"Hey, Lucas, Jamie and I just reached home. I just put him in bed. He is fast asleep. Sam is still at Liz's tonight. I will see her after school tomorrow," Brooke said to Lucas after she settled on the familiar couch of her tiny living room.
"Thanks. I'm glad to know that you're safe," he replied.
It was late at night but of course, he had stayed up and waited for Brooke to call him and let him know that she was safe. Also, sleep was proving difficult because of how much he missed them already. He would never admit it but ever since they passed to security, he felt a pang of jealousy, like he was missing out.
"Yeah, you should sleep, it's late," Brooke replied awkwardly, not knowing how to continue a conversation with him but not wanting to end it either.
"I'm fine, although I do have an early practice tomorrow. How about you? What are you going to do tomorrow?" he asked.
"I am not sure anymore. I was thinking of getting a temp job, maybe part-time while the kids are in school," she answered truthfully.
She had already spoken to her friend at the hotel and she had said that she could get her a housekeeping job. If that didn't work, Brooke was ready to go back and beg Fiona for a job.
"Did you forget what I told you? Andy is calling you tomorrow regarding starting your Clothes over Bro's again and Mom was serious about letting you use the cafe space to turn into a store. I think you should spend time sketching," he suggested.
"Lucas! I don't know whether I'm going to get to come to Tree Hill. If we don't get Sam, I stay in New York," she said, allowing her insecurities to take over. What she wasn't telling him was also that she did not want to take his help.
"Then we'll rent a space in New York or get you an online store like we did back then. Mouth can make you one again I'm sure or reactivate the old one," he answered nonchalantly.
"What if my designs suck or I can't sketch anymore?" she asked.
"Brooke, you already made incredible outfits because you could not afford the ones from the store. We'll recreate those if you can't sketch," he was unfazed.
"I guess you have a long day tomorrow too! Good night, Pretty Girl," he greeted before ending the call. He knew he just had to be patient and supportive to get her through.
Brooke sighed and allowed her head to hit the pillow. She closed her eyes and her head was buzzing with creative ideas. She couldn't believe it. It was like Pandora's box had opened within her and a hundred ideas were trying to escape and touch the pages. She slept that night, dreaming of clothes and hoping that the second time would be the charm.
"BROOKE!" Sam squealed early in the morning just as Brooke was getting Jamie ready for school.
"Sammy!" Brooke repeated equally excitedly. She ran to her and engulfed the young teen in her arms. "What are you doing here? I thought you would go straight to school with Liz."
"Yeah, I was going to but then I figured that Jamie hasn't seen me in so long and I'm sure that he missed me. So, I got ready early and told her family that I was going to first come see you," Sam replied.
"Yeah, he did miss you," Brooke laughed, knowing she missed him more. "I missed you too, my girl." Brooke engulfed her in a second endearing hug, making Sam blush awkwardly. She loved Brooke calling her her girl but her foster care upbringing never let her allow the words to fully permeate to her heart. She always shrugged them, not expecting to ever hear them again. Brooke always proved her wrong and said endearing words anyway, thoroughly confusing Sam's mind to stay tough.
"How was your trip, Squirt?" she asked the young boy.
"It was awesome! I beat Uncle Nathan at the PlayStation and I baked cookies with Aunt Haley. Grandma Karen showed me pictures of her in New Zealand and Dad took me to the River Court and I had the most amazing time ever!" he said in one breath.
"Wow! You did all that much, huh?" Sam asked, not knowing how she felt about all that. She felt jealous that she couldn't go and experience the trip and she was also guilty that if things failed, she would be the reason Jamie didn't get the storybook white picket fence life.
"But I really really missed you, Sammy. I wish you would've been there. I got you some cookies that I baked with Aunt Haley though," Jamie replied innocently and opened his bag to bring out a box.
Sam almost teared up and hugged the toddler. "Thank you so much, Jamie. You're the best brother in the world!" she said and opened a box to pull out a chocolate chip cookie.
