Chapter 5 The Morning After

Dylan looked in the mirror in the bathroom. His face blue and violet. His body hurt still. He didn´t wanted left the bathroom because he knew Kelly was waiting for him. He took a deep breath and left the room. Kelly was still waiting for him. He took a mug, poured himself coffee and sat himself on the sofa. Kelly was sitting on the kitchen table and observed him.

She broke the silence. „Why Dylan? Why did you that to me?"

Dylan look sadly at her. „I´m sorry."

„You´re sorry for what? That you drank again or that you fight with Andy because you´re obviously jealous of him? Or that you look like minced meat two days before our wedding? What will my Mom say? Or my guests?"

„Only your guests, Kel?"

Kelly didn´t answered.

„I´m sorry. Dylan repeated. He looked still at her. He was sad. She was so angry.

„Why did you have a fight with him last night? Why? Because of Brenda?"

„No Kelly." He lied.

„Why?"

„I don´t know. I was drunken and he provocated me." Dylan looked apologizing to her. „I´ll drive to him for apologizing too."

Kelly nodded only.

„I´m really so sorry Kelly." Dylan was begging.

Kelly breathed deeply. „Promis me you will never drink again."

„I promise you." Dylan came to her and kissed her softly. „I´ll be back soon."

Kelly nodded again. Then left Dylan the appartment.

Andy stood in the bathroom too. Brenda came to him and kissed him on his shoulder.

„I am so sorry Baby."

Andy turned around and looked lovely at her. He stroked her cheek. „Don´t worry honey. It isn´t your fault. I kind of expected it. And Dylan deserved it. The way he had treated you. It was time for him." Andy kissed her softly.

„Doesn't that hurt you?" Brenda murmured against his lips.

„I I don't mind at all?" Andy grinned.

„You´ll look like a parrot on the wedding." Brenda grinned.

„And? It´s not my wedding." He laughed. „I would like to know how is Dylan looking?"

Brenda shrugged her shoulders. Then it´s knocked on the door.

Brenda openend. None other than Dylan was at the door. His face was similar to Andys.

„We just talked about you."

„Good morning Brenda." Dylan was shyly. „I wanted to talk with Andy."

„For what?" Brenda was angry.

„For apologizing."

Brenda breathed heavily and let him in. „Baby, Dylan is here."

Andy came around the corner. Without a greeting began Andy. „Didn´t you get enough?"

„No." Dylans head went down. „I came for apologize. I really feel sorry."

„You was drunken."

„I know."

„When you are an alcoholic you shouldn´t drank."

„I know."

„Listen Dylan…" now Brenda began, „you invited me to your wedding and you knew I have a boyfriend. That didn´t means you can drunken fight with him only because he´s here with me."

Dylan didn´t said a word.

„Had you planned this way?"

„No, absolute No." He swallowed hard. „And I know I can´t turn back the time. But I can decide over the future. And for this reason I would like to invite you to my wedding rehearsal today and you…" he looked to Andy, „my bachelorparty. Not special. Only me, Brandon and Steve and David. Only when you want. I want to know you better."

„Which time?" Andy asked.

„7 p.m. at Steve´s."

„Ok. I think about."

„Thank you." Dylan looked at Brenda. „We´ll see at the rehearsal?"

„We´ll see." She confessed.

And Dylan left the hotelroom and Brenda closed the door.

„What can we say about that? Dylan Mckay can get out of debt." Brenda was amazed.

„Maybe I hit him harder yesterday than I thought?" Andy smirked. „Honey, I must change the subject. My father send me a mail in the morning. He wanted to built a new company and wanted me to managed her."

„Baby, that´s great." Brenda hugged him and gave him a kiss.

„There's just a small catch."

„Yes?" Brenda smiled at him.

„The job is in australia."

Brendas face faded. „Australia?"

„Yes." Andy looked shyly at her.

