A Little Snow Chapter 11

"So, Emily," Liv called walking up beside the younger woman and looping her arm through Emily's at the elbow. "Is this the first time you have spent the actual holiday in the city?"

Emily slowed her pace and smiled over to the other woman, "Well, we visited family out here one Christmas when my brother was a baby. I do not really remember it, just the photographs and stories. This is the first time I have spent it here as an adult. When I was in school I flew home for the break. So, it was either Christmas in L.A. or at my grandparent's timeshare in Utah. Mom decided to come out here this year when my brother was accepted to the program abroad, and we were not sure how my schedule would play out. Minus the travel delay, I am loving the everything about this Christmas so far."

Liv smiled, "It is lovely isn't it? It almost makes you forget the hectic parts of the city, almost." She looked around, "Especially with all of the snow. We don't have a white Christmas every year, but it really gives everything a more festive feel. Don't you think?" Emily nodded, and Liv continued, "Of course when it snows like this in February we will all be complaining about the cold, the inconvenience, and the slow melting times." She laughed lightly, "but for now we can pretend we are living in a cozy holiday film. Everything is just so perfectly Christmassy."

Emily hummed in agreement as her eyes traveled down the street and into the shop windows as they passed. The storefronts on the walk down 48th Street toward Fifth Avenue had the odd decoration and a few signs in some of the windows. "The city in general has a movie feel to it, minus of course the silly endings." Emily laughed, "Right now, this area reminds me of the second Home Alone when Kevin decides to visit the tree. Except there are way more people around," They neared the corner, "Oh, but then Desk Set was around here too, right?"

Liv laughed, "Yes, I love that one. Hepburn and Tracey had lunch on top of The Rock in that one, I think. Although, we won't be taking, what is it they kept going on about – the Lexington Avenue bus? - tonight." They continued to walk along chatting about New York moments and different experiences they had had in the city. Behind them Sharon and Andy followed occasionally listening in, but really just walking along.

"I'm sorry my sister has stolen your daughter away this evening. Once she gets an idea in her head she runs with it," Andy chuckled anxiously nodding to the pair. "I am beginning to wonder if she even cares that I made the trip at all. She would have been so bored just spending it with me."

Liv turned her head, "Well, if you weren't so boring, then maybe I would not have pushed for dinner with Sharon. Besides, Andrew, I like your friends." She reached up and squeezed Emily's hand as they continued to walk ahead.

Andy rolled his eyes and nodded to Sharon as if his point was proven by the comment. Sharon smirked, "Sisters can be like that sometimes. My sisters always like to meet people from my life, but it goes both ways. Then when we meet a new person it is like the family member no longer exists."

"Which sister is this?" Andy gave her a mischievous smile, "I thought I had heard something about someone dropping a house on your sister or something."

Sharon's eyes widened for a brief moment before she realized it was ridiculous attempt at a joke. "That was all a rouse," she stated matter-of-factly, "she lives happily upstate, sparkly magic slippers and all."

"Touché," Andy grinned, "should have known." The two walked along in silence, intermittently listening to the conversation taking place in front of them. "So," Andy broke the silence, "you two are going to St. Patrick's this evening?"

Tucking her hands into the pockets of her coat Sharon smiled, "Yes, Emily decided to make the most of the whole experience. She worked out the procedure a few months in advance and was able to get us two tickets for the service this evening. I had no idea we would need to plan it out so far in advance."

"I would have expected nothing less," Andy hummed thoughtfully, looking forward. "I mean the whole planning process on her part. Even before I met Emily, I would have assumed your daughter would be a very organized person."

Sharon pressed her lips into a smile and bumped his shoulder with hers, "Let's not go back to making fun of the rulebook thing. You're beginning to run out of material, Lieutenant, now that we have spent more time together than we could have ever imagined." She met his eyes, "Careful, you may even start to think that I am not that bad, here pretty soon."

"Heaven forbid," Andy groaned, feigning alarm. "I think we used up all of the Christmas miracles getting here before Christmas Eve and all in one piece. Let's not press our luck into thinking we may actually be on friendly terms after all of this is said and done."

Sharon could not help but laugh at the comment, "True. Plus, we still have the rest of the evening. I would hate to jinx anything by assuming our Christmases were saved or something."

