Hey all I thought I needed an up to date fic so here it is. I have not forgotten about my other stories I have the final two chapters of see ya round done, I am just spacing the days and I have the next chapter of a simple song almost done and halfway through can I let him in. hope you like this one J
Andy looked down at her watch and groaned "Trac, I have to leave after this," she said and picked up her beer.
Traci turned back from the dart board where she was playing Chloe "is it nearly seven already?" she asked and walked back to the table.
Andy nodded while she finished off her beer "afraid so."
"Damn," Traci said and grabbed her bag "Leo is at Jerry's moms I said I'd be over by seven, Andy I'm really sorry I can't drop you home or I'll be late."
"I'll drop her off don't worry about," Chloe said.
"Are you sure you don't mind?" Andy asked.
"Not at all I'm heading to Dov's anyway," Chloe replied.
"Right I'm off, again Andy I'm sorry and Chloe thanks I owe you," Traci said and hurried off with a wave over her shoulder.
Andy chuckled "she really needs to start setting an alarm or something," she said and stood up "do you mind if we head now?"
"Nope," Chloe said and grabbed her bag "I'm kinda tired anyway, long day," she said and started to walk towards the door.
Andy followed her and smiled, since her and Nick got back she and Traci had become good friends with Chloe she was really nice despite what people said or thought about her. Gail had fizzled out from the group after Andy had told her she'd slept with Nick but both agreed it was wrong and it would never happen again. If she was honest with herself she did it because of Sam, as soon as she saw him kiss Marlo her heart broke all over again and she just needed Nick for the comfort but they still remained friends…unlike her relationship with Sam. They'd say hello or how are you but that would be it.
As she got to the door she stopped when it opened and someone walked in "leaving already McNally?"
She looked up to see Sam and Frank seeing Chloe already talking to Frank she turned her body to face him "yeah, I have the kids tonight Joe is on nights this week."
Sam nodded "how are they?" he asked.
"Yeah good," Andy nodded "the twins just started day care so he has his hands full and Amy is loving second grade…she asked for you when I came back," she muttered.
Sam sighed he'd gotten really close to Andy's brother while they were together, they still remained friends but he hadn't seen the kids in a while "I know Joe told me at poker last week."
Andy nodded and looked as Chloe moved by Frank "I gotta go Chloe is dropping me off…night ,"she said and hurried after her.
"Yeah night," Sam sighed and watched her go.
"When are you gonna tell her that you and Marlo broke up?" Frank asked in his ear "there's still hope you know, any fool can see she still crazy about you."
Sam sighed again "it's too late," he said and walked on "I've left it too long," he muttered and dropped into a stool "she looks happy I don't wanna ruin that."
Frank rolled his eyes "if that's what you call happy," he said and sat beside him "the girl is putting on a front even I can see it-I know you can too, you know her second day back she came to me looking for a transfer."
"What!" Sam asked wide eyed clearly stating he had no idea.
"Yeah," Frank nodded "she saw you and Marlo kissing in the lot she said she couldn't be around you it hurt too much-great way to let her find out by the way," he added.
Sam dropped his head "I didn't know she saw us…that does explain her change towards me, she barely says hello anymore," he said sadly.
"So go fix it," Frank said "I know you still love her Sammy, we all knew as soon as she and Collins came back things would change."
Along their drive Chloe glanced at Andy "so was that still awkward?" she asked.
Andy knew what she was asking but still replied "was what awkward?" she needed as second to gather her answer.
"Don't pretend you don't know, talking to Sam?" Chloe asked "I think that's the most I've heard you two say to each other…non work related," she added.
Andy sighed "I don't know," she said and looked out the window "he didn't wait for me, he has a new girlfriend, he's moved on I have no right to be angry, I left," she said "but I can't help feeling heartbroken all over again…I miss him," she muttered.
Chloe smiled sadly at her "I know you do but he left too don't forget, he broke up with you because he couldn't deal with his feelings over Jerry's death," she said and squeezed her hand "it was just too late when he realised he made a mistake don't blame yourself Andy if I were in your shoes I'd have taken the UC too."
Andy sighed as her house came into view "I know it just kinda sucks he didn't wait for me, it hurts to know I am still so in love with him…and he's not in love with me," she said sadly.
