Hello Dear Readers! Sorry for the long period between chapters. Life and writers block are to blame. Please enjoy this update : )
Life cannot be planned. It is a simple fact which dates back as far as to the first few days of creation. Adam and Eve planned to spend their entire lives in total bliss in the Garden of Eden. Well, we all know that 'life plan' did not go as well as expected. Life in a way is a constant entity with a sea of unexpected twists or turns swirling all around. Sooner or later one of those twist or turns will get hold and play havoc with your 'life plan'. I have a feeling this is why the phrase 'Time for Plan B' was coined.
The Following Monday Morning
Chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter…
"Ahhhhhhhh! How can one diamond ring cause so much chatter? She hasn't hushed up all morning. Even Price will stop and take a breath now and then! Maybe the ring and pregnancy combination is causing all this chatter? Wait! Gail's pregnant and we just announced our engagement. Does this mean she will morph into the same state soon? Will they both turn into chatter boxes for the next eight months? Ahhhhhhhhh! How did I get myself into this situation?" Nick thought as he and his partner patrolled the streets of Toronto.
"Nick!"
"NICK! Are you listening?" Andy questioned.
"Yes! I'm listening."
"Okay, then what did I say?"
"Um…..you want me to stop at the next 'Tim Horton's' we see so you can use the washroom?"
"Oh! You were listening….."
"Good guess Collins, nice save."
"I always listen. It's part of why I'm such a great PARTNER!" Nick replied with a huge grin on his face.
"Pffffff"
"We're coming up to a 'Tim's' shortly. I'll stop AGAIN!"
"Hmmmmm…I think you're making fun of me!"
"Absolutely NOT! I would never do such a thing….."
"Hmmmmm…"
"It sounds like you and Swarek have everything all planned out."
"You WERE LISTENING!"
Nick glanced over at his partner and smiled.
"Not really…but I just spent the week-end listening to Gail and her mother plan out the next two years of my life. I figured somewhere in all that chatter of yours this morning you were telling me all your plans."
"We DO! Sam and I are chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter…."
Nick smiled and shook his head at his partner as he drove their squad car through the streets of 'Cabbagetown'.
"ANDY!"
Chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter….
"ANDY!"
"Yes…."
"Sorry to interrupt but, there's a Tim's coming up." Nick said a few minutes later as he approached a quiet intersection.
CRASH, BANG, CRUNCH, SCREECH, BANG
"This is car….1509…officers…..officers…downnn…office…do….." Nick said into his mic on his uniform before losing consciousness.
"All available units…OFFICERS DOWN! Repeat! OFFICERS DOWN! GSP indicates unit 1509 is on Winchester St. east of Parliament and sensors show air bags have deployed. Officers are not responding to requests from dispatch. Repeat OFFICERS DOWN!"
"This is unit 1505 responding."
"This is unit 1504 responding."
"This is unit 1507 responding."
"This is unit…"
"Quick get her gun!
"Damn! It's on the other side of her belt….I can't reach…."
"Who wears their gun on the left side? Quick! The sirens are getting closer…"
"I can't get to it…the cars too mangled!"
"There here…RUN!"
Two Hours Later
Sam ran down the hallway of St. Mike's hospital towards the doors of the operating department.
"WHOA! WHOA! SAM!" Oliver shouted as he jumped in front of his friend and stopped him from barging into the operating rooms.
"WHERE IS SHE?"
"She just went into surgery, Sam"
"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?"
"I NEED TO SEE HER!"
"SAM! Calm down! You can't go in there…you go barging in there and you will get yourself kicked out of the hospital. That will not help McNally."
Sam stared at his friend and nodded.
"I can't lose her Ollie…I can't do it again…."
"NO! Don't even think it Sam! LOOK AT ME! Don't think IT!"
Sam watched his friend and comrade a moment and then nodded.
"Okay…WHAT…what do you know?"
"About McNally and Collins not much. We know they are both in surgery at the moment. No! I don't know how serious or severe their injuries are or when they will be out of surgery. I'm sure the doctors will come and speak to the families as soon as they have something to report."
"I didn't even think of Collins. I just heard Andy, car crash, hospital and…."
"Sam, I know. It's normal. Okay!"
"Price found me at the crime scene I was investigating and told me Andy was in a car crash. I couldn't think of anything except Andy. Price couldn't get me here fast enough. I think I yelled at her a couple of times."
"You DID! I forgive you though, and next time can you PLEASE wait until I have brought the car to a COMPLETE stop and parked before jumping out and taking off?" Price replied as she approached Sam and Oliver.
"Oh Boy!" Thought Oliver.
Sam nodded.
"Is um, is Peck here?"
"Nash arrived with her a few moments ago. She's in the waiting room crying. Nash is trying to calm her down." Oliver replied.
Sam nodded.
"Look Sam! Why don't the three of us go join them and wait for news?"
Sam nodded.
"What do we know about the crash?" Sam asked as the trio began walking down the hall towards the surgical floor waiting area.
"We still have units at the scene. The last I heard detectives from Guns and Gangs are taking over the investigation."
"Guns and Gangs! Why? I thought it was a car crash?"
"I don't know Sam." Oliver replied.
