Chapter 14 A Very Merry Walsh House Christmas

Brenda peaked in the oven and made a point to make note of the time. She gently put the pot holders on the side of the stove. Brenda opened up the refrigerator as the phone began ringing.

"David." Brenda called out, "Can you get that? I think I left the cordless in the bathroom." Brenda grabbed some butter and other ingredients out of the refrigerator.

Yeah." David called out, moving quickly into the bathroom and grabbing the phone. "Hello."

Dylan took a deep breath, "David…is Bren there?"

"Ah Dylan…hey…Merry Christmas. How are you man?" David eyes widened, he had not talk to him since Brenda told him about the kiss…both of them.

"David, again is Bren there?" Dylan wasn't in the mood.

"Dylan…I'm sorry about everything, I just wanted you to know I'm your friend and I am thinking about you."

"David…we are not friends, can I please talk to Brenda." Dylan said in a stern tone.

David swallowed hard, he knew he deserved it, "Yeah sure, hold on a second."

David uncomfortably walked into the kitchen and held the phone out. Brenda smiled at him, "Who is it?" she said softly.

David just looked at her and sighed handing her the phone. Brenda looked at him confused putting the phone to her ear, "Hello?"

"Hey Bren." Dylan said softly.

Brenda looked at David and tilted her head feeling badly, "Hey Dylan, how are you?"

"Merry Christmas Bren."

Brenda turned away from David as he went into the living room, "Merry Christmas. Do they have anything planned for you guys over there? Dinner or something?"

Dylan sighed, "Yeah it doesn't smell all that great though." Dylan laughed slightly, "I have been thinking about you a lot today."

"You have?" Brenda looked down.

"Yeah just remembering our Christmas's in London. I got a crazy craving for one of your pies and ham and all your mothers dishes she taught you how to make." Dylan sounded almost chipper.

Brenda laughed as she looked at the oven that had pies baking. Her smile faded as she sat quiet on the phone feeling badly he was in there spending Christmas alone.

"Let me guess your making dinner aren't you?" Dylan tone changed.

"I'm making pies and a ham." Brenda said with guilt "I'm bringing it to Steve's."

"That's nice." Dylan said sadly.

"Why don't they let us visit on a day like this? Its stupid."

"Yeah I don't know." Dylan stayed quiet.

"Next week…when I visit you I will bring food, we can have Christmas dinner." Brenda tried to make him feel better.

"Bren?" Dylan said serious.

"Yeah."

"You know you can take some money or whatever, you don't have to stay with David, I can pay for you to get an apartment or something."

"Dylan."

"I just thought I would try." Dylan said softly. "Well I should let you go back to cooking. Tell everyone Merry Christmas for me, I'll talk to you soon."

"Dylan?" Brenda said sadly.

"I miss you Bren…a lot."

Brenda closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "I do too." she said quietly as David came in the kitchen opening up the refrigerator and grabbing a soda. "I'm proud of you Dylan, you are doing so good."

"Yeah…keep telling me that Bren."

"I will…Dylan…I still…"

Brenda heard a girl's voice close the phone and a kiss, "Dylan, come on, come outside with me." Dylan pushed Stacey away as she wrapped her arms around him.

"Bren, its not what it sounds like." Dylan really hadn't been with her or had even been close since telling Brenda what had happened last time. He had actually been avoiding her.

Brenda heart sank, "No…Dylan its ok, its not my business anymore, Have a good Christmas I will talk to you soon."

Brenda hung up quickly, "Brenda?" Dylan only heard the dial tone.

Brenda held the phone over her heart and held back the tears.

"You ok?" David said as he noticed.

Brenda quickly forced a smile, "Yeah I'm fine, I just feel bad he's alone on Christmas, I'm fine though." Brenda turned checking on the food and tried to get the fact that Dylan was probably sleeping with Stacey out of her mind.

"I'm going to jump in the shower." David said with a smile making sure she was ok.

"Ok." Brenda nodded, "I think Steve said 4 o'clock."

David made his way in the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

After telling Stacey off Dylan picked up the phone again. He dialed David's number and listened as it rang and rang.

Brenda knew it was Dylan but she didn't pick up. He didn't call often but when he did it always ruined her whole day, she would miss him and think about him and how much she failed, she couldn't save him. She wasn't going to let the Stacey thing ruin her Christmas. They were broken up and it didn't matter. At least that's what she kept telling herself. Maybe it was time Brenda let go a little.

