To all readers;
to get a sense of this chapter do yourself a favor and Youtube Bethany singing Elsewhere. It's one of my favorite moments of One Tree Hill and I had to incorporate it with my story. For those who are still reading this story…I'm back. I am going to try my best and finish this story within the month. It's love has crept back into my heart. Please Review and feel free to message me if there is anyone left who reads these stories. I love One Tree Hill. I love Brucas. And I hope people can still love this story. It's just getting good I promise.
-All my love,
Megan
Chapter Twenty:
Lucas POV
"You know, we could skip this thing", I suggested when I walked in to the guest bedroom. She was putting on a pair of heels and as she stood up I couldn't help but smirk from the look on her face. Brooke Davis was absolutely beautiful in all her forms; sexy, seductive, bratty, angry, sad, and my all-time favorite, grouchy. It didn't matter what age, how much she weighed, or what hair style she had. I always knew she was the most beautiful woman I'd ever love.
Her smirk alone made me squirm in the knees as she kinked her eyebrows suggestively. "Well if we skip the party, what are we going to do"?
"I could think of a few things", I shrugged stepping towards her and gracefully lifted her as she wraps her legs around my hips and her lips against mine. I pin her against the wall and we make our assault at the same time. I take my lips down towards the spot behind her ear and relish in her moans for the second time that day. Ever since we've gotten home from Hawaii, I can't take my hands off of this woman. And most of the time, I'm not even the one to make the first move. This was always inevitable.
She grabs my face to pay more attention to her lips and before I've gotten enough she's pushing me away. "If we don't stop now we'll never make it to the Café". I couldn't help but laugh out loud as I leaned in to kiss her on the forehead and then smiled at her before I kissed her on the lips and didn't break away until I was about to start gasping for air. "I just wanted one last kiss before midnight. I don't think I'll be lucky enough to get one when the ball drops". Brooke face falls into a frown as she seemed to realize what my words meant. No one knows about what's been going on with us. Not Megan, or Haley, or my brother. There's also the fact Brooke is still engaged. Something I haven't dared to bring up. We are in a state of pure bliss; I'm too scared to face the truth. I'm too petrified she's going to change her mind. So if I don't ask about it, she won't leave.
That leaving part shouldn't scare me, but it terrifies me. My biggest fear is that she'll decide she's made this mistake again. That I'll forever be her first husband, the father of her child, and that's all. I won't be her husband, her best friend, her lover, or her life partner again. I want her back more than anything.
Instead of bringing of the subject of us up, I think of what Brooke said yesterday about Megan and Ryder. To be more accepting of it because it'll only ruin my relationship with her if I act like a hard ass about guys. I can still be a protective father even if she's sixteen years old. She's not an adult yet. But Meg's not like every normal kid her age, she's fragile. Megan deserves to find love if it's true.
"You were right about Megan yesterday. I'm going to dial it back a little with her and Ryder. If they start to date, I'll be very accepting of it". That earns a big dimpled grin from Brooke as she leans up to kiss me on my cheek.
"I'm very happy to hear that Luke. It's a little scary to think that Megan is about to walk into that next chapter of her life. To think maybe if she falls in love with him, if she hasn't already, it'll be interesting to see how it plays out".
"Megan learned how to love from the people I love the most. If it is anything it'll be extraordinary". Brooke beams at my explanation but I'm not finished as I walk away out of the bedroom adding, "Especially if she loves anyway like her Mother". I don't have to look back to know she's still beaming back at me. She follows me down the steps and we both go into the normal silence of getting our stuff together before we head out.
"Did Meg head over there already"?
"She left about an hour ago to meet with her friends. She also mentioned she's staying at Amanda's again tonight. I said it was fine", Brooke replies nonchalantly.
"Does that mean you'll be sleeping in my bed tonight", I insist opening the front door for her to follow me outside. "That is if we do any sleeping", she cackles back slapping my butt and darting towards my car with me chasing right after her. To be in love with someone and to be loved in return…I think I forgot how it felt like for a little bit. But she's back now…and I'm never going to have to remind myself again. I'll get to do it for the rest of my life with her, loving someone and having them love you back is the greatest gift in the world.
