"Sharon, what time is it?" Andy called out, still very groggy as he shifted in the bed to sit up. He could tell she was up. He could hear her fumbling around without that cane because he knew they'd left it in the kitchen the night before, and he was worried something was wrong. "What can I help you with, Sweetheart?"
"I'm fine," she said, slightly out of breath. "I'm sorry I woke you. Go back to sleep."
"Not without you," he grumbled and stretched when he got out of bed. He reached to fumble for the light. "Sharon, you're going to fall. Let me turn on the light and help you."
"Andy, I'm fine, really," she said, slightly exasperated as he reached her. She was steadying herself against her dresser, just a few steps from the bathroom, and he noticed she was somewhat dressed for the early hour.
"Sharon, you're wearing a dress," he said, noting she had on one of her very favorite, comfortable sweater dresses. It was a dark gray, and while a very plain looking dress on a hanger, it just looked great on her. He put his hand over hers, as she was still there, looking at the dresser, almost willing herself some strength, and he squeezed his hand over hers, his hand feeling that new diamond on her hand. "Hey, talk to me. What's going on? It's still early, what, 6:45 or so?"
"I know it's early. I couldn't sleep anymore, and it's Sunday morning. I'd like to go to Mass. The early one would be fine, great actually, because it won't be as busy as the services later this morning. I really want to go. It's been so long since I've been."
"Sharon," he said as he helped her turn sideways toward him where he could put his arm around her better. He smiled at her, "Sharon, Father Stan knows you've been shot. He's been by the hospital several times. Don't you remember that? You may not have recently because I know you were exhausted and sleeping a couple times he came by."
She nodded and sighed, "I know. This is for me. I have so much to be thankful for in my life," she smiled at him, a soft, almost sad smile. "I have so much to thank God for, to pray about too, and I want to go to Mass."
He nodded, quietly, "Well, when were you going to tell me, hmm?"
"Andy, I'm not asking you to go. I can do this," she sighed.
"Really?" he raised an eyebrow. "One, how were you going to get there? You can't drive."
"Well, I," she pursed her lips and closed her eyes, admitting her defeat. She let out her breath, "I hadn't thought that far. I was just trying to get ready."
He nodded, running his hand up her back in a reassuring tone, "I know you are fiercely independent. Hello, it's me," he said sweetly, chuckling at her. "I know how frustrated I was when I couldn't do things after my dust up with the car and even after my heart attack. I know you weren't awake for that, but I get that it's frustrating. I'm here to help. We're like two injured idiots in love trying to navigate our middle ages." Sharon burst out laughing and put her hand up to her chest.
"That is so corny. I can't believe I agreed to marry someone as corny as you," she chuckled. Andy raised her ring hand and kissed it, winking at her. "I'm really, really glad we are engaged. I hope after sleeping on it all night you are too."
"Of course, I am," she gave him a small smile. "I love you, more than you could ever imagine. I love that you and only you see my soft side, my side away from work and that chaos there."
"I do too," he put his hand up to her face and brushed the hair out of it. While she'd gotten dressed, she hadn't started working on her hair or makeup. "I love seeing that side of you, all sides of you, especially early in the morning like this when you look so beautiful just like this."
She gave a slight roll to her eyes, "Did they check your eyes when they checked your heart? I think they are getting worse. I look horrible. I look sick still. My face is almost ghostly white, and while I finally was able to get my hair cut and colored the other day, it's always still a mess in the morning."
"You're gorgeous to me, so perfect," he leaned in and kissed her sweetly. "Now, as much as I want to suggest you not try and overdue it by going to Mass today, I know that won't work. I know Mass is important, and I'll be happy to take you."
"Andy," she shook her head. "You don't have to do that."
"I don't have to go to church with my wife?" he smiled brightly at her.
"We're not married yet," she shook her head, a sparkle starting to shine in her eyes.
He shrugged, "Don't care. I'm going to start calling you that already because I cannot wait until we are officially married. You seemed pretty excited about it too, both when you were in the hospital and even last night when I made it official. Now, I know I don't have to do anything, but I want to go with you. It's our church. I'd been going with you pretty often before you were shot, and while this may surprise you, and I haven't even had a moment to tell you, I've been going even while you've been in the hospital. It's not been on a regular schedule, but I've been talking to Father Stan and going to Mass when I could."
