"She likes this one," Lucas whispered over to the blonde boy by his side who giggled. Watching as the girl with the long dark hair glided through the large brick home. Her lips trapped between her teeth and her hands locked together as they rested under her chin.
They had looked at a few homes over the last week, spent all last weekend going home to home just to be disappointed. However as soon as he pulled into the driveway and saw her face light up he knew they had found it.
"Come here. I want to show you something," he grabbed the little boy's hand and tugged him towards the backyard. Lifting him up on his hip and pushing open the glass door to reveal the large backyard, a tire swing in the corner and a play-set with a slide on the other side. Then with a short walk through a gate there was a large pool sitting in the back with a short black fence lining around it that he knew Brooke would want.
"Is dis mine?" his eyes widened and Lucas chuckled.
"If mommy wants it, it's yours," he promised knowing Brooke said the word and he would get her whatever she wanted.
"Luke!" he heard her call through the large home and turned to walk back inside.
"Let's find mommy," he said as they walked inside, Easton taking off and Lucas laughing as he went to the master bedroom. "What's up Pretty Girl?" he walked inside to find her grinning as she looked out the window.
"There's a fireplace," she spun to face him with a huge smile. "I've always wanted a fireplace in my master bedroom," she giggled a bit and he smiled.
"And looky there," he walked toward her. "There's a fireplace," he tossed a look at the object along the wall and she smiled more.
"I love this place Luke," she confessed tossing a look around. "But…but maybe it's too much…"
"Hey…" he walked over and slid his hands into hers. "It's not too much…"
"Lucas, this place…" she bit her lip as she looked around the large home. God she loved it. "It's so much…"
"Point being?"
"Point being I don't get the settlement for a few weeks…" she reminded him and he shrugged.
"Then I'll get this one and you can get the next," he joked and she rolled her eyes.
"Lucas I'm serious."
"So am I," he told, lifting her chin to look at him. "Even if you had the settlement I wouldn't let you buy this place."
"Why?"
"Because it's my responsibility and I promised to take care of you," he pointed out and she bit her lip. "So if you want this one…it's yours…"
"I don't know…" she still pondered the thought and he shook his head.
"Stop…" he dropped his head to the side of hers to whisper in her ear. "Baby girl quit analyzing…just…just do what you want…If you want it…I'll give it to you. I'll give you whatever you want."
"Just you," she tilted her head to the side to look at him. "I'd live in a cardboard box as long as I had you…"
"Well we don't have to be that dramatic," he teased and she shook her head slapping his chest. "But I get what you're saying," he brushed her hair back and looked at her. A look of such peace washing over her it made his heart tighten. "God I love you," he shook his head and leaned down to press a sweet kiss to her lips.
"I love you too…" she smiled against his lips and breathing in a sigh as they pulled back. "I want it…"
"I know…" he grinned brushing her hair back knowing her all too well. "Plus I already promised Easton the backyard and it would make it easier to get this one instead of moving it to another location," he pointed out and she laughed. "Now come on…there is a hot tub I want to show you," he grabbed her hand and yanked her out the door.
"Quinny!" Brooke squealed as she skipped into her friend's office. "Guess what? Ask me what?"
"What?" Quinn leaned forward with a laugh, loving how happy her friend looked. Swearing this last week she hadn't seen her friend smile so much. She was glad she was so happy.
"I found a house," she beamed and Quinn laughed when again she squealed a bit. "And it's gorgeous and has a pool and a big room for Easton and there is a fireplace in the bedroom!"
"I've always wanted a fireplace in the bedroom," she commented and her friend again squealed.
"I know! And now I have one!" she grew giddy and bit down on her lip to stop her smiling. "Can you believe it Quinn," Brooke relaxed back in her chair shaking her head. "Everything is perfect… everything is falling into place so smoothly…"
"I'm loving this happy you," she waved her pen at her friend. "It's making a certain little blonde boy happy also…"
"I know…" the brunette grinned. "Easton is having so much fun being with Lucas. Plus…" she paused a moment and pulled in a deep breath. "Plus Easton is calling him daddy."
"Really?" her eyes widened and jaw dropped a bit. "How do you feel about that? I mean are you cool with it…is Luke cool with it?"
