I'm ready for the fight to be over, but I hope it doesn't seem like it will be forgiven so easily after it was such a big deal. Hopefully, this doesn't come across too cheesy. I had to figure out a way to include the Molly Ringwald dance… I loved that scene! There are a couple of others, but I'm not sure if I can work them in, but I just may allude to them. Thanks again for reading!
Chapter 7:
Staring through the front windows of Brooke's store, Julian smiled at the sight of three grown women dancing. The sound of their voices didn't reach the street, but it was obvious all three were singing to a favorite song. Julian couldn't take his eyes off of Brooke and was glad that she looked so happy. He couldn't decide if he should enter the store and interrupt the girl bonding or continue to watch her from the street. Noticing a couple of suspicious glances and whispers from people passing by, he thought it was time.
As Julian got closer to the door he could almost make out the song that was playing. Is that the Spice Girls? He thought and realized the three were doing a choreographed dance. He laughed and shook his head and head the three squeal as a new song started to play. Brooke walked to the stereo and turned the volume up louder before all three started dancing. The unmistakable tune from the movie Breakfast Club was blasting through the door. Julian grinned as he watched Brooke dance across the floor, instantly reminding him of Molly Ringwald, and he was struck with an obvious realization. I love Brooke Davis.
Julian wanted to watch her dance across the room in that silly somewhat awkward manner forever. However, he wanted to be with her and not watching from outside on a dirty street. Taking a deep breath, Julian opened the door.
The volume from the radio drowned out the front door's chime, so that the three women continued to dance to the music oblivious to Julian's presence. Haley was the first to notice him and jumped into Peyton who then tapped Brooke on the shoulder. Brooke smiled as she turned around, but it soon disappeared as she met Julian's dark eyes.
The ends of Julian's lips turned slightly into a small smile, but not the full one that she had missed so much for eight long days. This small was not full of confidence, happiness, or charm. It was a contrite smile that was vulnerable and unsure. The sight of his uncertainty actually calmed Brooke and she offered a similar smile in return.
The song was mysteriously cut off and the sudden silence awkwardly engulfed the four. "Ladies do you mind giving me a moment with Brooke?" Julian never took his eyes off of Brooke as he asked Haley and Peyton to leave the room. Brooke heard her two friends grab their things and their feet shuffle to the door as they hastily left Julian and Brooke alone.
Julian stepped cautiously toward Brooke and he cursed himself for the hurt he saw on her face. He wanted to be the man that made her happy, and he wanted another opportunity to be that guy for her. She took a shaky breath and stepped forward, willing to listen.
Julian continued to hold her gaze, trying to regain her trust almost as if she were a wounded small animal. Brooke nodded towards him and he began to speak. Brooke tried to focus on the words Julian told her, but she only caught bits and pieces, "trademark… Clothes Over Bros… legacy… for you… I'm sorry." She lost count of how many times Julian said "I'm sorry." It didn't matter. He was here and he was with her.
Shaking her head, Brooke took a step to the side and Julian thought she was rebuking his attempt to explain. His arm engulfed her into a hug that brought her to his chest. Brooke wrapped her arms around his back and breathed in the scent she had missed. Julian kissed her hair and couldn't believe she was finally back in his arms. He tried to chuckle, but it came out choked as he tried not to be the one to cry. "I wish Haley and Peyton were back in here to slap me again… to make sure I'm not dreaming. I've missed you Brooke. G-d, how I've missed you!"
Brooke took a last deep breath of his cologne and lifted her head to him. She started to back away, but Julian pulled her closer. He then let her go and reached into his bag. Two large manila envelopes emerged and he handed them to her. Julian began to explain the contents as Brooke opened each. One envelope contained a legal document to dissolve the partnership between Clothes Over Bros. and the movie. The other envelope contained script pages. Brooke looked up at Julian with a questioning look waiting for him to explain.
"Brooke, the last thing I want is to hurt you. I've drawn up papers to stop the association and use of Clothes Over Bros. from the film. The legal suit I'm sure your mother will file could kill the movie, but I don't care. The other are script pages… these are your pages Brooke. I want the world to know how brave and amazing you are to survive and be successful in the face of someone as cruel as your mother. I'm going to show the world what I see you in you."
Brooke's eyes filled with tears as she read the words from the script. She smiled, "Well, Lucas is a better writer than I remembered."
Julian laughed and she could see the famous grin starting to emerge. "Who said Lucas wrote this? This is me… this is what I've been working on since the day you told me to go. I told you I'd fight for you Brooke. I was creating a testament to you that would last forever on the screen."
Julian took a deep breath and continued, "Brooke, I know this is all kind of crazy. We've only been together a couple of months if you include this past week. But if you can forgive me and we can start… just start over even… I know you're the person I want to see next to me every morning when I open my eyes. I want to be the man you want to have standing next to you through the tough moments, and the ones that make you so happy you want to cry." Julian smiled at her and placed his hand on her cheek, "This cheesy mush is absolutely gut-wrenching. Can you please say something before I lose the last shreds of my masculinity?" He didn't realize he was holding his breath, waiting for her words, until Brooke kissed him and he decided air was overrated.