Thank you so much for all of your kind, helpful reviews, favorites, follows, and support! This is the final chapter of this journey. I really enjoyed going along on it with all of you! As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback.

I do not own Major Crimes or any of the fabulous characters. That honor belongs to James Duff and co. I just enjoy writing about them.

Chapter Four

Sharon stepped onto the patio as she softly closed the door behind her. When she took in the scene around her, she could feel some of her anxiety slipping away. The patio was alight with beautifully crafted string lights framing the space. The outdoor fireplace gave off a warm glow as the flames danced merrily. And the table was lit softly with tall candles rising above the carefully prepared meal that adorned the plates all set with perfect precision. At the end of this meticulously set table stood the man who made her heart beat with joy. The man she loved completely and wanted without question.

Andy pulled the chair out and motioned for her to join him. A small smile lit her face as she walked over and gladly sat down. He took the seat on the side next to her on the square table so they could be close. Silence hung between them, and Sharon distracted herself by figuring out how he had managed to pull all of this off. He had asked to leave early once the case was wrapped, but she had no idea he was planning all of this for her. And hopefully, for them. He reached over and took her hand in his.

"I've been doing a lot of thinking," he began as a way of breaking the silence. "And as difficult as this week has been, you were right," he concluded. Sharon could feel her heart speed up at his words. She wasn't sure where this was going, but it was starting to worry her.

"I was?" She asked carefully. He nodded.

"I needed to take some time to myself to really think about things. To figure out how to move forward with you in a way that honors both of us," he said. "Because, there was no way I was going to move forward without you," he assured her. She let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. The relief that flooded her caused tears to sting her eyes. She fought them back while nodding her head. It was all she could offer at the moment, words stuck in her throat.

"When I thought about what would be worse - being with you without ever getting married or not being with you with the potential to marry someone else - the decision was easy. I don't want anyone other than you, Sharon. And as much as I want to marry you, just being with you is enough for me. You're enough for me," he said thickly. Emotion threatened to consume him, but he fought it back. He needed to get this out, all of it. Sharon wiped at the tears that began to spill over to her cheeks. They were a mixture of relief, happiness, and love for this man sacrificing something important to him for her.

"Andy, I want to marry you, and I absolutely would if things were different. But they're not," she said sadly. He nodded.

"I know. That's what I realized, and knowing that, is good enough for me. And hey, we've been doing just fine without being married, so I don't think either of us has anything to worry about," he assured her.

"And you won't resent me?" She asked hesitantly. He shook his head.

"This was my decision. If I resent anyone it will be myself, but I won't. I'm at peace with our future. I'll be happy as long as I'm by your side," he replied. She leaned in and ghosted her lips over his.

"I love you, Andy. I don't want you to ever doubt that," she whispered against his lips. "Just because we're not married doesn't mean I'm not 100% committed to you and us," she added before his lips pressed more firmly against hers. She quickly caught up and kissed him back. Their lips moved together, the soft skin melding into something unbreakable. As they explored each other's inviting mouths and made up for lost time, Sharon allowed herself to get lost in this moment. Andy's hands tangled in her hair as hers slid up his chest and over his shoulders until she found the nape of his neck. The angle was awkward, but they made it work.

When they finally pulled apart, they were both smiling. Along with being exactly what they had each needed, the kiss also served to dispel the last of the anxiety and tension each had been carrying all week.

"I love you, Sharon. Completely and forever," he whispered. She placed a chaste kiss on his lips.

"So, I guess what we're saying here is that you're stuck with me, Buster," she said with a sweet laugh.

"Wouldn't want it any other way," he replied before reaching into his pocket. "And about that..."

Sharon watched as he pulled a velvet rectangular box from his suit pocket and placed it on the table between them. She stared at it a moment, hoping that the confusion that she felt wasn't manifesting itself on her face. Andy watched her, intrigued. Her features remained stoic, but he had a feeling she was a bit thrown by the sight in front of her.

"Andy, what is that?" she asked a bit breathless. He gave her one of his trademark grins.

"A compromise... I hope," he said optimistically, but there was caution in it as well. Sharon fingered the soft velvet inquisitively before grasping the box fully in her hands. She swallowed her concern and carefully opened the box. Andy watched as her eyes lit up as the contents were slowly revealed. Inside, Sharon found two rings that were clearly meant to go together. They were both platinum, and the one that was meant for her featured a deep green, rectangular-cut emerald with smaller diamond baguettes on each side. The second ring, clearly meant for Andy, was a platinum band with small emerald inlays. She stared at them with wonder for a few moments before she allowed her gaze to move upwards and meet Andy's. "I figured just because we won't be wearing wedding bands doesn't mean we can't have our own symbol of our commitment to each other," he said softly.

"They're beautiful," she managed to say finally. Andy was afraid he may have overstepped.

"That is, if you want to have our own," he added quickly. She nodded.

"I would love that," she assured him. He let out a sigh of relief and then gently took the box from her hands. He took the ring intended for her out of the box and slipped it onto her finger. Sharon's eyes swelled with unshed tears, caught off guard by her emotional reaction. Maybe it was just the positive turn of events after such a trying week or maybe it was the official commitment that they were promising to each other. She couldn't be sure, but she suspected it was both.

After Andy finished placing the ring on her finger, she reached into the box and removed his before repeating the action on his finger. There were no official vows, long aisle, or fancy wedding gown, but both understood that the weight of this moment and the promise it held to each other was just as significant.

Once they had finished dinner, they blew out the candles and shut off the fireplace, but left everything else for later. They hurriedly made their escape to their bedroom and then slowly undressed each other before engaging in a passionate, languid round of lovemaking. Their hands and bodies entwined together as they moved in a sensual rhythm that expressed exactly what each meant to the other. When they were both sated, they wrapped themselves together under the sheets and enjoyed the warmth and comfort they had forgone for the past week.

"So, you're really okay with this," Sharon asked suddenly, their hands threaded together so that their matching rings were touching.

"Oh, I'm more than okay with it," he assured her with a suggestive smile. She turned slightly and planted a kiss on his bare chest.

"I'm not talking about that," she scolded playfully. "I mean us. This. The fact that I will never be able to offer you anything more," she clarified. He rolled onto his side, forcing Sharon to do the same, so that they were facing each other.

"You are more than enough, and I can't wait to spend our future together playing with our grandchildren, traveling, and enjoying lazy days where we don't have to worry about anything but each other," he assured her. And it wasn't so much what he said, but the sincerity and honesty in which he said it that finally had Sharon feeling at peace.

This certainly wasn't the road Andy had pictured them traveling together, but suddenly the road no longer mattered. He would travel any road with her as long as it was traveled together.

THE END