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Captain Raydor slid her cruiser to an abrupt stop, narrowly missing the curb between two ambulances and a sea of flashing lights atop patrol cars.  The last few days had been absolute hell as far as the LAPD was concerned, and though she didn’t know it yet, it would get worse before it got better.  She sprinted across the grass, her pointed heels burying deep into the soft earth with each step.  An errant thought to leave them behind crossed her mind. Rather, she gritted her teeth and clenched her muscles, forcing the damned shoes to move with her.  

Ducking under the yellow tape barricading the front entrance to the crime scene, she was thankful her feet were back on solid ground, because the rest of her was shaking. It had never been easy getting the call for an officer-involved shooting, but this one in particular carried implications that would send ripples through the force.  As she stepped over the threshold into the house, her breath caught in her throat.  The odor of fresh blood hung in the air, only muted by a familiar floral scent.  Then she looked up.

“Chief!”

The younger woman startled and turned, her blonde curls fanning from her shoulders with the motion.  On any typical day, the Chief would have dreaded seeing the face that looked back at her. But this was no average day, and for all intents and purposes, she was no longer the head of Major Crimes.  Alternatively, maddening anxiety pushed her toward Sharon’s outstretched arms.  Tears, Brenda thought she could hold back, surged down her cheeks.

“You’re okay, you’re okay.” Sharon held on for dear life, trying to bring about some semblance of relief.

“Oh, Cap’n Raydor, I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” Brenda straightened and pulled away, trying to regain composure. “Um, here’s my gun and…”

“Hey…hey, look at me.” Warm palms were laid upon wet cheeks. “We can deal with all that later. Come here.”

Brenda stared desperately into glassy jade orbs that reflected the despair she felt. But somehow, genuine care and protection outshone it all. She dove back into Sharon’s embrace as her body wracked with sobs. Over the last year and a half, the two women had gained a respect for each other they never imagined possible. So much so that they slowly began to confide in one another and then found that they actually enjoyed each other’s company.

Those small steps parlayed into their husbands watching ballgames together while they had lunches and got their nails done.  Before they realized it, the couples were going out together regularly, and Brenda and Fritz would babysit Lily now and again while her parents had a date night.  It was an unexpected friendship, yet one that served them all wholeheartedly.  Especially now.  Sharon let her cry for a while, then gently stepped back to look her over.

“You don’t have any injuries?”

“Stroh landed a couple of cheap shots,” Brenda wiped roughly at her face and sniffled. “But I’m alright. Rusty got cut pretty badly. Did you see him?”

“No, but I heard the EMTs on the radio. He’s going to be alright.”

“I hate I dragged him into this, but…”

Sharon delivered her another reassuring gaze. “You did the right thing.”

“Okay…okay.” Tucking her hair behind her ears nervously, Brenda cleared her throat. “What now?”

“One of my Sergeants will collect your weapon and statement, and then I will take you home.”

“But I am home.”

“This house is a crime scene, and there is no way I’d leave you here alone even if it weren’t.”

“I can't impose on you and Andy like that, and who's going to care for Rusty?”

“Rusty is spending the night in the hospital with a protection detail, and as for you…you’re family,” Sharon smiled. “Besides, I know one adorable toddler who will lose her mind when she wakes up to Auntie Brenda in the house.”

A wide grin took over Brenda’s red, puffy cheeks. “Oh, my Lilybug.” She knew she‘d been beaten. “Fine, but only until Fritz gets back from Washington.”

“Deal.” Sharon winked.

After their unpleasant business was concluded for the night, Brenda climbed into the passenger seat and took a deep breath.  When Sharon sat beside her, they shared a knowing look before she started the car and headed for the other side of town.  They were quiet along the ride—Sharon because she wouldn’t force her friend to talk, and Brenda because shock and exhaustion were beginning to take over.  When they pulled into the driveway, Brenda climbed out quickly and retrieved her bag from the backseat. She wouldn’t be treated as an invalid.

Sharon slinked the key in the lock as they approached the front entrance, easing the door back. But it was all for naught as a two-and-a-half-year-old, thirty-five-inch-tall tornado barreled toward them.

“Mama!”

Sharon dropped her keys in the bowl on the bureau inside the door and tossed her daughter into her arms.

“What are you doing awake, huh?”

The little girl rambled off an unintelligible answer until she saw another face appear behind her mother. “Un-ti Wenda!” She almost jumped from one woman to the other.

Brenda dropped her bag and eagerly grabbed hold of the baby. “Lilybug!”

Lily squealed at the sound of her favorite person's nickname for her. While the pair rattled off their usual incomprehensible conversation, Sharon kicked off her heels and stomped to her husband sprawled out on the couch. She kissed his forehead and stepped back, placing her hands on her hips.

“Why is she not asleep?”

Andy sat up straight. “I’m sorry. She wanted Mama, so I made a deal with her.”

“A deal? What is she, a suspect?”

“No, worse.” He smiled. “She’s cute, and you know I can’t resist her.”

“Tell me about it.” Sharon rolled her eyes, but then she turned to look back at her baby and her friend. “You know…” she wiped the moisture suddenly pooling around her eyes. “Not half an hour ago, Brenda was a mess. Now look at her.”

Andy leaned over to see where all the ruckus was coming from.  Brenda and Lily were enthralled entirely in one another, giggling and turning in circles.  It was a sight the hardest of hearts couldn’t ignore.  

“All she needed was a little Lily.”

“I can understand that.”

Sharon moved toward the kitchen, grabbing two glasses and a bottle of wine from the neighboring shelf.  She poured two healthy servings and set them on the bar.  It was far beyond her daughter’s bedtime, so she had distractions in her playbook.  Mainly, she wanted to give her friend a chance to talk.

“Okay, it’s time for someone to get some sleep.”

Brenda easily took the hint. “Uh-oh, I think Mommy means you, little girl.” 

“Mm-mm.” Lily protested, shaking her head full of reddish-brown curls.

Sharon took hold of her and pressed their noses together. “Bedtime, baby.”

“Mama…”

“I know, but I promise you can play with Auntie Brenda when you wake up.”

Lily looked at her curiously, her little forehead creasing as she turned her head sideways.

“Yeah,” she pointed at Brenda. “She’s spending the night, so when you wake up, you two can play all you want, okay?”

“O’tay.”

“Good girl, now go with Daddy.” Sharon kissed Lily thoroughly, then set her on the floor and pointed toward Andy, who swiftly stood from the sofa.

“Come on, baby girl.”

The little lady looked back at her Mom and Auntie, then pounded her chubby feet against the hardwood floors as she ran to her father.  

“Let’s go to bed.” Andy tucked her into his arms.

“Her bed, not ours!” Sharon beckoned over her shoulder as they moved up the stairs.

“Got it, Captain!” Andy laughed, and Lily copied him.

“You’re so lucky, Sharon.”

Moving for the wine, Sharon picked up the glasses and handed one to her friend.

“What makes you say that?”

“That baby…” Brenda paused, emotion suddenly resurfacing. “Well, she’s just precious.”

Sharon rounded the couch and silently directed Brenda to join her in sitting. “Thank you. She certainly loves you.”

“Oh, I love her.”

“If it’s not too personal, why don’t you and Fritz have kids?”

Brenda thought for a moment, and then she met Sharon’s eyes. “I thought I was pregnant once, but I wasn’t. Turns out I have PCOS.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, no. Please…” Brenda shifted awkwardly, taking a long draw from her glass. “It’s treatable, Fritz and I…Well, it’s been hard enough to keep our marriage together.”

“Oh, honey.”

“I’m too selfish for kids.”

“I think my daughter would disagree. As would I…”

“I focus too much on work. Sometimes I forget to feed my cat, and I couldn’t even give my mother…” her voice cracked, and her hand flew to her mouth, holding back the sob that threatened to break free.

Sharon gripped her shoulder. “Talk to me.”

Brenda went on to vent about all her troubles: her obsession with work, her struggling relationship, and her regrets about her mother's death. Sharon sipped her drink and simply listened. She knew that was all her friend needed—no advice, no solutions, just an ear. 

“Hang on to your parents, Sharon.”

“I’m doing my best. It is good to have them close to me again.”

Both women had tears perilously hanging on their lower lashes. 

“I made such a big deal when Mama and Daddy wanted to move to Los Angeles. Now I wish I’d kept my mouth shut. Of all their children, they wanted to be close to me.”

“Don’t beat yourself up, Brenda.”

“I can’t help it. The night before Mama died, she practically begged me for five minutes to talk about something.” Tears broke free again. “I was too concerned with my case and waved her off. Now I’ll never know what she wanted to say.”

Sharon set down her glass and laid her hands over her friend's arm. “I know I didn’t know Willie Rae all that long, but I can say without fear of contradiction that she loved you no matter what.  She made that clear to me on several occasions.”

“What?”

“Do you remember first introducing me to your parents?”

“Oh god, yes.”

“Your mother swore me to secrecy, but she came to my office that day and gave me a good talking to.”

“No, she didn’t.”

“She did.  Of course, she saw through our awkward charade, but she wanted to tell me how much she appreciated me playing along.  Then she gave me a dissertation on all the benefits of being friends with her daughter.”

“Oh…” Brenda wept.

“She definitely made me see you differently.”

“I miss her so much.”

Sharon chose an embrace over more words and let her friend expel the overwhelming emotion.  When Brenda finally felt a little bit of control return, she refilled their glasses and changed the course of their conversation.  She ardently asked Sharon questions about her life—a concentrated effort to be a better friend and the person her mother always thought she was.  As they reached the sediment at the bottom of the wine bottle, the pair found themselves uncontrollably giggling.  

“Shh…you’ll wake the baby.”

Sharon had the wherewithal, even in her tipsy state, to slink back. “Oops.” 

The look on her friend's face made Brenda laugh again, and she covered her mouth clumsily, then whispered. “It’s almost 3am. We should get to bed, too.”

“We should,” Sharon scooted closer. “How are you feeling?”

“Drunk.”

“Me too, but besides that?”

Brenda sobered slightly. “Better.”

“I’m here for you. You know that, right?”

“I do. Thank you, Sharon.” She pulled her sweater tighter around her. “The way we started, I never expected to be your friend, much less a part of your family.”

“The same goes for me, but here we are.” Sharon stood and held out a hand. “Come on, let’s get some sleep.”

The pair giggled again as they fumbled up the stairs. Sharon led Brenda into the guest room and let her get comfortable before she tucked her in. 

“Rest, Okay? Everything else can wait until tomorrow.”

“You mean later today?” Brenda snorted.

“Oh, stop it.”

Rolling over into the pillows, Brenda sighed at how much more comfortable they were than hers. “Sleep tight, Sharon.”

“I’ll try to keep the two-legged alarm away so you can sleep in.”

“Don’t you dare. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

Flipping the light switch and closing the door behind her, Sharon leaned heavily against the wall for a moment.  Her heart was as heavy as her alcohol-laden body. Brenda Leigh Johnson was a good woman; she only hoped she’d helped her a little.  As Sharon started to move down the hall, her phone vibrated in her hand. When she looked down at the name of the contact on the screen, her heart skipped a beat.

“Agent Howard.” 

“Are we back to titles now?” Fritz couldn’t hide the nerves in his voice.

“Sorry, habit. Are you okay?”

“If you tell me my wife is alright.”

“Brenda’s fine. You haven’t talked to her?” 

“No,” frustration tightened his words. “I’ve been trying to call her all night, but her phone keeps going straight to voicemail. So I figured she must be working late. I called her office phone, and Provenza answered, telling me Stroh attacked her and Rusty.”

“I’m sorry, Fritz. I guess I assumed she’d called you.”

“Not your fault, Sharon, but thank you for caring for her.”

“Of course. I promise she’s safe.”

Fritz softened his tone. “Did I wake you?”

“No, I was just about to go to bed.” Sharon hiccuped.

“Have you two been in the wine?”

“I had to do something to calm Brenda and get her talking.”

“God, I can’t believe any of this.”

“We’re going to figure it all out together, okay?”

“Alright. Hey, get some sleep.”

“Yes, sir.”

He laughed. “I’ll be back in town tonight.”

“I’ll have Brenda call you when she wakes up.”

“Thanks again, Sharon.”

“Of course. Be safe getting home.”

As the call disconnected, Sharon took a deep breath.  She knew now what Brenda meant about her marriage to Fritz—there were clearly communication gaps. But it was none of her business.  Though in her way, she could nudge them a little.

“You’re drunk, Sharon. Go to bed.” She smiled to herself at her external dialogue.

Tiptoeing toward the nursery, Sharon cracked the door, unsurprised to find Lily’s new big-girl bed empty.  Part of her wanted to be upset, but as she crossed into the master and saw her husband and daughter both sleeping like starfish in the oversized bed, nothing else mattered.  With tremendous contentment, she stripped off her remaining work clothes and tossed them over one of the armchairs.  Slipping into her cotton nightgown, she said a silent prayer of thanks as she crawled beside them.

