"He's really talking about moving home?" Haley asked hopefully. God knows she has missed her childhood bestfriend. He left so many years ago to follow Peyton to chase her dreams in LA, only for her to say no to his proposal. She missed him terribly, but was happy that he had found Lindsey. From what he had spoken of her, she seemed lovely.
"Yep," Brooke nodded, taking a sip of her coffee. "Lets hope he hasn't royally fucked up this relationship by hiding the fact he's a sperm donor."
"Don't call him that," Haley shook her head. "We all know Lucas Scott is so much more than that. He was your first love, Brooke. Hell, your only love. You could have had any sperm in the world, and we all know why you chose him to ask."
"Haley James Scott I am not still harboring feelings for the blond Scott. Yes, I love him, but I am happy for him. I chose him because I trust him and I know him and lets face it Tutormom the Scott boys have some damn good genes." Brooke raised an eyebrow to make a point. "I mean c'mon look at Asher, he's gunna be a total heartbreaker."
Haley sighed and looked out the back sliding doors at Jamie and Asher playing basketball. It was kind of amazing to see the next generation of Scott boys doing what they loved best – playing basketball, following in similar shoes to their fathers. "So lets say hypothetically Lindsey takes this well, and they move back. What are you going to do about Ash man?"
"What do you mean?" Brooke took a bite of her bagel. "We agreed before I was even pregnant that Lucas had no ties to him. The whole arrangement was based upon the fact that I would be a single mom. Lord knows Brooke Davis does not need a man."
"Yeah I know that," Haley pushed some of her blonde highlighted hair from her face. "But seriously, this is Lucas we're talking about. Being around Asher and seeing what he created – he's totally gunna want to more than just a 'sperm donor'."
"You're crazy Hales," Brooke laughed. "I've sent Lucas pictures every Christmas. Trust me he does not wanna be tied down with a son. We have always been on the same page."
"If you say so," Haley waved her hand to end the conversation. "I still can't believe he hasn't called me to tell me. I mean moving to Tree Hill is kind of a big deal. Any details of when?"
Brooke shook her head, "nope!"
"Momma!" Jamie popped his head in, "Me and Asher are thirsty!"
"Asher and I, honey." Haley corrected which made Brooke giggle at the fact that some things indeed don't change. "Here." Haley handed her son two bottles of water from the fridge. "If you two get too hot you need to take a break okay? Last thing I want to do with my day is taking you two to the hospital for a heat stroke."
Jamie laughed. "Okay momma whatever you say!" The door slammed behind him and the two women giggled.
"God, can they just stop growing already?" Brooke pouted.
"I know! Don't you miss the good ole days when you could just hold them and they didn't talk back?" Haley smiled.
"Those were the days!" Brooke toasted her coffee cup.
"You've come a long ways, Tigger," Haley reached over and took Brooke's hand into her own. "I couldn't ask for a better bestfriend or godmother of my son."
"Oh Tutormom!" Brooke fanned her eyes. "Stop it you're gunna ruin my makeup! MAC should never be smeared! Blasphemy!"
Haley laughed and grabbed her own cup of coffee blowing some of the steam off the top. "How are the sketches coming along?"
"Almost done!" Brooke answered excitedly. "I'm really happy with them. And when production starts Jamie is definitely going to be the best dressed kid in school. Well, next to Asher!"
"You are too much," Haley shook her head and chuckled.
"I think I'm gunna take the boys to the aquarium this weekend, do you think they'll like that?"
"Are you kidding? They'll love it Brooke."
"Honey!" they heard Nathan's voice radiate through the foyer. "You'll never guess who I just found in our driveway!"
Brooke and Haley looked at each other curiously before the brunette Scott came into view with lots of grocery bags.
"Who?" Haley's interest was peaked.
"Surprise!" Lucas jumped out from around the corner followed by a blonde beauty.
"OHMYGOD!" Haley screamed and took off running into the arms of whom she considered a brother. "I can't believe you're here! What are you doing here?!"
Lucas could barely breathe for a moment as the wind was knocked out of him. He caught sight of Brooke at the island and was taken back by how little she had aged over the years. "Oh c'mon Haley-Bob, I won't believe for a second that Cheery over here didn't already spill the beans. Plus, you're a bad liar."
Haley pulled back and smiled sheepishly. "Guilty." Then she smacked him hard in the chest.
"Ow!" he put his hand over the stinging spot. "What was that for?!"
"For not telling me yourself mister!" Haley wagged her finger in a motherly way. "And seriously? I just got told like twenty minutes ago and I don't think anyone was expecting you this soon! I mean it's been two days!"
Lucas laughed. "Oh god! Forgive me, you guys, this is my fiancé, Lindsey!" He grabbed Lindsey's hand and pulled her up into better view. "And we weren't expecting to come so soon, but it just seemed like the right time."
"Hi," Haley held out her hand to Lindsey. "I've heard so much about you. Nice to finally put a face on you!"
