_ LUCAS : Wow ! Either I'm dreaming or I really drank way too much last night to understand what you're doing here !
Panic took over Brooke at the same time as a feeling of embarrassment and incredible unease.
_ LUCAS : Given the face you're making, I must not have been very efficient... And you're trying to escape discreetly ?
_ BROOKE : No, no ! I just went to the wrong room! Sorry !
She wanted to run away but her feet remained rooted to the spot.
_ LUCAS : Don't be afraid to offend me, you know... I can take it !
_ BROOKE : Stop it, Lucas ! I'm telling you I went to the wrong room, I was looking for Lindsay's room !
_ LUCAS : Okay... But you'll still admit that it's, let's say... Surprising. Unless it was a failed act ?
_ BROOKE : No, it's... Oh, will you stop! I'm leaving !
_ LUCAS : No, wait, Brooke ! Come on...
He rushed out of bed and grabbed Brooke's arm before she left the room.
_ BROOKE : Let me go ! I don't know what possessed me to enter this room, and now you're going to believe ...
_ LUCAS : I believe you, Brooke ! Excuse me, I just found the situation funny and amusing...
Brooke calmed down and turned around to face him. Lucas let go of her arm and Brooke realized that he was only wearing a simple pair of boxers.
_ BROOKE : Funny !? It depends on which side you're on !
_ LUCAS : You'll admit that there was little chance that you would run into me and me into you. And I don't know who this Lindsay is but I already love her !
_ BROOKE : She's Jake's cousin! We're waiting for her for breakfast...
_ LUCAS : Mmmh... The blonde !? In any case, thanks to her, I had a most surprising... and interesting awakening !
_ BROOKE : Stop looking at me like that ! Especially when you're half naked !
_ LUCAS : How do I look at you ?! And I would point out that you are also half naked...
Brooke blushed even more and Lucas' eyes that swept her body were like a new erotic caress.
_ BROOKE : This is all a huge misunderstanding... Do you know where I can find her ?
_ LUCAS : How would I know ?
_ BROOKE : I don't know, it's a simple question !
_ LUCAS : And that's a simple answer... I told you, Brooke, you're the only woman here that holds my interest.
Brooke's throat dried out even more and she forced herself to look him in the eye even though she had to struggle.
_ BROOKE : His room is over here so I was thinking maybe you...
_ LUCAS : I went to bed late last night with the jet lag... I didn't see who was in which room.
_ BROOKE : Okay, thank you. I'm going to join my sister now...
_ LUCAS : Too bad, I like that moment...
Lucas's piercing and gentle eyes always inevitably had the same effect on Brooke, a devastating effect.
_ BROOKE : You'd better get dressed and go join the boys.
_ LUCAS : Shit, what time is it with all this!?
_ BROOKE : A little after ten, I think...
_ LUCAS : How's Peyton, is she impatient ?
_ BROOKE : Overexcited even, I would say !
_ LUCAS : I feel that this day is going to be memorable... Placed under the sign of joy and love...
_ BROOKE : According to the latest news, it's the very principle of marriage...
_ LUCAS : Your turn now, that look has the same effect on me as before, you know... Stop it !
_ BROOKE : What, what look !?
_ LUCAS : Forget it, I didn't say anything... I don't want to scare you away...
Indeed, Brooke realized that she was still there, chatting with him like the most natural thing in the world.
_ BROOKE : I don't need to run away from you, I leave if I want and I stay if I want ...
_ LUCAS : If you say so ...
_ BROOKE : Oh, you're annoying me! Well, I guess we'll see each other later !
_ LUCAS : What color ?
_ BROOKE : What color what !?
_ LUCAS : The dress you're going to wear ?
Brooke probed him, still taken aback by the question he had asked her just now.
_ LUCAS : White suits you well but the last I heard, it's reserved for the bride...
Brooke looked him in the eyes, pretending to be angry. Inside, she was completely melting but she tried not to let anything show.
_ BROOKE : Emerald green! And hurry up, they're waiting for you !
_ LUCAS : I'm used to making myself desired... See you later, pretty girl...
And Brooke left, taking a deep breath to calm the heat that was suddenly assailing her.
