Thank you for all those you liked my stories, and for those who don't o well, you still read it right?
For my story's sake, just go with it. I remember the whole story line of this fic, but I can't really "continue" from where I left off, it has been too long. Just go with it and I promise you'll get the story line you all have been waiting for.
And always and forever be Team Bandits. Team Dylan and Brenda.
Now into the story…
***
When Brenda woke up from her nap, tears begun to fill her eyes immediately. Her heart's beating so fast and she can't hardly breathe. She knew what's happening. She tried to get the glass of water that is sitting on her bedside table but failed and it crashed. Soon she heard footsteps towards her room.
"Brenda!" Valerie exclaimed, seeing her sister in that state broke her heart "What's wrong honey?"
Val knew what's wrong, she didn't know why she asked that.
"Everything!" Brenda answered almost hysterically, she started pacing around the room while Val sat down on her bed. "Can I really do this? Can I continue living like this? Did I make the right thing going back to Bane?" Brenda fired in one breath.
Brandon who went to get her a new glass of water came back and handed her the water. Brenda drunk the water and took a deep breath.
"Bren…" Brandon started, "We are here, talk, cry… get angry! Anything to help you get through this, just please don't keep it to yourself, it won't do you or KC any good." He said this while he was holding Brenda's hand and looking at her eyes.
Valerie went to step in and snatched Brenda's hand from Brandon.
"Sis, we know you better than anybody else, you are just trying to be the bigger person here, but this is killing you. I'm sure this is killing you, you just had anxiety attack while sleeping, how bad is this?" Val said fully concerned.
Brenda's breathing finally calms down, "I am so confused, I don't want KC to grow up without a father, but could I really continue to live like this?"
Valerie and Brandon guided Brenda back to sit down by the bed, "Bren, no one's forcing you to do anything, please! We have been telling you to take your time and just trust the process of you healing, do not do anything just because you know it's the right thing, or right for KC, but destroying you along the way…" Brandon said, gently hugging his sister
"I know Bran…" Brenda sobbed, "God I am so confused, my heart's not helping me and my mind's too stubborn!" Brenda was feeling frustrated. Everything has finally caught up with her.
Her husband doubting her, the fight… the betrayal… Kelly… Dylan… and Kelly's getting pregnant with Bane. It's too much. She feels like her heart was broken into gazillion pieces and she's not even sure if it's amendable.
"I thought, love is enough… giving Bane another chance… I…" she continued to sob. "I thought it's the right thing to do…" She turned to Brandon "Bran, please tell me what to do… please help me"
"Shhhhh Brenda" Brandon hugged his sister "I will, I can't tell you how, but I know everything will be ok, with time… in time…"
"I am here too Brenda, I know I have said bullshits about Kelly, Bane and the situation, but Brenda, I only want what you want, what's good for you… whatever makes you happy, I will support you 100%" Valerie assured her longtime friend.
"Can you guys please bring KC here?" Brenda asked looking at her siblings "I am ok now, I promise… no more anxiety attacks, I am calm, and I think I know what to do, for real this time…"
Brandon and Valerie gave her a look, a look that tell her that they don't buy it. "No, I swear to God, having that little breakdown, and that talk, I know what I need… or should I say who I need." Brenda said smiling to them.
They didn't even need to get up because Shae came in with KC on her hips. "Oh… are we interrupting?" Shae asked looking at the trio "She woke up and I thought you may want to see her"
Brenda looked at her baby and smiled, then suddenly gasp "Oh my God!" as if she just remembers her baby, Val, Bran and Shae looked at her weirdly.
"With all the happenings, I almost forgot she's turning 2 next week!" Brenda exclaimed, while getting KC from Shae.
"But we didn't" Valerie squealed.
"What do you mean?" Brenda looking from her brother to Val to Shae "What did you do?"
"Relax Bren…" Val assured her "We didn't do anything, we just plan a simple celebration her at Casa Walsh, everything was taken care of, catering cake and decoration"
"Really?" Brenda asked in surprised "I can't believe I almost forgot baby" she cooed KC and the girl giggled at her mother "I am so sorry, mommy's gone mental"
That receives a pit of laughter form the other 3 adults.
Brenda gave them a look and but then joined them laughing at her expense "Thank you guys, you guys are the best siblings one can ever wished for" She tried to hug them all with KC on her arms.
Brandon sighed happily, he has a good feeling about this, if he knew Brenda at all, he's sure that she already came up with a decision.
"Ok guys, please give me and KC a moment and we will join you guys for dinner" Shae and Brandon nodded but Valerie looks like she's not ready to leave them "I swear Val I am good; I just want a moment with KC. We'll be down in a while" Val reluctantly agreed and follow the lovers down.
Brenda put KC in the middle of the bed, then went to get her phone, she dialed a number she knows by heart "Dylan?"
