Lucas hurried through practice that day. He wanted to get to Brooke's and check on Sam. He had been texting her constantly, so he knew that his daughter was alright physically and mentally, but he wanted to see that with his own two eyes. However, just as he got into Haley's car, he got a call from his publishers. They needed to have a meeting about cover art and dates and deadlines and things. It would take two days, but he was needed in New York. Lucas was a newbie, so he knew that he wasn't in a position of power to call any of the shots. He said that he would talk to his family and let them know how soon he could be there and that they schedule the meetings accordingly. Chet didn't mind but Lucas had a heavy feeling as Haley continued to drive to Brooke's.
"All okay?" she asked, noticing the weary look on Lucas' face.
"Yeah. That was Chet. He needs me to fly to New York for two days to have some meetings," Lucas said.
"Okay, so what's the issue?" Haley asked, still not getting it.
"I don't want to leave Jamie and Sam and Brooke behind. I mean, Sam is dealing with so much at school. I don't like this jetting in and out that I am required to do," Lucas confided.
"Welcome to everyday in my life," Haley sighed.
"Right, I'm sorry. Uhh, how do you and Nate deal with it? The long distance?" Lucas asked.
"We make it work. We had, you know, the stuff that happened in High School to build us up for that with High Flyers and me opening for the Wreckers. We love each other so much that we want each other to achieve our dreams. So, we manage to figure it out. It is Nathan's ultimate dream to play in the NBA, so how can I tell him not to play just because we have to spend some nights apart. He knows how much I love to teach, right here and we both agree that Tree Hill is home and whenever we start a family, we want to raise our kids right here. I guess communication is key and phone sex," she added with a wink. "Also, the back and forth makes the sex when he returns twice more passionate."
"Haley James, you say the dirtiest things," Lucas replied with a chuckle. "By the way, do you know what Brooke confessed to me, years after the event happened?"
"What?"
"Apparently, Peyton told Brooke at your rehearsal dinner that she still loved me. That was why Brooke was so testy at your wedding. She said that she lied about the reason for our breakup. It wasn't that she stopped missing me," Lucas replied in confidence.
"What!" Haley said, slamming the brakes so hard that without his seatbelt, Lucas would have smashed his face against the windshield.
"Peyton did that!" Haley yelled, not even caring that they were in the middle of the road.
"Hales, you need to drive or take the car to the side," Lucas said, holding the handle by the passenger door, afraid of Haley's driving. Haley rolled her eyes, but pressed the accelerator pedal and continued to go forward.
"What did you tell Brooke?" Haley asked, finding it really hard to concentrate on the road.
"Nothing, what do you even say to that? I asked her why she lied to me!" Lucas replied.
"Lied! Are you insane? How can you interrogate Brooke about this? Peyton tells her she loves you. You kiss Peyton in the library and keep it from Brooke and question her about lying! Real mature!" Haley was not having it. God, Brooke literally stepped away to give you two a chance. She really must have loved you to let you go live your dream," Haley replied. "And you! You're an ass. Apologise to Brooke for being an ass and I'm so mad at Peyton right now. No wonder she hid Jamie from you."
"Hey! That was uncalled for!" Lucas complained.
"Was it? Was it really, after what both of you did to her individually and collectively. No wonder she guards her heart so strongly. She is so terrified of getting her heart broken that she hasn't even dated anyone since you. Wait, she never dated anyone in New York, right?"
Lucas' mind went to the purgatory that he had found Brooke in. "No," he replied curtly.
"I am so mad at you, Lucas Eugene Scott. You better make things right," Haley said as she finally drove into Brooke's driveway.
"Thanks for the ride, Hales," Lucas replied charmingly. Haley tried really hard not to smile, but she couldn't and caved to his charms.
"Fine, love you too," she said and gave him a hug. "Luke, really please stop playing both girls, okay. Trust me, it will be you who ends up alone in the end."
"Hales! I'm not playing anybody. I'm single, I'm not a teenager anymore, I'm not hooking up with anybody either. Why do you keep warning me about this?" Lucas asked, annoyed by his best friend's advice.
"You're right. We aren't teenagers anymore. So, we know that relationships are not just about whom you're sleeping with. It's about emotions. You're playing house with Brooke and making plans to meet Peyton for book signings. Luke, you have a lot to lose with Jamie and Sam in the mix now."
