Donna and Brenda watched their girls play in the sandbox at the park. Smiling, Brenda rested her hand on her still flat stomach. "It's good to take a break," she told her friend.
"It sure is," Donna said, laughing. David was still at the theater, working with frazzled actors and stagehands. "But David has had three days off, so it's only right that he deal with the crazies today."
Brenda smiled. "We'll have to get back soon. Val may kill him."
Donna laughed. "Possible," she agreed. She looked at Brenda. "So how are you feeling, Bren?"
"Amazing," Brenda answered honestly. "Being back at work really helped. Donna, thank you guys so much for everything you've done for me." She grasped Donna's hand, squeezing it. "Without you guys, my dream would have disappeared."
"That's what friends do," Donna told her sincerely. "And now you're back and you can deal with all the craziness!"
Brenda laughed. "I like the craziness. It's exciting. I like the rushing around, praying that everything's together. I love the nerves and the fear and the tears. They just make it so much sweeter when, on opening night, everything is perfect." Brenda stared off into the distance, smiling dreamily.
"Wow," Donna said, and Brenda looked at her. "You really are nuts!" Laughing, both women got up and walked to the girls.
"Addison Cynthia Walsh!" Brenda cried, laughing. "Don't you dare eat that sand!" The little girl squealed as Brenda picked her up. She looked over at Donna and Ruby. "She is just like you, Don," she said. "You can tell from her face that sand and dirt are not her idea of a good time."
Donna smiled at her daughter. "That's okay, sweetie. Daddy will teach you."
The women walked back to Donna's car, strapping the girls in their seats. "And lunch break is over," Donna said, driving to the theater.
When they stopped, both women sat and stared at the front of the building. "It always amazing me when I think about how huge this place is," Donna told Brenda.
"I know, it's massive," Brenda agreed happily. "It's magic."
Donna and Brenda both nodded, watching people come and go from the building. "Dy!" Addy said from the backseat after a moment, struggling to get out.
"What is it, baby?" Brenda asked her. The little girl was pointing out the window. Brenda looked and gasped as she saw Dylan walking toward the front of the theater with Sammy.
"Go on, I'll grab Addy," Donna said.
Brenda nodded thanks to her friend, then opened the door. "Dylan!" she called, jogging after them.
Dylan turned around, holding Sammy's hand, and watched her. He couldn't stop the smile from moving across his face. Every time he saw her his heart leaped. And she was his. "Brenda," he said, kissing her lightly as she reached him.
Sammy was watching them. "Hi Brenda," he said, eying her and Dylan.
Brenda knelt down. "Hey Sammy," she said, smiling. Looking at the boy now, she couldn't believe she'd ever thought anyone other than Steve Sanders to be his father. "What are you guys up to?" she asked him as she looked at Dylan questioningly.
"Da- I mean Dylan, said he wanted to show me a real theater," Sammy told her, his troubled eyes quickly moving to Dylan, then back to her.
Dylan flinched, then smiled at the boy. "I took him to see a play earlier this year and he loved it. I thought I'd show him around so he could see how things work. Is that okay?"
Brenda knew that Dylan was asking about much more than permission for Sammy to look around the theater. "That sounds great," she said, smiling at Sammy.
Dylan nodded at her, his eyes serious. "Thanks Bren," he said huskily.
"Hey guys!" Donna said, walking up with a girl on each hip. Brenda stood as they approached.
Addy began reaching for Dylan, opening and closing her hands. "Dy!" she shrieked happily.
"Hey there gorgeous," Dylan said, laughing. After getting Addy he knelt down and put her on his knee. Donna waved to them and walked toward the theater. "Sammy, this is Addy. She's Brenda's daughter." Dylan looked up at Brenda, then back at Sammy. "She's going to be my daughter, too. Brenda and I are getting married," he said gently.
Sammy nodded, but then big tears leaked out of his eyes. He looked at Dylan, his face scrunching in pain. "You don't need me anymore, do you?"
