Brooke sat in a red silk robe, staring at her flawless reflection in the vanity mirror. Her hair and make up had never looked better. She was truly beautiful. The only thing missing was that gorgeous ivory designer gown that was a few feet away.
The day had finally come. It was her wedding day, the day she had dreamt of, the day she was to pledge her eternal love to Lucas. Love was everlasting. It was beautiful. It was happiness. It was a bond to strong to break. It was truth.
Brooke tearfully closed her eyes. Her heart was breaking. She needed to tell the truth. She needed to confess the sins of her past to Lucas. She should have done it a long time ago but she didn't. She couldn't. Now she was moments away from marrying the love of her life.
With Lucas, Brooke saw a long, bright future. She envisioned happiness and unconditional love. He was the love of her life, the man of her dreams. She knew who he was inside and out and he thought he knew her as well. But he didn't. He didn't because she hadn't been honest. Brooke Davis was an impostor. She couldn't go through with it. There was no way she could marry Lucas.
Wiping her eyes, she slipped on a pair of jeans and a shirt. There was stationary and she picked up a pen attempting to leave Lucas a note. But she stopped. What could she say? How heartless of a "Dear John" letter would it turn out to be? "Sorry, I lied and I'm not the wonderful girl you think I am so I'm ditching you at the altar and humiliating you in front of everyone". Brooke sighed. There were no easy ways out. Grabbing the keys to her car, she gave the room one last look before praying to God to grant Lucas understanding and the ability to forgive her.
"Well, well, well. Nice day for a wedding. You going somewhere?"
"Dan!" Brooke exclaimed, shocked to be running into him.
"The altar is that way and I know brides are supposed to wear white but I thought it was a frilly gown as opposed to a tee shirt."
"I can't", she said softly.
"Excuse me?"
"I can't marry, Lucas. I'm sorry."
"Brooke…"
"No. I have to leave. Please Dan just let me go. Tell Lucas that I'm sorry and that I love him very much. Tell him one day maybe I'll be able to explain why."
Dan smiled.
"Explain, huh? Now what on earth would you have to explain? Hhhhmmm…let's see. Could it be…oh, I don't know. Maybe that unfortunate little porno tape you made in Vegas with your ex manager?"
Brooke stopped dead in her tracks as she felt her blood run cold.
"What?"
"Oh don't even do it", Dan laughed. "Don't you dare act for me, Miss Emmy. I saw your little performance. And nice work by the way although I would tone it down on the moaning just a little bit. Sort of becomes annoying to the ears after a while."
"You! It was you all along! You stole my tape?"
"Steal is such a harsh word and after all it was my house and technically possession in nine tenths the law but…"
"But you watched me put it in my purse and hide my purse in a closet."
"Yes."
"Then you snuck back in the closet, rummaged through my pocketbook, stole my tape and replaced it with a blank one to cover your tracks."
"Yes."
"You are sick. You know that. You're really evil."
"Thanks", he smiled.
"And you had the nerve to watch it?"
"That's what you were doing when I caught you in my room."
"Yeah but that's different."
"Different, huh?"
Brooke fought back tears of humiliation.
"Not that it matters and not that I care what you think and not that I owe you an explanation, but that wasn't my fault. I didn't know I was being filmed."
"Obviously."
"I thought I loved Felix…and I thought he cared about me. It was a mistake. I didn't know there was a tape until he blackmailed me a few months ago. I was going to tell Lucas. I should have told Lucas but I didn't. I was scared and embarrassed. So I paid Felix off and prayed there were no other copies and I meant to destroy it but it looks like you got your grubby little paws on it first."
"Finder's keepers…" Dan shrugged.
"I didn't do anything wrong. You probably don't believe that. But I love Lucas and I never want to hurt him. I don't want to disappoint him either. I've made a lot of mistakes in the past, Dan. Sometimes because of other people but a lot of times because of me. I wasn't a very good person and I wasn't in a great spot in my life when Luke came along but thank God he did. I fell in love with him and it changed me. He changed my life for the better. And now I've messed it all up."
"You could say that…"
"Fine. Whatever. Do what you want. Call a press conference or sell it on the Net, I don't care. Just don't hurt Lucas. He doesn't deserve it."
Brooke brushed passed him to the nearest exit. Laughing haughtily, Dan clapped his hands.
"Wow! Drama queen! Now I know why you won the Emmy. Listen, I knew all of that already."
"What?"
"Felix blackmailing you, all of it…"
"Wait. How did you…"
"Money talks and bullshit walks. I have my ways. I have connections, Brooke. Let's just say I did a little investigating. Seems like Felix Domingo is quite the scoundrel. Did you know there was several more copies of the infamous tape?"
"What?" Brooke gasped. "That bastard!"
"Oh yeah."
"I can't believe this…"
"Believe it."
"What…Dan, what are you going to do?"
He rubbed his chin for a moment and smirked before answering.
"Nothing."
"Nothing? What? I don't understand…"
"Follow me."
Dan led Brooke to another room of the church where there was a fire place.
"See this? This is the last copy of that tape."
"But you said…"
"Let's just say Mr. Domingo won't be bothering you anymore. He has been taken care of, so to speak. Those copies have been destroyed and will never see the light of day."
"But…"
"Oh and I almost forgot. Here", he said, handing her a cashier's check for 25 grand.
"What's this?"
"Let's just call it a refund from Felix."
Dan made a small fire and handed Brooke the tape.
"Go ahead", he grinned, handing it to her.
With shaking hands, Brooke tossed it into the fire. Silently but together they watched it burn.
"I…I don't understand. Why did you do all that?"
"Brooke, you're not the only one who has made mistakes. And you're not the only one who has changed. Getting to know Lucas made my life better as well. He's my son and I love him. And he loves you. Revealing this little scandal would do nothing but hurt him and aggravate matters more."
"So what do I have to do for you?"
"Tempting but…nothing."
"I don't get it. What do you get out of this?"
"A chance to see Lucas have the kind of life and happiness he deserves."
Brooke sighed as she watched him leave.
"Dan, wait!"
"Brooke, I know I said you didn't have to do anything but I was wrong. Do one things and we're even. Marry my son. Make him happy."
With that, he left her stunned and alone. Dan walked down to the front of the church where the guests and wedding party had assembled. Lucas looked nervous but handsome in his tux.
"Thanks for coming, man", Lucas mouthed quietly.
Dan took his seat and nodded. Then the procession began. Flower girls, the ring bearer and the bridesmaids. The only person missing was Brooke. The pianist began the Traditional Bridal March and the guests stood. No Brooke. Lucas' heart pounded. Again. Still no Brooke. He looked to his brother and best man, Nathan, for help. A third time. And then, almost as if she were gliding, Brooke appeared. She walked down the aisle, as pretty as a picture. Tears of pride and joy filled Luke's eyes as he lifted her veil.
Then the preacher began. They prayed, sang hymns and recited vows. Lovingly they placed promise rings of forever on their left hands. Then to the delight and applause of everyone, they were finally declared Mr. and Mrs. Lucas Eugene Scott. Tenderly and passionately, the groom kissed his bride. And all of a sudden, fairytales did exist. There would be a happily ever after.
