Chapter 52 The Past Will Always Haunt You

Steve sat and stared at his phone. He had been debating back and forth on calling Janet. Tomorrow night was Dylan's work party and he wanted to her to come. Of course it was probably a better idea if he had sat and talked to her first. Laid everything out on the table and then see if she would come. He didn't want to get divorced, he didn't want anyone else. The truth was Janet was neurotic and bossy but she brought order to Steve's life and he had never felt for anyone like he had felt for her. Without her he felt lost, interrupted. He missed her, he missed his home, his kids. The only thing that was standing in the way was his pride and winning his point wasn't winning at all. Steve shook his head and picked up his cell, it was late but he didn't care. He hit send and waited as the phone started to ring.

"Hello." Janet answered softly.

"Were you asleep?" Steve said sadly.

"No…what's going on?"

Steve sat quiet for several moments, "I…was wondering if you wanted to meet up tomorrow and talk. There are some things I wanted to tell you."

Janet sighed, "Like what Steve?"

"Janet, don't you think we should talk about stuff, I mean we have been married for almost 13 years. You owe me at least that…to hear me out."

"I owe you." Janet said angrily.

"You know what I mean." Steve exhaled. "Please."

Janet took a deep breath, "Alright…I will meet you at that coffee shop on Doheny...say noon."

"Ok…I'll be there." Steve was relieved. Besides seeing each other when Steve picked up and dropped off the kids, he hadn't talked to Janet at all. "Thanks." he said sweetly

"Bye." Janet hung up.

Steve clicked his cell phone closed and took a deep breath, it was a start. He looked up hearing keys jingling.

"Hey man." Steve said as Dylan came around the corner. "Late night huh?"

"Yeah…where's Bren?" Dylan said looking around.

"She went to bed; she said she wasn't feeling well." Steve said with a shrug.

Dylan gave Steve a nod, "My bed sounds so good right now, I'll see you in the morning."

"Night." Steve answered back as Dylan made his way into his bedroom.

Dylan slowly opened his bedroom door; Brenda was lying on her side, back facing him. "You asleep?" Dylan whispered.

Brenda shut her eyes and pretended to be asleep not answering. She had played how this night was going to go over and over in her mind. She knew it would get ugly, she knew Dylan would get defensive and angry as well. Now he was there and she couldn't say anything. The main reason was even after everything that had happened in the past, Brenda deep down trusted Dylan. She didn't think he would do that to her and that's why all these clues being thrown in her face, didn't make sense. She was torn but then she was mad at herself because why was it different this time. Back when they were kids she didn't think he would do that to her either, at least not with her best friend. Brenda lay silent as she heard Dylan enter their bathroom and close the door. She slowly sat up as the glow of the bathroom light lit up her bedroom and the sound of their shower began. Brenda looked at the door sadly, why couldn't she call him out on it? Why was this day turning into one of the worst days ever, when she had been so happy to be pregnant again? Brenda glanced at the clock and noticed Dylan's cell phone sitting on it. Brenda glanced at the bathroom door again still hearing the shower running. She leaned over grabbing his cell phone. She took a deep breath, did she want to know? Could she just pretend like this wasn't happening? Could she forgive him if it was? Brenda shook her head in disgust…not going to happen, this is not okay…I am not one of those girls, if my husband is screwing around on me I want to know about it, Brenda thought. With that, she opened up his phone and began scanning the text messages. First she started reading the inbox.

Kelly: Yeah where ever you want to meet, Brandon is at work.

Kelly: Is Brenda home? Should I come there?

Kelly: Will everyone be ok with this?

Kelly: Why am I always sneaking around with you? hehe

Kelly: Hey Dylan, I told Brandon I had to work late so I am free tonight.

Kelly: It's a date!

Tears formed in Brenda's eyes as she thought about what a bitch Kelly was, not only to do this to her but to her brother, all their kids. All Kelly's messages were from different days except the one from this night. Brenda scrolled down the sent box.

Dylan: Hey I have some time, Bren is working late…where should we hook up?

Dylan: No, Brenda isn't here, she just left. Come on over.

Dylan: I don't really care about everyone else, whoever is. is.

Dylan: LOL brings back memories, j/k it's what we do best.

Dylan: K, Peach Pit, 7?

Dylan: Sounds good.

Brenda broke down, if this wasn't what it was, it sure as hell looked bad. How could he do this to her and now she was going to have another baby. Brenda was so upset and her mind was mush she didn't hear the fact that the shower had stopped and Dylan was standing in the bathroom doorway.

