,’ Hailey said, spearing a piece of chicken onto her fork and popping it into her mouth.

‘To what did you owe the pleasure?’ Jay asked. Detective Aert was part of the Narcotics Unit. She was hard headed and even quicker tongued but she was exceptional at what she did. She’d be leading the unit before long and Jay knew her promotion would be supported widely.

‘Turns out she had heard about Ivy and wanted to know if she’d be interested in Narcotics when she graduated,’ Hailey said nonchalantly even though both Halstead’s knew how big of a deal getting noticed by a specialist unit was when you weren’t out of leading strings yet.

‘Damn,’ Jay mused. ‘I assume you told her to talk to Ivy.’

‘Of course,’ Hailey smiled. ‘I said I’m her mother at home but she’s not under my command on the force and to speak to her training officer at the academy. She just smiled and said that was exactly the answer she was hoping for.’

Jay chuckled, Aert was a hard nut to crack but Ivy could learn a lot from her.

‘Did you tell Ivy?’ He asked, already knowing the answer.

‘Nope,’ Hailey shook her head, taking a sip of her wine. ‘She wouldn’t thank us for getting involved in her career, even if that’s exactly what I didn’t do. She’s too independent for that.’

‘Just like her mother,’ Jay winked.

As it turned out Detective Aert had put in a formal request to have Ivy assigned to Narcotics when she graduated and Ivy had bounced up and down with excitement when she had told her parents. She was the only person in her graduating class to get a nod from one of the units and the fact that it was a unit where neither parents had a direct influence meant her classmates were more supportive than she had anticipated.

Nothing could have provided Jay with more pride than saluting his daughter as she stood in front of him in the same dress blues that he had worn for years and handing her the certificate to confirm she had graduated from the academy. Hailey would give him crap later for crying as he shook her hand but Jay didn’t care. His pride needed an outlet and it had chosen tears.

His daughter was officially a police officer in the Chicago Police Department, and as much as he was concerned for her and her safety, he knew she would do her city proud. And that made his heart want to burst.

‘Gene and Georgetti’s?’ He said as he walked over to where Ivy was standing with Hailey, proudly showing her certificate off.

‘Are you footing the bill Sarge?’ Ivy sassed, nudging her shoulder into her father.

‘Such cheek from a Cadet,’ Jay responded.

‘Not a Cadet anymore Dad,’ Ivy smiled. ‘It’s Officer Halstead now.’

‘What happened to Upton?’ Jay asked curiously but was unable to stop the smile forming on his lips.

‘I’m a Halstead through and through, guess it was time people started to know it,’ Ivy shrugged.

‘I’m staying Upton though,’ Hailey said, cocking an eyebrow at her husband.

‘Upton on the streets, Halstead in the sheets,’ Jay winked, ignoring the vomiting noises Ivy made from beside him. ‘Alright then, deep dish is on me. First, this is for you,’ he said, tugging out a small black velvet box from his pocket. The box was about the size of a normal ring box and Jay handed it over to his daughter with a smile.

‘I thought we said no presents,’ Ivy said exasperatingly.

‘Well you said that but I never agreed,’ he grinned. ‘Call it a fathers prerogative’

Ivy rolled her eyes but accepted the box anyway, looking up at her father before opening it. Her eyes widened when she saw what was lying nestled in the purple silk lining.

‘Dad,’ she said, her voice hitching in her throat.

‘It’s the bullet they took out of my shoulder,’ Jay said, reaching into the box to tug the necklace out. The bullet was hanging from a delicate gold chain. He gestured for Ivy to turn around so he could latch it for her around her neck.

‘The bullet from when Angela…’ Hailey asked, tailing off slightly, her voice soft and gentle as her eyes zeroed in on the necklace Jay was securing behind their daughters neck.

‘The very same,’ Jay nodded as Ivy turned around, her fingers tracing the cool metal now resting against her uniform. ‘The bullet they removed after it nearly killed me. And then your mother almost told me she loved me. And it was the time I realised that I had something to lose. It told me that I had to stay safe, not just for myself, but for her. She wouldn’t love me anymore if I put myself in danger again.’

