A/N: Hello, everyone! I am so very sorry for the long delay in updating this story but life can get very busy. I tried many times to write this chapter, but something would happen and stop me. So, I decided to end this story with this chapter, as I have a few busy months in front of me and I don't want another long delay in updating. I hope that you liked this story. Thank you for your support.
22 years later…
Taking a shower in the morning always helped her feel better and start the day with a better mood. It was a part of her morning routine that hadn't changed for the last forty years, even if she retired five years ago. She looked herself in the mirror as she brushed her wet hair and smiled. She couldn't believe that the day had finally arrived after what they've been through the last couple of years. Hearing a sound from the bedroom she quickly wore her underwear and put on her robe before going to see what was happening. The sight in front of her made her chuckle.
"Oh no! Granny caught us, Hope.", Andy said to their nine-months-old granddaughter.
"What are you doing with Hope? I thought she was with her mother.", Sharon asked her husband a little confused.
"She was, but Cassidy was called to leave earlier because they were having a problem and she left the baby with us.", Andy stood up and placed the baby in his wife's arms. "You are in charge, Hope.", he kissed her little head. "I am going to take a shower.", he kissed Sharon on the lips and went to the bathroom.
"What are we going to do with him?", she asked her granddaughter who smiled at her. "Yeah, I know. I love him too. So, you are going to help me get ready.", holding the baby she walked to her closet to pick out her clothes. "I think that blue would be an excellent colour. What do you say?", the baby touched the dress her grandmother was holding and smiled. "That's my girl. Let's pick the rest of the outfit.", she picked the rest and placed them on the bed.
A few minutes later Andy found his wife sitting in front of the mirror with Hope in her arms putting her lipstick on. He remembered how many times she had done the same with their daughter in her arms and smiled at them. He noticed that she had already picked his outfit as well.
"You are amazing.", he said as he approached the bed to start getting dressed.
"Yes, I know.", she grinned at her husband and stood up. "I am going to get Hope ready, take her bag and go downstairs. See you in a few.", she left their bedroom with a little swing of her hips and chuckled when he groaned. She walked to the nursery and went straight for the closet to find out something for Hope to wear. "Well, my darling. I think that you would look lovely in this dress.", she picked the dress and everything she needed in order to dress the baby and moved to the bed near the cot. "Aren't you the prettiest girl?", she said after finishing. "Let's go down and wait for your grandfather.", she picked up the bag on her way out and went downstairs.
About an hour later they arrived at their daughter's university. Andy saw that their other children had already arrived and found an empty spot next to Rusty's car to park. Sharon took the baby out of her seat, while Andy got the bag and they walked to find their children. The scene in front of them brought wide smiles on their faces. All of their children stood together talking and laughing. "Granny!", the two year old Ella was the first one to spot them and started running as fast as she could towards her grandparents.
Andy quickly took Hope in his arms and watched as his wife grabbed their granddaughter and lifted her in her arms. "Hello, love. I missed you.", she placed a few kisses on the little cheeks making the little girl giggle. After a few moments she looked up and watched as her children had approached them. "You, young lady…", she pointed at Cassidy and glared at her, "are in trouble.", she chuckled lightly when Ella kissed her cheek to make her smile.
"I am so sorry, but I had to leave earlier and I couldn't take Hope with me.", she looked at her mother with those pleading eyes that made her smile while she took her daughter in her arms.
"Alright. I didn't mind a little extra time with my granddaughter.", she smiled as Andrew took Ella in his arms when he noticed that Sharon was looking at the baby in Rose's arms.
"And where are the others?", Andy asked with a frown.
"As you know the children are in school.", Rusty said to his father.
"As for our husbands and wives…", Mary pointed to where they were all sitting down, "are saving seats for all of us.", she grimaced and placed a hand on her baby bump.
"Are you alright, honey?", Sharon asked worried and approached her daughter.
"Yes, I am fine. She just kicked me very hard.", she grinned at her mother.
"A girl?", it was Andy who spoke.
"Yes, it's a girl. We found out this morning and we wanted to tell you tonight, but the baby had other plans.", she chuckled as her parents hugged her with smiles and tears on their faces.
