A new story! YAY me! With Remember me wrapping up and Worth fighting for wrapping up, I decided on a new idea. I have written many stories of reunions after London, and they always went pretty canon, a least going by what Dylan said in season 9. Dylan leaves Brenda, for work, she kicks him out, Jim interference...I've done many ideas but one. Now what if Dylan wasn't the one to leave Brenda at all. What if Dylan's attitude and lies coming back in season 9 were more of a cover up. A take that Brenda. A she hurt me so bad that I'm mad at her? So here you have it...Dear Dylan. I'm sure many are making guesses already and most are probable correct. I have the first three chapters to this story already written so updates will be quick! This story takes place in 2001. One year after the series finale. It's tld from Brenda's pov with a little of Dylan's thrown in too. I hope you like it!

Chapter One

Brenda

Once the cab came to a stop, I dreaded having to get out. My life was in ruins now. I could drown my sorrows in alcohol, trying to dull the pain, but that wasn't who I was. After all, I had survived much worse since the last time I was here.

When the cab driver turned around to see what the hell was taking so long, I hesitated to look out the window because I knew what was waiting for me outside the safe confinement of the cab.

Nothing.

Okay, that was a lie. Outside the windows was a reality I didn't think I'd have to face again. Outside the windows was a place I once called home. Beverly Hills, where it was always sunny. Where palm trees lined the sidewalk and the rich and famous walk the street. A place where dreams were born but died if you didn't make it.

Where I now came crawling back, swallowing a mountain of pride. I had big dreams, but sometimes big dreams end in a bigger disaster, so here I am at eleven at night sneaking into the city that stopped being home long ago.

Taking a deep breath, I get out, grab my luggage, and stare at the unfamiliar house.

No car

No man.

No dream.

I had it all. I was living the dream, but then it ended. Now I faced the harsh truth that my dream was nothing but a joke, just the façade that was my life in London.

After finishing my studies at RADA, I began working right away. I had a full resume. I, the girl who pretty much tanked her college play audition at CU and had to beg Roy Randolph for another shot, actually was a working actor.

I loved the acting life. I met amazingly talented people. I made money for myself, lived in a brilliant penthouse in the West End, a truly glamorous life. What I didn't know at the time was that my fabulous life was a lie, what I didn't know was that my boyfriend, liked the actresses he directed. I was just the main chick while he was parading around town with his harem.

I know, silly of me to think we were exclusive simply because we lived together, shared the responsibilities of our house, and he had bought me a ring. I didn't know what hurt the most, the fact that Ashton cheated on me repeatedly or that Victor, our driver whom I adored, didn't give me a heads-up.

Then again, he would always say, "You're too good for this place, Mademoiselle Brenda." Or "You are one of the most amazing women I have ever met."

Let's not forget when he called me Ma petite fille.

"Ma petite fille, you deserve only good things."

Guess that was his way of warning me that my boyfriend of two years was cheating on me. If he would have said something along the lines of "Your boyfriend is dipping his toes in every pond in the city," I would have gotten the memo much sooner.

I'd still be living my glamorous life if I hadn't went back to the theater after rehearsal forgetting my jacket. Instead, I walked into the dressing room to find my boyfriend, also the director of my play, balls deep in my understudy.

On my couch. A couch where I used to sit and relax. A couch where we used to cuddle and go over scene direction and lines.

I mean, really, how cliché could Ash be? I thought I had been special when meeting Ashton. Come to find out I was like all the others. The famous director that was brilliantly talented fucking his fresh-out-of-college sexy understudy right under my nose. I should have known. And just like that, everything came crashing down.

On the plane ride, I had too much time to think things over, and a lot of it I didn't like. All that pride and sense of accomplishment I used to feel every morning waking up wrapped in Ashton disappeared. I felt ashamed. I felt guilty. I felt undeserving.

I left home when I was nineteen, a young girl with two goals—not letting myself care about the mess I was leaving behind and becoming an actress. I didn't stop to think about my twin and the fact I was leaving him for the first time, well second time if you count my short stupid idea to attend college in Minnesota, my parents, and I certainly didn't let myself think about the boy who I told to give me something to come back to, never to return again.

