Disclaimer***ditto
What? An Update. No way.
Your eyes are not deceiving you. And I hope it's worth the wait.
Chapter Sixteen
There were too many moments when Brooke Davis had to stop and wonder if she had fallen asleep somewhere along the way and if she was now stuck in a dream, for it didn't seem real that her life had become what it had. For as long as she could remember every moment of happiness was overshadowed by something dark – pain, grief, anger, sadness, fear, too many shadows hovering over her life. After years of missing Lucas now he was in front of her, with low slung jeans and a paint splattered shirt clinging to his tanned muscles, she licked her lips and Brooke breathed in the scent of fresh paint and sunshine.
This was her life now, this content joy, and soon this house would be so much more than pretty walls – it would be their home.
"Morning boyfriend" Brooke's husky voice interrupted Lucas and startled the blonde turned around, he grinned at the sight waiting for him and Brooke smirked back.
"Hey, Pretty Girl" and paint roller in hand he looped him arm around Brooke, careful not to get paint on her, and gave her a lingering kiss, "you look happy" he smiled down at her as he pulled away, though they remained close.
Brooke gave a slight nod, "because I am" and her dimpled showed as she grinned more, "I missed waking to you this morning"
"Sorry, I'm trying to get this all finished today"
At his words Brooke gave the room a look over, "I can't believe this is really happening" their eyes met.
"Believe it. I'm going to give you the world, Brooke Davis" his voice ended quietly and he leant down their lips so close.
Brooke closed the gap, "you already have" she told him and this time she started the kiss.
The roller dropped to the ground, discarded carelessly as Lucas' attention was taken over by the girl in his arms. He would do anything for her, more than she would ever know.
…
Nathan parked his new car outside Brooke and Lucas' new house, the sold sign still squeaked as it swung with the light breeze, a skip in his step Nathan jogged towards the porch until Brooke exited the house and he smiled at his friend and slowed, "hey, Davis".
"Hey" Brooke straightened her hair as she looked up to make eye contact with Nathan, "you're early. Thanks for helping, by the way, I really appreciate it"
He shrugged, "gotta do something with my time, might as well help the second prettiest girl in Tree Hill"
"I told Lucas to not let you slack off just because you're some hot shot now" her grin reached her eyes, "I better go, my shift starts soon. Bye, Nate"
"Later." Nathan chuckled as they passed each other his gaze trailing after her, "hey Brooke!" called out after her "you-" Nathan shook his head and grinned, "-never mind. I better get to work" and he turned his back to Brooke and whistled all the way inside. "Luke" Nathan yelled for his brother and followed the answer to find Lucas standing in an empty room. His brother was shirtless, with bare feet and the button of his jeans was undone, Nathan was slightly taken aback by the change in Lucas, he's always been lean and fit though muscles he'd never had before were now well defined, and there were more tattoos than Nathan expected, "damn, man, did you spend the last four years in the gym" as soon as he said it Nathan regretted bringing up the intervening years.
This was the first time they'd spent time alone just the two of them since their tentative reunion and Nathan did not want to be the one who made it harder for everyone. Lucas responded with a chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck, before he could say anything else Nathan thumbed the direction he'd just come from, "you know your hand print is painted on Brooke's arse. I guess you were lucky you covered the floor in plastic" Nathan eyed the mess of smeared paint, "you two haven't changed a bit"
"Shut up and help" Lucas quickly swiped at his abandoned tee and pulled it over his head. Nathan rolled his eyes but went straight into work mode, grabbing the paint roller and started on the wall that was half finished, "I'm not helping clean up from your sexcapades though, that's your own damn mess to clean" he teased.
It didn't take Lucas long to do, he ended with placing another piece of plastic on the floor and then grabbed the second roller and joined his brother.
They worked in silence most of the time, keeping conversation to the girls, their mutual group of friends and sports, "you leaving again tonight?" Lucas asked casually after a few hours.
"Tomorrow morning, I have training in the afternoon" Nathan wiped the sweat off his forehead, "season's nearly over"
"Yeah. What then?"
