Hi everyone! Here I am again with a two-shots this time! It's my take on what happened during Nicole's wedding since we didn't get any of it on the show. I hope you'll like it and I just want to thank you all for the lovely reviews you've written to my stories, I really appreciate them!
I still have the same personal request as in my previous fic: NO SPOILERS since I still have to watch season 6. Thank you, I appreciate that.
Big shout-out to my Beta, eelise187, who patiently and quickly proofread my work and helps me every time to improve my stories and my English!
"I like weddings."
Sharon Raydor didn't know what she had been thinking when she had said that line to Lieutenant Flynn. Yes, she liked weddings: She loved the atmosphere they created, the emotions they conveyed. She was moved by the deep meaning behind them, the miracle of two souls meeting at some point in life and promising to each other in front of God to stay together forever. She loved the ceremony where she usually teared up during the vows, and then the reception where people always ate too much. She loved every bit of them, but right now, with less than an hour to get ready for Flynn's daughter's wedding, she wasn't that thrilled anymore.
After arriving home, she had taken a quick shower and was now standing in front of her closet, wondering what she could wear to the wedding. Normally, she would have gone shopping for the perfect dress but this wasn't a normal situation. Andy Flynn had changed his mind and had decided to go to his daughter's wedding only three hours before it started and she had offered to go with him as a buffer. She sighed looking at the dresses she had thrown on her bed, none seemed to be appropriate. She turned her attention back to her closet and suddenly noticed a dress she had totally forgotten owning. It was a simple knee-length purple dress with half bell sleeves. She considered it for a few seconds before trying it on. She looked at herself in the mirror and decided she would go with it. She didn't have time to think more about it as she only had thirty minutes to do her hair and makeup before Andy was due to pick her up.
She ran to the bathroom and opted for a half up and half down hairstyle. She then quickly refreshed her makeup, as she was already running out of time. Once she finished, she checked herself in the mirror and smiled, satisfied with the final result. Not too bad, she thought. For having less than an hour to get ready, she didn't look bad.
She went back to her bedroom to put on her cream pointy toed pumps when her phone rang, "Oh Andy. No no, don't worry. I'm coming, just wait for me in the car. I'll be there in a minute." She hung up and grabbed her black and gold purse and a cream stole before heading out.
Once in the parking lot, she noticed Flynn standing outside his car, waiting for her and she hurried toward him. He looked great in his charcoal suit and she smiled when she noticed he was wearing a purple tie. He returned the smile, "Captain, well…Sharon," he corrected, "you look great."
"Thank you, Andy." She answered back with a shy smile. "And so do you." Returning the compliment as he opened the door and motioned for her to get in.
He smiled at her while closing the door. He then hurried back around the car to the driver side. Once inside, he smiled nervously at her and said, "Well, let's go."
The drive was silent. Sharon could sense how nervous and tense he was. She spent the majority of the drive looking out the window, stopping only a few times to glance in his direction. She could see him grasping the steering wheel in a firm grip and she wished she knew how to help him relax. A day like this one would be a joy and a blessing for any parent, but Andy was missing all the emotions and the magic of this moment because he was too worried about how things would turn out with his estranged family. She couldn't blame him though: it took a lot of courage to go to an unwelcomed place. She didn't exactly know why his family hated him, but she assumed that Flynn's alcoholic past and his divorce had to do something with the strained relationships.
Andy stopped the car in the parking lot next to the church and he stayed still and silent, staring out in front of him. Sharon leaned toward him, trying to catch his eyes before saying in an encouraging tone, "Andy, it's going to be alright." He looked up to meet her gaze, smiling lightly but felt unsure of Sharon's words. She noticed it and added, "You're going to be great."
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair before asking, "How can you be so sure? What if I screw up everything like I always do?"
"That's not true. You don't screw up everything." She answered back, raising her eyebrows. She couldn't believe that the ever confident Andy Flynn was being insecure. It was something totally new to her and she was so taken aback that she didn't know what to say to give him some confidence.
"I lost Rusty at the bus station last year."
"He ran away from you." She corrected him. "That's not the same thing."
She had no idea that this incident had marked him so much. She had made it clear to him the day following this episode that it wasn't his fault and that he could have done nothing to prevent it, but he seemed to believe that he was still partly responsible for the incident.
"I'm an alcoholic," he added, interrupting her thoughts before she could come up with anything more reassuring.
She didn't know why he was suddenly rehashing the past and all the mistakes he had made but she had to make him stop. Immediately. He wasn't in the right mood to attend his daughter's wedding and she had to change that.
