Your hands can heal
Your hands can bruise
I don't have a choice
But I'd still choose you
Oh I don't love you
But I always will...
Poison and wine - The Civil Wars
Dylan parked his car outside the back of the peach pit, where Brenda was standing
"Hey, stranger." She called as he got out of his car
"Hey... I heard you're moving..." He replied
"Yeah... got one more sorority meeting and then, London Town." She grinned
"Yeah... I'm gonna miss you, Bren.. Beverly Hills will be quiet without you." He smirked
"Yeah..." She smiled at him, "Take care of yourself okay?"
"I will if you will." He nodded
"Come here for a sec." She implied, sitting on the pavement behind the peach pit, he obliged and sat down before her, "I just..." She began, "I wanted to say my goodbyes to everyone individually and... well, I don't really know where to start with you."
He sighed, "I know..."
"I'm so happy to see you doing so well,"
"Sober-wise?" He mocked
"Yeah... I guess before, I never wanted to admit that anyone could take care of you better than me... but Kelly has had a lot of experience with Jackie in AA... so, I guess, she knows how to handle it better." Brenda sighed,
"Don't let that diminish what you've done for me, Bren..."
"I know... Can I just say one thing... and don't take it the wrong way, I'm so happy with Stuart it's just..."
"Spit it out," He chuckled
"Before... You said, you loved me more than you thought you could love anyone." She bit her lip, anxiously
"Yeah, I did... but that was before Kelly-"
"-I know. I guess I just needed that closure, you know."
"It's different love..." He began, "You taught me how to love, so I did love you, I loved you so much, Bren and I'm glad I did... but with Kelly... it's... a deeper love, she's... she's the great love of my life, she's... my soulmate."
"Do you really believe in that?" Brenda asked
"Soulmates?" Dylan laughed, "I thought the closest thing I had to soulmate was my father, until she came along."
"Do you think everyone has one?"
"I don't know..." Dylan sighed, "But I'm sure you do... It could be Stuart... you never know." He winked
She smiled at him, "Maybe..."
"I just want you to be happy... despite everything we've been through." Dylan assured
"I am... It took a while but, I am now." She breathed in, and he hugged her goodbye.
The girls sat at the peach pit, while Suzanne worked behind the counter. Dylan and Kevin were discussing finances.
Erica walked over to the girls' table
"Kelly, can I join your sorority?" Erica asked, beaming up at them
"Hmm..." Kelly playfully pursed her lips, "I don't know, we'd have to take a vote... all those in favor raise your hand."
Brenda, Andrea, Donna and Kelly herself all raised their hands
"It's a yes." Andrea smiled, as Erica sat at the table
"So what do I have to do?" She asked the girls
"Well, right now we are just catching up." Brenda smiled at her, "What's your news?"
"Well, I just want to get away from my mum and her boyfriend." Erica groaned and the girls laughed
"I never liked any of my mum's boyfriends either." Kelly smiled at her.
"Come on, Bren." Kelly called out, "I'll give you a ride home... Gotta spent as much time with you as I can get before you leave me."
Brenda got into Kelly's car.
"I can't even imagine you not being around." Kelly said once they were driving, "Who will I fight with now."
"Who will you force to sky dive." Brenda joked
"Still hate me for that, don't you?" Kelly smirked
"No." Brenda chuckled, "You made me face my fears. Now I'm brave enough to go to drama school in London!"
"I'm gonna miss you." Kelly said sincerely
"I'm gonna miss you too, but you're in good hands." Brenda assured,
"I don't know what I'm gonna do without you..." Kelly sighed
"Listen... I just wanted you to know I spoke to Dylan."
"Oh?"
"He loves you, Kelly..." Brenda paused, "In fact, he is madly in love with you, so promise me something."
"Okay..." Kelly obliged
"Take care of him for us." She grinned at her, and Kelly playfully nudged her
"Of course." She grinned
Kelly and Dylan were in bed when his alarm went off
"I so don't wanna get out of bed today." Dylan groaned, his hand venturing out to turn off the noise.
