"What do we tell the kids? I don't want Jamie to think this is real and get his hopes up. But I don't want to confuse him with a social worker. He is only two. He already keeps my secret about the club. He shouldn't have to. I can still get Sam to corroborate but we need to ask her permission first. If she wants this or if she is cool with this. Her whole life, every decision was made for her and she had to just pick up and move at the drop of a pin. I want her to have a say and if she wants to stay in New York, I will respect that. Please, Lucas," Brooke begged.
He just stared at her. How big could one girl's heart be? She was getting to escape her nightmare but was willing to stick it for the joy of a girl who wasn't even related to her per se.
"Of course," he replied.
"Will you come with me to pick them up from school? We were going to spend the day at the library. In fact, Jamie wanted to invite you. Sam was going to study there since it's nice and quiet. The walls of the apartment are so thin, the neighbours can create quite a disturbing racket. They have gone away for the week, hence it's been this peaceful. We'll get them and come back here, discuss things, ask them how they feel about uprooting their lives and moving?" she asked.
"Yes. What do you want to do until then?" Lucas asked, just so glad that Brooke had agreed and that they had finally figured out a way. He was honestly quite shocked that she had. He felt himself releasing a breath he did not know he was holding on to.
"Sleep," she answered guiltily. "I switched shifts at the diner so today is my day off. All I want to do is not overthink but I also have to go and get laundry done and make lunch and go grocery shopping and now I have to figure out how to quit my jobs. Marty is not going to like it. But it's if the social worker agrees so that's that. I won't be bringing it up tonight."
"You're going tonight?" Lucas asked. Wasn't all of this so that she never had to step foot in that seedy place again?
"Of course, I'm going tonight. This is so uncertain. The kids could hate the idea. The social workers could reject us. I will also need an apartment there although they are a lot cheaper than housing here. Ooh, the old apartment that we all used… Nathan and Haley, me with Haley and then me with Peyton… I wonder if that's still available. The kids would love that place. Plus its twice the size of this one. I hope its rent has not appreciated too drastically. Do you know about it?" she asked.
"No. Sorry," Lucas replied apologetically. Nathan and Haley now owned a very large house and Lucas was living in his old home that his mother had left him.
"It's okay. I'll make the call once we know for sure," Brooke smiled.
"Let's see. How about you sleep and I run your errands for you?" Lucas offered.
"No no, it's fine," Brooke said, getting up and immediately beginning to tidy the place.
"You earned the rest. Go, sleep in Sam's bed. Hand me your grocery list and direct me to the laundromat," Lucas replied, wanting to do that for her.
"Really? Wow, I've forgotten what that feels like!" Brooke said.
"What feeling?" he asked.
"Receiving Help. It feels bizarre to think that somebody else can do it for you. I mean of course, Sam helps a lot. She cooks although most of our dinners are the microwave kind and she does so much for Jamie. Yeah, she helps a lot but I try to keep it to a minimum as her school is very demanding and she is adamant to keep her grades up so that she has a chance of getting a scholarship to college. So this feels insane," Brooke replied.
"Get used to it," Lucas answered with a smile.
"Today's a day to try new things I guess," Brooke said and her eyes fell again on the ring on her finger. She felt it and toyed with it, trying to get used to the accessory. Then she gave him the laundry bag and the grocery list. She pulled out her wallet and handed him some cash for the same. Lucas didn't want to push his luck so he accepted the money.
"Just take the keys to the apartment and let yourself in," Brooke smiled.
"No problem," Lucas answered and grabbed the keys hanging by the door.
"You don't have any more book meetings?" Brooke asked.
"No. We signed the deal and I got my advance. Now they are doing their process of suggesting edits. My work will begin after they complete round one. That will take two weeks," he replied.
"That is awesome, Luke," Brooke answered, softly punching his back.
"Go sleep, Pretty Girl. I got this covered," he replied. Brooke kept quiet about the Pretty Girl reference and got into Sam's cot. She was out before Lucas had left.
Lucas watched her sleep. He followed her deep even breathing. She looked so peaceful that way. How tired she must be, Lucas wondered. He went ahead and stroked her hair. He knew he didn't have permission, but he couldn't help himself. Brooke was the adult, but asleep there that way, she looked 21. She looked like a kid because they still pretty much were.