Megan POV
Laughter fills my ears as I open the door to the Cafe with Ryder right behind me. Our hands are interlocked as I squeezed his to let him have some reassurance. He's been acting a little more nervous than usual tonight. I'm not sure if it's because he's hanging with all of my family again..or if it's because I'm going home with him later. I know that's why I'm trying to act like I have my shit together. Inside my head it is screaming that I'm either one; going to get caught by my parents or two; I'm going to ruin it for myself because I have never done something like this before. This new Megan is starting to stress me out. But I promised myself that I wasn't going to hold back from living life. I want to live in the moment. And I want to continue to fall in love with Ryder. So if it means breaking the rules a little, I can be okay with it. No one seems to be here except for a few couples that are regulars. I stop walking to look back at Ryder and he wraps his arms around my hips and he leans down to put his lips next to my ear. "We should have started the party at my house first if we were going to be early". His breath grazes my skin sending shivers down my spine. It's a single touch and a single whisper that sparks something inside of me. I'd break any rule for Ryder Lynn, and that thought alone should scare me.
"I promise you'll have me all to yourself after midnight", the smirk doesn't fit as nicely on my lips like his does but he seems amused since he has that glint in his eyes again. It shines a little bit more when I stand on my tippy toes to peck his lips.
"I'm looking forward to it".
"Come on, I want to show you something before everyone gets here", I take his hand to grasp in mine and lead him towards the back to go up to the roof.
"How do I know you're not trying to kidnap me"? I couldn't help but turn around to raise my eyebrow at him. Of course he would use my line against me.
"I'm showing you apart of my world".
Opening the door to the roof I walk towards the brick wall where I knew the broken brick block was. I lean against it and lay my palm over the roughness of the distorted slab.
"It was right after my Mom had left when my Aunt Haley and Dad decided to show Jamie and I their secret predictions. Each year before they started a school year they would write down the things they wanted that to happen. And the best part of it, it can be anything you want. It could be your dream, it could be falling in love with someone, anything. I think that's why I've always cling to the idea of writing down what you want to have happen. They allowed me to dream and it wasn't unrealistic. It was all if you wanted it to come true or not".
I take the brick out of the wall and get the tin can that holds mine and Jamie's written predictions. Aunt Haley and Dad had given their old spot to us. I take out the folded papers and snatch the one I wanted to show Ryder. It's from the start of this school year.
Unfolding the paper I hand it to Ryder and smile when he seems to be intrigued.
"Let me guess what's on here, meet Harry Styles", Ryder teases but I shake my head no and he stops laughing when he starts to read.
"I'll forgive my Mom", he says it out loud but doesn't continue to read. "She really hurt you, didn't she"?
I shrugged looking away from his intense stare. "At first I was a broken kid. My parents were the epitome of love. I've always thought they would be together forever. That's what they kind of shoved down my throats my whole life anyways. But things change. My Mom wanted to follow her dream. I just wanted her to give a rat's ass about me too. She loves me and I love her too. Every year since she left I have always put down first that I'll forgive her. Each year it started becoming harder to do just that but not now as much. Finally I've realized you have to let things go".
"I like the way you think", Ryder proclaims leaning down to place a light kiss on my forehead. "That is grace. That's the kind of thing people can't teach. To let things go that hurt you, I admire that about you". He says it like he's envious and that's when I start to wonder.
"What has hurt you", I ask suddenly realizing maybe the boy in front of me is kind of broken as well.
"When I first heard I was moving to Tree Hill, I was so angry at my parents. I'd always lived in New York. And then suddenly they wanted to change up my life to a new state a new city where I would know no one. And that anger and sadness sat in the pit of my heart for so long; until I met you. I let all that frustration go the moment my eyes met yours. It was like I knew exactly where I was supposed to be because you were there, standing in the middle of the River Court. Tree Hill suddenly felt like home. I didn't know that this place or even someone could have made me feel like that. That a person could make me feel like that. But you did, and you still do".
