I WANT TO THANK ALL THE PEOPLE THAT GAVE ME REVIEWS, ALERT MY STORY, ME AS AN AUTHOR AND OF COURSE PLACED THIS PROJECT AS FAVORITE, ALSO MY ANONYMOUS READERS. SO THANK YOU: DIANEHERMANS, BJQ, NEVERLAST690, CHRISTINE, BOO, JENNY85, PURPLERAIN012, SARCASYTICKA001, CHRISSY, LITTLEREDDEVIL8, DAUGHTRY23, CITCAT, LOVEANDPJLOVER, CUTIEPIE102, QUEEN08, JADEDKISSES8.
I WISH TO THANKS MY WONDERFUL BETA / TRANSFORMER LISA OR AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW HER BY Leeese, SHE DID A FANTASTIC JOB WITH IT. SO KUDDOS TO HER.
DISCLAIMER: I DON´T OWN ANYTHING ABOUT OTH. IT ALL BELONGS TO MARK SCHWAHNN, THE CW, WARNER AND TOLLINS - ROBBINS.
I DON´T EVEN OWN THE SONG THAT BELONGS TO NICK LACHEY, AND HIS RECORD COMPANY.
HERE IT IS... ENJOY AND PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW, THAT IS THE BEST GIFT YOU CAN GIVE ME.
BY THE WAY I INVITE YOU ALL TO CHECK MY OTHER STORY NAMED TAKING CHANCES, HERE IS THE LINK: s/7133371/1/TAKING_CHANCES
Chapter 25
When Brooke returned home from Nathan and Haley's house, she found that her house was in darkness. She closed the front door and headed into the living room, switching the light on as she went. The sight that greeted her wasn't a pretty one; at least not to her. She found a half naked Jason on top of an equally half naked Rachel. The two of them were involved in an intense make out session.
"Hey! You have your own room to do that in!" Brooke told them as she shielded her eyes.
"Hey baby, you need to stop!" Rachel said to Jason as she noticed Brooke.
"Why? Brooke isn't here." Jason replied. He obviously hadn't heard Brooke speak.
"Yeah, she is." Rachel told him as she pointed to where Brooke was standing.
"What?" Jason asked as he looked over to where Rachel indicated.
"I said you have your own room to do that." Brooke repeated.
"Oh hi Brooke. When did you get back?" Jason asked as he got up off the couch. He looked ashamed as he did.
"A few moments ago."
"Oh great. How was it?" Jason asked as he put his shirt back on.
"Good, thanks." Brooke replied. She now had to bite her lip to stop herself from laughing as his startled and ashamed expression.
"People, are we going to pretend that this thing never happened?" Rachel asked as she pulled her own shirt back on.
"What thing?" Jason asked pretending he had no clue as to what Rachel was on about.
"I'm trying to erase what I saw and witnessed from my mind." Brooke told them.
"C'mon Jase." Rachel said
"Okay. I'm sorry Brooke that you found us in this inconvenient position but we got caught up in the moment." Jason explained.
"I accept your apology but I can't stop thinking that if I arrived any later then I would probably have walked in on you having sex," Brooke said as she wrinkled her nose up in horror. She laughed and shook her head as she added. "Yuck! Erasing image."
"Don't be such a prude," Rachel said as she laughed. "I've had to hear about your sexual prowess before and I didn't complain."
"So not the point." Brooke replied.
"Yes you're right," Jason said. "We have Rachel's room to do this in. But we were watching a movie and like I said we got caught up in the moment."
"Please let's leave this room so I can come back later and disinfect it and the couch." Brooke said as she laughed slightly.
"Don't be such a baby." Rachel said as she hugged her.
"Leave her alone babe, she is right. It wasn't cool." Jason said as he too laughed.
"Thank you, Jason. Let's go to the kitchen." Brooke said. A few minutes later they were in the kitchen. To Brooke and Jason's surprise, Rachel began to work on making dinner, while Jason started talking with Brooke.
"I was waiting for you to get home because I wanted to talk." He began.
"Okay. About what?" Brooke asked.
"About Ben."
"Okay. What do you want to know?"
"Where can I find him?" Jason asked. "So I can convince him to forgive you".
"He is living in Karen's house," Brooke answered. "If you want I can give you the address."
"Is there a place more private that I can find him alone?" Jason asked.
"Let me think." Brooke said in a thoughtful tone.
"Tell him about the river court Brookie." Rachel urged.
"What is the river court?" Jason asked curiously.
"The river court is the place where his dad used to spend all day playing basketball, doing some major thinking," Brooke explained. "And since we got here, Ben has been drawn to it."
"Is it far?"
"Not at all. The court is in the park near the river." Brooke told him.
"Brooke I'm not familiar with this town." Jason gently reminded her.
"Don't worry; I'll tell you how to get there. Haley told me that he is spending a lot of time there with his cousin Jamie." Brooke replied.
"Okay."
"Maybe I can talk to Haley or Karen to find out when he is there and let you know, so you can go." Brooke ordered.
"Could you?"
"Yes."
"And things like that makes me love you more Jase." Rachel said as she left the stove for a second and kissed him. He eagerly returned it.
"Everything about you makes me love you more and more every day." Jason said as their lips separated.
"Oh please! Get a room!" Brooke said as she rolled her eyes.
"We love you too." Jason and Rachel said in unison as they both moved and hugged Brooke.
~X~X~X~X~
Time passed quickly, like sand slipping between fingers, and two months had flown by. Ben still hadn't spoken to his mother and was still staying at Karen's house. Jason had spent every day talking to Ben about why he should forgive his mother. However, Ben hadn't been interested to hear his words. A car with tinted windows pulled up in front of Karen's house and stopped.
"Sir, we have arrived." The driver said, breaking the silence in the car.
"Thanks, Thomas." Lucas replied as he looked at his mother house.
"You're welcome. Should I wait for you Sir?"
"Yes, please." Lucas replied.
Lucas left the car and headed towards the door. For the first time in 15 years he felt kind of excited to see his mom and to tell her what was going on in his life. When he reached the door, he knocked and waited for a response. He was surprised to see who answered the door.
"Lucas?" Ben asked, equally shocked.
"Ben?" Lucas said at the same moment Ben had said his name.
"Lucas!" Ben said, now excited. He threw himself towards Lucas and hugged him tightly.
"Hi Ben. Nice to see you too," Lucas said as he laughed and hugged him back. He was surprised by Ben's reaction in seeing him. "Thanks for the warm welcome."
"It's so good to see you," Ben said as he detached himself from Lucas. "And you're welcome."
"Let me ask you something."
"What?"
"What are you doing answering the door?" Lucas asked curiously.
"I live here." Ben replied.
"You live here? Why?" Lucas asked. He was once again surprised.
"I will tell you that story later. Come inside." Ben replied.
"Okay." Lucas said as he stepped into the house.
"Let me call Karen."
"Be my guest." Lucas said as he smiled.
"Karen," Ben yelled. "Look who's here."