"Does this have something to do with Andy and Nick's undercover op?"
"Sam! I don't know. All I know is a couple of Guns and Gangs detectives are at the scene and are taking over the investigation. LOOK! Right now you need to concern yourself with Andy and Collins. Let the rest of us deal with the police work."
Sam nodded.
"As soon as they know something they'll brief us and Andy and Nick's families."
"Tommy…Clare…I.."
"Relax Sam! Frank sent units to get both of them along with Detective, Chief Inspector and Superintendent Peck. They should all be arriving shortly."
Four Hours Later
"What is taking so long? Collins has been out of surgery for an hour now." Sam whispered to Oliver.
Two doctors in scrubs walked through the surgical department doors towards the waiting room full of cops and family members.
"I'm looking for the family of Officer Andrea McNally."
Sam, Clare, Tommy and Frank stood up and walked over.
Somehow over the last couple of years Tommy and Clare managed to come to a civil arrangement with each other. Something which Sam was grateful for as it was one less thing he needed to concern himself with at the moment.
"I'm Dr. River. I'm a general surgeon."
"My fiancé, is pregnant?" Sam sputtered out.
"Yes, I know. She regained consciousness in the ambulance and was able to tell the paramedics"
Tommy, Clare and Frank looked at each other stunned as none were aware of Andy's pregnancy.
"How is Andy and our baby?" Sam asked.
"Your fiancé is still in surgery. Officer McNally suffered a number of injuries. A dislocated rib bone punctured her right kidney during the crash. I repaired the damage to her kidney and Dr. Metcalf, one of our orthopedic surgeons, placed the rib back into place. He is with her now repairing both her broken right wrist and ankle. Dr. Wagner, one of our OB / GYN's is assisting. This is Dr. Patel, one of our plastic surgeons. She sutured a number of lacerations Officer McNally received. She will be returning to the OR to aid Dr. Metcalf shortly. Both Dr. Metcalf and Dr. Wagner will come and speak to you once Officer McNally is in post op. She is stable and the baby has a good strong steady heartbeat. Her bullet proof vest, the seat belt she was wearing and the air bags saved her life. This could have been much worse."
'How much longer will my daughter be in surgery?" Tommy asked.
"I'm estimating three more hours Sir."
Dr. Wagner saw the distress on Sam's face and watched as the detective's hands bunched into fists.
"Please stay calm. She is receiving the very best of care. These things take time. You'll be notified you as soon as she is in recovery. One of you, at that point, can sit with her."
Sam nodded.
"Please take a seat." Dr. River said before he and Dr. Patel turned and headed back into the surgical department.
Three and a Half Hours Later
Nick was eventually moved from the recovery department to a room within the trauma department of the forth floor. Gail came to speak to Sam a moment before Elaine Peck and the rest of the Peck Clan ushered her away to the 4th floor to sit with Nick.
Surprisingly Superintendent Peck seemed thrilled about her only daughter's engagement and the arrival of her first grandchild. It seemed to bring out an unusual motherly instinct in the woman. Unusual in the respect that it was a quality she never displayed in the past, not even towards her own children. These new-found emotions, for some reason, genuinely extended to include her future son-in-law.
"Here! Drink! Eat!" Said Oliver as he handed Sam a coffee and a large chocolate chip cookie.
"Oliver, I…."
"Look! Sammy! When was the last time you drank or ate anything? Drink some coffee! Have a bite of cookie! You need to keep your strength up for Andy. This has been a long day and I have a feeling it will be an even longer night. Eat! Drink!"
Sam nodded in defeat and took a sip of his coffee.
"What's taking so long? Where's Frank? Does he know anything about the crash?"
"The doctor said he ESTIMATED it would be another three hours. It has only been three hours and forty-five minutes. I'm sure someone will come and talk to us soon. I saw Frank while I was buying us the coffee and cookies. He was heading into a hospital meeting room to speak to a couple of detectives from Guns and Gangs. We will probably get an update soon."
"I hate this waiting game. A few hours ago the most urgent thing on my mind was…"
"Was what Sam?"
"Was to remember to pick up dog food for Sheena…I…Sheena…I, nobody…"
"Sammy relax! PRICE!" Oliver motioned to the young officer.
"Is Sheena at your house?"
Sam nodded.
"Price! I need you to go over to Sammy's house and walk, water and feed Sheena. Give me your phone a minute." Oliver said.
"Sammy! Give Price your keys to your house and the code to your security system." Oliver said as he punched Sam's phone number and address into Price's phone.
"Okay! Problem solved!" Oliver stated as the two watched Price head towards the elevators.
Sam was about to reply when two doctors wearing scrubs walked through the Operating Department doors.
"I'm looking for the family of Officer McNally."
For the second time within a few hours Tommy, Clare and Sam stood up and approached a man in scrubs. Frank was walking down the hallway and arrived just in time to join the conversation.
