The Truth Shall Set You Free
"The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is."
Winston Churchill
Chapter 11: The Calm Before The Storm
~x-X-x~
"True love doesn't have a happy ending, because true love never ends. Letting go is one way of saying I love you."
Unknown
~x-X-x~
It was a soft melodious tune that Haley James Scott had not heard in a while. As gentle hands graced over the ivory keys of her piano, the songstress fell away into the wonderful world of music that had so often been her place of solace and light in times of darkness. Angelic notes floated throughout the living room of her home, her perfectly content eyes glancing over at the grinning boy who began to quietly strum his guitar along with her effortless tune. It was like being back in school, watching Chris Keller sit across from her as they made music together, only this time she felt more relaxed. This time she had the unwavering support of her husband and son behind her. This time she felt no need to choose, and certainly no mixed feelings about the boy before her. No, this time she could just sit back, relax and allow her musical talent to flow freely from within.
Diiiiiing.
Unless of course the front door bell rang. Sliding back from the oak instrument, soft feet tread across the cool floor towards the door. She could hear Chris' tune playing out behind her, pleasantly surprised that he still had it in him to create such inspiring music. Of course, he had always been amazingly gifted, she was just hoping this time around he could keep his massive ego and wandering hands in check. All thoughts of Chris were banished from her mind however when she pulled open the door to find a forlorn and thoroughly pained best friend staring back at her. With heavy eyes and an even heavier heart, Haley opened her mouth in surprised at the way Lucas appeared. Purple around his eye, there were definite markings of a bruise.
"Oh my god, Luke... what has happened?" Ushering him into the house, the brooding blonde gave his best friend a look she knew all too well. Standing before him, she lowered her head to catch his attention, anguished baby blues hitting her with such force she knew Lucas was in pain, in more ways than just the obvious physical black eye.
"Hales, I..." he choked out the words, feelings mashed inside him with little regard to how his mind could even comprehend it. "I really need to talk to someone."
Nodding in understanding, Haley turned to lead Lucas into the other room. Muscles tensed as Lucas' eyes fell on Chris, the sultry singer giving him an enormous grin as he saw him. Haley stepped between them, knowing that if Chris were to rub Lucas the wrong way in this particular moment it could turn into world war three.
And that was something she definitely did not need.
"Uh Chris," she began, smiling as sweetly as she could so as to defuse his probable whiny reply. "We're gonna have to pick this up tomorrow. Something's come up."
"But we just got started," Chris replied, annoyance in his tone as he stood to his feet. Lanky arms waved in the air, trying to note importance of their situation too. He never cared much for Lucas, so whatever his issue was today didn't rate all too highly on the musician's care factor. "I mean, I just got here Hales and I still have four more bars to try and get out before we even begin to start looking at..."
"You need to leave," Lucas growled, stepping forward in a foreboding manner. "Now!"
Stepping to the side to demonstrate the opened front door, the writer's intentions for Chris to exit were more than clear. Turning to look at Haley for support, Chris found he got none and she shrugged apologetically, he guitarist shaking his head whilst sliding his instrument into its case.
"Whatever. Haley, just let me know when you decide you're actually serious about this." Locking his guitar away, Chris stood to walk past the duo, turning to face Lucas with a smirk on his face. "Oh, and please do me a favor and say hi to Brooke for me. I haven't had the chance to pop in on her yet, if you know what I mean."
It was the wink that tipped the brooding writer over the edge.
Red flashed before Lucas' eyes as rage filled his soul. Bursting from his cooled demeanor, thick hands grabbed at the lanky musician and curled around the cotton fabric of his opened shirt. Twirling him on his feet, Lucas shoved Chris against the wall with a deafening thud, the musician caught completely off guard as he dropped his guitar to the floor.
"Whoa... dude what the hell?"
Bringing his face close to the musician, Lucas snarled at him amidst Haley's shocked gasps. Feeling her petite hands wrap around his, the brooding writer released his grip on a shaken Chris and took a step back.
"Lucas, what is the matter with you?"
If only he knew how to answer her question.