"Wow, you have some strong lungs there." Lucas remarked as he laughed.
"Where are your bags?" Ben asked curiously.
"In the car," Lucas answered. "I'll get them later."
"I don't think she listened. Let me go get Karen." Ben said with genuine joy in his voice.
~X~X~X~X~
Nathan was sitting in his wheelchair in his room watching something on the TV. He had finished his physiotherapy for the day and the specialist left the crutches they would start working with next week leaning against the wall of this room. He kept eyeing them for a good hour, in his mind the only thought he had was trying to stand with the crutches. He knew that if he could do that, then his recovery was going good. Right at that moment he didn't know or feel that anything had changed with him being in the chair.
He wanted out of the chair, so he decided to go for it. He wheeled himself over to where the crutches were and grabbed them. He propped them between his legs so that he could ride back to where he was before so he would try to stand. When he got there, he first lifted up the foot support and then put one crutch to each side of his body. He then gripped the crutches tightly as he manoeuvred himself into a standing position. He was surprised to see himself standing and that his body wasn't giving up on him. After his moment of joy he did the other thing that came to his mind.
"Haley!" he shouted. "Haley!"
"You called me?" Haley asked as she came into the room a few minutes later.
"Yes I did. Look." He replied as he smiled and looked down at the crutches.
"What are you doing with those?" she asked curiously.
"I'm standing on crutches Haley." Nathan said happily.
"I know I can see that."
"From now on everything will be fine." He assured her.
"I never doubted that but you need to get back to the chair." She told him softly.
"Why?"
"Neither the doctor nor the physiotherapist has given you permission to use them
yet." Haley pointed out.
"But I will start working with them on Monday."
"I know that but Monday is not today," Haley said in a concerned tone. "What if you screw something up by doing this?"
"I won't Haley." Nathan said in a confident tone.
"We don't know that yet though."
"Don't worry Hales."
"How can I not worry Nathan? We fought so much to get you to this point." She reminded him.
"I know."
"Please don't screw it up." She begged.
"Aren't you happy for me?"
"Yes, I am," she told him. "But I'm more concerned about the health of your back right now."
"I'm concerned too." He replied with a frown.
"You don't seem to be Nathan"."
"I am." He told her in a firm tone.
"No, you are not and you're proving it by doing this reckless thing. Give me the crutches and sit in your wheelchair again, please." She told him.
"You don't seem happy for me." Nathan said in a dejected tone. All trace of his earlier elation was now gone.
"I am," she told him. "But right now I'm more concerned about seeing you walking again than this achievement."
"I am going to walk again." Nathan said in a confident tone.
"Then do what the doctor tells you to do like you have being doing until a couple of moments ago."
"But Haley."
"But Haley nothing. I don't want you to jeopardize everything that we worked so hard to achieve. I want to see you walking at your daughter's sweet 16th and I want the same when your daughter gets married. So do what I say and give me those crutches."
"Okay." Nathan replied as Haley's words sunk in. He then sat back in the wheelchair and handed the crutches to his wife.
"Good job honey. There is a time to sit and there is a time to run." She told him as she gave him a smile.
"Which one are we at now?" he asked.
"Now it's the time to sit," she told him. "I'm going to take these elsewhere so you don't get tempted again."
"Okay."
"Want a little snack before lunch?" she asked,
"Okay."
"What do you want?"
"What about some cheese and crackers?" he suggested.
"Coming right up. Love you baby." Haley told him before she gave him a light kiss on the lips. Nathan returned it before he said.
"Love you too."
~X~X~X~X~
Minutes later Ben came back with Karen in a tow. He was practically leading her like a kid.
"See that I wasn't bluffing." He said as he laughed as they came into the lounge.
"Lucas?" Karen asked in a surprised tone.
"Hi Mom." Lucas said as he smiled. Karen then rushed over to her son and embraced him in a hug that seemed to last forever. Ben was enjoying seeing his father and grandmother interact.
"What are you doing here?"
"I've come to visit you," Lucas said as he laughed. "I told you I would be back."
"Yeah, you did."
"Did I surprise you?" he asked, even though he already knew the answer.
"You did," she confirmed. "When we talked on the phone a few days ago, you didn't say a word about this."
"Well that is the nature of surprise." Lucas told her in a playful tone.
"I would love to stay and watch this but I have to go." Ben said as Karen and Lucas ended their hug.
"Where are you going?" Karen asked.
"I have to practice with Jamie some tactical plays for the game on Friday or coach
Skills is going to kill us." Ben explained.
"Do you really have to go?" Karen asked.
"Yes, Karen." Ben replied.
"You joined the Ravens?" Lucas asked.
"Yes I did." Ben replied in a proud tone.
"Well congrats and I'm happy that you took my advice." Lucas told him.
"I'm happy too. I'll see you both later right?" Ben asked.
"I will be here." Lucas assured him.
"Okay, bye." Ben said before he left the house.
"How long are you staying?" Karen asked.
"Well that is a hairy situation." Lucas began.
"How hairy?"
"I can only stay a week." Lucas told her.
"Why?" Karen asked sounding disappointed.
"Because I have work to do." Lucas explained.
"In England?"
"Actually no." Lucas replied as he smiled.
"That smile is suspicious. What are you hiding Lucas Eugene Scott?" Karen asked.
"Really? Middle name me? Classy Mom." Lucas replied with a laugh.
"Lucas." Karen coaxed.
"Okay. Prepare to be surprised." He replied.
"Okay." Karen said, eagerly awaiting to hear what his news was.
"First did you get my last book?" he asked.
"Yeah the other day I got. Why?" she asked with a slight frown.
"Where did you put it?"
"In the bookcase with all your other books. Why?" she asked again. She was beginning to get a little frustrated at being kept on tenterhooks by him.
"Go grab it and we can talk." He told her.
"Lucas what are you hiding?" she asked.
"Mom, do what I tell you and later we can talk." Lucas replied.
"Ok." Karen said. She went and retrieved the book before heading back over to her son.
"Now that you have the book, open it and read it where it was printed." He told her. Karen opened the book and looked for the part he had told her.
"Random House Publishing, 75th Street, New York, New York"." She read.
"And?"
"I thought all your books were printed in England." Karen replied puzzled.
"Mom, I love you but you can be so clueless sometimes." Lucas said as he laughed.
"I know I can be but I don't see how I can be that way now."
"My last book is going to be published in the US." He announced.
"Really?" Karen asked as she smiled.
"Really."
"I'm so happy for you, my son." Karen said as she hugged him once again.
"And the reason that I can only stay a week is that I have a tour around the US to promote the book."
"Congratulations son." Karen said happily as they separated from the hug.
"Thanks mom. I thought that if I did the tour without coming here first you would be mad."
"You can bet that." She replied in amusement.
"So here I am."
"And I'm so happy, you gave me a good surprise." She told him still smiling.
"Mom, I need to ask you a question." Lucas asked in a serious tone.
"What?"
