She heard the knocking at the door and sighed, almost not wanting to answer it. She knew if she didn't, he would just keep knocking and eventually would resort to calling her. She decided it was best to deal with him now. She put down the books she had in her hand, and she made her way to the door.

"Yes, Gavin," she said in her sarcastic tone and hand on her hip. She hadn't lost her baby weight yet, very little of it to be exact. She'd gained an extra 53 pounds when she had given birth to Hannah, and now, even two months later, she was still up 40 pounds over what she wanted. Nothing fit, but that had been the story of her life for the last year or so now.

"Sharon," he eyed her up and down as he shook his head. He handed her a shopping bag in one hand, almost like it was dirty and needed to get rid of it. "I've come with gifts."

She raised her eyebrow, "That does not get you off the hook with me."

"I know, "he shrugged and moved by her to invite himself into the condo. "Where is the little sweet pea?"

Sharon rolled her eyes and crisply said, "She took my car out for a spin."

"Hmm," he nodded and continued, "I knew I hadn't been by in a few days, but she really is growing up quickly."

Sharon crossed her arms, the bag hanging from one of them, and she watched as he walked toward the bassinet, obviously looking for Hannah.

"She's not there," Sharon stated and tilted her head at him.

He spun around as he stopped quickly and turned back to her, "Room?"

She sighed loudly, now over her irritation with him and gestured with her free hand. He broke out into a smile, and he moved down the hall. She followed him. For not being interested in kids, Gavin was interested, at least in Sharon's kids. He'd brought something for Hannah each time he'd been over to visit, and by the looks of the bag in her hand, this visit was no different. She walked into Hannah's room and found him looking at her.

"Don't wake her!" she quietly hissed. He turned back toward her and waved her off as he tried to focus on Hannah. The next thing Sharon knew, he had Hannah in his hands and was picking her up. Sharon just groaned.

"Oh, stop," he turned and scowled at her. "She was already awake, kicking those feet of hers. You didn't even know she was awake."

Sharon raised an eyebrow, "She can be awake on her own back here and just look around in her crib. If she's not crying, that's a good thing."

Gavin looked at Hannah, "Hannah, you have such a mean mom. She doesn't even want to carry you around," he shook his head. He made a face and handed her to Sharon. "She needs her diaper changed."

Sharon crossed her arms, the bag still in it, and she nodded toward the changing table, "Great, thank you for changing it," she smirked. "And, do not make me feel like a terrible mother. I already do. I have her with me, on me, in my eyesight almost every minute of the day. She's getting big for that bassinet, and she's not napping in it well. Besides, it was quiet back here, and I could get some packing done."

He frowned at her, accepting his defeat, and he walked to the changing table. He started to undress Hannah, as it wasn't his first time changing her either. He glanced toward Sharon as he did. "How is the packing? I can't believe you are leaving."

She gave him a small shrug, "It's going well. It's been nice to sort through things. I don't have a lot, really. I already have a few things in storage, and as you know," she looked around Hannah's room, "her room is mostly packed, either because I packed it or because I never unboxed it."

He nodded and leaned over to make a face at the baby. She was making small sounds and blowing bubbles at him while she kicked her legs in the air. He grinned at her, and still in his adult voice said, "Sweet Hannah, my, my, you are getting big. That mean mom of yours is going to take you away from me."

"You make me sound awful! I'm not just taking her away from you. We've discussed this. I've wanted a fresh start for months, even before she was born. You know how to drive a car; you know how to get on a plane. This is going to be a very good move for us," she explained to him. He finished with Hannah and picked her up again. He flashed a scowl at Sharon and walked out of the room and down the hall with Hannah. He walked over to her swing and put her in it while he then sat in the chair to watch her.

"I know we've talked about it, but it's finally happening. I just don't like it. It's not like you are a quick two-hour drive away or something, and to get to you, I have to drive across that awful desert. Well," he rolled his eyes, "that's assuming I drive, which more than likely, I won't. Even flying to you isn't easy."

Sharon shook her head, "You have access to plenty of private planes with your connections. Hop a flight to Phoenix even. It's not that far from there, a beautiful drive, just a couple more hours."

He frowned at her as she sat down on the couch for a few moments. She let out her breath and glanced at him, "What?"

He gestured to the bag, "Well?"

She rolled her eyes, unaware she even still had the bag in her hand. She opened it, and then she eyed him before she started to pull things out of it. "Gavin, I thought this was for Hannah."

He shrugged, "There is something in there for her; designer baby clothes are so fun," he winked. "You need a few things too. Mom needs to look as designer-styled as baby."

Sharon scowled, "I look terrible. I'm nowhere near the weight I would like to be, and there's a possibility it may not ever happen. My doctor said I'm rushing it, but the weight isn't coming off like I want. I am going to cry if my clothes never fit again. I have just a few tops that fit, and none of my pants fit."

"Yes," he clapped his hands together, "which is why I bought you that. I guessed on size based on what you used to wear. Don't mind that; just see if it fits."

"Two silk blouses?" she eyed him. He shrugged.

