Chapter 10:

'Two days and still no change,' Brooke thought to herself. "Come on mom I need you to wake up."

"The nurses said she can hear us honey," Ted came in holding two cups of coffee, "We should talk to her. Where is Lucas?"

"I sent him home, he spent a long time sleeping on a prison cot, I appreciate him wanting to be here but there is no reason we both have to sleep on shitty hospital chairs." Brooke smiled, "Did I miss any updates when I went to work this morning?"

"No," Ted handed Brooke one of the paper cups, "The doctors have said it isn't good or bad. The magic amount of time is 72 hours. Tomorrow is the testing day, then we'll know more."

"Alright," Brooke said with a sigh, "What happened with you guys daddy?"

Ted shrugged, "I wish I had an answer for you princess, we just grew apart, then everything happened with Lindsey and she just wouldn't look at me anymore. She said I reminded her too much of Lindsey, she started sleeping in your sisters room, we started fighting all the time and then I loved out."

"I'm sorry daddy." Brooke wiped at the tears that were now streaming down her face.

"I'm sorry too princess." Ted sighed, "She cannot die, I have loved your mother since we were 8 years old. When we started high school I practically forced her to go on a date with me. She had a crush on Skip Marshall, my best friend. After that first date she was mine." Ted removed his pocket square and patted his face, "We've been married almost 31 years," He squeezed Victoria's hand, "Please wake up, you are my heart and I don't think I can live without you."

Brooke couldn't believe what she was hearing, she had always known that her parents loved each other, but aside from a few times she caught them dancing in the kitchen they were never affectionate in front of her and her sister. "She's going to wake up daddy." Brooke bounced her hair and flipped it behind her head, "Brooklyn what are you doing with your hair these days?" She imitated her mother's mannerisms, "You need some fringe, it would really frame your face beautifully."

Ted laughed, "I remember when you went to the salon and cut shaggy bangs..."

"She hated them," They said in unison.

"Brooklyn dear I meant a side swept bang, now you look like one of those sad terriers." Brooke shook her head, "It took months to grow out and there are only so many ways you can pin them back."

"I'm sorry." Ted frowned, "I should have protected you more. She has always been critical of you and everything you do."

"Don't do this daddy." Brooke said sternly, "Mom is going to wake up and I'm sure the first thing she says is going to be about something I'm doing incorrectly. Don't take that away from her now."

Brooke woke up slumped in her chair when she heard the door to her mother's room open, she opened one eye and saw a nurse wearing scrubs and a face mask. She would know those eyes and that strawberry blonde hair anywhere, "Hey Linds I thought I was supposed to call you when she died," Brooke yawned, "Or did I hear you wrong?"

Lindsey took off the face mask and smiled, "Brookey you're just too smart." She walked over to her mother's side and grabbed her hand, "Mommy it's Lindsey, can you hear me?"

While Lindsey was distracted Brooke hit send on her phone, "So since you're here I've been dying to ask you one question."

"Why did I do it right?" Lindsey rolled her eyes, "You're too predictable Brooklyn."

"Oh really," Brooke folded her arms across her chest, "Well... Out with it then."

Lindsey shrugged and continued to stroke their mother's hand, "There isn't much to tell, Lucas and I were miserable exactly ten seconds after we said I do. We would talk about divorce so often I wondered why we even kept up the charade, then we would some insanely wild night in the sack and go about our business the next day. When Chris got in touch it was the push I needed to end my marriage once and for all."

"Makes sense, but why go through all the trouble of framing Lucas for murder?" Brooke wondered.

Lindsey huffed, "Do you have any idea how hard it is to be your sister. You're a natural at everything, you're smart, you're beautiful and Lucas has always loved you. Christ I practically had to TELL him I was pregnant just to get him to marry me." Lindsey pushed a few strands of hair out of her face, "You're sleeping together so I'm sure he's told you this, but a week before our wedding he was having some kind of dream and he kept moaning your name. I mean the nerve, I could have had any guy I wanted..."

Brooke scoffed, "Please you wanted Lucas because you knew I had feelings for him. You've always been that way, I play too much with the Barbie Corvette it gets thrown in the pool, I kissed a boy before you did then you go and make your moves on him and sleep with him. So don't sit here and say you could have been with whomever you wanted because the only thing that was important to you was hurting me."

Lindsey laughed, "And you call me Narcissa. You are not the gawd damned sun Brooke, the world does not revolve around you. I liked Lucas in the beginning honestly I did, but when he started to notice you more I got jealous. And every time we were on a break he would fawn all over you again, it was insulting."

"You're dancing around the issue Linds," Brooke hissed, "Why did you frame Lucas for murder?"

'To punish you both." She spit out, "You two have been seeing each other behind my back for God only knows how long, I knew the second I filed for divorce and went to live my life with Chris you two would be more open about your relationship and I couldn't stand it."