Jay felt his wife link her fingers through his and he gave her a gentle squeeze.

‘That thought kept me safe and this bullet will do the same for you. It’s got both of our love in it,’ Jay smiled.

‘Who knew you were such a softie Dad,’ Ivy whispered but she wrapped her arms around her father in a tight hug nevertheless. ‘Thank you.’

‘Love you kiddo.’

Jay had known for longer than he cared to admit that he wanted to share a life with Hailey and wanted to have children with her, but he had never let himself imagine the life that was waiting for him when he finally plucked up the courage and kissed her that night another lifetime ago.

Their path together hadn’t always been smooth and heaven knows their path to parenthood was even rockier than most but no matter the road they had taken, he wouldn’t have changed a moment of it as he walked out of that graduation, his wife’s hand in his and his arm flung over his daughter’s shoulders. His family was perfect, and his pride knew no limits.

And he was ever so grateful Ivy hadn’t decided to become a firefighter.

[hederasgarden]

For the sleepover...tell me about your crushes, Ivy!!! Tumblr or otherwise! 👀 ✨

I am gonna go off script and talk about some characters beyond the usual ones (Ryan Gosling/Lewis Pullman/Glen Powell/etc).

Here are three characters that are occupying my brain lately and who I really would like to write for eventually.

Joel Miller (The things I would let this man do to me are concerning to feminism.)

Aemond Targaryen (He's our favorite little war criminal and that sapphire eye really does it for me.)

Eddie Halstead (His slow descent into a morally gray character was fantastic to watch.)

Send me an ask for the sleepover weekend

[gregorygerwitz]

You never answered me earlier, so what's Will up to in hockey au?

I didn't answer you because I was driving, but!

warnings: death mention

Will, my beloved. He went to school, like in canon, and he stayed in New York to study for a few years. He came home before even finishing his pre-med degree, because of his mother's death. Because it was right before/during finals week for his semester (both Halsteads got their lives real shaken up by all of this), Will didn't try to go back and finish his degree, he just stayed in Chicago and picked up the pieces of what was left of his life.

He could have picked up his studies at a local college instead of a fancy Ivy League school, but that would have been more expenses on top of the debt he was already in. So, he got a job at the coffee shop at Med, to at least be close to it, and went to Jay's games when he had the night off to cheer on his self-destructive little brother.

I know we joked about him playing on a rival team because it would be funny but like... cute barista Will being a supportive brother and getting to date a cute trauma surgeon owns my entire heart right now. He should be allowed to live that quiet life.

[ ask me about the hockey au ]

[katsu28]

comfort characters!

rules: list five (5) comfort characters and tag five (5) people

thank u for the tag my dear ivy ily <3 @sw34terw34ther

steve harrington

stiles stilinski

zuko from atla

bradley "rooster" bradshaw

jay halstead

no pressure tags! @bradleybeachbabe @stevestummy @roosterbruiser @dukesmebby @munsonsbabygirl

[grasshopperjay]

closets of backlogged dreams

evermore series | track 13: marjorie

i know better, but i still feel you all around.

pairing: jay halstead x reader

word count: 1.8k (previous part)

warnings: angst, death, grief, blood, violence, swearing (this is part 5 of a small series)

He can hear the shouting from all around him, but no words register. Hands- probably Hailey’s- are on his shoulders, attempting to pull him back, but they’re not strong enough.

Sirens and red and blue lights are all background noise.

A body is being pulled from the bushes and set on a gurney, pale and lifeless. Jay continues trying to push forward, but something else is in his way now, he’s not paying enough attention to know what it is though, he just tries his hardest to get through, he has to see. Finally he catches a glimpse of brown hair, and his heart rate picks up. He stops for a minute. You have brown hair.

It’s not you though, it can’t be.

One more step forward and he can see a snow white arm, hanging off the side of the stretcher. Another step and he can just make out the traces of a tattoo- an ivy- on the inside of the wrist, and that’s when his world ends.

His feet stop moving, and a feeling he can only describe as ice cold hits the centre of his chest, spreading outwards to the very tips of his fingers.

He hears no, and he holds on to that, because no, it can’t be you. But then he realizes it’s his own voice, repeating the word over and over like it will change something. The background noise fades until all Jay can hear is his own devastation.

