Into Something More
Chapter 6

'Jack had come and gone again, mind you he at least was more civil this time, but the ending was pretty much the same as always. You were there to offer help as needed, just as you had been doing since he had shown up at the station. So, I was delighted to be able to have the chance to return the favor. Although, it did take me a while to notice that after Nicole's wedding we were moving towards something more than friendship…'

It had been a rough couple of days uncovering the truth about Coach Frey. Andy had had a difficult time with the case, but also in balancing the heaviness of the situation with the stress of his daughter's upcoming wedding. After speaking with Provenza and then arranging for a night out between him and Rusty, Sharon offered to help Andy with his family. After all she knew how important the ceremony was for Nicole as well as Andy, even if he was not able to see it clearly in that moment. Sharon also felt that she could help Andy in this situation, as he had been helping her off and on in many ways since she had taken over the division. Sharon was a little nervous about attending the wedding, but she knew Andy needed to be there. Ultimately she was his friend and she would help in anyway she could.

Your friend Sharon, she smiled as she got ready remembering how the looks of both surprise and happiness perfectly mixed across his face as he realized what she was saying. She assumed they were friends now, after years of ardently stating that they were not friends, somehow their work acquaintance had evolved into something more. She had come to rely on him not only at work, but also as someone to bounce ideas off on about Rusty and other people in her life. Andy was always there for her, but she felt she rarely had the opportunity to return the favor.

Of course Sharon knew he had been working at repairing the relationships with his children, but it was still a work in progress. Over the years Sharon had heard him speak more about meeting Nicole for dinners and things like that, but as she understood his son Charlie was still very much on the fence about his father. Sharon knew with her own children Ricky was also less likely to hang around his own father. However, Andy's current situation was markedly different than Jack's so she hoped very much that Charlie would soon come around.

Sharon smiled as she heard a soft knock on her front door pulling her out of her thoughts on Andy and his children. She took the opportunity to do a final check in the mirror before gathering her clutch and greeting Andy at the door. "Hey Andy," she said stepping out into the hall before turning to lock the door behind her.

"Wow, Captain, I mean Sharon," he corrected with a slightly goofy grin. "You look amazing." Sharon flushed a little at the compliment. She nodded her head slightly before smiling and directing them toward the elevator. The two rode the elevator down to the ground level in relative silence, each a little unsure how to navigate the evening ahead. Once they reached the lobby Andy put his arm awkwardly behind her to guide her to his waiting car. Andy opened the passenger side door for her before walking around to the driver side. The brief moment gave her the opportunity to collect herself and take a moment to relax her nerves about the evening. Sharon reminded herself that this was a favor for a friend, and hoped that his family would be welcoming of her crashing the wedding.

Andy set the radio music volume to low before pointing the car in the direction of the church. The two rode quietly enjoying the music before Andy broke the silence, "I know I have said it a couple of times, but truly thank you Sharon. As you can imagine some of the people at the wedding are not my biggest fans, so it will be nice to have at least one friendly face there."

Sharon turned to speak, but the look of honest sadness that had spread across his face gave her pause. She looked serenely into his eyes and reassured him, "Andy, I am definitely your friend and you can count me on your side." Sharon reached out to pat his hand before returning her hands to her lap, "I know you have worked very hard to regain your families trust. It just takes time, but I mean this is a very special day for Nicole and for your family. I am so glad you made the decision to come. You would have regretted it for the rest of your life if you had let your hard headedness take over." She gave him a sly grin before she continued, "I mean it is one thing to be stubborn, but it is quite another to be an idiot about it."

He let out a chuckle at her words, "You are right Captain, I mean I know I am an idiot." Then laughing more, "But really what did you expect? I mean I can only change so much about myself, deep down I still can be a little hot headed and quick tempered. At least I recognized it." Then rolling his eyes he continued, "Plus, with the help of Provenza, pointing out that by not going, the stepfather would get all of the glory. I decided to suck it up and help to make my little girl's day special." Sharon arched her eyebrow as she nodded in agreement as he brought the car to a stop at the light, "Now if you mention to Provenza that he helped in this at all I will deny it to my dying day."

Sharon let out a snort before bringing her hand up to her face in slight embarrassment and continuing, "You two are ridiculous. It is quite possible strangers would never know you were best friends."

