Based on 6x19. I decided to cut the whole Principle Rimkus/Haley getting fired storyline since I don't really care for it and I want Haley to keep working at the school in this story. And don't worry, Julian will be back! I just want to introduce Victoria first and focus on that storyline like they do in the show. I hope you like this chapter!

The next morning once Sam and Jack were at school, Brooke went to Clothes Over Bros to get some work done. She was surprised when she looked up to see Julian wander in.

"Hi. Did you come to say goodbye?" Brooke asked, confused as to why he was coming to see her in her store. She thought they had already signed off.

"Well, I was thinking maybe this didn't have to be goodbye," Julian looked into her eyes intently and took a step forward.

"What does that mean?"

"You said you didn't want to be a footnote in someone else's love story," he spoke softly. "Well maybe it's time we write our own epic love story," the producer revealed a plane ticket from behind his back. "This time tomorrow we could be walking on a beach in Malibu."

Brooke let out a short laugh, completely overwhelmed. She could tell that his invitation was serious, and deep down she wanted to go, but she was also terrified. "But what about Sam? I can't leave her here," she looked at him meaningfully. Never in a million years would she abandon her child over a man. She had a valid excuse not to go.

"Yeah I thought you'd say that," Julian reached behind his back once more and pulled out another plane ticket. "And I agree."

"Julian," the designer whispered. This was crazy.

"Look, I know you're gonna come up with a million reasons why you shouldn't. So I'm just gonna give you this one why you should: I love you…" He gently grabbed her hands and stood only inches away from her face. "Brooke Davis. Come with me."

Brooke stared at him helplessly for a few seconds. "Julian, I don't- look I, I don't know okay," her voice cracked.

He nodded. "Okay. Well the flight leaves tonight, so just let me know soon," he pulled back and walked towards the door. "Bye Brooke, I hope to see you later."

Julian's heart skipped a beat when he looked up to see Brooke walk towards his gate at the airport a couple hours later, but his excitement faltered when the younger brunette was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's Sam?"

"She's not coming," Brooke sighed, her voice catching.

"You're not coming," Julian concluded.

Brooke blinked back tears and shook her head slightly. "I have a life here, and Sam has her life here," she took a shuddery breath.

"It's okay," Julian said softly, though his heart felt heavy with disappointment. He had hoped against hope that Brooke would choose to accompany him, but he couldn't be angry at her for wanting to stay.

"It's not okay," Brooke whispered, starting to work herself up. "And it doesn't… I mean…" she was breathing heavily, trying to put her emotions into words but failing miserably. She knew that logically she couldn't go to LA with Julian, but it didn't make saying goodbye any easier.

"Brooke, Brooke," Julian cut her off gently, sensing her struggle to articulate her emotions. "It's okay. If this were a movie, it would end differently. But life's not a movie. I guess that makes two films that didn't work out."

"Final boarding call for flight 406 to Los Angeles."

Brooke felt her tears start to fall when she heard the voice over the intercom. This was really happening.

"Goodbye, Brooke Davis," Julian said sadly. Without another word, he walked past her to board his plane, leaving a teary eyed Brooke alone and heartbroken in the middle of the airport.

When Brooke arrived home, she collapsed onto the floor of her room and cried for all she was worth. She sobbed wholeheartedly for the love she was leaving behind and for the ache of uncertainty that now filled her body. She was so deep in her misery that she didn't hear Sam come home from hanging out with Jack.

"Brooke?" Sam called from the living room. She knew that Brooke should be home from the airport by now. Julian had told her about his plans to fly them out to LA, and Sam had been thrilled, begging Brooke to go. She was upset when her foster mom refused to go, but she was forced to accept Brooke's ruling regardless.

"Brooke!" She called a little louder this time, making her way to Brooke's room and slowly opening the door. She was alarmed to see her usually strong-willed, tough foster mother sitting on the floor in a puddle of tears.

Brooke whipped her head up and met the gaze of the most frightened and concerned looking teenager she had ever seen. Her cheeks turned pink with embarrassment over her 15 year old catching her in such a vulnerable moment.

"Oh my God, I'm sorry," the mother croaked, absolutely mortified. She quickly wiped the tears that were streaming down her cheeks and tried to quickly compose herself.

