It was almost dinnertime when Kelly stepped out of the shower and put her robe on. She came out of the bathroom, checking on her son that was still fast asleep in the bed. Kelly smiled softly. It had been a draining afternoon. Sammy had been so energetic, ready to see all of London. Of course, he was just thrilled to get to ride on the double-decker bus around town. It didn't really matter where they went. They hadn't been able to take a lot of big vacations. Being a single mom to a young son and a guardian to her teenage sister had taken a lot time and work. She didn't regret her decision to keep either one though. Kelly went back into the bathroom and began drying her hair when she heard a knock on the door.
Kelly checked on Sammy again, who hadn't moved an inch. As she looked through the peephole in the door, she quickly began combing her fingers through her hair. "Just a minute," she replied softly as she took a deep breath and opened the door.
Kelly's heart began racing as she smiled at the person on the other side of the door. "Sorry, I didn't mean to barge in on you," he told her, wishing he would of called before stopping by, but secretly thinking that she couldn't look any better than she did standing there in her robe with her damp hair.
"Brandon, please. Come in." She invited him into the room. "Let me go get dressed. Please, make yourself comfortable." Brandon took a seat in the sitting area as Kelly went to get dressed. Brandon looked over at the bed, watching Sammy suck his thumb as he pulled his blanket up over his face and continued dreaming.
Kelly appeared from the bathroom a few minutes later. "Wow, Kel," he said looking her up and down, "just wow."
Kelly smiled, slightly embarrassed. It had been a long time since she had gotten a compliment like that from a guy. "Thank you, Brandon," she said genuinely.
It took them a while to know what to say to each other. Talking on the phone for the past few years had been so easy. There was no pressure, no nervousness. But now seeing each other again stirred up a lot of memories for both of them. Kelly had been alone for what seemed like eternity, choosing to focus on her family rather than her personal life. Brandon's divorce had only been finalized for about a year, and he had dated anyone seriously since then.
"So what are you and Sam doing for dinner tonight?"
"Oh, I don't know. Something simple. Any suggestions?"
"There's a place around the corner that I think you'd both like. Would you like some company?"
"I'd love some company. But don't you have obligations with your family?"
"Nah, they will survive without me. Besides, I'm sure we will have some nauseating moments coming up in the next couple days with the wedding."
Kelly woke Sammy up a few minutes later and they all headed to dinner together. Brandon and Kelly settled into their comfort zone and Brandon had a nice evening getting to know Kelly's son. Kelly watched her son during dinner, giggling at Brandon's corny jokes and roughhousing with him out by the street. He looked so comfortable and so happy. She wished the opportunities to be around a father figure everyday.
As they walked back towards the hotel, several members of Brandon's family and the wedding party greeted them.
"Well hey you guys. Having fun?"
The entire Walsh family watched as Sammy was hanging off Brandon's arm, smiling from ear to ear.
"Yeah," Sammy answered.
"Kel, I forgot to tell you earlier that we have a babysitter watching the baby after the rehearsal dinner and wedding. If you want, she can watch Sammy too."
"That would be great. Thank you."
Brenda wrapped her arm around her fiancée. "We are going to have a nightcap in the lounge. Anyone care to join us?" she asked looking around.
Several answered yes. "Kel?"
Kelly looked down at Sammy. "No, thanks. I'd better get him to bed. We'll see you all in the morning."
Brenda looked at her brother, who looked somewhat let down. "I think I'll escort the Taylor's back to their room. I'll catch up with you all in a few minutes."
The elevator ride was quiet as they made it to their floor. Kelly stopped at her hotel door and opened it, letting Sammy go in. Leaving the door slightly ajar, she turned around to look at Brandon.
"Thank you for dinner and for walking us back to the room. It was very sweet of you."
Brandon gave her a small smile. "It was my pleasure. Thank you for spending the evening with me."
Kelly looked at Brandon seriously. "I've missed you Brandon."
He reached his arms around her, holding her close. "I've missed you too. I'll see you tomorrow. " As they loosened their embrace, Brandon softly rubbed her arm and shoulder as she turned around and walked through the door.
This was another filler chapter, but it's going to start picking up soon. I'm going to start my new story this week, so depending on the reviews and how much people like it, my other stories may go on the back burner. We will see how much time I have on my hands.