"Hey Bren… is everything ok?" he asked immediately
"Yeah, everything's good, better actually. I can't tell you over the phone, but can we please meet one of these days?"
"You know we can B" Dylan, Brenda and Brandon call each other by initial, something they always did back when they were just still hanging out in high school. The three musketeers.
"Good, and also, KC's birthday is coming up…"
"I know, everything is set, I made sure everything is into your likeness. I didn't let Val do anything you won't approve" Dylan said cutting her off
Brenda smiled; he really does know me better than anyone else.
"Thank you, I just need to send out invites"
"Me and Donna did the invitation with the help of Erica, I'll bring them by for you to check and Steve will send them out."
Brenda laughs a little, the gang always amazes her "Thank you so much D"
There was a pause on both lines "Bren?" Dylan broke the silence first.
"I am so scared Dylan" Brenda said it like Dylan already know what's coming. He sighed and thought for a moment "Brenda, it's ok to be scared, you're only human. But please know that you don't have to do everything on your own, we are here"
"I know that I am actually looking forward to getaway and finally and truly move on from everything… everyone" Brenda almost whispered the last part.
Dylan knew that she had made up her mind.
"I'll always be here Bren, you know that. I'll do almost anything for KC and for you. Just always be safe and do whatever your heart's desire."
"Thank you, I knew you'd say all the right things Dyl, that's why I called you. I needed my best friend"
She chuckles "Well don't let Val or Brandon know I said that…"
"I won't… I'll drop by the invitations tomorrow or Erica can bring them by, I'll let you know"
"Thanks again"
Another pause "Bren, I think, you're going to fine with time… in time…" heard that before, Brandon and Dylan were freakishly alike.
"I'll talk to you later Dylan, thanks again"
After the phone conversation with Dylan, Brenda felt a little light and sure about what she will do. She didn't even need to tell Dylan her plan, she knew he gets her. That's one of the many reasons Dylan and Brenda stayed close after everything, because they get each other they know each other better than anyone else, whatever Brandon or Valerie claims.
She then dialed her parents "Hello mom?" Brenda said as soon as she heard her mom's voice
"Brenda, it's so nice to hear from you"
"I'm sorry mom, I have been busy. I miss you and dad!"
"We'll be there next week for KC's birthday"
"O who told you about the party?"
"Dylan" of course he did, Brenda smiled
"I don't know what's happening with you Brenda, you father and I are worried." Cindy's sincere tone made Brenda almost cried. It was soft and very concerned.
"Mom, I promise to tell you everything when you get here. As for now, please don't worry I am with Val, Brandon and Shae."
Brenda heard her mom take a deep breath, she was ready to answer any question Cindy might have
"I know, I just want you to be happy Brenda. Please know that" Brenda can't believe that her mom didn't even ask her anything, but she can't complain, she'd rather talk to her parents at once and personally.
"Thank you, mom, I'll see you soon. I love you both."
"We love you too Bren"
Brenda's playing with KC the whole time she was on the phone, she can't believe how behave KC is, it's like she knows that her mom has a lot on her plate and that the only thing she could do to help her mom is to behave.
"Let's get you clean up baby girl" She then went and pick up KC, when both were dressed and freshen up, they went down and found the rest of their family in the dinning.
"Finally!" Brandon exclaimed getting up and getting KC from Brenda, which earns him the sweetest laugh from his niece.
"What's for dinner?" Brenda asked
"Well…" Shae tried to explain, but Val beat her to it "Bane's here"
Brenda froze, she hasn't talked to Bane since the wee morning, and she's not sure if she's ready.
Seeing his sister reaction, he immediate tell her "Go back upstairs, I'll handle this" giving her twin brother a knowing look, she nodded and went back upstairs. She can't even begin to thank the heavens for her family and friends who can read her like a book.
"Where's Brenda?" Bane asked when he got back from getting the last food from his car.
Brandon quickly jumps "She's not feeling well and wanted to sleep some more" he walks over to Bane and handed KC to him "She'll eat later and will call you for sure, after everything that has happened, I think she deserves to rest as long as she wants"
Bane looks like he wanted to reason out and go upstairs but by the looks Val and Brandon giving him, he decided against it. "Of course… Let her sleep then…"
He stayed for another 30 mins playing with KC and then went back to their house. When Bane got in his car, he couldn't help but to think that walking away from Casa Walsh that night, seem like he's walking away from his family too. He sadly stared at the house for a moment before he started the car.
Brenda was hiding from the window; she could see Bane inside his car. Her heart aches but she must do this for her mental health and for her daughter. She sighed and went to bed, throwing a pillow over her head.