"Geez," Chris gasped when Lucas said nothing, feeling the weight of his angered stare. "Forget The Keller said anything." Straightening his shirt, Chris picked up his guitar case once more and turned to his musical partner. "I'll just see you tomorrow Haley."
Watching as Chris exited through the front door, Haley couldn't believe what she had just witnessed. If someone had have asked her which of the two Scott brothers was more likely to lose their cool with Chris Keller, it would have been Nathan's name that escaped her lips in reply. But here she was, shocked and confused by Lucas' complete lack of control when it came to the wayward musician. Turning to face her childhood friend, Haley's glaring orbs demanded an explanation. Sighing as he noticed her expression, Lucas knew he had to offer up some kind of response. Throwing his hands in the air in frustration, the brooding writer fell onto the soft confines of the living room couch and closed his eyes. He could feel Haley's warmth as she sat beside him, a gentle hand landing on his outstretched arm. Waiting for Lucas to find the right words to say, Haley patiently sat in silence until eventually the blonde spoke.
"I'm sorry Hales, it's just that Chris really gets to me..."
"Chris gets to everyone Luke," Haley exclaimed, exasperation lingering on every syllable, "But we don't all react with such intensity." when he said nothing, the young mother continued onward in hopes of eliciting some sort of reaction. "What is going on with you, Luke?"
Pained, the words came out in a heap on confused tones. "I'm a mess, Hales." Just speaking the words aloud made things seem infinitely more dire. Words and feelings mixed around his mind in a whirlwind of confusion. "I don't know what to think anymore, or even what's going on with me. I did something today that I can't take back, and truth be told, I'm not even sure I want to."
Now it was Haley's turn to feel confused. Delicate eyelashes propelled north and south as soft eyelids opened and closed. Shuffling, she repositioned herself on the couch so that he full attention was focused on her friend.
"You're going to have to explain to me what you did Luke… tell me and we can figure this out together, I promise."
Looking down at his hands, thick fingers entwined with each other in nervousness. What was this feeling washing over him now? He had never felt uneasy about telling Haley anything, yet here he was struggling to find the right words to say. How did he even begin to explain the events that had transpired over the last couple of days? The things he had learned, the things he had seen and the way that they have both made him feel? Glancing across the room, his eyes landed on the mantlepiece, adorned with photos of times since passed. Standing up, he walks over as one particular image catches his eye. It was taken many years back, a group of teenagers standing together as a strong, hopeful unit in front of a picturesque log cabin. Finding himself in the picture, he marveled at the irony of his positioning. Peyton on one side, Brooke on the other. Lucas in the middle. Was it always to be this way? Picking up the picture, he sighed as he mumbled to himself.
"It was so much simpler back then."
Standing from her position on the couch, Haley walks over to Lucas and takes the photo from his hands, concern masking her features. The way he looked at the photo, the longing and anguish in his eyes, it rattled her more than she liked.
"Lucas what is going on?" Saddened eyes met hers, fear gripping her instantly as the obvious question came to mind. "Is Peyton okay?"
"I kissed Brooke."
Who knew that another set of three words could be so powerful? Taken aback, Haley titled her head to the side as if she had misheard what he has said.
"You mean you kissed Peyton, Luke. Tell me you kissed your fiance Peyton and not your ex-girlfriend slash fiance's maid-of-honor, Brooke." Haley's eyes grew wide as Lucas shook his head, admitting he couldn't tell her what she wanted him to. "What were you thinking? What is the matter with you?"
"I don't know, Hales," Lucas replied, closing his eyes as he breathed out an unhappy sigh, "I don't know, I guess I just..."
"You guess you just didn't get enough of the drama the first few hundred time that you played the Bermuda Triangle game with Peyton Sawyer and Brooke Davis, that what Luke, you needed another hit?" Anger streamed from her eyes, but it was overshadowed by the blatant disbelief in her tone. Her words were soaked in truth and there was no denying that. He knew what he had done was wrong, yet his heart could not fault him for it. As mixed up as his head had been, as mixed up as it still was, there was something inside of Lucas that knew somehow he had needed to kiss Brooke. Stalking back over to the couch, he fell into the soft seating and buried his face in his hands, dragging his skinny fingers down his tired face.
"How did this happen, Luke? I mean, why now?"
