Chapter 16

His belongings made up a small pile on the sidewalk. The three of us just watched as the limo drove away. Pitts had fallen asleep sometime in the long drive from New Jersey, but now he was wide awake, looking a little weary in Brooke's arms. I exchanged a look and a small smile with Brooke, with a simultaneous sigh. The doorman came forward, and asked Brooke. "Do you need any help miss Davis?"

"Michael, this is Peter. Peter Brody. He will be living with us now."

"Very well m'am." He greeted Pitts with a kind smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Peter. And welcome to Park Royale."

"It's nice to meet you too, sir."

"You may call me Micheal, and if you ever need anything, just ask, ok?"

"Ok."

I pick up the two suitcases, but there are three cardboard boxes left. Brooke looks at the doorman. "Thank you. Would you have someone take this stuff upstairs?"

"Right away, m'am. Anything else?"

"Can you inform management and the staff about the new resident?"

"There's a form to be filled, ma'm. I'll send it with the rest of the luggage."

And so we begin to incorporate our unexpected gift into our lives.

We open the door to the penthouse and walk in, suitcases in my hands, Pitts still in Brooke's arms. As we close the outside door, Victoria comes into the living room, with a catalog in her hand. "Brooke, have you thought about..." She stops in her tracks and stares at us.

"Mother. This is Peter. He's going to be living with us from now on. Peter, this is my mother, Victoria."

I catch Victoria's eyes in mine and give her a silent warning. There's a lot riding in her next words.

Victoria examines Peter with a serious countenance, but I can see a glint of amusement in her eyes. Pitts arms tighten around Brooke's neck, but he holds her gaze. His quiet ways hide a lot of raw courage. "You're a handsome boy. It's a pleasure to meet you." She briefly touches Pitts cheek."

"It's nice to meet you too m'am. You look like Brooke. You're pretty too."

Victoria gives him a smile. "Well, thank you. And you may call me Gran." She turns to Brooke. This can wait. I can see you have a lot in your hands right now." Did Victoria make a joke? "I'm going out. Don't wait up."

Brooke gives he a peck in the cheek. "Thanks, Mother."

I actually grab Victoria on a hug, a bit against her will. I whisper in her ear. "Thank you, mom. We really appreciate it." She looks in my eyes and gives me a small smile. She gives Pitts a peck in the cheek. "I'll be seeing you later, handsome."

"Bye, Gran."

"This, sweetheart, is going to be your room." Brooke sets him down, and he begins to look around. She opens the door to the bathroom. "And this is your bathroom."

While Brooke shows him the bathroom, I put the suitcases in the bed, open them and start putting his clothes away in his closet.

"I get my own bathroom? With a bathtub?"

"You sure do, sweetie."

He walks back to me. "Daddy."

"Yes, son."

"Can I take a bath? I think I'm a little dirty."

"Do you want bubbles?"

He seems a bit unsure. "Yes?"

Brooke comes after him. "I'm filling the tub. Oh, you're going to like the bubbles."

"Why don't you help him out with the bath? I'll bring the rest of his stuff here, and make sure we have cookies and milk for a snack afterwards."

"Can you bring me some of the pink bubble soap from our bathroom?" She begins to undress Pitts while I leave. I come back with the bubble soap and a towel. Brooke drops some of the bubble gum scented liquid in the bathtub, and Pitts watches in amazement, as the bathtub begins to fill with bubbles.

"Do you want to go in?" Brooke asks. He nods. She picks him up and sets him down in the middle of the tub. I go grab his stuff, that someone had left by the door in the living room, and bring it back to his room. I start to place some of his toys around when I hear laughter coming from the bathroom. It's the first time I hear him laugh, and I can't begin to describe what that sound does to my heart. I come into the bathroom and both Pitts and Brooke have bubble beards.

"Daddy! Do you want a bubble beard too?"

"I sure do, champ. Will you give me one?" Both him and Brooke squeal as I kneel besides them and tickle both."

"Oh, you're gonna get it!"

"Yes, get daddy, get daddy!"

Apparently Brooke and I are not the only ones in the family who love to play in the water.

After the bath and a snack, we find some Spongebob DVD's and let him relax a bit watching them.

