A Little Snow Chapter 8

A little over an hour later they were finally nearing the end of the Jersey turnpike to crossover into Manhattan. Traffic had increased over the last hour, but they were still making decent time.

"Do you think we should take the Bridge or the Tunnel?" Andy wondered as they approached the lanes for the Lincoln Tunnel. "I know one is probably faster than the other, but really it always seems the one you don't choose is the quicker path. Traffic is unpredictable."

Sharon nodded, "It does not matter to me at this point. I just want to get there. Unless you have a problem with driving under the Hudson I would say just do that, it's right here. At this point I don't want to have to go too far out of the way."

"I prefer the tunnel to the Bridge, honestly, but I did not know how you felt about it. Everyone seems to have their own preferences for travel," he nodded directing the car into the right lane to exit.

She turned to him, "I just want to get there…. Are you afraid of heights or something?"

"Well, not exactly," he shrugged. "Bridges make me nervous though. I don't like getting stuck in the middle of them. It's the whole thing where you can feel the wind swinging it, and then all of the other cars weighing it down." He paused, "I know they build them with all of that in mind, but I am not ashamed to admit that I still get nervous."

Sharon smirked, "And tunneling under the water, under the weight of the River, is less nerve-wracking?"

"When you say it that way, no," he rolled his head toward her, "thanks for that image. Hopefully we can just breeze through and it won't be a recreation of that scene from The Ten Commandments."

"Always here to help," Sharon teased. When he merely smirked back at her she reached down for her phone. "Did you want to let your sister know you were close before we drive through?"

Facing forward again he nodded, "Yeah, um, maybe just send her a text. She may not always know how to reply to texts, but she will be able to read it and know when to leave. Plus, I don't want to lose the call if we get into the tunnel before she gives me the chance to speak."

Sharon smiled and typed out a quick message to his sister, "Okay, sent." She confirmed dropping the phone back into her lap. "So, your plan is to drop me off and then hope your sister meets you at the car return?"

Andy furrowed his eyebrows, "What do you mean by hope? I think she is responsible enough to remember to pick me up. I may pester her some, but it's Christmas, she won't leave me stranded."

"No," Sharon grinned at the misunderstanding, "I was more referring to the fact that you do not have a phone. If she were running late, or for some reason you needed to update her, you would be out of luck."

He shrugged as he directed the car into the tunnel, "We used to survive without them, I am sure we will be fine. It may be one of the largest cities in the world, but it still has its pockets. We will be in the same general area, shouldn't be too difficult to find her."

Sharon leaned back in her seat and watched as the guiding lights on the tunnel above ticked by, "That's true. It is a big city, but it always fascinates me how you can still run into people you know all the way out here. Maybe it is the pockets thing you just mentioned, although I have never thought of it that way. Emily describes it as her neighborhood area feeling like a small town. She sees the same people over and over. Although, that doesn't quite explain how when I dropped her off at school a few years ago we ran into someone she had gone to high school with. Their family was on an end of the summer trip and it was just by chance that we were heading into Serendipity as they were leaving. It is a more touristy location, but it still had that whole 'small world' feel to it. I guess even in the largest cities you still have a decent chance of running into people."

"It does happen," Andy nodded. "So, I am sure I will find Liv even without a phone. Especially since we know to be looking for each other. It will be fine."

She nodded, "Okay, I just wanted to be sure everything was all right. As much as I want to get to Emily we could make a detour or something. We have made it this far, I would hate for it to be ruined by a miscommunication because you broke your phone en route."

He shook his head and held back a chuckle at her passive dig, "Noted. It should be fine. I can drop you off and your Christmas will be able to begin. I know you two have plans; I don't want them to be delayed any longer. Also, this way I can make sure Liv and I get going. I won't have the chance to drop my bag or anything, but it's not like I will be the only one in the city lugging around a suitcase. I packed light, it will be fine." Sharon hummed in acknowledgement as they continued the drive.

Fortunately the light traffic and turn of their luck continued as they drove through the tunnel and into the city. Without too much hassle they were able to exit and take 9th down toward 23rd. There were more cars on the street now, but not the gridlocked images of the movies. Traffic was moving along with only the occasional honk from an aggravated taxi driver. The snow was not as pretty now that the city had cleared off the roads and main sidewalks, but there was still a sparkle as the sun reflected off of the snow piles on the street corners.

"It's too bad we missed the roads being blanketed with snow through here," Sharon observed as she looked out the window. "It must have looked so empty, but kind of magical, right after it fell. Imagine how fun it would have been to walk right down the center of 5th Avenue without any cars around." Andy shrugged in his seat as he navigated around the other vehicles, but before he could think of anything to add her phone began to ring. Sharon glanced down and saw a (212) number pop up on the screen. "Liv," she said holding the phone out to Andy.

"Why don't you go ahead and answer it." He dipped his head toward the device, "maybe the conversation will be shorter that way. She won't spend half of it groaning about how long she is having to wait somewhere or something."