Andy chuckled, but had nothing to immediately offer in reply. The trip had been nice once they relaxed and accepted that they were stuck in the snow. Even dinner earlier that evening had been enjoyable, jokes at his expense aside. The group continued on and turned the corner to head up on Fifth. Liv unhooked her arm from Emily's and fell back to walk beside her brother. Sharon took the opportunity to stride ahead and walk with Emily.

She reached for her daughter's hand and swung it lightly in the space between them, "Are you have a good evening?"

"Definitely," Emily smiled swaying her hand back and forth with her mother's. "It has been really nice to spend it with them. Even if Andy is not really your favorite person, and even if his sister was a stranger a few hours ago."

Sharon smiled thoughtfully, "You know? If you had told me two days ago that we would be spending Christmas with Andy Flynn I would have said you had lost your mind." She sighed, looking out at the sidewalk in front of them, "But this has not been so bad."

"No, it hasn't." Emily grinned and turned to face her mother. After her comment, Sharon's mind had wandered through the strange events of the last two days. "I agree that is been not so bad," she echoed her mother's words. As they crossed 49th Street and passed the building on the corner Emily's eyes lit up. Sharon felt the mood shift and smiled at the light behind her daughter's eyes. She turned to her left to see the lights of the Christmas decorations lining the sidewalk down toward Rockefeller Plaza. Sharon smiled happily at the scene.

The paved walkway was lined with paired angels sitting atop concrete planters; each angel sparkled in the light with their own golden trumpet pointed to the sky. The dozen angels lead the way down to the giant tree at the end, just above the ice skating rink. Sharon hummed along with the Christmas music from the speakers at the ice skating rink. The sound of the music carried over the other sounds of the city, growing louder as they walked down the way.

"Mom," Emily smiled pulling away from her mother to dig through her purse. Sharon drew her eyes from the decorations to settle on Emily. Her daughter pulled her camera out of her bag, "What do you say to taking a few pictures to send to Ricky? I am sure he has memories of his own to share, but we can at least share part of our night with him when we call him later. It is not quite the same as being here, but it is something."

Sharon took a step toward Emily and held out her hand for the camera, "Sounds like a wonderful idea. Here you go stand over there by the angels and I will take a few pictures with the tree in the background."

Emily handed over the camera and did as she was told. "We'll have to get some of you too, mom." She smiled for a picture, "Just in case you were thinking that being the photographer saved you from being in them."

"Why don't you stand up there with Emily," Andy suggested walking up behind her and gesturing to the camera. Sharon took a moment, but handed the camera to him and joined her daughter by the figures. The pair posed together for a couple shots before Emily waved to Liv to join them. After the group pictures, Emily also convinced Andy to pose for a couple with his sister. "Okay," Andy mumbled after the third flash, "We are good. Let's get closer to the tree. There will be more photo opportunities for you by the tree." Emily smiled and returned the camera to her purse as the group continued walking.

"So, I know you all mentioned something about not wanting to ice skate, but…" Emily's voice trailed expectantly as the group neared the end of the walkway. She angled her path toward the steps, "It is Christmas, and how often to you get the chance to skate on Christmas Eve underneath a beautiful Christmas tree and surrounded by angels?"

Sharon rolled her eyes at her daughter's not-so-subtle tactics of persuasion. She did enjoy ice skating, but it had been a few years since she had been on the ice. Plus, she was not sure the others would enjoy the change in plans. She swiveled her head in Liv and Andy's direction.

With her eyes focused on Emily, Liv patted her brother's shoulder. "I don't know, Emily. We are a bit out of practice, and some of us were not gifted with a natural, um, grace," she attempted to explain. Liv smiled at Andy, "And some of us struggle to stay upright on our own feet, no matter how much we complain that it is the universe's fault."

"Is this pick on Andy night?" he huffed sarcastically, "I make the trip all the way out here to spend Christmas with you, get stuck on the road with Raydor, and now I have to suffer the abuse of all three of you? A very merry Christmas indeed."

Liv swatted his shoulder and laughed, "Oh hush. You know this Christmas has already been better than the last. Besides, we are just teasing you. We can skate if you want, I'll even hold your hand so you won't fall."

Andy rolled his head in her direction and droned, "Hooray, my lucky day."

