FIRST I WANT TO APOLOGIZE BUT I UNEXPECTABLY HAD TO LEAVE TOWN FOR A FEW WEEKS, SOME ISSUES I NEEDED TO TAKE CARE PERSONALLY THAT CAME OUT OF THE BLUE SO THAT IS WHY I COULDN´T POST EARLIER BUT I JUST GOT HOME.
I WANT TO THANK ALL THE PEOPLE THAT GAVE ME REVIEWS, ALERT MY STORY, ME AS AN AUTHOR AND OF COURSE PLACED THIS PROJECT AS FAVORITE, ALSO MY ANONYMOUS READERS. SO THANK YOU: XTINYDANCERX, BROOKEDAVIS23, ALYSEF, NEVERLAST690, THELAMBANDTHELION, MICKEIBLUE, GOODGIRLGONEBAD, TANYABYOUR21, DIANEHERMANS, BJQ, PAIGEMATTHEWSFAN21, K-MAD17, JDCUBED13, KIMMIE 613, 100PERCENTLOVELY, SURPRISE_ROSE1023, LOUISEMP11, ARUBAGIRL0926, LITALOVE, JENNY14, GARYTHESNAILx3, TWOLYSE, LAUREN, BRUCAS, MISSPRETTYGIRL, MARYMARY 567, LOVEISLOUDER14, LUVETERNITY.
I WISH TO THANKS MY WONDERFUL BETA / TRANSFORMER LISA OR AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW HER BY Leeese, SHE DID A FANTASTIC JOB WITH IT . SO KUDDOS TO HER.
DISCLAIMER: I DON´T OWN ANYTHING ABOUT OTH. IT ALL BELONGS TO MARK SCHWAHNN, THE CW, WARNER AND TOLLINS - ROBBINS.
I DON´T EVEN OWN THE SONG THAT BELONGS TO NICK LACHEY, AND HIS RECORD COMPANY.
HERE IT IS... ENJOY AND PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW, THAT IS THE BEST GIFT YOU CAN GIVE ME.
BY THE WAY I INVITE YOU ALL TO CHECK MY OTHER STORY NAMED TAKING CHANCES, HERE IS THE LINK: s/7133371/1/TAKING_CHANCES
Chapter 20
It was Sunday night and Karen was busy making dinner in the kitchen. Lucas kept asking her why she was making so much food. She told him that she just wanted him well fed as she wondered what his reaction would be when 7 p.m. arrived. After being kicked out of the kitchen by his mother for the hundredth time, Lucas was sitting on the sofa in the living room, talking with Lily.
"You can't seriously like that movie." Lily said as she pulled an unimpressed expression.
"Why not? It's good movie." Lucas replied.
"Really? People who eat mice for dinner! Give me a break! Lily scoffed.
"Wow you are tough cookie to crack." Lucas said.
"It's the Scott gene, big brother." Lily replied.
"Yeah, it is," Lucas replied. "So changing the subject."
"To what?" Lily asked.
"Is there any boy in your life which means I need to act like big brother Lucas?" Lucas asked.
"Shut up." Lily said as she began to get uncomfortable.
"Lils, tell me or I will make you experience a pain that only a big brother knows how to deliver and don't worry I won't tell mom." Lucas replied. At that moment the doorbell rang. Karen yelled to say that she would get it and ran out of the kitchen towards the door.
"Hi Brooke." Karen greeted as she opened the door.
"Hi Karen." Brooke greeted in return. Karen then saw who was behind her.
"And who is this young man that is with you?" Karen asked.
"Karen, I want you to meet my son Ben." Brooke said as she introduced.
"Your son?" Karen asked.
"Yes, my son." Brooke replied proudly.
"Well you will tell me all about it in a little while," Karen said as she studied Ben's features. "Is Rachel coming too?"
"No, she's still in New York." Brooke replied.
"Ah okay. Come on in," Karen told them. "Dinner will be ready in a little while."
Lucas was so engrossed in the conversation he was having with Lilly that he hadn't realized that the doorbell had rung, that his mother had answered it or that the people who was at the door had come into the house. He came back to reality and began to pay attention to the conversation at the doorway, when he thought he heard a particular voice that he knew too well. The voice said his name and belonged to the person he loved most in the world. And someone who, still after all this time, he was trying to forget.
"Lucas?" Brooke said in a shaky tone. The shock was visible on her face as she stared at the person in front of her.
"Brooke?" Lucas asked in a shocked tone as he stood.
"Yes, it's me." Brooke replied sounding just as shocked as Lucas.
"What are you doing here?" he asked before he looked at his mother.
"Your mom invited me." Brooke told him.
"She did. Did she?"
"Yes, I did. She moved back to town and I haven't seen her in years so I did." Karen said defending her decision.
"You moved back?" Lucas asked in surprise.
"I did." Brooke confirmed.
"I didn't know that you left." Lucas remarked.
"I did." Brooke repeated.
"We can all do this I moved back, I didn't know that you move etc. later," Karen said as she sensed the tension between Brooke and Lucas. "Lucas are you not going to say hi to her?"
"Oh yes. I'm sorry." Lucas replied.
"It's okay." Brooke told him.
"Hi Brooke." Lucas said as he held his hand out towards her.
"Hi Lucas." Brooke greeted as she took his hand and shook it.
"Really? Is that the best you both can do?" Karen asked as she watched the exchange between them. "Come on give her a kiss in the cheek for god's sake."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, my mother and her charming self." Lucas said in a sarcastic tone.
"Karen, it's okay." Brooke assured her.
"It's okay. I'll do it." Lucas said as he closed the distance between them and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Good, that's my boy." Karen said as she smiled.
"Sorry if my beard pricked you, I haven't trimmed it down in a few days." Lucas apologised.
"It didn't," Brooke replied. She then studied him for a few moments before she said. "I never pictured you to be someone who likes to have a beard."
"Me neither," Lucas replied. "But you don't know if you like it until you start doing it."
