"You came." Lucas said as she slipped into the seat next to him.
"I always do don't I?" she replied signaling the bartender over. She ordered her usual martini, eyeing the half empty beer that Lucas had already ordered.
"After last year I didn't think you would." he reached over to put his hand on hers but she moved it away.
She sighed, unsure why she had come. They shouldn't be doing this, they couldn't do this. He was married. He had a child with her. Yet, that didn't stop them from doing this every year.
The first year it happened they were both alone. He had had a fight with her and she was wallowing in the fact that she didn't have a date for Valentine's day. It was weird, when she saw him there. She hadn't even known he lived in the city but then again, they had pretty much lost contact. Their only connection with each other was Haley.
She slid on to the bar stool next to him and ordered a martini.
"What are you doing here?" she asked as she got her martini and ordered another beer for Lucas.
"We got into a fight." he said simply.
"This close to Valentine's day? You're gonna have to give her jewelry tomorrow." she replied, arching her eyebrow.
"You know she isn't big on jewelry."
"I know, but if you're coming to a bar after your fight, something tells me roses aren't going to do the trick."
"What are you doing here Brooke?" he asked, finally turning his gaze to her.
"Well, I do live here. For the past 5 years as a matter of fact." Brooke replied.
"You know what I mean."
"Wallowing." Brooke said, much to her dismay. "Because for the first time in I don't know how long, I don't have a date for tomorrow."
"Brooke Davis without a date?" Lucas asked in disbelief.
"Brooke Davis Owen until the paper work is finalized." Brooke responded sullenly.
"Owen? Your married?" Lucas asked, again, in disbelief.
"Divorced." she said holding up her left hand, no signs of a ring on her finger.
"Hence the wallowing."
"Sorry about that." he said.
"Well, if you want to help, finish off your beer and get a little drunk with me." she replied with a smirk and Lucas didn't know what hit him.
They woke up the next morning in her bedroom with headaches. Guess they'd gotten more than a little drunk.
They sat down around her small dining room table, eating bagels and discussing how it would never happen again. That it was a mistake and how much he loved Peyton. They agreed to start keeping contact again, including Brooke talking to Peyton. With a kiss on her head, he left to go pick out a ring for Peyton, taking Brooke's suggestion.
"One more drink?" he asked, noticing that she had already downed 2 martinis and he was on his third beer. She nodded, and he got another one for her.
Tonight you're mine completely
You give your love so sweetly
He put his hand on her leg, and all thoughts of his life with Peyton went out the window. Each year they met at this bar, and each time they would know when to stop talking about his other life. It was only the first year that they needed to be drunk in order to be together. All the other years, he'd had one beer and she only one martini. But, this year was difficult on them, hence, more alcohol.
Tonight the light of love is in your eyes
But will you love me tomorrow?
Before long, they were in her apartment. They both wanted it, both needed it. The feeling of skin on skin. When they spoke, it was purely physical, but they both knew that deep down, it was so much more.
Is this a lasting treasure
Or just a moment's pleasure?
They wanted to have this all the time, to come home to one another. But, he had Peyton and Finley to think about. She, too had them to think about. Peyton and her were back on track and she was Finley's god mother.
He walked her backwards, helping her pull off her jacket as she fiddled with his button up shirt. They broke their kiss for air, a sigh mixing into his panting. They looked into each others eyes, not sure if they should continue. It happened every year. The guilt sinking in after kissing. But, each year, it would always be chased away when he thought of his love for her.
Can I believe the magic of your sighs?
Will you still love me tomorrow?
They didn't speak as he lifted her up, her legs wrapping around his waist. Their lips broke apart again so that his could leave a trail of kisses down her neck. She cradled his head in her arms as they finally entered her room. They fell on to the bed, her shirt being discarded in the process. Their lips met once again as she unbuttoned his shirt.
Tonight with words unspoken
You say that I'm the only one
He huffed above her, finally doing what he'd wanted to do for so long. She brought his head back down to hers, needing to stay close to him. They didn't do this often that was for sure. So when this day finally did arrive, they stayed as close as possible.
But, even with all this going on, her mind still wandered to what the next day would hold. The first year was the only year he spent the night. Each year he always told Peyton that he was finalizing their plans for tomorrow, when in reality, he would always come to her. But will my heart be broken
When the night meets the morning sun?
They'd finish and then share a shower, until he actually had to shower alone or else he would never get back home. While he showered alone, she'd dress and find something in her fridge to munch on. She'd then go into her living room and watch some 'Friends' re run or Lifetime movie telling herself that it was just physical between them. He'd come out from her room, dressed, and would give her a quick kiss before saying good night. Then, she would cry because she knew it was more than just sex and she knew she was falling for him again. But mostly for the fact that she was always the one to be alone after their meetings.
She was pulled out of the thoughts though when he picked up his pace and heard him moan her name. She was close, and he knew it. When she went over screaming his name, she brought him with her. "God, I love you." Lucas sighed as he collapsed on top of Brooke.
Her chest was heaving up and down, not thinking properly after what had just happened. "I love you too." she replied, running her hand through his short hair. It wasn't until they regained composure that they realized what had become of them. They never acknowledged it out loud as anything but pure sex, a way to rid the sexual tension between them. But, they both knew it was much much more than physical.
