You guys are lovely. I know it's been longer than usual but I promise this has been the craziest/worst week ever and also I'm moving out this weekend so I've been preoccupied. This chapter is extra long to make up for it so let me know what ya think! And I just want to throw this out there: This story is not going to be like a super long novel or anything, but it's not gonna be like 10 chapters. Sam and Andy aren't going to get together super soon. It wouldn't make sense. It's going to be a slow burn and hopefully you guys enjoy the ride.
"I think you missed a spot," Sam calls out to his sister, who has been wiping down the table for far too long for it to be even remotely normal. She turns around and shoots him daggers. "Sare, the place looks great. Food smells perfect. It's going to be okay."
Sarah smiles at her brother. "Thanks. Would you mind setting the table then?"
He shrugs and goes to the silverware drawer, grabbing the appropriate amount and then going to work at the dining room table.
"So," Sarah calls out as she walks into the family room to tidy up anything she may have missed.
Ronald took the kids to the store for last minute purchases, like saran wrap and extra napkins. She volunteered Sam to come over and help her clean.
"What?" Sam asks flatly. He can tell by the tone of her voice she's thinking hard.
"You and Andy seem to be warming up to each other," she says, her voice closer now. Sam looks up to see her leaning against the doorway to the dining room, warm smile on her face.
"She's a good friend," he says evenly, looking back down at the table.
"She's the best friend, actually, but you know that's not what I'm getting at."
"Huh."
She groans. "Sam, I see the way you look at her, and more importantly, the way she looks at you. Make that girl your new years kiss."
He doesn't have a response to this. Instead, he just fidgets with the plates and waits for her to walk away. Because, yeah, he's thought about it. A lot. But he can't push Andy. He knows better. Hell, she freaked out after just opening up to him slightly. She's not ready for a relationship, and he's okay with that. He can be her friend, as long as they stay on the same page.
He hears Ronald enter, Andrew and Krista cheering loudly when they see their uncle.
"Hey Uncle Sam! Santa's coming tonight!" Andrew shouts as he sets the grocery bag careless on the floor. Sam laughs, leaning down and putting it on the counter.
"He is indeed. You excited?"
Andrew beams. "Duh!"
Sam laughs, watching as Andrew heads over and starts talking to his mom.
"You gonna hug me or what Kris?" Sam asks, staring at his niece who is trying (and failing) to reach for the cookies that were on top of the stove.
Krista giggles, running over and barreling her uncle in a hug. "I was trying to steal a cookie!" she whispers dramatically when she pulls away from him.
"I noticed," Sam says on a laugh.
He winks at her and leans over, handing her a warm cookie. She giggles and eats the thing in two bites. "Thanks!"
"You excited for Santa?" Sam asks, crouching down so he is at eye level with the little brunette.
She looks around and then stares at Sam conspiratorily. "I know," she whispers.
"You know what?" Sam plays along.
"I found out that he's…" she sighs deeply, as if these words bring her physical pain to speak. "He's not real."
Sam gasps. She rolls her eyes.
"Don't pretend with me. I told mom I know. I'm just pretending because Andrew still believes!"
"Oh okay. Gotchya. How'd you find out?"
She rolls her eyes again, her hand on her hip. The sassiest ten-year-old he's ever met.
"Derek Peters told everyone at recess that he saw his mom wrapping all his presents. Ruined it for everyone. He's such a turd."
Sam can't help but laugh at this. "He sounds like one."
"Totally!" she says and then she runs off toward her father to help him with turn on all of the Christmas lights.
Ronald's mother, Theresa, is in the middle of teasing Sam when the doorbell rings. Sarah and Ronald are busy putting the food out on the table so Sam quickly turns on his heels, not saying a word to Theresa as he approaches the front door. He swings the door open and immediately feels like he's in seventh grade going to his first dance. A bundle of nerves and feelings that he doesn't quite get yet.
Tommy smiles kindly, leaning forward and shaking Sam's hand.
"Swarek, it's been awhile," he greets.
Sam nods. "Sir. How've you been?"
"I've seen better days, but I'm good."
Sam backs up and lets the two in. "Dad, there's Sarah," Andy says, pointing into the dining room. "Can you give her the flowers?" She points at the vase in her father's hands. He nods and Andy turns to Sam, meeting his eyes for the first time.
Without really even thinking about it, Sam leans in and pulls Andy into a half-hug. "Merry Christmas, McNally," he says quietly. "You look nice."
She looks down at the sheer white tank top that is tucked into a black skirt. Sam's surprised to see her blushing. She sets down the white garbage bag containing gifts and slips off her black jacket. He takes it from her without a word.