"Come on, Andy," Emily chuckled from the steps to walk down to the rink. "It will be fun." She gestured to her mother who was simply observing the conversation and waiting for a decision, "Are you coming, mom?"

Sharon shook her head slightly and directed her eyes toward her daughter. Emily was already moving down the stairs. She smiled, "If everyone wants to, then sure. It has been a long time since I have been on the ice. It will be fun." She glanced to her left and shrugged at the others.

Andy nodded and followed the group down to the stand to rent their skates and to secure a small locker for their things. Once everyone had their skates laced and their items locked in the locker Emily led the way to the ice.

To no one's surprise Emily stepped elegantly onto the rink and immediately took off in a warm up lap around the ice. Years of dedication to dancing, and her own athleticism, had supplied her with a level of control over her body that translated into moving just as effortlessly on the ice as the stage.

"Well," Liv praised as Emily came back around and finished her lap with a flourish. "If that little twirl was any indication of your ballet skills then I am sure you will have no problem at your upcoming audition. Plus, the Christmas music playing as you danced on the ice, that was lovely." The younger woman smiled, and glided back to the group. Liv stepped cautiously onto the ice. After a breath she looked up and returned Emily's smile, "Should be just like riding a bike, huh?" Moving closer, she dropped her voice to a whisper, "Please make sure I don't fall and break a hip. After teasing Andy for years I would hate to be the one to wind up in the hospital tonight."

Emily stepped forward and looped her arm through Liv's. She smiled and dropped her voice to match the other woman's tone, "Of course. I know what you mean, I would never want Ricky to be proved right on anything." Liv laughed at the comment and the two skated slowly away from the gate leaving Andy and Sharon behind.

At the entrance to the rink, Andy gently lifted his foot to clear the small lip at the gate. "Nervous, Lieutenant," Sharon teased from behind him. "We do not have all evening, if you want to skate, you need to just take a step out there and see what happens."

Andy took a breath and wobbled onto the ice. When he was a few feet away, and still standing, he smiled to himself and turned to face her. "Not nervous, at all Captain. Just taking my time, getting used to the skates."

Sharon smirked at his comment, but quietly followed him out onto the rink. When she was away from the entrance she took a couple steps to orient herself on the ice. Andy smirked, but before he could make fun of her for going slow she changed her position. With unexpected precision she angled her blades to guide her self in a small circle around the area.

"Show off," Andy huffed. "Of course you would be good at this as well. Captain Practically Perfect."

Sharon beamed at the tease, still gliding smoothly around him. "Captain Practically Perfect? That's a new one. I always did enjoy Mary Poppins." She twirled slowly on the spot. The movement reminded her of skating as a child and the magical feeling of getting lost out on the ice. "I never said that I was not good at skating, Andy, just that it had been years. Plus, I was in ballet as a child as well. I was never talented enough to take it further than childhood lessons. But some things, like ice skating, did come easier for me."

She came to a stop just beside him. Andy exhaled and took a couple shaky steps forward. The fact that he did not instantly fall gave him the confidence to attempt a stronger forward motion. However, as soon as he took off the toe of his skate jammed into a groove in the ice. He lost his balance and instantly shot his arms out wide to catch himself. As he windmilled back and forth, Sharon slid up beside him and reached for one of his flailing arms to stabilize him. "Careful, Andy," she called as he regained his balance. "We were joking about falling, but really you should be careful."

Embarrassed, Andy pulled his arm out of her hold, "I can skate," he lamented. "There are just a lot of people out here making tracks. I did not realize the ice was not as smooth as it should be. I can skate just fine."

Sharon rolled her eyes and moved to skate away. "Fine," she sighed, "I apologize for being helpful. Next time the imperfect elements attack I will just let you fall." A few paces away, and almost out of earshot, she heard a grumble and a thud. She stopped and dipped her head back to the sky. She stood there for a moment internally debating whether or not she wanted to turn around and deal with the overconfident Lieutenant. Ultimately, curiosity, and the fact that Emily and Liv were on the other side of the ice enjoying their evening, had her turning back around.

