Author's Note: Hey all. Sorry it took me so long to update but my life has been insanely busy lately. I just want to thank my beta, Melissa, for all of her hard work on this chapter. Thanks for being there for me, even when I'm loosing my mind (which has been a lot lately...)! Well, with that being said, enjoy! There's lots of Brucas in this chapter! Oh, and of course, please comment on the chapter and watch OTH tonight! I love Wednesdays! Don't you??
#8.
Brooke timidly lowered her gaze to her shoes, ashamed what she had planned on doing. "Brooke?" Lucas asked. He didn't recognize the girl he saw. This wasn't the girl he knew and loved. This girl appeared fragile and alone; she was shaking like a leaf. Answering to her name, Brooke raised her head and made eye contact. At that moment an exchange of emotions occurred. Brooke's eyes told Lucas the story of a traumatic day that had changed her and taken away her carefree dimpled smile. Lucas' eyes beamed back at her with confusion and fear. They were frozen momentarily, before hesitating briefly; Lucas held his arms open wide. "C'mere," he gestured, pulling Brooke into his embrace. Instantly, Brooke threw herself into Lucas' warm, loving arms.
"I'm...so...sorry..." Brooke cried, gasping for breaths, her body shook. As Lucas stood holding the girl he loved, he knew something had changed. He wondered why she was sorry. Did she go through with it? Had the guilt caught up with her? At the moment, the only thing Lucas was concerned with was Brooke and her distraught state. Shaking the irrelevant thoughts from his mind, Lucas knew that there would be plenty of time for questions later.
"Shh...It's okay now. I'm here. You're okay..." Lucas whispered soothingly as he stroked her back, burying his face in her hair. Limp and almost lifeless, Brooke leaned against Lucas' body. Her wall of defenses had crumbled to the ground, and though he didn't know the details of her day at the clinic, he did know the experience had tipped her world upside down. Attempting to get a better look at her, Lucas pulled away for a brief second.
"Don't go. Please..." Brooke pleaded, lifting her head from the comfort of his now tear-stained sweatshirt; her hands instinctively grasped the familiar, soft material.
"I'm not going anywhere." Lucas promised, hugging her tighter. Glancing over Brooke's shoulder, he exchanged a worried look with Haley. "Thank you" he mouthed, letting his best friend know how much he appreciated her gesture. With a knowing smile, Haley simply nodded.
"You're shivering. We should get you inside," Lucas spoke. He had noticed the goose bumps form on her arms, and as hard as he tried to warm her up, it wasn't working.
"Yeah, Luke's right," Haley added, "Let's go run you a nice warm bath. How does that sound?"
"Perfect" Brooke mumbled softly. Leaving his arm draped protectively around her shoulder, Lucas led Brooke inside. Haley followed close behind; knowing both of them needed the support of their friends and family—now more than ever.
begin flashback
"Lucas? Are you home?" Karen's voice echoed throughout the silent house. "Lucas?" she asked again. Setting down two brown grocery bags on the kitchen table, Karen proceeded into the hallway. Following the long carpet, she stopped at her son's doorway. Knocking lightly on the door, she awaited a response. Nothing. "I just got back from the grocery store. Are you hungry?" Karen listened intently. Again, no response. Slowly pushing the door open, she let herself in, and what she saw worried her. Lucas was lying on his stomach, his head buried in his arms. Other than a few sporadic breaths, Karen saw no movement. Walking over to his bed, she sat down next to him. "Did you have a long practice?" Karen attempted to make small talk, assuming that Lucas was simply exhausted from Whitey's drills at practice. Lucas' only response was a grunt. "Lucas, you're worrying me. What's going on?" Karen questioned, instinctively rubbing his back softly. "Is everything okay?" Sitting up in bed, Lucas starred blankly at his mother. Karen was shocked to see her teenage son in tears. His face was red, and his eyes were blood-shot.
"No, mom..." Lucas stated the obvious.
"Well are you going to sit there or tell me what's going on?" Karen's maternal instinct took over as she scanned his body for injury.
"Mom...Brooke's pregnant." Lucas rubbed his eyes, attempting to clear his clouded vision.
"Brooke is pregnant?" Karen repeated, attempting to wrap her head around the idea. As upset as she was about the impending pregnancy and the fact that her son had been so careless—again—at that moment, she knew the last thing Lucas needed was a lecture about responsibility. What he really needed was his mother, plain and simple. Pushing the urge to yell aside, she took a deep breath to clear her head. "Are you sure it's not a false alarm?"
"Yes, we're sure. It's real this time..." Lucas confirmed, "or it was real this time..." his voice trailed off into a meek whisper.
