Reasons that reason cannot know

Chapter 3

"Hey, Luke! How was your flight?"

"Ok, thanks, Lindsey. God, I can't believe I'm back here, just where it all started."

"Me neither. It has been a whole year."

They both smiled. Yes, it seemed like a whole life ago and at same time, it felt like yesterday.

"Ok, go get some rest, because tomorrow is gonna be a long day."

"Yeah. See you tomorrow, Lindsey."

"Bye, Luke."

He couldn't believe it. When he first came to New York, he didn't think he'll come back on a book signing again. He was so glad that the book was doing so well. It was all he could wish for. He was again staying in "The Peninsula". He got into his room, which was almost the same as the previous one he booked. That reminded him he had to make a call. He got his phone and found the name he was looking for. She answered almost immediately.

"Hello."

"Hi, Brooke. It's Luke."

It was good to her voice again. He missed her.

"Oh, hi! How are you?"

"Great, thanks! What about you?"

She sounded surprised from the call, even a bit confused.

"I'm fine, thanks for asking. Well, is there a special occasion for calling?"

"Well, yeah. I have a book signing tomorrow and I'd really like to see you. It's been a long time."

He really hoped she would come. He still cared about her and that was never gonna change. So he waited her answer.

"Wow, Luke, that's huge. I'd really love to. I'll try my best to make it."

"Hope I'll se you there, Brooke. Bye."

"Bye, Lucas."

Lucas was smiling. It was always good to see an old friend. Especially if that friend was Brooke Davis. He looked at the clock and realized it was almost midnight and he would have to be up at 6 AM in the morning. It was time to relax before the long day that was expecting him.

*-*-*

Brooke was shocked. She expected anything but that. It was impossible. Lucas in New York, wanting to see her. Deep down, she knew that the day when they'll meet again was going to come eventually, but she didn't expect it to be so soon. So, she thought about her options. 1 – She could tell him she was too busy and she'd have to miss it. 2 – She could go meet him and not tell anything. 3 – She could tell him the truth. What was she going to do? She couldn't tell him – it would be too much for him to take. But if they met, would she be able to keep her mouth shut? Brooke wasn't so sure about that. First, he knew her very well and he'd know if she was hiding or lying. Second, she knew that it would be hard for her not to say anything. It was a too big deal to be easy. So, the first option seemed the most reasonable. But Brooke knew it was impossible. Now, more than ever she wanted to see Lucas. She needed it. She'll keep it to herself, and that was it. She would have to be very strong about. And she would be, because there was no other way.

*-*-*

Lucas and Lindsey were in the bookstore. There were so many people, lot more than in Seattle or Chicago. It seemed that the whole New York was there.

"Are you excited, Luke?"

"Yeah. This is much bigger that the previous ones."

"New York, New York."

The both smiled. Lucas was looking through the crowd.

"Are you expecting someone special?"

"Well, actually, I hope that Brooke will make it to come, she said she'd do her best."

Lindsey laughed.

"So, Brooke Davis may come here? Luke, I'd love to meet her. I really wanna know the girls whose hearts you had stolen and hear their version of the story."

She was smiling. Lindsey was a really nice person and he was glad he was working with her.

"And I want her to meet my amazing editor."

They both smiled.

"So, lets get started or we won't finish until tomorrow night and you've got a plane to catch tomorrow."

"You're right. Let's do it."

*-*-*

It was around 7.30 PM. Lucas was exhausted. He didn't expect it would last that long. Lindsey has already left, they called her from the office. Lucas didn't look at the person he gave him a book to sign and just asked:

"Who for?"

"Um, let me see. You can write "Cheery", "Pretty girl", "B. Davis" or just Brooke."

He lifted his head and he saw Brooke standing in front of him. It was really good to see her. They hugged briefly and she smiled.

"I guess that was a really long day, wasn't it?"

He smiled back and said:

"Yeah, it was. It's good to see you again."

"You too."

"I didn't expect to see you, now, as you're one of the biggest designers in the world. What brought you to me, the broody?"

He laughed and said:

"I wouldn't miss that. Hey, since I'm the last one, would you want to take something to eat or drink, or just go out for a walk for a while? Or you have some other plans?"

