Sorry for the long update, I've been working on this on and off for weeks. I kept putting off writing Lucas and Brooke's letter. I got great feedbacks about Brooke and Lucas's letters and I didn't know if I could do any better than I did before. So go on, read and tell me what you think. But wait, before you do, I just want to thank everyone who reviewed and read my stories. Oh and in this chapter I borrowed a few lines from Gilmore Girls and Friends.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything still.
Come What May
Chapter 9: You Call it Madness, but I Call it Love
For the past week and a half, Lucas and Brooke have been sleeping on the same bed. On one way or another, at the end of the day, they would always end up in one bed. They'd find an excuse or reason, it was either because it was raining really hard and it would be dangerous to drive in that weather or because they were too tired, there were even times they'd watch a movie and just fall asleep towards the end.
After that night at Haley's the two haven't slept without each other beside them. Heck, they didn't do anything without each other. If Brooke was working in Clothes over Bro's then Lucas was there with her with his laptop in tow, working on the finishing touches of his novel. If Lucas worked at home, then Lucas was right beside him with her drawing board propped up on her lap as she sketches her new designs. At the end of the day, for one reason or another they would end up sleeping on the same bed.
They would sleep on the opposite side of the bed and in the morning find themselves tangled up in each other's arms, just like today. Brooke gets up before Lucas does; she figures he needs the rest after the stressful week he's had. For the past week he had been finishing up the publication of his book. She didn't ask him much about the book; she's still uncomfortable with the topic of it. She also refuses to believe the book is about her regardless what Lucas says.
"You know, I might as well move all my furniture and clothes in here," Lucas says as he makes his way downstairs. Also, for the past week and a half, Lucas always jokes around that Brooke might as well give in because they are practically together.
"Then all your stuff would be here," she says trying to seem oblivious.
"Well, what if all my stuff was here?"
"Then you'd be going back and forth all the time, I mean it doesn't make any sense."
"Okay, never mind, here's letter 19," Lucas says handing Brooke in the letter.
"Oh goody!" Brooke squeals grabbing the letter from Lucas, she starts to run to the couch to read his letter, but he stops her.
"Not so fast, Princess," Lucas grabs her elbow, spinning her around. He takes her hand, and brings it to his lips. His lips touch her hands lightly then he tells her, "I love you."
He's said that to her countless times already, but it still sends shivers down her spine. No matter how many times he says it, it never losses it's meaning. His words and emotions never lose passion and love. His eyes never cease to be short of faith, hope and love. Much to Lucas' surprise, Brooke tips toe and kisses his cheek before heading for the couch.
She makes herself comfortable on the couch and sighs saying, "On second thought, I'll read this later on."
"What?!" Lucas asks in disbelief, "You have been nagging me about that all night yesterday, 'Lucas are you done yet?', 'Lucas, what is it about?', 'Luke, write faster! 'This better be the best letter since letter 18, Lucas'. All night of that and you tell me you want to read it later?!"
"Well, I want to watch a movie and besides, I want to finish my day with your letter," Brooke tells him with the cutest puppy eyes ever.
"Hmm," Lucas pretends to ponder, "Fine, that's a good enough reason. What movie do you want to watch?"
Brooke reaches for her bag and pulls out a DVD showing it to Lucas, "Moulin Rouge! I hear it is a great film and Ewan McGregor sings in it...half naked!"
"You totally convinced me there. But you know what else I hear? Nicole Kidman sings in it…half naked!" Lucas takes the DVD from Brooke and slides it in the DVD player. He clicks 'play' before heading for the couch beside Brooke."
The movie starts to play and Brooke decides that now is a good reason to speak, "You know what we haven't done in a long time?"
"Okay, Brooke do you not remember the Gilmore Rules when watching a movie?"
"Yes," Brooke says with her head down.
"Must I make you recite them?"
"Rule 1: Can't swish during the movie because it's distracting.
Rule 2: No talking during the movie.
Rule 3: Minimize distraction. Try not to move, no phone calls, nothing.
Rule 4: No going to the bathroom because movie cannot be paused to get the flow of the thing," Brooke recites in a monotone.
