"When you find people who unconditionally take you as you are, hold onto them so very tight. They're the one that don't mind if you are having a bad day, they'll stay with you anyways. They're the ones who care about how you're really feeling even when your words are stuck inside you.
They're the people you can talk to without worrying about what they'll think; they take you as you are regardless. Make sure that whenever you find people like this, you keep them close. And whenever you get the chance, be one of them too."
"What Maya is doing in my office?" Andy shouted as she stormed into Robert's office.
"Excuse me?" Robert looked surprised seeing her reaction.
"You heard me..." She came closer and rested her hands on the chair. "She is acting captain today." He said calmly.
"Captain!? Why? Am I sick that I don't know. Because I'm feeling pretty healthy." Andy crossed her arms. "You are pregnant Andy." He again said it completely calm because he knew this is one of her tantrums but the question was for how long he will tolerate and he was on edge.
"It's good you asked me first."
"Didn't have to, because you are not clear to work." Again he kept his calmness.
Andy started pacing around. And Robert continued to do his paperwork waiting for her to stop.
"Can you stop. It making me dizzy." He said after few minutes not looking at her.
"Is this my punishment?" She asked furious.
"What?!" He got up and hit the table with his hands. "Do you hear yourself?" He was now yelling. "For the past week you've been trying to blame me. Is it my fault?! As far as I know you need two people to make a baby. It's my fault as much is yours so stop. Just stop!"
"I..." She froze. It was the first time he completely lost it like that.
"I was in shock as much as you were. It wasn't planned but it happened. I need to worry about two people now not just one. You had no business going into that building when they had it under control. I came... I had to find you. You never asked or wonder how I felt or how I'm doing after everything..." He got up and opened the door for her. "Just go..." He said almost breaking, on the edge of crying.
Andy saw how broken he was but her stubbornness combined with hormones weren't a good mix. She stormed outside tears streaming down. Vic saw her and immediately ran after her.
"Andy, can I come in?" Vic asked already entering her now new bunk. "You are already in so..." She said giving Vic a look wiping away the tears.
"What's going on with you? We all heard your fight? What was that about?" Vic asked sitting on the bed and Andy immediately got up and turned her back.
"I don't Vic, I don't know. It's like I'm trying to find something bad in him so I could prepare myself that he will leave me..." Supporting her head with her hands Andy finished that sentence almost breaking down.
"Oh Andy. He is not Josh. He is Robert. Your Robert. The guy you fell in love almost instantly and I never saw you happy with anyone else like that and I know you for a very long time." Vic said turning to her so Andy will maybe face her.
"But I can see something else is bothering you..." Vic teased waiting for her to crack.
"Vic..." She finally turned. "I'm pregnant..."
Vic couldn't hide surprise on her face. "Andy that's... amazing?" Vic whispered with a grimase on her face. "Is it?" Andy looked at her.
"Why wouldn't it be? He is perfect, maybe too perfect since he keeping up with your constant crap. But he loves you unconditionally and he always keep an eye on you, ever since he got here." Andy immediately had confused look.
"Yes, Andy I know some things you don't... Since the day one he keeps his radio on to keep track of your actions, first it was to get to know your skills but soon enough it wasn't about that anymore. How do you think he came quickly last shift to the rescue. If we waited for Maya to call him you'll be long gone." Andy couldn't contain surprise on her face but everything Vic said just melted her heart and make her realize that man deeply loves her.
"I didn't..."
"I know you didn't because we all know you. You'll immediately say that's because he doesn't trust me or he thinks I'm not good enough... So go talk to him. He will understand just don't run from him. It never do any good."
At this point Andy couldn't contain tears anymore. "I have to talk to him. Is he still here?"
"I think so..."
Andy got up and in hurry left the bunk. Vic's "Congrats" was echoing and Andy's managed to say "Thank you"
It was late, way past Robert's working hours but he was in his office. Deep in his thoughts. Remembering the last few days and how they were at odds ever since they moved in together. It was one thing after another. First a shocking news about the baby then the move, then Andy running into that building to save a kid, now the blame like it was only his fault she has to stop working. He assumed there is something under all of it that is a root of their problems.
Andy slowly entered his office, Robert didn't hear her entering.
"I'm not blaming you." She started, bringing him out of his thoughts. "I'm blaming myself..." Andy figured it's the best to say what is on her mind without dancing around. "... for wanting something to happen so I will say that the history is repeating and I was again left alone because you are way to good to me and I just don't deserve it." She sat in the chair in front of him.
