Chapter 15
Dream Come True
Dylan
"I don't understand." I repeat. Shock filling my gut. Jim finally smiles. It's almost foreign to me.
Richard takes some papers out of his brief case. "It had come to our attention that you had originally planned to open this business in the UK. So the proviso Mr. Walsh added to Lau's takeover contract is for you to expand internationally."
"I've already expanded internationally." I reply still trying to process all of this.
"Yes we're aware, here are the costs that your company spends to build your eco friendly products here in the US, and here are the costs to ship your products. I've ran some numbers and this is the amount you'd save by having a warehouse in Europe, and an office there."
I look at Jim. My breathing fast and on the verge of panic. Not because this is bad news just it's a lot. The numbers of savings are in the multi-millions.
"So…" I try to remain calm, even with the tears in my eyes.
"So…it would benefit you and your business to open up a headquarters there. The proviso is that you'd need to be in London in two months. Jeff has shown interest in running things here in LA. Of course that is up to you. You're the boss after all." Jim tilts his head, a small smirk still present on his face.
Emotions pour through me, tears running down my face. I couldn't hold them at bay any longer. My hands cover my face as I break down, this is unreal. London. My business in London, where Brenda is. I'm speechless. I cry that's what I do. What kind of business man cries? I look up when I hear Richard and Jim chuckle. "Is there a problem Mr. McKay?" Richard's smile gleams.
"Fuck no." I reach for the contract so fast the men laugh at me. I sign my name quickly and push the contact to them.
I sit and stare at the man that has made my life more than difficult for a long long time. "Thank you." Even though it's all bullshit. This whole thing set up for my benefit. Jim had no say in my company, not like this. I do appreciate Richard's time. Lawyers aren't cheap and this amount of work would have included a rather hefty bill. But it's still touching Jim had this thought, pushed for it and put it in the contract.
"Well…everything looks great. I know I'm not your lawyer anymore but if you need anything. You know how to get ahold of me." Richard stacks the paperwork together, tapping it lightly on the table. He tucks it into his briefcase and stands. I stand too and walk over to his side of the table as he reaches his hand out.
"Good luck kid."
I nod too emotional for words, meeting my hand with his in a firm handshake.
He leaves the room and as soon as the conference doors closes, Jim speaks, "So I know Brenda has to be back before you can get there but, two months beats not having a plan right?"
I stare at him, "Why? Why now?" I ask honestly. He didn't have to do this, or maybe he did.
Jim gets up and moves towards me, "My daughter deserves everything. I know you could have came up with this on your own. Your company is tremendously successful. It will run itself here in LA. With Lau's new online platform, international sales will be much much higher. This way, you bring this business to London, like you had always intended to do. It's not completely selfless, my twenty percent is at stake after all." He jokes and I rush him. I hug him hard and close my eyes. He holds me back tightly.
"Good luck in London son." He whispers heartfelt. "You were always meant to be there." He ends our long fatherly hug with a pat on the back, then we separate.
I wipe the tears quickly, my emotions overwhelming. His hand reaches up and pats my cheek, "You treat her right. Don't make me come there." His eyes are playful and a light brown, but I don't miss the true warning in his words.
"I will sir." I nod.
He laughs, "Come on. There are two beautiful women waiting for us and Cindy will have the family jewels if we're not back by six."
I laugh too, as he sets his arm around my shoulders leading me out of the conference room.
As we grab our things and head to the elevator I shake my head as the doors chime closed. "I know feels good right, in two months you'll be living the dream, with the woman you love, worth more money than God." Jim laughs. "Even with only twenty percent, you have made me a very very rich man." I look at him. "I think maybe it's time to retire. Let you be the big kahuna in the family."
My smile grows. "I want to marry her." I say off topic.
The doors chime open announcing our arrival to the lobby. We walk out very business like. "I know you do. And if my blessing is what your asking for, you have it."
"It's actually not." I laugh, "I would have married her anyway."
Jim smiles shaking his head, "I know that too." He sighs playfully.
"But…it means more to me than you'll ever know." Jim smiles with a confirming nod as we head to the car.
"Now…if I only knew what was going on with my son and Kelly."
"A piece of advice?" I open the passenger side of Jim's Mercedes, trying not to let my face show a dirty little detail he doesn't know about this passenger side of his precious car, "Maybe let them figure it out?"
Jim laughs out loud."Yeah…good thinking." He concludes as we get in the car, heading back to the Walsh condo, back to Brenda, with all our worries about how we will make it work in the rear view mirror.
