Author's Note: A heads up, there is a big time jump here. We were in January, and now we are in May.

Chapter 20

"I Love You"

In just four months changes happened quickly for the Flynn and Raydor's. Andy with Sharon's help hired a restaurant manager, something he grumbled exasperatedly about. Patrice Perry a woman not much older than Andy who had studied restaurant management and been successful in operating another restaurant in town. At first, Andy hated the idea, he was grouchy and complained about the smallest of errors until Patrice proved her expertise by saving him hundreds of dollars a week by only making a few changes. It allowed Sharon to dedicate more time to the renovation of the bookstore. Sandra had officially taken her position in New York which meant that Tommy was living with Andy full time. With Patrice at the restaurant Andy spent half his day at work and the rest of the time with Tommy and Emily. A change that was hard for him, he did not know how to be at home for so long. However, he loved the time he got with the children.

Sharon had moved out of the bookstore and had started major construction. Without being fortunate in finding a space they had moved in with Morales to a condo Hobbs had helped him find. They had decided to live together temporarily. It was an easier transition for Emily and a way to give Sharon more time to find a house that felt right.

Even though their material objects lived at Fernando's condo, Sharon and Emily spent most of their time at Andy's place. Sharon would go to his house after a day at the bookstore since he picked Emily up from preschool. Dinner and homework were done there. Then story time and once that was done Sharon would shower and slip into one of Andy's baggy shirts. It was easier to slip the children into bed than put Emily in the car. Maybe that was just the excuse that worked best for them. Then they would retire to the master bedroom. Either holding one another through the night or locking the door and making love until they were tired, breathing hard and waking up feeling sore in all the right places.

But living arrangements were never brought up. It was just right, taken at their own pace and in their own way.

Tommy had turned a year older and so had Sharon. With only a few days of difference, Sharon and Tommy had blown out birthday candles together. The gathering had been quaint with a cake and their closest friends. Many Batman gifts and books had been sent from New York with a new iPad to have daily conversations with Sandra. Sharon in the privacy of the bedroom had received beautiful diamond earrings and a framed photo of the four of them.

The words our family engraved into the wood. She had put it on the nightstand next to her bed. The one at Morales's condo. Even though she and Emily were still sharing a room, she had made sure to put two twin size beds in the room, so it did not become a habit of sleeping together. Although the arrangement was odd, it was nice to be spending so much time with her daughter and watching her grow.

"Andy Flynn!"

He was very familiar with that tone. Before he discovered Sharon Raydor's death glare, nothing scared him more than hearing Andrea Hobbs' voice reach that tone. Andy sat up in his desk chair and winced when she came in wearing her impeccable pantsuit and carrying her briefcase.

Then slamming the door behind her.

"Whatever I did…" He waved his hand trying to be as apologetic as he could even though he had no idea what the issue was.

"I've been walking around with your girlfriend for months." She sighed trying to calm herself. "Which she is really great by the way, I have no problem driving her around. I'd love to spend time with her outside of searching for a house." Andy smiled, glad two of the most important women in his life could get along. Andrea dropped into the chair sighing, "Are you not that into her?"

Andy immediately looked confused and offended, "Excuse me?"

"She's perfect for you. And her little girl loves you, adores you. So, why are we driving all over Los Angeles—"

"All over?" he gulped. After talking lengthily, they had decided—mostly Sharon's decision—for her to search nearby, so there would not be too much traveling on afternoons they were going to spend together.

Andrea analyzed him, realizing at that moment that Sharon meant more to him than she had imagined. "Well nothing was catching her eye, so I widened the perimeter," Andrea said sympathetically, reaching over the desk she took his hand in hers. "But, I realized what the problem was." He lifted an eyebrow questioning her. "No matter what house I show her, it's not your place, or at least it doesn't have your approval." She squeezed his hand then released it. "And unless we go for a brand-new home, nothing will be as in good condition as your house."

Andy hesitated for a moment, then said, "Did she say that?"

"No, of course, she didn't because she's smart and careful. But, tell me, if not being into her isn't the problem, then what is? Why haven't you offered to move in together?"

