Disclaimer: I take no ownership of any of these characters.
"Excuse me but is my pancake smiling at me?" Brooke asked taking a seat at his dining room table as Lucas he followed suit with an identical plate for himself.
Lucas chuckled and kissed her hand. "I pull out all the stops for you."
Brooke sent him a dimpled smile and dug in with Lucas following, both surprised at the appetite they had worked up.
It wasn't long before they were leaned back in their chairs completely content, and they both knew it was time for the talk.
"I don't want to lose you again Brooke," Lucas said deciding he'd be the one to get things rolling. "I've replayed things over and over again. I've tried to figure out at which exact moment we fell apart. But I can't find it."
" Listen, I know it's been difficult for you lately-losing Keith and your heart condition and giving up basketball … I feel like … I've been keeping you close to me to try to protect you from those things like I'm hanging on to the two of us for you … but not for me."
" I'm sorry I kissed, Peyton … I should've told you"
"It's not about that, Luke … it's not-I- … you- I thought that it was but this is not about her this is about me … I love you, Lucas and I probably always will but we go days without having a meaningful conversation … and I used to miss you somuch when that happened . But it never seemed like you missed me and I guess because of it I stopped missing you."
"I always missed you Brooke, I don't know what I was thinking that night. I wanted so bad to say the right things that would save us, but I was just shocked at everything. And the fact that you stopped missing me, I just didn't know …" Lucas found himself stumbling on his words once again. "Why did I lose us?"
Brooke shook her head at his pain and his confusion. "She never told you did she?" she asked her voice shaking in anger and pain.
" Brooke, I think I still have feelings for Lucas."
" You mean you care for him as a friend….."
" No. I mean more than that."
"Told me what Brooke?" Lucas said recognizing that tone and not liking it, he immediately took one of her hands in both of his stroking it gently.
Brooke sighed. "It wasn't the reason that things ended but it was definitely a factor in things… I don't blame it on her. I'm just surprised she didn't tell you so she could add it to her list of why you two are the epic romance meant to last forever," she rambled.
"Brooke what are you talking about?" Lucas asked thoroughly confused and a little forceful edge in his voice.
Brooke took one more deep breath. "The night before Nathan and Haley's rewedding, Peyton told me she still had feelings for you Luke," Brooke saw Lucas's face drop and felt her hand fall from his grip and immediately became frightened, not that he would hurt her, but that she would lose him.
"I'm sorry I know it's stupid and it wasn't completely the reason. I mean I know that you wouldn't have cheated on me… again," she said mumbling the last word. "But I just felt like history was repeating itself and then you tell me you kissed her and…" she trailed off.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Lucas asked in a low voice. Brooke frowned. "Why so I could aid in the fucking Pucas relationship again? So I could be an accessory in your undying love for each other? Well I'm sorry for looking out for myself Lucas," she said becoming angry through her misconceptions. She stood up and fast walked back to the room in a rush to find her clothes and maintain some of her dignity.
"Ugh!" She yelled throwing Lucas's hoodie to the ground in the hallway and rushing to find her bra on his bedroom floor; his footsteps quickly followed.
"Brooke!" he yelled at her reaching for her arm as she hooked her bra. "What are you doing?!"
"I'm leaving Lucas! I get it! Peyton has always loved you and I should've told you so that you could've found your way to each other sooner! Now help me find my fucking pants and I'll be out of your hair so you can call Peyton!" she yelled in frustration tearing his room apart.
Lucas couldn't help but laugh at the sight of his Pretty girl in just her bra and panties looking frantically around for her clothes, her face flushed in anger. It was enough to curb his anger towards Peyton for the moment.
"You think this is funny?!" Brooke asked turning towards him with a glare. Lucas smiled and came closer, putting his hands on her arms, she squirmed but couldn't bring herself to escape his grip.
"No Cheery, I think it's absolutely adorable," he said kissing her nose which scrunched up in disgust.
"Don't bullshit me Lucas," she said crossing her arms. "I saw you out there, and you weren't happy."
Lucas shook his head, sitting on the bed and bringing Brooke into his lap. "Not at you Brooke, I'm mad that she did that to you. And I let that happen to us again. I told you Brooke, losing you is my biggest regret."
Brooke looked down at him embarrassed. "Well… I guess I over reacted huh?"
Lucas nodded with a laugh. "But it's okay it was really cute." He said causing Brooke to stick her tongue out at him. "So where does this leave us?" Brooke asked playing with the hem of his shirt nervously, something she usually was not.
Lucas lifted her chin with his finger, forcing her to look him in the eyes. "If you'll let me, I want to be with you again, Brooke."
