2013
Dallas, Texas
Brooke stared in the mirror, shirt up staring proudly at the bump just beginning to protrude from her otherwise svelte body. She was almost four months pregnant with their first child, a dream that was finally coming true after years of talking about it. For the pretty, hard working brunette, taking the final plunge and actually getting off birth control hadn't been the easiest decision. Since she was 17, her career had virtually consumed her. Would she even have enough attention to devote to a baby? And even though infants were adorable and sweet, Brooke was usually able to give them back…to their parents. But how would it go down when she was the parent and there was no one to give a screaming newborn back to? Not to mention shitty diapers and runny noses. So not the life of a beautiful fashion designer. Then there was her biggest hindrance of all. Her husband.
She had loved Lucas Scott ever since the first time she had seen him…or at least the first time she'd taken the opportunity to actually notice the brooding basketball playing older estranged brother of Nathan Scott. It had been rocky from the beginning but by the time they had exchanged vows, the couple appeared to be on solid ground, enjoying the marital bliss others only read about. Then it had happened. The heart attack. That goddamned HCM that changed everything. It had taken so much of Lucas' life away that it may as well have taken him away as well. He was a different human being altogether. Angry, bitter, jealous…all the things the old Lucas never was. He was a miserable man, that misery mostly the product of his own stubbornness. But if he couldn't be happy, then no one could. First it had been the change in general attitude, then his blatant lack of respect for Brooke and seemingly everything the marriage was supposed to stand for. He became Dan reincarnated in a sense, hellbent on destroying any peace and good around them. He had alienated their friends and their family. There had been other random women added of course with Lucas' restless spending habits and gambling. Over the years he had acquired quite the debt and fights about money and where it was coming from and where it was going had been the primary source for much of their woes.
For Brooke at times it was too much. In the boardroom as she successfully ran a billion dollar fashion empire, she was a strong woman, a force to be reckoned with. At home, not so much so. She held her own with Lucas but with all the questionable and sometimes downright awful things he had done to her and everyone else over the years, the truth was, she should have been gone a long time ago. But she had stayed and one could only ask why?
Brooke had no real answers herself. It was a combination of many things, no one being more important than the other. For starters, it was convenient and familiar, even the times when it felt more like Lucas was a roommate than a husband. She had made a promise to herself years before. As a young teen, she had watched her own parents', two people who never should have married or had children together in the first place, marriage self destruct. It had been awful, the original origin for her fear of commitment. In the young Brooke's eyes, it was somehow easier to date around, have fun and randomly hook up with hot boys than put one's self through the harsh rigors of an actual relationship. It had taken a long time to get over that and Lucas Scott had played the biggest part in calming her fears. When she got married, the vows would mean something, it would be forever…for better or worse. Brooke had hung on for the long haul, blind to just how bad things could get. But despite it all, deep down the young wife still loved him very much. Somewhere buried inside was her Broody and she held onto the hope that one day he would come back to her, to all of them.
"Looks like Junior is coming along", Lucas smiled from the doorway, arms folded.
Brooke looked up and smiled.
"Brooke Junior or Lucas Junior?"
He shrugged.
"I'm cool either way. It will be a pleasant surprise in the delivery room."
"Surprise? Surprise, my ass. Like I could wait another month to know what we're having. Besides, I want to get the nursery all pretty and decorated and you know me, pink or blue all the way. I am so not into yellow or green."
Lucas wrapped his arms around her, his hands rubbing her belly.
"Fair enough."
"And this whole pregnancy thing is what inspired the Clothes Over Bro's new maternity and baby fashion line, which Bev and I plan to unveil next month at like the biggest show ever. We've been working our asses to the grind for weeks now."
"Tell me about it. I was surprised to see you home even."
Brooke sighed and smiled.
"I took the rest of the day off."
Lucas put a hand over his heart and dramatically stumbled back.
"You know this thing is weak, babe. You trying to drop me like a fly?"
She swatted at him.
"Hardy har har, wise ass. I am being serious. I needed a break so I took one. I'm the boss. I'm allowed to do that, right?"
"I've been telling you that for years now. By the way, do you even remember how to relax?" he teased.
Brooke turned around, licking her lips as she faced her husband.
"I bet you could remind me."
He shrugged.
"I have a few ideas. Are you in? Will you let me take care of you today and show you a good time?"
"Depends. What's the plan?"
"Lunch anywhere you want."
"Sounds good already."
"Then we can shop and I'll even carry your millions of bags without complaint."
"I'm sold."
"And we'll check out those prenatal yoga classes you were talking about, maybe get a massage somewhere. What do you think?"
Brooke suddenly felt good all over. She had been skeptical in her final decision to get pregnant but the moment it had happened, it seemed like the miracle growing inside her had fixed all the mounting problems on the outside. A piece of the old Luke, the kind, loyal, attentive, man she had first fallen in love with was finally back.
