Thank you all again for your support and kind words for my previous stories! This one is based on something James Duff said about how important Sharon's faith is to her and how it could play a role should she and Andy decide to do more than just live together. This is my interpretation of his words. It's an angsty little journey in four chapters. As always, I will post them as soon as they're through the revision process. I welcome your thoughts and feedback.
I do not own Major Crimes or any of the fabulous characters. That honor belongs to James Duff and co. I just enjoy writing about them.
Chapter One
"Now all that's left is for the two of you to get married!"
The comment was innocent enough. Said lightheartedly with an infectious smile and an almost childlike innocence. Except, Sharon wasn't laughing. She was doing that thing that Andy instantly recognized as her "socially polite smile". And then, she excused herself from the small group saying something about checking on the dessert that Andy knew she had finished hours ago. Shit, he thought. Things were suddenly very complicated.
Two hours earlier...
"Andy, did you pick up the table cloth when you were out?" Sharon called from bottom of the staircase in the house that she and Andy had recently purchased. They had moved in a couple of weeks prior, but managed to somehow get most of the unpacking completed around their busy work schedule.
"Yeah. I went ahead and put it on the patio table outside. I assumed that's where you wanted it," he replied as he made his descent down the stairs. She let out a sigh of relief. He came to stand in front of her when he reached the bottom. His hands moved to her upper arms and stroked them, in what he hoped was, a calming fashion.
"I love you, you know that right?" She asked as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a sweet kiss.
"Because I put the table cloth on the table," he teased once they broke apart.
"Among other things, yes," she cooed. She gave him a quick peck on the lips before turning and disappearing back into the kitchen. Andy followed behind her, feeling the tension thick in the air. He watched as she flitted around the kitchen grabbing this and tidying that.
"What can I do to help?" He asked at her obvious stress.
"Well, everyone should be arriving soon, so I was thinking we should start to get the hor d'oeuvres outside," she said while taking platters of food out of the fridge. Andy walked up behind her and gently wrapped his arms around her slight frame. She stood and pushed the door to the refrigerator closed.
"Hey," he said quietly into her ear nuzzling her hair away. "It's just our friends and family. And Provenza. Everything is going to be perfect no matter what. And besides, they're all here to see the house anyway," he joked. Sharon seemed to relax into his arms at his words. They had invited the squad, family, and a few close friends over for a cookout/housewarming party.
"You're right. You are, but I'm just feeling a bit uneasy about it all, I guess," she admitted as she turned in his arms to face him.
"Well, don't," he said simply. She laughed.
"It's that easy is it?" She joked. He nodded.
"Yup, it is, because all of these people adore you," he beamed. "And they're all very happy for us. Mainly because it means they don't have to listen to me go on and on about house hunting," he added with a smile. She returned it before leaning up and capturing his lips in her own. The kiss started out innocently enough, but soon built into something fiery and strong. Their tongues met in a delicious dance as their lips continued a sensual rhythm of their own. Suddenly, the doorbell sounded, breaking them out of their reverie.
"Showtime," she said as they broke apart. Andy placed a soft kiss to her forehead before heading to the door to welcome their first guests.
Once everyone had arrived, a generous amount of hor d'oeuvres was enjoyed while the drinks flowed. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. Sharon easily moved between her squad, friends, and Nicole and her family with effortless choreography. Andy watched amazed at her impeccable hostess skills. She really did enjoy a sense of occasion, he thought.
After lunch, she found herself in a small group consisting of Amy, Cooper, Provenza, Nicole, and Andy. They were all politely discussing the house and how fortunate she and Andy were to snag it when Amy chimed in with a bright smile.
"Now all that's left is for the two of you to get married!" She beamed. Sharon hoped that the smile she managed to plaster on her face was sufficient to cover the discomfort she felt. How could she reply to such a deeply personal and extremely complicated comment. Sure, her detective had meant it in jest, but it was the implications that were causing her throat to close up and the knots to form in her stomach. She waited a few moments while everyone seemed to share an uncomfortable laugh before excusing herself to check on her already done dessert. She didn't dare look at the rest of the group's reactions to the comment.
Andy could feel his heart sink as he watched Sharon's meticulously concealed reaction to Sykes's comment. He stole a glance at the others to gauge their reactions. Cooper seemed as amused as his girlfriend, Provenza's eyes seemed to be searching for anywhere to look other than at his commanding officer, and Nicole held one of those secretive smiles Andy knew too well. There was a certain twinkle in her eye, and Andy knew she was already planning their wedding in her head. Great, just great, he thought.
The truth was, Andy had thought about it. A lot. He had been thinking that he might even ask Sharon to marry him once they were settled in this new house. Things were good between them, and they were finally in their own house together. He didn't want to upset the applecart, but he knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Sharon. There was no question in his mind, and the next logical step was to walk down the proverbial aisle together. He had known for a while, but he didn't want to ask too soon. Now that his heart scare was behind them and their house hunting at a close, the timing was beginning to feel right. That was until he saw Sharon's reaction to the mere mention of it. Now, he wasn't sure about anything other than that a certain uncomfortable conversation was in his future.
TBC