I stayed in London after a blissful week of having that boy back. He had broke my heart in high school, only for me to break his right back. Twice actually, once when I decided London was where I would stay to continue at RADA and once more years later when he came to London where we lived together for three years.

Los Angeles was not a small city, but Beverly Hills was small. It was a place where old money knew each other for generations and new money was happily accepted. It was a place where the kids spent there summers at the beach club and their winters at the Peach pit. At least my group had.

Here I was, seven years later, and everything I left behind was catching up to me. Good thing I was fantastic at running from my problems, except it was kind of hard to run in Jimmy Choo heels. Being so used to the city lights of London and the constant coming and goings of people, I forgot how things worked in California. How quiet Beverly Hills was compared to the rest of the city. Here I was walking to up to Nat's house in heels and dragging my Louis V, not caring that the leather would get damaged. All these materialistic things that proved I was no longer mid west were nothing but dead weight.

Nat had been the only person I let know I was returning. My blistered feet were probably bleeding, and I couldn't help but think this was karma at its finest, giving me the fate I so desperately tried to push away.

Why didn't I have a car to ship you ask?

Because Ashton said I didn't need one. He provided for everything, ensuring I wanted for nothing. The penthouse was his; I helped clean it and paid a few bills. I shook my head, not wanting to think about all the things he enjoyed taking care of. If there was a bright side in this mess, it would be my fat bank account. Dating the director for two years, meant I had gotten every lead I auditioned for. Like I said, I felt undeserving now.

I met Ashton when I had rightfully gotten the lead in his production of Our Town. He was handsome, young and talented. He was relentless on asking me out so finally, after our last performance, I said yes. Two years later, 10 plays later and here I was. When he was the director, I refused him mercilessly wanting to be professional but I was attracted to him, definitely smitten. I Enjoyed my time with him and wanted more. After the play seemed like a good time to give in to that temptation. Man what a mistake that was.

My feet ached, my legs were sore from walking London after catching Aston, and my heart was broken. What a lovely way to start the morning.

The sun was already shining. I shouldn't be surprised I was already up; I never did get rid of my midwestern roots. In California and in London, I was an early riser, up early to be ready for the day, and I guess a part of me never did leave home. My room at Nat's was small and decorated scantly. I didn't care considering he was nice enough to let me stay with him. I hadn't talked to anyone from LA in years. I did know my brother moved back here six months ago, but I hadn't talked to him either. I looked around Nat's guest room, it only held a queen bed, a side table, a small dresser and an even smaller closet.

Dammit, where am I going to put all my shit? Victor was supposed to mail my things to me; it was the least he could do for not warning me I was sleeping with Mr. I'm-one-fuck-away-from-having-my-dick-fall-off. Thank God, my test came back clean. I'd probably be in jail for murder if it had come back with something.

I sucked up my bitterness and made Nat some breakfast. It was the least I could do for him letting me stay here.

"Usually I cook for you. When did you learn to cook Brenda?"

"In France, in 98, I lived there for a year."

My throat clogged thinking about the boy I had loved sleeping in our bed as I packed my shit and left for Paris.

Last night, it was hard to see through my tears. At what being back here means.

"France…if only. You have lived more life at your young age than I have in my old one, that's for sure." He laughed the same old friendly Nat laugh that I remembered so well.

I swallowed back the lump of guilt upon looking at him. Nat was like a second father to our group. He was older now, a little more wrinkles, a little more grey hair but less of it but the smile he gave me was the same one he always had just for me.

He made his way to the table as I put the plate in front of him. "You aren't eating?"

"I need coffee first. Then I can start my morning." He shook his head but dug into his plate.

When I left London, I had no idea what I was going to do. I just knew that I couldn't be in a town where everything felt like a lie and a betrayal. It was funny how I came back home where at one time here felt like that as well.

Initially, I hoped this could be a stop on the way to my next big thing, but looking at Nat's happiness to see me, I knew this was the place I should be for now, especially since Brandon was back here. I was stuck here for the time being, and the idea terrified me, because the longer I stayed here, the more likely the chance of running into him became. You couldn't hide in Beverly Hills especially when the man I was staying with was Nat. It could take a few days, but by the end of the week, I'm sure everyone would know I was back.