Brooke shook her head, "Jesus Linds I told you a dozen times nothing happened with Lucas. I liked him sure, but I never lied about that. I can't believe you would jeopardize your freedom just to be mean to me."

Lindsey's eyes widened and she dropped Victoria's hand, "What did you do Brookey?"

"Nothing," Brooke answered.

"Did mom even really try to kill herself?" Lindsey asked.

"Yes, she's in a coma right in front of you," Brooke laughed an uncomfortable laugh, "There's no way in hell mom would have gone along with setting you up. She has been trying to convince dad for weeks that this was somehow my fault."

At Brooke's words, Lindsey let out a loud belly laugh, "It was always your fault. Mom and dad were happy and then you came along and screwed it all up."

"What are you talking about?" Brooke questioned.

Lindsey sat down in the chair next to Victoria's bed, "The apple never falls far from the tree Brookey. How about I educate you a little, dad was traveling a lot for business after I was born and mom sought the comfort of another man. Ted isn't your father, some guy named Flip is."

Before Brooke could speak her father came inside, he gasped, "Lindsey."

"Hi dad," Lindsey grinned, "Miss me?"

It had been an hour since Lindsey was arrested, Brooke was numb to Lindsey's cutting words, when Ted Davis returned to Victoria's room and she knew she had to ask him for the truth. "Daddy."

He sat down next to Victoria and kissed her hand, "Yes princess."

"Lindsey said something and I needed clarification." Brooke began to fidget in her chair, "Can we talk later?"

"No need to wait angel, what's on your mind?"

"Lindsey said you weren't my father, I was the product of some sort of affair." Brooke took a deep breath and closed her eyes, waiting patiently for her father to speak.

Ted sighed heavily, "Brooke I was there with your mother for every doctors appointment, I was there the night you were born, I witnessed all of your major milestones." He paused, "Dance recitals, cheer competitions, volleyball tournaments and everything in between. I am your father."

"Then why woul-"

Ted put up his hand to silence her before she started to ramble, "You're biological father is Skip Marshall. He and your mother had a brief affair and you were the product of that affair. When your mother old me she was pregnant again, the first thing she told me was that it was impossible for me to have been your father." Ted wiped at a few random tears, "I asked her if she wanted a divorce, she assured me she wanted to make our marriage work and I vowed to love you as much as I loved Lindsey." Ted stood up and walked around the bed, "You were MY daughter Brooklyn the moment I saw you."

Brooke rubbed her tears with the sleeve of her sweater, "How did Lindsey find out?"

"Skip came to the house when you two were kids." Ted shook his head, "He had sobered up and demanded to see you. We refused, you had gone next door to play with the Scott boys and Lindsey had stayed behind. She heard Skip's outburst and it was like a light bulb had gone off. Your mother and I immediately noticed a difference in your sister, she began to get violent and whenever I would take you out for some daddy daughter time she would terrorize your mother. She started seeing a therapist and for a while it seemed to be helping. Boy were we wrong, she stopped breaking your toys and began inflicting pain on you in other ways. Friends, boyfriends... Lucas."

"Daddy, how could you do this to me?" Brooke whined, "No wonder Lindsey has resented me since I was six."

"I wanted to tell you Brooke, you have to believe me when I say that." Ted winced, "Your mother didn't think it would be a good idea."

"He only tried to contact me that one time?" Brooke asked with a sniffle.

Ted dropped his head, "Yes. A year after his impromptu visit Skip died of a drug overdose."

Brooke heard a loud ringing in her ear, she felt like she was having a heart attack, "So he died before he ever got to meet me?" Ted nodded, "And my only sister hates me because you treated me like a daughter when she thought you shouldn't have. Mom's affair set off a series of events that cannot be undone." As if by some cruel twist of fate Victoria began to stir.

"Princess I think your mother is waking up." Ted said.

Brooke got up from her chair, picked up her purse and headed for the door, "Great, I'm going home."

"Brooklyn your mother would want to see you," Ted sighed, "Please stay."

Brooke rubbed her tear stained cheeks, "I have spent my entire life feeling less than and I never knew why. I know now, it was because my entire family lied to me. My mother hated me because I was the bastard that reminded her of an indiscretion, my sister resented me because i her eyes I ruined her life and the man I thought was my father only loved me to overcompensate. Please don't contact me, I can't do any of this right now."

After recounting the entire ordeal to Lucas all Brooke wanted to do was cry. Brooke's head was in Lucas's lap and he was running his hands through her hair, "I know you want to blame yourself for everything that has happened but pretty girl none of this is your fault."

"How can you say that?" Brooke whined, "You spent eighteen months of your life in prison because of me." All Brooke could think about was the pink Barbie Corvette that she got for her seventh birthday, three days later it was at the bottom of their pool and Brooke had gotten lectured about being responsible for her belongings.

