Finals are over and WINTER BREAK IS HERE! Finally. Thank the Lord. I'll do my bets to update but... I do have a big vacation coming up. Be jealous because I'm headed to HAWAIII! Dream come true. Can't wait, but that means updating will most likely take a backseat. Definately not as much as when I'm swamped with school, but I don't know what's going to happen with Internet and such, and I don't want to promise you something I can't deliver.
Thanks for reviewing chapter 21: ace5492, isabella camilla scott, mumbo sauce, arubagirl0926, wordsmeaneverything, ashley, ami, stephieboo, stagediva23, and caroline.
You're right people. I have really been putting too much Jude injuries on the timeline. It's overdone on my part. Thanks for the constructive criticism, this one is totally justified lol. So I'll be more mindful of this in the future and I think what i have coming up, you're really going to like reading :)
ENJOY LOVES!
AGE 10
Flying was never a delightful thing. Airport security was never easy. But add the three-kids-to-one-parent-ratio, and you're bound for hectic chaos.
Julian kept counting one, two, three...one, two, three... one, two, three, as he and his kids walked through security and collected their items on the other side.
"Daddy! My tights got dirty!" Avery whined, putting her ballet slippers back on as she sat on top of Julian's carry-on bag. "Why'd they take my shoes away?"
"It's for safety, honey," Julian said, lacing up his own shoes.
"They make sure you're not carrying bombs in them," Jude said, laughing.
"Jude!" Julian scolded his son and looked around at the few people around them who could have heard his son's accurate but frank statement.
You just don't say stuff like that around planes anymore...
"Let's go guys. Let's find our gate."
"It's that way, Dad," Davis pointed at the sign 'Gates 23 through 40' at his right. Davis knew they were flying out of Gate 37 to LaGuardia Airport in New York.
As the family walked towards their gate, Julian felt his pocket buzz and pulled out his phone.
"Hey beautiful."
Brooke laughed. "Hey I just wanted to call before you take off."
"Is that Mommy!" Avery pulled at Julian's free, dangling hand. She hadn't seen her Mom in three whole days.
Julian looked down. "Yes, hold on."
"Did you get through security okay?"
"Yeah.. we just got through. The alarm went off on both of the boys 'cuz they had change in their pockets and Avery complained that she was cold with her jacket and shoes off. Needless to say the TSA isn't a big fan of our kids."
"Oh no. I'm sorry you have to do this alone, but there's no way I could have gotten everything ready if they had been here or if I had only flown up with you now."
Brooke was launching a new fashion line in New York this week for Fashion week. It all started tomorrow but she and Millie and Alex had flown down mid-week to get things ready and to approve the models and a lot of the specific details. Now Julian was flying up with the kids so they could see what Brooke's job was all about. This was the first time she'd ever lauched something this big since before they were born. It had been quite some time ago, but she put that all aside to focus on being the best Mom. But now that they were older, Brooke compiled all the mindless sketches from over the years and made a pretty incredible fashion line.
"It's fine. I miss you though."
"I miss you too. Just a few hours until I see you. You're taking a cab to the hotel, right?"
"Yup. And we're gunna be boarding soon so-"
"Don't hang up. Let me talk to Mommy!" Avery protested.
"Your daughter would like to speak to you," Julian said into the cell phone.
"Oh put her on."
"Hi Mommy I miss you."
"I miss you too baby but I'll see you really soon. You be good for Daddy on the plane. Tell the boys too."
"I will. I love you Mommy."
"I love you too Avey baby."
The loudspeaker squeaked as Julian took the phone back from Avery. "Now boarding flight 392 to New York at Gate 37."
"That's us. I'll call you when we land. I love you."
"I love you too. Bye."
;
When the plane touched down, the boys were stir-crazy. Relatively, it wasn't a long flight, but to kids it is. They needed to stretch their legs and get some real food in them. Those airplane baby peanut and cracker packets just didn't cut it. Baggage claim took forever as always but eventually Julian hailed a cab and loaded all kids and bags inside. He didn't know how he pulled it off, but he left the airport with everything he brought. All suitcases and all three kids unscathed. It was stressful, but he did it.
