Thank you for all of the nuggets of love on the last chapter!

Sorry for the delay!

Here it is!

As usual I don't own these amazing characters, I am just taking them on a ride! They will be returned to the Duffster! Nor, do I own the lyrics to amazing song, all rights go to the super talented, Jill Scott.

This chapter will be told from Andy's POV. TRIGGER WARNING: Discusses mental illness, so if you are sensitive to that type of material please skip this chapter.

Thank you, Meg0613 for the wine suggestion!

Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~ERSL21~~~~~~~~~

So I'm sitting here
Contemplating
If we should even be
Like him
I, too, have needs…


A year ago when I asked Sharon to retire with me, I didn't realize at first why it was so difficult for her to let go of her career. But after we had the very crucial conversation on her balcony that night, things became a lot of clearer:

"Andy, I don't want you to feel like I am shutting you out, but you have to understand where I am coming from when I say, you took me back to a place that I never wanted to revisit." She says turning her body towards me as I sit down next to her.

"Sharon, I don't understand. But the difference between Jack and I, is I want to understand." I say trying not to sound resentful towards the fact that she compared me to Jack.

"Andy, I am truly sorry for comparing you to Jack! It was never my intention to do so. It just happened." She breathes as she reaches for my hand.

I squeeze her hand and run my thumb over the backside, "Sharon, it's ok. But I really do want to understand. I want to help you come back from that place of hurt and despair." I confess gazing into her misting eyes.

She takes a deep breath before continuing, "Andy, when I had to give up my dream of becoming a lawyer, I battled a severe bout of depression. At first, I thought it was post-partum, but my doctor determined that wasn't the case. I sought treatment for it and now I am ok. But, I didn't have that support from Jack that I needed desperately. It was like he didn't even care that the mother of his child was going through something life altering. He couldn't grasp the concept, that I was really sick. A part of me wanted to end our marriage, right then and there, but I couldn't and wouldn't do that to my daughter." Tears are streaming down her face as she confesses one of her deepest secrets.

"Beautiful, I am so sorry, you went through all of that." I say pulling her into a side hug and placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Once, I tried to talk to him about it. I explained that it hurt, seeing him live his dream of being a lawyer and he told me I was jealous and that I should just get used to it." She whispers onto my chest. My jaw clenches and if I could, I would go find him and punch the daylights out of him.

I lift her chin up, and say, "Sweetheart, I am so sorry for taking you back to that dreadful place! We will get through this together, I promise!" She offers me a light smile, as I wipe away her tears with my thumbs.

"Thank you, Andy." She whispers as she pulls me into a hug. "You don't have to thank me, it is my pleasure." I whisper in her ear. She hums and pulls back, and looks into my eyes, before pulling me into a chaste kiss filled with so much gratitude. As we break apart, she says, "Andrew Flynn, where have you been all of my life?" I chuckle before replying, "Right under your nose, beautiful!" I pull her into another kiss, swallowing her beautiful laugh.

Here we are a year later. I officially retired two months after the scuffle with the dirt bag. While waiting for my official retirement to begin, I did mostly office tasks. Those office tasks, allowed to me get one helluva retirement surprise, from a very dear Captain! I always had a fantasy about it, but I never in a million years thought she would do it. It was more than I ever dreamed.

A lot of changes have occurred over the last year. Rusty moved into a dorm a 4 months ago, and so we decided we would live together and it has been one helluva ride, but I wouldn't change a thing about it. It is true, when they say you don't really know someone, until you live with them. We have one thing in common, when it comes to maintaining a household, cleanliness. We used to argue about it at first, because my clean wasn't clean enough for her. But we found a middle ground about two weeks into it. We split the household duties, which was a major shock for her. It still surprises me to see how independent she is. I can't imagine raising two kids, taking care of a household and holding down a demanding career, all by myself. She is my everyday superwoman. Sharon Marilyn Raydor, is the epitome of a "classic woman" she knows how and can do everything for herself. For her to allow me to be a part of her life, is by far one of the biggest blessings I have ever received in my life. I thank God, every day for the blessing he has bestowed upon me. Loving her has opened my mind and my heart to new things. I never thought about a second career, until her:

"Andy, I think I am ready to join you in retirement." She says causing me to almost choke on my bite of eggplant parmesan.

"Huh!" I stammer unclear of what I just heard.

"You heard me, correctly." She says smiling before she takes a sip of her Cabernet Sauvignon.

"What brought this on? If I may ask." I say looking at her beautiful smile.

"Well, I have finally had enough of the LAPD. I've seen it all. I was trying to hold out for my promotion to Commander, but seeing how that may never happen, I might as well get out while the getting is good." She says laughing.

"Are you sure?" I inquire. She nods and then says, "Pretty, sure!"

"So, Louie, is going to be next Captain?" I inquire. She laughs, "Actually he turned in his retirement papers last week. He and Patrice are going to travel for a while." She confesses.

"Wow, he didn't tell me that." I say shaking my head. "Is Mike ready for the job?" I inquire.

"Actually, yes! He took the Captain's Exam and to no surprise he passed with flying colors! I made a deal with the team that I wouldn't turn in my retirement papers, until Mike passed. He got his results today and I turned in my forms before I left today." She rambles excitedly.

I get up and walk over to her, and say, "Smart move, Captain!" I lean down to give her a kiss. "Well, we had to beat Taylor at his own game, before he could even play it!" She confesses.

"I don't know what I've done to you, but I love it!" I tease.

"Me too!" She breathes on my lips before kissing me.

"So, what are your after retirement plans?" I inquire.

"Hmm, I was thinking we could open that consulting firm that I helped you create the business plan for." She states gazing into my eyes.

"Really?" I ask excitedly.

"Yes, really!" She confesses.


We opened the firm 2 months ago and we have been a resounding success. The business has been very good to us. We have even talked about opening a satellite office in Orange County. Louie comes in from time to time to help out. Cooper has even told us, when it's time for his next career he would be joining us. Howard has since retired from the LAPD due to his heart, and now is a full time consultant with us. Brenda has moved back to Los Angeles and she works with us, as well. We are all one huge family here. It is great to come to work every day and make our own hours and still be able to do something that we love.

The best part of it all is working with the love of my life. Here she comes now, dressed in sheer navy button up blouse, with white polka dots, and white cuffed slacks with a pair of navy flats. Her hair is now a little longer, still auburn now with a few blonde highlights. I love seeing her casually dressed up. She can still pull off the blazer and heels look, but it's something about this look, that drives me wild.

"Here is your coffee, Mr. Flynn." She says offering me her gorgeous smile as she tosses her hair to one side.

"Thank you, future Mrs. Flynn." I say standing up to give her a small kiss on the cheek. I squeeze her left hand, as I feel the ring that I gave her last night at dinner.

"Come on, yew two! We have work to do!" Brenda says from across the hall.

Sharon laughs and gives me kiss and whispers, "Come on, Mr. Flynn you heard her."

God, I love this woman! I don't know what I ever did to deserve her, but I never plan on losing her!

And I need you

On the other side of the speaker

To look up a little more

And think a little deeper

And live in your truth

I need that too- Jill Scott

{The End}


I hope you all enjoyed "Weathering the Storm" with Shandy! I know I sure did!

Leave me some nuggets of love! You should know by now that is the only way my muse functions!

FYI: Muse now has a name! I wonder if anyone can guess it!

Until next time…