"And which of those rules did you just break?"
"Rule 1 and 2."
"And what do we do when a rule is broken?" Lucas asks as if talking to a 5 year old.
"We give the other a massage," Brooke mumbles.
"That's right. Now get started," Lucas turns his back on her.
Brooke does as she is told, she places her hands on his shoulders ignoring the shivers and butterflies in her stomach. "So don't you want to know what we haven't done in a long time?"
"Sex?" Lucas jokes.
"Maybe you haven't done that in a long time, but I—"
"Don't lie, Brooke."
"Anyway!! We haven't gone to Tric in a while!" she whines.
"Then I guess we'll have to go there tonight."
"You guessed right!"
"Want to watch the movie again?" he asks with closed eyes, Brooke's hands on his shoulder felt so good.
"Hmm…later! I want to go shopping for warm clothes," she tells him even though it would be cold for a few more weeks.
"You already have warm clothes."
"I have nothing," she says as she decides she's done massaging Lucas. Lucas turns back around to face her.
"We're in Tree Hill. It gets freezing here same as in New York."
"No, it's not the same."
"Exactly the same," he argues.
"Well, I have nothing stylish enough."
"That's not true, you got the black cashmere coat."
"But it needs cleaning."
"But I need some sweaters, too."
"You've got the purple, you've got the powder blue, you've got three shades of red, you've got a ton of black, all of which will go with that coat. Plus, you've got a dozen scarves to mix and match with any of those tops," oddly enough Lucas has Brooke's entire wardrobe memorized.
"Let me shop for some clothes!" she says finally.
"Fine," Lucas gives in.
"Yay!" she exclaims getting up and pulling Lucas with her. "Go get changed! We're going shopping."
"What about Nicole Kidman singing half naked?"
"You'll see it again later," she says as she makes her way up to her bedroom with Lucas right behind her.
. . . . .
"You do realize you are a fashion designer, you could just make your own clothes rather than criticize every single one you see," Lucas tells her while walking with her in to yet another store.
"I could…but what fun would that be? Besides, I do not criticize everything I see."
"I know which is why I am carrying 3 bags full of clothes."
"Come what may, remember?"
"I remember," Lucas mumbles, "You know, it's not fair to use my words against me," Lucas says to Brooke, but all she does is smirk at him.
"Really? Rhinestones? Ech!" she says disgustingly, pointing to the clothes hanging on the rack.
"I'm guessing we're off to the next store?"
"You guessed right!"
By the time they headed off to the food court—signalling the end of a Brooke Davis' Day of Fun as she called it—he was carrying 5 bags and she was carrying 2 more, both filled with tops, skirts, pants and even a few bras. Brooke thought it would be nice to have a guy's opinion on lingerie rather that Haley's opinion when she shopped with her.
"I'm beat!" Brooke sighs, leaning her body against his side for support.
"Thank goodness!"
"Hey, if you want to be with me, you are going to have to get used Brooke Davis' of Fun," she warns Lucas.
"Hmm…do you think Peyton's still available?" he jokes but soon regrets it.
Brooke hits Lucas arm…a little too hard maybe.
Lucas grunts and rubs the area of his arm where Brooke hit him, "Too soon?" he questions already knowing the answer.
"Yes," Brooke huffs.
Lucas wraps his left arm around Brooke's shoulders as they keep on walking to the food courts, "You know, I think I'm growing to like this Brooke Davis Day of Fun."
"You better," Brooke says still pretending to angry, but let's face it, she can never be too angry at Lucas.
. . . . .
Once they got home, Brooke heads for the phone quickly dialling Haley's number and after a few rings she is greeted by Haley's voice. "Hey Haley!" Brooke says with all the cheeriness she could muster.
"What do you need?" Haley says flatly.
"What do you say we go to Tric tonight?"
"You know what…that's actually not a bad idea."
"I know, right? Call Mouth and tell him to meet us there at 9 sharp with Millie. I'll call Karen and Andy."
And that's what the two girls did. For awhile Haley panicked about whom to leave Jamie with, but Karen had convinced her that she knows someone trustworthy enough to leave Lily and Jamie to.
