Chapter 10

She laid there, his warm body sprawled right next to her, his arm draped across her chest, and stared at the ceiling. There was so much to think about, so many decisions to make, but last night had been so perfect and even now, in this moment, she felt so unbelievably content that she didn't have the heart to make any decisions about him and her.

The sunlight was slowly pouring through her window and she knew that she needed to get up soon to get ready for work. She needed to get back to her life, to reality and sadly her reality did not include a romantic relationship with Lucas. Not for right now, at least. But she knew he would expect a relationship after last night and she was not looking forward to breaking the news to him that it just would not work.

He stirred suddenly and lifted his face from the pillow towards her. She smiled gently as he slowly opened his eyes and squinted at her, a similar smile forming on his own face.

"Hi," he murmured happily, his arm tightening around her as he buried his face into her neck. She giggled lightly and placed a hand on the back of his head, running her fingers through his hair.

"Hi," she said quietly, grinning as he slowly kissed her neck. It felt so good, so right, to have him touch her that way, that she couldn't tell him to stop.

"Last night…" he muttered, pulling away from her slightly, "…was incredible."

"Yeah," she agreed. He was right about that. It had been the best night of her life since…. Well she couldn't even remember. It had just been perfect.

"I love you," he murmured against her neck. She felt goosebumps erupt all over her body and she had to force herself from jumping him right then and there.

"I love you, too." This was going to be so much harder than she had wanted it to be. His face fell back down to the pillow and he closed his eyes, silently dozing.

She took a deep breath and stared down at him. She needed to talk to him, that much was clear, and she knew she couldn't leave him the whole day thinking things that he should be thinking. He wanted them to be together and she wanted that too. But it wouldn't work now. This was something she had been constantly reminding herself ever since his lips had first landed on hers last night.

"Luke?"

He sighed lightly and smiled at her voice, opening his eyes slightly. "Yeah?"

"We need to talk."

He raised an eyebrow and slowly sat up. "That doesn't sound good."

She looked at him guiltily. Straight to the point, that's exactly what she needed to do.

"Luke, we can't do this."

He narrowed his eyes, but he didn't look surprised. "Somehow I knew you were gonna say that."

She sighed. "It's just… Peyton is still getting over you and you two only broke up a month ago. It's just wrong, Lucas, and you know it."

"But I love you, Brooke. I want to be with you."

"I want to be with you, too," she said softly, running a hand through his hair. "But it's not going to work right now. I won't betray Peyton like that."

"If Peyton was a good friend she'd want you to be happy." He was getting frustrated now; she could tell by the way he was squinting at her.

"I know, Luke, but Peyton is…well, she can be a bit selfish, if I'm being honest. But I would never want her to do this to me—,"

"She did, though. Back in senior year."

Did he really have to bring that up? She really hated thinking about it. "I know, Luke. And I hated it. I won't do the same thing to her."

He frowned and lay back on the bed. "I understand your reasoning, Brooke, I really do…I just want to be with you so badly. Maybe…maybe Peyton doesn't need to know."

"What, you mean date secretly?" She practically laughed at the idea. In her mind that was an even worse betrayal. To keep something like this from Peyton was not an option. "That's not gonna happen. We can't sneak around like that behind Peyton's back like we're committing adultery or something like that."

He sighed. "Well, Brooke, I'm all for openly dating, but secretly dating seems to be the only option you're giving me."

"Lucas, I'm not really giving you an option," she said, sitting up. The frustration in her voice was very clear, but she needed him to know that she wasn't playing around. "We can't do this right now."

"Then what are we supposed to do?" he asked, sitting up again and looking her in the eye. By now, he seemed just as frustrated as she was. "You're in Tree Hill for the next two days and on Saturday we're going to be spending practically the whole day together. How am I supposed to act around you then, Brooke? Am I supposed to act like last night never happened? That we didn't confess our love for each other? Because I can't do that, Brooke, and I know you can't either."