"Brooke told me to tell Peyton!" Lucas was exasperated.
"Yeah, but she didn't mean it. How did she take it when you told her that you spoke to Peyton?" Haley continued to ask.
"Not well. But she was concerned that I ratted her out about Jamie, which I didn't."
"Lucas, do you want to be with these girls? Any one of them? If it's Brooke, great. If it's Peyton, great. If it's neither, fine. But, what do you want?" Haley asked simply. "I have been asking you this since High School."
The simplicity of the question is what got to Lucas. The answer warranted one word. There were no long winded explanations required. Lucas did not know how to get out of that one. Both answers felt right and wrong. He had a family with Brooke and there was so much history there. She was his first girlfriend, his first everything. But, Peyton was his first crush. The girl he had proposed to and dreamt of getting old with. Peyton and he clicked. The adage was true, he guessed, Misery loves Company. However, he and Brooke were fireworks exploding. The chemistry between them had always been off the charts.
"So which is it?" Haley asked again on receiving nothing but silence on his end.
"You know what. Bye!" he replied and dashed out of the car at the same speed as Haley's eye-rolls. Lucas did not want to wait out for someone to open the door as he could feel Haley's glares on his back. So, he opted to use his key to enter the house. Anyway, Brooke was always encouraging him saying that he should not have to ring the doorbell at his own home. When he entered the living room, he forgot all about the difficult conversation he was having as he saw the sweetest sight. Brooke and Sam were asleep on the couch. Brooke was sitting with her head resting on the headrest of the couch and Sam was nestled cosily in her lap. Brooke had a protective arm holding Sam securely even while she slept as a movie played along on the TV. Lucas smiled watching the scene. He knew that Jamie was with Junk and Fergie, so he decided to start cooking dinner for his family until it was time to go pick Jamie up.
"If I have to only pick a girl, I pick Sam," Lucas chuckled to himself as he put some rice in a pot to simmer.
Brooke stirred away at the sounds emitting from the kitchen. It took her a few moments to get her bearings. Her neck ached from her awkward position sleeping on the couch. She moved it from side to side to crack it before focusing on Sam who was still nuzzled in her lap, sleeping blissfully. She remembered the tough day she had had and felt empathy for her child. Then suddenly, her attention became laser focused. If Sam was sleeping in her lap, who was in the kitchen?
Fear gripped Brooke's veins as she steeled her nerves to fight the possible intruder. "Where is Lucas when you need him?" Brooke whispered to herself, her mind going to the time Lucas ran into their school with an active shooter in order to save Peyton. Of course, she never got him when required unlike Peyton.
She quickly shook those thoughts away and grabbed the lamp which was placed beside the couch. It would have to do. She did not have time to run up to Jamie's room and grab his baseball bat or her mace. With soft calculated steps, Brooke tiptoed to the kitchen with trepidation. The person was crouched under the kitchen island, rummaging through her drawers. She could see nothing more than a tuft of fuzzy hair. Without giving any notice, Brooke charged towards the island and jabbed the man with the metal end of the lamp.
"Aaah! Ow!" Lucas screamed as he fell backwards onto the floor, holding his head as pain shot up. His head throbbed as his eyes leaked with water from the sudden thrust of pain. He could not see stars, but his vision had definitely become blurry.
"Oh my God! Oh my God! Lucas? What are you doing here?" Brooke asked, so scared and shocked that she had hurt him. "Oh my God! Did I hurt you?"
"I was making dinner and what do you think?" Lucas replied between moans of pain.
"Oh God! I am so very sorry!" she said as she bent down to help him get up. Lucas continued to hold his aching head as Brooke moved him to the other end of the couch, away from where Sam was sleeping.
"Should I take you to the ER? Yes, I mean it's a head injury!" Brooke babbled.
"Brooke, just stay quiet for a few minutes," Lucas begged as he tried to fight the pain. Brooke instantly pursed her lips. He allowed his head to sink into the pillows as he dealt with the pain that he could already feel subsiding.
"I'm so sorry," Brooke mumbled when she saw his head shooting back up.