It's just about six when we arrive back. There is a light knock on the office door, where Jim and I have been chatting about the relocating affairs as Cindy and Brenda got ready. Cindy enters the room.
"I thought I'd come to see you since Brenda is in the restroom."
Cindy places a black box on the desk in front of me. I open it carefully to see a stunning antique platinum ring inside. The romantic antique-style setting is adorned with intricate scrollwork along all sides of the band and features pavé diamonds that add a subtle shimmer against the brilliant round diamond set above them.
"I want to give this to you. Jim mentioned your plans with Brenda and…Jim gave this to me when I was pregnant with the twins. It was his grandmothers. I would be honored if you would give this to her one day. It doesn't have to be her engagement ring, if you have something else in mind but."
"It's so perfect." I breathe, not taking my eyes off the ring. The ring itself is exquisite, but the sentiment behind it means even more. My eyes tear as I look up at her, then at Jim. Fuck I'm like a girl today but not only had I earned their forgiveness, but I've also been given their blessing to marry their daughter. I wasn't kidding before, it wouldn't have mattered in he slightest, but if I'm being honest it sure as shit helps.
"Is it wrong of me to say thank God because shopping for a ring isn't exactly something I know how to do?"
They both laugh as Cindy places her arm on my shoulder. Her eyes gloss over, and I beg she doesn't begin crying, I think I've done enough for the both of us today.
"I'll give you my jewelers number, and you'll never have to think about it again," Jim concludes, "Even though you could get some help from Brandon, God knows he has boughten more than the average man."
We all have a chuckle on the truth in that sentence. Poor Brandon. I close the lid, sticking it in my pocket. I take a deep breath, wondering if I can tell them honestly how I feel. But then I remember that at one time, they were the only family I had.
"I want to discuss something because if anyone knows Brenda better than me, it's the two of you," I begin, then stall trying to find the courage to continue, "Brenda is not one for extravagant affairs, and with our lives so hectic, I don't see us having time to plan a wedding. Brenda's play is important to her and I know she'll get the role."
I take another deep breath, "If I was to propose real soon…"
"Are you thinking of eloping?" Jim interrupts, his eyes drawing together.
"It's not really eloping if you're planning it," I inform them, jokingly. "With Brenda leaving in a couple of weeks and I not being able to join her in London for a couple months…I was kind of hoping my soon to be mother-in-law can somehow wrangle the gang together for one night? Iris and Erica? Before she heads home."
Jim stays silent while Cindy lets out a long winded whistle. "It's a challenge," she confesses, turning to look at Jim. "Between maybe Donna and me, we can make it happen."
"Why not Val?" She is a planner, a promoter, this shit comes easy for her.
"She has a big mouth", Cindy admits, letting out a laugh.
I let out a breath, rubbing my face and suddenly nervous. I still had to think of a way to propose and something memorable. "Thank you, that's if she says yes. Brenda can be stubborn at the best of times."
Jim's mouth curves upward into a smile. "The way my daughter looks at you, the odds of saying no are a million to one."
"Another thing…can we keep this move to London quiet from her for tonight? I'd like to tell her myself?"
Both Cindy and Jim nod accepting that. Brenda choses that time to peak her head in, "Geez, I've been looking all over for you guys. You guys ready for dinner?" Cindy and Jim nod and get up leaving the office. I stand staring into her eyes. "Everything okay?"
I smile, moving towards her. My hands cradling her hips as I pull her against me. I lean in and kiss her softly. "Everything is perfect." I says gently against her lips before bringing my mouth to hers again. She deepens the kiss, her tongue meeting mine deliciously. Our foreheads find home with one another, "I love you." I breath.
She leans out, her eyes meeting mine, searching them, for what I'm not sure. "I love you too." She takes my hand in hers, "You sure you're okay?" Her eyes still curious.
I smile at her, "I've never been better."
Brenda
There is no greater feeling than watching your father and boyfriend finally resolve their issues. I'd been somewhat dreading our dinner tonight, unsure of how dad would react. He never said we couldn't visit as a couple and frankly I didn't and refused to ask permission. His choice to stay quiet on the subject had left me uneasy, yet his part in the takeover was a sign of better times to come. At least I had thought so.
When Dylan asked mom of dad's whereabouts, I did my best to reassure him it will be okay. However, inside, I was panicking. The two men are both as stubborn and prideful as each other, one of the many things they have in common.
It wasn't just resolving their fall out over me, they have business ties too.
The entire time they sat in the office, I almost ate a whole chocolate cake mom had baked. In my defense, it was delicious, and something about the chocolate calmed the nerves eating away at me.
