The next few weeks, Emily and Wes found themselves in an "autopilot" mode-work, talk all evening, sleep, repeat. Work was going well for both. Neither wanted to admit that they couldn't envision leaving their job to move across the country for the other. They'd talked about it, a lot. Wes didn't want Emily to give up her career in New York for him. He knew she'd worked so hard to get there, and it was New York City after all. Anyone who is anyone dreams of making it in New York City. His Emily had done that, and he couldn't imagine asking her to leave it. At the same time, Wes couldn't see himself leaving Los Angeles. Truth be told, Emily couldn't imagine it either. Los Angeles would always be home; her family, now Wes included, lived there. She liked the idea of Wes being in her mom's division because it allowed him to keep an eye on both her mom and Andy. Neither were getting any younger, and after the last couple of years, Emily knew either one could have a health scare. Andy had been pretty healthy, and then suddenly, in a year span, he was very ill on two occasions. Emily liked knowing Los Angeles was home. She'd always want to come home. Wes loved Los Angeles too, Emily knew, and for him, it was also home. So, the two continued to talk, exploring their options.

"Em, we are doing a pretty good job of balancing things right now, don't you think?" Wes had asked her as they spoke on Facetime late after work.

Emily nodded, "We are. It's not fair to ask either of us to give up our life for the other. We're definitely doing a good job of trying to make room for both lives. Traveling back and forth works."

Wes sighed, "For now. Emily, what happens when that gets old?"

Emily frowned looking at him on the computer, "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it, okay? Now, tell me about Mom and Andy's new place."

Sharon and Andy had closed on a new house in the short time Emily had gone back to New York. They were moving into it in a couple of weeks, and they had already taken Rusty, Gus, and even Wes by to look at it. Andy had also taken Provenza, but Wes had been included in the "kids" visit with Rusty and Gus. It was the perfect house for them. The master bedroom was on the first floor, with three bedrooms upstairs. It had a pool, and it was very modern with a Southern California look on the outside. Rusty had liked the garage apartment the best. It was a bit big, but that just gave all the family room to spread out when visiting.

"I like the house a lot," Wes began and continued to tell her about the place. When she visited in March, she would get her first glimpse at the new house. "The team decided to help them move as a housewarming type gift. You should hear Provenza complaining already. He said he'd direct traffic by sitting in the front yard, and he expected Andy to provide beer for him while sitting there."

Emily giggled at that, "Well, that sounds very much like Andy and Provenza. It will be strange seeing Mom in a new house, strange that it's a house she shares with Andy. I just got used to the fact she was living in the condo, then she brought Rusty in, and then she added Andy. Now, it's all new. Strange, but I'm happy for her."

Wes nodded, "Yeah, it got me thinking. I want to get out of this apartment. I think I should buy something too. It's time. I'm over 30 and yeah, I need to grow up. What do you think?"

Emily's eyes grew wide, "Really? You want to buy something? Like what? House? Condo? What?"

Wes pursed his lips, thinking, "I'm not sure. I think I'll know it when I see it. With work so crazy, I'm thinking something like a townhouse where there isn't a lot of upkeep. Some are pretty good sized. I'm also thinking something closer to the beach-not on it, but closer. Some of my favorite times with you are walking on the beach."

Emily smiled, "Well, I can think of some of my other favorite times, but yeah, for location sake, the beach area is nice-a bit away from the concrete jungle. So, you really are thinking of buying something?"

Wes nodded, "I am. Guess your parents are a good influence," Wes smiled. "So, what do you say? Care to house hunt with me?"

Emily smiled, "You want my opinion?"

"Of course," Wes chuckled. "I mean, who else is going to help me set it up and decorate? Plus, you know, I figured you needed a closet to hang your stuff when you visit, so I'm offering one if I find a place."

Emily chuckled, "Really? Well, I had just planned to hang my stuff at Mom's new house. You said it was big."

Wes smiled back at her, "Okay, you got me. Yes, I want you to help me pick it out. Even with us living on opposite coasts, I want your opinion. I want you to stay with me when you visit. I want this place to feel like a home to you. So, what do you say?"

"I would love to help you," Emily smiled. "Please don't ask Andy for advice on a realtor," Emily joked.

Wes chuckled, "Oh, don't worry. That story is still going strong at work. I wasn't even with the team then, and I feel like I know the story by heart. Okay then, well, why don't I start looking at properties and find a realtor. I was talking to Lieutenant Tao at work, and he suggested I get pre-approved for my mortgage first. He also said it was a good time to buy with interest rates low. I've got a lot saved, so I think this is a good time."

"You asked Mike for realty advice?" Emily asked puzzled. "Why?"

Wes shook his head, "That guy is a walking encyclopedia. He knows everything about everything, and I'm not even joking."

Emily nodded her head, "I know. I've heard that. Okay, that sounds like a plan. You can send me some of the stuff you like, and I'll be glad to give some feedback. Maybe if you are still looking when I come there in March, we can look at some together?" Emily suggested.

"I'd like that. I also think you should bring some extra stuff, you know, to fill up the closets at my new place. It will look empty otherwise," Wes smiled sneakily at her.

