LUCAS' POV

I woke up to an empty bed in California. I looked around and sunlight was pouring in through the sheer curtains. I rubbed my eyes and blinked to try to adjust my vision. Once my head had had a moment to start up, I looked around again. There was no sign of Brooke but there was something else out there… a tray laden with food and a letter.

It had some of my favourites, Avocado Toast, a bowl of berries and coffee just how I liked it. I inhaled the scent and picked up the letter. I smelt it and Brooke had definitely sprayed some of her perfume on it, her signature scent. I felt some emotions bubble in me. This was exciting.

'Dear Lucas,

Yesterday you asked me to prove to you that I was in and I wasn't going to go anywhere. You asked me to fight for you and let me just tell you that you are so worth fighting for and I am going to prove it to you every way that I can.

I have been yours for a long time, I am yours today, at this very moment and I will continue to be yours forever.

I sat thinking last night on how I could prove it to you. It seemed so daunting in the beginning. I began to think about all the good times that we have had, all my best memories with you and it was always the little things. A casual Sunday lounging on the couch with you, the way your hand always rests on my knee when you drive, the way your eyes change colour based on what your thinking, the way you brood when you're deep in thought, the fact that you are absolutely incredible with our kids, the way you love me no matter what.

So, I'm not going to make a big gesture but sprinkle little gestures for you everyday because you deserve to be celebrated everyday.

I hope you like breakfast in bed. I made you your favourites and also drew a bath for you where you may or may not find a little surprise waiting for you.'

I took a piece of toast in my hand and walked to the bathroom. Brooke was waiting there for me by the bathtub in a black negligee smiling. She looked gorgeous. Her feet were dangling down and they felt like they went on forever in that short negligee. She had lit some scented candles and the bath was filled with bubbles.

"Welcome to Brooke's spa! We hope you enjoy your stay," she said pointing towards the tub.

I quickly stripped down and entered the tub with a huge grin plastered on my face. The water was warm and the bubbles felt great. Brooke smiled at me, letting me enjoy my bath before taking some foam in her hands and blowing it towards my face. She erupted into giggles when my face scrunched up.

"Woops!" she said coyly, trying to act innocent.

It was strange, only yesterday I was so unsure about us. This whole time, she had been so closed off. Now here she was, proving that she wanted this relationship as much as I wanted it and she was willing to fight for us and if I was being honest, I was enjoying every minute of it. I wondered what else she had in store.

Our wedding date was still two months and we had to begin planning if we wanted to make the date and give Brooke the wedding of her dreams, yet I did not want to get sucked into wedding talks so I kept the topic at bay. We needed to focus on the kids first. Jamie and Sophia would always be our number one priority.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked me, noticing that I was deep in thought.

"Nothing, just thinking about our family and how blessed I am," I answered and leaned ahead towards her. Using my finger, I beckoned her towards my lips. Brooke gave me a shy smile before tucking her hair behind her ears. Then she leaned in to give me a deep and passionate kiss. She held my jaw and kissed me sweetly. Suddenly, I lifted her off the railing of the tub and pulled her into my lap. Brooke squealed as she found herself in my lap in the foamy waters. Yet, she never let go of my lips. She got comfortable and laid on top of me, lifting her feet up like a Princess as we continued to make out.

Once our skins had pruned, we washed off and got dressed for the day. My breakfast had turned cold but I didn't mind.

"Let me reheat the coffee for you," she offered and scurried downstairs with the tray in her hands.

I sighed, I did not need that but before I could protest, she was already halfway to the kitchen. I walked down slowly, and heard Brooke and Peyton talking to each other, so I stopped to eavesdrop.

"Hey, what are you up to?" Peyton asked my Fiance.

"Nothing, just reheating the breakfast I made for Lucas," she replied, her cheeks turning rosy pink as she blushed.

"How romantic! With Anna, all Jake and I get for breakfast is stale cereal," she answered with an eye roll.

"Honey, I'm here for that. I'll make you all some breakfast. Coffee is already brewed. Let me fix a cup for you and Luke," she said, moving towards the kitchen cabinet.

"What's with the sudden pampering? Not that it's bad, but what went down with the two of you? Isn't he usually the one who is up at the crack of dawn?" Peyton asked as Brooke poured fresh coffee in the new mug.

