Enjoy this next chapter with our awkward idiots. I don't own them, but they are fun to write!
The week passed by uneventfully for Sharon, which was a relief to her. She wasn't sure what she expected, but she kept anticipating running into Andy Flynn at every turn. The fact she didn't was a relief. Late Friday afternoon, though, that changed. A knock at her door, had her calling in, who she though was her sergeant, armed with his paperwork. She was busy signing a report and barely looked up until she was met with a very different voice than that of her sergeant.
"And, here I was thinking I was the only detective who got in trouble with you. Working hard like that, man, someone else must be in deep," he chuckled, causing Sharon to look up.
"Lieutenant," she gave a polite nod, "I haven't seen your name come across my desk, so what do I owe this visit?" she asked.
Andy produced what Sharon quickly realized was log book bag. She winced and groaned at the sight; a log book bag was never a good thing. He nodded to her to wait so he could explain, "So, he opened the dark bag and pulled out the intended item, I wanted to return this container you sent home with me. The cheesecake was amazing all week," he grinned.
Sharon let out a sigh of relief she didn't know she was holding, "Oh," she said pleasantly surprised, "you had me worried there for a moment," she chuckled. Andy looked down at the bag, catching onto her thoughts and chuckled too.
"Sorry about that," he nodded to the bag, "but, I also didn't think you'd want the whole floor speculating why I was bringing you kitchen storage containers," he offered her the containers.
"Thank you. I appreciate that, but it seems that the container isn't empty," she raised her eyebrow to him, pulling the container to her eye level to see what was inside.
"Ahh, yes," he nodded, well, you shared your favorite dessert with me, so I wanted to return the favor, sort of. Ice cream is my favorite, but I didn't think that you would enjoy a puddle of melted ice cream in there," he smiled, noting she smiled back at him, "so, I decided to share my second favorite dessert, brownies. Enjoy, and thank you again for dinner and that cheesecake."
"You're welcome, and this was very kind," she gestured with the container. "Thank you. Would you like some?" she found herself asking suddenly, not really sure how that slipped out.
He was visibly surprised, "Oh, no, that's for you," he held up his hand, "plus, end of the day. I don't want to keep you."
"I didn't eat lunch, so this is looking pretty good right now. I also did SHARE," she drew out the word, "my dessert with you before, so it's only polite for you to share as well," she offered a small smile.
Andy looked around, as if he'd find an excuse by doing that, and Sharon just gestured for him to sit. He did so, nodding at her, "Thank you, Sharon. A brownie does sound pretty good right now," he grinned, as she opened the container. She handed him one, and the two sat in comfortable silence a few moments as they enjoyed their dessert.
"Did you make these?" she asked. "They are really good."
"I did," he grinned, "but, don't get too excited. It's just a boxed mix, but no matter how many brownies I've had, they are still my favorite."
"Well, I'd have to agree. Perfect afternoon snack," she added. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, and I should get back to work. Hopefully, you don't have to work all weekend. Our division has tomorrow off at least before we are on call Sunday," Andy explained.
Sharon nodded as he recalled his weekend for her, "I am in the same boat," she replied, "although, the chances of you getting called in are higher than they are for me. Let's hope that the police officers of the LAPD can stay out of trouble so I don't have to come in. I'd say the same for you, but let's face it; it's LA, and murders are going to continue."
"That they are," he grinned. "Well, enjoy your weekend, Sharon," he nodded to her as moved to her door.
"You too, Andy. Thanks again for the brownies," Sharon replied, and with a quick nod, Andy headed back to work.
Sharon smiled as she looked down at her container full of treats and quickly picked up another brownie to enjoy it while she finished her Friday afternoon paperwork.
True to her word, Sharon took Emily shopping for a prom dress the next day. She made Ricky tag along too.
"Mom, why do we both have to go?" Ricky groaned, as they were parking at the mall.
"I explained this already. You both decided to go to prom, and I have limited time. We're getting a dress for Emily and picking out a tux for you to rent, all today, here at the mall. Let's go. This will be fun. We can look at dresses, get some lunch, and then we'll pick out your tux."
The dress shopping took longer than any of them wanted. Emily could wear just about anything, but Sharon wasn't happy with the skimpiness of many of the dresses. Finally, they found a gorgeous dress, something rather unusual. It ended up being a bright green dress with a beading along the halter style neck and the same beading around the waist. It didn't look great on the rack, but it ended up being just perfect on Emily. Ricky had actually made fun of it, saying it looked like a St. Patrick's Day outfit, and Emily, joking with him, said she'd try it on just for him. Turned out that Ricky had a pretty good eye; the dress was by far the best one.
With the dress shopping out of the way, Sharon and the kids settled in for a leisurely lunch at one of their favorite restaurants right there at the mall.