"It's okay, at least I know that you can deal with intruders. But, I'm probably never using my key ever again," Lucas said.
"No, no. This was on me. Sorry. It's just that in the apartment in New York, we had frequent break-ins and the building was crawling with convicts, so that training just kicked in hard," she squinted and replied. "Use the key. It's your house. I'll look before I attack next time."
"Let's hope that there isn't a next time," Lucas said between a gasp as he tried to fight the last of the pain.
"Are you sure that you don't want me to take you to the Emergency Room?" Brooke asked again.
"Yeah, but how in the world did Sam sleep through this?"Lucas asked, making Brooke laugh.
"She can sleep through an earthquake," Brooke replied with nothing but love and admiration for her daughter.
"Umm, Luke, good that you're here. Umm, Andy texted me. We need to rent out store spaces for Clothes over Bro's. He was asking if we could go to LA, Chicago, Miami and New York. It's insane. He said that it would take a week and a half. The clothes are ready and good so once I have the stores, it's marketing and selling and hopefully I'll have an income again soon enough!"
"Oh wow. Yes, you definitely should go," Lucas replied.
"Umm, will you stay here? With the kids? I want to get done with this as soon as I can and Jamie has been skipping enough school already. I know it's too long for him, maybe I should take the trip in parts," Brooke thought out loud.
"Yeah, no problem, except one. I have to go to New York soon for two days for some meetings. I wanted to ask you what works before I finalised those dates," Lucas replied.
"Oh, umm, okay, how do we do this?" Brooke asked. "Andy has to be free according to what we come up with and so do the executives at the publishing house."
"Yup," Lucas said. He wasn't in the mood for a whole lot of thinking. Between Haley's interrogation and Brooke's attack, his head was done for the day.
"Wait, what's that sound!" Brooke asked suddenly, hearing a strange beep.
"Oh my God, the rice is burning!" Lucas replied and dashed into the kitchen. Lucas had left the pot on the burning stove when he had been hit with the lamp. He saw heavy smoke erupt from the pan where the rice was burning. He quickly turned off the stove as Brooke worked on airing the kitchen out. There wasn't a fire to put out, thankfully.
"What in the world is going on?" Sam asked, finally getting up due to the cacophony surrounding her.
"Nothing, just that we are going out for dinner," Brooke laughed.
Around seven, Lucas helped Sam and Brooke into his mustang to go pick up Jamie and head out for dinner.
"Sammy, are you sure you're okay going to school tomorrow?" Lucas asked, eyeing the teenager from the rear view mirror to read her expressions. "Although, it might just be good. Your mom and I are both going to be there to talk to Principal Rimkus about your geniusness and Claire is going to apologise to you at the assembly tomorrow."
It took Sam a moment to hide her shock at Lucas calling Brooke her mom so effortlessly. They had transitioned to the roles of being her parents so effortlessly, almost as if Lucas had made her with Brooke who had carried her for nine months. "I definitely do want to see that. Also, umm, guys, uhh, I know that you guys want the best for me, but umm, is it okay that I don't go to the private school and stick to Tree Hill High and get bumped up?" Sam requested. Her face had a grimacing expression as if she was admitting to having done something wrong. Brooke was surprised by Sam's confession and she turned around in her seat to stare at her girl.
"Are you sure? I mean you couldn't have formed an attachment to Tree Hill High already. You only went there for three days," Brooke asked. "I mean, we should at least put an inquiry at Oppenheimer, submit your transcripts, try for an interview, right? The same way that we did with Faircroft Prep."
"Uhh," Sam was conflicted. She did not want to let Brooke down. Brooke had done too much for her. She would go to whatever end of the planet she chose to take her to.
"Sam, what are you thinking?" Brooke asked. She knew the expression on Sam's face well.
"What? No, nothing. Yeah, we can do whatever you want," she agreed to her foster mother.
"Sam, come on, spill. Why do you not want to go to Oppenheimer? Did you have a tough time at Faircroft? I thought that things settled after you began hanging out with Liz," Brooke was worried. She had been so absent in New York. Both Sam and Jamie never had a present parent with her. She was always playing catch up with the neverending mountain of bills.