"Yeah," she laughed. "But, it's simply my turn to show just how much in love I am with him. He always fought for us and I always ran to the nearest exit. That could not have been easy. He was still kind enough to take me back every single time. I just want him to, I don't know, know that he has me for good. That I'm done running and ready to begin fighting. I don't know if breakfast and a bubble bath does it but I don't know any better," she sighed.

"Did you use Anna's bubbles?" Peyton laughed.

"Yeah, I did! Why did you not have any in your bathroom!" she laughed.

"Uhh, because Jake and I don't have sex in the bathtub with bubbles around," Peyton laughed.

"Wait, who said anything about sex?" Brooke asked.

"Well, I just assumed that the two of you must've," Peyton said, her head bobbing to indicate what she meant.

"No, uhh, Lucas and I haven't since we lost the baby. I don't think that either of us are ready for that. It just feels a little scary," she admitted. Her hand casually grazed her stomach as she said that. "I actually don't know how Lucas feels about that. He hasn't brought it up or tried anything so I guess he doesn't want to either. Where is he though, I thought he was right behind me. Wait, should we be… does he want…"

"Brooke, relax. Take it at your pace. He doesn't need that. He wants you to prove that you intend to commit, that's it. Don't get worried. Take it at your pace," she tried to calm my girlfriend down.

I decided to make my presence known at that time and walked casually into the kitchen. "Morning Luke," Peyton greeted as she sipped her coffee.

"Morning!" I greeted back as Brooke handed me a fresh cup of joe. "Where's everyone else?"

"Oh, I put Anna down just a few minutes before Brooke came down. Jake is getting ready to head to work and Lizzie is most definitely still sleeping. The joy of being on break!" Peyton rolled her eyes. "Guys, I might have to run to the studio today though. Do you think you could take care of Anna for me?"

"Of course, P! You never have to ask us," Brooke answered for the two of us as she placed two plates in front of us with fresh avocado toasts.

"Thanks, B. Davis!" Peyton said through a mouth full of food.

"Do you need us to run any errands? Get groceries? I'll cook dinner," Brooke offered.

"Are you going crazy without work, honey?" Peyton asked her sympathetically.

"What, no!" she attempted to lie but failed miserably. The three of us burst out laughing. "Yeah, okay! Maybe a little!"

"Oh, hi Jake!" I greeted when he emerged into the kitchen in a shirt and slacks.

"Hey man," he answered and sat at the table. "Oh wow! Real food!"

Brooke began giggling as she placed a plate and mug of coffee in front of him. "B, can you move in forever? Or at least until Anna turns eighteen?"

"Hey, Brooke is a worse cook than me! Toast doesn't require any effort although Brooke used to manage to burn them all the time when we were young," Peyton quipped.

"No, if she takes care of the house and the kid, I get you all to myself!" he smiled, making all of us gush.

"Nice save, Pretty boy!" Brooke laughed.

Anna began fussing suddenly and Peyton began to get up but Brooke asked her to sit again and walked into the Nursery to tend to her.

"She would've been so great with a baby of her own," the words left my mouth before I even had a moment to realise what I was saying. Peyton and Jake looked at me, a little horror-stricken by what I had said. Uhh, I did not know what to do.

"Yeah, it baffles me just how maternal and loving and caring Brooke is with kids. All kids! I love kids, but like my kids or kids of my close friends like yours and Haley's. I can't see myself gushing over somebody's baby at work or something. Yet, I know that Brooke will," Peyton remarked.

"It's true. She has hundreds of employees and she maintains a database of the names, ages and interests of all their kids. On the birthday of their children, she handpicks presents based on their interests. I've seen her give away designer clothes to them for their children in bulk. She knows each employee's child's name and you should see the way her driver gushes about how she is with his kids. They adore Brooke," Lucas revealed. "She said that she started it because it pained her to be away from Jamie and Sophia but I know she adores children and their innocence because she didn't have the luxury to have that growing up."

"You've been really good for her, Lucas," Peyton said to me with a smile. "You really give her life some direction and purpose, however wayward and warped it was at the time."

"She saved me way more. I wouldn't even make it through High School alive if it wasn't for her. She just really needs to stop running and start fighting instead of giving up at the first sign of trouble," I said with a sigh.

"She told me about proving it to you with breakfast in bed," Peyton said, conveniently omitting the bubble bath that she also knew about. "How long are you going to grill her?"