Sharon pursed her lips for a moment, but when the ringer went off again she answered, "Hello?"

"Hi, this must be the Captain," the other woman began without giving her any time to respond. "Did my brother drop you off yet, or did he not want to speak to me at the moment?"

She smiled and glanced over to Andy, "Not yet, he is driving right now. I can't speak to his motives though for having me answer." Andy turned his head to her and pressed his lips together wondering what his sister had said. Sharon simply nodded to him that it was nothing and continued speaking into the receiver, "Andy is about to drop me off at my daughter's apartment and then he will head back uptown to meet you."

"That sounds good then," Liv acknowledged with a hint of a smile to her voice. "So, are you and your daughter joining us this evening?"

Sharon furrowed her eyebrows at the question and glanced back over to Andy. His attention was directed at the road, but she thought he was holding his breath slightly in an attempt to listen in on the conversation. "I don't think so," Sharon's voice trailed as she attempted to answer the other woman. "We have plans to eat and go to Mass..."

"Well," Liv interrupted cheerily, "so do we. Why don't you two join us? As much as I love my brother it is always fun to have others around. I mean it could be my Christmas gift to you for putting up with him on the drive, as well as I'm sure at work. He is not always the easiest person to be around."

Sharon let out a knowing sigh at the statement, but was unsure of how to respond to the request. "Well," she exhaled, "I really don't want to interrupt your visit."

"I understand, but it is just dinner, my treat." Liv paused to allow the other woman time to consider her offer.

She worried her teeth over her bottom lip for a moment. Everything was kind of up in the air at this point; it would not be the end of the world if they changed their plans. "I don't know. I guess I can ask my daughter when we get to her apartment."

"Perfect!" The other woman exclaimed. "I'll call and change the reservation. They may grumble, but it's Christmas Eve and I know the chef. I hope you two like Italian."

Sharon smiled softly at her excitement, "We do. I don't want to be a burden though, really we are fine."

"You are not a burden, trust me," Liv assured her. "I told Andy to say something, but I had a feeling he wouldn't. I'm glad I called when I did. Will you please let that darling brother of mine know that I am in the cab on the way to 44th? I will be waiting for him at the shop since he does not have a working phone." Sharon nodded, but before she could say anything more Liv hummed, "Who forgets to charge their phone in this kind of weather? Men."

Sharon smiled, "Indeed. He's lucky this is working out for him. Pay phones are never fun."

"Speaking of pay phones, can you make sure he has a quarter just in case?" His sister chuckled into the line, "Little Andrew does get himself into some awkward situations. I would hate for him to be stuck out in the city all alone."

Sharon laughed at the image his sister was painting, "I will do what I can."

"We will see you this evening. Bye Sharon," she replied.

Sharon grinned at the woman's assumption, "Perhaps. Merry Christmas, Liv," she offered as she hung up the phone and dropped it into her purse.

Andy flipped on the blinker to turn left. They were a block away from the apartment. "So," he probed, "my sister is on her way in?"

"She is," Sharon confirmed. "She will be there soon, and she wants me to make sure you have a quarter for the pay phone in case something happens to you during the drive."

Andy shook his head, "It is twenty blocks, that's just a mile. She must think she is so funny."

"Well, must run in the family then." Sharon shrugged, "she does know you better than anyone. Sounds like your sister just wants you to be prepared. Although, since your partner isn't here, I am assuming you will be able to at least get close without too much hassle."

Andy rolled his eyes at the tease, "It is always his fault, you know. Trouble follows him and I simply get caught in the crossfire. Literally."

Sharon hummed, but did not have anything else to offer on the subject. As they turned she sat forward in her seat, "There she is!" Sharon smiled as she pointed out the window. Standing on the curb up ahead, her daughter was waving excitedly as their car approached.

When Andy pulled over to the side, Sharon quickly opened her door. When she stood she was immediately wrapped in a hug, knocking her back slightly into the side of the car. "You made it!" Emily exclaimed holding her mother tight, "I knew you would, but still I am so happy that you're finally here."

Sharon held her daughter for a moment before leaning back, "I am. I would never let anything keep us apart, especially today." She brushed her lips against her daughter's forehead before tightening her hold once again. "Merry Christmas, sweetheart."

"Merry Christmas, Mom," Emily hummed in return. The sound of the driver's side door opening broke them apart. "And you must be the friend from work," Emily smiled stepping away from her mother.

"Guilty," Andy supplied, "although I think we have decided that friend is kind of a loose term." Andy walked around the front of the car and nodded to Emily, "Lieutenant Flynn, feel free to just call me Andy."

He winked at Sharon who rolled her eyes playfully, "Yes, I guess friend in the sense we have known each other for a few years and have now spent 24 hours trapped together on the road." She paused and offered a light smile, "Probably would not have used the term before, and even now I guess you could at least say, friendlier. Maybe he will at least stop thinking I am out to destroy the lives of all of my fellow officers. I would consider the trip a win if that were the case."

