Chapter 34 Valentines Day Part 1
Valentines Day, why does the sound of it instantly give you a feeling? Whether it be happy, excited, in love or miserable. How is it okay for a supposed happy holiday make one feel so low? Even though it was opening night, this was Brenda's first Valentines Day alone since her senior year. Her first year in London, she met this sweet guy in one of her acting classes; they dated briefly and had spent valentines together, it was simple dinner a corny box of candy but it didn't work out and they just decided to be friends. That was the problem, he was sweet…too sweet. But still by the next year Dylan was in London and she had spent every Valentines Day since with him. The three weeks had passed quickly since she was attacked. She could honestly say Dylan had been her rock. He had taken care of her, been there for her, made her feel safe again. She didn't know what she would do without his help and kindness during this time. But…of course there was a but. Dylan had stayed completely platonic, not trying to get physical with her, not kissing her or telling her that he missed her. All the things he had in the past. Also for the past week Dylan had been distant. So distant Brenda wasn't sure if he had met someone or if he was getting sick of her staying with him. Dylan was acting oddly and Brenda regretted ever telling him to leave her alone. He thinks I want to move on…she thought as she gathered her things to go the theatre. Dylan had a session, and he wasn't home, Brenda was going to the theater 3 hours before curtain call but she couldn't help but feel sad. Sad that she lost Dylan maybe forever this time, it was Valentines day and he always planned the most romantic things for her but this year it was different. Brenda was alone, heartbroken and had never wanted Dylan more than she did now.
**
Everyone was coming to Brenda's play tonight. Noah had to work at the club until late so Donna didn't mind spending her Valentines day with her friends. Steve and Janet decided to attend the play and have a romantic dinner after, Matt had left to visit his brother, in which had just had a baby, So Kelly was looking forward to getting out, Brandon wouldn't miss his sisters first professional L.A. performance if his life depended on it and of course Dylan would be there. Gina, David and even Valerie were going to support Brenda. They had seen each other here and there and were cordial. It was going to take some time but Brenda had moved past the whole charade and it wasn't like Brenda to hold grudges especially because she knew David and Valerie adored each other and were happy.
Dylan had been planning this for weeks. He didn't think Brenda had suspected a thing, he had tried being sneaky about it and he tried to distance himself from her because he didn't want the surprises he had in store to be ruined. Brenda thought he was at his session when he had to set up. He pulled into the theatre parking lot and shifted his car into park. Dylan reached down into his pocket and pulled out a black velvet box. He moved it through his hands and opened it. Dylan smirked as he looked down at the 2 carat round brilliant white gold solitaire engagement ring he had purchased the week before. After getting it sized and engraved it was time. Dylan could not believe he was going to get married again, he honestly didn't ever think he would or would even want to. But Brenda was the love of his life and if he couldn't commit his whole self to her he didn't truly deserve her. Dylan knew deep down Brenda wanted to marry him. She had hinted and even talked about it in London but it was more a joke and Dylan had very sweetly avoided the topic as much as he could. The only time Dylan ever talked marriage was recently, here in Beverly Hills when Brenda was still with David. Dylan smiled as he remembered.
"Do you think we would have been good parents?" Brenda said looking over at him, still slouched, head still back resting on the couch.
Dylan relaxed a bit as well, slouching too, "I like to think we would have."
"Yeah…I think so too. I don't know if we were totally ready but I think we would have been fine." Brenda smiled picturing their life together, as she looked straight ahead again.
"I was going to marry you." Dylan said softly.
Brenda head shot over looking at him again. He responded by slowly bringing his glance toward her and smiling, "What? Really?" Brenda seemed surprised as she smiled back at him.
Dylan nodded, "Yeah." Dylan playfully sighed.
Even though Brenda and Dylan weren't officially together, Dylan had no doubt she was still in love with him. She had told him to leave her alone but Dylan refused to give up on her…not now…not ever. Dylan smiled closing the velvet box as the truck he had been waiting for pulled in.
