Authors Note: Okay first of all I want to apologize for the long awaited finale to the story. I've been busy with work but I managed to get it done. Second of all I want to thank everyone that has read the story and for everyone that has reviewed. I loved writing this and the positive feedback is what kept me writing you all are awesome so thanks again! I hate that this story is ending but I know if I didn't stop now I never would and then it would have and then it would have been too drawn out. A sequel is a strong possibilty but it's up to you guys so let me know :) I'm still going to be working on Gimme Shelter for now. Anyway enjoy the last chapter and let me know what you thought

Chapter 22

Danny and Lindsay's apartment

Lindsay was getting ready for a day she looked forward to and dreaded all at the same time. Today was going to be the day she looked Billy Myers in the eye again he was being sentenced. There was no trial since Billy pleaded guilty after being apprehended after he abducted Lucy. It had been two months since Lucy was taken and bought home safely and now Lily had been home for a week as well.

"You almost ready?" Danny asked tying his tie as he watched as Lindsay looked into the mirror

"Yea just about" Lindsay said turning to him

"Well my mom just got here so whenever you're ready" Danny said to her

"Ok" Lindsay nodded

"What's wrong?" he asked

"It's just- I don't know how to feel" Lindsay sighed "Billy was my childhood friend and now he's going to prison for victimizing me and my entire family"

"I know Linds" Danny said to her stepping closer "It's hard to believe any of this"
"I always thought we were alike" Lindsay admitted "We both lost Jill and leaned on each other"

"People change" Danny told her "Loosing somebody drives people to do unimaginable things"

"I lost three people that night and I never hunted anyone down" Lindsay reminded him and he smirked

"Because you are a strong women" he said wrapping his arms around are "And you're a good person"

"I just don't know if I can look him in the eye without loosing it" she confided

"That why we'll do it together" Danny promised

Courthouse

Danny and Lindsay were sitting in the courthouse as Billy was bought out in cuffs. He briefly frowned at Danny and Lindsay then took his seat. Danny gently took Lindsay's hand into his own, much like he did years ago in Montana.

"Billy Myers you have pled guilty to two counts of assault, two counts of abduction and attempted murder" The judge started "Before I give you your sentence is there anything you'd like to say?"
"Yes" Billy said quietly then stood up "I've made a lot of mistakes over the last few months. I hurt people that I once loved and I can never take that back. I wanted very much to live a good life in honor of my sister and instead all I did was tarnish her name and used it as an excuse to act out. I sincerely apologize to Lindsay Messer and her entire family and to my own I know forgiveness is out of the question. Most of all I want to apologize to the one person who isn't here and that's my sister. She was more then a sister she was my other half and more so then that she was a better person. She would be so angry with me if she were here today to see the mess and hurt that I have caused" he said starting to chock up "I am sorry to everyone involved. I accept whatever punishment that court has for me and I am going to spend everyday working to be a better person"

"Thank you" the judge said as Billy took his seat "I am going to start of with telling you that I feel for your loss of your sister but that doesn't condone such violent behavior. You have had many opportunities to seek help and stop the vicious cycle but you continued and I can only believe you continued because you enjoyed it. I don't think you could ever become an active and productive member of society because you are just too far-gone sir. I believe everything that you have done has been cruelly calculated and has been something you have been planning for years. You not only abducted a child but you also attempted to murder a police officer- a pregnant police officer. You also savagely beat women in Chicago. You are a very angry and volatile man. I have read notes from your family and more importantly your doctors saying they believe you can change and for the sake of your family I hope so because loosing another child is a terrible thing that you have bought upon them. Though I do believe your doctors I also have to take into consideration the Messer family as well which is why I am sentencing you to twenty years in state prison. You will be eligible for parole in ten years" he finished "Good luck Mr. Myers because you are going to need it. Court is adjourned"
"What" Lindsay muttered "Ten years in prison"
"Twenty" Danny added

"He'll be out in ten" Lindsay said placing her head in her hands "He got a slap on the wrist!"

"We'll worry about that in ten years" Danny told her seriously "Right now let's just go home to our daughters"

"Ok" Lindsay said standing up but found the Myers standing in front of them

"Before you go we wanted to at least apologize for our behavior" Linda Myers told them "I love my children and I would do anything to protect them, even believe in them when no one else will. I'm sure you understand that"
"Your parents" Lindsay said to them "I get that you wanted to help and believe in him and I can't blame you for that. Have a nice flight home" she finished coldly then her and Danny walked out of the courthouse

Danny and Lindsay's apartment

"Hey Luce" Danny smiled as she greeted him and Lindsay at the door

"Hi daddy!" Lucy smiled, Billy tired his best to put a wedge in between Danny and Lucy but it didn't last. Lucy loved her father and nothing Billy said changed that "Look at Lily" Lucy said taking his hand and ushering him towards the playpen she was in