Finally, during a conversation about Brandon and Kelly, in which mom was really hoping for a reunion, Dylan and dad walk into the kitchen while discussing work, of course.
This was probably the one and only time I didn't care if they wanted to work all day, flopping back into my chair and finally able to relax knowing they had reconciled. It was written all over their faces. They didn't have to say anything, but their expressions were enough to tell me all was right in the world again.
My glance shifts to Dylan, noting how at ease he appears. Even dad looks happy, something I never imagined seeing again with Dylan inside the same room. As for mom, she doesn't hold back her joy, unable to stop grinning while we joke about the hot nerd.
However, in the presence of my parents, I sensed Dylan didn't know if it was acceptable to kiss me. Which is so ridiculous, Dylan and myself were high school sweethearts, my dad had caught us making out on more than one occasion. We were adults. So as my parents said goodbye to each other, I moved in. It's weird, I don't ever remember showing affection with Austin in front of my parents. I should have known something was off because when I'm kissing Dylan, parents are not, I forget we aren't alone. Probably something I should work on.
With the two of them retreating to the office for the day, mom suggests we have ourselves a mother daughter day full of pampering. The spa is only a short distance from my parents place and as soon as we soak our feet into the tub for our pedicures, I lean back and close my eyes.
"How do you feel?" My mom asks, looking as relaxed as me. "About your father and Dylan?"
"Of course, I'm happy they're on speaking terms again, but I guess I'm still trying to get used to being back together with Dylan. It's only been a little over a week, we've fell into the groove rather flawlessly. I mean we've had a couple disagreements, it's definitely different then before."
"How so?" My mom's expression is sincere and I love that we have the type of relationship now that feels like friendship.
"I don't know Dylan is the same sweet man he always has been. It's just he works so much. I'm proud of him. He had this idea when we lived in London but all it ever was, was an idea. Now he's successful, a full fledge businessman. I have no intention of moving back here. I keep going back and forth thinking how is this going to work? Dylan can't up and leave here, he can't throw away his business just because I want to stay in London, but then the thought of being without him…it scares me, what if we can't do it? Long distance…" I breathe, "We never did well with it."
My mom smiles, "You were kids, so much has changed since then."
"True." I take a deep breath, "There is a lot of insecurities, jealousy." My mom smiles as my eyes roll. "I know Dylan loves me. You should hear his secretary, I can tell she wants him just by hearing her voice and to be thousands of miles away. I don't know mom, seems impossible."
"Oh Brenda." My mom laughs, "I know all about stupid sexy secretaries. These feelings are natural. Dylan loves you. If he wanted to sleep with his secretary he probably would have already."
"Thanks mom not helping." I pout.
"You're going to have to trust him. I'm sure he feels the same. You guys have two separate lives and your merging them together. There is going to be some adjusting. No one said relationships were easy honey but gosh are they worth it."
"I know your right." I sigh.
My mom reaches her hand to mine, she squeezes it fondly, "Talk to him. Dylan and you were always meant to be together."
I nod knowing she's right. It's Dylan, I can talk to him about anything. I feel like us ignoring the inevitable isn't getting us anywhere. My dad and Dylan seem good now, now it's time to discuss what our future looks like.
Our dinner at Nobu was fantastic. There was a light an easy energy around us and it was comfortable. Dad and Dylan had matching smiles and easy banter between them. I loved seeing them happy and getting along.
When we make it back to the condo, lightening and thunder roar over our heads and within minutes it starts down pouring. It came out of no where and we quickly retreat indoors.
My father takes a call on his cell as we take off our coats, "That was Brandon, he's staying at Donna and David's. The roads are a nightmare. Who says it never rains in LA." At that moment the lights go out.
My mom and dad scatter to find candles and before long the living room is lit up in an orange glow.
My dad looks out the front bay window, "it's really coming down out there." The clamor of thunder makes me jump, lightening lighting up the inside in a flicker. "You guys should stay here." My dad turns to us. Worry in his aged features.
"Oh it's just a little rain." Dylan wraps his arm around me, "We'll be okay."
My father walks towards us. "I'm sure you will but…the last storm…the accident. Please just stay."
The look in my fathers eyes makes me woeful. I look up at Dylan, "He's right Bren, there is no reason to go out in that."
I nod, Dylan's somber expression tells me he's thinking of the accident too now and I nod in acceptance. The rain continues to pound outside and when my parents seem to be ready to retreat for bed, we're left with the unanswered question about sleeping arrangements. How on earth do you have a conversation as to where your boyfriend should sleep? Dylan and I had never faced this. If my parents visited us in London, they always had their own hotel. When we were kids, I had my bedroom and Dylan stayed with Brandon, unbeknownst to them, he usually didn't stay there. Given that I'm an adult, you would think this shouldn't be an issue, but we are talking about Jim Walsh here. We're standing in the living room when I expel a yawn. Mom suggests I head to bed.
