Chapter Twenty Six: Forgiveness Is Right Where You Fell

Brooke sat uncomfortably on the large couch as she patiently waited for her mother to arrive. They'd agreed to meet in the lobby of the hotel Brooke was staying in.

Since her parents had sold the New York penthouse apartment Brooke called home for sixteen years, she had no choice but to check into a nearby hotel. Brooke sipped the coke she'd ordered and wondered why her mother was five minutes later.

Brooke contemplated calling Lucas but figured that he'd still be mad at her and decided against it. Brooke looked down at the small gift-wrapped present she'd picked out at a small store a few hours previously.

There was no card, just a tag reading 'happy birthday'. She wasn't even sure how old her father was.

Brooke drummed her fingers idly and caught sight of an older woman with short brown hair enter the hotel. She stiffened as she watched the woman talk to the concierge, who pointed her in Brooke's direction.

Brooke noted the similar hazel brown eyes and sparking white teeth that flashed as she smiled at the concierge. She realized where she got her looks from.

Her mother quickly spotted Brooke and rushed forward, embracing her daughter with an unusual display of affection.

"Sweetheart," she gushed, "You look beautiful." Brooke tried to push aside her initial shock and forced a smile, relaxing into the hug.

"Thanks," she replied, "So do you, Mom." The two at down and Brooke politely asked her mother if she wanted a drink.

"Just a coke, please," she said as Brooke waved over the waiter and placed the order. Once he'd gone, Brooke and her mother were left alone. An awkward lull came over them as both tried to figure out what to say.

"So," her mother began, "Are you doing okay in Tree Hill?"

"Uh, yeah. It's great. Different from New York, but it's great." Brooke replied.

"That's good. And school and cheerleading is good too?" her mother questioned. Brooke was a little surprised that her mother even remembered what Brooke did as an extra-curricular activity – especially since she hadn't even remembered that her birthday was next week.

"Yeah, my GPA is slowly going up and I led my squad to victory at the Classic a few months back," Brooke told her. Her mother beamed proudly.

"Well done," she just as their drinks arrived, "I'm proud of you."

Another first, Brooke thought to herself. Neither of her parents had really shown their pride in their daughter before; unless it was in front of company and they were showing her off to the members of the country club.

"Thank you," Brooke said genuinely meaning it.

"What about Karen and Dan Scott? Are they treating you well? Do you get on with their two boys?"

Brooke contemplated telling her mother that she was dating Lucas, but thought against it. She may not be dating him for very long if he still hadn't forgiven her.

"Everything is great," Brooke replied. Her mother smiled, seemingly satisfied with her daughter's answer.

"I'm glad," her mother took a sip of her coke and Brooke could feel her palms beginning to feel sweaty and sticky.

"So," Brooke began, "When are we going to see Dad?" she asked. Her mother hesitated and bit her lip. Brooke knew what was coming; she always bit her lip when she was nervous or going to confess something.

"About that," her mother tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "I think we should talk before…"

"Why?" Brooke interrupted.

Her mother cleared her throat and faced her daughter, putting her hands in her lap and leaning slightly closer. She seemed to pause to think about what to say and how to say it.

"Your father incurred a lot of debts, that's one of the reasons he dabbled in illegal activity," her mother's voice dropped low to prevent others from overhearing.

"I know," Brooke told her mom, "That's why you sold our penthouse and stopped going on holiday."

Her mother shifted uncomfortably, "Your father needs these debts paid off otherwise this whole family will lose everything. Everything," she emphasized.

Brooke nodded uncertainly, an anxious feeling burrowing at her stomach.

"We asked you here to do us a favor. For the good of the Davis name," her mother licked her lips, "Your grandmother set up a trust fund for you. It's worth… well, a lot of money."

"I know that too," Brooke whispered, her nerves getting the better of her as she slowly began to comprehend what her mother was asking her.

"Brooke, only you have access to that money and we would really appreciate it if you would-" Brooke held up a hand.

"Wait, you made me cancel my plans with my boyfriend so that you could get my money?" Brooke's voice began to rise slightly.

"Honey, calm down, it's not exactly like that," her mother assured.

"That trust fund was set up by Nana Davis for me and me alone. That money is for college and my wedding and my house and anything else I need!" Brooke said.

"Oh, honey, you're not really going to college," her mother laughed slightly. "You were never interested in college."

"Well I am now because I want to go to college and get a good job and make money, instead of doing what you did and marry the first rich guy that came along!"

"Brooke…" her mother warned, casting a wary glance to make sure no-one was looking their way. "Your father and I need that money."

"Why? So you can get dad out of jail and then continue jetting around the world instead of spending time with your daughter?" Brooke asked, "No!"

"Listen, Brooke, I am sorry that you feel like this and I know we've never been the best parents in the world but things will change."

