Chapter 9:

-Three Months Later-

Less than a week ago Brooke sat in Clay's office signing the contracts for her exit package from Clothes Over Bros, she settled on $0.87 for every $1.00. Clay had been satisfied with the deal and Brooke couldn't be happier to be moving forward with starting her own company with no one she was obligated to answer to. She hadn't heard from Julian since a mail courier had delivered a cashier's check for her entire settlement amount and she didn't expect to. She plopped down on the couch in her new living room, she had decided renting was the best option right now, in case the need to be bi-coastal arose after her new couture line debuted at all the fashion shows in the fall. She heard a knock at her door and assumed it was Lucas, her boyfriend. She opened the door and gasped, "Julian what are you doing here?"
He thrust a stack of photos into her hands, "How long has it been going on?"
"What are you talking about?" Brooke asked before studying the pictures in her hands. They were of her and Lucas, "You had me followed?"
"No I am the one asking the questions," Julian shut the door and made himself at home, "How long has it been going on?"
"Not as long as you're thinking." Brooke sighed, "Nothing happened until I filed for divorce."
"Why should I believe that?" Julian sneered, "You probably planned the whole thing, right down to me hiring him as a screenwriter. Have you been laughing at my ignorance the entire time?"
Out of habit Brooke reached for his hand, "It wasn't like that I swear, what does it matter at this point. You have been seeing other women for years. Didn't you just become a father?" Brooke sat up straight, "So what are you going to do with this newfound information?"
"I should sue you for fraud and destroy his career," Julian grinned, "But no one wins if I do that."
Brooke exhaled deeply, "What do you want Julian?"
"You need to end things with Lucas," Julian said, "He's a really gifted writer and the studio likes him. I can't just fire him, even though I want to cut the little weasel loose. That would leave me open for a lawsuit."
"And if I refuse?" Brooke questioned.
"These will end up at the offices of every tabloid and gossip site I can think of. I won't release them now though, I'll wait until you're ready to launch B-Couture that way no one will care about your ridiculous little hobby, they'll just care about your obvious indiscretion and lack of moral center." Julian put his hands in the air and grinned, "Just picture it baby, 'Brooke Davis fools around with ex-husband's head writer' 'Julian Baker was devastated to learn of Brooke's affair that crippled their perfect marriage.'"
Brooke narrowed her eyes at Julian, "Give me a break, no one believes our marriage was perfect Julian, your assistant just gave birth to your child. Not even Paul Norris could spin that story to make you look like the injured party."
"Oh you think so, people will believe it Brooke when I infer that Lucas Scott left his wife for you and this nefarious affair was going on long term." Julian stood up to leave, "Lucas will never work in this town again, I'll have him blacklisted."
Brooke hurried to the front door and opened it, "You don't scare me anymore Julian, now get out."
"Suit yourself baby," Julian grinned again, "I have already started to change the direction of Lucas's show, when it's canceled and he's labeled a two-bit hack no one will hire him to write tampon ads let alone a huge network production."
Brooke wanted to argue that Lucas was talented and Julian couldn't take that from him, but years of arguing with Julian Baker had left her exhausted, "Goodbye Julian. Come here again and I'll have you arrested."

"The real question is do you believe him?" Rachel said into the receiver, "Julian has always operated on his own level, I mean he scared guys that were interested in you from across the country. I think when Julian puts his mind to something he can be dangerous."

"I was worried you were going to say that Rach," Brooke rubbed her temples, "What am I going to do?"

Rachel let out a deep sigh, "I wish I could give you the answer."

Brooke heard a knock at her door, "Hold on a second Rachel." She hurried to the door and opened it, it was a UPS delivery man. She signed for the package, "Sorry. I'm back now." Brooke looked at the envelope and kinked her eyebrow at the sender's name: C&R Keller "what did you send me red?"

"What are you talking about B?" Rachel laughed. "Open it damnit, I've been tracking your package practically all day."

