Soon, the gang dissolved into different cars, all headed toward the beach. Donna had suggested a bonfire, much like the ones they used to hold on warm summer nights such as this one. At first, Dylan had tried to protest, but Brenda had been able to easily convince him to come along with everyone else. As David jumped into the jeep with Andrea and Brenda and Dylan raced to the Porsche, four best friends were left in the dust. Kelly, Brandon, Donna and Steve all watched as the two cars headed out of the parking lot.
"So, what is up with those four?" Kelly asked, her brow furrowed.
Donna took a deep breath and jumped into the explanation. "Well, when Andrea came here, Dylan thought he had fallen for her because they were keeping in touch. And when Brenda showed up, David saw something in her that he apparently wasn't getting from me. Both in a lonely state of their own, Andrea and Brenda reciprocated the feelings for Dylan and David, respectively. But in the mixed up haze, Bren realized that she didn't have a thing for David and that her thing for Dylan had never dissolved, which ended up being okay for Andrea because she wasn't looking to fall in love with a guy, she was looking to fall back into love with L.A."
Brandon looked at her, clearly impressed. "Whew, good job, Don! What about David?"
"Honestly, I don't know what's going on with my husband because we haven't spoken in a few days. I guess he has no one now."
"And where does that leave you?" Steve asked.
Donna smiled at him coyly. "It leaves me getting in a car with you to head to the beach. Let's get out of here."
"We're right behind you," Brandon said, untangling his fingers from Kelly to pull his keys out of his pocket. Flipping them over his index finger, they walked hand-in-hand happily to the car.
By the time Donna and Steve had arrived, Dylan had managed to build a roaring fire. Andrea and Brenda were lying on towels, laughing as David told them a story. As the flames danced across his face, Donna saw the man she had fallen in love with for the first time in a very long time. His eyes met hers, they were full of happiness. In that look, she knew that their marriage was over; however, she knew that they would stay friends no matter what. As Steve came up behind her, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her onto the sand below, she knew that her future lay with the man behind the bright blue eyes.
Brandon came stalking down the beach behind him, Kelly propped on his back. Her legs were wrapped tightly around his waist and her arms were encircled around his neck. As he set her onto the ground, he kissed the tip of her nose. "Have I told you lately that I love you? Because I do, so much."
"I love you, too," she whispered back, leaning forward to kiss him.
"Do you guys ever stop?" Steve muttered as he strode by. Donna giggled as she spread out the quilt she'd grabbed from the van. Falling to her knees, she moved over to make room for Steve.
"We're just getting started," Brandon replied.
"How weird is this?" Brenda asked, her voice full of laughter. "When I got here, Kelly and Dylan were together. Now, Brandon and Kelly are together, and Dylan and I are…"
"Dylan and I are what?" Dylan inquired.
"We're us," she said simply. "We've always been beyond definition."
"Whoa, careful, Sis. You're getting deep in your old age," Brandon teased.
"You have to admit, it is kind of strange," Donna chimed in.
David smirked. "Yeah, I mean, look at us."
"What is that supposed to mean?" she shot back.
"Nothing, Donna, just that we're not exactly us anymore," David tried to explain. "I guess it's okay, maybe that's the way that this was supposed to all this time. Maybe we needed to go through all this for you to finally end up with the person you were supposed to be with."
"And who is that, David?"
"Steve."
"Me?" Steve asked quietly. He could almost hear Janet's words to him. Did his wife have to die to bring them together? The thought made his insides run cold.
"Don't deny it, Steve. It's okay. Like so many things in life, it is what it is."
"Okay, next subject," Andrea suggested.
"Well, I hear that you are planning to join us here in our fair city. Is the rumor true?" Donna asked.
Andrea bobbed her head. "I hope so. I have to work out the details with Jesse, but I'm hoping that we can figure something out. Hannah can be closer to her family and the beach, and I will be closer to you guys."
"We'd love to have you home," Kelly said. "To have all of you home."
"I'm already coming home," Brandon reminded her.
"And I personally couldn't be happier about that," Steve cheered.
"Isn't that supposed to be my line?" Kelly asked.
"I have something to tell you all," Brenda spoke up. "I've been thinking about leaving the theater for awhile. With the way this trip is going, I have to say that I'm feeling even more inspired to move on with my life. I don't know if you remember Roy Randolph or not, but he is out here working as a director. His pilot for a controversial one-hour drama just got picked up by a network, and he's asked me to star in it."
"Congratulations, Bren!" Donna exclaimed.
"Why didn't you tell me about this?" Dylan asked, dropping his voice so that only she could hear.
"I just accepted it this afternoon. I had to be sure."
"So, all three of you are coming home. The gang is back together," Donna cried sentimentally.
"Let's go take a walk before you start crying, Donna," Steve taunted, pulling the blonde to her feet. She smiled at the gang before he led her off into the darkness.
Kelly watched as they disappeared. A cool breeze whipped through the air, causing her to snuggle closer to Brandon. He enjoyed the feeling of her head on his shoulder. "Do you remember the last time we were here?" he asked.
She nodded. "It was the night before you left. We went skinny dipping. The water was freezing. We talked about everything we'd been through, and then you kissed me. It was one of the best kisses of my life."
"Oh, yeah?" he asked.
"Yes. The only one better was the night we got back together in college."
"That was the best night of my life, of course I remember it."
"I love you, Brandon."
"I love you, too, Kel."
Brenda watched Dylan stare at her brother and Kelly. "Oh, yeah?" he asked.
"Yes. The only one better was the night we got back together in college."
"That was the best night of my life, of course I remember it."
"I love you, Brandon."
"I love you, too, Kel."
Brenda watched Dylan stare at her brother and Kelly. "I wish you stared at me as intently as you do them," she whispered, moving her gaze out to the dark water.
"I do, Bren. You know how I feel about you."
"I do," she said simply.
"If you wanted me to, I'd never look at Kelly again. If that's what it took to convince you that you are the only one I love, I'd never even look at any other person – man or woman – ever again," Dylan told her.
"You'd really do that for me?"
"In a heartbeat."
"Where's your mind at, David?" Andrea asked, turning onto her back to stare at the stars above. It was hard to believe that these were the exact balls of light that held her attention all the way across the country.
"You can't tell anyone," he said softly.
"I won't."
"Valerie. I can't get my mind off her."
"When did you hear from her again?"
"She called the other night after I left Steve's. Val and I are kind of like Brandon and Kelly. Even though we both thought we belonged elsewhere, I think we've always been meant to be."
"Life is too short to be without the one you love, David. Go find your happiness."
"I will," he promised. "I will."