**

Brenda and David carried the food up to the front porch of the Walsh house. Brenda took a deep breath remembering the last time she walked up to this porch. She followed David through the front door as he called out.

"Hey…Merry Christmas." Steve said helping with the food.

Brenda walked into the kitchen to join the girls. She made her rounds giving all of them hugs and Christmas wishes.

"Hey Bren, did you see Dylan today?" Donna asked nonchalantly. She knew they were still keeping in contact and keeping tabs on each other.

Brenda took a deep breath, "No they weren't having visiting days but I talked to him on the phone. It was going good until I heard some hoe named Stacey kissing him and talking close to the phone." Brenda looked the girls who had all stopped what they were doing to look at her. Brenda nodded lifting an eyebrow letting them all know she was serious.

"Who's Stacey?" Gina said looking at everyone, who didn't know who she was either.

"When Dylan and I broke up the first time, he was seeing someone and never told me about it. When he took me to Baja I found out he had taken her there. Anyway long story short, I found out she is in rehab too." Brenda looked at the girls and rolled eyes. "I know I shouldn't be jealous, but it's different when it's rubbed in your face."

The girls understood and nodded sympathetically

"Why is it that guys can always move on so fast?" Kelly said pouring herself a glass of wine.

"Cause their pigs and God forbid they abstain from sex." Gina said picking at the cheese tray Donna had finished setting up.

Brenda sat at the stool, "Do you think they are having sex?"

Kelly shrugged, "Maybe…maybe not, it is Dylan though."

Brenda looked at Kelly and bit the inside of her lip.

Donna noticed the uncomfortable silence, "I'm sure he isn't." she shook her head. "I mean they are in rehab, don't you think there are rules about that?" Donna seemed naïve.

"I'm sure there are ways around it, closets, grounds privileges…" Kelly rambled on.

Brenda felt sick to her stomach even talking about it. The thought of Dylan having sex with someone else was enough to drive her crazy. It never used to bother her as much when they were younger but now only being with him and him only being with her for three years made it different somehow. Brenda got up uncomfortably and walked into the living room.

The girls watched quietly, "Nice one Kel. Real smooth." Gina said rolling her eyes.

"Well…I was just being honest." Kelly said innocently.

Brenda walked into the living room and found the boys talking and joking around with each other. She went and sat next to David resting her head on his shoulder.

"You have got to be kidding me man, she was hot, dynamite legs, you could bounce a quarter on her ass." Steve said explaining a girl who had come in to paper for an interview.

Brenda rolled her eyes, men that is all they think about, all they talk about. Brenda looked down knowing how Dylan truly was and Kelly was right, he probably was doing her.

"Nice Steve…I'm sure Janet would be happy to hear you talk about that girl like that." David laughed as he brought his beer to his lips.

"Shhh, she can't hear me. What she doesn't know wont hurt her." Steve said looking toward the kitchen, "Besides I'm just talking about her, its not like I did anything."

David laughed and shook his head, "Like you wouldn't."

Brenda swallowed hard and used David's leg to help herself up as she walked out of the living room opening the front door. She took a deep breath lowering herself to the porch step. Brenda sat sideway's leaning against the bottom of the arch. She had to stop this, the whole point was to find herself and thinking about Dylan 24 hours a day and obsessing over whether he was sleeping with someone else wasn't helping. Brenda looked out to the street and took a deep breath. She started to think about their Christmas's too. They used to have a lot of fun. Dylan was usually not into it but Brenda would always get him into it somehow. She remembered he was giving her a hard time about the decorations she had put up here and there in their apartment. Dylan had woke up on the wrong side to the bed and was being overly dramatic and grouchy. After Dylan had a tantrum about something stupid. Brenda came out wearing nothing but a Santa hat and red velvet underwear. Brenda shook her head smiling as she took a deep breath. Men are so easy. Her thoughts then went to Dylan, she had never seen Stacey but she pictured this blonde surfer type, nice body, decent breasts. Then she pictured him and her taking a rumble in a closet or on the beach. Brenda shook it off trying to get the image of Dylan and Stacey not sweetly making love but actually just screwing.