"So, why don't you go grab a seat? We are going to start in a few minutes.", Cassidy told them and took the bag from her father. "I will see you in a little while.", she left with her daughter who was smiling at all of them.
Andy was looking at his wife who was now holding Paige, their eight months old granddaughter in her arms. He absolutely loved to see her with their grandchildren in her arms because she looked so happy and so at peace. Placing a hand on her lower back he guided her towards their children and helped sit down. They greeted the others and started talking for a few moments before the ceremony began. Sharon watched as everyone sat down while her daughter walked with the baby in her arms towards the stage. She was so very proud of her after all that had happened the last seventeen months.
Seventeen months ago…
It was almost four in the morning when their phones started ringing through the silence. They both groaned loudly upon hearing the sounds as they had only been sleeping for three hours. "Not another one.", Andy groaned again as he picked up his phone. "Don't tell me that we caught another one so soon, Louie.", he felt as he hadn't slept at all.
"Andy…", something in his partner's voice made him wake up at once and sit up in bed.
"Is everything alright?", he got a little worried and looked at his wife who had fell asleep again once he picked up his phone.
"You need to come to the hospital. Both of you. Now.", he took a deep breath to calm down.
"What happened? Are you alright?", he got more worried by the second. "Louie? What's happened?", he had a bad feeling.
"It's Cassidy.", he finally said to his partner.
"WHAT?", he shouted and stood up from the bed quickly. "Is she alright?", he looked at Sharon who was looking at him with wide eyes. "Is Cassidy alright?", he watched as his wife quickly stood up and grabbed his phone.
"Louie, what's going on? What happened with my daughter? Where is she?", she was starting to feel light headed.
"She is in the hospital. Cedars. Come as quickly as you can. I will explain everything. All I can tell you from the phone is that she is alive. Please hurry, Sharon.", he hang up and took a deep breath.
"Sharon?", Andy looked at his wife. "Sharon? Are you alright?", he quickly grabbed her arms when she started falling backwards and led her to sit on the bed.
"We have to go to the hospital. ASAP.", she took deep breaths to calm down.
"Alright. Give me a minute.", he quickly left their bedroom, walked down the hall and knocked on the door.
"Dad? Is everything alright?", Rusty asked his father and got worried when he noticed that he was pale.
"Get dressed as quickly as you can. We have to go the hospital. Something happened with Cassidy.", he turned around and went back to the master bedroom to get dressed and help his wife.
About half an hour later the three of them arrived at the hospital and quickly went in search for Louie. They got more worried when they found most of the team in the waiting room. "Louie? What happened with my daughter?", Sharon demanded to know as soon as she saw him.
"We got a call about an hour before I called you. We found a dead man in a valley. Apparently he had attacked a young woman and a young man tried to stop him from killing her. They got in a fight, the young man grabbed a rock and hit him quite hard on the head which killed him.", he stopped there to let all that sink in and took a deep breath.
"Where does my daughter fit in all of these?", Andy asked as he didn't want to acknowledge what his experience and his mind were telling him.
"Cassidy was…", he took a deep breath again. "Cassidy was the young woman who was attacked.", he finally said and lowered his head.
"Mom!", Rusty grabbed her and helped her to one of the chairs in the waiting room. "Take deep breaths. Deep breaths. Can we have a cup of water?", he asked keeping his focus on his mother. A couple of moments later a bottle of water was brought, he took it and slowly helped his mother take a few sips of water. "Are you feeling a little better? You won't do any good to Cassidy if she sees you like that. She needs us to stay strong and help through this. Alright?", he took hold of her hands and gave them a light squeeze.
"Alright.", she took a deep breath and stood up with her son's help. "Where is she?", she asked with a calm voice.
"In room 322.", Louie told her and watched as the three of them left quietly the room. "It's going to be a very long day.", he turned to the others and gave them orders to follow.
Two months later…
Sharon was in her office going through some paperwork from the latest cases that needed her to sign them by the end of the week. The last couple of months had been so difficult for all of them after Cassidy's attack. Both she and Andy had managed to take vacations days to be with their daughter and help her. However, they had caught a couple of difficult cases causing Andy to return to work earlier than he wanted to. The sound of her phone ringing startled her out of her thoughts. "Commander Sharon Raydor. How can I help you?", she answered as she didn't know the number that was calling her. "What? Which hospital?", she quickly stood up. "I am on my way. Thank you.", she quickly grabbed her bag and went straight to her husband's desk.
