A/N: First of all I want to thank you all for your continued support in reviewing this story. It has truly meant a lot. This story is now at its conclusion, and it has been both challenging and fun to write. Challenging because of the topic matter, and fun because I've had total control over McSwarek :) Finally I'd like to thank deedee920 for all your help with this story! I'll be looking forward to reading what you all think both of this epilogue, but also of the story as a whole.
Epilogue
"Morning, beautiful," Sam groaned into Andy's ear before trailing wet and sloppy kisses down the column of her throat.
"Good morning, yourself handsome," she moaned, wetting her lips, as she felt his arms tug her around. He settled himself in between her thighs, supporting his weight on his elbows, as his lips began a downward journey starting from her throat. "Sam, seriously?" Andy started, with closed eyes, her fingers twisting through his dark hair.
"What," he asked seductively as his mouth and lips trailed to her bosom his eyes looking up at her mischievously.
"You know what?" she whined. Andy felt nearly intoxicated, as one of Sam's hands traveled downwards, slipping underneath her negligée pushing it upwards. "Sam!" Andy exclaimed, grabbing his wrist, as he tugged at her panties.
"She's asleep, sweetheart," he assured. He had checked on their birthday girl no more than ten minutes earlier, and she'd been sound asleep. Emma was now one year old – to the day actually. She was their miracle, and she had changed their lives.
"You sure," Andy asked skeptically. She ran her fingers down Sam's bare chest, fingernails raking against the hair on his chest.
"Positive," Sam declared with glee, as he kissed her quick on the lips.
"Okay," she sighed from the back of her throat. That was all the coaxing Sam needed, for him to lower his head and continue his ministrations.
"Ma-ma!"
Instinctively, Andy's head immediately turned to the baby monitor on the night table, and Sam's motions stopped right above the line of her panties.
Emma
"Is it hereditary?" Sam groaned rolling off of her and landing on his back, as she fetched her robe.
"Is what?" She asked tying the robe snuggly against her warm body.
"Kids and their timing," he grumbled pressing her pillow against his face.
"Easy now, cowboy," Andy giggled throwing his robe at him. "Come on, let's go sing to her!" Andy excitedly exclaimed, as he shot her a 'don't you think this is over' look.
"Sure, why not," Sam groaned, as he followed in his wife's direction. He loved being a father – no doubt about it. However, he loved being a husband too, and somehow having a baby had put a wrench in his spousal role lately. But hopefully, with his sister and her family coming out for Emma's birthday, he'd have a chance of getting some well-deserved alone time with Andy. At least he could wish; it had been too far in-between lately.
"Great to see you, little brother," Sarah mused, hugging Sam tightly a couple of hours later. She and her family had driven up from St. Catharine's' and were spending an extended weekend with them.
"Good to see you too, Sarah," Sam smiled. He missed his sister. Even though they only lived a couple of hours apart, they didn't get together as often as either of them would like to. Between work and family life – both their calendars were full.
"Now, where is the birthday girl," Sarah questioned, just as Andy came walking through the doorway of the kitchen, carrying Emma in her arms.
"Rah!" the one-year-old squealed, clapping her hands. Sarah reached out her arms walking towards Andy and Emma, and squatted, anticipating the girl to jump into her arms, while she reveled in her beauty. Emma's big brown eyes and curly brown hair mesmerized anyone who came into contact with her – especially her Auntie Sarah.
"Let's go see what your uncle and nephews are up to, eh?" Sarah suggested, giving Sam the look, as she carried Emma outside.
"Was that your sister's incredibly nonchalant way of giving us some alone time Mr. Swarek?" Andy giggled, patting his chest affectionately before walking into the kitchen.
"Who knows?" Sam shrugged, as he followed her into the kitchen. Andy was in her own world at the counter putting the finishing touches on Emma's birthday cake, oblivious to the fact that he stood right behind her. Just as she began to survey her handiwork, Andy let out a surprised yelp against the two strong hands, which grabbed her by the waist hoisting her up onto the counter top.
