Disclaimer: still don't own OTH, the characters, anything really
Has it really been over half a year? My bad. I mean if there was any time to not get the required 20 reviews so I didn't have to push the next chapter it was this break. It's been a rough time lately, I haven't really felt inspired at all. A lot of changes and dramas, the loss of my grandfather still hits me, all those moments I know I will miss out on, I'm no longer homeless which is nice, finally settled into my new place which my son is thrilled about, I'm on the waiting list and should be having surgery this year to sort out a couple of health issues I am dealing with, there I was holding of an ultrasound for my endo when I had a little accident tore my abdominal wall and discovered I have a mass on one of my ovaries, so they're gonna do a whole 2 in 1 sitch. I had a 'fight' with my 'best friend' who I have known my whole life and we have not talked in months which is a tough combo of grief and sadly guilty relief to be away from her toxicity, hard not to care though but the thing is the older you get the more you have to kind of realise that caring more about others than they care about you is not always worth it.
Its been a struggle to write, nit that a million ideas aren't going on in my head but actually typing them down is another thing, I've always known where this fic was going, but how to get there isn't always clear and writers block comes and goes. I rewrite this chapter a few times and decided to cut some things out, like Jamie's bday party that was mentioned last chapter and the introduction of Quinn. So now the story has caught up to s7. Please enjoy, read and review.
-x-
Chapter Forty-Three
The sky was silver and grey, swirling together, the wind a cutting coldness and though it wasn't raining the air still smelt and tasted like rain. A vast difference from the summer days the Davis-Scott family had just left behind.
Surrounded by fields of lush green grass the helicopter pad sat alone except for the waiting car and the figures standing by it. Lucas placed a hand to Brooke's lower back as they began to walk away from the helicopter and its still spinning propellers that had Brooke's hair blowing in the wind. Noah walked on the other side of Brooke; the boy's green eyes tired from all the travelling.
Despite his own exhaustion Lucas could not help but return the smile he saw on his waiting mother's face, a much calmer Andy by her side. Lily, her own face beaming, jumped on the spot, her exuberant wave warming the older brother's heart. From the corner of his eye, Lucas noticed that Brooke had a matching expression of joy on her face and as they grew closer Brooke broke away from Lucas and Noah, in a slight jog she made her way faster with her arms already raising. Though at first it appeared that Brooke was walking towards Karen, any choice on who she greeted first was taken away as Lily excitedly ran forward and flung her arms around Brooke, "you're here! You're here!"
Lucas' much younger sister appeared much older than the last time they'd spent together, taller and thinner than the skype calls could show. Lily Scott was officially eight years old with her beloved father's warm eyes and smile, yet in almost every other way she looked like their mother with straight dark hair instead of curls. In a pair of dark blue jeans, purple gumboots and a metallic sky-blue puffer jacket that hid her skinny frame, Lily only let go of Brooke when Lucas finally caught up and she then flung herself at her brother, wrapping her arms around his middle.
After returning the hug Lucas joined the other adults, shaking Andy's hand as his mother and Brooke whispered to each other between laughter as they warmly embraced. Lily didn't hug Noah, instead she leant forward and lightly kissed her older nephew on the cheek, Noah gave a nod of greeting and Lucas could already tell his son was overwhelmed.
Once Brooke and Karen let each other go Lucas hugged his mom, who welcomed him and held his face between her hands as she pulled away. Their blue eyes meeting, "my boy, look at you" she smiled her approval, and still with an arm around her son she turned her gaze to her grandson, "welcome to New Zealand, Noah, I hope the flights were okay"
"I think we're all a bit jetlagged" Lucas chuckled.
Andy made sure their luggage was placed in the boot of the car and then the family all hopped in, though Andy sat in the front passenger seat it was one of his employees who drove them. It was easy for Lucas to forget how wealthy his stepfather is, though as they cleared the trees and followed the dirt road to the paved one and then closer to the country homestead, which was in all intent and purpose an eighteen-bedroom mansion.
Andy and Karen had their own four-bedroom wing, his elderly parents the master wing, while his older sister and her family occupied another. Despite the three branches of the family sharing the residence it was so large they could easily go days without running into each other. Lucas had only visited Andy's family home twice over the years, and it was no less intimidating this third time.