"You're right." Brooke agreed. Lucas then noticed the other person who had arrived with Brooke.
"Hi Ben." Lucas greeted as he extended his hand once again.
"Hi Lucas!" Ben greeted brightly as he took Lucas's hand and shook it.
"How do you know each other?" Brooke asked in a shocked tone.
"Are you going to tell her or should I?" Lucas asked as he looked at Ben with raised eyebrows.
"I think it'll be better if you do it." Ben said as he looked away. He knew that he was going to get a lecture from his mother once she knew. And more than likely grounded.
"Please someone tell me." Brooke insisted.
"This morning I was going to the river court and I saved him from being run over by a car." Lucas explained.
"What?" Brooke asked as her eyes almost fell out of her head.
"Like you heard," Lucas said. "He was crossing the street without looking and listening to music while he bounced a basketball."
"You and me are going to talk later." Brooke said in a stern tone as she looked at Ben.
"I know." Ben replied in a defeated tone.
"Lucas, Ben is Brooke's-" Karen began, but Brooke cut her off by saying.
"Ben is my son."
"Your son?" Lucas asked in shock.
"Yes." Brooke confirmed.
"Congratulations." Lucas told her, unable to believe his ears.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome." Lucas mumbled.
"Ben." Brooke began.
"Yes mom?" he asked as he looked at her.
"Since you already know Lucas, he is my ex- boyfriend." Brooke told him. In her head she silently added and your father. However she stayed quiet as she still wasn't ready to come clean.
"You two dated? When?" Ben asked in a shocked tone.
"When we were teenagers." Brooke told him.
"Just like you." Lucas added.
"Now that all the introductions were done," Karen began. "Brooke can accompany me to the kitchen to finish the food. And we can have a girly chat while we're doing it."
"Okay." Brooke replied.
"We can leave the boys to chat," Karen said. "Lily are you coming?"
"Yes mom, I'm coming." Lily said. She was happy to escape Lucas for the time being.
"We need to finish that talk later Lily." Lucas told her as she followed Brooke and Karen into the kitchen.
~X~
Karen, Brooke and Lily were in the kitchen talking girls stuff while Karen stirred the food she was cooking. They talked about several issues, like fashion, Brooke's company, the café and Tric until Brooke said.
"Lily I can't believe you're already a teenager. I still remember the day when your mom told me you were coming."
"Really?" Lily asked.
"Really. But in fair honesty I think it was your brother who told me first and then I confirmed it with Karen." Brooke said as she laughed.
"I think that is correct order of what happened." Karen agreed as she laughed.
"So I can go buy clothes at your store when you open right?" Lily asked eagerly.
"Lily!" Karen scolded.
"What?"
"It's okay Karen, don't worry," Brooke told her. She then turned to Lily and said. "Yes you can and you will get family discount. How about that?"
"Awesome!" Lily said in a happy tone. "I'm so going to be the envy of all the girls at Tree Hill High."
"Yes, you will." Brooke agreed as she laughed.
"I so have to go and tell my friend Marcy!" Lily exclaimed as she left the kitchen and ran to her room to go on her computer.
"Don't take long that the dinner is almost ready." Karen called after her.
"I won't." Lily yelled back.
"Now that we're alone, tell me all about you being a mom." Karen told her.
"What do you want me to tell you?" Brooke asked.
"Everything." Karen replied.
"I found out that I was pregnant when I got to New York," Brooke lied. She hoped that she was convincing. "With everything that was going on in my life at that time, I didn't realize other things that were happening."
"Like you being pregnant?" Karen asked.
"Exactly."
"How was it?" Karen asked in a concerned tone.
"When I found out it was heavy. I was full of fears and I didn't know if I could do it. You don't see yourself being someone mom until it actually happens, until someone tells you that you're pregnant." Brooke said. She didn't have to lie about that.
"It hits you hard at first and more when you are 18 years old. I experience the same thing." Karen said in a sympathetic tone.
"Plus I had my job in Victoria Secret," Brooke continued. "They were very understanding about my condition and then there was finishing school."
"You had a lot on your plate; the good thing about when I found out is that school was already over." Karen told her.
"It was a lot to take in," Brooke admitted. "But if it wasn't for Rachel who encouraged me and said that I could do it all, I don't know where I would be."
"Rachel turned out to be a good friend." Karen commented.
"She is a great friend," Brooke said as she smiled fondly. "She is Ben's godmother and the sister I never had."
"Tell me more about the early months." Karen said.
"The first few months were rough because I had school, work, morning sickness, me wanting to eat every single food item I saw," Brooke began. "And I wanted to sleep so much."
"But you couldn't." Karen said in an understanding tone.
"I couldn't." Brooke admitted.
"And that is why you stopped writing me." Karen said as it dawned on her.
"Yes," Brooke admitted. "When I hit the 6 months mark. It was too much to keep up."
"I understand."
"The last part of pregnancy I was suffering a lot." Brooke told her.
"Why?" Karen asked in a worried tone.
"Easy Karen, don't worry. I was suffering because I was big as a balloon and it was summer." Brooke told her.
"That couldn't be pretty." Karen said as she grimaced.
"Yes and that summer was so hot." Brooke said as she made a similar expression at the memory.
"I remember."
"The good thing is that in my job they gave me the final month and half as my maternity leave." Brooke explained.
"How thoughtful."
"I think it's the law Karen," Brooke said as she laughed. "But I was so miserable and Rachel was nice enough to handle everything house related on her own. Then one day she made me go out because she had organized a baby shower for me."
"How was it?" Karen asked curiously.
"It was a good baby shower in a fancy hotel in New York," Brooke revealed. She then frowned slightly as she added. "Until this day I don't know how she managed to pay for the whole thing."
"How was labour?" Karen asked already knowing what the answer would be.
"Extremely painful." Brooke replied almost instantly.
"Did you get the drugs?"
"No," Brooke replied. "It was a natural birth from the beginning to the end."
"That is very brave of you!" Karen said in a surprised tone.
