Thank you for all the amazing reviews! I so appreciate them! We've come to the last chapter. I hope you enjoy. This chapter is set the next December. Looking for new story ideas now...

"You'll never guess who I saw at the grocery store?" he said as he walked in, bags in both hands. Rusty looked up from his place on the couch, waved, and looked back toward his computer where he was studying for a final, and Sharon called out from the kitchen.

"I certainly hope it's not a suspect like you saw that one time at the store. Andy, it's probably a good thing we'll be moving soon if you keep running into old suspects around the area," Sharon chuckled as Andy put the grocery bags down on the countertop.

Sharon was working at the stove, mixing a sauce, when Andy walked up behind her, "Smells good," he grinned as she wound his arms around her waist and placed a kiss to her head.

Sharon half turned in greeting, "Hi," she smiled brightly at him and leaned up to kiss him. He returned the kiss.

"I can hear that!" they heard from the living room, and both Andy and Sharon started chuckling. Andy reached over Sharon's shoulder and dipped his finger in the sauce, lifting it to taste it," Yup, tasty," he grinned, "You'd think an Italian taught you to cook like that."

Sharon pushed him back so she could turn around, "Thank you for picking up the noodles on your way over. I can't believe I was totally out of them," she shook her head.

"No problem," Andy smiled, "but, now you owe me big for whom I had to talk to at the store."

"Oh yes," Sharon grinned, "what suspect did you see this time?"

Andy shook his head, "Not a suspect. Might have been a victim if I had to get involved with him awhile ago."

At his cryptic description, Rusty had even stopped studying and was leaning back to see and hear Sharon and Andy's discussion, "Hey Andy, who'd you see?" Rusty asked.

"Oh, I ran into Graham," he rolled his eyes as he snagged a carrot out of the salad bowl. "Yeah, delightful conversation. Guy asked me if I lived in the area. I just told him I was moving soon. Turns out he's a new resident just down the street," Andy smirked.

Rusty broke out laughing, "Ahh, another dig at Sharon on Graham. Good one, Andy," he chuckled and turned back to his studying.

Sharon rolled her eyes, "Stop! Both of you. He's a nice man. I know I created that mess, but look where we all are now," she smiled brightly, eyes twinkling.

"Umm, I'm not sure I'm so excited about everything," Rusty teased. "If Graham is to blame, as I'll call it for this year's developments, well, then I want to punch the guy."

"Rusty!" Sharon scolded him, while Andy laughed, "Rusty, be nice," she said pointing the wooden spoon at him.

"What?" Rusty called out, "If you say he's the reason, Sharon, then no thanks. I have to move soon, and we get him," he gestured at Andy, "permanently," he made an icky face, all in jest.

"Such a comedian," Andy mumbled, eating another carrot. "I didn't hear you complaining about the garage apartment that is a tad bigger than your current bedroom, now did I? Who do you think is financing all of this? Daddy Warbucks? Oh no, you're living in the lap of luxury-garage apartment, college paid for, and Santa told me a new car has been picked out."

"What!" Rusty jumped up and over the couch, much to Sharon's disgust, "I can get that car?"

Andy and Sharon glanced at each other and chuckled. Sharon walked up behind Andy, "You know, Andy, I think you were right. The old Volvo can be fixed yet again," she teased.

Andy nodded, "True, but that was a really nice little four-door silver sedan with a sunroof you saw Sharon," he shrugged. "Oh well."

Rusty actually begged, "Oh please, I take it back. Graham can be called a saint if he's brought us all here. I need a car! Sorry, Sharon, but the Volvo is dying."

Sharon couldn't keep it up anymore," Rusty, Andy already took care of it. He negotiated a god deal. We can pick it up this weekend."

Rusty looked at Andy, "For real?"

Andy patted Rusty, "Yup, see, not so bad having me around," he winked toward Sharon.

"Wait," Rusty stopped and looked at the two of them again, "Andy negotiated the deal? Sharon, I thought you were the master negotiator. You're slipping, letting Andy do the negotiating," he gave them a sly smile, baiting them.

Sharon rolled her eyes at Andy, and he winked at her. Andy turned to face Rusty, "Murder suspects cringe when they have to deal with your mother's negotiation skills. That is true. Car salesman cringe with mine," Andy smiled smugly.

Sharon swatted at him while Rusty groaned, "Rusty, Andy likes to deal with car salesmen; I don't," as she smiled warmly at Andy.

Rusty could tell that look; Sharon wanted to kiss Andy, so he moved back to the couch quickly. Sharon and Andy smiled at each other, and she did kiss him quickly as she walked back to the stove.

"I can still hear that," they heard from the living room.

"Then put on headphones!" Andy shouted as he walked up behind Sharon and kissed her cheek. He put his hands on her waist, and she patted them, "So, if he complains about hearing us kiss, what do you think he'd do if I told him what we were up to on that couch a few nights ago?" he whispered.

