"Lucas, what was that?" Brooke asked, still breathing heavily.
"I know. I'm sorry. It's just that lady! She pisses me off. I had to show her!" he argued.
Brooke nodded her head, unconvinced by his explanation. What had they been thinking? She bit her lips, as if kissing Lucas had smudged them scarlett and everybody would know what she did. Although he had pulled his lips away, Brooke could still feel their warmth on her, as if they had left their stake on her.
"Should we sit?" Lucas asked Brooke who wasn't following him to their table but was just standing like a zombie in the middle of the restaurant. Lucas chalked it up that Brooke was that frazzled due to the encounter that they had had with Victoria. He didn't think the kiss had anything to do with what Brooke was feeling. "Earth to Brooke!" he called again when he couldn't shake Brooke out of her reverie.
"Huh? What? Sorry, I…" she trailed, unable to form a single coherent thought, let alone be able to articulate them.
"Come on, let's sit and order some food. I'm starving!' he said and beckoned her to the table. Brooke numbly followed his instructions.
"So, what do you want to eat?" he asked. Brooke simply shrugged her shoulders. She didn't care. What had Lucas been thinking? Why had he kissed her? Why couldn't she get the feel of his lips out of her mind? They had felt as soft and supple as they had felt in High School. Yet, they were dominant, demanding attention and exacting passionate force.
Lucas again felt like it was Victoria that had Brooke acting like a helpless child who couldn't make a decision for herself and ordered for the both of them. "So, how did the search go today? Did you like any spaces?"
"Hmm? Yeah, it went well. They were all pretty good and quite large. I will have to design a lot for to fill up the stores. We're going to check out a few more spaces tomorrow," she informed him. When Brooke didn't ask him about his meeting with the publishers, Lucas offered up the information on his own. Brooke did her best to sound interested, but she couldn't help but keep biting her lips, trying to deny the fact that she wanted his lips to grab hers again.
"So, what would you want for dessert?" Lucas asked, looking for the chocolatiest dish on the menu.
"I'm actually stuffed," Brooke said, holding her flat stomach for emphasis.
"Oh, come on. You love dessert," Lucas reminded her.
"Honestly, we should head back. We both have another busy day tomorrow," Brooke replied.
"Hey come on. The night is just getting started. I thought we could go hit the town, check out some clubs, we won't even need your fake ids anymore," he suggested, but it was more of a decision that he had made for both of them.
"What! No? We can't do that!" Brooke replied, flabbergasted that he had even suggested such a thing.
"What? Why not?" she asked, finding no fault in his offer.
"We're parents, Lucas. We can't just go dancing and partying all night," she reminded him.
Lucas' eyebrows drew together in confusion. "Our kids are in Tree Hill, in North Carolina, with their grandmother. They are safe and sound. We don't have to relieve any sitters and besides, we are 21 years old. This is the exact age to hit the dance floor and enjoy ourselves."
Brooke knew that he was right. What he said made complete sense and yet, his suggestion sounded absolutely preposterous in Brooke's head. "Come on, Pretty Girl. Have a little fun," he said. "But before that, let's split a piece of chocolate pie."
Brooke thought about it for a moment. She could really use a drink to ease the ball of nerves that had formed in the pit of her stomach. Maybe, some alcohol would be the remedy for forgetting how great that kiss had been. She gave a bashful smile and agreed to his plans.
Brooke felt strange being in a club. She was usually the server, the entertainment. Yes, they were not at a strip club, just a regular night club with loud music, darkness, gyrating bodies and alot of alcohol to forget the miserable realities everybody was living.
Lucas ordered them a round of shots and was impressed when Brooke grabbed the glass as soon as it hit the table and downed it in a second, before sucking onto a slice of lemon. Lucas took his own glass and downed it too, enjoying watching Brooke loosen up with him. They did 3 more rounds before Brooke finally felt herself unwind.
"Easy, slow down, Pretty Girl," Lucas said as he watched her chug the fourth shot.
"Shut up and dance with me," Brooke said and pulled him off his seat to dance. She had been holding on to too much, the kids, her secret, lying to Lucas, lying to her friends, lying to the social workers, figuring out work, figuring out ways to pay her hospital bills and new electricity bills while managing to provide for two children. This was the first time in a very long time that she was acting her age. Brooke and Lucas seemed to be back in time when they were 16 and would party without a care in the world. It was close to 2 am when they returned to the hotel.