"I'm Dr. Metcalf. I'm an Orthopedic Surgeon. This is Dr. Wagner. He is one of our OB / GYN specialists and assisted during Officer McNally's surgery. I know Dr. River has already spoken to you about the surgery to her kidney. Do you have any further questions concerning that aspect of her injuries? NO! Then I'll discuss her other injuries. Officer McNally has five cracked ribs on her right side. They should heal fine on their own. My only concern, at the moment, with the ribs is her developing a lung or breathing problem such as pneumonia. I am calling in a respiratory specialist to consult. The damage done to her right wrist was extensive but, I did repair everything. She does have pins holding her wrist together, but I'm hoping to remove them in a few days. I believe with time and physiotherapy she will regain full function of her wrist. Her right fibula leg bone fractured near the ankle. Fortunately, the two sections of the bone separated cleanly and I easily realigned the two sections. It should heal perfectly in time. She has some internal bruising, but nothing that we feel is of concern or will not heal on its own. She did suffer a number of external cuts and bruises. Other than a gash on her forehead she did not experience any head trauma. Dr. Patel, who I believe you met earlier, looked after all her cuts. We will watch her closely for the next 24 to 48 hours. Are there any questions?"
"What about our baby?" Sam asked.
"I will let Dr. Wagner answer your question."
"Your baby, at the moment, is fine. There is a good strong even heartbeat and Officer McNally is not experiencing any contractions or vaginal bleeding. Like Dr. Metcalf, I will be monitoring both Officer McNally and the baby closely over the next 24 to 48 hours."
"When can we see her?" Tommy asked.
"She has just been moved to recovery. Once we have her comfortable a nurse will come out to escort one of you back at a time. I'm sorry. We have rules. We can only allow one family member back at a time.
Everyone just nodded.
Tommy was the only blood relative listed on Andy's contact list. Sam was listed but as he and Andy were not married the 'stickler for the rules' nurse would not allow Sam into recovery and even questioned Clare's relationship. Tommy went back to sit for a time and was able to speak to a charge nurse. She allowed Tommy to switch with either Clare or Sam. As much as it pained Sam he offered Clare the next visit. She gratefully accepted and went back for 15 minutes. She emerged and told Sam to sit for as long as he wished. Andy would be transferred to a floor shortly and they would all be allowed to sit with her there quietly.
Sam silently placed a kiss on Andy's forehead before taking a seat on the stool on the left side of Andy's bed and taking hold of her hand.
"Andy…It's me Sam. I'm here." Sam choked.
"You're in the hospital. I don't know if anyone has told you but, our baby is fine and Collins is doing well. No over thinking anything, okay! You rest and heal. I'm right here, beside you."
Two hours later the doctors moved Andy upstairs to a room on the same floor as Nick.
Ten hours later Andy woke to Sam's very tired but smiling face.
The next morning Guns and Gangs Detectives came to take Andy and Nick's statements. Nick's injuries were not as extensive. Besides the surgery to remove a piece of mangled car metal that was piercing his left side below his vest (which fortunately missed hitting any internal organs) he suffered a dislocated left shoulder, three cracked ribs and a broken left ankle. Nick was awake and coherent when the detectives arrived and was able to give his statement easily. Obtaining Andy's statement proved more difficult. The first time the detectives arrived she was asleep and there was no way Sam was about to let them wake her up. The second and third time Andy began to cry uncontrollably and the interview had to end abruptly. Finally Sam picked up his phone and called the last person in the world he thought would ever call without an order from his superiors.
"Hello!"
"Hi! Um…Lena…doctor…um…this is Detective Sam Swarek. I…I…I need you to come to….I need your help…well my fiancé needs your help…she is Officer McNally…"
"Okay! Sam! Take a deep breath. Good! Now what is the issue?"
"My fiancé is Officer Andy McNally. She was one of the officers injured in the car crash yesterday. She's in St. Mike's hospital on the fourth floor. The detectives from Guns and Gangs investigating the crash keep trying to get her statement but, each time she starts crying uncontrollably. We need to get her statement. From what I can tell there is a lot more to this crash than just a simple traffic accident."
Three hours later Dr. Lena Swanson, Police Therapist, arrived at Andy's hospital room. An hour later, with Lena by her side, Andy managed to give her statement.
Due to patient – doctor confidentiality laws Lena was not allowed to tell Sam anything Andy discussed during their session but, she did reassure Sam that what Andy was experiencing was normal following a traumatic event such as a car crash.
"She will be fine Sam. She doesn't know how to handle the flood of emotions she is feeling. She is dealing with a lot different feelings at the moment and they're being compounded by all the hormones flowing through her system due to her pregnancy. Give her a few days. She'll talk to you. In the meantime, I'm going to speak to her doctors and arrange to come see her again in a couple of days."
"Thanks Doc.!" Sam said as he nodded.
"Relax Sam! She'll be fine. I'll be back in a couple of days."
Two days later the detectives were back at the hospital to give Andy and Nick an update. It turned out the accident was gang related but not, in any way, connected to Project Dakota.
"The crash was the brilliant 'brain child' of four underage male youths trying to complete a gang initiation assignment." Detective Atkins said.
