Home Sweet Home
And I'm Comin' Off This
Long & Winding Road
I'm On My Way
Well, I'm On My Way
Home Sweet Home...
Brooke stood in the luggage area, waiting for her sister to arrive. She watched as people flooded down the hallway, hugging their loved ones and grabbing the bags before strolling off happily. She wondered what kind of reunion she would have with her long lost sibling. She had only talked to her briefly on the phone a few times this year and she hadn't seen her in person for over three years. She wasn't even sure what she looked like now, seeing Victoria couldn't find a recent photo to send her, describing the young girl by saying she lacked the fashion sense of her mother and older sister. Brooke rolled her eyes at one of the only compliments her mother had ever given her and hung up quickly.
As Brooke stared at all the people walking up, she noticed a young brunette girl walking towards her. She wore tight, straight leg jeans with ripped knees and a tight pink tank top with black splatter paint designs all over the front. She looked down at the girl's shoes, pale pink ballet slippers, before focusing on the girl's face again, noticing she wore quite a bit of heavy black eyeliner and mascara. Brooke shook her head, silently wondering what kind of fashion statement the young teen was trying to make.
Before she knew it, the girl was literally two feet away from her and seemed to be walking directly towards her. Brooke stuck her hands on hips, refusing to move out of the way for some kid with an attitude. The girl stopped directly in front of her, staring up at Brooke with hazel eyes that looked much like her own.
"Hey," the younger brunette crossed her arms over her chest.
Brooke studied her before her eyes grew wide, realization dawning on her.
"Brooklyn Penelope Davis," the young girl gave her a nervous half smile.
"Samara Melanie Davis," she offered her famous dimpled smile before enveloping her sister in a hug. "I'm sorry," she pulled back. "I didn't recognize you in your Amy Winehouse get up."
"Very funny," she rolled her eyes. "And it's just Sam now, I hate when Mother calls me Samara."
"Believe me, I get it," she replied. "You got a deal as long as you keep my name simple too and call me Brooke."
"I can do that," Sam smiled a little more naturally this time. "Who told her it as cool to name your kids the names of the cities they were conceived in?"
"At least yours is a beautiful beach in Costa Rica," Brooke rolled her eyes. "Victoria hates Brooklyn yet she names me after it." She shook her head. "So, you bring any luggage?"
"Just this," she motioned to her small carry on suitcase. "Aunt Caroline is shipping the rest."
"Okay," Brooke nodded, happy she would not have to lug around a lot of bags. "You hungry; we could go get some food, get to know each other again?"
"Sounds good," Sam nodded as well. "Lead the way."
Lucas sat at the head of the table, looking at all his top executives as they retained all the information he'd just given them. House of Scott Cosmetics had taken quite a hit last year and it was just now getting back on track since Lucas' promotion to CEO. Keith had finally decided to step back and let his nephew/stepson take the reigns, and to Lucas that meant reorganizing key executives and restructuring to make sure they remained on top.
"And that brings us to the Raye Tech division," Lucas continued. "All in all everything is running smoothly with the appointment of Philip Carlson last month so there will be no changes at this time. Rachel Gattina, who also came on last month as our new spokesmodel for the new line, will also stay in place due to the increase in projected sales. All other changes will be effective immediately; any questions?" He looked at the group of individuals once more as everyone gave their no sir's. "Okay, well then as far as I'm concerned, this meeting is adjourned."
Lucas watched as his executives filed out of the board room and back to their offices, leaving him alone with the young brunette who'd been taking notes.
"Very impressive," she flashed him her pearly whites. "You almost sounded like you knew what you were doing."
"Gee thanks Lily, I really appreciate that." He laughed. "So how is your first day going?"
"Pretty good," she nodded. "For a job, its okay I guess. I still don't see why you get to be the head of the company and I'm stuck as a secretary helper."
"Assistant to the Administrative Assistant of The Chief Executive Officer," he corrected her, before giving a laugh. "And you're eighteen and still have to go to college; how would you find the time to run the company in between your sorority parties?"
"You have so little faith in me big brother," she laughed as well. "Speaking of parties, there's that annual charity gala thing coming up. Have you asked Brooke yet?"
"Who said I was asking Brooke?" he asked as he subconsciously rubbed the back of his neck. "Or that I was even going?"
"You're a big shot CEO now, you have to go." Lily shrugged. "And besides, who else would you take besides your wife?"
"You do know we're divorced?" he touched his sister's forehead. "You didn't hit your head or get a high fever and forget right? It's been five years."
"Yet neither of you have moved on," she countered. "I mean, didn't you just pay for the furniture in her apartment?"
"I've dated other people and how do you know that?" His brows furrowed as he studied her. "What do you have, ESP?"