"Yeah. I'm pretty beat." I look up at Dylan, unsure how to bring this up. Thank god for my mom.
"The guest room is down the hall. The master is upstairs if you need anything. There are fresh towels in the cupboard of the bathroom. I can't promise the bed is made, considering Brandon has been staying in there but you'll both be conformable in there." My mom smiles. "Make yourself at home." She says kindly. Thank you mom!
My dad smiles at us, "Good night."
Relief washes over me, I lean in and kiss his cheek, "Good night dad." I move and hug my mom. "Thank you." I whisper for only her to hear. She winks at me when we separate and Dylan and I head to the guest room. We change out of our clothes and climb into the queen size bed in our undies.
Beneath the covers, Dylan caresses my stomach. I know him, he's in the mood.
"Look, this is weird right. It's my parents house."
Dylan looks at me weirdly, "We've had sex before in your old room back in the day." He is quick to remind me. "Don't tell me you've forgotten our midnight rendezvous."
I close my eyes, memories flashing in my head of a teen Dylan and a teen Brenda, having quick quiet sex as the house slumbered. "I haven't forgotten." I breathe, Dylan's arms tighten around my waist as his forehead leans against mine, making me think the memories are flashing in his mind too. He kisses me softly, and he lets out a quiet groan that makes me push him away.
"What if they hear us?"
Dylan playfully rolls his eyes, "Are you serious? They won't! They are upstairs. I'm suppose to sleep next to you and not touch you?"
"Think of it as some sort of challenge."
"I'm challenged enough. I run an empire. I'd like to fuck you please."
His dirty words do something to me, I try to shake it off, "Can't we hold off?' I plead with a squeaky voice. "I mean, what's one night?"
Dylan groans, "Fine. Good night." He kisses my cheek roughly and rolls over. I stare at the ceiling knowing I am being dumb. Who cares. I'm an adult, my parents know we've lived together, they know I'm staying at the hotel with him. Why am I like this? I'm ready to say forget it but when I look towards Dylan's back, his breathing is even, and he's totally asleep. What's with men being able to do that? Meanwhile, I'm here trying to figure out why I'm so stupid. Having flashbacks of Dylan and I as kids practically groping the shit out of each other when my parents were presumably asleep just down the hall.
Sometime during the night, I wake unable to sleep. The rain is still coming down outside even though the lightening and thunder have subsided. It's still dark out, and when I turn to look at my phone, it's just past two in the morning. I toss and turn to no avail, desperate to touch him but bound to my stupid lame ass morals. Maybe, all I need is to touch his skin. There is no harm in that.
I run my hands down his torso, hovering around his stomach until temptation is too much to bear. My hand slides into his boxers, resting on his shaft. He is hard, making me crave him even more. As I begin to stroke him, his soft moans escape until I can't take it anymore.
"You said no touching." He whispers, still facing the opposite way.
I pull him so he's laying on his back. I sit up and climb on top of him, my thighs on either side of him straddling him. "If it takes less than a minute, it doesn't count." I move my panties to the side and ease him inside of me.
At a slow and agonizing pace, I begin to ride him. It's doesn't take long, despite the speed, to feel the familiar build. That is until every sensation heightens, and I explode into a blissful finish. He lifts his hips to meet mine and he isn't far behind me.
I remove myself from him, falling beside his body while we both catch our breath.
"I feel used." He scoffs, laying on his back with his arms behind his head still.
"Oh please, you were hard already."
"I don't deny that. You caught me in the middle of a great dream."
"Was it about me?"
"Hmmm….maybe?"
My head turns to him quickly, "Maybe?" My tone annoyed. "Who else are you dreaming about who made you hard?"
"Not sure." He teases.
"You know dream cheating is a real thing and can hurt just as much as the real deal."
"Will you relax silly girl." He tells me, pulling me into him. "I was dreaming of you on all fours while I ate you out." He says without apology.
I feel my shoulders relax, "Okay, your lucky this time. But there's just one problem."
"What?"
I place my lips on his tempting mouth, rolling my tongue against his. "It wouldn't hurt you to fulfill that dream of yours. Now would it?"
Dylan growls and smiles, rolling on top of me. His full weight is on me and it feels amazing. He kisses me hungrily for several minutes.