"We're still figuring that out" Nathan paused, he turned to his brother, "I'm not going to just abandon Haley again"
"Good, good" Lucas answered not truly trusting his brother yet, especially with Haley's heart, Nathan could sense it yet he didn't blame his brother for that, after all the feeling was mutual. They were both trying though and with a sigh Nathan got back to painting.
"One more room, right?" Nathan asked with his last stroke and he stepped back.
Together they moved to the last room, without words setting up the area before opening the next cans, before they went any further Nathan grabbed his brother's attention with a hard tap to the shoulder, "I want you to know that I'm glad you're here, I mean, that you're out or whatever and I'm sorry about being a jerk"
A look of shock crossed Lucas' face, "Nate-"
Nathan frowned, "Haley's filled me in about everything Dad's tried, all the shit with Brooke and Jamie, and…" Nathan tried to find the words, "I never could believe it, you know, what you said about Dan, I guess I never wanted to but…" he took a deep breath, "I think maybe you were on to something" he shook his head, "there's something wrong with him, he's losing it Luke, and if he could do what you think he did to Keith then you need to stay away from him, and keep Brooke and Jamie as far away as possible"
Speechless Lucas stared at his brother, finally he gave a nod but he didn't speak knowing how hard it must have been for Nathan to say what he had just said.
When they were done the brother's admired their work, "I can't believe you've knocked all this out in barely two weeks" Nathan was impressed.
"Everybody helped a bit" Lucas shrugged, "I go back to work Friday night so I feel like I'm already living here with how much time I've spent doing it up. I just want to give Brooke and Jamie a home" Lucas gave a small smile, "they deserve it"
"So, things are good with you all?"
"Yeah. I know it's all happening fast but when you know - you know" with a bigger smile Lucas looked at Nathan, pointing a rag in his direction, "I guess I'm preaching to the choir with that one. Actually, maybe you could help me with something else too"
"I think you're pushing it, big brother"
"This is for Brooke, and I'll take you out tonight, drinks on me"
"With what money?" Nathan laughed and then he rolled his eyes, "sure, count me in".
…
At the end of the school day Brooke was ready and waiting when Karen walked in with Lily and Jamie, their favourite milkshakes and treats already freshly served waiting at their usual booth, grin on her face, apron still wrapped around her waist, Brooke scooped the children up in a hug, kissing both their cheeks she greeted them before letting Lily go and lifting Jamie up into her arms, "how was school today?"
"S'kay" Jamie.
Brooke smacked her lips as his simple answer, "what did you do today?"
"Nothing" Jamie shrugged.
"What did you learn?"
"Nothing" another shrug.
"Did you play anything?"
"Can't remember"
Brooke sighed, "glad we had this talk" she kissed his cheek again and placed her son down, he took a few seconds to slide in next to Lily and the kids popped their straws into their mouths.
"I was class helper today!" Lily popped up, her lips covered with pink milk, "Ms James said I'm the best helper she's ever had" she grinned with pride.
Jamie rolled his eyes, "Aunt Haley says that every day" he drawled unimpressed, to which Lily quickly poked out her tongue ignoring his jibe.
"Chuck thinks Aunt Haley is pretty" and her lips puckered up as Lily went back to her milkshake.
With her brow kinked Brooke smiled, "he has good tastes, now I think I should get back to work, be good, love you both" Brooke kissed their heads and gave Karen a slight wave as she went back to the counter as a customer walked up.
While she worked Brooke looked up to check on her family every ten minutes or so, briefly stopping in to help with homework whenever it was quiet. Eventually during a break from service Karen stood up, motioning for the children to pack away their things. Brooke quickly made Karen her favourite cappuccino and went to say farewell, "even at the end of the work day you're positively glowing" Karen chuckled as she accepted the hot beverage, "what's your secret?"
Good sex. Brooke thought but she grinned widely instead and answered "just happiness, I guess"
"You have so much to be happy about"
"Yep. I've got my two boys, the best support system, a new home and… miracles do happen, Dan has hightailed it out of Tree Hill" her eyes widened, "we should buy a lotto ticket! Our luck is up" and the young brunette gave her honorary mother a little happy dance.