To everyone else he’s frozen, standing completely still, the only sign of emotion is the tears rimming his eyes.

For Jay, he’d be sure he was in hell if it weren’t for how cold he is. All he feels is icy pain stinging every part of his body, it’s agonizing, and he thinks that not even getting shot compares to this.

He’d take a bullet a million times if it meant this wasn’t real.

The next hours are a blur. But somehow Jay ends up back at the precinct. Voight tries to tell him to go home, but of course he refuses. Hailey tries her hand at it as well, but he insists he’s fine, that he needs to work your case. The level headed plan that Jay executes surprises everyone.

He’s absolutely stoic, but none the less he does his job. They interrogate members of the gang, and they all point their fingers at one guy.

It doesn’t take long to find him. Jay’s facade doesn’t start to break until Adam and Kim bring him in.

Jay follows, jaw clenched and a file in hand. He doesn’t bother to put his gun in the safe, he goes in with his piece still on his hip, something he could lose his badge over, but he doesn’t care.

Hailey and Voight are both standing in the hall but they’re easily avoided road blocks. Virtually nothing will keep him from getting in that room with the bastard who took you from him.

“You’re not going in there,” Voight says, but Jay blows right past him, and into the block.

He’s cuffed to the table, the smug look on his face boils Jay’s blood. His jaw is clenched as he slams the pictures down on the table. He hasn’t looked at the photos, and he can’t, but the gangbangers eyes study them closely, and then he shrugs.

“You wanna know what I did to her?” His voice is like nails on a chalk board, and Jay’s instinct is telling him yes, he wants a confession, but he also doesn’t know if he can handle it.

Jay swallows, and then opens his mouth to speak but nothing comes out.

“She’s your girl right?” His lips curl sickly over yellow teeth as he spits the words at Jay. “She screamed for you.”

That’s it.

Jay shoves the table out of the way and lunges for him, knocking him to the concrete floor. One hand on his throat pinning him down on the ground, the other throwing punch after punch until the once smug face is a mess.

Kevin and Adam rush in to pull him away, and Jay revels in the sight of that son of a bitch on the ground in his own blood. Voight doesn’t have to tell him to go home, Jay does it on his own.

He walks out of the district without saying a word. But he doesn’t go to his house. He goes to yours.

You never asked for your key back after he moved out, so it stayed on Jay’s chain. Hailey noticed it, but she never mentioned it.

They never talked about you, but Jay always suspected that Hailey knew that his feelings for you never really went away.

Walking through your place is like walking through a mausoleum. It used to be his place too, but the only trace of him is one photo that stayed up on your bookshelf. A picture of you, Jay and your father who had passed the year before. All the other pictures were gone, replaced with ones of you with your friends.

Feeling absolutely drained, Jay crawls into your bed. The sheets smell like you and he wants to bury himself in them. His swollen eyes are begging to shut, and finally the ache in his chest dissipates as he falls asleep. It’s not long until the sound of your sweet voice wakes him up, you’re both on the deck, and you’re cuddled into his lap. Despite the blanket draped across your bodies, the only parts of him that don’t feel cold are the one’s that your body is touching. “I know it’s early but it’s so beautiful, I love it.”

You’re talking about the sunset but Jay doesn’t want to look, he’s perfectly happy staring at you instead. But then he actually wakes up, in your bed. You’re not there, and you never will be again but for just a moment he forgets that.

He spends the entire day at your place. He ignores calls from everyone, Hailey, Voight, Will… He stares at pictures of you for far too long, he calls your phone just to hear your voice, and he cries. He cries so much he wonders if he’ll ever stop.

The grief and the guilt is overwhelming, and his body is exhausted from feeling. He lays down in your bed again and this time, when he closes his eyes he feels your wet arms around neck, and your legs around his waist. A freezing swim in Lake Michigan was one of your favorite traditions. The water is up to his chin cause you had clung onto him when you went past where your feet could touch. He tries to hold onto you, he watches his hands glide over the goosebumps on your arm, over the ivy tattoo, over and over again because he can see that he’s touching you, but he can’t feel you. When he startles awake, there’s a moment before the grief sets in, before he remembers everything that happened.