Did he even have an answer for that?
"I don't know," he answered honestly, feeling that if anyone would understand it had to be Haley. "I guess it started when I found out about Brooke and Julian." Seeing her eyebrow arch, Lucas knew she wasn't thrilled with his reply but the truth had to be told. "This feeling inside of me screamed that it was all wrong. I was looking at them, seeing her happy with him and wanting it to be me."
"But Peyton," Haley began, finding it hard to even know what to say.
"I love Peyton, I do," Lucas vowed, knowing he sounded like a royal jerk for saying that after professing his kiss with Brooke. "But I guess all these feelings surfaced when Nathan told me about Peyton's confession to Brooke. All these years and I never understood it. I replayed that night over and over in my head, wondering what I could have possibly said to make Brooke stay." Lucas' eyes faded a little at the thought of that night, all the effort he had expended trying to get his then-girlfriend back only to now realize nothing he said would have made any difference. "Now I find out that all it would have taken was for me to know the whole truth."
"I'm going to have serious words with that husband of mine," Haley muttered under her breath, reaching out and giving Lucas a rub on his shoulder. "I mean, what was the point of bringing all this up after so many years...?"
"It's not his fault Hales," Lucas defended his brother, seeing a wave of annoyance in Haley's eyes. "He thought I honestly knew all about it. I wish I had known..."
"What would you have done differently though, Luke?" Haley questioned, seeing Lucas' tortured face as he replayed that moment over in his mind. "We all kinda thought that eventually you and Peyton would end up together. It is so hard to believe that perhaps Brooke thought that too and was just trying to stop herself from being in a position of incredible pain once more?"
"I don't know what to think," Lucas choked out, dragging his hands down his face and wincing as he hit his swollen eye. "Perhaps if I knew everything, I could have said something in that moment to stop her from walking away. Maybe things would be so different now."
"You cannot live in the past, Lucas Scott," came a friendly caution, sincere eyes gazing down at the writer. "I mean, you have to live for today. How did Brooke respond to all of this?"
Shrugging, Lucas shook his head, unable to give his friend an answer to her question. "She didn't get much of a chance to respond.. .Julian walked in."
"Hmmm," Haley hummed quietly, pointing a delicate finger towards the blackened eye of her friend. "Explains the eye then."
"Yeah," Lucas groaned angrily, sinking back onto the couch and sighing. "I just don't know what to do anymore. It's like that one tiny bit of information is playing with my head and making a mockery of everything I thought or believed in. Everything is so messed up right now... and my damn eye hurts!"
"Well it's not like you didn't bring that one on yourself," Haley replied, raising her eyebrows when Lucas gave her a disapproving look. "What Luke? I'm your friend, and as your friend I am going to tell you the absolute truth, even when you may not want to hear it, and the truth is Lucas you had absolutely no right to waltz right on in and kiss Brooke like that. I mean, you have a fiance now. Brooke is happy with Julian. What were you thinking?"
"I honestly don't know," came the anguished reply, tense fingertips pulling tat the fabric of the cushion that lay beside him. "I don't know what I'm thinking or doing, and I have absolutely no idea of what to do next."
"Want some advice?" Watching Lucas nod his head in rely, Haley slid closer to him and snaked her arm through his, drawing him near. "I think you're just freaking out a little. You have such a huge future happening, right now... a huge life change and it's bound to make anyone a little scared. What you need to do is take care of Peyton because she is your fiance and she's carrying your child, and you need to apologize to Brooke and Julian for what you did, because whether you think he's right for her or not – Julian is who Brooke has chosen to be with, and for once in your life Lucas… you have to respect that."
"So I just bury my feelings for Brooke like they're not there?" Lucas queried, unsure if he wanted to hear the advice he was receiving. "Never existed?"
Sighing, Haley did her best to try and make sense of the situation. "I'm not even sure they're real feelings or just your fears and anxieties shining through. But what are your other options? Leave a pregnant Peyton to chase after Brooke, who may or may not even want you? Could you honestly say you would do that?"
