Sharon looked up from her paperwork to see her office door opening and grinned when two small people started running toward her desk.

"Mama! Mama!" she heard and her smile grew even wider than it had been, if that was possible. As the two toddled toward her desk, she glanced to the door where the suspect of the ducks' "prison break" was standing at the door.

"So, I have it on good authority you've had-we've both had-a long day," he said casually as he moved into the room, diaper bag slung on one shoulder. Sharon corralled the kids onto her lap, where they were smiling at her and happy to sit with her.

"I may need to speak to your boss about letting his team go at," she glanced at her watch, "6:00," she chuckled, as she grimaced at the time. Truth be told, she thought it was closer to 4:30.

Andy nodded, "You do that. He'll probably tell you his boss is crazy, works long hours, and doesn't spend enough time with her sexy husband and amazing kids. So, try that," he encouraged.

"Sorry," Sharon smiled, as she pried her hair out of Tom's hands. He loved playing with her hair. Faith was playing with Sharon's jewelry. Sharon didn't wear much anyway, but Faith liked to always mess with her watch and wedding rings. "I guess I lost track of time, and yes, you're right-we have been here a long time today. Let's go home and wash off this day," she smiled warmly at him.

Andy helped to collect her briefcase and laptop, chatting with her while she sat at her desk. Sharon could easily get up to pack things up, but she was too content sitting with the kids, and the kids were happy, which made everything easier.

"Did you hear anything more from Emily?" Andy asked. Since the morning, he hadn't seen Sharon; she'd had several meetings, and once they were done with Steve, Major Crimes had sent him downstairs for formal booking.

"No," she shook her head, while smiling at Faith who was playing with her rings, "not a word. I did call Ricky and let him know everything. He hadn't heard from Emily either, but he was going to try to touch base with her. If he does, he said he'll let us know. Rusty, I sent him a text message. I really doubt Emily would contact him, but it was more of an FYI to him than anything. He said he'd come over for dinner tonight; we haven't seen him in a week or so, and he said he'd come over to get the whole story."

Andy shook his head, "Well, all the more reason to get going. Three kids to feed-let's go," he nudged her, as she put the kids down so they could walk to the door.

"Mama up," Tom put his hands up, wanting to be picked up. Sharon caught Andy's smirk and grinned at him, "You spoil them carrying them everywhere," she chuckled to Andy.

Andy shrugged his shoulders, "Ah, if that's the worst thing I do, okay. Soon, they won't want to even walk near us, so I'll spoil them for now. I can carry Tom."

Sharon shook her head, "No, I've got him. You've got enough with their diaper bag and my stuff."

"Come on Faithy," Andy encouraged, as she was busy crawling under the desk. She popped up, seeing her family leaving and took off running for them, "No go, Faithy!" which was her way of trying to say, "Don't leave without me." Sharon and Andy had noticed the kids were starting to put words together, starting to make more of legible sentences. Most other adults couldn't figure out what they were trying to say yet, but Sharon and Andy could. Faith's temper was starting to pop up, when Andy stopped it.

"Can you press the elevator button for Daddy, Faith?" Andy asked, and very quickly, her temper was gone. Sharon chuckled at how quickly Faith settled down.

"I'm just glad we both have experience with diffusing tempers," Sharon covered her mouth and chuckled. Chill Tom was just sitting on Sharon's arm, looking around, not worried about anything. Faith was pushing the button, repeatedly, at the elevator, thinking that by pushing it over and over, the elevator would arrive faster.

"I don't know what you are talking about," Andy grinned, "I see no temper issues at all with her. Besides," he smiled even bigger, "way I see it-if you are so good at calming my temper as you always say, I see no reason for you not to be the one to deal with Faith anytime she has temper issues."

Sharon just nodded to him, "Well, if I'm expected to cover all temper issues, then maybe we need to make a deal. Maybe if I cover that, you can cover all the hmmm, adolescent discussions with both kids. Deal? You can take on dating, all of their questions about everything-sounds perfectly fair to me if we are splitting duties."

