Dedicated to the greatest American film and television producer Aaron Spelling and the whole cast of Beverly Hills 90210.
Disclaimer: I don't own Beverly Hills 90210, if I did, this is how the show would've ended!
Chapter 9: Pain Is Hell
The morning sun passed through the windows of Casa Walsh. Kelly slowly slipped into the warm room. She moved around solemnly, picking up a teddy bear in the crib. Kelly comfortably sat in the empty nursing room on a white rocking chair. The light pink wallpaper, the warm white carpet beneath her feet, the wooden crib, and all the stuff animals warmed Kelly's soul.
FLASHBACK:
Jackie walked into the living room with two cups of coffee in her hands. She handed one to her daughter and sat across from her.
"So how's my baby doing?" asked Jackie, compassion in her eyes.
"I'm fine," Kelly said abruptly.
Jackie thinned her eyes and stared her daughter down.
"Kelly," called out Jackie, calling for her daughter's attention. "We both know there's more to that answer. What's really going on that would make you drag yourself all the way here?"
Kelly sipped on the coffee and placed it on her lap. She looked up to her mother and shed a tear.
"I'm scared mom," she confessed, licking her lips.
"Scared of what?" asked Jackie.
"Of what's going to happen," explained Kelly, sobbing.
Jackie reached for her daughter and wrapped her arms around her. Kelly, like a child, cried in her mother's arms.
"It'll all work out in the end," comforted Jackie. "Don't worry about a thing Kelly. Everything will be fine."
"What if everything goes wrong?" added Kelly. "What if I die? What if both of my kids grow up without a mother – without me?"
"Shh," shushed Jackie. "That's not going to happen at all."
"I'm scared," cried Kelly. "How are my children supposed to remember me? How are they supposed to know who I am? How are they going to go through life without me by their side?"
"Kelly," muttered Jackie. "They won't. Because you will be with them through it all. You'll remain in their hearts and conscience forever."
"I want them to know who I am," answered Kelly. "I want them to know who their mother was."
"What are you going to do?" asked Jackie.
END OF FLASHBACK
She placed her hand on her tummy while she glanced straight into a video camera that stood before her on a tripod. She sighed and turned it on.
"Hi baby," she softly said, waving carefully to the camera. "First of all I'm just going to get this out of my chest and say I love you so much. I love you and Tommy with all my heart! Well, look at that, you got your mama crying already. I hope that this video will help you throughout your life and apply it to everything. How you doing? You're probably wondering why I'm doing this – but I'm doing this for you – just incase I won't be around anymore…"
She breathed slowly and began.
"Mr. Snuggle," she muttered slowly, quickly smiling. "…this stuff animal I got you the other day…it'll be in this room. If you ever flunk a test or you're having a really bad break-up, or Tommy's giving you a hard time or you just miss someone so much it hurts – then just come in here and cuddle with Mr. Snuggle. A Stuff animal always relieves stress – trust me."
She choked on her words and looked down. She looked up and a picture of Brenda and her caught her attention.
"Best Friends…Here's one thing that's important about that," she said quietly. "Choose wisely. Okay? Because I got really lucky with mine. My best friend is funny, intelligent, creative, independent and strong, beautiful, talented and successful and very kind. She's also impulsive, frustrating, dramatic, rebellious, complicated and childish, but I would not have her in any way. And the best part about Brenda Walsh is that – she always puts her friends first. So if you are ever in any kind of trouble you know who to call. I can't think of anyone who I think can watch over you."
Kelly softly laughed to herself and played with the teddy bear.
Dylan quietly opened the front doors of his home and walked in. He made his way into his kitchen and caught Brenda making coffee wearing nothing but a panty and a guy's button up shirt.
"Dylan," she said in shock, feeling his presence. "You startled me."
"Me too," he muttered to himself.
Brenda turned herself around and sipped on her coffee.
"Where'd you sleep?" she asked. "I didn't catch you."
"On the couch," he answered.
"Dylan," she said. "This is your house and I can leave if you want me to."
"No, Bren," said Dylan quickly. "You're my guest after all."
Silenced filled the awkward void between them. They couldn't look at each other anymore.
"Where's that guy?" murmured Dylan getting a cup of coffee.
"You mean Luke?" said Brenda defensively.
"Luke," mocked Dylan. "Yeah, him. Where'd he go?"
"He's in the bedroom," said Brenda. "He's asleep. It was a long flight."
"As long as you guys kept it PG-13 on my bed I'm fine," laughed Dylan cockily.
"You are something else aren't you," shouted Brenda, offended. "You know I thought it was incredibly insensitive of you to not even introduce yourself to him last night. You just stayed in the barn while he felt guilty staying in your house!"
