So sorry it took so long to put this final chapter! I was on vacation before I went back to work and school started for me and my children so please forgive me and I hope you enjoy this chapter I wanted to give them their happily ever after since they have been through so much in this story. I thank you ladies for your views and taking a chance on my story. Already have a new idea for another one and that will be up soon so look for that, and again thanks for reading!
Sam awoke he had fallen asleep while at Andy's bedside. She still had not opened her eyes yet. It had been a week since they had taken Malone in to custody for the murder of Detective Donovan Boyd and the attempted murder of Oliver Shaw, Traci Nash, and Andy McNally. Sam was glad to know that Malone was rotting away in a prison cell.
He had not one time left Andy's side even though they tried to get him to at least go home to shower, eat or sleep but he refused to. Sarah had come down to lend her support to her brother Sam. She knew he was going through a tough time and she wanted to be there for him and Andy.
"Sam" Sarah called his name
Startled he did not hear her when she came into the room "Yes" he answered very quickly
When she saw her brother's face his eyes was somewhat swollen from him crying, the hair was growing on his face and his hair was everywhere on his head. "You need to take care of yourself" she told him.
"I am not leaving this room until she walks out with me" he told her as he turned back around to face Andy.
"Sam how are you going to be strong for Andy when you won't eat or sleep and I am not talking about those little power naps you take" Sarah told him
"I am not leaving Sarah okay so stop trying to get me too" he told her feeling very frustrated and annoyed with her.
Sarah walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around him "I love you little brother and so those Andy she will understand if you leave just for a little while to get yourself together" she told him as she hugged him
"I can't" he said with a crack in his voice "The last time I left her this happened"
Sarah felt so bad it all made sense now why Sam would not leave her side. She knew Sam loved Andy more than life itself, but he was beating himself up with guilt and regret of what Malone had done to Andy.
"Sam this what happened was not your fault, don't you dare blame yourself" she tried comforting her brother
"What if she wakes up and she doesn't want to have anything to do with me" Sam broke down "I can't lose her Sarah" he says as he grabs Andy's hand and places a kiss on it.
"That won't happen, Andy adores you she loves you so much" Sarah tells him "I know this because she told me when you guys came to visit"
"I just want her to wake up I want to see those beautiful brown eyes again" Sam says
"Listen I will sit here with her you go home take a shower and when you get back I will have some food waiting for you here okay" Sarah suggest to him
He didn't want to argue with her so he just nodded Sam thought to himself thirty minutes top he would be gone but he would hurry back.
"Fine, if anything happens, you call me" Sam told her as he got up and places a kiss on Andy's forehead. He then kissed Sarah on the cheek and headed out the door. On his way to the truck Sam got a phone call.
"Hello" Sam answered his phone "Yes this him how can I help you?" Sam spoke to the man on the phone
"That is great I can be there in ten minutes" he said "okay see you then" and Sam then hung up the phone.
As Sarah sat and waited for Sam to return she decided to read to Andy one of her favorite books which she never left the house without. She never knew what situation she might be in and she felt like her book fitted for these circumstances. Sarah began to read Pride & Prejudice when she heard the door open. She knew Sam could not be back that fast but knowing him and how he felt about Andy he would. When she turned and saw who was standing at the door took her by surprise. She knew of their history from what Sam had told her, but why would he come now on her watch?
"Luke" she said very softly "I didn't expect to see you here"
Luke just looks at her, he didn't really know Sam's sister that well or at all. He really only heard of her through talks and conversations. Then the words popped in his head didn't expect to see him here, really why not? Andy was his first until Sam took her from him and now look at her hooked up to all these tubes and machines. He disregarded her remarks and stepped inside and shut the door behind him.
"I just came by to see how she was doing" Luke told her as he took baby steps to Andy's bedside.
"Still the same" Sarah told him as she put away her book. "Sam should be back any minute now so…"
"That is fine I won't be long" he gave her a stern look as to let her know he was staying. "Can you give me a minute alone with her?"
Sarah was very hesitating to answer him because she knew how Sam and Luke felt about each other. Besides if Sam came back and found Luke alone with Andy he would flip.
Sarah held up her plastic coffee cup "I need a refill" she said with a half-smile.
She was going to take this opportunity to fair warn her brother before he gets back even if he hasn't made it back already.
Luke just stood there and watched Andy he could not believe this was the same woman he was about to get married too almost a year ago. Body bruised very badly and a big white tube stuck down her throat to help her breath. This made him very angry he should have never let her go and she would not be this way this was all Sam's fault.
