As promised, a McSwarek ending. I've divided it into two parts, so there's a little suspense. I know it's not the best thing but McSwarek will get there. I promise! :)
A huge thanks to CookiesN'Cream124 for the beta help! She's been incredible to work with.
As always, have a nice day! :)
Chapter 3: Second Chances
It's been a really, really long 7 months. I'd be lying if I said I knew about all this stuff before Gail was pregnant. When she was 3 months in, I decided to throw away all those pregnancy books. Talk about a whole load of crap! How do women continuously buy these books? I know I wouldn't. Gail is at 34 weeks now. The doctor told us that in about 3 weeks, we will be able to finally welcome our little girl. Yes, we're having a little girl. Gail was too nosy to not find out, but it really didn't matter to me. Personally, I would be more than grateful for a healthy little baby.
I tell Andy and Tracy about this the next day at work, seeing as they are Gail's best friends and they were planning her baby shower. She wasn't initially into it, but when I told her that we could throw in a karaoke session, she was happy. It also happened to be 8 months since Sam returned to 15. One would think after all the drama that they both went through together as a couple, they'd finally hooked up. Then again, this is Sam and Andy. They never really learn.
"Okay, here's the plan. She's only doing this if there's karaoke so make sure to throw that in. And, she hates pink so no gifts in that color. She'd probably kill me for that. Oh, and she's craving-"
"CUPCAKES!" Tracy and Andy both reply in unison. I guess I might be a little hormonal myself.
"Nick, we got it okay. Tracy's gonna handle the drinks and food and I'll be in charge of the activities. Don't worry, we've got it covered." Andy says.
"You do know that if this doesn't turn out right, she's gonna hold us all accountable for this for the rest of her life?"
"Uhh… yes? Look, I was pregnant before. I know how it is. It'll turn out great Nick. Now, why don't you just loosen up? Jeez, you're worst than Gail!" Traci chides.
"I am not worst than Gail. I just want everything to be perfect. I want her to enjoy it." I defend myself.
"Okay, okay. Look, I'm going now. I'll go get the supplies. Andy, you got the karaoke set covered?"
"Yup. I'll see you there in an hour."
And just like that, Tracy leaves. I thought that this would be a good time for me to talk to Andy about Sam. She's been avoiding the topic for some time now. And how did I know this? the first week that Sam was back, they finally talked. Oh yeah, they talked alright. About the job. About how the detective training was, or the kind of cases that Sam did the first week of his detective rotation. Honestly, that was a stupid conversation. No one really cares and I highly doubt that Andy really does. She just wanted to strike a conversation with him. I call it a cowardly act.
"So, how are things?"
"Good. Good. I finally bought that shelf I needed. Even though the colour is horrible but it does the trick you know? It holds-"
"Andy, stop."
"What?"
"I know what you're doing."
"Uh, what am I doing exactly Nick? You know, Tracy was right. You are hormonal."
"I am not. Listen, when are you going to talk to Sam?"
"What do you mean when am I going to talk with Sam? I talk to him every day."
I shoot her raised eyebrows as she walks on. Again with the aversions. Before she starts fully avoiding me, I pull her aside from the hallway.
"You know what I mean Andy."
She goes silent and hangs her head a little low. A sign that she fully understands what I'm talking about.
"Look, it's been 8 months since he's been back. You should start getting your act together. Talk to him. Tell him how you feel."
"Okay, okay. I'll do it."
"Good. Today, at Gail's baby shower you are talking to him."
"What?! I'll be busy making sure Gail is having a good time!"
"Tracy can handle it."
"But what if she can't?"
"She'll have to! This should give you guys plenty of time to talk."
"What if he-"
"Nononono. No more what if's. He's here now. Take the chance. Okay?"
"Okay okay. Look, I gotta go. I need to get the things and get ready all in an hour."
She shrugs off the grip I had on her arm before walking away. She starts pacing a little fast and I shout at her to make sure she really gets what I mean.
"DON'T FORGET TO TALK, ANDY!"
Right then, Sam swoops pass me with a file in his hand. He doesn't see me and almost knocks me over. Step 1: Andy, Step 2: Sam. Piece of cake.
"Hey, Sam! You're coming over later right?"
"Of course! Karaoke and a bunch of hormonal people? This is more fun than poker, Collins."
