Chapter 4

Instant Love and A Proposition

Brenda had gotten home early from rehearsal fortunately. She had spent the added hour straightening up and anxiously overthinking. Her heart dropped into her stomach as she heard a knock on her front door. She knew it wasn't Dylan, it was too early but her nerves were in overdrive. She answered the door with a smile.

"Hey baby girl…how was dance camp?" Brenda knelt down and received a tight hug from Olivia.

"It was good!" she said enthusiastically. "We got to wear tutu's and I was a ballerina! And then…then we got to twirl…and tap…mom I did somersaults!"

"You did? How fun!" Olivia ran to her room. Brenda smiled as she stood facing Claire with a smile.

"She didn't want to leave." Claire joked. She handed her her dance bag and smiled, "What time is Dylan coming?" Her smile turned into a smirk as she asked.

Brenda exhaled, "In about 20. God I'm so nervous." she whispered and shook her hands out.

"It will be fine. She talked about him a lot this morning."

Brenda nodded, "Yeah…he made quite an impression on her. It will be fine. Just you know…it's scary. I know Dylan wants this. I see it in his eyes. He is happy…just…"

"What Bren?" Claire looks at her concerned.

Brenda swallows hard, "I just don't want her to get hurt. Dylan is great…he's an amazing guy just…he doesn't have the best track record when it comes to sticking around, especially if things get hard or too intense. I know they both deserve the chance to get to know each other it's just…that small part of my heart that he always breaks…worries."

Claire gives her a sad smile. "Maybe he'll surprise you?"

"I know…like I said I'm sure it will be okay."

"It will." Claire reaches out and gently touches Brenda's arm in support. "Let me know how it goes." She smiles kindly, "Bye." Brenda closes the door and takes a deep breath.

She straightens the already neatly stacked magazines on her coffee table to keep busy. She goes into the bathroom, fiddles with her hair for the 5th time. She see's Olivia eying her as she goes and changes again but the little girl doesn't mention anything so she doesn't address it. As Brenda leans in and reapplies some lipstick…there is a knock on the front door. She exhales looking at herself in the mirror. Here goes nothing.

She opens the front door with a smile to find Dylan standing nervously with his arms full. She chuckles at him.

"You need a hand?" she jokes and receives a sweet smile from him.

He hands her the pie and her bouquet, "Thanks." he chuckles, "I didn't want to come empty handed."

Brenda looks into the pie box, "Oh you didn't…is this from the Pit?"

"Where else?" he smiles widely.

"Oh my god…I haven't had a chance yet to go see Nat…but this is so yummy thanks. Come in come in." She buries her nose in the bouquet taking in the sweet aroma allowing him to come in. "These are beautiful…you didn't have to."

He shrugs shyly, "I know how much you love Tulips and Lillie's so I had the lady make it up of your favorites for you."

"Thank you." she gave him a sexy smirk. He was too sweet for words. She looks at the gift wrapped box in his arms and the pink roses and smiles.

"Dylan…you don't have to bring her presents."

"Oh come on Bren…I haven't had any time to spoil her…let me."

She nods and mouths ok and smiles at him again.

She closes the front door and calls out, "Olivia…look who's here."

Olivia runs out from her room, "Dylan! You came over!" she runs to him.

"I did sweetie." He smiles brightly at her standing in front of him in her dance attire, pink with a tutu skirt. "These are for you." he hands her the small bouquet.

Olivia's mouth opens surprised, "For me? I get flowers and a present!" she eyes the box in his hand. "Mommy…Dylan brought me a present!"

Brenda chuckles and nods. She watches the exchange and her heart aches from the cuteness of it all.

Dylan kneels to her level and hands her the present. She takes it from him excited. "Can I open it now?" she looks into his eyes and her excitement brings tears to his eyes.

Brenda and Dylan move to the couch. Brenda sets down the pie box and flowers on the coffee table as both of them watch Olivia tear open the wrapping like a kid on Christmas. She moves the tissue paper aside and sequels. She lifts the sundress up with a smile.