He left, got everything off Brooke's list and then some more. He increased the quantities of certain things where he felt like Brooke was cutting back with regard to food for herself. He did her laundry and while waiting he called his mom.
"Hi Mom," he greeted her emotionally when she answered his call.
"Hey honey, how are you?" Karen asked.
"Is this a bad time? It must be late at night out there," Lucas asked.
"It's always a good time to talk to you. So how is everything? The last thing you said to me was that you were asking for permission to use the ring to propose to Peyton. Did you already do it? You went radio silent there for a while. I didn't know whether you two were basking in that newly engaged love or what happened?" she asked.
"Peyton said no, mom. She did not want to marry me," Lucas sighed.
"Oh, I am so sorry Lucas. That - that must really hurt. It explains why you sound so down," she said, feeling torn that she wasn't there with her son.
"Yeah…. Uh, Mom, was it hard? Raising me all alone at 16." Lucas asked her, bringing up the real reason why he called.
"It was. But I didn't do it alone. I had Keith to help me. He was there with me every day, every step of the way. Why what happened baby?" she asked, not understanding where the out-of-the-blue question came from.
"Nothing. I was - I was just curious," Lucas replied.
"Are you sure? Is everything okay?" Karen asked, sensing something.
"Yeah. I just miss you. Also, uhh Mom, I know the ring was for me to offer to Peyton, but uhh, there is this other friend that I have who was in trouble and she needed a way to get out of her bad situation. So I loaned her your ring temporarily. I'm sorry I didn't ask for your permission, but is that okay?" he asked.
"The ring is yours, Lucas. It's for the one you choose to marry but if you're helping somebody, of course. Who is it? What's wrong?" she asked. Karen's voice had turned deep with concern.
"It's really complicated but I will explain everything when I can. It's just temporary, until she can get out of her situation," Lucas said.
"I trust you, baby. I don't mind the ring. I'm worried about the person. Do I know them?" Karen asked.
"When can you come for a visit?" Lucas asked instead, not wanting to lie to his mom, but not wanting to rat Brooke out.
Karen understood her son's deflection tactics and chose not to push him at that time. I will come there when Lilly gets on break. This thing with Peyton and whatever else is going on must be hard. Do you want me to come sooner?" she asked. Some days New Zealand was a blessing and on other days, she missed her family in Tree Hill too much.
"No Mom, I'm fine. I promise. In fact, there are so many good things happening. I got an offer to publish Ravens," he let her know.
"What! Lucas! That is incredible news!" she exclaimed.
"Yeah. I'm very happy. I was remembering graduation. Lilly was born that day and Haley got me the bound copy of my book because you were hiding it with her as my graduation present. I memorised the note. It said - Lucas, I'm so proud of you. Your words are wonderful. Don't be afraid to share them with the world. Follow through and finish this. Remember... 'There is a tide in the affairs of men'" he spoke from memory. "I've been thinking about that a lot the last few days. Maybe it's a good thing that things didn't work out with Peyton. I have a much bigger tide glaring at me. If I don't, the quote says that life will be low and miserable. But how did you know to write that quote down? That one specifically?"
"It applied to my life. I always liked Keith and he was with me and I didn't act upon it. You know how things resulted.
There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat;
And we must take the current when it serves,
Or lose our ventures.
"Don't miss out on any great opportunity. If life is giving you something, grab it and chase it if you really want it." Karen said. "Lucas, is this for Peyton?"
"No maa. It's honestly not," Lucas replied sincerely.
"Well, I hope you get what you want. I'm so sorry about Peyton," she said, feeling bad for her son's heartbreak.
"Thanks maa. I'll give you all the details about the book once I know more. I love you," he said.
"I love you too, Luke. Don't hesitate to call for anything," she greeted.
"Yeah. I hope I'll see you soon. I do really really miss you. I could use having you around these days," he sighed, genuinely feeling the need for his mom to navigate through the new waters he had found himself in.
"I'll come there for the book launch and try to be there sooner," she replied.
"That will be great, Mom. Bye," he said and ended the call.
When he returned to Brooke's home, she literally hadn't even stirred. She really was out cold. So he put away the groceries and laundry, at least what he could estimate best and then proceeded to make lunch. He remembered how much Brooke loved his mom's beans and chilli recipe so he went on to make that for the four of them.
