Holy crapola! I had this started SOOOOOO long ago. It's a short update, a little over 4000 words but hey at least I delivered. No excuse except life but I do have a new story in the mix and I'm writing Last Night in London which I know is a fan favorite. I need to get my shit together. I do love the new BD stories out there. It's keeping me sane! Anyway here is chapter 11, we catch up with Brenda and Dylan. Enjoy!

Chapter 11

Dylan

As soon as I showed up to the job site, everyone's eyes followed me around. Word travelled fast when you call off a wedding. Nancy kept asking me if I was okay. I smiled and told her I was fine. Last week I was a mess. I felt terrible for Nancy. She had to deal with my anger. Being on the job site was better than being at the office, Mel's practice was close by and he wasn't someone I wanted to run into or Jackie for that matter. Not that she frequented the practice that much, but it was me, my luck, we'd probably run into each other.

"Is there anything I can do for you, Mr. McKay?"

The worry in my secretary's voice was comical.

"Nancy, I'm fine. Why don't you take the day off? I'm sure I can handle what's left of the day."

I gave her a reassuring smile, but she was still tense.

"If you're sure." She gave up.

"Go on, I'll call if I need anything."

After she left, I continued to do my work. Around noon, I couldn't take it anymore and almost gave in and called Brenda, despite just having seen her before I came to work. She should be getting to the Pit for a shift, maybe I needed a mid day coffee?

I hated that she wasn't with me at my suite but changing Brenda's mind would not be easy. Her stubbornness was one of the many things I loved about her, even if I hated it now.

I had just finished the paperwork for a company I was about to sell and was debating whether to fuck Brenda's rules and go to the pit when the my phone rang.

"McKay." I picked up.

"Hey Dylan, I had a message to call you. How are you dear?"

"Christine." I took a deep breath, needing to not go off on her immediately. "I'm okay, you?"

"I'm good, been busy."

"Look Christine I won't beat around the bush. I ran into Brenda here in LA and…"

"I know what your going to say."

"Why?" Is all I said.

Christine took a deep breath, "Dylan…you have to understand you were in danger in London. I was just trying to keep you safe. You needed to come back to the states."

"It wasn't your business where I lived."

"I know…but I promised your dad."

"My dad? Come on Christine, I'm a grown man. Do you have any idea…any idea at all how wrecked I was to lose her? You say you loved my dad. I love Brenda. I always had. You should have came to me…to us together so we had the chance to make a decision. It wasn't Brenda's to make alone."

"I'm sorry Dylan. I know it will take a while to forgive me, I hope some day, you will. I care about you and I do love your dad. At the time I did what I had to do."

"I've always respected you Christine…but right now I don't"

"I'm sorry you feel that way."

I hang up and take a deep breath. There wasn't anything I could do now. The conversation was more for me to let her know I knew what she had done and I wasn't happy about it.

There wasn't any way I would get work done now. When I got to the suite, it killed me to not go straight to Brenda. It had been a whole day. Her stupid space shit was driving me crazy. I had sent her to 3 dozen red roses and a teddy bear to Nat's. At least she would know I was thinking about her. I bypassed the pit knowing she would be there and reluctantly went home. As soon as I opened my door, I gave up and called her. I was fucking hopeless.

"Peach Pit this is Brenda," she answered on the first ring, and it made me smile.

"Hey, babe, how are you?"

"I'm better now," she timidly whispered.

"Did you not think I'd call?"

"I knew you would, but it's also a new day. The shock from your wedding probably wore off. I guess I'm afraid things will fall apart."

"The only reason I'm not there with you is because you asked me not to. Say the word, and I'm there." I grabbed my keys from the key holder. I stopped for a second, looking at the black key rack. It was simple; it even had a box to put my mail. Kelly had given it to me.

"Will you give me a ride home?"

"I'll be there," I replied in an instant. HELL yes!

"Dyl?"

"Yeah, baby?"

"I love you." The breathy way she told me she loved me was my undoing. I felt my chest expand. I didn't think I'd hear those three words coming from her lips ever again. I had to clear my throat.

"I love you too."

"Tell me how your day was? It has to be better than having coffee spilled on you and Quincy asking you out twenty times." I growled out loud which made her laugh. "He's harmless I swear."

"Well…if you would tell people I was your boyfriend maybe guys wouldn't be asking you out."

She huffed. I smiled as I made my way to my room. "You just rolled your eyes at me."

"Are you here?"

"Now you're looking around the pit for my handsome face."

"Jesus that ego of yours…"

"You love it." Brenda sighed.

"I do."

I told Brenda about my day, about my conversation with Christine. She apologized over and over for coming between us which was ridiculous. Christine made her bed.

