A/N: So here is the next chapter, a few sweet moments for you all to enjoy. Next chapter will be the last of this one. Thank you so much for your kind notes. They make my day.

They grow up so fast

Chapter 4

Sam fell in stride next to Andy. "Do you want something to drink?"

"A beer would be great Sam, thank you."

"Be right back."

Sam was back within a few minutes. Andy was sitting on a lounger next to the pool watching Izzie and a few of her friends swimming. They took turns jumping off the diving board. Each jump met ooohs and aahhs from the parents watching, despite the fact that it looked exactly like the one before it. From the corner of her eye, she saw Sam approaching, a bottle in each hand. He came to sit next to her and handed her a beer.

"Sooooo, we were just going in the pool?" he questioned

"I didn't want to be rude to Michael and I wanted an excuse to spend time alone with you."

"Trust me Andy" his eyes met hers," You don't need to make any excuses to be alone with me." He smiled flashing those beautiful dimples.

"Really? Well, why don't we eat something first and then we'll swim later, maybe there will be less people in the pool?"

"Sounds good to me."

"You can swim can't you?"

"Yes McNally, I can swim." He rolled his eyes.

He reached his hand out to help her up and intertwined his fingers with hers. They walked a few feet like that, then almost simultaneously let go as they approached their fellow officers under the tent. It wasn't like they could try to hide how they felt, they just didn't want to shove it in anyone's face considering she and Luke had just broken up a few days before. Instead they walked shoulder to shoulder, the need to be touching each other suddenly overwhelming.

They filled their plates and went to find a place to sit. Sam looked over at Andy's plate. He smiled to himself. She had almost as much food as he did. Gotta love a woman who actually eats, and not just salad. He didn't know where she put it. She was in awesome shape and Sam couldn't wait to see her in a bathing suit. He had been mentally preparing himself since the morning.

They came to sit with Frank and Noelle, who looked quite cozy themselves. Hmmm, when did this happen?

"Hey guys." Said Andy

"Hey yourself." Said Noelle. "So, McNally, is it safe to assume that I shouldn't say how sorry I am that you and Luke didn't work out." She was grinning and looking from Sam to Andy.

"I'm not sorry, so you shouldn't be." She shot Sam a wink.

Jerry came back to the table with Mike Andrews and got into a conversation with Frank and Noelle. Sam slid his chair in a little closer to the table and at the same time closer to Andy so their knees were touching. It didn't take long for heat to radiate between them. They made small talk before Sam asked "What did Frank want earlier?"

"He just asked about what happened with Luke, if it would be a problem working together. I told him it wouldn't be a problem. Strangely, I don't really care what he does in his personal life and he's good at his job, so that is all I need to worry about. Oh, he did ask if something was going on between you and me."

"And you said?" he asked eager with anticipation

"I told him no, not right now." She saw what looked like disappointment on his face. She grabbed his hand, "BUT, I know he saw right through me, you know I have no poker face." she smiled "He told me to be kind to you and basically we can't be making out at the station or having sex in the squad car."

"Darn, there were so many places I was looking to try."

She giggled. As the continued to eat she came across something especially tasty. "MMM that is so good." Sam looked over to see what she was eating, it looked like chicken, she went to hand him a piece and rather than take it, he ate it right from her fingers. She was pretty sure he didn't mean it to have the effect it did but she was immediately blushing. He leaned in and kissed her cheek. What the heck was wrong with her? No one had ever had this effect on her. She felt like she was having an out of body experience.

They had just finished eating when two little voices were heard behind them.

"Uncle Sammy?" asked Kelsie and Maddie timidly

"Yes girls?" he leaned down so he was eye level with them.

"Can you push us on the swings?" The girls looked sad and the boo boo faces they were giving their uncle were going to make Andy cry herself.

"Sure I can, but first tell me, what's wrong?"

"Cousin Steven was on the swings and he told the boys that me and Maddie were little girls and we told him that we are so big and we can go on the swings higher than the moon and he said that we are lying." Sad faces and the story from both girls made Andy unsure whether to laugh or cry. "So can you come and push us really high, because you are the only one who does it right. Mommy isn't strong enough and Daddy says it hurts his back, can you please?"