"No, I mean yes. I mean things were fine at Faircroft. I really did love it there after Liz came into the picture. My reason for staying at Tree Hill High has more to do with Tree Hill High and less to do with Private Schools," Sam tried to explain. "You both went there. I don't know. I just, I've never had roots okay. I just want to have roots and this place has both your origin stories and that High School is where you guys met and fell in love and I want to find the magic that the two of you talk about. I know that Oppenheimer is a better school and yes, I am bored in my current classes but uhh, can I have this semester at Tree Hill High and then if it's still not good, I'll go to Oppenheimer. But I must say, do you guys really want to send me to a school named after the inventor of the atomic bomb? I mean Hiroshima and Nagasaki are still facing the effects of the nuclear attack, hello!"
Brooke and Lucas looked at each other and smiled. "Alright, we'll ask Principal Rimkus to bump you up to the required level based on your transcripts," Lucas melted.
"One more thing, can I continue English in Haley's class? I mean, I don't know if she takes other grades, but if she only takes the Freshmen, may I please continue?" Sam knew that she was asking for too much, but she had to try.
"Now why is that? Don't you want to major in English?" Brooke asked. She knew that she would let Sam continue with Haley. She would be happier knowing that Haley was there to keep an eye on her, but she was really enjoying listening to Sam open up about her thoughts and feelings. Sam was usually so closed off about all this, especially school. She dealt with bullies alone. It was only thanks to the fact that Haley had caught Sam fighting Claire and she had been at the school that she knew everything and she could fight that battle the correct way, using school regulations, instead of teenage fists.
"I just like Haley. She is cool and she is the reason that I'm even getting the right classes. None of the other teachers cared," Sam explained simply.
"Okay, why don't you sit at the meeting with us tomorrow and tell Principal Rimkus what you want," Lucas suggested.
"Wh-what?" Sam was scared. The foster years had taught her one thing really well, you never stood up to authority. Anyone who told you otherwise, was trapping you.
"What!? I can't do that," Sam said immediately.
"You got to learn to be more assertive, Sam and not just with me and Brooke. You told us what you wanted, explained your reasoning and we agreed. That is a good skill to have and develop. I needed it while I was pitching my book to publishers. Maybe you can learn it early," Lucas replied.
"With Principal Rimkus? Doesn't that lady scare you too, Lucas?" Sam asked. Brooke raised an eyebrow towards Lucas, surprised at what she was hearing.
"I mean, who isn't terrified of her? Have you seen her?" he admitted.
"She seemed fine to me," Brooke replied, giving herself an imaginary pat on the back.
"Of course, she met Hurricane Brooke and we all know what a psycho Hurricane Brooke is," Lucas replied, chuckling at the memory of him chasing Brooke in the rain, professing his love for her. He always had to prove to her that he genuinely loved her and not Peyton. Their entire relationship seemed to just be that. Brooke was insecure, Lucas proved that she had nothing to be insecure about, until he cheated on her and let her down.
"You didn't seem to mind her when you were reaping the rewards, Mr. I am only sleeping with my fiance!" Brooke talked back. They had both momentarily forgotten that Sam was in the car with them.
"Okay, serves me right for wanting to find some history," Sam said, reminding them of her presence in the car.
Just then they reached the boys' apartment. Lucas parked his car and Brooke requested Sam to go get Jamie from upstairs. Sam nodded her head and got out of the car to go get his brother. She also was intrigued to check out the bachelor pad her parents' friends lived in.
Lucas drummed his fingers at the steering wheel while they waited for Sam. "B, I'm really sorry about what happened in High School, with Peyton. Telling you that she was in love while we were dating and all my jerk moves, you really didn't deserve that. You didn't deserve to be played with. I'm really sorry about that."
"Oh wow, uhh, I never really expected that. Thank you," she replied, truly surprised by his confession. Neither knew what to say after that, so they remained quiet as they waited for the kids to return. Brooke began texting Andy to try to figure out the dates for when she needed to travel with him. Sam returned with Jamie soon enough who was excited to be able to eat out at a restaurant. Lucas picked one by the river and it was great family time for the little party of four. They ate some good food, Sam filled Jamie in about what a badass Brooke was, making her feel embarrassed. They asked Jamie about school and what he did with Junk and Fergie. The answer was water gun fights. Brooke was so happy that Jamie got to do that. He would never have this kind of a childhood in New York. Sam looked a little jealous though. It was her who babysat Jamie. Now, they had all this extra help with him, so she didn't need to.