At the hotel, Brooke and Millie met them in the lobby.
"Mommy!" Avery ran towards Brooke when she saw her. Brooke swung the six year old up into a hug.
"Oh I missed my sweet girl."
Julian leaned down to kiss Brooke's cheek and then Brooke put Avery down.
"Did you not miss me or something?" Brooke looked questionably at her sons.
"They just don't want to admit it," Millie assumed.
Davis made the first move, then Jude joined him and they hugged their mom. Brooke squeezed as tight as she could. Her twins were ten. She still couldn't believe it. It was crazy to think it had been a whole decade, a whole ten fingers worth of years ago that Davis Victor and Jude Nathaniel Baker had made their rush into the world a bit too soon.
Brooke kissed the top of each of their heads before they pulled away.
"Let's get these bags towards the elevators," Millie said, grabbing a duffle bag. The twins each grabbed their backpacks and a rolling suitcase and followed her.
Julian put his arm around Brooke as they walked behind the rest.
"We haven't been in New York together in a very long time.."
"Do you remember what happened the last time we were here?" Brooke raised an eyebrow.
"I recall you being very X-rated," Julian joked and Brooke slapped his arm.
"Ha ha. So how are you holding up after your exciting day?"
Julian shook his head. "I thought I was good at flying... but, with them I'm not."
"You did great, Daddy, don't worry."
They all got in the elevator and headed up to the 25th floor.
"Where's Alex? Isn't she here with you?" Julian asked.
Brooke looked to Millie.
"She got a call from Chase but they got cut off somehow and she's been waiting to see if he'll call again..." Millie started.
"But he probably won't be able to, so she's really bummed out," Brooke finished.
Chase had been deployed overseas for three months now. And each day it seemed to get harder for Alex Dupre Adams.
"So we'll just have to cheer her up then, right guys?" Julian said.
"Yeah," the boys nodded.
"I'm really good at that!" Avery smiled and bounced on her heels.
Everyone laughed. Avery was very good at that.
;
That afternoon Julian and the kids arrived to the event looking for someone they knew. The three boys were dressed in custom Brooke Davis suits and Avery was in a cute little frilly purple dress.
"Julian!" Millie called. "Your seats are over here."
"Front row?" Julian raised and eyebrow. Usually those were reserved for celebrities, not family.
"When is this gunna be over?" Davis asked. The twins weren't excited about this at all.
"Well... it doesn't start for at least another hour."
"Ugh," the twins fell into their reserved seats annoyed.
"Guys, you know this is very important to your mother and she wants you to be here."
"It doesn't mean we have to like it," Jude frowned.
"I like it!" Avery stood up on her chair, ready for the models to come out in her mommy's pretty clothes.
"Millicent!" A man's voice radiated through the room as the clack of dress shoes approached.
"Yes sirr?" Millie turned.
The man was about to say something else, but stopped when he saw the kids.
"Who do we have here?"
"These are Brooke's children, and her husband Julian, sir."
The man stuck out his hand. "Ronan Wiles. I'm the new president of Clothes over Bros. And the first thing I did was make sure that Brooke gets as much press for her new line as possible."
"It's a great line, I'm sure," Julian nodded. He'd seen some sketches and some unsown fabric samples that Brooke had around the house, but the clothes were Brooke's thing. He tried to stay out of her way with that as much as possible since she always gave him space when he was working on his film projects.
"Oh yes.. I've had to work very closely with Brooke these last few months, but I think we've finally perfected it."
"Well I think Brooke's line is pretty perfect the second she sketches it."
Ronan chuckled. "Well, sure... So Millicent, where is my favorite fashion designer?"
"She's out back making sure the models are all set."
"Okay, I think I'll go check on them."
Ronan walked off and Julian put his hands on his hips. "Oh yeah, it was nice to meet you too."
"He's not as bad as he seems," Millie smiled. "And he's done so much to help Brooke with this line."
"Yeah.. I'm sure he is so helpful..."
;
Soon the room was packed full of people and the show began. One by one each woman modeled Brooke's designs down the runway. The applause was great and Brooke was giddy backstage.