**

The following morning, or afternoon for Brenda and Sharon, started with heavy doses of caffeine and ibuprofen.  Thankfully, even the baby slept past ten, giving them a real shot at rest.  Andy gladly made breakfast for everyone, keeping it warm for his wife and boss while they slept.  Unfortunately, work beckoned for Sharon before she finished her first cup of coffee.  Chief Pope called and insisted he and Taylor needed to see her in person immediately.

She dressed and left Andy and Brenda having too much fun playing with Lily. As she stepped off the elevator onto the seventh floor of the PAB, she felt the tension hanging in the air.  Sharon could hear the two men’s voices as she approached the office door.  With Pope about to move upstairs and Taylor chomping at the bit for a promotion, something suddenly felt off. Against her better judgment, she knocked lightly, poking her head in the door.

“Good afternoon, Captain, come in.” Pope sounded suspiciously cheerful.

“Good afternoon. What can I do for you?”

“Have a seat.” Taylor sat straight in his chair, pulling another around the conference table for her.

Sharon was curious and cautious all at once.

“Captain Raydor, with everything that happened yesterday and over the last few weeks, Commander Taylor and I have been discussing some important changes that will be taking place around here.”

“Well, you know I’m all for anything that can improve the reputation of the LAPD.”

“Good, good.” Taylor leaned in. “Because Chief Johnson has decided that other, more lucrative opportunities are in her future.”

Now she was nervous.

Pope saw the change in her expression and circled to her side opposite Taylor.

“He means to say that Chief Johnson has decided that it’s probably best if she relinquishes control of Major Crimes.” He pushed a sheet of paper toward her on the table.

Sharon looked down, adjusting her glasses like the words would suddenly grow.  While she looked down at the page in front of her, she couldn’t figure out how or when Brenda had the time or the means to make any decision. After all, she’d left her at home giggling with her baby.  Reading the words repeatedly, the text finally started to sink in.

“How could she do this?” Her face wrinkled with confusion.

“Chief Johnson understands the magnitude of her actions against Philip Stroh.”

“But she was right about him.”

Pope stood again. “She got lucky. But that doesn’t change the fact that she attacked him. I would think of all people, you would understand that.”

Sharon was instantly on fire.  “I get it.  But luck had nothing to do with it. She knew this man was a serial rapist and murderer, and she kept on him even though none of us believed her.  We’ve all been doing everything we could to cover our asses while she was intent on getting a real criminal off the streets. Do I think she should lose her job because of it? Absolutely not.” 

“She’s not being fired, Captain. She’s been offered a position at the District Attorney’s Office. Rather than accept a formal reprimand, the Chief wants to move on peacefully.”

Disbelief was etched into her features. “What does any of this have to do with me?”

Taylor squared his shoulders. “If we want Major Crimes to continue to operate without huge liability issues hanging over our heads, we need to restructure it. And I need you to be a very big part of that.”

“In what way, Commander?”

He cleared his throat and sat forward. “We want you to take over in Chief Johnson’s absence.”

Shock was the only emotion that would register. “Me?”

“You, Captain.” Pope scooted closer.

Sharon’s mouth hung open momentarily, and she had to shake herself. “You realize my husband would be one of my subordinates?”

“We considered that, but it lends itself to the image we want to portray.”

“Image? Is this the police department or a magazine photo shoot?”

“Listen, we need someone of your caliber and integrity running this division. And you’ve outranked Lieutenant Flynn for a long time anyway. So I see no issue here.”

“Did you even consider Provenza?” She almost laughed at the absurdity of it all.

“We did, but his file speaks for itself. All we’re asking is that you consider it, Captain.”

“How long do I have?”

“We’ll need an answer by the end of business Friday.”

Sharon could feel the blood draining from her face. “Okay. I’ll think about it.”

Taylor stood. “That’s all we need for now.”

She couldn’t get out of that room fast enough.  As she got to the door, for some reason, Sharon’s eyes went to the plaque mounted there.  It now read, ‘Assistant Chief Taylor’.  Then, unexpectedly, it all made sense. Pope was lining up his allies before he even warmed the seat of Chief of Police.  

Could she function as the head of Major Crimes? How in the hell would she explain to her husband and her friend? Questions tumbled around her head, and as she beat a hasty retreat to her office, all sorts of scenarios flashed across her mind—how she longed for one whole twenty-four-hour period without any more shocks to her system.

**

Sharon hid out at work for a couple more hours, contemplating her meeting with Taylor and Pope.  She’d stood by and prayed for a position that would get her out of Internal Affairs for longer than she could remember. But never for a second did she consider Major Crimes. Hell, it had only been three years since she finally got Andy Flynn to stop despising her and a matter of months since her constant war with Brenda ended.  Now she was supposed to tell one that she could be his boss and the other that she had been offered her job. 

She drove home grateful for the gridlock traffic.  Hoping to waste enough time for Fritz to return and take Brenda home, Sharon stopped for takeout and aimlessly wandered around Food 4 Less until she was forced to buy something to keep from feeling like a common thief.  Returning to her car, she tucked an absurdly rich-looking chocolate layer cake onto the passenger seat.  Might as well have a plan in case Brenda was still at the house when she arrived.

Turning onto her street, she saw Fritz’s Buick parked on the curb. Dammit. She cursed to herself as she pulled into the driveway.  Shutting off her car while the garage closed behind her, Sharon ran her fingers through her hair, then held a hand over her mouth as if to physically hold back the anxiety threatening to spill from her gut.  Having heard her arrive, Andy stepped out the door at that moment.  

Seeing his wife white as a sheet, his heart dropped. He tugged her car door open and knelt beside her.

“Sweetheart, are you okay? What happened?”

“I’m okay.” 

“Sharon…”

“I know, I know.” She swallowed hard. “We need to talk, but not while Fritz and Brenda are here.”

“What did I do?” He was scared now.

Climbing out of the car, Sharon tugged her husband up to stand with her, kissing him briefly. “Oh no, it’s not you, honey. It’s work, I promise.”

“Thank God.” He let out a sigh. “I mean…”

She had to smile at his bungling and kissed him again, before reaching into the backseat for the takeout. “I love you.” 

“Love you too, come on.”

“Grab dessert.” Sharon nodded toward the passenger seat.

“Dessert? I already know what I want for dessert.”

“Haha.”

Walking into the kitchen, Sharon smiled when she saw Fritz leaning on the counter.

“Hey, Captain.” He winked.

“Agent Howard.”

He stood straight and pulled her into a hug when her arms were freed. The embrace surprised her but wasn’t unwelcome, and she easily reciprocated.

“What’s this for?”

“For taking care of my wife. I know it isn’t easy.”

“Easy is not a term that computes with Brenda Leigh Johnson.”

They laughed together, and some color returned to Sharon’s face.

“Where is she anyway?” 

Andy stepped inside and chimed in. “I’m about to be in trouble.”

“Why?” Sharon rolled her eyes without so much as looking back.

“Because my wife and your daughter are still asleep at almost 5pm.”

Now she turned quickly. “Andy…”

“Go upstairs and look at them before you judge me. Please?”

For some reason, she did as he requested without any protest. The two men followed behind, already knowing what would happen. Sharon climbed the stairs, pushed through the baby gate, stepped over the landing, and headed for her daughter’s room. When she pushed the door back, the sight that greeted her stopped her cold. Tiny as she was, Brenda lay with her knees to her chest, barely fitting into the toddler bed. Lily was tucked against her, chubby hands wound into blond curls.

“They were playing and suddenly things got quiet,” Andy whispered. “I came up and found them like that.”

“Oh my gosh…” Sharon couldn’t help the feelings that made her chin quiver. 

For a while, the three of them stood observing pure innocence. Then reality struck Sharon, and she stepped back, pulling the door to.

“Come on, let them sleep.”

“Really?” Andy thought for sure he was going to get the third degree.

“We may be up late, but yeah.”

The trio slinked back downstairs and settled into the family room. While they got comfortable, Sharon suddenly needed to speak.

“Fritz, how was Washington? Any luck getting information on Stroh?”

“I used all the favors I had, and at least the FBI is looking at the asshole now.” He ran his palms over his face. “It helped when I told them this morning that the guy attacked my wife.”

“Geez…” Andy commiserated. 

“At least now he’s in the hospital and under surveillance. Fritz, I promise we won’t let anything happen to her.”

“I know you’re doing everything you can, and I appreciate it, Sharon.”

“Of course.”

“You know she received a job offer from Andrea’s team.”

“So Pope and Taylor told me.” She hoped he didn’t notice the sheer relief suddenly coursing through her.

“Apparently, Brenda’s considering it.”

“She is?” Andy’s curiosity was palpable.

“Yeah…she won’t accept a formal reprimand.”

Sharon did her best to sound shocked. “That hasn’t even been settled on.” 

“Come on, Sharon. Can you honestly tell her that’s not what’s coming?”

“Well, no, but…”

“You don’t have to explain to me. I think Brenda has finally found the straw that broke the camel’s back.”

”Don’t y’all know it’s not polite to talk about people when they’re in earshot?” 

Three sets of eyes darted to the sound coming from behind them.

“Brenda.” Fritz moved quickly, wrapping his arms around his wife as she entered the room.

She gripped him with the desperation occupying her since the previous evening.  Still, she wanted to be a part of the conversation.

“Pope and Taylor told you about my job offer, huh?” She stared straight at Sharon.

“They did.”

Andy wanted to focus on the discussion, but his daughter was the linchpin, as his boss came downstairs. He slipped from the room almost without anyone noticing.

“Are you gonna take my place?”

Sharon’s heart suddenly pounded in her chest. “You know about that?”

“I may be an outcast as far as Stroh is concerned, but at least the bigwigs respect me.”

“Brenda, I’m sorry… I had no idea…”

“Sharon…Sharon…” Brenda sat down next to her antagonist-turned-friend. “It was my idea to have you take over Major Crimes.”

“Say what?”

“It took some great persuasion,” she looked to her husband. “But after my mother died, I realized I needed to focus more on the living. I can’t do that where I’m at now.”

“And you thought me best to replace you?”

“No one cares about cases more than you, Sharon.”

“Yeah, but…”

“No buts. If I step away, I need to know that someone who will give their all to the victims will come behind me. In my professional opinion, that person is you.”

Andy reappeared with a very groggy little girl in his arms. “What did we miss?”

“Sharon is going to take over Major Crimes.”

“What?” He knew then why his wife looked spooked when she got home.

“That hasn’t been decided yet, but the offer has been extended.” Sharon did her best to backpedal.

“Where are you going, Chief?”

“It’s just Brenda now, Andy. I’ve been offered a job at the DA’s office.”

“Mama…” Lily wiggled away from her father and bobbled to her mother, climbing into her lap and snuggling in.

“Hey, my baby.”

Andy was stunned. “Sharon, are you considering this?”

“I…I don’t know. I just found out a little while ago.”

“Hey…” Brenda held out her hands. ”Nothing has to be decided today.”

Everyone took a breath and looked around at one another.

“Um…Brenda and I should leave you guys alone.”

Sharon snapped back to reality. “No…no. I brought home dinner. You have to eat, right?”

Fritz tried to combat her hospitality. “We can grab food on the way home.”

“Nonsense. I’ve already got fifty dollars worth of Chinese, and…” She pointed toward the kitchen island. “Ganache cake.” 

Brenda’s eyes grew wide. “I think we can stay a little longer, Fritzi.”

“I guess we can’t say no to chocolate cake.”

The adults sat around the table enjoying crab rangoon, a large order of happy family, egg rolls, and plenty of fried rice and noodles.  But over that, they were all enthralled with Lily in her highchair, trying small bits of their dinner.  Andy and Brenda took friendly bets on what she would accept, and fortunately for her father, he knew his little girl.  Her little face was covered in brown sauce and cabbage when they finally went for the cake.

Taking an oversized piece, Brenda moaned at the resplendent sweetness, while everyone else watched in awe.  When they were ready to pop and the dishes cleared, Fritz decided to call it a night..

“Honey…I think it’s time we went home.”

Brenda had her arms full of baby while Sharon cleaned her little face. The two women shared an understanding gaze, and Sharon took hold of her daughter.

“Thank you for everything. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Oh, you would be just fine.”

“Okay, I don’t know what I’d do without Lily then.”

“You know,” Sharon smooched her baby’s cheek. “Me neither.”

“Think about what I said, okay?” Brenda laid a hand on her friend's arm.

“I will.”

After their guests were gone, Andy and Sharon piled back up on the sectional, baby between them.  With her belly full, Lily was surprisingly happy to snuggle.  

“So are you really considering taking the Chief’s job?”

“I need to know how you feel first.”

He stroked Lily’s curly hair. “I want whatever you want.”

“That’s not an answer. You need to think about this. I would be your immediate supervisor. Can you handle that?”

“Of course I can. Truly, how much better would it be for us if work kept us occupied on the same schedule?”

“I didn’t consider that.”

“We leave Lily in daycare and with the girls so much already. But, if we’re both on the same cases, how much sooner can we get back to her?”

He made a great deal of sense, and Sharon sat up straighter. 

“You’re really okay with this?”

