Author's note: I was going to continue right where I left off with the conversation between Sharon and Rusty, but then a guest said s/he would love to read the confrontation between Andy and Nicole. Why not, I thought to myself, so here's my first-ever attempt at writing Nicole.

I promise however that the conversation between Sharon and Rusty is up next. Just don't give me any ideas for chapters in between!

Sharon and I have talked a lot about motherhood, particularly since she officially became Dad's girlfriend. I know how important Rusty is to her and with how upset he was today, I think it's good she is taking the time to talk to him now. She literally took one look at him and all her attention was focussed on him. I don't know all that much about Rusty's past, but it must be horrifying to see your mum attacked like that in her own home, and that probably wasn't the first time he witnessed something like that. I'm really glad he called and we got to come here and I am so relieved that Sharon is okay.

Both her and Dad aren't exactly young anymore and who knows what can happen when they fall? I suppose compared to the dangers they are both facing at work every day, the dangers of tripping in the shower or falling down the stairs are small, but it still sort of scares me. Neal's mum is about the same age as Sharon and she slipped in February and broke her hip. She still can't walk long distances.

All that makes it only more odd to think that they could actually be trying to have a baby. From the outside, it sounds pretty ridiculous and I would have totally discarded the idea if it hadn't been for what I have already seen myself. It wasn't only when they got to hold little Julia, it's the way they are around children and babies in general. Sharon seems to have a knack for getting even the most difficult infant to sleep. I love her singing voice and I'm always tempted to tell the boys to act up a little just so she'll offer to sing them to sleep.

Dad looked so sad and totally exhausted. I don't think I've ever seen him like that. He probably didn't get much sleep last night, but it's more than mere tiredness I see in his features. I can't reconcile what Sharon told us earlier with the expression on both Dad's and her face. Considering she is okay and allowed to go home today – should they be this sad? I can't help but feel that something is amiss.

I totally understand that this would not be the right moment to announce a pregnancy to us. Who knows how far along Sharon is and at their ages, they might just want to be more careful.

It's ridiculous. Maybe Rusty has just misinterpreted it all? I mean … my boys would be older than my little sister or brother. Crazy, right? Crazy like this whole family Dad has created with Sharon. I meant what I said to Rusty earlier – I'm his big sister now and if I'm being honest, I adore it. Emily and I have started chatting over the past months after we met at that big Christmas party Sharon and Dad threw at her place. Five children plus Neal and the grandkids and Dad's grumpy friend who drank almost three bottles of wine before passing out on the balcony. Emily danced with the boys and they just adored her and insisted on chatting with her over skype and somehow that's turned into a friendship.

My thoughts were interrupted when Dad placed two large black coffees on the table in front of me.

"Thank you for bringing Rusty here, Nicole. I really appreciate that."

"You're welcome. I think he felt a bit alone."

"I didn't know what to do, Nic. Sharon refused to go to the hospital, but she was obviously in so much pain and … I asked Rusty to stay at home. Maybe I should have taken him with us."

"That wasn't a criticism, Dad."

"No?"

"No, not at all. Come, sit down. You must be exhausted."

He did and took one of the coffee cups, blowing over the still hot liquid.

"So tell me, is Sharon really okay?" I had promised Rusty I'd ask but I had no idea how to broach the subject. I couldn't very well ask if Sharon was pregnant, could I?

"She's pretty shaken. She was married to Jack for a long time and they've had their differences, but he never attacked her before last night. It's not easy to accept when someone you once loved turns into a total dirtbag. It's hard on her."

"But?"

"I failed her, Nicole. I couldn't protect her. God, how I wish I had acted differently. How I wish I had arrested that bastard right there and then! I wish I could have protected her. Hell, I should have protected her!"

"Dad, nobody is almighty, not even you – and Sharon is fine, she'll recover – that's what she told us herself."

He shook his head and looked so totally dejected. Yes, Sharon had been hurt, but she was going to be okay, wasn't she? Surely he was being overly dramatic?

"You love her very much, don't you, Dad?"

"Of course I do!" At least that had brought a smile back to his face.

He really does love her. It's actually really touching to see just how much. It's so obvious from the way he looks at her and hangs on every word she says. If Sharon is in the room, Dad is all about her. It's cute and it's heartwarming. I'm thinking he must have loved her for a long time already.

When Dad had brought Sharon to the wedding we had all been incredibly curious. I for one was pleasantly surprised he didn't show up with a woman my age. He was so relaxed and happy around her, chatting with the rest of the family, proudly introducing his friend Sharon to everyone and Sharon made conversation and smiled and talked about her kids. Until they danced. Nobody believed she was just his friend after that anymore.

Except that just a few weeks later he came over to our place stuttering and stammering and saying he wasn't really with Sharon and could we please stop saying that because she would be uncomfortable. I thought that maybe they had broken up, but he kept bringing her to every family occasion, every dinner, every outing with the boys. They looked just as comfortable and close as they had at the wedding. Only when they really started going out did I see the difference. It's sounds cliché, I know, but they were literally both glowing, always looking at each other and holding hands, stealing kisses when they thought nobody was looking.

"Dad, if Sharon is okay, why are you still so sad?"

"It's been a hard day, Nic."

"But…well, you look so…" I occurred to me then how little I really knew my dad, how little I knew about him. We'd reconnected these past few years, but I didn't know what to tell him to make him feel better. I didn't know whether I should keep prodding and insisting or whether I should just leave him in peace. These last years had been all about him making things up to me. He had been there for me and supported me – but I hadn't done the same for him and now we were seated here while the woman he loved was lying in a hospital bed.

"I'm sorry I'm in such a dark mood, sweetheart."

I smiled. "You call us both sweetheart, have you noticed? Both Sharon and me."

Dad chuckled self-consciously. "I know, but you're the only ones, I promise you."

"Did you call mum sweetheart, too?" I regretted the words before they were even out of my mouth, but Dad just smiled.

"I did once, but she hated it."

Emboldened by his positive reaction, I pushed on. "What did you call her?"

"Baby."

"Seriously?"

"She liked it at the time."

Funny, I never knew that about my parents. Well, Dad seemed to be in a somewhat lighter mood and maybe this was my opportunity to find out more about him and Sharon.

"Dad, can I ask you a personal question?" I ventured ahead bravely.

"Sure, shoot."

"Dad, is it true that the two of you would like to have a child together?" Well, it was out now.

"What?" he almost choked on his coffee. Way to go, dad. "Why would you ask that?"

"Curious, that's all."

"Sweetheart, I'm not going to talk to you about that. That's a very personal question."

"But what's the harm in telling me?"

"Sweetheart, you know Sharon and she is a very private person. She wouldn't like me talking to you about this – plus, as much as I love you, I don't really think it's really any of your business."

"Oh, come on Dad! That's all you're going to say?"

"Nicole, please stop."

I should have heeded his advice and stopped right there, but something possessed me to go on.

"I think the obvious answer would have been 'No, why would you think so Nicole?' But you didn't say that. Instead you're stonewalling. So I think it's true – you two are trying to have a baby. Oh Dad, how exciting! Come on, tell me, is Sharon already pregnant?"

But I had pushed too far. Dad sighed so dejectedly, it broke my heart. I could only just see the tears in his eyes before he turned away. Impulsively, I wrapped my arms around him in a tight hug and he heaved a sob.

God, how many years had it been since I last hugged Dad like that?

Except that he was crying now, really crying and I had no idea what to do. Damn! What do you do if your father suddenly starts crying?

"Let's go back to Sharon, okay, Dad? I'll take you back to Sharon."