Andy grimaced, "Well, maybe it will do me good to try and tackle some of her temper issues, you know. Help you out."

"That's what I thought," Sharon smiled, as the elevator closed and Faith continued her impatient pressing of the buttons. Andy stalled her hands, and when she looked to him to protest, he reached down and started tickling her to diffuse another situation. Sharon smiled; she loved her family. Now, if only Emily would wake up from her mess, things might improve for all of them.

Unlike the unnerving start to their day, Sharon and Andy had a relaxing night at home, determined not to let Steve or the situation creep into their lives anymore. They were set on moving forward, as a family. They would go to his arraignment tomorrow, intent on seeing what would happen to the dirt bag, but otherwise, they wanted to focus on their family, their kids. Dinner with Rusty and the ducks had been nice. They opted for a simple meal; Andy picked up take out on his way home since they had both driven that day. Sharon and Andy had been doing a lot more cooking together, even during the week, but on days when they had early mornings such as this, it made it difficult. Besides, it gave Sharon time to get home and get the ducks a bath before Andy arrived with dinner.

"I can't believe she's married to that creep," Rusty said a bit later after the ducks had been put to bed. They had briefly discussed Emily over dinner, but with the kids there and all, they found it easier to address the topic now that the twins were in bed.

"Yeah, well, people do some really dumb things, as you well know. Look at the choices your own biological mother made," Andy added.

"Yeah, but man, she was on drugs and drinking. Emily isn't doing that. I guess, in a way, I see a reason some people make their bad choices. It's not an excuse, but I guess I see it. With Emily, I don't see it. She just got swallowed up with this guy," Rusty shook his head.

Sharon had her head-on Andy's shoulder; they were sitting on the couch, and Rusty was in Andy's favorite recliner, which had years ago, become Rusty's favorite too. As ugly as it was, it was comfortable; even Sharon had to agree with that.

"Well, the mind can do a lot of damage," Sharon added, "your mind can convince you of a lot of things, and often, it's hard to see anything else."

Rusty and Andy nodded, and as Sharon yawned, Rusty took note, "I'm going to get going," he stood. "I know you both had a really long day, and I have some studying to still do," he said as he walked to the kitchen. "Andy, can I take the leftovers?" he asked.

Andy chuckled, "Sure, Rusty. Why do you think I got all that extra food? Faith and Tom aren't eating that much, yet. No, I knew you'd like it."

"Thanks," Rusty nodded, grabbing the containers as he made his way to the door. Sharon and Andy followed him, hugging him before he turned to leave. "Keep me posted, please?" he asked. "Any story where Jack is the good guy-well, that's a story I want to follow," he grinned. Sharon and Andy both rolled their eyes, nodding that they would keep him updated on everything.

Once he left, Sharon turned, and Andy embraced her, speaking softly to her, "You," he pointed toward the hall, "go. Date with me down there-first door on the right. Now, if you go the second door, you have to sleep with the ducks, but if you know what is good for you, you'll go to the first door. Get your shower, and I'll lock up. I'm such a nice guy, I'll even let you snuggle up next to me," he winked, "but will never admit to Provenza or anyone else I use the word snuggle."

Sharon started laughing and looked up at Andy, "Thank you for being there for me, for our family," she leaned up and kissed him.

He kissed her back and swatted at her backside, "Go. I'm not kidding. You're exhausted. Get ready for bed; I'll lock up out here and check on those two back there who are, I'm sure, in their sleep, plotting ways to pull every book off the bookshelf over there," he indicated to their living room bookshelf. Andy's banter had Sharon laughing, and she nodded, as she walked toward their room. Sleep would come easily tonight, even if she was still worried about Emily.

