Title: Waiting on Forever
Author: D Sollers
Subject: AU Season Six fic. Lucas chose Brooke to take to Las Vegas.
Author's Notes:
I just wanted to take a few seconds of your time to just give you a heads up on why it's taken me so long to update. First of all, my grandmother (who is 90 something years old) was admitted into the ICU unit of a hospital in MD so I had to fly to visit her. Needless to say that while I was there, I managed to break one of the bones in my lower left leg. So right now I am propped up in bed, cast and all. I am pretty much out of work until it is healed considering there is no "desk work" in dog grooming.
But alas! That does mean more time to write. So hopefully the updates will be more frequent. Enjoy this one and thanks for all your lovely reviews!
CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
Even Angels Fall
"It's Peyton..."
Brooke stared up at him and shook her head in confusion. "Did something happen to Peyton?" She questioned and he groaned in frustration. Telling Brooke that Jake suspected her friend of drug abuse was not something Lucas wanted to do.
Instead, he sat down on the coffee table in front of him and took a hold of her hands. "Jake's a little worried about her," he explained, squeezing her hand. "I'm sure it's nothing, we should just go over and check."
"But Jamie's sleeping. We can't just wake him up."
Lucas shook his head and smiled down at his concerned girlfriend. "Okay," Lucas said out loud, trying to figure out what was the best way to handle the situation. "Did you want to go home and see if everything is okay, or do you want me to?"
"If I go, everyone will know that we were together," she reminds him. Her smile fell as her eyes darted around the room, eager to concentrate on something that wasn't Lucas. And even though she wasn't speaking, he knew that her insecurities were once again taking over.
"I'll go." Lucas brought his hand up to cup her cheek and he lifted her chin so that she had to face him. "This doesn't change how I feel about you Brooke," he promised, leaning over to kiss her softly. "It doesn't change us."
Brooke nodded her head and tried to look away. "In my mind I know that," she whispered quietly. "But..."
"But I've hurt you," he explained for her. "I know that Brooke and if I could go back and change things, I would." He knew he's said those words to her before and that she has reason to doubt him. "I learned from our past and I'm not about to lose you again."
Brooke smiled softly and kissed him.
"Go," she sighed, as he stood up and walked towards the door.
"I'll be back soon," Lucas smiled back at her as he opened the door. "I love you."
Brooke leaned her head against the couch pillow and smiled sadly. "I love you too," she whispered. She listened as he started his car and she could hear him pull out of the driveway. Brooke reached for the remote to see if she could distract herself, when she noticed the package on the chair from earlier that day.
"What better distraction," she said to herself as she walked across the room and towards the package. Opening it carefully, she pulled out the book that he had written. She glanced inside at his passage, touched by his words.
To all those lost souls who have forgotten to believe in the immensity of love.
--
Fifteen minutes later, Lucas knocked on Brooke's house door. He thought about using the spare key but decided he needed to at least give Peyton the benefit of doubt and not jump to any conclusions.
Lucas heard the deadbolt unlock and the door opened partially, Peyton stared up at him in surprise. "Luke..." She mumbled, pulling her bathrobe around her body. "What are you doing here?" She asked, leaning against the door as she shut her eyes.
"I'm just stopping by to see how you're doing," Lucas lied, taking in her appearance as she stared at him in disbelief.
"It's midnight," Peyton said with a shake of her head. She held the door open for him to come inside and followed him into the living room.
Lucas noticed the suitcases on the ground and he turned to Peyton in confusion. "Are you moving out?" He asked worriedly. She shook her head no as she fell to the couch, pulling her legs up underneath her.
"Rachel's here," she replied. She pushed her hair out of her face and sighed up at him. "What's really going on Lucas? If you're looking for Brooke, she's not here."
Lucas sat down on the couch beside her and he rubbed his hand on her shoulder. "Jake called me," he admitted. "He said he was really worried about you and knew you needed a friend."
"And since when are we friends?"
Lucas rolled his eyes and did his best to ignore her comment. He stayed silent, hoping that she would begin to tell him what was wrong. Instead, she began to talk about Brooke.
"You know she doesn't even know that Rachel is here," Peyton said as she turned to him. "She hasn't been home in a few days, she's probably crashing at Owen's. Which is okay but she should at least answer her cell phone once in a while. I really needed her the other night."
Lucas rubbed her back and listened as she continued. "I just don't understand how everything has changed, I thought when I moved back that things would start to make sense again. I had my friends and I started Red Room Records..."
"Then what happened, what's changed?"
Peyton glanced away from him, too embarrassed to once again put her heart out. Instead, she tried to change the subject. "I didn't know you and Jake still talk," she sighed. "I wonder if I'm the only one he hasn't kept in contact with."
