Chapter 30

June 15th Tuesday of the following week, Brandon, Kelly, and Sammy had their bags packed and are driving to the airport when Brandon and Kelly see a car with a message written on the back window saying, "Just married."

They both look over at each other at the same time, after half of a second Brandon reaches for her hand, "I think we have finally reach the time in our lives that we are both ready."

Kelly smiles widely, "I agree….Are you asking?"

Brandon squeezes her hand and gently rubs it a little bit before responding with a grin, "Nope," teasing her, "It's not the time or place, yet."

Kelly returns his squeeze, "Well, I'm looking forward to it when it is the time and place."

"Good," Brandon says before Sammy starts to ask a question because he became bored with his book.


Before they knew it they had boarded the plane and have arrived in New York City where Brenda was waiting. As soon as they were clear of security, Sammy immediately saw his aunt.

"Aunt Brenda," Sammy excitedly screamed from only five feet away as he ran straight into her arms.

"Hey there little buddy, how are you doing?" Brenda asked.

"Great," Sammy says as Brenda tickles him just a little bit.

"That's good because we are going to have tons of fun this week with your cousins," Brenda says as she sits him down and looks at her brother, "Brandon."

"Hey lil' sis," he says as he begins to embrace her in a long awaited hug.

Brenda laughs, "Only by thirty seconds….I've missed you."

"I know….me too," Brandon comments before letting go.

Then Brenda hugs Kelly, "Welcome back to New York, Kelly."

"Thanks Bren, it's good to see you. Now where are Dylan and the kids?" Kelly asks.

"Dylan is picking up the kids from some afternoon activities. They should be back to the house before we are," Brenda says.


Even though Brandon and Kelly are tired from the flight, they stay up until midnight catching up with Dylan and Brenda. Brenda is currently working on a Broadway show since she prefers the stage vs. the camera. Dylan enjoys still writing short stories and a couple of novels when he has free time from investing in a couple of private businesses.


The next day, Brandon has to report to the New York Times to have a meeting with his travel mates and bosses from the paper as well as National Geographic. They are severely sorry and apologize for the breakdown of communication when the plane crashed, but they are very thankful for the team coming home alive and safe. They also tell the entire team that they will respect any decision of staying with family and friends before returning to work if they so please to return.

Brandon spoke his wishes, "Sir, I thank you for everything, but I need to remain in LA, so I would like to officially resign once our meeting and final submission is complete."

"Of course, Brandon, it was great working with you. You are truly a great writer and reporter, I have some connections if LA, if you would like them," his boss told him.

"Thank sir, I would appreciate that," Brandon says as he shakes his bosses hand.

That afternoon and all day the next day, the team works on putting together their article and then they are complete.


As Brandon has been finishing up at the paper, Kelly and Brenda have taken the kids to tour New York City. Both Brandon and Dylan are able to finally join them on Friday the 18th.

Once they arrive downtown, Brandon tells Dylan, "Hey man, you want to accompany me to the bank, I have some business I need to take care of as well as retrieve a couple of things."

"Yeah, sure thing Bran, let's just tell the ladies," Dylan says.

Once they are walking away from their families, Brandon asks, "So D, how's things really with my sister?"

"Bran, they are actually greater than ever! And I'm not kidding, who knew that I would actually enjoy being a husband and father so much!" Dylan says.

"That's great man, I'm really happy for the both of you to really make it work out finally," Brandon happily says.

"Yeah me too, so you and Kelly really seem like you are really serious again. You know that she never gave up on you and it's been really hard on her, we've all seen it," Dylan says.

"D, I hear I kind of have you to thank for helping her to realize that she couldn't give up, when you two talked about a year after I left LA," Brandon says.

"She really helped me too, Brandon, it was an important lesson for both of us," Dylan comments.

"I also want to thank you for being there with her when I couldn't when she was raped. There was an incident a couple of weeks ago at school with one of the students and teachers that was giving her nightmares. I've never seen her so distant and afraid before. About a week ago, she broke down by me walking into the kitchen simply from behind her, but she was finally able to tell me everything. So we've been going through it now together and it's been good," Brandon shares.

"Bran, that was probably one of the hardest times of my life, seeing how fragile she was. I never thought it was possible until that bastard came along. Honestly, I think the thing that helped the most was that she didn't want you to know so you wouldn't give up on your dreams just for her when she was in trouble. B, I wanted to call you so bad, but every time I mentioned calling you, she would get angrier at me than she was at the guy who raped her," Dylan says chucking at the memory.

"D, it's hard to be able to understand why things have happen as well as a bit harder not to regret everything that has happened in the last 12 years, but as Kel puts it, otherwise Sammy wouldn't be here and our relationship wouldn't be as strong now has it was in the past," Brandon says.

Brandon continues, "We know everything has been really sudden, but with our past and everything else we have talked about, we'll ready to live our lives together finally. And actually one of the things I need to retrieve from my safety box is the engagement ring. I was hoping this afternoon when we go to the park, that you could keep the kids and Brenda on the other side as I propose finally the right way and for the right reasons."

"Yeah, definitely man, wouldn't be happier to do anything else," Dylan says as he puts his hand on Brandon's shoulder for a second.

"Good thanks," Brandon says as they enter to the bank. Brandon retrieves his favorite watch, some other jewelry, keys, credit cards, a couple thousand dollars of money that he will deposit into an active account, pictures of his family and friends, and or course the engagement ring.