Chapter Twelve:

Megan POV

After coming home from Church I changed into comfortable clothes that consist of my favorite grey Tree Hill High sweat pants with my black basketball t-shirt. I usually watch movies with Dad on Sunday afternoons or we do something fun. Instead he's ditching me to hang out with Lindsey, not that I don't blame him.

Lindsey is good for Dad. Sure they aren't officially together or date a lot, but I think that's okay. He needs a woman in his life other than Aunt Haley and Grandma Karen who still consistently calls every other day. If Lindsey is that answer who helps him get over Mom, then so be it. Because like Mom said, she doesn't love him anymore. I'm still having a hard time believing that lies still true. But who am I to say anything about love? I'm only sixteen.

As I'm lounging on the couch about to watch a movie the door-bell to the front door rings. Leaping up to open it thinking its Lindsey I'm actually not shocked to see Mom outside the door. She was watching me like a hawk at breakfast earlier. Plus Dad did mention I'd have a more "interesting" night ahead then him.

I stand there looking at her trying to think how much I don't want to talk to her. But somehow a smile forms on my face and I can't stop the words from coming out of my mouth. "Hey Momma". Dad did happen to suggest I be nice to her or he wouldn't take me to get my license.

She smiles from ear to ear stepping inside. "Hey Megger, your Dad told me you were home so I wanted to come pick you up, thought we could go out".

I look down at my outfit and shrug. "Sure let me go get my hoodie and tell Dad goodbye".

Before I could walk away the doorbell rings again. That has to be Lindsey. She's the only other person besides Mom that doesn't just walk right in. It's then when I turn to my Mom that I actually laugh at loud from the look of this situation. Dad's going to be so pissed.

"I'll get it", I scream so Dad can hear me. I'm pretty sure he's about to fly out of his room.

"Hey Meg", Lindsey cheers as she reaches down to hug me. Yeah, I'm pretty close with Lindsey. Especially since she makes Dad smile a lot.

"Hey Lindsey it's so nice to see you", I laugh since she's squeezing me so tightly.

"I know I've missed you! Happy late birthday by the way", Lindsey says letting go of me smiling brightly. It's when she looks over at the other person in the room that her smile turns into her jaw dropping. I guess Dad never told her about Mom coming.

There's an awkward silence as they stare each other down. It seems like none of them know exactly what to say.

"Lindsey this is my Mom Brooke Davis, this is Lindsey Dad's editor", I announce trying to break the tension.

"Hello", Lindsey nods and walks over to hold her hand out. Mom looks at it still in shock but shakes her hand back.

"Hi it's nice to meet you Lindsey", Mom answers back.

"Gosh I can't believe how much Megan looks like you. You're beautiful", Lindsey gushes earning Mom to blush. I go to stand next to Mom which she puts her arm around me.

"Everyone says she looks like me but she definitely has a lot of Luke's features", Mom smiles putting her hand threw my hair on my back.

I look up to Lindsey who is still smiling happily. "How long are you going to be in town for"?

"I head back to New York tomorrow morning", Mom says with a frown on her face. I put my arm over her waist and squeeze her side. Hard to believe the weekend went so fast. Things are about to go back to normal again.

"Oh okay. I'm just going to go see your Dad in his room. It was great to finally meet you Brooke", Lindsey announces walking away fast upstairs. I look over at Mom who seems to be in deep thinking.

"She's very pretty", she finally cracks leaning down to look at me.

"Not as pretty as you", I shrug backing away to go get my hoodie in my bedroom.


Brooke POV

After Megan and I left we walked in silence to the river court, the only place where I knew we'd both be comfortable to talk at. I couldn't count the times I've came to this place. Who would have thought that this little piece of Lucas's world he shared with me all those years ago would become such an important part of my life too?

I can't come here and not think about my past. Not think of all the times I've come here. This is the place where Lucas taught Megan how to play basketball. This is the place where proposed too. I know that this was the place if Lucas and I argued, which before our divorce was all the time, that I knew I could find him here to blow off steam. This also where we broke up, I don't think I can ever forget that night.

