Chapter 71:

Six days later, Sharon was still suspended, and so was Flynn. They didn't see each other more than twice during the week, since Sharon dedicated her days to make Rusty up for the past few months. In between, she had to see the FID detectives twice to answer questions, and spend time with Chris and Julia, since they were leaving. Time went by faster than she could imagine, and it was already Saturday.

Chris and Julia left after breakfast with the promise of coming back soon, and Sharon remained in her apartment with Rusty and Cat. She loved seeing her children, but she was also glad to have some peace and quiet in her life again, now that all the guests were gone. The only thing that she needed now was for her to go back to work and for Rusty to go back to school. The three of them were watching a movie in the living room when her iPhone rang and she saw Flynn's name on the screen.

"Where are you going in the middle of the good part?" Cat asked and Sharon pointed at her iPhone before entering her bedroom and closing the door behind her.

"One guess to who's the caller," Rusty said, his eyes still on the TV.

"Gee, that's a hard one. I don't think I'd guess right," Cat answered sarcastically and they both smiled.

"Hi," Sharon answered the call once in the privacy of her room.

"Hey, remember me?" Flynn asked jokingly.

"How can I ever forget?" she asked in a low, husky tone that made him wish she was next to him.

"I don't know, but you never call me. At least at work I got to see you every day. Now... nothing."

"Well, Chris and Julia left a few hours ago, so I have a little more time now, when I'm not with Rusty."

"Thanks for squeezing me in, you're so considerate," he said sarcastically but she could hear in his voice that he was kidding.

"No problem," she returned the sarcasm.

"You're using your power over me, and it's not right."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," she acted innocent.

"You know I'm like your soldier whenever you say you can see me."

"Listen to me, Andy," she said suddenly in a serious tone.

"What?"

"The day you stop being my soldier, it's over between us," she said slowly and heard him laughing on the other end of the line.

"Well, when can you see me, Captain?" he asked.

"I'll have to call you back with the answer to that."

"Oh, come on…"

"No, seriously. I have to see what Rusty wants to do."

"Hey, why don't you come for dinner with him and Cat? I have a guest of my own," he said, and suddenly she could hear excitement in his voice.

"Who is it?"

"Eric, my son! He was supposed to come here next weekend, but he showed up an hour ago out of the blue. I couldn't get a straight answer with the reason why… but I'm just glad he's here."

"That's great," Sharon said. "But isn't it better for you two to be alone for now?"

"No, it's kinda awkward. He needs time to feel comfortable here and I thought that maybe dinner with more people can help."

"Oh, alright. If you're sure about that," she said, and a minute later she was back in the living room, telling Cat and Rusty about the invitation. They both agreed happily once she told them that Flynn had asked for their help with his son.

After the movie was over, Rusty and Sharon got on their feet and started walking to their rooms to get ready for dinner, but Sharon stopped midway and turned around. Cat was still sitting on the couch with a sad face.

"Honey, what's wrong?" Sharon asked, walking back towards the couch.

"My clothes don't fit anymore. I'm fat," she crossed her arms on her chest.

Sharon smiled and sat back down next to her. "You're pregnant, not fat," she said gently. "Why don't we go shopping tomorrow and find you some new clothes?"

"Yeah, I guess I have to."

"You don't sound very happy about the pregnancy," Sharon examined her face.

"I want to have this baby. I do. But the closer the birth gets, the more scared I am."

Sharon put her arm on Cat's shoulders in a half-hug and kissed her cheek. "You may not have your baby's father with you, but you're not alone," she said. Cat smiled at her and kissed her back.

"I know, Mom, thanks."

"Now, go and find something that fits between the tons of clothes that you have," Sharon got on her feet again and this time Cat did the same.

"And I always think I don't have enough," she muttered on her way to the door.

(***)

A while later, Sharon, Cat and Rusty were standing outside Flynn's apartment, waiting for him to open the door.

"Are you sure this dress looks good?" Cat asked nervously, looking down at her short black, flowing dress.

"It's perfect. You're perfect," Sharon said without looking at her.

"You're just saying that because you're my mother," she sounded insecure.

"You think?" Sharon asked sarcastically and Rusty suppressed a chuckle.

"Mom!" Cat said in reproach just as the door opened and Flynn smiled at them.

"Hi. Come in," he stepped aside to let them pass.

Sharon entered first, followed by Rusty and then Cat. Flynn closed the door and gave Sharon a little kiss on the cheek. She saw an unfamiliar man coming towards them from the living room and smiled at him.

"Oh, Eric, these are Sharon, Rusty and Cat," Flynn introduced them.

Eric smiled to Sharon and Rusty, but when his eyes landed on Cat, his face turned serious at once. Sharon looked at Cat and saw the same expression on her face.

"Eric? Oh, my god," Cat said in a shaky voice and Sharon knew she was about to cry.

"You two know each other?" she frowned in confusion.

"You're pregnant?" Eric asked, surprised.

"Oh, my goodness," Sharon muttered as she started to understand what was going on.

"Yeah, we know each other. He's the one who made me lose my career back in San Diego," Cat said angrily and opened the door. She exited the apartment quickly, leaving everyone in shock.