I hope I haven't lost too many of you with such long delays. Thanks to those who continue reviewing and reading!
The following several days have Sharon and Andy being grandpa and grandma from day to night. They had officially taken time off to take care of the boys and had since been carpooling to school, babysitting Jake, taking lunch and dinner to Jeff and Nicole to the hospital. When Nicole is released from the hospital she only moves from one floor to the other, taking turns with Jeff for showers and to spend time with the boys. Rusty spends his time with Nicole at the hospital and at school only making it home for sleep.
Sharon sets a plate in front of each of the boys.
"Thanks, Grandma," Ian says through a mouthful of waffles. Sharon leans down and kisses the top of his head.
"Your Welcome handsome," Sharon smiles rubbing the top of his head.
"Can I have a kiss?" Jake calls from the other side of the table.
"You have to say, thank you." Ian tells him.
Sharon smiles at Jake's pout as she walks around the table, "but I did say thank you." Sharon kisses the top of his head twice. "Thank you." He says while tilting his head back and smiling up at her.
Sharon's heart warms as she leans down and kisses his forehead.
"Your Welcome, I have kisses for you all the time."
Jake smiles at his brother, "I got three kisses."
"Alright boys, eat up, then you brush your teeth and get dressed. Your Uncle Nick should be here any minute." Sharon gathers the tray of food, "I'm going to go wake grandpa," She says as she walks away.
She stops as the door opens to the house. Nick peaks his head in, making Sharon smile.
"Hi Sharon," he steps inside the door.
"Hey, honey," she watches him bring in a small suitcase.
"I hope you don't mind one more person." He sets his bag down and gives her a hug, "let me help," he says taking the tray from her.
"Of course not, this is your home. I'm going to wake up your Dad."
"Lazy bones," he teases. "Hence the tray." He lifts it when she nods, he hands it back to her. "The boys?" He looks around.
"Having breakfast, are you hungry?"
"Starving, actually," he smiles crookedly his hand coming to his stomach.
"Help yourself, I'll be out in a minute." He thanks her as he walks to the kitchen. She hears the boys exclaim excitedly.
Sharon walks into the bedroom setting the tray down on the desk and pulls open the curtains smiling at seeing Andy still sleeping. She walks over to him and sits on the corner of the bed leaning down and running her fingers through the short strands of his hair.
Andy inhales a long breath.
She worries about him, he had been going to meetings more often than she had ever seen. He had avoided talking about Susan, quickly changing the conversation if it was brought up. He was giving all his attention to his family and she could see it was slowly wearing him out.
She runs her finger down his nose and smiles when it twitches and his hand starts searching for her in the bed.
"Wake up, Love," she whispers into his ear as she places a soft kiss to his cheek, the tip of his nose then his lips. Andy's eyes open as he hums and smiles against her lips. His hand slowly reaches to the nape of her neck, holding her close.
"Am I dreaming?" He murmurs against her lips closing his eyes again.
"Are you having naughty dreams Lieutenant?" Sharon quirks an eyebrow, placing a sweet kiss to his lips.
"Guilty as charged, Captain," he chuckles, his voice rough from sleep. He opens one eye and grins when he sees her lips pursed and straightened up. He closes his eyes and hums, "A sexy Captain and I on her desk." Sharon smiles as his hand starts rubbing up her thigh and a mischievous glimmer in his eyes when they open again.
"Hands off Mister." Sharon pushes up and Andy follows sitting up and resting against the headboard hoping he could persuade her to join him in bed again. However, he frowns when he sees her slipping on her heels. He watches her walk around and sees the familiar tray come around and be placed in front of him.
He looks up at her with a sweet smile.
"You made me breakfast?" Sharon frowns when he looks down at his food.
"I've made you breakfast before." Her hands land on her hips in defense. Andy looks up at her and she relaxes when she sees him smiling.
"It is the breakfast in bed that's new," he says as he takes a forkful of the waffles. She can't help but watch him, loving to see the smile of happiness for her gesture. She leans forward and surprises him as she captures the syrup on his lips with a kiss. He holds her hand when she pulls back, "Can you join me?" She doesn't fight it sitting beside him. He kisses her cheek and turns to his plate and takes a second bite. "Did you eat?"
