51Hey guys! I decided to start a new story, and yes I know I haven't really updated my other two but this idea came to me the other day and I knew that it would make one killer story. This is a Brucas story (mostly Brooke-centered). It's called Happily Never After. Here's the prologue. Enjoy! And please R&R afterwards!
A HUGE thanks to my new beta, CheeryFan (Gia), for helping me so much with this! You are amazing! You guys should totally check out her two stories (Meant to Be and Drunken Mistake) if you haven't already.
Summary: They came from different worlds. Her, a high-class prostitute. Him, an average farmer. But fate had other plans. Two souls unite in a heart-wrenching love story about past sins and future opportunities. BL.
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"Living is strife and torment, disappointment and love and sacrifice, golden sunsets and black storms. I said that some time ago, and today I do not think I would add one word." –Laurence Oliver, Sir.
"Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams." –Ashley Smith
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Prologue: Broken Promises
California 1835
The faint sound of clattering shoes lingered in the air as tiny feet scurried to the barely open door, large hazel eyes peeking through curiously, staring at the two people bicker within.
"Please, Richard, please don't leave! We need you! I need you!" The older woman screamed as she clung desperately at his suit jacket, not caring that she was getting her new brocade silk gown and matching petticoat dirty from the floor's dust.
"There's nothing you can do about it, Victoria! I'm leaving and that's final," the other companion replied as he shook her hands off from his jacket as if they were poisonous. He was a tall towering man with cold green eyes and the same brunette hair as the small girl outside.
"But why?! I thought we were happy! I love you!" Desperation was an understatement for what Victoria felt. The petite hazel-eyed redhead would do anything, anything, for her lover if he stayed.
Richard laughed sardonically. "Happy? We were happy, very happy actually, but then that thing was born."
The color drained from Victoria's face. She knew exactly who that thing was, the second most important person in her life.
"She has a name you know. She's not just some 'thing,'" she whispered.
"Well, she wouldn't have been anyone if you had just listened to me and gotten that damn abortion!"
"Richard! She's your daughter!"
He laughed again, his cold eyes dancing around wickedly. "How am I supposed to be so sure of that? I mean, she is the daughter of a middle-class whore."
Whore. It was like a slap in the face. What had happened to the man she had once loved? The carefree, energetic, joyful young man who said that it didn't matter if her family had less money than his. The guy who proposed to her under the moonlight telling her that he would make her the happiest woman in the world if she just said yes. What happened? When did it all change?
Right about then, outside, the little girl had seen a tiny mouse skidding across the dinning room floor and let out a deathly shriek, drawing the attention of the couple inside.
The door opened revealing both the ruthless man and the distressed woman.
"Sorry," the small brunette said quietly while playing with the large red bow in her hair, feeling ashamed for interrupting the quarrel.
"It's okay, sweetie. Come here," Victoria said as she opened her arms to her shy daughter who willingly accepted the hug. "Richard, just look at her, and don't tell me that you don't see yourself looking back at you."
He observed the youngster in front of him. It would be an understatement to say that she was beautiful. Her curly chocolate brown hair was pulled back in a low ponytail by a huge red bow. She wore a matching red satin dress, the edges bordered with lace. His daughter was a sight from one of those kid's catalogs, perfectly dressed from head to toe. But that didn't stop Richard Davis from frowning frostily.
The little girl was confused beyond words. Why was her father screaming at her mother? Mama had just asked him to stay. And why didn't he like her? She was wearing her best frock and the housekeeper, Mandy, had curled her hair this morning. Was she not pretty enough? Did he not like the color red? Or did she seem to quiet? That was probably it! He wanted to leave because he thought that she didn't love him.
Biting her lip nervously, she looked up at the man whom she called her father and took a small step forward.
"Papa―"
"Don't you dare call me that, you filthy piece of trash!" His words were like knives shattering a glass heart.
With one last look at his wife, Richard scurried to the front door, slamming it behind him so that he was out of sight.
Victoria's mind blanked at his words. As his figure retreated, the only thing she could think about was that the love of her life was leaving her forever. The fact that she had a perplexed and hurt young daughter was the last thing on her mind.
"Richard! Richard, don't go!" she screamed as she ran to the door, sliding down it crying when she realized that he was never coming back. He was never ever coming back.