"You have?" Sharon said, pulling back slightly as she looked to him with a shocked expression.
"You don't have to be so surprised, Babe," he leaned in and kissed her neck this time, drawing her from her shock. "I know I'm a divorced Catholic, well," he winked at her, "in good company as one, but I can go to church. Being with you has made me want to be a better man, to get my life right in ways I hadn't before. It's no secret you've helped with my kids, and now, you've just almost encouraged me in my spiritual life. I'd like to go with you. You're right; we have a lot to be very thankful for right now, and we need to pray for our futures."
She slightly shook her head, "I can't believe you have been going. I didn't expect that. Rusty," she sighed, "all three of the kids rarely go. If I ask, they go. If they are home for a holiday, they'll go, but it's not like me, not like I woke up and wanted to go."
"Then," he ran his hand over her hair, "we'll go. Let me help you get into the bathroom, so you can work on your hair. I'll get your cane, and then, while you are getting ready, I'm going to hop in the shower. Would that be okay?"
She gave him a warm smile and leaned up to kiss him, "I'd like that all very much. I'm marrying a wonderful man."
It was an hour later, and they were in the car, almost to the church. Andy looked over and saw Sharon looking out the window, quiet, with her hands placed in her lap. She'd been quiet on the ride. He reached over and pulled her hand into his, pulling it up again to kiss her ring finger.
"You doing okay?" he asked.
She nodded, glancing at him, "It feels good to get out of the house. Thank you for taking me. I wasn't sure what I was thinking earlier. I didn't really have a plan for getting to church. Truthfully, I hadn't thought about the fact I'm not driving right now."
He nodded, "I guess that's good. You are trying to get over your injury, but please, keep using that cane. I know we left it in the kitchen last night when I helped you back to the bedroom, but you do need it still. I know you want to be rid of it, but please, Sharon."
She gave him a soft smile, "I will, for you. I know it's helping me. I am so exhausted when I try to move around without it. I promise I'll take it into church, but I'd still like to lean on you if that's okay?"
"Okay?" he flashed a grin as he turned on the street to the church. "You're asking if it's okay to have a gorgeous woman on my arm? It's more than okay. It's my dream. On top of that, she's now flashing that rock. I can't tell you how much I love looking over and seeing it on your hand, my ring on your hand."
"I love it too," she held her hand out now to admire it. "It's perfect, really perfect. I always wanted more of a square cut, something like this, not the pear shaped I had. I mean, Jack didn't ruin that shape. He did, but-" she rolled her eyes slightly as she tried to explain, "even before I was engaged to Jack, I wanted something with angles, like this. It's perfect," she said, leaning over to kiss his cheek. He parked the car and turned slightly toward her.
"I know you were exhausted last night, and I wasn't far behind you in that, but we didn't talk about telling people, telling the kids. I mean, we go in there," he nodded to the church, "and people are going to see it. You can't hide that, not after going to the church for over 20 years. I mean, they were on you and me the first time you brought me here," he chuckled. "They know you've been shot and in the hospital, so I'm guessing today, you'll be somewhat of a celebrity."
Sharon made a face and shook her head, "I'm just the same person I was. I was doing my job. I don't want attention."
"It's your church family caring about you, Sharon," he explained and gave her a nod. "The few who know me have asked about you. I just want you to be prepared and not frustrated when people ask how you are feeling. The church sent flowers during your coma, and they have been checking. I've tried to keep your fans to a minimum," he grinned, "to not overwhelm you."
"Okay," she sighed. "Thank you, and I just want to worship in peace."
"We shall," he said, opening his door. "Let me help you out, okay? I parked as close as I could for you."
She nodded, and it took a couple minutes, but the two were slowly walking toward the church. The church bell started to ring, indicating the start of the 8:00 service. "Perfect, not early, and we can sneak in as it's starting."
Andy chuckled, "I need to record this, you okay with being late to church."
"Well, after what you told me," she gestured with her free hand. Andy patted her hand there on his arm, again, squeezing her ring. She smiled at him. "I'm not hiding this from anyone. In fact, if people ask, I'll happily tell them our good news. Maybe it will get them talking about that instead of my being shot. With the kids," she nodded, trying to come up with a plan, "I think I like the idea of messing with them a little. Do they know about the ring?"
