My lovely reviewers! So I'm back in Kentucky… I swear I haven't written in FOREVER! I'm so lucky I have up to chapter 17ish pre-written… but anyway… it seems like I get home, and I end up extraing for like 3 days just to have to come back here… but I love you guys for dealing with my slowness! I hope you all are enjoying this story! I know I am! Thank you so much for all the reviews you all leave! Enjoy this chapter…
The next month passed by pretty fast for everyone. Brooke and Lucas were again inseparable, spending as much time as possible together. Which wasn't easy with class schedules and Brooke's clothes. But they did have their nights together, and weekends volunteering. It had become almost normal now to wake up on Saturday mornings early to get there. She even found herself dragging Lucas out of bed some mornings. The 2 twins Anges and Archie had been adopted out leaving Brooke and Lucas with Ella, Irving, and Milton. And since Brooke still refused to have anything to do with the boys… it was usually just her and Ella while Lucas tried to construct a basketball team consisting of him… and two 2 year olds. Brooke had gotten pretty attached to Ella over the past month. Where she used to dread coming to volunteer, she actually looked forward to coming now and bringing Ella clothes and presents… basically trying to spoil the girl rotten and piss the staff off.
Time was passing fast for Nathan, Haley and Peyton too. Nathan and Peyton had been swamped with projects, papers and exams before the semester ended and Christmas break started. Haley and Peyton were at each other's throats constantly about Nathan, always sticking Brooke in the middle… which was part of the reason she tried to avoid them all together. And poor Nathan was completely oblivious to the fact that he had 2 girls that were totally into him. Now here they all were, all dreading that trip back to Tree Hill. 3 weeks back in North Carolina… with family. For Peyton it meant her and her dad, doing their usual Christmas. Avoiding Christmas carols, specials and cards… and pretty much just hanging out and catching up. For Haley… it meant her, all her brothers and sisters, and her parent's crammed in a crowded RV park laughing, talking and fighting. For Nathan, it meant being stuck between Deb who was struggling with staying sober, or Dan dragging him to numerous political events and forcing him to smile and act happy. And for Lucas… it meant his mom, Keith, grandparents, and luckily Brooke. He had to admit the fact that Brooke didn't really get along with her parents was a major plus for him when it came to holidays. He had to have someone there to save him from hormonal Karen, anxious Keith… and his grandparents.
For Brooke Christmas had never been some huge happy event. In fact… it seemed like every Christmas when she was younger involved her mother throwing something glass at her dads head, and her dad storming out Christmas morning before she even got to open her presents. And since last Christmas, she and Lucas were still fighting over the Chris Keller situation… this was going to be her first Christmas with a traditional… well at least functional family, and no matter what Lucas said she was still excited.
"Home… wow" Brooke said, at a complete loss of words walking into the café hand in hand with Lucas. The whole place was completely re-done… in terrible taste. It was actually hurting her eyes to look at the mauve walls and table clothes. Karen's café had all of sudden turned from hip cool hang out… to some hoity toity restaurant.
"What the hell"
"Lucas!"
"Hey mom…what happened to" Lucas started but was completely taken-aback just seeing how big Karen had gotten in the past month. This was a lot to handle… especially around Christmas.
"I did a little re-modeling…"
"I see…"
"Lucas Eugene!" Brooke heard someone shriek from the other end of the café. Then she saw where it was coming from… an older woman… not completely old, maybe early 60's. But to be her age Brooke had to admit… her outfit wasn't bad.
"Grandma…"
"You've gotten so big! And whose this young lady?"
"This is Brooke"
"Eugene… Eugene look! Don't they look in love?" Dorothy asked stepping back to admire Brooke and Lucas. Brooke could see Karen in the corner rolling her eyes at little at the situation. At least Lucas's grandma seemed to like her.
"Dorothy stop embarrassing the boy"
"It doesn't embarrass him… believe me" Karen sighed walking past with a tray.
"Come over here and talk to me sweetie… Eugene you take your grandson and catch up, Karen isn't she just a pretty little thing?"
"That woman…"
"How long have you and Lucas been together?" Dorothy asked sitting Brooke down beside her at an empty booth.
"On and off for about a year"
"Now is he a gentlemen to you? I always tried to teach him things when we came down, how to really treat a lady"
"He is…" Brooke smiled telling the complete truth.
"He isn't one of those no sex before marriage types is he? Karen swore she'd make him one but I told her he'd never get a lady if he was one of those guys…"
"No…"
"Are you gonna marry him?" Dorothy asked barely letting Brooke answer. Brooke was completely shocked and speechless. She didn't know there was anyone out there who was as blunt as her when it came to asking questions.