"Is everything alright, darling? You are a little pale.", he got a little worried about his wife.
"We have to go to the hospital. Cassidy passed out in the university and they took her to the hospital.", she turned around and noticed the team looking at her with worry. "Lieutenant Provenza, you are in charge for the rest of the day.", she started walking towards the exit and suddenly stopped. "I will call you once I know what happened.", she gave him a sad smile and left quickly with Andy following her.
He was trying to stay inside the speed limit as he drove through the roads to the hospital. They were both so worried about their daughter and would only calm down when they saw her. Andy stole a glance at his wife who was looking out of the window and biting her lip while her eyes were moist with unshed tears. He took hold of her hand and squeezed it as his attention went back to the road.
As soon as Andy had parked the car, Sharon quickly got out and started walking as quickly as she could. "I am Captain Sharon Flynn. I am here about my daughter, Cassidy Flynn.", she told the nurse she found behind the desk.
"Yes. She is in room 241.", the nurse informed her just as Andy stopped next to his wife.
"Thank you.", she took hold of his hand to steady herself and went towards the elevators. About a couple of minutes later they were standing outside their daughter's hospital room. She took a deep breath to calm down a little and opened the door.
"Captain. Lieutenant.", a woman walked towards them and met them in the middle of the room.
"Mrs. Makenzie. How is she?", Sharon asked her.
"She woke up for a few seconds when they moved her in this room, she panicked and started asking for you. The doctor gave her a sedative, she calmed down and fell asleep.", she informed them with a small sad smile.
"Did they say anything about the cause of her fainting?", it was Andy who asked her now.
"Not yet. I am going to inform the doctor that you are here.", she left the room quietly.
Slowly they approached their sleeping daughter, one parent in each side. A few tears escaped Sharon's eyes as she watched her girl sleeping. "I really hope that everything is well with Cassidy. I couldn't bare it if something happened to her.", she sat down in the chair behind her and took hold of Cassidy's hand. Andy repeated the same at the other side of the bed.
About half an hour later there was a knock on the door and the doctor came inside. She slowly approached them and stood at the foot of the bed. "Hello. I am Emilia Ruiz. I was on call when they brought your daughter in.", she raised her hand towards Sharon first.
"I am Captain Sharon Flynn.", she shook the doctor's hand. "This is my husband, Lieutenant Andy Flynn.", she watched as they shook hands as well. "So, dr. Ruiz. Do you know what was the cause for our daughter's fainting?", she took a deep breath to calm down a little.
"Yes. I got the results of her tests a few minutes ago and I took the liberty to speak with Cassidy's doctor before coming here.", she looked at the sleeping young woman for a couple of seconds before looking back at her mother. "Cassidy is pregnant. Her blood pressure was very high and caused her fainting. It was a bit of a roller coaster for a while, but we managed to control it.", she explained and stopped for a few seconds to let the news sink in.
"So, what happens now?", it was Andy who asked as he saw that his wife was lost in her thoughts.
"We are going to keep her for a couple of days at least to control her blood pressure and make sure that there is no danger of miscarriage. I understand that the pregnancy is a cause of a very brutal action and it will be very hard for her to accept it. If anything happens, please call the nurse and they will inform me. I will be back later in the day to check on her.", she looked one more time at the sleeping young woman and left the room quietly.
Cassidy was very upset in the beginning when she learned from her parents that she was pregnant from that man. Slowly as the day passed she started calming down about the situation and considering her options. One thing she was sure about. She was against the idea of abortion and wouldn't do that for any reason. It wasn't the baby's fault for how it was conceived and she was sure that her family would be at her side no matter what.
"Sweetheart, are you alright?", Andy looked at his wife a little concerned.
"Yes, I am fine. I was just thinking about everything that happened with Cassidy.", she took his hand in hers and squeezed it. "I am so glad that she decided to keep Hope in the end.", she smiled as she watched her daughter with Hope in her arms.