He sat in the chair by her bed and he took her hand "Andy you didn't deserve this" he told her
"Just wake up Andy and I will take care of you" he told her "because surly Sam can't and you deserve better than this you deserve better than him, you belong with me"
Sarah tried calling Sam again but she kept getting his voice mail. Why was he not answering his phone? Her mind started wondering and she begins to panic thinking he was in a car accident or that Malone men decided to finish the job their boss could not.
"Sarah are you okay?" Oliver asked. He had saw her freaking out when he came into the hospital he was just hoping it wasn't about Andy and bad news?
"Oliver" she said his name "have you seen Sam?"
"Calm down" we grabbed her shoulders "He is on his way I just got off the phone with him" Oliver told her as he let her go.
"Why won't he answer for me, I am trying to give him the heads ups" as she begins to pace back and forth staring down at her cell phone.
"Heads up on what" Oliver asked her?
She pointed towards Andy's room door "Luke is in there with her and he didn't look happy"
"OH!" Oliver said and they both just stared at Andy's room door.
Luke just sat by Andy's side while she laid there so still and peaceful. He took himself down memory lane going over the memories he cherished the most.
"Remember the night we went skinny dipping and almost got caught" he said with a laugh "you were so scared that it would end your career as a police officer"
"I miss all the time we shared together" he looked down at her hoping she would wake up "I don't know where we went wrong with each other? I am still trying to figure it out"
Luke stood up and walked over to the door he peaked out to see if Sarah had made it back but he did not see her. He knew he didn't have much time left especially if Swarek was on his way back. So he walked back over to Andy he leaned down to whisper to her,
"I forgive you Andy with everything that happened with Sam" he told her "when you wake up I want to talk about us getting back together" he then leans down and kisses her.
Sam walks into the hospital and headed right for Andy's room when he was stopped by Oliver and Sarah.
"Where have you been? And why haven't you been answering my calls?" Sarah questioned him
"Sorry I was just trying to hurry up back" he told her
"Well Luke is in there with her" Oliver blurted out, and Sarah turned to look at Oliver
"My story so can I tell it please" she says and then turns back to Sam "Luke is in there now and has been for a long time"
Sam looks at them both and he didn't let what they just told him bother him. He didn't have a problem with Luke seeing Andy. Besides he has a surprise for her and he was not going to let anyone steal his joy. So he headed for Andy's room and when he peeked in he did not like what he saw Luke leaning down kissing Andy. Sam rushed in and grabbed Luke by his shirt and pulled him off of her.
"What the hell do you think you are doing" Sam screamed at him
Luke was totally caught off guard "don't you ever put your hands on me again" he told him
"Well keep your hands and lips off of her and I won't put my hands on you" Sam shouted at him. That's when Oliver and Sarah rushed in the room.
"What is going on in here" Oliver asked
"Luke kissing Andy is what going on" he told them
They all looked at Luke in disbelief at what he did but it wasn't so surprising.
"Get out now!" Sam shouted at him
"I don't have to go anywhere" Luke told him
"I can throw you out" Sam stepped closer to him and Oliver stepped up to stand in between the two.
"Luke just go" Oliver asked him
Luke did not move he just crossed his arm and stood there "this all your fault the reason she is lying in that bed"
"How there you" Sarah says to him "my brother loves Andy he would have never put her in harm way"
"Really are you sure about that" Luke looked at her and asked?
"So you think if she would have stayed and been in a loveless marriage her life would have been perfect" Sam just starts laughing
"Luke just go" Oliver asks him again
"I know you are thinking the same thing Oliver just say it" he said
"No what I am thinking is that you are out of line and that if you don't leave now I am just going to step back and let Sam go" Oliver told him
"Just go Luke" a very weak voice says and everyone turns and sees that Andy was awake. Sam rushed to her side, "Andy baby you are awake" Sam sits by her on the bed.
She tries to sit up but she feels really woozy and she lies back on her pillow.
"Sarah go and get the doctor" Sam tells her
"Andy" Luke calls her name "how are you feeling" he asks her?
Sam turns and looks at him with anger on his face he wanted to say something but Andy puts her hand on his and he knew not to say anything.
"Luke I am fine" she tells him
He gives her a smile but it quickly leaves his face when she says what she says?