Lucas dropped Brooke to her bedroom and she invited him in. Lucas followed her, feeling a happy buzz. Before either of them realised what was happening, Brooke jumped, no, pounced in Lucas arms. He was under the influence, but his athletic prowess came in handy. He deftly caught her, hitting the wall of the bedroom. Brooke wasted no time. She grabbed his face in both hands and planted her lips on his. Lucas tightened his grasp as he began to move his lips to her rhythm. Brooke felt electric, satisfied and hungry all at the same time. It was like a deep carnal yearning had finally been fulfilled but she couldn't get enough. She wanted their make out session to go on forever. Lucas began to walk them towards the bed without stopping to kiss her for even a second. Once he felt his shins touch the bed, he dropped Brooke on it before getting on top of her and attaching his lips to hers once again. Brooke smiled as he came closer, his hands began to roam everywhere, feeling out the shape of her body. Brooke pulled her lips away for a second to unbutton his shirt and pull it away. Next, she worked on his pants, pulling them down hastily. She could see the erection in his briefs that made her smile.
Lucas too was enjoying the show as he pulled down the zipper at the back of her dress and gently pulled it off her shoulders. Brooke blushed as he snapped the hook of her bra and peeled it off her body as well, leaving her perky breasts exposed.
Brooke, only clad in her panties, bent down to pull down Lucas' briefs before coming face to face with his cock. She smiled watching it stand erect for her. Grabbing it in her hand, she gave it a few encouraging licks before taking him in her mouth. She heard Lucas shudder, but they did not sound like Lucas. The shudders sounded deep with a throaty base voice which confused Brooke. She looked up and saw that it wasn't Lucas' length that was in her mouth, it was Mr/ Daniels'! Brooke gaped as she moved away from the bed. Mr. Daniels gave her a coy smile which made Brooke scream.
Brooke woke up panting and gasping. Her body was slick with sweat and she was hyperventilating. She looked around the room, trying to figure out where Mr. Daniels was hiding. A quick scan around assured her that she was alone. Brooke rubbed her chest in order to calm herself down. She looked at herself and she was still wearing the sequin dress that she had on when she left for dinner that night. Brooke got out of bed and grabbed a water from the mni fridge, chugging it down. She looked at herself in the mirror and assessed herself. She looked terrible, but even worse. She felt terrible. She could not think of Lucas that way. The minute that she had agreed to work as a stripper, she had closed the door of ever having a romantic relationship, especially with someone who knew her secret. Brooke knew that it would be best to keep Lucas at arm's length.
"My babies!" Brooke shrieked the minute that she entered Karen's house. Jamie and Sam ran up to Brooke and Jamie flung herself into Brooke's arms.
"Hi, I missed you," she said, feeling like everything in the world was finally right because she had her kid in her hands.
"I missed you too. I am so glad that you are back home," Jamie replied, not minding it one bit that his mother was practically squishing him.
"Hey Brooke, how did the space hunt go? Do we have a store?" Sam asked, refraining from joining in the hug. Brooke felt like she had been robbed when her foster child refused to be affectionate, but she dusted the expectation off.
"Yeah, we do. It's this sweet boutique space in dun dun dun!... Fifth Avenue! I told Andy that getting a store in Fifth Avenue was ridiculous, but he said that it is the busiest and totally worth it and the space was great and yeah! We have a store! We renovate it soon and ship the clothes, cut the ribbon and begin!" Brooke couldn't keep the excitement out of her voice. That made Sam perk up and almost jump giddily.
"Aww, my baby, I am so happy for you," Karen remarked. Meanwhile, Andy was busy hearing Lily go on and on about some kids she had met at the park. "Luke, how were your meetings?"
"They went great. We agree on a lot, thankfully and they really are excited to publish my book. They do believe that it will do well. So, I'm happy," he replied sheepishly.
"Look at both my kids go and make the world their own," Karen said with the pride of a mother. "Now, wash up. I've made food. You must be hungry."
"Hey Luke, can we talk tonight?" Brooke asked, holding Lucas and making him wait while everybody followed Karen to the kitchen.
"Uhh, sure, about what?" Lucas asked.
"Jamie's birthday party. It's soon. This time, we have a lot of people to call and Jamie can have friends over for once," Brooke said, feeling partially guilty for being unable to host extravagant parties in the past.