Almost as if her words had some hidden meaning behind them, Lucas could see images flash before his eyes as his mind wandered. He saw himself standing on the basketball court, a young boy with an excited Karen running up and taking him in her arms. He remembered how it felt to be held by her, the way she showered him with kisses and words of congratulations. Placing him down, he turned to look around at his other teammates, his eyes zeroing in on one boy in particular who was being handed a trophy for Most Valuable Player. Lucas watched as the raven-haired kid received a pat on the back from a tall man, his smile so wide it was hard not to see the pride that radiated off of him. He could tell it was a young Nathan he was watching, and that the man was their father, Dan Scott. As Dan felt the stare of the young boy behind him, he turned and looked straight at Lucas, his eyes losing the glow that he'd previously been wearing, and he quickly ushered the young Nathan off the court, leaving Lucas and Karen standing alone like they were some kind of bad dream he could never awaken from. It was hard enough growing up knowing his father never wanted him, feeling abandoned and alone. He had vowed never to become like Dan Scott.
And he was resolved to keep that promise.
"I'm no Dan Scott," Lucas growled, turning to look at Haley with determined eyes. "I won't walk away from my responsibilities. I love Peyton and I love our child, and I will never abandon them like Dan did to my Mum and me. I AM NOT DAN SCOTT!"
Smiling to offer him her support, Haley rubbed Lucas shoulders and kissed him on the cheek, the brooding blonde standing from the couch and turning to face his friend. "Thanks Hales," he replied sincerely, sending her his signature smile as he gazed down at her with loving eyes. "You know, for keeping things in perspective."
"Anytime," came the casual reply, standing as Lucas made his way to the door. "And where are you off to now?"
"I have a few apologies to make," the writer admitted, already feeling like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. "Call you later?"
"Duh," Haley replied, shoving him slightly in the arm as she scrunched her nose slightly. "I wanna know that you're okay."
Giving her a quick nod, Lucas jogged up the path as Haley watched him go, the young mother sighing a little as he disappeared around the corner. Leaning onto the frame of her opened door, her soft voice floated out into the evening air. "You can come out now, the coast is clear."
Leaves rustled and fell to the lawn in soft patters as Chris fell out of the bush, rolling around a little on the ground before bringing himself to his feet. Brushing off the leaves and twigs that coated his clothing and hair, Chris sent Haley a big, goofy grin before clearing his throat to speak.
"I knew you couldn't stay away from the Keller for too long so I thought I should stay in the nearby vicinity just in case."
Rolling her eyes at his arrogant reply, Haley turned around and made her way inside. The sound of Chris' voice floated around behind her as he stumbled into the house, the front door sliding to a close with a soft click.
~x~X~x~
Flashes of burnt orange splashed across the evening sky, grabbing hold of the lavender walls of the tiny clothing boutique. Engulfed in warm rays, tiny hands fiddled with items of clothing on the hard stone counter, Millicent folding the latest items from the Clothes Over Bro's spring line. Humming to herself in satisfaction, chocolate orbs gazed triumphantly at the new designs of her inspiring boss- and dear friend- Brooke Davis.
Diiing. Diiing. Diiing.
The echoed sound of metallic bells resonated throughout the tiny store, the young assistant jumping to her feet with joy. She loved her job, but even more than that she loved the idea of helping people feel beautiful in one of Brooke's designs. Clearing her throat, she prepared herself to make another sale in the hugely popular store, but stopped short when she saw the familiar face of a strawberry blonde gazing back at her. Inching forward nervously from behind the counter, Millicent waited for Peyton the make her way forward, her hazel orbs alight with elation.
"Hey Millie, is Brooke around?"
Shaking her head quickly, Millicent's eyes darted around the room before landing apologetically on Peyton once more.
"No, uh, I'm sorry she isn't here right now. Can I, uh, help you with something?" Biting her lower lip, Millicent shrugged her shoulders before quickly speaking again. "Or not? No? Maybe?"
Peyton chuckled at the girl standing nervously before her, her perfectly plucked eyebrows arching a little at her behavior. Seeing the laugh and clear happiness on Peyton' face, Millicent relaxed a little, certain that whatever the blonde came to talk about didn't concern Brooke and Lucas' moment the other day. Relief flooded through her as Peyton skipped forward and leaned against the counter, a short breath escaping her lips as she reached out and took Millie's hands.
