Everything in its right place

Late at the night Lucas was walking down the street. He needed to get out after clashing at the practice. He looked at all houses he passed – they all seemed to be same and boring but then he saw a big beautiful house with a beautiful red door. He eyed the house and realized how special that red door was. The girl behind that red door was even more special. He knew he had to go there and apologize to that girl and in a few minutes he was standing behind that door, knocking on it. Soon the door opened and Brooke in a dressing-gown appeared.

"Luke. What are you doing here so late?" She asked. She was obviously surprised by Lucas' late visit.

"I needed to see you." Lucas answered and stilled. An awkward moment of silence took place between them. "Brooke, I'm sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. And I'm here to say how much I love you." After saying those words he looked into Brooke's eyes and they stilled again. Brooke slowly managed a smile to her face.

"You are so sweet. C'mon in boyfriend." She took Lucas' hand and pulled him with. They stepped into the living room and Lucas was surprised to see candles all over and fire in the fireplace. He looked around and gave Brooke an asking gaze.

"What?" Brooke asked with laugh after she noticed Lucas' weird face.

"Are you waiting for someone?"

"No. I just, you know, wanted to spend some time with myself and just relax but I don't mind having you here with me." Brooke kissed Lucas slightly and when Lucas wanted to kiss her back, she drew away. She smiled slyly and pulled him with her to the floor. They sat down in front of the fireplace. Lucas wrapped his arms around Brooke and she rest her head to Lucas' chest.

"So you aren't mad?" Lucas asked after sitting there for a while. Brooke turned herself so she could look into Lucas' eyes.

"Not mad but a bit hurt. Or more like disappointed. I saw you with Nic once, I think you first met then and she was obviously flirting with you. I was sure she's after you and when I saw you two together, it like proved I was right. And somehow I came to thinking that you may want her too."

"I love you, you and only you, Pretty girl." Lucas said and pulled Brooke closer. He softly touched her lips with his and wanted to hold onto this moment forever.

Lucas spent the night at Brooke's place. In the morning they went to Karen's café to crab something to eat. Lucas opened the door for Brooke and walked in after her. Brooke went straight to the table where Nathan and Haley sat. But Lucas went to his mom who was cleaning the counter; Keith sat opposite her and drank his morning coffee.

"Morning." Lucas said when he reached the counter. Keith smiled to him cleverly.

"And where have you been?" His mom started picking on him but she wasn't furious. "I didn't notice you asking me for permission."

"Not now ma." Lucas answered wearily and walked away from them to join Brooke, Nathan and Haley.

"Wait a sec. We have something to say." Karen said then and she rushed to their table with Keith. They held each other close and both were smiling and shining.

"We got engaged." Keith said with a bright smile on his face and Karen raised her hand to show the ring. Lucas was stunned, he just ran out of words.

"That's so great! Congratulations!" Haley cheered and jumped up from her chair. Brooke did the same and they both ran to Karen to see the ring closely.

"Oh my god. It's so beautiful." Brooke whispered while watching the ring and then hugged Karen and Keith. "Congratulations."

Then Haley hugged them both. Nathan hugged Karen and shook hands with Keith. "Well done, uncle." He said to him. After that Lucas walked to Karen.

"You haven't said a word." Karen said to him. Lucas looked at her for a while and managed a wide smile to his face. Karen grabbed her shoulders and pulled him to her embrace.

"I'm happy for you ma." He said to her mom when they were hugging. He stepped to Keith and with no words he just hugged him.

"We should celebrate! Do you have champagne here?" Haley said then and Karen looked at her weirdly.

"You are all underage." She said with pretty seriously. They all gave her a look. "Okay, okay. Let's celebrate then. I'll get the champagne." She finally melt and went to the kitchen while other sat down around the table. Then the door opened and Jake helped Peyton in.

"Peyton! You got to hear the news!" Brooke yelled right when she saw Jake and Peyton entering the café. She stood up and ran to them. "Karen and Keith got engaged!"

"Really?" Peyton responded. "That's really … wow." She smiled. She moved to the table with Jake and Karen came back from the kitchen with glasses and a bottle of champagne.

"Hi Jake, Peyton." She said and Jake walked to her and congratulated. Then Karen put glasses and bottle to table and went to Peyton and hugged her too. She opened the bottle and poured champagne to the glasses. She had brought juice for Peyton. They all raised their glasses.

"To Karen and Keith!" Haley said. All repeated "To Karen and Keith!" and they clinked their glasses.

Later when Haley and Karen headed back to work, Keith went to the body shop and Lucas was chatting with Jake, Brooke and Peyton found some time alone to have a talk.

"You are so beautiful today." Brooke said when she was staring at Peyton and her wide bright smile.

"Yeah, it happened so. I promise it won't happen again." Peyton answered jokily.

"No, I mean, you look somehow more beautiful and pleased than usually."

"There's a reason." She answered and her face lit up.

"Tell me already!" Brooke was full of excitement.

"Jake is moving in with me."