As the week drags on, that moment just after he wakes up becomes the only bearable part of the day, because even though it only lasts a few seconds, it’s the only time his chest doesn’t ache. It’s the only time he feels peace. It’s short lived but he clings to it every morning.

He sees you in his dreams every time he closes his eyes, and you’re always close, but despite that he can never actually feel you. You’re alive in his head, but in a way that’s so unsettling.

One day he phones your voicemail, and instead of hanging up before the message tone, he lets it go, and he talks to you like you’re actually listening.

That’s the day he thinks to himself, am I going crazy? It’s also the day Hailey shows up.

Oddly enough the first thing he notices is that she’s not wearing her ring. Jay doesn’t know what to expect from her visit, he feels so guilty he almost wants her to yell at him, but she doesn’t. She just holds him and whispers how sorry she is.

Jay says it back and she nods. “I know that you love me,” She whispers, “But I also know you never stopped loving her,”

All Jay can do is nod, and tears rim Hailey’s eyes.

“I want to support you, Jay. But I can’t compete with a dead girl…” His eyes clamp shut when she says that.

“I think maybe I should just support you as your partner, and not your wife.”

Jay feels guilty for wanting her to change her mind, but he knows Hailey is right. He is in no place to be a husband, he can’t expect Hailey to be a wife.

After she leaves he goes back to your room, and wraps himself in your blankets. He waits for sleep to come because he knows he’ll see you in his dreams.

This time, his dream feels realer than ever. You’re sitting on the edge of the bed, a sad smile on your face.

“I’m sorry,” Jay says, but you shake your beautiful head at him.

“It’s not your fault, Jay.”

“Yes it is. I should have stopped him, I should have found you.” Tears, tears, tears. “I wish I could do it over.”

You reach over to place your hand on his arm, he watches you touch him, already knowing he won’t feel it, then his eyes catch on that ivy tattoo. “You never told me what it meant.”

“It’s for you.” You whisper, “Your ivy grows, and now I’m covered in you.”

Jay furrows his brows, and you chuckle. “You’re always with me Jay. And even though I’m gone-,”

He doesn’t let you finish.

“No,” He argues, “You’re alive in my head.”

And then he wakes up, a moment passes, the grief settles in, and although Jay doesn’t want it to- the day goes on without you.

The days continue on that way.

So do the months.

But he still feels you all around, especially when he looks at his wrist and sees his ivy tattoo.

….

@lorenakaspersen​ @jayxuptons @toomuchtv95​ @halstudandruz @halsteadsway​ @hart-kinsella​ @astrosmayhem @life-treatments​ @dreamingmanip​ @jayhlstead​ @caromichaela​ @arual-hernandez @jesseleesofferupdates @mrspeacem1nusone (this is my very old taglist so if you guys wanna be removed/added just shoot me a dm! sorry if this tag bothers anyone!)

[kiddbegins]

Ivy and friends but its twitter.

pt. 2: tweets

i just think they’re funny people

pt. 1

[master-john-uk]

Wartime secrets of Kent

Ivy Farm, Knockholt, near Sevenoaks, Kent

.

On top of the North Downs just a few miles from my main home in Kent, this beautiful private residence was a secret listening post for Bletchley Park. Around 80 personnel worked tirelessly intercepting non-Morse communications known as FISH... or, noise containing encrypted messages. 

Staff at Ivy Farm played an important part in deciphering the Lorenz code, by which Hitler sent his most secure communications. This ultimately led to the development of Colossus, the world’s first computer.

I first heard about the secret of Ivy Farm in 1981 when I started working at nearby Fort Halstead, an MOD research establishment. However, I learnt a lot more by speaking with some of the older residents of Knockholt at that time in The Three Horseshoes public house!

[faedawayyy]

CHRISTMAS WITH MY OGS

i miss them so much so here’s what’s going on with them in some world far, far away!! 