"Okay, so I have some news and since Brooke isn't here right now, maybe I can tell you my news and you can help me find a way to tell Brooke?" Looking at the girl with hopeful eyes, Peyton waited for Millie to speak.
"What's going on?" came the skeptical reply, Millie stepping back a little as she watched Peyton. "Why do you need my help with Brooke?"
"I need to ask if it is okay that I do something," came the casual reply, excitement lacing her tone. "Will you help?"
"It's not illegal is it?" Millie asked automatically, years of doing the right thing and following the rules coming out in full force. "Please tell me it's not illegal."
Peyton laughed then, finding the innocence of Millie cute to say the least. "No, it's not illegal, she reassured her, shaking her head slightly so that her honey tendrils fell loosely over her slender shoulders. "I want Brooke's permission to use her name," came the elated response, a tiny hand reaching down and rubbing at the creamy stomach. "If we have a girl, I want to call her Penelope, after Brooke."
Opening her eyes in astonishment, Millicent reached out and touched Peyton's arm. A smile slid across her face as her eyes lit up in approval, the young assistant in no doubt that her boss would be more than happy to hear such news.
"Oh my god," she replied excitedly, jumping a little as Peyton beamed in front of her. "I think Brooke will be so touched Peyton! That is such an amazing thing to do!" She gushed a little, her cheeks flushing red as the excitement took over.. "Oh I wish she could have been here to get the surprise, she honestly should be back any minute!"
Glancing behind the shop assistant, Peyton flicked her hair behind her shoulders and took Millie by both her arms, leaning in to speak. "Do me a favor? I really wanna surprise her, so I'm thinking if I just slide back into the storeroom and you to somehow get her to come behind the counter so I can surprise her, then maybe this will work! She's only going to be a minute, right?"
Clapping her hands is obvious excitement, Millicent jumped a little on the spot as she understood Peyton's plan.
"Yes, YES- great idea! She should be back any- oh darn it!" Both girls looked up to find Brooke standing on the other side of the street, speaking into her cell phone as she waited for the street traffic to cease. "Go, go, go" Millie demanded with a whispered hush, Peyton shuffling out of sight as the enthusiastic assistant made her way back behind the counter and composed herself. Her heart raced with excitement as she thought the news that Brooke was about to receive, so glad that she could be there to witness the happiness she was about to feel. Of all the people Millicent knew, Brooke deserved happiness the most. Taking a deep breath, the young brunette grabbed the nearest clothing piece and pretended to enter it into the computer system, the door bell chiming as Brooke entered.
"Okay, yes thanks for the heads up Haley," came the raspy response, stilettos pounding the hardwood floor in quick succession. "I'll handle this, okay? Alright, bye." Sliding the phone from her ear, the young designer made her way towards her assistant and dumped her items on the counter, a long, weary sigh escaping her lips as she slumped over the bench top.
"You will not believe what Haley just told me," Brooke mumbled into the counter, Millicent placing the clothing down as she waited for Brooke to continue. "I swear, every time I think my day of drama will be over, something else happens..."
"Uhm Brooke," came the nervous response, Millicent cutting off Brooke's tirade before she could get too far into it. "Can you come into the storeroom with me? I can't seem to find the product key for this, uhm..." reaching out, she gripped onto a random item of clothing as Brooke raised her head and straightened herself. "This blouse."
"Millie, you're my assistant," came the tired response, another long sigh escaping Brooke's lips. "Can't you do it? I'm so tired right now."
"Please," Millicent begged, honey-coated tones causing her words to drip with sweetness. "Back room for like two minutes?" She began twitching nervously, her eyes darting between her boss and the back room that held a waiting Peyton.
"What's the matter with you?" Brooke asked, noticing how jumpy Millie had suddenly become. She became fully alert then, concern etching across her delicate features. "Has something happened with Mouth? Are you okay?"
"No, nothing there," Millie sighed, a little sadness creeping into her tone as she thought about the non-existent anything between her and the boy she loved. "I just would really appreciate it if you could just step behind the counter and..."
"I know, I know," Brooke halted her, her hand reaching up to signal her submission. "I'm going."