Unless I planned on hiding in this house, which did sound appealing, I was going to see a few faces I never thought I'd see again.

I needed coffee, and that was just the start of the things I was going to need. Then it occurred to me, hell, maybe he didn't even live here anymore. Perhaps he left this town and was doing much better at life than I was. He deserved it. He deserved everything. It would be easy to ask Nat what happened to him, but it was better if I never spoke of him again. The damn guilt of what I did to him was going to kill me before the week was over, I just knew it.

"You're not going to ask?" I asked when I couldn't stand it anymore. Nat acted like we had breakfast together every morning. Like I hadn't just called him out of the blue telling him of my LA arrival, like he didn't just offer his guest room up with no rhythm or reason. Like he was the only person I could have called and stayed with. My bother lived here for god sakes. I could have stayed at a hotel, but I bailed on my play after catching Ashton. I had money in savings but how long would it last living at the Bel-Age with no income coming in?

"Figured you'd tell me when you were ready. Or we don't have to talk about it." I was tapping my hands on the old wooden table since I didn't have a coffee to sip.

"So, it's like that? I come back home, and it's like I never left?"

"You're home safe and sound, that's all I care about. Brenda you might have been gone for while but your still one of my kids. Besides, I'm glad your here, with Joanie staying in Florida taking care of her mom full time and Frankie there too…it's been pretty lonely here all by myself."

"Florida?"

"Her mom had a massive stroke, lost main motor functions, she's her full time caregiver. Frankie started kindergarten this fall, with the pit and the possibility of being away from his mom for god knows how long, it was better he went with her."

"I'm sorry Nat, the separation must suck but she sounds like an amazingly kind woman."

Nat smiled brightly, "She's my light."

Nat went back to eating. I cleaned up after him, and when he said he was going into the pit, I decided I also needed to go and face it head-on. It was noon already, and I didn't have an ounce of caffeine in me, and that was sinful. Should I be worried that Nat didn't like coffee anymore, who didn't like coffee?

I was surprised his old, red truck still worked. It had to be over 30 years old.

"So, what's new in town?" I asked as I stared out the window, watching the city move by. I bet I was a sight—brown hair blowing, wearing a lot of black for a city so sunny. Nat had made a face when I walked out of the condo but didn't say anything. I was not the girl who grew up here, the one who had bangs and wore combat boots and body suits like it was her religion. I was no longer the girl the town referred to as Brandon's sister. Even though half my resume had Ashton's directorial name stamped on it, I had moved away, to a different country, I had gotten a full scholarship to study at one of the most prestigious drama schools in the world. Little Brenda, the outcast, the task forces head honchos twin sister, the one still pining over her ex-boyfriend…ok maybe that one still had a bit of truth behind it…but I had grown up, I had changed.

"You know things are always changing around her. Even the pit serves fancy coffee now".

I chuckled lightly, bout time Nat, the pit had shit coffee. I briefly wondered what else had changed around here as Nat parked in the back of the pit. I saw the After Dark entrance, a club I knew about but had never been too. After my time that was for sure.

As I looked around the old parking lot, it seemed like time stood still in this part of town. It looked exactly the same…even with the new club. Memories of riding with Brandon in his '65 mustang, riding in a '58 Porsche speedster with the most handsome boy I had ever seen, kissing and petting against the back door, when it was time to say goodnight. I sighed. He was everywhere.

I grabbed my bag and stood tall and proud, even though my feet were killing me from yesterday's adventure, and followed Nat into the back of the Peach Pit.

When he opened the door, it was heaven. It smelled like coffee grounds and baked pies. Mega Burgers and the worlds best crispy fries I had still ever had. I was surprised by how busy it was.

Since I was going to be stuck here for a bit, I took a moment to look around. The old place looked the same, minus some new paint and updates here and there.

A smile broke across my face that it hadn't changed much. The biggest change I saw was over where the jukebox the wall was painted black. Looking more closely at it, I realized it was a giant chalkboard. On the top, it had a quote of the day—today's being: Don't let yesterday dictate your tomorrow.