Chloe squeezed her hand again "he does still love you Andy we all know that but it's his loss, you can have any bloke you want don't let one guy ruin your life. You just need to think of the future and what you want from it, in the long run you'll see you're better off without him."
Andy pulled off her belt "and yet three months later-plus the six I was away here I am still pining over him even with a girlfriend in the picture," she pushed her door open "thanks for the ride Chloe I'll see ya in the morning," she said and climbed out.
"Night," Chloe said "hey Andy!" she called "he walked away from you first he can't expect you to sit around hoping he'd change his mind."
Andy smiled "I know, and I can't expect him to do the same…but it doesn't change how I feel, and I'm sure Marlo wouldn't be happy if he did…night," she said and walked inside.
…..
Andy let herself inside and was immediately swamped with the smell of wonderful food "Joe?" she called as she made her way to the kitchen.
"Hey!" he called back and turned as she entered "hope you don't mind, Amy was starving and I didn't have enough time to feed her and drop her over Jack's not feeling too well he won't settle."
"It's fine," Andy replied and walked to her nephew in his high chair "is my little buddy not well?" she asked in a baby voice as he gripped her finger.
Joe placed a plate in front of her "eat that," he said and moved back to the cooker "Amy's done all her homework she's up in your bed watching a DVD, these two have eaten so they should go down soon. Bottles are made in the fridge and breakfast food is in the fridge too."
"Yes Joe I know all this I mind them at least five times a week," Andy chuckled "go on you get off I'll clean up."
"Alright, thank you…all you have to do is load the dishwasher," he said and dropped a kiss on her forehead "Barrett is picking me up, so I'll leave you my car for the morning. Amy's uniform is laid out in your spare room and the twins clothes for nursery, as usual call me if you have any problems…I think Jack is okay now but call if he starts again."
"Joe we'll be fine will you please just go to work," she chuckled "Barrett has beeped twice already go on we'll be-"
"Fine I know," he said and grabbed his coat "Amy! I have to go now Aunt Andy is home! Go to bed when she tells you! I love ya and I'll see ya after school!" he called up the stairs. Walking back to the kitchen he dropped a kiss on Emma and Jack's heads before doing the same to Andy and hurrying to the door "I'll see ya in the morning I'll be by for my car thanks again Andy!" he called on his way out.
Andy chuckled and sat down in front of the twins "always the worrier eh your daddy…now I know where I get it from," she said and picked up her fork.
A while later she had just gotten the twins settled for the night and went to her own room "hey Ams" she said and dropped onto the bed beside her "what ya watching?" she asked.
"Pirates," she replied without looking away from the tv.
Andy chuckled her niece was obsessed with all of the pirates of the Caribbean movies "you know it's past your bedtime."
Amy finally looked away from the tv "there's only twenty-three minutes left can I finish it?" she asked with her pleading eyes.
Like I said-obsessed, Andy chuckled "alright but right to sleep after it and you don't get to complain when you're a grump tomorrow."
"I won't," Amy said and looked back to the tv as Andy rolled off the bed.
"I'll be back in twenty minutes," she said and walked out of the room.
Andy dropped onto the sofa and turned on the tv, for a guy working fifty odd hours a week and looking after two one year olds and an a seven year old Joe was doing an amazing job. Unfortunately there was complications with the birth of the twins and Joe's wife Mel didn't make it leaving him with the kids and no clue what to do-until Andy stepped in and gave him all the help he needed.
Now they were all back to themselves and had the perfect routine going, when Andy worked days he'd work night and when she worked nights he'd work days it was the perfect set up.
Fifteen minutes later she yawned and looked at the clock it wasn't even half eight but she'd been up since five for her six o'clock shift-thank god she didn't start until half nine tomorrow morning. Pulling herself up she went back to her room and found Amy asleep, smiling she walked to the tv and knocked it off walking to the bed she pulled the cover up to Amy's chin and kissed her no point moving her to the spare bed now "night sweetie," she whispered and went to check on the twins.
A few minutes later she was just changing for bed when her phone buzzed on the dresser glancing at Amy she hurried to answer it, rolling her eyes at the caller "you've only been gone an hour Joe do you have that little faith in me?"