"I-.."
"Don't worry… I wont tell him… Guys don't know that girls always know before they do. When I met Edwin I knew he was the one after one date… of course I didn't tell him… so… are you?"
"Yes" Brooke said blushing a little. This definitely hadn't happened before. She'd barely even thought about the idea of marrying Lucas… and here she was telling his grandma she was.
"When did you know?"
"I was naked in his car…"
"Now that's what I'm talking about…" Dorothy smiled. This whole conversation was making Brooke wonder how Karen had turned the way she had. Of course Karen hadn't always been like this, it was a resent development since She had married Keith.
"I barely knew him… I actually don't think I'd said 2 words to him… and so he came, and got in the car and gave me this smile… of course that was before he saw I was naked… but as soon as he got in I thought 'I'm gonna marry this guy' and I was so freaked out for like a week…"
"That must be why you make Karen so nervous…especially the way he looks at you, Karen hadn't even told me Lucas was bringing a girl, but when he introduced you, the look in his eyes said it all. You're lucky Brooke… I always hoped my daughter would find a man who looked at her the way he looks at you… instead she found Dan Scott's penis"
"Personally I'm glad she did…"
Lucas tried to balance talking to his grandfather, and watching Brooke and his grandma talk at the same time. His Grandma Dorothy could be a little… blunt and there was no telling what she was saying to Brooke. But then his grandpa wasn't exactly beating around the bush either.
"Is she good in bed… she looks like she's good in bed" Eugene whispered winking and nudging Lucas in his bad shoulder. This was definitely up there with his top 10 most awkward moments.
"Grandpa"
"She's wearing a low cut top which means she isn't a prude… and I saw you 2 kiss before you came in here… you don't stick your tongue that far down a prudes throat without her biting it off."
"How do you know I'm even sleeping with her?" Lucas asked figuring it couldn't be but that obvious. It wasn't like they were on top of each other on the kitchen table for everyone to see.
"You don't date a girl like that and NOT sleep with her… plus you are ½ Dan Scott"
"She's good in bed ok… now stop before my mom hears"
"Like classic good… or kinky good" Eugene asked raising his eyebrows, and making Lucas wonder why he couldn't just have normal grandparents…
"Grandpa…"
"I'm an old man… let me live vicariously through you kid"
"She's great though isn't she?" Lucas asked trying to get off the sex topic…
"I wouldn't know, your grandmother wont share her… she did blush when you put your arm around her. You'll marry that one if you know what's good for you. Just don't get her pregnant… not until her body starts to go on its own… I'd hate to see a figure like that go to waste. Not saying I don't want great grandkids now… I'd sure rather have them than deal with your mother spawning little Keith Scotts… you could always adopt or something"
"You really don't like Keith do you?"
"He rubs me the wrong way… and drinks all my Jack, speaking of… you, me tonight… guest bedroom… we'll chat with some Jack…" Eugene asked knowing good and well Lucas still wasn't 21. Not that that seemed to matter in this town.
"I'm not telling you about Brooke and I's sex life"
"It was worth a shot"
"Ok… dinner's ready…" Karen yelled. Lucas figured she was getting annoyed with her parents… she always did when they were here. Which was probably why he only saw them like twice a year.
"I like your grandma…" Brooke whispered sitting down beside Lucas at the table. Of course Karen had gone all out… cooking everything imaginable as usual. Brooke had missed her cooking though.
"Hey… ok you 2 no whispering…"
"Luke, Brooke… its good to have you back. How's volunteering going?"
"Good… there is the coolest little girl there… her name is Ella, well actually her name was Horace… but I changed it to Ella" Brooke started but as usual Karen interrupted.
"You changed her name?"
"She's only 2…"
"I know they must love you there Brooke…" Karen laughed sarcastically. She had missed hearing Brooke's crazy details about everything… how she could take an entire conversation and get it almost completely off subject.
"Yea… not really"
"So… who wants to hear baby names?"
"Just kill me now…" Lucas sighed leaning back in his chair. This is what he hadn't been looking forward too… at all. He was still adjusting to the fact that his mom was pregnant.
"Personally… I like Lizzie or Lynn"
"All L's mom?" Karen asked cringing at the names her mother had just suggested.
"They go with Lucas"
"Any idea's Brooke?"
