Chapter 38
Sharon couldn't describe her joy, the moment in which Andy had opened his eyes. As if her heart had started to beat faster, as if her life had gained a new meaning. The doctor was immediately examined and Andy had said that he'd already come out of the coma and that he would recover gradually. Everyone was very happy, especially Nicole, who blamed herself for her father's condition. While all were in the waiting room, Sharon had decided to be with Andy little more private. She squeezed his hand and smiled gently.
Andy slowly opened his eyes and looked at her with the same smile. His eyes glowed with love, seeing Sharon next to him. Sharon's eyes filled with tears and she bit her lip. She sighed with relief. Andy had already come out from the coma and henceforth everything would be all right. Andy frowned slightly, feeling the pain around his neck. Sharon again panicked and stood up, wanting to call the doctor, but he stopped her.
"Andy, are you okay? Do you want me to call the doctor?" Sharon immediately asked anxiously. Andy shook his head, answering softly, "Calm down, Sharon. It can't get worse than that. The only thing I remember is that I'd boarded the plane and wanted to come to LA soon. But I don't remember anything else." Sharon looked at him with a sad look and stroked his face.
"Don't worry, Andy. It's okay. You suffered a slight accident and you were in a coma for 24 hours. Furthermore, your ex-wife Jennifer came here secretly, wanting to inject poison into your system, but fortunately we arrested her in time. Now we have no problems. " she assured him. Andy's eyes widened upon hearing this. He just couldn't believe that Jennifer can get here.
"My God! I can't believe that Jennifer has come here to kill me. Oh, I guess how felt Nicole." Andy said, tears were streaming down his cheeks. Sharon wiped his tears and hushed quietly, saying "Andy, you're right. Nicole felt very bad, even she blamed herself for your condition as I told her that this isn't true, she continued to think so." Andy closed his eyes for a moment and took her hand, looking at her pleadingly.
"Sharon, please. I need to talk to my daughter." Sharon sighed wearily and shook her head.
"But, Andy, the doctor told you that you need a break. You can talk to her later. She'll always be here with you." she tried to dissuade him, but Andy insisted. Finally, Sharon agreed and called Nicole. While father and daughter wanted to be alone, Sharon sat in the waiting room with Andrea and Provenza. Provenza was brought coffee for them as always.
"I can't tell you how happy I am that Andy is well and came out of the coma. We're experiencing nightmarish hours." he said and sighed wearily, leaning back. Sharon nodded slightly.
"You're right, Lieutenant. I thought that our end came and a miracle happened. The moment he opened his eyes, I felt so happy ..." she admitted. Andrea smiled and squeezed her shoulder.
"Rusty was also delighted when I told him. He and the kids can't wait you to get home." Sharon smiled contentedly drinking her coffee. On the other hand, Andy and Nicole had a tough conversation.
"Nicole, Sharon told me everything. Honey, I can't believe that you're blaming yourself for my state. You very well know that this accident is not your fault." Andy tried to reassure her daughter, but it is not quite easy. Nicole took a deep breath and shrugged.
"Dad, I'm guilty. If I did not told you about my mother, you wouldn't go to Las Vegas and it would never happen. Punish me. Because of me, you could lose your life." she said softly crying. Andy hushed and held out his hand to wipe her tears.
"Nicole, look, I'm your father. I love you very much and I'll always be there as before. I know you blame yourself, but I'm fine and you don't have guilt. You've done nothing wrong. Promise me that you'll not think so. Please. " he asked, looking at her pleadingly. Nicole nodded and hugged him tight. Her father was right. Her mother was the one who was guilty and was now arrested. She also as Sharon believed that their problems are over. But if it really was so?
Several hours later, Sharon was home to change her clothes. She decided to talk to Rusty, while the children sleep. He sat next to his mother and she kissed him tenderly on the cheek with a smile.
"Mom, I feel very happy that Andy's fine. I can't wait he to return home. In addition, Anna is very excited for the upcoming Christmas holidays." he said softly with a smile. Sharon smiled slightly and squeezed his shoulder.
"I'm convinced, especially Anna. She asked about Andy, right?" Rusty nodded and shrugged. Sharon sighed wearily and shook her head.
"I don't know what to tell her. Andy needs to fully recover and he should be in the hospital for several weeks. At least the doctor said so. But you see? Her biological father is Jack, but she is so well with Andy. They have different relationship. Very strong. Andy loves Anna as his daughter and Anna loves him as her father. It's weird, right? " she said quietly, thoughtfully and looked at Rusty. Rusty sighed and shook his head.
"No Mom, this isn't strange. I remember the day in which he accepted Anna's paternity. This was really strange. He'd taken a child who isn't his. However, he was a real father for her and for me too. He was a good father figure in my life and it will be so, I'm sure. Andy will always be with us. Especially with Anna, they really have a different relationship. This is love between father and daughter. Nothing more. " he said quietly. Sharon smiled softly and hugged her son tightly.
"You're right, Rusty. I am also grateful that Andy is in my life. I feel relaxed, knowing that he's up to me. It's indescribable feeling. I just can't express in words." Sharon said quietly, tears were streaming down her cheeks. On the other hand, Provenza was with Andy. He was happy that his friend is well and will be, as before. The whole team were also very happy and wanted to visit Andy soon.
