Chapter 11 A Two Scoop Night
Brenda sighed as she looked around her backyard. Her backyard did always look the same. Grass always cut perfectly, the landscaping always kept. As she lay on the lawn chair she closed her eyes thinking about how different her life was going to be, how much had already changed since being back home the last time. After the bomb shell Brenda and Dylan dropped, she wasn't sure how she was going to sit through dinner and put up a brave face. The truth is she didn't know if the decision her and Dylan made was the right one so her parents support and understanding would have meant the world to her. Yes she was an adult but she still cared what they thought. Brenda was in her own little world she didn't hear Brandon come out as he called her name. She wasn't sure how many times he had said it.
"Bren?" Brandon repeated
She looked his direction as he blocked the sun from shining in her face. "Hey Brandon."
"Dylan is looking for you, Kelly and her mom and Steve just got here."
"Great." Brenda sighed.
Brandon sat next to her on the lawn chair and looked at is sister.
"Did you come out here to lecture me too?" Brenda said looking down.
"Nope, I wouldn't do that. I was pretty shocked don't get me wrong, what are you going to do?"
"You know Brandon, I don't know what's going to happen but I couldn't get rid of it."
"What about school?"
"I don't know I want to continue. I guess I will have to look into what kind of childcare programs they have there or Dylan and I will have to arrange our schedules so someone is always home." Brenda shrugged.
"Sounds like you have stuff worked out." Brandon said coldly.
"Well considering Mom and Dad, it looks like we will be on our own."
"You sure about this Brenda, I mean this is your whole future, I would hate to see you be tied down with a baby, what if Dylan can't handle it and your all alone?"
Brenda's temper started to flair as she heard the back door to the kitchen open, "Hey Bran, is Bren out here?" Dylan interrupted.
"Yeah buddy she is." Brandon looked at his sister one last time before heading back in the house. Dylan watched as Brandon passed him on the way in and he went over to find Brenda sitting on the lawn chair.
"Can I join you?" Dylan said as he approached.
"Please." Brenda looked up at him.
Dylan squeezed in next to her so they were both lying on the chair and he took her in his arms. "You ok?"
Brenda rested her head against his chest and took a deep breath, "Yeah I'm ok."
"I was wondering where you disappeared to, leaving me in there with your fathers daggers." Dylan joked.
Brenda forced a light laugh even though she really didn't think it was funny.
"Hey, do you want to get out of here?" Dylan said kindly.
"No it will just make it worse, I should probably stop being anti-social so everyone else doesn't hate me. Thanks for being here."
"You're stuck with me now, I wouldn't be anywhere else." Dylan smiled down at her tightening his embrace. Brenda looked up at him and Dylan lowered his head and started to kiss her. As she gently took her hand and caressed his face moving it to the back of his head.
"Don't you guys get to make out enough living together? What are you guys to cool for us?" Kelly said smiling.
"Hi Kel." Brenda smiled, sitting up and embracing one of her best friends.
"Sorry it's intense in there." Brenda said as her smile faded.
"Yeah Brandon just told me your news. Congratulations?" Kelly put a question mark to it.
"Thanks." Dylan smiled. "I will leave you guys to catch up but Bren, seriously come in soon." Dylan eyed her; he didn't want to be alone in there without her.
"I will, I promise." Brenda said as she kissed him one last time before he took off.
"Wow, Bren, how are you feeling?" Kelly sat down at her feet facing her.
"Sick, bloated, tired and bitchy, you know the normal stuff."
"I can't believe your having a baby, how did Dylan take it?"
"Honestly better than me."
"Really? That's a surprise, I mean normally guys, you know?"
"Kelly, between us, I was at the clinic waiting for them to do the abortion and I just couldn't. Dylan was mad at me for even thinking of it and I just thought of a little human living in me and I couldn't do it."
"Well yeah that's understandable. I would have felt the same way. Soo, are you going to stay in New York?"
"I think so, Dylan and I have made a nice little life over there, we have an awesome apartment and school is good. Its not like I am going to get any help here." Brenda looked toward the house.
"Well I think it's great, New York is lucky to have you guys and I am sure even Jim and Cindy will come around. Everybody loves a baby, right?"
