Chapter 131: Beaulieu Manor

Saturday, January 7th, Morning

It was a good morning, that's what Brooke thought as she walked into the family dining room. She liked many of the traditions she saw in Downton Abbey but one, she didn't take breakfast in bed, she was entitled to but didn't. Instead, she liked to eat breakfast with her crazy family. That was also only when they wanted to.

This morning it was nice and quiet for her. The Grandchildren were up early and out with their granddad. Izzy was up and out for some function. Keni and Sawyer were out late at an after-game party, so a lay-in was happening there.

So, Brooke took advantage of her free time. She had a bit of a lay-in herself. Once she got up, she took a luxurious shower. Getting dressed in nice, stylish casual clothes, she went to the family dining room for a late breakfast. Brooke laughed hell, she's rich, call it something fancy, like brunch. Calling it down, it also allowed for any sleepy heads to still be fed.

Looking over the warming trays, Brooke smiled, the chef knew what she liked and delivered. Making up her plate, she took her seat at the head of the table. Why not, Brooke mused this is her Queendom and she is the queen after all.

Poking her fork at her food, she looked up and saw Izzy stepped into the room. Brooke admired her second daughter, she went far in life, going from the loss of her infant son to a rising power in Washington, DC. That was something she never expected from Izzy. Chase, maybe, she was always out there in the world one, but not Izzy. Izzy, she had pegged as a teacher or some form of intellect, but not a politician.

Brooke expected a teenager or one of the staff, but it was Izzy. Looking over her daughter, and she approved of how Izzy was dressed. Izzy was good at dressing stylishly. The suit she wore spoke of power, but stylishly, and in place of a blouse she wore a turtleneck. Brooke noted that Izzy didn't like to wear the ugly politician suits, as Brooke liked to call them.

"Are you back early, or did I get up later than I thought?" Brooke asked.

"Depends, when did you expect me back?" Izzy asked.

"A little into the afternoon," Brooke said.

"What time did you want to get up?" Izzy asked.

"Around ten," Brooke said.

Izzy laughed, "Than I'm early," she said.

Brooke smiled, "I've always known I'm always on time," she said.

Izzy chuckled, "Where's Uncle Lucas and the kids?" she asked.

"It's cute how you still call him that," Izzy said, "I don't seem right to call him dad."

"He's your father-in-law," Brooke said.

Izzy shrugged, "Sure, I guess," she said.

"So, anyway how was this function?" Brooke asked.

"Boring the crowd was inattentive and the food sucked," Izzy said, "But the food sucking is par for the course."

"Want some brunch with your Mom? I hear she's a bit old and not an exciting company, for a Congresswoman, but she could offer you a virgin mimosa," Brooke said.

Izzy laughed, "Beaulieu cooking is better than many places I've eaten before," she said.

"It better be, I have spent a lot of money on that three Michelin Star Chef," Brooke said.

Izzy shook her head and walked over to the buffet. Looking over what was laid out she picked what she wanted. After that, she poured herself a glass of "virgin mimosa" and joined Brooke at the table.

"Mom, have you ever thought of downsizing? We're all mostly out of the house, and you could easily build yourself a small cottage on the property and turn most of Beaulieu over to the business," Izzy said.

"I like it here, and the halls aren't as empty as you think," Brooke said.

"Well Keni will be college-bound soon, and when Keith gets back, we'll be back at Leighton," Izzy said.

"I understand, but have you ever seen the grandkids' eyes when they see Beaulieu? They love playing at Nana's Castle," Brooke said.

"It's just a conversation we need to have," Izzy said.

"Believe me, Chase has asked if I wanted to move out to Tree Hill Hall," Brooke said, "But I like it here, and I'm not ready for a dower house."

Izzy nodded and started to eat her second, and better breakfast. There was noise in the gallery just outside the family dining room. Both Izzy and Brooke turned to see Keni walked through the door.

Izzy noticed Brooke rolled her eyes at the sight of her youngest. Turning to her baby sister, Izzy studied Keni. The fifteen-year-old wore a sweatshirt that was several sizes too big for her short frame. Izzy noted that Keni's hands weren't even visible. Keni wore shin-length mismatched socks of strange colors. Topping it all off as the teenager stretched, yawned, and rubbed her eyes with the sweat shirt's sleeve, and then her nose. Nothing was in an organized place or went in the same direction, not even the bird's nest of brownish-brunette hair.