"Read the next prediction", I shyly add because words will fail me if I even begin to show how much Ryders words stuck deep within my heart. He talks about coming to Tree Hill and finding me is like finding home, when the whole time I've been with Ryder it feels like I am complete. That the missing piece of my heart that I didn't even know was gone has returned. He has sparked a fire in my heart that only flames for him.
Ryder looks down at the piece of paper and whispers the last part, "I will find my somebody".
"I may have written that in September, but I promise you that I never would have thought it would have come true. I'm a bit of a hopeless romantic at times. The moment you and I met though, I couldn't help but think that maybe I did. That maybe you are my somebody. And I know we've just started this thing and we are young but I want it all with you".
There it is. Everything I've been feeling about Ryder is finally out there. All he can do is smile and just when I think there's nothing else to say between us, he surprises me even more.
"Will you be my girlfriend, officially"?
"I thought we were just going to be friends", I tease stepping even closer to him to wrap my arms around his neck. He chuckles at my joke and traps my chin between his fingers. "I could never be just friends with you Megan Davis Scott. Say yes".
"You didn't even have to ask. I've been yours the moment we met". I seal my answer with pressing my lips against his in a hard kiss. That spark goes off again throughout my body. I wanted to kiss Ryder for the rest of my life.
"Okay break it up love birds", its Amanda's voice that makes me stop kissing Ryder as I turn to see her and Jamie walking over towards us. I turn to look at my boyfriend and wink at him. My boyfriend…the first time I can actually say I belong to someone I'm so happy I waited so it could be him first.
"What are you guys doing up here", I laugh nodding my head up to my two best friends.
"We were coming to make out up here too but you beat us to it", Jamie nonchalantly replies to my question as he grabs Amanda from behind and plants a kiss on the top of her head.
"So not true, we were looking for you two. You better not be adding more to your prediction list this year without me", my best friend adds seeing that Ryder has the list in his hands.
"You my friend have impeccable timing because I was about to add one". I take the list from Ryder and find the pen I had in my back pocket to write down the last prediction that I wanted to come true this year. It was something I've always wanted but never knew it could happen again. People that are meant to be together always find their way in the end.
My parents will be together again
I fold the crumbled sheet and fit it in the overloaded can. I reach my hand out to Jamie with the can. "You have anything you want to add"?
"Not this year", Jamie replies and he doesn't reach my eyes since he's too busy looking at Amanda. He always wrote to try with Amanda..and finally he has.
I put the container in the brick and place it back in the missing wall. I feel content as I back up and look towards the three people who mean so much to me. "Let's go have some fun", I shout taking Ryder's hand to go back downstairs.
Brooke POV
After Lucas and I arrived at the café you would have thought we wouldn't be having secret glances or hidden touches. It's like we're back in time, it'd be impossible to tear us apart. I know we aren't ready for everyone to know that we're back together or what this is called, and I can be okay with that for now. It's a little head spinning how we got to this point. I still don't know how we got to this point. One minute I am living in NYC with my fashion company and then the next second I am with Luke and our family. He knows I am in love with him, and he loves me back still. I am truly happy. And I think it shows.
"You look different", Haley insisted when we had a minute alone in the back of the café. The usual people are here. The family and close friends. We're about a half hour away from midnight and everyone else has pretty much settled around the café.
"What do you mean Tudor Mom"? I humored her kinking an eyebrow.
She laughs at the old nickname while turning her head in the direction of Lucas. "He looks different too".
"I'm still not following what you're trying to imply".
"You don't have to acknowledge it if you don't want too. But I know. You told him didn't you".
"It's not like that Hales", I try to protest because I don't want to get her hopes up. Lucas and I still have a lot we have to talk through. "Lucas and I know what we are doing but we need to figure it out".
"And what is it that you're doing because I want you two happy, and that's what it seems like is happening".
"I am happy", I nod agreeing with her statement. "I'm here. There's nowhere else I'd rather be". Haley grins back at me and she wraps herself around me in a hug. "I love you sis. Thanks for coming back".