As Brooke started walking towards the back room, Millicent couldn't help but display a huge smile on her face. Brooke looked at her curiously, Millicent ushering her towards the area like she was about to burst. Happiness was only moments away, and if she couldn't have any today then Millie was going to make damn sure Brooke was going to. She needed it now more than ever.
Diiing. Diiing. Diiing
Both girls turned towards the sound of the door, Millicent's smile turning to a total look of shock as Lucas comes striding into the store. Emerald orbs lock with misty blues, Brooke stepping out from behind the counter to greet the brooding writer with a racing heart. Left standing at the entrance to the back room, Millicent felt her whole body become engulfed in fear, scared eyes darting between the two ex-lovers and the back room that held one waiting fiance and best friend.
"Hey Luke," raspy tones hit the air with warm familiarity, Lucas reaching out and taking Brooke into a quick embrace.
"Hey Pretty Girl," he replied casually, like the name he used was normal and fitting. He could feel his heart racing a million miles an hour, unsure whether it was because she looked more beautiful than he could ever remember, or because he knew the words he was about to say to her would probably break his fragile heart beyond repair. Seeing the seriousness in his eyes and remembering her conversation with Haley, Brooke turned and faced her shocked assistant.
"Millie, could you give us a moment please?"
Dread filled the young girl's heart at the request, glancing around the store with panic and uncertainty. Seeing Millicent's unsure reaction, Brooke sighs and sends her an appreciative smile, trying to calm the workaholic and sometimes obsessive-compulsive assistant of hers.
"Millie, honestly just leave the blouse until next time."
"But Brooke-" came the automatic reply, Millicent racing out from behind the counter so that she could face the designer. "There's something-"
"Millie," Brooke demanded, her voice lowered and more serious. "Honestly, I can do it all myself. Forget the computer system, forget the blouse and whatever stock we need to do, go." Stepping around her, Monolo's clicked across the floor once more with a determined stride, Brooke reaching behind the counter and getting hold of Millicent's handbag. Walking back, she placed it in her assistant's hands and ushered her towards the door. "You're officially getting off early today!"
"No Brooke, if I could just-"
"Off you go!" came the order, Brooke refusing to listen to any more. Defeated, Millicent turns and looks over at the back room once more, panicked at the thought of what could happen. Feeling warm hands on the backs of her shoulders, she was guided out the front door amidst affectionate giggles from Brooke, the designer locking the door behind Millie as she made her way over to the couch that Lucas was now sitting on. Reaching out for her hand, he clasped is gently in his and took a deep breath, the pair staring into each others eyes as if they both knew what was about to happen.
"I'm so sorry Brooke," Lucas began, not knowing where to start. "About everything."
Cerulean orbs pleaded for forgiveness like life itself depended on it. Darkened shadows began to dance around the room as the sun hid itself behind the stores on Main Street, setting a sombre mood. Rubbing her delicate thumb across his tense hand, Brooke smiled gently at Lucas, her heart beating fast beneath her chest.
"It's okay Luke, really." A tony button nose scrunched up in a playful manner, trying to lighten to mood. "I just out it down to a temporary lapse of judgment."
"No," he shook his head, defiance in his tone. She wasn't going to let him get off that easy, There were things that needed to be said. Things that needed to be heard. "It's really not okay, Brooke. It's not okay for me to treat you like this, and it's not okay for me to treat Peyton like this."
"Look," the fiery brunette interjected, tilting her head to the side as a serious tone enveloped her words. "It's not like anything major happened. "You just got a little carried away because you're nervous about the baby, and the wedding and everything happening all at once..."
"Except it's more than that," Lucas responded, reaching out and stroking Brooke's cheek. "And you and I both know it."
Looking away from his penetrating eyes, Brooke's face fell towards the floor, lifted by the warm finger that curled under her chin. His eyes hit her once more and she felt that familiar feeling inside, her heart aching a little at the sight of him.
"Luke, I..."
"Shh," he interjected, dropping his hand so that she was left to watch him on her own. Pleading eyes gazed at her, emotions flowing freely between them. "It's my turn to speak now."
Feeling her heart race, Brooke nodded in acceptance, short breaths falling fro her nervous lips.