"I'm naming my children Isabella and Tristan… but you can't have those, by the way Lucas if we have kids… those are their names" Brooke said patting Lucas on the knee. She was trying to lighten him up, but after she had said that figured talking about their future children's names wasn't helping much…
"Ok… and that's the end of this conversation"
"Karen she didn't say they were having kids now… calm down dear" Dorothy laughed at how nervous Karen acted at the thought of Brooke and Lucas even talking about children.
"Ok we'll I've got to go meet Peyton. We've got to go take care of your Christmas present, I'll call if we're running late…"
"You have her calling you if she's going to be late? You better be getting that girl something good…"
"I have no idea what to get her" Lucas said completely serious. He'd thought about it for days and still had nothing. He'd even called Peyton for idea's but all she had come up with as 'You had better make it good'.
"What? Lucas…"
"She's hard… I figured jewelry… but I got her earrings and a necklace over the summer"
"That leaves an engagement ring boy!" Eugene said as if he were stating the obvious. Lucas had even thought about that… But then had quickly decided they were both way to young and it would just complicate things even more.
"Dad!"
"Eugene they're 19… what you do is propose on her 21st birthday…"
"Mom…" Karen sighed. This conversation was killing her. The thought of her baby getting married was enough to make her heart stop. It wasn't even that it would be to Brooke, it was just the idea in general. If anything the fact that it was Brooke gave her some comfort. At least she knew he'd have someone who loved him as much as he loved her… of course she could never tell Brooke or Lucas that.
"But for now… you need something sweet, sentimental… something that shows her you really love her"
"That used to be what sex was for" Eugene muttered
"I've got just the thing"
Brooke and Peyton waited anxiously for Mouth at the rivercourt. Brooke hated waiting here, scared that Lucas was going to show up to play ball at any minute and kill everything. Not to mention it was freezing out…Of course that's when Brooke had the brilliant idea to do cheers to keep warm. At least that would keep them entertained until Mouth finally got there.
"Poor guy" Peyton sighed interrupting what Brooke thought was a completely fabulous cheer. She could tell Peyton was getting ready to get all broody on her, she had that look. Which sucked since it was after all Christmas eve eve. This just wasn't aloud. But Brooke figured she'd at least humor her today… so by tomorrow, Christmas Eve, she'd have it out of her system.
"Who"
"Mouth…"
"Why is he a poor guy?" Brooke asked completely confused. Had she missed something?
It was very possible considering the time she had been devoting to Lucas, school, work and volunteering lately. There just wasn't time for it all anymore.
"He's going to be heart broken when he finds out about you and Lucas"
"Why?"
"He's so in love with you" Peyton laughed stating the obvious. She saw Brooke's smile drop for a second, then heard her sigh.
"I can't even look at him like that…"
"I know…"
"Its like… can you imagine him na-.." Brooke started but regretted it as soon as she thought it…
"Brooke don't…"
"Ew… too late…Lucas… Lucas… Lucas naked… No! YOU don't think that! You think Nathan…I'll think Lucas"
"New subject?" Peyton laughed as Brooke covered her eyes and shook her head, obviously still trying to get certain images out of her head.
"Please…"
"So what exactly is this present?"
"It's a car…" Brooke smiled, her usually huge excited smile. Peyton on the other hand almost let her mouth drop open…
"A car!"
"Not just any car! It's the greatest car… his red corvette, he loved that car and he had to give it back to Dan after the whole falling out thing… and he still whines about it…plus… we had soooo much fun in this car, so I got it back"
"How?" Peyton asked not believing what Brooke was telling her. What happened to giving your boyfriend a shirt or shoes?
"Keith and Deb helped… Keith told Mouth to bring it here, Lucas's favorite place… and I'm gonna put a big bow on it… and you guys are going to stand guard until I pry him away from the grandparents and Karen…"
"Stand guard?"
"It might get stolen or something… besides you and Mouth can talk and catch up… please! Please Peyton… it'll only be for like 3 hours…" Brooke was doing her best to get Peyton to agree. Besides… Peyton seriously owed her for all the favors she'd been doing her lately with school and Nathan.
"Fine… but you so owe me"
"Uh huh… definitely… Here's mighty mouth now"
"Where's Lucas?" Mouth asked as he stepped out of the corvette. Apparently Keith hadn't filled him in on the whole situation.
"Surprise for him… the fun we are going to have in this car! Ok… I'll call you guys in a little while… Thank you SOO much! I love you both!"
"I take it their back together?"
"She didn't tell you?" Peyton laughed, not really surprised though. Brooke knew how Mouth felt about her, and being Brooke she never intentionally tried to hurt anyone… so the fact that Brooke hadn't called Mouth ecstatic about her and Lucas didn't come as a big shock to Peyton.
