A/n: Not much to say but I suppose I should warn you Brucas loving people that this chapter will not be your cup of tea. Things will eventually work out so just be patient. Anyways enjoy!

Chapter Two

With No Regrets

Sitting on a bench in JFK airport, Brooke was anything but calm. She was nervous at seeing her boyfriend again after two whole months without him. But besides that, there was something else that was troubling her mind. It had been exactly two weeks since the day she met Lucas and she couldn't get him out of her mind. She wasn't sure what to think of that.

She loved her boyfriend, she really did but there was something about Lucas that she liked. Yet maybe Haley was right, maybe it was just a small insignificant crush that would go away in time. But then why did she feel the unmistakable form of butterflies in her stomach whenever she thought of him? They didn't have one of those magical moments between each other but something about Lucas attracted her to him.

She knew Julian didn't deserve this so she decided that as soon as an opportunity came she was going to tell him about what was going through her troubling head.

As she thought this, she saw the familiar face of her boyfriend walking out of the airport's arrivals section. His curly brown hair was up in his usual spiky way that made him look extremely attractive. Seeing Julian for the first time in two months made her realized that she missed him and when her hazel eyes connected with his brown ones, all thoughts of Lucas were erased from her mind for the time being.

She instantly stood up and walked towards Julian, a smile already on her face.

"Julian!" Brooke said with happiness as she wrapped her arms around her boyfriend's neck. "You're finally back!"

"Hey sweetie." Julian said softly as he wrapped his arms around her petite waist. "I've missed you."

"Well guess what Mr. Baker?"

"What?"

"I missed you more."

"Good." Julian simply said before he leaned in to capture her soft lips with his. Brooke smiled into the kiss, god did she missed kissing him so much. "I missed you so damn much." Julian said after their lips separated.

"Why don't we go to your apartment and you show me how much you've missed me." Brooke whispered seductively in his ear as she ran her hand up and down his chest in a flirty manner.

"Nuh-uh babe. I have different plans before we do that." he said smiling widely at her.

"And what are those plans?" she asked him quietly.

"Dinner, you and me tonight at 8 a' clock at a little place called Jean Georges."

"Julian!" Brooke gasped in surprised as she stepped away from him. "That is no little place and you know it!"

"Brooke please just let me spoil you for once." he pleaded while grabbing her hips to pull her back. "I love you and I don't mind spending my money on you." he said shrugging his shoulders a bit like it was no big deal. It was true he was extremely rich but just because he was, it didn't mean he shouldn't be able to spend his money on her.

"I know you don't but your mother already thinks I'm with you because of your money and…"

"And nothing. Brooke I don't care what my mom thinks. All that matters is what I think. I love you and I know you're with me because you truly love me and not because of my money." Julian told her in a sincere tone.

"So just dinner?" she asked tilting her head to the side.

"Well that and the little surprise I have for you." he grinned widely. He gave her a sweet peck on her lips.

"Okay so dinner, surprise and then you, me possibly naked on your bed?" she said kinking her eyebrow at him which he found was a total turn on.

"I think you got that wrong Miss Davis. It's dinner, surprise and then you, me definitely naked in my bed."

"You are such a dirty boy." she teased him lightly.

"Only with you babe, only with you."

"Good." She pulled him in for another kiss but this time with more passion. "I love you." Brooke said after the necessity air became apparent.

Julian looked at his girlfriend and realized now more than ever that what he had plan for her tonight was the right thing to do. He smiled at her cupping her cheek with his left hand as he repeated the three words he had said to her many times before.

It was almost the end of the day and Lucas was exhausted. It had been two of the most stressed out weeks of his life between dealing with work and trying to live a life with a bit of normalcy. But of course being the owner and the CEO of one of the most successful sports management firms was enough prove to know his life was never going to be anything but normal.

There was also the fact that he still didn't know the identity of that mysterious girl from the park. All he knew was that she worked in her mom's store (what kind of store he didn't know) and that she apparently drank Starbucks coffee.

"Who are you?" Lucas thought to himself as the image of the brunette girl came to his mind, it not being the first time since their encounter.

His phone rang and instantly his face lit up, it was one of the three most important people in his life.

"Hey ma." Lucas answered in an upbeat tone.

"Lucas my boy. How are you?" Karen Roe asked wanting to know how her son was doing since they hadn't talk in weeks.

"Pretty good considering how crazy things have gotten. I miss you all terribly though, how's Tree Hill?" Lucas questioned as he leaned back on his armchair to get as much comfortable as he could.

"Oh you know same old same old. How's the company doing so far?"