"Until I know for sure," I answered, pursing my lips. "I might sound like a jerk right now, but I want to push her away some, just so see if she'll run towards me."

Peyton sat there thinking for a moment and then nodded her head, "I get it."

Brooke walked back to the kitchen at the time.

"Is Anna okay?" Peyton asked.

"Yeah. All she wanted was a little attention," Brooke said with a grin. "She's extremely attention stealing. You sure she's not mine, P. Sawyer?" Brooke's own face changed when she heard herself. She found it hard to breathe but it was only for one inhalation. She quickly caught her bearings and composed herself. "Beware, you're headed to have a little Brooke Diva on your hands!"

"I can handle a Brooke. I have been since we were babies!" Peyton laughed.

"No, I don't want a Brooke. Every boy wanted Brooke! Oh Boy!" Jake said with a serious expression that looked comical. "Can we send her to a convent school?"

Peyton began laughing. "Jake, you have an older daughter in college. You've done it once."

"Please don't remind me about Jenny in college. What time will it be out there? I should call her," he said, grabbing his phone.

"Just go to work!" Peyton laughed. Jake rolled his eyes and headed for the door. Once we heard it close, Peyton looked at us again. "For the record, I too am considering sending her to a convent school!"

"Oh Peyton, it's just about raising them well. If they feel loved at home, chances are less that they will go looking for love outside. As far as I know, Sophia said she wasn't ready," I said to her.

Peyton looked surprised for a moment as she quickly looked at Brooke who was giving her a weird smile. Huh? "Yeah, you're totally right. So, are you guys going to stick around the house today?"

I looked towards Brooke. "I don't know we'll let Sophia decide, I think," she answered.

It was around 11 am when Sophia got out of bed. Brooke and I were keeping busy by busting chores. I made us lunch while Brooke tended to Anna. She was so good with that sweet girl. Despite Anna not being hers, Brooke could differentiate her hungry cry from her 'I-wet-my-diaper' cry.

"Morning, Sophia," I greeted the groggy teenager. She slumped on the couch and greeted me back. She had her phone in her hand and was already scrolling through Social Media. I rolled my eyes but let it slide. She was on break, after all.

"So baby, what do you want to do today? We have Anna with us as your Aunt Peyton had to go to the studio but your mom and I can do whatever you want,' I offered.

"Can we go to the Santa Monica Pier?" she asked, then shook her head no. "Actually, we should wait for Jamie. While you guys were gone, everyone suggested taking me to Universal Studios and things, but I said no, thinking that it would be more fun to go as a family. Let's have a beach day at Newport Beach."

"Honey, we can go to Santa Monica twice if you want, or anywhere. We're both happy that we are getting to spend some solo time with you. We aren't sure how your brother is going to feel once he is back. It might even be an all hands on deck situation, which means that your mom and I will need you to help us too. But this time, right now, is for you. So what does the Princess want to do?"

"Everything! I've been to Hollywood a bunch with Julian and Aunt P and grandma took me to Griffith Park, but I'd love to go to Universal Studios and the Santa Monica Pier. I'd also be game to do those cheesy celebrity home tours," she confessed.

"Your mom has probably been in quite a few of those homes. She could take you to meet them personally," I suggested.

"Yeah, but she is always being a nazi about respecting their privacy!" Sophia complained and leaned into the pillows on the couch as she said that.

"Well, your mom knows what it's like to get stalked and followed. She's on billboards and magazine covers and being in LA is hard as paparazzi are always stalking her, so you can't blame her for wanting some respite for her clients. You didn't hear it from me, but if you get her some chocolate cake and ask her while she is devouring it, chances are slim to none that she will say no," I let my daughter in on a secret.

"How many things have you talked her into with cake?" she asked, her eyes sparkling bright.

"Hmm, I don't know, maybe fifteen… hundred," I answered coyly.

"This stays between us, though! Pinky swear on it," I said, bringing my pinky out for her to link hers with mine.

"Pinky promise," she replied, clutching my littlest finger with hers. "Wanna walk with me to the bakery that Julian raves about?"

"Yeah, while we're at it, I also want to rent a car for us while we are here. It'll make things easier for us. Go get dressed, I'll let your mom know about our plans to rent a car. You can surprise her with the cake," I instructed.

"Dad, you're really the best," she smiled and squeezed me tightly in a hug.

