4*10
A/N First, the episode was so powerful! Full of emotion, I was crying and gasping throughout the entire thing! That was one hell of a twist! The entire team did a superb job, Sharon slayed as usual! Patricia Wetting, I have no idea who you are but honey, you and Mary both need an Emmy and Golden Globe for last night's performance! The final scene was so heartbreaking, watching Gus bury his sister and having to agree to not contact Paloma until she is 18, was hard to watch! OMG, Shandy rode together, held hands (which Sharon initiated), and Andy wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into a side hug! OMG, what a way to go out with a bang! I can't wait until November 2nd!
Italics are there inner thoughts!
Without further ado!
~~~~~~~~ERSL21~~~~~~~~~~
The ride back to the condo after Marianna's funeral is quite. They only speak when they arrive at Panera Bread to pick up dinner. Rusty is enamored with his phone. Sharon and Andy are holding hands over the console, as Sharon gazes out the passenger side window and occasionally looks down at the binder in her lap. Andy steals a few glances of Sharon, when at red lights. He squeezes her hand occasionally, as a silent "I love you" as he continues to drive to the condo. They arrive at the condo and still no words have been spoken. As they walk in the condo, Andy is holding the food, Rusty has the drinks and Sharon is still holding the binder. Sharon places the binder on her desk and announces, "I'm going to change." With that she heads down the hall and Rusty and Andy head to the kitchen. They tension between the two is still thick. Rusty hasn't fully come to terms with their Sharon and Andy's relationship. It isn't that he doesn't like Andy, he is afraid. He is afraid that Andy will be like Sharon Beck's boyfriends and abuse him and Sharon. He knows deep down that Andy isn't like that, but he can't help but to compare, because that is all he knows.
Andy hands Rusty his chicken and pesto Panini and broccoli and cheddar soup. "Thank you, Andy." Rusty says causing Andy to look at him baffled. Since Sharon and Andy have begun dating Rusty has called him Lieutenant and only that. "You're welcome, Rusty." Sharon comes around the corner and sees them still standing at the breakfast bar. They haven't killed each other, that's a good sign. She thought as she walks to get her Greek salad from the bag. Andy takes his and hers soup to the table. He walks back to get their green teas. She brings his Mediterranean veggie sandwich and her salad to the table. To their surprise, Rusty joins them. He usually eats in his room, when Andy is around. They sit down and settle to eat their food, but Rusty has something on his mind, "Andy, thank you for everything you did for Gustavo." Sharon looks at Andy wide-eyed, she can't believe Rusty actually used his name. "It was my pleasure, kid. Thank you for not holding me responsible for the outcome." Andy asserts. Sharon smiles at them. She grabs Andy hand under the table and squeezes it gently. "I would also like to apologize for being such a jerk towards you, about you two's relationship. I was acting out of fear. I felt like you were here to take my place." Rusty confesses. Sharon looks sad but conflicted with joy. She is elated that he has come to his senses, but sad that he feels she would replace him. "Honey, I would never replace you. You can't be replaced. There is plenty of room in my heart for my 3 children and the man that I love." Sharon confesses. "Rusty, I accept your apology. I also hold none of it against you. I completely understand your reaction and I respect it. I just want you to understand that I would never hurt Sharon or you." Andy asserts, as he sees Sharon smiling at him out the corner of his eye. "Thank you, Andy." Rusty says before taking a bite of his Panini. "I do have one question, though." Andy states. "Shoot." Rusty says with a mouth full of chicken and pesto, causing Sharon to laugh. "How did the person who told us, well Sharon, we were dating, dislike the fact that we were actually dating?" Andy asks smiling. Rusty swallows his food and says, "Umm, I don't know! Let's call it the selfish Rusty syndrome!" He asserts before laughing. Sharon and Andy join him in the laughs. "I see you have been talking to Louie." Andy states. "Or Patrice!" Sharon exclaims before taking a sip of her cold beverage. "Actually, it was Ricky!" Rusty confesses. Sharon almost gets choked on her drink due to shock, "Really?" "Mm