The world is against me trying to update. So... the stomach flu is going around my school, and my dorm especially. And guess who was sick as a dog last week and part of this week... me. Ugh it came out of nowhere and the throwing up fun never stopped. But I'm feeling better now. Trying to catch up on school work but also get a chapter out to you, so I'm doing that now.

Thanks for the reviews! I truely love your support!

AGE 11

Julian left the jewelry store and smiled as he made his way to his car. It had been a long six months with dealing with everything that had happened, but now a day that he always looked forward to was here again.

Today marked Brooke and Julian's twelveth anniversary of their marriage. And tonight they had plans to go out for a romantic dinner sans kids.

Julian got home and before he went inside, he slipped the little bag into the gloove box.

"Where's my fan club?"

Julian expected to walk in the door to find his kids waiting, ready to tell him of everything they did today, all at the same time... like usual. But today he was met with an empty foyer, with no footsteps to be heard.

Brooke smiled when he heard that and walked out of the bedroom.

"Hi," she walked towards him and greeted him with a kiss.

"Happy anniversary."

"About that..." Brooke was about to back out. And Julian could see that.

"Oh Brooke come on! Don't bail on me."

Brooke put her hand up. "I'm not bailing.. I just don't want to leave them."

"They're big now, Brooke. And they want to do this. It was their idea."

When the boys found out that their parents were going out for dinner alone, they were quick to object to having a babysitter. They insisted they could do it. They could take care of themselves and Avery and everything would be fine. And somehow, for some reason, Brooke had agreed. But that was before.

"I just don't think I was in my right mind when I agreed. I was tired and you ganged up on me."

Julian chuckled. "Oh, really?"

"Yeah... you boys stick together and outnumber me and Ave."

"Sorry," Julian shrugged. "But I don't even think Avery minds."

"What if they don't take care of her...?"

"Brooke, she's not a baby either. She's seven. What did our parents do when we were that age?"

Brooke gave him a look. "Bad example... but yes, I get it."

Julian hugged his hands around her back.

"It's two hours we'll be gone... three tops. They'll have already eaten before we leave; they'll eat a snack and watch TV and they'll most likely still be up when we get home. They'll be fine."

"Well when you put it like that.."

"They can handle it. And we're gunna have some fun."

Brooke smiled up at him and raised her eyebrows up and down.

Julian knew what that meant. "Exactly."

These last six months had been so tough on them as a couple.. to get past what had happened. But it was making them stronger as one couple. One heart. One love.

;

"Just go already!" Jude yelled, putting his hands on top of his head in frustration.

Brooke looked up from her third hug with Avery and pointed at her son.

"Hey, don't give me that."

"You've said goodbye ten times, Mom. Don't you trust us?" Davis asked, his hands on his hips.

"Yes of course I do, I just... okay. We'll go."

"Bye Mumma, bye Daddy. Have a nice dinner," Avery said sweetly.

"We'll try," Julian smiled.

"Bye!" The kids watched Julian usher Brooke out the door but she tried to turn around.

"Lock the door behind us."

"Yes, Mum, we know," Davis assured.

"Bye."

Davis locked the door and Jude looked to Avery.

"Okay, I make the rules. And I say we have two hours to do everything that Mom won't let us do..."

Davis laughed at his twin.

"Like what?" Avery asked.

"I don't know.. what does she yell at you for?"

Avery shrugged.

"Well I say we start with jumping on their bed," Davis suggested.

Jude nodded and headed to his parents' bedroom. Avery's eyes widened and then she smiled.

"Come on Davey!"

;

Julian leaned over from the driver's seat and took Brooke's left hand with his right.

"I got you something to wear tonight..."

Brooke turned. "Oh?"

"Yeah, but you have to find it."

"Hmmm." Brooke looked around.

Brooke reached over and into Julian's jacket pocket.

"Nope, not there..."

Then her hand went to the gloove box. When she opened it, she saw a nice little bag with a long rectangular box inside.

"Oh Julian..." Brooke opened it and saw the a beautiful Sapphire and Topaz bracelet. "Oh I love it."

"It's the kids' birthdstones."

"It's so beautiful."

Julian pulled into the restaurant parking lot and smiled. "We said we wanted to remind ourselves of the good in our lives, and I just figured you deserved something pretty that would always remind you of at least three out of the four people who love you the most."

Brooke felt a tear squeeze towards the surface of her eye.

(flashback)

"I just don't know how to get him out of my head."

Brooke looked down at her hands. Therapy wasn't her idea, but she supposed it couldn't hurt. Her physical injuries were gone, but she couldn't deny that the emotional ones didn't linger.

"He's gone Brooke. He's in prison. He can't hurt you anymore."

Brooke looked to Julian, who was sitting next to her. She had gone alone to therapy a few times already alone, but this time Dr. Harper suggested she bring Julian along, so he could understand what she was feeling.

