At the Heart of It All

Chapter Thirty One

Everybody Loves a Happy Ending

It felt so strange to have her fingertip pressed against the glowing white plastic. It felt strange to be ringing the doorbell at all, of the house that had been a second home to her for most of her life. Once upon a time, Brooke Davis would have just pushed open the light blue door into Lucas's bedroom and nobody would bat an eye. Yet as she pressed her squarely filed purple nail against the translucent button, she knew that this was what she had to do to gain entry into the home she loved far more dearly than her own. Pressing firmly and gulping slightly, the brunette waited patiently for Lucas to open the front door. Waiting patiently for a glare to greet her, mixed with a bit of pity, and maybe even sympathy. It was this look that broke her more than anything he could ever say. Brooke Davis, despise her many hardships, was nobody's charity case. Pity was for those who needed it, and she was not pitiful. But even this contempt, she would be willing to swallow, if it meant they could just talk again.

However, as the door swung open, squeaking slightly on its old hinges, it was not a handsome blonde that greeted her. Instead, a petite middle-aged woman with thick auburn hair opened the door, delight etched upon her features.

"BROOKE! Honey, how are you?" Karen enveloped the younger girl in a hug, and it was hard to tell who was more excited.

"Oh, Karen, I missed you," Brooke said, and it was more than a formality. Karen Roe was a presence taken for granted in the life of Brooke Davis. Only when she was gone did she realize that the warm, motherly figure of the cook was the calm in the storm of cheering, and games, and parties, and drama. All that Brooke wanted now was calm. "When did you get back?"

"I got in last night. I must say, I was surprised that you weren't at the airport with Luke," Karen said, and her unwavering stare made Brooke squirm. "But he told me that you had other plans."

The head cheerleader and queen of the social scene was anything but the night before. Rather than a raging party or exciting basketball game, Brooke had found herself in sweatpants, curled up with pretzels and The O.C., season one, on DVD. Lines of confusion marred her forehead for a moment, before Brooke realized what Luke had done for her. He hadn't told his mother any of it, and Karen had been dropped, oblivious, into a changed world.

"Yeah, um, cheer meeting," Brooke shrugged helplessly. "I'm sorry. I would've been there if I could."

"Well, one former Ravens cheer captain to another, I understand how important they are," Karen laughed, drawing herself up with faux importance before giggling.

"So… uh… is Luke here?" Brooke asked nervously, forgetting her habit of scuffing the toes of her right foot against the floor when she was feeling awkward. This was a habit that Karen had not forgotten, one that she probably never would. Brooke Davis was the daughter she never had, and she was more than curious why she was no nervous about seeing the son that she did. However, she got the distinct impression that it was long and complicated, and not exactly the homecoming she wanted. Mercifully, she just raised an eyebrow curiously before ushering the pretty brunette inside.

"No, Luke's out playing ball with Nathan right now," Karen sat down at the table, and Brooke noticed that it was littered with pictures of beautiful beaches, mansions, wildlife and a smiling Karen and Andy.

"What are you doing?" she asked curiously.

"Scrap booking. I know you want to join me," Karen gestured for Brooke to sit down opposite her. Plopping eagerly into the chair, Brooke's eyes shone happily.

"You know me too well," she grinned.

"You can't know someone too well," Karen teased. Brooke laughed, but a sadness lingered behind her eyes. Comprehension settled across the older woman's face as she though she targeted the problem. "I know why you're so upset Brooke."

"You do?" Brooke's head shot up in alarm.

"I spoke to your mother while I was away," Karen patted Brooke's hand sympathetically. Brooke could feel the small hope that had formed within her sinking. For a moment, she thought Lucas really did tell his mother, his original confidante, what had gone on between them. If he did, and she was still welcomed into the home, it meant that Karen loved her regardless.

"She told me about moving to California. And I want to let you know that you aren't going anywhere. You're far too important to this family to be on the opposite side of the country. She may be your real mother, but I do feel like you're my own daughter, and it's only fair that you should stay where your friends are. We reached an agreement. You're allowed to stay for school, but during summer and long breaks, you may find yourself west-coast bound."