"When I knocked on the door, Ben greeted me and told me he was living here so
my question is-"
"Why is Ben living with me right?" Karen asked cutting him off.
"Right." Lucas confirmed.
"Well he is living here because he had a huge fight with his mom and left his house and came to my door asking for help." Karen explained not going into too much detail.
"Do you know what was the cause of the fight?" Lucas asked with a concerned frown.
"I don't know," Karen lied. "But what was I suppose to do? Leave him on the street to god knows how many dangers?"
"No, you did a good thing mom." Lucas assured her.
"Plus you know that Brooke is like a daughter to me so…" Karen said trailing off.
"He is like your grandson right?" Lucas asked.
"Right." Karen confirmed. She didn't have to lie on that one.
"How long has he been living with you?"
"Probably five months." Karen answered as she calculated the time in her head.
"That long?" Lucas asked in surprise.
"Yeah pretty much." Karen confirmed.
"How is that in that span of time him and Brooke didn't patch things up?" Lucas asked as he frowned further.
"I don't know," Karen again lied. "The only thing I know is that the subject of the fight must be very severe because Ben hasn't talk to his mother in all this time and he is very hurt about it."
"Knowing Brooke, she must be devastated," Lucas said. "I saw the way she treated him the last time I was here."
"Yeah she is. She is taking it pretty hard." Karen confirmed.
"I'm sorry for her," Lucas said in a genuine tone. "She didn't tell you what was the cause of it?"
"I didn't want to ask." Karen lied.
"Why?" Lucas asked as he frowned even further. From his experience his mother wasn't one to not get to the bottom of things.
"I thought it would be like sticking a knife into an open wound."
"I understand. Is he behaving well?"
"Yes, he is."
"Is he sleeping in the couch?"
"No I gave him your old room." Karen explained.
"And where is Lily sleeping?" Lucas asked curious.
"With me."
"She must not be happy about that." Lucas said as he laughed.
"She is okay about it." Karen told him.
"Well if she is okay." Lucas said as he laughed.
"You look different." Karen said changing the subject. She didn't want to let anything slip.
"Different how?" Lucas asked as he laughed.
"I don't know but you look like less sad, angry, you smile and laugh more. You project this image of fresh and happy." Karen told him.
"You don't let anything pass you by do you?" Lucas asked as he laughed again. "I'm all those things you mention; especially the happy part."
"How did that happen?" Karen asked curiously.
"I think a more precise question is who did this?" Lucas corrected.
"Well who did this?"
"The who is a she and her name is Lindsay." Lucas told her as he smiled.
"And how should I address her?" Karen asked.
"You can call her my girlfriend."
"You have a girlfriend?" Karen asked in surprise.
"Yes I do," Lucas said as he took his wallet out of his back jeans pocket. He produced a picture from it and showed it to Karen. It was of him and Lindsey together. "This is she."
"Isn't she your editor?" Karen asked as she studied it.
"Yes she is." Lucas confirmed as he laughed.
"How did that happen?"
"Well to make the long story short, Gavin and his wife set me up on a blind date with one of his wife's friend," Lucas began. "Turns out that Lindsay was the sister of one of the friends of the friends of Gavin's wife."
"Wow the world is small." Karen stated.
"Yes."
"How long have you being dating?"
"For the past 6 months."
"And she makes you happy?"
"Yes she does," Lucas said in a sincere tone. "She makes me laugh, and she makes me happy. She was going to come with me but as we were leaving for the airport she got a call from her boss about some last minute work thing she had to do."
"What thing?"
"Apparently they are behind this famous author called Kirk McClough or his widow," Lucas began to explain. "I don't know exactly which one. And after a year him or the widow agreed to a meeting with the publish house. So she had to fly to Germany to have the meeting and close the deal. I left her in the gate where the flight left and I left after the flight departed."
"Oh okay."
"I wanted her to come so she can meet you, Lily and Naley´s family of course." Lucas told her.
"So the thing is serious?" Karen asked.
"Pretty much."
"Because the last girlfriend you introduced me was Brooke." Karen reminded him.
"Yes it's serious."
"I imagine that you are staying with me during this week." Karen stated.
"I would like to but no I don't think I will." Lucas replied.
"Why?"
"Because you have a full house already." Lucas pointed out.
"Where are you going to go?"
"I'm going to sleep at Nate's. He always has an extra room empty." Lucas replied.
"Yeah that is true."
"Plus I want to help him with rehab since I couldn't come for the operation," Lucas added. "I was between planes for work/charity related things."
"Okay" Karen replied. "Come and help me with the laundry."
"Don't you think that I'm too old for that?" Lucas asked.
"You are never too old for laundry or helping your mother." Karen pointed out. With that they both left for the laundry room
~X~X~X~X~
It was a brand new day and Jason went into the café like he did every day. He looked around for Ben so that he could have his weekly chat with him to try and convince him to forgive Brooke.
"Hi Jason." Karen greeted as he headed up to the counter.
"Hi Karen."
"Looking for Ben?" she asked in a knowing tone.
"Yes."
"Let me look for him okay?"
"I'll wait here." Jason replied as he gave her a smile. Karen then went into the back. A few minutes later, Ben came out from the back and when he saw his uncle Jason, he was happy to see him.
"Uncle Jason." Ben greeted as they hugged.
"How is my favorite nephew in the whole wide world?" Jason asked him.
"I'm doing good, just helping Grandma Karen at the café," Ben replied. "You?"
"I'm good kid. Missing you though," Jason replied. "That's why I came to see you."
"I miss you too even though I see you every day," Ben replied with a laugh. "How is Aunt Rachel?"
"She's good but she misses you too." Jason told him.
"I miss her too." Ben admitted.
"Do you have some time to spend with me now?" Jason asked.
"Yeah sure, let's sit at this table," Ben said. The two of them then sat. "What do you need uncle?"
"I just wanted to talk to you and learn how your life is going." Jason replied.
"Life is going good, the school is good and like you see I'm helping Grandma
Karen with the café." Ben replied.
"Do you know who would love to hear this? And who misses you more than Aunt Rachel and I ever could?" Jason asked.
"Please don't go into that subject again." Ben said as he sighed.
"Your mother!" Jason told him, ignoring his words.
"We were having such a great time until now." Ben said in an unhappy tone.
"Why are you so hard on your mother? Yeah she made a mistake but I think you are blowing it out of proportion now."
"I'm blowing it out of proportion really? Me?" Ben asked in exasperation. "I love you Uncle Jason, I do. But try living 15 years without a dad and then come and talk to me about it."
"Yes you are," Jason replied. "And I think that you are not being fair to her right now."
"Why should I be fair with her? She wasn't with me even when I had my dad right in front of me."
"Ben, you have to understand her reasons."
"I don't understand her reason because those were her insecurities, her stubbornness. I can't and I will never understand that." Ben said in a firm tone.
"You know very well that they weren't her only reasons." Jason reminded him.
