Chapter 35 - Remembering the Past - Part 4

Kelly begins to stirs as she is awakened by the sound of someone trying to open the front door. Still sleepy, she ignores it, thinking that it might've been coming from the neighbors. But when she actually hears the door turning and someone stepping in, she suddenly feels scared. Fearing that she's not alone, she slowly steps out of bed and quietly gets into the closet to hide.

In the closet, she could hear footsteps walking closer towards the bedroom door. She tries to blend in with the clothes inside the closet as she hears the door open and somebody walking in. When the sound of the footsteps stopped, Kelly closes her eyes and hopes that whoever is out there just leaves and never come back. She got her wish as she hears the footsteps turn around and walks out of the bedroom. She opens her eyes in a sigh of relief.

"Kelly?" asked the sound coming from outside.

Kelly hears her name being called. She could not comprehend what to make of it. After their phone conversation together, she wasn't expecting Brandon at all today. But then again, maybe she was sleeping for so long that it has been a week later. No, that couldn't be. Is that really possible?

"Kelly, you here?" asked the stranger outside again.

Kelly didn't want her mind to play tricks on her but the voice does sound like Brandon. Kelly wanted to go outside just to make sure. She really wanted Brandon to come home; maybe a little too much. She leans herself against the dark closet wall when she feels a tennis racket behind her. With that, Kelly decided to go and make sure that it's Brandon.

She quietly steps out of the closet holding the tennis racket. As she heads for the door, she hears footsteps approaching the bedroom once again. She quickly hides by the corner. Armed with the racket, she is ready to make her move if she had to.

Not noticing Kelly, the stranger walks back into the bedroom. Her eyes are in disbelief as she could see the back of the strangers head. As the stranger turns around to leave the room, a smile appears on Kelly's face as the face of the stranger is revealed to her.

"Brandon?" asked Kelly smiling.

"Kelly, what are you doing with the tennis racket?" asked Brandon confused.

Kelly drops the racket and runs towards Brandon, giving him a hug. He smiles and hugs her too.

"I'm assuming you miss me," smiled Brandon.

"You have no idea," smiled Kelly.

"Well, I'm glad. Thanks for the warm welcome," said Brandon.

"Sorry if I scared you," added Brandon.

"It's ok. I was armed," joked Kelly.

"Yeah, I can see that. I'm just glad you didn't hit me with that racket," smiled Brandon.

"Oh, I wouldn't even think twice of ruining that cute face of yours," flirted Kelly who kisses him.

"What are you doing back here already?" asked Kelly.

"I just couldn't stay there knowing that you're here all by yourself," replied Brandon.

"So you came back for me?" asked Kelly.

"Yeah, I did," replied Brandon.

Kelly smiles and kisses Brandon. Brandon holds her tight as they kiss.

"I miss you," said Kelly.

"I miss you too," said Brandon.

"I really wish you called," said Kelly.

"Well, I wanted to surprise you," said Brandon.

"I'm glad you did," smiled Kelly.

They kiss. While kissing, Kelly pulls Brandon towards the bed. They laugh as they both fall onto the bed. Kelly grabs Brandon's face and they kiss and embrace each other once again.

They are interrupted by Brandon's cellphone ringing. Brandon stops the kiss and pulls out his cellphone.

"Hold on, babe. I have to get this," said Brandon.

"Ok...I'll be here waiting," smiled Kelly.

Brandon gets off the bed and answers his call.

"Hello, this is Brandon," said Brandon who starts walking towards the door.

Kelly tries to fix herself up before Brandon comes back into the room.

A few minutes later, Kelly smiles as Brandon comes back in the living room, this time in somewhat of a panic. But instead of joining Kelly on the bed, he heads towards the closet and starts to get some of his clothes out.

"What are you doing?" asked Kelly confused.

"Sorry Kel, but that was work. They need me back in London right away," replied Brandon.

"Already? But you just got back," asked Kelly.

"Yeah but if it's urgent, I have to go. You understand, right?" asked Brandon.

