-1
The next morning Brooke stepped out of the small shower and wrapped the towel around her body. Her back was aching and she felt like her bruises were worse than they were yesterday. Lucas digging his fingers into her back during their heat of passion the night before had made her back even more tender. She tried to turn to look at her bruises, but the small mirror inside the bathroom made it impossible for her to get an adequate view of her back. Brooke sighed as she turned and brushed her hair in front of the mirror,. She knew she had to tell Lucas about Chase and what happened but she was terrified. Terrified of his reaction. Terrified that he'd be angry with her for not telling him sooner and for not calling him after Chase left. Brooke knew she should have called him. She had wanted to call him desperately. She wanted him to come home and hold her and tell her that everything was going to be all right. She needed his strength and his love and his protection.
He promised her that he would protect her always and she knew he would; but who would have guessed that she would need protection from Chase. In addition to Lucas, Chase was one of the last people she ever would have imagined she needed protection from. Brooke shivered slightly as she slipped on her robe to go out and get dressed. She'd hoped that Lucas wouldn't notice her bruises . She intended to tell him about Chase, but did he really need to see how horrible her bruises were? It would only make him angrier and he was going to be angry enough as it was. Brooke dreaded the rage she knew she was going to see in him. She wasn't afraid he would be angry with her. He wouldn't blame her for what happened. Would he?
He had wanted to stay with her last night and she had let him. All she should be thinking about was Lucas and the plans they'd made together. She and Lucas should be trying for another baby, not having a conversation about how Chase attacked her. That was a conversation Brooke didn't even know how to even start. Lucas didn't seem interested in talking much at all earlier. It was nice spending quality time with him so she didn't want to bring up bad things….besides her and Nathan promised not to say anything and as far as she knew he hadn't said anything to Haley. Brooke had woken up before Lucas and Hannah and she had used the opportunity to shower.
She now felt refreshed and was ready to face the inevitable. At lease she hoped she was ready. Brooke walked out of the bathroom and into the bedroom. She found Lucas sitting on the bed, already dressed for the day he looked like he just showered and Brooke silently assumed that he'd went down to Nathan and his room to clean up she also noticed Hannah was out of the room. Lucas looked up at the sound of the door opening. He smiled and his eyes darkened with desire as they swept over her body, taking in her beauty and his breath caught in his throat.
"Where's Hannah?" Brooke asked
"She's at breakfast with Nathan and Haley" Lucas said then he stood and walked over to her without saying another word; his eyes saying all that he was feeling for her at that moment. He cupped her face in his hands and lowered his mouth to cover hers.
Brooke sighed as she opened her mouth under his and his tongue slipped between her lips running along the front of her teeth. Brooke's arms slid up around his neck and her fingers tickled the short hairs on the back of his neck. Lucas's hands dropped from her face as he deepened the kiss, moaning into her mouth. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her flush against his body. He loved her and needed her and wanted her more at that moment than he ever had. There was nothing in his life that was more important than she and his daughter were and he would give his life for the both of them. Brooke winced slightly as Lucas's arms tightened around her. Lucas released her, pulling back to look in her face, his brow furrowed. He had lost count how many times she'd flinched when he hugged her the past three and he had had enough.
"That's it Brooke. Tell me what's going on." Brooke looked up at Lucas with an anguished look on her face. She looked like a deer caught in the headlights and she stepped away from him. All the courage she had in the bathroom seemed to vanish in an instant.
She was careful not to turn her back to him as she walked to the bed and sat down. Lucas watched her curiously; worry etched in his face as he walked over and knelt in front of her.
"Brooke, please talk to me. Please tell me what I've done." He begged softly as he took her hands in his and brought them to his lips. "Whatever it is, I'll do anything to make it right."
Brooke's eyes, which had begun to tear, snapped up from the spot on the floor where they were focused to look into his eyes, the eyes of her husband. His hands reached up and cupped her face and he implored her. "Brooke, sweetheart, my god, what is it?"
