Authors Note: Apologies for the long wait. I spent months not wanting to write Comes A Time and then all of a sudden, all I wanted to write was that. So this story took the backseat but it's back now! I have the next chapter in the works, still working on it but hopefully it won't take me that long to do. Thankyou to all that reviewed last chapter. It seems that everyone wants Brulian together. Patience is a virtue my friends :P But I'm glad you all like Brooke's relationship with the kids. I've tried to incorporate some more of that in this chapter, although it's only small. Enjoy and please review because they do help! xo
Hands in the fallen snow;
Numb to the winter cold,
But we don't mind,
'Cause we'll get warm inside.
You're the reason I come home.
You're the reason I come home, my love.
You're the reason that when everything I know falls apart...
Well, you're the reason I come home.
Winter was well on its way in Tree Hill. Snow hadn't quite reached the small town yet but the harsh winds were causing everyone to wrap up warm in coats on their bodies and hats on their heads.
That's exactly what Brooke was doing as she dressed Ryan in his black bobble hat with matching scarf and gloves. Along with his coat buttoned tightly up, he looked like an Eskimo and barely able to walk. She couldn't help but laugh as he struggled.
"Momma! I can't walk," he exclaimed.
"Don't worry; you'll loosen up the more we walk."
She held his hand as they walked into the living room. She shouted up the stairs to her foster daughter.
"Samantha, we're going!"
Today they were going to look for the perfect Christmas tree to put in their living room. It was one of Brooke's favorite parts of Christmas, which was merely a couple of weeks away. She still needed to go shopping for presents.
"Jeez! Impatient much," Sam sighed as she traipsed down the stairs.
"What are you wearing?" Brooke gasped.
"Errm, my clothes," Sam said in a matter of fact tone.
"Don't take that tone with me lady. You know exactly what I mean. Where are your winter clothes?"
"Brooke, I'm not three okay. I don't want to look like Ryan," she pointed at her brother who was oblivious to the insult. "I have a hat and gloves in my bag and I'm wearing three layers. What more do you want?"
"That will do for now. But don't come crying to me when you're cold."
The three left the house, locking the door behind them and getting into Brooke's 'Batmobile', putting the heating on straight away. Christmas songs were playing loud from Brooke's ipod which she had hooked up to the car radio. She could hear Ryan humming along in the back, his eyes were the only visible part of him due to the amount of clothing he had on.
"Excited for Christmas?" she asked Sam.
"I guess. More for Ryan. I can't wait to see his face when he opens his presents."
"It's so weird thinking that me and Ryan have had two Christmases without you. I'm glad we share them with you now."
"Me too," Sam agreed.
Christmases for her were usually spent in her bedroom of whichever foster family she was staying with. They usually got her a present if they were decent people, but most of the time, she was just happy to be on her own.
After driving for twenty minutes, they pulled into the parking lot of the Christmas Tree Farm. They all got out of the car and walked through the rows and rows of trees to find the one for them. This was the most popular tree farm in Tree Hill so there were plenty of people walking round. Nathan and Haley had already bought two, one for their house, which they had decorated with Jamie and one for the Café.
"What exactly are we looking for?" Sam piped up after they had walked around for quite a while and still not found a tree.
"I don't know," Brooke admitted. "I usually do this with friends or like last year, I let Ryan pick. I do love this part of Christmas though. The smell of the pine and choosing the right decorations."
"You are aware that you sound like the Christmas fairy right now?"
"I actually dressed up as a Christmas fairy once, for a Christmas party back in New York."
"Oh god!"
"Shut up," Brooke laughed as she nudged Sam's hips with her own. "I was a cute Christmas fairy."
"I bet you were."
"It'th Julian!" Ryan shouted and ran off into the crowd of people, shocking both Brooke and Sam.
"Ryan, wait. You don't know that it's-"
"Hey Brooke," Julian smiled after saying hi to Ryan.
"Julian, Peyton. What are you doing here?"
"Getting a tree, silly." Peyton pulled Brooke into a hug before going back to holding Julian's hand.
Brooke hadn't properly seen them as a couple before, until now. They were dressed in matching black coats and both were wearing hats, despite Peyton notoriously hating hats. They were grinning from ear to ear as they shopped for a tree. She was jealous to say the least. They looked good together.
"Ryan, you can't be running off like that baby. I thought I'd lost you," she addressed her son and pulled him into her arms.
"I can't believe how much he looks like you," Peyton gushed.
Brooke smiled like the proud parent she was. "He's definitely a handsome little monster." She rubbed her red nose against his matching one, making him giggle.
"So have you guys found a tree yet?" Julian questioned.
"Nah, we just got here," Sam admitted. "Have you?"
"Nope, still looking for that perfect tree. Mind if we join you?"
"Brooke?" Sam turned to Brooke with that mischievous glint in her eye that reminded Brooke of herself.
"Sure, we'd love you to."
The larger group continued walking; looking at each tree they passed. Julian and Peyton continued walking hand in hand, every so often Peyton would lean up and kiss Julian's stubbled cheek, which didn't go unnoticed by Brooke or Sam.
