More Than Luck
By: Kadi
Rated: M
Chapter 9
In spite of the drama they were faced with on Christmas Eve, the following day had gone surprisingly well. Breakfast ended up being brunch, due to not one, but three movies during the night. Presents were opened afterward, and there were plenty of goodies to be found. From the designer gifts from Gavin, to the jewelry Sharon had bought for Katie, and the new watch for Rusty. There had been video games and clothes, and a new Sig Sauer .45mm with night sites for Ricky. Sharon wanted him well armed if he insisted on being a cop.
The children had treated their mother equally as well, but while Katie and Ricky were occupied with cleaning up after brunch and gifts, Rusty had followed Sharon to give her the final gift of the day. A simple yes.
Dinner that evening remained a lighthearted affair, although the dessert that Flynn brought was a big hit. The evening was simple, but perfect. While the children were ensconced in Rusty's room playing video games, Sharon joined Andy in the living room for coffee.
"You seem to be doing better today." He set his coffee on the end table and drew her feet into his lap. She seemed tired, but happy.
"Hmm." Sharon relaxed into the side of the sofa and watched while his hand circled one legging covered ankle. It was a good thing, she reflected, that she had not worn a skirt. Otherwise they'd be in trouble soon, although that could happen anyway. "It was a good day," she said. "The night didn't turn out too bad either. We did okay. Stayed up entirely too late watching movies. Eye candy, as my daughter would say."
"Eye candy," he squinted at her. "Do I want to ask?" His thumbs moved over her heel to press into her arch.
"Probably not." She smiled. "Apparently my children are mollified by action oriented Christmas movies starring Bruce Willis."
"Ouch." He pretended to wince. "That's some heavy competition. I don't know how I'll ever compete."
"I don't know," she sighed as his thumbs pressed into a sensitive spot. "I think you're doing a very good job right now." She cradled her coffee mug in both hands and continued to watch him. "He said yes."
Andy's gaze was puzzled for a moment, then he realized she was talking about the adoption. "Did he? Huh. Wasn't expecting that so soon. Good for him. Guess the kid is finally figuring out what he's got."
"I hope so." Her smile turned slightly wistful and she glanced toward the hall. "I was hoping that they would be accepting, I didn't let myself dream it would go this well."
"Come on." Andy shook his head at her. "You were worried that the kids you raised wouldn't be accepting of the foster kid who hasn't had a decent break in his life? No way. I'm sure it won't always be smooth sailing, but they're doin' alright. All of 'em."
"Maybe I just needed to see it, and to hear that. It's not a situation you can just prepare for." Her eyes sparkled. "There are no rule books for this sort of thing."
"Must be painful for you." His fingers trailed along the bottom of her foot. She squirmed and he grinned. "Speaking of rules. I read the Pope's response this morning. Maybe it was a day for surprising outcomes."
Sharon groaned. "You didn't have to talk to him." She leaned over, putting her cup on the coffee table. "He called. He was not pleased. I had to sell my soul." She laid back with a sigh. "Then I had to promise to show my face at his New Years Eve gala." Sharon rolled her eyes. "He wants the squad, as many of them as I can get… although…" The wheels in her head were turning. "That's a big night for the city. I'd feel guilty pulling extra patrol officers for my own reasons when members of my own squad could be offered the opportunity to keep an eye on the very important material witness."
"Wicked, wicked woman," He chuckled. "You'll make Provenza go, of course."
"Oh, of course," she grinned. "My kids will be gone by then, so it will just be Rusty. Well," she amended, "if Katie isn't stuck due to the airport closings in New York. They're going to Utah this weekend to see my parents, but she may be returning if she can't fly home. So, I will leave it up to the squad whether or not they would be willing to… watch things here, or attend the Gala - baring of course any other plans."
"Of course." He grinned at her. "Might not make for a bad night. I could introduce the kid to a range of old movies. He'll like them I think."
Her eyes narrowed. "Oh no…"
"No?" He shrugged. "Too bad. I'm not much for video games. Not so great at chess either. Eh, I'll bring decent Italian takeout, the movies will be for me… No?" Sharon was shaking her head at him. "Lady, you're going to make it hard for us to volunteer if you don't like our brand of babysitting."