"This seems to be going so well," Alex squealed, squeezing Brooke's shoulders.
"I know!" Brooke turned. "Hey! You're up soon! Go get ready, Adams."
"Relax, I'm a pro at changing into expensive clothes."
"You mean stripping out of clothes," Brooke joked.
"Ha, ha. Not funny." Alex smiled and walked off to change.
"I have to say, these are the best reactions I've ever seen from a fashion show audience," Ronan said, walking up to Brooke.
"I know, this is amazing. I haven't felt like this in years. I missed designing and seeing people's reactions to my clothes."
"Well you shouldn't have stopped for so long."
"Yeah, well... after the whole mess with my mother years ago, my top priority has been my family."
Ronan shook his head. "What a shame. You squelched your talent for so many years, you got lucky to find me to pull you back to the top."
Brooke rolled her eyes. Ronan was all about success and money and business. He didn't realize how fulfilling a family and a marriage were, to her at least.
"I don't believe you were as much help as you think."
"Well I'll humor you since this is your night."
Brooke laughed and then saw Alex walk to position.
"O0o the last dress! This went to fast. I'll be right back."
Alex strutted out on stage in the stunning gown and worked her magic. The lights of the camera's didn't bother her a bit, she didn't worry about stumbling. She was happy and healthy and held her head up high despite the fact that she was missing her husband something crazy. Alex spun at the end of the runway and made her way back the other way. In the first row, Brooke peaked out from behind the stage and whispered to her family.
"Pssst! Ave.."
Avery struggled to peal her eyes off her beautful Auntie Alex on stage, but her gaze eventually found her mom.
Brooke gestured for the kids to come to her so they could go on stage with her.
"Go on guys," Julian pushed. Jude grabbed the arms of his chair.
"No way."
Davis shook his head too. He wouldn't be so much embarrassed as Jude would've been, but he wasn't too keen on standing in front of everyone here.
"Go ahead sweetheart," Julian told Avery, knowing she would love what was about to happen.
Avery scurried past her brothers and towards the side of the stage. Brooke took her hand and walked back past where Ronan was standing.
"What is this?" Ronan asked, annoyed and shocked.
"I'm gunna go out on stage with Mummy," Avery beemed.
"Absolutely not!" Ronan barked.
Brooke stepped back, angered and puzzled.
"Ronan." She said powerfully.
"But Mommy promised!" Avery frowned.
"You are baby, don't worry." Brooke then pointed at Ronan. "You do not talk to my kid like that, ever."
The girls walked past Ronan and her heels clacked loudly. Avery held onto Brooke's hand with both of her smaller ones as Brooke's cue song came on.
"Smile big baby."
Brooke took a breathe before leading Avery out onto the stage as Alex exited. Alex winked at Avery and the little girl lost any nervousness that she had.
When the audience could see Brooke, they applauded loudly. Julian didn't know if a standing ovation was appropriate, but he didn't care. He was the first one to stand, and others followed.
Davis and Jude sunk down in their seats, but still applauded their mom like they were supposed to. They didn't get why clothes were so important and how some could be good and some could be bad, but from the rest of the audience's reaction, they knew their mom must have done a pretty awesome job at it.
;
In the back of the room, a twenty-something girl walked away from her seat and towards the exit while everyone still applauded so she wouldn't be seen. Before leaving, she turned back towards the runway and saw Brooke beaming with pride as she spoke about how much she loved beign back in the design world and how much she appreciated everyone's support, especially from her family.
This was hard to hear for Samantha Walker.
She had heard about Brooke's show and had spent a lot of money for this ticket. She just wanted to get a glimpse of the life she could have had, the life she left behind to be with her 'real mom'.
When she saw Brooke bring her daughter on stage, Sam just stared at the little girl that she had named, or at least she assumed Brooke and Julian kept that name. Avery seemed so happy just looking at her mother talk, and when Brooke hoisted the little princess up on her hip to introduce her to the audience, she kissed Brooke on the cheek. Avery was meant ot be a star, she was meant to be in the spotlight under the only mother she'd ever known. Everyone cheered for the little girl as Sam wondered if Avery had any clue about her. Sam felt sad, but also happy at the same time that her baby is okay and healthy and beautiful and loved and happy.
