The next morning, Brooke's awakening had a bitter taste because she knew in advance that Lucas was not in the house. Her cell phone had remained silent but she remembered the last words they had exchanged. So she headed straight to Sawyer's room just across from her room, wondering if she was already awake. To her great relief, she was still sound asleep in her multi-colored sheets. Brooke lay down next to her. As if she had sensed her presence, Sawyer's small hand caught hers in a half-asleep smile.
SAWYER : Today... Funfair!
Brooke laughed at the first words she said and gently stroked her hair to wake her up gently.
BROOKE : Yes, sweetie... On the other hand, the weather is really not with us...
Sawyer jumped a little and his face showed legitimate concern.
SAWYER : Who!?
BROOKE : The weather... Look outside, it's raining cats and dogs today...
Sawyer glanced briefly towards his window then turned back to Brooke, perplexed.
SAWYER: And what, you don't have a coat with a hood!?
BROOKE : Yes! And I even have an umbrella, you know!
SAWYER : Well then!? Let's go, huh... I like the rain, me... And I also like the funfair...
BROOKE : Don't worry, sweetie. I'll just check on my phone if it calms down later... Because it's still better when the weather is nice... Imagine... Where are we going to eat our cotton candy, otherwise!?
Sawyer nodded at her argument, like a grown-up would. Brooke smiled and turned on her cell phone.
BROOKE : So, they're announcing clearings... Around eight o'clock, only!
SAWYER : Maybe Dad will agree to go in the evening... I like the lights when it's pitch black!
Reassured that Sawyer finds this late alternative even more pleasant...
BROOKE : It's true that it's even prettier, I totally agree with you!
SAWYER : Come on, we're going to ask Dad right away if he agrees! And we're going to tell him that you do!
As Sawyer hurried to get her duvet off, Brooke held her by her hand still in his.
BROOKE : Dad's not here, sweetie... He had to go to work...
SAWYER : Oh, poor dad... He hates working on weekends...
His concern and empathy surprised Brooke as much as they moved her.
BROOKE : I'm sure he would have preferred to be here... But sometimes we don't have a choice, you know... I have an idea... What if we asked him directly when he plans to come back!?
Brooke wanted to check on Lucas just as much as Sawyer and she was the perfect excuse to do it subtly.
BROOKE : I'll send him a message... What do you want us to write?
SAWYER : "When are we going to the carnival!?"
BROOKE : Haha! And you don't even want to ask him how he's doing!?
SAWYER : Okay, yeah... So, "How are you? And when are we going to the carnival!?"
BROOKE : I see... Well, you know what we're going to do? We're going to video call him so he can see you, it'll make him happy...
And her too at the same time. Brooke quickly fixed her hair and launched the video call... Sawyer facing the screen. After a few rings and an almost unbearable suspense for both of them...
LUCAS : Hello sweetie! What a nice surprise!
SAWYER : Hey dad! Say, when are we going to the funfair!?
BROOKE : Sawyer, don't forget what I told you and ask your dad first how he is...
LUCAS : Oh... I hear Brooke next to you... Show her to me, honey...
Sawyer quickly turned the screen of the cell phone a little without moving it back, which made Brooke appear in close-up in front of Lucas.
LUCAS : There, I can only see her ear and her cheek ...
Brooke grabbed the phone and moved it a little further away so that they were both in the frame. Lucas smiled when he saw Brooke and she saw him focus only on her.
LUCAS : Much better ... Good morning, Brooke ...
BROOKE : Good morning Lucas ... Did you sleep well? For your information, I told Sawyer that you had to leave ...
LUCAS : Not really ... You did well. You both look beautiful when you wake up ...
BROOKE : Thank you ... And you are very ... Photogenic!
LUCAS : And you, you are wearing something very very pleasant to look at ... Even if it would be even better to see it in real life ...
BROOKE : Lucas ...! Little innocent ears are listening to us... And a little princess wanted to know when you were coming home...
LUCAS : I really want to go home right now... But, I don't know if you looked out the window...
SAWYER : But Brooke has a hooded coat and even an umbrella!
LUCAS : Is that true!? I was hoping you'd stay in that outfit all day...
SAWYER : She can't go to the carnival like that, she'll catch a bad cold!
LUCAS : You're right, honey... But what do you think of my idea? We could go tonight...
SAWYER : It's not your idea! It's Brooke and I's idea!
LUCAS : Great minds think alike I see... And I still have a few things to do today... Brooke... I wanted to tell you that I'm going to take advantage of my day to meet with my...
A silence settled for a few seconds until Lucas continued on a subject that he knew was more delicate.
LUCAS : I should be able to have an appointment with my lawyer later...
BROOKE : That's a good thing and do what you have to do...
SAWYER : I don't think lawyers are good!
They both laughed and Brooke understood that it was time to end this very delicate conversation in front of Sawyer.
BROOKE : Shall we keep you posted for tonight, then? We can't wait to see you...
LUCAS : Me even more than you, my princesses... I kiss you both hard...
And Brooke ended the conversation before the urge to say "I love you" was irresistible... Because although Sawyer was too young to detect what was still going on between them, they shouldn't tempt the devil.
When evening came, it was time to get ready to go to the Paris funfair. The good weather was back and Brooke wanted to please Lucas and awaken all his senses tonight. Julie finished getting ready while Felix was busy with the car... Brooke counted down the minutes. She hadn't seen Peyton all day and even if she had a bad feeling, it had relieved her.
