He pulled up to the house and put the car in park, not sure if he should turn it off yet. It was ridiculously early; Andy knew that, but he couldn't help it. It had taken him 11 hours, an insane amount of time to drive from Los Angeles to Phoenix, but he didn't care. 11 hours. Okay, maybe he cared a little, and maybe he'd mildly complained to himself about it during the drive, but it was all worth it right now. He'd arrived. It was Thanksgiving, and while it was too early in the morning to be ready for turkey, he could certainly go for a cup of coffee, not to mention the pumpkin muffins and assorted bagels he'd picked up down the street. He'd tried to get a cup of coffee there, but they were having some problem with the coffee machine. It was a local place, somewhere he was surprised to see open, but the owner, an older gentleman, said that he had a lot of orders for pies and had decided to open for just the early morning hours. It suited Andy just fine because he was now armed with baked goods for Sharon's family. He checked his watch, and it was now just 6:12. Long drive, but he couldn't stand the idea of waking Sharon's family right now. Even Hannah was sleeping until 7:00 or so most days right now. Sharon had told him that. Truthfully, he wasn't sure what his plan was, other than to get out of Los Angeles as fast as he could last night. The problem was millions of others had the same idea, and while he hadn't done much traveling by car for Thanksgiving over the years, he was blown away by the number of people on the road. What should have been a much shorter drive turned into this overnight long-haul. Okay, maybe he had hoped to get in during the middle of the night, to text Sharon and surprise her as a middle of the night visitor, but that hadn't worked. He was glad he hadn't told her he was driving straight through because, knowing her, she wouldn't have slept. It was bad enough he hadn't slept, and he didn't want Sharon starting her holiday void of all sleep.

He glanced up as two older women walked by, moving at a brisk pace. He gave them a nod and hoped his grin was enough to reassure them he wasn't a crazy stalker. He looked over at Sharon's dad's house and sighed, trying to decide what he should do. It was too early, and while her family knew he was coming today, he definitely couldn't start poking around, looking for an open back door or spare key right now. He could call Sharon. That had been the plan last night when he was hoping to surprise her, but really, what was another hour or so? He could wait. That cup of coffee would be perfect right now. Maybe he should just go and find a gas station open and get a cup there.

Andy actually didn't have to make a decision at all. As he glanced toward the door, it opened, and his beautiful Sharon stepped outside, a wrap of some sort tucked around her. He could tell she was in her pajamas, the silk of them visible even from this distance. Quickly, he turned off the car and stepped out, flashing his grin at her. Her arms were crossed, which in her defense could have been because she was cold, but she also frowned as she moved quickly toward him, and he had an idea that she wasn't thrilled he'd driven all night.

"I might have asked what you were doing here this early, but I had a feeling you might drive straight through. When I didn't hear from you in the middle of the night, I figured you had actually followed the plan we discussed, getting off the road after a couple hours. I should have known," she said as she rolled her eyes slightly. The plan had been for him to leave work, get a couple hours on the road, and stop for the night. One of the problems with that plan was that after a couple of hours on the road, it was 9:00, and he wasn't even out of Los Angeles. Work had dragged, and he'd left later than he wanted. Traffic was a nightmare. Once he finally freed himself of the congested mess, it was very late, and something appealed to him about driving through the dark, open desert.

"Two hours into my drive, and I was still in the L.A. vicinity," he gestured with his hands. "There was no way I could stop for a room when it would have been closer at that point to go back to my own house. I'll go get a room, though, if you are into technicalities about me pulling over for the night. I still can find somewhere to sleep. A couple of power walkers just went by here, and they might be interested in putting me, a much younger man compared to the average age of this retirement community, up for a spell."

"Get over here," she tried to look upset, but she caved and broke into a huge grin. "I'm very happy to see you."