Andy settled the baby against the cushions, placing her favorite pacifier between her lips. Sliding closer to his wife, he lovingly tucked her auburn hair behind her ear.

“How could I object to my boss being someone who I love laying the law down to me anyway?”

“Be serious, Andy.”

“I am serious.” The innuendo fell away from his features, replaced by earnestness. “Baby, you’re the best cop I know. I can’t think of anyone I’d rather take orders from. Think of what we can do together. Besides, the Chief requested you personally.”

Sharon looked down at their daughter. It seemed apparent that having the two of them working toward the same goal would involve much less risk than their current situation.

“Provenza still hates me.”

“Don’t you worry about him. He may be a crank, but he always respects the chain of command.”

“Alright, but if he pisses me off, it’s you that’ll have to deal with it.”

“When we’re at home, I hope.”

“You’re bad, you know that?” Sharon's eyes twinkled as she stood and tucked her daughter into her grasp.

“In all the best ways.”

“I know.”

Reading only clues from each other’s body language, the couple padded up the stairs.  Even after her late nap with Auntie Brenda, Lily was quite satisfied with lying back in bed.  Once her eyes closed, the parents slipped away to their room.

Sharon breathed easier knowing her husband always had her back. As much as she believed it, sometimes it still felt unnatural after all her years with Jack.  Lost in thought, she shrugged off her work clothes, yelping in surprise and delight when Andy squeezed her from behind.  He smoothed his large hands over the bare skin of her stomach, then quickly palmed the underside of her breasts.

“Mmm…” 

“My beautiful wife.”

“Sucking up to the boss already?”

He kissed the long expanse of her neck, then licked his way up to her ear, and sucked on the lobe.

“Literally. Is it working?”

“Yes…” The sound fell from her lips like molasses off a spoon.

While his mouth tasted her skin, one hand tweaked a pebbled nipple, the other sliding southward.  Dipping a finger between her folds, Andy’s breath caught at the dampness he found.

“Damn…”

Sharon grinned. “What? You expect me not to want you?”

He sucked at her neck again. “Sometimes it’s still hard to believe that a woman like you could ever be interested in me.”

Turning purposefully, and immediately missing his touch, Sharon faced her husband.

“How many times do I have to tell you not to say things like that?”

His eyebrows lifted towards his hairline, knowing precisely what he was instigating. “Are you going to punish me?”

“To the full extent of the law.”

With one swift and skillful move, Sharon had her husband on his back across the bed.  She didn’t need words to get him out of his clothes, and she watched with pleasure as he swiftly discarded his t-shirt and shorts.  Stepping out of the panties now around her ankles, she bit her lip and climbed on the king bed, straddling his thighs.  Her mouth watered, and she tossed aside her glasses.  Slim hands circled his firm girth, then swiftly, he was in her mouth.

“Ahhh…” 

Satisfaction was clear in his sounds. Squelches and moans ricocheted off the walls as Sharon sucked her husband into oblivion.  If Andy possessed less self-control, he would have come right then. But he would never before his wife was screaming in ecstasy.

Using his strength to squirm away from her, he took advantage of their weight difference and inverted positions.  Kissing her still rose-tinted lips, Andy left behind a hot trail: her jaw, her collarbone, her décolletage, her breasts. Sucking one nipple and then the other, Andy lifted his gaze to stare into her green eyes.  

“You got milk, didn’t you?”

“Yup.” Andy licked his lips.

“Good grief.”

Sharon feigned distaste even though her husband taking some of her milk was a godsend. Her supply was still abundant even though the baby was only nursing before she fell asleep at night.  The pain and pressure had become a part of everyday life.

“You want me to keep going?”

“Please.”

Never in a million years did Andy think he would imagine himself consuming breastmilk, but it relieved his wife, so he soldiered on.  The sounds Sharon made alone were worth it.  

“Better?”

“Oh yes.”

Resuming his original intention, Andy left Sharon’s chest behind in favor of licking and tasing his way down to her center.  She was far beyond soaked by that time, and after tasting her arousal, Andy climbed up on his knees.

“I need you.”

“Then take me.”

Her words sent a jolt between his thighs.

“Yes, ma’am.”

He grinned, but the look faded quickly as he pressed his body into hers.  The sound she made as she was filled hardened him to a pleasurably painful peak.  Andy pumped while tasting every part of her he could reach.  Soon, both of them were on edge.  Sharon longed for their connection to last longer, and as she wished he could impregnate her again, her muscles went taut and she wailed his name.

Trying his best to hold out, Andy’s hips jerk wildly. He would never get enough of her, and feeling her body squeeze around him, he laid himself bare. Filling Sharon intently with hot bursts of his seed, he collapsed at her side and drew her against his chest.  She languished in his grasp for a fleeting moment until an endearing sound made them freeze.

“Dada…“

Lily’s sleepy voice made them both sit up frantically.  They didn’t want to scar their daughter. Fortunately, she paid no attention to their nakedness at all.  They needed to remember to shut their door.  Andy reached down and picked the baby up, unsurprised when she crawled face to face with her mother.  Sharon kissed her and scooted back up against her pillows when her girl tugged at her bare breast.  

“I’m glad I didn’t take too much,” Andy smirked.

“With a new job, I will have to wean her finally.”

“Then I guess you better enjoy this now.”

Smiling widely, Sharon relaxed and enjoyed the purity of the moment.  Taking on a new role was significant, but every second with her baby girl and her husband was priceless. Andy got up, grabbing his shorts as he headed for the bathroom. He cleaned and covered himself, then returned to the room with a damp cloth and towel. Laving his wife’s most delicate areas, he felt pride and satisfaction when her eyes slipped closed.  Climbing back into bed, the soft snores and sweet little suckling sounds from his girls etched deep dimples into his cheeks.  He pulled the covers up and over three of them—sleep coming easily.

To be continued…

Chapter Text

This is not what I wanted…

Why the hell did you do this to yourself?

And now that boy…

My god, you're naive, Sharon…

Sharon Raydor’s thoughts were descending into dangerous territory even for her.  It was another late night for Major Crimes, and beyond the murders and suspects, her new job felt like crime and punishment of its own. Sharon was sinking, and no flotation device was around to save her.

Staring at her reflection in the mirror of the ladies’ restroom, it made sense to her now why she always seemed to find Brenda there when the murder room was on fire.  Letting Taylor convince her to hit the ground running was her first mistake. Then came the on-scene surprise for her new team.  The only saving grace from the circus was finding Amy Sykes—sure, she was a brown-noser, but at least someone besides Andy was willing to pretend they liked her.

And then there was Provenza.  

He was a seasoned officer, and Sharon knew she needed him, but dealing with his hatred was too much after only one damn day.  How in the world was she going to find some equilibrium? She’d already had to practically hold her husband back as all the snide comments flew in from every direction.  Yet still, she had led the crew to end a case that, thanks to Robbery/Homicide and SIS, cost the LAPD a ton of money.  But of course, the only suspect and eventual convict had to be the son of an LAPD detective. The scales of justice felt severely tipped in the wrong direction as far as Captain Raydor was concerned.

Glancing one final time at her tired green eyes, she slipped her glasses back over her ears and squared her shoulders.  She’d survived the first day and could be proud of that.  Unfortunately, the universe wasn’t going to let her off that easily.  As Sharon exited her refuge, she walked headlong into Rusty Beck.

“Hey! Watch where you’re going!” The young man reached out for his crutch, propped against the hallway wall, then looked up and froze. “Oh, Captain…”

“I’m sorry, Rusty. My mistake.”

While he thought of a way to backpedal, Sharon noticed his bag draped over his shoulders. She took a deep breath and let her voice drop into a hushed calmness.

“Where are you going?” 

“Um…” He instantly decided explaining wasn’t an option and skirted around her, hobbling for the elevators.

“Rusty!” 

Sharon turned on a dime and grabbed a hold of his backpack in two steps.  “Young man, you stop this instant!”

With his current condition and the death grip she had on him, Rusty knew it was no use to struggle.

“I can’t stay here anymore. I was fine on the streets until you people decided you needed to take care of me! Just let me go, Captain!”

He spat her title like it tasted spoiled on his tongue.  

“Rusty, look at me. Look at me!” She put her face squarely to his. “You are a material witness in a murder trial. It is my job to keep you safe.”

“So you're just going to keep me locked up in the police station? I’m a human being. I don’t deserve to be treated like this, and is anyone even looking for my mother?”

Sharon brusquely dragged the boy back down the hall and into her office. Luckily, all of her detectives were gone for the evening.  When she shut the door behind them, she took a ragged breath before she spoke.

“Rusty, I just took this job yesterday, so is it too much to ask that you cut me a break here? I’m going to do everything in my power to find your mother, but if you keep trying to run out like this, I’m going to be too busy hunting you to do any good.”

“Where is Brenda? I’d rather deal with her.”

Anger was beginning to simmer in her system. “In case you haven’t noticed, Chief Johnson doesn’t work here anymore.”

“I don’t know you and don’t like you, so I need someone else!”

“Well, you’ve got me or nothing, is that clear?”

Rusty plopped down in one of the chairs in front of her desk. “So what are you gonna do with me, huh?”

Sharon wanted to have all the answers, but she didn’t. At that moment, she wanted to scream, cry, or hit something, but instead, she made a decision.

“You’re going to come home with me.”

“What?”

“You have a problem with your own room, or would you prefer a trip to the juvenile detention center?”

“Hmm, go with you or go to jail? Tough choice.”

“Take it or leave it, mister.” Understanding or not, she was on edge, and the heap of attitude he carried was close to kicking her over.

Rusty sighed, and even that was full of abhorrence and disrespect. “Fine.”

“Okay. Gather your things and we’ll head out.”

Finally out in the garage, an officer helped Sharon load the car while Rusty sat begrudgingly in the passenger seat.  The tension between them was palpable when they were finally on the road.  Thank heavens it was a short drive.  Pulling up into the driveway, Rusty’s eyes grew wide, but he hid his shock while Sharon concentrated on getting into the garage.

“This is your house?”

“Sure is.” She threw the car in park, activated the carport door, and quickly made her exit. “Come on.”

“You must be rich. Brenda’s house was nothing like this.”

She slid the key into the lock. “She has her taste, I’ve got mine.”

Rusty mumbled to himself. “Yeah, high and mighty.”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing.”

As they entered the kitchen, the young man was unsurprised to find the inside even nicer than the outside. Then his ears perked up as he heard giggling. It sounded very much like a baby. 

“Uh, who’s that?”

“Oh, that’s my daughter. No doubt her father is playing the tickle monster.”

”You have a kid?” He was suddenly appalled.

She dropped her bag and kicked off her heels, stowing them on the shelf inside the door. Grabbing her fuzzy slippers, she put them on, thankful for the relief. “Actually, we have five. But only the one you hear still lives at home.”

“We?”

Just as Sharon opened the fridge and dragged out her open bottle of white wine, Andy came down the stairs, Lily in his arms.  Seeing the boy standing there, he had to swallow his astonishment.

“Hey, baby.”

“Hi, Honey.” She quickly kissed him and her baby. “Rusty, you remember Lieutenant Flynn?”

“Yeah. Hi.”

“Hey, kid.” 

“And this is our daughter, Lily.” Sharon relieved her husband and tucked her little girl into her arms.

“Wait, you guys are married?”

She smiled. “Yes.” 

Rusty all at once looked confused and disgusted.

Andy was immediately on his toes. “You got a problem with that?”

“No,” the boy's lips quivered like his insides. “I…I can’t believe someone married her.”

“Hey, that’s my wife you're talking about, pal. And if you haven’t noticed, you’re standing in our house. I would think you’d at least be respectful.”

“I didn’t ask to be here!”

“You listen here…”

“Andy!”

When her mother shouted, Lily whined and immediately started squalling.  

“Shh, shh. I’m sorry. You’re okay.”

After Sharon calmed the baby, she handed her back to her father, determined to deal with the matter at hand.

“Take her to bed. I’ll be there in a little while.” She looked square at Rusty. “You, come with me.”

That same feeling of exhaustion, frustration, and more than a bit of anxiety she’d felt at the office suddenly began to creep over Sharon again. Dragging her feet across the living room floor, she didn’t look back, only listened for the sound of Rusty’s crutches systematically following behind her.  A spark of guilt washed over her when she flipped the light switch in the small downstairs room.  There was a full-size guest room upstairs, but she couldn’t break the last barrier between them.

“Make yourself comfortable.” She fluffed the pillows on the twin-sized bed.

Rusty looked around the room quizzically, spying all the police certificates and memorabilia on the walls and the desk across from the bed. “What is this, your home office?” 

“And a guest room.”

“You have this huge house, and this is the guest room?”

“One of them, yes.”

“I see.” He plopped down on the edge of the mattress. “Well, don’t expect me to be grateful for you taking me in or whatever.”

“Oh, honey, you wouldn’t be the first ungrateful teenager to grace my residence. I do have two grown children as well, remember?”

“I thought you said you had five? What is it with you police always lying?”