"I think pretty good considering the few problems I've had since I took over the company."

Karen nodded her head knowing exactly what kind of problems her son was talking about. "You make sure you make your Uncle Keith proud Lucas. You show Felix that you were given this company for a reason and not because you're the nephew of the previous owner."

"Don't worry ma, I'm making sure to make you and Keith proud." Lucas told her with a smile. Ever since he was put in charge of RKS that was all he wanted to do. He wanted to make his mom and in especially his uncle proud of him.

"That's my boy." Karen responded with smile of her own.

"How are Lily and Keith?" Lucas asked trying to change their conversation into something lighter.

"Lily is doing great actually, she misses her big brother though but she's excited to start Kindergarten."

"I miss my Lily-Pad too but ma Kindergarten doesn't start until September. She still has seven months to go!" Lucas told her laughing at his little sister's excitement to start school.

"I know and she knows but she can't help but to be excited. She's already got me and your uncle buying her a backpack and new clothes for the big day."

"That little sister of mine…what about Keith?"

"Oh..." Karen's voice instantly changed. "He's well…Keith is just here you know being the supportive father of Lily and nothing more." she said quietly not liking how that sounded.

"When are you going to give him a chance ma?" Lucas wondered out loud.

"Luke you know I can't, he reminds me so much of his brother."

"That didn't stop you guys from sleeping together five years ago when you conceived Lily." Lucas commented dryly without thinking. The day he found out his mom was pregnant from his uncle he thought that that was it. His longtime dream of having both his parents together (because yes he considered Keith like a father) was finally here. Then of course his mom said it meant nothing and that it was a mistake and they left it at that. Lucas of course wasn't happy but he couldn't do anything about it, it wasn't his decision to make.

"Lucas Eugene Scott!" Karen yelled in disapproval at her son's words. "How dare you! I am your mother and you will respect me!"

Lucas instantly cringed. He knew when his mom used his full name it meant he was in trouble. "Sorry ma I didn't mean for it to come out that way. It's just that you guys are so frustrating!" Lucas stated with mild irritation. "You guys love each other and I just don't understand what the problem is."

"Luke-"

"No mom! Someone has to tell it to you so here it is. You can't continue to let what that man did to you affect your life anymore. Keith loves you and fortunately he isn't like his brother. He's already proven that he isn't going to abandoned you so please just stop hiding your heart!"

"You just don't understand Lucas. I'm scared of opening my heart again like that."

"Ma, remember what you told me after what happen with Anna?" Lucas said in a much gentler tone. He hated using his experience with Anna as an example because it still hurt to think about it but if this was the only way to try and get his mom to understand, then he didn't mind at all.

"I told you that you shouldn't give up on love because someone better was going to come your way." Lucas nodded his head even though his mom couldn't see him. He instantly thought of the mysterious brunette, maybe his better already came without him knowing? He smiled at the thought.

"Well someone better has already come your way; you just have to let yourself believe." Lucas told her sincerely knowing how true her wise words that were once spoken to him were. "Please just think about it. What that man did to you was wrong but if he wouldn't have then you wouldn't have me, Lily or Keith."

"Luke, what your father-"

"Please don't say he's my father." he begged not wanting to hear that from his mom. After all that man abandoned his mom at the worst possible time of her life so he couldn't be considered his father.

"Lucas he's your father whether you like it or not."

"That man is not my dad!" Lucas screamed angrily. He couldn't believe that his mom would ever say that to him. As far as he knew the only father he had was named Keith Scott.

"You need to let go of the past Luke. That anger you have for him is no good for you son." Karen said shaking her head. She wanted, no she needed for her son to make peace with that issue.

"He used you mom! The moment he found out you were pregnant he left without saying a word! He didn't even care you were carrying his child!" Lucas told her angrily and when he heard the small gasped that escaped her throat he knew he hit a nerve.

"Lucas I ha-have to g-go."

"Ma I'm…" Lucas tried apologizing.

"Goodbye my boy…take care." she hurriedly said and then like that the line went dead.

Lucas groaned while rubbing his hand up and down his face in frustration. He screwed up and he knew he had to apologize to his mom but he also knew he had to give himself time to calm down before he had that talk. He still was a little bit worked up talking about his dad, if you could ever call a man who abandoned him when he wasn't even born a dad.

When he was younger he used to wonder what his father looked like and if he looked anything like him. He used to wonder where he was and if he was ever going to be in his life but as time passed by he stopped caring. His hopes died when he turned twelve and finally realized that his father was a good for nothing man that truly had abandoned his mother and him. Nowadays when Lucas thought of his dad, it was just to wonder whose life he was ruining at the moment.