"Ok, Miss Cheery, I'll see you when you get home and if not good night" Karen kissed Brooke's cheek, and then Brooke gave Lily a kiss whispering good night in the little girl's ear before she turned to her son.
Jamie jumped into Brooke's arms, the duo hugged tightly, "be good for Grandma, love you, bug"
"Love ya too, Momma" Jamie left a wet kiss on his mother's cheek and she loosened her grip, placing him back down on the ground.
It wasn't long after that a smiling Nathan and Lucas walked in, the sight of the two brothers casually walking in made Brooke pause, she sucked in her breath at the familiar sight. The scene was one that not long-ago Brooke had thought she would never see again, it warmed her heart to see the handsome pair at ease again and when their eyes met Brooke's their nearly identical blue iris's sparkled with Scott mischief.
"What are you two up to?" Brooke kinked her brow, a hand already placed on her hip.
"Just two hungry men who have been at work, thought we'd get a bite to eat and then I'm taking baby brother for a game of pool at Blue Post"
"That sounds nice, so what do you boys want?" she dropped her hand on her hip and got into work mode, brushing her palms against her apron.
Lucas stepped closer and took hold of her waist, he pulled her to him, kissing the side of her neck, "what's on the menu?"
"Not what you're after" Brooke pushed Lucas away with a playful shove, she grabbed a nearby menu and smacked him gently on the head, "here you go, call me over when you make up your mind"
"I'll have a burger and fries" Nathan said straight away, rolled his eyes at the looks going between Brooke and Lucas and stalked over to grab a table.
With one last kiss Lucas let go of Brooke, "I'm suddenly very hungry"
"Has anyone ever told you you're insatiable?"
"Just you" he opened the menu and gave it a cursory look over, "you usually don't complain though" and he looked up with a smirk, "I guess I'll have to settle for food" he winked and went to join Nathan.
"Christ, you to need to get a room" Nathan mumbled when his brother joined him.
"She changed her jeans" Lucas commented instead and then he opened the menu and gave it a proper read, "what are you having?" Lucas asked Nathan while he struggled to make his own choice. Nathan just stared at his brother, Lucas lifted his gaze when Nathan remained silent, "what?"
A few minutes later Lucas caught Brooke's attention, he didn't have to do anything she simply gave a nod and headed to their table, "what's it going to be?"
"Can I grab the special, please, and a Sunkist"
"Sure." Brooke turned to Nathan, "and you, Hot Shot?"
Nathan's mouth fell, "am I invisible?" he asked, he shook his head, "just a burger and fries with a coke"
"Chicken, beef, pulled pork?"
"Beef"
"I'll put a rush on it" she smiled at them and then turned back as she went to turn around, Lucas had taken hold of her hand, "let me pick you up after you close"
"Okay, I'll text you when I'm nearly done here" and she gave him a kiss this time before she walked away, Lucas watched swearing that she swayed her hips a little but more just for him.
Bloody hell. Nathan thought as he watched his brother stare at Brooke with a silly grin, I hope I don't look so pathetic when I smile at Haley.
…
Haley bounced into the Blue Post, her thick honey blonde hair out, flowing over her shoulders, she looked too fresh and clean for her surroundings, and her smile was blinding when she spotted Nathan holding a beer near a pool table. The teacher practically bounced on her way to her husband, "hey"
Nathan put down his beer, a silly grin on his face as he wrapped his arms around Haley, "hi, wifey"
"You stink" her nose wrinkled as their lips met for a steamy kiss, he tasted like whiskey, Haley melted into the kiss as her senses ignored the stench of alcohol, warmth tingled through her body and she moaned.
"That's enough of a show" Nathan mumbled as he reluctantly pulled himself away from his wife, "damn, girl, you're intoxicating. How about we get out of here?"
With a laugh Haley stepped around him, his arms around her waist moving with her so Nathan was still holding her as she reached out for a pool cue, a giggle escaped as he pulled her back against him, her lower back pressing into his body where she could feel his response, "later" she promised, "now teach me how to use this stick"
"Stick? First off, it's upside down" Nathan watched as Haley corrected it, her eyes went around the room, "where's Luke?"
