As the first couple of hours went by, Lucas noticed how well Ethan was doing. He didn't seem to even care that he was alone with Lucas. Did he understand the concept of staying overnight with only one parent? The parent that he was still getting to know?

Lucas was too young to remember when his own dad walked out on his family. The only dad he knew was Keith. The dad who raised him. Lucas hoped he would be able to be there for Ethan like Keith was there for him growing up. He had already missed the first three years of his life and he didn't want to miss any more.

"It's a beautiful day outside. How about we go to the park?" Lucas suggested. "Or we can pick up more books."

"I want to go to court," Ethan said.

Lucas was confused before he understood. "Oh, you want to go to the River Court. Yeah, we can do that. Do you want to invite Uncle Nathan too?" he asked before he remembered his parents were visiting with Nathan and Haley. "Actually, Uncle Nathan is probably busy. So it will be just the two of us."

"Yay," Ethan cheered.

Lucas smiled before they prepared for the drive. He packed a couple of water bottles and some snacks. He brought some small balls from the garage that were the perfect size for Ethan. He also made sure Ethan was wearing a jacket before they hopped into the car. When they arrived at their destination, they found they had the River Court all to themselves.

They bounced the ball up and down the court and Lucas lifted him up to try and shoot a basket. There were a lot of misses, but Ethan wasn't willing to give up. He wanted to keep trying until he made a basket.

"Why don't I get you one that's your size?" Lucas asked. "That way, you will be able to make baskets any time you want."

Ethan's eyes lit up. "Can I get it for my birthday?"

Lucas realized his words trigged a promise that he wasn't sure if he would be able to keep. "Why don't I talk to your mom? Or maybe I should leave it to Santa."

"You know Santa Claus?" Ethan asked. "But grown-ups don't get presents from Santa Claus. Only kids do."

Lucas frowned. Why would he be asking that? He then realized Ethan assumed only parents talked to Santa Claus about their kids. He had to trend carefully. He didn't want to ruin the magic of Santa for Ethan so soon.

"You're right. That's why I wasn't introduced to Santa until after I found out about you," Lucas said.

Ethan gave him a wide smile. "Cool!"

Across the park, two occupants in a vehicle were watching the scene fondly, especially the brunette with hazel eyes.

"See, I don't know why you thought you had to spy on him," Julian said, breaking Brooke out of her trance. "As you can see, Ethan is having fun with Lucas, just like he always does. And I will check on him tomorrow when I go to Lucas's birthday party unless you want to come with me."

Brooke gave him a look. "You know it was not my idea to spy on him. I trust Lucas with Ethan. I wouldn't be allowing him to spend the entire weekend with him if I didn't trust him." She let out a heavy sigh. "I guess I'm still nervous about him spending the night away from me. I know we practiced by having him spend the night with Owen and my parents, but this is different. There is still so much that we don't know about him, and Ethan is meeting Lucas's parents tomorrow. Maybe I shouldn't allow him to go."

"Absolutely not. Do you realize how crushed Ethan will be if you cancel those plans?" Julian asked. "He has been looking forward to this all summer. So has Lucas. You know, Haley did suggest you meet them before Ethan does so you would be more comfortable with him spending time with his grandparents. Maybe you should take her up on her offer." There was silence from Brooke. "It's clear that Lucas has things handled, and he has our numbers if there's an emergency. Call Haley so we can meet his parents."

Brooke glanced at Lucas and Ethan one last time before she pulled her phone out and called Haley. The arrangements were soon made. They were going to meet for dinner at a restaurant on the Riverwalk.

Brooke was a nervous wreck for the rest of the day. She tried to distract herself by finishing up the plans for Millie's bachelorette party. Mille didn't think a party would be necessary, but Brooke insisted on throwing her one last party before she walked down the aisle. She promised the party would be small. It would be just a few close friends and it would be at her house.

She had already made arrangements with Shelley to have Ethan spend the night there so he could hang out with Zoey, who was chosen as the flower girl. They were both excited for their upcoming roles in the wedding, and they were counting down the days.

"Brooke, are you alright?" Millie asked, snapping Brooke out of her daydream.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Brooke assured her as she glanced at the computer screen. "I just have a lot on my mind. That's all."

"It's the first night Lucas has him overnight, right?" Millie asked. "I'm sure Lucas will take good care of him."

"I know he will, but that's not what's bothering me," Brooke said. "I'm nervous about tomorrow. Lucas is having his birthday party and Ethan will be meeting his grandparents for the first time. I'm a little uncomfortable with him meeting them. So Julian and Haley suggested that I should meet them first. We're having dinner tonight."

"I hope you made the arrangements for Paul and I to join you," Victoria said, interrupting the conversation. "Because I know you, and you are going to go too soft on them." Brooke opened her mouth to respond, but Victoria didn't let her. "I don't care if they claim to be Ethan's blood or not. Nobody is going to exploit my grandson."

"I have no intention on hurting your daughter or grandson," a voice said. Everyone turned towards the voice. A woman with straight brown hair was looking back at them. Even before the woman introduced herself, Brooke knew who the woman was. She recognized her from not only the photos Haley and Lucas had showed her, but she recognized her from seeing her on television.