"Well I thought X was gone too... but someone else came and did the same thing and more..." She didn't mean to snap at him. "I just don't feel safe anymore."

Dr. Harper crossed her legs and leaned forward.

"What could Julian do to help you? He only wants to help, everyone in your life does."

"I... I don't know."

Dr. Harped decided to move away from that approach and come at it in a new way.

"How is your relationship now?"

"It's fine.. we're working through it.. talking a lot," Brooke offered.

"Mostly I talk," Julian added. "The kids have been great. They know to give Brooke some extra space."

"I hate that they know.." Brooke mumbled.

"Of course they know Brooke. They asked questions when you were so bruised and in pain. I wouldn't lie to the boys. They can learn from this."

"But I don't want them to learn something from this!"

"Brooke, Julian's point is valid. You can't expect your children to accept this either. They shouldn't and its good that they see you deal with your pain and anxiety."

"They shouldn't know how horrible the world can be.. not yet."

"What's done is done. It's how you teach them to deal with it that's important."

Brooke and Julian nodded.

"So how about your relationship outside of the kids... have you been intimite at all?"

Julian didn't want to talk about their sex life with a shrink, but really they hadn't. It's been over a month since the incident and nothing... So if she could get Brooke to consider sex again, he'd do anything.

"No." Julian answered for them.

"Why is that, Brooke?"

Brooke didn't say anything. It's not that sex wasn't something she ever wanted to do again, she just thought it would bring up so many emotions that she felt on that day. Not that Julian was anything like Ronan, but... Julian on top of her would just bring up the painful memory of someone other than her husband holding her down.

"Any sudden touches and she flinches. Nevermind a kiss or an embrace," Julian said.

"But don't you think it's Brooke's right to take as much time as she needs?" Dr. Harper said.

"Of course... I just want things to be normal again."

"And I don't?" Brooke turned her head.

"Of course.. but -"

"Brooke, Julian's just trying to be honest with you."

"I want things to go back to before I ever started that stupid line. If I hadn't wanted to go back to working, none of this would have happened."

"This isn't your fault Brooke. You need to give yourself a break. Ronan is a pig, but you designing again wasn't selfish. There's no reason why this deserved to happen to you," Julian insisted.

Brooke nodded.

"I want things to be normal again too." She paused. "I- I want to see the good in my life and not take it for granted...And I'm willing to try harder to get back to being... me."

Dr. Harper smiled. "And that's all you can do. One day at a time."

;

Jude had just finished making himself a huge ice cream sundae when he realized Davis had disappeared. Avery had taken her ice cream into her room, but Davis's empty bowl was still on the counter. He took one big bite full of his, and when he licked his lips, he felt a pain in his tongue. He groaned, hating that he had to deal with this for two years at least. Yes, Jude had gotten braces a few weeks back. He was still getting used to them and they were cutting up his mouth like crazy, but the worst part was that Davis didn't even have to get them. Not yet at least. So for now, Jude was the only metal-mouthed Baker.

"Davis! I'm not making you a sundae!"

When Jude didn't get a response, he starting searching for his brother. He wasn't downstairs; he wasn't in their bedroom. Jude then approached the closed door at the end of the upstairs hallway. He opened the door to his dad's office, and Jude found Davis in their dad's chair, talking on the phone.

"What are you doing in here? And who are you talking to?"

Davis put his hand over the receiver. "Nobody. Go away."

"But I thought you wanted ice cream... And why can't I know who you're talking to?"

"Just go!" Davis shooed his twin out of the office.

"Fine geez," Jude walked out.

Davis put the phone back up to his ear.

"Yeah... sorry Riley. I just can't ever get away from Jude."

Jude burst back into through the door that he had been eves-dropping behind.

"You're talking to your girlfriend! Lame."

"Shut up! She's not my girlfriend."

"It doesn't matter. She's a girl! You're practically a girl too!"

"Go away, nobody likes you!"

"Planning a tea party with your girlfriend?" Jude teased, planting his hands on his hips.

"SHUT UP!"

Jude shrugged and exitted the room. He laughed on the outside but was kind of annoyed and puzzled on the inside. Why Davis liked girls at all was beyond him. Nevermind that Davis's best friend was a girl.

;

The reflection of Brooke's shiny new bracelet reflected off the plates and silverwear as Julian pulled out her chair and she sat down at the table at the fancy restaurant.

"Thank you."

Julian sat down and opened the menu. After they ordered, a bottle of wine came to the table and Julian poured Brooke a generous glass.

"Whoa, there... are you trying to get me drunk?"

Julian flashed his illegal grin. He filled his own glass next and raised it.

"To us."

Brooke smiled and clinked her glass against Julian's.

The sound of the toast made Brooke think of the last time they'd shared a drink together.

