I know this chapter has taken a long time, but its much longer than the others and I'm hoping to get to the plot sooner or later. It's about time Virginia meets Nicole, so here it is! I really hope you guys like it and thanks to all you wonderful people who have been leaving reviews. I may not answer all of them, but I have read them and I really appreciate it! Thanks so much for reading!

_ chapter 2 _

Andy had been tip toeing around the house for nearly a half an hour, getting ready for work, managing to sneak in and out of the shower without waking his sleeping girlfriend. He knew that she'd be tired after the long shift she'd done the day before. He could never quite grasp the reason behind her being so excited to do twelve hour surgeries. Having to stand still for hours like that, with hardly any breaks and the incredible focus involved, would be enough to drive him insane.

She got home late the night before, her small form crawling in on her side of the bed and snuggling up to him without stirring him. He now watched her cuddled up to the pillow that had taken his place once he got up, as she looped his tie and secured it. He left the room for a second to grab his jacket and when he returned her eyes were blinking open. "Andy…?"

Her voice was low and it was evident that she was still tired, as she rubbed her eyes and sat up. Andy made his way toward her, doing up his jacket, stopping to bend over and press a kiss to the top of her head. "I'm heading to work, but I should see you tonight."

She gave him a small smile in confirmation and reached out, taking his jacket in her hands and doing the rest of his buttons up.

"Nicole called last night when you were asleep and said she's planning on coming down for the weekend. She's in between shows and it sounds like she really wants to meet you."

Virginia was a bit surprised to hear that Andy's only daughter was excited to be finally meeting her. She figured that excitement, would be the last thing to come up. She was expecting their first encounter to be highly regretted and filled with resentment on Nicole's behalf, but then again, maybe Andy was just saying that to keep her from worrying. "Me? Are you sure she's not just happy to be seeing her father again?"

He snickered. "Well… maybe that too, but no, Virginia, she's very interested in meeting you. And of course she heard tons about you."

Virginia eyed him carefully, trying to imagine how Andy had described her over the phone. "All good things of course," Andy added.

He reached for his badge and slipped his gun into its holster. "I was thinking we could go out for dinner Friday night. You two both like Italian, so I was thinking we could go to that Mario's place down the road you like. Plus, they had great vegetarian lasagna the last time we went there."

She gave him a tired smile and yawned, before blinking her eyes open, trying to stay awake. He could tell he'd already been talking too much, and if he didn't leave soon she'd resent him for waking her up too early. "Alright, I'll go now so you can get some sleep."

She lifted her head, meeting his lips with hers and returned to her warm pillow and blankets, while Andy headed to the station for another day of chaos.

Andy always spoke so fondly of his children, with every opportunity that came. He hadn't always been around for them when they were growing up and he felt guilty for not being proud of them when they needed it most. The divorce between him and their mom seemed to have left a pretty nasty scar on them, and he could always sense that, when they spent an extended period of time with him.

He told Virginia that he had drinking problems in the past, but was too ashamed to get into any detail. That was his past and he didn't want to give her anything else to worry about.

Virginia trusted Andy, and wanted to believe that Nicole would like her, but she still felt a tremendous amount of pressure to make a good impression. She loved Andy, and even though they hadn't spoken very much about their future plans, she knew that she liked being with him and didn't want things to change anytime soon. It was important to her that she got approval from his children.

She had checked her hair at least ten times, giving Andy no other choice but to bother her about it on the way out the door, spreading a frown across Virginia's face. "Andy, I don't find this funny. I'm just trying to make a good impression on your children and you're laughing at me."

Andy held open the door for her before getting in on the driver's side. He treaded lightly. "I'm not laughing at you, and you don't need to fix your hair every five seconds… I think you look beautiful… that's all."

Her face softened, bringing him relief as he took off from their driveway. Virginia had protested against Andy's argument that he knew his daughter was going to be late, and they'd arrived fifteen minutes earlier than their reservation.

Virginia sipped on a glass of red wine, while Andy enjoyed a cranberry soda. She found herself drinking more and more as the minutes ticked by, checking her watch every thirty seconds and gazing up at the door. "Honey… if you keep drinking like that, you'll be drunk before the appetizers get here."