"What do you want me to say, Bren?" shrieked Dylan. "Hey, I'm Dylan McKay and I'm in love with your fiancé! Oh yeah, because he's going to take that so well!"
Brenda held herself and argued, "Why are you being like this?"
Dylan said nothing. He had nothing to say to her anymore. Behind them arrived a tall, well sculpted, fair skin, dark brown hair, dreamy blue eyes and a cute smile. He was shirtless and wore pajamas.
"Brenda," muttered Luke, his dreamy voice catching her attention.
"Luke," said Brenda. "I'm glad you're awake. I would like you to meet one of my best friends -"
"Dylan?" murmured Luke, shocked.
Brenda, a confused look on her face, watched as her fiancé exchanged confused looks with Dylan.
"Luke?" said Dylan quietly.
"I guess you've guys met before?" said Brenda, flabbergasted.
"You didn't tell me it was Luke Hayward," said Dylan.
"You didn't tell me he was Dylan McKay," quickly added Luke.
"You know him?" asked Brenda, staring at Luke.
"Yeah," answered Luke. "We surfed together in the west coast in college. Lost touch with him though when I moved to London."
"Is that true?" asked Brenda.
"Yeah," confessed Dylan. "We were pretty much brothers."
Brenda, uncomfortable, moved herself away from Dylan and wrapped her arms around Luke's sculpted waist. She rested her head on his chest and looked back at Dylan. Awkward.
Police and detectives moved throughout Steve and Janet's house. Steve and David were talking to the cops while Donna handed Janet a coffee.
"I can't believe this is happening to me," cried Janet. "This is a mother's worst nightmare."
Donna caressed Janet's hair and sat down beside her.
"I know exactly what you feel," said Donna. "I'm sure she's safe. She's a smart girl she'll be alright."
"I hope so," wept Janet.
Donna's jaw dropped as she saw Maddie stroll in the room.
"Mommy!" cried Maddie, running to Janet.
"Maddie!" hollered Janet, picking her daughter up. "Oh my God! You're safe!"
Steve ran to his family and kissed Maddie on her forehead and began to apologize. Donna picked up Ruby and patted Maddie on the back. David, relieved, watched the happy reunion take place.
"What happened baby?" asked Janet. "How'd you get here?"
Everyone silently watched her give her answer.
"Aunt Val saved me," answered Maddie slowly, pointing to a beaten up Valerie.
"What?" muttered Janet. "What do you mean?"
Valerie slowly struggled to make her way towards them. She stopped herself and leaned against the wall. Anger began to rise in Donna and resentment in David's.
"I did," Valerie muttered. "I did my best to protect her."
Valerie collapsed on the ground. Everyone rushed towards Valerie and quickly placed her on the couch.
"Get me a wet towel and the first aid kit!" shouted Steve. "Now Donna!"
Donna moved as fast as she could and left their sight.
Kelly began to choke on her own words.
"Now I now this because I've been there," she spoke to camera. "And if you're watching this, then you're in that place too. And I am so sorry for that. But if you ever need a mom and dad fix…you have David and Donna for that."
She choked on her words once more, and cried.
"I really hope we get to share all of these things together," she wept. "But just incase – it's all right here. It's all in this box. You and Tommy can look through in here and find stuff that'll remind you of me…Now there's just on thing I need from you and your brother. Please, take very special care of your father. Because if I'm not around he's going to need you guys to take care of him - just like how my mom needed me. So love him and take care of him and be kind to him. Just please – do that for me. And no matter what happens, I want you and Tommy to always love each other no matter what."
"Kelly," muttered Brandon, walking in the room. "What is this?"
"I just thought I should," she wept, looking up at Brandon.
"No, no," said Brandon, turning off the camera. "Everything's going to be okay, Kel. Because it has to be – because you said everything's going to be okay and fine."
Kelly stood up and reached for Brandon's arm.
"Okay," muttered Kelly. "Okay Brandon, but if it isn't going to be okay I want our kids to be able to remember me - it's just incase."
"Our kids are not going to have to remember you," interrupted Brandon, looking Kelly dead in the eyes. "They're going to know you. You're going to be grounding Tommy and braiding our baby girl's hair – they're going to know you Kelly! We're not doing this."
"Brandon," she murmured.
"A death video!" argued Brandon. "…a sad box of stuff? I'm not having any of this Kelly. I mean what's next?"
Kelly wept before him.
"I'm going to be outside fixing the car if you need me," he murmured to her. "You should be in bed taking it easy. Get some rest Kelly."
Brandon swiftly moved out the room and left Kelly by herself.
While Brenda was showering, Luke was in the kitchen, leaning on the counter watching sports. Dylan walked in on him and leaned against the wall.