"Ricky, do you know what color dress you are to match?" Sharon asked, looking to him.
"We are supposed to match?" he asked, looking horrified.
"Well, that's sort of expected, but you don't have to match. Did she say what color her dress was?" Sharon asked again.
"Royal blue," he added. "She told me that much, but I didn't know it mattered."
"Ricky! It matters a lot. I already called Nathan to tell him what color my dress was, and I told him it was no joke, that I really did get a green dress. Now, I told him he could do silver or something. I don't expect him to match that color of green."
"Oh, well, whatever. I have no idea about this stuff," Ricky shrugged.
Sharon and Emily chuckled as they shook their heads. Ricky wasn't into fashion at all.
"Let's go pick out a tux for you," Sharon offered, "while I still have some energy."
Tux shopping was much easier than dress shopping, and thankfully, Ricky was eager to please. Really, he just wanted to be done, so he was more than happy to let his mom and sister dress him for the occasion. Sharon was paying, when she noted the kids had moved out of the store, into the mall, to talk to a friend. She finished paying and went in search of them.
"Oh!" she said visibly surprised to find Emily and Ricky talking to Nathan and Andy in the mall.
"Look who we found, Mom?" Emily grinned. "I called Nathan earlier to tell him about my dress, and he was already headed to the mall anyway."
"Hi," he waved to Sharon, and Sharon nodded back.
"Hi, Sharon," Andy smiled to her, and Sharon nodded as she replied, "Hi."
"Yeah, I don't know much about tuxes or dressing up," Nathan explained. My stepdad was going to meet me here, but he got called into work," a comment, which Sharon noted made Andy flinch, "Anyways, Dad had called me this morning, so I called him to see if he was free to help me out."
"Well," Sharon offered, "I don't know your stepdad, but your dad has one of the best senses of style in the LAPD. Ask any of the detectives, and they will agree, so I think you are in good hands with him."
Andy beamed at Sharon's compliment, and the kids all turned back to Sharon with Emily ready with a suggestion, "Mom, since we are all here, can I help Nathan pick out his tux, please?"
Sharon met Andy's gaze; she didn't want to interfere in his bonding time, and he just gave a small nod and smile, "Umm, sure, if that's okay with them," she explained.
"Yeah, sure," he nodded to Nathan and Emily, "be my guest. I'll just hang back here with the credit card," he chuckled.
"Mom, can I go get something else to eat?" Ricky asked, "Really don't need to hang here and watch that," he motioned to where Emily was leaning in close to Nathan, and the two were talking quietly to each other.
"That's fine," Sharon nodded, "we will catch up to you in a bit."
Ricky sprinted off leaving Sharon standing there with Andy, "So," he motioned to her hands, "is that the infamous dress?"
Sharon looked down and back up, "Yes," she nodded, "it is. Is he planning to try and match this bright color or tone it down?"
"Ahh, not sure. I suggested he go with a silver pattern or something, but kids, right? Who knows," he shrugged.
"Well, it's nice he brought you along," Sharon offered, "Somehow, I don't think it's a coincidence we all ran into each other. Of all the malls in LA and all the times," she nodded to the two of them.
"Yeah, I definitely smell a setup here," he added. "Those two certainly can be sneaky, but really, I was his last choice of an invite. As you heard, he tried to bring his stepfather, but when all else fails, dad and his credit card to the rescue," he sighed.
"Mom," Emily came bouncing up to Sharon, "is it okay if Nathan takes me to dinner after we finish here? We want to hang here at the mall and then go eat. Please?"
"Well, umm," Sharon started to say as she was caught off guard, "Now, let's think about this. Did you drive together?" she asked turning to Andy. "We've already dealt with a car issue."
"We did," Andy nodded, "Good call, but I can drop you and Ricky off at home," he offered.
"Please, Mom? I'll even be the one to drive your car. I know you don't let people touch it," she grinned.
"Are you sure you don't mind?" Sharon asked turning to Andy.
"No trouble at all," he smiled. "Enjoy your evening, Emily. Make sure Nathan behaves himself and pays," he added.
Emily clapped her hands together and turned to tell Nathan who was talking to the salesclerk, bouncing up to him to let him know of their evening plans.
"I really appreciate this," Sharon nodded. "Seems our kids keep putting us in these awkward situation, and-" Sharon was interrupted by her phone ringing. "Yes, Ricky?" she answered, listening to him on the other end. She finished her call and gave a sigh as she turned back to Andy, "Sorry for that. Looks like you'll just be dropping me off at the house. Ricky ran into some of his friends outside the movie theater, and well, he's out for the rest of the day too, it seems."
"Hmm," Andy nodded, "Well, let's get this tux picked out so we can get out of here. It's definitely quite the day when I find you alone and stranded at the mall. Better make the best of it," he grinned.