"No, I don't. But please, not the restaurant from the previous time."

"I don't think I want to go there either. Let's just go and get some Chinese or pizza in some calm place, what do you think?"

"I think it's great. Just wait for me outside, I'm coming in a minute."

She went outside. What was she doing? Yes, she wanted to see him, but dinner together? After what happened last time and everything after that? She was the one who wrote a letter about "not being able to be close anymore bla bla bla …". And it would be even harder not to tell him anything every minute more that they spent together…

"Hey, I'm not the one who is Broody now, what is it?"

She hadn't seen him coming.

"Nothing, really, just thinking about something. Luke, are you sure you want this?"

She looked front in his blue eyes she new so well. He smiled and said:

"Yes, of course. I missed you, Brooke. But if you don't want to…"

"Sure I want, so let's go."

They both smiled.

*-*-*

"So, tell me, how are things going on with you? It seems you have a great success."

"Yeah, everything is just perfect. I never imagined it would work out so well. It seems people love the book and I'm really glad about it, because I put all my efforts in this book, both in writing and editing it. Lindsey helped me so much. She's amazing, it sucks you missed her."

"Yeah, I'm sure she's great. And what about your personal life? About Peyton or is there someone else?"

Her question confused him a bit.

"I haven't talked to her since that night in LA. It seems it's over for good."

Brooke noticed he was upset about it. She still had feelings for her, it was obvious.

"I'm sorry. I really want you guys to be happy. Have you met someone else?"

"Nope, I'm still single. What about you, Brooke? How's everything going? With the company, that crazy mother of yours, dating?"

Ok, the hardest part began. Now was the time she had to be strong.

"Well, Victoria is still Bitchtoria, I think that's never gonna change. Things with her become even worse. She keeps saying that I'm too emotional for being the head of such a big company as "Clothes over Bros". Some things happened and I needed her support, and I really though it would get us closer, but it seems I was wrong. The company is going amazingly well. I never imagined I'd do so well. It's stressful, thou. But I love it. About dating, I don't really have time for this. It's a miracle I was able to get a night off. But I'm glad I did."

They both smiled and Brooke's cell rang.

"Excuse me, Luke, I'll be really fast."

"No problem, Brooke. It's ok. "

"Hey, what's up? "

Her face changed just in a second. She was terrified, scared. Lucas noticed it and started worrying.

"Which hospital? I'm on my way. If they say something, call me immediately."

She was trembling.

"Luke, I - I'm sorry, I have to go. Something happened and I just have to go to the hospital…"

Brooke was crying.

"Hey, what is it? Is it someone of your friends or your mom… what happened?"

"It's Anna, but I can't talk right now… I have to go."

She was out of her mind. He couldn't let her go alone.

"Hey, I'm coming with you. It's gonna be ok, Brooke."

"Lucas, I really don't think…"

"Listen, you can't drive right now. I'll come with you even if you don't want me too, clear?"

She had no time to argue with him. She had to go, so she just nodded. They went into her car and Brooke told him where they should go. She shouldn't have left her… It was her fault. She had to be ok…

"Hey, it's gonna be ok. I'm here for you."

Lucas put his arm around her shoulder as he was driving. Whatever happened, it had crushed Brooke, so he was going to be there.

*-*-*

"Millie, what did the doctors say?"

The black haired girl who should have been Millie was crying and said:

"They said they should run some test before they could say anything else, but it seems pretty serious… Brooke, I'm so sorry…"

"It's not your fault… I should have been there…"

"Brooke Davis?"

A doctor came was walking to them. Brooke was still crying and Lucas still didn't know who they were talking about. He only new that whoever it was, Brooke needed him more than ever.

"It's me. Doctor, how is she?"

"Anna had an allergic reaction, but we aren't sure what from. The reaction was very strong, but she's ok now. She's a lucky girl. 10 or 15 minutes later and she could possibly die."

"But she's ok, now, right?"

"Yes, she's resting now. You can go there and see her. But before that I have to ask you some questions for her safety from now on."

"Ok, anything."