Sharon fought back a laugh and patted his arm again, "Just think, we close in another month on the house," she grinned, "and we'll all be under one roof all the time. Tell me, what did Graham-what's that name you and the team called him-Graham Cracker-what did you two talk about?"

Andy stepped back to give Sharon some room and leaned against the cabinets, "Oh, not much. I didn't mention you at all. Thought it might be a bit awkward, but we may see him at the ballet again."

Sharon turned; she had moved to the sink where she was draining pasta, "Oh, where the little 'mishap' began?" she looked at him with an apologetic shrug.

Andy rolled his eyes and ate another carrot out of the salad bowl, "Yeah, the one in the same. He asked if I was going to the boys' production, which I told him I was. I didn't tell him we were together, partly because he said I could meet his fiancé there."

Sharon turned with her mouth open, "Really? He said that? Well, I can't say I'm surprised."

Andy shrugged, "Yeah, so when he said that, well, it would have been a bit awkward to bring up you."

Sharon nodded and gestured for Andy to grab the salad. The two worked easily without having to say anything, to get the food on the table.

"Rusty, dinner's ready," Andy called to him, and the three sat. They said grace before they ate, and Sharon picked up the conversation.

"So, did you find out about this mystery lady?" she asked.

Andy finished chewing and replied, "Just that her name is Connie, and apparently, she lives nearby."

"Well, sounds like one of the first great reasons to move," Rusty added.

"You two again, stop," Sharon scolded them, "He was a nice man. Yes, a little odd, and yes, just looking for a spouse, but nice still. He just wasn't for me," Sharon grinned and grabbed Andy's hand.

"Oh, please don't get all mushy," Rusty complained, "and Sharon, you're one to talk."

The three chuckled and ate in silence for a few minutes.

"Oh Rusty, don't worry. I'm sure you'll get to meet him at the ballet," Sharon winked at Andy as she took another bite.

Rusty suddenly looked up, "What? I have to go?"

Andy smiled brightly at him, "Of course. You're part of the family, and as a family, we all support each other. Plus, the boys begged for you to come."

Rusty groaned, "Great. Can't wait. How did I get so lucky?"

Andy just nodded, "Rusty, I ask myself that every day," and winked at Sharon. There evening continued as many prior to that had.

Sharon didn't know she was being watched, but she was. It was almost time for the ballet to start, and a set of eyes had been watching Sharon since she'd been spotted.

He was a bit surprised to see her again, but again, he knew she and Nicole's family were close. She looked good, Graham had to admit. He thought back over the year, and while he had a great thing going with Sharon, well, it didn't compare to what he had with Connie. So, Graham had to admit, maybe Sharon had done the right thing. He just hoped she wasn't regretting her decision to stop seeing him.

As he continued to watch Sharon, he saw her walk up to the row where Nicole and Dean were already. Both stood and walked over to hug her, all of them smiling and laughing. He noticed a young man with Sharon, whom he guessed was her son, "Ricky? Rusty?" He remembered because they were "y" names. So, she'd brought Rusty with her, her date to see Nicole and Dean's kids. He shook his head; that was a strange friendship. As Graham watched a little more, he saw the group take their seats. That is when he was intrigued. Sharon left a seat between herself and Nicole. Graham shook his head, "Ahhh," he thought, "Andy Flynn." Yes, that helped the mystery. Where was that guy? He must be running late from work, but as Graham had that thought, he shook his head. Couldn't be right; Andy worked with Sharon, and she was here. Well, maybe he was in the lobby.

As Graham studied Sharon, who was laughing and chatting with Nicole and Rusty, he caught sight of Andy walking down the aisle toward the group. Graham nodded to himself, noting Andy was here. Andy put his hand on the kid's back, and Sharon's son looked up at him. Andy flipped car keys in the air toward the kid, and the kid caught them, to which he watched Andy pat him on the back. Andy then moved past the kid, and that's when Graham almost jumped out of his seat. As Andy worked his way past Sharon, he watched Sharon look up, smile brightly, and pat Andy on the arm as he leaned down and kissed her. Graham couldn't believe it. Sharon? She looked happy, and she was being openly affectionate. She hadn't looked at him like that at all, and she had frozen when he'd tried to kiss her. Andy hadn't mentioned this at all when he ran into him at the grocery store. Neither Nicole nor Dean had said anything at work either.

As Graham continued to watch the scene unfold in front of him, he saw Andy step over Sharon's seat to get to his own. Andy leaned down and kissed Nicole's cheek and shook Dean's hand before settling in his own seat. When he did, Graham saw Sharon twist to face Andy. It looked like she was talking to Nicole. Then, he noticed it. Her hand went to Andy's shoulder as she spoke, her left hand. Graham was sure of what he saw. She had on an engagement ring. Bright, shiny, and sparkling in the theater lights. Yes, she appeared to be engaged to Andy Flynn. So much for saying she wasn't ready for that in her life. Well, Graham had found Connie. He settled back, waiting for his daughter and Connie to return from the backstage area so they could all watch the ballet.