Brooke came out just as he was cleaning up the kitchen, rubbing her eyes. "Oh wow, that smells so delicious. Her stomach gave a lurch in anticipation."
"Do you want to eat some before we go?" he asked, giving her a spoon to taste.
"Mmm! But, No. Jamie's school is short since it's only pre-K. We need to leave. Just give me 5 minutes," she said.
He saw her go to the bathroom where she left the door open and wash her face. Then she locked the door and emerged in a beautiful dress moments later.
This was the first time he saw her dressed properly. He had either seen her in her waitress uniform or in nothing at the club or the sweats she wore at night. She looked gorgeous.
"Brooke, you look beautiful," he said before he could stop himself.
"Thanks, I made it. It's one of my dresses to keep up appearances at Sam and Jamie's school considering how good they are. That way they don't suspect what I do for a living. My jacket covers my waitress uniform when I drop them but the lady who drops Jamie off to the diner knows. She is sweet and doesn't say anything. The kids at school can be brats and Jamie is a sweet angel so she likes her son hanging out with him. I doubt she would if she got to know about my second job though!"
"The jobs that you're quitting," Lucas reminded her.
"Shall we head?" Brooke asked, changing to the topic. Lucas simply nodded his head in response.
They walked to the subway in silence. Lucas still didn't understand the metro system and was glad that he had had Sam or Brooke every time. The only time he had come alone to the apartment was that morning and he had taken a taxi the whole way.
"So you acclimated with New York?" he asked her, trying to make small talk and get to know her better.
"Yes and no. It's a wonderful city. There is art and history and music and quaint hidden corners…. But it's not home," she answered.
"Why did you decide to continue living here despite it all? I mean before Sam," Lucas asked her.
"I didn't know where to go. I certainly didn't have the means to go anywhere and also somewhere deep down in me, I actually believed that my mom would come around. While I was homeless and while I was waitressing, I believed that she would realise because she loved me and that she would just - I don't know, come looking for me. I began my other job after I had Jamie, like no shit, who will pay to see a pregnant stripper! Haha! But yeah, until Jamie was born, I actually held hope," she replied. Lucas' heart broke at her words. She was learning so much about her.
"You said you had some complications…." he broached the subject with trepidation.
Brooke exhaled a deep breath, "Yeah. I almost didn't survive the birth. I had eclampsia which led to seizures and haemorrhages during my labour. Uhh… yup. But I have almost finished paying off my medical bills. I didn't have any medical care or insurance. So it was bad. The hospital helped me with a payment plan."
"My god Brooke. That sounds scary."
"I had to give them your number as an emergency contact. They told me that when I was haemorrhaging, they tried to call you but you never answered," she sighed.
"What!" Lucas stopped walking and he started shaking. "I could have known all this while?"
"I didn't want the baby to become a child of the state… orphaned. So, I had you listed as the father so if I didn't survive, you would get custody. I mean it would obviously be a shocker but better than him becoming an orphan and growing up in foster care," Brooke explained.
"I don't know. I never got the message. I - I, what?" he blabbered, unable to articulate his thoughts.
"Lucas, relax. I lived. Jamie is fine," she said, trying not to make it a big deal although she knew it was a really big deal. He had failed to show up for her even then.
"I could have known him his whole life!" he said aloud.
"That's my fault," she reminded him, needing him to get out of his looped thinking and self-blame.
"Brooke, why did you not tell me?" he asked.
"Remember when we had the pregnancy scare?" she reminded him.
"Yeah. I told you I would support you!" he screamed.
"And what had you been doing until I told you that I could be pregnant? You were busy cheating on me with my best friend. You said you would support me but you didn't mean it. You just said it because it was the right thing to say," she said angrily.
"Brooke, we were 16! Of course, I was scared!"
"Well, nothing much changes at 18! It's still equally scary. So no. You have every right to be mad, but no. I wasn't going to let my son feel unwanted the way my parents always made me feel. I wasn't going to make him feel second or that he had to earn your love because he would be comparing himself to your future kids with Peyton," she answered coldly.
"And now what? You still feel that?" he asked angrily.