"No," he chuckled "I trust you that's not what I'm calling for….there's a bust going down tonight that I have to be at, if it's not all wrapped up by the time the twins finish day care would you be able to pick them up on your break?"
Andy sighed "I'm only starting after nine we don't normally take our break until four….but I'm sure Chris wouldn't mind stopping by with me."
"Thank you I'm sorry I know I'm putting you out but I have no one else I trust to pick them up," Joe replied.
"It's fine," Andy replied "what am I meant to do with them when I do pick them up?"
Joe was silent for a moment "uh, you'll have to drop them to dads."
"What!" Andy shrieked then shot another glance at Amy "are you crazy? No, no way," she said "Joe he'll be wasted as usual we can't leave them there."
She heard Joe sigh heavily "Andy I have no one else what am I supposed to do and it won't even be for an hour."
Andy shook her head even though he couldn't see her "he's not minding them he can't even mind himself!" she hissed "leave it to me I'll sort it."
Joe knew she was now in a bad mood "I'm sorry Andy I have limited people here you know that, with Mel's parents moved away and her brother off the radar all I have are you and dad and a few of my friends down here."
Andy bit her lip she felt bad for yelling "I know you do but I have people too they all know the kids they love them, I'm sure Trac or someone will mind them at the station…like I said leave it with me."
"Thank you," Joe replied "I better go we're about to head out."
"Alright, be safe I love ya and I'll see ya tomorrow," Andy replied.
"Bye, love ya too," Joe said and hung up.
The next morning Andy pulled up in Joe's car with five minutes to spare, just as she'd dropped the twins off Jack had puked all over her and himself luckily for him the nursery had spare clothes, not so lucky for her she had to drive all the way home and get changed.
Jumping out of her car she ran inside and almost knocked Sam over "sorry!" she called and turned for the locker rooms.
Throwing on her uniform she ran to the parade room just as Frank arrived, she jumped into the first seat she saw hoping he didn't notice her. When she looked over she saw it was Sam she had sat beside, sending him a quick smile she looked up at Frank trying to pretend he wasn't there.
"Morning everyone!" Frank called, but before he could go any further an officer appeared in the door calling him out "sorry guys be back in a sec," he said and walked out to him.
Andy followed him praying he'd be only a second she jumped when Sam's voice filled her ear-totally missing what he said "sorry, what?" she asked.
Sam chuckled as she fidgeted with her hands "why are you all wound up?" he asked "you're all jumpy and restless."
"Oh," she said and sat forward "Jack puked on me at day care that's why I was late…I'm just waiting for them to call me, Joe said he was sick before I came home but he was fine since I had him."
Sam nodded "well I haven't much on today if you need me to pick him up," he offered.
"Thanks," Andy replied not knowing what else to say "let's hope they don't call coz I'll have to take Emma out as well, I won't have time to go back for her at two."
Again Sam nodded "just let me know if you need a hand," he said and turned back to Frank as he walked back in.
"Sooo," Chloe drawled after parade and fell instep with Andy "saw you and Sam talking."
Andy glanced at her "he asked me why was I all jumpy and I answered that's all it was."
"Hm," Chloe said and narrowed her eyes "seemed a bit more than that," she said as she collected her bag.
"Chloe," Andy said "I heard what you said to me last night okay? I am trying," she said and walked by her "I'll meet you for lunch," she said before walking off.
Later that day Andy and Chris had just arrived back to the station with Emma and Jack "thanks Chris I'm sorry Joe's snowed under with some bust," Andy said as they walked into the station.
"It's cool Andy I love these little guys, don't I?" he said wiggling Emma's fingers that were wrapped around his.
Frank walked by and walked back to them "are we running a day care here I don't know about?" he asked.
"Um no," Andy said and looked around she didn't know how to explain this.
"They're here for me Frank I got held up."
Andy turned to see Sam taking Emma from Chris "I was supposed to meet her in the lot, I'm finished for the day so I'm taking them back to her place for her."
Frank looked from one to the other then to Chris "that right Diaz?" he asked knowing the former rookie couldn't lie.