"Are you kidding?" Andy turned to her and shook his head. "It's bad enough Provenza knew, but that was a secret for me only. I didn't tell the kids. The only people who know about the ring are you, me, Provenza, the sales clerk at the store, and my credit card," he winked. "I'm always up for messing with the kids. That sounds fun."
"I mean, I want them to know," she said, as they reached the steps. He eyed the steps, and she just looked at them and back at him. "How about if we just let them discover the ring on my hand? Two are home today, and it shouldn't take long. We left that note for them, and maybe we can have brunch with them. I'm sure they will notice it then."
"Okay, as you wish," he winked. "What about the rest of the kids? That's only two of five."
She laughed, "After two of five figure it out, it should spread quickly, and we can call the others."
"Great," he grinned. "I wanted to give you your ring before Emily went back home because I knew you two would love talking weddings. Sounds like you have a plan for the afternoon. Now, church," he nodded, "stairs."
"I wanted to finish this conversation before tackling the stairs. I need my attention for them, so let's go to church," she gestured with her cane to the steps. Andy stuck out his arm for her, and the two turned to head inside.
Even though Andy had warned Sharon about people's reaction to seeing her back in church, she wasn't prepared for the outpouring of love. Father Stan took a brief moment to point out Sharon before the service ended.
"I know it is unusual to call out members of our congregation, but I feel it's necessary today. It is very, very good to see our own, Sharon Raydor, excuse me, Captain Sharon Raydor, back here with us. As many of you know and have been praying for her, she was shot in court and in a coma for weeks. Sharon, your church family loves you, and we are so glad to see you back here with us today. Lieutenant Andy Flynn, it's good to see you, to have you bring Sharon. We've been praying for you with your heart issues recently. Let's continue to keep these two, along with the many others we've already mentioned in our prayers."
At that, Sharon teared up there in the back of the church. She'd tried to keep her emotions in check, but the service had been overly emotional for her. At one point, she'd leaned over to Andy and said, "I never thought I'd be back in church again. There's so much I still need to right with God." Andy had just nodded and moved to put his arm around behind her, pulling her closer to him. Now, with this, she wiped her eyes, and Andy quickly pulled out a handkerchief for her, something he'd been carrying the last couple of weeks with everyone's emotions in a roller coaster.
After the service, Sharon didn't do anything but stand, but people flocked to her to offer their well wishes. Andy stood at her side, making sure she didn't start to lose her balance. It took a few minutes for everyone to walk by them. For wanting to blend in at the back of the church, the two certainly had stuck out. As Andy finally gathered Sharon's purse and her cane to help her out, he looked up when he heard Father Stan walking toward them.
"Sharon, Andy," he smiled brightly as he approached, his arms outstretched, "it's very good to see you." He walked to Sharon and embraced her, Andy standing there holding her things. "Andy," he turned to shake his hand. Andy quickly shook it.
"Father, I hope you don't take offense that I couldn't stand and kneel easily today during the service," Sharon said to him.
"Oh, Sharon," he smiled at her. "Don't even think about apologizing. I was happily surprised to see you both here today. I was planning to visit you at home this week, and you beat me to it, coming to me in my home," he gestured around the church.
"She was determined to get here," Andy nodded, a small smile on his face. "I don't have to tell you when she's determined, things happen."
Sharon looked at Andy lovingly as he spoke, and then, she reached for his arm to squeeze it. Father Stan watched the movement, and a smile formed on his face as he reached to touch her hand.
"This looks new," he grinned at the couple.
Sharon smiled again at him and then at Andy, "It is brand new, not even a day old."
"Congratulations, then," he smiled to them. "I don't have to say that you two are a very lucky couple. You seem very happy together. I can't say I'm too surprised."
"Thank you," Andy smiled back at him. "I may or may not have given it to her last night at the home we may or may not be living in together. Sorry, Father, but at least we're getting on track to follow the rules here."
He chuckled, "I'll refrain from any comment, but I'm very happy for both of you. I'm sure the kids were all happy about it."
"You are the first to know," Sharon told him, smiling, "which is quite fitting. It just feels right telling our priest about our engagement."
He made a small face, "You know there are unfortunately rules about that, though, Sharon. I can be happy for you, but I still have to follow the rules of the church."
"I know," she pursed her lips. "This is so new, and we haven't discussed anything yet, other than we will get married to each other. Gunshots, comas, heart attacks-nothing has stopped us, and we won't let it, not even the church either."