I smiled, loving my littlest wrapped around my waist. I rubbed her back soothingly. "I love you right back."

"Hey B," I greeted, poking my head into the nursery. Brooke was standing by Anna's crib, looking a little solemn. "Are you alright?"

She got startled and I saw her wipe her face before turning towards me. "Yeah, I'm fine. What's up?"

"Princess finally woke up. She wants us to do all the touristy things with her. She suggested we wait till Jamie comes home, but I figured that we don't know how he is going to feel. Besides, he may need more attention once he is back. So how about we just make this time all about her? I figured we should rent a car while we are here, so I planned on going and getting one for us. Sophia wanted to tag along."

"Oh, okay. That seems like a great idea," she smiled.

"You're doing great Brooke. Just hang in there, okay?" I advised.

She nodded her head and went back to watching Anna's crib. I sighed and left the room. Brooke had to make the choice to move on herself.


Our plan worked perfectly. Sophia catfished Brooke who promised that she would take her to meet a celebrity friend of hers if they were cool with it. I got us a fun convertible ride, perfect for LA weather and Sophia began to make plans.

Since half the day was over, we visited the Natural History Museum of LA that day. Brooke okayed it with Peyton to take Anna and we drove off. Sophia was happy as we played some music. Even Brooke was smiling with the wind in her face.

We got there and Sophia and I began geeking about facts that we had read and learnt. Brooke followed us and she seemed to have a good time watching the two of us in our element.

"Care to explain what you two are talking about? Some of us didn't pay attention in History class," she rolled her eyes. I smiled and put my arm around her waist to nudge her closer to the exhibit to explain what we were talking about.

However, we totally got schooled once we went to the Gem and Mineral hall. Brooke was an expert on precious gems. She could name them even in their crude form without peeping and Sophia covered the names on the glass display to quiz her.

"How do you know all this, mom?" she asked, clearly impressed.

"COB is entering the fine jewellery market. I took a course," she said like it was nothing. "Although I'm looking more into diamond jewellery with gold and rings and fine jewellery for weddings and occasions. Yet, birthstones are always in and jewellery to match your outfits is all the rage in celebrities. I have ideas which I need to sketch and send to my consultants."

"That is sick, maa!" Sophia was impressed. "Can I pick one piece for myself?"

"Of course," she smiled.

"Maybe we can get me one which will match my bridesmaid dress," she suggested.

"Oh, work on my end is on hold right now. It might be difficult but I can try to make your bespoke piece as a sample. Hmm, that isn't a bad idea. I could design the jewellery myself to go with the bridesmaid dresses," she said and went into the designer land in her brain.

Brooke got snapped out of her reverie when an elderly couple walked by us. "Oh my gosh, your baby is so cute. Just look at how big and bright her curious eyes are looking around the exhibit. I'm sorry to have bothered, but I love your daughter's dress. My daughter just gave birth to a girl two months ago. Can you tell us where her outfit is from?"

Brooke smiled, not knowing what to say. "It's from Baby Brooke, the Clothes over Bro's line," she answered.

"Jim, isn't that the same Company that Taylor is always telling us about?" she asked her husband who nodded his head but looked like he wasn't completely sure about it.

"Do you know if there is a store nearby?" she asked Brooke "Maybe we can get something for Layla from there," she directed to her husband.

"Yeah, there are a couple of stores in LA. The biggest one is on Rodeo Drive. You can find things for your daughter and granddaughter there, maybe even something for yourself. Then there's a store on Melrose Avenue, Abbot Kinney, The Grove and the Beverly Centre," she narrated.

"Wow, you really must be a fan of the brand, considering you know every store location," she remarked. Brooke just blushed but didn't say anything. The lady would realise walking into the store who Brooke was when she would come face to face with Brooke modelling some outfits or cosmetics and things.

"Thank you so much. You really have a beautiful daughter," she said before walking away.

Brooke looked at the baby that was not her daughter. Sophia was the first to try to break Brooke's doom spiral. "I'm hungry! Mom, can we please go get something to eat?" she asked.

Brooke looked up towards Sophia. Her eyes didn't shine the way they had when she was impressing us with her gem knowledge. "Yeah, let's go grab a bite," she agreed and handed me Anna's stroller to push. I took it from her while she curled her fingers with Sophia's, leaned her head on our daughter's shoulders and walked out. They looked like siblings instead of mother and daughter. I watched them walk, they really looked so similar, except for Sophia's blue eyes. Sophia was almost Brooke's height too. She obviously looked younger than Brooke, but not that much as Brooke didn't seem to age.

