Chapter 36

Moving his head Brandon felt something tickle his face. Opening his eyes he squinted at the bright light coming from the window. When he opened them again he smiled at the sight of Kelly's head resting on his shoulder her blond hair tickling him, she was still sound asleep.

Last night turned out way better than he expected, not that his expectations were low to begin with. It felt great to be alone, just the two of them. Make love to his wife the way he used to, before the baby came and the packed schedule at LA Times took over, no distractions. He wowed to himself to make this a habit and whisk her away once in a while for an evening or maybe even a weekend alone. Kissing her temple he rubbed her back gently.

"Five more minutes." Kelly mumbled sleepily barely moving.

"It's nearly ten." Brandon said quietly still rubbing her back.

"You're not going to leave me alone, right?" Kelly asked moving in his arms her chin now resting on his chest.

"No." He grinned, kissing her forehead.

"We don't have to be out of here until twelve." Kelly noted.

"I still have to feed you and I was hoping you have some energy left from yesterday." Brandon grinned.

"I guess I'll walk funnily today." Kelly groaned playfully before inching up and kissing his lips.

"I'll take that as a yes." Brandon mumbled pressing her in the sheets.

"It's not a no." Kelly giggled as he tickled her sides.

Kissing her neck, collar bone and finally her lips again their eyes met when they pulled apart slightly.

"Brandon, what was it yesterday in the kitchen that Cindy shouldn't tell me about yet?" She asked.

"You're seriously bringing up my mother now?" Brandon groaned hovering above her.

"I'm not bringing up your mother." Kelly raised her brows.

Defeated Brandon sank back next to her into the sheets, he knew too good that in moments like this there was no way to distract her, he had to spill the beans. "I invited Valerie for a dinner tonight."

"Valerie? As...Valerie Malone? As the other woman in Donna & David's marriage?" Kelly questioned him.

"Yes, I suppose you don't know any other Valerie." Brandon joked.

"That's not funny Brandon." Kelly noted sitting up against the headboard pulling the sheets up with her.

"Kel, it's one evening. She's my friend." Brandon tried to console her.

"Donna is your friend too, but I guess that means nothing when you're trying to be friendly again with the woman who put her marriage in jeopardy." Kelly argued.

"She didn't do it alone." Brandon remarked.

"No, but David paid his price for the whole stupidity."

"So did, Valerie. You know it's statistically proven that woman tend to be much more harsh on another woman than on a man. That's what's happening here." Brandon said harshly.

"Right, I can't believe it. She comes crawling to you and you take her back and I'm the bitch who's harsh on her. That's just amazing." Kelly rolled her eyes.

"She is raising her son alone, accommodating his father whenever it suits him, you gotta cut her some slack there."

"You're forgetting the fact that she's the one who brought all of this on herself." Kelly pulled the sheets aside marching out of the bed.

"Where are you going?" Brandon asked.

"Shower, honeymoon is over." She shouted before she slammed the bathroom door behind her.

Brandon smacked the mattress in frustration as he heard the shower turn on. Instead of asking Valerie what her problem with Kelly was, he should have done that with his wife. He gave Kelly a few minutes to cool down before he slipped out of the bed and followed her into the bathroom. If everyone including her and Valerie should survive the coming evening in one piece, they had to talk and straighten this out.

The bathroom was full of steam, opening the shower door nearly noiselessly he joined her inside. Just one look at her and he regretted his previous harsh words.

"Come here." He crashed her on his chest rubbing her back as the tears streamed down her face.

"I don't want to fight, Brandon." She sobbed. "We had a perfect evening and night, I don't want it to end like this."

"What's your problem with Valerie, Kel?" He asked carefully.

"I don't know, I guess she's one of those people who bring out the worst in me and I hate it." Kelly pushed away from him slightly brushing the tears away.

"You know I asked her the same question yesterday." He admitted.

"What did she say?" Kelly asked as her curiosity took over anger.

"That you always had what she wanted. Me, Dylan...Colin, Steve, Noah...David..." Brandon took the shower gel and poured some of it in his hand motioning for Kelly to turn around.

"That's so childish."

"Probably as childish as bringing out the worst in you." He noted rubbing the shower gel on her back.

"Yes." Kelly agreed smiling slightly.

"She's not perfect, but who is? You've both come a long way and maybe it's time to put the past behind you and start anew." He stopped guiding her under the running water. "I'm not saying you two should become best friends, but maybe be nice to each other and see each other on the odd occasion without being down each other's throat ninety percent of the time."

Kelly turned around staring into his eyes.

"Do you think you can do that for me, Kel?" His eyes pleaded with her.

Slipping her arms around his waist she nodded. "For you and for Thea. Axton is her cousin and she should have him in her life."

"Thank you." Brandon mouthed kissing her softly at first, the kiss soon growing in intensity.

"What are you doing?" Brandon smiled as her hands slipped down his body.

"I was wrong, the honeymoon's not over yet." She smiled innocently.

"In that case, Mrs. Walsh." He pressed her back against the cold tails. Lifting her up she wrapped her legs around his waist, the water cascading over both of them as they enjoyed each other once again.