Death. It's not a scary word. It's a natural progression of life. You are born. You live. You die. Andy knew this. She had been around death her entire life. It started when she was 5. Her dog Chester was hit by a car when he escaped the house one morning. When she was 10, her grandfather passed away. On her sixteenth birthday, her best friend Rylynn was hit by a drunk driver. She chose a career where she was around and investigated death. This topic wasn't new to her.
But as Andy Swarek sat on the edge of her bed, she had a thought. Death sucked. It wasn't fair. Nothing about this horrible day was going to be fair. It wasn't fair that her little girl would never remember her grandfather. It wasn't fair that her father would never get to meet the baby she was having in six months. It wasn't fair that he had to suffer a heart attack, feel that pain, all alone. She should have been there. No none of this was fair. But the worst thing of all was that she had to be the one to find him. Thank god Harper hadn't been with her. She had made the executive decision to leave her with the babysitter so she could check on her father. She had expected a binge or a passed out father. Not the horrific sight she saw. She quickly assessed the situation. All the while, trying to reach Sam. When she couldn't get him, she called Traci. Traci found Sam. Sam found her, sitting on the couch waiting, holding her baby bump, tear stained cheeks.
So now here she was. Sitting on her bed, staring at two black dresses, listening to the baby monitor as Sam is changing Harper. He's talking about tights. How he doesn't understand why you put tights on a baby. Harper is just giggling. Laughing at her dad's confused face most likely.
Andy then closes her eyes. Smiles and thanks whoever is up there for Samuel Swarek. It's been his strength that has gotten her through the past three days. His calm way of dealing with tragic. Sarah had come to help when she heard the news. Helping with Harper, so Sam could help Andy.
And Harper. That gorgeous brown eyed black haired 15 month old. Oh how her laugh could lighten up any tragedy. Her smile with Sam's dimples could swell her heart so big, it would bounce out of her chest. Those were the type of things that mattered at the moment.
She heard the door open, and she looked up. Sam was standing in the doorway, Harper in one arm, leaning against the arch. Andy held out her arms beckoning him silently to come sit with her. He smiled and winked at her walking towards her. Harper lunged at her and she caught her quickly, snuggling her close. Sam leaned down and sat next to her wrapping both of his strong arms around both his girls, placing a kiss to the top of her head.
Yes. Death Sucked. Death was everywhere. But as long as Andy had love, death could kiss it.