Sam picked up Maddie and grabbed Kelsie's hand. "Come on girls, let's go show Cousin Steven how it's done." He put on his most determined face and looked back to wink at Andy.

"Andy, come on. Uncle Sammy can push you too and maybe you can show him how to do your flip thing." Kelsie grabbed Andy's hand with her free one and the four of them went on their mission to show Cousin Steven who was boss.

Hmm, her flip thing?

The girls took their spots on the swings and Sam pushed them higher and higher, Andy stood in front watching them, well actually watching Sam watching them. He was so cute with them. She could totally picture him as a dad. She and him at the park with their own kids. Whoa Andy, slow down girl, you just broke up with Luke, today you are kissing Sam and now you are planning kids with him? Sigh, but they would be the cutest kids….

After the girls proved their bravery and cousin Steven and his posse admitted, with some prodding from Sam, that the girls almost went as high as the moon, they gave someone else a turn on the swings. They relocated to the slide. Sam standing by the ladder and Andy waiting at the bottom to catch them.

"Andy, I love your sandals." Said Kelsie.

"Thank you sweetie, I love yours."

"And, I love your dress." She added

"Thank you Kelsie, your dress is a beautiful blue."

"Andy, I love your hair, you are so pretty, like a princess." Said Maddie

Andy was blushing, Sam was grinning, he knew how well Andy took a compliment and how unaware she was of her beauty.

"What about you, Uncle Sammy, don't you think Andy looks like a princess?" asked Maddie

"I do sweetheart, I do." Still grinning

"So did you tell her that you love her yet or is she gonna be carried first?" Hmm, no more grin from Sam. It was Andy's turn to grin and Sam's turn to blush.

"Kelsie, you little stinker, you aren't supposed to tell my secrets."

"Mommy says when you love someone you should tell them all the time and secrets aren't nice Uncle Sam." Maddie made big eyes at her uncle. Sam's eyes glanced over to Andy who was trying her best to keep in her laughter.

"So girls, what's this about Auntie Andy's flippy thing? Do I need to see that?"

"Way to change the subject Sam." Andy commented

"Yes. Uncle Sam, it is awesome! Andy you have to do it, you have to."

"Yeah, Andy you have to do it. For the girls." He smiled, tongue in cheek, he had her right where he wanted her.

"Ok Sam, if it's for the girls. You two just sit right over there." She took off her sandals and handed them to Sam. "Hold these for me please." He tilted his head and smiled, still confident.

"Oh and Sam this too, her eyes met his as she slowly took off her dress and handed that to him as well." She saw his eyes go dark. Game over.

Words escaped him as Andy stood before him in the most perfect red bikini he had ever seen. Actually, the most perfectly worn red bikini he had ever seen.

Andy walked a few feet away from him, started her run, cartwheeled and flipped for the third time that day. Sam and the girls were in awe, Sam maybe not so much from the gymnastics. Wow.

The girls were jumping up and down. Andy took a small bow. "See Uncle Sammy, did you see? Isn't she awesome?"

His eyes met Andy's as she took her dress back from him and slipped it back over her head. "Yes girls, she is definitely awesome." He said quietly, feeling a lump in his throat.

Sam and Andy walked with the girls back to Oliver and Zoe. Sam grabbed juice boxes for the girls and beers for Andy and himself. Right about now he needed anything to cool him down

Izzie came over to talk to her parents. Maddie dragged Sam to the patio to dance to her favorite Miley Cyrus song while Kelsie climbed right onto Andy's lap.

"Hey Andy, can I ask you a question?"

"Absolutely."

"Are you Uncle Sam's girlfriend?"

"Well,…..um, you see, we are really good friends and we work together and I like him a lot."

"But do you love him?"

"Can you keep a secret?" Andy asked knowing full well that she couldn't.

"Yes I can." She whispered.

Andy whispered back, "Yes, I do love him, very much."

"That's great because I love him too. He is my funnest, bestest uncle and he makes me so happy, and he is so smiley when he is with you and then he is so happy…..Do you think that one day he will carry you?" Out of the mouths of babes.

"The word you want is marry, like when people have a wedding and get married. Understand?" Andy asked.