An extremely expensive looking car was being pulled up to an equally rich looking mansion. The man driving the car was none other than Dan Scott, a rich businessman who was coming home from a business trip after being away from his family for too long.

He got out of his car and started walking towards the place he had called his home for the past twenty four years. Once inside he saw all of his hard work put on displayed as he looked around his expensive looking house.

"Dan!" the voice of his wife Deborah Scott shouted. He looked up and saw a cheerful blond woman make her way down the stairs with a huge smile on her face.

"Deb." Dan said as he pulled his wife into a hug. "I've missed you darling." Dan stated as he took a deep breath to smell the familiar scent of coconut on her hair.

"And I've missed you sweetie. How was your trip?" Deb questioned eagerly after they broke from their embrace.

"The trip was fine but tiring as usual though." he replied tiredly. She lifted her hand and brushed some of his hair from his face in a caring gesture.

"Well did you at least seal the deal?" Deb asked him curiously as she repeated her actions with her hand.

"But of course my lovely wife."

"So does that mean you won't have to go away on another one of your business trips any time soon?" Deb asked him hopefully. Dan looked at his wife and frowned slightly. He knew how much his trips were affecting her but he had no choice if he wanted his family to keep having the life of the rich he knew they deserved.

He didn't want to talk about that now. "How are the boys?" Dan asked instead. He could see how much his avoidance of her question hurt her and how much she was trying to hide it so he leaned in and gave her a sweet kiss on her lips.

She smiled warmly at him happy to know that after all these years he could still read her like a book. "Owen has been busy with law school and Nathan…he's been cooped up on his room…after well you know after what happened. He's been a bit depressed Dan and I'm not sure what else to say to him get him out of that funk."

Dan instantly frowned knowing how hard it must be for his youngest son to come into terms that his long time dreams would have to be postponed for a bit. His son was at his last year of college ready to graduate but most importantly he had been given the news that he had been drafted into the New York Knicks but an injury destroyed all his chances of being in the NBA for the time being.

"Darling would you mind if I go up there and talk to Nate?"

"Of course not honey. I'll make sure to have your warm bath ready by the time you're done." Deb told him with a content smile on her face.

"Thank you Deb, you are indeed the best wife ever." Dan honestly said, grateful to have her by his side. He kissed her again this time longer and then headed up the steps in the direction of Nathan's room.

"Hey son." Dan greeted as he came into his room. Once inside the first thing he noticed was that the curtains were closed making the room look dark. The second was that his raven haired son was lying on his bed throwing his plush basketball up and catching it with ease.

"Hey dad…you're back." he simply stated in a robotic tone.

"Son…"

"Don't dad, I know what you're going to say so don't bother." he said with anger evident in his voice.

"Really? I didn't know that besides being good at basketball you were also good at reading minds." Dan sarcastically said as he sat down next to him on the bed. Nathan said nothing choosing to ignore his dad's comment.

"Nathan…" Dan started to say as he took a deep breath. "Sometimes life throws you obstacles that may seem unfair at the time but you can't let that defeat you. You have to keep fighting for what you want and never give up."

"You just don't get it dad." Nathan replied in a monotonous tone.

"What son? What don't I get?" Dan asked frustrated that he was acting like this.

"I'm injured dad! The doctor said I can't play basketball anymore!" Nathan screamed furiously letting all his frustration out in that those two sentences. He angrily threw the plush basketball to the wall.

He was mad, livid. His life was going according to plan and one stupid injury left him high and dry. He couldn't believe that all that hard work he did in the past years was for nothing.

"No Nathan, the doctor said there's a slight chance you might not be able to play again but if you keep up with your therapies then there's a huge possibility to see you on the courts again." Dan firmly told him as he stood up from the bed and walked towards the window to open the closed curtains.

Nathan flinched back at the sudden light on his room. How long had he been in his room without seeing the light?

"The point is that you shouldn't give up that easily." Dan continued to say once the curtains were fully open.

"There's no point in trying I already know I won't be able to play again."

"And now you're a psychic. Geez son if I had known you had these other amazing skills I wouldn't have pushed you to play basketball like I did." Dan teased him as Nathan rolled his eyes and threw him a pillow that he was able to dodge easily.

"Shut up old man." Nathan grumbled like a little kid but Dan saw that there was a slight smile on his face. He was getting through him and that's all that mattered.

"Dad have you ever had any regrets?" Nathan asked suddenly.

Dan took a deep breath, of course he had regrets everyone did. The biggest one of his was the one he made almost twenty four years ago along with a few others he had been making recently but that wasn't something he was willing to share with his son.