"What's wrong?" Dylan asked seeing his wife in tears.

Brenda looked up at him, she didn't say anything, she just stared at him. She was in shock, she didn't know whether to scream at him, scream in general or throw up.

"What? Brenda…you're scaring me." Dylan had never seen the expression she was giving him.

"Are you sleeping with Kelly?" she came out and asked.

"What?" it dawned on him, "Let me guess you talked to Val." Dylan shook his head.

"Val? What does Valerie have to do with this, I asked you a question and I deserve an answer." Brenda now stood up.

"Are you serious? Are you seriously asking me if I am sleeping with your brother's…my brother in law's…my best friend's wife?" Dylan was shocked and pissed.

Brenda crossed her arms; his attitude made her angry, "Fine, where were you tonight?"

Dylan got nervous, how much did she know. "I was working late, I told you that…then I went to the Pit and got food."

"By yourself?"

"I went by myself but Kelly was there…so was Gina and Valerie, we all just ran into each other."

"Why are you lying to me? You planned to meet her there." Brenda started to cry, until this point she had stopped.

"Bren…come on, Kelly and I are friends…that's all, it's not like it looks."

"Yeah." Brenda breathed out, "This doesn't sound familiar at all." She kept her stare looking at Dylan who had just gotten out of the shower as he stood in the doorway with a towel wrapped around his waist. "Just friends." Brenda said softly, she opened Dylan's phone and began reading, "No, Brenda isn't here, she just left. Come on over… Why am I always sneaking around with you…Peach Pit…7… brings back memories, it's what we do best." Brenda hurled Dylan's cell phone at him. "It is what you do best." She shook her head in tears and stormed out of their bedroom.

Dylan had fumbled to catch the phone and as he watched her storm out of their bedroom he threw the phone on the bed and went after her. He found her in the kitchen crying with her back towards him, "That was a joke…Brenda…there is nothing going on physically with me and Kelly. I haven't dated Kelly in so many years I don't even know." Dylan said calmly.

Brenda turned around and looked at him, "So you haven't slept together yet, big deal, you sneaking around, meeting each other, texting each other, why should I even believe you?"

"Because you know me and I am your husband, I am committed to you." Dylan stepped toward her.

Brenda looked down and moved from his touch as he tried to touch her, "You're right…I do know you and that's why I don't trust you." Brenda glared at him.

Dylan held on to his towel as he stood there in shock, "I can't believe we are back to this, after all this time, after everything we have been through." Dylan began to yell.

Brenda stormed away from him and entered their living room where Steve was sitting on the couch. He looked back and forth between them; he had heard everything and felt really weird being there to witness it.

"It's the same thing all over again, why am I not enough for you? Why if there is something missing from us do you go to her?" Brenda now was yelling also.

Dylan thought this was so ridiculous he smirked, more out of discomfort and disbelief, "You have lost your god damn mind." Dylan said shaking his head, he was really angry and really hurt Brenda would actually think that he would do this to her. He knew it looked bad but never in a million years would he think that this would come back to haunt him. "I have been sneaking around with Kelly."

Brenda lowered her head and continued to cry, "But not like you think, we are planning a party…for you and Brandon…for your birthday." He yelled the last part.

Brenda looked at him, "A party?" she breathed out. "Yeah right." she shook her head. "Did you know about a party?" Brenda looked at Steve.

Steve's eyes widened, he had hoped with all the drama going on he was invisible. "Ahhh." Steve fumbled and shrugged.

"Nobody knew about it yet." Dylan finished sarcastically.

Brenda exhaled, "I don't know if I believe you."

Dylan smirked again and threw up one arm because the other was still holding on to his towel, "Fine Bren…be like that…that's fine, but don't you ever accuse me of something like this again." Dylan walked closer to her as he yelled, "Because you know what it reminds me of my distrusting, jealous relationship with Kelly and I didn't put up with it then and I wont now." Dylan pointed angrily.

Brenda's lip started to quiver and she looked down hurt that he would say something so mean to her. She didn't do anything wrong, he was the one sneaking around, "I see." She said softly, not believing he just compared their relationship with the one he had with Kelly. Brenda grabbed her purse that was sitting next to the couch, "And I am not going to put up with this shit either." Brenda screamed before she turned toward the door. She stopped suddenly and walked to the table. She picked up the box she had put together for their dinner and threw it at him hard hitting him in the chest as he caught it with one hand. "Oh by the way…congratulations…daddy." She said rudely walking out the front door, slamming it behind her.

