A/N: This chapter provides a little bit of fluff that I feel like we all need these days. So I hope you all enjoy it.
As always, I'd like to thank blossom-of-snow for her incredible editing of this story.
When Sharon met Jack's parents for the first time, she was unprepared for the warm welcome she received at the Raydor household from the first moment she stepped through the door. Her father was still drinking when she and Jack started dating, so she ached for stability.
She could, therefore, understand why Rainie panicked when Heather told her that her parents were visiting and that she wanted them to meet Rainie.
From what Rainie told Sharon, Heather's parents lived in Chicago and rarely made it to California to visit her after she went to college. According to Rainie, Heather hadn't seen her parents since last Christmas, and introducing Rainie was the part of their visit Heather most looked forward to.
On the evening of the meeting, Rainie paced around the living room like a caged tiger while Sharon and Andy watched the news.
Rainie paused in the middle of the living room, blocking Sharon and Andy's view of the TV. "What if they don't like me?"
"What's not to like about you?" Andy asked.
Rainie groaned like a frustrated teenager. "I don't know what Heather told them about me."
"You could ask her," Sharon suggested and motioned for Rainie to move.
Rainie resumed her pacing. "But, like, what if she told them that I was a hooker?"
"Why would she tell them that when there are so many other things that she could tell them about you?"
"Like what?" Rainie asked.
Sharon knew that her daughter was fishing for compliments, but if that would boost her confidence, she was willing to indulge it. "Heather could have told her parents that you're smart and funny. She could have told them that you're a talented artist."
"Maybe she told them how important you are to her," Andy suggested. "There are a million things Heather should and would have to say about you before she'd think about mentioning your past."
"But what if she told them good things about me and they still don't like me?" Rainie asked, stopping in front of the TV again.
Sharon held up a hand. "It's intimidating to meet your partner's parents for the first time, but keep in mind that Heather's parents care about her, and they want her to be happy. Once they see that their daughter is happy with you, then I'm sure they'll be happy for her."
Rainie's phone buzzed, and she gasped. "They're almost here," she said, a panicked expression spreading across her face.
Sharon stood up and cupped her daughter's cheeks. "Honey, close your eyes and take a deep breath. Everything will be okay."
When Rainie opened her eyes, she wrapped her arms around Sharon's neck before heading for the door.
"Try to have fun," Andy called out before Rainie closed the condo door behind her.
Sharon sat back down by Andy's side and rested her head on his shoulder. "She's so melodramatic sometimes."
"It's part of her charm," Andy chuckled and pressed a kiss to Sharon's temple.
The news was already over, so Andy changed the channel several times, not finding anything else to watch. He shut the television and turned to Sharon.
"Have I told you how sexy you are tonight?" he asked.
Sharon snorted. In her comfortable yoga pants and an orange tank top, she felt anything but.
"Seriously, I love that color on you," Andy said, nuzzling her neck.
Straddling him, Sharon smirked. "You're just trying to sweet talk your way into my pants," she whispered against his lips.
"Yes, that's true." Andy offered her his boyish grin.
"Well, guess what? This is your lucky day." Sharon pulled the tank top over her head.
After indulging in such luck, they helped each other up from the hardwood floor, satisfied smiles on their faces despite their creaking bones. After taking a shower, they returned to the living room, where Andy turned on some music as Sharon made them some tea.
"My realtor called me today," Andy said. "He said the open house was great. A lot of people came, and at least two couples seemed serious about it."
Sharon placed the tea strainer aside. "That's great, Andy. Did anyone make an offer?"
"Not yet, but my realtor thinks we'll hear something in the next few days," Andy said. "But I'm worried that we still haven't found the house we want to move into."
"We'll keep looking. If you sell before we find a house, you can always move in here," Sharon said, handing Andy his tea.
"Temporarily, right?" Andy asked.
"I wanted to talk to you about that. What do you think about making this permanent?" Sharon offered him a sheepish smile as she sat next to him on the couch. "We want a house with a pool. This building has one. We want to live close to work, and this is a perfect location for us. You have a nice view, a fully equipped kitchen here, a parking lot, and a cozy home. We could save our money for something else, like a vacation."
"I'll think about it," Andy promised and draped his arm over her shoulder. "And a vacation does sound nice. Where would you like to go?"
"Oh, God. I have a long list," Sharon said. "I'd love to visit Ireland someday, and Berlin, Paris, Budapest…"
"That sounds great. We've never taken a vacation together before," Andy said. "I'd love to visit all those places with you. Maybe we could go once a year, for a week or two. How does that sound?"
"That sounds incredible," Sharon said. Rationally, she knew that it was not likely they'd get to visit all the places she wanted to travel, but she let Andy encapsulate her in his dream. "I hope we can do some of that someday."
"Someday may come sooner than you think," Andy said, and Sharon could detect the hint of a smile tugging at the ends of his mouth. She could tell he had something specific in mind, but she would let him have the element of surprise if that's what he wanted to do. She wasn't keen on surprises, mostly because all of her previous experiences with surprises ended up leaving a bitter taste in her mouth, but she has already learned that things were different with Andy. He was genuine and giving, and he liked to express his love through unexpected gestures. Andy was full of surprises, and Sharon loved him for it.
-TBC-