Disclaimer: I don't own OTH or its characters. Or much at all.
A/N: Wow! I cannot believe it's been 3 months! I really don't know where the time went. I must admit last time I was so caught up with sh*t that when I didn't get the 20 reviews within the deadline, I didn't stress about fighting for time to write and somehow weeks turned into months. I'm alive, I am sorry I haven't replied and updated. I've let my focus be on my health and family and go days sometimes without even opening my laptop. I'm on stronger medication so I tend so sleep a bit more now which cuts into my writing time, my body is yet to get used to things and I'm waiting to get fired for my abysmal attendance record. I do see the irony in having a week off sick the week they do a meeting about how attendance at my facility is the company's lowest in the whole country. I don't know if I mentioned it in my last couple of chapters or if it happened after my last update but I finally bought a new laptop so I have a reliable one now that is actually my own, so that's good news!
Despite the time I have been gone I would like to thank you all for keeping with me with this fic and for your time and reviews. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Chapter Thirty
There was a look of knowing amazement on her face as Haley watched her best friend talking on the phone. Haley didn't interrupt, she just watched and when Brooke ended the call Haley smiled at Brooke who couldn't stop the grin that almost went from ear to ear.
"What?" Brooke kinked her brow.
Haley shrugged, "nothing" and then she added on, "how's Lucas?"
"He's just about to get on the plane" and though Brooke continued to smile her eyes narrowed at Haley's strange look, "are you okay? Do I have something on my face?"
"Yeah, a smile" Haley then added coyly, "you and Lucas seem to be getting on really well lately"
"I don't know what you're implying-" Brooke dropped her smile despite how hard it was.
Haley chuckled, "I think you know what I'm implying"
"Haley James Scott!" Brooke threw a pen at Haley, she closed her sketch book and stepped away from her work desk, "Lucas and I are friends and we are rocking this co-parenting thing, that's all"
"You talk on the phone everyday"
"About Noah"
"That's funny" Haley tapped her chin, "because I didn't hear you two mention Noah at all just then"
Brooke went to speak and then closed her mouth leaving Haley to smile some more, "you know, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world for you and Lucas to explore whatever it is that's between you two"
"It's complicated"
"You like each other, what's so complicated about that?"
Brooke sighed, "Where do I begin? Eight years of history, the fact he's married to my childhood best friend-"
"Do you know he tried to get the marriage annulled" Haley told Brooke, cutting into her friends sarcastic list, "but it's almost impossible to get an annulment in North Carolina"
"I did not know that but it doesn't change the fact he married her and is technically still married to Peyton, and are any of us really ready to start that love triangle again?" she tried to make light of it.
Haley smiled sadly, "did it ever truly end?" she shifted in her seat, "can we even call what they had a real marriage, you of all people know why he rushed that wedding"
Brooke shook her head in denial, "he still asked her to marry him in the first place"
An exasperated Haley answered with wide eyes, "Because Lucas is an idiot! I love that boy, I do, but when he's lost he makes rash decisions. Like proposing to the girl he hadn't dated in four years because she said that was her dream. Rash decision! And two seconds later they were pregnant." Haley shook her head a she thought about it, "I'm not going to say Lucas didn't love Peyton in his own way, we all know he does, but that doesn't mean their relationship wasn't a string of bad decisions piled on top of each other in an attempt to make things right, when they were never right in the first place" after her rant Haley took a breath and Brooke stared at her friend shocked.
As Haley's words went around and around in her head Brooke felt a shadow creep over her smile, "you may be right but that doesn't mean I want to be next on the list of rash decisions Lucas Scott makes. I don't want to be the thing he does because he thinks it's the right thing, I want to be the only thing"
Haley wanted to tell Brooke that what she wanted would only happen if she let it, she feared her intervention had done the opposite of what she wanted as Brooke's silly grin was all but gone.
Changing the subject Haley lifted the design in front of her, "I love this piece" and Brooke sighed in relief as Haley let talk of Lucas disappear.
