Your Touch

Chapter Ten

zebraboymom

Disclaimer: They do not belong to me. Man, that stinks.

Author Notes: Andy gets her casts off and pays a visit to the precinct. Wonder who she might run into there?

Andy got the cast off her hand one week later and two weeks after that she got the casts off her ankles. Sam made a joke about how much lighter she was to pick as they headed for the car. Her ribs still bothered her, but less often and Sam didn't have to tape and wrap them anymore. Andy was starting to feel somewhat normal again. The stitches that resulted from her rape had long ago dissolved and there wasn't pain there anymore. She did think about the rape from time to time, but her counselor had helped so much with her recovery…and Sam. He made her feel like she was something precious and special. Having no memory of the rape and only the pain afterwards helped actually more than she thought. It must have been God's way of sparing her from the worst. Her physical therapy would become more intense now and the doctor wanted her to be able to start putting weight on them right away. Now that her casts were off she could get in the pool.

Andy couldn't wait for her first pool excursion. Sam and Kelly got to come with her and she could hardly wait as Sam lifted her in his arms and walked her down into the water. She felt light and floating felt so good. She swam and kicked her feet some. They were stiff, but in the water there wasn't much pain. It was the best thing since getting the casts off.

The next day in therapy Andy was to take her first steps. She couldn't wait to get out of the chair. Sam, who had gone to every therapy session with her and spent hours stretching her muscles and doing the exercises the therapist had taught them, watched as Andy stood up from her chair. He could see the painful grimace on her face, but the therapist said that was to be expected. Sam didn't think they should hurt anymore. Andy bit her lip and concentrated. She took one step after another. By the time she got to the end she was in tears. Sam waited at the end to catch her.

"Way to go Baby!"

"Sam, it was only ten feet or so."

"So? Tomorrow you'll go forwards and back and it will be twenty feet. And the next day…"

"Sam, I got it."

"Yes you do baby. Yes, you do."

He grinned at her and pulled her to him for a kiss. Within a week Andy was walking with a walker and in another month she could walk with crutches and finally a cane.

Summer had faded and it was almost time to register Kelly for school. Sam's foster parent status had changed to permanent status and he had applied for adoption with Andy. The social worker was thrilled for them. Kelly and Andy had both made huge strides in their counseling sessions and Andy's nightmares had finally stopped. Since Sam asked her to marry him she had become focused on Kelly, her own therapy and the wedding. No more whining she told him. Traci and Noelle came over a lot to help her plan the event. Andy worked hard every day to get stronger. She fully intended to walk the aisle with no restrictions.

Dov and Chris helped Sam pick out the ring. They had forged a friendship through the last few months. Each of them had helped him in so many ways. They were both right there when he put up the swing set. They were there for the construction of the sandbox and spent an entire weekend helping build Kelly's playhouse. He knew he could count on both of them any time to step in. They had become like brothers to Andy and he saw them that way now as well. Sam had planned a special night out with Andy and Chris and Gail had volunteered to babysit. Kelly adored Chris. Sam wasn't too sure about Gail, but he could see her softening under the watchful loving eyes of Chris. He was a gentle giant and his effect on her was visible.

You can't get much better than Canoe when it comes to mixing fine dining with one of the best views of Toronto and beyond. Located on the 54th floor of the TD Bank tower, the view is unbelievable. This was where Sam would have taken Andy to propose if he hadn't jumped the gun. Now he was going to do it again the right way. Granted the wedding was only a little over a month away, but he wanted tonight to be all that Andy deserved. He sat on the couch in his new suit. He had on a black silk shirt and tie. Kelly was dancing around the living room for him to a Bruce Springsteen song when Andy made her appearance.

"Mommy! You look pretty!"

Sam turned to look and his jaw hit the floor. Andy was wearing a royal blue strapless sheath dress that hugged every curve of her body. She looked amazing! She still couldn't wear stilettos, but she wore some attractive pumps and walked towards him with a huge smile on her face. He gave her a sweet kiss.

"Baby you look fantastic. If you get tired, you need to promise to tell me. I know you aren't used to walking in shoes other than sneakers, so we can take a break whenever you need or I can pack your tennis shoes."

"Sam Swarek, I am not wearing running shoes with this dress."

"I'm just saying."

There was a knock on the door and Kelly ran to answer it.

"Chris!"

"Hey, Shortcake."

Andy gave them last minute instructions and they got ready to leave. Chris gave Sam a knowing look. After they left, Gail looked at him.

"Okay, spill it. What was the look?"

"What look?"

"You know perfectly well what look."

"Sam is going to give her an engagement ring tonight."

Gail smiled knowingly.

"It's about time."

"Aunt Gail, are you and Chris getting married like Mommy and Daddy?"

Gail looked at Chris.

"I don't know Kelly. Let's just worry about one wedding at a time, okay?"

"Okay, but if you do, I will be an experienced flower girl by then."

"I'll keep that in mind Sweetie. Now, how about we play Operation?"

"Yes!"

Sam helped Andy out of the SUV and walked with his hand on her bare back into the elevator that led up to the restaurant. It made her shiver. She saw a few heads turn when they walked in as a couple. Once they were seated, Andy took in the view.

"Sam this is amazing."

