Chapter One: Empty Page To Fill

Twenty-three year old Lucas Scott sat starring at his computer and the empty page on the screen. He had already sent his latest assignment to his editor, and he was hoping to get a start on his novel. He'd been dreaming of finding the words to his great American novel. The only thing he had ever finished was locked away in his closet, but he wasn't ready to let it out, and not sure if he would ever be able to.

"No! I do wanna."

The sound of the familiar voice rang out before the front door of his apartment even opened and brought a smile to his face. He closed out the screen on his computer and made his way to the living room as his son entered their home followed by Brooke.

"Hey there, bud," He greeted the three year old, "How was your day with Aunt Brooke?"

He was met with a scowl, "Oh, that great, huh? Well, why don't you go put your stuff in your room then we can make some dinner."

The red head started to trudge away when Brooke put her hands on her hips and called out, "Adam Keith McFadden-Scott." The boy turned around, stomped back to his 'aunt,' gave her a rough kiss on the cheek before disappearing out of the room.

Lucas looked at Brooke and she explained, "It was definitely not one of his best days. I didn't know who was going to kill each other first, him or Victoria."

"I'll talk to him."

Brooke smiled cautiously, "Look, Luke, there's this party tonight, and I know for a fact there are going to be some very hot players for your team."

Lucas pretended to think about it, "I don't think so, Brooke, it's probably just going to be a boys' night in."

Brooke sighed, "Lucas Eugene Scott, you say that every time I ask. You can have one night away from your son."

"It's not that…"

"And you're twenty-three, Luke, its okay to live a little, and its okay to date again. It's been two years since…"

Lucas' face grew dark, "I said no Brooke." Silence fell as Brooke cowered slightly before he ran his hand through his hair, "I'm sorry I just miss him, and I can't do that again, not right now, and I have Adam to think about too."

"You're not thinking about him, you're hiding behind him. You both deserve to be happy; you just have to take the opportunity." She slid a piece of paper, "Here's the address, and the number for the babysitter, just think about it, promise?"

"Fine."

Brooke smiled, "Thank you. And before I forget, I got a phone call from Adam's Uncle Mouth, every one is going to come up for Adam's birthday next week and I thought that you can have Haley, Nathan and Jaime, and Karen. I'll take Chase, Mouth, Peyton, and Skills."

"I have I ever thanked you for everything you do?"

"No, but I know you're grateful, and I don't know maybe you could show it by coming to this party."

Lucas rolled his eyes, she smiled grabbed her purse, and headed out, "Which I need to go get ready for, tell Broody Jr. I love him, and I'll see you tonight."

She disappeared out the door, and Adam reappeared, "Dinner time?" The little boy asked his eyes trying to play innocent.

"Nice try. We need to have a little talk." He lifted the boy on to the chair sitting at the island. "Why didn't you want to behave, today?"

A shrug was his only response. He sighed. "Well, if you keep it up then cousin Jaime isn't going to come see you for your birthday. So, how about we try to do better next time?"

The boy nodded. "Daddy?"

"Yeah, bud?"

"Are you happy?" The three year old asked.

Lucas looked at the boy shocked; he bent to Adam's eye level, "I am very happy because I spend everyday with you. And I love you, you know that, right?"

Another nod. "You need a nigh' off…"

"Did Aunt Brooke tell you to say that?"

Adam laughed hopped off the chair and ran laughing….

"Whether he was bribed or not, it's not that great when your son tells you that you need a night off." Lucas whispered to the brunette.

"You came! Wow…" Brooke stopped for a moment.

"You didn't think I would, did you?"

"Honestly? No. It's not in your nature. But I'm glad you changed your mind." Brooke hugged him. "So, there are some people I would like you to meet."

Lucas rolled his head back, "Brooke, I knew…"

"Bevin works with me, well technically, for me…she is a friend." Brooke saw Lucas relax a little, and pulled him to follow her. When they got close enough to where she was leading him, she also casually mentioned, "And just in case you came, she brought her brother. He has a few things in common with you."

He would have tried to pull out from this sneak attack, but the two people had already notice them approaching. Brooke smiled, "Lucas, this is Bevin and her brother, Jake."

Lucas looked carefully at the brunette who offered his hand politely. Brooke smiled between the two boys and slyly looked around, "Oh, look, Bev there's…Lisa from PR. Excuse us boys, we have to go talk to Tina from PR."

With that she disappeared leaving Lucas to shake his head, "I'm sorry, Brooke's never really been subtle."

"It's alright, Bevin's not really either. I wonder if she realizes she called the non existent PR person two different names."

"Probably not." Lucas said, noticing Jake smile at him, "Look, I guess I should be honest here. Brooke's been trying to set me up for the last year, and I have a son, and Brooke doesn't understand that I don't think I'm ready for a relationship right now."

Jake nodded, "That's a shame, but I completely understand…I'm a single father myself. My daughter, Jenny is six years old. I just came to please Bevin. Why don't we get out of here, get some decent food?" He saw Lucas face, "It's not anything, but a win-win situation…Brooke and Bevin are appeased and we can eat some real food besides this fashion world imaginary food."

Lucas nodded and followed the brunette out of the room, much to the excitement of one of his best friends who watched from afar.

"There you go, Luke…one step at a time." Brooke whispered the boys left, and she notice the small amount of relief that over came her. She'd been worried about him ever since he moved up to New York a little less than two years ago. He'd been so broken then, and she knew he'd never mend until he took a chance. It was for his own good, Brooke reiterated. For his own good.

Here we go, the first of three new Lake fics that I'm putting up! Since its my birthday I felt it appropriate to put up a new fic with my favorite couple! Enjoy. But before you go two things:

I don't own One Tree Hill…

Don't flame the pairing…if you have problems with slash…go deal with those problems on your own.

Until next time, this is me…signing out