Thank you all for your fab reviews for the last chapter! Despite it being a sad one, you guys seemed to really enjoy it.
So now... the countdown begins to chapter 19...
Enjoy!
Chapter Seventeen – All That's Coming
A few days after visiting Kate, Brooke managed to convince her to move back to Raleigh with her. Nathan had moved in with Haley, and although she missed her former roomie (despite bothering him all day at work) she wanted to fill the space left by him, so she offered a bedroom for Kate and Ellie, which she gratefully accepted. Something didn't feel quite right about being in the house she shared with Ted without him. Kate did want to have one last hurrah in the house, however, and offered it to Karen and Keith as a mini-reception venue following their vow renewal, and they gratefully accepted. For two people who made a lot of money as surgeons, they were incredibly tight with their cash.
Meanwhile, Lucas was trying to immerse himself in his man of honour duties. Lucas' little sister Lily was acting as best woman for Keith. It seemed appropriate that they would be breaking with tradition. They were an unconventional family – Keith Scott was his uncle after all, but he and Karen swiftly fell in love following Lucas' dad's departure and nobody had looked back since.
Lucas was excited to celebrate his mother's vow renewal with the man who had been like a father to him all his life – even though his own relationship was ending. Ever since Peyton had returned from her trip, she had been avoiding Lucas. It was like she knew the conversation that was coming and she just refused to have it. He wanted a definitive ending but she just wouldn't give it to him. They weren't together, but they needed to have a closing conversation, otherwise it would make it all the more hard to move on.
"Honey, you really don't have to be here, I'm fine—" Karen insisted as Lucas lay on the sofa in his mother's hotel room watching TV while she got ready.
"Lily said the job of the man of honour is to support the bride and keep her company, so I'm keeping you company." Lucas said happily. "Brooke also said that the man of honour drives the getaway car so if you want to make a run for it, just let me know." He added with a shrug.
"Brooke huh?" Karen asked suggestively as Lucas sighed.
"Yeah let's not go there right now—"
"Is everything ok?" Karen asked, knowing that Lucas had been having a difficult time with Peyton. On the other hand, his friendship with Brooke had blossomed. Much to every one's surprise, they were incredibly close and were incredibly thankful for each other. Even when she was away she never doubted how much he cared.
"Yeah, fine." Lucas said bluntly, not wanting to get into this with Karen right now—or ever if he was being completely honest.
"I know it's a challenge. The woman who left Africa is not the same girl who left here in the first place. And the woman who lost her father? She's not the same girl either." Karen said sympathetically as she left her seat and sat opposite him on the coffee table. She knew her son well, she knew that he was having conflicted feelings about the women in his life.
Lucas eyed Karen curiously. He knew she had always liked Peyton, but she really liked Brooke despite their rocky start. It was rare that Karen liked anyone so much.
"What are you doing?" he asked her cautiously, trying to work out what his mother was getting at.
"Just making you think a little. It's understandable that this would cause difficulties. Especially when you and Brooke have always played the role of boyfriend and girlfriend a little bit better than you and Peyton... even when you're not supposed to be." Karen observed as she went back to her table to get ready, leaving a confused Lucas behind her.
That afternoon, Brooke was waiting patiently outside of the venue for Rachel to arrive so they could sit together. She was bringing her boyfriend Johnny, but Brooke had resigned herself to the fact that she would probably be a third wheel on all of her friends for the time being. It was a relatively cold day in Raleigh and Brooke was shivering beyond belief. She swore she was going to kill Rachel for not being here at the agreed time.
"Hey pretty girl" she heard behind her as she turned around and saw Lucas standing there with an amused smirk on his face.
Brooke quirked an eyebrow, "What do you have to look so amused about?" she asked.
"You're standing there hunched over and shivering without a jacket" Lucas pointed out.
Brooke rolled her eyes, "The jacket would only ruin my outfit Scott, come on"
Lucas held up his hands, "You are totally right, I'm sorry. I wish I could say it was warmer in there, but my mom deliberately chose this place cause it's supposed to be cool and Keith is a sweater." He said with a shrug as Brooke chuckled.
"Noted…"
"Here" he said, taking off his jacket and putting it around her shoulders. "Just until whoever you're waiting for gets here. Then you can show off your outfit"
"It's not a date" she said quickly as Lucas nodded. "I am definitely not ready for a date, no way and I mean – it would be completely ridiculous for me to bring a date to my ex-boyfriend's mother's vow renewal." Brooke rambled awkwardly. Karen had told Lucas that he could invite whoever he wanted and they in turn could bring dates, but for Brooke to do it did seem a little strange.
