A/N: thank you so much for the very wonderful reviews! It makes me happy to know that you guys are enjoying this. I'll try to make this as fun and light as I can compared to my last fic which was so dramatic!

Sloancharity: yes, I was thinking along the same lines as you are! I will definitely try to incorporate your suggestions in the next few chapters. :D

I would love to hear your opinions! So don't hesitate to review, good or bad, I'd love to read them. Enjoy!

I DO NOT OWN ROOKIE BLUE

It had been a couple of days since Andy found out about Liv. She had been helping Sam get use to having a baby in the house. She taught Sam some of the basic things he needed to know when dealing with a baby and Sam was doing pretty good despite having no prior experience, but there are just times when Sam couldn't calm her down. He'd call Andy at night and she would come just to put Liv to sleep. Since it would be too late for her to go home, she'd stay with Liv in Sam's extra room. Fortunately, Luke had been out of town, assisting in some case somewhere so she didn't have to explain to him why she had been sleeping over at Sam's.

Every decision Sam had to make regarding Liv, he always consulted Andy. Like what diapers to buy, what brand of formula and all other basic necessities. Andy even decided on a daycare center so that Sam could go back to work. They had decided to pick the one near 15 so that they could go to her right away in case of emergencies.

It became a routine for Andy. After work she'd head home and get the overnight bag she packed earlier and go to Sam's apartment. She'd spend the night there and go home early morning so no one would get suspicious.

At work, Andy and Sam would talk nonstop about Liv when they're out patrolling. They were like proud parents to their new child. She'd noticed that Sam seemed happy most of the time during the day even though they had both stayed up late trying to put Liv to sleep. She smiled to herself, remembering the previous nights. Sure, it was tiring taking care of a baby, but she couldn't remember the last time she had this much fun.

'Of course you have fun, Sam's there! Isn't that the only reason you agreed to this in the first place?' A small voice said in her head.

"Of course not!" She hadn't realized that she had answered herself aloud.

"What was that, McNally?" Sam cut through her thoughts.

"What's what?"

"You said of course not."

"Oh…nothing, I was just thinking about something." It was a good thing that Sam was busy driving to notice that blood had rushed into her face. She continued her mental debate trying to be extra careful not to blurt anything out again.

'I'm just helping Sam out the way he has helped me countless of times.'

'You are. But that's not the only reason, is there?'

'Why don't you just shut up? You're giving me a headache!'

She was getting mad at herself. Why were her own thoughts turning on her? Why was she even having those thoughts?

"So, are we on tomorrow?" Sam had asked as he eased the cruiser into the parking lot at 15.

"What?" Her tone was a little harsh. She forgot that she was taking again and had used her tone during her self-argument.

"Are you okay, McNally? You're right here beside me, but it seems your mind is somewhere else."

"I'm fine. I just have a lot of things on my mind today. And yes, we are still on for tomorrow."

"Maybe you should just sleep on your own bed tonight. I mean, maybe you're just tired. You didn't exactly ask to be dragged into this mess."

"Look, you didn't drag me into this, okay? I offered. And I'll see you later." With that, she exited the car and headed straight to the locker rooms.

Traci was already wearing her everyday clothes when Andy entered.

"Hey! You going to the Penny later?"

"No, I'm really exhausted, Trace."

"Come on! You barely spend time with us anymore. What have you been busy with anyway?"

"Dad stuff." She didn't like lying to Traci about anything, especially using her dad as an excuse, but it was the only way she knew to get her off her back. Andy knew Traci would disapprove if she found out what Andy had been doing the past week.

"Oh, okay. So what are you doing on your day off tomorrow?" Traci asked, changing the subject since she knew Andy didn't really want to talk about her dad.

"Nothing special. Just going shopping."

Andy woke up to the delicious smell of coffee and bacon frying on the pan. She gave a big long stretch on the bed before getting up. She took a peek in the crib, but Liv wasn't there anymore.