"Yeah, but I thought we would get to spend some time together. After all, I need you too," replied Kelly.

"That's sweet but I promise that we'll spend some time together when I get back," said Brandon.

"That's what you said when you first left. We've only spent five minutes together and you're leaving already?" asked Kelly.

"Kel, I thought we've decided that this was the best thing for us right now. You said so, yourself," said Brandon.

"Yes, but I didn't know it was gonna be like this," said Kelly.

"Well, now you do. But it's not so bad. We love each other and that's all that matters, right?" asked Brandon already heading for the door.

Kelly follows him out still shocked that he has to leave already.

"Yes, love is important but so is spending time together," replied Kelly.

"Kel, I can't deal with this right now. I'll see you in two months," said Brandon.

"Two months!" asked Kelly who is totally shocked.

"Yeah, after London, we're going to Paris, Britain, and maybe Austria too," replied Brandon all excited.

"And while you're doing that, what do you expect me to do?" asked Kelly mad.

"Do what you do best, look after my apartment. Keep the bed warm for me, ok?" asked Brandon who heads for the door.

"What? No! I will not keep the bed warm for you," replied Kelly.

"Brandon, I don't mean to sound like a bitch but if you really love me, you'll stay with me," added Kelly who looks really sad.

Brandon looks at Kelly and understands how she feels. He drops his bags and goes and hugs Kelly. Kelly hugs Brandon tightly. They let go of each other with them looking into each other's eyes.

"So you're gonna stay?" asked Kelly hoping to hear what she wants to hear.

"I wish I could...but this is just something that I can't pass up," replied Brandon.

Kelly looks heartbroken.

"I gotta go, Kel. I'm sorry," said Brandon who starts to get up.

"No! I want you to stay," said Kelly who clings herself onto Brandon, trying to keep him from leaving.

"Kel, what are you doing? I'm going to be late for my flight," asked Brandon.

"I don't care. I need you here with me," replied Kelly who starts crying.

"Dammnit, Kelly. I said let go!" yelled Brandon who forces Kelly off of him.

Kelly takes a step back. She is shocked and hurt that Brandon would do this to her.

"Goodbye," said Brandon who picks up his stuff and walks out the door without even looking back at Kelly.

Tears stream down Kelly's face as she watches Brandon leave.

Kelly goes to the couch and quietly puts her face in her hands.

She suddenly hears her cellphone ring back in the bedroom. She slowly gets up and walks back to her living room. She picks up her cellphone on the bed and sees that it's Brandon. Instead of answering it, she furiously throws the phone at the wall. The phone breaks off into several pieces but Kelly still hears it ringing. Still mad, she goes and starts stomping on the already broken cellphone. But somehow, the ringing would not stop. She gets even madder and continues to step on the phone.

Kelly suddenly wakes up by the ringing on her cellphone. Realizing that she's still in bed, she questions whether what just happened was just a horrible nightmare. She collects her thoughts and realizes that her cellphone is still ringing.

She picks it up and answers it.

"Hello?" asked Kelly who is breathing heavy after her dream.

"Kelly, are you alright? What took you so long?" asked Brandon who is worried.

"Sorry, I was just in a really deep sleep," replied Kelly.

"Oh, are you ok? You sound out of breath," said Brandon.

"I'm fine. What's up?" asked Kelly.

"I just wanted to see how you were. I really felt bad about before," replied Brandon.

"Me too. I didn't mean to come off as a selfish bitch," said Kelly.

"You're not. But you are entitled to it," said Brandon.

"I miss you," said Kelly.

"I miss you too. I wish I could hold you in my arms right now," said Brandon.

"I think I would like that," smiled Kelly.

"So it's deal. I'll do that the first chance I get," said Brandon.

"Oh, I counting on that," said Kelly.

"I don't mean to cut this short but it's getting late over here...so I gotta get some sleep," said Brandon.

"I understand," said Kelly.