"Why? Why do you think so little of yourself? Where all the confidence disappeared?"
Andy shrugged looking around trying to blink away her tears.
"Why are you letting your past dictate your happiness? I'm not him. I told you that a million times nor I'll ever do something similar. Your fear is what keeping you back..." He got up and Andy thought he will open the door again and said to her to leave but he sat in the chair next to her and turned her chair so she can face him.
"I'm telling you this for the last time. I will never, ever leave you or the baby." Andy nodded wiping her tears. "We are going to be a family. We..." He placed his hand on her stomach. "... made this. Me and you." Andy nodded again and took his hand in hers. "I don't deserve you or your love after all the crap I'm putting you trough. I can't blame everything on hormones but I didn't mean to yell earlier. It's just... sometimes I react and then realize how I reacted. I'm sorry I ran into that building, I have hard time accepting the fact I can't work anymore and I kinda forgot. I guess I'm terrified of change and I was pushing it away since I told you I was pregnant. I never asked how are you doing and I know you are not doing okay... So tell me, please!"
Robert hesitated a bit because this was a second time the same thing was happening but gave in at the end. He can't stand being mad at her for long. Not when she say all those things, and he can read her. She meant everything she said.
"Seeing you laying down and not moving I thought I lost everything. I swear if I lost you that day I don't know if I would survive." Tears couldn't be stopped from both sides.
"I can't function without you. No matter what you do or for how long are we fighting I can't be mad at you enough to leave you. You are my air, Andy. My whole life. I told you that already."
Seeing him crying broke Andy's heart into pieces. She got up and hugged him and Robert was resting his head on her stomach while trying to contain his tears. He pulled away and pulled Andy to his lap hugging her again and burying his face in the crock of her neck. Andy kept rubbing back of his head.
"Can we go home?" He asked looking at her. "And no more fighting no matter what, please? You can always talk to me." Andy cupped his face and place a sloppy kiss on his lips. "I know and I promise no more fighting."
"Come on, Andy. Come to bed!" Robert yelled as he was laying down alone.
"Robert?" She stood by the door. "What's wrong?" He got up. "Uhm... there is blood." She started to shake. "Let's go!"
He got her a jacket and dressed himself and they hurried to the ER. The whole way there she kept his hand in hers. When they arrive Dr. Wilson was waiting for them.
"Please. Just tell me the baby is okay." Andy kept repeating crying. Robert sat next to her looking at that screen barely breathing.
"Let's see where is the little one." Dr. Wilson said.
Andy kept her eyes closed. Silently praying the heartbeat will be there. And it was. At that moment both of them let out a breath they were holding for too long.
Andy immediately started sobbing uncontrollably. Jo gave them some privacy before discussing further plans. Robert hugged her trying to calm her down. He couldn't control his tears but he was doing better than her. She knew if the baby doesn't make it's on her and her stupid choices.
"Calm down. The baby is okay. Shhh." He was trying to comfort her.
After a few minutes Dr. Wilson came back.
"Soo, light duty and rest as much as you can. No heavy lifting." Dr. Wilson gave her the look. "We'll still need to monitor it closely."
"Okay!" Andy nodded and Robert helped her got up.
It was almost 3 am and Andy needed a shower so she went to shower and Robert brought her clothes. He left to make her some tea and Andy needed some time alone to cry. She let the shower ran and sat in and cried, the urge to let it all out was very much necessary. She then shower and seeing his crew shirt that he left for her made her feel better.
The tea was on her night stand cooling down but Robert wasn't in the room. She looked down and he wasn't on the first floor.
Andy thought maybe he went to another bathroom so she laid down and drank her tea.
Robert went outside. Same like her, he needed to vent. So at 3 am he was walking down the street. He texted Ripley that he can't come tomorrow and asked for him to cover it.
Andy was half asleep when Robert sneaked back to bed.
"Where have you been? I started to get worried..." Andy said sitting up.
"Go back to sleep. I needed..." His thoughts trailed off. "To vent..." She added.
Robert nodded and pulled her closer to him. "I just need you to hold me tonight." Hearing these words, that mostly she used to say to him, Andy knew he wasn't doing good. "Anything for you." She whispered and single tear rolled down Robert's cheek. "Thank you." She caressed his cheek and placed a kiss on the other, adjusted herself and they both drifted to sleep.
