Chapter 20

After Brenda came, Sharon immediately invited her inside to talk. She knew what would be the conversation, but she was accustomed to these criticisms. Brenda sat opposite Sharon, watching her carefully.

"You look pale. How are you feeling?" Brenda asked anxiously. Sharon took a deep breath and shrugged.

"I have no idea. I have sleepless nights thinking about my future and this baby. I just don't know what I want and I feel more confused than ever. I don't know if I should keep this child or not, although it is sin. My head is a mess. " she replied thoughtfully. Brenda took her hand.

"Sharon, I thought that you changed your opinion after today's nightmare with Andy. Look, he's been sober for more than 15 years. It was a big surprise for everyone, even for him."

"Yes, I know that. And I know that all criticize me and say I'm to blame for his condition. Well, yes. I'm guilty." Sharon interrupted sharply. Brenda hushed quietly.

"Sharon, calm down. I don't want Maddie to hear our conversation. But you have to take the right decision. Sharon, you're a great mother and I'd witnessed this several times. Then why do you want to get rid of this child? What happens with you? " she asked heatedly. Sharon took a deep breath and swallowed the lump in her throat.

"I've already said why. Look, Chief, I'm afraid. I'm afraid that I'll lose this child. I feel terrible." Sharon acknowledged and tears streamed down her cheeks. Brenda hugged her comfortingly.

"Sharon, stop to think about bad things. What will happen now between you and Andy?"

"We have no future together. I gave him the engagement ring back, but Maddie constantly was asking about him. I don't know how to explain this situation to my daughter. If I keep this child, it will not receive parental love. I don't want this child to experience the same which Emily and Ricky experienced years ago. " she said sadly. Brenda shook her head.

"Sharon, why do you think so? This is Andy and he wants this child. He's not Jack Raydor. You always told that Andy is quite different." Brenda tried to dissuade her, but Sharon still had doubts. During this time, Andy was sitting on the couch thoughtfully. Provenza sat next to him and squeezed his shoulder.

"I am convinced that you think about this woman." he muttered, frowning.

"Not really. The only thing I think is that child. Louie, this is my child. And she wants to kill it, which is also a sin." Andy said unhappily. Provenza rolled his eyes and looked at him closely.

"Look, Chief Johnson said that you still have time to dissuade her. Then go to her and talk to her. You have to take a final decision together." Provenza said sternly. Andy sighed and closed his eyes for a moment.

"I don't want to see her right now. I'm worried about Maddie also, because she's probably wondering where I am. You know, Maddie is like my daughter. The relationship between us is very strong and I can see how wrong I was, thinking that this little girl will be a barrier between us. Sharon likes to create problems. " he said heatedly.

"Andy, I told you several times but you ...- '"

"Please, don't start talking to me that she was my enemy. Yes, Louie, she was my enemy but that was before. Now I have a big problem. I don't want Sharon to have an abortion." He broke off abruptly. Provenza shrugged. After her conversation with Chief Johnson, Sharon went into the bedroom and lay down on the bed thoughtfully. She put her hand on her stomach and closed her eyes for a moment. Imperceptibly, she fell asleep as soon as she put her head on the pillow. The next morning, she felt dizzy. She wasn't sure if she'll be able to work in this state. She immediately changed her clothes and went to the kitchen to make breakfast for Maddie, but she was terribly surprised, seeing that breakfast is ready. She saw Andy, who looked at her coldly.

"I didn't know you were here." Sharon said sarcastically. Andy sighed wearily and walked toward her.

"Well, it is still my apartment and Maddie is my daughter. I wouldn't want my daughter to think that I abandoned her." he said ironically. Sharon nodded and looked at the breakfast.

"That's right. Why don't you come home? This is your apartment and you can't leave just like that." she said shunning his eyes. Andy took a deep breath and put his hands in his pockets.

"I couldn't come because of our last conversation. I needed to be alone, really. But I won't leave Maddie. Maybe everything between us is over, but Maddie will always be my daughter." he said firmly. Sharon put her hands on the table, feeling dizzy. Andy squeezed her shoulder.

"Are you okay?" he asked anxiously. Sharon nodded and sat down. At this moment, Maddie came over and hugged her father tightly. Andy took the little girl on his lap and kissed her gently on the cheek.

"Daddy, where have you been?" Maddie asked immediately.

"Honey, I had to close one case, but don't worry. I'm here and always will be. Let's have breakfast." he offered and Maddie sat beside her mother, kissing her gently. Sharon smiled softly and looked at Andy, who sat across from her.

"Mom, are you okay?" the little girl asked anxiously. Sharon nodded and stroked her hair.

"I'm fine, honey. Don't worry. I don't want you to be late for school. Remember that breakfast is an important part." she assured. Maddie nodded and continued with her breakfast while Sharon and Andy looked at each other. Once they took Maddie to school together, they went to the department. The team had to solve another murder case. Working together all the time was one of the hardest things about Sharon and Andy. They couldn't even look at each other. After the case was revealed, Provenza suggested Andy to go to a restaurant for lunch, but he refused. He wasn't in the mood, and besides, he wanted to make sure that Sharon is well enough. Nevertheless, he didn't want to leave her alone. Provenza couldn't believe that his friend is still concerned about the woman that hurts him constantly. The whole team had gone to lunch but Sharon and Andy. They sat facing each other in silence, without saying a word. Andy opened his drawer and noticed Sharon's necklace. He'd forgotten to give her necklace back. She'd forgotten it in the murder room. He slowly walked over to her desk and handed her her necklace. Sharon took the necklace and looked at him with indescribable coldness.

"Your necklace. I forgot to give it to you." he said indifferently. Sharon pursed her lips and nodded slightly.

"Thanks." she said without looking at him and put the necklace in her drawer. Andy returned to his desk and continued to watch her slow movements. He wanted her to keep the child and to dissuade her. He knew that this was his last chance, but somehow he couldn't find the courage. He was deeply hurt and he didn't know how to talk to her. He wasn't even sure if he loves Sharon in the same way. In the evening, Sharon decided to come home earlier, feeling fatigue. Andy sat on his desk thoughtfully when Provenza stood before him.

"Well, what happened? You were there to dissuade her?" he asked immediately. Andy took a deep breath and shrugged.

"I didn't have the opportunity to talk to her, although this is my last chance. I don't know why she hates this unborn child, but I know how stubborn she is. She won't listen to me." Andy said sadly. Provenza shook his head.

"Look, try again. Maybe this time you will succeed." Provenza said encouragingly. Andy grabbed his jacket and returned home. He threw the keys and went into the living room. Sharon approached him, looking at him questioningly.

"What are you doing?" she asked, confused, seeing pillow in his hands.

"Nothing. I just want to sleep here." he said, sitting on the couch. Sharon took a deep breath and shook her head.

"But there is no need. You can't sleep on this uncomfortable couch. This is your apartment." she said firmly. Andy laughed derisively.

"Sharon, stop pretending. You become ridiculous." he said sarcastically. Sharon bit her lip and stood before him.

"Maybe you want to know the decision I took." she said sharply, causing Andy to look at her, but he didn't have much hope. She took a deep breath, then continued, "I took this decision very hard. Everyone wants, especially you. I decided to keep the baby."

~~~ TBC ~~~