"I don't blame Sam" she looks up at him "this is not his fault so don't ever say it is"
"How can you say that? Look at you Andy you have been in this hospital for over week" he tells her
"I know you blame Sam for us not working out but it was not his fault, if Sam never would have come along I still don't think I could have went through with the wedding"
Not liking what he hears Luke tells her "fine, whatever you deserve everything you get including harm that he brings to you and trust me this won't be the last time something like this happens" he says
"Okay time for you to go" Oliver tells Luke and so Luke turns and looks at Sam and Andy and walks out the door.
They watched him leave Sam just sat back because he did let what Luke say get to him even though Andy said she did not blame him. If he just would have left Andy alone and not fall in love with her she would not be in the situation. Was he damaging to her? Sam mind was going a hundred mile per hour. He was doubting his self was he the best thing for her could he walk away from her so she could be safe and happy?
"Miss McNally" the doctor greeted her as he walked in the room "I am glad to see you awake"
"I am glad to be awake" she says
"How are you feeling" the doctor asked her?
"Very sore and my head is killing me" she told him
"Well I need to examine you and then I can get you something for the pain" as he motioned everyone to leave so he could examine her.
"We will be right outside" Sam says to her, she gives him a smile as they leave out the door.
Oliver and Sarah were so excited for him, hell they were all grateful that Andy had awaked. They hated to see Sam go through what he was going through. After all they had been through it looks like that they were finally going to get their happily ever after?
"See lil' brother I told you she would wake up" Sarah told him as she gave him a hug.
Just then the doctor came out of Andy's room and he motioned Sam over to talk in private.
"Her vitals look good for someone who just woke from a coma" he told Sam "but she needs to take it easy her body is still extremely bruised badly and she is in pain"
"I will make sure she takes it easy I promise doc" Sam assured him "does she remember everything that happened to her" Sam asked?
"She remembers everything and I suggest you get her to talk to someone even if she refuses" he told Sam
So many things were going through his head hell he needed to talk to someone himself. Maybe they can go together?
"I will do my best doc" Sam says "When will she be ready to go home" Sam asked?
"I want to keep a close eye on her to monitor her and if I see that everything is still good, Friday I will release her" the doctor told him and this made Sam happy.
Friday was two days from now and he could take her home for good, that's if she wanted to go and if not Sam would follow her anywhere she wanted to go. As Sam walked back in her room he saw the most beautiful smile form on her face when he walked in the door.
"Hi" she says very softly
"Hi" he says back to her
Sarah and Oliver knew that was their cue to leave. Sam and Andy had eyes for only each other. They knew they would want to be alone and catch up.
"Well we will leave you two alone we will be back tomorrow to visit" Sarah told them both as she gave them both hugs and her and Oliver left.
"Could they be any less subtle" she said with a smile
That smile always melted Sam's heart and he did not realize how much he truly missed her until that moment when she smiled that remarkable smile. He could not take his eyes off her, he loved her so much. She patted the bed next to her so he would join her.
"Why are you over there" she asked him? "Come lie with me please"
Sam walked over to her "I don't want to hurt you by trying to squeeze in"
"The only way you will hurt me and that is if you don't get in bed with me" Andy teased him as she held out her hand.
Who was him to say no to her? He climbed in bed with her, Sam then wrapped his arms around her as gentle as he could without causing her pain. He just held her they were both silent and all you heard was the machine beeping. Andy could lie like this forever she had missed him so much, the warmth of his embrace and to just lie there listening to his heart beat which always raced a little faster every time she laid on his chest. He once told her it was because of her and the affect and hold she had on him. That made Andy smile to know she still affected him in that way.
"I am so sorry Andy" Sam broke the silence
"Sam…" she said his name but was cut off
"No Andy let me say this please" Sam begged her "I left you and he was able to come in and hurt you and if you hate me, or never want to speak to me again I would understand, but I am so sorry please believe me" as he held her just a little bit more tighter to him
"Sam don't do that" she tells him as she tries to sit up but she could not her body began to ache and Sam could see by the way she looked
"Look at what I have done to you" as he got up and got out the bed it broke his heart to see her in pain.
Andy looked at him "Don't leave me again please" she told him and by the way she said it just tore through him "I don't blame you Sam"
"Why it's my fault you are in that bed because of me, you are in pain because of me, that crazy bastard took you because of me, the things he did to you" Sam voice broke it was hard to get the words out "the things he did to you was because of me"
"Sam" Andy called his name but he would not answer he could not even look at her the guilt was so heavy on him now.
"Luke was right I should have never ….." Sam could not finish the sentence.
"Never what?" she looked at him "met me, fell in love with me" she says and she begins to cry? "How say you say that Sam" she sits up in bed even though it hurt she fought through it.
