AUTHOR'S NOTE This takes place after LA Confidential, the film starring Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, and Kim Basinger. Basinger played Lynn Bracken, Pearce played Ed Exley, Crowe played Bud White, and Spacey played a character named Jack Vincennes, who does not appear in this story. This is my favorite movie of all time and I suggest you all rent it. It's based on a book by James Ellroy.
DISCLAIMER Not mine. James Ellroy's.
LA Confidential
Over the last month, Bisbee, Arizona had erupted into a flurry of activity. The sleepy desert town had never faced something of this nature before. They weren't quite sure how to deal with it.
The Chief of the LAPD was coming in for the weekend. He wasn't the President of the United States or anything, but he was far more important than anyone else who had ever come to Bisbee before.
In all the excitement over preparing for the Chief's arrival, the citizens of Bisbee all but forgot about the reason he was coming. Which was quite all right with Bud White and Lynn Bracken, who would have been just as happy if their wedding had passed by quietly and only in the company of their closest friends. But they made do and were happy to relax as the huge endeavor that was their wedding swirled with enthusiasm around them.
The wedding was set for the second weekend in March. Police Chief Exley would arrive on Friday and leave on Monday morning. As Friday drew ever closer, Bisbee worked itself into a frenzy that only intensified when a black automobile rolled toward Main Street.
Suddenly, everyone remembered Bud and Lynn. They were the reason that Exley was here! The bride-to-be and her groom found their beloved anonymity shattered. A meeting was set up in the town square for Bud and Lynn to welcome their Best Man.
Ed Exley was surprised at the crowd that greeted his car. He was even more surprised to see Bud and Lynn standing a little uncomfortably at the top of the stairs of City Hall. He grinned as he ascended the steps.
Lynn kissed his cheek when he reached her. "Thank you for coming, Ed."
Ed grinned. "I wouldn't miss it." He turned to Bud and held out his hand. "Congratulations," he said, smiling.
Bud grinned, amused. "You draw crowds everywhere you go?"
Ed blushed and glared teasingly at his old friend as they shook hands. "This wasn't my doing."
"Never is." Bud laughed. "Come on." He took Lynn's hand and the two of them led Ed away from the cheering crowd and down around the side of the building. Suddenly they emerged onto a quiet street lined with trees and giant cacti.
"That was quick," he remarked. He gazed down the street. "You actually live here?"
Lynn laughed. "Of course! Our house is just down the road here. Why?"
Ed looked around. "Well, it's so empty. I can't imagine coming here from LA. How are you getting on out here, Bud?"
His old friend smiled tightly, clearly for the benefit of his future wife, before replying non-committally, "Fine."
Ed had to laugh. "I'm sorry I haven't visited before now. Job's been pretty crazy."
Lynn smiled as she led him up the walk to a modest pale yellow house. "This break is well-deserved. As was your promotion. Come on in."
They had a late lunch in Bud and Lynn's cozy living room. Much to the town's disappointment, Ed had decided to stay in their guest bedroom rather than sample Bisbee's hospitality. They had managed to secure a quiet rehearsal dinner, but all three went to sleep nervously awaiting the publicity spectacular that the ceremony would inevitably turn out to be.
Lynn's bridesmaids spirited her out of the house early the next day, so as not to let Bud see her. Ed, therefore, was left with a nervous, moody, occasionally violent Bud White. He hastily hid all things breakable in the house and allowed Bud to beat on every pillow, cushion, and article of footwear he could find.
"Are you finished throwing things?" Ed asked wryly as Bud sank down on his bed amidst a sea of pumps and work boots. "You really should get dressed."
Bud glared at him, then chuckled. "You're brave agreeing to be my Best Man," he said.
Offering a hand to help Bud up, Ed replied, "I've been on your bad side, Officer White. I can handle anything."
Begrudgingly, Bud accepted his hand and searched his closet for his tuxedo. He grumbled as he put it on, fumbling with the cummerbund and cursing at nearly every article of clothing in his closet. Finally, Ed followed him grinning out the door. "I hope you're ready for this."
"You're the one used to reporters, not me."
Ed suppressed his laughter at the look on Bud's face when they saw the stretch limousine parked on the street. Gently, he guided Bud to the door and within moments, for Bisbee was a very small town, they sat in front of a quaint white church swarming with half of the photographers in LA county.
Bud took a deep breath. "Here we go."
"You've been shot multiple times, twice point blank in the head, and couple of cameramen are what makes you nervous," Ed said with an amazed shake of his head.
"Shut up."
Chuckling, Ed climbed out first to field most of the flashing lights. He and Bud forced their way into the chapel and up to the alter. And there, they waited.
She appeared in the doorway, radiant in a flowing white gown. She couldn't keep the grin off of her face as she slowly came nearer and nearer. "She looks beautiful," Ed murmured.
Bud raised an eyebrow. "Jealous?" he muttered back.
"Never Wendell." He grinned as Bud glared at him. "Never."
Suggestions
Elizabeth and Darcy from Pride and Prejudice: As embarrassing as it is to admit this, I've never read or seen a version of this, other than on Wishbone, lol.
Anya and Dimitri: I don't know what they're from.
Angie and Oscar from Shark Tale: I only saw that once, so I'd have to watch it again.
Spooner and Calvin from I, Robot: I didn't see all of that movie…
Keith and Allura from Votron: I'm not familiar with that.
Bert and Mary from Mary Poppins: I'm pretty sure I haven't seen this since I was about four years old, but if I ever watch it again, that will go on the list!
Laura and Sam from The Day After Tomorrow: This is the second request for this and I do love this movie, so on the list they go!
Faramir and Éowyn from LOTR: I wrote a scene of their wedding in my Lord of the Rings fic "A Silver Glass Tomorrow," if you'd like to read that (wink). It's in the chapter titled "To Tarry Too Long."
Aragorn and Arwen from LOTR: Okay, this is the third request I've had for this couple. If their wedding is not already written in Return of the King, I'll write it for you!
Buffy and Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel: As I said before, I'm very much a B/A shipper, but I'm not sure I could ever feasibly do this one.
Fred and Wesley from Angel: Aww, I love this pairing! The whole thing with Illyria might make it hard, but I'll give it some thought.
Doyle and Cordelia from Angel: Again, I love them! But the fact that he dies basically just after telling her how he feels might make it difficult. Maybe something on the demon plane?
Noah and Allie from The Notebook: Definitely a possibility!
Daredevil and Elektra from Daredevil: Probably not, because I'm not very comfortable with the mythology.
Anakin and Padmé from Star Wars: I won't write a wedding scene that was the movie…sorry.
Han and Leia from Star Wars: Same as above…they get married in the expanded universe novel The Courtship of Princess Leia and I can't write it any better.
