I Know I'm Not the Only One (But in The End, It All Hurts Just the Same)
Summary: "It's the oldest story in the world. One day you're 17 planning for someday and then quietly, without you ever noticing, someday today. And then someday yesterday. And this is your life."
Chapter One: You and Me, We Made a Vow…For Better or For Worse
"They were too near to me. I loved them to much. And the love overtaking me and combined with the fact that I was going to spend another evening alone, doing nothing with it, being waited down to motionlessness by my own actions made me want to get it over with and fucking be alone."
― Courtney Maum, I Am Having So Much Fun Here Without You
They say the wife is always the last to know.
Except that Brooke had always known, and she married him anyway. She had been married to Lucas Scott for six years. Brooke had discovered that she was pregnant shortly after Nathan and Hayley's wedding. Lucas apologized for kissing Peyton and promised that he would be there for her and the baby every step of the way.
After months of Lucas trying to win her back, Brooke had finally agreed to give him a chance at championship game. Brooke eventually forgave Peyton for what happened and they agreed to be friends again. Peyton and Lucas stayed away from each other for the duration of her pregnancy, not wanting to stress the baby…then her water broke. She gave birth to a baby boy they named James Lucas Scott. Lucas proposed to her in the delivery room and Brooke said yes. Brooke and Lucas got married, and Karen helped with the baby while they went to college.
Two years later, Brooke started her own fashion line and went into business with Victoria, and Lucas's novel got published. It was like a dream come true.
That night, Lucas called Peyton to tell her about his novel, while Brooke was on the phone with Hayley. He was still on the phone when she went to sleep.
"We spend all our time building something up and then we don't enjoy it. We just sit there terrified that someone is going to take it away from us," Brooke said, washing the dishes, and staring out the window where her husband her and best friend were playing with Jamie.
Lucas picked Peyton up and swung her around, both laughing as he threw her in a pile of leaves. Jamie jumped on his father's back, making him fall to, and the three of them were smiling.
They looked like the perfect blonde family.
"Are you okay?" Hayley asked, and Brooke blinked, turning around to look at her friend.
"Of course," she said, placing the plate on the rack, "Why wouldn't I be?"
Hayley didn't say anything, and Brooke hated the silence.
"We're a power couple, Hayley," Brooke babbled, "Lucas is a famous novelist, and I have my fabulous fashion line. but we still found time to have a big family. We already have two boys. All we need is a little girl to complete the picture,"
"Brooke," Hayely started, but Brooke kept going.
"Lucas coaches little league and I bake treats for the team," Brooke said, "And we spend our summers in our beach house and last winter we went to the Southern France,"
"Brooke,"
"But it doesn't matter where we are, as long as we're together, Hayley," Brooke forced a smile, "And we're always together, Hayley. We're a family,"
Jamie, their six-year-old, who outside playing with his father and his Aunt Peyton. Keith, there four-year-old, who was in the living room with his Uncle Nathan.
"Brooke, what's going on with you and Lucas?" Hayley asked, and Brooke heard the back door open.
"Hey, pretty girl," Lucas greeted, coming behind her and kissing her cheek.
"Hey, Husband," Brooke turned her head to catch his lips with hers, out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Peyton look away.
"Momma," Jamie, tugged at her dress.
"Yes, Jamie," Brooke pulled away from Lucas, to look down at their son.
"Can I have a cookie?" he asked, and Brooke smiled, ruffling his hair.
"Of course, baby," she stated, and Lucas went to the cabinet to get them snacks.
"I got it," he said, "Come on, let go share with your brother,"
Lucas, Peyton, and Jamie left the kitchen and Brooke turned back to Hayley.
"We're the same as we've always been," Brooke answered, a sad smile on her face.
Hayley stared at her for a long moment, then nodded.
"And you're happy, right?" Hayley said, and Brooke's smile dipped, her eyes flicking to the copy of the comet in Hayley's hands.
It was a comet. The boy saw the comet and he felt as though his life had meaning. And when it went away, he waited his entire life for it to come back to him. It was more than just a comet because of what it brought to his life: direction, beauty, meaning. There are many who couldn't understand, and sometimes he walked among them. But even in his darkest hours, he knew in his heart that someday it would return to him, and his world would be whole again...
"How are you and Nathan?" Brooke asked, changing the subject.
Later, after Hayley and Nathan left and the kids went to bed.
Brooke, Lucas, and Peyton sat on the couch talking and catching up.
She was waiting for him to ask. He always asked.
"Hey, I'm going to drive Peyton home," Lucas said, standing up, "Her car won't start so i'm going to have a look at it while i'm there, is that okay?"
Is that okay?
"Just don't be gone to long," Brooke ordered, and Lucas smiled.
"I'll be home as soon as I can," he leaned down to kiss her, "I love you, pretty girl,"
"I know," Brooke replied, becuase he did love her.
She never doubted that she was the one that he loved. But she wasn't the only girl in his heart.
"See you later, B, Davis," Peyton said, giving her a hug, "Get some rest,"
"I will," she said, tired.
She wished they would just leave already. Looking at the two of them together was making her sick.
Once the door slammed, Brooke went to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of wine.
They say the wife is always the last to know.
Except that Brooke had always known, and she married him anyway.
Author's note: Brooke was pregnat in season 4, not Hayley. Brooke still broke up with Lucas, but she didn't date her english teacher, she and Lucas got back together at the championship game. They got married after high school. Brooke still went into business with Vicotoria, and she lets her mom do most of the company work while she stays home with the kids.
This is a Brucas Story and it has a happy ending so don't worry.
Things aren't exactly the way Brooke thinks they are.