"Good! See you around 7."
With that, he walks away and I do too. I know it'll take some time for them to forget what happened between them so they can move on. But, by the rate they're going, they'll never get anywhere. Sam and Andy have been through a lot together. Maybe that's why it's so hard for me to believe they haven't worked things out. They both put their life and job on the line 2 years ago. Seemingly, it was Sam's last undercover operation. They were never supposed to get together but they did. They were never supposed to have feelings for each other when they were supposed to be strictly professional. Sam should have never questioned Andy when she wanted to marry Luke, but he did anyway. For a simple reason. They both still care for each other more than they even thought they would. That's what makes me believe that this thing between them is not permanent. Merely a test.
When I reach home, as promised, the place was looking good. Tracy was setting up the food and drinks and Sam was helping Andy set up the karaoke set. It may or may not have to do with the fact that on the way home, I called him and told him that Andy needed help. I lied. I watch them work together and I think to myself, They look like quite a team. Sam was making sure the wires were put in properly and Andy was song picking. The guest started to arrive, they were punctual. The usual gang was here… The Shaw family, Tracy and Leo, Frank and his family, and the rest of the bunch. The party goes smoothly, as planned. Ollie's the first to sing, followed by Gail. They do a little duet before handing it over to Tracy. The mike quickly gets passed on to the other guests. Sam and Andy, on the other hand, were on corner of the hall. I give them a quick glance and before I can react, they both stand up and leave. They head outside to my backyard.
"If I didn't know better, I'd think you were more the Prince Charming type." Sam says.
"Yeah? Well, If I'd known better I would have given Anne Hathaway your number years ago."
"You asked who my celebrity crushes were so I said it. Don't go all teenager on me McNally."
They were both seated outside on the backyard steps, so close to each other that they could almost hear each other's heartbeat.
"What was it like?" Sam asks.
"What was what like?"
"Undercover."
Almost eight months of beating around the bush, and he finally gets the courage to ask her. Of course he was hurt by her when she pushed him away. When she gave up on their relationship. But he wanted to know if she missed him. That was the reason behind his question. He wanted to know if she felt the same pain that he did. When Sam left, Andy immediately made herself available for undercover work. Andy moves in her spot to face him straight in the eye to tell him how she felt.
"It was horrible. I was alone. I thought it... Uh... I thought it would help... you know... after you.. uh... left. But I didn't"
They were both silent for a minute. Both recalling the things they've been through together. It was hard to let go. They both went through so many crazy situations together. Surely their love for each other was stronger than this. Stronger than small talk.
"I shouldn't have let you go. I should have fought for us." Andy admits.
"Andy, it's not your fault. Sometimes things happen. We can't control what happens to the universe."
Andy let out a small laugh when she heard that.
"Remember when I asked you if the universe had a plan for us?"
"Yeah."
"Well, I kinda wish it did."
Neither of them spoke. Both of them trying to digest what they had said. Did Andy just confess her feelings to Sam? If so, did Sam just dismiss his feelings for Andy?
"Let's try again. Let's you know start from the beginning. Slowly this time. Maybe things didn't work out-"
"Andy. It's not going to work. Let's just.. Let's just be... friends."
"Friends? Sam, I can't be friends with someone I'm in love with. Not now, not ever."
"Andy, I know we both made a lot of mistakes. But-"
"But what, Sam?! Being friends is the best option? Don't sit here and lie to me about your feelings. Tell me you feel you feel something between us."
"Andy, you said we were different. We are different. I just... I just think that we should think this through you know? We're gonna hurt each other again and when we do, we'll never be able to be friends again."
"Sam, I shouldn't have let you go. I hurt you and I want to make it up to you. Sam, I love you."
"I... don't..."
"WHO"S READY TO PARTAYYYY!"
I snap back from the window I was looking only to find Oliver spoiling Sam and Andy's moment. They both look over to Oliver curiously. Oliver, did not just do that.
"What are you two doing here anyway huh? The party is inside, not outside."
Sam and Andy both hurry to their feet and head in separate directions. This is not good
Sorry again about the suspense. I promise there is a fairly nice ending to this (and how do I know this? Let's just say it's in it's final touches!). Quite comical actually. Leave me a review and let me know what you think! :)