Lucas chuckled, "Don't worry about it cheery, you don't have to explain anything to me" he assured her.
"What are you doing here anyway? Shouldn't you be with the bride?"
"The bride is freaking out that the venue isn't set up perfectly, so she sent me here to check it out and send her photographs…" Lucas said with a tight-lipped smile.
Brooke let out a laugh and nodded her head, "Well I suppose it is the maid of honours duty to be at the beck and call of the bride"
"Apparently so… I should probably get to it, I'll talk to you later" He said as he gently touched her arm and walked into the building.
Brooke let out a breath and started impatiently tapping her foot. She put her hands into the pockets of Lucas' jacket and frowned when she felt some paper. She lifted it out and opened the folded over sheets and began reading.
10 or so minutes later, Brooke had abandoned waiting for Rachel and had gone into the venue. She wasn't quite ready to go into the main hall just yet. Instead, she found a bench in the courtyard and sat down, trying to compose herself. As she was reading earlier, she'd realised that she was reading Lucas' speech for the reception – and it was beautiful. He had such a way with words and Brooke couldn't help but tear up.
More than anything, it made her think of her dad. She would give anything just to say what Lucas said about his mom to her dad. She would give anything for just one more moment together – and then it struck her – she could have one more moment with him in an unconventional sort of way. Brooke tossed her phone in her hands, contemplating whether to open what was on it. It had been on there for 6 months and she couldn't bring herself to do it.
She looked up when she heard some footsteps in front of her, and realised it was Lucas. "Hey" he greeted. "What are you doing out here?" he asked as he sat beside her.
"Don't be mad… but I read your speech…" she said with a grimace at her own actions.
"Brooke…"
"Don't leave your journal anywhere where I can find that either" she joked as she handed him back his jacket. "It was really beautiful Lucas. Remember tonight, for it is the beginning of always… and then the part about taking chances and believing in the possibility even when life has given you every reason not to believe." Brooke said as she looked at Lucas in wonder. She thought about all that they had been through since they first met. There was a lot of heartbreak and a lot of disappointment and pain and tragedy – but Brooke didn't regret the time she spent with him. She didn't regret taking a chance on love. If she took the time to regret it, she knew she would have lost the very essence of what made Brooke, Brooke. She may have been afraid of love, she may have doubted it – but her heart had the biggest capacity for it and she just couldn't turn away when it was sitting right at her feet. Not when it could have been the greatest thing to ever happen to her.
Brooke cleared her throat and looked away from him, "I just hope someone says something that nice at my wedding."
Lucas smiled, "I think you can count on that one." He said sincerely.
"It uh – it also got me thinking about my dad. His marriage to my mother ended in complete tatters, yet he still loved. He loved fully and he believed in it and I wasn't always that supportive of his love for Kate…" she said with an ashamed laugh. "I would give anything just to have him here so I can say I love you and I support you."
"He knew that Brooke. He loved you so, so much, you could see it every time he looked at you." Lucas encouraged as he gently rubbed her back. "You were the best thing he ever did."
"It uh - seems that my dad was feeling a little nostalgic on the day he died." Brooke said as Lucas eyed her curiously. "He left Kate a voicemail on her phone and uh—he left me one too… and Harry, and Matty. I'm the only one who hasn't listened to theirs. It's been almost a year and I just—I didn't want to listen to it. I couldn't accept the fact that this would be the last thing I would ever hear him say." She explained. "The same thing happened to me when Aiden died. The last thing I heard him say was over a voicemail he left me. It just seems a little cruel now. Every time I see I have a voicemail I'm going to assume the worst."
"That's so hard Brooke." Lucas sympathised. "Maybe these voicemails can be some sort of comfort to you."
"Maybe… will you listen to it with me?" she asked as he nodded softly.
Brooke unlocked her phone and took a moment before allowing herself to hit play.
"Hey Brooke, it's your dad!" they heard Ted say cheerfully down the line. As soon as she heard his voice, her eyes filled with tears and she covered her mouth with her hand. It was like he was really there in the courtyard with them.