_ HALEY : You're hot , Brooke!
She was wearing a long, light, airy emerald green dress.
_ BROOKE : Thanks ! You're not bad either! But I'd especially like to see the most beautiful one... Come on !
They then headed to the back room where Peyton, Lindsay and the beautician hired for the occasion were. They discovered Peyton in her wedding dress and Brooke was blown away by her beauty.
_ BROOKE : Peyton ! Wow !
_ PEYTON: Do you like the end result ? Doesn't it look like a big puffy meringue !?
_ BROOKE : Are you serious !? Get that out of your head right now, you look absolutely gorgeous !
_ HALEY : Your sister is right! I would marry you right now if I was attracted to girls... Everybody take cover, sexy bride approaching !
_ LINDSAY : Future Mrs. Jagielski approaching !
_ PEYTON : That's nice girls ! I hope Jake likes it too !
_ HALEY : He'll probably like it, look at you !
_ LINDSAY : You're very beautiful, Peyton... Jake is very lucky to marry a woman like you.
_ PEYTON : And I'm lucky to marry a man like him... Can we have a group hug before we go !? I'm stressed, it'll relax me a little !
Tears are already welling up in Brooke's eyes to see her sister both so excited and so happy at the same time.
_ BROOKE : We wouldn't have given you a choice anyway !
_ PEYTON : Just be careful not to mess up my hair !
And they took advantage of these last precious moments between girls, between sisters, between friends ... Then, it was high time to think about joining the guests and especially the future groom to begin the ceremony. Haley glanced out the window and said :
_ HALEY : We'll be able to go down, we shouldn't run into the groom since he's already outside... Let's go !
_ BROOKE : Reassure me, can you see Cameron near Jake too ?
_ HALEY : Uh wait... Oh yeah, he's here... With Lucas, by the way ! They seem to be having a good laugh...
Brooke's heart sank a little... Him again, always him... And with Cameron once again.
_ PEYTON : Are you okay Brooke !?
_ BROOKE : Yes, yes ! I just hope someone thought to check that Cameron had the rings with him, that's all...
_ PEYTON : Don't worry, I think he's more than aware of his immense responsibility, he's been talking about nothing else since yesterday !
_ BROOKE : Mmmh... You're probably right.
_ PEYTON : Am I dreaming or are you even more stressed than me !?
Brooke obviously couldn't tell her what was really bothering her... And who, above all.
_ BROOKE : Come on, I'm relaxing... I just want this day to be perfect !
Peyton, who knew Brooke better than anyone, approached her and took both of her hands in hers.
_ PEYTON : She will be, my sister. We are together and Jake is waiting for me to say yes ... What more could you ask for ?
_ BROOKE : Nothing, absolutely nothing. Everything is perfect, you're right! Come on, what are we waiting for !?
And they finally went down to reach the place of the ceremony.
All the guests were there, dressed to the nines and made even more so by the sun that illuminated them all. Jake was standing there, smiling next to Cameron... Julian and Lucas were there too, alongside Nathan and Skills.
_ CAMERON : Mommy !
And as her son shouted her name through the crowd, the crowd fell silent and the music started. Brooke stepped forward in time with Lindsay and Haley, giving Peyton a final emotional wink... Because on top of everything else, it was the absence of their parents that was felt... And their father's arm for Peyton. It was Jake's father who would lead Peyton to the altar... And as Brooke finally stepped forward more and more, two gazes weighed on her more than all the others. Julian's of course... Sweet, loving and clearly charmed by her beauty... But also Lucas's even more disturbing one... Subjugated and fixed on her as if nothing existed around.
Brooke swallowed hard as her ribcage seemed to shrink suddenly in front of Lucas's amazed gaze. And in order not to blush even more than she already was at that moment, she turned her attention back to her son. She stared at him to find the courage and calm she needed to stand on her legs and move forward. But this idea that seemed good to her at first, immediately sent her back to her resemblance with Lucas. Fortunately, she finally arrived where she had to take her place, facing the guests and the central aisle.
