A/N: Thank you everybody for your reviews! You keep my muse happy :) This chapter is a tag to 4.18. I have read on Tumblr, after the whole deleted kiss debacle, that the scene where Sharon opens Andy's Christmas gift ended up on the cutting floor as well. Since I'd wondered about what it might have been, here's my two cents on the context of that box ;)
MC MC MC MC
"Weren't you going to wear red on Christmas?" Emily asked, her voice distorted over the computer, as Rusty pulled up the zipper of Sharon's purple dress. It was a short-sleeved number with a flared skirt that ended just above her knees. It was a little less severe than her usual business clothes, and a bit different from her usual style, but it complimented her well.
"Well, that was the original idea…" Sharon trailed off. She ducked her head and moved her hair to the side so that Rusty could fasten the little button at the nape of her neck. He took a step back when he was done and went back to buttoning his own shirt. "Thank you Rusty." She said warmly.
"So," Emily piped from the computer's speakers, "why not the red dress?" Rusty flashed Emily a lopsided grin when he saw their mother's cheeks flush. "Because, my dear Emily," he started dramatically, "someone gave mom a present at the division party yesterday night and that wouldn't fit with the red dress." He raised his eyebrows, pointing his thumb towards Sharon's dresser, where her jewelry for the day lay neatly on the tabletop.
"Get out of here!" Emily exclaimed cheerfully. "Mom, why didn't you tell me sooner? This should have been top priority! I cannot believe you would keep things from your only daughter, I'm lucky I've got my little brother here to keep me in the loop." Rusty shared a conspiratorial look with Emily, whose eyes now sparkled with mirth.
He was sorry he wouldn't get to see her this Christmas, but she was working over the next few days and could only fly to LA for New Year's. He liked both of his acquired siblings, but he had formed a stronger bond with Emily, and while Ricky had mellowed out with age, Emily still retained a childish streak that she was happy to indulge in when Rusty was around.
Sharon feigned outrage, her mouth opening and closing silently like a fish in a tank, but he knew well she did not mind their teasing. If anything, she was so happy that he fit right in with her biological children that she was more than willing to endure a few jokes at her expense. It was all in good nature anyway: after seeing their mother alone for so many years, both Emily and Ricky had been pleasantly surprised – and more than a little excited when he'd first told them about Andy, long before they became a couple.
"Well," Sharon finally found her voice again, "I didn't want to make a big deal out of this."
"But it is a big deal! Does Ricky know about this?" Emily asked, her eyes shifting once again to Rusty, who shook his head.
Sharon sighed. "I'll tell him when he gets here tomorrow. Now, Emily, why don't you tell me about tonight's show-"
"Oh, very smooth, Sharon." Rusty chuckled at her lame attempt at changing topic.
"Nuh-uh. I want to see it." Emily insisted, straining her neck to get a better look at the dresser.
"Ok. Fine." Sharon conceded. She went to pick up the item and moved it closer to the Mac's webcam, showing her daughter the silver necklace and the delicate square amethyst pendant.
"That's very nice mom. He obviously put some thought into it." Emily said, smiling. "You should keep this guy around."
Sharon hummed as she reached behind her to fasten the necklace. "I find that I just might." She admitted, her voice so low that it was barely audible. While they most definitely were together, it was a rare occurrence to hear Sharon talk about her relationship with Andy in terms that went beyond plans for the following week. Or month, where games or theater tickets were concerned.
"And you didn't get him anything?" She pressed again, peeking out of the corner of her eye at Rusty, who rose his eyebrows and nodded. "I helped her pick them."
"I got him a pair of cufflinks," she conceded, "which I'm going to give him today after lunch."
Right then, her doorbell rang, interrupting the conversation. "This must be him," Sharon smiled. "Emily, honey, do you want to say hello to Andy or do you have to rush to rehearsal?" She asked.
"I'd love to say hello. And I promise I will not make things awkward for him." She said with a mock curtsey and a deceptively sweet smile that was all Sharon.
"I'm glad to hear that." Sharon called over her shoulders as she left the bedroom to go get the door.
"Until New Year's, that is?" Rusty smirked at her.
"Of course. When I actually get there, all bets are off."