Thank you for the reviews! I hope everyone enjoys this chapter. Emily had a lot to think about :)

Emily checked her watch; she still had another two hours until her plane landed in LA. Late August, it had been awhile since she had been back in LA. So much had gone on since she'd last been home. Home. That is what she wanted LA to be, her home. She'd spent the last several months struggling with what she wanted, and she knew now. She wanted LA to be home, a home with her husband. Her problem was she still couldn't give up her job until she had something in Lam well she could. Money wasn't the issue. They could make it work. Truth be told, Emily wanted to find a job on the West Coast. Wes knew she was frustrated with things; he was too, but he didn't know yet she was taking action.

Emily had a lot of feelers out, but she hadn't heard anything back yet about a job. Wes had explored transferring to the NYPD briefly, but he and Emily had decided that they wanted to remain in LA. Wes told Emily he knew she would "come home" when she could, when she was ready. Wes had told her he respected her independence and career and wouldn't take that from her. They had been married over a year now, and she was getting to that place. She remembered the conversation with her mom long again, "When you are ready, you will know," Sharon had told her. Emily was ready. She was ready to move, but she needed the right job. Until then, she and Wes would keep this up, this travel back and forth across the U.S. Emily just didn't know how much longer it would last.

One hour and 55 minutes until she landed, not that Emily was checking her watch or anything. In fact, Wes wouldn't even be at the airport to get her. He had called her while she was waiting in New York, before she boarded in New York. They had just caught a case, and he would be tied up for awhile. Of course, he'd caught a case. They had barely seen each other in a couple months. Such was life, and that was one reason Emily was ready to move. She wanted her husband; she wanted to live with him and see him all the time, not just once a month if things worked out.

As Emily leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes, she thought back to the last several months. Things had been crazy. Life had been crazy, which was part of the reason she hadn't been home to see Wes in awhile. Her last official trip to LA had been at Christmas. What a mess that had turned into. Things had imploded with her dad. She and Wes had caught him cheating on his wife, Tiffany. Tiffany, Emily sighed. The girl was nice, but wow, what a mess. Emily hadn't actually spoken to Jack since they'd discovered he'd cheated. Emily had told Jack he had to come clean or she would. So, after she'd dropped Jack at home, she did give him that next day, and then she stopped by his place, just before flying back to New York. That conversation had been a mess, as she shook her head thinking about it.

Emily had taken a deep breath before knocking on his door. He answered it, looking ashamed.

"Come, in," Jack had gestured, "I figured you would be by."

"Yes, Dad. I told you what would happen. Did you tell her?" Emily asked.

Jack closed the door as he turned to Emily, "Just so you know, she's out on a walk with the baby. She'll be back soon. Yes, I told her. I haven't slept at all. She didn't take it well," Jack confessed.

Emily moved over to his kitchen table. Jack's place was sparsely furnished, "Did you expect her to, Dad? You cheated on your wife with another woman. In spite of what we all might think of this second family you have created, you did marry her, promise to be faithful, and while she's pregnant with two more kids, you cheated on her."

Jack nodded, "I know. Hey, none of this hasn't already been argued for the last day and a half. Believe me, I have heard it. I've had to think about nothing else since. That couch over there is where I've tried to sleep to no avail."

"Dad, if you are trying to get me to feel sorry for you, I don't. You did this. Quite frankly, I'm surprised you are both here. She didn't kick you out, and she didn't leave. So, what happened?" Emily inquired.

Jack sat down at the kitchen table now. He'd been pacing as he talked. He put his hands in his head, "She said she still loves me and can't raise these three kids-my word-we are going to have three kids! She said she can't raise three kids alone. She doesn't know how your mom did it with the two of you, and I admit, I was a crappy husband. I was with more women then than I care to admit. I told her I love her, and I really, really messed up. I admitted I need some help with my addition-my addictions. I've let booze and women take over. I do love her. I know you don't believe that, don't believe that I could love someone your own age, but I do."

Emily listened to her dad. It was difficult to determine if she should believe him or not. She knew how addicts worked, but he seemed so heartfelt.

Jack continued, "So, we are going to try and work it out. I'm going to do some more extensive rehab, and I promised her I would not call Callie or see her again. I do mean that. Callie was just a fling. I love Tiffany."

Emily raised her eyebrows at her dad, "So, is that why you felt it was okay to cheat on Mom with her? You love Tiffany?"