She was reaching out to take another sip from her glass, when his statement made her pull her hand back. She looked down at her watch and frowned. "She was supposed to be here three minutes ago."

"I did warn you that she'd be late."

Andy was beginning to feel disappointed in his daughter for acting so careless when it came to meeting Virginia. Nicole knew how important it was to him that she meet her, and arriving late wasn't a good start to the evening.

"Andy, what if she's hurt? I'm beginning to worry…"

Her voice intruded his thoughts and he began to feel embarrassed that not only Nicole late, but now she was starting to worry Virginia. "I'm sure she's fine. She's probably just lost track of time."

As if on cue, Andy felt a hand on his shoulder a peck on his cheek. "Hi dad. Sorry I'm late. The traffic was terrible."

Andy suppressed a grunt and gave her a warm smile. "It's L.A., the traffics always terrible."

Virginia shot him a look, proving that she wasn't bothered by it. "We understand, dear." She stood from her chair to greet Andy's daughter and was surprised when she was pulled in for a hug.

Virginia felt the young woman's arm come around her and stiffened from the sudden acttion. In most situations she was horrified when strangers would try to hug her or initiative any sort of physical contact, but this was Andy's daughter and it was different. It wasn't intrusive or restraining, but warm and brought Virginia relief that she was trying to build a good bond right form the start.

Nicole immediately pulled back once she felt the elder woman grow tense in her arms and felt guilty after remembering what her father had told her about Virginia's condition. She removed her light jacket and took a seat across from her father and his girlfriend. Virginia couldn't help but marvel at how much she resembled her father. She had his nose and eyes, with a curtain of beautiful dark brown hair, hanging just below her shoulders. She couldn't help but stare, giving her an awkward smile once she was caught.

"It's nice to meet you, Nicole. Your father is always talking about you and your brother."

The young woman smiled pleasantly, trying to refrain from blushing. "I could say the same about you. I've been told you're the woman who saved my dads life."

It was Virginia's turn to fight her cheeks turning red. "It's not really like that. It was more the science."

The three of them continued the small talk once they ordered their dinner and were laughing by the time it came to their table. They finished and continued talking until the dessert menus came. "I'm just going to run to the washroom." Virginia excused herself, standing from her chair and reaching to the back of the chair for her purse.

"Oh, I'll come with you!"

Virginia wasn't used to going to the washroom in pairs, but wasn't comfortable with turning Andy's daughter down so she smiled politely and walked to the back of the restaurant. She felt bad for leaving Andy behind at the table, but knew she'd be quick, only wanting to check her hair and make-up. She stood in front of the mirror, tucking her hair behind her ear out of habit.

Nicole stood next to the older woman, fidgeting awkwardly with her compact mirror, trying to figure out what to say. She nudged Virginia's arm lightly. "So you and dad, huh…?"

During dinner Nicole got the sense that she'd made Virginia a bit uncomfortable, but she didn't want her to be afraid. She could tell just by the way her father spoke about his girlfriend that he really loved her. He never in a million years would move in with a woman that wasn't serious and important to him. She was just as kind and brilliant as her father described, but she hadn't spoken very much through dinner. She understood that she was under different social circumstances, but she thought she'd made the impression of being someone she could open up to.

When she didn't receive a response she started getting the feeling that maybe Virginia just didn't like her. She knew for a fact that Virginia wasn't the type to be the evil step-mother type, but she also didn't want there to be tension between the two either. She hadn't admitted it, but her visit was more meaningful than just a drop by for a couple days. She'd planned on revealing something important, but she was starting to feel different by his girlfriend's presumed disapproval.

She set down the compact mirror on the counter and turned to face her. "Hey Virginia…"

"Yes," she replied, her eyes leaving to mirror, only to trail to the wall.

She didn't like the suddenly serious tone of Nicole's voice, out of fear of what it would reveal. "Is there something wrong?"