"You better go home and get dressed, Scott."
"Aye, aye, Davis," he says saluting her, he walks to the door, but stops on his tracks and turns to face her—she's on her way upstairs to her bedroom. "You know, it's weird to be going home without you."
She smiles at him, agreeing with what he said. It is weird to be home without Lucas with her. Nonetheless she smirks and says, "I'm sure you'll survive, Prince Charming."
. . . . .
Nathan, Haley and Deb arrived at Tric at exactly 9, just as Brooke ordered. The club is in full swing, they walk to look for Brooke and Lucas who were sure to be there before them. But they weren't seen anywhere, even Karen and Andy were already in there. And a few minutes later Mouth and Millicent were already there.
It isn't until 9:10 that Lucas and Brooke make their presence. "You are late!" Haley growls.
"It was Brooke's fault. She couldn't figure out what to wear," Lucas rolls his eyes.
"You didn't have to pick me up," she states.
"If I didn't pick you up, you'd get here at 9:30., Princess."
"Break it up you guys," Mouth says stopping the two and they do as they are told. All of them head to the bar ordering their preferred drinks. They all talk amongst themselves; Andy, Karen and Deb are catching up with each other, proudly talking about their sons. Mouth and Millicent went straight to the dance floor to everyone's surprise. Haley pulls Brooke out of Lucas' grasp so they can converse, leaving Nathan and Lucas to talk as well.
"Please tell me you guys aren't sleeping together," Haley says when they are out of Lucas and Nathan's sight.
"No!" she shouts through the voices of everyone around her, "I mean yes…well, not like that," Brooke tries to explain.
"So you are?"
"No, we've just been sleeping together for the past week," she emphasises the word 'sleeping'.
Haley releases a sigh of relief. "That's actually not the only reason I pulled you away from Luke," he tells her with a smile.
"Oh, spill, tutor-mom."
"Since you were the first to know before, I just thought you should be the first to know now," she pauses as if to cause dramatic effect, "I'm pregnant."
"Haley!" Brooke screams just before hugging Haley ever so tightly, "Congratulations!"
"Thanks, I'm so happy, I can't wait to tell Nathan," she says through her smile.
"Well, what are you talking to me for? Go tell your hubby!" Brooke exclaims pushing Haley slightly to the direction of Nathan.
From a distance she sees Haley and Nathan talk and a few moments later Nathan breaks into a grin and kisses Haley on the lips. She turns around and walks over to where Lucas is.
In no time they were all on the dance floor swaying their hips to the beat of the music, Nathan by Haley, Andy by Karen, Mouth by Millie and Lucas by Brooke.
After a while Lucas got tired, but Brooke was restless. He had long left to go to the bar simply admiring Brooke from afar. Plenty of men dance around Brooke while Lucas keeps an eye on her. Somehow she manages to make her way past the crowd and the men circling her. She goes to where Lucas is and orders herself a drink.
"Shouldn't you be punching every single guy that hits on, what with you being the one for me and all?" she asks as she takes a sip of her drink.
"Well, I could, but I don't want to wake up with bloody hands and a broken nose. Besides, this way, you'd know that these guys are no match against me and that I am certainly the guy for you."
She smiles at him before placing her glass on the table and walking back to the dance floor. Again, men circle around her as she dances. After a while she thinks she's had enough dancing and walks out of the dance floor, but she doesn't know a guy follows her.
"You're a great dancer," the guy says, "I'm Allan."
"Hey Allen," Brooke says trying to be nice.
"What do you say I take you out for dinner?"
Wow, he's blunt, she thinks. "Uh, no thanks." She's told him no multiple times, but he insists they go on a date. She doesn't know what prompted her to say it, but she says it nonetheless, "I'm uh…married…with children."
The man however didn't look convinced, "Are you just saying that to get rid of me?"
"No, he's right there," she says pointing to the blue eyed blond on the bar.
"Oh yeah, what's his name?"
"Lucas, he's an amazing husband, he's so kind," Brooke says putting her hand over her chest.
"I should meet him then."