In her head she kept thinking about it, this was what Brooke wanted to avoid by keeping the change in her relationship with Lucas a secret. She didn't know or want to define what they were and Brooke was not ready for the rest of the world to have an opinion on it.
-x-
As soon as he saw her Lucas wanted to throw his arms around Brooke, lift her up and spin her around. They stopped inches from each other instead and simply smiled while their hands burned for contact, the corner of Brooke's lips twitched.
Lucas put all his happiness into greeting Noah, the boy even laughed when Lucas picked him up and talked about how tall he'd grown. A week was a long time to not see your child in person, a lot could change, and all those little things added up and the weeks had gone by too slow for Lucas' liking.
"Okay, sweetie, I will pick you up from school next Friday. Have a good week with your father" Brooke briefly touched Noah's shoulder averting her eyes from Lucas' look of confusion. Noah distracted Lucas with a question and then over his head his parents' eyes met again, Brooke mouthed 'I'll call you later' and sent him a wink. Relief filled Lucas and he winked back, opening the door wider to let his son in.
Noah headed straight to his room and Lucas followed, he watched from the doorway as Noah unpacked his school bag, "what grand adventures shall we have tonight?" Lucas asked casually.
In the process of dropping his books on the desk, Noah looked up with a still face, his brows slightly furrowed. After a second he spoke evenly, "I have homework"
"Oh, would you like some help?" Lucas stepped into the room, his hands swinging in front of him and a smile played on his lips.
With a tilt of his head Noah appeared to give the question fleeting consideration, "No, thank you"
Lucas nodded, he knew when Noah needed his space and so he let his son know he was there if needed and then Lucas left the boy alone.
It was quiet in the house, too quiet for Lucas, he went through his playlist until he found one that he was in the mood for, something deep and slow. Music filled the house, not too loud, and Lucas got out his laptop, with a smile he started typing and the minutes went by, one song turned to another.
Two hours went by almost to the second when Noah appeared, a hesitant smile on his face, "Mom set a new rule"
Lucas closed his laptop, "ah, yes, the two-hour rule", he swung back in his chair and placed his hands behind his head, "what now my young padawan?"
"I am hungry"
"The pizza should be here soon. What if we set a blanket outside and eat under the stars tonight?" Lucas knew even before Noah grinned that his son would like the idea.
The telescope came with them and after they ate, they lay looking up at the night sky, the stars above them, and they caught up on everything they had missed during Lucas' book tour which had been extended after the success of the book.
Eventually they were silent again and Noah sighed, he shifted closer to his father and rested his head against Lucas' shoulder. Lucas smiled as they fell into silence, content in his small pocket of the world.
-x-
Unaccustomed to sleeping in, Brooke had spent her morning going from one task to another, time to herself was not a break for Brooke instead she had to keep herself busy. The quiet was never something Brooke enjoyed, it reminded her too much of her childhood alone in a big house, Brooke went from having Peyton living with her to Sam, and then Noah, and the emptiness of the new house when Noah wasn't home was eerily like her childhood.
Work, like with her time in New York, kept Brooke busy, it afforded her an escape and a focus. So lost in her work, Brooke did not at first hear the doorbell ringing, she checked her phone before she went to answer the door unsure of who it could be.
A delivery man stood with a giant bouquet of chocolate roses and her lips twitched with a smile, something stirred inside her, a familiar feeling from years ago that Brooke had done her best to forget. It was a fluttering of her heart, a gooey softness that brought back memories of love letters.
With the roses in hand Brooke closed the door and slouched against her, her lip between her teeth as she opened the card.
Something like flowers. Impatiently yours, L
Brooke sighed and went straight to her phone, he picked up on the second ring, "you sent me flowers" though Brooke tried to sound serious he could hear the smile across the line.
"No, as I explicitly pointed out in the note, I did not, it's something like flowers" he whispered the last bit.
As she talked Brooke walked through her home, "where are you?"
