The next morning started dark and rainy, is stark contrast with Sharon's mood. It was just five days before Christmas, and she still had so many thing she wanted to do, but first she needed to get to the office and finish the paperwork on their latest case.

"Rusty," she knocked on his door.

"Yeah," he groaned.

"I'm going to the office. Do you want to come or do you want to stay here and play your new game?"

"Here," he grunted, before flopping back in bed.

Sharon smiled to herself, then collected her briefcase and other essentials and left her apartment. She greeted his security detail and updated them on the day's plan, then headed down to the garage to get her car.

The drive to work was lighter, she noticed, owing to people traveling for the holidays. She turned on the radio to keep her company, and was pleasantly surprised when she heard the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy surround her. Tchaikovsky continued to fill her car as she drove. By the time she arrived at her office, she was humming along with the Waltz of the Flowers.

"You're in a good mood, Captain," Amy greeted her as soon as she arrived.

"Yes," Sharon looked matter of fact, "I am. I think this is going to be a good day, so let's get our paperwork done so we can all leave."

As she walked to her office, she was greeted by Andy.

"Captain."

"Lieutenant."

Both of them struggled to keep their smiles in check.

The morning flew by, and soon the squad was finished what they needed to do and heading out. Everyone wished each other Merry Christmas, hoping desperately that they wouldn't see each other outside of social engagements, until the first of the year.

As the last team member left, Andy knocked on Sharon's door.

"Are you leaving, Lieutenant?"

"Nah, I'm just stepping out for lunch. Want anything?"

"Surprise me," she waved her hand in the air.

Andy chuckled. "Sure thing."

Seeing that everyone was finally gone, Sharon turned her radio on and was again greeted by the sounds of Tchaikovsky, but this time it was Swan Lake. Humming along, she got lost in her work until a voice startled her.

"This looks familiar."

Sharon looked up. "Nicole!"

The younger woman smiled. "Hi," she waved. "This a bad time?"

"No, not at all. I'm just finishing up some paperwork. I always seem to be finishing up some paperwork," she laughed. "Please, sit. How are you?"

"Good, good. They boys are super excited."

"Oh good," Sharon leaned back in her seat, smiling. "Christmas with kids around is so much fun. The baking and sneaking looks under the tree, mail deliveries and lights everywhere. They have so much wonder at that age."

Nicole nodded, "Yes, that's the fun stuff. Then I've got the not-so-fun stuff."

"Oh, what do you mean?" Sharon sat up again, looking at her.

"Well, I have a blended family, and not just one generation but two. Trying to organize visits from my husband's family, and the boy's mother's family, and then my parents. At this rate it looks like we will be having three or four Christmases."

"I see... yes, that would be draining, and I guess you have to keep dueling families apart."

"Yes. The boy's mother's family resents that the boys are being raised by someone else, and they feel they have to compensate for their daughter's abandoning her sons. Then Josh's parents feel they should dictate how Christmas is to be celebrated since their son is the head of the household, and is beholden to his father." Nicole rolled her eyes at that one. "And of course my family... "

"Mmm... I understand the abandonment issue. My in-laws tried that for the first two years until I put my foot down."

"I'm the step-mother. I can't put my foot down."

Sharon nodded, "True, you're in a difficult place."

"Yes, so I've had to shuffle everybody. Josh's parents are arriving Christmas night, and staying for a few days, so that takes care of them. The boy's other grandparents are coming Christmas Eve morning, and staying until mid-afternoon. So that leaves my parents." Nicole stopped for a minute and looked at Sharon for a reaction.

"I see, and what have you decided?"

Nicole sighed, "Well, I know we talked about me giving Dad a full day, but Mom is insistent that she spend Christmas Day with us, and isn't taking no for an answer."

"So that leaves Christmas Eve for me," Andy said from the doorway.

"Dad!" Nicole exclaimed, and went to hug him. "I thought everyone was gone, but I'm so glad to see you.

"Me too, Nic," Andy kissed his daughter's head, then put the bags he was carrying down on Sharon's desk.

Nicole saw them and pointed, "Is that from the sushi restaurant you mentioned?"

"Mmm, yes," Sharon said happily, pulling out packages. "It's my favourite. Do you want some?"

"Um... sure, but I don't want to take your lunch."

"That's okay, Nic. I can always get something else afterwards," Andy assured her.

Nicole looked from one to the other.

"Try it," Sharon held one of the boats out for her.

Tentatively Nicole picked up one of the set of chopsticks and took a piece of the salmon roll. "Wow, this is good," she said, after she had finished it.

Sharon smiled, then picked up a piece of tuna sashimi and used it as a pointer. "You know, Christmas Eve is so much better than Christmas Day. All of the anticipation is still there, and the esthetic of the presents under the tree is beautiful. When my kids were young, I used to put them to bed then sit for hours, just looking at the tree glowing in the dark room. And now, whenever I get the chance to have Christmas with my parents at their chalet, I love Christmas Eve Mass. There's something magical about being in a church and singing Silent Night by candle light, then going outside just after midnight to snow falling all around. I love it."

Andy and Nicole watched as Sharon got a far away look on her face. Neither wanted to interrupt her memories.

But all too quickly, Sharon caught herself, then laughed a little. "Well, that won't be this year."

