Hey all! Thank you oh so much for the reviews! The next chapter is done and should be up within the week. I'm not sure how I feel about this chapter but I hope y'all enjoy it.
There was a knock on her door at exactly 5:00pm. He'd always come at this time, knocking three times and then waiting for her to answer the door. It was a routine that they had let themselves fall into in the past 3 months. "Hey Lucas," she said coolly, letting him into the small apartment.
He smiled back at her, none of his teeth showing and his eyes immediately fell upon the small brunette who was sitting on the couch coloring in one of the many coloring books she had. "Lucas!" Henley shouted, pushing her coloring book aside and jumping off of the couch, running into his open arms. This happened everyday, yet she was still always shocked to see him.
"Hey there Pretty Girl," Lucas said, setting the girl back down.
"Are we gonna go get ice cream?" Henley asked with hopeful eyes.
Brooke cleared her throat behind them and Lucas looked back. She gave him a slight nod, the sign that he'd been waiting for. Tonight would be the night. "Baby, we have to tell you something first." Henley nodded and looked up at her mother, impatiently tapping her foot. "Do you remember how I told you that even though your Dad loved you, he couldn't see us?" Henley nodded again, her foot now still. "Well, your Dad is back now and he really wants you to meet him."
"Okay." Henley said slowly, trying to grasp what her mother was saying.
"Baby," Brooke started, getting down to eye level with her daughter and turning her around to look at Lucas, "Lucas is your dad."
Henley got a confused look on her face, looking between Lucas and Brooke who were both staring at her intently. "Really?" she finally managed to get out. Brooke and Lucas nodded at her, giving her small smiles to try and comfort her.
"Are you okay with this?" Brooke asked and Henley nodded.
"I was kinda wishing that he could be my daddy," Henley whispered shyly into Brooke's ear.
Brooke's smile got wider, her dimples showing now. "Well then baby, you've got your wish." She hugged Henley quickly before standing back up. "Now go give your dad a hug and then you can go get some ice cream."
They returned about an hour later, finding Brooke cooking at the stove. "Momma!" Henley shouted, running up to her mother and hugging her.
"Hey baby." She dropped a kiss on her daughter's forehead and went back to stirring the sauce that she was making. "Did you have fun?" She looked down at the curly haired girl who nodded before running into her room. "Hey Luke. You want to stay for dinner?"
During the past few months they hadn't had much contact. He'd get Henley and they'd hang out, but it was never him and Brooke or them and Henley. He had apologized for yelling and calling her a whore and a slut to which she simply said, 'It's okay'. They didn't talk about her job, although she would ask him to watch her from time to time. Hell, they didn't even talk about that night anymore. He had acted in a way that disgusted him and they'd both said things that they didn't mean or just thought it was best to ignore. So, that's what they did. They ignored everything that happened that night. "Sure," he replied, taking off his coat and setting it on the table. "What are you making?"
"Meatballs," Brooke said as Lucas came up behind her and looked over her shoulder.
"Just meatballs? Not spaghetti and meatballs?" She looked at him as if he were crazy and shook her head no.
"Meatballs in sauce are just as good as spaghetti and meatballs," Brooke said matter-of-factly and Lucas let it go, going into the fridge looking around.
"So, I've been meaning to talk to you about something. Well, two things actually," Lucas said, taking out a bag of lettuce and some carrots. He heard Brooke mumble a, 'Mmhm' and took that as his cue to continue. "Okay, so I've been thinking about this whole situation. How everyday I come over and spend time with Henley, but then leave. So, I think it would be better if maybe we lived together." He knew he sounded nervous about bringing it up. He tripped over his words in fear of Brooke's wrath.
She turned around quickly to look at him, already shaking her head. "She is my daughter Lucas! I want you to be in her life, I do, but you can't just up root her. I've never spent a day away from her and switching something so quickly can screw her up. No," Brooke said quickly, placing her hand on her hip. She wasn't going to let him take her daughter away from her.
He let out a breath and put his hand up. "That's not what I'm saying Brooke. I would never dream of taking Henley from you. I know that she is your life and she couldn't survive without you," Lucas said calmly and Brooke nodded her head. "This apartment is too small for you Brooke. You sleep on the couch for god's sake. I have plenty of room for the both of you at my apartment." He exhaled once more before saying the sentence that put it bluntly. "I want you and Henley to move in with me."
Her features softened as she let her hand drop to her side. "I don't know if that's such a good idea Lucas. I don't want you to feel like you have to do this. I can support us myself without you helping."
"I want to help Brooke. Plus I'm not trying to put it like that. I think it'd just be better that way." He put his hand on her shoulder and gave is a small squeeze. "Just think about it."
She nodded and gave him a small smile even though the answer in her head was 'No'. "So, what else did you need to talk to me about?"
His hand dropped from her shoulder and they both went back to their respective dishes. "Well, my publisher is throwing me a party since they've been putting me through so many rewrites. I was wondering if you wanted to go," he asked casually and from the corner of his eye he could see her shrug.
"When is it?"
"Tomorrow night," he said quietly and she turned around for the second time.
"Tomorrow? Jeez, could you have given me any shorter notice?"
Lucas shrugged innocently. Truth was he hadn't planned on inviting Brooke, considering things were still pretty awkward between them and he knew it was better to let Brooke approach him first. Then Paul had come up to him today and said that if the girl behind the red door was in his life that he should defiantly bring her because it would make the publishers happier and speed up the publishing process.
It wasn't that he was inviting her on that simple 'suggestion' alone because he had wanted to invite her, but just didn't think it would be a good idea. He returned his attention back to her when he heard her sigh. "Fine. I'll go. But I'm not leaving Henley with Rachel."