"Happy Thanksgiving," he winked at her as he rounded the car and pulled her in for a hug and kiss. The kiss was perfect, just the amount of force from both to convey they missed the other. It had been almost a month now since they'd been together. Sharon's break at the end of October had been wonderful, but now, it felt like a distant memory. Hannah was growing-walking and talking more. Sharon was finishing another semester at the university, and with Thanksgiving so close to the end of the month, the holidays were going to fly by. Nothing was going to stop Andy from seeing them, his family, the part of his family who DID want to see him. He'd tried to get together with the kids a couple of different times throughout November, but he'd only managed to see them for a movie one Sunday evening. It had been good, but at the same time, it had been tough. Movies were not places a lot of talking happened, and he had been hopeful to take the kids out for dessert after the movie. That hadn't worked, but he was grateful for any time with them. So, here, on Thanksgiving, he was delighted to be in Phoenix with Sharon and all of her family.

Sharon buried her hands in Andy's chest, clearly cold. She had her shawl pulled tightly toward her, "Did it really take you this long to get here? I expected you to arrive just before lunch, thinking traffic this morning would be lighter."

"It was lighter this morning," he nodded. "Seriously, getting out of L.A. was a nightmare. I got gas near Palm Spring after midnight. I hadn't even traveled that far yet."

Sharon glanced up at him, and he realized he loved looking at her without her glasses. She shook her head at him, "Andy, that's only three hours or so from L.A."

"Oh, well aware," he nodded in agreement. "That's what I'm saying. I left shortly after 7:00, and in five hours, I hadn't even gone a normal three or so. It was awful. I had night construction and then an accident that stopped things on the freeway for awhile around 3:00 this morning with a tractor trailer. That looked like the guy fell asleep, and thankfully, he didn't appear injured. It wasn't the best drive."

"I'm so sorry," she frowned, shaking her head.

"I'm not," he said, pulling her to his side. "I'm here, aren't I? Should I be worried you were stalking me from the house? You didn't know I would be here."

"Okay," she raised her hand in defense and pulled her shawl closer as they walked. Andy stopped, put his hand up, indicating he had forgotten something, and he jogged back to the car to get the breakfast treats. Sharon watched, and he winked as he rejoined her, putting his arm around her while he balanced breakfast in the other. Sharon continued, "I was not sitting there waiting for you to arrive. However, my window is there," she pointed to the end of the house, the front, and I was already awake. I thought I heard a car nearby, and then, I heard voices."

"Oh, the power walkers," he nodded down the street. "They walked by just after I parked."

"I got up to check, and I saw your car," she looked up and smiled bashfully at him. "It's hard to be irritated with you for being irresponsible and driving all night."

"I'd drive all night for you anytime," he winked.

"You have before," she nodded and continued, "but we aren't young anymore. It's not good for you. Now, you're here, but exhausted. I," she corrected herself, "we have a toddler who will be ready to go, full blast, very soon, and she doesn't slow down just because you're tired. Believe me, I've tried bartering with her."

Andy chuckled, "Have you?" He grinned at her as they reached the front door. "I have it on good authority this same pint-sized terror still takes a nap during the day." He turned to her and winked at her as she chuckled lightly at his comment. "I'll lie down when she does. I'll be fine. I got a good night of sleep, what, ahh, Tuesday night. Yeah, I'm tired, but I'd really just like a good cup of coffee."

"That I can do," she nodded. "Let's get this inside. What did you bring?"

"I was driving by this little bakery not far," he pointed toward the direction from which he'd come. "Guy was open-opened at 4:30 he said, and I was hoping to get a cup of coffee. Machine was broken, but these muffins and bagels smelled amazing. I brought that for everyone."

"You don't have to bribe my family with breakfast, but that bakery is amazing," she smiled even wider now. "Dad loves that place, and I've even ordered him a few pies from there when he's really missing Mom."

"So, you're telling me I did something he'll actually like?" Andy chuckled. "It must be a good sign."

Sharon looped her arm through his, "I think we are going to have a great weekend. I have you, the kids, Dad-all the people I," she paused and bit her lip, her cheeks quickly looking flushed. She dropped her head briefly and shook it, Andy's eyes still trained on her. She looked back up at him, "That's not exactly how I wanted to tell you, but it slipped out, or almost did, because it feels so normal. I have all the people here I love. I do love you, Andy. I haven't voiced it, but I do." She gave him a soft smile, and he grinned widely as she now was. He put his hand to her face and stroked his thumb on her cheek.