"I hope all good things," Lindsey smiled brightly.
"Of course!" Haley smiled.
"Oh c'mere Brooke," Lucas held out his arms, "I haven't even gotten a proper welcome home hug!"
Brooke smiled and rolled her eyes for effect before standing up and wrapping her arms around his torso. She squeezed tight and inhaled his leather jacket that still smelled of the same cologne he used all through highschool. "It's nice to see your face, Broody."
Lucas inhaled the smell of her hair and closed his eyes for a brief moment. Still vanilla. "Brooke," he said as he pulled back, "This is Lindsey."
Brooke regained composure and put on a bright smile as she took Lindsey's hand in her own. "It's nice to meet the woman who has made this goofball so happy."
Lindsey forced the best smile she could muster. "It's nice to meet you too, Brooke. I have to admit, finding out about the situation you two are in, I was a little intimidated and upset, but Lucas has explained it all to me, and I feel a little better. I love him, so we are going to make the best of it."
"Well," Nathan finally spoke to cut the little bit of tension that hung in the air, "Since you guys are here, you'll have to stay for lunch! We were already having a little cookout, and I've got enough steak for us all."
"Oh no," Lindsey held out her hand, "I'm a vegetarian."
"Well that's okay," Haley assured the blonde. "I'm sure I've got some stuff I can whip up for you, no worries!"
'Thank you' Lucas mouthed from behind Lindsey.
"So, where's my godson?" Lucas breathed out with a clap of his hands.
"He's out back with Asher doing what they're always doing," Nathan laughed as he began to unload all the groceries and supplies he needed to get the grill fired up.
"Basketball," Brooke explained when Lucas looked a little confused.
Lucas chest swelled a little bit at the thought that his son liked basketball. "Is it okay that I go see them?"
"Of course!" Brooke answered as if he was crazy for asking in the first place.
"Actually," Haley piped up from helping her husband sort through the bags, "why don't you take them both a popsicle? It's almost 90 degrees out there and they are as stubborn as their fathers."
Lucas laughed and opened the freezer in search of the popsicles.
"Here," Brooke leaned in beside him. "You'll learn quick enough, Jamie likes the orange and Ash man is all about the blue. The rest of the colors are for us to pick off." She winked and broke off the appropriate colors and handed them to him.
Lindsey cleared her throat, obviously uncomfortable with their current position.
"C'mon babe," Lucas guided Linds towards the sliding glass doors. "Come meet Asher and Jamie."
"Well that wasn't awkward," Nathan mumbled which earned him a slap from both women left in the kitchen. "What? It was!"
"I'm sure this is very hard for her," Brooke defended Lindsey as she looked out the doors to watch the first interaction of Lucas with their son.
..
"I heard some boys out here might be hot," Lucas spoke as he came across the 5 year old duo.
"UNCLE LUCAS!" Jamie shouted and ran as fast as he could to wrap his little arms around Lucas' legs.
"I come bearing popsicles!" Lucas held up.
"Woohoo!" Asher cheered on and proceeded to snatch the blue one out of his hands. "How did you know blue was my favorite?"
Lucas' voice was trapped in his throat momentarily. This was the first time he was ever seeing the boy he helped create in person and to say it was earth shattering was underrated. He took in all of the boy's characteristics and physical attributes. Crazy curly brown hair, blue eyes to match his own. He also noticed he inherited Brooke's amazing dimples and his nose and ears. He shook his thoughts away and focused on being there in the moment. "Well your mom told me silly!"
"This is my Uncle Lucas!" Jamie explained to his cousin and bestfriend proudly. "That's where I got my middle name!"
"Cool!" Asher smiled and started on his popsicle.
"Jamie, this is my fiancé, Lindsey," Lucas put his hands on Jamie's shoulders.
"Hi Lindsey!" Jamie beamed up, already starting to get orange all over his face.
"Hi Jamie," Lindsey bent down to shake his sticky hand. "It's very nice to meet you. Your uncle Luke talks about you a whole bunch."
"Uncle Lucas, do you wanna play basketball with me and Asher?" Jamie jumped up and down.
"Sure kiddo!" Lucas laughed and ruffled his hair.
"Is that such a good idea?" Lindsey whispered as she grabbed the sleeve of his shirt.
Lucas furrowed his eyebrows confusingly. "He's my godson, Lindsey. I've missed out on so much."
"Not him, I mean spending time with Asher," she explained further. "You told me nothing would chsnge between us."
"And nothing will," Lucas laughed it off. "I told you, Asher is Brooke's child, I just helped her get him into this world."
Lindsey let go of his shirt and sighed. Worried was the understatement of the world.
"Lets get this grill fired UP!" Nathan came out with marinated steaks.
Brooke and Haley followed him out. Haley went to help Nathan get the grill started and Brooke looked over at Lucas lifting Asher up to the basketball hoop. She glanced over at Lindsey and could read her expression like an open book. This just could not end well.