Lily flung her pony back over her shoulder, her warm eyes more focused on Brooke than Noah or Lucas, "I can't wait to show you my room, and, and you have to meet Sir Neighs-a-lot, and-"
"Okay, Lily, take a breath" Andy chuckled from the front.
Karen smiled affectionately, "can you tell she's excited?"
"A bit" Brooke nodded and leant her dark hair against the younger girls, "she's not the only one".
As much as Lucas loved Tree Hill it was times like this that he ached to have his whole family together, time was moving so quickly and soon Lily would be graduating and all grown up, and he didn't know how long he had left with his mother. Though Karen was only in her forties, Lucas' biological father had died the previous year, and Keith hadn't made it to his fortieth.
Lucas made a promise to himself to visit his mother every year, and he didn't have to ask Brooke because he knew she would happily agree. His smile widened as he watched his family together.
For a moment it was easy to imagine another time and possibility, reality and dreaming blended together, and seeing Brooke and Lily sitting side by side, their similar dark hair, fair skin and darker eyes, it was all so easy for Lucas to imagine they were mother and daughter.
And then the moment was gone, Lucas blinked. The here and now was still amazing, he smiled and relaxed into his seat as the car slowly drove along.
-x-
The next morning Lucas woke, his arm instantly stretching out in search for the warm body that fell asleep next to him. Cool sheets greeted Lucas' touch and he frowned slightly at the emptiness, for a moment Lucas forgot where he was and confusion blurred his mind, and then Lucas' sleep ridden eyes adjusted to his surroundings and he recognised the room and where he was.
Though the bed was empty, Lucas knew Brooke could not be far and when he checked the time, he saw it was nearly midday in New Zealand. Once freshened up and dressed it did not take Lucas long to find his girlfriend, after quickly realising their wing was void of anyone else, he headed for the only other places he was comfortable with and knew in the mansion, and soon he could easily hear and follow the sound of Brooke's joyful yet husky voice.
In the large kitchen Lucas found Brooke talking with his mother, the two of them happily enthralled in their task at hand.
"It smells delicious" Lucas smiled, his smile grew only wider as Brooke looked up at his voice and beamed at him, closing the distance Lucas placed a hand on her waist and kissed her cheek.
"Morning, Broody" she whispered back to his kiss, her eyes strayed back to Karen, "Ma's teaching me some of her secret recipes"
"Don't forget the famous apple pie"
"Ooh, yes" Brooke's hazel eyes sparkled back up at Lucas as memories rushed between them, "that's a must have"
"Looks like you two have been busy" he stepped slightly back to give Brooke some room, and quickly kissed Karen's cheek as well, "Good morning, Ma"
"Sleep well?"
"Sure did. Where's Noah and Lily?"
"Andy has taken them out to the stables before the rain starts again. Would you like something to eat?"
"I'll wait until you all have lunch now, and for whatever is in the oven" though he quickly went to dip his finger into the batter of the bowl that Brooke was stirring, "a coffee would be great though" he licked the zesty batter, "blueberry muffins?"
"Yes" Brooke grinned, "the banana bread is in the oven… oh and we made ANZAC biscuits with the kids earlier"
When Karen handed the coffee to Lucas, she also gave him two cookies, "ANZAC biscuits" she explained, "they're usually a lot harder but I undercook them a little so they're softer in the middle"
Lucas took a bite, he raised his brows and tilted his head to the side in thought as he savoured the taste, "better than the last-" before he finished Brooke smacked his shoulder with the tea towel.
"Careful" she warned.
"In all seriousness your cooking has improved a lot" Lucas took another bite before kissing her with the crumbs still on his lips, as he pulled away, he wrapped his arms back around Brooke from behind her, and looking over her shoulder at his mother, "gone are the days of relying on store bought cookies. Some of her breakfast feast could even rival yours, Ma"
"I started cooking more when Sam moved in and I really enjoyed it, so I've learnt a few things since then" Brooke shrugged, then in the brief silence she took in the mess that as still spread over the counter, conscious of the flour that had left a powdered residue over the sweater she'd pulled on that morning "except how not to turn the kitchen into a disaster zone. I should have taken you up on that apron" Brooke chuckled.
