AN: Here is chapter 53! Sorry it took so long, but if you'll notice, this chapter is so long (for me) as well! It has some bonding, some apologies, some cuteness and a lot of Andy's thoughts as Nick and Gail get married. Enjoy!
Chapter 53
The following morning, Andy woke up in her own bed. She rolled over and frowned when she didn't see Sam beside her before the previous day came flashing back. Reluctantly, she pushed her sheets back and got out of bed. She made her way into the kitchen and living room area to find Chris just waking up on the pull out couch.
"Morning," Andy yawned as she walked into the kitchen.
"Good morning," Chris replied.
"Coffee?" Andy offered.
"Please," he said, sitting up and rubbing his hands over his face.
"How was your sleep?" Andy asked as she set to making coffee for the two of them.
"It was alright," Chris said, "Weird that Christian isn't waking me up this morning, you know?"
Andy laughed.
"Hey, your phone was going off all of last night," Chris said.
"Hm?" Andy asked, glancing up at him.
"Texts, phone calls, beeps from voicemails," Chris said, "I figured you needed your sleep so I didn't wake you up. I think it must have died around 2 in the morning."
"I'm so sorry," Andy said, shaking her head. She picked up her dead phone from where she had left it and went to plug it into her charger.
"Eh," Chris shrugged, "You had a rough day yesterday."
Andy glanced up at him.
"Do you want me to make breakfast?" Chris asked, "You can shower or whatever. I bet Gail's already been up all of this morning getting ready."
Andy chuckled as Chris pushed himself off of the bed. "Sure, that'd be great," Andy said as she glanced at the clock, "Coffee should be ready soon. Milk is in the fridge, sugar is in the third cabinet," Andy said before making her way towards her bathroom.
When she emerged from the steamy bathroom, dressed in a button down blouse and jeans, she found Chris standing at the stovetop doing the last flip on her eggs and hash browns.
"Officer Diaz," Andy said with a smile as she entered, "You went all out. You should stay at my place more often."
Chris laughed.
"Really though," Andy said, "It's good to have you back in the city. Even if it's only for a few days."
Chris smiled. "You think everyone will be surprised?" he asked.
"Duh," Andy said, "Only Nick and I know," she said.
Chris nodded. "Good." He plated Andy's breakfast and handed her a mug of coffee before joining her, sitting at the counter.
Andy smiled at him. "Thanks Diaz," she said before she dug in.
"Your phone has been crazy again," he said.
"Gross," Andy said. She leaned across the counter to grab it. She unlocked the screen and frowned as she saw several missed calls and even more text messages.
She opened the text messages and scrolled through them. Most were from Sam.
Where are you?
Do you need me to pick you up somewhere?
Andy, I'm sorry.
Andy, please call me back.
You can't ignore me forever.
Another was from Sarah.
Andy, we're really worried about you. Can you please check in with us?
Andy dialled her voicemail and listened to her messages.
"Andy? It's Sam. I'm so sorry about what I said today," his voice came through the earpiece, "It's been an hour. You should be here by now. Call me please."
"Andy, I know that you're mad," said the next message, "Just give me a call so I know that you're safe."
"Andy," the third one started wearily, "Andy, please call me. You can't ignore me forever."
"Andy," came Sarah's voice on the fourth message, "Sweetie, we're really starting to worry about you. If you need a ride anywhere, just call. Sam, well, Sam isn't in the state to drive right now, but I'll go anywhere to get you. Please call one of us Andy."
"Andy, shit, Andy babe?" Sam's drunken voice came through last, "I'm sorry. I-I don't know what got into me. I love you. Call me please."
She frowned and set her phone. She would deal with that all later. "So," Andy said, glancing at Chris, "How long are you staying?"
About five hours later, Andy was walking down the aisle runner focusing on the grass in front of her, struggling to avoid tripping, falling or having the heel of her shoe sinking into the grass. This, she guessed, was why brides walked down the aisles with their fathers. So that he would be able to catch her so that she wouldn't embarrass herself entirely in front of her husband to be. Andy made it to the end of the aisle and looked up at Nick. She gave him an encouraging smile before walking and taking her place to the side of the makeshift altar before turning her attention towards the end of the aisle where Gail was now standing with her father. Her dress had been fluffed to perfection, her delicate veil perfectly in place, her makeup done impeccably, but Andy couldn't watch her. Instead, she turned to look at Nick.
