Where are you people? Is everybody on Easter holidays already or what? Anyway, here's the new chapter, I hope you like it.
I'd like to dedicate this chap. to my number one reader, Foxy4ever, always supportive and sweet.
Penguin person, where are you? I'm not on your favorites list anymore, what did I do to lose you:P
Enjoy...
Chapter 36
At 4:00 am, the last guest finally left the Julians' residence. All the family was exhausted, but the mission had been accomplished. Mr. Julian had one hell of a birthday party and was absolutely content. Everybody went to sleep, happy.
The next morning, Brooke woke up in her old bed again. It was cold. She put on sweat pants and a sweat shirt. She covered her feet with puffy socks and slippers, and went to the living room. The house was all quiet. The service staff was trying to make no sound whilst cleaning the party mess. She said "Good morning" to all, after pouring herself a cup of coffee.
She went to the terrace again. It was her favorite place in her parents' home, she couldn't help it. It reminded her of her childhood, her family and so many sweet moments. Soon her dad joined her.
– You got up early cookie.
– Good morning daddy! How's my favorite birthday boy? –Brooke asked holding her dad tight.
– Couldn't be better. They say 55's the new 30. –her dad replied blinking an eye.
– Well, you sure look like 30. –Brooke assured with a smug smile.
– Sure. –Mr. Julian said, laughing. – Now, what's going on between you and you mother, with all that stuff about your boyfriend and everything? –he asked.
Brooke took a deep breath. – Nothing, she just thinks I don't want you to meet him.
– Uh-huh… And is she right?
– Of course not daddy! He was supposed to be here last night, but as I told you before, he's a doctor and he really couldn't make it.
– Umm… well, she's not quite pleased with that explanation cookie. She believes there's something wrong about all this.
– I know, Terry told me, and Ilana.
– What they didn't tell you is that now she's determined to set you up with someone else… –he said looking frontally at her daughter.
Brooke rolled her eyes, fed up. – You've got to be kidding me.
– I'm not. So, I need you to give me a good reason to stop her. –he demanded.
Brooke knew what that look in her father's eyes meant. He had given her plenty of room, but now it was time to give him all the answers.
– Right. Well, of course I want you to meet him… uh…
Mr. Julian realized her daughter was nervous and didn't know where to start. – Okay, we already know he's a very talented surgeon, what else? What's his name?
– Jack, Jack Shephard. –Mr. Julian frowned, finding the name familiar. – Yes daddy, he's the guy from the plane crash.
Mr. Julian couldn't believe it. – Really?
Brooke nodded and went on. – Yeah, what a coincidence, right?
– One hell of a coincidence. So, what else?
– Well… Uh…He was married once and got divorced. Then he married again and his wife died in a car crash… Um… he has an 8 year old daughter and a 4 year old son and he's turning 40 in June. –Brooke declared, hesitant, nervous, looking away and biting her lip. Mr. Julian nodded, silent. He didn't know what to say. – Well, that's a lot of information. –he finally managed.
– Daddy, that's why I wanted you to meet him first. Because when you say it like that, it doesn't sound so great. But you need to know that he's an amazing man, he really is. He's committed, caring, kind and sweet. And I love him daddy. You and mom will like him, I swear.
Mr. Julian smiled when he saw how her daughter's face illuminated by the thought of Jack. – Does he love you?
Brooke smiled and glanced at her bracelet. – Yes. –she affirmed, nodding.
– That's enough for me. You don't have to worry, I'll talk to your mom.
– She's going to hate me, isn't she?
– Why you say that?
– Well, I guess this is not her idea of my perfect match.
Mr. Julian patted Brooke's shoulder. – You're being very hard at your mom cookie. All we want is your happiness. Ryan was young, with no past, everybody liked him, and yet he broke your heart. If you love this man and he loves you back, that's all that matters to us. He'll be welcomed in this house whenever you both feel like it, his family included, okay?
Brooke smiled widely and felt incredibly relieved. – Thank you so much daddy. –she said, holding Mr. Julian again.
– I just hope it won't take any longer. We really want to meet him, okay?
– I promise.
With that, Brooke left the terrace and went to say good bye to her mom, her aunts and her brother. Then she went home. Outside, a typical January day went by. She realized it was Friday and she hadn't talked with Jack since the morning before, since she had left her cell phone at her place.
Once at her apartment, she checked on her answering machine. There were 8 new messages, all of them from Jack, who had been calling her insanely since the first hour of the day. Then she checked her cell phone. It had 16 missed calls from him. She listened to every single message he had left. He was desperately trying to talk to her, begging her to pick up. She couldn't help but laugh impishly. She was dialing his number when her cell phone rang again.
– Hello?
– Brooke! Where have you been? I've been calling you since last night. Why the hell you were not answering? –he snapped in his classical bossy tone. Then he realized talking to her like that was not the best thing to do, especially at that moment. – I was worried, I…
Brooke smiled from the other side of the line. – I was at my parents' and I left my phone here.
Jack rubbed his eyes. – How did it go, the party? You had fun?
– Yeah. –she replied flatly.
– So, I'll pick you up at the airport at the same time, okay?