"We can talk soon," he patted her arm. "Now, how are you doing?"
"Well, I'm doing very well," she said.
Father Stan raised an eyebrow to her and turned to Andy for the real answer. Andy started to chuckle, "Well, if you want the honest truth, she is doing well, but she's still a bit unsteady on her feet. She's got this cane or me to steady herself. Emily has been visiting the last few days. She goes home tomorrow, and I'm going to take off this week. I have a couple appointments myself, Sharon has physical therapy, so this is somewhat of a mental and physical health week for us."
"It is wonderful to hear you are both on the mend," he reached for and squeezed Sharon's hand. "I don't have to tell you there have been a lot of prayers for you. Now, I'd like to stop by this week and visit with you both if that's possible."
"It will happen," Sharon said, squeezing his hand back. "Thank you for everything. I wanted to be back here in church. I don't know if you have heard, but I had a lot of crazy dreams during my coma. I felt like I just needed to get right with the church, even though in reality," she sighed, "I believe I am right with the church. This felt good this morning."
"Sounds like you've had quite the roller coaster if you remember your dreams that well," he said to her.
"You have no idea," Andy shook his head. "Her memories of those dreams are vivid."
"Yes," Sharon nodded. "You, Father, were part of them. We had a few disagreements. I even had a dream the school, some of the students, were part of a case."
Andy shook his head, "I swear that's from your subconscious hearing me talking to him at the hospital while the tv was on that one night, Sharon. There was some missing kid case all over the news, kids who ran off on a field trip. Father Stan and I were visiting, there in your room, one evening, that case came on the news, and we got to talking about it."
"That must be it," she shook her head.
"Listen, I don't want to keep you," he touched Sharon's arm. "I also have another Mass soon, and as much as you liked the first one, I'm not sure you and Andy are planning to stay for a second one, correct?"
"I'm a one Mass a day kind of guy," Andy nodded and corrected himself, "recently added, one Mass a day, really one a week is good, but anytime Sharon wants to come, I'll be here."
"We will get going," Sharon nodded to him. "Thank you for your prayers, Father."
"I'll see you both this week, and congratulations again," he nodded to her ring. "It's good to see you both so happy in life, together."
Andy helped escort Sharon outside, and they worked their way down the stairs toward his car. As they walked, Sharon leaned in toward him again. "Feeling okay?"
"Yes, tired, but a good tired. It's good to do something so normal. I like going to church with you," she smiled at him.
"I love going with you, and I never want you to have to go alone. I'll happily go with you each week."
She chuckled, "You just like holding my hand."
"It's not a crime," he shrugged, playfully. "It's over an hour each week where we just get to sit next to each other, and I get to hold your hand and stare at your legs."
Sharon burst out laughing, "Is that all you get out of church? That's horrible, Andy."
"It's not all, but I'm not lying when I say it's my favorite part. The music and the sermon-those are good too, but I'm being honest. I mean, we are in a church, Sharon, so I'm not going to lie."
"I love being there with you. I spent most of my adult life sitting there alone. Sure, the kids were sometimes there too, and even when they were, I had a sense of being alone. It's hard to explain. I never disliked it, but I never realized how much I like sitting there with you. I feel loved."
"I do love you," he said as they reached his car. She nodded and put her hand on his chest to admire her ring again.
"So, I've been told," she said, holding back a grin. "I was given this lovely ring and told I was loved."
"All true," he smiled and bent down to kiss her hand again. "I will never get tired of that."
"Speaking of the ring, I'd like to just let the kids discover things today if you don't mind. I'm sure they will figure it out quickly," she said.
"Sounds good to me," he said, opening her door. "Now, while we usually go out to eat after church, can I make a suggestion today?"
"Sure," Sharon smiled. "What's that?"
"With you just getting out today and maybe pushing it a bit much," he said, shaking his head from side to side and Sharon looked away and chuckled. Andy continued, "I'd like to suggest we stop and pick up take out for brunch. Maybe we can get muffins, a quiche-that one place does all of it. If you check in with the kids, we can pick up food on the way-I'll go in and pick up the food," he clarified, giving her a look, "and we can go home, eat, relax, and I'm sure you and Emily can have the wedding planned by the end of the day."
Sharon grinned and shrugged her shoulders, "Well, maybe not entirely planned by the end of the day."