"I love purple!" She rests it against her body and sways from side to side, "Look mommy."

"Oh Olivia…it's so pretty!" Brenda laughs and looks at Dylan. He is staring at their daughter in awe.

"Look mommy…a babing suit." she says holds it up. Dylan and Brenda laugh at the way she says bathing as they watch her put it against her.

"Do you know how to swim?" Dylan asks with a smile, "I have a friend who has a swimming pool."

Olivia frowns, "Mommy says I can only swim with my floaties unless a grown up is in the pool with me."

"That's okay." he says reassuring her. "I'm a grown up." he smiles at her. "I;m sure your mommy might think otherwise sometimes." Dylan jokes and Brenda giggles. The joke flies over Olivia's head.

She rushes him, throwing her small arms around his neck. He breaths out returning the hug tightly as he closes his eyes. He moves his nose into her hair, memorizing her smell. Tears brim his eyes quickly.

"Thank you!" she whispers, "I love it!" she leans away from him with a sparkle in her eye. She grins at him. "I'm gonna put on my new dress." Dylan holds back from crying as he nods and watches her run with her present into her room.

"You okay?" Dylan looks towards Brenda. She is watching him. He shakes his head speechless and wipes his tear quickly. "I know." she smiles at him.

"She is just so…amazing." he exhales trying to shake the overwhelming love he has already.

Brenda chuckles, "She has her moments…believe me but yes…she is pretty amazing." Brenda looks towards Olivia's room before looking at a recovering Dylan.

"How do you want to do this? You want to tell her now?" Brenda asks nervously.

Dylan nods, "Yes." he whispers. "God…I'm nervous." he admits.

Brenda smiles and takes his hand. "It will be great." At that moment Olivia barrels into the living room. She spins around so her sundress flairs up.

"How do I look?" she grins.

"Perfect." Dylan utters and only stares. He can't believe she is his. He feels lucky, elated and overwhelmed with emotion. She is perfection.

"Why don't you come on over here Olivia…Dylan and I have something to talk to you about?"

She runs over, Brenda lifts her and sets her on the coffee table to face them.

Brenda swallows hard and smiles at her daughter, "Remember when I told you…your daddy…was traveling and helping people that need it?"

She nods once and smiles. She looks at Dylan, "My daddy helps people." she says proudly.

Dylan looks down, exhaling. Brenda continues, "Well…Dylan sweetie…is your daddy."

Her eyes widen, "Dylan is my daddy!" she practically yells with excitement. Brenda laughs and nods.

"That's the best thing ever!" She jumps into his arms. He grunts her knee missing his family jewels by an inch.

"Easy there sweetie." Dylan laughs catching her, one hand covering his junk. She hugs him tightly, he hugs her back tightly.

She leans out with a smile, "Want to see my room?" And just like that she is over it. Dylan chuckles and nods. Kids are pretty resilient.

"I would love to see your room."

"YES!" she jumps off of his lap, "Come on Daddy." she out reaches her hand grabbing his trying to pull him of the couch. Dylan looks at Brenda. His free hand going to his heart. Daddy…He is done for. Brenda giggles and shakes her head. She watches Olivia pull Dylan by his hand to her room.

She gets up and grabs both bouquets bringing them to the kitchen to put them in water.

"And this is my bed…and these are my toys…and these are my books…" She shows him every corner of her bedroom.

Dylan oo's and ah's at all the right places. "Well Olivia you have a pretty cool room. Maybe sometime your mommy will let you come over and see my house."

"You have a house?" Dylan nods, "You won't live here? With me and mommy?"

"Um." As if it was meant to be Brenda walks in holding a small vase with Olivia's flowers. She sets it on top of her dresser.