"Yeah…" she nodded slowly. "I mean at first it was weird. I mean it's rare I ever heard Easton say that but the more I hear it; the more I see the look of happiness on Luke's face every time he says it…it's just…" she gave a shrug with a pause. "It just makes it all perfect."
"Good…" Quinn smiled, loving the look of peace on her friend's face.
"But I was wondering how Clay was," she chewed her lip as she looked at her friend. "He seems to be out of it lately."
"He…he is going through some stuff," she shifted a bit uncomfortable, knowing how much Clay was bothered about Carter being around. However knowing that he really didn't want Brooke to know that. "But I think he will be ok…think he has just been missing his friend a lot lately," she shrugged, hating how much pain she knew her boyfriend still went through. It seemed whenever things got tough in life he always just missed his friend that much more.
"Yeah…" Brooke frowned, hating she was happy and her friend was so bothered about something. "Three years next week…" she reminded and Quinn nodded. "Doesn't seem that long…"
"No…no it doesn't," Quinn agreed truthfully missing Will just as much as everyone else. She grew close to him over the years. He almost turned into her big brother and he was always very protective of her. "But…Easton's birthday is coming up," she tried to change the subject. "You doing anything special?"
"We might throw him a small party…Haley offered her house since we all just have our apartments right now," she explained and the girl before her nodded. "But you know nothing big. Just us…you and Clay…Rachel. Not like Easton has any friends his age."
"He's too smart for kids his age," Quinn teased and Brooke laughed. "But…but there is something I need to tell you."
"Ok…what?" she leaned back in her chair, worried with the look on her friend's face. "Quinn are you ok?"
"I'm fine," she told her quickly. "I just…"
"You just?"
"I'm late…" she whispered and Brooke's eyes widened. "Like really late…"
"Have you taken a test? Gone to the doctor?"
"Six test…" she let out a dry laugh and fell back in her chair. "All the same thing…" pressure built in her eyes and her bottom lip trembled. "B, I'm pregnant."
"Quinn…" Brooke rose from her chair and quickly moved toward her friend. "That is good right? I mean you're happy right?" she sat on her friend's desk in front of her.
"I'm happy…but I don't know if I can tell Clay… he is going through so much, he is so stressed out and I…I don't want him to be mad at me. I don't want him disappointed."
"He would not be disappointed Quinn. He loves you…"
"I know he does but timing is so wrong," she placed her hand on her small belly and frowned. "But I want this baby," she had a light smile grace her face. "I've always wanted kids with Clay…I just thought we would be married and it would be further down the line but now…"
"Now it isn't?" she raised a brow and Quinn nodded. "I've been there," she let out a dry laugh. "And I was scared but the difference between us is that you have the most amazing boyfriend out there. Clay…they don't make men like Clay anymore… he is the best," she told her honestly. "He is your best friend Quinn, he is the love of your life and sooner or later he will notice something is upsetting you and I know it will kill him if he thinks it is him."
"God…when did life get so complicated?"
"It's not…at least not right now," she gave a small smile. "Quinn you're going to have a baby," she said and loved how her friend glowed. "And what if it's a girl? Easton and her will of course marry," she joked and Quinn laughed.
"I'd like to have a girl…" she sunk into the feeling having a child. "Brooke I'm having a baby…"
"I know," Brooke reached out and touched her friend's flat belly. "And god this is going to be the luckiest baby ever," she told her feeling tears prickle a bit in her eyes as they did with her friend's. "He or she is going to have the best parents out there."
"And the best godmother," she touched her friend's hand who let out a small broken laugh.
"You want me to be their god mother?"
"You're my best friend Brooke…I wouldn't want anyone else but you…"
"You're my best friend too," she stood up and gave her friend a hug. "And I'm here no matter what…if you need me I'm always here."
"Thanks because I think I'm going to need you…" she let out a dry laugh. Knowing she was really worried about how her life was going to change. She loved being an aunt to Easton, she loved taking care of him and loving him but she saw her friend raise him. She watched what they went through and she doesn't know if she could be a parent like Brooke. The spot of the fun aunt is so much difference then being a parent. And she just really hoped her and Clay were ready for it.
