Authors Note: I own nothing. No ownership rights to Beverly Hills 90210.
Chapter Forty-Two:
Dylan watches me from the bed. He has his paper's all around him, the final copies of the edited pages he has received and the photocopies of the drafts with edits he's given back to the writers for change's- he's attempting to start placing them in a publishing order for the book Mrs T requested. Thankfully he's at least laying down with his head elevated by three pillows pretending to rest while doing it. Mind you they are also the same pillows he told me we didn't need as our room is off limits so why would European pillows we don't sleep on be necessary for an aesthetic purpose for just us. I'm feeling pretty proud that I haven't pointed out that they obviously were needed if he is currently using them, especially proud as my husband is currently driving me crazy.
He's watching as I move between the bedroom, bathroom and dressing room frustrated to no need. "Baby, I don't see why you feel we need to keep this to ourselves. Andrea and Donna would support you." This is the third time it's been raised, though he at least keeps choosing different people to throw in the mix.
"Andrea maybe would- she'd be disappointed at least, but Donna's with David she can't really pick sides, and anyway she didn't make a move. Everything she did was technically friendly, hell we couldn't decide even when it was pointed out to us by your parents if it was true or not." I come over and sit on the edge of the bed to slide the heels in my hands on my feet. "There's nothing to be done. She knows I know, and I imagine she'll be hyper aware of how she acts around you from now on in case I get upset."
"She can be hyper aware all she wants I'm not engaging with her unless you are beside me, and even then it will only be if she asks something directly. It's our marriage she is playing around near, and don't tell me as soon as she found out about it it stopped. You know as well as I do that that PR comment at lunch on Friday was inappropriate, especially for someone who has just figured out she has been flirting with a married man- she wasn't showing any remorse then."
Even annoying me with this never ending conversation when I'm trying to get ready I still find him adorable, well his obsessive need to protect us adorable. It has me leaning over and kissing him in appreciation. When his hands move to my hips in an attempt to lift me and place me on his growing need I pull back. He groans in protest. "I'm going to be late, which means Iris will he late."
He moves forward trying to capture my lips again, "like my mum cares."
"She cares about the charity and how the event will help raise awareness and teach people how to check themselves. The afternoon of being social and planning she doesn't care for but understands it's a necessary evil. An evil I'm going to make us late for if I don't go downstairs now."
His exaggerated sigh and relinquishing off my hips makes me smile, he's a petulant man when he's kept away from me now. "Don't be too long okay, and if you get uncomfortable don't suffer through it just come home."
My exasperation seeps into my tone he has been on about this for the last forty minutes, "I can't come running back up here to hide behind our gates when I'm uncomfortable, it's not very me, or is my hiding from it helpful. You know that." I rub his chest and speak gently, "Baby, what happened to making sure we keep our balance and not get too possessive of each other?"
He falls back on the pillows with a moan. "We've spent months away from each other, we have attacks from your parents, Kelly, hell even Tony tried to make a move-" I roll my eyes at the last one- he did not.
My eyes have him pausing and then a look of understanding passes across his face. He's gentler when he speaks, "Mrs McKay just let me enjoy having you home for a few weeks, enjoy being possessive for a while, enjoy finally being able to be crazy protective of you. Enjoy it without getting concerned that our balance is being thrown off, at least for a little while. Anyway, I think my parents will warn us if they begin to worry. Though thankfully it won't be an idiotic ban this time if we get off kilter."
I reach down and peck his lips, "okay a few weeks where we indulge." I know his increased worry is because of how helpless he has felt with me living in Casa Walsh these last few months, experiencing my parents constant limitations and opinions regarding the people I love. He was clearly frustrated because I had left one situation to only have Kelly present another. I knew he was angry that I had to deal with this but as I kept saying all day it was fine that I was sad but fine… my husband just didn't like hearing the sad part. "While I'm gone try and get some sleep."
"Why Nym you planning on indulging when you get back?"
I stand and look in the mirror one last time. "We have dinner with your parents when we get back." His mock groan is loud, my eyes find his in the reflection, "oh come on you can share me for an hour with them."
"Not after you have been gone for hours this afternoon. It's the weekend, our first weekend at home. I'm not even sure why we have left the bed at all this weekend." I turn and smile at my crazy guy who has been in bed all day having pushed himself too hard this week.
"Because you need your rest."
"Mrs McKay don't blame this on me, I'm more than up for a weekend with my wife alone. You are the socialite this weekend."