"I know and believe me I wanted to take them when the doctor told me it could take until 8 hours for Ben to be born." Brooke told her.
"How long did it take in the end?"
"It took 7 hours to bring Ben into this world. Seven long and extremely painful hours." Brooke replied.
"How much did he weigh?" Karen asked as she continued to stir the food.
"He weighed six pounds eight ounces." Brooke replied as she smiled.
"Wow that is a big boy!" Karen said in surprise.
"Yes he was." Brooke agreed.
"Well you told me everything about you being pregnant and the birth," Karen said. "Now tell me who is the father?"
"It was a guy I had a one night stand when Lucas and I were broken up." Brooke replied quickly. She wasn't ready to tell Karen the truth just yet.
"Where did you meet him?" Karen asked curiously.
"I met him in a bar used to go." Brooke replied. She was glad that Lily decided to come back into the kitchen at that point and began to ask questions of her own. She breathed a sigh of relief as their conversation moved away from who Ben's father was.
~X~
In the living room, Lucas and Ben were sat on the couch. They had clicked instantly and were deep in conversation. They had talked about a huge range of things and Lucas was impressed at how knowledgeable Ben was.
"So you two dated huh?" Ben asked Lucas.
"Yes."
"How long did you date each other?"
"The first time was just a couple of weeks," Lucas replied. "But the second time was a longer period."
"You dated twice?" Ben asked in surprise.
"Yes but let's not talk about that okay?" Lucas asked in response.
"Why?" Ben asked curiously.
"We didn't exactly break up on good terms." Lucas replied with a sigh.
"Oh now I understand all the awkwardness around the two of you." Ben replied.
"You sensed that?" Lucas asked.
"Even a blind guy could sense that Lucas." Ben told him as he laughed.
"Well I guess I wasn't too subtle." Lucas admitted as he laughed slightly.
"No you weren't." Ben confirmed.
"So let's change the subject." Lucas said. He was beginning to feel a little awkward again.
"Okay. What do you want to talk about?"
"I was wondering who won this morning? You or the court?" Lucas asked with a laugh.
"Me always." Ben told him as he laughed once again.
"Good," Lucas replied. He then asked. "Want to know something?"
"What?"
"You have Brooke's laugh." Lucas told him.
"Really?" Ben asked in surprise. He hadn't even noticed before.
"Really." Lucas confirmed.
"No one had told me that before." Ben informed him.
"Well I'm glad that I can be the first." Lucas said with a smile.
"What do you do for living?" Ben asked him in a curious tone.
"I'm a writer."
"You write books right?" Ben asked with a slight frown.
"Yes." Lucas replied with another smile. He was enjoying Ben's curiosity.
"I love books and I love reading." Ben told him in an enthusiastic tone.
"Really?" Lucas asked. Now it was his turn to sound surprised.
"Yes." Ben told him.
"Well you didn't get that from Brooke." Lucas said as he laughed.
"Why?" Ben asked with a curious frown.
"Your mother wasn't much of a reader when she was a teen," Lucas said still laughing. He then pointed to the books that were on the shelves as he asked. "See all the books on those shelves?"
"Yes." Ben replied as he looked to where Lucas was pointing.
"They are all mine." Lucas told him.
"Really? You wrote all those books?" Ben asked as his eyes went wide.
"Yes, I wrote them all." Lucas confirmed.
"Woooow." Ben said in an awe struck voice as he stood and headed over to the shelves for a better look.
"Now that is a first." Lucas said as he watched him.
"What is?" Ben asked as his eyes stayed on the books.
"Someone reacting like that when they see all my books." Lucas told him with a laugh.
"Sorry." Ben apologized.
"Don't be. I like it." Lucas assured him.
"Which one is the first?" Ben asked as he looked at a row of books.
"This one." Lucas said as he stood, went over to the shelf and pulled out the book in question.
"An Unkindness of Ravens," Ben read out loud. "Wow! How did you come up with the title?"
"I just remembered a conversation that I had with my best friend Haley." He replied.
"Ravens? Ravens?" Ben said as something jogged at his memory. "Wasn't that the team you told me to join this morning?"
"Yes, good memory." Lucas replied.
"So what is the book about?" Ben asked.
"The book is a bit autobiographical." Lucas informed him.
"How old were you when you wrote it?" Ban asked him.
"I was 22." Lucas replied.
"Don't you think it's a bit young to write one of those?" Ben asked as he laughed.
"Maybe." Lucas replied as he too laughed.
"So if it's autobiographical like you said then my mom is in it right?" Ben asked as it dawned on him.
"Yes, but it's only slightly autobiographical; the ending is pure fantasy," Lucas told him. He then decided to change the subject. "But enough about me. Tell me how your passion for reading was born."
"My mom always read me books when I was growing up," Ben replied with a fond smile. "It was the special time she and I shared every day after her busy schedule."
"Do you continue reading now?" Lucas asked.
"Yes."
"What do you like to read?"
"I like to read Steinbeck and the rest of the American authors; I also like Shakespeare and some European authors." Ben told him.
"Wow impressive," Lucas said. It was clear to hear from his tone that he wasn't lying. "That is heavy reading for a 15 year old."
"Thanks," Ben replied. "But they're not difficult to me."
"I can see," Lucas replied still sounding impressed. "What is your favourite book from Shakespeare?"
"I have two; Othello and Julius Cesar." Ben informed him.
"That last one is my favourite too." Lucas replied.
"Cool!" Ben replied with a grin.
"I was wondering what draws a kid of your age to those authors?" Lucas asked.
"I like the way how both of them describe the society of their time and its complexity." Ben replied.
"Good answer." Lucas said, again sounding impressed.
"Thanks."
"What are you reading now?" Lucas asked curious.
"I just started Les Miserables by Victor Hugo; my mom gave it to me as a birthday present." Ben replied.
