Brenda and Fritz, but not Daddy (a.k.a. Clay)
"Oh Fritzy, nothing about this trip is going well! My flight was delayed, Daddy got sick and couldn't come, and to top it off, the airline lost my bag! I had a box of Ding Dongs in there that I was saving for landing. I already ate the three I packed in my carry on. I swear this trip is cursed. It's this whole wedding. I still can't believe it," Brenda complained as she opened the car door and flung her things inside. Fritz just watched, and he waited until she was situated before he spoke. He'd been married to Brenda long enough now, that he knew she needed to vent everything before he spoke to her. Finally, when she was done flinging her purse, finding her sunglasses, and getting situated in the car, he spoke.
"Well, hello to you too, Sweetheart. It's good to see you after two weeks of travel," he smirked. Brenda caught herself before she complained again and looked at him.
"I'm sorry," she sighed and smacked her hands on her lap. "I'm just ill, you know, not sick, but irritated."
He nodded, "I'm aware of your Southern sayings after all this time. It's good to see you," he leaned across the car and kissed her. She pulled back and smiled at him.
"It's good to see you too. Thank you for picking me up today. I suppose I'm a little irritated about this wedding all around, that because of my schedule I've really not seen the team in a long time, so long that I can't believe we are going to Andy and Sharon's wedding! Of all people, that still just gets me. I almost can't believe it!"
"I've told you they really are great together. Look at us," he gestured. "Most people would not have put us together, and we're pretty great."
"You're right," she said with her drawl.
"How is Clay doing? Is he still feeling under the weather?" Fritz asked. Brenda had been out of town for work, as was normal for her. She'd had plans to stop in Atlanta for a few days to check on her dad and bring him with her to LA for a visit and especially for the wedding. He'd jumped at the chance when he'd heard Brenda's "good friend Sharon" was getting married, and he'd been even more excited when he'd been told she was marrying Lieutenant Flynn. Clay knew the members of Brenda's former team and considered them family. The plan had been set, but when Brenda had arrived in Atlanta, Clay was feeling under the weather. He'd been diagnosed with the flu a week earlier and was still not feeling up to traveling to L.A. for the big event.
"I spoke to him and to Charlie when I landed. Of course, Daddy says he's just fine. Charlie said he's still not eating much, and she also said he slept almost 14 hours last night. Knowing Daddy, you know how strange that is," she sighed. "I'm worried about him."
Fritz nodded, "I am too. I'm glad you were able to stop in Atlanta for a few days here at the end of your business trip to check on him. He's in good hands with Charlie. She's come a long way from the 15-year old teenager we had staying with us now what, 10 years ago? That doesn't seem possible," he shook his head.
Brenda frowned, "I know. It doesn't seem possible. Charlie is a capable adult and is very responsible. Daddy is special to her, so I know he's getting good care. Wow, it is hard to believe it's been that long since we had Charlie out here," she sighed. "There are days it seems like she was just here yesterday, and then, there are days it seems like a lifetime ago, much like this wedding."
Fritz chuckled as he continued to navigate the traffic. For it being a Saturday afternoon, traffic was especially heavy, and he wasn't making a lot of progress in his drive. They were already going to be tight on time getting to the church with Brenda's late arrival. He glanced at her as she typed out a message on her phone, "Checking on Clay again?"
"No," she sighed. "I did that already, and I'll let him rest. I'm checking in with work. Since I was away on this business trip and then stopped in Atlanta, I'm feeling completely disconnected from the office."
"It will be there on Monday morning," he reached for her hand. She looked to him and nodded.
"You're right. I'm sorry," she gave him a small smile. "I've missed you. I'm glad to finally be back home for a few weeks. Oh, this wedding," she sighed and looked up to the visor. She pulled it down to look in the mirror on the back of the car's visor. "Can you believe they are really getting married?"
"I can," he grinned and then chuckled. "I think it's in the job description for that job and that office. People gave us a few looks when they first found out we were together."
"True, but I hadn't been hated by the whole police force," she said in almost an irritated tone. Fritz gave her a glance, and then she rolled her eyes and corrected her statement. "Fine, maybe my team didn't like me at first, but they got over that quickly."
"The difference with us was that you came in from a different state. The whole building didn't know you at first. They just didn't really like you, Brenda, coming in from out of the area and taking over, especially when they found out you were one of Pope's friends. By the time they figured out you were as amazing as you are, we were already dating. Sharon's worked there her whole career and built a reputation, a tough one. She's a great cop, but because of her job, people didn't like her. Andy's worked there his whole career too and come through with a few different roles and reputations. He's generally liked, but he's also known for his drinking, which I know is a hard reputation to put behind you when you work with the same people that long, and he was known for his playboy type reputation. You even remember that some."