After ten more minutes, each had found the right tree. Peyton and Julian had opted for a tall tree for their large, open spaced apartment, whereas Brooke and Sam had gone for a smaller, yet wider tree to fit into their living room. Peyton's phone began to ring so she stepped away from the group to answer. Julian ushered over one of the boys who worked on the farm to help them with the trees and as he went to get more help, Peyton came back.
"I'm so sorry but I'm gonna have to go. That was a label company, they want to set up a conference call so I'm gonna head to the office," Peyton apologized.
"Well do you need a ride Peyt?" Brooke offered.
"No it's okay Brooke. We came in separate cars. I was at the office this morning so just met Julian here. I'm sorry I've got to run." She quickly kissed Julian's lips. "I'll see you tonight, it might be late so don't wait up okay?"
"Sure. Go sort out the business."
Peyton walked briskly away leaving Julian with the Davis family, waiting for the boy who came back with two older men. Julian and Brooke navigated them to each of their cars and they began to wrap the trees to put them on the roofs of the cars.
"Fancy a hot drink? It's pretty cold out and they could be a while?" Julian pointed to the coffee shop.
"That sounds so good right now!"
Brooke's nose was red with the cold and her eyes glossy with tears caused by the wind. Julian had never got to see her in the winter time and he could definitely say that Brooke Davis was beautiful in any season. Her goddess-like body in that black bikini was still imprinted in his mind and he was sure the way she was looking now, was going to always be in Julian's mind. The way the fur hood on her white coat sat on top of her head, the way her nose shone bright red against her white as snow skin. She could still take his breath away.
Brooke chose a booth for them to all sit; Ryan and Brooke on one side of the table, Sam and Julian on the other.
"So what are you all having?" he asked looking round.
"Julian, I'll get them."
"No I'll get them Brookie, now what are you having? Mocha double latte extra foam?"
"You remember?"
"Of course I do. Sammy?"
"Large Americano."
"Okay and a hot chocolate for Ryan?"
"Thame ath you," he piped up from beneath his hood.
"Two hot chocolates it is."
Julian stood up to go order the drinks whilst Brooke unzipped Ryan's coat and took it off along with hers.
"Cold yet Sam?" she smirked.
"No. I told you, I don't need a coat."
Brooke knew Sam better than she thought. The way Sam wrapped her arms around herself told Brooke that she was cold. Before anything else could be said, Julian sat back down next to Sam.
"They said they'd bring them over."
Brooke simply nodded in thanks.
"So what are the plans for you guys today?"
"We decoratin'" Ryan told Julian.
"Sounds fun."
"It ith and Momma make chrithmath cookieth."
"Oh really?" His eyebrow lifted.
"Yes really. My cooking skills have got a lot better," Brooke glared playfully at him. "And sure, I can't make proper food yet but my Brookie cookie's are kinda awesome."
"I'll have to try them sometime because last time you cooked for me, it wasn't good."
"Okay it wasn't the best but we had a nice picnic."
"What did you try and cook?" Sam asked.
"A pot roast."
"Which she almost set the kitchen on fire with," Julian added.
"I did not! It was only smoky."
"Because I turned the oven off in time," Julian laughed.
"Wow Brooke, I knew you were bad at cooking, but not that bad."
"Which only proves my point that I have gotten better," she said in an 'I told you so' fashion.
The waiter walked over with four mugs on a tray and four slices of cake. The waiter gave everyone a slice of cake and handed the correct mug to the correct person, before leaving.
"If I've learnt anything, it's that Brooke Davis loves chocolate," Julian said taking a bite out of the chocolate cake that he had ordered for everyone.
Once Ryan had eaten the cake, he had decided that he needed to use the bathroom so Sam offered to take him.
"What are your plans for Christmas this year?"
"Last year, I went to Haley's but I've offered to have Christmas at my place this year. You know with my mom being involved now, I want to celebrate Christmas with her but Nathan and Haley are my family too so I've invited them and Jamie and Lucas. You and Peyton are welcome, I wasn't sure what your plans were?"
"Usually we celebrate with my mom, Chase, Alex and Chuck on Christmas day and then my dad the day after but we're thinking of staying here this year. Peyton wanted to celebrate with her friends so we want to invite you all to our apartment on Christmas day, Victoria too."
"Julian, we couldn't. It's too much!"
"No really, we want too. Chase and Alex are flying here with Chuck. Even my mom and dad. Please, it would mean a lot to both of us."
"I'll mention it to the kids and see what they say."
"And what about costume designing?"
"I told you I'd think about it," she smirked back. He could sure be impatient sometimes.
Julian waved goodbye to Brooke and the kids as her Audi drove away. He made his way back to his truck when his phone began to vibrate in his pocket. He smiled as he read the name.
"Hey!"
"So how did it go? What did she say?"
"Let's just say I'm winning her round. I'll call you later, I'm just getting in the truck."
Brooke stirred in her sleep as she heard a ringing. For a second, she assumed it was her alarm clock but when she looked at it, she saw that it read 1:16. She had only been asleep for an hour. Who could possibly ringing? She started to worry as she brought her phone to her ear after answering. So many scenarious ran through her head; did one of the Scott's get into yet another car crash, cause boy had they got into enough of them over the years. Or maybe Julian or Peyton?
"Hello?"
Authors Note: So kind of a cliff hanger...what do y'all think has happened? Also who is the mystery caller and should everyone go to Pulian's for christmas? Let me know in reviews :')