"No, just good hearing," she answered. "I heard you the other day on the phone making sure everything arrived. Look Lucas, I just want you to be happy and to get a life."
"Thanks," he replied thoughtfully, languished.
"Oh no, here it goes." She shook her head. "Can you stop with the brooding and just call her." She gave him a quick hug. "I have to go but just think about it, okay?"
"Okay," he smiled at her warmly. "Go meddle in someone else's life."
"I am," she replied before walking out the door.
Nathan walked through the door of Karen's Café, cell phone attached to his ear as he made his way to the table where his family was sitting. "We have them just where we want them. Call Jake Jagelski and get the contracts ready, I'm sure they'll be ready to sign soon."
"Nathan," Peyton whispered forcefully, glaring at him.
"Yeah alright Barry; the wife's glaring at me so I have to go," he laughed. "I'll call you later." He shut the phone, turning to the blonde. "There," he kissed her on the cheek. "I'm done."
"You promised no business, its family day." She exhaled deeply.
"I know but since the business is owned by my dad that could be considered…" he stopped mid-sentence when she sent him another glare. "Okay, Peyt. I'm sorry." He looked around. "Where are the kids?"
"In the back visiting Karen," she answered. "She's missed them the past month."
"I know, it sucks she got caught up in the middle of everything with my Dad and Uncle Keith," he shook his head. "Luke and I seem to be passed all of it now and we're not going to let business or anything else get in the way of us being brothers anymore."
"I just hope it stays that way," she reached over and held his hand. "I still feel so guilty about the role I played in the start of your strained relationship with him. I really am sorry."
"I forgave you a long time ago," he took her hand in his, his thumb moving the second band on her left hand, ring finger. "This is a symbol of that," he tilted his head toward the blonde boy who was approaching. "So is he."
"Daddy," Jamie ran up to the table. "You made it?" He stared up at his father with wide blue eyes, full of love.
Nathan noticed it came out as a question and knew it was his fault. He tended to let business come before his family far too much. "Of course I did buddy," he ruffled the child's hair before he slid into the booth across from his mother. "And how's my little girl?"
"Hi Daddy," she hugged him before sitting next to her brother. "I'm good; mom owes me twenty bucks now."
"What?" he looked at his daughter, hair full of soft curls like her mother in honey brown, before turning to his wife, "Explanation time."
"I thought you were going to be over an hour late, Lizzie bet me you'd be under an hour," Peyton shrugged. "I personally think you should pay her."
"Should I be hurt over this?" he feigned upset.
"Cut it out Nate," Peyton pushed him. "Let's just order because I am starving and now I'm broke thanks to you and your daughter."
"Aunt Brooke," Jamie jumped up from his seat. Even though she and Lucas divorced around the time he was born, he still called her his aunt.
"Hey little man," the brunette smiled. "Hey Lizzie."
"Hi Aunt Brooke," the teen replied. "Grandpa Dan let both you and Dad out of the office?"
"Hardy, har, har," Brooke rolled her eyes. "Hey Nate; Peyton," she forced a smile at the older blonde. "Guys, this is my little sister Sam."
"What's up," Sam waved a bit awkwardly.
"So this is the famous little sister," Peyton smiled at the girl genuinely before looking to Brooke. "Nathan told me she was coming to live with you."
"Yeah," she nodded. "Well we were just coming to pick some food up so…."
"You guys should stay and eat with us," Peyton offered.
"Yeah, it's family day Aunt Brooke," Jamie chimed in.
"We wouldn't want to interrupt," Brooke tried to decline politely.
"You wouldn't be interrupting Aunt Brooke," Nathan scooted over in the booth closer to his wife. "Take a seat Davis," he motioned for the kids to scoot down, "You too other Davis."
Brooke nodded politely and sat down, watching as her sister followed suit, as she silently cursing herself for not choosing the Chinese Restaurant down the street. She quickly began messing with her cell phone.
"What are you doing," Nathan shot her a look, "working?"
"Momma says we're not supposed to use the phone for work during family time Aunt Brooke?" Jamie looked up at her.
"Sorry," she flashed them all her dimpled grin. "I was just texting my mother to make sure she knows Sam got here alright." She flicked the lid closed. "Done."
"But I thought you..." Sam stopped mid-sentence as she felt a swift kick to her leg. "Ow," she winced before mumbling, "son of a…"
"Are you alright"' Peyton turned inquiring eyes to the young brunette.
"Yeah, I just must have hit myself under the table," Sam replied before glaring at her sister.
"Yeah, you have to be careful Sam," Brooke said as she lifted up the menu. "So, what looks good?" she tried to hide her awkwardness as she prayed her message made sense.
