Brenda puts the finishing touches on her makeup before walking out of the bathroom. Dylan turns off the TV as she walks into the living room.
"How about we head to The Pit for breakfast? There is absolutely no food in the house." He says.
"I don't know Dylan. What if Brandon is there? I really don't want my parents to find out from someone else that not only am I back in Beverly Hills but that I am staying with you. I think I need to tell them myself. Although….." she smirks, "maybe I should let someone else tell them. Maybe then the fireworks would be over before I have to see them."
Dylan laughs. "Somehow I doubt that. Look, even if Brandon is there he won't see Jim and Cindy before you do. I'll drive you over as soon as we finish eating. Besides, don't you think Brandon would keep it quiet until you can tell them if you ask him?"
"You're right. He would. I guess I'm just worried about how they are going to react." She sighs.
Dylan pulls her close and hugs her tight. Pulling back enough to see her face he says, "You don't have to do this alone you know. I will be with you."
"Maybe I should go alone. It might be better if I tell them by myself. You don't know how my dad is going to react. I don't want you caught in the crossfire." She says worriedly.
"Bren, if you and I are even going to consider being together I think we need to form a united front for your dad. I told you I don't want to go back to the way things were. He needs to know up front where we stand. Together." Dylan looks at her with a question in his eyes.
"You're right." Brenda takes a deep breath. "But would you mind if we go there first? I don't think I can eat until we get this over with."
Dylan smiles and kisses her on the forehead. "Let's do it." He grabs her hand and pulls her out the door.
At Casa Walsh……
Brenda takes a deep breath as she turns the doorknob. Walking into the foyer with Dylan close behind, she calls out, "Mom? Dad?"
From the kitchen she hears, "Brenda?" She walks quickly into the kitchen. They envelope her in a hug. "What are you doing here? Why didn't you tell us you were coming home?" Cindy exclaims as she looks at her daughter. "Oh, who cares? I'm just glad you're here!" she hugs her again as Dylan stands at the door watching the family reunion with a wistful smile.
Valerie walks down the stairs and sees him standing there. "What are you doing here Dylan? Did you miss me?" She flirts as she lays her hand on him arm, caressing it with her fingers. Suddenly, she sees Brenda in the kitchen with Jim and Cindy. "Brenda?"
Brenda turns, seeing her old friend, she exclaims, "Valerie!" She grabs Valerie in a hug. "It's so good to see you." She exclaims.
Valerie tries to smile but it's more of a grimace, "You too. I guess you want your room back, huh?"
Before Brenda can respond Jim and Cindy realize Dylan is there. "Dylan, I didn't realize you were here." Cindy exclaims. "How is Erica? And Iris?"
Dylan smiles as she kisses his cheek. "They are doing great. Iris said to let you know she would be giving you a call for pointers on raising a teenage girl."
Cindy laughs. "I might be able to help her with that one." Jim reaches out to shake Dylan's hand. "It's a pretty big coincidence that you show up just as Brenda gets home from London. Were you here looking for Brandon?"
"Ahhhh…."
Valerie looks at Dylan and her eyes narrow as she sees his gaze connect with Brenda's.
"Actually," Brenda says quickly, "Dylan brought me here."
"I thought you were in Hawaii, not London, Dylan." Jim asks, his voice raising.
"Well, talk about coincidence Dad. Dylan and I bumped into each other at the airport."
"Well, thank you for bringing her home. That must have been some early flights for both of you to get here this time of the morning." Jim says suspiciously.
"Actually, dad, it was last night." Brenda says quietly. Cindy and Valerie look at her shocked while Jim swallows hard, trying to control his instant anger.
"Back in town less than a day and you are already sneaking around with Dylan? What are you thinking Brenda? Have you not grown up at all in the last year?" Jim bellows. "Jim" Cindy says softly as she touches his arm.
"Look Jim….." Dylan begins but Brenda interrupts.
"I have grown up dad. And yes I did stay at Dylan's house last night but I wasn't sneaking around. If I were do you really think I would have brought him here this morning? Dylan and I bumped into each other at the airport and he offered to give me a ride. And not that it's really any of your business, but I slept on his couch last night because I knew Valerie was in my room here."
"Well, we have a perfectly good couch here. Where are your things? We can decide where everyone is going to sleep later. I'm sure Valerie won't mind sharing a room with you now that you are back." Jim says quickly.
Brenda looks quickly at Dylan. "Dad, I won't be sharing a room with Valerie. I'm going to stay with Dylan until I find a place of my own."
Jim explodes. "The hell you are! I forbid you to stay with Dylan, Brenda!"
Dylan shakes his head in amazement but doesn't say anything. He looks at Brenda, giving her a chance to change her mind about staying with him, knowing she is the only one who can stand up to Jim otherwise.
"Dad, I'm sorry if you don't approve but we aren't in high school anymore. I am an adult now. You can't forbid me to do anything. It's my decision to make, not yours and I'm sorry but I've made it. I AM staying with Dylan and there isn't anything you can do about it this time." Brenda looks at Cindy. "I'm sorry mom." She says quietly giving Cindy a kiss on the cheek. "You know where I'll be if you need to reach me." She looks at her dad for a moment before kissing him as well. "Goodbye daddy."
Brenda turns and walks toward the front door. Jim glares at Dylan. Dylan looks him in the eye. "It doesn't have to be this way, Jim." He waits for a moment but gets no response. Turning, he follows Brenda out the front door and to his car.