"Jamie, how about some sibling bonding time in the pool this weekend?" Sam asked.
"Yes!" he replied enthusiastically. He missed spending time with Sam just as much. He gave her a shy hug of gratitude before resuming his meal. It was a pleasant night so the kids requested if they could walk by the river for a bit. Lucas and Brooke were all too happy to go for it. Sam grabbed Jamie's hand and they began to run and scamper. Soon, they left Brooke and Lucas a considerable distance behind. The two were still in their line of sight, but out of earshot.
"They both look so happy. They're incredibly tough. I mean, if I had a day like Sam had, I would lock myself in my room forever. But, she bounced back so quickly. It's all because of you, Pretty Girl," Lucas said and without even realising what he was doing, he took Brook'e hand in his, swinging their arms as they continued to walk in the direction of their children.
Brooke's breath hitched when she felt Lucas curl his fingers with hers. She took a sneaky glace at their entwined hands but she refrained from passing any comment. 'It's just holding hands with a friend. It's that simple, so don't complicate it,' she chastised her mind.
"It's all Sammy. She truly is a blessing. I don't understand how Rebecca could just giver her up," she sighed.
"Her loss, our gain," Lucas replied. What else could he say? He didn't want Jamie and Sam away from him even for a moment if that was a choice. "Are you ready for tomorrow?"
"Yeah, now that we don't have to figure out private school, we just have to review classes with Sam and lucky for me, Haley was valedictorian and you were on th Honour Roll," she replied cheekily.
Lucas laughed and gave a boyish grin as he playfully pulled Brooke closer to him. Brooke laughed at the sudden pull as they continued to look at their children acting like idiots on the road.
Things at school went fantastically. An assembly was called and Claire publicly apologised to Sam for spreading rumours. Sam wasn't too happy to disclose that Lucas was her foster father, but it was better than being known as his hoe. Everyone was shocked. The girls were still jealous because she had the hot young dad and they were depressed that single Mr. Scott had a hot fiance. The entire duration of the assembly, Principal Rimkus kept her eyes on Brooke to ensure that she had the tough mother's approval. Even Claire's parents were there. They personally came to Brooke and Lucas after the assembly ended to give their apologies on behalf of their daughter. It was a little strange for them as both Brooke and Lucas were close in age to both their daughters. They were respected by their daughters and their friends, now here they were, apologising to kids. It was embarrassing, but they did not want a repeat of what happened with Abby. Brooke was nothing but professional as she advocated for her daughter. She wasn't fazed that Claire's parents were the age of her parents. Haley lingered around as well to ensure that everything went smoothly. If anyone crossed Brooke the wrong way regarding the people that she cared about, that person would be executed. Once things had settled, the little party walked to the Principal's office with Sam in tow to get her classes squared.
"So, Principal Rimkus, what do you have in mind?" Brooke asked authoritatively.
"Well, Mrs. Scott, if Sam chooses to continue with us instead of applying to Oppenheimer, I am willing to place her in class with the Juniors. She has sufficient credits to skip those grades and I assure you that I will personally look into the classes and talk to the teachers to ensure that Sam is challenged and can reach her full potential," she marketed. The school board was always on her about gifted and talented students. Sam could be the ticket she required to increase funding for the school. Lucas was fuelling money into the sports programme, being the boy who won their school the State Championship. His daughter could be instrument in getting them better resources.
"Do I still get Haley?" Sam whispered to Brooke when she looked at her to ask her for her approval on the matter.
"This works, on the condition that Sam continue her English class with Mrs. James Scott. She is the one who realised that Sam had to be placed in higher classes, so I want her to be the one who continues to teach her," Brooke said.
"We're willing to place her in AP English for the Junior class," Principal Rimkus offered.
"Yes, but Mrs. James Scott is equally qualified," Lucas butted in.
"Okay, I hope that you don't disappoint, Mrs. Scott," the principal replied. It was strange to her as each one was a Scott. That family ruled the town.