"Yes, you are an alcoholic." She responded. "But, you haven't had a drink in what? 20 years?"
"16." He rectified fiddling with his sobriety ring. "But I destroyed my marriage, I screwed up with my children…"
"But you're here now." She interrupted him. "You're here and this means a lot, Andy. It means that you care, that you want to make things better, that you are trying to make up for lost time. And yes, maybe for some things it is too late… but not for everything. Your daughter is getting married today and you're here. You're getting a second chance to make things better. It takes a lot of courage to come to a place where you are unwelcome. Nicole will appreciate that, I'm sure."
"Thank you, Sharon…" he paused, considering his next words, "I'm sorry I am putting you through this…"
"Putting me through?" she repeated arching her eyebrows. "I've already told you, I like weddings."
"Yeah, well my ex-wife is anything but cordial… and my family is…"
"Please, I think I can survive people gossiping and criticizing…" she interrupted him, understanding what his worries were about. "I'm a grown-up, I've seen worse in my years in FID."
"Yeah? We'll see how you feel about it at the end of the day." He said with a smirk.
She laughed and smacked his arm playfully before checking her phone and saying, "The wedding is in less than thirty minutes, we better get going so you can meet with Nicole before the ceremony…"
"Sure."
He got out of the car and swiftly went around the back to open Sharon's door for her. She smiled and couldn't help noticing what a gentleman he was. They started walking toward the church. Some people were already inside; others were standing outside, smoking and chatting. Andy waved at some people but didn't stop. He led Sharon inside the church where she made the sign of the cross and bowed a little before she suddenly heard a harsh voice from the hall, "Andy, I'm surprised you came."
Sharon saw Andy tense and she turned around. Standing near them was a dark-haired woman in a cobalt blue dress accented with a black stole. Sharon could feel the woman's gaze on her, analyzing every inch of her, making her feel a little uncomfortable.
"Sandra," Andy responded taking a step toward the woman, "I wouldn't miss our daughter's wedding for the world."
"Yeah I bet. Just like you didn't miss Nicole and Matt's childhood either." The woman retorted as she rolled her eyes at her ex husband.
Sharon looked at Andy and saw him sigh. She was surprised at how well he was handling the situation and how he didn't respond to that provocation. She felt proud of him for his ability to control his emotions. He had changed so much since the first time she met him.
Not allowing Sandra to bait him, Andy simply asked, "Where can I find Nicole? I'm supposed to walk her down the aisle."
"First room on the left." Sandra answered indicating the narrow hallway behind them. "You're aware that Dan will be walking her down the aisle as well?"
"I know, we discussed it."
She nodded and then turned her attention to Sharon asking, "And you are?"
"Oh, excuse me Sandra." Andy said, stepping in. "This is my friend Sharon. We work together."
"Nice to meet you." Sharon said, forcing a smile.
"Oh, I see. A friend. One of your many female friends." Sandra added, rolling her eyes and not even bothering to answer Sharon.
Andy ignored her comment and said, "Now if you excuse us, we're going to see Nicole."
He didn't leave her the time to respond as he guided Sharon with his hand on her back away from his ex-wife.
"I'm sorry about that." He whispered, uncomfortably.
"It's okay, don't be." She answered with a light smile. She didn't want Andy to worry about her. This couldn't be worse than her FID years: she could easily survive this, or at least she hoped.
"You're sure you don't want to run away from here? You still have time."
"Don't be silly." She said laughing and patting his arm reassuringly, "Let's go and see your daughter."
Andy knocked on the door and when he heard his daughter's voice, he opened the door for Sharon and quickly followed.
"Nicole."
Nicole turned around, a smile appearing on her face when she saw her father. She was wearing an ivory empire sleeveless V-neck draped dress with a thin sparkling belt above her waist. Her hair had been styled half up and half down, with some soft curls falling down and around her shoulders. She was glowing.
"Dad!"
She quickly walked up to him and hugged him. He looked at his daughter and Sharon could sense how moved he was when he whispered, "Nicole, you're breathtaking."
His daughter blushed and looked down before whispering a quick "thank you" and kissing his father's cheek.
Andy smiled and then stepped to the side and gestured toward Sharon, "Nicole, I want to introduce you to my friend Sharon."
"Nice to meet you, Sharon." She greeted the other woman with a soft smile.
Sharon noticed that she had Andy's smile and eyes. Sharon returned the smile, "The pleasure is mine… and you look beautiful."
"Thank you."
Another knock on the door interrupted them and when the door opened, a young man appeared. Sharon didn't need a proper introduction, as she was looking at the copy, only younger, of Andy Flynn.