"They needed to steal the guns from two police officers and bring them back to their leader. The youths figured out that the cops from 15th division drive their squad cars along Winchester St. and park near Parliament before visiting the Tim's restaurant at the corner. Together the four of them stole a couple of cars and parked them at opposite ends of Dermott Pl. where it intersects with Winchester St. One of the young guys stood at the corner of Dermott Pl. and Winchester St. and watched for a cop car to drive along Winchester St. When he spotted Nick and Andy's squad car he sent a text to his friends in the stolen cars. They pulled the cars out on Dermott Pl., sped up and purposely crashed into both sides of the squad car. They figured the cops inside would be incapacitated and they could grab their guns and run. Fortunately Officer Collins was able to get a message out to dispatch before losing consciousness and squad cars in the area arrived on scene within seconds. Officers Epstein and Cruz took chase and were able to apprehend two of the suspects. It didn't take long for both suspects to co-operate. As soon as we charged them with the attempted murder of two police officers they both started chirping non-stop."
"We think we will have this case wrapped up within the next couple of days."
"The crash had nothing to do with your undercover work. Your identities have not been compromised."
The relief on Andy, Nick, Sam, Gail, the Peck Family, Tommy and Clare's faces was clear to both detectives.
Two Weeks Later
Nick slowly limped down the hall of the fourth floor of St. Mike's Hospital towards his partner's room.
"Hey partner! How are you?"
"Oh my Gosh! Nick! You're out of the wheelchair! You're walking!" Andy exclaimed with a smile as she sat up in her wheelchair.
"Yea! Thank God for small miracles. If it wasn't for my shoulder I could have used crutches a few days ago but…. At my appointment today in the fracture clinic the doctor said my cast could come off and be replaced with a removable orthopedic walking boot. Voila!" Nick replied as he pulled the leg of his grey track pants up to show his boot clearly.
"Looks good! How is staying with the Pecks"
"Fine I guess but, I would really like to go home to the apartment Now that I have a boot, I think in a couple of days, I'll try to convince them to let me move back home.
"Okay! She may sound fine, but I know Andy. Her eyes don't have the usual sparkling light behind them and she's slumping her shoulders. She is not alright! Something has been going on in that pretty head of hers ever since the accident."
"How are you Andy? Any idea when they will let you out of the hospital?"
"The doctors came by yesterday. They think they can release me in another week. It depends how well I do over the next few days. I developed a bladder infection two days ago."
"I thought it was a lung infection they worried you would develop. The same as with me cause of the cracked ribs we both suffered."
"They were but, I guess… I'm tired of being in here Nick. I'm tired of not being mobile. I can't use crutches cause of my broken wrist so I need to use a wheel chair all the time. I can't get in or out of the chair on my own. I have to wait every morning for a nurse to help. I tried four days ago to get out of bed and into the chair on my own to use the washroom and fell."
"Yea…that's my partner. Miss Independent! Not good Andy!"
"I know. I got in trouble with the nurses, my doctors and then Sam found out."
"Well then I won't give you heck."
"Nick, thank-you…" Andy said with a small smile.
"There it is. A flash of sparkling light in those big brown eyes…and now it's gone!"
"There is one bright side to all of this. You have plenty of time to fine tune all those baby and wedding plans you were talking about before the accident."
Andy nodded slightly. "Yea! I guess."
"Okay! That did not help at all. Definitely something going on in that pretty little head of hers."
"Do you know if you have any appointments today with physio or the fracture clinic?" Nick asked.
"Hmmmm?"
"Do you know if you have any appointments today with physio or the fracture clinic?
"I don't know." Andy replied with a shrug of her shoulders. "The nurse didn't say anything earlier."
"I was just thinking. If we were both injured at the same time and if I qualified for a boot today then maybe you will too."
"Ohhhh…that would be so nice. I could walk and get some exercise outside of the physio department. Maybe I could even…."
"Even what?"
"It doesn't matter."
"Sure it does…what would you like to do? C'mon! A penny for your thoughts."
"I'd…l'd…I'd like to have an afternoon pass to go out for a while."
"Where would you like to go?"
"I'd…I'd…it doesn't matter."
"Sure it does."
"Nick…have you and…never mind."
"You okay Andy?"
"Yea, just tired of being in this place."
"Okay! You know I'll always give you a penny for your thoughts?"
Andy nodded.
"Something is definitely going on in that pretty little head of yours partner. I'll figure it out."
"I have to leave you. My appointment with the physio department is in fifteen minutes and if I don't leave now I won't make it in time. I'm happy with being out of the wheelchair but, I am slow walking with this boot."
Andy nodded.
"I have physio every other day. I'll come by to see you ahead of time." Nick said as he slowly stood up from the chair he was sitting in.
"Thanks Nick."
Nick slowly limped to the doorway of Andy's hospital room. Just before leaving the room he turned to Andy, "You need me you call. I don't care if it is morning, afternoon or the middle of the night."
Andy nodded.
Nick began limping his way down the hallway of the fourth floor towards the nurse's station and elevators just as Sam arrived on the floor.
'Hey Collins! You're up and walking."
"Yea! I was at my appointment with the fracture clinic earlier. The doctor said my cast could come off and be replaced with this removable walking boot. I'm trying to adjust to walking with it on. I just dropped by to visit Andy for a few minutes. I'm on my way to physio now."
"How did Andy seem to you?" Sam asked.
"To be honest, I thought she seemed a little down."