"I love you too. Thanks for never wavering our bond. You are my best friend and I don't think I've told you that enough".
"It's okay, I know", Hales giggles and we turn to go back towards the party.
"Aunt Hales, we have a request for you to sing", Megan rushes over when she sees us come out.
I start to laugh towards my one time rock star friend and nudge her to go to the piano. "You going to show them how it's done"?
"I don't think so. I'm not sure I can sing, my throats a little sore", Haley coughs covering it up to make it seems raspy. I know she's up to something though because she was singing to Lydia earlier today.
"Oh come on you have to, its tradition", Lucas has now come into the conversation and Nathan is right behind him. "I'm the one who requested the Haley James Scott", Nathan declares winking towards his wife.
"I'll tell you what, I'll play the piano but Meg has to sing".
Megan's face turns bright red as she looks between the four adults to see if Haley was serious.
"Me"?
"Yes you. Come on, I know you know the words to this song", Haley reassures as she takes Megan's hand to walk towards the piano. The piano is set up to look out towards the tables. A microphone stand is waiting for Meg to take and as she stands in front of the crowd I can immediately tell she is nervous.
The rest of us start cheering and clapping as Haley sit down at the piano. She beams a smile at us all and takes the other microphone that's attached near the piano.
"Thank you everyone. Please welcome my beautiful niece, Megan Davis Scott, as she takes the stage for the very first time".
Everyone cheers and I hear Ryder, Jamie, and Amanda chant 'Go Meg'. She pretends to flick off Jamie as he jokingly says get off the stage after. But that wide eyed smile on her face doesn't falter.
"This is the first song I learned how to sing. And this is also the first song my Aunt Haley sang to Uncle Nathan. This is for you two. Thank you for continuing to make me believe in an always and forever type of love". She takes a deep breath again. "Here goes nothing", she whispers half laughing into the mic and I wonder how she found the courage to do what she's about to do now. She's never been able to do it before. Haley begins playing and then Megan voices breaks through the café making me and I'd like to think everyone else utterly captivated by the sound.
'I love the time and in between the calm inside me in the space where I can breathe
I believe there is a distance I have wandered to touch upon the years of
reaching out and reaching in holding out holding in
I believe this is heaven to no one else but me
and I'll defend it as long as I can be
left here to linger in silence if I choose to
would you try to understand
Oh the quiet child awaits the day when she can break free
the mold that clings like desperation
Mother can't you see I've got
to live my life the way I feel is right for me
might not be right for you but it's right for me
I believe
I believe
this is heaven to no one else but me
and I'll defend it as long as
I can be left here to linger in silence
if I choose to would you try to understand it'
A lone tear escapes Megan's eye as she blinks it away fast after the song is over. Every single one of us are standing and clapping at the performance. Haley stands from the piano and embraces Megan in a bone crushing hug. I would of too if Haley didn't beat me to it first. Megan didn't get her singing voice from her father or me that is for sure. But Haley has taught her everything she knows. And I think that is an absolutely wonderful thing.
"Meg you sing so beautifully", I practically screamed once she let go of Haley to walk over to us.
"Thanks Mom", she blushes but she doesn't seem to want my approval as Ryder strides to stand next to her. She doesn't say anything to him except leaps up to throw her arms around him. I can tell he whispers something in her ear because she ends up smiling even brighter.
I couldn't help but replay the song lyrics in my head again. I wonder what her 'heaven' is. Because when I look towards Luke I know what mine is. It's spending the night between his sheets even when we aren't having sex. It's waking up to making breakfast together and him making my cup of coffee just the way I like it. Or having movie night with Megan cuddled right in between the two of us. This is my heaven. This is what I want for the rest of my life.
And suddenly something conspires inside my soul. I want everyone to know what my heaven is. I want everyone in this room to know what I believe in. I believe in the love Lucas and I share.
So I turn to him, even though his eyes are already on mine, and I grin at him; waiting to see if he can read my thoughts.
"Luke", I say and he smiles back waiting to hear what I have to say.
"I want to tell her".