'She must have woken up early and Sam took her out.' Andy checked her watch and realized that it was already 8:30 in the morning. She walked out of the room to the kitchen where she found Sam feeding Liv with some baby food and making funny faces. She laughed, getting Sam's attention.

"I could definitely get used to seeing you like this."

"Well good morning sleepy head!" She walked across the kitchen to the table where Sam placed the car seat. She leaned over and gave Liz a kiss on the head.

"Hey! What about my good morning kiss?"

"You wish, buddy."

"It was worth a try." Sam said, giving her one of his dimpled smiles. This made Andy's heart skip a beat and thoughts of kissing, pushing against the wall and clothes coming off came to mind.

'Stop it, Andy! You have a boyfriend!'

'Who by the way doesn't know that you're secretly raising a child with a different man and sleeping on the said man's apartment. Way to be girlfriend of the year!'

"We really need to buy Liv some new things. This car seat will simply not do!" She said trying to change the topic to safer waters.

"That's why we're going shopping today, mom." He said teasingly.

Andy looked at him and raised an eyebrow. He laughed, raising both his hands.

"What? You sure do act like you're her mom."

"And I suppose you think we're parents now?"

"I can't see why not? We're both raising her, aren't we?"

"Whatever you say, dad."

Sam and Andy had gotten closer the past few days and had been comfortable at teasing each other about parenthood. They just told themselves that they were really good friends. But being really good friends didn't really sit well with the both of them.

Andy had been more confused than she was before. She was moving in with Luke in a couple of months, but here she was, hoping that Luke's case would never end and that she'd be moving in with Sam and Liv instead. Sam on the other hand had been fantasizing about their little family. He had been very happy that Andy had offered to help him with Liv and was even more excited when she started sleeping over. Of course he didn't take advantage of her since it was him who convinced her that Callaghan was a good guy just months before. He loved the idea of Andy being the mother of his children, but he was contented of what they have now. Though he doesn't know until when he can be satisfied with just that.

An hour later they had carefully strapped the car seat at the back seat of Sam's truck and went on their way.

"You know, you should get a different car. This truck really isn't appropriate for a baby."

"What? This is my baby." Sam said sounding all protective of his truck

"Well, this baby isn't your only baby anymore."

"I'll think about it, but don't get any more ideas."

They entered the shopping center and headed straight to Babies R' Us. Andy was so excited to go on this shopping trip with Sam and Liv and every minute she was spending time with them, the harder it is for her to leave. She had gotten to know Sam a little better and realized how little she knew about him. She was seeing a different side to him, a side she slowly begins to love without even realizing it.

"So where do you want to start?" Sam asked looking around the very big store with all the baby paraphernalia they would ever need.

"We could go check out the strollers first so you don't have to carry Liv the whole time."

"It's okay, I love holding her." He turned to face Live and brushed his nose to hers. "Isn't that right, pumpkin?" Liv gave out a cute laugh and put her little hands on Sam's face.

'Awww…that is so cute.' Andy's thoughts were cut short when a plump, 50-something sales associate had joined them.

"How can I help you today, Mr. and Mrs.…?"

"Swarek." Sam had filled in before Andy could say anything. She looked at him and gave him a what-are-you-doing look. He just grinned and gave her a wink.

"Ah yes, Mr. and Mrs. Swarek. I'm Tina and I'll be helping you out today."

"We'd like to see some strollers, for our daughter here." Andy said, playing along.

Tina showed them a vast collection of strollers according to style and color. There were different styles to choose from: Travel system strollers, lightweight strollers and full-size strollers. They both decided on the travel system strollers because it seemed most comfortable and it came with a matching car seat with it. They however, couldn't decide on which color to pick.

Andy wanted the traditional pastel pink while Sam didn't want it to be so girly. He had settled on the powder blue one with cute fish designs.

"Sam, you can't put Liv in that. That is obviously for boys!"