Those words spoke to me, like I was meant to see them. The girl I used to be was not the woman I was today; it made my shoulders relax a little bit and my breathing a bit more comfortable. I found an empty seat at the counter and sat down.

I decided to pull out my phone and turn it back on. It had been off since I walked in on my ex-boyfriend with my understudy. As soon as the phone was on, it started dinging with messages, missed calls, and voice mails. This was going to be stressful.

"Hi there, what can I get you? A coffee to start with?" A girl who seemed to be my age smiled at me. The name embroidered her shirt said Emma. She was sweet looking, with a curvy frame, blonde hair that reminded me of sunrise, and the most adorable dimples. She looked familiar. Finally I placed her. Emma Miller. She was two years behind us and Tony Miller's sister.

"The last time I was here…Nat did not have that fancy coffee machine back there, what do you recommend? Something sweet but strong."

"I got the perfect thing for you." She went to work on my drink. Meanwhile, I deleted any message that had to do with Ashton.

Ashton: Really, Brenda, you left town without giving us a chance to talk things out?

Yes, I was just going to leave like that. What was Ashton going to explain to me? That it was an accident? Oh yes, Ash, I forgive you. The winds in our apartment must have been so strong that it made you fall dick deep in my understudies's vagina. I understand completely.

As if, asshole. "Here you go. It's a cookies and cream mocha."

When I took a sip of the beverage, it was like being reborn again. "This drink is amazing!"

I raved, making Emma blush. "Do I know you?" Her face sizing me up trying to place me.

I considered lying for a second, but I braved it out. "It's me, Brenda Walsh." I stuffed my mouth with the cookie she set out and a sip of mocha to avoid awkward silence, but there was none.

"Oh my God, I knew you looked familiar."

I smiled, "How's your brother?"

Emma lit up, "He's doing great. He's playing football for the Chiefs…lives out in Kansas City. He's getting married next year."

"That's wonderful…tell him I said hello."

"I will…god he had the biggest crush on you." I laughed. "How long are you in town for, last I heard you were living in London."

"For a while," I replied vaguely.

"Emma honey you know Brenda?" Nat came up at that moment from behind the counter.

"I do…she went with my brother to prom." Emma smiles nicely.

I laugh, "I wasn't a very good date." I blushed.

"He didn't care he talked about it for weeks." Nat smiled at me, the reminiscing was making me a little uncomfortable, how do you say that the boy you went to prom with was definitely an after thought. There was only one boy I wanted to go to prom with and that dream was fucked.

I went to open my mouth but Nat knew exactly what I was going to say. "Be easy on her…she's older than you." He passed me the keys to his truck. So Nat mat have known the last thing I wanted to reminisce about was senior prom.

"I will thanks Nat…going to just grab a few things from the store."

I reached into my pocket taking out a twenty to pay for my coffee, when Nat's hand came over mine. "Your money is no good here."

Same old Nat, "Thanks…I'll see you Emma, now that I know Nat has fancy-schmancy coffee, I'll be here every day."

I waved bye and walked out like my ass was on fire. I needed to get out of there before I ran into someone I didn't want to see. Gossip spread fast. It was like playing telephone; by the end, the story was so far from the truth. I could just imagine. They'd probably add a husband and a pregnancy or make me out to be a mistress with a sugar daddy.

As soon as I climbed in Nat's truck, I felt like I could finally breathe. I drove to the local supermarket to grab a few things. I was in the meat aisle when the unfortunate happened. That unfortunate had a name—Donna Martin or Silver, not that I was invited. I know I said the past was the past, but there was a type of history that just clung to you.

"Love the outfit, very chic. If I weren't carrying around a beach ball in my stomach, I would copy that look." She said as I stared down at the ground beef. I was weighing my options. I could ignore her and pretend like she didn't exist, and that would make me feel better, but only for a bit. If I was planning on staying in Beverly Hills for a while, being amicable with Donna, one half of the town's blondes from my past, would be essential. So, I plastered on the same fake smile I gave Ashton when I told him to go fuck himself before I ran out of our Penthouse.

