As Lucas walked towards the kitchen cradling the giggling brunette in his arms, he felt his heart swell with happiness and his head buzz with joy. He hadn't slept last night afraid that he might wake up to find it all to be a dream. But the more time passed, the more he was becoming sure that it wasn't just yet another one of his dreams he had been dreaming so frequently lately. Holding her in his arms felt so right. The earth seemed to be spinning on the right axis again. He couldn't believe he had ever let her go, he couldn't believe he ever stayed away from her, for he knew now, that this was where he was always meant to be, and this was where she was always meant to be, in his arms.
Lucas gently put her down on the kitchen counter.
"God, you are so beautiful" he breathed out the words cupping her face.
The passion in his eyes and the earnestness in his words made Brooke's heart beat frantically and she replied the only way she knew. She wrapped her legs around his hips pulling him closer and kissed him tenderly. Lucas' hand slid from her cheeks to her hair as the kiss deepened. Brooke's hands traveled to the nape of his neck, pulling him closer into the kiss, her heart racing, her mind starting to phase out in undiluted passion. It still felt like a dream. On so many nights she had woken up hot and bothered after dreaming about this blonde haired, blue eyed boy. On so many nights she had relived their passionate moments through her dreams (which felt like cruel nightmares back then), each time waking up to an empty bed and an emptier heart. It was so painful to see him the next morning in the arms of someone else. She would try to avoid him, tried to pull away, but every time she tried pulled away, each time she found herself in situations where she had to face him. It was as if they were tethered to each other by some invisible string. She had never thought she could ever be with him like this again outside her dreams.
Last night as real as it was still felt like dream to her. But kissing him here, in her kitchen, in broad daylight seemed to make everything more real. The kiss heated up as his hands caressed her curves through the shirt. Their resolves started to melt and they both felt like they just couldn't stop anymore. Going slow seemed like a stupid idea now. His hands slid under her shirt caressing her supple skin sending jolts of pleasure down her spine.
As soon as his hands slid under her shirt they were pulled out of their blissful, passionate bubble as they heard high-pitched barks and Lucas felt a tiny wet tongue sloppily lapping at his foot. The moment of passion left behind as they both laughed into the kiss. They pulled away panting and laughed looking at the overzealous furry puppy trying to climb on Lucas' leg and wagging his cute little tail. A little disappointed by the disruption, Lucas picked Leo up and handed him over to Brooke, who picked him up to her face kissing his head.
"good morning handsome! I was wondering when you'd wake up. You have the perfect timing" she cooed to the puppy making Lucas groan playfully as Leo licked her face making her giggle.
Brooke was thankful for Leo's interruption because if not for him maybe by now they would have been back in her bed. It was always like that with them, sex was really easy, it was an easy outlet for their feelings. Although it just seemed impossible to keep their hands off each other, but she really wanted to take it slow this time. As nice and tempting as it was to fall into their old familiar patterns, she knew it wasn't the right way to go ahead with their relationship and if they wanted it to work this time, they had to work out the other aspects of their relationship as well. And she really wanted it to work this time.
Lucas mixed the pancake batter, his eyes constantly following the love of his life as she jumped off the counter, put Leo down and poured some milk for him.
"we'll need to get some puppy food for him" Lucas chuckled as Leo lapped the milk hungrily.
"oooh… and chew toys too" Brooke giggled as she noticed him chewing on the discarded milk carton.
Lucas decorated a stack of pancakes with strawberries and cool whip and served it to Brooke who had poured them some orange juice and had settled back on the counter. Brooke flicked her index finger through the dollop of whipped cream and licked her finger seductively.
"mmhh...I can think of some really interesting uses of this cool whip." she teased him.
"Don't you provoke me, pretty girl" Lucas growled playfully pulling her into a kiss.
They ate their breakfast talking about random things, their talks punctuated by soft caresses, loving smiles and gentle kisses. It was all too sappy but it all felt so right.