Brooke scoffed, "They won't change, mom, you know that. You'll have three weeks of acting like a happy family before you grow bored and ask Dad to book a 'vacation'. Then we'll go as a family a few times, before you tell me that you and Dad need some time together. And then after that, you'll need 'alone time'. I know how this goes, because I've lived with it for the past sixteen years."

Her mother looked away.

"Nana Davis set that up for me because she knew that you never took care of me, she told me that before she died. She wanted to make sure I'd be okay," Brooke told her mother.

The older Davis sighed, "Brooke, we only need enough to pay the debts off. Then maybe some for a new house."

"And renew your membership at the stupid country club you spent all your time in New York at?" Brooke shook her head.

"Don't you think you owe us something, Brooke? We've supported you your whole life. Paid for your clothes, your car, your education, and your lifestyle. You think we didn't know how many parties you threw? Or how many guys you spent the night with?"

"I'm not like that anymore," Brooke told her, "And yes, I do owe you something."

Her mother glanced up expectantly.

"I have to thank both you and Dad for being such deadbeats that I had to go live with Dan and Karen. Thank you for letting me experience what it's like to have a family dinner, to have some guidance, to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with people who actually care about me," Brooke stood up so she towered over the seated woman, "Thank you for making me realize that there really is more to life than clothes, make-up and being rich. I really appreciate what you've given me. If you want money," Brooke opened up her purse and held out a crisp 10-dollar note. She knew it was mean but she'd endangered her relationship with Lucas over this stupid meeting, "There you go. You can buy a cup of coffee and the latest issue of Vogue. You're wearing last year's colors," Brooke gave her mother a small grin before walking off and into her hotel room.

Brooke literally ran through the corridors of the hotel until she reached her room, Slipping the keycard in to unlock the door, she reached for her cellphone and asked for the number of an airline. As she booked herself on the first available flight back to Tree Hill, she gathered her still-as-unpacked suitcase and other belongings and placed them by the door of her room.

After booking the ticket, she called the front desk to ask if her mother had gone yet, and upon it being confirmed, decided it safe enough to venture out and grab a cab.

As the cab driver helped load her suitcases in the taxi, she dialed Lucas' number, but it went straight to voicemail. She sighed as she waited for the voice message to end and the tone.

"Hey, Lucas. It's me. I'm so sorry about everything, but I'm on my way home. Uh, I hope you get this. My plane will be arriving just before three. I'd really love it if you were there. I love you, bye."

Brooke gave the driver a small smile before sliding into the car. She was on her way home.

-----

"We have a problem," Lucas announced to the 'crisis committee' Peyton so affectionately called it. They faced him in interest. "Brooke's coming home early. She'll be here in a few hours."

He began to pace the room again.

"Okay, Lucas, can you stop with the walking already? You're going to make a hole in my carpet," Haley told him, "Just calm down. Everything will be alright."

"How exactly? You all have been here for thirty minutes already and still haven't come up with a solution and Brooke is coming home at three!" Lucas yelled at the group of four who had assembled.

Peyton's eyes narrowed, "You are aware that you're the one who got yourself into this mess, right? I know I'm only here because I concerned about Brooke's well-being. You can go to hell for all I care," she shot back.

"Easy, Peyton," Jake warned, "Lucas didn't know what he was doing. He was so far out of it he thought I was Brooke. Plus, we don't even know if he even slept with that Sarah girl."

"That doesn't excuse any of his behavior," Haley interrupted, "Cheating is cheating. Whether it's a kiss or the whole nine yards. Whatever Lucas and Sarah did or didn't do isn't going to matter to Brooke. All that will is that Lucas did something with her. Even if it was just a-"

"Well if Brooke hadn't ditched-"

"Hey, if he had been a little more understand-"

Lucas began getting a headache and the fact that all his friends were discussing it as if he wasn't even there was beginning to irritate the hangover that still hadn't completely vanished.

"Guys, just stop it!" he yelled, causing an immediate silence to drop over the room. "I'm standing right here."

"We're just trying to help," Nathan told him.

"Yeah, well let's stop focusing on what happened last night and focus on what's going to happen tonight if I don't come up with an explanation."

There was a brief silence before Nathan spoke, "I might be in the minority here, but maybe it is better if Brooke didn't know."

Everybody stared at him, particularly his wife who demanded an explanation from her husband.

"Well, look," Nathan began, "Lucas made a mistake - a very stupid one - and he had no idea what he was doing anyway. We don't even know for sure what happened in that room. Is it so bad if all of us just keep quiet? What Brooke doesn't know won't hurt her. It's not like he did it intentionally."

There was another silence.

"I agree." Peyton said raising her hand.

"Peyton!" Both Jake and Haley said in surprise. She shrugged, "Brooke is going to be devastated if she found out. Forgive me to try and make her life a little easier. Lucas regrets it, he still wants to be with Brooke. What's the big deal?"

"It's not honest, that's what," Haley said, "Wouldn't you want to know if Jake ever cheated on you? I know I would. Relationships are all based on honesty and I don't think it is right for Lucas to lie."