"I love you so much, Sharon," he said, almost choked up and unable to speak. "I never thought I could love someone like I love you. Hannah just is amazing, and you've done all that with her. I'm so happy to be here with you. I am trying so hard to be the man you deserve and want things to go well this weekend."

She wrapped her hand around his, and she cleared her throat before she spoke, "I know I am cold and standoffish, at least I have been with you. I keep myself guarded, and I've worked really hard to let that down with you. When I start thinking about plans-like Thanksgiving today-I couldn't imagine those plans without you. I don't know what this means for us, but I'm trying to just take one step at a time. I love you. I know I do. I think I have for a long time, but when I think of being surrounded by people I love, you're in that picture."

He leaned in and kissed her. In an almost desperate fashion, as if their lives depended on it, she drew toward him, and soon, their kiss deepened with an intensity neither had predicted. Andy still kept hold of the baked goods, and Sharon pulled him tighter toward her. It was like they couldn't get close enough. Sharon even whimpered, and as they were still in the middle of their heated kiss, the front door opened.

"There you are," they heard, and instantly, their lips broke from each other. Sharon turned her head toward her dad, and Andy did the same. Bob was already raising his hands in apology, "I'm sorry. I didn't know you were here, Andy. Sharon, I was looking for you. Hannah's up. I heard her yelling for you from her room, and I went for her. She's fine. I changed her and all, but I didn't know where you had gone."

"Sorry," Sharon shook her head. She and Andy stepped back from each other, and Andy stuck out his hand to greet Bob.

"That's my fault then," Andy gave Bob a warm smile. "Happy Thanksgiving, Bob. I just got here, and Sharon came out to greet me. I've come with breakfast, and I was just told you rather like this bakery."

"Andy," Bob glanced at his outstretched hand and reached to shake it. "Happy Thanksgiving. Sharon said you would be in around lunch."

"I also said he was known for driving straight through," she pointed out to her dad.

"That you did," he nodded. "Let's go inside. There's a chill in the air."

"Indeed," Sharon nodded, and the three stepped into the house.

"Mama!" they heard as they walked into the kitchen where Hannah was eating in her chair. Bob turned back to Sharon.

"She was acting like she hadn't eaten in days, asking for a banana, so I got her set up in her chair before I started my search for you," he explained. Sharon nodded, reaching behind her for Andy's hand. She found it, and the two clasped hands as they continued toward Hannah.

"Hi, Baby," she said, walking to Hannah and kissing her head. Andy was right behind her.

"She's growing so fast," he sighed. "I see her on the computer all the time, but it's different in person. Sharon nodded as she stepped to the side, and Andy pulled up a chair there with Hannah. "Hey, Pumpkin," he grinned at her and made a silly face as she held her smashed banana toward him. "I've missed you."

Bob waved at them, "I'm going to get my sweater. I just can't warm up this morning. I'll be right back. Andy, coffee is on and still hot."

"Thanks, Bob," he said, as he and Sharon turned back to Hannah, both grateful for a few minutes alone with her. He suspected Bob really was rooting for them, even if he had to be cautious with Andy.

"Hannah," Sharon stood behind Andy and put her hands on his shoulders trying to get Hannah's attention. She was too interested in Andy's silly faces and continued to try and put her sticky hands on his nose. Sharon finally bent down and wrapped her arms around Andy's neck, leaning right to his ear. Andy could feel her hair falling all around his face. In a very low, almost seductive voice, she spoke into his ear, "I have something I'd like to show you."

"Here?" he chuckled, putting his hands up to grip hers. "I mean, I'm always in for a good time, especially when you are being all sexy like that, but Sharon, it's early, and your dad is here, not to mention this kiddo."

"Not that kind of surprise," she said huskily and kissed his cheek. He chuckled, and she continued, "That's for later, but I have no surprises there, just have you way with me however you like," she teased. Andy groaned and shook his head. She leaned in again, the happiness evident in her voice, her facial expressions, and the way she was not wanting to let go of Andy, "Hannah, Daddy," Sharon said and pointed to Andy. Andy tried to turn toward her, visibly surprised by the gesture. Sharon, focused on Hannah, pointed to Andy again, "Daddy." Hannah, with her eyes on her mom and with Sharon pointing at Andy, she repeated her.