-x-
Lucas dressed in his last night's tux and Brooke dressed in Denim mini skirt and red halter top left for Karen's house to meet the newly engaged couple and for Lucas to change into fresh clothes before going to school.
The moment Andy opened the door Brooke saw the triumphant smile on his face and she pulled him into a tight bear hug.
"Congratulations!" she squealed with joy.
"Thank you cupid!" laughed Andy hugging her back.
As Brooke let him go and went in to search for Karen, Lucas smiled and congratulated Andy telling him how happy he was for him, and his mother and gave him one of those manly pat-on-the-back hugs. As they heard a loud squeak from Karen's room they both laughed and followed the sound.
When they entered the room, Brooke had Lily in her arms and was jumping with joy making the baby laugh because the movement as Karen told her about how Andy proposed. Lucas looked at his pretty girl and shook his head at how childish she could be sometimes. To be honest, one reason why he fell in love with her was because of the innocent childish nature which she mostly kept hidden under her sexy, sultry exterior.
Lucas walked towards his mother who was glowing. It had been ages he had seen his mom so happy and it made him just as happy. As Lily started fussing, Brooke followed Andy to the kitchen, giving the mother-son duo some privacy.
Karen looked at Lucas and smiled nervously. Lucas smiled back at her assuringly.
"Congratulations Ma! I can't tell you how happy I am for you." Lucas kissed her cheeks and pulled Karen into a hug.
"Thanks honey!" she smiled, relieved that Lucas had accepted Andy. She was worried if Lucas would feel that Andy was trying to replace Keith but Lucas knew although no one can ever replace Keith, Andy was good for his mother.
"By the way congratulations to you too" Karen smirked.
Lucas squinted at her quizzical.
"for what?"
Karen chuckled softly.
"for finally being back with Brooke."
Lucas tried not to smile but his lips failed him as the corners turned up.
"how did you know?" he asked with amazement.
"I am your mother, Luke. l know everything" she laughed softly.
"And the rare sight of you grinning ear to ear, it cannot be just because I am engaged." she teased as Lucas rubbed his neck shyly.
"I am really happy for you both honey and of course you know I always approved of Brooke wholeheartedly." she beamed.
"Ma although we got back with the love of our lives together, but let's try and not marry on the same day too…. It will be really weird" he joked scrunching his nose playfully. Karen gasped and swatted his arm as he laughed and they joined Andy, Brooke and little Lily in the kitchen.
-x-
Brooke and Lucas walked into the school hallway together. As Brooke was going through her locker they saw Naley and Rachel coming through the door and Brooke groaned.
"oh God, now how do we tell them? " she muttered gnawing on her lips.
"the way we always do" he smirked.
She looked at him in surprise as he pulled her close, dipped her back and kissed her full on her mouth.
Haley's jaws dropped in shock and Rachel wolf-whistled loudly pressing two fingers between her lips. Everyone around them catcalled and hooted good naturedly. The loud whistle pulled Haley out of her shocked stance and she walked towards her two best friends as quickly as a pregnant girl could and Nathan and Rachel followed shortly behind her. Lucas and Brooke had by now ended the kiss and stood close to each other with Lucas' arm wrapped around Brooke as she leaned on him giggling.
"Finally, Ross and Rachel are back together again" Nathan teased.
"I hope this time for good!" Haley added pulling Brooke out of Lucas' arms and hugging her as tight as she could without squishing her baby.
"Last night when we left you guys weren't together. What did you do whore? I want all the dirty details" Rachel raised her eyebrows excitedly.
As the girls walked towards the classroom Brooke gave them the details. Nathan and Lucas walked behinds them and Nathan clapped his hand on Lucas' back jovially.
"You can thank me now dear brother" he said with his trademark Scott smirk.
"for what now? Lucas squinted at him.
"for not letting you spend the night on my couch and for hoping that it would give a chance to spend some time alone with Brooke and talk to her." he grinned triumphantly as his plan worked out the way he had hoped.