Graham enjoyed watching his granddaughter in the ballet. She was adorable, and she was becoming a good dancer. He'd also been able to pick out Nicole and Dean's boys, and they too, had done a great job. Once the ballet ended, Graham decided to say hello to everyone, as well as to introduce them to Connie.

As Graham walked up to the group, he could tell they were laughing about something.

"Graham, hi!" Nicole beamed as he walked up. Nicole and Dean still worked for Graham, and they liked him quite a bit. Both said he was a good boss. They had been told all about the "mishap" as Sharon kept calling it, and Nicole and Dean, while knowing the anguish it caused Andy, found the situation quite funny. They could say that now, seeing as how things had all worked out.

At the mention of his name, Sharon and Andy both turned toward him. They were holding hands and had been laughing about something.

"Sharon, Andy, hello" Graham nodded to them, "Everyone, I would like you to meet my fiancé, Connie."

Connie was introduced, and she was nothing at all like Sharon had been. Connie was short, gray hair, and she wore almost no makeup. They spoke with her for a few moments, and it seemed like she was a very kind woman.

"Connie, you know I work with Dean and Nicole," he nodded, "this is Nicole's father, Andy Flynn, and this is, well, I saw your ring, Sharon, his fiancé, I am guessing, Sharon Raydor," Graham explained.

Sharon's face got a little flustered, but she kept her hand clutched to Andy's, and he rubbed his thumb over her knuckle, "Hi," she extended her hand, "it's nice to meet you, and yes, Andy and I are engaged. Sharon turned slightly. This is our son, Rusty," she nodded to him. Rusty just waved.

Andy looked over toward Rusty, "Rusty, if you want to get the car, the boys should be done soon," Andy encouraged. Rusty nodded, grateful for the excuse, "be careful with it, Rusty." As Rusty departed, Nicole and Dean also excused themselves to find the boys.

Sharon just chuckled as Rusty took off, "Sorry," she waved toward Rusty, "we came in his new car. He's so excited. His old one was about to fall apart, and I think he'll pass out if he does anything to the new one," she chuckled.

"Yeah, don't need another heart attack," Andy mumbled. Sharon rolled her eyes and sighed," Not funny," as she looked up at him, eyes bright.

"I take it an inside joke?" Graham asked.

Sharon shook her head, "No, Andy actually had a mild heart attack earlier this fall. I don't do heart attack jokes," she glared at him, earning a wink from Andy.

"So," Graham gestured, "you two?" he asked.

Sharon and Andy both nodded, as Andy put his arm around Sharon, "Yup, we discovered we knew each other better than ourselves."

Sharon looked at Andy, "'More like no one else would put up with you," she teased.

"When's the wedding?" Graham asked, ending their banter.

Sharon smiled at the thought, "February 22. We'd prefer the spring or summer, but that's when my daughter wasn't in production."

"Ahh, "Graham replied, "well, congratulations. Is she still dancing in New York?"

Andy nodded, "She is. We're flying there to see her next week," he smiled, "doc finally cleared me to fly and all."

"Well, that's great," Graham smiled. "I don't know if Andy mentioned it looks like we are neighbors. Connie lives down the street, and we're getting married December 19."

"Oh, well congratulations," Sharon smiled at the two, "I'm afraid we won't be neighbors. We're closing on our new house next month. The condo was a little tight for all of us, and then you factor in five kids and some grandkids in and out, well," Sharon shrugged.

"That sounds very nice. Congratulations yourselves," Graham added.

"So, where did you two meet?" Sharon asked now very intrigued.

Connie jumped in, "Oh, craziest thing. We met at this Indian restaurant. We were both eating alone after Christmas, and well, Graham here asked if I would join him. Then, he asked if I liked science fiction movies, which happen to be my favorite. We've been together ever since," she smiled at Graham.

Sharon had to nudge Andy who was trying his hardest not to laugh, "Well, it sounds like it was meant to be."

While they were still talking, the boys could be heard running toward them, "Grandpa Andy, Grandma Sharon!" they yelled as they ran up to embrace them.

"Hello boys!" Sharon said with a broad smile on her face. Andy picked up the younger one, while the older one held Sharon's hand.

"So," Connie asked, "I know you are Nicole's father, Andy, but how did you and Sharon meet, and how long have you known each other?"

Andy chuckled, as did Sharon, "Funny story," Andy shrugged, "Sharon is my boss; we are both detectives with Major Crimes of the LAPD. Sharon runs the division; I'm one of her lieutenants. We've known each other for over 20 years," he smiled at Sharon.

"Oh my, that long and you just now are together?" Connie asked.

Andy winked at Sharon, "Sometimes the best things in life are worth the wait."

THE END