"Well, I never pegged you as the girly type, McNally but you are not putting her in that overly pink thing."

Tina cleared her throat. "This is your first child, I assume?" She smiled and didn't wait for them to reply before she suggested other options they might like.

"I have neutral earthy colors here which are not too girly and not to overly masculine which you both might agree on."

Andy and Sam had finally agreed on a gray base with pastel green cushions with outlines of soft brown and pictures of zoo animals.

"I love it!" Andy said as she wrapped her arm around Sam's free arm without realizing it.

"I love you too." Sam whispered so soft that he probably thought Andy didn't hear.

'What did he say? No…I must've heard it wrong. It's pretty noisy here, with nursery rhymes blaring from the speakers and girl friends squealing about every other minute at the cutest of things. I'll just assume he said I love it too.'

"Let's put Liv in and see if she likes it."

Andy let go of Sam's arm as he lowered Liv in. She instantly bounced on the stroller, cooing at the different foam animals that were hanging from the top. She tried to reach them and laughed as the little animals swing back and forth as Sam pushed the stroller forward.

"I guess she loves it too."

"Anything else I can help you with, Mr. and Mrs. Swarek?"

"Yes, in fact there is. Is it okay if we leave the car seat here for a while? We still have a lot of baby stuff we need to choose and buy."

"Well, let's get going then. This is going to be a very long day."

A couple of hours later, they had finally completed their list of things to buy: a highchair, walker, rubber mats for Liv's room since she was learning to crawl, an automatic swing, rubber spoons, plates, sippy cups, a play mat with a soft gym, other age appropriate toys and clothes.

Andy had enjoyed choosing really cute outfits for Liv. It was like dressing up her own real life doll. Sam was enjoying himself too, loving every time Andy finds a clever outfit for their "baby". Some outfits she chose were a little over the top like the really wide headband with a really big flower stuck on it. She reasoned that it was supposed to keep the baby's head warm. He only gave in because he knew that it would make her happy. And he was happy if she was.

From the shopping center, they walked to the nearby gelato shop that Andy insisted on. She said it was the best one in town. They were walking side by side while Sam pushed the stroller with one hand. Andy was swinging her arms happily when she accidentally brushed it along Sam's free hand. The next thing she knew was both their hands were intertwined together. She didn't tell him off or remove her hand from his. She just smiled at how natural things come to them.

'What the hell are you doing, Swarek? You know she has a boyfriend right?' Sam looked at their hands. She didn't take it out. 'That has to be a sign, right?' He held on to her a little tighter knowing that it could end any minute. 'All I want is for this dream to last a little longer.'

They had gotten their gelato and decided to sit outside. It was a beautiful day and the weather was perfect to be outdoors. Sam gave Liv some fruit puffs he had packed that morning and put it on the little tray in front of the stroller. They were talking funny and playing with Liv when two old ladies passed by.

"Oh! Isn't she a cutie." One said as she got a closer look at Liv.

"I can see why. She has some good looking parents." Andy blushed at the other lady's comment.

The old ladies made small talk with them, asking about Liv and commenting how sweet a couple Andy and Sam made.

"I can see why they would think that Liv is your daughter. She's beginning to look like you. I mean with the black hair and those deep piercing eyes." Andy said when the ladies were out of earshot.

"They seem to think that she looks a bit like you too…you think I have deep piercing eyes?" Sam asked teasingly.

Andy jokingly hit his arm when her phone rang. She answered the phone without checking the caller id.

"Hello?" Sam noticed instantly that her smile had disappeared.

"Oh, hi Luke. You're back?" Figures, it was Callaghan. Nice end to this amazing day. Sam thought bitterly.

"No, I'm not at the station. I have my day off today."

"Later? Uh…" She looked at Sam. "I guess dinner later would be fine. Okay. Bye."

Sam took a deep breath. 'I guess it's time to wake up from this dream.'