"Sam!" Andy swatted him on the chest, startled. "You scared the crap out of me!" she chastised him.
Sam moved his hands up her thighs slowly, moving himself between her outstretched legs. "Sorry," he apologized, framing her face with his hands.
"No, you're not," Andy grinned, as he pressed their lips together. "Sam, come on," she whined, as he moved her hair out of the way to press slick kisses along her skinny shoulder.
"What?" Sam asked, absently. He ran his hands up her back enjoying the feel of her body beneath. As they slid down her back, and settled around her waist, he pulled her forward so that she sat on the edge of the counter, and she locked her ankles around his waist.
"You know exactly what," Andy replied without actually stopping him. Instead, she arched her head back so he could trail wet kisses down the side of her face and the side of her neck. "Sam, we can't," she protested weakly, as he nibbled at her ear and pulled her impossibly closer to make her feel just how turned on he was. While it was true, it had been awhile since they'd been intimate in that way, they were parents now. Dear Lord did Andy want him, but somehow she thought that getting frisky in the middle of Emma's first birthday party wasn't the best solution.
"Really, why not?" Sam arched an eyebrow in challenge, as if to say 'bring it on, McNally'.
"Baby, just…" Andy made a half-hearted attempt to stop his gyrations against her.
As his lips moved lower, and more purposely, he grinned against her skin and asked, "You want me to stop?"
"Yes…no…uh!" Andy groaned, biting down on her bottom lip while scraping her fingers across his scalp.
Footsteps were closing in on them, in one swift move, she pushed Sam away from her, and scrambled off of the counter just in time for Sarah and Emma's entrance.
"Sorry, did we interrupt something?" Sarah asked cheekily, as Emma reached out towards her mother.
"Nah, why would you think that?" Sam replied casually. When Andy went to take Emma from Sarah, he yanked her back against him.
"Sam, seriously?" Andy fretted, as she felt his hands caressing her rear.
"Just making sure our Little One doesn't see you in your birthday suit," Sam whispered into her ear. He grinned smugly and looked down to where the strapless, summer dress she was wearing had ridden up, due to their recent activities.
"And whose fault is that, huh?" Andy whispered back furious, while elbowing him in the side.
"Come here, baby girl," Andy cooed taking Emma into her arms, and walking into the living room with her.
"You just can't stop grinning, can you?" Sarah replied after having put the cake into the fridge. Although she had phrased it as a question, she could only hope
"Am I grinning?" Sam replied, not being able to take his eyes off his girls. Andy was twirling around with Emma in her arms. She was giggling and Emma was squealing with delight.
"Like a fool," Sarah smiled. Andy looked at him with a smile on her lips that took his breath away. Cradling Emma against her shoulder, her small head perched against it, she looked perfect. She was the perfect mother.
"Hey, when was this taken?" Sarah asked a little while later. She and Sam stood in the hallway opposite the many photographs that had been taken of Emma in her first year.
"Just a couple of days ago, at the beach," Sam answered smiling. The three of them had stood with their backs to the ocean. Sam held Emma in one arm, while the other was wrapped around Andy's waist. They'd spent that day at the beach with Jerry, Leo, Traci and Grace. Andy wore a brown bikini with a matching sarong, while Sam wore a pair of black trunks. Emma had on a bathing suit in a bright pink color with a small tutu attached. Sam and Andy were looking at each other in the photograph, grinning huge, while Emma looked up at her mother mesmerized.
"Dada birs!" Emma squealed pointing, as Sam stood by the water's edge holding her, while a flock of pigeons flew past them up in the sky.
"That's right, that's right," he agreed. His eyes darted to Andy's form, as she stood further into the beach talking to Traci, while Jerry helped Leo and Grace build a sandcastle.