Brooke tried to summon appreciation for what Karen had done for her. The tears forming in her bright green irises seemed to be ones of relief and happiness, but apprehension and fear might just be a better way to put it.

It was long after nightfall when an exhausted and sweaty Lucas Scott made his way home. Grinning slightly, he remembered his conversation with his younger brother. The boy didn't even realize it yet, but he was head over heels in love with Haley James. Lucas, for one, was looking forward to seeing that revelation. Even more so, it was nice to get caught up in someone else's problems while playing his favorite sport. It made all his own dramas seem to fade away, if only for a little while. However, as he shut the door and turned to collapse upon his bed, he found that all his problems came rushing back at him.

Namely, because his bed was already occupied.

Blinking slowly up at him, Brooke smiled awkwardly. When she spoke, her voice was hoarse, as if she had been internally crying. "Hi."

"Hi?" he meant to state, but it came out more like a question. A number of doubts and puzzlements floated within him.

"I'm, uh, not having a baby," Brooke said conversationally. Lucas almost laughed at the flippancy with which she said it, but then fear struck his heart.

"You're having an—"

"No, no!" the brunette rushed to assure him, seeing the torment of his childhood flashing before their eyes. "I'm just not pregnant."

"Well that's good to know," he said, ice edging his voice. He was relieved for the girl he had loved for so long, in so many different stages, but it didn't change what she had done.

"Look, I, uh…"

"You…?" his cold stare bit into her, and she drew strength from it. He was being cruel, but she had been it first. Brooke Davis could take what she could dish, but before she locked herself in a room with Peyton, Haley and chick flicks to lick her wounds, she would draw forth the poison.

"I'm sorry. I can't remember what I did with Felix, but I'm sorry for it. I'm sorry because I hurt myself, and because I hurt you, and that was never my intention. It was a skanky move on my part, and… I can't believe I just called myself a skank," her voice cracked, and her hand went out to swipe at the tears trembling on the lids of her eyes.

"You're not a skank," Lucas muttered, looking anywhere but at her.

"The truth is that I'm in love with you, and that scares me, because… because you know me like no one else. You know everything about me, even the parts that aren't so lovable. I was scared of surrendering even more to you. But I, ah… well, I guess I don't have to worry about that anymore. I'm sorry I ambushed you here, I just wanted you to know the truth."

She rose shakily, sending him a watery smile before slipping out through his bedroom door. He hovered over the spot for a moment, reeling over what he had just been told. The way he saw it now, there were two options: let her go or go after her. Be hurt or be happy. Without a second thought, he raced after her.

"BROOKE!"

Brooke turned cautiously on the spot. He didn't need to degrade her further, he really didn't. Anything he could possibly say to her was nothing worse than what she had already told herself. Yet a small part of her couldn't deny that it was thrilled to be called back. Even if it was to be scorned, that would be a few moments longer to hear his voice, to look into his eyes, to be around him.

"It's okay," Lucas said, and even he looked surprised at his words. However, nothing could parallel the shock written plainly across Brooke's beautiful face.

"It's what?"

"It's okay. Look, what happened with Felix was a mistake, and it sucked, but… you know, people mess up sometimes. And it's okay."

"No, no it's not," Brooke said, taking two steps back as Luke moved closer to her. "It can't be. It's just too much to forgive," she cried.

"Well that's just too bad," he smiled down at her, brushing a chocolate strand away from her face. "Because I forgive you. I love you, Brooke Davis."

Launching herself forward at him, before he could have a chance to take back his declaration, Brooke captured Lucas's lips in a searing kiss. He smiled against her mouth, and she could feel herself grinning back. This was how it was meant to be. The two of them, together as much as they could be, always and forever.

They weren't the only people who knew so, Karen Roe thought, as she pulled the blinds closed with a contented smile tugging at her own lips.

Hey guys. I'm sorry that I left you hanging for so long, but I had a challenge to finish lol. If you haven't already, please check out my story Beyond Good and Evil. And please, please, please review. The only reason I found time to update is because I've been under house arrest with a virus for over a week, and well, reviews would make me feel much better.

Thanks for reading!

Xo Sam