"Thank you Donna, you're glowing. Pregnancy suits you." That wasn't so much of a lie. She did look stunning. If you were to look at her from behind, you wouldn't even guess she was carrying. She dressed fashionable in a long maxi dress that hugged her frame and lovely baby bump.

"Oh my God! Brenda! Brenda Walsh! Oh my God….you look…great…I have no words….wow."

Bitch

Of course, I didn't say that out loud.

"God, it's been how long? What seven years? Time sure flies by." Donna looked me up and down, and I had to admit it felt good. She probably couldn't believe her eyes.

"Brandon didn't mention anything about you visiting."

"Must had slipped his mind." Ok so now I was the bitch.

As fun as this trip down memory lane was, I wanted to leave. "It was really good to see you, Donna. I'm sure I'll see you around. Please give David my love."

"Of course. Wait, are you back because of the wedding?" My stomach dropped at the W-word, and for a second, I forgot how to breathe.

"Excuse me?" I said against my better judgment, a part of me knew I did not want the answer to that particular question. Yet, I couldn't help but ask it. Donna's glee left for a second, then she waved it off. "Oh, nothing, just you know, Kelly is getting married. Everyone is invited. You know how it is, Kelly never did anything small."

I hate to break it to you Donna, everyone was not invited, an I wasn't invited to yours either. It was on the tip of my tongue to ask Donna who Kelly was marrying but I already knew my return would get back to her. And sure I was a good actress but I didn't think I was that good. I decided then it didn't matter who the idiot was.

"See you around, Donna." I made a hasty exit. I heard her call out wait…Bren but I wasn't in the mood for any more encounters. I was drained and needed another one of those delicious coffees, but I knew going back to the Peach Pit was asking for more run ins. I called Nat from my cell, let him know I was heading to the house with groceries and to call me when he was ready to be picked up. I headed over to West Hollywood to get my grocery list instead.

"This will not work out," I said out loud when I looked down at all my stuff that Victor and shipped to me. I had successfully avoided leaving this house for the last three days, but my old driver derailed my mission to become a hermit by sending everything, I mean everything I owned back to me. I had asked him to so it wasn't weird but I didn't think he'd up and do it so quickly. I had only been gone four days.

"I didn't even know I owned this much stuff," I said to myself, a little horrified and in awe.

I decided I needed a storage unit. There was no way this shit was going to fit in that guest bedroom. I opened up one of the boxes, grabbed a pair of jeans and a top along with comfortable non-heel shoes and loaded the rest into Nat's truck. I drove the short distance to the only storage center I knew of. I rented a medium size on a month to month. By the time I went through all my crap and kept the boxes of clothes so I could actually stock Nat's bedroom closet and dresser, I was exhausted. It would have been much easier to have help.

My mind went to my brother. I had been back in LA for 4 days already. I hadn't gotten a call on my cell from him and I hadn't reached out as well. I'm sure Brandon still was close to Steve and David. There was no way Donna didn't come home and tell her husband who she ran into at the store. I sigh and head back to Nat's so I can put away my clothes and pick up Nat. Enough of the day had past now that maybe he'd be almost ready to leave and no one was eating dinner from the gang this late in the evening.

When I walked into the Pit, the first thing I did was look at the wall to see if there was a new quote.

True friends are never apart, maybe in distance but never in heart.

Well, didn't that just hit me right in the feels? Damn these quotes were spot-on with my life. When I walked up to the counter, Emma had her head resting on the table with her arms over her head. "Hey, Emma, are you okay?" I poked her head, causing her to jump back. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," I said when I noticed her panicked expression.

"Oh no, it's okay." She fixed her teal Peach Pit shirt. "What can I get you?"

"I don't know. I want something strong, something to get me through the night, the week, this year." I sat upon the stool where she stood.

"Here. I think we can both use an Americano right now, since good old Nat doesn't serve wine."

I grabbed the white mug she handed me and drank with gusto. "How do you choose what quote to write? Do you write one every day?"

Her smile was sincere but tired when she looked at the wall. "At first, I did it, but one day I was so busy I forgot. The first customer of the day noticed, and when I had no clue what to write, he grabbed the chalk and wrote his quote of the day. Since then, the first or the second customer writes it."