"Oh my God, these are great!" She moaned biting into one.
"I really can't wait to take you home too, Sam. I will give both of you that life," Brooke promised them. "But right now, we are getting late for school! I will be coming to pick both of you up after school and then, I suddenly have all days off so we can do whatever you like."
"No, I'll come on my own. What will you do for three hours? I'll come home directly," Sam negotiated, knowing how boring it always got for Jamie.
"Okay, but we don't mind it, do we Jaim?" she asked.
"I just wish Dad was here too," Jamie whined.
"I know bud, but you will see him soon," Brooke replied, not wanting to spend too long on that subject.
They headed out and Brooke dropped each at their schools before going to run some errands. Brooke first stopped at the bank and deposited Lucas' cheque and then went to the grocery store to grab some vegetables and snacks since her kitchen had been empty while she was in Tree Hill. She went to the laundromat and got everything washed and dried before returning home to clean the place up and make lunch. She was just about to sit with her sketchbook when her phone alarm beeped indicating that it was time to get Jamie. So she went back into the city and reached in the nick of time to pick her son up.
"Hey, baby! How was it going back to school?" she asked when Jamie emerged.
"Eh, it was so so. I preferred vacation!" he laughed.
Brooke chuckled and took his hand so they could lazily walk. "Do you want to head home or wait for Sam? I can text her and let her know whatever you want."
"Can we go home and call Dad, please?" Jamie begged.
"Of course," Brooke replied. Jamie needed his dad. He missed him. It was simple as that. Brooke texted Sam to come home directly and headed back to the apartment. She and Jamie ate some food together and then handed him the phone to call Lucas. She could watch Lucas on the screen from where she was sitting beside Jamie although all he saw was their son. She saw how Lucas' entire face lit up when he saw their crazy boy. He was missing him just as much.
Jamie filled him in on the day and Lucas told him about how much everyone there was missing him too. Then Karen came on the call and spoke to Jamie as well. He was definitely enjoying the attention that he was getting from the new family that he had recently discovered.
Once they were done, Lucas requested Jamie to hand the phone to Brooke which perked her interest. Jamie handed the phone to her and she pretended like she hadn't heard their entire conversation.
"Hey Lucas, what's up?" she asked, acting like she was surprised to have received the phone.
"Hey, wanted to check if Andy had called," she replied.
"No, not yet. With the time difference, I am not even sure when to anticipate his call. It is 5:30 in the morning for him right now," I replied, quickly checking the world clock.
"Right, keep me posted," he said and cut the call.
Jamie got busy building his legos soon enough so Brooke found herself stretching on the couch with her sketchpad until Sam arrived.
She asked her about school and heated some food up for her. She sat and listened and caught up on the days she hadn't been there while Sam ate her food. It felt nice to be there with them and spend real time. She rarely ever got to do that.
Eventually, Sam sat at the table to finish her homework and Brooke sat with Jamie to do the practice sheets that he had been sent home with. Jamie, like a genius, whizzed through them so Brooke settled him for a nap and went back to her sketching. Sam was bored with her Science textbook and stood up to peep into what Brooke was doing. She was surprised to find her sketching.
"Brooke, these are gorgeous!" Sam gasped the minute she saw the sketch Brooke had been working on.
"Really? I wasn't sure. I was just trying something," she replied.
"You have got to make that top for me!" Sam replied.
"Anything for you," Brooke smiled and went back to her sketchpad.
Just as she was about to get started on dinner, Brooke received an email with an invite to a video call from Andy.
"Oh my God, hi Andy! You haven't aged a day!" she greeted and waved to him. Sam looked up, confused at who Andy was but remained silent and continued to work on her Math problem. "Oh my God, wait. Sam, am I disturbing you? I can take this outside or something," Brooke said, trying to figure out a quiet corner close by.
"No, I'm fine. I can do Math even with noise. It's only following steps," she shrugged.
