Authors Note: I own nothing. No ownership rights to Beverly Hills 90210 or to Lord Byron's "She Walks in Beauty".
Chapter Thirty-Nine: Oh there's a story there
I was prepared for her to come back in from her rehearsal being frustrated and hurt, instead she walks in kisses the kid's heads, my cheek and then goes and grabs herself a plate of mum's Hawaiian Grilled Chicken and Coconut Rice. When she comes back to the table all the adult eyes are on her and she merely says it was good.
When that doesn't fly she caves, "Roy seemed interested in my interpretation of the character. As for her, well I'm at the stage where I just feel whether she is being driven completely by our history or if it's just making all her actions worse because our history is preventing her from communicating like a friend to me, but either way I'm over the immaturity and it's her issue to fix. Now Erica tell me about the lab?"
She sits first through Erica's excitement over the experiments she saw and then my excitement for what it could mean for the bay. Once dinner is finished Iris, Val and Erica disappear to water the 'farm' while Bren and I clean up. Art is busy decorating his highchair tray with avocado giving us an opportunity to go through my afternoon in detail.
"Dylan tourism in LA is a big deal financially, when the beaches close because of the pollution it costs businesses a fortune. If the science Kevin is working on is that good why hasn't it been sold by his company already?"
"You are doubtful."
"You aren't?"
"Bren it's everything I want to fix, you remember how excited I was about voting just so I could make even a small impact on the bay by casting my vote behind someone who wanted to make real change. What Kevin is working on will make real change and I just don't understand why his company wouldn't support that, especially when there is already a community movement wanting it, and this is a global problem it could help millions." She looks at me and lifts her brow but doesn't say anything, she waits for me to replay those words. Shit. "Amazing how Jack's ex girlfriend finds a man instantly on moving to LA that wants to fix and knows how to fix something I've been publicly passionate about for years but yet he lacks the financial support to do it and amazingly we have the means." She stops drying the pan and puts it down on the counter then she moves over and wraps her hands behind my neck, I instantly wrap mine around her waist and draw her closer. "Fuck!"
"I won't ask if you are okay but we could be wrong."
"Yes because fate has always aligned so well with me and my path has always been easy."
"Hey you looked up from your locker and instantly fell in love with the woman you want to spend your life with, I think that's pretty easy most people wait decades and some never even get that in their life time."
"Yeah but then I fuc-"
"Really? Last I checked she is in your arms, while your son together is having fun discovering his amazing artist avocado talent a few feet away, and the rest of your family together is outside probably getting covered in mud in the beautiful garden and amazing loving home that you both created and share together. Sounds like a complete fuckup to me."
"Your wrong." She tilts her head to the side, "I want more than just this life with you, I want all your lifetimes."
She sasses back, "what would your soulmate say to that?"
I'm glad the sting of that is no longer there for her but for me it's still too raw, I threw a title away though even using it romantically it wouldn't capture the depths of my love for the woman in my arms. She may be my physical mate, the only one I want a family with but her being my soulmate two separate beings drawn together, well that seems even too distant. She's closer than that to me she's closer than two separates.
During my internal ramblings the air between us changes as I stare into her eyes, "She walks in beauty, like the night" I move my right hand from her hip to touch her dark as night hair. "Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that's best of dark and bright," I move my hand to run down her cheek. "Meet in her aspect and her eyes," and then move to the corner of her eye and ever so lightly trace the outside curve just above her cheek bone. These eye's that at first glance years ago told me I had just found my whole world.
She smiles at me, "Lord Byron?" I nod ever so slightly, she leans up and brushes her nose against mine slowly and then leans in even closer. I instinctively close my eyes and feel her lips lightly brush against mine as she says, "is that another poem about his sister?" I breathe out against her lips as I chuckle.
"Half-sister."
"Still creepy as hell Baby." She breathes next to my lips, "last first kiss by the sink?"
"Our other first was on the side of a road after I busted a pot plant scaring the hell out of you, enough for you to run away."
"That kiss, it consumed me. I had kissed before but never like that, never had it felt-"
"As if you had been destroyed and rebuilt." I move and kiss the tip of her nose and then her cheeks and then by her ear. "They'll be back inside in a minute and I imagine our son is running out of avocado to move around. When I kiss you for the first time in fourteen months I don't think I'll be able to stop kissing you. I want to make sure we take our time on the rebuild."
We hold each other for a few more minutes and then move away to finish tidying up. "What do you want to do about Kevin?"