Dylan hugged the little boy to his chest, still holding Addy. "Sammy," he said thickly, "I will always need you."
Addy patted Sammy's head. "Okay," she said over and over, then leaned down to give him a loud kiss.
Sammy looked up at her, wiping his eyes. He examined her for a moment. She smiled at him and he smiled back. "You're okay," he said, after a minute. Addy squealed and reached for him; Sammy let her hug him, mumbling something about cooties. Dylan looked at Brenda and laughed silently.
Brenda knelt down in front of Sammy. "Sammy, I'm not trying to take Dylan away from you," she said softly. "I love him very much and have for a long time."
"I know. He told me that when you're away from each other your hearts don't work right," the boy said. Brenda's heart jumped and she looked at Dylan. He winked at her.
"Dylan will be there if you ever need him. And so will I," she said, smiling at the boy.
Sammy nodded. "Daddy says you're better at riding than he is, so you'll be a better teacher for me."
Brenda laughed a little. "Dylan is a great rider, but I would be happy to help you learn how to ride a horse."
Sammy looked at the ground, then at Dylan. "I called you Daddy again," he said miserably.
Dylan hugged the boy again. "You can call me anything you want."
"But Steve is my dad now," Sammy said. "Did you know that Brenda? It's so weird," the boy said, shaking his head.
Brenda and Dylan chuckled. "We'll work it all out," Brenda promised him.
"Uncle David!" Sammy called out, seeing David come out of the theater. When Sammy ran for a hug, Dylan stood up.
"Sorry for ambushing you, Bren," he said, kissing her forehead.
"Me," Addy said huffily. Laughing, Dylan kissed her forehead too.
"So what happened?" Brenda asked him.
"Kelly called, said she'd finally told Sammy about…everything. She wanted me to come talk to him." Dylan watched the boy talk to his uncle. "Kelly left us alone, so he and I talked for a while. He looked so sad," Dylan said, almost to himself. "I decided that me spending time with him no matter what should start now." He shrugged. He looked into Brenda's eyes. "Thank you, Brenda. For being okay with all of this."
It was Brenda's turn to shrug. "I love you," she said simply. At Addy's huff, she laughed. "I love you, too," she told her daughter, kissing her. Looking back at Dylan, she said, "I told Sammy we'll get it all figured out and we will. Together."
Dylan nodded and they walked hand in hand to where David and Sammy were discussing music. David looked at them. "Get this kid to the orchestra pit, pronto. He's already ready to compose his first piece." He looked at his watch. "Hey, Sammy, tell your mom I'll see her soon, okay?" He tousled Sammy's hair. "See you, kiddo." He nodded to Brenda and Dylan.
"Bye Uncle David!" Sammy said. After David walked away, Sammy looked at Dylan, concerned. "Is he still my Uncle David? Did I mess up?"
"No, honey, he'll always be your Uncle David," Dylan reassured the boy.
"Good," Sammy said, sighing in relief. "Can I really see the orchestra pit?" he asked Brenda excitedly.
"Sure," Brenda told him, smiling. She looked at Dylan. "You guys go ahead; I've got some things to do in the office. If you need me, you know where to find me."
Dylan kissed her. "I'll take Addy, too. I haven't seen her all day."
After they got into the theater, Dylan and the kids walked off. Brenda watched him, her heart so full she felt like it was going to burst. Her life was walking down that hall; everything she'd ever wanted.
"Kinda tears you up, huh?" Val said from behind her, laughing when Brenda jumped.
Brenda turned and smiled at her. "I just can't believe how happy I am. I know it took getting shot, but Val, this is it. Everything is exactly how I always dreamed it would be. I never imagined it would feel this way," she murmured.
Val hugged her. "I know exactly how you feel," she assured her.
"How's Rick?" Brenda asked her as they walked toward her office.
"Rick is amazing," Val told her, wiggling her eyes.
Brenda laughed and swatted her friend. When they got to the office, Brenda motioned for her to sit down. "Let me tell you what I'm working on," she said in a hushed tone.