2006

Manhattan, New York

As far as the eye could see, the busy New York streets filled with both locals and tourists alike, all gathered around to celebrate the Christmas season and one person stood out in particular. It had nothing to do with her long, sleek, black heeled boots or the perfectly fitted designer jeans that had been tucked into them. She was dressed immaculately, a walking fashion do, complete with perfectly applied make up, her long brunette hair curled. It had nothing to do with her presence or her clothes or her equally trendy group of friends. But it had everything to do with that huge contagious smile plastered across her face, the one with the big dimples that could thaw out the North Pole.

"So, what do you think?" a leggy Naomi Campbell look alike, named Tia, put her arms around Brooke. "Your first Christmas in the Big Apple. Aren't you glad you stuck around?"

Brooke grinned. There was no other place in the world she wanted to be on Christmas Eve. New York was her new home. From the moment her airplane had touched down at JFK Airport that August, Brooke had felt like she owned the city. Everything about it…the history, the legacy, the reputation, the parties, the people, the spirit, especially sucked her right in.

For someone who had spent the first three years of high school doing just enough to barely scrape by to be eligible to cheer, the ambitious beauty had more than made up for it senior year and the first semester at college. The prospect of a new career fascinated her and Brooke had worked her butt off studying every nook and cranny of fashion design and merchandise marketing. Her goals had been clear. In a little journal kept privately underneath her bed, she had laid it all out. Her goal was to be among the likes of Diane von Furstenberg and Vera Wang and Stella McCartney. More than anything, she wanted the name Brooke Davis to be synonymous with those super elegant and talented ladies who had changed the fashion world forever.

Studying at the prestigious NYU was certainly one way of making her dreams come true. The recognition and success she had already had as well as exposure at Rogue Vogue had definitely helped her cause. But Brooke was like a pit bull, fierce and determined to succeed and turn all her dreams into a reality. Failure was not an option she was willing to accept.

If pursuing a career as a top notch designer and entrepreneur, was the ultimate goal in her professional life, there was still one more in her personal life. That was Lucas Scott. He had been her unofficial on and off high school boyfriend, a young man she had loved and hated like no other, a best friend and a soul mate, the person her heart belonged to. As each day passed, her feelings only intensified. It was a love so deep, she dared not disclose too much out loud, not even to her new chatty and gossipy Cosmo girlfriends. It was something so special and sacred, the core had to remain private, locked away in the depths of her heart for her dissection only.

The summer had been wonderful. At Myrtle Beach they had all partied hard. It was a nonstop week of bonfires and kegs and clubs and swimming. As expected, things had gotten wild but more than the fun of it, both Lucas and Brooke had been struck by the sentimental irony. Perhaps it was the last time the whole high school crew would be together. Looking around that last night on the beach at Lucas, Nathan, Haley, Jake, Peyton, Skills, Bevin, Fergie, Junk, Tim, Teresa, Mouth, Gigi, Erica and the rest of their friends had literally brought tears to her eyes. Whether good or bad, significant or minimal, somehow, someway, they had all managed to shape the course of her life. She knew she was a better person for knowing them.

After a few days of recovery in Tree Hill and a week spent sleeping till noon, then gathering at Karen's and sipping milkshakes to midnight while reminiscing, Brooke had been off to California to visit her parents. As a little girl sneaking around to put on make up and reading those gossip filled celebrity tabloids, mini Brooke had dreamed about living in Hollywood. For her, the glamour and the glitz, the association with other beautiful people and the overall excitement seemed perfect.

But that had been through the eyes of an eight year old. Ten years added and everything had changed. The Davis' sprawling mansion may have fit right in with Newport Beach but Brooke felt like an outsider. It was a beautiful and exciting place but something was wrong. Something was missing. Whatever it was, it just didn't feel like home.

Her summer had brightened when a jet lagged but still gorgeous Luke Scott had stepped out of the Delta terminal at LAX. She had anxiously awaited his arrival for weeks just as she had the previous summer. The difference was, a year prior all she'd had was memories and fear that resulted in 82 unmailed letters. Fast forward to 12 months, the young lovers hugged and suddenly the world was once again a beautiful place.

For the first time ever, Brooke got why they called it a California dream. Or maybe it was because of her North Carolina dreamboat. Regardless, the remainder of the summer had been spent having fun, holding hands and of course, lots of lovemaking. And in the end, as the days began to wind down and their precious time together threatened to end, they had made promises. Many promises of love and commitment. They knew both the past and the future would heavily weigh on if their relationship could stand the ultimate test of separation. And with one last, lingering sweet kiss, they had parted ways to start new lives in Miami and New York, while still trying to hold onto the biggest piece of Tree Hill.

Thank God for calling plans that included free nights and weekends. With modern technology, the pair had burned up the phone lines until the wee hours of the mornings. E-mails and phone calls, text messages and sometimes naughty images exchanged over the web cam, of course with the best part of all. Every day, no matter how hectic or busy their day had been, the couple sat down and hand penned heartfelt, personal letters to one another.

It had been easy at first but eventually, the busier they became, the harder it was. They had remained in love, remained together, and had kept in touch as best possible but neither could shake the dreadful premonition that somehow love wasn't enough and that they were slowly slipping away from one another. The very thought alone broke Brooke's heart but she had resigned herself. Her school and her career were number one and as the holidays had rolled around, she had opted without hesitation to stay on in the city and celebrate with the new breed of friends who had become like a second family.