Once they exited, Haley offered to go with Sam and get a new class schedule printed for her. She hugged her parents thankfully and went along with Haley, enjoying the fact that she got her way with the principal.
"Hey B, I was talking to Chet, and he is available next week from Monday to Wednesday to meet. I have to go to New York, is that cool?" Lucas asked.
"Oh no! Andy literally texted me while we were entering Principal Rimkus' office that the realtor in New York can only do Monday to Wednesday as well," Brooke replied nervously.
"Shit. Okay so what do we do? Both of these are important. I did not realise how expensive children are! And we have the medical debt," he thought out loud.
"We really shouldn't make Jamie skip so much, but umm, we both go to New York and take the kid with us? Sammy can stay with Karen and Lilly, right?" Brooke asked.
"Of course, Mom will take her. But, I don't like the idea of Jamie skipping so much. Do you think he will stay without us for two days if Sam and Mom are here? Haley and the whole gang can be here and he likes spending time with them," Lucas asked.
"I don't know. I mean, I was barely around in New York as I was constantly working, so Jamie was used to being babysat but he needed Sam or me to put him to bed. Maybe, he won't mind if Sam's around. But, I don't like leaving him," Brooke felt crestfallen.
"Hey, we are doing this for him. Let me talk to my mom and then we'll ask Sam and Jamie at dinner, alright?" Lucas asked. Brooke nodded her head silently and exited the school, leaving Lucas to continue his job.
It was almost like the universe was in their favour. Sam was excited at the prospect of living with Karen and she had no problem babysitting Jamie. In fact, she appreciated it. In fact, Sam did all the bribing to get Jamie to sign off on them leaving him behind. She promised him ice cream for breakfast and games video games at night. The toddler was easily enticed and promised that he would be fine without the adults. The family spent a quiet weekend at home after that, enjoying the pool in their backyard and before they knew it, they were on their way to the Airport.
Brooke was a sulking mess on her way to the airport as she hated the idea of leaving her kids behind, but she was trying to keep her tears at bay in front of Lucas and Andy. Andy had made all the arrangements for their trip. However, she had only made one request, that he pick any hotel except the one where she previously worked. Andy had laughed good naturedly and agreed.
The three reached the Big Apple, checked into their hotel and immediately parted ways to make their necessary appointments. Lucas had an arduous day at the Publisher's office. Brooke and Andy went through the spaces they could rent for their boutique. They discussed their concerns, brainstormed ideas and kept an open mind for each storefront that was shown to them. Brooke was extremely grateful that she had Andy with her to help her set up. When she started her Company in High Scool, it all seemed so easy and effortless. Alas, it had been equally easy and effortless to lose it all. This way, things were larger, grander and more watertight.
It was almost nine by the time Brooke and Andy returned to the hotel.
"Hey Luke, where are you?" she asked, calling him as the cab inched closer to their hotel.
"Hi, I'm in my room at the hotel. I was just about to call you and ask you when you were arriving. I had got us some reservations at a restaurant for dinner," he said.
"We'll be there in ten minutes," Brooke replied, not knowing that he had been as kind as to get reservations.
"Hey, Luke has got us reservations for dinner," Brooke informed Andy who was busy texting on his phone.
"Actually, I'll have to take a rain check on that. I need to get onto a meeting with my executives back in New Zealand. It's about 1 pm out there. If it's okay, I'll just call for some room service," he replied, his forehead creasing.
"Is everything alright?" Brooke asked worriedly.
"Yes, it is. I just need to veto a very stupid decision that one guy thought he could get away with. He's definitely getting fired today. It will be alright," he reassured her.
"Okay, I'll let Lucas know that we're getting room service," Brooke said and was about to call him when Andy objective.
"No no. You and Lucas continue with your plans. I'm going to be stuck on my laptop for a while. It's a beautiful night, you two are young. You should definitely take advantage of it," he said.
"No, it's alright," she tried to say, but by then, they had reached the hotel and Andy was already paying the cabbie.
The three of them had adjacent tooms at the hotel. Andy helped Brooke to her room and then asked permission to leave and go to his own room. He was ever the gentleman. Brooke plopped herself on the bed and used the intercom to dial Lucas.
"Hey, Andy had some really urgent work come up so he is getting on a meeting with his executives in New Zealand. He said that he will get room service," Brooke informed him.