Arraignment court. Sharon shook her head at the thought she had to sit here this morning. What a sight it must be to the LAPD. She was sitting here, behind the prosecution table, which wasn't anything new for an LAPD officer, but she was sure the other officers who knew her at all were chuckling at the sight. Jack sat on one side of her, and Andy sat on the other. Everyone was getting along; it was comical. Sharon knew her private life had been the discussion of many "water cooler" conversations in the building, even though she wanted nothing about her private life on display. It was hard, though, because yes, she was the Assistant Chief. Some talk came just from being that, being a public figure, the boss, to the entire department. She knew some of the talk came from her late in life little ducks. Who wouldn't laugh at that? Here she was-in her 50's now with toddlers. Yeah, it was funny. Both she and Andy saw the humor in it each day as they realized they were getting slower and older, while the twins were gaining every bit of energy they could. Thankfully, most of the force knew nothing about the ducks' story; people didn't know that Andy was not their biological father. Only those close to the two knew; so, outside of Major Crimes, people assumed that Andy was their dad, always had been. It was the case now, really had been since they had been born, but thankfully, Sharon's bad choices had not taken center stage in her professional life. At least that part of her life, the part that she had worked so hard to fix, looked "normal" if there was such a thing. She and Andy had their ducks, and even though the ducks could be their grandchildren, age wise, at least they looked like a normal, happy family, not the train wreck her life had been just a couple short years ago. Even today, sitting here with Andy and Jack, it looked like a united front against their daughter's dirt bag of a husband. Thank goodness this was one mess that wasn't as big as it could have been today. It would have been downright scandalous if her entire police force knew the deeper story to Sharon's past with Steve. Here it was bad enough she had to claim him as a son in law; she cringed at the thought of the whole story coming out to the LAPD.

"I tried Emily again this morning, and she wouldn't answer," Jack said, pulling Sharon out of her thoughts. Andy was talking to another detective who was there for the proceedings and had walked up to where they were all sitting. Sharon turned to address Jack while Andy finished his conversation.

"Ricky tried too. Nothing," Sharon shook her head.

Their conversation was cut short as the court proceedings started. Soon, they saw Steve brought in, looking very dapper in his fancy suit and obviously expensive lawyer. Neither Sharon nor Jack recognized the guy, making Sharon wonder if Steve had brought in one of the league attorneys.

Court continued with the familiarity Sharon, Andy, and Jack all knew. Sharon had clasped Andy's hand in hers when things started, and their hands stayed joined throughout the proceeding. Sharon's mind began to wander again, just wondering how all of this would play out with Emily. She planned to try calling her after everything was done today in court to update her, even though she didn't know if Emily would take her call.

"Guilty," snapped Sharon out of her daze. Andy tugged on her hand, and she realized she'd been daydreaming and not paying attention.

"You are pleading guilty-is that correct?" the judge asked.

Sharon's eyes grew wide, as she turned to Andy. She met her gaze with his; this was a very unexpected turn of events. Steve was pleading guilty.

"That is correct, Your Honor. My client would like to plead guilty," the lawyer said.

The next few minutes were a blur, as Sharon processed that. Smug Steve had just pled guilty. There had to be some reason, and Sharon nodded-his job. Certainly, he had worked out a deal with his job. A guilty plea could mean even a little jailtime, but certainly, Steve was smart enough to secure his job before anything else.

Quickly, the case was finished. Additional proceedings would take place to present the final evidence before sentencing, but Steve had pled guilty and had been remanded to county jail. Sharon looked over to him, still sitting and talking with his lawyer. Andy, Sharon, and Jack stood-Jack was still speechless at what had happened. Steve turned slightly, seeing the three standing there together and looked away. Yes, they had been spotted, and yes, they knew what the dirt bag had done. Now, Sharon had to deal with Emily and whatever fallout this would have for her. The trio turned to leave the courtroom, where they could talk in the hallway. As they turned, Sharon almost jumped back as the three spotted Emily sitting in the back row of the courtroom.