"At the bar" Nathan pointed and then manoeuvred Haley into position, "here cold the cue like this" he showed her. Haley's eyed watched Lucas still, she could see his blonde head leaning over the bar and though by his stance it looked like he was waiting for his order casually, his eyes on the bartender down the bar, Haley could see his lips moving and knew he was talking to someone. Lucas suddenly straightened and move down the bar, closer to the bartender, and Haley turned her attention back to Nathan, "is this right?"
"Sure, now give it a go" he stepped out of her way and Haley moved the cue back before driving it forward, missing the ball completely.
Nathan chuckled, "close"
Not long after Lucas joined them, he handed Nathan his next drink and passed one to Haley, "perfect timing" he told her, and took the last glass for himself.
The sprite went down Lucas' throat, "you know it's impossible to teach Haley how to play" he told Nathan, "it's worse than watching her attempt to use a basketball"
"Hey" Haley pouted, "you're the one who needs a favour, so maybe be nicer to me"
"Apologies. I'll play against you and Nathan" and he took pity on his brother before annihilating them. "One more?" Lucas asked shortly after sinking the black, he straightened, watching Nathan shrug his shoulder, "you're better than I expected, we've never played together before"
Nathan shrugged, "Brooke taught me. We all used to hang at her parents' place whenever they weren't home which you know was practically always, so whenever Peyton and I fought and she'd storm off for a few hours, Brooke and I used to waste time playing. I swear my allowances paid for all her purses sophomore year"
"Never bet against Brooke Davis" Haley chuckled.
Lucas' phone beeped, "speaking of" he drawled, "she'll be done in twenty, that's earlier than I expected"
"Must have been a quiet night" Nathan shrugged.
Haley nodded, "always is on game night, everyone's watching the Ravens, it's the annual charity game tonight"
"Big night then" Nathan grinned, and he sent it his brother's way.
…
By the window Brooke stared in the direction Lucas would take on his way from the Blue Post, her arms folded, fingers tapping her bare skin. Headlights came from the distance and Brooke sighed when she saw the teenage girls waving their pom poms out the window, then her smile took over when another set came from behind and she instantly recognised Lucas' beat up ride. She switched the light off as she left through the front door, locking it behind her as Lucas pulled up.
"What took so long?" Brooke half complained as she slipped in. Seat belt on she relaxed, her hand instinctively rested on Lucas' jean clad thigh.
Blue eyes softened as Lucas kissed her, "sorry, I was held up" he whispered his answer, "I'm here now"
"Yeah, you are" Brooke smiled.
Lucas took off, "hey, you wanna swing by the new place and see it now it's all painted?"
"It's late, let's just go home-" she wiggled her eyebrows "-the bed's calling my name, I'll go look tomorrow" her hand squeezed his thigh.
Lucas resisted the urge to do as she said, "I want to see your face though"
There was a pleading look on his face and Brooke couldn't resist his request, "fine".
Ten minutes later they pulled into the driveway, Lucas hopped out and jogged around to open Brooke's door. There was something to his blank expression that had Brooke kink her brow as she led him towards the house, her hand in his, "what's with you today?"
"Come on, let's go inside" and Lucas quickened his steps so he was opening the door to her.
The glow filled Brooke's sight the moment Lucas moved aside, she wouldn't be able to count all the candles that filled the room and turned the walls orange.
"This way m'lady" Lucas took the hand Brooke had dropped and led the way to the stairs, each step framed by a tealight candles. The path went all the way to the master room, the colour on the walls looked even better than Brooke had expected when she'd picked it. Shadows flickered on the walls as Brooke and Lucas walked into the room, at moments the deep walls looked like they were on fire, she eyed the large four poster bed, "there was a bed here?" Brooke was slightly outraged.
"Not this morning" Lucas laughed at her expression. "This is going to be our home where all our dreams come true, this will be our room where the only thing will matter is the two of us, and the bed where I worship you in the way you deserve" he grabbed both her hands now, walking backwards towards the large window, "and this will be the window we will look through down into the yard and watch our children play"
Brooke smirked, "children?"