He leans up on his knees, "Turn around." He demands brusque and I obey. As his mouth meets my center, I moan loudly into the pillow. His tongue is quick and firm, his hands on both sides of my ass as he devours me. I'm almost there, crying out into the pillow to try to be quiet. Soon his mouth leaves me and I whimper. His palm smacks my left butt cheek and it echoes in the silence.
"Dylan!" I whisper yell followed by a quiet laugh, my giggle turns into a loud groan when he enters me from behind. His thrusts are relentless and rapid. The sounds of slapping bodies are heard too loud for my comfort. His hands roughly lift me, so I'm on all fours and my head is now not smushed into the pillow. I grab the headboard for leverage as he pounds into me. His noises so fucking sexy yet he keeps it quiet thankfully. I feel my orgasm building as I moan with him. His drives quicken, in and out over and over without slowing. My face hits the pillow again as I cry out loudly. Steadily and unabating until stars appear behind my eyes as I squeeze them shut and my body shakes and quivers as I come hard around him. He plunges one last time and his hips meet my ass as he groans long and unapologetic emptying inside me. We remain silent as we catch our breaths. I feel him lean down, his lips kissing between my shoulder blades. I slide down on to my stomach trying to recover. I feel the bed bounce next to me. My head turning to look at him. His chest rising and falling quickly. He is the most beautiful man. Always has been. He senses me staring and he looks over at me and smiles.
"Well that was some dream."
He chuckles still out of breath, "Yeah it was." He looks towards the ceiling again. My expression turning serious as I watch him.
"I'm scared Dylan."
He looks at me, his brows coming together concerned. "Of what?"
"Long distance. You and I don't have the best track record on being apart."
Dylan turns quickly, his arm securing around my waist bringing me flush against him, "That was a long time ago."
"Still." I cuddle against him.
I feel him hold me tighter, kissing my head sweetly, "Baby." He whispers, "I love you. You have nothing to worry about."
I nod, not wanting him to see my tears. As though he senses them he pulls me away to see my face. His head tilts, his expression sympathetic. His thumb wiping my tear quickly. "I signed a contract today."
What? Seriously? He wants to talk business right now. I roll my eyes and sit up, wiping my tears hastily. He follows sitting up too, I feel his eyes on me. I look at him annoyed. He laughs out loud. My pissed off expression somehow amusing him. "Can I finish?"
I take a deep breath, looking towards him again. Silent waiting for him to continue.
"I signed a contract today…stating that Patagonia will soon be opening a warehouse and an office in Europe."
A tear runs down my cheek quickly, I stay silent, swallowing the question that seems stuck in my throat. He smirks, his hand coming to my cheek. "I'm going to London baby. Me, my business, we're coming to London."
"Really?" My voice breaks, "But…how?"
"I still have to work out the details, Jeff my head executive will run things here in LA, and I'll run things in London."
"No long distance?" I say through my sobs.
He shakes his head, "No long distance. well…a little long distance. I won't be there for two months, but we can handle two months right?"
I nod happily. He moves and wraps his arms around me, hugging me tightly. "It was your fathers doing." I lean out from him surprised.
"You're kidding?" Dylan shakes his head. I move to hug him again. He holds me tightly bringing me to his chest as he lays us down.
"He did good. He did good this time." He whispers into my hair, cuddling me closer. "You happy?"
"Blissfully." I reply. I look at him suddenly thinking too much, "Is it what you want? Do you want to live in London. I mean LA is your home."
He smiles, a beautiful smile that's genuine and handsome. "You're my home Bren. Wherever you are is home. Maybe that's why I never bought anything here? Maybe I was always suppose to move back. We can find a place, something bigger, perhaps with more bedrooms…"
I don't miss that hint but I don't dwell on it either. "Sounds like a dream." I saw quietly.
He kisses my head again, "Well you know me and dreams…"
We laugh and cuddle the rest of the night. I turn down Dylan on more than one occasion to have a round three, not wanting to push our luck. Dylan is moving to London and my dad had something to do with it. It's all so much it's hard to even believe. My mind takes me back to that day I ran into Dylan at the Bel-Age, who would have thought this was where we were going to end up. In just a short week so much has happened. Whatever it took to get here, was proving to be well worth it. Now…if I could turn off my brain about leaving, even if it is only for two months.
So how did I do? Thanks for rolling with the business stuff I'm completely making up lol Next up, Brenda, Dylan and Brandon have some time together, Brenda and Dylan have a fight, Brenda says goodbye to everyone (at least she thinks she is), a huge surprise for Brenda before she leaves and saying goodbye to Dylan for 2 months. Hit review kids. Let's do this!