Her eyes quickly filled with tears. "Lucas I wasn't good enough for you before, I wasn't enough to make you want to change… what makes me different now? How do I know it's not just because you're hurt over Peyton? How do I know I'm not a rebound Luke?" she asked, her voice breaking Lucas' heart.
Lucas thought about it. "Brooke, don't get me wrong. I did care for Peyton, but she was the rebound. Things with her were safe, they were comfortable. Our break up hurt me more than I let on… and Peyton was a big safety net for me. I went back to her because you broke up with me."
"When she told me she had feelings for you again, I thought it was just a matter of time before you two found each other again and I didn't want to be the same idiot from last time getting in between you."
Lucas sighed and held her tighter as she put her head on his chest. He involuntarily smelled her hair. "I can't turn back time Brooke and I can't take back all the terrible things that I did to you. But I can make them up to you. These past four years I've pined for you, I've lived a lie and I didn't remember what it was like to be myself until you came back into town."
Lucas kissed her on the lips and rested his forehead on hers. "I won't let myself lose you again Brooke. I know we have details to hammer out but I'm going to make us work…if you give me the chance to."
Brooke's eyes stopped watering but she said nothing. "Trust me pretty girl," Lucas urged looking into her eyes.
She kissed him causing him to fall onto his back, and he had his answer as she smiled against his lips.
"Have you heard from Brooke lately?" Haley asked Chase who was setting her up the table next to the pool. "I haven't seen her since the whole kitchen fight… Actually, I haven't seen Luke either… I hope they didn't kill each other."
Chase laughed. "I don't think you have to worry about them fighting anymore."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Nathan asked from the grill shaking his head at Rachel who was laid out by the pool tanning. "By the way, thanks for the help Gatina."
"I'm serving as inspiration Nathan, doesn't this help heat your meat?" she asked with a smirk. Haley rolled her eyes but smiled despite herself.
"You're insane," Chase replied picking up Jaime who was playing with a toy car.
"It's helping mine," Mouth replied from the patio causing Bevin and Skills to laugh with him.
"Mouth!" Haley scolded. "What does he mean Mommy?" Jaime asked looking up from his toy. Haley looked at him surprised and gave Mouth a glare.
"It just means he wants his steak cooked longer," Haley eased. Rachel laughed, "But doesn't everyone?"
"Enough!" Haley said putting her hand on her forehead. "Honey, why don't you go inside and get Chester so he can run around a little?" she asked as Chase put him down. Jaime just shrugged and ran inside. As soon as he was out of earshot everyone except Haley burst out in laughter.
"You guys can't do that he's only four!" she said but couldn't stop her own chuckle.
"You still didn't answer my question though," Nathan finally said after they had quieted down.
"Oh you'll see the answer to that very soon," Rachel said mysteriously. They all turned to her questioningly but their attention was diverted by Lucas walking through the patio doors with Jamie holding Chester in his arms.
"Hey guys," Lucas said happily putting Jamie down to let him play.
"Hey bro where you been?" Nathan asked eying him suspiciously as Lucas shook Chases hand eagerly with a pat on the back.
"Oh you know around," Lucas said smiling before giving Haley a big hug and twirling her around, catching her off guard.
"Lucas are you alright?" Haley asked placing her hands on his shoulders to both steady herself and draw his attention.
"I'm more than alright Hales," Lucas said walking out of her grasp to go and sit next to Skills, Bevin, and Mouth at a table.
"Somebody got laid," Rachel sang with a smirk. "And a good one," she added.
"That's gross," Bevin said scrunching her nose up. "I don't like thinking about Peyton naked."
Lucas's smile faltered a bit, which went noticed by everyone present. "She left…" he said in a low voice. The past 24 hours had been such a blur of comfort and complete happiness that he almost forgot about how angry he was at Peyton. Not for leaving him, but instead for allowing him to waste so many years of his life, and allowing him to believe that she was the victim.
"To where?" Mouth asked.
"To Jake's…" Lucas replied. "Oh Luke I'm so sorry…" Haley said immediately coming to his side. "What happened? Was it about…?"
"No, don't blame it on Brooke," Lucas said immediately coming to his Brooke's defense. "It's not her fault… it was never her fault." He clarified.
Haley looked taken aback and shot Nathan a worried look. "So where do you and Peyton stand?" she asked.
"We're done," Lucas replied easily, a smile on his face once again. "Finally…"
"Ding dong the bitch is dead," Rachel sneered lifting her glass up next to the pool, both Bevin and Lucas raised their glasses with her, laughing.
"Baby!" Skillz scolded. Bevin shrugged and took a sip of her cocktail.