"Uh yes sir, I was just helping Andy carry them in…I need to see Gail about something," he said and hurried after her.
Frank turned back to Andy and Sam "make sure they're not here too long this is a police station," he said and walked on.
Andy turned to Sam "thanks for that, I didn't know what to say," she said reaching out to take Emma from him.
"It's fine," he said turning Emma away from her "where you headed with them?"
"To your office," she replied "I was kinda hoping Traci would watch them, Joe should be here within the hour."
Sam nodded "Nash just went out, got another body, she'll be a while."
"Great," Andy muttered and rubbed her head "what the hell am I gonna do now?"
"I was serious about finishing up for the day I can watch them I don't mind," he replied.
"No Sam," Andy said "I couldn't dump them on you," she said reaching for Emma again.
"I offered," he said ad took Jack from her "we'll have fun get back to work McNally!" he called as he walked away both twins bobbing up an down in his arms.
Andy smiled and watched them go "have him babysitting now?" Chloe said in her ear.
Andy laughed "shut up," she chuckled and walked off.
Chloe followed her out to her cruiser "you know if you really want things to get back to normal that was your in," she said.
Andy frowned "what are you talking about?"
Chloe rolled her eyes "he just took two kids from his ex to mind with no catch…he still loves you, buy him a drink to say thank you and start from there-don't go the penny go somewhere alone."
"Okay thanks cupid but I have the kids again tonight and he has a girlfriend," Andy chuckled.
"Well invite him over for a glass of wine…later!" she called and walked on to her cruiser.
After shift Andy pulled into the lot, somehow she ended up partnered with Marlo Chris had to ride in an ambulance with a guy from one of their call outs "are you okay?" she asked Marlo had been quiet and in a bad mood since she got in her car.
"No McNally my bipolar is not affecting me okay!" she snapped.
"Okay," Andy said slowly "I wasn't asking that it's just you seem in a bad mood-upset even."
"Yeah well wouldn't you be if your b-" she started but got cut off when Joe pulled the door open.
" I'm sorry I'm so sorry by phone went dead," he said quickly.
Andy looked at Marlo "do you want me to hang on and we can have a chat?" she asked she tried not to hate Marlo she was actually a nice woman it wasn't her fault Sam picked her.
Marlo looked out at Joe "nah, you go on he looks like he's about to explode…thanks though," she said and climbed out of the car "see ya tomorrow McNally…McNally's," she added and walked inside
Andy watched her go and turned to Joe "okay what are you babbling about?"
"I just got here I'm so sorry my phone went dead and I wasn't at the station to call you and I was out on my own," Joe rambled.
Andy's eyes widened "so who collected Amy?"
Joe's eyes widened too "you mean it wasn't you?"
"No you idiot!" Andy yelled and shoved him backwards "oh my god! Oh my god we've lost my niece! What if someone's taken her? What if she tried to walk home?" she yelled as her eyes filled with tears.
Joe pinched the bridge of his nose "the school would have called the station if she wasn't picked up so someone had to collect her."
"But who?" Andy yelled "there's only me and you! Jesus Joe what do we do?"
"Who has the twins?" he asked.
"Sam" she sighed "we better go get them I told him they'd only be there for an hour," she said and hurried off inside "hey Dov you seen Sam anywhere?"
"Yeah he's in the room over there," he said nodding to the room behind him.
"Thanks!" Andy called and pushed the door open "Sam I am so sor…" she trailed off and stepped into the room. There he was asleep on the sofa with a twin cuddled either side of him, smiling she crouched down beside him "Sam," she whispered and shook him gently "hey Sam, wake up," she whispered again.
Sam's eyes fluttered open, it took him a moment to realise where he was "hey," he said his voice laced with sleep.
"Hey," she smiled "I'm sorry for been gone so long I didn't know Joe got held up."
"It's fine," he said and lifted Emma off him so he could sit up "oh you left your phone in the bag it rang for ages it was the school they called me when you didn't pick up about Amy…she's with Traci in the D's office."
Andy sighed in relief "she's here, thank god for that," she said and stood up "I better tell Joe he didn't give Dov a chance to answer before he took off looking for you."