He looks stun then but he nods his head yes enthusiastically. I turn and reach my hand out to Lucas's and he grasps mine in his larger one.
"Hey Meg", I say but before I can continue with my speech the bell of the front door of the café goes off and I look to see who could it be that's walking in.
My hand falls immediately out of Luke's and I want to escape right back into the real life fantasy I had before that door opened.
"Julian", I manage to speak and he looks around the room to meet my gaze.
"There's my fiancé", he laughs and starts to come towards me. I can't even look at Lucas right now as Julian sweeps me into his arms. "I've missed you Brooke". He lets go and places a kiss upon my cheek since I move my head so he couldn't catch my lips.
"What are you doing here", I succeed to state out when my lips start to work again.
"I could ask you the same thing", Julian kind of laughs even though I know he's completely serious. "Can we go somewhere and talk"?
"Mom", Megan is the first one in the room to say anything and it forces me to stop being dumbfounded and think of what I need to do.
"Yeah let's go take a walk", I reply to Julian and lead him towards the door. I turn around to find Megan and Lucas looking at me devastatingly. I don't know what Lucas wants me to say to him at this point and I don't have the words. I need to end things with Julian. But I can't convey that out loud.
So instead I look at them hoping they know I'm coming back but walk out the door anyway with Julian.
Megan POV
"What just happened", Ryder asks once Mom follows Julian out the door.
Dad's the first one to move from both of our frozen spots as he mumbles he needs a drink.
"I don't know", I answer my boyfriend but I somehow walk towards the door and say I'll be right back.
I run out and see Mom hasn't gone too far with Julian.
"Mom", I scream again and she halts in her place on the sidewalk.
"Hey Megan", Julian waves at me I'm assuming to break the tension because if there was knife you could of sliced it into pieces. I wanted to scream at him and tell him to leave but I couldn't. I'm not sure how I feel in this moment. I'm scared. Am I about to lose her again to Julian? Is she going to have some other realization that what she told me in Hawaii isn't true? Is she going to go back to pretending? I can't let her do that. Not to me, or to Dad.
"Don't do this", I answer completely ignoring him. "Come back inside Mom".
She looks at me and she seems so lost in our stare. "You promised you wouldn't leave me again".
Her face falls at what I said. She races over to stand in front of me and takes me into her arms.
"I'm not leaving".
Brooke POV
This is the kind of mother I have become. The kind of Mom where their child is afraid they are not going to be there for them. I've become my own parents. I have abandoned Megan to many times over the years. I'm not going to do it again. I have to do what's right with Julian. I have to talk to him and I have to tell him the truth. That's how I can get my heaven. That's how I can believe in love and what I have with my family. I have to do what's right because I chose wrong once.
"I'm never leaving you again Meg. I have to talk to Julian. I will find you in the morning. I promise. I love you".
I know she gets my underlying meaning as she nods and replies she loves me too. She walks back into the café and I nod again at her when she gives me one last lingering look. This is the hard part now.
"Is everything okay", Julian breaks the silence since I am doing nothing but looking back into the café. A part of me wants to run back in there, take Lucas and kiss him with everything I have to reassure him I am not going anywhere. But I have to do this first. I have to end things with Julian in person.
"No everything is not okay. How come you haven't answered my phone calls in weeks"?
He doesn't answer my question and I don't really think I'd want to hear what he had to say anyway.
"Brooke what am I doing here in Tree Hill"?
"I asked you the same thing".
He grunts and seems so frustrated. "What changed? Last month we were planning on marrying each other. And now you're back here with your kid and ex-husband I'm assuming and for all I know you're probably back playing house with him".
"Julian. My family is everything to me. Even when it didn't seem like it, they are my life. And I have to be here. I have to take care of my child".
"So that's that then? You say yes to marry me but you move down here in a complete sudden with nothing but a message on my cell phone to tell me? How is that fair to me"?
It isn't fair. I know that. But I don't feel anything when I answer. "I was following my heart because I chose wrong".