I couldn't help but smile along with her. That was awesome. "Tell me what has you so drained?" I pried.

"I'm exhausted. I'm here at the crack of dawn, and I leave around midnight trying to get everything ready for another day."

"Why doesn't Nat hire someone to help?"

"He did, but since they are in school, it's after school and on weekends when they help out. He tried hiring someone for the morning shift, but that didn't work out too well." She made a face. "She wanted Nat to give her a raise, and she didn't even do any work, complained that she ended up smelling like caffeine and grease after her shifts, and flirted with all the single men."

"Typical." I mumbled. "Did you go to college, I thought Tony had once said you wanted to be a marine biologist?"

"My mom died of breast cancer, I was in my sophomore year at Berkeley. I came home to be with her. Tony helped too when he could, but I didn't want him to lose his football scholarship being his senior year, we already knew NFL scouts were scouting him. I finished my sophomore year credits at Santa Monica community college and she died that summer."

"I'm so sorry Emma."

"Thanks. I asked Nat for a job after that and I've been here ever since. It pays the bills and Tony pays the mortgage on my moms house so we didn't have to sell it. It's just that Nat is older now. I don't mind the extra hours and I close every night. I let him come in later and leave earlier. Nat is a good guy, he has served us all for so many years, he deserves to relax a little."

"Nat's the best." I agreed. Poor Emma, she is so sweet and it looks like she is taking care of dear Nat just like we all used too.

Don't ask me why or how, but my mouth just did its own thing. I felt bad for Emma's luck and family life. She reminded me so much of her brother. Sure Tony was a jock, and he definitely had big plans to get me naked prom night but he was a good guy. He had a big heart.

"I can help you. I'm up early. I can come at rush hour. That way you aren't too tired. It's not like I have anything to do. I'm pretty sure I'm driving Nat nuts by now."

As soon as the words left my mouth, I knew I couldn't take them back, especially when I saw the smile on Emma's face. I was trying to avoid people, not get a job in the favorite and only diner in Beverly Hills. I don't think there was a more in your face way to let everyone know I was back than that. Fuck my life.

"That would be awesome, but I'd have to ask Nat about the pay—" I waved my hand at her. I didn't need money. I still had my savings and Nat was not charging me rent. He was letting me stay in his home for free. I not only felt bad for Emma, I owed Nat too. "I'm just helping out, and in return, I get free coffee. You feed my addiction, and I'll ease your load."

"Deal." We clinked our mugs in agreement.

Nat was ready to go by the time I finished my coffee. Emma ruined the happy high I had from the Americano the moment she told me she needed help with the Sunday crowd. Here I thought I was starting fresh on Monday. After dropping Nat off at home, I borrowed his truck again. I pulled my big girl panties on and headed over to Brandon's house. I couldn't keep ignoring my brother and I did not want his first time seeing me to be at the Peach Pit.

As I was on my way, passing the old Walsh house, it hit me. I didn't even know where Brandon lived. I knew Steve would know…so I decided to get it over with and head to my old house.

I took a deep breath as I walked to the porch. Here…goes…nothing. I pressed the door bell. The door swung open and I recognized the woman as Steve's wife, Janet. We had never met but Brandon had told me all about her and I had seen pictures of her and Steve's daughter, Madelyn.

"Hello." I smiled at her.

"Can I help you?"

"I'm looking for Steve, I'm an old friend.."

Janet gave me a once over. It wasn't rude, but this was Steve's wife. Some strange woman coming to your door asking for your husband, I could only imagine what was going through her head.

"You want to come in?" She asked nicely. I smiled and nodded. I looked around the foyer and got goosebumps. It was different, definitely remodeled a little and updated.

"Steve…there is someone at the door for you." She called out.

"Hang on honey." Steve's familiar voice made me smile coming from the kitchen.

"I'm Brenda by the way…Walsh. Brandon's sister?"

"Oh my God." She lit up instantly, "Why didn't say so. I'm so sorry." She reached out her hand, "I'm Janet, it's so good to finally meet you. Wow…Brenda. I have heard so many good things about you."