He was a strong man. He could and he did survive a lot of things. But everyone even men have their breaking point. And this was his.
In the morning Andy woke up first and decided to make Robert a breakfast. That was the least thing she could do. Wearing just his crew shirt and shorts she went downstairs to the kitchen. Their house was still full of boxes.
She turned on some light music and enjoyed her alone time in the kitchen. She was almost done when Robert sneaked behind her back and hugged her placing his hands under her shirt caressing her belly.
"Good morning, love!" He kissed her neck. "Good morning, dad!" She giggled. Andy gave him a bite to try and it was ready. So they sat and ate.
"I was thinking..." Andy started. "I'm all ears..."
"What do you think about getting these boxes unpacked and we could make a welcoming party and well make an announcement about..." She caressed her belly. "Our new member of the family." He smiled.
"Of course we can!" He squeezed her hand. "But no heavy lifting." He winked. "Of course not. I'm on light duty." Andy said proudly.
Robert pulled her towards him. Sitting at the bar stool and Andy standing between his legs, they were almost the same height. Which was so cute. They shared a few kisses. After what felt like forever, they were almost at the end of unpacking. And finally things were coming together and their house look like a house now.
"Come dance with me." Andy extended her hands after she turned the music little bit louder. "Some bachata won't hurt. We are almost done." Robert gave in and they danced trough the living room enjoying every move they made.
Every touch Robert left on her body sent shivers down her spine. This man really undoes her with everything he does.
The next say on the shift Robert gathered everyone in the barn. Gave them a little break from the chores while he announced what he wanted.
"Everyone. We officially moved in." He hugged Andy. "And we wanted to invite everyone tomorrow night for dinner." He said proudly looking at his wife.
"Who's cooking?" Travis teased. "That would be me." Robert said. "You can bring dessert of you'd like." Andy teased back.
"No, no I will. I don't want another dessert disaster to happen." Vic said laughing what cause everyone to burst into laughter too.
"Wait. Wh... what happened?" Robert asked confused looking at all of them laughing.
"So we were having a dinner at Travis's." Vic started while others tried to stop laughing. "And he wanted to show how he is a good chef." Maya added. "But I'm." Travis tried to defend himself. "You are but not when it comes to desserts." Andy said while laughing remembering that night.
"He said he will take care of everything and that we just bring the booze. Which we did of course. But long story short we ended up with food poisoning." Vic finished. "Thankfully we didn't have shift the next day so we had time to recover." Andy added.
After they finished the story everyone continued to laugh until a call came through. They quickly get into turnouts, Robert and Andy glanced at each other while he was getting into the truck and she stayed in the barn.
Next day came quickly, Robert and Andy were so excited to host a moving in party. On the way home from work they went shopping for food and everything that they needed.
Sleep was a must so after coming home they went straight to bed to get much needed rest. Andy needed it more than Robert. Around lunch time Robert got up first and went to prepare some food because he knew she will be hungry once she get up.
As he predicted a 15 minutes later hungry Andy appeared on the stairs. Robert was so focused on the food so he didn't notice Andy immediately, what she used to observe him a little bit.
Often when she is alone her thoughts come rushing and she used to be afraid of that but now... Now she can't stop smiling. This man brought so much happiness into her life that sometimes everything seems so unreal. Here they are living together with a baby on the way.
As Robert turned he saw her standing at the end of the stairs smiling with a sparkle in her eyes.
"It's probably something very important when you are smiling like that?" He was saying as he came in front of her just a few stairs beneath her so they can be the same height.
"Huh?" Andy said coming back from her thoughts. "I...said..." he pulled her closer to him. "You very probably thinking of something very important to smile like that and have that spark in your eyes..."
"I did." She placed her hands around his neck. "Tell me." He insisted.
"I... was thinking about you." She looked at Robert. "And this. All of this." She looked around. "I'm so happy and so lucky." She placed a kiss on his lips.
Andy woke up wanting cuddles. She demanded them but seeing how much time they have until dinner she started to regret having it.
"You propose the idea Andy!" Robert said laughing. "I know. But now I want you and cuddles." She said with her baby voice what caused Robert to laugh more since she was acting like a child.
He pulled her closer to him and wrapped arms around her. "We need tk finish these meals and I promise after a dinner I'll give you all the cuddles in the world." He kissed top of her nose. "You know it's not just me. Baby wants some too." She smiled. "Oh now we are playing that card too. I have plenty to spare." He smiled back.