"That is quite a book." Lucas said, unable to change his voice from the impressed tone that it seemed to have been locked in. With that they continued talking about books and sports. However as they did, Brooke looked at them every now and then and contemplated at what a great and beautiful father and son bonding session they were having.
~X~
A while later it was time to sit at the table for dinner. Karen was sat at the head of the table. Next to her on her right were Lucas and Lily. On her left were Brooke and Ben.
There was an air of awkwardness around the table and Lucas was a bit uncomfortable with the situation. The five of them began to eat the meat of roast chicken with salad, mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables.
"Karen this is so good." Brooke said in an appreciative tone.
"Thanks." Karen replied with a smile.
"I really missed your food." Brooke told her.
"Yes, Mrs. Roe this is really good." Ben agreed.
"Just call me Karen, Ben." She told him as she gave him a friendly smile.
"Okay, Karen." Ben replied as he returned her smile.
"Lucas, did you know that Brooke has a company?" Karen asked.
"No, I didn't." Lucas replied after swallowing his mouthful of food.
"Brooke, why don't you tell him?" Karen suggested.
"Yes Lucas, I have a company that is called Clothes over Bros." Brooke replied.
"Is it the same one that you started when you were a teen?" Lucas asked curiously.
"Yes." Brooke confirmed.
"Well I'm happy that you could achieve that," Lucas told her. "Is it big?"
"Yes, it's a multinational company." Brooke told him.
"Congratulations Brooke." Lucas replied sounding genuinely happy for her success.
"Thanks."
"Tell him how it started?" Karen insisted.
"I know how it started," Lucas replied. He then added. "Mom stop steering the conversation."
"I have to steer the conversations otherwise no one would talk at this table." Karen told him.
"It's okay Lucas, I don't mind." Brooke assured him.
"Okay." Lucas said with a slight sigh.
"Yes like I said it's the same one you know," Brooke began. "But I only started working seriously on it 8 years ago."
"Why did you wait so long?" Lucas asked. E was trying to be polite, however, he was still uncomfortable about the situation.
"I got a job offer before that." Brooke informed him.
"From who?" he asked, before quickly adding. "That's if you don't mind me asking."
"I don't mind," Brooke replied. "It was from Victoria Secret."
"Look at that. I always knew that you were talented." Lucas told her.
"Me too," Karen agreed as she patted Brooke's hand. "I still remember when you came to say good bye. Did you know Lucas that she left shortly after you?"
"No," Lucas replied sounding surprised. "So you didn't graduate here?"
"No because I got the job offer and I couldn't say no." Brooke replied.
"I understand," Lucas replied. "And I know more than anyone that there are things you can't say no to."
"Like Friday's hangout with Aunt Rachel.2 Ben said as he laughed.
"Don't let Aunt Rachel hear you say that." Brooke told him.
"You're still in contact with Rachel?" Lucas asked surprised.
"Yes." Brooke confirmed.
"She's my godmother." Ben added.
"Well you have a great godmother. She is a good person." Lucas told him.
"Yes, she is." Brooke agreed.
"I'm glad for you Brooke," Lucas said. "That you have achieved everything you wanted out of life."
"Not everything but thanks." Brooke replied.
"I imagine that Ben's father should be arriving in town soon." Lucas added.
"I'm a single mother." Brooke told him.
"I'm sorry to hear that." Lucas replied as he mentally kicked himself.
"It's okay." Brooke murmured.
"If you don't mind asking but who is Ben's father?" Lucas asked. Brooke's heart felt like it had almost stopped beating as she heard him asked that. Lucas saw the look on her face and quickly added. "It's okay if you don't want to answer."
"It's okay. Ben's father is just a man I met in a bar before I went to New York." Brooke replied.
She hoped that he believed her. She knew that Lucas was bound to ask her the question sooner or later; however, she still hadn't been prepared for how it affected her when he did. She let out a silent breath of relief as Lucas's cell phone suddenly rang. Lucas excused himself after checking the caller ID and Brooke sent the person at the other end a silent thank you as Lucas headed outside.
Karen, Brooke, Lily and Ben continued to talk between themselves while Lucas was on the phone. Brooke was far beyond relieved for that phone call. She didn't really want to lie to Lucas but she didn't feel ready to tell him the truth yet. She also didn't feel like this was the moment or place to flat out tell him that Ben was his son. This was something that needed to be done in private. The only one happy at that table was Ben because for the first time he had got some information about his father. Even if he was just described as a man her mother had met in a bar.
Lucas on the other hand had never been more grateful for a phone call in his entire life. He was relieved that he could get away from that table where he was feeling more and more uncomfortable with every minute that passed. Once he stepped outside, he answered the call.
"Gav, what are you doing up so late?" Lucas asked as he put the phone to his ear.
"The little princess has trouble sleeping so Miranda is trying to calm her down and I'm helping the best I can." Gavin replied.
"Sorry to hear that," Lucas told him. "What's wrong?"
"I don't know but Miranda says she has colic." Gavin replied.
"What's that?" Lucas asked with a frown.
"I don't know mate." Gavin told him sounding clueless.
"You will never know how thankful I am that you called me mate." Lucas said.
"Why?" Gavin asked curiously.
"I will tell you when I get home." Lucas replied.
"So how is everything mate? How is your brother?" Gavin asked.
"He's still in a wheelchair but he's in a better mood since a doctor says there is an operation that can make him walk again. He even jokes about being in a wheelchair now." Lucas told him.
"Good to know mate but you didn't answer my first question." Gavin reminded him.
"Mate, I think you have to go." Lucas said as he heard Miranda's voice in the background at the other end of the phone.
"Yes mate but you will answer that question later." Gavin told him.
"We will see about that mate. Bye Gav and give my best to Miranda." Lucas replied.
"Bye Luke, don't worry I will." Gavin assured him. They both ended the call at the same time. Lucas then turned to head back inside. He took a deep breath before he walked back through the door and went back to his seat at the table.
"Sorry about that but I needed to take that call." Lucas said in an apologetic tone as he sat.