I snort at his exaggeration and go to collect my bag, "I've left your side for all of two hours this weekend, and thirty minutes of that was just me downstairs. Gosh your grumpiness increases when you're feeling unwell."
"My grumpiness increases when my favourite nurse leaves me to fend for myself."
As I move to the door I roll my eyes again at his behaviour, "Baby you are ridiculous, and what fending you have a juice and a snacks by the bed you'll be fine?" When I've opened the door I turn around and blow him a kiss. "Now I love you and I'll be back soon, and please try and not worry." As I turn around I also add. "Oh and I'm taking the Porsche." His groan is the last thing I hear as I shut the door.
When Iris and I arrive out the front of Jackie and Mel's she smiles, "it's exactly the style I thought it would be."
As I'm pulling out the keys from the ignition I look at my mother-in-law, "when I first arrived in LA I was overwhelmed by it, well everyone's houses. I had never seen wealth like this before."
"It's something unfortunately you can easily get used to, try not to though. It becomes a reality that brings no joy. Materialism and normalising this wealth pulls you further from the struggles of people around you, disconnects you from reality. I hated being raised in it, my parents were products of their environment. Two very wealthy young people knowing that together they were going to have a wealth and power seen by few on the planet. It twists your mind makes you believe you are indestructible." I reach out and squeeze her hand, Iris lost her parents too young, they were too young. The highlife, the extreme sports, the media hype, they were burning too bright and got swept up in it all. They never saw out the end of the fifty's.
Kelly answers the door and it's unsurprising from the cars everyone is already here as we walk in. As my mother is closest I kiss her cheek first, trying to pretend that all is okay, and then I turn to greet Jackie. She knocks straight into the elephant in the room.
"Brenda or should I saw Mrs McKay? When Kel and David came home on Sunday and told Mel and I, I thought they must be joking. I mean to get married this young to your first boyfriend- well it's not unusual from the country town I'm from but there isn't much options there. It's… it's unusual here." Kelly at least has the grace to look embarrassed about what her mother said, my mother looks pleased, Felice looks ready to throw her hat in the ring and join in on the unsolicited opinion pile.
Before she can though I decide that I'm going to try and set the tone on this, "Brenda is fine Jackie, and yes marriage at this age isn't for everyone. Though I don't think any age makes you ready for marriage, I think it's more about the two people and how they communicate, the life they want to build together, the love, friendship and respect they share. I'm very blessed that Dylan and I are equally committed to each other and the life we want to lead. Committed that this is for life."
"Well life has a way of throwing curve balls at you, I hope you are aware of that. Marriage is a sacred commitment it's not something that should be taken lightly, it's a promise to god as much as it is to your spouse. It's not just decorating houses, it can be hard work at times." My expression hopefully hides the complete disbelief that this is coming from the woman who only six months ago got caught in a hotel with someone not her husband. That I'm hiding the fact that someone has been sharing the details of Dylan's and my purchases.
"Yes, well considering that my husband hates shopping it is surprising that he didn't make me promise in our ceremony to be his personal shopper. I mean it could have easily sat between in sickness and in health, or for richer or for poorer, I mean decorating is such a big part of being married." I was going for humour though my anger made it more sarcastic than I would have liked.
"Brenda!" "Well said, my son does hate shopping." My mother and mother-in-law have such polar opposite responses I'd laugh if I wasn't currently being lectured to by an adulteress, and a woman who has been married more than once- the last being to a man who she has known for less time than I've known my husband.
"Ladies, we probably should get started as I'm sure we have lots to discuss to pull this event off before thanksgiving." Iris even in this social circle still commanded respect from Jackie and Felice, and immediately our host was offering us a seat and pouring coffees and tea for the both of us ignoring the inappropriate greetings they gave.
As we drank Kelly was explaining the progress we had made so far with Mrs T, Andrea at The Blaze, and our idea's for location.
"Kelly, I think it's a lovely idea the school gym, but it may not set the right tone. The country club would be a much better venue especially with the mother's in attendance."
"Mum I think the idea is to donate most of the ticket price to cancer research rather than the venue fee's."
"Donna, Dear in this town people expect quality, the school I don't think can achieve that standard. It will also cost ridiculous sums of money to hire everything for the school to get it close to acceptable, the country club has it already there and part of the venue package."
Iris and I share a look, she hated the country club. "Felice I hear what you are saying, but the country club may not have the right feel. It's a little traditional. If you feel numbers would be effected by the school being the venue, why don't we try the breakfast deck space at the BelAge? It's a lovely covered outdoor venue that would make a lovely setting for a high tea."
