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

Andy carefully helped Sharon into bed, settling her against the pillows.

"Thanks," she smiled softly.

"No need to thank me, Sharon," replied Andy, kissing her gently.

"Go on, then. Nicole's still in the living room," she insisted, relaxing into the pillows.

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely – I'm probably going to sleep the instant you leave. Go back out there," she smiled faintly.

Sighing, Andy nodded, "If you need me, call for me, okay?" he pressed.

"I will, don't worry."

Andy pressed his lips to her forehead chastely before leaving to return to Nicole and Rusty, who had begun talking again as they waited for his return.

"So, what are we talking about?" asked Andy, noting the tension in the air.

"We were tossing around some ideas about the nursery," replied Nicole.

"We'll need to call Ricky and Emily before we make any decisions," insisted Rusty.

Andy chuckled to himself at how seriously they were taking the conversation.

"What's so funny, dad?" asked Nicole with a touch of impatience.

"The baby's not due for a while yet – why is it so urgent to have the game plan figured out right now?"

"We're just so excited we want everything to be perfect," she replied tautly.

"Yeah, I mean this baby going to be the only younger sibling I ever have, I want everything to be perfect for them," added Rusty.

Warmth filled Andy at the thought of how wanted the baby already was in their family. As Rusty got up to grab something from his room to show Nicole, Andy took the opportunity to talk to his daughter.

"I'm glad you and Rusty seem to be getting on so well," smiled Andy. His expression shifted slightly to one of discomfort before he continued, "though Sharon had a bit of a scare earlier this week about him, but she's calmed down now."

"What happened?" asked Nicole concernedly.

"Rusty's biological mother decided to call him a couple of days ago, and it rattled Sharon a little."

"Why?"

"She told him that she misses him – that she wants to be back in his life. Of course, Rusty did the smart thing and told Sharon, but that only served to worry her," Andy frowned, keeping an ear out for Rusty's movements.

"It's pretty understandable – Rusty's mother poses a threat to Sharon, and she's scared of losing him," replied Nicole pensively.

"It's pretty hard to imagine that such a good kid came from that mother," admitted Andy.

"But you don't have to worry about her so long as Sharon's doing okay, right?"

"Right," replied Andy confidently. Hearing Rusty's returning footsteps, they immediately ceased their conversation.

"This is the article," interrupted Rusty, holding the magazine out to Nicole.

"Do you mind if I borrow this, Rusty?"

"Of course," he smiled.

"Thanks." Turning her attention to her father, she added, "And dad? Take care of Sharon – she needs your support right now."

"I know, honey. I'm doing all I can right now, but she's pretty stubborn and gets frustrated when I get too concerned."

"Moderation is key," mumbled Rusty, loudly enough that Nicole caught his comment and laughed.

Directing her attention back to Rusty, Nicole asked, "Are you going to take care of telling Ricky and Emily?"

"Yeah, I'll do it."

"Great. I know it's a long way off, yet, but it's always good to be prepared." Rusty nodded in agreement, missing Andy's amused smile. "I've got to head out, but you should take care of Sharon – the pair of you," she smiled.

"We will," they chorused, laughing.

"Right, in that case, I'm going to try and make it out here more often – I can't wait to be a sister again!"

"You're going to do great," grinned Andy, hugging his daughter close.

Just before stepping out, Nicole turned to Rusty to ask: "You're not going to forget what we discussed, right?"

"Don't worry, I'll keep it in mind," promised Rusty.

"What's all this?" asked Andy, confused.

"It's a surprise," grinned Nicole mischievously, "you'll know when the baby's born."

Grinning in response, Andy replied, "I should've known you'd try to pull something."

Nicole chuckled lightly and left for the evening. After she'd gone, Rusty decided to return to his room, but was stopped by Andy.

"Hey, Rusty?"

"Yeah?"

"Could you help me make dinner tonight?"

Rusty smiled, "Sure thing, Andy."

Andy beamed and told Rusty to wait in the kitchen while he went to check on Sharon. Looking in, he could tell that she was fast asleep, but he couldn't resist sitting beside her to make sure. Kissing her softly on the forehead, he watched her sleep for a while, admiring how she looked in sleep.