"I can help with that." She smirked, hovering over him. She placed light kisses and nibbles on his neck, as she trailed down his chest and stomach. Her lips hovered over his boxer shorts as she pulled them off. She was just about to lean in when Suzanne knocked on the door
"Dylan, Kevin's on the phone!" She called from the other end of the door
"Coming!" Dylan yelled back, followed by a groan as he threw his head back on his pillow, "Perfect timing." He said sarcastically
"Guess, you have to go." Kelly teased
"Hey! No, you can't start that and not finish it." Dylan warned
"Sorry." She smirked, pulling his boxers back up
Dylan let out a frustrated groan as he got up
"This isn't over." He playfully warned as he got dressed, placing a quick kiss on her neck before heading out
Kelly threw on one of Dylan's t shirts and a pair of boxers and came out of the room
"Good morning." Kelly greeted Suzanne. Erica was watching tv.
"Kelly, thank god you're up. I have an appointment to get to, -Would you mind watching Erica for a couple hours?"
"Uh-"
"-Dylan said you have a little sister so you're great with kids." Suzanne replied, pleading
"Sure." Kelly smiled at her, followed by a sigh of relief from Suzanne. Suzanne went to say goodbye to her daughter who remained silent in front of the tv. Suzanne shrugged, letting out a nervous chuckle to Kelly as she left.
"Hungry?" Kelly asked
"Not really." Erica mumbled, her eyes fixed on the tv
"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day! Learned that the hard way." Kelly remained cheerful, "I'll make pancakes!"
Once food was on the table, Kelly called Erica to join her.
"These are nice." Erica finally spoke,
"Glad you like them..." Kelly observed her, "So... what's going on with you? You haven't said a word all morning."
Erica shrugged
"Is it Kevin?" Kelly asked
"...You said you didn't like your mum's boyfriends either."
"Yup." Kelly nodded, understanding all too well why Erica was acting the way she was.
"I like your hair." Erica said
"Thanks." Kelly smiled at her
"You're really pretty."
"So are you." Kelly responded
"And I like your nails too... Mum always says we'd do a girls day and get our nails done together, but we never do."
"Why's that?" Kelly asked, but she knew if there's one thing her and Erica bonded over, it was that familiar feeling of neglect
"She says we don't have money... but she just doesn't do anything without Kevin." Erica mumbled
"Hey, you know what?" Kelly finally exclaimed, "I was going to go get my nails redone today! Why don't we go together? Have our own girls day."
"Really?"
"Yeah! There's this girl I always go to! Mary, she'll blow our hair out too, make it look all nice!" Kelly grinned as Erica beamed
"But... I don't have any money."
"Lucky for you," Kelly leaned in, "I do." And that was the first time Erica smiled all morning
Suzanne came home to find Dylan already there
"Hey, how did the house hunting go?" She asked
"We got you place... Kevin loved this spot on the beach so, it's yours!"
"Oh, Dylan thanks so much for all your help! Where is Erica?" She asked
"Kelly left a note, they're at the salon."
"Salon?" Suzanne asked, puzzled. Just then, Kelly and Erica walked in
"Mum!" Erica skipped over to her, "Look at my hair! And my nails!"
"Wow..." Suzanne forced a smile, "It's... lovely! Did you say thank you to Kelly?"
"About a thousand times." Kelly chuckled, "She's very polite."
"That's good... Erica would you take my bag to our room?" She ordered, then turned to face Kelly once Erica was gone. "Kelly..." She chuckled nervously, "I appreciate the effort but... this, this is too much."
"Oh no, really, it's nothing." Kelly assured
"Maybe for you, and Beverly Hills... and kids who grew up like you, but Erica didn't and we are not like that. I certainly don't want her to grow used to these materialistic things, especially when it feels like... charity."
"Charity?" Kelly gasped, "No, Suzanne, don't think like that, it's not charity at all, I just wanted to cheer her up."
"I understand..." Suzanne said awkwardly, "But you can't just go taking my daughter to get her hair styled or whatever you girls do."
"You girls?" Kelly mocked "You mean rich kids?"
"Well... yes, I don't need Erica getting into bad habits."
"I see..." Kelly nodded, "But, with all due respect, maybe if you talked to your daughter once in a while, you'd know why she needed this escape... You'd may even like to do something like this with her, you know, to reconnect."
"Don't tell me how to raise my own daughter, Kelly." Suzanne warned
"No, she's not, she's not." Dylan quickly chimed in, glancing a warning look at Kelly. "Kelly's sorry, she didn't mean it like that, it's not charity, sometimes Kelly and I we just, we overstep boundaries when it comes to money, never having to think of finances the way you have." Dylan quickly assured, "Right, Kelly?" He warned for her to comply
"Right.. I was out of line. Sorry." Kelly forced a smile. She gave a quick glare at Dylan before heading to his room.
