"Hey Brooke," Haley said as she stood up from the couch, "could you help me get the cake ready?"

"Sure." Brooke replied as she too stood up.

They walked together towards the kitchen. Once they entered, Haley asked, "Could you get the ice cream out of the freezer?"

"Yep." Brooke answered, walking behind Haley to the refrigerator freezer. She pulled out two tubs and joined Haley at the island counter.

"Hey." She said with a smile. "Weren't we just here dishing out cake and ice cream for a three year old birthday party last month?"

Haley smiled and said, "I know. My baby boys are growing up so fast."

"Before you know it, we'll be back here celebrating your little girl's first birthday."

"Oh, I know. Speaking of parties, Nathan and I are having trouble deciding on a name for the baby, so my mom called me the other day and suggested I throw a naming shower like she did when she had the twins. I thought it was a good idea, so I'm going to throw a naming shower next month."

"Wow, that sounds interesting. But what is a naming shower." Brooke asked as she pulled an ice cream scoop from the drawer.

"It's sort of like a baby shower," Haley replied as she put the first of four candles on the cartoon cake, "only instead of bringing gifts, people bring names. I'll write down the names I like and then Nathan and I will choose the name we like the best."

"That's a good idea."

The friends continued preparing cake and ice cream. After putting the last candle on the cake, Haley looked up at Brooke. Brooke looked up with a smile. She noticed Haley's worried look and stopped smiling.

"What's wrong Hales?" She asked.

"Nothing." Haley replied quickly. "Or at least I hope nothing. You've been kind of quiet during most of the part and I was wondering if that was because you're angry at me for inviting Mouth and Noelle?"

"What? No, of course I'm not angry with you, Hales. Why would I be? It's your son's party. You're entitled to invite whoever you want. Besides, Mouth and I talked yesterday and decided we're going to go back to being just friends."

"Really? Well that's very mature of you…but is that what you really want?"

No, Brooke answered in her head. What I want is to be with him and love him. But a friendship was all she could have with Mouth now.

"Yes." Brooke answered out loud to Haley. "We were friends before, so there is no reason why we can't be again."

"I know, but you--

"Hales, I appreciate you trying to help me, but I'm okay. Really. Being friends is all I need right now. So can we just leave it at that? Please?"

Haley smiled understandingly and said, "Of course. It's just…I love you and I want to make sure you're happy. So if you ever need to talk about it, you know you can come to me."

"I know. Thanks. And I love you too."

"So did you have fun today, ladybug?" Brooke asked as she tucked Lilly into her bed.

"Yep." Lilly replied. "James was really glad we got him that magic set. And him and me and Noelle had lots of fun playing with it."

"Well, I'm glad you had a good time."

"Did you have a good time, Mommy?"

"Of course I did."

"Good, 'cause you deserve to have fun too. You been workin' too much and too hard."

"I'm sorry, baby. I didn't realize I was working so much."

"It's okay. I know it's 'cause you're sad."

Brooke started stroking her daughter's head and she said, "I'm not sad, sweetheart. What made you think I was sad?"

"'Cause Mouth never comes over anymore and you never go out with him. You laugh hardly ever now Mommy. Do you not like Mouth anymore?"

"No, I like him. It's just…it's complicated, sweetie."

"Is it because of my daddy?"

Brooke did not have a chance to answer because Lilly continued, "Daddy would want you to be happy, right Mom?"

"Yes." Brooke replied, looking surprised by this mature conversation with her five-year-old daughter.

"Did Mouth make you happy?"

Brooke thought a second, smiled and said, "Yes he did."

"And daddy like Mouth too right, he was friends with him?"

"Yes, they were good friends."

"So then he would be glad you and Mouth like each other and he wouldn't want you to be sad. I think daddy would be sad to see you so sad, Momma."

Brooke stared at her daughter. This was definitely the Lucas part of her. Brooke had no idea how to respond to Lilly. Partly, that was because she was still processing everything herself.

Lilly yawned and said, "I'm really tired now, Mom. Maybe we should sing now so I can go to sleep."

Brooke smiled and then she and her daughter sang the "Goodnight" song. After they finished the last chorus, Brooke kissed her daughter's head, turned out the lamp and left the bedroom. After that conversation with Lilly, Brooke could not wait to just sleep and reflect on everything.

Brooke walks around her store, making sure all the racks and shelves were straight and in order. She walks to the back of the store to check that the doors are locked. When she returns to the front, she finds Lucas sitting on top of the counter, smiling at her.

"Hey there, pretty girl." He says and she smiles back at him.

"Hey broody." She replies, walking closer to him. "I miss you."

"I know." Lucas says as he hugs her. After they pull away, he says, "But you have been busy."

"Me? Busy doing what?"

"Moving on with your life."

She smiles and he says, "I'm proud of you, by the way. You've been doing really well with your life. I am so, so happy that you've made your dreams come true. But you're not done yet, you know."

"What are you talking about?"

Lucas is silent a moment before he speaks in response, "Why are you running away from your feelings again, Brooke?"

Her smile fades and she turns away from him.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Luc."

"Yes you do, Brooke." He stands off the counter and turns her around to face him. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. You're hiding your feelings for Mouth because you're afraid of something. I don't get it though, Brooke. You were acting on your feelings for the last two and a half months and now, all of a sudden; you're running away from them. Why?"

Tears in her eyes, she tells him about the dream.

"I can't be with him, Luc. I can't…I just can't."

"Why not?"

"Because I love him!" She shouts, surprising herself. Lucas, however, is not surprised. He stares at her as she says more softly, "I love him, Luc. But I can't lose him."

"You won't lose him, Brooke. You and Mouth both have long lives left to live and you both need to live your lives together and without fear. You both have endured so much pain in your adult lives that you deserve each other. You both deserve too find so much happiness and enjoy it together. This is what I want for you, Brooke; I want you both to be happy. I wanted you and Mouth to find each other because you need each other. Don't be afraid of losing him, Brooke. Take every opportunity you have to love him. Take everyday to love him."

"But that dream, Lucas…that dream was awful. It's like Dan and that accident are still haunting me."

"So don't let him anymore. Just let him go, let them both go."

"But how do I--

"You'll figure it out. You always know what you need to do. I mean, you've come this far, right?"

He smiles at her and she smiles back. As he walks backwards, away from the counter, Lucas begins to fade and as he does, he says, "It's time to wake up now, Brooke. It's time for you to really wake up and fully live your life. Go after what you want, feel what your heart wants you to feel, and face your fears. And remember…I'm with you always and I love you forever."

Beep…beeps…beep. Brooke lifted her head from her pillow and turned off the alarm. She sat up, wide-awake from such a comforting and peaceful dream. She smiled at the realization that she would be okay…and so would Mouth.