Andy took Brenda to a jewellery shop and they looked over rings. Brenda didn't actually care all that much, she'd been down this road before, but Andy wanted to make it official, that they were getting married. He'd picked a lovely one that was within his budget and he proposed once again to her once they got home. He'd done the one knee thing and Brenda had thrown her arms around him and told him once again she was sure she wanted to marry him, regardless of the consequences. That was how Brenda finally decided to take the bull by the horns and at least inform Will Pope of her relationship with Flynn and to take the consequences that may occur because of it.
Will had taken the news calmly, not going ballistic that Brenda was involved with one of her lieutenants. It's not like he could condemn her for it, he'd been her superior all those years ago, after he'd convinced her to come to the D.C. Police department. So, he'd heard her "confession" and told her that she had to keep things out of the office, the personal stuff. At work, their relationship couldn't interfere with the job. If it did, one day one of them may need to be transferred to another department.
Brenda was surprised at Will taking the news so calmly, considering their past, but was happy that all the worry and stress she'd put herself through the last few months was relieved. She was curious, however, why Will hadn't tried to approach her after she had split with Fritz. Fritz's question that day had puzzled her, and she realized she'd never really considered that Will would want to make anything of their relationship again. But now, she wanted to know why. As she sat there, she decided to ask him.
"Will, did you ever think that we may have gotten back together after Fritz left? He thought for sure you would be the first in line at the door. He never could accept the fact that what we had was in the past. I'm just curious." Brenda could be nosy at times, and this was one of them times.
Will looked at her, thinking how to tell Brenda his own bit of secrecy. Finally, he just came out with it. "Brenda, if I'd not been involved with someone, I may have pursued a relationship with you. I have fond memories of our time together, it's what has kept us friends all these years. But, I have to tell you, I've been with this one woman for over a year, and I love her. Timing has never been right between the two of us. But I do have to ask you, why Flynn? He's not who I would ever have pegged you to be with. He's loud, he can be kind of a screw up, he tried to get you fired years ago. So, why Flynn?"
"Why does everyone ask that? Why Flynn? I'm so tired of that question! He kept me going after Fritz left, he was my friend, someone to talk to. Whenever I felt like just giving up, he was there to listen to me. He's not the person that everyone thinks he is. And I know about what he's done in the past, he's told me, and I've forgiven him. We've moved past that." Brenda was miffed.
"Still, given all that, why Flynn?" Will was as nosy as Brenda was.
"Does it matter anymore? We're together, I love him. Even my parents have accepted that fact."
"Your father has accepted Flynn?"
"As much as he's going to, anyway. They got along well when Mama and Daddy were here to look after me." Brenda admitted, still miffed that the two previous men in her life thought that Flynn was an unbelievable choice for her. "Besides, who is this mystery woman that you're involved with? I had no idea you were seeing anyone."
"I could say the same for you, Brenda. I will admit, you've kept it well hidden, your relationship with Flynn. How'd you manage to keep him from crowing about it, I thought for sure he'd have announced it to the world."
"You didn't answer my question, Will. I promise I won't tell anyone. I mean, if I can admit I'm with Flynn, who are you with? Anyone I know?" Brenda was determined to get him to talk.
Will fiddled with a pen in his hand, debating the wisdom of revealing who he was in a relationship with. Finally deciding to tell the truth and considering that Brenda had told him of her relationship, he finally answered, albeit in a very soft voice. "I've been seeing Captain Raydor."
"Captain Raydor? Seriously, Will? Of all people! That woman?" Brenda couldn't believe her ears.
"I thought you two got along! I mean, I haven't had to mediate a fight between you two in ages. And you're one to talk. I mean, Flynn? Really?" Will fought back.
"I'm just surprised, that's all. She's not someone I ever thought you'd be with." Brenda shook her head.
"Well, that may be, but you're making assumptions like I did about Flynn. Once you get to know her, she's nothing like what you think. She's actually a very caring person. Did you know she has children? Good kids, both of them. And she's not the she-devil you sometimes think she is." Will countered.
"I suppose assumptions are making asses of us. I'm just surprised, that's all. You've done a good job of hiding your relationship, just like I have." Brenda said.
"Well, it's something Sharon hasn't wanted to get out. Something about not wanting to get to the top by sleeping with someone higher up. She prefers our privacy, much like you and Flynn do, I suppose. Listen, have you told Delk yet?"
"No, I came to you first. I thought you deserved to know that things between Flynn and I have gotten really serious. He's asked me to marry him." Brenda wondered how Will felt about that.