Sharon felt his weight shift the bed and turned to face Andy. Opening her eyes slowly, she looked up at him with a sleepy smile.

"Andy?" she squinted in the dark.

"Did I wake you?"

"No, no. I was just napping," she fibbed.

"Glad to see you managed to relax," smiled Andy. "Have you had anything to drink yet? You're supposed to keep yourself hydrated," he reminded her.

"I could go for a glass of orange juice, if you're offering," grinned Sharon.

"As you wish," laughed Andy.

"I'll be waiting," she teased.

Smiling in response, Andy hurried to the kitchen to fill a glass of juice for Sharon. Dashing back as carefully as possible, Andy handed the glass to Sharon, who smiled in thanks before sipping on it slowly.

"While you were in the kitchen, Emily called," she informed him.

"Oh? That's nice of her."

"Apparently she and Ricky are upset that we don't want to know the baby's sex."

"They are?" asked Andy, somewhat sympathetically.

"I just don't understand why the sex is so important," groused Sharon, "surely the baby's health should be the most important thing."

"I'm sure it's just excitement over whether they're going to have a brother or a sister," reasoned Andy.

"I get it, I just don't understand why we have to rehash these conversations so often."

"You know kids," laughed Andy, "tell you what, finish up your juice, and when you're ready, come and join us in the kitchen for dinner."

"Us?" asked Sharon, puzzled.

"Rusty and I are preparing something special for you."

"What is it?"

"It's a surprise," he teased, "just wait here and we'll call you in when we're done."

Handing her a magazine, Andy left Sharon feeling utterly confused as she slipped on her glasses to read.

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

About an hour and a half later, Andy and Rusty had finally finished preparing dinner.

"What do you think?" asked Andy, grinning as he surveyed their work.

"Pretty good," smiled Rusty, "let's hope mom agrees."

"I'm sure she will – you and I are a great team." Rusty grinned in response before Andy directed him to take the glasses to the dining table before retrieving Sharon from her room.

"Still reading?" he asked.

"I think I could sleep, to be honest," she smiled sheepishly.

"Dinner's ready," he smiled, "so don't sleep on me just yet."

Taking her by the hand, Andy gently guided Sharon to the kitchen. On seeing the spread laid out on the table, Sharon beamed.

"Have a seat, mom," invited Rusty, leading her to one of the vacant chairs.

"This looks wonderful!" commented Sharon eagerly.

"Rusty and I worked together on this – we hope you'll like it," grinned Andy.

Taking a bite, Sharon couldn't help her visceral reaction – it was delicious. Rusty and Andy exchanged pleased looks, glad to have satisfied her.

"I told Rusty we were a force to be reckoned with," smirked Andy.

"You definitely are," smiled Sharon.

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

Following their amazing dinner, Rusty decided to retire to his room with a movie. Meanwhile, Andy took over washing the dishes, unwilling to allow Sharon to lift a single finger.

"Are you sure you don't need a hand?" asked Sharon.

"I'm sure," he chuckled.

Sharon frowned to herself and rubbed her stomach, muttering under her breath something about the baby having a 'stubborn father', causing Andy to grin.

Having finished up, Andy took a seat beside Sharon on the couch, playfully asking, "What was that earlier?"

"You're stubborn," repeated Sharon brazenly, "and you won't allow me to do anything just because I'm pregnant."

"Well, you need your rest," replied Andy seriously.

"I relaxed all afternoon!" protested Sharon.

"Doesn't matter," he smirked, prodding her belly slightly.

"Don't!" she groaned, only half-teasing.

"Fine," he relented.

"I think I'm just going to go to bed," she muttered, "I'm not really in the mood to be good company tonight."

"Do you need my help?" asked Andy.

"Seriously?!" frustration rang in her tone, alerting Andy to stop behaving so overprotectively.

"Just kidding," he defended, knowing that, had she accepted, he'd have been standing in a heartbeat.

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

That night was thankfully a quiet one. As Andy slept on peacefully, Sharon was suddenly jolted awake by a sharp pain in her belly. She cried out unintentionally, waking Andy.

"Sharon, are you alright?" he asked urgently.

"I'm fine, just a sharp kick. I wasn't expecting it, and it hurt."

