Lucas was already busy with confessions when Brooke arrived in the church. A penitent was already seated in the booth. Brooke sat down on the first bench in front and waited for the space to finally become available... She tapped her feet on the floor. A few minutes later, a woman came out and Brooke hurried inside. She sat down in her usual place and scratched on the wood that separated her from Lucas to let him know she was there.
LUCAS : Brooke?
BROOKE : You can speak without fear, Father. God is listening to you!
Brooke heard him laugh and then exhale in relief. Lucas shifted a little in his seat and approached the gate.
LUCAS : You see you're learning quickly, after all. How was your morning?
Although Brooke had lightened the atmosphere a little, she had to admit that she wasn't really relaxed.
BROOKE : Fine, I guess. I can't stop thinking about last night... And Owen.
LUCAS : Yes... It'll be over soon. Debie didn't ask you too many questions?
BROOKE : No, barely... And I managed to dodge and change the subject.
LUCAS : Perfect. As for me, I have to say that I had a discussion with the Abbot...
A heavy silence followed and with it, Brooke's worry, especially since she couldn't see his expression or his gaze.
BROOKE : I know he helped you but I never felt it... He doesn't like me and I know he thinks I'm beyond redemption.
LUCAS : Abbot Luc can be very austere, even a little severe, but he's a good man, you know... Besides, I won't hide from you that he has doubts about your possible involvement in last night's incident...
BROOKE : You see, there's a theft so for him, it's definitely me!
LUCAS : I think he wouldn't have accused you without corroborating evidence, but he got other information through his connections... He knows Tim's identity and his complicity with Owen Morello, and he learned about your past with them... So you can understand that he has serious doubts...
BROOKE : But you told him I had nothing to do with it anyway?
LUCAS : No... For the simple reason that I told him the bare minimum.
BROOKE : What do you mean?
LUCAS : I didn't want to worry you about it this morning, but he came to see me last night when I went back to the Gala. He's not stupid, you know... He figured out pretty quickly that I'd run off with you.
BROOKE : You did say it was because I felt bad, right?
LUCAS : That's what I said... But I could see from the way he looked at me that he didn't believe me. But he had the decency and patience not to contradict me in front of Debue last night...
BROOKE : Why did he doubt your word? Because you weren't convincing enough?
LUCAS : Because he had doubts about my relationship with you long before the Gala, Brooke... Apparently, I must have already lacked discretion just by looking at you or talking to you... And this morning, he wanted us to talk about it again. He didn't really give me a choice...
BROOKE : And what did he tell you?
LUCAS : At first, strictly nothing. He was waiting for me to admit to myself that I had things to tell him... That I had become more attached to you than I should have and that I had strayed from the role I should play... Little by little, I confided a little and told him that I might not stay at the Abbey...
Brooke frowned but remained silent as she waited for him to continue further on the content of his conversation.
LUCAS : Because for the first time, I'm considering the possibility of another life choice... Thanks to you. I didn't tell him like that but it was the idea and it's the truth... And I think he understood it.
Brooke's lips sketched a moved smile at the sincerity and the importance given to their relationship by Lucas.
LUCAS : So, the Abbot reminded me of the risks I would run if I left the estate and lived in the open...
BROOKE : Say rather that he considers your choice as bad. Risking everything for the delinquent that I am ultimately...
LUCAS : Don't say that. He just knows better than anyone what I went through... The renunciation that I had to accept... He taught me the profession of priest, I created bonds and these people became a bit like my family... What I mean is that apart from them I had no one... Until you. I have the feeling both strange and frightening that you are the only family I really need... Tell me that you feel that way too... Because otherwise, I forget everything about this idea.
BROOKE : Lucas, don't worry, that's exactly what I feel too. And you're right, it's scary...
Brooke didn't see it but she knew Lucas must be smiling... Just like her.
LUCAS : So, I can tell you the amazing proposition he made me earlier...
BROOKE : Father Luc? Which one?