"It's not lying. It's just not telling her what happened. She doesn't even have to know he went to that party," Nathan said.

"That's not my point, Nathan. It's not just Lucas who is keeping this from her, it's all of us. And I don't want to lie or keep things from her." Haley told the group.

Peyton dipped her head slowly, beginning to agree with Haley, "Yeah, I kind of agree. I don't think I could last five minutes if I kept it from her. But I also don't want to see her hurt."

The discussion lasted a while. People kept changing their opinions and there was never a point where they all agreed. Lucas stood away from the group, preferring to listen rather than partake for fear of making them angrier at him than they already were.

Lucas wondered just what Brooke would do or say if he chose any of the options.

The best case scenario would be for her to understand and forgive him, dismissing it as just a mistake.

The worst case being that she completely cut him out of her life.

But he knew either option would result in Brooke being somewhat angry at him. He would have to brace himself for a long discussion with her.

"I guess it's Lucas' choice," Jake said finally, breaking Lucas out of his reverie.

They all turned to face Lucas who took a few moments to think before letting out a sigh.

"I love Brooke," he said, "But I don't want to have to lie. I'll tell her." he decided.

"That's very brave," Haley told her brother-in-law, "And if you need us to vouch for you and tell her that it was a drunken mistake, we will." Haley was proud of him and would leap to his defense, just as long as he was honest with Brooke.

"Same here," Peyton said and the other two boys agreed.

Lucas sighed again, "You think she'll forgive me?"

"I don't know. I hope so though," Nathan said. "For both your sakes."

Lucas nodded and looked at his watch.

"Uh, I think I'd better be going. I want to grab a shower and get out of these clothes before I pick Brooke up."

"Do you want any of us to come with you? Some back-up?" Nathan offered. Lucas shook his head.

"Uh, no. I think I'd rather do it in private." They nodded with understanding and watched silently as he left the house.

Once he'd gone, they all let out a collective sigh.

"Brace yourself," Peyton spoke, "There are going to be fireworks."

-----

Lucas didn't even bother to see if his parents were home when he idly walked into his house. His mother stopped him in his tracks as he was halfway to his room.

"Where have you been?" she asked with her arms crossed over her chest.

"I stayed over at… Jake's," he lied.

"Where did you go last night?" she asked, "I came home after dropping Brooke off to check on you but you were already gone."

Lucas didn't really want to get into the details with his mother.

"I went out," he vaguely explained. "Stayed at Jake's."

Lucas walked past his mother and she sniffed the air.

"Is that perfume?" she asked. Lucas cringed, wondering why he hadn't done the smart thing and showered at Nathan's apartment.

"I was at a party," he explained, "Lots of people there, enclosed spaces and all. I think I even have some aftershave on me too." Karen looked him in the eye before finally letting him go to his room.

"Okay," she said, "By the way, Brooke called, she's-"

"Yeah," Lucas said, "I know, I got the message. I'm going to grab a shower before I go and pick her up." With that, Lucas disappeared into his room.

Karen watched the empty hallway for a minute and wondered to herself.

Something was definitely amiss with his story. She just dreaded what it was.

Sometimes there was just too much of Dan Scott in her son.

-----

Brooke exited the terminal with her luggage in tow, anxiously searching for a familiar face. The plane had landed slightly earlier than expected – not that Brooke wasn't thankful for that since she had sat next to a guy who couldn't stop staring at her breasts – and she was worried that she'd have to wait at the airport for a while until Lucas showed up.

If he shows up, she thought to herself, hoping that Lucas wasn't still mad.

She'd spent the entire time on the flight figuring out an apology, and trying to avoid the lecherous stare of the creepy guy next to her.

Finally, she caught a glimpse of a tall, sandy haired man who gave her a small smile as he caught sight of her.

They both hesitated, staring at each other just for a few moments, both trying to pluck up the courage to make the first move.

After what felt like a lifetime to Brooke, she broke out into a huge grin and ran towards him, her luggage forgotten a few feet away and leapt into his arms. He reeled backwards with the unexpected gesture.

"Hey you," he managed to whisper. Brooke held onto his neck tightly, tears forming in her eyes.

"I'm so sorry," she told him, "I should have listened to you and not gone to New York," she pulled away from him so she could see his face. "Can you ever forgive me?" Brooke pleaded.

Lucas looked at the hopeful expression on her face and gulped. On his way to the airport, he'd tried to figure out the best way to break the news of his supposed infidelity. He had been fully prepared to face the consequences, but the look on her face and just holding her in his arms, reminded him of what he could lose.

"Yeah," he said, "I forgive you."

Her smile brightened and she kissed him before jumping out of his arms and picking up her luggage before they walked hand in hand out of the airport.

For Brooke, things were back to the way they were.

But for Lucas, he knew that things could only get worse.

To Be Continued…