"Wow, that actually sounds like a lot of fun," Lucas replied, his lips cracking into a wide grin.
"Okay, we'll discuss post dinner. Brainstorm Dinosaurs," she informed.
"Dinosaurs?"
"Yes, he wants a Dinosaur themed party. Not basketball. Dinosaurs. That is what he wants," Brooke replied.
"Then he gets dinosaurs," Lucas was game for whatever his son wanted. If he asked for the moon, he'd throw a space themed party which would be out of this world.
"Good. I have some sketches for Haley's dress and before Andy decises to take me to LA to scout locations, I hope to finish her outfit. So, that money can go into giving Jamie the most fabulous party and the bicycle he has wanted forever. Well, he's two and he's wanted it for a couple months, but whatever," Brooke said, blabbering her thoughts without a filter.
"If you get him the bicycle, what am I supposed to get him?" Lucas asked.
"You gave him family, a home and paternal love. They're gift enough," Brooke said, meaning every word.
"So, in other words, you're not going to help me?" Lucas asked.
"Precisely," she giggled and ran to join the others in the kitchen.
The family broke bread together, moaning at every bite of Karen's scrumptious meal. After eating, Brooke, Lucas and their kids called a taxi to take them to Brooke's. Brooke suggested that Lucas go directly to his house as he didn't need to come all the way to the other side of town, but Lucas said that he wanted to tuck Jamie in and he was excited about the prospect of discussing the kid's birthday. Brooke would never deny Lucas Jamie time, so she nodded her head and the four took off.
"I'll give him a shower, make him brush his teeth and put him in some pyjamas. Then you can read him his story," Brooke offered once they were inside the house. "Come on James Lucas Scott. It is time for bed!"
"But I am not tired," he whined and began to play a game of chase with Brooke. Brooke was just so happy to be with him, that she didn't mind the extra minutes of fun. When she finally caught him, she tickled his sides before perching him on her hip and taking him upstairs. Lucas watched the scene with admiration and then plopped on the couch besides Sam once Brooke and Jamie were out of sight.
"Hey Champ, how have you been?" Lucas asked the teenager. "How has Tree Hill been treating you so far?"
"With the exception of Liz and good pizza, it's not been bad," she replied. "How was New York for Brooke this time around?"
"Like the several times she visited the place when she was still in High School. She went there for Rogue Vogue and one time, Brooke and I drove up to New York to convince Haley to come back to Tree Hill as her husband, Nathan, really needed her. I even remember the homework that Brooke typed for me on our way to New York. "There are two tragedies in life: One is to lose your heart's desire. The other is to gain it." Clearly Shaw knew what he was talking about and so did my English teacher," he said, sounding perspicacious.
"Do you agree with Shaw?" Sam asked, finding Lucas' take interesting.
"Yeah. We strain to grasp the things we desire, the things we think will make our lives better like money, popularity, fame. We ignore what truly matters, the simple things like friendship, family, love. The things we probably already had."
"Wow, I always thought that it meant that if you lost your heart's desire, you would be crushed and forever broken and if you got your heart's desire, you would have nothing to look forward to or strive for," Sam put it simply.
"I see someone is paying attention in English," Lucas replied proudly.
"Oh I wish. Haley is making me do Les Mis!" Sam groaned.
"Also tragic!" Lucas commented, making Sam laugh loudly. He was enjoying watching the teen open up and bloom.
"Hey Sam, before Brooke returns, I need your help," Lucas whispered, keeping an eye on the stairs for her.
"Ooh, did something happen in New York?" Sam asked suggestively, raising her eyebrows.
"What! No! Absolutely not! Actually I needed your help with Jamie's birthday present. I feel like I still know nothing about my son. Brooke told me that he wants a Dinosaur themed birthday party and she is going to figure out and get him a bicycle. I don't know what else Jamie wants! Is there any help that you can provide me with? I really want to make this birthday special for him. It's my first birthday with him," Lucas begged.
"Brooke is gonna get the bicycle!" Sam asked, surprised and happy for her baby brother.
"Yes, she is making a customised couture dress for Haley," Lucas replied.
"Wow! Finally, Jamie can stop sulking. All he wanted was to be like the kids that rode their teeny tiny bicycles in Central Park," Sam said.
"Still not helping," Lucas said sarcastically. "He really wanted her help before Brooke arrived and gave him the 'his presence was enough' nonsense.