„But what is with my job? My theater? My friends? Brandon?" The last word she almost yelled. „I would be see barely Brandon."

„Hey hey honey. It´s nothing decided. I shall only thinking about." Andy kissed Brenda softly.

„And if I don't want to?"

„Then I´ll cancel. I´ll you don´t forced to anything. I'm not going to give you a choice." Andy kissed Brenda again and deepend the kiss.

Dylan lifted his feet one by one up the spiraling staircase of the beach house. After he left Brenda and the hotel he had driven up Mulholland again and tried to clear his head. It didn´t help much considering Mulholland always reminded him of Brenda. He wasn´t sure if it was because she always noticed the beauty of the city or all the times they had spent up there making out in their teen years but even the smell reminded him of her. Dylan had no idea what he was doing. He only know he wanted to know Andy better. He wanted to know everything about the new man in Brendas life. Dylan had spent his whole life being alone. He had spent most of his energy pushing people away. Now that he was older, and he thought about settling down, it was hard tot hink about anything else because he didn´t want to get back to that place. He didn´t want to.

He took a deep breath and slowly unlocked the back door. He saw her sitting on the couch in silence. He knew she was angry.

He slowly closed the door. „Hi." He said quietly.

„Hey." Kelly said equally as quiet.

The looked at each other and didn´t say anything for a moment.

„Where have you been?" Kelly broke the silence first.

„I was with Andy. I apologized to him. I invited they for today…and Andy for my bachelor party. Then I took a drive." Dylan looked down.

Kelly's voice turned beepy. „We have to talk about this Dylan…this isn´t something we can just ignore."

Dylan nodded. „I know." He slowly moved sitting in the chair he was standing in back of.

„What are we doing Dylan? I just feel like your not here. Your mind is somewhere else. Are you having second thoughts about marrying me?"

Dylan saw the tears beginning to form in her eyes and it did break his heart. Dylan looked down. It was something he never got used to…having women break down in front of him. It almost made him defensive. Instead he began with honesty.

„I was." He breathed. „But now I´m ready."

„Really?" She asked sadly.

„Yes, really." Dylan hugged her and kissed her softly.

„I can´t barely wait. Already in two days we became husband and wife." Kelly snuggled with him.

„We have still time. Should we asked Iris for lunch?" Dylan kissed her on the top of his head.

„I have a better idea. I am going to take a shower…want you to join me?" She looked at him flirty.

„Unfortunately No. I`ll get some sleep till the rehearsal. I have a little headache."

„Ok." Disappointed went Kelly to the bathroom.

Dylan noticed this. But, in his mood, he had no clear head for this.

The wedding rehearsal was in the Beverly Royale. How from Iris expected the most guests were Kelly´s family. Aunt, uncles and friends of her mother and father Bill. Steve and Janet and Maddy were there and David and Donna. Iris was sitting next to Jackie and drinking, which Dylan never saw at her before. She looked like it was a funeral. Jackie try a conversation with her but Iris smiled only friendly and nodded.

At her arriving she was shocked about Dylans face.

„What happened to you?" She checked his face.

„We had a little fight. In the After Dark." Dylan said short.

We?"

„Yes. The boys and I." Dylan looked down.

But Iris was not yet satisfied. She wanted to ask more but than came another guest and Dylan was distracted.

Jackie, Kellys Mom, was bouncing from table to table and thanking everyone personally for coming and celebrating the wedding. Dylan smiled through every congratulation.

He kept loosening his tie, only to have Kelly fix it the next second.

„Is everything okay?" Kelly looked at him with questioning eyes. Looking at her face didn´t bring him any calm like how it did when he first moved back here.

„Yeah, everything is okay."

She leaned up and kissed his lips.

„I´ll be back again. I´m going to make sure everyone is having a good time." He lied. She beamed.

He said hello to a few people and smiled as he made his way past them. Dylan noticed Jim and Cindy weren´t there. But then Brandon, Brenda and Andy appeared and Dylan could smile again.

