Chapter 30-Makes Me Wonder
Brooke bounced Ella on her knee as she listened to the paediatrician.
"Now Ella has responded well to the surgery she had at 3 weeks of age. She has been a little underweight, but seems to be progressing nicely." The doctor said, reading from the file.
"Really?" Brooke asked nervously
"Really. We are going to be observing Ella as she reaches her developmental milestones, but she seems to be a happy, healthy baby by all accounts."
"Thank you Dr Davidson" Brooke said, placing the sleeping infant into her stroller.
"Not a problem, please schedule another appointment with the receptionist for 3 months time" he continued, getting up to shake Brooke's hand
"Thanks again"
After Brooke left the paediatrician's office, she walked through the streets of New York. The weather was gloomy, rain threatening to pour down at any moment. Brooke quickened her step, heading towards the Plaza.
Ella remained asleep as Brooke walked briskly into the building and
stood in front of the elevators. She pressed the up button as she
impatiently tapped her Manolo Blonik clad foot on the ground.
Finally
the elevator reached the ground and Brooke manoeuvred the pram into
the elevator. She reached over to press the 9 on the wall panel.
"Come on, come on" she muttered to herself as the doors opened to the 2nd floor.
An older woman, aged probably in her 60's stepped in.
Brooke smiled briefly before straightening Ella's bow that was placed on the her fluff of hair.
"She gorgeous" the older woman said, admiring the mother and daughter.
"Thank you" Brooke said warmly before placing her hand out "I'm Brooke, this is Ella"
"Ella, what a lovely name. I'm Gwen" she said in a southern drawl
"Pleased to meet you"
"How old is she honey?"
"Nearly 12 months" she said smiling widely.
"Where's her daddy? I bet he's a looker."
"Oh that's a bit complicated" Brooke said, glancing on a spot on the floor suddenly.
"Well if it's any consolation, you sure seem to be a great mother" she said before getting off the floor below Brooke's.
"Nice to meet you" Brooke called at the older woman's retreating form.
Although Brooke thought it was strange, she grinned happily. Her friends had affirmed that she was a capable mother to Ella, but it was a confidence boost to her, particularly with her precarious relationship with Lucas. Ever since the whole Rachel debacle, Lucas had been working overtime to win Brooke's trust back, and little by little she was letting him back in. That's why, instead of being in Tree Hill, they were in New York, seeing one of the best paediatricians in the country.
Brooke walked down the hallway, and she finally stopped in front of her hotel room door, and swiped the entry key into the room.
She parked the pram, and put Ella into the cot that was sitting in the lounge room.
I Don't Want to Miss a Thing rang through the air as her phone flashed. Brooke grabbed her phone before walking into the bedroom.
"Hi Boyfriend" she answered happily
"Hi Pretty Girl, how is Elle?"
"She is happy and healthy"
"Oh thank god" Lucas said, sighing with relief.
"You weren't worried were you, Broody?"
"Always, Cheery"
"So how are things? What did your editor say?" Brooke asked as she sat on the bed, and removing her shoes.
"Lindsay said it was some of my best work yet"
"Oh Boyfriend, I am so proud of you"
"Yeah?"
"Yeah!So when are you getting here?"
"Soon, I am in the taxi now"
"Ok, why did you call me then if you are so close?"
"I wanted to hear your voice, plus I wanted to hear your reaction when you got it" he stated mysteriously.
"Got what?"
With that, there was a knock on the door.
Brooke briskly walked to the door, and opened it excitedly. This was their thing. Every month, on the same day, at the same time, Lucas has given her a surprise, whether it be a present or a piece of their past that had meant the world to him. Brooke wasn't sure if it was guilt from what happened with Rachel, or if it was just plain old romance, but Brooke really didn't care. Lucas was finally showing her what she'd meant to him, and that's all Brooke really wanted. It was the one thing that has prevented them having a relationship all those years ago, his emotional distance from her nearly killed her in the beginning. But now, he was showing he was really there for her, even in the little moments, as they progressed from adolescence to adulthood.
Last month he had given her the red feather in a frame from the costume that she had worn to the costume party at the start of senior year. One time, with the help of Peyton, had put together a photo wall of Brooke. From photos of the gang at the Rivercourt to the various pictures of her at charity events or on the front of magazine covers, it was there. In the middle of the collage was a photo of the pair, the day Ella was bought home.
Ella was laying in Brooke's arms, grasping her finger with all her might. Lucas sat next to Brooke, watching in amazement at the neonate's strength so soon after a serious operation.
"She's so strong" he said
"She is, aren't you bubba?" Brooke said cooing at the child
"I can't believe we made her, Brooke"
"I know, I never thought I would be much of a mother, you know considering what my mother is like…"
"You were never going to end up like your mother Brooke. Your heart is too big. We both know how much of a B-I-T-C-H your mother can be. Does she even know about Ella?"
"I called her, but only got the answering machine. I told her to call me back.." Brooke said, looking downcast
"It doesn't matter anymore, Brooke because we are your family now"
"Really?" she asked hopefully
"Really"
Lucas and Brooke looked into each others eyes, mesmerised by each other. Haley quietly focused her camera as she crept around the corner, hoping to get another picture of her niece but got so much more.
"Are you scared, Luke?" Brooke asked suddenly
"Of what?"
"Being a parent"
"Of course"
"Oh thank god. Me too"
"Brooke, I think I love you" he said, grinning widely
"I think I love you, too"
Ella made a gurgling sound, getting the attention of her parents
again.
They laughed, and Lucas said "We love you too, Ella"
Brooke opened the door, and standing outside was a tall man in a tux, holding a box in his hands.
"May I help you?" Brooke giggled
"Are you Brooke Davis?"
"Yes"
"This is for you. Have a good evening"
"Thanks"
"Cheery?" Lucas said from her phone
"Yeah, I got it"
"And.."
Brooke opened the velvet box, revealing a white gold heart shaped locket, dangling from a delicate chain. In the middle of the locket was an emerald placed in the centre of the heart.
"Oh Luke it is beautiful" she gushed
"Did you look inside?"
"Inside?"
Brooke finally noticed the hinges on the side of the charm. With her perfectly manicured nail she pried open the locket. It revealed on one side, a small version of the photo of Brooke and Lucas at Naley's wedding, Brooke's head resting on his chest, her eyes closed. On the opposite was a photo of Ella, taken days before in Tree Hill before their trip to New York. Brooke closed the locket, revealing an engraved inscription on the locket.
I think I'll love you till the day I die…you're my wonderwall
B+LTrue Love.
"Lucas…" she said, amazed at the piece of jewellery
"Do you like it?" he said down the phone
"I love it" she said, thumbing the inscription.
"As much as you love me?"
"Well…"
"I'm offended!" he said laughing
"Well you know what they say, Broody, never part a woman and her jewellery! Hang on someone's at the door.."
Brooke opened the door to reveal an Armani clad older woman, who shared the same colour eyes as her, yet none of the warmth. Brooke inhaled, as the woman strutted into the suite.
"Mom"
A/N: hey everyone, thanks for all the lovely reviews for the last chapter, I really appreciated it considering I was a little unsure how it ended up. Now I know I said that Brooke's parents died years before, but I have changed my mind for the story's sake, but believe me what happens next is good!!as always please review, you know how much I love them!!-Lydia