"That's okay." Brooke told him.
"Who was it?" Karen asked curiously.
"It was my business manager." Lucas replied.
"What was he doing up this late?" Karen asked with a slight frown as she realized what time it would be in England.
"His little girl didn't let them sleep." Lucas replied.
"Okay." Karen said in response.
"Where were we?" Lucas asked.
"Brooke was talking about her company." Karen reminded them.
"Actually I don't have anything more to say." Brooke admitted. She hoped that the subject wouldn't go back to Ben's father.
"Then Lucas why don't tell Brooke about your life?" Karen suggested.
"What did I tell you about steering the conversation?" Lucas reminded her.
"Hey I'm a proud mom can you blame me? Plus how many mothers can you hear say that her kid is the Queen's favourite author?" Karen responded.
"Mom." Lucas began, but Brooke cut him off by asking.
"What Queen?"
"I want to know. Please tell." Ben said in an excited tone.
"Brooke, who my mother is referring to is Queen Elizabeth the second of England." Lucas replied.
"Woowwwwwww." Ben said sounding amazed.
"How did you meet her?" Brooke asked in a curious and impressed tone.
"Actually she asked to meet me," Lucas said as he laughed. "She is a really nice lady."
"Why don't you start from the beginning?" Karen suggested.
"Okay mom," Lucas replied. He then began the story. "I left here with the opportunity to study abroad thanks to Tree Hill High, the US government and the Department of Education of the United Kingdom. That program gave me the opportunity to finish my high school there and if I was good and played nice, I could stay to study at a university. So at the age of 17 I went to live to London. I finished High School there, went to university to become a writer and I graduated 4 years later."
"Did you have your success right away?" Ben asked.
"I wish," Lucas replied with a laugh. "But no. Then thanks to a friend who is like a brother to me got me, I got a job in a bank. I worked there for about a year while I wrote my book and lived the normal life of a 22 year old. It took me another year to get a publishing house to read it, love it and publish it. Then before I know it I had my first million. Soon after that I was working on my second book and buying my house.
After my second book was published I got a call from the private secretary of the Queen saying that she wanted to meet me and you can't say no to her. So I went and we had a lovely afternoon and she told me all about how I was her favourite author."
"Wowwwww." Ben repeated sounding comepletely awestruck.
"What was the name of your first book?" Brooke asked curious.
"An Unkindness of Ravens." Lucas told her.
"Lucas told me earlier mom that you appear in this book." Ben told her.
"Really?" Brooke asked sounding surprised.
"Really," Lucas confirmed. He then went on to add. "But everyone in Tree Hill appears there; even Coach Whitey."
"If Coach Whitey is in there, then I assume that its the teen version of everyone in there." Brooke replied.
"You assumption is correct." Lucas confirmed with a slight smile.
"I will have to read it." Brooke told him.
"If you want to feel free," Lucas told her. "Mom always has extra copy of my books."
"When you want, you can ask me Brooke." Karen told her.
"Thanks Karen." Brooke replied.
"Now finish the story Lucas." Karen told him.
"Is there more?" Brooke asked as her eyebrows rose in surprise.
"Yes," Lucas replied. He took a deep breath before continuing. "Now I'm one of the richest people in the United Kingdom. I'm just a few steps below J.K. Rowling and I have few businesses too."
"What businesses?" Brooke asked.
"I have a restaurant, a wine bar and I'm close to opening a coffee shop in the business district." He told her.
"Congratulations Lucas." Brooke told him.
"Thanks," he replied. "But enough about me. Let's talk about other things and finish eating."
They finished and when everyone was done Karen and Lily began to clear the table. When they were taking the last of the dishes into the kitchen, Karen spoke.
"Why don't we go all to the living room to continue talking?" she suggested. "We can have some coffee too when everybody is ready for it."
"Okay," Brooke replied. "I'd like that."
At this point, Lucas was beyond uncomfortable with the situation. Plus he felt like somebody had hit in the gut really hard when he heard his mom saying that. He felt like he was short of air and needed to get out of the situation he was in as soon as he could.
"You two go ahead." He said.
"Are you coming?" Karen asked.
"No." Lucas replied.
"Why?" Karen asked as she looked at him.
"Because I need to make some very important calls," he lied. "Sorry Mom, Brooke and Ben."
"I understand, don't worry." Brooke replied.
"Can you just make those calls tomorrow?" Karen asked.
"No mom. I can't." Lucas told her.
"Nobody is working in England, it's really late." Karen pointed out.
"But in other parts of the world it's already morning and I need to discuss certain issues with certain people that live there. So if you excuse me all of you. It was nice seeing you all." He replied, hoping he sounded calm. Inside meeting Brooke again felt like it was a knife to his heart and as it twisted around and filled him with pain inside.
"Okay. If you have to." Karen said, knowing that Lucas had made his mind up that he didn't want to be there any longer. She knew that anything she tried wouldn't get him to stay there any longer.
"I really do." Lucas insisted.
He left the room and headed towards the front door. He stopped for a minute where his mom stashed the hard drinks and grabbed a bottle of whisky and a glass. He needed that so much after tonight. Once he reached the front porch he could breathe again. He checked his messages as he really didn't need to make any calls. He just wanted to get out of there and contemplate the night sky and drink his whisky. While Lucas sat alone on the porch, drinking his pain away, Brooke, Karen and the kids were already sitting in the living room talking with each other.
~X~
It was 11.30 pm and Brooke thought that it was time for her and Ben to leave. She waited for Karen to finish telling her about what Lily had done when she was 4 years old before she spoke.
"It's getting late so I think it's time for Ben and I to go." She said softly.
"So soon?" Karen asked.
"Mom it's 11.30." Lily pointed out.
"Really?" Karen asked in surprise.
"Really." Brooke confirmed.
"The time went so fast," Karen said. She then asked. "Why don't you stay a little while longer?"
"I would love to but tomorrow is Monday and Ben has school and I have to work." Brooke replied.
"Will you come back again?" Karen asked.