"thank you so much little brother. I guess I owe you one then." Lucas laughed.
"of course you do! and you can thank me by changing my share of dirty diapers when the baby comes." Nathan joked good naturedly.
-x-
"You are such a drama queen, Fatso!" Rachel laughed hearing how Brooke had given Lucas a speech about how she wanted to not love him and not want him.
"Hey wait! Did you say Karen got engaged?" Haley asked, her eyes opening wide as she suddenly realized she had heard Brooke say something about Andy proposing.
"Oh yes!" Brooke laughed.
"Umm…When we are all talking about good news—" Rachel said sheepishly.
Haley and Brooke turned to their redhead friend and were shocked to see her blush. That was the first they had seen her blush.
"I proposed Jake a few days ago and he said yes" she smiled looking at the two dumbstruck girls in front of her.
Brooke and Haley shrieked excitedly, pulling the redhead into a hug congratulating her.
"and I'm pregnant" she said nonchalantly in between their shrieks.
Haley and Brooke were dumbstruck again and searched Rachel's face to see if they heard correctly and if so then how should they react to that news.
Rachel grinned brightly and repeated. "I am pregnant" this time with enthusiasm.
Brooke and Haley returned the same grin and hugged her again congratulating her.
"I've never been into big weddings and stuff. Actually I have never been into marriage before Jake. So I want a small wedding. We are thinking of eloping or something after graduation." Rachel saw Brooke pout on the mention of eloping and she smile.
"of course we won't be eloping without you guys" she winked at Brooke and smiled seeing her grin back.
"I hope you aren't marrying because of the pregnancy Rach" Haley asked, concerned that her friend might be marrying for the wrong reasons but soon as the words left her she cursed herself and looked at Rachel to check if she was upset, but Rachel smiled.
"No I asked him to marry me before I knew I was pregnant and pregnant or not, I do want to marry him as soon as possible because I know he is the one I want to spend the rest of my life with, so why waste any time, right?" Rachel smiled.
"I'm sorry Rach, I shouldn't have questioned you." Haley said apologetically.
"No Hales, it actually feels good to have friends who care about you." Rachel said looking at her two closest friend and feeling a sense of peace she hadn't ever felt in her life.
Brooke knew exactly how Rachel felt, but in loss of words and trying to hide her emotions as she always did, she joked,
"Damn ! Whatever you say, you gotta agree, Jagielski's got some really potent fast swimmers, hasn't he?"
And the girls burst out laughing.
-x-
That afternoon Brooke and Haley attacked Karen with a big fat wedding planner scrapbook. It had everything from venues to gowns, from plate settings to flower arrangements, from wedding menu to wedding bands, from honeymoon suites to honeymoon destinations,it had everything.
Karen looked at the two grinning girls with utter bewilderment. Haley felt a little unsure about their idea seeing how uncomfortable Karen looked, but Brooke kept grinning and talked about venues and themes in a single breath, excitedly.
"Brooke! Honey, take a breath" Karen laughed nervously.
"We are thinking of getting married in city hall, I don't want a big wedding or anything."
Brooke looked her in shock.
"Of course you want a big wedding Karen." Brooke stared Karen down and Karen looked embarrassed.
"I have two kids. And in fact, my eldest is no more a kid, he is almost a man. Having a big wedding will be really embarrassing Brooke." Karen blushed.
"oh nonsense! So what you have kids? what does it have to do with your wedding? Everyone deserves a fairy tale wedding. Even if I had ten kids, when Lucas and I marry it's going to be grand!" as soon as the words left Brooke's lips she saw amusement in Karen's eyes and felt blood rushing to her cheeks and ears.
"heh heh.. I mean… U...U know… Uh… oh c'mon! you know what I mean" she blushed, utterly embarrassed as Karen and Haley burst out laughing.
"Brooke as much as I'd love to have ten grandchildren, please don't follow my lead and try to go the conventional way, first marriage and the ten children you are planning to give me." Karen teased her.