Sam doesnt want anyone to see her. She didn't want anyone to panic or think that Sam was here for some alterior motive. Brooke is Avery's real mom.
Sam took a deep breath, catching a last glimpse of the two girls on stage before sneaking out quietly without drawing attention to herself.
The Bakers never needed to know she was there.
;
After the audience had dispersed, Brooke was thanking her models in the back room when her three favorite men appeared.
"That was great, Mom," Jude lied, per Julian's request.
"Yeah... I really liked it," Jude agreed.
Brooke turned and put her hands on her hips.
"Well thank you for fibbing to me," Brooke smiled, knowing this was NOT what the boys wanted to be doing today. "And thank you for being so good and patient," she added.
The boys smiled and hugged their mom.
"No Mom, really. Riley's gunna be so jealous," Davis smiled. His best friend-that-is-a-girl from home didn't think it was fair that boys got to go to the fashion show in New York even though they didn't care about fashion at all. Nevermind that they were Brooke's sons, lol.
Brooke turned to Julian.
"So...?" His opinion counted more than most.
"It was incredible."
"Really?" Brooke smiled. Julian hugged her and whispered into her ear.
"You should have heard the celebrities calling their stylists requesting every piece."
Brooke chuckled.
"Okay, now you're lying."
Julian put his hand up. "Scout's honor."
Brooke squealed with joy. This was just such a rush for her. It always was, but now she got the best of both worlds. A beautiful family and the profession she adored.
"Can we eat now? I've been on a strict runway diet for two weeks and I really want a burger," Alex butted in.
"O0o burgers!" The twins agreed simultaneously.
Brooke licked her lips. It wasn't the conventional after-fashion-show dinner that usually occurred, but if that's what her family wanted, that's what she'd get.
;
That night, Ronan and the company was throwing a big party at a popular club for Brooke's successful new line.
Mouth McFadden was supposed to make the trip up to see his wife and best friend's success, but Mouth and Millie's eight year old daughter, Melodie had come down with a fever and couldn't stand being away from her mom, nevermind both parents. So Millie offered to stay behind as babysitter for the Baker kids instead of Alex.
At the club, Ronan bought a few rounds of drinks for everyone and the group enjoyed the time to celebrate the success of the fashion show and COB's newest line. When Brooke went to the bathroom, Julian found a seat next to Alex at a small table.
"You're not thinking about drinking, are you?" Julian asked.
He knew she had been anxious and sad about Chase being away. This was all so hard on her, and Julian knew a sad Alex and alcoholic beverages all around her didn't mix well.
Alex shook her head and was about to say no when he saw what Julian was carrying.
"Do you always carry a purse, Miss Juliana?"
"Ha, ha." Julian put Brooke's clutch down on the table next to Alex's.
"Can I get you a shirlie temple or something? Maybe just some limes?" Julian tried.
"No, I'm all set, Julian. You don't have to babysit me. I came because I want to support the new line but I don't want to be a party pooper."
"You're not... You looked beautiful up there today, buddy." Julian smiled. A complament usually put his friend in a better mood.
"Well thanks. And your daughter was a natural up there too..." Alex smiled, knowing that would push Julian's buttons.
"Don't you dare think you can make my baby a half-naked model, Alex..." He pointed his index finger at her while shaking his head.
"I know, I know... That poor girl is going to be a hermit if you have anything to say about it. I think she'd love the runway. She already does."
Julian laughed. "She did look so happy up there on stage with you and Brooke. But the boys looked absolutely horrified to even be associated with anyone today. I guess fashion isn't really their style."
"Well I thought Davis might like it, but I guess he's not as effeminate as his Daddy."
Julian shook his head and tried not to smile. Alex was being fiesty, so he'd take it. It was a lot better than her being upset all night.
;
Brooke came out of the bathroom and bumped into Ronan.
"Were you waiting for me?" she asked.
"Maybe... it's a free club in a free country."
Brooke nodded and started to walk past him.
