Disclaimer : I do not own SON or F&F

Epilogue : Arthur Carlin

I've waited for that call for almost thirty years. The mind-numbing, limb-weakening phone call from either the police department or a hospital. The first eleven years was when I had Paula in my life. We met when we were eighteen – both rookies at the LA Police Academy. Paula had a brilliant mind. She excelled in everything she did. I worshiped the ground she walked on.

We got married two years later. I stayed at the local police department and Paula had her eye on a position as a Detective, or either moving on to bigger things, like CIA or the FBI. Her dreams were put on hold when she gave birth to our beautiful daughter – Spencer – at the age of twenty-two.

While Spencer was everything to me, Paula started resenting the direction her life was headed to. She wasn't destined to stay a patrol officer or even a Detective. She wanted more.

Cars were in my blood. My own father was a Marine, but also an avid car-lover. I loved the thrill of car chases while being a cop. That is what had cost my job as a police officer – a terrible motor vehicle accident. Paula was the one who received the phone call. While I recovered at home, and looked after Spencer, Paula finally got her big break. She got offered a position as a junior FBI agent – in Washington D.C. There was nothing I could do to make her stay. Not even her own daughter was enough reason for her. Spencer was only seven years old.

I saw Paula for several brief moments after Spencer got assigned to this undercover case. I was surprised, to say the least, and we agreed to keep to ourselves. By then I'd already heard complaints from Spencer how terrible their FBI Supervisor was. It's been a comical, crazy experience.

Paula was the one who phoned me. I'd already lost my wife to this job, I couldn't bear the thought of losing my daughter too. It's always been my worst fear. The one thing that I was grateful for, was that Paula had at least had enough decency to wait for me until I arrived at the hospital. We went to see Spencer together. While Paula stood emotionless, I broke down. What do you do when you see your daughter hooked up to countless machines, unconscious, stitched up and covered in cast and bandages? What do you do when you can't do anything? I felt so helpless.

The nurses told me that Paula visited often, after hours, until Spencer started regaining consciousness. Then she disappeared again. It was somewhat comforting, yet disconcerting.

Despite Paula's lack of affection, I still somehow found peace. There was someone else who visited Spencer. She never left Spencer's side for the entire six weeks. And afterwards, she stuck around. In fact, she was sitting right next to me now, her hands fidgeting nervously.

"Ashley, there's nothing to be nervous about. They didn't ask you to do a speech, did they?"

She looked at me, and I could see why Spencer loved her so much. Innocence exuded off of her.

"N-No, not that I know of. Oh, gosh, I hope not!"

I couldn't help but smile proudly. It was a big night – for both of them. Ashley had just accepted a junior position as a Forensic Auditor at Precinct 59, the same precinct Spencer was stationed at. Spencer was about to receive her Detective badge. They would both be receiving medals for commendation on the Woods/Mendez case; Spencer for bringing them to custody, and Ashley for uncovering a multi-million dollar laundering plot. It made headlines all over the country.

"Officer Spencer Carlin... Congratulations."

Ashley

My heart was pounding in my chest. She was dressed in uniform and looked beautiful as ever, despite the scars and slight limp she still struggled with.

"Officer Spencer Carlin... Congratulations."

I watched with immense pride as she received her Detective badge. We were at some fancy gala-evening hosted by the LAPD. It felt great to be part of something so big. It felt like graduation, except here we really made a difference in people's lives.

Spencer Carlin definitely made a difference in my life.

I would never forget that day, three months ago. I still got lightheaded thinking about the remains of that car, and waiting to see Spencer being pulled out of it, a shiny blanket covering her entire body.

At that stage I was heaving all over, crying, screaming. I had so many regrets. But I didn't have time to ponder about it; both Kyla and I got arrested. I was so angry and disappointed. And completely broken. Kyla got shipped off to prison, her sentencing was fairly easy given her history.