It was almost time for KC's birthday party, invitations were sent out by Steve with Erica's help, grandparents arrived 2 days ago to spend more time with KC. Brenda was so happy with the unicorn themed party that the gang chosen for KC. Although Brandon and Dylan were very adamant that they have nothing to do with the decorations, Brenda knew otherwise.
Bane and Brenda did have the "talk" Brenda asked Bane one night to have dinner with her in their home and in there, she told him everything her heart and mind's feeling. All the emotions she has been trying to control was out and she didn't even care if she is breaking down in front of Bane, she needed this release.
Bane couldn't do anything, he looked at Brenda, crying her heart out, broken and hurt. And all he could think is that he is the reason for this, Brenda didn't do anything wrong. He made a mistake, a mistake that can cost him his wife, and his daughter.
Bane begged Brenda, sincerely and truthfully, he was sorry for all the hurt he has caused to Brenda, he knew Brenda had enough and when she told him her plan, he almost lost it. But one look on Brenda's strained face, his heart couldn't even disagree with her. They were talking, crying, shouting all night long until they were too exhausted to talk, they sat quietly, until Brenda spoke.
"I love you Bane, I hope…" she was cut off by Bane
"Brenda don't do that, I know you love me, you are perfect, I did this to myself, please don't think otherwise" Bane couldn't believe that Brenda's even thinking that she did him wrong.
"That's the thing, I can't help it, I am blaming myself for this, if I have been enough… I have done more for you…" Brenda begun to cry again
"Beauty…. No please… you did nothing wrong." Bane tried to get closer to her, but she flinched at the touch of his hand on her hand. "Sorry"
"I just thought that I can just move on from this because I love you. But I can't, I need to take care of myself, for KC, for my family…"
"Where do we go from here Brenda? Tell me, what can I do? How can I make this right?" Bane begged again.
"That's the thing Bane, every time I think of you, I think of nothing. You broke me. You broke my family, my friends and you broke my daughter's heart, I know you are not a cheater, that's not you. But you made a mistake, it's just that this is one mistake that I cannot and will not ever forget. So, tell me, how can we continue living like this? What's the point of staying together?"
"Bren…" Bane's openly crying in front of his wife.
"I want a divorce" Brenda said emotionless "Give me that and I will think about forgiving you and letting you see our daughter"
"You don't mean that Bren…" Bane couldn't believe what his hearing, he thought everything was ok with them, that they can get pass this, but sadly, he failed to see all the red flags.
Brenda refusing to comeback home after Kelly's departure.
KC's birthday party that he wasn't involve in planning.
All credit cards and bank accounts untouched since the first time she got out of the house.
Unreturned calls and messages.
Bane was just giving Brenda all the space and time she needed, he didn't think that this was heading to divorce.
"Bane, I want a divorce and full custody of KC." Brenda said nervously, she can't help but to think that if Bane wants to fight her with this, it will drag her and KC or her family into this drama, Bane is loaded and can practically get everything he wants if the price is right. "Please Bane, I will let you see KC when I get back to the states, I promise you. I just want everything in paper divorce and custody, I have to protect me and KC…" she almost whispered, Bane doesn't have any reason to doubt Brenda, he knew Brenda won't keep KC from him.
"Bren? Are you afraid of me? Of me taking away our daughter from you?" Bane needed to confirm this, as ridiculous as it sounds, he needed to let Brenda know that he is not a monster
Brenda slowly nodded, unable to look at Bane's eyes.
Bane sighed, hurt, and broken "You'll get everything you want Brenda, I trust you will never keep KC from me, but I understand that you can't trust me without the papers drawn, so yeah take anything you want, I'll sign custody too."
Bane looks so small now, he looked like his life was taken form him literally "Take every thing Bren, they're all for you and KC, that's why I am working so hard."
"No Bane, you know very well that I don't care about any of your money…"
"Our money Bren… ours"
"Yeah that, you know me Bane, that's not who I am, I was never here for that."
"I know it's just that, it doesn't make any sense at all now that you're leaving me. I don't even know where you are going…" Bane look at her hoping that he'll get some answers
"KC's birthday party will be this Friday and were leaving the following day. You are invited Bane; you are her father." Dodging Bane's inquiries, Brenda get up from the couch and look at Bane sadly "I never thought we would end like this Bane… never thought that I'll be divorcing you, I was so sure about us."
Bane stood up and went closer to Brenda "I am sorry for everything Bren, I am sorry for all the tears you shed because of me and my stupid mistake" he went and put his hands on her shoulder, testing if she will let him touch her, when Brenda didn't flinch he slowly hugged her "I am sorry Brenda, I love you, I'll love you always" He whispers into her ear
Brenda just nodded and pulled away from Bane. "I am sorry too. I tried; you know I tried"
With that Brenda left their home, she turned her back to Bane and never looked back.
So, there's my long overdue update, again pls JUST GO WITH IT and trust me to finish this one.
Thank you, guys!