It had taken Brooke a few minutes to gather her wits and decide to get out of there. The ride home was no longer an opportunity to study all the probabilities since the answer was now clear. It was rather an opportunity to think about the next steps and who she was going to confide in. For this last question, the choice was quite obvious... She could only talk to Haley at this point. Her heart sank at the thought of not being able to confide in her mother but she didn't even know she was in love.
So here she is finally back at the Scotts... At least physically... Because for the rest, it was another story. Her thoughts were elsewhere, and she knew exactly where...
SAWYER : Brooke! Come on, let's go to the kitchen!
Brooke let Sawyer take her hand, who was already pulling her enthusiastically. The little girl looked at her with big impatient eyes.
BROOKE : What's going on, sweetie!?
SAWYER : Well, we're going to eat our pain au chocolat, right!?
Brooke broke down when she realized that she had completely forgotten to keep her promise, she hadn't even thought about it anymore. She couldn't reasonably admit to Sawyer that she had just... Forgotten... That she had forgotten it...
BROOKE : Imagine that there were no more, darling! Razzia totale sur les pains au chocolats !
SAWYER : Oh...
Brooke's heart twisted as she watched her go from excitement and joy to disappointment and sadness.
BROOKE : But we'll go back to the bakery later! We'll even go to all the bakeries we need to find some!
SAWYER : Yay!
Brooke wasn't doing too badly after all... But it was already promising for the days to come...
Later in the day, and while Brooke was playing hide-and-seek with Sawyer, Peyton announced to them that she absolutely had to go to the office.
PEYTON : I won't be long, a two-hour story at the most...
GOVERNESS : Good, ma'am.
Once she had turned on her heels, Brooke took advantage of being alone with Julie to talk to her about the divorce.
BROOKE : So Julie, have you thought about the urgent procedure?
GOVERNESS : I've been doing nothing but that since you told me about it, Brooke... Have you heard from Mr. Lucas , how is he?
Brooke hated lying to him but she really had no choice. She couldn't know about both of them.
BROOKE : Briefly yes ... He's doing well I think. But he's counting down the days and is hoping a lot for the summons to the Judge. Felix has already agreed to testify in his favor ...
GOVERNESS : I'm also willing to testify in his favor you know, Brooke ... It's just that ... It doesn't mean that I'm ready to overwhelm even if she's not a good mother to Sawyer.
BROOKE : What's holding you back?
GOVERNESS : I can't afford to lose this job, Brooke. I'm sorry ...
BROOKE : But Lucas will keep you in his service if he wins his case, Julie ...
GOVERNESS : Are you sure about that!? Because, at the moment, I really can't just make a guess...
BROOKE : Uh yes ... I'm sure of it! Well, I guess...
GOVERNESS : See, that's what I was telling you. We can't be sure...
BROOKE : What if we just asked her
GOVERNESS : Oh no! I'll never give him alms!
BROOKE : Then I'll find out for you when he calls to check on Sawyer...
GOVERNESS : No Brooke please... He'll feel obligated and I don't want to put that extra pressure on him... I know Mr. Lucas well, he has a big heart... He would be able to keep me when he doesn't need me.
BROOKE : Like you said, he has a huge heart... But he's also down to earth. He won't make you believe the impossible.
GOVERNESS : Maybe... Let me think about it a little more and I'll let you know what I decide.
BROOKE : Okay, Julie. Just don't hang around, I know it'll be soon...
At the same time Brooke felt her cell phone live in her pocket... When we were talking about the wolf... Lucas' number and first name were displayed on her screen but Julie was still close to her. She couldn't see who was trying to contact her but seemed to sense that she was in the way. So, she rushed into the kitchen...
GOVERNESS : Come on, I have a meal to prepare myself
Brooke waited until she had completely disappeared before calling Lucas back. She moved as far away as possible.
BROOKE : Excuse me, I wasn't alone...
LUCAS : No problem, I'm glad you called me back and to hear from you...
BROOKE : Shared pleasure, dear sir...
LUCAS : Before I forget, I had news about the assignment... We already have an appointment tomorrow at the end of the day!
BROOKE : Is it me or do you seem happy that it's so quick...?