Brooke nodded and diverted her attention back to Andy, "Hey, sorry."
"No, is it a good time to talk? Also, it's so good to see you too. I can't wait to see you in person, you and your children from what I hear," Andy replied. Suddenly Sam was even more intrigued as she heard Andy's accent. Brooke immediately looked at Sam and saw that she wasn't concentrating. So she got out her earphones and plugged them into her phone, giving Sam the death glare to pay attention to her books. Sam sighed and went back to the lame problem she had been working on.
"Yeah, I hope to see you and Lilly soon too," Brooke answered, focusing on Andy now.
"So Lucas filled me in on the past. He told me that you had started a website called Clothes over Bro's and then you went and old it to investors, not keeping any share capital for yourself. Allure, right?" he stated the facts.
"That's correct. I did some research on the Company, it was doing very well when it scaled but it isn't doing that well anymore and it's losing its market appeal. I am sorry, I am a number guy, and I don't understand fashion, but it is clear that when you were attached, the Company albeit new was doing far better than it is now which makes you a solid investment and I am willing to invest in you," Andy said so convincingly that Brooke's heart began to flutter.
"Uhh, thanks Andy but I don't know. I learnt one thing from my previous venture. One thing business quickly taught me was when you take somebody's money, you also take their input and unless you own your own business, it can be taken away from you in a minute. I don't have the capital right now," she answered unsurely.
"Brooke, I believe in you and your company. I have no input. Besides, I'm not assisting you I am investing in you. There is a difference unless you want my assistance. I had helped Karen when she came to me with the business plan for her nightclub. But I only provided guidance at that time. She and Deb managed the capital. I believe you have sound knowledge - you just are in need of financial backing. Go set up a manufacturing plant for your clothes and get some more retail locations. We can start with 100 employees and work our way up," he said casually.
"100! Andy! I cannot do that! I have no experience," Brooke said, terrified at where he was seeing her Company.
"You will figure it out. You can't have it all in a day. Research and venture. You know what you need for running a boutique. You sewed your own clothes before upscaling right. Imagine you are right there and you're in charge. See who matches your wavelength. Research the machines you need and the skills the employees require. It will take a couple of months, but once we can start mass production, we can start checking locations. We open in four major cities- LA, Chicago, Miami and New York and then from those profits, expand. You can set up headquarters in Tree Hill and have production there. Retail can be in the major cities for now and ship online nationally." he continued to advise.
"You make it sound so easy and doable," she sighed, taking in the steps. "But they're all such big things."
"It is easy. Just start with the first simple step. Google things required to set up a garment manufacturing plant. Easy," he shrugged.
"Okay," Brooke replied. "You're there to help me, right?"
"Of course. Don't worry. You have any designs?" he asked.
"I sketched some today but I can make more," she answered with a little more confidence.
"That's amazing. Work on the designs and then work on finding some people to create sample outfits. See which manufacturers can get your designs to life and how many garments they can manufacture monthly. We'll look at retail after," he summed it up.
"Thanks, Andy. You're giving me some confidence. I really appreciate it." she said before ending the call.
As soon as she was done, Brooke felt overwhelmed. She exhaled deeply and lay flatly on the couch, rubbing her eyes to collect her thoughts.
"Who was that fancy foreigner?" Sam asked once Brooke had her bearings.
"Andy? He is Karen's husband. He's from New Zealand, where Karen lives. He's a business mogul. He's made more money than he can ever need and he teaches business classes at colleges now. Lucas asked him to help me with a job in fashion design again. He said he will help me start a Company again," Brooke smiled.
"That is awesome! You'll get to do your dream job!" Sam smiled. "Gotto love Lucas. He is doing great things for you."
"For us. I mean it. He is doing this for all of us. He and Karen are planning on coming to New York sometime next week. Karen is excited to meet you," Brooke told her.
"Huh? She knows that I am not actually going to be her granddaughter, right? I mean Lucas isn't actually adopting me," Sam said feeling confused.
