NYPD Blue Fanfiction

Rita's Fanfic

MY THREE SONS

Saturday afternoon, the Sipowicz home…

 

Connie is lying on her side in bed with her beautiful new baby boy snuggled in her arms. He was truly a miracle and she had a hard time keeping her eyes off him ever since he made his debut into their lives several days ago. Andy was pretty mesmerized too, even if he wouldn’t admit it. Ever since Matt’s birth Andy spent every spare second just looking at him. He stayed by her side through the whole chaotic ordeal never complaining, though she did see him go pale a couple of times. Thank God the nurses were so patient and understanding, considering he had threatened several of them during the peak of her labor and her short time in recovery as she was battling nausea and the chills. He left her side only long enough to go and check on the baby in the nursery once she was asleep and he had made himself well known there too.

 

Connie had just come home that morning and she was anxious to have the kid’s home and have their family complete. Andrea and John Irvin had taken care of Theo and Michelle while Connie was in the hospital and her mom would be in by Monday having missed the birth. Things still seemed a bit unreal but looking at the newest member of the Sipowicz family brought her such joy and amazement.

 

“You are very lucky little man. You are part of a pretty neat family. Your big brother is the best big brother you could ever hope for and he’s been waiting very anxiously for you. Now your big sister isn’t that much older than you, so she doesn’t really understand what all the fuss is about, but I know she’ll love you too once she gets used to having you around. Your dad… well he’s amazing, you couldn’t ask for a better dad. He’s tough and strong and he’ll do anything for you and your brother and sister, but you’ll see that as you grow up. He’s firm and strict, but between you and me, he’s really a big teddy bear.” Pausing a moment as she watches him stretch. “I’m your mom, but I’m sure you know that already since we’ve been together from day one. I gotta tell you, you really took us by surprise. You are our miracle baby, a true blessing…”

 

“You got that right.” Andy adds as he walks into the room.

 

“Hey, are they here yet?”

 

“Nope but they’ll be here soon. How’s my boy doing?” Climbing into bed behind her he pulls her close and wraps them both in his arms. “I’m not hurting you am I?”

 

“No, we’re right where we’re supposed to be.” She smiles as she kisses his lips gently.

 

“Thank God he doesn’t look like me… I think we’ll keep him.” Andy teases as he strokes the baby’s cheek.

 

“He’s just joking Sweetie… your daddy has a very weird sense of humor.”

 

“So… let me tell you about your mom Champ. She’s beautiful and she’s smart and she’s one damned good mother. You can tell by looking at how great your brother and sister are… she did all that. She’s funny and kind and she puts up with your old dad here so she’s the best a kid could want, and the most important thing about your mom is she’ll love you so much… you’ll never want for anything ”

 

Leaning back slightly, she looks at Andy with tears in her eyes. “I love you Andy. Thank you so much.”

 

“I love you too Connie and thank you. Our family is what it is today because of you.” He kisses her cheek before continuing. “Theo, Michelle, Matt and most of all me… we all depend on your love and your strength. You are the best Connie and I hope you always know how very much we all love and appreciate you.”

 

“I do. You show me all the time.” Looking at their precious gift, “he’s gorgeous isn’t he?”

 

Laughing as the baby grabs his finger in a tight grip. “Yeah he is, and he’s strong too. Check out that grip Connie, perfect grip for a pitcher or maybe a quarterback.”

 

“Andy…” she laughs. “He’s going to be whatever he wants to be just like Theo and Michelle.”

 

“Okay, okay...” Whispering to the baby, “she’s tough too, kiddo. Watch out for that.”

 

They stay cuddled like that until the phone rings. Andy answers and after a short conversation hangs up.

 

“What’s up? Who was that?”

 

“Just John calling to see if he can stop by for a bit to see the baby.” Lying back slightly Andy rubs his head and groans. “He’s been through so much lately… I told him it was okay. If you’re not up to it we can go for a walk or something…”

 

“It’s fine Andy. I know how worried you’ve been about him so don’t even think about it. He’s family and he’s always welcome here… anytime.” Connie winces slightly as she makes to get up with the baby.

 

“What are you doing?” Andy asks, concerned.

“Could you put Matt down in his crib for me please? I just want to freshen up a little before people come, plus I need to move around a bit.” She tells him as he takes the baby from her arms.