"Amanda…she is my old friend, her mommy and daddy live in the same house. And…And she got to be in their wedding! And she wore a pretty dress and got to carry flowers…and you and mommy could do it too?" She spoke in one breath. "Then you can live here with us and I can see you everyday!"

Dylan looks at Brenda, not sure what to say besides he wished. Brenda chuckled, "Dylan has a house honey but he'll come and visit as much as he can."

"That's right." Dylan agrees with a smile, Olivia doesn't say much and goes back to playing with her toy. Dylan looks towards Brenda again. His expression a little sad. She is old enough to question their living arrangements plus himself and Brenda hadn't sat down to discuss anything. He wants to see her everyday.

"Dylan…you wanna stay for dinner…I'm about to get started on the lasagna?" Brenda smiles a sad smile. She is bothered by the topic too but tries to hide it.

"Yeah Daddy stay! Mommy makes a yummy lasagna." She looks towards her father hopeful.

"I know she does, I remember." he looks at Brenda lovingly, "I'd like that." She nods once and heads into the kitchen to leave them to hang out.

Dylan reads 3 stories and lets her talk him into playing tea party. Dylan sits uncomfortably on the smallest chair imaginable and tries to pretend he knows what he is doing. As Olivia dresses him up Brenda stops at the doorway.

She busts out laughing at the sight, there Dylan is sitting at Olivia's kid table, with a bright pink boa around his neck, a tiara on his head sipping pretend tea. Dylan eyes her with a smirk.

"Oh my lord…Olivia what have you done to your daddy? Wait this is too good." Brenda leaves grabbing her phone and snaps 3 pictures of Dylan in a position she never thought possible.

"Thanks Bren." he nods embarrassed

"This is good, you look adorable!" She looks at him. They stare at each other. Silence filling the bedroom. A ache to be close to one another.

"Mommy…dinner ready? I hungry." she announces and Brenda glances away from Dylan to look at her.

"Yes…go on wash up." Olivia runs out of her room to do just that.

Dylan takes off the boa and tiara and rises to his feet. He takes a few steps towards Brenda with a smirk, "She asks a lot of questions."

Brenda nods, "I know." she exhales.

"Maybe after dinner, after she is in bed we can talk. Figure some stuff out?"

She nods a yes knowing they do need to do just that. He leans in and gently kisses her cheek. He stays close to her, kissing her again on the side of her neck, lingering longer than appropriate. "She is so smart. Talks so well for a 3 almost 4 year old. You've done an amazing job." he leans out and gives her a small smile.

Brenda swallows hard from the closeness, "Thank you."

The three of them head to the kitchen and sit at the dining table. Conversation flows easily, Olivia tells her dad about her new dance camp. About living in London and missing her friends. Dylan listens intently like it's the most important thing in the world. He steals looks at Brenda. Taking in how good of a mom she is, how much more mature she seems. How pretty she is, how sexy she still is. Feelings overwhelm him and make him tingly when he catches her looks as well.

Pretty soon it's bed time and after putting on her pajamas and brushing her teeth, Dylan has the honor of putting his daughter to bed for the first time. They cuddle together on her twin bed, as he reads her a story.

"Daddy?" she interrupts him.

"Yes sweetie." she looks up at him with her big brown eyes. "You're not going to leave are you?"

"What do you mean?" he asks confused.

"Like…you don't need to work? Leave us to go help people again? Cause now that I know you…I'd miss you." she says so honest his heart bursts.

He smiles down at her, "No…I'm not going anywhere…I promise. I'd miss you to much too."

"Good, I think mommy would miss you too." she smiles and cuddles deeper into his chest. He pushes back her hair gently and places a gentle kiss on her forehead and begins reading again where he left off.

Brenda leans against the hallway wall listening. She takes a deep breath. She exhales slowly and closes her eyes. She hopes for Olivia's sake and maybe her own too…he will keep that promise.

Brenda pours herself a glass of wine as Dylan emerges into the kitchen. She looks up at him and gives him a smile. "She is out like a light." he says as he walks in and takes a seat at the counter.

