A/N: Thank you so much for the positive response to this story. I really love every review and alert, they mean a lot.

XX

Andy really didn't know what to give Sam for his upcoming birthday. She wanted to give him something special and something that he really wanted. Every time she asked him what he wanted, his answer was pretty useless though. Every time he just looked at her shrugged and gave answers like: ''I don't need anything,'' or ''I've got everything I need already,'' or Andy's favorite one. ''I already got you, what else could I wish for McNally?''

That last one always ended with Sam wiggling his eyebrows and smirking like an idiot. Andy loved and hated it at the same time. His birthday was just a week away and she was frustrated.

''Sam,'' she whined. ''Seriously, just tell me something that you want. There has got to be SOMETHING, right?''

Andy was sitting on the couch while Sam was standing in the kitchen. Their place wasn't that big so they could easily hear each other. ''Nothing McNally.''

Andy appreciated the fact that Sam wasn't materialistic, but sometimes she wished he would give a hint about something. She really was lost for options. ''There is nothing you need?'' she asked. ''You can't think of one thing that would make you happy.''

Sam came walking into the living room with a grin on his face. ''There are a lot of things that make me happy,'' he stated.

Andy sighed and rolled her eyes. ''Yeah, I know,'' she answered.

''I was pretty happy with you last night,'' Sam said as he sat down next to Andy.

Andy threw the TV guide at Sam and groaned in frustration. ''Let's not do gifts anymore, okay?'' she begged. ''I don't get you anything. Then you don't need to get me anything either.''

''I think we both know that we will have a crisis if I don't get you anything.'' Sam shook his head and laid back down, resting his arm under his head. ''But I'll get you something even if you don't get me anything.''

''How about hockey tickets?'' Andy asked. ''You can take Oliver with you. Make a day of it.''

Sam smiled and pulled Andy towards him with his free hand. When she was sitting on his lap he pressed a kiss to her temple. ''Maple Leafs aren't playing right now,'' Sam replied. ''Just get me tickets when they start up again. That's a good idea.''

''I want to give it to you on your birthday,'' Andy complained.

''You can give it to me anytime you want.'' Sam's smirk grew and he tickled Andy's sides.

Andy slapped Sam's chest and got out of his lap. ''Get your mind out of the gutter Swarek,'' she warned. ''I am going to give you a present and you will like it.''

''I'm sure I will.'' Sam picked up the remote and flicked on the TV. While Andy took place behind the computer, he watched some TV.

Andy felt pathetic. She didn't even know what to give her own husband for his birthday. She was now googling 'What to buy for husbands birthday'. The tips she saw there were pretty useless. Sam already had everything he wanted.

Andy kept on googling and she was just about to give up when an ad popped up.

All of the sudden she knew exactly what Sam wanted. Andy snapped up and grinned. She needed to talk to her dad about a few things, but she was pretty sure this was a good idea. She googled a few more things and then she erased the computers history. She knew that Sam would never go snooping, but still.

''You thought of something, didn't you?'' Sam asked when Andy entered the room. Apparently she didn't look so frustrated anymore.

''Best idea, ever!'' Andy replied as she sat down next to Sam. ''I've got to take care of a few things, but I'm pretty sure this is something that I can arrange for you.''

Sam turned to Andy and kept his gaze on her all the time. ''Don't make it into a big thing, okay? No surprise parties and no major presents. I already told you that as long as you're here, I'm happy.''

''You haven't seen my present yet,'' Andy bragged. ''I know this is something you want. And you're going to love it, I promise.''

''If you say so,'' Sam agreed.

XX

The next week flew by and before they knew it, it was Sam's birthday. Andy snuck out of bed that morning and made sure that he was still asleep.

Slowly she walked downstairs and started to make some coffee. Five minutes after she woke up she heard someone tap the window. Andy smiled and quickly walked towards the door. ''Hey dad,'' she said when she opened it. ''Thank you so much for taking care of everything. I really wanted it to be a surprise for Sam.''

''Are you sure he's okay with this?'' Tommy asked slightly concerned. He knew his daughter could go a little overboard when she was enthusiastic. No matter how old she was, she would probably always have that quality. ''I think this is something you should have talked about.''

''I know Sam,'' Andy argued. ''Believe me, this is something he has wanted for a long time. I was the one that was a little reluctant about it. But if you're willing to help..''