He welcomed the three and showed them their places.

„You don´t look like a man who´s marrying the woman of his dreams the day after tomorrow." His little sister´s voice startled me. He had seen little of Erica since she left London and went backt to Hawaii. She finished out her GED and was presently attending university of Hawaii at Mànoa. She looked thinner, thinner than before. Her face sharper and there was something in her eyes he didn´t liked.

„Erica, you are here?" Dylan smiled big.

„I´m here only because of Iris." Erica explained.

„Do you want to come in?" Dylan asked her hopeful.

„No Dylan. I refuse. These Wedding is nonsene and you know it."

„Erica, you know nothing."

„Don´t play stupid, Dylan. Even, because I know the reason." Erica looked worried on Dylan.

Brenda is happy with him and I accept that."

„So, what? You´re just going to marry Kelly as a consolation?" Erica asked haughtily.

„It doesn´t matter. She left me forever."

„That´s true. But marrying her just you are not alone…i hurts you too. Are you happy Dylan?"

Dylan didn´t answered.

„Marriage isn´t easy. But if you´re not ready for this it will be the hell. Your marriage will feel like a prison."

„Maybe I deserve that. Maybe I should get a punishment. I ruined too much. Kelly loves me. And I will lern to live with it."

Erica shook her head. She will never accept Kelly as her sister-in-law.

„Come in Erica. For me. If you really love me come with me."

„No Dylan. Even because I love you I don´t come with you."

„Brenda is here too. With Brandon and Andy."

Erica took a deep breath. She tought on Iris.

Without a word Dylan took her hand and brought Erica into the room.

In the room Erica only nodded to Kelly and went immediately to Brandon, Brenda and Andy. She hugged Brenda heartly. She didn´t care about Kelly´s feelings. In her eyes, everyone could calmly see which woman she preferred. A young boy asked her for a drink. Yes, alcohol. She didn´t cared. The main thing she needed alcohol. The whole rehearsal was a nighmare for her.

Dylan came on their table. „Thanks guys. It means a lot for me that you are here."

Brandon looked at him. „Bro´s for life."

Dylan stretched out his hand to him. „Bro´s for life."

He nodded to Brenda and Andy and went around again.

Erica saw to Brenda. She looked very happy. Then Erica looked to Kelly. And although Brenda was with Andy Kelly looked toxic to Brenda. The whole evening Kelly didn´t come to their table. And nobody of the four was worried about.

Suddenly the door opened. All guests lifted their heads.

„Oh, that´s timing." None other than Valerie Melone came in the room.

Dylan was happy to see her. Kelly not. Her face was angry.

„That´s not true? Did you have invited all your ex-girlfriends?" Kelly was bitchy.

„Yes, I did." Dylan shrugged with his shoulders. „It´s my wedding too. And your ex-boyfriends are here too."

Dylan let Kelly stand and welcomed Valerie.

„Hi happy groom." Valerie hugged Dylan heartly.

Kelly knew now she must react.

„Hi Valerie, welcome to our wedding." Kelly gave Valerie a false smile and hugged her hypocritical. Then she put her left hand on Dylan´s to showed Valerie her engagement ring.

Valerie did euphorical. „Wow Kelly. What for a ring." Her look went to Dylan. These ring wasn´t cheap.

„Valerie, take a seat." Dylan offered her.

„Thanks Dylan. I know already where I want to sit." Valerie went straight to Brandon and sat down to him and Erica.

„Why didn´t you invited Gina too? Then you would have all your exes here that you fucked."

„Gina hat no time." Answered Dylan.

Kelly breathed through her nose and went back to her seat.

Jackie and Donna weren´t amused that Valerie being here. But Iris couldn´t stopped to smile and lifted her glass to Valerie. Even Erica smiled over Valerie. And it should be so clear to all guests... Dylan preferred brunettes.

But although Valerie brought a little bit of funny to the event Erica was still sad and drank and drank.

