Disclaimer: same as the twenty seven other times.
Thanks for the reviews even if I can't answer your questions. All things will be revealed in time.
Chapter Twenty Eight
It was an exceptionally cold December, ice frosted the town, and Brooke wondered if they would have the rare two days of snow that every few years hit Tree Hill. A white Christmas would be a sight to see in their small town and Brooke stared out the window at the lights that twinkled everywhere along the street, her own house was a festive haven with holly, ornaments and lights tastefully decorating every room except their own private bedrooms.
The smell lingered through the house too, of pine and cinnamon, making the large house even homier than usual.
A fire burned in the fireplace, stockings hanging in a line, Brooke smiled at the sight. This is what she had imagined when she'd first walked into the house, and it exceeded her expectations.
"You should put your coat on" Brooke looked away from her window, and the cold day waiting outside, she turned towards Sam, "it's getting colder outside"
"Yes, Mom" Sam said if with affectionate mocking, wrapping her arms around her former foster mother, "you worry too much"
"You give me little reason not to" Brooke chuckled and kissed Sam on the cheek before leading her to the entrance, "I'm just happy you could come today"
"Me too. I'm sorry I can't make it tomorrow-"
"Rebecca is your family too" Brooke smiled again, "have a good Christmas" there was a slight tone of sadness to her words and they hugged goodbye by the door. Sam grabbed her coat as Brooke opened the house to the elements, buttoning it up as the older woman sent her a look.
They hugged again, pulling apart with a goodbye each, both focused on the other that they didn't notice they weren't alone until a voice interrupted them.
"Samantha!"
Brooke's smile fell and she turned towards her mother's voice, Sam's smile grew wider and she left Brooke's side to close the distance to where Victoria was walking towards them, purse in hand.
She hid her confusion, Brooke put on a fake smile, "Mother, I wasn't expecting you here… now"
Victoria placed a kiss on Sam's other cheek, ignoring her daughters words as she asked the teenager how she was, they briefly talked and Sam shrugged her shoulders as she stepped away ending the conversation "… I better go. See ya" she waved goodbye as she headed towards her car.
With a flick of her hair Victoria turned back to Brooke, "it's Christmas! I thought I could use your guestroom and be there with you and Noah in the morning"
"I-uh-" Brooke stumbled over her words.
Another voice joined them, "how many bags do you need!"
Brooke wanted to pinch herself, "Daddy" her mouth dropped open. Richard Theodore Davis walked down her pathway, loaded with luggage, in his usual suit and tie.
"Hi, Princess"
Victoria rolled her eyes, "when I told your father you were hosting Christmas tomorrow he insisted in joining" and she hurried pass Brooke, with a simple kiss on her cheek before entering the house.
Shocked Brooke was speechless, she remembered her mother asking her what her plans were for Christmas and telling Victoria about the dinner party tomorrow night yet there had been no discussion about Victoria joining her and her friends.
"It's just I didn't expect you to be staying here-here" Brooke smiled and then hugged her father when he reached her.
Ted dropped the suitcases and bags, shaking off his coat and scarf, "what a beautiful home you have-"
"Where's my grandson?" Victoria cut in.
"With his dad" Brooke held in the sigh, "they'll be here later. Actually, because it's Christmas… Lucas is staying in the guestroom"
"Luckily he still has a house" Victoria waved the complication away.
Trying to sound as unbothered as she could be Brooke smiled, "actually Karen and Andy are using Lucas' place. I only have the one guestroom anyway-" Brooke didn't mention the room Sam had set up on the odd occasion she stayed the night, "you and Daddy can use the Manning Street house" she referred to her previous address.
"That sounds perfect" Ted nodded, "what time should we arrive tomorrow?"
Brooke kissed her father gratefully, "dinner is at five"
"I guess it will have to do" Victoria lifted her chin, "is Samantha returning tomorrow?"
"No, she's with her Mom for Christmas"
"For god sake Victoria" Ted exclaimed, "let's give her some peace and quiet, we will be back tomorrow. Brooke, is there internet at your other place?"
"Uh… no" Brooke winced.
