Chapter 16
Sharon immediately invited Andy inside and both stood near the door, looking at each other in silence for a few minutes. Upon hearing his son crying, Andy immediately entered the living room and took his little son in his arms. Sharon smiled slightly, watching her capricious lieutenant with their son. She loved to watch Andy in this way - in the role of father. He'd forgotten everything, holding Nicholas in his arms. Although the little boy wouldn't stop crying, he was determined to reassure him. Sharon approached them.
"Andy, if you want give him to me." she said softly. Andy shook his head and patted the baby's back gently.
"No, Sharon, I can reassure my son." he said firmly and sat on the sofa, continuing to calm his son. Sharon took a deep breath and sat down across from him. She could no longer understand Andy. Last night he said that he doesn't want to be near her and that he didn't want to live with her and now suddenly he'd come here to calm their son.
"Andy, why are you here? I didn't think that you'll come after last night's dispute." she said, frowning, looking at Nicholas. Andy sighed wearily and shrugged.
"Actually, I came here to talk about our new lifestyle, but let's continue our conversation later. Now I want my son to stop crying. Sharon nodded slightly and took a pillow in her hands. It's been almost half an hour until the little baby calmed down. Andy even sang a lullaby, which surprised Sharon very much. She liked his voice and she couldn't believe that he just sang a lullaby to their son. He immediately went to the nursery while Sharon followed him. She continued to watch his movements and how he copes with the baby. For her, he was already a great father. But she still couldn't forgive herself. For all her lies. Andy gently kissed his son and put him in the crib, then turned to Sharon and took her hand, putting them out quietly.
"Sharon, I came here to talk." he said quietly, looking at her green eyes. Sharon sighed and bit her lip.
"What we're going to talk about? You last night said what you wanted. Andy, understand this. This is not a game. We have a son and whatever happens between us, we must give him love. He must get his parents' love. " she said firmly, trying to be quiet. Andy squeezed her shoulder.
"Sharon, I thought a lot. I can't be away from my son, whatever happens. You're right. We have to forget about us and take care of our son. I accept your offer. Let's live together, even just for Nicholas. " he said resolutely. Sharon could see the determination in his eyes and his words. But the fact that he agreed only because of Nicholas, made her feel worse. She swallowed the lump in her throat, realizing once again that she is to blame for all this.
"No. Before that, I have a suggestion for a deal. I want your daughter to know the truth. You're told Provenza and I'm sure of it. Tell Nicole the truth. That Nicholas is truly your son and her brother and that henceforth you will live with us together. Oh, and don't forget to tell her that we'll live together only because of our son. Not because of our love that no longer exists. " she said firmly and walked to the kitchen because she needed a glass of water. Andy took a deep breath and followed her.
"Sharon, I accept the deal. You're right, I wanted to tell Nicole but I had no chance. But I don't think that what you said is so true. I don't know about you, but my love for you will not end just like that . But there are things that can't be forgiven and it doesn't allow you to start to live purely. What do you want me to do? To forgive you? When I feel that I can't forget the pain ... "he said sadly. Sharon put her cup on the table and closed her eyes for a moment and looked into Andy's brown eyes.
"I never asked forgiveness from you and will not ask as much as it hurts. I know that my sin is unforgivable and I lied terribly. I just want my son to grow together with his parents." she said quietly, but behind her words there was only pain. Andy put his hands in his pockets and nodded slightly.
"I know. It's hard. But I think that we can prosper and be together because of Nicholas. He needs us. Believe me, I never acted like Jack, despite the mistakes that I made in the past while Nicole was a child. " he assured her.
"Thank you." she said sternly, and went into the living room. Andy stood before her again since his conversation wasn't yet over. She looked at him coldly.
"Sharon, where we'll live? Don't you think that your apartment is a little cramped? If you want, we can move to mine." he offered her, looking around. Sharon took a deep breath and grimaced.
"Are you so stupid? Do you really think that I would move into your apartment just because it is larger? Additionally, Rusty also wouldn't agree. The choice is yours. If you want to stay here, probably you will have to sleep on the couch. If you want your convenience, you can live alone. " she said firmly. Andy rolled his eyes discontented.
"Sharon, I just asked. Why are you so nasty?" he asked with a slight anger. She stood up and stood before him.
"I treat people as they are with me. I think you're rough. Well, when will you move here? Don't worry, I'll let you put your clothes in the wardrobe in my bedroom." she said sternly. Andy nodded slightly.
"Well, then. I'll move tonight, but before it I'll talk to Nicole." he said firmly and grabbed his jacket and then left. Sharon sighed wearily and heard the baby began to cry again. "Why do you feel that your father left?" she murmured dissatisfied and went to the nursery. During this time, Andy called Nicole and told her to visit him as he should talk to her. Nicole wasn't very surprised that her father wants to talk to her. She was anxious to know the result of the DNA test. After about one hour, she was with her father. But she was unpleasantly surprised seeing him to prepare his clothes.
"Dad, what are you doing? Why did you gather your clothes?" she asked, confused. Andy took a deep breath and squeezed her shoulder.
"Nicole, I move. From now on, I'll live with Sharon." he answered her quickly. Nicole's eyes widened.
