"Can I tell you something?"

"Of course."

"You sure?"

"Sure I'm sure. You can tell me anything, Brooke. What's on your mind?"

She sighed as she looked in her boyfriend's eyes. They were in one of the private fitting rooms of Mark Bauer, the designer Brooke had chosen to outfit her for the Emmy awards.

"What would you say if I told you I was thinking about quitting Guiding Light?"

Lucas took a deep breath, studying the serious yet nervous expression on his face, eager for approval and advice.

"I'd ask if that's what you really want."

"Yeah…I think it is."

"Can I ask why?"

"Guiding Light was my first real acting job. And it was exciting and I loved it…I know things got messed up because of Felix but also because of me too, Luke. I have to be adult enough to accept responsibility for my own mistakes. I know I brought a lot of this on myself but I was really sorry for what happened. In the back of my mind I was hoping and praying that somehow it would all just get better. I guess that's not gonna happen. Sometimes you don't get second chances or takebacks. I made my bed and now I have to lie in it. There's nothing there for me anymore. I've been holding on for so long afraid to let go but looking back, I mean, what the hell was I trying to save? You think that's stupid?"

"No", he shrugged. "I think that's what is in your heart. Brooke, you have to do what's right for you to make yourself happy. I'll always support you no matter what, okay?"

She smiled as she hugged him and briefly kissed his lips.

"Thanks, Boyfriend. I knew you'd somehow understand. You're the best, you know that?"

"So…what are you going to do now?"

"I don't know. I've been thinking about it. I mean, as long as I can remember, I've always wanted to act and model and just be famous. It made me happy…or at least I thought it did. But after meeting you…Lucas, you have shown me like this whole other incredible side of life that I never knew existed. When we're together at the beach or eating pizza in your dorm or just hanging out in Tree Hill, I am so happy. I realize I don't need designer clothes and parties and fancy premieres."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying, what would you say if I came down to North Carolina for a while, you know, like full time?"

"Like living together?"

"Yeah…I guess. Something like that."

Lucas thought for a minute. He had never lived with a girlfriend. It would be different and maybe even a little weird. What if they got on each other's nerves? Then a smile spread across his face. He had never had a girlfriend like Brooke before. He loved her more than anything. He looked forward to his trips to New York and Brooke's visits to North Carolina. When they were together, it was bliss. When they were apart, his heart literally ached.

"Brooke, North Carolina is not New York. Winston Salem and definitely not Tree Hill, is that exciting. Are you gonna be okay? I mean, won't you get bored?"

"No. No, I won't, Luke. I'm looking forward to a change, to settling down. Besides, as long as I'm with you, I know everything is going to be great."

Lucas smiled at the last part of her sentence. Nothing mattered more to him than being with Brooke.

"Okay", he shrugged.

"Okay? You mean it?"

"Yeah. Why not?"

Brooke couldn't contain her excitement.

"Do you have any idea how much fun we're gonna have together? We're gonna get this fabulous apartment with a killer view and I am going to decorate with art and furniture and…"

"Whoa, babe", Lucas chuckled. "Champagne tastes on a beer budget?"

"We'll make do. Just think about it, babe. Can you see the color schemes I have planned?"

"Color schemes, Brooke?"

"Oh yeah. This is going to be so fun! I can't wait! Can we get a dog, Luke?"

Lucas nodded. He loved dogs.

"Sure. Why not?"

"Awesome! What about a Yorkie? Or maybe a Maltese? Wait, I know, a poodle! But Shi-Tzu's are so adorable!"

"No, no, no and hell no!"

"Lucas!"

"What? You said a dog. Dogs are Pit Bulls and German Shepherds and Rottweilers and Black Labs. That's a real dog, not some yappy little thing you can fit in your purse."

"Who said anything about putting it in my purse?"

"Brooke, I know you. That poor thing would be wearing little pink tee shirts and bandanas and doggie slippers and all that other crap."

Brooke put her hands on her hips and pretended to be angry but it lasted all of ten seconds. She couldn't be mad and he knew her all too well.

"I hadn't thought of doggie slippers but that's a pretty cool idea."

He grinned as he kissed her nose and her lips. Brooke closed her eyes as she got comfortable in his lap. Then Mark's assistant entered the room again, with a rolling rack of beautiful gowns. The Emmys were much more formal than the Soap Opera Digest Awards and the formal attire definitely was of the "dress to impress" mode.

"Miss Davis, feel free to take your time, look around, try on anything you'd like and…"

Brooke stood, her eyes fixated on a satiny light ice blue gown that hung in the back. She picked it up and held it against her frame. Without even trying it completely on, she already knew it was a perfect fit. She adored the material and the design, the thick straps led to a backless presentation. She even knew her boobs would look fabulous. With the right accessories, it would perfect. Sexy and sassy, but not over the top of slutty. At first sight, Brooke Davis knew she had been worn to wear that dress.

"Lucas, what do you think?"

"I think it looks incredible and I think you'll look incredible in it."

"Fine. It's settled then. This is the one. Now we just have to head over to Armani and get you fitted for a suit. Maybe an ice blue or silver tie…"

"Brooke, I cannot afford Armani."

"Relax. It'll be on loan. That's how these things worked. With our pictures being in all the magazines, it's free publicity for the designer."

"Oh. Well who said I was going to be your date anyway? I mean, that's quite presumptuous of you, Miss Davis", Lucas teased.

"With all the diamonds and fancy dresses in the world, there is no way I would or could be on that red carpet without you, babe. I love you."

"I love you, too. Then to Armani it is, then. Let's just hope our friend Felix won't be attending the Emmys."

"He won't be making any more trouble, trust me. But who cares about him? I refuse to let him ruin my night. It's my last evening of glitz and glam and I'm gonna go out with a big bang. After that, it's off to being a normal girl, leading a quiet, normal life. From now on, babe, it's just you and me."