Hey guys! I'm sooo sooo sorry for not posting for like 6 weeks. Been several reasons and I feel I owe you guys an explanation. As you know I was unwell, then I was on vacation and after that everything seemed to go downhill. Family issues mixed with a bigger workload and now the viruses and bugs have been making the rounds again. With my daughter having suspected scarlet fever and now they both have a chest infection. They don't usually get this ill in a cluster but all the bugs seemed to do the rounds at the school so it's a vicious circle. Now my workload will be bigger as a collegue is on vacation so I'm stepping in his shoes for 2 weeks. I'm really sorry this is shorter but I felt guilty and had to post something. I actually had this written 3 weeks ago. Hope you are all good and have a good Easter.
They woke up on the Wednesday morning and were shocked to see the twins were still both asleep. "Well this Is the 2nd night in a row we have woken up before them" Andy pointed out as she stretched. "Well if we play our cards right and not talk we may get another hour or so in" Sam said half asleep. "I've gotta say we should bring them here more often if this is the result" Andy said as she cuddled into Sam. "I'll tell Oliver we are moving here" Sam joked as he put his arms around Andy and kissed her shoulder. "Hey no funny business, we are not alone" Andy tried to sound serious but ended up sniggering. "Can't a man cuddle his wife" Sam asked. "Yes, but just a cuddle" Andy laughed.
They were all sitting down eating breakfast. Sam had cooked them pancakes whilst Traci and Andy fed the twins.
"Uncle Sam, I think we should go test out the rope swing today" Leo says.
"Good idea Leo, I believe Steve would like to try aswell" Sam says smirking at Steve who almost chokes on his breakfast. "You know what I think I'm good just swimming" Steve states. "Oh come on peck, even me and trace are gonna have a turn" Andy says.
"Well then someone needs to watch the twins, so I'll watch them" Steve says. "No need, I'll watch them once I've had my turn" Sam says. "Are you chicken Steve" Leo asks causing everyone to start laughing. "No" Steve states. "Okay I believe you, others wouldn't, but I believe you" Leo says as he rolls his eyes and this time they all start laughing hysterically.
While Andy and Sam got the twins ready Traci made them all a picnic to take to the lake. They took the travel cot with them so the boys had somewhere comfortable to sit along with several camping chairs. First up was Leo, he done a run up grabbed the rope and swung and then leapt pretty far. When he came up for air everyone was whistling and cheering him on. "See Steve it's not that bad" he said as he pulled himself out of the lake. Next was Sam. He also did a quick run up. Running was not Sam's forte so he put most of his strength into the swing and landed pretty far causing a massive splash. "Go Uncle Sam" Leo shouted. "Peck your up" Sam said as he got out of the lake. "Really, I think you guys are way better, maybe I should just judge" Steve said. "You what I think I'll call aunt Gail tell her you didn't wanna go on it, I'm sure she will understand" Leo said winking at Andy at the same time. "You know what, I'll give it a try. It seems harmless" Steve said. He walked around to the rope and took a run up and swung. He hit the water and Sam, Andy, Leo and Traci stood up wondering why it was taking so long for him to resurface.
"Wooohooo" they heard to thier left where Steve had swam. "That was awesome" he said as he climbed out of the lake. "I told you" Leo said proudly. The boys sat and watched as Andy and Traci took thier turn next, Andy who was one of the best runners took a massive run up managed to swing so high she could do a somersault and pretty much dived into the lake. When she got out Leo ran up to her "aunt Andy, that was so cool, where did you learn to do that?" Leo asked her excitedly. "I used to do gymnastics in high school" she winked at Sam and he smirked back. "Cmon trace" Andy shouted. Traci did a similar jump to Sam but nevertheless they all enjoyed themselves.
The next couple of days were similar, they all enjoyed themselves and it was a respite from work. With them all in the same line of work it was a welcome distraction to let go for a few days. Especially with the case they had previously worked on. Traci and Andy had always hung out and with Sam being Traci's partner for 3 years they had become close aswell, but it was a first they had all really spent time with each other. They had always thought of thier friends and family at 15 as family but Sam had always been reserved so it was comforting to see him let go and be himself with others. On the Saturday afternoon after lunch Traci and Andy thought they would have a bit of girly action time. "Right boys, the twins milk is in the fridge, spare clothes in the room and we will see you in about 3 hours" Andy said as she put her jumper on and grabbed a water. Traci followed shortly behind. "Where might I ask are you ladies off too" Sam asked amused. "Well we decided that since we have been stuck here with the twins for a fair amount of time that we would get some girl action" Andy added as she and Traci burst out laughing at the guys reaction. "We are taking the quads and letting our hair down" Traci said.
"Okay, we'll be safe" Sam says as he gets up to kiss Andy and Steve moved towards Traci for a kiss. The ladies headed out and Sam, Leo and Steve wondered what they could do.