Andy took a deep breath; it was the same question he had been asking himself for weeks. However, he would not betray Sharon's trust. They had made a decision together. "We're keeping our options open."

"Well, I think it's time to narrow those options," Andrea said softly.

He smiled at her, "yeah, I'm trying."

Each time Andy walked into the bookstore he was impressed at the new renovations, Sharon had decided to reopen the bookstore but was investing in many changes to make the place more modern. He was only upset he had thought there was no potential for it anymore, that he was set on tearing down walls to create a bar.

When he did not spot Sharon among Julio and the other workmen, he climbed the staircase. She had been working late, told him she would be changing in the upstairs bathroom despite the construction. Her voice carried sweetly from the bathroom as she sang a song he was not familiar with. Andy stopped at the top of the staircase, leaning against the wall to enjoy.

"I know you're there," she called between lyrics.

"Damn, squeaky step," he grunted as he rounded the corner and stopped when he was outside the bathroom door. She was wearing skinny jeans, a Green Bay Packers jersey and matching green converse. But it was her smile that took his breath away.

Andy had surprised her with tickets to a football game—some NFL teams had set up for charity—when he found out how much she loved the game. But he never imagined how much happiness it would bring her. "You look beautiful!"

She said, "And, you look underdressed for the event."

It was not until she turned to the sink and lifted the foam cheesehead that he saw it. Sharon stepped forward and quickly placed it on his head. Then her arms wrapped around his neck, "thank you again."

"If I can make you smile, that's enough."

She knew he was not a football fan. He preferred baseball, had discovered his shelf of Dodgers memorabilia in a guest bedroom in his home. It had gotten her to ramble on for hours about sports, and it was only until she switched to football that she realized he had little knowledge of the sport.

He took off the foam cheese from his head and leaned down kissing her. His free hand was moving down her back, drifting to her bottom, and pulling her close.

She spoke softly, "You just left the restaurant. I thought you were leaving early today." He pulled back and nodded, the first time she had made a similar comment while hugging him he had felt confused, but after a few more similar circumstances she explained that he carried distinctive smells of the restaurant, but it seemed only Sharon could find them.

"I know I was supposed to leave early, I tried—"

Sharon stopped him with a soft kiss then smiled at him, "I packed a bag for Emily and I if you'll have us over tonight? Maybe, you'll spend the day with us tomorrow instead." Even staying together often it was Andy who initiated or asked her to stay, but he was thrilled to hear her making the decision, and it was not simply by his invitation.

Andy smiled, "of course." His lips were brushing gently against her forehead.

It was a fascinating discovery for Andy to see Sharon amongst other football fans. She turned into a whole other person, shouting, eating concession stand junk food and jumping up when she got overly excited. Even after the game loss, she thanked him vigorously, chatting endlessly about how well her team performed. But the car drive was filled with her non-stop explanations of things they could have done better.

Andy wondered when he could get his girlfriend and best friend together. Provenza would have a fit once he saw Sharon in complete sports mode, it would be one less reason for him to grumble over his dating choices.

After the game, Andy drove her to a small ice cream shack, one that had not been closed down despite the more popular chains. Sharon got a vanilla shake, where Andy opted for a cone. Linking their fingers together amongst the other couples felt like the most natural thing. When Andy pulled her close by wrapping an arm behind her back, she melted into him, letting the kiss take its course, despite her previous reservations of public affection in front of others. She smiled brightly when they pulled apart; he kissed her again much softer. She loved the small affectionate pat he gave her behind before he led her to a table in the center of the shop.

"Jack hated ice cream," Sharon spoke softly. Andy remained quiet; it was the first time, she had spoken about her ex-husband without some type of prompting. "For a few years, there I stopped buying it, stopped eating it, just because he wouldn't have any." Andy rubbed his hand along her knee as she continued. "I'm sorry, I just realized how many other things I gave up for him."

"Hey, you don't need to apologize."

Her hand landed on his as she met his gaze. "I know." She kissed him on his cheek and then said, "thank you for this perfect date."

They picked up Emily from Fernando's condo. She ran towards her mom hugging her but asking to be lifted by Andy and laying her head on his shoulder. He kissed the top of her head and began a quiet conversation with her as Sharon stepped inside for Emily's things.