After we hung up, I walked around the suite, thinking about what an idiot I'd been. I wanted to move Brenda in with me to a place another woman stayed. I know I had offered to get another room but still. Kelly had been all over this hotel.

Grabbing my suitcase, I packed my clothes and left for the Melrose bed-and-breakfast. I needed to get out of this hotel and eventually find a place of my own. I had a woman to win back. And if all went as planned, we would be buying a place for us to share.

Brenda's shift ended at 10 o'clock and I picked her up. It was hell to drop her off at Nat's and to have to come back to my room alone.

Every morning I was the first at the Pit, and I left Brenda a note, so she'd know she was on my mind. Then at night, I would take food for her and Nat. Brenda and I talked until she passed out in my arms. Even though Nat's couch was uncomfortable as shit, I would sit there and relish the way she felt in my arms. I talked to Nat about my game plan, and he told me it was about time. I figured that was as much of a blessing as I would get from the old man.

Brenda had asked my opinion on a couple of scripts she had got her hands on. It only took her 3 days to land an agent. My girl was so fucking talented. She also asked me to take her to this used car lot downtown. The car she was looking at was a piece of shit. I told her I would happily help her with whatever car she dreamed of. She told me it wasn't necessary; she had more than enough to buy her own car. I hated the way she refused my money, but I couldn't say shit. Plus I know it was important to her to find some independence here in LA.

After looking under the hood, which made Mondale look like a Mercedes Benz, she finally agreed to let me help her buy something better. Of course she swore up and down she would make payments to me. What she didn't know I wouldn't cash them. She drove off the lot in a two year old coupe in a red color that was gorgeous. Brenda and Dylan approved. Thank Christ. The last thing I needed was to worry about Brenda getting from A to B.

Brenda had fallen asleep in my arms. I was playing with her hair and thinking about having brunch with my mother tomorrow. I was tired of ignoring her calls.

"You're leaving," a sleepy Brenda whispered. I bent down to kiss her forehead.

"Sweet dreams."

"I love you."

"I love you too," I said back. "Oh, and Bren, I'm done pretending. Come tomorrow, you're mine."

"I've always been yours," she mumbled before falling back asleep. I stood there watching her. She was mine. It locked in place, and I was able to leave her for one more night. One last night. My mother arrived early for our brunch. Frank, an old friend and chef at the BelAge already had my mother's fruit bowl and an omelet ready by the time she came in.

"Hello, Iris. You look well."

"So do you, Dylan." She cupped my cheek and smiled at me. There wasn't any anger in her brown eyes, and it relieved me. "You want to tell me why you've been ignoring me?" she scolded me.

"I haven't been ignoring you. I've just been busy."

"Don't give me that, Dylan. I have been calling day in and day out. Your sister has been trying to make amends with you."

"Can we not talk about her?" I bit out. I was still fucking pissed at Erica. I didn't care what her excuse was; she should have known better. My mother made a face but didn't comment. She already knew about Brenda and me, the twinkle in her eye confirmed that.

"You look happy, happier than I've seen you in ages. You no longer have the haunted look in your eyes." She gave me a small smile.

"She makes me happy, Mom."

"She always did."

"Did you know what Christine did?" I asked. Erica had said my mother didn't know, but I had to know for sure.

"No, I had no idea. I know you don't want to hear this, son, but she probably thought she was doing the right thing. She was worried for you. She could have done things differently though."

"You can say that again."

"And as for Erica, she was young Dylan…scared. In the middle."

"I'm her brother."

My mother nods understanding. She doesn't push me to talk to her which I appreciate. I will talk to Erica again, she's my sister and I love her but I just need a little time.

"So." My mother smiles widely, "Brenda." She takes a bite of her omelet, her eyes sparkling again.

I smile then shake my head, "I know mom. You're happy. You love her. I've always known that."

"Well…it's easy to love the woman who has always had my son's heart. Where is Brenda anyway? She didn't want to join us?"

I clear my throat, "We're taking it slow." I roll my eyes making Iris laugh.

"Ah…slow…well…that won't last long."

"Nope." I agree, "No it won't."

Iris smiles at me with a chuckle and we enjoy brunch. When I leave there, I'm lighter and feel so free. I promise my mother we will get together before she leaves town, with Brenda, which makes her over the moon. I'm happy. It's so foreign, this feeling. It surprises me. As long as I had Brenda, I knew this feeling would continue. Fuck space, I was getting my girl back, for real.

Brenda

When I walked into the Peach Pit, the first thing I did was look at the blackboard, and it didn't fail to make me smile.

Every single day it was something different, and every day I looked forward to reading what Dylan wrote for me.

It was foreplay for my soul.