"Hmm, what else did the dweeb want? Oh I know! There is one thing that he really wanted, but it will make Brooke really mad!" Sam said, her eyes were twinkling as brightly as stars. Lucas knew that whatever idea she had was fantastic, just soaking in her expressions.
"Exactly how mad are we talking about?" Even though he would get Jamie anything, he did not want to hurt Brooke in the process.
"I don't know. It would have been an impossible gift when we lived in New York, but now that we are here and living like kings, it really could be possible. Brooke, obviously won't be happy at first. She will be hesitant, but then, would she take away that kid's joy? I don't think so," Sam regaled.
"Tell me!" Lucas begged.
"Oh my God! Brooke! This dress is absolutely fantastic! It's even better than the designs you emailed me! How did you even manage to make it in such a short span of time? I mean, there is still time for the party. Nathan is still in training," Haley responded.
"Well, things have been hectic with setting up. I never know when Andy's schedule will warrant us to fly and scout store locations on the West Coast. I didn;t want to leave you in a bind. Besides, this is my very first sale since restarting Clothes over Bro's. I started this Company in our apartment, because you told me to focus on the clothes and make something of myself instead of letting boys define me. You gave me the medicine for my first heartbreak and even though I got you arrested for it, you stood by me and now, here I am. That dress, by the way, looks stunning on you if I can toot my own horn for just a second! Haha!" Brooke said, feeling teary-eyed and grateful to have Haley by her side.
"You have the biggest and kindest heart, Brooke Davis and fantastic taste and talent. I really love the dress, especially the cut of the skirt. Nathan is going to enjoy how short it is in the front and the frilled train is gorgeous for the red carpet. It is an honour to be your first customer," Haley replied. "Eh, I guess I'm going to have to throw out every other dress I own and wear this dress forever because seriously, nothing has looked better!"
"You're crazy!" Brooke laughed but was so happy that Haley loved the outfit. She had used the study that Lucas had designed for her in her house and used it as a sewing room while the offices and boutiques got renovated. She had hand sewn the entire customised gold dress. It took hours, her fingers ached, but she didn't care. She wanted to prove herself. She had to. This was her only shot. Andy had put his money on the line. Karen had offered her a space. Lucas had got her a house which provided her with every luxury and security for her kids. She really had to do well and pay back what she owed each of them.
Haley wasted no time and paid Brooke for the dress. Although to Brooke, it was outrageous to accept that much money from her friend, Haley wouldn't hear it. Brooke secretly sighed, glad that she could pay hospital bills and throw Jamie a killer birthday party without having to get naked.
Suddenly, Brooke's phone rang. She looked at the caller id and her eyes bulged out of their sockets.
"Oh my God! It's Lorelai! It's Lorelai! What should I do?" Brooke asked, feeling frantic.
"Lorelai who?" Haley asked, confused, the name slipping out of her mind.
"Lorelai! Sam's Social Worker, Lorelai!" Brooke screamed, as if Haley should've known that.
"Well, answer the call!" Haley said, feeling herself tensing up as well.
"Yeah!" Brooke replied and with trembling fingers, she answered the call.
"Hello," she stuttered.
"Hello Ms. Davis, is this a good time to talk?" she asked on the call.
"Yeah, uh, yaa sure," Brooke rambled.
Lorelai was used to foster parents feeling uneasy with calls, especially those who were newly enrolled into the programme. So, she conveniently chose to ignore Brooke's jitters. "I called to schedule a visit and check how Sam is doing, see how she is adjusting and the progress ya'll as making as a family. How about the coming Friday at 4:00 p.m.?"
"Uh, Friday, umm…" Brooke was stuck in a difficult place.
"Is there a problem?" Lorelai asked curtly.
"No, no! There is no problem. It's just that Friday is my son's birthday and there's a party, so as long as you don't mind twenty three-year olds running around the house, there's no problem," Brooke informed her. She and Lucas had finished all the planning for the party. Karen was baking the cake. The whole family was going to be there, even Nathan was driving in from Charlotte. Jamie's class had been invited, all of Brooke and Lucas' friends were excited and even Deb was joining in. Brooke had put on her old pumps which threw killer parties. Giant Dinosaur shaped blowout balloons had been ordered. Pool toys would be brought out and all the food was dinosaur themed. Mouth and Skills along with Junk and Fergie were going to come early to help set up and Haley and Karen were in charge of the food. Also, since it was a surprise party, Sam was supposed to take Jamie out for ice cream and keep him entertained until everybody arrived.