"Will you miss it?" Andy asked.

"Part of me will, absolutely. But Christmas in LA isn't bad either. Rusty and I will find our own ways to celebrate."

"The invitation is open to join us," Nicole said self-consciously.

"Thank you, but what I really want is for you two to spend time together. That would make me very happy."

"Yeah..." Andy agreed, "but don't forget, you've got that thing..."

Sharon looked at him perplexed, "What thing?"

"The thing..." he said with more emphasis, and nodded his head towards Nicole.

"Oh right... the thing," Sharon repeated, realizing what he was talking about. "Yes, well I will have to stop by, but only for half an hour or so, I don't want to interrupt your time."

Nicole looked confused, "What are you talking about?"

"Come on Nic, you know it's not the season to ask too many questions."

"Ah..." she nodded, then turned to look at Sharon. "Um... Dad and I talked a few days ago, and he told me that we might have jumped to some conclusions about you, and him, and I want you to know it's okay. I'm not inviting you because I think you're with my Dad, I'm inviting you because we really enjoy your company. Everything else is just bonus."

"Thank you," Sharon tilted her head and smiled at the younger woman, "that means a lot to me. I like spending time with your family as well. I really enjoyed going to the ballet, and I don't mind being included at all."

"Okay," Nicole said, getting to her feet. "I just came down here to let you know my door is open." Then she turned to her father, "And Dad, I was going to drive to your house next to ask you to come on Christmas Eve, but you're here. So.. two-ish?"

"Sure Nic, two sounds perfect." Andy kissed her on the head again then watched her leave. "Whaddaya know," he smiled as he sat down across from Sharon. "I thought this holiday was going to be a bust, then you save my ass with a present, and Nicole asks me to spend time with her on Christmas Eve. This is looking like the best Christmas I've had in years."

"I'm so glad," Sharon smiled, enjoying the happiness that shone around him. "You have your present for Nicole covered?"

"Yeah, that was an easy one. It was the boys that gave me trouble"

Sharon giggled, "Some day you'll be able to buy then Dodger tickets."

"That'll be the day," Andy laughed with her.

They chatted a little more about Christmases past and Nicole's visit, then Andy returned to his desk with half of Sharon's paperwork, so they could both get out of the office faster.

Before they knew it, the job was done. Andy walked Sharon down to her car and they drove off to their respective homes, full of plans for the days ahead. When Sharon arrived at her building, the Concierge waved her over.

"Ms. Raydor, a package arrived for you today. Special delivery."

"Oh, good," Sharon responded, and signed the release that he had handed her. "Are you sure that's for me?" Sharon said when she saw the size of it."

"Uh, yes... your name is in bold letters. It's from New York."

"Really?" Sharon took it and saw it was indeed from Melissa. "Yes, it's mine. Thank you."

She carried it up the elevator, and by the time she reached the eleventh floor, she had decided it must contain additional gifts for herself and Rusty.

"What's that?" Rusty asked when she came in the door.

"The parcel from Melissa. The one I asked her to send for Andy's grandsons."

"Right," Rusty responded, loosing interest instantly.

Sharon pealed the outer paper away and was surprised to see inside the box was completely wrapped in Christmas paper. On top was a large card that read "For Tyler and Matthew, open me first", and attached to that was a large sticky note that instructed her not to open it until both she and Andy were there to watch the boys. Finally deciding that Melissa must have included some other little things, she left it on the table by the door so it wouldn't get misplaced under the tree.

The weekend passed without incident, and before they knew it Monday had arrived. Sharon was anxious for the mail to come, and realized she was driving herself and Rusty crazy by her pacing. "Okay, let's go for a drive."

"Really," Rusty asked.

"Sure, we go out to the beach, and maybe get lunch."

Rusty shrugged, "Um... sure."

They enjoyed a sunny afternoon, walking along the shore. Rusty pointed out some tacky Christmas bikinis, and they both shared their amusement. For a little while Sharon forgot the parcel she was expecting. But as they return to the city and got closer to home, her anxiety increased.

"What's going on?" Rusty asked, noticing how fidgety she was.

"Nothing."

"It's not nothing. Did you get me out of the house for a reason?"

Sharon glanced over, "Oh no, Honey, I'm not up to anything. I'm expecting an important parcel to be delivered today, that's all. And the waiting was getting to me. Hopefully it will be at the front desk when we get home."

"It's that thing you were working on for Lt. Flynn, right?"

Sharon opened her mouth to say something, then closed it right away. Trying again she shrugged, "Ah... yes it is."

"It's cool." Rusty assured her, and turned back to watch the road.

The parcel had not arrived by the time they got home, and it didn't arrive after dinner. Sharon was beside herself, and ready to call the company to find out what happened, when someone knocked on her door.

"Sorry Ms. Raydor, someone didn't log this properly," the evening desk clerk said, holding up the long awaited package.

"Thank you," she said, trying not to rip it out of the man's hand.

When she was all alone, she walked into the living room and sat on the sofa. Opening the parcel carefully, she examined every inch. It looked even better than she had hoped. Satisfied, she wrapped it and placed it with the larger gift for Tyler and Matthew, then she sat down to enjoy the glow of her tree. She was ready for Christmas Eve.