"Yes Karen. Every time you invite us." Brooke told her in a sincere tone.
"Well okay, come here." Karen said as she ushered Brooke into a hug.
"Bye Karen, I will see you another day." Brooke said as she hugged her.
"Bye Brooke. It was lovely to see today. I love you." Karen said as she hugged her back and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"I love you too." Brooke replied.
"Bye Ben. It was lovely to see you too today, come on so I can give you hug." Karen said.
"Go on Ben, give Karen a hug." Brooke told him.
"Bye Mrs. Roe. It was nice to meet you." Ben said as he gave her a hug.
"It was nice to meet you too," Karen said returning the hug. When they separated she took hold of his face with her hands and really looking into his eyes for a couple of seconds before she said. "And I told you before to call me Karen."
"Is it okay mom?" Ben asked Brooke.
"If she asked you to then it's okay." Brooke assured him.
"Okay, Karen." Ben replied.
"I'm looking forward to seeing both again," Karen said as she finally removed her hands from Ben's face. "I'll walk you to the door."
"That is not necessary, Karen." Brooke told her.
"Nonsense I want to." Karen replied as they headed towards the door.
~X~
Outside, Lucas was sitting on the steps of the house, drinking what it was either his second or third glass of whisky. He had lost track already as he was lost in his own thoughts while he stared at the sky. He was remembering the last time he had felt this kind of pain again six years ago.
Lindsey, his editor, had spent the whole week trying to convince him to go out to celebrate the success; success that people rarely got to experience. His writing career had taken off. Only 3 years after The Unkindness of Ravens had been first published his second book "Compromise" had just hit the shelves. He had earned his first million and was labelled the most successful writer of the publishing house.
Plus he had gotten an invitation for a private meeting with the Queen, who declared that she was a fan of his work. He had also appeared in several magazines as a young writer to watch so for. Lindsey rhymed off one life changing event after the other as she had tried to convince him to have at least one night of celebrating what he had accomplished.
Finally he had conceded to her wishes as her idea was to go to the West End and watch one of the shows at a theatre. He was relieved that all it really required him to do was sit and watch; even if he did have to wear a suit and tie. She had chose Les Miserables and had managed to get them excellent seats through her contact. He had been fine once they had got to the theatre. However halfway through "I Dream A Dream" Lucas couldn't take the pain anymore.
"Sorry Lindsey, I need to get out." He muttered as he stood and quickly left the theatre. He went out into the fresh London air, lit up a cigarette and removed his tie. He had needed to get out as that song was too much for him. A few seconds later he heard a voice.
"Why did you leave? What's wrong?" Lindsey asked him in a concerned tone.
"I left because I was in pain." Lucas told her.
"In pain? Where?" Lindsey asked in concern.
"That song brought back all the pain that I'm trying to forget." He confessed.
"What pain? Tell me." Lindsey insisted.
"The pain of how the song says to have dream of living my life in a certain way, with a certain someone and that reality killed that dream." Lucas explained.
"How?" Lindsey asked.
"That certain someone didn't have the same dream." Lucas told her before he took a long drag of his cigarette.
"Uh oh." Lindsey replied as she understood.
"Yes and I'm still trying to forget her," Lucas said. "So far I thought I was doing an okay job until I heard that song and realized that a tiny part of me still dreams about her coming back to me. Plus my life is hell until I can forget for sure."
"I don't know what to say except time heals all wounds." Lindsey said softly.
"Thanks Lindsey but I've heard that before and so far it's not healing me." Lucas replied.
"How about we forget about this and go to eat as a way to celebrate?" Lindsey suggested.
"I don't know," Lucas replied. "I just want to go home."
"No come on. Let's celebrate," Lindsey insisted. "It took me a lot to get you out of the house."
"Okay, I'll come." Lucas relented.
"Good," Lindsey replied. She then added. "And please stop smoking."
"Why?" he asked as he frowned.
"Because the Queen doesn't like people who smoke." She said as she gave him a playful smile.
"Okay, I'll try."
Lucas was brought back from his memory lane visit by the voice of his mother.
"Lucas," she said. "Brooke and Ben are leaving."
"Oh okay," Lucas said as he stood from where he was sat. He still held the glass of whisky in his hand. He didn't move from his spot as he said. "Bye Brooke."
"Bye Lucas." Brooke replied. She too didn't move from her spot.
"Bye Ben. Keep working on your game." Lucas told him.
"Bye Lucas and I will." Ben told him.
"Lucas?" Brooke asked softly.
"Yes?" he asked in response.
"You've changed." She said in the same soft tone.
"Everybody eventually changes Brooke," he replied before he drained his glass in one gulp. He then picked up the bottle as he said. "If you would excuse me."
He then walked past her and Ben and headed into the house without another word.
~X~
Ten minutes later, a visibly upset Karen walked into the house looking for Lucas. She found him in the living room sat on a sofa.
"What the hell was that?" she asked him in an upset tone.
"What?" Lucas asked in response.
"What just happened there with Brooke?" she clarified.
"Nothing," Lucas replied. "You have no reason to be upset."
"How come I have no reason to be upset? When my son acts so weird with people I invite." She asked now sounding angry.
"You have no reason to be upset," he repeated. "I should be the one who is upset because one of people you invited just happens to be my ex- girlfriend who I'm still trying to get over."
"Why should you be upset?" Karen asked.
"I'm upset, mad, name it whatever you like, because you didn't tell me she was here or the fact that you invited to dinner." Lucas told her angrily.
"I didn't tell you for a reason." Karen replied.
"Yes, you didn't tell me because you wanted to ambush me!" Lucas almost yelled.
"No!" Karen replied.
"You wanted to force a meeting between us when you clearly know that breaking up with her was one of the reasons that I left Tree Hill in the first place."
"I didn't want that and yes I know that very well." Karen replied.
"Because I couldn't stand to see her with another man," Lucas rambled on. "You did that knowing that it would break my heart more than it already was.!