"We need to tell people, Pretty Girl, beginning with Nate and Hales."

"His godparents?"

"Of course."

"Sweetheart, we'll be in our bedroom. Just come find us if you need anything."

"Ok."

"We have so much to discuss, broody."

"I know. But, fortunately, we have time."

"It's easier with this crazy bond you two seem to have."

"I think it's a consequence of the really stressful circumstances when we first met, plus his longing for a father. He'll bond with you too. It's already happening."

"We might want to talk to a child psychologist. Discuss what we can do to help him adjust."

"That's a great idea."

I dial Naley and put the phone on speaker. "Lucas?"

"Hi, Hales. It's Brooke too. In Nate around?"

"Hi, Brookie, Big brother. What's up?"

Brooke takes the lead. "Just the headline. He is ours now."

Haley freaks out "What? Are you kidding? I he there? When do we meet him?"

"One question at a time, Tutormom. No kidding, yes he is here, and as soon as possible."

"What happened?" asks Nathan.

"You guys know that, after the Park incident, the grandparents became his legal guardians."

"Yes."

"Well, the grandmother is really sick. Third stage lung cancer. They felt they couldn't take care of him properly and asked us to step up."

"What about the mother?"

"She seems to be out of the picture."

"Is it official?" Haley asks.

"Not yet. We have to go before a judge, probably next week, to formalize the arrangement."

"Could we go there?"

Nate replies. "I'm not sure. Coach?"

"We don't have a game this weekend. I think missing a couple of practices would be fine. I'll call the Dean on Monday and explain the circumstances. And I'll send you guys the tickets."

"That's not necessary, big brother. We can pay for our tickets."

"I know it's not necessary. It's our pleasure. We will be very happy to have you guys here." In fact, given the circumstances, the explicit support of the family might actually help. I can't avoid worrying about how young we are, and the fact we are not married or formally living together.

"Nate, Tutormom, once everything is final, including his adoption, will you be the godparents?"

We can hear the tears in Haley's voice. "Of course, Tigger. Nothing would make us happier."

We also call mom to tell her the news. Lily had a nephew four years older than herself. Mom promised they would come for Thanksgiving, and meet Pitts. We go back to the living room, to watch Spongebob with our son.

Family night ended with the three of us, piled on Pitts' bed, reading The Cat in the Hat.

"... Well... What you do. If your mother asked you? And that's it."

"Thank you, Daddy. I liked that." We tuck him in, and turn off the lights

With a kiss on his forehead. "Good night, my sweet angel."

"Good night, Brooke."

"Goodnight, son."

"'Night, Daddy."

Without speaking, we head back to the living room. She pours two glasses of wine, and we stand at the window, looking at the city's skyline. "He reminds me of you, sometimes."

"Really?"

"Physically he is poised, elegant, a bit like you.. But mostly it's his personality. He is thoughtful. The way he takes things in, mulls them over. I think we got ourselves a little Broody."

"At least you already know how to deal with one of those."

"That's right, baby. Long experience getting Broody out of his brood and having a little fun."

"There is a lot to talk about, Pretty Girl, but one big decision..."

"There's no decision, fiancee. It's pretty obvious. He is going with you to North Carolina. I'll go visit, and the two of you will come visit, but until you move to New York next year, his home is there with you. My life here is too crazy. If he stayed here, I would have to hire a nanny. You guys are much better equipped to take care of him."

"All right, I guess I agree. He can go to the same daycare as Jamie and he would fit in easily with our routine. I don't even have to ask Nate and Haley. We live in my house. I'm very sorry though."

"Next year you'll move to New York, and we will have our little family living together. Can he have his own room at your place?"

"There's a room next to mine which I'm using as an office. I can relocate my office. We would share my bathroom. There is no bathtub, though. There is something important, which we should look into soon. Next year, he begins first grade. We need to find him a nice school around here. From what I hear, it may not be easy."

"All right. We'll start looking as soon as we see the judge. We need to shop. Clothes and toys, mostly. We also need to redecorate his room." Suddenly Brooke pales. "What about the media? This is going to be a circus."

"You should talk to your publicist right away. This could even impact the IPO."