 

Within the next ½ hour Connie and the baby are settled in the living room. Matt is sleeping peacefully in his bassinet right beside her as Andy prepares some snacks for their visitors.

 

“You want anything?” He calls out from the kitchen.

 

“Just some juice.” She answers as the doorbell rings.

 

Andy hands her a glass as he heads to open the door and smiles as Theo and Michelle barrel in past him without even saying hello. “Mom! You’re home! Where’s our baby?” Theo asks excitedly as he strides up to her.

 

“Hi Sweetheart!” Reaching over to pull him in for her kiss. She hugs him and pats the open space beside her for him to sit. “He’s right here.” Connie manages to catch Michelle as she throws herself into her lap groaning slightly as she hugs her mama tight.

 

Andrea and John Irvin stop to admire the baby as Andy reaches to grab Michelle into his arms. “Hey there Princess, take it easy on your mom there she’s gonna be sore for a while. You’re gonna have to settle for beating up on me for now.” Michelle laughs as Andy growls into her belly.

 

“Baby!” Michelle calls out to Connie from Andy’s arms.

 

Hugging Theo, “I really missed you guys. I bet you were having so much fun you didn’t even miss your old mom huh?”

 

“Michelle sure did.” Andrea tells her as she leans down to kiss Connie’s cheek. “All morning all she did was ask when she was gonna go see her mama.”

 

“I missed you lots too Mom.” Theo whispers into her neck as hugs her back.

 

“Oh Connie he’s adorable!” John coos. He kisses her cheek and pulls out a bouquet of flowers from behind his back. “For you and Master Sipowicz here.”

 

“His name’s Matthew John, not Master.” Theo tells him with a frown.

 

“Yes Theo you’re exactly right, my apologies.” He tells Theo as he smiles at Connie.

 

“I have to hold him Connie.” Andrea states as she puts down her handbag. Picking the baby up in her arms she settles into an armchair with John right by her side.

 

Connie reaches over to give Michelle a big kiss as Andy sits down beside her with the two kids between them.

 

“When did you get home?” Theo asks.

 

“This morning, and I’m so glad to be home. I missed you two so much!” She rubs Theo’s arm and smiles at him then Michelle. Overcome with a sense of intense love for the two of them she thinks how wonderfully blessed she is and the tears start flowing unchecked.  

 

Michelle sees her tears and calmly takes Connie’s face in her hands and pulls her head to her chest for comfort. “No cwy Mama.”

 

Connie can’t help herself as she cries harder on Michelle’s chest.

 

Theo reaches up and pats Connie’s head comforting her as he looks at Andy. “Dad why’s mom crying? Can’t you make her better?”

 

“Make better Da!” Michelle tells Andy firmly.

 

Andrea and John giggle quietly as Andy smiles at Theo and Michelle. “She’s just real happy right now guys, that’s all. Sometimes when you’re real happy you cry. She’ll be fine.”

 

“You sure?” Theo question’s still not convinced.

 

Connie leans back, dries her eyes and smiles as best she can. “Daddy’s right Sweetheart. I’m just so happy that our baby is healthy and that we’re home and all together now.” Teasing Theo as she strokes his cheek. “It’s a mom thing. We cry when we’re sad and we cry when we’re happy. It’s just what we do.”

 

“Okay but it don’t make sense.”

 

John takes the baby from Andrea for his turn and they all laugh as he starts to tear up.

 

“I can’t help it he’s just so cute!”  Staring down, “and he’s got your eyes Connie. They’re so blue! Matthew Nicholas is a strong name for such a strong boy.” To Theo, “I think he’s going to be as good an athlete as you Theo, he has a good grip. You’re certainly going to be a busy big brother… teaching him all you know about sports and stuff.”

 

They all sit and visit for a while. Everyone has their turn with the baby, even Michelle got a chance to sit on her daddy’s lap and hold the baby. Matthew was a champ and tolerated all the attention like a true Sipowicz. Soon the doorbell rings and John Irvin greets Jr. as he answers the door.

 

“Wow, full house.” Jr. notices as he walks into the living room carrying two large boxes. “Good thing I got 2 large pizza pies.” Kissing Connie and looking around, “who’s hungry?”

 

The night turned out to be a lot of fun. Baldwin and Valerie showed up for a quick visit on their way to dinner and while they were busy with baby Matt, Andy and Jr. caught a few minutes alone in the kitchen.

 

“How you holding up John?”

