Lethe Vita

Chapter 32

Tracking down Curtis Malone was trickier than they had anticipated.

He had turned to his contacts in Boston and Washington, both of whom had told Brandon that Curtis' information was confidential.

Rather than needle his contacts about why Curtis' information was confidential, Brandon said he understood.

"If you can contact him for me, tell him his sister's in trouble in Buffalo and he needs to call Brandon Walsh as soon as he gets this message," said Brandon.

"I will relay that information to him," said the contact.

Brandon gave his details, thanked the contact, and then threw down his mobile as he closed his eyes in frustration.

A knock sounded on his door.

"Any luck?" asked Brenda.

"No luck," said Brandon. "Curtis must work for the government or something, because apparently, only Val knows how to reach him."

"Can Steve ask Val how to reach her brother?" asked Brenda.

"I can call him." Brandon opened his eyes. "Shouldn't you be resting?"

Brenda curved both hands on either side of her spine.

"I'm tired of resting," she said. "I want to help Val."

"Where's my soon-to-be brother-in-law?" asked Brandon.

"Suit shopping, with Clare and Donna," said Brenda. "It was the only way Steve was slightly okay with Dylan and I eloping. Brandon," Brenda glanced at her hand that had moved to rest on her abdomen, the expensive jewels in her ring catching the light from the sun, "do you think Dylan and I are rushing into this? Would I have agreed to marry him this quickly, if it were not for the baby?"

"What do you think, Bren?" Brandon tapped the spot beside him.

Brenda joined him on the daybed, with Brandon's help.

She could rarely sit or stand up without help, or a repeated struggle.

"I think I love him," said Brenda. "I know I love him, that I'm ridiculously in love with him. That when I looked up what besotted is in the dictionary when I read it in my book, it was Dylan's face I imagined beside the explanation. I know I want to marry him, but would he have asked me to marry him so soon if I hadn't had all these scares? Would I have agreed if I wasn't terrified of being taken away from him?"

"If you really feel like that, Bren, then I can call up McKay right now and we can talk him into postponing your elopement until after we find out if the court case has been thrown out."

"No," said Brenda. "No, don't do that. I'm just - I'm just nervous, I guess. It's these hormones. They amplify my already muddled emotions."

"It's normal to be nervous," said Brandon.

"Were you nervous?" asked Brenda. "On your wedding day?"

"I was fucking terrified," said Brandon. "It led to me making a decision I deeply regret. A mutual decision, but one still full of regrets."

"Not marrying Kelly?"

"Losing Kelly."

"Dylan lost me, but I allowed him to find me again," said Brenda. "I've put my complete trust in him, opened myself fully to this man that I feel like I've loved forever. And I haven't regretted it."

"Do you have your answer, then?" asked Brandon.

"Yes," said Brenda, twirling her ring. "I have my answer. Thanks, Bran."