"What do you mean was?" Karen questioned.
"Brooke's having an abortion." Lucas' eyes blinked as fresh tears emerged.
"What? When?" Karen asked, her voice filled with worry. She was genuinely concerned for her son, but even more, for Brooke. Abortion was a woman's choice, but Brooke was only a girl, and Karen knew this decision wasn't something she should've had to make at her age, especially not while scared and alone.
"Today. She's having the abortion today." Lucas shook his head angrily.
"Why didn't you go with her?" Karen knew that Lucas and Brooke's relationship had been a bit rocky lately, but she truly believed in her heart that they would work their issues out. She knew Lucas loved Brooke, and vice-versa, which is why it surprised her that he wasn't by Brooke's side supporting her through what would most likely be the most difficult days of her life.
"I couldn't, mom. I just couldn't do it. Besides," Lucas' eyes avoided his mother's, "she didn't ask me to come."
"She shouldn't have to ask you, Lucas. The two of you got yourselves into this situation together; it's only fair you get out of it together." Karen responded, attempting to be the voice of reason. Lucas stayed quiet for a moment, pausing to collect his thoughts. Sighing heavily, he knew exactly what the problem was.
"I can't save her from this, mom, she won't let me. She won't let me save her or the baby. She's made this...decision. You know how Brooke is, once she makes up her mind to do something, there's no going back."
"Like the decision she made to be with you? To love you?" Karen looked at her son for a response.
"And I love her, too! But she won't listen to me, mom!" Lucas fought back. "She wouldn't let me talk her out of this! I told her that I'd be here for her. I told her that I would give up everything for her." Lucas sighed heavily as his shoulders slumped in defeat as he finished his statement.
"You don't need to give up everything for her, Lucas. The only thing Brooke needs is you." Karen spoke wisely. Karen smiled, as she pulled her son into her arms and hugged him tightly, wishing she could protect him from the world and all its pain.
end flashback
"Sit here for a minute. I'll go get you a towel. Okay?" Lucas gave her arm a gentle squeeze as he motioned to the bed. Brooke nodded, forcing a slight smile. "Thanks," she responded as she sat down. Quietly, Haley sat down next to her.
"Everything is going to be okay." Haley reassured Brooke as she put her arm around her.
"I don't know; it seems impossible. I hope you're right..." Brooke sighed heavily, gently laying her head down on Haley's shoulder.
"Brooke, I know I'm right. I've known Lucas almost my entire life, and I can guarantee you, he will be an amazing da—" Haley continued to talk, not realizing Lucas had returned. Brooke shoved Haley in the shoulder to shut her up. "Ouch!" Haley pulled back in pain.
"That I'll be what?" Lucas asked, directing his glance towards Brooke. "What is she talking about?" Haley shot Brooke an apologetic glance as she excused herself from the room.
"That's my cue!" And with that, she was gone. Damn her, Brooke cursed to herself.
"Nothing," Brooke blurted as she stood up. "Now, how about that bath?" Walking past him, Brooke hoped he wouldn't ask any more questions, not yet. She wasn't quite sure how she was going to tell him she hadn't gone through with the abortion. She wasn't even sure if he'd be happy about it.
"Uh…yeah. Right." Lucas knew something seemed fishy, but when it came to two of the most important girls in his life, something was always a little off. Smiling to himself, he followed Brooke to the bathroom. "I see you remember where everything is?" Lucas noted, realizing that Brooke had quickly made herself at home. She had retrieved her shampoo from the closet and was scanning the entire room. He didn't realize what was really on her mind, standing there in that bathroom; Brooke was overwhelmed with déjà vu. Memories of her and Lucas making love in the shower flashed before her in a rapid slideshow of images as if it had been yesterday. Their warm, wet bodies slick against each other, as their hands greedily grabbed for the closeness they both desired. Brooke had been mesmerized by the way the hot water rolled over Lucas' muscular-physique, how amazing his lips tasted as passionately he kissed her over and over again, water slipping into their mouths when they decided to break apart to breathe. The entire night, like many others, was incredible, but until that moment, Brooke never realized how many little, seemingly insignificant moments she had missed. Sure, she had been there, but she had taken it—him—for granted, and this wasn't apparent to her until now, until it was gone. "Brooke? Are you okay?" Lucas asked, breaking through her thoughts. He was kneeling in front of the bathtub, attempting to get the temperature perfect, just a little too hot, the way Brooke liked it.
"What?" Brooke questioned, taking an extended moment to snap back into reality. Her thoughts were still lingering on their previous encounter in the shower.