"Kelly..." Dylan sighed, walking into the bedroom to find Kelly studying her psychology textbook
"What?" Kelly hissed, not looking up
"Look," He said, joining her on the bed, "I love that you and Erica are bonding, but you can't make decisions for other people's kids. I know you didn't mean it that way, but it did feel like charity for Suzanne. People aren't like us when it comes to money."
"She didn't have to make me feel like some spoiled brat."
"She didn't, Kel. She was just a little taken aback."
"Well." Kelly groaned, "She needs to adjust her attitude. I know more about what her daughter in one day than she does in a life time."
"Kelly, I know you mean well, but Erica's childhood doesn't resemble yours, Kevin is a good guy."
"Fine." Kelly sighed
"You gotta get your head outta that book!" Dylan grabbed it out of her hands, "Anyway," He leaned over and kissed her lips, "We're gonna have the house to ourselves. Found them a great house on the beach while Kevin and I went apartment hunting."
"On the beach? Gee, how can they afford that." Kelly mocked
"Well... I paid the first six months."
"You what?" Kelly pulled away from his grip, as he tried to kiss her, "Dylan!"
"Kelly!"
"That's a lot of money."
"So? I want Erica to be okay... I want her to be close by, and I want to help Kevin start up his business so Erica has a great future."
"Funny how it's not charity when it's something for Kevin but it is when it comes to Erica." Kelly mocked
"Why are you being so hard on Suzanne?" Dylan snapped
"Because! I don't... I don't trust her."
"You hardly know her."
"I could say the same to you."
"Kelly! They are my family now." He yelled, Kelly resented that remark
"Look," He calmed down "when my father died, I had no one except you... You are my family now, alright, but so are they... please try to accept them? And play nice!"
"Fine. Just be careful." Kelly warned
"Kelly..." Dylan rolled his eyes, standing up, "Don't be so negative."
"I'm just saying something's fishy. Do you know what appointment she had to go to today? I mean, we know she didn't have work... Something just doesn't feel right."
"You are way too paranoid... and frankly if you're gonna be cynical, I don't wanna hear it right now." Dylan left the room.
A couple weeks had past since Suzanne, Erica and Kevin moved out. Things were rather peaceful between Dylan and Kelly until Dylan had let Kelly know Kevin and Suzanne were leaving LA the night before. Causing tension between the two as Dylan offered to be a backer for Kevin's upcoming business.
Kelly woke up that morning to find Dylan overlooking some paper work.
"Good morning." Dylan faced her as she walked into the kitchen
"Is it?" She scoffed. Dylan rolled his eyes and dug his head back into his work
Walking over to the couch with her coffee, she stumbled upon a cheque on the coffee table.
"What is this?" She asked sternly
"A cheque." He sneered
"That's a lot of money..." She warned
"Hadn't noticed." He mocked
"Dylan... are you seriously giving this to them?"
"Yes, Kel. It's my money... I want Erica to be okay."
"Then put it in a trust fund, that she can have access to at 18."
"Why? Because you don't want Suzanne and Kevin to get their hands on it?" He looked up, and she tilted her head to the side, pursing her lips. Dylan scoffed at her response.
"You are something..." He shook his head
"You know what?" Kelly stood up abruptly, "You may not agree with me right now, but I think you should at least consider this! Dylan, you are giving them an awful lot! I mean come on, you rented a place for them for six months and then suddenly decide to leave town? You don't think that's a little suspicious?"
"That's it!" Dylan stood up and headed towards her, "I have had it with your skepticism! Kelly, whatever they want to do, it isn't some conspiracy, they deserve to go live wherever they want to, I will pay whatever I have to, to help my new family, alright? I am actually happy to help them!"
"Maybe you're so desperate for a family, that you're not thinking clearly..." She sighed
He ignored her.
"Just consider my idea." She said firmly
Dylan continued to ignore her
"Dylan!" She yelled
"Fine! Fine I'll consider it!" He threw his hands up in the hair as he shrugged
The gang were at the peach pit, saying goodbye to Suzanne, Kevin and Erica
"Thank you for everything Kelly... I know we didn't always see eye to eye but Erica sure appreciates you and we're going to miss you." Suzanne smiled
"Well, its not like we'll never see each other again... we will always visit..." Kelly smiled at Erica, "And you can come back any time you like." Erica hugged Kelly.