It was something Andy had done her whole life, even when she was a little girl. Watching the bride was predictable. Women expressed their emotions more on a day to day basis, so tears, proud smiles and joy to see their husband to be as nothing out of the ordinary. But watching the groom was different. They often weren't as forthcoming so seeing the pure, unadulterated happiness was special. And watching Nick was no exception. He was beaming down the aisle towards Gail, who was approaching on the arm of her father, his eyes watery as he took in his soon to be wife.
She reached the end of the short aisle and her father handed her off to Nick. Andy crouched down to fluff the train out behind her before Gail turned to hand her her bouquet of flowers. Andy took them with an encouraging smile before stepping back off to the side.
As the minister began to speak, Andy found her mind wandering. She should have been paying attention but she found it increasingly difficult as she watched Nick and Gail holding each other's hands so happily.
She hadn't resolved anything with Sam since their argument the night previous. She hadn't spoken to him yet as Gail had been in a mad panic for the most part of the day, caused primarily by the subterranean pimple that had appeared overnight on her chin.
It was ironic as the minister spoke to Gail and Nick about fighting, and resolving fights and Andy chewed on her lower lip. In Andy's mind it made sense that she would talk the suspect from the day before into taking her instead of Gail. One life instead of three. And somehow she knew that Sam would have agreed had it been anybody else.
The minister spoke of protecting the other next and Andy almost rolled her eyes. Of course, that's what Sam had been trying to do. He had been worried about her and was trying to keep her safe in the future.
The future of Sam and Andy… Now that was a strange thought.
Andy watched as Nick reached up and cupped the side of Gail's face as the minister spoke, wiping away a tear from her cheek with the pad of his thumb. Gail gently rubbed her ever growing belly with her spare hand. They looked so… happy.
Andy had never really known if she wanted to get married. When she was young, she wanted to, but then her mother left without a word. Andy hated the way it had affected her dad and never wanted to inflict of experience that type of pain. But as she grew older, she found herself wanting the companionship, wanting that one person you could trust and love more than anyone in the world. So when she had met Luke and they dated, then got engaged, she found herself getting more and more optimistic that she would have found that person. But then he had cheated on her with Jo, and those hopes were crushed.
And then there was Sam. Sure, they bumped heads, but there had been an undeniable pull between them ever since he was her training officer. There had been a lot of back and forth and a lot of arguments and time apart, but finally, when Sam opened up and Andy had the opportunity to meet Sarah and learn about Sam's past, she had a feeling that maybe, just maybe Sam could be that one person.
Andy swallowed hard, and focused back on Nick and Gail just as Nick was reciting their vows.
"I, Nicholas Andrew Collins, take you, Gail Catherine Peck, to be my friend, my lover, the mother of my children and my wife. I will be yours in times of plenty and in times of want, in times of sickness and in times of health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow, in times of failure and in times of triumph. I promise to cherish you and respect you, to care for and protect you, to comfort and to encourage you and to stay with you for all eternity," Nick recited, his tone sincere as he gazed into Gail's eyes.
Gail took a steadying breath before it was her turn. "I, Gail Catherine Peck, take you, Nicholas Andrew Collins, to be my friend, my lover, the father of my children and my husband. I will be yours in times of plenty and in times of want, in times of sickness and in times of health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow, in times of failure and in times of triumph. I promise to cherish you and respect you, to care for and protect you, to comfort and to encourage you and to stay with you for all eternity," she said honestly.
They exchanged rings and Andy found her mind wandering once more.
Did she want to marry Sam? Did she want to have kids with Sam?
"And now, in front of God and all of these witnesses I present to you all Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Collins," the minister said, "Nick, you may now kiss your bride!"
Andy watched with a smile as his arms wrapped around his new wife and he dipped her low, pressing his lips firmly to hers, one hand on her belly.
Yes, Andy concluded. Yes, she wanted this with Sam.
Another few hours later, the pictures had been taken and Nick brought a very tired Gail home for a quick cat nap before they went to the reception at the Black Penny.
Andy sat in the passenger seat of the best man's car on the way to the Penny. "So you and Nick," Max said as he drove, "You were undercover together?"
"Yeah," Andy said, nodding.
"How was that?" Max chuckled, "I shared a tent with that guy. He's-" he trailed off.
"Gassy?" Andy finished for him with a laugh, "Yeah. A little."
"Props to Gail though, hey?" Max asked, "Putting up with that? She must be something special."
"They're good together," Andy said.
"What about you?" Max asked.
"What about me?" Andy asked him.