"She was so very happy when she held her in her arms for the very first time.", Andy looked at Paige who had fallen asleep in her grandmother's arms and chuckled. She couldn't keep her hands away from their grandchildren, especially when they were all gathered together. She was always holding one of them.
"And now I would like for Ms. Cassidy Flynn to come up on the stage and say a few words before we continue with our ceremony.", the headmaster announced and everyone started clapping loudly.
Cassidy walked towards the older woman with a wide smile on her face and shook her hand as best as she could. She took a deep breath and with one last look at her family she started speaking. "Thank you, Mrs. Logan. I will only say a few words so we can get on with the ceremony and our celebrations.", she adjusted her daughter in her arms and continued. "I would like to thank my teachers and the headmaster that helped me with my studies after what happened and guided me as best as they could. I wouldn't be here celebrating my graduation with all of you without their help. I would like to thank all my friends here in the university that helped me with the lessons and sometimes babysitting little Hope so I could attend a class. Lastly, I would like to thank my family that was beside me every step of the way and helped me arrive to this day. Thank you everyone.", she took a step back and felt her eyes fill with tears as everyone stood up and started clapping.
The headmaster continued with the ceremony by giving Cassidy her diploma along with a hug and a kiss on Hope's little cheek. One of her teachers helped her down from the stage and she went quickly to her family. Sharon was the first one to hug her daughter and took Hope in her arms, so she could easily hug everyone else. About half an hour later Cassidy took her daughter in her arms and left to take lots of pictures with her friends and her teachers.
Sharon stepped out of the kitchen as her husband had everything under control and she wouldn't be needed for a few minutes. Leaning against the counter that separated the dining room from the kitchen, she looked outside with a smile on her face. All the grandchildren, except from Paige and Hope that were taking a nap in the nursery, were outside in the backyard playing and running around while their parents were talking and laughing.
"Mother, are you alright?", a hand on her arm startled her.
"I am sorry, honey. What was it that you wanted?", Sharon smiled reassuringly at her daughter.
"I asked if you were alright.", Mary asked again with a bit of worry.
"Yes, I am fine. I was just thinking. If anyone had told me years ago, that I would reach this age, be happily married and have ten children and twenty five grandchildren I would have had their head checked.", she chuckled as she looked at her daughter. "Well, soon to be twenty six.", she placed a hand on Mary's baby bump and enjoyed the feeling of her granddaughter kicking.
"Well, I wouldn't believe them either.", she chuckled with her mother. "I am sorry that Austin couldn't be here and celebrate with us.", she grimaced as the baby kicked her very hard.
"You should be resting, honey.", Sharon helped her daughter to the armchair. "We have to keep that baby in there for a little while longer.", she was a little worried about how pale the young woman was. "Don't worry, Mary. We completely understand. Don't forget that we know this job very, very well.", she smiled reassuringly at her, but stood a little straighter when she saw from the corner of her eye someone walking quickly to the bathroom and she stood up. "Excuse me for a second.", she followed the young woman.
Quickly she entered the bathroom closing the door behind her and sighed at the sight in front of her. Grabbing a small towel from the second drawer, she wet it and knelt next to the young woman. "Are you alright, Cora?", she asked worried as she placed the wet towel on her neck.
"I don't know why they call it morning sickness when it hits any time through the day.", she took a deep breath and leaned back against the wall.
"Honey, are you pregnant?", Sharon looked at her with a wide smile.
"Yep. Three months along.", she took another deep breath and felt her stomach settling. "In about six months this family welcome two new members.", she placed her hand on her belly as she let the news sink in.
"Oh my God! Twins?", Sharon was way beyond happy with this new information.
"Will you help me up, please?", Cora asked her mother-in-law and in a matter of seconds she was standing up.
"Does Tommy know?", she asked hoping that she hadn't ruined Cora's surprise.
"Yes, he does. Actually, we were together when we found out about my pregnancy. I had gone to his office because we were going to have lunch together. I bent down to pick up a paper that fell from his desk and everything started blurring around me. The next thing I remember was waking up in the hospital with Tommy holding my hand. We thought that it just the flu that I caught from Andrea, but the doctor informed us that I was pregnant.", she stopped as she felt a little lightheaded and sat down on the edge of the tub. "Two weeks later we went to my doctor to confirm it. She did an ultrasound and found two different heartbeats. We were going to tell you later tonight.", she chuckled when she saw how happy her mother-in-law was.