Tommy nodded and gave Andy a one armed hug. ''Of course sweetheart. I told you that I actually like this idea.''

Andy smiled and told her dad to bring Sam's present to the basement. When she asked her dad if he wanted to have some coffee, he told her no. ''You go wake up Sam. I know you're dying to.''

A smile formed on Andy's lips as she nodded. She really was excited for today. She knew that Sam would be happy, even if some people thought that this was something that they should have talked about.

As soon as she had let her dad out, Andy sprinted back upstairs. When she reached her bedroom she threw herself on Sam. ''Happy birthday!'' she practically yelled. ''Your present is downstairs.''

''No breakfast in bed?'' Sam joked. ''I thought you were making me breakfast when you left bed this early?''

''You were awake?'' Andy asked disappointed.

Sam nodded and sat up. ''I was, but I didn't want to ruin it for you. So, my breakfast is downstairs?'' he asked next.

''Shut up,'' Andy warned. ''Your present is downstairs and we will have breakfast later. First you need to follow me.''

''I told you that you didn't have to get me anything,'' Sam said. ''You know that I would have been just as happy if we just made this a quiet day.''

''Quiet is boring,'' Andy argued. ''Now come on.'' Andy pulled Sam out of bed and followed him down the stairs. When they reached the living room Andy took a deep breath. ''Okay,'' she said. ''I need you to close your eyes and follow me into the basement.''

''You planning on torturing me McNally?'' Sam asked.

Andy rolled her eyes and crossed her arms across her chest. ''Just do it Sam.''

''Why can't I just walk downstairs like this, huh?'' Sam asked. ''Who cares if I see my presents two seconds sooner.''

Andy let out a groan and shook her head. ''Just do me this favor, okay? I really want to see your face when you see your present.''

Sam became a little suspicious and looked at his wife. ''You didn't go overboard, did you?'' he asked. He knew she was capable of hiding every employee of 15th division in their basement if it meant that he would be surprised.

''Sam,'' Andy shrieked. ''Just cover your eyes, take my hand and follow me downstairs.'' Andy was kind of surprised that they hadn't heard any evidence of her gift yet, but she was happy that she would get the full effect with this surprise.

With a smile on his face Sam decided that he should probably put Andy out of her misery. ''Okay,'' he told her. He put his hand in hers and covered his eyes with his other hand. ''Lead the way.''

''No peeking,'' Andy warned.

''I didn't turn six McNally,'' Sam said. ''I won't peek.''

Andy slowly guided Sam down to the basement and smiled when she saw what Sam was about to see. ''You can watch now,'' she told him. She watched as Sam removed his hand from his eyes. He blinked a few times and then his gaze settled on their new addition.

''What?'' Sam asked. ''Andy, what did do you?''

''I know I always said that I didn't want to get a dog before we started a family, but now things have changed and I changed my mind,'' she explained. She slowly took a few steps towards the small dog that was in the corner of their basement. ''I picked him out,'' Andy said. ''I wanted to let you pick, but then I went to get some information and they told me that this one here was abused by his previous owner.''

Andy looked sad as she slowly petted the dog between his ears. ''And you decided to safe him,'' Sam finished with a smile.

''I couldn't help myself,'' Andy apologised. ''And I knew that you would feel the same way.''

''I do,'' Sam agreed. ''It's a good call Andy. Most people want a happy energetic dog.''

''He is cute, right?'' Andy asked. ''I know you have wanted a dog ever since we got married. And he's still young, so I figured we could offer him a better life.''

Sam made his way towards his wife and their new dog. He crouched down next to Andy and sighed when the dog cringed a little. ''It's okay buddy,'' Sam whispered. ''Not going to hurt you.'' Sam softly petted the dog and turned to Andy. ''I love it,'' he told her.

''I figured you might.'' Andy smiled and turned her gaze back to the dog. ''It might take some time to make him trust us.''

''Everything worthwhile takes time,'' Sam answered. Andy looked up and nodded. That phrase had sort of became their mantra. They had needed a lot of time to get where they were now, but now it was the best thing that happened to both of them. ''We will make sure that he gets better.''

''The woman at the shelter told me that his previous owner was an old man. Apparently he did name him, but they don't know what his name was. Since he's so young it shouldn't be a problem to give him a new name.'' Andy sighed and scratched the dogs ears gently. ''I talked to my dad. He's willing to take care of him when we're both at work. This week we are either free together or we work opposite shifts, so we can get him settled.''