Sam lay Jack down "he's running a fever but I gave him whatever was in the bag he's asleep since."
Andy nodded and put Emma in her stroller "thank you so much I didn't know he'd be gone so long."
"Don't mention it I kinda had fun today…realised how much I missed them," he added in a mumble.
Andy looked back at him she wanted to tell him she missed him more than them but she had to keep her distance he had a girlfriend "um, I was riding with Marlo for a while today she seemed upset is she okay?"
Sam's face dropped at the mention of Marlo "uh," he said and rubbed his neck Frank's words coming back to him "we kinda broke up…two weeks ago."
"Oh," Andy said surprised "uh are you okay about it?" she finally asked.
Sam chuckled "you don't have to pretend to care Andy."
"Well I care about you," she said before she could stop herself "as a friend," she added quickly "and I like Marlo too."
Before Sam could reply the door opened and Joe walked in Amy trailing behind "found her," he said and looked at Sam "thanks man she told me you picked her up."
"Uh yeah no problem…Andy never removed me from the contact list," he said and grabbed his key "I think it's time for a drink before bed."
"Thanks again Sam," Andy smiled she was very uncomfortable now.
"Hey Andy, why don't you go grab a drink with him, I'll take the kids home," Joe said with a smirk.
"I have to mind the kids," she said narrowing her eyes at him and looked at Sam "I'm sure you wouldn't want me hanging around anyway."
Sam chuckled "I don't mind, Ollie is going straight home so I'll be on my own anyway."
"Go on you deserve a break…I'm off tomorrow," Joe said as he gathered up the twins and their things.
Andy narrowed her eyes at him again and turned to Sam "I'll meet you there I'm gonna help Joe get the kids sorted and I still have to change."
"Okay," Sam nodded "see ya Joe, Bye Am's!" he called and walked off.
"What did you do that for!" Andy hissed and slapped him.
Joe chuckled "you two idiots belong together and he's free again, if I can make you see sense I'll do whatever and I am capable of getting my kids into the car by myself."
"Andy are you and uncle Sam gonna be boyfriend girlfriend again?" Amy asked.
Andy scowled at Joe and turned to her "no sweetie me and Sam are just friends now we don't love each other anymore," she replied even though it ripped her heart out to say it out loud.
"Oh," Amy frowned "he told me he still loves you…do you not love him."
Andy's eyes went wide and she glanced at Joe before looking back to her "when did he say that to you?"
"He told me today at McDonalds…aunt Traci told me too she said you were idiots standing in your own way…whatever that means."
Andy shook her head "don't mind aunt Traci…bye sweetie," she said and kissed her on the cheek "see ya tomorrow Joe!" she said and walked out of the room "call me if you need me!" she called back.
"Something tells me you'll be busy tonight!" he called after her.
"That is gross," she hissed back and hurried off to the locker rooms.
Andy arrived at the penny and stopped at the door what did this drink mean? were they just friends having a beer after a long day? Or two exes just trying to put the past behind them? Or two people looking to rekindle something they'd lost.
Chloe came up behind her "if you need me to hold your hand I'll walk you right to the table," she said startling her.
Andy scoffed "I forgot to do something I'm just trying to remember what it is," she shot back.
Chloe scoffed "if you say so," she said and pulled the door open "it's obviously not important- not more important than having a drink with Sam….Traci told me when I went to see if she was ready," she said when Andy frowned at her.
"Of course," she said and followed her.
"So I'll be hearing some news tomorrow?" Chloe said as they closed in on Sam.
Andy scoffed "yeah about the new dress I'll be buying for my birthday," she said and turned towards him "later!" she called as Chloe walked to Chris and Dov.
"Hey," he said when she sat down beside him "kids get off okay?"
"Yeah," she nodded "Jack was still asleep when he pulled away."
"Drink?" he asked.
"Sure," she smiled.
Halfway through their drinks Andy's phone rang "sorry," she said and pulled it out "Joe?"
"Hey I'm really sorry to call," Joe said quickly, Andy could hear the worry in his voice "but Jack's temperature has spiked again I'm going to have to bring him to the hospital can you come to mine and watch the girls?"
"Of course," Andy said and hopped off her stool "is he okay?" she asked worried.