Dylan looked down at the box, he lifted the top off it carefully and saw the stick. It was facing up and in the test result window showed a smiley face. Dylan looked at the front door again sadly feeling like a jerk, "Fuck." He said under his breath.

"What happened?" Steve asked softly almost afraid to talk.

Dylan looked at his long time friend, "I screwed up."

Steve got up and walked over to Dylan, "You're really not messing around with Kelly are you?"

Dylan exhaled frustrated, "What do you think?"

"Honestly?" Steve bit the inside of his lip.

Dylan gave Steve daggers, "Come on Steve." Dylan raised his voice.

"Ok, relax…What's in the box?" Steve said trying to move to the next subject before Dylan punched him in the face.

Dylan shook his head and took a deep breath, "Bren…is pregnant." A small smile spread across his face as he took the stick in his hand and walked silently into their bedroom.

Steve watched him in another world close his bedroom door behind him, "What is going on in our group lately?" Steve exhaled and went back to his beer and television.

Dylan didn't know what to do, he could go after her. He knew she would probably go to Valerie's, or god forbid Brandon. Dylan really hoped she didn't go to Brandon. Then part of him knew Brenda probably wanted to be alone. Dylan looked down at the stick and wished she was with him. They had been waiting for this moment for so long and now…they were yelling at each other. And to top it off on the less serious side, he was going to have to listen to Kelly complain at the simple fact that the party she had been mostly working on was ruined.

**

Brenda banged on the front door to Valerie's condo. "Ok…Ok…hold on." Valerie called out.

After a couple minutes, Brenda flipped her the bird as she stood in the hallway knowing Valerie was looking through the peep hole taking her time opening the door. Valerie opened up the door with a smile, "Well…fuck you too." She joked as Brenda pushed her way in. "What's with you?"

Brenda threw her purse to the floor, as the tears began falling from her eyes, "I think Dylan is screwing Kelly, or going to…or I don't know." She said quickly. "Did you see them at the Pit tonight?"

Valerie took a deep breath, "I did." She gave her a nod.

"What did they look like, did they look…you know…close?" Brenda looked at her best friend with pleading eyes.

Valerie shrugged, "They were sitting close, but I don't know…it wasn't like they were kissing or anything."

Brenda moved to Valerie's couch and slowly lowered herself to it. "Valerie you have to tell me, what were they doing?"

Valerie sighed, "Gina and I came through the back and when we saw them we had a problem with it…naturally…even Nat was weirded out by it. They were talking closely and looking over something, some papers and such." Valerie moved and sat next to her, "We approached them, called them out. We had some words, Dylan was an asshole as usual to me and I left it at that."

Brenda lowered her head to the floor, "Do you think Dylan would cheat on me? I mean honestly?"

Valerie shook her head, "I don't know…I would say no but men…are…men. They are hard to read and I know Kelly and Dylan cheat with each other, it's what they do. It's all they ever did. I don't know Bren."

Brenda shook her head, "We had a fight, I looked through his phone and found texts back and forth from them meeting up secretly for weeks. I called him out on it and after getting defensive; he told me that they were planning a birthday party for Brandon and I."

Valerie thought about it, "That might explain the papers and the fact they looked like they were working on something. Maybe that is all." Valerie lifted her eyebrow, "But why didn't they just say that to me at the Pit, I mean…I would have helped them plan."

Brenda shrugged and exhaled, "This sucks…I don't want to live my life as a jealous bitch every time he says two words to Kelly. Kelly is part of our family; she is always going to be around…and I do love her. I trust them…I do…but together I can't help but be thrown back to the past. It's like every time I am in a place of forgetting about it, those ghosts come back to haunt me. It isn't realistic or fair to ask Dylan to cut Kelly out, and I am not the type of person to do that anyway. I mean…" Brenda looked at her friend as her eyes watered again, "What are the odds of there nothing going on between them? One of the texts said something like, why am I always sneaking around with you? I mean they are joking about it? Don't you think that's disrespectful to me? I don't want to lose him Val…not like last time, I won't give him up like I did before, she can't have him." Brenda broke down and Valerie wrapped her arms around her to comfort her.

"I told you she was a bitch." Valerie joked.

Brenda chuckled and wiped her face, "God I love you…and yeah she is." Brenda leaned away from her, "Kaeden is spending the night with Brandon, can I sleep here?"