“No, I said we have five kids.” Sharon aimlessly fussed with items around the room. “This is the second marriage for me and Lieutenant Flynn. I have two from my first husband, and he has two from his first wife. Lily is our only child together.”

“Aren’t you guys a little old to have a baby?”

A bright shade of red crept up her chest onto her cheeks, and she breathed away the urge to scream. “No.”

“How old are your other kids?”

“They range from 25-32. Suffice it to say, Lily was a surprise, but not an unwelcome one.”

“I wasn’t implying…”

“Don’t worry about it.” She kept her back turned, fearing that looking at him would cause her to break. “Anyway, your bathroom is right through that door, and feel free to use the closet or the chest of drawers if you’d like. And the remote for the TV is on the nightstand.”

“Okay.”

Sharon turned for the door and quickly grabbed the handle to close it behind her. “We’ll be right upstairs if you need anything.” She paused briefly, finally looking back, catching the incredulous look in his eyes. “And don’t try to sneak out. I’m about to set the alarm. Unless you want more than two cops watching over you.”

Rusty smirked sarcastically. “Great.”

“Goodnight.”

“Night.”

When alone, Rusty tossed his bag to the floor and lay back on the single bed.  He could think of worse places to spend the night—the police station, for one.  So he would deal with the cop's house for now.  Flicking on the television, he let himself relax.

Outside the room, Sharon stood listening for movement.  When she heard the sound of cartoons, she released the breath she’d been holding and moved toward the kitchen.  With a flourishing pour, she filled her glass with the white wine she’d left sitting on the counter.  The first chilled gulp slid down easily, settling heavily in her belly.  Then she let her eyes slip closed and hummed in relief. Sadly, the feeling didn’t last long.

“How long are you planning on keeping the kid here?” Andy tried to sound indifferent, but his face belied his tone.

“I…I don’t know. I didn’t know what else to do with him.”

“Did you think about Lily at all?”

Sharon almost choked, and she mirrored her husband’s attitude. “Of course I did, how could you ask me that?”

“You didn’t think about asking me, so I just assumed…”

“Oh my…” she lowered her head and her glass in sheer defeat. “Honey, I’m sorry.”

Then the tears came.

“Baby, listen…” Andy’s chest tightened under the weight of her sudden emotion. 

Before he could say anything else, Sharon’s body went limp and she leaned laboriously against the quartz countertops.  Andy tucked himself at her side, and though he tried to keep her upright, it was useless as the pair slid awkwardly to the wood floors, huddled together, backs against the white cabinets.

“I’m just…all this dropped in my lap…and…”

Her words were intermittently interrupted by sobs, and he pulled her tight against his chest as they settled.

“I’m an asshole, forget about it.”

Sharon looked up and stared into his dark eyes, despite feeling small.

“Don’t you dare say that.”

“Well, I am.”

“No, you’re not. I should have called before I brought Rusty home.  I would never do anything to endanger our baby…it’s just the new job and I’ve been on my own for so long, that…”

“I know you wouldn’t, and you’re not alone anymore, Sharon.” He stroked her soft locks. “You and I can handle anything… even an angry teenager. I’m sure of it.”

“Please forgive me?”

“There is nothing to forgive.” He laid his lips at her temple. “My only concern is that you’re alright.”

Sharon took a few deep breaths and wiped at her cheeks. “Did you get Lily to sleep?”

Andy smiled widely. “She had a big day with Aunt Nicole, so one story and she was out like a light.”

“Tell me all about it.” 

“Well,” he pulled her tighter against his chest. “Our girls went to the park and had a good time playing.”

“Really?”

“Oh yeah. According to the older one, Lily is currently fascinated with the slide. At least, until another couple showed up with their little boy and a very fuzzy Great Pyrenees.”

“Which one was she more interested in?” Sharon laughed.

“At first, the dog, which she apparently rode like her own miniature horse. Until Liam, the little boy about her age, demanded attention.”

“Sounds about right.”

“The rest of the afternoon was spent watching two toddlers educate one another on the intricacies of the merry-go-round. Of which our daughter is an expert.”

“You’re kidding?”

“Oh no ma’am. Nicole said Lily had a blast spinning the boy around until he nearly threw up. And they both thought it was the best thing ever.”

“You’re making that up.”

“I’m not, ask Nicole.”

“That girl is growing up too fast.”

“Tell me about it. She’s not even three and just like her mama, drawing in the boys.”

“Stop that.”

“It’s the truth.”

“Well, I got you, didn’t I?”

Andy laughed out loud. “Did you ever? I’m hopeless.”

Sharon sat up straight, suddenly feeling better. “What would you say to taking me to bed?” 

“I’d say your chariot awaits.” Andy released her and peeled himself off the floor, trying not to moan in agony.

“Oh please…”

“Come on.” He held out one of his large hands, and she gladly took it, tugging herself up and grabbing the glass again in her free hand.

The couple meandered up the stairs, never seeing the young man leaning upon the door frame across the living room.  Rusty had never seen what a genuine, healthy relationship looked like. Though he felt guilty for nearly starting an argument, there was something profound about the love that was obvious between the two adults.

Stepping over the landing, Sharon led Andy to the nursery, intent on checking on her baby. When she pushed the door back gently and saw Lily sleeping peacefully in the faint glow of her pink axolotl night light, the pressure in her chest eased further. Even though years had passed and her husband was a model father, it always made her feel better to see the proof for herself.

All the wasted time with Jack, raising kids on her own, had scarred her, and she silently vowed to erase that from her memory.  Inherently, she knew Andy had her back, and she wouldn’t ever let him believe otherwise.  When she pulled the door closed and stepped back into her husband’s arms, Sharon pushed up on her toes to plant her lips against his.

Andy relished the contentment she suddenly radiated, and skillfully dipped his tongue past her lips as he lifted her into his grasp.  Carrying his wife down the hall to their bedroom, he took great pride in himself as he used a foot to shut the door behind them.  He had already anticipated the struggle they would encounter when she agreed to be his boss, and now was his time to remind her that work didn’t matter between the four walls they called their own.

Chapter Text

Sharon Raydor dragged her feet as she entered her home and collapsed on the sofa, trying her best to hold her sleeping baby and her composure.  Nothing about her transition to Major Crimes had been easy, but the cop stuff she could deal with.  The young man and his future, suddenly thrust upon her, had her emotions all over the place.  It was enough that he was a teen, and a hardheaded one at that, but tonight was almost too much.

Rusty was sadly learning the hard way that the life he dreamed of wouldn’t come in the manner he’d hoped.  All day, he had looked forward to his mother showing up, finally coming back for him, but it was not to be.  Sharon couldn’t stop the fear and simultaneous loathing when Andy called to tell her Ms. Beck didn’t show up at the bus station, and Rusty had run away.  Then anger turned to worry, followed by terror when her husband returned to the murder room alone.

Just as she finally let the tears she’d been holding fall freely, she heard a familiar voice.

“You’re home late.”

Nearly jumping out of her skin, Sharon wiped at her cheeks and squared her shoulders, tightening her grip on Lily.

“I was…wrapping up a case.” Her whispered voice belied her expression. “Rusty, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t. Don’t talk about it,” the young man shook his head defiantly. “She lied to me; I believed her. Trust me, it won’t happen again.”

“I don’t honestly think that…”

“I really don’t want to talk about it. Please.”

“Okay,” Sharon swallowed hard. “But I have one question, and I need you to answer truthfully. Why did you run away from Lieutenant Flynn?”

“I don’t cry in front of people. And I started to cry, so I left.”

Finding herself commiserating, Sharon simply shook her head.

“How much money exactly did she steal from everyone?”

“Don’t worry about it. We can, um, we have it covered by, uh, our bosses. What’s that?” She nodded toward the papers in his hands. 

“Oh, I was behind on filling out these forms for school, and you said you needed them tomorrow. You still want them?”

Sharon smiled, suddenly relieved. “Yes, I do.”

“Okay.” He turned quickly, making a run for the haven of the guest room.

“Rusty…”

Reluctantly, he looked back. 

“Your mother is the one losing out here. Nothing she’s done has a thing to do with you. I hope you know that.”

“I thought she loved me, and letting go of that is what’s hard.”

“But holding on to someone when they’re gone is even harder.” She spoke from a hard-fought experience.

“Thanks for trying to bring her back.”

And just like that, Sharon was alone with her tears again. Only in this instance, an air of hope replaced despair. Picking up her phone, she eagerly called Andy and Provenza to tell them the good news.  

When she was finally on the verge of being cried out, her heels tossed across the rug, Lily now snoozing against the couch cushions, and a glass of wine in hand, she heard a door open behind her.  Turning toward the kitchen, the sight she saw was a balm to her weary soul. Andy tiptoed in from the garage, his suit jacket slung over his shoulder.  Immediately, she was up and moving. Quickly kissing the red curls at the side of her daughter’s head, Sharon sped around the bar and into her husband's arms.

“Is he okay?” Andy whispered.

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry, baby.”

“For what?”

“For letting him out of my sight. I swear to you…”

Sharon stopped his words with another kiss, then led him toward the living room. “You have nothing to be sorry for. Let’s get her down and then we’ll talk, okay?”

Andy looked down like the proud papa he was, still as always, enamored with their beautiful little girl.  Without a word, he slid both arms beneath her and tucked her against his chest.  Sharon looked on lovingly and instantly followed him toward the stairs.  As they lay the baby in her bed, they leaned into one another and watched as she settled.  When Lily finally turned on her belly and snuggled down, her parents eased back down the stairs.  Sharon refilled her wine glass and tucked her feet beneath her as close to her husband as she could.

“Baby…” Andy ran his hand over her cheek and slipped his fingers through her hair. “You okay?”

She breathed out heavily. “Yes and no.”

“Tell me.”

“Just when I'm getting used to the job,” her voice broke again. “I…I’m worried about Rusty.”

“His mother…some piece of work, huh?”

“Shhh…”

He slinked back, remembering the boy was in earshot, and lowered his voice. “Sorry, but how could she do that to him?”

“Oh god, I don’t know.” Another tear slipped down her cheek. “If anyone even suggested I be separated from Emily, Ricky, or Lily, I’d…I’d…”

“I’ve been forced from my children by my own hand, and it was all I could do to survive.”

“Oh, honey…” She pressed her forehead to his.

“I tell you what we can do…”

“What’s that?”

“Until the time comes that his mother wises up, or otherwise, we can be his parents.”

Sharon was shocked, and she didn’t hide it. “Andy, what are you saying?”

“I’m saying we keep on doing what we’re doing. Get him in school and on a stable path, and maybe even move him upstairs to the more comfortable room.  He deserves people in his life who give a damn about him and his future.”

“You really mean that?”

“I do.” He kissed her. “Sure, he’s a teenager and has challenges, but he’s a good kid. He’s been here what, two weeks? And he already helps out around the house, and Lily loves him. Why not give the kid a fair shot at all the advantages we can?”

Sharon sat back and smiled. “You see…this is why I love you. You never fail to surprise me.”

“I’ve got plenty more where that came from.”

“I hope so.”

He winked. “Stick with me, baby.”

When the comfort they always had in one another returned full force, they cautiously crept away to the refuge of their bedroom.  One day, one step at a time was their usual M.O., and nothing would change that.  Yet again, as they disappeared into the darkness, Rusty had heard their conversation.

He knew he shouldn’t eavesdrop, but it was nearly impossible with his room's proximity to the house's public areas.  Regardless, after everything his mother had put him through, he suddenly felt safe and secure.  There were people who owed him nothing, willing to make sacrifices and take care of him.  Fifteen or not, he’d lived a whole life, but in the presence of Sharon and Andy, he felt like a kid. And for once in his life, that was a good thing.  He would find a way to repay them, tenfold.

**

The following morning, Sharon woke first to a warm ray of sunshine hovering across her face.  For once, it felt like she’d slept, yet still something felt off.  Reaching for her phone on the nightstand, she nearly jumped off the bed when she saw the time.

“Andy!”

Immediately, she shook her husband, who was still sleeping beside her. Before he could open his eyes, Sharon was darting around the room, searching for clothing. Andy groaned and sat up, confused and surprised.

“What’s wrong?”

“We’re late! Get up!”

He reached for his phone and couldn’t help the smile on his face when he realized she’d forgotten their plans for the day. Slowly, he turned over and lay spread-eagled across the bed.

“Baby…” He let the term of endearment drip from his lips.

For some reason, the sound made Sharon stop on a dime. She turned and grinned, her half-asleep stress melting away when she saw his face.

“Damn…”

“Come back to bed, my love.” His smile had turned to unabashed humor.

“You love it when I make a fool of myself, don’t you?”

“What? Me? Never.” He patted the spot on the mattress next to him. “It just makes me feel better when you show your human side, Wonder Woman.”

Sharon didn’t try to hide her red face, but all that disappeared when she snuggled back into his embrace.  They both lounged for a second, basking in the warmth of each other’s touch.  Then she started to twitch.

“I know…” Andy released her reluctantly. “Now you're awake, awake.”

“I’m sorry, honey.” She shot him a contrite glance.

