On Board Conduct Unbecoming

Chapter 15 [Scarred For Life]

"Did she just say geriatric toddlers?" Sharon asked Andy.
"Hell if I know. But your Mom and Dad are nuts. Listen to them."
"Poor Emily. She's never seen me with anyone, not even her father. Before she had been old enough to register memories, Jack was long gone."
"What the hell do we do now Sharon? I can't go down there now. Poor kid doesn't even know me."
"Well.. instead of whining Andrew, let's look at our options." She told him.
"And those options are?" he looked at her truly spooked for the first time since they stopped hating each other.
"Andy... stop worrying that I'm going to tell you it's all a big mistake. I'm not going to do that. I love you." she reassured him. "Whatever option we choose, we choose it together...ok?"
Andy let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. He had no idea how she'd known that's what had worried him, but he was glad he hadn't had to tell her.

"You know, with those two laughing themselves stupid downstairs, I am wondering if this isn't some form of payback Dad dreamt up after I dropped us sleeping together on him the other day." she told Andy.
"Oh boy... the O'Dwyers do nothing by halves do they?" he chuckled.
"This is the worst I've ever seen him do, but he was pretty bad with his one-upmanship when I was growing up. He used to tell Mom it would toughen me up" she shrugged.
"He'd do this to Emily deliberately?" he asked her quite seriously.
"Dad's pretty big on adults being adults. Ironic isn't it that he's being the biggest child there is right now. I bet you dollars to donuts that he tells me it's good for her constitution, and will toughen her up. I'm a bit surprised by Mom though!"
"Ok so these options you mentioned... I assume you know what they are because I have no idea how to face that down there." he raised his palms upward to indicate he was clueless.
"Well... we can stay up here, see nobody and starve. OR we can get dressed, and pretend we don't care, and I can introduce you to my daughter the adult."
"Is there anything behind door number 3 Sharon?" he begged her for a third option.
"Nope, those two pretty much sum up the possibilities, so what'll it be Lieutenant Flynn?"
"Ok, well it's gone quiet down there. I think I heard Emily tearing your Dad a new asshole a few minutes ago, right before the geriatric toddlers comment" he grinned. "YOU GO FIRST".
"Oh... my HERO Andy... make the lady go first. It's ok little man, I'll protect you" she flipped her hair sideways and up to throw her robe on. She threw Andy his t-shirt.
"RUDE! So rude." he shook his head.

A booming voice came up the stairs "YOU READY TO SAY UNCLE YET PEANUT?"
"You ready to grow up and act your age Dad? was the answer.
"Don't you SASS me young lady" he shouted back and chuckled as he eyed his grand daughter sitting on the sofa shaking her head. He turned to Emily and said "Now listen, you don't go jumping on Andy the minute he comes down here young lady. He's a good guy. He loves your mother." Emily was shocked at that choice of words and the curiosity registered on her face. "You'll see" Stella added.

"WHO'S THE WINNER PEANUT?" He shouted up again.
"Show's not over 'till the fat lady sings DAD. Can I come down now?" Sharon called back.
"Well your daughter's here waiting to see you, so you'd better."

"Ready Andy?" she asked him, and reached for his hand. "Time for your baptism of fire" she snorted.
"Oh with the snorting. Why wasn't I warned?" he grinned.
Good to her word, Sharon led Andy down the stairs, and stayed in front of him.
"I'm protecting the big bad police Lieutenant from the itty bitty Raydor child" she told Emily, who just sat there looking at the two of them.
"Emily, this is Andy Flynn. Thanks to her grandfather, Emily's probably seen more of you than you would have liked. Andy, my daughter Emily".
Andy stepped forward and offered his hand to Emily, who took it, grinned at him and said "No offense Andy, but I know where that's been." she said, and turned. The minute her eyes locked with her grandfather's they were both laughing hard.
Andy turned to Sharon and asked "So, THIS is the child who was down here whining about being scarred for life? WOW. She seems to have recovered so quickly!"
"Oh Andy, I'm so sorry you've been put through the wringer with these two" Stella hugged him. "I've never seen them go this far."
"Excuse me Gran" Emily interrupted. "I must have been mistaken when I thought I saw you laughing with him so hard you both almost vapour-locked earlier. Don't you go playing the innocent matriarch here."

"Ok TRUCE while Emily's here. She's only got tomorrow and goes home the next." Bob said. "It's ok Ems, I'll make the embarrassment worth your while before you go home." he said patting his wallet.
Emily wrapped her arms around Sharon "It really is good to see you Mom" she beamed. "Just promise me that I'll never have to see THAT much of you ever again ok? I still need bleach for my mind's eye."