"Why do you ask that Nate?" Dan asked instead, hoping to deflate his question.

"Because I regret everyday playing that day when I knew something wasn't right with me."

"Nathan all I can say is that regrets are part of life and you must learn to live with them." The two men stared at each other from across the room not knowing what else to say until the oldest Scott broke the silence.

"How about this son, I'm going to be home a bit longer than planned so that I can help you start your therapy. Would you like that?"

Nathan looked at his dad like he had grown a second head. In all his life he had never heard his father say he was going to stay home longer than a few days. He was always on the move not staying home longer than a couple of days so it was a bit of a shock to hear him say he was. It was an even greater surprise to hear that he was going to do it just to help him with his therapy.

"I-I don't know what to say dad." Nathan said, stunned at hearing his father's words. He stood up from the bed carefully not to hurt his already injured knee and walked slowly towards his dad.

"Just say yes son and we'll go give your mom the great news." Dan said smiling at his proud and joy. Although Dan loved both his sons, things with his eldest son Owen were a bit complicated. Owen never had been able to understand why he left so much and resented him for it. Nathan on the other hand was just like him and they got along perfectly well.

"Yeah of course!"

"That's my boy! Now how about you give your old man a proper greeting before we go find your mom?" Dan asked. Nathan gave him a quick hug happy to have his dad back.

"Welcome home dad." Nathan whispered as the two men separated from their embrace.

Yes Dan had many regrets in life but choosing to live the life he was living now wasn't one of them. He loved his family with all his heart and he wouldn't have traded that for anything or for anyone in the world.

"Mommy!" Brooke exclaimed happily a she threw her arms around the older woman in front of her.

"Well, well, well if it isn't my daughter. What brings you into the store? I thought you asked for the day off because you wanted to spend time with Julian." Victoria Davis asked her one and only daughter.

"I did but he has plans for us tonight and besides he went to go see how his family was."

"How is his devil of a mother and sister doing anyways?"

"Well I'm guessing fine but mom seriously Peyton is not that bad." This in turn caused Victoria to raise her eyebrows. "Really she isn't! It's just that her mother doesn't like me…" Victoria scoffed at this knowing how well that woman didn't like her daughter at all. "…and besides her best friend is Theresa and you know how much she hates me."

"I know Brooke and I'm sorry you have to be in this situation." Victoria said sympathetically. "What about Alexander?"

"Alexander is doing fine. I actually saw him a couple of times while Julian was away in Cali." Brooke stated as she took a seat in one of the store's couches.

"I'm glad at least one of his family members approves of you." Victoria said. She went to shelves filled with clothes and started folding some of the disorganized ones.

"Alexander is a sweetie, there's no way anybody can't get along with him."

"All I'm saying is that boy has manners unlike his mother."

"I guess…by the way where are Bevin and Millie mom?" Brooke asked as she looked around the empty store.

Victoria took a deep breath and turned to look at her daughter. "I told them to take the afternoon off since there weren't many customers in here today."

"Mom I'm sorry things aren't working out like you thought with the clothing store." Brooke commented sadly.

"And I'm sorry you had to give up your dreams just because of our financial situation."

"Mom going to college was a dream come true but that was all it was, a dream." Brooke said, shrugging her shoulders like it didn't matter that her dreams were taken away. She had been going to school for almost three years studying to get a degree in business but her family's financial situation halted her progress.

"I just wish that both of my kids would have a better education and not just one." Victoria replied with a sad smile.

"Mom don't be sad. I gave up my dream so Clay could continue his and I don't regret it. I love my big brother so much that I would do anything for him…for you. Besides I know someday I'll go back and get that business degree I was working on."

"Brooke you truly are a great daughter."

"Was there ever any doubt." Brooke joked trying to lighten the somber mood.

"Of course not." Victoria said as she hugged her once more. "Speaking about your brother, how is he doing with the Sara and Quinn thing?"

"Well he's still hung up on Sara and is too blind to see that his best friend is in love with him." Brooke replied nonchalantly.

"Your brother can be so dense sometimes. He reminds me so much of your father." Victoria commented as a sad smile etched her face.

"Yeah…daddy." Brooke responded a bit unenthusiastic. It had been many years since her father died but any mentioning of him could put her into a pretty depressing mood. She never got the chance to really know him since he died when she was just two years old but she knew from her mom and brother that Richard Davis was a great man.

"I'm sorry Brooke." Victoria immediately apologized after she saw the sadness that overcame her daughter. "I know how much you would have wanted to know him."

