The number of my reviews have dropped! What happened? Was it bad? Oh no, I hope this one's better. Anyway, thank you so much for everyone who reviewed and read my sotry. And also I am glad people noticed the lines from Gilmore Girls and the line in Chapter 4 from Friends. There will be some lines/reference from Gilmore Girls, Friends and maybe even The Office here and there. Last chapter was mostly drama (at least for me it was since I enjoy writing humor), but this chapter has more of the quirky and witty conversations that you love (I hope). I talk too much. I will stop now. Enjoy!!

Disclaimer: No matter how many times I watch Gilmore Girls, Friends, The Office and One Tree Hill, I will never be able to own it. Okay, now you can enjoy!!

Come What May

Chapter 6: In a State of Blissful Happiness

24 hours have passed since Brooke last saw Lucas, 24 hours since she heard his overwhelming confessions, and 24 hours have gone by for her to process everything he's said. And that's all she did last night, think about what he said. And she thinks those were the sweetest words she's ever heard. Before she had secretly been jealous of Peyton because she had page after page of Lucas telling the whole world that he loves her; but as his confessions now echo in her head, she thinks that nothing can ever compare to those words.

She walks around her store as if walking on cloud nine. She wears a silly grin on her face as she skips through her store, completely oblivious to how silly she appears to look like. But no matter how happy she is about everything Lucas had said, she won't give in. He told him he'd fight for her, so she'll let him. She wants to see to what extent he will go for her. She wants to know how long he'll wait. And maybe it was a little mean, but that's her heart's way of knowing that this time he isn't going anywhere. It's her heart's way of making sure it won't be broken again. And also it would be amusing to see what he would do for her.

Clothes over Bros he sees it from a distance. Lucas parks his car on the side, but not directly in front of Brooke's store. He wants to surprise her with a visit.

"So what might you suggest is a good color on me?" he asks as he enters the store.

"Lucas," she says almost in disbelief as she turns her body around to face him.

"Don't do that," he whines.

"Do what?"

"'Lucas' me", he says 'Lucas' in the same way she did.

"Why?"

"Because it already sounds like the upcoming conversation would be awkward," he points out.

"And how do you suggest I reply to that?"

"The same way you would if I hadn't told you I love you."

"What, do you want to reenact your surprise visit?"

Lucas pretends to think about it and says, "I think that's a great idea!"

"You are kidding!" they both don't notice it, but they have fallen back to their comfortable conversations.

"I am dead serious." he says in his most serious tone and face, "Okay, I am going to go back outside and you go do what you were doing."

"Luc—," Brooke protests but Lucas holds his hand up to stop her.

Lucas walks back out and after a few seconds, walks back in. "So what might you suggest is a good color on me?" he asks the second time in less than 5 minutes.

"Oh golly me, is that the one and only Lucas Eugene Scott, to whom I share my undying love for?" Brooke says in exaggeration, she found it quite funny.

"You just ruined the whole thing! Now we are going to have to go back to the beginning," Lucas replies, but he can't hide the bit of laughter he has from watching Brooke.

"Oh just sit down," she demands lightly, but he does just that. He sits on the small couch on Brooke's store and Brooke sits down just after he does, but Brooke sits down a good two feet from him.

"You know, I haven't really apologized for the way I just said I love you yesterday, I shouldn't have said it like that," Lucas says coyly.

"It's okay. I mean yes, it wasn't the best way to tell someone you love them, but it's us, when did we ever do something the normal way?" Lucas smiles at her, agreeing with what she had said. "But if you could do it again, how would you have done it?" Brooke raises her eyebrows playfully.

"Well, we would definitelybe in Paris. Oh! I'd take you to the Eifel Tower after we have a romantic dinner. I'll have a dozen lilies and roses for you because those are your favorite. You'd ask me, 'Luke, what ever are these for?' And I would reply, 'Why, Brookie they are my way of saying I love you.'" he smiles and she just laughs at him.

"Alright," she's still laughing at his ridiculousness, "Why there and then?"

"Because I know you can't run away from me."

"Sure, I can."

"Oh, I forgot to tell you that I'd have your passport and the key to our--one bedroom--hotel in which your precious clothes are kept in," he says smugly.

"Lucas Scott, you are mean!"

"I told you I'd go to the ends of the earth if it means being with you," he smirks.

"Really?" Brooke asks to which Lucas nods. "Well, I'm really tired, there's a coffee maker out back, want to make me some coffee? Thanks!"

He just laughs at what she tells him, but doesn't say a word.

"Lucas?" Brooke says.

"Yes?"

"Coffee!"

"You weren't serious about that, were you?"

"Dead serious."