"That's a pretty dress" Danny smirked

"I picked it out with grandma!" Lucy smiled

"That she did" Maria Messer smiled

"You need to spoiling them" Lindsay smirked at her mother-in-law

"I've been looking forward to spoiling grandchildren since I had Louie" Maria smiled

"How was Lily?" Lindsay asked her. Even though the doctors have declared Lily to be a hundred percent healthy that didn't stop her from worrying

"She was perfect" Maria smiled proudly "Drank two bottles and passed out"

"Good" Lindsay smiled

"How did it go?" Maria asked while Danny and Lucy talked

"Ugh you don't want to know" Lindsay muttered removing her jacket

"Sure I do" Maria said seriously

"Twenty years up for parole in ten" Lindsay said to him

"I know you and Danny fight hard to put away criminals who break the law but the justice system sucks" Maria told her bluntly causing Lindsay to smile "Don't you worry about a thing. You've got two beautiful healthy little girls to look forward to"
"I know" Lindsay replied with a faint smile "But I'm a mother all I do is worry"
"Tell me about it" Maria smirked "Well I'm going to go"
"Why don't you stay for dinner?" Danny offered

"I can't" Maria said to him "I'm going to see Louie then head home"

"It's getting late why don't you just let me-" Danny started

"Hush" Maria warned "You stay home and be with your girls" she said giving him a kiss on the cheek "Bye sweetheart" Maria said as Lucy gave her a hug then turned to Lindsay "It's all over now" she said giving her a tight hug then left the apartment

"Did the bad man go away?" Lucy asked her parents

"Yea he did" Danny told her gently

"Good he was mean" Lucy said to him "He was mean to me, he said mean things about you and he was really mean to mommy"

"Do you want to talk about Luce?" Danny asked his daughter. Lucy didn't talk much about taken but she did see a child therapist a few times afterwards

"No" Lucy shrugged

"It's ok you know" Lindsay told her "What happened was really scary and sometimes talking about it can help"

"I know that was Doctor Rita told me" Lucy said to her "But I was strong and brave"
"Yes you were" Danny smirked proudly "Very strong and brave"

"But I cried" Lucy said to him and Lindsay came over

"It's okay to cry" Lindsay said to her "Everybody cries"
"Even Daddy?" Lucy asked her mother

"Yes even Daddy" Danny added

"He didn't like when I cried" Lucy told them sadly "He yelled at me when I did"
"That because it probably made him realize what he was doing was wrong and when bad people do bad things they don't want to feel wrong" Danny tried to explain
"Crying is bad and Lily cried a lot-" Lucy started

"Crying isn't bad" Lindsay interrupted

"I haven't cried since I've been good" Lucy nodded proudly

"Lucy" Lindsay said sadly to her "You can cry it's normal and healthy. You can cry because your sad or hurt or scared or even when you're happy"
"You don't cry when your happy" Lucy told her mother matter of factly

"Sure you do" Lindsay smiled

"Did you cry when he was mean to you?" Lucy asked her mother sadly

"Yea I did" Lindsay confirmed "And I'm not ashamed of it and either should you"

"I'm afraid if I cry something bad will happen and the mean man will get you again" Lucy said to her

"That wont happen" Lindsay told her forcefully "That wont happen ever again"
"Do you promise?" Lucy asked

"I promise" Lindsay smiled giving Lucy a hug

"Daddy" Lucy said turning to her father "You'll make sure the mean man doesn't come back?"
"Lucy I promise you that the mean man wont get to you ever again" Danny told her sincerely

"Or Mommy or Lily?" Lucy added

"Or to mommy or Lily" he confirmed picking her up "I will always protect you and your sister and your mom"
"Just like before?" Lucy asked
"Just like before" Danny smiled softly looking at her

"You were very brave" Lucy told him seriously "I want to be like that"
"You already are kid" Danny said giving her a big kiss on the cheek

"Thanks for not leaving me daddy" Lucy said wrapping her arms around his neck

"I'll never leave you" Danny promised as he put Lucy down

"Can you keep an eye on your sister for me Luce?" Lindsay asked, they were only going into the next room but Lucy loved feeling responsible for Lily

"Yes!" Lucy smiled as Lindsay nodded to the kitchen for Danny to follow

"Danny she's still traumatized from what Billy did to her" Lindsay started as Danny watched her closely "We didn't see the signs or notice because-"
"Lindsay" Danny said grabbing her shoulders "She's fine"
"She's not fine she hasn't cried once since she was kidnapped and we didn't notice- I didn't notice" She told him sadly

"If she wanted to cry she would have she hasn't had a reason to. She's been very happy since she's been home and she opened up about it" Danny reminded her "If it makes you feel better we can call Doctor Rita-"
"She's our child Danny we shouldn't need a doctor" Lindsay told him

"Lucy is a lot like you" Danny told her "She's kept it all bottled in just like you have"

"You haven't talked about either" Lindsay added "You went through it just like Lucy and I did"
"What do you want me to say?" Danny asked "You want me to talk about how I couldn't protect my wife or daughter?"