"Noah and I are picking up groceries and supply for the grand science experiment" he chuckled at the end
"What is he roping you into?"
"Don't worry, I'm ninety nine percent sure it's legal" he quickly lowered his voice, "anyway, I was wondering if you still have no plans tonight?"
"Well since we talked this morning… no"
"Haley has offered to have Noah for dinner after his music lesson so I was thinking…" Lucas drawled off.
"Uh-huh, you were thinking"
"I could pick you up at six?"
Brooke paused, she had an urge to curl the phone's cord around her fingers though she was no longer a teenager and there was no cord to distract her restless fingers.
Into the silence Lucas rushed out, "if it's too-"
"Five is good" Brooke quickly let it out and closed her eyes, "what do you have planned?"
"Oh, Miss Davis" his voice was low, "I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise"
"Or you have no idea yet" Brooke grinned.
"Ye of little faith. I will see you at five"
"What should I wear?"
"Anything, nothing, whatever you want"
In the background Brooke heard Noah's voice coming closer, she farewelled Lucas and hung up before her nerves got the best of her.
For a second Brooke eyed the bouquet and then she unwrapped a foil rose and bit into the chocolate, what the hell am I going to wear?
Hours later Brooke was still filled with nerves, she walked back and forth in front of her mirror, her mind going crazy, "am I crazy for even thinking about this let alone… god, Brooke, it's been eight years, you're a mom, he's still technically married, this is crazy" Brooke paused.
"But what's wrong with at least trying?" she made a squeal, "he makes me happy, that's got to count for something. Third times the charm, right?" Brooke looked at herself in the mirror, her face was flushed, her pupils dilated and Brooke couldn't tell if she looked scared or excited. Or both. Her shoulders slouched, "this is a disaster!"
With a huff Brooke quickly changed, and then changed again and then spent twenty minutes on her hair before starting over again until it fell loose in soft waves.
The doorbell rang five minutes early and Brooke froze, she gave herself one last look over and took a deep breath.
Everything inside Lucas was brimming with anticipation, he wanted to see Brooke smile and he wanted to be the person who put that beautiful smile on her face. Lucas was aware he'd been the reason for too many of Brooke's tears, it was his desire to make up for each tear she ever cried with moment after moment of happiness.
Even standing alone outside her house Lucas couldn't help but smile and when the door opened and Brooke stood there, a nervous smile on her face, Lucas felt his breath suck in and his lips formed an o.
"Wow, you look amazing" he managed eventually, "beyond amazing"
"Is this alright?" Brooke smoothed her hands over her tight dress, the deep red skirt hugged her figure to midthigh before exposing her legs.
Lucas let his eyes roam her, "yes" he nodded, "yes" and then he lifted his hands, "these are for you"
"Real flowers?" Brooke kinked her brow, though her tone was disapproving Brooke took the flowers on offer and buried her nose into the Gerber daisies, hiding a smile, "thank you, Luke, they're my favourite"
"I do know a few things about you, Brooke Davis" and he held out his hand.
With her free hand Brooke took his, the moment they touch energy zinged between them and Lucas felt something shift inside him, fitting back into place, and his smile grew wider.
-x-
The blindfold might have been a bit too much yet Brooke was secretly thrilled, the darkness of the unknown was a comfort, turning her nerves to excitement. It was silly and romantic, and held echoes of their long history yet instead of scaring Brooke it comforted her, because the good times between them had always been more and she was lost in those joyful emotions where doubt and fear were smothered.
Lucas' hand steadied her steps, and then the rough ground turned soft and Brooke's heels sank, Brooke began to trip, the air escaping her lungs in a rough huff as the floor seemed to melt beneath her. As Lucas grabbed her by the waist Brooke chuckled, "I might be regretting the stilettos"
"One second" Lucas replied and then his hands were gone and Brooke felt uncomfortably lost for the briefest moment before his touch was back and before she knew it Brooke's legs were swept out from beneath her and she found herself being lifted into the air and against Lucas' chest, one of his arms held her under her knees and the other supporting her back.