Will looked at her, regret somewhat in his eyes. Their timing was never right, not since they'd parted years ago. He stood up and came around his desk, holding out his hand to her. "Congratulations, Brenda. I hope you and him will be happy. And I'll try to do what I can to help you on this end. Just don't let your relationship with him interfere with your work. Don't show favouritism to him, you have to forget he's your fiance while you're on the job. If you don't, you're setting yourself up for disciplinary action."
"I know, Will, I know. It's what I've been trying to do since I found myself in a relationship with him. I think we've done very well, keeping the two separate."
"Until you came in here and told me, I had no idea you were involved with him. And Brenda, I would appreciate if you didn't mention to anyone who I'm involved with. She'll kill me if this gets out."
"Don't worry, Will, if you keep my secret, I'll keep yours. Still, Raydor, really?" Brenda stood up, grabbing her bag.
"Brenda, enough. Unless you want me to keep asking "Why Flynn?"" Will smiled.
"Point taken. Good luck, Will. I wish you two the best." Brenda left his office, still surprised. She walked back to Major Crimes, a smile on her face and a little lighter of heart. When she entered, she seen her husband to be sitting at his desk, talking to someone on the phone. She said hello to everyone as she passed by, heading for her office.
She entered, opened her candy drawer and picked a Kit Kat bar out, enjoying it. Andy came in a few moments later, a question in his eyes. It didn't take long for him to get to the point.
"Listen, I've been thinking. We're getting married, and it seems useless that we have two residences right now. I know you like your apartment, but since I own my house, I was wondering if you would like to move in there with me. And if you don't want to move into my house, we could go and look for a place together, buy one in both of our names." Andy was ready to move on with things.
Brenda looked at him, knowing this was a logical step in their relationship. She just hadn't thought about giving up her apartment, but he was right. He did own his own place, she was renting still. It would be right to move into his place. It was a nice place, big enough for the two of them to combine their households. After the torturous exercise of trying to find a place with Fritz a few years ago, she didn't know if she was up to go through the househunting process once again.
"I think maybe you're right, Andy. I think moving into your place would be the thing to do. You know I hate change, but it doesn't make sense for me to keep renting a place when we could move in together. And we can always look for another place if things aren't working out." Brenda surprised even herself by agreeing with the move. "Why didn't you ask me this last night? Why here?"
"I've just been thinking all morning about it, that's all. I just want us to be in one place together, instead of one of us having to go from place to place all the time. But I don't want you to feel like I'm pressuring you. If you want to look for another place, I'm willing to put my house on the market, we'll look for a place of ours, together. And I'm asking at work, cause I realized this morning, I want to see your face every morning, to be with you every morning. Cause waking up without you there is not something I like to do anymore." Andy felt like such a sap around her all the time. He couldn't help himself around her.
Brenda smiled at him, unbelieving that this tall, rough around the edges man was a bit of a romantic at heart, regardless of how he'd used to put the concept of love down. "I've grown quite used to having you around as well. I'd love to move in with you."
This had went much easier then Andy had expected. He didn't know what to say, he was just happy she'd agreed to this. It was almost as hard as asking her to marry him had been.
"Listen, Andy, I went to Pope, I've told him about us. I figured since we're getting married, it was time to let him know, in case we were in any trouble. But things seem to be okay, as long as we keep our relationship out of the office."
Andy was surprised. He knew she'd accepted his marriage proposal, but had silently figured that even then she'd want to keep their relationship a secret. The fact she'd went to Pope made him happy. It meant she was trying to adapt to things, to be more open. "How'd he take the news?"
"Fine, surprised that I'm involved with you, though. Seems to be a theme whenever anyone finds out about us." Brenda frowned.
"I never thought I was your type either, Chief. I mean, you're a lady, I'm just me. You've been used to a certain way of life and I can't give that to you. But I do love you." Andy said.
"We'll talk more when we get home. And you know I love you." Brenda opened her candy drawer and pulled out a chocolate bar, handing it over to him. "We need to get back to work. I wouldn't want to not being doing our job and get called out on it." She smiled at him, letting him know she was somewhat joking.
"Whatever you say, Chief. But when we get home, I think we should celebrate this decision." Andy smiled at her.
"We'll celebrate it in a way we'll both enjoy. Now, be a good boy and get back to work."
"Yes, ma'am." With that, Andy got up, opening his chocolate bar and heading back to work.
Brenda watched as he sat down at his desk and smiled. That man was going to be her husband, for the good, the bad and everything in between. And for the first time in a long time, Brenda felt relaxed and ready for whatever was to come.