Brooke slid off the bed and onto his lap and she buried her face in his chest as she began to sob.
Knowing that she cringed every time her hugged her, Lucas tentatively wrapped his arms around her loosely as she cried into his chest, soaking the blue button down shirt he'd put on after his shower Lucas's heart broke as he held his wife in his arms. He bent his head and be breathed against her ear.
"Baby, tell me. You can tell me anything."
Lucas pleaded softly in her ear, his chest constricting at the feel of her body shaking against his.
"Lucas, I'm sorry. I should have told you. I'm so sorry."
"Told me what? Brooke, you're scaring me."
Brooke lifted her face from his chest, her eyes swollen and red. Lucas used his thumbs to brush her tears away before he kissed each of her cheeks gently.
"I knew something was wrong I can always tell Is it….." He said, the words barely slipping through his lips, over the gripping claws of fear that clutched his throat.
Brooke 's eyes began to well again and he saw the fear in her face. She hesitated a moment before she spoke
"It's Chase." She admitted, her voice barely a whisper.
Lucas's eyes narrowed, but he fought to keep his face neutral. "What about Chase?"
Brooke's eyes slid to the right, avoiding his gaze. "He came by the house the other night and…." her voiced hitched.
Lucas felt his body grow cold. His hands fell from her face. "What happened with Chase?"
Brooke closed her eyes a moment then she looked him straight in the eyes. Her voice shook as she spoke.
"He-" She stuttered slightly. "He attacked me."
Lucas's face paled and he sat back on his heels, feeling like he had been punched in the stomach and a look of pure horror crossed his face.
"What did you just say to me?" Lucas asked, his voice low.
Brooke felt him pulling away and reached her hand out to touch his chest softly.
"Lucas, please let me explain?" She begged him softly, her eyes pleading.
Lucas closed his eyes a moment, trying to steady his breathing.
Chase attacked Brooke.
Those three words kept going through his mind over and over.
The rage building in his system was overwhelming. Lucas felt his body begin to shake from the force of it as his eyes began to water behind his lids. Chase attacked Brooke. Chase hurt her and here she was sitting in front of him her eyes swollen and red, her body trembling with fear.
Lucas never wanted to kill someone as badly as he wanted to kill Chase at that moment. His fingers clenched as he imagined them closing around Chase's windpipe, his face turning blue as he struggled for air. The rage Lucas felt frightened him and he tried desperately to calm himself for Brooke's sake. She needed his love and understanding right now, not his anger. Chase would have to wait. Brooke leaned closer to him, placing her other hand on his chest, over his heart. She waited for him to open his eyes. When his eyes finally opened, they were filled with agony. Lucas lifted his hands to her wrists and pulled her hands away from his chest. He brought them up to his lips and kissed them softly, the tears he tried desperately to hide, welling in his eyes as he looked into her face. Her beautiful face. Her beautiful face that was red and swollen and full of fear. He wrapped his arms around her, momentarily forgetting her back and she began to sob again against his chest, her body wincing from the contact but not wanting him to let her go. Brooke wrapped her arms around him and held on to him tightly. Lucas jerked back as he remembered and he took her face in his hands.
"What did he do to you Brooke?" Lucas choked, trying to fight off his anger.
Brooke lowered her eyes, unable to look him in the eyes.
Lucas felt his heart stop beating at the implication of her action. His mind screamed the way his voice longed to.
"Brooke, please?" He whispered as he tilted her face up gently.
Brooke pulled away and stood up, her body trembling. She stepped away, wrapping her arms around herself, suddenly feeling very cold. Lucas didn't move from his spot, unable to stand.
"It doesn't matter Lucas." Brooke said softly, hoping he would accept that answer.
Lucas interpreted her answer the way he needed to and he stood up abruptly. He looked at her back, noticing the faint outline of the dark bruises on her shoulder blade.