BLAKE CRUZ

he would’ve spent the morning with christelle (assuming they live together now, i don't think we ever discussed it LOL) and then he would’ve gone to see his mum and then his dad who are obviously living separately. he would’ve probably stopped by to charles and eva to drop presents off too but i feel like he'd then go back to christelle’s. i think the longer they’re together, the more time he’ll obviously spending getting familiar with her family and their traditions.

BRIELLE QUINN

she’d begrudgingly go home for the holidays, mainly just to see elysia. their parents are always drunk or at home fight and/or zoning out in front of the television. nothing’s really magical. she’d definitely be out of the house before it got late and they decided to go to bed. she’d honestly probably just wander around for a bit and then sneak back into her st judes dorm to sleep.

BRODY CARMICHAEL

dad and santa duties. him and disney obviously have the girls so the morning would be the very traditional waking up to see what santa brought (even though all three are tiny still and clara would be no older than a month). then they’d go off to his mum’s house for christmas dinner with all of the carmichaels or at least the ones who were going. the evening would be back at their house and just getting the girls to sleep and just spending time together.

DALLAS JACKSON

his family aren't close and really don’t do much for christmas. he’d probably make himself busy by doing the rounds and visiting all of his friends before inevitably going up into london and having a night out.

ELOISE CALLOWAY

the subject of visiting her parents over christmas is controversial and differs from sister to sister. but I think in the end, eloise would've gone to see her parents for dinner at the calloway. it would've been tense and she wouldn't have enjoyed it but i think she’d feel she HAS to. after that, she’d head to zara’s to see zara and lacey and spend the night with those two since zara’s no longer with danny and lacey refuses to go to the calloway. i feel like shed force them to be festive LOL 

HENSLEY HALSTEAD 

she always spends christmas with her mum and step-brother (rip jase). Evan would’ve totally been invited too but I dont think she’d be there all night like she usually is because they’re in a honeymoon phase and i think she’d want to just spend the rest of the evening with him, eating/watching films/being chilled.

ISSY ROSINI

kind of like brody, she’d be focused on making life magical for avery even though he’s tiny. after that, she’d be happy to follow levi’s lead and either spend time with his family or just have a quiet christmas.

JUDE BAKER

I feel like despite their family having a harder time financially than some of the others, they’re not like desperately poor and in need of money and would still figure out how to have a good time. they’d do christmas in their family home away from the motel and i feel as though it’d be grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, random people he’s never seen before in his life but apparently know him etc. etc. WITHOUT A SHADOW OF A DOUBT, at around 9pm/10pm when everybody leaves, he’d be straight round to see ivy because he's obsessed - in a healthy way.

KRISTOFER NILSEN

why can i not imagine this man celebrating christmas LOL? he has a family and lots of adopted brothers and sisters so honestly probably there, just being a regular person for once. like dallas though, he'd go out later in the evening.

MARCUS CARMICHAEL

with the carmichaels (see brody). he probably leaves quite early though and just crashes at his apartment. he’s not a scrooge or anything but was definitely one of those people who outgrew christmas and festiveness at like 16-17.

MARGO JACKSON

honestly, she’s probably left the springs for the holidays. i imagine her being somewhere like switzerland in some suite with random strangers and living her best life. violet springs and home is the last place she wants to be for christmas. 

MASON CARMICHAEL

he’d wake up with kendall and I think especially this year, he’d go out of his way to make the morning special for her because the year has been ROUGH. but then it’d be the same as most other carmichaels; going to dinner, seeing relatives and having drinks. perhaps popping out to see her side of the family if they’re not there? but i feel they’d at least be invited. 

NAIRA EAGLETON

in my mind, she has a small but fun family but they dont live in the springs. they’d probably live further north and she’d definitely go there. i doubt she’d be around until the new years eve party tbh! 

NATE HARWOOD

listen he’s in his biggest fuckboy era to date. he’d spend most of the day with his parents and sisters, i think they’re quite a close family so it’d make sense. he would absolutely stop by zara’s and kind of try his luck with her especially bc she’s not as busy this year and eventually, whether he gets with her or not, would meet up with some of the boys and go out.

OTIS KINGSTON

he lives in town but just with his parents and grandparents! his an only child with only older siblings so not much to report in that sense!

