Chapter 12

Brandon walks into West Beverly Hills High School around noon with a lunch in his hand. Just around the corner from Kelly's office, he runs into Ryan Matthews again who just came from Kelly's office.

"Hey there, it's Brandon, right?" Ryan asks.

"Yeah," Brandon says simply while eyeing him down.

"So, I would assume your date went pretty well last night, Kelly hasn't been able to keep her consecration all morning, it's obvious of how little sleep she got," Ryan continues, "I also noticed she came in late this morning. Man, how did you do it?"

At that moment Silver walked up from behind Ryan, wondering what Brandon was doing at the school, "Brandon, what are you doing here?"

Brandon is thankful that Silver showed up at that time because otherwise, he doesn't know if he would be able to stop himself from hitting this guy straight in the face.

"Oh hey, Silver, I came to bring your sister her lunch, she forgot it in the fridge," Brandon explains, "would you walk with me?" Brandon asks just to get away from Ryan.

"Yeah sure," Silver says as Ryan still stands there awkwardly trying to figure out how Silver already knows this new guy in Kelly's life.

Once they get a few steps away Brandon says, "Thanks, you saved me there. I don't know what that guy's problem is, but I don't like him. I was almost ready to punch him."

Kelly steps out of her office at that moment, "Brandon? Punch who?" Kelly asks.

"Nothing for you to worry about, you forgot your lunch," Brandon says while holding it up with a grin on his face.

"Oh, thanks, I wouldn't have realized it until I was ready to eat," Kelly says, "Silver shouldn't you be getting to class again, I'm tired of always writing late slips for you."

"Hey, it's not my fault this time, Brandon dragged me with him," Silver complains.

"Kel, it's true, I did, she saved me from that Ryan guy, I'm sorry," Brandon apologies.

"Ok, I'll let it slid one more time," Kelly said reluctantly as she signs the late slip.

"Thanks Kel, love ya," Silver says as she runs out of the door.

"So why do you want to punch Ryan Matthews again?"

Kelly asks while crossing her arms and looking at Brandon.

Brandon closes the gap between them, putting his hands on the sides of her arms, "Because he wanted me to give him tips of how to get you into bed. He doesn't know what he is talking about, so it's nothing to worry about besides he is getting on my nerves and I don't like him being around you."

Kelly responds while she uncrossed her arms and wraps them around Brandon, "Hmm, do I sense a bit of jealousy?" Kelly asks with a smile, knowing that she would be jealous also if she were in his shoes.

"I've always been jealous, I just hide better at some times then others," Brandon responds.

"Really, but I still have to work with him. You're right; there is nothing to worry about because we are going to make this work, this time," Kelly exclaims with full confidence.

Brandon gives her a small kiss, unaware that a few students were nearby, giggly.


That evening Kelly walks into her home exhaust from the day with Sammy greeting her as soon as she enters the door, "Mommy, will you play with me? Daddy and I were building a great large tower, but he went to the kitchen. I'm too little to reach to the top, will you help me?"

Before Kelly could answer, Brandon stepped back into the living room immediately noticing the drained look on Kelly's face, "Hey bud, I'm back now, and it looks like your mom could use a nap."

Kelly responded, "Oh no, I'm fine. I need to start dinner anyways," as she sat down her bag by the closest chair.

Brandon stops Kelly from walking any closer to the kitchen by putting his hands on her arms, "Nope, I've already started dinner,"

"Oh really," Kelly says.

"Yep, pork chops with baked potatoes and corn," Brandon replies.

"Oh, did you…" but Brandon cuts her off, "Yes, there is a veggie option for you. Sammy wanted pork, so that what I made."

"He must get that meat craving from you, because it certainly not from me," Kelly says.

"Now why don't you lie down until dinner is ready, I'll come wake ya in a bit," Brandon says as he moves her towards her bedroom.

"Ok you've convinced me," Kelly says as she yawns.


Later when dinner is about ready, Brandon quietly enters Kelly's bedroom.

As he kneels beside her bed he gentle touches her shoulder, "Hey sleeping beauty, dinner is ready."

Kelly softly speaks, "hmm…sleepy…not hungry."

"You sure? You really should eat something before it gets too late," Brandon says.

"You fine watching Sammy tonight?" Kelly asks sleepy.

"I'll be glad too, now get your rest love," Brandon says as he kisses the top of Kelly's forehead as she closes her eyes again.

After Brandon left the room, Kelly opened her eyes again and knew Brandon was right, she was hungry, so she got up and joined them for dinner.


After tucking Sammy into bed, Kelly walks into the kitchen while Brandon is heating up water for some tea.

Brandon asks her, "Hey you up for reading some more of our journals tonight?"

Kelly responds, "I was hoping we would for a bit, but we need to make sure that we get to bed at a decent time tonight. Thanks for getting the tea ready."

"Your welcome and I agree, you need to get your beauty rest tonight," Brandon says as he wraps his arms around Kelly's waist, going to kiss her, but Kelly stops him.