"Iris I doubt we could even get a booking there this late. The Spring Dance Committee had to book six months in advance, the prom committee has just booked. The Parents and Friends Committee had to pull strings to even get those dates." My mother-in-law smiles and then gives a relaxed smile.
"Hmmm wouldn't hurt to check. Brenda, would you mind you know them better than I do?" She indicates to the cordless.
I give a look at Jackie silently asking permission, and then open my own Filofax that has been resting on my lap ready to take notes if needed. I turn to the phone number section and dial the hotel.
"Hello, could I please be put through to Henry Thompson please?"
When the receptionist asks for a name of who is calling I advise it's Brenda McKay. My Mum stiffens across from me. It's less than a minute before I'm chatting with Henry, he's laughing and asking when that husband of mine will be bringing me to the hotel so we can celebrate this wedding- Henry has always been a sweet man and through everything he's always maintained contact with Dylan.
The venue is booked, with room fee being waived because of the charity cause. Before I get off the phone I've arranged for a tasting menu for all of us on Thursday afternoon to finalise the menu, and I've promised that Dylan and I will stay and have dinner with Henry and his wife that night.
Felice's face is a mix of distaste with resentful respect, Jackie seems confused and Iris just smiles. "Thank you Sweetheart, Jack is going to be jealous not to get the invite for dinner as he loves their pork loin. Though I know Dylan and Henry have a special relationship and we wouldn't want to interfere with their fun." I smirk at my mother-in-law at the 'we'. She subtly winks at me.
The rest of the afternoon is endless back and forth on every detail that we had yet to finalise and even the ones we had already agreed to. It's finally put to a stop when Felice questions the flower choice, I immediately shut her down- I was sick of this woman throwing her weight around. When Felice retreats on the issue my mum looks to me with a surprised gratitude- it devastates me. Sheila was my Aunt the flowers we had decided on were her favourite of course I wouldn't let them be changed.
Twenty minutes later I'm walking inside our home and making a B line for our bedroom, I need a minute.
My son and I were sitting at the kitchen island contemplating starting to cook dinner. Dylan and I had chopped everything but the actual cooking was a minefield for both of us, though not cooking was also a minefield as well. My wife and his were later than expected, and we didn't want to appear incompetent by not cooking, we also didn't want to demonstrate incompetence by cooking and ruining it all. Minefield!
The door closing has us both looking to the entryway, finally our McKay women were here to save us. When my wife comes in I smile at the sight of her but I know all is not well.
"How bad?"
She comes over and places her bag down on the stool next to our son, "society life, opinionated women who like to throw stones from their glass houses. She handled all of that. Cindy though… it wasn't what she said but she looked almost shocked and then grateful that Brenda insisted on sticking with her Aunt Sheila's flowers for the event. Like her daughter's character, love of family, loyalty was a surprise to her."
My son stands, "she upstairs?"
"Darling, I'm giving you unsolicited advice but give her a moment. I think she needs a moment to herself, her relationships around her are crumbling, just give her a moment."
He reaches up and scratches the back of his neck like he's thinking on his mother's words, weighing them up. When he drops his hand I know he's not taking the advice, "no that's not Bren's and my deal."
He walks a few steps then turns, "can you guy's set another place for dinner?" I nod.
He picks up the cordless off the cradle on the way out of the kitchen.
Iris washes her hands, and as she prepares the chicken and vegetables for the oven she goes through her afternoon. When she finishes covering the events, I move behind her trapping her against the bench. "You think we can ask the parole board to let me serve my time on that pineapple mountain of yours? You, me, the kid's- I forgot how corrosive this place can be, I forgot how it can tear you down. Jealousy in this town is-"
"Soul destroying." I nod into her neck as I lay kisses on my other half's shoulder.
When the buzzer on the gate rings forty minutes later, I see the light indicating Dylan's picked up the intercom. I hear the door close as I'm pulling out plates to set the table, a moment later I see my son walk in followed by his brother-in-law.
"Called in the big guns son? It's good to see you again Brandon."
He reaches over and shakes my hand then greets Iris with a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks for having me for dinner."
"Our pleasure Dear, it'll be ready in fifteen minutes."
"Great. D she in your guy's room?"
"No our study. She's rereading our next history chapter for the sixth time."
"Six. It's that bad? What the hell happened, you just said she needed the both of us?"
"Yeah Jones come on I'll walk you up and tell you about some of the stuff she's getting thrown at her."