"Good morning Lucas," Brooke called brightly as she went into the store where she worked. "Sorry I'm late."

"Hey Brooke," he greeted with a wide smile as he came out from the workshop area. His eyes practically lit up as he saw her. "Don't worry about it okay. I know what it's like in a morning with a brood to look after."

"I had to change Ryan's outfit again. Scarlett accidentally threw her breakfast all over him. She was running with her Lucky Charms and tripped over her feet. He went to catch her and ended up covered in soggy cereal," Brooke explained, as she put her purse into the small staff room to the left of the workshop area. "All I can say is poor Lindsay because Scarlett is one hyper two year old today."

"Paige was the same this morning. Her and Grace were fighting over who got the pink cup. So I'm under strict instructions to go and buy another pink cup," Lucas said with a sigh. He then got his brooding look on his face. "Anyway, I hope you didn't rush to get here. Not in your condition."

"Lucas, I'm pregnant not dying. And it's not like I haven't been through it twice before now is it?"

"Well no, but you should still take it easy." he said with a smile.

"I bet you're driving Lindsay crazy with the fussing too huh?" Brooke joked as she stroked her swollen belly. "Wow, somebody's being a little kicker this morning."

"Sit down," Lucas told her. He couldn't resist placing his hand on her belly to feel. "God your baby is certainly lively this morning. I'll go make you one of those hot chocolates that you like. And I picked up some of those brownies you like on the way in. My mom sent me a message last night to say she had made some. So I stopped by her place on the way."

"I love your mom. And you are the best boss and friend in history," Brooke said as she sank into her chair behind the counter. "Peyton and I are the most spoiled employee's ever."

"You know, I was working figures out the other day and I think that Peyton's had more time off with her maternity leave and sick days than she's actually worked," Lucas said as he brought Brooke one of his special hot chocolates. "Here you go."

"You are a God!" Brooke said gratefully as she took it from him. He handed her a brownie on a plate too. She took a bite and asked. "We have any orders to get processed today?"

"Nope," he replied. "Have a nice easy day today we do. Plus it'll give me chance to catch up on the orders that have already been placed, with Jake being on paternity leave as well."

"Well Peyton said she was making him get a vasectomy," Brooke told him as she sipped her chocolate. "So when he comes back he'll be firing blanks."

"Thank God!" Lucas laughed. "I don't think they need anymore kids in that house."

"Same here!" Brooke agreed. "It'll be a shock to the regular customers to see Peyton not pregnant."

Peyton Sawyer had been married to Jake Jagielski for six years now. They had been married since the senior year of high school and had their first child Jenny four months later.

Peyton had just given birth to their latest addition two weeks ago, so they now had six children. Four girls; Jenny aged six, Lauren aged five, Ellie aged three and Savannah aged two. They also had two boys; Brandon aged four and Jake Junior was the new addition.

Lucas Scott was married to Lindsay Strauss. They had been married for four years and had two daughters, Grace who was three and Paige who was two. Lindsay was pregnant with their third and Lucas secretly hoped for a boy.

Brooke Davis was married to Julian Baker. They had been married for just two years. They also had two children, Ryan aged four and Scarlett aged two and Brooke was due to have their third in three months time.

Jake and Lucas co-owned a hand crafted furniture store that specialized in children's furniture. They made other furniture as well, but were renowned for their nursery range. It had been owned by their two families for generations now. It was ironic that all the staff that had worked there over the years had gone on to have more than the average amount of children.

Brooke and Lucas had known each other since high school, along with Jake and Peyton. They had all been in the same year. Brooke and Lucas had dated during high school and had even ended up losing their virginity to each other. They had been dating when Peyton and Jake had married and had been best man and matron of honor at the ceremony. They had ended up drifting apart romantically, but had remained close friends. That was when they had met their current partners.

"At least you and Peyton aren't pregnant at the same time for this one," Lucas said as he closed the store for lunch. Being his own boss he could do what he liked. Jake wouldn't mind either. "Unlike the others."

"Do you remember when Scarlett, Paige and Savannah were born within the same week and this place had to close?"

"How could I forget?" Lucas laughed. "That was bad timing on all our parts!"

"Or it could have just been too much alcohol at the Christmas party and over the festive period!" Brooke giggled.

"Or that," he agreed. "You want to go out somewhere for lunch?"

"Your mom's café by any chance?"

"You read my mind Brooke," he grinned. "Come on, let's go."

"Hi Luke, Hi Brooke," Karen Scott greeted them as they entered the café. "How's the pregnancy going Brooke?"

"Good actually," Brooke replied with a grin. "This one just like kicking my kidney's unlike the other two. Oh and thanks for the brownies."

"You're welcome," Karen remarked. "You're lucky. You haven't had morning sickness with any of your pregnancies either have you?"

"Nope," Brooke beamed. "I'm a lucky girl huh?"

"Do you guys want your usuals?" Karen asked as they went and sat in their usual seats. Both of them nodded in response.

"Is Julian still away on business?" Lucas asked her as they waited on their food.

"Yeah. He should be back in six weeks," Brooke replied. "He's getting it all out of the way so that he won't have to travel as much nearer when the baby is due."

"Do you know what you're having yet?"

"Yes," Brooke replied with a smile. "A human!"

Lucas choked on his soda at Brooke's answer. He coughed and spluttered for a few long minutes as he tried to regain his breath. Brooke laughed at him.

"Are you okay?" she asked him softly as Karen brought their food over.

"Are you okay Lucas?" Karen asked mimicking Brooke's words.

"Yeah," he replied as he wiped at his eyes with a napkin. "I'm good now."

"I kind of made him laugh when he was drinking," Brooke explained. She smiled as she asked. "You're not going to fire me are you?"

"I'll have to give it some consideration," he replied with a smile. "But seriously do you know the sex of your human baby?"

"I do. Julian doesn't yet. I want to see his face when I tell him."

"Oh," Lucas said disappointed. He was keen to know the sex. "Well Lindsay and I should find out at the next scan. I'm hoping for a boy this time."

"Well, you want to know what I'm having?" she asked. Lucas nodded. "Don't tell Julian until I've told him okay?"

"I won't say a word and I'll promise to act surprised when he mentions it."

"I am going to have another little boy," Brooke beamed. "He's going to be called Sam."

"Really? Wow lucky you. Two boys," Lucas said and couldn't help breaking out into a wide smile. "Congratulations."

"Thanks Luke," Brooke beamed. "Remember, not a word to anybody. I just had to tell somebody."