"I know." Karen replied softly.
"So tell me this reason you have for not telling me." He said in an angry tone.
"I didn't tell you because I was afraid that you would run off again," Karen confessed. "Because for the first time in 15 years I have you home again and I wasn't planning on ruining that. Happy? Now tell me something. If you knew she was here would you have come?"
"No." Lucas admitted as he began to calm down.
"See I rest my case! Luke, stop running from the pain," Karen begged. "That is the legacy that you have of your relationship."
"Mom, I don't want a constant reminder of what I lost." Lucas told her.
"Don't see it like that. See it as a reminder of what you had was real, pure and beautiful. Face the pain son and get through it." Karen told him.
"It's easy for you to say." Lucas replied.
"No it's not," Karen told him. "But I have the same fight every day. When I look at places that remind me of Keith or what we had, I try not to be sad but to be happy that it existed and that it changed and gave me Lily."
"It's not that easy." Lucas mumbled.
"I know someday it will be." Karen told him.
"But I don't have a Lily." Lucas replied sadly.
"Life is full of surprises son," Karen told him. "But one thing is for sure. Even if you don't think so, you changed Brooke for the better and she changed you."
"Why are you saying all this?" Lucas asked.
"Because I want you to keep coming to visit me now that you know that Brooke is here," she told him. "And to get used to her being in town. Because I want you to stop running son. It's time. It's been 15 years; the running has to stop."
"Go to sleep mom." Lucas told her. He didn't want to hear anymore.
"You will think about what I told you won't you?" Karen asked.
"I will don't worry." Lucas replied.
~X~
After Karen and Lily had gone to bed, Lucas decided to go to Tric. He wanted to get wasted to numb the pain that was eating him alive. When he got there, he sat at the bar on one of the stools as he called the bartender.
"Barman." He almost yelled. When the bartender turned round, Lucas was surprised by who he saw.
"Actually is Bar Manager," Chase replied putting an emphasis on manager. He grinned as he said. "Hi Luke long time no see."
"Hi Chase," Lucas greeted as the two of them shook hands. "What are you doing here?"
"Your mother hired me to run the bar." Chase explained.
"When?" Lucas asked.
"A couple years ago." Chase told him.
"Well congratulations." Lucas told him.
"Thanks." Chase replied as he laughed.
"Is she paying you a good salary?" Lucas asked.
"Don't worry she is more than generous," Chase told him still laughing. "So you?"
"Me what?" Lucas asked in confusion.
"Your life." Chase clarified.
"Not much, live in England. Just in here to visit mom and Nate. Did you get to fly planes?" Lucas asked.
"Yes I did for the air force." Chase informed him.
"Really?" Lucas asked in surprise.
"Really." Chase confirmed.
"For how long?"
"A couple of years." Chase answered.
"Why did you leave?" Lucas asked with a frown.
"I got discharged because I kicked the crap out of Chuck's father." Chase admitted.
"Who is Chuck?" Lucas asked in a clueless tone.
"He's a kid I'm big brother to," Chase told him. "He's also a friend of Jamie's."
"Sorry to hear that." Lucas told him.
"I'm not sorry. The guy had it coming because he was beating Chuck," Chase told him. "So how long have you being in England?"
"Since I was 17." Lucas replied.
"Now I remember that neither you nor Brooke was at graduation." Chase replied.
"Yes."
"What did you study there man?" Chase asked.
"I'm a professional writer." Lucas told him.
"Cool but now let's get into business, what are you drinking?" Chase asked.
"Just give me a bottle of English whisky and a glass." Lucas told him.
"I have Scottish not English," Chase told him. "Will that do?"
"Yes."
Chase gave him the full bottle and a glass and left after another client called him. A couple of hours later, the bottle was almost empty. It went without saying that Lucas was totally wasted. He was using the bar as his personal pillow but didn't let go of his glass of whisky. Chase shook his head at the sight and decided to call Skills so he could pick Lucas up and take him wherever he needed to be. So at 4 am Skills walked into the bar.
"Chase, where is he?" Skills asked.
"Over there." Chase said as he pointed to a sleeping Lucas who had his head resting on the bar.
"Damn!" Skills said as he saw him. "Why did you let him drink that much?"
"I couldn't take the bottle or the glass out of his hand. What did you want me to do?" Chase asked.
"I don't know something." Skills replied.
"Very easy for you to say, he is the son of the owner." Chase reminded him.
"Point taken," Skills said as he laughed slightly. "I'm going to need your help."
"Okay, let me close up," Chase replied. He then asked. "Where should we take him?"
"Not to Karen's that is for sure." Skills replied.
"So where to?" Chase asked.
"Let's take him to Nathan's and Haley's." Skills said.
"Okay." Chase agreed.
Half an hour later, they were both at Nathan and Haley´s house carrying an almost comatose Lucas between them. They were greeted by a grumpy Haley and a very amused Nathan. Nathan escorted them to the guest room followed by Haley and showed them where to leave Lucas's drunken form. After both boys left, Haley took Lucas's shoes off and Nathan put a trash can next to the bed in case he puked. He then took out the cell phone, keys and other things in his pocket and placed them on the night stand.
When they finished with everything, they left the room. Nathan wondered if this was the Lucas that Karen had told him she saw the first time she travelled to England. His amusement quickly faded at the unamused expression on his wife's face as they headed back to bed.
~X~
It was past noon and Nathan and Haley still hadn't seen or heard anything from Lucas. Haley went to the guest room to see how he was. She found him still sleeping in the same position they had left him in. She was about to leave when she heard Lucas's cell phone ringing so she grabbed it and left the room to answer it.
"Hello?" she asked as she put it to her ear.
"Who is this?" the voice at the other end asked.
"With whom do you want to talk to?" Haley asked.
"With Lucas."
"He can't come to the phone right now." Haley told them.
"Who are you?" the voice asked.
"I'm Haley." Haley told them.
"Oh Haley, it's me Gavin." Gavin told her.