I shook her hand, "Same. It's nice to finally meet the woman that made Steve an honest man." I joked.

She laughed a genuine laugh, "I don't know about that." We laughed more.

"Come in. My god." She shook her head closing the front door. I politely followed her into the kitchen…my old kitchen.

When I walked in I saw the familiar mop of blonde curls. His back was towards me as he cleaned the face of a little girl sitting a top the counter, who I assumed was Maddy.

"Steve…Sanders." I stood right behind him and saw the shock on his face when he turned to face me.

"Holy shit," Steve muttered. I was about to take another step toward him, but then he moved to the side, to help Maddy off the counter and I froze.

There was another man there. A man behind the kitchen counter and he stood silent, his eyes locked on mine. The way the light hit his face made his brown eyes sparkle. He was always tallish and lean, but now he seemed broader, more muscular. He certainly wasn't the boy I left behind. He was all man.

Unlike Steve, who was staring like he saw a ghost, Dylan looked at me like he didn't even know me. He wasn't angry, sad, or devastated. He wasn't glaring at me or putting off a vibe that I affected him. He looked at me like I was never anything to him. Like I didn't matter. For once I was at a loss for words. When Dylan opened his mouth to speak, I braced myself for the words I had prepared myself to hear if this day were ever to happen. I was ready for him to call me a selfish bitch, maybe something worse, but that's not what happened.

"Brenda," Dylan said in that calm voice of his, and a part of me that I thought was dead and didn't exist anymore woke up. All it took was to hear his voice, and I felt like a live wire. "It's been a long time, you look good."

Dylan put his hands in the pockets of his pants and smiled. I couldn't get a word out, scared that if I opened my mouth, I would scream. Time ceased to exist. All I could think about was the past, like the time he picked me up for our first date and then threw that pot, chasing me, crying to me and then kissing me like I had never been kissed before.

I tried so hard to push back to the present, but it wasn't happening. Dylan wasn't having the same problem as I was. It was like he didn't care if I was even there.

"Well, I should get going. Steve, I'll call you tomorrow." He walked around the island, kissed Janet on the cheek and gave Maddy a hug and kiss that made her giggle "It was nice seeing you again, Brenda." And he walked out. That was it. It was nice seeing you again…Brenda.

I thought I knew pain when I left the man I loved the most three years ago. I thought I knew pain when I walked in on Ashton cheating on me. But no, that didn't compare to what I was feeling right then. Pain was standing in front of a person you once loved with all your heart, only to realize they must never have loved you at all.

"This doesn't mean I'm not mad at you," Steve said as he hugged me tightly. I didn't know how he knew Dylan affected me so much, but he did, and I was grateful. I didn't deserve his friendship; he was one of my brothers best friends and we'd been close in the group but not so much one on one. He was one of the only people I didn't keep in touch with but he was one of the best guys I knew. After I had stayed in London, I had kept in touch with Brandon, Kelly, Donna, Valerie those first couple of years, even David but not Steve.

"He doesn't even hate me," I managed to say without crying. "That's good. This is good. Now I can truly move on," I said, trying to convince myself more than anything. I stepped back, so I could look at him. "Steve, I owe you an apology for not keeping in touch better." It was crazy how much he had changed, but he was still Steve, and even though he was still angry with me, I knew deep down in my heart he would forgive me. Except Steve wasn't talking. He was just staring at me, and it was giving me the heebie-jeebies.

"Steve, say something?" He stood a little taller and crossed his arms. This wasn't a good sign; this meant he was still angry.

"I'm waiting for that apology. I have yet to hear a word." He raised a brow at me then gave me the tiniest tip of a lip. That tiny little smile was hope that everything would work out just fine.

"Steve, I am so—"

"I heard kneeling while apologizing works wonders." The asshole smirked at me while looking down at the floor. I looked down at my outfit and floor, and then around at Maddy and Janet.

"Are you serious?" Steve nodded. Aw man, this sucks. I looked around the room once more and got on my knees in front of my soon-to-be-dead friend.

