Chapter 15

…

Sharon and Andy both had a hold of Casey's hand as they walked along the streets, in and out of bike shops. The came to a standstill outside Jakes Best Buy Bikes. Casey looking in the window, a big smile on her face before she looked up at Andy and Sharon. Sharon knelt down beside her, her arm around the little girls waist as her gaze followed Casey's.

"Which one are you looking at honey?"

"That one."

Sharon saw the bike she was pointing at, yellow with a sunflower on the basket.

"You like that one mm-mm?"

"Can I have it Sharon, can I?"

"I don't know, Andy…what do you think."

Andy smiled down at Casey before answering Sharon's question.

"I think it's perfect for your first bike. Why don't we go inside and have a proper look at it?"

"Lead the way Lieutenant."

As they made their way inside, the owner saw the couple and was immediately in their eye line.

"Afternoon folks, what can I do for you?"

"Hello, well….we're here to buy Casey her first bike." Sharon stated.

Jake knelt down in front of Casey who his a little behind Sharon.

"Hey Casey, so your first bike huh. Anything special you were looking for?"

"I want the yellow one in the window." she said shyly.

"The yellow one huh, well that one is a popular one with little girls, let me go get it for you and you can have a little test ride."

As Jake went over to the window to get the bike, Casey smiled up at Sharon.

"Is it hard?"

"Is what hard honey?"

"Riding a bike."

"Oh no sweetheart, it just takes time. I remember when I got my first bike. I fell off so many times."

"Did it hurt?"

"Well my father was always at my side to catch me, just in case."

"My daddy's not here."

Sharon cursed herself for her comment, looking to Andy for help.

"Casey, I know your daddy's not here, but we are…and we won't let you fall off, I promise. I'll stay right by your side, just like Sharon's daddy did for her, okay?"

"Okay." She grinned.

"Right little girl, here's your bike. You wanna get on and have a little go of it."

Sharon gave a sigh of relief when she saw the stabilisers on it.

"Oh, I never noticed the stabilisers on the bike. That's a relief."

"Most kids bikes come with them these days, it makes it easier to learn."

"It's a beautiful bike." Sharon smiled.

"What do you think Casey?"

"I like it." She smiled up at Andy.

"Is this a present for your granddaughter?" Jake asked.

"Oh, she's not our granddaughter." Sharon suddenly spoke up.

"Oh sorry, daughter. You like it Casey?" Jake asked.

"Can I have it." She asked, looking up at Sharon.

"Of course you can honey, how much will it be?"

"$100."

"That's fine, we'll take it."

"Great, do need a hand to the car with it or…"

"It's okay, we're just going to the park now to teach her?" Andy smiled.

"Great, I'll just ring it up."

Sharon was about to head over to the desk when Andy stopped her.

"I'll get it."

"Oh no, Andy I can't ask you to do that, you already bought the bed."

"I want too, my treat, besides…you'll be spending enough looking after her. Let me do this for you both."

"Fine, but this is the last time okay?"

"Deal, I'll be back in a minute."

Sharon knelt down as Casey was examining her bike.

"Do you like it honey."

"Yes, thank you Sharon."

Sharon felt Casey's small arms coming around her neck as she hugged her.

"Love you Sharon."

Sharon felt tears in her eyes when she heard those words from the little girl, Andy making his way back to them.

"Okay you two, let's go learn how to ride a bike then."

"Yaaaaay." Casey walked along beside her bike as Sharon and Andy left the store.

"You okay?" Andy asked her.

"Mm-mm…I'll tell you later." She smiled before kissing him.

…

Amy was still searching files, contacts, anything that could relate back to Casey.

"Sykes, any progress yet?"

"No Lieutenant, sorry."

"Well, just keep trying. Oh, the funeral is set for next Tuesday so if you want to contact the cousin and let him know."

"Great, I said we'd send someone to pick him up and take him home, I hope that was okay?"

"We're not a cab service you know."

"The man's dying Lieutenant?"

"Fine, fine. We'll send someone."

Andrea entered Major Crimes, a smile on her face as Provenza looked up.

"Ahhh Hobbs, what brings you by?"

"I'm here to take Amy to lunch."

"Amy?" He said, looking at the younger woman.

"Hey Andrea, give me two seconds and I'll be right with you."

Amy was just finishing the phone call to Tim Sanderson, informing him of the time and place of the funeral and that someone would be by to pick him up.

"So Hobbs, have you seen the Captain lately?"

"I went by the other night, they're doing fine."

"I still think she's mad."

"Well, it's her decision, isn't it?"

Provenza never said anything else, just rolled his eyes. Amy got up from her seat, grabbing her jacket before turning to Andrea and Provenza.

"So, where are you taking me?" Amy asked.

"There's a nice little bistro five blocks away that do great pasta, if that's okay with you?"

"Are you kidding, I'm starving."

"You look lovely by the way." Andrea added.

Provenza turned to Andrea, giving her an odd look after her statement.

"Thank you, you look wonderful yourself."

Before Provenza could say anything sarcastic, Andrea leaned in and kissed Amy, Provenza's eyes going wide.

"Won't be too long Lieutenant."

Andrea and Amy left the office, Buzz and the others looking on as Provenza turned to them.

"Tell me, I'm not the only one who saw that?" He said with shock in his voice.

….

Andy was by Casey's side, going up and down the path in the park as she rode her bike, small shrieks from her as Andy sped up.

"Go Casey." Sharon yelled out.

The little girl continued, down the path over and over again with Andy, laughter coming from her. After an hour, Andy and Casey came to a standstill , Sharon smiling down at them.

"Having fun?"

"I love my new bike." She stated.

"Well I'm very glad honey."

"Casey, why don't you have a go on your own, the bike won't fall over, just keep doing what I've shown you okay."

"Okay."

"Honey, don't go too far." Sharon yelled out.

"God, I need a seat." Andy stated.

They made their way over to the bench, as Casey rode up and down, past them, smiling every time.

"So, are you gonna tell me why you were looking sad at the bike shop?"

"It was nothing Andy."

"It wasn't nothing, come on, it's me….talk to me?"

"After she thanked us for the bike, she said she loved me."

"Oh, I see."

"I'm not the only one getting attached here Andy, she's only been with me a few days and already she…."

"Well it was always gonna happen, you knew that."

"Is it wrong of me to hope they don't find any relatives."

"Sharon?"

"I know…I'm sorry, its just that…I don't want to let her go Andy, I love that little girl."

"You never know, there's still a chance we won't find anyone."

"Do you think she should go to the funeral?"

"I think it's a lot for someone of Casey's age but, it's her mom, she deserves to have the chance to say goodbye. Don't worry, she'll have us there with her, she'll be fine….kids are resilient."

"I know I keep saying it but, thank you for being here. You're taking a lot of the pressure off."

"I'm happy to do it." He smiled.

"Sharon, come and ride with me." Casey called out.

"Coming sweetheart, duty calls."

Andy sat back, watching the woman he loved looking so relaxed in her new role.

…

To Be Continued…