Andy was lying flat on his back in full starfish mode staring up at the sky. His chest was rising and falling in pained huffs of breath, but otherwise he was not moving. She carefully weaved against the flow of traffic to stand by his side. With her hands on her hips she looked down at him, "You can skate, hm?" She repeated his earlier statement and leaned closer. He closed his eyes tighter and took in a deep breath, but said nothing. Sharon eyed him, "It seems like we have been here before, Lieutenant."

From his spot on the ground Andy opened one eye, "Yeah, this time a kid came out of nowhere and knocked me down though. And really if we are being technical, last time it was an ice patch and a very windy interstate. Neither time was my fault. I am just a victim of unfortunate circumstances."

Sharon hummed skeptically and looked around the area. There were a few kids out skating, but none nearby. "Pesky kids," she teased. Sharon reached out to help him sit up, "Are you going to stay down there all evening or would you like some help?"

Andy closed his eye, "Well, I do think I will lay here for a bit. I could make a snow angel." He took another concentrated breath to control the pain he was definitely experience this time around. The ice this evening was much less forgiving than the snow the earlier in the day.

"A snow angel, on the ice?" Sharon cut in. "You may need to rethink that plan, Andy. Here I'll help you up. You will get stiffer the longer you stay down there like that." When he did not make an effort to move she bent down lower and picked up his wrist to pull him up, "All right, Andy, this isn't funny. Are you okay?"

He lifted his head off of the ice and opened his eyes, "Mostly." He rolled his shoulders in preparation to sit forward, but grimaced in pain. His old shoulder injury had apparently flared during the first almost-spin out. Sadly, the subsequent impact on the ice had not done anything to help to the situation.

He moved slowly and allowed her to gently pull on his good arm. He took her hand and as they pulled against each other his other arm twinged angrily. The instant shot of pain down his arm caused him to contract inward to protect the injury. The slight change in movement pulled Sharon off balance and forward onto him. She fell heavily knocking him back to the ground with a huff. When she realized what had happened she shuffled to stand, but pressed against his side instead of the ice. He let out another pained sigh.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled shifting again. "I'm sorry, let me just move -"

"Stop," he interrupted stilling her with his arm. "Stop moving," he puffed as he tried to refill his lungs with air. "Just a second. My arm… pinched and," he stammered, "I can't breathe."

Sharon held her own breath in an attempt to remain as still as possible. Andy took one shaky breath and then another. When he rolled his neck to reassess his aches Sharon shifted again and lifted her head study his face. His eyes were closed and his forehead was crinkled in concentration. After an awkward second she decided to try to move again, "Andy I am sorry. I lost my balance and..." she rolled to the side and was able to push off on the ice to sit on her knees beside him. She dusted the ice flakes off of her pants and sighed, "Are you all right?"

He squinted through his eyelashes, "This is officially my least favorite Christmas to date."

Sharon let out a laugh at the joke, "Or at least not your best one. The ice and snow are not your friends."

"That's why I prefer California," he lamented resting his eyes for another moment. "I do not do ice and snow." He took another breath and propped himself up on his good arm. "I think," he groaned, "it is time to admit defeat. Maybe Liv was onto something with all of those falling jokes earlier."

Sharon smiled, "Well… she does know you pretty well. Although, it is good to know that you don't listen to her either." Andy rolled his eyes and sat up fully. When he did not wobble Sharon stood. She dug her blades into the ice for added leverage and reached down to help him. "Now, please go slow and do not pull me down with you this time."

He retook her hand, "You are taking a pretty big risk here, Raydor. I think the evidence today shows that I am an accident waiting to happen."

"I'll chance it, Flynn," she huffed as pulled him up. "I don't want to have to explain why I left a concussed LAPD officer sprawled out on the ice on Christmas Eve. Talk about a wicked witch."

Finally upright he smirked, "Funny, but I am not concussed." He paused to rub his head, "or at least, well maybe you aren't that wicked of a witch." He let out another breath and squinted back toward the entrance to the ice rink. Sadly, he had not made it very far before his fall, but at least that meant it was a shorter walk back to safety.

Before he could take a step in that direction, his sister's voice called over the music, "Andrew you could have really hurt Sharon pulling her down like that. What were you thinking? I told you to be careful!"

"Yes," Andy groaned, "I did that all on purpose. It was all part of my evil plan to ruin the evening and to hurt Sharon."

