Chapter 40 Coming Home Again Pt. 1

2003

Dylan stared out the window of the airplane. He had tried to take a little nap but that was not happening. He had finished his book and there was nothing more to do but think. The flight from London was always long, and he felt like he had taken it so many times, when in reality he really hadn't. Dylan had just turned thirty; he was the older one out of the group. With a fall birthday, most of the gang wasn't going to be thirty until spring or summer. Except of course Donna, she was a Christmas baby, which always made it easy to remember. It was hard to believe it was only six years ago, Dylan had gone through so much. The loss of his daughter Danielle, an addiction, an eye opening move back to Beverly Hills, jail, heartbreak, it seemed like another life ago. Dylan had been sober for six years and he himself had never felt better and it was his longest run of sobriety. While his peers were complaining about the big 3 0, Dylan embraced it. He had made it, who would have thought? With everything he had been through, he had hit bottom more times than he could count. Dylan had experienced real loss and heartache but so much had happened since then that he had actually for once in his life experienced happiness, fulfillment, and a sense of family he had never felt in all his life.

Dylan smiled thinking of her, his wife of five years, his savior, his guardian angel, the woman no one ever lived up too, his Bren. He remembered his wedding day like it was yesterday. Brenda and Dylan got married shortly after their engagement. They had originally planned to hold off a little but the theatre company Roy had set Brenda up with in L.A. started touring after 6 months. They had a small private ceremony in Malibu. It was private, quaint, beautiful, romantic, and couldn't have been more poetic and them. The only guests that attended were their friends, Brenda's parents, Iris and Erica, who had been living with Iris since before the accident. Dylan's attention was brought from his thoughts as the flight attendant tapped him on the shoulder.

"Sorry sir, tray tables up, we are going to be starting our descend." She smiled and Dylan did what he was told. Dylan's thoughts went into overdrive again. He didn't fly alone often but when he did, especially on an 8 hour flight, it always seemed to make him think too much.

A year after they had gotten married Brenda and Dylan moved back to London. They had always planned on it but something came up and it was sooner than expected. Brenda had talked to Roy and he with open arms accepted her into his group. The rest was history. They had a nice flat, Brenda was making a comfortable living with the company and Dylan was writing again, they were happy, settled and London was feeling like home again. They always did better it seemed away from the group. They never could determine a reason for it, it just seemed that Brenda and Dylan were just better together off traveling, being themselves, no one got involved, no one bothered them. It was just him and her and their love.

Here he was on his way to L.A again. He felt a little nervous and deja vu had set in a little from the last time he and Brenda came home that dreadful thanksgiving. Dylan shook his head thinking about just how messed up he was then. They had barely talked, Brenda was unhappy and depressed and at the time Dylan was oblivious. He had carried on using and believing him and Brenda were fine. When in reality their relationship was teetering off the ledge along with himself.

Dylan eased his nervousness again thinking about seeing Brenda. They had been apart for three weeks. They were returning to Beverly Hills for their high school reunion. Brenda had flown out 3 weeks earlier to be as much a part of it as possible, while Dylan, who besides writing had been working with different charities all over the world and construction on the new children's center he had started and funded had been backed up. He had to stick around London to finalize everything and to be present for the opening. Dylan felt the wheels of the plane hit the runaway as he leaned back into his seat. He looked around as the passengers clapped for a safe flight and landing. He took a deep breath and waited as the plane taxied into the gate.

**

Brenda waited at the terminal for Dylan's arrival, "So now that we are alone, tell me how this all happened." Brenda said to Kelly.

"Well…after you left, everything returned to normal. As you already know Brandon transferred to the Times, we had worked out most of the details and we had moved into our condo. David's lease was up and he quickly realized with Valerie not working and his radio salary he couldn't really afford that house anymore. So he and Valerie moved into the beach apartment again." Kelly looked over at her smiling.

Brenda had been in L.A for three weeks but they had been busy helping out here and there. Donna and Kelly of course were in on the alumni committee and Brenda had been in between plays, so she was summoned to join forces. Brenda had also spent time visiting her parents who had moved back to Beverly Hills from Hong Kong with in the last couple of months. Since then Brenda had been dying to talk to someone who would clue her into what was happening with the new gossip. "Ok…" Brenda kept an eye out still talking to Kelly but not making eye contact with her but wanting Kelly to continue.