"You know very well that it was those reasons," Ben insisted. "Because in 15 years, she had plenty of time to come clean to anyone in the family; not just my dad. And she did nothing."
"She gave you everything that can't be bought with money; like love and staying with you. When she was a scared 18 year old and she could have just taken the easy road like having an abortion. Or like her mother wanted to and give you up for adoption," Jason told him. "But no she kept you and she raised you. So I think that outweighs everything else. You need to talk to her; to forgive her."
"Yes, you're right; she did that. But that doesn't compensate for the fact that she neglected to give me the most important thing in my father," Ben replied. "And that is why I can't forgive her."
"I see your point," Jason replied. He then decided to change tactics. "But would the situation be any different if she had gone to sperm bank?"
"Probably."
"I want to hear why." Jason said, not quite able to understand Ben's logic.
"Because she wouldn't have known my father," Ben replied. "He would only be a number in some institution."
"So if she waited 15 years and told you that she got some sperm out of a bank and doesn't know who your father was, would you forgive her?"
"Yes I would." Ben confirmed.
"I just don't really understand you kid because if I were you there is no difference to me." Jason said as he shook his head.
"No difference in what?"
"To me it doesn't matter if she knew your dad or not. I can understand that you are upset and hurt with the lie and I would be too, trust me. But I would still forgive her whatever the case. Because she did a very brave thing in keeping you and you should be thankful of that," Jason explained. "You don't remember because you were just a baby but I lost track of all the nights that your mom, me or your aunt Rachel stayed awake because you were sick, fussy or didn't go to bed at your regular hour. Your mom, she had to pull an all nighter in order to finish her college stuff. And then she had to go work with no sleep. She sacrificed so much for you and this is how you repay her."
"No one asked her to do that," Ben replied angrily. "I never asked to come to this world."
"Don't be an ungrateful brat Ben. That is not you and don't let your anger and hurt cover your real feelings," Jason said in a disappointed tone. "Let's just stop this conversation in here before I do something I regret."
"Yeah because I don't want to talk about this more."
~X~X~X~X~
Lucas stood in front of a medium size store, watching it in awe while he read the sign that said Clothes over Bros. Right now he wasn't regretting asking Karen for the directions. When he saw the store, he felt proud of what Brooke had accomplished and he knew he now had the courage to face the demons that haunted the place. He took a deep breath and headed into the store.
"Hello. Welcome to Clothes over Bros," a member of staff greeted. "How can I help you?"
"Hi. I'm looking for Brooke Davis." Lucas replied politely.
"Is she expecting you sir?"
"No, she doesn't know that I'm in town."
"Who should I say want to see her?" the assistant asked.
"Tell her that Lucas Scott is here." Lucas answered.
"Very well," the assistant replied. "Please wait here for a few minutes."
"Okay. No problem."
Minutes later the same assistant returned and escorted him to Brooke's office. Once he went inside he saw her busy with papers and that she was in the process of finishing a call. She gestured for him to sit in the chair in front of him so he did.
"I didn't know you were in town." Brooke said after she had ended the call.
"Only a few people know that I'm here." Lucas replied.
"When did you arrive?" Brooke asked.
"Yesterday."
"I have to admit that when my assistant told me you were here, I was very surprised."
"I figured you would be." Lucas said as he gave her a small smile.
"Especially after the interaction we had the last time we saw each other." Brooke added.
"Well I needed to talk you about that."
"Really?" Brooke asked as she rose her eyebrows in surprise.
"Really." Lucas confirmed.
"About what?"
"Well I want to apologize." He stated.
"For what?"
"For the way I behaved and for how rude I was too." Lucas told her.
"Its okay people can change." Brooke replied.
"It's not okay and I didn't change much," Lucas told her. "I'm still 85% the same Lucas you knew and fell in love with."
"Oh." Brooke replied in a quiet gasp.
"The thing is that I didn't expect to see you here that time. I was shocked. Let's not lie to ourselves, you leaving me, hurt me just as much as I know I hurt you. That pain stopped me from coming back. When I did come back, I pretty much planned to avoid you if you were still in town. But then boom; the first thing I see is you. Hence my reaction and the fact that I forbid my family to talk about you for 15 years. The mere mention of you hurt," Lucas explained truthfully. "And that night seeing you there, it made the pain more real. Seeing you with your son, somehow reminded me of everything that could have happened for us. It was like sticking a knife into my already beaten up heart. So I wanted to hurt you too with my words."
"I see."
"The only company I had for 15 years was this pain that didn't go away. You are a woman that is hard to forget Brooke," Lucas told her. "I want to also apologize for a habit I developed in those years."
"Which is?" Brooke coaxed.
"My excessive drinking," Lucas replied. "That night made me drink more than I usually do when I'm in the presence of my mother."
"Do you still drink like that?" Brooke asked curiously.
"No no," Lucas replied. "I cut back to one or two glasses in the entire day."
"So you're not an alcoholic right?"
"I never was." Lucas replied with a slight laugh.
"Good. I don't want to be burdened with that."
"Don't worry," Lucas told her with another slight laugh. "Do you want to know the reason why I came to talk to you?"
"Why?" Brooke asked. She suddenly found herself thinking about telling him about Ben.
"For two reasons; one because I accepted that you will be here until the day you die and I want to continue to visit my mother now that my book is going to be for sale in the US," Lucas replied. "And two; because I'm trying move on with life. I lived 15 years anchored to the past and what could have been and I don't want that anymore."
"Congratulations on the news about your book." Brooke told him.
"Thanks," Lucas replied as he smiled proudly. "You are the second person who knows about it."
"I'm honored with that privilege," Brooke replied. She was quiet for a moment before she added. "I'm surprised by everything you said."
"Don't be so surprised. Seeing you there with your son and seeing how you have moved on gave me the courage to try to do it myself," Lucas told her. "You were always an inspiration to everyone that touched your life. I never told you this but I always thought that you would change the world somehow. And now you are doing that one piece of clothing at a time."
"I don't know what to say." Brooke replied. She was shocked and flattered by his words.
"You don't have to say anything," he told her. "But I have to confess that before I walked in here, I felt strangely proud of you and everything that you have accomplished. Now no matter what, you will always be an important woman in my life; because you were my first everything. Like I said in that letter maybe from this moment on we can have a cordial relationship."
"Yes, why not?" Brooke replied. She then knew that she was going to tell him about Ben. And now was the perfect time. "I want to tell you something too."
"Yeah?"
"Yes."
"About?" Lucas asked curiously.
"About B-" Brooke began. However, the sound of his cell phone ringing cut her off. Lucas pulled the phone from his pocket and checked the screen.
"Sorry I need to take this. Do you mind?" he asked in an apologetic tone.
"No, be my guest."
"Thanks," he replied. He then picked the call up. "Hello?"
"Hi baby, how are you?" Lindsey asked in a happy tone.
"I'm good. You?" Lucas asked. "How is Germany?"
"I'm good and Germany is freezing. I miss you."
"I miss you too."