Instinct had Brooke wrap her arms around his neck and she clung to him as Lucas continued walking, "where are you taking me, Lucas Scott?"
His smile touched the side of her face and Brooke sighed, her body sank further into his hold, her trust that she was safe with him grew with each step he took.
Lucas carefully lowered Brooke back into a standing position and as her heels sank again Brooke recognised that she was standing in sand, and behind her Lucas untied the blindfold and darkness was replaced with the flickering scene that awaited them.
A lone cabana stood on the beach, metres from where the tide quietly swept in and out, lanterns flickered lighting up the area, and a bonfire burned between the water and cabana.
"Is this okay?"
Brooke remained silent as she looked over the scene, her mouth parting as her heart skipped a beat, she finally took a step forward, "I feel slightly overdressed" Brooke whispered.
He shook his head and Lucas grabbed for her hand, her eyes turned to meet his, "you look perfect"
Even as she smiled Brooke rolled her eyes and using the hand he held for balance Brooke lifted one foot at a time and removed her stilettos, she left them on the sand and turned to face Lucas, after she grabbed his other hand "no, this is perfect, all of it" and she started to walk backwards leading Lucas to the table under the cabana, "how did you even do all this?"
"I got some of the Ravens to help me set it up. I know you want to keep this quiet and if I'd taken you out anywhere the news would be all over town and eventually the tabloids but I didn't just want to take you to my place" he shrugged a shoulder, "I wanted to make this special"
"You succeeded" she stopped as they reached the cabana, her chin lifted so she was could look him in the eyes as she sunk barefoot into the surprisingly warm sand.
Lucas could not resist his urges for a second longer, he leant down and gently kissed her on the lips, his hands tangled behind her back as hers curled around his neck and their bodies moved closer together, the soft kiss turned more passionate.
It remained a kiss, Lucas rested his forehead against hers as the kiss came to its natural end, "perfect" he whispered. Lucas planted a kiss on her brow and tangled his fingers with hers, "may I have the honour of watching the sunset by your side"
"I guess it's too late to say no" she grinned and their hips brushed against each other as the made the final short distance to the table that was set up. Lucas let go of Brooke to pull out her chair and then her reached for the wine glasses and poured them each a drink.
Brooke accepted the glass and took a sip, she watched Lucas sit down and he looked at her with a smile in his eyes and Brooke lost her ability to speak. They had talked for hours on the phone for weeks, sometimes falling asleep with it still at their ears and now sitting across from him Brooke could not think of one thing to say to Lucas.
As they finished the first serve of wine Lucas smiled at Brooke and asked about her conference call earlier in the day, and even though she knew he had no interest in fashion Brooke appreciated that Lucas always listened and paid attention, and soon their conversation flowed from subject to subject and they laughed even when they disagreed. The worry left Brooke, for even in their silences his eyes spoke volumes to her.
-x-
The phone beeped again and Lucas smiled as he typed a reply, "another delivery?" Brooke asked, she kinked her brow as her interest grew, "dessert perhaps?"
"Haley" Lucas answered, "she wanted to know if it was alright if she put a movie on for the boys or if I'll be grabbing Noah soon"
"What did you tell her?"
"To go for it" and he looked at his phone again, his eyes narrowed, "looks like your dessert is here though" Lucas jumped up from behind Brooke, brushing his lips against hers before beginning another job back to the carpark.
Brooke laughed as she watched him run, he's long abandoned his own shoes and socks, his jacket had become another blanket for under them, and Brooke shifted backwards, grabbing a few cushions to replace Lucas' body which she'd been resting against.
She sighed, at peace, the night sky twinkled with stars, the smell of burning wood and the heat from the bonfire made everything even more inviting, the sound of the gentle waves all that could be heard other than the music Lucas had playing. They had turned it down long ago, so quiet the words were indistinguishable if you could not recognise the song.
