AN: This is a missing moment from Sirens (8x10). You know, the one where Kensi kicks the moms out and (with suspiciously perfect timing!) "Sullivan" magically appears. But don't worry, Sullivan/Ferris doesn't make an appearance in this. Neither do Kensi or Deeks, for that matter (it does say Densi or Densi-related discussions in the description, after all). This takes place when the smothers find a bar and commiserate over drinks.
Another chapter should be up next week and promises nothing but Densi fluff.
Being the first patrons of the day at the wine bar, Julia and Roberta had their pick of tables. Roberta suggested they sit at the bar to get their drinks faster.
"It's early yet, so I think I'll have some cava rosé, please," Julia requested of the young female bartender, as she settled herself on a tall chair.
"It's nighttime somewhere," Roberta said. "Make mine a Beefeater martini, dirty."
Their drinks arrived quickly, and the women clinked glasses.
"To bratty kids," toasted Roberta.
"And good moms," finished Julia.
After taking a healthy sip of her drink, Roberta said, "Nah, they're actually good kids, aren't they? That Kensi of yours is a real spitfire. She keeps my Martin on his toes, and I have to admire that. She'll get back to a hundred percent, I just know it."
"Thank you. Marty is such a wonderful young man, so kind and respectful. And the way he's been by her side through Kensi's hospitalization and recovery…she's in good hands with him."
"He loves her so much, you can see it the way he looks at her."
"You know, before they got together, I could tell there was something special between them. I don't think even they realized it at the time."
"You met Martin before they started dating? He only introduced me to Kensi four months before she moved in with him."
"Well, only because Marty needed to take me into protective custody." At Roberta's raised eyebrows, Julia explained, "There was a… dangerous man who was looking for Kensi, and he came to my house hoping to find her. Not long after he left, Marty showed up and introduced himself as a cop who worked with Kensi."
"Why didn't Kensi just call and tell you to get out of the house?"
"Up until later that day, I hadn't seen or spoken with her for fifteen years." Julia dropped her chin in regret. "Marty promised me that I'd see Kensi again if I went with him, and even though I didn't believe him, I went anyway because I was desperate to know anything about her. But she showed up that night, and your son was the reason. He gave me my daughter back."
"Fifteen years? How did that happen?" Martin had shared that Kensi and her mother hadn't always been close, but Roberta could never pry more out of him.
Julia spoke with sadness, "I made some stupid mistakes and Kensi was a stubborn teenager. Then I made it worse by staying away because it was what she wanted, even though it's not what a good mother would have done. But what's important is that we're back in each other's lives now."
"Don't beat yourself up over it, Julia. At least your mistakes didn't result in Kensi having to shoot her dad."
Julia nearly choked on the sip she was taking, "What?" Kensi once hinted that Marty didn't have a happy childhood, but hadn't shared the details.
"Martin's good-for-nothing father was an alcoholic who used to beat me pretty regularly. When he was old enough to start defending me, the louse turned on our boy as well. One day he was going to kill me, and probably Martin next. But Martin shot him first."
"It's a good thing he became a cop."
Roberta shook her head, "He was eleven."
Julia put her hand on the other woman's arm, "How horrible. I'm sorry that happened to you both."
"No child should have to go through what my Martin did. And I let it happen." Roberta took another drink, "So much for toasting to good moms. It's a wonder our kids turned out as terrific as they did."
"You raised him well despite your husband, and then alone after that, right? You're a big part of the reason he's the compassionate, loving, brave man that he is."
Roberta nodded her acknowledgement of the compliment. "And you were there in Kensi's early years, which is so important. Didn't you raise her alone much of that time too, while her dad was on deployment?"
"Yes, and yet she still aspired to be like Don more than she ever wanted to emulate me," Julia grinned ruefully.
"I'm thankful every day that Martin didn't grow up to be like his father." Roberta chuckled, "No offense, but sometimes I think Kensi's more of the man in that relationship."
Julia bit back a smile, "Well, they definitely complement each other perfectly." She leaned over and whispered to her friend, "And I have a feeling he handles her much better than we did this morning."
"Amen to that," Roberta agreed before signaling the bartender for another round. "Now if we can just get Martin to propose while Kensi's awake, we'll have more to toast to."
"He was so nervous when he asked for my blessing, not long before Kensi was hurt. I think he was concerned I might say no, or at least reveal some disapproval of him as Kensi's husband."
"Yeah, he worries sometimes that he's not good enough for her, I can tell."
"He shouldn't; he's perfect for her. I'm not sure Marty believes just how much Kensi needs and wants him. She wouldn't accept less than the best, and I told him that."
"Aww, you're going to be a great mother-in-law to my boy."
"I already love him like he's my own. And Kensi's lucky to have you as her mother-in-law."
When their fresh drinks arrived, Roberta held hers up. "To good in-laws!"
"And good friends," Julia smiled at her future co-mother-in-law.
They sipped and Roberta toasted again, "To Kensi's continued recovery."
"To Marty, who's always there for her," Julia added.
"To their long, happy marriage," Roberta continued.
"And lots of grandchildren!" wished Julia.
"Yes! After they get married, we need to get them working on grandbabies right away."
"I really do like the way you think."
Roberta put her arm around Julia's shoulder, "And I know just what to do…."