"I spent eighteen months in prison because of Lindsey." Lucas argued, "It doesn't matter if Ted is your father, or some guy named Skip or you were adopted. Lindsey is a sociopath and that isn't your fault."

"I can't believe my dad lied to me all this time." Brooke pouted. "I mean I expected from my mother, she never seems to be telling me the truth, but my dad. He's special." Brooke felt fresh tears well up in her eyes, "Do I have to start calling him Ted now?"

"Does finding out that you don't share DNA with the man change the fact that he was there for you since birth?" Lucas laughed, "Ted is your father pretty girl. Do yourself a favor and get over this quickly, he's going to need you in the coming months."

"If he stays with my mother was he NEEDS is a Cat Scan," Brooke sat up, "Did you hear anything about Lindsey?"

"Jimmy called and said she's in holding, he expects charges to be filed in the next 48 hours. Since she has a daughter in Brazil, Jimmy expects her to take a plea deal."

"How are you with all of this? I've been yapping since I got here, are you alright?" Brooke asked.

Lucas shrugged, "It's surreal, I had to grieve over her death too. I was sad she was gone, that passed as soon as I was arrested, but there were days I thought about her. Thought about what her last thoughts were, was she afraid. Then it all turned out to be a lie and I was mad all over again. I felt used, I still do. But mostly now I'm just angry, angry that she couldn't just be normal. Time is a precious thing, you only get so much of it before you die, I can't understand why Lindsey would want to spend her life being so venomous. It's such a waste."

After a few minutes of silence Brooke laughed, "I need a vacation after all of this."

"You're telling me." Lucas kissed her temple, "If you could go anywhere tomorrow where would it be?"

"That's easy. I would go on a tour of Italy, I've always wanted to go there." Brooke smiled, "See Venice before it sinks."

"It was beautiful when I was there..."

"For your honeymoon," Brooke interjected, "Yeah I know, why do you think Lindsey picked it."

They both couldn't help but laugh at how clear everything seemed at that moment, "So no Italy then," Lucas said, "What about Ireland?"

"No," Brooke paused to think for a minute, "I know. Let's buy one of those kitschy books about the weird sites to see in every state and road trip for a while."

"To see all the states and really enjoy them, it would have to be an extended trip, a year at least, maybe two." Lucas could see it now, him and Brooke cuddled up under the stars over looking the Grand Canyon, it was romantic.

"If we gave ourselves a few months to plan that could probably be arranged, I have some stock I could cash in," Brooke said, "I would love to buy an Airstream, it's very The Long Long Trailer."

"That's the movie with Lucy and Desi right?" Lucas asked, "I don't want you to cash in your stocks, my assets are now mine again, all you have to do is take a leave of absence from work and we can go."

"It isn't that simple Lucas, we can't just run away." Brooke scolded. "We can't go anywhere for at least a few months, you need to get divorced, we need to be available to be witnesses if necessary, my parents, your parents, I could go on and on."

"Why was my divorce the first thing you mentioned?" Lucas asked, "Would you like me to be able to remarry if I desire to?"

"No," Brooke's cheeks flushed, "I know it's important to you. That's all."

"Is that all?" Lucas grinned, "It isn't because you can picture us married some day?"

"Some days it's really obvious that you and Nathan are brothers." Brooke said as she stood up.

Lucas reached for her wrist, "Yeah, does he want to marry you too?"

Brooke froze, "What did you just say?"

"It doesn't need to be repeated, all you need to know is that I want to marry you someday Brooke Davis." Lucas pulled her down into his lap, "I can't do that if I'm still married to Lindsey."

"You don't think this is all moving very fast broody?" Brooke said, squirming away from him.

"We've been friends most of our lives, how much time do you need?" Lucas groaned when she was out of his arms, "I'm not saying I want to propose to you tomorrow, but I want to know that I can ask you and be able to follow through on my proposal anytime I want."

"So we're going to road trip around the country. See all the sites?" Brooke asked before sitting down on Lucas's lap.

Lucas wrapped his arms around her back and pulled her down onto him, "I think that sounds like an adventure, an adventure I don't want to take with anyone else."

Brooke kissed his lips tenderly, then pulled back so only their noses were touching, "I love you Lucas. I keep pinching myself to make sure this isn't a dream, if it is please promise me that you'll never wake me up."

Lucas laughed and pulled up the sleeve covering his left arm, Brooke noticed the deep blue bruise, "I've been pinching myself too." Brooke buried her head in Lucas's next and they both giggled in excitement at the journey to come.

So what do you think? I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, I enjoyed writing it... So the epilogue is next and it will be a year into the future, it will offer a peak into the life Lucas and Brooke have made with each other on the road. If there is a particular place you want me to mention them traveling to, send me a PM or put it in the review. I will incorporate ALL suggestions.

Thanks so much for reading. So tell me your thoughts, you know what to do, press that button and review, review, review.

Krystal