"It's hard for him to talk to you and not be a part of your life," Lucas explained. He turned towards her and shook his head. "I know it's difficult for you to believe but I care about you and so does Jake."
Peyton turned towards him and smiled sadly.
"Just not enough," she whispered halfheartedly.
Peyton looked away from him, her eyes brimming with tears. "I'm always a little too late," she said. "With you and with Jake..."
"I know what you mean," Lucas smiled sadly.
When he thought back to high school and his relationship with Brooke, he knew he had made plenty of mistakes.
"But the thing is Peyton, you learn from your mistakes."
She looked at him skeptically and couldn't help but laugh. "Tell me then Lucas, what exactly were your mistakes?" Her voice never wavered, despite the emotions that were running through her. She stared at him intently, wanting his answer but afraid of the truth.
"I should have told Brooke about the library kiss," he said with a shrug of his shoulders. "I should have opened up to her and explained to her everyday how much I needed her, how much I loved her. I should have..."
Peyton cut him off with a wave of her hand. "Let me guess? It has something to do with my best friend?" She shook her head in frustration. "Tell me Luke, is the reason why nothing can ever happen between us have something to do with Lindsay? Or does it have everything to do with Brooke?"
"Peyton, I'm not here to discuss..."
She shook her head and laughed sadly. "Don't you get it Luke? This has everything to do with your feelings! Answer my question honestly Lucas, after everything we've been through I deserve that much."
"What do you want me to say?" He questioned.
"The truth," Peyton sighed.
Lucas stood up and grabbed his jacket. It was true, him and Peyton had been through a lot together. They had everything in common and had little to argue about.
To the outside world, Lucas and Peyton would have been the perfect match. But for Lucas, he had realized a long time ago that his relationship with Peyton could never be anything other than friendship.
Because truthfully, his heart had belonged to her best friend for as long as he could remember, even when he was too stubborn to admit it.
With little hesitation, Lucas gave Peyton his answer.
"If you were looking for the truth, you would have heard me back in high school."
--
"The boy saw a comet and he felt as though his life had meaning. And when it went away he waited his entire life for it to come back to him. It was more than just a comet because of what it brought to his life: direction, beauty, meaning. There were many who couldn't understand, and sometimes he walked among them. But even in his darkest hours, he knew in his heart that someday it would return to him and his world would be whole again. And his belief in God and love and art would be reawakened in his heart."
Brooke blinked back tears as she shut the book and placed it on the coffee table in front of her. She shook her head, unable to believe that Lucas had betrayed her yet again. He had made so many promises about their future and his feelings, and yet had kept such a secret from her.
Brooke wondered quietly if perhaps he was unaware of his feelings for Peyton and perhaps his writing was the only time when the truth came out.
She could hear Jamie mumble something in his sleep from the other room and made her way down the hall. For the first time in a couple of days, Brooke thought about Angie and the "fake family" that her and Lucas had become.
Her insecurities made her question his motives, that perhaps Lucas clung to her because she was a safer choice. Maybe it was easier for Lucas to choose Brooke because after all they wanted the same things and Peyton's desires had been left up in the air.
"Brooke?" Jamie cried from the bed.
Brooke crossed the room and sat on the bed beside him. "Did you have a bad dream?" Brooke asked quietly, rubbing her hand over his back. Jamie kept his eyes shut but continued to nod his head. "Me too," Brooke mumbled.
"Mommy always sings me a song whenever I have nightmares," Jamie explained.
Brooke smiled sadly at her god son and leaned her head against the headboard. "I can try and do that,"Brooke smiled down at him. "If you want me to?"
Jamie nodded her head and Brooke began to sing, trying her best to ignore the thoughts forming in the back of her mind about her best friend and absent boyfriend.
You found hope, you found faith
Found how fast she could take it away
Found true love, lost your heart
Now you don't know who you are
--
The next morning, Brooke's cell phone woke her up. "Hi tutor mom," she yawned, laying her head back down on the pillow beside Jamie. She shut her eyes and listened as Haley began to talk.
"Did the three of you have fun last night?" Haley questioned, causing Brooke to remember the events of the night before. She glanced around the room to see if Lucas had made it home last night and she smiled slightly, not wanting to lie to her friend.
"The carnival was great," Brooke said. "Jamie and I ate junk food until I thought I was going to throw up."
Haley couldn't help but laugh and she grinned into the phone. "That's great but what about Lucas? He did go with you didn't he?" Haley questioned, as Brooke sat up in his bed.
"Yeah," Brooke said simply.
Haley rolled her eyes. "And... Come on Brooke, you have to give me something! If Brooke Davis and Lucas Scott are a couple again, I have to be the first to know."