"Would you dance with me, Brooke Davis?"
"...Brooke Baker," Brooke corrected, turning around.
Ronan shook his head as he touched her arm. "No one can take the Davis out of you, babe."
Brooke pulled away. He was obviously on his way to getting very drunk tonight. But she didn't mind that much. He'd done a lot to make this new line successful for her. He deserved it, and she'd play along if she had to.
"Okay... you have fun."
"No, come on... One dance... I'm sorry about earlier with your daughter.
"I really don't want to talk about that now, Ronan. And I'm going to go dance with my husband now."
"Well he seems otherwise engaged. It doesn't seem like your husband will miss you.."
Brooke turned to see Julian slow dancing with Alex. No big deal.
"That just happens to be a very good friend of ours and also my best model from tonight's show... not that I owe you an explaination."
"Well if it's so innocent, he won't mind if I steal you away for one song."
Brooke reluctantly let Ronan pull her out on the dance floor. The way Brooke fit in his arms was wierd to her. They didn't... fit. She was usually wrapped in the arms of a taller, gentler, kinder man whom she loved and trusted with her heart, her children, and her own life. Ronan wasn't that at all. He was shorter than Julian, but still Brooke felt more overpowered. He took the lead, where Julian usually let Brooke feel more in control. Julian knew she needed to feel that way sometimes so he put aside his own manly needs and gave Brooke what she needed. Ronan didn't much care for Brooke's wants; he cared about his own drunken desires.
A slow song faded into a fast song and Brooke thought she could walk away. Ronan pulled her back in and grinded against the front of her body.
"Okay, okay. I think it's time for you to go back to the hotel," Brooke said.
"Nope. We're just getting started."
Brooke rolled her eyes at the drunk man and figured she'd give him one dance. But as Ronan's hands went down to Brooke's hips, then her butt, and towards her thigh and the bottom of her short dress, someone stepped in.
"Okay pal.. back off."
Julian pushed Ronan back.
"Julian stop," Brooke tried.
"You think you can just bully my wife into dancing with you?" Julian asked enraged.
Ronan put his hands up and smiled.
"I didn't see her complaining."
"Yeah, because you're too hammered to notice."
"Julian It's okay."
"It's not okay! You shouldn't have let it get this far."
Julian wound up and clocked Ronan right in the jaw. The shorter man fell to the ground and grabbed his face. Ronan was too drunk to be able to retaliate, or even realize that he should be angry.
"JULIAN! Stop! What is wrong with you?"
"You shouldn't let him treat you like his property. You're not his at all."
"Oh and I'm yours?" Brooke started to get annoyed. Yes, he could help her get away from a drunk Ronan, but Julian was acting.. territorial.
"No... Yes, uh no. Wait, I just- I just don't trust him."
"You don't need to trust him. You need to trust me. I can handle myself."
"Not always."
"Oh my god." Brooke put her hands up. "I can't listen to this.. You must be just as drunk as he is."
"That's rediculous. Have I ever gone overboard drunking? No. You're letting him go too far. And if you can't - or won't stop him, I will."
"Just relax people. Just go your separate ways and everything will be better..." Ronan said, stumbling towards Brooke again and taking her hand.
Brooke pulled back a bit, but let Ronan's hand squeeze hers. She knew this would make Julian mad, and at the moment, she was okay with that.
"Brooke...?"
"I make my own decisions."
Instead of seeing anger, Brooke looked into Julian's eyes and saw pain. Heartbreak to be precise.
"Whoa okay," Alex stepped in when she knew it could get much worse in a matter of seconds.
"Brooke.. let's just go for a walk, okay?"
Brooke dropped her eyes away from Julian and shrugged away from Ronan's grasp.
"Can you get my jacket and purse?"
Alex nodded. "Yep, I'll be right there..."
Brooke walked off towards the exit.
Ronan stumbled away as Alex put her hand on Julian's shoulder.
"You okay buddy?"
"I hate him! ... And I - I don't know what she's thinking."
"Just breathe, and take a cab back to the hotel. Go straight back and drink some water okay? Tell Millie I'll bring Brooke back safe."