"Yeah, at least ten I think" he shrugged a shoulder and Brooke laughed.
At the window Lucas spun her around as if they were dancing, her face was turned up towards him as he pulled her back against his front, their bodies facing the dark night, "can't you picture it?" he asked her, whispering into her ear lovingly, "just look"
And Brooke turned her face to take in the view. Her breath sucked in, it was almost like déjà vu, though instead of flowers there were thousands of candles, and instead of a banner the candles spelled out the question.
Marry me?
Brooke didn't speak, her body sunk back into Lucas, her eyes closed and she simply smiled, and he waited. Finally, Lucas nudged her, "Pretty girl, you going to marry me or what?"
With the smile still gracing her lips Brooke turned in his arms, wrapping her arms slowly around his neck, "of course it's yes, you idiot" and she kissed him.
Lucas lifted Brooke up, her legs went around his hips, and this time the bed was there and little fires burned around them.
…
The sky was just beginning to lighten when Lucas woke, Brooke was still in his arms, her naked body warm against him as she lay propped half on her side, her gaze on her hands, where she twirled the ring between her fingers. It was the same antique ring he'd slipped on her ring finger years ago, it suited her as if designed specifically for her, still the perfect fit.
"I've missed this" she whispered when she sensed he was awake, his eyes burning into her.
Lucas hugged her tight, his chin on her shoulder, "this time you'll never take it off" he promised.
With a sigh Brooke rolled onto her back, "I have to go to work. I wish I could stay with you here all day"
"But you can't, we both have things to do"
She grinned at him, "but you have four years to make up for"
"And the rest of our lives to do so" he kissed her, a little too passionately considering Brooke had to leave soon.
Brooke kept her eyes closed as his lips left hers, "join me in the shower?" she asked, her words barely above a whisper, breathless and wanting. She was only ten minutes later than usual.
…
As the car went down the street Lucas thought of Brooke, he remembered her smile; her laugh, the way she felt under his touch when her skin was wet, the green in her eyes that stood out when she was emotional, the kink in her brow when she was trying to be cute and the way her dimples appeared with each expression she made.
His palms burned, his heart thudded, and Lucas tried to focus on keeping the vehicle on the road as thoughts raced through his head.
"You okay, man?" Benny voice dragged Lucas back to reality.
"Yeah"
"If we stick to the plan everything will be fine, better than fine." Benny smiled nervously, he scratched his head, "one job and we won't have to do this again, ever"
"What will you do after?" Lucas asked, he needed a distraction, guilt filled him, as they got closer and closer to the location that had been organised.
Benny grinned, it was boyish and showed how young he really was, "get as far away as I can. Start fresh. Be someone other than me"
"That's a good idea. You're better than all this"
"So are you" Benny rubbed his legs, "I didn't want to pull you into it, you know, man, but… I'm sorry Luke. Maybe…" Benny stopped, his phone ringing.
Lucas' ears perked as he listened to Benny's side of the conversation, his friend's face paled, and Lucas stayed calm as he kept going straight.
When the call was over Benny looked at Lucas, a strange expression on his face, "stop" quiet but stern. Lucas had never heard this tone from Benny.
He pulled the car over, "what's wrong?"
"It's been called off"
"What?"
"Yeah, games over. Turn around" Benny banged his fist against the window, swearing. Lucas gave a sigh of relief, and he remembered Brooke's joy as he kissed her goodbye only that morning.
…
Joy almost burst from Brooke as she skipped out of the café at the end of her shift, she had two hours before school finished and she had to pick up Jamie and Lily. Two hours where she planned to dance around and plan the wedding she'd put a hold on years ago, and if Brooke couldn't stop smiling who could blame her. Too many hours had been spent crying, too many hours were wasted being angry or lonely.
Lost in her thoughts Brooke turned the corner and almost bumped into the older woman going in the opposite direction, "sorry" she grinned, her left hand going up to brush her hair back behind her ear, and she stepped aside only to look up into familiar pale blue eyes.