"Professor, you are going to need to look the part. I know your current things don't fit. This will help tide you over until you can get back into your suits and normal clothing. Now, we are going to need to get you a couple suits too for this new job."

"First," she pointed at him, and both smiled at Hannah as she made a shrieking sound. She continued to kick her feet in her swing. Sharon continued, "I am not a professor. I am a classified as a visiting lecturer right now with the possibility for more. Second, I have half a mind to not pack a single clothing item of mine because unlike you, I am NOT convinced anything will ever fit."

He shook his head with a frown, "You'll pack it. I'll pack it for you. When are the movers coming?"

"A week from today, finally," she nodded. "I confirmed that this morning. If a word of this gets out before it is supposed to with work-my work here-I will be extremely upset with you. This cannot be another Hannah update-type slip."

He smirked, "That won't happen again. You are just now finally speaking to me. I apologize for telling him about Hannah. I ran into him at the courthouse, and he just happened to ask if you and Hannah were doing okay. I mentioned she'd had her last check-up and was doing great. I'm glad my peace offering here helped today. I am surprised you stayed mad for a week."

"Hmm," she nodded to him. "I'm still mad, but considering I'm leaving in a week, I decided it was best to deal with you now. Yes, that last week with you telling him about Hannah cannot happen again."

"I still don't see a problem, Sharon. He has left you alone completely. He hasn't been here since you told me that what, the team came by, right? She was just home from the hospital, and he's left you alone. It's bene two months. I don't think you have to worry he's going to be bothering you."

"I just need to start over as I've told you. I've been planning to retire when Ricky graduated. I'm just three years early on that plan, but that is all because of Hannah. I don't want anything to happen to me at work that would leave her without her mother. I don't want to work long and crazy hours while she is left with just anyone. I've had to do that, and I understand it. It's a way of life. I'm finally in a position where I can change that, where I have options. I'm choosing to retire, relocate, and start a job I've always wanted."

"A professor?" he eyed her.

She waved at him. Hannah started to fuss, and Sharon stood to get her, waving off Gavin. "She's hungry. Let me feed her." He made a face, and she laughed, "No, you don't have to see everything. Honestly, Gavin, I didn't think breastfeeding would bother you."

"I know you said it doesn't hurt you, but that's all I see. It just looks awful to me, but I have no problem with you doing that. I just cringe watching it, imaging that pain," he explained. Sharon picked up a blanket off the side of the couch, got situated with Hannah, and when she had Hannah feeding, she looked back to Gavin.

"Now, where were we-oh, right, I told you I'm not a professor. I'm just a lecturer right now. If things go well, they plan to bring me on full-time as soon as they have an opening."

"See, that's why I think this is a mistake. You don't even have a full-time job. It's part-time, and they hope it works out. What if it doesn't?"

"I will be getting my pension from here. I'm going to rent the condo here, and that should rent very quickly once I get out of here and list it with a property manager. I'm going to rent myself in the interim and see how things play out for me. It's an adventure. I'm excited, and you will come visit. You'd better," she nodded at him.

He made a face at her, "Arizona is hot."

"Not always, especially not in Flagstaff. It's much cooler there. I told you they get snow."

"Nothing good comes from Arizona," he argued.

"Hey!" she raised her voice to him and chuckled. "I'm from Arizona, which is one of my factors as I've told you. My parents are aging. I need to be a little closer to them to check on things. They are doing well now, but you and I both know that could change quickly. They can't easily get here, or I should say, they don't like Los Angeles and won't come here. I want Hannah to know her grandparents as long as they are still alive. I'm not stupid. I know some women my age have grandchildren-thankfully, I do not, but I'm an old mom," she rolled her eyes, "and Hannah needs family around her."

"Well," Gavin started to say, but Sharon pointed at him.

"Not a word. We are not getting into this again. I'm talking to you after you told him about her last week. Don't make me send you packing right now. I'll even send the silk shirts with you."

"You won't," he shook his head. "You already like them. The colors are going to be great on you. Are you sure she doesn't hurt you?" he nodded.

Sharon looked down and saw Hannah kicking her feet while she was nursing. She glanced at Hannah and started to laugh. She looked back at Gavin, "She's almost asleep, and no, she's not hurting me. I won't lie; it feels odd at times, but she's not hurting me."

The two were quite for a few moments. They could hear Hannah as she continued to make sounds. Sharon patted her diaper as she fed, and Gavin glanced around at the condo. He nodded, "Looks like you are about done out here."

"I am," she nodded.

"What can I do to help?" he asked.

She pursed her lips, "Order dinner, maybe? We can finish packing the kitchen while we wait on dinner. She'll be almost ready for bed. I want to give her a quick bath, and then I think she will be ready to go back to sleep. She didn't sleep much this last nap today."

He nodded, "Sure." Gavin stood and walked to her counter where she had the take-out menus sitting out. He held them up, and when he cleared his throat, Sharon turned to him. He fanned out the choices, "Something healthy," she said. "I have to lose this weight."

He shook his head, "Fine, soup and salad. I'll call it in."