"Oh," replied Andy softly, "I'm sorry that there's not something I can do."

Sharon smiled softly, "Thanks, Andy. We'll see why the baby's kicking so much in a few days anyway, when we go for the ultrasound."

"I can't wait to see how the little one's growing," admitted Andy.

"I'd hoped they wouldn't be so active while I sleep," grumbled Sharon wryly.

"Was it the same with Emily and Ricky?" asked Andy curiously.

"Not really – Emily and Ricky were quieter at night. It seems our child is nocturnal," chuckled Sharon, gently rubbing her belly.

Andy smiled and placed his hand beside hers, "C'mon kid, let your mom sleep. She's tired and needs the rest so that you can keep growing," he growled quietly, nudging her belly.

Another kick pulsated below her hand, "Looks like you're not helping," she laughed quietly.

"Maybe we could try something different?" suggested Andy. Laying his face close to her belly, he hummed softly and waited for a response from Sharon.

Smiling softly, she said, "I think it worked."

"Good," he grinned, "then we can both sleep well, tonight."

Andy slept contentedly that night: he was ecstatic that his baby had responded to his voice.

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

The next morning, Sharon was awakened by the sound of her alarm. Flipping the alarm off quickly, she opened her eyes gently. It was already seven in the morning, but she had no desire to leave her bed. Noting the fact that Andy was already ready to go, Sharon internalised a groan.

"Good morning, darling." He leaned over and kissed her forehead.

"Good morning," she replied weakly.

"Are you feeling okay?" asked Andy quietly.

"I'm fine, just really tired. I'm not sure that I'll be able to work at this rate."

"Take it easy, Sharon. We can handle a day without you while you get your strength back," he replied reassuringly. Sharon seemed as though she wanted to protest, but was cut off by Andy, who continued, "If you're this tired, Sharon, you should take the time to rest – if only so that your work won't suffer." He kissed her gently on the forehead before leaving Sharon to settle in to her bed again.

Bumping into Rusty in the kitchen, Andy sat beside him at the table. "Rusty, you mom's not feeling great today and she's staying home. Take care of her for me?" he asked gently.

"Of course I will," agreed Rusty.

Andy smiled, "Call me if anything comes up."

"Don't worry, I will," he assented.

"Thanks, kid," replied Andy, patting him affectionately on the back.

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

Several hours later, Sharon had managed to get out of bed long enough to hunker down in the living room with Rusty.

"You feeling any better?" asked Rusty cautiously.

"I am," she smiled, "Has Andy called?"

"Not yet," he replied, "hey, I'm going to grab my laptop. I'll be back soon."

Nodding, Sharon frowned lightly, speaking to her belly softly, "Your dad will call soon, right?"

Sometime later, her phone buzzed, the screen lighting with Andy's name.

"How's my darling?" he asked as she picked up.

"Just fine," she replied delicately, "I'd expected your call."

"I'm sorry, Sharon, we got held up on a case-"

"It's fine, Andy. How's it going?"

"Alright, busy, but okay. Is my little one kicking today?"

"They've been pretty quiet, seems like your voice was a game changer," she grinned.

"I'm glad," he replied sincerely. Sighing, he mumbled, "I miss you."

"Me too," she admitted, "come home soon."

"I will," he promised, "I love you."

"Love you, too."

Hanging up, Sharon lifts her gaze to see Rusty standing over her with his laptop in hand.

"Happy now?" asked Rusty, his eyes glinting.

"Definitely."

"Then I'm glad," he smiled, settling beside her with his laptop to study.

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

By the time Andy had arrived home, Sharon was already asleep on the couch. Sitting beside her quietly, he kissed her gently, waiting until she'd opened her eyes and smiled at him.

"Why are you sleeping here?"

"I guess I just dozed off," she mumbled.

"Feeling better?" he asked.

"Better," she smiled.

"And the baby?" he pressed.

"Also fine," chuckled Sharon, "don't worry."

"I'm not!" he defended, "do you want to go to your room?" he suggested with a smile.

"Yes, please," replied Sharon, allowing Andy to help her to her room.

When Andy was around, there was no denying that Sharon felt like the happiest woman alive.

~~~ TBC ~~~