"He can't take his eyes off of you, McNally," Traci giggled, as she met Sam's gaze. Andy turned around, and waved at him and Emma. Not that she needed to turn around to know he was looking at her. She'd felt his gaze on her even before Traci had said anything. It wasn't that she wasn't in the mood; she was, all of the time. But she was just so tired. Somehow none of the books she'd read prior to Emma's arrival had said a thing about her raging libido, but between getting back to work, being a mom, and being a wife, their sex life had taken the backseat.
"I know," she replied turning around to face Traci again. "I love him so much, it's crazy, Trace. I never thought I'd have all this. A house, a husband, a daughter, I mean, who would've thought?" she added, looking down at her rings.
"Everyone but you apparently," Traci replied shrugging, as Sam and Emma made their way towards them.
"Hey, Traci, can you hold her for a second?" Sam asked as Emma reached for her Aunt.
"Sure. Hey there Ems," Traci smiled kissing her on the head.
"Good, because there's something I've wanted to do for a really, really, long time," Sam grinned looking at Andy with raised eyebrows.
"What?" Andy asked as she saw where his gaze averted to: the ocean. "No! I mean it, Sam. No!" she warned, pointing a finger at him, while slow back tracking.
"No, what?" Sam shrugged his shoulders, trying to act all innocent, as he followed in her footsteps.
"You can forget it. I am not going in that water! No way!" Andy exclaimed as she could sense he was advancing on her in steady strides. So, she began to run, like really run, like she was chasing down a perp. But barely having gotten off maternity leave hadn't done much for her form. So, it didn't take long before Sam caught up with her, hoisted her up and slung her across his shoulder before walking towards the water.
"Sam! I swear to God! Don't you do this! Don't!" Andy swatted him on the back as they neared the water, no more able to contain her giggles than Sam was at containing his laugh.
"Or what?" Sam challenged, as she hung with her head upside down.
"Okay, okay, Sam. What do you want?" Andy asked. She figured that getting on his good side was probably the best way to go.
"To get you wet," he deadpanned.
"Anything else?" Andy suggestively added running her hands up and down the plane of his back, or what part of his back she could reach. She bit down on her bottom lip awaiting his response. Suddenly she felt him shifting his position in the water, and then she was standing opposite him.
"What do you suggest?" Sam asked with an arched eyebrow.
"A little something," she ran the tip of her tongue across her lips, as she moved towards him. "I like to call," she continued, as she placed her hands on his chest. "Payback!" Andy giggled shoving him with all her might as he flopped into the water on his back, while she ran to the shore. It didn't take long for Sam to get up and chase her. She had barely reached the spot where Traci and Emma were still sitting before she felt his hands around her again, turning her around, and wrestling her to the sand, supporting her body all the way down.
"You think this is funny, eh?" Sam grinned shaking his wet head, as water cascaded onto Andy's body.
"Sam! God!" She whined, as Emma clapped her hands squealing. "Don't encourage him, sweetie," Andy giggled as Sam's grinning mouth closed over hers.
"You guys," Traci whined, covering Emma's eyes with her free hand.
"Mama!" Emma squealed, as they disentangled their lips, and looked up at their princess.
"I think someone wants some quality time," Traci said. Setting Emma down on the warm sand, the little girl immediately walked on wobbly feet to where Sam and Andy were lying. Emma was still new at walking; Andy had been worried it would never happen, but then suddenly a Sunday afternoon it had indeed happened. She had yelled at Sam to get the video camera, and they had probably gotten about an hours' worth of their little girl talking her first steps.
"Hey, Princess," Sam grinned. He held out his arms for Emma, and she immediately began to wobble into his embrace. He moved to lie flat on his back on the warm sand, and Andy turned on her side, supporting her weight on her elbow, as she looked at father and daughter. Becoming a father had made her love Sam even more – if that was even possible. She still remembered the first night at home with Emma.
She had woken up in an empty bed, and heard Sam's voice echoing through the baby monitor on the night table. As she padded across the floor towards the nursery, Sam's voice got clearer and clearer. The sight that met her in the doorway of the nursery took her breath away.