"Hmm…" She chuckled as she sat up and scooted closer to him. "Maybe, but you're not going to be babysitting."
"I'm hurt," his hands moved to her knees as she edged closer. "To think that you wouldn't consider me for an acceptable security sitter for your kid. I'm crushed. Really. That cut pretty deep, Captain."
"Oh, I just bet." She draped her legs over his lap and lifted her brows at him. "But I seem to remember members of my squad stating that I would have extra security of my own. It's going to be a very crowded event. Patrol would be pretty conspicuous."
"Oh I see," he nodded slowly. "So you want me to ask Provenza to be your date? I'm not sure I can do that. I'd do a lot of things for you, Sharon but that's going on the list as a definite no…" He laughed when she nudged his shoulder.
Her eyes narrowed. "Andy."
His grin was slow, and all mischief. "Oh, you mean you want me? I'll have to check my calendar. It's awful sudden, whatever shall I wear…"
"I should ask Julio," she lay back. "It would serve you right if he agreed. On second thought, I think I—"
Andy pulled her into his lap and settled her there. "I don't think so. I'll go. I'll even make nice. Do I get to guess where you'll be hiding your gun…"
She smacked his chest and started to get up, but he pulled her back down. "You are horrible."
"Yeah, but you knew that about me already. It's why you like me." He curled an arm around her waist and held her steady. She relaxed against him and he smiled. "Hi there."
"Hi." Her arms moved around his neck. "Are we insane?"
"That seems to be the general consensus," He shrugged. "Who knows?"
"It's just… with everything that's going on, Rusty, the trial, my divorce… now we're starting this. Is it really a good idea?"
"Is it ever?" Andy's lips pursed. "I don't know, I couldn't really tell ya Sharon. I know that I like being with you, I like having you right here," he indicated his arms. "I know that I'm going to worry about you, regardless, and I worry a little less when I'm with you. Somewhere along the way, I know that you became important. I can't say what that means, but hell, it's got to mean something. I get that you're a packaged deal, and pain in the ass though he can be, the kid is alright. What I can tell you is that, at my age, with my past, and my mistakes, being able to sit right here, with you, like this… seems like a hell of a good idea to me."
His words had a way of warming her all the way through. The smile that curved her lips was soft. She laid a hand against his cheek, while the other cupped the back of his neck, fingers playing in the salt and pepper strands that barely touched his collar. "When you put it like that, it seems completely foolish to worry at all," she murmured. Her lips moved across his jaw. "It means something," she said. "You are important to me, too. More than I thought I would be capable of again. I don't know where this is going, but I like it." Her lips curved against his. "I made some promises that certain things would never be witnessed again… unless I'm going to break those, you'd better let me up."
"You're fine, they're busy. And I told Rusty if he gave enough advanced notice we'd assume opposite sides of the sofa for the sake of his sanity." He slid a hand up her back, and the other settled against her hip while he held her cradled across his lap. He lay her back, against the arm of the sofa and let his hand slide up her ribcage. His mouth slanted over hers, and he delighted at the low, throaty sound she made. She had worn a long, cashmere tunic tonight. It was probably a smart idea, but he was aching to get his hands on her. Holding her would be enough, more than enough for now.
Two hours later when Rusty finally decided to brave the world outside his room, he made all the requisite warning sounds, including the loud clearing of his throat as he headed down the short hallway. "I'm heading to the kitchen… please don't be doing bad, scary things that will scar me for life." He had one hand over his eyes when he reached the living room and slowly lowered it. They weren't on the opposite ends of sofa that he had been promised, but they weren't exactly indecent either.
Rusty rolled his eyes and walked into the kitchen to get the drinks and snacks that he had come after. As he made the turn to go back to his room, he got a better look at them. They were stretched out along the sofa, with Sharon curled against Andy's chest. Both of them sound asleep.
Ricky and Katie looked up when he reentered the room. "We're going to want to bring the camp beds in here tonight." He made a face. "They're asleep."
"Thank god for that." Ricky shuddered.
"No kidding," Katie sighed.
"Yeah." Rusty dropped back into his seat.