"I lost you for a minute there. Are you sure you're okay? You look pale." Lucas stood up and stepped closer to get a better look.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Brooke answered and smiled. She noticed Lucas continued to scrutinize her every little movement until he finally seemed somewhat satisfied, and went back to running her bath. Had he always worried about her like this? If so, why didn't she see this before? Why hadn't she appreciated his gestures more? She couldn't have been that oblivious, could she? He's probably only worried about me because of the baby.
"For you, Pretty Girl" Lucas motioned towards the bathtub. "I had some of those lavender bath beads you like so much, and of course, yours truly" smiling at his efficiency, he moved aside. She couldn't help but smile. The entire gesture was so simple, yet thoughtful, especially since those same lavender beads were what he claimed to be allergic to, but she knew the truth, he couldn't stand the "girly smell".
"Luke…thank you," and she meant it.
"You're welcome," Lucas paused awkwardly, realizing the only thing left to do was get Brooke into the tub, and he had a feeling she wouldn't be comfortable disrobing in his presence. He was okay with that, though. He would give her time, the time to get back to where they once were. "Well, I'll be outside if you need anything, okay?" Lucas reassured her with a gentle squeeze on her shoulder as he walked towards the door.
"Okay." Brooke didn't know what else to say. This was one of the few moments in her life where she was actually at a loss for words. The fact that Lucas had respected her enough to give her a moment to herself, meant so much. She felt like he understood her, and that was more important than anything he could've said. The act itself made enough of an impact. "Luke?" Brooke's voice stopped him before he left the room.
"Yeah?" Lucas questioned intently.
"Thank you….again" Brooke responded sincerely.
"For what?"
"For being there for me. For just you know…"
"This is only the beginning," and with that, the door shut behind him leaving Brooke alone. Smiling to herself, she shook her head. With ease, Brooke slipped her clothes off, and stepped into the porcelain tub. Submerging her body in the water, she closed her eyes. Unfortunately, thoughts of the abortion clinic flashed before her eyes. Startled, Brooke sat straight up in the bathtub, looking around anxiously for a predator she knew was invisible: fear. Protectively holding her lower abdomen, Brooke slowly lowered herself back down into the water. Taking a few deep breaths, she attempted to relax, but it was no luck. She couldn't get rid of the feelings which tortured her heart, her feelings of guilt for even thinking of having an abortion, betrayal towards Lucas, and love she still had for him. Sighing heavily, Brooke gave up on the bath. Wrapping herself in a towel that was easily three-times too large, Brooke slowly emerged from the bathroom hesitantly.
"I put some clothes for you right outside the door," Lucas anticipated her next request, as he continued to make the bed with fresh sheets. "Before you roll your eyes, they are mine so I know they're too big."
"And not stylish at all!" Brooke joked. Lucas quickly shot her a look of playful hurt. "I'm only kidding. I'll be right back." Brooke grinned, walking back into the bathroom and closing the door behind her. Leaning against the door, Brooke pulled his pile of neatly folded clothing to her nose. Inhaling slowly, she smiled. Everything smelled like Lucas, and it was more comforting than any expensively priced sweat suit she owned. "So, how do I look?" Brooke asked casually, as she walked out of the bathroom in his sweatshirt and sweatpants.
"You look…" Lucas paused, giving her the once over, "…alright," he laughed. He wanted to get a rise out of her.
"Lucas Scott!" Brooke made a run for Lucas and the two of them toppled on to the bed together.
"Hey….hey! I just made the bed!" Lucas asserted, in between bouts of laughter. Brooke had found his only weakness on their very first date: his ticklishness, and had begun using it to her advantage ever since.
"Well, you should've thought of that before you insulted me!" Brooke giggled, "which is actually your fashion sense…but that's besides the point!"
"If you would just listen to me," Lucas spoke thru gritted teeth as he attempted to get the upper hand in this fight. Brooke had straddled him and gotten him into a position where he was rendered helpless until he got the upper hand back. "Like I was saying," Lucas grinned as he escaped her grasp and held her arms above her head with ease. Brooke continued to fight back. She had never been one to give up, and this instance was no different. "You look beautiful," and with that, Brooke gave up fighting and lay there completely still, lost in Lucas' gaze. "See, I thought you'd see things my way…" No longer fearing for his safety, he let go of her arms and sat up. She quickly did the same, until both of them were sitting facing each other.
"You…do?" Brooke questioned, simply wanting him to say it again. And again and again. She couldn't believe he could possibly think she looked beautiful, especially now; she hadn't combed her hair, she was wearing boy's clothes, and she was pregnant. What was so beautiful about that? Give him 8 months, we'll see if he thinks I'm beautiful then.
