Chapter 37

…

Everyone was seated round the large table at Lucini's after a very busy day at the office. Rusty was at the end of the table with Buzz talking about some new app, Mike was busy chatting away with Amy and Louie, who had cheered up a little since Brenda's reappearance. Doctor Morales and Andrea were busy catching up on their week while Sharon and Brenda were busy talking babies. Andy looked to his side to see Julio was very quiet; he gave him a gentle nudge before smiling at the younger man.

"You okay Julio?"

"Sure Lieutenant, just a crappy day you know?"

"I was nice of you to give Jason a lift home."

"The least I could do."

"He'll be okay you know…in time."

"She was his only family; except for his wife and kids…he was so close to her. He kept talking about revenge on Damien in the car."

"He's just angry; he doesn't strike me as the type of guy to kill someone."

"We're all capable Lieutenant…when pushed to our limits."

"Yeah…yeah I guess so."

"If god forbids anything ever happened to the Captain, anyone tried to hurt her, you telling me you wouldn't want them to pay."

"No you're right, I would. I couldn't imagine my life without Sharon and Rusty in it…and now the baby, it's all finally coming together."

"We're all really happy for you and the Captain you know, we sometimes can't believe it took you both so long to get together."

"Yeah, it's a funny world."

Andrea was on her second glass of red wine as the doc topped up her glass.

"Hey are you trying to get me drunk?"

"Well we haven't done it in such a long time."

"Oh honey I know, I'm sorry…it's just been so busy at the DA's office, but the workload if finally clearing so more movie nights for us."

"Oh sweetie, always glad to have my favourite girl back."

"Your only girl."

"Touché." He smiled.

…

Brenda had gone up to the bar to order a couple of bottles of wine; she smiled when Sharon appeared at her side.

"Is everything alright Brenda?"

"Sure, why'd yew ask?"

"You went a little quiet at the table."

"Am' just really happy to see how much you've made Major Crimes your own."

"It was hard work, but worth it."

"They all really love yew, the closeness you share with them…I don't think I ever had that with them."

"You did, you did in your own way. I think having Rusty around helped a lot and then when Stroth came after Rusty and me….I think it pulled us all closer together."

"Especially with you and Andy huh?"

"To think the way we used to be with one another, the animosity. I never thought we'd ever get to thins stage, living together, getting engaged and a baby."

"I never thought I'd say this but I'm jealous."

"Really?"

"You're content; it's always been about the job with me. Kids were never part of my plan they way they were with Fritzy."

"How are things with you and Agent Howard?"

"Oh I don't know…sometimes I wonder if things would be better for both of us if we just went our separate ways."

"Brenda no…" Sharon's voice suddenly showing so much sympathy.

"He still wants children; I think sometimes he hopes I'll change my mind at some point."

"I take it you won't."

"Don't get me wrong, I love kids but I've never really had the desire to have one of my own. Some women we're made for motherhood, like yew. Yew raised two great kids all without the help of Jack and yew never thought twice about whether or not you'd have this baby, despite you age. Yew are a natural when it comes to kids, me…not so much."

"Trust me Brenda, I wasn't a natural when I had Ricky, not by any means. I was a mess, I had no idea what I was doing and it didn't help that I was on my own most of the time. You learn, it's all about practice. There's not one mother out there who hasn't made one mistake or another at some point. Your mistakes make you a better mother, you would be a wonderful mom…I really do believe that." She smiled.

"Thank yew Sharon…we better get these drinks over to the table."

"Mmmm, I think we should start limiting Andrea though…she does have work in the morning."

Brenda picked up the bottles, laughing. "Good idea."

…

AS the evening came to an end, Andrea was passed out in one of the booths beside them. Doctor Morales got called away to an autopsy. Julio made his excused and left, Amy left to go after him to make sure he was alright. Mike left and offered to give Brenda a lift home, Buzz hitching a ride with them.

"I think it's time I took her home." Louie said, eyeing Andrea.

"Yes I think that's a very good idea Lieutenant." Sharon smiled.

Louie walked over to Andrea, pulling her up to her feet. She wobbled before she felt Louie's arms going tightly around her waist.

"Come on you, I think it's time we were getting you home."

"That an offer Lieutenant." She grinned.

"To sleep, come on. Eh Captain, see you in the morning."

"Yes, good night Lieutenant, Andrea I'll call you."

"Bye Sharon, thank you for a great night."

They waited for Andrea and Louie to leave before Andy went and paid the bill.

"Sharon, if you give me the keys…I'll go get the car."

"Thank you honey." She smiled, handing him the keys.

Andy came back over as Sharon was putting on her jacket, his arms coming around her before placing a soft kiss to the side of her neck.

"Mmm, what was that for."

"Do I need a reason?"

"I suppose not, take me home Andy."

"Let's go."

Louie pulled up outside Andrea's and came around to help her out of the car, she held on tightly to his arm as they made their way up the steps to her house. They went inside and Louie helped her in to the bedroom, he couldn't stop laughing as he watched her attempting to put her night things on.

"Instead of laughing at me, how about helping me huh?"

"Sure."

She stumbled a little before sting down on the bed as he helped her off with her trousers.

"God I'm so drunk." She finally spoke up.

"Very, you had a good night though, that's the main thing."

"I didn't embarrass myself did I?"

"No more than usual."

"Oh ha ha."

She got up as he handed her the pyjama bottoms, she quickly got in to them as Louie pulled back the duvet cover and waited for her to get in. He pulled it over her and was about to walk away when she grabbed his wrist.

"Where are you going?"

"Home."

"Do you have too, you could stay the night."

"Andrea, you are extremely drunk and no doubt with feel like crap tomorrow morning. I'm not about to take advantage of the situation."

"I'm not asking you for sex, just lay here with me…please."

"Scoot over."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." He smiled.

She moved across as he got in with her, she waited for him to get comfortable before leaning in to him placing her hand on his chest.

"This is nice." She smiled.

"Yeah, it's great. Get some sleep Andrea." He smiled, as he placed a kiss to the top of her head and drifting off to sleep.

…

Andy sat watching Sharon as she got ready for bed. He placed his reading glasses on the night stand and eyed her as she removed her dress. At four and a half months pregnant she looked absolutely beautiful to him, she turned to see his eyes on her and the smile on his face.

"What?"

"Nothing, just admiring the beautiful creature in front of me."

"Oh stop, hardly beautiful."

"You're too modest."

"I'm getting fat Andy."

"Come here."

She did as he asked and came and joined him in bed; she snuggled up beside him as he pulled the covers over them to keep warm. He placed the palm of his hand gently against her stomach, her hand quickly covering his as they felt their daughter move within her. He looked up at her and brought her lips to his, a small hum escaping her mouth.

"You…are not fat, you are carrying precious cargo."

"Oh, well I've never heard it put quite like that before." She smiled.

"You are doing an amazing thing for us Sharon and I will never be able to thank you enough."

"I wouldn't have it any other way, you know that right. I love you so much Andy, seeing how unhappy Brenda is in her marriage, it makes me appreciate just how lucky we are."

"Come here."

She leaned in to his touch, their hands still entwined as they drifted off.

…

To Be Continued…