"Yeah Kel…I sent Brandon over to your place with all the tickets."
"Oh wait, I think he is here." Kelly answered the back door with a smile, "Yep Bren he is here."
"Ok Kel, I gotta go…see you later." Brenda was rushing, she had wanted to be at the theater 30 minutes ago.
"Oh ok Bren…break a leg." Kelly kept her smile as she looked at Brandon. "Hey stranger, where have you been hiding yourself?" Kelly had seen him maybe twice in the last few weeks. Kelly motioned for him to come in.
Brandon shrugged, "Well you know here and there. I got that job at the times so been busy…you know." Brandon lied, he had been avoiding her, avoiding matt. Avoiding the guilt of keeping the fact that her dirt bag boyfriend was a big fat cheater. The only reason Brandon had agreed to bring Kelly the tickets in the first place was because he knew Matt was out of town.
"Do you want something to drink…water, a soda?" Kelly asked turning as she got the fridge looking at him.
Brandon nodded slowly, "Sure." he set his hands in his pocket and moved closer to her.
"Oh hey." Kelly smiled, "Happy Valentines day." Kelly handed over the soda.
Brandon smiled, "Happy Valentines day."
"Any big plans for after the play? Doing anything special with Gina?" Kelly pretended to care and make conversation about the love of her life's girlfriend.
Brandon looked at her confused, "Gina left this morning for New York…you didn't know?"
Kelly crossed her arms and looked down, "No…Gina and I haven't been all that close recently."
Brandon nodded knowingly, he didn't know exactly what had happened but Gina did make it known Kelly was not her favorite person. "Yeah…I guess her mom was there and she had a heart attack so Gina got on the first flight to see her."
"Oh wow, is her mom ok?" Kelly was surprised she hadn't heard about it.
"Yeah…she is stabile, they are keeping her for observation but she was lucky. Gina just didn't want her to be alone."
Kelly nodded understandably. She took a sip from her soda and gazed into Brandon's eyes. The silence grew thick for several minutes.
"Well…" Brandon interrupted, "Here is the tickets…I guess I will see you in a couple hours." he smiled
Kelly took the tickets from him, "Yep…I guess I will." she smiled lightly back at him.
"Ok." Brandon threw out his hands uncomfortably, "See you later." he moved toward the door. After closing it behind him he took a deep breath.
**
Brenda rushed into the theater clicking her automatic lock on her used Volkswagen Jetta she had bought after Dylan took his Porsche back. She took a deep breath as she moved to the dressing room. No one was there yet, she figured as much. She was always one of the crazy ones who came in early. She opened the door to the dressing room and froze. Brenda's mouth dropped slightly her eyes gazed around the room. Every inch of it covered in roses. There must have been 20 bouquets set up all around the room. Brenda smiled walking toward her mirrored station, setting down her things. She noticed a silver box with a bright red bow instantly. Brenda sat down and gently opened the box. An envelope set on op of tissue paper she lifted it out. Bren, she read the outside. She took her finger and slide it under the fold and took out a note.
Bren,
Just because we aren't together doesn't mean I would ruin a great tradition. Break a leg and be great. See you after the show…and Happy Valentines Day baby.
Love always,
Dylan
Brenda smiled setting the note against her chest as she closed her eyes. Just like he had always done for all of her shows in London. She peaked in the box and took out a smaller one. She opened and unwrapped the smaller one. She looked curiously as she lifted the top of the velvet box. Brenda shook her head with a smile. She turned the box over and read the card…I know how upset you were when you thought you lost this…I found it. Brenda couldn't hold back anymore as the tears formed in her eyes. Her St. Genesuis metal Dylan had gotten in her when she did Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. She had yelled, cussed and cried that she had misplaced it. Brenda's overwhelmed feeling was cute short as Roy Randolph made it through the door, knocking gently.
"I knew you would be here. How's my leading lady holding up." he looked at her curiously seeing the tears in her eyes.