Jack waved his hand, "Look, I loved your mom too. It's just-it's just different. I'm married to Tiffany now, wanting to make things right, and I do want to raise our kids. Tiffany did threaten, and I know she will-she said if I mess up this last chance, she's gone with the kids. She'll disappear, and I won't see her or the kids again. Emily, as much as I screw up, I do love you, Ricky-all my kids. I can't lose her. I can't lose the kids. She told me she'll go to family on the East Coast, and I'll never find her. I can't lose everything," Jack pleaded, now with actual tears.

"Dad, I hope you are right. I don't know how you convinced Mom to keep you all those years and now Tiffany. I hope you realize what you can lose."

Jack nodded, "I do. We are going to go to counseling, and I did promise I would make things right. It may take awhile, but I will."

"Dad, good luck with that, but for now, for awhile, I think it is best-I think it is healthy, if we don't talk. I need a break from this. I can't watch you self-destruct. Dad, you keep creating messes. You've started this second family, and it keeps growing! You will have three kids to support soon. I need time Dad. Get yourself together, and then maybe we can reconnect. Can you respect that?"

Jack nodded, "I am just grateful you are giving me any chance at all. I'm sorry you had to see that the other night, I am," Jack told her. "Can I give you a hug before you go? I do still love you."

Emily had left after that conversation, and she and Jack had not spoken since. Wes had seen Jack twice since then at work. He hadn't spoken to Jack either time, and Jack had just nodded at him. It helped that neither case was in Major Crimes, but Wes had only seen Jack in passing at the courthouse. Their paths were bound to cross, but Jack seemed to respect Emily's request for space.

Emily knew the twins had been born. Tiffany had sent her pictures of them, but Jack's affair had humbled her too. Emily felt badly for her, but Emily truly felt the space was needed for all of them to heal. The twins had been born on June 15, both little girls, and both healthy. Emily shook her head now, as she sat on the plane, thinking about their names. Tiffany had told Emily the girls were named Brittany and Courtney. Tiffany had a thing for names with similar endings. Jack now had girls named Emily, Brittany, and Courtney, not to mention herself, Emily, and Ricky. What a mess. Emily had only seen a couple of brief photos of the girls, who were now two months old. Emily had told Tiffany, "Congratulations," but that had been it. She did feel badly about it, but after everything, she hoped Tiffany understood. Emily wasn't sure IF Jack was still involved in the girls' lives or with Tiffany at all. That was part of the "space" deal she had asked for. She hadn't spoken to Jack at all, that is until he sent her a text a few days prior. That had been the first communication since January 2. Emily was on her way home from work, so it was late for her, when she heard her text message. She dug out her phone, assuming it was Wes and was surprised to see her dad's name come up. The text had been brief, "Are you coming to LA anytime soon? I hope we can talk. A lot has gone on." That had been it, the only glimpse into Jack's last few months. Emily had a simple response of, "Yes, in a few days." With that, Jack had asked if he could pick her up or see her. So, now with an hour and 40 minutes, after Emily checked her watch again, she would see her dad. With Wes' case, Emily had arranged to meet with Jack when she landed. She decided it was time to figure this out, for once and for all. Either Jack would be on the road to recovery, in all ways, or he would be a mess, forcing her to cut him off. Time would tell.

As if not seeing Wes much and Jack's mess wouldn't be enough problems for the year, there had been problems with Ricky. Well, not so much problems with Ricky, but problems for Ricky and Lauren. Lauren had gone into labor at 30 weeks, much too early, and had delivered the baby April 25. Things had been going well with the pregnancy up to that point. Ricky and Lauren were so excited for the baby, and Meghan couldn't wait either. They had allowed Meghan to pick out the nursery décor, and one weekend, Sharon and Andy had gone up where Andy had helped Ricky assemble everything while Sharon, Lauren, and Meghan had done some shopping. That had been over spring break for both Lauren and Meghan. Student teaching had gone well, and thankfully, Lauren had finished that just a couple of days before she did go into labor, but nothing had prepared the whole family for a preemie. Andrew William Raydor, or Drew for short, had been born at just under three pounds. People who heard the baby's name raised eyebrows at him being named after Andy, but that wasn't the reasoning at all. Lauren's dad had been Andrew or Drew. The name had a very special meaning to her, and Ricky had told Andy that he couldn't argue when he had an Andrew in his life who was a good guy. Sharon had gushed over it, saying that she only had good things to say about men with the name Andrew. So, Drew had come into the world rather quickly; no warning given. Lauren and Ricky were on their way out of the house, loading up to take Meghan to a birthday party, when all of a sudden, her water broke. They didn't believe it at first, until it was confirmed at the hospital, and less than a couple hours later, without much warning, Drew had arrived. He'd had a rough stay in the NICU. While things could have been worse, he had trouble gaining weight and eating. His breathing wasn't as bad as thought, but he'd just had a rough start. Emily was sure Jack didn't know. He was never mentioned, and while she was trying to give Jack another chance, Ricky had told Emily he was done with Jack, at least for awhile. She had remembered that.

