"I have to tell you something."

It was unusual. Not that Sharon Flynn never visited her youngest's loft but today she did.

Rusty stood back. "Wow, Mom. No 'hello' or anything?" He smiled, letting her in. "Hope's still asleep. She finally met my roommate and somehow I managed to be the victim of makeup abuse."

Sharon chuckled, sitting down on the sofa. "I haven't got long, honey. I'm due to work on a case and I can leave Julio leading for a certain amount of time."

"Ok, what's up?"

Sharon took a deep breath, cautious of the stairs leading to Rusty's sleeping area. "She's up there?"

"No, she's in Leslie's room. She and Leslie passed out watching some chick flick - don't worry it was suitable for younger audiences."

"And where is Leslie?"

Rusty leant back on the sofa. "Work. She was on call it turns out."

His mother clicked her tongue. "Well, this situation is very serious Rusty..."

"What is?" His heart suddenly became louder in his ears. "You told me to be prepared. He's back, isn't he?"

Sharon nodded. "There's more."

"I'm definitely going to get put on that witness protection list, aren't I? What about Hope? I've finally got her back in my life again... I'm going to have to take her with me. They won't split us up, will they?"

Sharon took his hands in hers, lowering her voice just enough so he could still hear. "The coroner's report came through. It was definitely a murder-suicide. Their bodies were released yesterday. I have specifically asked for Sharon Beck's body to be released to us. She's at a funeral director's and I am taking care of that."

"I knew it. Deep down, I knew that Gary would hurt her again. I should have stayed in touch."

"You can't blame yourself." Sharon looked down. She knew that she had to say the other thing but he was already showing signs of a panic attack. Hope being attacked for who she was... That was going to be the icing on the salt-filled cake.

Rusty squeezed her hands slightly. "You're holding something back. Tell me."

"I have to go-"

"Tell me, Sharon."

Sharon gasped. He hadn't called her that unless he was upset or mad at her. Sometimes he even used it as a joke but 'mom' had always been his go-to name for her.

"Stroh knew who she was. He hurt her because-"

"Of me?" His voice broke, his eyes drifting towards the closed door where his half-sister was asleep in a mountain of popcorn and makeup. "Stroh knows about her?"

Sharon sighed, her grip tightening once she realised that he was trying to pull away. "We don't know the full story but he was involved in a hit and run before being taken to the hospital. We had a little talk with Hope last night and she told us about the night it happened. She said something he... said. The reports came through yesterday as well, they found traces of Stroh's DNA on Hope's clothes."

"What happens now?"

"I-I don't know. We have him cuffed at the hospital and we're ordering tight security watch over him. I think it's over in the Phillip Stroh book for now."

Rusty pulled one of his hands back to wipe his tears. "Do I still have to stand as a witness in court?"

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it, honey. For now, you and Hope just spend time together. Don't act too out of the ordinary around her. Get her settled."

"And the case?"

"She doesn't have to be there. You can go in her place." Sharon replied, tucking her hair behind her ear. "I'm going to be with you every step of the way. You are not alone in this."

Rusty wrapped his arms around her, leaning his head against her shoulder. "I just wish that everything was normal."

"Me too, honey. Me too."

"Who would have thought a little girl will turn my life upside down?"

Sharon smiled sadly. "But she brings joy in everything she does."

...

"Disneyland Paris."

Hope gasped, squealing as she nodded. "Yes! I want to go!"

Andy raised an eyebrow at his wife and their son. "What about school?"

Rusty rolled his eyes. "She hasn't had a holiday before. Plus, she's homeschooled, she won't be missing anything because she's already ahead. Aren't you, my little brainiac?"

Hope giggled, nodding as she sipped on her carton of milk. "I am."

"Well, I guess it's settled. You'll go after the case." Sharon turned to smile at Hope, rubbing her shoulder a little. "You better ask Rusty to take a lot of money so you can buy the place out."

"Hey! Don't you know how much girls cost until they're eighteen? Please, don't make me go bankrupt at twenty-eight."

Sharon chuckled, winking at Hope who blushed and grinned back.

They knew that the next couple of months were going to be difficult and very trying but they knew that together, they would get through this and finally shut the door on Phillip Stroh. He hadn't stopped Rusty from going to Law school and becoming a lawyer. They didn't stop him from later making other people's lives better. He was living the dream which he never knew he would have when he was fifteen but now his life was great and he wasn't going to let anyone take that away from him.

Sharing a glance at his mother, Rusty smiled. "Thank you," he mouthed to her.

"You're welcome..." She mouthed back. "Now, who's ready for dinner?"

"What is it?" Hope asked.

Sharon shrugged. "Anything you want."

"Pizza!"

Sharon winced. She had it coming to her. "You're paying, Rusty."

"Wait, what?"