She tried to catch the taller woman's eye, but they remained on the wall. She continued speaking, hoping she'd answer her and be honest about whether or not she'd gotten a poor impression. "I don't mean to sound pushy, but I was just wondering if you're angry with me over something? It's just… you didn't really speak to me much at dinner. It doesn't really look like you're having a fun time."

Virginia's eyes widened, as she looked down at Nicole who seemed genuinely concerned that she may not like her. She may not have enjoyed the shrimp Andy had ordered as an appetizer, but Nicole certainly wasn't the reason she wasn't speaking; at least not in the way she was thinking. And here she was thinking that Nicole was the one who disapproved.

Virginia struggled to put her thoughts into words. "I think you're a very nice girl and I have nothing bad to say about you. I was actually worried that you wouldn't approve of your father and I's relationship."

She played with her fingers nervously, as she felt her anxiety rise from the context of the conversation. She hadn't planned on discussing her and Andy's relationship this early in Nicole's visit. She hadn't even been given time to discuss things between the three of them. "What!?"

She appeared sincerely shocked by Virginia's theory. "Hell no! I think you're great!"

She saw the brunette cringe and remembered what her father had said about Virginia hating it when he swore. "Oh sorry.. Pardon my language, but I really do like you and dad together. He really does talk about you all the time over the phone. The last time I called he was complaining that you sorted out his drawers and organized the closet based on garment and colour. Any woman that can deal with him in the morning before he's had coffee and ties his ties, because even after nearly fifty years he still can't tie them on his own, deserves my approval."

Virginia was smiling by the time Nicole was finished. Just the thought that Andy had told his daughter so much about her made her heart flutter like it did when she first met him. She was relieved to hear that she wasn't being judged all night. "Well I assumed that Andy had told you about me and you might think I'm weird or unpleasant."

Nicole frowned, placing her hand on the older woman's shoulder, comfortingly. "He did tell me that you have Aspergers, but also that you're an amazing doctor and that you're very good to him. He deserves someone like you."

The heartfelt direction the conversation had gone was causing Virginia to tense up. She wasn't sure how to respond to the compliment she'd just gotten. It may not have been intended to be one, but she took it as one, never having been told that someone deserved her. She'd always considered herself a burden, and not a person to be deserved.

"We should get back to dad. He's probably worrying."

Nicole felt better after talking to his dad's girlfriend. She may have been the one doing most of the talking, but she felt that it needed to be said. She couldn't go on letting Virginia think that she was that vain, to disprove of her father's relationship with her, just because she was socially awkward. She didn't need any further confirmation that it would be the perfect time to make her announcement.

The two ladies returned to their seats. Andy stared at them blankly, hoping for an explanation and praying nothing had gone wrong. "Everything alright…?" He asked, after a few seconds of silence.

A simple 'yeah' and nod came from his daughter, but he wasn't entirely convinced until looking to Virginia. He knew his daughter well enough to know she was quite the impressive liar, but he knew Virginia hated to unless necessary. He felt relieved that everything seemed to be going fine. Maybe things would go as planned after all.

It wasn't until Virginia gave him a weird look that he noticed Nicole hadn't set her glass down since they had returned. Her fingers clenched the sides of the glass as the red wine slowly left the cup, leaving it empty. "You should take it easy on the wine there hon, or we're going to be carrying you home."

She didn't laugh at her father's joke like she usually would. Instead, she sat her glass down and cleared her throat. "Do you remember meeting Greg, dad?"

Her question came from out of the blue to Andy and he nodded his head as he thought back to the year before when she'd come to visit, before Thanksgiving at their mother's. "Yes… I remember Greg.."

"Okay, well…"

Nicole folded her hands across the table, breaking eye contact with the grown adults sitting across from her. She hated to bring it up this way, but she couldn't see another way or a better time. "Remember how I said that we were planning on moving in together once this semester is finished?"

Andy remained silent, desperate to see where this was going, growing more reluctant by the second. Nicole's eyes looked up between her father and the woman beside him, who was also sitting on the edge of her seat to see where it was going.

"Well Greg and I are moving in together next month."

She bit her lip, waiting for her father's lecture to begin. "We both know that isn't going to happen, Nicole Flynn."