Emily laughed, "I'll see what I can do. Now, let's talk about what you want to do on your visit."

Wes' visit to New York went as well as they could have expected. The couple had a great time sightseeing and catching up. Wes was starting to feel at home in New York, not that he could see himself living there.

"You know," he had said one evening as they walked back to her apartment after dinner, "one really good thing about you living here is that it always feels like a mini-vacation when I visit. I'm starting to not just feel like a visitor, but seeing you at my East Coast home."

Emily nodded, "I know what you mean. It's almost like we are movie stars with a West Coast and an East Coast place."

Wes stopped, turned, and looked at her, "That's how we need to think of this. We just have two homes. Honey, lots of people have to be apart for work. They always come home-we just have two homes. Military, businessmen, truck drivers-lots of people are always on the go. We can do this."

Emily leaned up and kissed Wes, "I like the way you think. You're right. So, let's continue our visit in our cozy, romantic, East Coast home," Emily smiled at him as she pulled his hand along, dragging him to what they now called their apartment.

February turned into March, and soon, Emily was heading west for a few days to see her family. Ricky, Lauren, and Meghan were driving down for a long weekend to discuss wedding plans-wedding plans for both Sharon and Andy's wedding as well as Ricky and Lauren's wedding. Emily was coming into town because the girls were picking out a simple bridesmaid type dress for Sharon and Andy's wedding. Sharon had also suggested that Lauren look at wedding dresses too, so Emily was excited about her girl weekend. Of course, she was also ecstatic at the thought of seeing Wes. As her plane landed at taxied to the gate, she turned on her cell phone to let Wes know she'd landed. She was greeted with several incoming text messages as she fired up the phone.

"I'm sorry. Duty calls. Dead body, gotta work. Will have someone there to pick you up. Know I would rather be anywhere else. Love me. "

Emily sighed, reading the text. She couldn't be too surprised; they'd been lucky on her other trips out here to not be too involved in any one case. Such was the life of a detective, a life she knew all too well from her mom. Well, with Wes out of commission, that also meant her mom and Andy would be too. Emily knew Sharon was taking off the weekend to dress shop, but it was only Thursday morning; she apparently had a lot of free time on her hands. Emily took her time getting off the plane. Without Wes there, without anyone there to get her, she wasn't feeling as spunky as she had been. She slowly gathered her things and made her way to baggage claim. She had brought one bag, but she'd stuffed it to the max. Wes wasn't kidding when he had asked her to bring stuff to keep in Los Angeles. She knew it would make her feel a little more settled. He'd taken to leaving toiletries at her place, as well as his heavy coat and a few sweaters. That stuff wasn't needed as much now, but he had no use for it in Los Angeles, and at least he had some things at her place. Slowly, they were combining their lives in two homes.

As Emily exited the secure area of the airport, she checked the board for baggage claim and began walking that way. A few steps later, she felt like someone was right behind her, so she whipped around, ready to corner the person.

"Whoa! I come in peace," Gus said, chuckling, holding up his hands.

"Gus! Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry. I didn't know you were here," Emily replied, catching her breath. "I'm sorry. I guess I'm still in New York mode, watching my back at every turn."

Gus continued to chuckle, "Hey, it's okay. I'm glad you were aware of your surroundings. I called your name back there, but I guess you didn't hear me. Wes called and said you needed a ride."

Emily smiled, "He did? He called you? Thank you. Yes, I do need a ride. I guess I need a ride to Mom and Andy's house? No sense in hanging at Wes' place with him on a case. "

"Well, your chariot awaits. Rusty's outside driving around with the car. It was cheaper than parking. This places charges a lot to park and come in. Do you have a bag?" Gus asked.

Emily nodded, "Yes, just one. Thanks, Gus, for getting me."

"Anytime. We're family," Gus shrugged.

Rusty and Gus dropped Emily off at Sharon and Andy's new house, and then both headed off to class and work. It was a bit strange to her to see all her mom's furniture, now mixed with Andy's stuff in this new house. It felt strange, yet familiar. She enjoyed walking around, taking in the place. She especially enjoyed all the pictures. Sharon and Andy had found a place for all the pictures, pictures of all the kids from when they were young, pictures of the grandkids, pictures of all the new family members-it was truly a home, a combined home.

Emily took some time to sit down and text Wes, "Made it to Mom's place. Thanks for sending Rusty and Gus to get me. Almost took out Gus-he surprised me-not his fault, haha. Going to crash here since you aren't at home. Hope you finish soon."

Emily waited a few minutes and didn't hear back, so she made her way to the kitchen in search of lunch. She was starving after her cross-country adventure. After she ate, she crashed in front of the television where she didn't plan to, but ended up falling asleep. It wasn't until her phone text went off, that she realized she'd been asleep. She sat up, checked the phone, and she realized it had been two hours. Wes was just now returning her text.

"Sorry, was in with a witness. Glad you made it. Not looking good to get home tonight. Wish I was with you. Maybe hang out with Nicole? Your parents are stuck here too."

Emily sighed and realized she needed to find something to occupy her day. So far, this trip wasn't turning out like she'd hoped.