"I did, but Nick called said he's back in town and is taking you and the boys out so I got them up, he just arrived a few minutes ago." She takes the forkful Andy is feeding her and finishes her mouthful before pushing out of the bed. "I am going to the hospital, Jeff is back at work so Nicole is alone." Andy watches her walk around the room gathering her things, when she stops talking he looks up and meets her eyes. She has an amused expression on her face. "Did you listen to a word I said?"
"I've told you if you wear those jeans, my attention drifts." Sharon rolls her eyes, Andy moves the tray aside, pulling the blankets off of himself and walks over to Sharon.
"Get back into bed," Sharon points as she steps back when he has that playful grin on his face. He reaches her and slips his hand into her back pockets and pulls her to him.
"Why do you want me in bed?" He whispers.
"Because it's harder to leave when you're doing this," her eyes close when his lips make a path down her neck. "Andy?" His name is barley a whisper as his hands move under her shirt, along the softness of her back. He starts taking steps backwards to the bed. "No, no, I have to go," Sharon giggles pushing him by his chest and stepping away from him.
Andy sits on the bed with a grumble, she smirks, looking over her shoulder.
"I'm hurt," he grumbles. His hand coming up to his chest dramatically.
Her lips curves up as she walks back over to him and sits on one of his legs. His hands are instantly on her, her legs are between his and a hand on his cheek. He hums when she kisses him softly. He deepens the kiss and it is her turn to hum as her fingers go through his hair.
"I'd love to stay and kiss you," she smiles against his mouth when he stops her from talking, "Andy, we have a busy day," her voice is soft.
"I want you, Beautiful," his hand rubs up her thigh, his lips moving down her neck, she whimpers. Sharon pulls back resting her forehead against his and taking his hand from her thigh and intertwining their fingers.
Her voice is softer then a whisper, "If I keep letting you touch me, I'll never get out of here. I have to go," she kisses his nose. "Please eat your breakfast," they continue looking into each other's eyes, she pecks him quickly before standing up and gathering her things. "I love you," she calls as she's leaving.
Andy groans, falling back into the bed.
Sharon finds the boys playing in the front yard with Nick.
"Nick, Ian has a little runny nose if you just make sure he stays hydrated." He nods holding out his hands to catch the ball Jake throws at him. "And your Dad…" Nick looks over at her and frowns, tossing the ball back.
"What's wrong with Dad?" The concern evident in his voice.
"Oh, nothing." She tries to wave it off then smiles hesitantly, "Well he's just tired, if—"
"I'll make sure he doesn't over do it." Nick smiles at her, Sharon releases a long breath.
"Grandma!" Sharon says a thank you before turning to Ian and catching the ball. She gives it to Nick, kissing the boys goodbye.
Nick finds his Dad in the kitchen humming as he packs lunches.
"Hey," Andy looks up and smiles at his son. "You are making sack lunches." Nick smirks, Andy does too.
"Just some snacks."
"You used to do that for me." Andy looks up as he sits on the stool in front of the counter. "For lunch when I was in kindergarten and first grade..."
"In a teenage mutant turtle lunchbox," Andy tells him, Nick nods smiling at the memory. "Maybe in a few years you'll be making school lunches—"
"Ana left." Nick cuts him off. The smile Andy has instantly disappears, Nick shrugs. "It is what it is right?" He stands up and points toward the living room. "We are ready, whenever you are."
"Wait, son." Andy walks around the counter and Nick turns around but doesn't look at him.
"Don't ask me what happened, I don't know. I got home she had a bag and she left. I don't really want to talk about it, Dad." Andy can see the pain in his son's eyes, how he chokes up with every word and walks over to him, pulling him into a hug.
Nick tenses but quickly relaxes. Before Andy can say anything else the boys run into the kitchen.