"You protected us you saved us" Lindsay reminded him narrowing her eyes "You were the strong one here who held us all together don't you know that?"
"No I don't" Danny said taking a seat on the end of the bed "When he had Lucy with a knife to her throat I had never felt more helpless in my life. And I was looking at her and she was shaken and scared and I couldn't stop it" he said looking at Lindsay who took the seat next to him "And as I was looking at her trying to calm the situation I was thinking what kind of a father am I? And I finally understood why you didn't tell me about Lucy when you found out, when you said you knew me- in that moment I got it"
"What are you even saying" Lindsay said stunned "You are the best father in the world and I am not just saying that. You saved her- you saved our daughter you stayed in that room and you talked to her and you talked to Billy and she walked out of that room without a scratch. And I didn't tell you about Lucy because I was scared I didn't know if you were ready for that commitment you weren't even ready to commitment with me at the time" she said to him "But you proved me wrong the next day"

Lindsay's Apartment

Lindsay awoke to a loud knock at the door. She yawned as she looked at the peep hole and saw Danny standing there with his hands in his pockets bouncing on the balls of his feet. She slowly opened the door and he stepped right in

"Come in" Lindsay mocked closing the door

"I get it" Danny said turning to her "I really do you don't trust me and I don't blame you at all for that I haven't given you much reason to have faith in me-"
"Danny its one in the morning-" Lindsay started
"-but you're having a baby" he continued as if Lindsay hadn't interrupted him "you're having my baby" he said proudly "And I'm not going to run and hide and screw it up. I am going to work my ass off proving to you that I can be the man you and this child deserve. If you don't want to give me a second chance then I'll accept it but I wont run out on my child I am going to take him to baseball games and teach him how to play catch. I'm going to attend every parent/teacher conference and be at every science fair. I am going to help you raise our child" he said as Lindsay watched in awe as he continued to ramble "And I know you can't stand to be around me much but that's going to have to change because I'm going to all of your appointments with you and classes and whatever else it is you do when you're pregnant. I'm going to make sure you eat healthy and get enough rest. I'm also going to make sure you're safe and I'll start with lecturing you on why you should lock your door because I know I woke you and I didn't hear you unlock any locks when you just let me in. And while I do all of that I am going to remind you why you fell in love in with me-"
"Danny" Lindsay said loud enough to finally interrupt him

"I know I'm rambling here Linds but I've got a lot to say-" he started again and she walked over to him and pulled him into a rough kiss then pulled away

"I want us to work" Lindsay told him softly then smiled "I want you to be apart of our child's life and I want to be with you not just because I'm having a baby but because I love you and I think we can fix this"

"Really?" Danny asked surprised

"Really" Lindsay confirmed that was all Danny needed to hear as he let out a breath he felt he had been holding in since earlier that day when Lindsay told him she was pregnant "Just one question"
"Anything" Danny said moving a loose stand of hair behind Lindsay's ear

"What makes you think I'm having a boy?" she questioned with a smirk

"Because it is" Danny shrugged smugly

"Wouldn't it just be karmic justice if this was a little girl?" Lindsay teased causing him to smile

"Yes, yes it would" Danny said to her "But I wont be good with a girl I'm not into the whole Barbie, tea-party thing" he shrugged
"I think you'll be great" Lindsay smiled

"And now you have two girls" Lindsay smirked at him "And you are an expert at tea-parties and you dress Barbie better then I do"
"Yea" Danny laughed it was the last thing Danny thought he would be doing in his free time but dressing Barbie for Lucy or having tea-parties with her quickly became the highlight of anytime he was off

"You're great with Lucy" Lindsay said seriously "You're great with Lily and I know we are all always safe with you"

"You know what I think" Danny said to her

"I shudder to think" Lindsay teased

"We still need some time to heal" Danny said to her "It's been a lot and everything's happened so fast. It's not just going to go away overnight for any of us"
"No it's not" Lindsay frowned "But each day it gets better"

"Yea" Danny smirked "And Lucy is doing well she's a tough kid"
"She is I just worry" Lindsay shrugged "She handled this better then most children would have"