Adapting to city life had been simple. Brooke quickly learned which hot spots to frequent and who to network with at all the "it" industry parties. Shopping had always been second nature but she had also taken time out to do basic New York things like enjoy a slice of greasy pizza or sit on the curb and watch the marathons. And she had continued honing her Clothes Over Bro's line all the while managing to take some paying modeling gigs on the side. And best of all, she had scored a second semester internship with Christian Dior that she couldn't wait to begin. Life had never seemed so normal and happy…or so perfect.

"Of course I am glad I stuck around", Brooke answered her friend with a sigh. "Right now there is no place I'd rather be."

Looking out at Rockefeller Center and the huge beautifully lit tree, along with the people ice skating, and she knew it was true.

"This has been fun, but what do you say we hook up with the other girls and find something to get into tonight?"

Brooke raised an eyebrow. She had never been one to turn down a good time.

"Now we're talking, Friend."

Giving one last look at the scenery around her, Brooke took a deep breath. He closed her eyes and smiled and when she opened them, she swore she heard a familiar voice calling her name. She stopped for a second until it repeated and Tia heard it as well.

"Brooke! Brooke Davis! Brooke Penelope Davis!"

Both girls tried to follow the direction it was coming from.

"Girl, what in the hell…"

Brooke bit her lip as she felt her entire body begin to shake.

"Oh my God", she whispered. "It's Lucas."

"Lucas? Lucas as in your boyfriend, Lucas? Lucas all the way from Miami, Lucas? Brooke, are you sure?"

Of course she was sure.

"I'd know that voice anywhere."

He kept calling her name and she kept running towards the sound of his voice. Never mind the crowds. For that one magical moment, no one or nothing else existed or even mattered. She ran to him like Adrian bolting to the ring for Rocky. And then her breath caught in her throat as she finally caught sight of him. And what a glorious sight he was.

"Brooke", he ran over grinning, grabbing her hands.

They hugged and for a minute she had to fight to keep from crying. It felt so good to be back in his arms. God, he smelled heavenly. She had forgotten how much she had missed him.

"Oh my God. It's you. It's really you."

He stroked her smooth face.

"It's really me."

"What are you doing here?"

He shrugged.

"I just couldn't stay away."

She shook her head.

"How did you find me? I mean, in a city of over eight million people, how'd you manage to find me here tonight?"

"Fate, I guess. I hopped in a taxi and I told the driver to take me to center of everything."

She just smiled.

"Times Square…"

"That's right. I remembered it from that time we came up here to visit Haley on tour. Anyway, I just started walking and here I am. I know it sounds crazy but I swear I just saw you from across the street. That smile, that beautiful smile, just stuck out."

"I can't believe it. I still can't believe you're actually here. Lucas, this is crazy! How'd you get here?"

"Put it this way, don't ever say I don't love you."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I spent the last three days on a freaking Greyhound."

She laughed out loud.

"You braved the bus for me?"

"I sure did."

"How was it?"

"Horrible", he answered without hesitation. "But I'd do it all again in a heartbeat. The moment I looked in your eyes, all the not sleeping and the gross food and the long layovers and the not showering totally made it all worth it."

"That's so sweet."

"I really mean it."

"I know you do. I think it's great…well, everything except for the not showering part", she joked. "We're gonna have to do something about that one, Broody."

He nodded.

"The only thing more I've been looking forward to other than a nice, long, hot steaming shower, is a nice, long, hot, steaming shower with a naked you."

She bit her lip and winked at him.

"I think that can be arranged."

"Brooke, I did this for you. I came here for you. It's because I love you so much. I love you and I miss you. Don't get me wrong, Miami is great and I love college and playing for the team. This should be the greatest time in my life but it won't be if I don't have you to share all of it with."

"Luke…"

"I mean that. I know it's been tougher than we thought."

Brooke shrugged.

"We've been trying."

"I know but we have to try a little harder. I hope you will because I know I'm willing to. What we have is the real deal and I'll do anything to save that. I don't want to lose you, baby."

Tears filled her eyes.

"You won't. I don't want to lose you either."

The soft breeze had blown a lock of hair into her face and he gingerly tucked it behind her ear.

"Remember what I told you that night outside my house? Nothing has changed. I'm still the guy for you, Brooke Davis."

At that one moment, even if she hadn't known it before, she knew it then. Every single doubt had been erased.

"Thank God for that one", she grinned, standing on the tips of her toes to kiss his lips.

Lucas looked around.

"This is so amazing. Everything. This moment is perfect. Christmas, the city, the big tree, Rockefeller Center…you. You, especially."

"I wish we could stay frozen in this moment forever. I'm so glad you're here, Lucas."

"Yeah. Me, too."

"Now come on", she teased. "It's freezing out here. Let's get you back to my place and see if we can get started on that shower you were talking about."

"Sounds like a plan."

He leaned in and gave her a long, slow, wet, lingering, sweet, meaningful kiss. It perfectly captured the moment. Their moment.

"I love you", she finally whispered.

"I love you, too."

Brooke let her gloved hand slip in his as one arm found its familiar spot around her waist.

"Merry Christmas, Boyfriend."

Lucas looked in her eyes and saw his whole future.

"Merry Christmas…Pretty Girl."