Jake exited the courthouse, fumbling with his keys as he headed towards his car. The case seemed to be turning around in his favor after he'd received some new evidence at the last minute, getting the judge to approve his request for a contingency. As he drove down the street, he reached for his cell phone.
"Hey Haley," Jake said as soon as he heard the line pick up.
"Hey you," her sing song voice came through the line. "How did it go?"
"Great," he answered. "I think we're going to win this one."
"That's great Jake, I'm so proud of you." Haley paused briefly. "Are you on your way here now? I was thinking you could pick up some Thai on your way back."
"Sounds like a plan. Oh hold on, I think I just got a text." Jake took the phone away from his ear, smiling as he read the message. "Hey Hales," he said as he returned the phone to his ear. "How do you feel about guests?"
"Hmm, I guess I could live without having you to myself right away." She sighed. "I take it guests means your best friend and her sister?"
"Yeah it was Brooke," he laughed. "She just sent me a message saying she was at KC with PMS, help."
"PMS?" Haley repeated. "KC?"
"Peyton Marie Sawyer or Scott," Jake laughed. "And Karen's Café; I'm pulling up right now."
"Okay," Haley laughed. "I'll see you guys soon and don't forget the Thai. Love you."
"I won't; I love you too Haley," he replied before hanging up and heading inside the café, immediately spotting Brooke and Sam with the Family Scott. "Brooke!"
"Jake," the brunette gave a relieved smile as her best friend hurriedly walked to their booth.
"I have been looking for you all over," Jake replied before waving to the rest of the table. "Sorry, hi everyone. I don't mean to interrupt but I'm having a computer crisis that I really need Brooke's help with." Jake was sure they'd used the excuse before with the other Scott brother but was pretty sure they'd never used it with Nathan. "I hate to ask you to run out on lunch but…"
"Its fine Jake," she stood up and hugged Jamie and Liz. "Maybe I can take the kids next weekend sometime and spend some time with them."
"I'm sure they'd like that," Nathan replied as Jamie nodded happily.
"Yeah, that sounds great Aunt Brooke," Liz smiled.
"It was really nice meeting all of you," Sam said as she stood up.
"You can stay Sam," Peyton offered. "We can drop you off after we're done if you like."
"Thanks Peyton but it'll probably be best if my sister comes with us," Brooke replied with a small smile. "I'm sure Haley could use they company anyways while Jake and I are hard at work."
"Oh joy," came Sam's sarcastic reply.
"I'll see you at work tomorrow Davis and Jake, Barry should be calling you to finish up those contracts," Nathan replied. "It was nice to meet you Sam."
They all said their goodbyes as Brooke practically dragged her sister out of the restaurant.
"Sammie," Jake slung his arm around her shoulder. "It's good to see you again."
"You too Jakey," she laughed. "And it's nice to see that you two still haven't grown up."
"Hey what can I say," Jake ruffled her hair before the three of them got into his SUV. "Welcome to Tree Hill, home of drama."
"Lucas Scott," he looked up to see a gorgeous brunette leaning against his door frame. "Are you working hard or hardly working?"
"Both," he answered. "So what is Nicki Smythe doing back in Tree Hill, much less in my office?"
"Why are you upset security let me through the door?" she asked flirtatiously before closing the door and sitting in front of him on his desk. "Would you believe I work here now?" She crossed her legs.
Lucas exhaled deeply as he rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "What are you playing at here Nicki?"
"Nothing," she shrugged, putting on the most innocent face she could muster as she leaned back. "I mean it Lucas, I work here now."
"Uh-huh," he sat back in his chair, squinting at the brunette in front of him. "And since I'm the CEO that makes me the last to know?" His eyes pierced through hers.
"Alright," she huffed after a few silents moments of his scrutinizing stare. "Look, I've been looking for an excuse to come home for a while and when Dan called…"
"Dan," he sat up. "Dan Scott called you to come back here?"
"Ye-Yeah," she hopped off the desk, seeing the change in his demeanor immediately, and sat in the chair on the other side of his desk. "He's been courting me a while for Phoenix Industries; he's offered me a position as Public Relations Head Consultant." She tilted her head. "I thought I'd give you a chance to scoop me up first."
"So let me get this straight," Lucas looked up at her. "My ass of a biological father wants to hire you of all people as his PR Director? Unbelievable!"
"Well I am good at what I do," Nicki offered him a smile. "Or have you forgotten?"
"No I remember all too well Nicki," Lucas scoffed, an ironic smirk gracing his features. "How is Jenny by the way?"
Nicki's eyes went wide, taken back by the bite in his voice. "This was obviously a mistake," she stood up. "I thought the last time we saw each other we'd gotten passed all that but I guess not." She snatched her purse up from his desk. "I'll see you around Lucas."