"Okay, let's us go. How long will it take you to get ready?" Lucas asked.
"Wh-what? It's fine. We can get room service too," Brooke offered.
"B, when was the last time you had some fun? Oh I know, when we graduated High School. Come on, we're taking on the city tonight!" he joked.
"That sounds insane. How was your day? Things go well with the publishers?" she asked.
"Yeah, they were fine. Chet was telling me how miserable he was that the last time he got to see Penelope Cruz on stage was when he took me to the club. Apparently, she left town mysteriously," Lucas filled her in. The words left a sour taste in Brooke's mouth.
"Please, don't even mention the club to me. I do not need to relive those memories," she requested.
"You and me both. Alright, get ready and come to my room. Let's see if the Brooke Davis I knew in High School is still alive," he joked and put down the phone.
Brooke couldn't help it. A shy smile lingered on her lips as she went to scan the clothes she had brought along with her. She had got her most formal wear along as she wanted to look the part by Andy's side. Yet, she had carried with her a black sequined dress. It was a vintage that she had sourced from a thrift store. It was beautiful. She touched the sequins and put it on. She combed her hair and gave her face a mild glow up before flinging what she needed into her purse. Once she was satisfied with how she looked, she stepped out of her room and knocked on Lucas' door.
"Hey-whoa!" Lucas replied, stunned by her appearance. He moved his eyes from her feet to her face and liked everything that he saw. "You clean up nicely, Brooke Davis."
"Thank you," she replied shyly to the compliment. "Should we call the kids and check on them before heading out? It's Jamie's bed time right now."
Lucas nodded his head and dialled Sam's cell phone.
"Hey Brooke, missing us already?" Sam sniggered.
"So much. How are you? Is Jamie alright without us?" she asked worriedly.
"I was just reading him and Lilly a bedtime story. The kid is smitten by her. He wanted nothing to do with me. It was the Lilly show all day," Sam complained. Both Brooke and Lucas burst out laughing, along with Karen whom they could hear in the background.
"Hey is my mom there too?" Lucas asked.
"Yep. I'm putting you guys on speaker," Sam replied.
"Hey Ma, did the kids turn your hair greyer?" Lucas joked.
"None more than you have, boy!" Karen clapped back. "Jamie and Sam have been perfect angels."
"Mama, Nana Karen and Sam said that I'm very brave and strong for spending the night without you!" Jamie tooted.
"Yes, you absolutely are. Now, how many desserts did Nana feed you?" Brooke asked.
"Uhh, well," Jamie struggled to reply, knowing that the truth would get his mother mad.
"James Lucas Scott," Brooke warned.
"He's a kid. He'll be fine. Stop worrying. They're all good here," Karen said.
"You're loving having a full house, aren't you?" Lucas asked.
"Yes I am," she replied proudly.
"Sammy, homework done? The new classes aren't too much of a struggle right? And the older kids aren't troubling you?" Brooke asked.
"Well, it sucks that I'm now in classes with Claire, Audrey and Nikki, but I also have classes with Jack. He's nice and Quentin's cool in Haley's class," she replied without thinking.
"Sam, stay away from Jack and Quentin," Lucas ordered.
"What? Why will she do that?" Brooke asked.
"Because they're teenage boys!" Lucas said like it was self-explanatory. "I literally got you pregnant in High School. No way is Sam going through that! Is Oppenheimer an All Girls School by any chance?"
Brooke found Lucas' worry hilarious. "Goodnight kiddos. Love you," she said and cut the call.
"Luke, Sam is smart. I mean, clearly. She skipped two grades," Brooke advocated.
"Yeah, but the boys have the mind of preschoolers when it comes to girls. Maybe Haley can home school her!"
"Sure, Broody. Come on, lets go," Brooke replied.
The duo left and Lucas was perfectly chivalrous. Between Andy and Luke, Brooke felt like a princess. It was such a stark difference, especially in the city that had nver been in her favour before.
They got a cab and Lucas gave them the address of a fancy street. They entered the restaurant and Brooke was impressed. It was a place where meals could get really expensive.
"Luke, are you sure you want to eat here? I could take you to some quaint places that will cost you a tenth of here," Brooke whispered as a waiter took them to their table.