"Always, I'll get you something to sleep in. Come on." Valerie kept her arm around her as she led her into her bedroom. Valerie threw a tank top and some yoga pants on her bed and turned to her phone as she heard three beeps indicating she had a BBM. As Brenda changed she watched Valerie pick up her phone and start texting someone.

"Who is that? A bootie call?" Brenda said with a small smile.

Valerie looked up and sighed, "It's David, he said there is a movie that reminds him of me on channel 10 and he said to come over." Valerie said quietly.

Brenda nodded and after a moment of silence she spoke, "I am proud of you."

Valerie rolled her eyes and took a deep breath, "Yeah…yeah…being good, sucks ass."

Brenda smiled as she pulled down the covers on Valerie's bed.

"Hopefully there are some hotties at Dylan's party tomorrow night." Valerie said with a smirk as she sat on her side of the bed and began taking off her jewelry.

Brenda exhaled, "The party…great…I totally forgot about that…I am not talking to my husband, I have Kelly coming and I have to be social and Miss Martha Stewart for 50 people…and I can't even get drunk."

Valerie looked over at her curiously, "Why, I was actually going to ask you if you wanted something tonight."

"I can't." Brenda said quietly as she looked over towards Valerie, "I am pregnant."

Valerie's eyes widened and a smile crept across her face, "Oh sweetie…that's great." Val leaned down and gave Brenda a hug. Their happy hug was interrupted as Valerie's cell phone began ringing.

Brenda adjusted the covers and moved to her side, "Looks like David didn't like your return text." She teased.

Valerie looked up from her phone and glanced at Brenda, "It's Dylan…can I at least tell him you're here." Valerie answered seeing Brenda give her a sad nod.

"Hey Dylan." Valerie answered.

Dylan sounded like an emotional wreck, "Val…please say Brenda is there…she left and it's late and …"

Valerie interrupted him, "She is right here."

Dylan exhaled relieved, "Can I talk to her?"

Valerie looked at Brenda, "He wants to talk to you." She said covering the phone.

Brenda reached out her hand as she lay on the pillow; she brought it to her ear, "Hey." She said tense.

"Bren…come home…I am sorry, there is nothing going on with Kelly, I swear on my life. You know I would never do that to you, you know I wouldn't. Please Bren."

"I don't know." Brenda said sadly.

"Yes you do know…baby I love you…and you're pregnant..." Dylan's voice cracked filled with emotion, "You have no idea how happy I am about that…I mean we are having another baby." Dylan sniffed and Brenda knew he was crying.

"We'll talk about this another time, I'll see you tomorrow." Brenda didn't want to hear Dylan cry, it was heartbreaking and moving and unattractive all at the same time.

"You're sleeping there?" he said quietly.

"Yeah…I got to get a few things for the party, do you mind picking up Kaeden tomorrow at Brandon's and we will have to save face and deal with this later."

"Brenda…you have to believe me…there is nothing going on…I can show you everything we were planning and doing…"

"Dylan." Brenda breathed out and closed her eyes, "Ok…I am tired, I don't want to argue, I'll see you tomorrow."

"I love you Bren." Dylan said softly.

Brenda sat quiet for a second and took a deep breath, "Bye." She practically whispered pressing end on Valerie's cell phone, not returning the sentiment.

Dylan sadly lowered his phone and hit end. He tossed the phone to the side of him and ran his hands down the front of his face. He exhaled as stared at the ceiling. He had really thought this distrust and this past had disappeared. Dylan began to think about the possibility that it may never. Doesn't she know how much I love her, he thought? Dylan would do anything for Brenda, she had to know that. Dylan shook his head disappointed, would the mistakes that Kelly and him made in the past, always come back to haunt them? Would their ever be a time when it was so in the past that it wasn't an issue? Dylan didn't understand, Valerie and Gina joked with Brenda all the time about their involvement with him, what was the difference?

Dylan may never get it. Next up is the party, and it's not over yet. : x Thanks for the reviews, you guys are awesome. I am glad I still have your attention and I hope you stick around. Also you guys will have to bare with me. I know in this story I jumped ahead making Kaeden, Sammy and Nathan older but kept Silver the same age. Oops, I noticed that but Kelly will be dealing with some Silver stuff and I didn't want her moving out and into college yet so I hope you forgive me for the mess up. And I hope it doesn't ruin things cause I am not keeping true to her real age. Anyway please review so I can post the party, it will be a doozie, but definitely not all bad, especially for 2 of our favorite brunettes. : )