I had to undergo rigorous interrogations, and after two days, I was released, and for unexplained reasons my previous record got cleared. Sergeant Chelsea Lewis and Special Agent Paula Montanio had taken it upon themselves to explain to me how Officer Carlin had fought for my innocence since the first day on her undercover assignment. That was when I truly realized that Spencer Carlin did care about me too. I meant something to her after all…

I spent every waking moment by Spencer's side. I met her father, Arthur, who visited several times a day. Sergeant Lewis tried to visit at least once a day, and even Agent Montanio popped in every now and then. The resemblance between her and Spencer was scary.

The happiest moment in my life was when Spencer woke up from her coma two weeks later. She cried my name as she came to. Her very first sentence was "You came back" and then a shy "I love you." There were a lot of tears that day.

With Arthur's help and consent, I'd moved my handful of belongings into Spencer's apartment. We put up some railings against the walls and installed floor lights to make things easier for when Spencer came home. I sold my racing car and some assets that the state allowed me to take, and bought a minivan to drive Spencer around if needed be.

Spencer came home after spending six weeks in hospital. Her recovery process was sluggish, but with motivation and hard work we got her back on her feet. Arthur came by often to cook us dinner while I looked after Spencer and studied to write my final exams. He was a great father and an amazing cook.

I'd graduated in the meantime, and got offered a job at Spencer's precinct as a junior Forensic Auditor. I've already been there for a week now. Spencer was due to return for light duty in the new week. I was looking forward to it. I loved the idea of us working together.

Detective Carlin and Forensic Auditor Davies.

Hmm…

Detective and Forensic Auditor Carlin-Davies. Much better.

Spencer

I plunged down on our king-sized bed and let out a long sigh. "I'm exhausted."

Ashley stopped at the door and leaned against the frame, her arms folded, a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

I took a moment and stared at her, my eyes roaming her body from head to toe. She was dressed in a black women's suit, almost the same as her daily uniform now. Ashley in a suit was sexy. Her badge glimmered in the bedroom light. It was difficult some mornings to let her out of the house like that – I just wanted her all for myself. I had to give it to her for keeping that minivan. Our ride to work was also our make-out spot. It held many intimate secrets.

"How's your leg, baby? You seemed to be limping again towards the end of the night." She finally stepped into the room and joined me on our bed, lying on her side with one arm supporting her upper body.

I smiled, feeling my heart skipping beats as our eyes met. "I'm good. I was just tired."

We've come a long way since we first met almost two years ago. After that accident, I never thought I'd ever see her again. I didn't know that I would live to see anyone at all. But I pulled through – during the time I was in the coma there was this calming presence; I felt at peace for the first time in seventeen years, since my mother left us. I could feel her there. And I could feel Ashley. Sometimes I'm sure I even heard them talk a little. Ashley talked to my dad a lot, and it meant the world to me that they got along so well. My dad absolutely adored Ashley. He was already hinting towards grandchildren.

Ashley reached out and stroked loose strands of hair from my face. "I'm so proud of you, Spence."

I've received a long service award tonight. I've been at Precinct 59 for five years. A cop for a total of eight years. And I loved it. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

I was beaming myself. "I'm proud of you, Ash. You've been through so much and yet here you are – senior Forensic Auditor! How does it feel, living your dream?"

She got promoted. Ashley was a highly intelligent woman.

"You mean, this dream?" She leaned down and planted soft kisses on my lips.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, savoring the feel of her lips against mine. I could never get enough of her. Her presence still had the same effect on me like the first time I saw her. Only now, it was even more intense. I returned her kisses, eliciting a soft moan from her. It was a good thing I was lying down, Ashley also still knew how to turn me into mush. I could hardly move my legs.

Ashley realized this and smiled knowingly. "You are my dream, Spencer Carlin-Davies." She kissed me one more time and rested her head on my shoulder, closing her eyes. "I love you."

"I love you too, Ashley Carlin-Davies." I fell asleep with her, content, knowing that when I woke up, I'd wake up to those chocolate brown eyes, curly brown hair with a red-streaked fringe, and a nose-crinkling smile…

A/N : And that's it, folks! Thanks for reading and reviewing! Next fic will be up in a couple of weeks, I have other projects to focus on for a bit. Looking forward to share a romantic comedy Mid-December! Cheers!