"Hales," Brooke groaned into the phone. Besides Jamie, Haley was the one person that Brooke hated lying to. But what else could she do? It wasn't as if Haley would understand Brooke's jealousy over the turn of events from the night before.
Instead, she took the easy way out.
"Hales, can we talk about this later? I think I have another hour before Jamie wakes up and I'd really like to take a quick shower."
She didn't give her friend time to argue, instead said a quick thank you and hung up the phone. Brooke got up from the bed and crossed the room, grabbing some of her things out of his bottom drawer.
The door opened slightly and Lucas peeked his head inside. "I thought I heard you talking," he smiled at her as he leaned his body against the door frame.
"Yeah to Haley," Brooke explained, turning to face her boyfriend. She looked up into his eyes and smiled sadly. "How's Peyton?"
Lucas wasn't sure how to answer his girlfriend so he shrugged his shoulders. "Well I know she has a lot on her mind," Lucas explained.
She nodded her head and shook her head sadly. "Are you just now getting home? Because I mean, it's seven thirty in the morning..."
Lucas shook his head as he shrugged his shoulders. "Nah, I've been home. I couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd stay up and write a little. I guess I lost track of time."
Brooke thought about the night before and the story she had begun to read. She thought about his beautiful words and wondered if he really had no idea of how much it could have hurt her.
"Well..." Brooke paused for a moment. "I guess when the inspiration comes, it doesn't really matter what time it is."
He smiled at her, oblivious of just what she was getting at. Lucas reached for her hand and kissed it gently. "Want to read it?" He asked, pulling her towards him.
Brooke shook her head as she pointed towards the closed bathroom door. "I don't want to break your rule," she shrugged. "Besides, I have to get ready for work. Could you take Jamie home when he wakes up? I've really got to get to the store."
"Sure," Lucas offered, leaning in to give her a kiss. "I could join you," he whispered into her ear.
Brooke pushed past him and laughed gently. "Not today," she said heading towards the bathroom.
"Tonight then?"
Brooke shook her head no.
"I really think I should spend some time with Peyton, I haven't been home in a few days..."
Lucas nodded his head and watched as she slipped into the bathroom and shut the door. He headed towards the living room where he had been writing and glanced back down at his work.
--
"Wow Brooke," Millicent said, as she entered the boutique. She glanced around and noticed all the changes made and turned towards Brooke, obviously confused as to what had happened.
"How long have you been here?" Millicent asked.
Brooke glanced at her watch and shrugged her shoulders, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Since about eight o clock," Brooke smiled slightly. "I decided Clothes over Bro's needed a few changes."
"What kind of changes?"
The truth was, Millicent was afraid to ask. This wasn't about how the clothes were displayed in the store, or the fact that Brooke had yet again rearranged the furniture. It wasn't even about the sign that had been removed from the wall.
There was something hidden beneath Brooke's smile and Millicent brought her friend into a hug. Millicent was at a loss for words and Brooke felt tears begin to form in her eyes. Instead of letting them show, Brooke pulled away from her and headed towards the counter.
"I've been thinking," Brooke said as she took a seat at the stool. Millicent followed, uneasy about the look on Brooke's face. "Look with the success of the store in New York and then here in Tree Hill, I think it's time to expand a little bit."
Millicent nodded her head. "That's a great idea Brooke but where?"
"Las Vegas," Brooke said. She tried her best to put thoughts of Lucas out of her mind and focus on her company. She had meant what she said about expanding her business and Las Vegas seemed like the perfect place to do it.
Millicent stood up and began to walk away from her friend. She glanced back at Brooke and shook her head. "I don't understand," Millicent sighed. "I thought you loved being home in Tree Hill."
"I did." Brooke sighed. "I do," she corrected. "I just think I need a little break away from it all. Look at this store, it didn't take that long to open. Six to eight weeks tops and by then I can hire someone great. Someone who can run that store."
Millicent sat back down on the stool and turned towards her friend and boss. "What about this store?" She questioned.
"You've done such a great job with this store Milli, I can't imagine leaving anyone else in charge."
Brooke smiled halfheartedly and shrugged her shoulders. "I know what you're probably thinking. That maybe this Las Vegas thing isn't a good idea..." Brooke paused for a moment. "But I think it's what I need, what this business needs."
"It's your company Brooke," Millicent smiled sadly. "But..."
Once again she noticed the look on Brooke's face. The brunette was determined, that was for sure. Even if it was for all the wrong reasons.
"I'm going to miss you."
--
Peyton made her way up towards the sidewalk and towards Haley and Nathan's house. She knocked quietly and when no one answered, she rang the doorbell.