“No need. I could use a cup of coffee anyway.” Andy sat up, then looked back at her strangely. “Do you smell bacon?”

“Now that you mention it…” Sharon turned her nose up. “I do.”

“What in the world?” He stood quickly, grabbed his robe, and tied it around his waist, waving for her to follow.

Before anything else, they moved down the hall to their daughter’s room. When they found the door open and she not in bed, Sharon's panic, which she had felt only minutes before, occupied them both. Running down the stairs, what they saw stopped their feet and hearts, and they both froze on the landing, watching intently.

Rusty stood before the gas stove tending a small skillet, while Lily cackled in her high chair attached to the bar.  He took a spatula to whatever he was cooking, then turned for a small purple plate on the counter behind him.  

“You must have liked that. Want more?”

“Yah!” The baby accentuated her bellowing by raising her little hands in the air.

Making sure what was in front of him was cool enough, Rusty unceremoniously dumped the plate's contents on her tray. Immediately, Lily began to cram the food into her mouth.

“Dang! Slow down… there’s more where that came from.”

She giggled with her mouth full, and Rusty laughed out loud, only turning away to activate the coffee machine.  As he did, he caught a glimpse of the adults in his life staring from the living room.

“Morning…”

Sharon and Andy were both in disbelief, standing frozen and wide-eyed.  

“There’ll be fresh coffee in a minute. I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting you guys so soon.”

His apology spurned them into action, and they moved together, holding on for dear life.  They kissed Lily as she called out to them, but Andy recovered first.

“What’s all this?”

Rusty ran his spatula around the eggs in the pan. “Just breakfast.”

Sharon finally found her voice. “I had no idea you could cook.” 

“A little anyway. I used to make breakfast for my mom all the time. When we had a place to live anyway.”

Before emotions could drop below a normative threshold, Lily chimed in to save the day.

“Mama!”

“Yes, ma’am?” Sharon sat beside her little girl and ruffled her bed head.

She pointed at the young man in front of her. “Wusty!” 

“You’re right, that’s Rusty.”

As if the boy had taught her a party trick, Lily shoved a handful of omelet in her mouth and chewed excitedly as she again tasted her food.

“Is that good?” Andy tucked himself on her side opposite his wife.

“Mm-hmm!”

“Well, Rusty, you’re going to have to tell me your secret. Lily has always turned her nose up at the eggs her father and I cooked.”

He looked slightly timid, but spoke up anyway. “I know how little she is, so I made sure she didn’t get any of the bacon I crumbled up for your omelets, but I cooked her eggs in the bacon grease. I hope that’s okay.”

Andy and Sharon were both instantly proud as punch.  For as many challenges as he came with, Rusty was already proving to be a part of their family.

“Do you have a lot of experience with babies or toddlers?” Andy asked earnestly.

“I wouldn’t say experience, but I’ve taken care of a lot of kids.” He turned back to the hot pan on the stove. “When you spend enough time in shelters and stuff, sometimes others depend on you.”

“How do you mean?” Sharon’s heart was suddenly cracking again.

Rusty flipped and plated another omelet, handing it to Sharon. “Before Gary, my mom was in and out of homeless shelters and drug rehab.  Cheese?”

“Um, sure.” 

“The times I was allowed to stay with her, before DCFS would find me, I helped take care of kids younger than me in the same situation.” He shrugged. “Changing diapers, giving bottles, you know, normal stuff.”

Nothing about what he said was ordinary, but Sharon and Andy held their tongues.  As much as this boy was self-willed and capricious, his young soul was experienced and extremely mature.  Looking at his wife, Andy could see her struggling to hold back tears.

“Well, if you can get Lily to eat like that, young man, I owe you a debt of gratitude.”

“And for taking care of her in general,” Sharon added.

“It’s no problem, seriously. I assumed you were trying to sleep in since you two weren’t gone at the crack of dawn.  I heard her upstairs, and I wanted to help.”

Sharon’s voice cracked, but she spoke anyway. “We’re so grateful. Thank you, Rusty. And you never have to be afraid of anything here. This is your home, okay?”

“Okay.” He stared briefly but quickly turned back to pour another round of eggs into his pan. “Your omelet’s coming right up, Lieutenant.”

“Thanks, kid.”

Eventually, the two adults and the teen ate together while Lily played with her toys.  Andy and Sharon knew they had to get to work closing a case, but the moment was too precious and important for them to bow out so quickly.  When Rusty left them behind to join the baby playing with her favorite blocks, the parents murmured over the dishes.  

“I’m beginning to believe he was meant to be here.” 

Andy rinsed a plate. “I told you, didn’t I?”

“You did.” She rubbed at her forehead with the back of her arm. “You really think we can do this?”

“Come on, Sharon. We’ve raised four adults between us, and we’re working on another…”

“You’re right, and if what we’ve seen this morning is any indication, there wouldn’t be much more work involved.”

“Besides teenage angst. You do remember that, don’t you?”

“Do I?” Sharon rolled her eyes and laughed.

“Hey, kid!” Andy took a chance and anticipated his wife’s next move.

“Yeah?”

“What do you say tonight, after work, we move your stuff to the bedroom upstairs?”

Rusty took his focus off Lily for a moment. “Really?”

Sharon took the lead. “Really.”

“That’d be awesome.”

Sharon looked up at her husband and grinned. “Awesome.”

He returned the sentiment. “Awesome.”

**

After the opening to the day they’d had, Sharon and Andy finally piled into the murder room, willing but not necessarily ready to get back to work.  Between the FBI and all the nonsense their squad had experienced the previous day, who knew where they would end up.  And as it turns out, they were right to feel that way.

Before the circus could start again, DDA Hobbs knocked on Sharon’s door.  

“Andrea… what can I do for you?”

“I’m sorry to interrupt you like this…” She closed the door swiftly behind her. “But I have some news regarding Rusty Beck.”

“Oh?”

“As you know, Rusty’s DNA ended up being in the mask he pulled off Philip Stroh.”

“Uh-huh.” 

“In our follow-up, the lab found a familial match to the boy in our criminal database.”

“You’re saying Rusty has a relative who’s a criminal?”

“Paul Dunn. He was arrested for dealing cocaine in San Diego about six years ago. Looks like Rusty’s paternal uncle.”

“And?” Sharon’s heart was suddenly beating wildly.

“Paul has an older brother, Daniel Dunn, who, I bet, will test out as Rusty’s biological father. And I found a birth certificate from a San Diego hospital listing Sharon Beck and the mother; father unknown.”

“Oh my…”

Andrea sat forward in her chair. “I’m not saying it's definite, but it could take him off your hands.” She slid the file folder across the desk.

“Alright…” Sharon took a deep breath.

“Look, what you tell the boy is up to you. I’m not sure the father has any legal standing, and he may know as little about Rusty as Rusty knows about him.”

“I’ll look over this and let you know what Rusty decides.”

“Okay.”

“Thanks, Andrea.”

“Sure thing.”

When her office door closed, Sharon let her head fall into her hands. Of course, just as she let herself believe things were starting to settle, another wrinkle showed up to bring her back to reality. Lifting her gaze and seeing Andy out in the murder room, she grabbed her phone and texted him.

I need you in here, but don’t hurry. Make it look

like you need something.

Setting her device down, Sharon let her eyes focus on the file in front of her. With her mind racing, she wasn’t actually reading anything, but that didn’t make her surprise any less real when Andy knocked on the door a few minutes later.

“Captain, do you have a second?” He spoke purposefully as he entered.

“Yes, Lieutenant…”

As the door closed and though interested, their team instinctively turned back to their own business. Sharon jumped in with both feet and broke the news she’d just received.  It wasn’t long before they were both gazing at one another desperately.  Unfortunately or perhaps fortunately, that shielded them from the forlorn eyes studying them from just inside the entrance to the murder room.

He hadn’t known them long, but already he could tell something big was coming.

To be continued…

Chapter Text

“Sharon, Lieutenant, we’ll be fine, go!”

Rusty held Lily in his arms, her thick little fingers tugging at his sandy blonde locks.  The last few weeks had been fraught with adjustment, disagreements, and growing pains, but the young man found himself mostly happy for the first time since his mother abandoned him.

“Are you sure you’re okay with her?” Sharon barely held back the panic that made her heart feel like it was about to leap from her chest.

“Yes! Now go!”

The toddler copied his enthusiasm with a cute, long, drawn-out howl. “Gooooooo!”

“Come on, honey.” Andy tugged his wife’s arm gently, just as nervous, knowing they needed their alone time.

“Alright, alright.” She breathed out heavily. “You have all the numbers, and dial 911 if anything serious happens.”

“I’ll do that… enjoy your date.” Rusty couldn’t help the grin that drowned out his annoyance at his overly cautious foster parent.

“And don’t open the door…for anyone!” Sharon hollered over her shoulder as her husband dragged her out into the garage.

When the door closed behind them, Rusty sighed in relief.  He knew Sharon and Andy meant well, and they had every reason to be concerned, but he’d volunteered to step in as babysitter when Nicole had to cancel at the last minute—the least they could do was be thankful.  Besides, he adored Lily and he believed she liked him too, and anything was better than spending the night locked in the house alone.

As Andy pulled the car out of the driveway, he could feel Sharon’s anxiety rolling in waves even over his favorite classic rock station.

“Baby?”

She startled slightly and knew he noticed, but tried to act cool anyway. “Yes?”

“Rusty won’t let anything happen to her.”

“I know.” Her shoulders dropped. “I worry too much.”

“No,” he laid a hand on her knee, exposed beneath the lifted hem of her purple satin sheath dress. “You’re a good mom. I’m just reassuring you that the boy loves his little inherited sister.”

Sharon grinned at his sentiment. “He does, doesn’t he?”

“And Lily…”

“Oh my god, he hung the moon according to her.”

They laughed together as Andy brought the car to a stop at a red light.  Sharon laid her hand over his where it rested on her leg.

“What am I going to tell him about his father?”

Andy knew all along where her uneasiness stemmed from. “Contrary to popular belief, the kid is pretty levelheaded when it comes to adult issues. Tell him the truth.”

“You’re not serious?”

“Sharon, only Rusty can decide if he wants anything to do with this guy. As far as we know they know nothing of each other.”

“I understand that, but that doesn’t change the fact that this man has parental rights over him.”

“Is there nothing that will override that?”

“Not according to the law and DCFS.”

Andy wanted to pound his fist against something, anything, but held back for the sake of his girl.  “Well then…” he squeezed Sharon’s knee again. “One step at a time. We’ll talk to the kid and cover his six on whatever he chooses to do.”

“What if this guy wants to take him from us?”

“I know you’ll say I’m crazy, but I don’t believe for a second that will happen.”

“You are crazy.”

“But you love me anyway.”

Sharon finally smiled. “Well, you’re right about that.”

As the light finally changed, he leaned over and kissed his wife.  The pair lingered in the feeling a little too long, and when a horn honked behind them, they broke apart laughing in earnest.

**

A couple of hours into the evening, Rusty had discovered he would wait a long time before he ever decided to have kids of his own.  Besides the fact that he was already sure of his sexuality and that procreation would take intervention anyway, Lily was giving him a run for his money.  Surprisingly, he was having a ball, but he couldn’t ignore how tired he felt.

Despite the normal routine he was slowly growing accustomed to, Lily seemed to have boundless energy.  He fed her, they’d played several rounds of hide and seek, and he’d even gotten her to use the potty which was more than her parents had managed to do.  Now she was gleefully jumping from the sofa to the loveseat and everything in between, insisting he watch her every move.

Thankfully, just before the strike of ten and long past her usual bedtime, Rusty had found a box of instant chocolate pudding in one of the cupboards.  Quickly whipping it together, he used the sweet to ply the little girl into sitting still.  While she stood at the coffee table messily stuffing the silicone-tipped spoon between her lips, he turned on her favorite cartoon.  For a few moments, she was eerily quiet, chocolate all over her face, her chubby legs stomping out the rhythm of her treasured songs.

Rusty reclined on the sofa, desperately clutching a towel in anticipation of the moment her dessert was gone and her focus shifted back to him.  Sure enough, when the small plastic bowl was bare, Lily hastily turned for him and he wiped her hands and face as she climbed the couch aiming for his lap.

“Wusty?” 

He smiled at the sweet sound of his name as he tucked her head against his chest. “What is it, princess?”

“I lub you.”

The little girl didn’t wait for his response and snuggled herself tighter against him, her focus back on the television.  Rusty’s breath hitched in his throat.  For a moment, he placed his lips at the crown of her red hair, then suddenly found his voice.

“I love you too, Lily,” he swallowed hard. “I love you too.”

Not sure what else to do he simply held her tight.  First Sharon, then Andy, and now their daughter had all somehow managed to make him feel like a really worthy person.  He owed them, and he would somehow find a way to pay them back.

After a few more minutes of neon technicolor puppies saving the world, Lily was sound asleep on his lap.  Easing his way off the sofa with his arms full of little girl, Rusty climbed the stairs.  Settling her into her bed, he found himself watching for a silent moment as she slept.  When Sharon first brought him home, he’d fought so hard against everything she’d said.