"Shh, we're celebrating," he replied.
"Celebrting what?" Brooke asked, not knowing what he meant. She scanned the day and no remarkable feat had been achieved. She and Andy hadn't even finalised a store. They were going to visit a couple more locations the next day before making the final call.
"You agreeing to have some fun for yourself. You have given your life away for Jamie and Sam and it's refreshing to see you come into your own self again. You've been thoroughly missed," he replied.
Suddenly, Brooke stiffened. Completely stiffened and began palpitating. It wasn;t because of Lucas' confession, no. It was because she had come face to face with a ghost from her past.
"Hello, Mother," she greeted the woman who stood in front of her. She was a few feet taller than Brooke, so she looked down upon her anway.
"Brooke and the boy, ah," she said with disdain.
"I got a very random call recently regarding you. The Adoption Agency was asking me to whether you were a good mother and your history as you wanted to adopt a baby?" she asked.
"Yeah, I know. Your stellar review almost cost us to losing the child we wanted, but then they realised who was the actual bad parent," Brooke replied with anger.
"Wait, didn't you already have a kid with this guy?" Victoria asked, confused.
"Yes, but we wanted to adopt a kid too," Brooke couldn't say that without smiling and that just angered Victoria.
"You could've amounted to so much! You could've been great. Kids ruin everything, Brooke. Trust me!" Victoria lectured.
"Of course, blame me for the ruining your life," Brooke rolled her eyes. "But you're wrong mother. My kids have are my biggest blessings."
"Really? And what is it that you do, Brooke? What is it that both of you do to support not one, but two children?" She sneered.
"If you must know, Lucas is a writer who is getting his book published!" Brooke threw it out. "He coaches at the High School and he runs a successful club that's been in his family."
"Brooke is restarting Clothes over Bro's. Here's a tip Victoria, sell your stocks. Allure is going to lose all its sales once Brooke launches her line," Lucas said. Victoria's eyes widened upon hearing that. For a split second, her eyes almost showed fear. It ws so surprising as Brooke wasn't used to ever seeing fear in her mother's eyes.
"What do you know about running a business," she sniggered.
"Well, my step-father does. Andy Hargrove is a billionaire from New Zealand," Lucas continued. "He is here helping Brooke set up."
"I guess I really can have it all, Victoria. The Fashion Company, the kids, the boy," she said, nodding towards Lucas.
"Please don't tell me you married him," Victoria begged.
"We're engaged," she replied, lifing her left hand to show the magnificent ring. She had put it on when she had gone with Andy in case she needed to play the part of the daughter-in-law. Maybe it was a good thing that she had forgotten to take the ring off.
"Didn't the boy cheat on you multiple times in High School?" Victoria asked. "Don't you think that you're making a horrible mistake?"
"No, the horrible mistake was giving you control of Clothes over Bro's in the first place. Lucas and I are happy and in love and we're venturing professionally and in the process of adopting a second kid," Brooke painted a rosy picture.
"Why? You can't have a second? He can't get it up for you anymore?" Victoria hit below the belt.
Lucas was fuming. Victoria was beginning to piss him off. "We don't need this, Pretty Girl," he said and dipped his lips down to catch Brooke's. Brooke was stunned as Lucas' lips suddenly pulled hers for the an endearing kiss. It had been four years since her lips had touched any other lips. Lucas' felt so familiar. She felt her breath hitch as her head grew dizzy, getting lost in the love and passion. She reciprocated his affection, wrapping her arms around his, forgetting that this was pretend to piss Victoria. Her world began melting. She began melting and the only thing keeping her tethered was his lips. She never wanted them to part. She felt her suppressed emotions bubbling back to the surface. Suddenly, she realised how swept up she was getting, how many air castles she was building and she quickly parted. It took both Brooke and Lucas a moment to recover. Victoria rolled her eyes and walked away without as much as a second glance in their direction.
"That bitch didn't even care enough to ask the names of our children!" Lucas complained.
"Lucas, what was that?" Brooke asked, still breathing heavily.
"I know. I'm sorry. It's just that lady! She pisses me off. I had to show her!" he argued.
Brooke nodded her head, unconvinced by his explanation. What had they been thinking?