He stood up and grabbed her by the arm. "Look Nicki, I'm sorry. This has just been a long day and when you mentioned Dan…" he shook his head in frustration as he let go of her. "It's just you being here may be hard for some people."
"You mean Brooke right?" she turned around to face him. "Look Lucas, I'm not here to cause any trouble for either of you and if you're back together, I'm happy for you."
"We're not but I think there's a chance…" he started but was cut off by the wave of her hand.
"You don't have to say anything else," Nicki replied. "Look I have to go pick up Jenny, who by the way is doing great, but I'm staying at The Athletic Club if you want to steal me from Dan's company or you just want to talk. We were really great friends once upon a time Luke; I'd like us to be again."
Lucas nodded. "Hey Nicki," he called as she opened the door. "You look better, happy."
Nicki returned to nod. "I think I finally am. I hope you are too." She flashed him one last smiled before leaving.
Nathan, Liz, and Peyton who held on to Jamie tightly, trotted through the trail towards their house. After leaving the café they decided to go horse back riding before their game night. It was a tradition they had every Sunday if it was possible. There had been times in their marriage when they'd grown apart but for the past five and a half years they made a conscious effort to make time for their family as well as for each other.
As they arrived in the stables, Liz was the first one to hope off her horse. "This was so fun," the excitement as written all over her face. "I still can't believe Grandpa Dan brought me my own horse for my birthday."
"Me either," Peyton concurred. When Dan had brought them down to the stables and Elizabeth found her million dollar horse with a red bow on it, she'd thought it was a bad idea to give that kind of a gift to a fourteen year old but once she saw her daughter's face she couldn't object. "He is a beauty."
"How about you buddy," Nathan said as he hopped off her horse before reaching out for his son. "You have fun?"
"Yeah Daddy," Jamie grinned as his father put him down. "When can I ride by myself like Lizzie?"
"When you're older like Lizzie munchkin," Peyton replied as she stepped off of the stirrups before squeezing her son tightly. "You're still momma's baby."
"I'm not a baby," he pouted.
"Of course you are," Liz teased with a laugh.
"You're still my baby too brat," Peyton laughed. "Now why don't you two go get washed up while Daddy and I put up the horses, okay? Can you help your little brother peanut?"
"Sure Mom," she replied as she grabbed her brother's hand. "Let's go squirt."
"We'll make s'mores and do the indoor tent when we get up there," Peyton called to the children as they left the stables. "This was really great Nate, thanks."
"You don't have to thank me Peyt," Nathan said as he led two of the horses to their stalls. "I love spending time with my family." He turned to watch her put up the last horse before meeting her near the entranceway. "I know sometimes it doesn't show enough because I get busy with work but I love you."
"I know, I love you too baby." Peyton smiled up at him as she wrapped her arms around her husband. "And it does show Nate, always. You are my home."
"How did I get so lucky?" his blue eyes gazed into her green ones.
"Probably the same way I got so unlucky," she laughed.
"Ha ha," he fake pushed her away before wrapping his arms around her again. "You are so funny Mrs. Scott."
"I try," she smiled before plaing her hands on his chest and kissing him softly. "Now what do you say we go get our kids before they start without us and burn down the house."
"So this is it," Brooke said as she opened the door and stood back, allowing her sister to walk in before her. "What do you think?"
"It's nice, the furniture's great." Sam replied as she stepped inside, tossing her backpack on the chair.
Brooke closed the door. "Here, let me show you your room. Come on."
Sam followed her up the stairs to the room on the left. "Wow," she said as they stepped inside.
The walls were a deep purple with white trim. The bed, a full, was on the left side on the room and there were lavender and white lines on it along with a black and white folded throw that lay across the bottom. At the head of the bed there were different sized throw pillows in black and deep purple and one in the middle that was checkered in white and black. There was a black rug on the right side with a pattern of lavender leaves, upon which sat a black and white chair and a mahogany colored table sat, a laptop sitting on top of that.
"It's beautiful," Sam said as she ran her hand over the lamp shade and then opened the drawer to her night stand, revealing a purple velvet lined drawer. "Brooke, you didn't have to do all this."
"Are you kidding? You're my little sister," she shrugged. "Plus it wasn't all me. I told Lucas how much you liked purple, you still do don't you?"
"Yeah," she nodded.
"Yeah well he knew about you coming and he did a lot of this for me: the living room, kitchen stuff, your room." She smiled as she thought of him. "He's a pretty fantastic guy."
"Exactly why did you divorce him again?" Sam shot her a look.
"Shut up," she nudged her with her hip. "So, you really like it?"
"Yeah I do," Sam turned around to hug her. "Thanks so much Brooke."
"No problem," she squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. "Welcome home little sister." She smiled to herself. "Home sweet home."