"Honestly, yes! I am terrified he will feel that way. But I will make sure that he never feels that way," Brooke replied, her voice going low and cold.
"Brooke! Come on!" he rolled his eyes. How long could she drag out the mistakes he made as a teenager?
"Hey! You made me feel unloved and shitty and not enough and I gave you everything I could. So, no. This one is all on you, Lucas Scott!" she creamed.
Lucas fell silent. The whole subway ride was stiff. They reached Jamie's school and were waiting outside for him.
"Luke, suddenly this is starting to feel like a bad idea. Maybe we should cut the engine before the kids are involved. We are already bickering. I won't have Jamie exposed to fights. All my childhood memories are just that, my parents screaming at each other. His childhood memories are bad too though! They literally involve a strip club," she whispered. "God, it's like picking the lesser of 2 evils and right now Tree Hill with you sounds much better and I hate that!"
"We won't fight but is this always going to hang like a sword over my head?" he asked, truly done with my insecurities. "I cheated on you. You kept my child away from me. I am trying to be there for you now, but because I wasn't in the past, your stubbornness is literally keeping you from what you want. Come on! Just stop now Brooke. We need to plan the roadmap ahead and staying stuck in the past is not the way to do it."
"Promise that this won't be a bargaining chip for custody. Promise me. The fact that I kept him from you. Please, promise me. I am really scared because I know that I was wrong and that you have every authority to use it against me," she begged. "I promise I won't bring up Peyton again."
"I promise you," he answered. He really had no intention of keeping Jamie away from his mom. He just wanted to be in his life in an equal capacity.
Brooke looked at the ring she was wearing. Her finger felt strange. She hadn't even worn imitation jewellery in so long.
"I'm scared of messing this good thing up," she confessed.
"I am too," Lucas replied.
"Here comes the baby. Hiiii J bug!" Brooke greeted her son with a wide smile.
"Dad! You're here!" Jamie screamed excitedly.
"Hey! I'm here too!" Brooke pouted as she lifted him in her arms.
"Yeah, but you're always here," he rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, because I love love love you so much!" she answered, kissing his cheek between each 'so'.
"Ugh, Mom!" Jamie said, scrunching his face and trying to wipe the invisible kisses away. "I love love love you so much too Mom!"
Then let me give you more kisses!" she told him, tickling his sides.
"No! you never stop!" He giggled in her arms.
"Your cheeks make it impossible to!" She answered, tickling him some more.
"No!" Jamie screamed playfully as he covered his cheeks.
"Okay, only 10 on each cheek!" Brooke bargained.
"10!" he cried.
"20 then?" she asked,
"No! Ten is fine!" He said, raising his arms in surrender.
Brooke moved from cheek to cheek covering him in kisses making the boy squirm in her arms.
"No kisses for Dad?" Brooke asked him when she was done.
"No more!" He said covering his cheeks up with his hands again.
"But then Dad will feel so sad!" Brooke encouraged him.
Lucas was so scared. He hadn't really touched Jamie yet besides maybe holding his hand. It was as if touching him would make him more real than he was.
Brooke leaned towards him, passing the kid from her hands to Lucas' who took him readily and suddenly felt his heart still. A huge surge of love cascaded through his body in strong waves. At that moment he knew, he would never let go of him.
"Why don't you give Daddy a kiss?" Brooke coaxed, sensing Lucas' hesitation. Jamie smiled and kissed his cheek with a loud mwah.
"I love you, Jamie," Lucas said emotionally.
"Love you too Dad!" he replied effortlessly.
Lucas couldn't help himself as he hugged him tight and pecked his cheek. Brooke smiled as she watched the interaction, secretly taking a picture on her phone.
"Sam was going to meet us at the library after school. Should we spend time there and wait for her or do you want to do something else until then?" Brooke asked him.
"Library! But Mom, can you show Dad the voices, please?" Jamie asked.
"What! Your dad doesn't know the voices!" Brooke exclaimed, matching the toddler's energy.
"No! He reads like a grown-up!" Jamie remarked.
"Jamie Scott, I'm appalled. I expected you to have taught him the voices by now! Come on, let's go!" she said, pulling Lucas' arms so that they were running. Jamie was giggling in his dad's arms.