''You really thought this through, haven't you?'' Sam pressed a kiss to Andy's forehead. ''I love this, you sure you're okay with this?''

Andy nodded. ''I know I always said that I wanted to have more free time and that I wasn't sure about getting a dog. Now my dad will be helping though and I know it's something that you really want.''

''What do you want to name him?'' Sam asked.

''It's your present.'' Andy stood up and walked to the other side of the basement. ''I bought some stuff for him, but we should probably go out and buy a few other things for him together. I didn't want to make all the decisions by myself.''

''Boo,'' Sam said with a grin.

Andy shook her head and laughed. ''You were serious about that?'' she asked. ''I always thought you were joking.''

''Come on,'' Sam argued. ''It's original and it holds meaning.''

''It is,'' Andy agreed. ''Boo it is.''

Andy sat down next to the dog again. ''What do you say Boo? You ready to come to the living room with us?''

The dog was obviously terrified, so Sam softly lifted him into his arms and walked him upstairs. ''Was he in the basement all night?'' Sam asked. ''I didn't notice you going out to walk him.''

''He was with my dad,'' Andy explained. ''He came to bring him over this morning. I felt kind of bad to have him with someone else considering that he's so scared, but he really seems to like my dad.''

When Sam set down Boo on the living room floor, the dog quickly walked to another corner. ''What the hell did his previous owner do to him?'' Sam wondered.

''Apparently he got kicked a lot,'' Andy said with a sad face. ''The woman at the shelter said that he looks a lot healthier now than he did when he got there. Nobody wanted him though, because he's not exactly a happy dog.''

Sam shook his head. He didn't get why people would get an animal and then not take care of it properly. ''We will take care of him,'' he promised Andy. ''It will take some time, but he'll learn to trust us.''

''Happy birthday Sam,'' Andy said with a smile. She walked over to Sam and threw her arms over his neck. She kissed him softly and nudged his nose with hers. ''I'm glad you like it.''

Sam chuckled when he thought about how typical Andy it was to buy him a present that would cost them so much work. It was typical Andy to bring home a traumatised dog as a present for him. Because it was so typical her, he loved it.

He did always wanted a dog. Andy once wanted to make a compromise and suggested that they'd buy a cat. Sam was a dog person though. And now he had his dog.

They spent the biggest part of the day just the three of them. Sarah never went to the city, so she just called Sam to congratulate him. Oliver stopped by after shift to congratulate Sam on his birthday and Tommy came by to have coffee.

Not a lot of people knew that it was Sam's birthday. He didn't like attention, so he didn't mind that not a lot of people visited them for it. In the afternoon they took Boo to the park. The dog was really calm and stayed beside them during the entire walk. After the walk they went to buy Boo a dog basket, a blanket and some toys. All the other basics were covered by Andy. By the time that evening fell, Boo was back in his corner.

Andy looked at the dog and then turned to Sam. ''You don't hate me for not getting you a normal dog, right?'' Andy asked.

Sam glanced at the dog and shrugged his shoulders. ''It's a normal dog,'' he commented. ''He just needs a little time. Honestly I didn't expect anything else from you. I'm kind of surprised this didn't happen sooner.'' When Andy looked at Sam with a pout, he quickly corrected himself. ''I really love this Andy,'' he promised. ''Thank you.''

''I swear, if you would have been there you would have taken him home with you too,'' Andy said. ''He was looking so sad and he seemed to be afraid of the other dogs.''

''Probably,'' Sam agreed. ''Come on buddy, time for your walk.''

''Want me to come with you?'' Andy asked.

''You relax,'' Sam said. ''I'll take him for a long walk.''

''Already spoiling him,'' Andy said with a smile. She stood up and kissed Sam. ''I'll go shower then.''

When Sam returned from his walk with Boo, he couldn't find Andy downstairs. He walked to their bedroom and opened the door. ''Andy?'' he asked. He found his wife lying on the bed wearing nothing but lingerie and a red silk robe.

''I got you another present, just in case.'' Andy smiled seductively and got off from the bed. She walked towards Sam with a glass of champagne. ''Boo down for the night?''

Sam nodded and took the champagne from Andy. ''You look amazing,'' he praised her. He wrapped his arm around her waist and backed Andy up against the bed. He took her glass of champagne from her and put it on the nightstand.

''Yeah, you like it?'' Andy asked with a grin. ''Bought it for the occasion.''