She looked down at her hands, knowing that he had a point. Her being in Tree Hill meant that she and Lucas would be spending a lot of time together. And they definitely couldn't ignore what happened last night. It wasn't a simple one-night stand, it was so much more. Their relationship had been rekindled and that was something they couldn't hide.

"Listen," Lucas said, and his voice was soft as he took her hand, "we don't have to tell Peyton right now, but I don't think we should try to push away from each other while you're here. For the next few days, let's just be together. We don't have to make it public, we don't even have to tell Nathan and Haley. It's just you and me. And when you go back to New York, we can take the time away from each other to figure out what to do next. We don't need to announce it to the world just yet."

His suggestion was a good one, but it still sounded like "secret" dating and she didn't like the idea.

"We're not sneaking around, Brooke," he said, as if reading her mind, "we're just waiting for the right time to tell everyone, even if it takes a few months."

Brooke sighed and sagged against Lucas, finally giving up. He was right, they could never ignore what had happened between them. They would just have to stay quiet about their relationship for a little while.

"Fine," she muttered, her head resting on his shoulder. "But if this plans backfires…"

"You'll kill me, I know." He chuckled and kissed her cheek. "This is gonna work, Brooke—you and me. I really believe that."

It was good to hear how sure he sounded about them, but at the same time she felt like she needed more from him. He had been in love with her before and it had not ended very well. Then again, she had been the one to end it, but still, she needed to know that the way he felt for her was real. She was pretty sure that the only way for him to really prove it would simply be time—time would tell what the future held for them.

She looked over at the clock on her nightstand. It was 9:30 and the shop opened a half hour ago. Jenna was probably wondering where she was.

"I've got to go," she said, pulling away from him apologetically and slipping off the bed. "I was supposed to be at work a half hour ago."

"But you're the boss," he said innocently, "can't you go in as you please?" He got off the bed and walked behind her, wrapping his arms around her.

"On any other day, yes, but I promised Jenna I would be there early today. She needs all the help she can get." She slipped out of his arms and walked over to her closet, rummaging through her endless amount of clothes.

"What time will you get out?" he asked, moving towards her again and running a hand down her spine. She shivered at his touch, but kept on looking through her clothes. As much as she would've liked to spend the whole day with him, she knew she couldn't and she wouldn't let him distract her.

"I don't know. Probably around the same time as last night, but I could be there until closing."

"Brooke," he said frustratingly as she pulled a shirt over her head, "closing is at 9:00. You'd be gone the whole day."

"I know." She sighed and picked out a pair of black dress pants. "I hate to sound mean, but I didn't exactly come here for you."

He laughed and tugged at her hand. "I know, but let's face it you know you wanted something like this to happen."

She kinked an eyebrow. "I was definitely not planning on this happening, Lucas Scott…But I'm not sorry that it did."

"Good," he said, pulling her close to him again and kissing her forehead, "because I'm not either."

She sighed and rested against him for a moment. She really did need to go, but she also needed to be close to him. It was funny that it had been over five years since he had held her this way. It felt like just yesterday, though. It was just so easy, so natural, for them to be together.

"I really have to go," she murmured against his chest.

"What? No shower?" His voice was suggestive and it took all she had not to slip out of her clothes and into the shower, making sure that he was right behind her. But she couldn't. She definitely didn't have time for that.

"Not now," she said, pulling away and heading towards the door, "but definitely tonight."

He grinned. "I'll just have to stop by then."

"You do that," she said from the doorway. He walked quickly up to her, placing a gentle kiss on her lips.

"Have a good day, pretty girl."

"I will." She grinned and turned around, heading downstairs, but not before calling back one last time. "See you later, boyfriend."

"It's a little late, don't you think?"

Lucas opened his eyes in surprise and looked up to find his brother standing at his bedroom door. Jamie stood next to Nathan, holding his hand.

"Hi, Uncle Luke," he said, waving at him.