"Steven Sanders, you've been my family and friend for many years. I was such a dick and a crappy friend that I didn't call you."

"Or visit." He added loving every moment of my embarrassment.

"Or visit, but I'm here now, if you'll still have me. Now if you could please accept my apology because my knees are hurting and this is really mean."

"My god Steve, forgive her already." Janet came over and helped me off the floor. "Jackass."

When she stepped away, I opened my arms at Steve who grinned and yanked me into a bear hug.

"I missed you Bren," he murmured in my ear.

"I missed you more," I replied, my voice getting swallowed by his size.

When he finally let me go, he picked up the quiet little girl next to him, "This is my Madelyn, Maddy…this is your auntie Bren."

Tears sprung in my eyes. Auntie. She was the most beautiful little girl. "Hello." She said in the sweetest voice.

"Hello." My hand went to my mouth, "Gosh Steve she is so beautiful." Steve smiled and looked at Janet. My head went towards her as well before my teary eyes landed back on Steve. "I'm so happy for you Steve."

And I meant every word.

Janet had excused herself to put Maddy to bed, and after Steve had poured me a glass of wine we sat at the kitchen table to catch up.

"So Brenda Walsh is back. How have you been?"

"I've been better."

"I'm sorry."

Silence reined over us, "Before…you said Dylan didn't hate you? Why would he hate you?"

I shook my head, "Bren come on. It's me, I'm not going say anything."

"Just the way we left things in London, wasn't ideal."

"Yeah…he didn't say much about it to me. Acted super cld towards you. Just said that you guys broke up."

Hmmmm interesting, "Yeah…something like that."

Steve looked at me with an expression I can't decipher. "Is that why you came back?"

"God no…no…NO…no." I said no too many times and by the look of Steve's face, he noticed too. "I had to get out of London. Ashton…my boyfriend, well ex boyfriend…talk about a bad break up."

"I'm sorry Bren."

"It's okay. I'm staying with Nat."

"Nat? Not Brandon? Or here?" He looks offended.

I gave him a smile, "Not Brandon…that's actually why I came here. I don't know if he even knows I'm here and I don't know where he lives."

Steve's eyes widened, "You don't talk to your brother?"

"It's been awhile."

"Oh hell no." Steve gets up and goes to the cordless that hangs where our old phone hung. He dials and sets the phone to his ear.

"Hey brother, get over here now. No…Bran…NOW. Sounds good…you'll see when you get here. Alright Bye."

I cover my face with my hands.

"He'll be right over."

Fifteen minutes pass as I tell Steve more details about Ashton, and why I upped and left London, Brandon comes through the front door. He must have a key because he lets himself in and into the kitchen. He freezes when he sees me.

"Bren?"

I stand and smile shyly. I don't know what will happen. Will Brandon make me grovel on the ground too? Will he be angry? Happy? My question is answered as he rushes me.

His arms come around me firmly. "Holy shit." He whispers in my ear. I'm crying again, as my hands wrap around him. "God I missed you." He whispers.

"I missed you too." I sob back. He holds me for a beat longer before pulling away and looking into my eyes.

"What are you doing here?"

"Brenda has a fuck face boyfriend were going to have to kick his ass." Steve chimes in.

I roll my eyes. Brandon looks back at me, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah I'm okay. He just wasn't the one."

Something passes across Brandon's face, for the first time in my life I don't know what it means.

"I'm glad your here Bren." My brother tells me sincerely and hugs me again. For the first time since I've been back, I feel calm.

There wasn't anything that caused Brandon and me to lose touch. Just life, and work and living thousands of miles away from each other for way too long. Besides the kick in the heart at seeing Dylan. This reunion with Steve and Brandon, made my trip back home well worth it.

So like I said before I have the next two chapters written already. Done...ready...waiting haha! How quickly I post the update will depend on you guys. Your reviews, if your interested, if you like it. So hit review tell me how your feeling, what you want in this story etc. and whatever questions you might have or guesses. Also hit follow, because like I said the updates will be quicker than me having to write the following chapter. I'm already working on chapter 4 now. This story won't be super long but definitely entertaining. Thanks for reading and if you want chapter two soon...REVIEW!