Then Peyton finally appeared on the arm of the one who would officially be her stepfather in a few minutes. Her smile was bright and her eyes were already filled with tears. Brooke's too, seeing her so radiant and happy. Brooke couldn't resist the urge to glance at Jake to see his reaction... A tear was already running down her cheek. It was crazy how this moment out of time had the same effect on everyone. Peyton and Jake's gaze was locked on each other, certain that nothing and no one would get in their way.
Peyton hugged Jake's father to join her future husband and he couldn't help but break the silence.
_ JAKE : You're breathtaking, sweetheart !
_ PEYTON : I return the compliment !
And the ceremony could then begin... And as Brooke finally looked away from her favorite couple, it was Lucas's gaze that she met again... Involuntarily, obviously... Or not. His eyes seemed to want to tell her something... But Brooke immediately looked away to meet Julian's eyes, who also seemed to be expressing a thousand and one messages. Brooke's head was almost spinning because she no longer knew who was looking. The two men, lined up in the same row, couldn't see each other, but seemed to have decided to look at the same place. Brooke had a hard time concentrating on the words spoken by the officiant of the ceremony that had begun. She felt weird... At once embarrassed, guilty and troubled, but also flattered and desired.
But determined to enjoy this magical moment for her sister, she gathered all her willpower to try to hide Julian's tender and touching gaze but especially Lucas's warm and revealing one. Revealing her feelings, her plans and the real reasons for her presence here ... But also revealing in relation to what this particular gaze made her feel. Brooke felt herself losing this control that she usually had completely mastered. He had this power over her. He had this incredible and unique power to make her body and her senses react ... Her intimacy and her sensations. As if in his presence, or under his gaze, she was no longer capable of reasoning or wisdom. As if he alone knew how to light this inner fire that burned in her ... Maybe because he burned only for him? Maybe because he was the one who awakened in her everything that her femininity had always desired and claimed since him? Maybe because her heart and her body had other reasons to be sensitive to it than her understanding? But she was all too aware that if she opened this closed door, even padlocked... If she took the risk of letting him in, the force of this passion would ravage everything in its path. Like a hurricane whose inexorable intensity and power needed to express themselves and to be released. But whose aftereffects and the damage that it would leave, after having let off steam with intensity, would be catastrophic.
Luckily, Brooke was brought out of her thoughts when the long-awaited moment arrived...
_ PRIEST : Miss Peyton Davis, do you agree to take as your husband, Mr. Jake Jagielski here ?
_ PEYTON : Why am I the one to start!? Imagine if he says no right after !?
_ JAKE : I'll say yes, baby ! A thousand times if I have to, I promise !
_ PEYTON : You better! So... Yes ! I want it more than anything !
_ PRIEST : And you, Mr. Jake Jagielski, do you accept to take as your wife, Miss Peyton Davis here ?
Jake couldn't help but raise his eyebrows as he looked at Peyton with suspense, defiance and amusement just before saying:
_ JAKE : I hope you have some time on your hands because I'm going to say it a thousand times... Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes...
_ PEYTON : It's okay, my love ! Kiss me instead of being an idiot !
_ JAKE : Anything my wife desires...
And as the officiant declared them husband and wife in extremis, Jake and Peyton were already kissing. The whole assembly had laughed and applauded at the same time. Brooke sought Julian's gaze who was smiling at her with all his teeth. And she felt Lucas' gaze again... He was smiling too... But this time, she stopped herself from looking at him.
It was time for the reception, and for the bride and groom, time for congratulations from the guests. Brooke took the opportunity to meet up with her son who had been a more than perfect little groomsman.
_ BROOKE : Are you okay, big guy ?
_ CAMERON : I'm okay, Mom! I'm glad it's over... I was stressed, you know !
_ BROOKE : You did that like a boss, I'm sure Aunt Peyton and Jake are very proud of you! I am !
_ JULIAN : Me too, Cam ! You were great !
_ CAMERON : Thanks Julian, thanks Mom ! Can I go play now ?
Other kids were running around on the grass, and Cameron deserved to relax a little.
_ BROOKE : Okay, honey. But just don't go too far...
_ CAMERON : No worries ! Come on, see you later !
And he ran off to the other kids. Julian grabbed two glasses of champagne from the waiter's tray and handed one to Brooke.