"Oh, don't get me started on the revolving door of dates between Andy and the lieutenant. I still can't believe both of them are now going to be married. Unbelievable," she grumbled.
"Brenda, you know the two of them are great for each other-I'm talking about Sharon and Andy now, not Andy and Provenza. Those two," he shook his head, "I'm almost surprised they haven't killed each other. I'd almost think they were brothers they way they bicker but then do anything for each other. Back to Sharon and Andy, I've told you both have really come into their own in Major Crimes. She runs that team well, just as you did, but with a different style, and I think she and Andy are good for each other."
"I guess. It's just odd," she sighed. "I know you've told me about how much Sharon has helped Rusty, and then how the team has really grown to like her, but it's still strange to me. I remember seeing them out to dinner before they were even dating. That was eye opening."
Fritz laughed, "Dating. That has always been a relative term with the two of them. The team has been laughing about it for years. I've lost my share of money on bets the team has included me in over the years. Where did we first see them, that you saw them? I've been working with them for years, so I see it daily, but I don't remember where we saw them together."
"Well," she let out a long breath as she tried to recall it, and then nodded, "I guess you and I had gone to dinner, but we saw them at the movies. We'd gone to that movie, and remember, I'd complained about the guy a couple rows in front of us with the big head? I kept saying his head was too big that it was blocking me from the movie. He had the nerve to come in late, and then he sat where I couldn't see."
"Oh, that's right," he chuckled. "It was that romantic comedy that you still don't want to admit you liked and wanted to see, but somehow, we ended up in that theater."
"That, I'm not discussing," she rolled her eyes at him, "but we did end up at the movies, and I couldn't see, even with those what do you call them-stadiums seats, right? His head was so big, I couldn't see, and then I remember complaining it was worse because the woman put her head on his shoulder, and that made it even harder to see! Imagine my surprise when the movie ended, and I was ready to complain about the rude couple in front of me that it was Andy there with Sharon!"
"I've told you that they are probably my two favorite people at work now. You and I both really like Andy, and Sharon's really impressed me over the years. She's great at her job and very caring, which I know isn't the impression you have of her. She and Andy have made a great family with Rusty," he said.
Brenda just shook her head, "It's quite the odd pairing, that's for sure. They haven't killed each other yet, so I guess maybe they are good together. It's still so strange to me. I remember how those two would go rounds at work."
"You and I have had our share of arguments too," he winked at her. "Sometimes, that's just the underlying attraction talking. Ever since Sharon's settled in there at Major Crimes, Andy has been right by her side. I know he's helped with Rusty, but I've told you they all have. He's been good for her, and anyone who can get Sharon to divorce Jack Raydor is a winner in my book. She must have really liked Andy to go to that level. Now, that guy is a piece of work. I hate seeing him in the building, that smirk of his. It's a wonder Sharon ever loved him, but I know people can change. Whatever finally brought the Sharon and Andy around to actual admit they were dating, I'm glad for them. They deserve to be happy. They work as well together as we do," he smiled at Brenda. "In ways, they remind me of us. It's different, but I see it."
She frowned at him, "I can't really say that even after all this time I like being compared to Sharon Raydor, and while Andy Flynn is a good guy, he's still not my Fritzy," she then gave him a small, bashful smile and looked away. It was then she noted they were surrounded by heavy traffic. "Fritzy, are we going to make it on time?"
Fritz watched the cars stopping ahead of him and slowed again to a stop. It wasn't hard because he was barely moving. He rested his arm on the car door and frowned as he turned to her, "No, we're not. Between your late flight," and he raised his hands in defense, "and this traffic, we aren't. Wedding starts in five minutes."
She frowned too and shook her head. It was then she noticed his outfit, "Fritzy, you look so handsome. I'm sorry," she said in her Southern drawl. "I didn't even tell you that before. Your dark suit, your gray shirt, and that tie," she nodded and continued, "I like that tie."
"Well, thank you," he looked to her. He reached over and kissed her cheek now that they were sitting in stopped traffic. "I'm sorry we won't make the wedding. We can focus on making the reception. That's the fun part anyway."
Brenda rolled her eyes, "I still have trouble believing Sharon would have any sort of fun party, even a wedding reception."
Fritz pointed at her, "She's only one part of this union, and I think you are still misjudging her. She's a lot of fun and always makes a big deal about events at work. She likes to celebrate. You know she's classy, so I think this will be a really nice wedding. Besides, you can see your old team and visit with Rusty. I've told you he's really grown up a lot."
