Sam can tell she is nervous, but he hopes the talk he has planned will make her day.
The waiter takes their order and Sam takes both of Andy's hands. "Sam, you're worrying me. Are you sure everything is ok?" "Yes. Please just let me talk and then you can say whatever you want at the end. You know how hard it is for me to express my feelings, so please let me get it all out while I can." Andy smiles and nods. This is going to be interesting.
"Andy I meant what I said the day I said I love you. I didn't just tell you that because you were holding a grenade. It just took you being in serious danger for the words to spill out. The day you told me, I wanted to tell you back, but then you said I didn't have to and I couldn't get the words to come out. I saw the grenade and I panicked. Everything I had wanted to say came out of my mouth without me even thinking through what I was saying. I saw your life flash before my eyes and I knew I wanted everything with you. I was scared I wasn't going to get the chance to have that future with you. I saw life without you and I wanted to die too. If that grenade had gone off, I was going with you because I couldn't live without you. I meant that I wanted to show you every day how much I loved you. When you left I was crushed. I thought we were done for good. Ask Traci or Ollie. I mopped around the station for weeks hoping it was all a dream and you would just come back. When you called and said you needed help, my first instinct was to protect you any way possible. I'll be the first to admit I made a mistake with Marlo. I should have never been with her, but I honestly thought we were done. I was trying to move on; she was just my rebound. It sounds bad, but she meant nothing to me; she was just a friend from the academy that happened to appear when I needed a friend.
"Sam please…" "Andy, no. I've got to finish. I know it's all jumbled but this is what's coming to my brain at the moment. You wanted in, so I'm letting you in." Andy nods. This is the most he has ever said to her, and she would listen to him for hours if it meant he opened up to her.
"Andy, I'm sorry, more sorry then you will ever know. I screwed up last time, me and me alone. I never should have pushed you away, but I was hurting. I couldn't let myself imagine going through what Traci was if something ever happened to me. Oh heaven forbid, me being in Traci's shoes. These past few weeks have been amazing. Having you around again feels right. It is how I've always imagined my life since you tackled me. My future is with you. You are the only one I want to have kids with, to go to the park on Sundays with, to have a dog with. It's always been you, Andy, always been you."
He could see the tears glistening in her eyes. Why is it I always make her cry! "Andy, baby, please don't cry. I didn't mean to make you cry. But I do want this second chance with you. I want you to permanently move in with me as soon as you're ready. We can redecorate the house, get a new couch and bed, buy a new place, live at your place, whatever it will take to make you comfortable. I just want to be together with you. "
Andy can't seem to stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks. She's just so happy. She has waited so long for this and finally, finally, they are getting somewhere! The waiter brings the food, and Sam sees her wipe the tears from her eyes. Surprisingly she was quite the entire time, but she still hasn't said a word. "Andy, please, say something. Please tell me I haven't screwed up completely." Andy giggles then. Sam knows that's a good sign and she will say something once she has processed everything he said. He starts eating while he waits for her to speak.
"Sam, it's always been you. I told you in the ambulance you were my story. You were the one to make me happy. You loved me the most. It's always been you. I only dated Nick because you were with Marlo and I thought you were done with me. I never loved Nick like I love you! He was nothing more than a good friend and a good uncover partner. I called you for help because you are always there when it matters. I couldn't think of anyone else I'd want protecting me in that situation; not even Nick. I do want to live you. I'd move in permanently tomorrow if you would let me. We don't have to redecorate anything in your house. It has always felt like my home and I love it just the way it is. Mainly because you're there. I'm done running away. You are all I want."
Sam smiles; this time they were going to make it. They were going to be together forever. Now he just needed to talk to Nash about that surprise he had planned.