Beside him Sharon gave Liv a reassuring smile, "I am fine. I think I am going to sit down for a moment though. You and Emily should skate a little longer. You look like you're having fun. I will order some hot chocolates and have them ready for all of us when you're done."

"Okay," Liv hummed eyeing her brother. "Please be more careful, Andrew. Remember what I said about your short trip and hospital visits."

Andy lifted his right hand to his forward in mock salute, "Noted, sis. Now, keep skating. I'm going to take a break too."

Liv rolled her eyes, but skated on leaving Andy to make his way across the ice. Sharon followed closely behind, "Are you hovering, Raydor? I'm not going to fall again. It's six feet tops."

Sharon allowed her skates to glide passed him, "Not hovering, Flynn. Just happened to be following in the same direction. You're on your own if you fall again. Deal?"

"Deal," he confirmed taking the final step to the side and grabbing hold of the wall. He used the wall as a guide to step out of the rink and onto the small patch of carpet on the other side. On more stable ground he dropped heavily to the bench beside the gate. As he rubbed his neck he caught sight Sharon out of the corner of his eye. She was walking more gingerly than she had been before. "Are you limping?" He called over the sound of the music.

She rolled her head in his direction, "Perhaps." Sharon reached down and rubbed her knee. "Someone yanked me down and in the chaos I slammed my knee into the ice."

"Shit, Sharon," he exhaled. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean -"

Sharon waved her hand to interrupt him, "It's fine, Andy, just a bruise. I will l have plenty of time to rest it at church tonight and all day tomorrow. I don't fly out until the 26th, I am sure it will be back to normal before then." She moved to the lockers to retrieve her purse and shoes.

Andy nodded, but still felt badly about the injury. "Well," he began again. "I'm sorry. Here I'll get the drinks."

Sharon raised her hand, "No, it's fine. I need to walk it out. You stay there. Here," she tossed him his shoes, "Might as well return our skates in while we wait."

"Thanks," he huffed as the shoes fell to the ground beside him. He removed his skates while Sharon turned away to pick up the hot chocolates. Andy was slow to change into his shoes. He could already feel his body getting sore from the fall; getting older was not fun at all.

A few minutes later Sharon tapped on his shoulder to get his attention, "How's your head?"

Andy looked up and to the left as she rounded the corner of the bench and crossed in front of him. She sat on his right and he shrugged, "Well, it's still there. I'll take an aspirin when I get to Liv's place."

Sharon dipped her head and handed him a hot chocolate, "Sounds like a good plan. What about your shoulder?"

"I'll live," he huffed taking the hot chocolate, "Thanks." Andy took a sip and motioned out at the rink, "It looks like the crowd is thinning out. Emily has more room to spread out and do those leg lifted behind her gliding along the ice things."

Sharon laughed, "You mean, an arabesque. It is a better for her to do those than the jumps. I know nothing is easy, but it is an easier skill she could transfer over to skating when we made it out to the ice." She paused and whipped her head in his direction, "But by easy, I by no means am suggesting that you try it or anything. It is not worth risking your remaining brain cells. I do not know how many concussions you are allowed to have…"

"Ha-ha," Andy chirped, "You are hilarious."

Sharon smiled at his reaction, "Occasionally," and tipped her cup back to take a sip of her drink.

They sat in silence for a few more minutes watching the skaters go by. Emily stopped at one point to show Liv something, and Liv turned to the benches to make eye contact with Sharon. Sharon lifted a hot chocolate into the air and Liv smiled. She made an exaggerated swipe to her forehead and mouthed, "Oh my gosh! Thank you," before she returned her attention to Emily to tell her she was going to call it a night.

"Thank you!" she repeated skating off the ice. "We have not been out her for long, but I am exhausted. I think Emily would stay out there all night if she could."

Sharon smiled, "She definitely would if she could." She tracked her eyes across the rink once again, "but it is getting late. We probably should wrap this up if we are all going to get to our next stops." Sharon sat up taller and waved for Emily to come in.

Liv jutted out her bottom lip in a pout, "Really? I can't believe the night is already over. This has been so much fun. I hate for it to end."

Sharon frowned, "I know. I'm sorry."

"Is that mine, mom?" Emily exhaled a moment later, as she dropped onto the bench beside her mother. Sharon smiled and handed the hot chocolate to her, "Thank you," she smiled taking the cup. She took a sip and hummed, "Mmm delicious. This is perfect. Ricky really will be sorry to have missed this Christmas."

