August was off to a rough start. The last week of July hadn't been much better. Amazingly, the problems weren't with Andy's kids, family, or with Sharon. No, the problem was at work. Work was tense. The murders were piling up, and Andy had been a mess of emotions, all emotions he was taking out on everyone at work. He'd gotten into it with the chief on a case, about how they should treat a suspect who had also been a victim. He'd had enough of Gabriel and Daniels arguing in the office. He'd just about had enough of everything. Thankfully, he hadn't seen Sharon lately. She seemed to be staying up in her office or whatever. He really didn't care. He knew some of his frustrations were from that woman and how she continued to get under his skin. By the beginning of August, he knew he was ready to go off on someone; he was just frustrated with so much. It didn't help then, that he and Provenza got into problems on their next case when Provenza's car was stolen with evidence inside. He and Provenza always seemed to fall upon the worst luck. If that wasn't bad enough, August got worse as the month continued. The team had been going almost non-stop for weeks, taking on case after case. Some had been downright disturbing, but the death of Julio's brother really shook up the team and much of the LAPD. The death of a police detective's family member was noticed. Brenda had told the team to take a day after they'd solved that case to catch their breath and process everything. When Andy returned to work with everyone else, he rode up in the elevator with Mike and Buzz.
"How's Julio?" Andy asked Mike.
Mike took a deep breath, "He's trying to be strong for his mother. He will get through this eventually, but it's tough. Julio is tougher. His mother is heartbroken, as expected. I think the family has enough food for a month, maybe more. Knowing Julio, he'll be back to work soon. His mother will drive him crazy after a few days, and Julio will do what he knows best; he'll come back to work and solve murders."
The doors opened, and the three filed off the elevator. Andy looked to the men, "I'm going to grab another cup of coffee before I head in there," he nodded to the office. "Anyone else want one? The one I drank on the way to work isn't cutting it right now."
"No thanks, Lieutenant," Buzz nodded. Mike shook his head too, and Andy gave them a small wave as he went to find coffee. He sighed as he opened the door to the break room area, not sure if he wanted to run or to confront her. She was on his floor, not hers. He took a deep breath and thought about running. He really thought about going off on her because he'd had the argument in his mind the last few days. Before doing either, he paused because she was talking.
"Oh, my sweet boy, you are making me just miserable. That is no way to treat your mommy. I'm so happy we've made it this far. I cannot wait to meet you, just another couple weeks or so. I can tell you have flipped. Just stay that way so the delivery goes well for both of us," she said as she had one hand on her back, supporting it while he suspected she was standing there stirring a cup of tea. She wasn't facing the door, and Andy was quite surprised to hear her talking to the baby in such a loving tone. It wasn't a tone he'd heard before. He decided he hadn't seen her in a couple of weeks and did want an update on the baby, so he continued into the room.
"Tea better on this floor than yours, Captain?" he stated in a very professional tone. He'd startled her, and she turned toward, him, her hand still on her back. He hoped his eyes didn't show his surprise at her appearance. She looked even more exhausted than he'd seen her during Julio's brother's investigation. He hadn't spoken to her then, but he'd seen her at the end of the hallway talking to a detective. She looked worse now, and he could tell she'd put on even more baby weight. He did feel sorry for her.
"Lieutenant," she cleared her throat.
"Sharon," he said crisply as he walked to the counter. He turned sideways and leaned on it to talk to her. With the stance he had taken, she couldn't run away from him. "How's the princess? I haven't seen you since-"
"The restaurant," she nodded finishing the thought. "Hmm, it's been nice to have you out of my life. It's been a month of freedom, somewhat of a taste of what is to come."
"Come on, Sharon," he sighed and shook his head. "I heard you talking to her when I walked into the room. Why can't you be nice? I heard you in your mom tone, and I know you love babies. I'm just here asking how everything is going with you. You," he gave her a nod and continued, "you are the one on my floor. Why are you down here? You wanted to check on me? I get it," he flashed a grin.
"No," she snapped and then sighed. "I'm sorry," she raised her hand in apology. "I'm exhausted. I'm hot. I'm swollen. I'm irritated, and I'm gaining weight by the minute."
He frowned and nodded, "What has the doctor been saying? I mean, you're just about a month from your due date. Princess is going to have her birthday soon, right?"
Sharon glanced toward the door, and when she saw no one coming, she started to explain, "I'm in your break room for ice. I've taken all the ice from mine, and even one of my sergeants went for more ice yesterday. I still used all of that. This morning there still isn't ice, and I'm desperate for it. I can't stand how swollen I am, and I'm so hot. I just need the ice to cool me off."
"So, this ice," he said, trying to lighten the tone, "like you are eating it, or are we talking like you are putting it down your shirt? Just want a clear picture," he smirked. He looked to where he thought she had been stirring a cup of tea and saw that she actually had prepared a bag of ice to take back to her office.
"I don't know why I bother," she scowled.
