AN: Hi everyone! This is my first story on my new account, I deleted all my old stories on my other one. This is a BRUCAS fic, so please keep that in mind as you proceed.

A couple notes about this story:

This is set in season 3, but it's pretty much AU. Leyton was still together, but Brucas in s1 never happened, they were just best friends (basically Brooke was Lucas' other best friend besides Haley). Keith is still dead, but Karen was pregnant well before he died, which means Lily is born a season before than on the show. I don't have an actual time frame this is set in, besides after the shooting.

I'll add any more details if any of you are confused about any of this.

ENJOY!

Brooke knew the looks she was getting, walking around with a baby carrier in her shopping cart, still in her cheerleading uniform, face paint on and everything. She picked up the pacifier that Lily had spit out and held it in front of the 3-month-old, who opened her mouth to suck on it again. Lucas came around the corner carrying two big packs of diapers while Brooke looked for the proper formula. They looked like teen parents, and in a way, that's what they were.

Ever since Karen passed after giving birth, Brooke had basically picked up the as the child's mother. Lucas was the last living family member that Lily had left, and he had signed custody papers to make the newborn his. The first week he brought his sister home from the hospital he called his best friend in an emotional breakdown, begging for help. Babysitter Brooke came to the rescue, and hadn't left since.

Arriving back at the blonde's house, Brooke set to feeding Lily while Lucas put away the groceries. He watched the brunette expertly hold the baby and speak softly to her as Lily greedily sucked on the bottle. Brooke was an amazing mother; she would argue it was just that she was a good babysitter. But the way she held Lily in her arms, the way her eyes lit up whenever one of their friends mentioned the baby, the way she proudly carried the child, told Lucas something else entirely.

"Let's get you in some nice warm pajamas." Brooke cooed, lifting Lily over her head and pressing a kiss to her forehead. Lucas watched her disappear down the hallway, and after she rounded the corner a grin spread across his face. Seeing her like this, brought a warmth to his heart he had never felt before, not even when he was dating Peyton.

Peyton. The thought of his blonde ex-girlfriend made him frown as he continued to put away the groceries. She didn't want to be involved with Lily, didn't want to learn how to take care of her. She just wanted him, no 'extra baggage'. That was what led to their breakup, calling Lily baggage. Ever since that night, the most he's said to her was an explosive yell in front of everyone to leave him alone.

"Are you thinking about Peyton again?" Brooke asked from behind him, causing Lucas to jump and drop the box of taco shells. He shook his head and turned around, forcing a smile.

"No, I have no reason to." She scoffed and put Lily on one of her blankets, turning and putting her hands on her hips. "I'm just… I was thinking about some stuff, then Peyton's name popped up in those thoughts and I got a little irritated. That's all."

"I wouldn't pay too much attention to her anymore. You have more important things to think about." Like you? Lucas thought to himself, picking up the shells off the floor and putting it in the cabinet.

"That's funny coming from her best friend." Brooke rolled her eyes and leaned against the counter.

"She might be my best friend, but I've always been a big believer that family is far more important than friends." She said it proudly, a smile playing on her lips. Looking back at her, his own smile appeared.

"Oh, so we're a family now?" Her cheeks turned red and she quickly looked away. "No, I don't mean it like that. I just, haven't really looked at us like we're a family." That was a lie. He thought about it all the time, how he, Brooke and Lily had become a family.

"Well, I mean, we're kind of raising a baby together. And, I don't have anyone else I consider family. You already know my parents are just the people who birthed me than left me. So, I just kind of always thought of you and Lily as my family." Looking at the ceiling, Lucas could see she was getting upset.

"We are a family. You, Lily, me. I don't like to call myself Lily's dad, but I mean, I guess that's what I am now that Mom's gone. And you're her mom, a pretty great mom too." Brooke looked at him and he took a step forward and wiped away one of her tears. "There's nothing to be upset over. You have a family that wants you now. Right Lily?" The baby gurgled in response, making the blonde and brunette laugh.

"It feels good, having a family." Brooke smiled, pulling Lucas in for a hug. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close, her head resting on his chest. As cliché as it sounded, holding Brooke in his arms felt right. It was the first time they touched, besides accidental touches when they were playing or doing something that involved Lily. Once she pulled back, he rubbed her shoulders softly and smiled.

"I have to agree with you Ms. Davis." Bending down, he picked up Lily and rested her on his hip. "I believe it's time for this little girl's bedtime. Would you like to tell her a story with me?"

"Of course, I would do anything for her." Brooke replied, stroking the baby's cheek.

For the first time in the past 3 months, Brooke Davis truly felt like a mother. She had previously considered Lily like her daughter, but had never considered or called herself a mother. But sitting in the rocking chair holding her, reading Cinderella with Lucas chiming in every once and a while, gently patting her back, she was a mother. And in her 17 and a half years of life, it was the greatest joy she ever experienced.

Lucas Scott was giving her hope, he was giving her a family, he was giving her everything she wanted. She wasn't sure if it was just the fact they were raising Lily together, or if it was her past crush on him, but she knew one thing. Brooke Davis was falling for him. And as good as she felt holding his kid, it scared the living shit out of her.

Here it is! Chapter One! I'm so happy with how this turned out, and I'm excited to upload more over time. Let me know what you think (positive reviews please, no hate!) I know it seems kind of short, but this is more like a prologue than anything else to be honest.