Brenda shook her head and sighed, "Feeling sentimental I guess." Brenda smiled.
Roy looked around the room at all the flowers and then down at Brenda's metal, "What do you do? Force all your boyfriends to give you these metals?" Roy joked.
Brenda laughed, "No…same one." she looked over at him as his eyebrows shot up.
"You weren't kidding when you said he was special to you."
"No…I wasn't."
"Well…get the sentiments out now we have a performance to give." Roy smiled getting up.
"Thanks Roy." Brenda said still looking down at her metal. Why did he do all this? Brenda grabbed her phone and dialed Dylan.
"Hello." Dylan said happily.
"Are you still around here you liitle stalker." Brenda joked.
Dylan laughed, "No…I am at the hotel. Surprised?"
"Very…thank you." Brenda said sincerely.
"Well…like I said…its tradition."
Brenda smiled, "Yeah… it is…where the hell did you find my metal?"
"In one of our bags…it was really like fate or something, I found it yesterday."
Brenda sighed, "Well I should go but thank you so much Dylan…I'll see you later…you made my day." Brenda looked down with a smile.
"Happy Valentines Day Bren."
"Happy Valentines Day." Brenda closed her phone. She was on cloud nine. Maybe this Valentines wouldn't be so bad after all."
**
The gang migrated in the lobby of the theater. They talked amongst themselves waiting for the theater to clear out a bit.
"Brenda was outstanding." Janet said grabbing Steve's hand.
"Yeah she was…that was the first time I ever saw one of her plays. She is really good." Valerie said surprised. She thought she would be bored but she hadn't been at all.
"I enjoyed it too, who ever knew Brenda could sing?" Brandon commented with a smile.
Dylan laughed a bit, "I saw her in a couple musicals in London, I was shocked too." Dylan said with a smile.
"Well lets go back and see her." Donna said linking her arm with Kelly.
The gang continued back stage, they looked around for Brenda but guess she hadn't come out yet. Steve headed for the small bar they had set up as Janet followed. Dylan stood nervously, he set his hand over his jacket pocket that had the ring in it. Why was he so nervous? He wanted everything to be perfect but even though he had planned this for weeks now that it was getting closer he couldn't help but wonder for the first time, What if she said no?
**
Brenda was one of the last ones out of the dressing room, she had been trying to hurry but everyone kept stopping her and congratulated her. She was finally able to change and wipe some of the stage makeup off before Roy caught up with her again, "Bravo…lady…bravo." Roy clapped as he walked over to her.
"Thank you thank you." Brenda smiled and bowed.
"Amazing miss Walsh as usual." Roy leaned in giving her a kiss on the cheek. "You have a tone of people out there that all want to see you but I thought I would try to steal a moment of your time."
Brenda sat down looking at him, "Sure…everything ok?"
"Oh god yes…everything is good." Roy took a deep breath, "Brenda…I want you to join my company. Three shows a week, steady work, fabulous paycheck…I would need you in New York a week from Friday."
Brenda sat shocked, her eyes grew big as a smile spread across her face, "New York?"
Roy smiled and nodded, "What do you say my leading lady? You are a real actress Brenda…you have the talent, the training, I can take you places…big places. What do you say?"
"Of course…are you kidding me?" Brenda threw her arm around Roy's neck and hugged him tightly. "Oh my God…this is unreal…thank you so much."
"Hey…when I saw you…I said I have to have her in New York, they are ready for you." Roy smiled one last time as he got up. He leaned down kissing the top of her head, "I'll be in touch."
"New York." Brenda whispered. "Wow." Brenda excitedly jumped up and found herself incredibly giddy. She was so happy she notice Dylan standing in the doorway. He sadly looked down after hearing everything Roy and Brenda talked about. Dylan gripped the little black velvet box that held the key to Brenda and Dylan's future. He shook his head in disappointment setting it back in his jacket pocket. He went to join the rest of the party but decided to sneak out and go home. Brenda was leaving him again…just like she did all those years ago when she went to London.