Victoria rolled her eyes, leaving Ted with the luggage she headed back for the car, Ted glanced at his phone giving Brooke a rushed goodbye before following Victoria.
As soon as her parents were gone Brooke closed the door and sighed, she wanted no more surprises before tomorrow night.
-x-
For a moment Lucas paused as he stood outside Brooke's house, the door had been painted red a long time ago, as Noah walked with his bag towards the front door.
With his own back slung over his shoulder, Lucas smiled at himself, at the feelings that tugged at his heart as he walked towards the front door. Brooke was there waiting, the door opened before Noah even reached it and Brooke was there with a dazzling smile and open arms.
Whispered welcomes and kisses greeted Noah who accepted the affection with little reluctance and a shy smile, and then Brooke straightened and her dimpled were directed at Lucas, "come in, get out of the cold, it's freezing outside"
Lucas followed Brooke and their son inside, the house smelt like Christmas and Lucas saw the flickering light of the fireplace.
Despite the chill, Brooke was barefooted and Lucas slipped off his own shoes by the door after Noah did the same, though the boy walked off with his in hand and Lucas paused.
"By the doors fine" Brooke told Lucas, "here, I'll show you the guest room"
"Anything will be better than the couch" Lucas chuckled remembering the last few nights he'd had at home, as they walked by the formal dining room Lucas' eyes caught something. He stopped, narrowing his gaze at the fireplace and the stocking strung above, "is that?"
Brooke shrugged "I couldn't resist"
The end stocking was embroidered for him, not with his name, the moniker Broody was proudly displayed, "where's the one with Cheery on it?"
Her only answer was a laugh. Brooke ignored Lucas and continued up the grand staircase, when they reached his room she remained by the door, "here you go. I'll let you get settled".
Alone Lucas dropped his bag, he breathed in the air which was had a scent he could not name clinging to it, and somewhere in the house he could hear Brooke's voice, loud and cheery, and Noah's a softer murmur. It was music to his ears.
Fifteen minutes later Lucas jogged down the stairs following their voices to the family loving area, Noah sat at the kitchen counter with a hot drink, Brooke leaning over from the other side with her own large mug in her hands.
Steam came from the drinks, "that smells good" Lucas licked his lips, "where's mine?"
Noah smirked from his perch, he didn't quite understand it yet he always felt delight when he watched his parents talk and interact.
"You've got hands" Brooke kinked her brow.
Lucas pouted, "Is that how it is?"
"Perhaps if you asked nicely"
Lucas walked behind Brooke, dropping his bottom lip, "pretty please may I have a hot chocolate?"
Brooke rolled her eyes, "I suppose so" she pushed herself away from the oversized kitchen counter, and Lucas stayed close as she quickly made him a drink. Brooke stopped and looked over her shoulder, her brow kinked again "marshmallow?"
"Of course" Lucas folded his arms.
A few seconds later Brooke handed him a steaming mug and they both returned their attention to Noah, side by side.
-x-
Christmas morning had been quiet, Brooke looked back on the day with satisfaction, though Noah didn't wake up early and gleefully run towards his presents, it had been magical in its own way.
They had slept in, waking after ten to have a late breakfast that Brooke cooked while Lucas and Noah played chess. It was pass midday by the time they got to the Christmas tree and Noah opened the presents from his parents.
No gift was extravagant, Brooke had gifted Noah with clothes, a new video game, two board games and an inflatable raft, while Lucas' gifts for Noah included a couple of books and a new clarinet because he had expressed interest in learning the instrument. Noah showed gratitude with each gift and treated them carefully, thanking his parents with a secret smile and a gentle hug each.
Noah gave Lucas a short story he'd written for him and carefully presented with his mother's help, and Lucas was sure he had never received a better present. For his mother Noah had organised a series of photographs he had taken himself and framed them for her.
They didn't eat lunch, spending the time in front of the fireplace sprawled on the floor playing one of Noah's new games.
Brooke left Noah and Lucas to themselves as she got ready, then with her apron in place Brooke started Christmas dinner.
