Hey there guys,
I'm back with the next chapter. I'm really sorry for the late update. Everything has been so busy with planning a funeral and grief taking over and work and the boyfriend and all that. It's been crazy mad.
I'm going to try and update faster to get this story finished and then if you like I will write another one, so as a sorry for not updating I've written two chapters for you to read.
So anyway here is the next chapter. ENJOY!
Oh and I went to go see the New Beauty And The Beast today and it was AWSOME!
"Brooke, Lucas is on line 2 again" Hayden says handing me my caramel latte as I stepped into my office "his called back like 3 times this morning"
Since being back in London I've been swamped with fashion shows and stylist for the fashion shows and then the new magazine that I'm the face off and everything else Hayden has thrown my way.
Lucas and the rest of the gang have been emailing me and calling, but I haven't had a chance to respond. I felt so guilty in-between the fashion meetings.
"How long before our meeting Hayden?" I ask sitting at my desk. I wasn't sure if I had the free half hour window now or later tonight or maybe if I was lucky it could be both.
"Half hour before Mr Waterman will call" she replies looking down at her iPad for my plans of the day.
"Okay good, put Lucas through for me and then go take a half hour break yourself and go see that boyfriend of yours" she flashed me a smile as she left my office to put Lucas through to my office line. When Hayden put thumbs up I knew I could speak "Hey baby"
"Brooke hey" he sounded out of sorts, but I put that down to him not being able to talk to me the past week "I've called a bunch of times, that Hayden girl has she been putting my messages through to you because you haven't called me back"
"Lucas... I..." I start to say, but he obviously wasn't finished with his rant because he continues to speak over me.
"Rachel and Haley have both tried calling too, but again your too busy to even talk to them, they're your friends" I did feel guilty that I've blown their calls and emails and texts off, but it wasn't like I meant to. I've been working "I've called loads Brooke and you said you would call me when you landed and you never did. I was worried that something bad had happened"
"Lucas..." I sigh in a sad way finally able to speak to him "I'm sorry, I've just been so busy with work since I landed and yes Hayden has been passing all the messages through; but every time I go to message or return a call I get called away and all that. I'm sorry baby, I really am"
"I just miss you" he sighs and I could imagine him run his fingers through his hair.
"Just because I haven't called Luke doesn't mean I don't miss you too. I think of you all the time, work is just crazy right now; it'll calm down soon enough" I make clear. I didn't want him to think just because I'm back in London that I don't want us to be together or have a life together. I still want all those things with him; just everything is so hectic at the moment "how was the appointment at the doctors?" I didn't really want to ask that question, but I had no choice. I needed the conversation to change.
"Yeah it was really cool" I could hear his spirit lighten as he spoke about it "we heard the heart beat and next time we can find out what we're having" it hurt hearing all of that, but I had to get myself used to the knowledge of knowing I can't have his baby. I accepted it when I was told, but seeing and hearing Lucas talk about it broke my heart just a little.
"Oh that all sounds really good Luke"
He must have heard the sadness in my voice because his tone changed "oh Pretty Girl I'm sorry I didn't think"
"No don't be sorry Luke, I asked the question. I have to learn to be happy for you. I'll try harder" I reply feeling myself tear up a little.
"You don't have to try so hard Brooke, I'm your boyfriend and I love you. No matter what" his response seemed to soothe my mind just a little "I've loved you for a long time"
"I miss you" I breathe out feeling a tear slide down my cheek. I don't know why I started crying, but an overpowering ball of emotion washed over me "I really miss you Luke"
"Oh don't cry Pretty girl" he says and I could tell he wished he could hold me just like I needed him to. I didn't think it would be so hard being away from him "I'm really sorry baby"
That puzzled me for a moment... Why was he sorry? Had something happened with he and Peyton. Oh God his going to dump me for her isn't he. I know he says he loves me, but does he really?
"Sorry?" I questioned on the edge of my chair in my office.
"Yeah" he replies sighing "I should have just come with you when I had the chance, I'm sorry for putting Peyton and the appointment before you, before us"
Phew! I relaxed in my chair thankful for the reason of him being sorry. My heart rate slowed down a little.
The rest of the talk was about Rachel and Haley and how bad I felt not calling them back. Lucas talked about his Mom and how I really did have to have that catch up coffee I promised before leaving the first time.
"Brooke Mr Waterman will be calling in 5 minutes" Hayden says standing at my office door. I give her a nod and a thumb up so she knows I heard her clearly.