"Yeah and she still can't wait to see you and get to know you," Brooke said with a wide grin. "What do you want for dinner? I just picked up groceries so we have everything."
"Ramen?" Sam asked.
"No, real dinners, please!" Brooke rolled her eyes. "Vegetable gumbo it is!"
Sam laughed and stretched on the couch with her phone to relax. Jamie woke up soon and the three just hung out in the apartment, settling into an old-timey rhythm.
"How much longer, Mama?" Jamie whined for the umpteenth time while they waited for Lucas and Karen at the airport. As promised the young father and grandmother were making their way to visit their new family in New York. It was the weekend so Jamie had insisted that they go to the airport to get them. He had made a card for each of them and was very excited to give them that.
Sam had joined in too, although awkwardly. She felt strange to be encroaching on their time but Brooke had not entertained her awkwardness and had ruled that she was to be there. Sam had tried to suggest that she had plans with friends but Brooke had politely asked her to postpone them. So there she was, just looking at the crowds exiting, searching for the blonde man she had met in Central Park.
Ten minutes later, the pair walked out and their faces lit up on seeing Jamie and Brooke. They rushed quickly to where they were standing.
"Daddyyy!" Jamie shrieked running into Lucas' outstretched arms excitedly. "I am so happy that you're here. I made you this card."
Lucas took it from his hands and saw the the picture he had drawn of the two of them. For him, that picture was worth more than gold. "I love it, Jamie, thank you."
"What, you didn't miss your Grandma?" Karen asked, equally excited to see Jamie.
"I missed you too," he answered as Lucas deposited him into Karen's arms. She hugged him tight and kissed his cheeks. Jamie squirmed but loved the attention that he was receiving.
"Hi, you must be Sam. I've heard a lot about you from Brooke and Lucas. I'm Karen. I am so happy that I finally get to meet you," she said looking directly at Sam.
"Uh, h-hi," Sam stuttered, making Brooke have to stifle her giggles.
"Let's head to the hotel and get you settled in?" Brooke asked Karen and Lucas who nodded their heads. "Why don't you and Lucas take one cab with your luggage and the three of us can take the subway and meet you there? Jamie can go with you so ya'll can catch up."
"Umm, let Jamie and Sam go with my mom and how about I take the subways with you?" Lucas offered.
"What? No, no no. We have MetroCards. So, it's easier for us," Brooke said quickly to shut down his idea.
"I can get a ticket," Lucas shrugged. "If Sam is with Jamie, he won't feel too scared to be with my mom. I know that he hasn't been around her long enough to be completely comfortable, yet I must admit he is great around people."
"Yeah, Sammy, do you want to go in the taxi with Karen and Jamie?" Brooke asked her, not wanting to startle the teen.
"Uhh, um, okay," she said, unsure about how she felt about the situation.
Karen was all smiles. She was going to get grandkid time. She couldn't believe how much she was liking this new role although it was way earlier than she had ever anticipated the same for herself. She had made peace with the fact that Jamie existed and all she wanted was more time with the little cutie. She did not know what to feel about Sam yet, but she admired Brooke's infinite capacity to love and her son's admirable quality to help her.
Brooke got them a taxi and Lucas quickly put their luggage in for her. The kids settled in and drove to the hotel Lucas had stayed at not too long ago.
"So, shall we go?" Lucas asked, offering his hand for me to hold.
"Yeah," I replied and began walking straight ahead, rejecting his offer. I didn't look back to see him but I could feel his presence following me. We stood in line silently to purchase his ticket and then I took him through to the station.
"So how have you been this last week?" he asked.
"I'm good. I've been researching what Andy asked me to and I've been bugging him with questions and sending him what I've found and whether it's solid. He's been emailing me his notes and opinions. He's very helpful. I've been sketching too. I'm doing really good," I answered appreciatively.
"And you're not working…" he said, but it was more like a lingering question.