Two hours later, it was getting late, and yet, they'd made a lot of progress. Sharon had finished feeding Hannah, had given her a bath, and she'd put her to bed. Gavin had ordered dinner, and then, he'd worked on a briefing while waiting for Sharon to finish with Hannah. They'd eaten when the food had arrived, and now, they were closing another box in the kitchen.

"I'm out of boxes in here," she made a face as she looked around at the stack. "I still need several, but I don't want to take any of the boxes I have marked for my bedroom. I'll just pick up more tomorrow."

He nodded, "I need to get home and finish my work for tonight. You have an amazing friend who would come here after work and help you with everything."

"Hmm, if only he'd not talk to certain lieutenants," she enunciated. "I'm just glad he didn't piece together she had her check-up a week early with all this moving going on right now. Honestly, I thought he would be a thorn in my side. I've been surprised he'd stayed away, especially after he sent that huge box for her after she was born and then made all that food."

"I told you I didn't tell him anything! I don't know what the big deal is anyway. He signed that paperwork. I was there; you were there. It's official. He can't stop you from moving, and as I've said, he's stayed away. He's going to find out anyway, but no, I didn't tell him you were moving. Now, we have discussed what a good cook the man is. That was some good food. I can't believe he made you five casseroles. That was crazy. You barely had enough room in your freezer."

"Yes, I know," she sighed. "I thought with all that, he'd be stopping by all the time, texting me for an update. I'm so relieved he's not been around, but you telling him about her doesn't help."

"Discussed and understood," he nodded. "Back to the work conversation," he gestured at her.

"Look, I realize the LAPD will know soon enough I've decided to retire and move. I would just like to be out of town and all set in my new life before that happens. Last thing I need is anyone trying to stop me when he has no claim to her," she sighed.

He nodded and moved to the table to collect his paperwork, "When are you supposed to go back to work?"

She cleared her throat as she followed him and stood next to him while he finished, "After I got the job offer, I spoke to Pope. You know that. That was back in July, and at the time, I warned him that if it got out before January 1st,, I would have his job. Originally, that was going to be my return date, before I got the job offer. Remember, Hannah was a little early, and at the time, I was thinking that would be the best option. So, I'd negotiated that. After Hannah was born, Pope asked if I wanted to come back December 1st to finish the year before moving. I told him I didn't. The new semester starts in January, and I want to be in place before the holidays. Anyway, I told him now that not a word should be out before December 1st. Everyone thinks I will return then, and he gave me his word on that. I know it's Pope, but still," she rolled her eyes.

"You are walking out like you did something wrong. I just don't want you to regret that. You have been a fantastic officer with an amazing career. You're retiring after maternity leave. People are going to want to wish you well. It's just something to consider," he nodded to her. "I'll be back. I'm going to check on Hannah before I leave."

"Don't wake her," she called to him. She looked around the house, happy with her progress. This move would be good. She wasn't going to regret it. It was time for a change. She was done with the LAPD, and Gavin was wrong. People would not want to wish her well. Instead, she envisioned everyone clapping and having a party when they realized she was gone. This was for the best. It was a little odd, retiring this way, but there wasn't anything that could be done about it. HR had been okay with it too, and right now, Pope and the HR supervisor were the only people from work who knew her plan. She hated springing this on her office, but they would adjust. Her lieutenant could handle things until a replacement was selected; he already was with her out now. She also had to admit it would be nice not seeing Andy. She wasn't hiding from him, but it was going to be nice not running into him in the building. As she'd thought about her future throughout her pregnancy, she just wanted to get away from everyone. Thankfully, he'd agreed to sign the paperwork so that would allow her to easily move; there would be no custody battle or anything else. She was serious when she'd told him to move on with his life. He'd given her something wonderful; sure, at the time, when she found out she was pregnant, it didn't seem wonderful, but she now had this amazing little girl to raise, and she was going to do it the way she wanted.

"I didn't wake her," he flashed a smile. "Now, promise me you aren't going to move before I see you again, right?"

"I told you the movers are coming in a week. Besides, that, Halloween is just two days away. I expect you will want to see Hannah in that ridiculously expensive little outfit you bought her. Am I correct?"

"Oh, right!" he clapped his hands. "Well, she had to have a ballerina outfit like her big sis. The little tutu around it is too cute. I do have a soft spot for my best friend's girls." He leaned in to kiss her cheek.

"I know you do," she sighed. She returned the kiss. "Thank you for coming over to keep me company and help me pack. I know you love her and the rest of us. Just know I'm doing what is best," she eyed him.

"I'm out for the night," he winked, not answering her. "Call me if you need me before Halloween. I'll keep an eye out for boxes at work. I think my staff thinks I'm moving," he chuckled. "Get some sleep, Sharon. Don't go eat a snack. That won't help with the clothing issue you keep mentioning."

"Night, Gavin," she smiled and opened the door for him. He waved, and she closed the door when he disappeared around the corner. She sighed, a happy sigh, as she looked at her boxed up condo. She nodded to herself. This would be a fresh start. She needed sleep, but before that, she needed to try on the blouses Gavin had bought her. She had no doubt he'd spent way too much money on them, but she had to admit that she needed the clothing. New clothes, a hot bath, and bed. Tomorrow was another day closer to her new life.