Chapter 17 The Cavendish's and the Secret

"It's too late…you had your chance, I am in love with someone else." She said full of sadness. She turned her back to him; she didn't want him to see her cry.

He swallowed hard, "I know you still love me…I know it's never too late with us…baby look at me." his voice full of emotion. "Please."

"No." she said sternly.

"Christine…look at me, look into my eyes and tell me you love him more than me, tell me to leave here and never look back. If you do, I will go." He said before looking toward the ground.

She stood silent as a few tears streamed down her cheeks, "I cant." She whispered turning around slowly and looking at him.

Albert rushed her taking her face in his hands as he kissed her deeply. They exhaled into each other mouths as they kissed passionately. "I miss you so much." He whispered as they closed their eyes resting their foreheads and noses together.

"I did too." She breathed out.

He lifted her slightly turning toward the bed as he lay her down gently. They began kissing again, this time more heated without holding back, they wanted each other, they needed each other.

Brenda broke free from the kiss and smiled, "And then they have wild passionate sex." She commented looking at Mike. "That was hot, I must say."

Mike still on top of her looked down her slowly, "Uh ha…I think we might have to rehearse the next part…you know…make sure we get right." his eyes found hers again.

Brenda kept her smile, "Yeah I am sure. I think we'll be fine, we aren't really going to be having sex on stage, but good try though." Brenda joked.

Mike exhaled, "Fine…Christine and Albert don't have to rehearse their sex scene but I am thinking maybe Brenda and Mike really need to."

"Oh is that so." Brenda shook her head still looking at him.

"Mmmm Hmmm." Mike groaned taking her lips to his again.

As the kiss heated up Brenda pulled away and looked at him, "Time out Romeo." Mike sighed playfully and moved off of her to his back still lying beside her. "Don't be mad." Brenda said softly as she moved to her side resting her head on her hand.

Mike shook his head, "I'm not mad, I just thought since it was late and since Olivia was staying the night in our room…" Mike looked over at Brenda, "Maybe I could stay here." Mike smiled.

"I don't think so." Brenda looked down and moved to a sitting position.

"Brenda…we have been dating exclusively for over 2 months. I have been a perfect gentlemen, I haven't pressured you have I?"

Brenda looked at him, "Counting now?" she smirked.

Mike smiled, "No…not counting now."

"Then no…you have been extremely nice and patient and no you have not pressured me."

"We spend everyday together, we get along great, we have a lot of fun together, don't you think its time, dont you want to take this relationship to the next level...besides…I think I am falling in love with you." Mike stared into her eyes; he reached up and cupped her face.

Brenda looked at him and smiled; she took a deep breath and gave him a nod, "I think…I am too." She said softly as she watched him sit up and bring his face close to hers. He leaned in and kissed her gently.

He moved out from her, looking at her intently, "Let me spend the night."

Brenda took a deep breath and looked at him, he had been patient with her, he had been a gentlemen, it wasn't like Brenda hadn't thought about it, she did, often, truthfully she did want to, she gave him a small smile. "Alright Mike…you can stay the night." Brenda gave in.

Mike seemed surprised, "Really?" he moved in closer to her again. Mike raised his eyebrow

Brenda smirked, "Really." she said softly leaning into him.

Mike growled before kissing her which made Brenda giggle. He pressed himself against her as she lay on her back.

**

Dylan carried his surfboard in from the car resting it against the wall. He hit play on his message machine and looked at the letter resting on the table. After Jonesy had shown up, they had talked for a while about a plan on finding Kevin and Suzanne. After some arguing Jonesy finally talked Dylan into a price that included 7 figures assuming Dylan still had millions left. Jonesy left saying he would call him as soon as he had any leads. Dylan and Jonesy had been working closely for the last couple of months. They even followed Jonesy's leads to Mexico but came up short after Suzanne and Kevin left right under their nose. As his messages played, Dylan listened as Brandon, Steve, the bank, bill collectors and his mother had all left messages for him.

"Beep…Dylan…its Jonesy calling from jolly old England…pack your bags and grab your passport boy, I found a Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Weaver in no other than London. Except they are not Kevin and Suzanne this time they are Carl and Kitty Cavendish, cute right. They have Erica too. I had FedEx send over the itinerary, flight info and hotel info. Your plane leaves tomorrow 8 am. Call me if you need anything, if not I will see you tomorrow afternoon. Ta Ta old chap." Jonesy laughed at himself before hanging up.

Dylan stared at the answering machine shocked, what are the odds? A smile spread across her face as he realized his luck. His sister and his Brenda in the same place…and he was able to go there. Dylan's eyes shifted quickly to the letter. His smile faded as he picked up the letter and read it again.