Brooke turned a deep shade of crimson.
"enough enough, let's get back to your wedding planning" she mumbled fixing her glance on the scrapbook.
Karen tried to protest but Brooke was not the one to take no for answer. When Karen went inside to see some preparations in the kitchen Haley asked Brooke why was she forcing Karen so much when she never forced Rachel once. Brooke smiled.
"Well Rachel is not a marriage person, it is in fact a very big deal that she is talking about a Vegas wedding rather than suggesting a live-in relationship. It shows how much she loves Jake and Jenny. On the other hand Karen is definitely a wedding person and I won't we even a little shocked if she has her own wedding scrapbook. She is just a little nervous. She just needs a little push." Brooke winked at her confused friend and saw her chuckling and shaking her head.
As Karen got back to the counter it didn't take them too much time to convince her, to a not big grand wedding, but a nice small traditional wedding. And seeing the sparkle in Karen's eyes, Haley knew Brooke was right.
-x-
As they sat discussing venues, Brooke's phone buzzed. She read the message and smiled.
"Umm… Karen, keep this scrapbook, mark whatever you like. I'll be back in a while." she quickly said and hurried out of the cafe before anyone could ask anything.
Karen and Haley looked at each other, smiled knowingly and said in unison.
"Lucas!"
-x-
By the time Brooke reached her destination, it was almost dusk. The myriad of colors, blue, pink, purple, orange decorating the sky, the reddish orange sun prepared itself to disappear behind the ocean for the night. Brooke strolled to "her" strip of land on the beach, where Lucas had asked her to meet. As the salty breeze blew through her brunette mane, she felt the calmness she always felt in this place wash over her once again. As she walked ahead she found Lucas waiting for her. He pecked her lips and slipped behind and blindfolded her.
"Broody! Whatcha up to?" she asked suspiciously.
Lucas left trails of kisses and her shoulder and neck.
"what's the use of blindfolding you if I already reveal what I'm doing?" he murmured in her ears and smirked as he felt her shiver.
"There are many other uses of blindfolds if you ask me" she purred sensually. Two can play this game, she smirked as Lucas swallowed noisily.
Lucas searched his brain for a comeback, but he couldn't come up with any. Who was he kidding, he might be a writer, but this was Brooke Davis, the person who always left him in loss of words. And Brooke and her innuendos, he chuckled, she was always quick with them. He simply kissed her and led her to their destination.
When he removed the blindfold Brooke gasped and blinked at the site in front of her speechlessly. Lucas smirked victoriously as he had finally rendered the bubbly, talkative brunette speechless.
Brooke marveled at the site in front of her. There were countless candle lamps illuminating the beach. In the middle of it all was a small campfire lit and a blanket spread with cushions on it. There was also a picnic basket kept near it. it was all so breathtaking, all so magical.
Lucas pulled the speechless Brooke to the blanket and made her sit down.
"Lucas" she finally breathed out.
"you did all this?" she whispered, as if speaking loudly would break the spell.
Lucas smiled and pulled out a bottle of champagne and poured them a glass each, handing out one to Brooke. Brooke took the glass and blinked at him in enchantment and waited for him to speak.
"Well, it's our first date and it's very special to me. You are very special to me. And I wanted to make this special for us and don't you always say it's how you show it." he smiled clinking his champagne flute to hers.
"Thank you Luke, this is beautiful" she beamed.
"Not as beautiful as you, pretty girl." he said as he leaned forward to kiss her softly.
-x-
They sat together enjoying their champagne and the breathtaking view of crimson sun sinking into the ocean at the horizon. They heartily ate the chicken sandwiches that Lucas had prepared. Brooke grinned like a 5 year old as Lucas toasted marshmallows for her. As the night fell all the beautiful colors of the sky merged into a vast spread of dark blue with countless stars shimmering like sequin on a beautiful gown. They lay in each other's arms, stargazing. Brooke lay on his chest, the sound of the crashing waves along his rhythmic heartbeat were the most beautiful music to her ears. this was the most romantic date Brooke had ever been on. simple yet so beautiful. she would any day take this over a dinner at a 5-star restaurant.
