Haley's words were still ringing in Brooke's ears when they all left the place together. Could it be that she was pregnant with Lucas!? Technically it was still possible if we considered her young age and her natural fertility. Especially since they hadn't used protection the last times... But she was on the pill, though!

LUCAS : Brooke!? Are you dreaming or what!?

Lucas's voice momentarily brought her out of her torment.

BROOKE : Sorry... What were you saying?

LUCAS : I was saying that we were going up to the hotel to get the microphones and spend the night there, you and I...

BROOKE : Oh yeah, that's right!

Brooke greeted Haley and Felix who were leaving arm in arm... Lucas took Brooke's hand in his. Luckily the hotel was right next door, because she wouldn't have been able to hide her confusion for a longer walk. Obviously, Lucas didn't need to ask for the magnetic card again since it had never left his pocket. The receptionist didn't fail to notice, however... She made a strange face when she saw Brooke.

BROOKE : I think the receptionist is wondering what you're doing with a new girl on your arm...

LUCAS : Except I didn't hold Lindsay like I hold you... And I didn't do that to her either...

Lucas stopped as he pulled Brooke close to him to plant a kiss on her lips. He then lowered his mouth to her neck to place a shower of delicate and ticklish kisses.

LUCAS : And it's also only to you that I do that...

Brooke laughed as she freed her neck and looked, barely embarrassed, towards the reception and the woman who were staring at them.

BROOKE : I like exploring things with you but my exhibitionist tendency stops there, Lucas!

Lucas enjoyed the fine and delicate skin of Brooke's neck for a few more seconds then went back up to her.

LUCAS : I love the sound of your laugh so much, Brooke... And I'm glad to see that it's back.

Lucas seemed to have already noticed that Brooke was elsewhere and that didn't reassure her for the future. It was enough to make her think back to what she had momentarily managed to forget... This possible pregnancy. And since she was taking the pill continuously for the moment for practical reasons, the absence of periods was normal. In any case, it was impossible to be sure tonight... She would have to wait for a pharmacy to open tomorrow. She could obviously confide in Lucas but at this stage, it really wasn't the best idea. And then, he had other things on his mind and there was no point in panicking as long as it remained such a small probability. Lucas immediately settled down on the bed and held out his arms to welcome Brooke.

LUCAS : Come here...

Brooke lay down, her back against his body. It suited her perfectly that he didn't see her worried face. The warmth of his arms comforted her and she let herself go against him, she relaxed a little.

LUCAS : You know what I want?

BROOKE : Lucas, I really don't feel like this...

LUCAS : Hey, I told you earlier that I just wanted to be in your arms... And that's still the case.

He moved his head a little so that she understood his wish to look her in the eyes then continued.

LUCAS : I was thinking that we could undress a little... Just so our skins could touch.

Brooke found him really cute with his little shy begging look.

LUCAS: What do you say? Do you want to?

BROOKE : Of course, yes!

No sooner said than done, they almost completely undressed... Brooke snuggled up against him.

LUCAS : Are you okay?

BROOKE : Perfectly fine, Lucas. And you?

LUCAS : I didn't need anything else, pretty girl.

Brooke took advantage of the moment but she thought about all this... And by force of circumstances about Peyton..

BROOKE : Lucas?

LUCAS : Mmh, what?

BROOKE : Do you really think that Peyton and Lindsay have been in cahoots from the beginning?

LUCAS : Ugh I don't know... But how else would you explain what we heard earlier, otherwise!?

BROOKE : Well, when I think about it... Lindsay said she accepted his offer...

LUCAS : I heard the same thing as you...

BROOKE : But then, the most plausible would be that she just agreed to a deal tonight, right?

LUCAS : That doesn't stop them from having already made one before... What are you thinking?

BROOKE : Honestly, I think she was really hoping to get something from you tonight... I think she made all those lies on her own initiative in the first place! At that point, Peyton had no idea that you would ask for a divorce, Lucas... And given her current reaction, I really have a hard time believing that's what she wanted!

LUCAS : She would have been capable of doing something like that to get something from me, you know!

BROOKE : I'm not saying that, but certainly not to get a divorce! She's clinging like a mussel to its rock!

LUCAS : Not wrong... So, continue...

BROOKE : Well, the most consistent thing to me is that after your request and seeing that you weren't budging... She must have contacted Lindsay to offer her this damn unhealthy deal...

LUCAS : But then why did she really seem to want to go all the way tonight, despite everything?

BROOKE : Because she probably refused at first! Or because she received your messages and she believed them... She must have thought she was going to get what she wanted... That is to say, you!

LUCAS : And since she didn't get what she came for, she took revenge... It makes perfect sense!