"Okay", she nodded. "Gosh, we haven't had a nice day like this together in years. It's been a long time."
"Too long", he whispered as he rubbed her shoulders.
"Give me an hour or so to get beautiful."
Lucas sighed.
"You're already beautiful but take all the time you need."
She picked out her clothes with a huge grin on her face before running a hot bath in the huge tub. She knew they had to get going but she couldn't resist an opportunity to soak and relax in the almost spa like setting of her custom designed master bathroom. Soft music and candles set the mood even though it was before noon and two cucumber slices had been placed over her eyes. The door was ajar and she watched as Lucas walked in their room. His hands were full with the morning's mail. He sifted through it and placed it on the dresser. He kept hold to one envelope in particular, tearing at the paper to read the message in a hurry. Once he did, his happy, peaceful Dr. Jekyll demeanor instantly became the sullen, angry Mr. Hyde. She watched him grab his wallet and his keys. Climbing out of the tub, Brooke threw a robe over her naked, wet body, not even bothering to towel off as she hurried after her husband.
"Lucas! Luke! Where are you going?" she asked.
"Something came up. I have to run out for a minute."
"What?"
"Nothing. It's just personal, okay?"
"But what about…"
He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, clearly exasperated by the line of questioning.
"Look, I'll be back! It won't take long. If you stop hounding me, the sooner I can get there and take care of business and get back here."
The return of Broody had been too good to be true. The asshole was back so Brooke simply rolled her eyes and continued getting ready. She waited and waited. Noon came and went. The day turned to evening and finally his sports car roared in the driveway. She was sitting alone on the couch, beautifully dressed, all made up and ready to go when he walked in the house.
"Hey", she said softly.
He took a deep breath.
"Hey."
"Where were you?"
"I'm sorry. I…"
"You know what? Whatever it is, I don't want to know. I don't even want to hear your weak excuses this time."
"Brooke…"
"I waited for you all day. You could have called. You could have…"
He pulled a small velvet box out of his jacket pocket and opened it. Inside was a beautiful, sparkling emerald and diamond ring.
"Here", he handed it to her. "It's for you."
She looked at it. It was certainly a magnificent piece of jewelry.
"It's beautiful."
"So are you, Brooke."
"Is this supposed to make up for everything? Lucas, I like nice things but fine rocks like this come a dime a dozen for me. What's so special about this?"
He shrugged.
"Because it's from my heart. Because I've screwed up a lot lately and because of that I've lost a lot…almost everything except you. You're what truly matters, Brooke. You and now this kid. And when I was out today, it made me realize I have to straighten up, be a better man, a better husband. I'm about to be a father. So yeah the ring is my apology because it's pretty and I knew you'd like it. But it's so much more than that. I hope it's a new beginning with us."
She looked away but he grabbed her arm, tilting her face upwards to meet him. He placed a kiss on her lips but she quickly pulled away. He was asking for so much, too much. He was asking for her heart, for her trust again and Brooke didn't know if she could relinquish it to him.
"Lucas…"
"I love you, Brooke", he whispered, slipping the new ring on her finger.
She looked at him and shook her head. Damn those blue eyes and all that charm. She had never been able to resist it.
"It beats a dozen roses", she quipped, admiring the newest exquisite piece to decorate her manicured hands.
Smiling, he walked over and turned on some music.
"May I have this dance, Wife?" he asked.
She exhaled as he held her in his arms and they swayed slowly to the music. Brooke had no idea how long it would last but stolen moments like those always reminded her of the good times. It took her back to a place years before at the River Court where six best friends and three couples were happy with life and each other.
Lucas kissed her as they continued the sweet dance. She sighed heavily in his arms, the bump between their bodies that was the life they had created together. Her hands slid around Lucas' waist and the contact of skin to skin felt good and intimate. They kissed and danced as Brooke moved her hand, feeling something else in his jacket pocket. Instantly she thought about that morning and the letter that had changed everything. With one swift motion she went for it, stumbling backwards when it was in her hand. There was no return address but she'd recognize that penmanship anywhere.
"Is this from Peyton?" she asked.
Lucas looked antsy, on the verge of another heart attack..
"No."
"Liar!" she spat as she went to open.
"Don't do that. Brooke, give it back."
Not a chance in hell. Brooke pulled the letter out of the envelope and read the three sentences written in her best friend's handwriting…
It's over, Lucas. Jake knows everything. Please leave us alone.
"What is this? What does that mean?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing? What's over? What does Jake know?"
"Brooke…"
"Did you…did you have an affair with her?" Brooke shrieked.
"Look, just calm down…"
"Calm down? Are you serious right now? Screw you!"
"Brooke…"
"Tell me the truth, Lucas! I know! God, I've always known! I was just too stupid to realize it, too afraid! So I gave you two the benefit of the doubt because for some stupid reason, I still love your sorry ass! But I saw it! I saw it in her eyes, in your eyes!"
