Disclaimers and authors notes in chapter 1. Any unrecognizable characters popping up in this chapter are also mine.

Sharon looked at Patrice. "Do I look horrible? Do I need to clean up before going back there? The last thing he needs is to worry about me. I don't want him to see me looking bad." Patrice nodded and handed her a package of adult wet wipes. Sharon took them and cleaned up her face, neck, and hands. She tossed them into a nearby bio-hazard bin. "Okay, take me to him." She glanced over at the kids. "I'll be back in a bit, then all of you can take turns. Nicole, Rusty, and Keith nodded as Sharon left with Patrice. Patrice took her down the hall and stopped outside Recovery.

"Hit the call button on the bed and ask for me if you need anything. I'll be at the nurses' station. Sharon nodded and stepped further into the room where Andy lay in the bed. She bit back a sob and covered her mouth with her hand as she looked him up and down. She stepped closer and leaned down touching his hand. She leaned over kissing his forehead. "Honey please be okay and come back to me. I love you." She took his wedding band out of her pocket and put it back on his ring finger before sitting in the chair next to him holding his hand. "I'm here Andy. It's okay to wake up now. You won't wake up alone." She held his hand and kissed it as she watched his chest rise and fall, occasionally glancing at the monitors. "Rusty and Keith went to the airport to get Emily. Ricky is on his way with Nick. Nicole is in the waiting room with Noah and Katelynn. They all want to see their daddy. And I need my husband to wake up and look at me. Please honey. I can't lose you. I'm barely holding it together for our family. She let the tears fall as she squeezed his hand.

The monitors continued to steadily beep and show his vital signs even though his eyes remained closed and he wasn't moving. She kissed his face again and ran her hand down the side of his face. "I'm right here and not going anywhere unless they physically drag me out of here." She lifted his hand to her mouth and kissed it then held it in both of hers. She wiped the tears from her eyes before they fell on him. "You're going to be okay and I've already taken family leave to stay with you for as long as you need taken care or until the doctors and nurses say you can stay alone, whichever comes first. No arguments from you." She kissed his hand then just looked down at him.

Andy just lay there not moving but the monitors continue to show that he is alive. Sharon continued to hold his hand as she blinked back tears. She heard the door softly open. She turned to look behind her. "It's just me." Patrice stepped into the room. "I just need to chart his vitals. Stay where you are." She took his blood pressure and charted the rest of his vitals. "He should be awake in the next hour or two. I'm assuming you nor he want the kids seeing him until he's awake?" Sharon nodded. "I'll go tell that to Rusty and Nicole. I'll keep them updated so you can stay in here and not worry about the kids. The little ones are okay. Nicole and Emily are watching them."

Patrice left the room and went back out to the waiting area seeing that all the kids were there now. Nicole was holding Katelynn and Noah was sitting on Keith's lap, while Rusty was leaned up against him. Nick and Ricky were sitting across from them and Emily was stretched out on the carpeted floor. Patrece looked down at her. "Emily are you all right." Emily nodded, "Stiff from flying coach." Patrice shook her head. "Wish I could stretch and bend like that. Update on your dad. He hasn't come out of anesthesia yet. He's still unconscious but stable. Your mom says he doesn't want any of you kids seeing him until he comes too. When he does, she'll come out and you grown kids can go back one or two at a time, however you want. Noah and Katie will be snuck back with me or her. Any questions? I'm in nurse mode at the moment." They all shook their heads no. "Come get me or have me paged if you need me. I'll be over at the nurses' station or in and out of the back, keeping an eye on your parents.

She walked away as Nick and Nicole hugged with Noah between them. Ricky and Emily hugged at the same time. Rusty leaned over and kissed Keith on the lips, while Katelynn sat on Keith's lap. His brothers and sisters smiled at them. "Taking it slow my ass." Ricky mumbled. Rusty ignored Ricky as Keith slowly broke the kiss. "Ricky sayed ass!" Noah laughed. Keith shook his head. "Ricky you get to explain that to your mother when he repeats it. You know he will, you're in trouble." Rusty laughed at them both.

Ricky shook his head. "Whose side are you on little brother? Mine or his?" Rusty grinned and pointed to Keith the same time Noah did. "His, he and I live together and share a bed. Plus he's armed. Rusty glanced around to see if Emily and Nicole were listening. Emily and Nick grinned. "Told you Ricky. Pay up, twenty bucks. Ten for each of us."

Nicole made a face at them. "Why was I not allowed a wager on this?" Emily rolled her eyes at Nicole. "Because apparently you are Rusty's favorite sister and he apparently tells you everything. So you had an unfair advantage."

Rusty looked at Keith. "You have your cuffs right babe? Arrest the three of them for illegal gambling. They were making bets on us."

Keith shook his head. "Sorry baby, can't. I'm off duty. But I bet i you call Provenza." "NO!" They all groaned together. "Looks like we have some blackmail on them then babe." Keith smirked at the rest of them. Rusty leaned in and kissed him again. "Mom was right, being with a cop is a good thing."