Her muffled sobs were cut short by a tugging feeling on her dress. Her own hazel eyes were met with the lost looking orbs of her spawn. Then reality hit. What was she going to do with a five year old girl? She hardly had any money left, and she had depended on Richard all these years. Only one idea stood out brightly through her mind.
Wiping away her tear stricken face furiously, Victoria stood up, her daughter in tow. She made a quick phone call, speaking in hushed tones, and then swiftly turned back to the girl in red.
"Sweetheart, how would you like to take a small trip?"
The little girl's eyes brightened significantly as she started jumping up and down.
"Where are we going? Can I take Mr. Pebbles with me?"
"It's a surprise, but I'm sure you will love it. And Mr. Pebbles can definitely come along," the redhead said as she started walking to the door, hand in hand with her precious angel. "Let's walk. It's a pretty day today. So tell me, darling, if you could be anything in the world, what would you be?"
The brunette scrunched her nose, thinking deeply as her feet trotted along the cobblestone sidewalk around a lamp post. There were many things that she wanted to be. She wanted to be like Mama one day but then again she wanted to be loved and have a husband that would actually stay. She liked Mandy. She was really nice. Maybe she could become a housekeeper and take care of little girls like herself. Or a teacher! Like Mrs. Hawthorn next door. But on the other hand, she liked those models in Mandy's catalogues. They were tall and had gorgeous dresses. It seemed as though they were absolutely flawless.
"I want to be like one of those girls in Mandy's magazines. Like the pretty one on the cover with the long flowy brown hair with the dark green dress on. Mandy said that she probably had all the guys gawking at her. What does gawking mean, Mama?"
The color left Victoria's face for a second, but she quickly recovered. It was so ironic how her daughter's response could foreshadow her future.
"Gawking means that all the guys stare at her and think that she is the most gorgeous woman alive. Would you like that? To be dressed in elegant dresses everyday and meet handsome young men everyday?" Her words were spoken softly, a part of her truly wanting her daughter to cry out in defiance so that Victoria would change her mind.
The small head nodded energetically, liking the sound of that description but not fully knowing what it meant for her future.
"Then, it's settled." Victoria's words were barely audible for her own ears let alone her daughter's. "We're here."
She knocked on what looked like a Victorian palace. The house was huge with oval white windows and a huge red door. Thorny rose bushes lined the sides followed by small emerging trees. Instantly, a willowy young woman opened the door. Her hair was pulled back in a tight bun and she wore a lavish purple gown, the skirt flowing in a bell-shaped manner due to her metal hooped crinoline underneath. Hard unemotional eyes were set on her face.
"Victoria Davis. Never in a million years would I have thought to see you again. Do come in so that we can have a chat. It's been so long." The tall blonde smirked at her old acquaintance.
"Darling, why don't you wait here for a second, okay? Don't go anywhere, and make sure to not talk to any strangers," the young mother spoke kindly to her daughter.
"Okay, Mama. I won't go anywhere."
As she was left alone, the brunette started observing her surroundings. She had never been to this part of town before. There was a small store across the street filled with laughing men dubbed Annie's. She had a doll named Annie. Mandy had gotten it for her for her last birthday. Beside the pub sat other smaller stores, but none of which captured the attention of the young child. She was too immersed in the slowly moving clouds and fluttering butterflies to care.
Moments later the door reopened and both Victoria and the unknown blonde reappeared.
"So, is this the girl?" Her voice was full of wickedness but at the same time curiosity. She had never seen such a little thing full of so much beauty.
"Yes, this is her."
"What's her name? It sure ought to be splendid if Richard picked it out." The name Richard made Victoria flinch, obvious to the silent blow, but it was missed by the blonde.
"Her name is Brooke. Brooklyn Penelope Davis."
"Well, she'll definitely make the guys swoon. Here's you're money. Glad we could do business," she gave Victoria a huge wad of cash and then focused her attention on the petite girl in front of her. "Hello, dear. I'm Madame Deborah. Now, let's get you settled."
Brooke was lost for words. What was going on? Why was she staying with this Deborah lady? Was her mother leaving her?
"Mama…" she cried.
"Brooke, be a good girl for Madame Deborah. Okay, sweetheart? Mama will see you soon. I promise. And remember, I'm only doing this because I love you."
She never saw her mother again.
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End of Prologue! Hope you enjoyed it! Next: Skip 15 Years. We meet Lucas!
Please R&R! I love new ideas/suggestions/comments/ etc. And I don't mind if you write some constructive criticism either. Thanks!
Hope you have a great day: )