After coming home the night before, Brooke woke up after a very pleasant lie-in. Her state of mind and her still cottony brain slowly woke up and with them, the same thoughts as yesterday. Her first thought was obviously for Lucas but also for Sawyer, who woke up without her this morning. Although she was happy to be home, she almost missed Sawyer's little enthusiastic voice as soon as she woke up. Brooke decided to hang out in bed a little longer because she knew her mother was already busy at the hair salon. As soon as she unlocked her phone, a message notification from her university group caught her attention.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : The results of the last two remaining exams will be out today...
She checked that she had activated notifications to be informed as soon as the results came out. In order to think about something else and relieve some of her stress, Brooke took a look at her conversation with Haley and Rachel. She was already looking forward to seeing them tonight since they had responded to the appointment! She reread their message exchange from last night, a smile on her lips.
HALEY'S MESSAGE : It's crazy that you, Brooke, are the one who initiated this proposal, but I LOVE IT!
RACHEL'S MESSAGE : Just for that, I have a feeling this is going to be the party of the year... Maybe even the century! And what would you like to do, usual agenda!?
BROOKE'S MESSAGE : See you and unwind! I have a few things to tell you too...
HALEY'S MESSAGE : I have a feeling it's going to be heavy! And I hope it includes gossip about your new bosses! Give us a taste... In case we're hesitant to cancel our plans for your pretty eyes!
BROOKE'S MESSAGE : I won't reveal anything and you already said yes! But rest assured, you'll have something to sink your teeth into! I remind you that I am subject to a confidentiality agreement... So, I have to do a little sorting...
RACHEL'S MESSAGE : That's cool and what's more, it's intriguing because it implies that there is confidential information to protect!
HALEY'S MESSAGE : That sucks, yes! Since you can't reveal anything to us, or almost!
BROOKE'S MESSAGE : I remind the killjoy on duty that the primary goal of this evening is for us to party together! I suggest: sexy little dresses, mojitos, music and dancing... Lots of dancing! Are you in!?
RACHEL'S MESSAGE : Absolutely!
HALEY'S MESSAGE : We're going to set the dance floor on fire! Fake bimbos better watch out!
Brooke thought a little about what outfit she could wear, then she went to reread Julian's message. Her fingers tapped to answer him ... She hesitated, rewrote and started again. Then, she decided to send:
BROOKE'S MESSAGE : I'm very busy this weekend, so how about lunch next Saturday or Sunday?
She sent her message without any particular formula to greet him... After all, she was the one who had done him a favor.
Brooke spent the rest of her day waiting for her final grades and working on her dress in the basement. At the end of her day, her mother poked her head through the crack in the door.
MOTHER : Do you have a few hours to spend with your old mother before you go out?
BROOKE : Of course! I'm not doing anything good anymore and I wouldn't mind seeing some daylight!
MOTHER : That's good, I feel like going for a walk... Or a run! And it's still nice outside!
BROOKE : Great! Let's each change and meet downstairs!?
A few minutes later, Brooke and her mother came out of the house.
MOTHER : Are we going to the Jardin des Plantes?
BROOKE : Let's go, I'll follow you!
Brooke started running after her mother, taking care not to overtake her... She knew she would be a little annoyed. This intermediate pace suited Brooke and allowed her to observe the landscape and the people around her. It had taken them about twenty minutes to arrive at the Jardin des Plantes. Brooke stopped when she felt her cell phone vibrate in her pocket, her mother, she, continued on her momentum. It was a notification from the university. She hurried to unlock her cell phone. Her hands were shaking a little with impatience and apprehension, she waited for the page to load. It seemed to take forever... Until the moment she saw the two notes! She looked twice... Then, she accelerated her cell phone and ran at full speed to join her mother who was already well advanced.
BROOKE : Mom !
Proud of her lead, she turned her head slightly and then made a gesture with her hand to taunt her. Brooke now had to run even faster to catch up and she grabbed her shoulder.
BROOKE : Stop, it's not a race... I got the latest results!
Her mother stopped abruptly, questioning her with a look while Brooke took on a disappointed pout.
BROOKE : But no, I did it! I got 15 and 16! I'm in my last year!
MOTHER : Ahhh! Awesome! Well done my daughter!
Her mother literally screamed with joy and spontaneously jumped into Brooke's arms, even happier than she was. As far back as Brooke could remember, they had always had this beautiful mother-daughter bond. She remembered that as a teenager, she was sometimes a little embarrassed on her side "I don't give a damn about what other people think..." But in the end, this touching attitude had always been at the service of an extraordinary affection towards her daughter. She was the kind of mother who kept the clues for the perfect gift for Christmas or her birthday throughout the year. The kind of mother who improvised a trip to a fast food restaurant on a weeknight because she was very sad. The kind of mother who only needed a look to know or guess if something was bothering her... In short. Brooke knew how much she owed her that she wanted to be a mother like her, later.
MOTHER : We won't even be able to celebrate this together tonight!
BROOKE : You can come have a drink with us... But just one or two!
MOTHER : You're a sweetheart but I'll leave you with Haley ans Rachel! I'm sure those two crazy girls will be up to the task of celebrating this! Come on, just one more year and you'll have your degree under your belt! And you'll already have some good connections in the industry!
BROOKE : Mhhh... On that point, I'm not sure Peyton will finally be willing to introduce me to people...
MOTHER : Oh no?! Why?
They continued to walk quietly near the greenhouses in the beautiful green and flowery garden.
BROOKE : I've only been over there for five days so it's maybe a little early to judge but she's very busy... And not at home much.
