Andy and Rusty spent the remainder of the afternoon trying to get Sharon to rest and not walk around on her own. She knew they both meant well, but she hated feeling so helpless. Emily called around 6:00, Andy went out on the balcony to call Nicole and give Sharon some privacy. When he returned about 10 minutes later, he could immediately tell that Sharon was upset.

"Everything okay with Emily?" he asked sitting down beside Sharon.

"Yes, fine. She's fine. She said tell you hello," She replied, avoiding eye contact. "Andy? Can you help me to…to the bedroom? I…I think I need to lay down for a little while. I feel really tired."

Helping her to stand, she wrapped her good arm through his and he guided her down the hall to her bedroom. Once he got her settled on the bed, she immediately turned away from him and curled into herself. "Do you want a blanket?" he asked gently.

"Hmm. What about your shirt from this morning?" she whispered.

Taking his lavender dress shirt from the back of the chair, he draped it across her and sat down next to her on the bed softly caressing her arm. "You know, you could have the real thing."

Pulling the shirt tight into her fist, she still didn't turn to him, "I know…but…you need a meeting and I…I need some alone time. Okay? Andy…I…I love you."

Gently leaning into her he kissed the side of her forehead before making his way out of the room, "Love you."

Andy stopped by Rusty's room and noticed he was on the phone. "Hang on Emily. How's Mom?"

Andy smiled at Rusty's use of the word "mom", "She's in her room resting. I left the door open and she knows that you are going to check in on her. I'm heading out for a meeting and I will pick up dinner for the three of us on the way back if that sounds okay?"

"Yeah, sure, whatever you think she will like. We've got to get her to eat more. And Flynn, don't worry, I've got her."

"See ya kid, and bye to Em."

SASASASASASASASA

Andy returned a few hours later with dinner from their favorite Italian restaurant. He was happy to find Sharon and Rusty in the living room watching TV. She still had his dress shirt on over her pajamas and was sipping a cup of tea. Andy got the food plated and he cut up Sharon's chicken piccata just to make things easier for her. Andy helped Sharon to the table while Rusty placed water glasses on the table.

"It smells good," Sharon said eyeing the chicken and penne pasta on her plate.

They settled into an easy conversation with Rusty doing the majority of the talking about school and his sociology teacher. As Sharon listened it warmed her heart to think how far he has come in the last 3 years. Andy and Rusty shared a knowing glance as they both watched Sharon push her food around on the plate. Even though he knew it would make her mad, Andy had counted how many bites of chicken and pasta she had eaten so far and he was fairly certain Rusty had done the same. As they continued to eat and talk Andy knew he was going to have to say something, 3 bites of chicken and 2 bites of pasta was not nearly enough. He glanced back at Rusty as he found the courage to speak up.

"Sharon, you need to try and eat a little more. You have barely touched your food and this is one of your favorites."

He knew the instant she looked up at him with that Darth Raydor glare that she was pissed. Throwing her fork down on her plate with a clatter, "I am not a child and you will not monitor how much or how little I eat! Either of you!"

As she reached for her water glass, her trembling hand couldn't quite grasp it, causing the glass to tilt over and spill across the table. "Shit!" she whimpered trying to catch the glass before it rolled toward Rusty. Rusty and Andy looked at each other, speechless at Sharon's use of a curse word. Neither had ever heard her say much more than "damn-it" and they both know how much she despises foul language.

"It's okay Mom, I've got it," Rusty said as he jumped up and headed to the kitchen for paper towels.

Sharon stood quickly from her chair causing it to turn over in the process. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she cried as she stumbled backwards towards the couch. Andy was quick to his feet, catching her before she could fall. She continued to say "I'm sorry" over and over as her tears threatened. Andy lifted her easily and carried her toward the bedroom. When he reached the bed he tried to sit her down but she clung to him. He sat down on the bed with his back against the headboard and settled her in his lap. She curled even tighter into him, gripping his t-shirt, her head pressed into the crook of his neck. He could feel her warm tears sliding down his neck, soaking into his t-shirt.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry," she continued to blubber.

"Sharon, sweetheart, you need to calm down. It's okay. It was just some water. And as far as the food goes, I…I was…"

"No. No…Andy…"She cut him off. "I'm a burden…a burden to you…to…to my…my kids…all this…this has hurt…hurt you all so…"

"Mom!" Sharon and Andy both looked up startled at the sound of Rusty's voice coming from the door way. "That's enough!"

"Rusty…"

"No Andy, she needs to hear this…" Rusty stepped closer and sat down on the bed next to them and held out his cell phone.

"Rusty's right Mom, you need to calm down and listen." Ricky's voice came through the speaker.

They both looked in shock at Rusty and his phone as Ricky and then Emily spoke. Andy moved slightly, turning Sharon so she could sit between his legs, her back resting against him. He hugged her to him as she laid her head to rest against his upper chest, one arm resting on his thigh and the other holding tight to his hand.

"I think I'm being ambushed," Sharon whispered, looking up to Andy, her voice weak with emotion.

"No Mom," Emily spoke up. "We are all just worried about you. And I know you don't want to hear that but it is perfectly normal for kids to worry about their Mom. You don't own the patent on worry and concern. You've been through hell, Mom. You're hurt, you're tired and yet you still have your focus on us and not yourself. For once in your life we want you to be selfish and focus on you."

"Emily's right, Mom," Ricky continued. "You are the strongest, most determined person we know. You give all of yourself for everyone else. It is time for you to sit back and let us take care of you. We are a family now, the five of us. And families stick together, they take care of their own."

"Five," Sharon whispered to Andy, squeezing his hand even tighter.

"Look Mom," Rusty spoke up, "I know you are worried about me and how I…how I will deal with knowing who…who did this to you but with Dr. Joe and Ricky and Emily's help I'm fine. Daniel Dunn and Sharon Beck are just biology to me. My family is here. This family is the amazing gift that you have given me."

"Given us," Ricky added.

"And while we are talking biology," Emily chimed in, "Jack is an ass and not worthy of our time and energy. You have always been both mother and father to us and that will never change. And besides, Andy has already showed us more love and attention in the last few weeks than Jack has our entire lives."

"He has? You have?" Sharon asks, once again looking up at Andy, her eyes bright with love as he hugs her tighter.

Before Andy can speak, Emily continues, "He loves you Mom, we all love you. And what we want more than anything is for you to be okay."

"I love you all too and…and I…I will be okay…I promise each of you," Sharon said as her tears softly flowed.

"Okay kids, we need to let your Mom get some rest," Andy replied as he gently wiped the tears from Sharon's cheeks.

They all said their good nights. After Rusty hug up the phone he tightly hugged both Sharon and Andy before heading to his room. Andy helped Sharon get ready for bed and both were quiet as he snuggled in behind her, placing his arm carefully across her stomach. He nestled his head into her hair and breathed in the scent that was only Sharon.

"Thank you," she quietly said taking his hand and pulling it to her cheek. "Thank you for loving me and my kids. I..."she started as her voice broke with emotion.

"Shhh…sweetheart, no more tears tonight. Just rest…" he said as he nuzzled closer and prayed that she would finally rest.