Lucas clenched his fingers again as the rage in his body flared again. He looked at her longingly, wanting to go to her but not sure if she wanted him to. His breathing became labored at the thought of Chase touching Brooke and hurting Brooke and he groaned angrily as he strode across the bedroom and out the door.
"Lucas? What are you doing?" She asked frantically as she stepped out into the hallway. He didn't answer her and just continued on walking.
"Lucas, what are you doing. Please come back inside." She begged him, her voice hitching from the tears still streaming down her face. She followed him down the stairs and to the door.
"Lucas stop!" she commanded and he turned to look at her, his eyes as red and swollen as hers. Her heart broke at the anguish and pain she saw there. She stepped closer to him grabbing his hand in hers.
"Lucas, what are you doing"
"I'm looking for Nathan and Haley…" Lucas said walking into the kitchen of the B & B.
"Why?" Brooke asked folding her arms.
"Because we're going back to Tree Hill." Lucas answered her abruptly, not meaning to.
"Why Lucas? Why do you want to head back to Tree Hill?" Brooke asked, suddenly afraid that he was angry with her.
Lucas's voice was low and controlled, an almost monotone growl, and his eyes flared again. "Because I'm going to kill him."
Brooke gasped, seeing the fire in his eyes and she knew he was serious. She knew he was going to be livid but she'd never heard Lucas speak that way about anyone, least of all Chase. Even when things were at their worst this past spring, Lucas never allowed his emotions to flare that out of control.
"Lucas, please come upstairs with me. I don't think heading back right now is a good idea." Brooke pleaded with him, her eyes never leaving his.
"He's not going to get away with this, Brooke. He-" Lucas stopped speaking abruptly, unable to finish his sentence, his voice cracking, as the thought of what Chase did to Brooke clutched his chest like a fist.
"What's going on?" Haley asked walking out of the kitchen when she heard the commotion.
"Did you know Chase attacked Brooke?" Lucas asked looking at his best friend.
"No…When?" Haley asked anger rising in her own body.
"The morning we left for Texas" Nathan said softly walking out of the kitchen.
"You knew about this?" Lucas asked his eyes narrowing at Nathan.
Nathan sighed deeply and ran a hand through his dark hair "I was there"
"What?" Haley and Lucas both said in unison.
"I took some stuff over to Brooke and I saw Chase attacking her and he pushed Jamie down and then he went back to Brooke…and I hit him" Nathan confessed.
"And you both lied to me?" Lucas asked not believing his ears.
Lucas closed his eyes a moment to try to get his temper under control. He opened them again to see fresh tears streaming down Brooke's face and that broke him.
"Get dressed….we're leaving" was all he said and he walked up the stairs.
Everyone went upstairs and got ready to leave the plane ride home was in silence. Brooke felt nauseated and her diamond was digging into her finger because she kept twisting it as she was wringing her hands together. Once they'd arrived home Nathan and Haley went next door, Haley wouldn't even look at Nathan, and Nathan knew that it was going to be a long night. Brooke had taken Hannah in the house and put her down for the night. She then went and sat down on the couch in the living room and waited for Lucas to come in from unloading the car.
At the sound of the door opening Brooke looked up to see Lucas coming in. Brooke stood immediately and their eyes locked. Brooke felt her legs give out beneath her and she fell to her knees as she began sobbing again. Lucas rushed over to her, gathering her gently into his arms.
"Brooke, I am so sorry. I'm sorry I didn't protect you." Lucas murmured against her hair as he rocked her gently.
Brooke shook he head against his chest. "No Lucas. It's not your fault. It's mine." Her reply was muffled against the fabric of his shirt.
"I can't believe that you didn't tell me both you and Nathan why?" Lucas asked
"I knew you'd react like this" Brooke said her voice cracking.
"This is my fault. I should have protected you." Lucas was careful as he held her. He kept his other arm around her loosely as he whispered the question he dreaded, but had to ask.