Dear Dylan,

You don't know me, my name is Olivia and I am Brenda's roommate here at RADA. We roomed together during the summer and were lucky enough to get housing together again this fall. I feel like I almost know you, Brenda talks about you all the time. You are probably asking yourself when I am going to get to the point and well, Brenda told me she isn't coming back. She told me everything that you have been going through and because I understand and care for her, I was the one who got her the plane ticket to L.A. I knew that there was nothing more she wanted then to help you and it sounds like she did exactly that. Now hearing her not coming back is just so unfortunate. I know she loves you and obviously you love her too but if you really love her you will try to talk some sense into her. I know it isn't easy being away from each other and that letting go and telling her to leave may not be possible but I beg you to at least try. But because it may not be possible, I also have included an open ended plane ticket, from Los Angeles to London. Whether you come with her or even just visit it may just get her on that plane on Monday. She is so damn talented, she gets on the stage and people stop what they are doing to just to watch her. I am not exactly sure what it is about her but you can't help but be drawn to her. She has fun here, she loves school, she loves acting and she even got me into studying and it would be such a shame to let it all go especially considering she has been given the chance of a lifetime to study here. I have wanted to attend this school since I was 5 years old and I have never heard or read about anyone getting a full scholarship and an invite. It's just unheard of. I know she loves it here, but I also know the one thing she loves more…is you. Do it for Brenda, talk her into coming back here Dylan and come along too for the ride.

Sincerely,

Olivia

Dylan set down the letter and picked up the plane ticket. He had the opportunity to go to London these past couple of months but didn't and now, he didn't have an excuse. Olivia had sent the letter to Dylan in rehab but since the mail system was slow the rehab had eventually forwarded it to Dylan's home. By the time Dylan got it, Brenda had been back in London. Dylan didn't know how much had changed since Brenda had left, he didn't know what was going on with her, if she was seeing someone. He had written her and had never heard back. He was afraid and that's why he didn't go, afraid of what she would say, that she wouldn't be happy to see him, that she had really moved on. Dylan knew Brenda was serious about letting go and saying goodbye and now he was going to be going to London, maybe his first reaction was a positive one but now he wasn't sure. Dylan had always went after what he wanted, he had never been afraid to go after it and now he was. He looked over at the phone as it began to ring, he moved to it and picked it up quickly.

"Hello."

"Dylan…man, its Jonesy…we have a problem."

"What…don't tell me they are on the move again?" Dylan yelled.

"No…that's not it, lets just say my plan involves a beautiful women and…well Jonesy isn't the best drunk. Irene...she got pissed and bailed. Anyway you can get someone to come with you?"

Dylan sighed and began to think. The first person he thought of was Brenda but how could he get her to help if she wouldn't even talk to him. "Maybe…the girl I am thinking of lives in London, maybe I could get her to help us. What exactly do you need her to do, I am not ok with anything that would put her in danger."

"No…it would not be dangerous, she needs to be a pretty good actress though, she needs to be beautiful and flirty. No danger…Jonesy is a lover not a fighter."

Dylan took a deep breath, "Alright, we will see if she will help us, if she doesn't, I know someone who will but we'll have to send her a ticket if it comes to that. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Alright, the FedEx package will have a cell phone, bring it with you and I will call you after you land."

Dylan ran his hand through his hair, "Ok…later." He hung up the phone and shook his head. Now Dylan didn't have an excuse, he had to go see Brenda, maybe Valerie would have been the better choice and Dylan still may have to ask her but maybe this was his chance to get her back. Maybe this was his way to approach her, even if she said no he would still get the chance to see her. Dylan took a deep breath and lowered himself to the couch. If Dylan wasn't afraid of many things then why was he terrified to see her.

**

Brenda smirked as she brushed through her hair. She was almost in la la land she didn't even hear Olivia come in.

"Hey." Olivia smiled looking at Brenda's expression, "What's with you? You look like someone who finally got a good screw." Olivia joked.

Brenda mouth dropped as she turned to look at her, "Is it obvious?"

"Shut up…you and Mike? You and Mike boned?" Olivia smiled as she sat on her bed, "Wow…Brenda…good for you, I was totally joking." Olivia laughed.

Brenda smiled and shrugged, "It was amazing."

"Nice…tell me more." Olivia leaned in a bit.

"Oh come on, I told you enough." Brenda turned toward the mirror and began putting on her make up.

"What? No details? I thought friends always told each other details."

Brenda shook her head, "Nice try." she applied her lip stick.

Olivia sighed and got up grabbing Brenda's desk chair and whirling it around so she could sit backwards on it. Olivia hadn't noticed anything resting on it so when she pulled it out a few pieces of paper dropped onto the ground. "Damn…sorry." Olivia went to pick it up but Brenda went in too. Olivia beat her though as she picked up a letter.