"She didn't have her nap." Morales apologized, handing Sharon the teddy bear. Since renting the condo, he was slowly getting acclimated to the new city. His counseling expertise would be part of the new functioning bookstore. He said his favorite part of being in town was being near his goddaughter, which had prompted Andy to claim Sharon's free time as their adult time.

"I've been working on something these past few months," Andy said tentatively as they put Emily to rest in Tommy's room after Amy had been relieved of her babysitting duties. He took Sharon's hand and laced their fingers. When they stepped out of the room and out of the darkness she noticed that he was nervous.

She smiled encouragingly as he led her down the hall to what she had familiarized herself with being his office. As he opened the door Sharon looked at him quizzically and stepped inside. Her first reaction was shock. Then she released an overwhelmed gasp when she remembered to breathe. The room was pristinely white, except for the black and white picture of the New York ballet hanging the length of one wall, with a twin-size bed below it, decorated with a pink bedspread. The opposite wall was mirrored, with a ballerina bar and a tutu hanging in the open closet.

"It's not the ballerina room at your parents—" Sharon turned around and stopped him with a soft kiss. He accepted pulling her closer to him. "This is my way of asking you and Emily to move in with Tommy and me? He's been helping arrange the space, so you don't have to worry about what he thinks. He is on board and waiting for my call to tell him if you said yes or no." He caressed her cheek and whispered against her lips. "The bar can be moved at different levels as she grows, I thought we could sign her up for classes…"

"One step at a time," she chuckled.

"Yeah," he said nervously. "So?" he prompted, looking around the room.

"I was waiting for you to ask again."

He starred at her unbelievably. "You're kidding, right?"

She shook her head, "I was nervous. But, how could I refuse to move in with you after this?" Her hand waved around the room. She walked further into it shaking her head unbelievably. "Emily is going to be over the moon. I cannot believe you did all of this."

"I wanted her to have her space." He stepped over to Sharon and wrapped his arms around her waist, from behind. "I promise to share a bowl of ice cream with you whenever you want." Sharon did not know how to respond to that. He was promising her so much more than the room in his—their soon to be— freezer. "You and Emily will always have a home here, with Tommy and I." Sharon's palm came up and caressed his cheek for a moment as she took a deep breath closing her eyes.

"I love you," was all she could whisper.

He stepped back smiling. Yeah, those words sounded even more incredible than he could have imagined. Even though he had said it months ago, and had repeated it on many occasions, he had never pressured her. He desired to hear it but knew she would say it when she was ready. He walked around her and pulled her into a hug. She held him tight. When he first discovered she loved hugs, he fell more in love with her. Sharon's embraces were fearsome and filled with energy and passion. "Can you say it again? I want to look at you while you say it."

Sharon frowned for a second confused, tilting her head up and realizing what he was talking about."I love you," then a small peck on his jaw. She inhaled, and her forehead rested against his jaw. "We will tell Emily tomorrow, with Tommy?" It sounded like a question, but Andy knew it was not up for discussion. All he knew for sure was yes, they were moving in together. "We should also call Andrea." Sharon murmured under what sounded like an emotional breath.

"Oh, she's okay, I promise. She loved getting to know you two. Wants a girls night." He made a weird squatting gesture, Sharon was not familiar with and then she felt herself squealing as he lifted her from her knees, slowly letting her come down in his arms until she could wrap her legs around his waist.

"How about we go to our bedroom, and you can decide how to remodel it."

Sharon smiled down at him, "I think there are better things we can do to celebrate."

He growled as he walked down the hall with her, Sharon laughed happily. She knew how careful he was in initiating anything when Emily or both Emily and Tommy were around. But their alone time was far and in between, and Sharon would make sure to be quiet, to lock the doors and redress before unlocking the doors just to make sure they were decent for when Emily came searching for them. She'd do pretty much anything to have a moment to be with him, feel him and love him.

Second Author's Note: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. We are getting close to 500 reviews...wow...thank you all for the kindness, help, suggestions, notes, and criticism. Thank you, thank you.