It started with a simple sentence "We're moving to Tree Hill" those few words my father said changed everything. My family always did things as a democracy but for the first time my father was taking the decision away from us. The thing you need to know about my family is that it consists of just four people my father Keith Scott, my brothers Jake and Nate, and Me Brooke. My brothers and I are triplets and have been raised by our single father since we were three years old. Our mother Victoria Durham-Scott had a lot of problems and one day she just walked out, it's been the four of us ever since.
We haven't exactly been the easiest kids to raise, hell I would go as far as to say that we were quite difficult. Jake began dating my best friend Nikki when we were fourteen and two years later Nikki discovered she was pregnant with their daughter Jennifer Brooklyn Dupre-Scott. Shortly after Jake found out about his impending fatherhood, Nate and Jake started fighting more. Nate had always been the more rebellious out of the three of us, he was constantly in trouble at school and now he was getting in trouble with the police. Then there's me, I've always been the bookworm and sure I went out with Nate and Jake, I went to parties with them and sometimes I drank but that was always more of my brothers thing. Then a month ago we pushed my father over the limit when the accident occurred, after that my dad decided we would be moving back to his hometown.
Nate was leaving behind a bad crowd of friends, a whore of a girlfriend, and a reputation that would ruin his basketball career. Jake was leaving behind Nikki, well the memory of Nikki as she went missing when Jen was only a month and a half old. I was leaving behind my cheerleading squad, my boyfriend, my best friends, and my band, as well as Nikki. Jake and Nate protested more than I did when our dad announced the move.
We arrived in Tree Hill this morning; Dad is so excited to be home. Our lives will be better living here, I just hope Nate and Jake will forgive dad for moving us away from our lives. Nate is still not speaking to our father; I don't think they've had a real conversation without fighting since dad announced the move two weeks ago.
My dad's younger brother Dan and his wife Deb, our godparents, and their son Lucas were coming over to take us to lunch at a local café. We've spent the morning unpacking the house; naturally I finished early so I was spending quality time with my niece. I tried to help my brother out as much as possible by taking care of Jenny. I may not be her mother, nor would I ever try to be that's Nikki's title, but I hold the title of Godmother. I don't want Jenny to grow up thinking Nikki abandoned her like Bitchtoria did to my brothers and I. Currently I was in her nursery singing to her.
"I always knew you lied when you said you quit" I turned to see Jake smiling "You were way too talented."
He was referring to the fact that I gave up singing the day Nikki went missing, three months ago now.
"Well I did give it up! Just not for my princess" I said smiling at my goddaughter.
"That's a shame Brookie, because you are phenomenal. Just like me!" Jake replied with his shit eating grin. Jake walked over to me and picked up his daughter.
At this moment I got a chance to take in Jenny's nursery. Dan and Deb had started decorating it a few days before we arrived. It's a baby blue color with clouds painted at the top of each wall. My godparents had even added a few pictures of our family through the years. I added pictures of my brothers, Nikki, my best friends Alex, Mia, Clay and Chris, my boyfriend Owen and many other important people. I had painted the word Familia on the wall with all the pictures.
"God you've done amazing with the room B. I know we don't say it enough but we couldn't be doing any of this without your help. The way you take care of the three of us and Jen means the world to us. I love you baby sis." Jake said as he pulled me into a small hug, entrapping the baby between us.
"I owe it to Nikki, you, daddy, and Nate" It's true I owe my family everything.
"You don't owe us ANYTHING Brooke. I don't understand why you feel that way."
"He's right Brooklyn Penelope. You don't owe anyone anything."
After the heart to heart discussion with my brothers, I made them move Jen's crib under the Familia wall. While they were doing the manual labor, I was whispering lyrics to Jenny trying to get her to fall asleep. Dad called up to us to let us know that Dan and Deb were here. I pushed my brothers out of the room ahead of us.
I walked over to the nightstand next to the crib, on it sat my favorite picture. It was of Nikki Alex, and I sticking our tongues out at the camera, it was taken at Fenway Park. It was taken when Nikki was only two months pregnant, so you couldn't see the bump yet. I slowly picked it up and pointed at Nikki to Jenny.
"Say Hi mama, Auntie Brooke is taking care of me. Hi best friend, I love you Nikki. Please come back to us." I said putting back the picture and heading downstairs to meet my godparents. "Come on Jellybean let's go meet your great Aunt and Uncle."
I heard my dad assuring Deb and Dan that the baby and I would be down shortly. It sounded great to hear my dad laugh again and for Nate to be talking to both him and Jake.
"There is no need to worry, the Princesses are here." I said with a smile on my face as I walked over to my own godfather. "This is Jenny, sorry for making you wait but she needed her bottle" I gave my dad his precious granddaughter as I leaned in to hug Dan and Deb.
