𝗔𝗟𝗪𝗔𝗬𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥, we will be together...
when brooke davis moves from new york city to london for a once in a lifetime opportunity, he realizes that the move isn't the only life changing transformation he's about to experience.
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June 30th, 1972
Brooke stood at his parents' doorstep, looking worse than he ever had in his life. Nerves wrecked him as he knocked, greeted by his dad's glare upon opening the door.
"You look... horrible," his dad muttered angrily, prompting Brooke to glare back. "What's her name? You never told me," Brooke asked.
"You never asked," his dad retorted, sighing. His mother approached, a small figure trailing behind.
"Aubrey," his dad said, and the girl looked up at Brooke. He froze, almost dropping his suitcase. She bore a striking resemblance to him, which he immediately recognized. Aubrey hid behind their mother's legs, while Brooke stood frozen, unsure how to react. He was scared but also profoundly happy, though the reality hadn't quite sunk in yet.
"H... Hello," Brooke peeked over at her.
"Hi," she quietly waved, peeking back.
"Can I give you a hug?" Brooke asked softly, and she nodded. He walked over, hugged her, and lifted her up, causing her to giggle.
"How would you feel about living with me?" Brooke smiled.
"I'm your dad," Brooke laughed softly, and she nodded.
"I know," she replied, resting her head on his shoulder. Tears welled up in Brooke's eyes as he fought back the urge to cry. He was exhausted and overwhelmed by the sudden revelation of fatherhood. His parents had been a huge help, getting Aubrey essentials like clothing and a passport packed by their maid.
"Dad, ice cream?" Aubrey asked, and he nodded.
"Yes, of course—" he began, but his dad interrupted.
"Not before you take a shower," he sighed. Brooke hugged Aubrey tighter, emotional.
"You're so pretty, Aubrey," tears streamed down his face, and she frowned.
"Why are you sad?" she asked.
"I'm not sad. I'm happy! Happy crying," Brooke replied, and after a moment's thought, she asked again about ice cream and her mother.
"Well... She's going to be gone for a bit," Brooke muttered, placing her down.
"I don't like mom," Aubrey pouted, biting her fingernails.
"You won't have to see mom anymore," Brooke's dad said, and Brooke nodded, deciding not to press the topic.
"I need to use the potty," Aubrey pouted again, and Brooke looked confused.
"She's potty trained," his mom replied, but Brooke hesitated before reluctantly agreeing to help her. The word "dad" felt unreal.
"I... Okay," he stiffened, guiding her to the bathroom and averting his gaze. After she finished, his parents watched her while he took a shower, changed into bell-bottoms, a graphic top, denim jacket, and boots hidden under his jeans.
He walked out to his parents' disapproving stares. "What are you wearing? This isn't very... classy," his dad muttered, and Brooke sighed.
"Have you even left the house? This isn't a unique stylistic choice by any means," Brooke retorted, earning a scoff from his dad.
"I don't care... Go take Aubrey to get ice cream," his dad instructed. Brooke smiled down at Aubrey, and she looked up at him, giggling.
"Okay, let's go," Brooke smiled, and Aubrey followed him out. Before leaving, he stopped, removed his jacket, and grabbed sunscreen.
"You're going to need this," he said, applying it to her arms and face as she whined.
"You'll thank me later..." Brooke muttered. The day was surprisingly cool at 73 degrees Fahrenheit.
"Now I'm cold," Aubrey sighed, looking up at Brooke.
"Will you leave me?" she abruptly asked, and Brooke's eyes widened.
"No! No, I won't! I'll stay with you forever, okay?" he nervously replied.
"We're going on a vacation, far away," he assured her, and she giggled.
"What ice cream do you like?" she asked, and Brooke looked at her in confusion.
"Vanilla... By the way, Aubrey, how old are you?" Brooke asked, and she smiled.
"Four!" she laughed, and Brooke smiled back.
"Wow, you're old," he teased gently.
"I know," she smirked, and he laughed before becoming serious.
"Aubrey, have you ever ridden on a plane?" he asked, and she shook her head.
"We get to ride one tomorrow!" he announced, and she asked if it was scary. He assured her it wasn't.
"No, not really," he replied as they approached the ice cream bar. Brooke led her to the front, where an old classmate tapped his shoulder.
"Is that you, Brooke?" the man laughed, and Brooke turned around.
"And your sister?" the man glanced down, and Brooke cleared his throat.
"Jared, good to see you. No, she's my daughter," he muttered, turning back. Jared was never quite the nicest guy.
"Oh?! Did you and Ash have a child?! What a shame, I saw what happened to her," Jared sighed, and Brooke fought back an eye roll.
"It is quite sad. It was nice seeing you," Brooke replied, and Jared shrugged.
"I guess so," he walked off as Brooke refocused on Aubrey.
"Who was that?" Aubrey frowned.
"An old friend," Brooke smiled, leading her to the counter.
"What do you want, Aubrey?" he asked, smiling.
"Two scoops of chocolate in a cone," she smirked, and Brooke smiled softly.
"Sounds good," he nodded.
"Dad, do you like chocolate?" she asked, and he thought about it.
"I don't like chocolate ice cream. I like chocolate," he smiled, picking up their ice cream and handing her the cone.
"Let's sit," he motioned, and they sat together at a table, finishing their ice cream.