"I only talked to Keith…"
"I'm happy for them, I mean it's a lot better than them pining away for each other, plus he makes Brooke really happy, and she deserves at least that"
"I know, it just sucks for the other people who love them too"
Lucas sat and talked to his Grandma while he waited for Brooke to get back. He had always been pretty close to her… even though he didn't get to see her very much, she'd always understood him. Plus she was his grandma, and the fact that she liked Brooke so much was a big plus. Unlike Karen who was just annoyed with the fact that Lucas was dating anyone right now.
"So you really love this girl?" Dorothy asked changing her and Lucas's conversation from slightly funny to completely serious. What she was about to do, she wouldn't do for just anyone… so she had to make sure that Brooke was really the girl for Lucas before she did it.
"You know I do"
"Is this the one you cheated on?"
"Like 3 years ago…" Lucas said not believing people still brought that up.
"Ok well still, that'll make what your going to give her that much better… it may give your mother a heart attack because she always wanted this but…" Dorothy trailed off pulling out a jewelry box and flashing a ring it Lucas. It wasn't like any ring Lucas had ever seen… every ring he had ever seen always had just diamonds on it. But this one was silver, or maybe platinum… he wasn't sure, with 3 equal sized jewels on beside each other. The middle one a light blue, with what he guessed was a diamond on each side. There was no telling how much that ring had cost… especially given the clarity of the jewels.
"Wow…"
"Now before you say anything… this is not an engagement ring. Your grandfather gave it to me as a promise ring many years ago. He said it was a promise, that no matter where our lives may take us… together or separate, I'd always be the one. His one and only… Its got 3 stones standing for your past, present, and future. All women love their engagement rings… but to me this ring was always more special. To me it meant that he had faith in our love, and that was enough. Plus… this can also be a little promise you wont cheat on her again…"
"If this means that much to you then…" Lucas started, but Dorothy didn't let him finish. He felt so bad taking his grandmothers ring if it meant this much to her, but then she was a lot like Brooke when it came to getting an idea in her head, and not stopping until she had her way.
"Lucas, I've been married to you're grandfather a long time now, any promises we've made are set in stone… or have already been broken and forgiven… now take the ring and some tissues… she's probably going to cry, us girls tend to do that"
"Thank you… so much"
"Well someone's gotta look out for you 2… and don't worry about your mom Luke, she'll come around. She's just got a lot on her plate right now… now hide that ring… here comes Brooke" Dorothy smiled winking at her grandson before Brooke came bouncing in.
"Hey Boyfriend… ok so since I love you so very much… and I don't want Mouth and Peyton to die of frost bite, I've gotta give you your present tonight" Brooke smiled wrapping her arms around Lucas's neck to kiss him. Not her usual short kiss either, she made sure this one was an extra good one, the kind what made his cheeks turn pink. She was so excited about this… and they were so having sex tonight. So she was in an extra good mood.
"Brooke that's cheating" Karen said rolling her sons pink cheeks.
"No it's not… its Christmas Eve Eve… close enough"
"Then what are you going to give each other on Chris… don't answer that"
"Ok…" Brooke shrugged knowing she was driving Karen crazy. Especially since she still had her arms wrapped around Lucas and her forehead to his. Karen was almost like a mother to her… maybe that's why it was so much fun to drive her crazy.
"There are just something's you don't do…"
"Uh huh… sure, like eating Spaghetti O's for Christmas dinner? Oh wait… I always did that because the cook was off and my parents were too lazy to cook"
"You can't wait 2 days?" Karen asked forcing Brooke to finally un-pry herself from Lucas's neck.
"Not unless you want to unthaw Peyton and Mouth for Christmas dinner…"
"She's insistent" Lucas said not sure what to tell his mom. He wasn't telling Brooke no, especially since she was so excited about it.
"I know… she lived here for 4 months"
"Come on…"
After finally dragging Lucas out of the café, Brooke walked with him to her car, where she proceeded to pull out her blindfold… which was bought for completely different reasons, but she figured it would work here too. This way he couldn't see from across the river what was over there and totally ruin the present. After finally getting him to the car, (It had taken a while since Brooke didn't exactly know she was supposed to warn him before there were steps) She drove him to the river court where Peyton and Mouth were sitting in the car, playing really terrible music.
"Ok… 1 sec… Peyton!" Brooke yelled trying to get their attention. They were so into the music they didn't even see her drive up… which was totally killing everything.
"What?"
