This story is written by brookescott134 and Brucas46Forever. We really, really hope you like this. Comments are greatly appreciated and they are what keep us encouraged to write. Remember that.
Summary: Sometimes people play hard-to-get because they need to know the other person's feelings are real, but sometimes, for some of us, we play too hard.
Rating: T
LittleMissSunshine21- You have been reviewing for a while now, and I just wanted to start out with saying thank you, it helps us so much to know were to go with this story when people regularly review, and you are always so sweet when you do. Now, about this last review, I see what you are saying totally, and I do agree with you, but I think as you continue to read you will be happy. Brooke saying she was going to leave was not only because of Lucas lying to her, it was like, him lying this time was the straw that broke the camels back, but form your review, I am pretty sure you got that, but hopefully you will stick with it and get what you want. I hope, and if not, let us know! Thank you so much again for your kind words and critiques, they help us, and we appreciate them, and you so much! Hope you continue to read and enjoy!
Brucas141- Thank you so much for you review, we enjoyed it and are glad to see you are enjoying the story. It is different and there is a lot more angst, and trust me, we love the fluff too but we are afraid that too much will ruin it, but I think you will be pleased in chapters to come so please continue to read and review and if anything bugs you or you just have a suggest let us know! We love to hear them! Thanks again so much for you review and kind words, they mean a lot to us and we hope you continue to enjoy this story!
catcat51092- You, my darling, I have no words for, you have been reviewing since chapter 1! Actually, I think you were our first review. You are always so sweet, and you always seem to get exactly what we are writing, even when we are worried people won't, your kind words and thoughtful reviews keep us going, and we are so happy you enjoy it. It is readers like your self who always review and let us know what they think that we value the most and aim to please most. So please continue because I know I would be extremely sad if you didn't, I am so happy we have reviews like your self. Your amazing, lol, and we hope you continue to enjoy!
Lostrealist05- We are sorry to hear that you think this story is somewhat simple, and almost boring. I completely see were you are coming from, and I do agree, but one of the things that we set out when we talked about doing this story was having it be centered around there marriage and the immense problems that surrounded it, but I do think that you will be please with coming chapters because we both feel that we have added some what "extra" drama that the two will have to deal with that doesn't involve them specifically. I really did appreciate your review though. No writers wants to here that there is something wrong with there writing, but there will always be something wrong with it, so when people care enough to take the time and point it out so we can make it better always helps and we thank you for taking the time to do so and hope that you continue to read and continue to review because we value your opinions and critiques.
PeterClaire- You are amazing as well! You review to almost every chapter and we appreciate that so much, You are always such a sweet heart you really keep us going. As for you last review… trust me, I wish it wasn't so hard either, but then again that is what keeps us on our toes right? But again, thank you so much for your kind words and all your reviews, we appreciate them so much and we appreciate you for taking the time to write them! Hope you continue to read, review and enjoy!
OTH GURL- Thanks for your review ad we are happy to hear that we kept you on your toes, that is our job and it is good to hear we are succeeding, and we are also glad to hear you are enjoying it. We want to thank you so much for reviewing, it means a lot that you like the story enough to take the time to do so and we just wanted to make sure you knew that is was appreciated, we hope you continue to read and enjoy and review!
BrucasAlways-Thanks so much for the reviews! I hope we continue to please you.
itsxamazing-Thanks a ton for the reviews! I love that you're loving it, and as for the spelling and grammar mistakes, please try and overlook those. We go over the chapters like 50 million times, really, and yet there are always mistakes. I do try to catch them, though, because they irk me, so, hopefully, I will be more careful about those.
iluvmedou-You know something? We absolutely love you. You give the most beautiful reviews and we love that you were patient enough to wait for this update to find out what happened. Keep reviewing and we'll keep updating!
brucas831-Your reviews are short and sweet. Thanks a million!!
23TutorGirl23-Lol. We love Brucas, too, and I'm sure everyone who reads this story does as well. Thanks for the review! We're glad you're enjoying the story so far--much more exciting things to come.
tripnfallbri-Writing the Brucas fluffiness is just as wonderful as reading it. You don't have to wait any longer. Your update is right here. Thanks a bunch for the review!
pinktulip-Lol. We're back!!! Thanks so much for your consistent reviews. It means so much to us that you love the story. I hope you're going to like the rest of it. Go on ahead and read the next chapter we have for you guys and continue to tell us what you think.
Aliky-We are so glad that you find the story realistic. I hope we're pleasing you thus far. And you don't have to wait for the next chapter. It's waiting for you right now. Thanks for the reviews!!
