Chapter 13
"This should be definitely a forbidden piece of a male wardrobe." Dylan mumbled under his breath, trying to fasten his tie.
Kelly tried her hardest not to laugh while watching his efforts that were failing terribly.
"What?" Dylan asked seeing her.
"How about you let me take care of that for you?" She asked biting her lip.
"You're enjoying this." Dylan noted watching as she walked towards him fastening his tie in no time.
"There you go." Kelly grinned.
"Thank you." Dylan mumbled wrapping his arms around her waist and leaning down to kiss her.
"I like this dress on you." He noted.
"You better enjoy it then, it's not like I will be able to wear dresses like this much longer." Kelly said under her breath.
"Oh, yeah…you're definitely getting fat, Kel." He teased her running his hands over her flat belly, hips and finally resting on her butt.
Kelly laughed slapping his hands and moving away from him. "If you continue this, we will be late."
"Now we wouldn't want that, would we?" Dylan grinned devilishly picking his jacket from the bed.
"No we wouldn't." Kelly smiled watching him. "I'm proud of you."
Dylan breathed out. "Who would have thought that one day I'd finish my degree in humanities?"
"Finally finished something." Kelly noted, picking up her purse.
"If you don't like it, I won't do it again." Dylan offered wrapping his arm around her shoulders, the jacket in his other hand.
"I think I like it." Kelly responded wrapping her arm around his waist as they descended the stairs on their way to Dylan's graduation.
"I hope this burger craving phase will pass soon. Not that I don't like Nat's food, but two days in a row…" Dylan mumbled getting out of his car in front of the Peach Pit.
"Have you said something?" Kelly asked with a grin on her face.
"Mhm, I'm glad that you're not carrying another vegetarian." Dylan smiled.
"Yes, that's what I heard as well." Kelly winked at him as he opened the door for her letting her in.
"Surprise!" Their friends called as soon as the door closed behind Dylan.
Kelly smiled turning her head over her shoulder to see Dylan's reaction, but her smile faded when there was not much enthusiasm visible on his face, she thought he'd be happy to celebrate the graduation with their friends, it was obviously not that case.
"Everything fine between you two?" Donna asked when she and Kelly found themselves alone during the afternoon.
"We were fine, emphasis on were I guess." Kelly mumbled playing with her glass with lemon water, looking in the direction of her husband who was talking with Steve and David, he didn't even look in her direction since they arrived. That was going to be a long and boring honeymoon starting the next day.
"Did he already tell you where are you two heading?" Donna asked.
Kelly shook her head. "Wherever he wanted to go, I'm sure he wants to cancel it right now."
"Come on, Kel. You two have already survived a fight or two." Donna said hoping it will lighten her mood.
"We've survived way too many of them; I was hoping it will be easier by now. No such luck." Kelly mumbled. Donna dropped the topic as soon as Janet joined them returning from the toilet.
"How do you feel with the baby and everything?" Janet asked, it was just a few days ago when they told everyone about the pregnancy.
"Good. I had virtually no morning sickness which drove me crazy and the only thing that screamed pregnant were my boobs." Kelly smiled.
"Oh my, what would I give for no morning sickness with Madeline." Janet chuckled.
"I know I should be grateful I had it so easy so far, but having virtually no symptoms was not really comforting for my overstressed mind. If I had morning sickness, there would be at least something that would assure me that I was still pregnant." Kelly explained.
"When is your due date again?" Janet changed the topic.
"August 31st for now." Kelly replied, her eyes wandering to Dylan again. She couldn't blame anyone else only herself, she knew what she was getting herself into, she was not able to change who Dylan McKay was, not that she wanted to. Hearing Janet talk again, she turned her attention back to her, hoping they'd be able to pass whatever she did and he didn't like once they would be alone again.
On the other end of the room the discussion was running in a similar style.
"I can't believe you're going to be a father." Steve laughed.
"I couldn't believe it myself at first." Dylan noted hinting at his first reaction while playing with the cup of coffee in front of him. "But, I'm looking forward to it, now that everything sank in." He added quickly.
"You two are really not mucking around, getting together, engaged, wedding and a pregnancy all in a span of three months." Steve grinned.
"Do you ever wish it went slower?" David asked.
Dylan thought for a second, no he didn't, except... Raising his eyes he saw Kelly who was talking with Janet and Donna. She planned all of this for him and instead of being happy, his initial reaction was anger... "No, I wouldn't want it any other way." He answered David's question tearing his eyes away from Kelly, he'll have to apologize later on.
The drive home was a very quiet one, both of them lost in their thoughts. Kelly wondering what the hell did she do this time that pissed him off. Dylan thinking about how to apologize and explain his initial anger.