Emily laughed lightly, "Oh, so he's one of the bad ones?"

"What?" Andy exclaimed feigning offense, "The bad ones? What kind of nonsense have you been filling your daughter's head with Captain? We are the good guys." Despite his attempt to remain serious he grinned at Emily, "I'll have you know I have been cleared of every accusation, thank you very much."

Sharon glanced over to her daughter, a playful sparkle to her eye, "And there have been quite a few."

"I see," Emily reasoned, "well, maybe someday he will learn. Your rules are annoying, but if they keep people like him in line..."

"Oh God, there's two of them," Andy sighed moving to the other side of them to retrieve the luggage. "Mini Raydor, I will tell you what I tell the wicked lady over there... It is always my partner's fault. I am just there to make sure he does not completely lose it."

Confused Emily looked to her mother who shrugged, "So he says. In his defense, his partner is a grumpy sort of fellow, really dislikes me. Although, strangely enough he does not have as thick of a jacket as this one," she nodded toward Andy as he fumbled with the key fob. "So, this theory does not seem to hold."

Andy arched an eyebrow in her direction and shook his head to reiterate his point. "It's always his fault, Captain." He unlocked the lift gate and pulled her suitcase out from the back.

"Sure, Lieutenant," she smirked reaching for the handle. Sharon lifted the plastic pull until it popped into place, looking earnestly at Andy, "Thank you."

Emily stood at the other side of her mother watching the exchange. It was only a short conversation, but they were kind of entertaining. Especially, since she rarely met anyone from the office, or at least any of her mother's "non-friends." Emily took a step toward the car and gestured to the backseat, "Do you have anything else in the car, Mom?"

Sharon broke eye-contact and turned to her daughter, "My travel tote is in the backseat." When Emily opened the door Sharon smiled, "and there may be something in there for you."

"Yeah," Andy chuckled, "and she was not about to share."

"Cookies!" Emily exclaimed, "It is officially Christmas." She opened the container and immediately took a bite of one of the tree shaped treats. "Mm, my favorite." Emily shouldered the bag and stood back on the curb. "The wicked lady didn't let you have one, Andy?"

He looked over at Sharon and smiled, "She was saving them for someone special... but I am sure she couldn't deny me one if that person wanted to share."

Emily shrugged lightly and took another bite, "If that person wanted to share." When Andy's jaw dropped Emily laughed and held the box to him, "Relax. You can have one, I suppose."

In between them Sharon rolled her eyes. When Andy did not immediately move to take a cookie, she nodded to him, "Oh come on Andy. Here, have a cookie." She reached for one cookie and handed it to him. "Well, I guess you may want to go ahead and get going. Liv will start blowing up my phone if you're not there soon. It sounds like she might be a little worried about your ability to make it alone."

"You're leaving?" Emily asked, swallowing her bite. "Would you like to -."

Interrupting her daughter's question, Sharon wrapped her arm around Emily's shoulders and pulled her into a side hug, "Andy is meeting his sister up near Times Square. They have Christmas plans already. Liv did say something about dinner, but let me get my stuff upstairs and we can discuss the evening."

"Is that what you two were talking about?" Andy sighed, "I'm sorry, Sharon. She gets a little excited about things. You guys don't have to join us. Don't feel any pressure." Andy paused and nodded to the car, "I should probably head out before she really does begin to worry. It was nice to meet you Emily." He shot a playful glance in Sharon's direction before he emphasized, "Thank you for letting me have one of your cookies."

Feeling like there was something more to say, but not wanting to push too hard, Emily nodded, "You're welcome. Merry Christmas, Andy and thank you." When Andy reached his door and folded himself back into the car Emily turned to her mother, "So, he seems fun. What would be so wrong with spending Christmas together?"

Fun, Sharon turned to the building, "Let me change, I want to get out of these clothes and freshen up a bit. It has been a long day. We can sit down and talk about our plans when I feel a little more human, hm?"

"Okay," Emily confirmed, shifting he weight of her mother's tote bag on her shoulder. "But just so you know, dinner, Christmas lights, and Mass all sound like a pretty good Christmas Eve to me, and not significantly different than what we already had planned."

A/N: Thank you to all of those who left comments on the little Christmas one-shot the other day! I responded to some of you on twitter, but I never know if you are all right with me thanking you by PM here as well. I really appreciate knowing people are still hanging out there reading these silly things. This story has morphed some from the beginning, but it is still moving along with the Christmas cliche thing. I have a little bit left and then I will take a break from bothering you all for a while... As an aside, I lived in New York for a couple years (I played soccer at NYU my freshman year of college, but due to a family situation had to sadly move back and finish school here. Looking back I try really hard not to get upset about it... but sometimes I am a little sad about that whole time period.) I am kind of adding some of the things I remember about the city during my life there because it matches up to this time period. I also lived there for a year after I finished my bachelor's degree... it was not quite the same the second time around, but I do miss Christmas in New York.