"I…uh…sure," she walks over to where Lucas sits. "Hey honey," Brooke wraps arm around Lucas receiving a confused look from Lucas. She glares at him then at Allen beside her hoping it would explain everything. Sure enough it actually works.
"Baby," Lucas says going along with Brooke, "I missed you."
"This is Allen," she turns her head towards the man beside her, "he was asking me out to dinner."
"I'm afraid I can't share my…" Lucas pauses not knowing what to say until Brooke whispered 'wife' to him, "…wife. I can't share my wife."
"I don't blame you man, if I had a girl as gorgeous as her, I'd never let her go," Allan said in all sincerity.
"I made that mistake once," Lucas smiles, "I'm not making that mistake again."
"You're sweet. Now let's see a kiss."
Brooke looks at Lucas and Lucas looks at Brooke, for a second she actually takes into consideration kissing him. Lucas no matter how much he wants to feel Brooke on his lips, does not kiss her because she may not be emotionally ready. To both of their surprises Brooke leans in, she leans in so close he could feel her warm breath and smell her sweet perfume.
He closes his eyes as does she, he feels her lips lightly brush his and he's afraid it's only a figment of his imagination or maybe she's just teasing him. But when he tastes the strawberry flavour of her lip gloss, he knows it's real.
She presses her lips on his softly, it's a chaste kiss, but it's a passionate one at the same time. Her mind is telling her to stop, but her heart is telling her otherwise. She doesn't know what drove her to do this, and she doesn't even bother thinking about it. All she can feel is Lucas kiss and his heart beating against hers. The music fades into a soft melody fit for this moment, random conversations of strangers fade into inaudible words, it's just the two of them here and now.
They don't know how long they've been kissing, but it must have been long since Allan was already gone not that Brooke or Lucas had bothered to look if he was there or not. It's not as if it mattered anyway. Somewhere along the lines, Lucas' right hand found itself at the back of Brooke's head tangled up in her hair and his left hand resting on her waist. Brooke's hand found their selves on Lucas, her left hand on the side of his neck and her right hand rests on his waist.
She's almost afraid to pull apart as if doing that will bring her back to reality. She almost doesn't want to pull apart, afraid she wouldn't be able to kiss him again for a while. But she does anyway; she needs to catch her breath. Lucas and her pull apart from each other at the same time and they both look in each other's eyes as if searching for answers.
Seconds turn to minutes, but still they stand just looking at each other. It's as if they are having a conversation only the two of them can understand. It's as if he knows that this doesn't mean that she's give in and as if she knows that's he thinks it's okay that she hasn't given in to him. With her eyes she tells him to wait for her, never to give up on her, to love her come what may. With that said Lucas envelopes Brooke in a tight embrace, his way of saying yes to everything she asks of him.
During the seconds and minutes that have passed they've had a full conversation without uttering a single word, they simply let their actions speak.
Lucas takes Brooke's hand in his and leads her out of the chaos and noises from the club. Seeing Nathan and Haley he lets them know that they are heading out.
They have left Tric, the loud music and the constant yelling of drinks costumers want. They have been walking for several minutes now, but neither has said a word to each other since before the kiss. Both of the drowning in their own thoughts, they knew they had to talk at one point, but both of them quite enjoy the silence between them.
Brooke has been so engulfed in her own thoughts she doesn't notice that Lucas had lead her to the River Court.
He walks her to the middle of the court where only outlines of Peyton's drawing are left on the concrete. He's glad that every time he goes here, the paint slowly fades and with each day, the River Court becomes his and Brooke's place again.
They stop in the middle of the court and take their seat on the cold ground caused by the cold night. "It's so beautiful," she says through the creaking of crickets and the rustling of the trees.
"What?" he asks in the same soft tone she speaks in.
"The stars," she clarifies, "I don't see much of them in New York City."
"The city lights overweighed that of the stars."
"Yeah,"
Again there's silence. Brooke just lays there gazing at the stars, trying to count them just like she would (or at least try) when she was in New York. Lucas however closes his eyes trying to picture the sky with no stars. He tries to remember how the sky looked when he was in New York, he couldn't remember but he's sure there were hardly any stars. It's quiet, only the sound of nature can be heard. Then he feels someone poke him.