Traci and Andy pulled up on the quads into a field. The sun was at its peak now and they decided a spot of sunbathing Should be fun. After around half an hour of pure silence they both sat up. "Ahh you hear that, silence. Don't get me wrong I love Jesse and Mason to the world but it's nice to hear your own thoughts once in a while" Andy said "I know what you mean, luckily Leo is older now so he doesn't require so much attention but it's still nice to be alone with your thoughts... Speaking of what were you thinking?" Traci asks as she takes a sip of water. "Just about how much of a turn the last year has took, so much has happened. From the moment I met Sam everything was always slow. But the last year seems to be jam packed. Sam getting shot, then the bombing, then Marlo pregnant, then Sam proposing, me getting pregnant, the wedding, Marlo, Boyd, the boys being born. It's like a whole cluster of events" Andy says. "Yeah your right it has been a busy year, but the next 18 years are gonna be busy for you and then some. Now with the kids you'll never be done worrying, when they start kindergarten, then elementary, then high school, then college and even when they start their own lives you will always worry. You and Sam have been through so much togetherI'm sure you can handle anything, the dream team at home and soon to be again at work. Watch out for The Swarek's" Traci says in a funny voice.
"Yeah I know your right. Anyway you and Steve seem good" Andy asks.
"Yeah we are, he's really funny, he cares a lot about Leo. We are taking it slowly but seemed to have moved forward. I'm not ready for a full on relationship yet"
"Trace, I'm your best friend right?" Andy said skeptically. "Yeah, you know you are" Traci answered equally skeptically. "I know your still hurting over Jerry but he would want you to move on. Steve is a good guy and he cares a lot about you and Leo, you should go for it and see where it goes you and I both know life is far to short and you should make the most of the time we have."
"I know, I think everything will be fine I just need time to be able to open up my heart so much. Thanks dr Phil" Traci says as she sticks her tongue out at Andy. "Okay let's get back to our men, 2 men, 2 babies and teenager could be a mix for disaster" Andy says and they head back to the cabin.
That night they decide to have a grill out as Steve Traci and Leo are returning home tomorrow. Traci and Andy prepare the salad and Sam and Steve start the grill. "So peck, you and Traci are doing ok?" Sam asks. Being Jerry's best friend he kind of felt that he needed to look out for her after Jerry died and also helps that she is Andy's best friend. "Yeah I mean I really really like her, she is funny, she's beautiful and she has a heart of gold, I just worry I won't match up to Jerry" Steve says as he takes a swig of his beer. "Look, Jerry was my best friend, what him and Traci had was special. Yes she misses him and she will always love him but that doesn't mean you have to be him, your Steve peck, police royalty. Your your own person so be him and no doubt Traci will fall in love with you for that. Yes you can't ever replace Jerry and that's something that you will have to accept. Jerry would want her to move on and he had a lot of repeat for you. As long as you make her happy that's all that matters". "Wow swarek, didn't know you had it in you. But really thanks for the advice, it means a lot." Steve replies. "But just know if you ever hurt her I won't be so forgiving" Sam says with a raised eyebrow. "Good to know" Steve chuckles and Sam gives him I'm not joking look. "I don't intend on hurting her". "Good" Sam says just as the girls walk outside. "What's good" Andy asks skeptically. "My cooking" Sam replies straight faced. Andy raises her eyebrows knowing that's not what they were talking about. "Well that's pretty true" Andy said. "I know because I'm awesome, have we not had this discussion before" he states proudly and kisses Andy on her lips with a bit more passion than intended. "Hey swareks, remember you are not alone" Steve says. "Well that can be arranged however no one would get fed" Sam smiles one of his Cheshire grins and everyone laughs.
The next morning they have breakfast as normal and Steve and Traci start to pack whilst Andy takes Leo on the quads. He had begged her for one last race and she wasn't one to back down from a challenge. When she walked outside with her raptors jersey on Leo looked unamused. "Aunt Andy, seriously why do you like the raptors?" Leo asked. "Well I am from Toronto" she answers. "Yeah so, I like the Bulls and I'm not from Chicago?" Leo stated. "Yep I know, not sure why" Andy winked and put on her helmet. Leo put his on then shouted "because they are awesome like Me" and sped up in front of Andy.
They returned 1 hour later and Steve and Traci had packed up the car. They had said thier goodbyes and promised for a reunion soon. Just as the were about to drive off "enjoy your last night before a week with Oliver" Traci shouted "well it certainly won't be dull" Andy replied and waved goodbye as her best friend and her family drove away. She turned to Sam "let's get the boys to bed, we need to make the most of tonight" she winked and walked inside with Jesse and Sam followed behind "well I'm not gonna say no to that".