LUCAS : Let's say I'm ready... I have the recording and Felix's testimony... I hope that's enough.
BROOKE : I hope so too...
LUCAS : It sure would have been better if Peyton had made a mistake these days... Besides... Still nothing to report on her side? Is she still home?
BROOKE : Actually, she left half an hour ago... She had to go to the office. An emergency according to her.
LUCAS : Why didn't you warn me, Brooke!?
BROOKE : Should I have?
LUCAS : Yes! We said you had to keep me informed of any suspicious behavior...
BROOKE : But it's not suspicious... She just went to her workplace!
LUCAS : To the same workplace where she receives some of her model lovers to have sex...
BROOKE : I suppose it's possible... As it's possible that she's simply working...
LUCAS : You'll excuse me but for the same price she could have just as easily gone to a hotel...
BROOKE : And what, are you jealous!?
Brooke didn't quite understand what he was reproaching her for... Well yes, but she thought he was exaggerating all the same.
LUCAS : Absolutely not! That's not the point at all, Brooke!
BROOKE : And what is it about, then?
LUCAS : Sawyer! I'm trying to prove that Peyton isn't a responsible mother to her!
Brooke felt a little stupid, she knew that was all it was about... But today, she wasn't thinking clearly.
BROOKE : I'm sorry, Lucas... Excuse me.
LUCAS : It's nothing and I apologize too, Brooke. I'm tense and I got carried away a little too quickly. And the unforgivable thing... I didn't even ask you how you were...?
BROOKE : Oh well, let's just say I've known better but it's okay...
LUCAS : Oh my sweetheart... What's going on? You know you can tell me anything... And I wish I could be there for you.
Brooke imagined herself dropping her bombshell on him for a moment... "I'm pregnant with you, that's all!"... But quickly, she looked for another plausible reason to justify her little form.
BROOKE : It's just that I miss you...
And finally it was partly true...
LUCAS : You too, so much! It's almost unbearable... But be patient, we'll be together soon, pretty girl.
Like every time, her comforting and suave voice was enough to make him smile again.
LUCAS : Let me worry now about the second woman in my life... My daughter.
BROOKE : I allow you!
LUCAS : So how is she? Can you give her the phone so I can talk to him for five minutes?
BROOKE : Yes of course! Wait... I...
And then she realized...
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Shit Sawyer! I forgot her again! She must still be hidden somewhere...
BROOKE : Wait two seconds... I think she's upstairs... I'll get her!
LUCAS : No problem, I'll wait... But we can keep talking while you go up, right?
BROOKE : Yes, yes...
Brooke didn't dare tell him that she had forgotten that she was in the middle of a game of hide-and-seek with her daughter. So she went upstairs to explore her favorite hiding places... But she remained nowhere to be found while Lucas was talking to her. Brooke opened the cupboards, she looked under the beds... Nothing, no trace of Sawyer.
LUCAS : Are you okay, Brooke? It looks like you're somewhere else...
BROOKE : Indeed yes... I'm looking for Sawyer... It looks like she decided to hide well this time...
LUCAS : Have you looked in her laundry basket yet?
BROOKE : Yes!
LUCAS : You know what!? I'll let you look for her and especially find her and you call me back right after?
BROOKE : Perfect yes, that's better! See you soon!
Brooke hung up and continued her quest...
BROOKE : Come on Sawyer, you won! You can go out now!
Brooke didn't know why but she already had a bad feeling. She had spoken to Julie and then she had Lucas on the phone... What if the little girl had gotten tired of staying hidden? What if she had gone out into the garden... Or even worse... Anguish and stress invaded her. She screamed her name as she crossed all the rooms upstairs, her heart was racing more and more... She went back to the ground floor and continued the same scenario... She looked for her and called her...
BROOKE : Sawyer, sweetie!? Where are you!? Sawyer!?
Brooke even went to her parents' room... Well, only her mother's room now.
BROOKE : Sawyer!? We have to go at the bakery!
She looked behind Peyton's dresses, in the bathroom, behind the curtains... Everywhere. When she came back into the hall, Julie, alerted by her screams, called out to her.