"That because she's half me" Danny teased

"That is why" Lindsay agreed

"Maybe we should take a trip" Danny offered "When Lily is a little bigger maybe go to Montana?"
"No" Lindsay said quickly "Montana isn't my home New York is"

"Daddy!" Lucy yelled

"Yea" Danny said quickly getting up and walking out of the room
"There is someone knocking and I can't answer" Lucy told him

"Good girl" Danny said patting her head looking to see who it was then opened the door "Hey" Danny said moving aside and let the small group in. Adam, Hawkes, Jo, Flack and lastly Mac entered the apartment

"We bought dinner" Jo smiled holding two pizza boxes

"And presents" Hawkes said holding up a bag

"Did I hear presents?" Lucy asked anxiously running over to them

"Hey" Lindsay smiled at them
"We thought you guys could you use a distraction" Mac said to them

"You were right" Lindsay nodded. Mac knew they wouldn't be happy with the sentencing

"Well you guys know you have nothing to worry about" Mac told her "Your safe"
"For what? Ten years? Twenty if we're lucky?" Lindsay questioned

"For good" Mac told her

"Uncle Mac come look at Lily's dress! I picked it out myself!" Lucy said anxiously grabbing Mac's hand and guiding him over to Lily's playpen

"We're really lucky" Lindsay said to Danny as she watched everyone looked at Lily while Lucy explained the dress was very similar to the one her Barbie once had

"We are" Danny nodded "Good friends, safe and healthy family" he said then looked at her "I love you"
"I love you too" Lindsay said as Danny gave her a kiss

"Yuck" Lucy muttered
"Yea yuck" Flack said seriously "You just had a kid don't you think you should wait a little longer before trying to have another?"
"Watch it Flack" Danny mocked

"Alright who wants pizza?" Jo asked opening the box

"I do! I do!" Lucy yelled anxiously jumping up and down

"She's defiantly your kid" Flack snorted at Danny "You're the only other person I've seen get as excited as that over pizza"
"Damn proud of it too" Danny informed his friend as he walked over to the group

Prison

Billy was surprised when he was told he had a visitor. He had only been officially in jail for two days and wasn't supposed to get visitors until the end of the week. He was led into a small room with two chairs and was greeted by a familiar face.

"You're not family" Billy muttered taking a seat across from the person
"No but being a cop has perks" Danny informed him "How's prison treating you?"
"Like you care" Billy bit back bitterly

"You're right I don't care" Danny shrugged "Unless its awful and unbearable for you in that case tell me all about it"
"Why are you here? I'm not going to apologize again" Billy told him

"I'm not here for an apology I didn't buy your first one" Danny told him

"So what's the point in this then?" he asked

"The point is I want you to know you didn't break us" Danny told him seriously "You didn't scar any of us we're all ok and stronger then ever"
"That's fantastic" Billy remarked

"You tried to turn my daughter against me" Danny started "You almost killed my other daughter with all the stress you put on Lindsay and you tried to kill my wife. And I want you to know it was all for nothing. All the years you spent you planning whatever it is you were trying to do- kill Lindsay? Keep her for yourself? I don't know and I don't care. I just want you to know it was all for nothing. You've lost years of your life for a cheap thrill of preying on a family and you got nothing in return"

"Is there a point to this?" Billy asked coldly

"Yea" Danny nodded "You lost and I want to make sure you know that"
"I lost this battle but not the war" Billy said in a whisper "Tell me does Lucy have nightmares?"
"Don't mention my daughters name" Danny warned in a low voice

"How about our girl Lindsay? You know I'm always going to be under her skin" Billy told him leaning closer "Right now she's slowly moving on and trying to forget but she wont forget not ever. It's just like that night at the diner it's going to haunt her for the rest of her life. The things I did, the things I said to her things she probably never even told you about is going to eat away at her. How much more is she really going to talk? The trauma of the diner, the Shane Casey mess you bought upon her and now me? She'll never be ok and you know it. You'll have to live with that" he finished then smirked and was caught off guard when Danny hit him across the face causing him to fall to the floor. Danny angrily stepped around the table and started kicking him in his stomach for a few moments then stopped.

"You're not even an afterthought anymore" Danny whispered to him "Live with that" he said then stood up and walked out of the room

"Everything all good?" Officer Washington asked Danny who smirked

"Yea I feel better thanks" Danny told him then he made his way out of the prison was surprised to see Lindsay waiting for him by his car

"What are you doing here?" Danny asked

"I know you" Lindsay smiled with a shrug "When I heard you were taking a long lunch I had a hunch and had Flack drop me off"

"I had to see him" Danny admitted

"I know" Lindsay said walking over to him

"You're ok right?" Danny asked her and she smiled knowing Billy would have antagonized him

"Because of you I am" Lindsay said giving him a kiss on the lips