"Yeah. Like someone in a white dress and the boy is dressed all handsome and then they kiss, yuck, and everyone claps?"

"Yes, that is exactly right." Glad to have dodged the actual question.

"Ok. Want to come dance with me?" quick change of subject

"Sure, I would love to."

They walked hand in hand over to the patio where Sam was now slow dancing with Maddie in his arms.

"You know what Andy, I think kissing boys is gross, how about you?" Sam spun around so he could see Andy's face.

"When you get older you'll see it's not too bad,….. but you still have to watch out for their cooties." Kelsie thought that was hysterical.

Kelsie and Andy danced a few songs before the sisters disappeared to play with their cousins. Sam and Andy had an uncomfortable moment before Sam finally put out his hand and pulled her into his arms for a slow dance. Andy couldn't think of a more perfect moment or even a more perfect day than today. She was so glad that she had taken that call and ended up at the Shaw's.

She had worked closely with Sam for months and had gotten to know him pretty well. There were plenty of people dancing and wandering around but there was something so intimate about her hand on his shoulder and their hands clasped together held close to his heart. It was like they were the only ones there. She couldn't stop staring at him, she tried to distract herself from his eyes but that only led her to his mouth. Dangerous territory.

"I am having the best time." She blurted out.

"Me too... The girls really love you."

"They are so sweet. That Kelsie is a trip, the stuff she comes up with is too much."

"She's my goddaughter, I must have rubbed off."

Andy laughed, "I can see that."

"Could you see maybe, having dinner with me tomorrow night?"

"I would love that."

"Great. But, you're sure you're not worried about my cooties?"

"Oh, I'm sure." She leaned in and kissed him.

The sun was beginning to set. The pool looked mostly empty. Andy grabbed them both a towel and they made their way over. Sam kicked off his sneakers and pulled his shirt over his head. Andy kicked off her sandals and once again pulled her dress over her head. They gave each other the once over, both seeming to forget how to breathe. Andy was the first to look away and dive in. Sam followed. The water was beautiful and refreshing and seemed to wash away any memory of the humid day. They swam around, Sam repeatedly looking for any opportunity to save her, even though she was an excellent swimmer. She laughed at him. They had the best time just goofing around. Finally, they decided to get out. As Sam went to sit down on a lounger, Andy made a mental note that wet, shirtless Sam was even better than this morning's version. He shook the water out of his hair and it was now standing on end. He wrapped the towel around his waist and sat down. Andy giggled at him as he pulled her to sit in his lap. She leaned back against his muscular chest. He wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her shoulder. They sat in comfortable silence until Sam just had to ask. "What made you change your mind?"

"About you or Luke?"

"Both I guess."

She recounted the story of Jo and Luke at the hospital. "I realized that she knew what he needed and I didn't and I didn't care if I did. If I really loved him,….. enough to marry him for Pete's sake, I should know that stuff….. The truth is, when he asked me out months ago, I knew I was attracted to you, but that whole Training officer code, nothing could happen anyway. Everything about you scared me. I mean how could I be that attracted to someone that I hardly knew? Then I got to know you and that just intensified things for me but I was already with Luke. Things were easy with him, simple, safe, no complications…..until recently." Sam turned her so she could face him.

"Come on Sam, I know how thrilled you were about my engagement. You made that pretty clear."

"What do you mean? I thought I hid it pretty well." he smirked

"Yeah right." She laughed. "Then, these past few weeks…..made me realize that every time I have a problem or get in trouble, you are always there for me, always the first one there for me. You always know what to say, always know exactly what to do. I was so afraid that you would break me and yet you're the reason that I have become so resilient. So, I decided to man up and go after whatever I want, no matter how scared I might be."

"So, what is it you want?" he smiled seductively as they both leaned in for a kiss. From her sitting position, Andy's arm reached around his neck to pull him closer. His tongue swiped against her lips and she was only too happy to allow entrance. The kiss intensified until they actually heard each other moan. They broke apart just as they heard someone calling their names. Sigh

"Uncle Sam, Andy, I have great news."

"What's that?"

"You guys are having a sleepover?"

Sam and Andy exchanged looks. "Huh?"