Karen waved her hand in the air, "Luke can clean up for us, why don't I pour the batter in while you go clean up. Andy should be back with the kids soon" Karen turned her blue gaze from Brooke to Lucas, "we've booked a table at a restaurant over looking the cliffs down the coast"
"Is there a dress code?" Brooke asked.
"Smart casual should be fine"
"I'm sure you can find something in your three suitcases" Lucas playfully mocked, already busy cleaning up after the two women.
Brooke poked her tongue out but left the room with a skip in her step, leaving Karen to smile slyly at her son. The older woman chuckled; Lucas looked at his mother with a curious expression lifting his brows as if to ask her what she found so amusing.
"If I didn't know any better, I would think I have travelled back in time" and she gave a sad sigh that seemed out of place, a tear appearing at the side of her eye.
"Ma?"
"It's nothing" Karen went to retrieve the baking tray and placed it on the counter, her eyes still misty with emotion, "I'm missing so much" she finally breathed out, her voice hitching in the middle, "We live on opposite sides of the world and having you all here reminds me of everything I'm not there for, I mean Noah is closer to Victoria Davis than me" Karen met Lucas' eyes, "and as much as I hate the distance I… I can't live there again, it's too much"
"You have a good life here" Lucas nodded, "We understand"
"We could live anywhere" Karen babbled, "and when Lily needed to start school we settled on New Zealand, having Andy's family close and… I'm not sure I could have survived sending her to school back there, as irrational as it might be it scared me to the bones, I pictured years ahead of never knowing if every morning I sent her to school if it would be the last goodbye" a tear fell freely down Karen's cheek, she smiled sadly, "I can breathe here but I miss you all so much. My heart is torn in two"
With no words to comfort his mother Lucas simply pulled her into a hug, all too aware of the pain of having a heart pulling in two directions and how much more complicated it was when those two directions had your children on the other side.
Finally, Lucas dredged up some words knowing nothing he could say would completely heal his mothers' worries, "I had you to myself for eighteen years, now Lily needs you. We know you love us and no matter how far away you are, you have always been there for not just me but Brooke as well, you are always with us"
I'm not. Karen thought but she smiled and wiped the tears away. The mother and grandmother was all too aware that the years were passing so fast and she was missing milestones in Lucas' life and in his family, seeing them together made Karen realise how real this new life Lucas had forged for himself was, that she would not just me missing out on the drama and the pain, she was missing out on all the good times too.
Karen did not doubt that over the coming years there would be more she would miss out on, that Lucas and Brooke were on their way to formalising their relationship, that there would be a wedding and more grandbabies coming, and soon it would be impossible not to miss birthdays and more and more big events.
"I'm sorry. It really is good to see you so happy" Karen added, and she forced her smile wider, "so, have you gotten a ring yet?"
Lucas' eyes widened, he glanced in the direction Brooke had disappeared to minutes ago before turning large blue eyes back to his mother, "aren't you the one who told me not to rush things?"
"Please, since when did you ever listen to me" Karen scoffed her dark curls bouncing as she gently shook her head.
"Well…" Lucas drawled, "there might be a ring" he couldn't help but smile, his lips involuntarily twitching up but he quickly controlled it, "but I know Brooke's not ready yet and I don't want to push her or rush things as everyone is keen to point out I do. I want it to be perfect. It doesn't matter if its not tomorrow, or next month or even this year, nothing will change the fact she's my future"
"Do me a favour, when you know its time, let me know" Karen smiled fondly, hoping that in the near future it will be a moment she will be there for.
Lucas checked that Brooke was still not in sight, he nodded again, "I promise".
-x-
The weeks in New Zealand passed too quickly, and as it came to their final week reality sunk in for Brooke that they would be going home soon. It was a bittersweet thought as Brooke wanted more time with Karen and Lily, yet she also longed for the comfort of her home and family back in Tree Hill.