"That's right. But what do we want? Minimal media exposure, I suppose. Growing up under close scrutiny is not good. For anyone. With his background, it's even worse."

"I think he needs some exposure, just so he gets used to it. He is going to be news, whether we want it or not."

The door opens, and Julian walks in. "Hey, man."

"Hi Brooke, Lucas. What's up?"

"Well, we have a new housemate. A five-year-old boy named Peter. We are adopting him."

"Wow! That's big news!" He frowns, probably realizing that a pair of nineteen-year-olds wouldn't qualify for adopting anyone. "There's a story here, isn't there? How did this happen?" We tell him the story.

"That's incredible guys. Congratulations. So, Peyton and Peter know each other."

"That's right. We were planning to take him to visit her tomorrow morning."

"From what you told me, she is going to be thrilled."

"That's right. How is she?"

"She is doing well. She can do pretty much anything without help, and she is really looking forward to coming home next week."

We are heard in chambers, since what we are doing is not a formal court procedure. The judge is blonde woman in her fifties, with a severe manner but kind eyes. In attendance Matt and Mary, our lawyer, Brooke, Peter and I. Nathan, Haley and Jamie are waiting outside.

"So, according to this petition, Matthew and Mary Brody, legal guardians and maternal grandparents of the minor Peter Alexander Brody are surrendering their guardianship, and requesting a direct adoption by Brooke Davis and Lucas Scott, present here. Is that correct?"

Matt answers. "Yes, your honor."

"And Brooke Davis and Lucas Scott are willing to take up full parental responsibility for said minor?"

"Yes, your honor."

"Very well. It is my duty to verify that this action is is consistent with the best interests of the child in question. With that in mind, I'll ask a few questions. You may let your attorney answer them."

"Very well, your honor."

"First, you are both nineteen years old. Do you have the emotional maturity to assume this responsibility?"

"Your honor. Brooke Davis is the CEO and main shareholder of a large corporation that she build with herself. She has one hundred employees and her company's last year's sales exceeded ten million dollars. Lucas Scott is the author of a best-selling first novel and head coach of a college's basketball team. They have both shown maturity and responsibility far exceeding that of a typical nineteen year old."

"That answers my second question. They both have the means to support the child."

"Yes, your honor."

"They are not married, and they live in different states. How can they constitute an appropriate family unit to receive the minor?"

"They are affianced, with their wedding to take place in June next year. Mr. Scott intends to move to New York as soon as he is done with his current obligations, which should happen in April of next year. For several months now, Mr. Scott has been coming to New York every week, and he has established an inequivocal second residence at Ms. Davis apartment. "

"And what living arrangements are intended for the minor?"

"His primary residence would be Mr. Scott's home in North Carolina. With Mr. Scott, reside his brother, Nathan Scott, his wife, Haley Scott and their one-year-old son James Scott. Mr Scott and Ms. Davis believe the North Carolina household is better equipped in terms of the existing family structure, to receive Peter Brody at this time. Both Mr. Scott and Miss Davis would travel as often as possible, spending at least two days a week together."

"Finally, what prompted Mr and Ms Brody to give up raising their grandson, and why the directed adoption to this particular couple?"

"The reason for taking this step is that Ms. Brody is seriously ill, and feels that neither her, nor her husband, will be in conditions to take proper care of their grandson. The reason for directing the adoption to Mr Scott and Ms. Davis is a previously established connection between the young couple and the minor, during a crisis situation five months ago. I have an affidavit from the social worker that worked the case associated with this crisis, and she attests the deep and lasting connection between the couple and Peter."

"I have one final question, to be directed to Peter Brody. I would like to request that everyone leave this room, except Peter."

We wait outside for about five minutes, after which the judge opens the door to her chambers and lets a smiling Pitts out, who jumps in straight in my lap. "Daddy!"

We walk back in.

"Here is my decision. Mr Scott and Miss Davis will be granted legal guardianship and full joint custody of the minor Peter Alexander Brody, for the period of one year. During this time, a home study by child protective services will be conducted, to evaluate this placement. After one year, this court will reevaluate this placement and hear an eventual request for formal adoption."

"Daddy, does this means that I stay with you and Brooke forever?"

"Yes. This means you are our son."