"I guess." Brenda shrugged. We should probably go back in before Dylan gets killed. Brenda smiled.
Kelly smiled back and nodded slowly, "Yeah" she whispered.
"Oh one more thing… Kel?"
"Yeah"
"Use a condom….every time."
Kelly laughed, "I told you that a long time ago. No worries I am on the pill." Kelly continued to giggle. "Huh wow who would have thought I was smarter than you."
"HAHA come on." Brenda linked arms with Kelly as the walked back to the house. Both girls came in from the backyard to find Cindy looking flustered with dishes in her hand.
"Oh Kelly honey, can you grab that serving dish and bring it in the living room." Cindy smiled at Kelly.
"Sure Mrs. Walsh, no problem." Kelly looked at Brenda grabbing the dish.
"Looks like I am invisible." Brenda rolled her eyes.
Brenda went and sat next to Dylan as she felt his hand rub her thigh and he gave it a tight squeeze. He looked over at her and gave her a half smile. Dinner went by quickly and it was painless. Considering Steve and Jackie did most of the talking. Donna and David had stopped by, along with Andrea with her new boyfriend and had dessert. Brenda kept to herself for the most part and her stomach had finally settled a little. As they said goodbye to the last of her friends, Brenda walked slowly into the kitchen to find her mother doing dishes and putting them away.
"Need any help?" Brenda said softly.
"No, I am fine, I am just about done." Cindy said without turning around.
"Mom, can you talk to me? I know you're angry with me but you can't just ignore me."
"Brenda, we can talk tomorrow."
"Mom, please."
Cindy turned around with tears in her eyes, "You know I have always been sympathetic of you and Dylan. I put myself on the line, stuck up for the two of you. I talked him into Europe and talked him down after the whole New York thing and everything else. I thought I could trust you. Your going to have to give us some time Brenda." Cindy walked out of the kitchen and left Brenda with her own tears. Dylan passed Cindy on the way into the kitchen and found Brenda crying.
"Bren?"
"Get me out of here please." Brenda said as she sniffed and wiped her tears.
"Ok." Dylan said wrapping his arm around her.
Brenda walked into the living room where Val, Kelly and Brandon were. "We're leaving; I will see you guys tomorrow." Brenda said uncomfortably.
"Brenda, are you ok?" Kelly got up and walked toward her.
"No, I can't be here anymore. I'll call you tomorrow."
"Ok." Kelly gave her and Dylan a sympathetic smile. Dylan and Brenda left the Walsh house without a word to her parents.
Kelly sighed as she watched them leave, "I feel bad for her." Kelly turned and faced Brandon. "I mean, this is hard on her too, what's up with your parents?"
Brandon looked at Kelly oddly, "Kel, their 18 year old daughter is pregnant."
"I know, it's a big deal but she is still their daughter, she is going to need help, support…something."
Val looked down and smirked knowing where this conversation was going.
"Don't blame my parents for being hard on her; this was a big shock, its going to take them some time. Brenda can't just expect them to receive this with open arms." Brandon got up and walked toward Kelly.
"I know that Brandon, but she needs support not the cold shoulder. I mean did you say anything to her, did you even talk to her or are you on the Walsh trip too? Your parents never even asked her anything, how she was feeling? If she was ok?"
"You know how my parents take the news of Brenda and Dylan, is none of your business anyway."
Kelly glared at Brandon, "I see."
"Brandon, I agree with Kelly, it's a shock but is it really?" Val stuck her nose in.
"I don't need your help Valerie." Kelly shot her a look.
"Fine, I was just trying to give my opinion, if you don't want it fine." Valerie got up giving Kelly a dirty look before making her way upstairs.
"Look Kel, I am just saying, I just hope Brenda has thought this through. I mean Dylan isn't exactly Mr. Perfect family man."
"What is there to think about Brandon? You expect her to have an abortion? Is that what you would want me to do if we were in this position?" Kelly said upset.
"No I'm not saying anything like that, but that's beside the point, we aren't in that position, we are smarter than that."
"Never mind, I am going home. I can't even look at you right now." Kelly turned around and headed for the door.