Flashback

Lately all Lucas and I do is fight. After ten years of marriage I don't think we've ever been in a worse place. We barely have meaningful conversations anymore since he's so busy with coaching and writing his next book along with helping me take care of Megan. I'm busy too trying to get my company started. And with creating a new clothing line it requires me to go to New York City often. But any other time we have it's never spent on us.

It's my fault he says. I shouldn't have to go to New York all the time. I say it's his fault for focusing to much on his stories, even if they are a success. He got his dream come true already and I've stood beside him the entire way. Now my dream fashion line, Clothes over Bros, is taking the fashion life by storm and he should be encouraging me now.

We ended up having a screaming match again tonight after we put Megan to bed. I have to go to New York this weekend for a fashion show and he's pissed.

We screamed and said all the wrong things to each other. It's like any normal fight we've had over me leaving. And in the end one of us storms out to one of our spots. Mines the beach. His is the River Court. Tonight it was his turn to leave.

Thankfully Megan didn't wake up in during this confrontation. She's fast asleep still as I call Haley to come over to watch her. The fight I had with Lucas needed to be solved tonight. We can't keep playing this game of tug of war. Plus it's already has happened twice this past month and Haley always says yes to babysit.

I decided to drive to the River Court since I needed to focus on driving instead of how mad I am at Lucas. I can't believe the things he said to me. He knows how depressed I am.

It's true. Finding out Haley is pregnant with baby number two hurts. Especially since I can't carry another baby, which is all that I wish to do. Megan's already eleven years old and she's not getting any younger. I miss her being little.

But it's my fault I can't get pregnant. And I've put all of my focus on my clothing line, which is my second dream. If I can't have another baby might as well create something I'll have forever too.

As the River Court comes into view I can see Lucas sitting on the bench. Parking my car I walk slowly towards him, waiting for him to tell me to stop. But he doesn't. And as I sit down next to him, putting my head on his shoulder, he doesn't flinch. Instead he puts his arm over my waist squeezing me.

No matter what we say, we love each other; forever.

"I love you so much", I mumble as I close my eyes to enjoy the feeling of being next to him.

"I love you too Brooke. But I don't think that's enough for you anymore", He sighs. I feel his lips on my head but instantly lean away from him.

"Yes it is", I hiss staring at him. What is he talking about?

"No it's not Brooke. You and I both know this isn't working. The clothing company can't be run from someone that isn't one hundred percent there and neither can a marriage".

I stand up then turning away. "I'm not leaving you and Megan".

Lucas stands in front of me turning me around and grabs my hands to lace with his. "That's the thing Brooke, you don't have a choice".

"What do you mean I don't have a choice"?

"I'm not what you need. You're dreams are bigger than me. You've stayed at home with Megan for over ten years. Brooke you deserve a chance to make your dreams come true. And this is it".

"So you're just going to let me go", I whisper as tears start falling down. This can't be happening.

"You aren't happy Brooke. I know it. I look at you each passing day and see how miserable you're getting. But the only time you're really happy is when you're designing clothes or spending time with Meg. I love you so much but right now it's not about how I feel. It's about you. And it's because I love you that I'll let you go". He pulls me into his arms as I collapse crying.

"What about us", I manage to say between sobs.

"I will always love you Brooke Davis-Scott. You've changed my world and given me so much love. But it is time to let you be who you need to be, without me in your life".

"I will always love you Lucas Scott. I don't want to live in a world without Megan or you in it".

"Then think of it as second chance. Go to New York as the fiercely independent girl that I first fell in love with. Change the world and then come back home to me", he whispers so softly in my ear.

"No Lucas I won't", I mutter smashing my lips against his. He kisses me back but doesn't make it last.