"Do you want to know the reason I called you?" Lindsey asked playfully.
"Yes please" Lucas said as he laughed.
"I just got a call from Miranda to remind us that next month is the birthday of your godson Henry."
"Really?"
"Really, time does fly." Lindsey remarked.
"Yes."
"Do you want me to buy him something here in Germany or shall we go shopping for it when you come back to London?"
"No, we will shop for it when I get back." Lucas told her.
"Okay."
"Is that it?"
"Yeah. Well I have to go, I love you baby. Talk to you later."
"Okay. I love you too," Lucas replied before he ended the call. He then turned his attention back to Brooke. "Sorry I needed to take that."
"That's okay. Who was it?"
"My girlfriend." Lucas replied without thinking.
"Oh you have girlfriend?"
"Yes."
"What's her name?" Brooke asked curiously.
"Lindsay."
"Well congratulations." Brooke replied.
"Thanks," Lucas replied with a smile. "What were you trying to tell me before my cell phone went off?"
"Me?" Brooke asked pretending to be clueless as she decided against telling Lucas about Ben.
"Yes you." Lucas said as he laughed.
"I don't remember." She replied. She hoped that she didn't sound as apprehensive as she felt.
"Really?"
"Really," Brooke replied. She quickly added. "Someone told me a few years ago that if you can't remember it then it wasn't important."
"Okay. Well I have to go now so I can let you work." Lucas replied.
"Okay. Bye Lucas."
"Bye Brooke. Have a good day." Lucas said as he left the office.
"Thanks." She replied as she watched him go. She then took a deep breath to steady her rapid pulse.
~X~X~X~X~
Brooke decided to leave the store at noon and go eat at her house; she needed some time alone. When she got there she found Rachel sitting at the breakfast bar that separated the kitchen from the rest of the rooms.
"Hey Rach." She greeted.
"Hey Brooke," Rachel greeted as she looked at her friend. "What are you doing here?"
"It's my house remember?" Brooke asked as she laughed. Rachel joined in as she asked.
"I know but what are you doing in the middle of the day?"
"I thought that I could eat here for a change."
"Okay."
"What are you eating?" Brooke asked curiously.
"Some pasta I made." Rachel replied.
"Okay, let's see what I can find for me," Brooke said as she began to look in the refrigerator. "Where is Jason?"
"He decided to get lost in Tree Hill and went to take pictures of the town." Rachel replied.
"Cool. We could use some great pictures of our home town."
"Hey Brooke I want to ask you something." Rachel said.
"Okay, what?" Brooke replied.
"Was it my imagination or did I see Lucas leaving the store this morning?" Rachel asked.
"It was not your imagination." Brooke replied as she closed the refrigerator.
"Shut up!" Rachel said in a shocked tone.
"How did you see him?"
"I was driving Jase to his spot so he could "get lost" and I thought I saw
Lucas. But I wasn't sure so I thought to myself that if that was true my best friend would need this." Rachel said as she headed over to the stove and pulled something out of the oven. She then placed it in front of Brooke.
"How?" Brooke asked in a surprised tone.
"I'm shocked that you ask that," Rachel replied. "We have been living together for the past 15 years. I think I know you. I know that if what I saw was true, you would come running here during your lunch hour to tell me all about it."
"I'm surprised that you know me so well."
"There are four people in this world that know you like the back of your hand," Rachel told her. "Lucas, Karen, Haley and, last but not least, me."
"Yes, you are probably right on that." Brooke agreed.
"So are you going to tell me what happened?"
"Nothing happened."
"So you're telling me that Lucas Scott went into your business after everything that happened the last time you saw each other and nothing happened?" Rachel asked skeptically. "I don't buy that Brookie!"
"Well believe me nothing happened." Brooke replied.
"Why did he go to see you?"
"He wanted to apologize for his behavior the last time we saw each other." Brooke explained.
"Then something did happen." Rachel stated.
"I have to admit that I told him that I was surprised to see him there." Brooke told her.
"I would be too. What did he say to that?"
"Nothing. Like I said he wanted to apologize for his behavior and for how rude he was." Brooke replied.
"What was your response to that?" Rachel asked as she went back to eating her pasta. She eagerly wanted to know all the details.
"I told him that it's okay," Brooke replied. "That people change."
"And?"
"And he said that it wasn't okay and he didn't change much; that he was still 85% the same man I knew and fell in love with."
"He really said that?" Rachel asked in a surprised tone.
"Yes."
"Wow!" Rachel replied still sounding surprised.
"Trust me I reacted the same way." Brooke assured her.
"So what did he do next?"
"He told me that the day we saw each other, he didn't expect to see me there and he was shocked. Then he told me something totally surprised me. It was like he was opening up to me like never before." Brooke told her.
"What did he tell you?"
"He told me that me leaving him, hurt him just as much as he knows that he hurt me and that pain prevented him to come back." Brooke said in a soft tone.
"Wow!" Rachel replied still sounding surprised. "Yes, he really opened up to you. What more did he say?"
"He also said that when he did come back, he pretty much planned to avoid me. But I was the first person that he saw," Brooke continued. "And that he forbid his family to talk about me. He said that seeing me there, it made his pain more real."
"I just can't stop saying wow because I'm really impressed with him opening up to you like that." Rachel said.
"I know, I was too." Brooke admitted.
"So did he continue or stop there?"
"No he said plenty more things."
"Then tell me and don't leave a detail out." Rachel encouraged.
"Okay. After that, he said that seeing me with Ben, somehow reminded him of everything that could have been for us and it was like sticking a knife into his already beaten up heart. So he wanted to hurt me with his words."
"Oh my god!" Rachel gasped in shock.
"He said that his only company these past years was his pain because I'm a woman that's hard to forget," Brooke continued. "Plus he also wanted to apologize for his drinking habit that he developed during those years."
"Is he an alcoholic?" Rachel asked in alarm.
"I asked him the same thing." Brooke replied with a wry smile.
"What did he say?"
"He said that he never was."
"I will stop you right there for a moment. I have a question for you." Rachel said.
"What question?"
"After everything you heard from him up until that moment, did you think of telling him the truth?" Rachel asked.
"Yes I did," Brooke replied. "Right after he asked me if I wanted to know the reason he wanted to have this talk with me."
"So what was the reason for the talk besides apologizing?"
"He said that I inspired him to try to move on with his life and to stop living in the past." Brooke replied softly.
"Oh my god, was that really Lucas or some robot?" Rachel asked not quite able to believe her ears. "Because he is practically telling you he went through the past 15 years loving you. So I imagine that you said something."
"It was really Lucas," Brooke replied. "Something like what?"
"Like, well Lucas I still love you too and we have a son; Ben. And if I had just believed you 15 years ago that you loved me, we could have been a big loving family." Rachel said. There was a sarcastic tone to her voice.
"Rach, the sarcasm is not appreciate." Brooke told her.
"What did you want me to do? Everyone told you that he loved you but you were too stubborn to listen to us."