"Dinner's about ready."
She grins. "I'm starving," she says dramatically. He takes the garbage bag, ignoring her objections, and places it near the Christmas tree.
"A few warnings before this begins," Sam starts. "Theresa, Ron's mother, is great. She's very blunt, though. And then my cousin Cory is very… ahhh… forward. So. Ignore him if he creeps you out. The rest are pretty laidback, so, it should be fine."
Andy's laughing as the two head toward the dining room together. "Okay. And my warning is that… I might be a little more awkward than usual."
He glances her way. "Why is that?"
She shrugs, keeping her eyes on the table ahead of her. "I don't know how to do this."
"Do what?"
"Family dinners on Christmas Eve? The last time I ate with someone other than my father was… god, I was thirteen."
He can tell she's nervous by the way she stares ahead of her, fidgeting with her hands. He places a hesitant hand on her shoulder, turning her toward him slightly. She slowly meets his eyes. He squeezes her shoulder. "If it's too weird, or too much, just, send me a look. I'll come up with an excuse for ya."
She grins easily, letting out a shaky breath. Then she turns away from him and Sarah just about screams.
"Andrea McNally!" she shouts. Andy grimaces, presumably at the use of her full name. Sarah giggles and pulls Andy into a tight hug. "Merry Christmas, love! I just met your dad!" She pulls away from Andy and looks her in the eyes. "He's lovely. Krista is giving him a tour." Andy beams at this. "Dinners about ready. We saved you two a seat at the end by Sam and Krista."
With that, Sarah is back to scurrying around as everyone takes their seats at the table. Andy gingerly sits down beside her dad, casting a kind glance toward Sam as he took his seat beside her. Krista plops down across from Andy.
Immediately, Krista is chatting Andy's ear off.
"Oh my gosh, you're dad is soooo cool!" she croons as she tries to scoop some mashed potatoes onto her plate. Andy nods, reaching forward and taking the spoon from the ten-year-old, scooping a small amount onto her plate.
"Okay guys," Sarah says from the opposite side of the table. Sam watches as Andy winks at Krista before turning her attention to his sister. "First of all, Merry Christmas! Thank you all for coming and being the wonderful family that you are. I know I speak on behalf of my husband and brother when I say that we are so grateful to have you guys in our lives. We have been truly blessed, and I am so glad I get to celebrate this holiday with the most important people in my life." Her eyes meet Andy's for a long moment. Andy shakes her head as tears form in her eyes. "So everyone, let's eat," she finishes up loudly, sitting down. Everyone falls into easy conversation with each other. Sam can't help but glance over at Andy every so often, who is laughing along with her father as Theresa speaks to them.
As dinner comes to an end, everyone begins heading into the family room to sit around the tree. It's A Wonderful Life plays on the television as Krista and Andrew not-too-subtly eye the presents under the tree. Tommy sits down on the couch beside Ron, and they begin talking animatedly with one another. Once Sarah announces that they can all start opening presents, the kids scream. Theresa giggles, passing out gifts to everyone in the family. Andy kneels down beside Andrew and Krista, handing them each gifts wrapped meticulously in shiny gold wrapping paper. Krista attacks Andy in a hug before she even opens it, which makes Andy laugh loudly. She stands up with four other gifts in her hands. She hands one to her father, who rolls his eyes. Another to Ron and one to Sarah, who shakes her head. She keeps the last one in her hands, tossing it from hand to hand as she spoke easily with Sarah.
"Uncle Sam!" Andrew shouts. Sam tears his gaze from the brunette to find his nephew sitting on the floor, holding up his gift from Andy. Sam stands up from his spot on the recliner and kneels down beside him.
"What'd ya get?" he asks.
Andrew holds up the box that contained two rather large water guns. On the box is a post in note. Use it on your uncle! Love, Andy.
Sam laughs, rolling his eyes. He glances over at Andy, who is watching the exchange with a huge grin on her face.
"Promoting violence with the 8-year-old. That's so like you," he teases.
"You want him to think you're tough, right? Now you can show him. Via water wars."
Sam nods. "Right."
She hands him the gift she's been fiddling with. "Here."
He stares down at the metallic wrapping paper, then glances back up at Andy. Behind Andy, Sarah is grinning like the chesire cat. He has to physically keep from rolling his eyes. Sarah slowly steps away, a look on her face that clearly says let me give you lovebirds some privacy. When Sam looks back at Andy, she's clearly anxious.
"Hold on," he says. She raises an eyebrow and watches as he turns around and produces a small box from under the tree. She stares at the gift as he places it in her hand. She raises an eyebrow at him and grins.