"Andy…." He just looks at her he hated to see her cry, he did not want this to argue with her but these were his feelings that tormented him ever since she was taking by Malone. She was here alive but broken and she did not blame him, she wanted him and that made the guilt that much worst for him. He walks over to the bed and he kneels down and lays his head on her lap and she rubs his head.
"Please don't leave me again" she begs him
Sam heart broke to hear those words come out of her mouth, he asked himself a question earlier could he give her up so she would be happy if he had too? He knew the answer would be no, he could never let her go he would be selfish. She had become his life.
"I read your letter" she tell him "he thought it would break me if I heard your words but it only gave me hope"
"Malone had my letter, how?" Sam asked
"I guess he found it when he kidnapped me" as she raised his head up "I know what you were going to do, I know why you left" she told him
"Andy…" Sam said before she cut him off
"You chose me that night over everything you were handing the case over for me, for us because you chose me no matter what good, bad" she places a small kiss on his lips "I choose you Sam through the good and the bad I will always choose you so hear me well I don't blame you"
Sam stands up and hugs her, "I love you so much"
"I love you too" She says back to him as he kisses her.
Sam pulls back from her "I have something for you" he smiles at her as he pulls the box from his pocket. When Andy saw the shape of the box her hand flew to her mouth. Sam had asked her before and she said yes but to see the ring makes it more real and official.
"Sam…" she says his name
"I designed this when you said yes to me that night, I wanted something perfect just like you" He tells her as he gets down on one knee
"Andy McNally ever since the day I met you, I knew I wanted you. You have changed my life, you make me want to be a better man. I want it all with you and only you, children, parks on Sunday, to grow old with you. I now know we can make it through anything life throws at us and there is no one else I rather go on this journey with besides you. I love Andy so much so will you do me the honor again in becoming my wife"
Andy looks at him with tears in her eyes "Yes I will marry" she says as she kisses him. Sam then takes the ring out the box and places it on her finger. Andy admires her ring it was absolutely gorgeous.
"It's so beautiful" she tells him
"So I done good?" he says with a smile
"You done great" she smiles and says as she continues to admire her ring.
"So who are we calling first?" Sam asks her as he pulls out his phone.
…..Three Days Later
Sam was finishing loading the last of Andy's stuff in the car so he could bring her home from the hospital. He then climbs in the truck and heads for their house. He takes her hand and kisses it "So Mrs. Swarek how are you feeling?" Sam asked her
"I love the sound of that Mrs. Swarek" she smiles at him "I want to start planning right away"
"I wouldn't have it any other way" he tells her
"I hope you are going to help me and not sit back and just let me plan it by myself" she raises an eyebrow at him
He gives her a look and smiles "your taste is so much better than mine"
"Sam…." She says to him
"Okay, okay I will help" he tells her
Andy leans over and gives him a kiss on the cheek "thank you, hubby to be" she said with a laugh.
Sam then pulls in the driveway of their home. Andy was so glad to see this place she had missed it so much being in the hospital. Knowing that this was Sam and Hers, knowing one day they will have children playing on this lawn or just sitting on the front porch with him just overwhelmed her. Sam walked around to her side to help her out the truck and he could see that she was crying.
"What's wrong?" he asked her as he wiped the tear from her eye
She smiles at him "nothing everything is great, I just look at this house and I can see our future and I am so happy"
"I know its great isn't it" he smiles back at her as he helps her out the truck and up the steps to the front door. He unlocks it and then picks her up and carries her in.
"Surprise!" everyone yells, Sam and Andy was surprised to see all their friends and family there. Oliver, Jerry, Sarah, Noelle, Frank, Dov, Chris, Gail, Tommy, Leo, and Traci were all there. They had decorated their place with a Welcome home/ Congrats on your Engagement banner and balloons. Sam and Andy were glad to see all of their faces as everyone greets and hug them.
"Wow I had no idea" Sam says
"Good then it wouldn't have been a surprise" Sarah tells him as she hugs them both "I always wanted sister but I got this guy instead" she said laughing as she admires Andy's ring.
"Hey watch it" Sam teases her
"I am happy for you little brother" she tells him "And you take care of my brother" she teases Andy
"That you can count on" as she wraps her arms around him and kisses him.
They hear cheers and hand clapping from their friends. Noelle and Gail hands everyone a glass as Oliver toast them, "to the happy couple, no two people deserve this more than you, too Sam and Andy" Oliver raises his glass.
Everyone raises their glass and says "To Sam and Andy"
The End.