GOVERNESS : There you go! Brooke, isn't that... Too much!?
BROOKE : Too much!? Not at all, you look lovely Julie! Really!
GOVERNESS : I admit that I also like feeling a little dolled up... It's been a long time!
BROOKE : You should do it more often because it really suits you!
LUCAS : I agree with Brooke... Julie, you look radiant!
A shiver ran through Brooke from head to toe when she heard his warm voice just behind her... She turned around. Lucas was still in the doorway but continued to move a little closer to them.
LUCAS : Finally, you are both totally... Radiant...
And even if Brooke was fine, the look they exchanged reassured her and immediately made her happy. Lucas came forward to kiss them and Brooke already knew that he would put it on her cheek... But his eyes were mischievous. He came to put his lips a little too far in the hollow of her jaw... Brooke felt his tongue lick it for a short moment.
LUCAS : Hello Brooke...
Brooke swallowed without answering him as the sexual tension, already pushed to its peak from the beginning, surprised. Lucas also greeted Julie who was apparently not used to getting a kiss from her boss.
LUCAS : I'm going to change quickly and we can get going!
A few minutes later, they were all in the car together, heading to the Tuileries funfair.
SAWYER : I want to go duck fishing, three rides on the merry-go-round and I also want you to catch me a stuffed animal, Dad!
LUCAS : I will do my best!
GOVERNESS : She's putting a lot of pressure on you, in any case!
LUCAS : And God knows I'm going to spend a lot of money on a stuffed animal that won't even want a tenth of it!
GOVERNESS : What wouldn't we do to remain the hero of our little princess...!?
FELIX : In any case, I think all the parents had the same idea... It's really crowded!
BROOKE : Don't be a killjoy, the atmosphere is already good here... It will only be better when we get there!
The moment she saw Felix roll his eyes in the rearview mirror, Brooke's cell phone vibrated against her. Her first instinct was to look at Lucas sitting in the passenger seat in the front... It wasn't him apparently and so much the better on one hand because in terms of discretion, we've seen better.
HALEY'S MESSAGE : Hello my turkey! I really want to let off steam... Are we going out tonight!?
BROOKE'S MESSAGE : Sorry my dear, but I'm out with Sawyer... We're going to the Tuileries funfair!
HALEY'S MESSAGE : Would you forget to tell me that your Prince Charming dad is coming with you, you little secretive girl!?
BROOKE'S MESSAGE : Yes... He's with us. But if you really want to know, Julie and Felix are here too so we'll come back for the romance!
HALEY'S MESSAGE : You mean the handsome bodyguard might take a ride on the Ferris wheel holding the candle!?
BROOKE'S MESSAGE : That or maybe one on one with Julie, who knows!?
HALEY'S MESSAGE : But she's like much older than him!?
BROOKE'S MESSAGE : A problem with couples whose age difference is significant...!?
HALEY'S MESSAGE : Haha! No none! On the other hand, it poses a serious problem for me to know that he is so alone, you understand!?
BROOKE'S MESSAGE : Basically, you are waiting for me to tell you to come?
HALEY'S MESSAGE : It would be the easiest and nicest thing, otherwise I'll just crash after I run into you "completely by chance"!
BROOKE'S MESSAGE : Come on, it's official: I invite you to join us and I'll take on the role of matchmaker!
HALEY'S MESSAGE : Thanks, honey, you're the best! I'm changing and I'll meet you... Stay close to your phone.
Brooke laughed as she closed her phone and noticed that they were already parking right next to the funfair. Lucas opened the door for them and winked at her as they passed. Brooke approached him, speaking in a low voice.
BROOKE : The cap suits you! Is it to look more trendy!?
LUCAS : Call me old while you're at it... No, it's so you can be sure to enjoy the evening...
BROOKE : You're so handsome that you'll still attract all eyes...
LUCAS : And you, you're so beautiful that you'd better stay close to me...
Sawyer got impatient to see them dragging a bit and shouted at them while already pulling Julie and Felix by the hand...
SAWYER : You're coming!?
They smiled and started walking while staying slightly behind to continue their conversation.
BROOKE : By the way, my friend Haley is going to join us... Are you okay?
LUCAS : I guess at this point, one more person or less...
BROOKE : Her presence is strategic. I said yes because she really has a crush on Felix!
LUCAS : Really!?
BROOKE : Yes and if you really want to know everything, he really likes her too.
LUCAS : Perfect, that way we won't be the only ones having to hold back from jumping on each other... By the way, when she's here... Remind me to thank her...
BROOKE : Why!?
LUCAS : Because it's a bit thanks to her that we met you and me...
BROOKE : Remind me to introduce you to Rachel too then when I get the chance... They're the two guilty ones!
LUCAS : I already like him a lot too, so! But we'll do that when it's official between you and me... Besides, I was thinking that we'd better agree on tonight...
BROOKE : To manage to spend the night together, this time!?
LUCAS : Of course! You don't really think that I'm going to manage to keep my cool for much longer...
BROOKE : You want to let off steam!?
LUCAS : You could say that. And I want you... In every position!
BROOKE : Just a little more patience... We have a funfair to go to first!
LUCAS : I've been counting down the hours since last night... But believe me, the really strong sensations will be later...
The heat was already rising from between Brooke's thighs to her cheeks which were blushing with impatience. The evening promised to be joyful and fun at first... Then explosive and liberating... She laughed with happiness and anticipation.