Chapter 10
"You know now since we have gotten to the food part of the planning, you have to let the kids off the hook. Emily is coming to town in a few days, and I know with Nicole they are going to team up on you", Andy said as they made their way into the elevator at work.
"I know it is still so much fun, and I promise when Emily gets there, I will put she and Nicole out of their misery", she smiled as he opened the door to Major Crimes for her to walk in first".
"God you are very scary, and I will never get tired of saying that", shaking his head at her.
The case of a young women missing hit very close to home for the team especially Sharon with two daughters in her life. Friday brought a big relieve to the case and everyone involved in it. It turned out that the young women meet a guy on the internet, and did not take the necessary precautions before going on a date with the man.
"What do I always say it's always the 'Facebook, it's always the 'Facebook', nothing good will ever come out of dating online in my humble opinion", said Provenza looking around at the team as they finished up their paper work.
It was still early in the afternoon to warrant letting the team go home early. So they pulled out an old case making good use of their time. It was always a good thing when they could make head way into a cold case.
"Good Afternoon the most elite force in the LAPD", Emily said as they made their way further into the murder room.
All heads turn to towards the voice in surprise. Before they were able to reply back she shouted "Surprise! I thought I would surprise you both a day early. So here I am ready to help with the planning of the wedding", winking at Andy.
It took a minute for Sharon to come out of her shock seeing Emily, and Nicole standing in the murder room. It took Andy nudging her off his desk before Emily launched at her hugging her tightly wanted to never let go.
"Hey, honey are you ok?" asked Sharon still in Emily's bone crushing hug.
"Aw… yes… you know, I am just so happy to see you. It feels like it been a century see I physically touched you".
"Aw… this right here is love", Amy said with a wide smile on her face turning around to face Provenza.
"Honey I am so very happy to see you, and more importantly to have your physically present in front of me".
Emily turn side ways to look at him, and without warning flew right in his arms. Giving him the same bone crushing hug she gave her mom only a minute ago.
From her point of view no one could see Emily whispering in Andy's ear. Andy kept a straight face even when the words touched him to the very bottom of his heart, and threaten to burst it wide open.
The team continued to watch with amusement recognizing love in it primal and visceral pure state.
"Hi, Andy", Emily said as she pulled further into his embraced smelling his wonderful scent.
"Hi yourself back, but are you sure you are ok?" rubbing her back in a soothing manner.
Emily took a deep breath knowing that she was really emotionally seeing that it was the first time she saw Andy in person after the heart attack. She was kept informed, and spoke to Andy after the surgery. It did could not take place of seeing, and holding him for the first time in a couple months.
"Sorry, it was the first time I have seen you in the flesh since you know what", with her hands still around his waist.
Nicole with tears in her eyes was hugging Sharon while Emily was hugging her father. It dawn on her that they were truly more now than ever a family. There was an emotionally shift taking place in her heart. They were truly a blended family now. Prior to that it was only felt on a mental level.
"I am very happy to see you both, but I was under the impression you were arrive tomorrow which is Saturday".
"Well, I really wanted to come early, and the opportunity presented itself when my last show was cancelled because many of the dancers got sick".
"This is where I came in", said Nicole looking at her dad and Sharon.
Through all of this Andy held on to Emily as a happy none participate with a huge smile on his face.
"As I was saying Emily, and I speak a couple of times a week so when she told me her last show was cancelled I suggested the idea of coming early even if it was one day early", shrugging her shoulders.
"Wait did the other kids know about this?" Sharon continued to look slightly amused at Nicole and Emily.
"I called both Ricky and Rusty as I was on my way to the airport to let them know of my change of plans. I wanted to also make Rusty aware just in case something came up at work with Nicole".
"Beside myself Nicole, and I came bearing gifts of food for the whole team", as Nicole lifted the many bags in her hands that went unnoticed by Emily's arrival.
"How did you know that everyone would want?" asked Andy standing while Emily sat in his chair.
Smiling at him "A little birdie told me, and I am leaving it at that", spinning in his chair like a five year old.
"Well what we are waiting for the ballerina has spoken?" said Provenza leading the way to the break room.
"You too baby Flynn, Ye Gods another Flynn, I need to make up another name for. They are multiplying", he shouted disappearing around the corner causing everyone to laugh.
The food was set on the corner so everyone could serve themselves. As they sat down to eat the conversation was lively and full of teasing. At one point Emily and Nicole gave each other a look. Unbeknownst to them Sharon was the looking and knew what was coming.
"So, Mom how's the planning coming with the wedding so far?" sipping her water as she eye Sharon and then Andy over her glass.
"It's going very well with all things considered (you know case and all) I am really enjoying the process".
"Very subtle ballerina", as Louie rolling his eyes at her.
Turning very slowly to give Provenza her best mini Darth Glare which had the team in stitches.
They did not think that anyone else possess that looked. Knowing now not to ever piss off Emily.
The only response that Louie could give was, "Oh, my god there's two of them. Of all the things you could have pass down this is what she got from you", he said not the least bit intimidated by the baby glare.
"Emily you may not be privy to this information, but the glare no longer have the effect it did when I first meet the Commander", as he put the salad aside never to touch his lips if he can help it.
"Oh, come on Sir I know you still a little bit scared of her", said a laughing Julio as
Provenza just gave him side eyes.
"All those damn sensitivity training course only made me hate her more. And before you even open your mouth I am fully on board with the Commander now".
Andy was very happy to be an observer of all the mischief taking place. The fact that everyone was happy, healthy and in one piece was enough of him. Plus in a few weeks' time he would be marrying the love of his life.
As the late afternoon approached Emily started to feel the effects of her jet lag. She let herself into her Moms office to say goodbye.
"Mom I am starting to feel a bit tired so Nicole is taking me home. I will see you when we get home if I am up".
"Ok, honey we just have a few hours before heading home bar a case falling into our lap. If it happens then I will call you and Rusty to let you know", hugging her daughter as they made their way out her office.
They join Nicole and Andy at his desk gathering all her stuff to make their way out of the murder room.
"Bye Andy see you tonight", she hugged him closely making their way out their murder room waving to the team.
Andy stared at his two daughters leaving the room to make there to the elevator.
"Andy, Andy", feeling a pull at his jacket getting his attention.
He turned to see Sharon with a concern look on her face. "I'm ok so don't worry".
She lifted one eyebrow at him looking closely at his face as she put her hands on his chest to feel his heartbeat. Andy returned the favor by putting his hands over hers.
"I promise that I am ok. It's just something that Emily said to me when she hugged me".
"She said she has never prayed or cried so much in her life. Knowing what we were going through and she not be able to be there in person put a lot in perspective for her".
Nodding to Andy to follow her in the office Sharon just managed to keep the tears from flowing.
"Knowing you finally found happiness in your personally life, and it could all be snatched from you had her screaming at God in the early mornings when she had trouble sleeping. She always wanted me to know she came to close to losing the father she always wanted, but never had until I entered her life".
After the last comment Sharon could no longer keep the tears from flowing. Despite the blinds being open she wrapped herself in Andy's arms. Hopping not to get washed away from all the emotions her vise like grip tighten around Andy's waist.
"Feeling better now", as he pulled back to see her face.
They were not aware that the entire murder room was attuned to what was transpiring in the Commander's office which had them worried.
She nodded taking a sit in the chair as Andy did the same in front of her desk.
"You have raised some amazing kids Sharon, and it's all down to you not Jack. So you should expect nothing less from the three O'Dwyer", chucking a little to cheer her up.
He got the desired response when she started to snort laugh.
The team worried looks disappeared after they heard and saw the Commander laughing. Knowing whatever it was would be ok.