(flashback, three days after the visit with Dr. Harper.)

Brooke was sitting at the kitchen counter with an unopened bottle of tequila in front of her. She'd actually been feeling more guity than ever lately about taking so long to recover emotionally.

"Feel like drinking tonight?"

Brooke looked at the staircase as Julian came down with a basket of laundry. The idea was plausable. It was kind of still early but Avery was asleep and the twins were at a sleepover.

Brooke shrugged.

Julian put the basket on the couch and went over to Brooke. He grabbed the bottle and brought it over to their drink cart. He put back the tequila and walked back over to Brooke, replacing the last bottle with an unopened wine bottle instead.

"This may be easier to swallow."

Brooke put her head in her hand, rubbing her forehead with two fingers.

"Maybe I'll have a beer." She wasn't a beer person, but she didn't know what kind of person she was anymore.

Julian sat down beside her, putting his hand around her shoulder delicately, careful not to startle her.

"See... you can't even touch your wife without having to walk on eggshells. This is aweful," Brooke said, obviously frustrated.

"It's fine Brooke. Really."

Julian backed off for a second, grabbing two glasses and a bottle opener before sitting back down. He poured a drink for himself and her.

"Just relax," he told her.

"But what if I'm always like this.."

Julian didn't answer her question, he simply raised his glass.

"Now about we toast."

"Julian..."

"No talking, it's toast time."

Brooke sighed and lifted the wine glass up.

"What are we possibly toasting."

Julian paused, thinking.

"To trying..."

Brooke let out a chuckle.

"Trying?"

Julian nodded as he clinked his glass to hers, took a big swig and stood up. He turned to face her as he backtracked towards their bedroom.

"I'm gunna go put on my birthday suit," he pointed to himself, "And come find me you finish that drink."

Brooke raised her eyebrow and took a sip.

"Okay?" Julian asked.

Brooke nodded and raised her glass to her lips. "To trying."

When Julian is ot of sight, Brooke immediately downs her drink, getting every last drop into her system.

Liquid courage, baby.

She stands up off the kitchen stool and makes her way to the mirror in the hallway. She looks at her reflection in the mirror, fixing her hair like its a reflex.

She breathes out. "You can do this, Brooke. You really want to do this.."

She's not particularly dressed up, but her skinny jeans do give her outfit a stylish look to it. Her underwear isn't particularly sexy today, but really...It'll do.

Julian doesn't care what she's wearing. Of course she likes to look nice for him, for herself, but this is about trying... trying to reconnect in a way that she always loved, but has strayed away from since she had been semi-violated. And this time apart has really sucked, so she wants to make the most of it now.

She slips into the bedroom and sees Julian in the bed. A sheet is up over his waist but his perfect chest and abs were flexed for her to see as he waited with his arm behind his head.

"Looking tired over there..." she comments, making her way to the bed, kneeling on it's edge.

"Ha, no way," he smiles, sitting up a tad and putting a hand on her shoulder.

He pulled her in and she hugged his frame. She'd smelled his skin a million times since they'd met, and the familiar-ness relaxed her.

Cuddling was good. But not the goal.

She slid one hand under the sheet so she could cover herself as well, and noticed a dark black material.

Brooke laughed.

"Since when does a birthday suit include Calvin Klein boxers?"

Julian smiled childishly. "I figured I'd let you take them off when you're ready... I mean if you're ready... we don't have to do this if you don't want to. I totally respect waiting until you're sure."

Brooke put a finger to his lips. She loved when he babbled, but it wasn't necessary now.

"I love you, you know that? You always make me feel so safe and loved... but I just had to sort out all my Ronan emotions too."

"I know..."

They all paused and Julian smiled down at her as he hooked a finger in her belt loop.

"Pants for pants?"

Brooke laughed and nodded. An exchange... okay, she could do that. "Yeah, okay."

She thought making love would be awkward this time, but it wasn't. Julian was the epitome of respect and a gentleman and reassurring. They took it at her pace.

And Brooke felt safe. And satisfied.

Julian's leg was caught, twisted in the sheets and he tried to free it.

"Stop moving, you're ruining it," Brooke joked.

Julian flashed his grin at her and his body turned to face her again as they lay side by side, body parts still entangled a bit.

His face advanced and placed a kiss on her cheek as his arms encompassed her and brought her closer.

"You still okay?" Julian asked, just to make sure.

"You're perfect... I feel perfect." Brooke said, making her words vibrate into his chest.

"Good."

And they both settled in, ready to let sleep overcome them.

And before she drifted off, Brooke heard Julian's voice.

"I love you, baby."

"Happy anniversary, baby."

Brooke was pulled from her memory and came back to the present. She smiled brightly, happy that the fog of the storm was now out of her mind. All that was in the past, and she could see clearly now. She could feel the warmth of her family's love again, and she could feel the tight grasp on her hand that was Julian, who had guided her through the darkness.