 

Rubbing the back of his neck wearily he looks out the window. “Pretty good I guess. I don’t know Andy I just feel so out of sorts. Like everything in my life has blown up and I’m waiting for all the pieces to start crashing down on my head.”

 

Placing his hand on Jr.’s shoulder Andy calmly stands beside him, wanting him to know he’s there for him. “John we can’t make people do things or feel things just because we want it. You are not responsible for the bad decisions your dad and the doc made. You can’t keep blaming yourself for things that were out of your hands.”

 

“I know you’re right Andy but I can’t help it… I can’t help feeling like if I had just said something… or done something different, then maybe…”

 

“No. What’s done is done and you can’t change it. What you can change is how you choose to live your life from this day forward. You’re a good person John and bad things have happened to you but you can choose to learn from all that and be a stronger man… or let it eat at you and you’ll end up down that same destructive road that already hurt two people you cared for.”

 

Jr. looks at Andy with tears in his eyes and grabs him in a tight hug, needing the strength of the man he has come to care for so much. Andy had been with John through some of the darkest days of his life. He stood by him and his faith and support never wavered even when he wasn’t so sure of himself. This man was his partner, his friend and he was fast filling in as the father he lost. As Andy’s arms tighten around him he gives in to the tears and for just a moment allows himself to be comforted and cared for. For just that moment he didn’t have to be strong for someone else he could just be him.

 

Andy stands there understanding that Jr. was going through so much and knowing that there was nothing he could do to lighten his load but be there for him. These past few days had been hard for Andy, torn between the joy of Matthew’s birth and worry over Jr. and his problems. Jr. had come to be a very important part of his life. He was a good partner a good friend and at times he believed that had Andy Jr. lived, their relationship would be just like his and Jr.’s. He was a good man and Andy would be there for him no matter what.

 

Jr. finally feels some calm wash through him. Pulling back, “hey you should kick my ass Andy. I came here to celebrate your son’s birth, not to cry on your shoulder and bring you down.”

 

Andy tells him seriously. “John we’re a family. We celebrate everything in our lives happiness, heartache… everything. Got that?”

 

“Thanks. You don’t know how much this means to me… how much it means to be a part of your family. It’s nice to know I’m not alone.”

 

“You’re not. I’m here, Connie’s here, we’re your family.” Patting his shoulder once more he tells him. “Come on they probably think we ran out on the party. You feel a little better?”

 

“Yeah, let’s go I haven’t even held the baby yet.”

 

It was several hours before things quieted down and they found some time to spend with Theo and Michelle. They watched TV for a while then read 2 stories with them ‘til they finally fell asleep. After securing the apartment for the evening and looking in one more time on the kids Andy makes his way to their bedroom.

 

Connie is reclining in bed feeding Matt and he pauses to take in the beautiful scene before him. Moving over to their bed he gently climbs in beside her and reaches over to rub the baby’s cheek as he nurses, still amazed by his mere existence. “I can’t believe he’s really here… and he’s so beautiful.”

 

“Isn’t he? Face it Andy with 3 good-looking kids we’ve got our jobs cut out for us. You up for it?”

 

“I’m right by your side Connie… all the way.” He winks. “This one is ours for sure, look at that appetite.” Smiling he leans forward and kisses the baby’s head softly. “I’m gonna have to get a second job just to keep all three fed.”

 

“They’re just healthy kids with healthy appetites.”

 

Looking into the pure joy on Connie’s face he can’t resist stroking her cheek and kissing her temple softly. “You are so beautiful, and you look so… happy.”

 

Smiling, “I am Andy. I have you, Theo, Michelle and now Matt… I’m so happy right now I can’t even begin to tell you.”

 

“That’s good. Making you happy… making all of you happy is the most important thing to me.”

 

Connie holds his hand, “how was John tonight? You’re conversation looked pretty intense earlier.”

 

Andy frowns slightly thinking of Jr. “He’s still pretty torn up, but he’s tough. I tell you Connie no one should have to go through the crap he’s been through. He’s blaming himself for things he’s got no control of. I’m just trying to help him keep it together ‘til he realizes there was nothing he could do to change what his dad and Devlin did.”

 

“He’s lucky to have you Andy, he needs someone strong to help get him through this.” Kissing his hand, “I’m sure he’ll be okay.”

 

“Yeah he’ll be okay, he’s got us to make sure of that.” Pulling Connie into his arms.