"I'm sure a beautiful girl such as yourself has somebody waiting at home," Max said, glancing sideways at her.
"Are you trying to hit on me?" Andy asked with a small smirk.
"Is it working?" he asked with a playful grin, "Nah, I'm just kidding. Nick mentioned you were dating a cop too?"
"Yeah," Andy said, frowning slightly, "Sam Swarek."
"But you're frowning," Max said.
"We had a fight," Andy said, shrugging and shaking her head, "I dunno. It was stupid. But we haven't had the chance to talk since."
"Why not tonight?" Max asked.
"What are you, a shrink?" Andy asked him.
Max shrugged. "Nah," he said, shaking his head, "But if there's one thing I learned when I was married, it's never go to bed angry. You never know what's going to happen."
"You're married?" Andy asked.
"Was," he said, "A few years ago. Sydney Stewart," he said with a small smile as Andy pointed him in the direction of the bar.
"What happened?" Andy asked.
"We had a fight. She made me sleep on the couch downstairs. And overnight the house went up in flames. I got out because I was on the main floor but Syd, well, she didn't," Max said with a frown.
"Oh, Max, I'm so sorry," Andy said, reaching over to place a hand on his arm.
"Don't be," he shrugged, "It isn't your fault. But if you really love him, you need to fix things with this Swarek guy, alright?"
Andy nodded, chewing her bottom lip thoughtfully. Max pulled into the parking lot at the Penny and they both got out of the car before walking towards the door together.
Andy scanned the parking lot for Sam's truck but couldn't spot it. Max pushed open the door for her and Andy stepped inside.
"Andy!" Traci called almost immediately.
Andy glanced up to see her friend waving her over to where she was seated with Dov and Chloe. Andy glanced back towards Max.
"Go ahead," he said, gesturing towards them, "I'll get a drink and wait until you feel like I'm cool enough to talk to again." He winked at her.
"Come with me," Andy said with a smile before leading the way towards the table.
"You looked so beautiful today," Traci said as Andy approached the table, "And Gail looked stunning. They were so happy. And you," she turned to Max, "You're Nick's friend?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't introduce myself," he said, "Maxwell Lewis. Nick's buddy," he said.
"From Afghanistan?" Traci finished, "We've heard all the stories."
Max let out a laugh. "Hopefully not all bad," he said.
"Of course not," Traci said with a tentative smile, "Detective Traci Nash," she said.
"Detective," he said, raising his eyebrows, "Impressive."
Traci laughed and glanced at Andy. "You can just call me Traci," she said.
"You can call me Max," came his smooth response.
Andy looked around the bar and then slid into a seat across from Dov. She pulled out her cell phone and tapped a quick text to Chris.
Where are you?
"Any idea where Swarek is?" Dov asked Andy.
"What?" Andy asked, "No?"
"Are you two alright?" Chloe piped up, "He looked like crap today."
"He was probably pretty hungover," Andy said, eyes on the door.
"Was this over what happened yesterday?" Traci asked.
"Yeah," Andy said, turning her phone over in her hands.
"What happened yesterday?" Max asked.
"Some guy took Gail hostage," Andy said, "And I talked him down and got him to trade her for me," Andy said.
"Not bad McNally," Max said, reaching over to pat her on the back.
Andy let out a laugh as her phone rang. She glanced at the screen to see Chris' name. "Excuse me," she said, sliding from her chair and hurrying out to the parking lot, "Hey," Andy said, "Where are you?"
"On my way," Chris said, "The taxi I'd booked didn't come, so I'm walking. I should be there in about 15 minutes."
"Okay," Andy said, "Gail and Nick aren't here yet, so you're okay."
"I'll text you when I'm closer," Chris said.
"See you soon," Andy said before hanging up. She made her way back to the table and sat down between Max and Chloe. Dov was in the middle of telling a story as Traci, Chloe and Max laughed a few minutes later as Andy sip from her beer. She felt a hand on her shoulder. She jumped and then looked up and saw Sam. "Hey," she said.
"Hey," he said quietly, "Could I have a word?"
"Sure," Andy said, pushing herself to her feet and casting a glance at Traci over her shoulder before following Sam towards the door and then out to the parking lot, "What's up?" she asked awkwardly.
"You didn't answer any of my calls," Sam said with a frown, "Or any of my texts."
"I know," Andy said, "I'm sorry. I was bu-"
"I was really worried Andy," Sam said.