"Nothing has happened but if they are laying the seeds for something then I'm not as naive as they think or at least you aren't, and I'm guessing they have not worked out that it requires both of us onboard to access our accounts."
"It's not naive to want to think that people who claim to be your family are going to honour that title, with your past it is actually the bravest thing about you. If the seeds don't take though, they could leave-"
"And take our little girl with them." As I try and clean up Arthur's hands enough to bring him in for his bath, I think about what Jack would do. Before prison he would con the con-artist and after with the help of Christine he would try and do the right thing. "If it is a con and it doesn't work with us then they'll move on and do it to others, Erica will be around that and eventually figure it out. I don't want her anywhere near that dangerous life and I don't want them hurting others."
"Dylan say they start discussing us financing Kevin's idea, it wouldn't be enough, no judge would give us custody with no evidence and a belief that it seems to good to be true."
"No they'd need to go through with it and then be arrested." She moves over having finished the kitchen and picks up our son.
"Baby that's dangerous for all of us but especially Art and Erica. If they even suspected, well they know this place, our routines, they know what we care about; people willing to break the law and backed into a corner, it's too risky. There is no way we could do this by ourselves. The money can be safeguarded even more, that's easy to do but I can't risk the kids, you, Iris.
"We are jumping way ahead of ourselves, let's just hold steady on what we are doing. Though in the mean time I think I owe Jack's old fiancé a check in. In all fairness I should have done that in February but it wasn't the best month."
If Val was supposed to be the good influence on the McKay women she failed miserably. Once Art was down, the three of them clean again and both bathrooms had been clear of the muddy clothes, Brenda asked over tea if we could get Frank to arrange an outdoor shower, unfortunately that very sensible suggestion happened in front of my mother who also loved the idea of having one in her cottage garden. When she began sprouting off about it being freeing to be unclothed in nature, I quickly covered Erica's ears and had her wave goodnight to the three women who were laughing at my discomfort.
Bren came in when we were finishing off the chapter of our night time book and then we both tucked Erica in. She then led me back to the main room where I could clearly see that we now had two pairing combinations in our home that spelt trouble but for completely different reasons. Unsurprisingly the common denominator of both pairs was my mother. I was hoping Bren would be able to settle them but when she began joining in on the fun I excused myself to our study. It gave me an opportunity to arrange our date.
The next morning Brenda was back up at her usual time coming in and stealing our son from the McKay men morning snuggle dozing session after his six am feed. She had already begun sorting out the kids breakfast when I came to join her after my quick morning shower. As I pass my son I jokingly call him a traitor as today he was eating his mash banana neatly and with no signs of bubbles being popped. Bren laughed from her position next to him and told me he has already pegged me as the pushover out of the two of us. Erica's response was to giggle and shyly nod at Bren in agreement.
When I had just finished my first cup of coffee and had packed Erica's lunch Val comes out of Brenda's room dressed for the day.
As I pass her a coffee I inquire about her need to be up this early, "what's your plans for the day?"
"S-Dylan I'm thinking I'll join you guy's on campus. If I plan on moving out here I'd like to try and go there and it would be good to look around. I might even try and sneak into the how to rule the world… lecture this afternoon." I laughed as Brenda had sent her best friend and her new roommate a death stare cutting her off on her name for the course.
As Bren sent Erica to finish getting ready, she also excused herself to go get dressed leaving me to change Art into whatever she had laid out in his room. As she exited the main room I was surprised by Val calling out to her.
"Bren I left your clothes on your bed and don't even think about swapping anything out." As she turned back I gave her a curious look over my coffee. "She was complaining about mum body and when she couldn't produce any evidence of the mum changes well besides the bigger rack, I punished her with me picking her wardrobe for the rest of the week." Considering the floss Val tried to pass as a bikini I wasn't convinced this was a good idea. "Relax I love her too and the goal is to help her feel herself again, well to embrace the new her. I'll push her boundaries but I won't rewrite them."
"You know I'm taking her on our first date tonight, should I be informing you of the wardrobe requirements?"
"Please I spent an hour last night playing Brenda barbie, I have four last first date ever outfits already put together and Brenda endorsed. I just need the dress code. Weekend sportswear casual for the active date, date casual for the movie date, cocktail date for the nicer restaurants and possible dancing or formal for the Richard Gere Opera date?"
"Somewhere in between date casual and cocktail."
"So practical heels?"
"What are they?"
"Heels you can walk in."
"Shouldn't you be able to walk in all footwear, I mean it's kind of the point?"