"I do, Pretty girl" Lucas smiled, as he gently brushed the delicate skin on her cheeks with his fingertips. "I do." Her dark hair was a mess of snarls and tangles but he had never seen her look so beautiful. This was the Brooke Davis he loved. The girl with so much beauty and zest for life hiding her insecurities. All she really wanted was to be loved and he was trying to fulfill that wish.
"Are you tired?" Lucas questioned, after Brooke attempted to hide a yawn.
"Exhausted" Brooke answered honestly.
"C'mon, I'll tuck you in" Lucas began to get off the bed, when he felt a soft touch on his arm.
"Would you stay with me?" Brooke asked innocently, her hand lingered on his forearm.
"Are you sure?" Lucas hesitated; he still wasn't sure where her head, and more importantly her heart were. He didn't want either or both of them to regret it later.
"Yes, I'm sure," Brooke paused, biting her lip nervously, "but just sleep…okay?"
"Okay," this time he didn't hesitate. Flipping the switch on the nightstand, the lights turned out. Swinging his legs back into bed, Lucas put his legs under the covers. Brooke followed suit. Their feet easily found each other under the softness of the sheets. Neither one of them said a thing about it, though. It wasn't necessary. They both needed this closeness, desired it. For a few moments, both of them laid there in silence, simply staring up at the ceiling.
"Luke? Are you still awake?" Brooke asked in a hushed tone, turning her head to the side to get a better look at him.
"Brooke…it's been 3 minutes." Lucas laughed, rolling onto his side to face her.
"Right…" Brooke paused, looking back at the ceiling.
"What's on your mind, Pretty Girl?" Lucas asked, knowing damn well her mind was swirling with questions. His was, too, for that matter, but he didn't want to pry. He wanted her to feel comfortable enough to talk to her about what had gone on today.
"Oh, nothing…" Brooke sighed heavily, lying through her teeth.
"Listen," Lucas began, rolling onto his stomach to get a better look at her face. "I know today must have been horrible for you, and I understand if you don't want to talk about what happened, but I think you'd feel better if you did." Brooke looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "You can tell me, you know. I won't be mad, I promise, and I won't hurt you. I just want you to be able to tell me, to come to me when you need someone. I'm sorry I made it so hard for you before. That wasn't fair."
"I didn't go through with it." Brooke blurted out, her voice barely above a whisper. "I couldn't do it, Luke."
"I thought…I mean, I just …"Lucas suddenly had trouble forming complete thoughts. Looking deeply into her eyes, Lucas searched for answers to his questions.
"I'm still pregnant." Brooke confessed, awaiting his response, hoping he'd be able to forgive her for what she had considered; for what she hadn't been able to do. Pregnant. Baby. My baby. Our baby. Overcome with relief, Lucas smiled. His heart raced as sat up in bed. Glancing down from above her, he eagerly grabbed her hands in his. Looking down at her laying in his bed, wearing his clothes, knowing how she was carrying his baby, their baby. The baby they'd made together—he was seeing her for the first time, falling in love for the first time, all over again.
"I love you...I love you so much..." Lucas' eyes filled with tears of happiness and relief as he spoke those words. "I'm so glad you didn't do it," Lucas paused looking down at her stomach, "I'm so glad." Placing his hands gently on her stomach, Lucas' heart swelled with love for a baby, a person he didn't even know he needed, until he almost lost it. Looking up at Lucas, Brooke's heart soared and a comforting warming sensation surged through her body. Tears quickly filled her eyes, too, as she felt his touch on her stomach. Overcome with emotions, Brooke sat up abruptly and threw her arms around his neck. Once she was in his arms, Lucas held on to her protectively. As the two of them held onto each other for dear life, an unspoken apology was exchanged. Lucas forgave Brooke for considering abortion, and Brooke forgave Lucas for his hero complex. He had, after all, shown he could save her as well. He saved her from making a terrible mistake, with his love.
"I'm so sorry, Luke," Brooke blurted, "I...I never meant to hurt you. I thought this baby would ruin our lives, but—" Brooke was unexpectedly silenced with a kiss. Gently raking his fingers through her hair, Lucas pulled Brooke's face close to his. Pressing his lips aggressively against hers, Brooke inhaled sharply, shocked by his forcefulness. Giving in to him, Brooke kissed him back. Their tongues softly grazed one another and he tugged at her bottom lip in a needy manner. She traced her tongue across his lip in return and let out a soft moan, overwhelmed at comforted by his warmth. When the kiss ended, the two kept their eyes closed for an extended minute, simply savoring the taste of each other on their lips. "Mmm..." Brooke sighed contently, opening her eyes. Lucas' face continued to linger only a few inches from hers.