"Is the family going to be at the party too?" Lorelai asked.
"Yeah, Jamie's Aunt, Uncle who are his godparents, Lucas' parents, everyone will be there," Brooke replied proudly.
"Then will it be alright if I stop by? It will be quick. I'll just need some time with you and Sam for questions. I would choose another date, but I am quite packed this week," she apologised.
"Yeah, no problem," Brooke said. Maybe, in the chaos, she wouldn't ask too many difficult questions. Brooke would just have to keep her ring on. Besides, Brooke always threw the best party even with low budgets. She knew how to bring a crowd together and make everybody have fun. It would be great for Lorelai to watch her in action, being a mother who went all out for her kids.
Friday morning, Lucas got to the Davis house extra early. He wanted to be there when Brooke woke Jamie up. The two of them along with Sam entered his room singing Happy Birthday. Jamie opened his twinkling eyes bashfully, enjoying the love and attention that was being showered upon him.
While Brooke helped Jamie get ready, Lucas made his son a batch of chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream, exactly like his mother made him every birthday when he was little. He stuck a candle in the centre and hummed, waiting for his kids to come down.
Sam came down first and was impressed at the spread Lucas had put out. "Wow, this is a lot," she said trying to mock her fake father.
Lucas was however, in a plucky mood. Sam's cynicism had no effect on him. "You can expect the same on your birthday too, Sampson!"
"So," she said, perching herself on the stool. "Are you getting Jamie what I suggested?"
"Yes, everything is set up. Jamie is going to be the happiest kid in the world today!" Lucas remarked excitedly.
"I cannot wait to see the look on Brooke's face. It's going to be priceless!"
"Are you worried about Lorelai? It's visit day. Also, do you have any pointers for the new guy? I really don't know what to expect," Lucas asked, feeling jittery for the important meeting in the middle of his kid's birthday party.
"She needs to see whether I am actually taken care of and not getting assaulted. So check. And she needs to believe that you and Brooke are a team. Also, check. You will be fine. No foster home looks like this, no foster parents behave like this," Sam said, easing Lucas' tensions by a large degree.
"The birthday boy is here!" Brooke announced as Jamie came running into the room wearing his Raven's jersey.
"Whoa! Are you wearing that to school, Jimmy Jam?" Lucas asked, impressed.
"You bet!" he replied happily. "Is all of this for me?" Jamie asked as Lucas lit the candle on top of the stack of pancakes.
"You bet!" Lucas replied, copying Jamie's expression from earlier.
"Momma, do I get a wish right now and another one when we cut cake? Will daddy be there to cut cake with us this time?"
"Yes!" Brooke replied, trying very hard to keep the party under wraps.
"But remember, you get one wish for you, and you can wish stuff for other people, too," she reminded him what she always told him. She wanted Jamie to grow up kind and generous and empathetic.
He quickly flicked his eyes from Brooke to Lucas to Sam before closing his eyes, making a wish and blowing out the candles.
"So Jamie, remember that Grandma Karen and Lily are going to pick you up today until Sam gets done with school. Then she will take you to eat 1 ice cream. Just one and then you come home to get ready for dinner, alright?" Brooke instructed as the family ate breakfast.
"Yes," he replied and before they knew it, Lucas took off with her kids, leaving Brooke to prepare for the party.
The preparations were going on in full swing, especially after everyone showed up to help. Brooke's house was full, it was echoing with laughter and people having a good time. She couldn't help but disassociate for a few moments. This house had always felt so cold and empty, silent. She was always alone out there, unless her parents were in town wanting to kill each other. There had never been these many people over, ever and never had the house echoed laughter. Brooke smiled to herself, enjoying her current reality. She had slipped on Lucas' engagement ring a while back as she was afraid that she would get so busy with the prep that she would find no time to get ready for the party. She didn't want to mess up in front of Lorelai. She looked at the sparkling diamonds intently. Okay, not everything about her life was a reality. 'Is this is a dream, don't wake me up," she thought to herself.
No sooner had they finished setting up than the guests started arriving. One by one Jamie's classmates entered the house, placing their well-wrapped gifts on the table. Brooke and Lucas greeted them and the fellow mums who were all older than them. Even Nathan made it in time and the young parents were grateful to him for it.