TATE SIMPSON

he’d probably go in and check in on emma and amy just to see how they’re doing and if they need anything. after that, just with his parents and philip. they’re a family who probably go out somewhere rather than just sitting in so!

VANESSA CASTILLO

literally wherever natalie and soraya are! 

YASMINE HERNANDEZ

she works! she’s a live in nanny in a huge house in lilac heights and would tell everyone she’s spending it with family, posting pictures with them on instagram and stuff. she’d go out in the evening once she was done with her working hours too.

ANTHONY HENSHAW 

at home but i feel like BLOWING up natasha’s/felicity’s phone until one of them caves and goes around to his flat to give him attention.

EZRA HUGHES 

spending a lot of time with nicolas and natalie if she came around, at his mum’s house! nicolas is slightly older so it’d be all about making it really magical, finding somewhere to see santa and helping to unbox complicated toys all day.

ELYSIA QUINN

home unfortunately for her. see brielle’s rundown. she’d feel somewhat forced to stay home with her parents since bri would leave and would just try and stick out whatever nasty thing shit comes her way. she’d be out first thing in the morning though, definitely taking up the maximum amount of shifts for the upcoming week until she can go back to uni.

[torreshalstead]

Can I have this dance?

Summary - ‘So am I allowed to threaten this kid with jail time if he brings her home late?’ Jay asked his wife, the undertone of his words being full of truth shielded by a comedic tone, his fiercely protective nature poking through.

‘No Jay, you may not threaten our daughter's prom date,’ Hailey chuckled.

Notes - A little fluffy future family fic for this cloudy Monday. Happy Reading! AO3 Link

TW - mentions of fertility struggles and implied domestic violence

‘So am I allowed to threaten this kid with jail time if he brings her home late?’ Jay asked his wife, the undertone of his words being full of truth shielded by a comedic tone, his fiercely protective nature poking through.

‘No Jay, you may not threaten our daughter's prom date,’ Hailey chuckled, wrapping her arms around Jay’s middle and letting her head fall against his chest. Jay reciprocated and held her close, letting his own weight fall back against the kitchen counter as she leant into him, relishing in the warmth of her body against his.

‘Not even a little?’ he murmured into her hair. He grinned when he felt Hailey chuckle against him, her hot breath coming out in puffs he could feel through his shirt.

‘Not even a little,’ she said firmly, but Jay knew she would be smiling as she spoke.

‘Spoil sport,’ he muttered. His wife hummed as he tightened his arms around her. ‘Do you remember your prom?’ He asked her wondering for a second how they had got through so many years of marriage without him ever finding out the answer to that question.

‘I didn’t go,’ she said flatly, sliding her hands across his back, her fingers tracing along lines she once carved into his skin on their wedding night. A memory he was all too happy to recollect and even happier to reproduce whenever they had a night alone in the house. ‘Didn’t have a date and not sure my dad would have allowed me to go even if I did.’

Jay recognised the tone Hailey always used when speaking about her childhood. It was far more devoid of emotion than her voice usually was, missing the usual spark that made her her. It was as if she was talking about something that had happened to someone else on another planet, events of little consequence. But he knew better. She had opened up to him piece by piece in the years of their friendship and then their relationship, she trusted him with her heart and rewarded him with her honesty.

He had been the one who had held her when her father died and she wept not for the man who had given her life but for the life she would have known without him. He was the one who saw her reaction every time a case hit a little too close to home, when the child had too blonde hair or too blue eyes. He had been the one who she had turned to when their daughter's school project was a family tree and pictures were required of when they were children and she didn’t have any of herself.

‘I would have asked you to prom,’ he whispered into her ear. ‘I’d have bought you the most ridiculous corsage that wouldn’t have gone with your dress because 17 year old me would never have thought to have asked what colour it was.’ He chuckled and his favourite sound in the world was played back to him - his wife and daughter laughing.

‘Of course you wouldn’t dad,’ Ivy Halstead said from the doorway, a smile firmly fixed on her face as she looked at her parents embrace. Some children would always make faces when their parents showed emotion to one another, but not Ivy. Ever since she had been young she had realised how special it was that not only did her parents love each other deeply, but they showed it each and every day, never taking their love for granted.