"I have been working part-time but not there. I quit that," I replied firmly.
"At the diner?" he continued to interrogate.
"No, I'm working elsewhere. They have rotational shifts. We're assigned them randomly but they have a large staff so it's easy to trade them. I've been taking the shift while the kids are at school and occasionally the night shift. I've only done two of those this week," she informed him.
"What? Why?" Lucas asked her.
"It's part-time, Lucas. I can't stop earning until the business that I'm just starting to build turns profitable or something. I don't want to be dependent on anybody - not just you. A friend of mine was kind enough to get me the job and I'm sticking with it." she put her foot down.
"Brooke!" Lucas sighed.
"Can you stop dictating everything in my life right now? Where I live! What I do! How I do it! See, that's why I do not want your money! With money comes control! I shouldn't have quit at the Diner, but it's fine because if I get a full-time job at the new place, I'll make a decent sum and the tips at the hotel are much better," she screamed at him, not caring that they were on a very public train.
Several eyes went towards her, to stare. She gave them a death glare and turned her attention back to Lucas. "Listen, don't get me wrong. I really appreciate that you're helping me and I will give you the whole credit for getting me out of the club. You are the reason that I am not working there and for that, I owe you my whole life. But then everything else feels so extra like you pity me. You got me the house, without my consent, and you chose that I should do fashion designing - and yes, I loved that house and I loved designing but you need to ask me what is it that I prefer now. I am not the same girl that I was in High School. I am nowhere in the spectrum of who I used to be back then and you need to shed that image of me and since we plan on co-parenting, you need to accept the new me. I would have been much happier with a smaller place like Nathan and Haley's old apartment for Sam, Jamie and me. I want to design, I want to open a business again but I also want to be smarter about it and Andy is helping but until I see profits, I need a job. Yes, I'll accept the legal child support, but I will not depend on it. I have three mouths to feed and rent to pay until the adoption goes through and I refuse to take a dime more than legal dictates. I am clear on that."
"I'm sorry," Lucas replied, knowing that although his intentions had been nothing but good - he really had no authority to make any decisions for her. The rest of the time, the two of them remained silent. When they reached the hotel, they saw that Karen hadn't yet arrived. They must have gotten stuck in the traffic. So Lucas checked them into their two-bedroom suite. They decided to wait in the lobby for them.
Brooke felt strange sitting in the lobby. She was working in the housekeeping department of the very same hotel that Lucas and Karen were going to be living at. It was better than the diner in terms of tips but she was essentially a maid. So while she sat in the lobby pretending to be a guest, she felt the most ill at ease she had ever felt. She had been there only as a stripper or a maid, save that time she came to meet Lucas. Neither strippers nor housekeeping were allowed to sit and relax in the lobby. She saw the Manager give her a strange expression. He beckoned her to the side and Brooke gulped but complied. Lucas saw her stand up and follow the man's stern gaze.
"What happened? Where are you going?" Lucas asked her.
"Nothing, I'll just be a minute," she replied and continued to walk to him.
"Penelope, what are you doing fraternizing with the guests? You know that it is strictly prohibited. Also, what are you doing in the lobby? All staff enters and exits from the back door. It's not even night yet that you would be on your other job," he chastised.
"Uhh, I am not working today. He uh, Lucas is an old friend. I am meeting him here. He has a room," Brooke tried to explain calmly. She knew she could not be curt to her boss.
"I know your other job girl. I know what you are here for," he presumed and said, narrowing his eyes at her.
"What? No, I'm serious," Brooke replied. "I quit that."
"Also, it reminds me, a group of boys have flown in for a Bachelor Party. They were asking for entertainment. Should I connect them to you?" he asked, changing the topic.
"No, I don't do that anymore. I told you I quit that job!" Brooke explained again.
"Daddy!" Jamie screamed while running into the hotel and grabbing the Manager's attention. Lucas lifted him in his arms and went to help Karen get her bags. Since more guests had come in, the Manager got back to work, calling a bellboy to get their luggage and welcoming Karen and Jamie in.