It was funny because when Sophia and Jamie were toddlers, we were teenagers. So we easily passed as their elder siblings. They would often tell us that our siblings looked adorable if it was one of us with the babies. Now, the baby looked like it would be ours but it wasn't ours.

Someday.

I found my girls in the Museum cafeteria purchasing Sandwiches and colas that we decided to eat in the garden outside the museum. Anna was being such a sport. She hadn't cried once since we had left. That had to be some kind of record.

It surprised me how much I remembered about taking care of babies. I hadn't done it since so long, but with Anna, it all seemed to have come back to me. Man, I couldn't wait to do it again with Brooke. Maybe I would broach the subject after our marriage. Or maybe after a year. We both had been ready when Brooke got pregnant the second time. It would have been a dream come true for both of us.

Brooke really was making an effort though. She was avoiding even looking at Anna, but she was completely concentrated on Sophia who was narrating her experience visiting Griffith Park. Brooke was looking at her lovingly while she talked about it, nibbling on her cheese and tomato sandwich.

Suddenly Anna began to fuss and before I could even register it, Brooke had swooped in and picked the baby in her arms. She held her close to her chest and soothed her back. "I guess she is hungry too," she said. "Luke, grab me a bottle from her bag, please."

I did as she told and handed her the bottle. She placed it close to Anna's mouth who instantly began sucking and her crying diminished.

"How can you tell what she needs?" Sophia asked.

"I don't know, a mother just can. It's instinct. I could always understand what you and Jamie were crying about after a month or two of you guys being born. All kids are the same when it comes to this I guess. Haley's children were too and she could differentiate their cries as well," she explained.

"That'll be a fun thing to learn. I'll be like a baby whisperer," Sophia joked.

"Hey, not for a long long long longgg time," Brooke warned immediately, staring down at our girl who actually fidgeted under her mother's stern gaze.

"Of course," she whispered back and concentrated on the coke she was sipping on.

We finished the tour and drove back to Peyton's. Victoria was there at the house with her father. It was strange seeing Ted out there. I had only met him once, when they came to sell Brooke's place in Tree Hill and caught us living together and kicked me out.

"Mom, Dad, what are you doing here?" she asked.

"Peyton invited us to dinner," Victoria replied with a smile.

Brooke glared at Peyton who gave Brooke a fake smile. "Victoria used to come here to eat dinner every alternate day since Sophia was here. We had offered since she was staying in LA to be around Lizzie. I didn't know she was bringing a guest tonight, but you're more than welcome to stay, Ted. Umm, Julian is coming too."

Brooke rolled her eyes while I took in Brooke's father's appearance. He was dressed in a formal navy blue shirt and grey slacks although it was just a casual dinner. Victoria was in a navy blue formal dress as well. The Davis' really didn't know the meaning of casual. I moved my head to look at Brooke. She was in a white sundress with red ballet flats. Yep, casual.

We all stood there in awkward silence for a moment, not knowing what to say. "So Grandma, we're planning to act touristy and go sightseeing. Universal, Santa Monica Pier, Newport Beach and things. Would you and Grandpa be interested in coming?" Sophia asked, breaking the awkward tension that had seeped in.

"Uhh, sure honey. I do need to work though. Now that your mother is back and looking well, I figured I could go to our LA office and work for a bit," she informed. I saw Brooke look up at that. Work had been so shaky for both of us lately.

"Is the Company doing okay?" Brooke asked hesitantly.

"Yes, things are fine. The SI collaboration is still the talk of the town and you look beautiful on the cover. The sales are through the roof and celebrities have been posting images of them in our new line as they vacation in the Maldives," Victoria answered with a smile.

"That's good, I guess," Brooke answered, yet she had a confusing expression on her face.

The room got eerily silent again until Anna woke up and began crying. Peyton picked her up and took her to the nursery to change her diaper and Jake and Julian entered the house together, back from work. We sat for dinner together and it wasn't all that bad. Sophia mostly gabbed about the museum to Jake who was interested in what she had to say. Peyton shared how happy she was going to the studio after so long since she had spent a major part of her pregnancy in Tree Hill and since Anna's birth, things had been hectic. She told us about the new artist she was testing with and considering signing. Julian was reading scripts again to pick his next project. Brooke was silent through it all.