Jay pulled back from Hailey and looked over at their daughter, and his breath hitched in his throat. ‘Honey, you look beautiful,’ he said, his smile widening as his eyes started to swim with tears.

Their daughter was the spitting image of Hailey, the long blonde hair, the dimple in her cheek when she smiled but she had been blessed with Jay’s emerald green eyes. She was the doppelgänger of her mother in more ways than one, her temper was equally fierce and you didn’t want to get on her bad side but she loved just as fiercely, looking out for her friends and the downtrodden, providing help to all she could. Jay was incredibly proud of her, both her parents were.

They had never planned on Ivy being an only child and had tried for years to give her a sibling but after too many tearful negative tests and trips to the doctors, Jay and Hailey vowed they would give her enough love for two children. It hadn’t been an easy decision to stop trying, a part of Jay hoped that without the stress of trying to get pregnant that the stars would shine down on them but no such luck ever happened. Any time someone asked if they hadn’t thought about extending their family, Jay’s skin prickled and Hailey would calmly answer they were happy as a family of three. In the beginning those comments had broken his wife and she had cried herself to sleep in his arms. But now they rolled off them without the same pain. They were happy as a family of three and Jay would move heaven and earth for his girls.

Hailey had taken Ivy dress shopping a couple of weeks ago but he had been ordered to remain home, it was girl time so they told him and us such he was not invited. And when they arrived home with a garment bag as large as the smiles on their faces, they told him he would have to wait and see what it contained.

‘It’s a surprise Dad,’ Ivy said as she pecked him on the cheek and scurried off upstairs.

A surprise it certainly was.

She was wearing a floor length blue gown that was flowing down like a waterfall in a deep navy. Jay didn’t know enough about dresses to know about the cut or the design but he knew his daughter looked beautiful and that was all that mattered. She had kept her long hair down, curled for the occasion and pushed behind her ears.

‘You really think so,’ she said softly, the colour in her cheeks rising as she looked between her parents. Hailey’s hand was over her mouth and unlike Jay she hadn’t had the self control to prevent the tears from starting to cascade down her face.

‘Your dad’s right Ivy, you look wonderful darling,’ Hailey choked out, her voice laced with pride.

‘Thanks guys,’ she smiled, ‘but you better stop crying before Marcus gets here. Not sure Dad’s scary cop routine is going to work if he’s crying like a baby,’ she chuckled.

‘I’m not crying,’ Jay said adamantly with less than believable looks coming from both his wife and daughter. ‘Anyway your mother says I can’t go all bad cop on him.’

‘Thanks Mom,’ Ivy mouthed and winked at her.

‘But you’ll be home on time-’ Jay started but Ivy just rolled her eyes.

‘He’ll bring me home on time Dad, and if anything happens and I need a ride then I will call you, I promise,’ she said with a smile. Jay smiled proudly back. It was something he and Hailey had tried to instil in their daughter, that no matter what trouble she was in they would always come and get her. They might be cross or disappointed in the morning but she was still their little girl and her safety was paramount.

‘Good girl,’ Jay said, wrapping an arm around Hailey’s waist and tugging her close, smiling at their daughter.

There was a knock on the door and all three Halstead’s turned to look.

‘That’ll be him, please no bad cop,’ Ivy pleaded as she walked to open the door with a fleeting look back at her parents.

‘He promises,’ Hailey spoke for Jay who tickled her side in response.

‘Hey Marcus,’ Ivy said with a grin when she opened the door to a teenager dressed in a suit that was potentially a size too big standing on the other side.

‘Wow,’ was all he said and Jay smirked. He knew all too well what it was like to be left speechless by a blonde haired Halstead, even if the one in question hadn’t been a Halstead the first time she had rendered him incapable to form a coherent thought. She had also left him speechless many times since she had agreed to take his name.

‘You look beautiful,’ Marcus finally said. ‘Oh I got you this,’ he held out the corsage, clearly he had had the forethought to ask what colour his date's dress was going to be thought Jay.

‘Thanks,’ Ivy said excitedly, taking it off him. ‘Mom, will you help?’ She asked, turning back to her mother who nodded and approached to assist.