"I know. Something is going on in her head. She gets close to telling me what's on her mind but then….."
"She backs off."
"Yea! I want to take some time off work to spend with her but I can't now. I've got four active cases on my desk at the moment and the Dubois murder case goes to court in two days. I'm testifying which means I have to sit in the court room. I'm thinking of asking Lena to come see her again. I'm hoping I'll have time to visit her in the evenings during the trial. I haven't a clue what to do with Sheena over the next few days."
Nick gave a hint of a smile as an idea formulated in his head.
"I know how I'm going to get you to talk everything out partner." Nick thought.
"I could take Sheena during the day. She knows me and I am mobile now. Plus, I'm planning to move back to my apartment in a day or two. It'll be good for me to have Sheena. She'll force me to walk which the doctors want me to do."
Sam studied Nick a moment.
"Okay! I'll drop her off at eight in the mornings and pick her up sometime in the evenings starting Wednesday."
Three Days Later
Nick hobbled down the hallway of the fourth floor of St. Mike's hospital with a laptop satchel and an insulated cooler hanging off his shoulder.
"Hey partner! How are you today?"
"Nick! I wasn't expecting you today. I thought you had physio every other day."
"It is every other day but, I thought you could use some cheering up, and as you know I am a great PARTNER! Actually I'm the G.I. Joe of partners but, who's here to question my title." Nick said smiling as he set the laptop satchel and cooler down on the foot of Andy's bed.
"What's all this?" Andy asked as she stood up from the chair in her room.
"Hey! You're standing! You got a boot!"
"Yea! They took the cast off yesterday and fitted me with a boot. I started physio this morning."
"You're dressed too!"
"I asked Traci to drop by my place and bring me a couple of outfits. I'm so tired of the hospital gowns. She brought me yoga pants and t's. She thought they would be easy to put on and comfortable."
"You look a lot better today Andy." Nick replied as he began to unpack the laptop.
"What's all this?" Andy asked again.
"It's a surprise….it will take me a couple of minutes to set up."
"Actually, before you do would you help me get back on the bed. My leg is starting to ache. I think I need to put it up."
"Sure!" Nick replied as he tried his best to give Andy a hand.
Five minutes later Nick placed both his cooler bag and opened 'powering up' laptop on Andy's hospital tray table.
"Okay Partner, scoot over a bit. We have matching orthopedic boots and apparently matching aches. I need to put my leg up."
Andy smiled as she slid over to make a spot for Nick.
Once they were both sitting comfortably side by side Nick pulled the hospital tray across the bed and opened the cooler as his laptop finished 'powering up'. From inside the cooler he pulled out an ice cream sundae size container with 'Edible Arts Cakery' emblazoned across the outside and a waffle cone. With a plastic disposable scoop he began to make Andy an ice-cream cone.
"There you go…one scope of chocolate and one scope of pralines and cream."
"You went to Frenchman's Bay and got me an ice-cream cone?" Andy said with a hint of both excitement and amazement.
"I got one for myself as well." Nick replied as he made himself a cone with one scope of mocha and one scope of apple cinnamon ice cream.
"How's your cone?"
"Mmmmm…It's delicious!" Andy replied between licks of her favorite dessert.
"Are you nice and comfy?" Nick asked as he wiggled his butt settling himself into place.
"Yea, I am actually."
"Good! Now I can start the movie."
"Movie?"
"Yea! Ice-cream and a show. Collins-McNally style." Nick replied with a smile as he hit a couple of buttons on his laptop.
Andy watched as Nick's face appeared on the screen.
"Okay! I think I'm all set up. Andy! Hi! As you know we were both in a car accident recently while on the job. While I managed to get myself released from the hospital a few days ago I'm afraid you're still stuck in medical jail. Well, my friend and I have decided to spend the day making you a movie to cheer you up. Say hello to your 'Mommy'"
Andy watched as the camera panned over to Sheena.
"Ohhhhhh...Sheena!" Andy exclaimed as she brushed her hand across the screen of the laptop.
Nick smiled as he glanced over at his partner.
"Keep watching!"
Andy continued to watch the screen.
"Say hello to 'Mommy' Sheena!" Nick could be heard saying as Sheena cocked her head to the side and stared into the camera with a confused look. "C'mon girl! Say hello to 'Mommy'!" A moment later Sheena's face took over the entire screen as she moved towards the camera and started to sniff the lens.
"Woof! Woof!"
"Good girl! Okay! Now go and get your leash girl. We are going out."
"Woof! Woof!"
The camera remained on Sheena as she walked over to the entranceway of Nick's apartment, picked her leash up in her mouth and brought it over to Nick.
"Good girl!" Nick replied as he set the camera down. A moment later he appeared in front of the lens and could be seen hooking Sheena's leash on her collar.
"Fortunately, I have an orthopedic boot cast on my left leg and foot. Fortunate in that I don't use my left foot to drive. I use my right foot. Which means Andy…I can drive. Sheena and I are going on an excursion today and we are taking you along with us. Okay! So we are going to sign off here for a few minutes and will pick up again when we are in my SUV."
"Hey Andy! Okay so this is Sheena and I recording from my SUV." Nick said into the lens as he placed the camera on the dashboard camera holder in his vehicle.