"Brandon, please…just please don't," Kelly says as she pushes Brandon away just a little bit, but still keeping her arms slightly around him.

Before Brandon could say anything, Kelly speaks again, "I just can't be like that again right now, its…it's too soon Brandon. I'm really sorry." Pausing for a bit, "I…I just can't jump directly back into our relationship," speaking directly into his eyes.

"Hey, there is no reason to be sorry. It's okay. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have tried. It's just that I've missed you so much over the last twelve years and not knowing if I'll ever see you again during the last six years. I guess I just want to be able to hold you or touch in some way, so I'll know for sure that you are here standing in the same room with me and it's just not another dream, where I couldn't touch you," Brandon admits.

"I've had those dreams too, Brandon," Kelly tells him rubbing the back of his neck.

At this time, the water is ready, they get the tea ready in silence and move into the living room and settle down onto the couch together.

Kelly asks Brandon, "it is okay if we only go to ten tonight, that's when I'm normally getting ready for bed."

Brandon replies, "Yeah that's fine. You ready?"

"And you probably should stay with your parents at night for now," Kelly adds quickly.

Brandon looks up at her, "Yeah you're probably right," he pauses, "you know I'm not meaning to impose by staying here," although he did enjoy being there the last couple of mornings before Sammy went to school.

"Oh, I know, it's not that. You know that I love having you here and so does Sammy, but I just don't think we should…that we should tempt ourselves, you know…before we're fully ready." Kelly continues, "And I want to make sure that Sammy understands, he's just too used to climbing into my bed. I don't want him to be scared or even you to be frustrated by it. And I especially don't want Sammy or Silver in the house when we decide to be with another again."

"Kel, please don't be nervous by this, we're going take this thing slow and not rush into that before we are ready. I think Sammy will enjoy climbing into the bed with both of us there, hopefully it will comfort him more, just knowing that his mother and father are there. And I want him to see how much I love his mother," says Brandon.

"Thank you, I appreciate that. Okay I'm ready now to begin," Kelly says as she nestles her back into Brandon's arms and chest.

January 22, 2004

Dear Kelly,

Today, I rode an elephant today; it was my first time seeing elephants up close and personnel. But, the only thing I could think about was one night I spent with the guys when we had broken up because of the affair. I remember that night, I said, "We are men, homosapians, it's not in our nature to be with one woman. Does the might elephant live with one elephant woman? No, he doesn't, you know what he does? He lives by himself, on his own terms." Now I know being an elephant isn't all it's cracked up to be. They lead very hard lives and with no one to keep company when their lonely. That's how I've felt since I've left LA, I just didn't truly understand until know.

Love,

Brandon

"So, what kind of animal do you want to be?" Kelly asks.

Brandon replies, "I would like to be a bald eagle so I can soar over the landscape to keep a watchful eye over our friends and family and so I can always be with you until the end of time; the only downside would being bald like my father."

Kelly lets out a small laugh alongside Brandon. "I don't know, so far your hair has stayed in place, it must've skipped a generation," Kelly says.

"Well, if that's the case then Sammy is in trouble because both of our fathers are almost bald," Brandon says.

"You're right, they are, poor Sammy."

"So, I wondering what animals have figured out that we haven't. They know who their mate is for life and no risk of being stupid," Brandon questions.

"I don't know, but what I do know is that I'm happy with you," replies Kelly.

January 22, 2004

Dear Brandon,

A few days ago I relieved to Steve that you are the father. He guessed that it was you, so I told him everything about New Orleans; I didn't know how to keep it from him for any longer. It's been so hard; not having you here, but everyone has been such great help. I really appreciate everything that Steve and Andrea are doing for me. This afternoon, he told me that he has gotten into contact with Jim and Cindy. I never did call them because I got so busy at the beginning of the semester with school and after October, I didn't know what to say to them. I still don't know where you are. I've been looking at the New York Times everyday, trying to find an article with your headline on it. I even tried to call the paper yesterday, but they wouldn't give me any information. They said it was confidential. Steve told me that Jim and Cindy are going to plan a visit. I don't know what I'm going to tell them. What if they are mad at me? I'm sure this isn't how they planned to find out they are going to be grandparents…from Steve nonetheless. Well anyways, time for sleep. Goodnight

Love, Kelly

"That must have been an interested conversation for my parent's with Steve, I'm kind of sad that I missed witnessing that, but I'm eternity grateful. My parents weren't mad were they?" Brandon asks.

"No, not at all, Brandon," Kelly says, "they have been nothing but supportive since the second Steve called them. Cindy was so happy for an excuse to move back to LA and your father really has enjoyed retirement."

"That's really good, I'm glad," Brandon says and continues as he notices the time on his watch, "hey, it's time for you to get some sleep."

"Yeah, it's been a long day, I really am exhaust," Kelly says as she walks Brandon to the door.

"Well, goodnight Kel," Brandon says as he hugs her again.

"Night Brandon," Kelly replies as she closes the front door.