"Can you do something for me? Can you surrender right here, right now on this River Court with me? Someone once told me that people that are meant to be together always find their way in the end. So if were meant to be together then we are going to be together. I love you to much to not let you follow your dreams. And that's what you're going to do, without me. We are just going to stand here and let go. Will you do that? Will you surrender with me?"

And again after every one of these "embarrassing" speeches he's said to me, he takes my breath away. I have never loved somebody as much as I loved him in that moment.

With a muffled sob of me saying yes I stare into his eyes with my heart breaking into a million pieces. This is goodbye and the end of a beautiful tragic love affair.

With trembling hands I caress his face, "I love you so much".

"I love you", Lucas replies softly. He's trying to hide the wet tears on his cheeks, but I noticed. He captures my lips in a heart wrenching kiss that makes my legs give out. After he lets me go I cover my hand over my mouth to hold back my sobs which makes him wraps his arms around me with his head on top of mine.

"You will always be my first true love Lucas Scott. And I hope more than anything you will be my last", I cry as I snuggle my face into his chest.

And that's the moment everything changed. I wouldn't be Brooke Davis Scott anymore.

End of Flashback

I owe all of my success to Lucas. He made me follow my dreams and I accomplished some of them, thanks to him. And sitting at this spot makes me be grateful for that. Because even though things are complicated, I will always have him to save me. And now it's time I save him back, and our daughter.

Standing on the black top I swear a thousand memories like the last one comes back into my mind. I try to hold a tear from falling out as I think of the breakup again. This is kind of like our Jerusalem. Maybe one day Megan can share this place with someone she loves too.

"Can I ask you something", I suddenly burst after we sat down at the bench. I've been so caught up in my own thoughts that I decided I should just get right down to the point. Megan turns to look at me nodding her head yes.

"Why did you stop talking to me"?

She stands up then with the basketball that was here and begins to dribble.

"After New York I knew something happened between you and Dad. He wouldn't even look at you when he came and picked me up that morning". Yeah, I couldn't forget that either.

Flashback

After Lucas left I snuck into my bed which Megan didn't even notice. Falling back to sleep for another two hours to get my mind off of what happened was well worth it especially when I wake up to Megan snuggling next to me. Looking at the alarm clock that is next to my bed I see it's already 10:15am. Lucas will be here in less than an hour and my baby will be gone again.

"Meg wake up", I whisper putting my hand threw her hair.

"I'm awake I just wanted to cuddle", Megan snickers making me laugh along.

"When you were little you used to beg and beg to sleep in our bed at night", I reminisce thinking of a younger Megan. She was the cutest kid in the world with her long brown hair and missing teeth.

"Yeah and you always said yes", Megan giggles as she sits up in the bed with a smirk on her face.

"I'm pretty sure it was your father who did", I gasp laughing as well. Megan stops and sighs. She has a disoriented look on her face that seems to be debating what she wants to say.

But with a sigh she finally looks at me and frowns. "Can't you just move back home Mom"?

Her responds literally takes my breath away. It's the first time in the last five years that she's asked me to come back. But after what happened with Lucas I can't. And I can never explain that to her. I'm the bad guy in this situation. I hurt them all over again.

"This is my home Meg", I whisper reaching to rub her back. I feel her flinch at the touch of my hand.

"What do you mean this is your home", Megan hisses sending goose bumps threw my body. "You told me after you were able to step down from the company you were coming back to Tree Hill".

"I said maybe one day in my life but not now. I'm sorry Meg but that's not happening. You're more than welcomed to come move here with me. But I have Julian now. He's my fiancé. I have my parents here and my company still needs me. The only thing that's missing here is you".

"So that's it with you and Dad? You're just going to move on with Julian, after everything".

"Yea Megan I am", I utter barely believing my own words. "Do you want to move here"?

She doesn't say anything. She actually can't even look at me. "I'm going to take a shower", Megan mumbles and clearly acts like she didn't hear me. She walks quickly out of the room and I'm left with just watching after her. What have I done?