"Well, Andy, what do you feel when you were in a coma?" Provenza asked concerned and curious at the same time. Andy sighed wearily and shrugged, answering softly, "I have no idea Provenza. I don't remember anything." Provenza nodded and shook his hand.
"Forget it. Whatever happens, it is important that you're already with us. You can't imagine how we felt. When I announced the good news, the whole team wanted to celebrate." he said, grinning. Andy smiled slightly and nodded.
"I guess. Incidentally, I didn't want to worry Sharon with these issues, but ... How are my children?" he asked with a sad look. Provenza smiled.
"Don't worry, the kids are fine. Unless if we exclude, that Anna had a slight temperature." Andy suddenly panicked.
"What? How's my daughter now?" he asked heatedly. Provenza shushed.
"Don't worry. She's already well, but she asks about you constantly. Sharon doesn't know what lie to tell her. She knows that Anna is a smart kid and can understand the truth, so she's trying to hide anything. You know." Provenza said and shook his head. Andy sighed with relief.
"That's good. I hope I can recover before Christmas. Anna is very excited and this is the first Christmas celebration for my son Nicholas. I don't want to miss those happy moments with my children and my wife." he admitted, sitting back idly. Provenza squeezed his shoulder.
"Don't worry, I'm sure that everything will be fine." On the other hand, Nicole and Andrea sat in the waiting room together. Nicole's phone was ringing constantly but she didn't answer. Andrea looked at her confusedly and questioningly.
"Nicole, what happens? Your phone is ringing but you don't answer. What's the problem?" Andrea asked anxiously. Nicole sighed and replied, "I don't want to answer. David calls me constantly." Andrea's eyes widened.
"David? But, Nicole. You can try to talk to him. You can give him another chance." Andrea said reliable, but Nicole was determined.
"I can't Andrea. I'll not give him a second chance. Everything between us is over. We're divorced. There is no turning back." she said firmly. Andrea sighed and shook her head.
In the evening, Sharon and Andy were together again. Andy felt better, and that made Sharon feel good too. She sat next to him and they looked at each other with a smile a few minutes. She squeezed his hand.
"How do you feel?" she asked softly and concerned. Andy smiled and replied quietly, "Better. But I feel much better and relaxed when you're with me." Sharon chuckled slightly.
"I'm sure. You know, today David called Nicole. I think they still love each other but are rather stubborn. They may have another chance together." she said thoughtfully. Andy took a deep breath and leaned back.
"I don't know, Sharon. They're divorced and also don't want my daughter to suffer. I respect her decision. I know they were married with great love, but ... I don't know, let Nicole to decide. This is her life. " he said firmly. Sharon nodded with a smile.
"You're right, we shouldn't talk for their lives. You know, I'm convinced that our love will be eternal. I love you." she said quietly and approached him. Andy smiled and kissed her gently, saying softly, "I love you too."
A few weeks later ...
December 24
Christmas had arrived. Andy was feeling much better and he was grateful that he can be with his family during these holidays. He was holding Nicholas in his arms, and Anna showed him her Christmas decorations, while Sharon, Rusty and Nicole were preparing a special cake. Andy felt calm in the company of his children. Sharon looked at them with a smile. She was also grateful that these terrible days were gone. She hoped that they'll have no more problems and that they'll have only happy moments together from now on.
"Daddy, do you like these decorations?" Anna asked with a smile. Andy smiled softly and kissed her daughter's cheek.
"They're wonderful honey. I'm convinced that you can be a great designer." he said dreamily, wanting Anna to be a designer. But Anna wasn't unanimous. Although she was still small, she was really smart.
"No daddy, I'll be like you. A cop." the little girl said with a grin. Sharon laughed, listening to her small daughter. She joined them, leaving Nicole and Rusty to finish the cake. She knelt in front of Anna with a smile, saying, "Honey, you want to be a cop? But you have to learn a lot about and you have to learn to fight with bad people. And it's quite difficult, honestly." Anna pouted.
"As to be difficult, I want to be like you and Dad." she said firmly. Sharon and Andy looked at each other with a smile. Sharon took Anna in her arms.
"And our cake is ready." Nicole said proudly. Rusty grinned and added, "Yes. We're experts in the kitchen thanks to Andy. Let's try together." Sharon and Andy looked at each other with a smile.
"Well, let's try the cake of our experts." Andy said with a grin, holding Nicholas in his arms. While all went to the kitchen, someone knocked on the door. Sharon decided to check who is, and headed for the door cautiously, not knowing that another problem was coming behind that door. Suddenly, her eyes widened seeing Mrs. Madison Raydor - Jack's mother. She looked at her sternly, though he blamed her for her son's death. Andy, Nicole and Rusty still didn't understand anything until Sharon went through different emotions. She didn't know what to say at this time.
"Mrs. Madison, what are you doing here?" Sharon managed to ask strictly, finally. Madison looked at her with anger and then looked at Anna. She immediately recognized her granddaughter. Jack's daughter.
"I came to take what belongs to me Sharon. I came to take my granddaughter, Anna."
~~~ TBC ~~~