"Now, Emily, we can't gloat too much," Sharon reminded her, "He loves Christmas and may be a little sad to have missed it here with us. Even if he is still having Christmas over there."

Emily grinned, "He may be even more upset though when he hears we didn't do everything we normally do. He of course will just have to learn to survive with the knowledge that we did something different without him. There is always next year to drag those silly pine cone elves out of storage, and pretend it is not at all creepy that he has named them."

"Emily," Sharon warned, but Emily simply laughed and took another sip of her drink.

"Will you get to speak with your son for Christmas, Sharon?" Liv asked as she removed her skates.

She smiled, "Yes, we are going to Skype with him tonight after Mass, maybe again tomorrow morning as well. He loves Christmas, but he was also looking forward to the new experience. Next year we will all be together again. Although, when he hears that we went ice skating and had hot chocolates on Christmas Eve he may want to spend it here with Emily next year instead."

"Well, if that happens. Please count me in," Liv beamed. "This has been one of my favorite evenings in quite some time."

Andy piped in, "What about me, sis?"

"Oh, well, Andy, I am sure if you're nice then Sharon will allow you to crash our plans," she nudged his shoulder, "But if not, you're on your own."

"Our plans?" Andy repeated, "on my own? Wow sis, you're already kicking me out? I see how it is."

Liv lifted her cup into the air, "Hey, she bought me hot chocolate and she skated with me. You just fell on the ground. They win, sorry."

Emily laughed, "Don't listen to them, Andy. You can come too, as long as you stay out of trouble of course."

"You mean I will get another chance to be ganged up on by you three?" Andy mocked, "I can't wait. Maybe at least the brother will be on my side."

Emily shrugged, "Doubtful. Ricky has always been on mom's side, always."

"I just can't win," Andy moaned, sitting back in this seat. "We are not even through with this Christmas yet and my sister has already disowned me for the next one." He rolled his head toward Sharon, "Like you said earlier, it is as if I no longer exist."

Liv moved to the seat beside Emily, "Sorry, Andy." Andy rolled his eyes, but said nothing.

Emily broke the silence when she looked at her watch and noted the time, "Well, mom, it may be time to get going if we want a good seat."

Liv frowned, "I really can't believe it is already time to say good bye." She reached out and hugged Emily, "This has been so fun. I am so happy to have met you both. Emily we will have to get together once the holidays are over."

"We will," Emily smiled standing with the others.

Sharon turned toward the stairs, "Well, we can at least all walk out together. You two can get a cab on Fifth?"

"Yes, that will work," Liv smiled. She glanced over to her brother, "Do you have all of your things?"

Andy pointed to his bag, and followed the group up the stairs and back down the walkway. Once they were all at the street he lifted his hand to signal for a taxi.

Liv gave each of the women another hug, "Merry Christmas to you both. Thank you so much for joining us, and then allowing us to tag along with you. This really has been wonderful." She leaned in toward Sharon and whispered, "And thank you, Sharon for being there on the trip. He may grumble, but he would not have agreed to any of it if he did not enjoy your friendship on some level." She pulled back and smiled, "Make sure you keep him in line at work. Don't let him get away with anything."

Only hearing the last comment Andy rolled his eyes, "Trust me, Liv, she won't." He smiled to Emily and gave her a side hug, "Merry Christmas, Emily. It was really nice to meet you."

"Merry Christmas, Andy," Emily smiled in return. "Be nice to my mom next time you see her. She really isn't that bad."

Andy chuckled, "So, I hear." At that moment a cab pulled up to the curb and he opened the door for his sister to get in first. Andy turned to Sharon, "Well," he began.

Sharon put her hands in her pockets, "I will see you at work, Andy. Merry Christmas."

He smiled softly, "Yeah, Merry Christmas, Sharon."

A/N: I am an insecure mess these days; work has been iffy, and family members aren't always the kindest. So, truly truly thank you for continuing to read this story. Thank you sweet reviewers for letting me know that at least not everything in my life is completely off. Also, I want to wish every single one of you a very Happy New Year. I hope 2019 brings joy, happiness, empowerment, and strength to all of you. xo