Chapter Five: Risky Business
Author's Note: Just wanted to thank everyone for the great reviews and I hope you'll keep them coming. Enjoy this chapter and the next one will be up in a couple of days!
"Brooke Davis," questioned Lucas.
Yes, my mom is Brooke Davis, your high school sweetheart," replied Elizabeth seriously.
Lucas quickly pinched himself to make sure this wasn't a dream or a hallucination. Elizabeth saw him pinch himself and laughed out loud before asking Lucas if he was going to invite her inside.
"Of course," responded Lucas nervously before stepping aside and allowing Elizabeth to enter.
As the bell chimed above the door Brooke walked into the place that held many memories from high school. After looking around and noticing only minor changes, she took a seat in the table in the left corner. When the bell chimed Brooke turned to see who it was…
Nathan stared at his phone after Brooke hung up. Had she really said, "I'll see you there?" How was that possible? She hadn't been back to Tree Hill in eighteen years. Putting his concerns aside however he sprinted down the street to get to the café as fast as possible.
Nathan walked in and looked around. Not seeing Brooke he cursed himself for being such an idiot. As he turned to walk out the door however a voice behind him said, "Hey Nate, I guess Tree Hill really hasn't changed much in eighteen years."
Turning around Nathan pulled Brooke into a hug; he hadn't seen her in a year plus he had to prove to himself that he was in fact not dreaming.
The two old friends took a seat at a table and talked animatedly for an hour. They only stopped when Karen walked in and came to the table to say hi to Nathan. She was very surprised to see the one girl who had hold on Lucas' life back after all these years. She questioned whether to mention Lucas and decided not to; she didn't want to scare Brooke away like last time. Fate would take its course and bring them together again face to face; after all they were meant to be.
Lucas motioned Elizabeth to sit on the couch while hurryingly apologizing for his reaction at the door, his lack of refreshments and how alike Elizabeth seemed to be to Brooke that Lucas had mistaken Elizabeth for her briefly until he'd seen her deep blue eyes. Soon Luke noticed his babbling and stopped. An awkward silence surfaced while Lucas mentally apprehended himself and Elizabeth wondered if he would recognize her blue eyes as his own. Finally Luke pulled himself together and asked how Brooke was doing.
"She's great. We live in Charlotte where she has a successful interior design company. However I didn't just come to make small talk with you," continued Elizabeth. "I know eighteen years ago my mom left without a goodbye, a note or phone call. I'm sure you've wondered for years where she was or maybe you forgot about her…
I'm going to guess the first one due to your reaction just now and based on how my mom feels and reacts."
Surprised by her frank reply Lucas said, "I never forgot her. I tried believe me but it's impossible. Also I believe that if people are meant to be together they'll find their way in the end; friends, family and lovers alike.
"My mom told everything about Tree Hill and high school. I've always wanted to visit but my mom- she was, is afraid to and guess so much time has passed…"
"Time doesn't matter. We would overlook that if you're mom would just come back. Peyton, I'm guessing you know about her, was crushed; another person in her life gone. I felt betrayed, lost. But we would all let that go if your mom came back."
"I don't know if that will ever happen- my mom coming back to Tree Hill. I'm sorry to come here and give you false hope; I actually came here to speak to you about something else." Elizabeth was about to go on when the phone rang. He excused himself and picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Hey it's Haley! I can't believe you're up. I'm actually heading over to the café right now for lunch and I was wondering if you wanted to come."
Lucas was unsure but said yes figuring Elizabeth would want to visit the café and meet one of her mom's old friends. Plus Lucas needed to share this with somebody to truly believe this was true and to make sense of it.
Returning to the living room, Lucas apologized before asking Elizabeth if she minded going to the café to meet up with one of her mom's old friends.
Elizabeth with total confidence assured Lucas it was fine. She would more than happy to meet 'Tutor Wife.'
Lucas and Elizabeth drove to the café in separate cars. When they arrived Lucas steered Elizabeth gently towards the café. Walking in the bell chimed announcing their presence to the employees and diners. Among them were Nathan and Brooke…
Hearing the bell chime above the door Brooke turned to see who it was. Boy was she shocked when before her stood Lucas with a young woman who looked distinctly like Elizabeth.