Sam said nothing, just knelt down, wrapped her arms around her guardian, and leaned her head against her shoulder. Sure, she was still a little angry that Brooke had said no to LA, but it hurt her deeply to see Brooke in so much emotional distress.

"Oh, no, Sam," Brooke tried to protest. "Really, I'm fine. You don't need to try to comfort me, honey. I'm okay," her voice was watery. She was an adult; Sam was a child. It was Brooke's job to comfort Sam when she was sad, not the other way around.

But Sam ignored Brooke's pleas and hugged her tighter. "It's gonna be okay," the younger girl said softly.

As hard as she tried to control herself, Brooke couldn't help but let a loud sob escape from her lips. She gradually accepted Sam's embrace and let her foster daughter sit with her while she cried. Sam sat in silence with her head still on Brooke's shoulder while she let it out.

After a minute, Brooke forced herself to stop with the tears and pull herself together for real this time. "Thank you, sweetheart," she kissed Sam's forehead and gently stroked her brown hair. "I'm sorry. I don't want you to worry for me. I just miss Julian right now, but I'll be fine, I promise."

"I know you will be," Sam said quietly. "He's an idiot for leaving."

Brooke laughed and gave the girl a tight squeeze. "I love you, you know that?" she smiled, despite her puffy eyes and tear streaked face.

"Yeah, yeah" Sam smirked slightly. "Love you too. I'm sorry about Julian."

"Me too," the mother sighed.

The girls sat on the floor in silence for a minute before Sam spoke up again. "I think Jack likes me," she said, trying to get Brooke's mind off of Julian.

"Oh yeah?" Brooke turned to face her with a raised eyebrow.

"Mhm. He kissed me earlier," the teen smiled slightly and felt relieved when she saw Brooke's face turn from a look of hurt to amusement.

"More details, please," Brooke broke out into a dimpled grin. She had known all along that there was a budding romance between her foster daughter and Jack, and she was happy that Sam was choosing to confide in her about it.

"Don't freak out," Sam said nervously. She had just finished explaining to Jack that she might be moving away with Brooke and Julian.

"When would you be going?" Jack asked.

Sam cringed. "Tonight."

"Well that'll be pretty cool," Jack tried to sound excited for her, but truthfully, he was devastated that she was leaving. "Right?"

"Yeah," Sam whispered as she readjusted herself on the couch. "Listen, I know that this sucks for us, but I really want to do this for Brooke, Jack, she's done so much for me."

Jack swallowed. "I guess you should go."

"Better start packing," Sam sighed and got up from the couch. She walked past Jack and headed for her room, but Jack rose from the chair he was sitting on and stopped her quickly.

"Sam," he said, and she turned around. Before she could say anything, he leaned in and kissed her.

Sam's heart was pounding inside her chest so loudly that she was sure Jack could hear it too. She suddenly felt warm and tingly, like electric currents were running through her veins. It was a brief kiss, but she never wanted it to end.

Jack pulled away slowly and the two stared at each other, unsure what to do next. "I just… wanted to do that," Jack said awkwardly. "Um, in case I didn't ever get the chance…to."

Sam smiled slightly but tried not to show it. She quickly turned away and hurried to her room. She was all giddy and excited, but she wasn't sure how else to react.

"Well, well," Brooke teased. "That's exciting," her bloodshot eyes were glimmering. Things may have not worked out with Julian, but at least things were going well for Sam.

"I guess," Sam blushed and smiled down at the floor.

"I hope this took place outside of your bedroom and that's all that happened, hm?"

Sam rolled her eyes. "Please," she scoffed. "Like I would ever do anything else with Jack Daniels. We're just friends," she said defensively.

"You and your 'friends' kiss often?" Brooke smirked.

"Hey, he kissed me!" she giggled.

"Mhm… alright," Brooke side eyed her flippantly. "Okay, it's getting late. You should go get ready for bed, and so should I," she said, and she and Sam slowly stood up from their spot on the floor.

"Okay."

"Goodnight," Brooke said softly, running her fingers through Sam's hair. "Thank you for making me feel better."

"You'd do it for me," Sam shot her a small smile. "Goodnight, Brooke."

Losing Julian sucked, but her interaction with Sam gave Brooke renewed hope that everything was going to be okay. She would choose Sam over any man.