"Can we go now, Grandpa?" Jake jumps up and down on his toes. Both Andy and Nick chuckle. Andy lifts him and carries him around the counter. He takes the sack lunches and hands them to Jake who hugs them to his chest. Andy kisses his cheek. "Ready, now?" Jake asks anxiously.
"Ready," Andy answers with a chuckle.
"Grandma said I need a hat," Ian says worriedly as they are leaving, "And water." He looks up at his Uncle, "please." Nick pulls out the small baseball cap from his back pocket and puts it on Ian's head and another on Jake's. They both put their hands on their heads making him laugh.
"I got water in the car, bud." Ian smiles walking out ahead of them. Nick looks up at his Dad.
"He loves her," Andy shrugs.
He did everything she asked, was her shadow and was protective of her too.
Sharon steps inside the NICU and finds Nicole siting in the same chair she has been sitting in for days. Sharon sits in the familiar seat and reaches for her hand, Nicole looks over at her and immediately rests her head on her stepmother's shoulder.
"Thank you for coming," Sharon runs her thumb along her hand. "My boys?" She asks wearily.
"Nick came back to town this morning they are going out for lunch and the zoo with your Dad." Nicole hums gratefully. "Have you eaten?" Sharon asks.
"Dad's spaghetti." Sharon rubs her thumb over Nicole's wrist.
"That was yesterday for lunch, Sweetheart," Sharon whispers, worrying more than she was already. If she didn't have her boys, Sharon knew there would be no way they'd get her to leave the room. "Sweetheart, you are breast feeding, you need to eat. It's another day."
"I know, but I can't find my appetite." Sharon turns her head and kisses her temple, then stands up and removing her jacket.
"Put this on, your freezing." Nicole shakes her head but before she can argue Sharon is placing it on her shoulders. Sharon sits on the arm of the recliner Nicole is sitting on and wraps her arms around her, kissing the top of her head. Sharon smiles when she sees Ella sleeping peacefully in her bed. "I just want to take her home. Hold her whenever I want to." Sharon pulls her to her chest and holds her, kissing the top of her head as she rests there.
Nicole closes her eyes, she found herself at peace when Sharon or her Dad were around. They never asked too many questions, they sat with her in silence, never pushed her to eat or go home.
Sharon's fingers run softly through her stepdaughter's hair.
"Ian asked me if he was still going to live with me." Her tears stain Sharon's shirt, "He doesn't remember his birth mom he was too little but he remembers the pain of her leaving. He thinks I'm going to leave him because to him I disappeared." Sharon inhales with her. "I was there every day and now he sees me every other day for a couple of hours.
Sharon pulls her away from her chest and cups her cheeks, brushing her hair back.
"Honey, he knows you love him." Sharon wipes away her tears. "He misses you but he also talks about you watching his sister."
"Ella won't remember if I was here or not, but I can't seem to leave." Sharon can see where her mind is wondering, guilty for not spending more time with the boys.
"Because this baby of yours is here and you are giving her something we can't. Ian is scared but when he meets his sister and sees you at home again, he will be back to his old self."
Nicole leans back resting against Sharon, she closes her eyes as Sharon rubs her hand up and down her back letting her relax and letting her alert down.
Sharon looks up when the nurse comes around checking on Ella, Nicole senses the nurse opening her eyes and stands up immediately. Sharon stands up too, only to take Nicole's hand.
"Just making my rounds and visiting the nurse's favorite." She smiles down at Ella as she starts the routine check-up.
"Vivian?" Sharon says softly, the nurse turns to Sharon and then at Nicole seeing how fatigue and worried she looked. "Do you have juice and some crackers around here? Or a way to get something for her." She nods.
"We have a group of volunteers that knit for the babies and feed the parents, I'll get you something light. But first are you ready to nurse her?" Nicole wipes her eyes and nods, Ella had struggled to latch on at first after being bottle fed the first few days but had picked up quickly.
"Yes." The words slips through her lips.
"The doctor also wants us to try without swaddling her this time." Nicole looks up from her baby to the nurse.
"She's ready?" Nicole's voice is soft and Vivian nods.