The first quote was: You and I will always be unfinished business. When I read the words, my stomach had dropped with anticipation at what those words implied. It would always be Dylan and Brenda.

The second quote was: A sky full of stars and he was staring at her.—Atticus. And boy did he stare at me every time he came into the diner; he couldn't take his eyes off me. To be fair, I couldn't take mine off him either.

The third quote was: "Come live with me, and be my love, and we will some new pleasures prove." I mean, did that boy know how to make me swoon or what? Everyday there was a new quote in the morning, The course of true love never did run smooth.- Shakespeare, You are, and always have been, my dream."- Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook), Here we are and there we go:—but where?" - Lord Byron. They were endless. Some familiar some new, it never failed to make me feel things, deeply.

As the days went on, the quotes turned more provocative. I knew Dylan was getting tried of the slow thing. I saw the quotes go from romantic and sweet to low key sexual.

I cannotletyouburnme up, nor can I resist you. No mere human can stand in a fire and not be consumed - unknown, The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. - Oscar Wilde, and my personal favorite, Each of us is born with a box of matches inside us but we can't strike them all by ourselves. - Laura Esquivel. Jesus Dylan. That one even made Emma crack up and that is hard to do…especially if the subject is about sex. Not to be mean but she was what I like to call prude.

It wasn't just the quotes, I got flowers, stuffed animals and the latest, a bouquet of beautiful paper roses. The petals were made from poetry books. Dylan gave me a bouquet of poems and sonnets.

All of this just made it harder to resist him. He was still going along with what I had asked of him. We were keeping our relationship on the down low, way on the low but he knew exactly what he was doing to me.

Forty-five days, one thousand eighty hours, and I was head over heels in love again. Dylan hated it though, and he told me so every night when he came to visit me at Nat's. People knew I was the reason for the canceled wedding, but no one said anything to my face. Only those who were kiss-asses to Kelly gave me nasty looks, like Jackie and Felice. Since they weren't important to me, it didn't bother me. I mean Jackie was Kelly's mom, I get it and Felice well…she was always a snotty bitch.

Today's quote made my heart melt. We loved with a love that was more than love.—Edgar Allan Poe.

I had yet to write something down, but I would soon. I just knew the moment I grabbed the chalk and professed my love to him that was it. We couldn't hide anymore.

"If you don't date him, I will," Emma said when Dylan sent the bouquet. If only she knew. Our relationship was just between us, and it was nice getting to know each other again. We talked a lot, about what happened to him after I left, what I did, and about Kelly and Ashton.

Although it was painful, it was part of what made us who we were today.

I also got myself an agent. She was bad ass and I loved her. She reminded me a lot of Valerie so I knew we would be a force to be reckoned with. I had three auditions lined up.

Since Dylan would never cash my check, I had money for an apartment and a car, which lets not talk about because Dylan pissed me off. I couldn't argue though, what was the point of spending thousands of dollars on something that wouldn't last a month. I would never tell him, but I loved my little red Audi A5 coupe. Seriously don't tell him! I would absolutely pay him the difference.

Some other great news, my apartment hunting was going to take a back seat because Emma was buying out Nat. He was thrilled. Nat was old and was ready for retirement. Emma would take care of the Peach Pit just like Nat had. If not better! She loved that place and between Dylan, myself and well…Tony Millers football money, the Peach Pit was in good hands. Yep I was an owner in the pit now too! I owned a business, it was so exciting.

Emma insisted on changing the name to something else since we were all co-owners now, but we wouldn't hear of it. Let's be honest, the Peach Pit was Nat's baby, and it was special and nostalgic and it was always going to be the Peach Pit. I was going to be busy with the theater if any of those auditions worked out. I wanted more of a silent partnership, but I wanted to be able to come in and help out when I wanted and of course get free freaking coffee. But it was going to Emma's baby now and Dylan and I knew she was the best person besides Nat himself to run this place.

When the door chimed, I felt it in the way my skin prickled, the static in the air, the way my belly fluttered, it was him.

"May I get a cup of coffee, Miss Walsh?" I looked up, trying hard not to beam at Dylan. He was here, and he was mine.

"You want me to fix it for him, Brenda?" Jess looked warily between us, but I shook my head and bit my lip. No one was fixing my Dylan shit but me.

"It's okay, Jess. I know just how Mr. McKay likes it." I watched with glee as his eyes darkened. The problem with a nonexistent boyfriend, we barely had time for stolen kisses.

Jess left, muttering something unintelligible under her breath.

"Brenda," Dylan said, his voice thick with desire.

"Dylan." I dragged out his name, letting it roll off my tongue.

"I'm two seconds away from not giving a fuck and taking that smart mouth right now," he harshly whispered.