They weren't too far away from the closest store or house, though civilisation seemed miles away on the isolated beach shielded by dunes. Brooke could pretend it was just the two of them, the rest of the world did not exist in these hours.
Soon Lucas returned, this time his pace was more careful, a large rectangle box in his hand, as he got closer Brooke rolled over onto her stomach, "is that Krispy Creme's?"
"Yes" he kneeled by her side, "I was hoping for something grander"
"You know I love these" she bit her lip. "You pick for me!" it was an old game between them, whether it was a box of chocolates or a dessert off a menu, she always couldn't decide what to choose and they'd end up choosing for each other.
"Okay" Lucas opened the box and surveyed the options, "this ones new" he lifted the donut up and started to bring it to Brooke's mouth but at the last second he quickly pulled it back and took a bite himself, "oh this good" he moaned as he licked him lips.
"Hey" Brooke sat up and Lucas took another bite before lifting it to Brooke's mouth, she took a bite and his grip slackened as she took the donut form his hand. Lucas watched Brooke finish it, she licked her lips and fingers and he began to drool unsure if it was for the sweet dessert or for something else.
Her hazel eyes roamed the box and Lucas watched her eyes twinkle as she stopped above a particular donut, Brooke looked up at him through her lashes and then with a smile chose a different one and he knew she'd contemplated giving him the caramel one knowing he hated it.
"You like?" she asked as he tried the one she had given him, and Lucas nodded, then Brooke leant forward and took a bite even as he held it. She pulled back with a giggle, "you owed me" Brooke spoke her mouth still full, cream on her lips.
They ate another one each, picking for one another, before they licked the leftovers from each other's lips, the sugar adding something else to their kisses.
Brooke held Lucas' face between her fingers as she lifted her head, her body splayed above his, "are we expecting any more deliveries?"
"No"
Silent Brooke stood, she began to walk backwards and Lucas' eyes followed her, she stopped just pass the bonfire, it's light danced across her figure.
"It's a shame you didn't tell me we were coming to the beach; I would have brought a swim suit" and as her words finished Brooke tugged her dresses zip down.
Lucas gulped, "yeah" he croaked.
"It's a nice night for a swim" the dress pooled to her feet, and the shadow of the flames flickered against the sudden expanse of bare flesh on show. Lucas began to stand. Brooke smiled and hooked her fingers into the thin scrap of underwear that was the only thing she now wore and then she turned her back on him and they too fell to the sand.
With a little jump Brooke started to run naked to the waiting ocean, "you gonna join me or just watch?" Brooke called behind her as she ran closer to the water, her feet meet the foam of the breaking waves and she laughed, her head falling back.
Once again Brooke's feet suddenly went from under her and Lucas was carrying her deeper in until he was waist deep.
"That was fast!" Brooke made her more comfortable in his arms, their naked bodies bobbing in the water.
Lucas smirked, "I had good motivation"
With a quick move Brooke gave him a peck on the lips before pushing away and swimming a few feet away, Lucas quickly walked through the water after her.
A wave knocked into them, soaking them, Brooke wiped the water from her eyes and started to tread water as Lucas came closer, he pulled her into his armed, lifting her up and bringing them both under the water. Their heads came back up and with a loud laugh Brooke splashed Lucas before going after him.
Lucas didn't get far before she climbed onto his back, her legs wrapping around his back, Lucas shook his head and resat her on his shoulders, he stood to his full height, his chest free from the water and he walked them deeper along the beach closer to the bonfire, soon his shoulders lapping at the water and Brooke gave a squeal as another small wave came crashing towards them.
They fell backwards, riding the wave back together until they were knee deep, and Lucas pulled her closer, kissing Brooke again. This time the sweetness from dessert mixed with the salt from the sea. Brooke licked his bottom lip as she pulled away from the kiss, her eyes closed, and she opened them to find him looking at her as she savoured the taste.
