"Come on, buddy. You can do it," Brooke encouraged. The three-and-a-half year old didn't even hesitate as he bent his knees together and jumped into the pool. Brooke caught him as he hit the water. She smiled proudly at him. "Good job."

"That's my godson," Rachel cheered from her lawn chair where she was reading a magazine. However, she had put it down to watch the little boy jump off from the side of the pool. "You've got to keep an eye on him. Ethan is going to grow up to be a dare devil someday. He isn't scared of anything."

"You have a wild imagination," Victoria said as she came out onto the terrace. "No grandson of mine is going to do anything dangerous and stupid like skydiving or jumping off a bridge. But you can gladly do it if you're brave enough."

Brooke gave her mother a look. "Mother," she warned.

Victoria changed the subject. "Well, I'm off to another open house. I will probably stop by the boutique after it is over."

Victoria was a real estate agent and a good one at that. Despite her coldness to Brooke's friends, she was able to turn on the charm when it came to her clients.

She also partnered with Brooke to help her with her bridal shop: Brooke's Bridal & Boutique. At times, it was challenging for Brooke to work with her mother, but they were able to set aside their differences to manage the company.

Victoria even helped her with expanding the business. Now Brooke had quite a few locations around the east coast, and there were more planned.

"I don't think that is necessary," Brooke told her mother. Victoria never seemed to trust anybody with watching the shop except Brooke and herself. "I'm sure Millie has everything under control and she would call if there are any problems."

Victoria wasn't convinced. "Oh please. That girl is incompetent to run the shop properly."

"If you're so worried, I'll stop by the shop and check on Millie, okay?" Brooke suggested, knowing that would satisfy her mother. "Now you should get going. You don't want to be late."

Victoria didn't answer as she turned to Ethan and said good-bye to him. She didn't even acknowledged Rachel as she returned into the house. Rachel waited until she was sure she had left before speaking again. "Please remind me why you put up with her again."

Brooke gestured to the little boy who was enjoying himself and was unaware of the conversation between the adults.

Rachel wasn't finished. "Don't you think it's time to move on?"

Brooke didn't answer as she turned back to her son. "Are you ready to get out?" she asked him. To her relief, Ethan nodded his head and she helped him to the edge of the pool, where Rachel was waiting with some towels.

Rachel gave one to Brooke before helping her get the little boy out of the pool. She helped him dry off while Brooke dried herself off.

Ethan's blond hair was still dripping on his towel.

"Come on. Let's get that chlorine out of you and into some dry clothes," Brooke said before they headed into the house to get changed.

Rachel waited until Brooke returned downstairs before continuing the conversation. "So are you going to answer my question?" she asked anxiously.

Brooke gave her a blank stare.

Rachel looked at her like it was obvious. "Don't you think it's time for you to move on from living with your mom and Paul? Sure, they have helped you with Ethan for the past three-and-a-half years, but you can't stay with them forever."

Brooke let out a heavy sigh. "I know, but I love it here. There's plenty of room for Ethan to run and play. And I like being close to Victoria and Paul. And maybe they will be the ones who move out of the house and leave it to me and Ethan."

Rachel tried not to laugh. "Yeah, I doubt Victoria will leave. You need to find a place of your own."

"Can we talk about this later?" Brooke asked as she grabbed her purse from the counter. "I really want to get to the bridal shop to check on Millie before Victoria does."

"Don't worry. Ethan's safe with me," Rachel assured her.

Brooke gave her a grateful smile as she grabbed her car keys. "Thanks."

"Just don't be surprised if we take a drive to New York City," Rachel said, her eyes twinkling.

Brooke was not amused. She gave her best friend a warning finger. "Don't even joke about that. I still have guilt for leaving him behind. I'm not doing a business trip to New York again. The next time I have to go there for work, he's coming with me. Now I really should go."

"Go before Victoria chases all the customers away," Rachel said.

Brooke said good-bye before she headed out the front door. As she prepared to pull out of the driveway, she heard another car pull up in front of the house. Turning around, she recognized Julian's truck and climbed out of the car to greet him. "Hey, what are you doing here?"

"Victoria called and told me you need a baby-sitter to watch Ethan while you're at the shop," Julian explained.

Brooke shook her head in amusement as Julian looked at her confused. She tried not to smile as she spoke. "She never mentioned Rachel was already here, did she?"

It took Julian a moment before realizing what Victoria had done.

"Well, you can still stay if you want," Brooke said. "I'm sure Rachel would love the company."