"You look beautiful Brookie, you are so grown up." Dan says after hugging me. It's been almost three years since I've seen my Aunt and Uncle. I put Jen in the stroller and then we headed out the door. I made Jake walk ahead with Nate, they were quickly going back to be being the best friends we grew up as. My dad, Dan, and Deb walked in between my brothers and I, Dad and Dan were catching up on the past five years. Deb slowed her pace until she was back with Jenny and I.
"I can't believe how grown up the three of you are. Jake has a daughter, Nate has his basketball, and you baby Brooke are holding them together." Deb says as she wraps her arms around my shoulders and kisses the side of my head.
Deb was more than just my aunt and my godmother, she was my mother figure. She, along with both of my grandmothers raised me. Camille Durham, Victoria's mom, died four years ago, that was also the last time we visited Tree Hill. Mae Scott, my dad's mother, had been traveling with my grandpa for ten years now so I didn't get to see her very often. I was really close with both of my grandmothers, but Deb was the woman I called when I needed motherly advice. Deb and Victoria had been best friends when they were growing up so I have the only connection I need with her when I'm with Deb.
"So what are you thinking in that pretty little head of yours sweetie?" Deb asked
"Just how great it is to see my brothers acting their age for the first time in years. Jake's whole world is this little girl" I say as I bend down to kiss my niece. "and Nate got in so much trouble in Boston, they both needed to get out. Nate needed to get away from his stupid friends and the skank he's been dating. Jake needed a break from the constant searching for Nikki. Maybe being here will let everyone heal. This way Jenny can grow up with a family, in a small town, and knowing how loved she is. Plus daddy is so much happier with Uncle Danny and Whitey has all his family around him."
Whitey is my grandfather, Camille's husband. Whitey is the head coach of the Tree Hill Raven's basketball team; he has been for fifty five years. Both my dad and Uncle played on the team when they were in high school.
"How about you Brooke?" Aunt Deb asked
"What do you mean?"
"How are you healing? Your brothers and your father are not the only ones who are in need of healing. It's not healthy for a seventeen year old to be taking care of her whole family."
"Aunt Deb, I've healed, I healed a while ago." I argued back, which was a mistake, you never argue with a Scott woman.
"No you haven't! God Brooklyn, you have lost so much in your life. More than anyone should ever lose. You lost your mom at three years old, your Nana at 13, Nikki three months ago, and for a while you lost your brothers."
She was wrong, I'm okay. I've dealt with everything I've needed to deal with.
"Deb I'm fine. I'm healthy, I'm happy, I'm here."
With that said and done, we walked into the café. The place was beautiful, there were so many pictures everywhere. There were even a few of my grandpa, my dad, and my uncles.
"Karen, we're here." Deb called to a woman. A woman about 32, short black hair, and approximately 5'4 walked out.
"Deb you're always…" The woman trails off as she looks at me. "Debbie is this?"
"Brooklyn Scott" My aunt says proudly as the woman smiles.
"You are the spitting image of her." There's no doubt that she's referring to Victoria. "But you have Keith's eyes and smile."
That made me smile even brighter, I was always told that I am the perfect combination of the two.
"Brooke, sweetie, this is Karen Roe. She's a close family friend, Lucas works for her here."
Lucas is my cousin. He's three months older than my brothers and I. Lucas and I were really close when we were kids. He stays with us every summer for two months, but I only get to see him for two weeks because I leave for Cheer camp the day after school gets out. Karen was my dad and Dan's best friend growing up. She set up Dan and Deb when they were teenagers.
The bell chimed and in walked my cousin Lucas; he went and sat down with the boys. Jenny, thankfully, was out cold. My father had been walking around saying hello to everyone and finally sat down.
"Keith Scott is back in town!" Karen said as she took our orders "It's good to have you all back in town."
"I couldn't agree more Karen." My father said as he stands and hugs his childhood best friend.
"I second that Karen. It's about DAMN TIME my grandchildren and my son returned home" I heard the voice of my grandfather say.
"GRANDPA!" I shout as I run and jump into my grandpa's arms. I've always been a daddy's and grandpas girl. Honestly I had no choice growing up in a houseful of boys.
"Hi Brookie" My grandpa said as he placed a kiss on my head. Jake stood up and walked over to our grandfather.
"Hi Pop" Jake said as he leaned in for a hug from Whitey. We waited to see Nate's reaction to seeing our grandfather. Out of anyone in our family Whitey was the person in our family we hated to disappoint.
"Nathanial Royal Scott, get your ass up and come hug your grandfather." Whitey said in his gruff voice.
"It's going to be great having the three of you here, it will be like a super extended summer this year." Lucas stated as Jake and I begin to laugh.
"Okay boys, I have to come to a decision" I state as I look at my brother and my cousin. They respond with questioning looks. "This year as far as everyone outside of our immediate family and family friends, Jenny will be considered my daughter."