"What did he do to you Brooke?"
Brooke wiped the last remnants of her tears. She had no more left. She looked up at him. The fear she saw in his face tore her apart inside. Lying to him wasn't an option. But how was she going to tell him what Chase had done to her. She still couldn't believe it herself.
"Brooke," he said softly again. "Please tell me. Did he?" Lucas stopped, unable to form the words. The mere thought of Chase raping Brooke was so foreign to him it made him lightheaded and weak.
Brooke reached up, her hands framing his face. "Lucas, he didn't rape me."
Lucas felt his body relax slightly and a soft cry of relief escaped his lips as he leaned his forehead against hers. "I thought he was going to, but Nathan stopped him" She admitted quietly.
Brooke slid her arms around his neck and hugged him tight, her head resting on his shoulder. Lucas wanted to hold her as tightly but he feared hurting her. He buried his fingers in her silky hair. "Brooke?" he asked tentatively. "Please tell me what happened?"
Brooke than spent the next ten minutes explaining what had happened. Everything from what Chase had said to her to what he had done to her.
Lucas held Brooke as she finished her story. They were still sitting in the same position, as they were when she began her story; kneeling on the floor facing each other. He blinked back his own tears as he gently wiped hers with the pads of his thumbs; his heart breaking for the fear and pain and humiliation she faced at the hands of someone she considered a friend. Lucas's blood boiled but he tried to stifle the rage that consumed him, knowing that what he was feeling was nothing compared to what Brooke was going through. She looked up into his eyes and lifted her hands to cradle his face, wiping his tears with her thumbs.
"Please forgive me for not calling you Lucas." Brooke asked softly. "I wanted to so badly, but I knew what would happen if I did."
"I wish you had Brooke. It kills me to know what happened." He gently pulled her closer to him, needing to have her closer. Brooke buried her face in his neck and sighed.
"Brooke, can I see your back?" Brooke stiffened as she pulled back to look at him, knowing she couldn't hide her bruises from him.
"Lucas, you don't want to see them. They're not a big deal." She said half-heartedly, hoping that he would believe her.
"Please Brooke, I need to see what he did to you. I need to see how he hurt you." Lucas's eyes pleaded with her.
Brooke rested her forehead against his chin for a moment gaining the courage to stand before him. He kissed her hairline softly as he whispered her name.
"Brooke. It's all right sweetheart. I promise, it will be all right." Brooke nodded her head and moved to stand up. Lucas helped her then stood up too.
Brooke looked down at the floor, feeling her stomach clench, as she untied the front of her tank top and slid it off her shoulders. Before this moment Brooke had never shied from revealing any part of her body to Lucas.
She turned away from him and she heard him gasp.
Lucas's eyes widened as he saw the dark purple and black bruises that adorned the right side of Brooke's spine. He felt the bile rise in this throat and his fingers clenched into fists at his side. Lucas stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her gently against his chest. He buried his face in her hair, tears of anger and pain again slipping from his eyes. Brooke slumped back against him and covered his hands with her own. Brooke could feel his hot tears against the skin of her neck.
"Baby, I'm so sorry. I'll never forgive myself for not being there." Brooke turned in his arms abruptly, her eyes wild as she grabbed his shirt in her hands.
"No Lucas. This was not your fault. This was Chase's fault. I won't let you feel guilty."
"I want to kill him Brooke." Lucas admitted softly as he held her gently, the image of her bruises burned permanently into his mind.
"Lucas, that won't do any good. It won't change anything. I hate him too. I'll never forgive him for what he tried to do, but I want us to put this behind us." Brooke insisted as she looked up at him seriously.
"He wanted to ruin our lives and I refuse to let that happen. I'm not going to let him get away with this."
Lucas released her and walked over to the couch. He sat down, torn between telling her what he knew she wanted to hear and telling her the truth. "I can't let this go Brooke….I'm sorry…I refuse to." Lucas's voice was unwavering as he spoke.