"Luke I have to go now" I say feeling my heart ache, I loved hearing his voice and I didn't know how long it would be before I could hear it again.
"Okay" his voice was so sad and so was I. I missed him so much that I was considering moving back to Tree Hill for good and getting an office over there. I mean I could promote Hayden to manage my London office, that way I can be with Lucas more and not feel so much sadness every time I came back to London "I gave to go and help Peyton put up the cot she had delivered anyway. Speak soon?" it came out as a question and I didn't know how long it would be before I had the time to call him or message the girls. My life in London is hectic and I didn't realise it until I couldn't speak to the people I care about the most.
"I'll try and find the time Lucas" and I meant it. I was going to try my hardest not to work so much and to find the time for him and the girls. My life has become different now I have the people I'm close to back into my life. I don't have to work so hard to feel the void I once had "I love you baby"
"I love you too Pretty Girl" and then we both hung up.
The next hour I spent on the phone with Mr Waterman deciding on what look to have at the next fashion show Hayden and I were organising. Once I was off the phone I had a 10 minute window to think.
I sat at my office desk and planned everything I needed to do in my life and at the top of that list was to move back to Tree Hill.
"You're moving back to Tree Hill?" Ariana raises her eye brow when I tell her that evening.
I nodded knowing I was doing the right thing. I mean I could have talked to Lucas about him moving to London, but then I would be taking him from everyone in his life and everything he knows is in Tree Hill. I mean his going to be a dad and even though I'm not thrilled about that, I can't be selfish and take him from that. It's not in me to do that to him.
"But what about London?" she asks sitting down beside me "what about your job here, you have a big office here Brooke. Your work is here"
I knew she was worried for me. I knew she was worried about our friendship and my relationship with Maddie and she thought I was going to leave her out. Of course I wasn't.
"I could expand my office again, I did it in LA and New York and now I can do the same thing for Tree Hill" I tell her "Ariana if I move back to Tree Hill, I want you and Maddie to move with me" suddenly I saw relief wash over her face "your my bestfriend and Maddie is my niece and goddaughter, I couldn't move back home without you both and besides everyone back home loves you both"
"Really?" she asks with a smile etched to her face.
I nod flashing her smile as I turned to face her on the sofa "you're part of my company Ariana and you're basically family to me. If you want, the offer is there"
Without warning Ariana jumped at me and wrapped her arms around my body pulling me into a hug. It was a Lucas hug, but it was a thank you hug. She whispered thank you into my ear and I knew she was coming with me. All I needed to do now is fly back to Tree Hill, find and buy myself a new spot for another office.
Adrian and I ordered food before she went to get Maddie from school. I waited for our food to be delivered. While everything whirled around in my head I messaged Hayden to cancel my meetings for the next month and asked her to supervise the next three fashion shows, then when I got the thankful yes I knew she was going to reply I asked her to book me a one way ticket to Tree Hill, Ariana and Maddie too.
I was going home.
"Brooke is it true, is it, is it?" Maddie asks as she burst through the apartment door.
"Is what true Mads" I reply picking her up and placing her on the kitchen counter top.
"Mom said we're moving to Tree Hill with you, is it true?" I looked pass Maddie and saw Ariana walk in with our take out bag in her hand.
"I saw the guy as we were walking up" she shuts the door and walks over to the kitchen placing the white takeout bag on the counter.
"So Brooke is it true are we all moving?" I could see the excitement in the little girl's body. I honestly don't remember getting this excited for anything, but Christmas and my birthday when I was her age.
I kissed her softly on the cheek which she smiled at "yes Mads it's true, we are moving to Tree Hill once I find a spot for my office and I have everything sorted"
"Oh so exciting Brooke" she wrapped her smile arms around my neck and pulled me into a tight hug melting my heart at the same time.
"Okay now you know it's true can you go wash up for dinner Mad" I picked her up and put her down and watched as she ran down the hall to her room "and sure you don't want me to stay here and help Hayden out?"
I shook my head taking my Chinese box and my chop sticks ready to eat. I didn't realise I was starving until right this second "not unless you want to Ari"
"I just don't want us to be a burden on you and Lucas and your life you've got in Tree Hill Brooke"
I smiled and stood beside her bumping her with my hip "I wouldn't have asked you to come with me if I didn't want you both too and besides that way I can keep you both safe from her father. I told you Ari us against the world"
"Thank you again Brooke" I nodded as she rested her head on my shoulder "for everything"
And then we went ahead and ate our takeout food.
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Love you all xoxo
Roch xoxo