She looked up at him and smiled as she found him already looking at her with those ocean blue eyes.
"Hey boyfriend!" she whispered.
"Hey Pretty Girl" he chuckled.
"I love you" she said cupping his cheek.
Rather than answering, he pulled her up capturing her strawberry flavored lips into a slow searing kiss depicting how much he loved her back. After all it's not about how you say it, but about how you show it, right?
-x-
As the class of 2005-2006 gathered in the school auditorium, Brooke looked around everyone dresses in graduation cap and robes, their parents looking at them proudly. Brooke's heart ached as she felt the absence of her parents. She wondered why did she ever expect anything different. At times she hated herself for having any expectations from her parents when all they have ever done is disappoint. Lucas wrapped his arms around her pulling her out of her reverie. She looked up towards him and smiled brightly. He knew very well she was missing her parents, but she would never show it. At that moment, he couldn't help but hate her parents for hurting his Pretty Girl. He looked at her and smiled back.
"I have something for you" he said handing her a sleek rectangular box beautifully wrapped and decorated with a ribbon.
"a graduation gift!" she exclaimed.
She quickly but carefully unwrapped the gift and opened black velvet box to find a beautiful a beautiful necklace. It was a sleek sterling silver chain with a teardrop gemstone pendant. She touched the pendant remembering it was the same pendant she had once seen in an antique shop display window. Shortly before she had broken up with Lucas, they were out shopping when she saw that very pendant. She had lingered near the display window for a few seconds longer admiring the pendant and thinking how the gemstone was of the exact shade of Lucas' eyes. She looked up at him and he grinned at her.
"I went back that day and bought it for you." he answered very well knowing that she recognized the pendant.
"I wanted to give it to you, but then we…. Ummm broke up" even saying the words stung him and he saw the sadness in her eyes too.
She motioned the necklace towards him and turned around pulling her hair on one side. He unclasped of the necklace and placed it on her neck clasping it at the back of her neck. Brooke touched the pendant as it lay above her chest.
"It's the same color as your eyes" she smiled.
Lucas pulled her into a gentle kiss which was interrupt by Karen, Andy who was carrying Lil B in a baby basket. Karen and Andy hugged Brooke and the Lucas.
"I am so proud of both of you." Karen said with pride.
And with that one phrase, all of Brooke's sadness about the absent parents vanished. She smiled as she knew her whole family was here, Karen, Andy, Lil B, Haley, Nathan, Rachel and most importantly Lucas and she didn't need anyone else.
-x-
Everyone wanted one last normal high school graduation day. But nothing in Tree Hill High School happens without a certain amount of drama.
Principal Turner called out the names of the students and handed them their degrees. He looked at every student's face for the last time, trying to lock them down in his memory. This batch was definitely one of the most special and most memorable batches of all times and Principal Turner wanted to remember them all.
As he called out for Brooke Davis, he knew he wouldn't need help remembering her. He looked at her fondly taking pride in how she had grown up from a troubled child, a rich spoilt brat to a responsible adult and a wonderful human being. With her talent, she had not only made the school but the whole town proud. Brooke Davis, who once had no aim in life was now in the honor wall the of the school. He had never been so proud of anyone as proud he was of Brooke. Turner would never admit, but Brooke Davis was definitely one of his favorite students.
As he called out Lucas, he recalled his transformation from a shy, brooding boy who never displayed his talents and was more comfortable taking the back seat develop into the basketball star who helped them win the championship. Turner's heart ached thinking about Lucas' heart condition. If not for that he could have easily played college ball like his brother. But he was sure, whatever path Lucas chooses, he would surely achieve great things in life.