He was already using her full name, which was a clear sign he wasn't pleased. "You are going to wait until summer to move anyway besides the room that your mother and I are paying for you to live in. You can once you've finished this semester, we discussed this."

He was calm, but he was being resistant. "No, dad… I'm sorry, but I'm not asking for your permission. Greg and I talked over this and due to the current circumstances we decided this is what's best. I'm going to be 22 in a few months dad…"

Andy tried his best to compose himself in the room filled with people trying to eat their dinner. He was angry at his daughter for bringing this up at dinner in front of Virginia on the night they were supposed to be getting to know each other. Not arguing over the well being of her education.

"Nicole, I think we should discuss this later. You know what I'm going to say and its not going to happen. End of discussion."

Virginia's eyes went from Andy to his daughter. She wasn't a parent herself, but she could understand where he was coming from. "Dad, that isn't what I wanted to tell you."

For a moment she almost considered leaving the conversation where her father had intended to leave it, but she wouldn't allow herself to go another day without telling him. It had instead already been a month.

"I came down here to tell you that Greg and I are engaged and I'm pregnant."

The table went silent and none of them wanted to be the first to speak. Virginia looked to Andy, waiting for his reaction.

He took a moment kickstart his heart and tried to digest what he'd just heard. "I- You're what?"

"I found out a few weeks ago, and that was after Greg had proposed. He was supposed to come down with me next month, but he didn't want to take time off work because we're going to need the money for the move."

She reached across the table and set her hand over her father's, trying to keep him calm. "Dad, it's a really nice condo, and the last time Greg was here you guys got along really well."

It was too much for Andy to take in and he felt himself beginning to get a little lightheaded. Virginia could tell by the blank look on his face, he wasn't taking it very well. She finally stepped in by laying her hand on his arm and asking him if he was alright. It was a pretty big load to release all at once.

"Nicole, what on earth were you thinking?"

She wasn't sure how to respond or what exactly her father was referring to, but she felt horrible for telling him this way. Maybe she should have just waited.

"You haven't even finished university yet, and you've barely been on your own for three years!"

His temper was rising and it was enough for Virginia to take her hand back and fold it in her lap with the other. She sat silently, observing the conversation that was taking place. A million thoughts were running through her mind, but she didn't dare voice them.

"Dad, I know that its a lot for you to take in right now, but please just think about it for a while before you say anything. I know that you don't like the idea of any of this, but mom is fine with it and I'd really appreciate it if you were on board too."

"Your mother knows and I figure out like this!"

Nicole could tell she'd really disappointed him and it was the worst feeling in the world. Her dad was the one who pushed her to go to university, and to find a good job to support herself once she was old enough to go off on her own. She hadn't planned for things to go this way, but that is how things had gone and she couldn't change them. She looked across the table to see a look of half anger and half devastation across his face. He was trying to piece the three things together, and which to establish first. "Pregnant?"

All she could manage was a nod as she felt tears brim the corners of the brown eyes the man across from her had given her.

Andy wasn't insensitive enough to start badgering her with a lecture on what he thought of that, so her showed some mercy and took a deep breath, trying to find a place to begin.

"I know it seems like its happening out of the blue, but we've been planning living together for a while and as I said, he proposed way before I found out about the baby."

It felt like he'd just received the news all over again when he heard her say baby. She was only just a baby herself, not even out of school yet.

The waiter came with the bill, interrupting the conversation. "We'll talk more about this when we get to the house." Andy spoke, firmly.

The way he was acting was beginning to scare Virginia, having never seen this side of him before. She'd heard him speak with his children over the phone before, and knew that he could be such a dad when it came to some things, but this wasn't the same man she'd heard from the phone calls. She wasn't sure whether to be afraid or to pity him for his current predicament. It was taking her a while to wrap her head around the situation and Nicole wasn't even biologically her daughter. She knew for a fact she'd be hearing more of this before they went to bed.

"A baby Virginia. I'm still in my fifties, I'm barely old enough to be a grandpa. God, that sounds weird."