Julian nodded in agreement. "Take your time. There's no rush."

Brooke gave him a grateful smile before she climbed into the driver's seat and pulled the door closed. She waved good-bye to Julian as she pulled the car out of the driveway and into the street. As she drove through the streets, she couldn't help but think about what Rachel had said about moving out of the house.

It would be nice to have their own house or apartment. She certainly could afford an apartment or even a small house. Even though the house had plenty of space for both Brooke and Ethan, it felt like there was too much of it. After all, it was a mansion and it was easy to get lost.

She remembered once how she and Ethan were playing hide and seek in the house and she couldn't find him. And she was worried he had slipped out without noticing. Luckily, she had found him fast asleep in one of the guest room closets. That was the last time the game was played inside.

It was nice to have her mother and Paul around to help raise Ethan. In fact, Brooke was even grateful they had been willing to open their home to her after they had found out she was pregnant, but she had to constantly remind her mother that she was the parent, not her. There was many times where Victoria tried to discipline Ethan harshly for doing something wrong when Brooke had a gentler approach. Then Victoria would accuse her of spoiling him and it would lead to another argument between them.

Thinking about the idea more and more made her realize how much she liked the idea of moving out of the house and moving into her own small apartment with just enough room for her and Ethan. Her mind began to fill with things to do before they could pack up and move out. The first thing on her list was tell Victoria and Paul.

Brooke then realized she shouldn't have to tell Victoria and Paul right away if she didn't want to. Even though Victoria was her mother, she didn't have a say in what she could do anymore. She was an adult, not to mention a mother herself now. There was no time to think about herself anymore. It was all about her young son and what he needed.

When she arrived at the shop, she wasn't surprised to find everything was indeed under control. However, that didn't help her friend with knowing Victoria still didn't trust her.

"Why does your mother hate me?" Millie moaned.

Brooke tried to comfort her with her words. Something she would do often. "Victoria doesn't hate you. It just takes her time to trust someone, especially when it comes to something she really cares about. I know it's tough, but hang in there. Besides, you're one of our best employees."

Millie smiled proudly at the compliment.

"So don't let her scare you off. You seemed to hold yourself together last weekend at the bridal expo."

"That's only because you told her to be nice to me," Millie said. "And part of the reason why I was going there was to get ideas for my own wedding." She looked down at her engagement ring. "It's a beautiful ring, isn't it?"

Brooke nodded. "It is. And I'm so happy for you, Millie."

There was a little bit of hesitancy before Millie spoke again. "Now I know you're already planning to make my wedding dress, but I also wanted to ask you if you would be my maid of honor."

Brooke smiled widely. "I'd be honored. And if you need a ring bearer, I think I know a little boy who would be happy to do the job."

Millie smiled in return. "He's hired."

The conversation was interrupted by the sound of the bell above the entrance ringing, signaling customers had walked into the shop.

"Let me take care of them," Brooke said before she went to help her customers. "How can I help you ladies today?"

A half hour later, Brooke returned home and saw Julian's truck was still parked in front of the house. However, she didn't see her mother's car anywhere and assumed she was still at the open house. At least, she hoped so. She had texted her earlier and told her there was no need to worry.

Walking into the foyer, Brooke had a happy smile on her face as her son ran over to her. She lifted him up before she embraced him in a tight hug. "Did you have a nice time with Uncle Julian and Aunt Rachel?" she asked. Ethan mumbled something, but she couldn't understand him.

Just then, Rachel came into the foyer and joined them.

Ethan wriggled out of Brooke's arms and she put him down.

"We weren't able to get him down for a nap," Rachel told her, watching her godson run off into another room. "And by the way, Julian agrees with me."

Brooke looked at her confused as she wondered what she was talking about.

"He thinks you are ready to move out," Rachel explained.

Brooke didn't admit she was thinking about moving out since her friend would announce it to everyone passing by. And she wasn't ready to share the news since it was still in the idea stage. She did her best to keep a straight face, but Rachel could tell her best friend was hiding something. "You're actually considering it, aren't you?" she asked as she followed Brooke into the kitchen, trying her best not to smile. It was the announcement she had been waiting for.

Brooke didn't answer, but Rachel encouraged her to speak up. She could barely contain her excitement as Brooke admitted the truth. "Yes, but I don't want you to spread it around," she told her. "I would rather be the one who tells Victoria. You know how she hates it when she finds out from another source other than me."