An hour later Lucas joined her while Noah practiced his clarinet upstairs, the kitchen was a mess by the end of it and Lucas shook his head at Brooke amazed she had managed to keep her clothes clean.
"Everybody better like this" she grunted.
Lucas used his finger to try the pumpkin pie filling, "taste gooood"
"Get your dirty hands away from my hard labour"
"Hey I helped"
"Barely" she huffed. Brooke placed the pie in the oven and then checked on the turkey, "next year Haley can do this" she whispered to herself.
The doorbell rang at four and they both looked up, "it's probably your mom" Brooke told him though neither moved.
Lucas lifted a finger in her direction, "or possibly yours" he shook his head, "Victoria hates me"
"She hates everybody"
"It's your house"
Brooke grabbed a nearby bowl, "my hands are full" she scrunched up her face as if she was exhausted, "there's just so much to do, if only someone kind would help me and answer my door"
Lucas threw in the towel. "Fine, you win" he laughed and quickly washed his hands before heading for the front of the house.
On the other side Victoria and Richard Davis waited, they stared at Lucas, Victoria with a cold look and Ted with an enthusiastic fake grin. Victoria eyed Lucas up and down and then threw him her coat, "are you the butler now?" she asked breezing pass him.
"Sorry" Ted whispered yet still handed Lucas his coat and scarf as he joined Victoria.
"Welcome" Lucas deadpanned, "it's nice to see you both again"
"Yes, yes" Ted clapped his hands, "you too… uh…Lew-uh… look how beautiful that tree is, magnificent!" he talked a mile a minute and did his best to cover forgetting Lucas' name. It was obvious to them all and Victoria hid a smile.
Brooke came from the kitchen "Merry Christmas!"
As she hugged her parents, Lucas took care of the coats, listening in as Ted and Victoria vied for Brooke's affection.
Ted quickly wandered off to make a phone call and Victoria went to place the gift bags in her hands under the tree, pulling multiple presents from inside them.
Soon Noah came running down the stairs and Victoria's attitude changed; the older woman warmed to her grandson in an easy genuine way that was so opposite to her usual self. Noah did no wrong in Victoria's eyes, and she gushed over how much he had grown and brushed his hair down without thought as she asked him questions.
The doorbell rang again, and Lucas gratefully went and answered it breathing a sigh of relief when he saw his mother, little sister and stepfather on the other side.
"Merry Christmas!" Lily yelled jumping at Lucas and then she little girl spied Brooke and ran towards the fashion designer, "Brooke, Brooke, look at my bow! I'm wearing the dress you made for me, and look Mama let me wear nail polish!"
Lucas couldn't help but smile, then he turned away from the sight of Brooke picking up his sister and met his mother's blue eyes, he embraced Karen and felt her hug him back, "Merry Christmas, Ma".
-x-
The Christmas feast lasted long into the night; Lily fell asleep in Andy's arms, Jamie on the couch while Noah had been sent to bed when he'd started to yawn.
Mouth and Millie excused themselves after dessert, and surprisingly Ted fit in well with the men, speaking business to Andy and sports with the younger men.
With a glass of wine Victoria was comfortable, bantering with her ex-husband, and discussing travel with Karen and sneaking in some business talk with Brooke, most of her time was preoccupied by Noah.
Haley and Nathan, with Jamie sleeping in his arms, were the next to leave, and when Karen mentioned taking Lily home Ted was quick to suggest calling it a night as well.
They'd cleaned as the night went on, and when the house was silent except for the music playing in the background, Brooke collected the glasses as Lucas checked for missed rubbish, and then he blew out the candles.
The fire still burned and Lucas turned the wood, Brooke reappeared, "you can let that burn out" her husky voice surprised him; she was closer than he had expected. Lucas straightened up, sending her a smile.
"Tonight was great, you did a fantastic job"
"We didn't poison anyone" she shrugged. The song playing stopped, the room was deathly silent for a moment before the next one played, neither spoke, and Brooke looked up from the fire "we should get some sleep"
"And you don't mind I stay again?"
"Of course, you can't drive and my bed is more comfortable than your couch" she winced, "I mean my spare bed" Brooke corrected herself with an awkward smile.