Looking at Nathan still amazed him. That obnoxious Scott boy with that nasty smirk, who was a replica of his father by looks and by nature, always worried him, but he saw Nathan grow out of Dan's shadow and transform a good human being, a good husband and was sure he would make a great father. Professionally there was no doubt he was one of the best Tree Hill had produced.
It was time for the Valedictorian speech. Haley James Scott, his best student. She had transformed no doubt. She was a person who he would have never imagined getting married and getting pregnant during high school, that too none other that Nathan Scott. But she did, and she joined the cheer team and went on a music tour, and yet her grades were never compromised. As Haley started her speech everyone listened to her quoting Julius Caesar.
Somewhere in middle of her speech her water broke and she was rushed to the hospital. It was the day James Lucas Scott was born.
"congratulations Godfather!" Brooke beamed hugging Lucas.
"Congratulations Godmother!" Lucas laughed kissing her as they waited outside the delivery room.
-x-
Epilogue
It had been a month since their graduation, they were high school graduates now. It was a bittersweet feeling. As much as leaving behind the familiarity of high school life was saddening, they were all excited about starting a new phase of their lives. They were all excited about going to college, enjoying independence after the summer.
Brooke wasn't one of them. She hadn't received an acceptance letter yet and she knew it was too late for her to even hope that she would be receiving one. It was a scary feeling knowing that everyone would be going off to college whereas she would be stuck with Victoria.
Lucas had asked her to spend the summer with him in Tree Hill and not go to California and she had agreed as anyways her parents were vacationing in Italy, and going back to an empty house would have only left her with abundant time in her hands to contemplate about how pathetic her life was going to be and that If she wasn't good enough to be a designer that she didn't even get a single acceptance letter.
Brooke had busied herself in everything going around her. First they flew to Vegas where Rachel and Jake got married. She had never seen them so happy and felt as happy for her friends. Then there was her brand new favorite godson JLuke, who looked like a baby version of Lucas and her favorite Lil B who was growing so quickly and funnily she looked like Brooke with her brown curls and porcelain skin.
Naley had their hands full with the new addition to their family and were swimming in diaper, baby food and vomit up to their neck. They were relieved when her friends came up to help them, no help was too much help when it came to babies. Haley smiled every time she saw Brooke with Jamie or Lil B, the babies seemed to bring out her maternal instincts and Haley could see that Brooke would make a great mother someday. The also had Karen's wedding planning to keep her busy. But to be honest, the only time Brooke was truly and completely and incandescently happy was when she was with Lucas.
They had been doing so well. They both were finally learning to let go of the past mistakes and hurts and open their hearts to each other completely. They were rediscovering each other. With every passing they she was falling more and more for Lucas, if that was even possible. She wasn't even that sad about college anymore because Lucas had got accepted to UCLA, so they both would be in California. She couldn't think of staying away from him anymore.
-x-
Lucas entered his room and saw Brooke sitting on his bed, wearing his shirt with a numerous bridal magazines scattered in front of her. Her hair fell messily on one side of her shoulder. Her face sans makeup was always the most beautiful look. He saw her exposed milky thighs and remembered how passionately they made love last night, how she moaned his name and how she whispered her I love you's and how beautiful she looked as she shook and pulsated beneath him. And God, the afterglow, how was it even possible for someone to look that beautiful?
He felt every time he looked at her, she looked a little more beautiful, if that was even possible. He stood leaning on the doorframe watching her work so intently that she hadn't even noticed him. He felt happy seeing her. The only time she didn't look sad was when she was working on the wedding. He was hurt every time he saw the sadness in her eyes, when the talk of college came up. But she was genuinely happy that he got into UCLA and they could be together in LA. but it was impossible for Lucas to believe that a talented person like her wouldn't get into college. He still had faith that she would go to college but it looked like she had given up on her college dream and that hurt him even more.