MOTHER : At least it avoids arguments between husband and wife! Since they've been together for so long...
Brooke knew she was referring to her relationship with her father whose constant closeness had taken a toll on their relationship. Her father had accepted night shifts as a firefighter and and his mother did hair mainly at home. The atmosphere had quickly become explosive between one who needed rest and calm and the other who earned his living.
BROOKE : Well, precisely ... They argue every time she's around! She's not an easy person to live with ...
MOTHER : Like all great creative and artistic minds, right?
BROOKE : I have the impression that it's deeper.
MOTHER : You'll see with a little more time and perspective... You already told me that she was neglecting the little one... But it must not be easy for Lucas, either... He must admire her so much to stay...
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Admire her?
Maybe her mother was right and Lucas deeply admired his wife... But it made her stomach churn to think about it. Even though she had an unfailing bond with her, she couldn't tell her anything at this point. She imagined her face if she learned that her daughter had made love on the kitchen counter with her boss. Seen like that, she would almost feel ashamed of the situation... After not even a week in their service! However, she knew deep down that this alchemy between them was most natural and most instinctive. She would appreciate being able to confide in her mother about the pain it had caused her to hear Lindsay... And her possible lies. But she definitely couldn't talk about it, especially since she had decided to distance herself from Lucas.
BROOKE : Maybe there's a bit of that... Or maybe he's staying for Sawyer...
Brooke couldn't bring herself to think that he was staying with Peyton because he admired her and therefore also loved her very much, it broke her heart.
MOTHER : You know, when you're unhappy, you don't stay just for a child... I know what I'm talking about.
Her mother had an embarrassed and uncomfortable look on her face, because she still blamed herself for letting Brooke live through the hell of divorce.
BROOKE : I was big, Mom! I was able to understand some things even if it wasn't easy... That's the difference with a five-year-old child who still needs the love of both her parents so much... More or less, she only gets love from her father, fortunately in double doses!
MOTHER : You know, I told a customer that you worked for the Scotts... She confided something to me.
BROOKE : What?
MOTHER : Peyton got pregnant accidentally six years ago... She didn't realize it until it was too late...
BROOKE : Too late to abort, you mean!?
MOTHER : Yes, that's it. I don't have all the details but marriage very quickly followed this discovery...
BROOKE : That would explain why Peyton doesn't have the maternal instinct, she certainly didn't want this child...
MOTHER : I'm not saying it's excusable, but it helps put things into perspective... Every couple goes through trials and events that they deal with as best they can... We don't have to judge...
Brooke was only half-listening to her mother... Because this information also made her think of something.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : If they got married because she got pregnant... Maybe that means it wasn't a love match?!
MOTHER : Keep that information to yourself, okay!? Brooke? Did you hear me?
BROOKE : Oh... Uh... Yes, yes! All this must remain strictly confidential, you're right. It's about my job and my reputation in the industry... I'm also counting on you not to confide in clients who might want to hear the latest gossip...
MOTHER : I'll be as silent as a tomb! I take information but I don't give any!
They continued to talk about this and that until it was time for Brooke to join the girls.
On the tennis court, Lucas and Nathan were playing and gently hitting the ball while talking about everything and nothing. The discussion quickly deviated to what brings the two brothers-in-law closer together, Peyton ...
NATHAN : How's it going with Peyton ?
LUCAS : I think it's never been worse to be honest with you ...
NATHAN : Oh, shit! I'm sorry, man! Is she always so tense?
LUCAS : If only she were just tense ... No, she's obnoxious, cold and more and more hysterical! Well, that's when she's at home ... The rest of the time, she's perfect ... Since she's not here!
NATHAN : Have you ever considered going to see a shrink... You know, a kind of marriage counselor?!
LUCAS : I talked to her about it once and she told me to go away! The worst part is that for her, there's no problem...
NATHAN : She thinks it's normal that you guys are always arguing... Like, does it turn her on?
LUCAS : If only it had that effect... We don't touch each other anymore, Nath! I don't even want to right now!
NATHAN : It seems serious though... If I were you, I'd insist on the marriage counselor...
LUCAS' THOUGHT : If he knew how I no longer want to fight for a bad patch that has been going on for too long... Even more so since my sublime Brooke came into my life, into my house and into my daily life!
NATHAN : Honestly Lucas, you're lucky to have a sublime wife and an adorable little girl... That would be a shame...
LUCAS : If I'm still with your sister, it's because I haven't completely lost faith in us yet... And then, there's Sawyer.
NATHAN : And you'd do anything for this little girl! Including staying unhappy all your life, wouldn't you!?
Lucas just smiled, unable to deny or contradict what his brother-in-law had said about Sawyer.
LUCAS : And you, then? It's time for you to start that family you've been dreaming of! No suitors?
NATHAN : No, no one... It's dead calm! Well, unless we consider that I had a little crush on your nanny!
Nathan's tone was light and relaxed but his words absolutely did not please Lucas who hit the ball hard.
LUCAS : Seriously, she's in her early twenties! It's almost indecent!
NATHAN : Indecent but very tempting and then ... She seems to have lead in her brain for her age!
Lucas, more and more annoyed, missed the ball that passed right next to him ... He took another to serve.
NATHAN : Do you know if she's dating anyone!?
Lucas threw the ball above him then hit it with all his strength.
NATHAN : Waaw! Ok, you want to play a Grand Slam match, you should have said it right away!
LUCAS : Shut up and play ...!
Lucas hid his irritation but his game became aggressive and Nathan had become an opponent like any other. It was no longer against his brother-in-law that he was playing in a friendly manner, but against a fierce competitor who coveted his beautiful ...