All I Wanted
Chapter 4
You could be happy.
And i won't know.
You weren't happy the day i watched you go.
All the things that i wish i had not said.
Is it too late to remind you how we were.?
"Thanks for the newest information Luke. Everybody drop you're gifts off at the gift table then come join us in the kitchen. Jamie had full creative control over the cake so all of you enjoy that." Haley announced.
"I'll gather the kids." Nathan added in. As he went upstairs to get their daughters and then their sons.
"It's weird being back. So much has changed and with other things. It's like time has stood still." Lucas proclaimed.
Brooke focused her gaze on him.
The rest of the friendship group had already left the entryway and were making themselves comfortable in the kitchen.
"That's a lengthy way to say hi. I guess i'll take it. And we're in agreement on that at least. Tree Hill has the repuation for being the hourglass that never runs out. Seeing everybody again is the highlight for me." Brooke replied.
"I never thought i would see you back here. When you left you made it seem like forever." Lucas stated.
"I could say the same for you. Neither of us really said goodbye."
"Given all we had going on at the time. None of that is a surprise." Brooke said.
"That's true but if we're both being honest with each other. We'll admit that saying goodbye is difficult enough. When you're saying it to someone you love. It tears you're heart out." Lucas admitted.
"Especially if goodbye is the last thing you wanted to say." Brooke replied. Swallowing hard.
"We should get in there. We're holding up the party." Lucas announced.
Brooke shook her head in agreement. Following his lead out of the entryway and into the kitchen.
The large crowd sang happy birthday in unison. Once that was over.
The cake was cut. A birthday picture of the Jamie and the family was taken. The the crowd broke apart.
The kids and teens went their seperate ways. A close enough distance away that they could be monitored.
While the adults were spread out throughout the living room and backyard.
The tension between Lucas and Brooke was thick along with the countless years of unsaid conversation between them.
They were seated beside each other the sun setting in front of them.
"How long are you staying in town.?" Lucas asked.
"Why.? Are you making plans for me already.?" Brooke asked jokingly.
"Not exactly. I just thought since we're staying at the same hotel."
"For now. At some point maybe we could have dinner. And talk. What do you think.?" Lucas questioned.
"I don't know. Us. Alone. Having to fill the silence. We can barely get through this party. Without it being uncomfortable." Brooke replied.
"That's what you want.? To leave things the way it is now.?" Lucas asked.
Brooke sighed deeply. "No I don't. Look let's have a meal together."
"I'll order in and it will be a relaxed no pressure night. Are you open to that.?" Brooke questioned.
"The two of us having this long needed conversation. Yes I am." Lucas replied.
"Then hand over you're phone." Brooke requested.
When he did that. She typed in her number under C. For Cheery.
After Lucas read the name he smiled.
And watched as she left the party.
...
Days Later
Brooke awoke to the sound of constant ringing from her cellphone. She sighed with frustration as she picked up the call. There goes her un interrupted quiet time. She rolled her eyes at the sight of Victoria's name flashing on the ID line.
She wanted nothing more then ignore the call but knew if she did it would result in a fight later. She picked up the call. Pressing talk putting the phone to her ear.
"What is so important that you're calling me at this random hour.?" Brooke asked.
"It's about time. You picked these calls. Where exactly are you. That assistant of yours. Had a difficult time tracking you down.?" Victoria questioned. An annoyed tone thick in her voice.
"I'm out of town. Last minute thing. I didn't tell anyone because i wasn't in the mood to explain myself."
"I'll be back in New York soon enough." Brooke stated.
"Out of town. Isn't a place. Where are you.?" Victoria asked pressing hard on the issue.
"Tree Hill." Brooke replied.
Victoria sighed deeply into the phone. "I thought you cut off contact with everyone in that nowhere town a long time ago. Make this visit quick. You are needed in the city. You have business to take care of. What exactly matters." She instructed.
"I'm fully aware. I should go." Brooke replied. Then ending the call.
Just when she was about to turn off her phone. She got a call from an unknown number. Feeling her heart leap into her throat.
She knew who this was. Brooke instantly picked up the call.
"Good afternoon Brooke. I was thinking if you had the time that we could grab lunch. Are you interested.?" Lucas questioned.
"I am. I'll meet you at our place." Brooke replied.
...
Awhile Later
Overlooking the water and endless blue sky. Brooke arrived at the River's edge seating area.
A welcomed surprise. Was the sight of Lucas awaiting her.
He smiled up at her. As she walked over to where he was seated.
"Of course you would want to meet here." Lucas proclaimed.
"You making a picnic instead of just buying food is so you." Brooke replied.
"We should eat first then talk.?" Lucas suggested.
Brooke agreed grabbing ahold of the food he had prepared for her.
They ate and looked out at the view. Occasionally their gazes would land on each other.
"We wouldn't of lasted. We're different people. I accepted that a long time ago." Lucas announced.
"We're just diving straight into this."
"We were young. And unprepared. You wanted to keep it. You would of stepped up. I know that." Brooke replied.
"What i would of done and how i felt. Doesn't change the fact that you didn't want to be pregnant."
"That the thought of having my baby. Our baby. Was too much for you to process. We were never supposed to get serious. It was a good time. No strings or attachment." Lucas recalled.
"That way no one get's hurt. But in the end. We both got hurt. When the doctor said there was no heartbeat." Brooke replied.
"I imagine you were relieved even though you never voiced it. Not having to be tied with me for a lifetime. Being stuck in this town." Lucas proclaimed.
"I never said that! We were 18. Fresh off a cycle of death and heartbreak. So yes i didn't want to stay here. And be reminded of it by seeing you everyday.!" Brooke shouted.
"That explains everything nice and neatly away doesn't it Brooke!"
"You enjoy acting as if our relationship never existed! Who cares how much that hurts me!" Lucas yelled.
"And i'm not hurting angry and upset! I had to push you away! I needed to stop missing you!"
"It was the only way you would let go and move on!" "I couldn't say goodbye to you."
"It hurt too much! I can deny alot. Feeling. Remembering. I can't deny that i was in love with you. I admit it!" Brooke proclaimed.
"If you loved me the way you claimed you did. You would of fought for me back! You would of made an effort. But what was a i thinking. You are Brooke Davis afterall. You pride yourself on being all about yourself. Not feeling anything.!" Lucas yelled back.
"This was a mistake!" Brooke announced. As she got up from she was seated. And started to walk away.
"Running away is what you do best. I'm not coming after you!" Lucas proclaimed.
...