"Em, I know you love Dad, no matter what. I cannot have that kind of behavior around my family. I don't want Meghan to see Jack with woman after woman, parading them in and out of our lives. I hope Dad can get his act together, but honestly, Em, don't we keep saying that? He hasn't been faithful for more than a few months we know of. He's barely stopped drinking. Maybe someday, but with Lauren, Meghan, and a baby on the way, we need to stay away."

Emily had respected Ricky's opinion and told Wes she might have felt the same way if they had kids, but right now, they didn't, so she was hopeful that when she met with Jack after her plane landed, he would have some better news to share.

So, Baby Drew had remained in the hospital for quite awhile. Lauren had officially graduated, but she'd opted to not go to her graduation, arguing she didn't want to be away from the hospital, away from her son. Lauren had planned to take the summer off before starting her master's degree program, so that wasn't an issue at the moment. She somehow felt responsible for the early delivery, even though the doctors told her that she'd done nothing wrong. Sometimes things happen. Ricky didn't have a lot of time to take off work, and they had discussed they would rather he take some time off WHEN Drew came home, so Ricky was working his pretty normal days. He would leave well before dawn to get into work early. Lauren, if she was home and not at the hospital, would be ready to leave then too, dropping off Meghan, at a friend's house before school, and then either she or Ricky would pick up Meghan from a friend after school. Ricky and Lauren were glad for the support from friends. Often, Lauren picked up Meghan, giving Ricky some time at the hospital in the evenings. Sharon, Andy, Rusty, Gus, Wes, and Emily had taken turns visiting them, which is partly why Emily hadn't been back to LA much. Wes had met her in San Francisco on her trips, so they had seen each other, but much of that time had been spent at either the hospital or taking care of Meghan.

Meghan had been a mess. She'd gotten so attached to Drew instantly, and the little girl was terrified of losing him. She'd only known death in her family with the death of her parents, so she was so worried the same would happen with Drew. Any visitors had tried to distract her, and when school had ended, Wes had taken off time and flown with Meghan again to New York. The two had spent 10 days visiting Emily in New York. While it was amazing for their marriage, it was also a wonderful trip for Meghan. It got her mind off her tiny brother, as she'd started calling him, and it got her mind on her favorite Aunt Emily and Uncle Wes. That trip had been so positive. As Emily sat in her seat on the plane now, she smiled thinking of the wonderful time they had.

"I hope someday we have a kid of our own as cool as Meghan," Wes had said one night as they settled into bed. The trio had spent the day at the park and feeding the ducks once Emily had finished at work.

"So," Emily said as she shifted on her side, facing Wes, "Does that mean you want a little girl someday?" she raised her eyebrows at Wes.

Wes shifted too, looking back at Emily, "Oh yeah," he grinned.

Emily looked at him puzzled, "What makes you so stuck on a girl? What if someday we have a boy?"

Wes leaned over and kissed Emily, "Oh, I want a girl so she will look like you, dance like you, and well, so I can watch her grow up to be as beautiful as her mom. A boy-we don't need a repeat of me," he grinned.

Emily giggled, "You're pretty great," she flirted with him, "and, I wouldn't mind looking at a Mini-Wes. Grown up Wes is pretty handsome."

Wes raised his eyebrows, teasing Emily too, "Really, you think?"

"Oh, I know," Emily smiled scooting closer to Wes, "I'll show you."

Emily smiled at the sweet memories. New York had been good for Meghan, and it had been good for Wes and Emily. They'd had a long year too. Emily had tried to fly home in February, but a snowstorm had grounded her plane in Chicago. She spent the whole weekend at the airport, only to finally get a flight back to New York and arrive an hour before she had to be at work Monday morning. March had caught Wes in a case, so he couldn't fly to see her. He was stuck testifying for one of his old undercover trials. April had brought the problems with Baby Drew. That had changed everything, so even with Meghan on the visit, it was good for Emily and Wes.

Emily shifted in her plane seat, thinking more about the visit she had with Wes and Meghan. The highlight of the visit, as far as good news, had been a Facetime call Ricky had made.