"As you can see, Sheena is in the back seat safely hooked up to her doggy seat belt. Which reminds me…I have to put mine on as well."
"Okay! It looks like we are ready so here we go!"
Andy watched the screen as Nick started the engine to his SUV and drove out of the parking lot and into traffic.
"Sheena and I will be driving for around 30 minutes. We are going to sign off here and pick up again when we get close to our destination. Sheena! Say something to the camera…c'mon girl!"
"Woof! Woof!"
"Alright Sheena! That's my girl. I think I may have taught her a new trick. She knows how to respond when I tell her to say something into the camera."
"Okay partner. This is Nick and Sheena signing off."
Andy watched as Nick reached over and turned off the camera.
A second later Nick and Sheena once again appeared on the screen.
"This is the Nick and Sheena great excursion show with Andy along for the ride in the virtual sense…we think? Okay! We are on the 401 travelling east of Toronto and are about to get off at our Liverpool Rd. exit. Give us a moment and when we get off the highway and come to a stop sign we'll turn the camera around on the dashboard and you can watch as we come up to our destination. Sheena! Are you getting excited? We're almost there girl! Okay! We are off the highway and coming to a red light. I'm going to turn the camera around partner so you can watch out the front window with us."
Andy watched smiling as Liverpool Rd. came into view.
A few minutes later Nick pulled into a parking space at Frenchman's Bay, turned off the SUV's engine and turned the camera back on himself and Sheena.
'Hi Andy! We'll as you can see we have reached our destination. Hold on a minute and enjoy that ice-cream you're eating. Sheena and I will be right back." Nick said as he turned off the camera.
A couple of seconds later Nick's face appeared in the camera.
"Hi Partner! As you can see we are down on the boardwalk strolling along. It's a beautiful fall day down here. Just look at those fluffy white clouds in that blue sky, the crystal clear water of the lake and the red, yellow, orange, brown and green fall colours of the trees." Nick said as he panned the camera around Frenchman's Bay.
"I wish you were down here with us! Sheena and I are enjoying our adventure but, it's really not the same without you. Okay! Here we are at our favorite bench." Nick said as he placed the camera down on the bench and pointed the lens upwards slightly so Andy could see him as he set everything up.
First Nick pulled out a camera tripod from his knapsack and set it up and connected the camera to the top. Then he unhooked Sheena's leash.
"We're the only ones down here so I think it is okay to let Sheena off of her leash. Sheena! Do you want to go find a stick? Go find a stick!"
Andy watched the screen smiling as Sheena's ears perked up before running down to the beach in search of a play toy.
A couple of minutes later Sheena came running up to Nick with a piece of driftwood in her mouth.
"Good girl! Let me have it! C'mon! Let me have it!" Nick said as he play wrestled the stick out of Sheena's grasp.
"I can't really run with you today but I think I can still play fetch. I'll sit on this bench and throw the stick. You go fetch and bring it back. That sound like a good game Sheena?"
"Are you watching partner? You're going to like this part. Okay Sheena! Go fetch!" Nick said as he throw the stick down the on the beach.
Sheena took off after her treasure.
"That's a girl! Give me the stick! C'mon! Good girl! Want me to throw it again?"
"Woof! Woof!"
"Okay! Go get it!"
Andy smiled at the screen and watched as Nick and Sheena played fetch a few more times.
"Okay girl! Let's take a break!"
"Here you go!" Nick said as he took a bowl, a bottle of water and a bag full of dog biscuits out of his knapsack and set Sheena up.
"Okay partner! We are at Frenchman's Bay, sitting on our favorite bench and I have….a roast beef sandwich and a salad." Nick said into the camera as he pulled out his lunch from his knapsack.
"Now I'm going to adjust the camera so you can see Sheena and I sitting here but, you can look out on the lake as well. It'll be as if you are sitting here with us."
Nick took a bite of his sandwich, swallowed and then turned to the camera. "A penny for your thoughts?"
Andy stared at the screen.
"I can't take you down to Frenchman's Bay so I brought Frenchman's Bay to you." Nick said.
A small tear rolled down Andy's cheek.
Nick reached over to her nightstand and pulled a tissue out of the Kleenex box and wiped away the tear.
"A penny for your thoughts? I know something is going on in that pretty little head of yours Andy."
Andy nodded slightly.
"Focus on the view on the screen. We're at Frenchman's Bay sitting on our favorite bench, eating lunch and staring out at the water. Talk to me!"
"I…I…I spent the week-end before the accident…Sam asked me to marry him on the Friday. I told him about the baby. He wanted to get married right away but,...but…I…um…I…"
"You wanted to wait till after the baby was born."
"I thought people would point their finger at me and think Sam only married me because I was pregnant. I thought if we waited till the baby was a few months old…maybe…then…I thought…."
"You thought people would flow with the idea that Sam married you because he loves you, not because you were pregnant."
Andy nodded as a tear dripped down her cheek.
Nick once again wiped it away.
"Look at the screen Andy. We're at Frenchman's Bay overlooking the water. Talk to me."
"Plus I've always wanted a traditional wedding with a beautiful white dress, tuxedos, flowers…"
"The whole nine yards."
