A/N: So, here's the next chapter, everyone! A little slice of Sharon & Castillo Time, with a dash of Rusty... Thank you for staying on the Pink-verse train, I hope you continue to enjoy the ride- your reviews make my day!

Sharon hummed in her waking, as she snuggled into her lover's embrace, and heard his husky whisper.

In times like this, Martin Castillo always spoke the most tender of words. Though not always in English, often in a mishmash of foreign languages that the captain had never even heard before, Castillo's love for her was always evident in his tone and accompanying touch.

And for her, the feeling for him was more than equal.

Their lips connected, finally, and she opened her eyes to meet his.

"Hey."

"Hey, yourself."

"I've missed us."

"Me too."

It sounded silly, but it was true. Even though they lived in the same city, and saw each other on a near daily basis, the couple's busy schedules didn't seem to allow for for many lazy interludes.

With her work with Major Crimes, and son Rusty, and his volunteer organization and care of his granddaughter Kacey, Sharon and Castillo often felt like an old married couple- or two ships passing in the night.

And speaking of nights...

Not to mention, early mornings...

Whenever they found the opportunity, it was always very good.

###

"There you are!"

Rusty Beck grinned with pride, as his newly declared mother put her arms around his skinny waist and gave him a hug.

Castillo was soon to follow suit, giving him a warm clap on the shoulder, en route toward the French Press of coffee, which sat on the kitchen counter.

The day before had been one of the best- if not the best days of Rusty's life...

The Day Before:

Judge Grove scratched his signature upon the document, and the deed was done.

"I now pronounce you, Mother and Son. Sharon, you have every right to tell this young man what to do, and Rusty- you have every right to ignore her and stare mindlessly at your phone... I wish both of you great happiness."

Sharon and Rusty both grinned, and then hugged. They each thanked their favorite judge, who nodded warmly.

"So, who's that guy over there, trying to blend in with my law books, but failing miserably?"

Martin Castillo had arrived late, as he dropped Sharon and Rusty off at the courthouse, then attempted to find parking nearby. It was a Herculean effort- finding such, in downtown L.A., but Castillo made it happen. Minutes later, Judge Grove's clerk waived him on into the chambers, and Castillo arrived just in time to witness Sharon and Rusty's adoption proceedings.

Sharon hummed warmly, as she beckoned her lover to join them. Introductions were made, and the ruddy faced judge took the opportunity to tease the couple unmercifully.

"So, this is the guy who strong-armed that piece of shit, Jack Raydor, into finally signing the divorce papers? In a hurry much, to marry this fine lady, here?"

Sharon and Castillo blushed, while Rusty grinned and chuckled openly.

"You know, I could marry the two of you right here and now- give you a family discount, too," Groves continued to lay it on.

It did not go unnoticed, that the lovers squeezed each other's hands, at such a suggestion, before giving their thanks to the judge, and leaving with Sharon's new son.

Present:

Rusty had breakfast waiting for the three of them, as a way of saying thank-you, to Sharon and Castillo, for the night before.

After the adoption ceremony, less than 24hrs prior, Rusty's new mom and the former DEA agent/cop held a small celebration for him at Sharon's Los Feliez apartment. It was small and intimate- just the three of them, as the majority of their friends and extended family were otherwise engaged.

Provenza was extraditing a criminal back to L.A., from Phoenix... Tao had something with Badge Of Justice... Sykes' mom was in town... Sanchez had a class reunion... and Castillo's daughter and family were dealing with a diarrhea-ridden dog.

Andy Flynn was up in Seattle, with Sharon's cousin, Virginia Dixon, who was moving to LA, soon. The couple was expecting a baby together- a fact that made Rusty shake his head in amazement, and were blissfully in love.

Once everyone could be together, they would have a big celebratory bash, in honor of the adoption, but in the meantime, Rusty liked things the way they were happening, just fine.

Castillo had made all of his favorites- pulled pork sliders, garlic fries, guacamole, slaw, and plenty of grape-lemonade. Sharon bought him his favorite Chantilly cake from a local bakery, and gifted him with her father's favorite writing pen. It was a beautiful piece- gold, and with his initials, R.O., inscribed upon it.

"I know that you want to keep Beck, as your last name, but I think it's kind of appropriate, and I know my father would as well."

Rusty felt his eyes tear up, as he wished that he'd gotten to meet and know Sharon's father, Richard O'Dwyer, whom her firstborn, Ricky, was named for. Sharon was very close to both of her parents, and he knew that they must have been very special people to have raised such an incredible daughter in the woman he now called Mom.

But what would he call Martin Castillo?

He and Sharon were not married, nor did they live together, but they may have well as been. Lt. Flynn and Dr. Dixon were engaged, and it was only a matter of time that Sharon and Castillo followed suit.

That is, if either one could get around the Catholic Church's no-divorce policy...

So, what would it be? Rusty had never had a dad before, and his bio-sperm donor, Daniel Dunn, was a write-off.

With a playful grin, Rusty thought of calling the man, Papi...

Some of the kids in the Casa Mia program called Castillo that, but somehow Rusty felt a little squishy about following suit- given his background of living on the street. Plenty of his fellow workers, called their johns papi, and using the moniker, for a man he respected so much, just felt kinda wrong.

As Sharon checked her voicemail, Castillo handed Rusty a mug of coffee and seemed to be reading his thoughts.

"Kara and Zak had the same problem," noted the older man as he met Rusty's gaze.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

Rusty knew that Castillo's adoptive/surrogate kids- Kara, and the late Zak, meant the whole world to him, and the mere mention of either one meant that whatever was coming next was of great importance.

"They both called me, Old Man, and I know that you do sometimes as well, but I'd be honored if you do the same. Officially."

Rusty smiled shyly, and nodded. "I'd be honored, too. Thank you."

Castillo then pulled Rusty into a sudden and emotion-filled hug, and whispered to him that he loved him like a son.

The young man felt like everything in the world was right, and that all of his dreams were coming true, one-by-one.

A beat later, Sharon rejoined her two men, and they ate breakfast together in familial companionship. They talked about each of their days ahead, and debated current events. Each had busy dockets, and dug in voraciously to Rusty's bacon-spiked waffles with whipped butter and maple syrup. The parents both agreed that Rusty was becoming a very good cook, which made him feel 10-ft tall.

After their meal was over, neither Sharon, nor Castillo, knew what had gotten into the kid when he said that he'd do the dishes and clean up the kitchen, but they loved him anyway, and took him up on the offer as the stole away to Sharon's terrace to kiss.

"I love that you love my son, as much as I do," Sharon told her lover, as she patted his solid chest.

Castillo actually hummed, as he thought of their shared family with great pride.

He and Sharon may have lost an unborn daughter, but they each gained a son in Rusty...

Sharon shared his sentiment, and couldn't help but recall Judge Grove's offer...

It was sounding better and better, by the minute.