"So I'll call you tomorrow?" asked Brandon.

"Ok," replied Kelly.

There is a short pause with the both of them having an uncertain look on their faces.

"I love you," said Brandon.

"I love you too," said Kelly.

"Bye," said Brandon.

"Bye," said Kelly.

They both ended the call.

Kelly closes her phone and leans back on the bed. She looked so relieved that what happened earlier was just a horrible dream. Never in her life would she seriously think that Brandon would treat her that badly. But dreams have a way of misleading us with reality. Even though she's relieved, she can't help but feel that something is missing in her life. As she looked around, she realizes this was all too familiar. It seems to be the same feeling that she had in L.A., before coming to Washington to see Brandon. The feeling makes her want everything all behind and start over. She didn't want to admit having that feeling again because she thought by coming to Washington and being with Brandon, she wouldn't have that feeling anymore. Instead of feeling empty inside, she would feel complete. And she did...when Brandon was here.

Kelly begins to contemplate how far and how many different places she would have to go in order to be in a place where she and Brandon could settle down and just be together. But it seems like, the more Kelly tried to be with Brandon, the more she is driving him further away from her. She loved Brandon and she knew that he loved her. The only question is whether or not that's enough.

A few days go by and we see Brandon and James at the airport with their luggage.

"So, how was it for you?" asked James.

"I had a great time but I'm kinda glad, I'm home," replied Brandon.

"You really miss her, don't you?" asked James.

"Is it that obvious?" asked Brandon smiling.

"Yeah, it is. Your face said it all," replied James.

"I just want to spend the next few days off with her," said Brandon.

"So is she picking you up?" asked James.

"No, actually she doesn't even know that I'm back already. I want to surprise her," replied Brandon.

"Well, I'm sure she'll be surprised," said James.

"Thanks man, I'll see you later, alright?" asked Brandon.

"Take care, Brandon. I'll see you back at work," replied James.

"Ok. See ya," said Brandon.

"Bye," said James.

As they go their separate ways, Brandon smiles as he envisions surprising Kelly back at the apartment. He was planning on making it up to her for coming home a week late. On the way home, he stopped by a local florist and picked up a bouquet of fresh daises for Kelly.

We finally see him driving up to the street to his apartment. After parking his car, he looked up at his apartment window only to see that it's closed. Too bad. He was hoping that Kelly would hear him driving up and look out the window to see him. But that didn't matter. He walked up the stairs with his luggage and his bouquet of flowers in hand.

Facing his apartment door, he couldn't wait to see the look on her face when he walks through that door. He ranged the doorbell, hoping that Kelly would come and get the door. But there was no answer. He ranged the doorbell again. A few moments go by and there was still no answer. He quietly put his key in and opened the door. Surprisingly, there was a dead silence in the apartment. He walked in slowly and set his luggage to the side.

"Kelly?" asked Brandon as he started to walk throughout the apartment.

"Kel, you here?" asked Brandon.

But there was no answer. Kelly was nowhere to be seen.

As he looked around, he could see that everything was cleaned and straightened up. He began to speculate on the whereabouts of Kelly. He assumed that she was just out. After all, she was cooped up in this place for god knows how long. He pulled his luggage back to his bedroom and began unpacking. From his luggage, he pulled out a rectangular jewelry box. He stopped and opened the jewelry box and revealed a beautiful gold necklace. He smiled, closes the jewelry box, and put it underneath his clothes in one of the drawers. He carried some clothes to his bed when he noticed an envelope on the bed marked "Brandon".

As he stared at the envelope, he has an idea on what was in stored for him. He held the envelope for a few moments before opening it. He sat down as he read the letter.

"Dear Brandon,

By the time you read this, you probably know that I'm already gone. I know you must really hate me right now. But I do want you to know that I really tried to make this work. I kept on reassuring myself that this would be a better life for me here, knowing that I am loved and taken care of by a wonderful man. But it's not the same without you here with me. Your life is in a good place now, Brandon. I want you to be happy, even if it's not with me. I can't ask you to give up your dreams so I guess I'm gonna have to give up mine. I'll understand if you never want to talk to me again. But know that I will always love you, Brandon. Please never forget that. It's the only hope that I know we'll be together again someday."

