82 Letters

Chapter 7

'Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds. It is an ever fixed mark that looks on tempests and is never shaken. Love alters not with time's brief hours and weeks, but bears it out even to the edge of doom.'

Lucas looked around the room. Then back at Brooke. Looking up at her. As he then took a seat on the couch close to him. Brooke joining him on an opposite chair. Looking over at him. Pausing as she started to speak.

"What version are you referring to.?" "When we were blissfully happy.?" "When I found out about you and Peyton kissing again.?" "Or when you proposed to Lindsay.?" "And I sat there composed with a smile on my face like always.?" "I would really like to know why you're here.?" "Because the Brooke you knew has grown up and changed." "I don't need or want to hear anything you have to say in regards to what we were." "In this moment, we are practically meeting for the first time."

"What else could I possibly give to you Luke.?" "My heart, soul, trust." Brooke asked. Looking away.

Lucas looked back at her. Her words causing an ache in his chest. As he was reminded just how much he had put her through.

"Your honesty Brooke." Lucas said. Looking into her eyes. As he put his hand on hers.

Taken aback by his response. She listened. Her eyes locked on his.

"Are you in love with him.?" "Honestly truly happy.?" Lucas asked her.

"Why would you even ask that.?" "Why does the status of my relationship matter to you anyway.?" Brooke asked. Looking back at him.

"Because you matter to me." "More importantly I didn't just come back to town to visit and catch up with everyone." "I came back for you." Lucas said to her.

"What about Peyton.?" Brooke asked. Trying to absorb what he had just told her.

"We broke up." "She broke up with me." "As much as we tried to fix things between us it became more obvious that we just weren't right together." "That was two years ago," "Last I heard she had moved on with Jake." "My editor had told me that I needed to find what drove my inspiration for my first book. So, I could create a new one." "And for a lot of people the book was about the comet." But the true love story is about the boy from River court and the girl behind the red door." "They end up saving each other." "And end up falling in love." Lucas said to her.

"It's a beautiful story." "We both know that love doesn't happen often."

"And that as much as you may want something it might never happen."

Brooke said. Looking away from him.

"I didn't fight for you before because of my pride and unwillingness to tell you just how I felt." "I'm in love with you Brooke." "You are the one for me." Lucas said. Touching her face with his hand.

"Luke, I love you too." Brooke said. Tears falling from her eyes.

"I have to tell you something." Brooke said.

"But not here." Brooke said. Taking her hand in his as they started to walk to the front door. Getting into Brooke's car. Driving in silence. Eventually stopping. Walking out as Lucas turned to Brooke as she started to speak.

"It was here so many years ago, it feels like that you told me and the entire beach that you were the guy for me." "This is also where I went right before I left for New York." "My mind going back to that night we had spent together." "Weeks before graduation." "Which was and still is unforgettable because we were in love and it lead to a realization I had never expected." Brooke said. Looking to Lucas.

"I was pregnant Luke which was part of why I left town."

"I ran my business from New York and 9 months later."

"I had a baby our son Ethan Keith Davis."

"He was and is perfect."

Brooke said. Looking into his eyes.

"I'm a dad." Lucas said. His voice breaking with emotion.

Putting her hand on his face.

"Yes, you are." "He's beautiful, loves books and basketball, is outgoing and loving.". "Here's a picture of him." Brooke said. Taking out her phone. Handing it to Lucas. As he looked at it.

"I want to see him." Lucas said. Tears welling up in his eyes as he looked back at Brooke.

"He's in New York with my mother." Brooke said.

"I'll take you to him and explain why I didn't tell you or anyone else."

Brooke said. Looking to him.

Taking her hand in his. The two walked to the car. Getting inside as Brooke started to drive.

Taking a breath. As she started to speak.

"I wanted had to protect this baby and by leaving I was protecting you too." Brooke said. As she begun to explain.

….

Author's Note : Let me know your thoughts readers.?