As innocent as the comment was Lucas was distracted, flashes went through his mind, he could picture their bodies collapsing onto a soft mattress, softer than possible, their clothes disappearing in only a way they could in a dream.
Lucas blinked, Brooke was staring up at him, her eyes golden in the light of the fire, "I guess this is goodnight" she whispered.
She went to turn and Lucas grabbed for her hand, his fingers instead wrapping around her wrist stilling her movement. Brooke turned back to Lucas and he licked his lips, "before you go, I have a present for you"
"You already gave me a present" she looked away, "and I told you that you shouldn't have" her mind went to the bracelet he'd handed her when they were swapping gifts after dinner.
Lucas let go of her wrist, "just give me a second" and he jogged away coming back with another wrapped gift. Brooke slowly took the gift and unwrapped it meticulously, taking her time as Lucas watched on.
"It's a book?" Brooke was surprised and slightly let down, "thanks"
Reading her mind Lucas turned the book over, "it's an advance copy of my new book" he told her as her eyes went to his name on the front, "I wanted you to be one of the first to have a copy"
As she opened the book Brooke felt his eyes on her, "thank you" she whispered, her fingers moving over the title, and then Brooke looked up with a wry smile, "I hope it does better than your last"
"I'm going to miss you when I'm on tour" he leant forward and added in a whisper, "and it is better".
Brooke closed the book, holding it to her chest, "I don't have anything else for you"
He shrugged, "you've given me enough"
Their eyes stayed locked until a loud crack from the fire had Brooke jumping back, "Good night, Luke" she quickly said stepping away, Brooke dropped the book in her hurry tripping over it, she swore and kicked off her heels.
A hand came in line with her vision and Brooke looked up at Lucas, running her eyes from his fingers to his face, she gave in, taking his offered hand and balancing her hand with her heels against his chest as she straightened up again.
Lucas laughed and his eyes trailed up to the mistletoe above him, hers followed, and he gave an innocent smile, "its tradition" he told her before leaning down.
Her whole body froze, Brooke felt her whole body heat up, it started at her chest, and the milliseconds it took for Lucas' lips to meet hers felt like hours.
Still, Brooke couldn't move, and his lips brushed hers, once and then twice and then they pressed against her coaxing Brooke and her lips moved, her body melting into him.
The heels fell to the ground unnoticed and Lucas wrapped his hands around Brooke, pulling her closer as the kiss deepened. A moan escaped one of them; neither knew who made the sound, all Lucas knew was he didn't want to stop.
Picking Brooke up Lucas lifted her onto the dining table and her mouth opened as the kiss turned into something more.
Another song begun, it's beat faster, and Brooke ran her hands under Lucas' shirt. In the back of her mind Brooke wanted away from the heat but she moved closer to its source, aching to feel Lucas' skin.
Then Brooke remembered where they were, who she was kissing, and with everything inside her she pushed against his chest, their lips parted, the air coming from their mouths like a released suction cap.
Breath heavy Brooke used her hands to put distance between them, "I should go to bed" she closed her eyes, dropping her hands from Lucas as his grip tightened on her waist, "alone" she clarified.
With a nod Lucas stepped back putting space between them, Brooke hopped down from the dining table and smoothed her outfit, her eyes avoiding his.
"Good night, Brooke" even though Lucas meant it, his voice laced with longing, it sounded mocking to Brooke's ears as her nerves shook inside her. And then he kissed her again, this time so quick she had no time to stop it, the soft touch of his lips almost like a promise.
Brooke did her best not to run to her room, she didn't look back or let out her breath until she was in her bedroom, the door closed. Collapsing against the oak door, Brooke let her breath go, and then she undid her clothes to help cool down her burning body.
Left by the fire Lucas watched the empty space Brooke had vanished into for a long moment, and then he picked up the forgotten book and placed it on the table. Lucas opened it to the third page before he left the room, heading upstairs. Lucas whistled, a skip in his step, and when he went to bed sleep came easy to the author.
Someone once advised me to heal my heart with my writing, this is for you. For all the times you were there when I needed you and all the times you knew to give me space. Thank you.
-x-