Lucas and Peyton had been talking to their lawyers for two hours now, while Brooke was taking care of Sawyer with Julie. After a while and seeing the time go by, Brooke decided to go put Sawyer to bed.
SAWYER : Why doesn't Dad come put me to bed when he's here...?
BROOKE : Well, Mom and Dad are still discussing important things... He'll come later, you know...
SAWYER : Who are they talking to?
BROOKE : Oh... That's a very good question, sweetie... Let's say they're people who will help your parents talk together without arguing...
SAWYER : Like special guests? And why are they always arguing? Because of me?
BROOKE : That's a lot of questions there, sweetie! Easy... But none of it is your fault, okay!?
The little girl looked at Brooke puzzled, as if she had a serious doubt. Brooke cupped her cheeks in her palms.
BROOKE : Get that out of your little head right now, Sawyer! None of this is because of you, nothing!
SAWYER : Do you promise me?
BROOKE : Yes! I promise you with everything I hold dear, my angel... These are stories of grown-ups... And problems of grown-ups... And you're not a grown-up yet, fortunately!
SAWYER : I may not be a grown-up but I understood something, you know...
Brooke was undecided if she really wanted to know what she had understood. She knew she was intelligent and perceptive.
BROOKE : Do you want to tell me?
SAWYER : Well yes... But it's a secret...
Sawyer motioned for her to come closer with his hand and Boroke leaned his ear towards her mouth.
SAWYER : Dad, he's not in love with Mom anymore... He's in love with you.
Brooke's eyes widened when she realized what Sawyer had whispered in her ear and a mixture of emotions flooded her. Shock at the discovery so observant, embarrassment too... But also from the panic to find what to answer her.
BROOKE : What are you talking about, my dear!? That's a funny idea...
SAWYER : Isn't it true that when you're in love, you smile all the time, with your mouth but also with your eyes...?
BROOKE : We could say that... Even if that's not all and that...
But Saywer cut the grass under her feet.
SAWYER : Every time he's near you, he also smiles with his eyes! And you too!
Brooke couldn't help but smile... Completely touched by such cuteness but also because she was right. But that, out of the question to tell her...
BROOKE : What if we smiled with our eyes because you're the one who makes us happy!?
SAWYER : I know Dad's like that even when I'm not around, you know... When he's just with you!
Brooke blushed, unable to come up with an answer that would be convincing enough.
BROOKE : You're talking nonsense... But what would you think if it were true?
SAWYER : Don't tell Mommy, but I just want Daddy to be happy, you know...
Brooke's lips curved into an emotional smile that was so benevolent towards her... She found Sawyer so touching.
BROOKE : That's adorable, sweetie. And that's exactly why the guests are here, you see... They're going to help Mommy and Daddy be happy again...
SAYWER : To be happy together!?
Brooke hesitated to say "no" but barely held back her spontaneity and the desire to let her heart speak at that moment.
BROOKE : Like you said, mommy and daddy don't smile with their mouths or their eyes anymore when they're together...
SAWYER : Not only that, they just scream with their mouths and get angry with their eyes...
BROOKE : It's better for a mommy and daddy to break up than to keep hurting and make you sad too.
And Brooke knew exactly what she was talking about... But she wasn't the right person to talk to Sawyer about it at this point.
BROOKE : But if you have any questions, you'll have to talk to Dad about all this, honey...
SAWYER : Okay, Brooke. But you're thinking about it too, okay?
BROOKE : Think about what?
SAWYER : Well, about becoming Dad's new girlfriend... You'll see, that'll be cool and I'd really like it!
BROOKE : I promise to think about it if you promise me that all this remains our secret... Our secret between the two of us?
Sawyer stood up slightly to place a tender little kiss on her cheek and added:
SAWYER : I promise, Brooke!
After this delicate but touching moment, Brooke read her a story so that she could fall asleep peacefully... And after a few minutes...
LUCAS : Hey... I see I'm just in time...
Sawyer was indeed very close to falling into dreamland but smiled happily when she saw Lucas enter. Brooke noticed his worried look as he approached the bed ... He gave her a slightly strained smile.