"You first," she says.
He rolls his eyes but carefully unwraps his gift. He stares at the box in his hand and smiles slowly. It's a large (very large) coffee thermos.
"So… I notice that you really seem to have an issue with those coffee cups at the station… never seen a grown man struggle so much with a plastic lid but you get so mad and as comical as it is, I figured I'd take that stressful morning routine from your life. Also, I made sure that it fits in the cup holder in the cruiser so."
He grins widely. It's small, but it's a little overwhelming when he realizes just how closely she pays attention to him, even just the little things.
"Thanks, McNally."
She nods and then begins opening her gift and he feels like he might throw up because wow, he got her such a dumb gift. Why did he think this was a good idea?
She stares down at the leather bound notebook. When she meets his eyes, they look curious.
"It's… okay, this…" he sputters. Then he clears his throat and starts over. "Until you can open up to someone… you need an outlet for your thoughts. My sister… she still keeps a journal. Really helps her… I just thought-"
She cuts him off by surprising him with a hug. She wraps her arms around his neck, pulling him in for a tight hug. He returns the gesture, a smile playing on his lips.
"It's perfect," she says when she pulls away. Her eyes hook on his for a long moment, and he thinks that this moment may never end, but then Krista screams and Andy laughs lightly, glancing at the ten-year-old.
Krista barrels into her, almost crying. "What's with the dramatics, kid?" Sam asks as Andy kneels down in front of Krista. The young girl holds up the bedazzled frame to Sam. He takes it in his hands and smiles. It's highly decorated with plastic jewels and an assortment of different colored glitter. On the bottom of the frame, in bright pink lettering, are the words best friends. The photo is older, he can tell because McNally's hair is longer. It's Andy and Krista in Sarah's living room, a bowl of popcorn in front of them, cuddled together under a red throw blanket.
"You're my best friend! I didn't know I was your best friend too!" Krista is saying, eyes dancing with joy. Andy looks like she wants to start crying but grins instead, wearing a no duh we're best friends! look on her face.
"Best friends forever, kiddo," she says.
Forever. Sam smiles. It's just a word, but he has a feeling that with Andy, forever really does mean just that. She'll be around, no matter what. She's part of their family.
Andy and Krista continue talking and before Sam realizes it, it's past eleven and the kids are in bed and the place is clearing out. Sam glances over toward the foyer to see Andy throwing her jacket on. He wonders if she's leaving but then he sees Tommy on the couch with Sarah and realizes she can't leave without her dad. He put his jacket on and follows her out without really thinking about it.
He surprised to see her sitting on the front porch.
"McNally," he greets quietly, trying not to startle her. She turns around and smiles, patting the cold concrete beside her. He sits down and she props her elbows up on her knees, resting this side of her face in her hands as she turns to look at him. She playfully bumps her knee against his. "The Davis-Swarek clan becoming too much for you?"
She keeps her eyes on his as she speaks. "They're wonderful, actually."
He remains quiet, leaning back and looking up at the dark night sky. She leans back as well, and lets out a sigh, her breath coming out in visible puffs from the cold. "I forgot what it was like to have a family," she says. "Thanks for being so nice tonight."
"I'm always nice," he teases, working to keep his voice light.
She scoffs at this. "Sam Swarek's nice is different from the rest of the world's nice," she jokes.
He just rolls his eyes and is surprised when she leans toward him, resting her head on his shoulder, her eyes focused on the snow covered lawn before them.
"Family is more than blood," Sam says, because it's honestly important that Andy understands this.
"I'm beginning to see that, I guess," Andy says quietly.
They sit in silence for a while, and Sam finds himself enjoying it. He likes that they can fall into a comfortable quiet, just enjoying each other's company. It's not something that he's ever had before. Granted, he's always liked quiet. He's quiet with most people. But it's usually tense, or he's ignoring someone. With Andy, it's like they can communicate their feelings without even speaking.
Finally, Andy stands up. "I think it's time to get the old man home."
Sam nods, standing up, watching as Andy brushes the non-existent dirt off of her skirt. He's about the lead the way inside when he feels her small hand on his forearm. He turns to look at her and she just stares at him for a moment before leaning forward and pressing her lips to his cheek.
"Merry Christmas, Swarek," she says when she pulls away from him.
He somehow manages to form words, even though she's stunned him. "Merry Christmas, McNally."
And then she's rushing inside, blush rising up her neck. He smirks to himself as he follows her in, heart pounding in his chest. Not the worst Christmas he's ever had, that's for sure.