"Ugh," he grunts while standing up and heading to the back room, "Oh the things I do for you, Brooke Davis."

Brooke smiles, happy that she and Lucas can still have the friendship they had before the love confessions. It's taking her all her will not to just fall in his arms and let him love her like she always wanted, but she knows she still needs time and she still needs to trust him. Actually, she trusts him; if she had a kid, she'd trust him enough to leaver him/her with him to take care of. If she was about to fall off a building, she'd trust him enough to hold onto him. If she was in the dark and couldn't see, she'd trust him enough to lead her home. But this, this is a different situation.

She sees him come out from behind with a cup of coffee on his right hand. "You know what, I changed my mind; I don't want coffee anymore, but you can have it."

"You, Brooke Davis are mean!" Lucas says heading back at the back room.

"Where are you going with that?" Brooke asks.

"I'm going to throw it out." Lucas says as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.

"Throw away perfectly good coffee? You know, if I was a Gilmore I would consider that a crime!" she exclaims referring to the Gilmore Girls and their addiction to coffee.

"No, if you were a Gilmore, you wouldn't, ever deny coffee."

Brooke opens her mouth to respond, but she realizes that he's trapped her. He's right, a Gilmore would never turn down coffee, "Okay, you got me there."

"So do you still want this coffee?"

"No."

"Fine, I'll just have to drink it myself."

"Okay."

"You know, I put extra sugar in here, just the way you like it."

"I don't care," she pretends.

Lucas takes a sip of the coffee, "Hmm, it's so good."

"Yeah?"

"Oh yeah, almost like my mom's coffee," Lucas knows Brooke could never resist his mom's coffee or anything his mom makes, really.

"Give me that!" Brooke grabs the coffee mug carefully from Lucas so as to not spill it's contents. She let's out an 'Mmm' as she takes a sip. "I think you might have gotten your coffee making skills from Karen."

"Making coffee isn't really that challenging."

"I can never get to proportions right!!" she exclaims defending herself. Lucas just laughs at her ridiculousness, it's what he loves about her.

The bells on the door jingle signaling someone is at the door and they both turn their attention towards it.

"Hey, Brooke, hey Lucas," Millicent greets.

"Hey," both of them reply at the same time. Brooke gets up to hug her employer and friend.

Millicent noticed the fun conversation they were having before she came in and she hates having to have been the one to break it. "I can take care of the store from here, Brooke."

"Oh no, that's okay."

"No, really, you need to rest, you've been working really hard lately," she argues.

"I've worked the same amount you have," Brooke points out.

"I..uh," she was running out of excuses, "Mouth is coming here later and there's going to be a whole lot of making out."

"Okay! Fine, I'll go home! Are you sure you can handle the store?"

"I have done this before, you know?"

"I know. I'll just get my things," Brooke says heading to the back, leaving Millicent and Lucas.

Millicent never really had a conversation with Lucas before, so this was kind of awkward for her, and she thinks for him as well.

Millicent is the first to talk, "So I read your book, Unkindness of Ravens."

"Oh, did you?" Lucas asks.

"Well…no," she doesn't know why she started with such a topic; she didn't even read the book. "I just didn't know what to say."

Lucas chuckles, "It's okay, I wouldn't really recommend you to read my first novel."

"Oh…"

"I would recommend you to read my second book and every other book after that."

"Okay, I will."

"When you read about the comet, think Brooke not Peyton."

She laughs and smiles, even though she doesn't know him that well, she knows of the troubles The Comet has brought to his life. "I'll make sure to remember that," she smiles.

Brooke comes back from behind with her bag and folders which Lucas guesses has her designs for the next line.

Brooke hugs Millicent again and heads for the door, Lucas behind her.

"It was nice talking to you," Lucas says before opening the door just as a gentleman should for Brooke.

Before heading out she calls out to Millicent, "Don't make out too much when there are customers, 'kay?" She hears Millicent laugh and Lucas and her are out the door.

"So?" Lucas says.

"You aren't going to leave me alone, are you?" Brooke asks, knowing he would behind her tail all day today.

"Nope." he answers.

"Fine, get in my car."

"But I brought my car."

"Aww, that's too bad."

"Are you suggesting I just leave my car here?"

"We're both going to the same place, if you bring your car we'll just waste gas."

"Fine, so where are we going?" he asks as they get in her car.

"Home…I want to watch tv," she starts the car and heads for the road home.

"That's fine with me."

"You know, Peyton might be there," she points out and looks at him.

"Well, I'm going to have to face her at one point." he says calmly though nervous of the possibility of meeting Peyton after what happened yesterday.

. . . . .

"They are not weird!" Lucas exclaims as the enter Brooke's house.

"Pickles are so weird!" Brooke retorts.