"Some make you look extra hot and the heels aren't a problem if you take regular sitting breaks or if they are only on for maybe the walk from the bathroom to-"
"Dylan I'm ready can I help you dress Art?"
I raise an eyebrow at Val, "yeah yeah your girl would not be happy- little ears."
I turn and look at Erica in the doorway who was no where near close enough to hear our conversation and call back, "of course Sweetheart."
When we come back into the room the last of the breakfast stuff is packed away and Val is tapping her fingers, I give her a questioning look. "She hasn't yelled that either means she likes the look but is nervous or she has vetoed it all and is dragging her feet so I can't force her to change."
"It was the former." As we both turn around Bren is wearing jeans and one of my t-shirts tied in a knot at the front. It was the first time I'd see her stomach exposed, even when on the rare occasion she was wearing the crop top things that all the girls on campus wear now, she always had a high waisted skirt on making only a slither of skin possible to see when her arms were raised. "You had to go big Val, no gradual buildup?"
"Sweetie if you are taking off a Band-Aid then the only way is to rip it. Now you look fabulous, I know this because I have eyes and great fashion taste but also Dylan is speechless. Erica sweetheart let's grab your bag and we can bring Art to his car seat." Val quickly picked up Art from my arms and grabbed the keys off the kitchen bench, within seconds they were out the front door.
I walk over to my girl, she raises her eyebrow in question. "Your tree impression in your sleep has meant you have felt this part of my body since-"
"But you've hidden it away from my eyes. How on earth did you make our son I can't even imagine he fit?"
"I stretched, I have the marks to prove it."
"Where?" I lowered myself to my knees so I was facing her belly button she quickly wrapped her arms around herself.
"Dylan stand up." I kissed her right arm and then brought it down to her side and then repeated the process with her left.
"Show me where this mark is? Honestly I want to marvel at how amazing your body is that it can create and carry our perfect son." She slowly lifted her hand and with one polished finger nail pointed to two silver white lines less than an inch long hidden nearly by her jeans. The only way they could be seen would be if you were less than a nose length away like I currently was. I reached out and traced the lines with my finger.
"I used creams when pregnant to stop them coming up but a handful still managed to come. I've been using creams ever since Art was born to make them fade, I hope these two go soon but out of all of them they seem committed to staying."
Bren was clearly nervous as she spoke, "good I want them to stay." After hearing how prepared she was, that her sole focus had been for me to be with Art, these marks were her battle scars and a blessing that my son and I got to have her here. I leaned in then and traced them with my tongue before kissing them both. Her hands instantly found their way to the back of my hair holding me for support. As I moved away slightly knowing that I didn't have time to explore her skin the way I wanted I looked at her. "No more creams please. I like the idea that for the rest of our life when I touch and kiss them I'll be reminded about how incredible you are to have managed to create our son and how blessed I am to have you here afterwards."
"But other's-"
I could hear the echoes of an instinctual growl in my tone, "no one but me will ever get close enough to see them." At the thought of anyone seeing something so private, something on her body that permanently linked us together I unconsciously move back to cover them again in another worshipping kiss. The sounding of the car horn a minute later was an indicator that we might have got lost in the moment. I leaned back again and noticed her blushed cheeks, I imagine for getting carried away and losing time, "I guess being parents now will mean we can't get too lost in the moment."
"Or we just have to incorporate more faster moments." I stood and kissed her forehead and picked up her hand and playfully drag her to the doorway.
"God I love the way you think." Her giggle was her only response.
Once the kids were dropped off, Val joined us on our walk to the drama building where Bren would spend her morning and then with me to the condor café where I usually met Brandon after my Tuesday morning class before collecting Art and bringing him to Bren. She decided that she'd like to blend in with our day but during our lectures god only knew what mischief she'd find. I excused myself for my first class and wasn't surprised when on exiting an hour later she had Brandon in what appeared to be a ego talk down. His fallen shoulders and contrite expression a clear indicator that he agreed with whatever Val was throwing at him.
As I approached I got a glimpse of the different dynamic Val had with Brandon compared to Brenda. Her tone was a little softer, less sass and her words were more intentional. With Brenda she was freer. Bren wouldn't jump on badly phrased idea's she accepted the spirit the intention of what Val was saying and vice versa, seeing them together yesterday it was obvious why Bren struggled with the girls here. Growing up in Beverly Hills all of them were used to the subtle digs in conversations even by friends, people played on insecurities here to feel better about themselves. You were more tuned in to hear negativity and assumed that everyone was taking aim, putting you down. Brenda and Val though didn't function that way they had absolute faith that they had each other's back. Accepted that everything was said with love. Brandon though required clear communication, whether that was because of his recent disclosure, the fact that Val had a thing for him or simply because he had never gained total trust I wasn't sure.