A few minutes later, a giggling Haley answered the door. "Oh hey Peyt," Haley said, opening the door so that the blonde could step inside. "We've just been waiting for Lucas to drop of Jamie."
Peyton glanced towards Nathan and noticed his clothes, or lack there of. She couldn't help but laugh, pointing towards the door. "If I interrupted something, I could leave..."
"Thanks," Nathan joked.
Haley smacked his back and shook her head, smiling at her friend. "It's okay Peyton. What's up?" Haley asked, watching as her husband sulked away.
Peyton followed Haley into the living room and sat down on the couch so that they could talk. After a few minutes of silence, Haley glanced at her friend.
"Is everything okay?"
Peyton tried her best to shake her head but couldn't. Instead, she felt tears form in her eyes. "He's in love with Brooke," Peyton whispered.
"What?"
Haley tried to sound surprised but even as the word fell off of her lips, she couldn't help but know what Peyton was talking about. For a moment, silence filled the room. And then the blonde turned to look at Haley.
"I said he's in love with Brooke."
A part of Peyton, wished that Haley would disagree. Would tell her that she's wrong. But even as she sat there, Peyton knew the truth. Just as much as Haley did.
"Peyton..."
But the blonde shook her head and cut her off, beginning to talk about all of those years ago. "Remember your wedding? I never told anyone this but the reason why Brooke and I were fighting was because I had told her I was still in love with Lucas."
"What?" Haley asked, not fully understanding what her friend was admitting to.
Peyton took her eyes off of Haley and blinked back tears. "For the longest time, I pretended that I had done the right thing. I was being honest with her. I mean hell, after everything that happened with Lucas and I junior year, she still didn't tell me about Nathan."
Haley tried her best to forget the mention of her husbands name and listened as she continued.
"I never told Lucas," Peyton said. "And I know Brooke never did."
Haley turned towards her friend and sighed. "I can't believe you Peyton," Haley said angrily. "Didn't you learn anything junior year? You almost lost your best friend for a guy. I know he's my best friend and don't get me wrong... I love him. But you were willing to turn your back on a life long friendship? You knew that Brooke would break up with Lucas. You knew that she'd hand him over to you."
"I didn't know that."
Haley shook her head. "But you were counting on it."
There's silence once again and Peyton knew that Haley was right. She thought about arguing with her friend, explaining to her that Brooke had also turned her back on their friendship. But as she stared at Haley, she knew she wouldn't win. There was anger looking back at her and perhaps, some disappointment.
"I brought this all on myself," Peyton sighed. "If I had just said yes to when Lucas had purposed...things would have been so different."
Haley shook her head and she stood up slowly. "It would have been a lie." Her words are calm although Peyton can tell her friend is still upset. "But you and I both know it wouldn't have lasted."
"I think I should go," Peyton said quietly.
Haley nodded her head.
"Yeah, I think you should."
--
A little after lunch, Brooke decided that she wanted to take a walk. "Watch the shop for me?" Brooke smiled at Millicent. The brunette nodded her head and Brooke gathered her jacket and her purse, heading towards the door.
She was surprised to see Nathan standing at the steps. "Hey Nate, what are you doing here?" She questioned, as they began to walk along the street.
"Haley sent me to run some errands," Nathan explained, looking down at his scribbled hand witting. He smiled slightly as he turned to face his friend. "What's going on with B Davis?"
Brooke shrugged her shoulders. "Nothing really," she sighed. "I'm opening a store in Las Vegas..."
"That's great."
"Yeah," Brooke nodded her head but her smile fell.
Nathan turned to face her and noticed just how sad she looked. He thought about his brother and knew that it had to have something to do with Lucas. Instinctively, he wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
"You know- If you ever have to talk..."
Brooke laughed. "I'm okay Nate, I promise."
"It's just Haley had this conversation with Peyton today and she was really upset. She wouldn't tell me what it was about other than it involved you."
Brooke shrugged her shoulders. "I'm sure it's nothing. Peyton is probably just mad that I haven't been around as much..."
"She said it was something to do with you and Lucas."
'And so, there it was,' Brooke thought to herself. The elephant in the room. Or outside, as the case may be. "What about Lucas and me?"
"Honestly, I have no idea," Nathan laughed. They turned down the street and towards the pier and Nathan cleared his throat, trying his best to end the silence. "You know, we're not so different."
Brooke turned towards him and laughed skeptically.
"Oh yeah?" She said gently.
He nodded his head.
"We're both too stubborn to admit we're in over our heads."
And even though she said nothing, Brooke knew it was true.
TBC
Because I can!!
Lol, just kidding. Let me know what you think. You know the deal, read and review as always!!