"I can't believe after all this traveling we are going to miss that wedding! I am almost as interested to see it to see the lieutenant dressed up as I am to see the ceremony. I can't believe Rusty has changed so much either. The couple times I've run into him the last few years, it's been a surprise to see what a nice young man he's become."
"He's really attached to Sharon, Andy too, for that matter," Fritz nodded. "You saw that a little when he had that heart attack."
Brenda nodded, thinking back to that event, "Well, for everyone's sake, I'm glad Andy is recovering from that, and you've told me Sharon has been sick too. I'm glad she's better. Those two are working too hard if they are landing in the hospital so much. I can't believe they've both collapsed at work."
Fritz nodded and thought to himself. He could relate to Andy's heart attack at work. The day it happened, Fritz called Brenda and told her about Andy collapsing in the office. He explained to her he wanted to stop by the hospital on his way home to check on him. Fritz knew the feeling, the scary feeling of a heart attack. He'd had one himself a few years before, and thankfully, he had not collapsed in the building. He could have though; he could have had a similar route to what Andy had done. He'd finally come clean with Brenda about his own heart attack after it had happened, knowing as much as he wanted to hide it, he couldn't keep something that big from his wife. Maybe that was why when he told Brenda Andy had collapsed, she quickly said she wanted to go with him. So, the two had agreed to meet at the hospital, and they did. They met in the parking lot to go inside together, and that was where they encountered Rusty.
"Fritz, Brenda," he said when he spotted them. He jumped up quickly from his seat in the lounge. Fritz could see the panic in his eyes, and he was looking around, almost scared. Fritz and Brenda walked to him, and Fritz patted his shoulder.
"Rusty, we wanted to stop by and check on Andy. How's he doing?" Fritz asked.
Rusty shook his head quickly, "I don't know. I mean, they haven't said. Lieutenant Provenza got here about 15 minutes ago and just walked to ask about him, to see if Sharon was around with an update. They called her back there awhile ago now, and I told her I'd wait here. I wish I'd gone now. I can't believe this," he said, almost teary eyed. "Andy was doing better. Sharon can't lose him."
"She won't, Rusty," Fritz nodded to him, a solemn smile. "You and Sharon won't lose him."
"Rusty, it's good to see you," Brenda said quietly. "Why don't we sit down, and we can talk?"
"Umm, sure," he nodded, and as they walked, Brenda continued to speak.
"It's been awhile since I last saw you. I've heard all about things with Sharon and Andy. I can see they mean a lot to you," she gave him a small smile as they sat.
He nodded quickly again, "Well, yeah, I mean, Sharon adopted me, and Andy's been around through all of it, lurking at first," he cracked a small smile as he thought back over their relationship, "but I don't know what Sharon would do without him. I'm used to him being around too. I already kept him alive once when he hit his head at the condo. I don't want to see anything happen to him. He's been good to me."
"I can tell," Brenda chuckled. "You weren't interested in anyone other than yourself just a few short years ago. Hearing you talk so fondly about the two of them, well, I can tell they mean a lot to you."
He dropped his head, and Fritz cleared his throat to speak to him, "Rusty, I suppose you've called the other kids?"
"Yeah," he looked up at them. "I have. I called all of them. This is becoming a bad habit," he sighed. Provenza returned to the group, and Fritz nodded at him.
"Provenza," he said and continued, "any update?"
"Sharon is back there now. She just sent me a text message," he held up his phone. "They think it's a heart attack and are running tests to confirm. Flynn's going to be okay, most likely. He'll be back to irritating all of us at work soon enough."
"Lieutenant, I can't believe I just heard you call her Sharon," Brenda smiled at him. "My, my times have changed."
Provenza rolled his eyes, "I don't call her that all the time, even that often, but now," he gestured, "she's like family. If any of you repeat that or try to claim I said it, I'll deny it," he looked to them, sternly.
Rusty looked around at them and back to Brenda, "Brenda, the four of them have dinner parties together, like all eat together. They are friends. You wouldn't believe it. It's almost alarming."
The four continued to talk, and they spent another hour there with Rusty. The rest of the team had been stuck at the office with Mike in charge, but oddly enough, the four talked like family. They waited there with Rusty until Sharon came out with more information, and even when Brenda and Fritz were ready to leave, Brenda surprised herself almost by offering to take Rusty out for dinner.
"Rusty, Lieutenant, we are going to get some dinner. Would you two care to join us?" she asked. Fritz glanced at her, and then he smiled at the others.
"I think we could all use a greasy burger," Fritz nodded, knowing that was Rusty's favorite thing to eat.
Rusty looked around at them, "I can't say no to a burger, but it's almost wrong we're going to eat something that greasy when Andy just had a heart attack."