_ JULIAN : Cheers, my love ? To this beautiful day and this beautiful woman I have before me...
_ BROOKE : Cheers to you too, darling !
_ LUCAS : I suggest we toast to love as well...
_ JULIAN : Ah, Lucas ! Cheers to you, too ! To love, very good idea !
_ JULIAN : Ah, Lucas ! Cheers to you, too! To love, very good idea !
Lucas' arrival didn't seem to bother Julian in the least. Brooke, for her part, was already tightening her grip on her glass of champagne. Fortunately, Lindsay seemed determined to follow her suitor...
_ LINDSAY : I would love to find love... They say weddings are a great opportunity for that !
_ BROOKE : I guess it gives ideas to single people... And if I'm not mistaken, you're single, Lucas, right ?
Lucas held back a laugh as he stared into Brooke's eyes. He had clearly figured out her little game.
_ LUCAS : I think I'm not the only one here... It's full of them, even !
Brooke glanced at Lindsay who continued to ogle Lucas who she apparently found very much to her taste. After all, who wouldn't find Lucas absolutely charming and indisputably superb.
_ LINDSAY : Have you been single for a long time !? For me it must have been two years... That's like an eternity !
Polite, Lucas had answered her delicately while trying to discourage her from any attempt.
_ LUCAS : I reassure you, I'm five years in... Nothing serious since then and I'm not looking to settle down.
_ BROOKE : Oh no?
Brooke immediately felt bad afterward... Why provoke him on that ground !?
_ LUCAS : Let's say I've already found the right one... And I'm not interested in the others anymore.
_ JULIAN : Oh yeah !? Wow, I never would have believed that... You seem so... without attachment !
_ LUCAS : Like what, you have to be wary of appearances.
_ JULIAN : So what... Where is your beautiful stranger !? In France ?
_ LUCAS : I'm not a fan of French women... I much prefer American ones...
_ LINDSAY : I'm American!
_ LUCAS : Like everyone else here...
Brooke had laughed to see him trying to get rid with Lindsay.
_ BROOKE : I would love to stay but I have to go check on the caterer's petits fours in the kitchen. You two should get to know each other... Julian, are you coming with me ?
And Brooke left on Julian's arm. She couldn't resist taking one last look at Lucas... And guessed what he was whispering to her with his lips.
_ LUCAS: You're going to pay for this...
While Brooke had taken great pleasure in leaving Lucas on Lindsay's arm during the cocktail party, she couldn't help but spy on them more or less discreetly, feeling a little caught in her own trap. Lindsay giggled and wiggled a little too much at Lucas's slightest word, she liked him, it was obvious. This man appealed to all women... He was obviously incredibly handsome... A special and rare charm between the rebellious artist and the model. His smile was as captivating as the most spectacular sunset... And despite his fame and success, he had managed to remain perfectly natural and friendly. He was funny, polite and at the same time, so mysterious and unbearably elusive. Brooke tried to definitely turn her gaze away from Lucas and leave it entirely to Lindsay.. Even if she knew in advance that she had no chance and that reassured her despite everything.
Brooke walked towards the stretch of grass where the younger boys had improvised a football game. She watched her son play with the other children... He hadn't realized that she was there. Feeling sad, she couldn't help but think about the fact that her father was there, and that she was the only one who knew... That Cameron had never insisted more than that given his young age but she knew that it sometimes bothered him. So she imagined what it would be like if she told him who his father was. Cameron would surely be overjoyed to have a rock star as a dad... But then!? Would that mean that he would be a loving father and especially present for his child? Julian was certainly not his father but he had already proven to her how much she could count on him in her son's life.
_ LUCAS : Is it just me or is your son more of an artist than an athlete ?
Brooke jumped when she felt Lucas' presence behind her. He was so close to her that she could smell his perfume seeping into her nostrils.
_ BROOKE : I guess he takes after his mother for that...
_ LUCAS : I didn't know you were an artist ?
_ BROOKE : Um... I was talking about the athletic side, I guess it's genetic.
_ LUCAS : Ah. I also thought to myself...
Brooke absolutely did not want to stay on this much too risky conversation ground around her son.