Alex really said that for him, and also knew Millie would make sure Julian was okay too.
The couple just needed a little time apart to cool off.
When Alex found Brooke, they walked out of the club and down the street in the direction of the hotel. Brooke hadn't had much to drink but her emotions were making her physically unstable as she walked.
"Brooke..." Alex said, holding her friend around the waist. "You know Julian was just trying to protect you. He knows you can handle yourself, but he's a guy. He's a very sweet, emotional, not exactly a guy's guy type, but he's still a man. He wants to be the one to protect you if he can."
"I'm not anyone's property," Brooke said before sniffling.
"Did he ever say you were his property?" Alex pointed out.
"He said I wasn't Ronan's, I was his."
"Not exactly... He was just trying to protect you from Ronan."
"He's harmless. I just need this guy's support for her new line.. and my whole label."
Alex shook her head. "I know he's helped you out a lot lately, but Ronan is a jerk and an ass and a creep, Brooke. And Julian was just trying to point that out to you. You shouldn't trust Ronan, Brooke. He could end up hurting you."
"Well Julian hurt me tonight."
Alex shook her head. Brooke wasn't going to change her mind tonight.
"You're gunna stay in my room tonight, okay? I'll call Millie," Alex pulled out her cell phone.
"No.. my kids."
"They're asleep and will understand that they're Mommy had a nice sleepover with me."
Brooke let out a breath and wiped her cheek of a stray tear.
"Thank you Alex."
Alex wrapped her other arm around Brooke in a side hug before bringing the cell phone to her ear.
"It's no problem at all."
;
In the morning, Brooke woke up with a major headache. She sat up and realized she was in a king size bed with Alex, not her husband. She remembered everything that had gone on last night, but it was always surprising to wake up next to anyone besides Julian. While Alex continued to sleep, Brooke got up and grabbed her shoes and clutch purse, slipping out of the hotel room quietly. She walked down the hall to her own room and realized she didn't have the key card. Julian had offered to keep it in his back pocket last night so they could give the spare one to Millie, just in case.
"Shit.."
Brooke looked around, thankful that there was no one around to witness her walk-of-shame-looking state at the moment. At least with a usual walk-of-shame, you at least had some fun the night before. She knocked on the door lightly, hoping someone would be awake. She crossed her fingers that it would be Millie rather than the kids or her husband.
Nope.
The door opened and Julian stood on the other side.
Neither said a word as Brooke walked past Julian and into the room. She went right to the bedroom to change and jump into the shower before anyone saw her in last night's clothes and makeup. Brooke looked into the mirror and sighed. Her mascara was everywhere and her eyes were puffy. She didn't remember crying too much, but it must have been from that.
When she got out of the shower, she heard the boys watching TV in the living room part of the suite. She walked out to say good morning.
"Good morning boys."
"Morning," Jude turned.
"Good morning, Mom. We're hungry," Davis announced.
"Dad told us we could go get breakfast after we got changed," Jude said, pointing to his new outfit that he had just changed into.
"Okay, give me a few minutes and I'll be ready to go."
Brooke went back into the bathroom and half-dried her hair, put barely nay makeup on, and threw on a nice pair of jeans and a sweater. She probably should have dressed up more, since Page 6 would be looking for a snapshot of the designer today, but Brooke just wasn't in the mood.
"I'm ready; where's Ave?"
"She's in the other bathroom," Julian said.
"Okay, where did Millie go. I thought she'd stay in here last night."
"No, she left and went back to her room when I got back last night. Contrary to what someone may think, I wasn't drunk."
Brooke looked towards the couch, where thankfully the boys were too engrossed in their TV show to hear anything they said.
"Julian.. I -"
"Is it breakfast time?" Avery interrupted as she swung the bathroom door open.
"Yup. Let's go boys," Julian said. He grabbed Avery, making her giggle and he walked out the door with the boys close behind. Brooke sighed as she grabbed her larger purse, stuck her clutch from the previous night inside of it, and followed behind her family.