‘Now Marcus,’ Jay said, not quite in full Sargeant mode but with enough authority in his voice to turn the boy to jelly. ‘You bring her home on time.’

‘Of course Mr Halstead, umm Sergeant Halstead,’ he stammered out and Ivy shot Jay a glaring look.

‘Alright then,’ Jay said, rubbing his hands together, ‘you have a great time then kids.’ He smirked.

‘We will Dad,’ Ivy said, rolling her eyes again as she pulled her mother into a tight hug when she had finished tying the little bouquet around her wrist. She released her and hurried over to give Jay a quick peck on the cheek before heading out the door, Marcus offering her his arm although she was two steps in front.

The Halstead women were always two steps ahead, the kid would learn that soon enough Jay thought.

‘Wait pictures!’ Hailey said quickly, grabbing her phone from the counter and hurrying out the door after them. Jay smiled to himself as he watched through the window as his wife snapped a few photos before Ivy climbed into the passenger seat of her date's car.

His little girl was off to prom. He couldn’t quite believe it.

‘Well I got a couple before they ran off,’ Hailey said as she closed the door behind her, bringing her phone over to Jay to show him the images, swiping through them quickly. ‘You still all emotional Mr Big Scary Cop?’ She asked with a smirk as she pocketed her phone and wrapped an arm around him again.

‘Just can’t believe we have a kid who's old enough to go to prom,’ Jay admitted, resting his head atop Hailey’s. ‘Makes me feel old.’

‘Well we aren’t that old,’ Hailey said, playfully swatting him on the chest.

The pair stood in silence for a moment, the house quieter than it usually was without the music or chatter normally echoing down the stairs from Ivy’s room. Quiet was not the word to describe their daughter.

‘Will you dance with me?’ Jay said into the silence.

‘What, here?’ Hailey questioned, pulling back to look at him with a quizzical look.

‘Well you said you never went to prom so consider this your prom dance,’ he said with a smile, reaching into her back pocket to retrieve her phone. He swiped across and found what he was looking for, clicking play and letting the gentle melody fill the kitchen when he placed the phone back onto the counter.

‘Can I have this dance?’ He said with a smile as he held out his hand dramatically.

‘Of course,’ Hailey responded with a grin, placing her hand in his and letting him pull her into his chest, his arm winding its way around her waist to hold her close and hers finding a hold on his back.

They swayed gently to the music, the kitchen their dance floor and each other's company their only priority.

‘Thank you,’ Jay muttered into her hair, breathing in the familiar scent that was uniquely Hailey, her floral shampoo filling his senses.

‘For what?’ Hailey asked, glancing up at him as she loosened her hold slightly.

‘For all of this,’ he said clearly, ‘for this life, our life, for our daughter, for all of it Hails. It’s perfect.’

Hailey tucked herself back into his chest and Jay felt his shirt dampen from her tears.

‘It really is,’ she admitted, still swaying in time to the music, her fingers tangled in his shirt. Jay dropped a kiss to her head and closed his eyes, content to have his wife in his arms.

‘But if that boy brings her home late-’ he started but was drowned out by Hailey’s chuckles and a gentle pat to the back.

‘There’s the Jay I know and love,’ she said and Jay smiled.

[collecting-stories]

This is a multi-fandom masterlist that's part of a larger anthology series. None of these stories are connected (unless otherwise stated) but all of them are based on songs from Taylor Swift’s ninth studio album Evermore.

Request a songfic | Who I Write for

← Folklore Masterlist | Midnights Masterlist →

Willow - Ivar the Boneless (Vikings)

Champagne Problems ✰

Gold Rush - Kiara Carrera (Outer Banks)

‘Tis the Damn Season - Jay Halstead (Chicago PD)

Tolerate It ✰

No Body, No Crime ✰

Happiness ✰

Dorothea ✰

Coney Island ✰

Ivy ✰

Cowboy Like Me - Tom Davidson (Walker, Independence)

Long Story Short - Steve Harrington (Stranger Things)

Marjorie ✰

Closure ✰

Evermore ✰

Right Where You Left Me - Jiara (Outer Banks)

It’s Time to Go ✰