"Yea…" Andy replied with a small smile.
"Sam…he agreed to wait…I spent the week-end planning the next two years of our lives….everything….where to live…what to do with the condo…the theme for the nursery…"
"Believe me Andy, I know."
"How did you know?"
"I spent that same week-end listening to Gail and her mother plan out the next two years of my life. And…well…the next Monday morning, before the accident, you chattered on and on about all your plans, ideas, hopes…"
"Was I that bad?"
"Just a little." Nick said with a smile.
Andy stared at the screen of Nick's laptop.
"My dad told me they wouldn't let Sam in to see me because he wasn't a blood relative even though he's listed as one of my emergency contacts. Dad said he talked to the head nurse who made arrangements for Sam to sit with me."
"Gail told me the only reason why they let her sit with me was because there wasn't anyone else. She was the closest to a blood relative present at the time."
"The accident changed everything, Nick. I no longer care what people think. I don't care if we have a traditional wedding. I want Sam and me to marry as soon as possible. I don't want either of us blocked from the other because we don't have a piece of paper that says we're married. What if something happens to me during childbirth? I don't want Sam to have problems when it comes to making decisions or the custody of our child."
"Then tell Sam how you feel. I see the way he looks at you Andy. Sam is hopelessly in love with you. You said he wanted to get married as soon as possible three weeks ago."
Andy nodded.
"Well I can guarantee he still wants to get married as soon as possible. Tell him when he comes to visit you later today."
Andy smiled as she nodded.
"What about you and Gail?"
"Gail told me three days ago she wants us to get married as soon as possible."
Andy smiled at her partner.
"Nick! Will…will…will…you be there with me…I mean at the wedding?"
"Of course I'll be at your wedding. Nothing will keep me away partner."
"No…I mean will you be my 'Master of Honor'?"
Nick smiled. "Don't you want Nash or Gail to stand up with you?"
"It traditionally is the bride's best friend. You're my best friend Nick. I want you there standing beside me."
"I'm humbled. Yes! I'll act as your 'Master of Honor'.
"Are you going to talk to Sam?"
Andy nodded as she looked at the screen once again.
"There is still something going on in that pretty little head of yours. I can tell. A penny for your thoughts?"
"I…I thought I…I don't…I wanted to keep…to keep…working the…."
"You wanted to keep working the streets until you were past your first trimester of the pregnancy!"
"I wanted Gail to take desk duty as soon as I found out about her pregnancy. She said she was fine and wanted to wait. Her mother agreed. I guess it's what Elaine Peck did back in the day."
"I'm sorry Nick."
"Don't be sorry Andy! Gail has already started desk duty."
"I'm going to miss us as partners Nick."
"We'll still work together. It will just be different. You'll do all my desk duty research." Nick said with a smile. "It will be fine."
"Thank-you Nick." Andy said as she placed her hand in Nicks and entwined their fingers.
"The next chapter in Sheena and my movie is about to start. Will we watch while we finish our ice-cream cones?"
"Yes!" Andy replied as the partners once again focused on the screen of Nick's laptop neither noticing the shadow outside Andy's hospital room slip away.
Nick looked into the lens of the camera. "Well I've finished my lunch and as you can see Sheena has finished her biscuits and water. I estimate enough time has passed that you have told me what is going on in that head of yours Andy. So Sheena and I are going to pack up and make our way back to my SUV."
Andy watched as Nick packed everything up and hook Sheena's leash back on her collar.
"Okay! We have one more stop to make and then it is back to the city and movie editing. We are going to sign off here but, don't fret. Sheena and I will be back momentarily."
Andy watched as the screen faded to darkness for a moment before once again coming alive with Nick and Sheena inside Nick's vehicle.
"So we're parked outside 'Edible Arts Cakery'. Unfortunately they have a sign in their window which quit clearly says 'No Pets'. That means Sheena has to stay in the SUV while I go in to buy ice-cream and cones. Okay Sheena! I'll be back in a few minutes. You keep protect the car."
Nick took the camera and entered the store. The next couple of scenes were Nick talking to the store attendant and placing his order. Back in the car Nick and Sheena completed their video by saying their farewells to Andy. The last scene was the video camera facing the back of Nick's SUV watching Frenchman's Bay fade into the distance.
Andy stared at the dark screen for a few seconds as tears slowly trickled down her cheeks. Nick dabbed her eyes and cheeks with a Kleenex.
"Thank-you! For this…for all of this."
"You're welcome partner. Talk to Sam."
"I will…I promise."
Nick stayed a few more minutes before packing up.
"I have physio tomorrow morning. I'll stop by to visit afterwards for a while." Nick said as he placed a small kiss on Andy's forehead.
Andy nodded and smiled.
As Nick hobbled out of Andy's room he saw Sam exit an elevator carrying a couple of cups of coffee from one of the hospital coffee carts and some magazines.
"Hi Collins! How you feeling?"
"I'm good, good. I was just visiting with Andy. I left Sheena at my apartment. I was going to head home now and take her for a walk."
"I'll come pick her up later. Court was gruelling today. I just want to sit with Andy for a couple of hours."
"Take your time. Something tells me Andy's ready to talk."
