On Board Conduct Unbecoming

Chapter 28 [The Gruesome Twosome]

Throwing her bag and keys on the table, Sharon slipped out of her heels and helped her parents to the guest room with their luggage.
"I can't believe you did that today" she chastised them.
"If nobody had picked up on anything before now, they almost certainly did today" she huffed.
"Well, if you would keep us updated with the goings on in your world Peanut, we would know what was and wasn't up for discussion. Serves you right for treating your parents like mushrooms." her father told her.
"Ok, ok truce. I get it. I'm sorry." she told them "but just remember I am NOT saying uncle." she grinned at her dad.

"Hi Honey, I'm HOMMME" came from the dining room as Andy took of his badge and gun.
"I had to give you ten to fifteen to make it look good" he told Sharon as he hugged her.
"Good grief" Bob said. "Do you two do this EVERY day? Are you both living here? How in hell have a team of detectives not figured that out?" "Yes, we do this every day. Yes we're both living here. And it's getting harder all the time to keep them from figuring it out." Sharon answered for him, with a sneaky smile.
"I forgot to tell you Sharon, I'm in trouble with Nicole. She went to the house today and found a for sale sign she wasn't expecting. I need to call her after dinner and explain at least some of what's happening."
"Mom, do you want to come with me to pick up some dinner?" Sharon asked, grabbing her keys. She and her mother were discussing what they wanted, as they left the condo. "Won't be long Andy" she waved.

"So... Andy..." Bob knew what he wanted to ask. "About that making an honest woman of her." he grinned.
"You know Bob, I've been thinking more about that, especially the last few days, but while I want nothing more than to make her my wife, I don't know whether she's ready for that yet." he answered.
"Why wouldn't she be Andy?" he asked.
"Well... I don't know really. I know the whole Jack thing really turned her off commitment. I guess I'm just terrified she'll say no."
"I doubt that Andy. We see the way she looks at you. Leave it with me son, and I'll see if I can get a feel for what she's thinking."
"Well, there's kind of one other factor Bob, but I don't think it's my place to talk about it without Sharon here, so let's wait for her to get back. That may make a difference to how you and Stella both feel about it all too."
Bob scratched his head and looked at Andy concerned. He couldn't imagine what on Earth could make much of a difference to how they would feel. They loved Andy - that they had decided in the two weeks he'd spent with them in Park City. He knew Sharon loved him too. That was plain to see. He was starting to get more concerned, and was anxious for Sharon to return.

He didn't have to wait long.
Sharon and Stella arrived back with various bags of Italian food.
"If you want real Italian" Andy said "I will cook tomorrow night. The Flynn family recipes could use a dust off" he smiled.
"Sharon, can I talk to you for just a sec?" Andy asked her. She followed him to the bedroom where he asked her how she wanted to deal with telling them about the baby.
She was clearly nervous about it, but there was also an element of mischief on her face.
"I say get changed into something comfortable. If you go yoga pants and a t-shirt, the notification could just take care of itself" Andy told her. "I'll go back out and let you get changed" he chuckled.

Andy set about getting the table ready for dinner, offering drinks and laying out plates and cutlery.
"So, Andy, what's going on?" Stella asked him.
"Sharon's just getting changed, and we'll have dinner" he answered smiling.
"That's not what I mean Andrew" she told him just as Sharon came down the hallway.
Both parents looked at her, seemingly unable to speak.
"Surprise?" she said to them. Andy tacked onto her surprise, the statement "And this is all your fault Stella O'Dwyer".
"Oh that's not even funny Peanut, take the cushion out of there. We're not buying it, but good try." Bob said.
Andy walked over to Sharon and put his arm around her. His free hand went to her abdomen. "No prank. There's a little Flynn growing right here." he told them.
"Now, before you go getting all wounded about not being told" Sharon told them "We have only known for a couple of days, and you are officially the only people besides us who do know. It was not planned, of course, and as far as I knew, I was menopausal. I didn't even consider the possibility. But, Mom, as Andy said, it's all on you, because Flynn Jr happened in Park City. I'm a little over 3 months."
"You have been pregnant for over 3 months and you had no idea?" Stella asked in shock.
"Well Mom, it HAS been a while, and I had no reason to believe it was even possible. We were actually convinced something was seriously wrong with me, so this was a pleasant surprise compared with that possibility." she answered.

Bob turned to Andy "I see what you were talking about earlier son. And despite your reservations, I think it's even better reason for what we were talking about, if I may say so."
"I hear you Bob. I hear you." Andy raised both hands as if in surrender.
"What were you talking about exactly Dad?" Sharon wanted to know.
Sharon looked between her father and Andy for an answer.
"Don't you worry about that Peanut. When it becomes your business, I'm sure Andy will let you know." Bob told her.
"Hmm. Why do I feel like you're all plotting against me?" she asked laughing.

Andy excused himself for a few minutes, and went out to the balcony to call Nicole. He explained to her that he had put his house on the market, and was now living full time with Sharon. He told her they would eventually look for a place together, but that for the time being she could find him at Sharon's condo. Nicole was relieved. She had been so worried, but from what she'd seen of Sharon she was good for her dad. She made him happy. Nicole congratulated him, and thanked him for letting her know. She made him promise they'd come for dinner after Sharon's parents went back home.

"Ok Nicole is all sorted out" he told her as he came back in. "I've only told her where I am and that the house is for sale, so there shouldn't be any information transfers happening" he chuckled. "We will have to tell them before long though Sharon" he added.
Sharon sighed "Yes Dear, I am aware" and the four laughed at the "old married couple" familiarity when her father mentioned it.

They had sat around talking and generally catching up for several hours, and when it came time to retire, Bob asked Andy if he could have a word again first. Sharon rolled her eyes. "Don't give him a hard time Dad. It's not all Andy's fault" she laughed.
"That's clear Peanut. Andy is not the one who's knocked up!" he chuckled, knowing the phrase would irritate her.
"That's really CRASS Dad. Can you not?"

"Son, unless there's some other bombshell ready to drop, this has not changed my mind about our earlier conversation. In fact, now I'm convinced it's a better idea than I originally thought. If I know my Peanut half as well as I think I do, it's what she wants more than anything, but she won't say it because she'll be not wanting to push you into anything you don't want to do. Now, I know you want to. So, how about it?" Bob laid it all out for him. "While we're here would be a bonus" he said grinning.