He opens his eyes and turns his head to face Brooke, "Did you just poke me?"
"I am so bored!" she says sitting up, "Dance Burger boy!" she says the line from Gilmore Girls when the main character as well was bored.
"Not today, Princess. Why don't you read my letter?"
"I guess I could do that," she ponders. She seeps through her purse taking the letter out address to her and the one addressed to Lucas. "You have to read as well."
He takes the letter from her hands, "This is letter—"
"—number 84, yes."
"Splendid," he says truthfully.
She rests her head back down on the cold cement of the court. She opens the envelope and slides its contents out.
Dear Brooke,
By the way you've been ignoring the topic of my book the past week I can tell you don't believe me when I say that you are the Comet. There is no one else that could bring me beauty, direction and meaning. Not Peyton, nor Lindsay. I know you want some grand explanation as to why, but I can't seem to pin point it. You're the Comet, you just are, and you are just going to have to accept that.
I don't need a sign to tell me you are the one for me, I just know it. I don't need to make a basket blind-folded to know you are the one I want. I'm probably going to need to explain that last line, huh? On junior year, when I was fighting for you, when I was set up to spend the night with Rachel, and you with Keller (oh, that faithful night) I spent the whole night telling Rachel that you are the one for me in the River Court. She asked me why and I told her something Pascal said, "The heart has its reasons which reason knows not of." She then challenged me and faith or destiny. She made me take my shirt off (don't cringe just yet), I did of course reluctantly. She took it and tied it around my eyes, she told me to shot the ball in the net. I threw it and all I could hear was the ball hitting the floor. It went in, Brooke. Call it faith, call it luck, I don't care. Regardless of that shot, I love you and I still believe you are the one for me.
Maybe it's because even as I close my eyes I can see exactly how your eyebrows furrow when you are frustrated, I can see exactly where your smile ends when you are truly happy. Maybe it's because you think your pinkie is the most beautiful part of your body, and you think one of your knee is bigger than the other. Maybe because you'd put aside any possibility of you being happy for others to get that happiness.
The point is, I love you regardless of the Comet. Some could think the Comet is just a comet, a mere body in astrology that orbits the Sun. Some may think it's Peyton's car circling me, being that constant person in my life. Some, like Lindsey could think the Comet is Peyton herself. But I don't care what they think, I know you are the Comet, the one who left but came back, the one I'd never let go of, the one I'd wait my entire life for, come what may.
With all the love I could muster,
Lucas Scott.
Brooke finished reading with tears in her eyes, she didn't know until know how Lucas spent that night with Rachel. Now she felt even more horrible for sleeping with Chris while all he did was talk about her. She wiped them quickly before Lucas could notice, thankfully he didn't as he was still reading her letter.
Dear Lucas,
Graduation just ended, and the night is nearing its end, too. That means I'm leaving Tree Hill, leaving you, Haley, Nathan, little Jamie, Peyton and everyone I love. God, I hate this, I'm writing a letter and still I'm crying.
I'm scared Lucas, tomorrow I'm going to get on a plane that will take me away from Tree Hill to an unfamiliar place. Tomorrow I'm going to be wishing you'll be running for me in the airport saying you love me, like they always do in the movies. Tomorrow, in reality you'll be by Peyton kissing her goodbye as she takes off on the plane with me and you'll be secretly wishing she'd stay for you. Tomorrow, I'll set foot on a new place and I'll try to forget Tree Hill. Yes, I'll try forgetting it because it'll hurt too much to remember. I'll busy myself with work and I won't have time to think about you. Tomorrow, I'll leave and I probably won't see you for a while.
Tonight I stood by the window looking at everyone just trying to make most of this night. Everyone tried being happy and everyone busied themselves with something, anything to keep themselves from crying. I just had to leave because I was on the verge of tears and I couldn't let anyone see that. I tried looking for the most gorgeous pair of blue eyes I've ever seen and I couldn't. And I realized that for a long time, I wouldn't be able to just stare at them, even if from afar (yes, I know, stalker much?). But little did I know those amazing blue eyes were just behind me. As I read out the words just as you asked me too, I wasn't sure if I believed that. That I was beautiful, brilliant and brave or that I would change the world someday. But when I looked into your eyes, I saw so much certainty.
