Emily hummed to herself as she stood in front of her bathroom mirror dressing for the evening. It was New Year's Eve, and she and Wes were going out. Wes had a somewhat normal day at work and had called, saying he would be home in about an hour. Major Crimes was not on call for New Year's; they had spent most of Christmas dealing with the double homicide they caught, so the rotation schedule had shifted. As Emily got dressed for her evening out, she though back over her trip. She had to head back to New York in two days, and that was going to be hard. This trip was the longest she and Wes had been together for quite some time, and she had gotten used to living in their house and having her husband around. New York just wouldn't be the same.
Yes, this trip had been eye-opening on so many levels. Emily thought back to a conversation she'd had with her mom, "You'll know when you are ready." Sharon had said that in reference to kids, but Emily knew she wasn't ready for kids. She, however, might be warming up to the idea of being ready for something else, a career change. She never thought she'd be ready to leave New York, but each trip, it was getting harder and harder. She hadn't yet voiced her thoughts to Wes; he'd been swamped with work, and well, she was just a couple of days into her thoughts. She wasn't even sure herself yet. She knew they had discussed one of them moving, but things had been left alone because their jobs were good, and their relationship was good. Emily wasn't doubting any of that. She just wanted better; she wanted to be with Wes all the time, not just a weekend here or there.
As Emily continued to get ready for the evening, she thought back to the other eye-opening moments of the trip. Christmas dinner with Jack had been an annoyance. Of course, he was having another kid with Tiffany. Emily and Wes had gone to the baby's birthday party just the other day, along with Ricky, Lauren, and Meghan. Thank goodness for Meghan, Emily thought. At least she was innocent and kept the situation light. Jack's apartment had been somewhat depressing. It had no decorations and barely any real furniture. Tiffany had explained that she wanted to move to LA, and part of the holdup was Jack had promised to find a better place to live. Until he did, Tiffany didn't want to move. Emily felt that was the root of the problem; Jack didn't want Tiffany and the baby here all the time. Emily shook her head; her dad was a mess, and she wasn't ever sure that he'd figure things out. The baby had a nice birthday, and Emily and Lauren had reached out to ask what they could get the baby for her birthday. Tiffany has said anything was fine, admitting the baby only had a travel crib at Jack's place, which ticked off both Emily and Lauren. Emily had then called her dad and given him a hard time about that, and Jack had promised to get her a crib for her birthday, one that converted into a bed later. With that, Emily and Lauren had gone shopping, picked out the crib, and met Jack to buy it. That way, they knew it was a good one. For the baby's birthday, the girls had gotten all the nursery bedding. At least that way, Emily knew her half-sister was safe. Tiffany had been thrilled and gushed over the baby. Emily had pulled Jack aside at one point telling him to get it together.
"Dad, you aren't a stranger to this; I can't believe you didn't have a bed for your daughter! You have money, enough to do that," Emily had scolded him.
Jack shook his head, "I know, I know. I guess it just means it's permanent."
Emily's eyes grew wide, "Permanent? Of course it is! She's your daughter. Do you think she's just going to disappear? Listen here, you need to not only get one crib, but two. As you are well aware, you are going to have ANOTHER kid soon. Both convert to toddler beds and then twin beds. Get it together. At least if you get two now, you can match them so the kids have matching beds later. Dad, come on. Help out your wife!"
So, Jack had gotten both beds and surprised Tiffany with the one already assembled. The second one, he picked up on the day of the party to surprise Tiffany again. She was thrilled and finally glad to see Jack getting things for his family. Now, the apartment, that was another story. Emily didn't see Jack running out to find a new place anytime soon. She remembered how much he would drag his feet when he would stay at her mom's place, always telling her mom he was looking for a place.
Emily continued to get ready, thinking about her actual Christmas plans with Sharon and Andy. They all had a lovely Christmas, full of its own surprises. Ricky and Lauren had told everyone they were having a baby as well. Emily smiled as she thought back to that memory.
