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March 17th 2021
Jay Halstead was cold, even mid March could be freezing in Chicago. This was the second St. Patrick’s day in a row with everything cancelled but he was in a much better mood than last year. He thought back to the few St Patrick Day’s when he was younger where he had celebrated a little too hard. In contrast, a quiet night at Hailey’s sounded good even if they weren’t celebrating. He hurried up the steps and rang the doorbell to Hailey’s condo as the wind picked up.
“Hi.”
“Surprise.” Hailey said as she led Jay into the townhouse.
“What is this?” Jay said slightly shocked as he slipped off his coat. There was a tablecloth with shamrocks on Hailey’s dining room table and she had put up a string of paper shamrocks in the living room. He also noticed that Hailey had changed into a green shirt versus the flannel she had been wearing at the district.
Hailey went on her tiptoes to give him a kiss. “So I know it sucks there is no parade for a second year in a row so I figured we could have a little St Patrick’s Day here. I made Irish beef stew and got soda bread and beer.”
“It smells amazing in here.” Jay said as Hailey gestured for him to grab a piece of the bread sitting on the counter.
“Not going to lie though I did stray away from tradition a little.”
“Uh oh.” Jay jokingly said as he smiled at her.
“Shut up, I picked up Greek donuts for dessert.”
“Hailey you didn’t have to do all this.”
“I know I didn’t have to I wanted to.” Hailey said as she went back into the kitchen. Jay realized Hailey had set three places at the table.
“Are we having company?”
“From my brief research it’s also supposed to be a day to celebrate with family. At least that’s what came up when I googled St Patrick’s day in Ireland. So I invited Will over.” She said while handing Jay one of the two beers she grabbed from the fridge.
“Hailey you are amazing and this is too much.”
“It wasn’t really that much and I wanted to.”
“You were afraid of leprechauns?” Hailey could barely contain the laughter. Will had shown up about twenty minutes after Jay. After dinner the trio was sitting in the living room enjoying dessert.
“Hey in Irish folklore they are not happy little creatures with marshmallow cereal, they’re trickster demons.”
Hailey struggled to ask her boyfriend with a straight face. “Were they after your lucky charms?”
“I was seven.” Jay then shifted his focus to his brother. “You are never allowed over again.”
“Uh little brother I believe this is Hailey’s place so you can’t make that call. Also imagine if that cereal commercial you had been in was for lucky charms? You probably would be traumatized for life.”
Hailey looked confused. “Cereal commercial?”
“Thanks Will, I was hoping no one would ever find out about that.” Jay sighed then explained. “When I was six years old a casting director saw me at the mall with my mom. I did one commercial for some cereal I can’t remember what one it was.”
“Fruity Os” Will added before taking a sip of the Irish coffees they were having.
Jay shot him a look. “Anyway, it aired for a few months and I never saw it again.”
“That wasn’t the start of a long and successful career?” Hailey teased.
Jay shook his head. “Nah wasn’t my thing.”
“He never would of made it as an actor.” Will teased.
“You’re just jealous they wanted me and not you. I could have been an amazing actor.”
“Yeah I could totally see you on one of the soap operas grandma used to watch.”
Hailey drummed her fingers on the table. “So how do I see this commercial?”
“No no no.”
Hailey pouted slightly at Jay. “Oh come on you were probably so cute.”
“I was adorable that is not the point.”
“Don’t worry I have a copy somewhere in storage.” Will said, “But on that note I should probably get going let you two enjoy the rest of your night together.”
“No it’s ok stay as late as you want.” Hailey said.
“I did actually promise someone I would meet up with them at this bar a couple blocks from here.” Will said revealing his real reasons for leaving.
“Is it Natalie?” Jay asked having recently noticed his brother seemed to be spending time with his ex fiancé again.
“That is none of your business. Hailey thanks again for inviting me over.” Will said while slipping on his jacket.
“Tell Nat we say hi.” Jay said while closing the door behind his brother.
“I’m going to start cleaning up.” Hailey said grabbing the dishes off the table. Jay in turn started picking up the mugs and plates in the living room. In comfortable silence they cleared everything up.
“Is there any Greek holiday that I need to return the favor and cook for you?” Jay asked as they loaded the last of the plates into the dishwasher.
Hailey shut the door the machine and turned the power on. “You? Cooking Greek food? Yeah no thanks.”
“Oh very funny. You’re lucky I love you.” Jay didn’t even realize what he said it just slipped out.
“What?”
Similar to the night he decided to kiss her Jay decided there was no time like the present. “I know we have only been together a few months but I love you, I’m so in love with you and I want to spend every St Patrick’s Day with you as well as every other holiday.”
Hailey smiled back at him “I love you too.”
Two years later on St Patrick’s Day Hailey and Jay officially became Mr. and Mrs. Jay and Hailey Halstead.