"How are they weird?"

"Because they are soaked in liquid but they still end up crunchy! And they're all wrinkly, that's weird."

"I'll never understand you, Brooke Davis."

"It's okay," she shrugs her shoulders, "At least you try."

"Peyton!" Brooke calls out. Peyton still hasn't come home since yesterday and Brooke is really starting to get worried. "Peyton, are you home?" still no reply. "Look, I'm sorry bout yesterday," she says in hopes that will make her come out. Still, no budge.

Lucas is circling the living room in search of any signs of Peyton. Then on the kitchen counter he sees an envelope and a name on it. "Uh, Brooke?"

"Yeah?"

"There's a letter here for you…it's from Peyton."

"Oh, what does it say?"

"It's your letter, you should read it."

"Right." Brooke says walking up to where Lucas is.

Brooke opens up the letter, nervous as to what it says. She doesn't know why she's nervous, what could Peyton have written that could be so bad? She looks at Lucas, worry evident in her eyes and Lucas puts his hand on her shoulder.

"I'm going to read it now." she tells Lucas.

He chuckles, "Okay."

Dear Brooke,

I don't think you ruined everything. I didn't mean what I had said the other night. I was upset and I know that's not a good enough excuse. I was upset with Lucas, but mostly I was upset with myself. I have done you so much wrong throughout our friendship, Brooke Davis. It's a wonder why you ever forgive me, but I am thankful for it.

By now, you probably know that I am gone. Don't worry, I know where I'm going, I'll be safe. I just needed to get away. Yes, from Lucas and also from tree Hill. This Lucas thing kind of got out of hand. I know now that Lucas and I are better off as friends, but it doesn't make the pain hurt any less. I don't know if it makes me love him a little less than I did yesterday. I am hoping that being away for awhile will get me back on track. Maybe when I come back I'm not going to be that jealous ex-girlfriend that I've become. But I don't know when I'll be back.

We won't be talking for some time and our last conversation isn't really how I imagined it to be. I'm sorry for the things that I said, really I am. I was just jealous of you and Lucas, you seemed so close and I...I just lost it. You can tell Haley, Nathan and Lucas whatever you want because I don't really know what I am doing. And tell Lucas…that I'm sorry. I know that's not enough, but it's all I have.

Until next time,
Peyton Sawyer

"She left," Brooke uttered once she finished reading the letter.

"What?" Lucas wasn't sure if he heard Brooke right, she had said it in such a soft and quiet way.

"She's gone," Brooke takes a seat on one of the kitchen chairs, "she didn't say when she's coming back."

Brooke's eyes start to water and without giving it a second though, without noticing it even, he intertwines his hand with hers. "What did the letter say," he pauses for a moment, "If you don't mind."

"She said—uh—here," she said giving the letter to Lucas.

Lucas holds his hand out to take it, but stops, "Are you sure you want me to read it?" when she nods he lets go of her hand he didn't know he was holding in the first place. Once he was done he folded the letter and placed it on the table, "She'll be back," he's not sure why he said that, he's not sure if it's even true.

"I know, I just wish we could have worked it out before she left."

They both stay quiet for awhile until Lucas start laughing.

Brooke looks at him, wondering how this situation could ever be funny, "I'm glad you find this to be a laughing matter."

He's still laughing as he talks, "No—it's just—well, the whole thing sounds like you guys are breaking up."

"What?"

"You know like the letter and the 'I wish we could have worked things out' thing made it seem as if you guys were breaking up."

Brooke chuckles realizing that it did sound like they just broke up. "I'm going to miss her, though," Brooke says in a sad tone.

"I know," Lucas once again takes her hand, this time leading her to the living room. "Let's watch TV, it'll get your mind off the break up."

Brooke slaps him playfully then takes the TV remote. "Luke," she whines.

"Yes, Princess?"

"There's nothing good on."

"You are kidding! The Hills isn't on?"

"Ugh, The Hills is so high school and I am done with all that high school drama."

"Just the other day you wanted me to watch it," he tells her in disbelief, looking at her direction.

"Just the other day you weren't in love with me. Things change," Brooke turns to Lucas, quick to reply.

"Maybe I ever stopped loving you," she's quiet when he says that. "Brooke Davis, did I make your speechless?"

"Ha! No. I was just…I'm hungry! Let's eat!"

Lucas decides to drop the subject and no longer torture her…for now. "Okay," he says, "what do you want for dinner?"

"Hmm," Brooke thinks for a moment, "Pickles!"

"What?!"

"I want pickles," she repeats.

"We spent a good 10 minutes arguing about why you don't like pickles and now you want to eat pickles?"

"Well, you made a couple of good points as to why it is a good food item. Maybe I should try it again."