"Oh, honey. I am so very happy. Congratulations.", she hugged the younger woman and placed a kiss on her forehead. "I promise that I won't say anything until you and Tommy announce it later.", she helped her stand up and went to the others.
About an hour later they were all sitting together and enjoying the meal their parents had made. They were chatting, telling stories and laughing. Sharon looked towards Cora who gave her a nod. She smiled as she knew that everyone would be thrilled for the two new members that their family would welcome in a few months. "Could I have your attention, please?", Cora stood up and took hold of her husband's hand. "I would like to inform that in about six months two this lovely family will welcome two new members.", she felt Tommy squeezing her hand as she placed her free hand on her belly.
Sharon leaned back in her chair as she watched everyone hugging and congratulating the young couple. She couldn't wait to hold her grandchildren in her arms, sing to them to sleep, play with them in the backyard. A wide smile appeared on her face as her husband sat down next to her and grabbed her hand. It only got wider when she turned her head and saw all the love and happiness in his eyes. Their family was getting bigger and bigger as the time went by and they couldn't be happier. He leaned forward slightly and met his wife's lips in a loving kiss. A very loud cry kept them from going any further with that kiss.
"I am sorry to interrupt, but I think we need to go the hospital.", Mary said as everyone had stopped talking and looked at her. "My water just broke.", she shrugged at them and grimaced a bit as a contraction hit her.
"Right.", Andy stood up and cleared his throat. "Leo, go get the car right outside the door. Nicole and Madison, go to your sister's house, grab everything she will need and meet us at the hospital. Ricky, call Austin and tell him to get as soon as he can at the hospital. Emily, call Mary's doctor and inform her about her condition.", he turned towards the grandchildren. "Shary, Andrew, Edward and Grace I trust you completely to take care of the children.", he noticed that everyone was still there and looking at him. "Don't stand there. Let's go.", he clapped his hands twice and everyone got into action.
He searched for his wife for a couple of seconds, but found her right away. She was at Mary's side along with Evelyn, Rose and Cora trying to calm her down. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves and noticed Rusty coming towards him. "Dad, are you alright?", he was a little worried about his father.
"I am perfectly fine. I am going to be a grandfather… again.", he grinned widely at his son. "Where are the others?", he saw everyone disappear as soon as he had clapped his hand.
"Paul, Andrew, Christopher, Tommy and Cassidy took the children upstairs as some of them started crying when they saw Mary like that. I am sure that the eldest can take care of the others, but we decided to stay for a while.", he looked towards his sister who was trying not to lose it.
"Alright, son. I will call as soon as we arrive at the hospital.", he turned to leave, but stopped and looked at Rusty. "Please try to convince Cora to lay down for a while. She looks a little pale.", he squeezed his son's shoulder and left to help any way he could.
Rusty stood there and watched as they left for the hospital. He couldn't believe that in a few hours he was going to have another niece. He grinned widely and decided to start cleaning everything. A few minutes later Paul came down and started helping him in the kitchen. Rusty was washing the glasses and the plates while Paul was drying them and putting them back in their places. The sound of Rusty's phone ringing startled them both a little bit, he picked it up quickly and answered the call. A few seconds later he placed a hand on his husband's arm.
"Is everything alright, honey?", Paul asked his husband with worry.
"Yes. We have another niece to spoil.", he grinned widely and hugged his husband. "If anyone had told me all those years ago about how my life would be, I wouldn't believe them one bit.", he said as he leaned back against the counter.
"You got a second chance in having a family that you deserved and in happiness.", Paul placed a light kiss on his lips.
"Yeah. You are right.", he chuckled at the triumph in Paul's eyes. "Come on. We have to inform the others and go to the hospital. I want to meet my niece as soon as possible.", he grabbed his husband's hand and went upstairs to inform the others. He had gotten a second chance and didn't regret it one bit.
FIN
Thank you everyone for your support in writing this story. I hope that this final chapter will be a nice ending to the story. Please leave one last review to let me know what you think. Until my next story, Goodbye!