Chapter 14
While all were shocked by the news, Andy was able to put Jack out with Julio's help. Sharon still trembled and tears streamed down her cheeks, silently. Their secret was revealed. Her fear had become true. She was confused and didn't know what would happen to her life from now on. If everyone would blame her and Andy? Especially Andy for his great sacrifice.
Sharon sat in a chair, looking down at her feet. She hadn't felt so bad ever. What would think now their children and the team? Perhaps that she's a "cheap woman" seeking help from her subordinate to accept the paternity of her baby. For Andy? Surely, that he's crazy to make such a big sacrifice, accepting the child who isn't his.
Provenza looked around, confused and asked quietly, "Is this what Jack said is really true? Could the captain and Flynn to lie us in this bad way? They are capable of this?" Amy Sykes and Mike Tao looked at each other while Rusty and Buzz didn't know what to think, like any other. No one answered to Provenza. He gritted his teeth in anger at the thought that his best friend has accepted that.
On the other hand, Nicole was also in shock and couldn't believe that her father made a similar sacrifice by accepting paternity of "foreign child." Her husband, David, put his hand on her shoulder reassuringly to give her support. But she couldn't be calm right now. She wanted to ask a lot of questions to her father.
Sharon put her hand on her belly, feeling slight discomfort. She took a deep, shallow breaths to calm herself, but the pain was more and more and her fear that something will happen to her baby grew more and more. Rusty looked at his mother and quickly ran to her, seeing that she definitely wasn't feeling well. He knelt before her and asked worriedly, "Mom, are you okay? You look pale. You want me to call Andy?" Sharon turned her head and squeezed his shoulder.
"It's okay, just slight discomfort. I'm fine, don't worry." she tried to hide but she really needed Andy - her greatest support. Rusty continued to stare at her carefully. He didn't want to judge her for it or asking her silly questions. He just wanted she to be better, nothing more. A few minutes later, Andy and Julio returned. Andy, not looking at anyone else went to Sharon and knelt before her. They all gathered around them in silence.
"Sharon, you're in pain? Let's go to a doctor." he insisted heatedly without thinking about anything else. Sharon took a deep breath, bit her lip and shook her head, placing her hand on his shoulder.
"Andy, I'm fine. Just the shock that I experience now can't be compared with anything else. Believe me, I feel worse than ever." she said quietly crying.
"What we have to say then? We are the ones who are in shock! I can't believe that you're hiding anything like this and can't believe that you've lied to us so calmly, without even thinking whether this is correct or not !" Provenza shouted. Andy turned to him and glared at him.
"Stop shouting Provenza! We do not like to lie to hide something like that from you. We just wanted this to be a secret until the baby is born. We would not hide it." Provenza laughed derisively and shook his head.
"Yes, you're not wanted, but Dad ... The truth is that you lied to us and that will not change. I would like you to tell me the whole truth rather than lie to me in the eye." Nicole said firmly. Andy sighed wearily and continued, "I had to do that. If I've said this a few months ago, you all would blame me and prevent me from being next to Sharon and to be the father of her child. I'm convinced that this would happened."
"Yes, rightly said! First I would hold on you to make that sacrifice! I still can't believe it. You Captain? How do you agreed with that?" Provenza immediately turned his attention to her. Sharon looked at him coldly, without giving any response. She was unable to speak. Andy squeezed her shoulder for support. All were silent, except Provenza and Nicole. Nobody wanted to protest besides them. Andy couldn't understand their behavior.
At this point, Andrea arrived and seeing tuple of people she approached them surprised. She has just arrived and she still didn't know that Jack has revealed their secret. She saw Sharon - her best friend, who was crying quietly and Andy, who stood numb in place.
"My God! What happened here? Why Sharon is crying? Can anybody explain this mess?" she asked, turning her attention to Andy. He shrugged and looked at Sharon. Rusty went to Andrea.
"Andrea, actually ... Somehow, Jack appeared and revealed the secret." Andrea's eyes widened and she immediately knelt in front of Sharon. Without a word, Sharon hugged her hard. Andrea rubbed her back consolingly while the crowd of people leave. Provenza sat at his desk in anger. Nicole walked over to her father, asking quietly, "Dad, can we talk?" He nodded and they went into Sharon's office to be able to talk calmly.
"Look, Nicole, if you will blame me, I ...-"
"No, Dad. I don't want to blame you. And I'm just shocked that you and Sharon lied to us this way." she admitted. Andy took a deep breath and walked over to her.
"Nicole, for years I thought that Sharon was my enemy but finally I realized that she's actually much more to me. She's very important and special to me. I really love Sharon. I can't hide that. I want you to know that it isn't a sacrifice. I wanted to help Sharon to be with her and the baby. And whatever happens, I'll be with her. " he said firmly. Nicole nodded slightly.
"I know, Dad. I can't blame you, because I have no right. I did the same as you do now. I married David, knowing that he has two children. Yes, I accept his children as mine. And if I need to admit, I love them very much and I can't live without my sons. " Andy smiled and hugged his daughter tightly.
"I'm proud that you're my daughter, but now, I worry about Sharon. The doctor unnecessarily warned that she should be away from stressful situations, but now ... All blame her, especially Provenza. I don't know how to calm her down." Nicole squeezed his shoulder.
"Dad, you should go home. She needs a break. I'm sure that with your help she'll be better." Andy nodded and the two walked out of the office. Andy slowly walked over to Sharon and with Andrea's help, he led her to their car. Sharon took a deep breath and rubbed her belly gently.
"Sharon, are you sure you're okay?" Andy asked worriedly and put his hand on her belly. Sharon shook her head, uncertain.
"I don't know, Andy. Jack again fail my life. Now all blame us. And they're right." Andy shushed quietly and hugged her.