"Well you still have time to choose again. We can make this work Brooke. If you want I'll relocate down here or we can go back to New York. I'll try to be step Dad material if that's what you want out of me. I still love you. I can get over you moving here without telling me". But all I hear is bullshit. I don't want any of that. And not because I didn't love Julian at a certain time, I think I may have a little. But nothing compared to the love I have for Lucas. I will always love him the most that is certain.
"Julian, I chose wrong by choosing to stay in New York and by saying yes to you".
That line stuns him. I wouldn't know what to say either if it was the other way around.
"It's always going to be him isn't it"?
I nod my head, knowing that words would fail me if I were to speak.
"We were pretty close to having that happily ever after. I hope he gives you everything you were missing out on".
He leans down to kiss my cheek and I let him because I know this is goodbye.
"I'm sorry Julian. It was time I stopped pretending. I didn't mean to hurt you. There's so much going on here too with Megan and I have to do what I should have done a long time ago".
"Go be Megan's Mom Brooke and do it with elegance like I know you will. And if you love him still, I hope he won't let you go again". He proceeds to walk away but I call out his name one last time.
"Thank you. For everything, I appreciated you more than you'll ever know. Be happy".
"I'll do my best Brooke Davis. Follow your own advice too", and with that he's gone.
Now what?
Megan POV
After the conversation with Mom I didn't feel like partying anymore. Dad had vanished when I walked back in and I figured he walked out the back to go home and sulk. I wanted to do just that. But I wanted to be with Ryder more.
"You okay", he asks once we pulled up in front of his house. I asked him to take me away once I knew Dad was gone and he gladly took my hand taking me to the Jeep. I can tell he's worried because he's been stealing glances at me the entire ride over. It was the first time he said anything since the party.
"Not really. But I will be", I answer half smiling at him. "I want to be here with you though. I don't want to think about anything but you".
He smiles back at me and tells me to follow him into the house. It's about the size of my house. Beautiful on the outside with black shutters and white brick that surrounds the exterior. There is a wraparound porch and I begin to picture Ryder and me sitting outside on the porch swing. Images of the future start to cloud my mind and I start to be happy immediately.
"Come on, I want to show you my room".
We walk into the house and go straight for the stairs. His room is the first one on the right and I walk in anxious to see where it is he spends most of his time. It's like any other bedroom I've been in. There is a full bed in the middle of the room and there is posters covering the walls. There's one of the New York Knicks and an old jersey is hung up with the number 14. It's easy to tell that his personality shows in the room. I'm more shocked to see two guitars stuck in one of the corners.
"I didn't know you played"?
He laughs a little and waves it off. "A little, I sing sometimes. But it doesn't even remotely compare to that pipes you have. What are you, some triple threat"?
It's my turn to giggle this time. "I dabble in music. My Aunt taught me all that stuff when I was little so it kind of stuck".
"I loved you singing tonight. Would you sing for me again"?
"Maybe, if you're lucky", I smirk and sit down on his bed waving him over.
He sits down next to me both turning to look at each other.
"I have to tell you something", I begin to say but start to get nervous since he's looking at me like he usually does when we are alone.
"What is it"?
"Remember your first day of school and you said you had a hard time believing that I didn't have a boyfriend before"?
"Yeah I do", he says reassuringly.
"Well I really haven't. All of my firsts have been with you, my first kiss, first date, everything. And that means that this is my first time spending the night with a guy. And it also means, well…I'm a virgin".
"What did you think was going to happen here tonight", Ryder scoffs and my face turns bright red. "Sorry I was kidding really. I had to tease you a little bit. But Meg, that doesn't matter to me. I wanted you over because I love spending time with you. Sex and all that can wait. I want to get to know you every way possible".
If I didn't like Ryder even more, it was unbearable now. I love him. I was literally falling in love. I almost said it right then too. But I bite my lip to hold it in. It was too soon for that.
"Besides", Ryder begins to say taking my face in his delicate hands. "There are other things we can do". And with that he sweeps my lips into his. We end up lying back in the bed and for hours I start to contemplate where he and I begin.
Thank you again for the Reviews and everything! Please continue! I hope people are still reading this!