"What are you doing?"
"We got cold" Peyton laughed turning the music down
"You blind folded him?" Mouth asked seeing Lucas in Brooke's car.
"It seemed appropriate… and kinda kinky at the time… before he fell down the first 3 steps"
"Good job Brooke"
"You're so funny Peyton… you guys can go now" Brooke laughed opening Mouth's door. She was trying to get them out of there before Lucas peaked.
"Thank god"
"Thank you so much you guys"
"Can we at least take your car back? So we don't have to walk?" Peyton asked remembering that they didn't even have a car to get home with.
"Of course… only if Mouth drives, just let me get Lucas out of there first"
"Lucas… good luck" Peyton laughed once Lucas finally made it out of the car, only tripping once this time.
"Ugh I hate you both… go…" Brooke giggled waiting for Mouth and Peyton to leave.
"Did they just take the car?"
"Um… no?"
"So you brought me out here to kill me?" Lucas asked knowing good and well they had just taken the car.
"Wow… you're as funny as Peyton!"
"I'm sorry…"
"Just close eyes…" Brooke whined positioning him where he needed to be.
"Closed"
"Ok…1, 2, 3" Brooke said taking off his blindfold.
"You didn't…"
"I did… how much do you love me?"
"You have no idea… how" Lucas asked utterly shocked. Brooke Davis never seized to amaze him, especially when it came to stuff like this. She never gave generic presents, she always found out exactly what you wanted, and made sure it happened.
"I have my connections… now I never have to hear you whine about this car again"
"I love this car"
"I know… which is why I spent 2 weeks tracking and begging and lots of other things to get it here" Brooke smiled as he hugged her.
"You are the best"
"I try… and… it's even warm inside, thanks to Peyton and Mouth"
"Ok… its your turn, come on" Lucas said taking her hand and leading her towards the car.
"In the warm car? Sweet…"
"I was going to make you go in a scavenger hunt for this… but suddenly I'm not feeling so mean"
"Well then, my plan wor… oh my god" Brooke didn't even get to finish her sentence before Lucas pulled out a jewelry box and opened it. Talk about the shock factor. Not to mention it was THE most beautiful ring she had ever seen… she was completely speechless.
"Before you cry… it's not an engagement ring, I'll be a good guy and let you pick that one out… it's a promise ring, I've told you a million times you're the girl for me Brooke Davis… I don't ever want to be with anyone else, this is just to promise you that"
"I'm still gonna cry" Brooke choked up as Lucas slipped the beautiful ring on her finger. Her hands were shaking, and she was doing everything she could to not totally loose it. If she was like this now, she couldn't imagine what she was going to be like when he did propose one day. After Lucas put the ring on her finger he brushed her hair out of her face, and kissed her. The romantic way he always did that made her lips quiver and her whole body go numb. The kind of kiss that lasted until one of them reluctantly pulled away. This time it was Brooke, to look at her ring.
"You like it?"
"Lucas, I love it. How did you even know blue diamonds were my favorite? I wasn't going to tell you that until it was time for the big ring…"
"I…I know these things" Lucas smiled just pretty much going with whatever she said. He had actually had no idea she liked blue diamonds… or even that that was a blue diamond in the ring. He was starting to wonder how much that ring on her finger was actually worth.
"And its platinum… Lucas Scott if you spent all your money on this, ok its forgivable because it's so fabulous"
"I didn't spend all my money… I have my ways…"
"I love you and your ways… Wait until I show Peyton and Haley… I wonder if Rachel's in town…" Brooke squealed looking down at her ring, and imagining the look on Rachel's face when she saw it.
"You show Rachel the ring, I'll show Nathan the car"
"You know, the only thing that go with blue diamonds are blue diamonds Lucas… My engagement ring, wedding band… all have to match"
"I knew this was a bad idea" Lucas sighed, but was still smiling at how excited Brooke was about this. Although she was right… this was going to end up costing him an arm and a leg.
"Its ok… we'll find you a good job, now comes the fun part"
"Showing it off?"
"No see that comes after, first I think we have to consummate this promise ring… it's the only way it works" Brooke whispered crawling into his lap so she could seriously kiss him. This time it was less romantic, more tongue down the throat, I want to rip your shirt off kiss… which was exactly what she did.
"Is that so?"
"Uh huh… and while we're at it… we can chrision the car too, I hear its even better than make up sex…"
"Well if that's the only way to make the ring work… and to make… sure the car's… ok" Lucas said between them kissing, and trying to get her foofy little shirt off.
"I think it is"
