Sorry for the delay in updates girls, I get these little spells where I just can't be bothered when I get home from work. I'm working 10 days straight next week so don't get your hopes up on an update next week. Enjoy

Chapter 49

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Andrea was grabbing her jacket from the wardrobe when Louie walked in, a coffee in his hand as he approached her.

"You're up?" He said, as she turned to him.

"I am, I'm running a little late, I'm babysitting Anna today while Andy and Sharon go look at some houses, you fancy joining me?"

"On my only day off?"

"Right, got it…sorry."

"Hey, I'm joking…of course I'll come."

Louie set the coffee on the side cabinet before taking hold of Andrea's hand and guiding her over to the side of the bed and took a seat with her. She looked up at him and saw the pre-occupied look on his face.

"Louie…is everything okay, you look…scared."

"I'm okay, it's just I…"

"Yes."

"There was something I wanted to discuss with you before we get to the Captain's."

"This sounds serious."

"I know our relationship isn't exactly the most conventional, I know people talk when they see you and I together…probably wondering why in the hell you're with someone like me."

"You mean a cop."

"What no…I mean…"

"Louie I know what you mean." She smiled at him. "When have you ever known me to care about what other people think huh…their opinions, they don't matter to me, not in the slightest."

"Don't you ever think that one day you'll meet someone closer to your own age and think maybe…."

"Louie stop, just stop. I…love…you, I love you and only you and I have no intentions of finding anyone else. Sure you can be grumpy and short tempered…"

"Hey…"

"But you're also a very sweet and kind, caring man…who deep down is just a big cuddly teddy bear."

"If you ever tell anyone that, we're done Hobbs." He joked.

Andrea moved a little closer and placed her hand on top of Louie's, causing him to look up at her.

"Louie, out with it…what's this all about?"

Louie took a deep breath before getting up and coming to kneel in front of Andrea.

"Louie what…."

"Andrea, from the moment I met you, you became one of the most annoying people in my life…well, aside from Flynn…but over time, and with everything that went on with the Captain…I found myself falling in love with you…I never thought for a moment that you'd ever look at me the same way."

"Louie, you…are one of the sweetest men I know. I know that deep down all the grumpiness is just a shield to protect your self from getting hurt."

"You see, you know me better than my ex wives."

"Louie, what are you asking me here?"

Her eyes widened when Louie brought out the small box and opened it, revealing the 14crt gold wedding ring."

"Andrea Hobbs, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife."

Andrea felt tears threaten to fall as she nodded her head as Louie placed the ring on her finger, she got of the bed and came down to his level as she wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him passionately.

"So it's a yes?" He asked.

"Of course it's a yes, Louie it's beautiful."

"I remember Sharon saying you liked butterflies."

"It's perfect, and so are you."

Louie held on tightly to Andrea and she kissed him softly before his knees began to protest to the current seating position.

Fritz unlocked the door and helped Brenda inside as he placed her bag on the side table and helped her to remove her jacket.

"You doing okay Bren?"

"Fine Fritzy, just good to be home."

"Come on, let's get you sitting down…try and reserve your energy."

"Am' okay, quit worrying will ya'."

"Sorry, I'm just so glad to have you home."

Brenda allowed him to lead her in to the sitting room as he helped her to sit down slowly while he went and made some coffee for them. He came back to see her looking through the photo album. Placing her coffee down on the table before he sat down to join her, wrapping his arm around her shoulder, bringing her close to him.

"I really miss my mom right now."

"I know sweetie."

"I thought a lot about her when I was in hospital, everything she wanted for me, a good job, good husband…kids."

"Well two out of three ain't bad."

"I've been doing a lot of thinkin', with everything Sharon's been through, how happy Andrea is with Provenza. They're all startin' new chapters in their lives."

"I guess they are." He said, kissing the top of her head.

"And I think it's time we did the same."

Fritz pulled back and looked down and Brenda with confusion on his face.

"I'm not following Bren?"

"After what happened, I finally realise something…my job, it's not what defines me. You, you make me the person I am…you and hopefully one day, our kids."