Stopping in their driveway she was out of the car even before he turned the engine off. Letting out a sigh he followed her into the dark house. By the time he walked inside she was already upstairs. He nearly bumped into her when entering their bedroom.
"Where are you going?" He asked seeing she was already dressed in sweatpants and tank top carrying her pillow.
"Guestroom." She mumbled trying to pass him.
"Kel..." He touched her hand trying to find the right words. "I'm sorry..."
"Sorry for what? Treating me like dirt for god knows what? Making me feel guilty without doing anything wrong? Or is there something else you're sorry about?" Kelly fired.
"I'm trying to apologize here, but as always you're not making it any easier." Dylan replied angrily.
"Don't lay this at my feet." Kelly mumbled continuing into the guestroom.
"So this is it? Whenever we'll fight you will just grab your pillow and sleep in the guestroom?" Dylan questioned her.
"I'm tired Dylan." Kelly said calmly closing the guestroom door behind her.
Dylan sighed pushing his back against the wall feeling angry and confused. He wanted to explain his actions that afternoon, but the words were not coming and instead of clearing the air, he just added to her anger.
Walking back downstairs he grabbed a bottle of whiskey and glass from the bar. Setting the glass on the bar he poured the liquid into it. Standing there he looked at the glass in front of him...alcohol never solved his problems, but it made him forget. What was he trying to forget now? Breathing in, he swiftly picked the glass up heading to the kitchen the expensive whiskey poured in the kitchen sink seconds later. There was nothing to forget.
Taking off his tie he let it fall on the kitchen aisle before heading upstairs. When he opened the door to the guestroom minutes later all he saw was endless darkness, not that he expected anything else. He knew she was still up, she was never able to fall asleep when she was boiling.
When his eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room, he navigated to the other side of the bed. Sitting down he leaned back against the metal railing the words suddenly coming without a hint of hesitation.
"Today was supposed to be one of the most memorable days of my life...my whole life I've been running, away from responsibility, problems, love, you name it... Today was supposed to be the day when I actually finished something, no matter how hard it was, and got recognized for it. I was happy, because not only I'd get my degree, but I'd have also my wonderful wife with me.
Have I told you how amazing she is? She loves me despite all my flaws, despite all the past that we share, despite everything. She loves me even when she is mad at me because I've behaved like an asshole once again, hurting her with my words, silence or actions. She loves me so much, that in a few months that will pass before we know it, she's going to give me the most precious gift a woman can give to a man, our baby.
This morning I've been standing in our bedroom watching her getting dressed and wondering if it was possible to feel any happier. It didn't took me long to conclude that it wasn't, because if it was, my heart would explode from happiness. Little did I know that it will take me only a few hours to ruin all of this again.
I had this mental image in my head of taking my wife to a lunch in a fancy restaurant to celebrate, just the two of us, instead she insisted on our favorite dinner. Who am I to fight with that? When we arrived it was clear why she insisted on it, all our friends were gathered there ready to celebrate my big day with us. Instead of being happy and thankful that I've so many amazing people around me who I can call my friends, I was angry. Angry because the mental image in my head was flawed, angry because I had to share her again.
Then I saw her hurt and realized how selfish I've been and I felt ashamed. I guess I still have a lesson or two to learn in sharing and realizing that not everything will always be the way I want it and that my choice is not always the right one." The room filled with silence after his last words but just momentarily as he heard sobs leaving Kelly's body. Laying down he wrapped his arms around her holding her close. "I'm so sorry Kelly." He whispered into the darkness.
"I'm sorry too." Kelly said quietly, her voice hushed from the tears.
"For what?"
"For shutting you down and not letting you explain before." She turned around facing him now both of them laying there in silence letting Dylan's words sink in.
"Did you mean what you said?" Kelly asked finally.
"Every word of it." Dylan pressed his lips on her forehead.
Kelly breathed out. "It was the most beautiful thing anyone ever said to me."
"I'm glad I could be the one to do that. I know I don't say it as often as I should, but I love you Kelly. Please never forget that."
"There is no right or wrong number when it comes to saying those three little words. Those are just words after all and need to be backed up with actions. I feel it from your actions every day, even at those days when you drive me crazy." Kelly smiled into the darkness.
"I'm doing something right then." Dylan grinned kissing her softly. "Now go to sleep Mrs. McKay, there is a long flight ahead of us tomorrow."
"Good night." Kelly mumbled sleepily her mind carefree again and her eyes already closed.
"Night, Kel." Dylan replied feeling as the sleep was taking over him as well.