"Hey. I'm going to collect Art."
"Hey D. Uh so I was going to get the usual drinks order and join you guy's, but-"
"B don't hide from your sister. She may not be chatty but don't make her feel guilt that your routine has to change because you aren't able to sit in the uncomfortableness you created between you. Bren is sensitive to people feeling ostracised and honestly she shouldn't have any guilt when it comes to the two of you."
"Don't worry Dylan, Brandon wouldn't dare not turn up. Well grab the coffees and see you out there."
Twenty minutes later Bren surprised us by walking out of the drama building with an older guy. They were deep in conversation the whole way down the stair's.
"Brenda well this is a pleasant surprise, I just grabbed a tea after my meeting if you have time why don't you join me?"
"Morning Roy, I'd love to but I have a tea already waiting for me outside and an adorable man who will be very put out if I don't get to him immediately."
"Well then why don't I walk you out."
All the way down the stairs Roy and I chatted about his early morning meeting on campus regarding the scheduled rehearsal that would begin next week and go for three in total, and about my morning drama workshop that today had us focus on body movement. His insight into the required subtly of movement so as to appear natural was amazing. When we got down to the blanket that had as usual Arthur, Dylan, Brandon, Andrea, and this weeks addition Val, I smiled at him and while listening to his point instinctively took my grumbly son from his father who had brought him to me.
"In tomorrow's workshop will we be going through any stage direction for our final auditions on Friday?"
"There will be a little but I would like to see your natural character instincts. As a director I like to see if the actors perception and my direction can harmoniously align. Now when you said you had to meet an adorable man I assumed it would be someone older, who is this?"
"Roy I'd like you to meet Arthur McKay my son, Arthur I'd like you to meet Roy Randolph he's a world regarded Director." The last part I whispered to my son.
"You have a son? Well that's a surprise."
"Yes a hungry one at that. If you have time can I introduce you to the very unusually quiet people beside me."
He laughed "I'd like that." Dylan who was standing next to me was the first.
"Roy this is Dylan McKay and if the name didn't give it away I'm sure the looks did this is Arthur's father."
"Hi it's nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you, but I do have to say it's a striking resemblance between the two of you."
Dylan laughs, "yeah Bren would say even more so that he is currently grumpy."
"Hey you've accepted that the brooding loner traits come from you, as does his impatience." Art was fussing clearly wanting his food. "Dylan would you mind?" He understood and began introducing the rest of the group to Roy as I quickly sat and untied the knot on my t-shirt and unclasped my nursing bra. As the t-shirt of Dylan's was dark and large I didn't require a nursing blanket to keep my modesty which was good as Roy ended up sitting with us. Soon Steve and David, both of whom had decided to get up before midday came to join us. It was a relaxed conversation until Kelly and Donna arrived.
Once more introductions were made and the explanation that their morning class was cut short by a sick professor. As they were sitting down Roy inquired on the dynamics. "Brenda, Kelly I didn't realise you were that well acquainted."
Kelly answered first, "yes we've all been best friends since high school."
Val speaks up then, "not me I've been family to the twins since we were babies in Minnesota. Our mum's were in the same mother's group and still are close friends."
As Art finishes I pass him to Dylan to burp, once I fix my clothing and I start on my now lukewarm tea. Roy turns to me, "and Brenda are you and Dylan then high school sweethearts?"
The question was harmless but everyone besides myself and Val became uncomfortable. I laughed, "I'm going with sometimes on that one Roy."
Dylan then sent me a questioning look and shook his head in exasperation, "the answer to that was yes." Val coughed trying to hide her amused laugh at Dylan's obvious annoyance, if we were at home I am sure it would have earned him a smartass response from her instead.
"Oh there is a story here, and I can tell it's juicy. Okay let me have it."
"Let me do the honours, I mean the rest of you are all too close to it and well between Bren, Bran, Cindy, Dylan, Steve and now Iris I feel I have a good handle on it." The fact Val was able to say that so sweetly had Dylan, Brandon and Steve visibly cringe, and me sigh. There was literally no point in trying to stop this, she had essentially promised that she'd tell it to Roy and any attempt to hinder or limit the telling would only make it worse. Everyone was about to get Val bitched slapped and majority of them weren't even aware.