"Lucas what's with you? Why are you being such an ass about this?" Haley asked.
"I'm not being an ass Hales, I'm just being true to myself for the first time in a while. Me and Peyton were living a lie. I saw the way everyone looked at us and I know you guys saw it too, so don't act surprised," Lucas replied beaming the whole time.
"Still, it's just surprising that you're so happy that she's gone man. I mean, I could imagine you felt relieved but when you're this ecstatic it's a wonder why you didn't break it off yourself sooner," Nathan said trying to reason everyone confusion to his brother.
"Oh, I don't think it's because of that," Chase said with a knowing smile.
"Okay some has got to tell me what the hell is going on!" Skillz exclaimed.
"Yeah seriously!" Haley echoed. Lucas opened his mouth to answer but was interrupted by the reason herself barging into the back yard carrying two armfuls of shopping bags. "I come baring gifts!" Brooke exclaimed with a giant smile and her sunglasses perched on top of her head. She was glowing from head to toe, and although Lucas had just seen her 6 hours ago, her beauty was still breathtaking.
"Auntie Brooke!" Jamie yelled from across the yard, running over with Chester in his arms. "Jamie my favorite godson!" she exclaimed dropping all her bags to catch him and toss him into her arms. Jamie laughed and hugged her tightly. "Here big boy, take this to your room and we'll go through it later!" she said handing him a bag and rustling his hair. He squealed in delight before running into the house.
"I love him!" she said to everyone who was watching her with a smile. "Sorry I'm late," she said, "What I miss?" she asked leaning against the patio railing with Chase, sending a wink to Lucas.
"We were just about to find out what has Lucas all chipper today," Mouth replied.
"Ugh, as if I care," Brooke said feigning arrogance, immediately feeling an unnecessary tension build up.
"Wow, do you always have to be such a bitch?" Lucas said looking at her with a glare. "Luke!" Haley scolded.
"Says the asshole who can't mind his own business," Brooke snapped back. "Brooke calm down," Nathan said nervously.
"I'm only an ass to people who don't give a shit about their friends and leave to find a claim to fame, Miss Davis," Lucas taunted.
"Well at least I know what fame feels like, Lucas Scott. Oh by the way, how's your book going?" she said in a very bitchy tone.
"Uhhh…." Skillz said not liking where this was going. Mouth and Bevin stared eagerly, Nathan and Haley looked extremely uncomfortable but Chase and Rachel had smiles on their faces, of course no one noticed.
"That's it!" Lucas said jumping out of his seat and slamming his hand down on the table. He walked the few steps to Brooke, getting in her face. "I've had enough of your shit!"
"What you gonna do about it Scott?!" Brooke asked angrily. "Write about it in your stupid book?" she asked with an eyebrow up. "You guys!" Haley urged.
"No!" Lucas replied, "This!" he said and before anyone knew what was happening he pulled Brooke's body against his and kissed her deeply, which Brooke eagerly replied to. Lucas allowed his hands to get tangled in Brooke's chestnut locks but before it could get too far Rachel's laughter reminded them of their audience.
Brooke pulled away to see faces of complete shock, so much so that Nathan had abandoned his grilled.
"Dude," Lucas pointed out with his arm still around Brooke's waist, "Your meats on fire…"
His comment broke everyone out of their daze causing Haley to squeal in surprise, "Nathan your meat is on fire!"
Rachel and Chase just laughed harder as Nathan threw water onto the grill before placing the lid on it. Bevin leaned over to Skillz and whispered loudly, "Wait… Who is Luke dating again?"
This comment caused the attention back on Brooke and Lucas who stood there with the biggest grins on their face.
"Explain," Mouth said unable to contain the contagious smiles of Brucas.
"Slowly," Haley added with her hands on her hips in an almost scolding tone.
"Well… long story short…" Lucas said rubbing the back of his neck with a nervous smile.
"The bitch left and the rightful pair was reinstated," Rachel chimed in getting up next to Brooke and Lucas. "Such a shame too, I was thinking I had a chance of breaking you and Fauxdilocks up," she said seductively standing in front of Lucas in her bikini with a smirk.
"Back off bitch," Brooke said crossing her arms in front of Lucas with a playful glare. Rachel just laughed and hugged her shorter friend. "Glad you got the stick out of your ass, and put it elsewhere. Congrats Scott, you're not as dumb as I thought."
Brooke just laughed in reply. "Thanks Rachel," Lucas replied rolling his eyes.
The group laughed along with this followed Nathan holding a glass in the air to toast to the new couple. However, Brooke could see that both Nathan and Haley had some questions for them.
Brooke was fine with that. She had all the time in the world for questions because for once she felt like she was home.