She listened to him from over her shoulder while she removed her make-up carefully in the mirror. "And after all the money I paid for her to go to university, she's throwing it all away for what!?"

She had remained fairly quiet, listening to his rant, occasionally humming in agreement. The longer she sat and listened to him complain, the more agitated she became.

She finished removing her make-up and shut off the lamp, joining him in bed. "Andy. Can I tell you what I think."

His eyes went to her newly freshened face and nodded for her to go for it.

"Not thats its my place to give you any advice on how to raise children, but I think you're being too hard on her."

She continued before he could get a word in, wanting him to hear what she was saying. "I know that it's a lot for you, but imagine how she feels. You've been through these things before but she hasn't, and she's probably scared and needs her parents support."

Andy hated to admit it, but what she was saying sounded somewhat true. His heart was still racing and he was afraid if he didn't consider what she was saying and tone it down a bit, he'd be waking up in a hospital bed.

"She's so young, Virginia. I was still living with my parents at that age. I remember barely having enough money for cigarettes and beer. How is she going to handle this on her own?"

She tucked her hand in his and relaxed against him. "She isn't on her own. She has her fiancé and her family. She's not you Andy. She's her own person and I'm sure she'll find a way to make it work. She sounds like a very smart young lady."

Her words had managed to calm him down a bit. Enough to consider things in a different way for the first time that evening. Thank goodness she'd sent Nicole to bed early, before he'd gotten to chance to say something he'd regret. Maybe it wasn't so bad. Whether he liked it or not she was a grown woman and she could certainly handle herself. And she did have that idiot Greg. He'd be having a talk with that young man later.

"You know, I think you're right sweetheart. Maybe I was a bit too hard on her tonight. I think it was just the shock that was speaking. It really isn't the end of the world, and I'm sure she'll get through this. We'll get through this as a family."

He sat in silence a while longer, allowing his mind to wander to the realm of grandparenthood. There was going to be another baby Flynn crawling around soon.

"If I'm the grandpa, I think that would make you the step-grandma. How does that sound?"

He looked down and got no reaction. Her head was laying against his chest and she slept soundly against him.

He pulled the blankets up over them, and held her to him until he too fell asleep, dreaming of grandchildren and things turning out just fine.

Andy woke up the following morning, alone, the sound of girlish giggling coming from the kitchen. They'd only known each other for barely a day and they were already acting like BFFs. Andy couldn't understand it. Women!

Nicole was seated at the breakfast bar and Virginia was leaning on the counter from the other side, while bacon sizzled behind her on the stovetop. "What are you ladies laughing about?"

He walked sluggishly into the kitchen, still in his t-shirt and pyjama bottoms. Both women were -of course- fully dressed. Virginia wearing a pretty light yellow sundress and Nicole wearing what appeared to be Virginia's knit sweater. Based on his daughters shorts and t-shirt she was wearing, he assumed she hadn't packed for Los Angeles autumn weather. Every time she came she was never capable of dressing accordingly.

"We were just talking about pregnancy. Her being a doctor could come in handy. Where were you when I was spending Sundays next to the toilet?"

She turned to Virginia and they both started giggling again. Too much information for Andy. He raised his eyebrows and decided to dismiss the situation. He'd already been through pregnancy twice before with his ex-wife and he wasn't interested hearing all the details once more. He made his way to the stove and frowned. "Did you make anything that hasn't been killed?"

Virginia spun around, rolling her eyes. "Theres a platter of fruit in the fridge."

He kissed her cheek and opened the fridge. "Since when do you not eat meat, dad?"

"He's been doing it for a few months now. I don't know why, but he seems committed."

She looked across the room at Andy devouring handfuls of grapes and slices of cantaloupe. "Andy, slow down honey or you're going to make yourself sick. And get a plate for god sakes, we aren't neanderthals!"

"God, you guys are such a married couple."

She saw Virginia's expression change rapidly, as she quickly turned back to the stove and began poking at the bacon with a fork. Had she spoke out of turn? She didn't mean any harm, she was just poking fun. She changed the subject, feeling the awkward silence rise quickly. "So dad, what do you have planned for us today?"