"I feel like we are such little gossipers right now." Kelly laughed.

"Well… Kel, we are…with the play, tours and life in general it's hard to keep up with everything. Most of the time I call your house and talk to you, talk to Brandon say hi to my nephew and then it's like…shit I got to go." Brenda mocked frantic which made Kelly smile. "Besides what's a high school weekend without acting like your in high school." Brenda joked.

"God, its good to see you, do you know I haven't seen you or Dylan in so long. We missed you guys." Kelly pouted.

Brenda smiled as her eyes widened noticing people loading off the plane. "I know we missed you guys too." Brenda's smiled grew when she saw Dylan stroll off the plane. He looked around, looking for a familiar face. "Speaking of the…"

"DADDY…DADDY!!" Dylan smiled recognizing the voices anywhere as two children came running towards him. He prepared by dropping his bag to the ground as he scooped both kids into his arms hugging them tightly.

"Devil." Brenda finished.

"Hey guys, I missed you." Dylan said as he shut his eyes and squeezed them tight. As Dylan opened his eyes he saw Brenda snaking through a few people to get to them.

Dylan eyed her with a small smile as she moved closer to them, "I told you guys to stay by me." Brenda said shaking her head. "Hey baby." She said softly leaning into him quickly and giving him a quick kiss. She lingered close to his face for a moment, "I missed you." She whispered.

Dylan leaned in kissing her again, "I missed you." He answered back.

"How was your flight?" Brenda said picking up his bag as Dylan set down the kids and took it from her as he wrapped his arm tightly around her.

"It was ok, long as usual." Dylan shrugged holding her close to him.

"You remember Mrs. Walsh." Brenda said with a smile as they walked up to Kelly.

Dylan laughed, "I think so, how are you?" Dylan gave her a tight friendly hug. "I still can't get used to that, every time I hear it I am looking around for my mother in law." Dylan joked.

"You? What about me?" Kelly joked. "Yesterday I went to the bank and the guy behind the counter, who by the way was probably only 2 years younger than us told me, Have a nice day Mrs. Walsh. I swear I looked around for Cindy."

Both Dylan and Brenda laughed, as they headed to the baggage claim.

*Four years ago*

Brenda and Dylan walked into her doctor's office building hand and hand. "And Roy didn't care when you told him about the baby?"

"Well…you know Roy, but no, he knew it would happen eventually, I just think he wasn't expecting me to tell him this soon, I mean calling him and saying, Hey Roy I am moving back to London because Dylan knocked me up but can I work with you? Probably was a shock." Brenda looked at Dylan like he did it…alone.

Dylan smiled, "Sorry…it's not like we were being careful." Dylan's eyebrow shot up as he gave her a sinful smile. "Honey…it happened so fast, I am pretty sure all I did was look at you and you were pregnant."

Brenda giggled as he pulled her in close to him, setting his hand around her waist. "Yeah…that's what happened, because every night we are just looking at each other." Brenda shook her head and laughed.

Dylan shyly shrugged as they entered the elevator and rode up to the 6th floor. They had been called in pretty quickly. Brenda sat on the exam table as Dylan sat close by. Brenda nervously kicked her legs slightly, "I am nervous."

"Why? We have done this before."

Brenda swallowed hard, "What if something goes wrong, what if everything is not okay? I don't know if I can handle another loss Dylan." Brenda was borderline panic.

Dylan shook his head getting up as he stood in front of her, "Hey…it will be fine, you'll see. This time will be different." Dylan tried to calm her.

Brenda took a deep breath and gave him a small nod, "Are you happy about this? I mean Dylan, are you really happy?"

Dylan smiled at her, "Of course I am happy. I want this baby, I want to have a baby with you, we may have not planned this pregnancy Bren, but we're ready." He reassured her. He leaned in and softly kissed her lips, which instantly caused Brenda to relax. They broke apart suddenly as Brenda's doctor made her way into the room.

"Well that's how you guys got in trouble in the first place." Smiled Dr. Goodwin. "Hey Brenda…and you must be Dylan." Dr. Goodwin held out her hand.

"Nice to meet you." Dylan shook her hand and sat out of the way.

"Well Brenda…how are you feeling since the last time you were here?"