"Wow, did you just roll-in or roll-out of bed?" Izzy asked.

"I…" Keni's statement was broken by another yawn, "sorry, I got in late last night," she said.

"Keni, why don't you dress for breakfast?" Brooke asked.

"What? I'm wearing clothes," Keni said, and looked to the buffet, "Is that a pitcher of virgin mimosa?"

Brooke shook her head, "Go eat," she said.

"Okay Mom," Keni said and headed to the buffet.

Izzy turned to Brooke, "You know she's doing it for attention," she said.

"I've raised kids before, I know this," Brooke said, "It doesn't mean it still doesn't bother me."

"Well if she doesn't get pregnant in high school, she one-ups me," Izzy said.

"I can handle that," Brooke said, "What worries me, is if she brings a girlfriend home."

"Why that Mom?" Izzy asked.

"I'm just not sure how to handle it, maybe it's just me being a bit old fashioned," Brooke said.

Izzy laughed, "Brooke Davis being old fashioned, imagine that," she said.

"It's not funny, Isabella Peyton," Brooke said.

"You know Chase openly identifies as Bi," Keni said, causing the two women to look at her, "I can hear everything you're saying."

"I didn't know, I mean," Brooke said.

"Mom, don't worry, I'll give you plenty of warning when I'm bringing anyone home," Keni said, and took a seat.

"How did you know that about Chase?" Izzy asked.

"It's not like there are many well-kept secrets in this family," Keni said.

"I didn't know that," Brooke said.

"Well, somethings were at least secret," Izzy said.

Before anyone could answer, Sawyer came bounding into the family dining room. Brooke noted Sawyer still had her ankle wrapped up. Izzy studied her blonde sister-in-law.

Sawyer had her long curly light blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail at the back of her head. She wore black and blue Tree Hill Ravens bike shorts, and a New York Liberty number twenty-two jersey, with the name Scott on it.

"I need to eat before I hit the gym," Sawyer said, "OOO, is that virgin mimosa?"

Izzy laughed at Sawyer. She knew all of her sisters-in-law and wonder where Sawyer gets, well herself from. To Izzy, Candi was as much her mom as her dad. Kay was Uncle Lucas to a tee. Ellie was very much like Aunt Peyton. Sawyer, well Sawyer had the energy and bubbliness of a hyper ferret after two shots of double expresso chased by a Red Bull and followed up with a Monster.

"Yes, they are," Brooke said. Izzy noted the more pleasant tone, then addressing Keni.

Sawyer finished making up a bowl of fruit salad, and a hard-boiled egg then poured herself a glass of "virgin mimosa." She took a place at the table and looked at Izzy.

"Hey Izzy, sorry I didn't see you there," Sawyer said.

"That's fair, I don't think you've stopped moving until now," Izzy said.

Sawyer shrugged, "Well, live life like you're dying," she said.

"Why are you eating now?" Izzy asked.

"Meds, you know gotta take 'em, damn Doctors," Sawyer said.

"You know your sister's a doctor," Izzy said.

"Yeah, and she sided with the ones here," Sawyer said.

"They're just watching out for you," Izzy said.

"Which turned me into Cooper to Keith and Kay's Peyton and Eli," Sawyer said.

"So, anyways, Sawyer, how have you been?" Izzy asked.

"Missing Keith, any word when he comes back?" Sawyer asked.

"They won't even tell me, something called OPSEC," Izzy said.

Sawyer sighed, "I miss my big brother," she said.

"I miss him too," Izzy said.

Sawyer dabbed the corner of her eyes with a napkin, "Excuse me," she said, got up and left the room. Keni got up and chased after her.

Izzy turned to Brooke, "What did I do?" she asked.

Brooke sighed, "She misses her sisters as well. She puts up a brave front, but it's lonely for her. You know how close they were," she said.

"I figured Keni and LK would keep her occupied," Izzy said.

Brooke shook her head, "No, it's not the same, and Chase lives locally, Fallon is here all the time, it makes it harder for her," she said.

"What about LK helping that?" Izzy asked.

"LK," Brooke said, "Well you know LK."

"Sorry, I forget," Izzy said.

Brooke nodded, "I think we all do," she said.

Izzy nodded, "I hope Uncle Lucas is back soon," she said.

"Want to desperately see your kids?" Brooke asked.

Izzy smiled, "Totally, hopelessly, unquestionably," she said.

Brooke smiled, "That's my girl," she said and Mom and Daughter returned to their breakfast.