The Christmas gifts were being opened on Christmas morning, and everyone had enjoyed watching Meghan tear through everything. There was something sweet about watching a child enjoy Christmas. She'd gotten everything she wanted and more, of course. Sharon and Andy had gotten her a new bike and a Barbie camper thing she wanted. Emily had looked through all the Barbie stuff at the store and discovered a Barbie airplane. Knowing how special Meghan's trip to New York had been, she and Wes got her the airplane. That was a major hit. Andy, who loved that little girl so much, had found a bright pink bat for her. Ricky had mentioned she needed a new one, and Andy couldn't just let her have any bat. Sharon had said their trip to the sporting goods store had been funny. Andy walked around carrying a bright pink bat, pink batting gloves, a new pink bag, purple cleats, and a pink and purple striped batting helmet. If Meghan ended up not enjoying softball in the long run, Andy might be crushed.
But, thinking back, Lauren and Ricky had the best news. Meghan had opened the gifts and was busy with her new Barbie stuff. She was also walking around in a dance tutu Emily found for her, over her Christmas pajamas and was walking around wearing the new softball cleats.
Ricky had gotten up and handed a gift to Sharon and Andy, "Guys, we hope you like this," he had said smiling at them.
Sharon and Andy glanced at each other, and Andy gestured for Sharon to open it. Inside, they found a Christmas ornament with an angel on it, and underneath, it said "God Bless Grandparents."
Sharon looked at Andy, and both looked over to Ricky and Lauren, who were now smiling brightly.
"Are you?" Sharon started to ask.
Lauren nodded, "Yes! We're having a baby," she squealed, tears running down her face. Ricky's smile was wide. Sharon jumped up to hug her and Ricky, and Andy congratulated them too. The rest of the family followed, and as they settled back down, Emily had piped up.
"So, details!" she clapped her hands.
Ricky gestured to Lauren, "Well, we know we are younger and really could wait for several years, but with Meghan, we felt that this was the right timing. We don't want her so old we feel like we are doing this all over again. We've got such nice friends in her class, and while they are 10-15 years older than we are for the most part, we've gotten really close to them at school and at church. They all have young kids, so this felt right for us. We are so excited. The timing works out for us too. I can finish and graduate in May before the baby is ever born."
"When are you due?" Sharon smiling, asked Lauren, who was now sitting on Ricky's knee holding his hand. Lauren looked back to Ricky and he patted her hand in reassurance. Lauren took a big breath.
"Well, see, that's the part of this that we are so frustrated with now. I'm due July 3," Lauren admitted.
The group looked around at each other, and Emily said, "Tiffany and Dad."
Lauren and Ricky both nodded and had a slight frown, "Yes," Lauren said. "How convenient we now share a due date with Ricky's dad. His own child and half sibling, due the same day," Lauren shook her head.
Sharon sighed and Andy nodded his head. Rusty broke the tension, "Please tell me you aren't naming the kid Ricky Raydor again? Seriously, that's just wrong. Plus, if Jack takes that for Raydor Family 2.0, well, that's even weirder, even for this group."
All eyes turned to Rusty, who was grinning with a gleam in his eyes. Everyone started laughing.
Ricky, finally calming down said, "No, I can promise not another Ricky Raydor. We're thinking Rusty Raydor this time" Ricky said, but couldn't get it all out before he stopped laughing.
"Hey, that would have just been wrong," Rusty pointed to the group. "I knew better than to do that. Plus, Mom just abandons the name anyways, like Flynn is better."
"It's not that bad!" Sharon exclaimed.
Ricky glared at Sharon with a smirk to himself, 'Yeah, Mom it is. Ricky and Rusty-you would think you actually did plan that, Mom, but no, we've already come up with names. We've decided to wait and tell you the baby's name when we find out if it is a girl or a boy."
"Does Meghan know?" Emily asked, now squishing into the small space in the chair Wes was sitting in to sit with him. She had been on the floor with Meghan playing Barbies until Meghan had decided family gifts were boring. Lauren had suggested she get dressed so she and Pops could go outside to try her new bat.
Ricky should his head, "Yes, we told her last night. We've know a few weeks, but we knew she would spill it if we told her before we got here. So, we waited and made her promise not to tell yet. So, you can let her know you all know now. She's really excited."