The trio walked into the library and Brooke and Jamie soon fell into a familiar rhythm. They went through all the shelves in the kids' section to see what was new. Then Jamie picked out his top 3 choices. They sat in the corner Jamie preferred and then Brooke began reading it to him. She moved her finger through the page so that Jamie could understand the spellings of any new words. She was patient and let him take his time to see the pictures. She also read every animal character in a unique voice, making Jamie giggle and enjoy himself. Lucas just sat there soaking it in. Brooke was a fantastic parent.
The next book, Jamie read himself. He was good. He was really good. The book he had picked was for ages 4 and above and Jamie wasn't even hesitating between words.
"He can read them by himself, but he likes the voices and I like the time with him," Brooke said when Lucas looked impressed.
"So James Scott, should daddy read you the next one?" She asked once Jamie had reached the end of the book.
"Yes, but will you help him? In case he gets the voice wrong," he asked, handing the book to his father. Brooke smiled and moved so that Lucas could sit beside his son. Brooke went and took his spot that was opposite them.
Lucas looked unsure. He felt as if he was going for his SATs unprepared. Brooke chuckled at his fear. Kids were easy. They just needed love, attention and a little bit of patience, Brooke had realised. Plus Jamie was an easy baby. He never fussed. He never threw tantrums about wanting things, especially considering his friends. He went to a very good school and all his classmates had penthouse apartments on the upper west side with new toys every week.
Jamie would go on playdates and sometimes wonder why they couldn't live in a house that big or why they couldn't get a PlayStation when his friends had the latest one as soon as it was out. Brooke struggled with that. How was she supposed to explain income inequality to a two-year-old? She didn't want to confuse him so she did tell him the truth, just in a simpler manner that his friend's parents were older and they had been working for more years than Brooke had. She explained that she couldn't wait to bring him to the world so she got him here very very early, so now she was playing catch up to the other parents. Jamie seemed satisfied with that answer but Brooke always regretted not focusing well in school and not getting a college degree. She wanted things to be different for her children.
Lucas opened the book Jamie had picked and tried to imitate Brooke. Jamie's wide eyes stared at him in amusement as he tried very hard to nail the voices. He was slow and conscious while Jamie and Brooke eyed each other with amusement.
"What, am I getting it wrong?" Lucas asked when Jamie tried to stifle a giggle. His abrupt question made the little boy cackle.
"Luke, you look like you're about to pass out from constipation. That's literally the only way to describe your face right now," Brooke began laughing as well. The librarian shushed them immediately and they returned to whispering.
"Yeah, but I was trying to get the voices!" He tried to defend himself, making the other two laugh even more.
"Ahh Luke. Sam should be here soon. Let's inform her that we have a change of plans and take her home," Brooke said.
"Brooke if you want, my hotel is closer. We can just head there," Lucas offered.
"Umm… yeah, you're right. Okay. Listen, I'm taking off the ring. Let's talk to her first and yeah. You should keep this until we meet the social worker. I don't even bother with imitation jewellery and I noticed Jamie eyeing it while I was reading to him. Not that he understands its significance or anything, but he is going to realise a fine piece of jewellery his mother is suddenly donning," Brooke explained as she pulled the ring off her finger.
"Hey, you keep the ring and wear it or don't as per what you think is right. I'm just happy that you agreed to return home. You've been missed, Brooke Davis," Lucas said, pushing her hand away.
She felt weak in the knees hearing that. There were actually people who cared about her. It felt bizarre. She pulled out the ring and kept it securely before walking towards the entrance.
Sam walked there ten minutes later and was surprised to find them waiting for her that way outside. Also, Brooke had been adamant to keep Lucas at arms length, so what was he doing there? "Oh Lucas, hi," she greeted him awkwardly.
"Hey Sam, how was school?" Brooke asked her.
"Like school," she answered, rolling her eyes.
"Did Nevaeh give you a hard time?" Brooke asked, clocking Sam's drooping shoulders and smug face.
"She always gives everybody a hard time. It's fine," Sam shrugged it off like it was nothing.
"Sam, what did she do?" Brooke asked a little more straightforwardly.
"She somehow managed to get slurpee through the cracks in my locker. My books are a soiled mess!" Sam complained. Her face got red while she said that. She really hated that girl.