"I'll say this once and then it will be done. There will be no more confusion, no more pain... just my heart out on my sleeve, admitting the truth because it's true what they say, the truth shall set you free..."
Nodding at his words, emerald eyes gazed nervously as Brooke waited for Lucas to continue.
"I grew up believing that my father didn't want me because he didn't want my mother. He didn't pick us and we weren't the family he wanted. I spent years trying to get past that, and seeing the son he did choose- seeing Nathan every day at school- just made it that much harder." Words choked in his throat then, obvious pain in his eyes. Reaching out, Brooke rubbed his arm in understanding, wanting him to see he wasn't alone.
"It's okay Luke, you can talk to me. You can trust me."
Feeling her warmth on his arm, her smell invading his senses, Lucas knew he was safe. He felt home. It was that feeling that made this decision all the more painful.
"I know I can, Brooke. You've always been that way for me, even when I don't deserve it. The truth is, I love Peyton and I'm going to marry Peyton." Resolve crept into his eyes, strength, although fleeting, coming back to propel the words out of his mouth. "I'm going to be a good father to that child. I'm going to give him or her the childhood that Keith tried to give me- I'm going to give that child a whole family. It's what Keith would want me to do." Pain etched across his face at the thought of the only man who had ever been any kind of father to him, his face a memory that would always remain. His wisdom a force that would always make Lucas strive to live an honest life.
The truth had to come out. Brooke had to know.
"But I've been blind Brooke. When you left me all those years ago I was so caught up in my own pain that I couldn't see yours. I couldn't make you feel better and I couldn't fix the problem because I couldn't see the problem. I wish I wasn't so blind back then, but now I see things so clearly…"
"What do you see?" came the angelic response, Brooke biting her lip nervously as she watched the boy before her.
"I'm going to be with Peyton," Lucas replied, a long sigh hitting the space between them, "she is my life now and I made a promise to her." Brooke nodded her head in understanding, watching as Lucas leaned in closer to close the space between them. His voice dropped to a low hum, sincerity oozing from his sapphire gaze. "But I love you too, Brooke." Cupping her face in his hands, the brooder smiled as he gazed at the face of the angel before him. In that moment, he remembered the words she had uttered so many years ago in a moment that will always hold a place in his heart. A moment too fleeting.
"This is how I spent my summer, Luke- wanting you. I was just too scared to admit it."
"I think deep down I always have. I was just ironically, too scared to admit it." He ached at the sight of her, her beauty drawing her to him like a moth to a flame. "Pretty girl, you will always cause an ache in my heart," he reached and placed her hand over his chest,his heart beating beneath the surface. "And until the day I die it will always beat for you." Warm foreheads connected then as Lucas leaned against the soft skin of the woman before him. "I love you Brooke Davis, and I think I was the guy for you. But sometimes life just gets in the way and I have to do the right thing. I have to be the better man, the kind of man my father could never be." Pulling back, soft hands brushed away the hair that fell over Brooke's face, the brunette beauty closing her eyes as he tucked it away behind her ear. "But it will never change the way I have felt, and will always feel, about you."
Before she could respond, his lips were on hers, her soft familiarity so enticing it felt like the world could end in the next heartbeat and they would leave this world fulfilled. Every fiber of his being was drawn to her, every aspect of her just as intoxicating as it had been all those years ago. As she closed her eyes, Lucas could feel Brooke letting go, allowing his lips to caress hers as they melted into one-another. But she was a habit he had to break. Releasing her lips, Lucas sat back and waited for her to open her eyes, seeing the sadness that danced behind her perfect emerald orbs as they landed on him.
"I loved you," she whispered, her voice strained as the pain soaked through. "I would have done anything, I would have lost everything if I thought it would have made a difference."
Salty streaks etched a path down her creamy skin, the brooding writer reaching out and wiping away her tears with a gentle touch. Even at her most vulnerable, Brooke Davis was beautiful. He had always loved that about her, her vulnerability. Standing up, her pulled her towards him and held her close, breathing her in. He could have held her like this for the rest of his days and been a happy man, but it was not to be. Life got in the way, too many things were left unsaid. All he could do now was let her go. Let her be happy.
