What The Future Holds - The Next Generation (One Tree Hill)

Chapter 7

House of the Baker's

When I came home just before midnight, everything was quiet in the house. I was surprised because the children usually stayed awake longer. Or they had their headphones on and listened to music or played computer games. I went to the kitchen, opened the fridge and inspected the contents. A bit of pasta salad was left over from supper, which I took and ate it straight from the bowl. Halfway saturated, I went up the stairs and listened. It was really quiet, so I decided to go to bed right away. As I carefully opened the door to the bedroom, I saw Brooke lying on her side, holding my pillow tightly in her arms. Smiling, I looked down at her. Even today, 18 years after our wedding, I was crazy about her. Maybe our sex life wasn't quite as exciting as it was when we were in our early 20s, but it was even more intense when we found the time for it. Right now, Brooke was working on a new 'Baker Man' collection, and I was busy filming my new movie. My dad had told me recently that he was about to retire from the film business, which meant even more work and responsibility for me. Brooke and I barely saw each other, and I had decided that we needed to change that. In one week was our 18th wedding anniversary, and I had a surprise for her that I hoped she would like. I was interrupted in my thoughts when Brooke opened her eyes.

"Julian?" She mumbled sleepily.

"Yes, it's me," I said with a grin. "Did you expect another man in your bed?" As she laughed softly and then pushed the pillow aside and hugged me instead, I quickly laid my lips on hers before she could turn back.

"Hm..." she murmured. "You taste like... pasta salad."

"You really know how to destroy a romantic mood," I said playfully indignant.

"Oh, I didn't know you wanted to seduce me," she smirked. "I think back then I would have recognized the hint. I'm a bit out of practice, can't remember the last time you seduced me."

"Then we should refresh your memory as soon as possible," I said with a grin and leaned over her. "And that's best done in the city of love."

"The city of love?" She echoed, confused. "You mean Paris?"

"Oui, madame."

"What are you talking about, Julian?" She asked with a frown.

"Our wedding anniversary is in one week," I said. "And I thought it would be nice to take a trip for a few days, just you and me. We haven't done that for a long time. I think, the last time had been after Izzy's birth."

"Well, the twins had only been 2 years old then and Justin was 6 and then the baby..."

"That's exactly what I mean," I interrupted. "We have never had time for ourselves because for the last 15 years we have been busy raising our children and going to work. I think we really deserve it."

"But why Paris?" She asked.

"Because I know how much you love the French language," I said with a smile.

"You remember that?" She asked in astonishment. "That's been an eternity since I told you about it."

"I haven't forgotten anything of what you ever have told me," I said, looking her deep into her eyes. "I know there is this list you made, what you wanted to do until your 30th birthday. And even if we're 10 years late now, I think we should cut some of that off."

"You're crazy, Julian Baker, you know that?" She grinned.

"Does that mean you agree?" I asked, looking at her expectantly. As she sat up and sighed softly, I knew it wasn't going to be that easy.

"If I agree and we fly to Paris, what do you think, how long will we stay there?"

"5 or 7 days maybe?" I shrugged.