Lucas had emphasized the word "small" but he may as well have bee talking to himself. When would he learn such a word did not exist when it came to his engagement and pending nuptials? With families, friends, co-workers and neighbors alike, the number of guests simply kept growing. Karen had graciously thrown Brooke an intimate bridal shower at the café and not to be outdone, Dan and Deb had responded with a gala engagement party at their home.
No expense had been spared. Deb had hired a professional designer to assist with the decorations and a catering staff was on hand to serve the delicious menu of Leek Soup, Mushroom-Hazelnut Salad, Parisian Potatoes, Roasted Rack of Lamb and a Chocolate Kahlua Tortoni for dessert. From the open bar, only the finest and most expensive wines, champagnes and imported mineral waters flowed.
After dinner, the guests mingled as Brooke found a minute to slip away. Like a cancer, the tape had been eating away at her. She hadn't watched it yet but she felt she had to before she destroyed it. Making her way unnoticed to the master bedroom, Brooke closed the door behind her. Everyone was in the kitchen and living room area having a blast so Brooke knew she had a few minutes of privacy before someone would miss her. She reached deep inside her bag and grabbed the video, holding it in her hands as she debated whether or not to view it. She really didn't want to know but human curiosity is a powerful element. Brooke popped it in and killed the volume.
Part of her hoped it had all been a farce, another one of Felix's scams but time stood still as Brooke watched herself with a man in the most intimate of moments. She thought about what an asshole he was and how he had treated her after all she had done for him. Brooke watched the screen as his hands roamed over her body. She didn't know what sickened her more, the fact that she had done it or the fact that she had enjoyed it at the time. How dare that son of a bitch record them having sex without my knowledge or consent. The whole scene was turning her stomach so much so that she didn't even hear the footsteps coming towards the room. As the door opened, Brooke had just enough time to stop the tape.
"Brooke", Dan smiled. There you are. People were starting to ask about the beautiful bride to be. Is everything okay?"
"Uh…yeah, um, I, I'm…fine."
"What were you watching?"
"Nothing important", Brooke fake smiled, quickly ejecting the tape from the VCR. "The executive producers are flying up from Los Angeles tomorrow and the director couldn't figure out which take of a scene he wanted to use. You know me, I'm a total workaholic. I've been thinking about it all day and I couldn't resist watching a little bit of it. I didn't mean to be rude to our guests or to just barge up here to you and Deb's bedroom…"
"It's perfectly alright", he grinned, taking a sip of watered down whiskey. "Mi casa, su casa. And a little hard work never hurt anybody, did it?"
"No", she laughed nervously. "I guess it didn't."
"Allow me, my lady…"
Dan extended his arm and Brooke took it allowing her future father in law to escort her back to the festivities. Burying the tape further towards the bottom of her bag, Brooke opened a nearby broom closet and placed the purse on a lower shelf.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I have found the runaway bride and now it is my duty as proud papa of the future groom to offer a toast. Please join me…"
Karen rolled her eyes and Keith smiled as she filled her glass with straight Scotch and he sipped ginger ale. Dan, commanding attention, just the way he liked, raised his glass and looked directly and lovingly at his son and Brooke.
"To my oldest son, Lucas and my very beautiful future daughter in law, Brooke Davis. I just wanted to share with you what I have learned as the two secrets of a long lasting and happy marriage...a good sense of humor and a short memory!"
The guests, including Lucas and Brooke laughed at Dan's funny one liner beginning.
"Just kidding, Deb. But seriously, folks…Luke and Brooke, may the joys you share today be the beginning of a lifetime of great happiness and fulfillment. Here's to you, son…may you never forget what is worth remembering or remember what is best forgotten. And here is to the lovely bride…Brooke, may you share everything with your new husband...and that includes the housework."
Everyone clapped and cheered and Dan hugged both of them. Brooke couldn't help but feel uneasy after hearing the line about sharing everything.
"You okay?" Lucas asked, rubbing her arms.
"Yeah."
"Come on", he beckoned. "Let's get a little air."
They walked outside hand in hand.
"This is really nice what Dan and Deb did for us today."
"I know. I can hardly believe it myself. I mean, after all he is still Dan Scott and I know a little bit of this has to do with him showing off for the community and also trying to one up Mom for your shower but…I don't know. I guess the guy has changed. Maybe he is happy for us after all."
"People do change", she said softly.
"Yeah…they do."
"I love you, Lucas. I just wanted to say it out loud, to let you hear it at this one moment."
"I love you, too", he smiled. "Tonight, right here, right now is the beginning of the rest of our lives together."
He leaned in for a lingering and sweet kiss on his fiancée's soft and luscious glossed lips. As always, Brooke practically melted in his embrace. They were the picture of sweet and perfection. From a nearby window, Dan watched them vigilantly, whiskey in hand as always. He knew he was a lucky man. Despite his shortcomings and dastardly deeds of the past, he was lucky to still have Deb in his life and the love of his two sons. Although he was by no means a Haley fan, it was apparent she wasn't going anywhere anytime soon and after all, she had given him a beautiful grandchild. Now Lucas was marrying Brooke. Pretty, popular, rich, famous Brooke Davis. What future father in law wouldn't be thrilled? Dan smiled. Brooke was a good girl and he was genuinely happy for both of them. But good girls weren't perfect. Hell, no one was. He certainly wasn't. Everybody had a past, secrets…lies. It appeared Miss Brooke had a skeleton or two on her own closet.
Walking to the living room, Dan opened the entertainment center door and pulled out a blank video tape. Keeping both eyes on all directions, he quickly opened the door to the closet where Brooke had left her purse and with speed and expertise, in a flash he had managed to switch the tapes. Satisfied with himself, he slid it inside his jacket before returning to the party.
"Danny?" Mae Scott, mother of Dan and Keith, grandmother to Lucas and Nathan, came up to her youngest son. "What a lovely party you and Deb put together."
"Nothing but the best, Mom."
"Nathan has Haley and their beautiful daughter, now Lucas is going to marry Brooke. How wonderful. Brooke is such a sweet girl, so…intriguing is she."
"Intriguing", Dan nodded with a smirk and another sip. "I'd say she is, Mom. Oh yes. I'd say things were just starting to get interesting.