I wanna hold you
Protect you from all of the things I've already endured
Sam stood in the middle of the room wearing a pair of pajama bottoms, as Emma was cuddled against his bare chest. He rested his chin on top of the baby's downy head, something he'd also do when holding Andy. Her hand traveled to her mouth, as she took in the sight before her. A tiny gasp left her lips, but it was muffled up by the hand over her mouth.
And I wanna show you
Show you all the things that this life has in
Store for you
Emma cooed softly, as she settled herself into Sam's embrace. His lips graced her soft head, as he closed his eyes, and took in the scent of her. Andy wished that she had her camera handy so that she could capture her husband and their little girl in this tender moment. Andy could feel tears stinging behind her eyes, as she watched Sam walk towards the crib.
And I'll always love you
The way that a father should love his daughter
Sam leaned in over the crib, and carefully placed Emma on the mattress, tucking the blanket across her small body. He placed a hand over the spot, where her small heart thudded away. He bent his head down, and pressed a whisper soft kiss on the baby's forehead before standing up straight, and gazing down on their miracle.
Sweet Zoe Jane
Sweet Zoe Jane
"Hey," she whispered softly, encircling his waist with her arms.
"Hey, yourself," he whispered back, placing his hands on top of hers.
"I have to say, I'm a little bit jealous," she said in a low voice.
"Really?" Sam quipped raising his eyebrows, as he brought her out from behind him, and settled her against his side.
"Yeah, you've never serenaded me," she teased.
"I only do that for a select few," he grinned, bringing an arm across her shoulders, as they walked out of the nursery.
"What are the requirements?" Andy asked, stalling in the doorway to look back at Emma before looking up at Sam's smiling face.
"Oh, you know," he shrugged his shoulders before heading in the direction of the bedroom with her, "former rookies with a penchant for killing an UC op eight months in the making may just make the cut."
"Oh, really?" Andy giggled.
"All righty, here we go," Traci said, as she carried the birthday cake into the living room. The cake was white, and Andy had decorated it with small red flowers on the side, and on top was a single candle as well as Emma's name spelled out in pink frosting. Emma squealed clapping her hands in Sam's embrace when the cake was placed on the table.
Their friends and family were gathered at Sam and Andy's house to celebrate Emma's first birthday. Andy lit the single candle, as the entire room busted out in song
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday dear Emma
Happy birthday to you
"You ready?" Andy asked touching Emma's forehead with her own. The little girl nodded her head eagerly, as everyone laughed. Sam held her out so she was within reach of the candle, and Andy helped her blow out the candle, as the room erupted into cheers.
"Thanks for today, it was great," Traci smiled, hugging Andy tight, as they were getting ready to leave.
"It was," Andy agreed rubbing Grace's back who was fast asleep against Jerry's shoulder. "And you," she added squatting down to meet Leo's height, "thank you for the presents, Little Man, she's gonna love them." She smiled, as she hugged him tight. Andy felt a little bad. This past year hadn't given her much time with Leo. From having spent almost every week with him, to only seeing him sporadically had been tough, on the both of them. Which is also why they'd made a date for the next day, to shoot some basketball together.
"Tomorrow, Auntie Andy?" Leo asked with bright eyes.
"Tomorrow, Little Man." She confirmed, mussing his hair and watched as they made their way to the car before closing the front door.
"You happy?" Sam asked a little while later. He snaked his arms around her waist and kissed her on the temple, as she stood in the kitchen cleaning up.
"I am. You?" she asked, turning around in his arms.
"How could I be anything but? I've got the two most beautiful girls in the world with me," he grinned.
Just as his lips brushed against hers, Sarah's voice echoed from upstairs. "Sammy! Where are the towels?"
Sam sighed, pressing his forehead against Andy's shoulder. "Why did we ask her to stay again?" Sam groaned against Andy's bare shoulder.
"Because you're a great guy, and because you didn't want her to drive back home this late," she reminded him. Sarah's husband and children had already turned in, but Sarah had insisted on bathing her goddaughter.