"Alright man," Lucas leaned over to pull the blankets over his small body. "I'll be in the office if you need me…" he whispered low and Easton mumbled something about night. They had a fun day, after they looked at homes Brooke said she needed to run a few errands and he offered to take Easton with him. He figured they could use some guy time. Plus Brooke wanted to do some shopping for his birthday.
However after they got home, ate a little something and played a very intense game of hide and seek Easton was ready for his nap and Lucas had a few things he needed to do.
Hitting the light on the room Lucas walked out and down the hall towards his office. Walking in and hitting the lamp he dropped into the leather chair and shifted some papers around.
"Come on…" he grumbled as he searched for the contracts he was supposed to have drawn up and faxed off. Lifting up a folder and his brows creased a bit as the large envelope on top with his name written on it. "What is this?" he wondered picking it up and pull open the top. Glancing inside to see a piece of paper and another smaller envelope.
Hey Luke,
I was going through some of Will's old stuff and for this. He was never one to discuss feelings so when he wanted to say something he more or less just wrote it down. I'm sure he never assumed anyone would see them. But I found this one and figured it was best you had it.
Clay
Dropping that note on the desk he reaches in and pulls out the other worn envelope inside and pulled it out. Opening it to pull out some piece of paper with scratchy writing on it.
So I don't know who this is going to. So the address will be Hey Dude.
So hey dude… I don't know you…haven't met you yet but really hoping we get to meet soon. By the time you read this, if I ever actually give it to you, I'm sure we will have turned into great friends.
Unless you're a jackass. Then I will have probably stated you are a jackass numerous times and this day will most likely not be happening.
Brooke has really turned great into listening to me.
But if I've allowed you to marry my sister you're lucky. She's the best. And she I'm sure you are aware being your marrying her knows she has been through some really tough stuff. I wasn't there for my sister… the last few years I've been really slacking when it comes to my sister and I know it's my fault. I got busy with life, I got lost in stupid stuff that even when I noticed something off with my sister I ignored it.
I just never thought it would be this bad.
I remember one night Brooke came home and I could tell she had been crying. There were these bruises on her arms and she told me she fell at work. She works at a restaurant. How does that cause bruises on your arm? I called her a klutz and told her to be more careful. I knew she was lying, I've known her better than anyone and I ignored it.
I'm an idiot.
I want my sister happy. I want her to fall in love with a good guy and marry. I don't want her to be pregnant with Carter's child. I hate him. I never thought it was possible to hate someone as much as I hate him but I swear to god above if it wasn't for Clay, the night I found out he had touched my sister I would have killed him. But as I'm sure you know Clay is very level headed. He thinks most things through.
He's a great friend so if he is letting me to allow you to marry my baby sister I assume you're a good guy. And that makes me happy. I haven't found the point to this letter yet. I just sat down tonight after not being able to sleep again and started writing shit down. So I'm sorry if this is just a huge jumbled mess.
Love my sister.
That is the only job you have and it should be the easiest because she is so easy to love. She is annoying as hell but easy to love. And take care of my nephew (Brooke fights it…it's going to be a boy…she just needs to face it.) But help her, love her. Let he know that not all of us are assholes just because Carter was. And…and if you are cool enough I will allow you to assist in the murder of Carter. It will be painful…might involve needles of sort. I once saw this movie where they pinned needles through this dudes arm and some other weird shit. Personally I couldn't do it because I get really queasy but man you got that.
Maybe…probably won't ever kill him. Maybe a possible ass beating but damn it Clay won't let me. So I think you might help out. I mean you are marrying my sister so you might kinda enjoy her company…might like her a bit or something.
So the ass beating will occur! Glad we decided that together.
Dude, I seriously hope you aren't a bitch. That would suck.
It is three in the morning…why the shit am I still awake? Well I guess I should go climb into that large ass bed of mine. Pretty nice…some expensive ass sheets Brooke talked me into and a pillow that apparently is good for my head support.
She is so dumb. But I love her. And you are lucky man. Brooke is a special girl and I'm not saying that because she is my sister. I'm saying it because she is. She deserves the world, she deserves to be happy and I really hope you give her that happiness. She has spent her whole life taking care of me…she has always forced a smile on her face when things were bad and I hate that. I know she is strong, maybe the strongest person I know but I just…I want her to know its ok to be weak. It's ok to be with someone and love them and know that when her day is off…when she is going through a struggle she doesn't have to be strong. She can cry, she can admit she is scared and has a fear of something because he will be there to pick up the pieces; that he will be there to be strong when she needs a break from it.