The lady scuttled off, huffing, and Brooke's smile stilled on her face though couldn't completely disappear. She could forgive herself for forgetting how tall he was, and he'd cut his black hair since the last time she'd seen him.
"Ephraim" she breathed out, "hi".
Dressed in his uniform the police officer couldn't return the smile, his face was tight, still Ephraim couldn't look away, "it looks like congratulations are in order" his gaze darted to the large engagement ring now adorning her ring finger, very different to the one that he'd put on it. Ephraim couldn't help but notice it looked better on her, and that the smile she'd been wearing was bigger than any he'd ever seen on her face. It made him equally as sad as it made him happy.
"Oh" Brooke touched the ring, "It only just happened last night, I don't think anyone really knows but the way news gets around this town…" she chuckled. Her eyes turned apologetic, "I'm really sorry, Ephraim, about how I treated you. I wish I could have… no" she bit her lip, "I don't want to pretend with you anymore, you deserve more. You always deserved more. I know you loved me-" he flinched at her words because it spoke of the past and he wasn't there yet, "-but I was never the girl for you, and you will meet her and know that what we had was so much less in comparison to what it should have been. And you deserve to be happy with someone who loves you just as much as you love them"
"And you have that?" He snapped, "you're happy and want this… with him?"
"More than anything." Brooke's smile grew large again, her dimples almost reached her eyes, "There was a piece of me missing, a Lucas shaped hole in my heart that only he can fill. It may sound silly to others but we're two halves of a whole, and when we're not together there's this imbalance"
And as much as he hated to admit it, Ephraim could see what she said was true. The Brooke in front of him was not a Brooke he'd ever seen.
"Then I wish you happiness" he gave a nod as he began to step back, and Ephraim added, "and I wish you luck" and he hurried off leaving Brooke to watch him walk away, hands in his pockets, back straight and full of pride.
By the time he looked back Brooke was gone, a dance in her step again as she looked down at the diamonds.
…
This was how I spent my nights, one after another, tossing and turning on the couch when my heart knew where I should be, I hated it, I hated not being with her and knowing it was my fault that I wasn't.
There had to be something I could do, something to make her trust me again. Peyton tried to talk to Brooke and it only made things worse and most days it felt like Brooke only put up with me because of my Mom. At least Brooke talked to me still, only when she had to but still it was better than nothing. Peyton just got silence.
I can't do nothing; I can't just give Brooke time like everyone keeps telling me to. Not when she's only metres from me, not when only a wall separates us. Frustration has me standing up, something else has me pause as I reach the door to the room that had been mine for as long as I can remember. I've only ever shared it with her.
My hand pauses as I go to knock and then I hear it, the tears inside. I'm not the only one spending nights tossing and turning.
I don't knock, I just open the door and though I don't remember how I got there the next second I know I'm sitting on my bed and Brooke is in my arms, her tears rolling down onto my chest where her face is buried.
And I hold her, I just hold her, for what seems like hours until the tears stop and her shoulders are no longer shaking, her body no longer weak against mine. So, when she kisses me, I am surprised, her pliant lips far from hesitant against mine and she pushes me back. I fight with myself, and I don't know if I've won or lost but I can't stay still. I kiss her back.
My mouth opens under hers, and she's pulling my shirt off, and then my hands move too. I wonder if it's just my imagination or if her previously flat stomach now has the tell-tale curve from where our child lives inside her.
I'm happy, I can't not be as she explores every part of my body and soul, yet I know this is not forgiveness, and I don't know if she will hate me in the morning.
But the morning seems so far away, and tonight is tonight. And for tonight Brooke is in my arms, right where she belongs.
(Extract. An Unkindness of Ravens, pg. 308)
…
Feel the love. Feel the love before the drama mwahahahaha.
Good news. I'm not dead. Who knew. Thank you for your patience if you have made it this far. And thank you to all my readers, and to the guest reviewers, as well as spemma mason, trish, diane and jo. Mostly asking me to update and here it is even if its months later, or a year later. Wow.