"That offer is still there if I can help," he gave her a single nod.
"No, I told you that was a momentary lapse, and I won't complicate things with another evening with you," she told him.
"Well, l did a little investigating on my own, and I did see that it can help with labor. So, again, if you need me," he nodded and continued, "you know where to find me."
"Delivery is bad enough. I don't want a bad performance before that making it even more miserable."
"Ouch," Andy clasped his chest. "I won't even comment because you and I both know it was never bad. That's just your exhaustion and all talking. Seriously, though, how is the princess? How are you, medically, I mean?"
She pursed her lips and glanced back at the door, again glad to see no one there. She ran her hand over the baby again, "Aside from my misery, he's doing very well. My doctor is quite surprised considering my age and all the weight gain. We are doing okay. I'm at 36 weeks, and once I get to 37 weeks in few days, he's considered at term and should be born just fine," she said, a smile creeping up on her face as she said it. "His lungs should be developed, and he should be a full-sized baby-not that he isn't large enough already, ready to take home then." She looked away and shook her head. He heard her start to sniffle.
"Hey," he said softly now. He could tell she was dealing with a lot of emotions. "That's a good thing, right? Why are you crying?" He reached out to softly touch her arm.
She shook her head, "This is what I've wanted, for him to get to term. He's really going to be born, and I'm going to take a newborn home soon. It's all settling in for me. I almost can't believe it. I really need to get myself ready."
"Okay," he nodded. "What do you need? I can help. I mean, I can put the crib together, go get things, or whatever you need."
She looked back at him as she wiped her face, "That's not what I mean. I don't need you for anything. I'm handing this for my baby. Look, I've kept you updated on things. You need to remember he's not yours, and you need to walk away."
"Sharon," he sighed and shook his head before continuing, "can you let a friend help?"
"I don't sleep with my friends," she stated as she eyed him. "I don't create children with so-called friends. I mean, it's one thing if you are with that person, but that's not our situation. We have to work together. We don't need to complicate it with friendship over a shared child that you gave up."
"You don't want help with the crib? Fine," he threw up his hands. "I won't help. So, explain to me the delivery. I don't remember much from my kids. Your due date is around September 23, right?"
She sighed and looked to the ceiling. She glanced back at him again, "Yes, it is. I'll be almost living at the doctor's office the next few weeks as the date gets closer. They will be checking for signs I'm going into labor, and I'm not discussing those particulars with you about my body," she glared at him. Right now, this is what I'll say, "He's head down and should stay that way. That's as much as you need to know right now, and that is a good thing-that he's head down. He's put even more pressure on my bladder and pelvis, making walking almost impossible. The doctor will monitor how I'm progressing, and hopefully, nature will take its course."
"Okay," he nodded. "So, you have my number. Call me anytime, day or night."
She got a puzzled look on her face, "I'm not going to call you. You are no longer the father. I don't want you there. This isn't some happy story where you are in the delivery room with me, and we kiss when he's born. You aren't going to watch the doctor catch him. That's not anything you need to see."
He sighed and looked away. He stood up when he saw another office walking by the room. With the small window, it was hard to see inside the room, but he stood and crossed his arms. He started to speak, paused, and then said, "I'll be happy to help, to take you to the hospital, you know. I mean, it takes two to tango, so you shouldn't have to do this alone. You've endured the pregnancy alone, and I know it's been a rough one. I'm offering help. It's not like I'm going to steal her from you at the hospital, and by the way, I have seen you naked plenty of times," he smirked. He stopped when he saw her glaring at him.
"Look, I really need to sit," she sighed. "I have an appointment tomorrow. It will be, what, August 29, and I think this month alone, I've been to the doctor's office six times for different things. I'm so ready to NOT have to go to that office. If you will excuse me," she gestured for him to move, "I'm going to take my ice and go."
"I'm serious about the hospital," Andy told her. "I know she's your kid."
She turned because she'd started to walk away, "You won't be there. This is my baby, and you signed away that right. I've carried him. I've put on all this weight. I've developed stretch marks and a load of other problems. We are not a couple. We were two consenting adults who made a big mistake, but out of that, I get a wonderful baby," she ran her hand on her side. "I'm sure you will hear when he's born, and maybe you can celebrate by taking home another woman that night. I'd advise not getting her pregnant too."
"You really are bitter," he called to her. "You just can't stand it, anyone being kind and offering help. I've tried being genuine, and I've tried to lighten the mood with jokes. Your ex did a number on you, and except for Gavin and Ricky, you think men are garbage. You're so mad that you lived a little, made a mistake, and you got a baby out of it. I get it. I've offered to help, have given you what you want, and you still keep poking at me. You've labeled me to be like every guy who has burned you. You assume I sleep with a different woman each night. You think I'm a dirt bag just like the creeps we arrest. Fine," he said crisply. "If you think I'm too stupid to care or check on you or my kid, I'm not. I signed the papers, but I still care."