"Perhaps in another lifetime we'll be that big power couple?" He glowed when he saw her smile at the memory, their night in New York something he would treasure forever.
"And I'll actually cook the cookies for the other soccer Moms…"
"That would never happen," Lucas laughed, making his way towards the door as Brooke followed chuckling behind him. "Not even in another lifetime." Staring at her with content eyes, Lucas leaned forward and kissed Brooke on the forehead, lingering for a moment before opening the store door and letting in the cool night air.
"I'm not sorry for what I've said tonight, Brooke. I will never regret it."
"Neither will I," came the raspy reply, Brooke smiling as she gazed at the by she would have lost it all for, once upon a time. "But Luke, promise me you will take care of Peyton. She's fragile like the rest of us and she deserves someone to stand by her and love her with all their heart. No need to hurt her over what was said here tonight."
Nodding his head in understanding, Lucas gave Brooke once last look before taking himself into the darkness of the night, the boutique owner watching as he made his way down the street and disappeared from view. She let out a long sigh, glancing around her store before smiling to herself and nodding her head in contentment. It was like a a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, and somehow the world could begin to make sense again. She believed people called it closure. Grabbing her keys, Brooke turned of the lights and plunged the store into darkness.
Things were finally going to be okay.
~x~X~x~
Darkness engulfed her. Like the room had sunk into her heart and dragged out every painful feeling that engulfed it, the room mirrored the heartache that resonated in Peyton Sawyer's chest. Lucas words echoed through her mind, the blonde replaying every heartfelt word of love he had said to her best friend, each syllable a new stab in her already broken heart. Salty tears streamed down her saddened face, lacing her cheeks with a glistening damp. Thunder cracked above her as a storm rolled in, almost a perfect backdrop of gloom the complete the scene. Brilliant flashes of white illuminated the store, drowning out the pained sobs her body choked out. So much pain from her heart engulfed her being that she didn't notice the new sharp prick in her abdomen, stopping in her tracks when it called out to her more clearly.
"Owwww."
Sinking back against the shelving of the small storeroom, Peyton's eyes grew wide as a searing burning sensation stretched across her stomach. Ivory hands flew down in a protective manner, razor sharp pangs stabbing at her belly in unbelievable pain.
"Arrrrgggggh."
Falling to her side in agony, her heart sank with dread as she felt the undeniable sensation of warm liquid coating her hand. Bringing it to her faced, she stared in horror at the blood that drenched her fingertips, fear encapsulating her entire being.
"No," she choked out, Peyton using her free hand to pull herself across the hard floor to the handbag that lay strewn across it. Fingers frantically dove within, searching through the contents in desperate need.
Rrrrrrpppppp.
Another pain screamed across her abdomen, the blonde crying out in agony as the room lit up from the lightning outside. She breathed heavily, willing the pain to subside enough for her to try and get some help. With another desperate lunge, Peyton fumbled through her bag until her skinny fingers landed on a familiar metallic object, the shaken mother bringing her cell phone to her face and dialing a number with ferocity. As soon as the other end clicked she cried out, knowing that time was short.
"Please help me," she groaned, another sharp stabbing to her stomach taking her breath away. She screamed in pain, forcing herself to push through the pain and beg for help. "I really need you... the baby..."
Rrrrrrpppppp.
The pain was too much to bear. Her mind drifted as she felt warm, thick liquid trickled down her thighs. Her heart raced with fear but her body could not keep up, all energy draining from her as her breaths become slow and labored. Pulling a delicate hand to her stomach, a single salty tear escaped from the corner of her eye as Peyton closed her eyes, allowing the darkness to consume her.
~x~X~x~
Well, I'm back with another update! Ever since hearing the news that Chad will be back next season on One Tree Hill, I felt the need to update this fic. It became such a huge part of my life when I was watching the show and wishing it could have been different, and I guess my BL loving heart just needed to write it again!
Anyway, enjoys and please leave a review! It's always nice to know that people out there appreciate your writing and reviews help shape stories and allow us to think about what could happen next. All of your opinions are important to me and I would sincerely love to hear them!
Much love,
Chrissy
xox