My sister is a fighter, my sister is my best friend and I don't want to ever have her fall into the dark hole she was in ever again. However if she does fall into that darkness I want to know that someone, that you, will be in there with her to pull her out.
Take care of my sister man. Love my sister. Fix her broken heart and know that if you have Brooke Davis love you, that you are the luckiest son of a bitch ever and you hold onto her. And always tell her you love her, even if you feel you are over using it because she had a real issue growing up with that. Our mom wasn't the best with her and it was rare she said it to Brooke so I felt I had to make up for that. So just tell her. And make sure you are honest…honest about everything because Brooke deserves that. She's been lied to and hurt way too much.
But I guess I should probably wrap this thing up. I'm feeling like I'm repeating and rambling about stuff. I'm feeling tired I assume and I think I hear that sister of mine in the kitchen.
Side note man…she has this weird pineapple chocolate thing going to fill your house with them.
Alright well I'm out dude…
-Will
P.S. It is Brooke and I just heard her cursing at the stove…let's hope there is an improvement on cooking or god bless you dude.
Running his eyes over the note again he rubbed the creases in his forehead feeling weird. Even not here it was like Will was here. Even in the short note and the conversations he heard people speak of him he felt was more than sure a pretty awesome guy.
Sucked he never knew him.
"Hello Boyfriend…" he glanced up at his smiling girlfriend as she rested against the doorframe.
"Hey Pretty Girl…" he relaxed back in his chair and smiled. God she was perfect. "I didn't hear you come in…"
"Yeah…I thought I would try my key," she held up the small object and bit her bottom lip. "It works…" she shrugged and he laughed.
"I assumed it would," he shook his head at how adorable she was. "Come here…" he waved her over, not liking her that far on the other side of the room. Brooke all but skipping her way over to him, taking his hand and Lucas pulling her into his lap.
"Are you ok?" she questioned wrapped her arm around his neck, not liking the serious look on his face.
"Just tired," he shrugged and she nodded leaning down and giving him a sweet kiss. Her small hand coming to his cheek as she let out a sigh against his lips. She loved kissing him. "I love you…" he whispered against her lips and she felt her heart skip a beat and she let out a smile. His hand coming to her thigh as she curled her body into his.
"Is East asleep?" she sucked her bottom lip and he nodded. "Long?"
"Maybe ten minutes…"
"That boy sleeps forever," she admitted and he smirked a bit. "But not that long," she laughed covering her hand to his mouth as he chuckled. "He's just taking a nap, baby. Not a full on sleep…"
"I know…I know…" he kissed her hand and she giggled sliding it up through his hand. "Just felt like it's been a while."
"It has been…" she agreed knowing it's been a couple weeks. "But things have just been a bit crazy…"
"Damn Adrian for stealing you from me…" he pouted like a child knowing that the last week Brooke has been helping with the woman Lucas set her up with. Yeah he was excited for Brooke, she came home excited every night but he missed her. Plus he had been pretty busy himself. Plus he kinda avoided work as much as he could and was doing stuff from home. Hadn't talked to Felix…was sure he would punch him again.
"Broody…" she giggled shaking her head and giving him another sweet kiss. "I'm just trying to prove myself… almost overdo it to show I can do it."
"You can…" he shrugged. "You can do anything you put your mind to and you will be great at it."
"Thank you," she grinned a bit and bit down on her bottom lip. "How about after Easton goes to bed tonight we have just some us time."
"Us time, huh?" he raised a brow and she nodded.
"Yeah…"
"Well what does us time require with wardrobe? Because clearly I want to be prepared and make sure I look appropriate," he waved his hand to the side and she rolled her eyes.
"Clearly…"
"Yeah…so what might we be wearing Miss Davis?" he tugged on the tie of her shirt making her head shake. "Maybe…nothing?" he leaned his head down to press a hot kiss to her collarbone.