"Brooke Davis you are a mystery."

"I know."

. . . . .

During dinner, after one bite of the pickle Brooke hated it all over again so Lucas whipped something, anything they could make from the contents of her refrigerator. Whatever it is he had made, Brooke had liked. They watched two movies after dinner and half way through the third one, she had fallen asleep on the couch. Since then he couldn't do anything but stare at her, it was as if walking on cloud nine.

Lucas is glad that the two of them can still go back to the way they were before yesterday, it shows him how strong their relationship really is, no matter what kind. He's only going to make their relationship stronger. He said he'd fight for her, and he is. He is fighting for her in the most simplest of ways, but probably also the best way. He is there for her, just as he always will be. She may not notice the way he is fighting for her now, and he doesn't think it matters. As long as he could make her smile despite the situation, he'll be fine.

It's dark outside and he needs to go home, well, he doesn't need to. He doesn't have anything or anyone to go home to. He gently shakes the sleeping princess in his arms, "Brooke?" he says softly.

"Mmm, leave me alone," Brooke mutters with her eyes still closed.

"It's 11:45, I'm going to go now."

"Ohh," maybe it's just him, but he could have sworn he heard a little bit of disappointment in her voice. "Okay, 'night."

"Um, Brooke?"

"Hmm?"

"I don't have my car."

"Well that's very stupid of you," her eyes are still shut, and she's still half asleep.

"You told me not to bring my car."

"But I'm too lazy to drive you," she complains. After awhile she says, "Stay."

"But—," Lucas was about to protest but he notices that Brooke is sound asleep. He gets up from where he is and gently lays Brooke's head down. He takes an envelope from his back pocket and sets it down the coffee table. Lucas walks back to where Brooke is, slides his left hand under her back and the right one behind her knee, carrying her up her room. She mumbles and mindlessly puts her arms around Lucas. When he reaches her bedroom she gently sets Brooke down. He planned to go back to the living room quietly but he tripped on one of the legs of her bed.

"Ugh, great! Now I'm wide awake," Brooke exclaims.

"No, shh, go back to sleep."

"Nah, I have to change?"

"Why?" Well, that's a stupid question, Lucas thinks.

"You try wearing a pencil skirt to sleep!"

"Right. Well, good night."

"Where are you going you don't have a car and I am so not driving you," she talks to him while in the bathroom, changing her clothes.

"In the living room, unless you've got a more comfortable place in the bathroom," he says loud enough for her to hear.

"You can't use the bathroom, you never know when I have to pee in the middle of the night. And the couch is awfully uncomfortable."

"We fell asleep there before."

"And you can't tell me your neck didn't hurt."

"Okay, it did."

"You can sleep here. My bed is big enough."

"Are you sure?"

"Just don't do anything weird," Brooke tells him once she was out of the bathroom and in her pajamas.

"And what would count as weird?" Lucas asks taking his coat off.

"That! Lucas what are you doing?"

"You try sleeping in a coat!"

"Well, what are you going to wear?"

"My undershirt and boxers."

"Fine," Brooke climbs to her bed and Lucas quickly follows. "G'night, Lucas."

"Good night Brooke."

They lay there in the silence, both staring at the ceiling, neither of them asleep. "Brooke?" Lucas calls out.

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

Brooke turns her head to face him. He can see the faint outline of his body, he's still staring at the ceiling.

Though looking up, Lucas can sense Brooke staring at him, so he turns to face her as well. He explains, "I've decided to tell you that I love you every morning and every night."

"Ohh…okay."

They both drift to sleep quickly after that. A noticeable smile appears on Brooke's face while she sleeps thinking of the man lying beside her.

It's okay that Brooke can't tell Lucas 'I love you' yet. She's not ready, he understands that. But that doesn't mean he can't say it to her. It just one of his many ways of fighting for her. And the letter that sits on her coffee table downstairs with her name scripted on it, is also one of the many ways.

. . . . .

That was a lot of Brucas, huh? Was that too mushy? I thought it was just cute. Would cute count as mushy? Well, I hope you liked it. There wasn't much Naley and Jamie...well, at all. But they'll be there. I just wanted to show how Brooke and Lucas could still feel safe with each other despite what happened...but anyway, you already know that, you just read it.

The title of this story is "In a state of Blissful Happiness" because I've mentioned 'cloud nine' like twice and being me, I like to google things. So I googled that phrase and I thought the definition was quite quaint.

Next up! Brooke and Lucas will talk about their past. Dun, dun, dun. And yes, there will be Naley. So if you want me to get a move on the next chapter, please, do review. I love, love, love reading them! Seriously, I talk too much. Now, I will stop so you will hopefully review.