Brooke walked over and sat on the couch next to him, taking his hands in hers. "Lucas, please promise me you won't do anything." Brooke lifted a hand to his face to force him to look at her. "I just want to put this behind us and get on with the rest of our lives."
"Brooke, don't ask to make you a promise I can't possibly keep."
Brooke knew that trying to talk him out of going after Chase was futile right now. He was in no frame of mind to be reasoned with, especially about this. So she just silently hoped for the best. At least he knew now.
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"Nathan I don't understand why you just didn't tell me about this" Haley said lying in bed next to her husband.
"Hales…I wanted to tell you but it's not that big of a deal….I did what I know Lucas would do if the role was reversed….I care about Brooke…not only is she my sister-in-law but she's my friend" Nathan rolled over on his side and ran his hand over Haley's stomach.
"I just wish you would have trusted me enough to have told me about this" Haley pouted resting her hand on top of Nathan's.
"I do trust you Hales…I just don't want you to worry about silly things when you're so far along in your pregnancy" Nathan assured.
"Yeah but you have to understand that I don't want you to keep things from me" Haley said right back.
"I know….I'm sorry" Nathan scooted closer and kissed Haley.
"What do you think Lucas is going to do?" Haley asked curling up next to Nathan.
"I don't know…but I hope it's nothing stupid….I don't think Brooke would let him do anything too bad" Nathan furrowed his brow and wrapped his arm around Haley's shoulder.
"Me too….It was just so weird to see Lucas like that….I've never seen him that mad…not ever…I hope I never have to see it again" Haley sighed.
"Me too….I'm glad that Brooke told him….also we'll have to go back to "The Fluffy Bunny" again…Jamie had a really good time there and you know what I did too"
Haley nodded against Nathan's shoulder "Yeah…and Willy and Nadine were so nice"
"I think Leah would have liked it there too" Nathan smiled
"We'll have to take her after she's born…and old enough to understand what's going on…I just wish we could have spent more time at the house Lucas rented…just seems like a waste of money that he rented it and didn't get to use it but for one night" Haley yawned as she finished her sentence.
"I love you Hales" Nathan said kissing her forehead
"I love you too Nathan…night" Haley said closing her eyes.
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A month had gone by since Brooke had told Lucas about what had happened with Chase. A quiet month thankfully. Brooke was getting ready to go to New York for a few days to attend a meeting. Since Lucas didn't want Brooke to go alone, Brooke had asked Peyton to come with her for the trip. Peyton was hesitant at first but since Jake told her that he could handle everything at home Peyton agreed to come.
"I'm pretty excited about this" Peyton said walking into the airport with Brooke, Lucas and Jamie.
"I'm excited that you're excited Peyton" Lucas said happily.
"Thanks Luke…it's so weird to be away from my kids though" Peyton said smiling sadly.
"Yeah but you can bring them souvenirs" Lucas said
"Yeah…plus sleeping in is going to be the highlight of my trip…and checking out the vintage CD stores" Peyton said loading her bag into baggage claim. "See ya Luke" Peyton said waving over her shoulder practically running down the corridor to board the plane.
"Bye Peyton" Lucas said waiving. Brooke turned around and hugged Lucas. "I'll see you in three days"
"It's going to go by so fast Pretty Girl" Lucas said burying his face in Brooke's neck.
"I wish you could come with me too" Brooke said looking at Lucas.
"I've got a few things to take care of here" Lucas rubbed his hand down Brooke's back and rested his chin on top of her head.
"Are you ready to go home Aunt Brooke?" Jamie asked looking up from where he was holding Lucas's hand.
Brooke knelt down in front of Jamie "I'll be back in a few days Jamie…besides after you leave here you and Uncle Luke are going to go and pick up Hannah at Grandma Karen's and you and her can play all day long"
"I'm going to miss you" Jamie said throwing his little arms around Brooke's neck.