Love,

Kelly.

Brandon continued to look down he read the letter again. He noticed something else in the envelope. In it, he pulled out a photo of him and Kelly together taken on the day before he left.

Brandon walked into work trying to keep a straight face about what happened. He politely waved hello to a few people and walked over to his desk. He takes a seat and James notices.

"Brandon," said James as he comes over to say hi.

"Hey James," said Brandon.

"So how were your few days off?" asked James.

"They were ok," replied Brandon lying.

"Ok? Just ok?" asked James confused.

"Yeah, it was alright," replied Brandon with a negative tone.

"Alright, I just thought you would be happier since you were seemed excited to come home to see her," said James being defensive.

"I was... I just miss her, that's all," said Brandon.

"What happened? Did she leave? I thought she was gonna stay with you," asked James.

"She is. She's just going back and forth between here and L.A," replied James.

"Ok. So, are you up for some fun tonight?" asked James smiling.

"What kind of fun?" asked Brandon.

"I went to this new club the other day, Sax. Lots of girls there. You wanna go tonight?" asked James.

"Thanks, but I don't think so," replied Brandon.

"Brandon, I'm not telling you to hook up with the girls," said James.

"Then why am I going?" asked Brandon confused.

"So you can hook me up with the girls," replied James smiling.

"I would if I wasn't in already in love," said Brandon.

"You see this girl?" asked Brandon taking out the photo that Kelly left for him.

"Is that her?" asked James.

"Yes, it is. She means everything to me. And I'm not gonna ruin that in any way," replied Brandon smiling.

"Good for you, Brandon. I respect that," said James.

"Thanks," said Brandon.

"I'll talk to you later, alright?" asked James who starts to leave.

"Ok, later," replied Brandon.

Brandon smiled for a moment. Even though, he knew that Kelly wasn't coming back, there was something that just made him smile. He looked at the photo one more time before reaching for one of his drawers. He pulled out an empty photo frame. He puts the photo inside the frame and set it on his desk, hopefully as a reminder of what he gave up to be here. In his mind, he vowed to return on day to the love of his life and regain the love that they once shared.

"Thanks Kelly," said Brandon looking at the photo.

James comes by Brandon's desk again.

"Brandon, Thomas wants to see everyone in the conference room," said James.

"Thanks. I'll be right there," said Brandon who gets up from his desk and leaves.

We focus in on the photo sitting on Brandon's desk as we fast forward back to the present time.

"Wow," said Silver showing her reaction after hearing the story.

"I never knew that photo meant so much to you," said Kelly looking at Brandon.

"It did...it still does," said Brandon.

"You know sometimes, I really do blame myself for not admitting that I wanted you to stay. Maybe we wouldn't have lost so much time," said Kelly.

"Yeah," said Brandon sadly looking at Kelly.

Kelly looks back at Brandon. In her mind, she knows that it still hurts Brandon to know that she left.

Sammy comes into the living room in his pajamas.

"Mommy, daddy; I can't sleep," said Sammy.

"Oh come here, honey," said Kelly smiling at Sammy.

Sammy goes to Kelly and she holds him. Brandon looks at Kelly comforting Sammy. Kelly notices.

"Are you still mad at me?" asked Kelly.

"I've gotten over it. It all worked out the way I wanted to. I'm much happier here than I ever was back in Washington," replied Brandon.

Kelly smiles.

Brandon puts his arms around Kelly.

"Sammy, I know what will help you sleep," said Silver.

"What?" asked Sammy curious.

"How about a story?" asked Silver.

"Ok," replied Sammy intrigued.

Brandon and Kelly look at each other with a worried look.

Coming Next - Brandon receives some unwelcoming news from his job, which may prompt him to return to Washington.