Sam smiled. "You're a good friend to her Nick. I'll call you before I head over to pick up Sheena for the night."
As Nick nodded and said good-bye to Sam he caught a glimpse of the one of the magazines Sam was holding. As he walked away he smiled to himself.
"Someone was eavesdropping."
Andy's face lit up as soon as Sam walked in the room.
"Hi Princess! Look at you…dressed!" Sam said as he handed her the magazines and placed the coffees down on the nightstand.
"Sam…Wedding Bells, Real Weddings, Todays Bride…these are all…"
"Wedding magazines! I want to get married Andy. As soon as possible. I know you wanted to wait but, I want us to marry..."
"YES! YES! YES! YES!"
Sam smiled. "I know you want a traditional white dress wedding and I promise you I will give you one. I want us to marry as soon as possible, then a year later, on the same date, we have a proper wedding. You'll have your dream wedding Andy. I don't want to deal with this next of kin nonsense ever again."
Tears began to stream down Andy's face as Sam wrapped her in his arms.
Four Weeks Later
Tommy McNally walked his only daughter down the aisle of the small chapel at the Old Mill Inn as the fifteen guests rose to their feet. Sam and Traci spent the last month working tirelessly to put together the venue and Tommy had to admit they had made everything perfect for his little girl. Andy wore a loose, form-fitting spaghetti strapped knee-length white silk dress with a two-inch white ruffle around the hem. She wore a string of white pearls around her neck she borrowed from her mother and a pair of tear drop white pearl and gold earrings her father's friend Amy bought her as a birthday gift a few months past. Her hair was swept up in an elegant do to incorporate a small crystal encrusted tiara with a mid-back length veil. A pair of simple classic two-inch high-heeled white leather shoes completed the ensemble. A week before the wedding her doctors removed the cast on her wrist and told her she no longer needed to wear the boot on her leg. In her hands she carried a bouquet of red and white sweetheart roses.
At the front of the church stood Sam wearing a black tuxedo with his best man Oliver Shaw wearing a new black suit. Nick stood on the bride's side wearing a new Armani black suit. He bought the suit special for Andy's wedding but, Gail loved him in it so much she decided it was his future wedding suit as well as his 'Master of Honor' suit.
A few moments later, before quietly taking his seat in the front pew, Tommy gave his daughter's hand in marriage to Sam Swarek. As the ceremony concluded the sun came streaming through the chapel stained glass windows and enveloped the newlyweds in a cone of sunlight. Tommy sat silently, holding his friend Amy's hand, as a small tear trickled down his cheek.
Four Hours Later
Sam stood on the sidelines of the Inn's restaurant dance floor and watched as Nick danced a slower beat song with Andy. The entire day had gone perfectly as planned. The ceremony was beautiful, he knew the photos would turn out amazing, the dinner served to the small gathering in one of the private dining rooms off of the Inn's restaurant was incredible and the speeches given were well written and from the heart. Sam couldn't be happier.
"I'm going to have to get use to introducing you as Officer Swarek." Nick said with a smile as he swayed to the music with Andy on the dance floor.
Andy smiled. "I have a feeling I'll hear Officer McNally still for a while from a few people. Gail will probably have the same problem when you two get married in a couple of weeks."
"Yea…that's true. She's thinking of going by Peck-Collins while at work to try to help distinguish between the two of us. Makes sense, at least with you and Sam there is now an Officer Swarek and a Detective Swarek. With Gail and me there will be two Officer Collins. It will help if she hyphens her name at work."
"It's a good solution."
"Has Sam told you where you are going for a Honeymoon?"
"Four days at a resort in the Bahamas. We leave tomorrow afternoon."
'You are going to have a great time."
"Thank-you Nick! For everything over the last few weeks."
"You're welcome partner. I have to still give you your wedding gift."
"I thought you and Gail gave us the gift certificate to William Ashley?"
"We did but, I have a gift just for you."
"Nick….that gift certificate was more than generous."
"You start back at work in a week."
"I do…permanent desk duty for the next seven months. Then maternity leave for eight months."
"I asked Frank to keep our shifts matching and….to put us together for two days a week on desk duty."
"Nick…."
"What! You and Gail are both on permanent desk duty. You don't think I'm going to let 'my girls' have all the fun?"
"Nick…I don't know what to say….except thank-you." Andy said as tears threatened to well up in her eyes.
"No crying…we're on the dance floor having fun."
Andy smiled.
Gail came up beside Sam and watched Nick dance with Andy.
"They're very close…"
Sam turned his head and looked at Gail a moment before focusing his attention back to Andy and Nick.
"They are…"
"Do you ever wonder…do you…?"
"No!"
Gail looked at Sam a moment deep in thought.
Sam glanced at her a moment.
"I know how he looks at you Peck. He's in love with you. It's written all over his face. It's in his body language. His look and stance is different when it comes to Andy. She's the same when it comes to him and me."
A smile slowly spread across Gail's face
"They're best friends."
"Thank-you. Detective!"
Sam smiled as he offered Gail his arm. "Would you care to have this dance? We could go over and cut in after this song."
Gail took Sam's arm and allowed him to lead her on the dance floor.
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