Yes, I know it's short, but I wanted to get this update out. I was out of town (away from what I had started typing on my home computer). Then, when I got back home, the document had autosaved and somehow dropped off part of what I'd typed. So, "It's Your Lucky Day" that I'm getting this short, but sweet chapter out. I'm trying to get this story finished! Thanks for sticking with it!
He knocked on her office door and waited for her to grant him entrance. Normally, he would go right in, but Sharon's staff was still all there working, and he wanted to look professional. It was bad enough that he'd been down here more lately, well, for the gossip it was bad, but people just assumed Andy was digging his way out of some trouble he'd gotten into.
"Hey," he offered a slight smile after she told him to enter. Sharon looked up at him, completely exhausted, with a sad face.
"So, Gabriel, huh?" he said as he sank down in one of Sharon's chairs. He held her gaze as she closed her eyes and nodded. When she opened them, he was leaning forward now, hands on the desk, and he reached across to take her hand in his.
"I know you didn't want to believe there was a leak," she sighed, as she met his gaze.
"I didn't WANT to believe it, Sharon," he raised her hand and kissed it, "but, I trust you more, and the writing was on the wall. I knew there was one, but I never would have believed Gabriel."
"You do realize he wasn't exactly a leak, right? I mean, yes, he was telling Ann everything, but he was in love with her. What people don't come home from work and share their day. That's what got me thinking, Andy. After I met her, I started to think about the end of the day. We talk, yes, not about everything, but we talk. We never break confidentiality or anything, but like right now, we're talking."
"Yeah," he said, now his thumb running over hers. "I know, but still, I just don't think I can trust the guy. He apologized to everyone, but I had to get out of there. The difference I see is that you work here. Talking to you about what I can, well, you work here. I guess it's different with the other guys. It boils down to trust."
"Exactly," Sharon nodded. "David thought he could trust Ann, and she completely fooled him. It's an unfortunate circumstance. I know it's not what David wanted at all. He was going to marry her. I'm sure Brenda is devastated too. Here she is, back from burying her mom, and she's got this right away, her most trusted detective."
Andy nodded, "I know. I really wanted to speak to her, but it wasn't the right time. My time off is still good for a few days from now. You'd better believe I'm going to be there to marry you, Sharon."
"Good," she nodded. "I really hoped I wouldn't be stood up at the altar."
"Not a chance, Sharon," he winked. "Not a chance. Now, I came up here to steal you away."
"Steal me away?" Sharon raised her eyebrow at him.
"Yup," he grinned. "It's after 6:00. Your poor staff is out there waiting to go home. You've solved the leak. That alone, you should leave. It's been dogging you for months now, and yes, while hard, it's over. We are going shopping."
"Well, music to my ears," she teased. "What are we buying?"
"Rings," he said with a huge smile. "Now, unless you want me to ask Provenza for some of his old wedding rings for the both of us, you'll get ready and go shopping with me."
"Oh," Sharon tried to hide her smile, but when she met his playful grin, she burst out laughing, "Andy, could you imagine the ring collection Provenza has from all his weddings?"
"I'll tell you a secret, but only because I love you," he leaned in closer. "That old duffer has used the same wedding ring for each wedding. He's told each wife that he went out and bought it, but it's been the same one," he winked.
Sharon covered her mouth and stood, "Well, let's break your best friend's tradition and buy new rings, shall we?
"You don't have to ask me twice," he jumped up. "The thought of you wearing Jack's ring while married to me," he grimaced. "Let's just say that I'm only okay with having had to share Emily a bit with Jack, NOT you and not our marriage."
Sharon nodded, taking his hand, "My sentiments exactly," she winked. "I really don't want to think of Sandra when I put that ring on your hand." She took his hand in hers as he grabbed her briefcase in her other hand. She flipped off the lights and opened her office door.
"Sharon," he pulled back slightly, "your team is still out there," he gestured to their hands intertwined.
Sharon looked down at their hands and back up at Andy. Her green eyes met his brown ones, and she offered a playful shrug, her eyes twinkling. "I don't care. I'm marrying you in two days. Let them talk. They'll gossip like crazy all of tomorrow, and then we are both off the day after that. When we return to work, they can gossip all they want because I'll legally be your wife."
He grinned at that, leaning into her and said, "So, would kissing you at work be on the table too?"
Sharon rolled her eyes, "Try again in a few days, Lieutenant, when I'm a married woman."
Ring shopping turned out to be easier than either expected. They found rings that they loved right away. Andy wanted a simple band, while they found one with accentuating diamonds on it for Sharon. The store promised to have the rings ready the following day, so the two left, arm in arm, to find some dinner.
"One thing we haven't discussed with all of this craziness," Andy brought up, and Sharon raised her eyebrows. "We haven't discussed our two home problem. After tomorrow, we're legally married, and we will own two homes here in LA. I don't like that," he grinned.
"Hmm, that is a problem," Sharon nodded. "I don't like that either. I think one home is all we need."
"Well, yeah," Andy shrugged. "I mean, could you imagine getting married, and then you going back to the condo and me going back to my house?" He frowned and made a face, "No."
Sharon chuckled and covered her mouth while she was trying to think of a crafty response, "Nothing says wedding day like a courthouse wedding, kissing goodbye on the courthouse steps, and then each of us going to our own homes," she continued to chuckle.
"Exactly," Andy crossed his arms, while Sharon finished eating her salad. "So, let's talk. It's not like we can put this off. The wedding is the day after tomorrow, Sharon. I know work has been insane, but we're at that point. Your house or mine?"
"What do you want to do?" she asked.
"I asked you first," he smirked. Sharon rolled her eyes at his childish behavior.
"Well, it is just the two of us. Nicole lives in town. That eliminates one kid. Nathan is not far, and we probably don't have to plan on his spending the night. I guess that leaves Ricky and Emily. She's not moving home, and Ricky, I think will stay north too. So, we don't have to have extra rooms. I-" Sharon stopped and closed her mouth. She composed herself and started again, "You know what?" she smiled. "I am completely leaving this up to you. I am letting you decide, and I am okay with whatever happens. It doesn't make up for all the time you lost with Emily, but that's in the past, and I want you to make this decision about our future. Whatever you decide, I'm okay."
"That's a terrible idea!" Andy groaned. "I'm going to mess it up."
"No, you won't," Sharon shrugged.
"I will. What if I pick the wrong house?" he groaned.
"Andy," her eyes met his, and she smiled at him, "there is no wrong answer. I love either home. My home is with you, wherever that is. I'll be happy either place, but I want you to be happy too. So, think about it, and tell you what-when we get married, you can drive us to the home you want for us. I'm completely okay with that. We'll have our first night in our new home, and we'll move forward from that. No matter what, we'll still have the party at your house, whether we are living there then or selling it, but it's up to you. For once, I'm letting go; I'm not going to be in control of this. I trust you."
"I'm not sure I trust myself with this," Andy grumbled.