hmm." Rusty confirms as he takes another bite of his food. "Wow!" Andy says. "Wow, is right!" Sharon agrees. They look into each other's eyes and smile and Rusty rolls his eyes. He swallows his food hard and stammers, "Guys, one rule. Please keep it PG in front of me. I won't be able to handle anything more!" Rusty asserts. Sharon snort laughs and Andy grins. "I'm begging you please, don't scar me for life." He pleads. "I will try my best." Andy confirms before taking delight in his sandwich. "Thank you." Rusty says taking the final bite of his food. "I make no promises!" Sharon finally confesses. Both Andy and Rusty start coughing. She laughs and takes a bite of her salad. Rusty gets his coughing under control and exclaims, "Sharon!" "What?" She teases and winks at him. Andy finally gets his coughing under control and says, "Kid, she is just messing with you!" Sharon and Andy laugh at face of disgust Rusty is displaying. "How rude!" Rusty exclaims. Sharon shrugs her shoulders and takes another bite of her salad. Andy can't help but laugh at the pair. If Rusty only knew that this relationship is quite old fashioned. Even though we are getting close to catching up with the times! He thought as he felt her hand release his and land on his thigh. "I'm going to my room." Rusty says standing up and discarding his trash. "Thank you, for dinner Andy." He says before sauntering down the hallway. Once his door is shut, Andy turns to Sharon and asks, "Why are you torturing that boy like that?" "It is simple. He deserves it." She rasps while stealing a spoonful of his tomato bisque. "You are horrible." He teases. "Meh." She laughingly replies. They finish their dinner and discard their trash. "Balcony or the couch?" She inquires as she removes his tie. "Balcony." He rasps as he rolls up his sleeves, and unbuttons the top buttons.
They walk onto the balcony hand in hand. They walk to the railing and he pulls her into his side, the same way he did at the funeral. She lays her head on his shoulder and hums contently. He lays his head on hers as they look out into horizon. They stand there in silence for a few moments. She speaks and breaks the silence, "Andy, thank you for being patient with me." He rubs his hand down her side and rasps, "It was my pleasure." She hums and places her hand on his and looks up at him and smiles. He smiles back and interlocks their fingers. "Nevertheless, I appreciate it." She confesses. They return to silence as they watch the day sky turn into night. While they are still holding each other on the balcony, Rusty is sneaking into the kitchen to get the carpet cleaner, because he knocked his blueberry tea over. He looks out on the balcony and sees them. He stops dead in his tracks. He is shocked, he thought he would feel bitterness or resentment, but he feels the exact opposite. He is happy for her, for them. They both deserve happiness and love. I was such an asshole, for trying to stand in their way. He thinks as he pulls out his phone and snaps a quick picture. He finds the carpet cleaner and quickly returns to his room.
Sharon turns around in Andy's arms and breathes, "I love you." He smiles and replies, "I love you, too." Her eyes sparkle with hope and excitement for their future. She leans up to kiss him and he meets her half way. Their lips interlock like puzzle pieces. They belong together. The passion filled embrace quickly turns heated as his hands run under her cream tunic. She moans as her hands dive under his shirt. The need for air becomes apparent. She leans up to his ear and whispers, "It is time for old-fashioned to go out the window." He growls and she laughs as he pushes her towards the sliding glass door. They walk hand in hand to her bedroom. He turns around and closes the door, "Goodbye old-fashioned!"
Rusty chooses to walk out of his room, just in time to hear that comment. "Gross!" he exclaims. "I'm going out!" He says pretty sure he said it loud enough for them to hear, but he doubts they even care.
"What have I gotten myself into?" He says as he walks to the front door.
~~~~~~~~~ERSL21~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you for all of the lovely reviews on the other chapters! Now, go and leave me some nuggets of love for this one! No more Afterthoughts until November 3rd, but don't fret I will keep writing other stories as long as my muse is inspired. She still hasn't been romantically/smut inspired to write the wedding night, but I am determined to get it to y'all!