A/N: This is the seventeenth chapter! Special thanks to my amazing beta CMemlovr for beta reading! Please review for the next chapter! I hope you like it!

Andrea's discussion with Sharon had had an overt and positive effect on her mood. Tugging on her glasses gently, Sharon removed them and rubbed her eyes slowly, leaning back into her chair as she did. Lowering a hand to her belly, she smiled as she recalled the first time she'd felt the baby kick.

Sharon was broken from her reverie by a knock at her door. Glancing up, she saw Andy standing in her doorway and smiled.

"Hey," she greeted softly, warmly.

"I just wanted to see you," he smiled gently. Taking her hand, he asked, "Did you enjoy talking to Andrea?"

"I always do," she chuckled, "having a best friend in my corner has really helped – especially these last few weeks."

Andy smiled softly and kissed her cheek, "I'm glad that you have a friend like her."

"Happy you think so," replied Sharon, deciding that this might be the best time to bring up something she'd been considering for a while. "I wanted to discuss the baby's godparents," she hedged slowly.

"I hadn't really considered it yet," he said honestly, "did you have someone in mind?"

"Well, I'd been thinking about asking Andrea to be the baby's godmother. I think she'd be very well suited, but I want your opinion, too," replied Sharon earnestly.

"Andrea's a great choice, Sharon," smiled Andy, "have you asked her yet?"

"I hadn't had the chance," intoned Sharon quietly, "but I thought that if anyone could do the job, it'd be her."

"I'm certain that she'll be thrilled, Sharon," Andy grinned, "she loves you to bits, so it stands to reason that she'd feel the same way about your baby."

Her smile widening, Sharon thanked Andy for his reassurances, acquiescing when he leaned down to press a kiss to her lips.

A short while later, Sharon glanced at the clock and commented, "I think I'd like to go home early, today. I'm still tired," she sighed.

Andy was dumbfounded. "Are you telling me that we have to go home?" he laughed.

"You say that as though I'm a slave-driver, Andy," she teased, "I'm capable of taking care of myself." Standing, she grabbed her jacket from the chair.

"Should I come with you?" asked Andy, sobering.

"No, no. I need you here – I trust you to take care of the place," she smiled.

Pulling her towards him, Andy whispered, "I love you," in her ear.

Grinning faintly, she murmured, "I love you, too."

Andy released her hand and she made her way to the elevators, ready to go home.

"On your way out, Captain?" Lieutenant Provenza stood beside his desk, watching Sharon's movements.

"I am," she replied, "is there anything you need me for?" she inquired.

"No, I – uh," he cleared his throat, "rest well, Captain."

"Thanks, Lieutenant." Turning away from Provenza, she spotted Andy and said, "I'll see you at home."

Andy nodded, waving slightly as she left.

"How'd you manage that?" asked Provenza curiously.

"Huh?"

"How'd you get the Captain to leave early?"

Andy chuckled, "I didn't have to – she just decided to."

"Miraculous," Provenza laughed, "Think it's the result of a mood swing?"

"Who knows?" shrugged Andy.

In the meantime, Sharon had begun her careful drive home, and was singing mindlessly to something on the radio. Her voice faltered, however, when she felt a response to her singing in her belly.

"Hey you," she laughed aloud, "you like my voice, then?" She continued singing, feeling the fluttering continuing in her belly.

She broke out into a grin, thrilled to have felt a connection with her baby already.

******** ... ********

By the time Sharon had arrived home, she could feel her fatigue wearing her down. Throwing down her keys, she found Rusty watching a movie in the living room.

"You're home early," observed Rusty from the couch, smiling as Sharon sat beside him and kissed him on the cheek.

"I needed a break," she replied, shrugging.

"Glad you decided to take it, then," he chuckled. "Where's Andy?"

"I told him that he should remain at work. You hungry?" she asked, casually steering conversation away from the fact that she'd driven home alone.

"No, I'm good," he replied.

"Good is not good enough," chuckled Sharon, "I'll make us something to eat."

Leaving Rusty to his movie, Sharon began preparing lunch, humming quietly and delighting in the response she received from her baby.