BROOKE : Angry and frustrated, her first instinct was to call her to reconsider her proposal!

LUCAS : And finally to accept it... They both have something to gain!

Brooke felt him seething against her again. So, she found the words that would calm him down again.

BROOKE : Except that in the end, you're the one who won in this story! Don't forget, we have the recording.

LUCAS : That's right and those two witches will only have their eyes to cry with! And I'll have Sawyer by my side...

BROOKE : By the way, do you have any news regarding your request?

LUCAS : According to my lawyer, we should be summoned by the end of the week at the latest... Or early next week.

BROOKE : I'll finish talking to Julie tomorrow... You'll have enough to convince the Judge, you'll see!

Brooke felt Lucas' grip tighten around her and her nose get drunk on his scent.

LUCAS : I so hope you're right, my dear... In any case, know that I feel ready to face all this and it's thanks to you... And I think that even if I don't get Sawyer back right away, I'll hold up... Because you're here. I can't wait for us to be a family... You, Sawyer and me. That would be perfect...

The lump in Brooke's throat tightened even more.

LUCAS : Tell me that you would be happy too, Brooke...

Brooke had to swallow to be able to answer without her confusion being noticed.

BROOKE : You, Sawyer and me... I want the same thing you do, Lucas.

Exhausted, Lucas turned off the light.

LUCAS : I love you so much, Brooke.

BROOKE : I love you too, Lucas.

And Lucas fell asleep right next to her, soothed... For Brooke it's was another story even if sleep won her over later.


The next day, as planned, Brooke was the first to leave after kissing Lucas. She had to be home at eight o'clock to be there when Sawyer woke up... Too early for a pharmacy. So she decided to wait for her to wake up before going there. Once she had eaten her breakfast, Brooke couldn't sit still... She had to know!

BROOKE : I have an errand to run, do you think I can leave Sawyer with you for half an hour?

GOVERNESS : Of course! And his mother is here, right?

BROOKE : I'd rather count on you for that...

SAWYER : Where are you going, Brooke!?

BROOKE : Not far, sweetheart. I... I'm going to get a pain au chocolat, I really want a pain au chocolat!

Julie looked at her doubtfully while Sawyer seemed taken aback.

SAWYER : We just had lunch... And you're still hungry!?

BROOKE : Remember our conversation last time... Well, it's was a gluttony!

SAWYER : So, are you going to bring me one too!?

BROOKE : Oh yes of course, honey!

Brooke placed a kiss on her forehead and glanced briefly at Julie before leaving.

GOVERNESS : Brooke... Nothing serious, reassure me!?

BROOKE : Nothing serious, I promise.

BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Well, if we want... And especially, if it's negative!

GOVERNESS : Come on, go, my dear! We're waiting for you!

Brooke gave her a grateful smile and quickly set off for the nearest pharmacy. Her hands were getting sweatier and her heart was pounding in her chest... To tell the truth, she didn't even know if it would be a disaster for her to be pregnant... Of course the timing was clearly rotten and she had this last year to finish... This career to launch. But what paralyzed her the most was Lucas' potential reaction if it were to be positive. She, she already knew that she would keep this child, the fruit of her love with a man she loved so much...She realized that she would almost hope that the test would be positive... It was absurd! But the complexity of this situation... Living under the roof of her lover with his future ex-wife... All this while carrying the child of the man she was divorcing... While taking care of their daughter... It was absurd. Brooke took a deep breath and entered the pharmacy. She immediately went to the pharmacist and did it as quickly as possible. As a precaution, she bought two tests at once. When she came out of the pharmacy, she wanted to be able to do one immediately to reassure herself. A coffee shop on the corner seemed like the perfect solution... At this point, at least. She crossed the street with only one thing on her mind... She needed a toilet, and fast. As soon as she entered, she made a beeline for the toilet, locked the door, and unwrapped the test. She didn't care that the first morning urine was the most reliable... She peed on the stick, clenching her teeth tightly and biting the inside of her lips. The tension rose a notch when she was able to deposit the test on the edge of the toilet...A few days earlier, she was in the same situation with Lucas but it was a cell phone that was sitting there... And now, here she was... Alone, in front of a small white and pink stick... Dreading the lines that would appear. She reread the instructions... It was suggested to wait two minutes... Should she look? Should she close her eyes? In any case, the question was completely irrational since her eyes couldn't tear themselves away from the test... But it only took a few seconds for him to give his verdict... Two bars... One clearer but another that also appeared distinctly... Brooke suddenly ran out of air... She let herself fall back limply on the closed toilet seat, completely paralyzed... Completely disoriented... And completely panicked! She was indeed pregnant...