At her statement Andy made a sound of utter shock, "What? Friends? We are definitely not." Then laughing, "Well, if friends mean he comes over to my house unannounced, raids my fridge, and watches my television then I guess that is the case."

Sharon merely nodded her head and decided to change the subject, "So, I need to know a little more background about the wedding before I'm forced to be the friend of the supposedly most hated guest."

Andy smiled solemnly at her, "Well the benefit of being with me is that they probably won't have enough time to even question your presence. They will be waiting to grill me, while they are watching my every move hoping for a misstep."

Sharon put her hand on his shoulder, "They will come around Andy. I mean we can all see how good you are now. We just won't give them an opportunity to say anything negative. Let's show them by having the best time and by you being the most supportive father of the bride you can be. If someone tries to bait you just remember what is important in life, your daughter and her day." Sharon cocked her head to the side before continuing with a smile, "And after the toasts and such we can always just sit off to the side and gossip about everyone."

"You really are doing me a huge favor here tonight Sharon. I do not think I would be able to do this alone. Plus, with you going instead of Provenza it almost guarantees we won't get into too much trouble." He smiled at her before adding, "Plus, Sandra probably hates Provenza almost as much, if not more, than she hates me. Which is only half as much as he can't stand her. So really it would not have been good for him to be my plus one. We still want the church to be standing at the end of the night, after all."

"Yes, that is always a goal," she agreed loftily.

"So, family stuff," Andy began, "You have seen my daughter, Nicole, a few times over the years. Then I guess maybe you've just seen Charlie at baseball. But, um, so Nicole is marrying her long term friend and colleague, Dean."

"Oh they work together?"

"Yeah, they work at the same firm. I do not know how often they work together, department-wise, but that is where they met. Dean's first wife passed away about five or six years ago. Just after their second son was born. I do not know all of the details, but it was a rough time, as you can imagine and Nicole had offered to help him out with his kids while he was figuring everything out. Somehow after a few years they discovered it was more than just simple friendship and they began dating, and now here we are."

Sharon let out a sigh, "Two boys, poor Dean. Well, as sad as that is at least Nicole was there for them."

"Oh yes, she definitely was. And Nicole loves those boys." Andy smiled, "They really are great kids and Dean is a good guy. I am really proud of Nicole and feel so lucky that she has found such a solid man and family."

Sharon nodded her head, "Oh, but that makes you about to be a grandfather." She let out a small chuckle, "Grandpa Andy. Has a nice ring to it."

Laughing along with her, "Yes, it will take some getting used to, but I am happy to be another grandparent for Aiden and Ethan. Hopefully I will be allowed around more often as they get older and I can teach them how to play baseball, take them to see the Dodgers, stuff like that."

"That sounds absolutely perfect. They are two lucky boys." Sharon turned her gaze back to the road in front of them before continuing, "Nicole is a wonderful woman to be there for them. Definitely two lucky boys in more ways than one."

Nodding his head in agreement, "Yes, it definitely takes a special person to be able to take on someone else's kid and to love them like their own." Sharon nodded her head and let out a small sigh as she continued looking out the front window. "Speaking of children, how is Rusty after being around this last case? And post Jack and everything?"

Sharon sighed, "Well, I do wish he had not been in there when we found Matteo's video, Rusty has come so far, but I worry. I mean we talk about things, but there are still parts about himself that he keeps hidden from me. I hope burgers tonight with Provenza will serve as a distraction. Then maybe tomorrow he will be able to talk to me if he needs. Men like Coach Frey," Sharon paused and shook her head, "Men like Coach Frey, well, I am at least glad we uncovered the truth and helped save his future victims from a fate like poor Mattie."

Sharon glanced over at Andy who nodded in agreement before she continued, "And as far as Jack is concerned I think Rusty is used to being disappointed. So, even if he started to like Jack he understands now that Jack is Jack and he is anything but reliable. I am just thankful Rusty has all of you at work to continue to be positive role models and to show him that not everyone in the world will harm or disappoint him."

Nodding Andy agreed, "Oh we are pretty fond of the kid. It may have started off a little rough, but he is a great kid. You have been an amazing mother to him. Even if he does not always show it, deep down he knows that you taking him in changed the course of his life. It's not every day being a witness to a murder and then hunted down by a serial killer can be described as a positive turn of events." They both laughed a little at how awkward that sounded before Andy continued, "It is funny how life works out sometimes."