Oh, I'm sorry honey. We'll get you new books. Don't worry," Brooke assured the teen.
"No, books are expensive. I'll figure it out," Sam sighed.
"What have I always said about school being important? Anyway, there has been a change of plans. We need to talk so we're going to Lucas' hotel room. Maybe, if all goes well, you would need new books anyway," Brooke informed her. She looked a little jumpy. It scared Sam.
"Huh? Why? What's happening? What do you mean?" she asked, having so many questions.
"Let's go to the hotel. We'll explain everything. I need you to know firstly that there is no wrong answer to what we ask, okay. I need you to remember that. You're in charge. Also,it's okay with your studying right? If I remember correctly your paper is due next week?" she asked.
"Yes but," Sam asked, feeling scared.
"Good, work on it later. Let's go," Brooke said and nudged her forward.
The family of four walked in silence. Sam kept staring at Brooke, trying to read her expressions but something was just weird. She couldn't place it. Once they reached the hotel, Lucas took them upstairs.
"Okay, wow! This is so scary but let's do it. Jamie sweetie, would you like to watch some cartoons?" Brooke asked him.
"Yeah!" he answered. Adult talks were boring anyway. Cartoons were so much more entertaining.
"Okay. Let's get you on the couch," she said and put on some cartoons Jamie approved of on the television in the hotel living room. "Okay, now listen buddy, mom and dad need to talk to Sam about something okay. We are all going to be right there in the bedroom. You just watch your cartoons, okay?"
"Okay mama!" He said not even bothering to look at her because his entire attention was on the screen.
"Wh-what's happening?" Sam asked as soon as Brooke had entered the room.
"Baby, we wanted to talk to you about something. Lets sit," Brooke guided her to the bed. Lucas remained standing at the door.
"Uhh…. So Lucas and I talked about some things and we decided that it would be best for all and I mean all of us if we move to Tree Hill. We have family there, rent is cheaper, it's a good place and yeah, I get to quit my shitty jobs, figure something else out," Brooke began to explain herself.
Sam burst out crying immediately . "What the hell! You told me! You told me that you wouldn't let me go back to Mike and Norma. You promised me that we would be a family forever! I knew it! I knew that you would leave me! Go, live your great big happy life and forget that I exist," she screamed and started to run towards the door.
"Hey hey hey! Sam - Sam! Wait. We aren't done with our story," Lucas said, literally grabbing her by the shoulders to stop her from running out of the room.
"Sammy! We aren't leaving you. We were asking if you want to move there… with us. With me and Jamie. If you don't want to, we don't go," Brooke said, running to where Lucas was holding her. "Baby, I know how it has been for you. Never getting to have an opinion about where you could stay, so I wanted to ask you if you liked the idea of all of us moving. There is no way in hell that I'm leaving you behind! I love you Samantha!"
"What! But how? We have literally gone over this for as long as I have lived with you!" she cried.
"Actually, Lucas and I found a way, but it involves some lying. It's a ridiculous plan really. God, it's crazy, but it's our best bet to get you without waiting until you turn 18," Brooke answered.
"What? What do you mean," Sam asked, stopping to listen to their crazy idea. She was starting to get hope and that scared the life out of her.
"Well, we know that they will do background checks and I will look unfit financially with a kid of my own and single momming it. And Lucas looks like a great dad with a great credit score, just not for a teenage girl. But together… We look pretty great," she began to explain.
"Wait what? What do you even mean? You're not making a lot of sense," Sam asked, feeling her head buzz.
Brooke smiled and walked towards her purse. Pulling her 'engagement' ring out, she slipped it on her finger and showed it to Sam. "What if Lucas and I were an engaged couple wanting to share our love?"
"What!" she gasped, eyeing the rock.
"Relax. It's a fake engagement. This is actually Lucas' ring to Peyton which Keith gave to his mom, Karen. We figured that if we pretended to be engaged, we could plead our case and win your custody. It's an idea right now. We wanted to see if it works. That way, we can maybe get you Sam. And maybe we can get out of here and away from this life."
Sam didn't even bother. She grabbed her phone and began to tap the screen furiously.
"What are you doing?" Brooke asked, confused.
"Calling Nancy!" Came her simple reply as tears of relief streamed down her cheeks.