That's usually when the guilt sunk in. He loved her so much that it hurt. He wanted to do this every day of the year with her. But, he couldn't. He was with Peyton. He couldn't just leave her. He promised he wouldn't do that they day they got married. But, then again, he also promised to be faithful to her on that day as well.
I'd like to know that your love
Is love I can be sure of
Plus, there was Finley. He couldn't leave him and didn't want to put him through the pain of a divorce. Although, if they divorced now, at least he would be easier than if they divorced when he was 10. But, even as a 4 year old, it'd still hurt him. It's not like he would understand what was going on. Plus, it's not like Lucas could go straight into a relationship with Brooke. Then Lucas would have to answer why he was kissing Aunt Brooke like he used to kiss Mommy while Peyton gave him a death glare.
"I hate this." she said causing him to look up at her. "I hate how we meet, and we make love and then you leave. Last year almost killed me Luke. We can't risk that again. It's amazing that Peyton hasn't suspected it."
"I hate it too Brooke. You have no idea how much it pains me to not be here every day. And with Finley it hurts even more. Just the way that history is repeating itself is too much Brooke. I don't want to be like him." Lucas said, rolling off of Brooke and opening his arms to her.
So tell me now, and I won't ask again
Will you still love me tomorrow?
"Did you mean it?" Brooke asked as she crawled into his arms.
"Mean what?" he asked, stroking her hair.
"That you love me?" she asked softly, not sure if she wanted to hear the answer.
"Of course I love you Brooke."
"Will you feel the same way tomorrow? When your above her and I'm watching Finley?" she asked, her voice cracking and her eyes filling with tears.
So tell me now, and I won't ask again
Will you still love me tomorrow?
"I've never stopped loving you Brooke." This was just as hard on him as it was on her.
"But not enough to leave her?" She was crying now, unable to take it.
"I'm sorry Brooke." he answered quietly, his voice full of shame. He did love her more than Peyton, he was just to scared to leave her.
Will you still love me tomorrow?
They took their annual shower, Brooke practically crying the whole time. They'd decided, well she had decided, that this would be the last year. Afterwards, she had gotten out of the shower, leaving him alone, to get dressed. But, unlike her usual tradition of sitting on the couch, she walked next door where her elderly neighbor, Ruth, lived.
"Hello there Brooke." Ruth answered with a smile.
"Hey Ruth." Brooke responded, trying to force a smile.
"Not a good night?" Ruth asked as Brooke made her way through the door.
"Never is." Brooke responded as her eyes met what she had been looking for.
"Hey there baby girl." Brooke said cheerily, a real smile on her face now, as she picked up her 3 month old daughter. "Was she any trouble?"
"Not at all. The best behaved baby I've ever met." Ruth said, gathering up the baby's things. "Do you need me to watch her tomorrow? It is Valentine's day after all."
"No, it wont be necessary. As a matter of fact I'm watching my god son tomorrow. You're more than welcome to stop by." Brooke said, grabbing the bag from Ruth.
"I'll take you up on that offer." Ruth said with a smile.
"Night Ruth." Brooke said exiting the apartment.
"Good night Brooke. Good night Abilene." Ruth called as she watched to make sure they got into the apartment safely.
Just as she walked in the door, Lucas walked out of her room, fully dressed now. "You look wonderful with her Brooke." It killed him to know that he had basically become Dan.
"Are you going to stay any longer?" Brooke asked as Abilene reached up to play with a strand of Brooke's hair.
He knew he should get home but he wanted to be here, needed to be here. He nodded his head and walked over to her, opening his arms. She placed Abilene in his arms and watched him with her. He immediately started the baby talk, and funny faces which got her laughing. When she laughed her dimples came out and her blue eyes got brighter.
She looked more like Brooke, something they were both thankful for. If she had come out looking more so like Lucas, they didn't know what they would have done. She had told Peyton that her father was a one night stand, which wasn't really a lie. It was a one night stand... that happened one night every year.
He was a good father, to Finley and to Abilene. He did do a lot of stuff with her, claiming to Peyton, it was because she needed a father figure and since her real father wasn't there to do it that he would. He had been in the delivery rom and had even cut the cord but couldn't officially bask in the happiness since Peyton was also in the room. When the nurse asked for her name it killed him when Brooke said Davis instead of Scott.
Lucas left about 2 hours later, after receiving a frantic call from Peyton, wondering where he was. He told her the truth, that he had stopped by Brooke's and had gotten wrapped up with Abilene.
Brooke was now flipping through channels while Abilene slept on her chest. She ran her hand through her daughter's short brown hair as she finally settled on a rerun of Golden Girls. She looked at the clock above her tv. 12:10 am.
"Happy Valentine's Day." she sighed to herself, knowing that he was back home with her. He was probably in his son's room checking on him while she stood behind him, happy with their picture esque family. He was probably kissing her know, wishing her an early Valentine's day.
All while she stayed in her small 2 bedroom apartment with the daughter he couldn't acknowledge asleep on her chest. While she laid there and cried because he would always choose her. Because she was the one who's daughter would never know her father. Because she was the one who ended up with the broken heart. Because she could never be her. He could never love her enough to leave.
Will you still love me tomorrow?