GOVERNESS : So, you're giving up already!? This little girl is smart, isn't she!?
BROOKE : Either she's very smart or she could have been hiding for at least twenty minutes, Julie!
Julie's expression darkened a little... She looked at Brooke now questioningly.
BROOKE : Would you help me look for her please!? Besides, Lucas wants to talk to her on the phone!
Julie felt the panic that was starting to invade her, she rubbed her hands on her apron...
GOVERNESS : She can't be far... Have you been upstairs yet?
BROOKE : Yes! And here too and... Oh, my god! The pool!
Brooke suddenly realized that Sawyer could have easily gone down to the basement given the lack of surveillance. She knew she wasn't allowed to go there... But she had left the secure door open earlier. Brooke was already running towards the stairs that led to the basement. Julie was following close behind her, panicked too. Brooke prayed inwardly that she wouldn't discover what she couldn't conceive... Why hadn't she closed the door leading to the basement!? Her inattention and distraction made her do anything... And she had even forgotten the basic precautions. When she entered the large room that smelled of chlorine, Brooke's eyes fixed on the water and its depths.
BROOKE : She's not here! Thank God!
GOVERNESS : Thank God! Holy Mary, mother of God! But where could she be, then!?
BROOKE : Maybe in the garden!? She has to be in the garden, Julie! She has to be!
GOVERNESS : Brooke, don't worry... She doesn't know how to get out of the house, the gate is closed...
In theory, the gate should be closed, she knew that. In this case, Brooke was sure she had closed it behind her this morning. But Peyton had left in the meantime...
BROOKE : Unless her mother didn't think it was necessary to do it when she left...
GOVERNESS : We have to go check that right away! Let's go back up!
A few moments later, they were in front of the house and noticed with horror that the gate was indeed open.
BROOKE : Okay, this time she's definitely gone, Julie! I'm going to go look for her!
GOVERNESS : Nothing allows us to affirm that she ran away, Brooke ... I don't see her doing that.
BROOKE : Me neither but who knows what can happen in her little head ... What she is experiencing is terrible for her too! She saw and heard her two parents tear each other apart and her dad is no longer with her, Julie ...
GOVERNESS : You're right, maybe we missed something! I ... I should call the police!
BROOKE : The police!? Wouldn't it be better to call Lucas or Peyton first!?
But nothing the idea of telling Lucas that she had unfortunately lost her daughter paralyzed her ... And at the same moment, her cell phone vibrated again.
BROOKE : Shit, shit, shit Julie! It's Lucas ... And he's calling back to talk to Sawyer!
GOVERNESS : I think you have no choice but to unhook Brooke...
But she simply couldn't... Her hands began to shake uncontrollably.
BROOKE : I can't, Julie...
GOVERNESS : Give me that phone, Brooke! I'll do it!
She didn't give him time to react as she already grabbed her cell phone that Brooke just stared at, inert...
GOVERNESS : Hello!?
LUCAS : Brooke, it's you!?
GOVERNESS : No, Mr. Lucas. It's Julie on the phone...
LUCAS : Oh! Hello Julie! How are you!? I hope you don't miss me too much...
Brooke heard Lucas' warm and cheerful voice on the other end of the phone... Her stomach twisted.
GOVERNESS : I... I'm fine sir but you're at a relatively bad time...
LUCAS : Sorry but Brooke was supposed to call me back to give me Sawyer... Is everything okay?
GOVERNESS : It seems that Sawyer is particularly well hidden, Mr. Lucas... We're looking for her.
LUCAS : Brooke was already looking for her when I hung up earlier... You haven't found her!?
GOVERNESS : No sir... But we're looking everywhere for her...
LUCAS : Damn Julie, this is a joke, right?!
GOVERNESS : I wish it was, sir...
LUCAS : Get me Brooke right now, Julie!
GOVERNESS : Oh uh Brooke... She... She's looking for her and...
LUCAS : Right now, Julie! Get me her NOW!
And she handed the phone to Brooke. Her hand was shaking twice as hard when she took it... She even thought she could hear her heartbeat pounding far too hard in her ribcage. She brought the phone close to her ear...