It was quieter here; their little family had more time together and got to experience multiple first experiences as a family. Despite having plans every day, Lucas still managed a few hours a day to work on his latest novel while Brooke also managed to get ahead of her latest line that she was working on.
"Is it weird that I don't want to go home but I can't wait to go home?" Brooke mumbled as she snuggled deeper into Lucas' arms. They were wrapped up together naked under a thick blanket, the flickering from the fireplace the only light in the room. Lucas stroked Brooke's arm slowly, his fingers running up and down sending more shivers through her body.
"Is it weird that I feel the exact same way?" Lucas whispered back.
"I just want to pause time, and stay in this day" Brooke pouted, "can we do that?"
"Think of all the things we would miss if we did?"
"Well eventually we hit play again" she wiggled slightly, "its all going so fast"
"You know I had a similar conversation with my mother when we first came here"
"Wise woman. It feels like we blinked and now we have to go home, it feels like I blinked and suddenly Noah is-"
"Nine tomorrow"
"When did that happen?" she chuckled, "he will be as tall as me soon and I will have no advantage" and her eyes widened, "and do you realise we are now closer to thirty than twenty? Thirty!"
"We still have a few years until you have to worry about that" Lucas chuckled against her hair and left a kiss upon it, "and just think, what an excuse for a big party"
"I guess" she sighed, "it feels a bit like when Sam graduated, a reminder that they're growing up and one day they'll all be grown up and it'll be them-" Brooke tangled her finger with Lucas' holding his hand and bringing it to her lips, "-cuddled up with someone they love amazed at their babies sleeping in the other room"
"Hey, we aren't quite grandparents yet" Lucas smiled and tried to picture them all in the future, "but you know what, if our kids are as happy as we are right now then that's a future I am looking forward to"
"I hope they are" she kissed his fingers again, "because I don't think I could be any happier"
This time Lucas lifted her chin with their enjoined hands and met her lips in a kiss, he leisurely explored her mouth until Brooke twisted in his arms so their chests rubbed against each other.
It was another hour before either one had the energy to speak again, their eyes stared at each other as they lay on their sides facing each other. Lucas now stroked her hip, unable to not touch her now that he had her so close, "Brooke?"
She made a sound, scotting closer.
Lucas licked his lips but didn't let the words escape, Brooke kinked her brow, "what's on your mind? You're looking more broody than usual"
"We said they and… I know we talk about Sam too but… we said they"
"Oh" Brooke's eyes narrowed in thought, "we don't talk about it but I guess in the back of my mind I still picture us having more kids, you know, I just don't know how that will work"
"I told you I would be okay with just Noah or with having more, I mean I want more too, and as much as I enjoy that we foster it would also be nice not to have to say goodbye so much. And if you were ever ready to think about the how that would work, I would be too, I would be right there with you for any specialist if you want to try IVF or adoption, as much as I would love to have a mini-Brooke in my arms I would love any child that came into our lives no matter the how"
Brooke smiled, she lifted her hand to trace his lips and her heart felt suddenly heavy with love, she adored this man, she always had but had never truly believed she could have this life they now so freely planned together. A part of Brooke still expected something to go wrong and right now she was happy, her heart swelled with joy from the happiness she was living, "I feel the same way but for now can we just stay in this happiness, I just want to hold onto it for a little longer"
"Okay"
Brooke cupped his face, "Luke…. Ask me again in a year".
A year of happiness, of no plans, of no disappoints, just another year of this, a little pause in their lives to enjoy everything they had.
Neither could think of anything better, so Lucas nodded and they wrapped their arms around each other, falling asleep with smile on their faces, warm in each other's comforting hold long after the embers of the fire cooled.
-x-
"Happy Birthday!" Brooke shouted, bursting through the guest room that had been assigned to Noah, Lily by her side simultaneously blowing into a party blowout while popping a party popper, coloured metallic confetti exploded in front of them. Lucas hung back though he had an equally wide smile on his face.
Noah looked up from where he sat on the couch by the unlit fire in his room, a thick book in his lap, already dressed for the day in lined khaki cargo pants and layered shirts, a long-sleeved navy shirt with a yellow polo over it.