After dinner Erica was completely drunken. Iris helped Erica to went out of the room. Dylan discovered they. He stopped both outside the door.

„Erica, what´s up?"

„Go away from me Dylan." Erica hissed.

And Iris try to calm Erica down. „I understand why you didn´t accept to be a part of the wedding party. I know both of us are less than thrilled about but he is your brother, Erica."

„Wedding…this wedding is a crock of shit." Erica shook her head.

Iris looked at Dylan.

Dylan kneeled to his sister. „Erica, I will be forever your brother."

„Don´t say it Dylan. Please don´t say what you want to say." Erica held him her both hands for his face.

Dylan closed his mouth.

„Iris, please bring me in my room."

„Of course." And without another word both ladies left.

„Dylan, your sister is drunken. My whole family saw it." Kelly was angry.

„I don´t care about you family. My sister is more important for me." Dylan was angry too.

„My family wanted to go. Me too."

„Do you want me to take you home?" Asked Dylan friendly. „I just want to know if our friends are coming home."

„No, Jackie and Mel will do it."

„OK. It won't take long."

Kelly kissed him and went out of the hotel.

Apparently her friends had already found their way home, because there was no one left in the hall. He probably hadn't noticed how everyone had left.

He wanted to talk to Brandon again. He had the feeling that he still had to clarify something with him. He knocked on the door and waited.

The door opened. „Dylan." Brandon was positive surprised.

„Am I disturbing?"

„No, no, come in." Brandon let him in. „What´s up buddy?" He closed the door.

„Brandon, do I the right?"

„What do you mean?"

„Brandon, do you in love with Kelly?"

Brandon looked at his best friend. „How do you figure?"

„Because I feel like I'm taking her away from you."

„Dylan…" Brandon laughed flatteringly.

„I´m serious, Brandon."

Brandon ran his hand over his chin. „Honestly Dylan? I had always the feeling I´m not enough for Kelly. She missed anything with me."

Now Dylan began to laugh, „It´s weird. The same I think."

„You think you are not enough for Kelly?"

„I even know it. I can´t descrive it,but, I found always she looks different at me how at you."

„Do you think she is not in love with you?"

„Well, yes. But I feel there is something else."

„And what will you do that?"

Dylan shrugged his shoulders. „I´m going to marry her. She deserve it."

They toasted with their soda to each other and talke about the old times. After midnight Dylan drove home. Because he didn't want to wake Kelly, he immediately went to the guest room.

Softly lips woke him up.

„Good morning." Kelly kissed him deeply.

„Good morning." Dylan didn´t got his eyes up.

„I´ve missed you last night."

„I was with Brandon."

Kelly nodded and kissed him again. „Today is you last day. Do we want to enjoy the next hours?"

„With pleasure." Dylan kissed her again.

Before he went to Steve he drove to the Beverly Royale.

„Dylan, what the hell is happened on your night?" Iris was still shocked about her sons face. Although it was two days ago Dylan had still a coloured face.

„I had a fight with somebody."

„Why? With whom? Dylan please. Tell me the truth."

Dylan breathed heavily. „I´m sorry Mom. I didn't want to do that. But when I saw Brenda and Andy kissing…wild kissing…and then it was over for me."

„You had a fight with Andy?" No, it became clear for her. „Because you are jealous?"

„Yeah." Dylan breathed out.

„Do you still in love with her?"

„Yes."

„Then you should have a talk with her."

„Why? She´s happy with Andy."

„And Kelly is for you the consolation prize?"

„Maybe I deserved that." Dylan shrugged with his shoulders. „And now, please excuse me. I had done anthing. We see tomorrow to the wedding." He stood up and wanted to go.

„Dylan, you don´t love Kelly. You will be unhappy."

„I am already unhappy. And it couldn´t be more worse." Dylan end the dialog and slumped the door.

There was another person he needed to talk to.

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