"No, Sharon. Stop thinking about it. You see, everyone will understand us and will stop accusing us." he said encouragingly. She nodded with a smile and they got into the car.
Incidentally, Rusty was with Buzz and discussed this night's scandal.
"Rusty, you shouldn't blame your mother. We all know that the relationship between her and Lieutenant Flynn is great. They really love each other and they're ready to do everything possible to allow the other to be happy." Buzz said with a slight smile and handed him a cup of tea. Rusty sighed and shook his head.
"Yes, I know that. But I don't blame neither Mom nor Lieutenant Flynn. I see their great love. And I know that Andy will be a good father for my sister. Look, Buzz, I really don't blame them. The only thing I want is Mom to be better. She doesn't have to worry about this nonsense, but Lieutenant Provenza .. Uh ... He's the only one who blame them in this bad way. " Buzz smiled slightly and squeezed his shoulder.
"Provenza always react that way, but then he also softens as any other, believe me. Tomorrow he'll be different." Rusty smiled sadly and shook his head, sipping his tea.
Andy drove carefully on the way home. From time to time, he looked to Sharon to make sure she's okay. Sharon had managed to fall asleep, and he was pleased. He sighed with relief and stopped the car in front of the building. He quickly got out of the car and took Sharon in his arms, trying not to wake her. He opened the apartment door and carefully put the keys on the table. Sharon was still asleep in his arms. He carefully led her into the bedroom.
He quickly brought more blankets, seeing that she was trembling. He knew immediately that she has a temperature. He sighed wearily and quickly bring the medicine cabinet with medications. While Andy was looking for the right medicine, Sharon slowly opened her eyes and looked at Andy. He looked at her and squeezed her hand.
"Sharon, please, take this. You have a high temperature." he said quietly and handed her the medicine "She nodded slightly and took medicine. She lay back and Andy pulled the blankets with a smile. She smiled gently when he kissed her gently on the lips.
"Where's Rusty?" she asked immediately, looking around.
"Calm down. He's with Buzz. He'll probably be here in a few minutes, as I told him that you have a temperature." Sharon frowned slightly.
"Oh, Andy! Why should we worry all? I'm fine." she insisted. Andy hushed and rubbed her belly.
"No, Sharon. You have a temperature and you must rest. At least think about our baby." he smiled. After his words, Sharon again remembered Jack and the scandal that he'd raised tonight. She bit her lip and said quietly, "Andy, all blame me, but most blame you. You sure you want to accept the paternity of my baby? If you want, you can quit now." Andy shushed quietly and hugged her comfortingly.
"Sharon, please don't talk like that. I never give up our child. Moreover, nobody blames us. If you talk to Provenza, you know. He always behaves like that, but then softens. I know my friend very good." he said encouragingly, rubbing her back. Sharon snuggled into his warm embrace and whispered, "I love you." Andy smiled. "I love you too."
A few minutes later, Rusty came home and immediately went to his mother.
"Mom, are you okay?" he asked, worried. She smiled and stroked his face.
"I'm fine, honey, don't worry. Andy just loves to overdo it." Rusty grinned and kissed her cheek.
"I'm glad you're okay. Today was pretty tiring day, I need some sleep. Andy, take care of my mom." he winked at him and went into his room. Sharon and Andy looked at each other with a smile.
"Rusty is really good and concerned about you. He is a true son, Sharon." Andy admitted dreamily. Sharon smiled and nodded slightly.
"You're right. I'm proud that I have a son like Rusty." Andy smiled and lay down beside her, kissing her forehead.
"You have no temperature. Let's sleep, you have a need to rest." he said quietly. Sharon smiled.
"I can sleep peacefully only in your embrace. Hold me tight." She looked in his chocolate brown eyes pleadingly. Andy smiled contented and took her in his arms tightly. They slept together peacefully in their arms, hoping that their lives will be better from now on.
The next morning, Rusty was already in college, while Sharon and Andy were having breakfast together. Andy looked at Sharon carefully, then at his watch.
"Sharon, are you sure you're okay? You can stay at home, we can manage without you." he insisted. Sharon sighed and leaned back, putting her hand on her belly.
"If I have to admit, I don't want to be at work, especially after last night. I don't want conflict with Lieutenant Provenza." Andy hushed quietly and squeezed her hand.
"Sharon, I told you that Provenza will soften. You'll see, he'll not tell us anything wrong. What was last night was an initial shock." he assured her with a smile. Sharon nodded slightly.
"I hope you're right. In addition, today I work less. I feel that the pregnancy doesn't allow me much." she grinned.
"That's good. How's our little princess today?" he asked with a smile, feeling the ice between them melts.
"Quite good." she replied absently rubbing her belly.
About 20 minutes later, Sharon and Andy arrived in the department. Provenza was drinking his morning coffee as always. The whole team greeted Sharon and Andy. Sharon smiled softly and walked to her office without looking at Provenza. On the other hand, Provenza cleared his throat and approached her, looking at her guiltily. Andy and the others looked at him confusedly.
"Captain, I'm sorry." he began.
"For what, Lieutenant?" she asked, looking at him questioningly. Provenza sighed and continued, "For last night. Actually, I don't blame you. I want you to know that I respect you a lot and I don't want you to think that I'm ..."
"Please, Lieutenant. The shock that we experienced last night was huge. I understand." she said quietly with a smile.
"No, Captain. My behavior was idiotic to you. I'm sorry and I hope you forgive me." he added apologetically. Sharon smiled and hugged him, leaving Provenza in surprise.
"There's nothing to forgive you. We're here as a family. Don't forget it." She smiled softly. Andy squeezed her shoulder with a smile and winked at Provenza. Everyone was happy with the fact that the ice between Sharon and Provenza, melts.
~~~ TBC ~~~