******** ... ********

A few hours later, Andy stumbled home, wearily taking a seat on the couch near Rusty, who had begun watching another movie.

"How're you doing, kid?" he asked genially.

"Pretty good." Rusty returned his attention to the film without preamble.

"Where's your mom?" Looking around, he couldn't see Sharon moving in the kitchen, nor could he hear any sign of her.

"She's in bed – said she was too tired and too full to do anything," replied Rusty, a slight smile curving his lips.

"Too full?"

"She came home famished and proceeded to demolish an entire plate of food," laughed Rusty.

"I'll check in on her," murmured Andy, worried that she might have given herself indigestion. Moving towards their bedroom, Andy knocked on the door so as not to startle her. As it turned out, she'd been reading when Andy had knocked.

"You doing okay?" asked Andy.

"I'm fine," she smiled.

"Rusty mentioned something about being 'too full' to move," teased Andy playfully.

"Yes, well, I am pregnant, you know."

"I understand – I just wanted to check that you don't need anything else, like an antacid, perhaps," he laughed. Andy noted Sharon's frown and quickly kissed her forehead, indicating that he'd just been teasing her. "How'd you get home, Sharon?" he asked quietly.

"I drove," replied Sharon, as though it were the most obvious answer in the world.

"In your condition?" asked Andy tensely.

"I'm pregnant, Andy, not incapacitated. Please stop worrying so much," she sighed.

"You're almost four months pregnant, Sharon! You should have told me to drive you," he insisted.

"Stop, Andy. I'm fine, the baby's fine, and I'm perfectly capable of driving myself for now. When that changes you'll be the first to know," she snapped, frustrated by his hovering.

"I'm just worried about you," he murmured apologetically.

"I know," she replied softly, "but you don't have to."

Tense silence passed between them before Andy changed the subject, "Has the baby kicked much, today?"

"Practically all day," smiled Sharon, "but particularly when I hum."

"So the baby already loves your voice," grinned Andy.

"Looks like it," Sharon chuckled, "That said, I don't think I'll be enjoying the kicks as much when they keep me up at night, if this baby's anything like Emily and Ricky."

"Hopefully the little one will keep to a nocturnal sleep schedule," laughed Andy.

"For now, while I've got some peace, I'm going to try and get some sleep. I'm just so tired today."

"Anything I can do to help?" asked Andy, helping to settle Sharon on the bed.

"Could you check on Rusty for me?" asked Sharon quietly, "I want to make sure he's really feeling better."

"'Course," smiled Andy tenderly, "but that's not a favour – that's something any parent would do for their child." Turning on his heel, Andy headed out to do as he'd promised.

Laying a soft hand on her belly, Sharon murmured gently to her baby, "You've no idea what a good dad you've got."

********...********

Andy entered Rusty's room quietly.

"Did I wake you up?" he asked.

"Not at all," replied Rusty, gesturing for Andy to join him as he shut his laptop.

Andy sat beside Rusty before asking, "You feeling better?"

"Yeah. How's mom?"

"She's fine – stuffed, but fine. She wanted to check in but was too tired," smiled Andy softly.

"Glad she's well enough to sleep, at least," replied Rusty.

"Oh yeah, when are your exams, kid?"

"In a couple of days, but I'm prepared," he replied confidently.

"Great."

"I forgot to mention this earlier, but I talked to Nicole today – she's planning on visiting tomorrow."

"Yeah? That's fantastic news, Rusty." Andy smiled before hugging Rusty lightly. "I'm going to turn in for the night. Good night, kid."

"G'night, Andy."

Still smiling, Andy returned to his room. He was glad to see that Sharon had already fallen asleep – God knew she needed the rest.

********...********

The next morning, Sharon and Andy had a quiet breakfast together while Rusty slept on.

"When are you going to talk to Andrea about being a godparent?" asked Andy, sipping his coffee.

"Probably today," she replied evenly.

"Let me know how it goes," smiled Andy, "though I'm sure she'll be honoured."

"Hope so," smiled Sharon.

******** ... ********

Later that day, Sharon waited in her office for Andrea.