45 minutes later…

When the doorbell rings I'm not surprised to hear Megan running from the living room where she was camped out to get the door.

"Hey Dad lets go", I hear her say since I'm standing outside of the hallway. I don't think I have the courage to look at Lucas right now.

"Aren't you going to say goodbye", He asks which makes me take a few steps so I can be seen.

Megan turns around and finally looks at me. I try to make eye contact with Lucas but he's staring at the ground. I wouldn't be able to look at me either. I finally look Megan in the eyes and see she has tears in hers.

"Bye baby", I whisper trying not to break down crying in front of them. This is always the hardest part. Instead this time she doesn't run into my arms like she did when she first got here. She just stares at me with tears streaming down her face.

"Bye Mom", she whispers waving her hand and walks out the door. Lucas goes behind her to pick up her book bag, avoiding looking at me, and shuts the door behind them. And that's one of the moments in my life when everything changed.

End of Flashback

"I just left like after you asked me to come live with you I had to make a choice. Either live in New York or stay in Tree Hill which is my home but really meant choosing Dad or you".

And that's when it all made sense to me. "You chose your Dad".

She nods her head yes looking away ashamed. "He needed me Mom. And you didn't. You have your life figured out. He's just passing time waiting for you to come back asking him to save you. And I didn't want to leave Tree Hill. It is the only home I've ever known. I didn't want to hurt Dad even more either. I don't think he could handle it".

I try to come up with a sentence to make everything okay. But it wasn't coming out because what she did was right. She's her daddy's little girl and I have to be okay with it.

"I guess I understand. I know how much you love your Dad", I answer trying to hide the sadness in my voice.

"It wasn't about love Mom. It was about making a choice for my future".

I nod my head to acknowledge what she said because she was right. She picked the right choice. I just wish it didn't have to be that way. And now it won't be.

"Look Meg I know I've screwed up but I'm trying to make things right again".

She puts the basketball down and walks back to the bench. "I don't think anything is going to be right again with us. We live two different lives and after the trip to Hawaii I need to focus my full attention on school, helping Jamie with basketball, the squad, Dad, and my heart condition. And let's face it if it wasn't my birthday you wouldn't even be here right now, or know anything about my disease".

"What if I move back then", I mutter which makes her snap her head along with her jaw dropping. It's silent for a few moments and she seems to be having an inner battle in her head.

"I don't want you to move back here if you aren't going to be happy. Besides if this is about my heart condition I don't want you to be so worried. I'm going to be fine".

I shake my head no reaching over to hold her hands thankful that she actually lets me. "It's not about that Meg. I just want to be here again. I miss my home and I don't know how much longer I can do without you. If you think it was easy for me to just leave you all the time, it wasn't. My heart breaks every goodbye we've ever had. These have been the greatest and the worst five years of my life. I'm ready to start being happy and be what I should be, and that's being your Mom".

There's a small smile forming on her lips but she seems to be in deep thinking.

"What about Julian and the company", Megan stutters then. Crap. Julian. I haven't thought about him when I made this decision. I love Julian, I truly do. He was there for me when I needed someone. He treated me so well but he will never be Lucas. No one will ever be him because I will always know that Lucas Scott is the one for me.

As the company goes I can still run it from Tree Hill. Rachel isn't going anywhere and she can help with things in New York. Plus I want to open a store in my home town that was always one of my biggest dreams too.

"I'm not sure what's going to happen with them right now but I know what my main focus is on. And that's you and our relationship. I'm going to make things right with us Meg, I promise", I reply trying to hold back tears. Reaching over I kiss the top of her forehead and smile when she hugs me.

"Don't make promises you can't keep Mom", she whispers in my ear.

"This time I am going to do everything I can do keep this one", I mutter back squeezing tightly. This, right here, right now, this is how it should be.


This was one of my favorite chapters I've ever written. I hope you guys feel the same. PLEASE REVIEW!

-Yours Truly