"Nic, we're about to start." The young man began before suddenly noticing his sister wasn't alone. "Hey Dad."
He quickly hugged his father and then looked at Sharon. Before she could introduce herself, Andy greeted his son, "Hey Matt," then gesturing toward Sharon, "this is my friend Sharon."
"Matthew," holding his hand out to greet Sharon, "nice to meet you.".
"Same here. I'm going to leave you all alone and go take a seat…" Sharon said, excusing herself.
"Sharon," Nicole reached out to grasp Sharon's hand, "please take a seat in the second row. That's where Dad's seat is."
"Thank you Nicole, but I'm not family. I'm just going to sit in the back." She answered. She didn't want to impose as she could feel that Andy's ex-wife wouldn't take it well.
"Oh no no, no way. You're my dad's friend. Of course you're going to sit with him. Matty, can you show Sharon to her and Dad's seats?"
"Sure, sis'."
He motioned Sharon to follow him and she was about to leave Andy stopped her by the arm, "You're going to be okay?" he whispered, slightly concerned.
"Yes, I'm sure, I'll meet you there. You're going to be great." She told him softly reaching up to give his hand a gentle squeeze.
She gave him one last encouraging smile before following Matthew to their seats. The church was almost full and Matt made his way to the front rows. She followed him and he stopped at the second row.
"Here it is."
"Thank you, Matthew."
"Anytime." He answered with a small smile before he joined his mother in the first row.
Sharon took a seat and looked around her. The church was decorated with beautiful pink lilies and white roses. She started feeling uncomfortable again as she could sense some gazes on her and heard whispering. She was sure that some people were wondering who she was and why she was sitting in the front rows. She had no doubt that the word that she was Andy's friend had already reached most of the wedding guests. She sighed as she opened her purse, looking for her phone.
Come on, Sharon. This is just a wedding and it's only a few people gossiping. You've seen worse. Don't be silly, she said to herself. Ignore them, just ignore them and focus on the ceremony.
It was true she had seen worse. In her FID years, she had been insulted, mistreated and hated. She had faced angry, violent and corrupt police officers. There was no way she was going to let some stupid gossip at a wedding make her feel uncomfortable. She checked her phone to be sure no one tried to reach her, but she didn't find any missed calls. She double checked the ringer was on silent and put her phone back in her purse as she heard the first notes of the wedding march. She turned around, along with everyone else, but couldn't see much. As the bride slowly walked down the aisle, Sharon could finally see Andy, standing on Nicole's right side while her stepfather was on her left side. Sharon was glad that Andy was on the right side as it was where the father should be standing when walking the daughter down the aisle. It was an important sign that showed that Nicole cared deeply about her father.
Sharon could see how nervous Andy was. He was holding his daughter by the arm, walking slowly and occasionally looking down. She knew he was feeling uncomfortable and she wanted him to see her when he would looked up again. She put on her most encouraging smile and when Andy looked up, he caught sight of her. They exchanged looks and Andy finally smiled back. He walked past Sharon and stopped at the front where he kissed Nicole on the cheek and left her to her soon-to-be husband. He then quickly joined Sharon and sat next to her. She smiled at him and he surprised her by taking her hand, squeezing it before whispering, "Thank you."
She blushed looking down and only nodded. He let go of her hand and they both focussed on the wedding. The ceremony went on smoothly. As expected, Sharon teared up during the wedding vows. As she felt tears gathering in her eyes, she started looking for a tissue in her purse, but Andy foresaw the need and stopped her search by offering her his handkerchief. She accepted it with a smile and started delicately wiping away the tears that were threatening to fall. She then gave the handkerchief back to Andy and that was when she noticed how his eyes were glistening as well. He was moved, more than what he would probably admit and she was glad he finally let go of his worries to at least enjoy the beauty of the ceremony.
After Nicole and Dean kissed, Sharon and Andy made their way out as the ceremony was over and waited for the newlyweds to get out. As they stood outside, Sharon felt Andy suddenly tense and move closer to her. She looked at him and she saw he was starring right in front of him at some people she didn't know. She whispered to him, "Andy, what's going on?"
"Nothing, everything's fine." He answered quickly.
She couldn't ask more because Nicole and Dean appeared and the guests started clapping and throwing rice at the newlyweds. After congratulating them, Sharon and Andy went back to the car to go to the restaurant where the wedding reception would take place. Andy was about to start the car when he turned to face her and asked with a smile, "You're ready for round two?"
"Sure, let's go." She answered returning the smile.
Please R&R: let me know what you think about it. I'd appreciate it very much. Thank you! :)
Chapter 2 will be coming soon!