"Hi, little man…What time is?" Lucas asked his brother, not bothering to glance over at his clock. After he left Brooke's house he had immedietly headed to his house, insanely tired from the night before—he and Brooke hadn't exactly done a lot of sleeping..

"It's half past three," Nathan said, grinning slightly. "Time sure does fly when you don't have a proper job."

"You're one to talk," Lucas replied, laughing as he sat up and leaned against the head of the bed. Jamie climbed up next to him and Lucas pulled him onto his lap. "What up?"

"We're headed over to the River Court. You wanna come?" Nathan said.

Lucas nodded; anything to make the day go by faster so he could get closer to being with Brooke.

"Sounds good."

"Dad?" Jamie asked and Lucas looked down at his nephew. "Can we go see Aunt Brooke first? Momma says she's really busy and I probably won't get to see her today. But if we go see her at work I definitely will!"

The second Brooke's name came out of Jamie's mouth, Lucas' mind drifted to the night before. When she had invited him inside he knew that he would finally take action, that he would tell her his feelings for her. And it had worked out. He loved her and she loved him, and they would be together. Things were finally falling into place and he was pretty sure that the moment they made their relationship public would be the moment he asked her to spend the rest of her life with him. He couldn't wait much longer than that.

"What do you say, Luke?" Nathan's voice broke him out of his thoughts.

Lucas smiled down at Jamie. "That sounds like an excellent idea."

Fifteen minutes later they walked inside the doors of Clothes Over Bros. Costumers fluttered in between the racks, all of them women, but he was intent on finding Brooke's familiar face. He spotted Jenna, the girl Brooke had hired to manage the store, behind the desk, but there was no sign of the girl he was looking for. Jamie clung to his hand, standing on his tip toes, looking intently around for Brooke.

"Daddy, can I go on your shoulders so I can find her?" Jamie asked.

Nathan laughed. "Jamie, she's probably in the back. Sitting on my shoulders won't help find her."

It was silly, he knew, but Lucas felt like he was just as excited to see Brooke as Jamie was, although it was for an entirely different reason.

"Hi, guys." A raspy, familiar voice came from behind them and Lucas grinned as he turned to look at her.

"Aunt Brooke!" Jamie ran to her and she bent down to his level, pulling him into a hug, and Lucas smiled at the sight of godmother and godson.

"What are you all doing here?" she asked, standing up. Jamie grabbed her hand and beamed up at her.

"Jamie wanted to see you," Nathan said. "I hope you're not too busy."

"I'm never to busy for any of you." She looked at Lucas as she said this and he held her gaze, a light smile tugging at his lips.

"So, how have things been going?" Nathan asked, breaking up their moment.

"Good," she said, looking away from Lucas and towards Nathan. "Things should be patched up within the next couple of days."

"When are you headed back to New York?" Lucas tried to keep the tone of his voice neutral, but the idea of Brooke leaving so soon didn't sit well with him.

"Probably Sunday," she replied, looking back at Lucas. He didn't know if it was just him but she almost sounded like she was challenging him when she said it; like she was daring him to say something, to try to stop her from leaving. He wouldn't do anything, though, because as much as he knew he was going to hate it, she needed to go back to New York.

"But that's really soon," Jamie said, frowning.

"I know, sweetie, but I'll be back again soon. Let's not dwell on that, though. How about you come on back and I'll get you some candy?"

"Do you have M&Ms?" Jamie asked hopefully.

"Of course I do! They're your favorite aren't they?"

They followed her into the backroom, where a few of her employees sat folding clothes. She led them into a corner where a large box sat. She opened it up and Jamie immediately reached inside.

"It's my Jamie box," she explained as she noticed Lucas' questioning glance. "I always have his favorite stuff in here for whenever he's with me."