"Sorry I'm so late," apologised Andrea breathlessly, having rushed to Sharon's office.

"It's no big deal," smiled Sharon, indicating for Andrea to take a seat.

"What did you want to talk about?"

Inhaling deeply, Sharon's hands shook as she phrased her request, "Andy and I were talking about selecting godparents for the baby," her voice betrayed her as she struggled to retain control of her rampant emotions.

"That's wonderful! Anyone I know?" asked Andrea, unaware of what Sharon had been attempting to ask her, but determined to support her choices.

"Well…We'd like you to be the godmother," smiled Sharon.

"Me?" asked Andrea, surprise colouring her tone.

"Of course you! You've been supportive and kind – exceeded every expectation for a friend. You'd be the perfect godmother for my child."

Andrea was stunned. Slowly, she replied, "I – I'm speechless. Thank you, for such a tremendous honour. I'd be happy to be the baby's godmother."

Sharon beamed, "So, that's a yes?"

"Of course it's a yes!" laughed Andrea, hugging Sharon tightly.

"Thanks," murmured Sharon sincerely.

********...********

"Andrea agreed, then?" asked Andy happily, confirming the details with Sharon.

"She did," grinned Sharon.

"That's great! She'll be a wonderful godmother."

"I think so," murmured Sharon contentedly.

Their conversation was interrupted by Rusty's call informing them that Nicole had arrived.

Hugging Nicole close, Sharon grinned, "I'm glad that you're back so soon."

"Me too," replied Nicole, following the others to the couch, "but I'm afraid I have a bone to pick with you."

"What's that?" asked Sharon sceptically.

"How am I supposed to buy baby clothes without knowing the baby's sex?"

"We're going to buy everything the baby needs after it's born," laughed Sharon, "until then, maybe something unisex?"

"But I'd like to buy something specific to the baby!" protested Nicole.

"Same here," interjected Rusty.

"Look guys, we've told you before – we're not going to know the baby's sex until its birth. No use complaining," teased Andy.

"How are you going to get the nursery done up for the baby if you don't know its sex?" pressed Nicole, frowning.

"You, Emily, Ricky and Rusty will be in charge of that," smiled Sharon.

"How, when we don't know the baby's sex?" Asked Nicole, only momentarily surprised by Sharon's candour.

"You'll find out and get the nursery set up while I'm still in the hospital with the baby."

"That's…not a bad idea, actually," admitted Andy.

"I guess that works for me," smiled Nicole.

"Ditto," added Rusty.

"Always full of surprises," laughed Andy.

"In the meantime, I can't wait for the precious little thing," grinned Nicole.

Sharon smiled, gently rubbing her belly as she replied, "us, too."

"Mom felt the baby kicking yesterday," interjected Rusty, addressing Nicole.

"Yeah? That's so cool! Can I feel?"

Sharon smirked, "right now the baby's pretty quiet, thankfully."

"Good for you, I guess, though it's a shame for me," laughed Nicole.

Standing abruptly from the couch, Sharon stammered, "I'm just going to get myself some water."

"Let me," insisted Andy, "you look beat."

"No, no. I'm fine, I'll get it." Sharon walked incredibly slowly, feeling her vision swim before her eyes.

Noting her movements, Nicole stood to help her, "You alright, Sharon?" she asked worriedly.

"I'm fine," she murmured.

"I told you to let me do it," repeated Andy.

"She's fine, dad," insisted Nicole, still helping Sharon.

"I'm just a little dizzy, guys. I'm fine, and the dizziness is perfectly normal. Nothing to worry about," sighed Sharon, frustrated.

Taking her hand, Andy asked, "Are you sure you don't want me to call a doctor?"

Sharon smiled, placating, "I'm fine, no need to worry."

"Are you tired?" he asked concernedly.

"Extremely," she admitted, "so I think, if it's alright with everyone, I'm going to head to bed. Sorry," she added, looking apologetic.

"You shouldn't apologise, Sharon. You need the rest," shrugged Nicole, glad to see her dad tenderly helping Sharon to the bedroom.

~~~ TBC ~~~