Lauren was still waffling between tears and smiling, "I'm sorry! My emotions are a mess. Honestly, when Tiffany and Jack came in announcing they were having a baby and on the same date, well, it got to me, I guess. I know I should be selfish, but we just wanted our day. I guess we both felt like Jack stole the thunder at our wedding with his new family, and with all the days in the year, we hoped we could have our day."
"Lauren," Sharon called out in reassurance, "I understand. This is a wonderful thing! Most babies aren't even born on their due date, so while I agree Jack steals your thunder, remember that you most likely will have your babies on different days. Plus, I'm not related to Jack's new kids; I'm thrilled about this new grandchild."
Ricky smiled, "Your first one, Mom."
Sharon looked at Ricky, "Well, sort of, but you know we think of Meghan as a grandchild. We won't treat any of the kids any differently, and we've gotten good practice with Andy's grandsons," Sharon chuckled.
Lauren and Ricky looked at each other, "Thanks Mom for saying that," Ricky smiled. "We feel pretty blessed. We were a little nervous about all this. I mean, we haven't been married that long and will suddenly, right at our anniversary, have two kids. It's a lot, but amazing," Ricky kissed Lauren's head.
"I'm so happy for you all," Emily jumped up and hugged them both. "Lauren, what are you going to do about work? That's great you will finish your Bachelor's Degree."
Lauren nodded, "Yes, that was really important to both of us. The timing is perfect. I am going to at least not get a job right away for the next school year. The baby will barely be two months old before school would start, and that's just too young. Besides, daycare costs with Meghan's school-well, that's a lot. We've already talked about it, and I'm going to start my master's degree. I can do some coursework online, a lot of it but I want to get my master's degree in guidance counseling. I know a lot of kids go through tough stuff; I sure did, and I think I can help them with that at school. I feel so fortunate that Meghan was too young when Mom and Dad died. She never knew them to grieve for them, so for her, life has been pretty normal for a kid. Yes, she's raised by her sister and brother in law, but to her, that's normal, and we love her so much. So, I can take some classes all next year before I get a job."
Emily nodded, as did Sharon and Andy. "That sounds like a great plan, Lauren," Emily smiled. "I'm so happy for you both!"
As Emily worked on her makeup now on New Year's Eve, she smiled at what a nice Christmas that day had turned out to be. Her brother was expanding his family-silly Ricky, the crazy little brother of hers-was quite grown up, and she couldn't be happier for him. The rest of that day had gone nicely. The family had a delicious Christmas meal, with added guests of Nicole and her family, along with Gus. The house had been packed and was a wonderful day.
Emily continued to smile as she put on her makeup and grinned when she looked at her new necklace. Wes had found it for her for Christmas, and while odd, it was perfect.
"What is it, exactly?" as she looked at the necklace in the box.
"It's a mustard seed necklace," Wes explained, "You know, from the Bible. Jesus said if you have faith as small as a mustard seed you can do anything. So," he said as he took the necklace out of the box and moved her hair to put it on, "I want you to remember that as we navigate our life. We may not live in the same state, but that doesn't mean we don't love each other. Things might not always be easy, but we will make it. Have faith, and we can do anything."
Emily turned to him and smiled, tears running down her face. She cupped his face and kissed him, "Thank you," she said. "It's perfect."
Emily now toyed with her necklace as she put the finishing touches on her makeup. Tonight was going to be a lot of fun, she knew. New Year's and out with Wes; this would be a good night, especially since she was heading back to New York in just a couple days. Emily turned to go back in the bedroom to get ready. She didn't know Wes' plans, but he'd told her to dress casual. She walked into the closet to pick out her sweater to match her jeans, when she felt arms around her waist.
"Ahh!" she yelled out and turned. Wes jumped back, hands in the air, "I'm sorry! I thought you heard me calling your name."
Emily put her hand over her heart, "No, you scared me! I'm sorry, but I didn't hear you. I was busy reminiscing I guess, and then I was busy picking out clothes."