"Happy anniversary."

Brooke smiled and leaned forward across the table. Julian met her in the middle and they shared a kiss.

;

Davis stomped down the stairs and into the kitchen. Jude and Avery were sitting in the living room playing some card game.

"Go fish," Jude said.

"No! We're playing Old Maid."

"But I don't have her... go fish!" Jude joked.

"Stop!"

"Go fish."

"Jude-y!" Avery laughed hard. She was lucky. If anyone else called Jude, Judy... he would hurt them. But Avery's cuteness let her get away with it. At this point, the twins loved their little sister and liked playing with her and joking with her, but surely that would change at some point.

Avery turned to Davis.

"Davey, you play. He never plays right!"

Davis took a juice pouch out of the refrigerator and stuck in the straw.

Avery stood up and put down her cards.

"I'm gunna go get my Teddy," she said.

"Well change into pajamas while you're in there," Davis said, definately taking over the parent role more than Jude. If she wasn't in PJs, he knew their mom wouldn't think they could handle 'babysitting'.

Davis sat down and the boys didn't speak. But Davis wanted an answer.

"Why do you always have to make fun of me? So I like Riley... as a friend! What do you care? She's nice and we have fun playing together... and not girl's stuff either. You have plenty of friends at school and in sports that I don't."

"I'm sorry, okay."

"But why do you torture me about it?"

"Because I don't like it..."

"You don't like Riley?'

"No...yes...no. She's fine. I just don't get why she's your best friend."

Jude paused but continued when Davis looked confused.

"I used to be your best friend... Me! Not some girl," Jude said.

Jude has always been the more outgoing twin, the more sporty of the two, the less sensitive and shy one. But Davis was always the rock, Jude's rock. Davis grounded his brother and gave him the confidence to be whoever he wanted to be, and not have to worry about ever being alone. Jude hated being alone.

And with Davis liking to hang out with Riley more and more over the years, Jude felt his position being threatened.

"What? Of course you're my best friend. You're my brother, it's a given. You never stopped being my best friend."

"Really? Cuz we fight a lot, and we get on each other's nerve a lot lately."

"So? It doesn't mean I don't love you... It doesn't mean I replaced you. No one is ever going to be a better friend than you. You're the bestest. The best of the best friends."

Davis chuckled a little. He knew that didn't sound completely right, but Jude would get it.

Jude smiled and nodded. This made him really happy.

"Bros over hoes?" Jude held out his fist to bump Davis's.

Davis laughed. "Mom would wash your mouth out with soap if she heard you say that."

Jude shrugged.

"That's half the fun. And I bet she swore and said stuff like that when she was younger too."

Jude just didn't know how true that was, and how similar he was to Brooke Davis. Jude just couldn't have known that his mother had practically coined the term, only the opposite way.

Davis fist bumped his brother's hand. "Okay, sure. Bros over hoes."

;

When Julian opened the front door with his key, he did so quietly, with wishful thinking. Wishful thinking that the kids wouldn't be on fire or dead or fighting either. He wanted the kids to prove to Brooke that she'd made the right decision to trust them home alone.

Inside, Julian almost didn't believe what he saw.

All three of the Baker children were in front of the TV, peacefully spending time together... kind of.

Avery was asleep. Jude was asleep. And Davis was half asleep, holding on as tightly as possible onto his attention on the Transformers movie on the screen.

"We're home," Brooke whispered.

Davis's head swirved. "Hi, did you have a good anniversary?"

Brooke came up behind the couch and leaned over it to kiss Davis's head.

"Yes we did, thank you buddy. Now it's time for bed."

Davis paused the movie and stood up. Out of instinct, Davis slapped his brother's foot, making Jude jolt awake. Somehow, Jude knew that mean that it was time to go to bed. He stood up and turned towards the stairs. Julian scruffed his hair, Brooke snuck in a kiss and Jude headed up to bed.

Julian picked Avery up.

"I'll take her to bed."

Brooke nodded. She went to the refrigerator and grabbed a glass of water, and locked up the front door. She headed upstairs to make sure the boys got to bed okay, and when she headed back down the staircase, Julian met her at the bottom. He took her hand and as they walked to their bedroom, Brooke grabbed his arm with her free hand. Julian turned and his back hit the door frame as Brooke crashed her lips into his.

Julian smiled and leaned back.

"What did I do to deserve this?"

Brooke rubbed the back of his neck. "I just figured I could get my spontaneity back... And I just really couldn't wait to kiss you."

"Well then don't let me stop you."

Brooke laughed and jumped up. Julian caught her under her butt and she wrapped her legs around him. Julian turned around to walk into the bedroom and Brooke slammed the door closed with her foot.

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~Haley :)