"Brooke, what are you doing behind the counter? Come, let's go upstairs and maybe order some room service for everyone," Karen asked and beckoned Brooke to follow her.
"Mommy, can I have pizza?" Jamie asked.
"When did you become Sam?" Brooke laughed. She gave the Manager a smug expression and returned to the guest side of the front desk to follow her family.
The Manager looked baffled but kept his mouth closed. He couldn't say anything in front of the guests. That was rule number one. Brooke felt very squeamish. It was strange to go from housekeeper to heiress and keep switching. She had cleaned the suite for Lucas' stay herself just the previous night. Of course, she hadn't known which room number would be allotted to him but as she stepped in, she knew.
"Nice," Lucas said as the bellboy deposited his bags on the counter and drew the curtains open for them to view the magnificent Manhattan skyline. He opened the rooms for them to see and took his tip and left.
Brooke simply stood there, taking it all in. "Guess he doesn't know you work here," Sam whispered to her.
"No, and we're going to keep it that way," Brooke warned.
"Do you have any shifts while he is here?" she continued to ask.
"No, neither he nor Karen would stand to see me that way so just shush!" She said quickly as she saw Karen approach her.
"Do you suggest room service or some restaurant?" Karen asked.
"Whatever is better for you guys," she smiled.
"Little Jamie, what would you like? You get to pick whatever you want," Karen asked, placing him on her lap.
"Anything?" He asked coyly with a wide grin.
"Anything!" Karen answered enthusiastically.
"Even Six Flags?" he asked, eyeing Karen.
"Honey! We were asking about lunch! Six Flags is an amusement park!" Brooke yelled at Jamie. She expected him to name Chuck E Cheese, but Six Flags was outrageous.
"Grandma said anything! And I only got to go to Six Flags once from school! All my classmates go all the time! Grandma said I could pick anything!" Jamie fought back.
"Jamie, unless you want a time-out, you're going to watch that tone," Brooke warned him. He looked sad but sighed and gave up.
"Karen, anything is fine. I am sorry," Brooke apologised.
"It's fine. How far is Six Flags?" Karen asked Brooke.
"No, Karen it's in New Jersey. We'll never make it there. We would have to take a special bus from the terminal and the journey takes over two hours," Brooke explained.
"Jamie, how about we plan Six Flags for another day? By the time we eat and leave to go to the park, it will be closing time. We can go there early one day, is that alright?" she suggested.
"You're the best Grandma in the whole world!" Jamie answered excitedly.
The little party decided to go to a pizzeria for lunch as Jamie and Sam were both in the mood for grease and cheese. Karen tried to get to know Sam while they walked and ate.
"How is school going for you, Sam?" she asked, not knowing where to begin as she had no idea about the teen's hobbies and interests.
"It's fine. The school is amazing, much better than the school I used to go to originally. Brooke had me transferred to this one but most of the girls can be quite bitchy. They all come from money. You have to be a genius scholarship kid like me or a diplomat or something to get in. Unfortunately, the diplomats are way more than the smart kids. I have a good friend, Liz. Her parents are therapists. She's cool, not like most of the crowd we find. There are a few other scholarship kids that I hang out with too," she replied.
"It's great that you're interested in school. What's your favourite subject?" she asked.
"English. I actually hope to be a writer one day, like Lucas," she answered shyly.
"Oooh!" Karen was so intrigued.
"Did you know my mother was the one who bound my book and gave me a copy, saying that my words mattered and I should chase my dream to become an Author? It was my graduation present," Lucas told Sam.
"Do you plan on doing the same thing?" she asked, eyeing Brooke.
"Maybe," Brooke replied without making any eye contact, meaning that she was most definitely up to something.
Sam shook her head but felt butterflies at the prospect of receiving a bound copy of her words from Brooke. She had only ever written essays and short stories, most hinting about her time in foster care but who was to know? She had an actual mentor in her life now to guide her.