Wes eyed her, standing there half dressed, "Well, the look I love. We need to celebrate this look," he motioned. Emily smiled and rolled her eyes. "Daydreaming about what?" he asked.
Emily sauntered over to him, running her arms up his chest, "Oh, just about how wonderful you are. I was thinking about my necklace and how I can't wait to go out tonight."
Wes raised his eyebrows, "Can you wait a little longer? I think we need to explore this current look?" Emily giggled and kissed him. Their date could wait.
Later that evening, Emily and Wes were sitting on the beach watching the fireworks. Wes had surprised Emily for their date all right. Once they finally left the house after their own celebration, they made their way to the date location. Emily could now see why it didn't matter they were over an hour late in leaving the house. Wes had assured her they would still get a table.
"We're going to a burger place?' she grinned. Wes had brought her to one of his favorite police joints, a burger place they both liked and had eaten before.
"Of course. Who was it-you maybe-who used to make me take you for junk food? You told me that while here, you liked to indulge in junk food sometimes before going back to New York? Well, as far as I know we haven't had much junk food, so your table awaits my dear," Wes grinned and motioned to the restaurant.
Emily smiled and leaned up, "I love you," she kissed him. "You know me all too well."
After their greasy cheeseburgers and fries, Wes had told her the next part of their date was to the movies where he bought popcorn. "I remember I'm supposed to love popcorn with extra butter."
Emily giggled, "Yes, I remember that's how it is supposed to be too."
Once the movie ended, Wes told Emily their New Year's was not over, and that is how they found themselves on the beach, sitting on a blanket, watching the fireworks. Emily was snuggled up in Wes' side.
"This is perfect. Thank you," she smiled. "Best New Year's ever," she kissed him.
"I'm glad you are enjoying it. I am too. It's not over yet, though," he said, "I mean, it can be if you want to go home, but I thought we could get a milkshake before we head home. Word is it you like milkshakes."
Emily grinned again, "It's amazing how well you planned out a perfect evening. My trainer in New York would kill me if he saw what I was eating, but it is a special occasion."
Wes kissed the side of her head, "Well, you know how to deal with the extra calories? Exercise-plenty of that," Wes grinned.
Emily nodded, "Good call. Yes, we can get up for an early morning run," she smirked.
Wes groaned as they stood, "Not what I had in mind."
Emily giggled too, "One step at a time. I was promised a milkshake."
The two walked hand in hand toward the pier. With it being New Year's everything was open, even though it was well after midnight. People were out everywhere, and fireworks were still going off. Wes had done some research and knew there was an ice cream shop, open, serving coffee and treats, just a couple blocks up. They headed that way, chatting about the evening.
"This has been so nice," Emily smiled, "I mean, the whole trip. I'm going to miss you again."
Wes nodded and pulled Emily closer, "Me too," he kissed the side of her head. "We need to sit down and look at the winter and spring to figure out our travel schedules."
Emily nodded, "I know. Oh, is this the place?" she asked, as they were walking and talking, they had almost walked right by it.
Wes looked up, "Umm yeah, sorry. I was distracted by my beautiful wife."
Emily smacked his chest, "Cheesy line, detective, but I'll take it."
They got their treats and found a seat in the busy shop. Everyone else must have had the same idea. It probably didn't help that a bar was across the street, so people that had too much to drink were filing in trying to satisfy their food cravings now. As they continued to eat and chat, they laughed at the people coming out of the bar.
"I'm thankful that you respect I don't want to be in that scene," Emily nodded toward the bar. "I don't mind bars, but with Dad's past, well, it's just not what I want to do all the time."
Wes grabbed her hand, "I want to be where you are, any day."
Emily smiled at him and glanced back outside. She almost dropped her milkshake as she pulled her hand away, "Wait," she squinted her eyes, "Is that Dad? Is that Dad coming out of the bar?"
Wes turned and looked, sighing, "Yeah, that's Jack," and he hung his head.
Emily's eyes grew large, "…and, I can most definitely see, even from here, that it's not Tiffany who he is making out with in front of the bar!"