"She's on the lowest temperature on the bed and if she can keep her temperature for thirty minutes or longer we call the doctor and see what she recommends next." Nicole nods, for the first time allowing herself to be optimistic. Nicole walks over to the table and takes one of the diapers and blankets. Sharon had been a witness to this several times since they had moved Ella to the open crib. She changed her diaper, dressed her, frequently checked her temperature and only held her when it was time for feeding.
Nicole rubs her fingertip along Ella's foot, then rubs her stomach.
"Hello pumpkin, sorry to wake you." Sharon smiles when Ella's eyes open, her arms stretching above her head. She was small yet very alert, she already recognized her mother's voice. She yawns and the caramel eyes open and close. "Grandma is here, and you're sleeping through it." Ella's eyes close again as Nicole changes her diaper and her lips pucker and she starts sucking, Nicole smiles. "Are you hungry?"
"You're lucky, babies born at her age don't always sleep so long. They sleep a lot but wake frequently." Vivian says softly. "I'll be back with a few treats and to check her temperature."
Nicole smiles lifting Ella in her arms. "Hello there my angel," Ella makes a fussing sound, "Oh I know, I know, it is cold." Sharon watches her stepdaughters face light up when Ella opens her eyes again. She places the blanket over herself and Ella and looks up when Vivian returns with a plate of snacks and two boxes of juice and thanks her. Sharon sits silently with Nicole as she nurses.
After Ella has been fed Nicole hands Sharon the burping towel, she is ready to help her clean up a bit of spit up but Nicole shakes her head.
"You want to hold her?" Sharon meets Nicole's eyes, she had never asked, wanting to give Nicole every moment she could. "You haven't had a chance and I know it's not because you don't like babies." Sharon smiles and nods taking the baby in her arms.
"Hello there princess." Sharon smiles kissing her forehead before she brings her up to her shoulder and softly pats her back.
Vivian comes back and runs the thermometer along Ella's forehead. Nicole's holds her breath when it beeps. "She's good." Nicole releases a long breath and nods. "Keep it up Ella, maybe your brothers can finally meet you." Vivian smiles at Nicole. "I'll be back in thirty minutes, you should have something." Vivian hands her a juice box and muffin from the stack of food. "Eat for Ella, alright?" Nicole nods.
When she burps for the second time Sharon brings Ella down and cradles her in her arms and smiles down at her, her mouth still suckling.
"Hi there precious, you know you look so much like your Mommy." Sharon opens her small fingers and smiles at them curling around her own. "She's beautiful." Sharon looks up at Nicole nervously changing the blanket on the bed, then pulling the blanket off and redoing it. "Sweetheart?" Nicole looks over at Sharon, her eyes red and face white. Sharon takes her hand and pulls her to her seat and has her sit down. Sharon puts Ella in her Mom's hands and immediately sees a change in Nicole's expression. She runs her hand across Nicole's face to her chin having her look up at her. Her eyes are red and tearful. "Hey, do not hand her over if you are not comfortable with it okay?"
"Sorry Sharon, I trust you." Nicole holds Ella closer and kisses her cheek. "I get anxious when she's anywhere but in my arms."
"I know you do and I wouldn't think otherwise so please don't apologize." Sharon puts a hand on Nicole's arm. "She's your daughter, she was taken away from you and you don't want to let her go." Nicole closes her eyes.
"I'm losing my mind aren't I?" Sharon sits on the armrest again and rubs Nicole's back.
"No, you are exhausted, worried and well a mom to a newborn." Nicole smiles, then down at Ella.
"She is beautiful," Nicole whispers.
"Beautiful, how you fall in love with them, the moment you see them isn't it?" Sharon asks, Nicole hums.
Sharon arrives home to the boys sleeping on the couches. She smiles up at Nick when he walks into the living room.
"Dad is at a meeting."
"He texted me." Sharon rubs his arm up and down. Nick watches her slip of her shoes with a sigh and the exhausted look on her face. "They look spent." He looks at the boys sleeping.