Brenda lifts the wine bottle, "You want some?" she offers.

He shakes his head, "I don't drink anymore."

Brenda's eyes widened and a proud smile spreads across her face, "Really?"

"Nope…been sober for 2 1/2 years."

"Good for you. That's awesome." She looks at her wine nervously. Dylan did drink in London, especially at the the end. It was a constant back and forth battle for the last year they were together. Now she feels badly drinking in front of him.

Dylan smiles and shakes his head, "I don't mind if you do." he answers knowing what she is thinking.

She nods accepting and takes a much needed sip for the upcoming conversation. "So I was thinking…and you can tell me if you have other ideas but I figure every other weekend? I mean…if you don't care I'd like to see your house. Um just so I know where she'll be. Um…maybe when school starts in a month and half we can spit it differently."

"Bren…" he sighs disappointed, "I don't want just to see her every other weekend. I've missed so much…I don't want to miss anything else."

Brenda sighed, "Well…what did you have in mind then?"

"Do you rent this apartment?"

Brenda looks at him oddly, "Yeah…it's only month to month and temporary. It was set up by the theater, I think in a couple months we'll have to move which works because I was planning to look for something a little bigger anyway, we definitely need a yard."

"Move in with me." he says seriously.

Brenda stares at him, "Wh…What?"

"Give up the lease and you and Olivia move in with me."

Brenda laughs, "We can't live with you."

"Why not?" he shrugs innocently.

"I don't think you've thought this through Dylan."

"Yes I have…I've been thinking about it since the moment I got here. You'll have to move out eventually and I want to see Olivia everyday. I could help with picking her up and drop offs. When you're working late at the theater. I want to be an everyday presence in her life."

"Me and you? Living together? I don't know Dylan."

"Look…my house is a 3000 sq. foot craftsman literally 1 block from here. She is still in district for school, it's 3 bedrooms, you guys can have your own space, it has a big yard full of grass and room for her play. Brenda I haven't paid an ounce of child support or anything to you in almost 4 years. It would make me feel better to know I can participate in supporting you anyway I can."

Brenda stares at him, he seems to have really thought this out "But…wouldn't we be cramping your style? I mean you're a young single guy…you wouldn't want us around. I mean how would you even bring a girl home?" Brenda swallows hard, damn that bothered her to think about. "I have to be honest with you Dylan…I don't know if I can see that, I mean…I don't think Olivia should see that."

Dylan gets up and moves towards her hearing the slip up, he places his hands gently on her upper arms, "I don't care about other women Bren. Right now…I just want to spend time with Olivia and take care of you."

Brenda takes a deep breath, "Won't it be weird? With our past?"

"Why would it? We lived together for 3 years in London. We're friends, how different would it be?"

Brenda smiles and laughs, "Um…way different Dylan. We aren't a couple."

"Brenda…I've loved you for 12 years…I care about you. You are always going to be important to me. Now you are the mother of my child. Let me be do this for you guys."

Brenda exhaled, "So…we'd be roommates?" she said out loud, she barely believed it herself.

Dylan wrapped his arms around her waist, bringing her flush against him, "Well…I mean…if you want to be more than roommates I could live with that too."

"Dylan." she whined, "I'm serious."

Dylan looked into her eyes, "I'm dead serious."

She rolled her eyes playfully, "You're ridiculous." she jokes as she moves from his embrace.

"Brenda let's just try? It's a hell of a lot easier than schedules and being separated, you know you'd have to be away from her every other weekend too." the thought makes Brenda's heart ache, "We tell Olivia that this apartment is only temporary and you'll be staying with me. If in a couple months if you aren't happy with the arrangement you carry on looking for a bigger place like originally planned? What do you have to lose?"

Brenda is silent…contemplating. "Come one Bren…please…I want to be a part of her everyday life. I want to be a part of your everyday life too." he says honestly.