They finished meals and setting up the table and it was almost time for them to come.
"Little FYI Vic knows so probably Lucas knows too." Andy said while getting the final touches. "Lucas definitely knows because I told him." They both looked at each other and start laughing.
"What?!" Robert said. "I needed someone to talk to." Andy came behind him and hugged him. "I know. And I'm glad you did. I needed someone too and Vic noticed I was a mess." Robert turned to face her and they shared a hug. "I'm glad too."
Vic and Lucas came before everyone else and after 10 minutes the rest of the team came. They all got their drinks and Andy showed the girls around the house.
They all sat at the table to eat and before they started Andy got up wanting to say something.
"Before you all start to eat I want to say a few things." She cleared her throat and glanced at Robert then started.
"Thank you all for being here tonight. I'm really happy that we all get along and spending time together outside the station. Something my dad would be proud to see. I know I wasn't a captain for too long now and you all know how bad I wanted to be one but... Something more important came along and I will need to put my captain rank to sleep for a little while." Andy smiled and motioned Robert to announce it.
Everyone exchanged confusing looks.
"Soon a new member will join us." Robert said and got up. "Andy is pregnant!" He smiled hugging Andy with his arm.
Everyone had mixed emotions. Shock, happiness, confusion... They all knew Andy pretty well and they never thought she will be a mother especially not now that she made captain. Only Vic and Lucas was just happy for them.
"You definitely didn't waste anytime, huh?!" Lucas said finally able to joke and hugged Robert. "When you know, you know." Robert said. "And you definitely knew since day one." Lucas said and looked at Andy.
Hearing this Andy got all emotional. The fact that Robert was talking about her long before they were even friends warmed her heart and made her love him even more if that was even possible.
"I'm so glad Andy found love and happiness again. Never said this publicly but... I really love seeing you this happy and you have to know you deserve it all and much more. And I can't wait to be the cool auntie." Vic said brushing the tear that escaped her eye.
Andy brushed her tears and send her a kiss and they all start to eat.
Dinner went great. They all had a amazing time. Robert had a chance to meet the team outside the work. They all moved to the living room to drink some more and tell stories.
Robert went to get another round of drinks and Lucas went to help him.
"I know we never talked about getting married but I know I wanna ask Vic to marry me." He started. "I bought a ring with and Andy helped but I need your help how to do it.
"Man, I'm really happy for you but how can I help with that?" Robert was confused. "Where would you take Andy to ask her?"
"I don't even know if she wants to get married. I mean I think she wants it but with pregnancy and all..."
"Robert, relax man. That wasn't my question." Lucas chuckled. "Right. Sorry. I think about proposing to her daily but I don't want her to think I'm doing it just because she got pregnant." Robert admitted.
"She definitely wouldn't think that. I'll ask Vic to investigate for you." Lucas winked.
"Thanks, man. So about the place... take her somewhere where both of you love. Your special place. It doesn't have to be big just intimate." Robert suggested. "Yeah, I was thinking the same. Thanks!" Lucas said while they were bringing the drinks.
"Sparkling water for my girl." Robert said handing Andy the glass. "Mm exciting..." Andy gave him a kiss. "Don't forget about your promise." Andy whispered to his ear when he sat in her spot and she gladly sat in his lap. "Stop whispering to my ear, you know what that do to me." He whispered back and kissed her neck. "Umm stop."
When everyone left Andy couldn't wait to go to bed. So they left all the mess to deal with it tomorrow and she jumped on Robert to take her upstairs but he puts her down.
"Before we go I have a surprise for you."
"You know I hate surprises."
"But you also love them when they come from me." He smiled. "Well true. What is it?"
"I was talking to Lucas and we agreed to not take your captain position. I will do both with his help as battalion chief when needed. And you can work on AidCar as long as you can and want."
"Really?!" Her eyes already filled with tears. "Is that even possible? You are wiling to do it?"
"Anything is possible when your best friend is a fire chief. And don't ask dumb questions. Of course I'm willing to do it. Anything for you." He brushed her tears from her cheeks and scooped her up to take her upstairs.
"Do you need just cuddles or..." Robert asked flirting. "I need everything..." She whispered on his ear while he carried her upstairs. "I see what I can do about it." He replayed kissing her neck again.