"Things happen for a reason mom. I mean look at Julian, his father abandoned him and his brother when they were kids but he doesn't let that affect him."

"Julian is a great guy Brooke but…"

"But what mom?" Brooke replied a bit worry that her mom was going to bring up that topic again.

"I'm just wondering if he's the guy for you Brooke." the older woman spoke softly. "I'm wondering if you're in this relationship because it's easy and you feel comfortable."

"Mother I am not going to get into this conversation again." Brooke said upset that her mother kept bringing this up. Ever since things had started getting serious between her and Julian her mother had been hinting that her boyfriend might not be the one for her. "I love Julian and that's all there is to it." Brooke firmly said as she grabbed her purse. "Now if you'll excuse me you're right and it is my day off and I have lots to do before my dinner with my boyfriend…goodbye mother."

It was later that night and Brooke was enjoying dinner at Jean Georges with Julian. The start of the evening was a little bit tense with Brooke having the conversation with her mother still in her mind but that all soon changed when Julian's charm kicked in.

The table was filled with laughter, declarations of love and just catching up on everything they missed from the two months they were away from each other.

"So Julian how is your family doing?" Brooke asked while taking a bite of her chocolate Bundt cake. He on the other hand took a bite out of his pumpkin pie mousse and relished the sweet taste in his mouth.

Brooke looked at him with a crinkled on her face; she could never understand how her boyfriend could like the taste of pumpkin pie. Julian just chuckled lightly knowing fully well she wasn't a fan of his dessert.

"Well Lex is doing fine, he told me you guys hanged out?" Julian questioned just wanting to confirm what his brother told him.

"Yeah he called me a few days after you left and asked if I wanted to hang out with him. I told him yes and since then we've become inseparable."

"Careful love or I might get jealous of your buddy relationship with my brother." Julian teased her and she rolled her eyes thinking her boyfriend could be so silly sometimes.

"Don't worry Julian; you are the only Baker man in my life." she declared dramatically.

"Well technically Alexander is a Norris." Julian corrected her and laughed when she smacked his arm in annoyance.

"So not the point!" Brooke replied as she rolled her eyes at Julian.

"Then what is the point?" he asked knowing how much he was beginning to irritate her.

"The point is that you better watch that mouth of yours before I decide to leave you and find a better man." Brooke responded pointedly as she in a joking manner started looking around the restaurant for potential candidates.

"Really? You would just get up and easily leave your boyfriend of three years?" Julian asked while putting his elbows on the table to lean more closely to Brooke.

"If you keep acting like a smart ass then I can guarantee you will be leaving the restaurant as a single man." she said in her most serious tone. Julian chuckled; it was so easy to mess with his beautiful girlfriend.

"Well would you still leave me even if at this very precise moment I asked you to be my wife?" Julian asked her and Brooke felt like her heart stopped. She wasn't sure if she heard correctly so she just sat there in silent awe. Julian took her inability to respond as a good thing and continue with what he was saying. "Brooke Davis…" He got down on one knee next to her stilled form and got out a small velvet box. He opened it to reveal an exquisite emerald cut diamond ring set in a platinum band that looked absolutely beautiful to Brooke. "…when I met you that day in your mom's store I knew you were going to end up being my wife someday." He chuckled a bit at remembering their first meeting and Brooke let out a small laugh also remembering that day. "Well someday is here so I am asking you to make me the happiest man on earth and be my wife…so Brooke Davis will you marry me?"

Brooke was in complete shock. She wasn't expecting her night to turn out like this. She loved Julian and knew that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him but wasn't this too soon? She was only twenty one years old after all. Then there was that other pressing matter that she had managed to forget about...Lucas.

It was stupid to be thinking about him because she didn't know who he really was but that didn't stop her from doing it. The man with the gorgeous blue eyes managed to leave an imprint on her and she didn't know how to get rid of it. And now her boyfriend, the man she swore she loved with all her heart wanted to marry her. She was confused because there he was on his knee waiting for an answer that should have come to her instantly instead of having to debate over it.

She took a deep breath to calm herself down. She couldn't do this to Julian so when she looked into his sincere looking chocolate colored brown eyes; she knew what the right thing to do was.

"Yes, of course I'll marry you." Brooke answered somewhat confident. Julian's smile instantly grew and slipped the ring into the third finger of her left hand. "With no regrets." she told herself as she was being pulled by her now fiancé into a hug and into one of the sweetest kisses they've ever shared.

To Be Continued…

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter...well sorta lol. Brulian has to happen guys. There's a long road ahead before Brucas can start so just trust me on this please.

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