"What? With Sharon? No, Dad. You kidding me? How is that possible, after everything that happened?" she asked angrily, not knowing the truth. Andy hushed quietly.
"Nicole, the DNA test is positive. Nicholas is my son and your brother. I have to be near my son and I have no choice but to move." he said innocently and shrugged. Nicole fell into shock. It was all too much for her.
"So, Nicholas is my brother? I am glad that this is true, but Dad, I don't want you to forgive Sharon and after everything she did. I can't believe that you're forgiven her." she said grimly. Andy shook his head.
"No, Nicole. I'm not forgiven her. We'll just live together because of our son. Between us there is a strong relationship and this is Nicholas. I can't leave my son without a father's love. Understand me. I won't forgive Sharon but I have to be near my son. " he said firmly. Nicole sighed and nodded, then hugged her father tightly. She was happy with the fact that Nicholas is her brother, but the fact that her father would live with Sharon teased her. He could forgive her, though. On the other hand, Sharon had a conversation with Andrea on the phone.
"Sharon, I can't believe that Andy has accepted to sleep on the couch." she said with a grin.
"Andrea, he is willing to do anything for his son. Perhaps only now, I understand the difference between him and Jack. But he really is a good father, believe me." Sharon said sadly.
"I'm glad. Nicholas needs a father's love and Andy is his father. What could be better than that?" Andrea asked.
"I don't know, maybe I worry that he won't be able to sleep on the couch for so long. But I'll try to figure something about it." she said uncertainly.
"Well dear, beware and take care of my little cake." Andrea said jokingly and they closed the phone. At this point, Rusty came home quietly and went to Sharon.
"Hey Sharon, I feel tired. I'll go to my room." he said quietly, but Sharon stopped him.
"Rusty, we need to talk." she said firmly. Rusty looked at her more confused than ever. While Sharon spoke with Rusty, Andy was already ready with his luggage and he had a meeting with Provenza, to explain the situation. Provenza couldn't believe that his friend took such a big risk. Sleeping on the couch wasn't the easiest.
"Flynn, are you sure that you can sleep on this couch?" he asked to be sure. Andy took a deep breath and shrugged.
"Honestly, no. Look, I have no experience but I am ready to do everything to be near my son. Besides, I didn't tell Nicole that I would sleep on the couch. Therefore, I beg you, don't tell her anything." he said pleadingly. Provenza nodded and sighed.
"Well, you know I am your friend and I will never betray your secrets as you mine, but ... I don't think you'll be able to sleep on the couch for a long time. Believe me, it's not so easy. " Andy rolled his eyes, dissatisfied.
"Whatever happens, I'm ready for everything." he said firmly. Provenza wished him luck, but he was sure that Andy will not succeed. In the evening, Andy was already with Sharon. While Rusty dined and Nicholas slept, Sharon was arranging Andy's clothes in the wardrobe. Andy was standing close to her, looking at her as if he saw her for the first time. He didn't know how to hide his feelings. He still loved her and he didn't know how to quit. Sharon closed the wardrobe and looked at him carefully. She could feel that he was quite distracted.
"Andy, are you okay? You seem distracted." she noted with concern. Andy took a deep breath and cleared his throat.
"Yes, I'm fine. Don't worry." he replied hastily. Sharon nodded slightly.
"I'll check Rusty." she said quickly and walked to the kitchen. Andy decided to go to the nursery. There he sank into beautiful memories. He still remembered those moments in which he and Sharon looked at the empty crib hoping to embrace their son. He couldn't believe that they are now so far apart. Rusty looked at Sharon questioningly.
"Hey, Sharon, if you want Andy can sleep in my room. I can stay on the couch. I'm used to and I always slept there at the beginning." he suggested. Sharon gave him a stern look and took his hand.
"No, Rusty. Andy will stay here. He wished so. Look, don't worry about it. Everything is fine." she assured quietly. Rusty nodded and smiled softly, then went into his room. Now, Sharon and Andy sat on the couch in silence. Sharon looked at him carefully.
"I think we need a good sleep." Sharon said. Andy yawned and nodded slightly.
"Yes, you're right. I also want to sleep, but before that I'll kiss my son." he said firmly and walked to the nursery. In the meantime, Sharon brought a pillow and blanket for Andy. She even prepared the couch for him and went to her bedroom, locking the door. When Andy came back, he was quite surprised that Sharon has brought a pillow and blanket. Moreover, it was strange that she prepared the couch for him. He took a deep breath and put on his pajamas, then lay down on the couch - somewhat. He closed his eyes trying to sleep, but apparently Provenza would be right. The sofa wasn't very comfortable for sleeping. But Sharon also couldn't sleep. She thought for Andy, knowing that he won't be able to sleep comfortably. She didn't know if she should check it out, but it might be better to ask him in the morning. She closed her eyes, but at this moment, the baby began to cry. Sharon took a deep breath and decided to take care as Andy probably was asleep. But to her surprise, Andy sat on the couch with their son in his arms. She couldn't believe that he again sings a lullaby and he calms the little boy. Her eyes filled with tears, thinking how many chances she'd missed, and what irreparable mistakes she'd made ...
~~~ TBC ~~~