"You know my reasons."
"Let's drop this particular conversation for now because it will get us nowhere like always," Rachel said. "Did he say something more?"
"He said that I will always be an important woman in his life because I was his first everything," Brooke replied. "And just when I was going to tell him about Ben, his cell phone went off."
"Are you freaking kidding me?" Rachel asked in disbelief.
"No I'm not."
"Who was it?"
"Are you sitting?" Brooke asked. Rachel gave her a look telling her not to ask stupid questions.
"You know that I'm sitting, you can see me," Rachel replied as she rolled her eyes. "Why?"
"He has a girlfriend now."
"Are you for real?"
"Yes."
"Wow! What's her name?" Rachel asked.
"Lindsay."
"So what did you do?" Rachel asked.
"I chickened out and didn't say a word." Brooke confessed.
"Aww Brooke," Rachel said in a disappointed tone. "You completely lost a chance to tell him. It was the perfect opportunity."
"What do you want me to do Rach seriously?"
"Tell him the truth Brookie," Rachel replied softly. "Like I said it was the perfect opportunity. You two alone, he was opening up to you."
"What did you want me to tell him? Hey thanks for that info about your girlfriend but it turns out that we have a son that you already know and by the way it's Ben." Brooke said. It was now her turn to be sarcastic.
"I don't know Brookie. But you should have told him something," Rachel told her. "The longer you postpone this, the worse it will be."
"I know, I know," Brooke replied with a sigh. "I just need to find the right mix of courage and perfect timing."
"Okay. Now let's continue eating since I think I will have to go and replace Millicent so she can eat."
~X~X~X~X~
It was a new day and both Ben and Lucas were at the river court. One was practicing some moves and shots while the other just sat there and watched.
"Ben, in order for that shot to go the way it was supposed to, you need to bend your knees more." Lucas told him.
"How? Like this?" Ben asked as he bent his knee a little more.
"No."
"Come and show me." Ben replied. He wanted his father to teach him something.
"Okay." Lucas replied as he got up from the bleachers. Seconds later, Lucas was behind him. He grabbed his hands as he instructed Ben. "Now bend these knees more"
"Like this?"
"More."
"Now?" Ben asked as he bent his knees further.
"Like that. Now throw!" Lucas told him. He watched as Ben threw the ball and it sailed through into the basket.
"It went in!" Ben said happily as he hugged Lucas. "Thanks Luke."
"You're welcome," Lucas told him as he returned the hug. "And remember in basketball everything is practice. You do it until it comes out perfectly."
"Do you want to practice with me?" Ben asked sounding a little shy.
"You want me to play with you?" Lucas asked in surprise.
"Yes, it will be an honor for me." Ben told him. He tried to hide how excited he felt about the possibility of playing basketball with his father.
"I haven't played in years." Lucas told him.
"It doesn't matter to me."
"I'm 33 years old and you're 15." Lucas pointed out.
"I don't mind that unless you are worried that you could lose." Ben said trying to convince his father to play with him.
"Losing is not an issue to me."
"So what are you waiting for Luke?" Ben asked.
"Okay, let's do it," Lucas replied. "But I can only play for 15 minutes."
"Why?" Ben asked sounding disappointed.
"Heart condition issues."
"Ah okay," Ben said sounding surprised, He then handed Lucas the ball. "Let's go old man."
"Respect the old people Ben." Lucas said. He then faked to go right but turned and went left. He then threw the ball and it sailed through the net.
"That was just lucky." Ben told him. He was surprised that Lucas had moved so fast.
"I guess this arm still works and I haven't lost my touch," Lucas told him with a grin. He held the ball out to him and said. "Your turn."
When Lucas's 15 minutes were almost up, Lucas was already exhausted due to lack of practice. Ben was using it to his advantage. Now the match was in Ben's favor by a slight margin, he was worried every time he saw that Lucas was out of breath. He was in the process of asking Lucas if he was okay when he heard a female voice calling his name.
"Hey Ben!"
"Aunt Rachel! Uncle Jason!" Ben said as he turned round after checking that Lucas was okay. He then went over to hug them.
"What were you doing?" Rachel asked.
"I was practicing with Lucas." Ben told her.
"That's Lucas?" Jason asked as he studied the man who was now getting his breath back.
"Yes that is Lucas." Rachel confirmed.
"How is the match going?" Jason asked.
"I'm winning 15 to 13." Ben said in a proud tone.
"Good job." Jason said as he smiled.
"I might as well go over and say hi to him." Rachel said.
"Yes me too." Jason agreed. A few seconds later, they were all gathered around Lucas who by now was fully recuperated.
"Hey Lucas." Rachel greeted.
"Rachel!" Lucas said, looking happy to see her.
"Long time no see." She replied.
"Yes indeed. It's been almost 16 years since the last time we saw each other. Come let me give you a hug." Lucas said as he hugged her.
"All of this is nice but come on; let's take those hands off of her." Jason said as he laughed.
"Sorry," Rachel said as she and Lucas ended their hug. "Lucas this is my boyfriend Jason. Jason this is Lucas Scott a friend from high school."
"I don't believe my eyes; Rachel Gatina with a boyfriend," Lucas said as he laughed. He reached out and shook Jason's hand as he added. "Nice to meet you Jason."
"The pleasure is all mine," Jason said as they shook hands. He then decided to play dumb. "Wait, is this the same Lucas Scott that was Brooke's boyfriend?"
"The one and only."
"Then I'm happy to know you. I've heard a lot about you!" Jason told him.
"Well I hope they were good things." Lucas replied.
"Yes and no."
"Then I have to assume that he knows about the debacle of that relationship." Lucas said as he laughed.
"He does." Rachel informed him as she too laughed.
"How long have you being dating?" Lucas asked.
"My Aunt and Uncle are going to celebrate their 10th anniversary." Ben announced.
"No kidding?" Lucas asked in surprise.
"No."
"I never thought that I would see the day when Rachel Gatina was in a steady relationship." Lucas remarked.
"Well the day has arrived." Rachel said as she laughed again.
"Are we going to continue with our game Lucas?" Ben asked hopefully.
"No Ben I'm tired." Lucas told him.
"Hey Ben I can play with you." Jason offered.
"Awesome, let's play." Ben said happily.
"We better vacate the court." Rachel told Lucas in a fake worried tone.
"Yes we better," Lucas agreed as he laughed. Minutes later Lucas and Rachel were sitting on the bleachers watching the game. "It's so good to see you Rachel."
"It was good to see you too after all these years." Rachel told him.
"You know I was planning to track you down because I want to talk to you." Lucas said.
"You wanted to talk to me," Rachel asked in surprise. "Why?"
"I wanted to thank you."
"Why?" Rachel asked in a clueless tone.
"Because I asked you something almost 16 years ago," he began. "The first time I saw Brooke after that period of time, she told me and my mom how her life went. She told us that you were always by her side."
"How could I not? She is like a sister." Rachel told him.