_ BROOKE : You finally managed to let Lindsay down ?
_ LUCAS : I was hoping you would have come to save me... Didn't you see my desperate looks ?
_ BROOKE : Your looks... What looks ?
_ LUCAS : It's not for lack of sending you signs, my eyes were telling you: " save me, save me " !
_ BROOKE : Ah I didn't notice anything and then you're a big boy... No ?
_ LUCAS : Last I heard, yes... Unless I have an interest in saying the opposite ?
_ BROOKE : I remember a time when you were doing rather well enough to have control in your relationships !
_ LUCAS : It seems that this time has been over for five years...
And there he was again referring to their aborted affair and their only night of love...
_ BROOKE : Well, I hope you haven't inflicted five years of abstinence on yourself !
_ LUCAS: Maybe... Who knows...
Brooke looked at him for a second as if to check that he was really serious or not.
_ BROOKE : Surely yes !
_ LUCAS : Still, I think you underestimate the effect our breakup had on me and my relationship with women, Brooke.
_ BROOKE : What breakup are you talking about ? We had never started anything...
_ LUCAS : I told you that day... I had already been in love with you for a long time...
_ BROOKE : You have a funny way of expressing it...
_ LUCAS : Those who love well chastise well and I was crazy about you so... Everything was proportional.
His shy and vulnerable smile made Brooke melt again... She looked away to protect herself from it.
_ BROOKE : That's all a long time ago, Lucas...
_ LUCAS : Why do I always have the impression that you're still trying to convince yourself of it...?
_ BROOKE : I'm convinced of it but you're the one who insists... And heavily too !
_ LUCAS : So you still find me so annoying...?!
_ BROOKE : On this one, yes ... Like what not everything has changed in five years.
While Brooke feared that she had been a little strong and had hurt him, Lucas smiled at her response.
_ LUCAS : Even if it means looking heavy again, let me tell you that emerald green really suits you perfectly, Brooke...
_ BROOKE : Thank you Lucas, but stop it...
_ LUCAS: I really think so.
_ BROOKE : I know, but please stop it...
_ LUCAS : On one condition... You and I will play soccer with your son and make him win this match !?
_ BROOKE : Nonsense ! I have two-inch heels !
_ LUCAS : Take them off !
_ BROOKE : No !
_ LUCAS : You don't want your son to win this match !?
_ BROOKE : Yes !
_ LUCAS : But you don't want to go with me, is that it ?
_ BROOKE : That's it...
_ LUCAS : Does my presence really bother you that much ?
_ BROOKE : Let's just say it destabilizes me...
_ LUCAS : Ah, here we are... And why is that, Brooke ?
Brooke looked at him without saying anything yet... She knew what he was waiting for. She was thinking exactly the same thing as him, but she had already said too much. So she was going to lie.
_ BROOKE : Because I have the impression that you are insisting again there, when I think I have been clear...
A flash of disappointment crossed Lucas' expression and gaze but he quickly regained his composure.
_ LUCAS : Yes, you were clear ... And rest assured, I'll stop. I understood that you were no longer interested.
His casualness surprised Brooke as much as it intrigued him ... Was he trying to cloud the issue? Was he trying to make her lower her guard to better fool her and manipulate her later? And was she risking something if she took the risk of believing him? Her or her heart? Or both?
_ BROOKE : You understood ... Just like that !? Suddenly !?
_ LUCAS : Why would you doubt me? I think I've been very honest since the beginning.
_ BROOKE : A little too much maybe...
_ LUCAS : You see... So you have no reason to doubt my good faith.
_ BROOKE : Mmh... If you say so.
Smiling, Brooke took off her heels and put her bare feet on the soft grass. She saw in Lucas' eyes that he was moved to see her standing and ready to run towards her son... And Brooke had managed to forget all her fears so much the spontaneity of this moment seduced and transported her. And even if she wasn't really sure she would help her son win this match, she intended to have fun.
She spent a moment out of time, as if she had been plunged back in time to when everything was easy and light... And even if she didn't want to admit it, she knew deep down that she owed this moment to Lucas. To him, the father of her son, her former love who apparently always managed to make her let go. At least in part...