He grinned as he watched Brooke interact with Jamie. She had always been so good with Jamie and she loved his nephew more than he ever could've imagined. It made him think of her and Angie and how amazing she'd been with her. Even though he hadn't really been aware of his feelings for her during that time, there had always been a part of him that had felt so right, so at home, when he was with her and Angie. He felt like they were a family. And now that they were together again he couldn't keep away the image of him and Brooke with a family of their own. She'd make an amazing mother and, even though they had just gotten back together the night before and she was probably no where near ready to start discussing children with him, he couldn't wait until the day that they had a baby of their own. Because he knew that she was the only women on this earth that he wanted to be the mother of his children.

"Earth to Lucas. Are you there?"

Lucas took his eyes off Brooke and Jamie and looked over at Nathan, who was laughing at him. "Geez, Haley was right when she said you haven't been listening lately."

"What's going on?" Lucas asked as he sat down on a stool.

"What's your problem these days?" Nathan asked jokingly. "Seriously, man, you've been so distracted lately."

"I've had a lot on my mind," Lucas said, shrugging.

"Sure you do." Nathan looked suggestively at Brooke, who was looking at them both in amusement. Lucas glared at his brother. If he hadn't told Brooke about his feelings for her last night then that look Nathan gave her would have really confused her. But, because she knew, she just ignored it.

"Hey, Brooke?" Jenna had just entered the room looking flustered. "Sorry to interrupt, but I'm still having a problem with the register and I've got a customer waiting. Could you come take a look?"

"Sure, I'll be there in a sec." She looked at them apologetically. "I've got to help her out."

"No problem," Nathan said. "We've got to head over to the River Court anyway. Skillz has probably been waiting for us for a while."

"I'll see you later, buddy." She brought Jamie into a tight hug and then turned to Nathan. "See you, Nathan." She looked over at Lucas, an almost unnoticeable smirk on her face. "Bye, Luke."

He watched her as she disappeared through the door, her hips swaying seductively all the while. He wondered if she was torturing him like this on purpose... Tonight couldn't come fast enough.

Brooke walked through her door, completely exhausted, and fell onto her couch. It was 9:30 and she had been at the shop for almost a full twelve hours. She would not be doing that again anytime soon.

"So, are you still gonna be taking that shower?"

She jumped, her eyes widening in surprise as she turned to look at the owner of the voice, who was leaning against the counter in her kitchen. She couldn't help but glare at Lucas as he smirked at her.

"Lucas Scott, are you trying to kill me?"

He laughed and walked over to her. "Sorry about that, I really didn't mean to scare you."

She rolled her eyes and sat back down on the couch. As happy as she was to see Lucas, she wasn't very interested in a shower right now; she had had too little sleep the night before and being on her feet the whole day wasn't helping her feel any less tired.

"Honestly, Luke, I'm really too tired to do anything tonight," she said. He sat down next to her and wrapped an arm around her.

"I can't say I blame you," he murmured, his lips resting against her forehead. "Why don't we just sleep, then?"

"Really?" she asked, looking up at him gratefully. Lucas had always been a gentleman, never pushing her into anything she didn't want, and it was one of the things she loved most about him.

He nodded. "Really."

"Thanks."

"Come on," he said, picking her up gently from the couch, "let's go to your room. It's much more comfortable."

He grunted as he carried her up the stairs and she laughed. "Am I too heavy for you, Luke?"

"No way," he said, chuckling.

He dropped her carefully onto her bed, pulling up the covers over her before slipping in next to her. They lay on their sides, his arms wrapped around her and she rested her head against his chest. Being held by him felt so perfect; there was nothing else in this world that made her feel so content. She felt herself slowly start to drift off, her eyes closing as she nestled close to him.

"I love you," she whispered quietly.

"I love you, too, Brooke Davis, and I always will."

She smiled, knowing that there was nothing else in the world that could make her as happy as those words did.

A/N: I'm not really happy with this chapter, but I hope you enjoyed it. This was more of a filler chapter than anything. I just though we needed some BL fluff. There should be some more of that in the next chapter. The chapter after that is where things will start to get pretty interesting, at least I think so. Thanks for reading and remember to review!!