''Like isn't the right word McNally,'' Sam answered. Then he shut her up by crashing their mouths together. Not much was said after that.

XX

Three weeks later Andy walked into the barn with a coffee in her hand. Boo was really settling in their home and already Andy was attached to the dog. She loved the moments where he would lie down next to her when she was on the couch.

Every loud noise still scared the dog, but he seemed to slowly understand that Sam and Andy weren't out to hurt him. His corner was still his favorite hang-out place though.

''Hey,'' Andy said to Traci as she passed her. ''How are you? I haven't seen you all week.''

''Good,'' Traci replied. She was now six months pregnant and really showing. ''Jack is driving me a little crazy though.''

''He's just worried Traci. You have done all of this before, but it's new for him.''

''I know,'' Traci answered. ''We went to a check up yesterday and my blood pressure was a little high. Now he wants me to take an early maternity leave. It wasn't even that high!''

Andy smiled and put her arm around Traci's shoulder. ''He's just worried. Remind him that you know your own body and that you will take it easy when you feel like that's necessary . If it wouldn't be safe to work, the doctor would have told you that.''

''Tell Jack that,'' Traci angrily said. ''He's so frustrating.''

Andy thought about Sam and how he would be if she was the one that was pregnant. She couldn't picture him any other way than overprotective too. She hated the fact that she would never experience everything that Traci was going through right now.

''God, sorry,'' Traci said. ''Here I am complaining when I have nothing to complain about. Baby is healthy, I'm healthy.''

''It's fine Trace,'' Andy promised. ''I get it. Just cut Jack some slack, okay? It's hard for him too.''

''I know,'' Traci replied. '"And I love him for caring, but sometimes I feel like he thinks I'm made of glass.'' Traci took her cup of tea and took a sip. ''You drink an extra coffee for me. I miss caffeine.''

Andy laughed and handed Traci a cup. ''Here, you can smell it as you bring this to your partner. Tell him I said hi.''

Andy's shift went by fast and by the time she left the locker room that evening, Sam was already waiting for her. ''Hey,'' Andy said. ''You done already too?''

''I was here at 6 a.m. McNally,'' Sam replied. ''If you don't mind I would like to take my wife home and walk my dog.''

''We need to pick up Boo,'' Andy interrupted him. ''I'll go pick him up and do some groceries, okay?''

''You just pick him up,'' Sam suggested. ''I'll do the groceries.''

''You sure?''

''Yeah, Boo doesn't like being stuck in the car.'' Sam quickly kissed Andy. ''I'll see you at home.''

Andy never got how Sam did it, but he was home before she was. Boo followed her from her car to the house in a lazy pace. When she reached the living room, the phone went off.

''Hello?'' Andy said. She paused for a moment and then answered. ''Yes, I'm Andy.''

Sam walked into the living room and silently asked who Andy was on the phone with. Andy held up her hand to silence him. ''Of course,'' she said. ''No, that would be great.'' Andy was silent for a while again and nodded. ''We will be there. We can move some things around, that's fine.''

Andy turned her gaze to Sam and smiled. ''Thank you so much. Bye.'' When she hung up she immediately walked to Sam. ''That was the adoption agency,'' she explained. ''They asked if we are interested in meeting a pregnant girl that's giving up her baby for adoption.''

''When?'' Sam asked, his heart beating a little faster immediately.

''It was a little short notice, because the appointment is tomorrow. I figured we could cancel whatever other things we had planned, this is more important, right?''

Sam nodded and smiled. ''Yes, of course,'' he replied.

''I mean, it doesn't mean anything yet.'' Andy really didn't want to get her hopes up. ''But this is a good sign, right?''

''It is,'' Sam agreed. ''Still, a lot of things can go wrong Andy. Please don't get too excited.'' Sam knew that Andy would be devastated if things didn't work out after getting her hopes up. He would hate to see her heart break again.

''I know,'' Andy said. ''I know that this technically doesn't mean anything. She's probably meeting a bunch of couples and sees who she clicks with best. I'm just excited that we got a call. We hadn't heard from the agency in a while.''

''Whatever happens, we can handle it,'' Sam promised.

Andy smiled and quickly kissed Sam on the cheek. ''I love you.'' She turned to Boo and crouched down. '"And I love you too,'' she quickly said. ''Come on boy, time for your walk.''

XX

A/N: Will things work out for Sam and Andy?
Please review!