Now, he couldn’t seem to think of being anywhere else.  It had happened so fast, but he was finding a life with them and they, for some unknown reason, had no qualms about making him a part of their family. Smiling at the realization, he shut Lily’s door and went back downstairs to straighten up.  Changing the channel to his favorite anime, Rusty went about ridding the room of all traces of the tornado toddler. Just as he placed dishes in the sink and cleared the kitchen island, he inadvertently knocked a pile of Sharon’s work documents onto the floor.

Cursing himself as he quickly picked them up, he couldn’t help but notice his name written in big bold permanent marker letters on a red file folder.  For just a second too long he held the item in his hands, wondering what could possibly be inside.  He knew he shouldn’t look, but curiosity was a cruel mistress and he couldn’t ignore her siren song.  Slowly, deliberately, he pulled back the top cover.  As he began to read, the words ran through his brain and straight to his fragile heart. 

**

Sated by a wonderful dinner and even more so by the infrequent night of them and only them, Sharon and Andy laughed together as they piled in through the kitchen door.  Upon glancing at the back of Rusty’s head over the edge of the couch, Sharon delicately shushed her husband on the off chance the young man was asleep.

Hearing the joyful sound behind him, Rusty forcefully wiped the emotion from his cheeks and breathed out his anxiety.  Standing slowly and deliberately, he picked up the red file from the coffee table and turned to them.

“Hey.”

“Oh, Rusty. Sorry, did we wake you?”

“No, no.” He stepped around the sofa.

Sharon could immediately see something was wrong. Then she noticed the file in his hand.

“Rusty…”

“Just tell me what this means, Sharon.”

Her chin quivered. “Right now, it means nothing more than you have options, okay?” She pressed her way forward and tried to stroke her fingers against his cheek, but he pulled back suddenly.

“Options? How long were you going to wait to tell me about this?” His voice shook, anger and confusion climbing up and over his countenance.

“I…” A tear slipped down her cheek. “I didn’t know…”

Andy spoke in her stead.  “This was just dropped in our laps, kid.  We know about as much as you do, so don’t overreact.”

Rusty quickly turned his glance to the Lieutenant. “Overreact? I find out I have a dad out there that I thought was dead and I’m supposed to be calm?”

“Yes.” Andy stepped forward blocking Sharon and laying a hand on his shoulder. “Just until we know more.”

Rusty tossed the file away and folded his arms across his chest defiantly. “How could this happen?”

Sharon cleared her throat and regained her footing. “We’re police and testing DNA is a part of our work, you know that now.  When we tested yours from the mask you ripped off Stroh, a match was found in the system.”

“My father is a criminal?”

“No, you’re uncle, but it led us to your father.”

Rusty sucked in a ragged breath and let it out slowly. “Do I have to meet him?”

Sharon reached out and succeeded in touching him this time. “That…is entirely up to you.”

“It is?”

“Until DCFS tells us otherwise, yes.”

“But I want to stay here with you.”

“And you will. You don’t have to worry about that.”

“Promise me.” Out of nowhere he covered the space between them and held onto her for dear life.

“I promise.” Sharon hugged him back with all the force she could muster.

Andy moved in and wrapped his arms around both of them. It didn’t matter what they were going through. He’d already found Sharon, then himself, and their daughter.  Now was the time to complete their family, and he’d do anything to make it happen.  For a while the three of them clung to one another, almost fearful to let go, until emotional and physical fatigue set in.

Rusty was the first to pull back, yet he looked into the faces of the people he was growing more fond of every day and decided he needed to lighten the mood.

“Guess what?”

“What?” Sharon smiled as she wiped at her cheeks.

“Lily used her potty.”

“No!”

“Yes.”

Andy chuckled. “One or two?” 

“Both,” Rusty reddened again. “After I fed her dinner, we were playing with her little barnyard when she suddenly stopped, stood up, and held out her hand to me. When I got up she took hold of my finger and led me to the bathroom.”

“How do you do it? That girl will do anything for you.” Sharon laughed.

“I don’t know. She just seems to respond to me.”

“That’s an understatement,” Andy tugged off his sport coat. “But I’m certainly not complaining.”

“Me either. And you got her to bed alright?”

“Sure did.  She probably would still be up. She was full of energy tonight, but I turned on her cartoons and gave her a bit of sugar-free chocolate pudding. The minute she was done and I cleaned her up, she climbed up in my lap and nodded off.”

“You’re a natural, kid.”

”You want to know the best part?” Rusty’s chin quivered again.

Sharon and Andy both shook their heads.

“As she was about to fall asleep. She looked up at me with those big hazel eyes and told me she loved me.”

Sharon pushed back towards him and put her palms against his cheeks. “She’s not the only one.”

“Sharon…”

She looked into the young man’s face, full assurance written into her jade eyes. “I don’t want you to worry about that file.” 

Rusty swallowed thickly and let his own eyes slip closed. “Okay. I won’t.”

“Thank you.” She embraced him again and Andy followed suit.

None of them knew if the boy’s father was a good person, or anything about him other than their shared DNA. But one thing was for certain, Sharon Raydor would do everything in her power to make sure Rusty was taken care of, whether he was in her custody or not.  And it wouldn’t be easy for her to simply hand him over. Vetting wasn’t the word—that man, whoever he was, would be put through the gambit.

**

Talking a while longer, the trio finally gave in to exhaustion and all headed upstairs.  With one final round of reassurance and saying goodnight, Andy and Sharon shut the door to their master bedroom behind them.  As they began to peel away the layers of the day and their wonderful evening together, Sharon stepped into the bathroom.  Emotions of all sorts stirred within her, mostly light and hopeful, but just heavy enough to force her to lean upon the quartz counter for support.

Wrenching her glasses away from her face and tossing them across the vanity, she openly let the tears fall where they may.  As the first sob fell from her lips, Andy, clad only in his boxers, was on his feet.  There was a time long ago he would have been hesitant to invade her space so quickly, but that instinct was long gone.  Instantaneously, his hairy chest was pressed to her bare back, his arms wrapped around her middle.

“It’s okay, my baby. We’re in this together.”

Not that she hadn’t already known, but in that moment his touch and warm unfeigned voice were the key to turning off her faucet of worries. Standing straight in his arms, Sharon tugged him closer and let her head fall back against his skin.

“What if this guy is some grade A dad?”

“While I have a strong doubt that will happen, if it comes about, we should be happy for the boy, don’t you think?”

Sharon opened her eyes and looked at their reflection in the mirror. “You’re right.”

“Trust me, I don’t want to be, but Rusty deserves a family whether it’s us or his father.”

“I know. I just can’t imagine meeting a fifteen-year-old child I knew nothing about.”

“Unfortunately, I can.”

Sharon suddenly did an about-face. “What?”

“I promise I don’t have any unknown children out there. I’m merely saying the experience is different for men, that’s all.”

“I didn’t think of it like that.”

“Rusty’s mother obviously let drugs lead her life decisions and this man knows nothing of the boy.  There is a possibility that he is exactly what Rusty needs. I know you wouldn’t deny him if that happened to be the case.”

“No, of course I wouldn’t, but…”

“Sharon, I want him to stay here too, okay? No matter how hardheaded he is. But just like you promised him earlier, nothing will be finalized until we know this guy inside and out.”

“Okay,” she sniffled and pressed up on her toes to kiss him. “I’m grateful you’re with me on this.”

“I’m with you on everything, boss lady.” He grinned and it made her laugh finally. “Now…”

With a proud display of his strength, Andy lifted his wife and settled her bare cheeks against the chilly stone surface of the countertop.

“I think you need a bit of distraction.”

Before Sharon could say anything, he leaned in and claimed her mouth with an assertive kiss.  Sharon fell quickly in line and broke the plane of his lips with her tongue.  Not one to always let her take charge, Andy tasted her, but swiftly pulled away, starting a moist trail beneath her ear and working downward.

With each sultry touch, she whimpered brazenly.  Yet when his mouth surrounded one of her peaked nipples, her sound migrated from moan to growl.  Andy laved at her creamy flesh, determined to make her forget everything.  And his plan was clearly working.

The more he licked and sucked, the harder she ground herself against the surface beneath her, searching for satisfaction.  Andy knew his wife well, and just the thought of her wet and ready, sent him soaring to a hardened peak.  When the tip of him grazed the cold stone, searching for the ultimate destination, he pulled back and lowered a hand between her thighs.

Just as he suspected, fingers roaming, he found his wife dripping. For a brief moment, he toyed with her, flicking mischievously at her straining clit.  Then with the smooth, unsullied effort of skill, he widened her legs and tugged her to the edge of the vanity.  Part of him wanted to pause, to take her in his arms and carry her to their private oasis, but the need for her overrode his willpower.

When Sharon was in the perfect position, Andy stood straight and impaled her with his stiff length, filling her to the hilt.  She had to bite back her scream of ecstasy, opting instead to bite her lip with a low but resounding howl.  For a moment they held still, staring into one another’s eyes as the feeling of connection radiated through them.  Then suddenly her walls trembled, forcing his hips to move.

Like great music, born out of passion, time, and tempo, they were suddenly in the midst of a fervent cadence. Two bodies rising and falling, undulating a pulse of pleasure that felt almost karmic.  Sharon's hands wandering his soft form was the perfect counterbalance to his hardness conquering her body and suddenly she found herself clutching his ass cheeks as if to force him deeper within.

The sounds she made and her touch gave him no choice but to drive himself home, and he found himself crying out in chorus with her.  Then he felt the tightening.  She clenched around him avidly and her head fell back unable to hold her screams any longer.  Andy opened his eyes and when he finally focused on her coming apart around him, his body took over.  He couldn’t help the rhythmic grunt that accompanied each spurt as his orgasm filled her with his seed.

Silence fell around them as they basked in the glow of pleasure. Sharon rested her head on his shoulder, the sweat from her forehead mingling with the mutual dampness of his skin.  Andy’s knees were weak, but he forced himself to hold steady, unwilling to leave her.  Then somehow an errant wave of strength pulsed through him and he pulled her off the counter and into his arms.

Carrying his wife to their king-sized bed, Andy pulled back the covers and lay her amongst the silken sheets. As he rounded to his side, he never took his eyes off Sharon.  It didn’t matter how long they’d been together, she still amazed him upon sight.  Little did he know, she was eyeing him with the same amount of reverence.  

They had another bumpy road ahead of them, yet they both knew that path was where their relationship had been forged.  Tucking themselves together and pulling up the covers, the pair fell asleep, inexplicably confident in their ability to survive this challenge.  And both silently vowed to make sure Rusty was with them. Permanently.

Chapter Text

“Rusty, are you home?”

The silence that reverberated against Sharon’s inquiry was unconvincing, as she stood staring at her young charge’s backpack on the coffee table.  Her day had been harrowing enough, criminals and all. Much less having to allow her foster son to go off to dinner alone with his long-lost biological father.  But now, something in her mama gut was screaming bloody murder.

Daniel Dunn hadn’t impressed her at all, or Andy for that matter, despite an egregious amount of effort on his part.  Sharon had to do her best to be patient with the man, and it should have been endearing or something that he stuck around the murder room for hours that turned into days waiting to meet his son. But after Rusty expressed his explicit disinterest in facing the other half of his genetic code, Daniel’s hanging around bordered on creepy.

Kicking off her heels, she made a beeline for the top of the stairs. When she knocked and called out, the sound of Rusty’s voice on the other side of the door made her heart race.

“Can we talk about it in the morning?”

“Is everything alright? Do I owe Daniel a call?”

“Wait, wait, wait. Hold on, I'm coming.” The door creaked open slowly, Rusty holding his neck at an awkward angle. “Just…don’t freak out, okay?”

The instant he looked up at the worried expression on her face, Sharon gasped involuntarily.

“Oh my god…what did he do to you?”

“Look, don’t worry, I didn’t hit him back.”

“Come in here and let me see you in the light. What happened?” She pulled him to the guest bath that had become his when he moved to the second floor.  Flipping on the bright LED lights, she looked him over thoroughly.

“Annie, his obnoxious fiancée, was asking me all these, like, really personal questions about how I'd gotten along without my mother. And then I thought, you know why not just get the whole gay-hustling thing out there? And when I did that, Annie kind of freaked out.”

Sharon tugged open a drawer and doused a cloth in alcohol. “And then?”

“Daniel took me outside to talk. And then he accused me of trying to ruin his wedding. And then I told him that I couldn't care less about his stupid wedding. And then... then he hit me.”

“Why didn’t you call me?” She cracked an emergency cold pack.

“Because, Sharon, I knew you would be upset. And I wanted to think things through, and…” Rusty fidgeted. “We're past the ice stage on my face.”

She pressed the blue blob against his torn skin anyway. “How can you be so sure?”

“I’m sure. My mother's boyfriend used to do this sort of thing to me, like once a week. Until I beat the crap out of him. And then, the next day, he and my mom dropped me off at the zoo. So now you know everything. Look, did I do anything I need to apologize for?”