"Apart from that, I asked you to take care of Brooke and I know you did so thank you Rachel."
"I promised you that I would."
"I know you did and thank you for sticking with your word." Lucas told her in a sincere tone.
"Stop or you are going to make me cry." Rachel warned him.
"Okay, I'll stop," Lucas replied. He grinned as he added. "And that would be a first."
"What thing would be a first?"
"You crying." Lucas said as he laughed. Rachel slapped his arm in response.
"Don't be mean. I can be a bitch but I'm still a girl." She said as she too laughed.
"I know I know. So now comes the big question. What are you waiting to get married?"
"I will respond to that with what are you waiting to get married?" Rachel said in a shocked tone.
"Hey my relationship didn't get to that point yet." Lucas pointed out.
"I don't mean Lindsey."
"You know about her?" Lucas asked in surprise.
"Yeah Brooke told me at lunch." Rachel replied.
"So who are you referring to?" Lucas asked.
"Brooke of course."
"Rachel, you know that ship sailed a long time ago and I'm finally working on moving on." Lucas explained.
"You should never say never," Rachel said as she laughed. "And while we are on the subject, are you moron or what?"
"What did I do now?"
"Its common courtesy that when you are with an ex-girlfriend, you don't answer the phone when the call is from the current girlfriend," Rachel told him as she hit him on the back of the head. "Ass wipe."
"Hey that hurts." Lucas said as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Maybe that'll be what it takes for you to learn."
"Okay, message understood," Lucas replied. "But Brooke doesn't feel anything for me."
"It doesn't matter, its common courtesy."
"Okay, okay. So since I answered when you asked me, I want to know if I need to kick this guy for not marrying you." Lucas said changing the subject.
"For your information I don't want to get married." Rachel told him.
"Why?"
"Because I don't believe in marriage." Rachel said.
"I don't buy that. I traveled the world and I know that when women say that, they don't mean it." Lucas said.
"Okay, you got me." Rachel said looking like a deer caught in headlights.
"So what is it?"
"I will only get married when I see Brooke settled and happy." Rachel admitted.
"That is a good reason," Lucas replied. "But if you are doing it because of what you promised to me, I free you from that."
"It's not your promise," Rachel told him. "It's a promise I made myself."
"Okay." Lucas replied. With that last sentence, they decided to be silent for the rest of the game and enjoyed what they were watching.
~X~X~X~X~
The doorbell rang at Nathan and Haley's house. Haley found it strange since it was morning and the physiotherapist was already there. She left the kitchen and went to answer the door. She opened the door and saw Brooke stood there.
"Hi Brooke. Good Morning." She greeted.
"Hi Hales and good morning to you too." Brooke replied.
"Don't you have to be in store at this hour?" Haley asked puzzled.
"Yes." Brooke confirmed.
"Then what are you doing here?" Haley asked as she laughed.
"I opened the store and I wanted to have a coffee with my friend. Should we go?"
"I can't." Haley told her in dismay.
"Why?" Brooke asked in a disappointed tone.
"Nathan is with the physiotherapist and there is no one in the house so I can't leave him alone." She explained.
"Oh. I understand. We can leave it for another day then." Brooke replied.
"No. Come on in and we can have it here." Haley told her.
"Okay." Brooke said as she stepped into the house.
Both women directed themselves to the kitchen. Haley went to prepare the coffee and contemplated about telling her that Lucas was in town. Brooke was sat on a stool just looking at a magazine. After the coffee was done, they moved to the table and sat in front of each other.
"Where did you get this coffee? It's exquisite." Brooke told her.
"Thanks. This was one that I asked Karen for. It's what she uses at the café." Haley told her.
"That's why I found a taste that I thought I knew." Brooke remarked.
"But we usually buy our coffee at the supermarket." Haley added.
"Yeah me too."
"I thought that you got used to the New York Coffee." Haley said teasingly.
"I drank it because it was the only thing there," Brooke told her. "But I always missed Karen's and Tree Hill coffee."
"That's good to know." Haley said as she laughed.
"So how is Nathan doing with the physical therapy?"
"He is doing good. You know how the Scott men are when it comes to health and recuperating." Haley replied.
"Yes, it's like someone supercharges them when they have an injury."
"Yes. Good definition." Haley said as she laughed again.
"Thanks." Brooke said as she smiled.
"You know the other day Nathan stood with his crutches all by himself."
"Well that is a very good thing." Brooke remarked.
"Yes it was. But he didn't have the permission from the doctor or the physiotherapist to do that." Haley continued.
"Really?" Brooke asked as her eyes widened in alarm.
"Really. I was so scared." Haley confessed.
"Why? Isn't it what we all want? Him walking again?" Brooke asked with a slight frown.
"Yes, we want that," Haley confirmed. "But I was afraid that he would screw up the operation somehow. I made him sit again in the wheelchair and I hid the crutches."
"I'll bet Nathan wasn't too pleased."
"He wasn't but for once he listened to me."
"Well that is good to know." Brooke said softly.
"He's taking small steps with the crutches, but both the doctor and the physiotherapist said that until he gets more used to them, he shouldn't try to walk much." Haley continued.
"So he can't spend all day walking with the crutches right?"
"Right." Haley confirmed.
"So?"
"So I think I know what you are going to ask now." Haley said as she laughed slightly.
"What am I going to ask?" Brooke asked playing dumb.
"How is Ben?"
"I hate that you know me so well." Brooke said as she laughed.
"He is fine Brooke," Haley assured her. "He's still being so damn stubborn like you and his father about forgiving you though."
"Neither me or his father can't deny that he is our son." Brooke remarked.
"No you can't."
"How is school?"
"School is fine," Haley continued. "He is probably in the top 3 of his class."
"That is so good to hear because when I was expecting him, I so wanted him to be intelligent like Lucas so he didn't have to struggle like I did." Brooke said as she smiled.
"You didn't struggle."
"Haley I did. Rachel had to help to pass my last assignment in High School." Brooke told her.
"You were always intelligent," Haley told her. "But what happened to you is that you spent time on boys and parties instead of studying."
"Yeah probably." Brooke agreed.
"I'm sure that it was that way."
"Is Ben still spending time with Jamie?"
"Oh yes," Haley confirmed. "Now that Ben has joined the ravens they are practically joined at the hips 70% of the time."
"Really?" Brooke asked in surprise.
"Really. Is like watching Lucas and Nathan back in high school." Haley told her as she laughed.
"I'm happy for that."
"Yeah me too. They are cousins after all." Haley pointed out.
"Yes they are."
"Brooke, I have to tell you something." Haley said.
"What?"
"I will just come right out and say it." Haley said.
"Please say it, you are killing me." Brooke replied with a concerned frown.
"Lucas is back in Tree Hill."
"That's it?" Brooke asked as she raised her eyebrows.
"What do you mean that's it?"
"Haley I already knew." Brooke told her.
"How?"
"Because he came to see me." Brooke replied.
"When?"
"The other day."
"Where?"
"To the store." Brooke replied.