"I'm going to miss you too Jim-Jam" Brooke kissed Jamie on the forehead and stood up when she heard her boarding call.
"I love you Luke" Brooke said leaning in to kiss him.
Lucas pulled back from the kiss and rested his forehead against Brooke's "I love you too baby"
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The next afternoon Brooke walked into her and Peyton's hotel room and sat down. She'd been so tired lately all she wanted to do was sleep. Brooke looked over at Peyton who was sitting on the floor looking through bags of things she'd purchased around town.
"I've shopped till I've dropped today…this is the best vacation ever" Peyton squealed.
"I've been in meeting after meeting today…I'll be so glad when they get this new line of fall clothes out…I stress out so bad…and it messes my cycle up…it's just ridiculous…and it makes me nauseous" Brooke said reclining on the couch and closing her eyes.
"Maybe you're pregnant" Peyton said not looking up from where she was reading her Rolling Stone magazine.
"That's impossible…you have to have sex in order to be pregnant" Brooke yawned and curled up onto her side. "Shit"
"I told you" Peyton said finally looking at Brooke.
"I'm not pregnant….Lucas and I haven't even been trying that long" Brooke sat up as she talked to Peyton.
"Well honey I hate to tell you this but sex…is where babies come from" Peyton teased.
"Thanks Peyton…there's no way I'm pregnant…I'm not" Brooke shook her head.
"Well…there's only one way to find out" Peyton said standing up and grabbing her purse. "Come on"
"Where are we going?" Brooke asked standing up.
"To the clinic…you could be like me and Jake and it could just be a scare…but you'll never know unless we go" Peyton said opening the door.
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Nathan and Lucas were at McDonald's waiting to pick up dinner for them Haley and Jamie. Lucas held onto Hannah's happy meal as they waited for Jamie's personal pizza to be ready.
"Fancy seeing you here" a voice called from behind.
Nathan and Lucas turned around and came face to face with him.
"Chase" Lucas said and anger radiated over him.
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"Ok you see this little grey shading right here that's the amniotic sac…" the doctor explained pointing to the ultrasound machine. "And this little black and blue smudge is your baby…see the heartbeat"
Brooke bit her lip and nodded she looked over at Peyton who was crying. "Sorry" Peyton said laughing a little and wiping her eyes.
"I'd say you're about 5 weeks…Mrs. Scott…congratulations" The doctor said and pulling the sheet back over Brooke's elevated legs.
"I'll send the nurse back in with a few things for you" the doctor said walking out of the room.
Brooke looked over at Peyton who was wiping her eyes. " I'm so excited…this is the best trip ever…when are you going to tell Lucas?"
Brooke hopped down from the table and smiled "When I get home …hey I'm going to get dressed"
Peyton watched Brooke walk into the bathroom and then cell phone rang and she looked at the caller ID it read "Jake"
"Hey Jake what's up?" Peyton said into the receiver.
"Peyton…Luke's in jail…you and Brooke are going to have to come home" Nathan said
"What the hell happened?" Peyton said standing up.
"He and Chase got into a fight outside of McDonalds and someone called the police"
"Oh my god…is he ok?" Peyton asked scared for her friend.
"Luke…other than a black eye and busted lip yes…can't say the same for Chase…Luke pretty much rearranged his face"
"Jeez…well I'll talk to you soon ok…Love you too…bye" Peyton hung up the phone just in time for Brooke to walk out of the bathroom.
"What's wrong Peyton?" Brooke asked walking over to the examination table.
"Brooke I've got something I have to tell you"
Thanks so much for the reviews guys…I hope you liked this chapter….Also any suggestions you might have are welcome. I've had one or two about how to handle Brooke's pregnancy. I don't really have a rant or anything this time. I really do appreciate all the kind things you guys have said and thanks for taking the time out to review. Thanks again….Ashley