“No. We are past the apology stage of our relationship with Mr. Dunn, and we have moved on to the "please don't let me drive over to his house and shoot him in the head" phase.“

“On the bright side, I guess I don't have to go back to Daniel's house now, right?”

“No. But there's a good chance that he's going to come over here.”

“Oh.”

“Wait a minute. Before I put this stuff on your bottom lip, lift your head up.”

“Why?”

“I'm gonna take some pictures.” She turned her phone, snapping every appropriate angle. “One more. Let me get in close.”

An hour later, Rusty had thankfully fallen asleep, so Sharon sat alone on the sofa in the living room.  It wasn’t late by any stretch of the imagination, but with his bloody cuts and bruises cared for, the boy could no longer deal with Sharon’s mothering.  With a glass of wine in hand, that same mom part of her wished she had gone by Drew and Harper’s place and picked Lily up.

No matter the drama that had ensued with her foster son, she needed someone at that moment. And if it couldn’t be Andy, the next best person was her baby.  Out of the silence, by some miracle, the second the thought crossed her mind there was a familiar click at the door to the garage.  Before she could so much as turn, Lily bellowed proudly.

“Mama!”

Over the sound of little feet pounding against the wood floors, Sharon remained still, until her miniature strawberry-haired girl bounded into her arms.

“There’s my baby…”

For an extended moment, she held onto her little girl like a buoy on the never-ending ocean. Then another voice rang out that did far more than soothe her anxiety.

“Baby, are you okay?”

Andy sat down next to her and ran his fingers through her hair.  The quiver that normally showed with his touch did nothing, and instinctively, he knew something bad had happened.

“I’m fine.” She lied and kissed Lily, never shifting her eyes to her husband.

“I don’t believe you.” 

“Oh really?” Sharon finally looked at him, trying hard to hide the emotion that threatened to spill. “Then can’t you just take my word?”

“Nope.” Andy palmed her cheek this time.

Sharon breathed out a heavy sigh. “Let’s get her to bed and then we can talk. Alright with you?”

“Of course.” He smiled lovingly and stood.

Lily lifted her sleepy head. “Bed, Dada.”

“Are you trying to tell me I should listen to your Mama?”

“Mmm.”

“Well hell, I guess I have to now.”

“Hell, Mama…” The baby twisted and grabbed Sharon's cheeks.

Overwhelmed as she may be, Sharon managed a smile. “Watch your mouth, honey.”

“Good grief.” He leaned down and pressed his nose to his daughter’s. “Baby girl, don’t tell on me.”

“Goo gref.” She mocked her father’s words.

Andy squeezed his eyes closed and smiled. “Okay, I give.” He took the baby from his wife, tucking her into his arms. “Off we go, Little Captain. He shifted his gaze to Sharon. “You coming, or do you need a minute?” 

She dropped her eyes to the floor. “Go ahead and get her changed, I’ll be up in a second.”

As she watched two of the most important people in her life climb the stairs, Sharon couldn’t stop the tension that crept over her.  Rusty now occupied a huge part of her heart and all that she hadn’t told her husband weighed heavily.  Sucking back the last gulp in her wine glass, she took it to the sink.  Leaning for a moment on the counter, she prepared herself to fess up to all that had occurred.

Looking in on Lily and her father, now both somehow occupying the time toddler bed, Sharon slipped away into the master bedroom.  With her work clothes now removed, but before she could rinse off her makeup, Andy sidled into the room.

“Little Miss Priss is fast asleep.”

“Good.”

He kicked off his dress shoes. “So, you gonna tell me what’s going on?”

Sharon laid down the washcloth she’d been holding in her hands and moved to lean on the bathroom doorframe.

“First, you have to promise me to listen and not do something rash.”

“Well, that’s not worrying at all.”

“I’m sorry, but you have to promise.”

“Fine. I promise.”

Anxiety streamed through her, and she took a cleansing breath.  She had no real reason or idea how to soften what she was about to say, so instead she jumped in with both feet.

“Daniel beat Rusty up tonight.”

“The fuck?” Andy could not help his gut reaction.

“Andy…”

He took a brief second to center himself before he spoke. “Sorry, baby. But really? That asshole assaulted a kid?”

“Yeah. Apparently, the fiancé was asking questions and Rusty thought it appropriate to speak his whole truth.”

“You mean about how we found him?”

“Sex in Griffith Park and all.”

“Damn…” Andy twisted awkwardly. “Dunn is clearly at fault, but did Rusty have to go there?”

“No, but…” She paused to swallow the nausea hanging in her throat. “It’s his story and no one can change that.”

“How much more can this kid go through?”

Sharon choked back a sob. “I know.”

With a sudden will of strength and determination, Andy moved forward clutching his wife in his arms. “He’ll be safe from this point forward. You believe me?”

“Of course I do.” She gripped him back for dear life. “We have to keep him safe.”

“Safe is not the word. He’s our son, Babe.” Andy shifted back slightly and smiled. “That moron Dunn is nothing.”

“You promise?”

“Or my name isn’t, Lieutenant Andrew James Flynn.”

“Wow, you never let me use your full name.”

“I want you to know I’m serious.”

“I’ve got to find a way to get Daniel Dunn to sign over his parental rights.” Sharon wiped at her wet cheeks.

“You don’t worry yourself with that. When I get done with him, he won’t be able to say no.”

“You’re not allowed to commit any crimes. I need you here, not behind bars.”

“I swear, nothing will happen other than his commitment to never show his face near this family again.”

“Does that mean I can start the paperwork?”

Andy smiled and kissed her forehead. “Of course. But with or without the state’s judgment, that boy is our son.”

And finally, Sharon’s heart began to return to its normal rhythm.

**

The following morning, Andy sneaked out of bed early. Knowing his daughter as he did—about an hour before she normally woke up, he turned off the baby monitor and crept around Sharon’s side of the bed, deactivating her alarm.  She tossed and turned most of the night, so he was determined to let her sleep as long as possible. Putting together a quick breakfast, he readied himself for the day, then right on time when he stepped through Lily’s door, she was bright-eyed and full of energy.  With the baby fed and dressed, Andy made a plate for his wife and carried it along with the baby upstairs.  

“Alright baby girl, crawl up there and wake Mommy up?” He whispered as he set Lily down near the foot of the bed.

With great enthusiasm, the chunky girl practically ran over the mattress and with a resounding squeal, proceeded to body slam her mother. Sharon woke with a groan, but the second she saw the sweet cheesy grin on her baby’s face—nothing else mattered.

“Heeey, Mama.”

“Good morning, my baby.” She looked up at Andy, trying and failing to give him a dirty look. “Did Daddy tell you to jump on me?”

“Yah,” Lily pointed. “Dada.”

“You know what I think?” Sharon smiled when the baby just stared. “I think the tickle monster should get him.”

Andy knew what was coming and handed his wife her breakfast plate, pretending to fall victim to Lily’s wiggling fingers when she reached out for him.  In a roar of whoops and hollers, he did an incredible job of making her believe she was torturing him with her tickles.  Spinning around in a circle, he wound his way over to the opposite side of the bed, collapsing in a heap.  

“Got ‘im, Mama!” 

“Good job! Thank you, baby.”

Andy and Lily continued to play while Sharon began picking at her plate. “What time is it?”

He knew he was about to be in trouble. “It’s just after ten.”

“Seriously?” Sharon dropped the plate on the nightstand and started to run from the bed, until Andy reached out one hand to tug her back down. She sat, but wasn’t done protesting. “Did you turn off my alarm?”

“I did, but listen…” Sitting the baby on her butt, he sat up and pulled Sharon into a kiss. “Everyone at the office is fine and working. The FBI is hoarding our case at the moment anyway. I told them and Chief Taylor we needed the morning.”

Captain Raydor wanted to be pissed, perhaps even throttle her Lieutenant, but Sharon appreciated her husband looking out for her.  

“Have you seen Rusty this morning?”

“He’s still sleeping, and after last night, I have a feeling he will for the rest of the day.”

“What makes you say that?”

“He was up more than you were. I’m fairly certain what sleep he did get was on the couch between rounds of whatever war game he was playing.”

“I’ll talk to him.”

Andy laid a hand over her arm and shook his head. “Don’t. He deserves to cope however he can.”

Sharon knew he was right. “Alright. Are you still going to talk to Daniel?”

“You better believe it. I called him this morning and told him to meet me in the murder room at four. I’m going to need your office, if you don’t mind.”

“As long as you keep your promise to keep things civil.”

“I won’t get myself arrested.”

“I’m going to trust you on that.”

“Good, now finish your breakfast.”

**

In the afternoon, with Sharon and the team still busy trying to find a sniper who seemed to have vanished into thin air—Andy sat on pins and needles. But, as the hour struck dead on four o’clock, Daniel waltzed into the murder room, stunned and horrified by the immediate air of hate clearly aimed at him.  Before anyone else could say anything, Andy met him face-to-face.

“Good of you to show up, Dunn.”

“Look…”

“Not here. Follow me please.” Andy moved for Sharon’s office, waiving the younger man in, then following and shutting the door… and the blinds.

“Now, continue.” 

“I made a mistake. I'm not denying it. I feel terrible about how I lost my temper, but... You only have one side of the story.”

“Okay. But before you fill in the blanks, I want to establish some facts. You came here today on your own, to give us your side of the story. Is that right?”

“Yeah. Yeah, that's right.”

“All right. Speak.”

“My fiancée, Annie, is very protective of her little girls, and Rusty just drops this bombshell on us. Look, I get that he was in a tough situation. But what he did... the way that he sold himself on the street... It shows such terrible judgment. The idea of taking a kid that has done that kind of stuff and putting him into a normal family, freaked Annie out.”

“Uh-huh.” Andy was near a full boil with anger.

“I had to take Rusty outside just so she had a chance to calm down. And...explain to him why he should apologize. The words that he used…I could tell you what he said.”

“Nah, keep talking.”

“Okay. Anyway, he ends up calling me an asshole, and I hit him. It was much harder than I intended. And I had no idea that he would run off. And I ju... I wanted...I wanted to discipline the kid. He...needs discipline.”

“Is that what you told your fiancée... that Rusty suddenly poofed into thin air because you disciplined him?”

“Uh... Wh... n-no. No, I-I-I-I said that he ran off and that I-I couldn't catch him, which is true... that happened. But... I...Look, I-I need to talk to... to Rusty. Annie wants…” Daniel sighed. “I need to talk to Rusty.”

“Alright. You’re gonna wait a while, but since you like to hang around our break room—you should be used to it.”

“Thank you.” 

With a quick hand, Andy deactivated Sharon’s phone she’d left sitting on the desk to record their conversation.

“I appreciate that. Because we can fix this. We can.”

“Mmhmm…trust me, fixing this is the only priority here.” With speed and a fierce determination, The Lieutenant took hold of Daniel, spinning and pinning him against Sharon’s desk by his collar. “You’re lucky you’re still walking, Pal. You’re going to get to talk to my son, but trust and believe, when you leave here today, things are going to be very different.”

“Your son?” Daniel tried but could not move an inch, looking like a fish out of water. 

“You heard what I said. Now take your sorry ass to the break room and sit quietly, or I’ll make life even more miserable than it already is for you, Scumbag.”

“Hey! You can’t…”

Andy shook him hard again, then squared his eyes on him. “Abuser, say what?”

“What?”

“Exactly. Now shut up and go.”

Without so much as another sound, Daniel held still until Andy stepped back. Once free, he hesitantly eased toward the door. With one last look back, Dunn did as he was told and disappeared down the hall.  

Many hours and a solved case later. The Major Crimes team piled back into the PAB, with one clear objective in mind.  Upon their return, they were honestly surprised to find Mr. Dunn still sitting in the break room waiting.  When Andy arrived with Rusty in tow, they were ready.

Provenza volunteered himself to start things off. “Daniel, if, uh, you'd join us right here.” He dragged the sperm donor into the conference room where everyone else was waiting with bated breath.

“Thank you. Oh, well, uh...I was hoping that, uh...I'd like to talk to Rusty by myself.”

“The people here want to be sure of my safety, Daniel.” Bolstered by the people around him, Rusty stood his ground.

“Okay. I get it. And I'm sorry. I am so very sorry. And I want to promise you, Rusty, and everyone else here, I will never hit you like that again.”

Sharon clicked the remote in her hand, activating the screen that filled the back wall of the room. “Like this, you mean? These pictures are what Rusty looked like when he came home last night after you beat him.”

“I had no idea that this was...Rusty, I don't know what I need to do to try and make this okay, but I want to try. Annie wants to try. I apologized. Tell me what else I can do.”

“Well, if you want to prove that you're sorry, then you can sign this paper surrendering your parental rights and allow me to become a ward of the state.”

“Wait a se... hold on, Rusty. Wait. W-w-w-wait. Annie wants to add you to our family.”

“I don't think you understand, Daniel. We're trying very hard to avoid arresting you.” Sharon spoke where Rusty hesitated.

“Arresting me? For what?“

Andy turned a heated shade of red. “For child abuse. To which you confessed yesterday in Sharon’s office.”