"Virginia thought it'd be nice if we could take you out today to explore the city. Which I think is referring to a shopping trip."

"I like shopping!"

Nicole perked up at the idea of shopping in Los Angeles. "Well then, we'll eat breakfast and head out around noon."

Andy had always hated going shopping during his first marriage, but he'd become more accustomed to it and had grown tolerant to it ever since him and Virginia had started dating. Of course they were much better off, with Virginia being a surgeon as opposed to his first marriage, He respected her for not squealing every time they passed a shoe store like his first wife had. As long as he could hang back with his cranberry soda, he didn't mind carrying a few bags.

"I'm going to start begging for forgiveness from my visa while you ladies finish up breakfast."

With that, Andy took off to the bedroom to get ready before Virginia and Nicole took over the bathroom for an hour.

The day seemed to have gone by relatively fast for Andy, considering he spent most of the day lugging around his daughter and girlfriend's bags, which he could have sworn by felt like ten pounds.

He sat on the steps of the veranda with a warm cup of peppermint tea. Usually tea was Virginia's thing, but he couldn't sleep and it was the first thing he thought of when he knew he'd be up for a while. Virginia had went to bed early, followed an hour later by Nicole, but Andy was wide awake with his thoughts.

He heard the door behind him opened and assumed it was Virginia who had woke and was about to force him into bed. Instead, he heard the door shut and the presence of someone sitting beside him now. "Couldn't sleep?"

He heard his daughters voice and was immediately relieved that he could stay outside for a bit longer. "One would assume that after all the shopping we put you through today that you'd be out like a light."

A chuckle escaped him as he raised the warm mug to his mouth.

"I think we should talk dad."

Her voice had grown serious, and he started fearing he was in for a lecture about his initial reaction to her pregnancy and engagement. He knew that he had reacted horrible. Reacting without thinking first seemed to be Andy's mantra. "Nicole, I know that I acted pretty badly last night, but you have to understand that its been a lot for me to take in and I could have said worse."

She let out a sigh and turned in toward him. "I was thinking we could talk about you."

"Me? I'm not the one pregnant."

"No… but you are the one who owns the jacket I found this in."

She held up a silver bottle cap that shone from the porch lights. Andy went silent, unsure what to say. "Dad…? Why did you have this in there, and don't lie to me or I swear to God…"

"Okay, alright… I've started drinking again."

"Started drinking again? What does that mean?"

"It's only happened about twice."

She let out an angry sigh, clearly displaying her disappointment in him. She couldn't understand how he could allow himself to start this up again. "Dad, how could you do this. You saw what it did to our family and what it did to you! You have a better life now, you were just getting better. You have a great job, a good relationship with your family and a woman who loves you. Oh god, does Virginia know!?"

He couldn't help but keep his thoughts to himself. Nicole wasn't an alcoholic so she could never understand how much he had struggled with it. The need for a drink never goes away, and it was weak moments when he would lose control and fall off the wagon.

"No, Virginia doesn't know and I don't want her to know. I don't know how she'd react to it, and an alcoholic man in her life is the last thing she needs."

"You need to get help dad, and Virginia would help you! She cares about you and its not fair to keep things from her. What would you say if you found out that she was keeping things from you?"

"Nicole, its more complicated than that."

She didn't see what was so hard about being honest with your girlfriend. She knew that her father had always had a hard time opening up to people, but she thought he'd changed since he'd sobered up. Or at least since Virginia came into his life.

"I'm not going to tell you what to do dad. You're a smart man, so don't be stupid and lose her over something as good as not being truthful."

She stood up from the step, patting his shoulder before heading back inside.

He was proud that he'd raised his daughter well enough to be giving him advice on honesty. It was interesting how the tables had turned since she was a child being caught stealing from the cookie jar. Andy believed deep down that everything Nicole had said was true, but he couldn't overcome his pride to begin thinking about how to approach Virginia with it. For now, he would think it over and try to process it before telling her right away. He could only hope after that point that she'd be the patient and loving woman he'd grown to know, and things wouldn't explode in his face like it had once before.