"Alright!" Sam groaned before taking the steps, two at a time leaving a giggling Andy alone in the kitchen. Another reason for Sarah staying was unbeknownst to Sam, but it was actually so that they could have some alone time – just the two of them. Sarah had promised to take care of Emma if she were to wake up in the middle of the night.
"All tucked in for the night," Sam announced, as he closed the bedroom door behind him an hour later. Andy was standing by the dresser removing her ear studs.
"And your sister?" Andy asked, as he sat on the edge of the bed removing his socks.
"I'll repeat: tucked in for the night," he winked at her.
"Ha – ha," she mockingly replied, as she moved to stand between his legs. She placed her hands on his shoulders, as he placed his hands on her waist. Andy bent her head towards Sam's, and before long they were splayed on the bed; her legs on the inside of his; his hands sifting through her hair; her hands framing his face, as their tongues and lips mated.
"Not that I'm complaining," Sam half-laughed and half-groaned, as her lips moved to his stubbled chin.
"But…?" Andy asked sitting up straight on his stomach, her hands undoing the buttons on his shirt.
"But…doing this with our house full of guests, not to mention our one-year-old next door might not be the smartest move, Officer McNally," he quipped.
"A) they're sleeping farthest away from us, B) Sarah is on Emma-watch…" Andy said counting on her fingers, as she told him all the reasons why they needed to be together.
"and C)?" Sam asked, his hands on her hips yanking her harder against his midsection.
"C)? I want my husband." Andy stated rocking her hips against Sam's.
"You don't say," he grinned. He moved his hands to the edge of her dress, and pulled upwards, until it was bunched in his hands and thrown to the floor. Andy, clad in her strapless bra and panties, pulled her hair behind her ears before beginning to work on his belt. Before she could finish he flipped them, landing Andy flat on her back with a loud yelp. Sam pressed his lips to hers before standing up.
"Where are you going?" Andy asked, as he got off the bed.
"Nowhere," he returned. Sam tore his shirt off before stepping out of his jeans and boxer briefs all at once before resuming his position on the bed again.
"Good to know," she grinned at the familiar weight of him on her. Andy slid her hands up his biceps before framing his face. "I love you, you know that right? You and Emma are my life." Andy's brown pools gazed into Sam's with so much love it almost tore him apart.
"I love you too, sweetheart. You and Emma both. You're everything to me," Sam said, pressing his lips against Andy's, as she opened underneath his touch. His lips wandered to her cheeks and her throat before caressing her bosom. Andy arched her back, as his fingers undid the clasp off her bra before tossing it to the floor. Her panties followed suit, and before long they were lying chest to chest.
Andy felt what she'd always felt with him, complete. They fit each other perfectly. As her feet rubbed against his calf, her fingers twisted in his hair, and he used his tongue to caress her left nipple, she realized that it had always been like this. Perfect. Sure, they still had their fights. It wasn't like everything was roses and candles with them, but they loved each other to such a degree that nothing could tear them apart. They had been through hell, but this past year had shown her just how much Sam meant to her. He had stood by her through it all, and instead of breaking apart; they had weathered the storm together.
"You okay?" Sam panted lining them up, his hands lying flat on either side of her head petting her hair.
"Perfect," she smiled. As he thrust his hips against hers, and slid inside, she raked her nails down his back, leaving read marks in their wake. Sam groaned into her neck, as his hands found hers, lacing them together next to her head on the pillow. Andy arched her back, meeting Sam stroke for stroke, as they rode out the tidal wave they were riding.
An hour later, their hearts had resumed their normal pace, and they were lying face to face; their hands interlaced.
"I've missed this; us." Sam brought her left hand to his lips, pressing a whisper soft kiss against her knuckles and rubbing his thumb over her rings.
"Me too," she replied smiling.
"What?" Sam asked arching an eyebrow, as she had been staring at him for quite some time.
"I was just thinking," she started.
"Uh-oh!" Sam exclaimed earning him a shove in the ribs.