"Dad-dee," she yelled, loudly enough to wake the house. "Dad-dee, Dad-dee," she yelled and then started smacking her cup on her tray.

"Oh, my goodness!" Andy exclaimed. "She said it! She called me daddy," he shook his head, and Sharon tightened her grip on him, kissing his cheek. Hannah sat there, her cup now on the floor where she'd thrown it, and she just looked at them. Normally, they would have told her not to throw the cup, but this milestone was one they wanted to celebrate.

Sharon, still by Andy's ear, said, "I've been working on that with her and wanted you to hear it in person. I'm only sorry it's taken this long because I know you are her dad. You've been so good to us, and regardless of anything that has happened in the past, she's your daughter."

"Dad-dee," she said loudly again and grinned at them, not aware of what a big deal this now was. She was just stuck on repeating words, that, Andy had seen on the computer. She loved the cat they had, and often, the cat would be near Sharon and Hannah when they would be on their video chat. Hannah would get fixated on the cat and sometimes repeat, "Kitty," 10 times or more in a matter of seconds.

"Wow, thanks for the introduction, Sis," they heard, and Sharon stood up quickly, her arms moving to Andy's shoulder as she turned. "Leave it to the one-year-old to the introductions," Emily said walking across the room. "You must be Andy, at least I hope."

"Emily," Sharon jumped in, now a little nervous as she stepped from Andy's chair. The special moment was over, and just as they'd been interrupted at the door, they were again. Sharon gestured to Andy, and he tried to stand and face Emily. "Emily, yes, this is Andy Flynn. He arrived just a short time ago now."

Emily, dressed in leggings, a long shirt, and with her hair piled on her head, nodded, "I kinda figured, Mom, really, or I hoped it was Andy that one-Hannah was screaming Daddy at, and two-after never seeing you with any man, I hoped you weren't draped over some other random guy. Andy," she put out her hand, her eyes twinkling as she noticed Sharon's eyes widen while she blushed, "nice to meet you, FINALLY," she emphasized and glanced at her mom again.

"Emily," he put his hand in hers to shake it and smiled at her, "it's really nice to finally meet you in person. I've heard so much about you, and I have to confess that while you didn't know I was there, I saw you dance in New York. You're a beautiful dancer, and I really enjoyed watching you. I'm sorry we were deceptive and I'm only now just meeting you."

Emily raised her eyebrow at Andy, and then, she glanced to Sharon. Sharon let out a small sigh and just rolled her eyes. Sharon cleared her throat, "Okay, I realize I should have told you all of that. It's in the open. Andy is here, and you can spend the weekend getting to know him."

Emily looked between them, nodding to them, "I fully intend to interrogate the both of you this trip. Andy," she turned back to him and smiled, "anyone who can make my mom smile like she is right now must be pretty special. I am disappointed we've not met before now, seeing as how you've at least been in the picture just over two years now, but Mom has had her reasons. I only have one question to start."

"Okay," Andy nodded, "shoot."

She pointed at him, "Pumpkin pie-thoughts on it? See, it's my favorite dessert. It's my brother's favorite too. Mom has always made two pies since we've figured out that we each love the dessert. I'm a dancer, and the one meal of the entire year I splurge is Thanksgiving. I could eat the entire pie. So, do you like pumpkin pie, and if you do, are you willing to let me have most of it?"

"Emily," Sharon rolled her eyes again and sighed.

Andy chuckled and winked at Sharon before answering Emily, "I do like pumpkin pie, but only with plenty of homemade whipped cream. I'm more than willing to share. I'll only ask for one slice, just one," he held up a finger. "To maybe barter that slice, I've brought pumpkin muffins and some bagels. Deal?"

Emily tried to hide the smile forming on her face. Sharon crossed her arms, almost challenging Emily. Emily looked between the adults, and then, she even glanced around at Hannah, "Bringing pumpkin breakfast items was a good move. I'll accept your deal, and maybe we can chat a little over those muffins right now."

Sharon reached over and squeezed Emily's hand, happy that her daughter was willing to get to know Andy. She looked at Andy, a couple tears in her eyes, and she laughed, waving them away. She smiled at both of them, "It's been a wonderful morning so far. I was so worried today was going to be hard with Mom gone, but it's really going to be okay."