SmileLikeYooMeanIt-Thank you so much fore your reviews! We are so happy that you are enjoying it. We enjoy seeing your reviews, too. : ) So don't hesitate to review for this next chapter.
prettygirlandboyfriend-Lol. Calm down. I assure you, Lucas will not keep shut. He is Lucas after all. I'm glad you enjoy the story, and thanks a bunch for the review!!
tinycapricorn12-Hey, thanks for the reviews. So, in this chapter, we were trying to show that well they are working at there marriage and family there are still a lot of problems, and a ton of damage had already been done and the slightest thing is going to get them off course because of this. So by Lucas lying, even though it wasn't truly THAT HUGE of a deal, it was to Brooke, because she is trying so hard to trust him, and yet, still he is lying to her, small or not, it is big to her and in him doing this she sees that when he says she can trust him that she can't and now she is so afraid that her feeling are getting the best of her for him and by him lying it is showing her that maybe things haven't changed at all, maybe this are just being masked to fool her and once she starts to be happy again they will fall back in to the mess there were in before and this scares her, there for she is threatening to leave. I really hope that cleared it up, an if it didn't, let us know! Hope you continue to read and enjoy and keep the reviews coming!!
B. Davis-Aw, thanks so much for the wonderful reviews! They make us melt. Lol, and we see that you've been doing a little thinking and hypothesizing of your own. Well, I guess you're just going to have to read to find out. We hope you enjoy this quick update. Please review and tell us what you think!
When Your Sun Turns Black
Chapter Nine: Family PortraitCan we work it out?
Can we be a family?
I promise I'll be better
In our family portrait
We look pretty happy
Let's play pretend,
and act like it comes naturally
-"Family Portrait" by Pink
"What?" he asks, believing his ears were surely deceiving him.
"You heard me, Lucas. It's either me or you. If you're so insistent on staying, then I'm leaving. We can't live together anymore."
Lucas would not accept her words. "You're not going anywhere, Brooke."
"Watch me," she said, pushing past him.
He turns towards her quickly. "Oh no, you don't," he says as he grabs her arms. "You're not leaving, and you're not going to make the kids see this."
"Lucas, I'm leaving," she repeated. "I'm sick of this. I can't do it anymore." She shook her arm from his grasp.
"No, Brooke. Our kids need you and me to be together. I need you and me to be together."
"Then maybe you should have thought about that, Lucas, and I am taking the kids with me. I can't do this any more; me and you are done," Brooke said sternly.
"No!" Shelby yelled from the entryway of the kitchen. "Daddy, make it better!"she said through the tears that were forming in her eyes.
"Shelby," Brooke says, reaching out to console her daughter.
"No!" her daughter cried, running behind Lucas, pushing his legs towards Brooke. "Make it better!" she cried.
"Sweetie," he says, "calm down." He reaches down to take her in his arms.
"No!" she yelled again, pushing him. "You promised you loved her!" she sobbed.
He bent down to his daughter's level. "Honey, of course I love her. Remember what I told you about mommies and daddies having small fights?"
"I don't wants to go away," she cried. "Daddy," she sniffled. "Kiss her again," Shelby begged.
"Shelby," Brooke said softly, kneeling down as well. "Baby, it will only be for a little bit."
"No," she yelled, crossing her arms and moving away from her mother.
Lucas stared at Brooke in disbelief. She was serious about this if she was telling the kids.
"Shelby, please be a big girl for Mommy," Brooke pleaded.
"Why are you doing this to me, Mommy?" she cried.
"Shelby," Brooke sighed, tears welling in her own eyes.
"Mommy," Landon finally spoke, walking in to the kitchen, his blanket in hand, the blanket he only ever held when he was scared. "I no wanna go."
"Aw, honey. Please, you two have to understand that what I'm doing is for the best."
Lucas didn't know what to say. He didn't want to confuse his kids. He didn't want them to hate their mother; but he couldn't let her talk to them like this. "Brooke, can I talk to you?"
She looked up to him, tears covering her eyes. Normally, she would have protested but the look in his eyes made her stay quiet. She gave him a small nod before standing up. "Guys, we will be right back, okay? It's okay, I promise," Brooke tried reassuring them both.
"What the hell are you doing, Brooke?" Lucas exclaimed when they were a safe distance away from their kids. "We promised we'd never take our problems to the kids."
"Lucas, this just needs to be over, okay. You think I like this? You like I like seeing them like this? ...But are marriage is done."
"This marriage is far from over, Brooke. I'm not divorcing you, and neither of us is moving out."
"Lucas, I made up my mind."
"And I've made up mine. I'm the man of the house, and I say you're not leaving. It's final, Brooke."
"You can't control me, Lucas."
"You're my wife, Brooke, and you're still going to be ten years from now. I don't want to discuss this anymore. Now we have to go and fix the mess we made with the kids."