"Hey Gavin, I didn't recognize your voice." Haley greeted in response.
"Me neither." Gavin admitted.
"Sorry."
"That is okay. Why are you picking up his phone? And why he can't come?" Gavin asked.
"Well Lucas is sleeping because two of our friends brought him to my house at 4 am drunken as a sailor on vacation." Haley explained.
"What?" Gavin asked in a slightly amused tone.
"You heard me." Haley told him.
"It's been years since my mate got that drunk." Gavin told her.
"Really?" Haley asked in a sceptical tone.
"Really, he quit drinking like that since he sold his first book. Now he only drinks one or two whisky's every night. What did he drink?" Gavin asked.
"The guys told me whisky," Haley replied. "He practically drank the whole bottle himself."
"Do you know what happened?" Gavin asked.
"I-" Haley began.
"Don't tell me," Gavin said interrupting her. He then thought for a moment before he said. "The only reason that makes him drink like that is…"
"What?" Haley asked when Gavin trailed off.
"Brooke. Tell me that I'm wrong and nothing related to that subject happened." Gavin said.
"I wish I could." Haley replied.
"What happened?" Gavin asked.
"Brooke is in town for good and yesterday Karen invited her to dinner and they both saw the other one there," Haley explained. "Plus I have to add that neither Lucas nor Brooke knew that the other one was in town."
"Oh boy!" Gavin said as he sighed.
"I think that is a correct reaction," Haley told him. "Because of the way Lucas was when he was brought here I don't think it turned all that good."
"Haley do you have a pen and paper near" Gavin asked.
"Yes, why?" Haley asked in reply.
"Because I will give the recipe for my secret drink for the massive hangover that Lucas is going to have when he wakes up," Gavin told her. "Please don't share it with any one."
"Okay, let me get the pen and paper." Haley replied.
"You give this to him the moment he wakes up otherwise Lucas with a hangover is not a pretty picture." Gavin said as he laughed.
"Tell me." Haley said as she got the pen an paper ready to take notes.
"I will warn you that you will find it disgusting but it actually works." Gavin told her. He then gave her the recipe and instructions on how to make it. He heard the noises that left Haley's mouth. They confirmed his suspicions of her finding it disgusting.
"Did you call Lucas for something important?" Haley asked once she had finished taking notes of Gavin's horrific concoction.
"No, nothing important. I was just checking up him." Gavin told her.
"Ah okay." Haley replied.
"When he wakes up and sobers it up a bit tell him to call me." Gavin told her.
"Will do." Haley assured him.
"Thanks Haley. Bye."
"Bye Gavin." Haley said as they ended the call. She then picked up the piece of paper she had written on and pulled her face in disgust as she read it. She then headed to the kitchen to bein making it.
~X~
Brooke got to her house half an hour after she and Ben had left Karen's house. They both didn't want to sleep right away and stayed up chatting in the kitchen about the evening at Karen's while they ate ice cream. When they finished they both went to their rooms and to bed. Ben fell asleep the second he put his head on his pillow. Brooke however, was tossing and turning. She just couldn't sleep after seeing Lucas again. He had changed from the Lucas she knew and he even drank now. She decided that she couldn't go on like this, that she needed her friend to talk about tonight. She grabbed the phone that was on her night stand and dialled Rachel´s cell phone number.
The phone rang and rang until before the fourth one, Rachel picked up.
"Brooke what is wrong that you are calling me at this hour?" Rachel's sleepy voice asked.
"You don't who I ran into tonight when we had dinner in Karen's house." Brooke told her.
"I won't know if you don't tell me." Rachel pointed out.
"Are you sitting?" Brooke asked.
"Yes Brooke. Who was it?" Rachel asked.
"Lucas." Brooke told her.
"What?!" Rachel almost yelled. "You are kidding me right?"
"I would like to say yes but no I'm not." Brooke replied with a sigh.
"Was Ben there?" Rachel asked.
"Yes and there is more to tell." Brooke told her.
"Don't worry Brookie," Rachel told her. "I'll catch the first plane that goes to Tree Hill. In a few hours I'll be there and you can tell me all about it."
"No stay with Jason." Brooke told her.
"After what you told me no," Rachel told her. "I'm coming. He will understand."
"Okay," Brooke replied in a grateful tone. "I really need my friend right now."
"I'll be there in a few hours. Bye Brooke." Rachel said as she ended the call.
~X~
After she had hung up the phone, Rachel she quickly got out of bed. She grabbed her bag and started to hurriedly fill it with her clothes. When Jason turned over and felt that Rachel's side of the bed was empty, he opened his eyes and saw Rachel collecting her clothes together in a rush.
"Babe, where are you going this late at night? Come back to bed." He said sleepily as he patted her side of the bed.
"I'm going to the airport." She told him as she continued to pack.
"To do what?" Jason asked as he rubbed at his eyes.
"I need to get the first flight to Tree Hill." She answered.
"Babe, you still have one more week with me here." He said in a whine. Rachel stopped her packing and went over to him. She sat on the bed and gently stroked his cheek before she spoke.
"I know but Brooke called and she needs me." She said softly.
"I need you too. I missed you." Jason said as he grabbed her by her T-Shirt and pulled her to him for a kiss.
"I missed you too," Rachel said after she had returned his kiss. "You know that Brooke wouldn't call me at this hour if she wasn't in trouble."
"I know, I know." Jason said with a sigh.
"Baby, she needs me." Rachel said before she kissed him again.
"I know," he said before they shared yet another kiss. "Go! But don't take a month to come back."
"I won't," she promised. "Love you."
"Love you too!" he replied with a sleepy grin.
"Go back to sleep." She told him. With that she left the bed and finished packing her clothes. She then quickly dressed and then left for the airport.
SORRY IF IT HAS ERRORS I PUBLISH AS I GOT SO YOU CAN HAVE IT AS SOON AS I POSSIBLY AFTER WHAT I TOLD YOU IN THE FIRST PART.
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