Brooke was still trembling. Lucas' arm was around her shoulder again. He didn't know who Anna was, but he didn't think it was the right moment to ask.

"Have your daughter had allergic reactions before?"

Her daughter? Brooke had a daughter?!

"No, never before."

"Do you have any allergies?"

"No, at least I don't know."

"What about her father?"

Who was the father of her child? And why didn't she tell him?

"No, I don't have a clue."

Millicent interrupted.

"I think what may have caused it. They delivered them for Brooke and when I was putting them into a vase, some pollen may have fell to my clothes and then, if that's what she was allergic to, she had contact with it when I was hugging her. God, I'm so sorry, Brooke!"

"No, calm down, Millie, it's not your fault. Doctor, can I go there and see her?"

"Yes, of course. She's probably sleeping. We'll run some more tests and then you can go home. She's in room 42. Excuse me, I have to check on another patient."

"Thank you, doctor."

Lucas was still frozen. He couldn't believe it – Brooke was a mother. More than that, he couldn't believe she didn't tell him. But that was not important now.

"Hey, I told you it was going to be ok. Now go see her, she needs you."

Brooke looked at him and hugged him

"Thank you, Lucas. I'm sorry about tonight. You can go if you want to, I ruined your night."

"Don't even say that, Brooke. I'll wait for you then I'll get you home, girls. Now go!"

She nodded and run down the corridor. He sat on a chair right next to Millie.

"I'm Lucas Scott. Nice to meet you, even thou the occasion is far from good."

She was still tearing a bit, but she seemed to calm down a little.

"I'm Millicent, her secretary. God, Brooke asked me to look after her for one night and look what happened! I'm such a…"

"It's not your fault and Brooke knows that. What matters that the little girl is ok now."

"Yeah."

Lucas was still so confused. Maybe that was the thing Brooke meant when she told him that something happened that she thought would make her close to her mother. However, this still didn't explain why she didn't tell him. It was a big new and he couldn't get why it was bothering her to tell him.

"Why isn't her father here? Does he know about what happened?"

"No, he has never been a part of Anna's life. I don't even know who he is. I started working with Brooke while she was pregnant and we got closer. But I tried to ask her about that and she said it doesn't matter – he won't be around."

Lucas was still confused. He wanted to ask Brooke, but it really wasn't the moment. Maybe tomorrow, but he really wanted to know.

"How is Brooke doing with everything? She's a single mom, owner of a huge fashion company, designer? It must be hard for her…"

"It is. Especially whit her mother acting like that."

"Yeah, I heard about it. She wasn't exactly supportive, right?"

"No, not at all. She keeps saying that quote "Brooke is a stupid kid who acted like a whore and the results is she got pregnant so early and this child means nothing to her, no matter she is her grand-daughter". And she keeps pressuring Brooke about the company. Like she isn't her own daughter."

Lucas couldn't understand that. How could she treat her daughter, her own flesh and blood like that? He though of his mother and how supportive she has always been. He missed her a lot. Well, Dan was the contrary of that, but Lucas never could think of him as a parent. That's why he couldn't bare Victoria's behavior. Suddenly, he saw Brooke coming with her baby daughter in her arms. It was strange. Crazy actually. But when he saw the way she looked at her daughter, he understood that Brooke doesn't regret having her even for a second.

"Hey, how are you? I mean both of you, girls."

Brooke was calm again.

"She's fine, so I'm fine now. I couldn't take it if something happened to her. She's everything to me."

He smiled at her.

"I will go now, Brooke. And I'm really sorry."

"It's ok, Millie. As I told you, it's nobody's fault. Thank you for bringing her here and for calling me. I owe you."

"Don't be stupid. Well, see you tomorrow. And get rid of those flowers, just in case. Bye, Brooke, Lucas."

"Bye!"

It was only the two of them now. Actually, the three of them. Lucas just couldn't get used to it yet.

"Luke, thank you!'

"You're welcome, Brooke."

"If you haven't driven me here, I'd probably hit a tree or something like that, I was out of my mind. But when it comes to her, I just can't help it."

She smiled at him and he responded.

"Come on, let's get you home now. You both need some rest."

8