"Yes," Sharon sighed, "funny is definitely a word for it. Or crazy, or unbelievable," she added as she turned to smile at him once again. "You know, when Kris's mother came by today she actually took the time to thank me for the personal sacrifice I have made to keep Rusty safe. She said it was quite admirable…"

Casually waving his hand, "Oh I'm sure she meant well." Sharon gave him an exasperated look before he continued chuckling, "Even if it is a weird way to say it, since of course you are the best mother he could have, I would just take it as a compliment and hope you won't have to see her again."

"Yes. Some people though, it just rubbed me the wrong way. I think with everything going on and the case." Sharon fiddled with her hands, "Maybe in another setting she would not have come across as harsh."

"Probably so, but at least you won't have to worry about that today." Andy pulled the car around to the church and found a spot not too far from the door.

As the two were walking in through the side door a young boy came running over, "Hey Andy! Guess what? Guess what? Nicole is going to be our new mom today and that means you are going to be my Grandpa."

Andy chuckled at the boys enthusiasm, then ruffling the boy's hair, "You bet buddy. Are you and Ethan ready?"

"Oh yes," Aiden quickly replied, "but Ethan is a little nervous to carry the rings with me." The boy then leaned forward gesturing for Andy to bend down. Aiden cupped his hand around his mouth and in not quite a whisper added, "He is scared of all of the people watching him. He thinks he looks stupid with his bow tie and suspenders."

Andy stood and patted Aiden's shoulder, "Oh don't worry about him. We just have to remind him that bow ties are cool and, " Andy opened his coat to pluck at his own suspenders, "Plus, suspenders are nothing to be embarrassed about. They are very fashionable. Just ask my friend Sharon." Andy hooked his thumb in Sharon's direction. As Aiden smiled broadly Sharon noticed that the boy was obviously already very comfortable with his future Grandpa.

"Oh yes, suspenders are very in right now," Sharon agreed giving the boy a thumbs up. "You look very handsome Aiden, I am sure Ethan does as well. He has nothing to worry about." As she finished Ethan came around the corner. Seeing the new people he froze and dropped his eyes to his feet before moving to stand a little closer to his brother.

"Hey Ethan," Andy began, "You are looking snappy today. Are you ready to help your Dad and Nicole get married today?"

Ethan gave a slight nod before lifting his head to look at Andy, "Well, sort of."

Sharon moved a little closer and bent down to introduce herself, "Hi Ethan, I am Sharon, a friend of your Grandpa Andy's." She smiled down at the boy before continuing, "You look so handsome. I was just telling your brother that you two have nothing to worry about. You guys are going to get down the aisle so quickly that you won't have time to worry about any of the people watching you. Plus, everyone here is going to think you two are the most handsome men out there. I feel sorry for your dad and Andy over here." Sharon gestured to Andy behind her and joked, "These guys do not look nearly as put together as your two."

Ethan let out a giggle and grinned shyly up at Sharon, "Are you sure?"

"Definitely," she said reassuringly, "You have nothing to worry about."

With that Sharon and Andy followed the boys around the corner to the hall where the family was gathering. As they turned the corner everyone's eyes flashed in their direction. Andy quickly leaned over and in an undertone, "I'm so sorry for whatever they do tonight, but I can't thank you enough for coming."

Sharon looped her arm through his and patted it reassuringly, "It will be fine, plus even if they are not too welcoming, I like weddings." Looking up with a slight sparkle to her eye she nodded and together they walked down the hall to find their spots for the ceremony.

'That was definitely an interesting evening. Nicole looked absolutely gorgeous and the boys were a hoot. Aiden was so confident and you could barely tell Ethan had wanted to bail out just before. It is no wonder they enjoy the ballet so much. They know how to work a crowd. I was just happy they were there for the reception because I think it drove Sandra crazy to see them already so fond of you. It definitely helped to distract from any gossip about you or anyone trying to be too mean with the boys there. That was surely a turning point in our relationship as well. Even though I was still a married woman I think part of me began to imagine a different life for the first time in quite some time. After the wedding we went to dinner a few times, but nothing really changed until you had me tag along to the Nutcracker, not once but twice.'