With a wink she turned and began to run down the shoreline, the water bringing her down so Brooke ran back to the sand, her feet were being kissed by the water as Lucas caught up, he grabbed her by the waist spinning Brooke in the air around him. They both laughed before falling to the wet sand Brooke landing on top of him, her lips finding his with the laughter still bubbling from their chest.
The laughter stopped, replaced by other emotions as the kiss lingered, their hands exploring. And under the stars where they might have well been alone in the world, they gave themselves to each other with a lightness neither had felt in a long time.
-x-
For the tenth time Lucas pulled Brooke back to him kissing her again, they were in his car parked outside her house as they had been for over fifteen minutes.
"I really should go"
"Or you could stay" he mumbled against her lips as they kissed again.
Brooke's hand went to his chest and pushed herself away, "I can't, you need to go pick up our son"
"Come to my place" he begged her, his eyes searching hers, "later after Noah's asleep, you can sneak in like back in high school" he was serious though his eyes shone with mirth.
Brooke winced, "as tempting as that sounds it's not a good idea"
"I don't know, I think it's the best idea I've had in years"
"Well that's not hard with your track record" she laughed at him and covered his mouth with one hand as she opened the door with the other, "I will see you soon" she removed her hand and kissed him one more time, "I promise" she whispered as she pulled back, sliding out of the car.
"In our dreams"
"God, you're so conceited" she shook her head with a laugh and shut the door, "go pick up our son before he thinks you forgot about him"
Lucas smiled, "as you wish" and he started the engine, "I'll call you later".
Alone Brooke stood in the same spot watching Lucas drive away until his lights switched off, she finally gave a content sigh and turned towards the door, only just realising her shoes were still on the floor by Lucas' passenger seat.
Lucas had turned into Nathan and Haley's driveway and switched off his car, he looked back towards the porchlight in the distance that he knew was Brooke's house and he sat until he saw a light inside turn on and with a smile he got out of the car.
When Haley opened the door, she gave Lucas a strange look, "did you go swimming?"
"I went for a run by the beach"
"And fell in?" she scoffed, "you know shark attacks happen more at dusk and dawn" she stated as he walked inside.
"I'll remember that"
"Gee's you had time to change clothes but not shower, you reek" Haley stepped away from Lucas, her voice rose as she turned away from her friend, "NOAH, YOUR DAD IS HERE!"
Lucas ruffled Noah's hair when he got close, the boy inly showing the slightest amount of mild annoyance while Jamie hit his uncle's legs with his full force, "Uncle Luke!"
"Hi, Jimmy Jam, you look way too wide awake"
"Mom let us have ice cream" Jamie grinned.
Lucas lifted his brow at Haley, "thanks Hales"
"Oh, you have nothing to worry about, Noah had one scoop unlike my sugar monster" and she tickled Jamie as she said it.
"Thank you, Aunt Haley" Noah said once the laughter had stopped, "Night, Jamie"
The cousins looked at each other and then Jamie lifted his fist, Noah waited a moment then bumped it with his own fist. Jamie stepped back against his mother, "see ya, Cous"
"Thanks again, Hales" Lucas added on, he touched Noah's shoulder and motioned him towards the door, "I better get this one home and to bed. Good night, guys"
Haley and Jamie followed them back towards the entrance and waited in the open doorway as Lucas and Noah left.
While he drove Lucas noticed Noah looking around in the back seat, slight confusion creating a crease between his eyes, "you alright, buddy"
Noah met his father's eyes in the rear-view mirror, "did you see Mom?"
"What?" Lucas almost choked, "No, why?" he looked back to the road.
After a minute Noah shrugged his shoulders, he stopped looking around and his nose twitched, Lucas caught a glimpse of his son sniffing the air and he realised he was not the only person who could recognise the lingering smell of Brooke's favourite perfume.
-x-
The soft sound of Noah's snores had Luca smile, he pulled the book form his son's grip, placing the bookmark in place and leaving it on the bedside table. Before he left the room, Lucas switched the light off and closed the door, and sent his son a silent good night.