I'm going to take that certainty with me as I go off to a new place and find my way. I know it'll be hard, I know that even as I leave Tree Hill and go to the airport, even a mere corner in a street would remind me of when we used to walk and sometimes you'd just stop and look me in the eyes to tell me you love me. While going to the airport I'll pass by Haley and Nathan's apartment and remember staying up too late with Haley on a school night. As I pass by the river court I'd remember every time you tried to teach me how to play basketball, but I'd always fail miserably, but you teach me anyways and I gladly accept just because I love it when you put your arms around me when telling me how to shoot. And while passing by your house I'd think about all those nights you'd read me a chapter from the book and even though I act like I don't care you and I both know I love to picture the words come to life. And as I pass by all the streets, houses and corners of Tree Hill, I'd force myself not to ask the driver to turn around and take me home.
But I won't because I know if anything; it's Peyton who has something or someone to come back to. Because my idea of a home is behind the red door you have now painted black and even though I haven't lived there in a long time, it'll always be what I call home. And maybe someday I'll come back...not necessarily to your house because, but I'll come back in Tree Hill because you know as well as I do that I can't go on for long without seeing or hearing how Nathan and Haley's love continues to grow, or seeing Jamie grow up to be the greatest basketball player (yes, better than you and Nate) or see Payton's career bloom and I could never go on without seeing what will become the bestselling author of our time, that's you Lucas Scott.
If ever I do change the world someday, I have you to thank. In so many ways I would not be where I am if not for you, for your faith in my talent, for making me believe in love, and just for you. And I know it would be cliché if I said I don't know where I'd be without you, but it's true. You've change my world Lucas Scott, and I'm not sure you even know it.
I guess this is my way of saying goodbye until I can no longer handle the pain of being away from those I love. Who knows, maybe I'll even fall in love again, but I doubt it. There will always be a place in my heart where you'll always be, and no one else can fill that. I'll end this letter that will be left unread with a quote from Elbert Hubbard, "The love you give away is the only love you keep."
Always,
Brooke Davis
Lucas finishes reading and like before he's speechless at her letter. He wipes the tears that formed in his eyes and turns to look at Brooke to see if she saw him crying. Busted, she did see him crying. She wears a smirk on her face opposite to his sad smile.
"I wish you had stayed," he tells her when he finally found his words.
"No, you don't" she insists.
"Yes, I do. If you didn't leave maybe I would have realized that it's you I really want sooner."
"It all worked out for the best, don't you think?"
He thinks for a moment, he thinks of the past amazing few weeks, hell even months. He thinks of the two of them with Angie, he thinks of the two of them playfully bantering, he think of shopping with her, sleeping on the same bed as her, staying up late just to watch a movie they don't really care for. "Yeah, I guess it did," he smiles.
"Damn right, Lucas Scott," Brooke says turning her head to face the stars once again.
"So how many more hidden letters do I have yet to read?"
"A few more," she grins.
"And how will I get them?"
"You have to work for them."
"Oh, and what did I do today to deserve getting letter 84?"
"You kissed me," she says trying to stay nonchalant.
"Hmm, maybe I should do that more often."
"That was only for show," she argues.
"You know, a little peck would have done the trick," Lucas points out.
"You know what, I don't think you are getting letter 84 any time soon," she smiles and gets up removing any dust or dirt that her clothes may have gathered from the ground.
"Hey, that's not fair!" Lucas does the same and runs to where Brooke is headed. Home.
See, I actually took into consideration one of the requests (if that was one) for Lucas and Brooke to kiss. For the longest time I've been contemplating whether to make Lucas and Brooke kiss or not. Originally I was just going to have the cheek kiss Brooke gave Lucas in the beginning and just have Haley interrupt their kiss in Tric. But I bet you're all glad I didn't. So if you have any requests, feel free who knows, I may just do it. If you want to see Lucas and Brook have sex, tell me! Though...it's not likely I'll make them do that as they are not together, but you catch my drift. So go on, reviews please. I LOVE it!