He walked up to her and she looked up giving him a smile and went back to her work. He climbed on the bed and took the magazine from her hand and kept it aside. Brooke kinked her eyebrows knowing exactly what was going on in his mind. They had taken their relationship slow and made love only when their relationship felt strong and steady (and when it became unbearable to keep their off each other), but ever since then they had been insatiable. It was like Junior year yet again, but just better. They would sneak around hooking up whenever they got an opportunity.
She smiled her dimpled smile at him as she leaned forward to kiss her. As he deepened the kiss she melted in his arms and he leaned forward until was was lying on the bed. They fumbled desperately with each other's buttons as Lucas kissed her collar bones. They were halfway through their unbuttoning when the sudden sound of pussycat dolls singing made Brooke grabbed Brooke's attention. Lucas kissed her neck and mumbled to let it go to voicemail but when the phone rang once again Brooke giggled pushing him back and rolled out of the bed to retrieve her phone.
"Hello…. Yes, this is she…" is all she could say before falling silent. The person on the other side of the phone spoke for sometime and was only answered with yes, okay and thank you.
When Lucas finally rolled out of his bed and looked at her, and frowned seeing tears running down her face. He quickly sat up and cupped her cheeks.
"Baby, what happened? Who was it?" he asked cautiously.
"NYU" she whispered and his heart raced. It had to be a bad news if she was crying.
"I got accepted, with full scholarship. They hadn't received an answer from yet so they called to check." she said as pain glittered in her tear filled eyes.
Lucas pulled her up and kissed her.
"Congratulations baby! That's such a good news." he said excitedly.
"how come you didn't receive the letter? " he squinted with confusion.
"I donno! I have changed addresses so many times in this past year I do think even remember which address I filled in the form." she shrugged.
"Anyways that doesn't matter anymore. I told you you'll surely get into a college, didn't I? I am so proud of you baby." he said pulling her into a rib crushing hug.
He pulled back when he felt her sobs and squinted at her quizzically.
"Brooke, baby why are you crying? This is such a good news, you always wanted to go to New York."
She looked at him his sad puppy dog eyes.
"I'll be going to New York and you'll be in LA…. I don't want to stay away from you four years...I can't stay away from you." she sobbed.
He released her and walked away from her. Her heart ached at the loss of his hands and her eyes followed him. She was scared when he didn't respond to her. She questioned herself if she said something wrong, if she was sounding too needy, if she had become too clingy or if she was suffocating him and insecurities which she hadn't felt in a long time started showing up again.
Lucas silently went to his study table, retrieved a paper from his drawer and came back handing it to her. Brooke took the paper with confusion and started reading. She she read her mouth fell open and she looked up at him. Lucas was smiling one of his rare full blown smiles.
"Lucas" she gasped looking at him and then at the paper again.
It was an acceptance letter from NYU addressed to Lucas Eugene Scott.
"remember our meeting with college counselor in the begining of senior year?" he asked softly.
"hmm"
"Well, I had asked her about colleges which had a fashion program, a literary program and a basketball ball team... So I applied only to those colleges that had the best fashion programs because I knew you'd get into the best one. And that's NYU and UCLA. Baby, now please smile, we'll be going to college together." he smiled looking at her shocked expressions.
"but why?..i mean How?.. i mean..we applied to colleges after our breakup." she whispered looking down at her feet.
Lucas cupped her face and pulled it up making her look at him. He kissed her gently and she immediately melted in his hands.
"Because I had faith that we'll find our way back to each other" Lucas smiled.
"How were you so sure Lucas?" Brooke asked in amazement.
Lucas chuckled and pulled her into a kiss and said,
"because Pretty Girl, we are tied by our heartstrings."
THE END
Author's note: Finally, our journey comes to an end here. It's a bittersweet feeling. It being my first story, I had thought, even if just one person read it and liked it, it would be worth it. Never had I ever expected such a great response. And I want to thank you you all once again for being a part of this journey and for being so supportive and a big shout out to everyone for sticking around till the end. You guys are the best! And I love you all! — XO