He lowers his voice, whispering in my ear. "Do you think I can call Brooke "mom" now?"

I look into his eyes, and I see the relief and the happiness inside. "Why don't you ask her?"

"All right, Daddy. Brooke."

"Yes, Angel?"

"Can I call you "mom" now?"

Brooke's eyes fill with tears. "Yes, darling boy. Nothing would make me happier."

Peyton went to bed early, still tiring quickly, taking Julian with her. The boys, Nathan, Pitts, Jamie and I were sitting on the floor, playing with blocks. The basic idea was to build something, and Jamie would tear it down. Pitts has a gentle way with Jamie.

Haley and Brooke stand aside, talking quietly, while observing their boys play.

"Is it a dream come true, Tigger?"

"Oh yes. Do you see the bond between Lucas and Pitts?"

"Yup. How did that come about?"

"It was already there from the moment they met. It was overwhelming need from Pitts side, together with Lucas whole hearted response to it. We are getting there too, Pitts and I. It's just taking a little more time. I wish they could stay here."

"We'll take good care of them for you."

"I know you will. Thank you for coming, tutormom."

"It was great. You know, Lucas is so good with Jamie, more a second father than an uncle."

"He would be."

"That's right, but it tears him apart a bit, you know? That someday soon he would have to let Jamie go. That's what makes me so happy about Pitts. He has someone to help fill that hole now."

"I've seen how good he is with Jamie. I didn't realize the down side. I should have, I guess."

"Are you guys planning for more children?"

"We are trying now."

"Really? That's a surprise."

"We stopped contraceptives the day we gave Pitts back to his family. We considered going back now, but decided against it."

"Well, good luck with that."

Brooke smiles to herself. "We're not in a hurry."

"Hey big brother. When are we going to start teaching little nephew here about basketball?"

"Son."

"Daddy?"

"Do you like basketball?"

"I don't know."

"Do you want to play?"

"Sure. You will teach me?"

"Uncle Nate and I. Yeah, we'd love to teach you."

"All right! See little cousin? They're gonna teach me baskeball. Then I can teach you when you grow up."

"Da." Jamie smiles at Pitts. "Pit."

"That's right! Pitts."

"Pit!"

Brooke approaches me, and whispers in my ear. "Frisky."

I get up. "Would you mind watching the kids for a bit? We have something urgent to attend to."

"Something urgent." Haley says, a bit sarcastically.

We head to our bedroom and lock the door. "I have a new favorite word in the english language."

She gives me a dimpled smile and starts taking off her clothes. I do the same. In about ten seconds we are kissing naked in our bed. There is fast and there is rushed. This was fast, but we did enjoy ourselves throrougly. About twenty minutes later we return to the living room. She hasn't said a single word since the one she wispered in my ear. Now she whispers again. "Thanks. I love you."

"I love you too, Pretty Girl."

Nathan shakes his head. "Nothing ever changes."

"We will watch them a while, if you have something to attend to as well, Little Brother."

Nathan and Haley exchange a glance, smile and get up. "Be right back."

We are all nineteen.

I arrive in La Guardia at eight. It's the first time we are leaving Pitts with Nathan and Haley, but after two weeks living with all of us, he is pretty comfortable with them. A driver takes me straight to Clyde and Burkhardt, the investment bank that is organizing Brooke Davis Holdings IPO. The process is scheduled to start at ten, but as I get in at half past nine, there are already about forty people in the small auditorium, including Brooke, Victoria and our own team of money managers and lawyers.

"Hi Pretty Girl, Hi mom."

"Lucas."

"How's Pitts, love?"

"He sends a kiss to mom and grams. He is fine, happy as a clam. Any news here?"

"Nothing yet." She is under a lot of strain, and showing it. I stand behind her and massage her shoulders. She hums a bit as I do it. "Thanks, fiancee. I needed that."

The process starts establishing a current value for CoB. Each interested stockholder will receive shares on the new holding corresponding to half their share of CoB, plus an option to purchase half more at the established price. That leaves one quarter of the stock of the holding, plus whatever is not purchased by the current stockholders, which will be auctioned off in small lots. The resulting pile of cash will be used to finance the planned expansion. Brooke says they need about thirty million dollars to carry out the plan.