"I know you're probably run off your feet with work, but I just got off the plane and it's such a beautiful day here in Raleigh. Probably one of the most beautiful I've ever seen. Anyway, it got me thinking about the day you moved to Raleigh to start your residency. It was such a miserable day outside and you were not in the best mood and I just think it's crazy how much has changed. Raleigh is well and truly our home and probably the best home we've ever had. You've done so well for yourself Brooke, I'm so proud of you. You never let the drama that comes with being a Davis effect who you really were at heart and that's so special and rare. Anyway, embarrassing dad ramble over. I can't wait to see you. I love you Brooke. Bye."
Brooke and Lucas sat in silence for a moment as they took the message in. It was so simple and from the heart and so... Ted. Brooke couldn't quite believe that she was hearing her dad's voice again. It felt like he'd never really been gone for all this time.
"Are you ok?" Lucas asked as continued to rub her back.
Brooke quickly wiped away her tears as a small smile graced her face. "You know what? I think I will be." She said confidently, knowing that when she thought about her dad, she would no longer think of that damn accident—she was think of her dad. The warm and loving dad she treasured with all her heart. "Where's uh—where's Peyton?" Brooke asked quickly, having noticed that she hadn't seemed to arrive yet. Lucas had said she was coming, despite where they stood in their relationship.
"I don't know." Lucas answered as Brooke furrowed her eyebrows. It was an evasive answer that clearly had a story behind it.
"What happened?" she asked, but Lucas wanted to discuss something else entirely as he stood up.
"Have you noticed what we became?" He asked.
"What do you mean?"
"We talk to each other about anything and everything going on in our lives… we became the couple. Not me and Peyton, not you and Julian. You and me. You were a better girlfriend to me than Peyton has ever been." Lucas confessed, realising that Karen was right.
"Lucas—" Brooke began as she stood up to face him.
"I know it's messed up but—it's true and what's even worse is that—a part of me doesn't really regret it." he said honestly. He was done holding back anymore, he needed to say this.
Brooke gulped. She would be lying if she said his friendship hadn't meant a hell of a lot to her over the past while. "I—I understand. You've been amazing, through everything. Even when I wasn't here I felt so supported and cared for by you. I honestly don't know what I would have done without you."
"Me either."
Brooke stopped for a minute before she considered what her next words should be. She cared about him. She cared about him a lot and she knew he cared about her too. But this couldn't happen.
"But... you need to figure out this Peyton stuff first. I know she's avoiding you, but you need to find a way to make her listen... otherwise you're going to make yourself miserable. We can be friends, maybe not on the same scale that we have been but uh—friends none the less." She said. She didn't know how they were going to do that—or if they could do that—but she wanted to. She wanted him in her life either way.
Lucas nodded, knowing that she was right. He needed that closure with Peyton before he and Brooke could ever be something. He didn't want it to happen like that anyway. He wanted them to have the space and the assurance that this was it, the two of them, forever. But like Brooke, he valued their friendship and he didn't want to lose it.
"Absolutely." Lucas said in agreement as he pulled her in for a side hug and kissed her head.
They stayed like that for a moment before they heard the clicking of heels and Peyton appeared around the corner.
"Oh, sorry" she apologised sheepishly, not realising she was about to interrupt a pretty intimate moment on her journey over here.
Brooke immediately removed herself from Lucas' hold and stepped away from him, hating that she had to do it.
"I'll see you guys inside" Brooke said as she walked into the hall to find Rachel and Johnny.
"What was that all about?" Peyton asked as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"We were just talking Peyton, it was nothing you need to concern yourself with."
"It certainly didn't look like nothing" she said with scoff.
"Well, I suppose you know what nothing looks like because that's all I got from you over the course of our relationship." Lucas shot at her as Peyton's face completely fell.
"That's not fair-"
"What are you even fighting for Peyton?" Lucas asked with a gulp. "I said I would wait for you to get back so we could properly talk because I wasn't prepared to just end this without seeing you face to face – I keep trying to talk to you and you keep clinging on but for what?"
"Lucas" Peyton said as she stepped towards him and held his tie lightly, "What we have – it's irreplaceable. We've been through so much together, every path we take will lead back to each other, I just know it!" she said, but Lucas didn't reply. He didn't know what to reply. "Look, I don't think this is the time or place to be having this conversation." Peyton said, realising that she wasn't getting through to him. "After the wedding, I have to go back to Africa and tie up a few loose ends, but I will be back in two weeks so please – just wait for me."