LUCAS : I'll stay with her for five minutes ... Leave your door open, I'll come right after ...
Brooke kissed Sawyer and got up to give him room. She refrained from touching him when she was facing him.
BROOKE : Are you okay?
Lucas pursed his mouth which didn't bode well ... Then he waved his hand at her and she read on his lips:
LUCAS : I'll explain later ...
Brooke nodded and already understood that things hadn't gone as he would have liked. Brooke went to her room and sat cross-legged on her bed ... She didn't know what to do to pass the time. Anxiety gnawed at her and she tried to imagine anything that could have upset him like that... Peyton, of course. But she wondered about the progress made thanks to the presence of the lawyers... Until he stuck his head through the door. Like his daughter a little earlier, he put his index finger on her mouth to warn her to be quiet. He sat down gently and his palm came to caress Brooke's cheek, which she slipped there tenderly.
LUCAS : I'll explain everything to you by phone tonight because now, I'm going to leave the house...
BROOKE : Leave!? Where? Why!?
LUCAS : I'm going to go to Felix's tonight... I don't want to go to my parents' or Nathan's...
BROOKE : Tell me a little more...
LUCAS : We'll start with joint custody but I'll go to the Family Court Judge tomorrow...
BROOKE : Joint custody, why!? And why is Peyton starting!?
LUCAS : Because she doesn't want to hear anything and at this point I don't have any more rights than she does over Sawyer... And since she's leaving for Vienna next week, I'll take that week off hoping I won't have to leave Sawyer anymore...
Brooke took his hand and slipped his fingers into it before tightening his grip. Lucas' smile was sad, his too.
BROOKE : I guess you want me to stay here for Sawyer?
LUCAS : For very selfish reasons, I would much rather take you with me... But Sawyer comes first, yes. I need you to watch over her like you know so well how to do otherwise, I will completely lose my mind, I think...
BROOKE : But will we see each other at least this week!?
LUCAS : Peyton can do a lot of things but she can't stop me from going home or seeing my daughter...
They exchanged a loving but already melancholic look and smile. Lucas released the contact with Brooke's cheek.
LUCAS : I have to go... I can't take any risks especially with the urgent procedure I'm going to launch... But I'll call you when I get to Felix's, okay?
Brooke nodded, fatalistic. He moved forward to kiss her... An intense and sincere kiss but far too short. Brooke already missed the touch of Lucas' lips as he gently caressed them with his thumb... He had a hard time leaving.
LUCAS : I love you Brooke... Sorry for doing this to you, I wish I could make another choice...
And he finally left... Without turning around so as not to add to his pain and his bitterness of the moment. Brooke consoled her heart by telling herself that what Lucas must be feeling was even worse than his grief. Leaving his daughter, and especially leaving her to his witch wife... Leaving his house... And leaving her too. Brooke felt that her role would now be to support him by taking care of his treasure, his reason for existing... Even from a distance, she knew that she would be able to take on this role and above all, she wanted to be up to the task. She slipped under her covers because she no longer had any reason to go downstairs if Lucas wasn't there. She had no desire to meet Peyton, the one she held responsible for Lucas' current misfortune...
FELIX : I prepared the guest room for you... Shall we start with a beer or would you prefer to go and settle in first?
LUCAS : I have a phone call to make first... And then a beer! Or two even!
FELIX : Take your time, I'll keep them cool in the meantime...
And as Lucas walked towards his temporary room, his cell phone in hand, he turned around just before entering.
LUCAS : Thanks, my friend!
FELIX : Don't thank me, Lucas! It's my pleasure and there are much worse roommates than you!
LUCAS : If I were you, I'd wait before deciding!
They laughed and Lucas closed the door behind him. He then quickly dialed Brooke's number.
BROOKE : Arrived safely?
LUCAS : Yes. And you, how are you feeling?
BROOKE : Let's just say I didn't expect things to move so quickly in such a short time... But it's okay. What about you?