Suzanne and Erica were just about to head out when Kelly noticed she forgot her handbag.
"Oh Suzanne, you forgot your-" Kelly noticed the cheque in her bag,
"Oh, silly me! Wouldn't want to forget that!" Suzanne laughed, taking the bag from Kelly. Kelly forced a smile as they left.
"Come on, Kel!" Dylan called from the car, looking at his watch
Kelly came outside with her bags, putting them in the trunk of his car.
"Mexico for the summer, here we come!" Dylan cheered, Kelly was silent since she got in the car.
"Aren't you excited?" He turned to face her once they were on the road
"...You gave Suzanne the cheque..." Kelly finally spoke
Dylan looked puzzled
"I saw it in her bag." Kelly answered his thoughts, "You weren't going to tell me."
"It's my money." He said firmly
"Oh, that's how it is."
"Yeah, Kel. That's how it is. I can't tell you anything without you jumping down my throat, so I made a decision on my own."
"I don't know what aggravates me more... the fact that you don't believe me, or the fact that you didn't even hesitate to go behind my back."
"It's not all about you, Kelly. You know, I really don't get it. Why are you so against me helping my family? Are you that self-centered that you don't want to share me with them?"
"Wow..." Kelly shook her head in disbelief, "You have some nerve."
"Oh do I?" Dylan glared
"I'm just looking out for your best interests and you think I'm in it for myself?!" She snapped
"Well, you've been nothing but cynical about this whole thing, and I'm growing sick of it."
"Dylan, can't you see there is something fishy going on?"
"The only thing going on is you being an unbearable cynic."
"Oh." She scoffed
"You can't even accept my family... what does that say?"
"Well, if you weren't so blinded by your longing need for one, you'd be more concerned for Erica."
"For the last time, Kel. Erica and you do not share the same childhood. Kevin isn't like Jackie's exes. He's a good guy, and you'd know that if you stopped being so damn pessimistic!"
"I disagree."
"Wow... my own girlfriend can't even be happy for me." Dylan shook his head
"...stop the car." Kelly said firmly
"What?" Dylan asked, frustrated
"I'm not traveling with you like this."
"Oh come on!" Dylan groaned
"Stop the car, Dylan." Kelly's voice was even firmer
"Fine!" Dylan snapped, stopping the car abruptly. Kelly got out and grabbed her bags
"What are you doing?" He rolled his eyes
"I'm going back home." Kelly shot back
"Don't be ridiculous. Get in the car." Kelly continued pulling out her bags
"Get in the car!" Dylan yelled
"No!" She yelled back, "I can't believe you would think so unbelievably low of me... the things you said, I'm trying to take you away from your family?! I have done nothing but try to help your sister, who frankly needed me to!"
"Kelly...!"
"No, I can't do this anymore!" She snapped
"Neither can I!" He yelled back
"So... I don't think we should do it anymore." She let out a sigh
"What are saying?" He observed her
"I give up." She breathed out
"With what?" He asked, "Us?!" Kelly didn't answer causing Dylan to inhale deeply, trying to control his anger but failing
"I don't know what to do anymore... " She eventually spoke "It is what it is..."
"Fine!" Dylan snapped, infuriated, he angrily turned the key of the car
"Dylan... don't drive in that mood." She pleaded
"It is what it is!" He hissed back at her
"Dylan!" She yelled after him, but he had already driven off.
Both were so consumed by their anger they hadn't really realised the weight of their decision. Was it really over? They both thought it never was really over. But neither could think clearly right now. Both stubborn and holding their ground.
She stood there, arms folded as his car faded down the road.
No one heard from Dylan again all summer.
Yellow diamonds in the light
And we're standing side by side
As your shadow crosses mine
What it takes to come alive...
It's the way I'm feeling I just can't deny...
But I've gotta let it go...
We found love in a hopeless place.
We found love - Rihanna
AU: Hope you enjoyed the season 4 edition of this story. I'm planning on another fic based on Dylan and Kelly post season 5. So I don't know whether to include season 5 in this story or not. However if you would like to continue one more season here, I will definitely change season 5 and make it a lot more personalised rather than the show story line. So let me know if you're interested in the reviews. Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed it.