"Drew", Emily said sleepily as she reached behind her. She didn't feel anything but her mattress. She turned over to see an empty spot next to her; she stretched languidly before slowly getting out of bed. She pulled on a pair of long, novelty socks and her robe from behind her bedroom door. She checked the time once and slowly walked down the hallway of her apartment. She walked past the guest room, where Dennis and Nicky were sleeping, to see it empty. She tried not to panic, but instinctively grabbed a heavy candle holder off the side table and continued to walk through the quiet apartment illuminated by the morning light. She quietly placed the candle holder down and smiled brightly at the sight before her. Andrew was conked out on the couch. Mirabelle and Anais were sleeping soundly on his chest and legs. Dennis was starting to wake up; he looked around confused, before looking at Emily. Emily motioned for him to be quiet, since everyone was sleeping, and to walk towards her. He made a little noise, and froze, trying not to laugh before tiptoeing over to Emily. She brought him into her room, and he took a seat in the big chair near her bed. "Good morning Dennis. Did you sleep okay?" He looked at Emily and bit his lip nervously, "I had a bad dream and Andy didn't want to wake you up." Emily reached over and hugged him, "It's okay Dennis. I have bad dreams sometimes too." "Does Andy make you feel better like he does with me?" he asked her with wide, curious eyes. Emily hugged herself, "I haven't had a bad dream when he's around, but I'm sure that he could make me feel better." He laughed to himself, "Andy gives the best hugs!" She shook her head in agreement, "I love his hugs too!"
Emily looked up to see Nicky leaning against the door jamb; she looked back at Dennis, "What do you want to watch sweetheart?" Dennis thought for a moment and responded with excitement, "Animal Planet." Emily turned on Animal Planet and stepped outside the room to talk with Nicky. "Hey, I did a quick walk through and neither of you were in the room." "I was in the bathroom. I was taking a shower, not shooting up" Nicky said defensively and tried to walk away. Emily grabbed her gently and pulled her into the girls' bedroom. "Hey, I'm on your side okay?" Nicky relaxed, "I'm sorry. I called the number you gave me for the rehab place, and they've arranged for someone to meet me at the airport and escort me all the way to rehab. Is this how it works for everybody or am I just special?" Emily let go of Nicky and put a hand on her hip, "You're the Queen of England" she joked, "It's the procedure for everyone. Most families have a hard time letting their loved ones go to rehab. The professional escort is a way to ensure that the enablement stops. Also, when you arrive…you aren't allowed to contact anyone for the first week. That is to ensure that you get through detox effectively. Do you want me to wake up Andrew?" Nicky shook her head no, "Can you take me? I wrote him a long note and put it in his hand. If Andy takes me, then one of us might stop the process. I also don't want to see him or Dennis crying—it'll break me. I know it's asking a lot because of your daughters—" "They're asleep. I trust Drew and Dennis is preoccupied. If we hurry, you might be on the plane before they even wake up." Nicky let out a breath, "Well, I'm ready if you are. I was told that I can't bring any bags with me and I have to surrender my phone when I get there." Emily quickly put on clothes, in the bathroom, and came back out to Dennis hugging Nicky's waist. Nicky was fighting tears, that threatened to fall after he said, "Go get better Nicky. Andy needs the both of us to be better, so that he can be better too." Nicky kissed him on the cheek, "I'm going to get better Dennis." He released her and smiled at Emily. Emily and Nicky walked towards the front door; while Nicky, quietly opened the door…Emily walked over to leave a note in Andrew's hand to let him know where she was. Emily waited with her until she recognized one of the drivers from the rehab facility walking towards them. She turned towards Nicky, "You ready for this?" Nicky looked panicked, "No, but I have to do it. Thank you so much for everything. I'm happy that you and Andy are together. He deserves real happiness, not forced obligations. I hope that you stick around." She hugged Emily tight, "I'm going to go now before we both start bawling our eyes out." Emily returned home to see the girls helping Dennis with a huge floor puzzle. "Hey guys." They all absentmindedly spoke to her and keep going with the puzzle. Emily walked to her bedroom in search of Andrew. She saw the bathroom door closed and steam coming from underneath the door. She opened the door and saw him standing in the shower with his head against the wall. She took off her pants but stepped into the shower fully clothed behind him. She hugged him from behind and rested her head in-between his shoulders. Andrew jumped and looked over his shoulder, "What are you doing? You're going to get soaked." Emily turned him around to face her, "I don't care. Baby, I know you miss her, but she needs to do this. Let me be your anchor." Andrew started crying and slumped down in the shower. Emily kept him pulled firmly to her as he let out loud sobs. "I've got you baby. I'm not going anywhere." Andrew pulled her closer by her soaked t-shirt and kissed her with everything he had, "Em, Emily please don't go. I won't make it if you leave me too. I need you." Emily continued to kiss the top of his head as her own tears started to fall, "You have me. I'm yours. I'm not leaving you." Emily helped Andrew sit on the built-in bench in the shower. She grabbed his loofah, used his favorite body wash, and carefully washed his body. He didn't fight her washing his body, nor did he fight it when she helped him dry off and get dressed. He reclined in the bed with his head on her chest; there was a knock on the door, "Come in", Emily said. The girls and Dennis brought in lemonade, popcorn, and a few movies. No words were spoken as the three reclined onto the bed and started the first movie. Emily kissed Andrew's head and whispered in his ear, "Do you see that? The Mendozas have the Prentiss' unconditional love."
A/N: Next chapter with have a significant time jump. I would like to know from readers if you guys want me to include Nicky's experiences in rehab. This is different from Emily and Andrew's perspectives.