"I know Sam," Andy said, reaching out to put her hand on his arm, "I'm really sorry."
"I think we need to talk about yesterday," Sam said.
"Sure," Andy nodded.
Sam heaved a sigh. "What you did yesterday was reckless," he said, shaking his head, "And it felt terrible to see him with his gun to your temple and it-" he hesitated, looking down at the ground, "It scared the shit out of me Andy. Seriously. I was worried that he would kill you and I reacted, well, I was stupid about it and I yelled at you and that was the wrong thing to do," he swallowed.
Andy was silent, knowing he wanted to say more.
"It was just the type of thing I would expect from you," he said with another sigh, looking up at her, "Brave. Selfless. Smart. I just wish that it wasn't you that was in harm's way."
"Sam," Andy said gently, wrapping her arms around Sam and pulling him in a quick hug.
"I don't know what I would have done if I had lost you. Or if the bullet had missed him and hit you," Sam mumbled into her neck, "And I'm sorry I was such a dick about it."
Andy shook her head and leaned out of the hug. "Sam," Andy said, "I'm sorry that I did it. There was probably a hundred other ways I could have dealt wi-"
"No," Sam said, shaking his head, "You trusted your gut and it turned out in the best possible way. It's all I can ask from you as a cop."
"And as your girlfriend?" Andy asked.
"I'm just glad you're okay," Sam said, shaking his head.
"I'm sorry for bringing in the Jerry thing," Andy said with a frown, "It was stupid, to bring up stuff from the past," Andy shook her head.
Sam leaned down to press a kiss to Andy's lips. "I deserved it," he said, "I love you," he said sincerely.
"I love you too Sam," Andy replied.
"You look really pretty today," Sam said, pushing back a few loose strands of hair behind her ear.
"Thanks Sam," Andy said with a smile.
"You're welcome Andy," he replied as Nick's car turned into the parking lot. Sam and Andy looked up as he parked and opened the door to slide out before hurrying around to help Gail out of the car. "I'll let you help her get ready," Sam said, brushing his lips past Andy's forehead before walking inside.
Andy turned to approach Nick and Gail just as she saw a figure walking down the street towards them. Gail's attention seemed to have been drawn to him as well as she squinted into the dark. "Who's that?" she asked as Chris walked towards them, a grin on his face.
"Officer Diaz," Nick said with a smile, "What a surprise," he held out a hand for Chris to shake as Gail's mouth dropped open.
"Chris?" she demanded.
"Surprise?" Chris asked.
Gail threw her arms around Chris and pulled him in as close as she could.
"Andy really wasn't over exaggerating the pregnancy," Chris said, shaking his head, "Congratulations guys. Great news."
"You knew about this?" Gail demanded, turning to look at Andy in disbelief.
"Surprise," Andy replied with a smile.
"We've had a heavy year," Andy said about half an hour later, looking around the silent bar, "We've lost a lot. A great detective. All of the cases we couldn't solve. All of the injuries and illnesses we've suffered. But we've won a lot too. Every case with a good outcome. Every investigation we've gotten to the bottom of. Love. Marriage. And more and more 15 Division babies," Andy laughed as she looked at Noelle and then Gail, "I want to propose a toast to the bride and groom. A thank you, for reminding us that even though there are always going to be bad calls and always going to be bad situations, there will also always be something to make us smile and to brighten our days if we just look hard enough," Andy smiled at Nick and Gail and raised her glass of champagne, "To Nick and Gail," she said, "Collins," she finished with a wide smile.
Sam's arm snaked around her waist and he pulled her tight into his side as they clinked their champagne glasses together.
"When I first met Nick Collins," Oliver started to speak, "The idiot thought that jumping off of a b-"
"I love you," Sam murmured softly into Andy's ear, his nose pressed into her hair.
Andy relaxed into Sam's side and smiled. "I love you too Sam."
AN: I hope you liked it! It was actually a pretty cool chapter to write because we got to see a lot of what Andy thought and we get to see how serious she is about Sam. Sorry again about any spelling or gramatical errors, I was on a deadline people! I wanted to get this posted before I leave bright and early tomorrow morning! (Yayyyy Hawaii!) As most of you know, I won't be posting new chapters while there, but I will be writing them by hand and I will post them once I get back. See you all in a couple of weeks! And enjoy the Rookie Blue on Thursday (for those who are able to watch it as it airs)! I know I'll be watching it. (Watching TV while on a tropical vacation... sheesh!)
Have a great day guys! =)