"Fine, I feel perfect. If I hadn't gained 4 pounds in 2 weeks I wouldn't have thought I was pregnant."

"Well lets see, we are going to do a internal ultrasound today, it's a little early but we want to measure the gestational sac, make sure everything looks good, and it you're lucky we may see a heartbeat, lay on back."

Brenda lay back on to the exam table and gently placed her feet in the stirrups. She glanced over at Dylan who had moved closer to her. He took her hand and gave her a smile.

Brenda's doctor concentrated on the screen as she took a few measurements. The silence made Brenda and Dylan nervous when she hadn't said anything in a while. "Everything okay?" Dylan spoke quietly as he looked closely at the screen, not really understanding what he was seeing and he had been through this before.

Dr. Goodwin concentrated on the screen and stood silent. Brenda looked at Dylan with worry in her eyes. Dylan read her mind, "Doc? What's going on? Is the baby ok?" Dylan said nervously.

Dr. Goodwin took a deep breath and looked away from the screen, she gave them a smile, "Yes…everything looks perfect. The babies are fine."

"Babies?" Dylan wasn't sure he heard right.

"Yep…twins." Dr. Goodwin kept her smile. "Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. McKay."

"Twins?" Brenda said as a huge smile spread across her face.

"Twins?" Dylan repeated with a highly different tone then Brenda, his jaw dropped. "Is it hot in here?" Dylan got up and began to pace, now it was his turn to panic. "Bren are you hot…it's hot."

**

After getting Dylan's bags they loaded up Kelly's SUV, Dylan picked up his son and placed him in the booster seat strapping him in. "Daddy, mommy and uncle Brandon took me to the beach. Do you like the beach?"

"Do I like the beach?" Dylan said with a smile, "Are you kidding me, I love the beach. I lived at the beach when I was growing up. Right mommy?"

Brenda laughed, "Yes your father loves the beach. He actually was a big surfer."

"What about you princess did you like the beach?" Dylan focused his attention on his daughter as he pressed the seat belt into the buckle.

She shrugged, "It was ok. Very sandy." she said snooty making a face.

Dylan laughed, "Once a city girl always a city girl…Kel…could she be anymore like Bren?"

Kelly laughed as she turned in the driver's seat, "Totally…sassy…theatrical…and a heart of gold, she had the boys eating out of the palm of her hand the other day."

"Hey I love the beach." Brenda said as she closed the passenger door and walked to the front of the car meeting Dylan. She looked at him playfully.

"I know you do." Dylan wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into him. "I can't wait to be alone with you. I was thinking about it all week long." Dylan kissed down her neck.

"I am sure you were." Brenda said with a sexy growl forgetting where she was.

Kelly honked, Brenda and Dylan jumped as they slowly looked over through the windshield. Kelly smiled as she waved and Brenda and Dylan saw Jenna and Jake cracking up in the back seat. "Busted." Brenda said as she waved at her children.

"Man this does feel like a high school weekend, all we need is Jimbo walking in on us on the couch and it's like serious déjà vu."

Brenda laughed smacking him in the gut as she continued to the other side of the car climbing in the passenger seat. She watched Dylan walk to the other side, climbed over Jenna and sat completely smashed in the middle seat. Kelly and Brenda turned to look at him and laughed hysterically at the sight of him.

Jake Michael McKay was born on May 2,1999 at 2:16 in the morning. He was born a healthy 5lbs 3oz by c-section.

Jenna Marie McKay was born on May 2, 1999 at 2:18 in the morning. She was born a healthy 5lbs 13 oz also delivered by c-section.

**

Brandon and Kelly held hands as they walked down the long hallway of the Bel Age hotel. Brenda and Dylan were staying there and they had agreed to meet in their room because the reunion was being held downstairs exactly where they had held the Spring Dance. The gang was excited and it really did feel like old times. Even at 29 years old, they still had the togetherness and friendship that they had had in high school. Brandon held up the knuckles of his hand and knocked on Brenda and Dylan's suite. Brandon looked at his wife of three years and leaned in gently kissing her. Kelly laughed in between kisses as Dylan opened up the door.

"Sup buddy." Brandon said reaching out his hand.

"Hey B…Mrs. B." Dylan nodded his head with a smile slapping Brandon's hand. He opened up the door farther letting them in.

"Where's the twins?" Brandon said disappointed.

