It was a quiet night after three long days of trying to solve a case. Relieved in the knowledge that the murderer was finally locked away with a solid case against her, Andy allowed himself to relax into the sofa. His head lolled back and with the quiet Christmas music playing in the background, he found himself starting to nod off.
He shook his head and reluctantly sat up, scrubbing his hands over his face. He still needed to change out of his suit, but the temptation of sitting down had been too much when he got home. As he stood up, he noticed the fully decorated Christmas tree filling half of the living room. He realized since Sharon had left work earlier, she had used the extra time to finish hanging lights and ornaments.
He smiled and walked up to the tree, gently inspecting each ornament. He easily found Emily's and Ricky's "Baby's First Christmas" ornaments and some they must have decorated as children. Nearby was one with an enamel mother and son bearing the date of Rusty's adoption. His smile only widened as he looked through the major events of his wife's life told through Christmas ornaments.
Eventually, his gaze moved to eye level near the top of the tree. Immediately, he found a new ornament, silver shining brightly and standing out from the dark green of the tree and the worn-with-age- dozens of other ornaments. He stepped closer to inspect it, inhaling sharply when he realized what it was.
Two birds perched on a branch with a delicate purple ribbon hanging the ornament from the tree. It took him a moment more to realize they were two turtle doves and he couldn't help but shake his head as he read the engraved words. "Andy and Sharon Flynn," he murmured softly, his thumb rubbing over the date of their wedding beneath their names.
"Andy, you're home." Sharon's voice pulled him from his thoughts and he pulled back from the tree to face her.
"Yeah, just got home a few minutes ago. I was admiring your decorating skills." He smiled, eyeing her flour-covered Christmas apron. "Are you really baking after all day at work?"
She shrugged and smiled, dusting her hands off on the apron before she approached and hugged him. "It's a stress reliever and Rusty's been begging for cookies."
His arms wrapped around her and held her close, his head resting against hers. "Any cookie dough left?"
"Yes, but not for you, Mister." She swatted his arm and pulled back. "Go change. And now that I've gotten flour all over your shirt, put it in the dry cleaning basket."
"Yes, ma'am." He smiled and stole a kiss as he walked by her.
She tried to swat him again, but he moved beyond her reach and grinned. He hurried toward their bedroom, fingers already loosening his tie and undoing the first few buttons on his shirt while he plotted to steal any amount of cookie dough he could.