"Bren?" David said as he stood at the front door. He noticed she looked disgusted and maybe even having a mental fight with herself. He smiled at the sight of her, "Are you ok?" David came out shutting the door behind him. He handed her a glass of white wine and sat beside her.

"I'm fine." Brenda said wondering how long David had been standing there. She took the wine and practically downed it.

David noticed and smiled, "Thirsty?"

"Yeah." Brenda breathed out swallowing the wine slowly. "Thanks."

"So are you going to sit out here all night or are you going to join your friends in there. You know its been awhile since we have had Brenda Walsh here for Christmas." David smiled sweetly.

Brenda looked over at him, she didn't say anything but just looked at him. She was pretty sure she swallowed so hard David could see it.

David tilted his head trying to read her but couldn't. Instead he moved a piece of hair out of her face.

"David…I think you should ask me out on a date." Brenda smiled shyly and looked down.

David smirked, "I already tried that but you shot me down."

Brenda looked up, she looked at him intensely and just looked into his eyes, "Ask me again." she whispered with a straight face.

David raised one shoulder shrugging subtly, "Want to go out sometime?"

Brenda leaned in and kissed him hard wrapping her arms around his neck. David was taken back not closing his eyes at first but then gave in and kissed her back roughly. Brenda broke the kiss staying close to his face, "Yes I will go out with you."

David lifted his eyebrows, "Good." he went in again and kissed her passionately. Brenda wasn't sure how long her and David were making out on the porch before she heard someone clear their throat. Brenda closed her eyes only imagining who just caught them. How was she going to explain this. She kept her arms rested on David's neck but turned her head in the direction of the voice. Her mouth dropped and so did her arms. She shot up quickly practically jumping into his arms.

"Brandon! Oh my God, is it really you?" she embraced her brother tightly.

Brandon smiled and hugged his sister back tightly, "Were you just making out with David Silver?" he whispered in her ear.

Brenda laughed uncomfortably rubbing his back and pulling away, "I'll tell you later."

"Silver, what's up buddy?" Brandon held out his hand giving him a handshake and pulling him into a hug.

"What are you doing here?" Brenda said moving closer to him as the boys broke their manly hug.

"Well…I didn't want to spend Christmas by myself, what's Christmas without Casa Walsh?" Brandon smiled and shrugged.

"So true man, well come on, everyone will be so excited to see you." David opened the door allowing Brandon in first. David blocked the door as Brenda tried to walk through it. He leaned in pecking her quickly.

"You and me are not done with this talk." David smirked.

"Easy silver, I don't put out on the first date." Brenda smiled and raised her eyebrows moving around him closely allowing her eyes to follow his. David exhaled and shook his head, God she drove him crazy.

Brenda followed Brandon into the living room, "Look who I found outside trying to crash a certain Christmas dinner." Brenda smiled revealing her brother.

By this time, everyone but Kelly and Matt here in the living room, "Brandon…holy crap, what are you doing here?" Steve was the first to get up and embrace his friend.

"Well what can I say no one does Christmas like Beverly Hills." Brandon made his rounds stopping at Gina. "I don't think I know you…I'm Brandon Walsh." Brandon held out his hand and shook it her hand noticing how pretty she was.

"Walsh? Are you…" Gina smiled looking back and forth at him and Brenda.

"Yep my better half." Brandon said wrapping his arm around his sister.

"Yep…this used to be the house of the Minnesota twins." Steve smiled, "Want a drink? A beer?"

Brandon nodded and looked around not seeing her. Brandon wasn't totally sure why he had really hopped out on a plane to L.A. He told himself it was because he was worried about his sister…and Dylan but he knew subconsciously it was because he wanted to see her. Even though she had moved on, he wanted to see her, make sure she was ok.

Kelly and Matt heard the commotion from the kitchen Kelly looked over at Matt and looked at him curiously, "Come on lets see what the commotion is about." She grabbed his hand leading him through the foyer. Kelly stopped at the archway as she saw the gang gathered around someone. She laughed lightly, "What's going on?" Kelly held Matt's hand tightly.

The gang parted slightly and Brandon turned around.

"Hey Kel." Brandon said sweetly. His eyes automatically went down and noticed her holding Matt's hand.

Kelly let go quickly and stepped down the steps, "Brandon…hi…what are you doing here?" Kelly smile was big and her eyes bright. She walked up to him and stopped not sure if she should hug him or not.