And because I still loved to tease him, I said, "Your coffee is ready, Mr. McKay."

Oh yeah, total foreplay.

"Bren, tonight, pack a bag," he stated before walking away, making me shiver all over. Most nights I fell asleep on him, which I felt bad about because the couch was shit to sleep on. Even Nat said so. I watched him leave, thrilled and scared at the same time.

Dylan had moved out of the BelAge. I knew he did it mostly for my sake. I didn't try to persuade him to keep his room there. It was nice knowing I would never have to spend the night in the same place he and Kelly had spent countless nights together.

"The sexual tension was so thick, I think I got pregnant." Jess's smart-ass remark interrupted my thoughts.

"Jess." I smiled at her. "Mind your own business."

"Then you better tell Dylan to stop professing his love on the board." I stuck my tongue out at her because she had a point.

Jess dropped her smile, tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear, and looked at the board with longing. Oh my God, did Jess have a crush on Dylan?

"Honestly I don't understand why you aren't with him? You both like each other."

"It's not that simple," I answered immediately.

"If the love of my life offered to ride off into the sunset with me, my response would be when do we leave and what do I pack?"

"I'll remind you of this when you're in love," I added dryly.

Jess turned to me. "Please do. If I'm stupid enough to ignore it like you are, you have my permission to kick my ass."

Was it really that simple? How long did one have to wait to date after a canceled wedding? Plus, Kelly left town after Dylan broke up with her. Donna said her and Jackie had went to the Bahamas, which was suppose to be their honeymoon. I rolled my eyes at that, how generic.

I did feel bad for her though, I couldn't help it. I wish things would have gone differently, but it was what it was. But I knew how much it hurt to lose Dylan. I had lost him to her, so even though karma may be a bitch, deep down, I was too nice to think that way. I hoped she found someone to make her happy. I assumed her and her mom were back from that honeymoon but she had stayed clear of the Pit. Thank god.

"Hey, guys." I waved at Steve and Valerie who had just walked in.

"Bren, looking good." I went out to hug him while Jess got Emma from the back so she could make him a drink. Steve was her tester in the concoctions she wanted to try.

Steve looked at the wall, shook his head, and smiled.

"What's so funny?" I poked him.

"Just wondering when you and McKay will get your shit together. I come in here expecting to see 'Do you like me? Check yes or no." He laughed, and I punched him. I thought the board was cute, and it was our thing.

"I come in here expecting to see 'You want to fuck? Check yes or no?" Valerie playfully rolled her eyes. Steve laughed harder. "The man must have blue balls from hell."

"Anyway… Val, how long are you staying in town?"

"I don't know. As long as Brandon lets me crash I guess."

"Are you seeing anyone? I'm good at matchmaking." Valerie looked at me, eyebrows raised. "Really? Who'd you match?"

"Yeah? Who you'd pair up?" Jess pipped up.

"Emma and Dex." Steve shook his head.

"Bren, everyone could see Dex was crazy about Emma. He's been trying to get with her since the moment he got into town. You were the only one who had the guts to push Em. And don't take this the wrong way because you know I love you, but you are not a matchmaker, all you did was ditch her at the club." he mocked me. RUDE!

"Hello, I'm right here." Emma waved Steve's coffee. "And I'm not dating Dex." Sure Emma.

"Ok fine… so you aren't exclusive yet. I'm not done with you two." I grinned at her horrified expression.

Then I turned back to Valerie, she answered my forgotten question. "Not looking to date anyone. I'm now only looking to have meaningless sex with handsome rich men." She smiles and I laugh.

"How is that new?" Steve joked, which caused Valerie to hit him in the gut making him grunt.

I gave Valerie an Americano and after some catching up and small talk, her and Steve left. They were meeting Brandon for lunch by the paper.

"I'm totally single if you want to hook us up," Quincy made his way over then, craning his neck so he could watch Val leave.

"Dude, she's too old for you. You're more suited for Jess, at least neither of you would go to jail for dating each other."

Jess or Quincy didn't have a reply, which was good because I was mentally packing an overnight bag. I was nervous and I knew why. An overnight with Dylan after 45 fucking days! I knew it had a much bigger meaning than a sleepover and some sex. Don't get me wrong, the idea of it had my lady bits excited but it was more. This was it, the taking it slow, down low relationship was over. I knew after tonight, things would change. It would be real. We would be real. We would be Dylan and Brenda again in Beverly Hills and that thought scared me.

Ok guys, hope you liked all the cuteness of the blackboard and the connecting of BD. Hit review my loves. I think there is two chapters left of this story. Not very long but the chapters were for the most part. Up next Dylan and Brenda's overnight, More BD togetherness and a confrontation with Kelly EEK. REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!