"Where you two alone?" Haley asked curious.
"We talked in my office," Brooke replied. She smiled in amusement as she asked. "What is with all the questions Hales?"
"Because it's a monumental thing Lucas being alone with you in a room," Haley told her. "He didn't want to even listen to us talk about you."
"I know, he told me." Brooke confessed.
"He did?" Haley asked in surprise.
"Yes."
"Now you have to tell everything that he said," Haley insisted. "And most importantly, you need to tell me if you told him about Ben. Because he didn't tell me that he saw you."
"Okay, I'll tell you everything." Brooke replied. With that Brooke started telling Haley everything that went down when Lucas came to visit her at the store. She made sure not to leave any detail out. When she finished telling the story, Haley was surprised at how open he was with her and scolded Brooke when chickening out on telling him the truth.
~X~X~X~X~
It was night and they were all sitting around the table at Karen's house having dinner; like a family. Ben and Lucas helped Karen to prepare the meal while Lily spent the whole time talking on the computer via Skype or using her smart phone. That didn't sit well with Lucas but he didn't say anything because he had his butler to do things for him. When it came time to sit, Lily was next to Karen while Ben was next to Lucas.
"Mom, this is amazing." Lucas said as he ate.
"Thanks son." Karen replied with a smile.
"When I come here and eat your food again, reminds me of how much I miss it." He told her.
"Then move back and you can have it everyday." Karen told him as she laughed.
"I won't give you an answer to that." Lucas replied as he too laughed.
"So what did you today?" Karen asked.
"Me?" Lucas asked.
"You too," Karen replied. "But I want to hear from the kids first."
"I see your love but okay I can wait." Lucas said playfully.
"I spent the morning at Tammy's and later we went shopping with her, Kristen and Kirsten." Lily said.
"Ah okay but poor me." Karen replied.
"Why? I didn't buy anything even though I wanted it." Lily assured her.
"Thank god!" Karen said dramatically.
"I have to ask a question Lily." Lucas said.
"What?"
"How do you manage to distinguish Kristen from Kirsten?" he asked playfully.
"Oh shut up Lucas!" she replied as she threw her napkin at him.
"Hey no throwing things in this table!" Karen told her.
"Sorry mom." Lucas replied.
"Mom, Lucas started it!" Lily whined.
"I know that Lucas started but I'm finishing it," Karen told her. "Okay?"
"Okay mom." Lily said as she sighed.
"So Ben how was your day?" Karen asked.
"It was okay." Ben replied.
"What did you do?" Karen asked.
"I spent the morning in the river court with Lucas."
"Really?" Karen asked in surprise.
"Really." Lucas confirmed.
"I saw you two leaving but I didn't know where you were going or if you were going together."
"Yes, we went to the river court together and even played a bit against each other." Ben said as he smiled.
"Mom before you say anything, I only played 15 minutes." Lucas said quickly.
"I wasn't going to say anything; I like the fact that you two are spending time together." Karen told him.
"Who won?" Lily asked curious.
"I did Lily; 15- 13." Ben replied with a chuckle.
"But you can't compare us," Lucas added. "I'm 33 and you're 15. I was winning for a while."
"But you are old so eventually I was going to win," Ben said as he laughed. He playfully added. "Old men always lose. Bottom line you lose, I win. Yay me!"
"Like I said to you earlier, this old man almost beat you." Lucas replied with a chuckle of his own.
"There isn't an almost beat you in Basketball." Ben stated.
"Hey I'm out of shape and you have being training for a month." Lucas pointed out.
"You are looking for excuses because you lost." Ben said in a joking tone.
They kept the playful banter up while they finished eating and had the dessert. Karen was really surprised that they had spent the morning together getting to know each other; bonding. She was really enjoying the healthy banter that father and son were having. Most of all Karen was enjoying the fact that her son, her grandson and her daughter were sitting at the table having a family meal once again. When the dinner was over, Lily had the task of washing the dishes, Ben dried them and Lucas put them away. Karen went to sit in the living room and read some of Lucas new book. After they finished that, they were all sitting in the couch and Lucas stood up to leave.
"Hey Luke." Ben said stopping him in his tracks.
"Yes Ben?" Lucas asked in reply.
"Would you like to stay here and play with on playstation with me?" Ben asked hopefully.
"Are you really inviting me?" Lucas asked sounding surprised once again.
"Yes," Ben replied. He then added. "Tomorrow is Sunday. Do you have any place to go?"
"Nowhere except here."
"Then come on and stay." Ben pleaded.
"Okay. What are we playing?" Lucas asked as he sat back down. "But I must confess it has been awhile since the last time I played this too."
"Okay. How about we play some NBA?" Ben asked as he laughed.
"I'm in."
"Awesome."
"Against each other or in the same team?" Lucas asked as Ben handed him a controller.
"Same team." Ben insisted.
"Okay then." Lucas replied as Ben switched the console on.
~X~X~X~X~
Brooke's house was in total darkness. The clock that was in Rachel and Jason's room marked 12:30 when Jason was suddenly woken up. Rachel had turned over and had accidentally hit him in the stomach. He decided to get up and go to the kitchen to get some water. When he walked through down the unlit hallway towards the kitchen, he couldn't help but stop for a minute at the doorway to Ben's empty room and shake his head. Finally he got to his destination and rubbed his eyes as the light coming through the window hit him. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Brooke standing there, quietly crying. The picture of Brooke alone in a darkened kitchen crying, was too much for him.
"Brooke what's wrong?" he asked as he made his way further into the kitchen.
"Nothing is wrong." Brooke replied as she wiped at her tears.
"Come on Brooke, you can't fool me." Jason told her.
"I'm fine really." She insisted.
"A person who really is fine wouldn't be crying in a darkened kitchen at half past midnight," Jason pointed out. "Why are you crying?"
"I'm just sad."
"Why are you sad?" Jason asked as he walked over to her and hugged her. "Is it Ben again?"
"Ben is just a part of my sadness. But right now that is not the reason." She told him.
"So what is it?" Jason asked.
"I don't want to talk about it." Brooke replied.
"You need to talk about it. It will help you." Jason said softly.
"I don't feel like it." Brooke insisted.
"It's Lucas isn't it?"
"Yes." Brooke admitted as she looked into Jason's eyes. Her eyes filled with tears again as she did.
"What about him? I me him and he seems a pretty cool guy." Jason told her.
"Didn't Rachel tell you?" Brooke asked. She then added. "And he is."
"No, what?"
"He has a girlfriend." Brooke said in a broken tone. She then buried her head in against Jason's chest and sobbed. Jason rubbed her back soothingly.
"Um I see. You're sad that he has a girlfriend but you are not ready yet to admit publicly or to yourself that you still love him right?" he asked in a soft tone. Brooke responded by nodding. "Don't worry Brooke, it will all be okay. I have the feeling that everything will work out for the two of you."
He continued comforting her a little more in the solitude of the kitchen before he could convince her to go back to bed.