Brooke bit her lip. – Uh… Jack, I didn't book my flight. I didn't plan on going to L.A. this weekend. –she reminded him.
– I know. That's why I did it for you. I e-mailed you the reservation number. All you have to do is go to the counter and get on the plane. –he said.
She opened her eyes wide in disbelief. – Jack I… –but she was cut off by him. – Brooke, I know you're pissed, and I totally deserve it. But you've got to come. I need to see you, I need to look in your eyes and tell you how sorry I am, please. –he pleaded, impatient.
Brooke couldn't resist anymore. She missed him so much it hurt. – Fine baby, I'll be there.
– Perfect, I can't wait. –and he hung up. He sure was in a hurry, she thought.
Jack had been anxious the whole day. He hated when Brooke didn't answer his calls. He hated that she was mad at him. He felt guilty and annoyed. At 5:00 pm he left the hospital and went home. He had dinner with his family. He kept watching the time whilst Margo and Claire, who came over, were chatting about irrelevant things, trying to get him into the conversation. But he just couldn't concentrate. When the time came, he excused himself and rushed to his car, ignoring the questioning looks on Margo's and Claire's faces.
As he drove to LAX, he found himself thinking of how his life had changed since he had met Brooke. He wasn't bitter anymore. He even felt content. But what he found most amazing was the fact of needing her so much. That freaked him out somehow. He felt attached and he knew that made him vulnerable, but he knew Brooke would never let him down, he was certain about that.
How he knew? Because she loved him, for starters. Because she trusted him too. But above all, he knew because within his soul, he thought she belonged to him. He actually believed he owned her. That was one of his darkest sides: he hardly bonded with someone, but once he had made that bond, it had to last forever. He became possessive. That's why every time he was betrayed or rejected, he felt like killing someone.
That's why, as time went by, he was having more trouble with Brooke living in New York. He hated to watch her packing her bags every Sunday and getting ready to leave. He hated the time to drive her to the airport. He hated to kiss her good bye and have to wait for next Friday to see her again. He had to figure out some way to make her stay, for good. Ironically, becoming a part of each other's life, for real, didn't cross his mind.
He got to the airport and pulled over. He killed some time with a crossword puzzle, as he usually did. He checked on his watch. Brooke was 15 minutes late. He rubbed his forehead, annoyed. Was she capable of standing him up? No way, she can't do that, he thought, fed up. He started patting on the steering wheel, impatient. He was about to call her when she knocked on the window and scared the shit out of him. He stepped out of the car and went to her side. She smiled warmly at him as he threw himself in her arms.
– Hey… –she said, holding him back.
– It's so good to see you. I thought you were not coming.
– The flight was delayed. –she explained.
Jack cupped her face and looked at her as she hadn't seen her in centuries. Then he kissed her eagerly. – Let's get the hell out of here. –he claimed, panting after breaking the kiss to breath.
He got her in the car and quickly threw her luggage in the trunk.
– How was the party? You had fun?
– Yeah, I had a good time. –she said looking through the window.
– What did you wear?
– A cobalt blue dress. –Jack glanced at her, waiting for more details. – It got to my ankles, it was strapless and fit. It was simple but elegant, I really liked it.
– I'm sure you looked stunning, didn't you? How many guys hit on you? –he asked.
Brooke noticed he was acting weird. – What are you talking about?
– Come on, tell me. I know men hit on you all the time. I've seen it.
– No one Jack, nobody hit on me.
He threw a wry laugh. – Right.
– How about you? How did the surgery go?
– Wrong. He died. –Jack snapped.
Brooke swallowed. – Oh baby, I'm so sorry.
– Yeah. –he kept driving, making a tremendous effort to not speed.
They got to the condo and went up. He opened the door for her to get inside. When she turned on the light, she found zillion tulip bouquets all over the place. Red, pink, orange, white, yellow, they came in every possible color. – Oh Jack, this is beautiful! –she stated, her eyes wide open, her jaw dropped. She wandered the apartment and tulips continued popping up. On the bed she found a huge box of her favorite chocolates and a card that read "I'm sorry" in Jack's hand writing. He was watching her from the corridor, his arms crossed on his chest.
She came out of the bedroom and walked to the living room. He followed her. – I'm sorry Brooke. Please forgive me. It won't happen again. Next time, I'll be there for you. This is the best way I could find to apologize.
She smiled at him and then spoke. – You need to know that I was very upset. My family and friends were really looking forward to meet you. I felt disappointed. But I know you didn't mean it. I was having a hard time but then Patrick told me that…
– Patrick? He was there? –he asked, cutting her off abruptly.
She raised an eyebrow. – Yeah. –she replied, nonchalant.
– And he comforted you, of course. –he retorted wryly, jealous.
– Well, yeah. He was also upset about Marion and...
– Marion was upset too.
– I'm sure she was. Anyway, it's okay baby. I forgive you. Let's just leave it behind, okay?
He approached her and took her in his arms. – Are you sure? –he asked hesitant.
Brooke smiled and nodded. – Yes. Come on, I'm kind of hungry, you want to eat something?