She had yet to forgive Rachel for spilling about her job. She didn't care if the red head meant well, it was wrong and something old bitchy slutty Rachel would do. "Fine."
He knocked on her door today at exactly 7:00 pm the next day. He was dressed in a simple black suit with a tie to match. He had his hands in his pockets, looking around the apartment building when she opened the door. He looked up and his breath caught momentarily in his throat.
Brooke was wearing a stunning dark green dress. She had actually been quite proud of the fact that she could fit into it. She had gotten it form one of her neighbors who had worn it in the 50's. It had a green satin heart shaped bodice and a beaded waist. It had pleated tulle over the chest and up around the neck, leading to the beaded collar at her neck. The skirt was extremely full and pleated, made from tulle as well. She had on black pumps and had a black satin wrap to go along with it. Her hair was straight and pulled into a half ponytail, letting her bangs sweep to the side. Her make up was light except for her eyes where she wore dark eye liner, making her green eyes stand out even more.
"What? Did you think only Peyton could pull off vintage?" Brooke asked casually, closing the door behind her.
She bit her lip shyly and Lucas's mouth dropped open. "Wow," he finally got out and Brooke smiled widely, laughing lightly. "You look... amazing."
"Thank you. You will too as soon as I fix your tie." He looked down at his messy tie and shrugged his shoulders. He could never grasp the art of tying even though everyone had tried to teach him multiple times. He watched as her small hands came up to the tie, pulling it out of his jacket so she could begin retying it. Her slender fingers made quick work of the knot and she retied it perfectly. "There," she said, placing the tie back where it belonged and smoothing out his jacket. "Perfect."
"Thanks," he said, holding his arm out. She slipped her arm through his as they began to walk out of the building. "Henley is with your neighbor right?"
Brooke nodded as they walked into the cool November air. She could sense he felt awkward about leaving Henley with her neighbor. "She's fine Luke. I wouldn't leave her with anyone I didn't trust completely."
"Thanks again for coming with me," Lucas said as he opened the cab door for her. She slid in, offering a, 'Don't mention it' as she did so.
"Lucas! You're finally here!" Paul said, coming up to the blonde and brunette who had just walked through the French doors. "Wow, you must be Brooke. It is a pleasure to meet you." Brooke smiled the socialite smile her mother had taught her and offered the man her hand, which he gladly shook.
"Nice to meet you too," Brooke replied, readjusting her wrap. "I'm going to find the ladies room and let the two of you talk." She slid her arm out of Lucas's.
"She certainly is something, isn't she?" Paul asked once Brooke was out of earshot.
"She really is," Lucas mumbled, watching Brooke weave her way through the sea of tables. Over the past few months he'd gotten over his initial rage towards Brooke. She did it all to protect her and her daughter and he could understand that. She was doing what she thought was best even though it hurt him. He hadn't really realized his feelings again until tonight. But that's what she did to him. Brooke always surprised him, mesmerized him. He could glance at her once and he would go weak in the knees. She was the mother of his daughter and just possibly, the only woman he could live forever with.
"Hello. I'm sorry to interrupt, but can I borrow Lucas for a moment?"
The older man to whom she had not been introduced to smiled down at her and nodded. Broke grabbed Lucas's hand and led him to a less occupied area of the room.
"Thank you for getting me out of there. I was ready to fall asleep," Lucas said with a laugh, noticing that Brooke was biting her bottom lip again. Only this time it wasn't in a shy or cute manner; something was wrong. "What is it?"
"There is a slight... um... problem." She was fiddling with her hands and looking at everything but him.
"What is wrong?" he asked, more sternly than before.
"Well, you see the man right there?" she asked, pointing discretely. "The one with the red tie, bad comb over?" Lucas nodded and looked at the man briefly before returning his attention to Brooke. "I've met him before."
"Why is that a problem?" Lucas asked, almost wanting to laugh at Brooke's antics.
"You don't understand. I've met him before Lucas! That man can tell you where my tattoo is!" Brooke whispered harshly, watching Lucas' face fall.
"He was a customer?" Lucas whispered back, utterly shocked that Jeff, a man that had 3 kids and had been happily married for over 25 years had gone to a seedy strip club in one of the worst parts of town.
"He's a fucking regular! I see him every Sunday! He always requests me," Brooke said quietly, glancing over at the man, noticing that he was looking over at them. "Oh my god. I am SO SORRY if I mess this up for you."
"Just act stupid okay? If he brings it up act like you don't know anything," Lucas replied quickly, his hands starting to sweat a little bit.
"Hello Lucas. Who is this lovely woman?" he asked, looking at Brooke, his eyes focusing on her.
"Brooke Davis. It is wonderful to meet you." She stuck her hand out and he shook it cautiously. If this was the kind of man Brooke thought he was he wouldn't bring it up.
"Have we met before?" Lucas moved uncomfortably next to Brooke who shook her head.
"I've only lived here for a few weeks," Brooke responded, slipping her arm through Lucas' for added reassurance.
"Really? Was it work related?"
"Not at all. I came here for Lucas. Right now I'm working at this little cafe." The lie rolled off her tongue smoothly, confusing the man in front of her.
"I'll be seeing you," he stated, tipping his glass towards her before walking away from them.
"I have never seen anyone bullshit so well in my life," Lucas said as he let out a huge breath.
"What can I say? I learned from my mother who could make you believe anything. She was able to convince my father she loved him," Brooke replied with a shrug and a small laugh.
He was about to say something when he felt something vibrate in his pocket. He pulled out his phone and saw NATHAN flashing across the screen. "Hello?"
"Lucas." He could already tell by the sound of Nathan's voice that something wasn't right. His voice was shaky and he thought that he could hear crying in the background. "It's your mom."