"Thought I would surprise everyone for Christmas." Brandon shrugged sweetly and went in to hug her. He held her tightly taking in her scent. Before making it too obvious he looked up at Matt who was eyeing them intensely. Brandon let go of Kelly and smiled looking back at Matt.

"Hey man, I'm Brandon." Brandon held out his hand.

"Hi…Matt." Matt uncomfortably smiled and shook his hand.

The gang looked around at each other feeling the awkwardness of the situation. "Well…is there food? I'm starving." Brandon said breaking the ice.

The gang nodded and followed each other into the dining room for Christmas dinner. David eyed Brenda as he passed her the basket of rolls. She smiled and took one passing the basket on.

Kelly looked at Brandon as she felt his stare, he hadn't changed much in the months he was gone. Still handsome and his blue eyes could burn a hole in her heart. Matt broke the stare as he asked her if she wanted something.

"Uh what?" Kelly said bringing her attention to her boyfriend.

"Ham? Do you want some?" Matt said frustrated.

"Oh yeah…thanks." Kelly smiled and looked at her plate.

"So Brandon how long are you staying?" Steve said, you could cut the tension with a knife.

David moved his hand under the table as he gently rubbed Brenda's leg. Brenda held in a smile as she tried not to make it obvious.

"Um well, probably a week, thought I would cash in on some vacation time. Visit Dylan, catch up with you guys." Brandon looked at Brenda when he said his name. He wasn't sure what was going on with Brenda and David but part of him wasn't liking it.

"Yeah…I am going next week, you can come with me." Brenda said getting the hint Brandon was bringing up Dylan on purpose. Brenda shifted in her seat uncomfortably as David's hand went higher on her leg and moved more to the inside of it.

Brenda sighed, "So Brandon, where are you staying, you can stay with David and I." Brenda looked over at him giving him the look to stop.

David looked away from her, "Yeah Brandon, there is room, if you don't mind the futon."

Brandon nodded, "No that's good."

Brenda smiled and looked down at her plate. Thank god having Brandon there would definitely help the situation with David. Take away some of the sexual tension. All the heat David was putting off was making Brenda want him more. The simple fact he wanted her and badly was a turn on but add in the fact that he was an amazing kisser and made her stomach fill with butterflies was another. If she had a chance of keeping David at arms reach she needed someone there too. It wasn't like Dylan waited but then again she wasn't Dylan. She was a good girl, sort of.

The rest of dinner went by quickly as they sang carols and opened gifts. Soon the gang was saying their goodbyes and Brandon found himself sitting in the back of David's SUV looking at the two of them.

"So Matt…that's Kelly's boyfriend?" Brandon brought it up right away.

Brenda smiled looking to the back seat, "Yes Brandon, Matt is Kelly's boyfriend."

"Are they serious?"

Brenda looked at David and shrugged, "I don't know, I don't think so but they spend a lot of time together." Brenda said honestly, "I barely see them, with all this stuff with Dylan going on I haven't been hanging out too much."

"And what's with you two?" Brandon raised his eyebrows knowing he would get a reaction.

Brenda laughed a little and shook her head, "Smooth Bran real smooth, nothing is going on with David." Brenda said looking out the window uncomfortably.

"Nothing huh." Brandon said sarcastically.

"Brandon…nothing is really going on, at least not yet." David said looking over at her.

"Does Dylan know?" Brandon had known both of them for to long to beat around the bush.

"Kind of…we broke up if that's what you are hinting at." Brenda turned back to face him.

Brandon nodded, "Ok…God its good to be home." he joked.

Brenda smiled shaking her head and moving to face the front again. David pulled into his space and turned off the car. Brandon went first heading up the porch.

David leaned his head into Brenda's neck from behind and whispered, "Why don't you give him your room and you can stay with me."

Brenda looked at him and shook her head, "Nice try." she playfully rolled her eyes and went to unlock the door for Brandon.

Ok so Brandon is back, WOOT. Things will be moving along quickly and then I will be skipping ahead a bit after a few chapters and Dylan is coming home. Drama Drama Drama. Anyway hope you are sticking with me and again yes it's a B/D story. Its only chapter 14 give me a chance to spice some stuff up. I said lots of pairings…be patient but its definitely will get hotter in here before the end. Next up, Dylan in rehab and Brenda and David's date. Also some B/k Angst :-)