Slightly delayed, but here it is! Its just a short little chapter, but the next one will be much longer and angst filled, guaranteed!
_ chapter 3 _
When Nicole left the following day it felt bittersweet to Virginia, who had grown to really like the young woman that she'd only known as Andy's daughter for so long, Despite the sadness of Nicole's departure, Virginia was happy to get back to her normal routine. She noticed when Nicole left on Saturday the mood had changed a bit and she wasn't sure why. She just assumed that everyone was tired from the long weekend they'd spent together. Nicole was probably just tired and wanted to go home. She was actually proud that she'd worked up the courage to hug her before she got into the taxi, taking Nicole by surprise this time. It was a nice feeling to somehow belong to a new family. Andy's family, who -so far- had welcomed her with open arms. Literally!
She was glad to have finished a day back from the hospital, after her busy weekend. Twisting the keys in the door, she was welcomed by the tidiness of her home. As soon as Nicole had left she had cleaned the whole house top to bottom. She had to explain to Andy that it wasn't that she thought Nicole had left a mess of their home, but that she liked to do maintenance once guests were gone. It wasn't a reoccurring thing, considering the only guests who'd stayed there before Andy was her brother and his children.
Her shoes were placed beside each other on the shoe rack, and her jacket was hung in the closet before she went to the kitchen to prepare a steaming cup of earl grey.
As she was emptying the kettle she heard her phone buzz from the the inside of her purse. She pulled it out and read a text message from Andy, saying he wouldn't be home for another hour or so. Disappointed, she opened the conversation and messaged back that it was okay, and she would wait up for him.
Somehow she had fallen into the routine of waiting up for him when he worked late. It had become a habit from not being able to sleep without him after becoming accustomed to the warm reassurance. Before Andy she would stay up hours after getting into bed, going over and over all her plans. Her mind always seemed to be overworking, and although it still was, Andy gave her life stability and a sense of tranquility. He would always tell her, 'it's alright' or 'try to relax' and even though it often had the opposite effect in the moment, it was times like her accident in the OR with Bergson that she thought of him and it gave her strength.
After she saw that he had read her message, she closed her phone and decided to start dinner. He told her that morning before work he'd bring a pizza home, but she wanted to surprise him with a nice home cooked meal. The whole weekend they'd eaten out, and she could tell that he was starting to miss the pasta soufflés she made. She decided to keep it quick and simple by using her mother's Alfredo recipe. Once the noodles had started cooking she decided last minute to spoil herself and cook some chicken on the side for her own preference.. She couldn't remember the last time she'd made chicken.
By the time Andy had texted her that he was on his way home, she'd set the table; her side with a red wine and his with Perrier. She told him to skip the pizza, and they could order once he got there.
He could smell the freshly baked pasta as he ascended the driveway, and saw her face poking out from the kitchen window. A smile played across her face, as she drew back from the window and went to meet him at the front door.
Coming home after a days work to the most beautiful woman in the world and a delicious home cooked meal was the only things Andy felt he needed.
She switched the lock and pulled open the door, letting him step in.
"It smells absolutely incredible, Virginia. You really didn't have to, I said that we could order in."
She kissed his cheek, and tugged on his arm, pulling him towards the kitchen. "I know, but I wanted to."
They sat across from each other at the table, and began eating the meal she'd prepared. All the while Andy couldn't help but consider it as an opportunity to finally tell her. She was talking about groceries, or something about having the wrong milk for baking when his mind wandered to what Nicole had told him. She loved and supported him and would help him no matter what. That's what love is and he would do the same for her.
"Andy honey, are you hearing a word I'm saying?"
Her voice pulled him back to reality. "Hm?"
She sighed and took a drink from her glass. "Never mind."
She wasn't angry, so he decided to let it go. His mind searched for the words to say, how to deliver the news that could either strengthen or hinder their relationship. "Andy honey, tonight honestly wasn't a burden on me. I really like spending time with you, and just because we're living together now, doesn't mean we shouldn't make time for each other… right?"
He nodded his head, still a lost in his own thoughts. "Andy…"
Her hand found his across the table and she waited until his eyes met hers. "I really mean it. The least I can do is make you dinner when you're always being so good to me. I really can't imagine what my life would be like if I hadn't met you."
He was worried that the guilt filling the pit of his stomach would begin to reveal itself through his reaction. He couldn't think of how to respond to that, when he was planning to tell her that he had been lying to her. He was hoping it was going to end there, but she went on, twisting the knife to worsen the wound.
"You're the most understanding person that I've ever been around, and I know that I don't say it often but I really do mean it. I mean it with all my heart and I want you to know that I… appreciate you."