"When did he write you?" Olivia said seeing it was from Dylan.

Brenda bit the inside of her cheek and shrugged, "A couple months ago."

"How many times have you read it?" Olivia looked down at the weathered piece of paper.

"A few times." Brenda looked at her friend and took a deep breath.

"Bren…a few times? Come on." Olivia sat on the chair and looked at her, "Did you write him back?"

Brenda shook her head.

"What does it say?" Olivia asked sweetly seeing Brenda was getting upset.

"Read it…it doesn't matter." Brenda took a deep breath and watched Olivia lift the letter and begin reading it.

Brenda,

I have been trying to find the words and no matter what I try to say it may not change the way you feel. I got your letter and I don't believe you. I think you and I both know letting each other go is not easy. I tried, you tried and it doesn't matter how hard we try we cant, and that's the point. I love you and I will always love you and you can't change that. You will always be my Bren and nothing will make me think otherwise.

I'll stick around and see how bad it gets I

'll settle down and deal with old regrets

I can't let you go

You're part of my soul

You're all that I know.

There is no way I could let you go

Is it better now

Do you feel like all is fair

Can we work it out

So it's easier for me to bear

Because life It can blind you

And I can't let you go

Down from the edge

I can see where we end

I'd give up all my days to go back

There was all this wonder

And all this magic

Is all this wonder

Over and done

Cause I can't let you go

If love were a whisper

What would I give you to speak

Maybe you're out of my reach

But still I can't let you go

Love always,

Dylan

Olivia looked up at Brenda who quickly wiped her face. "Are you moving on with Mike just to spite him?"

"No…I like Mike. I don't know why I torture myself with reading that letter. It's just his poem its so him…and its sweet but when I read it, it makes me hate him because of the fact he did let me go." Brenda looked down.

Olivia took a deep breath, "Bren…I have to tell you something. I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want you to hate me."

Brenda looked at her curiously, "What?"

Olivia swallowed hard, "Before I tell you I have to start by saying…I didn't have many real friends back in new York. Growing up the way I did, you learn at a young age that people sometimes only like you because they want something."

"Olivia…I know, I went to high school in Beverly Hills, I know." Brenda nodded her head and gave her a small smile.

"You are the first person who didn't care who my father was, and you like me for me, you are real and true and I care about you…a lot." Olivia added.

Brenda nodded and kept listening.

Olivia's eyes began to tear, "Bren…when you told me you weren't coming back to school, I…I wrote Dylan a letter in rehab."

"What?" Brenda hissed. "What did you say?" Brenda voice became louder as she spoke trying to contain her anger.

"I asked him to talk you into coming back. I." Olivia looked down, "I told him if he loved you he would want what's best for you."

"How could you do that to me? No wonder he broke up with me, it was because of you." Brenda stood up looking down at her.

"Brenda…" Olivia wasn't sure if she wanted to tell her about the ticket, if Dylan had done it because of her letter, would it kill her if she knew he had the chance to come but didn't?

"I can't believe you would do that to me. And here I have been pissed at him, ignoring letters because I thought he was just being a jerk…when…what choice did he have."

Olivia shook her head, "Bren…its not what you think, I sent him a plane ticket. I told him that I knew how much you loved each other and that it was hard to let go…so I sent him an open dated ticket." Olivia said softly. "I am so sorry."

"Oh." Brenda breathed out, "So…he had the choice to come here and chose not too." Brenda was holding back tears. She lightly smiled covering up her emotions and shrugged, "It doesn't matter."

Brenda grabbed her school stuff, "I am going be late for class."

"Brenda…are you mad at me? Are you ok?" Olivia stopped her.

Brenda faced the door, she didn't turn around but Olivia saw her shake her head. "No…I am not mad at you...thanks for telling me and it was actually sweet…I am fine." Brenda reached for the door and left.

Olivia lowered herself to the bed and took a deep breath, it was good she finally told Brenda the truth. But Olivia didn't feel better, she knew Brenda was heartbroken, how do you take the fact that the man you are in love with actually chose not to be with you…again.

Ok so now the secret is out and now Brenda is more mad at Dylan. Eeek cause he is going there. Just so everyone knows I am well aware that Kevin and Suzanne know Brenda and Dylan will realize that Jonesy's plan which is the same as the original show, will not work then, but Dylan doesn't know yet. So guess who Dylan will have to get involved? Should be interesting huh, Brenda, Dylan, Valerie working together. Well that is if Brenda will actually agree to anything. And well now there is a boyfriend in the mix too. Please review, its about to get interesting. The more reviews I get the faster I will update. *evil grins*