The Penny was having a Valentine's Day party. Sam still wasn't sure how but Shaw had talked him into taking Andy. He remembered agreeing somewhere around the time Oliver used the argument that it was an excuse to show Andy off. He was a little worried about her ribs because she was still healing but knew she needed to go.
Sam knew if she was able to get dressed on her own she woulda pulled the stunt as she did at Christmas, making him wait downstairs - except she couldn't get dressed on her own.
"Maybe Traci can come help me get ready."
"Why?"
Andy raised her eyebrows.
"You do know you can't do the same reveal, right?"
"I know, but it would still be a surprise …"
Sam just shook his head as he handed her the phone.
Andy thanked him with a kiss.
"Don't start somethin' you can't finish, McNally."
"Just because I can't finish it now doesn't mean I won't ..."
With Andy still on medical leave and Sam not leaving her side, shopping for her gift was a challenge. All Sam could say was thank God for online shopping. He had found the perfect gift but wanted to use Made You Look because that was where he'd gotten her Christmas present. They didn't take orders online, so one day while Andy was napping he called to see if they could work their magic again.
When he got the call that it said it was ready he sent Nick a text -
Andy's Valentine's Day present is Made You Look. Needs picked up. Bring to Penny night of party.
For Sam's gift, Andy enlisted Traci and Oliver's help. She was getting Sam a new flat top guitar from Steve's Music Shop downtown. Andy told Traci the one she wanted, Oliver was going to pick it up and 'deliver' it while they were on their way to the Penny for the party.
The day of the party they stayed fairly quiet with Sam wanting Andy to rest as much as she could before they went out.
They showered and as Sam was getting dressed - black dress pants and a red dress shirt - Andy called Traci.
When Traci arrived Sam was unceremoniously kicked out of his own bedroom. 30 minutes after the door was closed on him, it opened again and Traci called his name.
The sight that walked out of their bedroom caused Sam's breath to catch. She had on a sleeveless red V neck blouse with red lace overlay that fit her like it was made for her and her alone, with skin tight black pants and knee high boots that reminded Sam of the ones she wore as Edie. Her hair was down and loosely curled.
"WOW!"
Traci laughed. "Does that mean she meets with your approval, Swarek?"
"She always meets with my approval, Nash."
Andy blushed as Sam walked up to her.
"Ready to go?"
"If you are."
Sam carried her down the stairs and helped her into her leather jacket.
They were just about to leave when Traci got a text. She didn't say anything just nodded to Andy. Andy had a hard time keeping the smile off her face knowing how surprised Sam would be when they got home and he saw his gift.
Pulling into the Penny lot, Sam and Andy laughed as he pulled into the space usually reserved for the emergency exit but tonight had been transformed into Reserved: McSwarek Parking Only. Sam put the truck in park and undid their belts. Getting out of the truck he walked around and opened Andy's door and lifted her out.
"If you want, I can carry you to the door …"
Andy smiled. "Let's just take it slow, ok?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
With Sam's arm around her for support, Andy slowly made her way to the door. Nick met them. "Help her to the table, while I go set up our tab?"
"You got it," and Nick allowed Andy to take his arm.
They had just reached the table and Nick was helping her out of her jacket when Sam came over. Taking his own jacket off, his draped it over the back of the stool next to Andy's. Sam put his hands on her waist and gently lifted her up.
While Sam was helping Andy sit down, Nick took something out of his own jacket and placed it in Sam's.
Liam brought a round of drinks just as Oliver and Zoe came in.
They were alone at the table when Sam pulled a small gift out of his leather jacket and put it on the table in front of Andy.
"What's this?"
"Open it."
Andy unwrapped it to find a familiar box. Opening it, she expected to find another charm for her bracelet. The white gold double heart bypass ring with diamond accents had her looking at Sam in surprise.
"No, it's not that ring, though we both know it's comin'. This one, this one is just so you have something you don't have to take off when you leave the barn on patrol and to remind you that you have my heart."