6 months later:
"Traci! Come on! Why does this whole thing have to be such a big secret?" "Because that's the way it is," Traci said with a smirk. Traci, Chloe, and Gail had whipped her away after shift before she even got to tell Sam bye. Traci was dead set on making sure she left Sam breathless tonight. Andy had no idea what the big fuss was about. She just wanted to see Sam. Traci had done her make-up, Gail had done her hair, and Chloe had made her get in this fancy dress with heels. Chloe and Gail had left like half an hour ago saying they had somewhere to be. Traci had taken several pictures of her, and still Andy was clueless. She had no idea what Sam was doing tonight, but it better be worth it because she hated heels! Traci looks at her watch for probably the hundredth time. "Ok, Andy let's go."
Traci drives her around the city for like thirty minutes. "Trace! Seriously! What is the big deal?!" "Nope you are not getting it out of me McNally! You'll just have to wait and see yourself. Besides we're here!" "Traci where are we. It looks like an abandoned alley. Definitely not fancy enough for heels." "Oh stop grumbling and get out already. I'll see you later tonight." Andy couldn't believe Traci was just putting her out, but she did as she was told and started walking down the alley.
As she walked she noticed lights hanging above her head between the buildings. The further she walked the brighter it got and she could hear soft music playing. When she reached an intersection, there was a table with candles and dinner. Sam stepped out from around a corner. "Sam," she breathed. "What is all this?" "Dinner, McNally, just dinner." She knew he was up to something but she would play along, I mean she didn't get this dressed up for nothing! Sam holds her chair out and they eat. Dinner was fabulous. She had no idea where he had gotten it from, but it was going on their favorites list for sure. After dinner, Sam turned the music up some and asked her to dance. Well that is unusual. Sam never dances! But she went along with it because what they heck he was being so romantic tonight.
As they were dancing Sam moves to blindfold her. "Sam? What are you doing?" she practically screeched. "Andy, do you trust me?" "Of course, but…" "No buts, just shhhh. Enjoy this." He kissed her lips. They had stopped dancing but Andy had no idea what he was doing. She could feel him moving around, and the music got softer. "Ok, Andy, remove the blindfold." She reaches up to pull it down and turns her head towards Sam's voice. When she can see again, she sees him down on one knee holding a box with a ring. She can already feel tears and he hasn't said one word yet!
"Andy, this is the first place we ever met when an overeager rookie tackled me in this alley. She was stubborn and determined and her eyes made me melt. She became my rookie, my partner, my confidante, my person to lean on, and my best friend. I realized I started falling for her when she tackled me. Every day I fell more in love with her as we rode around in the squad car. She had a tendency to find trouble, and when she traded places with a little girl holding a grenade, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of forever with her. Over the years we hurt each other, and I can't say we won't ever do it again, but I can promise to always stay and fight it out, to always let her in. I want to spend the rest of my life with her, have kids with her, visit parks on Sunday and get a dog, all with her. My rookie, my Andy. So what do you say? Andrea McNally will you be my wife?"
Andy had tears pouring down her cheeks. That was the sweetest proposal she had ever heard. He has literally left her speechless for once so she just nods at him. He stands up and pulls her into a kiss. He slips the beautiful single solitaire onto her finger and kisses her again. He picks her up and swings around in circles with her continuing to kiss her breathless. It's then she hears clapping. Sam puts her down and pulls her close as their friends step out of hiding. She sees Oliver, Celery, Traci, Steve, Gail, Nick, Chris, Dov, Chloe, Frank, Noelle, and baby Olivia. She can see all the girls are crying as well. The guys give their congratulations. After hugs Ollie speaks up; "It's about time Swarek." The others offer their agreements and hugs are exchanged once more. As the others leave she kisses Sam some more.
Nothing could take away from her happiness. She was finally going to be Mrs. Sam Swarek.
A/N: So I hoped you liked the story. I will be posting the Epilogue tomorrow. I took a break from homework to type out this chapter, and I will do the same tomorrow. I know chapters 8, 9, and 10 lean towards being A/U because who are we kidding? I don't think the writers will have this play out in S5, but who knows. This is just how I want it go. Please let me know what you think. It'll all be complete tomorrow!