Once dinner was over, we all hung out with glasses of wine in the backyard while Sophia retreated to Jenny's room to facetime with Zack. Eventually, it got late and the guests left. Brooke and I sent Peyton and Jake to bed and began to tidy up the kitchen. Then we got ready for bed and cuddled with each other.

Brooke moulded into my frame like a tiny foetus, her one leg was propped over mine. Her head was resting under my arm and I used that arm to rub her back. She smiled, feeling good. I closed my eyes and waited to hear her breath even out to indicate that she had, in fact, fallen asleep, but I never felt it even after half an hour had passed. I opened my eyes and saw her staring at the ceiling, deep in thought.

"What are you thinking about, Pretty Girl?" I asked her.

She looked at me, surprised to find me awake. "Should we be getting back to work? I just dropped projects and you were on your book tour. I'm here, dodging checking my stock prices and I'm quite certain that you're dodging checking the bestseller lists. You're with a new publishing house and we aren't exactly acting professional."

"Do you want to get back to work?" I asked her instead, needing to know what she felt instead of what we were supposed to be doing.

"It's complicated. I do want to work, obviously, but what I really need to do right now is wedding planning. But are we on, are we off? I know you hate planning that stuff. Should we delay? Should we not? If not, we have less than two months! You told me to prove it to you till then, what if I don't prove it to you? Do we plan a wedding and then cancel? It's ooof," she confessed. "Also, where is your head at? Do you want to finish your book tour?"

"First of all, you mean what you said, right? About being in this with me, together forever?" he asked me.

"Of course!" she quickly replied, bobbing her head furiously.

"Then how can the question even arise of you not proving it?" I asked her.

A wide grin spread across her face as her cheeks flushed pink. "I never thought about it that way."

"I think you have a lot to plan, Brooke Davis," I said, making her smile again.

"You'll help?" she asked with a puppy dog face.

"You understand design much better than I ever can," I whined.

"Yes, but it's not fun without you. I love watching the way your brow knits up when I ask you to pick between two shades close in colour!" she laughed.

"Who knew Brooke Davis was a sadist!" I mocked her.

"Oh, you always knew, I just lured you with my killer charms," she continued to banter. "But what about the tour? Do you want to return to finish it?"

"No, not right now. Right now, I just want to spend the summer with my family. We can reevaluate after our honeymoon," I replied.

"Hmm, I like that," she said, leaning closer to me. "Umm, Luke, there was another thing on my mind as well."

"Tell me," I answered, looking at her face. Her eyes tried to look everywhere but at me.

"We umm, you know, haven't umm, slept together since it happened and is it because of the whole proving thing? Or are you repulsed or are you scared?" she rambled, not making a lot of sense but as I had overheard her conversation with Peyton, I knew where she was coming from.

"Brooke, we're both not ready for that and you know it. Don't read into it. We're both healing. We can take things slowly when we're ready. We have forever together. We'll know when the time is right for us. Relax," I said and kissed her lips to know that I meant what I was saying.

The kiss shushed her and she smiled at me, grateful that she did not have to worry about it. With that, I began to fondle her hair the way she liked and soon enough, I heard her deep, even breathing indicating that she had fallen asleep.

The next morning I woke up to another tray and letter. Today's breakfast included blueberry pancakes. I grabbed the letter and smelt it again. Yep, same signature scent. Unfolding it, my eyes quickly scanned the contents.

'Dear Lucas,

Thank you for last night. You are the eye of my mental storm. I am so grateful to God everyday that I have you as my safe haven and harbour.

As I thank you, I have something planned for you. Today at 6 pm, be ready in your blue shirt. The one that matches your eyes when you are happiest. The one I designed just for you.

I love you so much!'

I smiled and took a bite of my pancakes, wondering where Brooke was. Taking my coffee mug in my hand, I walked down to see Peyton and Jake eating pancakes together.

"Hey guys, where's Brooke?" I asked.

"We thought she was upstairs with you," Jake replied before eating another forkful of pancakes.

I nodded and went back up to check the bathroom. She wasn't there. I had seen Anna on her playmat close to Peyton and Jake so she wouldn't be in her nursery either. That left Jenny's room.

She was standing inside, watching our girl.