"Lucas," she said, giving him a look that said she was fed up.
"What, Brooke? I'm being serious," he said strongly. He was determined to get his point across. "Now, I'm going to repeat it one more time: we're not getting a divorce, and you're not moving out."
"I don't want to be married to you, Lucas," she said, trying to hurt him as best as she could because right now, as horrible as it sounded, she need something to use, and that was all she had, as much of a lie as it was; and as much as she wanted everything he said, she needed to be strong and end this. At least, that is what she tried to convince herself.
"Brooke, it isn't going to work. I am not the only one that sucks at lying."
"I am not lying. I hate you, Lucas," she said a bit weakly. "I do." She crossed her arms, avoiding eye contact with him.
"Stop pushing me away, Brooke," he said sternly. "I didn't go anywhere ten years ago and I am not going anywhere now, so get used to it. We are going to stay married; we are going to be happy again, Brooke. I promise. You just have to let us be."
"No," she protested, shaking her head as the tears she'd been holding in fell down the curves of her cheeks.
"Yes, Brooke. I'm the guy for you, I'm your husband . . . . and I love you more than anything," he whispered, voice beginning to crack. "Nothing you say or do will change that," he said taking her in his arms. He began to rub her back in soothing circles. She began sobbing, and he held her tighter. "Shh," he whispered.
"It's not fair."
"I love you, Brooke. I love you so much. Just let me. You need to let me," he said softly.
"I can't," she sobbed into his chest.
"Yes, you can, Brooke. You can. Just open up for me."
"No," she said, shaking her head against his muscled chest.
"Please, Brooke," he begged again. "If not for me, then do it for the kids. They need us." His heart broke as he spoke. He didn't want her to stay just for the kids. He wanted her to be with him as much as he wanted to be with her, but it didn't seem like he was going to get that.
"I can't," she repeated.
"Brooke, please, they don't deserve this," he said, pulling away, looking down into her eyes. "I can't do this to them and I know you can't either."
"Lucas," she cried. "Please don't make this hard for me. Please."
"Brooke, please. I am begging you to just stay," he said, his eyes locking with hers as they pleaded.
She looked into his eyes, knowing what he was saying was true. His ice blue eyes seemed to somehow freeze her anger slightly. She looked to the kitchen where her kids were sitting quietly against the bottom cabinets, Shelby sniffling slightly as she wiped a tear away, breaking Brooke's heart all over again. It was then she realized there was no way she could leave. Looking between her husband and children, she let out a small sigh, wiping away the last of her tears.
"I'll stay," she whispered ever so softly.
Lucas was almost sure he heard wrong. "What?" he asked.
"For the kids," she said. "I'll stay for the kids."
He let out a sigh of relief, pulling her body in o his arms, kissing her forehead as he held her. He wished those words would make him happy, that they would make him soar like he knew they should have, but it killed him to know he wasn't the reason she was staying; but she was staying. Her reason honestly didn't matter as much to him at this point. All that did matter was that she was staying, and that she was now in his arms.
"Thank you, Brooke," he said, hugging her tightly. "Thank you."
"It's not for you, Lucas. Just, please, know that," Brooke replied coldly, pulling away from him. "I am going to go talk to the kids."
"Brooke-"
"Just . . . " she started, putting her hands up to stop him. "I am going to talk to the kids," she repeated and walked away from him back into the kitchen.
"Shelby, sweetie," Brooke said, kneeling down in front of her daughter who had her arms crossed still, tears in her eyes.
"Is everything going to be okay, mommy?" Landon asked, placing his small hand on Brooke's shoulder.
Brooke took a breath, looking at Lucas who nodded dismally. "Yeah," she said. "Everything is going to be okay," she said softly.
Shelby's face lit up, and she became excited. "Really?" Brooke nodded, and she looked to her dad for confirmation.
He smiled at her, nodding his head like Brooke did.
"Yay!" Landon shouted.
Still a bit sensitive about the subject, Shelby asked, "So we're not leaving Daddy?"
"No," Brooke said.
"You promise?" Landon asked.
"I promise," their mother said softly, bringing a smile to both their faces.
They engulfed her in their tiny arms saying, "I love you, Mommy."
She smiled through her tears, looking up at Lucas.
"Can we all sleep together again?" Shelby asked with a small smile.
Brooke seemed hesitant. "Uh, I don't think it's such a good idea tonight."
"But you said everything was better," Shelby said, backing away from her mother.
"Shelby, it is, but some times mommies and daddies need to be alone," Lucas said, stepping in.
"But you guys are going to be happy?" Landon asked.
Brooke looked to Lucas, not wanting to be the one to answer, to lie.
Noticing this, Lucas said, looking away from his wife, "Yeah, we're going to be very happy."