"Dylan," Luke called. "How you doing man? Seems like you're living the life out here on this ranch?"
"So you do remember me," said Dylan, staring him down.
"Of course man," said Luke. "It's been a long time."
"Long enough I hope," muttered Dylan sternly.
"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Luke, standing up.
"It means I hope you cleaned up your act," said Dylan.
Luke scoffed and said," I have. Why is that any of your business?"
"Well its Brenda," muttered Dylan. "She's very important to me. I just want to make sure you know that if you hurt her in anyway – you'll have to answer to me."
Luke gave Dylan a dirty look.
"I know how you are with women Luke," explained Dylan. "You treat them like a piece of meat. I know because I basically witnessed all of them happen."
"Not Brenda," said Luke.
"Exactly," said Dylan. "Like I said, she's important to me. Don't do anything that you'll regret."
Dylan walked away and outside the door.
Valerie opened her eyes to see everyone staring at her. She quickly sat up and took off the towel that was on her forehead.
"Ow," she muttered, feeling pain all over her body.
"You need to take it easy, Val," said Donna, resting Donna back down on the couch. "You don't look pretty right now."
"Like I've never heard that come from your mouth," snapped Valerie.
"I'm serious," replied Donna.
Valerie obeyed Donna and lay back down.
"Do you remember what happened?" asked one of the cops.
"Not that I can remember," she said quietly, trying to reminisce. "Oh God. Maddie, where' s Maddie!"
"She's fine," answered Steve. "Janet just put her to sleep. What we want to know Val, is what happened to you and who did it."
"I honestly can't remember guys," she confessed. "I just remember two tall men attacking me while I rushed Maddie back in the car."
"Can you describe them?" asked a detective.
"They were wearing masks," said Valerie. "But their voices sounded familiar. It sounded really familiar I just can't think straight right now."
"It's okay," said the cop. "Take your time Miss."
"How'd you escape?" asked Donna.
"I waited until the next day to make a move," explained Valerie. "I figured – if I wait until their gone and asleep, I have a better chance of escaping. When I put Maddie in the back seat, they were behind me."
She choked a little bit and continued, "I remember them hitting me and throwing me around. I was screaming and I didn't know what was going on. I remember I threw a rock at one of them and kicked another one on their face."
"Val," said Steve. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," said Valerie. "You didn't do anything. Anyways – I was surprised I made it to the car. The next thing I knew I drove here and I just remember collapsing in front of all of you."
"You're a hero Val," said Steve. "You saved my daughter."
Valerie quietly smiled inward and gulped.
"Who would take your daughter?" asked Valerie.
"We don't know," muttered Steve. "We don't know anyone who would hate on us."
"Bastards," muttered Valerie under her breath.
Brenda and Luke interlocked hands while taking a walk on the beach. She rested her head gently on his strong arms. They felt the warm sand tickle their toes.
"Why didn't you tell me you knew Dylan?" asked Brenda, staring in his dreamy eyes.
"Because you didn't tell me his last name was McKay," explained Luke.
His facial features attracted Brenda to him.
"Are you guys good friends?" asked Brenda.
"Is this really necessary, Brenda?" argued Luke, stopping their walk.
"I'm just looking for answers!" explained Brenda.
"Well," began Luke. "I came out here to walk with my beautiful fiancé and not talk about her past love."
"You're right," breathed Brenda. "I'm sorry."
Luke reached for her soft face and kissed her lips. Brenda kissed him back and wrapped her arms around his strong neck. They kissed passionately and Luke carefully lied down on the warm sand, Brenda lying on top of him.
"This is the Brenda I miss," he confessed, trialing her face with his hand.
"I have to tell you something," she said. "I've missed you too."
"Good," said Luke happily, kissing her again.
"Are you sure we're doing the right thing by getting married?" asked Brenda.
"What's with the second thoughts?" asked Luke.
"No," said Brenda. "I'm just asking? Because I don't want to make a mistake that I'll regret for the rest of my life."
"You want to know my answer?" asked Luke. "I don't think it's a mistake I fell in love with you. I have loved you enough throughout the years that it's time for us to be more than just boyfriend and girlfriend. I want you to be mine forever. I want to be able to adore you forever and keep you in my arms."
Brenda glared at him.
"I love you Brenda Walsh," admitted Luke, honestly. "…and I am going to marry you."
Brenda smiled and placed her lips on his.
"Perfect answer," said Brenda, feeling his chest rising and falling. "I love you too, Luke."
Thanks for all the reviews! PLEASE PLEASE keep telling me what you think! It helps a lot - trust me! Okay, Kelly makes a death video for her kids which angers Brandon, Brenda finds out Luke and Dylan knew each other, Maddie comes home with a beaten up Valerie! Stay tuned for the next chapter!