"Shut up," Andy giggled climbing on top of him, nestling her legs in between Sam's and placing her hands flat on his chest while resting her chin on top before looking up at him.
"What is it?" Sam asked seriously, caressing her naked back in circular motions.
"I want another baby. I don't want Emma to be an only child, Sam," she said gauging his response.
"Andy," he started. Another baby. Another mini-Andy. There was so much of Andy in Emma - her stubbornness, her temper tantrums, but more importantly her smile. That wide smile that took his breath away.
"I know, we haven't had a lot of time together lately, but I just, I watch Leo with Grace, and I want Emma to have that, someone to play with, and to grow up with. You know, like with you and Sarah," she rambled on and on, she knew that.
"Andy, Andy, Andy, stop," he held up his hands in surrender. "I would love to have another baby with you, and to be honest, Emma is about the right age for us to try again," he said pressing her body tightly against his.
"Yeah?" Andy grinned framing his face with her hands.
"Yup!" Sam nodded his head eagerly, as she slanted her mouth across his, and they rolled over in bed, getting ready to try again.
"Mmm, I could get used to this," Andy moaned. They were in the shower, where Sam was massaging conditioner into her hair.
"Yeah?" Sam whispered against her temple.
"Uh-huh," she returned nodding her head, as his hands moved down her arms to encircle her waist, and she leaned back against him.
"Close your eyes," he whispered. Sam held the shower head in his hand, as he rinsed the conditioner out of her hair. "You know," he started placing the shower head back in its holder before pulling her hair into a pony tail, and twisting the water from it. "Seeing you like this," he continued, as she turned around in his arms, locking her hands behind his neck.
"Yeah?" Andy urged him on arching an eyebrow.
"Makes me want to go back to practicing again," he whispered against her neck causing Andy to giggle.
"Maybe we should attend to our guests at some point?" Andy replied, as Sam applied slick kisses to her wet shoulder.
"They can entertain themselves," he mumbled against her shoulder, as she arched her neck to the opposite side, giving him more access.
"And our daughter?" Andy asked raking her nails down his chest.
"I think my sister has a handle on that as well," Sam replied, as he ran his hands down her rear before hoisting her up. Andy immediately wrapped her legs around his waist, as she slanted her mouth across his. Her fingers scraped through his hair, as her back made contact with the tile wall of the shower.
"Sam," Andy said just as he was about to line them up.
"Yeah, sweetheart?" He asked looking up at her.
"I love you," she moaned as he slid in.
"I love you too, baby," he groaned, as they picked up a rhythm.
"Sammy! You guys up?" Sarah banged on the bedroom door a few minutes later holding Emma in her arms.
"You've gotta be kidding me," Sam sighed.
"Just in the nick of time, huh?" Andy giggled sliding down his strong body. They wrapped themselves in a couple of towels before padding into the bedroom, and opening the door.
"Mama!" Emma squealed happily at the sight of her mother. Sarah handed over the little girl to Andy, as Sam stared her down.
"What?" Sarah asked shrugging her shoulders.
"Your timing is awesome!" he exclaimed, as Sarah stuck her tongue out at him.
"Yeah, yeah, little brother," she sang, as she walked down the hallway. Sam closed the bedroom door, and was taken aback by the sight of Andy and Emma standing by the window. Andy; clad in a white, fluffy towel, her wet hair cascading down her back. Emma; dressed in a yellow dress, and her brown, curly hair up in a barrette – despite the fact that she didn't have that much hair anymore, since Andy had just trimmed it a few days earlier. The sun came in through the picture window framing them together like a photograph.
"What?" Andy asked noticing his faraway look.
"Just admiring the view," he grinned. Sam walked towards them, wrapping his around them, as they enjoyed the view of the park across from their house. Kids were playing on the playground, chasing each other around on the grass. Andy looked up at Sam, and he met her gaze. He pressed a kiss against Emma's forehead first and then Andy's. Never in his life had anything felt this complete, and he had a feeling that it was just the beginning.
FIN!