"Yeah, we went to the zoo, then they played at the waterpark and fell asleep in the car." Sharon smiles. "Nicole told me Ella is coming home." Sharon sighs and nods a peaceful smile coming to her face.
"She passed all the tests they ran her through, they want to keep her another night or two, but hopefully tomorrow." Sharon walks around the couch and takes the pillows and lays them on the ground in front of Jake. She looks up to meet Nick's questioning gaze. "He moves so much, I'm afraid he may fall." She leans down and kisses the top of his head, smiling when he turns. "See?" She points at him.
"Sharon when was the last time you and Dad had a moment alone?" She looks up surprised and squints at him questioningly. "I don't want to intrude—"
"I love watching the boys." Sharon starts.
She wasn't sure why he was asking but having the boys in their home the last several days had been wonderful. She loved watching them tell their jokes, when they were tired how they looked for a cuddling buddy, being woken up to their eyes sparkling over her.
"Sorry Sharon, I'm overstepping." He says apologetically when she is quiet for too long.
"No, honey you are not. You're worried for your Dad." She walks back around the couch. "I have something planned for him once Nicole and Ella are home." She walks past him towards the kitchen he follows her.
He is tempted to not push anymore but thinks of how tired his Dad looked.
"Are you feeling alright, Dad?" Nick looked over at him as they watched the boys slide down the water slide for what could only be the hundredth time.
"Your sounding like Sharon," Andy smiled at his son knowingly.
"You're on to me. She also may be upset for us bringing Ian to the water park, she told me he had a little runny nose." Nick looks over at Ian running through the water sprockets.
"She would have brought him too the way he asked," Andy tells him with a chuckle. "And son, you know I'm here if you want to talk." Nick nodded looking down at the ground.
Andy knew they didn't ever have heart to hearts but he had learned after falling in love with Sharon, that it's never too late.
"I know," Nick lets out a long breath and turns over to look at Andy watching the boys. He had never been open with him before, he always talked to his mom or Nicole. When he sees him smile at Ian and Jake he smiles too. He had become a different man. "I'm not sure what happened but I'm not ready to talk about it." He needed him to know he wasn't pushing him away. Andy turned to him and nodded.
"I'll be waiting." Andy smiled at his son, turning back to the boys when the lifeguard blew the whistle.
"Sharon and you are alright, I heard you cancel a counseling appointment?" Nick hadn't wanted to push but something had shifted in the past several months, where asking questions didn't seem so difficult.
"Oh yeah, we have a monthly appointment." It had started as soon as he had asked Sharon and they had continued with it. "We actually make a day of it," Andy chuckles at himself, "well if we can we go see a movie or something we will both enjoy then go to the appointment and have dinner after." Nick smiles, he saw that their relationship worked different than others, yet he was sure he had never seen two people more in love. "It's the only time we get to ourselves sometimes." Andy adds as an afterthought.
Nick watches Sharon pour herself a glass of water and one for him too, he smiles.
"I'm staying with Nicole at the hospital tonight so the boys are going home with Jeff to sleep." Sharon takes her sip and nods. "Ugh, Jeff he wants to let them be involved in the set up for Ella, last minute things you know?" Sharon nods again.
"Should I drop them off or—" Sharon starts, Nick realizes he is making no sense.
He rubs the back of his neck making Sharon smile.
"What I'm trying to say is that we are all taken care of for the rest of the day. You have nothing to worry about." Sharon smiles at him. "You don't have to put the plans on hold anymore."
"Thank you," she whispers.
Andy pulls up the driveway and then grins when he sees Sharon sitting on the hood of her car. He removes his sunglasses as he gets out of the car walking over to her. She pushes off of the car and greets him with a soft kiss.
"I like this welcoming," His hands slip into her back pockets, "thank you for keeping the jeans on." She jiggles the keys beside them.
"Will you drive me somewhere?" He takes the keys before kissing her again, she hums wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Of course." He says against her lips, his arms wrapping tightly around her again.
"You're not going ask, where?" She looks up at him and he smiles.
"I'll take you anywhere you want to go."