After the late lunch, they went to Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village. Jamie played with Karen and Lucas. They got ice cream for everyone and even Sam was getting comfortable with Karen and Lucas.
When evening fell, they had dinner at another joint and decided to part ways so Brooke could make it to her apartment in time for Jamie's bedtime.
"This was great Lucas. Do you and Karen want to pick him up from school tomorrow? You can spend the day with him after school. Sammy, what are your plans for tomorrow?" she asked, planning everything.
"After school, I'm hanging out with Liz. We're going to get coffee and study. Some other guys might join us too. It's all chill. I'll be home before dinner," she answered.
"Okay, just text me once you're at the coffee place and when you leave to head home AND if you decide to change or make new plans," she said.
"That happened twice! Relax, I will," Sam rolled her eyes.
"Thank you. Sam's gone. It's just you and Jamie, do whatever you want!" Brooke smiled. "Let me know when you want me to pick him up, I'll come wherever you are. Also, don't let the cuteness trick you into Six Flags or anything outrageous. He may look all cute and innocent but he totally knows how to use it to his advantage."
Lucas laughed and nodded his head in promise. "Why don't you join us as well? Unless you have work."
"No, no work, but this is your time with him. I don't want to intrude. I trust you with him," she answered.
"No, I meant that we could hang out too, with Jamie, together, if you weren't working. We are friends, right?" he asked.
"Uhh, yeah!" Brooke answered unsurely. What was she supposed to say? She couldn't say that they were strictly co-parents and not friends when she owed such a magnanimous debt to him. He was the one who had got her out of her old life. He had given her her house back, he was the reason she could get Sam legally. How could she say no, being friends with you is too hard given our history.
"Yeah, I'm down for whatever you want to do," she said instead.
"What's it gonna be Jamie? Movie? Skating? Playing at the park? Art Workshops? Water fights?" he asked.
"Everything!" he answered enthusiastically.
"Actually, none of it. Kid, I got an email from school as a reminder for a large project which is due at the end of the week. She informed the class about it while we were in Tree Hill. You, my friend, need to make the project with me and Dad," Brooke said, looking up from her phone.
"Ah, nuts!" James exclaimed sadly.
"Yeah, you can do all the elaborate plans with your father after the project and homework sheets," Brooke put her foot down. "I'll get the supplies and you can make it at Dad's hotel room, okay?"
"If I must," he answered dramatically.
"Yes, you absolutely must," Brooke laughed. "Now, say good night and give your dad and grandma a goodbye hug and kiss. We're heading home."
"Can Dad and Grandma come home with us? Please, Mama!" Jamie begged.
Brooke felt scared. She did not want to invite them to her apartment. Lucas knew why but Karen didn't. Jamie, come on, it's late. They need their rest and so do you. Let's go home quickly so that you can see them tomorrow again quickly.
Jamie nodded and said his goodbyes. Sam did the same and was surprised to be at the receiving end of a warm hug from both Karen and Lucas. They parted ways and headed towards home.
"I like Karen and Lucas. They're pretty cool," Sam told Brooke. "I get why you found Karen so motherly. She really is just like how a real mom would be. Not too different from how you are."
"I love you, Sam," Brooke smiled and leaned her head towards the teenager sitting beside her in the subway.
"Love you too," Sam smiled and met her head so that they were touching.
When night fell, Brooke found it hard to sleep. She was finding it so hard to go from a luxurious Five Star Hotel Room to the dingy apartment, she wondered how Jamie and Sam were coping. Jamie had seen the dream house in Tree Hill. What was she supposed to do? Ask Lucas to not be Lucas? Ask him to live frugally? She couldn't.
She needed to get things expedited on the business front, although what would be her operating location? New York or Tee Hill? She groaned and decided to focus her mind on sketching. She checked on the kids and they were sleeping soundly. So, she got out her sketchpad and began to draw again.