Lucas was offering the mothers some cocktails while the kids were being entertained by Mouth and Skills. Brooke quickly shot a text to Sam, asking her where she was.
"We're just turning towards our street. We'll be there in a few minutes," Sam replied quickly.
"Hey everyone, can you please gather around. Jamie is going to be here any minute. So why don't we turn the lights off and hide and when the door opens, we can come out and yell Surprise, okay?" Brooke commandeered her troops. Everyone followed her instructions and remained quiet while Sam unlocked the door.
"Why is it dark in the house? Where are Mom and Dad?" Jamie asked, finding it weird that the foyer was pitch black.
"Come on, let's go in and see where they are," Sam ushered.
Jamie walked in and before he had a second to blink, everybody jumped out and surprised the birthday boy. "Oh my God! What is going on!?" Jamie yelled, almost shrieking as he took in the faces of everybody surrounding him in his living room.
"It's a Surprise Birthday Party for you, Dweeb. Now act cool, Madison is approaching you," Sam said to Jamie, being the closest to him. "Happy Birthday, Jimmy Jam!"
"This is the coolest thing ever!" he remarked. "Look at all the Dinosaurs! Wow!"
"Happy Birthday, Jamie," Madison said shyly, coming forward to shake Jamie's hand.
"Thank you," he said with a bright smile.
"Do you like it?" Brooke asked when she reached Jamie.
"Like? I love love love it! Thank you!" he said, looking at both his parents. "Now, can I go play with my friends?"
"Yeah, run along," Brooke sighed. She knew that Chuck and Andre were preferred company over herself. "But do greet your family. Uncle Nathan came down from Charlotte especially for you and Grandma Karen, Grandma Deb who is Nathan's mom, Aunt Haley, Uncle Skills, Mouth, Junk, Fergie, they have all been here setting up for this party all day."
"Yes, yes, now can I go?" he asked, getting impatient.
"Go," Lucas replied and rubbed Brooke's shoulders to let her know that she had done her best to teach his son politeness.
"Okay, now that I know Jamie doesn't hate this, only one thing to worry about. Lorelai will be here in an hour," she sighed.
"Maybe, she'll get carried away by a fabulous Brooke Davis party and my mother's cake and tell us we can have Sam forever!" Lucas joked.
"If only," she sighed and began to put out more food on the table for the kids.
Brooke and Lucas soon got really busy managing the party and ensuring that both the kids and adults were having a good time. They didn't realise when the hour flew by. Sam was the one who let Lorelai in.
"Oh wow! Dinosaurs?" she asked as she entered the house.
"Yep, Jamie loves them," Sam said, keeping her nervousness aside and plastering a wide grin on her face.
"So, how are you adjusting?" she asked while taking in the surroundings. She saw that there was plenty of food on the table, so Sam was not starving. The house was adequately heated given the weather conditions. The party had the place littered, but it was in no way shabby. The adult guests had flutes in their hands but no bottles of alcohol were visible. Lorelai walked to the table and poured herself a glass of punch. It was clean and delicious.
"I'm great. Tree Hill High bumped me up to the Junior Class. They said I am too smart to be with the Freshmen. My Aunt Haley is my English Teacher. She spoke to Brooke and Lucas and the Principal," Sam said proudly, trying to let Lorelai know how concerned and involved her current fosters were.
"Oh! Are you overworked? Over-challenged?" Lorelai asked, feeling concerned.
"No, no, not at all. I am in the perfect classes. I am taking off right where I stopped at Faircroft," Sam replied.
"No private education here?" she asked dismissively.
"Hey! Most of my fosters didn't even care whether or not I went to school and if you must know, Brooke and Lucas wanted me to go to Oppenheimer which is a private school. I begged them to let me stay atTree Hill High!" Sam yelled loudly enough to attract Brooke's attention.
"Sam, no yelling," Brooke chastised as softly as she could so that she didn't attract Lorelai's attention or the guests'.
"Sorry," Sam apologised and pursed her lips.
"Hello, I am Karen, Lucas' mother. It is so good to meet you. Can I get you anything to eat or drink?" Karen asked kindly.
"No, thank you. I see that the family is present," Lorelai said, pleased with the communal and familial support she was watching. She ticked a few boxes on her checklist, much to the relief of everyone who knew what was happening.
"Can I go up and check Sam's bedroom?" she asked.
"Yeah, of course. Sam," Brooke beckoned.