At ten, the banker in charge of the process comes in with an envelope, which he opens. Every single eye in the room is fixed in him. He opens the envelope and reads. "The current value of Clothes over Bros, limited, according to our study is nineteen million, eight hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Brooke Davis Holdings will begin with a formal capital of twice that, divided in five million shares valued at seven dollars and ninety four cents each."

Brooke begins the story with one million five hundred thousand shares, and need to pony up another six million, for seven hundred fifty thousand additional shares. For the next step, Brooke and I put another six million dollars in our money managers hand, to bid for shares. After a nerve wracking day, we managed to purchase two hundred eighty thousand additional shares, which just about gave us a controlling interest in the new holding. After the IPO, the holding's stock ended at about thirty dollars a share, which made us half owners of a hundred and fifty million dollar company. Three times richer than when we woke up that morning. In addition, the IPO netted about fifty million dollars, which made it an unqualified success.

After the IPO, Brooke and I go back to North Carolina.

"So, do you like his room?" The room is small, pale blue with white furniture and a definite basketball theme in the decor.

"It's a lot of basketball, isn't it?"

"Well... he is a bit too young for cheerleaders."

She giggles "Granted. But, say, puppies?"

I laugh too. "I guess we could exchange one of the Jordans for puppies."

"Did he ever show interest in a real puppy?"

"No. But he does have a fake one following him around."

"I know. They are so cute together."

"Separating them is going to be hard. Maybe, when we move to New York, we can get him a puppy? I mean, to compensate a bit. Are there any restrictions in the building?"

"No large dogs."

"I had a Lab mix growing up. Would you want one?"

"Not one of these tiny yappy ones. Maybe a bulldog. They are kinda slobbery, but very sweet."

"Well, we're in no hurry. Think about it. Knowing you, I think a great Dane would be right, but I guess that's out."

"You're right on the money on that one. Sweet, playful and huge. Just like you."

"What about a boxer? They are considered midsize, and they are playful and sweet."

"I kinda like that idea. Oh, by the way, they may have a place for Pitts at Holy Cross, which is about ten blocks from us. They want to interview him."

"Can you set it up for when we come back from Paris?"

"That's fine."

The first meeting of the stockholders of Brooke Davis Holdings took place a few days later, in a meeting room at the Plaza. There were about a hundred people present, representing something like ninety nine percent of the shares. Nobody knew whether Brooke held a majority by herself, which she actually didn't. She held something like forty eight percent of the shares. The trick was that I had another two and a half percent.

The meeting was conducted by the head of the legal department of the new corporation. "Ladies and gentleman. Our first order of business is to elect a Chairman of the Board for Brooke Davis, and I take the liberty to indicate Miss Davis for that position. Anyone seconds?"

"I second it."

"Victoria Davis seconds it."

Now, for the vote. Miss Davis."

"With forty-eight percent of the shares, I vote on myself for Chairman of the Board."

"Ms. Davis."

"With fifteen percent of the shares, I vote for my daughter Brooke Davis, for Chairman."

"With a majority already declared, I declare Miss Brooke Davis is the new Chairman of the Board of Brooke Davis Holdings. I pass the presidency of this meeting to our new Chairman."

"Our next order of business is to choose a CEO for Brooke Davis Holdings. With forty-eight percent of the vote, I vote on myself for CEO of Brooke Holdings. Ms Davis."

"With fifteen percent, I vote on myself for CEO."

Maybe Brooke was right. Victoria was just playing a game with us. All the other voters went with Victoria, until Brooke called. "Lucas Scott."

"With two and a half percent, I vote for Brooke Davis." Both Brooke and I were looking directly at Victoria's face when I cast my vote. She stiffened, her eyes bright with anger. Then she realized we were looking straight at her. She shrugs, gives us a small smile and directs a tiny nod in Brooke's direction, as if recognizing defeat at the hands of a respected adversary. She then turns around and leaves.

"With a majority vote cast, the stockholders indicate Brooke Davis as the new CEO of Brooke Davis Holdings."

Once it was clear that Brooke actually held a majority share, there were no competing indications. In particular, Victoria Davis was indicated as CEO of Clothes over Bros, a wholly owned subsidiary of the holding.