Jack shook his head but followed her to the kitchen. As he watched her making a bagel, she announced: – Guess what? With all the fuss, I hadn't told you. Ilana's engaged! She's getting married on February the 16th. I'm the maid of honor and the wedding-planner as well. –she said excited.
– That's awesome. –he affirmed.
Then Brooke turned to face him. – Jack, it's huge. It's very important to me. We're talking about my best friend. This time you don't get to stand me up. I don't care about your patients, not this time. So, I beg of you, don't let anything stand in the way. I want you at that wedding with me. –she demanded.
Jack nodded, determined. – I'll be there.
– Fine. –she replied, content.
Then she turned his back on him again to continue with her tasty bagel. She was spreading some mayo on the bread when Jack grabbed her from the waist and turned her around almost violently. – I hate I wasn't there Brooke. I hate I didn't see you in that dress. I hate I didn't took it off. –he assured to her lips, leaning his forehead on hers.
She placed her hand on his cheek. – It's okay baby. I'll wear a better dress for the wedding and you'll get to rip it off. –she said to his ear mischievously.
He looked deeply in her eyes and carried her to the living room, spreading her legs around him. Then he laid her on the couch. His eyes were full of lust and anger at the same time. Brooke had never seen that look in his eyes. She almost felt scared. If he hadn't been Jack, she would've felt raped. He got rid of her top and jeans in a second, and then took his shirt and pants off. He kissed her eagerly, vehemently. Then he got rid of both her and his underwear and furiously possessed her.
Meanwhile, at Marion's place, she and Patrick were having one hell of a fight.
– You just stood me up, and I had to find out through some of the nurses! If she hadn't been thoughtful enough to let me know, hell! I might be still waiting for you at the airport! –Patrick snapped, yelling at her.
– I've told you million times I didn't mean to!
– But what do you know about being thoughtful! You don't give a shit about anybody but you!
– It was a misunderstanding! I thought you've heard my message! You were out there at your stupid reading tour and you never answer any of my calls, what did you want me to do?
– I wanted you to insist! Man! You could've paged me or ask someone to tell me. And you know what bothers me the most? That you always have to do everything your way!
– What are you talking about? –Marion asked, desperate.
– You know what I'm talking about. Your sick caprice of proving you are the new best spinal surgeon in town ruined everybody's night and even killed a man!
Marion shook her head. – What?!
– Oh please, don't play naïve! You knew Jack would be at Brooke's and planned the procedure for him not to be there. That patient needed immediate surgery, you told me that. How twisted you are to jeopardize a human life like that? Then Jack had no choice but to clean up your mess as he always does! It's so fucking pathetic!
Marion couldn't believe her ears and raised her hands in a "Stop!" sign. – You think I planned on this? –she asked, indignant.
– I don't think you planned it, I know you did it on purpose!
Marion burst out laughing, sarcastic. – Oh my God, I don't believe you! –Patrick looked at her, confused. – Jesus Christ sweetie, you have no idea! –she affirmed. – What? –asked Patrick, annoyed.
– I didn't jeopardize anybody. Jack himself asked me to schedule the surgery for yesterday. He knew about it since last Monday. I didn't even know he was supposed to be at the stupid party. I thought he wasn't going, of course.
– You're lying! –Patrick snapped, furious.
– I'm not lying. When was the last time you checked you voice mail Patrick? I left that message right after I requested the OR, on Monday afternoon.
Patrick went pale. He immediately grabbed his cell phone and checked the messages. Marion was telling the truth. – This is fucking unbelievable! Why on Earth would Jack do that?
Marion stiffened. – Why he did what? –she asked, fed up.
– Jesus! He didn't want to go. He used you as an alibi. Son of a bitch!
– What the fuck are you talking about? What if he didn't want to go? What's the big deal?
– The big deal is he lied to Brooke! Man! She was so upset! She cried the whole day! Her mom was pushing her and everybody felt sorry for her. How dare him?!
As Marion watched him complaining, it hit her like an avalanche. – Oh my God!
– What? –Patrick snapped, losing his temper.
– You're in love with Brooke!
– Oh for God's sake! Is that the best thing you have to say?
– It's true! Of course you love her! How could I not notice before?!
– Jesus Christ, I can't stand you anymore!
– Don't deny it you stupid fuck! That's why you always want her around. That's why you're always questioning everything Jack does regarding her! Man! And you say I'm pathetic! At least I'm not secretly in love with one of my best friend's girlfriend!
– Oh, how dare you?!
– It's so obvious! I should've known since the first time you introduce her to me! "This is my beautiful friend Brooke". God! You're disgusting! You've been lying to me and Jack all this time!
– This is ridiculous! I'm out of here. –he said, walking away from Marion.
– Yeah, get the hell out of my house! –she screamed at the slamming door Patrick left behind.
After Jack made love to her, Brooke fell asleep in his arms. They were still on the couch. She was breathing softly on his chest whilst he played with her hair. As he watched her body entangled with his, he thought of what he'd done. Yes, he had lied to her. Yet, as he caressed her delicate skin, he felt relieved. She was his, only his, and he wouldn't let anything ruin it.