Sam took the ring out of the box and put it on her finger just before their friends came back to the table.
Sam heard what sounded like a slow enough song Andy could dance to begin to play. Sam stood up and smiling, offered Andy his hand. Smiling her own smile, Andy let him help her down before they made their way onto the nearby floor. The song it turned out, was a duet.
I never thought I'd find the love
I'd searched for all my life
Someone to share and comfort
I envisioned in my mind
And when I wasn't looking
You appeared before my eyes
Just you and me forever
And today I'll make you mine
Someone so strong and special
That brightens every day
A shoulder to cry on
A friend in every way
Passionately waiting
To start my life anew
These vows we speak before us
I give all my love to you
A loving smile each morning
Arms to hold me tight
Lips to kiss the pain away
When things don't go just right
Our love will see us to the end
When God says we will part
But until then you'll be the one
Each day I'll share my heart
Someone so strong and special
That brightens every day
A shoulder to cry on
A friend in every way
Passionately waiting
To start my life anew
These vows we speak before us
I give all my love to you
These vows we speak before us
I give all my love to you
When the song came to an end, Sam whispered, "I love you."
There were tears in Andy's eyes as she whispered, "Remember this song, Swarek, we're using it later. I love you."
There were tears in the eyes of their friends when they returned to the table. The guys cleared their throats.
Liam brought another round of drinks. At Sam's questioning look, Liam assured him Andy's was another ginger ale.
Sam knew they'd pushed their luck when Andy gasped as a pain hit. They didn't bring any of her meds with them and one look at her told Sam it was time to go. Sam was about to tell Andy he was going to pay their tab when Oliver said, "Get her home, we'll take care of it." Sam smiled his gratitude and grabbed his jacket off the chair. Sam shrugged into his jacket but didn't even try and get Andy into hers, he just picked her up. Traci grabbed Andy's jacket and her purse and was ready to follow Sam out to the truck. Liam watched from the bar and had the door open when Sam got there. "Thanks man." Rather than try and fish his keys out of his pocket he looked at Traci and said, "She has a set of keys in her purse, mine are in my pocket." It took her seconds to get the keys and unlock and open the door.
At the house, Sam didn't even bother with his shoes, he just carried her straight to the couch. It wasn't until her pain meds kicked in that he realized he was still in his coat and had his shoes on. He kicked them off at the door and hung up their jackets before going to take her boots off. She was curled up under the blanket, he was just about to sit down behind her when something caught his attention.
His guitar was out of the case. Not like it spent much time in the case anymore, but he hadn't played in a couple of days. Knowing it would make Andy smile, Sam got up to get it. As he reached for it, Sam couldn't believe his eyes. It wasn't his guitar, but a Martin D-28, one of the sweetest sounding flat tops ever made. It was also worth a pretty penny which was why owning one, though on his 'bucket list' hadn't happened yet. He looked back at Andy who just smiled.
"You didn't …"
"It's what you wanted, isn't it?"
"Baby, these things cost a fortune."
"Babe, you're more than worth it. I just hope it's the right one …"
Sam carried the guitar back to the couch. He kissed Andy before sitting on the arm and sitting the guitar on his knee, he pulled the pick out of the neck strings and drew it across the strings. He couldn't believe he was holding one, never mind about to play one that he owned.
Andy smiled the entire time he played. When he set it against the coffee table and sat behind her she said, "Happy Valentine's Day, Sam. I love you."
Sam kissed the top of her head and said, "Happy Valentine's Day, Andy. I love you."
He carried her upstairs a short time later.
Sam woke up the next morning and after convincing her to go back to sleep, carried a sleeping Andy downstairs. She loved to hear him play and he wanted her to wake up to that sound this morning. He hadn't surprised her like this since the first time he'd played for her. He put coffee on then went back into the living room.
Sitting on the coffee table, Sam picked up the guitar. He smiled when Andy began to wake up.