"So you are officially dating? I knew it! I was rooting for you." Brooke winked to Peyton and they both laughed. Brooke wrapped her arms around Peyton and hugged her strongly. Then she suddenly let her out of her embrace and looked for a clock.

"Oh my god. What's the time?" She asked nervously and took out her cell phone. "I got to go now. Sorry. I'll call you later. I have a surprise to you all."

She walked to Jake and Lucas to say bye.

"Luke, I'm going now." She said and Lucas stood up.

"Where are you running?" He asked and wrapped his arms around her.

"I got a surprise to you all and I have to prepare it. I'm already running late."

"And what's the surprise?" Lucas tried to get the secret out from Brooke.

"If I'd tell you it wouldn't be a surprise anymore." She kissed Lucas and Lucas let her out of his embrace. "Bye now." She waved and walked out from the café.

Later everyone received a message from Brooke that said:

"Hey buddies! I have a little nice surprise for you all. Come to my place at 8 tonight. I'll be waiting for you. Brooke, xoxoxo

P.S. Put on some nice clothes! ;)

So Peyton put on a nice black dress and had her hair curled. Haley wore a short golden dress. Nathan, Lucas and Jake all wore suits. When they reached Brooke's place, she was welcoming them, wearing a really beautiful red dress. She smiled brightly on the door and let them all in.

"So what's the surprise?" Peyton asked then impatiently and Brooke directed them to the dining room. There was a large table in the middle of the room coated with all kind of foods. And there was a man standing next to that table who was greeting them with smile like Brooke's.

"You did this all by yourself?" Haley asked looking stunned.

"Almost. I had a little help from my father. Dad. These are Haley, Nathan, Lucas, Jake and Peyton. Guys, this is my dad. I'm sure that only Peyton have seen him before." Brooke introduced her friends and father.

"Yeah, I haven't been around much." Her dad said and looked at Brooke who gave him a forgiving smile. "Anyway, nice to meet you all. I'm Michael Davis. Call me Mike. I'm having dinner with you if that's okay." He smiled and they all nodded and smiled back to him.

"Okay! Let's sit down then." Brooke said enthusiastically and they all gathered around the table.

After a while they had eaten and they all seemed to have really good time. They had laughed all the time, they were just happy.

"Okay." Mike said and stood up "I'm going to bed now. I'm really tired. I had a really great time with you. Good night."

"Good night." They all said and he left the room. Then they all turned their looks to Brooke.

"Your dad is so cool! I actually knew that but he's way cooler than I thought." Peyton said than and they all laughed.

"Yeah, he's cool. Lately at least. But I say your dad is cooler. He's such a joke cracker."

"I have to agree with that." Jake joined the conversation. "I'm always laughing madly when he's home."

"Okay, but your dad is hotter than my dad." Peyton still argued. Haley, Nathan and Lucas found their conversation funny and they just laughed.

"No way. Your dad is a total fox. Why else is he my hot dad fantasy? Oh, my dad could be yours!" Brooke cheered and winked to Peyton. Lucas had a really confused face.

"Hot dad fantasy?" He asked curiously.

"Don't worry. It's just an inside joke." Brooke answered and took his hand.

"You know what guys. It's really getting late and we have to go to school tomorrow." Haley suddenly broke the laughter.

"Yeah. I'd like to sit here longer but it's really late." Peyton agreed. They all stood up and walked to the door.

"Thank you for that good night, Brooke." Nathan said and they all hugged each other. "Luke, are you coming with us?" he added.

"No, I'm staying for some extra ice cream." He answered, teasing Brooke who only laughed.

"You wish. Ice cream is mine!" she punched his forearm. Peyton, Nathan, Jake and Haley only laughed and then set off. So Brooke and Lucas were standing alone on the doorsteps. Lucas wrapped his arms around Brooke and pulled her closer. He looked deep into her eyes.

"You did a very good thing to us. I had a lot of fun. And I really feel good right now."

"Me too. I can say I had almost forgotten how it feels to be happy. You made me remember it."

"I'm glad I can make you happy. You make me happy too. With you I'm the luckiest guy on the planet. But there is another thing that makes me really happy right now. I haven't told anybody about it yet."

"Tell me! I want to know!"

"Keith wants to adopt me." Lucas said with a deep sigh and managed a grin to his face.

"Oh, Lucas. That's great, isn't it?"

"Yeah it is."

"I'm so happy for you." Brooke said. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pulled him closer to hug him. And that hug led to a really passionate kiss. So they stood there safely in each other's arms without caring about the cold night because they were warm there, in each other's embrace.

... your kiss is fine

there's warm desire in each embrace

And the wine is fine

and that makes us want to stay

We're in the right place at the right time

and it's easy to go wrong ...

Preview:

Has Nic given up on Lucas or will she continue seducing him?

Will Dan accept the adoption plans?

Why is Brooke so lonely again? Will her friends help her to get over it?

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Lyrics at the end of the chapter are from Claude King's song Right Place (at the Right Time).