"You must be Millie and Brooke. I'm Karen Scott, Lucas's mother," Karen said, introducing herself. "I do apologize. I know we said we were going to meet tonight, but Haley told me so much about your bridal shop that I had to stop by. I hope that's okay."

"Yes, it's perfectly fine," Brooke said, finding her voice. "Why don't we go and talk back in my office?"

She didn't let anyone else answer as she led Karen through the store and into her office. She waited until they were alone before speaking again. Brooke sat down in her office chair. "I must apologize for my mother. She's very protective of Ethan."

"No apologies necessary, Brooke," Karen said as she sat down across from Brooke. Her voice was soft and gentle. "I understand the need to protect your son. You don't know me. All you see is a woman with a successful talk show who you think came here to get a story. As much as my producers and my fans want me to invite you to the show, I'm not going to do it. I'm not going to drag your name or your son's name through the mud. I've already gone through that once. I'm not going to let history repeat itself with my son."

Brooke knew she was referring to her own drama with her ex-husband and his decision to leave his wife and young son. "Thank you. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you respecting not only my privacy, but Ethan's as well." There was a short pause. "Lucas didn't tell me much about the divorce, but I'm sorry for what your ex-husband put you and Lucas through. I know what that feels like. My dad left me and my mother when I was just a toddler, and my family was the talk of the town for months."

"I'm sure it wasn't easy for your mother to get away from the gossip and rumors," Karen said. "It never is, but I turned my focus on making sure my son was taken care of. And I heard you have a whole community rallying behind you to help raise Ethan."

Brooke smiled proudly. "Yeah, I wouldn't have been able to do this without the help of my family and friends. They really love Ethan, and I know you will love him too."

Karen smiled in return. "I can't wait to meet him tomorrow," she said. "And I'm looking forward to our dinner tonight." Brooke opened her mouth to respond. "Please don't even think about canceling it. Keith and I want to get to know you just as much as our grandson. After all, you're part of our family now."

Brooke didn't know how to find the right words to decline her invitation. "That's very sweet of you, but I don't know if it would be right," she said. "I may be Lucas's wife, but we're not together. Peyton is Lucas's fiancée. I'm the reason they had to postpone their wedding."

"Yes, Peyton is Lucas's fiancée, but you are the mother of my grandson," Karen said. "That also makes you family, just like Deb and Nathan are. Just like Mouth and his fiancée are. So please consider accepting my invitation to Lucas's birthday party. But if not, I will see you at Mouth's and Millie's wedding."

"Actually, I had you on the invitation list for Millie's bachelorette party," Brooke said. "I was going to give the official invitation to Haley, but I'm glad you were able to stop by so I can tell you myself. I'm sure Millie would love it if you could come."

"I'd be delighted," Karen said as she got up from her seat. "Well, I should let you get back to work. Thank you for giving me a chance to talk to you. It was very nice to meet you, Brooke."

"It was nice to meet you too," Brooke said. She smiled to herself as she watched her leave the room. She could see why Lucas and Haley spoke so highly of Karen. She was sweet and kind, and she was open to getting to know her without listening to rumors and gossip. And she wasn't going to push Brooke into appearing on her show. She wasn't planning to even discuss it.

Brooke heard footsteps coming into the office. She didn't even have to look at the visitor to know who it was. "Mother, I am afraid you're not invited to dinner," she said as she turned to her. Victoria was ready to protest, but her daughter was firm. "I appreciate your concern, but you don't have anything to worry about. Karen has made it clear that she will leave me and Ethan out of the spotlight."

"I think you're being naïve," Victoria said. "I'd be careful if I were you, Brooke. Because they are up to something. I know it."

Brooke rolled her eyes. "I think you're just upset because you're no longer going to be the only grandma in Ethan's life."

Victoria scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous. I know there are other people who you have allowed to enter Ethan's life. I may not approve of them, but I have tolerated them. I don't trust Lucas or his family."

"Well, I'm sorry you feel that way since the judge has approved our request and we have moved forward with joint custody," Brooke reminded her. "So you'd better get used to seeing him around town. And I don't want to hear about you trying to chase him away again."

"I was trying to give him a reality check," Victoria said. "Maybe you need one too."

"I don't see why Lucas needs to choose between his son and his fiancée," Brooke said. "Because he loves both of them."

"That's not the problem and you know it," Victoria said. "You're right. He does have a fiancée, and that's exactly why you should have taken care of this before you left Las Vegas and hopped on a plane home. Because he will probably dump his first family for his second one, just like your father did."

There was silence from Brooke. "Unlike Daddy, I know Lucas cares about his son, and he has earned the chance to spend more time with him. He's not going to abandon him and leave him for Peyton."

Victoria raised her eyebrows. "What will happen when Peyton finds out she's pregnant? What do you think will happen then? You may say Lucas cares about Ethan now, but it's only a matter of time before he leaves with his new family. Are you sure you're making the right decision for Ethan? Because I know you don't want to break his heart again."

"I have work to do," Brooke said, dismissing her question.

Victoria shrugged. "Fine. I'll be out on the floor. Just think about what I said." There was no response before she left the office, leaving Brooke alone with her thoughts.