Brenda softened and takes deep breath, "I don't know…can I think about it?"

Dylan nods, "Of course."

"Okay." Brenda agrees and takes another sip of wine. Living with Dylan, with the feelings she still has. She isn't sure about this idea.

Brenda and Dylan talk a little bit about the upcoming weeks schedule. Brenda and Olivia both are going to Dylan's tomorrow, to check out the house. Plus if Brenda decides to not go with the living situation, she wants to know where he lives anyway. She doubts it's child proofed and ready for a almost 4 year old. Dylan also asks her as promised about a get together at Steve's. She accepts happily and that she would love to catch up with her old friends once things are a little settled with the possible living situation and have Olivia meet Maddie who is actually only a year younger than her. Pretty soon they are hugging good bye and Brenda is actually contemplating living with Dylan.

One side of her thinks its a great idea. Claire had talked about going back to school and it would leave room for that with child care. Dylan would get to know the everyday life of his daughter like he always should have. Sharing a place would help with bills and costs since Brenda did take a pay cut to work at this theater and not tour as much as she used too. The the other side is yelling at her that this is crazy. Brenda has always been hung up on Dylan and living with him, seeing him everyday, isn't going to be easy on her.

She groans out not having a clue what to do. She reaches for her phone. She looks at the picture of Dylan at the tea party and laughs. She swipes to the next one. It's Olivia kissing Dylan on the cheek as she sits on his lap. She pulls up Brandon's contact info, attaches both pictures and texts.

So…this happened today

A full 30 seconds doesn't even pass before he is calling her back.

She laughs, "Hello."

"Did I tell you this was going to happen when you moved back to LA?" he said with humor in his voice.

"You did. You were right."

"Wait…what…I didn't quite hear that?" Brandon says playfully.

Brenda laughs again, "I said you were right…geez you don't have to rub it in."

"So…how did it happen? I have to admit Bren…it's really about time. Dylan deserves to know he has a daughter."

"I know." she takes a deep breath, exhaling loudly, "We ran into each other on Doheny."

Brandon laughs, "Did he see her and just know?"

Brenda chuckles, "No…Kelly introduced him to Wikipedia. He said he had a feeling but that sealed it seeing her middle name on my page."

"How's Kelly doing?" Brenda rolls her eyes. He was hopeless.

"I have no idea. I haven't ran in to her at all, supposedly they are still close, just friends, whatever that means, he said they hadn't been in a relationship for 3 years."

Brandon and Brenda are quiet, "Dylan isn't one to lie, if he says they're just friends I'm sure they are just friends."

"And why would I care if they were more than just friends Brandon?" she says pretending she's offended.

Brandon laughs, "Because you are hopelessly in love with him and now he's back in your life. He is in Olivia's life now whether you like it or not."

Brenda sighs, "He's really good with her. She's crazy about him."

"That's good right?"

"What if it gets too much for him and he bails?"

"He wont."

"But what if…"

Brandon cuts her off, "Brenda…you know Dylan as well as I do…if not better. He won't leave his daughter. It's not his style no matter how much of an emotional no show he's been in the past. He wouldn't want his kid growing up the way he did."

"Yeah…I guess your right." Brenda sighs.

"Man…I'm liking this being right all the time thing."

"He wants us to move in with him." Brenda blurts out.

Silence fills the phone line. "Brandon?" Brenda asks, almost thinking she lost connection with him.

"I don't know if that's the best idea Bren." Brandon says honestly.

"You don't?" she asks quietly.

"Bren." Brandon whispers, "What's going on out there? Are you and Dylan back together?"

"No…not at all…he just doesn't want to do the every other weekend coparenting thing…and you know Brandon, I don't either. I can't stand the thought of being away from her. He wants to be a part of her everyday life…how can I take that away when I've already taken 4 years away from him?"

"You tried to call him Brenda." Brandon adds.

"Brandon you know god damn well I could have done more. I knew he was in LA…there were ways to get ahold of him and you know it."

