Brooke watched from the hallway, as her two year old son, Jackson Samuel Baker played on the floor in the living room. He was playing with the miniature musical instruments Peyton and Haley had sent him the previous christmas. They'd spent it with Julians parents as agreed. She laughed as he continued to bang the guitar on the floor; so much for her friends hopes that he would be a rock star. On the couch she could see her husbands head buried in his newspaper. She picked Jackson up, and rested him on her hips as she walked over to the couch.
"Look at Daddy. Are we annoying Daddy?" She laughed as Jackson reached out and pulled on Julian's ears.
"You could never annoy me." Julian turned, ruffling Jackson's hair and kissing Brooke softly. Brooke was about to walk around to sit next to him when the phone rang. She set Jackson down next to Julian.
"I'll get it." She avoided Julian's attempt to drag her onto his lap and answered the phone, her eye's still focused on the blissful scene before her. Jackson now sat on Julian's lap, as Julian softly read the box scores. "Baker house!"
"Brooke…" She was suddenly reminded that not everyone got the happily ever after she had, the haunted voice on the line reminding her how easily perfection could crumble. She had to look away from her husband and son as the broken voice continued.
Larry opened the door to a tearful Brooke. She ran straight past him and up to his daughter's room. He'd known Brooke almost three years. Since his wife's death two years ago she had become a permanent fixture, and the only way to really talk with his daughter. Brooke was the only person Peyton really talked to like she had before. He received fake smiles and one word answers. At night he would hear them talking as the watched movies or rested in bed.
He heard the upstairs floorboard creak, from Peyton's room, and then silence. He followed her upstairs and saw her lying next to Peyton, there arms wrapped around each other, as Brooke cried. Peyton caught his eye for a moment and he closed the door on them.
"Brooke, what happened?" Peyton asked as Brooke's sobbing subsided. Brooke was always the strong one, this was the first time she'd ever seen her cry. Peyton was the unstable one.
"I…I…It's silly…"
"It's not silly if it's got you this upset." Peyton softly reasoned, wiping the tears from the brunette's face.
"Promise?"
"I promise."
"He broke up with me, for Bevin." Brooke said before breaking out into tears. Peyton swallowed the laughter and comforted her friend the rest of the night. She explained to Bevin that Justin Garner was a loser, and Bevin's IQ was probably in negative numbers. They were welcome to each other because neither were in the same league has her best friend.
Larry had taken the two girls to school the next morning, knowing his role as father was just to drive and asked no questions. He dropped them off and watched as they made their way up the steps to the school, arms linked and smiling. He'd never forget that smile. He's always meant to thank Brooke for bringing a smile to his daughters face but he'd forgotten two hours later when the principal had called him to collect Peyton. She'd been suspended for hitting some Justin kid. She wouldn't explain it, and used the silent treatment. Instead Brooke had apologised, but also refused to explain.
"I'm sorry Mr Sawyer, but we're best friends. Do you know what that means? I've got her back and she's got mine. We're best friends forever."
Brooke placed the phone down, tears in her eyes. She walked into her kitchen, holding herself up by leaning on the counter as she cried. The word of a broken woman still with her. Julian's strong arms wrapped around her from behind.
"That was Karen…" She didn't have to say anymore. Julian understood. He frowned slightly, remembering the last time he'd heard those words. The devastation that had followed them, and how Brooke had cried. They'd flown back to Tree Hill the very next day. He kissed the back of her head, the scent of her shampoo filling his nostrils.
"When should I book your flight for?" There was no point fighting it. The selfish part of him wanted to keep her here with him, with their son, but the better half of him. The part that really loved Brooke understood her decision and would support her. So he said nothing. She had to do this, it was who she was.
"As soon as. Will you look after Jackson? I don't want him to see this." He nodded, and followed her to the bedroom to pack.
'Cause all of the stars,
Have faded away
Just try not to worry,
You'll see them someday,
Take what you need,
And be on your way and
Stop crying your heart out
This story wouldn't leave me alone. I know this doesn't give to much away. It's set after season 6. Julian and Brooke are married and living in LA, with their son. I couldn't think of a first name. I was so tempted to go with Davies or David, seeing as that how they seem to name kids in one tree hill (James, Sawyer). Lucas and Peyton stayed in Tree Hill with Sawyer. Naley still live their too. This is going to be a friendship story. Please review and let me know what you think so far.