"He keeps crying and he's very hot, thanks Andy I'll see you when you get here," he said and hung up.
Andy grabbed her coat "I'm sorry Sam I have to go," she said panicked and threw it on.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Jack's temperature has spiked again he has to bring him to the hospital I have to go mind the girls…sorry!" she called on her way out.
"Andy wait!" he called and hurried after her "slow down I'll give you a ride," he said when he caught up with her.
"No, no you finish your drink I'll catch a cab easy out here," she replied and started to walk faster.
"Andy I'll have you there in five minutes come on don't be stupid!" he called after her.
Andy stopped and sighed heavily it made sense his truck was right there "okay," she said "but we have to hurry," she said and walked quickly to his truck.
Arriving at Joe's Andy pulled off her belt "thank you so much Sam," she said kissing him on the cheek before she realised what she was doing "I better go," she added and jumped out before running up the drive.
"Let me know how he is!" he called after her before the door closed behind her.
Andy hurried into her brother and took a screaming Jack from him "I know buddy I know," she said bouncing him slightly "you go get what you need," she said to Joe.
Joe hurried from the room and came back a second later with a bag over his shoulder "right, girls are in bed I'll call as soon as I can…thanks again I'm sorry for spoiling your date," he chuckled and took Jack from her "bye," he said and kissed her on the cheek before hurrying out the front door.
Two hours later Andy paced the living room he had called an hour ago to say he was still waiting but had to go when the doctor called him. "Joe?" she almost yelled as soon as her phone rang
"Hey," he yawned.
"Hey…how's Jacky doing?" she asked.
He has a viral infection he's a bit dehydrated so they have him on a drip and are keeping him in overnight…I have to stay here too," he sighed
"Aww my poor little man," Andy said sympathetically "don't worry about the girls they'll be fine, go on get back to him I'll text you soon, give him a big kiss from me."
"I will and thank you so much…bye," Joe replied and hung up.
….
An hour later Andy had showed and gone to the room Joe has turned into hers getting into pyjamas she crawled onto the bed and lay back all she could think about was what Amy had told her, if he still loved her why did he have a new girlfriend? Or waited for her to come home and try save their relationship? She jumped when her phone rang seeing it was Sam she bit on her lip "hello," she answered.
"Hey, how's Jack doing…you never called," he said.
"Sorry, Joe only called ten minutes ago, he has a viral infection so they're keeping him overnight, my poor little baby is dehydrated and on a drip," she replied.
"It's a relief to know he's on the mend how are you holding up?"
"I'm a lot calmer now I know he's okay, Joe is doing his nut I can hear it in his voice," she giggled.
Sam chuckled "he's like you not very patient."
Andy giggled again "where do you think I get it from?"
Sam chuckled but didn't say anything. As awkward silence filled the line Andy decided to tell him what was on her mind "hey Sam?" she said slowly "…did you tell Amy you still loved me?" she asked nervously.
Sam sighed "this isn't something we should be talking about over the phone, we're barely talking as it is."
"Oh I'm sorry if me seeing you lip locking your new girlfriend hurt me!" she snapped.
"Andy," he sighed she knew he was pinching the bridge of his nose "we're not having this conversation over the phone…and I told her I loved you as a friend."
"Right," Andy said slowly "so I'm just a friend now am I?" she asked hurt.
"No I didn't mean it that way I just didn't know how to explain it to a seven year old!" he snapped "look we're not arguing about this now I'll meet you tomorrow so we can finally talk it all out."
Andy was pissed now "I'm busy tomorrow! I don't just sit around hoping you change your mind! I know you don't love me as much as I love you anymore! Goodbye Sam!" she hissed and hung up.
Realising what she had just let slip her eyes went wide "shit!" she yelled and jumped to cancel his call as the phone rang again.
Ten more calls before he stopped, she sighed and crawled into the bed why was she such an idiot? Looking to her phone as it beeped with a message hanging up on me and ignoring my calls is very childish Andy, our problems won't just disappear and I do love you-as much as I did from the start, we need to talk.
Throwing the phone down Andy groaned and closed her eyes she needed Traci and Chloe to figure out her next move.
So hope you enjoyed the first instalment.