"Well, you don't have to look far for potential homes," Rachel said as she disappeared into the other room.

Brooke was curious to know what she meant by that. She waited patiently until her best friend returned.

In her hands was a stack of papers and she proudly showed them off. "I've been keeping track of available apartments, condos and houses for you. Now most of them are in Tree Hill, but some are in Wilmington and Charlotte. I know you want to stay in Tree Hill, but you have a successful business that is growing. You might want a place in another city."

"I appreciate the thought, but I can't imagine living or raising Ethan any place other than Tree Hill," Brooke said. "I want him to live in a stable environment and it can't happen if we move somewhere else."

"It's too bad you're not with Owen anymore. I'm sure he would be willing to let you and Ethan move in with him. Are you sure you two are done for good?" Rachel asked her. "Because you keep saying that and then I find out he's hanging around again."

Brooke couldn't blame Rachel for being confused. There had been a lot of back and forth between them lately.

"Yeah, I think it's for good this time," Brooke said softly.

"Don't worry. You'll always have me and Julian," Rachel said. "Even if your stepbrother can't take a hint, and we're not in a relationship yet."

"You have been chasing after him since high school," Brooke said. "And he hasn't pursued a relationship with you. I think it's time to let it go."

Rachel was about to respond when Julian came into the kitchen. "Well, I think it's time for me to leave. I have to go home and get ready for my big date."

Rachel tried to hide her disappointment as Brooke noticed his tone. "You don't sound too happy for a guy who is about to go out on a date."

Her suspicions were confirmed as Julian spoke. "That's because it's someone my mom found for me," he explained. "You know, I really wish my mom would stop setting me up with daughters of her clients. I'm twenty-six-years-old. I'm perfectly capable of finding my own girlfriend without her help."

"Well, I'm sure she just wants you to finally settle down with someone. My mom was doing the same thing for me until I begged her to stop," Brooke explained. "You should really stand up for yourself."

Julian nodded as he noticed the pile of papers and he grabbed it before Brooke could. It didn't take him long before he realized what they were. He looked up at Brooke and gave her a smile. "So you are thinking about moving out, huh? Don't worry. I won't tell our parents. If you need any help, just call me. I'm sure I can help you pick out the right place for you and Ethan."

"Thanks Julian. I will definitely take you up on that offer," Brooke replied before they said their good-byes.

Brooke turned to Rachel. "You should probably hide these before Victoria gets home. I'm not ready for her to lecture me yet."

Rachel was about to respond again when they heard the front door unlocking. She quickly hurried to put the papers back as Victoria came through the door.

Ethan happily greeted her as Brooke joined them in the foyer. "How did your open house go?" she asked.

Victoria just gave her an angry look and Brooke knew something was wrong.

Victoria waited until Ethan was out of the room before speaking. "There's a gentleman waiting outside to speak to you."

Brooke frowned as she wondered who it could be. She didn't believe it would be Owen since he wouldn't be waiting outside for her.

"He claims he's a private investigator and wants to ask you some questions. He refused to state his business with you so I told him that I would have to call the authorities on him."

Brooke shook her head. "No, that's not necessary. I'll see what he wants." She went out the door and looked for the gentleman. He wasn't hard to miss since he was in his parked car. She approached the vehicle. "I'm Brooke Davis. I understand you wanted to speak to me."

The man got out of his vehicle before he showed his badge. He pulled out an envelope and handed it to her. "I'm Private Investigator Hargrove, and I'm here to tell you that you have been served."

Brooke frowned. Why would she need to be summoned to court? She opened the envelope and she glanced over the letter. She nearly fainted, at loss for words. "Oh my god!" she managed to whisper.

Her past had come back to haunt her.

She could barely register Julian calling her name. "Brooke, what's wrong? What is it?" he asked.

Brooke hadn't even realized both Julian and Victoria had come out to the front lawn to see what was going on. Victoria was now yelling at the private investigator, demanding he stayed out of their business.

Investigator Hargrove wasn't intimidated by Victoria. "Look, I am just here to serve Ms. Davis with annulment papers by request of Lucas Scott."

Victoria turned to her daughter with raised eyebrows. "Lucas Scott?"

Brooke knew that tone. Her mother was beyond angry at her.

Victoria turned back to Investigator Hargrove. She remained calm as she spoke. "Well, you can rest assure that this will be taken care of."

Brooke was able to find her voice. "Actually, I can't sign the annulment papers yet." Before her mother could even protest, she finished what she had to say. "There's something Lucas should know."