Brandon exhales into the phone, "I just hope you know what you are doing Bren…this isn't about the never ending on and off love story of Dylan and Brenda…you have a child together."

"I know. I know. I love him Brandon…I don't want to take this away from him. He doesn't deserve it. I owe him the time he missed."

"I understand completely…I know how you feel about him and I know how he feels about you. Look you're a grown up. You can make your own decisions, just tell me you will really think about this…because I know you guys…I give it a week…two tops, living under the same roof before you two are sharing a bedroom."

"It's not like that…we were friends before…we can keep it platonic."

Brandon laughs, "Oh Brenda…I love you but yeah right…I hate to break this to you…you and Dylan were never just friends."

Silence fills the phone again.

"Kiss my niece for me. Tell her I miss her and I will send her a surprise for her birthday. I love you Bren…I'm always here, I support whatever decision you make."

"I know Brandon…I love you too. I'll call you in a few days. Night Bran."

"Night Bren."

Brenda took a deep breath thinking. She looks at her phone. She sends a text to Dylan.

Are you awake?

Yep…having trouble turning my brain off. I miss Olivia already. It was a good day.

:) It was

Something on your mind?

Just thinking about your proposition

Brenda's phone rang in her hand. She chuckles seeing it is Dylan.

"Hey." she answered.

"Hey…what are you so afraid of?

"Honestly? You."

"Me?" Dylan laughed, "Why? You know it might be great."

"That's what I am afraid of."

"Brenda…what are you not telling me?"

Brenda sighed, "Look Dylan…I have to think about what's best for Olivia."

"And how is having her father and mother with her everyday not what's best for her? Bren..we get along, we make a good team…there is nothing to be afraid of."

"You know our track record Dylan…it will only be a matter of time before something happens…hell it almost happened last night."

"What's so bad about that?" Dylan admitted out loud.

Brenda sighed.

"Look Bren…you've always been my family, now we have a family of our own. What ever is going to happen is going to happen, regardless of where you live. You know how I feel about you, your special to me, you always will be. I don't want to pressure you into anything you don't want to do and if I have to promise to be a good boy I will. I don't have an agenda Bren. This is about making up the time I lost with Olivia. I'll be good…I promise. If you want platonic, I can do platonic."

Brenda laughs a little, "What if I don't know if I can be platonic?" She closed her eyes. She couldn't believe she just said that.

Dylan chuckles, "Then I'll be over in 5 minutes."

"Dylan…come on I'm being serious."

"Trust me…so am I."

Brenda rolls her eyes with a smirk, same old Dylan, "This is what I'm talking about. Do you remember when you first came to London? How long did you stay with me before we were sleeping together?"

"Don't blame me...its chemistry." Brenda sighs loudly, "Look I get your point. Just come over tomorrow…check out the house and just think about it."

"I will…I am…I haven't been able to think about anything else to be honest."

"It will be fine…time will tell…remember?"

"I remember."

"Get some sleep…I'll see you tomorrow after dance camp."

"K…night."

"Night sexy." he said seductively.

"Dylan!"

Dylan chuckled, "I'm kidding…geez…good night woman that I don't look at sexually what so ever." he joked.

"Well…now that's just mean."

Dylan laughs loudly. He smiles to himself like an idiot, "Night Bren."

"Night Dylan."

Brenda hits off on her phone and breathes out. What the hell was she going to do?

So what do you guys think? She should move in? I can't wait to see what you all think about it. Honestly I'm overwhelmed at the positive response I've gotten from this story and I appreciate it so much. Seriously you guys are the BEST! Dylan and Brenda fans are the SHIT! Next up…Brenda checks out Dylan's house and makes a decision. And of course some drama. The gang will meet Olivia soon too, if its not in the next chapter it will be the following. Brenda will be visiting Casa Walsh after god knows how long. Should be fun! Review and hugs from me to you!