Brooke and Lily both quickly turned away from the empty bed and headed for Noah's direction instead, the two brunettes were still in their pyjamas, though Brooke's consisted of just leggings and Lucas' hoodie. And the party hat atop of head that Lily had insisted on, Lucas wore his too though it was slightly crooked.
Still in his spot Noah's lip only slightly twitched with his smile, Lily started to sing happy birthday off key though as loud as she could and as she did so the little girl pushed Lucas forward. As Brooke joined in on Lily's singing Lucas lifted Noah up over his shoulder and quickly carried Noah, who only mildly complained when the book fell from his hand, all the way outside of Karen and Andy's wing and down the stairs to the formal dining room. Blue, white and gold balloons were all around the room, and as they entered Karen and Andy who were waiting by the table joined in on the third rendition of Happy Birthday.
With care Lucas placed Noah at the head of the table where a large stack of pancakes stood waiting, ice cream and strawberries on tip with nine thin candles lit.
With the last hurray Noah blew the candles out and Andy quickly turned on the light, the breakfast feast now on full display.
Though it was Noah's ninth birthday it was only the third birthday Brooke and Lucas had celebrated with their son, despite that Lucas found it hard to imagine what life was like before his son came into it, those years felt so long ago, as if a part of a different life or some sort of dream he'd woken from and now it was just a blurry memory.
They all sat down together, and the conversation from last night came back to Lucas. They were on a count down now, less than a week and they would be back in Tree Hill, with Andy leaving for a business trip the next day this was potentially the last time all six of them would be sitting at the same table.
But his eyes met Brooke's across the table, she bit down on the strawberry in her hand and grinned, her eyes sparkling, and Lucas didn't feel sad about it, he just felt happy in the moment. Today was another promise kept and he had many more to look forward to.
He'd told Noah a year earlier that he would bring him to New Zealand to climb a volcano, and here they were about to bring one of Noah's dreams to life. Lucas hoped it would be a birthday that Noah would remember for the rest of his life, a memory for just the three of them.
After the birthday breakfast Lucas and Brooke got ready for the hike that was ahead of them, then met Karen, Lily and Noah in the sitting room where Noah unwrapped his presents. Karen and Andy had gifted Noah with a wetsuit and a snorkelling set, Lily gave her older nephew a handcrafted scrapbook she'd made of their holiday with the polaroid pictures she'd been taking over the last two months, the latest one from this morning already placed in, with a few pages left for the rest of the week.
Noah thanked his grandmother and Lily, appearing touched at the thoughtful gifts. Lucas knew that despite the distance Karen was involved enough in their lives and cared enough to know exactly what to get Noah, her grandmother instincts still strong.
Being in another country Brooke and Lucas hadn't wanted to bring gifts back and forth so they had a couple of presents waiting back home as a surprise but had packed a couple for Noah to open today, a couple of books Lucas insisted on and a gift voucher for sailing lessons that Lucas and Brooke had picked together.
Despite how happy everyone was Lucas looked at the time, "we better head off before it gets too late or we will be hiking down in the dark"
Lily scrunched up her face, but before she could go into another rant about how unfair it was that she didn't get to go too, Karen quickly lifted her daughter up, "and I better get this little one over to Jacinta's house, she's been looking forward to the playdate" and her stern eyes at Lily made sure to tell the littlest Scott not to argue about it.
They all said goodbye and headed out, Noah's excitement made the newly turned nine-year-old fidget more than normal which had his parents even more excited despite Brooke's initial dislike at the idea of hiking up a volcano.
Hours later the three of them looked over the view and Brooke dropped her shoulders, "okay, you guys were right, this was totally worth it".
Noah turned his bac on the view, "we're not at the top yet! Come on Mom, Dad"
With a roll of her eyes Brooke followed Noah up the path, her hand In Lucas', mainly for him to help pull her up the track, "how the hell are we going to beat this next year?" she joked.
Lucas grinned, he flashed his gaze to Brooke then back to Noah ahead of them, "I have a few ideas".
-x-
So that was that, a little bit of filler but a chapter to move the story along. After this and my plans over the chapters coming my vision is a lot clearer of what I'm doing. Here's a clue… time jump. Can you guess what the time jump will be…?