"Kelly, wait your mad at me? This doesn't have anything to do with us."
"Brenda is my friend and you are her brother, if she doesn't have our support in this, then where is she going to get it? I'll call you tomorrow." Kelly threw up her hand and left slamming the door as she left. Brandon stood there confused on what the hell just happened and how did Brenda's problem become his?
**
Brenda lay on Dylan's futon as she heard noises coming from the kitchen. "What are you doing?" Brenda called out.
Dylan came in, "Sorry, are you going to be ok? I'm going to run to the store, we have nothing here."
Brenda slowly nodded as she rested her head back down. "Want anything in particular?"
"No…..wait ice cream."
Dylan smiled, "Ok, I will be back." He leaned down and kidded her forehead and went out the front door.
**
Brandon slowly climbed the stairs thinking about Brenda, was Kelly right? Was he being an ass and not supporting his sister? He had always done so even when he didn't agree with her. A rush of guilt came over him, as he felt badly saying those things about Dylan. Dylan had been nothing but sweet and loving to Brenda. Brandon saw his parents light on, he decided to test the waters with them. He gently knocked on the door and saw his mother laying in bed with her back toward the door, his father reading a book.
"Can I come in?" Brandon peaked his head in.
"Sure." Jim shrugged.
"Is mom sleeping?"
"Yeah why don't we take it in your room, she has had a long day." Jim said as he got up and swung his robe over himself.
Jim and Brandon made it in to the bedroom; Brandon sat on the side of his bed.
"I just wanted to see how you were feeling about Brenda?" Brandon shrugged shyly.
Jim sighed, "Its was a big shock, but personally I am not surprised. I guess when it comes down to it, I prepared myself for this happening, I don't know why?" Jim hesitated, "I don't question the fact that your sister couldn't do it or that Dylan loves her. Its just a hard thing to go through when your young. It was hard for your mom and I and we were in our 20's. I mean at least Dylan has money, and they can hire help I guess even though I cant picture your sister doing that. I know I was pretty hard on her huh?" Jim looked down.
"I don't know, I mean it's a big deal. What about mom?"
"She is taking it harder than I thought she would, she put a lot of trust in Brenda and I think she feels betrayed. Where did your sister go?"
"Dylan's."
Jim nodded, "I don't blame her." I will probably go by there tomorrow and just tell her I am sorry, I don't really thing she is a disappointment. I mean I want her to know we are always going to be here for her."
Brandon nodded, "Thanks dad."
"For what?"
"For putting things in perspective, I wasn't very nice to Brenda either."
"I am sure she'll understand, goodnight son."
"Goodnight."
**
Brenda tried to channel surf but there was nothing on TV. She turned it off as she heard a knock on Dylan's door. She got up and opened it up to find Brandon on the porch.
"Sorry, were you asleep?" he said with a half smile.
"No, come on in. What brings you here?"
"I just wanted to apologize to you. I know I wasn't very nice to you and I just wanted you to know I am here for you, you're my sister and I love you."
Brenda smiled, "Wow thanks."
"I shouldn't have questioned you, obviously you guys thought this through and I am sure Dylan will be a great dad."
"Yeah I think he will be too. Thanks Brandon, It means a lot to me."
"Alright women, I got butter pecan, rocky road and pralines…. hey Brandon." Dylan said as he walked through the front door holding a few grocery bags.
Brandon let out a laugh as he looked at him.
"Do you want to stay for some, it may be a 2 scoop night." Brenda smiled.
"Sure." Brandon nodded.
They had some ice cream and caught up. It felt good that Brandon was on their side or at least it felt like he was. It was nice hanging out like the three musketeers, just like old times. It was actually so nice Brenda got the itch to come back to Beverly Hills. She put her feeling aside though, knowing how much Dylan liked living away from everything and everyone. Brenda really missed Brandon and now that he was going to become an uncle the thought about living so far away wasn't sitting as well as it was when she first moved.
Please review, should Brenda and Dylan stay in New York? I mean its cool that Brandon is around and everything but so are Jimbo and Cindy. Just throwing it out there. I have not forgotten about the rest of the gang even though it seems like it.