LUCAS : If I agree to stay a priest here and if you have nothing to do with yesterday's thefts... And we know that's the case... We could stay here... You and me.
Brooke wasn't sure she understood so she decided to rephrase to make sure.
BROOKE : You mean I could stay here but we wouldn't be allowed to live our story out in the open?
LUCAS : That's it... I'm still playing this role and at least our safety is assured.
That very morning, Brooke had just considered a similar option while thinking back to Mr. Wilson's job offer... But here, she could actually stay at the Abbye, right next to Lucas... Despite that, a bitter taste held her back.
BROOKE : What do you think?
LUCAS : I don't think that's what I want... But do we really have the possibility of having demands? And you? Tell me...
Brooke knew he wasn't wrong... She would put him in too much danger if she forced him to leave everything and expose himself.
BROOKE : And we in there, we love each other half?
LUCAS : I guess we love each other all the time, but we only live our love out of sight...
BROOKE : I guess you'd better love me twice as much when we're alone...
Even though her heart wasn't quite at peace, Brooke tried to see the positive side of the situation.
LUCAS : I'll make love to you twice as much... No, I'll wear you out so much that you'll sleep all day waiting for me!
BROOKE : It's the least you can do since I'm condemned to a life of seclusion because of you!
Brooke realized the violence of the words she said once they had left her mouth.
BROOKE : Excuse me. I... I didn't mean that... Not like that.
LUCAS : I know, my dear. I'm so sorry I don't have better to offer you... For now, at least.
Even though he was trying to put on a brave face, Brooke felt his voice quaver slightly. Then, he added:
LUCAS : By the way, I wanted to know if you had anything planned this weekend?
BROOKE : Besides sleeping with you day and night!? Absolutely, nothing! I'm free as a bird!
LUCAS : So, would you agree to go on a weekend away from the Abbey with me?
BROOKE : Seriously!?
LUCAS : You, me, on a motorbike?
BROOKE : Three times yes, especially for the motorbike!
The joy and surprise felt would almost make Brooke forget that it was not without risk.
BROOKE : Are you sure it's not too... dangerous?
LUCAS : I think we should be able to manage a little two-day outing... Especially since I don't plan on leaving the room! And you won't leave it either...
BROOKE : Oh yes!? Interesting... I would start immediately, by the way!
LUCAS : Are you referring to what I think?
BROOKE : It depends what you're thinking... If it involves me naked against you, then yeah, we're thinking the same thing.
A silence rang out, letting Brooke guess that she had lit the fuse of desire on the other side of the confessional.
LUCAS : I'm still not sure I understand... What if you joined me to show me, in practice?
BROOKE : You are well aware that there are surely penitents who want to confide in you and who are waiting on the bench?
LUCAS : I suppose we will have to be very quiet, then...
BROOKE : You are serious, then!?
LUCAS : Join me, Brooke... Now. I want to feel you, touch you.
Completely excited by the idea, Brooke slowly opened the curtain to exit the confessional. A man stood up to take her place, he gave her a polite smile that she returned while holding back a laugh. She went around and silently entered the small cramped booth. Lucas greeted her with a mischievous smile. Brooke's gaze on him was as penetrating as his on her, he quickly assessed her from top to bottom.
LUCAS : You're so beautiful...
And while Brooke didn't have time to warn him, the man who had taken his place in the voting booth exclaimed.
MAN : Excuse me!? My father, are you there?
Lucas and Brooke's eyes met and their desire to laugh was only reinforced... They pressed their lips together to hold her back. Still looking at Lucas, Broke raised his shoulders as if to confront him with a fait accompli. It was he who had wanted it...
Lucas understood that he would not escape her and that he would have to manage the confession at the same time, he swallowed then inhaled. His smile remained stuck on his lips when he pressed himself against Brooke but he addressed the believer right next to him.
LUCAS : Hello, my son. I am here, and you can speak without fear. God is listening to you.
Brooke gave him a knowing and very naughty wink... The game could begin and she knew exactly what she was going to do.