Brenda started to laugh at Rusty's comment, and then all of them were laughing. It felt good to laugh, even in the middle of the stress. They did take Rusty to dinner and then brought Rusty and Provenza back to the hospital where they were able to briefly see Andy in his room. He'd been moved by that point, and it was then, Brenda got more than a quick moment to speak to Sharon.
"Sharon, I'm so sorry about all this," she gave her a small smile while the two women stood in the hall. Andy was resting in his room and talking to Rusty, Provenza, and Fritz. Sharon took a deep breath and just nodded, as she held back her tears.
"He's going to be okay," she told herself and looked to Brenda. "He's tough and strong. He's got to stop doing this."
"I'm sorry," Brenda reached out and gripped Sharon's hand. "Fritz has kept me updated on everything from work. I know about his blood clot and everything else. You two have had quite the mess."
"Hmm, we have," she nodded. "I'm sorry I'm such a mess," she tried to laugh it off, but the tears started to fall again. "I haven't had time to really process all this."
"Of course, you haven't," Brenda said, squeezing her hand again. She then stepped back, "I know Andy is a fighter. He's also loyal, and he's not going to give up, especially if he's in love with you like I've heard."
Sharon smiled slightly and looked to the ground, "I love him too. Who would have thought, right? We've all come a long way these last few years."
"You have, and he's going to recover, and you two can continue to irritate the lieutenant for years to come," she smiled at Sharon.
Sharon chuckled and nodded, "I knew Andy was a package deal-I got Andy and Louie when Andy and I fell love."
Brenda nodded, "One day, you'll have to tell me how all this finally happened, you and Andy together," she gestured. "I didn't see it coming."
"Hmm, I was in the relationship," Sharon chuckled again, "and I almost missed it myself."
Since that time, Brenda hadn't spoken to Sharon much, mostly because both women had incredibly busy work schedules. It had always been like that, and while the two women had grown closer, they also weren't the best of friends. This wedding, though, Brenda had to admit, she was excited to see and was now irritated they were going to miss it.
"Fritzy, we haven't moved in 15 minutes," she sighed and looked away. "It doesn't help I'm starving. I can't believe the airline lost my bag! Some baggage worker in Atlanta is probably eating my Ding Dongs now! They said they'd try to find it and deliver it to the house, but that doesn't help me after a long flight. Do you have anything in here to eat?"
"I thought you'd never ask," he flashed a smirk at her and reached behind the seat. He pulled out a grocery bag and nodded to her. "Happy Wedding Day," he winked. "I knew my lovely bride would be hungry, and lucky for you, I just happen to know what you enjoy eating."
"Ding Dongs! Candy bars! Fritzy, oh, I love you," she said, drawing out the words as she dug around in the paper bag. Fritz had stopped at a gas station on the drive to the airport, both to get gas and to pick up a snack for Brenda. He had no clue about her lost bag at the time, and now, he was glad he'd gone inside to pick up almost every item of junk food in the store.
"Well, Brenda, you can't say I don't know you well. All this wedding talk has me remembering ours. There was a time I wasn't sure we'd ever get married, and now, here we are, still married after all these years," he smiled at her.
"Oh, Fritzy," she said between bites of her candy bar, "traffic is moving." She pointed out the window, forgetting about Fritz's romantic comment.
He looked up and then back at her, "Moving five feet isn't exactly getting going now. I'm sorry we will miss the wedding. We'll still make the reception, and maybe after things settle, we should get together with Sharon, Andy, Provenza, and his wife, Patrice."
"Now, that is the woman I want to sit down and talk to at this reception," Brenda said with a mouthful of candy. "I have to learn more about her. Oh, I can't believe the lieutenant found his match."
"Which lieutenant?" Fritz grinned. "Brenda, do you realize both of your lieutenants have grown up finally?"
"It is shocking," she nodded. "I'm so glad I made it, even if we are missing the wedding. I promised Daddy I'd get a picture for him."
"Ahh, yes, a picture with your good friend, Sharon," he chuckled.
"Well, she is, finally," Brenda nodded. "We aren't close, but I'm there for her if she needs me. I think your dinner idea is a good one. Let's suggest that today."
"We can do that," Fritz nodded.
"Oh! I can make clam linguini," Brenda piped up and grinned at Fritz.
He nodded silently, "Maybe we'll see if they all want to go out to dinner. Andy keeps talking about their favorite place, Serve. I'd like to take you there, with them," he told her. "Today, though, let's not bother them with details about getting together for dinner. We can mention it in the next week or so. For now, why don't you just relax and enjoy your snack? We'll go right to the reception, where I know they are having a nice meal."
Brenda nodded, and the car was quite for a few moments. She turned to him a few seconds later, her eyes sparkling, "Fritzy, do you know anything about the cake?"