Sam couldn't believe his luck. Andy had waited for him even when he hadn't waited for her. As her lips left his he promised himself that he wouldn't do anything to screw them up again. He was in it for the long haul and he wanted her to know that.
"Andy," Sam said as Andy broke their kiss. "I want this. I want us. All day. Every day. I want kids and parks on Sundays. I want Boo Radley. But most importantly, I want you."
"You want kids with me?" Andy asked.
"Yes," Sam said. "I want it all. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
"I want that too Sam, but how do I know you won't leave me when things get tough? Like with Jerry."
"I was in a really rough place after Jerry died. I blamed myself for not getting there in time. It's my fault. It's my fault," Sam faltered. Sam eyes quickly filled with tears as he tried to keep them in.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Sam. I shouldn't have brought him up. That's not fair."
"No," Sam said forcefully. "I want to talk about it. I want you to know how I felt, how I still feel."
"Ok," Andy whispered.
"Andy my whole world crashed when Jerry died. I blamed myself for not being able to save him. But I got over it. I've accepted his death and I know that he's in a better place now. But his death still haunts me. Because if that ever happened to you I wouldn't be able to breathe. You are my whole world Andy. I can't imagine living in a world without you. I've known that you were it for me since your first day on the job, when you tackled me and tried to kiss me."
Andy smiled as she remembered their first encounter.
"I couldn't protect Jerry. I couldn't save him. I broke up with you because I thought that if I wasn't close to you I wouldn't hurt if anything happened to you. But I was wrong. I hurt every day that I'm not with you. I don't know what will happen tomorrow or the next day on the job, but regardless, I want to spend it with you. Loving you for as much time as we're allowed is what I want. I love you Andy."
Andy paused a moment before she began to speak.
"You've always had a hard exterior. You never let people in. You never tell anyone what you're thinking and that drives me nuts. It drives me nuts to have to look at you and not know what's going on behind your beautiful brown eyes. But today, just now, you've shown me that you can let people in. You let me in Sam, and that means everything to me. It means that you trust me, and that you love me, and that we can give this a shot. I love you Sam. I want to be with you, forever."
"I want forever too, McNally."
"Knock, knock." Andy nearly jumped as Ollie and Frank entered the room.
"Sammy! You're awake. Good to see you brother." Oliver said.
"Hey Ollie." Sam said. He had gained some strength since his heart to heart with McNally. "Hey McNally, can you go get the doctor? I'm feeling a lot better."
"Sure Sam. Be right back."
Five minutes later Andy was back with the doctor. The doctor said that everything looked good and that Sam could go home in a few days, as long as he had someone to care for him. Andy jumped right in.
"I'll be taking care of him. Don't worry Doctor. He won't be alone for a minute."
"Andy you can't do that. You have to go to work."
At this point Frank stepped in. "McNally, consider yourself off duty until Sammy here is back at work. I mean it. I don't want you back at work until Swarek is cleared to come back. You can have the time off to take care of him, as long as that is what he wants."
Everyone looked down at Sam, awaiting his response.
"Oh yes, I'd like that very much."
"So it's settled," Andy said thrilled. "I'll stay with you every day until you're better."
Frank and Oliver shared a look. Without a word they both knew that the entire division was going to be in for a wild ride once Sam and McNally got back to work.
Hey guys! Thanks for all the reviews. I can't wait to write more. I'm sorry it's so short, but just know that I'm always writing more. Please continue reviewing!