"Your mom and dad picked them up about 20 minutes ago. You know it's so nice not living here because when we come into town, Cindy and big Jim take the kids and insist on keeping them overnight." Dylan smiled wickedly.

"Nice Bro…yeah they don't do that for us." Brandon looked over at Kelly.

"That's because they have Tyler everyday babe." Kelly smiled and rolled her eyes playfully.

Tyler James Walsh was born on June 30,2001 at 1:30 in the afternoon. He was born a healthy 7lbs 6oz delivered vaginally. He was blonde, blue eyed, smart and incredibly handsome. He was the best little two year old anyone could have ever asked for and he was the light of Brandon and Kelly's life.

"I can't believe how big he has gotten; I haven't seen him in a while. I can't tell who he looks like though." Dylan shook his head.

"Yeah…people say he is a good mix of both of us. Where's Bren?" Kelly said looking around.

"Something's never change." Dylan looked back into their bedroom, "Bren." Dylan called out. "Brandon and Kelly are here." Dylan shook his head.

"Ok just a second." They heard Brenda call out from the bedroom.

"You guys want something to drink? I had Hector stock the bar because I knew everyone was meeting here." Dylan said nonchalantly making his way into the bar.

Brandon looked at Kelly, no one liked to drink in front of Dylan. They Walsh's and the McKay clan saw each other a few times a year and it wasn't frequent enough for it to matter. In the six years Dylan had been sober, Brandon had never as much as taken one sip of alcohol in front of him. "Nah…I am good." Brandon played it off which Dylan caught right away.

"Bran…don't be like that, you can drink in front of me. I haven't touched the stuff or wanted to in years. I had Hector bring all this stuff, don't let it go to waste." Dylan tried talking him into it.

There was a knock on the door, "I'll get it." Brandon said already on his way to the door.

"Sup brotha." Steve was rowdy already. He pulled Janet through the door. "Dylan man…how have you been?" Steve walked over grabbing Dylan in a man hug.

"Sanders…you're tanked." Dylan laughed as he leaned in saying hello to Janet giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"I am stoked, it's our 10 year reunion, me and my lovely wife have a room here and Maddie is staying the night at Janet's parents house. Life is good." Steve said wrapping his arms around Janet.

"Yeah life is good and so is the mini bar." Janet shook her head and rolled her eyes.

Dylan laughed, "What can I get you guys to drink?"

"Gin and tonic for me and…" Steve looked at Janet, "Vodka cranberry for me." Janet added.

"B? Come on…Kel?" Dylan looked at them.

Brandon took a deep breath, "I'll have a rum and coke." He said quietly.

"Vodka cranberry for me too." Kelly said with a smile.

Brenda finally emerged from the bedroom, fastening the back of her earring. "Hey guys." She said with a smile joining Dylan in the bar.

"Bren!" Steve said excitedly. "Give me a hug." He brought her into a bear hug as he picked her up. Brenda eyes widened as she held on to the bottom of her dress so her butt wouldn't show.

"Wow Steve…nice to see you too." Brenda laughed, "You're tossed."

"You guys all suck." Steve pointed to everyone, "It's our 10 year reunion."

Everyone laughed as the there was a knock at the door again. "I'll get it." Brenda said and gave Steve a pat on the back as she walked by him. "Be careful Steve, don't pull a Donna Martin graduates and fall in front Mrs. T." Everyone laughed as Steve shook his head.

Brenda opened up the door and smiled, "Hey David." She said sweetly. Brenda looked at him differently because of their brief liaison; she would never admit it to Dylan but David definitely had a special place in her heart. "Where's Val?" Brenda looked into the hallway.

"She flew to New York this morning, had to meet with some buyers for a club idea." David said emotionless.

Brenda looked down realizing Kelly never finished the gossip, supposedly there was something going on with David, Valerie, Donna and Noah. "Its ok sweetie, now we can dance more." Brenda pulled him into a hug and squeezed him tightly. "Man I've missed you." Brenda said honestly.

