Chapter 1- The Beginning of An End

Summary: This is taking place after Brooke broke up with Lucas for the second time. Brooke and Lucas are both still single. Haley and Nathan are married, and Jake just returned with full custody of Jenny and is living with Peyton.

Flashbacks are in italics.

Brooke slowly awoke in her double sized bed the sun just kissing her face perfectly in a morning welcome. She sighed and rolled over letting out a small moan. She heard and small rustle and a cough. She winced but waited praying that Ava wouldn't choose to wake up just yet. She had just started almost sleeping through the night with waking up occasionally twice tops in the middle of the night. She slowly crept over to her 5 month old daughters crib and leaned against the railing.

"Why didn't you tell me you kissed Peyton…AGAIN?" Tears burned her eyes threatening to tip over the edge and roll down her face causing her makeup to smear.

"Because it meant nothing Brooke! I love Peyton but I'm not IN love with Peyton…" He stared at her knowingly and cupped her cheek in his hand.

"Yeah well maybe you should've thought about that BEFORE your little lip lock! Or maybe it was something bigger this time, you know I never know with you anymore Lucas!" She pushed past him making her way up the house steps.

"Brooke come on! Your acting…childish!"

"Oh no you did not! I'm the child! You're the one who can't make up your mind on what you really want!" She turned and stared at him

"Lucas, I gave you my heart…my whole heart…TWICE...and you blew it…TWICE…but you know what…I don't care anymore….because as far as I'm concerned…we're done Lucas Scott…and I think I'll be fine if I never speak to you again"

She jumped slightly at the rustle in the crib before her again and smiled down at Ava. Her bright blue eyes staring back at her. She got those from her father but her brown hair was defiantly Brooke's.

She sat on her bed in panic. She has just gotten back from the hospital with her future sitting out before her. Haley set down the phone in between them.

"What are you going to do? You were just given both of your answers…"

Tears rolled down her face… "Yeah I guess so…but what am I going to do Hales? I can't be pregnant! I'm only a junior!"

Haley embraced Brooke in hug. "It's going to be okay. You have a ton of people who love and care about you Brooke. You're not going to be on your own! And I know Lucas…"

"I'm not telling Lucas"

"Brooke…"

"No, I've already made arrangements to move in with my mom's parents… I don't want my parents to know…or Lucas for the matter."

Brooke slowly picked up Ava out of her crib watching the appearing tears vanish from her eyes and a bright dimpled smile appear.

"Well good morning gorgeous baby. Are you ready to go see Aunt Haley today?"

Brooke made faces at Ava and became startled when Elsie walked in.

"Grandma, would you mind watching her real fast while I get ready?"

"Sure honey, anything for the most beautiful baby in the world!"

And hour later Brooke grabbed her purse, Ava's bag, Her duffle bag, and Ava and walked out to her car. Elsie had forced her to trade in her beetle for something bigger that a car seat would fit into. Brooke was reluctant but Elsie bought her a new Denali instead. Brooke through her struggled to unlock the car and open the door but finally managed. She threw her bags on the ground and stretched over in her large car to put Ava in her car seat which sat in the middle. She made sure Ava was secure and then grabbed her keys and hopped in on the drivers side.

After the hour drive to Nathan and Haley's apartment, which was still the same old apartment eleven as it had been last year. She parked outside grabbing Ava and her bags. She had a week long break off school and decided to visit the gang in Tree Hill, at least some of the gang. Everyone except Lucas. She walked up the steps to the apartment and swung open the door but was not expecting what sat before her. Lucas stared wide eyed at Brooke and the baby that sat on her hip and clung to her shoulder. Haley grimaced and rushed up to Brooke.

"Hey Brooke! I'm so sorry I thought you weren't coming until tomorrow!" She bit her lip and relieved Brooke of her bags.

Lucas stood up and looked from Nathan to Haley and finally at Brooke and her daughter.

"Nice to see you Brooke, How long has it been?"

Brooke got in her car and hugged Nathan, Haley, and Peyton goodbye.

"I'm really sorry for what I did B.Davis."

"Don't even worry about it P.Sawyer."

She shook her head as tears rolled down her face and turned to all of them.

"He can know I'm gone, but he can't know about this." Brooke pointed to the slight bump of her growing stomach. They all agreed and Brooke hopped into her car and pulled away waving, preparing herself for the newfound future of her, and her daughter, and the hour drive away from her home.

She paused still standing in the doorway.

"A little over a year..." Haley ushered he inside but she still held Ava on her hip.

"And who is this Brooke?" Nathan and Haley left and brought Brooke and Ava's bags into the guest bedroom but still listening to the conversation.

Brooke paused trying to get off the subject of her daughter, but knowing he was going to eventually ask the dreaded question. She nodded her head down towards Ava speaking in reference of her. "This is my...daughter...Ava Lucas"

"Who's is she?"

There is was the question she had been setting on the back burner for the past year knowing she would have to answer it eventually weather it was from Ava herself or from her actual father...Well the question was here now, front and center...but she froze...unable to move or speak...would Lucas take an answer from her newfound silence?