LUCAS : I'm still really pissed at her and the fact that I can't do anything more right now...
BROOKE : Tell me what was said...
LUCAS : Sure. But make sure the door is closed and that no one can hear you...
BROOKE : I'm going to go into the bathroom so we're safe... Two seconds...
Brooke got out of bed to go to the bathroom and closed this second door... That should be more than enough.
BROOKE : Ok, I'm listening!
Lucas told her about the discussions that took place earlier... Peyton's strategy and the advice of his lawyers.
BROOKE : So, he's going to file a motion with the Judge so that he makes a decision quickly?
LUCAS : That's it. At least a first judgment that will set the terms of custody until the divorce is pronounced...
BROOKE : But you must already be able to provide evidence in your favor, then?
LUCAS : Yes, but not only that... Classic arguments won't be enough for me to get sole custody! According to Maître Lethier, at this stage, it takes something very serious for a judge to take a child away from his mother so quickly... Add to that the fact that Sawyer is so young... And that Peyton has never done anything "serious" if you can call it that...
BROOKE : It's serious not to take care of your child and not show any interest in him!
LUCAS : If you knew how much I agree with you, Brooke... But she'll say it's my fault... She'll say I didn't give her any space... The space she would have needed to play her role.
BROOKE : I guess she would, yes ... It's not much compared to what she did to you tonight ...
LUCAS : That's why I'm going to speed things up ... I'm going to start by talking to Felix tonight. I hope to convince him to testify in my favor ... Well especially against Peyton ...
BROOKE : I'm sure he'll accept, Lucas! But will it be enough?
LUCAS : Certainly not but it will be something ... And I was also going to ask him to spy on Peyton.
BROOKE : About his infidelities?
LUCAS : Especially to prove to the Judge where her priorities are and that she has no qualms about leaving her daughter alone with me!
BROOKE : You have to take care of Lindsay too...
LUCAS : I'm going to do that this week too...
Brooke was a little upset but she wanted to support him and help him until the end.
BROOKE : You know you can count on me too... To testify...
LUCAS : I don't want to involve you in all this... The consequences for your career would be catastrophic!
BROOKE : My career!? Her reputation will be ruined long before then!
LUCAS : I wouldn't bet my life on it... She's smart, you know. Crazy and bad but smart.
BROOKE : I know how to help you in other ways and how to make the most of my presence here...
LUCAS : I like that better, pretty girl. Tell me what you have in mind...
BROOKE : First, I'll be your eyes and ears... I can keep you informed of everything that's going on here.
LUCAS : If she leaves the house without warning or doesn't come home at night, for example... I'll call the cops to have that noted!
BROOKE : Ask your lawyer again to see how to do it so that it can help you in your request...
LUCAS : I'll do that. It would still be necessary for her legendary selfishness to remain her first nature...
BROOKE : If she knew that you're not there to control her, nothing would stop her from continuing to act like before...
LUCAS : I hope so! I've always hated that and for once I'm asking for nothing more!
BROOKE : Do you give me permission to talk to Julie too?
LUCAS : To tell her what?
BROOKE : Convince her to testify for you too, Lucas! She has been at your service for so long...
LUCAS : Test the waters first... Tell her about the urgent procedure and see how she reacts...
BROOKE : Ok. I'll keep you posted... You too, okay?
LUCAS : Of course...
BROOKE : And for Lindsay too... You can have Haley come to Felix's to prepare your trap...
It was weird how the idea of them being three, without her, would almost break her heart.
BROOKE : While I watch over Sawyer...
LUCAS: I can never thank you enough, Brooke. Luckily, soon, I'll have the rest of my life to do it...
BROOKE : I'll keep that sentence preciously in mind, so... You never know!
LUCAS : If you want more, let me call you back tonight... Before you go to sleep...
BROOKE : Want to take your mind off things with some phone sex?
LUCAS : Oh yes ... And I thank technology for putting cameras on these amazing little machines!
BROOKE : I can't wait ...
Lucas ended the conversation with his favorite phrase:
LUCAS : Me even more ... See you later, pretty girl.