So familiar and overwhelmingly warm
This one, this form I hold now.
Embracing you, this reality here,
This one, this form I hold now, so
Wide eyed and hopeful.
Wide eyed and hopefully wild.

Parabol, Tool

The Makings of A Resolution

LUCAS WAS nervous.

He was really nervous. He was the kind of nervous that you got before a big game or even the first day of school... times hundred. He had never been this scared in his entire life. He didn't want to screw this up, like the countless of things he had before. Charleston was a second chance at finding himself and at getting Brooke back into his life. He didn't, no, couldn't lose Brooke. Losing her again was not an option.

He was petrified.

The invitation had been nothing more than a result of desperation but had turned into what he had hoped to be a good thing. He knew that Brooke was apprehensive about this trip-- They talked almost every day after that conversation. Yet, he could help but be hopeful. This was a tentative start, Brooke was slowly starting to open herself back up to him and restoring a foundation of trust in them.

The days that followed seemed to be unbearably long. He couldn't stop thinking about Brooke. For him, her voice hadn't been enough. He needed to see her, he didn't want to do this by memory anymore.

He couldn't believe that this day was really.

He sighed and went to the schedule screens. Brooke's flight had just arrived and with a call from his mother, he knew she was here. This day, this week, could really make or break the two of them. That was what scared him the most.

He just wanted to see her.

Lucas found himself watching the people around him. Two little boys and their pregnant mother reuniting with a very weary but excited husband and father. Grandparents were being greeted by their grandkids. A very eager couple reunited passionately in the corner. He wondered if it were wishful thinking... He wanted to get back to that point too.

Then he saw her.

Brooke stood on the descending escalator, clutching her purse in one hand and her cell phone in the other against her ear. She seemed even more beautiful than before and he took in the sight of her like a starving man. He frowned at the look of frustrated weariness that crossed her features and wondered who was on the other line.

Her dark brown hair framed her face and her coffee-colored eyes searched the masses of people for him and only him. A small smile of amusement mixed with a posessive pleasure crossed his lips as he realized that she was wearing his old Scott Body Shop sweatshirt.

"Brooke!"

She looked up from her phone, a ghost of a smile fitting across her lips. He took a small step towards her, unsure of how to appoarch her when a frown marred her features.

"I'm not disappointed, Dad," she spoke quietly into the phone. "I should be used to it now."

He raised an eyebrow in concern. Dad? Parents? They never talked about her parents. He was worried now. She looked very tired and somewhat troubled.

Brooke seemed to read his thought and shook her head, mouthing an I'm okay.

"Sure. I promise. I'll call you on Thursday. You have a safe trip."

With trembling hands she snapped her phone shut and gave him a tiny smile. She took a deep breath and he bit his lip nervously.

"Hey handsome," she greeted softly.

He said nothing, reaching for her instead. He couldn't contain himself and wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing the crown of her forehead.

"You're really here," he murmured into her hair, inhaling the rose vanilla perfume she always wore. "You're really here."

Brooke pulled back and met his gaze. He swallowed under the intensity of her eyes. Her lips were trembling. Now he was really worried.

"Brooke," Lucas prodded gently. "Hey. You okay?"

His heart was pounding against his chest like a jackhammer. Had something happened? Was she having regrets about coming?

"Now I am," she whispered, burying herself in his embrace. His arms tightened around her waist.

"Now I am."

A/N: You guys are wonderful. Really. Keep those reviews coming. They really make my day in the midst of the stress known as school.

I got an interesting email the other day and I just want to answer the question quickly. Will the new season affect The Makings of a Resolution? It depends really. I might incorporate some things into the story, but other than that not really.

Up Next: Keith lays down the law and Brooke opens up just a little more to Lucas.