;
The breakfast was super awkward as Brooke expected, because Julian wouldn't really even look at her. She couldn't even tell anymore if he was mad at her or if he thought she was mad. Really, neither of them were really mad, just disappointed at the other's decisions. Julian thought Brooke was crazy fro trusting Ronan and letting him possible take advantage of her simply because he was someone who could make or break her career, and Brooke thought Julian was crazy for being so over-protective, for babying her, and for even thinking about starting a fight with Ronan. Luckily he hadn't ended up hurt or arrested.
After brunch, Brooke had to go tie up some loose ends about the fashion show, but Millie found her in the hallway before she left the building.
"Where do you think you're going?" Millie asked.
Brooke turned. "Millie, I was just going to call you. We have to-"
Millie stopped her. "No.. I have to head back to the studio and make sure everything's in order. You have to go back upstairs and talk to Julian."
Brooke shook her head. "He doesn't want to talk to me."
"Of course he doesn't when you leave to go back and see Ronan again today. Go upstairs, send the kids to Alex's room, and talk to him."
"You sure you can handle everything?"
"Brooke... I'm not your best employee-slash-ex-model for nothing. I can handle it."
Brooke nodded and headed back to the elevator.
When she got to the room, the kids were already walking towards Alex's room with their jackets on."
"Where are you guys going?"
"Aunt Alex is bringing us to Central Park. She says it's really cool and we have to see it," Jude told her.
Julian came to the door and leaned against the frame. "I thought you had to go to work?"
"Mommy are you coming?" Avery asked.
"We'll catch up a little later, okay?"
Brooke watched Alex enter the elevator with her three kids and they all waved goodbye. Alex winked at the couple.
Brooke turned back to Julian.
"I thought you had to go to work," Julian repeated.
"I couldn't go without making sure things are right with us."
Brooke grabbed Julian's wrist and gently pulled him inside. They walked to the living room part of the suite and Brooke sat down on the couch. She thought he would sit beside her but Julian stayed standing.
"I'm sorry Julian. I don't want to fight with you."
Julian shook his head a tad.
"I'm sorry if you think I over-reacted, but I wasn't. I just worry about you... I don't want anyone to try to take advantage of you."
"But I can take care of myself, you know that."
"I know you think that. But..," Julian nodded. "But I like to do it for you sometimes too... I'm just looking out for you."
Brooke stood up and approached him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "You don't have to be jealous."
"I'm not..."
Brooke raised her eyebrows.
"I just don't think that guy is good news," Julian finished
"He's harmless."
"If you say so."
"I do say so..."
Julian leaned down to kiss his wife and then pulling her into a hug.
"It's him I don't trust, not you. I hope you know that," Julian said quietly into her ear. Brooke pulled back and nodded.
"I do. And I'm sorry if I made you doubt that last night. I shouldn't have sided with him. I wouldn't have let it go that far if I knew it would upset you."
"Thank you. Just be careful, all right?"
"I will. Ronan doesn't mean anything. He just thinks he's the boss."
Julian smiled and kissed his wife again.
"And everyone know's Momma's boss," Brooke smiled. "Right?"
Julian pulled Brooke by the waist into the bedroom and closed the door. Lifting Brooke off the ground, causing her to laugh. He laid her on the bed, stripping off his shirt and propping his body over hers before kissing her collar bone. His hands went to her belt and he undid her jeans.
Julian chuckled. "Uh huh, Momma's the boss."
;
After a newly happy Brulian couple put their clothes back on and headed out to the New York City streets, they walked over and met their kids and Alex in Central Park. The family played at the park for awhile before they hit the streets to shop. The boys weren't too keen on the idea of shopping, but a trip to FAO Schwarz certainly changed their minds.
The NYC adventure had its up and downs, but it certainly wasn't boring. Brooke's line would become one of the most talk about of fashion week and Clothes Over Bros would come to regain its popularity. But regardless of success, this time around, there would be something much more important to one Brooke Davis-Baker. Actually, four someones to be exact. And nothing would ever be more important than them.
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REVIEW PLEASE
I'll get writing as much as I can.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Festivus [Seinfeld fans only :) ], Happy any-other-holiday out there that you celebrate! And most importantly... happy break from school! :)
~Haley :)