Sam only had eyes for Andy.

"Not half as amazing as you."

Dinner was unbelievable.

As they enjoyed dessert, Sam reached over for Andy's hand. He held it as she looked out the window. Now was his chance. He reached in his pocket and slipped the ring out as he turned her hand in his palm. He slipped it on as she turned and gasped.

"Sam!"

"Andy, I can't believe how far we've come over the last five months. It already feels like we're a family with little Kelly Bear. I can't wait until I see you walk down the aisle to marry me. I never thought I'd get to marry you and have a family with you. I love you Andy, more than I have ever loved anyone before. This is forever."

He lifted her newly adorned hand to his lips, turned it over and kissed her palm.

"Sam. You make me so happy. I realized when we were partners that you could be really devoted, but the last five months have shown me how committed you are to us. I can't wait to marry you either. I love you."

When they got home and opened the door they giggled at the sight before them. Gail and Chris had fallen asleep and Kelly was stretched out across both their laps asleep as well. Sam lifted her up and took her to bed as Andy gently shook the couple.

"Hey you two. Go home and get some rest. Thanks."

"I just want to see the ring."

Andy held it out to Gail.

"Wow! That's beautiful."

The ring was made from two gold bands twined together with a Marquise cut diamond. It was truly beautiful. Chris was very proud of himself.

"I helped Sam pick it out. Well, Dov helped too."

Sam came back in the room and leaned against the doorframe grinning at Andy. Chris had to drag Gail out. After they left, Andy collapsed on the couch and slipped off her shoes.

"I'm beat. I can't believe how tired I get still. I have one month to get my stamina back."

"Does this mean I get to carry you to bed like old times?"

"You better."

Sam leaned down and Andy slipped her arms around his neck as he brought her up to his chest and carried her down the hall. He kissed her all the way to the bedroom. He sat her on the bed and undressed her like he used to. Andy smiled at him and slipped under the covers. Sam stripped down and got into bed as well. Cuddling up to Sam was so much better than the way they used to go to sleep with her laying on her back. Sam's chest was a much better pillow.

"Get some rest. Remember that tomorrow we are going to see everybody at work and get in some target practice."

"I love getting out and around. I feel like my old self again. Tonight was so special Sam. Looking at my ring makes it all feel so real now."

She rested her chin on his chest and looked into his handsome dimpled face.

"It's real. Believe it. I am going to marry you in exactly 36 days."

"Leave it to you to know the exact number of days."

"You better believe I do. I am going to marry you and then I am going to make love to you for the rest of our lives."

He gave her the most tender, loving kiss. Andy sighed and sunk down into his embrace. She felt so safe and so loved wrapped in his arms.

"Night Sam."

"Night Andy."

The next morning Sam and Andy walked into the squad room. Rookies and patrol officers immediately surrounded them. Everyone wanted to see Andy's ring. Even Best came down to have a look.

"You two look really happy."

Sam and Andy realized they were grinning from ear to ear.

"Yeah, we are."

Dov and Chris couldn't wait to walk them over to the shooting range. They had a surprise for them. Sam and Andy finally pulled away and when they got to the range, Andy laughed so hard she cried. They had put a huge blow up of Luke in place of her target. She emptied a full clip in it and they brought the target forward.

"Looks like you took out his nose Andy and gave him a third eye."

Andy high fived Sam just as the door opened and Luke Callaghan stopped dead in his tracks at the scene before him. Sam stiffened immediately and Andy put her hand on his arm to stop his forward progress.

"Guys, can you give us a minute?"

Sam looked at her incredulous, but one look from Andy and he followed Dov and Chris outside.

"Andy I…"

"Don't say anything Luke. You've done enough."

"No Andy. I need to apologize. I was angry and jealous and so caught up in what I wanted that I let the best thing that ever happened to me get away. I wish I could have another chance, Andy."

Andy pushed her hair behind her ear and it was then that he saw the ring.

"You're marrying him? You guys have only been together for five months."

"You just know sometimes. A lot can happen in five months."

"Yeah. And in the year before, right? I was never the one was I?"

"No, it was Sam. It was always Sam. So, I'm sorry too, Luke. Without realizing it, I was leading you on the whole time. It just took what happened to make me see who and what I really wanted."

"And what's that?"

"A man who loves me more than anything else in his life. A man who puts me first, a family with lots of kids and a home with a backyard and a swing set and lots of friends to barbecue with. I've found that with Sam.

"Be happy Andy, okay?"

"I will Luke."

"You look great by the way. You can't even recognize you from that day in the hospital."

"Well, it was all Sam. His love healed so many wounds."

"You're both lucky people. I'll see you around Andy."

"Yeah, you will. I'll be back in a couple of months."

"I'll look forward to watching your career Andy. You're a great cop and a great person. I'm sorry, really sorry I wasn't there for you."

"Thanks Luke. That means a lot. Bye."

Andy gave him a brief hug and walked outside. Sam was waiting for her. He searched her face and saw only love and affection for him. No anger, no sadness. She had gotten some kind of closure. He was glad. He wrapped her up in a hug and then gave her an amazing kiss, just to remind her how much he loved her and loved her strength.

"Ready to go?"

"With you? Always."

Author Notes: One more chapter. On with the wedding and the finale!