"Are you lying?" Shelby questioned.
Lucas smiled a convincing smile and walked up to his daughter, kneeling next to his wife. "Now why would I lie to my little princess, huh?" he asked, wiping the tear stains off her face.
"You haven't kissed Mommy yet, Daddy. You guys are only happy when we you kisses each other," she sniffled.
Brooke was quick to intervene. "Just because mommies and daddies don't kiss sometimes doesn't mean they don't love each other, honey."
"But you were yelling at him, Mommy. You had time out voice on."
Brooke hardly yelled at her children, but they knew that tone, and they both knew it meant their dad was in big trouble.
"Remember what I told you guys about mommies and daddies arguing?" Lucas asked his children.
They nodded their heads.
"Well, this is one of those times. It doesn't mean we don't love each other, though. Okay?"
"Are you still mads at each other?" Landon asked.
The questions were getting to her, but she knew she couldn't blow up again. "No," Brooke answered slowly. "No, we're not."
Shelby looked at her closely, and then at Lucas, knowing something wasn't right but decided to decline from saying something. No one was leaving and she was happy with that. "I think I am just going to go play in my room," she said looking down from her parents.
Brooke and Lucas sighed, knowing their daughter wasn't quite convinced. They both realized they would need to step up in the act in order to make their kids feel like they were happy again.
"I'm going to go with my sister," Landon said quietly, as if afraid his parents would get mad at him.
Brooke offered him a small smile and he ran to Shelby's room, leaving Brooke and Lucas alone to discuss the matter at hand.
"I feel horrible," Brooke sighed.
"Yeah?" Lucas questioned, getting up as Brooke did the same. "Well, you should."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Brooke asked, surprised at his tone.
Lucas sighed in an annoyed tone. "What it means is that you knew we shouldn't have taken this to the kids. You knew what kind of affect it would have on them, and yet you still did it."
"I was serious about leaving, Lucas."
"And I was, I am, serious about you not leaving."
"Lucas, you weren't going to stop me from leaving. Trust me."
This angered him. "Don't say that, Brooke." His voice was hard. "I never would have let you leave, and you know it."
"You don't have control over me, Lucas. I am a grown woman. I can do what I want."
"Yeah, you can do whatever you want," he said. "Just remember that I'm your husband, and the next time you think of running away, remember that I will be here to stop you, whether you like it or not."
He couldn't bare to be there anymore, fearing he would say something too harsh. Not glancing at her again, he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving her dumbfounded behind him.
"Lucas!" she called after him.
"Don't push right now. I am not in the mood," he said, turning to her slightly. She decided to let it go . . . just this once, because she was afraid of what the outcome might be.
He looked her up and down before shaking his head and walking out of the kitchen. He loved her, that there was no question in, but God, did she know exactly how to push his buttons.
That night was awkward, each of them sticking to their side of the bed, too aware of the other's presence.
Brooke turned on her back for the first time that night, looking up at the ceiling. She let her eyes drift in a pattern: to Lucas' back, back to the ceiling, again to Lucas' back, and so on.
"What?" he finally asked, feeling her eyes drift on and off of him.
She was surprised he talked. "Nothing," she said simply, shrugging.
"As much as you hate it, I know you a lot better then that. What?" he asked again, keeping his back to her.
"Nothing," she answered again.
"Damn it, Brooke," he huffed. "You wonder why things are so difficult!" he snapped. "It is you that makes them difficult—all of it. You just can't be happy, can you?"
"What is it that I'm doing that's ruining this, Lucas?" she asked, angered that he was trying to turn the tables around on her. She sat up slightly in her bed. "If I recall correctly, it was you who was never home at night. It was you who was never there for me to talk to. So don't give me this crap about me not talking to you. I've been living with it for two years now. My silence has just started," she said in a deadly whisper.
"Well, start talking because I am not going anywhere. So just say whatever bitchy comment you need to say because I would love to actually sleep tonight," he hissed. He knew he was being harsh, and he didn't mean to, but that night had taken a toll on them all. He was upset and she continued to fuel his fire.
"Well, I would love to sleep all night, too. So why don't we both just turn back around and not communicate?"
"Do you hear yourself right now, Brooke? Honestly, how the hell do you expect this marriage to work when an ass has better attitude than you do!?"
"I don't!" she yelled. "I don't expect this marriage to work, hence why I tried to leave!"
"Well, it's going to. I'm going to be stubborn about this, Brooke—even more stubborn than you have ever been."
"You're wasting your time," she said, sinking back down, her tone cold and icy as she neglected to look at him, or even in his direction, for that matter.
"Just remember that I'm wasting it waiting for you," he said, turning back around and pulling the covers over him.
So? What did we think? Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!