"I love you, Brooke", he was almost in tears.
"I want to hear you admit it", she sneered.
"Just listen to me…"
"Do I have to pick up the phone and call Jake for all the sordid details? Because I will. Dammitt, Lucas, I will get on a plane tonight and fly to Atlanta if I have to!"
"It's not what you think…"
She laughed in spite of the situation.
"Okay. You don't feel like confessing tonight? That is fine with me, Buddy", she marched up the stairs with him hot on her heels.
"Brooke, what are you doing?"
"Until you get your fucking story straight, why don't you take some time off and think about it", she began pulling his clothes from the closet and throwing them in a heap on the floor.
"Brooke! Stop it!"
"I want you out! Now!"
"Out?" he tried picking up his things. "That's ridiculous! Where the hell am I supposed to go?"
"I don't give a shit! You can go to a hotel…wait. That's right. You don't have any money. Gee, you could always embezzle it from my company again."
"Brooke…"
"Don't even deny it! I'm so on to you! Hell, I've been on to you, you lame, pathetic excuse for a human being!"
"Why are you doing this?"
"You did this, Lucas Scott! So get the hell out of my, that's right I said it, my house and my life! I don't care where you go or how you get there just as long as you're far out of my sight!"
"I…I don't have anywhere to go", he mouthed.
"Too bad! If you hadn't fucked Jake's wife, maybe you could go to Atlanta! And if you hadn't screwed over your best friend in the world, maybe you could go to Denver! Hell, if you weren't such a reprehensible son of a bitch, you could stay here with your wife and your child but like everything else, you screwed that up as well. Even Keith and Karen and Royal and Mae are fed up with your bullshit! So it looks like Tree Hill is a no go as well. That leaves only one other option and it's exactly where you belong! Why don't you go join the father that you are just like? Why don't you go to hell, Lucas?"
She ended up sweeping everything out of the closet including a shoe box hidden in the back. It fell to the floor, its contents spilling out all over the carpet. In it was an old CD Peyton had mixed for Lucas years before in high school. Then there were pictures of the two taken over the years. It made Brooke physically ill to see it. The pattern was quite obvious. In every picture, even her and Luke's very own wedding photos, Lucas and Peyton always managed to stand next toeach other. And in random photographs of others when the two blondes were merely part of the background, they always seemed to be gazing at one another.
"Don't open those", he quietly tried to warn but it was too late.
Brooke opened letters dated as recently as the year before, cute little poems, sappy promises of secret, undying forbidden, shared love and even the shocking sexual innuendo that had described their passionate romps, escapades that had happened right under Jake and Brooke's noses, sometimes even in their own houses.
"You bastard!"
"I told you not to open them. You're just making it worse, hurting yourself, Brooke. What Peyton and I did…it was a mistake but it's over. Jake does know but you didn't have to."
"Get away from me!"
He reached down to pick up the pictures and that's when she saw them. Dozens of them, almost a shrine of photos of Baby Minnie. Brooke's breath caught in her throat as it came together and hit her, the final piece of a devastating puzzle. There it was right in front of her. Those eyes…they had the same eyes.
"Give me the pictures, Brooke."
She stood slowly in a state of disbelief.
"Oh my God. She…Peyton's baby is your baby…isn't it?"
"Can you just let me explain?"
What was there to explain? How could her husband and her best friend explain away the ultimate betrayal? Of all the hurtful stunts Lucas had pulled over the years, nothing could compare to the horrible secret about an innocent little girl. It was too much. The emotion raced through Brooke's body like tiny electric shocks that culminated in a fiery, uncontrollable explosion. She let out a scream, a loud and pain filled wail that didn't even sound human. An avalanche of tears rushed from her eyes as her arms pushed away any comfort Lucas tried to bring.
"Get out!" she managed to yell.
He backed away, actually touched by the hurt he had caused his wife. He was just like Dan. He was worse. He had destroyed so many lives, including his own. Peyton's letter had brought clarity to the situation. It was over. Perhaps somehow it was time to move on. She had her family and he had his. He did love Brooke and if he wanted to keep her and be apart of their child's life, he knew he would have to straighten up and change his wayward ways. If he didn't, he lose her, them forever and he couldn't chance that. He was really going to change, life was really going to be better. Then Brooke had to find that damned letter.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry…"
She tried to walk forward but made it no farther than a few inches. She screamed and clutched her abdomen, doubling over in unspeakable pain.
"Oh my God!" she dropped to her knees, terrified.
"Brooke!" he rushed over to her. "What's wrong? What's happening?"
"Something's not right! It…it's the baby! Oh God!"
"It's okay. You're fine, Brooke. I'm gonna get you to the hospital."
He helped her up as she continued to sob. It was the end. Brooke knew it, she felt it inside. The end of their baby, the end of friendships, the end of a marraiage…the end of life as they all had known it.