"Hi Pumpkin," Ricky had smiled at the screen, laughing at the site of Meghan in shorts, an "I Love New York t-shirt, with a tutu over it and a Statue of Liberty foam hat on. "Looks like you are having fun."

"Ricky! I miss you. I love you. Yes, we're having so much fun! We went back to the Statue of Liberty. Aunt Emily keeps joking with me about how I used to call it the statue. I also went to watch her practice today. It was cool. How's Drew?"

Ricky chuckled and waved at Emily who was standing behind Meghan, "Hi Em. Thanks for taking such good care of my girl. I'm calling because Drew's finally being released! He passed all of his tests, and with just a few more things to go, they are going to release him at the end of the week. I can't believe it. He's finally going home."

The trio in New York had cheered; it had been a long road, and Drew had ended up in the NICU for almost two months. The strain was clearly visible on Ricky's face. After the Facetime call, Emily, Wes, and Meghan had gone out to celebrate and ended up almost buying out a baby store with clothing and toys. The extra baggage charge would be worth it; no one had wanted to get anything for Drew. Everyone had been holding their breath, but the little guy had made it.

So, Emily had sent Wes and Meghan back to LA with a new wardrobe for her new nephew. As Emily sat on the plane now, she remembered the sight of Wes and Meghan heading through airport security when the left. She smiled. The two were so good together, and she hoped someday she and Wes would have their own kids. Meghan had grown up so much in the few years they had known her. On her first trip to New York, Meghan had come with an armload of toys and a cute backpack. On this trip back home, as Emily had watched the two leave, Meghan still held Ricky's hand, but she looked so much bigger with her striped backpack. Meghan was growing up.

So, as the summer had progressed, Drew had gone home. Sharon and Andy had spent time with Ricky and Lauren helping them out and getting things settled. Sharon was giddy over the baby, but what was even funnier, is that Andy was almost worse. He LOVED that baby. They already had many pictures of Andy sleeping with Drew asleep on him. Sharon and Andy were thrilled with their newest grandson.

Wes hadn't been able to see Emily in July. After taking off so much time in June, he had to stay put in July. Emily was stuck in a major production all summer, so she couldn't travel either. That is what finally brought her to today; finally, here at the end of August, she was going home. Once she landed in LA, she was there for two weeks. Emily hoped the two weeks would go well, and that maybe by the end of it, she'd have found a permanent job to keep her in LA.

Emily must have nodded off for a bit because she was jolted away as the plane touched down in LA. She glanced out the window-another beautiful sunny California day. Emily dug out her phone and powered it up. She had Rusty on backup to pick her up if Jack fell through. Emily wasn't sure if she wanted Jack to actually come through for her, or if she just wanted that relationship to fall apart. No, as she shook her head, she did hope her dad had improved. Time would tell, and that time was now.

Emily sent a quick text to her dad to feel things out, "Plane just landed. Still coming?"

Jack started to reply right away, Emily noticed. She took that as a good sign.

"Yes, I'm already at the airport. I parked and came inside. I will see you at security. I'm alone," Jack had replied.

Emily frowned, not knowing if that was good or bad. Truth be told, she was glad to have some time with her dad alone, but did that mean he was alone, as in Tiffany had dumped him, or was she reading into things too much?

Once Emily made her way through the airport, she started looking around for Jack. Jack spotted Emily before she saw him, and he started walked toward her. Emily finally saw him, and she almost didn't recognize him. He'd lost some weight, again, not sure if that was for good or bad. He looked tired, but maybe somewhat healthy for once. Jack smiled.

"Emily," he smiled as he walked up to her, "It's been too long," Jack said as he stood there awkwardly.

"Hi Dad," Emily smiled and then decided to hug him, "Thanks for coming. I didn't know if you would."

Jack sighed, "I deserve that and much more. You're right. I was unreliable, but let's get your stuff and talk. There's a lot to discuss."

Emily nodded and let Jack take her bag as the two started to walk toward baggage claim, "So," Emily said as she took in her dad again, "you are looking well. I hope things are well. Your wedding ring is still on. I'm hoping that means you're working things out, but I also know you're one to keep that ring on until the bitter end."

Jack nodded at her, "Yes, I did keep it on with your mother, too long, I admit. I feel badly saying this now, but I didn't even buy a new one with Tiffany. I probably should because yes, we are doing much better. There's still a lot to explain, though, but not here."

Emily nodded, "Okay then, let's get my stuff and go. We can talk wherever you like. Wes has a case, and I'll take him dinner later, but for now, I'm all yours. Tell me about your life, Dad."