"Our…wait, kids."

"I've thought long and hard about what I want from life and what I want is you and a family, to be happy again. I want you to be a father one day Fritzy, whether it's soon or in the not so distant future. I want a baby with you Fritzy."

"Are you absolutely sure about this, it's not just because Sharon's…"

"No, well maybe back in the beginning. Getting shot put my life in perspective…family first, work second...always."

Fritz leaned in and kissed his wife gently so as not to hurt her as she wrapped her arm around his waist before leaning her head on his shoulder.

Sharon and Andy had begun their tour of houses a little later than expected after Andrea and Louie announced their engagement. Sharon was adamant that they celebrate before their house hunting began.

"So, how did he propose then?"

"Down on one knee, it was so romantic Sharon."

"Oh honey, I am so happy for you both."

"Me too, it's so beautiful isn't it." She smiled, showing Sharon her ring once more.

"It really is."

"And just think, we could always make it a double wedding…you and Andy still have that to take care off."

"Mmmm, I think we'll wait a little while, we have Anna, we have a new house to find and Christmas is in a few months time."

"We could hold off for a bit, just think, a double wedding, it would be wonderful."

"It does sound nice doesn't it, we'll see."

Louie was drinking a beer Andy had got for him as Andy eyed him closely.

"What is it, why are you staring at me?"

"You just took me by surprise that's all; I didn't think you'd ever get married again."

"Yeah well, I didn't think I'd ever meet someone quite like Andrea."

"So you really do love her then."

"I'm crazy about her, I know I know the woman use to drive me bloody mad but I can't imagine my life without her, just like you with the Captain."

"Well then…congratulations my friend."

"Thanks, so are you up for being my best man then."

"Yeah, are you serious?"

Louie nodded as Andy shook his hand. "It's would be an honour."

Sharon and Andy spent the best part of five hours going from house to house to try and find the right place they could call home.

"You know I'm beginning to think Jack did this out of spite than anything else, every house we've seen have all been awful."

"Sharon, I don't think even Jack would do that…not to you, no matter what you've been through together, the guy will always love you."

Sharon was about to respond when she looked up as Andy pulled into the last house in the list.

"Oh my…"

Andy pulled up and helped Sharon out as they walked up the steps to meet the estate agent.

"You must be Mr and Mrs Flynn."

"Well not quite, soon thought." Andy smiled at the older woman.

"Hello, Sharon Raydor and my partner Andy Flynn."

"I've heard a lot about you both from Jack, I'm Elise Patterson."

"Lovely to meet you Elise, you know Jack."

"My husband, Jack's his sponsor, he's currently in AA."

"Oh my, I'm so sorry."

"Thank you, so…shall we."

Sharon nodded as she and Andy followed Elise inside the house, at first glance Sharon had immediately fallen in love with the place, dark wooden flooring throughout the entire house, plenty of acres of garden surrounding the house.

"Okay now the house has four bedrooms and an en suite in two of them, a large family bathroom upstairs, a kitchen and dining room, sitting room and a playroom, perfect for kids. There's a double garage out back and a tool shed further out the back. Why don't I leave you both to have a wander around, get a feel for the place?"

"Thank you Elise." Sharon smiled.

Andy and Sharon went from room to room to get a feel for the place, Andy glanced at Sharon as they entered one of the bedrooms, she walked over to the window and looked out at the view, a large wooded area behind the house with a small pond.

"You love it, don't you?" He smiled.

"Andy it's beautiful, that pond will have to be cornered off though, at least until Anna is much older. What do you think Andy?"

"It's perfect, absolutely perfect. I think Jack nailed it this time."

"And even better, it's only thirty minutes from the office."

"So, are we taking it?"

"I want this house Andy, I want it for us."

"I'll go and talk to Elise; you stay here and enjoy the view."

"Andy…"

"Yeah."

"I love you."

"Love you too; I'll be back in a minute."

Sharon turned back to the window, a smile on her face…happy that things were heading in the right direction.

To Be Continued….

One Chapter left to go xx