Brooke wakes up with a knot in her stomach. All night, Peyton's words have been playing over and over in her head. She's right. If she wants to move forward, she has to stop hiding. She has to confront Lucas, tell him everything. Everything she feels, everything on her heart, everything he doesn't know. She sits up in bed and instinctively caresses her rounded belly.
Brooke : We're going to do it, my little star. We're going to tell him.
In the kitchen, Peyton is already up, making coffee.
Peyton : How's the mother-to-be this morning?
Brooke : You're right. I have to go back to Houston. I have to talk to him.
Peyton : Finally! It was about time you understood. We're booking the tickets right away, before you change your mind.
The next few hours go by so quickly. They pack their things into half-closed suitcases and run to catch a cab, then rush to the airport. As soon as they sit on the plane, Brooke realizes how nervous she is. Her heart is pounding. Peyton, sitting next to her, notices her silence.
Peyton : Brooke, it's gonna be okay. Trust yourself.
Brooke : What if this goes wrong?
Peyton : Look, it doesn't matter how it happens. You will have gone to the end of yourself. That's all that matters.
They finally land in Houston under a bright blue sky. As soon as they walk through Peyton's door, Brooke tells her the rest of her plan.
Brooke : Thanks for coming with me, but now, I have to go alone.
Peyton : Are you sure? I can come with you, just in case...
Brooke : No, this is something I have to do alone.
Peyton : Fine. But call me if you ever need anything, okay?
Brooke : I promise.
Brooke runs to the car, her heart pounding, as if every beat screams its urgency. Every mile that brings her closer to the ranch makes a lump build in her throat. She's never felt this need so vital, so overwhelming: she has to tell him. Lucas has to know what she feels, and he has to know it now. No matter what he says, no matter if he rejects her. This truth burns inside her, and she can't keep it in anymore.
When she finally pulls up to the ranch, Brooke cuts the engine abruptly and rushes out of the car. The hot air hits her immediately, but she doesn't stop. She runs, her eyes searching every corner. Her breath is short, but she doesn't slow down.
Brooke : Lucas?
Her heart pounds in her chest. But he's nowhere. Not in the barn, not by the horses, not in the yard. She's about to let out another scream when a familiar voice calls out to her.
Karen : Brooke? What are you doing here?
Brooke : I... I need to talk to Lucas. This is important. Very important.
Karen : He left about ten minutes ago. He's taking a group of retirees on a horseback ride.
Brooke : Where? Where did they go?
Karen : They went to the trail that runs along the river, to the west. Maybe you can catch up with them...
Brooke doesn't wait for her to finish her sentence. Before she can even think, she starts running. Her feet hit the ground hard, her thoughts spinning: She has to find him. She has to tell him.
She runs across the ranch at full speed, her legs burning, but she doesn't stop. The trail stretches out in front of her, winding, shaded by tall trees. She scans the horizon, hoping to see a group of horses in the distance, but nothing. Her breathing becomes more and more labored. Her stomach pulls slightly with the effort, but she can't stop. Not now. Not until she finds him.
After about ten minutes of running, panting, Brooke finally spots them. A group of riders slowly advances along the path, the horses trotting peacefully. Brooke's heart races even more at the sight, but she doesn't have time to think.
Brooke : Lucas! Wait!
The group stops abruptly, surprised. Brooke sees them exchange confused glances, but Lucas finally turns in her direction. His eyes narrow in the sunlight to recognize her, and he immediately jumps off his horse.
Lucas : Brooke? What are you doing here?
Brooke stops in front of him, out of breath, unable to catch her breath immediately.
Lucas : Hey, calm down, what's going on? Are you sure everything's okay?
Brooke raises a hand to ask him to wait a few seconds. She needs to catch her breath. Her thoughts are swirling, but she knows what she wants to say. What she should say.
Brooke : Lucas... let me talk. Please.
He frowns, surprised by her tone, but he nods. The group of riders watch them from a distance, but Brooke doesn't pay attention. At this moment, it's just him and her.
Brooke : From the moment I left Houston, I haven't stopped thinking about you. Even after what I heard that night, even after everything that happened... I couldn't forget you.
Lucas opens his mouth to answer, but Brooke interrupts him.
Brooke : No, let me finish. This is important. When I came back here, I wanted to honor Julian's memory, I wanted to understand who he was. And you were there. Always. Every moment, you were a pillar, a strength, even if I didn't see it at first. You helped me move forward, to breathe again. But what I feel for you goes beyond gratitude. I love you, Lucas. I love you like I've never loved anyone. And I know it's complicated, I know it's crazy with everything that binds us. But I can't keep this to myself anymore. I don't want to run away anymore. I don't want to pretend it doesn't matter anymore. What I feel for you is real. And no matter what your answer is, I had to tell you.
A silence suspends the moment. The wind blows lightly around them, but everything seems frozen. Brooke sees Lucas' eyes shine with an emotion she can't decipher. And then, without a word, he crosses the space between them, his hands framing her face with infinite gentleness. His gaze plunges into hers, and before Brooke can think further, Lucas' lips find hers. The world fades away. This kiss is everything she had imagined and more. Lucas' lips are firm but tender, his warmth invades her, and when his tongue gently brushes hers, she feels a wave of emotion overwhelm her. It's all there: passion, desire, but also fear and hope mixed together. Brooke responds to his kiss with the same intensity, her hands gripping his shirt as if she fears he will disappear. When he finally pulls away, his hands don't leave her face. His breath is as short as hers.
Lucas : Brooke... I... I love you too. I think I've loved you since day one. But I was scared. Afraid of what it meant, afraid of betraying Julian.
Brooke : Julian wouldn't want you to be unhappy. He would want you to live, to be happy. Just like I want you to be happy.
Lucas : So let's stay together, Brooke. Let's make this all mean something. Let's be a family, the family we both dream of. Stay and live with me in Houston.