"That…that will more than likely be appropriate," she felt her eyes flutter close as she tilted her head to the side. "Luke…" her hand came to his cheek and she pulled him up for a kiss. Nipping at his bottom lip and pulling it back a bit he let out a growl before pushing his lips hard against hers. His hand griping into her hair, she felt her heart pound in her chest excited about her night with him.
"Baby…" Lucas pulled back from their kiss to look at her. Pulling in a deep breath he thought about the letter he read. Thought about one line mainly. 'Be honest about everything because Brooke deserves that. She's been lied to and hurt way too much.' Then he thought about what had happened, all the times Carter lied to her and he didn't want to be that person.
"Yeah?" she ran her hand through his hair not liking the serious look on his face. "Luke what is it?"
"There is something I need to tell you Brooke…" his heart pounded in his chest as he looked at her. "It's about Carter…" he said slowly and watched as she paled.
"What?" she pulled back a little to look at him. "What about him?"
"He's back Brooke," he told her and hated the look in her eyes, hated how instantly tears started to fill in them. "I saw him…"
"You…you saw him?" her voice cracked and he slowly nodded.
"I talked to him…" he told her and she let out a broken laugh. "I mean I didn't know it was him at first. I was just there walking down the street and he approached us and Clay…"
"Clay was there? Clay knows he was back?"
"I told him I would tell you," he rushed to tell her, hoping she believed that and she wouldn't get angry with him. "I was worried and wanted to be the one to tell you."
"Yeah…" she glanced down and pulled back from him a little and he hated how distant she looked.
"He saw Easton…" he said and wondered if he should have shared that part when her head snapped up at him. "I didn't let him talk to him…I didn't let him near him and Easton didn't recognize him," he rushed to tell her and she slowly nodded as that all sunk in. "And Easton called me dad in front of him," he smiled a bit. "I kinda liked that part…"
"Yeah…" her heart pounded and she glanced away to knock a silly tear. "What am I going to do?"
"Hey…" he cupped her cheek and turned her head to face him. "We will figure this out together Brooke," he told her, making sure she knew that. "And nothing is going to happen…he won't get within ten feet of you or Easton," he made clear and she slowly nodded. "No one is going to hurt my family Brooke…no one…"
"Good because I'm scared Luke…" another tear fell and his heart broke. Carter honestly being the only person to ever make Brooke scared. "I remember sometimes at night…" she swallowed the lump in her throat. "I would put Easton to bed and I would clean the entire apartment and then climb into bed and I would feel cold," her voice cracked and his eyes closed. "And I would hear the door shut and this feeling would come over me…this feeling like I wasn't safe anymore."
"Brooke…"
"I never felt like that with you Luke…I haven't felt like that in so long," she told him. "I feel that now and I really don't want too…"
"No…" he shook his head and brought her into his arms. "No Pretty Girl, you are ok…no one is going to hurt you," he promised and she slowly nodded. His arms tightening around her and she felt at ease. It was shocking to her how just him holding her did that.
"Just hold me," she snuggled into him. "I feel safest when you're holding me…" she whispered and he kissed the top of her head.
"I've always got you Pretty Girl…always," he assured and she nodded. "We will figure out what he wants and we will deal with it, but nothing is going to happen," he made that point clear. They had been through way too much, he had knocked down way to many walls inside of her and he wasn't going to let someone screw up where they were heading. "I love you…" he told her and she felt her heart swell just like it always did.
"I love you too…" she turned her head up to catch her lips on his. "Oh…" she squealed a bit as he stood up and bounced her up in her arms. "What are we doing?"
"Watching a movie…" he told her as he headed out of the room and towards his living room. "And I'm going to lay on this large comfy couch and hold my baby," he dropped down on the couch and she crawled up on him. "Because I love her and because she is my world," he brushed her hair back and she bit her bottom lip. "And because I will do anything to make her feel safe and comfortable."
"She sounds pretty lucky…" she sniffles a bit and he grins.
"Not half as lucky as me," he shrugged a bit and she gave him a kiss. Him loving the sigh that escaped her lips but hating the fear that still remained in her eyes, but him making a promise that he was going to make sure everything was ok. Make sure no matter what she always felt safe because he would be damned if anyone let her feel anything but.
Hope you all enjoy this new chapter!
Please review!