Lucas had felt the time ticking and knew it was getting closer to the time of night he and Brooke would call each other. It had become habit; one Lucas was fast becoming dependent on for a good night's rest.
In bed Lucas got comfortable and reached for his phone, a sound had Lucas stop and he slipped back out of bed with a smile and hope.
He had left the phone on his pillow, wearing only his boxer shorts Lucas headed for the front door, he'd left the living room light on and it lit up the hallway and entrance.
The knock came again, quiet and hesitant, Lucas wanted to laugh, "I didn't thi-" he opened the door.
She stood there, ripped jeans and leather jacket, her shorter, straighter and blonder than Lucas remembered, and his smile dropped.
"Hi, Luke" Peyton gave a sure smile as she went to step forward, Lucas lifted his arm to block her way, she looked at it and straightened her back, "we can do this out here or you can let me in"
"What are you doing here?" Lucas said instead.
Peyton smiled, "Tree Hill is home, isn't that what you told me" and she pushed her way pass him.
"Don't wake Noah"
"Sure" Peyton span around, "I didn't expect to just move right on back in so you don't have to give me that look. I came by earlier and you weren't home, I saw you return with the kid and thought I'd wait until his light was off" she gave a little spin around the room, taking in the small changes since she'd left, and then her eyes raked Lucas, she gave a sad smile, "you look… better"
"Yeah" Lucas didn't know what to say, his hand rubbed the back of his neck. Anger was his first emotion, not just because of everything that had happened but at Peyton's sudden reappearance. Lucas wanted to shout everything he hadn't been able to before but he couldn't, it was the look on her face that stopped Lucas.
Peyton might look more refreshed however the look in her eyes, the tightness of her face, still remained. Lucas did not have it in him to yell at Peyton who after over a year still wore the same overwhelming sadness in her eyes held by a pain and desperation.
This was at core the same broken woman who had wanted to run away.
Instead Lucas looked away, "I'll check on Noah and change. Meet you in the kitchen".
It was close to ten minutes before Lucas went in search for his errant wife, he'd dragged every minute out as much as he could, and found Peyton leaning against the counter, the box of left-over Krispy Crème's open.
"I hope you don't mind; I haven't eaten since… yesterday" she gave an awkward nervous laugh and Lucas looked down at the box. There had been five donuts in there and now only one remained, a lone caramel.
For some reason Lucas couldn't take his eyes away from it, he remained silent, his eyes digging into the box while Peyton began to pace the room.
Eventually she stopped and broke the tense silence, "aren't you going to say anything?"
Lucas lifted his eyes too her, his jaw hard, "what would you like me to say?"
"I don't know, Luke" she narrowed her green eyes, "maybe hello, a how are you, or it's good to see you… some sort of flicker that you're glad I'm alive"
"Your father let me know that last one" Lucas folded his arms, "seeing you left and changed your number. Made it pretty clear you didn't care about having a conversation with me anytime soon"
She gave a nod, and Lucas softened.
"For what it's worth, I am glad you're okay and I hope you found even the smallest amount of peace out there that you couldn't here"
Peyton lowered her eyes, when she looked back at Lucas her eyes were slightly wet, "it seems to hurt no matter where I am"
"Is that why you're back?"
Peyton shook her head, "No" her chin lifted, "I got your letter"
Lucas had written a few letters for Peyton since she'd left, all given to Larry hoping one day the father would pass them to his rolling stone daughter, so Lucas narrowed his eyes in confusion.
"The divorce papers. You didn't waste time" she scoffed, and then as he remained silent, she continued sadly "I came home for my marriage"
And the emotions Lucas had been trying to hold in bubbled to the service and unable to control him Lucas let out a hard laugh, despite the pain it caused in Peyton's eyes, perhaps because of it, Lucas let out another laugh and his eyes fell to that lone donut and he laughed even harder.
In the master bedroom a phone rang unheard, the music grew quiet and then stopped, a light flashed as elsewhere in the house the laughter began to recede.
-x-