David closed his eyes and squeezed back, it had been 3 years since he had seen Brenda, actually since Brandon and Kelly's wedding to be exact. David was having a rough time, Kelly did get that far, she said that him and Valerie were having issues, she was finally starting to make some money, she had successfully sold 2 clubs in the Los Angeles area. She had way of charming prospective buyers, people came to her for help, they were close to bankruptcy and Valerie would move in, rearrange some things and get people good money for their money pits, taking a nice percentage of course. David had been working at the After Dark going on eight years. He was making lousy money, going no where and it was catching up to him. Him and Valerie had to move back into the beach apartment in which Donna and Noah shared and or the first time in david's life he regretted past decisions. "I missed you too Bren." David said quietly, slowly moving out from her.

Brenda smiled, "You ok?"

David nodded and gave her a small smile, "I am now."

Brenda tilted her head and wrapped her arm around David waist as they walked to the bar where everyone else was.

"Siiiiilllllver." Steve said drawn out. "McKay man, get my buddy Silver a stiff cocktail."

Brenda looked up at David and they both laughed. A smile stayed on David's face which was a good change. He nodded and looked at Dylan, "Hey man." he held out his hand and shook Dylan's hand.

"Good to see you David." Dylan nodded too. Things were okay with them. It wasn't great, but it was okay. It wasn't that either one of them was still mad at one another, they had buried the hatchet a long time ago but things were never the same. Plus they didn't see each other often so they hadn't had that much time to hang out and get what they had back.

"Janet…you might not know this about your husband but he is famous at this school." Brandon said with a teasing smile.

Kelly giggled as she covered her mouth.

"Ah yes, Steve the big man…the big man on campus." Dylan joked.

"You…guys should talk." Steve pointed back and forth to between Brandon, Kelly and Dylan.

Janet laughed, "What did they do?"

"Are you kidding you are looking at most likely to succeed…Mr. Brandon Walsh…Most Handsome…Dylan McKay and the one and only most beautiful…Miss Kelly Taylor."

"Shut up. I didn't know I was going with the it click." Janet joked emphasizing it in finger quotes.

Brenda swallowed hard and looked down.

"If they had it you guys might have gotten cutest couple too." Steve joked.

"Well they didn't….and you guys wouldn't have gotten it anyway." Brandon said with a smile pulling his wife into him and gently kissing her.

"And why is that Brandon?" Kelly smiled at him and enjoyed Brandon being a little jealous or at least having a sense of humor about it.

Brenda said pouring herself a shot, "Cause you guys weren't all that cute." Brenda said with a straight face and attitude. "Gloomiest maybe."

"Oooooooooooooooooooooh." Steve and Brandon said giving each other high fives. As Kelly mouth dropped with a smile.

"Brenda claims her high school boyfriend back." Steve said setting his hand on her shoulder as Brenda shot back the rum making a face.

"Toast." Steve said holding up his drink. Dylan quickly poured himself a coke.

"Aww come on, we weren't that bad." Kelly said playfully lifting her drink as well.

The gang including Dylan looked at her, "Yeah you were…horrible…annoying as hell." All of them said at the same time.

"To the class of 93, to old flames we that never should have been with…new loves that have come and stayed…" Steve looked at Janet.

"To old loves finding each other again." Brandon said as he looked at Kelly. Brenda and Dylan looked at each other.

"To high school sweethearts." Dylan added as Brenda and Dylan clinked glasses. David looked around realizing there was someone missing, his high school sweetheart.

"Wait…where's Donna?" Kelly said looking at her watch.

"Hold that thought, let me call her." Brenda grabbed her cell phone as they heard a knock on the door. "Oh…that's probably her." Brenda closed her phone and watched as David moved towards the door.

David opened it and smiled, "Finally…we thought you had done all this work and then you were going to bail on us."

Donna took a deep breath, "No I am here…but alone." she said bummed out.

"Why? Where's Noah?" David let her in.

"He had to work. Nice timing right?" Donna crossed her arms and cutely pouted.

David smiled, "Actually Don…the timing couldn't be more perfect because I am alone too."

"You are?" Donna said with a smile. "I thought I would be the only loser."

Nope…I am a loser too." David held out his hand, "What do you say? I need a date and we did go out for most of high school anyway…we can be losers together." David said with a smile.

Donna smiled back setting her hand in his, "Best offer I have had all day."

Ok so this was the first half of the update chapter, its going to be fun, not too much drama, but definitely NOT drama free. I hadn't planned to do a 2 parter but I got this reunion idea and ran with it. Hope you are all liking it. Thanks for reading and REVIEW!!