“And that you should have to ask why we would arrest you after seeing those pictures and the boy's face as he looks now…” Provenza hissed.

Andy matched his energy. “It's just a very bad sign, Danny boy.”

“Look, we put you in front of a judge...That's assault and battery of a minor.” Julio added his two cents.

Then Tao. “Which will trigger investigations with any other children who might be under your supervision. Like your fiancée's daughters.”

And Buzz. “On the other hand, your booking photo might make a nice addition to your wedding album.”

“Hold on! Hold on! I admit that I made a mistake. But...I did my best.”

“Unfortunately, Daniel, your very best turns out to be a crime.” Sharon smoldered.

“You...You don't understand. If I tell Annie that I signed away my responsibility for my own son…”

“There are two choices in front of you. They are both very clear and easy to understand. Sign this document, surrender your parental rights over Rusty, or prepare to be arrested and arraigned for trial.”

Provenza slammed a hand down on the conference table. “If it's any comfort to you, Daniel, yesterday, I was reminded just how much good fathers are willing to sacrifice for their children. You're not cut out for the job.”

“You may just have ruined my life.”

“Good.” Rusty snarked.

Feeling defeated, Daniel Dunn reluctantly signed the piece of paper and slinked from the room understanding he’d lost and would never recover.

“Congratulations, kid.” Amy patted Rusty on the back. “We should all sign on as witnesses.”

“Now, this is the best deal we've done so far.” Finally, Provenza grinned.

“Guys, Sharon, thank you so much. Thank you. How weird is it that I'm happy to be an orphan?”

“You're not an orphan, Rusty.“ Mama Raydor almost let her mask slip.

“What do you mean?”

Sharon opened a manila folder she’d set on the bureau beneath the windows.  Tugging out a stack of papers, she laid them gently in front of him.

“There is a family that would love to have you. If you’re willing to put up with them.”

Rusty looked down and only managed to read the first few sentences before his eyes glazed over and his head shot up.

Sharon and Andy were hugging each other’s sides, praying for his answer.

“For real?”

“Absolutely,” Sharon swiped at a stray tear. “Lily would never forgive us if we didn’t make her Rusty her real brother.”

The mention of Lily dissolved the kid into a puddle of love and reverence.  That little girl was the main reason he hadn’t run off into the night and permanently disappeared.  He’d come to love Sharon and Andy and was wholly grateful for everything they had done for him, yet it was Lily Margaret Flynn who gave him a reason to change himself for the better.

“You seriously want to adopt me?”

Provenza couldn’t stand it anymore. “Kid, they couldn’t tell you any clearer.”

“Okay, okay,” Rusty never took his gaze off the two people who would become his parents. “I would be honored to be Lily’s brother.”

The full group broke out in cheers and laughter, and Andy stepped away from his wife only long enough to take a gentle hold of Rusty and drag him into a three-way hug.  There were many more obstacles to overcome, but this hurdle would change every soul in that room.  Family was much more than blood, and every day and each milestone that passed secured their bond even further.

Chapter Text

Rusty Beck was quickly accommodating to having a bona fide family, but not quick enough to avoid the occasional drama.  As usual, the first thing in the morning was an argument over transportation and breakfast.

“Sharon, I’m not in protective custody anymore, why do I have to take a squad car to school?” 

“Because I said so young man. Next inquiry?”

“Fine. Can I have my Cinnamon Toast Crunch?"

“Not when I made you an omelette from scratch." Andy voluntarily turned from the stove and took the next blow.

“Ugh, fine.”

“Oh I know, a home-cooked meal is going to be the death of you.” Sharon snarked.

“I didn’t mean…”

“I know you didn’t, but please Rusty…”

“I’m sorry,” the young man’s eyes scanned back and forth. “Lieutenant, Sharon…”

“It’s all good, kid.” Andy flipped his omelet onto a plate. “Eat.”

Parents being parents, Sharon and Andy smiled at one another when Rusty plopped down at the bar and began shoveling eggs into his mouth.  Much to their chagrin, Lily, highchair attached to the granite countertop, squealed in delight.

“What, baby girl?” 

“Wusty…Ommat…”

“Yeah, your brother is eating his breakfast. Are you gonna do the same?”

“Na-me, Dada.”

“Why not?” Andy was playing his daughter’s game.

“Because you’re a giant softy.” Sharon laughed out loud and sat down on the stool next to her toddler.

Out of the blue seeing the expression on her father’s face, Lily lit up and voiced words neither of the three older people in the room anticipated.

“Dammit, Sha-wann…”

Rusty spat out the bite of his breakfast he’d just taken involuntarily, pressing a palm to his lips to hide his absolute amusement.

Sharon, having to force herself to remain serious, stood.

“Rusty, will you take your sister upstairs and help her get dressed?”

He chuckled, but swallowed it quickly. “Yeah, Mom.”

When the kids were gone, Sharon slowly moved towards her husband, arms folded.

Andy was suddenly terrified. “Listen, sweetheart…”

“Oh don’t ‘sweetheart’ me, mister.”

“You know how she is…I swear I didn’t teach her that.”

“But you’ve clearly spoken it in front of her.”

“Maybe…once…”

Sharon’s face reddened. “Andy!”

“Okay, okay. I’m sorry.” He pushed forward and pulled her against him. “Don’t be pissed at me, please babe.”

Unable to keep up the charade, Sharon melted into laughter. “Fine. But you have to correct her when she does things like that, you big softy.”

Relief washed over Andy’s features, and he leaned down to kiss her. All while his heart was beating out of his chest.

“I’ll do better, I promise.”

“Not better, because you’re an incredible father. I’d just prefer our daughter not sling obscenities at me. Especially ones that I probably deserve.”

“You never deserve that.”

“It’s okay, Honey. I know I do, but I’d rather hear it from you so I can punish you appropriately.”

“Oohhh…”

“Ah, ah,” Sharon pulled back, knowing she was teasing. “We have to get to work.”

“Dammit, Sharon.”

She laughed out loud. “I definitely deserved that one. I’ll make up for it, I promise. Rusty!”

Andy turned back to the stove, intent on calming himself and finishing the rest of breakfast.  When the kids reappeared, Rusty made sure to check in with them.

“Everything okay?” He secured Lily, now in a cute purple outfit, back in her high chair and moved back for his plate.

“Of course.” Sharon smiled and sat back down. 

“Dad?” He had to be sure.

“All good, kid. Eat your breakfast.” He turned his head far enough to show his smile.

“Alright…” Rusty was skeptical, but he followed the directions anyway.

Andy knew with Rusty’s background he’d have to be more convincing than that, so with quick precision, he set down his spatula.

“You’re mom just needed to set me straight. And she wasn’t wrong.”

“Okay.” Rusty took another bite and looked down at his phone. Teenage affirmation.

Then like the little three-foot-tall hellhound wunderkind that she was, Lily added to the conversation again.

“Ohhh, dat woo-man.”

Everyone in the room burst into belly-deep laughter, including Sharon. Leave it to a nearly three-year-old to humble her in the most hilarious of ways. Still, she would remember to call Lily’s Auntie Brenda and give her a stern talking to as well.

**

Beyond their eventful start to the day, Andy and Sharon walked through the door of their home at precisely six o’clock, both kids in tow.  Rusty immediately filed upstairs for a shower followed by homework, as routinely ordered. But Lily, who had nodded off in the car on the way from the daycare was suddenly wired.  Fortunately for her parents, she found distraction in her farmhouse playset.

“I should have asked before we got home, but do you want to order or should I cook?”

“What do we have that’s quick?” Sharon sighed exhaustedly.

Andy pulled open the stainless steel side-by-side refrigerator, staring inside. “If you feel like pasta, I can make some penne with vodka sauce… or perhaps baked ziti?”

“Sounds heavy. Do we have anything for a salad?”

Andy sighed. “No. I can run to the store though.”

“No, no.”

“What if we just order from the deli?” He closed the fridge and turned back smiling. “Rusty and Lily love the matzoh ball soup, you can get a salad, and I’m never opposed to pastrami.”

“Delivery?”

“Of course. That way we can shower and get comfortable.” He didn’t hide his longing to get clean together.

Sharon grinned. “Sounds perfect.”

“Should I ask Rusty to watch Lily?”

“Would you?”

“Of course, baby.”

And just like that he went upstairs to give Rusty a break from his studies.  When the baby girl had teenage eyes on her, her parents slinked upstairs.  Andy was quickly undressed and moved to get the water warm.  Just as he was about to search for his wife, she stepped into the bathroom, her ivory skin glowing in the fluorescent light.

“Shall we?” He held out his big hand.

Sharon took it happily. “Please…”

The two seasoned cops stepped under the scalding hot spray, just like Sharon liked it.  As she wet her deep auburn locks, Andy pumped her favorite shampoo bottle.  When her hair was thoroughly saturated, he massaged the floral concoction over her head.  Sharon moaned at his touch against her scalp—she loved when he gave her that kind of attention.  

When she was assiduously lathered, she turned the tables, filling her hand with his teakwood body wash. The second she ran her slim hands over his chest, Andy’s eyes went wide.  He wanted her more than anything else in existence, but he knew she would make him practice patience.  And thus, they expeditiously cleansed one another.

With perfectly timed precision, both adults were dressed and filed down the stairs in time for their dinner to be delivered.  Both kids dove into their soup, Rusty finishing his quickly and disappearing upstairs.  Andy plowed through his giant pastrami sandwich, all while watching his daughter and wife daintily tasting their food.

When Lily was full, she whined a bit but her father gladly rocked her while Sharon savored the remainder of her Caesar salad. And by the time the brunette tossed her disposable bowl and washed her hands, the little girl was passed out in Andy’s arms.  Quickly, all lights were out except the one above the stove, and Sharon slinked her hands through Andy’s silky gray locks, encouraging him to follow her.

He did so, standing skillfully from the rocker recliner, without ever disturbing their daughter.  Once upstairs and in the nursery, the parents changed their girl into her favorite rainbow pajamas, never disturbing her sleep.  Pulling up the covers on her big girl bed, both of them looked on for a few minutes, unwilling to break away from the sweet sight. After all, she was the reason their relationship had lasted beyond a one-night stand.

Finally back in their master, Andy gently shut the door behind them, then practically ran to his wife.  Sharon was prepared for him and turned deftly before he ran into her back.  Their lips met, hard and purposeful, both aiming to share the minimal oxygen left between them. Andy reluctantly pulled back first.

“Baby…”

Sharon had to shake herself, intimacy overwhelming her. “I’ve waited all day.”

With her words, Andy pushed forward, sucking at her neck. When the flavor of her skin invaded his brain, somehow he moved instinctively.  Reaching for the hem of her nightgown, he pulled it over her head and skillfully tossed it away.  Sharon moaned at the air against her bare skin, then stepped backwards to lie across their king-sized bed.  She opened herself to him fully—silently begging for his mouth.

Andy needed nothing else to push him forward.  Stroking his thick hands up her creamy thighs, he lowered his face to her center.  Lips, tongue, and gentle teeth all involved, he immediately sent her soaring over the edge.  Sharon's hands and feet were in chorus, gripping the headboard and wiggling against the sheets as orgasm eclipsed everything else. God, he knew what he was doing.

When her breathing began to slow and even, Andy pulled away momentarily.  He knew exactly what to do next, but nothing excited him more than hearing it directly.  And so he waited.

“Honey…”

“Yes, baby?”

“I need you inside me. Please,” she moaned unabashedly. “Now…”

The sound of her deep sultry sex-crazed voice made him harder, as it always did.  In an instant, Andy was on his knees above her, pressing himself to her center.  His tip bearing down on her entrance pushed a cry from Sharon's throat. When he hesitantly teased, her emerald eyes flew open.

“Andy?”

Before the echo of her cadence dropped from the air, Andy pushed forward, filling her completely.  Again one of her hands flew to their headboard, and her knees locked around his hips begging him to move forward.  Post the initial shock of being engulfed in her body, he moved, building a steady rhythm. Soon their moans were coalesced, a harmony only true love could construct.  As much as he tried to hold out, Andy planted his palms on either side of her head. Knowing he was contending with her need to finish with him, Sharon threw caution to the wind, slinking a hand between them.

“Go honey…fuck…finish!” She cried as she fingered her own clit.

He was so gone at that point that he followed her order as he would when they were working.  Sharon swirled her hips to just the right spot that as he cried out his orgasm, so did she, and instantaneously they were both groaning deliciously. When he let his weight collapse upon her, she released her grip on the bed and wrapped him tightly in her embrace.  Finally cognizant enough to realize he was crushing her, Andy rolled to her side and stroked her cheek.

“I’m sorry, babe.”

“For what?”

“I didn’t mean to smother you.”

“I love you on top of me.” She breathed heavily and smiled.

“I love being there, but I don’t want to hurt you.”

Rolling on her side, Sharon placed a palm on his cheek. “You could never hurt me. Unless you refuse to climb on top of me.”

Andy couldn’t help but grin and shiver in surprise as he quickly started to rebound.  God, Sharon Raydor would be the death of him.