Sam knew what a visit from a social worker meant. So she had tidied up her living space the night before. They walked up while Lorelai continued to interrogate Sam. Parents lied, vulnerable children often told the truth unless they had been beaten or coerced by their guardians into lying.
"So, how are you faring here?" she asked. "Any fights that I should know about?"
"No, they have been really good and patient. I adore Jamie and Brooke and Lucas have been nothing but kind and loving. They care, you know what I mean. They want me," she croaked the last part because those words were the hardest pill for a foster kid. The feeling of being wanted was so foreign to them. They had been branded as being not good enough to keep.
"That's good to hear," she said as she opened Sam's closet and checked how stocked it was.
"Do you miss New York?"
"I miss my friend, Liz. But, besides that, no. I like it here," Sam replied, meaning every word.
"I must say, I have never seen a teen adjust this well and this quickly with a foster parent. So, what are you hiding?" she asked sceptically.
"Nothing!" Sam barked back quickly. "Really. This is the first home that everything is perfect and I am loved for who I am. I mean it," she begged, feeling dread that the system would take her.
Lorelai didn't say anything but made a few notes in her legal pad.
"Okay, let's head down and talk to Mr. Scott and Ms. Davis," she said.
"So, how is the work coming along?" Lorelai asked. There were some red tabs in their file. Brooke's job being one of them.
"It's actually going great. I just sold a customised couture dress that is going to be worn on the Red Carpet at the NBA season opener. So, that was exciting and work is in full swing. My designs are being manufactured and stored and I already secured a boutique space on Fifth Avenue. Things are on the up and up," Brooke replied to let her know that she wasn't lying or being aimless.
"Oh wow, that is incredible," Lorelai replied. She was impressed. She had her doubts about Brooke's venture but clearly she had followed through and knew what she was talking about.
"Yeah, I just had some meetings with my publishers as well. Everything is happening really quickly. The book will be out sooner than you know," Lucas assured her as well.
"Meanwhile, how are you providing?" she asked.
"I still coach and we have Tric, the family business and Brooke just sold her outfit for major bucks," Lucas said, feeling a little inadequate. "But, everything is progressing well and quickly on both our fronts."
"How is the wedding planning going?" she asked next, another red flag.
"Oh, you know. It's been a crazy time. We've both been busy with our work projects, we moved states and everything with Sam's school. Did she tell you that she skipped two grades?" Brooke tried to deflect.
"Yeah, she did," Lorelai replied.
"Hey, it's time for cake and presents," Deb said, quietly dropping in where the family was seated in a corner.
"Oh, alright. Did Karen.." Brooke began to ask.
"Everything is ready, Jamie is there. All that is needed is you," Deb replied with a smile.
"Go ahead, no problem," Lorelai said, not wanting to keep so many people waiting.
"Come join us," Lucas offered.
They quickly went to the table where Karen was lighting the candles. Brooke, Lucas and Sam stood behind Jamie while all the kids and adults gathered in front. Jamie made a wish and blew the candles which Brooke captured on her phone. A memory she would cherish forever. Everyone sang happy birthday as both parents helped Jamie cut the cake.
They fed each other a bite before Deb and Karen took it in the kitchen to serve everybody. They offered one of the first pieces to Lorelai.
"Thank you," she said. "I am about done. I just needed to ask about the hospital bills and whether the kids have visited a doctor, needed any medical attention."
"Mom! Presents!" Jamie yelled, pulling Brooke's leg to get her walking to the table laden with gifts.
"Wait for a few minutes, please" Brooke said as patiently as she could.
"I've never had so many! Please! I really wanna open them. I can't believe that all this is for me!" he said.
Brooke's eyes widened. She was afraid that Jamie would spill the beans on the matter.
"Here's an idea. Sammy, why don't you take Jamie and begin and we'll join in?" Brooke offered. "Is that alright?" Lorelai nodded her head and hence, Sam grabbed Jamie's hand and walked to the humongous pile of gifts. She understood the kid's excitement. She hadn't seen as many gifts ever either. Fifteen years of birthdays did not total to what was on that table.
"The hospital payments are made timely," Brooke squared. She was proud about that fact. "I can show you the statements if you nee-" Brooke never finished her sentence as she swallowed her words. Her brain fogged up. Her face was as white as a sheet. It was like she had seen a ghost. Well, she had seen a ghost because, through the door, walked her best friend, Peyton.