This was one long chapter but I didn't like how it blended together so I split it up. Plus having a story sit on thirteen chapters bothers me irrationally. Thanks everyone for the reviews. In the next chapter I'll delve a bit more into the past and her new relationship with Marissa. I expect to have it proofed by tonight.
Addition: And I did it again and copied in the wrong un-proofed chapter. Apologies for the up and down once again.
I still own nothing etc etc.
Previously back in Toronto... "Finish your sandwich and then go take a nap. I'll handle his highness if he wakes up," Andy told him simply before getting up with the slip of paper and heading for the phone in the kitchen.
Later that afternoon Andy, with Theo suspended in a sling on her hip, was wandering through a park less than a mile from the fifteen. She'd driven in with Sam to the station. He rarely got to show off Theo at work, mostly because it just wasn't done. Kids came in on 'Open House' days when things were tidy and clean and nothing truly scary existed within the walls of the station. Sam had pushed the issue though and she agreed to bring in the baby reluctantly and under the condition that Frank agreed.
Sam had practically bolted into the station leaving Andy and Theo in the truck. He caught Frank in his office and with some begging and "It would be good for morale"s he got what he wanted. Frank would allow the baby come to parade but "for the love of God don't take him to booking," he joked. Sam just smirked, thanked his boss and friend and strolled back out to the truck.
"You can bring him into parade but he's barred from booking," Sam said with a boyish grin.
She tried to think up a reply but the words eluded her. Why would she take him to booking in the first place? Oh well. She just nodded and hopped out while Sam gleefully unstrapped the baby who was equally thrilled to be unstrapped. Andy grabbed the shoulder bag that contained all of Theo's gear and caught up to her husband who was already standing at the doors presenting Theo to the rookies unlucky enough to have been caught un-busy.
Theo was doing his "I'm so charming" routine which of course won over the female rookie in seconds.
"He's so adorable! He looks just like you!" the younger girl exclaimed reaching out to shake Theo's little hand. Sam preened and Andy rolled her eyes. He managed in his chest-inflated state to notice his wife's arrival and opened the door and walked them both to the parade room.
"It's not like I haven't worked here for five years. I think I can find my way," Andy said irritably.
Weirdly genial, Sam just let it roll off his back. "I know, but I wanted to walk you," he said depositing their son in her arms. "I will be right back," he said kissing her cheek and patting his son's head before he darted off to change.
Within a few minutes other officers began to file in and Andy moved to the back wall with Theo to keep out of the way. It didn't seem to matter though since Theo very quickly had an adoring audience and he began to make the rounds perfectly content to be passed from officer to officer while his mother chatted happily with friends, her mood improving by the second. Sam reappeared as quickly as he promised and scooped his son from Dov's arms.
"Oh come on. I didn't even get a chance to get a picture for my Facebook," Dov complained loudly. At Sam's confused look, "You know, Facebook. It's a social networking site."
"We know what Facebook is, nitwit," Oliver said coming up from behind him. "Why are you putting pictures of a baby who isn't yours on your page?"
"Oh," Dov said. "Ladies obviously. Studies have proven that women love a nurturer. He's a chick magnet." Dov said with a shrug.
Sam nodded before turning to look at his son who was poking at his vest. "You see that guy, Theo? You never ever take advice from him. Ever," he told the baby.
"Can I at least get the photo?" Dov asked hopefully earning himself a smack on the back of the head from Shaw.
"Firstly, eww. There are just so many many things wrong with that question, And secondly, what is wrong with you?" Gail asked from behind Dovoverhearing majority of the conversation. "Hi Theo," she added with a wave to the baby who was totally absorbed in drooling on his father.
"You know Epstein, one of these days you're going to be partnered with me," Sam said simply, before turning and walking toward the back where his wife sat talking Jerry. Dov had the sense to look concerned.
Sam manoeuvred himself right in next to his wife and settled their son in on his lap. Parade continued without a hitch unless you count Theo's loud laughter when Frank sneezed, earning a grin from even the most jaded coppers. Luckily for Dov, Sam was partnered with Chris.
"Serve, Protect and say 'Hi' to Theo on the way out." Frank ended walking to the back of the room to do precisely that.
It took another ten minutes or so but finally the baby rounds ended and Theo was back to poking at the kevlar on his father's chest.
"Well it looks like Chris made his way to the front of the coffee line so it looks like I have to go," Sam said trying to wipe away some of the baby spit from his vest. "Keys are in my locker if you need them. It's Randolph Park, right?"
"Yes, Randolph Park at two-thirty," Andy repeated for what was easily the twelfth time reaching out for Sam to hand her Theo.
"Okay well I will take lunch at five and meet you back here," he said handing the baby over rather reluctantly. "I love you. Please don't get shot or kidnapped or stabbed," he said asked her as much as whoever managed to put her in harm's way so frequently.
"On my honor I will be careful," she promised with a grin holding up her hand and leaning up for a goodbye kiss. "That goes for you too. Safe, smart, careful and I love you too," she said completing their ritual.
Sam grinned down before giving Theo a quick 'I love you buddy' and a kiss to the head and he was gone.
Andy followed shortly thereafter, leaving the station and making the short walk to the park with Theo clinging monkey-like to her side and generally enjoying the sights. They had some time so Andy walked around with Theo and showed him the park they had visited only once before. He seemed particularly taken with the ducks and was extremely agitated when they moved back toward the meeting spot she'd pre-arranged with Marissa.
The call to Marissa had been well, awkward. With that slip of paper in her hand standing by the phone it took Andy several minutes and more deep breaths than she could count to gather her courage and dial. The call picked up after the second ring and she was suddenly talking to the sister she hadn't known existed until just three days ago.
"Hello?" the voice at the other end answered. "Hello? Is anyone there?" the voice repeated twice before Andy found her voice.
"Is this Marissa?" she asked hoping she hadn't misdialed though admittedly a larger portion really hoped she had.
"Yes, may I ask who's calling?" Marissa inquired, apparently expecting a telemarketer.
"It's Andy. We met, sort of, or I guess something like that the other day," Andy replied stiltedly.
"Oh. Umm. Hi," Marissa replied equally as stunned.
"Look, I'm sorry for how I reacted. It was a shock but I shouldn't have kicked you out," she said hoping her apology may open the door for an actual conversation.
"It's really okay. I mean, I've had weeks to deal with this you just found out on Saturday." Marissa said, brushing off her ill-treatment easily.
"I want to talk to you about what was said that day," Andy finally blurted. "You said some things to me which I'd like to straighten out and I think that we may be able to do that best in person," Andy said surprising herself.
"Umm. Yeah, we can meet. Is today good for you?" Marissa asked.
"That should work but sometime after one if you don't mind."
"Two-thirty then?" Marissa asked.
Time and place agreed upon Andy hung up the phone. She went upstairs to get in a shower before leaving but was perversely grateful when she heard Theo fussing. The less time she had to overthink and change her mind the better.
Just a few short hours later, here she was in the park and she couldn't help but think she'd just opened a massive can of worms all over her nearly-perfect life.