Hey all, it's been forever I know. I'm not completely satisfied with this chapter, and it might be the last. Let me know if you'd like me to continue this one or maybe start on a different story. (Suggestions welcome)
Supper passed in mostly contented silence. They worked in tandem to clear up, and when the last dish was placed in the dishwasher, Sharon was ready for bed. Her body felt relaxed and heavy from the bath, and her mind calm from the quiet supper with Andy. She needed a good few hours of sleep before being ready to face the morning, but her feelings of dread had lessened greatly.
She dragged the dish towel across the counter clearing up the last errant water droplets and felt his hand land on hers, stilling her movements.
"I think this would be a good time for me to head out, and you to get some sleep."
She couldn't help but melt into his embrace, and as she did so, several things went through her mind quickly. First, she was dead tired. Second, Andy was incredibly warm and comfortable. Third, she was suddenly grateful she already had the talk with Rusty about 'overnight guests.'
"Yes, I think you're right, I do need some sleep." She turned and wrapped her arms around his middle.
Andy chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her in kind. "You know, I absolutely hate what happened today, but I sure do like the amount of cuddling that's been happening since then."
Her response was nothing but a smile. They spent the next few minutes wrapped up in each other before Andy reluctantly pulled back.
"Alright, I'd better go if I'm going to make the drive," he placed a kiss on her forehead, just along the edge of her bruise, "take two Tylenol and call me in the morning."
That drew a laugh from Sharon, "are those doctor's orders?"
"Yes mam, you get all tucked in under your covers and I'll let you know when I'm tucked up in mine." He pulled her into his side and guided them towards the door, grabbing his jacket from the back of the couch along the way. His lips grazed her temple as they reached the entryway, but before he could say his goodbyes Sharon spoke.
"You know Dr. Flynn, we could save some time and effort if we tucked each other in here tonight."
Andy chuckled at her suggestion, but when he took in her contented smile he knew she was serious. "Sharon, I don't want… I don't want you to feel pressured or -"
He was cut off by her lips pressing against his, "I don't."
"Just especially with all that happened today and-" she cut him off the same way as before.
"Andy, I'm sure."
"Because I'm not too tired to make the drive if you'd rather…" this time he trailed off by himself as she stood there with her arms crossed and an eyebrow raised. "See, I thought if I just kept talking I'd get more of those kisses, but I can see I was wrong."
She laughed and kissed him one more time before giving him a half-hearted shove towards the door. "Go grab your overnight bag and get back up here."
He gave a sloppy salute as he swung open the door. He got out a "yes mam, captain, mam," before she shut the door behind him.
She realized she should give Rusty some warning so she sent him off a text, 'Hope it was a good movie, Andy and I are headed to bed now, we'll see you in the morning,' before she went about brushing her teeth and getting ready for bed.
She was lounging on her side of the bed by the time that Andy came back and locked up. He was going through his nightly routine in the bathroom when Rusty replied.
'Went to the late show, decided to spend the night at Gus' place, see you tomorrow.'
Sharon decided that a non-acknowledgement of the situation was not the worst thing he could have sent, and was just putting her phone down when Andy came in in his boxers and T-shirt.
He slid in under the covers from the other side of the bed and settled, his sigh releasing any tension he had leftover from the day. She turned off her bedside lamp, and scooted over to put her head on Andy's shoulder and cuddle into his side.
His warmth and steady breathing combined with her exhaustion from the day had her fully relaxed almost immediately.
It would take a lot of effort, and the risk of making herself vulnerable again, but this is what she wanted. To move forward with Andy Flynn. And to her, the risk was definitely worth it.
The end?