"I feel awful and am not going to discuss this," she looked back at him with a glare. Sharon shook her head, turned, and she walked out of the room.
Andy took a few minutes to cool down, and while he was doing that, he made his cup of coffee. His day was already off to a terrible start, and he didn't need that, not after the last few weeks. He continued to replay the argument in his mind as he walked to the office, and he almost groaned loud enough for everyone to hear when he saw Sharon in his office talking to the team.
"Captain," he said crisply as he walked by her. She looked toward him, acting like she was just seeing him for the first time and nodded.
"I was just saying that I'm very sorry to hear about Julio's brother. I didn't get a chance to tell him," she frowned.
Provenza nodded, "Ahh, Captain," he said with a quick glance to Andy, wondering why Andy hadn't offered her his chair yet, "do you need to sit?"
"No," she waved off him, "I'm better standing right now."
"Ma'am, when is the baby due? I'm guessing soon," Buzz asked.
Sharon hummed, "September 23 or so. It will be here soon."
"Captain, when would your last day of work be, I mean before the blessed event?" Andy asked, flashing a fake smile at her. Provenza groaned, and Sharon gave Andy a look to kill. She cleared her throat, knowing she needed to answer him.
"I'm planning on September 10, just another couple weeks here at work. I know; don't get too excited. Don't worry, Lieutenant, I won't be back in the office for quite some time, but rest assured, I will be informed if you and your partner lose evidence as you did, what, a couple weeks ago, right?"
Andy didn't flinch, but he fired back at her, "Haven't seen your ex around lately. Will he be around to see the delivery?"
Sharon glared at him again, "I've removed the problems in my life. I need to go, everyone, but thank you for the ice," she said and held up the bag. "Please give my condolences to Detective Sanchez."
"Oh, Captain," Buzz piped up as Sharon turned. She glanced to him, "Do you have a baby registry? I asked my sister if she knew anything about baby gifts, and she suggested I find out about a registry."
"No," Sharon gave Buzz a polite smile. "I don't have a registry, and please, you don't need to get me a thing."
"What don't we need to get you, Captain?" Brenda asked as she walked into the room, a greasy bag in her hand. "What did Lieutenants Flynn and Provenza do now?"
"Hey, Chief!" Andy called out to her. "We haven't done anything."
Brenda frowned, "The day is early. We won't discuss the missing evidence case. Captain, what did I miss?"
"I was just asking the captain about a baby registry, and she said we don't need to get her anything," Buzz explained.
Brenda made a face, "That's a topic Fritzy and I don't see eye to eye on right now, babies. I have no desire to have some alien invade my body, change all my eating habits, make me hate things I love to eat, stretch out everything on my body, and then have that baby come out of me! No, thank you," she frowned. She looked to Sharon, "No offense, Captain, but I'm sure you understand what I'm saying."
"Hmm," Sharon gave her a fake smile and patted her side, "as trying as pregnancy is, the moment you hold your sweet baby, everything changes. Holding that baby just melts you and changes everything. You forget it all, and in time, most women do it all over again."
"Still," Brenda shrugged, "your body will never be the same. Your clothes will never fit right, and your life will never be your own. I'm not interested. Sorry, Captain," Brenda shook her head. "Silly me. I'm going on and on, but you are doing this alone, right? Your husband is out of the picture?"
"Long gone, yes," she said, and when she sniffed, she turned her nose up at the smell and shook her head.
"If anyone can handle a baby alone, Captain, it's you," Brenda stated. She frowned when she dug into her bag and pulled out what looked to be an onion ring.
"Chief, is that an onion ring?" Andy asked, a small grin on his face. He glanced to Sharon and saw she was looking sick to her stomach. "Where did you find those at this hour of the morning?"
"I love onion rings. Fritzy and I went to the diner for breakfast, and I asked in my very sweet tone if they would make me some this early. I'm just noticing that I only got three. I usually get five. Why?" she asked.
"No reason," Andy chuckled and nodded to Sharon. "Captain, didn't you say you loved onion rings? I thought you ate a lot of those on that Christmas RV trip."
Sharon waved her hand and refused to look at Andy, "Hmm, I may like them, but the baby does not. I'm going to go before those make me sick," she waved off. "Everyone, again, please give my best to Julio. Chief," she nodded.
Brenda watched her walk out of the room, "Well, if I'd known onion rings would get her out of my hair, I would have had them years ago."
"Chief, that made my day," Andy grinned. "Raydor has been a thorn in my side lately, you know," he nodded, "since the missing evidence case."
"Flynn, I'd just like to know how you remembered that detail, that Raydor likes onion rings?" Provenza asked, knowing the answer. He, too, was trying to stir the pot. He sat back in his chair and threw a questioning glance at Andy.
Andy shrugged and sat down at his desk, "There are just things you don't forget. Raydor and onion rings-that's one of them," he grinned.