"I missed that." Lucas spoke honestly, smiling back at her. Kissing her once more on the forehead, to Brooke's dismay, he abruptly pulled away, and lay back down in bed.
"What, now you're tired?" Brooke whined as she tugged on his arms, "That's not fair. I've been seriously deprived of you!"
"Believe me, I want nothing more than to kiss every inch of you, but you've been through a lot today and you even said yourself that you wanted to sleep---"
"Well, then since I've been through a lot today, I think that I'm perfectly capable of making that decision..." Brooke spoke deviously as she lowered her face towards his, kissing him softly, her tongue prodded at his lips.
"Brooke, I really think that we should stop…" Lucas attempted to be the voice of reason, as he pried Brooke's fingers from his chest. She fought back by lightly biting and then licking his neck right below his earlobe.
"Oh, c'mon. That isn't…" Lucas' eyes closed momentarily losing sight of his better judgment, "fair…" he groaned.
"What? You don't think I'm sexy anymore?" Brooke questioned, playfully smiling at him as she lay down on top of him, their bodies pressed together. Planting another kiss on his lips, her hands stroked his t-shirt covered chest lovingly. She could tell his defenses were weakening.
"No, I think you're incredibly sexy…" Lucas squirmed, as Brooke's hands wandered to his pants, she stroked him with intent.
"Then why won't you do this?" Brooke questioned, continuing her motions over them, but this time her hand slipped beneath the fabric. "Because," Lucas choked out before he sat up in bed quickly, blood rushing to his face as he pushed her off of him and released him from her spell. Brooke pouted. Holding her at arm's length he looked her in the eyes,
"I love you. That's why."
"And I love you." Brooke responded casually, as she ran her fingers through her hair nervously. She was taken aback by his rejection. "What's the problem?"
"The problem? Brooke, the problem is that you've been through an extremely difficult day and that sleeping together tonight isn't going to solve that—" Brooke chuckled at the irony of his comment.
"I won't break, Luke. I know I was in a bad state earlier, but I still have my baby, our baby, and as long as I still have you too…" she trailed off before adding, "But…doing what I just wanted to…it is sort of what got us into this situation in the first place, huh?"
"Yeah," Lucas smiled regretfully, "because I can't resist you."
"I can't resist you either, don't you know that?" Brooke answered quietly, in practically a whisper, as their faces slowly came towards each other once again. A smirk appeared on her lips.
"You're trouble…" Lucas' voice came out throaty as Brooke's face lingered only a few inches from his, her fingers danced lightly across his cheek.
"I know, and that's why you love me…" Brooke grinned as she went in for the kiss, meeting his lips half-way. Allowing themselves to get lost in each other for an long moment, Lucas supported the back of Brooke's head as he lowered her to her pillow. Slowly ending the kiss, Lucas pulled away, but only slightly.
"How was that, Miss Davis?" Lucas grinned as he watched her from above. Even though it was dark, the moonlight gave him just enough light to see her beautiful smile.
"It was alright." Brooke mocked.
"Alright?" Lucas pretended to be hurt by her comment. Reaching up and running her fingers through his hair, she suddenly got quiet. "Hey, what is it?"
"I just…" Brooke began as she removed her hand from his face. "I love you, you know that, right?"
"Of course I do, Brooke." Lucas' face suddenly grew serious. He could tell she was quickly going from happy to mediocre to upset.
"Good…because hurting you is the last thing I'd ever want to do," Brooke's bottom lip began to tremble. "I just, I was scared and being by myself just made it" she sighs and looks up at him, "you saved me you know, well technically Haley did but you….after all that, if you weren't here…I don't know."
"Hey hey, stop it, silly. I know you didn't want to hurt me. This wasn't about me, Brooke. I know that. Haley, she was a God-send, but I'm sorry I hadn't been there. I should've been…" he paused, "I could've saved you sooner, and I'll always regret that, cause I hurt you." Lucas responded as he lay down next to her. "C'mere," he motioned for her to come to him. Brooke quickly snuggled up in to his arms. Pulling the covers over both of them, Lucas softly rubbed Brooke's back in a circular motion. "It's okay…everything is going to be okay…" Lucas laid there, minute after minute, simply protecting the girl he loved from demons he didn't understand. Slowly but surely, her eyes became heavy, and even though she fought to stay awake, the exhaustion from the day caught up with her and pulled her into a deep sleep. "I'm proud of you," Lucas whispered as he kissed the top of her head, and he too closed his eyes and fell asleep.