"Alright, alright." She giggled and tore open the padded envelope. She took out two small onesies and shrieked, "Oh my gosh Rachel!" Brooke's hand was shaking as she looked at the embroidered onesies that read; I love my Auntie Brookie and My Auntie doesn't spoil me she is just very accommodating. "How far along are you?"

"Eleven weeks." Rachel replied.

Brooke squealed again, "How could you keep it a secret that long?! I am going to strangle you."

"Are you really angry B? You had a lot going on these past few months." Rachel paused, "keep it up and you won't get to come with us to find out the gender."

Brooke frowned, "Oh stop it, I was kidding. I have to go change, Lucas is going to be here any minute. I love you, tell Chris I said congratulations daddy. I'll see you this weekend."

"Later B." Rachel said before hanging up the phone.

Lucas let himself in to Brooke's apartment, "pretty girl?" He called out to her.

"In the kitchen," Brooke answered.

"What are you making, it smells delicious" Lucas put down his bag and headed into the kitchen. He put his arms around her waist and kissed her neck. "So what did you do today?"

Brooke smiled sadly, "Let's have dinner then we can talk."

The breath caught in his throat at the sad tone of voice, "is everything alright Brooke?"

"No" she huffed. "Julian came by today. He had an investigator following me, he knows about us?"

Lucas shrugged, "and?"

"He threatened me." Brooke averted Lucas's eyes.

He banged his hand on the table, "he what?"

"Julian said he would have you blacklisted if I didn't break up with you."

Lucas laughed, "you told him to go fuck himself right?! I mean he couldn't really be serious, I work for the studio, I don't work for Julian."

"Luke…" Brooke whispered. "I think we should slow things down a little bit until Julian cools down."

Lucas ran his hands through his hair and backed away from Brooke, "You can't be serious right now. He doesn't have any control over what you do anymore. No I am not alright with slowing things down. I am in love with you.. Can you honestly tell me you don't feel the same way about me?"

"It would be a lie if I said I wasn't falling for you Lucas. I am so grateful that I met you," She felt tears sting her eyes but she couldn't recall when she started crying. "I can't let Julian hurt anyone else, this has to be over for now. Please see yourself out, I'm sorry."

She ran to her bedroom and locked the door, Lucas was confused by what just transpired. He went to the door separating him from his beloved. He raised his fist to knock, but hesitated, if this is what she wanted he was going to have to live with it, no matter how ridiculous he thought the situation was. He picked up his bag and let himself out.

Brooke heard the door close and begun to cry, "what have I done?" She said aloud.

"I blew it Millie," Brooke frowned. "It's been a week and I haven't heard from him once. I called him and left a few messages…" She trailed off.

Millie put her hand on Brooke's, "he's probably just giving you what you asked for honey. He will come around soon enough I am sure of it."

There was a knock at the glass door to the storefront Brooke had only just rented a few days ago. She unlocked the door and signed for the vase of yellow roses and padded envelope. "Did you order something?"

"No," Millie answered, "those flowers are beautiful. Who are they from?"

Brooke sat the vase on the folding table, "there isn't a card." She kinked her eyebrow and opened the envelope and pulled out a copy of Hope for the Flowers by Trina Paulus. Again there is no card, she opened the book and found the handwritten inscription;

My Precious Pretty Girl:

This book helped me get through my divorce… It's all about jumping and accepting change… So even though I don't understand your desire to adhere to Julian's threats I will respect your wishes. Know one thing… I will wait for you forever… I love you with my whole heart… I look forward to spending my life loving you... If you will have me...

Eternally yours, Luke

Brooke flipped through the book and smiled when she found a page with more of Lucas's handwriting. He had circled the passage; How does one become a butterfly? You must want to learn to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar. Brooke's hazel eyes welled up with tears and she knew in that moment that Lucas Scott was the man she would give everything up for, she just hoped that when she was ready that he would still want her as much as he does right now... Only time will tell...

So I know its been a while but I was in a funk and this chapter took forever to write.. I hope you all are still reading.. The last chapter will be posted tomorrow.. Thanks!

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Krystal