She cut herself off before she started rambling like a fool, if she hadn't already. She couldn't tell what was on his mind, but he wasn't saying anything like his usual self. Maybe he had just had a long day.
"I have a movie picked out for us, but if you want to go to bed early, I understand."
He immediately felt bad for not saying much to her after she'd basically just poured her heart out to him. He wished he didn't have so much on his mind so he could really take to heart what she'd just said, but he couldn't help but feel ashamed. "No.. A movie sounds nice."
He could tell that it was the right answer when she smiled and stood to take his plate. "No no, you made dinner so I can clean it up. You go get comfy and I'll meet you on the couch in a few minutes."
He stood, lifting his plate and kissed her before letting her start off toward their room. He carried their plates to the sink and silently cursed himself for not speaking up. It would have been a horrible time to say something, but he had only put it off for another time and he was beginning to feel like there wasn't any good time at that point.
After he'd cleared the table, he took off his jacket and belt, laying his gun down on the counter, before joining her on the couch.
She curled into him, feeling cold against his hands. He reached for a blanket and
covered her up to her shoulder, pressing a kiss to her head while the opening credits began to roll. It looked like another one of those black and white movies she liked to watch.
Sometime after Audrey Hepburn's first appearance, Andy allowed his mind to drift off once again.
She was so strong and tough at work, but laying on the couch, half in his lap she appeared so fragile, like she needed to be taken care of. She had chosen him to be the one to lean on and instead he was the one that was about to ask for the support. He was afraid that she'd hate him for starting up this bad habit.
Her laughter filled the room, interrupting his thoughts and reminding him of why he'd stayed up. He wanted to spend time with her before he went back to work the following morning, not stress over things that would only make things harder. He decided he'd have to break the news another night.
It had been an easy, short day at work when Andy had opened the door to his car and turned on the engine. He reached for his phone in the console, before pulling out of the parking garage but stopped before sending the text, that would have notified her that he would be home early. More time with Virginia meant more chances to tell her about his drinking and he didn't like the thought of breaking her heart. He had finished such a great day at work, and she was smiling when he left the house this morning. It wasn't a good time to tell her, but at the same time he needed to get it off his chest or it'd keep eating at him.
He pulled out of the driveway, making a right, unlike his usual left toward their house.
It'd been days since they'd last spent dinner together, or even shared a conversation. She was starting to miss being around him and just hearing his silly jokes he'd make when he'd sit with her and watch videos of the operating room.
Disappointment had hit her harder than the night before, when he'd cancelled their date to go pumpkin picking. It was heartbreaking to her when she got the text message saying he'd be late again. As always, it ended with an apology, which she was grateful for. At least she knew that he was okay, and he was caring enough give her the heads up.
She suddenly didn't feel in the mood to waiting up for him. She wasn't angry, but she felt tired from her long hours in the OR and just wanted to curl up next to him. She settled on a warm shower and an early bed time, falling asleep to the thought of waking up next to him the following morning.
Provenza had already been in bed for hours when his phone sounded, waking him up and putting him in a mood. He was even more unhappy when he read the screen, telling him it was Andy calling him at midnight.
He took it from the nightstand and answered, showing no effort to be pleased with the situation. "It's almost one in the morning Flynn, this better be damn good."
A slurred voice answered, raising his blood pressure. "You idiot! What on earth have you gotten yourself into?"
He narrowed his eyes, as if it would help him decipher what the mumbling fool on the other side of the line had to say.
"No, I will not drive half way across the city to pick up your drunk ass."
He should have expected that he would bring his sweet, talented cookie baking girlfriend into this. As much as he hated it, Andy had been right by saying she would worry about him and where he was if he didn't show up in the morning. "Fine. But I'm only doing this for her, because she shouldn't have to deal with you like this."
He hung up the phone so he wouldn't have to hear another non-sensible word from his partner.
Once he got there and practically carried him to the car, he heard the same old story of it being an accident and only supposed to have been one drink. He drove to Andy's house, ignoring most of what the drunken detective was blabbering about, knowing he probably wouldn't remember most of that night anyway.
Provenza dragged him up to the house and used the spare key in the planter next to the door to let them in. "You're on your own now. Next time you get pissed at midnight, I won't be answering."
Once Provenza had left, Andy contemplated where he was going to sleep. He could sleep on the couch and wake up with a sore back, or sleep in their bed and run the risk of waking her up and having to explain everything.
He decided on the couch, concluding it to be the safest option.
He threw off his shoes and loosened his tie, falling asleep seconds after his head hit the cushion.
Thank you so much for readying, as always xo