"Hey," I said, snaking my arms around her waist. "What are you doing?"

She smiled and leaned into my embrace. "They grow up so fast. In a blink of an eye, they will leave for college and then live their own lives. We are so close to being empty nesters. I miss her tween energy, I miss all of it. She was so sparkly."

"She still is," I reminded her.

"Yeah, but now her light is for the world. It used to be just for us," she sighed. "Somedays, I don't like that she is all grown up. I wish she were little forever, our innocent baby."

"We still have two years with her and then we'll ground her till she is thirty," I suggested, making her laugh. "By the way, what are we doing at 6?"

"It's a surprise! Just be ready," she whispered excitedly.

We took Sophia out for lunch that afternoon and coddled her with attention, hugs and ice cream. She smiled and teased us about the attention but she was enjoying every minute of it. At 6 pm, I was ready in the blue shirt as Brooke had requested. She entered the room in a pale blue sundress that hugged her curves perfectly. I heard my breath hitch when I saw her.

"Ready to go?" she asked.

I nodded my head and followed her to our rented car. She got behind the wheel and I slid in the passenger seat beside her. She played some music and we drove in comfortable silence.

"It's not much, what I have planned," she said to me sometime during our drive.

"Hey, I'm going to love everything you have planned," I assured her, knowing that she could never let me down as long as she didn't give up on us.

She parked the car in the parking lot of Griffith Park. I smiled as we both got off. She walked to the back and brought out a picnic basket and a blanket. She had planned a picnic for us!

I took her hand in mine, curling our fingers together and walking into the park. She chose a shady spot under a tree and placed the blanket down, and sat down on it. I followed and sat right beside her.

"I love it Brooke, thank you," I said.

"Are you hungry?" she asked as she opened the basket filled with food.

"Yeah," I said. She brought out some cookies and sandwiches and unwrapped one. She held it close to my mouth and fed me a bite.

We spoke about everything while we fed each other. We spoke about Jamie and how it was a double edged sword that we were excited to go see him and so scared at the same time as we had no idea about the progress he was making. We joked about how amazing it was living with friends and that we should consider living in a commune. I told her about how Haley and Nathan had been checking up on us and that my mom too was worried. We discussed what we were certain about regarding the wedding so we could narrow down on what else needed to be done. Besides the date and venue, everything was left. I asked Brooke if she would tailor my tux and she blushed.

We lay down on the blanket and linked our arms, staring at the sky and the clouds, feeling at peace in each other's company. We never ran out of things to say and when we were silent, it was comfortable. We didn't need words sometimes. We knew. I kissed her, feeling nothing but love and gratitude to have got her back and growing stronger with time. She smiled into the kiss and let her tongue into my mouth. He pulled her closer to me by the waist and we made out. When dusk turned to night, Brooke guided us to the observatory to enjoy the countless stars in the night sky. We sat there, my arm around her keeping her close to my body, our heads leaning into each other, slightly touching. I loved every minute of our date.

That is until it made the tabloids… Fashion Designer and Model Brooke Davis spotted on a date with her Fiance, Lucas Scott in Griffith Park. See below for pictures of them making out in the park. That followed an article speculating when wedding bells would be ringing.

"Wow, they added Model to the title. That's new," Brooke said, laughing at the article.

"Brooke, this has pictures of us when your tongue is in my mouth! I don't want our kids to see that," I said, feeling a little embarrassed. "Or my mom."

"Luke, this is LA. You're bound to be followed. I already have an email from Vogue Weddings saying that they want exclusive first rights to feature the images from our wedding with the article we write. The money they're paying us for it could sponsor half our wedding," I joked.

"Wow, I never get this stuff," I remarked.

"Don't worry. It's not a scandalous tabloid of me kissing a stranger. I'm kissing you. The kids and your mom have seen us kiss. Relax," she said. "Anyway, my mother thinks it's great because it doesn't make me look like a recluse with something to hide. It just shows that I'm having some quality time with my family. Hence we let it run."

"Your brain baffles me, Brooke Davis," I said to her, leaning close to tease her and peck her lips.

"Oh is it? And here I thought that you were only interested in my body," she giggled before bringing her lips closer to mine and kissing me again.

"Okay, let's get to wedding planning now because this evening is Santa Monica with Soph and then tomorrow we are spending the entire day at Universal!" she said before going to grab her ipad and show me what she had been planning.