"I'm done waiting Peyton!"
"Just - wait. I promise we'll talk." she pleaded, even though she knew deep down she was delaying the inevitable. Peyton didn't wait for his reply, knowing she probably wouldn't get one, so she just made her way back into the hall as the service was about to begin.
After Brooke had left Lucas and Peyton to talk, she walked through the hallway searching for a tissue in her purse. Her talk with Lucas had made her a little teary. She didn't want to let him go but she knew she had to - for now anyway. She had a funny feeling that this wasn't the end of their story, but he needed to end whatever he was doing with Peyton before they could even consider their feelings for one another. As she looked through her purse, she heard a voice in front of her ask;
"Are you Brooke?"
Brooke looked up and saw a young girl standing in front of her, around 19 or 20 years old. There was something really familiar about her, but she just couldn't quite place her pretty features.
"Yeah, I am" she confirmed.
"I'm Lily. Lucas' sister" the girl said as Brooke smiled and nodded her head, realising that she recognised Lily because her eyes were Lucas' eyes.
"I thought there was something familiar about you" Brooke joked. "It's nice to finally meet you, Lucas cannot speak more highly of you."
Lily smiled, "I could say the same thing about you" she responded, causing Brooke to look a little surprised. "He always has something to say about you when we talk."
Brooke chuckled, "Oh yeah? Remind me to tease him about that one..."
"You're like - really pretty" Lily said as she took Brooke in. Lucas had said she was beautiful, but she wasn't expecting her to be that beautiful. She was almost mesmerising.
"Right back at you. Definitely the best looking Scott" Brooke said with a wink.
Lily giggled, "Remind me to tease Lucas about that one..." she said, recycling Brooke's joke from earlier. "Brooke - I know I don't really know you, but from what Lucas said - I have no idea how he ever let you go." she said in disbelief. Even in this short meeting, she was far more than Lily could have imagined. She was kind and beautiful and funny and intelligent and Lily made a mental note to smack Lucas for letting her slip away from him, though she had a funny feeling that her brother already had some regrets.
"It's uh - it's complicated" Brooke said with an awkward shrug. "We're friends."
Lily smirked, "I'm not sure you guys will ever be just friends. There's too much chemistry for that... I saw you two talking in the courtyard." Lily explained as Brooke nodded. "I guess Lucas just didn't know what he wanted - typical guy..." she said with an eye roll as Brooke held back a laugh. "But I think he's seeing his future as clear as day when he looks at you." Lily made clear as Brooke remained silent, not really knowing what to say. "It was nice to meet you Brooke" she said sincerely before walking away.
The whole renewal went beautifully. No one would ever have known of the tension between Lucas, Peyton and Brooke. It was perfectly serene and sweet which was all Karen wanted. As the reception was in full swing, Brooke walked around the house in search of Kate. She eventually found her sitting in Ted's old office, rocking Ellie to sleep.
"You know, dad used to rock us to sleep in that chair" Brooke said as Kate looked up at her, a little startled. "When he and mom got a divorce, Victoria was keen on burning all of his stuff, so he made Harrison go into the house and save this chair from the slaughter." Brooke told her with a little laugh, seeing the ridiculousness in the situation. "He's had it in this office ever since."
"He would have loved rocking Ellie to sleep on it too" Kate said as she looked back down at the sleeping newborn in her arms.
Brooke smiled and knelt down beside the chair to peer in at Ellie "definitely."
"I should have called when I was away." Kate abruptly stated as Brooke looked at her.
"Kate, it's ok. Davis' have a long history of running and avoiding when things get hard." Brooke told her. It seemed fitting that Kate did it too.
Kate was surprised by their understanding, but she wasn't about to question it. "Maybe… but I do want to say, that despite everything, despite the difficulties that I know will probably keep coming—you're my family and I am always here for you." She said kindly.
Brooke looked at her with gratitude evident in her eyes. She could never have imagined a point in her life where they would be so fond of Kate Grant. Despite everything, she was family, and she always would be.
"And I will always be here for you and this little lady" Brooke said as she placed a little kiss on her sister's hand. She was glad that the boys didn't out number her anymore. As difficult as the past little while had been, she really felt like this was a fresh start for them all, and all that was coming was good.
BOY am I making Peyton super frustrating lol here's hoping Lucas will get through to her and she'll stop fighting the inevitable...